HK40040932B - Controller and air-conditioning system - Google Patents

Description

Controller and air conditioning system

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a controller for controlling an air conditioner and an air conditioning system.

Background

Patent document 1 discloses an example of a conventional air conditioner. The air conditioner described in patent document 1 obtains a deviation between a temperature detected by a sensor and a temperature at a user's position based on a position of a remote controller (hereinafter, referred to as a remote controller), the user's position, and a temperature detected by the sensor attached to the remote controller, and performs air conditioning so that the temperature at the user's position reaches a target temperature.

Documents of the prior art

Patent document

Patent document 1: japanese laid-open patent publication No. 1-302051

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

The air conditioner described in patent document 1 performs air conditioning using a temperature detected by a sensor attached to a remote controller. Therefore, there are problems as follows: if the difference between the user's position and the remote controller's position becomes large, the error between the actual temperature of the user's position and the target temperature that is the temperature desired by the user becomes large.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to obtain a controller capable of controlling an air conditioner so that a difference between an actual temperature and a target temperature at a user position is reduced.

Means for solving the problems

In order to solve the above problems and achieve the object, a controller according to the present invention includes: a floor map information holding unit that holds floor map information indicating the positions of a plurality of sensor terminals provided in a room air-conditioned by an air conditioner; and a user registration information holding unit that holds user registration information including 1 st identification information indicating a user who is likely to stay in the room, and position information indicating a stay position of the user when the user stays in the room. Further, the controller includes: a user information acquisition unit that acquires, from a user terminal used by a user, user information including 2 nd identification information indicating the user who is using the user terminal and target temperature information; and an air-conditioning control unit that, when a user who is using the user terminal is present in the room, controls the air-conditioning apparatus such that the temperature detected by 1 of the plurality of sensor terminals located close to the user in the room approaches the target temperature indicated by the target temperature information, based on the floor map information, the user registration information, and the user information.

Effects of the invention

The controller of the present invention has an effect of controlling the air conditioner so that the difference between the actual temperature and the target temperature at the user position is reduced.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of an air conditioning system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the arrangement of each device constituting the air conditioning system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the controller shown in fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a diagram showing information transmitted and received between the controller of the embodiment and another device constituting the air conditioning system.

Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a communication sequence between the controller of the embodiment and another device constituting the air conditioning system.

Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the setting terminal according to the embodiment.

Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the user terminal according to the embodiment.

Fig. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a temperature distribution screen displayed when the user terminal of the embodiment receives temperature distribution information.

Fig. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the 1 st operation performed by the controller according to the embodiment.

Fig. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the 2 nd operation performed by the controller according to the embodiment.

Fig. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of the 1 st operation performed by the sensor terminal according to the embodiment.

Fig. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of the 2 nd operation performed by the sensor terminal according to the embodiment.

Fig. 13 is a diagram showing an example of hardware for implementing the controller according to the embodiment.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, a controller and an air conditioning system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to the embodiment.

Detailed description of the preferred embodiments

Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of an air conditioning system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The air conditioning system 1 of the present embodiment includes a setting terminal 2, a user terminal 3, a controller 4, sensor terminals 5a, 5b, and 5c, and an equipment 20. The equipment 20 in the present embodiment is an air conditioner. In the following description, when it is not necessary to distinguish the sensor terminals 5a, 5b, and 5c, for example, when the description is made about the matters common to the sensor terminals 5a, 5b, and 5c, they are described as the sensor terminals 5. Fig. 1 shows an example in which 3 sensor terminals 5 constituting the air conditioning system 1 are provided, but a plurality of sensor terminals 5 may be provided. That is, the number of the sensor terminals 5 constituting the air conditioning system 1 may be 2, or 4 or more.

As shown in fig. 1, the setting terminal 2 and the controller 4 are connected by wireless communication L1. In addition, the user terminal 3 and the controller 4 are connected by wireless communication L2. The plurality of sensor terminals 5 are each connected to the controller 4 through wireless communication L3. The equipment machine 20 and the controller 4 are connected by wired communication L4. Further, the equipment device 20 and the controller 4 may be connected by wireless communication. The plurality of sensor terminals 5 may be connected to the controller 4 by wired communication. Further, a plurality of setting terminals 2 may be connected to the controller 4. Similarly, a plurality of user terminals 3 may be connected to the controller 4. A plurality of the equipment machines 20 may be connected to the controller 4.

The setting terminal 2 is operated by a constructor 7 of the equipment machine 20. The setting terminal 2 is used when the constructor 7 performs necessary initial setting or the like before starting the operation of the equipment 20 and the sensor terminals 5. The setting terminal 2 is a notebook-sized personal computer, tablet terminal, smartphone, or the like, and includes an input unit that receives an operation from the constructor 7, a display unit that displays a menu screen or the like when receiving an operation from the constructor 7, and the like.

