Air conditioning control device, air conditioning control system, air conditioning control method and program

Abstract

To provide air conditioning service which is more suitable for a user individually.SOLUTION: An air conditioning control device 100 includes a user information registration part 101, a positional information acquisition part 102, an air conditioning service specification part 103, an air conditioning service notification part 104 and an air conditioning service providing part 105. The user information registration part 101 registers the rank of a user in a room. The positional information acquisition part 102 acquires positional information of the user in the room. The air conditioning service specification part 103 specifies at least one or more air conditioning services which can be provided by an air conditioner 200 installed in the room with respect to the user, based on the registered rank of the user and the acquired positional information. The air conditioning service notification part 104 notifies the air conditioning service specified by the air conditioning service specification part 103 to the user. The air conditioning service providing part 105 generates a control signal to the air conditioner 200 for providing the air conditioning service designated by the user, out of the notified air conditioning services.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an air conditioning control device, an air conditioning control system, an air conditioning control method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] In addition to uniform air conditioning of the entire room, such as heating operation, cooling operation, etc., air conditioning services targeted at individual indoor users are known. For example, Patent Document 1 describes an air conditioner that allows a user to operate a remote control to use wind shield control to prevent wind from blowing directly on the user and wind blow control to allow wind to blow directly on the user. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2023-039692 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the air conditioning device described in Patent Document 1, any user in the room can operate the remote control to use air conditioning services such as wind protection control and wind direction control targeted at the user. Therefore, there is a risk that the air conditioning may be controlled unexpectedly due to operation by a child or a malicious third party. In addition, it is possible that a situation will arise in which a user controls the wind protection, resulting in the wind blowing on other users who feel uncomfortable being blown by the wind. In other words, there is a demand for the provision of air conditioning services that can better respond to the thermal sensation of each individual user.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned situation, and aims to provide an air conditioning control device, an air conditioning control system, an air conditioning control method, and a program that are capable of providing air conditioning services that are more suitable for individual users. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the air conditioning control device according to the present disclosure includes: A user information registration means for registering the rank of a user in the room; a position information acquisition means for acquiring position information of the user in the room; an air conditioning service specifying means for specifying at least one air conditioning service that can be provided to the user by the air conditioning device installed in the room based on the rank of the registered user and the acquired location information; an air conditioning service notifying means for notifying the user of the air conditioning service specified by the air conditioning service specifying means; an air-conditioning control signal generating means for generating a control signal to the air conditioner for providing an air-conditioning service designated by the user from among the air-conditioning services notified by the air-conditioning service notifying means; Equipped with. Effect of the Invention

[0007] In the present disclosure, air conditioning services that can be provided to a user are identified based on the user's rank and location information. Therefore, according to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide air conditioning services that are more suitable for individual users. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an air conditioning control system according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an air conditioning control device according to an embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a terminal device according to an embodiment; [Figure 4] Functional configuration diagram of an air conditioning control system according to an embodiment [Diagram 5] A diagram showing the contents of the user information database. [Figure 6] Figure showing an example of the available services list screen [Figure 7A] A diagram showing an example of a service fee table [Figure 7B]FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a modified example of the service fee table; [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of processing executed by each device according to an embodiment; [Figure 9] Flowchart of air conditioning service specification process according to the embodiment [Figure 10] Figure showing an example of a table listing executable services [Figure 11] Diagram to explain competition in air conditioning services [Figure 12] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a confirmation screen for notifying an area in which air conditioning service is available [Figure 13] A diagram showing an example of a screen notifying an area where air conditioning service is available DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0010] 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an air conditioning control system 1000 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The air conditioning control system 1000 is a system that provides various services related to air conditioning (hereinafter, air conditioning services) to an individual user in a room 500. In this embodiment, the room 500 is a rental office, and the user is a member of the rental office. As shown in FIG. 1, the air conditioning control system 1000 includes an air conditioning control device 100, an air conditioning device 200, a terminal device 300, and a payment server 400.

[0011] The air conditioning control device 100 is a device that executes processes for providing various air conditioning services targeted to individual users in a room 500. Specifically, the air conditioning control device 100 is a device that notifies a user in the room 500 of air conditioning services that can be provided by the air conditioning device 200, and controls the air conditioning device 200 to execute the air conditioning service specified by the user. The air conditioning control device 100 is connected to the air conditioning device 200, the terminal device 300, and the payment server 400 via a communication network 600 such as the Internet.

