JP5086860B2 - Load control system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a load control system.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a store such as a supermarket, for example, a person detection device that detects a distribution of people in a store by capturing an image in the store with a camera installed in the store and performing image processing on the image captured by the camera There has been proposed a system that determines the arrangement of employees in a store based on the detection result of the number of people (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

And the load which controls the operation state of environmental control equipment (lighting, air conditioning, etc.) installed in the store according to the number of visitors based on the detection result of the number distribution in the store using the above-mentioned person detection device Control systems have been proposed in the past.
JP 2001-175868 A

  In the load control system described above, the brightness of the lighting fixtures in the store is controlled according to the number of people in the store. When the number of customers at a certain location is insufficient, the lighting fixtures could not be controlled to enhance the effect of attracting customers at that location.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to enhance the attraction effect by the environmental control device when the number of visitors in the divided area at a certain date and time is lower than the target value. The object is to provide a load control system that can.

To achieve the above object, the invention of claim 1, for controlling a plurality of environmental control devices for controlling the environment of the measurement target area is installed in the measurement target region, the operation of each said environmental control devices of the device a control unit, and the determining the measured number of residents in each divided region obtained by dividing the target area into a plurality number distribution detecting unit, and a time detecting unit for detecting a current date and time information, corresponding to the date and time for each of the divided areas and a storage unit that stores a target value of the resident number, the device control unit, the target value read from the storage unit based on the detected date and time information of the date detection unit for each respective said divided areas said comparing means number distribution detecting unit compares a level of the detected persons, a low the divided region than the target value is the detected value of the number based on the comparison result of the comparing means is disposed in the divided region the operating conditions of the environment control equipment was Includes an operation condition switching means for switching the attraction-effective operating condition of a person in comparison with the environmental control equipment located on other of the divided region, in the storage unit, the detected by the number distribution detecting unit The past number of visitors for each divided area is stored, and the past number of visitors for each divided area stored in the storage unit and the event information of the event that is performed on the day, for each divided area, A target value setting unit is provided that stores in the storage unit, as a target value of the number of visitors on the day, the number of customers who have been attracted by events to be held on the day, in addition to the number of past visitors .

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the environmental control device is a lighting fixture, and the operating condition switching means is a lighting fixture in a divided area where the detected number of people is determined to be lower than the target value. The light output is made brighter than the light output of the luminaires in the other divided areas.

According to invention of Claim 1, the comparison means of the apparatus control part detected the target value read from the memory | storage part based on the date information which the date detection part detected for every division area, and the number distribution detection part detected As a result of comparing the level with the number of people, in a divided area where the detected value of the number of people is lower than the target value, the operating condition switching means changes the operating condition of the environmental control device in the divided area to the environmental control in another divided area. Since the operation condition is switched to an operation condition that has a higher effect of attracting people than equipment, the effect of attracting people to this divided area can be enhanced, and the number of visitors can be made closer to the target value. Furthermore, the target value of the number of visitors for each divided region can be automatically set in the storage unit by the target value setting unit.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to enhance the attractiveness of a person by increasing the light output of a lighting fixture that is an environmental control device.

  In the following, for example, in a store such as a supermarket, implementation of a load control system that detects the number and distribution of users staying in the store and controls the operation of lighting equipment installed in the store based on the detection result A form is demonstrated based on drawing. The predetermined area to which the present system is applied is not limited to a store such as a supermarket, and may be a tenant building or a school facility. The environmental control device to be controlled is not limited to the lighting device, and may be an environmental control device such as an air conditioner that is installed in a predetermined area and controls the environment in the predetermined area.

  2A and 2B show an example of a store 100 such as a supermarket to which the load control system A according to the present invention is applied. The store 100 is largely divided into a cash register zone 101, a sales zone 102, and a workplace / backyard 103. An entrance 100A is provided at a position leading to the sales zone 102 and an exit 100B is provided at a position leading to the cash register zone 101 on the outer wall of the building. Here, in the present embodiment, the number and distribution of users staying in the cashier zone 101 and the sales floor zone 102 are obtained, and the operation of the lighting fixtures installed in the cashier zone 101 and the sales floor zone 102 is controlled based on the results. It has become. The cash register zone 101 is provided near the exit 100B of the store 100, and a payment processing device (register) 104 that performs purchase payment processing of the merchandise selected by the user is disposed in the central portion of the cash register zone 101, and purchase payment processing. The desk 105 which performs the operation | work which packs the goods which the customer who complete | finished purchasing is arrange | positioned adjacent to the wall near exit 100B. The sales zone 102 is partitioned from the work place / back yard 103 by a partition wall 106, and an access port 107 for entering and exiting the work place / back yard 103 is provided at a main point. Further, in the sales zone 102, a refrigeration / freezing showcase 108 is disposed on the wall side and the center, and a display shelf 109 for merchandise is disposed in the vicinity of the boundary with the register zone 101.

