Display system, display method, and program

Abstract

The present invention solves the problem of estimating the sensible temperature distribution in a room using a sensor included in a ventilator. A display system (1) includes an acquisition unit (71), an estimation unit (72), and a controller (73). The acquisition unit (71) acquires a first detection value and a second detection value from a temperature sensor (21) and a humidity sensor (22), respectively. Both the temperature sensor (21) and the humidity sensor (22) are included in a ventilator (2) that ventilates a room (50). The estimation unit (72) estimates a sensible temperature distribution representing the distribution of sensible temperatures in a height direction in the room (50) based on the first detection value and the second detection value acquired by the acquisition unit (71). The controller (73) causes a display device (81) to present the sensible temperature distribution estimated by the estimation unit (72).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention generally relates to a display system, a display method, and a program, and more particularly to a display system, a display method, and a program including a controller for controlling a display device. Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an air conditioner including an infrared sensor for detecting temperature distribution in a room.

[0003] In order to detect the sensible temperature in the space around a person by measuring the sensible temperature distribution in a room of a facility such as a single-family house or an office, it is necessary to provide a large number of sensors or dedicated sensors, thereby causing a significant increase in cost.

[0004] Prior art literature

[0005] Patent Literature

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent 6678748 Summary of the Invention

[0007] In view of the foregoing background, it is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a display system, a display method, and a program, all of which are configured or designed to estimate sensible temperature distribution in a room using a sensor installed in a ventilator for ventilating the room.

[0008] To overcome this problem, a display system according to one aspect of the present invention includes an acquisition unit, an estimation unit, and a controller. The acquisition unit acquires a first detection value and a second detection value from a temperature sensor and a humidity sensor, respectively. Both the temperature sensor and the humidity sensor are included in a ventilator configured to ventilate a room. The estimation unit estimates a sensible temperature distribution representing the distribution of sensible temperatures in the room along a height direction based on the first and second detection values ​​acquired by the acquisition unit. The controller causes a display device to present the sensible temperature distribution estimated by the estimation unit.

[0009] A display method according to another aspect of the present invention includes an acquisition step, an estimation step, and a presentation step. The acquisition step includes acquiring a first detection value and a second detection value from a temperature sensor and a humidity sensor, respectively. The temperature sensor and the humidity sensor are both included in a ventilator configured to ventilate a room. The estimation step includes estimating a sensible temperature distribution representing the distribution of sensible temperatures in the room in a height direction based on the first detection value and the second detection value acquired in the acquisition step. The presentation step includes causing a display device to present the sensible temperature distribution estimated in the estimation step.

[0010] A program according to yet another aspect of the present invention is designed to cause one or more processors to perform the above-mentioned display method. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a display system according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0012] Figure 2 The indoor sensible temperature distribution estimated by the estimating unit included in the display system is schematically illustrated;

[0013] Figure 3 Schematically illustrating a screen image displayed on a display device equipped with the display system; and

[0014] Figure 4 is a flowchart showing the procedure of operation of the display system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] The preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description of the embodiments, the constituent elements illustrated in multiple figures and having the same features will be designated by the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted in this article to avoid redundancy. Note that the embodiments to be described below are only typical embodiments among the various embodiments of the present invention, and should not be construed as restrictive. On the contrary, typical embodiments can be easily modified in various ways according to design selection or any other factors without departing from the scope of the present invention. The accompanying drawings to be referenced in the following description of the embodiments are all schematic representations. Therefore, the ratio of the size (including thickness) of the individual constituent elements illustrated in these figures does not always reflect their actual size ratios.

[0016] (1) Overview

[0017] First, refer to Figure 1 An overview of a display system 1 according to an exemplary embodiment will be described.

[0018] like Figure 1 As shown, the display system 1 according to the present embodiment is designed to cooperate with a facility 5 in which a ventilator 2 is installed.

[0019] The display system 1 according to this embodiment obtains a first detection value and a second detection value from a temperature sensor 21 and a humidity sensor 22, respectively. Both the temperature sensor 21 and the humidity sensor 22 are included in a ventilator 2 installed in a facility 5. Based on the first and second detection values, the display system 1 estimates the sensible temperature distribution in the height direction of a room 50 in the facility 5. The display system 1 then causes the display device 81 of the terminal device 8 to display the thus estimated sensible temperature distribution.

[0020] (2) Details

[0021] Next, refer to Figures 1 to 3 The detailed configurations of the display system 1 according to this embodiment, and the facility 5 and terminal device 8 that cooperate with the display system 1 will be described.

[0022] (2.1) Facility structure

[0023] First, refer to Figure 1 to illustrate the details of the facility 5. As used herein, examples of “facility” include residential facilities for housing purposes and non-residential facilities such as shops (tenants’ shops), offices, welfare facilities, educational institutions, hospitals, and factories. Examples of non-residential facilities also include restaurants, entertainment centers, hotels, inns, kindergartens, daycare facilities, and community centers. That is, the facility 5 may be a residential facility such as a multi-family house (i.e., a so-called “apartment” in Japan) or a non-residential facility such as an office building, whichever is appropriate. Alternatively, the facility 5 may also be a combination of residential facilities and non-residential facilities. For example, the facility 5 may include shops on its lower floors and residential units on its upper floors. In this embodiment, as Figure 1 As shown, it is assumed that facility 5 is a single-family residence.

[0024] like Figure 1 As shown, the installation 5 includes a ventilator 2 , a communication interface 3 and a router 4 .

[0025] Ventilator 2 may be, for example, a ceiling-mounted exhaust fan, and performs at least one of normal ventilation and heat exchange ventilation. Ventilator 2 is installed through ceiling 51 of room 50 in facility 5. Ventilator 2 according to this embodiment is a single-stage exhaust fan, designed to supply and exhaust air using mechanical power. Ventilator 2 includes a temperature sensor 21, a humidity sensor 22, an air supply duct 23, and an exhaust duct 24.

