[DESCRIPTION] [Title of Invention]

LIGHTING CONTROL SYSTEM, LIGHTING CONTROL DEVICE, AND TERMINAL FOR LIGHTING CONTROL

[Technical Field]

[0001]

The present invention relates to a lighting control system, a lighting control device, and a terminal for lighting control, which control a luminaire.

[Background Art]

[0002]

As a user interface for setting an illuminated scene, a button-type user interface described in Patent Literature 1 below is known.

[Citation List]

[Patent Literature]

[0005]

[PTL l] Published Japanese Translation of PCT Application No. 2011-510443

[Summary of Invention]

[Technical Problem]

[0003]

However, with the technology described in Patent Literature 1 stated above, it is difficult to understand correspondence between an illuminated scene and a user's mental state because the interface is operated simply by buttons. Therefore, there is a problem in that it is difficult to operate the user interface intuitively in order to set an illuminated scene.

[0004]

The present invention has been proposed in view of the above-mentioned situation, and an object of the invention is to provide a lighting control system capable of easily setting an illuminated scene fit for a mental state, a lighting control device, and a terminal for lighting control.

[Solution to Problem]

[0006]

A lighting control system according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a lighting control part configured to control a luminaire, a command part configured to supply a command for controlling the luminaire to the lighting control part, and an interface part having a display part for displaying the command, and a selection part for selecting the command. The command represents a user's mental state. In the interface part, a user's mental space corresponding to an illumination state to be realized by the luminaire is displayed by the display part, the command is displayed at a coordinate position within the mental space corresponding to the mental state represented by the command, and the displayed command is selected by the selection part.

[0007]

A lighting control system according to a second aspect of the present invention is the lighting control system according to the first aspect stated above and includes an input part for inputting a user's mental state. The interface part displays the mental state inputted by the input part, at a coordinate position within the mental space corresponding to the mental state.

[0008]

A lighting control system according to a third aspect of the present invention is the lighting control system according to the second aspect stated above, in which the input part is a detection part configured to detect a user's mental state, and the interface part displays the mental state detected by the detection part, at a coordinate position within the mental space corresponding to the mental state.

[0009]

A lighting control system according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the lighting control system according to the second or third aspect stated above, and, in a case where the user's mental state is inputted by the input part, the command part supplies a prior command to the lighting control part before supplying the command selected by the selection part to the lighting controlpart. The prior command represents a mental state between the mental state inputted by the input part and the mental state represented by the command selected by the selection part.

[0010]

A lighting control system according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the lighting control system according to the fourth aspect stated above, in which the command part supplies commands sequentially to the lighting control part so that, among a plurality of mental states from the mental state inputted by the input part to the mental state represented by the command selected by the selection part, a mental state closer to the mental state inputted by the input part is shifted towards a mental state close to the mental state represented by the command selected by the selection part.

[0011]

A lighting control system according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the lighting control system according to any one of the first to third aspects stated above, in which the command includes a plurality of commands selectable by the selection part, a storage part stores the plurality of commands to be selected by the selection part and a supplying order of the plurality of commands to the lighting control part, and the command part supplies the plurality of commands to the lighting control part according to the supplying order stored in the storage part.

[0012]

A lighting control system according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is the lighting control system according to any one of the first to sixth aspects stated above, wherein the display part and the selection part of the interface part are structured by a touch panel.

[0013]

A lighting control device according to an eighth aspect of the present invention includes a lighting control part configured to control a luminaire, and a command part configured to supply a command for controlling the luminaire to the lighting control part. The command represents a user's mental state. A user's mental space corresponding to an illumination state to be realized by the luminaire is displayed by a display device, the command is displayed at a coordinate position within the mental space corresponding to the mental state represented by the command, and the displayed command is selected by a selection device.

[0014]

A terminal for lighting control according to a ninth aspect of the present invention includes an interface part having a display part configured to display a command for controlling a luminaire, and a selection part configured to select the command. The command represents a user's mental state, and, in the interface part, a user's mental space corresponding to an illumination state to be realized by the luminaire is displayed by the display part, the command is displayed at a coordinate position within the mental space corresponding to a mental state represented by the command, and the displayed command is selected by the selection part.

[Brief Description of Drawings]

[0015]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a structure of a lighting control system shown as an embodiment of the present invention.'