[0012] The air conditioning control device 100 is, for example, a cloud server that provides resources in cloud computing, and includes one or more servers. The air conditioning control device 100 is, for example, managed by a service provider that is a business that provides air conditioning services. As shown in FIG. 2, the air conditioning control device 100 includes a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, and a communication unit 13.

[0013] The control unit 11 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), an RTC (Real Time Clock), etc. The CPU is also called a central processing unit, central arithmetic unit, processor, microprocessor, microcomputer, DSP (Digital Signal Processor), etc., and functions as a central arithmetic processing unit that executes processes and calculations related to the control of the air conditioning control device 100. In the control unit 11, the CPU reads out programs and data stored in the ROM, and uses the RAM as a work area to centrally control the air conditioning control device 100. The RTC is, for example, an integrated circuit with a clock function. The CPU can identify the current date and time from the time information read from the RTC.

[0014] The storage unit 12 includes a non-volatile semiconductor memory such as a flash memory, an EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), or an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM), and serves as a so-called auxiliary storage device. The storage unit 12 stores programs and data used by the control unit 11 to execute various processes. The storage unit 12 also stores data generated or acquired by the control unit 11 executing various processes.

[0015] The communication unit 13 communicates with devices connected to the communication network 600 in accordance with the control of the control unit 11. The communication unit 13 has a function of connecting to the communication network 600, and communicates with the air conditioning device 200, the terminal device 300, and the payment server 400 connected to the communication network 600. The communication network 600 is, for example, the Internet. The communication unit 13 has communication interfaces that comply with various communication standards.

[0016] The environment measurement sensor 14 is a type of sensor such as a thermal image sensor or a humidity sensor, and measures the temperature, humidity, and the like in the room 500 .

[0017] Returning to FIG. 1, the air conditioning device 200 conditions the air in a room 500, which is a space to be air-conditioned. The air conditioning device 200 is provided with a communication interface that complies with various communication standards and has a function of connecting to a communication network 600. In this embodiment, the air conditioning device 200 is a heat pump type room air conditioner that uses various refrigerants and has a cooling function, a heating function, a dehumidification function, a humidification function, a ventilation function, and the like. The air conditioning device 200 is also provided with a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, and the like and has a function of measuring the temperature, humidity, and the like in the room. The air conditioning device 200 can appropriately select and execute these functions in response to an instruction from the air conditioning control device 100, and provide various air conditioning services to users. The air conditioning device 200 may be configured from a plurality of devices, such as an air conditioner, a heater, a humidifier, a dehumidifier, and a circulator.

[0018] In this embodiment, the air conditioner 200 can provide up to eight air conditioning services to the user, including "temperature map check," "ambient temperature adjustment," "feet warming," "wind protection," "air deflection," "moisturizing," "preventing dryness," and "increasing productivity." "Temperature map check" is an air conditioning service that displays a temperature map showing the heat distribution in the room 500 on the touch panel 33 of the user's terminal device 300. "Ambient temperature adjustment" is an air conditioning service that adjusts the temperature around the user to a specified temperature. "Feet warming" is an air conditioning service that increases the temperature of the user's feet. "Wind protection" is an air conditioning service that adjusts the wind direction so that the wind from the air conditioner 200 does not hit the user directly. "Air deflection" is an air conditioning service that adjusts the wind direction so that the wind from the air conditioner 200 hits the user directly. "Moisturizing" is an air conditioning service that humidifies the area around the user. "Dryness prevention" is an air conditioning service that adjusts the wind direction and wind speed so that the wind from the air conditioner 200 does not hit the user's face. "Productivity Up" is an air conditioning service that adjusts the temperature so that the temperature around the user's head does not drop too low when cooling, and so that the temperature around the user's head does not rise too high when heating, and also blows air around the user's head with randomly changing wind strength.

[0019] The terminal device 300 is a communication terminal carried by a user, such as a smartphone. As shown in FIG. 3, the terminal device 300 includes a control unit 31, a storage unit 32, a touch panel 33, and a communication unit .

[0020] The control unit 31 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, an RTC, etc. In the control unit 31, the CPU reads out the programs and data stored in the ROM, and uses the RAM as a work area to centrally control the terminal device 300. The storage unit 32 includes a non-volatile semiconductor memory such as a flash memory, an EPROM, an EEPROM, etc., and serves as a so-called auxiliary storage device. The storage unit 32 stores programs and data used by the control unit 31 to execute various processes. The storage unit 32 also stores data generated or acquired by the control unit 31 executing various processes.

