Lighting control system

Abstract

A lighting control system (1) comprises a plurality of lighting devices (10), and a control unit (20) that generates and transmits control signals for the lighting devices (10). Each control signal is an output signal for individually changing the color of light from each of the plurality of lighting devices (10) in chromaticity segments that are stipulated by "JIS Z 8110-1995" and that include a first region showing a "white" color segment and an annular second region showing a plurality of color segments adjacent to the first region. When changing the color of the light emitted by each of the plurality of lighting devices (10), the control signal is a dynamic output signal for changing the color color so as to periodically and continuously move between a chromaticity point A positioned within a third region separated from the first region and the second region by a 5-STEP or greater MacAdam ellipse, and a chromaticity point B that is within a region other than the first and second regions and is separated from the chromaticity point A by a 13-STEP or greater MacAdam ellipse.

Description

Lighting Control System

[0001] The present disclosure relates to lighting control systems.

[0002] The lighting system of Patent Document 1 includes multiple lights, and the illuminance or color temperature of the multiple lights is changed sinusoidally over time, and controlled so that the sum of the illuminance or color temperature of the multiple lights remains approximately constant over time.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2019-121531

[0004] In recent years, there has been a demand for lighting effects using chromatic colors. However, in lighting effects using chromatic colors, for example, when the color difference between two colors is small, even if the color of the light is changed, the change in color may be difficult to perceive. For this reason, there is a demand for increasing human attention or guiding people by changing the color of light emitted by multiple lighting devices.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a lighting control system that can increase the eye-catching and guiding characteristics of people by changing the color of light.

[0006] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a lighting control system comprising a plurality of light source units and a control unit that generates and transmits control signals for the light source units, wherein the control unit outputs a control signal capable of controlling each of the plurality of light source units so that light is irradiated onto a plurality of portions of an illumination surface, and wherein each of the control signals is an output signal that individually changes the color of light of each of the plurality of light source units in a chromaticity range defined in "JIS Z 8110-1995" and including a first range indicating the color range of "white" and a ring-shaped second range indicating a plurality of color ranges adjacent to the first range, and when changing the color of light emitted by each of the plurality of light source units, the output signal is a dynamic output signal that changes the light color so that the light color periodically and continuously moves between a chromaticity point A located in a third range that is at least 5 steps of a MacAdam ellipse away from the first range and the second range, and a chromaticity point B that is in a range other than the first range and the second range and is at least 13 steps of a MacAdam ellipse away from the chromaticity point A.

[0007] According to the lighting control system of the present disclosure, it is possible to increase the eye-catching and guiding characteristics of people by changing the color of light.

[0008] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a lighting control system according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a lighting control system installed in a corridor. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing luminance and control signals. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing chromaticity divisions. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing first, second, third, fourth, and fifth regions in the chromaticity divisions. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the relationship between the number of steps of a MacAdam ellipse in the chromaticity divisions and color temperature. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the relationship between chromaticity point E and chromaticity point F in the chromaticity divisions. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a case where the color of some of the light irradiated onto an irradiation surface changes when multiple lighting devices each irradiate an irradiation surface with light.

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that each of the embodiments described below represents a specific example of the present disclosure. Therefore, the numerical values, shapes, materials, components, arrangement and connection of the components, steps, order of steps, and the like shown in the following embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the present disclosure.

[0010] The drawings are schematic diagrams and are not necessarily drawn to scale. Therefore, for example, the scales of the drawings do not necessarily match. In addition, the same reference numerals are used in the drawings to denote substantially the same components, and redundant explanations will be omitted or simplified.

[0011] (Embodiment) <Configuration and Function> A lighting control system 1 according to the embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7. FIG.

[0012] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a lighting control system 1 according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a case where the lighting control system 1 is installed in a corridor. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing light output (luminous intensity or illuminance) and a control signal. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing chromaticity divisions. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing first, second, third, fourth, and fifth regions in the chromaticity divisions. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the relationship between the number of steps of a MacAdam ellipse in the chromaticity divisions and color temperature. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the relationship between chromaticity point E and chromaticity point F in the chromaticity divisions.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 1 , the lighting control system 1 is an affordance lighting system that can guide people by adjusting the illumination mode of light emitted from the lighting device 10. For example, the lighting control system 1 of this 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, it is known that people have the tendency to be more easily guided to brighter areas than darker areas. Furthermore, by changing the color of the light, people tend to pay attention to the color change. Therefore, since the lighting control system 1 illuminates the ground, it is expected to guide people by influencing their emotions through the transition of light brightness and color.

[0014] Such a lighting control system 1 is used in places where it is necessary to guide people, keep them, or encourage them to move around, such as parks, amusement parks, stations, large-scale facilities, etc.

