JP2009237834A - Apparatus for measuring number of user and environment control system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an apparatus for measuring the number of users and an environment control system capable of reducing processing time and costs. <P>SOLUTION: The environment control system includes: a weight detection means 1 having a weight sensor 10a and detecting the weight of a commodity carrier placed in a storage location for commodity carriers leased to users within a predetermined area inside a store; a storage unit 25 for storing the unit weight of the commodity carrier; a number-of-use calculation means 20a for calculating the number of uses, i.e., the number of commodity carriers leased to users, based on the result of detection by the weight detection means 1 and the unit weight; a number-of-user detection means 20b for calculating the number of users remaining in the predetermined area, based on the number of uses calculated by the number-of-use calculation means 20a; luminaires 3-5 installed in the store; and a lighting mode selection means 20d for changing the content of control of the luminaires 3-5 based on the number of users obtained by the number-of-user detection means 20b. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a user number measuring device for obtaining the number of users staying in a predetermined area, and environmental control for controlling the environment in the predetermined area according to the number of users staying in the predetermined area. It is about the system.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been proposed an environment control system that controls the environment in a store by changing the control content of an environment control unit that includes load devices (lighting, air conditioning, etc.) installed in the store such as a supermarket. In this type of environmental control system, the environment in the store is controlled in consideration of time, season, weather, etc., and the environment is controlled according to the number of users (number of users) in the store. There is also. Here, in the environment control system that controls the environment according to the number of users, a user number measuring device that measures the number of users in the store is used. As this type of user number measuring device, for example, An apparatus that measures the number of users moving in a store by capturing an image in the store with a camera installed in the store and processing the image captured by the camera has been proposed (for example, a patent) Reference 1).
JP 2005-148863 A

  However, as shown in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, by detecting the number of users moving in the store by performing image processing on image data captured by a camera installed in the store, there is a blind spot in the store. Since it is necessary to install a plurality of cameras so as not to be able to do this, there is a problem that the cost becomes high. Another problem is that image processing takes a relatively long time.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to provide a user number measuring apparatus and an environment control system capable of reducing processing time and cost.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, in the invention of claim 1, weight detection means for detecting the weight of the commodity transporter placed in the storage place of the commodity transporter lent to the user in a predetermined area in the store. And at least the number of merchandise vehicles rented to the user based on the storage means storing the unit weight of the merchandise carrier, the detection result of the weight detection means and the unit weight stored in the memory means. A usage number calculating means for calculating the number of usages, and a user number detecting means for determining the number of users staying in the predetermined area based on the usage numbers calculated by the usage number calculating means. It is characterized by that.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, attention is paid to the relationship between the number of users staying in a predetermined area in the store and the number of products being rented to the users in the predetermined area. The weight of the product carrier placed in the storage location is detected, and the number of product carriers used is calculated using the detected weight and the unit weight of the product carrier. Since the number of staying users is calculated, unlike the case of calculating the number of users existing in a predetermined area from an image taken in the predetermined area with a camera as in the conventional example, it is compared with a weight sensor. Therefore, it is not necessary to use an expensive image sensor, and image processing that requires complicated arithmetic processing is not required, so that the processing time can be shortened and the cost can be reduced.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the storage means is a total weight that is a value obtained by summing up the weights of all the commodity carriers prepared for lending to the user in the predetermined area. Is stored, and the used number calculating means calculates a detected weight that is a value obtained by summing up the weights of the goods carrying devices placed in the storage location using the detection result of the weight detecting means. And a use number calculation process for calculating the use number by dividing a value obtained by subtracting the detected weight from the total weight stored in the storage means by the unit weight.

  According to the invention of claim 2, since the number of uses can be easily calculated, the processing time can be further shortened.

  In the invention of claim 3, in the invention of claim 2, the value of the total weight stored in the storage means is calculated based on the detected weight at a predetermined time when the user is prohibited from entering the predetermined area. An update means for updating to a value is provided.

  According to the invention of claim 3, the value of the detected weight at a predetermined time when entry of the user into the predetermined area is prohibited is the sum of the commodity carriers prepared for lending to the user within the predetermined area. Since the total weight value is considered to be equal to the value of the weight, updating the total weight value to the value of the detected weight at the predetermined time will change the total number of product carriers due to loss, damage, addition, etc. As a result, it is possible to suppress errors caused by changes in the total weight of the product carrier prepared for lending to users within a predetermined area, and to check the total weight of the product carrier. Since there is no need for humans to perform sequential operations, it is easy to use.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the second or third aspect of the invention, the usage number calculation process is a reference for calculating a reference value consisting of a value obtained by subtracting the detected weight from the total weight by the unit weight. A value calculation process, a correct / incorrect determination process for determining whether the detected weight is correct based on whether the absolute value of the pure decimal part of the reference value calculated in the reference value calculation process is less than a predetermined threshold, If it is determined by the determination process that the detected weight is correct, it is determined that the detection means is erroneous by the use number writing process in which the integer part of the reference value is adopted as the use number and stored in the storage means, and the correctness determination process. Then, it is characterized by including a usage number reading process that adopts the previous usage number stored in the storage means as the current usage number.

