JP7775766B2 - Lighting control device, lighting control method, and lighting control program - Google Patents

Description

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a lighting control device, a lighting control method, and a lighting control program.

Conventionally, control systems that remotely control multiple lighting devices have been introduced in studios, stages, etc. For example, the lighting control device of such a control system collects information from lighting devices installed in studios, stages, etc. in accordance with a standard called RDM (Remote Device Management), an extension of a standard called DMX512, and controls dimming and color adjustment based on the collected information to perform lighting effects.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-224406

However, conventional technology leaves room for improvement in terms of user convenience.

The problem that this invention aims to solve is to provide a lighting control device, a lighting control method, and a lighting control program that can improve user convenience.

A lighting control device according to an embodiment includes a reception unit and an identification unit. The reception unit receives the selection of an object. The identification unit identifies lighting devices that have a predetermined relationship with the selected object.

The present invention provides a lighting control device, lighting control method, and lighting control program that can improve user convenience.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a lighting control system. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a lighting control device. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of specifying a lighting device by a lighting control device. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of identification and control of lighting devices by a lighting control device. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of control of lighting devices by a lighting control device. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of control of lighting devices by a lighting control device. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a specific processing procedure performed by the lighting control device.

The lighting control device, lighting control method, and lighting control program according to the embodiments will be described below with reference to the drawings. Components having the same functions in the embodiments will be assigned the same reference numerals, and duplicate descriptions will be omitted. Note that the lighting control device, lighting control method, and lighting control program described in the following embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the embodiments.

The lighting control device 100 according to the embodiment described below includes a reception unit 121 and an identification unit 122. The reception unit 121 receives a selection of an object. The identification unit 122 identifies, as the lighting devices 10 to be controlled, those lighting devices 10 that have a predetermined relationship with the received object.

The identification unit 122 according to the embodiment described below identifies lighting devices 10 that are in a predetermined positional relationship with the object received by the reception unit 121 as the lighting devices to be controlled.

The identification unit 122 according to the embodiment described below identifies, as the control target, the lighting device 10 that has been previously associated with the object received by the reception unit 121.

The lighting control device 100 according to the embodiment described below includes a lighting control reception unit 123 and a lighting control unit 124. The lighting control reception unit 123 receives control for the lighting device 10 identified by the identification unit 122. The lighting control unit 124 controls the lighting device 10 identified by the identification unit 122 in accordance with the control received by the lighting control reception unit 123.

The lighting control unit 124 according to the embodiment described below displays a simulation of the control accepted by the lighting control acceptance unit 123, and controls the lighting device 10 when a simulation is selected.

The lighting control unit 124 in the embodiment described below stores the control received by the lighting control receiving unit 123 in association with the simulation.

[Embodiment]
(Configuration of lighting control system)
The configuration of a lighting control system 1 according to an embodiment will be described below with reference to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the lighting control system 1. The lighting control system 1 according to the embodiment includes a plurality of lighting devices 10 (shown in FIG. 1 as lighting devices 10-1 to 10-n, collectively referred to as "lighting devices 10" when there is no need to distinguish between them), a plurality of nodes 20 (shown in FIG. 1 as nodes 20-1 to 20-n, collectively referred to as "nodes 20" when there is no need to distinguish between them), a hub 30, and a lighting control device 100. Note that the types and numbers of the lighting devices 10 and nodes 20 included in the lighting control system 1 can be changed as desired.

In the lighting control system 1, the lighting devices 10 can communicate bidirectionally with the nodes 20 and the lighting control device 100 using a communication protocol conforming to the DMX standard or a communication method conforming to the RDM standard, which is an extension of DMX. Furthermore, the lighting devices 10 have semiconductor light-emitting elements such as LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) and perform lighting effects in studios, on stages, etc. by changing the brightness, range, color, etc. in accordance with control signals. The lighting devices 10 are installed in any space, such as a studio or stage, and are attached to a baton that supports the lighting devices 10 by hanging them, etc. In the example of Figure 1, lighting devices 10-1 to 10-n are installed on baton B1. Note that the lighting devices 10 may also include lighting devices that are not attached to the baton.

