EP3253180A1

EP3253180A1 - Installation position specifying device, installation position specifying method, and program

Info

Publication number: EP3253180A1
Application number: EP15880002.9A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Soichiro Kurokawa; Yoshiaki Koizumi
Original assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corp
Current assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corp
Priority date: 2015-01-30
Filing date: 2015-01-30
Publication date: 2017-12-06
Also published as: JPWO2016121105A1; EP3253180A4; WO2016121105A1

Abstract

A controller (102) is configured to control lighting devices (300) via a network using multiple pieces of identification information to cause a first lighting device and a second lighting device among the lighting devices (300) to be turned on at a first emission intensity in a first period, and the first lighting device to be turned on at a second emission intensity different from the first emission intensity and the second lighting device to be turned on at the first emission intensity in a second period, the first period and the second period being consecutive. An acquirer (103) is configured to acquire a first captured image generated in the first period and a second captured image generated in the second period. An identifier (104) is configured to identify an installation position of the first lighting device in a space based on the first captured image and the second captured image.

Description

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to an installation position identification device, an installation position identification method, and a program for identifying the installation positions of lighting devices identified with identification information.

Background Art

Currently, systems in which a control device controls the lighting states of lighting devices via a network are known. In such a system, the lighting devices are identified on the network using identification information such as the media access control (MAC) address and Internet protocol (IP) address. In such a system, it is preferable in some cases that the control device takes into account the positions at which the lighting devices identified with identification information are installed. Thus, techniques of automatically identifying the installation positions of lighting devices identified with identification information have been proposed.
For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses an identification device identifying light-emitting apparatuses identified with their installation positions and light-emitting apparatuses identified with their identification information based on details of on/off control on light-emitting apparatuses installed in a space and a time-series of captured images acquired by capturing the space. The identification device disclosed in Patent Literature 1 detects a region subject to change in connection with the turn-on/turn-off of a light-emitting apparatus in images captured before and after the lighting state of the light-emitting apparatus changes and identifies the installation position of the light-emitting apparatus based on the detected region. The identification device disclosed in Patent Literature 1 switches light-emitting apparatuses in sequence from the off state to the on state during the identification process.

Citation List

Patent Literature

Patent Literature 1: Unexamined Japanese Patent Application Kokai Publication No. 2014-86149 .

Summary of Invention

Technical Problem

However, a light-emitting apparatus generally requires a long time to shift from the off state to the on state. Therefore, the identification device disclosed in Patent Literature 1 requires a long time for the identification process. Therefore, techniques of promptly identifying the installation positions of lighting devices identified with identification information are demanded.
An objective of the present disclosure is to provide an installation position identification device, an installation position identification method, and a program for promptly identifying the installation positions of lighting devices identified with identification information.

Solution to Problem

In order to achieve the above-mentioned objective, an installation position identification device according to the present disclosure includes:

a storage configured to store multiple pieces of identification information for identifying, on a network, lighting devices installed in a space;
a controller configured to control the lighting devices via the network using the multiple pieces of identification information to cause
- in a first period, a first lighting device and a second lighting device among the lighting devices to be turned on at a first emission intensity, and
- in a second period, the first lighting device to be turned on at a second emission intensity different from the first emission intensity, and the second lighting device to be turned on at the first emission intensity, the first period and the second period being consecutive;
an acquirer configured to acquire
- a first captured image generated in the first period by capturing of an image of the space, and
- a second captured image generated in the second period by capturing of an image of the space; and
an identifier configured to identify an installation position of the first lighting device in the space based on the first captured image and the second captured image.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

In the present disclosure, the installation position of the first lighting device in the space is identified based on the first captured image generated in the first period during which the first lighting device and the second lighting device among the lighting devices are turned on at the first emission intensity, and the second captured image generated in the second period during which the first lighting device is turned on at the second emission intensity different from the first emission intensity and the second lighting device is turned on at the first emission intensity, the first period and the second period being consecutive. Therefore, according to the present disclosure, the installation positions of lighting devices identified with identification information can promptly be identified.

Brief Description of Drawings

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an installation position identification system according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure;
FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of the installation position identification device according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure;
FIG. 3 is a drawing for explaining the function of the installation position identification device according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure;
FIG. 4 is a drawing showing a first captured image;
FIG. 5 is a drawing showing a second captured image;
FIG. 6 is a drawing showing various kinds of information to be associated with MAC addresses;
FIG. 7A is a timing chart showing the timing of changes in an emission intensity for a lighting device during ON/OFF control;
FIG. 7B is a timing chart showing the timing of changes in an emission intensity for a lighting device during dimming control;
FIG. 8 is a timing chart including section (a) showing the timing of changes in an emission intensity for a first selected lighting device, section (b) showing the timing of changes in an emission intensity for a second selected lighting device, and section (c) showing the timing of changes in an emission intensity for a third selected lighting device;
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an installation position identification process executed by the installation position identification device according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure;
FIG. 10 is a drawing showing an image presented by the installation position identification device according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure;
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an installation position identification process executed by an installation position identification device according to Embodiment 2 of the present disclosure; and
FIG. 12 is a drawing showing an image presented by the installation position identification device according to Embodiment 2 of the present disclosure.

