JP2020120288A - Air conditioning system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent deterioration of usability of a user. An air conditioner system includes an air conditioner, an adapter 3 for controlling the air conditioner, a server device 5 that communicates with the adapter 3 by a first communication method, and a second communication method different from the first communication method. It includes a communication terminal 7 that communicates with the adapter 3. When the adapter 3 is communicating with the server device 5, the adapter 3 does not communicate with the communication terminal 7. The communication terminal 7 transmits a first interruption request signal to the server device 5 when the adapter 3 is communicating with the server device 5. When the server device 5 receives the first interruption request signal, the server device 5 interrupts the communication by the first communication method. [Selection diagram] FIG. 5

Description

The present disclosure relates to air conditioning systems.

There is known an air conditioner that displays an error on the display unit of the remote controller when an error occurs in communication between the air conditioner body and the remote controller (Patent Document 1).

JP2012-149852A

There is known an air conditioner that can perform an air conditioning operation using a learning model generated by performing AI learning of a driving history and can be operated by a communication terminal such as a smartphone. Such an air conditioner is provided with an adapter for communicating with a server device for AI learning and a communication terminal. When the communication method of communication between the adapter and the server device and the communication method of communication between the adapter and the communication terminal are different, when the adapter is communicating with one of the server device and the communication terminal, It may not be possible to communicate with the other. There is a problem that the user does not understand the reason why the air conditioner cannot be operated using the communication terminal when the communication between the communication terminal and the adapter cannot be performed, and the user's usability is impaired.

The disclosed technology has been made in view of the above points, and an object thereof is to provide an air conditioning system that prevents a reduction in the usability of the user.

An air conditioning system according to an aspect of the embodiment includes an air conditioner, an adapter that controls the air conditioner, a server device that communicates with the adapter by a first communication method, and a second communication that is different from the first communication method. And a communication terminal that communicates with the adapter according to a method. The adapter does not communicate with the communication terminal when the adapter is communicating with the server device. The communication terminal transmits a first interruption request signal to the server device while the adapter is communicating with the server device. When the server device receives the first interruption request signal, the server device interrupts communication according to the first communication method.

The disclosed air conditioning system can prevent the user's feeling of use from decreasing.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the air conditioning system of the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the adapter. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the server device. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the communication terminal. FIG. 5: is a flowchart which shows an example of operation|movement of the air conditioning system regarding remote control of an air conditioner.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the air conditioning system disclosed in the present application will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The disclosed technology is not limited to the embodiments. In addition, each of the embodiments described below may be appropriately modified within a range that does not cause a contradiction.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the air conditioning system 1 of the present embodiment. The air conditioning system 1 illustrated in FIG. 1 includes an indoor unit 2, an adapter 3, a router 4, a server device 5, a relay device 6, a communication terminal 7, and a communication network 8.

The indoor unit 2 is, for example, a part of an air conditioner that is placed indoors and that heats or cools the air in the room. The user of the indoor unit 2 can remotely operate the indoor unit 2 by operating the remote controller 9. The indoor unit 2 has a main body 2A and a control unit 2B that controls the main body 2A. The main body 2A is provided with an indoor fan and an indoor heat exchanger, and the room air that has exchanged heat with the refrigerant in the indoor heat exchanger is blown out from the main body 2A to perform heating, cooling, dehumidification, etc. of the room. Be seen. The outdoor unit (not shown) is equipped with an outdoor fan and a compressor. The communication terminal 7 is a terminal device such as a user's smartphone.

The adapter 3 has a communication function of connecting the indoor unit 2 and the router 4 by wireless communication, and a control function of controlling the indoor unit 2 by AI. The adapter 3 is arranged for each indoor unit 2. The router 4 is an access point device that connects the adapter 3 and the communication network 8 by wireless communication using, for example, a WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network). The communication network 8 is, for example, a communication network such as the Internet. The server device 5 has a function of generating an AI learning model for controlling the indoor unit 2, a database for storing operation history data, and the like. The server device 5 is arranged in, for example, a data center. The relay device 6 has a function of connecting to the communication network 8 by communication and also connecting to the server device 5 by communication. The relay device 6 transmits from the adapter 3 to the server device 5 the operation history data and the like used for generating or updating the learning model applied to the indoor unit 2 via the communication network 8. The relay device 6 also transmits the learning model generated or updated by the server device 5 to the adapter 3 via the communication network 8. The relay device 6 is arranged, for example, in a data center or the like.