The user terminal 3 is operated by a user 8. The user terminal 3 is used when the user performs setting of the device 20, operation of the device 20, and the like. One of the user terminals 3 is carried by the user 8, and is operated by the user 8 when the user needs to operate the device apparatus 20. I.e. the user terminal 3 is used by the same user 8. The user terminal 3 is a smartphone or the like, and includes an input unit that receives an operation from the user 8, a display unit that displays a menu screen or the like when receiving the operation from the user 8, and the like.

The controller 4 controls the operation of the equipment machine 20 based on the detection result of the sensor terminal 5. Since the equipment 20 of the present embodiment is an air conditioner, the controller 4 instructs the equipment 20 to start operation, end operation, adjust temperature, adjust humidity, adjust air volume, adjust wind direction, and the like.

The sensor terminal 5 has at least a function of measuring a temperature, and transmits a measurement value indicating the measured temperature to the controller 4. The sensor terminal 5 is realized by hardware including a temperature sensor and a wireless communication device, for example. The sensor terminal 5 may also have a function of measuring humidity or the like in addition to temperature.

As described above, the equipment machine 20 is an air conditioner, and performs air conditioning of a room in which the air conditioning system 1 is installed in accordance with an instruction from the controller 4.

Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the arrangement of each device constituting the air-conditioning system 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention. In the example shown in fig. 2, indoor units 20a and 20b of an air conditioner, which correspond to the equipment 20 shown in fig. 1, are installed on the ceiling of a room 6 in which the air conditioner is performing air conditioning, and the controller 4 is installed on the wall of the room 6. The sensor terminals 5a, 5b, and 5c are dispersedly disposed in the room 6 in a state separated from each other to some extent. The room 6 is, for example, a company office, and the user position 21 when the user is in the room is assumed to be predetermined.

Fig. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the controller 4 shown in fig. 1. The controller 4 includes a control unit 60 and a storage unit 70. The control unit 60 includes a setting information acquisition unit 61, a user registration information acquisition unit 62, a user information acquisition unit 63, a measurement value acquisition unit 64, a temperature distribution information generation unit 65, and an air conditioning control unit 66. The storage unit 70 includes a floor map information holding unit 71, a user registration information holding unit 72, a connection setting information holding unit 73, and a user information holding unit 74. The controller 4 may further include a display unit that displays the operation state of the equipment 20, the connection state of the setting terminal 2, the connection state of the user terminal 3, the connection state of the sensor terminal 5, and the like, and an input unit that receives operations by the constructor 7 and the user 8.

The setting information acquiring unit 61 acquires setting information of the air conditioning system 1 from the setting terminal 2 shown in fig. 1. The setting information of the air conditioning system 1 includes floor map information indicating the positions of the equipment devices 20 and the sensor terminals 5, and connection setting information that is information for wirelessly connecting the controller 4 to the sensor terminals 5. When the arrangement of each device constituting the air-conditioning system 1 is the arrangement shown in fig. 2, the floor map information indicates at which position in the room 6 the indoor units 20a, 20b and the sensor terminals 5a, 5b, 5c are installed. The connection setting information includes identification information of the sensor terminal 5, information of a channel to be used, and the like.

The user registration information acquisition section 62 acquires, from the user terminal 3 shown in fig. 1, user registration information that is information relating to a user who is likely to stay in a room air-conditioned by the air conditioning system 1. The user registration information is information that the user 8 needs to register in the controller 4 in advance using the user terminal 3, and includes identification information of the user 8 and position information of the user 8. The position information of the user 8 is information indicating a staying position of the user 8 when the user 8 is in a room air-conditioned by the air-conditioning system 1. The identification information of the user 8 may be information uniquely indicating the user 8. For example, when the air conditioning system 1 is used in a company office, the employee number of the user 8 may be used as the identification information of the user 8. The identification information of the user 8 included in the user registration information is the 1 st identification information indicating a user who is likely to stay in the room air-conditioned by the air conditioner.

The user information acquiring unit 63 acquires user information, which is information related to the user 8 who is using the user terminal 3, from the user terminal 3 shown in fig. 1. The user information includes at least identification information of the user 8 who is using the user terminal 3 and target temperature information. The identification information of the user 8 included in the user information is the 2 nd identification information indicating the user 8 who is using the user terminal 3. The user information may also include other information. The other information includes information on target humidity, information on air volume, information on wind direction, and the like.

