Lighting control device and lighting control method

Abstract

A lighting control device (1) comprises: a lighting device (10) that illuminates a passage for a pedestrian traffic and / or a periphery of the passage with a light in a predetermined illumination pattern; a video processing unit (12) that applies video processing to captured video of a pedestrian acquired from an imaging unit (11) that images the passage; and a lighting control unit (15) that makes determination relating to maintenance or change of a control state of the predetermined illumination pattern when a result indicating a tendency to attract the attention of the pedestrian is obtained as a physiological response feature amount representing a physiological response that the predetermined illumination pattern imparts to the pedestrian based on a result of the video processing by the video processing unit (12).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a lighting control device and a lighting control method. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an intra-regional mutual assistance patrol support device that determines routes for multiple patrol members to patrol multiple assigned patrol destinations.

[0003] Patent document 2 discloses an information provision method in which, based on the attribute information of each of a plurality of moving subjects, moving subjects that are presumed to have a relationship with each other are grouped together, and for each group, information is provided to each moving subject belonging to the group that will influence the destination of the moving subject.

[0004] Patent document 3 discloses a guidance system that includes a first output device that is placed at a predetermined location and outputs content, a first measurement device that measures people flow data that indicates the dynamic information of people moving around the first output device, and a control device that receives the people flow data measured by the first measurement device, calculates a coefficient for the people flow data based on the content, and selects content based on the coefficient or stops the output of the content so that the people flow data falls within a predetermined range.

[0005] Non-Patent Document 1 discloses that a pedestrian behavior model is constructed by constructing a model that describes the macroscopic movement path of a pedestrian, then incorporating an existing walking model that accounts for the sense of pressure from physical elements such as pillars and walls, and integrating the two models. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-112929 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-154458 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-35992 [Non-patent literature]

[0007] [Non-Patent Document 1] Estimation and Verification of Pedestrian Behavior Models Using High-Precision Trajectory Data from Laser Sensors, Toshiyasu Osaragi, Arisa Homma, Hiroyuki Kaneko, Journal of Architecture and Planning, Architectural Institute of Japan, Vol. 84, No. 763, pp. 1883-1891, September 2019, DOI https: / / doi.org / 10.3130 / aija.84.1883 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] However, in the conventional Patent Documents 1 to 3, only a single irradiation pattern is provided to pedestrians, so if another irradiation pattern is shown to some pedestrians, they may be strongly attracted to that pattern.

[0009] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a lighting control device and a lighting control method that can search for an illumination pattern that attracts the interest of pedestrians. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] One aspect of the lighting control device according to the present disclosure is a lighting control device for a passageway where pedestrians pass and / or the vicinity of the passageway. to a lighting fixture that emits light in a predetermined irradiation pattern; an image processing unit that processes an image of the pedestrian acquired from an image capturing unit that captures an image of the passage; and a physiological response feature quantity that represents a physiological response that the predetermined irradiation pattern gives to the pedestrian based on the image processing result of the image processing unit. and based on the physiological response feature amount obtained, and a lighting control unit that determines whether to maintain or change the control state of the predetermined illumination pattern when a result indicating that the illumination pattern tends to attract the attention of pedestrians is obtained.

[0011] Furthermore, one aspect of the lighting control method according to the present disclosure is to to irradiating light in a predetermined irradiation pattern; image processing an image of the pedestrian acquired from an image capturing unit that captures an image of the passage; and physiological response feature quantities representing physiological responses that the predetermined irradiation pattern gives to the pedestrian based on the image processing results. and based on the physiological response feature amount obtained, When a result indicating that there is a tendency to attract the attention of pedestrians is obtained, a determination is made as to whether to maintain or change the control state of the predetermined irradiation pattern. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to search for illumination patterns that attract the interest of pedestrians. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a lighting control device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the lighting control device according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a lighting control device according to a first modification of the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the lighting control device according to the second modification of the embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of a lighting control device according to the third modification of the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] The embodiments described below are all comprehensive or specific examples. The numerical values, shapes, materials, components, component placement and connection configurations, steps, and step order shown in the following embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. Furthermore, among the components in the following embodiments, components not described in independent claims are described as optional components.

[0015] In addition, each drawing is a schematic diagram and is not necessarily an exact illustration. In addition, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals in each drawing.

[0016] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.

[0017] (Embodiment) <Configuration and Functions> A lighting control device 1 according to the embodiment will be described below with reference to FIG.

[0018] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a lighting control device 1 according to an embodiment.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 1 , lighting control device 1 can provide affordance lighting that can guide people by adjusting the illumination mode of light emitted from lighting fixture 10. For example, lighting control device 1 of the present embodiment can adjust the illumination mode to guide people in a predetermined direction, gather guided people in a predetermined area, or disperse people gathered in a predetermined area. For example, the savanna effect is known, which states that people are drawn to brighter areas than to darker areas. For this reason, lighting control device 1 illuminates the ground, and therefore, strictly speaking, it is different from the savanna effect, which is related to vertical illuminance. However, lighting control device 1 can achieve an effect similar to the savanna effect by changing the control state of a predetermined light illumination pattern (hereinafter, sometimes simply referred to as the illumination pattern) and influencing people's emotions through the savanna effect, thereby guiding people.

[0020] Here, the illumination pattern refers to a scene in which affordance lighting is implemented, which is different from a scene in which the lighting is simply always on. An illumination pattern in which affordance lighting is implemented is realized, for example, by a dynamic control signal that repeatedly increases and decreases the light output. Changing the control state of the illumination pattern refers to executing affordance lighting from a scene in which the lighting is simply always on or off, executing a different affordance lighting from affordance lighting, or returning to a scene in which the lighting is simply always on or off. Increasing or decreasing the light output includes increasing or decreasing the luminous intensity and illuminance of light emitted by lighting fixtures, increasing or decreasing the luminous intensity and illuminance of light irradiated onto an irradiated surface, changing the color temperature or chromaticity of light emitted by lighting fixtures, and changing the color temperature or chromaticity of light irradiated onto an irradiated surface. An example of affordance lighting is lighting in which multiple lighting fixtures are arranged along a corridor, and the illuminance and chromaticity of the light irradiated onto an irradiated surface (light-irradiated area) gradually change from one side of the corridor to the other or from the other side to one side of the corridor.

[0021] Such a lighting control device 1 is used in places where it is desired to guide people, such as parks, amusement parks, stations, large-scale facilities, and the like.

[0022] As shown in Figure 1, the lighting control device 1 includes a plurality of lighting fixtures 10, an imaging unit 11, an image processing unit 12, an analysis unit 13, a judgment unit 14, a lighting control unit 15, a forced control unit 16, and a power supply unit.

[0023] [Lighting fixture 10] Each of the plurality of lighting fixtures 10 is, for example, an outdoor lighting device such as a street lamp, a facility lighting device installed inside a facility, etc. Each of the plurality of lighting fixtures 10 of the present embodiment is arranged along a passageway and irradiates the passageway where people (pedestrians) pass and / or the surrounding area of ​​the passageway with light in a predetermined illumination pattern.

[0024] Each of the multiple lighting fixtures 10 includes a light source (not shown), a light-emitting control circuit (not shown), and other components. The light source is a light-emitting module equipped with multiple LED (light-emitting diode) elements. Each of the multiple LED elements includes a red LED chip, a blue LED chip, a green LED chip, a white LED chip, and a yellow LED chip. The light source may be configured to emit white light by combining a blue LED with a yellow phosphor. Furthermore, the light source may emit various colors of light by selectively combining two or more of these LED elements. However, this is not limited to these, and a commonly used configuration may also be used. The light-emitting control circuit independently controls each LED chip, causing each of the multiple lighting fixtures 10 to emit light toward and irradiate the illuminated surface.

[0025] When each of the lighting devices 10 receives a control signal from lighting control unit 15, it lights up in a lighting mode corresponding to the control signal. Each of the lighting devices 10 has a dimming function and a color adjustment function.

