Illumination control system, and illumination control method

Abstract

An illumination control system (10) comprises: an irradiation unit (light source (22)) that irradiates a target plant with light; an acquisition unit (24) that acquires information pertaining to the target plant; and a control unit (23) that controls the irradiation energy and color temperature of the light emitted by the irradiation unit. The control by the control unit (23) of the light emitted by the irradiation unit includes a first setting mode for controlling the light emitted by the irradiation unit at an irradiation energy having a brightness at which the PPFD value is greater than or equal to a light compensation point and less than a light saturation point in the target plant, and at a color temperature within the range of 2700 K to 6500 K.

Description

Illumination control system and illumination control method

[0001] The present invention relates to an illumination control system and an illumination control method.

[0002] There is known a lighting device for plant cultivation that can efficiently promote the growth of plants without giving an unnatural appearance to the plants (Patent Document 1).

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-200204

[0004] However, the lighting device for plant cultivation described in Patent Document 1 is insufficient when considering plant growth and appearance. The present invention provides an illumination control system and the like for more appropriately achieving plant growth and appearance.

[0005] An illumination control system according to an aspect of the present invention includes an irradiation unit that irradiates light to a target plant, an acquisition unit that acquires information about the target plant, and a control unit that controls the irradiation energy and color temperature of the light emitted by the irradiation unit. The control by the control unit of the light emitted by the irradiation unit includes a first setting mode in which the irradiation energy of the light having a brightness value of PPFD (Photosynthetic Photon Flux Density) that is not less than the light compensation point and less than the light saturation point in the target plant, and the light emitted by the irradiation unit is controlled at a color temperature within the range of 2700K to 6500K.

[0006] An illumination control method according to an aspect of the present invention includes a step of irradiating light to a target plant, a step of acquiring information about the target plant, and a step of controlling the irradiation energy and color temperature of the light emitted in the irradiating step. The controlling step includes an operation in a first setting mode in which the irradiation energy of the light having a brightness value of PPFD (Photosynthetic Photon Flux Density) that is not less than the light compensation point and less than the light saturation point in the target plant, and the light emitted in the irradiating step is controlled at a color temperature within the range of 2700K to 6500K.

[0007] The illumination control system and the like of the present invention can more appropriately achieve plant growth and appearance.

[0008] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the lighting control system according to the embodiment. Figure 2 is a flowchart showing the lighting control method by the lighting control system according to the embodiment. Figure 3 is a diagram showing an example of a screen presented in the lighting control system according to the embodiment. Figure 4 is a diagram showing an example of a screen presented in the lighting control system according to the embodiment. Figure 5 is a diagram showing an example of a schedule constructed in the lighting control system according to the embodiment. Figure 6 is a subflowchart of the lighting control method by the lighting control system according to the embodiment. Figure 7 is a subflowchart of the lighting control method by the lighting control system according to the embodiment.

[0009] 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.

[0010] 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.

[0011] (Embodiment) [Configuration] First, the configuration of the lighting control system according to the embodiment will be described. Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the lighting control system according to the embodiment. As shown in Figure 1, the lighting control system 10 comprises a plurality of lighting fixtures 20 and terminal equipment 90. The lighting control system 10 may also be equipped with detectors related to lighting control, such as a motion sensor and a light intensity sensor (not shown). The operation of the lighting control system 10 when a motion sensor is involved will be described later. Furthermore, the number of plurality of lighting fixtures 20 provided in the lighting control system 10 is not particularly limited; it may be one (or not multiple), or it may be four or more.

[0012] The lighting fixture 20 is a light for illuminating plants, and is a base light installed on the ceiling of the space where the plants are placed to illuminate the space. The form of the lighting fixture 20 is not particularly limited and may be a ceiling light, downlight, or spotlight, etc. Specifically, the lighting fixture 20 comprises a wireless communication unit 21, a light source 22, a control unit 23, and an acquisition unit 24.

