JP2022152024A - Illumination control system, illumination control device, and illumination control method - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an illumination control system, an illumination control device, and an illumination control method, capable of remotely controlling brightness of light with which a user at a remote location is to be illuminated.SOLUTION: There is provided an illumination control system comprising: a user terminal including a camera for acquiring a user's video signal; an illumination apparatus for illuminating the user, the illumination apparatus having a dimming function for changing brightness of light with which irradiation is to be performed; and an illumination control device that receives a video signal from the user terminal by communicating with the user terminal via a network, generates a dimming signal representing brightness of light to be radiated from the illumination apparatus, the dimming signal enabled to be generated depending on the user's situation by using the video signal, and transmits the dimming signal to the user terminal. The user terminal communicates with the illumination apparatus to control brightness of light to be radiated from the illumination apparatus on the basis of the dimming signal.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD Embodiments of the present invention relate to a lighting control system, a lighting control device, and a lighting control method.

For example, in a television program, when the performers appearing in a studio are illuminated, the brightness can be changed by a lighting control device such as a light control console.

On the other hand, in recent years, there have been an increasing number of cases where performers perform remotely from a performer's private place, such as the performer's home or place of work, where the staff of the TV station does not intervene. In such a case, it is difficult for the television station to control the lighting of the remotely appearing performer, making it difficult for the remotely appearing performer to have an appropriate brightness. For this reason, it is desired to be able to remotely control the brightness of illumination applied to users in remote locations, such as performers performing remotely.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2021-34258

Embodiments of the present invention provide a lighting control system, a lighting control device, and a lighting control method that can remotely control the brightness of lighting applied to a user in a remote location.

According to the embodiment, a user terminal having a camera for acquiring a video signal of the user and a light control function for changing the brightness of the emitted light are provided to illuminate the user. receiving the video signal from the user terminal and generating a dimming signal representing the brightness of the light emitted from the lighting equipment by communicating with the lighting equipment and the user terminal via a network and, by using the video signal, it is possible to generate the dimming signal according to the situation of the user at a remote location, and transmit the generated dimming signal to the user terminal. and a device, wherein the user terminal communicates with the lighting fixture to control the brightness of light emitted from the lighting fixture based on the dimming signal received from the lighting control device. A control system is provided.

Provided are a lighting control system, a lighting control device, and a lighting control method capable of remotely controlling the brightness of lighting applied to a user in a remote location.

1 is a block diagram schematically showing a lighting control system according to an embodiment; FIG. It is a block diagram which represents performer's terminal which concerns on embodiment typically. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing a lighting control device according to an embodiment; FIG. It is a block diagram which represents typically the lighting fixture which concerns on embodiment. 4 is a flowchart schematically showing an example of a lighting control method by the lighting control system according to the embodiment; It is a flowchart which represents typically the modification of the lighting control method by the lighting control system which concerns on embodiment.

Each embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings.
Note that the drawings are schematic or conceptual, and the relationship between the thickness and width of each portion, the size ratio between portions, and the like are not necessarily the same as the actual ones. Also, even when the same parts are shown, the dimensions and ratios may be different depending on the drawing.
In addition, in the present specification and each figure, the same reference numerals are given to the same elements as those described above with respect to the already-appearing figures, and detailed description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing a lighting control system according to an embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 1 , the lighting control system 2 includes a lighting control device 10 , performer terminals 100 (user terminals), and lighting fixtures 200 . The lighting control device 10 is installed and used in facilities such as a television station, an event studio, or a multipurpose hall, for example. In this embodiment, an example in which the lighting control system 2 is applied as a system of a television station will be described below. More specifically, the lighting control device 10 is installed in a TV station studio, a light control room, or a control room. The lighting control device 10 may also be called, for example, a light control console.

The lighting control system 2 is used, for example, when a performer (user) remotely appears in a television program from a place such as his/her home or place of work, which is away from the studio of the television station. The lighting control system 2 controls the brightness of the lighting applied to the remotely appearing performer when the performer appears in a TV program remotely and the lighting staff or the like cannot illuminate the performer. to be able to control it remotely. In other words, the lighting control system 2 makes it possible to remotely control the brightness of the lighting applied to performers in remote locations.

The performer terminal 100 is installed and used at a place where a remote performer appears, such as the performer's home or place of work. The performer terminal 100 may be installed and used in another room in the television station, such as a conference room in the television station, which is different from the room in which the studio and the lighting control device 10 are installed.

The performer terminal 100 is installed at a location away from the lighting control device 10, and communicates with the lighting control device 10 via a network such as the Internet or a local area network (LAN) within the station. Communication between the lighting control device 10 and the performer terminal 100 may be wired or wireless.