Node 20 is a distributor that distributes control information that enables bidirectional communication with lighting devices 10 and lighting control devices 100 using a communication protocol conforming to the DMX standard or a communication method conforming to the RDM standard, which is an extension of DMX. Node 20 is a device that relays communication between lighting devices 10 and lighting control devices 10, and is realized, for example, by a device called a DMX node or RDM node. Specifically, node 20 is connected to hub 30 in a manner that enables bidirectional communication via a wired or wireless network such as Ethernet (registered trademark), and communicates with lighting control devices 100 and the like via hub 30.

In the example of FIG. 1, the nodes 20 are installed on batons, just like the lighting devices 10. In the example of FIG. 1, node 20-1 is installed on baton B1, node 20-2 is installed on baton B2, and node 20-n is installed on baton Bn. Each node 20 stores information about the baton on which it is installed and information about the lighting devices 10 connected to it. In other words, each node 20 stores placement information about the lighting devices 10, which indicates the correspondence between the batons and the lighting devices 10. Note that the nodes 20 do not have to be installed on batons.

The hub 30 is connected to the lighting control device 100 via a wired or wireless network such as Ethernet (registered trademark) in a manner that allows two-way communication, and is a repeater that relays communication between the lighting control device 100 and each of the nodes 20-1 to 20-n.

The lighting control device 100 is a control device capable of communicating bidirectional control signals (e.g., control signals compliant with the RDM standard) with the lighting devices 10. When the lighting control device 100 receives an operation command for the lighting devices 10 from a user (e.g., an operator operating the lighting control device 100), it generates a control signal including a control address assigned to the lighting devices 10-1 to 10-n and transmits the control signal to the nodes 20-1 to 20-n via the hub 30. The nodes 20-1 to 20-n convert the control signal received from the lighting control device 100 into, for example, a signal compliant with the RDM standard (RDM signal) and output it to the lighting devices 10 indicated by the control address. In this way, the lighting control device 100 controls the lighting devices 10-1 to 10-n. In this way, the lighting control device 100 identifies or remotely controls the lighting devices 10-1 to 10-n, for example, using the control address included in the RDM-compliant control signal. The lighting control device 100 is an example of a control device.

(Overview of processing executed by lighting control device 100)
The lighting control device 100 according to the embodiment receives a selection of an object to be illuminated in a virtual space, and identifies lighting devices 10 that have a predetermined relationship with the object received as the illumination target as the lighting control target. This allows a user who does not have extensive knowledge of dimming or lighting to easily associate the object to be illuminated with the lighting device 10, thereby improving user convenience.

(Configuration of lighting control device)
The configuration of a lighting control device 100 according to an embodiment will be described below with reference to FIG. 2 . FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the lighting control device 100. The lighting control device 100 receives operations from an operator who controls each lighting device 10. For example, the lighting control device 100 is a device called a dimmer console or dimmer console. The lighting control device 100 may be, for example, a desktop personal computer (PC), a notebook PC, a smartphone, or a tablet terminal. The lighting control device 100 may also be a so-called lighting control console that has faders and receives operations for the lighting devices 10. The lighting control device 100 may also be a head-mounted display (HMD).

The lighting control device 100 according to the embodiment includes a communication unit 110, a control unit 120, and a storage unit 130. The communication unit 110 is a communication device that transmits and receives information to and from the lighting devices 10 via a hub 30 or the like, and is realized by a communication device such as a NIC (Network Interface Card). For example, the communication unit 110 communicates with the lighting devices 10 in order to control the lighting devices 10 identified by the identification unit 122 (described below).