The relay device 6 has a first relay section 6A, a second relay section 6B, and a third relay section 6C. The first relay unit 6A transmits various data related to AI control between the adapter 3 and the server device 5. The first relay unit 6A transmits the operation history data and the like used for generating or updating the learning model received from the adapter 3 to the server device 5 via the communication network 8, and at the same time, the learning model generated or updated by the server device 5 is transmitted. Is transmitted to the adapter 3 via the communication network 8. The second relay unit 6B acquires the operating conditions of the indoor unit 2 (the operating mode such as cooling/heating and the set temperature) set by the user using the communication terminal 7 from the place where the indoor unit 2 uses. Send to. The third relay unit 6C acquires external data such as a weather forecast from the communication network 8 such as the Internet, and transmits the acquired external data to the server device 5, for example. The third relay unit 6C also transmits external data to the adapter 3 via the communication network 8.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the adapter 3. The adapter 3 illustrated in FIG. 2 includes a first communication unit 11, a second communication unit 12, a storage unit 13, and a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 14. The first communication unit 11 is a communication IF (Interface) such as a UART (Universal Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter) that is communicatively connected to the control unit 2B in the indoor unit 2. The second communication unit 12 is a communication unit such as a communication interface such as a WLAN, which is communicatively connected to the router 4. Information is transmitted and received between the adapter 3 and the server device 5 periodically (for example, every 30 minutes) by the first communication method. As the first communication method, REST (Representational State Transfer) is exemplified. Information is transmitted and received between the communication terminal 7 and the adapter 3 by the second communication method. Unlike the first communication method, the second communication method is a communication method that allows constant communication. WebSocket is exemplified as the second communication method. Further, the second communication unit 12 cannot execute the communication by the second communication method while the communication by the first communication method is being executed, that is, when the communication by the server device 5 is being performed, It is not possible to communicate with the communication terminal 7. The CPU 14 has a processing capability as compared with other CPUs capable of controlling the second communication unit 12 so that the communication by the second communication method is executed while the communication by the first communication method is being executed. Is low and inexpensive.

The storage unit 13 has, for example, a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory), and stores various information such as data and programs. The CPU 14 controls the entire adapter 3.

The CPU 14 has a learning control unit 21, an interruption unit 22, and a command execution unit 23. The learning control unit 21 acquires operation history data from the control unit 2B of the indoor unit 2 via the first communication unit 11, and stores the acquired operation history data in the storage unit 13. The learning control unit 21 transmits the driving history data and the like stored in the storage unit 13 to the server device 5 via the communication network 8. The learning control unit 21 receives the learning model from the server device 5 via the communication network 8 and stores the received learning model in the storage unit 13.

The learning control unit 21 controls the control unit 2B in the indoor unit 2 based on the learning model stored in the storage unit 13. Note that, for convenience of description, the learning control unit 21 exemplifies the case of controlling the control unit 2B in the indoor unit 2 based on the learning model, but the learning control unit 21 uses the learning model to control the body of the indoor unit 2 based on the learning model. 2A may be controlled directly. The learning control unit 21 also transmits the control mode based on the learning model to the control unit 2B. That is, the learning control unit 21 may indirectly control the main body 2A via the control unit 2B, and can be appropriately changed.

When the adapter 3 receives the second interruption request signal transmitted from the server device 5, the interruption unit 22 interrupts communication with the server device 5 and interrupts communication according to the first communication method. When the command signal transmitted from the communication terminal 7 is received by the adapter 3, the command execution unit 23 transmits to the communication terminal 7 a response signal indicating that the adapter 3 has received the command signal. The command execution unit 23, when the command signal transmitted from the communication terminal 7 is received by the adapter 3, executes the operation indicated by the command signal. As its operation, by controlling the air conditioner, the operation of "heating", "cooling", "dehumidifying" or "air blowing" is started, and the operation of "heating", "cooling", "dehumidifying" or "air blowing" Examples include stopping, changing the set temperature and the air volume, and acquiring information such as the room temperature and the electricity rate from the indoor unit 2.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the server device 5. The server device 5 includes a communication unit 31, a storage unit 32, and a CPU 33. The communication unit 31 is a communication IF that is communicatively connected to the relay device 6. The storage unit 32 has, for example, a ROM and a RAM, and stores various information such as data and programs. The CPU 33 has a reception unit 41, a learning unit 42, a transmission unit 43, and an interruption request transfer unit 44.

The receiving unit 41 receives the operation history data from each adapter 3 of the plurality of indoor units 2 via the router 4, the communication network 8 and the relay device 6. The learning unit 42 learns using the driving history data received by the receiving unit 41, and generates or updates the learning model of each indoor unit 2 based on the learning result. The learning unit 42 stores the generated or updated learning model in the storage unit 32. The transmission unit 43 transmits the learning model generated or updated by the learning unit 42 to each adapter 3 via the relay device 6, the communication network 8, and the router 4.

The interruption request transfer unit 44 transmits the second interruption request signal to the adapter 3 when the first interruption request signal transmitted from the communication terminal 7 is received by the server device 5.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the communication terminal 7. The communication terminal 7 is, for example, a smartphone and has a CPU 51 and a storage unit 52. The storage unit 52 stores application software installed in the communication terminal 7, and stores information used by the CPU 51. The CPU 51 controls the entire communication terminal 7 by executing the application software stored in the storage unit 52.

The application software installed in the communication terminal 7 is formed of a plurality of computer programs for causing the communication terminal 7 to realize a plurality of functions, respectively. The CPU 51 has a command transmission unit 54 and an interruption request unit 55 as its functional units. The command transmitting unit 54 transmits the command signal input by operating the communication terminal 7 to the adapter 3.

The interruption requesting unit 55 determines whether or not the response signal transmitted from the adapter 3 has been received by the communication terminal 7 within a predetermined time (for example, 30 seconds) after the command signal is transmitted by the command transmitting unit 54. To do. The suspension request unit 55 determines whether or not the adapter 3 is performing communication according to the first communication method based on whether or not the response signal is received. When the response signal is received, the interruption request unit 55 determines that the adapter 3 is not performing communication according to the first communication method, and when the response signal is not received, communication according to the first communication method is performed by the adapter. 3 determines that it is doing. The interruption requesting unit 55 receives the first response signal when the response signal transmitted from the adapter 3 is not received by the communication terminal 7, that is, when it is determined that the adapter 3 is performing the communication according to the first communication method. The interruption request signal is transmitted to the server device 5.

[Operation of the air conditioning system 1]
The operation of the air conditioning system 1 will be described. The air conditioning system 1 can perform an operation related to AI control of the air conditioner and an operation related to remote operation of the air conditioner.

In the operation related to the AI control of the air conditioner, the adapter 3 acquires the operation history data from the indoor unit 2 at the acquisition timing of the 5-minute cycle, and stores the acquired operation history data in the storage unit 13. The adapter 3 transmits the driving history data for 48 hours of the driving history data stored in the storage unit 13 to the server device 5 by the first communication method every 48 hours. The server device 5 receives the driving history data transmitted from the adapter 3 and stores the driving history data in the storage unit 32. The server device 5 generates a learning model based on the driving history data stored in the storage unit 32, and stores the generated learning model in the storage unit 32. The server device 5 transmits the learning model stored in the storage unit 32 to the adapter 3 via the relay device 6. The adapter 3 receives the learning model transmitted from the server device 5 by the first communication method, and stores the received learning model in the storage unit 13. The adapter 3 controls the control unit 2B of the indoor unit 2 based on the learning model stored in the storage unit 13, and indirectly controls the main body 2A of the indoor unit 2 via the control unit 2B.

In the learning model, for example, the sensible temperature after 5 minutes for the user in the room is predicted according to the operating condition of the air conditioner in each home, and the sensible temperature setting for controlling the air conditioner according to the predicted sensible temperature is set. There is a predictive model. Conventionally, since the air conditioner adjusts the temperature so that the room temperature becomes the target temperature, the temperature change may be uncomfortable to the user. On the other hand, the sensible temperature setting prediction model is used, for example, when adjusting the air conditioner so that the user feels comfortable according to time-series operation history data such as indoor temperature, indoor humidity, and outdoor temperature. The program to execute. For example, an air conditioner is controlled based on a sensible temperature setting prediction model, so that the set temperature of the air conditioner is changed to a temperature different from the temperature set by the user so that the user feels comfortable. It According to such an operation, the air conditioning system 1 controls the air conditioner based on the learning model to appropriately operate the air conditioner so that the user of the air conditioner becomes comfortable. be able to.