The lighting control system 2 includes, for example, a plurality of performer terminals 100 . The lighting control device 10 communicates with each of the performer terminals 100 . In this example, the number of performer terminals 100 is two. The number of performer terminals 100 is not limited to this, and may be one or three or more. The number of performer terminals 100 may be any number according to the number of performers who perform remotely.

Similar to the performer terminal 100, the lighting equipment 200 is used by being installed at the place where the remote performer appears. The lighting fixture 200 is a lighting fixture for illuminating performers performing remotely. The lighting equipment 200 communicates with the performer terminal 100 . The lighting equipment 200 is connected to the performer terminal 100 by wire based on a general-purpose interface standard such as USB (Universal Serial Bus), and performs wired communication with the performer terminal 100 . As a result, for example, even a performer who is unfamiliar with device settings can perform communication between the performer terminal 100 and the lighting fixture 200 simply by connecting the performer terminal 100 and the lighting fixture 200 by wire. can be easily established. However, the communication between the performer terminal 100 and the lighting equipment 200 is not limited to wired communication, and may be wireless communication such as WiFi.

When the performer terminal 100 and the lighting equipment 200 are connected by wire, the power supply of the lighting equipment 200 may be supplied from the performer terminal 100 . However, when the power consumption of the lighting equipment 200 is large, the connection between the performer terminal 100 and the lighting equipment 200 is limited to communication only, and the power of the lighting equipment 200 is supplied separately from a commercial power supply (outlet) or the like. You may

The lighting control system 2 includes, for example, multiple lighting fixtures 200 . The performer terminal 100 communicates with a plurality of lighting fixtures 200, for example. In this example, three lighting fixtures 200 are provided for one performer terminal 100 . The number of lighting fixtures 200 that communicate with the performer terminal 100 is not limited to this, and may be one, two, or four or more. The number of lighting fixtures 200 may be any number that can adequately illuminate the performers.

The lighting fixture 200 has a dimming function that changes the brightness of the emitted light. The lighting fixture 200 communicates with the performer terminal 100 and changes the brightness of the emitted light based on a signal input from the performer terminal 100 . In other words, the lighting equipment 200 changes the brightness of the lighting applied to the performer based on the signal input from the performer terminal 100 .

In the lighting control system 2, the lighting control device 10 communicates with the performer terminal 100 via the network, thereby transmitting a dimming signal representing the brightness of the light emitted from the lighting fixture 200 to the performer terminal 100. do. The performer terminal 100 controls the brightness of the light emitted from the lighting fixture 200 based on the dimming signal received from the lighting control device 10 by communicating with the lighting fixture 200 . The performer terminal 100 controls the brightness of the light emitted from the lighting equipment 200 by, for example, inputting a dimming signal to the lighting equipment 200 . As a result, the lighting control system 2 can remotely control the brightness of the lighting applied to the performer, even when the performer appears in a program remotely from his/her home.

Also, the performer terminal 100 confirms the number of lighting fixtures 200 connected for communication by communicating with the lighting fixtures 200 . When it is confirmed that the performer terminal 100 is connected for communication with the plurality of lighting fixtures 200, the lighting control device 10 and the performer terminal 100 provide identification information 202 for identifying each of the plurality of lighting fixtures 200. It is set for each of the plurality of lighting fixtures 200 .

The lighting control device 10 sets a dimming signal for each of the plurality of lighting fixtures 200 based on the set identification information 202 . The lighting control device 10 associates the dimming signals of the plurality of lighting fixtures 200 with the identification information 202 and transmits them to the performer terminals 100 . Based on the identification information 202, the performer terminal 100 determines which lighting fixture 200 of the plurality of lighting fixtures 200 the dimming signal belongs to, thereby determining the lighting fixture 200 based on the dimming signal. to control the brightness of each light. Accordingly, when a plurality of lighting fixtures 200 are connected to the performer terminal 100 for communication, the brightness of the light emitted from each of the plurality of lighting fixtures 200 can be individually controlled.

The identification information 202 is generated by the performer terminal 100 according to the number of lighting fixtures 200 connected for communication, for example. The performer terminal 100 transmits the generated identification information 202 of each lighting fixture 200 to the lighting control device 10 . Thereby, the identification information 202 can be set for each of the plurality of lighting fixtures 200 in the lighting control device 10 and the performer terminal 100 .

The identification information 202 may be pre-assigned to the lighting fixture 200, for example. By reading the identification information 202 from the lighting fixtures 200 to which the performer terminal 100 is connected for communication, the lighting control device 10 and the performer terminal 100 set the identification information 202 to each of the plurality of lighting fixtures 200. good too.

