Illumination device and illumination system

Abstract

To provide a lighting device and a lighting system that can improve convenience for a user.SOLUTION: The lighting device includes a light source, a camera, a setting unit, an acquiring unit, and an image processing unit. The light source illuminates a space. The camera has an optical axis extending in the gravity direction and images in the space. The setting unit sets an effective angle of view of the camera on the basis of the installation height of the camera and the brightness in the space. The acquiring unit acquires image data captured by the camera. The image processing unit processes the image data acquired by the acquiring unit on the basis of the effective angle of view set by the setting unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE Embodiments of the present invention relate to a lighting device and a lighting system. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, there have been lighting devices with cameras that have a lighting unit and a camera unit in a single housing. Such lighting devices with cameras are being introduced for applications such as monitoring production lines in factories and monitoring the status of employees in offices. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-204613 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the conventional technology has room for improvement in terms of improving user convenience.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a lighting device and a lighting system that can improve user convenience. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An illumination device according to an embodiment includes a light source, a camera, a setting unit, an acquisition unit, and an image processing unit. The light source illuminates a space. The camera has an optical axis extending along the direction of gravity and captures an image of the space. The setting unit sets the effective angle of view of the camera based on the installation height of the camera and the brightness in the space. The acquisition unit acquires image data captured by the camera. The image processing unit processes the image data acquired by the acquisition unit based on the effective angle of view set by the setting unit. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a lighting device and a lighting system that can improve user convenience. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a lighting system according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an example of a lighting device according to an embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a lighting system according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the angle of view information. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of condition information. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure executed by the lighting device according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a lighting system according to a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, a lighting device and a lighting system according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Components having the same functions in the embodiments are given the same reference numerals, and duplicated descriptions will be omitted. Note that the lighting device and the lighting system described in the following embodiments are merely examples, and do not limit the embodiments.

[0010] The lighting device 1 according to the embodiment described below includes a light source 31, a camera 21, a setting unit 52, an acquisition unit 51, and an image processing unit 53. The light source 31 illuminates a space. The camera 21 has an optical axis Z extending along the direction of gravity, and captures an image of the space. The setting unit 52 sets an effective angle of view 24 of the camera 21 based on the installation height of the camera 21 and the brightness in the space. The acquisition unit 51 acquires image data captured by the camera 21. The image processing unit 53 processes the image data acquired by the acquisition unit 51 based on the effective angle of view 24 set by the setting unit 52.

[0011] The setting unit 52 according to the embodiment described below updates the effective angle of view 24 based on the results of processing by the image processing unit 53 .

[0012] The image processing unit 53 according to the embodiment described below processes image data located outside the range of the effective angle of view 24. The setting unit 52 updates the effective angle of view 24 based on the processing result of the image data located within the range of the effective angle of view 24 and the processing result of the image data located outside the range of the effective angle of view 24.

[0013] The lighting system 100 according to the embodiment described below includes a light source 31, a camera 21, a setting unit 52, an acquisition unit 51, and an image processing unit 53. The light source 31 illuminates a space. The camera 21 has an optical axis Z extending along the direction of gravity, and captures an image of the space. The setting unit 52 sets an effective angle of view 24 of the camera 21 based on the installation height of the camera 21 and the brightness in the space. The acquisition unit 51 acquires image data captured by the camera 21. The image processing unit 53 processes the image data acquired by the acquisition unit 51 based on the effective angle of view 24 set by the setting unit 52.

[0014] [Embodiment] First, an application example of a lighting system according to an embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a lighting system according to an embodiment.

[0015] A lighting system 100 (see FIG. 3) according to an embodiment includes a lighting device 1 (see FIG. 2). The lighting device 1 is, for example, installed on a ceiling and illuminates a predetermined space when turned on. Here, the lighting device 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 2.

[0016] Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of a lighting device according to an embodiment. The lighting device 1 according to the embodiment is a lighting device directly attached to a ceiling, and is a so-called base light. In the example shown in Fig. 2, the lighting device 1 has a camera unit 20 and a lighting unit 30. Note that the lighting device 1 is not limited to a base light, and may be a ceiling light, a downlight, a spotlight, or the like.

[0017] Camera unit 20 is an imaging device that captures an image of a predetermined area around lighting device 1. Camera unit 20 has camera 21 (see FIG. 3). As shown in FIG. 1, camera 21 has a predetermined imaging range 23. Camera unit 20 is disposed such that optical axis Z of camera 21, which is located at the center of imaging range 23, extends along the direction of gravity (step S1).