Description of Embodiments

(Embodiment 1)

First, the configuration of an installation position identification system 1000 according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure is described with reference to FIG. 1. The installation position identification system 1000 is a system identifying the installation positions of lighting devices 300 identified with identification information. The identification information is information for identifying the lighting devices 300 on a network 400, and includes media access control (MAC) addresses, Internet protocol (IP) addresses, and the like. Both the MAC address and the IP address are unique addresses assigned to the lighting devices 300. In this embodiment, the identification information is assumed to be MAC addresses.
Moreover, it is assumed in this embodiment that the installation positions of the lighting devices 300 are installation positions of the lighting devices 300 in a real space. Here, it is assumed that the installation positions of the lighting devices 300 in a real space are calculated from the positions of the lighting devices 300 on a captured image acquired by capturing an image of the space including the lighting devices 300. In other words, it is assumed in this embodiment that an imaging device 200 is installed at a predetermined position with a predetermined angle, and the installation positions of the lighting devices 300 in the real space can uniquely be calculated from the positions of the lighting devices 300 on the captured image. In other words, it is assumed that an installation position identification device 100 stores calculation formulae and coordinates conversion tables used for calculating the installation positions of the lighting devices 300 in the real space. The installation position identification system 1000 includes the installation position identification device 100 and the imaging device 200.
The installation position identification device 100 is a device identifying the installation positions of the lighting devices 300 identified with identification information based on captured images supplied from the imaging device 200. It can also be said that the installation position identification device 100 is a device identifying the lighting devices 300 identified with identification information and the lighting devices 300 installed in a real space. The installation position identification device 100 communicates with the lighting devices 300 via the network 400. Moreover, the installation position identification device 100 communicates with the imaging device 200 through serial communication. The installation position identification device 100 is, for example, a personal computer, a smartphone, or a tablet terminal. The configuration of the installation position identification device 100 is described hereafter with reference to FIG. 2.
As shown in FIG. 2, the installation position identification device 100 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 11, a read only memory (ROM) 12, a random access memory (RAM) 13, a flash memory 14, a real time clock (RTC) 15, a touch screen 16, a network interface 17, and a serial communication interface 18. The components of the installation position identification device 100 are mutually connected via a bus.
The CPU 11 controls the entire operation of the installation position identification device 100. Here, the CPU 11 operates in accordance with programs stored in the ROM 12 and uses the RAM 13 as the work area. The CPU 11 controls the emission intensities of the lighting devices 300 via the network interface 17. Moreover, the CPU 11 acquires captured images from the imaging device 200 via the serial communication interface 18. The ROM 12 stores programs and data for controlling the entire operation of the installation position identification device 100. The RAM 13 functions as the work area for the CPU 11. In other words, the CPU 11 temporarily writes programs and data in the RAM 13 and makes reference to the programs and data as appropriate.
The flash memory 14 is a nonvolatile memory storing various kinds of information. The flash memory 14 stores calculation formulae and coordinates conversion tables for calculating the installation positions of the lighting devices 300, MAC addresses of the lighting devices 300, and the like. The RTC 15 is a device for measuring time. The RTC 15 has, for example, a built-in battery and continues to measure time while the installation position identification device 100 is powered off. The RTC 15 includes, for example, an oscillation circuit that includes a crystal oscillator.
The touch screen 16 detects touch operations conducted by the user and supplies signals indicating detection results to the CPU 11. Moreover, the touch screen 16 displays images based on image signals supplied from the CPU 11 and the like. Thus, the touch screen 16 functions as a user interface of the installation position identification device 100.
The network interface 17 is an interface for connecting the installation position identification device 100 to the network 400. The installation position identification device 100 communicates via the network 400 with the lighting devices 300 connected to the network 400. The network interface 17 includes a local area network (LAN) interface such as a network interface card (NIC).
The serial communication interface 18 is an interface for connecting the installation position identification device 100 to the imaging device 200 through serial communication. The serial communication interface 18 includes, for example, an interface in compliance with the universal serial bus (USB), institute of electrical and electronic engineers (IEEE) 1394 standard or the like.
The imaging device 200 is a device that captures images of a space in which the lighting devices 300 are installed to generate captured images. The imaging device 200 is installed at a position and with an angle that allow capturing of images of all lighting devices 300. It is assumed in this embodiment that the imaging device 200 generates captured images and supplies the generated captured images to the installation position identification device 100 at predetermined intervals (for example, approximately every 10 millisecond). The imaging device 200 is, for example, a camera including a USB interface.
The lighting devices 300 are devices illuminating the surroundings in accordance with the control of the installation position identification device 100. The emission intensities of the lighting devices 300 are adjustable in a range from 0% (no emission) to 100% (the maximum intensity). In other words, the lighting devices 300 are capable of dimming. For easier understanding, it is assumed in this embodiment that the emission intensities of the lighting devices 300 are controlled by the installation position identification device 100 to any one of 0%, 50%, and 100%. Moreover, it is assumed in this embodiment that there are twenty lighting devices 300. The emission intensities of all twenty lighting devices are controlled by the installation position identification device 100. Moreover, it is assumed that the twenty lighting devices are all installed on the ceiling and disposed within the capturing range of the imaging device 200. The lighting devices 300 include an LAN interface such as an NIC, and are capable of connecting to the network interface 17. The lighting devices 300 include a fluorescent lamp or light emitting diodes (LEDs).
The network 400 is a network such as a wireless LAN established in a plant, building, or the like for the installation position identification device 100 and the twenty lighting devices 300 to communicate with each other.
The basic function of the installation position identification device 100 is described next with reference to FIG. 3. The installation position identification device 100 functionally includes a storage 101, a controller 102, an acquirer 103, an identifier 104, a presenter 105, and a collector 106.
The storage 101 stores multiple pieces of identification information for identifying on the network 400 lighting devices 300 installed in a space. It is assumed in this embodiment that the storage 101 stores twenty MAC addresses each identifying one of the twenty lighting devices 300. Here, the MAC addresses stored in the storage 101 are collected by the collector 106. The function of the storage 101 is achieved by, for example, the flash memory 14.
The controller 102 controls the lighting devices 300 via the network 400 using the multiple pieces of identification information. Specifically, the controller 102 controls the lighting devices 300 to cause a first lighting device and a second lighting device among the lighting devices 300 to be turned on (emit light) at a first emission intensity in a first period. The second lighting device is a lighting device different from the first lighting device among the lighting devices 300. It is assumed in this embodiment that second lighting devices are all remaining lighting devices among the lighting devices 300 except for the first lighting device. Moreover, the controller 102 controls the lighting devices 300 to cause the first lighting device to be turned on at a second emission intensity different from the first emission intensity, and the second lighting device to be turned on at the first emission intensity in a second period. The second period is a period adjacent to the first period. On the other hand, each of the lighting devices 300 is turned on at an emission intensity corresponding to control details in accordance with the control by the controller 102.