Alternatively, information on the number of lighting fixtures 200 connected for communication is transmitted from the performer terminal 100 to the lighting control device 10, and the lighting control device 10 generates identification information 202 for each lighting fixture 200, whereby the lighting control device 10 And in the performer terminal 100 , the identification information 202 may be set for each of the plurality of lighting fixtures 200 .

The method of setting the identification information 202 for each of the plurality of lighting fixtures 200 is not limited to the above, and any method that can appropriately set the identification information 202 for each lighting fixture 200 in the lighting control device 10 and the performer terminal 100. OK.

For example, when communicating with a plurality of performer terminals 100 , the lighting control device 10 also sets identification information to the plurality of performer terminals 100 . Thereby, the brightness of the light emitted from the plurality of lighting fixtures 200 of the plurality of performer terminals 100 can be individually controlled.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing performer terminals according to the embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 2, the performer terminal 100 includes, for example, a control unit 102, a storage unit 104, a camera 106, a microphone 108, a speaker 110, an operation unit 112, a display unit 114, a first It has a communication unit 121 and a second communication unit 122 .

The storage unit 104 stores a lighting control program 104 a for executing operations related to the lighting control system 2 . In other words, the performer terminal 100 is installed with the lighting control program 104a. The control unit 102 reads the lighting control program 104a from the storage unit 104 and sequentially processes the lighting control program 104a to execute various operations related to the lighting control system 2 .

For example, when communicating with a plurality of lighting fixtures 200 , the control section 102 causes the storage section 104 to store the set identification information 202 of the plurality of lighting fixtures 200 .

Performer terminal 100 is, for example, a personal computer, a smart phone, a tablet terminal, or the like. The performer terminal 100 may be a dedicated terminal in which the lighting control program 104a is pre-installed, or may be a performer's personal terminal in which the lighting control program 104a is installed.

When using the lighting control system 2, for example, the lighting equipment 200 and the performer terminal 100, which is a dedicated terminal, are lent from the TV station to the performer before the broadcast. The performer installs the performer terminal 100 and the lighting fixture 200 at a desired location, connects the performer terminal 100 and the lighting fixture 200 for communication, and connects the performer terminal 100 and the lighting control device 10 for communication. This enables the use of the lighting control system 2 .

Alternatively, only the lighting fixture 200 is lent to the performer from the television station, and the lighting control program 104a is provided to the performer from the television station. The performer causes the personal terminal to function as the performer terminal 100 by installing the lighting control program 104a provided on the personal terminal. In this case as well, the lighting control system 2 can be used in the same manner as described above.

Camera 106 acquires a video signal. The camera 106 is for acquiring a video signal of a remote performer when the performer remotely appears in a program. The camera 106 is connected to the control unit 102 and acquires video signals under the control of the control unit 102 .

A microphone 108 acquires an audio signal. The microphone 108 is for acquiring the voice signal of the remote performer when the performer remotely appears in the program. A microphone 108 is connected to the control unit 102 and acquires an audio signal under the control of the control unit 102 .

Speaker 110 is connected to control unit 102 and outputs sound corresponding to an audio signal input from control unit 102 . For example, the control unit 102 outputs the sound of the studio side from the speaker 110 at the time of remote appearance. The speaker 110 may be replaced with, for example, a jack for connecting earphones or headphones.

An operation unit 112 is connected to the control unit 102 . The operation unit 112 receives an input of an operation instruction from a performer or the like, and inputs an operation signal corresponding to the input operation instruction to the control unit 102 . Known input devices such as a mouse, a keyboard, and a touch panel can be used for the operation unit 112, for example. The control unit 102 starts an operation based on the lighting control program 104a based on an operation instruction input from the operation unit 112, for example.

Display unit 114 is connected to control unit 102 . Display unit 114 displays the video signal input from control unit 102 . A known display device such as a liquid crystal display can be used for the display unit 114 . For example, the control unit 102 displays an image of the performer himself photographed by the camera 106 on the display unit 114, and displays an image of the studio side on the display unit 114 at the time of remote appearance.

The first communication section 121 is connected to the control section 102 . The first communication unit 121 is a communication unit for communicating with the lighting control device 10 via a network. In other words, the first communication unit 121 is a communication unit for connecting the performer terminal 100 to the network. The control unit 102 communicates with the lighting control device 10 via the first communication unit 121 .

The second communication section 122 is connected to the control section 102 . The second communication section 122 is a communication section for communicating with the lighting fixture 200 . The second communication unit 122 is, for example, an input/output port of a general-purpose interface standard such as USB. The control unit 102 communicates with the lighting fixture 200 via the second communication unit 122 .