The measurement value acquisition unit 64 acquires a measurement value indicating a measurement result of the sensor terminal 5 from the sensor terminal 5.

The temperature distribution information generating unit 65 generates temperature distribution information indicating a state of the temperature in the room air-conditioned by the air-conditioning system 1. The temperature distribution information generating unit 65 transmits the temperature distribution information to the user terminal 3 connected to the controller 4.

The air conditioning control unit 66 instructs the equipment 20, which is an air conditioner, to operate.

The floor map information holding unit 71 holds the floor map information acquired by the setting information acquiring unit 61.

The user registration information holding unit 72 holds the identification information and the position information of the user 8 acquired by the user registration information acquiring unit 62.

The connection setting information holding unit 73 holds the connection setting information acquired by the setting information acquiring unit 61.

The user information holding unit 74 holds the user information acquired by the user information acquiring unit 63.

Fig. 4 is a diagram showing information transmitted and received between the controller 4 of the embodiment and another device constituting the air conditioning system 1. As shown in fig. 4, the setting terminal 2 transmits setting information 9 including floor map information and connection setting information to the controller 4. The user terminal 3 sends user registration information 10 and user information 11 to the controller 4. The sensor terminal 5 sends the measured value 12 to the controller 4. The controller 4 sends temperature distribution information 13 to the user terminal 3.

Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a communication sequence between the controller 4 of the embodiment and another device constituting the air-conditioning system 1.

The sequence 101 shown in fig. 5 is a communication sequence between the setting terminal 2 and the controller 4, and specifically, a communication sequence in a case where the setting terminal 2 transmits the floor map information and the connection setting information, which are the setting information of the air conditioning system 1, to the controller 4.

The constructor 7 operates the setting terminal 2 to input necessary information (step S111). The setting terminal 2 generates floor map information and connection setting information in accordance with the operation of the constructor 7, and transmits the floor map information and the connection setting information to the controller 4 (step S112). Upon receiving the floor map information and the connection setting information, the controller 4 transmits information indicating that the information has been normally received to the setting terminal 2 (step S113). The setting terminal 2 notifies the constructor 7 of the completion of the transmission of the floor map information and the connection setting information to the controller 4 (step S114).

A sequence 102 shown in fig. 5 is a 1 st communication sequence between the user terminal 3 and the controller 4, and specifically, a communication sequence in a case where the user terminal 3 transmits user registration information including identification information and location information of the user 8 to the controller 4.

The user 8 operates the user terminal 3 to input necessary information (step S121). The user terminal 3 generates user registration information in accordance with the operation of the user 8, and transmits the user registration information to the controller 4 (step S122). Upon receiving the user registration information, the controller 4 transmits information indicating that the information has been normally received to the user terminal 3 (step S123). The user terminal 3 notifies the user 8 that the transmission of the user registration information to the controller 4 has been completed (step S124).

The sequence 103 shown in fig. 5 is a communication sequence between the sensor terminal 5 and the controller 4.

The sensor terminal 5 transmits a connection signal to the controller 4 (step S131). The connection signal is a signal transmitted to confirm whether or not the sensor terminal 5 is in a state in which it can communicate with the controller 4, that is, whether or not the wireless connection is being maintained. The sensor terminal 5 periodically transmits a connection signal. Upon receiving the connection signal, the controller 4 transmits a connection request signal to the sensor terminal 5 as the transmission source of the connection signal (step S132). Upon receiving the connection request signal, the sensor terminal 5 transmits a connection response signal containing information indicating that the information has been normally received to the controller 4 (step S133), and confirmation of the connection state of the sensor terminal 5 with the controller 4 is completed. When the sensor terminal 5 is connected, the controller 4 periodically transmits a signal requesting a measurement value to the sensor terminal 5 (step S134). In this step S134, the controller 4 transmits a signal requesting a measurement value to all the connected sensor terminals 5. When receiving the signal requesting the measurement value, the sensor terminal 5 transmits the measurement value to the controller 4 (step S135).

The sequence 104 shown in fig. 5 is a 2 nd communication sequence between the user terminal 3 and the controller 4, and specifically, a communication sequence in a case where the user terminal 3 transmits user information, which is information related to the user 8, to the controller 4.

When the user 8 enters the room 6 shown in fig. 2, for example, an operation for setting user information to the controller 4 is performed on the user terminal 3 (step S141). The user terminal 3 generates user information including user identification information and target temperature information in accordance with the operation of the user 8, and transmits the user information to the controller 4 (step S142). When receiving the user information, the controller 4 transmits information indicating that the information has been normally received to the user terminal 3 (step S143). The user terminal 3 notifies the user 8 that the transmission of the user information to the controller 4 has been completed (step S144).