[0015] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , a lighting control system 1 includes a plurality of lighting devices 10 , a lighting control device 2 , and a power supply unit 30 .

[0016] Each of the plurality of lighting devices 10 may be, for example, an outdoor lighting device 10 such as a street light, or a facility lighting device 10 installed inside a facility. In this embodiment, the plurality of lighting devices 10 are arranged along a passageway. In FIG. 2 , five lighting devices 10 are illustrated as an example: a first lighting device 10a, a second lighting device 10b, a third lighting device 10c, a fourth lighting device 10d, and a fifth lighting device 10e. The lighting device 10 is a general term that includes the first lighting device 10a, the second lighting device 10b, the third lighting device 10c, the fourth lighting device 10d, and the fifth lighting device 10e. The number of lighting devices 10 is merely an example and is not limited to five lighting devices 10. For example, the number of lighting devices 10 may be two or more, preferably three or more. The lighting devices 10 are also an example of a light source unit.

[0017] Each of the multiple lighting devices 10 includes a light source 11 and a light-emitting control circuit (not shown). The light source 11 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 11 may be configured to emit white light by combining a blue LED with a yellow phosphor. The light source 11 may also emit various colors of light by selectively combining two or more of these LED elements. However, the light source 11 is not limited to these, and a commonly used configuration may be used. The light-emitting control circuit independently controls each LED chip, causing each of the multiple lighting devices 10 to emit light toward and irradiate the illumination surface. The light source 11 may also be an example of a light source unit.

[0018] When the lighting device 10 receives a control signal from the lighting control device 2, the lighting device 10 lights up in a lighting mode corresponding to the control signal. The lighting device 10 has a dimming function and a color adjustment function.

[0019] For example, the lighting device 10 has a dimming function that can adjust the brightness of the light emitted by the light source 11 in multiple stages, thereby making the brightness of the emitted light darker or brighter. Furthermore, the lighting device 10 can periodically fluctuate the output of the emitted light. Here, "periodically" may refer to the same period or different periods.

[0020] Furthermore, the lighting device 10 has a color adjustment function that allows it to emit white light ranging from a low color temperature, such as incandescent white, to a high color temperature, such as warm white, neutral white, or daylight white. The lighting device 10 can periodically change the color tone of the emitted light. For example, in a lighting effect, the lighting device 10 can periodically change the color temperature so as to repeatedly increase or decrease the redness of the emitted light. Furthermore, the lighting device 10 may be able to change the color of the emitted light by changing the wavelength of the emitted light.

[0021] The relationship between the first lighting device 10a, the second lighting device 10b, the third lighting device 10c, the fourth lighting device 10d, and the fifth lighting device 10e from one side of the multiple lighting devices 10 in Figure 2 and the light irradiation areas A1 to A5 will be described.

[0022] The first lighting device 10a emits light onto a light irradiation area A1 on the irradiation surface of the passage. The second lighting device 10b emits light onto a light irradiation area A2 on the irradiation surface. The third lighting device 10c emits light onto a light irradiation area A3 on the irradiation surface. The fourth lighting device 10d emits light onto a light irradiation area A4 on the irradiation surface. The fifth lighting device 10e emits light onto a light irradiation area A5 on the irradiation surface.

[0023] The light irradiation areas A1 to A5 are different locations on the illumination surface of the passageway. In Fig. 2, the first illumination device 10a, the second illumination device 10b, the third illumination device 10c, the fourth illumination device 10d, and the fifth illumination device 10e are arranged in this order, so the light irradiation areas A1 to A5 are also arranged in this order.

[0024] The lighting control device 2 can individually control each of the multiple lighting devices 10. The lighting control device 2 can also collectively control each of the multiple lighting devices 10. The lighting control device 2 can output control signals to each of the multiple lighting devices 10 to cause each of the multiple lighting devices 10 to illuminate in a predetermined manner, thereby causing each of the multiple lighting devices 10 to illuminate in a predetermined manner in response to the control signals.

[0025] Specifically, the lighting control device 2 includes a control unit 20 .

[0026] The control unit 20 generates a control signal for controlling each of the plurality of lighting devices 10, and outputs the generated control signal to each of the plurality of lighting devices 10. In other words, the control unit 20 outputs a control signal that can control each of the plurality of lighting devices 10 so that light is irradiated onto a plurality of portions of the illumination surface.

[0027] Each control signal is an output signal based on a chromaticity region.