[0026] The temperature sensor 21 is a sensor for detecting the temperature of the air inside or around the ventilator 2 (spatial temperature) as a first detection value. As used herein, the phrase "inside the ventilator 2" also refers to the inside of the air supply duct 23 and the inside of the exhaust duct 24. The temperature sensor 21 according to the present embodiment is arranged inside the exhaust duct 24. The temperature sensor 21 can be implemented as an infrared sensor, a thermistor or a thermocouple, for example. The humidity sensor 22 is a sensor for detecting the humidity of the air inside or around the ventilator 2 (spatial humidity) as a second detection value. The humidity sensor 22 according to the present embodiment is arranged inside the exhaust duct 24. The humidity sensor 22 can be implemented as an electrical humidity sensor, for example. Optionally, the temperature sensor 21 and the humidity sensor 22 can also be implemented as an integrated temperature and humidity sensor.

[0027] The air supply duct 23 is an air passage connecting the space outside the facility 5 with the indoor space of the room 50 in the facility 5, and is a duct for sucking air outside the facility 5 and supplying the air into the room 50. The air supply duct 23 includes a first air inlet 231 arranged to face the room 50 and a second air inlet 232 provided outside the facility 5. The second air inlet 232 may be provided with an air supply fan, for example.

[0028] The exhaust duct 24 is an air passage connecting the space outside the facility 5 with the indoor space of the room 50 in the facility 5, and is a duct for exhausting the air inside the room 50 to the outside of the facility 5. The exhaust duct 24 includes a first air outlet 241 arranged to face the room 50 and a second air outlet 242 provided outside the facility 5. The second air outlet 242 may be provided with an exhaust fan, for example.

[0029] The communication interface 3 is connected to a network 6 such as the Internet via a router 4. The communication interface 3 transmits the first detection value and the second detection value detected by the temperature sensor 21 and the humidity sensor 22, respectively, to the display system 1 via the router 4 and the network 6. In addition, the communication interface 3 also transmits operating status information indicating whether the ventilator 2 is operating (i.e., whether the air supply fan and the exhaust fan of the ventilator 2 are running) to the display system 1.

[0030] (2.2) Terminal device structure

[0031] Next, refer to Figure 1 The structure of the terminal device 8 will be described.

[0032] The terminal device 8 may be, for example, a desktop or laptop personal computer. The terminal device 8 is operated by a user such as a person living in the facility 5 or an employee of a management company that manages the facility 5. The terminal device 8 is configured to be ready to communicate with the display system 1 via the network 6.

[0033] The display device 81 may be, for example, a liquid crystal display or an organic electroluminescent (EL) display, and displays the sensible temperature distribution under the control of the controller 73 of the server 7 (to be described later).

[0034] (2.3) Display system structure

[0035] Next, refer to Figures 1 to 3 The details of the display system 1 will be described.

[0036] The display system 1 according to the present embodiment is implemented as a server 7. The server 7 includes a computer system including one or more processors and one or more memories as main components. The server 7 performs operations by causing one or more processors to execute programs stored in the memories. Figure 1The functions of the acquisition unit 71, estimation unit 72, controller 73, judgment unit 74, and calculation unit 75 of the server 7 are shown. The program can be pre-stored in the memory. Alternatively, the program can be downloaded via a telecommunication line such as the Internet, or distributed after being stored in a non-transitory storage medium such as a memory card.

[0037] The server 7 includes an acquisition section 71 , an estimation section 72 , a controller 73 , a determination section 74 , and a calculation section 75 .

[0038] The acquisition unit 71 acquires the first detection value and the second detection value from the communication interface 3 via the network 6. Alternatively, the acquisition unit 71 may be configured to be ready to communicate directly with the communication interface 3 not via the network 6.

[0039] The estimation unit 72 estimates the sensible temperature distribution indicating the distribution of the sensible temperature in the height direction in the room 50 based on the first detection value and the second detection value acquired by the acquisition unit 71. As used herein, "sensible temperature" refers to a quantitative representation indicating the degree of temperature felt by humans. According to the present invention, the net effective temperature (NET) is used as an indicator of the sensible temperature. For example, NET is described in the reference ("Meteorological Applications," Volume 7, pp. 369-375, 2000). In the following description, the sensible temperature estimated by the estimation unit 72 is sometimes referred to as the "estimated sensible temperature" below.

[0040] The estimation section 72 according to the present embodiment estimates the space a3 (refer to Figure 1 ) in the distribution of body temperature (reference Figure 2 Note that the estimation unit 72 according to this embodiment estimates only the sensible temperature distribution in the height direction and assumes that the sensible temperature in the horizontal direction is uniform. How the estimation unit 72 estimates the sensible temperature will be described in detail later in the "(3) Display Method" section.

[0041] The judgment section 74 judges whether the representative value derived from the sensible temperature distribution estimated by the estimation section 72 falls outside a preset range. In the present embodiment, the preset range is a comfortable temperature range. As used herein, "comfortable temperature range" refers to, for example, a temperature range that enables humans to perform activities comfortably. The comfortable temperature range varies for people or for seasons, and can be arbitrarily set by users such as people living in the facility 5 or employees of the management company of the facility 5. In the present embodiment, the comfortable temperature range is set by people living in the facility 5 to a range from 20°C to 24°C. In addition, the representative value derived from the sensible temperature distribution refers to, for example, the maximum value, minimum value or average value in the sensible temperature distribution. Alternatively, the representative value may also be a median value. In Figure 2 In the example shown, the maximum value of the sensible temperature distribution is 25° C., and the minimum value of the sensible temperature distribution is 20° C. The average value of the sensible temperature distribution is calculated based on the sensible temperature distribution, and Figure 2 In the example shown, this is 22.5°C.

[0042] Furthermore, determination unit 74 determines whether the sensible temperature at any point in the height direction of room 50 in the sensible temperature distribution estimated by estimation unit 72 falls outside the comfortable temperature range. The sensible temperature distribution at any point in the height direction can be arbitrarily set by a user, such as a person living in facility 5 or an employee of the management company of facility 5. In this embodiment, the sensible temperature distribution estimated by estimation unit 72 exists only in the height direction, so the sensible temperature distribution at any point is set at a height above floor 52. For example, in this embodiment, the sensible temperature distribution at any point in the height direction is set by a person living in facility 5 at a height of 1.2 meters above floor 52.

[0043] When determining that the representative value derived from the sensible temperature distribution or the sensible temperature at any point in the height direction in room 50 falls outside the comfortable temperature range, determination unit 74 notifies controller 73 of this fact.

