Air conditioner setting assistance system

Abstract

The setting assistance system (1) of the air conditioner determines whether a specified area in a building is an area that requires an air conditioner based on the paper design drawing of the building. The necessity determination system (10) of the air conditioner includes a conversion unit (11), an extraction unit (12), and a determination unit (14). The conversion unit (11) converts the paper design drawing into image data. The extraction unit (12) extracts information of at least one of lines and characters from the image data. The determination unit (14) identifies at least one of the room name and the object based on the information, and determines whether the specified area in the building is an area that requires an air conditioner based on the identification result.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a setting assistance system for an air conditioner. Background Art

[0002] As disclosed in Patent Document 1 (Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2014-10732), there is known an air conditioner design method that automatically roughly divides an air-conditioned area and a non-air-conditioned area on architectural CAD based on top view data and elevation view data. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] When building CAD data can be obtained, air conditioner zoning can be performed automatically. However, when CAD data cannot be obtained and there are paper design drawings, it is necessary to manually determine whether an air conditioner is required in each area of the air-conditioned area. Therefore, it is inefficient to determine whether each area is an area that requires an air conditioner based on paper design drawings.

[0005] Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The setting assistance system for an air conditioner according to a first aspect determines whether a specified area in a building is an area that requires an air conditioner based on a paper design drawing of the building. The setting assistance system for an air conditioner includes a conversion unit, an extraction unit, and a determination unit. The conversion unit converts the paper design drawing into image data. The extraction unit extracts information of at least one of lines and characters from the image data. The determination unit identifies at least one of a room name and an object from the information, and determines whether a specified area in the building is an area that requires an air conditioner based on the identification result.

[0007] In the setting assistance system for an air conditioner according to the first aspect, by converting the paper design drawing into image data, information for determining whether a specified area in the building is an area that requires an air conditioner can be extracted from the image data. Therefore, it is possible to efficiently determine whether a specified area in the building is an area that requires an air conditioner based on the paper design drawing of the building.

[0008] The setting assistance system for an air conditioner according to a second aspect extracts dimension information of a specified area as information from the characters in the image data in the setting assistance system for an air conditioner according to the first aspect. The setting assistance system for an air conditioner further includes a calculation unit that calculates the area and heat load of the specified area based on the dimension information.

[0009] In the setting assistance system for an air conditioner according to the second aspect, the extraction unit extracts the dimension information, so that the area and heat load of the specified area can be calculated by the calculation unit. Therefore, the setting assistance system for an air conditioner can obtain the heat load of the specified area.

[0010] In the air conditioner setting assistance system of the third aspect, in the air conditioner setting assistance system of the second aspect, the air conditioner setting assistance system further includes a calculation unit that calculates the required capacity of the air conditioner based on the heat load calculated by the arithmetic unit.

[0011] In the air conditioner setting assistance system of the third aspect, for a specified area determined by the determination unit to require an air conditioner, the required capacity of the air conditioner can be obtained by the calculation unit. Therefore, an air conditioner to be configured in the specified area can be selected.

[0012] In the air conditioner setting assistance system of the fourth aspect, in the air conditioner setting assistance system of any one of the first to third aspects, an extraction unit extracts window information related to the window of the specified area as information. The determination unit identifies the room name and window information of the specified area to determine whether the area requires an air conditioner.

[0013] In the air conditioner setting assistance system of the fourth aspect, the room name and window information can be considered to determine whether the area requires an air conditioner. Therefore, the accuracy of the determination can be improved.

[0014] In the air conditioner setting assistance system of the fifth aspect, in the air conditioner setting assistance system of any one of the first to fourth aspects, a conversion unit converts the top view as a paper design drawing into image data. An extraction unit extracts floor information for identifying the floor from the characters of the image data of the top view as information. The determination unit associates the floor information with the room name to determine whether the area requires an air conditioner.

[0015] In the air conditioner setting assistance system of the fifth aspect, the floor information of the specified area can be associated with the room name to determine whether the area requires an air conditioner. Therefore, the accuracy of the determination can be improved.

[0016] In the air conditioner setting assistance system of the sixth aspect, in the air conditioner setting assistance system of any one of the first to fifth aspects, the determination unit identifies an air conditioner as an object from the information and determines whether the specified area in the building requires an air conditioner based on the identification result.

[0017] In the air conditioner setting assistance system of the sixth aspect, information on whether an air conditioner was previously configured in the specified area can be obtained. Therefore, the accuracy of the determination can be improved.

[0018] In the air conditioner setting assistance system of the seventh aspect, in the air conditioner setting assistance system of any one of the first to sixth aspects, an object is used to identify the boundary of the specified area.

[0019] In the air conditioner setting assistance system of the seventh aspect, the accuracy of determining the specified area can be improved. Therefore, the accuracy of the determination can be improved.

[0020] In the air conditioner setting assistance system of the eighth aspect, among the air conditioner setting assistance systems of any one of the first to seventh aspects, the object is to calculate the heat load of a specified area.

[0021] In the air conditioner setting assistance system of the eighth aspect, information related to the heat load of a specified area can be obtained. Therefore, the accuracy of judgment can be improved.

[0022] In the air conditioner setting assistance system of the ninth aspect, among the air conditioner setting assistance systems of any one of the first to eighth aspects, the object is at least one of a door, a column, a beam, an elevator, an elevator hall, a chair, a table, a hot water supply device, an entrance, a window, a wall, and a toilet.

[0023] In the air conditioner setting assistance system of the ninth aspect, information related to a specified area can be obtained. Therefore, the accuracy of judgment can be improved.

[0024] The air conditioner setting assistance system of the tenth aspect, among the air conditioner setting assistance systems of any one of the first to ninth aspects, further includes a first storage unit that stores first information associating a room name with whether an air conditioner is required.