  According to the invention of claim 4, focusing on the fact that the detected weight is an integral multiple of the unit weight if there is no error, whether the detected weight is correct is determined by subtracting the detected weight from the total weight. Judged by whether or not the reference value, which is the value divided by, can be regarded as an integer, and if it can be regarded as an integer, the detected weight is judged to be correct and the integer part of the reference value is adopted as the number used. If it is not possible to determine that the detected weight is incorrect, the previous number of uses is adopted as the current number of uses. In such a case, it is possible to prevent the weight of the product from being reflected in the number of users and improve the measurement accuracy of the number of users.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the number-of-users measuring apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, environmental control means for controlling the environment of the predetermined area, and the number of users of the number-of-users measuring apparatus. And an environment change unit that changes the control content of the environment control unit based on the number of users obtained from the detection unit.

  According to the invention of claim 5, since the environment in the predetermined area of the store can be controlled according to the number of users existing in the predetermined area, optimal control linked to the number of users can be performed. Further, it is possible to shorten the time until the number of users in the predetermined area is reflected in the control, and in addition, it is possible to reduce the cost for constructing the system.

  The present invention pays attention to the relationship between the number of users staying in a predetermined area in the store and the number of products transported in the predetermined area, which is the number of commodity carriers rented to the user. The weight of the product carrier placed is detected, and the number of product carriers used is calculated using the detected weight and the unit weight of the product carrier, so the processing time and cost can be reduced. There is an effect that it can be achieved.

  An example in which the environmental control system of the present invention is applied to a store 100 such as a supermarket (see FIGS. 2A and 2B) will be described below. The store 100 illustrated in FIG. 2 is merely an example, and the store 100 to which the environment control system of the present invention is applied is not limited to the illustrated example. The environmental control system of the present invention is not limited to a supermarket, and may be a tenant building or a school facility, for example.

  The store 100 shown in FIG. 2 includes a sales floor zone 101 for displaying products, a cash register zone 102 for performing purchase settlement processing for products selected by the user (customers, customers) from the products displayed in the sales zone, The shop 100 is largely divided into a workplace / backyard 103 in which employees of the store 100 perform various operations. An entrance 100A is provided at a position that leads to the sales floor zone 101 on the outer wall of the store 100, and an exit 100B is provided at a position that leads to the registration zone 102. Further, the sales floor zone 101 and the work place / backyard 103 are partitioned by a partition wall 104. At the important point of the partition wall 104, a communication port 105 is provided for going back and forth between the sales zone 101 and the work place / backyard 103.

  In the sales area zone 101 of the store 100, a plurality of refrigeration / freezing showcases 106 are arranged in the center and on the wall side, and a plurality of display shelves 107 are arranged in the vicinity of the boundary with the cash register zone 101. On the other hand, a settlement processing device (register) 108 for performing purchase settlement processing is disposed in the center of the cash register zone 102. In addition, in the cashier zone 102, a desk 109 is arranged for a user who has completed the purchase settlement process to perform operations such as bagging purchased goods.

  In addition, the store 100 is provided with a placement unit 200 that is used as a storage place for the commodity transporter. The above-mentioned commodity transporter is designed so that the user can easily transport the commodity in a predetermined area in the store 100 (mainly in the sales zone 101 in this embodiment) (in the case of this embodiment, the sales floor). The product placed in the zone 101 is lent to the user so that the product can be easily transported to the cashier zone 102). As such a commodity carrier, for example, a plastic bag is adopted. In the present embodiment, for example, a bag that can be stacked and placed is described as an example of the commodity transporter.

  The placement unit 200 is, for example, a table having a placement surface (not shown) on which the commodity transporter is placed. In the store 100 shown in FIG. 2, the placement units 200 are provided in the vicinity of the entrance 100 </ b> A in the sales floor zone 101 and in the vicinity of the desk 110 in the di-zone 102. Here, the placing section 200 (hereinafter, denoted by reference numeral 200A as necessary) of the sales floor zone 101 is mainly used to lend a commodity carrier to a user. On the other hand, the placement unit 200 of the cashier zone 102 (hereinafter, denoted by reference numeral 200B as necessary) is used by the user to return the commodity carrier. In addition, the mounting part 200 may be a cart provided with wheels or the floor surface of a predetermined place of the store 100.