[0044] The calculation unit 75 calculates the ratio of the time period in which the representative value derived from the sensible temperature distribution estimated by the estimation unit 72 falls within the preset comfortable temperature range relative to the arbitrarily set time period. As used herein, the "arbitrarily set time period" refers to a time period set by a user, such as a person living in the facility 5 or an employee of the management company of the facility 5. In the following description, the arbitrarily set time period will sometimes be referred to as the "evaluation time period" below. Examples of the evaluation time period include one day, one week, one month, three months, and one year. In this embodiment, the evaluation time period is set by the person living in the facility 5 to one week.

[0045] In addition, the calculation unit 75 also calculates the ratio of the time period in which the sensible temperature at any point in the height direction of the room 50 in the sensible temperature distribution estimated by the estimation unit 72 falls within the preset comfortable temperature range to the arbitrarily set time period (evaluation time period).

[0046] The calculation section 75 notifies the controller 73 of the ratio thus calculated.

[0047] Controller 73 causes display device 81 of terminal device 8 to display the sensible temperature distribution estimated by estimation unit 72. Furthermore, in response to a notification received from determination unit 74, controller 73 according to this embodiment causes display device 81 to display a notification image that informs the user that the representative value derived from the sensible temperature distribution or the sensible temperature at any point has fallen outside the comfortable temperature range. Furthermore, controller 73 according to this embodiment causes display device 81 to display the ratio calculated by calculation unit 75. Controller 73 according to this embodiment controls the information displayed on terminal device 8 via network 6.

[0048] Figure 3 An exemplary screen image G1 displayed on the display device 81 under the control of the controller 73 is shown. In the upper region R1 of the screen image G1, an image G2 representing the sensible temperature distribution in the room 50 estimated by the estimation unit 72 is displayed. Image G2 includes temperature bars corresponding to the sensible temperature distribution. Optionally, the image G2 representing the sensible temperature distribution may be superimposed on an image captured by photographing the room 50. As used herein, examples of "image captured by photographing the room 50" include moving pictures, still pictures, and stop-motion animation pictures.

[0049] On the other hand, the lower region R2 of the screen image G1 includes regions R21 , R22 , and R23 .

[0050] In a region R21 defined on the left side of the region R2, an image G3 indicating how the estimated sensible temperature changes over time is displayed. Figure 3 In FIG. 5 , the solid curve L1 indicates how the perceived temperature at any point in the room 50 changes over time. Figure 3 The value L2 in indicates the upper limit of the comfortable temperature range, and Figure 3 The value L3 in indicates the lower limit of the comfortable temperature range. Figure 3In the example shown, image G31 is displayed on the portion of solid curve L1, which indicates how the estimated sensible temperature changes over time, that exceeds numerical value L2, which indicates the upper limit of the comfortable temperature range. Image G31 is a notification image that notifies the user that the sensible temperature exceeds the comfortable temperature range. Image G31 is displayed to draw the user's attention to the portion of solid curve L1, which indicates how the estimated sensible temperature changes over time, that falls outside the comfortable temperature range (i.e., the range from numerical value L2 to numerical value L3). Alternatively, solid curve L1 may also indicate how a representative value (such as an average value) derived from the estimated sensible temperature distribution changes over time.

[0051] In region R22, defined in the upper right portion of region R2, an image G4 is displayed, which indicates the proportion of the time period during which the estimated sensible temperature falls within the comfortable temperature range relative to the evaluation time period. In this embodiment, image G4 indicates the proportion of the time period during which the estimated sensible temperature falls within the comfortable temperature range relative to one week (the evaluation time period).

[0052] In a region R23 defined in the lower right portion of the region R2 , an image G5 indicating the start and end dates of the evaluation period is displayed.

[0053] (3) Display method

[0054] Next, refer to Figures 1 to 4 To illustrate the display method (ie, how the display system 1 operates). Figure 4 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary display method according to the present embodiment.

[0055] First, the acquisition unit 71 of the server 7 acquires the first detection value and the second detection value from the temperature sensor 21 and the humidity sensor 22 via the network 6 (in Figure 4 Next, the estimation unit 72 estimates the space a1 (reference value) on the ceiling surface 511 of the room 50 (more specifically, directly below the ceiling 51) based on the first detection value acquired by the acquisition unit 71. Figure 1 ) in the space a1 (i.e., obtain the estimated space temperature (°C)). In this embodiment, the space a1 is a space located at a height of 1 meter or less below the ceiling surface 511. In addition, the estimation unit 72 also estimates the space humidity (in °C) in the space a1 on the ceiling surface 511 of the room 50 based on the second detection value acquired by the acquisition unit 71. Figure 4 In this case, the position where the space temperature is estimated by the estimation unit 72 and the position where the space humidity is estimated by the estimation unit 72 are the same position. More specifically, the estimation unit 72 according to this embodiment estimates the space a2 (refer to Figure 1) in the space a2, in which the straight-line distance measured from the first air outlet 241 provided through the ceiling surface 511 is equal to or shorter than r1 (reference Figure 1 ). The estimated space temperature calculated by the estimation unit 72 can be expressed by the following equation (1), and the estimated space humidity calculated by the estimation unit 72 can be expressed by the following equation (2).

[0056] [Number 1]

[0057] Tr=α1×Ts+c1 Formula (1)

[0058] [Number 2]

[0059] Hr=α2×Hs+c2 Formula (2)

[0060] In formula (1), Tr is the estimated space temperature (in space a2) [°C], α1 is a coefficient, Ts is the first detection value [°C], and c1 is a coefficient. For example, α1 can be 0.95 and c1 can be 0.2. In formula (2), Hr is the estimated humidity (in space a2) [%], α2 is a coefficient, Hs is the second detection value [%], and c2 is a coefficient. For example, α2 can be 1.05 and c2 can be 5.0.

[0061] Next, the estimation section 72 estimates the sensible temperature (NET) in the space a2 which constitutes a portion of the space a1 below the ceiling surface 511 and in which the straight-line distance from the first air outlet 241 is equal to or shorter than r1 (in Figure 4 The estimated sensible temperature in space a2 can be expressed by the following equation (3).