The memory unit 130 is realized by, for example, a semiconductor memory element such as RAM (Random Access Memory) or flash memory, or a storage device such as a hard disk or optical disk. Information on objects identified by the lighting control device 100 and lighting devices 10 is registered in the memory unit 130. Examples of objects include location information of the object to be illuminated and information on the lighting devices 10 associated with the object. Examples of lighting device 10 information include the manufacturer's name, device model number, UID, control address, number of channels used, mode used, lighting time, power-on time, mass, personality settings, location information, and relationship with the object.

Here, the manufacturer name is the name of the manufacturer of the lighting device 10. The device model number is the model number of the lighting device 10 determined by the manufacturer. The UID is a unique number for each device used in the RDM standard, and is information expressed as a 12-digit hexadecimal number that is pre-assigned to each lighting device 10-1 to 10-n. The control address is an address on the DMX data link, i.e., the control address used by the lighting control device 100 when controlling the lighting device 10. The number of channels is the number of control addresses used to control the lighting device 10. For example, a lighting device 10 with four channels can have separate control addresses assigned to each of the illuminance (I), red (R), blue (B), and green (G), allowing the illuminance, red, blue, and green to be controlled separately.

Also, lighting time is information indicating the total time that the light source of the lighting device 10 is turned on. Also, power-on time is information indicating the total time that power is supplied to the lighting device 10. Also, mass is information indicating the mass of the lighting device 10. Also, personality setting is information indicating the operating mode of the lighting device 10. Also, position information is information regarding the position of the lighting device 10 on the stage on which it is installed. Also, relationship with object is information regarding the object that is the pre-associated target of illumination.

The control unit 120 is a computing device that performs various types of information processing, and can employ electronic circuits such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or MPU (Micro Processing Unit), or integrated circuits such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array). The control unit 120 has internal memory for storing programs that define various processing procedures and control data, and thereby functions as a reception unit 121, an identification unit 122, a lighting control reception unit 123, and a lighting control unit 124. Note that these functional units may each be implemented in different hardware. The control unit 120 may also have other functional units.

The reception unit 121 receives the selection of an object. For example, the reception unit 121 receives the selection of an object displayed as the standing position of a performer to be illuminated on a screen that virtually displays lighting devices 10, objects, etc. in a 3D space. Note that the object selected by the reception unit 121 is not limited to one, and multiple objects can also be selected.

The identification unit 122 identifies, as the control target, a lighting device 10 that has a predetermined relationship with the object received by the reception unit 121. For example, the identification unit 122 identifies, as the control target, a lighting device 10 that has a predetermined positional relationship with the object received by the reception unit 121. Specifically, the identification unit 122 identifies, as the control target, a lighting device 10 that is virtually displayed in 3D space by the reception unit 121 and that is located within, for example, a range of 5 m from the position of the selected object to be illuminated. Furthermore, for example, the identification unit 122 identifies, as the control target, a lighting device 10 that is virtually displayed in 3D space by the reception unit 121 and that is located between 45 degrees and 60 degrees to the right of the front of the selected object to be illuminated. Note that a lighting device 10 may have predetermined relationships with multiple objects and be identified as a control target for each of them.

Furthermore, for example, the identification unit 122 identifies a lighting device 10 that has been previously associated with the object received by the reception unit 121 as a control target. For example, the identification unit 122 identifies a lighting device 10 that has been previously associated with an object because it is believed to be able to effectively illuminate the object as a control target that has been previously associated. Further, for example, the identification unit 122 identifies a control target based on the type of lighting device 10. Note that the item identified here is not limited to a lighting device 10, and may be, for example, a baton from which a lighting device 10 is suspended.

The lighting control receiving unit 123 receives control for the lighting devices 10 identified by the identification unit 122. For example, the lighting control receiving unit 123 receives control such as turning on, turning off, or changing the brightness of the lighting devices 10 identified by the identification unit 122. Furthermore, for example, the lighting control receiving unit 123 collectively controls the brightness of the lighting devices 10 identified by the identification unit 122 by a flick operation on the screen. Furthermore, for example, the lighting control receiving unit 123 receives control content such as collectively changing the brightness of multiple lighting devices 10 identified by the identification unit 122 to a predetermined brightness. Here, the lighting control receiving unit 123 may reduce the visibility of objects other than the operation target identified as the control target. For example, the lighting control receiving unit 123 makes objects and lighting devices 10 other than the operation target semi-transparent or invisible.

