Air conditioning system, air conditioner, and air conditioning method

Abstract

To provide an air conditioning system, an air conditioner, and an air conditioning method which can be operated more comfortably and more efficiently by switching between start and stop of the operation according to the presence of a user.SOLUTION: An air conditioning system links an air conditioner with a terminal device capable of short-range wireless communication with the air conditioner. The air conditioning system includes a control unit. The control unit is configured such that at least one of a length of a confirmation period for confirming a connection state of communication using the short-range wireless communication and a value of the number of confirmations is set in advance to different values before and after establishment of communication connection, and the control unit, based on a response from the terminal device or the air conditioner, executes a process related to changing the operating state of the air conditioner in response to a determination element related to the length of the confirmation period or the number of confirmations satisfying a predetermined condition.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] An embodiment of the present invention relates to an air conditioning system, an air conditioner, and an air conditioning method. [Background technology]

[0002] In an air conditioning control system, it has been desirable to be able to operate an air conditioner that conditions a room more comfortably and efficiently by switching between starting and stopping operation depending on the user's presence in the room.

[0003] For example, when a user returns from being out, they may want the room temperature to be quickly adjusted to a comfortable temperature. On the other hand, when a user temporarily leaves the room and returns soon after, they may not want the air conditioner to automatically stop in response to the user's temporary departure from the room. Meeting these conditions was not easy. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2022 / 162932 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioning system, an air conditioner, and an air conditioning method that can operate more comfortably and efficiently by switching between starting and stopping operation depending on the user's presence in the room. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An air conditioning system according to an embodiment links an air conditioner and a terminal device capable of short-range wireless communication with the air conditioner. The air conditioning system has a control unit. The control unit presets at least one of a length of a confirmation period for checking a connection state of communication using short-range wireless communication and a value of a number of confirmations to different values ​​before and after a communication connection is established, and performs processing related to changing the operating state of the air conditioner based on a response from the terminal device or the air conditioner in response to a determination element related to the length of the confirmation period or the number of confirmations satisfying a predetermined condition. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing an air conditioning system according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the air conditioner of the first embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a terminal device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a server according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a state transition diagram of air conditioner control in the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram of air conditioner control in state ST11 of the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram of air conditioner control in state ST11 of the first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is a schematic sequence diagram of air conditioner control in state ST13 of the first embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram of air conditioner control in state ST13 of the first embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram of air conditioner control relating to state ST13 in FIG. 8. [Figure 11] FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram of air conditioner control relating to state ST13 in FIG. 8. [Figure 12A] FIG. 11 is a state transition diagram of air conditioner control in the second embodiment. [Figure 12B]13 is a flowchart of air conditioner control relating to states ST13A and ST16 of the second embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 12B is a sequence diagram of air conditioner control relating to states ST13A and ST16 in FIG. 12A. [Figure 14] FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining a screen displayed on a terminal device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining a screen displayed on a terminal device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining a screen displayed on a terminal device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 12B is a sequence diagram of air conditioner control relating to states ST11A and ST14 of FIG. 12A. [Figure 18] FIG. 12B is a sequence diagram of air conditioner control relating to states ST11A and ST14 of FIG. 12A. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] Hereinafter, an air conditioning system, an air conditioner, and an air conditioning method according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same reference numerals are used for configurations having the same or similar functions. Then, duplicated descriptions of those configurations may be omitted. In this application, "based on XX" means "based on at least XX" and may include cases where the configuration is based on another element in addition to XX. Furthermore, "based on XX" is not limited to cases where the configuration is based directly on XX, but may also include cases where the configuration is based on XX that has been subjected to calculation or processing. In this application, "XX or YY" is not limited to cases where either XX or YY is used, but may also include cases where both XX and YY are used. This also applies when there are three or more selective elements. XX and YY are any element (for example, any information).

[0009] In this application, "obtain" is not limited to actively obtaining information by sending a transmission request, but may also include passively receiving information transmitted from another device. Also, "obtain" is not limited to directly obtaining target information (information to be obtained) from outside, but may also include generating and obtaining target information by performing calculations or processing on information obtained from outside.

[0010] (First embodiment) <1. Overall composition> 1 is a diagram showing an air conditioning system 1 of a first embodiment. The air conditioning system 1 includes, for example, an air conditioner 100, a server 200, and a terminal device 300. The network NW described below may be, for example, the Internet, a cellular network, a Wi-Fi network, a Low Power Wide Area (LPWA), a Wide Area Network (WAN), a Local Area Network (LAN), or other public lines or dedicated lines, depending on the situation.

[0011] (Air conditioner) The air conditioner 100 is a home appliance used by a user U and is installed in the residence of the user U. The air conditioner 100 is, for example, a home room air conditioner. However, the air conditioner 100 is not limited to a home air conditioner, and may be an air purifier or the like. The air conditioner 100 is connected to a network NW via, for example, a wireless router WR and a modem M installed in the residence of the user U. The air conditioner 100 is capable of communicating with a server 200 or a terminal device 300 via the network NW. The air conditioner 100 is configured to be capable of directly communicating with the terminal device 300 using short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark). When using short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth, the air conditioner 100 can simplify the connection procedure from the second time onwards by registering identification information of the terminal device 300 that is permitted to communicate.

[0012] (server) The server 200 is a management server that manages the air conditioner 100. The server 200 is composed of one or more server devices (e.g., cloud servers). The server 200 is capable of communicating with the air conditioner 100 or the terminal device 300 via the network NW. The server 200 may include an information processing unit that performs edge computing or fog computing, such as an information processing unit included in a router in the network NW. The server 200 is not limited to a cloud server, and may be a computer in the residence of the user U, a home router, or may be built into a home appliance such as the air conditioner 100.

[0013] (Terminal Device) The terminal device 300 is an electronic device used by a user U. Among the terminal devices 300, the terminal device 300H is, for example, a mobile terminal device such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal device. This terminal device 300H is not limited to a mobile terminal device, and may be a personal computer or the like. Among the terminal devices 300, the terminal device 300W is, for example, a wristband-type terminal device (wearable device) that is worn in contact with the skin, such as a smart watch. Hereinafter, unless otherwise distinguished, the terminal devices 300H and 300W will be collectively described as the terminal devices 300. The terminal device 300 includes, for example, a display device 301, an input device 302, a communication unit 303, and a sensor unit 308. The sensor unit 308 includes an acceleration sensor, a gyro, a temperature sensor, an optical sensor for detecting heartbeat, and the like.

[0014] The display device 301 is a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display, and has a display screen 301a capable of displaying various information. The input device 302 is capable of receiving input from a user U. The input device 302 is, for example, a touch panel provided on top of the display screen 301a. The input device 302 may include a camera, a microphone, and the like provided in the terminal device 300. The communication unit 303 is, for example, a communication module capable of wireless communication. The communication unit 303 is connected to the network NW directly or via a wireless router WR and a modem M. The communication unit 303 is capable of communicating with the air conditioner 100 or the server 200 via the network NW. The communication unit 303 of the terminal device 300 is capable of directly communicating with the air conditioner 100 using short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth. When using short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth, the communication unit 303 can simplify the connection procedure from the second time onwards by registering identification information of the air conditioner 100 with which communication is permitted.

[0015] An application program P is installed in the terminal device 300, and the functions described below are supported. The application program P is, for example, an application program for managing the air conditioner 100. Hereinafter, application software that is started by executing the application program P is referred to as a "home appliance management application AP." The application program P acquires information on the detection results of various sensors in the sensor unit 308, and notifies the air conditioner 100 of the information on the detection results in response to a request from the air conditioner 100.