Note that when a plurality of lighting fixtures 200 and the performer terminal 100 are connected for communication, the performer terminal 100 has a plurality of second communication units 122, and the plurality of second communication units 122 communicate with the plurality of lighting fixtures 200. Alternatively, one second communication unit 122 may be configured to communicate with a plurality of lighting fixtures 200 .

Further, for example, when the communication standard between the performer terminal 100 and the lighting fixture 200 is the same as the communication standard between the performer terminal 100 and the lighting control device 10, the illumination can be performed by one communication unit. You may enable it to communicate with the control apparatus 10 and the lighting fixture 200. FIG. The communication configuration of the performer terminal 100 may be any configuration that allows appropriate communication with the lighting control device 10 and the lighting fixtures 200 .

FIG. 3 is a block diagram schematically showing the lighting control device according to the embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 3, the lighting control device 10 includes, for example, a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, an operation unit 13, a display unit 14, and a communication unit 15.

The storage unit 12 stores programs, data, and the like for executing operations related to the lighting control system 2 . The control unit 11 reads out a predetermined program from the storage unit 12 and sequentially processes the program, thereby executing various operations related to the lighting control system 2 .

For example, when the performer terminal 100 is connected to a plurality of lighting fixtures 200 for communication, the control section 11 stores the set identification information 202 of the lighting fixtures 200 in the storage section 12 .

The operation section 13 is connected to the control section 11 . The operation unit 13 receives input of an operation instruction from a person in charge of lighting or the like, and inputs an operation signal corresponding to the input operation instruction to the control unit 11 . The operation unit 13 is, for example, a fader provided with a plurality of slide switches. The operating unit 13 may include, for example, a mouse, keyboard, touch panel, and the like. The configuration of the operation unit 13 may be any configuration that allows input of necessary operation instructions to the control unit 11 .

The control unit 11 generates a dimming signal representing the brightness (dimming degree) of the light emitted from the lighting device 200 . The control unit 11 generates a dimming signal according to the operation of the operation unit 13, for example. The operation unit 13 has, for example, a plurality of dimming degree setting units 13a for switching the dimming degree indicated by the dimming signal. The plurality of dimming level setting units 13a may be a plurality of operation members such as slide switches, or may be a plurality of virtual switches displayed on the screen of a touch panel. For example, when the identification information 202 is set for each of the plurality of lighting fixtures 200, the control section 11 associates the plurality of lighting fixtures 200 with the plurality of dimming level setting sections 13a. Thereby, a dimming signal for each lighting device 200 can be generated according to the operation of each dimming level setting unit 13a.

Further, for example, when communicating with a plurality of performer terminals 100, the control unit 11 associates the lighting fixtures 200 with the dimming degree setting unit 13a for each of the plurality of performer terminals 100. FIG. Some of the plurality of dimming level setting units 13 a are assigned to one performer terminal 100 , and another part of the plurality of dimming level setting units 13 a is assigned to another single performer terminal 100 . Thereby, the brightness of the light emitted from the plurality of lighting fixtures 200 of the plurality of performer terminals 100 can be individually controlled by operating the plurality of dimming level setting units 13a.

The display section 14 is connected to the control section 11 . The display section 14 displays the video signal input from the control section 11 . A well-known display device such as a liquid crystal display can be used for the display unit 14 .

The communication section 15 is connected to the control section 11 . The communication unit 15 is a communication unit for communicating with the performer terminal 100 via a network. In other words, the communication unit 15 is a communication unit for connecting the lighting control device 10 to the network. The control unit 11 communicates with the performer terminal 100 via the communication unit 15 .

FIG. 4 is a block diagram schematically showing the lighting fixture according to the embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 4, the lighting fixture 200 has, for example, a control unit 210, a storage unit 212, a light source unit 214, a power conversion circuit 216, and a communication unit 218.

The storage unit 212 stores programs, data, and the like for executing operations related to the lighting control system 2 . The control unit 210 reads a predetermined program from the storage unit 212 and sequentially processes the program, thereby executing various operations related to the lighting control system 2 .

For example, when the identification information 202 is assigned to the lighting fixture 200 in advance, the identification information 202 is stored in the storage unit 212 . After the communication connection with the performer terminal 100 is established, the control section 210 transmits the identification information 202 stored in the storage section 212 to the performer terminal 100 . Thereby, the identification information 202 assigned to the lighting equipment 200 in advance can be set in the performer terminal 100 and the lighting control device 10 .

The light source unit 214 has a light source such as an LED or a light bulb. The power conversion circuit 216 converts the power supplied from the power source into power corresponding to the light source unit 214 , and supplies the converted power to the light source unit 214 so that the light source unit 214 emits light. At this time, the power to be supplied to the power conversion circuit 216 may be supplied from the performer terminal 100 as described above, or may be supplied from a commercial power supply or the like.

