Lighting system, lighting method, and program

Abstract

This lighting system (10) comprises: an acquisition unit (45) that acquires illuminance information indicating illuminance at a second position sensed by an illuminance sensor (30) installed at the second position in an indoor space; an estimation unit (46) that estimates the intensity of external light incident on the indoor space (70) on the basis of the acquired illuminance information, and estimates the illuminance at a first position of the indoor space (70) on the basis of the estimated intensity of the external light, the dimming rate of a lighting fixture (20), and degree of influence information; and a control unit (47) that controls the dimming rate of the lighting fixture (20) so that the estimated illuminance falls within the target range.

Description

Illumination system, illumination method, and program

[0001] The present invention relates to a lighting system, a lighting method, and a program.

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a lighting control system that can keep the actual brightness in the detection range of an illuminance sensor constant even under conditions where daylight is incident.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2019-200938

[0004] The present invention provides a lighting system and the like that can adjust the illuminance within a target range in a location where an illuminance sensor is not installed in an indoor space where external light (daylight) enters.

[0005] A lighting system according to one aspect of the present invention includes a memory unit that stores influence information indicating the influence of light emitted by lighting fixtures installed in a first position in the indoor space and external light entering the indoor space through an opening in the indoor space on the illuminance at the first position in the indoor space; an acquisition unit that acquires illuminance information indicating the illuminance at the second position sensed by an illuminance sensor installed at a second position in the indoor space; an estimation unit that estimates the intensity of external light entering the indoor space based on the acquired illuminance information, and estimates the illuminance at the first position based on the estimated intensity of external light, the dimming rate of the lighting fixtures, and the influence information; and a control unit that controls the dimming rate of the lighting fixtures so that the estimated illuminance is within a target range.

[0006] A lighting method according to one aspect of the present invention is a lighting method executed by a computer that can access a memory unit, wherein the memory unit stores influence information indicating the influence of light emitted by a lighting fixture installed in the indoor space and external light entering the indoor space through an opening in the indoor space on the illuminance at a first position in the indoor space, and the lighting method includes an acquisition step of acquiring illuminance information indicating the illuminance at the second position sensed by an illuminance sensor installed at a second position in the indoor space; an estimation step of estimating the intensity of external light entering the indoor space based on the acquired illuminance information, and estimating the illuminance at the first position based on the estimated intensity of external light, the dimming rate of the lighting fixture, and the influence information; and a control step of controlling the dimming rate of the lighting fixture so that the estimated illuminance is within a target range.

[0007] A program according to one aspect of the present invention is a program for causing the computer to execute the lighting method.

[0008] The lighting system etc. of the present invention can adjust the illuminance within a target range in a place where no illuminance sensor is installed in an indoor space where external light enters.

[0009] Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a lighting system according to an embodiment, Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of installation of a plurality of illuminance sensors, and Fig. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of operation of the lighting system according to an embodiment.

[0010] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiments described below are all comprehensive or specific examples. The numerical values, shapes, materials, components, component placement and connection forms, steps, and step order shown in the following embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the present invention. Furthermore, among the components in the following embodiments, components not recited in independent claims will be described as optional components.

[0011] It should be noted that the drawings are schematic diagrams and are not necessarily strict illustrations. In addition, in the drawings, substantially the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and overlapping descriptions may be omitted or simplified.

[0012] (Embodiment) [Configuration] First, the configuration of a lighting system according to an embodiment will be described. Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a lighting system according to an embodiment.

[0013] The lighting system 10 is a system that can adjust the illuminance in a location in an indoor space 70 where no illuminance sensor 30 is installed to a target range while taking into account the influence of external light (daylight). As will be described later, the lighting system 10 can adjust the illuminance in a location where no illuminance sensor 30 is installed using a relatively small number of illuminance sensors 30. In other words, the lighting system 10 can be said to be a low-cost system that requires a small number of illuminance sensors 30.

[0014] 1 , lighting system 10 includes a plurality of lighting fixtures 20, a plurality of illuminance sensors 30, a lighting control device 40, an information terminal 50, and a server device 60. The plurality of lighting fixtures 20, the plurality of illuminance sensors 30, the lighting control device 40, and the information terminal 50 are installed, for example, in an indoor space 70 or near the indoor space 70.