[0062] [Number 3]

[0063]

[0064] In equation (3), STr is the estimated sensible temperature (in space a2), and V is the wind speed (m / s). V is the wind speed in room 50. The indoor wind speed is as small as or less than about 0.3 [m / s], and even if the indoor wind speed is assumed to be constant, it does not significantly affect the estimated sensible temperature (NET value). Therefore, in this embodiment, V is assumed to be 0.1 [m / s].

[0065] Next, the estimation unit 72 estimates the sensible temperature for each predetermined height in the space a3 including the space a2 in the room 50 using the following equations (4) and (5), thereby estimating the sensible temperature distribution in the height direction in the room 50 (at Figure 4 shown in S4).

[0066] [Number 4]

[0067] T(h)=α3×h+c3 Formula (4)

[0068] [Number 5]

[0069] c3=STr-Lrf×α3 Formula (5)

[0070] In formula (4), h is the height above the floor [m], T(h) is the estimated sensible temperature at the height h [m] above the floor, α3 is a coefficient, and c3 is a coefficient. For example, α3 may be 0.5 and c3 may be 0.2. In formula (5), Lrf is the height of the ceiling 51 [m]. The estimated sensible temperature at the ceiling 51 calculated by formula (5) by replacing Lrf with h is substantially consistent with STr calculated by formula (3).

[0071] Next, the controller 73 causes the terminal device 8 (reference Figure 3 ) of the display device 81 (reference Figure 3 ) presents the sensible temperature distribution estimated by the estimation unit 72 (in Figure 4 S5 shown).

[0072] (4) Advantages

[0073] As described above, the server 7 according to this embodiment includes an acquisition unit 71, an estimation unit 72, and a controller 73. The estimation unit 72 estimates the sensible temperature distribution in the height direction of the room 50 based on the first and second detection values ​​detected by the temperature sensor 21 and the humidity sensor 22, respectively, included in the ventilator 2. The estimation unit 72 according to this embodiment can estimate the sensible temperature distribution based on the first and second detection values ​​detected by the temperature sensor 21 and the humidity sensor 22, respectively, included in the ventilator 2, thereby eliminating the need to provide a large number of sensors or dedicated sensors for the purpose of measuring the sensible temperature distribution. Furthermore, the controller 73 according to this embodiment causes the display device 81 of the terminal device 8 to display the sensible temperature distribution in the height direction of the room 50 estimated by the estimation unit 72. This allows users, such as residents of the facility 5 or employees of the management company of the facility 5, to understand the sensible temperature distribution in the room 50 estimated by the estimation unit 72. Users, such as residents or employees, can then take appropriate actions based on the sensible temperature distribution, such as changing the thermal environment. In addition, the estimation section 72 according to the present embodiment can estimate the sensible temperature distribution in the room 50 based solely on the detection values ​​obtained by both the temperature sensor 21 and the humidity sensor 22 included in the ventilator 2. This makes it possible to estimate the sensible temperature in the environment surrounding a person (user) even without installing a large number of sensors or dedicated sensors.

[0074] Furthermore, the estimation unit 72 according to this embodiment estimates the spatial temperature and spatial humidity of space a1 on the ceiling surface 511 of room 50 based on the first and second detection values, respectively. Based on the estimated spatial temperature and spatial humidity, the estimation unit 72 estimates the sensible temperature distribution in the height direction of room 50. The spatial temperature and spatial humidity of space a1 are the spatial temperature and spatial humidity of room 50. Meanwhile, the first detection value provided by the temperature sensor 21 and the second detection value provided by the humidity sensor 22 are the spatial temperature and spatial humidity of the space inside or around the ventilator 2, respectively. This enables a more accurate estimation of the sensible temperature distribution in room 50 compared to estimating the sensible temperature distribution in room 50 by directly using the first and second detection values ​​provided by the temperature sensor 21 and the humidity sensor 22, respectively. Estimating the spatial temperature and spatial humidity of space a1 in room 50 eliminates the need to separately install temperature and humidity sensors in room 50, thereby effectively reducing costs.

[0075] Furthermore, the estimated temperature and humidity in space a1 are estimated by the estimation unit 72 according to this embodiment at the same location. Furthermore, the estimation unit 72 according to this embodiment estimates the spatial temperature and humidity in space a2, which forms part of space a1 and in which the straight-line distance from the first air outlet 241 provided through the ceiling surface 511 is equal to or shorter than r1. This improves the accuracy of the estimated spatial temperature and humidity because air is constantly exchanged near the first air inlet 231 or the first air outlet 241. For example, the estimation unit 72 estimates the sensible temperature distribution based on the spatial temperature and humidity in space a2, where the straight-line distance from the first air inlet 231 or the first air outlet 241 is equal to or shorter than 1 meter, thereby improving the accuracy of the estimated sensible temperature distribution.

[0076] In addition, the server 7 according to the present embodiment further includes a judgment unit 74 that judges whether the representative value derived from the sensible temperature distribution falls outside a preset comfortable temperature range (preset range). In the case where the judgment unit 74 determines that the representative value falls outside the comfortable temperature range, the controller 73 causes the display device 81 to display an image G31 (notification image) for notifying the user that the representative value falls outside the comfortable temperature range. Displaying the notification image on the display device 81 informs users such as people living in the facility 5 or employees of the management company of the facility 5 that the representative value falls outside the comfortable temperature range. The representative value is any one of the maximum value in the sensible temperature distribution, the minimum value in the sensible temperature distribution, and the average value obtained from the sensible temperature distribution. This makes it possible to judge whether the representative value derived from the sensible temperature distribution falls outside the comfortable temperature range under wider conditions.

[0077] Furthermore, the determination unit 74 according to the present embodiment determines whether the sensible temperature at any point in the height direction in the room 50 falls outside the comfortable temperature range. A notification image is displayed on the display device 81 to inform a user, such as a person living in the facility 5 or an employee of the management company of the facility 5, that the sensible temperature at any point falls outside the comfortable temperature range.