  The environment control system of the present embodiment is for controlling the environment of the store 100 described above. As shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of (two in the illustrated example) provided in each placement unit 200 are provided. In order to control the weight detection means 1 constituted by the weight detection device 10, the controller 2 to which the detection results of each weight detection device 10 are input, and the environment in the store 100 (in the case of this embodiment, the lighting environment). Are provided corresponding to each of the lighting fixtures 3 to 5 and connected according to the contents of the received transmission signal. The control terminal device 6 having a dimming function for controlling the lighting state of the lighting fixtures 3 to 5 and the transmission unit 7 that performs communication control between the controller 2 and the control terminal device 6 are provided. In the following description, in order to distinguish the plurality of weight detection devices 10, the weight detection device 10 corresponding to the placement unit 200A is denoted by reference numeral 10A as necessary, and the weight detection corresponding to the placement unit 200B is performed. The apparatus 10 is represented by reference numeral 10B.

  The general lighting fixture 3 includes, for example, a fluorescent lamp lighting fixture 3a and an HID lighting fixture 3b. The full-wave luminaire 3 is installed on the ceiling of the sales floor zone 101 and is used as base lighting for generally lighting the sales floor zone 101. The wall / weighted lighting fixture 4 includes, for example, a fluorescent wall lighting fixture 4a, a halogen spotlight 4b, a compact fluorescent spotlight 4c, an HID spotlight 4d, and the like. The wall / weighted lighting fixture 4 is installed in each of the sales floor zone 101 and the cash register zone 102. A part of the wall / important lighting device 4 is used to illuminate the wall surface by being embedded in the ceiling of each of the sales floor zone 101 and the cash register zone 102 or suspended by a wiring duct provided on the ceiling. It is done. Further, another part of the wall / important lighting fixture 4 is installed in the refrigeration / freezing showcase 106 or the display shelf 107 in the sales zone 101, and emphasizes the important illumination location (for example, the sale place of the special sale product). Used to illuminate automatically. The cash register lighting fixture 5 includes, for example, a fluorescent lamp lighting fixture, and is used to illuminate the vicinity of the settlement processing device 108.

  By the way, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, load equipment such as air conditioners 92 and 93 is also installed in the store 100 described above as environmental control means. However, the operation of the load devices other than the general lighting device 3, the wall / weighted lighting device 4, and the cash register lighting device 5 is controlled by a control system other than the environmental control system of the present embodiment. The description is omitted below.

  The transmission unit 7 includes a transmission communication unit 71 that transmits and receives multiple transmission signals to and from the controller 2 and the control terminal 6 via a transmission line, an arithmetic processing unit 72 such as a microcomputer (microcomputer), and a RAM or ROM. And a storage unit 72 composed of an external storage device such as a semiconductor memory or a hard disk. The storage unit 72 includes group control information for collectively turning on / off the plurality of control terminals 6 and pattern control information for collectively operating the plurality of control terminals 6 in a preset pattern. Is stored in advance. When the transmission communication unit 70 receives a later-described control signal transmitted from the controller 2, the arithmetic processing unit 71 individually turns on or off the designated control terminal 6 according to the control content of the received control signal. (Individual control), whether a plurality of control terminals 6 are collectively turned on or off according to designated group control information (group control), or a plurality of control terminals 6 are preliminarily set according to designated pattern control information. Operate collectively with the set pattern (pattern control).

  Since the luminaires 3 to 5, the control terminal 6, and the transmission unit 7 as described above can employ conventional ones, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

  The weight detection device 10 is a weight sensor 10a that detects the weight of a commodity carrier placed on the placement surface of the placement unit 200 (that is, a load applied to the placement surface), and a detection result of the weight sensor 10a. A communication I / F unit 10 b that transmits a signal including weight (data) to the controller 2. As the weight sensor 10a, for example, a sensor formed using a semiconductor, a load cell using a strain gauge, or the like can be used.

  The controller 2 includes an arithmetic processing unit 20 such as a microcomputer (microcomputer) that executes various processes by executing programs, communication units 21 to 23 for communicating with external devices, and current date and time information. Are provided as main components, a timer 24 for supplying the data to the arithmetic processing unit 20 and a storage unit 25 which is a storage unit configured by a semiconductor memory such as a RAM or a ROM or an external storage device such as a hard disk.

  The storage unit 25 includes a unit weight S, which is a weight per product carrier, and a total weight that is a value obtained by summing the weights of all product carriers prepared for lending to the user in the predetermined area. (That is, a value obtained by multiplying the total number of commodity carriers prepared for lending to users in the predetermined area by unit weight S) T. In addition, the storage unit 25 has a screen (for example, an HTML file, Java (registered trademark) Script, an image, etc.) viewed with a Web browser installed in the computer, an operation schedule of each lighting fixture 3 to 5, and a local network (multiplexed). The connection state of the terminal connected to the transmission network) and various collected data are stored.

  The communication unit 21 is connected to the central control device 80 via a network whose physical layer protocol supports the Ethernet (registered trademark) standard, for example, and the higher layer protocol (for example, TCP / IP, FTP, HTTP / This is for data communication with the central control device 8 according to HTTPS).