[0021] The touch panel 33 displays various images under the control of the control unit 31. The touch panel 33 also accepts various operations from the user and supplies information indicating the contents of the accepted operations to the control unit 31. For example, the touch panel 33 displays a screen that displays a list of air conditioning services that the user can use.

[0022] The communication unit 34 communicates with devices connected to the communication network 600 in accordance with control by the control unit 31. The communication unit 34 communicates with the air conditioning control device 100, the air conditioning device 200, and the payment server 400, which are connected to the communication network 600. The communication unit 34 supports wireless communication standards such as WiFi, 4G, and 5G, and is provided with communication interfaces that comply with various standards.

[0023] Returning to FIG. 1, the payment server 400 is a server that executes the payment process. Specifically, based on a request from the service providing air conditioning, the payment server 400 executes the payment process of transferring an amount according to the user's rank as the service usage fee for the air conditioning service from the balance charged by the user to a predetermined transfer destination account. Specifically, the predetermined transfer destination accounts here are the account of the service provider and the account of the building owner. The payment server 400 is, for example, a cloud server of a financial institution that provides a service that executes the payment process. The payment server 400 has a communication interface that complies with various communication standards and has a function of connecting to the communication network 600.

[0024] Next, functions of the air conditioning control system 1000 will be described with reference to FIG. 4. In this embodiment, functions of the air conditioning control device 100 will be mainly described. The air conditioning control device 100 has, as its functional configuration, a user information registration unit 101, a location information acquisition unit 102, an air conditioning service identification unit 103, an air conditioning service notification unit 104, an air conditioning service provision unit 105, an accounting management unit 106, and an environmental information acquisition unit 108. Each of these units is realized by software, firmware, or a combination of software and firmware. The software and firmware are written as programs and stored in the ROM or storage unit 12. The CPU then executes the programs stored in the ROM or storage unit 12 to realize the functions of each of these units.

[0025] The user information registration unit 101 accepts a request to register user information from the user's terminal device 300, and registers the user information in a user information DB (database) 107. The user information registration unit 101 is an example of a user information registration means of the present disclosure. As shown in Fig. 5, the user information DB 107 stores user information for each user, in which a user ID, a terminal ID, a balance, a rank, location information, and information indicating services being provided to the user (services being provided) are associated with each other.

[0026] The user ID is identification information for the user. The terminal ID is identification information for the terminal device 300 owned by this user. The balance indicates the amount charged to pay the service fee for the air conditioning service used.

[0027] The rank indicates the rank of the user when using the air conditioning services provided by the air conditioning control system 1000. In this embodiment, any one of the ranks "Diamond", "Gold", and "Silver" can be set for the user, in order from the top. The higher the rank of the user, the more air conditioning services he or she can use.

[0028] The location information is information indicating the location of the user in the room. The location information is expressed, for example, by three-dimensional coordinate values. Note that location information "none" indicates that the user is not in the room. The location information in the user information DB 107 is updated from time to time by the location information acquisition unit 102, which will be described later, to information indicating the latest location. The service in use indicates the air conditioning service currently being provided to the user.

[0029] Returning to FIG. 4, the location information acquisition unit 102 identifies a user in the room 500, acquires the location information, and updates the location information registered in the user information DB 107. Specifically, the location information acquisition unit 102 identifies a user by searching the user information DB 107 with a terminal ID included in a wireless signal received from the terminal device 300 by the communication unit 13. Then, the location information acquisition unit 102 acquires the location information of the terminal device 300 as the location information of the identified user based on the strength and reception time of a wireless signal received from the terminal device 300 by each access point (not shown) installed in the room 500, and updates the location information of the user in the user information DB 107. The location information acquisition unit 102 constantly executes the above-mentioned series of processes at predetermined time intervals. As a result, the location information of the user stored in the user information DB 107 is updated as needed to indicate the latest location of the user. The location information acquisition unit 102 is an example of a location information acquisition means of the present disclosure.

[0030] The air conditioning service identifying unit 103 identifies at least one air conditioning service that can be provided to a user by the air conditioning device 200 installed in the room 500, based on the rank of the user and the location of the user registered in the user information DB 107. The air conditioning service identifying unit 103 is an example of an air conditioning service identifying means of the present disclosure. Details of the air conditioning service identifying unit 103 will be described later.