[0018] The lighting device 1 sets the effective angle of view 24 based on the installation height of the camera 21 and the brightness in the space (step S2). The effective angle of view 24 is an image area from which more accurate information is expected to be obtained within the imaging range 23. The effective angle of view 24 is set based on, for example, the installation height of the camera 21 acquired by a user's input operation and, for example, the illuminance detected by an illuminance sensor.

[0019] In this way, the lighting device 1 according to the embodiment automatically sets the effective angle of view 24 of the camera 21 based on the installation height of the camera 21 and the brightness in the space. Therefore, the lighting system 100 according to the embodiment can improve user convenience.

[0020] Incidentally, the lighting device 1 according to the embodiment can be used for various purposes, such as monitoring a production line in a factory, monitoring the status of workers, improving work efficiency, etc. For example, the range of an image required for image processing varies depending on the purpose, such as when a wider range of image analysis is required or when face recognition is required.

[0021] Therefore, the lighting device 1 updates the effective angle of view 24 (step S3). When it is determined that a predetermined requirement is satisfied as a result of image processing, the lighting device 1 updates the effective angle of view 24 set in step S2 to a new effective angle of view 24a. In this way, the lighting system 100 according to the embodiment can customize the effective angle of view 24 depending on the installation environment and application of the lighting device 1. This can improve user convenience.

[0022] In FIG. 1, the effective angle of view 24 is illustrated as a rectangle, but is not limited thereto, and may be, for example, a circle or an ellipse, or may be a triangle, a hexagon, or any other polygonal shape.

[0023] [Lighting system configuration] Next, a configuration example of a lighting system will be described. Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a lighting system according to an embodiment. As shown in Fig. 3, a lighting system 100 includes a lighting device 1, an operation unit 61, and a sensor 62.

[0024] The lighting device 1 includes a communication unit 10, a camera unit 20, a lighting unit 30, a storage unit 40, and a control unit 50.

[0025] The communication unit 10 transmits and receives information to and from the other lighting devices 1. The communication unit 10 may also transmit and receive information to and from a management device or other higher-level device that manages one or more lighting devices 1. The communication unit 10 is realized, for example, by a predetermined communication circuit or a NIC (Network Interface Card). The communication method between the device itself and the other lighting devices 1 and / or the higher-level device may be, for example, wireless communication such as a local area network (LAN). The communication method between the device itself and the other lighting devices 1 and / or the higher-level device may be any communication method, for example, wired communication, infrared communication, etc.

[0026] The camera unit 20 has a camera 21 and an imaging control unit 22. The camera 21 has an imaging element that electronically acquires an image, such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) or a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor), and captures an image of a predetermined imaging range 23 to generate image data. The image data may be video data or still image data. The camera 21 has a lens, such as a wide-angle lens or a fisheye lens, and is capable of generating image data of a wide imaging range 23.

[0027] The imaging control unit 22 controls imaging by the camera 21. In addition, the imaging control unit 22 outputs image data generated by imaging by the camera 21 to the control unit 50.

[0028] The lighting unit 30 includes a light source 31 and a lighting control unit 32. The light source 31 includes a semiconductor light emitting element such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode). The light source 31 is turned on or off in a manner corresponding to a control signal output from the lighting control unit 32.

[0029] The lighting control unit 32 controls turning on and off of the light sources 31. The lighting control unit 32 turns on the light sources 31 that are to be turned off, or turns off the light sources 31 that are to be turned on. In the case of the lighting unit 30 in which the light source 31 can be dimmed, the lighting control unit 32 may control the dimming degree of the light source 31.

[0030] The storage unit 40 stores programs for implementing various controls of the control unit 50. The storage unit 40 is implemented by, for example, a semiconductor memory element such as a random access memory (RAM) or a flash memory, or a storage device such as a hard disk or an optical disk. The storage unit 40 stores angle of view information 41 and condition information 42.

[0031] The angle-of-view information 41 is information relating to a plurality of effective angles of view 24 set by a setting unit 52, which will be described later. Fig. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the angle-of-view information. As shown in Fig. 4, the angle-of-view information 41 is a map that associates the positions and ranges of the plurality of effective angles of view 24 with the installation height of the camera 21 and the brightness in the space. Note that the angle-of-view information 41 is not limited to that shown in Fig. 4, and may be, for example, one or more functions with the installation height of the camera 21 and the brightness in the space as variables.

[0032] The condition information 42 is information about an update condition that serves as a criterion for determining whether or not to update the effective angle of view 24 by a determination unit 54, which will be described later. Fig. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the condition information.