[0028] Specifically, the chromaticity classification is defined in "JIS Z 8110-1995" and indicates a plurality of chromaticities. The chromaticity classification is divided into the following regions: "white," "(greenish) white," "(yellowish) white," "(light) pink," "(purple) white," "(bluish) white," "(light) yellow," "(light) yellow-green," "(light) green," "(light) blue-green," "(light) blue," "(light) blue-purple," "(light) purple," "(purple) pink," "pink," "(orange) pink," "(light) yellow-red," "red," "yellow-red," "yellow," "yellow-green," "green," "blue-green," "blue," "blue-purple," "purple," and "red-purple."

[0029] The chromaticity section includes a first region and a ring-shaped second region representing a plurality of color sections adjacent to the first region. Specifically, the chromaticity section is composed of the first region, the second region, the third region, the fourth region, and the fifth region.

[0030] The first region is a region showing the color division of "white."

[0031] The second region is a ring-shaped region that represents a plurality of color segments adjacent to the first region. Specifically, the second region includes regions of the color segments "(greenish) white," "(yellowish) white," "(light) pink," "(purple) white," and "(bluish) white."

[0032] The third region indicates a color segment adjacent to the second region, and is a ring-shaped region separated from the second region by 5 steps of the MacAdam ellipse. The third region is indicated by annular hatching with diagonal lines sloping upward to the left. Specifically, the third region is a portion of each of the color segments "(light) yellow," "(light) yellow-green," "(light) green," "(light) blue-green," "(light) blue," "(light) blue-purple," "(light) purple," "(purple) pink," "pink," "(orange) pink," and "(light) yellow-red," and is a portion of the region that borders the second region.

[0033] The fourth region is a circular region showing a plurality of color segments adjacent to the third region, excluding the third region. The fourth region is shown with circular hatching sloping upward to the right, excluding the third region (which is shown with circular hatching sloping upward to the left). Specifically, the fourth region includes regions of the color segments "(light) yellow," "(light) yellow-green," "(light) green," "(light) blue-green," "(light) blue," "(light) blue-purple," "(light) purple," "(purple) pink," "pink," "(orange) pink," and "(light) yellow-red."

[0034] The fifth region is a ring-shaped region that represents a plurality of color segments adjacent to the fourth region, specifically, the fifth region includes regions of the color segments "red," "yellow-red," "yellow," "yellow-green," "green," "cyan," "blue," "blue-purple," "purple," and "magenta."

[0035] Each control signal is an output signal that individually changes the color of light from each of the multiple lighting devices 10 in the chromaticity classification, and is a dynamic output signal that changes the light color so that it periodically and continuously moves between chromaticity point A, which is located in a third region that is at least 5 steps of the MacAdam ellipse away from the first and second regions, and chromaticity point B, which is located in a region other than the first and second regions and is at least 13 steps of the MacAdam ellipse away from chromaticity point A. In other words, since each control signal is a dynamic output signal that changes the light color between chromaticity point A and chromaticity point B, each of the multiple lighting devices 10 can emit light that periodically and continuously changes between chromaticity point A and chromaticity point B. Note that the chromaticity points A and B shown in FIG. 5 are merely examples and are not limited to FIG. 5.

[0036] The reason for the definition of "more than 5 steps from a MacAdam ellipse" is that normally, humans can recognize the difference in color if the distance is more than 3 steps from a MacAdam ellipse. However, since there is a manufacturing error in each of the multiple lighting devices 10, the distance is defined as "more than 5 steps from a MacAdam ellipse" in consideration of the manufacturing error.

[0037] Next, the reason for the definition of "13 or more steps from a MacAdam ellipse" will be explained. As shown in Figure 6, humans can recognize the difference in color if there is a distance of 9 or more steps from a MacAdam ellipse at 5700K to 7100K, 8 or more steps from a MacAdam ellipse at 4600K to 5500K, 7 or more steps from a MacAdam ellipse at 3800K to 4500K, 7 or more steps from a MacAdam ellipse at 3250K to 3800K, and 13 or more steps from a MacAdam ellipse at 2600K to 3250K. For this reason, the definition of "13 or more steps from a MacAdam ellipse" was adopted so that humans can recognize the difference in color at any color temperature.

[0038] Furthermore, each control signal is a dynamic output signal that changes the light color so as to periodically and continuously move between a chromaticity point C located within the first, second, and third regions of the chromaticity division and another chromaticity point D located within a region other than the first and second regions of the chromaticity division. In this case, the chromaticity points C and D may be located outside of adjacent regions in the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth regions. That is, each control signal is set so that the region where the chromaticity point C exists is not adjacent to the region where the chromaticity point D exists. Therefore, in the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth regions, the chromaticity points C and D are set to be sandwiched between one or more regions. For example, if the chromaticity point C exists in the first region, the chromaticity point D may exist in the third, fourth, and fifth regions. Furthermore, for example, if the chromaticity point C exists in the second region, the chromaticity point D may exist in the fourth and fifth regions. Furthermore, for example, if chromaticity point C is in the third region, chromaticity point D may be in the fifth region. In this case, chromaticity point C and chromaticity point D can be separated across one or more regions in the direction away from the white point (the direction in which color purity increases), allowing humans to recognize a change in the color of the light. Note that chromaticity points C and D shown in Figure 5 are merely examples and are not limited to Figure 5.