[0031] The air conditioning service notification unit 104 notifies the user of the air conditioning service identified by the air conditioning service identification unit 103. Specifically, the air conditioning service notification unit 104 generates screen data for an available service list screen as shown in Fig. 6 that displays a list of the identified air conditioning services and allows the user to select a desired one from among them, transmits the screen data to the user's terminal device 300, and causes it to be displayed on the touch panel 33 of the terminal device 300. The air conditioning service notification unit 104 is an example of an air conditioning service notification means of the present disclosure.

[0032] Returning to Fig. 4, the air conditioning service providing unit 105 performs processing for providing the air conditioning service specified by the terminal device 300. Specifically, the air conditioning service providing unit 105 generates a control signal for providing the specified air conditioning service, and transmits the generated control signal to the air conditioner 200. The air conditioning service providing unit 105 is an example of an air conditioning control signal generating means of the present disclosure. Furthermore, when the air conditioning service of "check temperature map" is specified, the air conditioning service providing unit 105 creates a temperature map of the inside of the room 500 based on the temperature information of the room 500 acquired by the environmental information acquiring unit 108, and transmits it to the terminal device 300.

[0033] The billing management unit 106 performs processing for billing a service fee to a user who uses the air conditioning service. Specifically, the billing management unit 106 collects a monthly determined fee from the user's charged balance according to the service fee table shown in FIG. 7A, and requests the payment server to perform payment processing to transfer the fee to a predetermined transfer destination. For example, if the rank of the user is "diamond", the billing management unit 106 requests the payment server 400 to perform payment processing to collect 1500 yen from the user's charged balance every month, transfer 300 yen of the amount to an account of a service provider such as a vendor, and transfer 1200 yen to an account of the owner of the room 500. In addition, the billing management unit 106 receives a charge request from the user's terminal device 300, charges the specified fee from the user's account, and updates the user's balance in the user information DB 107. The billing management unit 106 is an example of a billing management means of the present disclosure.

[0034] There are various possible ways in which the billing management unit 106 charges the user. For example, the billing management unit 106 may charge the user a fixed fee according to the time the air-conditioning service is used, according to the service fee table shown in FIG. 7B. In this service fee table, the fee is the same for all ranks of users, but different usage fees are set according to the time period in which the air-conditioning service is used. For example, if a user uses the "productivity improvement" air-conditioning service for one hour during the day, the billing management unit 106 collects 370 yen from the user's charge balance, transfers 120 yen of that amount to the account of the service provider, and requests the payment server 400 to perform payment processing to transfer 250 yen to the account of the owner of the room 500.

[0035] The billing management unit 106 may also bill the user directly from the account instead of from the charge balance, or may allow the user to pay all or part of the usage fee with specific points. The transfer destinations of the charge are not limited to the service provider's account and the owner's account, and the billing amount may be distributed and transferred to more transfer destination accounts, or the entire billing amount may be transferred to one transfer destination.

[0036] The environmental information acquisition unit 108 acquires environmental information such as the temperature and humidity in the room 500 from a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, and the like provided in the air conditioning device 200. Note that if a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, and the like (not shown) are installed in the room 500 independent of the air conditioning device 200, the environmental information acquisition unit 108 may acquire environmental information from these sensors.

[0037] Next, the operation of the air conditioning control system 1000 will be described. Fig. 8 is a sequence diagram between the terminal device 300 and the air conditioning control device 100 when a user uses an air conditioning service by the air conditioning control system 1000. In the following description, a user who is to be provided with an air conditioning service by the processing in this sequence diagram will also be referred to as a target user. Note that user information including the user ID, terminal ID, and rank of the target user has been registered in advance in the user information DB 107 by the user information registration unit 101.

[0038] First, a target user in the room 500 clicks a specific icon on the touch panel 33 of the terminal device 300 to start an application for using the air-conditioning control system 1000. When the application is started, the control unit 31 of the terminal device 300 transmits an air-conditioning service start request including the user ID of the target user to the air-conditioning control device 100 (step S1).

[0039] When an air conditioning service start request is received from the terminal device 300, the air conditioning service identification unit 103 of the air conditioning control device 100 searches the user information DB 107 for the user ID included in the start request to detect the user information of the target user (step S2). Then, the air conditioning service identification unit 103 acquires the rank and location information included in the user information of the detected target user (step S3).