[0016] In this embodiment, an example of an "air conditioning system" is realized by the air conditioner 100, the server 200, and the home appliance management application AP of the terminal device 300. However, the "air conditioning system" may be realized by only the air conditioner 100, or may be realized by a combination of the air conditioner 100 and the home appliance management application AP. In this embodiment, each of the air conditioner 100, the server 200, and the terminal device 300 is an example of a "computer." There is no limit to the number and type of the terminal devices 300.

[0017] <2. Air conditioner> Next, the air conditioner 100 will be described. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the air conditioner 100. The air conditioner 100 has, for example, a heat exchanger 110, a sensor unit 120, a control unit 130, a communication unit 140, and a storage unit 190.

[0018] <2.1 Heat exchange device> The heat exchanger 110 is a device that performs heat exchange to adjust the temperature or humidity of indoor air. The heat exchanger 110 is, for example, a heat pump type heat exchanger, and includes a compressor 111, an outdoor heat exchanger 112, an expansion valve 113, an indoor heat exchanger 114, and a blower 115. The compressor 111 and the outdoor heat exchanger 112 are included in, for example, an outdoor unit. The expansion valve 113, the indoor heat exchanger 114, and the blower 115 are included in, for example, an indoor unit. The heat exchanger 110 further includes a switching valve (not shown) that switches the flow direction of the refrigerant.

[0019] In the cooling cycle, the compressor 111 compresses a refrigerant and supplies the compressed refrigerant to the outdoor heat exchanger 112. The outdoor heat exchanger 112 functions as a condenser in the cooling cycle. The refrigerant that has dissipated heat by passing through the outdoor heat exchanger 112 is supplied to the indoor heat exchanger 114 via an expansion valve 113. The indoor heat exchanger 114 functions as an evaporator in the cooling cycle, and lowers the temperature of the indoor air by removing heat from the indoor air.

[0020] In the heating cycle, the compressor 111 compresses the refrigerant and supplies the compressed refrigerant to the indoor heat exchanger 114. The indoor heat exchanger 114 functions as a condenser in the heating cycle, and heats the indoor air to increase the temperature of the indoor air. The refrigerant that has dissipated heat by passing through the indoor heat exchanger 114 is supplied to the outdoor heat exchanger 112 via the expansion valve 113. The outdoor heat exchanger 112 functions as an evaporator in the heating cycle, and increases the temperature of the refrigerant. The blower 115 sends out the air cooled or heated by the heat exchange device 110 to the room in which the air conditioner 100 is installed.

[0021] <2.2 Sensor section> The sensor unit 120 is a detection unit capable of detecting the state of the air conditioner 100 or the state of the environment in which the air conditioner 100 is installed. The sensor unit 120 has, for example, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, a current sensor, a voltage sensor, and a human presence sensor.

[0022] <2.3 Control section> The control unit 130 is realized by one or more hardware processors, such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) mounted in the air conditioner 100, executing a program. However, part or all of the air conditioner 100 may be realized by hardware such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), a PLD (Programmable Logic Device), or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or may be realized by a combination of software and hardware.

[0023] The control unit 130 performs overall control of the air conditioner 100 as a whole. For example, the control unit 130 operates the air conditioner 100 by controlling the heat exchanger 110 based on the detection results detected by the sensor unit 120 and control information 191 stored in the storage unit 190. The control unit 130 can execute a plurality of operation modes as the operation modes of the air conditioner 100 by controlling the heat exchanger 110. The plurality of operation modes include, for example, a cooling operation, a heating operation, and a dehumidification operation.

[0024] In this embodiment, the multiple operation modes may include multiple operation modes that are the same type of operation but have different air conditioning capabilities (strength of operation).

[0025] <2.4 Communications Department> The communication unit 140 is, for example, a wireless communication module connectable to a wireless router WR. The communication unit 140 is capable of communicating with the server 200 or the terminal device 300 via the network NW. The communication unit 140 transmits a status confirmation request Req or the like to the terminal device 300W at a predetermined period, for example, by using the connection destination information 192 stored in the storage unit 190.

[0026] The storage unit 190 is realized by a combination of, for example, a random access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), an electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), or a solid state drive (SSD). The storage unit 190 stores various information. For example, the storage unit 190 stores control information 191 and connection destination information 192.

[0027] <3. Terminal device> For convenience of explanation, the terminal device 300 will be explained first. 3 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the terminal device 300. The terminal device 300 includes, for example, an information acquisition unit 310, a display control unit 320, an operation acceptance unit 330, an information transmission unit 340, and a storage unit 390.

[0028] The information acquiring unit 310, the display control unit 320, the operation accepting unit 330, and the information transmitting unit 340 are realized by one or more hardware processors, such as a CPU, mounted on the terminal device 300 executing the application program P. In other words, the information acquiring unit 310, the display control unit 320, the operation accepting unit 330, and the information transmitting unit 340 are software function units included in the home appliance management application AP.

[0029] The information acquisition unit 310 acquires various types of information from the server 200 or the air conditioner 100 by communicating with the server 200 or the air conditioner 100. The information acquisition unit 310 accepts requests from external devices such as the server 200 or the air conditioner 100 and responds to the requests. For example, the information acquisition unit 310 requests the start of communication with the air conditioner 100, or accepts a request for information provision from the air conditioner 100 and replies with specified information. Furthermore, the information acquisition unit 310 acquires information from various sensors of the sensor unit 308 provided inside, and responds to requests from external devices.

[0030] The display control unit 320 controls the display device 301 of the terminal device 300, thereby controlling the contents displayed on the display screen 301a of the display device 301. Screens and operation units displayed on the display screen 301a described below are displayed under the control of the display control unit 320. The display control unit 320 causes, for example, various notifications received from the server 200 or the air conditioner 100 to be displayed on the display screen 301a.

[0031] The operation reception unit 330 receives operations performed by the user U on the input device 302 regarding the operation or management of the air conditioner 100. The information transmission unit 340 transmits information or signals corresponding to the various operations received by the operation reception unit 330 to the server 200 or the air conditioner 100.

[0032] The storage unit 390 is realized by, for example, a combination of a RAM, a ROM, an EEPROM, an SSD, etc. The storage unit 390 stores various information. For example, the storage unit 390 stores an application program P.

[0033] <4. Server> Next, the server 200 will be described. 4 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the server 200. The server 200 includes, for example, a setting receiving unit 210, a condition evaluating unit 220, a handling processing unit 230, an information transmitting unit 240, and a storage unit 290.

[0034] The setting reception unit 210, the condition evaluation unit 220, the response processing unit 230, and the information transmission unit 240 are realized by one or more hardware processors such as a CPU mounted on the server 200 executing a program. However, some or all of these functional units may be realized by hardware such as an ASIC, a PLD, or an FPGA, or may be realized by cooperation between software and hardware. These functional units may be provided separately in multiple server devices. Furthermore, one or more of these functional units may be provided in the air conditioner 100 or the home appliance management application AP of the terminal device 300 instead of the server 200. For example, the condition evaluation unit 220 and the response processing unit 230 may be provided in the home appliance management application AP of the terminal device 300, and the setting reception unit 210 may be provided in the server 200.

[0035] <4.1 Setting reception section> The setting reception unit 210 can receive a setting operation by the user U to individually set the operation start conditions and operation stop conditions for each of the multiple operation modes of the air conditioner 100. In this application, "stopping operation" is not limited to stopping the operation of the air conditioner 100, but can also refer to ending the operation mode in operation and transitioning to another operation mode (transition from cooling operation to dehumidification operation, or transition from normal heating to energy-saving heating). In this application, "operation start conditions and operation stop conditions can be individually set" means, for example, that different conditions (different temperatures, different humidity, or the presence or absence of people) can be set for the operation start conditions and operation stop conditions.