FIG. 2(a) to FIG. 2(e) are views showing relationships between a mental space and illuminated scenes in the lighting control system shown as the embodiment of the present invention, where FIG. 2(a) shows the mental space, FIG. 2(b) shows an illuminated scene A, FIG. 2(c) shows an illuminated scene B, FIG. 2(d) shows an illuminated scene C, and FIG. 2(e) shows an illuminated scene D,'

FIG. 3(a) to FIG. 3(c) are explanatory views for setting an illuminated scene and analyzing a mental state corresponding to the mental space in the lighting control system shown as the embodiment of the present invention, where FIG. 3(a) shows a state where a scene is set, FIG. 3(b) shows content of mood measurement, and FIG. 3(C) shows the mental space as a result of the scene phycological analysis.'

FIG. 4 is a view showing an example of a database that is stored in a database part in the lighting control system shown as the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing another structure of the lighting control system shown as the embodiment of the present invention,"

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing another structure of the lighting control system shown as the embodiment of the present invention,'

FIG. 7 is a view showing the mental space including a current mental state in the lighting control system shown as the embodiment of the present invention,'

FIG. 8 is a view showing an example of how commands are changed when a plurality of commands are selected in the lighting control system shown as the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a view showing another example of how commands are changed when a plurality of commands are selected in the lighting control system shown as the embodiment of the present invention." and

FIG. 10 is a view showing an example in which different moods are displayed in the mental space.

[Description of Embodiments]

[0016]

Embodiments of the present invention will be explained below with reference to the drawings.

[0017]

A lighting control system shown as an embodiment of the present invention is structured, for example, as shown in FIG. 1. The lighting control system includes a lighting control device 1, a plurality of luminaires 2a, 2b... 2n (hereinafter, simply referred to as "luminaires 2" when called collectively).

[0018]

The luminaires 2 are arranged in a space where a user is present. The luminaires 2a, 2b,... 2n are, for example, provided on a ceiling, a wall surface, a floor surface, and so on of a room. To be specific, a ceiling light, a bracket light, a downlight, a pendant light, a floor light, a horizontal light, and so on are included. The luminaires 2 are connected to the lighting control device 1. The luminaires 2 are operated by a control signal from the lighting control device 1, by which the luminaires 2 are turned on or off, and a degree of dimming (brightness), color temperature (tone of color), and so on are controlled.

[0019]

The lighting control device 1 is connected to the plurality of luminaires 2. The lighting control device 1 supplies a control signal to the plurality of luminaires 2. The lighting control device 1 includes an interface part 11, a command part 12, a lighting control part 13, and a database part 14. The lighting control device 1 is, for example, a type of an embedded type. The lighting control device 1 is structured by a display screen exposed from a wall surface, and CPU for control and a communication I/F that are embedded in the wall surface.

[0020]

The lighting control part 13 supplies a control signal to the plurality of luminaires 2.

[0021]

The command part 12 generates a command that causes the lighting control part 13 to output the control signal to the luminaires 2 and control operations of the luminaires 2. The command part 12 supplies the generated command to the lighting control part 13.

[0022]

The interface part 11 includes a display part 21 and a selection part 22. The interface part 11 is structured by, for example, a touch panel. The interface part 11 displays information for selecting an illuminated scene to a user through the display part 21. The interface part 11 is operated relative to the selection part 22. The information for selecting an illuminated scene is a user's mental space which corresponds to an illumination state to be realized by the luminaires 2. A command for controlling an illuminated scene is associated with the mental space.

[0023]

In the interface part 11, a mental space, in other words, a command is selected by the selection part 22 in a state where commands are displayed on the display part 21. Thus, the interface part 11 supplies the selected command to the command part 12, and causes the command part 12 to supply the command to the lighting control part 13.

[0024]

Once the command is supplied by the interface part 11, the command part 12 causes the lighting control part 13 to control the luminaires 2. The command part 12 refers to the database part 14 in accordance with the command supplied by the interface part 11. The database part 14 stores lighting states of the luminaires 2 corresponding to illuminated scenes. The database part 14 supplies a command that represents a lighting state of the luminaires 2 to the lighting control part 13.

