Patent Publication Number: US-2022221180-A1

Title: Control system

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a Continuation of PCT International Application No. PCT/JP2020/036088, filed on Sep. 24, 2020, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(a) to Patent Application No. 2019-180833, filed in Japan on Sep. 30, 2019, all of which are hereby expressly incorporated by reference into the present application. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a control system. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     Conventionally, a control device controls operation of an air conditioner based on air conditioning operation information associated with a terminal having a highest priority among terminals determined to exist within an effective range (Patent Literature 1 (Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. JP 2017-150702 A)). 
     SUMMARY 
     A control system according to a first aspect is a control system that controls an air conditioner that air-conditions an air conditioning target area using a detection value of a biometric sensor worn by a user. The control system according to the first aspect includes a first acquisition part, a first determination part, and a second determination part. The first acquisition part acquires first information related to a distance between a reference point of an air conditioning target area and the biometric sensor. The first determination part determines whether to use the detection value of the biometric sensor for controlling the air conditioner based on the first information and a determination criterion. The second determination part determines the determination criterion. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a conceptual diagram of an air conditioning target area. 
         FIG. 2  is a functional block diagram of a control system. 
         FIG. 3  is a flowchart of the control system. 
         FIGS. 4A and 4B  are examples of the air conditioning target area. 
         FIGS. 5A and 5B  are examples of control of an air conditioner. 
         FIG. 6  is a functional block diagram of the control system. 
         FIG. 7A  is a flowchart of the control system. 
         FIG. 7B  is a flowchart of the control system. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     First Embodiment 
     (1) Overall Configuration 
       FIG. 1  is a conceptual diagram of an air conditioning target area  101 . The air conditioning target area  101  is a space including an air conditioner  10 . A user  3   a  wearing a biometric sensor  2   a  and a user  3   b  wearing a biometric sensor  2   b  are present in the air conditioning target area  101 . The air conditioner  10  is controlled using detection values of the biometric sensors  2   a  and  2   b  worn by the users  3   a  and  3   b , respectively, being present in the air conditioning target area  101 . 
     A space  102  is separated from the air conditioning target area  101  by a door  4  and is outside the air conditioning target area  101  of the air conditioner  10 . A user  3   c  having a biometric sensor  2   c  is present in the space  102 . A detection value of the biometric sensor  2   c  worn by the user  3   c  being present in the space  102  is not used for controlling the air conditioner  10 . 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a control system  100  according to the present embodiment. The control system  100  includes the air conditioner  10 , a wearable sensor (biometric sensor)  20 , and a remote controller  30 . 
     The control system  100  according to the present embodiment controls the air conditioner  10  that air-conditions the air conditioning target area  101  using a detection value of the wearable sensor  20  worn by the user. The user uses the remote controller  30  to input information related to a size of the air conditioning target area  101  in which the air conditioner  10  is installed or the like. 
     (2) Detailed Configuration 
     (2-1) Air Conditioner  10   
     The air conditioner  10  is an air conditioner having functions of cooling, heating, dehumidifying, and humidifying. The air conditioner  10  controls the air conditioning target area  101  using the detection value of the wearable sensor  20  worn by the user. 
     The air conditioner  10  includes a control unit  60 . 
     (2-1-1) Control Unit  60   
     The control unit  60  is achieved by a computer. The control unit  60  includes a control calculation unit and a storage unit. The control calculation unit may be a processor such as a CPU or a GPU. The control calculation unit reads a program stored in the storage unit and executes predetermined image processing or calculation processing in accordance with the program. The control calculation unit can write a calculation result to the storage unit and read information stored in the storage unit in accordance with the program.  FIG. 2  illustrates various function blocks achieved by the control calculation unit. The storage unit can be used as database. 
     The control unit  60  includes a first acquisition part  12 , a first determination part  14 , a second determination part  16 , and a second acquisition part  18 . 
     The first acquisition part  12  acquires radio wave intensity between the air conditioner  10  and the wearable sensor  20  as first information. The first information is a parameter related to a distance between a reference point of the air conditioning target area  101  and the wearable sensor  20 . 
