Lighting control system, lighting control method, and program

Abstract

This lighting control system (1) comprises a lighting fixture (220), a sensing device (210), and a control device (100). The control device (100) comprises: an acquisition unit (141) that acquires one piece of prescribed information; and a first control unit (142) that executes a first control mode that, when the one piece of prescribed information is acquired, performs control so that the lighting fixture (220) illuminates under a plurality of mutually different lighting conditions, and performs control so that a sensing device (210) senses the illuminance of a space (90) illuminated by the lighting fixture (220) under each of the plurality of illumination conditions. The sensing device (210) has: a creation unit (212) that creates illumination data in which the illumination conditions and the illuminance are associated with each other; and a second control unit (213) that executes a second control mode in which the lighting fixture (220) is controlled on the basis of the illumination data.

Description

Lighting control system, lighting control method, and program

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

[0002] Conventionally, a lighting fixture that holds dimming data and performs lighting based on this dimming data is known (Patent Document 1).

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 09-232082

[0004] By the way, in order to create data (lighting data) used for lighting control typified by the above dimming data, the following processing has been necessary. That is, for example, a user operates a control device such as a tablet terminal, and the control device instructs the dimming rate of the lighting fixture based on this operation and causes the lighting fixture to be lit at the dimming rate. The user installs a sensing device that senses illuminance on the floor surface or the like. The illuminance at this time is sensed by the sensing device, and the sensing device creates data in which the sensed illuminance and the dimming rate are associated. And every time the value of the dimming rate is changed, the above processing is repeated many times. As a result, a plurality of data in which the sensed illuminance and the dimming rate are associated are created, and lighting data is created based on this plurality of data.

[0005] Performing such processing is a large burden for the user, and it is required to support the creation of lighting data used for lighting control.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a lighting control system, a lighting control method, and a program that can assist in creating lighting data used for lighting control.

[0007] To achieve the above objective, a lighting control system in one embodiment of the present invention comprises a lighting fixture arranged in a space, a sensing device for sensing the illuminance of the space, and a control device for controlling the lighting fixture and the sensing device, wherein the control device includes an acquisition unit for acquiring one predetermined piece of information, and a first control unit that, when the one predetermined piece of information is acquired, controls the lighting fixture to illuminate under a plurality of different lighting conditions, and controls the sensing device to sense the illuminance of the space illuminated by the lighting fixture under each of the plurality of lighting conditions, and the sensing device includes a creation unit for creating lighting data in which the plurality of lighting conditions and the illuminance of the space sensed under those lighting conditions are associated, and a second control unit that executes a second control mode for controlling the lighting fixture to illuminate based on the created lighting data.

[0008] Furthermore, in order to achieve the above objective, a lighting control method in one embodiment of the present invention is a lighting control method executed by a lighting control system, wherein the lighting control system comprises a lighting fixture arranged in a space, a sensing device for sensing the illuminance of the space, and a control device for controlling the lighting fixture and the sensing device, and the lighting control method includes: an acquisition step of acquiring one predetermined piece of information; a first control step of executing a first control mode in which, when the one predetermined piece of information has been acquired, the lighting fixture is controlled to illuminate under a plurality of different lighting conditions, and the sensing device is controlled to sense the illuminance of the space illuminated by the lighting fixture under each of the plurality of lighting conditions; a creation step of creating lighting data in which the plurality of lighting conditions and the illuminance of the space sensed under the lighting conditions are associated; and a second control step of executing a second control mode in which the lighting fixture is controlled to illuminate based on the created lighting data.

[0009] Furthermore, in order to achieve the above objective, a computer program in one aspect of the present invention causes a computer to execute the above-described lighting control method.

[0010] According to the present invention, a lighting control system, a lighting control method, and a program are realized that can assist in the creation of lighting data used for lighting control.

[0011] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing the space to which the lighting control system according to the embodiment is applied. Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the lighting control system according to the embodiment. Figure 3 is a sequence diagram of operation example 1 performed by the lighting control system according to the embodiment. Figure 4 is a diagram showing an example of lighting data according to the embodiment. Figure 5 is a sequence diagram of operation example 2 performed by the lighting control system according to the embodiment. Figure 6 is a sequence diagram of operation example 3 performed by the lighting control system according to the embodiment. Figure 7 is a sequence diagram of operation example 3 performed by the lighting control system according to the embodiment. Figure 8 is a diagram showing an example of lighting data according to the embodiment. Figure 9 is a sequence diagram of operation example 4 performed by the lighting control system according to the embodiment. Figure 10 is a sequence diagram of operation example 5 performed by the lighting control system according to the embodiment.

[0012] The embodiments will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiments described below are all comprehensive or specific examples. The numerical values, shapes, materials, components, arrangement positions and connection configurations of components, steps, and the order of steps shown in the following embodiments are examples only and are not intended to limit the present invention. Furthermore, components in the following embodiments that are not described in an independent claim will be described as optional components.

[0013] Please note that each figure is a schematic diagram and not necessarily a strictly accurate representation. Furthermore, in each figure, substantially identical components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations may be omitted or simplified.

[0014] (Embodiment) [Configuration] First, the lighting control system 1 according to this embodiment will be described.

[0015] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing a space 90 to which the lighting control system 1 according to this embodiment is applied. Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the lighting control system 1 according to this embodiment.

[0016] The lighting control system 1 is a system used in a building that includes a space 90. The space 90 in which the lighting control system 1 is used is, for example, an office, but is not limited to this. The space 90 may be a residence, a public facility such as a community center or library, or a facility for the elderly, a shop or commercial facility.

[0017] The lighting control system 1 is a system for illuminating a space 90. The lighting control system 1 comprises a control device 100, a plurality of sensing devices 210, and a plurality of lighting fixtures 220. The plurality of lighting fixtures 220 are installed in the space 90 and illuminate the space 90. The plurality of sensing devices 210 are installed in the space 90 and sense the illuminance of the space 90. In this embodiment, the plurality of sensing devices 210 and the plurality of lighting fixtures 220 may be collectively referred to as the controlled device group 200.

[0018] The control device 100 is an information terminal operated by the user of the lighting control system 1 (for example, the administrator of the space 90). The control device 100 is, for example, a tablet terminal owned by the user, but it may also be the lighting control system 1's smartphone or a dedicated device.

[0019] The control device 100 is a device that controls each of the group of controlled devices 200 arranged in the space 90 (i.e., each of the multiple sensing devices 210 and each of the multiple lighting fixtures 220). The control device 100 executes a first control mode in which it controls the lighting fixtures 220 to illuminate under multiple different lighting conditions, and controls the sensing devices 210 to sense the illuminance of the space 90 illuminated by the lighting fixtures 220 under each of these multiple lighting conditions.

[0020] The control device 100 includes an operation reception unit 110, a display unit 120, a first communication unit 130, an information processing unit 140, and a first storage unit 150.

[0021] The operation reception unit 110 receives operations from a user or the like. The operation reception unit 110 may be implemented by, for example, a touch panel, but it may also be implemented by hardware keys or the like.

[0022] The display unit 120 displays an image. The display unit 120 is implemented by a display panel such as a liquid crystal panel or an organic EL (Electroluminescence) panel.

[0023] The first communication unit 130 is a communication circuit (communication module) for the control device 100 to communicate with each of the controlled devices 200. The first communication unit 130 performs communication using, for example, a wide-area communication network. The communication performed by the first communication unit 130 may be, for example, wireless communication, but it may also be wired communication. There are no particular limitations on the communication standards used for communication.

[0024] The information processing unit 140 includes an acquisition unit 141 and a first control unit 142. The acquisition unit 141 acquires one predetermined piece of information. When the acquisition unit 141 acquires the predetermined piece of information, the first control unit 142 executes the first control mode described above.