[0039] Furthermore, when a chromaticity point E located in a region other than the first and second regions is located in a third region or a fourth region adjacent to the third region, each control signal may be a dynamic output signal that changes the light color so that the light periodically and continuously moves between the chromaticity point E and another chromaticity point F located in a region opposite the chromaticity point E when the first, second, and third regions are divided into two by a first line connecting the chromaticity point E and the white point in the chromaticity division and a second line that includes the white point and is perpendicular to the first line. The "opposite region" refers to a region that combines a portion of the second region indicated by diagonal hatching in a grid pattern and a portion of the third region adjacent to a portion of the second region indicated by diagonal hatching sloping upward to the left. In this case, the chromaticity points E and F can be separated across one or more regions in the direction away from the white point, allowing humans to perceive a change in the color of the light. It should be noted that the chromaticity points E and F shown in FIG. 7 are merely examples, and are not limited to those shown in FIG.

[0040] 3(a) and 3(b), each control signal can also individually change the light output of each of the plurality of lighting devices 10. In this case, each of the plurality of lighting devices 10 can emit light such that the color of the light changes periodically and continuously and the light output increases and decreases periodically and continuously in response to the control signal.

[0041] 3A and 3B illustrate only the first lighting device 10a and the second lighting device 10b, but this is merely an example. For example, the control signal may be such that the first lighting device 10a, the second lighting device 10b, the third lighting device 10c, the fourth lighting device 10d, and the fifth lighting device 10e emit light of different colors. Furthermore, the first lighting device 10a, the third lighting device 10c, and the fifth lighting device 10e may use the same first control signal, and the second lighting device 10b and the fourth lighting device 10d may use the same second control signal.

[0042] Furthermore, the control unit 20 outputs control signals to the multiple lighting devices 10 to produce two or more light color patterns. That is, the control unit 20 outputs a control signal indicating a light color pattern to the target lighting device 10. For two or more light color patterns, the color of light irradiated onto the irradiation surface may change over time for all light color patterns, or the color of light irradiated onto the irradiation surface may only change over time for one or more light color patterns. Therefore, for example, the color of light irradiated onto the irradiation surface may change over time for one light color pattern, while the color of light irradiated onto the irradiation surface may remain constant for another light color pattern.

[0043] Specifically, when the two or more light color patterns include a first light color pattern and a second light color pattern, the color of light emitted onto the illumination surface by one or more lighting devices 10 set with the first light color pattern is different from the color of light emitted onto the illumination surface by one or more lighting devices 10 set with the second light color pattern. For example, the control unit 20 may output different control signals to the first lighting device 10a, the third lighting device 10c, and the fifth lighting device 10e, and to the second lighting device 10b and the fourth lighting device 10d. In other words, the control unit 20 may output control signals such that the color of light emitted by the first lighting device 10a, the third lighting device 10c, and the fifth lighting device 10e (or the first light color pattern) is different from the color of light emitted by the second lighting device 10b and the fourth lighting device 10d (or the second light color pattern). In this case, the control unit 20 may control the first lighting device 10a, the third lighting device 10c, and the fifth lighting device 10e so that the colors of the lights emitted by them change periodically in unison.

[0044] When the first light color pattern and the second light color pattern are different, it means, for example, that the first light color pattern has chromaticity point A or B, and the second light color pattern has chromaticity point B or A. When a person visually compares the light of the first light color pattern with the light of the second light color pattern, they can recognize the difference in color.

[0045] Furthermore, the control unit 20 can set a predetermined regularity for the plurality of lighting devices 10 that execute two or more types of light color patterns. The predetermined regularity is, for example, a regularity based on a sequence such as an arithmetic progression, a geometric progression, a difference progression, or a Fibonacci sequence. For example, when the plurality of lighting devices 10 are arranged in one or more rows, the predetermined regularity is applied to this arrangement. The predetermined regularity shown in FIG. 4 is a regularity based on an arithmetic progression.

[0046] Furthermore, the control unit 20 can change the light color pattern set in each of the plurality of lighting devices 10 to another light color pattern. That is, the control unit 20 may automatically change the light color pattern to another light color pattern, or the control unit 20 may change the light color pattern to another light color pattern in response to a human operation instruction via the input unit.