Power conversion circuit 216 is connected to control unit 210 . The control unit 210 controls the operation of power conversion by the power conversion circuit 216 . The control unit 210 controls the operation of power conversion by the power conversion circuit 216 according to the dimming signal input from the performer terminal 100, thereby adjusting the amount of power supplied from the power conversion circuit 216 to the light source unit 214. The brightness is changed according to the dimming signal. As a result, the brightness of the light emitted from the light source unit 214 can be changed according to the dimming signal, and the light source unit 214 can emit light with brightness corresponding to the degree of dimming represented by the dimming signal. That is, the lighting device 200 can achieve a dimming function. Note that the configuration of the dimming function of the lighting device 200 is not limited to the above, and may be any configuration that can change the brightness of the emitted light according to the dimming signal.

Communication unit 218 is connected to control unit 210 . The communication unit 218 is a communication unit for communicating with the performer terminal 100 . The control unit 210 communicates with the performer terminal 100 via the communication unit 218 .

When the control unit 102 of the performer terminal 100 starts the operation based on the lighting control program 104a, the control unit 102 transmits the video signal acquired by the camera 106 to the lighting control device 10. FIG.

Upon receiving the video signal from the performer terminal 100 , the control unit 11 of the lighting control device 10 displays the received video signal on the display unit 14 . As a result, by referring to the display unit 14, for example, a person in charge of lighting at the television station side can confirm the brightness state of the performers performing remotely.

The control unit 11 generates a dimming signal for the lighting fixture 200 according to the operation of the operation unit 13 . In this way, the control unit 11 receives the video signal from the performer terminal 100 and uses the video signal to enable generation of the dimming signal according to the situation of the performer performing remotely. In other words, by using the video signal, the control unit 11 can generate the dimming signal according to the situation of the remote performer. The control unit 11 displays a video signal on the display unit 14, and enables the operation unit 13 to be operated while confirming the status of the remote performer with the video displayed on the display unit 14. To enable generation of a dimming signal according to the situation of performers performing remotely. The control unit 11 transmits the generated dimming signal to the performer terminal 100 .

Upon receiving the dimming signal from the lighting control device 10, the control unit 102 of the performer terminal 100 controls the brightness of the light emitted from the lighting fixture 200 by transmitting the received dimming signal to the lighting fixture 200. do. In other words, the control unit 11 of the lighting control device 10 causes the performer terminal 100 to control the brightness of the light emitted from the lighting device 200 based on the dimming signal by transmitting the dimming signal.

A person in charge of lighting at the television station checks the brightness of the performer displayed on the display unit 14, and if necessary, operates the operation unit 13 (dimming level setting unit 13a) to adjust the brightness. Vary the dimming of the signal. This makes it possible to remotely control the brightness of the lighting applied to the performer, even when the performer participates in a program remotely from his/her home.

The adjustment of the brightness of the lighting by the lighting control device 10 may be made in advance before the actual broadcast or during the broadcast. For example, when adjustments are made in advance, the performer may be instructed to improve the installation situation of the lighting fixtures 200 using a voice call or chat function. A chat function for transmitting and receiving character information can be realized by, for example, the operation unit 13 and the display unit 14 of the lighting control device 10 and the operation unit 112 and the display unit 114 of the performer terminal 100 . A voice call can be realized, for example, by providing the microphone 108 and the speaker 110 of the performer terminal 100 and the lighting control device 10 with the microphone and the speaker as well.

In addition to the lighting control device 10 of the lighting control system 2, the television station is further provided with, for example, a video control device 20, a lighting fixture 30, and the like. The video control device 20 controls video signals for broadcasting. The video control device 20 is installed at a location away from the performer terminal 100 . The video control device 20 is installed at the same location as the lighting control device 10, for example. The video control device 20 communicates with the performer terminal 100 via a network such as the Internet or an intra-office LAN. The performer terminal 100 is connected for communication with both the lighting control device 10 and the video control device 20 via a network, for example. Communication between the video control device 20 and the performer terminal 100 may be wired or wireless.

The video control device 20 communicates with the performer terminal 100 to obtain the video signal of the remotely appearing performer captured by the camera 106 of the performer terminal 100 and the image signal obtained by the microphone 108 of the performer terminal 100. A voice signal of a performer appearing remotely is received from the performer terminal 100.例文帳に追加

For example, the video control device 20 displays the video signal received from the performer terminal 100 on a display device installed in the studio, and transmits the audio signal received from the performer terminal 100 to the speaker installed in the studio or the studio. Output to the earphones worn by the performers inside. The video control device 20 may generate a video signal for broadcasting, for example, by synthesizing the video signal received from the performer terminal 100 with the video signal captured by the camera in the studio.