     The first determination part  14  determines whether the wearable sensor  20  is located in the air conditioning target area  101  based on the first information and a determination criterion. The first determination part  14  determines whether to use the detection value of the wearable sensor  20  for controlling the air conditioner  10  based on the first information as radio wave information between the reference point of the air conditioning target area  101  and the wearable sensor  20  and the determination criterion. 
     The second determination part  16  determines a determination criterion based on information from the second acquisition part  18 . Here, the determination criterion is a threshold value related to the first information. 
     The second acquisition part  18  acquires information manually input by the user using the remote controller  30 . In the control system  100 , the manually input information is information related to the size of the air conditioning target area  101  in which the air conditioner  10  is installed. 
     (2-2) Biometric Sensor  20   
     In the control system  100  according to the present embodiment, the biometric sensor  20  is a wearable sensor. The air conditioner  10  receives a radio wave from the wearable sensor  20  worn by the user. 
     (2-3) Remote Controller  30   
     The remote controller  30  is a remote controller of the air conditioner  10 . The remote controller  30  bidirectionally communicates with the air conditioner  10 . The remote controller  30  includes a display  32  and an input part  34 . 
     The display  32  displays options for allowing the user to manually input the information related to the size of the air conditioning target area  101 . 
     The input part  34  allows the user to manually input the information related to the size of the air conditioning target area  101 . 
     (3) Overall Operation 
       FIG. 3  is a flowchart of the control system  100 . 
     First, in step S 12 , the second acquisition part  18  acquires the information related to the size of the air conditioning target area  101  manually input from the input part  34  of the remote controller  30 . 
       FIG. 4  is an example of the air conditioning target area  101 . Upon determination of a reachable range of the air conditioner  10  in the air conditioning target area  101 , options such as a large room and a small room are prepared in advance and manually selected by the user. For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 4( a ) , an area included in a range of a radius of 15 m from an installation location of the air conditioner  10  is set as a large room, and as illustrated in  FIG. 4( b ) , an area included in a range of a diameter of 5 m from the installation location of the air conditioner  10  is set as a small room. Options related to a size of the room (the size of the air conditioning target area  101 ) are displayed on the display  32  of the remote controller  30 . The user uses the input part  34  of the remote controller  30  to select the size of the air conditioning target area  101  from the options displayed on the display  32 . 
     The second determination part  16  determines a determination criterion based on the information related to the size of the air conditioning target area  101  (step S 14 ). 
     The first acquisition part  12  acquires the radio wave intensity between the air conditioner  10  and the wearable sensor  20  as the first information (step S 16 ). 
     Next, in step S 18 , based on the first information acquired in step  16  and the determination criterion determined in step S 14 , the first determination part  14  determines whether the wearable sensor  20  is located in the air conditioning target area  101 . 
     When the first determination part  14  estimates that the wearable sensor  20  is located in the air conditioning target area  101  (Yes in step S 18 ), the air conditioner  10  is controlled using the detection value of the wearable sensor  20  (step S 20 ). 
     When the first determination part  14  estimates that the wearable sensor  20  is not located in the air conditioning target area  101  (No in step S 18 ), the processing returns to step S 16 . 
     Next, a case where a plurality of users are present in the air conditioning target area  101  will be described. 
     Upon determination of whether to use the detection values of the wearable sensors  20  worn by the plurality of users for controlling the air conditioner  10 , the first determination part  14  determines that the detection values of the wearable sensors  20  worn by the plurality of users are not used for controlling the air conditioner  10  when all the users move and positions of the wearable sensors  20  worn by the plurality of users are changed from an inside of the air conditioning target area  101  to an outside of the air conditioning target area  101 . After the positions of all the wearable sensors  20  connected to the air conditioner  10  are changed from an inside of the air conditioning target area  101  to an outside of the air conditioning target area  101  by the movement of the plurality of users, the operation of the air conditioner  10  is stopped or suppressed. 
     (4) Characteristics 
     (4-1) 
     The control system  100  according to the present embodiment is a control system that controls the air conditioner  10  that air-conditions the air conditioning target area  101  using the detection value of the wearable sensor  20  worn by the user. The control system  100  according to the present embodiment includes the first acquisition part  12 , the first determination part  14 , and the second determination part  16 . The first acquisition part  12  acquires the first information related to the distance between the reference point of the air conditioning target area  101  and the wearable sensor  20 . The first determination part  14  determines whether to use the detection value of the wearable sensor  20  for controlling the air conditioner  10  based on the first information and the determination criterion. The second determination part  16  determines the determination criterion. 