Next, the operation of each device constituting the air conditioning system 1 will be described with reference to a flowchart.

The operation of the setting terminal 2 will be described. Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the setting terminal 2 according to the embodiment. The operation shown in fig. 6 is started when the constructor 7 operates the setting terminal 2.

The setting terminal 2 confirms whether the operation of the constructor 7 is a setting operation of the air conditioning system 1, that is, whether an operation for starting the setting of the air conditioning system 1 is performed by the constructor 7 (step S11). If the operation of the constructor 7 is not the setting operation of the air conditioning system 1 (no in step S11), the setting terminal 2 ends the operation. When the operation of the constructor 7 is the setting operation of the air conditioning system 1 (yes in step S11), the setting terminal 2 acquires the position information of the air conditioner as the equipment 20, the position information of the sensor terminal 5, and the connection setting information of the sensor terminal 5 (step S12). The position information of the air conditioner indicates the position of the indoor unit in which the air conditioner is installed. In step S12, the setting terminal 2 receives input of position information indicating the installation position of the indoor unit of the air conditioner and input of position information indicating the installation position of the sensor terminal 5, and then receives input of information necessary for wirelessly connecting the sensor terminal 5 to the controller 4. When receiving input of position information indicating installation positions of the indoor units and the sensor terminals 5, the setting terminal 2 displays a schematic diagram of a room 6 in which the indoor units and the sensor terminals 5 are installed, and causes a constructor to select a position on the schematic diagram to acquire the position information indicating the installation positions of the indoor units and the sensor terminals 5. The data of the schematic diagram of the room 6 may be held by the setting terminal 2, or the data of the schematic diagram of the room 6 may be held by the controller 4, and the setting terminal 2 may acquire the data of the schematic diagram from the controller 4 as necessary. The setting terminal 2 may receive data input of a schematic diagram of the room 6 from the constructor 7.

In step S12, the setting terminal 2 may acquire the position information and the connection setting information for the plurality of sensor terminals 5. When acquiring the position information of the indoor unit, the position information of the sensor terminal 5, and the connection setting information, the setting terminal 2 generates floor map information including the position information of the indoor unit and the sensor terminal 5. Then, the setting terminal 2 transmits 4 the floor map information and the connection setting information of the sensor terminal 5 to the controller as the setting information of the air conditioning system 1 (step S13).

The operation of the user terminal 3 will be described. Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the user terminal 3 according to the embodiment. The operation shown in fig. 7 is started when the user 8 operates the user terminal 3.

The user terminal 3 confirms whether the operation of the user 8 is a setting operation of the user registration information, that is, whether an operation for starting the setting of the user registration information is performed by the user 8 (step S21). When the operation of the user 8 is the setting operation of the user registration information (YES in step S21), the user terminal 3 acquires the user registration information (step S27). As described above, the user registration information includes identification information and position information of the user 8. The user terminal 3 displays a menu screen for accepting input of identification information of the user 8 on the display unit, for example, and acquires the identification information of the user 8 by inputting the identification information to the user 8. The user terminal 3 displays, for example, a schematic diagram of the room 6, and allows the user 8 to select a position on the schematic diagram, thereby acquiring information on a position where the user 8 stays while being in the room. The information of the position where the user 8 stays in the room is the position information of the user 8. Further, the data of the schematic diagram of the room 6 may be held by the user terminal 3, or the data of the schematic diagram of the room 6 may be held by the controller 4, and the user terminal 3 acquires the data of the schematic diagram from the controller 4 as needed. When acquiring the user registration information, the user terminal 3 transmits the user registration information to the controller 4 (step S28).

If the operation of the user 8 is not the setting operation of the user registration information (no in step S21), the user terminal 3 confirms whether or not the operation is the setting operation of the user information, that is, whether or not the operation for starting the setting of the user information is performed by the user 8 (step S22). When the operation of the user 8 is not the setting operation of the user information (no in step S22), the user terminal 3 ends the operation. When the operation of the user 8 is a setting operation of the user information (YES in step S22), the user terminal 3 acquires the user information (step S23). As described above, the user information includes identification information of the user 8 and target temperature information. The user terminal 3, for example, displays a menu screen for accepting input of identification information of the user 8 on the display unit, and causes the user 8 to input the identification information, thereby acquiring the identification information of the user 8. The user terminal 3 displays, for example, a menu screen for accepting an input of a target temperature desired by the user 8 on the display unit, and acquires target temperature information by inputting the target temperature to the user 8. When the user information is acquired, the user terminal 3 transmits the user information to the controller 4 (step S24). The menu screen for accepting an input of a target temperature desired by the user 8 may be configured to input the target temperature numerically, or may be configured to prepare operation buttons for causing the user 8 to select a feeling of the user 8, such as "hot" and "cold", and to input the target temperature abstractly by an operation of the operation buttons. In this case, when an operation button such as "hot" is operated, the user terminal 3 transmits, to the controller 4, user information including target temperature information indicating that the target temperature is to be lowered by a preset numerical value. When an operation button such as "cold" is operated, the user terminal 3 transmits, to the controller 4, user information including target temperature information indicating that the target temperature is to be increased by a preset value.