  A plurality of (for example, six in this embodiment) cameras 1 </ b> A to 1 </ b> F (imaging units) that capture images of the registration zone 101 and the sales floor zone 102 that are measurement target areas are provided on the ceiling of the registration zone 101 and the sales floor zone 102. is set up. In the center of the sales zone 102, a refrigeration / frozen showcase 108 is arranged in parallel with the left and right walls, and the sales zone 102 is divided into left and right areas by the showcase 108. Of the 1F, two cameras 1A and 1B capture the right area of the sales zone 102 (consisting of an imaging area R1 of the camera 1A and an imaging area R2 of the camera 1B), respectively, and the other two cameras 1C and 1D The left region of the zone 102 (consisting of the imaging region R3 of the camera 1C and the imaging region R4 of the camera 1D) is imaged, and the remaining two cameras 1E and 1F are registered in the registration zone 101 (the imaging region R5 of the camera 1E and the camera 1F). An image of the imaging region R6) is taken. Here, the imaging regions R1 to R6 of the cameras 1A to 1F are shown by broken lines in FIG. The imaging areas R1 to R6 of the cameras 1A to 1F are set according to the layout in the store 100, and the optical systems of the cameras 1A to 1F are designed so that the imaging areas R1 to R6 do not overlap each other. is there. Further, it is assumed that the floor surfaces of the cashier zone 101 and the sales floor zone 102 are given a predetermined coloring.

  A plurality of general lighting fixtures 4 that generally illuminate the inside of the zone are installed on the ceiling of the sales floor zone 102, and a cash register lighting fixture 6 that illuminates the vicinity of the settlement processing device 104 is installed on the ceiling of the cash register zone 101. Has been. In addition, the cash register zone 101 and the sales floor zone 102 are provided with a plurality of walls and priority lighting fixtures 5 that illuminate wall surfaces and important lighting locations, and these lighting fixtures 4 to 6 constitute an environmental control device. In addition, environmental control devices such as the circulator 41 and the indoor unit 42 are also installed on the ceiling of each zone, but the operation of the environmental control devices other than the lighting fixtures is controlled by other control systems. Omitted.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of the load control system A. This system includes cameras 1A to 1F, a controller 2, a transmission unit 3, a general lighting fixture 4, a wall / weighted lighting fixture 5, A cash register lighting fixture 6, a control terminal 7, and a central controller 60 are provided as main components.

  The general lighting device 4 includes, for example, a fluorescent lamp lighting device 4a and an HID lighting device 4b, and is used as base lighting for generally lighting the inside of the sales zone 102. The wall / weighted lighting fixture 5 includes, for example, a fluorescent wall lighting fixture 5a, a halogen spotlight 5b, a compact fluorescent spotlight 5c, and an HID spotlight 5d. A part of the walls and the important lighting fixtures 5 are embedded in the ceilings of the registration zone 101 and the sales zone 102, or are suspended and supported by wiring ducts provided on the ceiling, and are used to illuminate the wall surfaces. Further, another part of the wall / important lighting fixture 5 is installed in the showcase 108 or the display shelf 109 in the sales area zone 102 to illuminate the important illumination location (for example, the sales location of the special sale product) with emphasis. Used. The cash register lighting fixture 6 includes, for example, a fluorescent lamp lighting fixture 6a, and is used to illuminate the vicinity of the settlement processing apparatus 104.

  A control terminal 7 with a dimming function is provided corresponding to each of the lighting fixtures 4 to 6, and a transmission signal is transmitted from the transmission unit 3 to be described later to the corresponding control terminal 7 to control the operation of the control terminal 7. By controlling, the lighting state of the lighting fixtures 4 to 6 connected to the control terminal 7 is controlled.