  The communication unit 22, for example, receives weight data transmitted from the signal (particularly the communication I / F unit 10 b of the weight detection device 10) between the weight detection device 10 and sensors (not shown) installed in the store 100. A protocol (for example, MEWTOCOL (registered trademark) or MODBUS (registered trademark)) for transmitting / receiving the signal. Note that the physical layer of the communication unit 22 supports the RS-485 standard. Note that the communication between the weight detection device 10 and the controller 2 may be wired communication or wireless communication, but when the placement unit 200 is a movable carriage, Wireless communication is preferable.

  The communication unit 23 is for transmitting and receiving a time-division multiplexed transmission signal (so-called full 2-wire signal) to and from the transmission unit 7 via, for example, a 2-wire transmission line.

  The arithmetic processing unit 20 calculates the number of uses U that includes the number of product carriers lent to the user (in other words, the number of product carriers not placed on the placement unit 200). 20a and a user number detecting means 20b for calculating the number of users staying (existing) in the predetermined area based on the usage number U calculated by the usage number calculating means 20a, Updating means 20c for updating the value of the total weight T stored in the storage unit 25. Further, the arithmetic processing unit 20 includes a lighting mode selection unit 20d and a lighting mode management unit 20e used for environmental control. Each of the means 20a to 20e is realized by an arithmetic function of the arithmetic processing unit 20.

  The number-of-uses calculation unit 20a calculates a detected weight G that is a value obtained by adding up the weights of the commodity transporters placed on the placement unit 200 using the detection result of the weight detection unit 1 (detected weight calculation process). ) And a process of calculating the usage number U by dividing a value obtained by subtracting the detected weight S from the total weight T stored in the storage unit 25 by the unit weight S (a usage number calculation process).

  In the detected weight calculation process, the detected weight G is calculated by obtaining the total value of the weights obtained from the weight detector 10. In the present embodiment, since the number of the weight detection devices 10 is two, a value obtained by adding the weight detected by the weight detection device 10B to the weight detected by the weight detection device 10A becomes the detected weight G. . In addition, when there is one placement unit 200, since there is also one weight detection device 10, the detected weight G is equal to the weight detected by one weight detection device 10. In addition, in consideration of the stability of the commodity carrier, etc., when a support that supports the commodity carrier is installed on the placement surface of the placement unit 200, the process of dividing the weight of the support by the detected weight G May be performed. Moreover, not only such a support tool but when there is something that is constantly placed on the placement surface of the placement unit 200, it is preferable to divide the weight of itself.

  The usage number calculation process is a process for calculating a reference value R (= (TG) / S) consisting of a value obtained by subtracting the detected weight G from the total weight T by the unit weight S (reference value calculation process). Then, based on the reference value R calculated in the reference value calculation process, it is determined whether the detected weight G is correct (correctness determination process) and the correctness determination process determines that the detected weight G is correct. When the detected weight G is determined to be erroneous by the process of adopting the integer part of the reference value R as the usage number U and storing it in the storage unit 25 (the usage number writing process) and the correctness / incorrectness determination process, the storage unit 25 And the process of adopting the previous use number U stored in the above as the current use number U (use number reading process).

  In the correctness / incorrectness determination process, if there is no error in the detected weight G, the detected weight G is an integral multiple of the unit weight S, although there is a certain range due to the shape error of the commodity carrier, etc. Whether or not it is correct is determined by whether or not the reference value R can be regarded as an integer. In the correctness determination process in the present embodiment, whether or not the reference value R can be regarded as an integer based on whether or not the absolute value of the pure decimal part of the reference value R is less than a predetermined threshold (for example, less than 0.2). Determine whether. Specifically, in the correctness determination process, if the absolute value of the pure decimal part of the reference value R is less than a predetermined threshold value, the detected weight G is correct, while the absolute value of the pure decimal part of the reference value R Is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value, the detected weight G is determined to be an incorrect value.

  The number-of-uses calculation unit 20a performs the above-described processing, thereby based on the detection result of the weight detection unit 1 (the detection result of the weight sensors 10A and 10B), the unit weight S and the total weight T stored in the storage unit 25. To calculate the usage number U. Note that the usage number U is calculated by the usage number calculating means 20 every predetermined time (for example, 10 minutes). Therefore, in the environment control system of this embodiment, it is determined whether or not the environment of the store 100 is changed every predetermined time.

  As described above, the number-of-users detection unit 20b obtains (estimates) the number of users staying in the predetermined area based on the number of uses U obtained by the number-of-uses calculation unit 20a. In the number-of-users detection means 20 of this embodiment, the number of uses U is directly used as the number of users (that is, the number of users = the number of uses). That is, it is estimated that all users who shop at the store 100 are using the product carrier, and the number U of the product carrier is used as the number of users (more specifically, the sales zone 101 and the register zone of the store 100). Approximate number of users who have stayed in 102 and have not yet completed the purchase settlement process). In calculating the number of users from the number of uses U, weighting may be performed based on the usage rate of the user's product carrier. Further, the number of users may be obtained from a data table created using the usage number U and the statistical data of the number of users, or the time zone may be taken into consideration. In the environment control system of this embodiment, control is performed such that the light output is slightly darker when there are many people compared to when there are few people, so it is not always necessary to obtain the exact number of users, and the approximate number of users is It only needs to be estimated.

