Air-blowing control system, air-blowing control method, and program

Abstract

To provide an air-blowing control system capable of guiding a user to have desired sensitivity.SOLUTION: An air-blowing control system 10 includes: an acquisition part 44 acquiring user's desired sensitivity; a generation part 45 generating a fluctuation pattern by being combined with at least part of a plurality of basic patterns predetermined on the basis of the acquired desired sensitivity; and a control part 46 executing fluctuation control where a wind velocity of an air-blowing device 50 is changed according to the generated fluctuation pattern.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an airflow control system, an airflow control method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Various technologies have been proposed to improve human comfort by blowing air. Patent Document 1 discloses an air conditioner that uses a neural network that has been trained in advance to learn about natural wind fluctuations to predict and generate a fluctuation control pattern, and performs fluctuation operation according to that pattern. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 6-331204 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The present invention provides an airflow control system and the like that can guide a user to a desired sensation. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] An air blowing control system according to one embodiment of the present invention includes an acquisition unit that acquires a user's desired sensibility, a generation unit that generates a fluctuation pattern by combining at least a portion of a plurality of predetermined basic patterns based on the acquired desired sensibility, and a control unit that performs fluctuation control to change the wind speed of a blower device in accordance with the generated fluctuation pattern.

[0006] An air flow control method according to one aspect of the present invention is an air flow control method executed by a computer, and includes an acquisition step of acquiring a user's desired sensibility, a generation step of generating a fluctuation pattern by combining at least a portion of a plurality of predetermined basic patterns based on the acquired desired sensibility, and a control step of performing fluctuation control that changes the wind speed of a blower device in accordance with the generated fluctuation pattern.

[0007] A program according to one aspect of the present invention is a program for causing the computer to execute the airflow control method. Effect of the Invention

[0008] An airflow control system according to an aspect of the present invention can induce a user to have a desired sensation. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of an air blowing control system according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a first operation example of the air blowing control system according to the embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a database for generating a fluctuation pattern. [Figure 4A] FIG. 4A is a diagram showing basic pattern 1. [Figure 4B] FIG. 4B is a diagram showing basic pattern 2. [Figure 4C] FIG. 4C is a diagram showing basic pattern 3. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a fluctuation pattern. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a second operation example of the air blowing control system according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a first diagram for explaining the intermittent air blowing control. [Figure 8]FIG. 8 is a second diagram for explaining the intermittent air blowing control. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a third diagram for explaining the intermittent air blowing control. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a third operation example of the air blowing control system according to the embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a change over time in body surface temperature indicated by the body surface temperature information. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a flowchart of a fourth operation example of the air blowing control system according to the embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of the control rule information. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a flowchart of a fifth operation example of the air blowing control system according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiments described below are all comprehensive or specific examples. The numerical values, shapes, materials, components, component arrangement and connection forms, steps, and order of steps shown in the following embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the present invention. In addition, among the components in the following embodiments, components that are not described in the independent claims will be described as optional components.

[0011] In addition, each drawing is a schematic diagram and is not necessarily a precise illustration. In each drawing, the same reference numerals are used for substantially the same configurations, and duplicated explanations may be omitted or simplified.

[0012] (Embodiment) [composition] First, a configuration of an airflow control system according to an embodiment will be described below. Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the airflow control system according to an embodiment.

[0013] The airflow control system 10 is a system that can provide the user with a fluctuating wind that induces the user to a desired sensibility by controlling the airflow device 50. Specifically, the sensibility is indicated by words such as relaxed, refreshed, clean, calm, gentle, or refreshing. Words indicating sensibility are sometimes called sensibility words. The sensibility can be rephrased as mood. Moreover, the fluctuating wind means wind whose wind speed changes over time. As shown in FIG. 1, the airflow control system 10 includes a body temperature sensor 20, an environment sensor 30, an airflow control device 40, an airflow device 50, and a UI (User Interface) device 60.

[0014] The body temperature sensor 20 senses the body surface temperature of the user in a non-contact manner and outputs body surface temperature information indicating the body surface temperature of the user as the sensing result. The body temperature sensor 20 is, for example, a non-contact temperature sensor realized by an infrared detection element that detects infrared rays emitted from the human body, but may also be a thermal image sensor (thermal image camera) realized by a plurality of infrared detection elements arranged in a matrix.

[0015] The environmental sensor 30 is a sensor that senses the environment around the user and outputs environmental information as a sensing result. The environmental sensor 30 is a temperature sensor that measures the temperature around the user, but may also be a humidity sensor that measures the humidity around the user. The airflow control system 10 may also include both a temperature sensor and a humidity sensor as the environmental sensor 30. The environmental sensor 30 may be included in another device included in the airflow control system 10, for example, in the air blower device 50. The temperature around the user is, for example, room temperature, but may also be the outside air temperature.