The difference between the first emission intensity and the second emission intensity is preferably equal to or larger than a predetermined threshold (for example, 50% of the maximum emission intensity). The first emission intensity is, for example, 50% of the maximum emission intensity. The second emission intensity is, for example, the maximum emission intensity (100%). A specific lighting device 300 is a lighting device 300, among the twenty lighting devices 300, having a MAC address selected from the twenty MAC addresses. Here, each time a MAC address is selected, the controller 102 executes the process to identify the installation position of a lighting device 300 identified with the selected MAC address. In other words, the controller 102 selects all MAC addresses in sequence until the installation positions of all lighting devices 300 are identified. Here, the first lighting device is a lighting device 300 having a selected MAC address, and the second lighting devices are the lighting devices 300 other than the lighting device 300 having the selected MAC address. The function of the controller 102 is achieved by, for example, cooperation of the CPU 11 and the network interface 17.
Here, the imaging device 200 generates a first captured image by capturing an image of the space in the first period. Moreover, the imaging device 200 generates a second captured image by capturing an image of the space in the second period.
The acquirer 103 acquires the first captured image and the second captured image that are generated by the imaging device 200. The function of the acquirer 103 is achieved by, for example, cooperation of the CPU 11 and the network interface 17.
The identifier 104 identifies the installation position of the first lighting device 300 in the space based on the first captured image and the second captured image. For example, the identifier 104 identifies an image region having the largest difference in luminance between the first captured image and the second captured image. For example, the identifier 104 obtains pixels of which the difference in luminance between the first captured image and the second captured image is equal to or larger than a threshold (hereinafter referred to as luminance-changed pixels). Then, the identifier 104 groups the luminance-changed pixels so that adjoining luminance-changed pixels belong to the same group, and the identifier 104 obtains regions having the luminance changed (hereinafter referred to as luminance-changed regions). The size of luminance-changed regions is of a predetermined number of pixels or larger.
Here, the identifier 104 obtains the average luminance of each of luminance-changed regions in each of the first captured image and the second captured image. Then, the identifier 104 obtains the difference between the average luminance of the first captured image and the average luminance of the second captured image for each of the luminance-changed regions. The identifier 104 identifies, among the luminance-changed regions, a luminance-changed region having the largest difference in average luminance. Then, the identifier 104 identifies the position, in the space, corresponding to the identified luminance-changed region as the installation position. The installation position identified by the identifier 104 may be a relative installation position in the real space. The function of the identifier 104 is achieved by, for example, the CPU 11 executing programs stored in the ROM 12.
The presenter 105 presents the installation positions of the lighting devices 300 in the space. The presenter 105 presents, for example, an image explicitly showing the installation positions of the lighting devices 300 in the real space by coordinates. Alternatively, the presenter 105 presents, for example, an image explicitly showing the positions of the lighting devices 300 on a captured image. For example, the presenter 105 presents a captured image and presents, each time an installation position is acquired, information explicitly showing the acquired installation positions over the captured image. Thus, the presenter 105 presents the relative positional relationship of the lighting devices 300 in the real space. The function of the presenter 105 is achieved by, for example, cooperation of the CPU 11 and the touch screen 16.
The collector 106 collects identification information from each of the lighting devices 300 via the network 400. For example, the collector 106 transmits to all lighting devices 300 connected to the network 400 a command requesting transmission of the MAC address. Then, the collector 106 receives a frame including the MAC address from twenty lighting devices 300 connected to the network 400 so as to acquire twenty MAC addresses. The collector 106 is achieved by, for example, cooperation of the CPU 11 and the network interface 17.
The first captured image is described next with reference to FIG. 4. The first captured image is a captured image generated by the imaging device 200 in the first period (while all lighting devices 300 are turned on at the first emission intensity). FIG. 4 shows the first captured image as an image 500.
The image 500 is an image having 640 pixels in the x direction and 480 pixels in the y direction. The image 500 includes regions 311, 312, 313, 314, 315, 321, 322, 323, 324, 325, 331, 332, 333, 334, 335, 341, 342, 343, 344, and 345 (hereinafter referred to as regions 311 to 345). The regions 311 to 345 are regions each representing one of the twenty lighting devices 300. The luminance of the regions 311 to 345 is basically higher than that of the other regions of the image 500.
The second captured image is described next with reference to FIG. 5. The second captured image is a captured image generated by the imaging device 200 in the second period (while one lighting device 300 is turned on at the second emission intensity and all the other lighting devices 300 are turned on at the first emission intensity). The first captured image and the second captured image are images generated by capturing an image of the same space (the same capturing region). FIG. 5 shows the second captured image as an image 510.
The image 510 is an image having 640 pixels in the x direction and 480 pixels in the y direction. The image 510 includes the regions 311 to 345. The luminance of the regions 311 to 345 is basically higher than that of the other regions of the image 510. In addition, the luminance (for example, the average luminance) of the region 334 of the captured image 510 is higher than the luminance (for example, the average luminance) of the region 334 of the captured image 500. The reason is that the image 500 is an image generated while the lighting device 300 appearing in the region 334 is turned on at the first emission intensity, whereas the image 510 is an image generated while the lighting device 300 appearing in the region 334 is turned on at the second emission intensity higher than the first emission intensity.
The regions other than the region 334 are basically the same in luminance between the image 500 and the image 510. In other words, in regard to the difference in luminance between the image 500 and the image 510, the region having the largest difference in luminance (the region 334 in this case) is the region where the emission intensity is changed the most and thus the region representing the lighting device 300. In other words, when the emission intensity of a lighting device 300 identified with a MAC address is changed from the first emission intensity to the second emission intensity, the installation position identification device 100 assumes that the position of the region where the luminance is changed the most between the first captured image and the second captured image is the position of the lighting device 300 on the captured image. Then, the installation position identification device 100 calculates the installation position in the real space from the assumed position using predetermined formulae and tables.
Various kinds of information associated with MAC addresses by the installation position identification device 100 are described next with reference to FIG. 6. As shown in FIG. 6, information to be associated with a MAC address includes, for example, a region, coordinates (x, y), a position (row, column), and an ID. The region is a region on a captured image (the image 500 or the image 510). The coordinates (x, y) are the x-coordinate and y-coordinate of the center of the region on the captured image. The position (row, column) is a row number and a column number when lighting devices 300 are installed on the ceiling in a lattice pattern (for example, four rows and five columns). The ID is an ID of a lighting device 300 determined based on the position (row, column).
The record in the first row in FIG. 6 represents a case in which the MAC address is 11223344, the region is 334, the coordinates (x, y) are (492, 283), the position (row, column) is (3, 4), and the ID is 14. In other words, the record in the first row indicates that a lighting device 300 identified with the MAC address of 11223344 appears in the region 334 having the center at the coordinates (492, 283) on the captured image, is installed at the position of row 3 and column 4 among all lighting devices 300, and has the ID of 14. The region and the coordinates (x, y) are determined each time one lighting device 300 is detected on the captured image. On the other hand, the position (row, column) and the ID are determined after all lighting devices 300 on the captured image are detected.
The reason for using dimming control, not ON/OFF control, of the lighting devices 300 is described next with reference to FIGS. 7A and 7B. FIG. 7A is a timing chart showing the timing of changes in an emission intensity for a lighting device 300 during ON/OFF control. The ON control is a control to bring the emission intensity of a lighting device 300 to the maximum emission intensity (100%). The OFF control is a control to bring the emission intensity of a lighting device 300 to the minimum emission intensity (0%). In the ON/OFF control, the emission intensity of a lighting device 300 is not controlled to an intermediate emission intensity between the maximum emission intensity (100%) and minimum emission intensity (0%) (for example, 50%). FIG. 7A shows a case in which a lighting device 300 is subject to the OFF control, then the ON control, and then the OFF control. Details are described hereafter.