The lighting control unit 124 controls the lighting device 10 identified by the identification unit 122 in accordance with the control received by the lighting control reception unit 123. For example, the lighting control unit 124 controls the lighting device 10 identified by the identification unit 122 and received by the lighting control reception unit 123, such as turning it on, off, or changing the brightness to a predetermined level. Also, for example, the lighting control unit 124 displays a simulation of the control received by the lighting control reception unit 123, and controls the lighting device 10 when a simulation is selected. Also, for example, the lighting control unit 124 stores the control received by the lighting control reception unit 123 in association with the simulation.

Specifically, the lighting control unit 124 displays the contents of the simulation stored in the storage unit 130 as a simulation, and by selecting a saved simulation, controls the lighting device 10 to be controlled, identified by the identification unit 122, to change its brightness to a predetermined value. The simulation may be preset, or may be simulated by accepting a user operation on the spot, and the lighting control unit 124 may control the lighting device 10 when an OK button or other operation is performed on the screen.

The above-mentioned lighting control device 100 may be realized by a computer having a CPU (Central Processing Unit), RAM (Random Access Memory), EEPROM, flash memory, etc., reading a control program registered on a specified recording medium and executing the read control program.

Next, an overview of the processing executed by the lighting control device 100 according to the embodiment will be described using Figures 3 and 4. First, Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating the identification of lighting devices 10 by the lighting control device 100 according to the embodiment. As shown in Figure 3, the lighting control device 100 virtually displays objects, lighting devices 10, etc. in a 3D space. Figure 3 (1) is an object. Figures 3 (2) and (3) are lighting devices 10. First, the lighting control device 100 accepts an object selected by a user operation and accepts Figure 3 (1) as the object to be illuminated. Then, the lighting control device 100 identifies the lighting devices 10 in Figures 3 (2) and (3) as the object to be controlled based on predetermined conditions. For example, the lighting control device 100 identifies the lighting devices 10 in Figures 3 (2) and (3) as the object to be controlled based on the condition that the lighting device 10 is a lighting device 10 that has been previously linked to Figure 3 (1). Furthermore, for example, the lighting control device 100 identifies the lighting devices 10 in Figures 3(2) and 3(3) as the lighting devices to be controlled based on the condition that the lighting devices 10 are located behind the object in Figure 3(1).

Next, Figure 4 is a diagram showing the control of lighting devices 10 by a lighting control device 100 according to an embodiment. As shown in Figure 4, the lighting control device 100 virtually displays objects, lighting devices 10, etc. in a 3D space. Figure 4 (1) shows an object selected by the lighting control device 100. Figure 4 (2) displays a three-dimensional direction based on the object selected by the lighting control device 100. By manipulating this three-dimensional direction, all lighting devices 10 present in the corresponding three-dimensional direction are controlled collectively. For example, by accepting a user's flick operation on the rearward direction in Figure 4 (2), the lighting control device 100 performs a simulation to collectively increase the lighting intensity of all lighting devices 10 present behind the object in Figure 4 (1).

Next, FIG. 5 illustrates the control of lighting devices 10 by a lighting control device 100 according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, the lighting control device 100 virtually displays objects, lighting devices 10, and the like in a 3D space. (1) to (3) in FIG. 5 show objects. Of these, (2) in FIG. 5 is an object selected by the lighting control device 100 as an object to be illuminated. (4) to (6) in FIG. 5 show lighting devices 10 that have a predetermined relationship with the object in FIG. 5 (2) and have been identified as objects to be controlled. The lighting control device 100 then simulates the control of the lighting devices 10 in the 3D space in response to a user's flick operation on the object on the screen. For example, the lighting control device 100 may receive a flick operation by the user to move the object in FIG. 5 (2) on the screen from bottom to top, and simulates increasing the lighting intensity of the lighting devices 10 identified as objects to be controlled, shown in (4) to (6) in FIG. 5.