  The transmission unit 3 includes a transmission communication unit 31, an arithmetic processing unit 32, and a storage unit 33 that exchange multiplex transmission signals with the controller 2 and the control terminal 7 via a transmission line. In the storage unit 33, group control information for collectively turning on / off the plurality of control terminals 7 and pattern control information for collectively operating the plurality of control terminals 7 in a preset pattern Is preset. When the transmission communication unit 31 receives the control signal transmitted from the controller 2, the arithmetic processing unit 32 individually turns on or off the designated control terminal 7 according to the control content of the control signal ( (Individual control), whether a plurality of control terminals 7 are collectively turned on or off according to designated group control information (group control), or a plurality of control terminals 7 are preset according to designated pattern control information The pattern is operated in a batch (pattern control).

  The controller 2 includes an arithmetic processing unit 20, communication units 21 to 23, a timer 24 (date and time detection unit), and a storage unit 25 as main components. The arithmetic processing unit 20 includes an image processing unit 26, a number of persons / distribution detection unit 27, a comparison unit 28 (comparison unit), a lighting mode selection unit 29 (operation condition switching unit), and a target value setting unit 30. The image processing unit 26, the number of persons / distribution detection unit 27, the comparison unit 28, the lighting mode selection unit 29, and the target value setting unit 30 are realized by the calculation function of the calculation processing unit 20. Here, the cameras 1 </ b> A to 1 </ b> F, the image processing unit 26 of the arithmetic processing unit 20, and the number / distribution detection unit 27 constitute a number distribution detection unit. The comparison unit 28, the lighting mode selection unit 29, the transmission unit 3, and the like of the arithmetic processing unit 20 constitute a device control unit that controls the operation of the environmental control device.

  The communication unit 21 is connected to the central control device 60 via a network whose physical layer protocol supports the Ethernet (registered trademark) standard, and a higher layer protocol (for example, TCP / IP, FTP, HTTP / HTTPS). Accordingly, data communication is performed with the central controller 60.

  The communication unit 22 processes a protocol (for example, MEWTOCOL (registered trademark), Modbus (registered trademark), etc.) for exchanging signals with the cameras 1A to 1F and sensors installed in the store. When the payment completion signal transmitted from the payment processing device 104 via the communication I / F unit 10 is received, the received signal is output to the arithmetic processing unit 20. Note that the physical layer of the communication unit 22 supports the RS-485 standard.

  The communication unit 23 is for exchanging time-division multiplexed transmission signals (so-called full two-wire signals) with the transmission unit 3 via a two-wire transmission line.

  The timer 24 gives current date / time information (time, date, day of the week, etc.) to the arithmetic processing unit 20.

  The storage unit 25 stores the target value of the number of visitors set according to the date and time for each divided area obtained by dividing the store 100 in accordance with the layout of the sales floor, that is, for each of the imaging areas R1 to R6, and at each sales floor. Event information such as special sales and time services to be performed, screens (for example, HTML files, Java (registered trademark) Script, images, etc.) viewed with a web browser installed on a computer, operation schedules of each lighting apparatus 4 to 6, local A connection state of terminals connected to a network (multiplex transmission network) and various collected data are stored. The event information refers to information on an event that is performed to gather people in a specific place, such as a special sale or time service that is performed at a store such as a supermarket. Further, in the storage unit 25, information on the area of the colored portion appearing in the captured image in a state where no person exists is registered as comparison data for the imaging regions R1 to R6 of the cameras 1A to 1F. In addition, the arithmetic processing unit 20 creates illumination pattern information for setting the light output of each of the lighting fixtures 4 to 6 for each zone based on the setting signal received by the communication unit 21 from the central control device 60, and stores it in the storage unit 25. I remember it. The storage unit 25 includes a semiconductor memory such as a RAM or a ROM, or an external storage device such as a hard disk.

  The image processing unit 26 performs image processing on the video signals input from the cameras 1A to 1F to the communication unit 22 to obtain areas of colored portions appearing in the captured images of the cameras 1A to 1F.