  The updating means 20c indicates that the current time input from the timer 24 is a predetermined time when the user is prohibited from entering the predetermined area (for example, the store 100 is open from 9:00 am to 10:00 pm). If there is, the value of the total weight T is updated to the value of the detected weight G at the predetermined time (the above-mentioned midnight) when the predetermined time outside business hours is midnight. This is because at the time when entry of the user into the predetermined area is prohibited, all the goods transporting devices are placed on the placement unit 200, and the detected weight G at this time is the total weight T It pays attention to the point that it can be considered that it is equal to.

  As described above, in the environmental control system of the present embodiment, the weight detection unit 1, the storage unit 25 of the controller 2, the number-of-use calculation unit 20a, the number-of-users detection unit 20b, and the update unit 20c are realized by a calculation function. The arithmetic processing unit 20 constitutes a user number measuring means (user number measuring device).

  The lighting mode management means 20e creates lighting pattern information for setting the light output of each of the lighting fixtures 3 to 5 for each zone based on the setting signal received by the communication unit 21 from the central control device 8, and stores it in the storage unit 25. Remember me.

  The lighting mode selection unit 20d is based on the number of users obtained by the user number detection unit 20b (that is, the number of users obtained by the user measuring device) and the current time input from the timer 24. Then, an illumination pattern to be used for control is selected from a plurality of illumination patterns registered in the storage unit 25. That is, in this embodiment, the lighting mode selection means 20d determines the control content of the environment control means (in the case of this embodiment, lighting fixtures 3 to 5) based on the number of users obtained by the user calculation means 20b. It becomes an environment change means to change.

  By the way, in the storage unit 25 in the present embodiment, as an illumination pattern in the daytime (for example, from the start time to twilight or at sunset), an illumination pattern A1 when the number of visitors is less than a threshold (when the number of people is small) A lighting pattern A2 is registered when the number of visitors is greater than or equal to a threshold (when many people are present) (see Table 1). In the table, “◎” means that each lighting fixture is lit brightly, “○” means that it is lit slightly brighter, and “△” means that it is lit slightly darker. It becomes brighter in the order of △ <○ <◎.

  The illumination pattern A1 is an illumination pattern that controls the general lighting fixture 3 to be slightly brighter, and the wall / important lighting fixture 4 and the cash register lighting fixture 5 that is visible from the outside to be brighter. The illumination pattern A2 is an illumination pattern for controlling the general lighting fixture 3 and the cash register lighting fixture 5 to be slightly brighter and the wall / priority lighting fixture 4 to be brighter.

  Thus, in the lighting mode selection means 20d, the lighting pattern is changed between a large number of people and a small number of people, and when the number of people is small, the wall / important lighting device 4 and the cash register lighting device 5 are lit brighter. The attraction effect can be enhanced, and when the number of people is large, the cash register lighting device 5 is darkened from the “bright” state to the “slightly bright” state, thereby reducing the power consumption of the cash register lighting device 5 and saving energy. (Energy saving) can be achieved.

  The storage unit 25 also has a lighting pattern B1 when the number of visitors is smaller than a threshold (when there are a small number of people) as a lighting pattern at night (for example, from dusk to sunset) and the number of visitors is a threshold. The illumination pattern B2 for the above time (when many people are present) is registered (see Table 2).

  The illumination pattern B1 is an illumination pattern in which the general illumination fixture 3 is slightly darkened, the cash register illumination fixture 5 is slightly brighter, and the wall / weighted illumination fixture 4 is controlled to be brighter. The illumination pattern B2 is an illumination pattern in which the general lighting fixture 3 is slightly dark and the cash register lighting fixture 5 and the wall / weighted lighting fixture 4 are controlled slightly brighter.

  Thus, in the lighting mode selection means 20d, the illumination pattern is changed between a large number of people and a small number of people even at night. In addition, the wall / important lighting device 4 is changed from a “bright” state to a “slightly bright” state when there are many people, thus reducing the power consumption of the wall / important lighting device 4 and saving energy. Can be achieved.

  Here, since the surroundings are dark at night, the user feels uncomfortable even if the light output of the general lighting equipment 3 and the cash register lighting equipment 5 is slightly darkened if the minimum illumination on the work surface is secured. In the nighttime lighting patterns B1 and B2, the general lighting fixture 3 is changed from a slightly brighter lighting state to a slightly darker lighting state than the daytime lighting patterns A1 and A2 so as to save energy. Yes. Furthermore, in the nighttime illumination pattern B1, the cash register lighting fixture 5 is changed from a bright state to a slightly brighter state than the daytime illumination pattern A1, thereby saving energy.

