Light environment control system, light environment control method, and light environment control program

Abstract

To provide an optical environment control system, an optical environment control method, and an optical environment control program capable of performing dimming control according to variation in appropriate brightness balance while considering the appropriate brightness balance of a plurality of areas.SOLUTION: In an optical environment control system 100 including an imaging device 110 which acquires image data, and a dimmer control device 120 which includes a brightness calculation unit 130 for calculating brightness of a plurality of areas from image data, and performs dimming control on a dimmer E1 based on the brightness of the plurality of areas calculated by the brightness calculation unit 130, the dimmer control device 120 has a recording unit 150 for storing therein information 150a on area setting for dividing the brightness of the plurality of areas into the brightness of a reference area and the brightness of a determination area, and information 150b on a brightness permissible range set according to the change in appropriate brightness balance between the brightness of the reference area and the brightness of the determination area. The dimmer E1 is subjected to dimming control so that the brightness of the plurality of areas falls within the brightness permissible range.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a light environment control system, a light environment control method, and a light environment control program for dimming control of a dimming device based on image data acquired by an imaging device.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in order to optimize the light environment in an indoor space, a light environment control system that performs dimming control of a dimming device based on image data acquired by an imaging device has been used.

[0003] Patent Document 1 describes an illumination control system that converts image data acquired by an imaging device into a visible image that matches the human viewpoint and performs dimming control of a lighting fixture based on the luminance distribution of the visible image.

[0004] Patent Document 2 describes a light environment control system that performs dimming control of a changing means such as a lighting fixture so that the measured range of a brightness scale value obtained from an image of the luminance distribution in a predetermined area of an indoor space falls within a target range corresponding to the predetermined area.

[0005] Patent Document 3 describes a light environment control system that performs dimming control of a changing part such as a lighting fixture so that the indoor window surface luminance and wall surface luminance are within a predetermined appropriate luminance balance area.

[0006] Non-Patent Document 1 describes a method of performing dimming control of ambient lighting while appropriately maintaining the brightness feeling in a room by using a luminance image and a brightness image converted from the luminance image.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0007]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Non-Patent Document

[0008]

Non-Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0009] In the technology described in the above Patent Document 1, the lighting fixture is dimmer-controlled based on the luminance distribution in the area of a person's viewpoint, and is not dimmer-controlled to maintain an appropriate luminance balance in a plurality of areas.

[0010] In the technology described in the above Patent Document 2, the changing means such as lighting fixtures assigned to each predetermined area is dimmer-controlled, and is not dimmer-controlled to maintain an appropriate luminance balance in a plurality of areas.

[0011] In the technology described in the above Patent Document 3, since the dimming device is controlled so that the luminance of the window surface and the luminance of the wall surface fall within a certain straight line with a constant slope or a tolerance range based on that straight line, which is an appropriate luminance balance between the luminance of the window surface and the luminance of the wall surface, for example, an appropriate luminance balance using 75% allowable wall surface luminance, the dimming control is performed within a fixed range of the appropriate luminance balance between the luminance of the window surface and the luminance of the wall surface, and the dimming control cannot be performed according to the change in the appropriate luminance balance between the luminance of the window surface and the luminance of the wall surface.

[0012] In the research described in the above Non-Patent Document 1, the lighting is not dimmer-controlled to maintain an appropriate luminance balance in a plurality of evaluation areas (regions).

[0013] In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a light environment control system, a light environment control method, and a light environment control program that can perform dimming control according to changes in an appropriate luminance balance while considering the appropriate luminance balance in a plurality of regions.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0014] The light environment control system according to the present invention is an imaging device that acquires image data, and a dimming device control device that has a luminance calculation unit that calculates the luminance of a plurality of regions from the image data, and controls the dimming of a dimming device based on the luminance of the plurality of regions calculated by the luminance calculation unit. A light environment control system comprising: wherein the dimming device control device stores information on region setting that divides the luminance of the plurality of regions into the luminance of a reference region and the luminance of a determination region, and information on a luminance allowable range set according to changes in the appropriate luminance balance between the luminance of the reference region and the luminance of the determination region. A storage unit; and characterized in that the dimming of the dimming device is controlled so that the luminance of the plurality of regions falls within the luminance allowable range.

[0015] The light environment control method according to the present invention is a light environment control method related to dimming control of a dimming device that keeps the luminance of a plurality of regions within a luminance allowable range, comprising a step of dividing the luminance of the plurality of regions into the luminance of a reference region and the luminance of a determination region, a step of setting a luminance allowable range according to changes in the appropriate luminance balance between the luminance of the reference region and the luminance of the determination region, and a step of controlling the dimming of the dimming device so that the luminance of the plurality of regions falls within the luminance allowable range. characterized by including

[0016] The light environment control program according to the present invention is characterized in that each step of the light environment control method is executed by a computer.

Effects of the Invention

[0017] According to the light environment control system, light environment control method, and light environment control program according to the present invention, it is possible to perform dimming control according to changes in the appropriate luminance balance while considering the appropriate luminance balance in a plurality of regions.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0018]

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Figure 11

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0019] Hereinafter, a light environment control system, a light environment control method, and a light environment control program according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the embodiments shown below are examples of a light environment control system, a light environment control program, and a luminance allowable range setting method for embodying the technical idea of the present invention, and do not specify the present invention thereto, and can be equally applied to other embodiments included in the claims.