[0036] For example, the setting reception unit 210 can set different temperatures as the condition for starting the cooling operation and the condition for stopping the cooling operation. Alternatively, the setting reception unit 210 may set a condition for starting the cooling operation that is determined by a combination of temperature and humidity, and set a condition for stopping the cooling operation that is determined only by temperature. This also applies to operation modes other than the cooling operation. The setting reception unit 210 of this embodiment sets, as conditions for air conditioning control, an upper limit value for the "length of confirmation period" used in the connection confirmation stage of communication between the air conditioner 100 and the terminal device 300W, and a setting value for the number of times confirmation should be made during the confirmation period (the "number of confirmations"). It is advisable to set the above-mentioned upper limit value for the "length of confirmation period" and the setting value for the "number of confirmations" to different values ​​when the communication connection is established and when the connection is not established.

[0037] In this embodiment, the setting receiving unit 210 can accept setting operations by user U to register setting contents that correspond to conditions related to temperature, humidity, time, or people as conditions for starting operation or stopping operation of each operating mode, and the control contents of the air conditioner 100 that are executed when the conditions are satisfied.

[0038] A "condition related to temperature" is, for example, a threshold temperature that is a starting point for starting or stopping operation. A "condition related to humidity" is, for example, a threshold humidity that is a starting point for starting or stopping operation. A "condition related to time" is, for example, the season when operation starts or stops. A "condition related to people" is, for example, the presence or absence of people in the room in which the air conditioner 100 is installed. For ease of explanation, below, "conditions related to temperature, humidity, time, or people" may be referred to as "state conditions."

[0039] In this embodiment, when a user U performs a setting operation to register setting contents that associate status conditions with control contents of the air conditioner 100, a condition evaluation unit 220 described below judges whether the above setting contents are appropriate (whether predetermined evaluation conditions are satisfied). Then, when it is judged that the above setting contents are appropriate (whether predetermined evaluation conditions are satisfied), the setting reception unit 210 registers the above setting contents by adding them to the setting content information 291.

[0040] In this embodiment, the setting receiving unit 210 can accept, as the above-mentioned setting operation, a setting operation for registering setting contents that correspond to a state condition defined by a combination of two or more elements of temperature, humidity, season, or person, and the control content of the air conditioner 100 that is executed when the state condition is satisfied. For example, by controlling a combination of "conditions related to temperature" and "conditions related to people," it becomes possible to control the air conditioner 100 to start cooling operation by detecting that a person has entered a room where the room temperature is higher than a threshold temperature. Even if the temperature exceeds the threshold temperature as described above, if the air conditioner 100 is stopped when no person has entered the room, there is no need to start cooling operation by the air conditioner 100.

[0041] <5. Application Examples> In this embodiment, an attempt is made to detect the presence or absence of a user U (person) using the terminal device 300W, and to control the air conditioner 100 using the detection result.

[0042] The air conditioner 100 of the embodiment can be connected by communication with the server 200, the terminal device 300W, and the terminal device 300H via the network NW. For example, the air conditioner 100 can be controlled in response to a request sent by the server 200.

[0043] The air conditioner 100 of this embodiment determines whether to establish communication with a terminal device 300W such as the terminal device 300W based on the history of successful communication connections between the air conditioner 100 and the terminal device 300W.

[0044] The air conditioner 100 determines that communication has been established when communication with the terminal device 300W has been consecutively successful a predetermined number of times within a predetermined period, and determines that the connection has been disconnected if communication is consecutively unsuccessful. The air conditioner 100 may determine whether a connection has been established based on the number of times it has determined that communication is possible within a predetermined period when communication between the air conditioner 100 and the terminal device 300W has not been established, and the number of times it has determined that communication is possible within a predetermined period when communication has been established.

[0045] For example, when a connection is established, the air conditioner 100 determines the location of the user U from user information periodically sent from the terminal device 300W, and determines and automatically controls the next control state of the air conditioner 100. The data related to the above-mentioned "user information" may be vital data of a specific user U, data on the amount of change in acceleration or gyro, location information data, and the like. Alternatively, when a connection is established, the air conditioner 100 confirms with the terminal device 300W or another terminal device the next operation control of the air conditioner 100, and determines and controls the next operation state based on a response from the user U. The latter will be described later.

[0046] For example, when the air conditioner 100 is operated automatically, it is desirable that the following requirements be met. When a user U returns home from outside, he / she may want the air conditioner 100 to start operating immediately to make the room temperature comfortable. In such a case, it is preferable to have the air conditioner 100 respond in a relatively short time (for example, about 5 seconds). On the other hand, if the user U temporarily leaves the room and returns soon after, it is not desirable for the air conditioner 100 to automatically stop. In this case, it is advisable to lengthen the period for checking the presence status of the user U and to lower the response sensitivity of the air conditioner 100. For example, assuming that the user will leave the room to have a meal and return, it is advisable to set the checking period to about 30 minutes to an hour. By lengthening the checking period in this way, it is possible to avoid the air conditioner 100 automatically stopping.

[0047] <6. Air conditioner control> Hereinafter, air conditioner control in the air conditioning system 1 of this embodiment will be described.

[0048] FIG. 5 is a state transition diagram of air conditioner control according to the embodiment.

[0049] The states in air conditioner control are broadly classified as follows. ST0: Operation stopped (OFF mode) ST1: A state in which control is executed using the terminal device 300W ST2: State in which remote control is executed

[0050] The above state ST0 is a state in which the air conditioner 100 is not operating (OFF mode). State ST1 is a state in which the air conditioner 100 is controlled using the terminal device 300W. State ST2 is a state in which the air conditioner 100 is controlled using a remote control (remote control device) for the air conditioner 100 (remote control state).

[0051] In this embodiment, the control by the remote control is prioritized, and therefore, even if the WD control is issued during the period of state ST2, this is ignored.

[0052] The control state of the above state ST1 is classified as follows. ST11: Connection confirmation state to establish a connection from a non-connection stage ST12: Operation status (ON mode) ST13: Connection confirmation state to change from established connection to unconnected state

[0053] When the air conditioner 100 is in state ST0, it accepts a communication request (E0a) from the terminal device 300W and transitions the state to state ST11.

[0054] State ST11 indicates a state in the connection confirmation stage. When the air conditioner 100 is in state ST11, it periodically checks the connection state of communication using short-range wireless communication based on a cycle T1. At least one of the length of the check period and the number of checks is preset to a different value before and after the communication connection is established. For example, in state ST11, the air conditioner 100 detects the length of the confirmation period that is set in advance and the value of the number of confirmations during the confirmation. The air conditioner 100 transitions its state to state ST12 in response to at least one of the following being satisfied during the confirmation: the length of the confirmation period did not exceed the length that is set in advance, or the value of the number of confirmations has reached the value of the number of confirmations that is set in advance (E11a).

[0055] If, during the confirmation, both of the following conditions are met: either the length of the confirmation period exceeds a preset length, or the value of the number of confirmations does not reach the preset number of times (E11b), the air conditioner 100 transitions its state to state ST0 and stops the air conditioner 100.