First, the installation position identification device 100 transmits to the lighting device 300 a control signal for the ON control at t11. However, the lighting device 300 requires time to shift from the OFF state to the ON state, namely from the non-emission state to the emission state. Therefore, the lighting device 300 maintains the OFF state for an elapsed time of Ton11 from t11 to t12. Ton11 is, for example, a delay time required for the drive circuit of the light-emitting element to drive the light-emitting element after receiving a drive instruction. The lighting device 300 raises the emission intensity over an elapsed time of Ton12 from t12 to t13, and reaches the ON state at t13. Ton12 is a rise time for the light-emitting element to shift from the OFF state to the ON state. Here, the sum of Ton11 and Ton12 is assumed to be Ton13. Ton13 is a turn-on time required for the lighting device 300 to shift to the ON state after an instruction of the ON control is given.
The installation position identification device 100 transmits to the lighting device 300 a control signal for the OFF control at t14. Then, the lighting device 300 lowers the emission intensity over an elapsed time of Toff11 from t14 to t15, and reaches the OFF state at t15. Toff11 is a fall time for the light-emitting element to shift from the ON state to the OFF state. It is assumed that unlike in rising, there is no delay time in falling and the fall time is equal to a turn-off time.
FIG. 7B is a timing chart showing the timing of changes in an emission intensity for a lighting device 300 during dimming control. In the dimming control, the emission intensity of a lighting device 300 is controlled to an intermediate emission intensity between the maximum emission intensity (100%) and minimum emission intensity (0%) (for example, 50%). FIG. 7B shows a case in which the emission intensity of a lighting device 300 is changed in the following order: the minimum emission intensity (0%,), an intermediate emission intensity (50%), the maximum emission intensity (100%), the intermediate emission intensity (50%), and then the minimum emission intensity (0%). Details are described hereafter.
First, the installation position identification device 100 transmits to the lighting device 300 a control signal to control for an intermediate emission intensity (50%) at t21. However, the lighting device 300 requires time for the emission intensity of the lighting device 300 to shift from the minimum emission intensity (0%) to the intermediate emission intensity (50%), that is, from the non-emission state to the emission state. Therefore, the lighting device 300 maintains the minimum emission intensity (0%) for an elapsed time of Ton21 from t21 to t22. Ton21 is, for example, a delay time required for the drive circuit of the light-emitting element to drive the light-emitting element after the drive circuit receiving a drive instruction.
The lighting device 300 increases the emission intensity over an elapsed time of Ton22 from t22 to t23, and the emission intensity reaches the intermediate emission intensity (50%) at t23. Ton22 is a rise time for the emission intensity of the light-emitting element to shift from the minimum emission intensity (0%) to the intermediate emission intensity (50%). Here, the sum of Ton21 and Ton22 is assumed to be Ton23. Ton23 is a turn-on time required for the emission intensity of the lighting device 300 to shift to the intermediate emission intensity (50%) after a control instruction to shift from the minimum emission intensity (0%) to the intermediate emission intensity (50%) is given.
Then, the installation position identification device 100 transmits to the lighting device 300 a control signal to shift the emission intensity to the maximum emission intensity (100%) at t24. Then, the lighting device 300 increases the emission intensity over an elapsed time of Ton24 from t24 to t25, and the emission intensity reaches the maximum emission intensity (100%) at t25. Ton24 is a rise time for the emission intensity of the light-emitting element to shift from the intermediate emission intensity (50%) to the maximum emission intensity (100%).
The installation position identification device 100 transmits to the lighting device 300 a control signal to shift the emission intensity to the intermediate emission intensity (50%) at t26. Then, the lighting device 300 lowers the emission intensity over an elapsed time of Toff21 from t26 to t27, and the emission intensity reaches the intermediate emission intensity (50%) at t27. Toff21 is a fall time for the emission intensity to shift from the maximum emission intensity (100%) to the intermediate emission intensity (50%).
The installation position identification device 100 transmits to the lighting device 300 a control signal to shift the emission intensity to the minimum emission intensity (0%) at t28. Then, the lighting device 300 lowers the emission intensity over an elapsed time of Toff22 from t28 to t29, and the emission intensity reaches the minimum emission intensity (0%) at t29. Toff22 is a fall time for the emission intensity to shift from the intermediate emission intensity (50%) to the minimum emission intensity (0%).
FIG. 7B shows that the time required to shift the emission intensity from the minimum emission intensity (0%) to the intermediate emission intensity (50%) (Ton23) is longer than the time required to shift the emission intensity from the intermediate emission intensity (50%) to the maximum emission intensity (100%) (Ton24). In other words, the time required to shift from the non-emission state to the emission state is significantly longer than the time required to change the emission intensity in the emission state. Therefore, in this embodiment, the installation position identification device 100 maintains the lighting devices 300 in the emission state, and controls the lighting devices 300 only for switching the emission intensity.
The procedure to switch the emission intensities of lighting devices 300 is described next with reference to FIG. 8. Section (a) of FIG. 8 is a timing chart showing the timing of changes in an emission intensity for a first selected lighting device 300. Section (b) of FIG. 8 is a timing chart showing the timing of changes in an emission intensity for a second selected lighting device 300. Section (c) of FIG. 8 is a timing chart showing the timing of changes in an emission intensity for a third selected lighting device 300. The first selected lighting device 300 is a lighting device 300 having a MAC address of 11223344. The second selected lighting device 300 is a lighting device 300 having a MAC address of 22aabbcc. The third selected lighting device 300 is a lighting device 300 having a MAC address of 44556677. It is assumed in this embodiment that the lighting devices 300 have their emission intensities that are changed in the ascending order of MAC address. In other words, it is assumed in this embodiment that the lighting devices 300 are selected in order from a lighting device 300 having the lowest MAC address.
The installation position identification device 100 transmits to all lighting devices 300 a control signal to shift the emission intensity from the minimum emission intensity (0%) to the intermediate emission intensity (50%) at t31. Then, the emission intensities of all lighting devices 300 reach the intermediate emission intensity (50%) at t32 by which a predetermined delay time elapsed after t31. Here, it is assumed in FIG. 8 that there is a delay time (for example, Ton21) required to shift from the non-emission state to the emission state; however, there is no rise time (Ton22, Ton24) or fall time (Toff21, Toff22).
The installation position identification device 100 acquires a first captured image at t33 in a period from t32 to t34 (a first period). The first captured image is a captured image captured while the emission intensities of all lighting devices 300 are the intermediate emission intensity (50%). The installation position identification device 100 transmits to the first selected lighting device 300 a control signal to shift the emission intensity from the intermediate emission intensity (50%) to the maximum emission intensity (100%) at t34. Then, the emission intensity of the first selected lighting device 300 reaches the maximum emission intensity (100%) at t34.
The installation position identification device 100 captures a second captured image at t35 in a period from t34 to t36 (a second period). The second captured image is a captured image captured while the emission intensity of the first selected lighting device 300 is the maximum emission intensity (100%) and the emission intensities of all the other lighting devices 300 are the intermediate emission intensity (50%). The installation position identification device 100 transmits to the first selected lighting device 300 a control signal to shift the emission intensity from the maximum emission intensity (100%) to the intermediate emission intensity (50%) at t36. Then, the emission intensity of the first selected lighting device 300 reaches the intermediate emission intensity (50%) at t36.
The installation position identification device 100 transmits to the second selected lighting device 300 a control signal to shift the emission intensity from the intermediate emission intensity (50%) to the maximum emission intensity (100%) at t37. Then, the emission intensity of the second selected lighting device 300 reaches the maximum emission intensity (100%) at t37.
The installation position identification device 100 acquires a second captured image at t38 in a period from t37 to t39 (a second period). The second captured image is a captured image captured while the emission intensity of the second selected lighting device 300 is the maximum emission intensity (100%) and the emission intensities of all the other lighting devices 300 are the intermediate emission intensity (50%). The installation position identification device 100 transmits to the second selected lighting device 300 a control signal to shift the emission intensity from the maximum emission intensity (100%) to the intermediate emission intensity (50%) at t39. Then, the emission intensity of the second selected lighting device 300 reaches the intermediate emission intensity (50%) at t39.