As described above, when the video control device 20 is provided in the television station, the lighting control device 10 may acquire a video signal for display on the display unit 14 from the video control device 20 . Communication between the lighting control device 10 and the performer terminal 100 may be performed via the video control device 20, for example.

The lighting equipment 30 is provided on the facility side such as in the studio, and is another lighting equipment for illuminating the performer performing remotely and another performer in a different location. In other words, the luminaire 30 is another luminaire for illuminating a user in a remote location and another user in another location. The lighting control device 10 communicates with the lighting fixtures 30 . Communication between the lighting control device 10 and the lighting fixtures 30 may be wired or wireless. The lighting fixture 30 has a dimming function. The lighting control device 10 communicates with the lighting fixture 30 and transmits a dimming signal representing the brightness of the light emitted from the lighting fixture 30 to the lighting fixture 30, thereby adjusting the brightness of the light emitted from the lighting fixture 30. to control

In a studio or the like, for example, a plurality of lighting fixtures 30 are provided. The operation unit 13 of the lighting control device 10 allocates, for example, some of the plurality of dimming level setting units 13a to one or a plurality of lighting fixtures 200 of performers performing remotely, and assigns the plurality of dimming level setting units 13a. of which are assigned to one or more lighting fixtures 30 in the studio. As a result, the brightness of light emitted from each of the lighting fixtures 30 on the facility side such as a television station and the lighting fixtures 200 on the side of performers performing remotely can be controlled by one lighting control device 10. can. For example, convenience of the lighting control device 10 can be further improved. Note that the lighting fixture 30 may be part of the lighting control system 2 . In other words, the lighting control system 2 may further include another lighting fixture 30 installed on the facility side.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart schematically showing an example of a lighting control method by the lighting control system according to the embodiment.
In the remote performer's lighting control method by the lighting control system 2, first, the performer's terminal 100 and the lighting equipment 200 are set (step S101 in FIG. 5). In the setting of the performer terminal 100 and the lighting equipment 200, for example, activation of the performer terminal 100 and installation of the lighting equipment 200 are performed. For example, if the performer terminal 100 is the performer's personal terminal, the setting of the performer terminal 100 includes installation of the lighting control program 104a. Installation of the lighting equipment 200 includes, for example, wired connection with the performer terminal 100, adjustment of the position with respect to the performers, and securing of power supply for the lighting equipment 200.

After appropriately setting the performer terminal 100 and the lighting equipment 200, communication between the lighting control device 10 and the performer terminal 100 and communication between the performer terminal 100 and the lighting equipment 200 are started (step S102 in FIG. 5). . Communication of each part is started by, for example, activating the lighting control program 104a in the performer terminal 100. FIG. Alternatively, after the lighting control program 104a is started, the communication may be started in response to the performer inputting an operation to start communication through the operation unit 112. FIG.

After starting communication with the lighting fixtures 200, the control unit 102 of the performer terminal 100 checks whether or not the number of lighting fixtures 200 connected for communication is plural (step S103 in FIG. 5).

When the control unit 102 of the performer terminal 100 confirms that communication is connected with the plurality of lighting fixtures 200, the control unit 11 of the lighting control device 10 and the control section 102 of the performer terminal 100 confirm that the plurality of lighting fixtures are connected. Identification information 202 for identifying each 200 is set for each of the plurality of lighting fixtures 200 (step S104 in FIG. 5).

At this time, the control unit 11 of the lighting control device 10 associates the plurality of lighting fixtures 200 with the plurality of dimming level setting units 13a based on each piece of identification information 202, for example. This makes it possible to individually control the brightness of the light emitted from each lighting device 200 in accordance with the operation of each dimming level setting unit 13a.

After confirming the number of lighting fixtures 200 and setting the identification information 202, the control unit 102 of the performer terminal 100 transmits the video signal acquired by the camera 106 to the lighting control device 10 (step in FIG. 5). S105).

Upon receiving the video signal from the performer terminal 100, the control unit 11 of the lighting control device 10 displays the received video signal on the display unit 14 (step S106 in FIG. 5). By using the video signal, the control unit 11 generates a dimming signal according to the situation of the remote performer. The control unit 11 displays a video signal on the display unit 14, and enables the operation unit 13 to be operated while confirming the status of the remote performer with the video displayed on the display unit 14. To enable generation of a dimming signal according to the situation of performers performing remotely.

The control unit 11 generates a dimming signal for the lighting fixture 200 according to the operation of the operating unit 13, and transmits the generated dimming signal to the performer terminal 100 (step S107 in FIG. 5). When the identification information 202 for a plurality of lighting fixtures 200 is set, the control section 11 sets the plurality of light control level setting sections 13a based on the association between the plurality of lighting fixtures 200 and the plurality of light control level setting sections 13a. generates a plurality of dimming signals according to the operation of , and transmits the generated plurality of dimming signals to the performer terminal 100.