[0025]

The lighting control part 13 controls the luminaires 2 in accordance with the command supplied by the command part 12. The lighting control part 13 generates a control signal that indicates lighting states of each of the luminaires 2, i.e., turning on and off the luminarires 2, lightness and tone of color of each the luminaire 2 as the lighting state in accordance with the command from the command part 12. The lighting control part 13 outputs the control signal to each of the luminaires 2.

[0026]

Thus, the lighting control system causes the lighting control device 1 to control the luminaires 2 so as to have an illuminated scene corresponding to a user's mental state.

[0027]

Next, specific operations of the lighting control system that operates as above will be explained.

[0028]

As shown in FIG. 2(a) for example, in the interface part 11, the display part 21 displays a user's mental space 100 corresponding to an illumination state (an illuminated scene) that is realized by the luminaires 2. The mental space 100 expresses a plurality of mental states spatially. The mental space 100 in FIG. 2(a) shows a two-dimensional space that is formed by a coordinate axis 100a for sense of alertness and a coordinate axis 100b for sense of comfort, which serve as mental states. A command for a mental state, in which both the sense of alertness and the sense of comfort are high, is located in a coordinate in an upper-right quadrant of the mental space 100. A command for a mental state, in which the sense of alertness is low but the sense of comfort is high, is located in a coordinate in lower-right quadrant of the mental space 100. A command for a mental state, in which the sense of alertness is high but the sense of comfort is low, is located in a coordinate in an upper-left quadrant of the mental space 100. A command for a mental state, in which the sense of alertness and the sense of comfort are both low, is located in a coordinate in a lower-left quadrant of the mental space 100. The relationships between the mental space 100 and commands 101a to lOld shown in FIG. 2(a) may be set by (a) a step for setting an illuminated scene, (b) a step for mood measurement, and (c) a step for scene phycology analysis, as shown in FIG. 3(a) to 3(c). Each of the steps will be explained later.

[0029]

As shown in FIG. 2(a), the commands 101a to lOld for controlling the luminaires 2 are displayed on the mental space 100 in a superimposing manner. The commands 101a to lOld represent a user's mental states. An example of the user's mental states is, for example, a "movie theater mood" shown in FIG. 2 (a). The commands 101a to 10Id are displayed at coordinate positions in the mental space 100 corresponding to the mental states represented by the commands. The displayed commands 101a to lOld are selected by the selection part 22. The commands 101a to lOld turn the lighting states of the luminaires 2 into illuminated scenes corresponding to the mental states.

[0030]

The command 101a in FIG. 2(a) turns the lighting state of the luminaires 2 into an illuminated scene for a "refreshing mood". The command 101a is displayed at a coordinate position in the upper-right quadrant of the mental space 100. The illumination state of a space corresponding to the command 101a becomes an illuminated scene A shown in FIG. 2(b). In the illuminated scene A, for example, lightness of the luminaire 2a is 100 %, lightness of the luminaire 2b is 100 %, lightness of the luminaire 2c is 100 %, lightness of the luminaire 2d is 100 %, lightness of the luminaire 2e is 100 %, and lightness of the luminaire 2f is 100 %. Specific types of the luminaires are as follows. The luminaire 2a is a bracket light (rectangle type). The luminaire 2b is a bracket light (line type). The luminaire 2c is a downlight. The luminaire 2d is a pendant light. The luminaire 2e is a floor light. The luminaire 2f is a horizontal light 2f.

[0031]

The command 101b in FIG. 2(a) turns the lighting state of the luminaires 2 into an illuminated scene for a "social mood". The command 101b is displayed at a coordinate position in the upper-right quadrat and at the lower right of the command 101a in the mental space 100. The illumination state of the space corresponding to the command 101b becomes like an illuminated scene B shown in FIG. 2(c). In the illuminated scene B, lightness of the luminaire 2a is 70 %, lightness of the luminaire 2b is 70 %, lightness of the luminaire 2c is 70 %, lightness of the luminaire 2d is 0 %, lightness of the luminaire 2e is 100 %, and lightness of the luminaire 2f is 0%.

[0032]

The command 101c in FIG. 2(a) turns the lighting state of the luminaires 2 into an illuminated scene for a "movie theater mood". The command 101c is displayed at a coordinate position of the lower-right quadrant in the mental space 100. An illumination state of the space corresponding to the command 101c becomes like an illuminated scene C in FIG. 2(d). In the illuminated scene C, for example, lightness of the luminaire 2a is 40 %, lightness of the luminaire 2b is 0 %, lightness of the luminaire 2c is 0 %, lightness of the luminaire 2d is 100 %, lightness of the luminaire 2e is 100 %, and lightness of the luminaire 2f is 0 %.