After transmitting the user information, the user terminal 3 receives the temperature distribution information transmitted from the controller 4 that received the user information (step S25), and updates the display of the display unit based on the received temperature distribution information (step S26). Fig. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a temperature distribution screen displayed when the user terminal 3 according to the embodiment receives temperature distribution information. Upon receiving the temperature distribution information, the user terminal 3 switches the display of the display unit to, for example, the temperature distribution display 30 shown in fig. 8. After transmitting the user information in step S24, the user terminal 3 may periodically transmit a signal requesting transmission of the temperature distribution information to the controller 4, and may perform the temperature distribution display 30 based on the content of the received temperature information every time the temperature distribution information is received. In this case, the user terminal 3 may transmit the same user information as the user information transmitted in step S24 as a signal requesting transmission of the temperature distribution information.

Further, when the user terminal 3 receives the operation of the user 8 and executes step S23, the acquired user information is held, and then, even when there is no user operation, when a specific condition is satisfied, steps S24 to S26 are executed to display the temperature distribution. Here, the specific condition is, for example, a case where the current time is between the 1 st time and the 2 nd time preset by the user 8. In this case, the user terminal 3 may acquire the information of the 1 st time and the 2 nd time in addition to the user information in step S23. For example, when the room 6 in which the air conditioning system 1 is installed is a company office, the user 8 sets the scheduled-to-work time as the 1 st time and the scheduled-to-work time as the 2 nd time to the user terminal 3, and the user terminal 3 periodically executes steps S24 to S26 between the 1 st time and the 2 nd time. Thus, the user 8 can instruct the controller 4 to set the ambient temperature of the user to the target temperature without operating the user terminal 3 while the user is in the room 6. As another example, the user terminal 3 may acquire the location information of the terminal by using, for example, a GPS (Global Positioning System), and periodically execute steps S24 to S26 when the distance between the terminal and the location previously specified by the user 8 is equal to or less than a threshold value. In this case, the user 8 designates in advance a stay position in a case where the air conditioning system 1 is installed in the room 6, and can instruct the controller 4 to bring the ambient temperature of itself to the target temperature without operating the user terminal 3 while in the room 6.

The operation of the controller 4 will be described with reference to fig. 9 and 10. Fig. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the 1 st operation performed by the controller 4 according to the embodiment. The 1 st operation shown in fig. 9 is started periodically, that is, every time a predetermined time elapses. Fig. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the 2 nd operation performed by the controller 4 according to the embodiment. The action 2 shown in fig. 10 starts when the controller 4 receives a signal.

The operation shown in fig. 9 will be described. When the preset time elapses, the controller 4 confirms whether the sensor terminal 5 is connected (step S31). When steps S131 to S133 of the sequence 103 shown in fig. 5 have been executed with all the registered sensor terminals 5, the controller 4 determines that the sensor terminals 5 are connected. The registered sensor terminal 5 is the sensor terminal 5 in which the connection setting information is held by the connection setting information holding unit 73. When the sensor terminal 5 is not connected (no in step S31), the controller 4 ends the operation.

When the sensor terminal 5 is connected (YES in step S31), the controller 4 acquires a measurement value from the sensor terminal 5 (step S32). Further, in the case where there are a plurality of connected sensor terminals 5, the controller 4 acquires measurement values from all the connected sensor terminals 5. Then, the controller 4 confirms whether the user 8 is in the room (step S33). For example, when the controller 4 receives user information of the registered user 8 during a certain period of time in the past, it determines that the user 8 is in the room. The certain time is, for example, 1 minute. Here, the registered user 8 refers to the user 8 whose user registration information is held by the user registration information holding unit 72. That is, when receiving the user information of the registered user 8, the controller 4 determines that the user 8 indicated by the identification information included in the received user information is present in the room. Further, after receiving the user information of the registered user 8, if a certain time has elapsed without receiving the same user information of the user 8, the controller 4 determines that the user 8 indicated by the identification information included in the user information that has not been received is absent. That is, when a certain time has elapsed since the last reception of the user information of the registered user 8 without receiving the user information of the same user 8, the controller 4 determines that the user 8 indicated by the identification information included in the user information that has not been received is not present in the room. The user information acquiring unit 63 determines whether or not the user 8 is in the room based on the reception state of the user information, for example. In this case, the user information acquisition unit 63 notifies the air conditioning control unit 66 of the result of the determination as to whether the user 8 is in the room.

The controller 4 controls the air conditioner based on the measurement value acquired from the sensor terminal 5 of the user 8 in the closest proximity to the room in the case where the user 8 is in the room (step S33: yes) (step S34). Specifically, the air conditioning control unit 66 of the controller 4 controls the equipment 20 as an air conditioner so that the detected temperature indicated by the measured value obtained from the sensor terminal 5 closest to the position indicated by the position information of the user 8 in the room is close to the temperature indicated by the target temperature information included in the user information of the user 8 in the room. For example, when the difference between the 1 st temperature and the 2 nd temperature is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold value, the air conditioning control unit 66 instructs the equipment 20 to bring the 1 st temperature close to the 2 nd temperature, the 1 st temperature being a temperature indicated by the measurement value acquired from the sensor terminal 5 closest to the position of the user 8 in the home room, and the 2 nd temperature being a temperature indicated by the target temperature information included in the user information of the user 8 in the home room. The threshold used at this time may be changed according to the distance from the position of the user 8 to the sensor terminal 5 closest to the position of the user 8. For example, the threshold value is increased when the distance is short, and is decreased when the distance is long. When there are a plurality of users 8 in the room, the air conditioning control unit 66 controls the equipment devices 20 for each user 8 so that the measurement value obtained from the sensor terminal 5 closest to the user 8 approaches the temperature indicated by the target temperature information corresponding to the user 8.

If the user 8 is not in the room (no in step S33), the controller 4 controls the air conditioner based on the measurement value acquired from the sensor terminal 5 set in advance (step S35). In this case, the air conditioning control unit 66 of the controller 4 controls the equipment 20 such that the measured values obtained from 1 or more sensor terminals 5 specified in advance by the constructor 7 approach the temperature set as the default value, for example.

The operation shown in fig. 10 will be described. Upon receiving the signal, the controller 4 confirms whether or not the setting information of the air conditioning system 1 is received (step S41). When the controller 4 receives the setting information of the air conditioning system 1 (yes in step S41), the floor map information and the connection setting information of the sensor terminal 5 included in the received setting information are stored in the storage unit 70 (steps S46 and S47). The floor map information is held by the floor map information holding unit 71, and the connection setting information of the sensor terminal 5 is held by the connection setting information holding unit 73.

If the setting information of the air conditioning system 1 is not received (no in step S41), the controller 4 confirms whether or not the user registration information is received (step S42). When the controller 4 receives the user registration information (yes in step S42), the received user registration information is stored in the storage unit 70 (step S48). The user registration information is held by the user registration information holding section 72.

If the user registration information is not received (no in step S42), the controller 4 confirms whether the user information is received (step S43). When the user information is received (yes in step S43), the controller 4 stores the received user information in the storage unit 70 (step S49). The user information is held by the user information holding unit 74. After storing the user information, the controller 4 generates temperature distribution information and transmits the temperature distribution information to the user terminal that is the transmission source of the user information (step S50). The temperature distribution information generating unit 65 generates and transmits temperature distribution information. The temperature distribution information generating unit 65 generates temperature distribution information based on the user position information indicated by the identification information included in the received user information, the measurement values acquired from the sensor terminals 5, and the floor map information. The temperature distribution information includes, for example, position information of the indoor unit of the air conditioner, position information of each sensor terminal 5, measurement values obtained from each sensor terminal 5, position information of the user 8, and information of a schematic diagram of the room 6 in which the indoor unit and each sensor terminal 5 are installed.

If the user information is not received (no in step S43), the controller 4 confirms whether a connection signal is received from the sensor terminal 5 (step S44). When receiving the connection signal from the sensor terminal 5 (yes in step S44), the controller 4 connects to the sensor terminal 5 that is the transmission source of the connection signal (step S45). In step S45, the controller 4 transmits a connection request signal to the sensor terminal 5 and connects to the sensor terminal 5.

If the controller 4 does not receive a connection signal from the sensor terminal 5 (no in step S44), the operation is terminated.

The order in which the controller 4 executes steps S41 to S44 may be reversed. When the order of steps S41 to S44 is changed, the controller 4 makes the next determination if the 1 st to 3 rd executed steps are determined to be "no", and ends the operation if the determination of the 4 th executed step is "no". If it is determined as yes in each of these steps, the controller 4 executes the step corresponding to the content of the received signal.

The operation of the sensor terminal 5 will be described with reference to fig. 11 and 12. Fig. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of the 1 st operation performed by the sensor terminal 5 according to the embodiment. The 1 st action shown in fig. 11 is started when the sensor terminal 5 receives a signal. Fig. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of the 2 nd operation performed by the sensor terminal 5 according to the embodiment. The action 2 shown in fig. 12 is started when the sensor terminal 5 is activated.

The operation shown in fig. 11 will be described. Upon receiving the signal, the sensor terminal 5 confirms whether or not the measurement value acquisition request is received (step S61). When the sensor terminal 5 does not receive the measurement value acquisition request (no in step S61), it confirms whether or not the connection request is received (step S63). If the sensor terminal 5 does not receive the connection request (no in step S63), the operation is terminated. When receiving the measurement value acquisition request (yes in step S61), the sensor terminal 5 transmits the measurement value to the controller 4 (step S62). When receiving the connection request (yes in step S63), the sensor terminal 5 transmits a connection response to the controller 4 (step S64).

The operation shown in fig. 12 will be described. The sensor terminal 5 checks whether or not the connection signal transmission timing is set, that is, whether or not the preset 1 st time has elapsed since the previous transmission of the connection signal (step S71). If the timing is not the transmission timing of the connection signal (no in step S71), the sensor terminal 5 checks whether or not the timing is the acquisition timing of the measurement value, that is, whether or not the preset 2 nd time has elapsed since the last acquisition of the measurement value (step S72). If the timing is not the acquisition timing of the measurement value (no in step S72), the sensor terminal 5 returns to step S71.

When the timing is the connection signal transmission timing (yes in step S71), the sensor terminal 5 transmits a connection signal to the controller 4 (step S74), and returns to step S71. When it is the timing of acquiring the measurement value (yes in step S72), the sensor terminal 5 acquires and holds the measurement value (step S73), and returns to step S71.

Next, a hardware configuration of the controller 4 of the present embodiment will be explained. Fig. 13 is a diagram showing an example of hardware for realizing the controller 4 according to the embodiment. The controller 4 can be realized by the processor 201, the memory 202, the display device 203, and the communication interface 204 shown in fig. 13.

The Processor 201 is a CPU (Central Processing Unit, also referred to as a Central Processing Unit, a Processing device, an arithmetic device, a microprocessor, a microcomputer, a Processor, a DSP (Digital Signal Processor)), or the like. The Memory 202 may be a nonvolatile or volatile semiconductor Memory such as a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), or a flash Memory. The display device 203 is a liquid crystal panel or the like. The display device 203 may be a touch panel in which an input device and a display device are integrated. The communication interface 204 is a processing circuit for transmitting and receiving signals to and from the setting terminal 2, the user terminal 3, the sensor terminal 5, and the equipment device 20.

The control unit 60 of the controller 4 is realized by a processor 201 and a communication interface 204. That is, the setting information acquisition unit 61, the user registration information acquisition unit 62, the user information acquisition unit 63, the measured value acquisition unit 64, the temperature distribution information generation unit 65, and the air conditioning control unit 66 of the control unit 60 are realized by the processor 201 executing programs for operating these units and transmitting and receiving information to and from an external device using the communication interface 204. Programs for operating as the setting information acquisition unit 61, the user registration information acquisition unit 62, the user information acquisition unit 63, the measurement value acquisition unit 64, the temperature distribution information generation unit 65, and the air conditioning control unit 66 are stored in advance in the memory 202. The processor 201, by reading out and executing the above-described programs from the memory 202, operates as the setting information acquisition unit 61, the user registration information acquisition unit 62, the user information acquisition unit 63, the measurement value acquisition unit 64, the temperature distribution information generation unit 65, and the air conditioning control unit 66.

The storage section 70 of the controller 4 is implemented by a memory 202. That is, the floor map information holding unit 71, the user registration information holding unit 72, the connection setting information holding unit 73, and the user information holding unit 74 of the storage unit 70 are realized by the memory 202.

Further, the display device 203 shown in fig. 13 is used in a case where the controller 4 displays the operating state of the equipment machine 20, or the like.

As described above, in the air-conditioning system 1 of the present embodiment, the controller 4 holds floor map information indicating the position of the indoor unit of the air-conditioning apparatus and the positions of the plurality of sensor terminals 5, and position information indicating the position at which the user 8 stays in the room when the user 8 is present in the room, and controls the air-conditioning apparatus based on the measurement value of the sensor terminal 5 closest to the user 8 when the user 8 is present in the room. Specifically, the controller 4 controls the air conditioner so that the measurement value obtained from the sensor terminal 5 closest to the registered stay position of the user 8 approaches the target temperature set by the user 8. This can suppress an increase in the error between the temperature set by the user 8 and the actual temperature at the stop position of the user 8, and can improve the comfort. Further, since the controller 4 acquires and holds the stay position of the user when the user is in the room from the user terminal 3 in advance, the control is simplified, and the processing load can be reduced.