FIG. 5: is a flowchart which shows an example of operation|movement of the air conditioning system 1 regarding the remote control of an air conditioner. The user operates the communication terminal 7 to input into the communication terminal 7 an operation that the air conditioner wants to perform. The communication terminal 7 transmits a command signal indicating the input operation to the adapter 3 (step S1). At this time, as shown in steps S2 to S3, the adapter 3 is transmitted from the communication terminal 7 if it is communicating with the server device 5 by the first communication method prior to receiving the command signal from the communication terminal 7. Cannot receive the command signal.

The communication terminal 7 adopts communication by the first communication method when the response signal from the adapter 3 is not received within a predetermined time (for example, 30 seconds) after the command signal is transmitted to the adapter 3. 3 is determined to be performed, and the first interruption request signal is transmitted to the server device 5 (step S4). Upon receiving the first interruption request signal transmitted from the communication terminal 7 (step S5), the server device 5 transmits the second interruption request signal to the adapter 3 (step S6). When the adapter 3 receives the second interruption request signal transmitted from the server device 5 (step S7), the adapter 3 interrupts the communication with the server device 5 and interrupts the communication by the first communication method (step S8). By interrupting the communication according to the first communication method, the adapter 3 can perform the communication according to the second communication method, and can receive the command signal transmitted from the communication terminal 7.

After transmitting the first interruption request signal to the server device 5, the communication terminal 7 again transmits the same command signal as the command signal transmitted in step S1 to the adapter 3 (step S9). The adapter 3 receives the command signal transmitted from the communication terminal 7 because it is not communicating according to the first communication method (step S10). Upon receiving the command signal transmitted from the communication terminal 7, the adapter 3 returns a response signal to the communication terminal 7 (step S11). Upon receiving the response signal transmitted from the adapter 3 (step S12), the communication terminal 7 determines that the command signal has been properly received by the adapter 3. Upon receiving the command signal transmitted from the communication terminal 7, the adapter 3 further controls the air conditioner so that the air conditioner executes the operation indicated by the command signal (step S13).

According to such an operation, the air conditioning system 1 can interrupt the communication between the adapter 3 and the server device 5 even while the adapter 3 is communicating with the server device 5, and the communication terminal 7 The command signal to be transmitted can be received by the adapter 3. Therefore, the air conditioning system 1 enables remote operation of the air conditioner by the communication terminal 7 even during communication between the adapter 3 and the server device 5, and cannot perform remote operation during communication between the adapter 3 and the server device 5. It is possible to prevent the user's feeling of use from decreasing.

[Effects of Air Conditioning System 1 of Example]
The air conditioning system 1 of the embodiment includes an air conditioner, an adapter 3 that controls the air conditioner, a server device 5 that communicates with the adapter 3 by the first communication method, and a second communication method that is different from the first communication method. A communication terminal 7 that communicates with the adapter 3 is provided. When the adapter 3 is communicating with the server device 5, the adapter 3 does not communicate with the communication terminal 7. The communication terminal 7 transmits a first interruption request signal to the server device 5 while the adapter 3 is communicating with the server device 5. When the server device 5 receives the first interruption request signal, the server apparatus 5 interrupts the communication according to the first communication method. At this time, the air conditioning system 1 can interrupt the communication between the adapter 3 and the server device 5 even while the adapter 3 is communicating with the server device 5, and the communication terminal 7 communicates with the adapter 3. Will be able to. Therefore, the air conditioning system 1 enables remote operation of the air conditioner by the communication terminal 7 even during communication between the adapter 3 and the server device 5, and cannot perform remote operation during communication between the adapter 3 and the server device 5. It is possible to prevent the user's feeling of use from decreasing.

Moreover, the server apparatus 5 of the air conditioning system 1 of the embodiment transmits the second interruption request signal to the adapter 3 when receiving the first interruption request signal. When the adapter 3 receives the second interruption request signal, the adapter 3 interrupts the communication according to the first communication method. At this time, the adapter 3 can appropriately interrupt the communication with the server device 5, and therefore, in the air conditioning system 1, during communication between the adapter 3 and the server device 5, the communication terminal 7 communicates with the adapter 3. Can be able to communicate.