  By the way, FIG. 4A shows the result of obtaining the relationship between the horizontal illuminance of the general lighting fixture 3 and the impression given by the wall / important lighting fixture 4, and the vertical illuminance of the wall / important lighting fixture 4 is constant. In this case, it can be seen that the darker the illuminance of the general lighting device 3, the stronger the impression given by the wall / weighted lighting device 4 and the greater the attracting effect of the wall / weighted lighting device 4.

  FIG. 4B shows the relationship between the horizontal illuminance Eh of the general lighting fixture 3 and the attracting effect of the wall / priority lighting fixture 4 when the vertical plane illuminance Ev of the wall / priority lighting fixture 4 is changed to a plurality. The figure shows the obtained results. A in the figure is when the vertical plane illuminance Ev is 2000 [lx], A in the figure is when the vertical plane illuminance Ev is 3000 [lx], and C in the figure is vertical plane illuminance. When Ev is 4000 [lx], D in the figure indicates the result when the vertical surface illuminance Ev is 8000 [lx].

  From the result of FIG. 4 (b), it can be seen that if the illuminance of the wall / important lighting apparatus 4 is increased, the impression is increased and the customer's attractive effect is increased. Further, from the result of FIG. 4B, the vertical plane illuminance Ev of the wall / weighted lighting device 4 necessary for obtaining an impression of size d by the wall / weighted lighting device 4 is the horizontal plane illuminance of the general lighting device 3. In the case of a (750 [lx]), it is 4000 [lx], whereas in the case where the horizontal illuminance of the wall / weighted luminaire 4 is b (500 [lx]), it is understood that 3000 [lx] is sufficient. About 22% energy saving. If the vertical plane illuminance Ev is kept at 4000 [lx], the attracting effect can be improved by one rank from “slightly noticeable” to “pretty noticeable”.

  Next, the operation of the lighting mode selection means 20d in the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  Based on the current time acquired from the timer 24, the lighting mode selection unit 20d switches the illumination pattern of each of the lighting fixtures 3 to 5 to either the day mode or the night mode (step S1). In step S1 in the present embodiment, the day mode and the night mode are switched based on the current time. If the ambient illuminance is brighter than the threshold based on the detection result of the illuminance sensor (not shown), the day mode is selected. It may be switched to the night mode if it is darker than the threshold.

  When the lighting pattern is switched to the daytime mode as a result of the determination in step S1, the lighting mode selection unit 20d reads out and sets the threshold value N1 of the number of users used in the daytime mode from the storage unit 25 (step S2). Then, the control contents of the illumination patterns A1 and A2 used in the daytime mode are read from the storage unit 25 and set (step S3).

  Next, the lighting mode selection unit 20d compares the number of users obtained from the number-of-users detection unit 20b with the threshold value N1 (step S4). If the number of users is equal to or greater than the threshold value N1, the lighting pattern illumination pattern is selected. A2 is determined (step S5), and if the number of users is less than the threshold N1, the illumination pattern is determined to be the illumination pattern A1 (step S6). In the lighting mode selection unit 20d, the illumination pattern is determined as the illumination pattern A1 or the illumination pattern A2 by comparing the number of users with the threshold value N1, but a hysteresis may be provided in the threshold value N1, By providing hysteresis, it is possible to prevent a hunting operation in which the illumination pattern is frequently switched.

  On the other hand, if the lighting pattern is switched to the night mode as a result of the determination in step S1, the lighting mode selection means 20d reads out and sets the threshold value N2 of the number of users used in the night mode from the storage unit 25 (step S7) The control contents of the illumination patterns B1 and B2 used in the night mode are read from the storage unit 25 and set (step S8). Next, the lighting mode selection unit 20d compares the number of users obtained from the number-of-users detection unit 20b with the threshold value N2 (step S9). If the number of users is equal to or greater than the threshold value N2, the illumination pattern is changed to the illumination pattern. B2 is determined (step S10), and if the number of users is less than the threshold N2, the illumination pattern is determined as the illumination pattern B1 (step S11). Note that hysteresis may be provided for the threshold N2 as well as the threshold N1.

  When the lighting pattern is thus determined by the lighting mode selection means 20d, the arithmetic processing unit 20 causes the communication unit 23 to transmit the control signal described above to the transmission unit 7. Thereby, in the transmission unit 7, based on the illumination pattern designated from the controller 2, a control signal is transmitted to the corresponding control terminal 6, and the lighting state of each lighting fixture 3-5 shifts to a desired lighting state. . In addition, when transmitting a control signal from the transmission unit 7 to each control terminal 6, the control signal may be transmitted only to the control terminal 6 corresponding to the lighting fixture whose control state changes, and communication traffic can be reduced. .

  In the environmental control system of the present embodiment described above, the number of users staying in the predetermined area of the store 100 (staying in the sales floor zone 101 and the cash register zone 102 of the store 100 and not completing the purchase settlement process). The number of users) is calculated, and this number of users is reflected in the environmental control.