[0025] In the air conditioner setting assistance system of the tenth aspect, if a room name is recognized, it is possible to determine whether an air conditioner is required based on the first information in the first storage unit. Therefore, the accuracy of judgment can be improved.

[0026] The air conditioner setting assistance system of the eleventh aspect is the air conditioner setting assistance system of the tenth aspect, and the first storage unit further stores second information associating a room name with a heat load, etc.

[0027] In the air conditioner setting assistance system of the eleventh aspect, if a room name is recognized, the heat load can be calculated based on the second information in the first storage unit according to the recognized room name. Through the calculation unit, the heat load of a specified area can be calculated with high accuracy.

[0028] In the air conditioner setting assistance system of the twelfth aspect, among the air conditioner setting assistance systems of any one of the first to eleventh aspects, the judgment unit demarcates the division and dimension lines of the room based on at least one of the line type and the dimension value, thereby demarcating a specified area.

[0029] In the air conditioner setting assistance system of the twelfth aspect, information related to a specified area can be obtained. Therefore, the accuracy of judgment can be improved.

[0030] The air conditioner setting assistance system of the thirteenth aspect: Among the air conditioner setting assistance systems of any one of the first aspect to the twelfth aspect, the air conditioner setting assistance system is mounted on a server accessible to users.

[0031] In the air conditioner setting assistance system of the thirteenth aspect, it can be easily used by users.

[0032] The air conditioner setting assistance system of the fourteenth aspect: Among the air conditioner setting assistance systems of any one of the first aspect to the thirteenth aspect, it further includes a determination unit and a prompting unit. The determination unit determines the area determined by the judgment unit as the area where an air conditioner is needed as the area where an air conditioner is needed. The prompting unit prompts the configuration of the air conditioner to be installed in the area based on the information related to the area determined by the determination unit as the area where an air conditioner is needed.

[0033] In the air conditioner setting assistance system of the fourteenth aspect, the prompting unit obtains the information related to the area determined by the determination unit as the area where an air conditioner is needed. Based on this information, it can prompt the configuration of the air conditioner to be installed in the specified area. Therefore, it is possible to efficiently prompt the configuration of the air conditioner to be installed in the specified area of the building according to the paper design drawing of the building.

[0034] The air conditioner setting assistance system of the fifteenth aspect: It is the air conditioner setting assistance system of the fourteenth aspect, and further includes a second storage unit that stores a list related to the structures of multiple air conditioners. The prompting unit reads out the list from the second storage unit and further prompts the configuration of the air conditioner selected from the list.

[0035] In the air conditioner setting assistance system of the fifteenth aspect, it is possible to select the air conditioner to be installed in the specified area from the list stored in the second storage unit. Therefore, it is possible to more efficiently prompt the configuration of the air conditioner to be installed in the specified area.

[0036] The air conditioner setting assistance system of the sixteenth aspect: It is the air conditioner setting assistance system of the fifteenth aspect, and the list has the structure related to the past air conditioners in the specified area and the structure related to the prompted air conditioners. The prompting unit calculates the number of the prompted air conditioners according to the structure related to the past air conditioners, and prompts the configuration of the air conditioners based on the calculated number.

[0037] In the air conditioner setting assistance system of the sixteenth aspect, according to the information related to the past air conditioners, it is possible to know the type, horsepower, number, etc. of the air conditioners installed in the area in the past. Therefore, it is possible to calculate the required capacity of the installed air conditioners based on this information. Therefore, if, for example, the type is selected from the newly prompted list of air conditioners, the required horsepower and number of the air conditioners can be calculated. Therefore, even without calculating the heat load of the specified area, it is possible to prompt the number, etc. of the new air conditioners.

[0038] The air conditioner setting assistance system of the seventeenth aspect is the air conditioner setting assistance system of the fifteenth or sixteenth aspect, and the list has information related to the installation distance of the air conditioner. The prompting unit prompts the configuration of the air conditioner based on the installation distance.

[0039] In the air conditioner setting assistance system of the seventeenth aspect, it is possible to consider the installation distance of the air conditioner and prompt the air conditioner to be installed in a specified area.

[0040] The air conditioner setting assistance system of the eighteenth aspect is based on any one of the air conditioner setting assistance systems from the fourteenth to the seventeenth aspects. The determination unit reads the room name from the top view as the paper design drawing as information related to the area. The air conditioner setting assistance system also includes an arithmetic unit that calculates the heat load of the area based on the room name. The prompting unit prompts the configuration of the air conditioner based on the calculated heat load.

[0041] In the air conditioner setting assistance system of the eighteenth aspect, it is possible to prompt the configuration of the air conditioner based on the heat load calculated according to the room name. Therefore, the accuracy of the prompt can be improved.

[0042] The air conditioner setting assistance system of the nineteenth aspect is based on any one of the air conditioner setting assistance systems from the fourteenth to the eighteenth aspects. The determination unit obtains the main body information of the building. The setting assistance system also includes an arithmetic unit that calculates the heat load of the area based on the main body information. The prompting unit prompts the configuration of the air conditioner based on the calculated heat load and the information related to the area.

[0043] In the air conditioner setting assistance system of the nineteenth aspect, it is possible to prompt the configuration of the air conditioner based on the heat load calculated from the main body information. Therefore, the accuracy of the prompt can be improved.

[0044] The air conditioner setting assistance system of the twentieth aspect is based on any one of the air conditioner setting assistance systems from the fourteenth to the nineteenth aspects. The determination unit further obtains information related to the area from at least one of the elevation view of the building and the floor plan of the building. The prompting unit prompts the configuration of the air conditioner based on the information related to the area.