[0056] Status ST12 indicates the operating status of the air conditioner 100 (ON mode). When the air conditioner 100 is in state ST12, it periodically checks the connection state of communication using short-range wireless communication based on a cycle T2. When the air conditioner 100 detects a connection failure or the like a predetermined number of times (E12a), it transitions the state to state ST13 while maintaining the operating state of the air conditioner 100. For example, the cycle T1 (first cycle) applied before the above-mentioned connection is established is shorter than the cycle T2 (second cycle) applied after the connection is established.

[0057] State ST13 indicates a state in the connection confirmation stage. When in state ST13, the air conditioner 100 periodically checks the connection state of communication using short-range wireless communication based on the cycle T2. For example, in state ST13, the air conditioner 100 detects the length of the confirmation period that is set in advance and the value of the number of confirmations during the confirmation. The air conditioner 100 transitions its state to state ST12 in response to at least one of the following being satisfied during the confirmation: the length of the confirmation period did not exceed the length that is set in advance, or the value of the number of confirmations has reached the value of the number of confirmations that is set in advance (E13b). If, during the confirmation, both of the following conditions are met: either the length of the confirmation period has exceeded a preset length, or the value of the number of confirmations has not reached a preset value (E13a), the air conditioner 100 transitions its state to state ST0 and stops the air conditioner 100. As a result, when the control unit 130 of the air conditioner 100 changes from a situation in which it is determined that a communication connection between the terminal device 300W and the air conditioner 100 has been established to a situation in which it is determined that the communication connection has been interrupted, the control unit 130 of the air conditioner 100 can reduce the operating capacity of the air conditioner 100 below the operating capacity when it is estimated that the user U is present in the room.

[0058] The control unit 130 may acquire user information from the terminal device 300W that enables estimation of whether the user U is wearing the terminal device 300W, and add the acquired user information to the above-mentioned state transition conditions. In this case, the control unit 130 may estimate the presence status of the user U using the user information and the result of the determination of whether a communication connection between the terminal device 300W and the air conditioner 100 has been established, and may perform processing related to changing the operating state of the air conditioner 100 according to the estimation result of the presence status of the user U. For example, when the control unit 130 determines that a communication connection between the terminal device 300W and the air conditioner 100 has been established and receives user information from the terminal device 300W from which it can be presumed that the user has worn the terminal device 300W, the control unit 130 may set the operating state of the air conditioner 100 to the active state. A more specific example of this will be described later.

[0059] FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram of air conditioner control relating to state ST11 of the embodiment. (a) in Figure 6 shows a sequence for transitioning wireless communication between the air conditioner 100 and the terminal device 300W from an unconnected state to a connected state, and (b) in Figure 6 shows a sequence for determining that the connected state continues after wireless communication has entered a connected state.

[0060] First, the unconnected state shown in (a) of Fig. 6 will be described. When in the unconnected state shown in (a) of Fig. 6, the air conditioner 100 starts communication connection processing spontaneously when a predetermined condition such as a reservation start is satisfied, or in response to a request (not shown) from the terminal device 300W.

[0061] For example, the air conditioner 100 and the terminal device 300W can communicate with each other using short-range wireless communication procedures. The air conditioner 100 starts the communication connection process upon receiving a request from the terminal device 300W. The air conditioner 100 sends a connection request Req such as a status acquisition request to the terminal device 300W, waits for a response RR, and determines that communication is possible if the response RR is received. In the sequence shown in this figure, when the air conditioner 100 sends a connection request Req01, the terminal device 300W detects the connection request Req01 and returns a response RR01. If the air conditioner 100 receives the response RR01 to the connection request Req01 within a predetermined time, it determines that it is in a state where communication is possible. After transmitting the connection request Req01, the air conditioner 100 transmits a connection request (Req) at a predetermined period T1 and repeats this confirmation process. The connection requests Req02 to Req05 are an example of the above-mentioned connection requests (Req), and the responses RR02 to RR05 are an example of the above-mentioned responses (RR).

[0062] In the example shown here, the air conditioner 100 determines that a connection has been established if it receives five responses, from RR01 to the connection request Req01 through RR05 to the connection request Req05, after transmitting the connection request Req01. This number of responses is an example and may be changed as appropriate without being limited thereto. As another example, a condition may be added that determines that connection establishment has failed if the confirmation period CP1 from when the air conditioner 100 sends a connection request Req01 to when it receives a response RR05 to the connection request Req05 exceeds a predetermined upper limit value CP1max.

[0063] Next, the connection state shown in (b) in FIG. 6 will be described. When in the connection state shown in (b) in FIG. 6, the air conditioner 100 repeatedly performs processing for confirming the communication connection state in response to the state in which the above-mentioned "communication connection" has been established. The air conditioner 100 sends a connection request Req such as a status acquisition request to the terminal device 300W, waits for a response RR, and determines that the communication-enabled state continues if the response RR is received. This basic process of exchanging the "connection request Req" and the "response RR" remains unchanged, but in the sequence shown in this figure, when the air conditioner 100 sends a connection request Req11, the terminal device 300W detects the connection request Req11 and returns the response RR. When the air conditioner 100 receives a response RR11 to the connection request Req11 within a predetermined time, it determines that the communication-enabled state is in place. The air conditioner 100 repeats the above determination by transmitting a connection request Req11 at a predetermined cycle T2. The connection requests Req12 to Req15 are an example of the above connection requests (Req), and the responses RR12 to RR15 are an example of the above responses (RR).

[0064] Organize the above relationships. At least one of the length of the confirmation period for checking the connection status of the short-range wireless communication and the number of confirmation times is preset to a different value before and after the short-range wireless communication connection is established, and is stored in the control information 191 of the memory unit 190 or the like. The control unit 130 of the air conditioner 100 may execute processing related to changing the operating state of the air conditioner 100 in response to at least one of the following: the confirmation period to be confirmed has not exceeded a preset length, and the number of times has reached a preset number of times. The above-mentioned confirmation period to be confirmed having not exceeded a preset length, and the number of times having reached a preset number of times are examples of judgment elements related to the length of the confirmation period or the number of times of confirmation satisfying a predetermined condition.

[0065] FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram of air conditioner control relating to state ST11 of the embodiment. The response (RR) in the sequence shown in this figure includes user information (Info) generated by the terminal device 300W. For example, the first response RR11 includes user information Info11, and the kth response RR1k includes user information Info1k. User information Info11 to user information Info1k are collectively referred to as user information Info. The user information Info has a predetermined data structure for storing various data, which may include identification information of each user U and vital data of user U. The vital data may include data indicating heart rate, blood pressure, blood flow (blood flow pulsation), blood oxygen concentration, body temperature, and the like.

[0066] For example, when the predetermined number k is reached, the value of the "heart rate" in the user information Info is within a range that can be identified as normal. In other words, it may be considered that the user U is wearing the terminal device 300W and the "heart rate" can be measured normally, and that the user information Info in this case is not a value that should be determined as invalid data. Note that a "heart rate" being normal means that the user information Info has been received and that the "heart rate" value indicated by the user information Info is within the general range of values ​​for a healthy person. The air conditioner 100 then "determines that a connection has been established" and determines from the user information Info that the user U is wearing the terminal device 300W (S71). From the result of this determination, the air conditioner 100 determines that "the user U is present in the location where the air conditioner 100 is installed." The air conditioner 100 then starts operating (S72).

[0067] According to this sequence, the control unit 130 can receive vital data of the user U and determine that the user U is wearing the terminal device 300W if the received data is valid for a certain period of time.

[0068] FIG. 8 is a schematic sequence diagram of air conditioner control relating to state ST13 of the embodiment. In the sequence shown in this figure, there is no response RR from the terminal device 300W, and the state is one in which no response has been detected (no response NR). Therefore, the air conditioner 100 is in a state where it cannot detect either a response (RR) or user information (Info). This also includes the case where there is no signal.