[0078] In addition, the server 7 according to the present embodiment also includes a calculation unit 75 that calculates the ratio of the time period in which the representative value derived from the body temperature distribution falls within the preset comfortable temperature range relative to the arbitrarily set time period (evaluation time period). The controller 73 causes the display device 81 to present the ratio. This enables users such as employees of the management company of the facility 5 to grasp the ratio of the time period in which the representative value falls within the comfortable temperature range relative to the evaluation time period. If the evaluation time period is, for example, one day, the data collected in this way can be effectively used as an indicator for preventing the onset of acute diseases such as heat stroke. On the other hand, if the evaluation time period is, for example, about three months, the data collected in this way can be used as data for selecting the optimal ventilator 2 by season. In addition, if the evaluation time period is, for example, about one year, the data collected in this way can be used as data for proving the air conditioning capacity of the property (facility 5) itself or presenting the favorable characteristics of the property when attracting tenants.

[0079] Furthermore, the calculation unit 75 according to this embodiment calculates the ratio of the time period during which the sensible temperature at any point falls within the comfortable temperature range relative to the evaluation time period. This allows a user, such as an employee of the management company of the facility 5, to grasp the ratio of the time period during which the sensible temperature at any point falls within the comfortable temperature range relative to the evaluation time period.

[0080] Furthermore, the estimation unit 72 according to the present embodiment estimates the sensible temperature distribution in the height direction of the room 50 using the above-described equations (1) to (5). This enables the estimation unit 72 according to the present embodiment to estimate the sensible temperature distribution using analytical expressions and eliminates the need for complex algorithms that presuppose the use of a cloud computing system involving, for example, machine learning, thereby enabling the cost of the display system to be reduced.

[0081] (Variation)

[0082] Note that the above embodiments are only typical embodiments of the various embodiments of the present invention and should not be interpreted as limiting. On the contrary, the typical embodiments can be easily modified in various ways according to design selection or any other factors without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0083] In addition, the functions of the display system 1 according to the above-mentioned typical embodiment can also be implemented as a display method, a (computer) program or a non-transitory storage medium storing the program, for example. The display method according to one aspect includes an acquisition step, an estimation step and a presentation step. The acquisition step includes acquiring a first detection value and a second detection value from the temperature sensor 21 and the humidity sensor 22, respectively. Both the temperature sensor 21 and the humidity sensor 22 are included in the ventilator 2 that ventilates the room 50. The estimation step includes estimating a sensible temperature distribution representing the distribution of the sensible temperature in the height direction in the room 50 based on the first detection value and the second detection value acquired in the acquisition step. The presentation step includes causing the display device 81 to present the sensible temperature distribution estimated in the estimation step. The program according to another aspect is designed to enable one or more processors to perform the above-mentioned display method.

[0084] The display system 1 according to the present invention may include, for example, a computer system. The computer system may include a processor and a memory as its main hardware components. The function of the display system 1 according to the present invention may be performed by causing the processor to execute a program stored in the memory of the computer system. The program may be pre-stored in the memory of the computer system. Alternatively, the program may also be downloaded via a telecommunications line, or distributed after being recorded in some non-transient storage medium such as a memory card, an optical disc or a hard disk drive (any of which is readable by the computer system). The processor of the computer system may be composed of a single or multiple electronic circuits including a semiconductor integrated circuit (IC) or a large-scale integrated circuit (LSI). As used herein, "integrated circuits" such as IC or LSI are referred to by different names depending on the degree of their integration. Examples of integrated circuits include system LSI, very large-scale integrated circuits (VLSI) and ultra-large-scale integrated circuits (ULSI). Alternatively, a field programmable gate array (FPGA) to be programmed after the LSI is manufactured or a logic device that allows the reconfiguration of the connections or circuit sections inside the LSI may be used as a processor. These electronic circuits may be integrated together on a single chip or distributed on multiple chips, whichever is appropriate. These multiple chips can be aggregated together in a single device or distributed across multiple devices, without limitation. As used herein, a "computer system" includes a microcontroller comprising one or more processors and one or more memories. Therefore, a microcontroller can also be implemented as a single or multiple electronic circuits comprising semiconductor integrated circuits or large-scale integrated circuits.

[0085] Note that the modifications described below can be appropriately combined and adopted.

[0086] In the above exemplary embodiment, at least some functions of the display system 1 are aggregated together in a single device (ie, server 7). However, this is not an essential configuration of the display system 1. Alternatively, the constituent elements of the display system 1 may be distributed across multiple devices (housings).

[0087] For example, some functions of the display system 1 may be provided to the terminal device 8 or any device (housing) other than the server 7. Furthermore, the display system 1 need not necessarily be provided outside the facility 5 (such as a single-family home), but may be provided inside the facility 5. In other words, the display system 1 may be provided in a local environment inside the facility 5. Alternatively, for example, at least some functions of the display system 1 may also be implemented as a cloud computing system.

[0088] The display system 1 only needs to include at least the acquisition section 71 , the estimation section 72 , and the controller 73 .

[0089] The display system 1 may include not only the server 7 but also the terminal device 8 .

[0090] In the above exemplary embodiment, the display system 1 is assumed to be installed in a single-family home as an example. However, this is merely an example and should not be construed as limiting. Alternatively, the display system 1 may be installed in any of various other types of facilities 5, including multi-family homes (such as so-called "apartments" in Japan) and offices.

[0091] The terminal device 8 may also be a mobile telecommunication device such as a smartphone or tablet computer, and the display device 81 may be implemented as a touch screen panel display. The terminal device 8 is not necessarily provided outside the facility 5 (such as a single-family house), but may also be provided inside the facility 5.

[0092] In the above exemplary embodiment, as an example, the estimation unit 72 uses linear equations as equations (1), (2), (4) and (5) to estimate the sensible temperature distribution. However, this is only an example and should not be construed as limiting. Alternatively, the estimation unit 72 may estimate the sensible temperature by an analytical expression other than a linear equation. For example, the estimation unit 72 may also estimate the sensible temperature by an approximate expression based on the indoor environment (such as a high-order polynomial, a logarithmic function or an exponential function). For example, in a facility where both floor heating and a heater are in operation, the temperature around the ceiling and floor in the room becomes relatively high. In this case, for example, a quadratic function, a hyperbola or a trigonometric function may be used to approximate the sensible temperature distribution. If the approximate expression for estimating the sensible temperature is an analytical expression, an algorithm can be easily implemented. Alternatively, the approximate expression for estimating the sensible temperature may also be obtained by, for example, performing a regression analysis when designing the facility 5. The regression analysis may be performed, for example, based on the results of temperature and humidity simulation using airflow simulation and statistical software. Alternatively, the approximate expression may also be obtained by statistical processing based on the results of environmental measurements to be performed after the facility 5 is built.