[0045] In the air conditioner setting assistance system of the twentieth aspect, information related to the area is obtained from at least one of the elevation view of the building and the floor plan of the building. Therefore, the accuracy of the configuration can be improved.

[0046] The air conditioner setting assistance system of the twenty - first aspect is based on any one of the air conditioner setting assistance systems from the fourteenth to the twentieth aspects. The prompting unit associates the name of the top view as the paper design drawing with the room name and prompts the configuration of the air conditioner to be installed in the area.

[0047] In the air conditioner setting assistance system of the twenty-first aspect, floor information of a specified area can be obtained based on the name of the top view. By associating this information with the room name, the accuracy of the layout can be improved.

[0048] In the air conditioner setting assistance system of the twenty-second aspect, among the air conditioner setting assistance systems of any one of the fourteenth aspect to the twenty-first aspect, the extraction unit extracts the dimension information of a specified area as information from the characters in the image data. The setting assistance system further includes an arithmetic unit and a calculation unit. The arithmetic unit calculates the area and heat load of the specified area based on the dimension information. The calculation unit calculates the required capacity of the air conditioner based on the calculated heat load. The prompting unit further prompts the layout of the air conditioner based on the calculated required capacity.

[0049] In the air conditioner setting assistance system of the twenty-second aspect, the required capacity of the air conditioner can be obtained by the calculation unit. Therefore, the air conditioner to be arranged in the specified area can be selected, and the efficiency can be improved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0050] Figure 1 is a functional block diagram of a setting assistance system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0051] Figure 2 is an example of a paper design drawing of the present disclosure.

[0052] Figure 3 is an example of the first information of the present disclosure.

[0053] Figure 4 is an example of the second information of the present disclosure.

[0054] Figure 5 is an example of a list of the present disclosure.

[0055] Figure 6 is an example of a list of the present disclosure.

[0056] Figure 7 is an example of the prompted layout of the air conditioner of the present disclosure.

[0057] Figure 8 is an example of the prompted layout of the air conditioner of the present disclosure.

[0058] Figure 9 is an example of the prompted layout of the air conditioner of the present disclosure.

[0059] Figure 10 is a flowchart showing a method for assisting in setting an air conditioner (a method for determining necessity and a method for prompting layout) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0060] Figure 11It is a flowchart showing a method for prompting the configuration of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Detailed Embodiment

[0061] Referring to the accompanying drawings, a setting assistance system for an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. The setting assistance system 1 for the air conditioner includes a necessity determination system 10 for the air conditioner and a configuration prompting system 20 for the air conditioner.

[0062] (1) Overall Structure

[0063] The necessity determination system 10 (hereinafter, also referred to as the necessity determination system) for an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present disclosure determines whether a specified area in a building is an area that requires an air conditioner based on a paper design drawing of the building. As Figure 1 shown, the necessity determination system 10 includes a conversion unit 11, an extraction unit 12, a first storage unit 13, a determination unit 14, an arithmetic unit 15, and a calculation unit 16.

[0064] The configuration prompting system 20 (hereinafter, also referred to as the configuration prompting system) for an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present disclosure prompts the configuration of the air conditioner to be installed in a specified area in the building based on a paper design drawing of the building (here, a top view). The configuration prompting system 20 includes a decision unit 21, a second storage unit 22, a prompting unit 23, a conversion unit 11, an extraction unit 12, a determination unit 14, an arithmetic unit 15, and a calculation unit 16.

[0065] The setting assistance system 1 including the necessity determination system 10 and the configuration prompting system 20 determines whether a specified area in the building is an area that requires an air conditioner based on a paper design drawing of the building, and prompts the configuration of the air conditioner to be installed in the area that requires an air conditioner. In addition, the conversion unit 11, extraction unit 12, determination unit 14, arithmetic unit 15, calculation unit 16, etc. of the necessity determination system 10 and the configuration prompting system 20 are shared. At least one of the setting assistance system 1, the necessity determination system 10, and the configuration prompting system 20 is mounted on a server accessible to the user.

[0066] The control unit of the setting assistance system 1 includes a control unit that performs various operations and processes, and a storage unit that stores various data and programs. The control unit is implemented by an arithmetic processing device such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), for example. The storage unit is implemented by a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), etc., for example.

[0067] (2) Detailed Structure

[0068] (2-1) Conversion Unit

[0069] The conversion unit 11 converts a paper design drawing into image data. The paper design drawing is a drawing representing a specified area within a building. The paper design drawing can be, for example, a top view, a floor plan, etc. The top view of a building is a top view of each floor showing the shape, floor area, etc. The floor plan is a detailed sectional view showing the joints, dimensions, etc. from the foundation to the eaves end when the building is cut.

[0070] The paper design drawing transformed into image data can be one sheet or multiple sheets. The elevation view, which is a paper design drawing, can also be further transformed into image data. The elevation view is a drawing showing the exterior of a building.

[0071] The conversion unit of this embodiment reads Figure 2 the required area of the paper design drawing shown as image data. The image data can be converted into PDF data.

[0072] (2-2) Extraction unit

[0073] The extraction unit 12 extracts information of at least one of lines and characters from the image data converted by the conversion unit 11. By extracting lines as information, the extraction unit 12 can delimit a specified area. The extraction unit 12 distinguishes line types according to the lines in the image data. The line types are line types such as dimension lines, lines for dividing rooms, etc. For example, in a paper design drawing, dimension lines are represented by single-dot dash lines, and walls are represented by solid lines.

[0074] The extraction unit 12 extracts characters as information. The characters include numerical values. The extraction unit 12 extracts the dimension information of the specified area from the characters in the image data as information. The dimension information is used for calculating the area of the specified area.

[0075] In addition, the extraction unit 12 extracts floor information for identifying floors from the characters in the image data of the top view as information. The floor information is information for identifying the floor of the specified area, such as information of the first floor, the second floor, etc.