[0069] For example, when the number of no responses NR to requests Req reaches a predetermined number k, the air conditioner 100 determines that communication with the terminal device 300W has been interrupted (S81). From the result of this determination, the air conditioner 100 determines that "the user U is not present in the location where the air conditioner 100 is installed."Then, the operation of the air conditioner 100 is stopped (S82).

[0070] The sequence of FIG. 8 and its derivatives will be described with reference to more specific examples shown in FIG. 9 to FIG. 9 to 11 are sequence diagrams of air conditioner control in state ST13 of the embodiment. Each sequence shown in Fig. 9 to 11 is a case where the detection statuses of the response RR and the user information Info are different from each other during the "processing of determining that communication with the terminal device 300W has been interrupted." For example, the sequence shown in Fig. 9 is a case where the response RR and the user information Info are not detected before "it is determined that communication with the terminal device 300W has been interrupted" (S81), and corresponds to the sequence in Fig. 8. The difference from the sequence shown in Fig. 8 is that the state goes into a state of checking the connection interruption (S91) after there has been no response (NR) twice in a row, and thereafter the connection check is repeated.

[0071] The sequence shown in FIG. 10, like the sequence shown in FIG. 9, enters a state of checking for connection interruption (S91), but in this example, the response RR and user information Info that could not be detected at an early stage become detectable midway through before it is determined that communication with terminal device 300W has been interrupted (S81). The sequence shown in FIG. 11 is an example in which the response RR and user information Info, which were not detectable at an early stage, become detectable during the “process of determining that communication with the terminal device 300W has been interrupted”, but then return to an undetectable state.

[0072] According to the above embodiment, the control unit 130 presets at least one of the length of the confirmation period for checking the connection status of communication using short-range wireless communication and the value of the number of confirmations to different values ​​before and after the establishment of the communication connection, and performs processing related to changing the operation state of the air conditioner 100 in response to a response from the terminal device or the air conditioner, depending on whether a determination element related to the length of the confirmation period or the number of confirmations satisfies a predetermined condition. This allows for more comfortable and efficient operation by switching between starting and stopping operation depending on the presence status of the user U.

[0073] In the above-described process of estimating the communication state by the control unit 130, backward protection is provided for protecting against the effects of overdetection of a response from the terminal device 300W during the period from establishment of a communication connection to the terminal device 300W, and forward protection is provided for protecting against the effects of insufficient detection of a response from the terminal device 300W during the period from establishment of a communication connection to the terminal device 300W to release of the communication connection. When a detection result corresponding to a temporary absence state of the user U is obtained, the control unit 130 may reduce the effects of the detection result corresponding to the temporary absence state by forward protection, thereby allowing the operation of the air conditioner 100 to continue.

[0074] Second embodiment The second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 12A to 16. FIG. In the above-described first embodiment, a case has been described in which it is estimated that the user U is in a room. Instead, in the present embodiment, a case will be described in which the intention of the user U is confirmed when it is estimated that the user U is in a room.

[0075] 12A is a state transition diagram of air conditioner control according to the embodiment. The following description will focus on the differences from the state transition diagram shown in FIG. The control state of the above state ST1 is classified as follows. ST11A: Connection check ST12: Operation status (ON mode) ST13A: Connection check ST14: Request confirmation state ST15: Operation continues while absent ST16: Request confirmation status

[0076] When the air conditioner 100 is in state ST0, it accepts a communication request (E0a) from the terminal device 300W and transitions the state to state ST11A.

[0077] State ST11A indicates a state in the connection confirmation stage.

[0078] For example, in state ST11A, the air conditioner 100 detects the preset length of the confirmation period and the value of the confirmation count during the confirmation. If, during the confirmation, at least one of the following is satisfied (E11c): the length of the confirmation period did not exceed the preset length, or the value of the confirmation count has reached the preset count, the air conditioner 100 transitions its state to state ST14.

[0079] State ST14 indicates a request confirmation state. When the air conditioner 100 is in state ST14, it notifies the terminal device 300 to confirm a command from the user U, and acquires the command from the user U from the terminal device 300. If the command from the user U is to start operation (E14a), the air conditioner 100 transitions its state to state ST12, and starts operation of the air conditioner 100. If the command from the user U is to stop operation (E14b), the air conditioner 100 transitions to state ST0, and stops operation of the air conditioner 100.

[0080] Status ST12 indicates the operating status of the air conditioner 100 (ON mode).

[0081] State ST13A indicates a state in the connection confirmation stage. For example, in state ST13A, the air conditioner 100 detects the length of the confirmation period that is set in advance and the value of the number of confirmations during the confirmation. The air conditioner 100 transitions its state to state ST12 in response to at least one of the following being satisfied during the confirmation: the length of the confirmation period did not exceed the length that is set in advance, or the value of the number of confirmations has reached the value of the number of confirmations that is set in advance (E13b). If, during the confirmation, both of the following conditions are met: either the length of the confirmation period has exceeded a preset length, or the value of the number of confirmations has not reached the preset number of confirmations (E13c), the air conditioner 100 transitions its state to state ST16 while maintaining the operating state of the air conditioner 100.

[0082] State ST16 indicates a request confirmation state. When the air conditioner 100 is in state ST16, it notifies the terminal device 300 to confirm a command from the user U, and acquires the command from the user U from the terminal device 300. If the command from the user U is to stop operation (E16a), the air conditioner 100 transitions its state to state ST0, and stops operation of the air conditioner 100. If the command from the user U is to continue operation (E16b), the air conditioner 100 transitions to state ST12, and the air conditioner 100 maintains operation.

[0083] FIG. 12B is a flowchart of air conditioner control relating to states ST13A and ST16 in this embodiment.

[0084] The air conditioner 100 applies the following procedure to detect a state in which a connection has been established with the terminal device 300W and the user U is not wearing the terminal device 300W (S11). This case corresponds to a situation in which a response (RR) is detected but the desired user information (Info) cannot be detected.

[0085] The control unit 130 determines whether or not the air conditioner 100 is in operation based on an operation from the remote control (S12), and ends the series of processes if the determination result is negative. If the determination result in S12 is positive, the control unit 130 calculates the acceleration and the amount of change in the gyro of the data received from the terminal device 300W (S13). The control unit 130 determines whether or not there is a change amount equal to or greater than a (predetermined) threshold value (S14), and if the determination result is negative, it determines that the user U is not near the air conditioner 100 (S15), and ends the series of processes.

[0086] If the determination result in S14 is positive, the control unit 130 determines that the user U is near the air conditioner 100 (S16). The control unit 130 sends the status of the air conditioner 100 to the server 200 and an operation confirmation request to the terminal device 300 of the user U (S17).

[0087] The control unit 130 determines whether or not an operational instruction is received from the user U within a predetermined period of time (S18), and ends the series of processes if the determination result is negative. If the determination result in S18 is positive, the control unit 130 controls the air conditioner 100 according to the content designated by the user U through an operational instruction.

[0088] The above series of processes is completed.

[0089] As described above, when the control unit 130 receives a response from the user U from the terminal device 300W, the control unit 130 leaves a record of the receipt of the response. After receiving information from which it is possible to estimate that there has been a movement or change in the attitude of the terminal device 300W, if there is no record of such a change, the control unit 130 may transmit a notification for acquiring an instruction from the user U, and if there is a record of such a change, may suppress the transmission of the notification for acquiring an instruction from the user U. As described above, the control unit 130 may suppress the transmission of notifications to the terminal device 300 when the air conditioner 100 is in a state in which it is accepting an operation request from a remote control (remote control device) for the air conditioner 100.