[0033]

The command 10 Id shown in FIG. 2(a) turns the lighting state of the luminaires 2 into an illuminated scene for a "healing mood". The command 10 Id is displayed at a coordinate position in the lower-right quadrant, and at the lower left of the command 101c in the mental space 100. An illumination state of the space corresponding to the command 10 Id becomes the illuminated scene D in FIG. 2(e). In the illuminated scene D, for example, lightness of the luminaire 2a is 40 %, lightness of the luminaire 2b is 40 %, lightness of the luminaire 2c is 80 %, lightness of the luminaire 2d is 0 %, lightness of the luminaire 2e is 0 %, lightness of the luminaire 2f is 100 %.

[0034]

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2(a), in the lighting control system, selection is made among the commands 101a to lOld by the selection part 22 in the state where the mental space 100, in which the commands 101a to lOld are superimposed, is displayed by the display part 21. Then, the command is supplied to the command part 12 from the interface part 11. Once the command is supplied form the interface part 11, the command part 12 refers to the database part 14. The database part 14 stores the database shown in FIG. 4.

[0035]

In the database, a numerical value representing the sense of comfort, and a numerical value representing the sense of alertness, and the lighting states of the luminaires 2a, 2b,..., 2n, are associated with each of the moods that shows a user's mental state. If the mental space 100 is not expressed by the two axes 100a and 100b, which represent the sense of comfort and the sense of alertness, numerical values representing other senses may be used.

[0036]

The lighting state of the luminaires 2 is set by a degree of dimming and color temperature of each of the luminaires 2a, 2b, ..., 2n for each of the illuminated scenes. The degree of dimming is expressed by a numerical value between 0 and 100 %. The color temperature is expressed by a range [K] of tone of color that is adjustable by each of the luminaires 2a, 2b 2n.

[0037]

As shown in FIG. 3(b), the numerical value representing the sense of comfort, and the numerical value representing the sense of alertness are obtained by a psychological measurement step and a physiological measurement step for a user, which are carried out in a state where the illuminated scene is set. The psychological measurement step and the physiological measurement step are preferably carried out simultaneously. The psychological measurement step and the physiological measurement step are also preferably carried out different users.

[0038]

The psychological measurement is carried out by a questionnaire (an SD method (a semantic differential method) and so on) regarding the sense of comfort and the sense of alertness. The physiological measurement includes measurements of the central nervous system (such as brain waves and central blood flow) and the autonomic nervous system (such as electrocardiogram, and an electrodermal activity).

[0039]

The psychological measurement and the physiological measurement are carried out for each illuminated scene, so that measurement results are obtained. Based on the measurement results, the sense of alertness and the sense of comfort are obtained as a mental state corresponding to each of the illuminated scenes. Thus, as shown in FIG. 3(c), coordinates that represent mental states of the illuminated scenes within the mental space are obtained. For example, in the illuminated scene A, a coordinate position of a relaxed mental state is obtained. In the illuminated scene B, a coordinate position of a refreshed mental state is obtained. In the illuminated scene C, a coordinate position of a calm mental state is obtained, where the sense of alertness and the sense of comfort are neutral.

[0040]

As stated above, in order to decide a coordinate position of a mental state, multiple regression equations are constructed for the sense of comfort and the sense of alertness, in which a physiological index is used as an explanatory variable. As stated below, with a function f for the sense of comfort, and a function g for the sense of alertness, the sense of comfort and the sense of alertness are expressed as follows:

[0041]

Sense of comfort = f (a central index, a peripheral index) Sense of alertness = g (a central index, a peripheral index) The sense of comfort is obtained as a numerical value by computing the given function f using an index of a central nervous system and an index of a peripheral system (an autonomic nervous system). The sense of alertness is obtained as a numerical value by computing the given function g using an index of a central nervous system and an index of a peripheral system (an autonomic nervous system). In reality, it is determined that what kind of results of the physiological measurements is obtained with respect to questionnaire results in which users feel comfortable. Then, the functions f and g are computed by using the results of the physiological measurements, and the numerical values thus obtained are regarded as numerical values of the sense of comfort and the sense of alertness.