Upon receiving the dimming signal from the lighting control device 10, the control unit 102 of the performer terminal 100 performs communication between the performer terminal 100 and the lighting fixture 200, thereby controlling the dimming signal received from the lighting control device 10. The performer terminal 100 controls the brightness of the light emitted from the lighting equipment 200 . The control unit 102 of the performer terminal 100 controls the brightness of the light emitted from the lighting equipment 200 by, for example, transmitting the received dimming signal to the lighting equipment 200 . By transmitting the dimming signal to the lighting device 200, the control unit 102 causes the lighting device 200 to irradiate the light with the brightness corresponding to the dimming signal (step S108 in FIG. 5).

The lighting fixture 200 may start emitting light at the time of receiving the dimming signal, or at the time when the power is turned on, or when the communication with the performer terminal 100 is established. Light irradiation may be started at a predetermined dimming degree, and the brightness of the irradiated light may be changed to the brightness corresponding to the dimming signal when the dimming signal is received.

The lighting control device 10, the performer terminal 100, and the lighting fixture 200 perform the above-described steps S105 to S108 until the operation related to controlling the lighting for the remote performer (operation related to the lighting control program 104a) is completed. is repeated (step S109 in FIG. 5).

A person in charge of lighting at the television station checks the brightness of the performer displayed on the display unit 14, and if necessary, operates the operation unit 13 (dimming level setting unit 13a) to adjust the brightness. Vary the dimming of the signal. This makes it possible to remotely control the brightness of the lighting applied to the performer, even when the performer participates in a program remotely from his/her home. In other words, it is possible to remotely control the brightness of illumination applied to performers (users) in remote locations.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart schematically showing a modification of the lighting control method by the lighting control system according to the embodiment.
In FIG. 6, steps S201 to S206 are substantially the same as steps S101 to S106 described with reference to FIG. 5, so detailed description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 6, in this example, after the control unit 11 of the lighting control device 10 receives the video signal from the performer terminal 100, automatically generates a dimming signal based on the received video signal, The generated dimming signal is transmitted to the performer terminal 100 (step S207 in FIG. 6). When the identification information 202 for the plurality of lighting fixtures 200 is set, the control unit 11 automatically generates a plurality of dimming signals respectively corresponding to the plurality of lighting fixtures 200, and outputs the generated plurality of dimming signals. An optical signal is transmitted to the performer terminal 100 .

For example, the control unit 11 performs image processing based on the video signal received from the performer terminal 100, thereby making it possible to generate a dimming signal according to the situation of the performer performing remotely. In other words, the control unit 11 performs image processing based on the video signal received from the performer terminal 100, thereby enabling generation of a dimming signal according to the situation of the performer at a remote location. The control unit 11, for example, performs image processing based on the received video signal to automatically generate a dimming signal that provides optimal brightness for the remote performer. The method of generating the dimming signal based on the video signal is not limited to the above, and any method that can automatically generate the dimming signal that provides the performer with the optimum brightness may be used. The optimum brightness is, for example, the brightness at which the face and body of the performer can be displayed on the display unit 14, the brightness at which the performer and the background of the performer are not overexposed due to lighting, or the brightness at which the performer Including brightness, etc. so that the background of the background does not darken.

Upon receiving the dimming signal from the lighting control device 10, the control unit 102 of the performer terminal 100 transmits the received dimming signal to the lighting equipment 200, thereby controlling the brightness of the lighting equipment according to the dimming signal. 200 is irradiated (step S208 in FIG. 6).

The control unit 11 of the lighting control device 10 determines whether or not the operation unit 13 has been operated by a person in charge of lighting at the television station (step S209 in FIG. 6).

If no operation has been performed, the control unit 11 repeats the above steps S205 to S208.

On the other hand, when an operation is performed, the control unit 11 generates a dimming signal for the lighting device 200 according to the operation of the operation unit 13, and outputs the generated dimming signal, as in the example of FIG. After that, the same processing is repeated until the end of the operation (steps S210 to S214 in FIG. 6).

In this way, the control unit 11 may generate the dimming signal based on the operation of the operation unit 13, or may automatically generate the dimming signal based on the video signal received from the lighting control device 10. good. The method of generating the dimming signal by the lighting control device 10 can appropriately generate the dimming signal according to the situation of the performer performing remotely (performer in a remote location) by using the video signal. Any method can be used. For example, a manual mode for generating a light control signal based on the operation of the operation unit 13 and an automatic mode for automatically generating a light control signal based on a video signal can be arbitrarily selected by a switch or the like provided on the operation unit 13. You may enable it to be switched to .