[0090] FIG. 13 is a sequence diagram of air conditioner control relating to states ST13A and ST16 in this embodiment. The first half of the sequence shown in this figure corresponds to FIG. 8 described above, in which there is no response (NR) and it is determined that communication has been interrupted (S81). The air conditioner 100 determines that the user U is likely not in the room where the air conditioner 100 is located, sends a notification (Req21, Req22) to the out-of-home user U to confirm the next instruction (continue operation / stop), and waits for a response.

[0091] The terminal device 300W or the terminal device 300H displays a notification for confirming start / stop / continuation of operation of the air conditioner 100 (S131, S132), and waits for an operation by the user U.

[0092] The user U checks the notification displayed on the terminal device 300W or the terminal device 300H, and uses that device to instruct the operation of the desired air conditioner 100, specifying "continue operation" or "stop" (OP21 or OP22). When the terminal device 300H receives "continue operation" or "stop" in response to a user operation, it sends this to the air conditioner 100 (Info 21). When the terminal device 300W receives "continue operation" or "stop" in response to a user operation, it sends this to the air conditioner 100 (Info 22).

[0093] When the air conditioner 100 receives an instruction to "stop" operation from the terminal device 300W or the terminal device 300H, it stops operation accordingly. On the other hand, when the air conditioner 100 receives an instruction to "continue operation", it records this and continues operation. In this case, there is essentially no change in the control of the air conditioner 100.

[0094] According to this sequence, when the control unit 130 determines that the presence status of the user U is that the user U is present, it requests the user U to perform an instruction operation for the operating state of the air conditioner 100 as a process related to changing the operating state of the air conditioner 100, and acquires instruction information from the user U in response to the request. The control unit 130 can control the operating state of the air conditioner 100 based on the instruction information from the user U in response to the request.

[0095] 14 to 16 are diagrams for explaining screens (D14A, D14B) displayed on the display screen 301a of the terminal device 300 according to the embodiment. FIG. 14(a) shows a screen D14A for confirming the user U's designation regarding the operating status of the air conditioner 100 when the air conditioner 100 is "stopped." This screen D14A includes an inquiry Q from the air conditioner 100 ("You have received confirmation of operation instructions from the air conditioner 100 in your room. What would you like to do?"), the notation ST indicating the "current status" of the air conditioner 100, and icons for specifying operation instructions (ToDR for "Start operation" and CNT for "Leave as is").

[0096] The user U checks the contents of this screen and taps the icon of the desired operation instruction. The terminal device 300W detects the tapping of the operation instruction icon and sends a corresponding operation instruction to the air conditioner 100. In this way, the air conditioner 100 can obtain information on the user U's operation instructions from the terminal device 300W.

[0097] FIG. 14(b) shows a screen D14B for confirming the user U's designation regarding the operational status of the air conditioner 100 when the air conditioner 100 is "in operation." This screen D14B includes an inquiry Q from the air conditioner 100 ("You have received confirmation of operation instructions from the air conditioner 100 in your room. What would you like to do?"), the notation DR of "In operation" indicating the "current status" of the air conditioner 100, and icons for specifying operation instructions (ToST for "Stop operation" and CNT for "As is").

[0098] Similarly, the user U checks the contents of this screen and taps the icon of the desired operation instruction. The terminal device 300W detects the tapping of the operation instruction icon and sends a corresponding operation instruction to the air conditioner 100. In this way, the air conditioner 100 can obtain information on the operation instruction of the user U from the terminal device 300W.

[0099] Fig. 15 is a diagram for explaining a screen D15 displayed on the wristband-type terminal device 300W. The content shown here is reminiscent of the content shown in (a) of Fig. 14 described above. The above differences are due to differences in the device form and screen size, but the user U's operation instruction information can be sent to the air conditioner 100 without being affected by these differences.

[0100] 13 to 15 above, when the air conditioner 100 determines that communication with the terminal device 300W has been interrupted, it sends a notification to the terminal device 300W or the terminal device 300H to confirm whether to continue or stop operation of the air conditioner 100, and controls operation according to the response from the user U. If there is no response from the user U after a certain period of time has passed, it is preferable to maintain the current state.

[0101] When user U leaves the room for an extended period of time, he or she may wish to continue air conditioning control in the room in which the air conditioner 100 is installed in the current state. In such a case, automatic stopping can be inconvenient. If the air conditioner 100 confirms whether or not automatic stopping is required, the user U can instruct it to stop or continue. Furthermore, by configuring the air conditioner 100 to maintain the current state if the user U does not respond to this, it is possible to eliminate the trouble of responding to confirmations from the air conditioner 100.

[0102] By enabling such settings, it is possible to switch between the state transitions in FIG. 5 and the state transitions in FIG. 12A described above.

[0103] According to the embodiment, when the control unit 130 determines that the presence status of the user U is that the user U is present, as a process related to changing the operation status of the air conditioner 100, it requests the user U to perform an instruction operation for the operation status of the air conditioner 100, acquires instruction information from the user U in response to the request, and controls the operation status of the air conditioner 100 based on the instruction information from the user U in response to the request. This allows for more comfortable and efficient operation by switching between starting and stopping operation depending on the presence status of the user U.

[0104] (First Modification) FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining a screen D16 used for setting the automatic operation of the air conditioner 100. As shown in FIG. This screen D16 includes the name of the setting item ("Automatic operation setting for air conditioner 100") and switch icons for specifying the automatic operation setting items ("Start operation" ToDRSW and "Stop operation" ToSTSW).

[0105] For example, it is assumed that the user U can use the terminal device 300 or a remote control to set the air conditioner 100 to allow / disallow automatic operation start / stop of the air conditioner 100. Such an air conditioner 100 starts / stops automatic operation based on the setting.

[0106] Depending on the season, there may be times when the air conditioner 100 is not in use. By configuring the above screen so that it is possible to set and cancel "automatic operation start / stop," it is possible to set the air conditioner 100 so that it does not automatically start operating during periods when the air conditioner 100 is not in use.

[0107] (Second Modification) A second modification of the embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 17 and 18 are sequence diagrams of air conditioner control relating to states ST11A and ST14 in FIG. 12A of the embodiment. The first half of the sequence shown in this figure is similar to that of FIG. 8 described above, but differs in that the data accompanying the response RR is invalid data infoINV as user information. In the case of invalid data infoINV as user information as described above, the air conditioner 100 determines that a connection has been established since it has received the response RR. However, since the data infoINV is invalid, the air conditioner 100 determines that the user U is not wearing the terminal device 300W (S171). At this time, since a connection has been established as described above, even if it can be estimated that at least the user U was in a room where the air conditioner 100 is located, it is unclear whether the user U is in the room where the air conditioner 100 is located (S172).

[0108] As described above, if the connection is established but the user is not wearing the terminal device 300W, it is possible that the terminal device 300W has been removed from the room in which the air conditioner 100 is located and placed in a storage location. The air conditioner 100 cannot start operation because it cannot determine whether the user is still present in that location. If the user U remains in that location, a notification is sent to the terminal device 300W or terminal device 300H requesting that the next instruction (continue operation / stop) be entered, and if the user responds to this, the next action can be determined.