[0042]

This allows more objective condition settings based on the physiological evaluation rather than condition settings based simply on the psychological evaluation, when illumination conditions (a degree of dimming, color temperature and so on) for each of the luminaires 2 corresponding to each type of the moods in the mental space 100 are set.

[0043]

To be more specific, the sense of comfort can be computed by the following equation 1. The sense of alertness can be computed by the following equation 2. Al, Bl, CI, A2, B2, and C2 in the equations 1 and 2 are constants.

[0044]

[Equation 1]

X2,6, 9 Feel of comfort=A1 x +B1 [Autonomic nervous system]+ C1 (1) X4,5, 0 _X5,7, a_ Sense of alertness=A2 [a2 wave power] + B2 [Autonomic nervous system] + C2 (2)

[0045]

In the equation 1 for obtaining the sense of comfort, X is a correlation coefficient of a brain wave obtained by measurement of the central nervous system. The sense of comfort can be obtained by using one or more correlation coefficients of a brain, and a constant Al which regards the correlation coefficient of a brain wave. In principle, the sense of comfort can be expressed as numeral values by measuring only the correlation coefficient of a brain wave. Note that the sense of comfort may be expressed as numeral values by measuring the brain blood flow, a bilateral difference in brain waves, and 62 power (brain wave power), which serve as parameters of the central nervous system. The sense of comfort may also be expressed as numeral values by using heartbeat as a measurement result of the autonomic system, in addition to the measurement results of the central nervous system. As stated so far, the sense of comfort more comparable to user's sense can be expressed as numeral values by using other measurement results of the central nervous system, and measurement results of the autonomic system, in addition to the correlation coefficient of brain waves. A multiple correlation coefficient R in the multiple regression equation of the sense of comfort is 0.84.

[0046]

As shown in the equation 2, the sense of alertness may be obtained by the a2 wave power (brain wave power) obtained by measurement of the central nervous system, and the constant A2 with regard to the brain wave power. In principle, the sense of alertness can be expressed as numeral values by measuring only the brain power. Note that, the sense of alertness may be expressed as numeral values by measuring a bilateral difference in brain waves, and the correlation coefficient of a brain wave, which serve as parameters of the central nervous system. The sense of alertness may also be expressed as numeral values by using mental sweating as a measurement result of the autonomic system, in addition to the measurement result of the central nervous system. As stated so far, the sense of alertness more comparable to user's sense can be expressed as numeral value by using the other measurement result of the central nervous system and the measurement result of the autonomic system, in addition to the brain wave power. A multiple correlation coefficient R in the multiple regression equation for the sense of alertness is 0.67.

[0047]

As stated above, according to the lighting control system, commands that express user's mental states are displayed on the mental space 100 in the superimposing manner, thereby enabling the user to select a command. Therefore, even if there is the plurality of luminaires 2, the user can operate the luminaires 2 intuitively. Therefore, according to the lighting control system, it is possible to easily set an illuminated scene that meets a user's mental state.

[0048]

According to the lighting control system, the interface part 11 is structured by a touch panel. Therefore, a display screen serving as the display part 21 displays the mental space 100, and the selection part 22 can be incorporated in the display screen. Thus, according to the lighting control system, the commands displayed on the mental space 100 in the superimposing manner can be selected intuitively from the display screen. Hence, according to the lighting control system, more intuitive operations can be performed to set an illuminated scene.

[0049]

Further, in the lighting control system, among the functions provided in the above-mentioned lighting control device 1, the functions of the interface part 11 may be structured as a remote controller 30 as shown in FIG. 5. In this case, the lighting control device 1 and the remote controller 30 receive signals through infrared communication, radio communication and so on. The remote controller 30 is not limited to an indoor lighting remote controller but various types of mobile devices may be employed. This makes it pssible, for example, to operated the luminaires 2 from a sofa in a house.

[0050]

The remote controller 30 includes a display part 21 and a selection part 22 described above. The remote controller 30 works as for lighting control terminal for controlling the luminaires 2. Therefore, in the remote controller 30, a user mental space corresponding to an illumination state to be realized by the luminaires 2 is displayed on the display part 21, and a command is displayed at a coordinate position within the mental space corresponding to the mental state represented by the command. Then, in the remote controller 30, the displayed command is selected by the selection part 22.

