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 stably controlling the brightness of a plurality of areas while sharing a dimmer in the 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 calculates the brightness of a plurality of areas a1 and a2 from the image data, and performs dimming control on a dimmer DL1 shared by the plurality of areas a1 and a2 based on the calculated brightness, the dimmer control device 120 includes a storage unit 140 in which area priority information 140a setting the order of priority to the plurality of areas a1 and a2 is recorded, and performs dimming control on the dimmer DL1 so that the brightness is converged within a permissible range while the area a1 having a higher priority order based on the area priority information 140a is prioritized over the area a2 having a lower priority order.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 dimming devices such as lighting fixtures and blinds based on, for example, luminance.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as a technique for dimming control of dimming devices such as lighting fixtures and blinds, Patent Document 1 describes a technique for dimming control of a lighting fixture so that the illuminance becomes constant based on a measured value of an illuminance sensor that detects the illuminance on a desk surface or the like. The technique described in this Patent Document 1 is still generally used while being improved. On the other hand, a system for controlling a light environment with particular attention to luminance using image data acquired by an imaging device such as a camera has been disclosed (see Patent Documents 2 and 3, and Non-Patent Documents).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Non-Patent Documents

[0004]

Non-Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, when dimming control is performed based on determination criteria corresponding to each of a plurality of areas such as the task side and the ambient side by one lighting fixture, the brightness control by the lighting fixture is not stable, and there is a problem that a preferable light environment cannot be obtained.

[0006] In view of the above problems, an object of the present inventor is to provide a light environment control system that can stably control the brightness of a plurality of areas while sharing a dimming device in the plurality of areas.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] A light environment control system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an imaging device that acquires image data, and a dimming device control device that calculates the brightness of a plurality of areas from the image data and performs dimming control on a dimming device shared in the plurality of areas based on the calculated brightness, wherein the dimming device control device includes a storage unit in which area priority information that sets priorities for the plurality of areas is stored, the dimming device is dimming-controlled such that the area with a higher priority according to the area priority information is given priority over the area with a lower priority so that the brightness falls within an allowable range.

[0008] Further, a light environment control method according to an embodiment of the present invention is a light environment control method that calculates the brightness of a plurality of areas from image data and performs dimming control on a dimming device shared in the plurality of areas based on the calculated brightness, the method including: setting priorities for the plurality of areas according to area priority information; dimming-controlling the dimming device so that the brightness of the area with a higher priority is made to fall within an allowable range with priority over the area with a lower priority; and characterized by including these steps.

[0009] Further, a light environment control program according to one embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that each step of the light environment control method is executed by a computer.

Advantages of the Invention

[0010] According to the light environment control system, light environment control method, or light environment control program of the present invention, it is possible to stably control the brightness of a plurality of areas while sharing dimming devices in the plurality of areas.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0011]

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] 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 method, and a light environment control program 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.

[0013] [Embodiment 1] The light environment control system, the light environment control method, and the light environment control program according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6. 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 information stored in the storage unit 140. A in FIG. 3 is the area priority information 140a, B in FIG. 3 is the information 140b of the luminance allowable range, and C in FIG. 3 is the dimming control target information 140c. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a dimming control table 140d in which the determination pattern by the determination unit 150 is associated with the presence or absence of execution of dimming control by the dimming control unit 160 for each determination pattern. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the image data acquired by the imaging device 110. A in FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the imaging range of the imaging device 110, and B in FIG. 5 is a diagram showing two regions a1 and a2 selected within the imaging range of the imaging device 110. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the dimming control process executed by the dimming device control device 120.

[0014] The light environment control system 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention is a light environment control system that performs dimming control on a lighting fixture DL1 as a dimming device based on luminance, and is provided in an office or the like where it is necessary to keep the light environments of a plurality of regions such as a desk surface (task: documents and human faces in office work) or a wall or ceiling (ambient: around the operator such as the ceiling, wall, and floor) in good condition. Here, the dimming device is not limited to a lighting fixture, and includes, for example, a blind, a louver, etc., and is a device capable of adjusting the luminance of a region to be dimmed.

[0015] This light environment control system 100 includes an imaging device 110 that acquires image data, and a dimming device control device 120 that calculates the luminance of two regions a1 and a2 from the image data and performs dimming control on a shared lighting fixture DL1 that affects the luminance of both regions a1 and a2 based on the calculated luminance. In the embodiment of the present invention, the light environment control system 100 is described using a dimmable lighting fixture as the lighting device.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 1, in the light environment control system 100, an imaging device 110 and a dimming device control device 120 are connected by, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network), and a lighting fixture DL1 and the dimming device control device are connected by, for example, BACnet (registered trademark) (Building Automation and Control Networking protocol).