[0033] 5, a case is considered in which the lighting device 1 monitors the behavior of a detection target 70. For example, if the detection target 70 moves from outside the imaging range 23 to within the imaging range 23, even if it is within the imaging range 23, it is not regarded as a detection target 70 outside the effective angle of view 24, and is recognized as, for example, an unidentified object. Then, when the detection target 70 reaches within the effective angle of view 24, it is recognized as a detection target 70.

[0034] In this way, if the range of the effective angle of view 24 is narrow compared to the imaging range 23, this may, for example, cause difficulty in continuous data analysis by the lighting device 1. Therefore, in the imaging range 23 where an image satisfying a predetermined requirement can be acquired even if it is outside the range of the effective angle of view 24, the effective angle of view 24 is updated and the range of the effective angle of view 24 is expanded. That is, the condition information 42 may include, for example, information on image data located outside the effective angle of view 24 in the imaging range 23. As a result, the imaging range 23 outside the range of the effective angle of view 24 becomes relatively narrow, which enables, for example, more effective use of the image data.

[0035] Note that the update of the effective angle of view 24 is not limited to an expansion of the range of the effective angle of view 24, and may be a contraction. Also, the range of the effective angle of view 24 may not be changed, and only the position may be changed.

[0036] In addition, while FIG. 5 illustrates an example of monitoring the behavior of the detection target 70, the present invention is not limited to this example, and the condition information 42 can be applied according to the purpose, such as monitoring goods entering and leaving a specified area, or understanding the operating status of equipment.

[0037] The control unit 50 is realized by, for example, a central processing unit (CPU) or a micro processing unit (MPU) executing various programs stored in an internal memory using a RAM as a working area. The control unit 50 can also be realized by, for example, an integrated circuit such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a field programmable gate array (FPGA).

[0038] The control unit 50 processes the image captured by the camera unit 20 and executes a predetermined process. The control unit 50 has an acquisition unit 51, a setting unit 52, an image processing unit 53, and a determination unit .

[0039] The acquisition unit 51 acquires image data output from the camera unit 20. The acquisition unit 51 also acquires information regarding the installation height of the camera 21 and the brightness in the space. The installation height of the camera 21 can be acquired, for example, in response to an input operation of the operation unit 61. The brightness in the space can be acquired, for example, based on data output from the sensor 62.

[0040] The operation unit 61 may be, for example, a remote device (such as a remote control) or a switch member. The operation unit 61 may also be, for example, a terminal device such as a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a PC (Personal Computer), a mobile phone, or a PDA (Personal Data Assistance).

[0041] The sensor 62 is, for example, an illuminance sensor. The sensor 62 is positioned, for example, at a predetermined height on the optical axis Z to detect the brightness in the space.

[0042] The setting unit 52 sets the effective angle of view 24. The setting unit 52 sets the effective angle of view 24 based on the installation height of the camera 21 and the brightness in the space acquired by the acquisition unit 51, with reference to the angle of view information 41 stored in the storage unit 40.

[0043] In addition, the setting unit 52 updates the effective angle of view 24. The setting unit 52 updates the effective angle of view 24 based on the result of the determination by the determination unit .

[0044] The image processing unit 53 processes the image data output from the camera unit 20 based on the effective angle of view 24 set by the setting unit 52. The image processing unit 53 executes a predetermined process based on an image located within the effective angle of view 24, out of the image data. The image processing unit 53 may also execute a predetermined process based on an image located outside the effective angle of view 24, out of the image data.

[0045] The determination unit 54 determines whether to update the effective angle of view 24. The determination unit 54 updates the effective angle of view 24 based on the processing result by the image processing unit 53 and by referring to the condition information 42 stored in the storage unit 40. The determination unit 54 may update the effective angle of view 24 based on, for example, the processing result of image data located within the range of the effective angle of view 24 and the processing result of image data located outside the range of the effective angle of view 24.

[0046] The control unit 50 may further include a learning unit that learns the condition information 42. This improves the accuracy of the determination regarding the update of the effective angle of view 24 performed by the determination unit 54.

[0047] Next, a process procedure executed by the lighting device 1 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of a process procedure executed by the lighting device according to the embodiment.

[0048] 6, first, the acquisition unit 51 of the lighting device 1 acquires the installation height of the camera 21 and the brightness in the space (step S11). Next, the setting unit 52 of the lighting device 1 sets the effective angle of view 24 based on the installation height of the camera 21 and the brightness in the space acquired by the acquisition unit 51 (step S12).

[0049] The determination unit 54 of the lighting device 1 determines whether the update condition is satisfied (step S13). If the update condition is not satisfied (step S13, No), the lighting device 1 ends the process. If the update condition is satisfied (step S13, Yes), the setting unit 52 of the lighting device 1 updates the effective angle of view 24 (step S14) and ends the process.