[0051]

The lighting control device 1 including the remote controller 30 has a command part 12 and a lighting control part 13. In the lighting control device 1, the user mental space corresponding to the illumination state to be realized by the luminaires 2 is displayed on a display device (the remote controller 30), and a command is displayed at a coordinate position within the mental space corresponding to a mental state represented by the command. The lighting control device 1 causes a selection device (the remote controller 30) to select the displayed command.

[0052]

Next, the case of inputting a user's metal state in the above-mentioned lighting control system will be explained. As components of the above-mentioned lighting control system using the selection part 22 shown in FIG. 1, and a lighting control system shown in FIG. 6 will be explained.

[0053]

In the structure shown in FIG. 1, the lighting control system includes a mental state input part in the selection part 22 as stated earlier. When a user inputs his/her own mental state, the lighting control system causes the display part 21 to display the mental state on the mental space 100. At this time, the lighting control system preferably shows that the vertical axis is the sense of alertness, and the horizontal axis is the sense of comfort. The lighting control system also preferably displays a "mood" corresponding to each of the commands arranged in the mental space 100 is displayed.

[0054]

In a state where the mental space 100 is displayed, a user's current mental state is inputted through the selection part 22 in the lighting control system. In a case where the displaypart 21 and the selection part 22 are structured by a touch panel, the selection part 22 detects a touch position on the mental space 100. Based on the relationship between the touch position and a coordinate position on the mental space 100, the selection part 22 allowed to input the user's current mental state which is constituted by a numerical value of the sense of alertness and a numerical value of the sense of comfort. As shown in FIG. 7, the lighting control system.enables to display the inputted user's current mental state 102 of the user on the mental space 100 in a superimposed manner. Also, the lighting control system preferably displays the current mental state 102 as a "current mood" so that the user is aware of the current mental state 102.

[0055]

As stated so far, the lighting control system has the input part (the selection part 22) for inputting a user's mental state. The interface part 11 displays the mental state 102 inputted by the input part at a coordinate position corresponding to the mental state 102 in the mental space 100. Such a lighting control system, which is able to display the user's mental state in the mental space 100 as subjective information in a superimposing manner enables an intuitive operation for shifting the user's mental state from the current mental state 102 to a desired mental state. Therefore, the lighting control system can set an illuminated scene that meets a user's mental state more easily in a state where the user refer to the current mental state 102.

[0056]
As shown in FIG. 6, the other lighting control system includes a detection part 23 for inputting a user's mental state. The detection part 23 detects the user's current mental state 102, and inputs the current mental state 102 to a lighting control device 1. The detection part 23 detects the user's biological information. The user's biological information includes, for example, fingertip pulse wave and expression of the user. When detecting the fingertip pulse wave, the detection part 23 is made up of a fingertip sensor. When detecting the expression, the detection part 23 is made up of camera equipment. As a matter of course, other information may be included in the user's biological information.

[0057]

The detection part 23 detects a user's mental state based on the detected biological information. The detection part 23 supplies the detected user's mental state to the command part 12. The command part 12 supplies information indicating the mental state to the interface part 11 so as to display the user's mental state, which is supplied by the detection part 23, on the mental space 100 in the superimposed manner. As stated earlier, the information for indicating the mental state is the sense of alertness and the sense of comfort that are expressed as a numeral value. Accordingly, the interface part 11 displays the mental state detected by the detection part 23 at a coordinate position corresponding to the mental state in the mental space 100.

[0058]

As explained so far, the lighting control system, which is able to display the current mental state 102 on the mental space 100 in the superimposed manner, can intuitively operate the luminaires 2, to shift from the current mental state 102 to a desired mental state. Therefore, like the foregoing lighting control system, this lighting control system is able to cause a user to compare the current mental state 102 and set an illuminated scene that meets the user's mental state more easily.

[0059]

The foregoing lighting control system to which the current mental state is inputted, may change the illuminated scene so as to shift from the current mental state 102 to a desired mental state.