[0020] [Embodiment 1] A light environment control system, a light environment control method, and a light environment control program according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 9. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a light environment control system 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the light environment control system 100. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the image data acquired by the imaging device 110. A in FIG. 3 shows the imaging range of the imaging device 110, and B in FIG. 3 shows the regions a1 of the window surface S1, a2 of the ceiling surface S2, and a3 of the wall surface S3 selected within the imaging range of the imaging device 110. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the information 150b of the luminance allowable range. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the results of a subject test based on the information 150b of the luminance allowable range. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a method of setting the luminance allowable range. FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the dimming control performed by the dimming control unit 170 on the dimming device E1. FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the implementation environment of the subject test. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the dimming control process executed by the dimming device control device 120.

[0021] The light environment control system 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention is a light environment control system that controls a lighting fixture E1 as a dimming device based on luminance, and is provided in a lobby or the like where it is necessary to maintain a good light environment in areas such as the ceiling surface S2 and the wall surface S3. Here, the dimming device is not limited to the lighting fixture E1, and includes, for example, blinds, louvers, etc., and is a device capable of adjusting the luminance of the area to be dimmed. The lighting environment control system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention performs dimming control of the dimming device E1 in consideration of an appropriate luminance balance between the luminance of the window surface S1 and the luminances of the ceiling surface S2 and the wall surface S3.

[0022] This lighting environment control system 100 includes an imaging device 110 that acquires image data, and a dimming device control device 120 that calculates the luminances of three regions a1, a2, and a3 from the image data and performs dimming control of the lighting device E1 based on the calculated luminances. In the embodiment of the present invention, the lighting environment control system 100 will be described using a dimmable lighting device E1.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 1, in the lighting environment control system 100, the imaging device 110 and the dimming device control device 120 are connected by, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network), and the lighting device E1 and the dimming device control device 120 are connected by, for example, BACnet (registered trademark) (Building Automation and Control Networking protocol). Note that in FIG. 1, one lighting device E1 is shown, but there may be a plurality of lighting devices E1.

[0024] The imaging device 110 is realized by, for example, a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) camera. This imaging device 110 is installed at a position where the window surface S1, the ceiling surface S2, and the wall surface S3 indoors are within the imaging range. More specifically, in this embodiment, the imaging device 110 is installed at a position where the region a1 of the window surface S1, the region a2 of the ceiling surface S2, and the region a3 of the wall surface S3, which are regions for which dimming of brightness is to be performed, are within the imaging range (see FIG. 3). That is, the imaging device 110 is installed such that the three regions a1, a2, and a3, which are regions for which dimming of brightness is to be performed, are within the imaging range. In this embodiment, a blind E2 is installed on the window surface, and the area a1 of the window surface is an area between the window and the blind E2. Note that the blind E2 may not be installed on the window surface S1, or a louver may be set instead of the blind E2. The image data acquired by the imaging device 110 is sent to the dimming device control device 120 via the LAN.

[0025] The dimming device control device 120 is realized by, for example, a PC (personal computer). This dimming device control device 120 has software related to the dimming control of the light environment control system 100 installed therein. More specifically, the dimming device control device 120 includes a luminance calculation unit 130, a storage unit 150, a determination unit 160, and a dimming control unit 170 (see FIG. 2).

[0026] The luminance calculation unit 130 calculates the luminance of the three regions a1, a2, and a3 from the image data acquired by the imaging device 110. More specifically, three preset regions a1, a2, and a3 are selected from the image data, and the luminance of each of the selected three regions a1, a2, and a3 is calculated. As the luminance calculation process for each of the regions a1, a2, and a3, for example, the luminance of each pixel in each of the regions a1, a2, and a3 is calculated, and the average luminance of all the pixels in each of the regions a1, a2, and a3 is calculated as the luminance of that region a1, a2, and a3. Hereinafter, the "average luminance" of each of the regions a1, a2, and a3 calculated by the luminance calculation unit is simply referred to as "luminance".

[0027] The storage unit 150 stores information necessary for the processes performed by the luminance calculation unit 130, the determination unit 160, and the dimming control unit 170. In this storage unit 150, region setting information 150a that divides the luminance of the three regions a1, a2, and a3 into the luminance of the reference region and the luminance of the determination region, and luminance tolerance range information 150b set according to the change in the appropriate luminance balance between the luminance of the reference region and the luminance of the determination region are stored.

[0028] In this embodiment, the area setting information 150a is information that uses the luminance of the window surface area a1 as the luminance of the reference area and the luminances of the ceiling surface area a2 and the wall surface area a3 as the luminances of the determination areas. By thus dividing the luminances of the three areas a1, a2, and a3 into the luminance of the reference area and the luminance of the determination area, it is possible to set a luminance allowable range based on an appropriate luminance balance between the luminance of the reference area and the luminance of the determination area.

[0029] More specifically, this area setting information 150a is information that uses the luminance of the area a1 of the window surface S1 as the value of the first axis (the horizontal axis in FIG. 4) and the luminance (average luminance of the ceiling surface S2 and the wall surface S3) of the ceiling surface S2 and the wall surface S3 as the value of the second axis (the vertical axis in FIG. 4).

[0030] As shown in FIG. 4, the luminance allowable range information 150b is such that in a Cartesian coordinate system with the luminance of the reference area as the value of the first axis and the luminance of the determination area as the value of the second axis, two reference luminances X1 and X2 are set for the luminance of the reference area, and the maximum and minimum luminances (Ymax1, Ymin1, Ymax2, Ymin2) of the determination area are set corresponding to each of the two reference luminances X1 and X2. The range between the maximum side and minimum side straight lines is set as the allowable range of the luminances of the three areas a1, a2, and a3 by interpolating between the maximum luminances (Ymax1, Ymax2) and between the minimum luminances (Ymin1, Ymin2) with a straight line.

[0031] Also, in this embodiment, in the range where the luminance allowable range is below the minimum reference luminance X2 on the first axis (horizontal axis) and above the maximum reference luminance X1 on the first axis (horizontal axis), the minimum luminances (Ymin1, Ymin2) of the determination area corresponding to the minimum reference luminance X2 and the maximum reference luminance X1 and the maximum luminances (Ymax1, Ymax2) of the determination area are set in the range between the straight lines with a zero slope having the maximum luminance and the minimum luminance of the determination area. That is, when the luminance allowable range is equal to or less than the minimum reference luminance X2 on the first axis (horizontal axis), the range is set between the straight lines Lmax2 and Lmin2 with a slope of zero from the maximum luminance Ymax2 and the minimum luminance Ymin2 of the determination region until the value on the first axis becomes zero. Also, when the luminance allowable range is equal to or greater than the maximum reference luminance X1 on the first axis (horizontal axis), the range is set between the straight lines Lmax1 and Lmin1 with a slope of zero from the maximum luminance Ymax1 and the minimum luminance Ymin1 of the determination region until the value on the first axis becomes the maximum value of the set range. Therefore, the luminance allowable range is set to the range between the straight lines Lmax2, Lmax12, Lmax1 connecting the maximum luminance of the determination region and the straight lines Lmin2, Lmin12, Lmin1 connecting the minimum luminance.

[0032] In the embodiment of the present invention, the luminance allowable range is set based on the results of the subject tests conducted by the inventors of the present application. The method of the subject test will be described below. As an example of the test environment, as shown in FIG. 8, an environment such as a window surface S1 provided with a blind E2 and a lobby with an atrium can be mentioned. This subject test was conducted under three types of conditions: the condition where the time is evening and the weather is cloudy (hereinafter referred to as "condition 1"), the condition where the time is daytime and the weather is cloudy (hereinafter referred to as "condition 2"), and the condition where the time is morning and the weather is sunny (hereinafter referred to as "condition 3"), taking into account that the luminance of the region of the window surface S1 changes depending on the time zone and weather. In this embodiment, the opening and closing state of the blind E2 is also changed under each of the three types of conditions. That is, in condition 1, the blind E2 is in the closed state, in condition 2, the blind is in the open state, and in condition 3, the blind E2 is in the closed state.

[0033] The subject test is a test in which the subject places the viewpoints on the ceiling surface S2 and the wall surface S3, and gradually brightens the lighting fixture E1 that illuminates the ceiling surface S2 and the wall surface S3 from the off state under the above-described conditions 1 to 3, and the subject indicates an OK sign when feeling that the brightness of the ceiling surface S2 and the wall surface S3 is appropriate, thereby examining the minimum necessary luminance for the window surface S1. In addition, after the subject indicates an OK sign when feeling that the brightness of the ceiling surface S2 and the wall surface S3 is appropriate, the upper limit of the allowable luminance of the ceiling surface S2 and the wall surface S3 can also be examined by removing the OK sign when feeling that the lighting is too bright.

[0034] Next, with reference to FIG. 5, the results of the subject test will be described. The following tendencies were revealed regarding the luminance relationship among the window surface S1, the ceiling surface S2, and the wall surface S3 by the subject test. · The appropriate luminance of the ceiling surface S2 and the wall surface S3 differs depending on the luminance of the window surface S1 (the appropriate luminance of the ceiling surface S2 and the wall surface S3 is affected by the luminance of the window surface that changes due to changes such as day and night, weather, etc.). · On sunny days and cloudy days, the luminance of the window surface S1 differs greatly, but the difference in the appropriate luminance between the ceiling surface S2 and the wall surface S3 is small. (Under condition 2 where the luminance of the window surface S1 is 942 cd / m2 and condition 3 where the luminance of the window surface is 2500 cd / m2, the difference in luminance between the ceiling surface S2 and the wall surface is small.) In this subject test, since the difference in the appropriate luminance between the ceiling surface S2 and the wall surface S3 is small, the average luminance of the ceiling surface S2 and the wall surface S3 obtained by (ceiling surface luminance + wall surface luminance) ÷ 2 is used as the luminance of the ceiling surface S2 and the wall surface S3 (see FIG. 5). That is, regarding the luminance of the determination area, the average luminance is obtained from the luminances of a plurality of determination areas having a small difference in appropriate luminance, and the average luminance is used as the luminance of the determination area.

[0035] From the results of the subject test, under three types of conditions: condition 1 (luminance of window surface S1: 15 cd / m2), condition 2 (luminance of window surface S1: 942 cd / m2), and condition 3 (luminance of window surface S1: 2500 cd / m2), the luminance that 50% of the subjects felt was appropriate could be obtained as the following numerical values. · When the luminance of the window surface S1 is 15 cd / m2 (Condition 1), the average luminance of the ceiling surface S2 and the wall surface S3 is about 17.0 cd / m2. · When the luminance of the window surface S1 is 942 cd / m2 (Condition 2), the average luminance of the ceiling surface S2 and the wall surface S3 is about 79.5 cd / m2. · When the luminance of the window surface S1 is 2500 cd / m2 (Condition 3), the average luminance of the ceiling surface S2 and the wall surface S3 is about 90.5 cd / m2.

[0036] Also, from the results of the subject test, the ratio of the luminance of the window surface S1 to the average luminance of the ceiling surface S2 and the wall surface S3 ((luminance of the window surface S1) ÷ (average luminance of the ceiling surface S2 and the wall surface S3)) could be obtained as the following values (see Figure 5). · When the luminance of the window surface S1 is 15 cd / m2 (Condition 1), the ratio is about 0.9. · When the luminance of the window surface S1 is 942 cd / m2 (Condition 2), the ratio is about 11.8. · When the luminance of the window surface S1 is 2500 cd / m2 (Condition 3), the ratio is about 27.6. From this result, it can be seen that when comparing the ratios for each of Conditions 1 to 3, they are not constant but vary. That is, it can be seen that the appropriate luminance balance between the luminance of the window surface S1 and the average luminance of the ceiling surface S2 and the wall surface S3 changes.

[0037] Hereinafter, a method for setting a luminance allowable range will be exemplified, and the light environment control method and the light environment control program of the present embodiment will be described. Note that the luminance allowable range is set using the results of the above-described subject test. First, the luminance of the three regions a1, a2, and a3 is divided into the luminance of the reference region and the luminance of the determination region (separation step). In the present embodiment, the luminance of the region a1 of the window surface S1 is used as the luminance of the reference region, and the luminances of the regions a2 and a3 of the ceiling surface S2 and the wall surface S3 are used as the luminance of the determination region. Note that in the present embodiment, since the luminance of the reference region affects the luminance of the determination region, the luminance of the three regions is divided into the luminance of the reference region and the luminance of the determination region.

[0038] Next, in an orthogonal coordinate system with the luminance of the reference area (luminance of the window surface) as the value on the first axis and the luminance of the determination area (average luminance of the ceiling surface and wall surfaces) as the value on the second axis, plot three points of experimental values P1(2500, 90.5), P2(942, 79.5), and P3(15, 17.0) (see A in FIG. 6). These three experimental values P1 to P2 are values obtained from the above-described subject test and satisfy the appropriate luminance balance between the luminance of area a1 of window surface S1 and the average luminance of areas a2 and a3 of ceiling surface S2 and wall surfaces S3.

[0039] Next, based on the three experimental values P1, P2, and P3, determine reference luminances X1 and X2 that are the change points of the appropriate luminance balance between the luminance of area a1 of window surface S1 and the average luminance of areas a2 and a3 of ceiling surface S2 and wall surfaces S3 (reference luminance setting step), and set the maximum and minimum luminances (Ymax1, Ymin1, Ymax2, Ymin2) of the determination area corresponding to each of the reference luminances X1 and X2 (maximum and minimum range setting step, see B in FIG. 6). The reference luminances X1 and X2 are set as the change points of the slope of the straight line described later.

[0040] Note that the reference luminances X1 and X2 are the ratio of the luminance of area a1 of window surface S1 to the average luminance of areas a2 and a3 of ceiling surface S2 and wall surfaces S3 (luminance of area a1 of window surface S1)÷(average luminance of areas a2 and a3 of ceiling surface S2 and wall surfaces S3) From the change of this ratio, the change tendency of the appropriate luminance balance between the luminance of area a1 of window surface S1 and the average luminance of areas a2 and a3 of ceiling surface S2 and wall surfaces S3 can be understood, and thus they are determined based on this change tendency of the appropriate luminance balance.

[0041] Also, in this embodiment, the range from the minimum luminance Ymin to the maximum luminance Ymax of the determination area is set to a range including the value in the second axis direction of the experimental value (experimental value P1 or experimental value P2). However, the value in the second axis direction of the experimental value may be regarded as the minimum luminance Ymin of the determination area, and a luminance higher than this may be set as the maximum luminance Ymax as the allowable range. More specifically, in the above-mentioned subject test, when the brightness of the ceiling surface and the wall surface is felt to be appropriate, the brightness at which the subject's OK sign is shown is regarded as the minimum brightness Ymin, and when the illumination is felt to be too bright and the subject's OK sign is removed, the maximum brightness Ymax is regarded as the maximum brightness at that point.

[0042] Finally, the maximum brightnesses (Ymax1, Ymax2) and the minimum brightnesses (Ymin1, Ymin2) are interpolated linearly (linear interpolation step). Note that the equation of the interpolated straight line is Y = aX + b when the value of the first axis is X and the value of the second axis is Y. a = (Ymax1 - Ymax2) / (X1 - X2) b = Ymax1 - aX1 It is represented by.

[0043] Note that when the brightness tolerance range is below the minimum reference brightness X2 on the first axis, it is set within the range between the straight lines Lmax2 and Lmin2 with a slope of zero from the maximum brightness Ymax2 and the minimum brightness Ymin2 of the determination region until the value of the first axis becomes zero. Also, when the brightness tolerance range is above the maximum reference brightness X1 on the first axis, it is set within the range between the straight lines Lmax1 and Lmin1 with a slope of zero from the maximum brightness Ymax1 and the minimum brightness Ymin1 of the determination region until the value of the first axis becomes the maximum value of the set range. (Refer to C in Figure 6).

[0044] The determination unit 160 associates the brightnesses of the three regions a1, a2, and a3 calculated by the brightness calculation unit 130 with the orthogonal coordinate system defined by the first axis and the second axis that indicates the appropriate brightness balance between the brightness of the region a1 of the window surface S1 and the brightnesses of the ceiling surface S2 and the wall surface S3 (the average brightness of the ceiling surface S2 and the wall surface S3) set by the region setting information 150a. More specifically, the determination unit 160 associates the brightnesses of the three regions a1, a2, and a3 calculated by the brightness calculation unit 130 with the coordinates of the orthogonal coordinate system defined by the first axis and the second axis.

[0045] Further, the determination unit 160 determines whether the luminances of the three regions a1, a2, and a3 calculated by the luminance calculation unit 130 are within the luminance allowable range. This determination unit 160 determines whether the luminances of the three regions a1, a2, and a3 associated with the coordinates (luminance of region a1, average luminance of regions a2 and a3) in the orthogonal coordinate system based on the first axis and the second axis are within the luminance allowable range set in the orthogonal coordinate system based on the first axis and the second axis. More specifically, it is determined whether the luminances of the three regions (luminance of region a1, average luminance of regions a2 and a3) are within the range between the straight lines Lmax2, Lmax12, Lmax1 connecting the maximum luminance of the determination region of the luminance allowable range and the straight lines Lmin2, Lmin12, Lmin1 connecting the minimum luminance.

[0046] The dimming control unit 170 performs dimming control on the lighting fixture E1 so that the luminances of the three regions a1, a2, and a3 are within the luminance allowable range. When the determination unit 160 determines that the luminances of the three regions a1, a2, and a3 are outside the luminance allowable range, this dimming control unit 170 performs dimming control on the lighting fixture E1 so that the luminances of the three regions a1, a2, and a3 are within the luminance allowable range. More specifically, when the average luminance of the region a2 on the ceiling surface S2 and the region a3 on the wall surface S3 is higher than the luminance of the region a1 on the window surface S1 (refer to point D1 in FIG. 7), the dimming control unit 170 performs dimming control on the lighting fixture E1 to lower the dimming rate. On the other hand, when the average luminance of the region a2 on the ceiling surface S2 and the region a3 on the wall surface S3 is lower than the luminance of the region a1 on the window surface (refer to point D2 in FIG. 7), the dimming control unit 170 performs dimming control on the lighting fixture E1 to increase the dimming rate.

[0047] Next, the procedure of the dimming control process executed by the dimming device control apparatus 120 will be described with reference to FIG. 9. First, the dimming device control apparatus 120 acquires image data from the imaging device 110 (image data acquisition step S101). In the present embodiment, the imaging device 110 is provided so that the three regions a1, a2, and a3 are within the imaging range. When the image data acquired by the imaging device 110 is transmitted to the dimming device control device 120 via the LAN, the dimming device control device 120 acquires the image data from the imaging device 110.

[0048] Next, the luminance calculation unit 130 calculates the luminance of the three regions a1, a2, and a3 (luminance calculation step S102).

[0049] Next, the determination unit 160 determines whether the luminance of the three regions a1, a2, and a3 is within the luminance allowable range (determination step S103). In this step S103, the determination unit 160 first divides the luminance of the three regions a1, a2, and a3 into the luminance of the reference region and the luminance of the determination region based on the region setting information 150a. More specifically, the determination unit 160 executes a process of setting the luminance of the region a1 of the window surface S1 as the luminance of the reference region and setting the luminance of the region a2 of the ceiling surface S2 and the region a3 of the wall surface S3 as the luminance of the determination region. Thereafter, the determination unit 160 associates the luminance of the three regions a1, a2, and a3 calculated by the luminance calculation unit 130 with the coordinates (luminance of the region a1, average luminance of the regions a2 and a3) in the orthogonal coordinate system by the first axis and the second axis, and determines whether the luminance of the three regions a1, a2, and a3 associated as the coordinates (luminance of the region a1, average luminance of the regions a2 and a3) in the orthogonal coordinate system by the first axis and the second axis is within the luminance allowable range.

[0050] In step S103, when the determination unit 160 determines that the luminance of the three regions a1, a2, and a3 is within the luminance allowable range (step S103: Yes), the dimming device control device 120 returns the process to step S101 and repeats the above-described process.

[0051] On the other hand, in step S103, when the determination unit 160 determines that the luminances of the three regions a1, a2, and a3 are outside the luminance allowable range (step S103: No), the dimming control unit 170 performs dimming control on the lighting fixture E1 (dimming control step S104). Thereafter, the dimming fixture control device 120 returns the process to step S101 and repeats the above-described process.

[0052] According to the light environment control system 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, the dimming fixture control device 120 divides the luminances of the three regions a1, a2, and a3 calculated from the image data by the luminance calculation unit 130 into the luminance of the reference region and the luminance of the determination region, and within the luminance allowable range set according to the change in the appropriate luminance balance between the luminance of the reference region and the luminance of the determination region stored in the storage unit 150. Since the lighting fixture E1 is dimmed and controlled so that the luminances of the three regions a1, a2, and a3 fall, it is possible to perform dimming control according to the change in the appropriate luminance balance while considering the appropriate luminance balance of the three regions a1, a2, and a3.

[0053] According to the light environment control system 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, the two reference luminances X1 and X2 set for the luminance of the reference region in the orthogonal coordinate system with the luminance of the reference region as the value of the first axis and the luminance of the determination region as the value of the second axis are the maximum luminances set for the determination region corresponding to each of the two reference luminances X1 and X2. Since it is set as the change point of the slope of the straight line that interpolates between the minimum luminances, it is possible to perform dimming control according to the change in the appropriate luminance balance between the luminance of the reference region and the luminance of the determination region that changes based on the two reference luminances X1 and X2.

[0054] According to the light environment control system 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, the luminance allowable range is a straight line with a slope of zero in the range below the minimum reference luminance X1 on the first axis and above the maximum reference luminance X2 on the first axis. Since the maximum and minimum luminances of the determination region are set, the luminance allowable range can be easily set in the range below the minimum reference luminance X1 on the first axis and above the maximum reference luminance X2 on the first axis.

[0055] According to the light environment control system 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, since the reference area is the area of the window surface S1 and the determination area is at least one of the area of the wall surface S3 or the area of the ceiling surface S2, the lighting fixture E1 can be dimmed and controlled according to the change in the appropriate luminance balance of the luminance of the area a2 and a3 of the ceiling surface S2 and the wall surface S3 with respect to the luminance of the area a1 of the window surface S1.

[0056] According to the light environment control program according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, by the area setting process, the luminance of the three areas is divided into the luminance of the reference area and the luminance of the determination area, and the lighting fixture E1 is dimmed and controlled so that the luminance of the three areas a1, a2, and a3 falls within the luminance allowable range set according to the change in the appropriate luminance balance of the luminance of the reference area and the luminance of the determination area. Therefore, it is possible to perform dimming control according to the change in the appropriate luminance balance while considering the appropriate luminance balance of the three areas a1, a2, and a3.

[0057] According to the light environment control method according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, since the two reference luminances X1 and X2 set for the luminance of the reference area in the orthogonal coordinate system with the luminance of the reference area as the value of the first axis and the luminance of the determination area as the value of the second axis are set as the change points of the slopes of the straight lines interpolating between the maximum and minimum luminances set for the determination area corresponding to each of the two reference luminances X1 and X2, it is possible to perform dimming control according to the change in the appropriate luminance balance between the luminance of the reference area and the luminance of the determination area that changes with reference to the two reference luminances X1 and X2.

[0058] [Embodiment 2] The light environment control system, the light environment control method, and the light environment control program according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 to 11. FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a light environment control system 200 according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the information 250b of the luminance allowable range.

[0059] The light environment control system 200, the luminance tolerance range setting method, and the light environment control program according to the second embodiment are different from the light environment control system 100, the light environment control program, and the luminance tolerance range setting method of the first embodiment in that the information 250b of the luminance tolerance range is different. Note that, for the same components as those of the light environment control system 100 of the first embodiment described above, reference numerals in the 200s are assigned to omit redundant descriptions.

[0060] In the light environment control system 200 according to the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, for the information 250b of the luminance tolerance range stored in the storage unit 250, in the orthogonal coordinate system with the luminance of the reference area as the value on the first axis (horizontal axis) and the luminance of the determination area as the value on the second axis (vertical axis), two reference luminances X1 and X2 are set for the luminance of the reference area, and the maximum and minimum luminances (Ymax1, Ymin1, Ymax2, Ymin2) of the determination area are set corresponding to each of the two reference luminances. The range between the maximum side and minimum side straight lines Lmax12 and Lmin12 is set as the luminance tolerance range of the three areas a1, a2, and a3 by interpolating between the maximum luminances (Ymax1, Ymax2) and between the minimum luminances (Ymin1, Ymin2) with the straight lines Lmax12 and Lmin12.

[0061] Note that, in the second embodiment, in the range where the luminance tolerance range is less than or equal to the minimum reference luminance X2 on the first axis (horizontal axis) and greater than or equal to the maximum reference luminance X1 on the first axis (horizontal axis), the maximum and minimum luminances of the determination area are set in the range between the straight lines Lmax2, Lmin2, Lmax1, and Lmin1, whose slopes are different from those of the straight lines Lmax12 and Lmin12 and whose slopes are not zero.

[0062] According to the light environment control system 200 according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention, similar to the light environment control system 100 of Embodiment 1, the dimming device control device 220 divides the brightnesses of the three regions a1, a2, and a3 calculated from the image data by the brightness calculation unit 230 into the brightness of the reference region and the brightness of the determination region, and is set according to the change in the appropriate brightness balance between the brightness of the reference region and the brightness of the determination region stored in the storage unit 250. In order to perform dimming control of the lighting fixture E1 so as to fall within the brightness tolerance range of the brightness tolerance range information 250b, it is possible to perform dimming control according to the change in the appropriate brightness balance while considering the appropriate brightness balance of the three regions a1, a2, and a3.

[0063] According to the light environment control system 200 according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention, similar to the light environment control system 100 of Embodiment 1, the brightness of the reference region is used as the value of the first axis, and the brightness of the determination region is used as the value of the second axis. Since the two reference brightnesses X1 and X2 set for the brightness of the reference region in the orthogonal coordinate system are set as the change points of the slopes of the straight lines interpolating between the maximum brightnesses and the minimum brightnesses set in the determination region corresponding to each of the two reference brightnesses X1 and X2, it is possible to perform dimming control according to the change in the appropriate brightness balance between the brightness of the reference region and the brightness of the determination region that changes with reference to the two reference brightnesses X1 and X2.

[0064] According to the light environment control system 200 according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention, similar to the light environment control system 100 of Embodiment 1, since the reference region is the region a1 of the window surface S1 and the determination region is at least one of the region a2 of the wall surface S3 or the region a3 of the ceiling surface S2, it is possible to perform dimming control of the lighting fixture E1 according to the change in the appropriate brightness balance between the brightness of the ceiling surface S2 and the wall surface S3 with respect to the brightness of the window surface S1.

[0065] According to the method for setting the luminance tolerance range according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention, similar to the method for setting the luminance tolerance range of Embodiment 2, the luminance of the reference area is used as the value on the first axis, and the luminance of the determination area is used as the value on the second axis. Two reference luminances X1 and X2 set for the luminance of the reference area in the orthogonal coordinate system are set as the change points of the slope of the straight line interpolating between the maximum and minimum luminances set in the determination area corresponding to each of the two reference luminances X1 and X2. Therefore, it is possible to perform dimming control according to the change in the appropriate luminance balance between the luminance of the reference area and the luminance of the determination area that changes with reference to the two reference luminances X1 and X2.

[0066] According to the light environment control program according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention, similar to the light environment control program of Embodiment 1, by the area setting process, the luminances of the three areas a1, a2, and a3 are divided into the luminance of the reference area and the luminance of the determination area, and by the dimming control process, the luminances of the plurality of areas are set within the luminance tolerance range set according to the change in the appropriate luminance balance between the luminance of the reference area and the luminance of the determination area. In order to execute the process of dimming control of the lighting fixture E1 so as to fall within the range, it is possible to perform dimming control according to the change in the appropriate luminance balance while considering the appropriate luminance balance of the three areas a1, a2, and a3.

[0067] Note that the light environment control system, the light environment control method, and the light environment control program according to Embodiments 1 and 2 of the present invention exemplify those that divide the luminances of the three areas a1, a2, and a3 into a reference area and a determination area and control the luminances of the respective areas a1, a2, and a3 so as to fall within the luminance tolerance range. However, the number of areas is not limited to three. For example, the number of determination areas may be one or three or more. Note that as the relationship between the luminance of the reference area and the luminance of the determination area, it is preferable that the luminance of the reference area affects the luminance of the determination area and that the difference in the appropriate luminance of the plurality of determination areas is small. If the difference in the appropriate luminance of the plurality of determination areas is small, the average luminance of the plurality of determination areas can be used as the luminance of the determination area.

[0068] In addition, in the light environment control system, light environment control method, and light environment control program according to Embodiments 1 and 2 of the present invention, although the details of the setting method for each area are omitted, for example, when setting a window surface as an area, not only a method of a person designating an end point on the captured image, but also a method of automatically extracting, such as estimating a planar area having a large contrast with the average luminance of the entire visual field as a window surface, or estimating an area having a large difference between night and day as a window surface, is possible.

[0069] In addition, in the light environment control system, light environment control method, and light environment control program according to Embodiments 1 and 2 of the present invention, although an example in which there are two reference luminances set for the luminance of the reference area is illustrated, the number of reference luminances is not limited to two, and may be one, or may be three or more.

[0070] In addition, in the light environment control system, light environment control method, and light environment control program according to Embodiments 1 and 2 of the present invention, an allowable range is set using a straight line for each point of a plurality of reference luminances of the reference area and the maximum and minimum luminances of the determination area corresponding thereto, but an allowable range may be set using a curve such as a quadratic curve.

[0071] In addition, in the light environment control system, light environment control method, and light environment control program according to Embodiments 1 and 2 of the present invention, in setting the allowable range, it is determined in advance each point of a plurality of reference luminances of the reference area and the maximum and minimum luminances of the determination area corresponding thereto, but a mechanism may also be used in which each point for setting an area is changed with reference to data accumulated by operating the system to make the allowable range variable.

[0072] In addition, in the light environment control system, light environment control method, and light environment control program according to Embodiments 1 and 2 of the present invention, although an example in which the dimming device to be controlled is a lighting fixture is illustrated, as the dimming device, any other dimming device may be used as long as it can be dimmed. For example, as the dimming device, a blind or a louver may be used, or different types of dimming devices may be used in combination. When controlling the dimming of a blind or a louver, the angle of the blind or the louver is adjusted.

[0073] As described above, some embodiments of the present invention have been explained. These embodiments exemplify the light environment control systems 100 and 200, the light environment control program, and the luminance allowable range setting method for embodying the technical idea of the present invention, and do not specify the present invention thereto. The present invention can be equally applied to other embodiments, and it is also possible to omit, add, or change a part of these embodiments, or to combine aspects of each embodiment.

Explanation of Signs

[0074] 100, 200 Light environment control systems, 110, 210 Imaging devices, 120, 220 Dimming fixture control devices, 130, 230 Luminance calculation units, 150, 250 Storage units, 150a, 250a Region setting information, 150b, 250b Luminance allowable range information, 160, 260 Determination units, 170, 270 Dimming control units, a1, a2, a3 Regions, X1, X2 Reference luminances, S1 Window surface, S2 Ceiling surface, S3 Wall surface, E1 Lighting fixture (dimming fixture), E2 Blind (dimming fixture).

Claims

1. An optical environment control system comprising an imaging device that acquires image data, and a dimming device control device that has a luminance calculation unit that calculates the luminance of a plurality of regions from the image data, and controls dimming of a dimming device based on the luminance of the plurality of regions calculated by the luminance calculation unit, wherein the dimming device control device, has a storage unit that stores information on region setting that divides the luminance of the plurality of regions into the luminance of a reference region and the luminance of a determination region, and information on a luminance tolerance range set according to a change in an appropriate luminance balance between the luminance of the reference region and the luminance of the determination region, and calculates an average luminance of a plurality of determination regions as the luminance of the determination region, and controls dimming of the dimming device so that the average luminance of the plurality of determination regions falls within the luminance tolerance range.

2. An optical environment control system comprising an imaging device that acquires image data, and a dimming device control device that has a luminance calculation unit that calculates the luminance of a plurality of regions from the image data, and controls dimming of a dimming device based on the luminance of the plurality of regions calculated by the luminance calculation unit, wherein the dimming device control device, has a storage unit that stores information on region setting that divides the luminance of the plurality of regions into the luminance of a reference region and the luminance of a determination region, and information on a luminance tolerance range set according to a change in an appropriate luminance balance between the luminance of the reference region and the luminance of the determination region, and controls dimming of the dimming device so that the luminance of the plurality of regions falls within the luminance tolerance range, and the information on the luminance tolerance range is information in which a plurality of reference luminances are set for the luminance of the reference region in a Cartesian coordinate system having the luminance of the reference region as a value on a first axis and the luminance of the determination region as a value on a second axis, maximum and minimum luminances of the determination region are set corresponding to each of the plurality of reference luminances, and a range between the maximum side and minimum side straight lines is set as the luminance tolerance range for the luminance of the plurality of regions by interpolating between the maximum luminances and between the minimum luminances with a straight line, the dimming device control device has a determination unit that determines whether or not the luminance of the plurality of regions calculated by the luminance calculation unit is within the luminance tolerance range, and when the determination unit determines that the luminance of the plurality of regions is outside the luminance tolerance range, a dimming control unit that controls dimming of the dimming device so that the luminance of the plurality of regions falls within the luminance tolerance range. An optical environment control system characterized by having

3. The optical environment control system according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of reference luminances are set as change points of the slope of the straight line.

4. The luminance allowable range is within the range of equal to or less than the minimum reference luminance on the first axis and equal to or greater than the maximum reference luminance on the first axis. In this range, the minimum luminance of the determination region corresponding to the minimum reference luminance and the maximum luminance of the determination region, and the maximum luminance of the determination region and the minimum luminance of the determination region are respectively set on a straight line with a predetermined slope. The optical environment control system according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that.

5. The reference region is an area of a window surface, The optical environment control system according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the determination region is at least one of a wall surface region or a ceiling surface region.

6. The optical environment control system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the dimming device is a lighting fixture, a blind or a louver.

7. A plurality of the dimming devices are provided, The optical environment control system according to claim 6, wherein the plurality of dimming devices include at least one type of the lighting fixture, the blind or the louver.

8. In an optical environment control method for dimming control of a dimming device that keeps the luminances of a plurality of regions within a luminance allowable range, A step of dividing the luminances of the plurality of regions into the luminance of a reference region and the luminance of a determination region; A step of setting a luminance allowable range according to a change in an appropriate luminance balance between the luminance of the reference region and the luminance of the determination region; A step of calculating an average luminance of a plurality of determination regions as the luminance of the determination region, and performing dimming control of the dimming device so that the average luminance of the plurality of determination regions falls within the luminance allowable range; An optical environment control method characterized by including.

9. In an optical environment control method for dimming control of a dimming device that keeps the luminances of a plurality of regions within a luminance allowable range, A separation step of dividing the luminances of the plurality of regions into the luminance of a reference region and the luminance of the determination region; A reference luminance setting step of setting a plurality of reference luminances for the luminance of the reference region in a rectangular coordinate system in which the luminance of the reference region is a value on the first axis and the luminance of the determination region is a value on the second axis; A maximum / minimum range setting step of setting the maximum and minimum luminance of the determination region corresponding to each of the plurality of reference luminance; A linear interpolation step of setting a range between the maximum-side and minimum-side straight lines as an allowable range of luminance of the plurality of regions by linearly interpolating between the maximum luminance values and between the minimum luminance values; and a light environment control method characterized by including the linear interpolation step. **Claim 10** A light environment control program characterized by causing a computer to execute each step of the light environment control method according to Claim 8 or 9.

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