[0017] 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, wall surface, and ceiling surface in the office are within the imaging range. More specifically, in this Embodiment 1, the imaging device 110 is installed at a position where the area a1 on the desk surface and the area a2 on the ceiling surface, which are areas to be dimmed for brightness, are within the imaging range (see FIG. 5). That is, the imaging device 110 is installed so that two areas a1 and a2, which are areas to be dimmed, are within the imaging range. The image data acquired by the imaging device 110 is sent to the dimming device control device 120 via the LAN.

[0018] 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, and a light environment control program that realizes the control method described below is executed on the PC. More specifically, the dimming device control device 120 includes a luminance calculation unit 130, a storage unit 140, a determination unit 150, and a dimming control unit 160 (see FIG. 2).

[0019] The luminance calculation unit 130 calculates the luminance of two areas a1 and a2 from the image data acquired by the imaging device 110. More specifically, two preset areas a1 and a2 are selected from the image data, and the luminance of each of the selected two areas a1 and a2 is calculated. As the luminance calculation process in each of the areas a1 and a2, for example, the luminance of each pixel in each of the areas a1 and a2 is calculated, and the average luminance of all the pixels in each of the areas a1 and a2 is calculated as the luminance of that area a1 or a2.

[0020] The storage unit 140 stores information necessary for the processes performed by the determination unit 150 and the dimming control unit 160. This storage unit 140 stores area priority order information 140a, information 140b on the luminance tolerance range for each of the two areas a1 and a2, and dimming control target information 140c.

[0021] As shown in A of FIG. 3, the area priority order information 140a is information associating the two areas a1 and a2 with the priority order. In this present embodiment, the area a1 on the tabletop is given priority order 1, and the area a2 on the ceiling surface is set to priority order 2. That is, the area priority order information 140a is information that sets the area a1 on the tabletop to a higher priority order than the area a2 on the ceiling surface.

[0022] As shown in B of FIG. 3, the information 140b on the luminance tolerance range is information associating each of the areas a1 and a2 with the luminance tolerance range. In this Embodiment 1, the luminance tolerance range for the area a1 on the tabletop is set to 18 cd / m2 or more and 22 cd / m2 or less. Also, the luminance tolerance range for the area a2 on the ceiling surface is set to 50 cd / m2 or more and 70 cd / m2 or less. Incidentally, generally, it is required to ensure illuminance for the area a1 on the tabletop. There is a correlation between the luminance calculated from the imaging device and the illuminance on the tabletop, which depends on the reflection characteristics of the tabletop. In the case of a perfectly diffusing reflection surface, there is a relationship of luminance = illuminance × reflectance ÷ π. Also, from the actual measurement in a specific office environment, a relationship of luminance ≒ illuminance ÷ 25 was obtained, and thus, a luminance of 18 - 22 cd / m2 corresponding to an illuminance of 450 - 550 Lx is set as the luminance tolerance range. This luminance tolerance range of 18 - 22 cd / m2 is an example and is not limiting.

[0023] As shown in C of FIG. 3, the dimming control target information 140c is information that associates two regions a1 and a2 with lighting fixtures that are the dimming control targets for dimming the two regions a1 and a2.

[0024] In addition, in the storage unit, a dimming control table 140d (see FIG. 4) showing the relationship between the combination of determinations (determination patterns) of the two regions a1 and a2 by the determination unit and the execution content of dimming control as to whether or not to execute control for dimming the lighting fixtures by the dimming control unit is stored. Note that the notation “+NG” in FIG. 4 indicates that it is NG due to luminance exceeding, and the notation “-NG” indicates that it is NG due to luminance deficiency. Also, the notation “OK” in FIG. 4 indicates that the luminance of the regions a1 and a2 is within the luminance allowable range. Furthermore, the notation “〇” in FIG. 4 indicates that the dimming control unit 160 executes dimming control of the lighting fixture DL1, and the notation “-” indicates that the dimming control unit 160 does not execute dimming control of the lighting fixture DL1.

[0025] The determination unit 150 determines whether or not the luminance of the regions a1 and a2 calculated by the luminance calculation unit 130 is within the luminance allowable range. More specifically, when the luminance of the region a1 calculated by the luminance calculation unit 130 is calculated, the determination unit 150 refers to the luminance allowable range information 140b and determines whether or not the calculated luminance is within the range of 18 cd / m2 or more and 22 cd / m2 or less. Also, when the luminance of the region a2 calculated by the luminance calculation unit 130 is calculated, the determination unit 150 refers to the luminance allowable range information 140b and determines whether or not the calculated luminance is within the range of 50 cd / m2 or more and 70 cd / m2 or less.

[0026] In addition, in the first embodiment, as shown in the dimming control table 140d of FIG. 4, the determination unit 150 separately determines for two regions a1 and a2 when it is NG (indicated as “+NG” in FIG. 4) due to exceeding the region luminance, and when it is NG (indicated as “-NG” in FIG. 4) due to insufficient luminance. That is, the determination unit 150 determines according to nine types of determination patterns including the case where the luminance is within the luminance allowable range.