Next, FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the control of lighting devices 10 by a lighting control device 100 according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 6, the lighting control device 100 virtually displays objects, lighting devices 10, and the like in a 3D space. FIG. 6 (1) shows an object selected by a user. FIG. 6 (2) shows a lighting device 10 that serves as a key light. The key light is the main light source and is used to brightly illuminate a subject. FIG. 6 (3) shows a lighting device 10 that serves as a fill light. The fill light is placed diagonally forward and opposite the key light and is used to illuminate areas not illuminated by the key light. FIG. 6 (4) shows a lighting device 10 that serves as a backlight. The backlight is used to highlight the outline of a subject. Here, the lighting control device 100 may hide or make semitransparent objects and lighting devices 10 that are not identified as control targets, thereby reducing the visibility of objects other than those being operated.

Figure 6 (5) shows a simulated display of the lighting effect produced by lighting devices 10. For example, Figure 6 (5a) shows a simulated display of the lighting effect produced when lighting devices 10 serving as key lights (Figure 6 (2)), lighting devices 10 serving as fill lights (Figure 6 (3)), and lighting devices 10 serving as backlights (Figure 6 (4)) are all turned on. Figure 6 (5b) shows a simulated display of the lighting effect produced when only lighting devices 10 serving as key lights (Figure 6 (2)) are turned on. Figure 6 (5c) shows a simulated display of the lighting effect produced when only lighting devices 10 serving as fill lights (Figure 6 (3)) are turned on. Figure 6 (5d) shows a simulated display of the lighting effect produced when only lighting devices 10 serving as backlights (Figure 6 (4)) are turned on.

The lighting control device 100 makes it easy for the user to select the desired lighting effect by displaying Figure 6 (5) as a simulation of the lighting effect produced by each lighting device 10. At this time, the lighting control device 100 can also accept user operations and perform control such as reflecting the contents of the simulation in the lighting devices 10 in the real world.

(flowchart)
Next, a process for specifying a lighting device 100 according to an embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 7 . FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a process for setting a lighting device 10 executed by the lighting control device 100 according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 7 , the lighting control device 100 first identifies, as a lighting device 10 to be controlled, a lighting device 10 that has a predetermined relationship with the received object (step S11). If the lighting control device 100 is unable to identify a lighting device 10 to be controlled ("YES" in step S11), the lighting control device 100 again identifies a lighting device 10 to be controlled. If the lighting control device 100 is able to identify a lighting device 10 to be controlled ("NO" in step S11), the lighting control device 100 sets the identified lighting device 10 as a lighting device to be controlled (step S12).

As described above, the lighting control device 100 according to the embodiment includes a receiving unit 121 and an identifying unit 122. The receiving unit 121 receives a selection of an object. The identifying unit 122 identifies, as a lighting device 10 to be controlled, a lighting device 10 that has a predetermined relationship with the object received by the receiving unit 121. This makes it easy for users who lack knowledge about dimming and lighting to identify lighting. In other words, the lighting control device 100 can easily identify lighting devices 10 that effectively illuminate the object to be illuminated, ensuring user convenience.

Furthermore, as described above, in the lighting control device 100 according to the embodiment, the identification unit 122 identifies, as the lighting device 10 to be controlled, a lighting device 10 that is in a predetermined positional relationship with the object received by the reception unit 121. This allows the lighting control device 100 according to the embodiment to easily identify a lighting device 10 that is in a position that will produce the lighting effect desired by the user.

Furthermore, as described above, in the lighting control device 100 according to the embodiment, the identification unit 122 identifies, as the lighting device 10 to be controlled, the lighting device 10 that has been previously associated with the object received by the reception unit 121. This allows the lighting control device 100 according to the embodiment to easily identify the lighting device 10 that has been previously associated with the object as having the lighting effect desired by the user, thereby ensuring user convenience.