[0047] Furthermore, when the control unit 20 sets two or more types of light color patterns for the plurality of lighting devices 10, the control unit 20 sets the same number of lighting devices 10 that emit light for each type of light color pattern. For example, when the control unit 20 sets two types of light color patterns for the first lighting device 10a, the second lighting device 10b, the third lighting device 10c, and the fourth lighting device 10d, the control unit 20 may set two of the first lighting device 10a and the third lighting device 10c to the first light color pattern and two of the second lighting device 10b and the fourth lighting device 10d to the second light color pattern.

[0048] Furthermore, when the control unit 20 sets two or more types of light color patterns for a plurality of lighting devices 10, the control unit 20 sets the types of light color patterns so that the difference in the number of lighting devices 10 for each type of light color pattern is no greater than 1. For example, when the control unit 20 sets two types of light color patterns for the first lighting device 10a, the second lighting device 10b, the third lighting device 10c, the fourth lighting device 10d, and the fifth lighting device 10e, the control unit 20 may set three lighting devices, the first lighting device 10a, the third lighting device 10c, and the fifth lighting device 10e, to the first light color pattern, and two lighting devices, the second lighting device 10b and the fourth lighting device 10d, to the second light color pattern.

[0049] The number of types of light color patterns is merely an example and is not limited to this. Furthermore, the lighting device 10 that sets the light color patterns is also merely an example and is not limited to this.

[0050] As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, at least two of the phases of the control signals output to the plurality of lighting devices 10 are different from each other.

[0051] Specifically, the control unit 20 transmits control signals with different phases to each of the first lighting device 10a and the second lighting device 10b. That is, the control unit 20 transmits control signals with different phases to each of the first lighting device 10a and the second lighting device 10b, as shown by the solid line and the dashed line in Fig. 3(b) . As a result, as shown in Fig. 3(b) , the output waveform of the light emitted by the first lighting device 10a and the output waveform of the light emitted by the second lighting device 10b are out of phase.

[0052] Furthermore, the cycles of the control signals output to the first lighting device 10a and the second lighting device 10b may be different, i.e., the control signals may be output to the first lighting device 10a and the second lighting device 10b at different cycles.

[0053] The control signal may also be a dynamic output signal consisting of a signal with a waveform that increases only once per cycle and a signal with a waveform that decreases only once per cycle. Therefore, the light emitted by each of the multiple lighting devices 10 per cycle also consists of light whose output increases only once and light whose output decreases only once. Note that the control signal may also include a signal that turns the output of the lighting device 10 ON or OFF.

[0054] The control signals shown in (a) and (b) of FIG. 3 are merely examples, and the control signals are not limited to those shown in FIG.

[0055] The control unit 20 outputs a control signal to each of the plurality of lighting devices 10, which can control each of the plurality of lighting devices 10 that emit light so that light is irradiated onto different areas of the illumination surface of the passageway.

[0056] Specifically, when the first lighting device 10a and the second lighting device 10b are arranged in this order along a passageway from one side to the other side as the plurality of lighting devices 10, for example, the control unit 20 outputs different control signals to the first lighting device 10a and the second lighting device 10b. More specifically, the control unit 20 outputs control signals to each of the first lighting device 10a and the second lighting device 10b to make the color of light emitted by the first lighting device 10a and the color of light emitted by the second lighting device 10b different. The first lighting device 10a emits light of a different color from that of the second lighting device 10b. As a result, the color of light on the surface illuminated with the light emitted by the first lighting device 10a differs from the color of light on the surface illuminated with the light emitted by the second lighting device 10b. The light-irradiated area A1 of the irradiated surface irradiated with the light emitted by the first lighting device 10a and the light-irradiated area A2 of the irradiated surface irradiated with the light emitted by the second lighting device 10b have different light colors, so the colors appear different on one side of the corridor and the other side.

[0057] The power supply unit 30 has a function of supplying power to the multiple lighting devices 10 and the lighting control device 2. The power supply unit 30 is, for example, a power supply circuit in which multiple electronic components are mounted on a printed circuit board. The power supply unit 30 generates, for example, drive power for causing each of the multiple light sources 11 to emit light. Specifically, the power supply unit 30 generates drive power for causing the light sources 11 to emit light and supplies this drive power to each of the light sources 11. In other words, the power supply unit 30 converts commercial AC power into DC power and supplies this DC power to each of the light sources 11 as drive power for causing the light sources 11 to emit light. This causes the light sources 11 to emit light.

[0058] Next, the transition of light irradiated onto the irradiation surface will be described with reference to FIG.

[0059] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a case where a plurality of lighting devices 10 each irradiate an irradiation surface with light, and the color of part of the light irradiated onto the irradiation surface changes.