[0016] The air blowing control device 40 controls the air blowing device 50 by transmitting a control signal to the air blowing device 50. Specifically, the air blowing control device 40 causes the air blowing device 50 to blow out a fluctuating wind to induce a user to have a desired sensation. The air blowing control device 40 is a dedicated device for the air blowing control system 10 (air blowing device 50), but may be realized by installing a predetermined application program in a general-purpose mobile terminal such as a personal computer or a tablet terminal. The air blowing control device 40 includes a communication unit 41, an information processing unit 42, and a storage unit 43.

[0017] The communication unit 41 is a communication module (communication circuit) for the airflow control device 40 to communicate with the body temperature sensor 20, the environment sensor 30, the airflow device 50, and the UI device 60. The communication performed by the communication unit 41 is, for example, wired communication, but may also be wireless communication. There is no particular limitation on the communication standard used for the communication.

[0018] The information processing unit 42 is realized by a processor or a microcomputer. The information processing unit 42 includes an acquisition unit 44, a generation unit 45, a control unit 46, and a correction unit 47. The functions of the acquisition unit 44, the generation unit 45, the control unit 46, and the correction unit 47 are realized by the processor or the microcomputer constituting the information processing unit 42 executing a computer program stored in the storage unit 43.

[0019] The storage unit 43 is a storage device that stores various information used by the information processing unit 42, such as computer programs executed by the information processing unit 42. The storage unit 43 is specifically realized by a semiconductor memory or the like.

[0020] The blower 50 blows fluctuating wind to the user based on a control signal received from the blower control device 40. The blower 50 is realized by a motor and a blower fan. The blower 50 may include a temperature adjustment device. The temperature adjustment device is realized by, for example, a refrigerant and a compressor that compresses the refrigerant, but may also be realized by an electric heater. In this case, the blower 50 is capable of adjusting the temperature of the wind (air) to be blown out.

[0021] Blower device 50 may be, for example, a relatively small device that is placed on a desk or on the floor, or may be a relatively large device that is placed on a wall or ceiling of an indoor space where a user is located.

[0022] The UI device 60 receives an operation from a user to specify a desired feeling, and outputs feeling information indicating the desired feeling. The UI device 60 is a dedicated device having a touch panel or a push button, but may be realized by installing a predetermined application program on a general-purpose mobile terminal such as a personal computer or a tablet terminal. The UI device 60 may be realized as a part (UI unit) of the air blowing control device 40.

[0023] [Example 1] Next, a description will be given of a first operational example of the airflow control system 10. FIG.

[0024] The user performs an operation to specify a desired emotion on the UI device 60. For example, options of emotions (emotional words) are displayed on the UI device 60, and the user specifies the desired emotion from among the options. When the UI device 60 accepts the operation to specify the desired emotion, it transmits emotion information indicating the desired emotion to the air blowing control device 40.

[0025] The communication unit 41 of the air blowing control device 40 receives the sensory information, and the acquisition unit 44 acquires the sensory information (S11). Here, a database for generating a fluctuation pattern from the sensory information is stored in the storage unit 43. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the database for generating a fluctuation pattern.

[0026] As shown in Fig. 3, in the database for generating fluctuation patterns, a combination of basic patterns is associated with each of a plurality of sensitivities. Figs. 4A to 4C are diagrams showing basic patterns. Note that Figs. 4A to 4C show voltage waveforms (vertical axis: voltage, horizontal axis: time) of a control signal for controlling blower device 50, but since the wind speed of the wind blown by blower device 50 changes over time in response to the control signal, the waveforms shown in Figs. 4A to 4C may be considered to be patterns of change in wind speed over time.

[0027] As shown in Fig. 4A to Fig. 4C, the waveform of the basic pattern is, for example, a sine wave, and the multiple basic patterns are different in at least one of the amplitude and the period. The multiple basic patterns are stored in advance in the storage unit 43. Basic pattern 1 shown in Fig. 4A is a pattern with a large amplitude and a long period, basic pattern 2 shown in Fig. 4B is a pattern with a large amplitude and a medium period, and basic pattern 3 shown in Fig. 4C is a pattern with a large amplitude and a short period. Note that the waveform of the basic pattern may be a triangular wave or the like, and is not limited to a sine wave.

[0028] After step S11, the generation unit 45 generates a fluctuation pattern by combining at least a portion of a plurality of predetermined basic patterns based on the affective information (desired affect) acquired in step S11 and the above database (S12).

[0029] For example, if the desired feeling indicated by the feeling information is "relaxation" and the combination of basic patterns 1 to 3 in Fig. 4A to Fig. 4C is associated with "relaxation" in the database, the generation unit 45 generates a fluctuation pattern as shown in Fig. 5 by combining basic patterns 1 to 3. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a fluctuation pattern.

[0030] In the database, the designer of the airflow control system 10 has previously determined how the basic patterns should be combined to induce a feeling such as "relaxation." For example, the designer may have a subject experience air blown from the air blower 50 according to a fluctuation pattern (combination of basic patterns) and ask the subject what feeling (mood) the subject experienced. By conducting such a questionnaire survey on a large number of subjects and collating the results of the questionnaire, the designer can create the above database.

[0031] After step S12, the control unit 46 executes fluctuation control to control the blower 50 according to the fluctuation pattern generated in step S12 (S13). Specifically, the control unit 46 changes the wind speed of the blower 50 according to the fluctuation pattern generated in step S12.

[0032] Thus, in operation example 1, the airflow control system 10 (airflow control device 40) acquires the user's desired sensibility, generates a fluctuation pattern by combining at least a part of a plurality of predetermined basic patterns based on the acquired desired sensibility and the database, and executes fluctuation control that changes the wind speed of the airflow device 50 according to the generated fluctuation pattern. In the database, a combination method of the basic patterns is associated with each of the plurality of sensibility.

[0033] According to the above-described airflow control system 10, when the user performs an operation to specify "relaxation" as the desired sensation on the UI device 60, the user can be exposed to a relaxing flickering wind. In other words, the airflow control system 10 can induce the user to the desired sensation.

[0034] It should be noted that the user can modify the fluctuation pattern while the fluctuating wind is being blown out by the blower device 50. For example, the user performs an operation to instruct the UI device 60 to modify the fluctuation pattern. When the UI device 60 receives the operation to instruct the user to modify the fluctuation pattern, the UI device 60 transmits a modification instruction to the blower control device 40.

[0035] The communication unit 41 of the air blowing control device 40 receives the correction instruction, and the acquisition unit 44 acquires the correction instruction (S14). The correction unit 47 corrects the fluctuation pattern based on the acquired correction instruction (S15), and the control unit 46 controls the air blowing device 50 according to the corrected fluctuation pattern (S16). Specifically, the control unit 46 changes the wind speed of the air blowing device 50 according to the corrected fluctuation pattern.

[0036] Furthermore, the correction unit 47 updates (corrects) the database so that a corrected fluctuation pattern is generated when the same affective information (desired affective information) as the affective information acquired in step S11 is acquired in the future (S17).

[0037] In this way, the airflow control system 10 (airflow control device 40) acquires a user's correction instruction for the generated fluctuation pattern, and corrects the fluctuation pattern based on the acquired correction instruction. The airflow control system 10 changes the wind speed of the airflow device 50 according to the corrected fluctuation pattern, and updates the database so that the corrected fluctuation pattern is generated when the desired sensation is acquired.

[0038] Such an air blowing control system 10 can modify the fluctuation pattern based on an instruction from the user. Note that the processes from step S14 onwards are not executed if a modification instruction is not acquired.

[0039] [Example 2] Next, a description will be given of a second operational example of the airflow control system 10. FIG.

[0040] The communication unit 41 of the air blowing control device 40 receives the affective information, and the acquisition unit 44 acquires the affective information (S21). The generation unit 45 generates a fluctuation pattern by combining at least a part of a plurality of predetermined basic patterns based on the affective information (desired affect) acquired in step S21 and the database (S22). The control unit 46 controls the air blowing device 50 in accordance with the fluctuation pattern generated in step S22 (S23). The processes of steps S21 to S23 are similar to the processes of steps S11 to S13 in the first operation example, and therefore detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0041] Thereafter, the user performs an operation on the UI device 60 to declare (select) the current thermal sensation. For example, the UI device 60 displays options for thermal sensation, and the user selects a thermal sensation from the options. When the UI device 60 accepts the operation to select a thermal sensation, it transmits thermal sensation information indicating the selected thermal sensation to the air blowing control device 40. In the following, the options for thermal sensation are, for example, seven options: "very hot," "hot," "slightly hot," "neutral," "slightly cold," "cold," and "very cold." That is, the user can declare the thermal sensation by distinguishing it into seven stages. The number of options may be less than seven or more than seven. The number of options is not particularly limited as long as it is possible to determine whether or not the user feels cold in response to the flickering wind sent out in step S23.

[0042] The communication unit 41 of the air blowing control device 40 receives the thermal sensation information, and the acquisition unit 44 acquires the thermal sensation information (S24). The control unit 46 determines whether the user feels cold or not based on the acquired thermal sensation information (S25). If the thermal sensation indicated by the thermal sensation information is any of "very hot", "hot", "slightly hot", and "neither", the control unit 46 determines that the user does not feel cold (No in S25) and continues to blow out the fluctuating air in step S23.

[0043] On the other hand, if the thermal sensation indicated by the thermal sensation information is any one of "slightly cold", "cold" and "very cold", the control unit 46 determines that the user is feeling cold (Yes in S25) and causes the air blower 50 to execute intermittent air blowing control (S26). Fig. 7 is a diagram for explaining the intermittent air blowing control.

[0044] Fig. 7(a) is a diagram showing the relationship between wind speed (vertical axis) and time (horizontal axis) when fluctuation control is performed according to the fluctuation pattern generated in step S22. When intermittent air blowing control is executed in step S26, as shown in Fig. 7(b), the fluctuation pattern generated in step S22 is maintained during air blowing, but air blowing is stopped intermittently.

[0045] It is not essential that the fluctuation pattern generated in step S22 is maintained during air blowing under intermittent air blowing control. Fig. 8 is a diagram showing an example in which air blowing device 50 blows air according to a fluctuation pattern different from the fluctuation pattern generated in step S22 during intermittent control. Fig. 8(a) shows the relationship between wind speed (vertical axis) and time (horizontal axis) when fluctuation control is performed, and Fig. 8(b) shows the relationship between wind speed and time when intermittent air blowing control is performed. The different fluctuation pattern is, for example, a fluctuation pattern prepared in advance for intermittent air blowing control.

[0046] Fig. 9 is a diagram showing an example in which the blower 50 blows air at a constant wind speed during intermittent blowing control. Fig. 9(a) shows the relationship between wind speed (vertical axis) and time (horizontal axis) when fluctuation control is performed, and Fig. 9(b) shows the relationship between wind speed and time when intermittent blowing control is performed.

[0047] In the intermittent airflow control of Fig. 7 to Fig. 9, the length of the stop period T during which airflow is stopped is, for example, determined in advance. However, the length of the stop period T may be changed depending on the coldness felt by the user. For example, when the thermal sensation indicated by the thermal sensation information is "slightly cold", T=T1, when it is "cold", T=T2 (>T1), and when it is "very cold", T=T3 (>T2).

[0048] Thus, in operation example 2, the airflow control system 10 (airflow control device 40) acquires the user's thermal sensation information when the user is receiving fluctuation-controlled airflow, and based on the acquired thermal sensation information, switches the fluctuation control to intermittent airflow control, which intermittently stops the airflow of the airflow device 50.

[0049] According to operation example 2, the airflow control system 10 guides the user to a desired sensation, and when the user feels cold, the airflow is intermittently blown, thereby preventing the user from feeling uncomfortable about the airflow.

[0050] In addition, if thermal sensation information indicating "very hot," "hot," "slightly hot," or "neither" is acquired during intermittent airflow control, the control unit 46 switches from intermittent airflow control to fluctuation control.

[0051] [Example 3] Next, a description will be given of a third operation example of the airflow control system 10. FIG.

[0052] The communication unit 41 of the air blowing control device 40 receives the affective information, and the acquisition unit 44 acquires the affective information (S31). The generation unit 45 generates a fluctuation pattern by combining at least a part of a plurality of predetermined basic patterns based on the affective information (desired affect) acquired in step S31 and the database (S32). The control unit 46 controls the air blowing device 50 in accordance with the fluctuation pattern generated in step S32 (S33). The processes of steps S31 to S33 are similar to the processes of steps S11 to S13 in the first operation example, and therefore detailed explanations are omitted.

[0053] While the air blower 50 is being controlled according to the fluctuation pattern, the communication unit 41 of the air blower control device 40 receives body surface temperature information from the body temperature sensor 20, and the acquisition unit 44 acquires the body surface temperature information (S34). Figure 11 is a diagram showing an example of the change over time in body surface temperature indicated by the body surface temperature information.

[0054] When air blowing by air blowing device 50 starts in step S33, the user's body surface temperature gradually decreases (t0 to t1 in FIG. 11) and reaches an equilibrium state (a state in which the body surface temperature hardly changes). Then, based on the body surface temperature information acquired in step S34, control unit 46 determines whether a predetermined period has passed since the body surface temperature reached an equilibrium state.

[0055] If a predetermined period of time has not elapsed since the body surface temperature reached an equilibrium state (before t2 in FIG. 11) (No in S35), the control unit 46 continues to blow out the fluctuating air in step S33.

[0056] When a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the user's body surface temperature reached equilibrium based on the acquired body surface temperature information (t2 in FIG. 11) (Yes in S35), the control unit 46 causes the blower device 50 to execute intermittent air blowing control (S36). The length of the predetermined period of time may be appropriately determined empirically or experimentally. The intermittent air blowing control is similar to step S26 in the second operation example, and therefore a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0057] Thus, in operation example 3, the airflow control system 10 (airflow control device 40) acquires body surface temperature information of the user when the user is receiving fluctuation-controlled airflow, and based on the acquired body surface temperature information, switches the fluctuation control to intermittent airflow control, which intermittently stops the airflow of the airflow device 50.

[0058] According to operation example 3, when a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the body surface temperature has reached equilibrium and it is estimated that the user is feeling cold, the airflow control system 10 can prevent the user from feeling uncomfortable due to the airflow by blowing air intermittently.

[0059] It is considered that the user's body surface temperature will rise when the intermittent airflow control is started (after t2 in FIG. 11). Therefore, when the user's body surface temperature rises to a predetermined value, and when the rise in the body surface temperature exceeds a threshold, the control unit 46 switches the intermittent airflow control to the fluctuation control. At this time, the control unit 46 may gradually shorten the length of the stop period T in the intermittent airflow control, and then switch the intermittent airflow control to the fluctuation control. For example, an operation such as initially performing intermittent airflow control with a long stop period T to increase the user's body surface temperature and reduce the cold felt by the user, and then performing intermittent airflow control with a short stop period T may be considered.

[0060] [Example 4] Next, a description will be given of a fourth operation example of the airflow control system 10. FIG 12 is a flowchart of the fourth operation example of the airflow control system 10.

[0061] The communication unit 41 of the air blowing control device 40 receives the affective information, and the acquisition unit 44 acquires the affective information (S41). The generation unit 45 generates a fluctuation pattern by combining at least a part of a plurality of predetermined basic patterns based on the affective information (desired affect) acquired in step S41 and the database (S42). The process of steps S41 to S42 is similar to the process of steps S11 to S12 in the operation example 1, and therefore a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0062] Furthermore, the communication unit 41 receives environmental information from the environmental sensor 30, and the acquisition unit 44 acquires the environmental information (S43). The environmental information includes information indicating the temperature around the user and information indicating the current date (in other words, the season). The temperature around the user is, for example, room temperature, but may also be the outside air temperature.

[0063] Here, the storage unit 43 stores in advance control rule information that specifies how long each of the fluctuation control and the intermittent air blowing control is to be performed (time allocation). Fig. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the control rule information. As shown in Fig. 13, the control rule information specifies how long each of the fluctuation control and the intermittent air blowing control is to be performed for each season. In other words, the control rule information specifies the duration of the fluctuation control and the duration of the intermittent air blowing control for each season.

[0064] The control rule information is empirically or experimentally determined by a designer of the airflow control system 10, etc., so that the user does not feel cold due to the airflow. In the example of Fig. 13, the control rule information is created taking into consideration the temperature around the user, but it may be created taking into consideration the humidity around the user instead of or in addition to the temperature. The temperature around the user is, for example, room temperature, but may also be the outside air temperature.

[0065] The control unit 46 alternately executes fluctuation control and intermittent air blowing control based on the environmental information acquired in step S43 and the control rule information (S44).

[0066] For example, if the environmental information acquired in step S43 indicates that the current season is summer (e.g., June to August) and the temperature around the user is 24°C, the control unit 46 performs fluctuation control for 30 minutes, then performs intermittent air flow control for 10 minutes, and then performs fluctuation control for 30 minutes, etc.

[0067] Furthermore, if the environmental information acquired in step S43 indicates that the current season is winter (e.g., December to February) and the temperature around the user is 24°C, the control unit 46 performs fluctuation control for 20 minutes, then performs intermittent air flow control for 15 minutes, and then performs fluctuation control for 20 minutes, and so on.

[0068] Thus, in operation example 4, the airflow control system 10 (airflow control device 40) acquires environmental information around the user, and based on the acquired environmental information, switches from fluctuation control to intermittent airflow control that intermittently stops airflow from the airflow device 50. Specifically, the airflow control system 10 determines, based on the acquired environmental information, the duration of the fluctuation control and the duration of the intermittent airflow control when alternately executing the fluctuation control and the intermittent airflow control.

[0069] According to operation example 4, the airflow control system 10 alternates between fluctuation control and intermittent airflow control depending on the environment around the user, thereby preventing the user from feeling cold (in other words, preventing the user from feeling uncomfortable about the airflow).

[0070] The length of the stop period T in the intermittent air blowing control may be changed based on information indicating the season included in the environmental information. For example, if the season is summer, T is set to T1, if the season is spring or autumn, T is set to T2 (> T1), and if the season is winter, T is set to T3 (> T2). In other words, the length of the stop period T in the intermittent air blowing control may be set to be longer as the season becomes colder.

[0071] This allows the airflow control system 10 to perform intermittent airflow control in consideration of the seasonality, so that the user is less likely to feel cold.

[0072] [Example 5] Next, a description will be given of a fifth operation example of the airflow control system 10. FIG.

[0073] The communication unit 41 of the air blowing control device 40 receives the affective information, and the acquisition unit 44 acquires the affective information (S51). The generation unit 45 generates a fluctuation pattern by combining at least a part of a plurality of predetermined basic patterns based on the affective information (desired affective) acquired in step S51 and the database (S52). The process of steps S51 to S52 is similar to the process of steps S11 to S12 in the operation example 1, and therefore a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0074] Furthermore, the communication unit 41 receives environmental information from the environmental sensor 30, and the acquisition unit 44 acquires the environmental information (S53). The environmental information includes information indicating the temperature around the user and information indicating the current date (in other words, the season). The temperature around the user is, for example, room temperature, but may also be the outside air temperature. The acquisition of the environmental information is performed continuously in parallel with the processing from step S54 onwards.

[0075] The control unit 46 controls the blower device 50 according to the fluctuation pattern generated in step S52 (S54). In other words, the control unit 46 performs fluctuation control. The control unit 46 acquires the latest environmental information while executing the fluctuation control, and determines whether the temperature around the user has been continuously decreasing during the most recent predetermined period based on the acquired environmental information (S55). The length of the predetermined period may be appropriately determined empirically or experimentally. The temperature around the user is, for example, room temperature, but may also be the outside air temperature.

[0076] When the control unit 46 determines that the temperature around the user has not been continuously decreasing during the most recent predetermined period (No in S55), it continues the fluctuation control (S54). On the other hand, when the control unit 46 determines that the temperature around the user has been continuously decreasing during the most recent predetermined period (Yes in S55), it switches the fluctuation control to intermittent air blowing control (S56).

[0077] The control unit 46 acquires the latest environmental information while performing the intermittent air blowing control, and determines whether the temperature around the user has been rising continuously during the most recent predetermined period based on the acquired environmental information (S57). The length of the predetermined period may be appropriately determined empirically or experimentally.

[0078] When the control unit 46 determines that the temperature around the user has not risen continuously during the most recent predetermined period (No in S57), it continues the intermittent airflow control (S56). On the other hand, when the control unit 46 determines that the temperature around the user has risen continuously during the most recent predetermined period (Yes in S57), it switches the intermittent airflow control to fluctuation control (S54).

[0079] Thus, in operation example 5, airflow control system 10 (airflow control device 40) acquires environmental information around the user, and based on the acquired environmental information, switches from fluctuation control to intermittent airflow control that intermittently stops airflow from airflow device 50. When airflow control system 10 determines that the temperature around the user indicated by the acquired environmental information is continuously decreasing, it switches from fluctuation control to intermittent airflow control, and when it determines that the temperature around the user indicated by the acquired environmental information is continuously increasing, it switches from intermittent airflow control to fluctuation control.

[0080] According to operation example 5, the airflow control system 10 can prevent the user from feeling cold (in other words, the user from feeling uncomfortable about the airflow) by switching between fluctuation control and intermittent airflow control depending on the environment around the user.

[0081] The length of the predetermined period used in the determination of step S55 and the length of the predetermined period used in the determination of step S57 may be changed depending on whether the information indicating the temperature around the user included in the environmental information indicates the room temperature or the outside temperature. The length of the predetermined period when the information indicating the temperature around the user included in the environmental information indicates the room temperature is, for example, 30 minutes, and the length of the predetermined period when the information indicating the temperature around the user included in the environmental information indicates the outside temperature is, for example, 60 minutes.

[0082] The length of the stop period T in the intermittent air blowing control may be changed based on information indicating the season included in the environmental information. For example, if the season is summer, T is set to T1, if the season is spring or autumn, T is set to T2 (> T1), and if the season is winter, T is set to T3 (> T2). In other words, the length of the stop period T in the intermittent air blowing control may be set to be longer as the season becomes colder.

[0083] This allows the airflow control system 10 to perform intermittent airflow control in consideration of the seasonality, so that the user is less likely to feel cold.

[0084] [Database modification] In the above embodiment, in the database for generating fluctuation patterns, a combination of basic patterns is associated with each of a plurality of sensitivities. However, instead of basic patterns, a plurality of fluctuation patterns may be stored in advance in the storage unit 43, and a fluctuation pattern may be associated with each of a plurality of sensitivities in the database.

[0085] Furthermore, in generating a fluctuation pattern, instead of a database, a machine learning model that has learned the contents of the database may be used. Such a machine learning model receives sensitivity information as an input and outputs a combination method of basic patterns (e.g., identification information of basic patterns to be combined) or a fluctuation pattern (e.g., identification information of a fluctuation pattern).

[0086] [Other variations] In the above embodiment, it has been described that the wind speed of the blower device 50 changes according to the voltage waveform of the control signal supplied to the blower device 50. For this reason, as shown in Figs. 4A to 4C, the voltage waveform of the control signal becomes the pattern of change in the wind speed of the blower device 50 over time. However, it is not essential that the voltage waveform of the control signal becomes the pattern of change in the wind speed of the blower device 50 over time, and it is sufficient for the wind speed of the blower device 50 to change over time as shown in Figs. 4A to 4C. In other words, another method for controlling the blower device 50 may be used.

[0087] [Effects, etc.] Inventions derived from the disclosure of this specification are, for example, the following inventions. Hereinafter, the inventions derived from the disclosure of this specification will be described together with the effects and the like obtained by the inventions.

[0088] Invention 1 is an air blowing control system 10 comprising an acquisition unit 44 that acquires a user's desired sensibility, a generation unit 45 that generates a fluctuation pattern by combining at least a portion of a plurality of predetermined basic patterns based on the acquired desired sensibility, and a control unit 46 that executes fluctuation control to change the wind speed of an air blowing device 50 in accordance with the generated fluctuation pattern.

[0089] Such an air blowing control system 10 can induce a user to have a desired sensation through fluctuation control.

[0090] Invention 2 is the air supply control system 10 of Invention 1, further comprising a memory unit 43 in which a database is stored in which a combination of basic patterns is associated with each of a plurality of sensitivities, and a generation unit 45 generates a fluctuation pattern by combining at least a portion of the plurality of basic patterns based on the acquired desired sensitivities and the database.

[0091] Such an air blow control system 10 can specify how to combine basic patterns to generate a fluctuation pattern by comparing the desired sensation with the database.

[0092] Invention 3 is the air blowing control system 10 of Invention 2, in which the acquisition unit 44 further acquires a user's correction instruction for the generated fluctuation pattern, the air blowing control system 10 further includes a correction unit 47 that corrects the fluctuation pattern based on the acquired correction instruction, the control unit 46 changes the wind speed of the air blowing device 50 in accordance with the corrected fluctuation pattern, and the correction unit 47 updates the database so that the corrected fluctuation pattern is generated when the desired sensation is acquired.

[0093] Such an air blowing control system 10 can modify the fluctuation pattern based on an instruction from a user.

[0094] Invention 4 is the air blowing control system 10 of any of Inventions 1 to 3, in which the acquisition unit 44 further acquires environmental information around the user, and the control unit 46 switches the fluctuation control to intermittent air blowing control that intermittently stops the air blowing of the air blowing device 50 based on the acquired environmental information.

[0095] Such an airflow control system 10 can prevent the user from feeling cold by switching from fluctuation control to intermittent airflow control in accordance with the environment around the user.

[0096] Invention 5 is the air flow control system 10 of Invention 4, in which the control unit 46 determines the duration of fluctuation control and the duration of intermittent air flow control when fluctuation control and intermittent air flow control are alternately performed based on the acquired environmental information.

[0097] The airflow control system 10 alternately executes fluctuation control and intermittent airflow control in accordance with the environment around the user, thereby preventing the user from feeling cold.

[0098] Invention 6 is the air flow control system 10 of Invention 4, in which the control unit 46 switches from the fluctuation control to the intermittent air flow control when it determines that the temperature around the user indicated by the acquired environmental information is continuously decreasing, and switches from the intermittent air flow control to the fluctuation control when it determines that the temperature around the user indicated by the acquired environmental information is continuously increasing.

[0099] Such an airflow control system 10 can prevent the user from feeling cold by switching between fluctuation control and intermittent airflow control in accordance with the temperature around the user.

[0100] A seventh aspect of the present invention is air blowing control system 10 according to any one of the fourth to sixth aspects of the present invention, wherein control unit 46 changes the length of a period during which air blowing is stopped in intermittent air blowing control, based on the season indicated by the acquired environmental information.

[0101] Such an airflow control system 10 can perform intermittent airflow control in consideration of the seasonality, so that the user is less likely to feel cold.

[0102] Invention 8 is the air blowing control system 10 of any of Inventions 1 to 3, wherein the acquisition unit 44 further acquires thermal sensation information of the user when the user is receiving air blowing under fluctuation control, and the control unit 46 switches the fluctuation control to intermittent air blowing control that intermittently stops air blowing from the air blowing device 50 based on the acquired thermal sensation information.

[0103] Such an airflow control system 10 can prevent the user from feeling cold by switching from fluctuation control to intermittent airflow control in response to the user's thermal sensation.

[0104] A ninth aspect of the present invention is the air blowing control system 10 of the eighth aspect, wherein the control unit 46 changes the length of the air blowing stop period in the intermittent air blowing control based on the acquired thermal sensation information.

[0105] Such an airflow control system 10 can perform intermittent airflow control in consideration of the user's thermal sensation, so that the user is less likely to feel cold.