The installation position identification device 100 transmits to the third selected lighting device 300 a control signal to shift the emission intensity from the intermediate emission intensity (50%) to the maximum emission intensity (100%) at t40. Then, the emission intensity of the third selected lighting device 300 reaches the maximum emission intensity (100%) at t40.
The installation position identification device 100 acquires a second captured image at t41 in a period from t40 to t42 (a second period). The second captured image is a captured image captured while the emission intensity of the third selected lighting device 300 is the maximum emission intensity (100%) and the emission intensities of all the other lighting devices 300 are the intermediate emission intensity (50%). The installation position identification device 100 transmits to the third selected lighting device 300 a control signal to shift the emission intensity from the maximum emission intensity (100%) to the intermediate emission intensity (50%) at t42. Then, the emission intensity of the third selected lighting device 300 reaches the intermediate emission intensity (50%) at t42. After this, the above-described processing is repeated until the above-described second captured image is acquired for all lighting devices 300.
The installation position identification process executed by the installation position identification device 100 is described next with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 9. The installation position identification process starts when, for example, the installation position identification device 100 is powered on.
First, the CPU 11 acquires all MAC addresses (Step S101). For example, the CPU 11 transmits via the network interface 17 a command including a request to transmit the MAC address to all lighting devices 300 connected to the network 400. Then, the CPU 11 receives a frame including the MAC address from all lighting devices 300 via the network interface 17. The CPU 11 stores all acquired MAC addresses in the flash memory 14.
After completing the processing of Step S101, the CPU 11 starts capturing images (Step S102). For example, the CPU 11 instructs via the serial communication interface 18 the imaging device 200 to start capturing images. After the imaging device 200 receives the instruction, the imaging device 200 starts capturing images and from then on, supplies to the installation position identification device 100 captured images periodically acquired.
After completing the processing of Step S102, the CPU 11 causes all lighting devices 300 to be turned on at a first emission intensity (Step S103). For example, the CPU 11 transmits, via the network interface 17, to all lighting devices 300 a control signal including an instruction to emit light at the first emission intensity.
After completing the processing of Step S103, the CPU 11 acquires a first captured image (Step S104). For example, the CPU 11 acquires a first captured image from the imaging device 200 via the serial communication interface 18. The CPU 11 stores the acquired first captured image in the flash memory 14.
After completing the processing of Step S104, the CPU 11 selects one MAC address (Step S105). For example, the CPU 11 selects the lowest unselected MAC address among twenty MAC addresses stored in the flash memory 14.
After completing the processing of Step S105, the CPU 11 causes a first lighting device to be turned on at a second emission intensity (Step S106). The first lighting device is the lighting device 300 identified with the selected MAC address. For example, the CPU 11 transmits to the selected MAC address a control signal including an instruction to emit light at a second emission intensity. The first lighting device having received this control signal is turned on at the second emission intensity.
After completing the processing of Step S106, the CPU 11 acquires a second captured image (Step S107). For example, the CPU 11 acquires a second captured image from the imaging device 200 via the serial communication interface 18. The CPU 11 stores the acquired second captured image in the flash memory 14.
After completing the processing of Step S107, the CPU 11 identifies an image region having the luminance changed (Step S108). For example, the CPU 11 compares a first image region and a second image region that are stored in the flash memory 14, and identifies an image region having the most changed luminance.
After completing the processing of Step S108, the CPU 11 identifies the installation position from the identified image region (Step S109). For example, the CPU 11 identifies the installation position in the real space from the coordinates of the identified image region according to predetermined formulae and tables. Here, when the installation positions of the twenty lighting devices 300 are predetermined, the CPU 11 may identify the installation position by a row number and a column number as shown in FIG. 6.
After completing the processing of Step S109, the CPU 11 associates the MAC address with the installation position (Step S110). For example, when the table as shown in FIG. 6 is stored in the flash memory 14, the CPU 11 updates this table.
After completing the processing of Step S110, the CPU 11 causes the first lighting device to be turned on at the first emission intensity (Step S111). For example, the CPU 11 transmits to the selected MAC address a control signal including an instruction to emit light at the first emission intensity. The first lighting device having received this control signal is turned on at the first emission intensity.
After completing the processing of Step S 111, the CPU 11 determines whether all MAC addresses are selected (Step S112). If the CPU 11 determines that not all MAC addresses are selected (Step S112; NO), the CPU 11 returns the processing to Step S105. Then, the CPU 11 repeats the processing of Steps S105 to S 112 until the second captured image is acquired for all MAC addresses.
On the other hand, if the CPU 11 determines that all MAC addresses are selected (Step S112; YES), the CPU 11 presents the installation positions of all lighting devices 300 (Step S113). For example, the CPU 11 controls the touch screen 16 to present an image 520 shown in FIG. 10.
The image 520 is a composite image formed by superimposing on a captured image (the first captured image or the second captured image) images 601, 602, 603, 604, 605, 606, 607, 608, 609, 610, 611, 612, 613, 614, 615, 616, 617, 618, 619, and 620 (hereinafter referred to as images 601 to 620) indicating the positions of the lighting devices 300. The images 601 to 620 are each an image composed near an image region representing the corresponding lighting device 300 and explicitly showing the ID of the corresponding lighting device 300. For example, the image 601 is an image composed near the region 311 and explicitly showing the ID, 1, of the lighting device 300 represented in the region 311. After completing the processing of Step S 113, the CPU 11 ends the installation position identification process.
As described above, in this embodiment, the installation position of a first lighting device 300 in a space is identified based on a first captured image generated in a first period during which the first lighting device and the second lighting device among lighting devices 300 are turned on at a first emission intensity, and based on a second captured image generated in a second period during which the first lighting device is turned on at a second emission intensity different from the first emission intensity and the second lighting device 300 is turned on at the first emission intensity, the first period and the second period being consecutive. Here, the time for the first lighting device 300 to shift from the turn-on state at the first emission intensity to the turn-on state at the second emission intensity is relatively short. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the installation positions of lighting devices 300 identified with identification information can promptly be identified.
Moreover, in this embodiment, both the first captured image and the second captured image are images captured while all lighting devices 300 are turned on. Therefore, both the first captured image and the second captured image include image regions representing all lighting devices 300. Therefore, even if the position and angle of the imaging device 200 when the first captured image is generated are deviated from the position and angle of the imaging device 200 when the second captured image is generated, it is easy to align the first captured image with the second captured image.
Moreover, the imaging device 200 may be a device that may be capable of automatic adjustment of the parameters such as the exposure time and gain according to the luminance of an entire image and does not allow the user to adjust those parameters in some cases. Even if such an imaging device 200 is used, in this embodiment, the luminance of the entire first captured image and the luminance of the entire second captured image are not significantly different; therefore, no inconvenience occurs. The reason is that the only difference between the first captured image and the second captured image in this embodiment is whether all lighting devices 300 are turned on at a first emission intensity or only one lighting device 300 is turned on at a second emission intensity and all other lighting devices 300 are turned on at the first emission intensity. Here, as possible inconvenience, for example, automatic adjustment of the parameters may prevent proper comparison of luminance between the first captured image and the second captured image.
Moreover, in this embodiment, the position, in the space, corresponding to an image region having the largest difference in luminance between the first captured image and the second captured image is identified as the installation position. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the installation positions of lighting devices 300 identified with identification information can promptly and precisely be identified.