[0076] In addition, the extraction unit 12 extracts window information related to windows from the lines in the image data as information. The window information is information related to the windows in the specified area, such as information on the presence or absence of windows.

[0077] Refer to Figure 2 for an example of the information extracted by the extraction unit 12. In Figure 2In the image data obtained after converting the paper drawing, the extraction unit 12 extracts characters such as "rental office" which is the room name of the area R1. In addition, the extraction unit 12 extracts the solid lines that make up the wall of the area R2. In addition, the extraction unit 12 extracts the straight lines and curves that make up the door of the area R3. In addition, the extraction unit 12 extracts the straight lines and curves that make up the window of the area R4. In addition, the extraction unit 12 extracts characters such as "8250" which is the dimension information of the area R5. In addition, the extraction unit 12 extracts characters such as "PS", "EPS", and "DS" that represent each space of the area R6.

[0078] In addition, the extraction unit 12 can utilize artificial intelligence (AI: artificial intelligence). In this case, a learned method capable of recognizing characters, numerical values, objects, line types, etc. is used. Examples of the learning method are supervised learning. Examples of the models or algorithms used in supervised learning include regression analysis, time series analysis, decision trees, support vector machines, neural networks, ensemble learning, etc.

[0079] (2-3) First storage unit

[0080] The first storage unit 13 stores first information and second information. The first information associates the room name with whether an air conditioner is required. The first information is, for example, Figure 3 as shown, a list that enumerates multiple room names and whether an air conditioner is required based on each room name.

[0081] The second information associates the room name with the heat load level. As Figure 4 shown, the second information is a list that gives multiple room names and the heat load level based on that room name. The level related to the high or low heat load represents a reference for relatively high or low heat load, and can be represented as high or low as Figure 4 shown, or can represent the evaluated numerical value.

[0082] (2-4) Judgment unit

[0083] The judgment unit 14 identifies at least one of the room name and the object based on the information extracted by the extraction unit 12, and judges whether the specified area in the building is an area that requires an air conditioner according to the identification result.

[0084] Specifically, the determination unit 14 identifies the room name based on the information of the characters extracted by the extraction unit 12, and determines whether the specified area in the building is an area that requires an air conditioner according to the identification result. In addition, the determination unit 14 identifies the object based on the information of the line extracted by the extraction unit 12, and determines whether the specified area in the building is an area that requires an air conditioner according to the identification result. In addition, the determination unit 14 identifies the room name based on the information of the line extracted by the extraction unit 12, and determines whether the specified area in the building is an area that requires an air conditioner according to the identification result. In addition, the determination unit 14 identifies the room name based on the information of the characters and the information of the line extracted by the extraction unit 12, and determines whether the specified area in the building is an area that requires an air conditioner according to the identification result.

[0085] Here, the object is an object for identifying a predetermined area. Specifically, the object is an object for identifying the boundary of the specified area and / or an object for calculating the heat load of the specified area. If specific examples are listed, the object is at least one of a door, a column, a beam, an elevator, an elevator hall, a chair, a table, a hot water supply device, an entrance, a window, a wall, and a toilet.

[0086] The determination unit 14 can identify the object and determine whether the specified area in the building is an area that requires an air conditioner according to the identified object. In addition, the determination unit 14 can obtain the room name as the identification result based on the object and determine whether the specified area in the building is an area that requires an air conditioner.

[0087] List an example of determining whether an air conditioner is required based on the identified object. If a hot water supply device is identified as the object, since the heat load of the hot water supply device is large, the determination unit 14 determines that it is an area that requires an air conditioner.

[0088] Give an example of obtaining the room name as the identification result based on the object. If a table and a chair are identified as the object, the identification result that the specified area is a living room such as a meeting room or an office is obtained. If a toilet bowl is identified as the object, the identification result that the specified area is a toilet is obtained. If a step is identified as the object, the identification result that the specified area is a staircase room is obtained. If an elevator is identified as the object, the identification result that the specified area is an elevator is obtained. If an elevator is identified as the object, the identification result that the specified area in front of the elevator is an elevator hall is obtained. If a water heater is identified as the object, the identification result that the specified area is a hot water supply room is obtained.

[0089] The determination unit 14 delimits the specified area by distinguishing the room division and the dimension line based on at least one of the line type and the dimension value. For example, in Figure 2In the image data obtained by converting the paper design drawing, considering that area R2 is the wall and area R3 is the door, a specified area is delimited. For the delimited area, the determination unit 14 determines whether an air conditioner is required.

[0090] When it is difficult to determine whether an air conditioner is required based on the room name as the recognition result, the determination unit 14 can use other recognition results. Specifically, window information related to windows is recognized as the object. In this case, the determination unit 14 recognizes the room name and window information of the specified area to determine whether it is an area where an air conditioner is required. When it is difficult to determine whether an air conditioner is required based on the room name, for example, if there is a window, it is determined that the area does not require an air conditioner, and if there is no window, it is determined that the area requires an air conditioner.

[0091] In addition, when it is difficult to determine whether an air conditioner is required based on the room name as the recognition result, the determination unit 14 can use the first information stored in the first storage unit 13. Specifically, the determination unit 14 reads out the first information from the first storage unit 13 and determines whether it is an area where an air conditioner is required based on the room name recognized based on the first information.

[0092] The determination unit 14 of the present embodiment associates the floor information with the room name and determines whether it is an area where an air conditioner is required. For example, in the extraction unit 12, when floor information such as "1st floor top view" and room name such as "meeting room" can be extracted as characters, the determination unit 14 determines whether the meeting room on the 1st floor is an area where an air conditioner is required. If the extraction unit 12 can extract the floor information, even for the same room name, it is possible to consider whether it is the 1st floor or a high floor and determine whether an air conditioner is required.