[0093] In the above exemplary embodiment, it is assumed that the ventilator 2 is a ventilator with a single ventilation stage. Alternatively, the ventilator 2 may be a ventilator with a two-stage ventilation stage or a ventilator with a three-stage ventilation stage. If the ventilator 2 is a ventilator with a two-stage ventilation stage, the ventilator 2 uses mechanical power only for the purpose of supplying air, and there is no need to provide any fan for the exhaust duct 24. On the other hand, if the ventilator 2 is a ventilator with a three-stage ventilation stage, the ventilator 2 uses mechanical power only for the purpose of exhausting air, and there is no need to provide any fan for the supply duct 23.

[0094] The temperature sensor 21 and the humidity sensor 22 may also be provided inside the air supply duct 23. In this case, the estimation unit 72 preferably estimates the spatial temperature and spatial humidity in the space a2 whose straight-line distance from the first air inlet 231 is equal to or shorter than r1 based on the first detection value and the second detection value, and then estimates the sensible temperature distribution.

[0095] Notification images do not have to be Figure 3 The image G31 shown. Alternatively, the notification image may be an image that flashes the portion of the solid curve L1 that falls outside the comfortable temperature range (i.e., the range from the numerical value L2 to the numerical value L3). Still alternatively, the notification image may be an image that circles the portion of the solid curve L1 that falls outside the comfortable temperature range in red. Still alternatively, the notification image may be an image that displays the portion of the solid curve L1 that falls outside the comfortable temperature range in a different color. Still alternatively, the notification image may be an image that represents a character string that notifies the user that the perceived temperature falls outside the comfortable temperature range.

[0096] When the determination unit 74 determines that the representative value derived from the sensible temperature distribution or the sensible temperature at any point falls outside the comfortable temperature range, the controller 73 may control the speaker included in the terminal device 8 to, for example, cause the speaker to sound an alarm.

[0097] Determination unit 74 can determine whether the representative value derived from the sensible temperature distribution or the sensible temperature at any point falls outside the comfortable temperature range. If determination unit 74 determines that the sensible temperature falls outside the comfortable temperature range, controller 73 can cause display device 81 to display a notification image notifying the user that the sensible temperature falls outside the comfortable temperature range.

[0098] (Summary)

[0099] As can be seen from the foregoing description, the display system (1) according to the first aspect includes an acquisition unit (71), an estimation unit (72), and a controller (73). The acquisition unit (71) acquires a first detection value and a second detection value from a temperature sensor (21) and a humidity sensor (22), respectively. Both the temperature sensor (21) and the humidity sensor (22) are included in a ventilator (2) that ventilates a room (50). The estimation unit (72) estimates a sensible temperature distribution representing the distribution of sensible temperatures in the height direction in the room (50) based on the first detection value and the second detection value acquired by the acquisition unit (71). The controller (73) causes the display device (81) to present the sensible temperature distribution estimated by the estimation unit (72).

[0100] This aspect enables the display system (1) to estimate the sensible temperature distribution in the height direction of the room (50) based on the first detection value and the second detection value provided by the temperature sensor (21) and the humidity sensor (22), both included in the ventilator (2), respectively, and to cause the display device (81) to present the sensible temperature distribution thus estimated. This eliminates the need to provide a large number of sensors or dedicated sensors for the purpose of measuring the sensible temperature distribution, thereby enabling the cost of the display system (1) to be reduced.

[0101] In a display system (1) according to the second aspect that can be implemented in combination with the first aspect, the estimation unit (72) estimates the spatial temperature on the ceiling surface (511) of the room (50) and the spatial humidity on the ceiling surface (511) of the room (50) based on the first detection value and the second detection value, respectively. The estimation unit (72) thereby estimates the sensible temperature distribution in the height direction of the room (50) based on the spatial temperature and spatial humidity thus estimated.

[0102] According to this aspect, the estimation unit (72) estimates the space temperature and space humidity on the ceiling surface (511) and then estimates the sensible temperature distribution, thereby improving the accuracy of the estimated sensible temperature distribution.

[0103] In the display system (1) according to the third aspect, which can be implemented in combination with the second aspect, at least one of the air inlet (first air inlet 231) and the air outlet (first air outlet 241) of the ventilator (2) is provided through the ceiling surface (511). The room temperature and the room humidity are estimated by the estimation unit (72) at the same position. The same position is a position where a straight-line distance measured from the air inlet (first air inlet 231) or the air outlet (first air outlet 241) provided through the ceiling surface (511) is equal to or shorter than a predetermined distance (straight-line distance r1).

[0104] Since air is constantly exchanged near the air inlet (first air inlet 231) or the air outlet (first air outlet 241) of the ventilator (2), the accuracy of the estimated space temperature and space humidity is improved. The estimation unit (72) estimates the sensible temperature distribution based on the space temperature and space humidity at a position where the straight-line distance from the air inlet (first air inlet 231) or the air outlet (first air outlet 241) is equal to or shorter than 1 meter, thereby improving the accuracy of the estimated sensible temperature distribution.

[0105] The display system (1) according to the fourth aspect, which can be implemented in combination with any one of the first to third aspects, further includes a judgment unit (74). The judgment unit (74) judges whether the representative value derived from the body temperature distribution falls outside a preset range. If the judgment unit (74) determines that the representative value falls outside the preset range, the controller (73) causes the display device (81) to display a notification image for notifying the user that the representative value falls outside the preset range.

[0106] According to this aspect, a notification image is displayed when a representative value derived from the sensible temperature distribution falls outside a preset range, which informs a user such as an occupant or a person who is monitoring the display device (81) that the representative value falls outside the preset range.

[0107] In the display system (1) according to the fifth aspect which can be implemented in combination with the fourth aspect, the representative value is any one of a maximum value, a minimum value, and an average value of the sensible temperature distribution.

[0108] According to this aspect, a notification image is displayed when any one of the maximum value, minimum value and average value of the sensible temperature distribution falls outside the preset range, which informs a user such as a resident or a person who is monitoring the display device (81) that the maximum value, minimum value or average value of the sensible temperature distribution falls outside the preset range.