[0013] The wireless communication unit 21 is a wireless communication circuit that enables the lighting fixture 20 to communicate wirelessly (more specifically, via radio waves) with the terminal device 90. Specifically, the wireless communication unit 21 performs wireless communication according to a communication standard such as BLE (Bluetooth® Low Energy) or Bluetooth® mesh, but is not particularly limited to any specific communication standard.

[0014] The light source 22 is an example of an illumination unit, and the lighting fixture 20 emits light into the space to illuminate plants. Here, the light emitted by the lighting fixture 20 changes in a time-division manner according to the operation schedule of the lighting fixture 20 (hereinafter simply referred to as the schedule), which will be described later. In other words, the light source 22 is capable of emitting light in at least two modes: before the change and after the change. However, as mentioned above, since multiple lighting fixtures 20 are provided in the lighting control system 10, it is not necessary for each individual lighting fixture 20 to be capable of emitting light corresponding to both modes. For example, one lighting fixture 20 may be capable of emitting light corresponding to one of the two modes, and another lighting fixture 20 may be capable of emitting light corresponding to the other of the two modes. In other words, the lighting fixture 20 as a whole, consisting of light sources 22 provided in the lighting control system 10, only needs to be able to emit light that changes according to the schedule.

[0015] The light emitted by the light source 22 consists of three types of light: light with an irradiation energy that results in a PPFD (Photosynthetic Photon Flux Density) value between the light compensation point and the light saturation point for the target plant (the plant targeted by the lighting control system 10), and a color temperature within the range of 2700K to 6500K suitable for human viewing (hereinafter referred to as the first control mode or dual mode light); light with an irradiation energy that results in a PPFD value below the light compensation point for the target plant, and a color temperature within the range of 2700K to 6500K suitable for human viewing (hereinafter referred to as the second control mode or viewing mode light); and light with an irradiation energy that results in a PPFD value between the light compensation point and the light saturation point for the target plant, and a color temperature outside the range of 2700K to 6500K not intended for human viewing (hereinafter referred to as the third control mode or growth mode light). Note that "brightness" corresponding to irradiation energy may be defined as illuminance or luminance.

[0016] When the plant is illuminated in the balanced mode, its growth is promoted and its appearance improves. On the other hand, the power consumption for illumination is highest when the plant is illuminated in the balanced mode. When the plant is illuminated in the appreciation mode, its growth is not promoted as much, but its appearance improves. On the other hand, the power consumption for illumination is lowest when the plant is illuminated in the appreciation mode. When the plant is illuminated in the growth mode, its growth is promoted, but its appearance deteriorates. On the other hand, the power consumption for illumination is lower when the plant is illuminated in the growth mode than when the plant is illuminated in the balanced mode, but higher than when the plant is illuminated in the appreciation mode. Thus, there are differences between modes in terms of the growth and appearance of the plant, as well as the power consumption for illumination, depending on the light emitted in each mode.

[0017] The light source 22 is implemented by, for example, an LED (Light Emitting Diode) element, but may also be implemented by other light-emitting elements such as a semiconductor laser, organic EL (Electro-Luminescence), or inorganic EL.

[0018] The control unit 23 controls the light emission of the lighting fixture 20 (light source 22). Light emission control includes turning on the light, turning off the light, dimming, color temperature control, and light distribution control. The control unit 23 is implemented by, for example, a microcomputer, but may also be implemented by a processor or a dedicated circuit. The functions of the control unit 23 are realized by the execution of a computer program (software) stored in memory by the hardware, such as the microcomputer or processor that constitutes the control unit 23.