[0040] Next, the air conditioning service identifying unit 103 executes an air conditioning service identifying process to identify at least one or more air conditioning services that can be provided to the target user by the air conditioning device 200 installed in the room 500, based on the acquired target user's rank and location information (step S4). The air conditioning service identifying process will be described in more detail using the flowchart in Fig. 9.

[0041] When the air conditioning service identification process is started, first, the air conditioning service identification unit 103 identifies air conditioning services that can be provided by the air conditioner 200 to the target user based on the acquired rank (step S41). Specifically, the air conditioning service identification unit 103 identifies air conditioning services that can be provided to the target user by referring to the executable service list table shown in FIG. 10. As a result, for example, in the case of a target user with a rank of "Diamond", all of the air conditioning services that can be provided are identified as "temperature map check", "ambient temperature adjustment", "foot warming", "wind protection", "air deflection", "moisturization", "prevention of dryness", and "productivity improvement". On the other hand, in the case of a target user with a rank of "Silver", only "temperature map check", "ambient temperature adjustment", and "foot warming" are identified as air conditioning services that can be provided.

[0042] Returning to Figure 9, the air conditioning service identification unit 103 then refers to the rank and services in use of each user stored in the user information DB 107 to determine whether there is a competing user who is currently using the air conditioning service and has the same rank as the target user or a higher rank than the target user (step S42).

[0043] If there is no competing user (step S42; No), the air conditioning service identification process ends. In this case, the air conditioning service that can be provided to the target user is the air conditioning service identified based on the rank in step S41.

[0044] On the other hand, if there is a competing user (step S42; Yes), the air conditioning service identification unit 103 excludes air conditioning services that compete with the air conditioning service being provided to the competing user from among the air conditioning services that can be provided to the target user identified in step S41, based on the location information of the target user and the location information of the competing user registered in the user information DB 107 (step S43). This ends the air conditioning service identification process. Here, competition between air conditioning services means a relationship in which, when two air conditioning services are executed simultaneously, one air conditioning service prevents the other air conditioning service from fully demonstrating its capabilities.

[0045] Here, the process of step S43 will be described with a specific example. For example, in FIG. 11, it is assumed that user A is the target user. The rank of user A is "gold". It is also assumed that the air conditioning device 200 can control the wind direction in three stages, Va, Vb, and Vc, as indicated by the arrows. It is also assumed that the air conditioning service specification process is executed for user A, who is the target user. In this case, since the rank of user A is "gold", "temperature map check", "ambient temperature adjustment", "foot warming", "wind protection", and "wind blowing" are specified as the air conditioning services that can be provided to user A from the executable service list table shown in FIG. 10. However, at this time, the air conditioning service of "wind protection" is being provided to user B, who is ranked "diamond", higher than user A, and user C, who is ranked "gold" the same as user A, in the room 500, and the wind direction of the air conditioning device 200 is controlled to the direction Vb indicated by the solid arrow so that the wind does not blow on users B and C. Therefore, the wind is blowing directly on user A. Therefore, in this state, if the "windbreak" air conditioning service is provided to user A, the wind direction must be controlled to either direction Va or Vc, and the wind will hit either the competing user B or C, interfering with the "windbreak" air conditioning service being provided to both of them. Therefore, in this case, even though user A is ranked "Gold," "windbreak" is excluded from the available air conditioning services because it competes with the "windbreak" air conditioning service being provided to users B and C. Then, "temperature map check," "ambient temperature adjustment," "foot warming," and "wind deflection" are identified as the air conditioning services that can be provided to user A.

[0046] Returning to the flowchart of Figure 8, the air conditioning service notification unit 104 of the air conditioning control device 100 then generates screen data for an air conditioning service list screen that displays a list of the air conditioning services identified in the air conditioning service identification process as air conditioning services available to the target user and allows the target user to select a desired one from the list, and sends this screen data to the terminal device 300 (step S5). The control unit 31 of the terminal device 300 displays the air conditioning service list screen on the touch panel 33 based on the received screen data (step S6).

[0047] An example of the air conditioning service list screen is shown in Fig. 6. This example is an air conditioning service list screen displayed on the touch panel 33 of the terminal device 300 of user A, who is ranked "gold" as described in Fig. 11, and displays "temperature map check," "ambient temperature adjustment," "foot warming," and "air deflection" as selectable air conditioning services that are identified in the air conditioning service identification process as available to user A. Also, as described above, the "air deflection" air conditioning service that is originally available to users ranked "gold" is displayed as grayed out and unselectable because it conflicts with other users, and a message informing that effect is displayed at the bottom of the screen.