[0025] The information processing unit 140 may be implemented by a microcomputer, for example, but may also be implemented by a processor. The information processing unit 140 (first control unit 142) controls the operation reception unit 110, the display unit 120, the first communication unit 130, and the first storage unit 150.

[0026] The first storage unit 150 is a storage device that stores control programs used for information processing such as the first control mode performed by the information processing unit 140 (first control unit 142), and various types of information used for said information processing. The first storage unit 150 is implemented by, for example, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), but may also be implemented by semiconductor memory or the like.

[0027] Next, the controlled device group 200 will be described.

[0028] In this embodiment, multiple (more specifically, three) lighting fixtures 220 constitute one group, and this group is associated with one sensing device 210. Multiple groups are provided in the controlled device group 200. For identification purposes, as shown in Figure 2, the groups will be described using sensing device 210a and sensing device 210b, which are examples of sensing devices 210, and lighting fixture 220a and lighting fixture 220b, which are examples of lighting fixtures 220.

[0029] As shown in Figure 2, three lighting fixtures 220a constitute one group G1, and group G1 is associated with one sensing device 210a. Similarly, three lighting fixtures 220b constitute one group G2, and group G2 is associated with one sensing device 210b.

[0030] Each of the multiple sensing devices 210 in the controlled device group 200 has the same configuration.

[0031] The sensing device 210 is a device that senses the illuminance of the space 90. More specifically, the sensing device 210 senses the illuminance at a predetermined location in the space 90. The predetermined location may be, for example, a wall surface, floor surface, or surface of furniture in the space 90, but in this embodiment, it is the top surface of a desk 91, which is an example of furniture.

[0032] The sensing device 210 is a device that controls the lighting fixtures 220 of the group associated with the sensing device 210. More specifically, sensing device 210a controls three lighting fixtures 220a of one group G1 to illuminate, and sensing device 210b controls three lighting fixtures 220b of one group G2 to illuminate.

[0033] Each of the multiple sensing devices 210 includes a second communication unit 211, a creation unit 212, a second control unit 213, an illuminance sensor 214, and a second storage unit 215.

[0034] The second communication unit 211 is a communication circuit (communication module) for the sensing device 210 to communicate with the control device 100 and each of the multiple lighting fixtures 220. The second communication unit 211 performs communication using, for example, a wide-area communication network. The communication performed by the second communication unit 211 is, for example, wireless communication, but it may also be wired communication. There are no particular limitations on the communication standards used for communication.

[0035] The creation unit 212 is a processing unit that creates lighting data. The lighting data is used by the sensing device 210 to control the lighting fixture 220. The creation unit 212 is implemented by, for example, a microcomputer, but may also be implemented by a processor.

[0036] The second control unit 213 is a processing unit that executes a second control mode for controlling the lighting fixture 220 based on the lighting data created by the creation unit 212. The second control unit 213 is implemented by, for example, a microcomputer, but may also be implemented by a processor. The second control unit 213 controls the second communication unit 211, the creation unit 212, the illuminance sensor 214, and the second storage unit 215.

[0037] The illuminance sensor 214 is a sensor that senses the illuminance of the space 90, and is, for example, a photodiode. In this embodiment, the illuminance sensor 214 senses the illuminance of the top surface of the desk 91 installed in the space 90.

[0038] The second storage unit 215 is a storage device that stores control programs used for information processing such as the creation of lighting data by the creation unit 212 and information processing such as the second control mode performed by the second control unit 213, as well as various information used in said information processing. The second storage unit 215 is implemented by, for example, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), but may also be implemented by semiconductor memory or the like.

[0039] The multiple lighting fixtures 220 are fixtures placed in the space 90, for example, on the ceiling surface of the space 90. Each of the multiple lighting fixtures 220 has the same configuration.

[0040] Each of the plurality of lighting fixtures 220 includes a third communication unit 221, a light emitting unit 222, a third control unit 223, and a third storage unit 224.

[0041] The third communication unit 221 is a communication circuit (communication module) for the lighting fixture 220 to communicate with the control device 100, the sensing device 210, and each of the other lighting fixtures 220. The third communication unit 221 performs communication using, for example, a wide area communication network. The communication performed by the third communication unit 221 is, for example, wireless communication, but may be wired communication. The communication standard used for communication is not particularly limited either.

[0042] The light emitting unit 222 is a light emitting device that emits light, and here, as an example, is an LED (Light Emitting Diode) light source, but is not limited thereto. The light emitting unit 222 has a plurality of LED chips as light emitting elements. Note that this is not limiting, and the light emitting unit 222 may be realized by other light emitting elements such as a semiconductor laser, an organic EL (Electro Luminescence), or an inorganic EL.

[0043] When the lighting fixture 220 is a dimmable fixture (i.e., a dimming fixture), the light emitting unit 222 emits light in a dimmable manner by being controlled by the third control unit 223. Also, when the lighting fixture 220 is a dimmable and color - tunable fixture (i.e., a color - tuning fixture), the light emitting unit 222 emits light in a color - tunable manner by being controlled by the third control unit 223. By the light emitting unit 222 emitting light in a color - tunable manner, the lighting fixture 220 can illuminate with light having different color temperatures. For example, the lighting fixture 220 can emit illumination light with a color temperature of 2700K or more and 6500K.

[0044] The third control unit 223 is a processing unit that controls the light emitting unit 222 to emit light according to signals output from the control device 100 and the sensing device 210. The third control unit 223 is realized by, for example, a microcomputer, but may be realized by a processor. The third control unit 223 controls the third communication unit 221, the light emitting unit 222, and the third storage unit 224.

[0045] The third storage unit 224 is a storage device that stores a control program used for information processing performed by the third control unit 223 and various types of information used for the information processing. The third storage unit 224 is realized by, for example, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), but may also be realized by a semiconductor memory or the like.

[0046] In the present embodiment, each of the controlled device groups 200 constitutes a wireless mesh network (hereinafter, also simply referred to as a mesh network). Each of the controlled device groups 200 corresponds to a communication node. In a mesh network, when transmitting information from one communication node (also referred to as a first communication node) to another communication node (also referred to as a second communication node), the information is transmitted, for example, by a routing method, but may also be transmitted by a flooding method. Note that each of the controlled device groups 200 and the control device 100 may constitute a mesh network.

[0047] Further, the lighting control system 1 may include other devices not illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. The other devices are, for example, a server device or a scheduler, and here, the scheduler will be described.

[0048] The scheduler stores schedules for controlling the control device 100, the plurality of sensing devices 210, and the plurality of lighting fixtures 220. The scheduler controls the control device 100, the plurality of sensing devices 210, and the plurality of lighting fixtures 220 according to the schedules. For example, the scheduler lights, turns off, or dims the plurality of lighting fixtures 220. Also, for example, the communication unit included in the scheduler outputs predetermined information, which is information for instructing the first communication unit 130 of the control device 100 to execute the first control mode.

[0049] Subsequently, operation examples 1 to 5 of the method performed by the lighting control system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described.

[0050] [Operation Example 1] In operation example 1, a plurality of dimmable fixtures are used as the plurality of lighting fixtures 220.

[0051] Figure 3 is a sequence diagram of an example operation 1 performed by the lighting control system 1 according to this embodiment.

[0052] First, the first communication unit 130 of the control device 100 acquires predetermined information (S10). The predetermined information is information that instructs the first control mode to be executed. For example, the communication unit of the scheduler outputs the predetermined information to the first communication unit 130 of the control device 100 at a predetermined time, and the first communication unit 130 acquires the outputted predetermined information. The predetermined time is, for example, 1 a.m.