[0060]

In a case where the inputted current mental state 102 is inputted to the command part 12 of the lighting control system, the command part 12 supplies a prior command to the lighting control part 13 before the command selected by the selection part 22 is supplied to the lighting control part 13. The prior command represents a mental state between the inputted current mental state 102 and the mental state represented by the command selected by the selection part 22. One or more prior commands may be provided before the selection part 22 selects a final command. For example, the prior command is determined as to output a command representing a mental state close to the current mental state 102. When a plurality of prior commands is provided, an initial prior command is a command representing a mental state close to the current mental state 102, and the subsequent prior commands gradually approach the final command.

[0061]

Suppose for example, as shown in FIG. 8, in the lighting control system, the current mental state 102 is in the lower-left quadrant of the mental space 100, and the illuminated scene for the "refreshing mood" is selected by the selection part 22. In this case, the command 101a corresponding to the illuminated scene for the "refreshing mood" is supplied by the interface part 11 to the command part 12 of the lighting control system.

[0062]

The command part 12 generates commands lOld, 101c, and 101b as the plurality of prior commands between the current mental state 102 and the final command 101a. First of all, the command part 12 supplies, to a lighting control part 13, a command for making such a lighting state of the luminaires 2 as to provide an illuminated scene corresponding to the command lOld. Next, the command part 12 supplies, to the lighting control part 13, a command for such a lighting state of the luminaires 2 as to provide an illuminated scene corresponding to the command 101c. Next, the command part 12 supplies, to the lighting control part 13, a command for making such a lighting state of the luminaires 2 as to provide an illuminated scene corresponding to the command 101b. Consequently, the lighting control system controls the luminaires 2 from the current mental state 102 to the illuminated scene corresponding to the "healing mood", the illuminated scene corresponding to the "movie theater mood", and the illuminated scene corresponding to the "social mood," subsequently. After that, the lighting control system can control the luminaires 2 to the illuminated scene corresponding to the "refreshing mood".

[0063]

As stated so far, according to the lighting control system, since prior commands are outputted before a final command, it is possible to avoid from controlling abrupt change to an illuminated scene corresponding to a mental state that is greatly different from the current mental state 102.

[0064]

Further, the lighting control system enables an illuminated scene to be changed in stages from an illuminated scene close to the current mental state 102 to an illuminated scene selected by the selection part 22. Therefore, the lighting control system is able to lead an illuminated scene smoothly to an illuminated scene corresponding to a mental state selected by a user.

[0065]

Further, in the foregoing lighting control system, a plurality of commands may be selected by the selection part 22. Such a lighting control system includes a storage part that stores the plurality of commands selected by the selection part 22, and a supplying order of the plurality of commands to the lighting control part 13. The database part 14 may be utilized as the storage part. In the storage part, the plurality of commands and the supplying order of the plurality of commands are associated with each other. When a plurality of commands are selected by the selection part 22, the command part 12 obtains the supplying order stored in the database part 14 by using the plurality of selected commands as a search key. Thus, the command part 12 supplies the plurality of commands to the lighting control part 13 according to the supplying order.

[0066]

To be specific, as shown in FIG. 9, a plurality of commands 103 is selected by the selection part 22, by which the mental state shifts from the "healing mood" to the "refreshing mood". The plurality of selected commands 103 are not limited to the two of the "healing mood" and the "refreshing mood", but mental states connecting from the current mental state 102 to the "healing mood" and from the "healing mood" to the "refreshing mood" in the mental space 100 may be used. In other words, a plurality of commands 103 having continuous coordinate positions that connect a plurality of mental states may be used.

[0067]

In such a lighting control system, when the plurality of commands 103 are selected, the plurality of prior commands between the current mental state and the final command is supplied from the interface part 11 to the command part 12. The command part 12 reads out from the database part 14 a command for making a lighting state of the luminaires 2 corresponding to each of the prior commands, and supplies the command to the lighting control part 13. Thus, the lighting control device 1 can change the illuminated scene gradually in accordance with the plurality of commands 103.

[0068]

As stated so far, according to the light control system, it is possible to select the plurality of commands 103 in order of changing a mental state as a user wants, and an illuminated scene that meets a user's mental state can be set more easily.

[0069]

In the lighting control system, in a case where the interface part 11 is structured by a touch panel, a user can select a plurality of commands 103 by traicing with his/her finger. This enables an intuitive operation for making an illuminated scene corresponding to a mental state. Therefore, according to the lighting control system, an illuminated scene that meets a user's mental state can be set more easily.