[0048] Returning to the flowchart in Fig. 8, the target user touches the air conditioning service that he or she desires to receive from the list displayed on the air conditioning service list screen displayed on the touch panel 33 of the terminal device 300. When the touch operation is detected, the control unit 31 of the terminal device 300 transmits an execution request for the touched air conditioning service to the air conditioning control device 100 (step S7).

[0049] The air conditioning service providing unit 105 of the air conditioning control device 100 controls the air conditioning device 200 to execute the air conditioning service requested by the terminal device 300 (step S8). For example, when the terminal device 300 requests the execution of the air conditioning service "air blowing", the air conditioning service providing unit 105 transmits a control signal to the air conditioning device 200 to control the wind direction so that the wind is blown at the position of the target user. The air conditioning device 200 that receives this control signal adjusts the wind direction so that the wind is blown at the target user.

[0050] Next, the air conditioning service providing unit 105 updates the currently provided service of the target user stored in the user information DB 107 to the executed air conditioning service (step S9).

[0051] Thereafter, when the target user no longer desires the air conditioning service being provided, for example by ceasing use of the rental office, the target user performs an operation to stop the air conditioning service on the touch panel 33 of the terminal device 300. When the operation is detected, the control unit 31 transmits an air conditioning service stop request to the air conditioning control device 100 (step S10). The air conditioning service providing unit 105 of the air conditioning control device 100 that has received the stop request transmits a stop signal for the air conditioning service being provided to the target user to the air conditioner 200 to stop the air conditioning service (step S11). Note that even if there is no stop request from the terminal device 300, if a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the service, the air conditioning service providing unit 105 may stop the air conditioning service. Then, the air conditioning service providing unit 105 updates the information stored in the user information DB 107 to "None", which indicates that the service being provided to the target user is not being provided (step S12). This ends the service provision process.

[0052] Thus, according to the present disclosure, users who use air conditioning services are given a ranking. Then, when a user uses an air conditioning service, air conditioning services that can be provided to the user are identified based on the user's rank and location information and notified to the user, and the user can only use the notified air conditioning services. Therefore, it is possible for the user to use an air conditioning service that is more suitable for the individual user.

[0053] For example, in the present disclosure, by appropriately setting the rank of a user, it is possible to prevent an unexpected air conditioning service from being executed by a child, a malicious third party, etc. Also, in the present disclosure, if there is a competing air conditioning service being provided to a user with the same or higher rank based on the user's location information, the user cannot use the air conditioning service even if it is executable at that rank. This makes it possible to prevent to some extent the problem of conflicts in air conditioning services, such as a user using the "windbreak" of an air conditioning service resulting in the wind blowing on other users who feel uncomfortable being blown by the wind.

[0054] Furthermore, according to the present disclosure, the billing management unit 106 executes the process of billing the user for the use of the air conditioning service, so the provider of the air conditioning service can also earn a profit. In addition, it is possible to specify multiple recipients for the transfer of the charge, such as the service provider and the owner.

[0055] (Modification) Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, various modifications and applications are possible. It is arbitrary which parts of the configurations, functions, and operations described in the above embodiments are adopted. In addition to the above-mentioned configurations, functions, and operations, further configurations, functions, and operations may be adopted. Furthermore, the configurations, functions, and operations described in the above embodiments can be freely combined.

[0056] In the above embodiment, the user ranks are described as being of three types: "Diamond", "Gold", and "Silver", but the user ranks are not limited to these and more ranks may be provided. In addition, the lowest rank may not be charged a monthly usage fee.

[0057] For example, in the above embodiment, when a target user uses an air conditioning service, if there is an air conditioning service that competes with a user of the same rank or a higher rank, this air conditioning service is excluded from the air conditioning services that can be provided to the target user. However, in many cases, such a competing air conditioning service can be provided by the target user moving to another area in the room 500. Therefore, when there is such a competing air conditioning service, the air conditioning service notification unit 104 may display an available service list screen as shown in FIG. 12 instead of FIG. 6. In this example, a new confirmation dialog box is displayed in a pop-up to prompt the user to confirm the area in the room 500 where the competing air conditioning service "windbreak" can be used. The target user touches the confirmation button of the confirmation dialog box on the touch panel 33, and the control unit 31 notifies the air conditioning control device 100 that the confirmation button has been touched. Upon receiving this notification, the air conditioning service notification unit 104 of the air conditioning control device 100 identifies an area that does not conflict with the active air conditioning service from the location information of the target user and the location information of the competing user, and transmits screen data of a screen notifying the target user of the area to the terminal device 300, which is displayed on the touch panel 33 as shown in Fig. 13. By the target user moving according to the display, the target user can be provided with the competing air conditioning service "windbreak." Note that if a free area is provided in the room 500 where anyone can freely receive the air conditioning service, the air conditioning service notification unit 104 may notify the free area as a non-conflicting area.