[0053] Next, the first communication unit 130 outputs the acquired predetermined information to the information processing unit 140 (more specifically, the acquisition unit 141). The acquisition unit 141 acquires one of the output predetermined pieces of information (S12).

[0054] When predetermined information is acquired by the acquisition unit 141, the first control unit 142 executes the first control mode. That is, the first control unit 142 controls the lighting fixture 220 to illuminate under multiple different lighting conditions, and controls the sensing device 210 to sense the illuminance of the space 90 illuminated by the lighting fixture 220 under each of the multiple lighting conditions.

[0055] The lighting conditions indicate the control conditions under which the lighting fixture 220 illuminates. In this example, since the lighting fixture 220 is a dimmable fixture, the multiple different lighting conditions include two or more lighting conditions with different dimming rates, that is, multiple lighting conditions under which the lighting fixture 220 illuminates with different dimming rates.

[0056] In this example, the multiple lighting conditions, which differ from each other, include a first lighting condition and a second lighting condition. The first lighting condition is when the luminaire 220 illuminates with a dimming rate of 5%. The second lighting condition is when the luminaire 220 illuminates with a dimming rate of 100%.

[0057] The first control unit 142 controls the lighting fixture 220 to illuminate under the first lighting conditions.

[0058] First, the first control unit 142 controls the first communication unit 130 to output a first control signal to each of the third communication units 221 of the multiple lighting fixtures 220 (S14). The first control signal is a signal that instructs the lighting fixture 220 that has received the first control signal to illuminate under first lighting conditions.

[0059] The third communication unit 221 acquires the outputted first control signal. The third control unit 223 controls the lighting fixture 220 to illuminate at a dimming rate of 5% according to the acquired first control signal (S16). More specifically, the third control unit 223 controls the light-emitting unit 222. Here, each of the multiple lighting fixtures 220 illuminates at a dimming rate of 5%.

[0060] Furthermore, the first control unit 142 controls the sensing device 210 to sense the illuminance of the space 90 illuminated by the lighting fixture 220 under the first lighting conditions.

[0061] First, the first control unit 142 controls the first communication unit 130 to output a first notification signal to the second communication unit 211 of the sensing device 210 (S18). The first notification signal is a signal that notifies that the lighting fixture 220 is illuminating under first lighting conditions and instructs the sensing of the illuminance of the space 90 illuminating under those lighting conditions.

[0062] The second communication unit 211 acquires the outputted first notification signal. The second control unit 213 controls the illuminance sensor 214 to sense the illuminance of the space 90 illuminated by the lighting fixtures 220 under first lighting conditions, according to the acquired first notification signal (S20). In this embodiment, the illuminance sensor 214 senses the illuminance of the top surface of a desk 91 installed in the space 90 illuminated by multiple lighting fixtures 220 under first lighting conditions.

[0063] In other words, the sensing device 210 can sense the illuminance of the space 90 illuminated by the lighting fixture 220 at a dimming rate of 5%. This illuminance is, for example, 50 lx.

[0064] Furthermore, if the illuminance sensing is completed in step S20, the second communication unit 211 of the sensing device 210 may output a signal to the first communication unit 130 of the control device 100 indicating that the sensing has been completed.

[0065] The first control unit 142 controls the lighting fixture 220 to illuminate under the second lighting conditions.

[0066] First, the first control unit 142 controls the first communication unit 130 to output a second control signal to each of the third communication units 221 of the multiple lighting fixtures 220 (S22). The second control signal is a signal that instructs the lighting fixture 220 that has received the second control signal to illuminate under the second lighting conditions.

[0067] The third communication unit 221 acquires the outputted second control signal. The third control unit 223 controls the lighting fixture 220 to illuminate at a dimming rate of 100% according to the acquired second control signal (S24). More specifically, the third control unit 223 controls the light-emitting unit 222. Here, each of the multiple lighting fixtures 220 illuminates at a dimming rate of 100%.

[0068] Furthermore, the first control unit 142 controls the sensing device 210 to sense the illuminance of the space 90 illuminated by the lighting fixture 220 under the second lighting conditions.

[0069] First, the first control unit 142 controls the first communication unit 130 to output a second notification signal to the second communication unit 211 of the sensing device 210 (S26). The second notification signal is a signal that notifies that the lighting fixture 220 is illuminating under the second lighting conditions and instructs the sensing of the illuminance of the space 90 that is illuminating under those lighting conditions.

[0070] The second communication unit 211 acquires the outputted second notification signal. The second control unit 213 controls the illuminance sensor 214 to sense the illuminance of the space 90 illuminated by the lighting fixtures 220 under the second lighting conditions, according to the acquired second notification signal (S28). In this embodiment, the illuminance sensor 214 senses the illuminance of the top surface of a desk 91 installed in the space 90 illuminated by multiple lighting fixtures 220 under the second lighting conditions.

[0071] In other words, the sensing device 210 can sense the illuminance of the space 90 illuminated by the lighting fixture 220 when the dimming rate is 100%. This illuminance is, for example, 500 lx.

[0072] In this example, a first lighting condition with a dimming rate of 5% and a second lighting condition with a dimming rate of 100% were used as examples, but the example is not limited to these. For example, lighting conditions with a dimming rate of 10% to 90% may be used.

[0073] The first control unit 142 executes the first control mode as shown in steps S14 to S28.

[0074] The first control mode is preferably executed at night or when there are no people in space 90. This allows sensing of illuminance that is free from the influence of ambient light or human influence entering space 90. Ambient light is, for example, light that enters the office space 90 from outdoors, or sunlight that enters space 90 through windows, etc. In this embodiment, as described above, the communication unit of the scheduler outputs predetermined information at 1:00 AM, the first communication unit 130 acquires the outputted predetermined information, the acquisition unit 141 acquires one of the outputted predetermined pieces of information, and the first control unit 142 executes the first control mode. Thus, the first control mode according to this embodiment is executed at night, that is, when the influence of ambient light is eliminated.

[0075] Then, the creation unit 212 of the sensing device 210 creates lighting data (S30) based on the illuminance sensed in steps S20 and S28.

[0076] Figure 4 shows an example of lighting data according to this embodiment.

[0077] Lighting data is data that associates (i.e., links) multiple lighting conditions with the illuminance of the space 90 sensed under those lighting conditions. In this example, the first lighting condition is associated with the illuminance sensed in step S20, and the second lighting condition is associated with the illuminance sensed in step S28. As shown in Figure 4, the lighting data indicates that the illuminance is 50 lx under the first lighting condition (dimming rate of 5%), and that the illuminance is 500 lx under the second lighting condition (dimming rate of 100%).

[0078] Furthermore, in steps S14 to S28, the illuminance for the first lighting condition and the second lighting condition are sensed, meaning that only two illuminances are sensed. The creation unit 212 performs linear interpolation based on the two illuminances. This allows the illuminance corresponding to a predetermined dimming rate between a 5% dimming rate and a 100% dimming rate for the first and second lighting conditions to be calculated. For example, as shown by the dashed circle in Figure 4, it can be calculated that the illuminance corresponding to a 40% dimming rate is 200 lx.

[0079] The lighting data created by the creation unit 212 may be stored in the second storage unit 215.

[0080] Next, the second control unit 213 of the sensing device 210 executes the second control mode. That is, the second control unit 213 controls the lighting fixtures 220 to illuminate based on the lighting data created by the creation unit 212. At this time, sensing device 210a controls the three lighting fixtures 220a of one group G1 to illuminate, and sensing device 210b controls the three lighting fixtures 220b of one group G2 to illuminate.