[0015] The lighting fixture 20 is a base light or the like that is installed on the ceiling of the indoor space 70 and illuminates the indoor space. The type of the lighting fixture 20 is not particularly limited, and it may be a ceiling light, a downlight, a spotlight, or the like. Note that the lighting system 10 is only required to include at least one lighting fixture 20.

[0016] Indoor space 70 is divided into multiple areas, and at least one lighting fixture 20 is installed in each of the multiple areas. For ease of explanation, in the following description, one lighting fixture 20 is installed in one area, and the term "multiple lighting fixtures 20" refers to multiple lighting fixtures 20 installed in different areas. Note that when two or more lighting fixtures 20 are installed in the same area, the two or more lighting fixtures 20 are controlled to emit light at the same dimming rate.

[0017] The illuminance sensor 30 is installed on the ceiling or wall of the indoor space 70 and senses the illuminance (brightness) in the indoor space 70. The illuminance sensor 30 also transmits illuminance information indicating the illuminance sensing result to the lighting control device 40. It is sufficient that the lighting system 10 includes at least one illuminance sensor 30.

[0018] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of installation of a plurality of illuminance sensors 30, and is a diagram showing a top view (floor plan) of an indoor space 70.

[0019] The illuminance sensor 30 is installed, for example, corresponding to an opening 71 in the indoor space 70. The opening 71 here refers to a location where external light enters the indoor space 70, such as a window. In the example of FIG. 2 , three illuminance sensors 30 are installed on the ceiling near a wall having three openings 71, corresponding to the wall. If the indoor space 70 has three separate openings 71, it is preferable that at least one illuminance sensor 30 be installed in each of the openings 71 to sense the influence of external light. In other words, if the indoor space 70 has three separate openings 71, it is preferable that at least three illuminance sensors 30 be installed. Note that the illuminance sensors 30 are installed approximately 2 to 5 m away from the openings 71 to prevent excessive output fluctuations due to external light.

[0020] Furthermore, since illuminance sensor 30 is also a sensor for sensing the effect of light emitted by lighting fixture 20, it may be installed in a location where there is no opening 71. In the example of Fig. 2, one illuminance sensor 30 is installed on the ceiling near a wall that does not have opening 71.

[0021] Lighting control device 40 receives the illuminance information transmitted by illuminance sensor 30 and controls multiple lighting devices 20 based on the received illuminance information. Lighting control device 40 includes a first communication unit 41, an information processing unit 42, a storage unit 43, and a second communication unit 44.

[0022] First communication unit 41 is a communication circuit that enables lighting control device 40 to communicate with multiple lighting fixtures 20 and multiple illuminance sensors 30 via a local communication network. First communication unit 41 is, for example, a wireless communication circuit that performs wireless communication, but may also be a wired communication circuit that performs wired communication. There are no particular limitations on the communication standard used for communication by first communication unit 41.

[0023] The information processing unit 42 performs information processing to control the plurality of lighting devices 20 based on the illuminance information. The information processing unit 42 is realized, for example, by a microcomputer, but may also be realized by a processor. The information processing unit 42 has, as functional components, an acquisition unit 45, an estimation unit 46, and a control unit 47. The functions of the acquisition unit 45, the estimation unit 46, and the control unit 47 are realized, for example, by the microcomputer or processor constituting the information processing unit 42 executing a computer program stored in the storage unit 43.

[0024] The storage unit 43 is a storage device that stores information necessary for the above-described information processing. The information necessary for the information processing includes, for example, a computer program executed by the information processing unit 42. The information necessary for the information processing also includes influence information for estimating the illuminance at a location where the illuminance sensor 30 is not installed. The storage unit 43 is realized by, for example, a semiconductor memory. Details of the influence information will be described later.

[0025] The second communication unit 44 is a communication circuit that enables the lighting control device 40 to communicate with the server device 60 and the like via the wide area communication network 80. The second communication unit 44 is, for example, a wireless communication circuit that performs wireless communication, but may also be a wired communication circuit that performs wired communication. There are no particular limitations on the communication standard used for communication by the second communication unit 44.

[0026] The information terminal 50 is an information terminal that allows a designer of the lighting system 10 or the like to simulate the illuminance in the indoor space 70. The information terminal 50 is, for example, a portable information terminal such as a notebook personal computer, but may also be a stationary information terminal. The information terminal 50 may also be an information terminal that can be operated remotely. The information terminal 50 includes an operation receiving unit 51, a display unit 52, an information processing unit 53, a storage unit 54, and a communication unit 55.

[0027] The operation reception unit 51 receives operations from a designer, etc. The operation reception unit 51 is realized by, for example, a mouse or a keyboard, but may also be realized by a touch panel.

[0028] The display unit 52 displays an image and is realized by a display panel such as a liquid crystal panel or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) panel.

[0029] The information processing unit 53 performs processing such as displaying an image on the display unit 52 in response to an input received by the operation receiving unit 51. The information processing unit 53 is realized, for example, by a microcomputer, but may also be realized by a processor. The information processing unit 53 includes a calculation unit 56 as a functional component. The function of the calculation unit 56 is realized, for example, by the microcomputer or processor constituting the information processing unit 53 executing a computer program stored in the storage unit 54.

[0030] The storage unit 54 is a storage device that stores computer programs and the like executed by the information processing unit 53. The computer programs stored in the storage unit 54 include an application program for simulating the illuminance of the indoor space 70. The storage unit 54 is realized by, for example, a semiconductor memory.

[0031] The communication unit 55 is a communication circuit (communication module) that enables the information terminal 50 to communicate with the server device 60 via the wide area communication network 80. The communication unit 55 is, for example, a wireless communication circuit that performs wireless communication, but may also be a wired communication circuit that performs wired communication. There are no particular limitations on the communication standard of the communication performed by the communication unit 55.

[0032] The server device 60 is a cloud server installed outside the indoor space 70. The lighting control device 40 communicates with the server device 60 as necessary to perform processes that require cooperation with the server device 60, as will be described in the following operation examples. Note that it is not essential for the lighting system 10 to include the server device 60.

[0033] [Influence Information] A designer or the like of lighting system 10 uses information terminal 50 to perform a simulation of the illuminance of indoor space 70 in advance and create influence information. If a position in indoor space 70 where the illuminance is to be adjusted to be within a target range but where no illuminance sensor 30 is installed is defined as a first position, the influence information is information that indicates the influence of light emitted by multiple lighting fixtures 20 installed in indoor space 70 and external light entering indoor space 70 through openings 71 in indoor space 70 on the illuminance at the first position.

[0034] A method for creating the impact information will be described below. A designer or the like inputs information required for the simulation into the information terminal 50 by performing a predetermined first operation on the operation reception unit 51 of the information terminal 50. The information required for the simulation includes map information (floor plan information, such as FIG. 2 ) indicating the shape and size of the interior space 70, information indicating the installation positions of the plurality of lighting fixtures 20, information indicating the positions of one or more openings 71, information indicating the above-mentioned first positions, and information indicating the installation positions of the plurality of illuminance sensors 30. Hereinafter, the installation positions of the plurality of illuminance sensors 30 will also be referred to as second positions.

[0035] The simulation is performed assuming that a pseudo light-emitting body with a controllable dimming rate is installed at the position of the opening 71. In other words, in the simulation, the light emitted by the pseudo light-emitting body is considered to be external light.

[0036] Assuming that there are n first positions, m lighting fixtures 20 installed, and p pseudo-light-emitting bodies (openings 71), the calculation unit 56 simulates the illuminance at each of the n first positions when the dimming rates of the m lighting fixtures 20 and the dimming rates of the p pseudo-light-emitting bodies are varied, and calculates influence information (a group of coefficients that can be expressed as a matrix, for example) that indicates the relationship between the illuminance at each of the n first positions and the dimming rates of the m lighting fixtures 20 and the p pseudo-light-emitting bodies based on the simulation results. The influence information is information that indicates, using coefficients, the degree of influence on the illuminance at the first position i when the dimming rate of the lighting fixture 20 changes by a unit dimming rate, and the degree of influence on the illuminance at the first position when the dimming rate of the pseudo-light-emitting body changes by a unit dimming rate. The influence information can also be considered a transfer function of light (luminous flux).