[0093] In the case of updating an object such as building renovation, information related to the air conditioner in the past (before the update) can be used. Specifically, the determination unit 14 recognizes the air conditioner as the object and determines whether the specified area in the building is an area where an air conditioner is required based on the recognition result. In the case of updating an object, if the determination unit 14 recognizes that there was an air conditioner in the same area in the past, it is determined that an air conditioner is also required after the update. In addition, if the determination unit 14 recognizes that there was no air conditioner in the same area in the past, it is determined that an air conditioner is not required after the update.

[0094] Here, an example of determining whether a specified area in a building is an area that requires an air conditioner when the determination unit 14 obtains a room name as an identification result is listed. When the identification result of the specified area is a living room such as a conference room or an office, the determination unit 14 determines that it is an area that requires an air conditioner based on the room name. When the identification result of the specified area is a lecture hall, an elevator (EV), a duct space (PS), an electret duct space (EPS), an electret space (ES), or a duct space (DS), the determination unit 14 determines that it is an area that does not require an air conditioner based on the room name. When the specified area is a toilet, an elevator hall, or a hot water supply room, the determination unit 14 determines whether an air conditioner is required only based on the room name. In this case, the determination unit 14 reads, for example, first information listing the room name and whether an air conditioner is required from the first storage unit 13, and determines whether an air conditioner is required based on the first information.

[0095] (2-5) Decision-making unit

[0096] The decision-making unit 21 determines the area determined by the determination unit 14 to be an area that requires an air conditioner as an area that requires an air conditioner.

[0097] The decision-making unit 21 obtains information related to the area from a paper design drawing in order to prompt the configuration of the air conditioner to be installed in the specified area in the prompt unit 23 described later. Information related to the area refers to the area of the area, the room name, etc. The extraction unit 12 and the determination unit 14 are used to obtain information related to the area.

[0098] In addition, the decision-making unit 21 obtains the main body information of the building. The main body information is obtained from the information extracted by the extraction unit 12. The main body information is, for example, the thickness of walls, glass, etc., and the presence or absence of windows. The main body information is obtained from the information extracted by the extraction unit 12.

[0099] The decision-making unit 21 further obtains information related to the specified area from at least one of the elevation view of the building and the floor plan of the building. In the present embodiment, the conversion unit 11 converts at least one of the elevation view and the floor plan into image data, and the extraction unit 12 extracts information of at least one of lines and characters from the image data, whereby the decision-making unit 21 further obtains information on the specified area.

[0100] In addition, the decision-making unit 21 obtains information related to the specified area from a paper design drawing, but it is not limited thereto. The prompt unit 23 described later may obtain information related to the specified area from the extraction unit 12 or the like without going through the decision-making unit 21.

[0101] (2-6) Calculation unit

[0102] The arithmetic unit 15 calculates the heat load of the specified area determined by the determination unit 14 to require an air conditioner. Additionally, the arithmetic unit 15 can also calculate the heat load of the specified area determined not to require an air conditioner.

[0103] The arithmetic unit 15 calculates the area and heat load of the specified area based on the dimension information extracted by the extraction unit 12. Specifically, the area of the specified area is obtained based on the dimension information. The arithmetic unit 15 calculates the heat load based on this area and the heat generated in the specified area.

[0104] Additionally, the arithmetic unit 15 calculates the heat load of the specified area based on the room name. For example, the number of people accommodated in the room is estimated based on the room name, and the heat generated in the room is calculated. Alternatively, the second information is read from the first storage unit 13, and the heat load is calculated based on the room name identified based on the second information.

[0105] Additionally, the arithmetic unit 15 calculates the heat load of the specified area based on the main body information. In this case, the heat load can be calculated considering the external gas load, solar radiation, etc.

[0106] (2-7) Calculation unit

[0107] The calculation unit 16 calculates the required capacity of the air conditioner based on the heat load calculated by the arithmetic unit 15. Limits can be set for the type, horsepower, number of units, etc. of the installed air conditioner according to the required capacity. Additionally, the horsepower is represented, for example, by the cooling capacity and heating capacity of the air conditioner.

[0108] (2-8) Second storage unit

[0109] The second storage unit 22 stores a list related to the structures of multiple air conditioners. The list has structures related to the air conditioner presented and / or structures related to the past air conditioners in the specified area. Regarding the structures related to the air conditioner presented, as Figure 5 shown, in order to select the indoor unit of the air conditioner presented, information such as the types, dimensions, horsepower, etc. of various indoor units is stored. Additionally, the second storage unit 22 can further store information such as the types, dimensions, horsepower, etc. of various outdoor units. As Figure 6 shown, the structure related to the past air conditioners in the specified area is information related to the past installed air conditioners. Specifically, the structure related to the past air conditioners in the specified area is floor information and information such as the type, dimension, horsepower, number of units, etc. of the air conditioners installed in the specified area where the room name has been determined.

[0110] The list can also have information related to the installation distance of the air conditioner. This information relates to the prohibited installation distance determined according to the presented air conditioner. Additionally, the air conditioner in this embodiment is an indoor unit.

[0111] (2-9) Presentation unit

[0112] The prompting unit 23 prompts the arrangement of the air conditioner provided for the area based on the information related to the area determined to require the air conditioner. The prompting unit 23 prompts at which position in the specified area the determined air conditioner, such as the type, horsepower, and number of units, is to be arranged in the area.

[0113] In the present embodiment, the prompting unit 23 prompts the arrangement of the air conditioner provided for the area based on the information related to the area obtained from the top view. In addition, the information related to the area obtained from the top view includes the information from the extraction unit 12, the determination unit 14, the arithmetic unit 15, and the calculation unit 16.