[0081] First, the second communication unit 211 of the sensing device 210 acquires the first light emission control signal (S32). In this example of operation, the first light emission control signal is a signal instructing the lighting fixture 220 to illuminate the space 90 (more specifically, the top surface of the desk 91 installed in the space 90) with a predetermined illuminance. For example, the predetermined illuminance is 200 lx, but is not limited to this.

[0082] Here, the communication unit of the scheduler outputs a first light emission control signal to the second communication unit 211, and the second communication unit 211 receives the outputted first light emission control signal. The communication unit of the scheduler outputs the first light emission control signal at the time when people start to arrive in space 90 (office), for example, at 7:00 a.m.

[0083] When the second communication unit 211 acquires the first light emission control signal, the second control unit 213 controls the lighting fixture 220 to illuminate based on the acquired first light emission control signal and the created lighting data.

[0084] First, the second control unit 213 calculates the dimming rate corresponding to the illuminance (200 lx) indicated by the acquired first light emission control signal using the lighting data. Based on the lighting data shown in Figure 4, the second control unit 213 calculates that the dimming rate corresponding to an illuminance of 200 lx is 40% (S34).

[0085] The second control unit 213 then controls the lighting fixture 220 so that it illuminates at the calculated dimming rate, that is, at a dimming rate of 40%. Here, the second control unit 213 controls the second communication unit 211 to output the first illumination signal to the third communication unit 221 of each of the multiple lighting fixtures 220 (S36). The first illumination signal is a signal that instructs the lighting fixture 220 that has received the first illumination signal to illuminate at the dimming rate calculated by the second control unit 213 (in this case, a dimming rate of 40%). The second communication unit 211 of the sensing device 210a outputs the first illumination signal to the third communication unit 221 of each of the three lighting fixtures 220a, and the second communication unit 211 of the sensing device 210b outputs the first illumination signal to the third communication unit 221 of each of the three lighting fixtures 220b.

[0086] The third communication unit 221 acquires the outputted first illumination signal. The third control unit 223 controls the light-emitting unit 222 so that the lighting fixture 220 illuminates at a dimming rate of 40% according to the acquired first illumination signal (S38). In this case, each of the multiple lighting fixtures 220 illuminates at a dimming rate of 40%.

[0087] In this example, when the first communication unit 130 acquires predetermined information in step S10, the acquisition unit 141 acquires the predetermined information in step S12, but this is not limited to this. For example, instead of step S10, the operation reception unit 110 may perform a process to receive an operation from the user instructing to execute the first control mode. When such an operation is received, the acquisition unit 141 may acquire the predetermined information in step S12. For example, the acquisition unit 141 may acquire predetermined information that has been stored in the first storage unit 150 in advance.

[0088] Furthermore, the first control mode may be executed daily, and each time the first control mode is executed, the creation unit 212 may create and update the lighting data in step S30. If the lighting data has been updated, the second control unit 213 will execute the second control mode using the updated lighting data.

[0089] In this operation, the first control mode and the second control mode are executed in this manner.

[0090] As described above, in conventional technology, creating lighting data was a burdensome process for users. In other words, creating lighting data required multiple steps, including the user operating a tablet device, illuminating at the specified dimming rate, installing sensing equipment, sensing illuminance, and creating data that correlates the sensed illuminance with the dimming rate.

[0091] However, in the lighting control system 1 according to this embodiment, the first control unit 142 executes the first control mode simply by having the acquisition unit 141 of the control device 100 acquire one predetermined piece of information. In other words, as long as one predetermined piece of information is acquired, the above process does not need to be performed multiple times, and lighting data can be automatically created. For example, as described above, if the user operates the operation reception unit 110 to instruct it to execute the first control mode, lighting data can be automatically created. Also, for example, if the communication unit of the scheduler outputs predetermined information at a predetermined time, lighting data can be automatically created. In other words, the lighting control system 1 according to this embodiment is a system that can support the creation of lighting data used for lighting control, thereby reducing the burden on the user.

[0092] [Operation Example 2] Operation Example 2 is an example in which a dimmable fixture is used as the lighting fixture 220, similar to Operation Example 1, and further takes into account the ambient light taken into the space 90.

[0093] Figure 5 is a sequence diagram of an example operation 2 performed by the lighting control system 1 according to this embodiment.

[0094] In Operation Example 2, the same processes as in Operation Example 1 may be omitted or described in a simplified manner.

[0095] First, the processes in steps S10 to S30 are performed. Then, instead of the processes from step S32 onwards in Operation Example 1, the following processes are performed.

[0096] Then, the second communication unit 211 acquires the second light emission control signal (S50). In this example of operation, the second light emission control signal is a signal that instructs the lighting fixture 220 to illuminate at a predetermined dimming rate. For example, the predetermined dimming rate is 40%, but is not limited to this.

[0097] Here, the communication unit of the scheduler outputs a second light emission control signal to the second communication unit 211, and the second communication unit 211 receives the outputted second light emission control signal. The communication unit of the scheduler outputs the second light emission control signal at the time when people start to arrive in space 90 (office), for example, at 7:00 a.m.

[0098] When the second communication unit 211 acquires the second light emission control signal, the second control unit 213 controls the lighting fixture 220 to illuminate based on the acquired second light emission control signal. The second control unit 213 controls the lighting fixture 220 so that it illuminates at the dimming rate indicated by the second light emission control signal, that is, at a dimming rate of 40%. Here, the second control unit 213 controls the second communication unit 211 to output the second light emission control signal to the third communication unit 221 of each of the multiple lighting fixtures 220 (S52).

[0099] The third communication unit 221 acquires the outputted second light emission control signal. The third control unit 223 controls the light-emitting unit 222 so that the lighting fixture 220 illuminates at a dimming rate of 40% according to the acquired second light emission control signal (S54).

[0100] Here, we examine the relationship between the dimming rate indicated by the second light emission control signal and the illuminance, as well as the influence of ambient light.

[0101] Since the dimming rate indicated by the second light emission control signal is 40%, in step S54, the lighting fixture 220 should have illuminated the space 90 (more specifically, the top surface of the desk 91 installed in the space 90) to 200 lx, which corresponds to a dimming rate of 40%, as shown in Figure 4. However, if the second light emission control signal is output at 7 a.m., there should be ambient light (such as sunlight) entering the space 90 from outside in step S54.

[0102] Therefore, in step S54, the illuminance of space 90 (more specifically, the top surface of the desk 91 installed in space 90) will not be 200 lx, but will be higher due to the illuminance from the outside light, causing space 90 (the top surface of the desk 91) to become unintentionally bright.

[0103] Therefore, the second control unit 213 further controls the lighting fixture 220 to illuminate based on the acquired second light emission control signal, the created lighting data, and the illuminance due to ambient light. More specifically, this is as follows.

[0104] After the processing in step S54 is completed, the second control unit 213 controls the illuminance sensor 214 to sense the illuminance of the space 90 that is illuminated by the lighting fixture 220 and also receives ambient light in step S54 (S56). The illuminance sensed in step S56 is the sum of the illuminance from the lighting fixture 220 illuminating at a dimming rate of 40%, which is 200 lx, and the illuminance from ambient light, for example, 250 lx.

[0105] The second control unit 213 calculates the illuminance due to ambient light. Here, the second control unit 213 calculates the illuminance due to ambient light based on the illuminance of the space 90 sensed while the second control mode is being executed (i.e., the illuminance sensed in step S56) and the lighting data created by the creation unit 212 (S58). More specifically, the second control unit 213 calculates the illuminance due to ambient light as a value of 50 lx, obtained by subtracting the illuminance due to the lighting fixture 220 illuminating at a dimming rate of 40% (200 lx) from the illuminance sensed in step S56 (250 lx).