(Embodiment 2)

In Embodiment 1, a single image region representing a lighting device 300 is identified each time a MAC address is selected. In the present disclosure, for example, after all image regions each representing one of all lighting devices 300 are identified, each time a MAC address is selected, an association between the MAC address and an image region may be identified. The processing different from Embodiment 1 is described hereafter.
The controller 102 controls the lighting devices 300 via the network 400 using multiple pieces of identification information to cause the lighting devices 300 to be turned on at a third emission intensity in a third period. The third emission intensity is, for example, the maximum emission intensity of the lighting devices 300. In such a case, the imaging device 200 generates a third captured image by capturing an image of the space in the third period. Moreover, the acquirer 103 acquires the third captured image generated by the imaging device 200.
Then, the identifier 104 identifies candidate regions representing the lighting devices 300 in the third captured image. Moreover, the identifier 104 identifies a candidate region having the largest difference between the average luminance of the first captured image and the average luminance of the second captured image among the identified candidate regions. Then, the identifier 104 identifies the position, in the space, corresponding to the identified candidate region as the installation position.
The installation position identification process executed by the installation position identification device 100 is described next with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 11. The installation position identification process starts when, for example, the installation position identification device 100 is powered on.
First, the CPU 11 acquires all MAC addresses (Step S201). After completing the processing of Step S201, the CPU 11 starts capturing images (Step S202).
After completing the processing of Step S202, the CPU 11 causes all lighting devices 300 to be turned on at a third emission intensity (Step S203). The third emission intensity is, for example, the maximum emission intensity (100%). For example, the CPU 11 transmits, via the network interface 17, to all lighting devices 300 a control signal including an instruction to emit light at a third emission intensity.
After completing the processing of Step S203, the CPU 11 acquires a third captured image (Step S204). For example, the CPU 11 acquires a third captured image from the imaging device 200 via the serial communication interface 18. The CPU 11 stores the acquired third captured image in the flash memory 14.
After completing the processing of Step S204, the CPU 11 identifies all candidate regions (Step S205). The candidate regions are regions on the third captured image that presumably represent the lighting devices 300. The candidate regions are identified by, for example, the above-described grouping. Specifically, the CPU 11 identifies on the third captured image an image region that is a set of pixels of which the luminance is equal to or higher than a threshold. The twenty lighting devices 300 turned on at the maximum emission intensity (100%) are represented on the third captured image. Therefore, twenty candidate regions of which the luminance is higher than the surroundings are identified on the third captured image.
After completing the processing of Step S205, the CPU 11 generates an installation positions map from the identified candidate regions (Step S206). The installation positions map is, for example, a map explicitly showing the identified candidate regions on a captured image (for example, the third captured image). Alternatively, the installation positions map may be a map simply showing in how many rows and how many columns all lighting devices 300 are installed.
After completing the processing of Step S206, the CPU 11 causes all lighting devices 300 to be turned on at the first emission intensity (Step S207). After completing the processing of Step S207, the CPU 11 acquires a first captured image (Step S208). After completing the processing of Step S208, the CPU 11 selects one MAC address (Step S209). After completing the processing of Step S209, the CPU 11 causes a first lighting device (the lighting device 300 having the selected MAC address) to be turned on at the second emission intensity (Step S210). After completing the processing of Step S210, the CPU 11 acquires a second captured image (Step S211).
After completing the processing of Step S211, the CPU 11 identifies a candidate region having the most changed luminance among the candidate regions (Step S212). For example, the CPU 11 identifies a candidate region having the highest average luminance among twenty candidate regions as the candidate region having the most changed luminance.
After completing the processing of Step S212, the CPU 11 identifies the installation position from the identified candidate region (Step S213). After completing the processing of Step S213, the CPU 11 associates the MAC address with the installation position (Step S214). After completing the processing of Step S214, the CPU 11 causes the first lighting device (the lighting device 300 having the selected MAC address) to be turned on at the first emission intensity (Step S215).
After completing the processing of Step S215, the CPU 11 determines whether all MAC addresses are selected (Step S216). If the CPU 11 determines that not all MAC addresses are selected (Step S216; NO), the CPU 11 returns the processing to Step S209. Then, the CPU 11 repeats the processing of Steps S209 to S216 until the second captured image is acquired for all MAC addresses.
On the other hand, if the CPU 11 determines that all MAC addresses are selected (Step S216; YES), the CPU 11 presents the installation positions of all lighting devices 300 (Step S217). For example, the CPU 11 controls the touch screen 16 to present an image 530 shown in FIG. 12.
The image 530 is a simplified drawing showing the twenty lighting devices 300 arranged in four rows and five columns. The image 530 is an image including images 701, 702, 703, 704, 705, 706, 707, 708, 709, 710, 711, 712, 713, 714, 715, 716, 717, 718, 719, and 720 (hereinafter referred to as images 701 to 720) indicating the positional relationship of the twenty lighting devices 300. The images 701 to 720 are each an image indicating the relative positional relationship to each other on the image 530 and explicitly showing the ID and the MAC address of the corresponding lighting device 300. For example, the image 701 is an image explicitly showing that the lighting device 300 placed in the first row and first column has an ID of 1 and a MAC address of 66667777. After completing the processing of Step S217, the CPU 11 ends the installation position identification process.
As described above, in this embodiment, candidate regions representing lighting devices 300 are identified in a third captured image acquired in a third period during which the lighting devices 300 are turned on at a third emission intensity, and the position, in the space, corresponding to a candidate region having the largest difference between the average luminance of the first captured image and the average luminance of the second captured image among the identified candidate regions is identified as the installation position. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the installation positions of lighting devices 300 identified with identification information can promptly and precisely be identified.
Moreover, in this embodiment, the third emission intensity is set to the maximum emission intensity (100%) of lighting devices 300. Therefore, according to this embodiment, image regions representing respective lighting devices 300 are obviously higher in luminance than the surrounding regions and those image regions are unlikely to be misidentified. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the installation positions of lighting devices 300 identified with identification information can promptly and precisely be identified.