  The environmental control system according to the present embodiment includes a weight detection unit 1 that detects the weight of a product transporter placed on a placement unit 200 that is a storage location of the product transporter, and a product for measuring the number of users. It is lent out to the user based on the storage unit 25 in which the unit weight S and the total weight T of the carrier are stored, the detection result of the weight detection means 1 and the total weight T and the unit weight S stored in the storage unit 25. The number-of-uses calculation means 20a for calculating the number of uses U, which is the number of commodity transporters, and the number of users staying in the predetermined area based on the number of uses U calculated by the number-of-uses calculation means 20a. And a user number detecting means 20b for calculating.

  And according to the environmental control system of this embodiment described above, the number of users staying in the predetermined area in the store 100 and the goods carrier lent to the user in the predetermined area. Pay attention to the relationship with the number of uses, which is a number, detect the weight of the product carrier placed in the storage location for the product carrier, and use the detected weight and the unit weight of the product carrier to Since the number of users staying in the predetermined area is calculated by calculating the usage number U of the carrier, the predetermined area is present in the predetermined area from the image captured by the camera as in the conventional example. Unlike the case of calculating the number of users, it is not necessary to use a relatively expensive image sensor compared to a weight sensor, and image processing that requires complicated calculation processing is not required. Reduction and cost reduction It is possible to achieve.

  In addition, since the usage number calculation means 20a calculates the usage number U by dividing the value obtained by subtracting the detected weight G from the total weight T by the unit weight S, the usage number can be easily calculated. Time can be further reduced.

  Further, in calculating the usage number U, it is noted that if there is no error, the detected weight G is an integral multiple of the unit weight S, and whether the detected weight G is correct is determined from the total weight T based on the detected weight G. Is determined by whether or not the reference value R, which is a value obtained by dividing the value by the unit weight S, can be regarded as an integer, and if it can be regarded as an integer, the detected weight G is determined to be correct and the reference value R If the integer part is used as the number of uses and cannot be regarded as an integer, the detected weight G is judged to be incorrect and the previous use number U is adopted as the current use number U. The weight of the product other than the product transporter is used by the user, such as when the product is placed on the mounting unit 200 with the product placed in the transporter or when a product other than the product transporter is placed on the mounting unit 200. To prevent it from being reflected in the number of Come, it is possible to improve the measurement accuracy of the number of users.

  In addition, the value of the detected weight G at a predetermined time when entry of the user into the predetermined area is prohibited is the total weight T of the commodity transport equipment prepared for lending to the user in the predetermined area. Since the total weight T is updated to the value of the detected weight G at the predetermined time, the total number of the product carriers changes due to loss, breakage, addition, etc. of the product carriers, As a result, it is possible to suppress an error caused by a change in the total weight T of the product carrier prepared for lending to a user in a predetermined area. Since it is not necessary for the person to perform the check sequentially, the usability is improved.

  Furthermore, according to the environment control system of the present embodiment, the environment in the predetermined area can be controlled according to the number of users existing in the predetermined area, so that optimal control linked to the number of users can be performed. Yes. In particular, in the environmental control system of the present embodiment, when the number of users staying in the sales zone 101 during the daytime and nighttime hours is smaller than the threshold, some of the lighting fixtures 3 to 5 are compared with the case where there are many users. Since the light output is brightened, the effect of attracting customers to the sales floor zone 101 can be enhanced. When the number of users staying in the sales zone 101 is larger than the threshold value, it is determined that the effect of attracting users to the sales zone 101 is sufficiently obtained, and the light output of some lighting fixtures 3 to 5 is obtained. Since it is controlled slightly darker, the user's attractive effect is somewhat reduced, but energy saving can be achieved.

  By the way, the environment control system of this embodiment can also be used for the subsystem of the whole system shown, for example in FIG. In the overall system shown in FIG. 5, the transmission unit 7 includes a control terminal 95 that controls the outdoor unit 93 of the circulator 91 and the packaged air conditioner 94, and a control terminal 96 with an HA terminal that controls the indoor unit 92 of the packaged air conditioner 94. Are connected, and pattern information and group information for controlling the control terminals 95 and 96 are registered in the transmission unit 7. The transmission unit 7 is also connected with a monitoring terminal 90 having an operation switch for operating the lighting fixture. The communication unit 22 of the controller 2 is connected via a signal line to a power meter 51 that monitors the amount of power used and a multi-circuit checker 52 that monitors the amount of power used by multiple circuits. Then, by incorporating a demand control program into the controller 2, the control pattern of the air conditioner is determined based on the measured value of the power consumption from the power meter 51 and the multi-circuit checker 52 and output to the transmission unit 7. Demand control and the like can be performed by controlling the operation of the air conditioner by the transmission unit 7. Also, 81 in FIG. 5 is a management PC in which a browser is incorporated. The management PC 81 requests the controller 2 to request a Web page indicating the operating state of the load device, and displays the Web page on the display of the management PC 81. With this, you can check the operating status of the load equipment.