[0114] Specifically, the prompting unit 23 prompts the arrangement of the air conditioner based on the heat load calculated according to the room name. In detail, considering the room name read from the top view, the prompting unit 23 prompts the arrangement of the air conditioner based on the heat load calculated by the arithmetic unit 15.

[0115] In addition, the prompting unit 23 prompts the arrangement of the air conditioner based on the heat load calculated according to the main body information and the information related to the area. The prompting unit 23 selects the necessary information as the information related to the area.

[0116] In addition, the prompting unit 23 prompts the arrangement of the air conditioner based on the information related to the area obtained from at least one of the elevation view and the floor plan of the building. Specifically, on the basis of the top view, the prompting unit 23 prompts the arrangement of the air conditioner based on the information related to the area obtained from at least one of the elevation view and the floor plan.

[0117] In addition, the prompting unit 23 associates the name of the top view with the room name and prompts the arrangement of the air conditioner provided for the area. Specifically, the floor of the area is determined according to the name of the top view, and the prompting unit 23 prompts the arrangement of the air conditioner based on the heat load calculated considering the room name on that floor.

[0118] The prompting unit 23 also prompts the arrangement of the air conditioner based on the required capacity calculated by the calculation unit 16. Specifically, according to the required capacity, the type, horsepower, number of units, etc. of the air conditioner are selected.

[0119] The prompting unit 23 calculates the number of air conditioners to be prompted based on the structure related to past air conditioners, and prompts the configuration of the air conditioners based on the calculated number. The prompting unit 23 reads out the list of structures related to past air conditioners from the second storage unit 22, and learns about the types, horsepower, number, etc. of the air conditioners installed in this area. Therefore, it can calculate the required capacity of the installed air conditioners based on this information. If it reads out the structure related to the prompted air conditioners from the second storage unit 22 and selects, for example, the type from the list of newly prompted air conditioners, it can calculate the horsepower and number of the required air conditioners. In this case, even without calculating the heat load of the specified area, it can prompt the number of new air conditioners, etc. In addition, the prompting unit 23 can also prompt air conditioners of the same type based on the information related to the types of the air conditioners installed in this area, without selecting the types of the newly installed air conditioners.

[0120] The prompting unit 23 prompts the configuration of the air conditioners based on the installation distance of the air conditioners. Specifically, it reads out the list with information related to the installation distance of the air conditioners from the second storage unit 22. It determines the distance between multiple air conditioners based on the list. When it can identify columns, beams, etc. as objects, the prompting unit 23 also considers these identification results to prompt the configuration of multiple air conditioners.

[0121] Here, referring to Figures 7 - 9 , an example of the configuration of the air conditioners prompted by the prompting unit 23 is given. In Figures 7 - 9 , the indoor unit is shown as the air conditioner. In the case of a square shown in Figure 7 and a rectangular living room shown in Figure 8 in a top view, the prompting unit 23 prompts the configuration in which the ceiling-embedded indoor units 100 with four blowing directions are arranged at equal distances from each other. When the specified area in a top view is a rectangular living room shown in Figure 9 and the lighting 101 is identified as an object, the prompting unit 23 prompts the configuration in which multiple indoor units 100 with two blowing directions and matching the shape of the lighting 101 are arranged side by side with the lighting 101. In this way, the prompting unit 23 prompts the configuration of multiple indoor units 100 based on the shape of the specified area and / or the layout of the columns, beams, and / or lighting 101 installed in the specified area.

[0122] In addition, the prompting unit 23 can utilize artificial intelligence (AI: artificial intelligence). In this case, a learned method capable of recognizing characters, numerical values, objects, line types, etc. is used. The learning method is, for example, supervised learning. As the models or algorithms used in supervised learning, regression analysis, time series analysis, decision trees, support vector machines, neural networks, ensemble learning, etc. can be cited.

[0123] (3) Set up an auxiliary method (including a method for determining necessity and a method for configuring prompts)

[0124] Refer to Figures 1 - 10 , and describe the setting auxiliary method of the air conditioner in an embodiment. The setting auxiliary method includes a method for determining necessity and a method for configuring prompts. The method for determining necessity and the method for configuring prompts of the air conditioner in this embodiment are performed using the necessity determination system 10 and the configuration prompt system 20 of the above air conditioner.

[0125] (3-1) Input of paper design drawings

[0126] First, as Figure 10 shown, input the paper design drawing of the building (step S10). The paper design drawing is not particularly limited and can be a top view, etc.

[0127] (3-2) Conversion to image data

[0128] Next, the paper design drawing is converted into image data by the conversion unit 11 (step S20).

[0129] (3-3) Extraction of information of at least one of lines and characters

[0130] Next, the extraction unit 12 extracts information of at least one of lines and characters from the image data (step S30).

[0131] (3-4) Judgment of the area where the air conditioner is needed

[0132] Next, the judgment unit 14 identifies at least one of the room name and the object from the information, and judges whether the specified area in the building is an area where the air conditioner is needed according to the identification result (step S40).

[0133] Specifically, according to the information extracted by the extraction unit 12, it is judged whether at least one of the room name and the object can be identified (step S41). In this process (S41), when at least one of the room name and the object cannot be identified, it is considered that it is impossible to automatically judge whether the air conditioner is needed, and manual input is used to judge whether the air conditioner is needed.

[0134] On the other hand, in the process (S41), when at least one of the room name and the object can be identified, it is judged whether the specified area in the building is an area where the air conditioner is needed according to the identification result (step S42). In this process (S42), as described above, the first information can be read out from the first storage unit 13, and the judgment unit 14 judges whether it is an area where the air conditioner is needed according to the room name identified based on the first information.