[0019] The acquisition unit 24 is a functional unit that acquires predetermined information from an external device via the wireless communication unit 21. The information acquired by the acquisition unit 24 is used to control the light source 22 by the control unit 23. The information acquired by the acquisition unit 24 includes, for example, detection results from a detector, a schedule, and information about the target plant. As described above, in this embodiment, light is irradiated onto a plant placed in a space to promote its growth, and, if necessary, light is irradiated to improve the appearance of the plant to the user in the space. In this case, in order to irradiate the plant with light to promote its growth, information on the amount of light received by the plant, that is, information on the light compensation point and light saturation point (especially PPFD information of the light compensation point and light saturation point) is necessary. Since the light compensation point and light saturation point differ depending on the plant, they need to be appropriately selected according to the plant placed in the space. Therefore, the acquisition unit 24 accepts input from the user to allow the user to select a target plant and acquires PPFD information of the light compensation point and light saturation point corresponding to that target plant.

[0020] The terminal device 90 is a general-purpose device with information processing capabilities, such as a smartphone, tablet, or PC owned by the user. The terminal device 90 is used as the user interface in the lighting control system 10. The terminal device 90 has the following functional configuration by executing a predetermined program using a processor and memory. Specifically, the terminal device 90 comprises a reception unit 91, a database 92, a wireless communication unit 93, a presentation unit 94, and a schedule construction unit 95.

[0021] The reception unit 91 is a function that accepts input from the user. For example, the reception unit 91 accepts input for selecting a target plant or input for creating a schedule, and functions as an input interface between the user and the functional parts described later.

[0022] Database 92 is a collection of information that stores information in association with plants and their light compensation point and light saturation point, or the PPFD values ​​of the light compensation point and light saturation point. Database 92 contains a list of multiple plants (a list of multiple candidate target plants), and the above-mentioned information associated with each plant is summarized. For example, if a user selects a plant as a target plant from the list, the light compensation point and light saturation point, or the PPFD values ​​of the light compensation point and light saturation point associated with that plant will be extracted as information about the target plant. Alternatively, instead of the user referring to the list of plants in Database 92, the user may input a photograph of the target plant they have taken, and the system may automatically search for a plant corresponding to the target plant based on the features of the image.

[0023] The wireless communication unit 93 is a wireless communication circuit for the terminal device 90 to communicate wirelessly (more specifically, via radio waves) with the lighting fixture 20. Specifically, the wireless communication unit 21 performs wireless communication according to a communication standard such as BLE or Bluetooth mesh, but is not particularly limited to the communication standard.

[0024] The display unit 94 is an image processing function that displays images to the user by driving a display module such as a display from the terminal device 90. The display unit 94 can also be considered as an input / output function for a touch display together with the reception unit 91.

[0025] The schedule building unit 95 is a function that builds a schedule based on user input. The schedule building unit 95 can, for example, build a schedule for each day. More specifically, when a day is divided into multiple time periods, the schedule can be built by specifying for each time period which operating mode will be used to control the emission of light from the light source 22.

[0026] [Operation of the Lighting Control System] The lighting control system 10 configured as described above operates as shown in Figures 2 and later. Figure 2 is a flowchart showing the lighting control method by the lighting control system according to the embodiment. As shown in Figure 2, first, in the terminal device 90, the presentation unit 94 presents a list of candidate target plants to the display module (S11). The user inputs a plant that is actually placed in the space from the presented list. The input is received by the reception unit 91.

[0027] Here, even when we say "promote plant growth," the user may have different ideas about whether they want growth in the sense of maintaining the plant's current growth state or growth in the sense of further enlargement of the plant. Therefore, as shown in Figure 3, the user may be allowed to input their growth policy. Figure 3 is a diagram showing an example of a screen presented in the lighting control system according to the embodiment. As shown in Figure 3, in the terminal device 90, the presentation unit 94 allows the user to select a growth policy for the target plant from either "growth promotion" to promote growth or "growth maintenance" to maintain growth. The user inputs a policy according to their own growth policy from the presented "growth promotion" or "growth maintenance." The input is received by the reception unit 91. In this way, the selection of the target plant and the input of the growth policy are received (S12).