By the way, although the adapter 3 of the air conditioning system 1 of the above-described embodiment suspends communication with the server device 5 in response to the second suspension request signal transmitted from the server device 5, the second suspension request is generated. Communication with the server device 5 may be interrupted in response to a trigger other than a signal. For example, the adapter 3 may interrupt the communication with the server device 5 in response to the server device 5 interrupting the communication with the adapter 3, and interrupt the communication according to the first communication method. Also in this case, the air conditioning system 1 can interrupt the communication between the server device 5 and the adapter 3 during the communication between the adapter 3 and the server device 5, and enable the communication between the communication terminal 7 and the adapter 3. can do. Therefore, the air conditioning system 1 enables remote operation of the air conditioner by the communication terminal 7 even while the adapter 3 and the server device 5 are communicating, and the user's feeling of use due to the remote operation by the communication terminal 7 being impossible. It is possible to prevent the decrease.

Moreover, the communication terminal 7 of the air conditioning system 1 of the embodiment transmits a command signal to the adapter 3. When the adapter 3 receives the command signal, the adapter 3 transmits a response signal indicating that the command signal has been received to the communication terminal 7, and controls the air conditioner so that the air conditioner executes the operation indicated by the command signal. To do. The communication terminal 7 transmits the first interruption request signal to the server device 5 when the response signal is not received within a predetermined time after the command signal is transmitted. At this time, the communication terminal 7 can appropriately determine whether or not the adapter 3 is in communication with the server device 5, and thus the air conditioning system 1 communicates between the adapter 3 and the server device 5. It can be interrupted appropriately.

Moreover, the communication terminal 7 of the air conditioning system 1 of the embodiment transmits the command signal again to the adapter 3 after the first interruption request signal is transmitted to the server device 5. At this time, the communication terminal 7 can reliably transmit the command signal to the adapter 3, so that the air conditioning system 1 can reliably remotely operate the air conditioner using the communication terminal 7.

In the air conditioning system 1, the server device 5 causes the AI to learn based on the operation history data collected from the air conditioner to generate a learning model, and the operation of the air conditioner is controlled based on the learning model. However, such control using AI may be omitted. Even if the control using AI is omitted, the server device 5 can prevent the usability of the user from decreasing.

Although the embodiment has been described above, the embodiment is not limited to the contents described above. Further, the components described above include those that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art, those that are substantially the same, and those within the so-called equivalent range. Furthermore, the components described above can be combined appropriately. Furthermore, at least one of various omissions, substitutions, and changes of the constituent elements can be made without departing from the spirit of the embodiment.

1 :Air conditioning system 3 :Adapter 5 :Server device 7 :Communication terminal 22 :Suspension unit 23 :Command execution unit 44 :Suspension request transfer unit 54 :Command transmission unit 55 :Suspension request unit

Claims (4)

An air conditioner,
An adapter for controlling the air conditioner,
A server device that communicates with the adapter by a first communication method;
A communication terminal that communicates with the adapter by a second communication method different from the first communication method,
In the air conditioning system in which the adapter does not communicate with the communication terminal when the adapter is communicating with the server device,
The communication terminal transmits a first interruption request signal to the server device when the adapter is communicating with the server device,
An air conditioning system in which the server device interrupts communication according to the first communication method when receiving the first interrupt request signal. The server device, when receiving the first interruption request signal, transmits a second interruption request signal to the adapter,
The air conditioning system according to claim 1, wherein the adapter suspends communication according to the first communication method when receiving the second suspension request signal. The communication terminal transmits a command signal to the adapter,
When the adapter receives the command signal, the adapter transmits a response signal indicating that the command signal is received to the communication terminal, and the air conditioner executes the operation indicated by the command signal. Control the air conditioner,
The communication terminal transmits the first interruption request signal to the server device when the communication terminal does not receive the response signal after a predetermined time elapses after the command signal is transmitted. The air conditioning system according to claim 2. The air conditioning system according to claim 3, wherein the communication terminal retransmits the command signal to the adapter after the first interruption request signal is transmitted to the server device.

Images