  The number / distribution detection unit 27 calculates the area of the colored portion obtained by the image processing unit 26 for the captured images of the cameras 1 </ b> A to 1 </ b> F in comparison data registered in the storage unit 25 (in an image captured in the absence of a person). Compared to the area of the colored portion). Here, when a person exists in the cashier zone 101 or the sales floor zone 102, a part of the floor is hidden by the person, so that the area of the colored portion appearing in the captured images of the cameras 1A to 1F decreases. Therefore, the number of persons / distribution detection unit 27 obtains an area difference between the comparison data stored in the storage unit 25 and the colored portion obtained by the image processing unit 26 for each of the images captured by the cameras 1A to 1F. The number of people in the imaging regions R1 to R6 of each camera 1A to 1F is obtained from the difference, and the number of people for each of the imaging regions R1 to R6 is obtained. As described above, the number / distribution detection unit 27 captures information (colored area) obtained from the captured images of the cameras 1 </ b> A to 1 </ b> F in comparison data registered in advance in the storage unit 25 (without a person). The area of the colored portion in the imaging screen) is compared with the number of visitors staying in the measurement target region. For example, compared with the case where the captured images of the cameras 1A to 1F are compared with the human shape model, A visitor in the measurement target area can be detected by a simple process, and a time required for detection of the visitor can be shortened. Therefore, it is possible to realize a load control system that can quickly follow the operating state of the environmental control device in accordance with a change in the number of people staying in the measurement target area.

  The comparison unit 28 sets the target value of the number of visitors read from the storage unit 25 based on the date / time information input from the timer 24 and the number of people detected by the number / distribution detection unit 27 for each of the imaging regions R1 to R6. Compare high and low.

  The lighting mode selection unit 29 selects the lighting pattern of the lighting fixtures 4 to 6 according to the comparison result of the comparison unit 28 for each of the imaging regions R1 to R6. Here, in each imaging region R <b> 1 to R <b> 6, when the comparison unit 28 determines that the detected value of the number of persons is equal to or greater than the target value, the lighting mode selection unit 29 stores the plurality of illumination patterns stored in the storage unit 25. The lighting pattern is selected based on the number of persons determined by the number of persons / distribution detector 27 and the date / time information input from the timer 24 (this lighting mode is referred to as a normal lighting mode). On the other hand, when the comparison unit 28 determines that the detected value of the number of persons is lower than the target value in each of the imaging regions R1 to R6, the lighting mode selection unit 29 has a lighting pattern that has a higher human attraction effect than the normal lighting mode. (Such a lighting mode is called a high-attraction lighting mode).

  Here, in the storage unit 25, as an illumination pattern in the daytime (for example, from the start time to dusk or sunset), the illumination pattern A1 when the number of visitors is smaller than the threshold (when the number of people is small) and the number of visitors are stored. A lighting pattern A2 when the threshold value is exceeded (when many people are present) is registered (see Table 1). In the table, “◎” means that each lighting fixture is lit brightly, “○” means that it is lit slightly brightly, “△” means that it is lit slightly dark, and the light output is △ It becomes brighter in the order of <○ <◎.

  In the lighting pattern A1, the general lighting fixture 4 is controlled to be slightly brighter, and the wall / priority lighting fixture 5 and the cash register lighting fixture 6 seen from the outside are controlled to be brighter. In the lighting pattern A2, the general lighting fixture 4 and the cash register lighting fixture 6 are controlled to be slightly brighter, and the wall / priority lighting fixture 5 is controlled to be brighter. In this way, the lighting mode selection unit 29 changes the lighting pattern between a large number of people and a small number of people. When the number of people is small, the wall / important lighting device 5 and the cash register lighting device 6 are lit brighter to attract them. The effect can be enhanced, and when the number of people is large, the lighting fixture 6 is darkened from the “bright” state to the “slightly bright” state, thereby reducing the power consumption of the lighting fixture 6 and saving energy. Can be planned.

  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). In the lighting pattern B1 for a small number of people, the general lighting device 4 is slightly darkened, the cash register lighting device 6 is slightly brightened, and the wall / weighted lighting device 5 is controlled to be brighter. In the lighting pattern B2 for a large number of people, the general lighting device 4 is slightly darkened, and the cash register lighting device 6 and the wall / weighted lighting device 5 are controlled to be slightly brighter. As described above, the lighting mode selection unit 29 changes the illumination pattern between a large number of people and a small number of people. When the number of people is small, the wall / important lighting device 5 and the cash register lighting device 6 are lit brighter. The attractive effect can be enhanced, and the wall / important lighting fixture 5 is changed from a “bright” state to a “slightly bright” state for a large number of people. Energy saving can be achieved. Also, since the surroundings are dark at night, the user may feel uncomfortable even if the light output of the general lighting fixtures 4 and the cash register lighting fixture 6 is slightly darkened if the minimum illumination on the work surface is secured. Therefore, in the nighttime illumination patterns B1 and B2, energy is saved by changing the general lighting fixture 4 from a slightly brighter lighting state to a slightly darker lighting state than in the daytime lighting patterns A1 and A2. In the nighttime illumination pattern B1, the cashier lighting fixture 6 is changed from a bright state to a slightly brighter state than the daytime illumination pattern A1, thereby saving energy.