[0109] Therefore, the air conditioner 100 sends a notification to the terminal device 300W or the terminal device 300H to confirm whether the air conditioner 100 should continue or stop operating, and waits for a response. The terminal device 300W or the terminal device 300H displays a notification for confirming start / stop / continuation of operation of the air conditioner 100 (S131, S132), and waits for a user operation. The user checks the notification displayed on the terminal device 300W or the terminal device 300H, and uses that device to instruct the operation of the desired air conditioner 100, specifying "continue operation" or "stop" (OP21 or OP22). When the terminal device 300H receives "continue operation" or "stop" in response to a user operation, it sends this to the air conditioner 100 (Info 21). When the terminal device 300W receives "continue operation" or "stop" in response to a user operation, it sends this to the air conditioner 100 (Info 22).

[0110] When the air conditioner 100 receives an instruction to "stop" operation from the terminal device 300W or the terminal device 300H, it stops operation accordingly. On the other hand, when the air conditioner 100 receives an instruction to "continue operation", it records this and continues operation. In this case, there is essentially no change in the control of the air conditioner 100.

[0111] According to this sequence, when the control unit 130 determines that a communication connection has been established between the terminal device 300W and the air conditioner 100, but is unable to receive user information from the terminal device 300W that indicates that the user U is wearing the terminal device 300W, the control unit 130 can send a notification to the terminal device 300W or to the terminal device 300H of another terminal device, and determine the operating state of the air conditioner 100 according to the user U's response.

[0112] As described above, if the user U is not wearing the terminal device 300W even though the connection is established, there is a possibility that the terminal device 300W has been removed from the room in which the air conditioner 100 is located and placed in a storage location. The air conditioner 100 cannot start operation because it cannot determine whether the user U is still present at the location. If the user U remains at the location, the air conditioner 100 can determine the next operation by sending a communication to input the next instruction to the terminal device 300W or the terminal device and receiving a response.

[0113] Therefore, the air conditioner 100 sends a notification to the terminal device 300W and the terminal device 300H confirming start / stop / continuation of operation of the air conditioner 100 (S131, S132) and waits for a response. The terminal device 300W or the terminal device 300A displays a notification for confirming whether to start / stop / continue operation of the air conditioner 100, and waits for an operation by the user U. The user U checks the terminal device 300W or the notification displayed on the terminal device, and uses that device to instruct the operation of the desired air conditioner 100, specifying "continue operation" or "stop" (OP21 or OP22). When the terminal device receives "continue operation" or "stop" in response to an operation by the user U, it sends this to the air conditioner 100 (Info 21). When the terminal device 300W receives "continue operation" or "stop" in response to an operation by the user U, it sends this to the air conditioner 100 (Info 22).

[0114] When the air conditioner 100 receives an instruction to "stop" operation from the terminal device 300W or a terminal device, it stops operation accordingly. On the other hand, when the air conditioner 100 receives an instruction to "continue operation", it records this and continues operation (S133). In this case, there is essentially no change in the control of the air conditioner 100 (S134).

[0115] The sequence shown in FIG. 18 is an example of a state in which the user U is not wearing the terminal device 300W, similar to the sequence shown in FIG. 17 described above. 17, the air conditioner 100 sends connection requests (status confirmation requests) Req11 to Req1k and receives a response RR to them. The data included in the response RR is invalid data infoINV. After that, the data included in the response RR31 is replaced with info31 that is identified as user information. After that, responses including user information are accepted up to response RR3k. The user information Info31 to Info3k included in the responses 31 to 3k respectively includes the amount of change in acceleration and gyro measurement values ​​(acceleration change amount, gyro change amount) detected by the device's sensor. If the amount of acceleration change and the amount of gyro change during this time are changing each time (S181), it is possible that the device is not being worn but is being operated (S182).

[0116] The air conditioner 100 receives the response RR and determines that the connection has been established, and detects a situation in which the acceleration change amount and gyro change amount continue for more than a certain period of time, and estimates that the user U is currently operating the device.

[0117] In response to this, the air conditioner 100 sends a notification to the terminal device 300W or the terminal device to confirm the user U's intention to start / stop / continue operation of the air conditioner 100 (S183, S184) in a manner similar to that shown in Figure 17 described above, and then performs an action according to the response (S185).

[0118] According to the above procedure, when the control unit 130 determines that a communication connection has been established between the terminal device 300W and the air conditioner 100, in addition to or instead of user information that can be used to infer that the user U is wearing the terminal device 300W, the control unit 130 can receive information from the terminal device 300W that can be used to infer a change in movement or posture of the terminal device 300W, and use the information that can be used to infer a change in movement or posture of the terminal device 300 in the process of determining the operating state of the air conditioner 100. From another perspective, when a state changes from one in which valid information cannot be acquired from the terminal device 300W to one in which valid information can be acquired, the control unit 130 sends an inquiry to the terminal device 300 for the user U. This valid information may include information indicating an operation of the terminal device 300W.

[0119] According to this sequence, the control unit 130 receives data regarding the movement or change in posture of the terminal device 300W, and can determine that the user U is wearing or operating the terminal device 300W if the received data is valid for a certain period of time.

[0120] This is an example of a situation where the user U is in a room where the air conditioner 100 is installed, but is not wearing a smartwatch. With this information alone, the air conditioner 100 cannot determine whether the user U is there or not. If the air conditioner 100 can additionally receive the amount of change in the acceleration or gyro of the smartwatch, or information indicating that the smartwatch is being operated for a certain period of time, it can determine that the user U is operating the smartwatch or the like, and can determine that the user U is in that location. In this case, since the user U may be present there for a certain period of time, it becomes possible to confirm with the user U what to do about driving. Without being limited to determining driving based on the results of the above confirmation, driving may start automatically when information indicating that the smartwatch is being operated is received for a certain period of time based on the amount of change in the acceleration or gyro of the smartwatch.

[0121] As described above, the air conditioner 100 executes operation control in accordance with the response from the user U. If there is no response from the user U even after a certain period of time has passed, the air conditioner 100 may maintain the current state.

[0122] Several embodiments have been described above. However, the embodiments are not limited to the above examples. Furthermore, several of the above embodiments can be realized in combination with each other. For example, in the above embodiment, if the setting contents of the user U do not satisfy a predetermined evaluation condition, a predetermined notification is given to the user U. However, the embodiments are not limited to this example. For example, the air conditioning system may take measures such as suppressing the acceptance of the setting contents of the user U without giving a predetermined notification to the user U (for example, the setting operation of the user U that does not satisfy the predetermined evaluation condition is not accepted and the setting screen is unresponsive).

[0123] According to at least one of the embodiments described above, the air conditioning system links an air conditioner and a terminal device capable of short-range wireless communication with the air conditioner. The air conditioning system includes a control unit. The control unit presets at least one of the length of a confirmation period for checking the connection state of communication using the short-range wireless communication and the number of confirmations to different values ​​before and after the connection is established, and performs processing related to changing the operating state of the air conditioner in response to a response from the terminal device or the air conditioner, depending on whether a determination element related to the length of the confirmation period or the number of confirmations satisfies a predetermined condition. This allows the air conditioner to operate more comfortably and efficiently by switching between starting and stopping operation depending on the presence status of a user U.

[0124] For example, the air conditioner 100 includes a heat exchanger 110, a communication unit 140, and a control unit 130. The communication unit 140 is capable of short-distance wireless communication with the terminal device 300. The control unit 130 may preset at least one of the length of a confirmation period for checking the connection state of communication using short-distance wireless communication and the value of the number of confirmations to different values ​​before and after the establishment of the communication connection, and may execute processing related to changing the operating state of the heat exchanger 110 in response to a determination element related to the length of the confirmation period or the number of confirmations satisfying a predetermined condition based on a response from the terminal device 300 or the control device (server 200) of the air conditioner 100. Note that when based on a response from the control device (server 200) of the air conditioner 100, a case may be included in which the notification from the terminal device 300 is relayed by the control device (server 200).