[0106] Furthermore, the second control unit 213 calculates the dimming rate of the lighting fixture 220 based on the created lighting data, the calculated illuminance due to ambient light, and the acquired second light emission control signal (S60). As described above, since the dimming rate indicated by the second light emission control signal is 40%, the lighting fixture 220 should illuminate the space 90 so that the illuminance becomes 200 lx, which corresponds to a dimming rate of 40%. For this reason, the second control unit 213 controls the lighting fixture 220 so that the illuminance of the space 90 becomes 200 lx. That is, the second control unit 213 controls the lighting fixture 220 so that the sum of the illuminance from the lighting fixture 220 illuminating at a predetermined dimming rate and the illuminance due to ambient light (50 lx) is 200 lx.

[0107] Here, the illuminance obtained by subtracting the ambient light illuminance of 50 lx from 200 lx, which corresponds to a 40% dimming rate, should be 150 lx. The second control unit 213 calculates the dimming rate corresponding to this illuminance (150 lx) using the lighting data. Based on the lighting data shown in Figure 4, the second control unit 213 calculates that the dimming rate corresponding to an illuminance of 150 lx is 30%. In other words, the predetermined dimming rate in this example of operation is 30%.

[0108] The second control unit 213 then controls the lighting fixture 220 so that it illuminates at the calculated dimming rate, that is, at a dimming rate of 30%. Here, the second control unit 213 controls the second communication unit 211 to output a second lighting signal to the third communication unit 221 of the lighting fixture 220 (S62). The second lighting signal is a signal that instructs the lighting fixture 220, which has received the second lighting signal, to illuminate at the dimming rate calculated by the second control unit 213 (in this case, a dimming rate of 30%).

[0109] The third communication unit 221 acquires the outputted second illumination signal. The third control unit 223 controls the light-emitting unit 222 so that the lighting fixture 220 illuminates at a dimming rate of 30% according to the acquired second illumination signal (S64).

[0110] This allows the lighting fixture 220 to illuminate the space 90 so that the illuminance corresponds to a value (200 lx) that corresponds to the dimming rate (40%) indicated by the second light emission control signal.

[0111] Thus, in this example of operation, during the execution of the second control mode, the space 90 can be illuminated while taking into account the influence of ambient light. Therefore, a lighting control system 1 that can achieve a more comfortable lighting environment can be realized.

[0112] Thus, in this example of operation, it is possible to calculate the illuminance from ambient light more accurately, thereby realizing a lighting control system 1 that can achieve an even more comfortable lighting environment.

[0113] [Operation Example 3] In Operation Example 3, a dimmable and color-adjustable fixture is used as the lighting fixture 220.

[0114] Figures 6 and 7 are sequence diagrams of an example operation 3 performed by the lighting control system 1 according to this embodiment. More specifically, the process in Figure 7 is performed after the process in Figure 6 is performed.

[0115] In Operation Example 3, the same processes as in Operation Example 1 may be omitted or described in a simplified manner.

[0116] First, as shown in Figure 6, the processes in steps S10 to S12 are carried out.

[0117] In Operation Example 3, the first and second lighting conditions used in Operation Example 1 are not used. In this operation example, the multiple different lighting conditions include two or more lighting conditions with different color temperatures, that is, multiple lighting conditions in which the lighting fixture 220 emits illumination light with different color temperatures. More specifically, the multiple different lighting conditions include two or more lighting conditions with the same color temperature and different dimming rates, and two or more lighting conditions with different color temperatures and the same dimming rate.

[0118] In this example, the multiple lighting conditions that are different from each other include the third lighting condition, the fourth lighting condition, the fifth lighting condition, the sixth lighting condition, and the seventh lighting condition. The third lighting condition is the condition in which the lighting fixture 220 illuminates with a color temperature of 5000K and a dimming rate of 5%. The fourth lighting condition is the condition in which the lighting fixture 220 illuminates with a color temperature of 5000K and a dimming rate of 100%. That is, two or more lighting conditions that have the same color temperature but different dimming rates correspond to the third and fourth lighting conditions. The fifth lighting condition is the condition in which the lighting fixture 220 illuminates with a color temperature of 2700K and a dimming rate of 100%. The sixth lighting condition is the condition in which the lighting fixture 220 illuminates with a color temperature of 4000K and a dimming rate of 100%. The seventh lighting condition is the condition in which the lighting fixture 220 illuminates with a color temperature of 6500K and a dimming rate of 100%. In other words, two or more lighting conditions with different color temperatures and the same dimming rate correspond to the fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh lighting conditions.

[0119] The first control unit 142 controls the lighting fixture 220 to illuminate under the third lighting condition.

[0120] First, the first control unit 142 controls the first communication unit 130 to output a third control signal to the third communication unit 221 of the lighting fixture 220 (S114). The third control signal is a signal that instructs the lighting fixture 220, which has received the third control signal, to illuminate under the third lighting conditions.

[0121] The third communication unit 221 acquires the outputted third control signal. The third control unit 223 controls the lighting fixture 220 to illuminate with a color temperature of 5000K and a dimming rate of 5% according to the acquired third control signal (S116).

[0122] Furthermore, the first control unit 142 controls the sensing device 210 to sense the illuminance of the space 90 illuminated by the lighting fixture 220 under the third lighting conditions.

[0123] First, the first control unit 142 controls the first communication unit 130 to output a third notification signal to the second communication unit 211 of the sensing device 210 (S118). The third notification signal is a signal that notifies that the lighting fixture 220 is illuminating under the third lighting conditions and instructs the sensing of the illuminance of the space 90 that is illuminating under those lighting conditions.

[0124] The second communication unit 211 acquires the outputted third notification signal. The second control unit 213 controls the illuminance sensor 214 to sense the illuminance of the space 90 illuminated by the lighting fixture 220 under the third lighting conditions, according to the acquired third notification signal (S120).

[0125] The third lighting condition is then changed to the fourth to seventh lighting conditions, and the same processing as in steps S114 to S120 is performed. That is, the first control unit 142 controls the lighting fixture 220 to illuminate under each of the fourth to seventh lighting conditions. The first control unit 142 controls the sensing device 210 to sense the illuminance of the space 90 illuminated by the lighting fixture 220 under each of the fourth to seventh lighting conditions.

[0126] In other words, the first control unit 142 controls the first communication unit 130 to output each of the fourth control signal to the seventh control signal to the third communication unit 221 of the lighting fixture 220 (S214, S314, S414, S514). Each of the fourth control signal to the seventh control signal is a signal that instructs the lighting fixture 220, which has received each of the fourth control signal to the seventh control signal, to illuminate according to each of the fourth lighting conditions to the seventh lighting conditions.

[0127] The third communication unit 221 acquires each of the output fourth control signals to seventh control signals. The third control unit 223 controls the lighting fixture 220 to illuminate with the color temperature and dimming rate according to each of the acquired fourth control signals to seventh control signals (S216, S316, S416, S516).

[0128] The first control unit 142 controls the first communication unit 130 to output each of the fourth notification signal to the seventh notification signal to the second communication unit 211 of the sensing device 210 (S218, S318, S418, S518). The fourth notification signal to the seventh notification signal is a signal that notifies that the lighting fixture 220 is illuminating under each of the fourth lighting conditions to the seventh lighting conditions, and instructs the sensing of the illuminance of the space 90 that is illuminating under those lighting conditions.

[0129] The second communication unit 211 acquires each of the output notification signals from the fourth to the seventh notification signals. The second control unit 213 controls the illuminance sensor 214 to sense the illuminance of the space 90 illuminated by the lighting fixture 220 under each of the acquired notification signals from the fourth to the seventh notification signals (S220, S320, S420, S520).