[0135] In process (S42), when it is impossible to determine whether an air conditioner is needed, it is considered that it is not possible to automatically determine whether an air conditioner is needed, and whether an air conditioner is needed is determined by manual input.

[0136] In process (S42), when it is possible to determine whether an air conditioner is needed, it is determined whether an air conditioner is needed (step S43). In this process (S43), if it is determined that the specified area is not an area where an air conditioner is needed, the determination is output, and the auxiliary system 1 is set and ended. On the other hand, if it is determined that the specified area is an area where an air conditioner is needed, the determination unit 21 determines that the specified area is an area where an air conditioner is needed (step S50).

[0137] (3-5) Prompt for the configuration of the air conditioner

[0138] Next, the configuration of the air conditioner to be installed in the area determined to be an area where an air conditioner is needed is prompted by the prompting unit 23 (step S60). In this process (S60), based on the information related to the area obtained from the top view, the configuration of the air conditioner is prompted.

[0139] In step S60, as Figure 11 shown, it is determined whether there is a list of the structures related to the past air conditioners in the specified area (step S61). In addition, in process (S61), the case where there is a list of the structures related to the past air conditioners in the Figure 5 shown specified area is a case of updating the object and is a case where the drawing of the past specified area can be obtained. On the other hand, the case where there is no list of the structures related to the past air conditioners in the specified area is a case of updating the object, but it is a case where the drawing of the past specified area cannot be obtained and a case of a new object.

[0140] (3-5-1) Case where there is a list of the structures related to the past air conditioners

[0141] The second storage unit 22 stores a list related to the following structures: the structures related to the past air conditioners in the specified area and the structures related to the prompted air conditioners. The prompting unit 23 reads out this list, calculates the number of the prompted air conditioners based on the structures related to the past air conditioners, and prompts the configuration of the air conditioner based on the calculated number. Specifically, according to the Figure 6 shown list of the structures related to the past air conditioners, the type, horsepower, number, etc. of the air conditioners installed in this area are known, so the required capacity of the air conditioner is calculated (step S62). Next, from Figure 5Select, for example, the type from the list of the new prompt air conditioners shown (step S63). Based on the calculated required capacity and type, calculate the required horsepower and number of air conditioners (step S64). Therefore, the configuration of the air conditioner can be prompted by the prompt unit 23 (step S65). In this way, if there is a list of structures related to past air conditioners, the calculation of the heat load in a specified area can be omitted.

[0142] (3-5-2) Case where there is no list of structures related to past air conditioners

[0143] On the other hand, in the case where there is no list of structures related to past air conditioners, as Figure 11 shown, the heat load of the specified area is calculated by the calculation unit 15 (step S66). Then, based on the calculated heat load, the required capacity of the air conditioner is calculated by the calculation unit 16 (step S67). Thereby, the configuration of the air conditioner can be prompted by the prompt unit 23 (step S65).

[0144] (4) Features

[0145] (4-1) Yes / No judgment system for air conditioners

[0146] In the yes / no judgment system 10 that constitutes the setting assistance system 1 of the air conditioner of the present embodiment, by converting the paper design drawing into image data, information for judging whether a specified area in the building is an area that requires an air conditioner can be extracted from the image data. The judgment unit 14 identifies at least one of the room name and the object based on the extracted information, thereby judging whether the specified area is an area that requires an air conditioner. Therefore, it is possible to efficiently judge whether a specified area in the building is an area that requires an air conditioner based on the paper design drawing of the building.

[0147] In particular, when updating an object, sometimes CAD data cannot be obtained and only a paper design drawing exists. Even in the case of an updated object with only a paper design drawing, according to the yes / no judgment system 10 that constitutes the setting assistance system 1 of the present embodiment, manual work can be reduced and it can be efficiently judged whether it is an area that requires an air conditioner.

[0148] (4-2) Air conditioner configuration prompt system

[0149] In the configuration prompt system 20 that constitutes the setting assistance system 1 of the air conditioner of the present embodiment, information related to the area that requires an air conditioner is obtained from the paper design drawing of the building. Based on this information, the air conditioner to be installed in the specified area can be configured. Therefore, the efficiency of the design work of the air conditioner installed in the area can be improved. Therefore, it is possible to efficiently prompt the air conditioner to be installed in the specified area in the building based on the paper design drawing of the building.

[0150] (4-3) Setting up an auxiliary system

[0151] In the setting up auxiliary system 1 of the present embodiment, the need or no - need judgment system 10 is used to judge whether it is an area that requires an air conditioner. For the area that requires an air conditioner judged by the need or no - need judgment system 10, the configuration prompting system 20 is configured to prompt the configuration of the air conditioner. Therefore, the setting up auxiliary system 1 can efficiently prompt the layout to be equipped in the area that requires an air conditioner according to the paper design drawing of the building.

[0152] (5) Variation

[0153] The setting up auxiliary system 1 of the above - mentioned embodiment is a system that uses the need or no - need judgment system 10 and the configuration prompting system 20 together, but it is not limited to this. The setting up auxiliary system 1 can also be used as a system that separates the need or no - need judgment system 10 from the configuration prompting system 20.

[0154] In addition, it has been described that the extraction unit 12 and the prompting unit 23 can use AI, but any structure such as the judgment unit 14 included in the setting up auxiliary system 1 can also use AI. When multiple structures in the setting up auxiliary system 1 use AI, the multiple AIs can cooperate with each other.

[0155] (Supplementary Note)

[0156] The embodiments of the present invention have been described above, but it should be understood that various changes in the mode and details can be made without departing from the gist and scope of the present disclosure described in the claims.