[0058] For example, if biometric information such as the user's pulse rate, blood pressure, etc. can be obtained from the terminal device 300 or a sensor in the room 500, the air conditioning control device 100 may determine the user's physical condition from this biometric information, and if the physical condition is below a predetermined standard, it may determine in the air conditioning service identification process that all air conditioning services can be provided, regardless of the user's rank and whether or not there is competition with other users.

[0059] For example, in the above embodiment, as shown in Fig. 7A, the rank of a user is determined by the amount of the charge, but the method of determining the rank of a user is not limited to this. For example, when a user satisfies a predetermined condition, such as the usage time or number of usages of the air conditioning service reaching a threshold value, winning a lottery, etc., the user information registration unit 101 of the air conditioning control system 1000 may update the rank of this user registered in the user information DB 107 to a higher rank. In this way, it is possible to promote the use of the air conditioning service.

[0060] For example, in the above embodiment, the available air conditioning services are notified to the user by displaying an available service list screen as shown in Fig. 6 on the touch panel 33 of the terminal device 30, but the method of notification is not limited to this. For example, the available air conditioning services may be notified to the user by email, voice, etc.

[0061] In the above embodiment, the control unit 11 functions as each unit shown in FIG. 4 by the CPU executing a program stored in the ROM or the storage unit 12. However, in the present disclosure, the control unit 11 may be dedicated hardware. The dedicated hardware is, for example, a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programmed processor, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), or a combination thereof. When the control unit 11 is dedicated hardware, the functions of each unit may be realized by individual hardware, or the functions of each unit may be realized together by a single piece of hardware. In addition, some of the functions of each unit may be realized by dedicated hardware, and the other parts may be realized by software or firmware. In this way, the control unit 11 can realize each of the above-mentioned functions by hardware, software, firmware, or a combination thereof.

[0062] By applying an operation program that specifies the operation of the air conditioning control device 100 according to the present disclosure to a computer such as an existing personal computer or information terminal device, it is also possible to cause the computer to function as the air conditioning control device 100 according to the present disclosure. In addition, the method of distributing such a program is arbitrary, and for example, the program may be distributed by storing it on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disk ROM), a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), an MO (Magneto Optical Disk), or a memory card, or may be distributed via a communication network such as the Internet.

[0063] Various embodiments and modifications of the present disclosure are possible without departing from the broad spirit and scope of the present disclosure. The above-described embodiments are for explaining the present disclosure and do not limit the scope of the present disclosure. That is, the scope of the present disclosure is indicated by the claims, not the embodiments. Various modifications made within the scope of the claims and the scope of the disclosure equivalent thereto are considered to be within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0064] Various aspects of the present disclosure are summarized below as appendices.