[0130] As shown in Figure 6, in this example of operation, the processing is carried out in the following order: steps S214, S216, S218, S220, S314, S316, S318, S320, S414, S416, S418, S420, S514, S516, S518, and S520.

[0131] The first control unit 142 executes the first control mode as shown in steps S114 to S520.

[0132] Then, as shown in Figure 7, the creation unit 212 of the sensing device 210 creates lighting data (S130) based on the illuminance sensed in steps S120, S220, S320, S420 and S520.

[0133] Figure 8 shows an example of lighting data according to this embodiment.

[0134] Lighting data is data that associates multiple lighting conditions with the illuminance sensed under those lighting conditions. In this example, the third lighting condition is associated with the illuminance sensed in step S120, the fourth lighting condition is associated with the illuminance sensed in step S220, the fifth lighting condition is associated with the illuminance sensed in step S320, the sixth lighting condition is associated with the illuminance sensed in step S420, and the seventh lighting condition is associated with the illuminance sensed in step S520.

[0135] In this example, the creation unit 212 also performs linear interpolation.

[0136] The lighting data created by the creation unit 212 may be stored in the second storage unit 215.

[0137] Next, the second control unit 213 of the sensing device 210 executes the second control mode. That is, the second control unit 213 controls the lighting fixture 220 to illuminate based on the lighting data created by the creation unit 212.

[0138] First, the second communication unit 211 of the sensing device 210 acquires the third light emission control signal (S132). In this example of operation, the third light emission control signal is a signal instructing the lighting fixture 220 to illuminate the space 90 (more specifically, the top surface of the desk 91 installed in the space 90) with a predetermined color temperature and predetermined illuminance. For example, the predetermined color temperature is 5000K and the predetermined illuminance is 200lx, but it is not limited to these values.

[0139] Here, the communication unit of the scheduler outputs a third light emission control signal to the second communication unit 211, and the second communication unit 211 receives the outputted third light emission control signal. The communication unit of the scheduler outputs the third light emission control signal at the time when people start to arrive in space 90 (office), for example, at 7:00 a.m.

[0140] When the second communication unit 211 acquires the third light emission control signal, the second control unit 213 controls the lighting fixture 220 to illuminate based on the acquired third light emission control signal and the created lighting data.

[0141] First, the second control unit 213 calculates the dimming rate corresponding to the color temperature (5000K) and illuminance (200lx) indicated by the acquired third light emission control signal, using the lighting data. Based on the lighting data shown in Figure 8, the second control unit 213 calculates that the dimming rate corresponding to a color temperature of 5000K and an illuminance of 200lx is 40% (S134).

[0142] The second control unit 213 then controls the lighting fixture 220 so that it illuminates with a color temperature of 5000K and a calculated dimming rate, that is, with a color temperature of 5000K and a dimming rate of 40%. Here, the second control unit 213 controls the second communication unit 211 to output the third lighting signal to the third communication unit 221 of each of the multiple lighting fixtures 220 (S136). The third lighting signal is a signal that instructs the lighting fixture 220 that has received the third lighting signal to illuminate with the color temperature indicated by the third light emission control signal (in this case, a color temperature of 5000K) and the dimming rate calculated by the second control unit 213 (in this case, a dimming rate of 40%).

[0143] The third communication unit 221 acquires the outputted third illumination signal. The third control unit 223 controls the light-emitting unit 222 so that the lighting fixture 220 illuminates with a color temperature of 5000K and a dimming rate of 40% according to the acquired third illumination signal (S138).

[0144] [Operation Example 4] Operation Example 4 describes an example in which the execution of the first control mode is terminated when predetermined conditions are met.

[0145] Figure 9 is a sequence diagram of an example operation 4 performed by the lighting control system 1 according to this embodiment.

[0146] In Operation Example 4, the same processes as in Operation Example 1 may be omitted or described in a simplified manner.

[0147] First, the processes in steps S10 to S20 are performed.

[0148] The second control unit 213 determines the illuminance sensed in step S20 as a predetermined reference value (S21).

[0149] Furthermore, the processes in steps S22 to S28 are carried out. The illuminance sensed in step S28 corresponds to the illuminance of the space 90 sensed by the sensing device 210 (illuminance sensor 214) while the first control unit 142 is executing the first control mode.

[0150] The second control unit 213 determines whether the illuminance sensed in step S28 is less than or equal to a predetermined reference value (illuminance sensed in step S20) (S29).

[0151] If the illuminance sensed in step S28 is below a predetermined reference value (Yes in step S29), the first control unit 142 cancels the first control mode. In this case, the process in step S30 is not performed, meaning that the creation unit 212 does not create (update) the lighting data. Furthermore, if the second control unit 213 then executes the second control mode (for example, steps S32 to S38 in operation example 1), it uses the previously created lighting data to execute the second control mode. In other words, Yes in step S29 corresponds to the occurrence of an error in illuminance sensing.

[0152] If the illuminance sensed in step S28 is greater than a predetermined reference value (No in step S29), the process in step S30 is performed. In this case, the creation unit 212 creates (updates) lighting data. Furthermore, if the second control unit 213 then executes a second control mode (for example, steps S32 to S38 in operation example 1), it uses the lighting data created (updated) in step S30 to execute the second control mode.

[0153] In this example, the illuminance of the space 90 when the lighting fixture 220 is illuminating under the first lighting condition (dimming rate of 5%) was used as the predetermined reference value. Thus, the predetermined reference value may be the illuminance of the space 90 when the lighting fixture 220 is illuminating under the lighting condition with the lowest dimming rate among multiple lighting conditions, but is not limited to this. For example, the predetermined reference value may be a value that has been stored in the second storage unit 215 of the sensing device 210 in advance before the operation example 4 is performed.

[0154] In addition, in Operation Example 4, the first control mode uses the same first and second lighting conditions as in Operation Example 1, but other lighting conditions may also be used. For example, if the answer to step S29 is No, the lighting fixture 220 may be illuminated under other lighting conditions and the sensing device 210 may sense the illuminance. However, if the answer to step S29 is Yes, the first control mode is canceled, so the process of the lighting fixture 220 illuminating under other lighting conditions and the sensing device 210 sensing the illuminance is not performed.

[0155] Furthermore, multiple other lighting conditions may be used, and the process in step S29 may be performed each time the illuminance of the space 90 illuminated by the lighting fixture 220 is sensed under multiple other lighting conditions. That is, each time the sensing device 210 senses the illuminance of the space 90 illuminated by the lighting fixture 220 under a certain lighting condition, it may be determined whether the sensed illuminance is below a predetermined reference value, and whether or not the execution of the first control mode is canceled. This allows the execution time of the first control mode to be shortened because the execution of the first control mode is canceled if an error occurs in sensing the illuminance.

[0156] Furthermore, it is preferable for multiple sensing devices 210 to perform the processing of Operation Example 4 simultaneously. That is, it is preferable for both sensing device 210a and sensing device 210b to perform the processing of Operation Example 4 (more specifically, the execution of the first control mode) at the same time. For example, consider the case in which sensing device 210a and the three lighting fixtures 220a of group G1 and sensing device 210b and the three lighting fixtures 220b of group G2, as shown in Figure 2, are located in close proximity. In this case, by having multiple sensing devices 210 perform the processing of Operation Example 4 simultaneously, lighting data can be created while taking into account the influence of other groups.