[0157] Symbol Explanation

[0158] 1: Setting up auxiliary system; 10: Need or no - need judgment system; 11: Conversion unit; 12: Extraction unit; 13: First storage unit (storage unit); 14: Judgment unit; 15: Operation unit; 16: Calculation unit; 20: Configuration prompting system; 21: Decision - making unit; 22: Second storage unit; 23: Prompting unit.

[0159] Prior Art Documents

[0160] Patent Documents

[0161] Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2014 - 10732

Claims

1. An air conditioner setting assistance system (1) that determines whether a specified area in a building is an area that requires an air conditioner based on a paper design drawing of the building, wherein, the air conditioner setting assistance system (1) includes: a conversion unit (11) that converts the paper design drawing into image data; an extraction unit (12) that extracts information of at least one of lines and characters from the image data; and a determination unit (14) that identifies at least one of a room name and an object from the information, and determines whether a specified area in the building is an area that requires an air conditioner based on the identification result, the conversion unit (11) converts a top view of the paper design drawing into the image data, the extraction unit (12) extracts floor information for identifying a floor from the characters of the image data of the top view as the information, the determination unit (14) associates the floor information with the room name and determines whether it is an area that requires an air conditioner.

2. The air conditioner setting assistance system according to claim 1, wherein, the extraction unit (12) extracts dimension information of the specified area from the characters of the image data as the information, the air conditioner setting assistance system further includes a calculation unit (15) that calculates the area and heat load of the specified area based on the dimension information.

3. The air conditioner setting assistance system according to claim 2, wherein, the air conditioner setting assistance system further includes a computation unit (16) that computes the required capacity of the air conditioner based on the heat load computed by the calculation unit.

4. The air conditioner setting assistance system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, the extraction unit extracts window information related to the window of the specified area as the information, the determination unit (14) identifies the room name of the specified area and the window information and determines whether it is an area that requires an air conditioner.

5. The air conditioner setting assistance system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, the determination unit (14) identifies an air conditioner as the object from the information and determines whether a specified area in the building is an area that requires an air conditioner based on the identification result.

6. The air conditioner setting assistance system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, the object is used to identify the boundary of the specified area.

7. The air conditioner setting assistance system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, the object is used to compute the heat load of the specified area.

8. The air conditioner setting assistance system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, the object is at least one of a door, a column, a beam, an elevator, an elevator hall, a chair, a table, a hot water supply device, an entrance, a window, a wall, and a toilet.

9. The air conditioner setting assistance system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, the air conditioner setting assistance system further includes a first storage unit (13) that stores first information associating a room name with whether an air conditioner is required.

10. The setting assistance system for an air conditioner according to claim 9, wherein, the first storage unit (13) stores second information associating a room name with a heat load level.

11. The setting assistance system for an air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, the determination unit (14) demarcates the division and size lines of the room based on at least one of the line type and the size value, thereby demarcating the specified area.

12. The setting assistance system for an air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, the setting assistance system for the air conditioner is mounted on a server accessible to the user.

13. The setting assistance system for an air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, the setting assistance system for the air conditioner further includes: a determination unit (21) that determines an area determined by the determination unit (14) to be an area where an air conditioner is required as an area where an air conditioner is required; and a prompting unit (23) that prompts the configuration of the air conditioner to be installed in the area based on information related to the area determined by the determination unit to be an area where an air conditioner is required.

14. The setting assistance system for an air conditioner according to claim 13, wherein, the setting assistance system for the air conditioner further includes a second storage unit (22) that stores a list related to the structures of a plurality of air conditioners, the prompting unit (23) reads out the list from the second storage unit (22), and further prompts the configuration of the air conditioner selected from the list.

15. The setting assistance system for an air conditioner according to claim 14, wherein, the list has a structure related to the past air conditioners in the specified area and a structure related to the prompted air conditioner, the prompting unit (23) calculates the number of the prompted air conditioners based on the structure related to the past air conditioners, and prompts the configuration of the air conditioner based on the calculated number.

16. The setting assistance system for an air conditioner according to claim 14 or 15, wherein, the list has information related to the installation distance of the air conditioner, the prompting unit (23) prompts the configuration of the air conditioner based on the installation distance.

17. The setting assistance system for an air conditioner according to claim 13, wherein, the determination unit (21) reads the room name from the top view of the paper design drawing as information related to the area, the setting assistance system for the air conditioner further includes an arithmetic unit (15) that calculates the heat load of the area based on the room name, the prompting unit (23) prompts the configuration of the air conditioner based on the calculated heat load.

18. The setting assistance system for an air conditioner according to claim 13, wherein, the determination unit (21) obtains the main body information of the building, the setting assistance system for the air conditioner further includes an arithmetic unit (15) that calculates the heat load of the area based on the main body information, the prompting unit (23) prompts the configuration of the air conditioner based on the calculated heat load and information related to the area.

19. The setting assistance system for an air conditioner according to claim 13, wherein, The determination unit (21) further obtains information related to the area from at least one of the elevation view of the building and the floor plan of the building. The prompting unit (23) prompts the air conditioner configuration based on the information related to the area.

20. The air conditioner installation assistance system according to claim 13, wherein The prompting unit (23) associates the name of the top view of the paper design drawing with the room name to prompt the air conditioner configuration for the area.

21. The air conditioner installation assistance system according to claim 13, wherein The extraction unit (12) extracts the dimension information of the specified area as the information from the characters in the image data. The air conditioner installation assistance system further includes: An arithmetic unit (15) that calculates the area and heat load of the specified area based on the dimension information; and A calculation unit (16) that calculates the required capacity of the air conditioner based on the calculated heat load. The prompting unit (23) further prompts the air conditioner configuration based on the calculated required capacity.

22. The air conditioner installation assistance system according to claim 13, wherein The prompting unit (23) prompts which position in the area to configure the air conditioner.

Images