[0028] When the growth policy is "growth promotion," the light in the balance mode and the light in the growth mode are controlled so that the irradiation energy is such that the PPFD value is closer to the light saturation point than the light compensation point. For example, the light is controlled so that the PPFD value is closer to the light saturation point than the average of the PPFD values ​​of the light compensation point and the light saturation point, and on a scale where the PPFD of the light compensation point is 0% and the PPFD of the light saturation point is 100%, the irradiation energy is such that the PPFD value is 60%, 70%, 80%, or 90%, or the PPFD value of the light saturation point.

[0029] Conversely, if the cultivation policy is "cultivation and maintenance," the light in the co-existence mode and the light in the cultivation mode are controlled to emit light with an irradiation energy that results in a PPFD value closer to the light compensation point than the light compensation point and the light saturation point. For example, the light is controlled to emit light with an irradiation energy that results in a PPFD value closer to the light compensation point than the average of the PPFD values ​​of the light compensation point and the light saturation point, or a PPFD value of 40%, 30%, 20%, or 10% on a scale where the PPFD of the light compensation point is 0% and the PPFD of the light saturation point is 100%, or the PPFD value of the light compensation point.

[0030] Returning to Figure 2, the schedule construction unit 95 then constructs a schedule using the reception unit 91 and the presentation unit 94 to receive input from the user and present images to the user (S13). For example, the user divides a day into several arbitrary time slots and specifies whether to operate in the balancing mode, viewing mode, or nurturing mode for each time slot. By doing this for all the time slots in a day, a schedule for the day is constructed. Here, the schedule construction unit 95 has a function to encourage the total operating time of the balancing mode and nurturing mode to exceed a predetermined time. Specifically, if the total operating time of the balancing mode and nurturing mode is less than the predetermined time, the schedule construction unit 95 makes a presentation using the presentation unit 94 as shown in Figure 4.

[0031] Figure 4 shows an example of a screen displayed in the lighting control system according to the embodiment. As shown in Figure 4, the user can learn from the error screen displayed on the terminal device 90 that the total operating time of the balance mode and the growth mode is less than a predetermined time. The user can then rebuild the schedule so that the total operating time of the balance mode and the growth mode exceeds the predetermined time, so that such an error screen does not appear. Alternatively, the schedule building unit 95 may automatically change at least a portion of the time slot set for the viewing mode in the schedule built by the user to the balance mode, thereby prompting the user to build a schedule so that the total operating time of the balance mode and the growth mode exceeds the predetermined time.

[0032] Prompting schedule construction is a concept that includes both constructing a schedule through active user correction via error displays and constructing a schedule through automatic schedule correction. The predetermined time is a different value depending on the target plant; therefore, it is sufficient if it is stored in database 92, linked to each plant. The predetermined time linked to the selected target plant is then read and used for comparison with the total operating time of the co-operation mode and the cultivation mode, as described above.

[0033] An example of a schedule constructed as described above is shown in Figure 5. Figure 5 is a diagram showing an example of a schedule constructed in the lighting control system according to the embodiment. In Figure 5, solid lines represent illuminance and dotted lines represent color temperature. As shown in Figure 5, the schedule includes a dual mode period until 12:00 and from 13:00 to 17:00, an appreciation mode period from 12:00 to 13:00 and from 17:00 to 24:00, and a growth mode period from 24:00 onwards.

[0034] Here, as shown in the balanced mode from 13:00 to 17:00, there are periods when the light changes so that the color temperature and illuminance decrease over time. In particular, in modes other than the growth mode, namely the balanced mode and the viewing mode, the color temperature can be changed within the range of 2700K to 6500K. One way of thinking about a color temperature suitable for human viewing is to consider changes based on the human circadian rhythm. This means that by making the color temperature relatively high during the day and lowering the color temperature from evening onwards, it is possible to give an effect that does not easily disrupt the human circadian rhythm. In this embodiment as well, in the balanced mode and the viewing mode, the color temperature is automatically controlled to change within the range of 2700K to 6500K based on the human circadian rhythm, in accordance with the constructed schedule.