[0037] Calculation unit 56 also performs a similar simulation at a second position where illuminance sensor 30 is installed, rather than at the first position. When there are q second positions (illuminance sensors 30), calculation unit 56 simulates the illuminance at each of the q second positions when the dimming rates of m lighting fixtures 20 and the dimming rates of p pseudo light-emitting elements are varied, and can calculate, based on the simulation results, estimation information (a group of coefficients that can be expressed as a matrix or the like) indicating the relationship between the illuminance at each of the q second positions and the dimming rates of m lighting fixtures 20 and the dimming rates of p pseudo light-emitting elements.

[0038] The influence information and the estimation information may be generated by actually measuring the illuminance in the indoor space 70 instead of by simulation. When actually measuring the illuminance, a method may be used in which an image (photograph) of the indoor space 70 is taken using a camera and the taken image is subjected to image processing to estimate the luminance distribution and the illuminance distribution in the indoor space 70. The influence information and the estimation information may also be generated by using a combination of simulation and actual measurement.

[0039] [Operation Example] Next, a description will be given of an operation example of the lighting system 10. FIG.

[0040] First, the impact information, estimation information, and setting information are stored in the storage unit 43 of the lighting control device 40. The impact information, estimation information, and setting information are transmitted to the lighting control device 40 from the information terminal 50, for example, and stored in the storage unit 43 (S11). The impact information, estimation information, and setting information may be stored in the storage unit 43 by manual input based on an operation on a user interface (not shown) provided in the lighting control device 40, or may be stored (copied) in the storage unit 43 by connecting a portable recording medium such as a USB memory to the lighting control device 40.

[0041] The setting information will now be described. Specifically, the setting information is setting information related to the control of the plurality of lighting fixtures 20. The setting information specifies the target range of illuminance at each first position, constraints on the control of the plurality of lighting fixtures 20, upper and lower limits of the dimming rates of the lighting fixtures 20 in the control, and the like. The setting information is specified, for example, by a designer of lighting system 10 or a user of indoor space 70. Note that it is not necessary for the setting information to include all of this information; it is sufficient if the setting information includes necessary information as appropriate.

[0042] Next, the acquisition unit 45 acquires (receives) illuminance information indicating the illuminance at the second position where the illuminance sensor 30 is installed from each of the multiple illuminance sensors 30 via the first communication unit 41 (S12).

[0043] The estimation unit 46 estimates the intensity of external light entering the indoor space 70 based on the acquired illuminance information and Calculation Formula 2 determined by the estimation information (S13). The intensity of external light entering the indoor space 70 is expressed by the dimming rate of the pseudo-light-emitting element, and the estimation unit 46 estimates (calculates) the dimming rate of the pseudo-light-emitting element by substituting the illuminance indicated by the illuminance information acquired in step S12 into Calculation Formula 2. In other words, the estimation unit 46 can estimate the intensity of external light based on the illuminance indicated by the illuminance information acquired in step S12 and the estimation information stored in the storage unit 43.

[0044] Estimation unit 46 then estimates the illuminance at each of the first locations based on the current dimming rates of lighting devices 20 managed in storage unit 43 of lighting control device 40, the external light intensity estimated in step S13, and Equation 1 determined by the influence information (S14). Estimation unit 46 can estimate the illuminance at each of the first locations by substituting the current dimming rates of lighting devices 20 and the external light intensity estimated in step S13 into Equation 1.

[0045] Next, the control unit 47 determines whether all of the illuminances estimated in step S14 are within a target range defined in the setting information (S15). The target range is defined, for example, as within ±3% of 750 lx as a median value, or within ±1% of 500 lx as a median value.

[0046] If it is determined that the illuminance estimated in step S14 is within the target range specified in the setting information (Yes in S15), the dimming rate of the plurality of lighting devices 20 is not controlled, and the processing of step S12 is performed again after a predetermined time has elapsed.

[0047] On the other hand, if control unit 47 determines that at least one of the illuminances estimated in step S14 is outside the target range specified in the setting information (No in S15), control unit 47 controls the dimming rate of at least one of the plurality of lighting devices 20 so that all of the illuminances estimated in step S14 are within the target range (S16). Thereafter, the process of step S12 is performed again after a predetermined time has elapsed.

[0048] In step S16, control unit 47 calculates (searches for) a dimming rate that brings all illuminances at the first position into the target range, for example, by varying the dimming rate in Equation 1 into which the intensity of external light estimated in step S13 is substituted, within a range that does not exceed an upper limit value specified in the setting information and does not fall below a lower limit value specified in the setting information. Control unit 47 communicates with multiple lighting devices 20 using first communication unit 41, thereby controlling the dimming rates of multiple lighting devices 20 to the calculated dimming rates.

[0049] The upper limit is, for example, 100%, and the lower limit is, for example, 5%, but are not particularly limited. Setting an upper limit makes it possible to deal with cases where, due to a lighting design error, the dimming rate of lighting device 20 must be set to a value exceeding the upper limit to keep the illuminance within the target range. By not setting the lower limit to 0%, lighting device 20 that is currently on is turned off, which prevents discomfort to the user.

[0050] If the setting information specifies constraints on the control of lighting device 20, control unit 47 calculates a dimming rate that satisfies the constraints specified in the setting information and ensures that all illuminance at the first position is within the target range.

[0051] The constraint may be, for example, that if any lighting fixture 20 is turned off (dimming rate 0%), that lighting fixture 20 is not turned on (is excluded from the control targets and maintains a dimming rate of 0%). The constraint may also be that the amount of change in the dimming rate (brightness of the window-side area) of a lighting fixture 20 located closer to the opening 71 is greater than the amount of change in the dimming rate (brightness of other areas) of the other lighting fixtures 20. This allows for emphasis on energy conservation.

[0052] The constraint may be such that the difference in dimming rates between adjacent lighting devices 20 (adjacent areas) is within a threshold, thereby prioritizing user comfort. The constraint may be such that a specific lighting device 20 is excluded from the control targets, or such that the fluctuation in the dimming rate of each of multiple lighting devices 20 is within 5% of the current dimming rate.

[0053] The combinations (patterns) of the dimming rates of the plurality of lighting devices 20 and the dimming rates of one or more pseudo-illuminants used in the simulation to obtain Formula 1 above may be compiled into a database and stored in server device 60. In this case, in step S16, control unit 47 can communicate with server device 60 using second communication unit 44 and refer to the database to calculate (search for) a dimming rate that will bring all of the illuminance at the first position into the target range.

[0054] As described above, lighting system 10 acquires illuminance information indicating the illuminance at a second position sensed by illuminance sensor 30 installed at a second position in indoor space 70, and estimates the intensity of external light entering indoor space 70 based on the acquired illuminance information. Lighting system 10 also estimates the illuminance at a first position where illuminance sensor 30 is not installed based on the estimated external light intensity, the dimming rate of lighting device 20, and the influence information stored in storage unit 43, and controls the dimming rate of lighting device 20 so that the estimated illuminance falls within a target range.

[0055] Such a lighting system 10 can adjust the illuminance in places where no illuminance sensor 30 is installed, and there is no need to install a large number of illuminance sensors 30 in the lighting system 10. In other words, the lighting system 10 can be said to be a low-cost system that requires a small number of illuminance sensors 30.

[0056] [Variations] In the above embodiment, lighting system 10 may control the dimming rates of at least some of the plurality of lighting fixtures 20 so that the horizontal illuminance at the first position (such as ceiling illuminance or desk illuminance) falls within a target range, or may control the dimming rates of at least some of the plurality of lighting fixtures 20 so that the vertical illuminance at the first position (such as facial illuminance) falls within a target range. When illuminance sensor 30 senses horizontal illuminance, if it is desired that the vertical illuminance at the first position fall within a target range, conversion from one of the horizontal illuminance and the vertical illuminance to the other may be performed as needed.

[0057] In the above embodiment, some or all of the processing described as being executed by lighting control device 40 may be executed by server device 60. That is, server device 60 may include some or all of acquisition unit 45, estimation unit 46, and control unit 47. Furthermore, a simulation performed by information terminal 50 may be performed by lighting control device 40 or server device 60. That is, lighting control device 40 or server device 60 may include calculation unit 56.

[0058] [Effects, etc.] Hereinafter, examples of inventions obtained from the disclosure of this specification will be given, and effects, etc. obtained from the inventions will be described.

[0059] Invention 1 is lighting system 10 including: a memory unit 43 that stores influence information indicating the influence of light emitted by lighting fixtures 20 installed in indoor space 70 and external light entering indoor space 70 through openings 71 in indoor space 70 on the illuminance at a first position in indoor space 70; an acquisition unit 45 that acquires illuminance information indicating the illuminance at a second position sensed by an illuminance sensor 30 installed at a second position in indoor space 70; an estimation unit 46 that estimates the intensity of external light entering indoor space 70 based on the acquired illuminance information, and estimates the illuminance at the first position based on the estimated external light intensity, the dimming rate of lighting fixtures 20, and the influence information; and a control unit 47 that controls the dimming rate of lighting fixtures 20 so that the estimated illuminance is within a target range.

[0060] The lighting system 10 can adjust the illuminance at a first position where no illuminance sensor 30 is installed in the indoor space 70 where external light enters, to within a target range.

[0061] Invention 2 is the lighting system 10 of Invention 1, in which the estimation unit 46 considers that external light entering the indoor space 70 is light emitted by a pseudo-illuminant installed in the opening 71, and estimates the dimming rate of the pseudo-illuminant as the intensity of the external light entering the indoor space 70.

[0062] Such a lighting system 10 can estimate the intensity of external light entering the indoor space 70 by considering the external light entering the indoor space 70 to be light emitted by a pseudo-illuminant installed in the opening 71.

[0063] Invention 3 is the lighting system 10 of Invention 2, further comprising a calculation unit 56 that simulates the illuminance at the first position when the dimming rate of the lighting device 20 and the dimming rate of the pseudo-illuminant are varied, and calculates influence information based on the simulation results.

[0064] Such a lighting system 10 can estimate the illuminance at the first position using the influence information calculated by the simulation.

[0065] Invention 4 is lighting system 10 of Invention 3, wherein the influence information indicates, by coefficients, the influence on the illuminance at the first position when the dimming rate of lighting fixture 20 fluctuates by a unit dimming rate and the influence on the illuminance at the first position when the dimming rate of the pseudo-illuminant fluctuates by a unit dimming rate.

[0066] Such a lighting system 10 can estimate the illuminance at the first position using coefficients calculated by simulation.

[0067] Invention 5 is lighting system 10 of any of Inventions 1 to 4, wherein acquisition unit 45 further acquires setting information related to control of lighting device 20, and control unit 47 controls the dimming rate of lighting device 20 based on the acquired setting information so that the estimated illuminance falls within a target range.

[0068] Such a lighting system 10 can control the dimming rate of the lighting fixture 20 based on the setting information.

[0069] Invention 6 is lighting system 10 of Invention 5, in which a plurality of lighting fixtures 20 are installed in indoor space 70, the setting information specifies constraints on control of the dimming rates of the plurality of lighting fixtures 20, and control unit 47 controls the dimming rates of at least some of the plurality of lighting fixtures 20 based on the constraints specified in the acquired setting information so that the estimated illuminance falls within a target range.

[0070] Such a lighting system 10 can adjust the illuminance at the first position to be within a target range by controlling the dimming rates of at least some of the multiple lighting devices 20 within a range that satisfies the constraints specified in the setting information.

[0071] Invention 7 is lighting system 10 of Invention 5 or 6, wherein a target range is defined in the setting information, and control unit 47 controls the dimming rate of lighting device 20 so that the estimated illuminance falls within the target range defined in the acquired setting information.