     In the control system  100 , the air-conditioning control is more appropriately performed when the detection value of the wearable sensor  20  worn by the user is used for controlling the air conditioner  10 . In the control system  100 , by determining the determination criterion for determining whether to use the detection value of the wearable sensor  20  worn by the user for the air conditioning control, the air conditioner  10  can be controlled using biometric information of the user regardless of the size of the air conditioning target area  101 . 
     (4-2) 
     In the control system  100  according to the present embodiment, the first determination part  14  determines whether the wearable sensor  20  is located in the air conditioning target area  101  based on the first information and the determination criterion. 
     In the control system  100 , when the wearable sensor  20  is located in the air conditioning target area  101 , the detection value of the wearable sensor  20  can be used for controlling the air conditioner  10 . 
     (4-3) 
     In the control system  100  according to the present embodiment, the first acquisition part  12  acquires the radio wave intensity between the air conditioner  10  and the wearable sensor  20  as the first information. 
     In the control system  100 , the radio wave intensity can be used for determining whether to use the detection value of the wearable sensor  20  for controlling the air conditioner  10 . 
     (4-4) 
     The control system  100  according to the present embodiment further includes the second acquisition part  18  that acquires manually input information. The manually input information includes at least one of the information related to the size of the air conditioning target area  101  or the information related to the distance from the reference point of the air conditioning target area  101 , and the second determination part  16  determines the determination criterion based on the information from the second acquisition part  18 . 
     In the control system  100 , initial setting of control of the air conditioner  10  can be performed by manually inputting information. 
     (4-5) 
     The control system  100  according to the present embodiment further includes an automatic measurement part that automatically measures the size or the shape of the air conditioning target area  101 , and the second determination part  16  determines the determination criterion based on a measurement result by the automatic measurement part. 
     In this control system, the size or the shape of the air conditioning target area  101  can be automatically measured to determine the determination criterion. 
     (4-6) 
     In the control system  100  according to the present embodiment, upon determination of whether to use the detection values of the wearable sensors  20  worn by the plurality of users for controlling the air conditioner  10 , the first determination part  14  determines that the detection values of the wearable sensors  20  are not used for controlling the air conditioner  10  when the positions of the wearable sensors  20  are changed from an inside of the air conditioning target area  101  to an outside of the air conditioning target area  101 . 
     In the control system  100 , the air-conditioning control is more appropriately performed when the detection values of the wearable sensors  20  worn by the plurality of users are used for controlling the air conditioner  10 . 
     (4-7) 
     In the control system  100  according to the present embodiment, after the positions of all the biometric sensors connected to the air conditioner  10  are changed from an inside of the air conditioning target area  101  to an outside of the air conditioning target area  101 , the operation of the air conditioner  10  is stopped or suppressed. 
     In the control system  100 , energy can be saved by stopping or suppressing the operation of the air conditioner  10 . 
     (4-8) 
     In the control system  100  according to the present embodiment, the air conditioner  10  and the wearable sensor  20  keep connected to each other when the position of the wearable sensor  20  is changed from an inside of the air conditioning target area  101  to an outside of the air conditioning target area  101 . 
     In the control system  100 , even when the user wearing the wearable sensor  20  temporarily moves out of the air conditioning target area  101  and then returns into the air conditioning target area  101 , the detection value of the wearable sensor  20  can be promptly used. 
     (4-9) 
     In the control system  100  according to the present embodiment, when the detection value of the wearable sensor  20  is used in the air conditioning target area  101 , the control of the air conditioner  10  is further changed in accordance with the distance. 
     In the control system  100 , when the positions of some of the plurality of wearable sensors are far from the reference point of the air conditioner, the weighting of the detection values of the wearable sensors far from the reference point is reduced, the weighting of the detection values of the wearable sensors close to the reference point is increased, and the detection values of the wearable sensors can be used for controlling the air conditioner. 