[0035] Returning to Figure 2, the acquisition unit 24 acquires the constructed schedule via the wireless communication units 93 and 21. Then, the control unit 23 controls the light source 22 according to the acquired schedule (S14). The light source 22 starts irradiating the target plant with light according to the schedule (S15).

[0036] Here, using Figures 6 and 7, we will explain the changes in control in response to event occurrences during scheduled light irradiation. Figures 6 and 7 are subflowcharts of the lighting control method by the lighting control system according to the embodiment.

[0037] If the acquisition unit 24 acquires a detection result from the detector while light is being irradiated according to the schedule, the control unit 23 transiently performs control that differs from the schedule. For example, as shown in Figure 6, the acquisition unit 24 acquires the amount of light received from a light receiving sensor installed near the target plant (S21). The amount of light received indicates the amount of light received by the target plant, including the light irradiated from the light source 22 as well as ambient light which is difficult to predict. When the amount of light received reaches the required amount of light for the target plant, further light for plant growth modes, i.e., the balance mode and growth mode, is unnecessary. Therefore, if the acquired amount of light received reaches the required amount of light received (Yes in S22), the balance mode and growth mode in the schedule are stopped (S23). For example, when operating in balance mode, it switches to viewing mode and continues operation, and when operating in growth mode, the light source 22 is turned off. If the acquired amount of light received does not reach the required amount of light received (No in S22), step S23 is skipped and the processing related to the subflowchart is terminated.

[0038] Since the required amount of light received varies depending on the target plant, it is sufficient if, for example, it is stored in database 92, linked to each plant. Then, the required amount of light received linked to the selected target plant is read out and used for comparison with the acquired amount of light received, as described above.

[0039] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 7, for example, the acquisition unit 24 acquires a detection result from the motion sensor indicating the presence or absence of a person (S31). If there is no person, it can be said that operation in the viewing mode and the dual mode for improving the appearance of the plants is unnecessary. In other words, if the appearance of the plants is not a concern, it is possible to switch from viewing mode to cultivation mode to further promote growth, or to switch from dual mode to cultivation mode to save energy. However, since switching from viewing mode to cultivation mode and switching from dual mode to cultivation mode have different effects, such as further plant growth and saving energy, it may be possible to select whether to do both, one or the other, or neither. Here, if the acquired detection result indicates that there is no person (Yes in S32), the system switches to cultivation mode instead of viewing mode and dual mode in the schedule and operates (S33). If the acquired detection result indicates that there is a person (No in S32), step S33 is skipped and the processing related to the subflowchart is terminated.

[0040] As described above, the system allows for the continuous irradiation of light necessary to promote plant growth, even while people are appreciating the plants, enabling more appropriate plant growth and aesthetic appeal.

[0041] [Effects, etc.] Below, examples of inventions obtained from the disclosures of this specification will be given, and the effects, etc. obtained from said inventions will be explained.

[0042] Invention 1 is a lighting control system 10 comprising an irradiation unit (light source 22) that irradiates light onto a target plant, an acquisition unit 24 that acquires information about the target plant, and a control unit 23 that controls the irradiation energy and color temperature of the light emitted by the irradiation unit. The control unit 23 controls the light emitted by the irradiation unit to an irradiation energy that results in a PPFD value of the target plant that is above the light compensation point and below the light saturation point, and a color temperature within the range of 2700K to 6500K.

[0043] In such a lighting control system 10, it is the irradiation energy of brightness with a PPFD value that is not less than the light compensation point and less than the light saturation point in the target plant necessary for growing plants. Moreover, so that it can continue even when a person is viewing the plants, light in a first setting mode (compatible mode) with a color temperature within the range of 2700K to 6500K suitable for a person to view while maintaining the irradiation energy is irradiatable, and plant growth and appearance can be achieved more appropriately.