[0050] [Variations] In the above embodiment, the lighting device 1 is described as having the camera unit 20. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the lighting device 1 may have a camera unit 20 separate therefrom.

[0051] In the above embodiment, the setting and updating of the effective angle of view 24 in one camera 21 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. A plurality of cameras 21 may update the effective angle of view 24 in cooperation with each other.

[0052] FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a lighting system according to a modified example.

[0053] 7 shows a case where the behavior of a detection target 70 is monitored by a lighting system 100 in which two cameras 21 are positioned side by side such that the imaging ranges 23-1, 23-2 partially overlap. As shown in (a), if the effective angles of view 24-1, 24-2 are positioned apart, it may be difficult to track a detection target 70 located near the boundary between the imaging ranges 23-1, 23-2, for example, and continuous data analysis may be difficult.

[0054] Therefore, the lighting system 100 expands the effective angles of view 24-1 and 24-2 and updates them so that the effective angles of view 24-1a and 24-2a are in contact with each other. This makes it possible to continuously monitor the behavior of the detection target 70 with high accuracy, and enables more effective use of image data.

[0055] 7, the effective angles of view 24-1a and 24-2a are updated so as to be in contact with each other, but they may overlap partially. In such a case, the behavior of the detection target 70 in the overlapping portion of the effective angles of view 24-1a and 24-2a may be monitored by each camera 21 individually or in cooperation with each other.

[0056] As described above, the lighting device 1 according to the embodiment includes the light source 31, the camera 21, the setting unit 52, the acquisition unit 51, and the image processing unit 53. The light source 31 illuminates the space. The camera 21 has an optical axis Z extending along the direction of gravity, and captures an image of the space. The setting unit 52 sets the effective angle of view 24 of the camera 21 based on the installation height of the camera 21 and the brightness in the space. The acquisition unit 51 acquires image data captured by the camera 21. The image processing unit 53 processes the image data acquired by the acquisition unit 51 based on the effective angle of view 24 set by the setting unit 52. This can improve user convenience.

[0057] Moreover, the setting unit 52 according to the embodiment updates the effective angle of view 24 based on the result of processing by the image processing unit 53. This can improve user convenience.

[0058] Moreover, the image processing unit 53 according to the embodiment processes image data located outside the range of the effective angle of view 24. The setting unit 52 updates the effective angle of view 24 based on the processing result of the image data located within the range of the effective angle of view 24 and the processing result of the image data located outside the range of the effective angle of view 24. This can improve user convenience.

[0059] Moreover, the lighting system 100 according to the embodiment includes a light source 31, a camera 21, a setting unit 52, an acquisition unit 51, and an image processing unit 53. The light source 31 illuminates a space. The camera 21 has an optical axis Z extending along the direction of gravity, and captures an image in the space. The setting unit 52 sets an effective angle of view 24 of the camera 21 based on the installation height of the camera 21 and the brightness in the space. The acquisition unit 51 acquires image data captured by the camera 21. The image processing unit 53 processes the image data acquired by the acquisition unit 51 based on the effective angle of view 24 set by the setting unit 52. This can improve user convenience.

[0060] Although an embodiment of the present invention has been described, this embodiment is presented as an example and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. This embodiment can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents described in the claims, as well as in the scope and gist of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0061] 1 Lighting equipment 20 Camera unit 21 Camera 30 Lighting Unit 31 Light source 40 Storage section 41 Angle of view information 42 Condition Information 50 Control section 51 Acquisition Department 52 Setting section 53 Image processing section 54 Judgment Department 100 Lighting System

Claims

1. A light source to illuminate the space; a camera having an optical axis extending along the direction of gravity and capturing an image of the space; a setting unit that sets an effective angle of view of the camera based on an installation height of the camera and brightness in the space; an acquisition unit that acquires image data captured by the camera; an image processing unit that processes the image data acquired by the acquisition unit based on the effective angle of view set by the setting unit; A lighting device comprising:

2. The setting unit updates the effective angle of view based on a result of processing by the image processing unit.

10. The lighting device of claim 1.

3. the image processing unit processes the image data located outside the range of the effective angle of view, The setting unit updates the effective angle of view based on a processing result of the image data located within the effective angle of view and a processing result of the image data located outside the effective angle of view.

3. The lighting device according to claim 2.

4. A light source to illuminate the space; a camera having an optical axis extending along the direction of gravity and capturing an image of the space; a setting unit that sets an effective angle of view of the camera based on an installation height of the camera and brightness in the space; an acquisition unit that acquires image data captured by the camera; an image processing unit that processes the image data acquired by the acquisition unit based on the effective angle of view set by the setting unit; A lighting system comprising:

Images