[0109] The display system (1) according to the sixth aspect, which can be implemented in combination with any one of the first to third aspects, further includes a judgment unit (74). The judgment unit (74) judges whether the sensible temperature at any point in the height direction of the room (50) in the sensible temperature distribution falls outside a preset range. If the judgment unit (74) determines that the sensible temperature at any point falls outside the preset range, the controller (73) causes the display device (81) to display a notification image for notifying the user that the sensible temperature at any point falls outside the preset range.

[0110] According to this aspect, a notification image is displayed when the sensible temperature at any point in the height direction in the sensible temperature distribution falls outside a preset range, which informs a user such as a resident or a person who is monitoring the display device (81) that the sensible temperature at any point falls outside the preset range.

[0111] The display system (1) according to the seventh aspect, which can be implemented in combination with any one of the first to sixth aspects, further includes a calculation unit (75). The calculation unit (75) calculates the ratio of a time period in which a representative value derived from the body temperature distribution falls within a preset range relative to an arbitrarily set time period. The controller (73) causes the display device (81) to display the ratio.

[0112] This aspect enables a user such as a monitoring person to grasp the ratio of the time period in which the representative value falls within the preset range relative to the arbitrarily set time period. If the arbitrarily set time period is, for example, one day, the data thus collected can be effectively used as an indicator for preventing the onset of acute diseases such as heat stroke. On the other hand, if the arbitrarily set time period is, for example, approximately three months, the data thus collected can be used as data for selecting the optimal ventilator (2) by season. Furthermore, if the arbitrarily set time period is, for example, approximately one year, the data thus collected can be used as data for demonstrating the air conditioning capacity of a property (facility) or presenting favorable characteristics of the property when attracting tenants.

[0113] The display system (1) according to the eighth aspect, which can be implemented in combination with any one of the first to sixth aspects, further includes a calculation unit (75). The calculation unit (75) calculates the ratio of a time period in which the sensible temperature at any point in the height direction of the room (50) in the sensible temperature distribution falls within a preset range relative to an arbitrarily set time period. The controller (73) causes the display device (81) to display the ratio.

[0114] This aspect enables a user such as a monitoring person to grasp the ratio of the time period in which the perceived temperature at any point falls within a preset range relative to the arbitrarily set time period. If the arbitrarily set time period is, for example, one day, the data thus collected can be effectively used as an indicator for preventing the onset of acute diseases such as heat stroke. On the other hand, if the arbitrarily set time period is, for example, approximately three months, the data thus collected can be used as data for selecting the optimal ventilator (2) by season. Furthermore, if the arbitrarily set time period is, for example, approximately one year, the data thus collected can be used as data for demonstrating the air conditioning capacity of a property (facility) or presenting favorable characteristics of the property when attracting tenants.

[0115] In the display system (1) according to the ninth aspect, which can be implemented in combination with any one of the first to eighth aspects, the estimation unit (72) estimates the sensible temperature distribution using the following equations (1) to (5).

[0116] [Number 6]

[0117] Tr=α1×Ts+c1 Formula (1)

[0118] [Number 7]

[0119] Hr=α2×Hs+c2 Formula (2)

[0120] [Number 8]

[0121]

[0122] [Number 9]

[0123] T(h)=α3×h+c3 Formula (4)

[0124] [Number 10]

[0125] c3=STr-Lrf×α3 Formula (5)

[0126] Where: α1, α2, α3, c1, c2 and c3 are coefficients respectively;

[0127] h is the height above the floor [m];

[0128] Lrf is the height of the ceiling [m];

[0129] V is the wind speed [m / s];

[0130] Ts is a first detection value [° C.] provided by a temperature sensor (21);

[0131] Tr is the estimated temperature in space (a2) [°C];

[0132] STr is the perceived temperature in space (a2) [°C];

[0133] T(h) is the perceived temperature at height h above the floor [°C];

[0134] Hs is a second detection value [%] provided by the humidity sensor (22); and

[0135] Hr is the estimated humidity (%) in the space (a2).

[0136] This aspect enables the estimation section (72) to estimate the sensible temperature distribution by an analytical expression and eliminates the need for a complex algorithm that presupposes the use of a cloud computing system involving machine learning, for example, thereby enabling cost reduction.

[0137] Note that the constituent elements according to the second aspect to the ninth aspect are not essential constituent elements of the display system (1) but may be omitted as appropriate.

[0138] The display method according to the tenth aspect includes an acquisition step, an estimation step, and a presentation step. The acquisition step includes acquiring a first detection value and a second detection value from a temperature sensor (21) and a humidity sensor (22), respectively. Both the temperature sensor (21) and the humidity sensor (22) are included in a ventilator (2) for ventilating a room (50). The estimation step includes estimating a sensible temperature distribution representing the distribution of sensible temperatures in a height direction in the room (50) based on the first detection value and the second detection value acquired in the acquisition step. The presentation step includes causing a display device (81) to present the sensible temperature distribution estimated in the estimation step.

[0139] This aspect enables estimation of the sensible temperature distribution in the height direction of the room (50) based on first detection values ​​and second detection values ​​respectively provided by the temperature sensor (21) and the humidity sensor (22) both included in the ventilator (2), and enables the display device (81) to present the sensible temperature distribution thus estimated. This eliminates the need to provide a large number of sensors or dedicated sensors for the purpose of measuring the sensible temperature distribution, thereby enabling cost reduction.

[0140] The program according to the eleventh aspect is designed to cause one or more processors to perform the display method according to the tenth aspect.

[0141] This aspect enables estimation of the sensible temperature distribution in the height direction of the room (50) based on first detection values ​​and second detection values ​​respectively provided by the temperature sensor (21) and the humidity sensor (22) both included in the ventilator (2), and enables the display device (81) to present the sensible temperature distribution thus estimated. This eliminates the need to provide a large number of sensors or dedicated sensors for the purpose of measuring the sensible temperature distribution, thereby enabling cost reduction.