[0060] 8 illustrates a lighting control system 1 in which five lighting devices 10 are lined up along a corridor and emit light in a regular sequence of light colors. In this example, the first lighting device 10a, the third lighting device 10c, and the fifth lighting device 10e have varying light color patterns, while the second lighting device 10b and the fourth lighting device 10d have a constant light color pattern. In other words, the chromaticity is constant in the light irradiation areas A2 and A4.

[0061] 8, the first lighting device 10a, the third lighting device 10c, and the fifth lighting device 10e irradiate the light irradiation areas A1, A3, and A5 with light of a different color from the light irradiated by the second lighting device 10b and the fourth lighting device 10d. The chromaticity of the light irradiation areas A1, A3, and A5 is different from that of the light irradiation areas A2 and A4, and the chromaticity shifts from bluish to yellowish.

[0062] 8, the first illumination device 10a, the third illumination device 10c, and the fifth illumination device 10e irradiate the light irradiation areas A1, A3, and A5 with light so that the chromaticity becomes even more yellowish than in the first stage. The chromaticity of the light irradiation areas A1, A3, and A5 differs from that of the light irradiation areas A2 and A4, and the chromaticity shifts from bluish to more yellowish than in the first stage.

[0063] 8, the first illumination device 10a, the third illumination device 10c, and the fifth illumination device 10e irradiate the light irradiation areas A1, A3, and A5 with light so that the chromaticity becomes even more yellowish than in the second stage. The chromaticity of the light irradiation areas A1, A3, and A5 differs from that of the light irradiation areas A2 and A4, and the chromaticity becomes even more yellowish than in the second stage.

[0064] 8, for example, the first lighting device 10a, the third lighting device 10c, and the fifth lighting device 10e irradiate the light irradiation areas A1, A3, and A5 with light of a different color from the light irradiated by the second lighting device 10b and the fourth lighting device 10d. The chromaticity of the light irradiation areas A1, A3, and A5 is different from that of the light irradiation areas A2 and A4, and the chromaticity shifts from yellowish to bluish.

[0065] Similarly, the colors of the light emitted by the first lighting device 10a, the third lighting device 10c, and the fifth lighting device 10e are repeatedly changed.

[0066] In this way, the control unit 20 can set a predetermined regularity for the plurality of lighting devices 10 that execute two or more types of light color patterns. As a result, the chromaticity of the light irradiation areas A1 to A5 can be changed by emitting light of a light color pattern that conforms to the predetermined regularity in the plurality of lighting devices 10. Furthermore, the predetermined regularity is a regularity based on a sequence such as an arithmetic progression, a geometric progression, a difference progression, or a Fibonacci sequence. The predetermined regularity is a regularity based on an arithmetic progression.

[0067] Although the present embodiment illustrates an example in which the color changes from blue to yellow, the present invention is not limited to this. The color may also change from yellow to blue. Furthermore, the color of light from each of the plurality of lighting devices 10 may change along a line connecting two predetermined points in the chromaticity division.

[0068] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the case where chromaticity is changed has been described with reference to FIG. 4, but the control unit 20 can also change the output of light emitted by each of the plurality of lighting devices 10.

[0069] <Operational Effects> Next, operational effects of the lighting control system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described.

[0070] The lighting control system 1 according to technique 1 of the present embodiment includes a plurality of lighting devices 10 and a control unit 20 that generates and transmits control signals for the lighting devices 10. The control unit 20 outputs control signals that can control each of the plurality of lighting devices 10 so that light is irradiated onto a plurality of portions of an illumination surface. Each control signal is an output signal that individually changes the color of light emitted by each of the plurality of lighting devices 10 in a chromaticity range defined in "JIS Z 8110-1995" and including a first range indicating the "white" color range and an annular second range indicating a plurality of color ranges adjacent to the first range. When changing the color of light emitted by each of the plurality of lighting devices 10, the output signal is a dynamic output signal that periodically and continuously changes the light color between a chromaticity point A located in a third range that is at least 5 MacAdam ellipse steps away from the first and second ranges, and a chromaticity point B located in a range other than the first and second ranges and at least 13 MacAdam ellipse steps away from the chromaticity point A.

[0071] For example, it is known that on an xy chromaticity diagram, the saturation increases as one moves radially away from the white point. In this embodiment, the first region of "white" and the region adjacent to the first region, i.e., the second region equivalent to "white," have low saturation, while the fourth and fifth regions, which are farther away from the first region, have gradually higher saturation. Therefore, when comparing the first and second regions with the fourth and fifth regions, the saturation differs, making it easier for people to recognize the color difference.