  Next, operation | movement of the load control system A of this embodiment is demonstrated based on FIGS. When the controller 2 is activated, the arithmetic processing unit 20 determines whether it is the first activation or the second activation or later (step S1 in FIG. 3). If it is the first activation, the camera 1A connected to the controller 2 is determined. After performing an initial setting such as setting an imaging area for each 1F (step S2), the image processing unit 26 collects images from the cameras 1A to 1F in the absence of a person, and each camera 1A to 1F. The area of the colored portion appearing in the captured image is obtained (step S3), and the area of the colored portion obtained for each of the imaging regions R1 to R6 is stored in the storage unit 25 as comparison data (step S4). Here, since the processing of steps S3 and S4 is performed every time when starting up, for example, when the area of the colored portion that appears in the absence of people changes due to, for example, changing the layout of the store or arranging a wagon that displays products However, it is possible to accurately detect the number of people in the imaging area by updating the comparison data at each activation.

  Thereafter, every time a predetermined control period elapses, the arithmetic processing unit 20 reads the target value Tp for each of the imaging regions R1 to R5 from the storage unit 25 based on the date / time information input from the timer 24 (step S20). S5) Captured images are acquired from the cameras 1A to 1F via the communication unit 22 (step S6). Then, the image processing unit 26 calculates the area of the colored portion that appears in the captured images of the cameras 1A to 1F received by the communication unit 22, and obtains the comparison data of the imaging regions R1 to R6 stored in the storage unit 25 and this time. The number Mp of people staying in each of the imaging regions R1 to R6 is obtained from the area difference from the area data (step S7). When the number of people staying in each of the imaging regions R1 to R6 is obtained, the comparison unit 28 determines the level of the number Mp detected by the number / distribution detection unit 27 and the target value Tp read in step S5 for each imaging region R1 to R6. Are compared (step S8).

  Here, if the detection value Mp of the number of persons in the determination in step S8 is equal to or greater than the target value Tp (that is, if the number of persons equal to or greater than the target value Tp is gathered), the lighting mode selection unit 29 Control for selecting an illumination pattern based on the obtained number of people and date / time information input from the timer 24 (normal lighting mode) is performed (step S9). On the other hand, if the detection value Mp of the number of persons is smaller than the target value Tp in the determination of step S8, that is, if the number of staying persons Mp is below the target value Tp in any of the imaging regions R1 to R6, the lighting mode selection unit. 29 performs control (high attraction lighting mode) for switching the light output of the lighting fixture in the imaging region to an illumination pattern having a higher human attraction effect than in the normal lighting mode (step S9 ′). After completing the control in steps S9 and S9 ′, the arithmetic processing unit 20 performs the weighting process for the control period (step S10), returns to step S5, and repeats the processes in steps S5 to S9 and S9 ′ described above. .

  Here, the control content of the normal lighting mode in step S9 will be described in more detail based on the flowchart of FIG. First, the lighting mode selection unit 29 switches the illumination pattern of each of the lighting fixtures 4 to 6 to either the day mode or the night mode based on the current time acquired from the timer 24 (step S11 in FIG. 4). In this embodiment, the day mode and the night mode are switched based on the current time. Based on the detection result of an illuminance sensor (not shown), if the ambient illuminance is brighter than the threshold, the mode is switched to the day mode. If it is darker, it may be switched to the night mode.

  When the lighting pattern is switched to the daytime mode as a result of the determination in step S11, the lighting mode selection unit 29 reads out and sets the threshold value N1 of the number of visitors used in the daytime mode from the storage unit 25 (step S12). Then, the control contents of the illumination patterns A1, A2 used in the daytime mode are read from the storage unit 25 and set (step S13). Next, the lighting mode selection unit 29 performs a process of determining an illumination pattern for the i-th imaging area Ri (i is an integer from 1 to 6 (the number of imaging areas)) (step S14). The number of visitors in the imaging region R1 obtained by the number of persons / distribution detection unit 27 with i = 1 is compared with a threshold value N1 (step S15). If the threshold value is equal to or greater than the threshold value N1, the illumination pattern is set to A2 (step S16), and less than the threshold value N1. Then, after setting the illumination pattern to A1 (step S17), 1 is added to the argument i (step S18), the process returns to step S14, and the processes from step S15 to S18 are performed until the argument i exceeds the number of areas. Repeat. In the lighting mode selection unit 29, the illumination pattern is determined by comparing the number of persons in each imaging region and the threshold value N1, but a hysteresis may be provided for the threshold value N1, or the illumination pattern may be provided by providing hysteresis. Can be prevented from switching frequently.

  On the other hand, when the lighting pattern is switched to the night mode as a result of the determination in step S11, the lighting mode selection unit 29 reads and sets the threshold value N2 of the number of visitors used in the night mode from the storage unit 25 (step S11). S19), 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 S20). Next, the lighting mode selection unit 29 performs a process of determining an illumination pattern for the i-th imaging region Ri (i is an integer from 1 to 6 (the number of imaging regions)) (step S21). The number of visitors in the imaging region R1 obtained by the number / distribution detection unit 27 with i = 1 is compared with a threshold value N2 (step S22). If the threshold value is N2 or more, the illumination pattern is set to B2 (step S23), and less than the threshold value N2 Then, after setting the illumination pattern to B1 (step S24), 1 is added to the argument i (step S25), the process returns to step S21, and the processes from step S22 to S25 are performed until the argument i exceeds the number of areas. Repeat. In the lighting mode selection unit 29, the illumination pattern is determined by comparing the number of persons in each imaging region and the threshold value N2. However, a hysteresis may be provided for the threshold value N2, and the illumination pattern may be provided by providing the hysteresis. Can be prevented from switching frequently.

  And if the lighting mode selection part 29 performs the above-mentioned process and determines the control pattern of each lighting fixture 4-6, the arithmetic processing part 20 will send the control signal of each lighting fixture 4-6 from the communication part 23 to the transmission unit 3. FIG. Send it. At this time, the transmission unit 3 transmits a control signal to the corresponding control terminal 7 based on the illumination pattern designated by the controller 2, and changes the lighting state of each of the lighting fixtures 4 to 6 to a desired lighting state. Control. In addition, when transmitting a control signal from the transmission unit 3 to each control terminal device 7, the control signal may be transmitted only to the control terminal device 7 corresponding to the lighting fixture whose control state changes, and communication traffic can be reduced. .

  Next, the details of control in the high-attraction lighting mode in step S9 'will be described. If it is determined in step S8 that the detection value Mp of the number of persons in any of the imaging regions R1 to R6 is lower than the target value Tp, the lighting mode selection unit 29 determines that the number of people staying is less than the target value Tp. The light output of the luminaires 4 to 6 in the imaging region (this region is referred to as a low customer acquisition region) is in the low customer acquisition region so that the light output of the luminaires 4 to 6 in the other imaging regions is brighter. The illumination pattern of the lighting fixtures 4-6 is switched.

  Thus, in this system, in the high-attraction lighting mode, the light outputs of the lighting fixtures 4 to 6 in the imaging region (low customer attraction region) determined that the number of staying people is smaller than the target value Tp are in other imaging regions. Since the lighting patterns of the lighting fixtures 4 to 6 in the low customer attraction area are switched so as to be brighter than the light output of the lighting fixtures 4 to 6, the effect of attracting people to the low customer attraction area is enhanced, and the number of visitors Can be brought closer to the target value.

  Further, in the normal lighting mode, when the number of staying people in each of the imaging regions R1 to R6 is smaller than the threshold during the daytime and nighttime, the light output of some of the lighting fixtures 4 to 6 is made brighter than when there are many people. Therefore, the effect of attracting customers to the sales floor zone 102 can be enhanced. When the number of users staying in the sales zone 102 is larger than the threshold, it is determined that the effect of attracting users to the sales zone 102 is sufficiently obtained, and the light output of some of the lighting fixtures 4 to 6 Since it is controlled slightly darker, the user's attractive effect is somewhat reduced, but energy saving can be achieved.

  The storage unit 25 stores a target value of the number of visitors corresponding to the date and time for each of the imaging regions R1 to R6. The target value is, for example, data input from the central controller 60. 25, or the value set on the day by the target value setting unit 30 may be stored in the storage unit 25.