[0026] For example, each of the lighting fixtures 10 can have a dimming function that adjusts the brightness of the light output from the light source in multiple steps, thereby making the brightness of the light brighter or darker. That is, each of the lighting fixtures 10 can periodically fluctuate the brightness of the light it outputs. Here, "periodically" may refer to the same period or different periods.

[0027] Each of the lighting fixtures 10 also has a color-adjusting function that can emit white light ranging from a low color temperature, such as incandescent white, to a high color temperature, such as warm white, daylight white, or cosmic white. That is, each of the lighting fixtures 10 can periodically vary the color hue of the light it outputs. For example, in a lighting effect, each of the lighting fixtures 10 may periodically change the color temperature of the light it outputs, repeatedly increasing or decreasing the redness of the light.

[0028] Each of the lighting fixtures 10 may change the wavelength of the light it outputs to change the color of the light it outputs, as a lighting effect.

[0029] Furthermore, the plurality of lighting fixtures 10 are arranged side by side along the passage so that the emitted light can be directed to different locations on the irradiated surface in the passage.

[0030] [Image capture unit 11] The imaging unit 11 is arranged around the multiple lighting fixtures 10. Specifically, the imaging unit 11 is arranged so as to be able to capture images of the passageway in which the multiple lighting fixtures 10 are arranged and the area around the passageway. Therefore, the imaging unit 11 is able to capture images of pedestrians (people) near the multiple lighting fixtures 10. The imaging unit 11 is a sensor that senses pedestrians around the multiple lighting fixtures 10.

[0031] The imaging unit 11 can acquire captured video of the surroundings as information. The information simply includes information indicating whether or not pedestrians are present. The acquired captured video may include pedestrians. To process the acquired captured video, the imaging unit 11 outputs the acquired captured video to the video processing unit 12. Furthermore, since the imaging unit 11 continuously captures images of the surroundings, it outputs the captured video to the video processing unit 12 each time an image is captured. Here, the captured video includes moving images and still images.

[0032] [Video Processing Unit 12] The image processing unit 12 performs image processing (image analysis) by analyzing the captured image, which is information acquired by the imaging unit 11. Specifically, the image processing unit 12 analyzes and processes the captured image of a pedestrian acquired from the imaging unit 11 that captures an image of a passageway.

[0033] Specifically, the image processing unit 12 processes the captured image to attempt to extract (detect) pedestrians included in the captured image. If the captured image includes pedestrians (if pedestrians can be detected), the image processing unit 12 can extract the pedestrians, their faces, their feet, etc. from the captured image. In this case, if the captured image includes multiple pedestrians, the image processing unit 12 can extract the multiple pedestrians, their respective faces, their respective feet, etc. The image processing unit 12 can also extract multiple lighting devices 10 and the light-illuminated areas where the multiple lighting devices 10 illuminate the illuminated surface from the captured image. The image processing unit 12 outputs the image processing results to the analysis unit 13.

[0034] [Analysis Department 13] Analysis unit 13 acquires the results of image processing from image processing unit 12. Analysis unit 13 analyzes the pedestrian's facial expression (facial expression data), walking pattern (gait data) that indicates how the pedestrian walks, and the like, based on the results of image processing by image processing unit 12. For example, analysis unit 13 analyzes the pedestrian's facial expression, walking pattern, and the like, using an artificial intelligence analysis algorithm, based on the results of image processing by image processing unit 12. Analysis unit 13 further analyzes the physiological response that the irradiation pattern gives to the pedestrian, based on the analyzed facial expression, walking pattern, and the like of the pedestrian.

[0035] Here, the physiological response in this embodiment refers to the human emotion that is imparted to a pedestrian by the irradiation pattern. The human emotion is indicated by a physiological response feature that represents the physiological response that the irradiation pattern imparts to the pedestrian. The physiological response feature includes facial expression data and / or gait data extracted from a captured video of the pedestrian. For example, the facial expression data and / or gait data can indicate the degree of favorable impression that the irradiation pattern has made on the pedestrian, that is, the favorable state of the pedestrian. Here, the facial expression data includes a facial expression of joy, a happy and surprised expression, an expression of disgust, etc. on the pedestrian's face. Furthermore, the gait data includes whether the pedestrian is walking slowly, briskly, etc.

[0036] For example, the analysis unit 13 may analyze the results of video processing by the video processing unit 12 according to a learning model obtained by machine learning past sample data using an analysis algorithm of artificial intelligence. The past sample data may be training data from which each physiological response feature has been learned. The learning of the analysis algorithm in the artificial intelligence may be performed using one or more known statistical classification techniques. Furthermore, the video processing unit 12 may be able to update the analysis algorithm by receiving feedback of the analysis results.

[0037] The analysis unit 13 analyzes the physiological response given to the pedestrian by the irradiation pattern based on the analyzed facial expression, walking pattern, etc. of the pedestrian, and generates physiological response feature values ​​as the analysis result. The analysis unit 13 outputs the generated physiological response feature values ​​to the determination unit 14.

[0038] [Judgment part 14] The determination unit 14 acquires physiological response feature values ​​that are the analysis results from the analysis unit 13. The determination unit 14 determines, based on the acquired physiological response feature values, whether the irradiation pattern has put the pedestrian in a favorable state, i.e., whether the irradiation pattern has given the pedestrian a favorable impression. For example, if the physiological response feature values ​​are quantified, the determination unit 14 may determine, based on a threshold value, whether the irradiation pattern has put the pedestrian in a favorable state. Alternatively, the determination unit 14 may analyze the physiological response feature values ​​using an artificial intelligence analysis algorithm and determine whether the irradiation pattern has put the pedestrian in a favorable state.

[0039] For example, if the facial expression data of the physiological response feature includes a facial expression of joy or a happy and surprised expression on the pedestrian's face, and / or if the pedestrian's gait is gentle, the determination unit 14 determines that the irradiation pattern has put the pedestrian in a suitable state. On the other hand, if the facial expression data of the physiological response feature includes a facial expression of disgust on the pedestrian's face, and / or if the pedestrian's gait is fast walking, the determination unit 14 determines that the irradiation pattern has not put the pedestrian in a suitable state.

[0040] The determination unit 14 determines whether the irradiation pattern has given a favorable impression to pedestrians based on the acquired physiological response feature amount, and outputs the result to the illumination control unit 15.

[0041] [Lighting control unit 15] Lighting control unit 15 can control multiple lighting fixtures 10 individually or collectively. Furthermore, lighting control unit 15 can control multiple lighting fixtures 10 to illuminate in a predetermined manner according to the control signal by outputting a control signal to each of the multiple lighting fixtures 10 to cause each of the multiple lighting fixtures 10 to illuminate in a predetermined manner according to the control signal. In other words, lighting control unit 15 controls each of the multiple lighting fixtures 10 to illuminate in an illumination pattern (or illumination pattern) indicated by the control signal.

[0042] The illumination pattern is configured by combining the following settings: the illuminance of the illumination point when the lighting fixture 10 illuminates the illuminated surface; whether or not the light emitted by the lighting fixture 10 blinks; the time interval for blinking; the light color of the lighting fixture 10; whether the illumination point is fixed or moving; and, if the illumination point is moving, whether the illumination position range (illumination position and illumination range) and the movement speed are fixed or variable. The illumination pattern setting also allows the user to specify the lighting fixture 10 to be used. Specifically, the illumination pattern setting items include (1) specifying the illuminance, (2) whether or not the light emitted by the lighting fixture 10 blinks, and, if blinking, whether the time interval is fixed or variable, (3) specifying the light color, (4) whether or not the illumination point is fixed or moving, and, if the illumination point is moving, whether the illumination position range is specified, the movement speed is fixed, or the movement speed is variable, and (5) specifying the lighting fixture 10.

[0043] When lighting control unit 15 obtains a result indicating that the illumination pattern tends to attract pedestrians' attention as a physiological response feature that represents the physiological response that the illumination pattern gives to pedestrians based on the image processing results of image processing by image processing unit 12, lighting control unit 15 outputs a control signal to control to determine whether to maintain or change the control state of the illumination pattern. Specifically, lighting control unit 15 outputs a control signal to each of the plurality of lighting devices 10 according to the result of determination by determination unit 14 as to whether the illumination pattern gave a favorable impression to pedestrians based on the physiological response feature.

[0044] The control signal may include a dynamic signal that repeatedly increases and decreases the luminance or illuminance of the light emitted by each of the multiple lighting fixtures 10. The control signal may also include a dynamic signal that repeatedly changes the color of the light emitted by each of the multiple lighting fixtures 10 over time. The control signal may also be a dynamic output signal that includes a signal with a waveform that increases only once and a signal with a waveform that decreases only once per cycle. The control signal may also be a dynamic output signal that includes a signal with a waveform that increases two or more times and a signal with a waveform that decreases two or more times per cycle. The control signal may also include a signal that turns the output of the lighting fixture 10 ON or OFF.

[0045] The phases of the control signals output to multiple lighting fixtures 10 may be different. Specifically, lighting control unit 15 may transmit control signals with different phases to each of multiple lighting fixtures 10. That is, lighting control unit 15 may transmit control signals with different phases to each of multiple lighting fixtures 10. The cycles of the control signals output to multiple lighting fixtures 10 may be the same or different.

[0046] Here, we will explain the processing that lighting control unit 15 performs in response to the impact on pedestrians when lighting control unit 15 controls lighting fixture 10 to illuminate the illuminated surface with a predetermined illumination pattern.

[0047] When the lighting control unit 15 continues to execute the illumination pattern for a predetermined period after the image processing unit 12 starts acquiring the image of the pedestrian (after the pedestrian begins to appear in the field of view), the analysis unit 13 analyzes the physiological response that the illumination pattern gives to the pedestrian during the predetermined period. When the analysis unit 13 generates and outputs physiological response feature values ​​as a result of the analysis, the determination unit 14 determines whether the illumination pattern gave the pedestrian a favorable impression based on the physiological response feature values. If the determination unit 14 determines that the illumination pattern did not give the pedestrian a favorable impression, the lighting control unit 15 switches the illumination pattern to normal lighting, which does not belong to the predetermined illumination pattern, and executes normal lighting for the period while the pedestrian is walking along the passage, that is, until the image processing unit 12 finishes acquiring the image of the pedestrian. This ends affordance lighting, thereby realizing energy conservation of the lighting control device 1 during the period.

[0048] The lighting control unit 15 may also be capable of controlling the movement of multiple lighting fixtures 10. That is, the lighting control unit 15 may be capable of changing the position of each of the multiple lighting fixtures 10 to change the range of light irradiated onto the illuminated surface. For example, the lighting control unit 15 may be capable of moving each of the multiple lighting fixtures 10 up and down or left and right, or rotating each of the multiple lighting fixtures 10. The lighting control unit 15 may also be capable of changing the luminous intensity or color of light irradiated onto the illuminated surface. The lighting control unit 15 may also apply the settings of a movable lighting fixture 10 to a fixed lighting fixture 10 when the lighting fixture 10 is in a fixed position.

[0049] [Forced Control Unit 16] Forcible control unit 16 can forcibly control lighting control unit 15 by outputting a forcible control signal to lighting control unit 15. For example, if an administrator of lighting control device 1 wants to forcibly stop affordance lighting, normal lighting, etc. of lighting fixture 10, the administrator inputs an instruction to a terminal device, and forcible control unit 16 acquires the instruction from the terminal device, and forcible control unit 16 outputs a forcible control signal according to the instruction to lighting control unit 15. For example, the terminal device is a smartphone, a PC (Personal Computer), etc. In this case, forcible control unit 16 is assumed to be connected to the terminal device so as to be able to communicate with it. Note that forcible control unit 16 does not have to be included as a component of lighting control device 1.

[0050] [Power supply section] The power supply unit has a function of supplying power to the multiple lighting fixtures 10 and the lighting control unit 15. The power supply unit is, for example, a power supply circuit in which multiple electronic components are mounted on a printed circuit board. The power supply unit generates, for example, drive power for each of the multiple light sources to emit light. Specifically, the power supply unit generates drive power for causing the light sources to emit light and supplies this drive power to each light source. In other words, the power supply unit converts commercial AC power to DC power and supplies this DC power to each light source as drive power for causing the light sources to emit light, thereby causing the light-emitting elements of the light sources to emit light. Note that the power supply unit may be provided in each of the multiple lighting fixtures 10.

[0051] <Processing operation> Next, the processing operation of the lighting control device 1 in this embodiment will be described.

[0052] [Example of operation] In this operation example, the processing operation when performing affordance lighting in the first mode will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Here, the first mode is a mode in which default affordance lighting in which the irradiation pattern setting is fixed in advance is performed.

[0053] 2 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the lighting control device 1 according to the embodiment. In FIG. 2, the explanation will be given assuming that a pedestrian is mainly included in the captured video.

[0054] First, lighting control unit 15 sets an irradiation pattern (S11). Specifically, lighting control unit 15 uses a default irradiation pattern in which the following setting items for the irradiation pattern are preset: (1) illuminance designation, (2) whether to blink the light emitted by lighting device 10, and if blinking, whether the time interval is fixed or variable, (3) light color designation, (4) whether the irradiation point is fixed or movable, and if the irradiation point is movable, whether the irradiation position range is designated, whether the movement speed is fixed, or whether the movement speed is variable, and (5) lighting device 10 designation.

[0055] Next, the imaging unit 11 determines whether or not a pedestrian has been detected in the passageway near the plurality of lighting fixtures 10 (S12). For example, the imaging unit 11 can detect the presence of a pedestrian by acquiring captured video of the surrounding area as information.

[0056] If the captured image does not include a pedestrian, the imaging unit 11 cannot detect the pedestrian (NO in S12), and therefore repeats the process of step S12.

[0057] On the other hand, if a pedestrian is included in the acquired captured image, the imaging unit 11 can detect the pedestrian (YES in S12). In this case, for example, the imaging unit 11 may output the detection result directly to the illumination control unit 15, or may output the detection result to the illumination control unit 15 via the image processing unit 12, the analysis unit 13, and the determination unit 14. As a result, the illumination control unit 15 starts emitting light in a preset illumination pattern (S13).

[0058] Next, the image processing unit 12 acquires the captured image of the pedestrian captured by the image capturing unit 11 from the image capturing unit 11 (S14). The image processing unit 12 analyzes the captured image of the pedestrian acquired from the image capturing unit 11 and performs image processing. Specifically, the image processing unit 12 processes the captured image to extract the pedestrian included in the captured image. Furthermore, the image processing unit 12 processes the captured image to extract the pedestrian's face, feet, etc. from the extracted pedestrian. This image processing makes it possible to extract the pedestrian's facial movement, foot movement, etc. The image processing unit 12 outputs the image processing results to the analysis unit 13.

[0059] Next, the analysis unit 13 acquires the image processing results from the image processing unit 12. The analysis unit 13 analyzes the pedestrian's facial expression, walking pattern, etc. based on the image processing results from the image processing unit 12. Specifically, the analysis unit 13 analyzes the pedestrian's facial expression, walking pattern, etc. using an artificial intelligence analysis algorithm based on the image processing results. The analysis unit 13 further analyzes the physiological response that the irradiation pattern causes to the pedestrian based on the analyzed pedestrian's facial expression, walking pattern, etc. The analysis unit 13 analyzes the physiological response that the irradiation pattern causes to the pedestrian based on the analyzed pedestrian's facial expression and / or walking pattern, etc., and can generate and acquire physiological response feature values ​​as the analysis result (S15). The analysis unit 13 outputs the acquired physiological response feature values ​​to the determination unit 14.