(Modified Embodiments)

Embodiments of the present disclosure are described above. Various modes of modifications and applications are available in implementing the present disclosure.
In the present disclosure, which part of the configuration, function, and operation described in Embodiments 1 and 2 is to use may optionally be determined. Moreover, in the present disclosure, besides the configuration, function, and operation described in Embodiments 1 and 2, additional configuration, function, or operation may be employed. Moreover, the configuration, function, and operation described in Embodiments 1 and 2 can freely be combined.
In Embodiment 1, the first emission intensity is 50% of the maximum emission intensity and the second emission intensity is the maximum emission intensity by way of example. In the present disclosure, the first emission intensity and the second emission intensity can be any emission intensity other than 0% of the maximum emission intensity. However, the difference between the first emission intensity and the second emission intensity is preferably equal to or larger than a predetermined threshold (for example, several tens percentage).
Moreover, the first emission intensity may be higher than the second emission intensity. In such a case, for example, in Embodiment 2, the processing of Steps S207 and S208 can be omitted by setting the first emission intensity and the third emission intensity to the maximum emission intensity and the second emission intensity to 50% of the maximum emission intensity.
In Embodiment 1, the first lighting device is one of lighting devices 300 and the second lighting devices are all remaining lighting devices except for the first lighting device among the lighting devices 300. In the present disclosure, the second lighting devices may be some lighting devices selected from among all remaining lighting devices except for the first lighting device among the lighting devices 300. In such a case, for example, it is preferable that third lighting devices that are neither the first lighting device nor the second lighting devices among the lighting devices 300 are turned off both in the first period and in the second period. Also with such a configuration, the second lighting devices emit light at the first emission intensity in the first period and in the second period, whereby the installation position of the first lighting device can properly be identified.
In Embodiment 1, the positions of lighting devices 300 are identified based on the first captured image and the second captured image by way of example. In the present disclosure, the positions of lighting devices 300 may be identified based on the second captured image. In such a case, in Embodiment 2, twenty candidate regions are identified from the second captured image by a similar method to the method of identifying twenty candidate regions from the third captured image. Then, a candidate region having the highest average luminance among the twenty candidate regions is identified as a region representing the lighting device 300 having the selected MAC address. Then, the regions representing respective twenty lighting devices 300 are identified based on the twenty second captured images.
It is possible to make an existing personal computer or information terminal function as the installation position identification device 100 according to the present disclosure by applying operation programs defining the operation of the installation position identification device 100 according to the present disclosure to the personal computer or the like.
Moreover, the programs can be distributed by any method and may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium such as a compact disk read only memory (CD-ROM), digital versatile disk (DVD), and memory card for distribution, or distributed via a communication network such as the Internet.
The foregoing describes some example embodiments for explanatory purposes. Although the foregoing discussion has presented specific embodiments, persons skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. This detailed description, therefore, is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the invention is defined only by the included claims, along with the full range of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.