[0044] Invention 2 is the lighting control system 10 described in Invention 1, wherein the control by the control unit 23 of the light emitted by the irradiation unit further includes a second setting mode in which the irradiation energy of brightness with a PPFD value less than the light compensation point in the target plant and the light emitted by the irradiation unit are controlled at a color temperature within the range of 2700K to 6500K, and it can be switched in a time-sharing manner with modes other than the second setting mode.

[0045] In such a lighting control system 10, when there is no need to grow plants by light irradiation, it is the irradiation energy of brightness with a PPFD value less than the light compensation point, and light in a second setting mode (viewing mode) with a color temperature within the range of 2700K to 6500K suitable for a person to simply view is irradiatable, and it can be switched to such a second setting mode as needed.

[0046] Invention 3 is the lighting control system 10 described in Invention 2, wherein in the first setting mode and the second setting mode, the control unit 23 changes the color temperature of the light emitted by the irradiation unit within the range of 2700K to 6500K based on the human circadian rhythm.

[0047] In such a lighting control system 10, during operation in the first setting mode and the second setting mode, light can be irradiated with a change in the color temperature of the light so as not to disrupt the human circadian rhythm.

[0048] Invention 4 is the lighting control system 10 according to any one of Inventions 1 to 3, wherein the control by the control unit 23 of the light emitted by the irradiation unit further includes a third setting mode for controlling the irradiation energy of light having a brightness value of PPFD that is equal to or higher than the light compensation point and lower than the light saturation point in the target plant, and the light emitted by the irradiation unit at a color temperature outside the range of 2700K to 6500K, and it is switchable in a time-sharing manner with modes other than the third setting mode.

[0049] In such a lighting control system 10, when there is no need to irradiate light suitable for human appreciation, it is simply the irradiation energy of light having a brightness value of PPFD that is equal to or higher than the light compensation point and lower than the light saturation point, and light in the third setting mode (growth mode) with a color temperature outside the range of 2700K to 6500K, which is not suitable for human appreciation, can be irradiated, and it can be switched to such a third setting mode as needed.

[0050] Invention 5 is the lighting control system 10 according to Invention 4, further including a schedule construction unit 95 that promotes the construction of a schedule including a time zone operating in the first setting mode and a time zone operating in the third setting mode such that the total operation time of the first setting mode and the third setting mode exceeds a predetermined time set for the target plant, and the control unit 23 controls the light emitted by the irradiation unit according to the constructed schedule.

[0051] In such a lighting control system 10, by setting a predetermined time for the target plant, schedule construction is facilitated to ensure that the total operation time of the first setting mode and the third setting mode reaches at least that predetermined time. For example, if a predetermined time required for the target growth of the target plant is set, it becomes easier to construct a schedule that achieves that goal.

[0052] Invention 6 is the lighting control system 10 according to Invention 4 or 5, wherein the acquisition unit 24 further acquires a detection result indicating the result of detecting the presence or absence of a person in the space where the target plant is present, and when the detection result indicates that there is no person in the space while the control unit 23 is controlling in a mode other than the third setting mode, the control unit 23 switches to the third setting mode for control.

[0053] In such a lighting control system 10, if the absence of a person is detected, the system can switch to operation in a third setting mode instead of at least one of the first setting mode or the second setting mode, which are based on the assumption that a person is present. When switching from the first setting mode to the third setting mode, the color temperature conditions necessary for human viewing can be removed (relaxed) from the mode that balances the irradiation energy for plant growth with human viewing, thus maintaining plant growth with greater energy efficiency. Furthermore, when switching from the second setting mode to the third setting mode, the time slots set aside for viewing can be reallocated for growth, making it easier to promote plant growth.