  Here, when the target value for weekdays is set as the target value for the number of people, it is highly likely that the detected value of the number of people will exceed the target value on a holiday with a larger number of customers than on weekdays. Therefore, it is preferable to change the target number of people according to the day of the week or the event information of the day. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the storage unit 25 stores the past number of visitors in the imaging regions R1 to R6 detected by the number / distribution detection unit 27 and the event information of the day, and the target value setting unit 30. However, by using the past number of visitors in the imaging regions R1 to R6 stored in the storage unit 25 and the event information of the day, the number of visitors at the same time on the same day and the number of visitors by the event is added to the number of visitors. The target value is set and stored in the storage unit 25. As described above, the target value setting unit 30 determines the target value based on the event information of the day of the week or the current day. Therefore, the target value is automatically set in anticipation of changes in the customer's dynamics due to the day of the week or the event. If the number of customers is small compared to conditions such as days of the week or events, the lighting device can be turned on in the high-attraction lighting mode to improve the attractiveness of the customers.

  By the way, in the control method described in the flowchart of FIG. 4, the number of staying people and the threshold value are compared for each of the imaging regions R1 to R6, and the lighting pattern for the large number of people or the lighting pattern for the small number of people is determined. However, for example, the lighting pattern of the lighting fixture may be controlled in order to attract the customer from the imaging region with a large number of customers to the imaging region with the smaller number of customers in the two imaging regions R1 and R2. Here, as shown in FIG. 5, when the general lighting device 4 and the wall / weighted lighting device 5 are installed in the imaging regions R1 to R6 of the cameras 1A to 1F, respectively, they are installed in the two imaging regions R1 and R2. The case where the illumination pattern of the lighting fixtures 4 and 5 is changed according to each number of visitors is demonstrated. FIG. 6A shows the result of obtaining the relationship between the horizontal illuminance of the general lighting fixture 4 and the impression given by the wall / important lighting fixture 5, and the vertical surface illumination of the wall / important lighting fixture 5 is constant. In this case, the darker the illuminance of the general lighting device 4, the stronger the impression given by the wall / weighted lighting device 5, and the greater the attractive effect of the wall / weighted lighting device 5. FIG. 6B also shows the relationship between the horizontal illuminance Eh of the general lighting fixture 4 and the attractive effect of the wall / priority lighting fixture 5 when the vertical plane illuminance Ev of the wall / priority lighting fixture 5 is changed to a plurality. (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 the vertical plane illuminance Ev. Is 4000 [lx], D in the figure indicates the result when the vertical plane illuminance Ev is 8000 [lx]. From the result of FIG. 6B, it can be seen that if the illuminance of the wall / priority lighting fixture 5 is increased, the impression is increased and the customer's attractive effect is increased. Further, from the result of FIG. 6B, the vertical plane illuminance Ev of the wall / weighted lighting fixture 5 necessary for obtaining an impression of size d by the wall / weighted lighting fixture 5 is the horizontal plane illuminance of the general lighting fixture 4 being a. In the case of (= 750 [lx]), it is 4000 [lx], but in the case where the horizontal illuminance of the wall / weighted luminaire 5 is b (= 500 [lx]), it may be 3000 [lx]. Clearly, energy saving of about 22% can be realized. 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”.

  When the number of visitors in the two imaging regions R1, R2 changes as shown in Table 3 at time t1, t2, t3, the number of people in the imaging region R2 is larger than the number of people in the imaging region R1 at time t1. The lighting mode selection unit 29 does not change the illuminance of the luminaires 4 and 5 in the imaging region R2 from the reference illuminances L1 and L2, respectively, and lowers the illuminance of the general lighting fixture 4 in the imaging region R1 from the reference illuminance L2. The illuminance of the wall / weighted luminaire 5 is made brighter than the reference illuminance L1. As a result, the illuminance of the general lighting device 4 is darker in the imaging region R1 than in the imaging region R2, and the illuminance of the wall / weighted lighting device 5 is brighter in the imaging region R1 than in the imaging region R2. By increasing the impression of the wall / important lighting fixture 5, the customer is attracted to the imaging region R1.

  At time t2, since the number of visitors in the imaging regions R1 and R2 is substantially the same, the lighting mode selection unit 29 controls the illuminances of the luminaires 4 and 5 in the regions R1 and R2 to the reference illuminances L1 and L2, respectively. .

  On the other hand, since the number of people in the imaging region R1 is larger than the number of people in the imaging region R2 at time t3, the lighting mode selection unit 29 sets the illuminance of the lighting fixtures 4 and 5 in the imaging region R1 to the reference illuminances L1 and L2, respectively. The illuminance of the general lighting fixture 4 in the imaging region R2 is lowered from the reference illuminance L2, and the illuminance of the wall / priority lighting fixture 5 is made brighter than the reference illuminance L1. As a result, the illuminance of the general lighting device 4 is darker in the imaging region R2 than the imaging region R1, and the illuminance of the wall / weighted lighting device 5 is brighter in the imaging region R2 than in the imaging region R1. By raising the impression of the wall / important lighting fixture 5, the customer is attracted to the imaging region R2.