As described above, the lighting control device 100 according to the embodiment further includes a lighting control receiving unit 123 that receives control of the lighting device 10 identified by the identification unit 122, and a lighting control unit 124 that controls the lighting device 10 identified by the identification unit 122 in accordance with the control received by the lighting control receiving unit 123. This allows the lighting control device 100 according to the embodiment to easily control the identified lighting device 10, ensuring user convenience.

As described above, in the lighting control device 100 according to the embodiment, the lighting control unit 124 displays a simulation of the control received by the lighting control receiving unit 123, and controls the lighting device 10 when a simulation is selected. This allows the lighting control device 100 according to the embodiment to simulate the control details for the specified lighting device 10. This also allows the lighting control device 100 according to the embodiment to easily reflect the simulated control details in the lighting device 10 in the real world, ensuring user convenience.

Furthermore, as described above, in the lighting control device 100 according to the embodiment, the lighting control unit 124 stores the control received by the lighting control receiving unit 123 in association with the simulation. As a result, the lighting control device 100 according to the embodiment stores the content of the simulated control and enables it to be redisplayed, thereby reducing the burden of reproducing the content of the simulated control and ensuring user convenience.

[Variations]
Although an embodiment of the present invention has been described, this embodiment is presented as an example and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. This embodiment can be embodied in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as the inventions described in the claims and their equivalents.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Lighting control system 10 Lighting device 20 Node 30 Hub 100 Lighting control device 110 Communication unit 120 Control unit 121 Reception unit 122 Identification unit 123 Lighting control reception unit 124 Lighting control unit 130 Storage unit

Claims (8)

a reception unit that receives a selection of an object;
an identification unit that identifies, as a control target, a lighting device that has a predetermined relationship with the object accepted by the acceptance unit;
and
The identification unit identifies, as a control target, a lighting device that has been linked in advance to the object accepted by the acceptance unit.
A lighting control device characterized by: The lighting control device according to claim 1, characterized in that the identification unit identifies lighting devices that are in a predetermined positional relationship with the object accepted by the acceptance unit as the lighting device to be controlled. a lighting control receiving unit that receives control for the lighting device identified by the identifying unit;
a lighting control unit that controls the lighting device identified by the identifying unit in accordance with the control received by the lighting control receiving unit;
2. The lighting control device according to claim 1, further comprising: The lighting control device according to claim 3 , wherein the lighting control unit displays a simulation of the control accepted by the lighting control acceptance unit, and controls the lighting device when a simulation is selected. The lighting control device according to claim 4 , wherein the lighting control unit stores the control received by the lighting control receiving unit in association with a simulation. A lighting control method executed by a lighting control device,
a receiving step of receiving a selection of an object;
a specifying step of specifying, as a control target, a lighting device having a predetermined relationship with the object selected in the receiving step;
Including,
The specifying step specifies, as a control target, a lighting device that has been linked in advance to the object received in the receiving step.
A lighting control method comprising: a receiving step of receiving a selection of an object;
a specifying step of specifying, as a control target, a lighting device having a predetermined relationship with the object selected in the receiving step;
on the computer ,
The specifying step specifies, as a control target, a lighting device that has been linked in advance to the object received in the receiving step.
A lighting control program comprising : a reception unit that receives a selection of an object;
an identification unit that identifies, as a control target, a lighting device that has a predetermined relationship with the object accepted by the acceptance unit;
a lighting control receiving unit that receives control for the lighting device identified by the identifying unit;
a lighting control unit that controls the lighting device identified by the identifying unit in accordance with the control received by the lighting control receiving unit;
and
The lighting control unit displays a simulation of the control accepted by the lighting control accepting unit, controls the lighting device when a simulation is selected, and stores the control accepted by the lighting control accepting unit in association with the simulation.
A lighting control device characterized by: