Lighting control device, lighting control method, and lighting control program

Abstract

To provide an illumination control device capable of displaying respective images displayed on a plurality of panels so as to be appropriately synchronized.SOLUTION: An illumination control device comprises: a light source that emits a light; a plurality of image display panels; a first control device; and a second control device. The first control device includes: a first stream acquisition part that acquires a first stream; a first decode part that decodes the first stream to generate first image data and second image data; and a first output part and a second output part that output the first and second image data. The second control device includes: a second stream acquisition part that acquires a second stream; a second decode part that decodes the second stream to generate third image data and fourth image data; and a third output part and a fourth output part that output the third and fourth image data. The third output part and the fourth output part output the third and fourth image data to an image display panel on the basis of a synchronization signal output from the first control device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4A

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a lighting control device, a lighting control method, and a lighting control program. [Background Art]

[0002] Conventionally, there has been known a lighting fixture comprising a light source that emits light and a display unit capable of processing the light emitted from the light source to display image data. In Patent Document 1, the present applicant proposes a lighting fixture in which an electronic panel that processes and transmits light emitted from a light source is used as a display unit, and predetermined image data received from an external storage unit separate from the lighting fixture is displayed on a plurality of panels. [Prior Art Documents] [Patent Documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2019 / 082789 [Summary of the Invention] [Problem to be Solved by the Invention]

[0004] There is a demand for appropriately synchronizing and displaying images displayed on a plurality of panels, respectively.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of such problems of the prior art. An object of the present invention is to provide a lighting control device capable of appropriately synchronizing and displaying respective images displayed on a plurality of panels. [Means for Solving the Problem]

[0006] To solve the above problems, a first aspect of the present invention provides a lighting control device comprising: a light source that emits light; a first image display panel, a second image display panel, a third image display panel, and a fourth image display panel that display images; a first control device that controls the display of images to be displayed on the first image display panel and the second image display panel; and a second control device that controls the display of images to be displayed on the third image display panel and the fourth image display panel, wherein the first control device includes: a first stream acquisition unit that acquires a first stream including first compressed data and second compressed data which are compressed image data for display on the first image display panel and the second image display panel; a first decoding unit that decodes the first stream and generates first image data and second image data to be displayed on the first image display panel and the second image display panel based on the first compressed data and the second compressed data; a first output unit that outputs the first image data decoded by the first decoding unit to the first image display panel; and The second control device includes a second output unit that outputs the decoded second image data to the second image display panel, and a second stream acquisition unit that acquires a second stream containing compressed third data and compressed fourth data, which are image data compressed for display on the third and fourth image display panels, and a second decoding unit that decodes the second stream and generates third image data and fourth image data to be displayed on the third and fourth image display panels based on the compressed third data and compressed fourth data, and a third output unit that outputs the third image data decoded by the second decoding unit to the third image display panel, and a fourth output unit that outputs the fourth image data decoded by the second decoding unit to the fourth image display panel, wherein the third output unit and the fourth output unit output the third image data and fourth image data to the third and fourth image display panels based on a synchronization signal output from the first control device that is synchronized with the display timing of the first image data and the second image data.

[0007] To solve the above problems, a lighting control method according to a second aspect of the present invention is a lighting control method that controls a first control device, which is executed by a computer and controls the display of images to be displayed on a first image display panel and a second image display panel, and a second control device, which controls the display of images to be displayed on a third image display panel and a fourth image display panel, and the method acquires a first stream including first compressed data and second compressed data which are compressed image data to be displayed on the first image display panel and the second image display panel, decodes the first stream, and obtains first image data and second compressed data to be displayed on the first image display panel and the second image display panel based on the first compressed data and the second compressed data Image data is generated, the first image data is output to the first image display panel, the second image data is output to the second image display panel, a second stream containing compressed third and fourth compressed data for display on the third and fourth image display panels is acquired, the second stream is decoded based on a synchronization signal output from the first control device that is synchronized with the display timing of the first and second image data, the third and fourth image data for display on the third and fourth image display panels are generated based on the compressed third and fourth compressed data, the third image data is output to the third image display panel, and the fourth image data is output to the fourth image display panel.

[0008] To solve the above problems, a lighting control program according to a third aspect of the present invention controls a first control device that controls the display of an image to be displayed on a first image display panel and a second image display panel that display an image, and a second control device that controls the display of an image to be displayed on a third image display panel and a fourth image display panel that display an image, and the lighting control program acquires a first stream including first compressed data and second compressed data which are compressed image data to be displayed on the first image display panel and the second image display panel, decodes the first stream, generates first image data and second image data to be displayed on the first image display panel and the second image display panel based on the first compressed data and the second compressed data, and the first image The computer is instructed to perform the following processes: output image data to the first image display panel, output second image data to the second image display panel, acquire a second stream containing compressed third and fourth compressed data for display on the third and fourth image display panels, decode the second stream based on a synchronization signal output from the first control device that is synchronized with the display timing of the first and second image data, generate third and fourth image data to be displayed on the third and fourth image display panels based on the compressed third and fourth compressed data, output the third image data to the third image display panel, and output the fourth image data to the fourth image display panel. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to this disclosure, it is possible to provide a lighting control device that can appropriately synchronize and display each image shown on multiple panels. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a configuration diagram showing an example of a system to which the lighting fixture according to this embodiment is applied. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the lighting fixture according to this embodiment. [Figure 3]Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the configurations of the first control device and the second control device according to this embodiment. [Figure 4A] Figure 4A is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the first control device according to this embodiment. [Figure 4B] Figure 4B is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the second control device according to this embodiment. [Figure 5A] Figure 5A is a schematic diagram illustrating the image data displayed on multiple panels of the lighting fixture according to this embodiment. [Figure 5B] Figure 5B is a schematic diagram illustrating the image data displayed on multiple panels of the lighting fixture according to this embodiment. [Figure 5C] Figure 5C is a schematic diagram illustrating the structure of image data in a stream acquired by the lighting fixture according to this embodiment. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing of the first control device according to this embodiment. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing of the second control device according to this embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] The lighting control device 100 according to this embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Note that the dimensional ratios in the drawings are exaggerated for illustrative purposes and may differ from the actual ratios. Furthermore, this embodiment will be described in more detail below with reference to examples and comparative examples, but this embodiment is not limited to these examples.

[0012] (Lighting system configuration) Figure 1 shows an example of a lighting system to which a lighting fixture 10 equipped with a lighting control device 100 according to this embodiment is applied. As shown in Figure 1, the lighting system consists of a lighting fixture 10, a server 20, and a user terminal 30. In this embodiment, the lighting fixture 10, the server 20, and the user terminal 30 can communicate with each other via a network 40.

[0013] In the illumination system shown in FIG. 1, a user can control the lighting fixture 10 via a user terminal 30 operated by the user. Further, in the illumination system shown in FIG. 1, control information for controlling a light source 200 and image data to be displayed on an image display panel 300 are transmitted from a server 20 to the lighting fixture 10 via a network 40.

[0014] (Configuration of Lighting Fixture 10) The lighting fixture 10 includes an image display panel 300, a light source 200, and a lighting control device 100.

[0015] The image display panel 300 includes a plurality of panels that display images oriented in directions different from each other. The image display panel 300 only needs to be capable of displaying images in each azimuth direction by the plurality of panels, and there is no limitation on the number of panels. In the present embodiment, the plurality of panels are four image display panels 300a, 300b, 300c, and 300d. Each of the four image display panels 300a, 300b, 300c, and 300d displays an image in the direction of an azimuth angle of 0°, 90°, 180°, and 270°, respectively, when viewed from above. Each of the four image display panels 300a, 300b, 300c, and 300d has the same vertically elongated shape. Hereinafter, when there is no need to distinguish between individual image display panels for description, they are simply referred to as "image display panel 300".

[0016] The light source 200 emits light. The light source 200 is lit according to the color temperature, brightness, and lighting method specified by the user terminal 30 or the like. Further, the light source 200 may be lit based on control information related to light color, brightness, and lighting method transmitted from the server 20. Examples of the lighting method include continuous lighting, blinking lighting, and flickering lighting.

[0017] Further, the light source 200 is arranged such that a user's field of view in a predetermined direction toward the light source 200 is blocked by the image display panel 300, and the light emitted from the light source 200 is visible to the user. In the example shown in Fig. 1, the image display panel 300 is arranged so as to surround in the circumferential direction. Further, the light source 200 is housed so as to be surrounded by the image display panel 300.

[0018] In the lighting fixture 10, the lower portion of the image display panel 300 surrounded in the circumferential direction is open. The lower portion of the image display panel 300 surrounded in the circumferential direction may be covered with a light-transmissive member. A user viewing the image display panel 300 from the front cannot visually recognize the light source 200 itself, but can visually recognize the light emitted from the light source 200 from below the image display panel 300. Further, a user viewing the image display panel 300 from the front can visually recognize the light emitted from the light source 200 from below the image display panel 300.

[0019] In the example shown in Fig. 1, the lighting fixture 10 is, for example, suspended from a ceiling by a support rod 11 with an open lower portion, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The lighting fixture 10 may be provided on a wall or the like, or may be provided on a floor, a table, or the like. When the lighting fixture 10 is provided on a floor, a table, or the like and the lower portion thereof is in contact with a surface, the image display panel 300 may be installed on the lighting control device 100 such that the upper portion is open. In this case, a user viewing the image display panel 300 from the front can visually recognize the light emitted from the light source 200 from above the image display panel 300.

[0020] The image display panel 300 may be anything other than a liquid crystal display, as long as it can display predetermined image data by transmitting or restricting light of a specific wavelength. Specifically, one example of an image display panel 300 is organic electroluminescence (OEL). Other examples of image display panels 300 include organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) or electronic paper.

[0021] (Configuration of the lighting control device 100) Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a lighting control device 100 provided in a lighting fixture 10 according to this embodiment. As shown in Figure 2, the lighting control device 100 is configured to include a first control device 101a, a second control device 101b, a first output port 131a, a second output port 131b, and a light source control unit 131c.

[0022] The light source control unit 131c controls the light source 200 based on a control signal from the first control device 101a. In this embodiment, the light source 200 can change the light emission pattern. This change in light emission pattern may be, for example, a change in the brightness of the light, including flashing, or a change in the color temperature of the light emitted by the light source 200. The change in the brightness of the light is performed by dimming control, for example, by controlling the amount of light emitted by the light source 200, the luminous intensity of the light source 200 itself, or the illuminance or brightness of the area illuminated by the light source 200. The control signal from the first control device 101a may be a signal corresponding to this dimming control of the light source 200. That is, the first control device 101a controls the light source control unit 131c so that light is emitted from the light source 200 in synchronization with the timing of displaying image data on the image display panels 300a and 300b. This makes it possible for the lighting control device 100 to harmonize the light emitted from the light source 200 with the image displayed on the image display panel 300.

[0023] The first output port 131a is a port that outputs image data sent from the first control device 101a to image display panels 300a and 300b. The second output port 131b is a port that outputs image data sent from the second control device 101b to image display panels 300c and 300d.

[0024] Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the configurations of the first control device 101a and the second control device 101b according to this embodiment. As shown in Figure 3, the first control device 101a is composed of a general-purpose microcomputer comprising a control unit 110a, a storage unit 120a, an input / output IF 130a, and a communication IF 140a. Similarly, the second control device 101b is composed of a general-purpose microcomputer comprising a control unit 110b, a storage unit 120b, an input / output IF 130b, and a communication IF 140b.

[0025] In this embodiment, an example is shown in which the multiple information processing functions of the first control unit 101a and the second control unit 101b are realized by software. The first control unit 101a and the second control unit 101b function as multiple information processing circuits by executing a computer program.

[0026] Alternatively, the first control device 101a can be configured with dedicated hardware for executing each information processing shown in Figure 4A, and the information processing functions can be configured using a system LSI (Large Scale Integration) or the like. Similarly, the second control device 101b can be configured with dedicated hardware for executing each information processing shown in Figure 4B, and the information processing functions can be configured using a system LSI or the like. Furthermore, multiple information processing functions may be configured using separate hardware. Details of the control unit 110a, control unit 110b, storage unit 120a, and storage unit 120b will be described later.

[0027] Input / output interfaces 130a and 130b are interfaces for sending and receiving data such as image data and control signals.

[0028] The input / output IF 130a of the first control device 101a is connected to the first output port 131a, the light source control unit 131c, and the input / output IF 130b of the second control device 101b. The first control device 101a transmits image data to be displayed on the image display panels 300a and 300b to the first output port 131a via the input / output IF 130a. The first control device 101a also transmits a synchronization signal related to the display of image data to the input / output IF 130b of the second control device 101b via the input / output IF 130a. Furthermore, the first control device 101a transmits a signal to control the light source 200 to the light source control unit 131c via the input / output IF 130a.

[0029] The input / output IF 130b of the second control unit 101b is connected to the second output port 131b and to the input / output IF 130a of the first control unit 101a. The second control unit 101b transmits image data to be displayed on the image display panels 300c and 300d to the second output port 131b via the input / output IF 130b. The second control unit 101b also transmits a response signal to the input / output IF 130a of the first control unit 101a via the input / output IF 130b.

[0030] Communication IF140a and 140b are interfaces for communicating with the outside of the lighting fixture 10 via a wired or wireless network.

[0031] (Functional configuration of the first control device 101a) Figures 4A and 4B are block diagrams showing the functional configurations of the first control device 101a and the second control device 101b according to this embodiment.

[0032] As shown in Figure 4A, the control unit 110a of the first control device 101a includes the following functions: a first stream acquisition unit 111a, a first decoding unit 112a, a synchronization signal transmission unit 113, a response signal reception unit 114, a first output unit 115a, and a second output unit 116a. Details of each of these functions in the control unit 110a will be described later.

[0033] Furthermore, the control unit 110a controls the entire first control device 101a by, for example, running an operating system. In addition, the control unit 110a operates based on a program stored in the memory unit 120a and executes the functions described above. Note that the program is not limited to being stored in the memory unit 120a, but may also be stored in, for example, a ROM (Read Only Memory) or the like (not shown) within the first control device 101a.

[0034] As shown in Figure 4A, the storage unit 120a stores the information contained in the setting information DB121a (DB: Database) and the image data DB122a as data. Note that there may be one or more storage units 120a that store this data. For example, a single storage unit 120a may be configured to store data in separate areas. Alternatively, the data may be distributed and stored in multiple storage devices located in physically separate locations.

[0035] The configuration information DB121a stores configuration information related to the lighting control device 100 in advance. The configuration information DB121a may also include configuration information related to the first stream acquired by the first stream acquisition unit 111a. Furthermore, the configuration information DB121a may include configuration information related to the first image data and second image data decoded by the first decode unit 112a. This configuration information related to the first stream, first image data, and second image data may be stored in advance by the user. Alternatively, the configuration information may be the configuration information obtained by decoding the first stream.

[0036] The image data DB122a stores the first image data and the second image data decoded by the first decoding unit 112a.

[0037] The first stream acquisition unit 111a acquires a first stream containing first compressed data and second compressed data, which are image data compressed for display on image display panels 300a and 300b. The first image display panel corresponds to image display panel 300a, and the second image display panel corresponds to image display panel 300b.

[0038] In this embodiment, the first compressed data and the second compressed data included in the first stream are data compressed based on a predetermined video compression standard. The predetermined video compression standard may be, for example, H.264. However, in this embodiment, the video compression standard is not limited to the configuration of the embodiment, and may be a video compression standard other than H.264, such as MPEG2.

[0039] Furthermore, the first and second compressed data included in the first stream are pre-synchronized data.

[0040] Figure 5A is a schematic diagram illustrating the image data displayed on the multiple image display panels 300 of the lighting fixture 10 according to this embodiment. In the example shown in Figure 5A, for illustrative purposes, an example is shown in which the character "1" is displayed on image display panel 300a and the character "2" is displayed on image display panel 300b. Although not shown in Figure 5A, it is assumed that the character "3" is displayed on image display panel 300c and the character "4" is displayed on image display panel 300d.

[0041] Figure 5B is a diagram illustrating the image data displayed on multiple image display panels 300 of the lighting fixture 10 according to this embodiment. As an example, the image data displayed on each image display panel 300 is shown as having a width of 800 pixels and a height of 1280 pixels. However, the size of the image data displayed on these image display panels 300 is not limited to the above size.