The above embodiment shows an example in which the lighting control system 2 is applied as a television station system. The lighting control system 2 is not limited to this, and may be applied, for example, to a lecture given in a hall where performers perform remotely. The luminaire 30 may be, for example, a luminaire installed in a hall to illuminate a performer standing on a stage. The lighting control system 2 may be applied, for example, as a system for video conferences, seminars, and the like. The lighting control system 2 can be applied to any system that requires remote control of the brightness of the lighting applied to remotely performing performers. The user of the lighting control system 2 (performer terminal 100) is not limited to the performer, and may be any remote user such as a participant or attendee of a video conference. The performer terminal 100 (user terminal) may be any terminal used by a remote user. Note that when the lighting control system 2 is used for a video conference, the lighting control device 10 may be a terminal such as a personal computer.

While several embodiments of the invention have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the scope of the invention described in the claims and equivalents thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 2... Lighting control system 10... Lighting control apparatus 11... Control part 12... Storage part 13... Operation part 13a... Dimming degree setting part 14... Display part 15... Communication part 20... Video control apparatus 30... Lighting equipment 100... Performer terminal (user terminal) 102... Control unit 104... Storage unit 104a... Lighting control program 106... Camera 108... Microphone 110... Speaker 112... Operation unit 114 Display unit 121 First communication unit 122 Second communication unit 200 Lighting fixture 202 Identification information 210 Control unit 212 Storage unit 214 Light source unit 216 Power conversion circuit 218 …Communication

Claims (7)

a user terminal having a camera for acquiring a video signal of the user;
a lighting fixture for illuminating the user, having a dimming function to change the brightness of the emitted light;
By communicating with the user terminal via a network, receiving the video signal from the user terminal, generating a dimming signal representing the brightness of the light emitted from the lighting equipment, and a lighting control device that uses a video signal to enable generation of the dimming signal according to the situation of the user at a remote location, and that transmits the generated dimming signal to the user terminal;
with
The lighting control system, wherein the user terminal communicates with the lighting fixture to control brightness of light emitted from the lighting fixture based on the dimming signal received from the lighting control device. The lighting control device
a display unit that displays the video signal;
an operation unit for receiving input of operation instructions;
a control unit that generates the dimming signal according to the operation of the operation unit;
and displaying the video signal on the display unit so that the operation unit can be operated while confirming the situation of the user at a remote location with the video displayed on the display unit 2. The lighting control system according to claim 1, wherein said dimming signal can be generated according to the situation of said user at a remote location. The lighting control device performs image processing based on the video signal received from the user terminal, thereby enabling generation of the dimming signal according to the situation of the user at a remote location. Item 3. The lighting control system according to Item 1 or 2. The user terminal is capable of communicating with a plurality of the lighting fixtures,
When the user terminal is connected for communication with a plurality of lighting fixtures, the lighting control device and the user terminal transmit identification information for identifying each of the plurality of lighting fixtures to the plurality of lighting fixtures. and setting the dimming signal for each of the plurality of lighting fixtures based on the identification information, so that the brightness of the light emitted from each of the plurality of lighting fixtures 4. The lighting control system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the lighting control system controls individually. The lighting control device communicates with another lighting device for illuminating the user at a remote location and another user at a different location, 5. The lighting control system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein brightness of light emitted from each of said lighting fixture on said user side and said lighting fixture is controlled. a communication unit that communicates via a network with a user terminal having a camera for acquiring a user's video signal;
a control unit that generates a dimming signal representing the brightness of light emitted from a lighting fixture for illuminating the user;
with
The control unit receives the video signal from the user terminal and uses the video signal to enable generation of the dimming signal according to the situation of the user at a remote location. A lighting control device that transmits a dimming signal to the user terminal, thereby causing the user terminal to control brightness of light emitted from the lighting fixture based on the dimming signal. a user terminal having a camera for acquiring a video signal of the user;
a lighting fixture for illuminating the user, which has a dimming function to change the brightness of the emitted light;
a lighting control device that communicates with the user terminal via a network and generates a dimming signal representing the brightness of the light emitted from the lighting fixture;
A lighting control method for a lighting control system comprising
transmitting the video signal from the user terminal to the lighting control device;
a step of generating the dimming signal according to the situation of the user at a remote location by using the video signal;
a step of transmitting the generated dimming signal from the lighting control device to the user terminal;
a step of controlling, by the user terminal, the brightness of the light emitted from the lighting fixture based on the dimming signal received from the lighting control device, by communicating between the user terminal and the lighting fixture; ,
A lighting control method comprising:

Images