[0142] Description of Reference Numerals

[0143] 1 Display system

[0144] 2 ventilators

[0145] 21 Temperature sensor

[0146] 22 Humidity Sensor

[0147] 231 First air inlet (air inlet)

[0148] 241 First air outlet (air outlet)

[0149] 50 rooms

[0150] 51 Ceiling

[0151] 511 Ceiling Surface

[0152] 71 Acquisition Department

[0153] 72 Estimation Department

[0154] 73 Controller

[0155] 74 Judgment Department

[0156] 75 Computing Department

[0157] 81 Display device

[0158] G31 Image (Notification Image)

[0159] r1 straight-line distance (predetermined distance)

Claims

1. A display system comprising: an acquisition section configured to acquire a first detection value and a second detection value from a temperature sensor and a humidity sensor, respectively, both of which are included in a ventilator configured to ventilate a room; an estimating unit configured to estimate a sensible temperature distribution indicating a distribution of sensible temperatures in a height direction in the room based on the first detection value and the second detection value acquired by the acquiring unit; as well as a controller configured to cause a display device to present the sensible temperature distribution estimated by the estimating unit, The estimation unit is configured to estimate a spatial temperature on a ceiling surface of the room and a spatial humidity on a ceiling surface of the room based on the first detection value and the second detection value, respectively, and thereby estimate a sensible temperature distribution in a height direction in the room based on the spatial temperature and spatial humidity thus estimated.

2. The display system according to claim 1, wherein: At least one of the air inlet and the air outlet of the ventilator is provided through the surface of the ceiling, The space temperature and the space humidity are estimated by the estimating section at the same location, and The same position is a position where a straight-line distance measured from an air inlet or an air outlet provided through the ceiling surface is equal to or shorter than a predetermined distance.

3. The display system according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a determination unit configured to determine whether the representative value derived from the sensible temperature distribution falls outside a preset range. in, When the determination unit determines that the representative value is outside the preset range, the controller is configured to cause the display device to display a notification image for notifying a user that the representative value is outside the preset range.

4. The display system according to claim 3, wherein: The representative value is any one of a maximum value, a minimum value, and an average value of the sensible temperature distribution.

5. The display system according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a determination unit configured to determine whether the sensible temperature at any point in the height direction of the room in the sensible temperature distribution falls outside a preset range. in, When the determination unit determines that the sensible temperature at the arbitrary point is outside the preset range, the controller is configured to cause the display device to display a notification image for notifying a user that the sensible temperature at the arbitrary point is outside the preset range.

6. The display system according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a calculation unit configured to calculate a ratio of a time period in which a representative value derived from the sensible temperature distribution falls within a preset range relative to an arbitrarily set time period, in, The controller is configured to cause the display device to present the ratio.

7. The display system according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a calculation unit configured to calculate a ratio of a time period in which the sensible temperature at any point in the height direction of the room in the sensible temperature distribution falls within a preset range to an arbitrarily set time period, in, The controller is configured to cause the display device to present the ratio.

8. A display system comprising: an acquisition section configured to acquire a first detection value and a second detection value from a temperature sensor and a humidity sensor, respectively, both of which are included in a ventilator configured to ventilate a room; an estimating unit configured to estimate a sensible temperature distribution indicating a distribution of sensible temperatures in a height direction in the room based on the first detection value and the second detection value acquired by the acquiring unit; as well as a controller configured to cause a display device to present the sensible temperature distribution estimated by the estimating unit, The estimation unit is configured to estimate the sensible temperature distribution using the following equations (1) to (5): [Number 1] Tr=α1×Ts+c1 Formula (1) [Number 2] Hr=α2×Hs+c2 Formula (2) [Number 3] [Number 4] T(h)=α3×h+c3 Formula (4) [Number 5] c3=STr-Lrf×α3 Formula (5) Where: α1, α2, α3, c1, c2 and c3 are coefficients respectively; h is the height above the floor [m]; Lrf is the height of the ceiling [m]; V is the wind speed [m / s]; Ts is a first detection value [°C] provided by the temperature sensor; Tr is the estimated space temperature on the ceiling surface [°C]; STr is the perceived temperature in the room [°C]; T(h) is the perceived temperature at height h above the floor [°C]; Hs is a second detection value [%] provided by the humidity sensor; and Hr is the estimated humidity (%) on the ceiling surface.

9. A display method, comprising: an acquiring step for acquiring a first detection value and a second detection value from a temperature sensor and a humidity sensor, respectively, both of which are included in a ventilator configured to ventilate a room; an estimating step for estimating a sensible temperature distribution representing a distribution of sensible temperatures in a height direction in the room based on the first detection value and the second detection value acquired in the acquiring step; and a presenting step for causing a display device to present the sensible temperature distribution estimated in the estimating step; The estimating step includes estimating the spatial temperature on the ceiling surface of the room and the spatial humidity on the ceiling surface of the room based on the first detection value and the second detection value, respectively, and thereby estimating the sensible temperature distribution in the height direction in the room based on the thus estimated spatial temperature and spatial humidity.

10. A display method, comprising: an acquiring step for acquiring a first detection value and a second detection value from a temperature sensor and a humidity sensor, respectively, both of which are included in a ventilator configured to ventilate a room; an estimating step for estimating a sensible temperature distribution representing a distribution of sensible temperatures in a height direction in the room based on the first detection value and the second detection value acquired in the acquiring step; and a presenting step for causing a display device to present the sensible temperature distribution estimated in the estimating step; The estimating step is configured to estimate the sensible temperature distribution by the following equations (1) to (5): [Number 1] Tr=α1×Ts+c1 Formula (1) [Number 2] Hr=α2×Hs+c2 Formula (2) [Number 3] [Number 4] T(h)=α3×h+c3 Formula (4) [Number 5] c3=STr-Lrf×α3 Formula (5) Where: α1, α2, α3, c1, c2 and c3 are coefficients respectively; h is the height above the floor [m]; Lrf is the height of the ceiling [m]; V is the wind speed [m / s]; Ts is a first detection value [°C] provided by the temperature sensor; Tr is the estimated space temperature on the ceiling surface [°C]; STr is the perceived temperature in the room [°C]; T(h) is the perceived temperature at height h above the floor [°C]; Hs is a second detection value [%] provided by the humidity sensor; and Hr is the estimated humidity (%) on the ceiling surface.

11. A computer program product comprising a program designed to cause one or more processors to perform the display method according to claim 9 or 10.

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