[0157] Furthermore, if the answer in step S29 is Yes, the second communication unit 211 of the sensing device 210 may output information to the first communication unit 130 of the control device 100 indicating that the sensed illuminance is below a predetermined reference value. When the first communication unit 130 acquires this information, the display unit 120 of the control device 100 may display an image indicating that the sensed illuminance is below a predetermined reference value. This allows the user to know that an error has occurred in sensing the illuminance.

[0158] [Operation Example 5] Operation Example 5 describes an example in which the execution of the first control mode is canceled when predetermined conditions are met, similar to Operation Example 4.

[0159] In this example of operation, if an abnormality (i.e., a communication error) occurs in the communication between the control device 100 and the sensing device 210 while the first control unit 142 is executing the first control mode, the first control unit 142 will terminate the first control mode.

[0160] Figure 10 is a sequence diagram of an example operation 5 performed by the lighting control system 1 according to this embodiment.

[0161] In Operation Example 5, the same processes as in Operation Example 1 and Operation Example 4 may be omitted or described in a simplified manner.

[0162] First, the processes in steps S10 to S12 are performed.

[0163] The first control unit 142 controls the first communication unit 130 to output a start signal to the second communication unit 211 of the sensing device 210 and the third communication unit 221 of the lighting fixture 220 (S13). The start signal is a signal indicating that the first control mode has started.

[0164] Next, steps S14 to S18 are performed.

[0165] Next, when the second communication unit 211 acquires the first notification signal in step S18, more specifically, when the first notification signal is acquired within a predetermined period after the start signal in step S13 is acquired by the second communication unit 211, the second control unit 213 performs the following processing. That is, the second control unit 213 controls the second communication unit 211 to output a first response signal to the first communication unit 130 (S19), and controls the illuminance sensor 214 to sense the illuminance of the space 90 illuminated by the lighting fixture 220 under the first lighting conditions (S20). The predetermined period is, for example, a period of 1 minute or more and 10 minutes or less.

[0166] The first control unit 142 determines whether the first communication unit 130 was able to acquire the first response signal output by the second communication unit 211 (S21). If the first communication unit 130 was able to acquire the first response signal (Yes in step S21), the first control unit 142 continues the first control mode. That is, the processing in step S22 is performed, followed by the processing in step S30. In this case, the creation unit 212 creates (updates) the lighting data. Furthermore, if the second control unit 213 then executes the second control mode (for example, steps S32 to S38 in operation example 1), it uses the lighting data created (updated) in step S30 to execute the second control mode.

[0167] Furthermore, if the first notification signal output in step S18 is not acquired by the second communication unit 211, the second control unit 213 does not perform the processing in steps S19 and S20.

[0168] More specifically, if the first notification signal is not acquired within a predetermined period after the start signal in step S13 is acquired by the second communication unit 211, the second control unit 213 does not perform the processing in steps S19 and S20.

[0169] As a result, the first communication unit 130 fails to acquire the first response signal (No in step S21), and the first control unit 142 determines that an abnormality has occurred in the communication between the control device 100 and the sensing device 210, and cancels the first control mode. In this case, the processing in steps S22 to S30 is not performed, that is, the creation unit 212 does not create (update) the lighting data. Furthermore, if the second control unit 213 then executes the second control mode (for example, steps S32 to S38 in operation example 1), it executes the second control mode using the previously created lighting data. If this first notification signal is not acquired, it corresponds to an abnormality occurring in the communication between the control device 100 and the sensing device 210 during the execution of the first control mode.

[0170] Furthermore, for example, if the first communication unit 130 fails to output the first notification signal to the second communication unit 211 in step S18, then naturally, the second communication unit 211 will not be able to acquire the first notification signal. In this case as well, the second control unit 213 will not perform the processing in steps S19 and S20, and the first communication unit 130 will not be able to acquire the first response signal (No in step S21), in which case the first control unit 142 will cancel the first control mode.

[0171] Therefore, even if the first communication unit 130 is unable to output the first notification signal to the second communication unit 211, this corresponds to an abnormality occurring in communication between the control device 100 and the sensing device 210 during the execution of the first control mode.

[0172] Furthermore, the example in operation example 4 where the execution of the first control mode is canceled and the example in operation example 5 where the execution of the first control mode is canceled may be combined.

[0173] [Effects, etc.] Invention 1 is a lighting control system 1 comprising a lighting fixture 220 arranged in a space 90, a sensing device 210 for sensing the illuminance of the space 90, and a control device 100 for controlling the lighting fixture 220 and the sensing device 210. The control device 100 has an acquisition unit 141 for acquiring one predetermined piece of information, and a first control unit 142 that executes a first control mode which, when one predetermined piece of information is acquired, controls the lighting fixture 220 to illuminate under a plurality of different lighting conditions, and controls the sensing device 210 to sense the illuminance of the space 90 illuminated by the lighting fixture 220 under each of the plurality of lighting conditions. The sensing device 210 has a creation unit 212 for creating lighting data which associates a plurality of lighting conditions with the illuminance of the space 90 sensed under those lighting conditions, and a second control unit 213 that executes a second control mode which controls the lighting fixture 220 to illuminate based on the created lighting data.

[0174] As a result, the first control unit 142 executes the first control mode simply by having the acquisition unit 141 of the control device 100 acquire one predetermined piece of information. In other words, as long as one predetermined piece of information is acquired, there is no need to perform the processing in the conventional technology multiple times, and lighting data can be automatically created. That is, the lighting control system 1 according to this embodiment is a system that can support the creation of lighting data used for lighting control, thereby reducing the burden on the user.

[0175] Invention 2 is the lighting control system 1 according to Invention 1, wherein the second control unit 213 executes a second control mode based on the created lighting data and the illuminance due to ambient light taken into the space 90.

[0176] As a result, during the execution of the second control mode, the space 90 can be illuminated while taking into account the influence of ambient light. Therefore, a lighting control system 1 that can achieve a more comfortable lighting environment can be realized.

[0177] Invention 3 is the lighting control system 1 according to Invention 2, wherein the second control unit 213 calculates the illuminance due to ambient light based on the illuminance of the space 90 sensed while the second control mode is being executed and the lighting data created.

[0178] This allows for a more accurate calculation of illuminance due to ambient light, thereby enabling the realization of a lighting control system 1 that can achieve an even more comfortable lighting environment.

[0179] Invention 4 is a lighting control system 1 according to any one of Inventions 1 to 3, wherein the plurality of lighting conditions include two or more lighting conditions with different dimming rates from each other.

[0180] This enables the realization of a lighting control system 1 that can use two or more lighting conditions with different dimming rates as multiple lighting conditions.

[0181] Invention 5 is a lighting control system 1 according to any one of Inventions 1 to 4, wherein the plurality of lighting conditions include two or more lighting conditions with different color temperatures.

[0182] This enables the realization of a lighting control system 1 that can use two or more lighting conditions with different color temperatures as multiple lighting conditions.

[0183] Invention 6 is a lighting control system 1 according to any one of Inventions 1 to 5, wherein if the illuminance of the space 90 sensed by the sensing device 210 is below a predetermined reference value while the first control unit 142 is executing the first control mode, the first control unit 142 cancels the first control mode.

[0184] As a result, if an error occurs in illuminance sensing, the execution of the first control mode is stopped, thus shortening the execution time of the first control mode. Furthermore, the creation unit 212 is prevented from creating lighting data based on illuminance values ​​that show abnormal values, and the second control mode is executed based on such lighting data. Therefore, a lighting control system 1 that can achieve a more comfortable lighting environment can be realized.

[0185] Invention 7 is a lighting control system 1 according to any one of Inventions 1 to 6, wherein when the first control unit 142 is executing the first control mode, if an abnormality occurs in the communication between the control device 100 and the sensing device 210, the first control unit 142 cancels the first control mode.