[0054] Invention 7 is a lighting control system 10 according to any one of Inventions 4 to 6, wherein the acquisition unit 24 further acquires information regarding a cultivation policy indicating whether to promote the growth of the target plant that has received input or to maintain its growth, and the control unit 23 controls the light emitted by the irradiation unit with irradiation energy at a brightness that results in a PPFD value closer to the light saturation point than the light compensation point of the target plant when the information regarding the cultivation policy indicates to promote the growth of the target plant, and controls the light emitted by the irradiation unit with irradiation energy at a brightness that results in a PPFD value closer to the light compensation point than the light saturation point of the target plant when the information regarding the cultivation policy indicates to maintain the growth of the target plant.

[0055] Such a lighting control system 10 can operate according to the growth policy that has been received as input. Specifically, in the operation to ensure irradiation energy for plant growth in the first setting mode and the third setting mode, it is possible to select between an operation that further promotes plant growth by irradiating energy with a brightness that results in a PPFD value closer to the light saturation point, and an operation that maintains plant growth by irradiating energy with a brightness that results in a PPFD value closer to the light compensation point.

[0056] Invention 8 is a lighting control system 10 according to any one of Inventions 4 to 7, wherein the acquisition unit 24 further acquires information regarding the amount of light received by the target plant, and the control unit 23 stops operation in the first setting mode and the third setting mode when the amount of received light reaches the required amount of light received by the target plant.

[0057] In such a lighting control system 10, the irradiation unit can be controlled so that in the first setting mode and the third setting mode, that is, in the operation mode in which light with irradiation energy for plant growth is irradiated, the amount of light irradiated in that operation mode does not exceed the amount of light required to be received by the target plant.

[0058] Invention 9 is a lighting control system 10 according to any one of Inventions 1 to 8, comprising a presentation unit 94 that presents a list of candidate target plants and accepts the selection of a target plant from the list by the user (including a reception unit 91), and an acquisition unit 24 that acquires information about the selected target plant from a database 92.

[0059] In such a lighting control system 10, the selection of target plants can be accepted by selecting from a list of candidate target plants.

[0060] Invention 10 is a lighting control system 10 described in Invention 5, or any one of Inventions 6 to 8 that reference Invention 5, wherein the acquisition unit 24 further acquires a schedule constructed by the user, which includes a time period for operating in a first setting mode and a time period for operating in a third setting mode, and the control unit 23 controls the light emitted by the irradiation unit according to the constructed schedule.

[0061] Such a lighting control system 10 can acquire a schedule that includes a time period in which it operates in a first setting mode and a time period in which it operates in a third setting mode, and can control the irradiation unit according to the acquired schedule.

[0062] Invention 11 is an illumination control method that includes the steps of irradiating a target plant with light, acquiring information about the target plant, and controlling the irradiation energy and color temperature of the light emitted in the irradiation step, wherein the control step involves controlling the light emitted in the irradiation step with an irradiation energy that results in a brightness value of PPFD (Photosynthetic Photon Flux Density) of the target plant that is above the light compensation point and below the light saturation point, and a color temperature in the range of 2700K to 6500K.

[0063] Such a lighting control method can achieve the same effects as the lighting control system 10 described above.

[0064] (Other Embodiments) Although embodiments have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above.

[0065] For example, in the above embodiment, a process performed by a specific processing unit may be performed by another processing unit. Furthermore, the order of multiple processes may be changed, or multiple processes may be executed in parallel.

[0066] Furthermore, although the above embodiment illustrates a lighting control system including lighting fixtures and terminal equipment, a lighting control device that achieves the same effects as a lighting control system in which components distributed among lighting fixtures and terminal equipment are housed in a single housing may also be realized.

[0067] 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.

[0068] 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.

[0069] 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.

[0070] For example, the present invention may be implemented as a lighting control system as described above, or as a method executed by a computer such as a lighting control system. The present invention may be implemented as a program (computer program product) for causing a computer to execute such a method, or as a computer-readable non-temporary recording medium on which such a program is recorded.

[0071] 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.