[0060] Next, the determination unit 14 acquires physiological response feature amounts that are the analysis results from the analysis unit 13. The determination unit 14 determines, based on the acquired physiological response feature amounts, whether the irradiation pattern has brought the pedestrian into a favorable state (S16).

[0061] If determination unit 14 determines, based on the physiological response feature, that the illumination pattern has put the pedestrian in a favorable state (YES in S16), then because the first mode is set in this operation example, lighting control unit 15 outputs a control signal to each of the plurality of lighting devices 10 to continue the set illumination pattern (S17). As a result, each of the plurality of lighting devices 10 lights up with the preset illumination pattern, thereby performing affordance lighting.

[0062] On the other hand, if determination unit 14 determines, based on the physiological response features, that the illumination pattern does not put the pedestrian in a desirable state (NO in S16), lighting control unit 15 outputs a control signal to each of the plurality of lighting devices 10 to stop the set illumination pattern (S19). As a result, each of the plurality of lighting devices 10 stops affordance illumination and turns on normally or turns off.

[0063] After step S17 or S19, the image capture unit 11 determines whether or not a pedestrian is present in the passageway near the lighting fixtures 10 (S18). If the image capture unit 11 determines that no pedestrian is present (NO in S18), the processing ends. The lighting control device 1 then returns to step S11 and repeats the same processing.

[0064] On the other hand, if the imaging unit 11 determines that a pedestrian is present (YES in S18), the process returns to step S13 and the same process is executed.

[0065] <Action and effect> Next, the effects of the lighting control device 1 and the lighting control method according to the present embodiment will be described.

[0066] As described above, the lighting control device 1 according to this embodiment includes lighting fixtures 10 that irradiate a passageway where pedestrians pass and / or the surrounding area of ​​the passageway with light in a predetermined irradiation pattern, image processing unit 12 that processes image data of pedestrians acquired from image capturing unit 11 that captures an image of the passageway, and lighting control unit 15 that, based on the image processing results from image processing unit 12, determines whether to maintain or change the control state of the predetermined irradiation pattern when a result is obtained that the predetermined irradiation pattern tends to attract the attention of pedestrians as a physiological response feature that represents the physiological response of pedestrians to the predetermined irradiation pattern.

[0067] This makes it possible to acquire physiological response features that represent the physiological response that the irradiation pattern gives to the pedestrian based on the captured image of the pedestrian, and therefore it is possible to estimate whether the pedestrian's physiological response is in an appropriate state for the executed irradiation pattern.

[0068] Therefore, it is possible to search for lighting patterns that attract pedestrians' interests. Furthermore, by continuing the search, it becomes possible to guess whether pedestrians are interested in affordance lighting or not.

[0069] In particular, it becomes possible to provide an illumination pattern that attracts pedestrians' attention, thereby increasing the visibility and guidance of pedestrians through the light.

[0070] Furthermore, the lighting control method according to this embodiment includes irradiating a passageway where pedestrians pass and / or the periphery of the passageway with light in a predetermined irradiation pattern, processing the image of the pedestrians acquired from the imaging unit 11 that images the passageway, and, if a result indicating that the predetermined irradiation pattern tends to attract the attention of pedestrians is acquired based on the result of the image processing, determining whether to maintain or change the control state of the predetermined irradiation pattern.

[0071] This provides the same effects as those described above in the lighting control method.

[0072] Furthermore, in the lighting control device 1 according to the present embodiment, the physiological response feature amount includes facial expression data and / or gait data extracted from a captured video of a pedestrian.

[0073] This allows us to estimate from the facial expression data whether the pedestrian is smiling, showing a pleasant expression of surprise, or showing an unpleasant expression. Furthermore, from the gait data, we can estimate whether the pedestrian is walking in a pleasant or unpleasant manner. By using this facial expression data and / or gait data, we can estimate the emotion that the illumination pattern has given to the pedestrian.

[0074] In lighting control device 1 according to this embodiment, the predetermined irradiation pattern is configured by combining settings for the illuminance of the illuminated point, whether to blink, the time interval for blinking, the emitted color, and, if the illuminated point moves, settings for the range of illuminated position and the moving speed, which can be fixed or variable. The predetermined irradiation pattern can be configured by specifying the lighting fixture 10 to be used.

[0075] This allows various illumination patterns to be generated by changing the settings, so even if pedestrians have diverse preferences, illumination patterns suited to each individual pedestrian can be provided.

[0076] Furthermore, in the lighting control device 1 according to this embodiment, the lighting control unit 15 continues to execute the predetermined irradiation pattern for a predetermined period of time after the image processing unit 12 starts to acquire the captured image of the pedestrian, and if it is determined that the physiological response feature of the pedestrian does not indicate a favorable state, the lighting control unit 15 switches the irradiation pattern to normal lighting, which does not belong to the predetermined irradiation pattern, until acquisition of the captured image of the pedestrian is completed.

[0077] According to this, since pedestrians do not like the executed irradiation pattern, in this case the irradiation pattern is terminated. As a result, energy saving of the lighting control device 1 can be achieved during the period when the irradiation pattern is stopped.

[0078] (First Modification of the Embodiment) The lighting control device 1a and lighting control method of this modified example differ from the lighting control device and lighting control method of the embodiment in that a communication unit 13a is used instead of an analysis unit. The configurations and functions of the lighting control device 1a and lighting control method of this modified example that are the same as those of the lighting control device and lighting control method of the embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions of the configurations and functions will be omitted.

[0079] <Configuration and Functions> A lighting control device 1a and a lighting control method according to this modification will be described with reference to FIG.

[0080] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a lighting control device 1a according to a first modification of the embodiment.

[0081] In this modification, lighting control device 1a includes a communication unit 13a in addition to multiple lighting fixtures 10, imaging unit 11, image processing unit 12, determination unit 14, lighting control unit 15, and power supply unit.

[0082] In this modification, the image processing unit 12 outputs the result of image processing of the captured image of a pedestrian acquired from the imaging unit 11 capturing an image of the passage to the communication unit 13a.

[0083] The communication unit 13a transmits the results of image processing of the captured image to an external device 9 such as a cloud server. That is, the communication unit 13a transmits the results of image processing of the captured image to the external device 9 and requests the external device 9 to analyze the effects of the irradiation pattern on pedestrians. The external device 9 analyzes the results of image processing of the received captured image. The external device 9 transmits physiological response features as the analysis results to the communication unit 13a. As a result, the communication unit 13a receives and acquires the physiological response features as the analysis results requested from the external device 9. The analysis unit 13 outputs the acquired physiological response features to the determination unit 14.

[0084] Although the present modification illustrates the case where the physiological response feature amount is acquired from the external device 9, the function of the determination unit 14 may also be outsourced to the external device 9. In this case, when the communication unit 13a transmits the result of image processing of the captured image, the communication unit 13a may receive and acquire a determination result indicating whether or not the irradiation pattern has brought the pedestrian into a suitable state.

[0085] <Action and effect> Next, the effects of the lighting control device 1a and the lighting control method according to this modification will be described.

[0086] As described above, the lighting control device 1a according to this modified example further includes a communication unit 13a that transmits the results of image processing of the captured image of the pedestrian to the external device 9, requests the external device 9 to analyze the effects of a predetermined irradiation pattern on the pedestrian, and obtains the analysis results from the external device 9.

[0087] According to this, by having the external device 9 analyze the effect of the irradiation pattern on pedestrians, it is possible to suppress an increase in the processing load on the lighting control device 1a.

[0088] (Modification 2 of the embodiment) The lighting control device 1 and lighting control method of this modified example differ from the lighting control device and lighting control method of the embodiment in that a second mode is executed to search for affordance lighting that is preferred by pedestrians. The configurations and functions of the lighting control device 1 and lighting control method of this modified example that are the same as those of the lighting control device and lighting control method of the embodiment are assigned the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions of the configurations and functions will be omitted.