[0065] (Appendix 1) A user information registration means for registering the rank of a user in the room; a position information acquisition means for acquiring position information of the user in the room; an air conditioning service specifying means for specifying at least one air conditioning service that can be provided to the user by the air conditioning device installed in the room based on the rank of the registered user and the acquired location information; an air conditioning service notifying means for notifying the user of the air conditioning service specified by the air conditioning service specifying means; an air-conditioning control signal generating means for generating a control signal to the air conditioner for providing an air-conditioning service designated by the user from among the air-conditioning services notified by the air-conditioning service notifying means; An air conditioning control device comprising: (Appendix 2) The air conditioning service identification means excludes, from the air conditioning services that can be provided, air conditioning services that compete with air conditioning services being provided to other users who are registered with the same rank as or a higher rank than the rank of the user. 2. The air conditioning control device according to claim 1. (Appendix 3) the air conditioning service notification means notifies the user of an area in the room in which the competing air conditioning service can be provided; 3. An air conditioning control device as described in appendix 2. (Appendix 4) further comprising a billing management means for executing a process for billing the user for the use of the air conditioning service; 4. An air conditioning control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3. (Appendix 5) the user information registration means registers a rank of the user determined based on the amount of the charge of the user; 5. The air conditioning control device according to claim 4. (Appendix 6) the user information registration means updates the registered rank of the user to a higher rank when the user satisfies a predetermined condition; 6. An air conditioning control device according to any one of claims 1 to 5. (Appendix 7) An air conditioning control device according to any one of appendix 1 to 6, an air conditioner that performs air conditioning in the room based on the control signal generated by the air conditioning control signal generating means; An air conditioning control system comprising: (Appendix 8) Register the rank of the users in the room, Acquire location information of the user in the room; Identifying an air conditioning service that can be provided to the user in the room based on the rank of the registered user and the acquired location information; notifying the user of the identified air conditioning service; providing an air conditioning service designated by the user from among the notified services; Air conditioning control method. (Appendix 9) Computer, A user information registration means for registering the rank of users in the room; a position information acquiring means for acquiring position information of the user in the room; an air conditioning service specifying means for specifying at least one air conditioning service that can be provided to the user by the air conditioning device installed in the room based on the rank of the registered user and the acquired location information; an air conditioning service notifying means for notifying the user of the air conditioning service specified by the air conditioning service specifying means; an air-conditioning control signal generating means for generating a control signal to the air conditioner for providing an air-conditioning service designated by the user from among the air-conditioning services notified by the air-conditioning service notifying means; A program that functions as a [Industrial Applicability]

[0066] The present disclosure is applicable to air conditioning systems. [Explanation of symbols]

[0067] 11, 31 control unit, 12, 32 memory unit, 13, 34 communication unit, 33 touch panel, 100 air conditioning control device, 101 user information registration unit, 102 location information acquisition unit, 103 air conditioning service identification unit, 104 air conditioning service notification unit, 105 air conditioning service provision unit, 106 billing management unit, 107 user information DB, 108 environmental information acquisition unit, 200 air conditioning device, 300 terminal device, 400 payment server, 500 room, 600 communication network, 1000 air conditioning control system

Claims

1. A user information registration means for registering the rank of a user in the room; a position information acquisition means for acquiring position information of the user in the room; an air conditioning service specifying means for specifying at least one air conditioning service that can be provided to the user by the air conditioning device installed in the room based on the rank of the registered user and the acquired location information; an air conditioning service notifying means for notifying the user of the air conditioning service specified by the air conditioning service specifying means; an air-conditioning control signal generating means for generating a control signal to the air conditioner for providing an air-conditioning service designated by the user from among the air-conditioning services notified by the air-conditioning service notifying means; An air conditioning control device comprising:

2. The air conditioning service identification means excludes, from the air conditioning services that can be provided, air conditioning services that compete with air conditioning services being provided to other users who are registered with the same rank as or a higher rank than the rank of the user. The air conditioning control device according to claim 1 .

3. the air conditioning service notification means notifies the user of an area in the room in which the competing air conditioning service can be provided; The air conditioning control device according to claim 2 .

4. further comprising a billing management means for executing a process for billing the user for the use of the air conditioning service; The air conditioning control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. the user information registration means registers a rank of the user determined based on the amount of the charge of the user; The air conditioning control device according to claim 4.

6. the user information registration means updates the registered rank of the user to a higher rank when the user satisfies a predetermined condition; The air conditioning control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

7. An air conditioning control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3; an air conditioner that performs air conditioning in the room based on the control signal generated by the air conditioning control signal generating means; An air conditioning control system comprising:

8. Register the rank of the users in the room, Acquire location information of the user in the room; Identifying an air conditioning service that can be provided to the user in the room based on the rank of the registered user and the acquired location information; notifying the user of the identified air conditioning service; providing an air conditioning service designated by the user from among the notified services; Air conditioning control method.

9. Computer, A user information registration means for registering the rank of users in the room; a position information acquiring means for acquiring position information of the user in the room; an air conditioning service specifying means for specifying at least one air conditioning service that can be provided to the user by the air conditioning device installed in the room based on the rank of the registered user and the acquired location information; an air conditioning service notifying means for notifying the user of the air conditioning service specified by the air conditioning service specifying means; an air-conditioning control signal generating means for generating a control signal to the air conditioner for providing an air-conditioning service designated by the user from among the air-conditioning services notified by the air-conditioning service notifying means; A program that functions as a

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