[0125] Although some embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents described in the claims, as well as in the scope and spirit of the invention.

[0126] For example, in each of the above embodiments, a procedure has been exemplified in which the terminal device 300W returns a response (RR) to a request (Req) from the air conditioner 100, but the procedure may be reversed, in which the air conditioner 100 returns a response (RR) to a request (Req) from the terminal device 300W.

[0127] We will summarize air conditioning systems, including such examples. The air conditioning system links a first device, which is one of an air conditioner and a terminal device capable of short-range wireless communication with the air conditioner, with a second device, which is the other of the air conditioner and the terminal device. The air conditioning system includes a control unit. The control unit is before a connection for communication using the short-range wireless communication is established, a response request is transmitted from the first device in a first cycle, and a response to the response request transmitted in the first cycle is transmitted from the second device a first predetermined number of times within a first predetermined period, the connection for communication is determined to be established; After the connection of the communication is established, if a response request is transmitted from the first device in a second cycle, and a response to the response request transmitted in the second cycle is not transmitted from the second device a second predetermined number of times within a second predetermined period, the connection of the communication is determined to be interrupted; At least one of the first period being shorter than the second period and the first predetermined number being different from the second predetermined number, If it is determined that the connection has been established, a first process for changing the operating state of the air conditioner is carried out, and if it is determined that the connection has been lost, a second process for changing the operating state of the air conditioner is carried out. The effects expected from the relationship between the first predetermined number of times and the second predetermined number of times are shown. (1) If the first predetermined number of times is smaller than the second predetermined number of times, the air conditioner 100 can be started up earlier when the user U returns home. (2) If the second predetermined number of times is smaller than the first predetermined number of times, the state of the air conditioner 100 in operation is likely to be maintained even when the user U leaves the room for dinner, for example. [Explanation of symbols]

[0128] 100...air conditioner, 200...server, 300, 300H, 300W...terminal device.

Claims

1. An air conditioner, An air conditioning system in which the air conditioner and a terminal device capable of short-range wireless communication are linked together, At least one of the length of a confirmation period for confirming a connection state of communication using the short-range wireless communication and the value of the number of confirmations is preset to a value different from each other before and after the establishment of the communication connection, and a control unit that performs processing related to changing the operating state of the air conditioner in response to a response from the terminal device or the air conditioner in accordance with a determination element related to the length of the confirmation period or the number of confirmations satisfying a predetermined condition. An air conditioning system comprising:

2. The determination element satisfies a predetermined condition including at least one of the following: the length of the confirmation period does not exceed a preset length; and the value of the number of confirmations reaches a preset number of times. The air conditioning system of claim 1 .

3. The control unit is The confirmation of the connection state of the communication is performed periodically, and a first period applied before the establishment of the connection is shorter than a second period applied after the establishment of the connection. The air conditioning system of claim 1 .

4. The control unit is acquiring user information from the terminal device that enables estimation of whether or not the user is wearing the terminal device; an estimation of the user's presence status using the user information and a result of the determination of whether a communication connection between the terminal device and the air conditioner has been established, and performing processing related to changing the operating state of the air conditioner in accordance with the estimation result of the user's presence status; The air conditioning system of claim 1 .

5. The control unit is When it is determined that a communication connection between the terminal device and the air conditioner has been established and the user information from which it can be presumed that the user has worn the terminal device is received from the terminal device, the operation state of the air conditioner is set to an active state.

5. The air conditioning system according to claim 4.

6. The control unit is When a state in which it is determined that a communication connection between the terminal device and the air conditioner is established changes to a state in which it is determined that the communication connection is interrupted, the operating capacity of the air conditioner is suppressed below the operating capacity when it is estimated that a person is present in the room.

6. The air conditioning system according to claim 5.

7. The control unit is When the presence status of the user is determined to be "the user is present," a process related to changing the operation status of the air conditioner is performed by requesting the user to perform an instruction operation of the air conditioner, and acquiring instruction information of the user in response to the request. controlling the operation state of the air conditioner based on instruction information from the user in response to the request; 5. The air conditioning system according to claim 4.

8. The control unit is receiving vital data of a user, and determining that the user is wearing the terminal device based on the fact that the received data has been valid for a certain period of time; The air conditioning system of claim 1 .

9. The control unit is receiving data relating to a change in the movement or posture of the terminal device, and determining that the user is wearing or operating the terminal device based on the fact that the received data has been valid for a certain period of time; The air conditioning system of claim 1 .

10. The control unit is when it is determined that a communication connection between the terminal device and the air conditioner has been established and the user information from which it can be presumed that the user is wearing the terminal device cannot be received from the terminal device, a notification is sent to the terminal device or another terminal device, and an operating state of the air conditioner is determined according to a response from the user.

5. The air conditioning system according to claim 4.

11. The control unit is When it is determined that a communication connection between the terminal device and the air conditioner has been established, in addition to user information of the user that can be assumed to be wearing the terminal device, or instead of the user information, information that can be assumed to be related to a movement or change in posture of the terminal device is received from the terminal device, and the information that can be assumed to be related to a movement or change in posture of the terminal device is used in a process of determining the operating state of the air conditioner. The air conditioning system of claim 1 .

12. The control unit is When a state in which valid information cannot be obtained from the terminal device changes to a state in which valid information can be obtained, a query is sent to the terminal device for a user. The air conditioning system of claim 1 .

13. The control unit is When a response from the user is received from the terminal device, a record is kept of the receipt of the response; After receiving information that indicates that the terminal device has moved or changed its attitude, if the record does not exist, sending a notification to obtain instructions from the user; suppressing transmission of a notification for obtaining an instruction from the user when the record is present; 5. The air conditioning system according to claim 4.

14. The control unit is suppressing transmission of a notification to the terminal device when the air conditioner is in a state of accepting an operation request from a remote controller for the air conditioner; 5. The air conditioning system according to claim 4.

15. In the process of estimating a communication state by the control unit, a backward protection is provided for protecting against an influence of an overdetection of a response from the terminal device during a period from the establishment of a connection for the communication with the terminal device to the release of the connection for the communication with the terminal device, and a forward protection is provided for protecting against an influence of an insufficient detection of a response from the terminal device during a period from the establishment of a connection for the communication with the terminal device to the release of the connection, The control unit is When a detection result corresponding to a temporary absence of a user is obtained, the influence of the detection result corresponding to the temporary absence is reduced by the forward protection, and the operation of the air conditioner is continued. The air conditioning system of claim 1 .

16. A heat exchange device; A communication unit capable of short-distance wireless communication with a terminal device; a control unit which sets in advance at least one of a length of a confirmation period for confirming a connection state of communication using the short-range wireless communication and a value of a number of confirmations to different values ​​before and after the establishment of the communication connection, and which performs processing related to changing the operating state of the heat exchanger in response to a response from the terminal device or a control device of the air conditioner, when a determination element related to the length of the confirmation period or the number of confirmations satisfies a predetermined condition; An air conditioner equipped with:

17. An air conditioner, An air conditioning method for linking the air conditioner with a terminal device capable of short-range wireless communication, At least one of the length of a confirmation period and the number of confirmations for confirming the connection state of communication using the short-range wireless communication is preset to a value different from each other before and after the establishment of the communication connection, and a process for changing the operating state of the air conditioner is performed in response to a response from the terminal device or the air conditioner, depending on whether a determination element related to the length of the confirmation period or the number of confirmations satisfies a predetermined condition. An air conditioning method comprising:

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