  The environmental control system described above is merely an embodiment of the present invention, and is not intended to limit the technical scope of the present invention to that of the present embodiment, and does not depart from the spirit of the present invention. Naturally changes in range can be made. For example, the calculation method of the usage number U in the usage number calculation means 20a is not limited to the method described above. In other words, the used number calculating means 20a stores the value obtained by dividing the detected weight G by the unit weight S (that is, the number of merchandise carrying tools remaining in the placing unit 200) in the storage unit 25 in advance. The usage number U may be obtained based on a value subtracted from the total number of tools (the total number of the goods transporting tools prepared for lending to the user in the predetermined area). In this case, the above-described correctness / incorrectness determination process is performed using the value obtained by dividing the detected weight G by the unit weight S or the value obtained by subtracting the value obtained by dividing the detected weight G by the unit weight S from the total number of commodity transporters as the reference value R. Can do. In addition, the usage number calculating means 20a may adopt a method that is recognized as equivalent to calculating the usage number U.

  In addition, the controller 2 is provided with notifying means (not shown) for notifying a person with sound or light, and when the detected weight G is determined to be incorrect in the correctness / incorrectness determination process in the used number calculating means 20a. The notification means may notify that the detected weight G has an error. Moreover, when performing such notification, the process may be suspended until it is determined that the detected weight G is correct in the correctness determination process.

  By the way, in the above environmental control system, the calculation function of the calculation processing unit 20 of the controller 2 constitutes the number-of-uses calculation means 20a and the number-of-users detection means 20b. Although the measuring device is configured, the user number measuring device may be separate from the controller 2.

  Further, the environmental control means to be controlled is not limited to the lighting equipment such as the lighting fixtures 3 to 5, and any environmental control means such as an air conditioning equipment may be used as long as it controls the environment in the predetermined area. Good. In the present embodiment, a car is exemplified as the commodity transporter. However, the commodity transporter is not limited to the car, and may be, for example, a cart on which a car is placed.

It is a block diagram which shows the environment control system of one Embodiment of this invention. Embodiment which applied the environmental control system same as the above to a supermarket is shown, (a) is explanatory drawing which looked at the inside of a store from the side, (b) is a top view inside a store. It is a flowchart explaining the process which determines the illumination pattern of the lighting fixture in an environmental control system same as the above. It is explanatory drawing which shows the relationship between the horizontal surface illumination intensity of a general lighting fixture, and the impression which a wall and a priority lighting fixture give. It is a system configuration | structure figure of the whole system using an environmental control system same as the above.

Explanation of symbols

1 Weight detection means 3 General lighting equipment (environmental control means)
4 Walls and priority lighting equipment (environmental control means)
5 Lighting equipment for cash register (environmental control means)
10a Weight sensor 20a Number-of-use calculation means 20b Number-of-users detection means 20d Lighting mode selection means (environment change means)
25 Storage unit (storage means)

Claims (5)

  Weight detection means for detecting the weight of the product transporter placed in the storage location of the product transporter lent to the user in a predetermined area in the store, and storage means for storing at least the unit weight of the product transporter A usage number calculating means for calculating a usage number consisting of the number of commodity carriers rented to the user based on the detection result of the weight detecting means and the unit weight stored in the storage means; and a usage number calculating means A user number measuring device comprising: a user number detecting means for obtaining the number of users staying in the predetermined area based on the number of uses calculated in (1). The storage means stores a total weight, which is a value obtained by summing up the weights of all the commodity transporters prepared for lending to a user in the predetermined area,
The used number calculating means is a detected weight calculating process for calculating a detected weight that is a value obtained by summing up the weights of the goods transporting devices placed in the storage location using the detection result of the weight detecting means;
2. The usage number calculation process for calculating the usage number by dividing a value obtained by subtracting the detected weight from the total weight stored in the storage means by the unit weight. User number measuring device.   And updating means for updating the value of the total weight stored in the storage means to the value of the detected weight at a predetermined time when the user is prohibited from entering the predetermined area. The user number measuring apparatus according to claim 2. The usage number calculation process includes a reference value calculation process for calculating a reference value composed of a value obtained by subtracting the detected weight from the total weight and the unit weight;
A correct / incorrect determination process for determining whether the detected weight is correct based on whether the absolute value of the pure decimal part of the reference value calculated in the reference value calculation process is less than a predetermined threshold;
When it is determined that the detected weight is correct by the correctness / incorrectness determination process, the use number writing process in which the integer part of the reference value is adopted as the use number and stored in the storage unit;
And a usage number reading process of adopting the previous usage number stored in the storage means as the current usage number when the detection means is determined to be erroneous by the correctness determination process. The user number measuring apparatus according to 2 or 3.   Environmental control based on the number of users obtained from the number-of-users measurement device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, environmental control means for controlling the environment of the predetermined area, and the number-of-users measurement device. An environment control system comprising environment change means for changing the control content of the means.

Images