     (5) Modifications 
     (5-1) Modification 1A 
     In the control system  100  according to the present embodiment, upon determination of the reachable range of the air conditioner  10  in the air conditioning target area  101 , the options such as a large room and a small room are prepared in advance and are manually selected by the user. However, the present invention is not limited to this description. Upon determination of the reachable range of the air conditioner  10  in the air conditioning target area  101 , for example, assuming that a room is simply a quadrangle, the user may manually input lengths of four sides of the room, and an installation company may select a position of the air conditioner such as a center, a left corner, or a right corner of a wall. The reachable range of the air conditioner in the air conditioning target area may be defined in association with communication intensity by bordering the room with a smartphone or the wearable sensor held by the user. 
     (5-2) Modification 1B 
     In the control system  100  according to the present embodiment, upon determination of the reachable range of the air conditioner  10  in the air conditioning target area  101 , the options such as a large room and a small room are prepared in advance and are manually selected by the user in the above description. Alternatively, the control system  100  may further include the automatic measurement part that automatically measures the size or the shape of the air conditioning target area  101 . For example, the air conditioner  10  may include a radar sensor, and the shape of the air conditioning target area  101  may be detected using the radar sensor. The size or the shape of the air conditioning target area  101  may be detected by simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) by running a mobile unit into the air conditioning target area  101 . The reachable range of the air conditioner  10  in the air conditioning target area  101  may be defined from the detection result as to whether the user is in the air conditioning target area  101  and Bluetooth (registered trademark) communication intensity at a boundary between an area where the user is present and an area where the user is not present. The reachable range of the air conditioner  10  in the air conditioning target area  101  may be defined by image analysis using an optical sensor. The size of the air conditioning target area  101  estimated from a capability class of the air conditioner  10  and a rate of change in temperature in the air conditioning target area  101  may be assumed to be the reachable range of the air conditioner  10  in the air conditioning target area  101 . 
     (5-3) Modification 1C 
     In the control system  100  according to the present embodiment, when the wearable sensor  20  is located in the air conditioning target area  101 , the detection value of the wearable sensor  20  is used for controlling the air conditioner  10  in the above description. When the position of the wearable sensor  20  is changed from an inside of the air conditioning target area  101  to an outside of the air conditioning target area  101 , the air conditioner  10  and the wearable sensor  20  may keep connected to each other. 
     (5-4) Modification 1D 
     In the control system  100  according to the present embodiment, the detection value of the biometric sensor  20  is used for controlling the air conditioner  10  when the biometric sensor (wearable sensor)  20  is in the air conditioning target area  101  in the above description. When the detection value of the biometric sensor  20  is used in the air conditioning target area  101 , the control of the air conditioner  10  may be further changed in accordance with the distance. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 5( a ) , when the first biometric sensor  20   a  and the second biometric sensor  20   b  are located close to the air conditioner, the detection values of both the first biometric sensor  20   a  and the second biometric sensor  20   b  are used for controlling the air conditioner  10  with the same weighting. For example, when the detection value of the first biometric sensor  20   a  is 25 degrees and the detection value of the second biometric sensor  20   b  is 27 degrees, the air conditioner  10  is controlled to 26 degrees. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 5( b ) , when the first biometric sensor  20   a  is located close to the air conditioner  10  but the second biometric sensor  20   b  is located away from the air conditioner  10 , the weighting of the detection value of the first biometric sensor  20   a  is increased, the weighting of the detection value of the second biometric sensor  20   b  is decreased, and the detection values of the first biometric sensor  20   a  and the second biometric sensor  20   b  are used for controlling the air conditioner  10 . In this case, the weighting of 25 degrees of the detection value of the first biometric sensor  20   a  is increased, and the weighting of 27 degrees of the detection value of second biometric sensor  20   b  is decreased, and thus the air conditioner is controlled to 25.5 degrees. 
     (5-5) Modification 1E 
     In the control system  100  according to the present embodiment, the air conditioner  10  directly receives the radio wave from the wearable sensor  20  in the above description. Alternatively, the air conditioner  10  may receive the radio wave from the wearable sensor  20  via a relay device. 
     Second Embodiment 
     (1) Overall Configuration 
     As shown in  FIG. 6 , a control system  200  according to the present embodiment includes the air conditioner  10 , a biometric sensor  40 , and a server  50 . The air conditioner  10  is connected to the server  50  via a network  90 . The smartphone (biometric sensor)  40  communicates with the server  50 . 