[0070]

The foregoing embodiments are examples of the present invention. Hence, the present invention is not limited to the foregoing embodiments, and, in other embodiments, various changes may be made depending on design and so on without departing from the scope of the technical thought according to the present invention, as a matter of course.

[0071]

For example, as shown in FIG. 10, characters superimposed on the foregoing mental space 100 may be automatically changed to suit an attribute such as an identity and an age of a user. For example, expression of a mood, a font, a size, and so on may be changed. Personal authentication by a camera or the like may be used for an attribute of a user.

[0072]

Japanese Patent Application No. 2001-182105 (filed on August 24, 2011) is incorporated herein in its entirety. [Industrial Applicability]

[0073]

According to the present invention, commands which represent user's mental states are displayed on a mental space in a superimposed manner, so that a user can select a command. Therefore, even if there are a plurality of luminaires, the user can operate the luminaires intuitively. Thus, according to the present invention, it is possible to easily set an illuminated scene which meets a user's mental state.

[Reference Signs List]

[0074]

l: LIGHTING CONTROL DEVICE

2: LUMINAIRES

3: INTERFACE PART

12: COMMAND PART

13: LIGHTING CONTROL PART

14: DATABASE PART

21: DISPLAY PART

22: SELECTION PART

23: DETECTION PART

30: REMOTE CONTROLLER (TERMINAL FOR LIGHTING CONTROL)

[CLAIMS]

[Claim 1]

A lighting control system, comprising: a lighting control part configured to control a luminaire; a command part configured to supply a command for controlling the luminaire to the lighting control part; and an interface part having a display part for displaying the command, and a selection part for selecting the command, wherein the command represents a user's mental state, and wherein the interface part displays a user's mental space by using the display part, the user's mental space corresponding to an illumination state to be realized by the luminaire; the interface part displays the command at a coordinate position within the mental space corresponding to the mental state represented by the command; and the interface part selects the displayed command by using the selection part.

[Claim 2]

The lighting control system according to claim 1, further comprising an input part configured to input a user's mental state, wherein the interface part displays the mental state inputted by the input part at a coordinate position within the mental space corresponding to the mental state.

[Claim 3]

The lighting control system according to claim 2, wherein the input part is a detection part configured to detect a user's mental state, and the interface part displays the mental state detected by the detection part, at a coordinate position within the mental space corresponding to the mental state.

[Claim 4]

The lighting control system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein, in a case where the user's mental state is inputted by the input part, the command part supplies a prior command to the lighting control part before the command selected by the selection part is supplied to the lighting control part, wherein the prior command represents a mental state between the mental state inputted by the input part and the mental state represented by the command selected by the selection part.

[Claim 5]

The lighting control system according to claim 4, wherein a plurality of mental states is provided between the mental state inputted by the input part and the mental state represented by the command selected by the selection part, and wherein the command part supplies commands sequentially to the lighting control part so as to shift the plurality of mantal states from a mental state closer to the mental state inputted by the input part to a mental state close to the mental state represented by the command selected by the selection part.

[Claim 6]

The lighting control system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a plurality of the commands can be selected by the selection part, a storage part is included, which stores the plurality of commands to be selected by the selection part, and a supplying order of the plurality of commands to the lighting control part, and the command part supplies the plurality of commands to the lighting control part following the supplying order stored in the storage part.

[Claim 7]

The lighting control system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the display part and the selection part of the interface part are structured by a touch panel.

[Claim 8]

A lighting control device, comprising: a lighting control part configured to control a luminaire; and a command part configured to supply a command for controlling the luminaire to the lighting control part, wherein the command represents a user's mental state, and wherein a user's mental space corresponding to an illumination state to be realized by the luminaire is displayed by a display device, the command is displayed at a coordinate position within the mental space corresponding to the mental state represented by the command, and the displayed command is selected by a selection device.

[Claim 9]

A terminal for lighting control, comprising: an interface part having a display part configured to display a command for controlling a luminaire, and a selection part configured to select the command, wherein the command represents a user's mental state, and wherein the interface part displays a user's mental space by using the display part, the user's mental space corresponding to an illumination state to be realized by the luminaire; the interface part displays the command at a coordinate position within the mental space corresponding to a mental state represented by the command; and the interface part selects the displayed command by using the selection part.