[0027] The dimming control unit 160 performs dimming control on the lighting fixture DL1 so that the luminances of the regions a1 and a2 are within the luminance allowable range. In the first embodiment, the dimming control unit 160 performs dimming control on the lighting fixture DL1 so that the luminance of the region a2 with a lower priority is within the luminance allowable range only when the determination unit 150 determines that the luminance of the region a1 with a higher priority is within the luminance allowable range. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the determination unit 150 makes a determination based on nine types of determination patterns. Among these, for two of the determination patterns (the determination patterns in the fourth and sixth rows from the top in FIG. 4), that is, when the determination of the region a1 is OK and the determination of the region a2 is +NG (luminance exceeding) and when the determination of the region a1 is OK and the determination of the region a2 is -NG (luminance insufficient), the dimming control unit 160 performs dimming control on the region a2.

[0028] In addition, as the dimming control executed by the dimming control unit 160, for example, the following two types of control methods can be mentioned. [Control Method 1]Dimming control is performed according to the difference in luminance calculated using the luminance calculated by the luminance calculation unit 130 and the luminance tolerance range information 140b. The upper limit luminance and the lower limit luminance are defined from the luminance tolerance range information 140b, and the dimming control unit 160 determines the dimming control amount by comparing the upper limit luminance or the lower limit luminance with the luminance calculated by the luminance calculation unit 130. For example, when the determination of area a1 is “+NG (luminance exceeded)”, the luminance calculated by the luminance calculation unit 130 is compared with the upper limit luminance, and the dimming control unit 160 determines the dimming control amount of the lighting fixture DL1 in area a1. Also, for example, when the determination of area a1 is “-NG (insufficient luminance)”, the luminance calculated by the luminance calculation unit 130 is compared with the lower limit luminance, and the dimming control unit 160 determines the dimming control amount of the lighting fixture DL1 in area a1. In such control method 1, fine dimming control according to the luminance calculated by the luminance calculation unit 130 can be performed.

[0029] [Control Method 2]Based on the determination results of “+NG (luminance exceeded)”, “-NG (insufficient luminance)”, and “OK (luminance within the luminance tolerance range)” by the determination unit 150, the dimming control unit 160 determines the same dimming control amount for the same determination result. That is, if the determination results are the same, dimming control is uniformly performed regardless of the magnitude of the luminance calculated by the luminance calculation unit 130. For example, when the determination of area a1 is “+NG (luminance exceeded)”, the dimming control unit 160 performs dimming control to uniformly reduce the dimming rate of the lighting fixture DL1 in area a1 by, for example, 10%. Also, when the determination of area a1 is “-NG (insufficient luminance)”, the dimming control unit 160 performs dimming control to uniformly increase the dimming rate of the lighting fixture DL1 in area a1 by, for example, 10%. In such control method 2, since the lighting fixture DL1 is uniformly dimming-controlled regardless of the magnitude of the luminance calculated by the luminance calculation unit 130 if the determination results are the same, it is possible to simplify the dimming control unit 160. Note that when it is “OK (luminance within the luminance tolerance range)”, the dimming control unit 160 does not perform dimming control on the lighting fixture DL1.

[0030] The lighting fixture DL1 is connected to the dimming fixture control device 120 and is dimming-controlled by the dimming fixture control device 120.

[0031] Next, with reference to FIG. 6, the procedure of the dimming control process executed by the dimming fixture control device 120 will be described. First, the dimming fixture control device 120 acquires image data from the imaging device 110 (image data acquisition step S101). In the first embodiment, the imaging device 110 is provided such that two regions a1 and a2 are included in the imaging range. The image data acquired by the imaging device 110 is transmitted to the dimming fixture control device 120 via the LAN, whereby the dimming fixture control device 120 acquires the image data from the imaging device 110.

[0032] Next, the luminance calculation unit 130 calculates the luminance of the two regions a1 and a2 (luminance calculation step S102). In the process of step S102, the luminance calculation unit 130 selects two preset regions a1 and a2 from the acquired image data (see B in FIG. 5), and calculates the luminance of each of the selected two regions a1 and a2. The luminance calculation unit 130 calculates the luminance of each pixel in each region a1 and a2, and calculates the average luminance of all the pixels in each region a1 and a2 as the luminance of that region a1 and a2.

[0033] Next, the determination unit 150 determines whether or not the luminance of each calculated region a1 and a2 is within the luminance allowable range (determination step S103). In the process of step S103, the determination unit 150 refers to the luminance allowable range information 140b stored in the storage unit 140, and determines whether or not the luminance of each calculated region a1 and a2 is within the luminance allowable range. That is, in the process of this step S103, the determination unit 150 determines whether or not the luminance of both the region a1 with the higher priority and the region a2 with the lower priority is within the luminance allowable range. Here, the determination unit 150 derives one determination pattern from among the nine types of determination patterns regarding the two regions a1 and a2 as described above.

[0034] Next, the dimming control unit determines whether the luminances of the two regions a1 and a2 are both within the luminance allowable range (determination step S104). The process of this step S104 is a process in which the dimming control unit 160 determines whether to execute the control of the lighting fixture DL1 for dimming. In step S104, the dimming control unit 160 determines whether both of the two regions a1 and a2 have been determined as "OK" by the determination unit 150. When it is determined that both of the two regions a1 and a2 have been determined as "OK" by the determination unit 150 (refer to the determination pattern in the fifth row from the top in FIG. 4) (step S104: Yes), based on the dimming control table 140d in FIG. 4, since control of the lighting fixture DL1 for dimming is not necessary, the process returns to step S101. Thereafter, the dimming fixture control device 120 repeats the above-described process.

[0035] On the other hand, in step S104, when the dimming control unit 160 determines that the determination unit 150 has not made an "OK" determination for the two regions a1 and a2 (step S104: No), it performs dimming control on the lighting fixture DL1 (dimming control step S105).

[0036] In the process of step S105, the dimming control unit 160 performs dimming control on the lighting fixture DL1 based on the dimming control table 140d in FIG. 4. The dimming control performed by the dimming control unit 160 on the lighting fixture DL1 is executed corresponding to the nine types of determination patterns by the determination unit 150 in the dimming control table 140d in FIG. 4. Note that when it is determined that both of the two regions a1 and a2 have been determined as "OK" by the determination unit 150 (refer to the determination pattern in the fifth row from the top in FIG. 4) (step S104: Yes), there is no need to control the lighting fixture DL1, and the remaining eight types of patterns are as follows.

[0037] Determination pattern of the first row from the top of the dimming control table 140d in FIG. 4: When the determination unit 150 determines that the regions a1 and a2 are +NG (luminance exceeded), the dimming control unit 160 performs dimming control on the luminaire DL1 so that the luminance of the region a1 is within the luminance allowable range. In this case, the dimming control unit 160 does not execute dimming control of the luminaire DL1 based on the luminance of the region a2.

[0038] Determination pattern of the second row from the top of the dimming control table 140d in FIG. 4: When the determination unit 150 determines that the region a1 is +NG (luminance exceeded) and the region a2 is OK, the dimming control unit 160 performs dimming control on the luminaire DL1 so that the luminance of the region a1 is within the luminance allowable range. Note that the dimming control unit 160 does not execute control of the luminaire DL1 based on the luminance of the region a2.

[0039] Determination pattern of the third row from the top of the dimming control table 140d in FIG. 4: When the determination unit 150 determines that the region a1 is +NG (luminance exceeded) and the region a2 is -NG (luminance insufficient), the dimming control unit 160 performs dimming control on the luminaire DL1 so that the luminance of the region a1 is within the luminance allowable range. Note that the dimming control unit 160 does not execute control of the luminaire DL1 based on the luminance of the region a2.

[0040] Determination pattern of the fourth row from the top of the dimming control table 140d in FIG. 4: When the determination unit 150 determines that the region a1 is OK and the region a2 is +NG (luminance exceeded), the dimming control unit 160 performs dimming control on the luminaire DL1 so that the luminance of the region a2 is within the luminance allowable range.

[0041] Determination pattern of the sixth row from the top of the dimming control table 140d in FIG. 4: When the determination unit 150 determines that the region a1 is OK and the region a2 is -NG (luminance insufficient), the dimming control unit 160 performs dimming control on the luminaire DL1 so that the luminance of the region a2 is within the luminance allowable range.

[0042] Determination pattern in the 7th row from the top of the dimming control table 140d in FIG. 4: When the determination unit 150 determines that region a1 is -NG (insufficient brightness) and region a2 is +NG (excessive brightness), the dimming control unit 160 performs dimming control on the lighting fixture DL1 so that the brightness of region a1 falls within the brightness allowable range. Note that the dimming control unit 160 does not execute control of the lighting fixture DL1 based on the brightness of region a2.

[0043] Determination pattern in the 8th row from the top of the dimming control table in FIG. 4: When the determination unit 150 determines that region a1 is -NG (insufficient brightness) and region a2 is OK, the dimming control unit 160 performs dimming control on the lighting fixture DL1 so that the brightness of region a1 falls within the brightness allowable range. Note that the dimming control unit 160 does not execute control of the lighting fixture DL1 based on the brightness of region a2.

[0044] Determination pattern in the 9th row from the top of the dimming control table 140d in FIG. 4: When the determination unit 150 determines that both region a1 and region a2 are -NG (insufficient brightness), the dimming control unit 160 performs dimming control on the lighting fixture DL1 so that the brightness of region a1 falls within the brightness allowable range. Note that the dimming control unit 160 does not execute control of the lighting fixture DL1 based on the brightness of region a2.

[0045] In step S105, after the dimming control unit 160 executes control for dimming the lighting fixture DL1, the dimming fixture control device 120 returns the process to step S101 and repeats the above-described process.

[0046] According to the light environment control system 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, by performing dimming control on the dimming device DL1 shared by the plurality of areas a1 and a2 based on the priority levels set for the plurality of areas a1 and a2, even when a plurality of dimming control requests corresponding to each of the plurality of areas a1 and a2 for the shared dimming device DL1 occur, the dimming control request for the area with the higher priority can be preferentially executed. Therefore, while sharing the dimming device DL1 among the plurality of areas a1 and a2, the brightness of the plurality of areas a1 and a2 can be stably controlled.

[0047] Further, according to the light environment control system 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, the two areas a1 and a2 include both the task side and the ambient side areas a1 and a2, and the area priority information 140a is information ranking the task side area a1 with a higher priority than the ambient side area a2. Therefore, the dimming control request for the task side area a1 can be preferentially executed over the ambient side area a2.

[0048] According to the light environment control method and the light environment control program according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, by performing dimming control on the dimming device DL1 shared by the plurality of areas a1 and a2 based on the priority levels set for the plurality of areas a1 and a2, even when a plurality of dimming control requests corresponding to each of the plurality of areas a1 and a2 for the shared dimming device DL1 occur, the dimming control request for the area with the higher priority can be preferentially executed. Therefore, while sharing the dimming device DL1 among the plurality of areas a1 and a2, the brightness of the plurality of areas a1 and a2 can be stably controlled.

[0049] Further, according to the light environment control method and the light environment control program according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, the two areas a1 and a2 include both the task side and the ambient side areas a1 and a2, and the area priority information 140a is information ranking the task side area a1 with a higher priority than the ambient side area a2. Therefore, the dimming control request for the task side area a1 can be preferentially executed over the ambient side area a2.

[0050] [Embodiment 2] A light environment control system, a light environment control method, and a light environment control program according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 9. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the light environment control system according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a dimming control table in which information on the luminance allowable range is associated with priority information in order to associate priorities with the determination by the determination unit. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the dimming control process executed by the dimming device control device of the light environment control system according to Embodiment 2.

[0051] The light environment control system 200 according to this Embodiment 2 is different from the light environment control system 100 of Embodiment 1 in that the determination unit 250 executes determination based on the priorities of the two regions a1 and a2. For the same components as those of the light environment control system 100 of Embodiment 1 described above, the reference numerals in the 200 series are attached, and the overlapping description is omitted.

[0052] This light environment control system 200 includes an imaging device 210 that acquires image data, and a dimming device control device 220 that calculates the luminance of two regions a1 and a2 from the image data and performs dimming control of the lighting fixture DL1 shared by the two regions a1 and a2 based on the calculated luminance.

[0053] The storage unit 240 stores information necessary for the processes performed by the determination unit 250 and the dimming control unit 260. This storage unit 240 stores region priority information 240a, information 240b on the luminance allowable range of each of the two regions a1 and a2, and dimming control target information 240c.

[0054] In addition, the storage unit 240 stores a determination process table 240d (see FIG. 8) that associates the priorities of the two regions a1 and a2 with the luminance allowable ranges of the respective regions a1 and a2.

[0055] The determination unit 250 executes the determination on the luminance of the area a2 with a lower priority only when it determines that the luminance of the area a1 with a higher priority is within the luminance allowable range based on the determination processing table 240d.

[0056] Next, with reference to FIG. 9, the procedure of the dimming control process executed by the dimming device control apparatus 220 will be described. First, the dimming device control apparatus 220 acquires image data from the imaging device 210 (image data acquisition step S201). In the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the imaging device 210 is provided so that two areas a1 and a2 are included in the imaging range. The image data acquired by the imaging device 210 is transmitted to the dimming device control apparatus 220 via the LAN, whereby the dimming device control apparatus 220 acquires the image data from the imaging device 210.

[0057] Next, the luminance calculation unit 230 calculates the luminance of the two areas a1 and a2 (luminance calculation step S202).

[0058] Next, the determination unit 250 determines whether or not the luminance of the area with a higher priority is within the luminance allowable range (determination step S203). In step S203, when the determination unit 250 determines that the luminance of the area a1 with a higher priority is outside the luminance allowable range (step S203: No), the dimming control unit 260 performs dimming control on the lighting fixture DL1 (step S205). Thereafter, the dimming device control apparatus 220 returns the process to step S201 and repeats the above-described process.

[0059] On the other hand, in step S203, when the determination unit 250 determines that the luminance of the area a1 with a higher priority is within the luminance allowable range (step S203: Yes), the determination unit 250 determines whether or not the luminance of the area a2 with a lower priority is within the luminance allowable range (determination step S204).

[0060] In step S204, when the determination unit 250 determines that the luminance of the lower-priority area a2 is within the luminance allowable range (step S204: Yes), the dimming device control apparatus 220 returns the process to step S201 and repeats the above-described process.

[0061] On the other hand, in step S204, when the determination unit 250 determines that the luminance of the lower-priority area a2 is outside the luminance allowable range (step S204: No), the dimming control unit 260 performs dimming control on the lighting fixture DL1 (dimming control step S205). Thereafter, the dimming device control apparatus 220 returns the process to step S201 and repeats the above-described process.

[0062] According to the light environment control system 200 according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention, the determination unit 250 executes the determination on the luminance of the lower-priority area a2 only when it determines that the luminance of the higher-priority area a1 is within the luminance allowable range. Therefore, the determination process by the determination unit 250 can be efficiently performed according to the priorities of the two areas a1 and a2.

[0063] According to the light environment control method and the light environment control program according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention, the determination step executes the determination on the luminance of the lower-priority area a2 only when it determines that the luminance of the higher-priority area a1 is within the luminance allowable range. Therefore, the determination process by the determination step can be efficiently performed according to the priorities of the two areas a1 and a2.

[0064] [Embodiment 3] The light environment control system, the light environment control method, and the light environment control program according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 to 12. FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the light environment control system 300 according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the image data acquired by the imaging device 310. A in FIG. 11 shows the imaging range of the imaging device 310, and B in FIG. 11 shows regions a1 to a4 selected within the imaging range of the imaging device 310. FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining the information stored in the storage unit 340 of the light environment control system 300 according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. A in FIG. 12 is the region priority information 340a, B in FIG. 12 is the luminance allowable range information 340b, and C in FIG. 12 is the dimming control target information 340c.

[0065] The light environment control system 300 of the present embodiment is different from the light environment control systems of Embodiments 1 and 2 in that there are a plurality of lighting fixtures (DL1, DL2) to be dimming-controlled, and each of the lighting fixtures DL1 and DL2 dims a plurality of regions a1 to a4 with priorities assigned thereto. The plurality of regions a1 to a4 are divided into a plurality of groups, and priorities are set for the plurality of regions within each group. For example, regions a1 and a2 are divided into one group corresponding to the lighting fixture DL1, and regions a3 and a4 are divided into another group corresponding to the lighting fixture DL2. Priorities of regions a1 and a2 are set within one group, and priorities of regions a3 and a4 are set within another group. Note that, for the same components as those in the light environment control system of Embodiment 1 described above, reference numerals in the 300s are assigned to omit redundant explanations.

[0066] The light environment control system 300 of the present embodiment includes an imaging device 310 that acquires image data, and a dimming device control device 320 that calculates the luminance of the four regions a1 to a4 from the image data and performs dimming control on the lighting fixtures DL1 and DL2 shared by the respective regions based on the calculated luminance. As shown in FIG. 10, in the light environment control system 300, the imaging device 310 and the dimming device control device 320 are connected by, for example, a LAN, and the two lighting fixtures DL1 and DL2 and the dimming device control device 320 are connected by, for example, BACnet (registered trademark).

[0067] The dimming device control device 320 includes a luminance calculation unit 330, a storage unit 340, a determination unit 350, and a dimming control unit 360.

[0068] The storage unit 340 stores area priority information 340a, information 340b on the luminance tolerance range for each of the four areas a1, a2, a3, and a4, and dimming control target information 340c.

[0069] As shown in A of FIG. 12, the area priority information 340a is information associating the four areas a1, a2, a3, and a4 with the priority levels. In the present embodiment, the areas a1 and a3 on the desk surface are given priority level 1, and the areas a2 and a4 on the ceiling surface are set to priority level 2. That is, the area priority information is information that sets the areas a1 and a3 on the desk surface to a higher priority level than the areas a2 and a4 on the ceiling surface.

[0070] As shown in B of FIG. 12, the information 340b on the luminance tolerance range is information associating each of the areas a1, a2, a3, and a4 with the luminance tolerance range. In the present embodiment, the luminance tolerance range for the areas a1 and a3 on the desk surface is set to 18 cd / m2 or more and 22 cd / m2 or less. Also, the luminance tolerance range for the areas a2 and a4 on the ceiling surface is set to 50 cd / m2 or more and 70 cd / m2 or less.

[0071] As shown in C of FIG. 12, the dimming control target information 340c associates two areas a1 and a2 with the lighting fixture DL1 that is the dimming control target for the two areas a1 and a2, and associates two areas a3 and a4 with the lighting fixture DL2 that is the dimming control target for the two areas a3 and a4.

[0072] For one group of areas a1 and a2 corresponding to the lighting fixture DL1 and another group of areas a3 and a4 corresponding to the lighting fixture DL2, the dimming device control device 320 controls the dimming of the lighting fixtures DL1 and DL2 respectively in the same manner as described in Embodiment 1 or 2 based on the priority levels set for each group.

[0073] In addition, in this embodiment, the light environment control system 300 has been exemplified as performing dimming control on two lighting fixtures DL1 and DL2, but dimming control may also be performed on three or more lighting fixtures.

[0074] Also, in this embodiment, the lighting fixtures DL1 and DL2 shared by a plurality of regions have been exemplified as being one, but there may be a plurality of lighting fixtures shared by the plurality of regions a1 to a4. For example, as shown in FIG. 13, a plurality of lighting fixtures shared by regions a1 and a2 are a plurality of lighting fixtures DL11, DL12... DL1n, and a plurality of lighting fixtures shared by regions a3 and a4 are a plurality of lighting fixtures DL21, DL22... DL2n (note that n represents a natural number).

[0075] This light environment control system 300 is the same as FIG. 12 described above in terms of the region priority information 340a (A in FIG. 14) and the luminance allowable range information 340b (B in FIG. 14), but the dimming control target information 340c is information in which a plurality of lighting fixtures are associated with each of the regions a1 to a4 (see C in FIG. 14). The plurality of lighting fixtures can be determined, for example, according to the regions associated with the lighting fixtures. That is, the lighting fixtures DL11, DL12... DL1n are a group of lighting fixtures arranged within the region a2 on the ceiling surface, and the lighting fixtures DL21, DL22... DL2n are a group of lighting fixtures arranged within the region a4 on the ceiling surface. Note that the specific method of dimming control when sharing a plurality of lighting fixtures in this way is not limited to adjusting the luminance of a single lighting fixture. For example, dimming control of each region is also possible by selectively turning on and off a plurality of lighting fixtures.

[0076] The light environment control system 300 of this embodiment can perform dimming control with priorities assigned to a plurality of regions respectively assigned to a plurality of lighting fixtures to be dimming-controlled.

[0077] [Embodiment 4] A light environment control system, a light environment control method, and a light environment control program according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 15. FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of a light environment control system 400 according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention. The light environment control system 400 of the present embodiment is different from the light environment control systems 100, 200, and 300 of Embodiments 1 to 3 in that two imaging devices 410 are provided. For the same components as those of the light environment control system 100 of Embodiment 1 described above, the corresponding numbers in the 400s are assigned, and the overlapping description is omitted.

[0078] In the present embodiment, an example is given in which two imaging devices 410 are provided in the light environment control system 400, but three or more imaging devices 410 may be provided.

[0079] The light environment control system 400 of the present embodiment is provided with two imaging devices 410, and two regions a1 and a2 belong to the image data acquired by the two imaging devices 410. In the light environment control system 400 of the present embodiment, each imaging device 410 is dedicated and can image each of the regions a1 and a2. Therefore, an image with as little surrounding image of the regions a1 and a2 as possible can be captured, and it is easier to extract the regions a1 and a2. Therefore, by associating each imaging device 410 with each of the regions a1 and a2 and storing the information in the dimming device control device, the process of selecting a plurality of regions from one piece of image data acquired by one imaging device can be omitted. As a result, the dimming control process by the dimming device control device can be simplified.

[0080] In addition, although the lighting environment control systems 100 to 400 according to Embodiments 1 to 4 of the present invention have been exemplified as having one lighting fixture DL1 or two areas sharing a predetermined group of lighting fixtures, the number of areas sharing one lighting fixture DL1 or a predetermined group of lighting fixtures may be three or more. For example, as shown in FIG. 16, priority may be given to the area a1 on the desk surface, the area a2 on the ceiling surface, and further the area a3 on the wall surface, and dimming control may be performed by sharing one lighting fixture DL1 or a predetermined group of lighting fixtures.

[0081] Also, although the lighting environment control systems 100 to 400 according to Embodiments 1 to 4 of the present invention have briefly shown the calculation process of the average luminance of the area, processes such as appropriately using the arithmetic mean and the geometric mean, and providing a luminance threshold value to exclude the light source from the averaging target may be added.

[0082] Also, although the lighting environment control systems 100 to 400 according to Embodiments 1 to 4 of the present invention have taken the rectangle formed by the assembled desks (the entire desk surface) as the area on the desk surface, it may be a partial range of the desk surface or a range including the desk surface and the floor surface.

[0083] Also, although the lighting environment control systems 100 to 400 according to Embodiments 1 to 4 of the present invention have determined one priority relationship in advance, a plurality of different priority relationships may be set and switched and operated according to the usage purpose of the space by human operation or schedule setting. For example, in a hall having two areas of the desk surface and the ceiling surface, when the visibility of handouts is important such as in a seminar, the desk surface is prioritized, and when used for an event, the ceiling surface is prioritized.

[0084] Also, although the lighting environment control systems 100 to 400 according to Embodiments 1 to 4 of the present invention have determined the maximum and minimum luminances of the area for setting the allowable range in advance, a mechanism that varies with reference to the data accumulated by operating the system can also be used.

[0085] In addition, although the lighting environment control systems 100 to 400 according to Embodiments 1 to 4 of the present invention have exemplified that the dimming device to be dimming-controlled is a lighting fixture, other dimming devices may be used as long as they 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 combined and used. When controlling the dimming of a blind or a louver, the angle of the blind or the louver is adjusted.

[0086] As described above, some embodiments of the present invention have been described. However, these embodiments are examples of a lighting environment control system 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 the aspects of each embodiment.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0087] 100, 200, 300, 400 Lighting environment control system, 110, 210, 310, 410 Imaging device, 120, 220, 320 Dimming device control device, 130, 230, 330 Luminance calculation unit, 140, 240, 340 Storage unit, 140a, 240a, 340a Region priority order information, 140b, 240b, 340b Luminance allowable range information, 140c, 240c, 340c Dimming control target information, 140d Dimming control table, 240d Determination processing table, 150, 250, 350 Determination unit, 160, 260, 360 Dimming control unit, DL1, DL2 Lighting fixture (dimming device), DL11 to DL1n Lighting fixture (dimming device), DL21 to DL2n Lighting fixture (dimming device).

Claims

1. An optical environment control system comprising an imaging device that acquires image data, and a dimming device control device that calculates the luminance of a plurality of regions from the image data and controls the dimming of a dimming device shared among the plurality of regions based on the calculated luminance, wherein the dimming device control device includes a storage unit in which region priority information that sets priorities for the plurality of regions is stored, and the dimming device is dimming-controlled such that the regions with higher priority according to the region priority information are given priority over the regions with lower priority and the luminance is within an allowable range. An optical environment control system that adjusts the luminance of the regions with lower priority only when the luminance of the regions with higher priority is within the allowable range.

2. An optical environment control system comprising an imaging device that acquires image data, and a dimming device control device that calculates the luminance of a plurality of regions from the image data and controls the dimming of a dimming device shared among the plurality of regions based on the calculated luminance, wherein the dimming device control device includes a storage unit in which region priority information that sets priorities for the plurality of regions is stored, the dimming device is dimming-controlled such that the regions with higher priority according to the region priority information are given priority over the regions with lower priority and the luminance is within an allowable range, the storage unit stores information on the luminance allowable range for each of the plurality of regions, and the dimming device control device includes a luminance calculation unit that calculates the luminance of the plurality of regions from the image data, a determination unit that determines whether the luminance of the region calculated by the luminance calculation unit is within the luminance allowable range, and a dimming control unit that controls the dimming of the dimming device so that the luminance of the region is within the luminance allowable range, wherein the dimming control unit controls the dimming of the dimming device so that the luminance of the regions with lower priority is within the luminance allowable range only when the determination unit determines that the luminance of the regions with higher priority is within the luminance allowable range.

3. The optical environment control system according to claim 2, wherein the determination unit performs a determination on the luminance of the regions with lower priority only when the determination unit determines that the luminance of the regions with higher priority is within the luminance allowable range.

4. The light environment control system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that a plurality of the imaging devices are provided, and the image data acquired by each of the plurality of imaging devices corresponds to each of the plurality of regions.

5. The light environment control system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the dimming device includes at least one of a lighting fixture, a blind, or a louver.

6. The light environment control system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the plurality of regions are divided into a plurality of groups, and a priority order is set for the plurality of regions within each group.

7. The plurality of regions include the regions on the task side and the ambient side, The light environment control system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the region priority information is information in which the regions on the task side are ranked with a higher priority than the regions on the ambient side.

8. A light environment control method for calculating the luminance of a plurality of regions from image data and performing dimming control on a dimming device shared by the plurality of regions based on the calculated luminance, setting a priority order for the plurality of regions according to region priority information; performing dimming control on the dimming device so as to prioritize the regions with a higher priority order over the regions with a lower priority order and keep the luminance within an allowable range; including The step of performing the dimming control is characterized in that the luminance of the region with a lower priority order is adjusted only when the luminance of the region with a higher priority order is within the allowable range.

9. A light environment control method for calculating the luminance of a plurality of regions from image data and performing dimming control on a dimming device shared by the plurality of regions based on the calculated luminance, setting a priority order for the plurality of regions according to region priority information; performing dimming control on the dimming device so as to prioritize the regions with a higher priority order over the regions with a lower priority order and keep the luminance within an allowable range; including The step of performing the dimming control is a luminance calculation step of calculating the luminance of the plurality of regions from the image data; a determination step of determining whether the luminance of the region calculated by the luminance calculation step is within an allowable range; a dimming control step of performing dimming control on the dimming device so as to keep the luminance of the region within the allowable range; including The dimming control step performs dimming control of the dimming device so that the luminance of the area with the lower priority falls within the allowable range only when it is determined by the determination step that the luminance of the area with the higher priority is within the allowable range. A lighting environment control method characterized by this.

10. The light environment control method according to claim 9, wherein the determination step executes a determination of the luminance of the area with the lower priority only when it is determined that the luminance of the area with the higher priority is within the allowable range.

11. A lighting environment control program characterized by causing a computer to execute each step of the lighting environment control method according to any one of claims 8 to 10.

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