     (2) Detailed Configuration 
     (2-1) Air Conditioner  10   
     The air conditioner  10  is an air conditioner having functions of cooling, heating, dehumidifying, and humidifying. The air conditioner  10  according to the present embodiment air-conditions the air conditioning target area  101  using a detection value of the biometric sensor  40  worn by the user. 
     The air conditioner  10  includes a control unit  60 . Note that, in the control system  200  according to the present embodiment, the configuration of the control unit  60  is basically the same as the configuration of the control system  100 , and thus a detailed description thereof will be omitted. 
     (2-2) Biometric Sensor  40   
     In the control system  200  according to the present embodiment, the biometric sensor  40  is a smartphone. The smartphone  40  includes a GPS  42 , a display  44 , and an input part  46 . 
     The display  44  displays options for allowing the user to manually input the information related to the size of the air conditioning target area  101 . 
     The input part  46  allows the user to manually input the information related to the size of the air conditioning target area  101 . 
     The smartphone  40  communicates with the server  50  to transmit the information input from the input part  46  of the smartphone  40  to the air conditioner  10 . The air conditioner  10  communicates with the server  50  via the network  90 . The smartphone  40  communicating with the server  50  displays the information and the like transmitted from the air conditioner  10  on the display  44 . 
     (3) Overall Operation 
       FIGS. 7A and 7B  are flowcharts of the control system  200 . 
     First, in step  32 , the second acquisition part  18  acquires the information related to the size of the air conditioning target area  101  manually input from the input part  46  of the smartphone  40 . 
     The second determination part  16  determines a determination criterion based on the information related to the size of the air conditioning target area  101  (step S 34 ). 
     The first acquisition part  12  acquires a position of the reference point of the air conditioning target area  101  by the GPS  42  (step S 36 ). The first acquisition part  12  acquires a position of the smartphone  40  by the GPS  42  (step S 38 ). 
     The first acquisition part  12  acquires, as the first information, distance information between the reference point of the air conditioning target area  101  and the smartphone  40  based on the information on the position of the reference point of the air conditioning target area  101  and the position of the smartphone  40  (step S 40 ). 
     Next, in step S 42 , based on the first information acquired in step S 40  and the determination criterion determined in step S 34 , the first determination part  14  determines whether the smartphone  40  is located in the air conditioning target area  101 . 
     When the first determination part  14  estimates that the smartphone  40  is located in the air conditioning target area  101  (Yes in step S 40 ), the air conditioner is controlled using the detection value of the smartphone  40  (step S 42 ). 
     When the first determination part  14  estimates that the smartphone  40  is not located in the air conditioning target area  101  (No in step S 40 ), the processing returns to step S 36 . 
     (4) Characteristics 
     (4-1) 
     In the control system  200  according to the present embodiment, the first acquisition part  12  acquires the position of the reference point of the air conditioning target area  101  and the position of the biometric sensor  40  and thus acquires the distance information between the reference point of the air conditioning target area  101  and the biometric sensor  40  as the first information. 
     In the control system  200 , the position information by the GPS  42  can be used for determining whether to use the detection value of the biometric sensor  40  for controlling the air conditioner  10 . 
     (5) Modifications 
     (5-1) Modification 2A 
     The modifications 1A to 1D described in the first embodiment are similarly applied to the control system  200  according to the present embodiment. 
     (5-2) Modification 2B 
     The embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above. Various modifications to modes and details should be available without departing from the object and the scope of the present disclosure recited in the claims. 
     REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 
     
         
         
           
               100 ,  200 : control system 
               101 : air conditioning target area 
               10 : air conditioner 
               2   a ,  2   b ,  2   c ,  20   a ,  20   b : biometric sensor 
               20 : wearable sensor (biometric sensor) 
               3   a ,  3   b ,  3   c : user 
               20   a : first biometric sensor 
               20   b : second biometric sensor 
               30 : remote controller 
               32 ,  44 : display 
               34 ,  46 : input part 
               40 : smartphone (biometric sensor) 
               42 : GPS 
               50 : server 
               52 : storage unit 
               90 : network 
               12 : first acquisition part 
               14 : first determination part 
               16 : second determination part 
               18 : second acquisition part 
           
         
       
    
     CITATION LIST 
     Patent Literature 
     
         
         Patent Literature 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. JP 2017-150702 A