[0072] In this embodiment, chromaticity point A in the first, second, and third regions is separated from chromaticity point B in the fourth and fifth regions by 13 or more MacAdam ellipses, so that people can recognize a change in the color of light even if chromaticity point A and chromaticity point B are both in region 3. Therefore, by people recognizing a change in the color of light, it is possible to stimulate people's emotions regarding eye-catching and inviting properties.

[0073] Therefore, the lighting control system 1 can increase the eye-catching and guiding characteristics of people by changing the color of light. As a result, the lighting control system 1 can achieve affordance lighting.

[0074] Furthermore, lighting control system 1 according to technique 2 of the present embodiment includes a plurality of lighting devices 10 and a control unit 20 that generates and transmits control signals for lighting devices 10. Furthermore, control unit 20 outputs control signals that can control each of the plurality of lighting devices 10 so that light is irradiated onto a plurality of portions of an illumination surface. Each control signal is a dynamic output signal that changes light color periodically and continuously between a chromaticity point C located within the first, second, and third regions in the chromaticity division, and another chromaticity point D located within a region other than the first and second regions in the chromaticity division, in a chromaticity division defined in "JIS Z 8110-1995" and consisting of a first region indicating the "white" color division, a ring-shaped second region indicating multiple color divisions adjacent to the first region, a ring-shaped third region indicating the color division adjacent to the second region and separated from the second region by five MacAdam ellipses, a ring-shaped fourth region indicating multiple color divisions adjacent to the third region, and a ring-shaped fifth region indicating multiple color divisions adjacent to the fourth region. Chromaticity points C and D are located outside the regions adjacent to each other in the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth regions.

[0075] According to this, the color of light irradiated onto the illumination surface by each of the multiple lighting devices 10 changes between chromaticity point C and chromaticity point D across one or more regions, so the distance between chromaticity point C and chromaticity point D can be increased compared to, for example, a case where chromaticity points are set in each of two adjacent regions. This allows people to recognize the change in the color of the light. Therefore, by people recognizing the change in the color of the light, it is possible to stimulate people's emotions in terms of attention and guidance.

[0076] Therefore, the lighting control system 1 can increase the eye-catching and guiding characteristics of people by changing the color of light. As a result, the lighting control system 1 can achieve affordance lighting.

[0077] Furthermore, the lighting control system 1 according to Technology 3 of this embodiment is the lighting control system 1 described in Technology 1 or Technology 2. In this case, when a chromaticity point E located in a region other than the first region and the second region is located in the third region or a fourth region that is a region adjacent to the third region, when a first line connecting the chromaticity point E and a white point in the chromaticity division and a second line including the white point and perpendicular to the first line are defined, the output signal is a dynamic output signal that changes light color so as to move periodically and continuously between the chromaticity point E and another chromaticity point F located in a region on the opposite side to the chromaticity point E when the first region, the second region, and the third region are divided into two by the second line.

[0078] This allows the chromaticity point E and the chromaticity point F to be set across one or more regions, so the distance between the chromaticity point E and the chromaticity point F can be made greater than when, for example, chromaticity points are set in each of two adjacent regions. Because the color of light irradiated onto the illumination surface by each of the multiple lighting devices 10 changes between the chromaticity point E and the chromaticity point F, people can more easily recognize the change in the color of the light. Therefore, by people being able to recognize the change in the color of the light, it is possible to further influence people's emotions in terms of attention and guidance.

[0079] Furthermore, the lighting control system 1 according to Technique 4 of the present embodiment is the lighting control system 1 according to any one of Techniques 1 to 3. In this case, the control signal includes an output signal that individually changes the light output of each of the plurality of lighting devices 10.

[0080] This allows the light output of the multiple lighting devices 10 to be changed over time, so that the light output and light color can be changed individually. This makes it easier for people to recognize changes in the light irradiated onto the illuminated surface. As a result, people are motivated to move, wander, or stay in place in response to these changes.

[0081] Furthermore, the lighting control system 1 according to Technique 5 of the present embodiment is the lighting control system 1 according to any one of Techniques 1 to 4. In this case, at least two of the phases of the control signals output to the plurality of lighting devices 10 are different from each other.

[0082] For example, in Fig. 8, it is possible to create a lighting effect in which light flows from one side to the other, or from the other side to the other, which is expected to encourage people to wander around in a specific area or to guide people.

[0083] Furthermore, each lighting device 10 emits dynamic light that repeatedly increases and decreases in a predetermined cycle so that the light output and color of the light change based on the control signal. Therefore, the light output and color of the light are repeatedly increased and decreased on the illuminated surface in a predetermined cycle. This is expected to draw people's attention to the light illuminated on the illuminated surface, thereby increasing the light's visibility and inviting properties.

[0084] Furthermore, the lighting control system 1 according to Technique 6 of the present embodiment is the lighting control system 1 according to any one of Techniques 1 to 5. In this case, the control unit 20 can change the light color pattern set for each of the plurality of lighting devices 10 to another light color pattern.

[0085] This allows the light color pattern to be changed depending on the purpose of the lighting effect, which is expected to attract people, encourage them to move around, or disperse them.

[0086] (Other Modifications, etc.) The present disclosure has been described above based on the embodiments, but the present disclosure is not limited to these embodiments, etc.

[0087] For example, the control units included in the lighting control system of the present embodiment are typically realized as LSIs, which are integrated circuits. These may be implemented as individual chips, or some or all of them may be integrated into a single chip.

[0088] Furthermore, the integrated circuit is not limited to an LSI, but may be realized by a dedicated circuit or a general-purpose processor. An FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) that can be programmed after the LSI is manufactured, or a reconfigurable processor that can reconfigure the connections and settings of circuit cells within the LSI may also be used.

[0089] In the above-described embodiments, each component may be configured with dedicated hardware, or may be realized by executing a software program suitable for that 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.

[0090] Furthermore, all of the numbers used above are examples for specifically explaining the present disclosure, and the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to the numbers shown as examples.

[0091] 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 in time-sharing by a single piece of hardware or software.

[0092] In addition, this disclosure also includes forms obtained by applying various modifications to the embodiments that a person skilled in the art would think of, and forms realized by arbitrarily combining the components and functions of the embodiments within the scope that does not deviate from the intent of this disclosure.

[0093] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Illumination control system 10 Illumination device (light source unit) 10a First illumination device (light source unit) 10b Second illumination device (light source unit) 10c Third illumination device (light source unit) 10d Fourth illumination device (light source unit) 10e Fifth illumination device (light source unit) 20 Control unit

Claims

1. A lighting control system comprising: a plurality of light source units; and a control unit which generates and transmits control signals for the light source units, wherein the control unit outputs a control signal capable of controlling each of the plurality of light source units so that light is irradiated onto a plurality of portions of an irradiation surface, wherein each of the control signals is an output signal which individually changes the color of light of each of the plurality of light source units in a chromaticity range defined in "JIS Z 8110-1995" and including a first region which indicates the color range of "white" and a ring-shaped second region which indicates a plurality of color ranges adjacent to the first region, and wherein, when changing the color of light emitted by each of the plurality of light source units, the output signal is a dynamic output signal which changes the light color so as to periodically and continuously move between a chromaticity point A located in a third region which is 5 steps or more of a MacAdam ellipse away from the first and second regions, and a chromaticity point B which is in a region other than the first and second regions and is 13 steps or more of a MacAdam ellipse away from the chromaticity point A.

2. A light source device comprising: a plurality of light source units; and a control unit which generates and transmits control signals for the light source units; the control unit outputs a control signal capable of controlling each of the plurality of light source units so that light is irradiated to a plurality of portions of an irradiation surface; each of the control signals being a dynamic output signal which changes the light color so as to periodically and continuously move between a chromaticity point C located within the first region, the second region and the third region, and another chromaticity point D located within a region other than the first region and the second region in the chromaticity division, in a chromaticity division which is defined in "JIS Z 8110-1995" and is composed of a first region which indicates the "white" color division, a ring-shaped second region which indicates the plurality of color divisions adjacent to the first region, a ring-shaped third region which indicates the color division adjacent to the second region and is a ring-shaped region 5-steps away from the second region by a MacAdam ellipse, a ring-shaped fourth region which indicates the plurality of color divisions adjacent to the third region, and a ring-shaped fifth region which indicates the plurality of color divisions adjacent to the fourth region; The chromaticity point C and the chromaticity point D are located outside adjacent regions in the first region, the second region, the third region, the fourth region, and the fifth region.

3. A lighting control system as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein when a chromaticity point E located in a region other than the first region and the second region is present in the third region or a fourth region which is an region adjacent to the third region, and a first line connecting the chromaticity point E and a white point in the chromaticity division and a second line including the white point and perpendicular to the first line are defined, the output signal is a dynamic output signal in which the light color changes so as to move periodically and continuously between the chromaticity point E and another chromaticity point F located in the region opposite the chromaticity point E side when the first region, the second region and the third region are divided in half by the second line.

4. The lighting control system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control signal includes an output signal for individually changing the light output of each of the plurality of light source sections.

5. The lighting control system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least two of the control signals output to the plurality of light source sections have different phases.

6. A lighting control system as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the control unit is capable of changing the light color pattern set for each of the plurality of light source units to another light color pattern.

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