[0186] As a result, if a communication error occurs, the execution of the first control mode will be canceled, thus shortening the execution time of the first control mode.

[0187] Invention 8 is a lighting control method performed by a lighting control system 1, wherein the lighting control system 1 comprises a lighting fixture 220 arranged in a space 90, a sensing device 210 for sensing the illuminance of the space 90, and a control device 100 for controlling the lighting fixture 220 and the sensing device 210, and the lighting control method includes: an acquisition step of acquiring one predetermined piece of information; a first control step of executing a first control mode in which, when one predetermined piece of information has been acquired, the lighting fixture 220 is controlled to illuminate under a plurality of different lighting conditions, and the sensing device 210 is controlled to sense the illuminance of the space 90 illuminated by the lighting fixture 220 under each of the plurality of lighting conditions; a creation step of creating lighting data in which a plurality of lighting conditions and the illuminance of the space 90 sensed under said lighting conditions are associated; and a second control step of executing a second control mode in which the lighting fixture 220 is controlled to illuminate based on the created lighting data.

[0188] As a result, the first control mode is executed when only one predetermined piece of information is acquired. In other words, if only one predetermined piece of information is acquired, it is not necessary to perform the processing in the conventional technology multiple times, and lighting data can be automatically created. That is, the lighting control method according to this embodiment is a method that can support the creation of lighting data used for lighting control, thereby reducing the burden on the user.

[0189] Invention 9 is a computer program for causing a computer to execute the lighting control method described in Invention 8.

[0190] This allows a computer to execute the above-described lighting control method according to a computer program.

[0191] (Other Embodiments) Although embodiments have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above.

[0192] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, a dimmer or a color-adjusting device was used as the lighting fixture 220, but the invention is not limited to these.

[0193] For example, a color fixture may be used as the lighting fixture 220. The light-emitting part 222 of the color fixture may be capable of emitting light of multiple colors. The light-emitting part 222 may, for example, have an LED chip that emits red light, an LED chip that emits green light, and an LED chip that emits blue light, but is not limited to this.

[0194] Even when a color fixture is used as the lighting fixture 220, the first and second control modes are to be executed in the same way as when a color-tuning fixture is used as the lighting fixture 220. However, in the first control mode, multiple lighting conditions different from those in the embodiment are used. As described above, in the embodiment, the multiple lighting conditions used were two or more lighting conditions with the same color temperature and different dimming rates, and two or more lighting conditions with different emitted colors and the same dimming rate. Here, the multiple lighting conditions include two or more lighting conditions with the same emitted color and different dimming rates, and two or more lighting conditions with different emitted colors and the same dimming rate. In the case of two or more lighting conditions with different emitted colors and the same dimming rate, the color deviation (DUV) is to be constant.

[0195] Furthermore, for example, a light distribution device may be used as the lighting fixture 220. A light distribution device is a device that can control the direction of the emitted illumination light. For example, if such a lighting fixture is installed on the ceiling of the space 90, the illumination light can be directed only vertically downward from the lighting fixture, or the illumination light can be directed only horizontally from the lighting fixture. In this case as well, it is preferable that the first control mode and the second control mode be executed. However, in the first control mode, it is preferable that two or more lighting conditions with different light distributions be used as multiple lighting conditions.

[0196] In example, in operation example 1, in step S32, the communication unit of the scheduler outputs a first light emission control signal to the second communication unit 211, which then receives the first light emission control signal and starts the second control mode. However, the process is not limited to this. For example, a wall switch provided on the wall surface of space 90 may be controlled, causing the first light emission control signal to be output from the wall switch to the second communication unit 211, and the process in step S32 may be performed.

[0197] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, a processing unit that is executed by a specific processing unit may be executed by another processing unit. In the above embodiment, when two devices communicate with each other, a relay device (not shown) may be interposed between the two devices.

[0198] Furthermore, the sequence of processes described in the sequence diagram of the above embodiment is just one example. The order of multiple processes may be changed, and multiple processes may be executed in parallel.

[0199] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, each component may be realized by executing a software program suitable for each component. Each component may also be realized 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.

[0200] Furthermore, each component may be implemented by hardware. For example, each component may be a circuit (or integrated circuit). These circuits may form a single circuit as a whole, or they may be separate circuits. Also, each of these circuits may be a general-purpose circuit or a dedicated circuit.

[0201] Furthermore, general or specific embodiments of the present invention may be implemented as a system, apparatus, method, integrated circuit, computer program, or recording medium such as a computer-readable CD-ROM. Alternatively, they may be implemented as any combination of a system, apparatus, method, integrated circuit, computer program, and recording medium.

[0202] For example, the present invention may be implemented as a method executed by a computer, or as a program for causing a computer to execute such a method. Alternatively, the present invention may be implemented as a computer-readable, non-temporary recording medium on which such a program is stored.

[0203] Furthermore, the present invention also includes forms obtained by applying various modifications to each embodiment that a person skilled in the art could conceive, or forms realized by arbitrarily combining the components and functions of each embodiment without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0204] 1 Lighting control system 90 Space 100 Control device 141 Acquisition unit 142 First control unit 210, 210a, 210b Sensing device 212 Creation unit 213 Second control unit 220, 220a, 220b Lighting fixture

Claims

1. A lighting control system comprising: lighting fixtures arranged in a space; a sensing device for sensing the illuminance of the space; and a control device for controlling the lighting fixtures and the sensing device, wherein the control device includes: an acquisition unit for acquiring one predetermined piece of information; a first control unit that, when the one predetermined piece of information is acquired, controls the lighting fixtures to illuminate under a plurality of different lighting conditions, and controls the sensing device to sense the illuminance of the space illuminated by the lighting fixtures under each of the plurality of lighting conditions; and the sensing device includes: a creation unit for creating lighting data in which the plurality of lighting conditions and the illuminance of the space sensed under those lighting conditions are associated; and a second control unit that executes a second control mode for controlling the lighting fixtures to illuminate based on the created lighting data.

2. The lighting control system according to claim 1, wherein the second control unit executes the second control mode based on the created lighting data and the illuminance due to ambient light taken into the space.

3. The lighting control system according to claim 2, wherein the second control unit calculates the illuminance due to ambient light based on the illuminance of the space sensed while the second control mode is being executed and the lighting data created.

4. The lighting control system according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of lighting conditions include two or more lighting conditions with different dimming rates.

5. The lighting control system according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of lighting conditions include two or more lighting conditions with different color temperatures.

6. The lighting control system according to claim 1, wherein if the illuminance of the space sensed by the sensing device is below a predetermined reference value while the first control unit is executing the first control mode, the first control unit discontinues the first control mode.

7. When the first control unit is executing the first control mode, if an abnormality occurs in the communication between the control device and the sensing device, the first control unit cancels the first control mode, the lighting control system according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. A lighting control method to be performed by a lighting control system, wherein the lighting control system comprises: a lighting fixture arranged in a space; a sensing device for sensing the illuminance of the space; and a control device for controlling the lighting fixture and the sensing device, the lighting control method comprising: an acquisition step of acquiring one predetermined piece of information; a first control step of executing a first control mode in which, when the one predetermined piece of information has been acquired, the lighting fixture is controlled to illuminate under a plurality of mutually different lighting conditions, and the sensing device is controlled to sense the illuminance of the space illuminated by the lighting fixture under each of the plurality of lighting conditions; a creation step of creating lighting data in which the plurality of lighting conditions and the illuminance of the space sensed under the lighting conditions are associated; and a second control step of executing a second control mode in which the lighting fixture is controlled to illuminate based on the created lighting data.

9. A computer program for causing a computer to execute the lighting control method described in claim 8.

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