[0072] Such a lighting system 10 can control the illuminance at the first position to be within a target range defined in the setting information.

[0073] Invention 8 is lighting system 10 of any of Inventions 5 to 7, wherein the setting information specifies an upper limit value for the dimming rate in controlling lighting device 20, and control unit 47 controls the dimming rate of the lighting device within a range that does not exceed the upper limit value specified in the acquired setting information, so that the estimated illuminance falls within a target range.

[0074] Such lighting system 10 can adjust the illuminance at the first position to within a target range by controlling the dimming rates of at least some of the multiple lighting devices 20 within a range that does not exceed an upper limit value.

[0075] Invention 9 is lighting system 10 of any of Inventions 5 to 8, wherein the setting information specifies a lower limit value of the dimming rate for controlling lighting device 20, and control unit 47 controls the dimming rate of lighting device 20 within a range not below the lower limit value specified in the acquired setting information, so that the estimated illuminance falls within a target range.

[0076] Such lighting system 10 can adjust the illuminance at the first position to be within a target range by controlling the dimming ratio of at least some of the multiple lighting devices 20 within a range that does not fall below a lower limit value.

[0077] A tenth invention is the lighting system 10 of any one of the first to ninth inventions, further comprising a lighting fixture 20 and an illuminance sensor 30.

[0078] Such a lighting system 10 can be realized as a system including a lighting fixture 20 and an illuminance sensor 30 .

[0079] Invention 11 is a lighting method executed by a computer that can access a memory unit 43. The memory unit 43 stores influence information indicating the influence of light emitted by lighting fixtures 20 installed in indoor space 70 and external light entering indoor space 70 through openings 71 in indoor space 70 on the illuminance at a first position in indoor space 70. The lighting method includes an acquisition step S12 of acquiring illuminance information indicating the illuminance at a second position sensed by an illuminance sensor 30 installed at a second position in indoor space 70; estimation steps S13 and S14 of estimating the intensity of external light entering indoor space 70 based on the acquired illuminance information, and estimating the illuminance at the first position based on the estimated external light intensity, the dimming rate of lighting fixtures 20, and the influence information; and a control step S16 of controlling the dimming rate of lighting fixtures 20 so that the estimated illuminance is within a target range.

[0080] This lighting method can adjust the illuminance at the first position where the illuminance sensor 30 is not installed in the indoor space 70 where external light enters, to within a target range.

[0081] A twelfth aspect of the present invention is a program for causing a computer to execute the lighting method of the eleventh aspect.

[0082] According to such a program, the computer can adjust the illuminance at the first position where the illuminance sensor 30 is not installed in the indoor space 70 where external light enters, to within the target range.

[0083] (Other Embodiments) Although the embodiments have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments.

[0084] For example, in the above embodiment, a process executed by a specific processing unit may be executed by another processing unit. Also, the order of multiple processes may be changed, or multiple processes may be executed in parallel.

[0085] In the above-described embodiments, each component may be realized by executing a software program suitable for that component, or by a program execution unit such as a CPU or processor reading and executing a software program recorded on a recording medium such as a hard disk or semiconductor memory.

[0086] Furthermore, each component may be realized by hardware. For example, each component may be a circuit (or integrated circuit). These circuits may form a single circuit as a whole, or each may be a separate circuit. Furthermore, each of these circuits may be a general-purpose circuit or a dedicated circuit.

[0087] Furthermore, the general or specific aspects of the present invention may be realized as a system, an apparatus, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, or a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, or as any combination of a system, an apparatus, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, and a recording medium.

[0088] For example, the present invention may be realized as the lighting system or lighting control device according to the above-described embodiments, or as a method executed by a computer of the lighting system, lighting control device, etc. The present invention may be realized as a program for causing a computer to execute such a method, or as a non-transitory recording medium on which such a program is recorded.

[0089] In addition, the present invention also includes forms obtained by applying various modifications to each embodiment that a person skilled in the art would think of, or forms realized by arbitrarily combining the components and functions of each embodiment within the scope of the present invention.