  In the above-described operation example, the illuminances of both the general lighting device 4 and the wall / weighted lighting device 5 are changed. However, only the general lighting device 4 in the imaging region with a small number of people at the times t1 and t3 is determined based on the reference illuminance L2. By making it dark, the impression of partial illumination by the wall / important lighting apparatus 5 may be strengthened, and customers may be attracted to an imaging region with a small number of people. In addition, by making only the walls / important lighting fixtures 5 of the imaging region with a small number of people brighter than the reference illuminance L1 at times t1 and t3, the impression of partial illumination by the walls / important lighting fixtures 5 is strengthened, and the imaging region with a small number of people You may attract customers.

  By the way, the load control system A of this embodiment is configured as a subsystem of the entire system shown in FIG. In the system of FIG. 7, the transmission unit 3 includes a control terminal 45 that controls the circulator 41 and the packaged air conditioner 44 (consisting of the indoor unit 42 and the outdoor unit 43), and a control terminal with an HA terminal that controls the packaged air conditioner 44. 46 is connected, and pattern information and group information for controlling the control terminals 45 and 46 are registered in the transmission unit 3. The transmission unit 3 is also connected with a monitoring terminal 40 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 is output to the transmission unit 3. Demand control and the like can be performed by controlling the operation of the air conditioner by the transmission unit 3. Further, reference numeral 60 in FIG. 7 denotes a management PC in which a browser is incorporated. The management PC 61 requests the controller 2 for a Web page indicating the operating state of the environmental control device, and displays the Web page on the display of the management PC 61. This makes it possible to check the operating state of the load device.

It is a block diagram which shows the load control system of this embodiment. The embodiment which applied the same to the supermarket is shown, (a) is explanatory drawing which looked at the inside of a store from the side, (b) is a top view in a store. It is a flowchart explaining operation | movement same as the above. It is a flowchart explaining the control operation of customer number interlocking control same as the above. It is a top view explaining arrangement | positioning of a camera and lighting fixture same as the above. (A) (b) 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 the same as the above.

Explanation of symbols

1A to 1F Camera 2 Controller 3 Transmission unit (equipment control unit)
4 General lighting equipment (environmental control equipment)
5 Walls and priority lighting equipment (environmental control equipment)
6 Lighting equipment for cash register (environmental control equipment)
20 arithmetic processing units 21 to 23 communication unit 24 timer (date and time detection unit)
25 Storage Unit 26 Image Processing Unit 27 Number / Distribution Detection Unit 28 Comparison Unit (Comparison Means, Device Control Unit)
29 Lighting mode selection unit (operating condition switching means, device control unit)
30 Target value setting section

Claims (2)

A plurality of environmental control devices for controlling the environment of the measurement target area is installed in the measurement target region, and a device control unit for controlling the operation of each said environmental control equipment, divided regions obtained by dividing the measurement target area into a plurality e Bei and number distribution detecting unit for determining the number of residents per a date detector for detecting a current date and time information, and a storage unit that stores a target value of resident speed corresponding to the date and time for each of the divided areas ,
The device control unit, the target value read from the storage unit based on the detected date and time information of the date detection unit for each of each of the divided regions number distribution detecting unit compares a level of the detected persons a comparison unit, wherein in a low the divided areas than the target value is the detected value of the number based on the comparison result of the comparison means, the operating conditions of the installed the environmental control device to the divided region, the other of the divided regions comprising an operation condition switching means for switching the attraction-effective operating condition of the human compared to the installed the environmental control equipment,
The storage unit stores the past number of visitors for each of the divided areas detected by the number distribution detection unit,
Using the past visitor count for each of the divided areas and event information of the event that is carried out on the same day stored in the storage unit, the number of customers that are attracted by the event that is carried out on the same day is set as the past visitor count for each of the divided areas. A load control system comprising a target value setting unit for storing the number of people taken into account in the storage unit as a target value of the number of visitors on the day . The environmental control equipment consists luminaire, the operation condition switching means, the light output of the luminaire in the divided regions detected value of number is determined to be lower than the target value, the other of the divided regions the load control system according to claim 1, characterized in that brighter than the light output of one the luminaire.

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