In the controller 4 of the present embodiment, the air conditioning control unit 66 controls the air conditioner based on the measurement value of the sensor terminal 5 closest to the user 8, but may control the air conditioner based on the measurement values of 1 or more sensor terminals 5 whose distance from the user 8 is a certain value or less. For example, the air conditioning control unit 66 may control the air conditioner so that the average value of the measurement values of 1 or more sensor terminals 5 having a distance from the user 8 of a certain value or less approaches the target temperature. The air conditioning control unit 66 may calculate an estimated value of the temperature at the stay position of the user 8 based on the measured values of 1 or more sensor terminals 5 having a distance from the user 8 of a predetermined value or less, and control the air conditioner so that the calculated estimated value approaches the target temperature.

The configuration described in the above embodiment is an example of the contents of the present invention, and may be combined with other known techniques, and a part of the configuration may be omitted or modified within a range not departing from the gist of the present invention.

Description of the reference numerals

1 an air conditioning system; 2, setting a terminal; 3, a user terminal; 4, a controller; 5a, 5b, 5c sensor terminals; 6, rooms; 7, constructors; 8, users; 9 setting information; 10 user registration information; 11 user information; 12 measured values; 13 temperature distribution information; 20a, 20b indoor units; 21 the location of the user; 60 a control unit; 61 setting information acquisition part; 62 a user registration information acquisition unit; 63 a user information acquisition unit; a 64 measured value acquisition unit; 65 a temperature distribution information generating unit; 66 an air conditioning control unit; 70 a storage part; 71 a floor map information holding unit; 72 a user registration information holding unit; 73 connecting the setting information holding part; 74 user information holding part.

Claims (8)

1. A controller is provided with:

a floor map information holding unit that holds floor map information indicating the positions of a plurality of sensor terminals provided in a room air-conditioned by an air conditioner;

a user registration information holding unit that holds user registration information including 1 st identification information indicating a user who is likely to stay in the room, and position information indicating a stay position of the user when the user stays in the room;

a user information acquisition unit that acquires user information including 2 nd identification information indicating the user who uses the user terminal and target temperature information from a user terminal used by the user; and

and an air-conditioning control unit that, when the user using the user terminal is present in the room, selects 1 sensor terminal closest to a location where the user stays based on the floor map information and the user registration information, and controls the air-conditioning apparatus so that a temperature detected by the selected sensor terminal approaches a target temperature indicated by the target temperature information.

2. The controller of claim 1,

the air conditioning control unit controls the air conditioner so that the detected temperature reaches the target temperature when a difference between the detected temperature and the target temperature is equal to or greater than a threshold value, the threshold value being determined based on a distance between a location where the user stays and a sensor terminal selected by the air conditioning control unit, the detected temperature being detected by the sensor terminal closest to a location of the user using the user terminal.

3. The controller according to claim 1 or 2, wherein,

the controller includes a temperature distribution information generating unit that generates temperature distribution information indicating a state of the temperature in the room based on the 2 nd identification information, the floor map information, and the user registration information, and transmits the temperature distribution information to the user terminal.

4. The controller according to claim 1 or 2, wherein,

the position information held by the user registration information holding unit indicates a position predetermined by the user.

5. The controller according to claim 1 or 2, wherein,

the user information acquiring unit determines that the user who is using the user terminal is in the room when the user information is received, and determines that the user who is using the user terminal is not in the room when a predetermined time has elapsed since the user information was received last time.

6. An air conditioning system is provided with:

the controller of any one of claims 1 to 5;

an air conditioner that operates in accordance with an instruction from the controller;

a plurality of sensor terminals provided in the room, measuring temperatures and transmitting the measured values of the temperatures to the controller; and

and a user terminal that accepts input of the user information from the user and transmits the user information to the controller.

7. The air conditioning system of claim 6,

the user terminal has a function of accepting an abstract designation of the target temperature by the user.

8. The air conditioning system of claim 6,

the user terminal has a function of accepting an abstract specification of the target temperature by the user,

the user information includes target temperature information indicating that the target temperature is to be decreased by a preset value when the abstract specification includes a term indicating hot, and includes target temperature information indicating that the target temperature is to be increased by a preset value when the abstract specification includes a term indicating cold.