[0089] <Configuration and Functions> In this modification, the lighting control device 1 continues to execute the irradiation pattern for a predetermined time after the image processor 12 starts acquiring the captured image of the pedestrian. Next, if the lighting control device 1 determines that the physiological response feature values ​​indicate a favorable state, the lighting control device 1 acquires new physiological response feature values ​​according to the analysis results by having the analysis unit 13 analyze changes in the pedestrian's gait and / or facial expression each time the lighting control unit 15 gradually escalates (i.e., increases or decreases) the tendency of the irradiation pattern. The lighting control device 1 then executes a different irradiation pattern according to the acquired new physiological response feature values. Here, the tendency of the irradiation pattern includes the setting value of the brightness of the irradiation pattern, the setting value of the movement speed of the irradiation pattern, the setting value of the size of the irradiation position range of the irradiation pattern, the setting value of the light color of the irradiation pattern, etc. In this way, by gradually changing the irradiation pattern, the lighting control device 1 can analyze changes in the pedestrian's gait and facial expression and find an irradiation pattern that suits the pedestrian's preferences.

[0090] Furthermore, the lighting control device 1, the lighting control unit 15, continues to escalate (i.e., increase or decrease) the tendency of the irradiation pattern, and if it is determined that changes in the pedestrian's gait and / or facial expression do not indicate a desirable state, gradually returns the tendency of the irradiation pattern to the irradiation pattern before it was escalated (i.e., increased or decreased).

[0091] <Processing operation> Next, the lighting control device 1 and the lighting control method according to this modification will be described.

[0092] [Example of operation] In this operation example, the processing operation when the affordance lighting in the second mode is executed will be described with reference to FIG.

[0093] Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of operation of the lighting control device 1 according to the second modification of the embodiment. Here, the second mode is a mode in which the illumination pattern is changed by gradually escalating (i.e., increasing or decreasing) the set value, which is the tendency of the illumination pattern, to search for an illumination pattern (affordance lighting) preferred by pedestrians. In this operation example, a case in which the second mode is set in step S17 of Fig. 2 of the embodiment will be described. Therefore, in this operation example, a processing operation performed in place of step S17 of Fig. 2 will be described.

[0094] First, the illumination control unit 15 determines whether the setting value is one that tends to cause an irradiation pattern to be biased, or is the median value or a setting value in the vicinity thereof (S21).

[0095] When lighting control device 1 determines that the setting values ​​are biased in the irradiation pattern (S21, if biased), it updates the setting values ​​to further increase or decrease the bias in the setting values ​​(S22). That is, lighting control unit 15 changes the irradiation pattern setting values ​​to change the control state to a new irradiation pattern. Lighting control unit 15 outputs a control signal indicating the new irradiation pattern to each of the multiple lighting devices 10.

[0096] On the other hand, if the lighting control device 1 determines that the irradiation pattern is trending toward a setting value at or near the median (S21, if the setting value is at or near the median), the lighting control unit 15 updates the setting value by increasing or decreasing it (S23). Specifically, the lighting control unit 15 biases the setting value by increasing or decreasing it from the current median. Thereafter, the lighting control unit 15 biases the setting value by skipping the median and decreasing or increasing it from the current median. In this way, the lighting control unit 15 changes the control state of the irradiation pattern to a new setting value that further increases the biased tendency of the setting value. The lighting control unit 15 outputs a control signal indicating the new irradiation pattern to each of the multiple lighting devices 10.

[0097] By varying the bias of the setting value, pedestrians can be made to recognize the difference in the new irradiation pattern compared to when the setting value is simply gradually increased. Therefore, it is possible to observe pedestrians' reactions to which tendency of the setting value is more suitable for them.

[0098] Next, the image processing unit 12 acquires the captured image of the pedestrian captured by the image capturing unit 11 from the image capturing unit 11 (S24). The image processing unit 12 analyzes the captured image of the pedestrian acquired from the image capturing unit 11 and performs image processing. Specifically, the image processing unit 12 processes the captured image to extract the pedestrian included in the captured image. Furthermore, the image processing unit 12 extracts the pedestrian's face, feet, etc. from the extracted pedestrian. This image processing makes it possible to extract the pedestrian's facial movement, foot movement, etc. The image processing unit 12 outputs the image processing results to the analysis unit 13.

[0099] Next, the analysis unit 13 acquires the image processing results from the image processing unit 12. The analysis unit 13 analyzes the pedestrian's facial expression, walking pattern, etc. based on the image processing results from the image processing unit 12. Specifically, the analysis unit 13 analyzes the pedestrian's facial expression, walking pattern, etc. using an artificial intelligence analysis algorithm based on the image processing results. The analysis unit 13 analyzes the physiological response of the pedestrian caused by the new irradiation pattern based on the analyzed pedestrian's facial expression and / or walking pattern, etc. In other words, the analysis unit 13 analyzes changes in the pedestrian's walking pattern and / or facial expression. The analysis unit 13 can generate and acquire new physiological response feature amounts as a result of the analysis (S25). The analysis unit 13 outputs the acquired new physiological response feature amounts to the determination unit 14.

[0100] Next, the determination unit 14 acquires new physiological response feature amounts that are the analysis results from the analysis unit 13. The determination unit 14 determines, based on the acquired new physiological response feature amounts, whether the new irradiation pattern has brought the pedestrian into a favorable state (S26).

[0101] If determination unit 14 determines, based on the new physiological response feature, that the new illumination pattern does not put the pedestrian in a desirable state (for example, the pedestrian has rejected the new illumination pattern) (NO in S26), lighting control unit 15 stops the new illumination pattern, returns to the original illumination pattern (the illumination pattern of step S11) (S29), and outputs a control signal indicating the returned original illumination pattern to each of the multiple lighting devices 10. As a result, each of the multiple lighting devices 10 performs affordance lighting with the original illumination pattern. Then, the flowchart of FIG. 4 ends, and the process proceeds to step S18 of FIG. 2.

[0102] On the other hand, if the determination unit 14 determines based on the new physiological response feature that the pedestrian is in a suitable state with the new illumination pattern (YES in S26), since the second mode is set in this operation example, the lighting control unit 15 determines whether or not all other setting values ​​have been tried (S27). In this way, by gradually changing the illumination pattern, the lighting control device 1 can analyze changes in the pedestrian's gait and facial expression and find an illumination pattern that suits the pedestrian's preferences.

[0103] If the lighting control unit 15 determines that all other setting values ​​have been tried (YES in S27), it sets the illumination pattern to the illumination pattern that indicated the most suitable state for the pedestrian (S28). That is, the lighting control unit 15 stores the results of determining whether or not the pedestrian was in a suitable state for each illumination pattern in a storage unit such as a memory. If the lighting control unit 15 determines that all other setting values ​​have been tried, it extracts from the storage unit the illumination pattern that indicated the most suitable state for the worker from the multiple illumination patterns that have been tried. The lighting control unit 15 outputs a control signal indicating the illumination pattern that indicated the most suitable state for the worker to each of the multiple lighting devices 10. As a result, each of the multiple lighting devices 10 performs affordance lighting of the illumination pattern that indicated the most suitable state for the pedestrian. Then, the flowchart of FIG. 4 ends, and the process proceeds to step S18 of FIG. 2.

[0104] On the other hand, if the lighting control unit 15 determines that all other setting values ​​have not been tried (NO in S27), it changes each setting value in the setting items of the irradiation pattern by a predetermined amount (S30). That is, the lighting control unit 15 changes the control state of the irradiation pattern by changing the settings (1) to (4) in the setting items of the irradiation pattern. As a result, when the lighting control device 1 determines that the new physiological response feature value indicates a suitable state, the lighting control unit 15 gradually escalates (i.e., increases or decreases) the tendency of the irradiation pattern. Then, the process returns to the processing operation of step S21.

[0105] In the lighting control device 1, each time the lighting control unit 15 gradually escalates (i.e., increases or decreases) the tendency of the irradiation pattern, the analysis unit 13 analyzes changes in the pedestrian's walking and / or facial expression and determines whether the new irradiation pattern has brought the pedestrian into a suitable state (S26), and this is repeated until all other setting values ​​have been tried or there are no more pedestrians.

[0106] <Action and effect> Next, the effects of the lighting control device 1 and the lighting control method according to this modification will be described.

[0107] As described above, in the lighting control device 1 according to this modified example, the image processor 12 continues to execute the predetermined irradiation pattern for a predetermined time after starting to acquire the image of the pedestrian, and if it is determined that the physiological response feature values ​​indicate a favorable state, each time the lighting controller 15 gradually increases or decreases the tendency of the predetermined irradiation pattern, changes in the pedestrian's gait and / or facial expression are analyzed to acquire new physiological response feature values ​​according to the analysis results, and the lighting controller 15 executes the predetermined irradiation pattern according to the new physiological response feature values.

[0108] According to this, when a pedestrian shows a suitable state for an irradiation pattern, it is possible to search for a more suitable irradiation pattern for the pedestrian, thereby making it possible to provide the pedestrian with an optimal irradiation pattern.

[0109] Furthermore, in the lighting control method according to this modified example, when the lighting control unit 15 determines that a change in the pedestrian's gait and / or facial expression does not indicate a favorable state due to the fact that the lighting control unit 15 continues to increase or decrease the tendency of the predetermined irradiation pattern, the lighting control unit 15 gradually returns the tendency of the predetermined irradiation pattern to the predetermined irradiation pattern before the increase or decrease.

[0110] For example, even if a pedestrian is in a favorable state for the original illumination pattern, if the illumination pattern tendency is increased or decreased, the pedestrian may no longer be in a favorable state for the changed illumination pattern. In this case, by returning to the original illumination pattern, it is possible to prevent the pedestrian from feeling uncomfortable.

[0111] (Third Modification of the Embodiment) The lighting control device 1 and lighting control method of this modified example differ from the lighting control device and lighting control method of the embodiment in that a third mode is executed when multiple pedestrians are present, and a fourth mode in which a representative is selected from the multiple pedestrians may be executed. The configurations and functions of the lighting control device 1 and lighting control method of this modified example are the same as those of the lighting control device and lighting control method of the embodiment, and the same reference numerals are used to designate the same configurations and functions, and detailed descriptions of the configurations and functions will be omitted.

[0112] <Configuration and Functions> A lighting control device 1 and a lighting control method according to this modification will be described.

[0113] In this modification, when multiple pedestrians are included in the captured image, the lighting control unit 15 sets illumination areas by dividing the path into front and rear blocks if the multiple pedestrians are separated into front and rear. The lighting control unit 15 assigns an illumination pattern to each of the set illumination areas. "Multiple pedestrians being separated into front and rear" refers to multiple pedestrians in a path, where the pedestrians in front are separated by a predetermined distance or more, or the pedestrians in front are walking in different directions from the pedestrians in rear. In this case, the lighting control unit 15 sets, for example, the block in front of the path as the first illumination area and the block in rear of the path as the second illumination area. The lighting control unit 15 outputs a control signal indicating an illumination pattern corresponding to each illumination area to each of the multiple lighting devices 10.

[0114] Furthermore, if the captured image includes multiple pedestrians, and the multiple pedestrians are not separated into front and rear but are walking side by side, the lighting control unit 15 may set illumination areas divided into blocks so that each pedestrian is lined up horizontally, illuminating only the portion of the passageway ahead. The lighting control unit 15 controls the multiple lighting devices 10 to move the light illumination area, in which the illumination pattern corresponding to each set illumination area is projected onto the illuminated surface, following the pedestrian. "Multiple pedestrians walking side by side" refers to multiple pedestrians walking side by side (running abreast) in a passageway, or multiple pedestrians walking side by side even if they are walking in different directions. In such a case, the lighting control unit 15 may set the block on the left side of the passageway as the third illumination area and the block on the right side of the passageway as the fourth illumination area. The lighting control unit 15 outputs a control signal indicating an illumination pattern corresponding to each illumination area to each of the multiple lighting devices 10.

[0115] Furthermore, when the image processing unit 12 determines, based on the captured image (captured within the angle of view) by the imaging unit 11, that there is a group of two or more pedestrians, it recognizes the person walking at the front of the group as the representative of the group. Specifically, the image processing unit 12 extracts the multiple pedestrians included in the captured image based on the captured image captured by the imaging unit 11, and estimates the movement direction of the extracted multiple pedestrians, the distance between the pedestrians, etc. The image processing unit 12 extracts two or more pedestrians as a single group based on the movement direction of the multiple pedestrians, the distance between the pedestrians, etc. estimated from the captured image. The image processing unit 12 can estimate the leader of the group by estimating the movement direction of the extracted group. As a result, the image processing unit 12 treats the estimated leader as the representative of the group. Note that the lighting control unit 15, instead of the image processing unit 12, may determine that there is a group of two or more pedestrians, and treat the person walking at the front of the group as the representative of the group. In this case, the lighting control unit 15 may determine the presence of a group by acquiring the results of image processing by the image processing unit 12, and may recognize the leader as the representative of the group.

[0116] Illumination control unit 15 changes the control state of the illumination pattern according to the physiological response feature corresponding to the leader only for the leader. That is, illumination control unit 15 outputs a control signal indicating an illumination pattern according to the physiological response feature corresponding to the leader to each of the plurality of lighting devices 10.

[0117] <Processing operation> Next, the lighting control device 1 and the lighting control method according to this modification will be described with reference to FIG.

[0118] [Example of operation] In this operation example, a processing operation when affordance lighting in the third mode is executed and the fourth mode is set will be described with reference to FIG.

[0119] Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the lighting control device 1 according to the third modification of the embodiment. Here, the third mode is a mode in which, when multiple pedestrians are detected, an illumination pattern is executed according to the line of the multiple pedestrians, or an illumination pattern that focuses only on the leading pedestrian. The fourth mode is a mode executed when a representative is set from among multiple pedestrians. In this operation example, a case in which the third mode is set in step S17 of Fig. 2 of the embodiment will be described. Therefore, in this operation example, a processing operation executed in place of step S17 of Fig. 2 will be described.

[0120] First, the image processing unit 12 determines whether or not there are multiple pedestrians based on the image captured by the imaging unit 11 (S41).

[0121] If the image processor 12 determines based on the captured image captured by the imaging unit 11 that there are no pedestrians (NO in S41), the lighting control device 1 ends the processing of the flowchart in Fig. 5. Then, the process proceeds to step S18 in Fig. 2.

[0122] Next, when the image processing unit 12 determines that there are multiple pedestrians based on the captured image captured by the imaging unit 11 (YES in S41), it determines whether the multiple pedestrians are walking side by side in the aisle (S42).

[0123] If image processor 12 determines that multiple pedestrians are walking side by side in the aisle (YES in S42), it sets illumination areas divided into separate blocks on the left and right sides of the aisle (S43). For example, lighting controller 15 may set an illumination area for a block on the left side of the aisle and an illumination area for a block on the right side of the aisle. Furthermore, lighting controller 15 may set an illumination area for a block in the center of the aisle. Lighting controller 15 may output control signals indicating different illumination patterns to each of multiple lighting devices 10 so as to correspond to each illumination area.

[0124] On the other hand, if image processor 12 determines that multiple pedestrians are not walking side by side in the aisle (NO in S42), it sets illumination areas that are divided into separate blocks at the front and rear of the aisle (S44). For example, lighting controller 15 may set an illumination area for a block at the front of the aisle and an illumination area for a block at the rear of the aisle. Furthermore, lighting controller 15 may set an illumination area for a block in the center of the aisle. Lighting controller 15 may output control signals indicating different illumination patterns to each of multiple lighting devices 10 so as to correspond to each illumination area.

[0125] In addition, when lighting fixture 10 is movable so that lighting fixture 10 can move up and down or left and right or rotate, lighting control unit 15 controls lighting fixture 10 so that the light irradiation area in which the corresponding irradiation pattern for each set irradiation area is irradiated onto the irradiated surface moves to follow pedestrians.

[0126] After step S43 or S44, the video processor 12 then determines whether or not the fourth mode is set (S45).

[0127] If the image processor 12 determines that the fourth mode is not set (NO in S45), the lighting control device 1 ends the processing of the flowchart in Fig. 5. Then, the process proceeds to step S18 in Fig. 2.

[0128] On the other hand, when it is determined that the fourth mode is set (YES in S45), the image processing unit 12 determines whether two or more pedestrians walking in a line are the same group, that is, whether two or more pedestrians have been extracted as one group (S46). The image processing unit 12 can determine whether two or more pedestrians have been extracted as one group by extracting them as one group from the movement directions of the multiple pedestrians extracted from the captured image captured by the imaging unit 11, the distance between the pedestrians, etc.

[0129] When the image processing unit 12 determines that two or more pedestrians have been extracted as a group (YES in S46), it recognizes the leader as the representative (S47). Specifically, the image processing unit 12 estimates the movement direction of the extracted group to estimate the leader of the group, and recognizes the estimated leader as the representative. The lighting control device 1 then ends the processing of the flowchart in FIG. 5 and proceeds to step S18 in FIG. 2.

[0130] On the other hand, if the image processing unit 12 determines that two or more pedestrians cannot be extracted as a single group (NO in S46), it recognizes an arbitrary pedestrian as the representative (S48). For example, the image processing unit 12 may recognize a pedestrian randomly selected from the extracted multiple pedestrians, or a pedestrian located in the center, as the representative. The lighting control device 1 then ends the processing of the flowchart in FIG. 5 and proceeds to step S18 in FIG. 2.

[0131] <Action and effect> Next, the effects of the lighting control device 1 and the lighting control method according to this modification will be described.

[0132] As described above, in the lighting control device 1 according to this modified example, if the captured image includes multiple pedestrians and the multiple pedestrians are separated, the lighting control unit 15 sets illumination areas that are divided into blocks in front and behind the passage and assigns a predetermined illumination pattern to each of the set illumination areas, and if the multiple pedestrians are not separated in front and behind but are walking side by side, the lighting control unit 15 sets illumination areas that are divided into blocks in a horizontal line so that only the part of the passage in front of each pedestrian is illuminated, and controls the lighting fixtures 10 so that the light illumination area irradiated onto the irradiated surface with the predetermined illumination pattern corresponding to each set illumination area moves to follow the pedestrians.

[0133] According to this, even if there are multiple pedestrians, by setting the illumination area divided into blocks, it is possible to illuminate with light in an illumination pattern corresponding to each illumination area. Therefore, even if there are multiple pedestrians, it is possible to provide an illumination pattern corresponding to each pedestrian. As a result, it is possible to search for and provide an illumination pattern that attracts the interest of pedestrians.

[0134] In particular, it becomes possible to provide an illumination pattern that attracts the attention of each of a plurality of pedestrians, thereby increasing the visibility and guidance of pedestrians through light.

[0135] Furthermore, in the lighting control device 1 according to this modification, when it is determined that there is a group of two or more pedestrians among a plurality of pedestrians based on the captured video of the pedestrians captured by the imaging unit 11, the image processing unit 12 or the lighting control unit 15 recognizes the person walking at the front of the group as the representative of the group. Then, the lighting control unit 15 changes the control state of the predetermined irradiation pattern according to the physiological response feature corresponding to the person in question only.

[0136] This allows light to be emitted in an illumination pattern corresponding to the physiological response feature value corresponding to only the leading pedestrian in a group consisting of two or more pedestrians, so that an illumination pattern that attracts the interest of two or more pedestrians in the group can be searched for and provided without providing an illumination pattern individually to each pedestrian.

[0137] In particular, by simply providing the illumination pattern to only the representative, the light can be used to increase the visibility and guidance of two or more pedestrians in a group, thereby suppressing an increase in the processing load on the lighting control device 1.

[0138] (Other variations, etc.) The present disclosure has been described above based on the embodiment and the first to third modified examples of the embodiment, but the present disclosure is not limited to these embodiment and the first to third modified examples of the embodiment.

[0139] For example, the lighting control device and lighting control method according to the present embodiment and the first to third modifications of the embodiment may be realized by a program that causes a computer to execute the lighting control method. This program may be stored in a memory unit provided in the lighting control device.

[0140] Furthermore, the image processing unit, analysis unit, determination unit, lighting control unit, and forced control unit included in the lighting control device and lighting control method in the present embodiment and modifications 1 to 3 of the embodiment are typically realized as an LSI, which is an integrated circuit. These may be individually implemented as single chips, or some or all of them may be integrated into a single chip.

[0141] Furthermore, the integration is not limited to LSI, but may be realized by dedicated circuits or general-purpose processors. FPGAs (Field Programmable Gate Arrays), which can be programmed after LSI fabrication, or reconfigurable processors, which allow the connections and settings of circuit cells within LSIs to be reconfigured, may also be used.

[0142] In the above-described embodiment and variations 1 to 3 of the embodiment, each component may be configured with dedicated hardware, or may be realized by executing a software program suitable for each component. Each component may be realized by a program execution unit such as a CPU or processor reading and executing a software program recorded on a storage medium such as a hard disk or semiconductor memory.

[0143] Furthermore, all of the numbers used above are examples for specifically explaining the present disclosure, and the embodiments of the present disclosure and variations 1 to 3 of the embodiments are not limited to the numbers shown as examples.

[0144] The division of functional blocks in the block diagram is an example, and multiple functional blocks may be realized as a single functional block, one functional block may be divided into multiple blocks, or some functions may be moved to another functional block.Furthermore, the functions of multiple functional blocks having similar functions may be processed in parallel or time-shared by a single piece of hardware or software.

[0145] The order in which the steps in the flowchart are executed is merely an example for specifically explaining the present disclosure, and an order other than the above may be used. Also, some of the steps may be executed simultaneously (in parallel) with other steps.

[0146] The following describes the features of the lighting control device and lighting control method described based on the above embodiment and the first to third modifications of the embodiment.

[0147] <Technology 1> a lighting fixture that irradiates a passageway where pedestrians pass and / or the periphery of the passageway with light in a predetermined irradiation pattern; an image processing unit that processes an image of the pedestrian acquired from an imaging unit that images the passage; and a lighting control unit that, when a result indicating that the predetermined irradiation pattern tends to attract the pedestrian's attention is acquired as a physiological response feature that represents a physiological response that the predetermined irradiation pattern gives to the pedestrian based on the result of image processing by the image processing unit, determines whether to maintain or change the control state of the predetermined irradiation pattern. Lighting control device.

[0148] <Technology 2> The physiological response feature amount includes facial expression data and / or gait data extracted from the captured video of the pedestrian. The lighting control device according to technology 1.

[0149] <Technology 3> The predetermined irradiation pattern is configured by combining settings of illuminance of the irradiation point, settings of whether to blink or not, settings of the time interval when blinking, settings of the emitted color, and settings of the irradiation position range and the moving speed as fixed or variable values ​​when the irradiation point moves, The predetermined irradiation pattern can be set by specifying the lighting fixture to be used. The lighting control device according to technology 1 or 2.

[0150] <Technology 4> The present invention further includes a communication unit that transmits a result of image processing of the captured image of the pedestrian to an external device, requests the external device to analyze the effect of the predetermined irradiation pattern on the pedestrian, and acquires the analysis result of the analysis request from the external device. The lighting control device according to any one of the first to third aspects.

[0151] <Technology 5> The lighting control unit The image processing unit continues to execute the predetermined irradiation pattern for a predetermined period of time after the image processing unit starts to acquire the captured image of the pedestrian, When it is determined that the physiological response feature amount does not indicate a favorable state of the pedestrian, the illumination pattern is switched to normal illumination that does not belong to the predetermined illumination pattern until acquisition of an image of the pedestrian is completed. The lighting control device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects.

[0152] <Technology 6> The image processing unit continues to execute the predetermined irradiation pattern for a predetermined time from when it starts to acquire the captured image of the pedestrian, and when it is determined that the physiological response feature quantity indicates a favorable state, the lighting control unit analyzes changes in the pedestrian's walking and / or facial expression each time it gradually increases or decreases the tendency of the predetermined irradiation pattern, thereby acquiring new physiological response feature quantities according to the analysis results, and the lighting control unit executes the predetermined irradiation pattern according to the new physiological response feature quantities. The lighting control device according to any one of the first to fifth aspects.

[0153] <Technology 7> When it is determined that a change in the pedestrian's walking speed and / or a change in facial expression does not indicate a favorable state by continuing to increase or decrease the tendency of the predetermined irradiation pattern, the lighting control unit returns the tendency of the predetermined irradiation pattern to the predetermined irradiation pattern before gradually increasing or decreasing it. The lighting control device according to claim 6.

[0154] <Technology 8> When the captured image includes a plurality of pedestrians, the lighting control unit If the plurality of pedestrians are separated into front and rear, an illumination area is set by dividing the front and rear of the passage into blocks, and the predetermined illumination pattern is assigned to each of the set illumination areas; If the plurality of pedestrians are not separated in front and behind but are walking side by side, the illumination area is set in blocks so as to be lined up side by side for each pedestrian so as to illuminate only the part of the passage ahead, and the lighting device is controlled so that the light illumination area in which the predetermined illumination pattern corresponding to each set illumination area is illuminated on the illuminated surface moves in accordance with the pedestrian. The lighting control device according to any one of the first to seventh aspects.

[0155] <Technology 9> When determining that a group of two or more of the pedestrians exists based on the captured image of the pedestrian captured by the imaging unit, the image processing unit or the lighting control unit recognizes a leader walking at the front of the group as a representative of the group, The lighting control unit changes the control state of the predetermined irradiation pattern according to the physiological response feature amount corresponding to the leader only for the leader. The lighting control device according to any one of the first to eighth aspects.

[0156] <Technology 10> Illuminating a passageway where pedestrians pass and / or the surrounding area of ​​the passageway with light in a predetermined illumination pattern; image processing an image of the pedestrian acquired from an imaging unit that images the passage; and determining whether to maintain or change the control state of the predetermined irradiation pattern when a result indicating that the predetermined irradiation pattern tends to attract the pedestrian's attention is obtained as a physiological response feature representing a physiological response that the predetermined irradiation pattern gives to the pedestrian based on the image processing result. Lighting control methods.

[0157] In addition, the present disclosure also includes forms obtained by applying various modifications that a person skilled in the art would conceive of to the embodiment and variants 1 to 3 of the embodiment, and forms realized by arbitrarily combining the components and functions of the embodiment and variants 1 to 3 of the embodiment within the scope of the present disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0158] 1, 1a Lighting control device 9 External device 10 Lighting fixtures 11 Imaging unit 12 Video Processing Section 13a Communications Department 15 Lighting control unit

Claims

1. a lighting fixture that irradiates a pedestrian passageway and / or the periphery of the passageway with light in a predetermined irradiation pattern; an image processing unit that processes an image of the pedestrian acquired from an imaging unit that images the passage; and a lighting control unit that acquires physiological response feature amounts that represent physiological responses that the predetermined irradiation pattern gives to the pedestrian based on the image processing results of the image processing unit, and determines whether to maintain or change the control state of the predetermined irradiation pattern when a result is acquired that the predetermined irradiation pattern tends to attract the pedestrian's attention based on the acquired physiological response feature amounts. Lighting control device.

2. The physiological response feature amount includes facial expression data and / or gait data extracted from the captured video of the pedestrian. The lighting control device according to claim 1 .

3. The predetermined irradiation pattern is configured by combining settings of illuminance of the irradiation point, settings of whether to blink or not, settings of the time interval when blinking, settings of the emitted color, and settings of the irradiation position range and the moving speed as fixed or variable values ​​when the irradiation point moves, The predetermined irradiation pattern can be set by specifying the lighting fixture to be used. The lighting control device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The present invention further includes a communication unit that transmits a result of image processing of the captured image of the pedestrian to an external device, requests the external device to analyze the effect of the predetermined irradiation pattern on the pedestrian, and acquires the analysis result of the analysis request from the external device. The lighting control device according to claim 1 or 2.

5. The lighting control unit The image processing unit continues to execute the predetermined irradiation pattern for a predetermined period of time after the image processing unit starts to acquire the captured image of the pedestrian, When it is determined that the physiological response feature amount does not indicate a favorable state of the pedestrian, the illumination pattern is switched to normal illumination that does not belong to the predetermined illumination pattern until acquisition of an image of the pedestrian is completed. The lighting control device according to claim 1 or 2.

6. The image processing unit continues to execute the predetermined irradiation pattern for a predetermined time from when it starts to acquire the captured image of the pedestrian, and when it is determined that the physiological response feature quantity indicates a suitable state, the lighting control unit analyzes changes in the pedestrian's walking and / or facial expression each time it gradually increases or decreases the tendency of the predetermined irradiation pattern, thereby acquiring new physiological response feature quantities according to the analysis results, and the lighting control unit executes the predetermined irradiation pattern according to the new physiological response feature quantities. The lighting control device according to claim 1 or 2.

7. When it is determined that a change in the pedestrian's walking speed and / or a change in facial expression does not indicate a favorable state by continuing to increase or decrease the tendency of the predetermined irradiation pattern, the lighting control unit returns the tendency of the predetermined irradiation pattern to the predetermined irradiation pattern before gradually increasing or decreasing it. The lighting control device according to claim 6 .

8. When the captured image includes a plurality of pedestrians, the lighting control unit If the plurality of pedestrians are separated into front and rear, an illumination area is set by dividing the front and rear of the passage into blocks, and the predetermined illumination pattern is assigned to each of the set illumination areas; If the plurality of pedestrians are not separated in front and behind but are walking side by side, the illumination area is set in blocks so as to be lined up side by side for each pedestrian so as to illuminate only the part of the passage ahead, and the lighting device is controlled so that the light illumination area in which the predetermined illumination pattern corresponding to each set illumination area is illuminated on the illuminated surface moves in accordance with the pedestrian. The lighting control device according to claim 1 or 2.

9. When determining that there is a group of two or more pedestrians among the plurality of pedestrians based on the captured image of the pedestrian captured by the imaging unit, the image processing unit or the lighting control unit recognizes a leader walking at the front of the group as a representative of the group, The lighting control unit changes the control state of the predetermined irradiation pattern according to the physiological response feature amount corresponding to the leader only for the leader. The lighting control device according to claim 1 or 2.

10. Illuminating a path along which pedestrians pass and / or the vicinity of the path with light in a predetermined illumination pattern; image processing an image of the pedestrian acquired from an imaging unit that images the passage; and acquiring a physiological response feature quantity that indicates a physiological response that the predetermined irradiation pattern gives to the pedestrian based on the image processing result, and determining whether to maintain or change the control state of the predetermined irradiation pattern when a result indicating that the predetermined irradiation pattern tends to attract the pedestrian's attention is acquired based on the acquired physiological response feature quantity. Lighting control methods.

Images