[0090] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 Lighting system 20 Lighting fixture 30 Illuminance sensor 40 Lighting control device 41 First communication unit 42 Information processing unit 43 Memory unit 44 Second communication unit 45 Acquisition unit 46 Estimation unit 47 Control unit 50 Information terminal 51 Operation acceptance unit 52 Display unit 53 Information processing unit 54 Memory unit 55 Communication unit 56 Calculation unit 60 Server device 70 Indoor space 71 Opening 80 Wide area communication network

Claims

1. A lighting system comprising: a memory unit that stores influence information indicating the influence of light emitted by lighting fixtures installed in an indoor space and external light entering the indoor space through an opening in the indoor space on the illuminance at a first position in the indoor space; an acquisition unit that acquires illuminance information indicating the illuminance at a second position in the indoor space sensed by an illuminance sensor installed at the second position; an estimation unit that estimates the intensity of external light entering the indoor space based on the acquired illuminance information, and estimates the illuminance at the first position based on the estimated intensity of external light, the dimming rate of the lighting fixtures, and the influence information; and a control unit that controls the dimming rate of the lighting fixtures so that the estimated illuminance is within a target range.

2. The lighting system of claim 1, wherein the estimation unit considers that external light entering the indoor space is light emitted by a pseudo-light-emitting element installed in the opening, and estimates the dimming rate of the pseudo-light-emitting element as the intensity of the external light entering the indoor space.

3. The lighting system according to claim 2, further comprising a calculation unit that simulates the illuminance at the first position when the dimming rate of the lighting fixture and the dimming rate of the pseudo-illuminant are varied, and calculates the influence information based on the simulation results.

4. The lighting system of claim 3, wherein the influence information indicates, by coefficients, the influence on the illuminance at the first position when the dimming rate of the lighting fixture fluctuates by a unit dimming rate, and the influence on the illuminance at the first position when the dimming rate of the pseudo-illuminant fluctuates by a unit dimming rate.

5. The lighting system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the acquisition unit further acquires setting information related to control of the lighting device, and the control unit controls the dimming rate of the lighting device based on the acquired setting information so that the estimated illuminance falls within the target range.

6. The lighting system of claim 5, wherein a plurality of lighting fixtures are installed in the indoor space, the setting information specifies constraints on control of the dimming rates of the plurality of lighting fixtures, and the control unit controls the dimming rates of at least some of the plurality of lighting fixtures based on the constraints specified in the acquired setting information so that the estimated illuminance falls within a target range.

7. The lighting system according to claim 5, wherein the setting information specifies the target range, and the control unit controls the dimming rate of the lighting device so that the estimated illuminance falls within the target range specified in the acquired setting information.

8. The lighting system of claim 5, wherein the setting information specifies an upper limit value for the dimming rate in controlling the lighting fixture, and the control unit controls the dimming rate of the lighting fixture within a range that does not exceed the upper limit value specified in the acquired setting information so that the estimated illuminance falls within the target range.

9. The lighting system of claim 5, wherein the setting information specifies a lower limit value of the dimming rate for controlling the lighting fixture, and the control unit controls the dimming rate of the lighting fixture within a range not below the lower limit value specified in the acquired setting information so that the estimated illuminance falls within the target range.

10. The lighting system according to claim 1, further comprising the lighting fixture and the illuminance sensor.

11. A lighting method executed by a computer that can access a memory unit, wherein the memory unit stores influence information indicating the influence of light emitted by a lighting fixture installed in a first position in the indoor space and external light entering the indoor space through an opening in the indoor space on the illuminance at the first position in the indoor space, the lighting method comprising: an acquisition step of acquiring illuminance information indicating the illuminance at the second position sensed by an illuminance sensor installed at a second position in the indoor space; an estimation step of estimating the intensity of external light entering the indoor space based on the acquired illuminance information, and estimating the illuminance at the first position based on the estimated intensity of external light, the dimming rate of the lighting fixture, and the influence information; and a control step of controlling the dimming rate of the lighting fixture so that the estimated illuminance is within a target range.

12. A program for causing the computer to execute the lighting method according to claim 11.

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