Industrial Applicability

The present disclosure is applicable to installation position identification systems identifying the installation positions of lighting devices identified with identification information.

Reference Signs List

11 CPU
12 ROM
13 RAM
14 Flash memory
15 RTC
16 Touch screen
17 Network interface
18 Serial communication interface
100 Installation position identification device
101 Storage
102 Controller
103 Acquirer
104 Identifier
105 Presenter
106 Collector
200 Imaging device
300 Lighting device
311,312,313,314,315,321,322,323,324,325,331,332,333,334,335,341,342,343, 344, 345 Region
400 Network
500,510,520,530,601,602,603,604,605,606,607,608,609,610,611,612,613,614, 615, 616, 617, 618, 619, 620, 701, 702, 703, 704, 705, 706, 707, 708, 709, 710, 711, 712, 713, 714, 715, 716, 717, 718, 719, 720 Image
1000 Installation position identification system

Claims

An installation position identification device, comprising:
a storage configured to store multiple pieces of identification information for identifying, on a network, lighting devices installed in a space;

a controller configured to control the lighting devices via the network using the multiple pieces of identification information to cause
in a first period, a first lighting device and a second lighting device among the lighting devices to be turned on at a first emission intensity, and

in a second period, the first lighting device to be turned on at a second emission intensity different from the first emission intensity, and the second lighting device to be turned on at the first emission intensity, the first period and the second period being consecutive;

an acquirer configured to acquire
a first captured image generated in the first period by capturing of an image of the space, and

a second captured image generated in the second period by capturing of an image of the space; and

an identifier configured to identify an installation position of the first lighting device in the space based on the first captured image and the second captured image.
The installation position identification device according to claim 1, wherein
the identifier is configured to identify as the installation position a position, in the space, corresponding to an image region having a largest difference in luminance between the first captured image and the second captured image.
The installation position identification device according to claim 1, wherein
the controller is configured to control the lighting devices via the network using the multiple pieces of identification information to cause the lighting devices to be turned on at a third emission intensity in a third period,
the acquirer is configured to acquire a third captured image generated in the third period by capturing of an image of the space, and
the identifier is configured to identify candidate regions representing the respective lighting devices in the third captured image and to identify as the installation position a position, in the space, corresponding to a candidate region having a largest difference between an average luminance of the first captured image and an average luminance of the second captured image among the identified candidate regions.
The installation position identification device according to claim 3, wherein
the third emission intensity is a maximum emission intensity of the lighting devices.
An installation position identification method, comprising:
a collection step of collecting, by a collector, multiple pieces of identification information for identifying, on a network, lighting devices installed in a space;

a control step of controlling, by a controller, the lighting devices via the network using the multiple pieces of identification information to cause
in a first period, a first lighting device and a second lighting device among the lighting devices to be turned on at a first emission intensity, and

in a second period, the first lighting device to be turned on at a second emission intensity different from the first emission intensity, and the second lighting device to be turned on at the first emission intensity, the first period and the second period being consecutive;

an acquisition step of acquiring, by an acquirer,
a first captured image generated in the first period by capturing of an image of the space, and

a second captured image generated in the second period by capturing of an image of the space; and

an identification step of identifying, by an identifier, an installation position of the first lighting device in the space based on the first captured image and the second captured image.
A program allowing a computer including a storage that stores multiple pieces of identification information for identifying, on a network, lighting devices installed in a space to function as:
a controller configured to control the lighting devices via the network using the multiple pieces of identification information to cause
in a first period, a first lighting device and a second lighting device among the lighting devices to be turned on at a first emission intensity, and

in a second period, the first lighting device to be turned on at a second emission intensity different from the first emission intensity, and the second lighting device to be turned on at the first emission intensity, the first period and the second period being consecutive;

an acquirer configured to acquire
a first captured image generated in the first period by capturing of an image of the space, and

a second captured image generated in the second period by capturing of an image of the space; and

an identifier configured to identify an installation position of the first lighting device in the space based on the first captured image and the second captured image.