[0042] Figure 5C is a diagram illustrating the configuration of image data included in the stream acquired by the lighting fixture 10 according to this embodiment. In this embodiment, the lighting control device 100 of the lighting fixture 10 acquires a first stream and a second stream. As shown in Figure 5C, the first stream contains image data to be displayed on image display panels 300a and 300b, and is stored rotated 90 degrees to the left in the view of the drawing. Similarly, as shown in Figure 5C, the second stream contains image data to be displayed on image display panels 300c and 300d, and is stored rotated 90 degrees to the left in the view of the drawing. In this embodiment, the image data to be displayed on image display panels 300a, 300b, 300c, and 300d is formed seamlessly.

[0043] Furthermore, the first and second streams may include at least one of metadata, audio data, thumbnails, and a program for controlling the light source. This enables the lighting control device 100 to perform not only the display of images on the image display panel 300, but also audio playback and lighting control of the light source 200 in harmony with the image data.

[0044] Metadata may include stream identification information, creation date and time, content title, content duration, information indicating content details, and audio title. Audio data is audio data playable from the audio playback unit (not shown) of the lighting fixture 10. Thumbnails are images (still images) extracted from image data, and in this embodiment, the size of the thumbnail is 640 x 400 pixels, which is half the size of the image data. However, the size of the thumbnail is not limited to the above size and may be a size other than 640 x 400 pixels.

[0045] The program for controlling the light source is a program for controlling the light source 200, and corresponds to control information regarding the color information, brightness, and lighting method of the light. In this embodiment, the lighting method includes continuous lighting, blinking, and flickering.

[0046] The first decoding unit 112a decodes the first stream and generates first image data and second image data to be displayed on image display panels 300a and 300b based on the first compressed data and second compressed data. The first decoding unit 112a also stores the generated first image data and second image data in the image data database 122a.

[0047] The synchronization signal transmission unit 113 transmits a synchronization signal to the second control device 101b for the image to be displayed on the image display panel 300. In this embodiment, the synchronization signal is a signal output from the first control device 101a that is synchronized with the display timing of the first image data and the second image data.

[0048] Furthermore, the synchronization signal transmission unit 113 sends a control signal to the light source control unit 131c so that the light source 200 emits light in synchronization with the timing of displaying the first image data and the second image data on the image display panels 300a and 300b. This control signal may be a synchronization signal synchronized with the display timing of the first image data and the second image data.

[0049] The response signal receiving unit 114 receives a response signal to the synchronization signal from the second control device 101b. The first output unit 115a outputs the first image data decoded by the first decode unit 112a to the first image display panel. The second output unit 116a outputs the second image data decoded by the first decode unit 112a to the second image display panel.

[0050] In this embodiment, the output of the first image data and the second image data from the first output unit 115a and the second output unit 116a may begin after the response signal is received by the response signal receiving unit 114. This allows the lighting control device 100 to synchronize the start timing of the display of the first image data, the second image data, the third image data, and the fourth image data on the image display panel 300.

[0051] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the output of the first image data and the second image data from the first output unit 115a and the second output unit 116a may be performed by the response signal receiving unit 114 without waiting for the reception of a response signal. In this case, the display of the third image data and the fourth image data can be synchronized with the display of the first image data and the second image data from the middle of the display.

[0052] (Functional configuration of the second control device 101b) Figure 4B is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the second control device 101b according to this embodiment.

[0053] As shown in Figure 4B, the control unit 110b of the second control device 101b includes the following functions: a second stream acquisition unit 111b, a second decoding unit 112b, a synchronization signal receiving unit 117, a response signal transmission unit 118, a third output unit 115b, and a fourth output unit 116b. Details of each of these functions in the control unit 110b will be described later.

[0054] Furthermore, the control unit 110b, like the control unit 110a, operates the operating system to control the entire second control device 101b. In addition, the control unit 110b operates based on the program stored in the memory unit 120b and executes the functions described above. Note that the program is not limited to being stored in the memory unit 120b, but may also be stored in, for example, a ROM (Read Only Memory) or the like (not shown) within the second control device 101b.

[0055] As shown in Figure 4B, the storage unit 120b stores the information contained in the setting information DB 121b and the image data DB 122b as data. Note that there may be one or more storage units 120b that store each of these data. For example, a single storage unit 120b may be configured to store data in separate areas. Alternatively, the data may be distributed and stored in multiple storage devices located in physically separate locations.

[0056] The configuration information DB121b pre-stores configuration information related to the lighting control device 100. The configuration information DB121b may also include configuration information related to the second stream acquired by the second stream acquisition unit 111b. Furthermore, the configuration information DB121b may include configuration information related to the third and fourth image data decoded by the second decode unit 112b. This configuration information related to the second stream, third image data, and fourth image data may be pre-stored by the user. Alternatively, the configuration information may be the configuration information obtained by decoding the second stream.

[0057] The image data DB122b stores the third image data and the fourth image data decoded by the second decoding unit 112b.

[0058] The second stream acquisition unit 111b acquires a second stream containing a third compressed data and a fourth compressed data, which are image data compressed for display on the image display panels 300c and 300d. The third image display panel corresponds to image display panel 300c, and the fourth image display panel corresponds to image display panel 300d.

[0059] In this embodiment, the third and fourth compressed data included in the second stream are data compressed based on a predetermined video compression standard, similar to the first stream described above. The predetermined video compression standard may be, for example, H.264. In this embodiment, the video compression standard is not limited to the configuration of the embodiment, and may be a video compression standard other than H.264, such as MPEG2.

[0060] Furthermore, the third and fourth compressed data included in the second stream are pre-synchronized data.

[0061] Furthermore, the second stream may include, like the first stream, at least one of metadata, audio data, thumbnails, and a program for controlling the light source.

[0062] The second decoding unit 112b decodes the second stream and generates third image data and fourth image data to be displayed on image display panels 300c and 300d based on the third compressed data and fourth compressed data. The second decoding unit 112b also stores the generated third image data and fourth image data in the image data database 122b.

[0063] The synchronization signal receiving unit 117 receives the synchronization signal transmitted from the first control device 101a. In this embodiment, the synchronization signal is a signal output from the first control device 101a that is synchronized with the display timing of the first image data and the second image data.

[0064] The response signal transmission unit 118 transmits a response signal to the synchronization signal transmitted from the first control device 101a to the first control device 101a. The third output unit 115b outputs the third image data decoded by the second decode unit 112b to the third image display panel. The fourth output unit 116b outputs the fourth image data decoded by the second decode unit 112b to the fourth image display panel.

[0065] (Overview of the processing flow of the lighting control device 100) Next, the lighting control process (lighting control method) in the lighting control device 100 will be explained based on the flowcharts in Figures 6 and 7. The series of lighting control operations shown in the flowcharts in Figures 6 and 7 begin when the lighting control device 100 is started and end when the power is turned off. In addition to power off, the flowcharts in Figures 6 and 7 also end when an interrupt occurs to indicate the end of processing. Furthermore, in the following explanation of the flowcharts, the same content as described in the explanation of the lighting control device 100 above will be omitted or simplified.

[0066] In step S601, the first stream acquisition unit 111a determines whether or not the first stream has been acquired. The first stream includes first compressed data and second compressed data, which are compressed image data for display on the image display panels 300a and 300b. The first image display panel corresponds to image display panel 300a, and the second image display panel corresponds to image display panel 300b.

[0067] In step S601, if the first stream acquisition unit 111a determines that it has acquired the first stream (step S601: YES), the process proceeds to step S602. On the other hand, in step S601, if the first stream acquisition unit 111a determines that it has not acquired the first stream (step S601: NO), the process repeats the process of step S601. That is, the first stream acquisition unit 111a repeats the process of step S601 until it acquires the first stream.

[0068] In step S602, the first decoding unit 112a decodes the first stream and generates first image data and second image data to be displayed on image display panels 300a and 300b based on the first compressed data and second compressed data. The first decoding unit 112a also stores the generated first image data and second image data in the image data DB 122a. The process then proceeds to step S603.

[0069] In step S603, the synchronization signal transmission unit 113 transmits a synchronization signal for the image to be displayed on the image display panel 300 to the second control device 101b. The process then proceeds to step S604.

[0070] In step S604, the response signal receiving unit 114 determines whether or not it has received a response signal from the second control device 101b. If the response signal receiving unit 114 determines in step S604 that it has received a response signal from the second control device 101b (step S604: YES), the process proceeds to step S605. On the other hand, if the response signal receiving unit 114 determines in step S604 that it has not received a response signal from the second control device 101b (step S604: NO), the process repeats the process in step S604. That is, the process in step S604 is repeated until a response signal is received from the second control device 101b.

[0071] In step S605, the first output unit 115a outputs the first image data decoded by the first decode unit 112a to the image display panel 300a via the first output port 131a. Also in step S605, the second output unit 116a outputs the second image data decoded by the first decode unit 112a to the image display panel 300b via the second output port 131b. The output of the first and second image data from the first output unit 115a and the second output unit 116a may be based on a synchronization signal. The process then proceeds to step S606.

[0072] In step S606, the control unit 110a of the first control device 101a determines whether the display of the image data has finished. If the control unit 110a of the first control device 101a determines in step S606 that the display of the image data has finished (step S606: YES), the process ends. On the other hand, if the control unit 110a of the first control device 101a determines in step S606 that the display of the image data has not finished (step S606: NO), the process returns to step S605, and the process from step S605 is repeated.

[0073] Furthermore, the determination of whether the display of image data in step S606 has finished may be made using the image data setting information stored in the setting information DB121a. Alternatively, the determination of whether the display of image data in step S606 has finished may be made using the control information stored in the setting information DB121a.

[0074] Next, the processing of the second control device 101b shown in Figure 7 will be explained.

[0075] In step S701, the second stream acquisition unit 111b determines whether or not the second stream has been acquired. The second stream includes third compressed data and fourth compressed data, which are compressed image data for display on the image display panels 300c and 300d. The third image display panel corresponds to image display panel 300c, and the fourth image display panel corresponds to image display panel 300d.

[0076] In step S701, if the second stream acquisition unit 111b determines that it has acquired the second stream (step S701: YES), the process proceeds to step S702. On the other hand, in step S701, if the second stream acquisition unit 111b determines that it has not acquired the second stream (step S701: NO), the process repeats the process of step S701. That is, the second stream acquisition unit 111b repeats the process of step S701 until it acquires the second stream.

[0077] In step S702, the second decoding unit 112b decodes the second stream and generates third image data and fourth image data to be displayed on image display panels 300c and 300d based on the third compressed data and fourth compressed data. The second decoding unit 112b also stores the generated third image data and fourth image data in the image data DB 122b. After that, the process proceeds to step S703.

[0078] In step S703, the synchronization signal receiving unit 117 determines whether or not it has received a synchronization signal transmitted from the first control device 101a. In this embodiment, the synchronization signal is a signal output from the first control device 101a that is synchronized with the display timing of the first image data and the second image data. In step S703, if the synchronization signal receiving unit 117 determines that it has received a synchronization signal transmitted from the first control device 101a (step S703: YES), the process proceeds to step S704. On the other hand, in step S703, if the synchronization signal receiving unit 117 determines that it has not received a synchronization signal transmitted from the first control device 101a (step S703: NO), the process repeats the process in step S703. That is, the process in step S703 is repeated until a synchronization signal from the first control device 101a is received.

[0079] In step S704, the response signal transmission unit 118 transmits a response signal to the first control device 101a for the synchronization signal transmitted from the first control device 101a. The process then proceeds to step S705.

[0080] In step S705, the third output unit 115b outputs the third image data decoded by the second decode unit 112b to the image display panel 300c via the second output port 131b, based on the synchronization signal. Also in step S705, the fourth output unit 116b outputs the fourth image data decoded by the second decode unit 112b to the image display panel 300d via the second output port 131b, based on the synchronization signal. The process then proceeds to step S706.

[0081] In step S706, the control unit 110b of the second control device 101b determines whether the display of the image data has finished. If the control unit 110b of the second control device 101b determines in step S706 that the display of the image data has finished (step S706: YES), the process ends. On the other hand, if the control unit 110b of the second control device 101b determines in step S706 that the display of the image data has not finished (step S706: NO), the process returns to step S705, and the process from step S705 is repeated.

[0082] Furthermore, the determination of whether the display of image data in step S706 has finished may be made using the image data setting information stored in the setting information DB121b. Alternatively, the determination of whether the display of image data in step S706 has finished may also be made using the control information stored in the setting information DB121b.

[0083] As described above, the lighting control device 100 according to this embodiment includes a light source 200 that emits light, and a first image display panel, a second image display panel, a third image display panel, and a fourth image display panel for displaying images. The lighting control device 100 also includes a first control device 101a that controls the display of images to be displayed on the first and second image display panels, and a second control device 101b that controls the display of images to be displayed on the third and fourth image display panels. The first image display panel, the second image display panel, the third image display panel, and the fourth image display panel correspond to image display panels 300a, 300b, 300c, and 300d, respectively. The first control device 101a has a first stream acquisition unit 111a that acquires a first stream including first compressed data and second compressed data, which are compressed image data for display on the first and second image display panels. The first control device 101a also has a first decoding unit 112a that decodes the first stream and generates first image data and second image data to be displayed on the first and second image display panels based on the first compressed data and second compressed data. The first control device 101a also has a first output unit 115a that outputs the first image data decoded by the first decoding unit 112a to the first image display panel. The first control device 101a also has a second output unit 116a that outputs the second image data decoded by the first decoding unit 112a to the second image display panel. The second control device 101b has a second stream acquisition unit 111b that acquires a second stream containing third compressed data and fourth compressed data, which are compressed image data for display on the third and fourth image display panels. Furthermore, the second control device 101b includes a second decoding unit 112b that decodes the second stream and generates third image data and fourth image data to be displayed on the third image display panel and the fourth image display panel based on the third compressed data and the fourth compressed data. The second control device 101b also includes a third output unit 115b that outputs the third image data decoded by the second decoding unit 112b to the third image display panel. Furthermore, the second control device 101b includes a fourth output unit 116b that outputs the fourth image data decoded by the second decoding unit 112b to the fourth image display panel.Furthermore, the third output unit 115b and the fourth output unit 116b according to this embodiment output the third image data and the fourth image data to the third image display panel and the fourth image display panel based on the synchronization signal. The synchronization signal is a signal output from the first control device 101a that is synchronized with the display timing of the first image data and the second image data.

[0084] This enables the lighting control device 100 to appropriately synchronize and display each image shown on multiple image display panels.

[0085] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the lighting control device 100 further includes a light source control unit 131c that controls the light source 200. The first control device 101a controls the light source control unit 131c so that light is emitted from the light source 200 in synchronization with the timing of displaying the first image data and the second image data on the image display panels 300a and 300b. This makes it possible for the lighting control device 100 to harmonize the light emitted from the light source 200 with the image displayed on the image display panel 300.

[0086] Furthermore, in the lighting control device 100, the first compressed data, second compressed data, third compressed data, and fourth compressed data included in the first stream and second stream are data compressed based on a predetermined video compression standard. As a result, by compressing the first stream and second stream based on the video compression standard, the lighting control device 100 can display images more efficiently and with higher performance compared to when exchanging uncompressed image data.

[0087] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the first compressed data and the second compressed data included in the first stream are pre-synchronized data. Also, in this embodiment, the third compressed data and the fourth compressed data included in the second stream are pre-synchronized data. This enables the lighting control device 100 to more appropriately synchronize the image data to be displayed on the image display panel.

[0088] Furthermore, the first stream and the second stream in this embodiment include at least one of metadata, audio data, thumbnails, and a program for controlling the light source. This allows the lighting control device 100 to harmonize the image on the image display panel with the light from the light source 200 by including the program for controlling the light source in the first and second streams, for example. In addition, by including audio data in the first and second streams, it becomes possible to play audio that more effectively enhances the image data and the light from the light source 200.

[0089] (Other embodiments) Although these embodiments have been described above, the embodiments are not limited to these, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the gist of the embodiments. Furthermore, it is possible to combine some or all of the various embodiments to create new embodiments.

[0090] Furthermore, a computer program (lighting control program) that causes a computer to execute the processing (lighting control method) in the lighting control device 100 described above, and a computer-readable recording medium on which the program is stored, are included within the scope of this embodiment. Here, the type of computer-readable recording medium is arbitrary. In addition, the computer program is not limited to one stored on the recording medium described above, but may also be transmitted via telecommunication lines, wireless or wired communication lines, networks such as the Internet, etc.

[0091] (Note) Based on the above description of embodiments, the following technologies are disclosed.

[0092] (Technology 1) A light source that emits light, A first image display panel, a second image display panel, a third image display panel, and a fourth image display panel for displaying images, A first control device that controls the display of the images to be displayed on the first image display panel and the second image display panel, A lighting control device comprising a second control device for controlling the display of the images to be displayed on the third image display panel and the fourth image display panel, The first control device is A first stream acquisition unit acquires a first stream including first compressed data and second compressed data, which are compressed image data for display on the first image display panel and the second image display panel, A first decoding unit decodes the first stream and generates first image data and second image data to be displayed on the first image display panel and the second image display panel based on the first compressed data and the second compressed data, A first output unit outputs the first image data decoded by the first decoding unit to the first image display panel, The system includes a second output unit that outputs the second image data decoded by the first decoding unit to the second image display panel, The second control device is A second stream acquisition unit acquires a second stream containing a third compressed data and a fourth compressed data, which are compressed image data for display on the third image display panel and the fourth image display panel. A second decoding unit decodes the second stream and generates third image data and fourth image data to be displayed on the third image display panel and the fourth image display panel based on the third compressed data and the fourth compressed data, A third output unit outputs the third image data decoded by the second decoding unit to the third image display panel, The system includes a fourth output unit that outputs the fourth image data decoded by the second decoding unit to the fourth image display panel, The third output unit and the fourth output unit are lighting control devices that output the third image data and the fourth image data to the third image display panel and the fourth image display panel based on a synchronization signal output from the first control device, which is synchronized with the display timing of the first image data and the second image data.

[0093] This configuration allows the first and second image data displayed on the image display panel to be synchronized with the third and fourth image data. As a result, the lighting control device 100 can appropriately synchronize and display each image displayed on multiple image display panels.

[0094] (Technical 2) The light source control unit further comprises a light source control unit that controls the light source, The lighting control device according to Technical Reference 1, wherein the first control device controls the light source control unit so that light is emitted from the light source in synchronization with the timing of displaying the first image data and the second image data on the first image display panel and the second image display panel.

[0095] This configuration allows the light source 200, controlled by the light source control unit 131c, to emit light in synchronization with the timing of displaying the first image data and the second image data. As a result, the lighting control device 100 can harmonize the light emitted from the light source 200 with the image displayed on the image display panel 300.

[0096] (Technical 3) The lighting control device according to Technical 1 or 2, wherein the first compressed data, second compressed data, third compressed data, and fourth compressed data included in the first stream and the second stream are data compressed based on a predetermined video compression standard.

[0097] This configuration allows the lighting control device 100 to compress image data based on a video compression standard and include it in the first and second streams. By compressing the first and second streams based on the video compression standard, the lighting control device 100 can display images more efficiently and with higher performance compared to when exchanging uncompressed image data.

[0098] (Technical 4) The first compressed data and the second compressed data included in the first stream are pre-synchronized data, The lighting control device according to any one of the technologies 1 to 3, wherein the third compressed data and the fourth compressed data included in the second stream are pre-synchronized data.

[0099] With this configuration, the first and second compressed data processed by the first control device 101a are pre-synchronized data, and the third and fourth compressed data processed by the second control device 101b are also pre-synchronized data. This allows the lighting control device 100 to more appropriately synchronize the image data to be displayed on the image display panel.

[0100] (Technical 5) The lighting control device according to any one of Technical 1 to 4, wherein the first stream and the second stream include at least one of metadata, audio data, a thumbnail, and a program for controlling a light source.

[0101] With this configuration, the first and second streams in this embodiment include at least one of metadata, audio data, thumbnails, and a program for controlling the light source. This allows the lighting control device 100 to harmonize the image on the image display panel with the light from the light source 200 by including the program for controlling the light source in the first and second streams. Furthermore, by including audio data in the first and second streams, it becomes possible to play audio that enhances the image data and the light from the light source 200 more effectively.

[0102] (Technical 6) A lighting control method for controlling a first control device, which is executed by a computer and controls the display of an image on a first image display panel and a second image display panel that display an image, and a second control device that controls the display of an image on a third image display panel and a fourth image display panel that display an image, A first stream is acquired which includes first compressed data and second compressed data obtained by compressing image data for display on the first image display panel and the second image display panel. Decode the aforementioned first stream, Based on the first compressed data and the second compressed data, first image data and second image data to be displayed on the first image display panel and the second image display panel are generated. The first image data is output to the first image display panel. The second image data is output to the second image display panel. A second stream is acquired which includes third compressed data and fourth compressed data, which are image data compressed for display on the third image display panel and the fourth image display panel. Based on a synchronization signal output from the first control device, which is synchronized with the display timing of the first image data and the second image data, the second stream is decoded. Based on the third compressed data and the fourth compressed data, third image data and fourth image data to be displayed on the third image display panel and the fourth image display panel are generated. The third image data is output to the third image display panel. A lighting control method for outputting the fourth image data to the fourth image display panel.

[0103] This configuration allows the first and second image data displayed on the image display panel to be synchronized with the third and fourth image data. As a result, the lighting control method can appropriately synchronize and display each image shown on multiple image display panels.

[0104] (Technical 7) A lighting control program for controlling a first control device that controls the display of an image on a first image display panel and a second image display panel that display an image, and a second control device that controls the display of an image on a third image display panel and a fourth image display panel that display an image, A first stream is acquired which includes first compressed data and second compressed data obtained by compressing image data for display on the first image display panel and the second image display panel. Decode the aforementioned first stream, Based on the first compressed data and the second compressed data, first image data and second image data to be displayed on the first image display panel and the second image display panel are generated. The first image data is output to the first image display panel. The second image data is output to the second image display panel. A second stream is acquired which includes third compressed data and fourth compressed data, which are image data compressed for display on the third image display panel and the fourth image display panel. Based on a synchronization signal output from the first control device, which is synchronized with the display timing of the first image data and the second image data, the second stream is decoded. Based on the third compressed data and the fourth compressed data, third image data and fourth image data to be displayed on the third image display panel and the fourth image display panel are generated. The third image data is output to the third image display panel. A lighting control program for causing a computer to perform the process of outputting the fourth image data to the fourth image display panel.

[0105] This configuration allows the first and second image data displayed on the image display panel to be synchronized with the third and fourth image data. As a result, the lighting control program can appropriately synchronize and display each image shown on multiple image display panels.

[0106] Although this embodiment has been described above, this embodiment is not limited to these, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the gist of this embodiment. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0107] 10 Lighting fixtures 11 Support rod 20 servers 30 User terminals 40 Networks 100 Lighting control device 101a First control device 101b Second control unit 110a, 110b control unit 111a First Stream Acquisition Unit 111b Second Stream Acquisition Unit 112a First Decode Unit 112b Second Decode Unit 113 Synchronization signal transmission unit 114 Response signal receiving unit 115a 1st output section 115b 3rd output section 116a 2nd output section 116b 4th output section 117 Synchronization signal receiving unit 118 Response signal transmission unit 120a, 120b storage section 121a, 121b Setting information DB 122a, 122b Image Data Database 130a, 130b input / output IF 131a First output port 131b Second output port 131c Light source control unit 140a, 140b Communication IF 200 light source 300, 300a~300d Image display panel

Claims

1. A light source that emits light, A first image display panel, a second image display panel, a third image display panel, and a fourth image display panel for displaying images, A first control device that controls the display of the images to be displayed on the first image display panel and the second image display panel, A lighting control device comprising a second control device for controlling the display of the images to be displayed on the third image display panel and the fourth image display panel, The first control device is A first stream acquisition unit acquires a first stream including first compressed data and second compressed data, which are compressed image data for display on the first image display panel and the second image display panel, A first decoding unit decodes the first stream and generates first image data and second image data to be displayed on the first and second image display panels based on the first compressed data and the second compressed data, A first output unit outputs the first image data decoded by the first decoding unit to the first image display panel, The system includes a second output unit that outputs the second image data decoded by the first decoding unit to the second image display panel, The second control device is A second stream acquisition unit acquires a second stream containing a third compressed data and a fourth compressed data, which are compressed image data for display on the third image display panel and the fourth image display panel. A second decoding unit decodes the second stream and generates third image data and fourth image data to be displayed on the third image display panel and the fourth image display panel based on the third compressed data and the fourth compressed data, A third output unit outputs the third image data decoded by the second decoding unit to the third image display panel, The system includes a fourth output unit that outputs the fourth image data decoded by the second decoding unit to the fourth image display panel, The third output unit and the fourth output unit are lighting control devices that output the third image data and the fourth image data to the third image display panel and the fourth image display panel based on a synchronization signal, which is a signal output from the first control device and is synchronized with the display timing of the first image data and the second image data.

2. The light source control unit for controlling the aforementioned light source is further provided, The lighting control device according to claim 1, wherein the first control device controls the light source control unit so that light is emitted from the light source in synchronization with the timing of displaying the first image data and the second image data on the first image display panel and the second image display panel.

3. The lighting control device according to claim 2, wherein the first compressed data, second compressed data, third compressed data, and fourth compressed data included in the first stream and the second stream are data compressed based on a predetermined video compression standard.

4. The first compressed data and the second compressed data included in the first stream are pre-synchronized data. The lighting control device according to claim 3, wherein the third compressed data and the fourth compressed data included in the second stream are pre-synchronized data.

5. The lighting control device according to claim 1, wherein the first stream and the second stream include at least one of metadata, audio data, a thumbnail, and a program for controlling a light source.

6. A lighting control method for controlling a first control device, which is executed by a computer and controls the display of an image on a first image display panel and a second image display panel, and a second control device, which controls the display of an image on a third image display panel and a fourth image display panel, wherein the first control device controls the display of an image on a third image display panel and a fourth image display panel, A first stream is acquired which includes first compressed data and second compressed data obtained by compressing image data for display on the first image display panel and the second image display panel. Decode the first stream, Based on the first compressed data and the second compressed data, first image data and second image data to be displayed on the first image display panel and the second image display panel are generated. The first image data is output to the first image display panel. The second image data is output to the second image display panel. A second stream is acquired which includes a third compressed data and a fourth compressed data obtained by compressing image data for display on the third image display panel and the fourth image display panel. Based on a synchronization signal output from the first control device, which is synchronized with the display timing of the first image data and the second image data, the second stream is decoded. Based on the third compressed data and the fourth compressed data, third image data and fourth image data to be displayed on the third image display panel and the fourth image display panel are generated. The third image data is output to the third image display panel. A lighting control method for outputting the fourth image data to the fourth image display panel.

7. A lighting control program that controls a first control device that controls the display of an image on a first image display panel and a second image display panel, and a second control device that controls the display of an image on a third image display panel and a fourth image display panel, A first stream is acquired which includes first compressed data and second compressed data obtained by compressing image data for display on the first image display panel and the second image display panel. Decode the first stream, Based on the first compressed data and the second compressed data, first image data and second image data to be displayed on the first image display panel and the second image display panel are generated. The first image data is output to the first image display panel. The second image data is output to the second image display panel. A second stream is acquired which includes a third compressed data and a fourth compressed data obtained by compressing image data for display on the third image display panel and the fourth image display panel. Based on a synchronization signal output from the first control device, which is synchronized with the display timing of the first image data and the second image data, the second stream is decoded. Based on the third compressed data and the fourth compressed data, third image data and fourth image data to be displayed on the third image display panel and the fourth image display panel are generated. The third image data is output to the third image display panel. A lighting control program for causing a computer to perform the process of outputting the fourth image data to the fourth image display panel.

Images