[0072] 10 Lighting control system 20 Lighting fixtures 21, 93 Wireless communication unit 22 Light source 23 Control unit 24 Acquisition unit 90 Terminal equipment 91 Reception unit 92 Database 94 Presentation unit 95 Schedule construction unit

Claims

1. An illumination control system comprising: an irradiation unit that irradiates light onto a target plant; an acquisition unit that acquires information about the target plant; and a control unit that controls the irradiation energy and color temperature of the light emitted by the irradiation unit, wherein the control unit controls the light emitted by the irradiation unit to an irradiation energy that results in a PPFD (Photosynthetic Photon Flux Density) value that is above the light compensation point and below the light saturation point for the target plant, and a color temperature within the range of 2700K to 6500K, including a first setting mode.

2. The lighting control system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the light emitted by the irradiation unit to an irradiation energy that results in a PPFD value below the light compensation point of the target plant, and to control the light emitted by the irradiation unit to a color temperature in the range of 2700K to 6500K, and the control unit is time-division switchable between modes other than the second setting mode.

3. In the first setting mode and the second setting mode, the control unit changes the color temperature of the light emitted by the irradiation unit within a range of 2700K to 6500K based on the human circadian rhythm, as described in claim 2.

4. The lighting control system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control unit controls the light emitted by the irradiation unit with an irradiation energy that results in a PPFD value of the target plant that is above the light compensation point and below the light saturation point, and with a color temperature outside the range of 2700K to 6500K, and is time-division switchable between modes other than the third setting mode.

5. The lighting control system according to claim 4, further comprising a schedule construction unit that prompts the construction of a schedule including a time period for operating in the first setting mode and a time period for operating in the third setting mode such that the sum of the operating times of the first setting mode and the third setting mode exceeds a predetermined time set for the target plant, wherein the control unit controls the light emitted by the irradiation unit according to the constructed schedule.

6. The lighting control system according to claim 4, wherein the acquisition unit further acquires a detection result indicating the presence or absence of a person in the space where the target plant is located, and the control unit, when controlling in a mode other than the third setting mode, switches to the third setting mode and controls if the detection result indicates that there is no person in the space.

7. The lighting control system according to claim 4, wherein the acquisition unit further acquires information regarding a cultivation policy indicating whether to promote or maintain the growth of the target plant that has received input, and the control unit controls the light emitted by the irradiation unit in the first setting mode and the third setting mode with an irradiation energy that results in a PPFD value closer to the light saturation point than the light compensation point of the target plant, if the information regarding the cultivation policy indicates to promote the growth of the target plant, and controls the light emitted by the irradiation unit in the first setting mode and the third setting mode with an irradiation energy that results in a PPFD value closer to the light compensation point than the light saturation point of the target plant, if the information regarding the cultivation policy indicates to maintain the growth of the target plant.

8. The lighting control system according to claim 4, wherein the acquisition unit further acquires information regarding the amount of light received by the target plant, and the control unit stops operating in the first setting mode and the third setting mode when the amount of light received reaches the required amount of light received by the target plant.

9. The lighting control system according to claim 1, comprising a presentation unit that presents a list of candidate target plants and accepts the user's selection of a target plant from the list, wherein the acquisition unit acquires information about the selected target plant from a database.

10. The lighting control system according to claim 5, wherein the acquisition unit further acquires a schedule constructed by the user, which includes a time period during which the system operates in the first setting mode and a time period during which the system operates in the third setting mode, and the control unit controls the light emitted by the irradiation unit according to the constructed schedule.

11. An illumination control method comprising the steps of: irradiating a target plant with light; acquiring information relating to the target plant; and controlling the irradiation energy and color temperature of the light emitted in the irradiation step, wherein the controlling step includes operation in a first setting mode in which the light emitted in the irradiation step is controlled by an irradiation energy that results in a brightness value of PPFD (Photosynthetic Photon Flux Density) of the target plant that is above the light compensation point and below the light saturation point, and a color temperature in the range of 2700K to 6500K.

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