[0106] Invention 10 is the air blowing control system 10 of any of Inventions 1 to 3, in which the acquisition unit 44 further acquires body surface temperature information of the user when the user is receiving air blowing under fluctuation control, and the control unit 46 switches the fluctuation control to intermittent air blowing control that intermittently stops air blowing from the air blowing device 50 based on the acquired body surface temperature information.

[0107] Such an airflow control system 10 can prevent the user from feeling cold by switching from fluctuation control to intermittent airflow control in response to the body surface temperature of the user.

[0108] Invention 11 is the air flow control system 10 of Invention 10, in which the control unit 46, when executing intermittent air flow control, gradually shortens the length of the period during which air flow is stopped in the intermittent air flow control, and then switches the intermittent air flow control to fluctuation control.

[0109] When switching from intermittent airflow control to fluctuation control, such an airflow control system 10 can smoothly transition to fluctuation control.

[0110] Invention 12 is an air blowing control method executed by a computer such as the air blowing control system 10, and includes an acquisition step of acquiring a user's desired sensibility, a generation step of generating a fluctuation pattern by combining at least a portion of a plurality of predetermined basic patterns based on the acquired desired sensibility, and a control step of executing fluctuation control that changes the wind speed of the air blowing device 50 in accordance with the generated fluctuation pattern.

[0111] Such an airflow control method can induce a user to achieve a desired sensation through fluctuation control.

[0112] The invention 13 is a program for causing a computer to execute the airflow control method of the invention 12.

[0113] According to such a program, the computer can induce a user to a desired sensation through fluctuation control.

[0114] (Other embodiments) Although the embodiment has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment.

[0115] For example, the operation examples 1 to 5 of the above embodiment may be combined in any way. Also, for the intermittent airflow control, a configuration may be adopted in which the user can select which of the operation examples 2 to 4 the intermittent airflow control is to be performed according to (the user can select the operation mode). The selection of the operation mode is performed, for example, based on the user's operation on the UI device.

[0116] In the above embodiment, the airflow control system is realized by a plurality of devices. When the airflow control system is realized by a plurality of devices in this manner, the components (particularly functional components) of the airflow control system may be distributed among the plurality of devices in any manner.

[0117] Furthermore, the airflow control system may be realized as a single device. For example, the airflow control system may be realized as a single device corresponding to the airflow control device.

[0118] Furthermore, the method of communication between the devices in the above-described embodiment is not particularly limited. In addition, a relay device (such as a gateway device) (not shown) may be involved in the communication between the devices.

[0119] In the above embodiment, the processes executed by a specific processing unit may be executed by another processing unit. The order of multiple processes may be changed, or multiple processes may be executed in parallel.

[0120] In the above embodiment, each component may be realized by executing a software program suitable for each component. Each component may be realized by a program execution unit such as a CPU or a processor reading and executing a software program recorded on a recording medium such as a hard disk or a semiconductor memory.

[0121] Furthermore, each component may be realized by hardware. For example, each component may be a circuit (or an integrated circuit). These circuits may form a single circuit as a whole, or each may be a separate circuit. Furthermore, each of these circuits may be a general-purpose circuit, or a dedicated circuit.

[0122] Furthermore, the general or specific aspects of the present invention may be realized as a system, an apparatus, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, or a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, or may be realized as any combination of a system, an apparatus, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, and a recording medium.

[0123] For example, the present invention may be realized as the airflow control device of the above embodiment, the present invention may be realized as an airflow control method executed by a computer such as the airflow control system (airflow control device) of the above embodiment, or as a program for causing a computer to execute the airflow control method (in other words, a computer program product).The present invention may also be realized as a computer-readable non-transitory recording medium on which such a program is recorded.

[0124] In addition, the present invention also includes forms obtained by applying various modifications to each embodiment that a person skilled in the art may think of, or forms realized by arbitrarily combining the components and functions of each embodiment within the scope that does not deviate from the spirit of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0125] 10. Airflow control system 20 Body temperature sensor 30 Environmental Sensors 40 Air flow control device 41 Communications Department 42 Information Processing Section 43 Storage section 44 Acquisition Department 45 Generation part 46 Control Unit 47 Correction section 50 Blower 60 UI equipment

Claims

1. An acquisition unit that acquires a desired sensibility of a user; A generating unit that generates a fluctuation pattern by combining at least a part of a plurality of basic patterns that are predetermined based on the acquired desired sensitivity; and a control unit that executes fluctuation control to change the wind speed of the blower according to the generated fluctuation pattern. Air flow control system.

2. Further, a storage unit is provided in which a database is stored in which a combination method of the basic patterns is associated with each of a plurality of sensitivities, The generating unit generates the fluctuation pattern by combining at least a part of the plurality of basic patterns based on the acquired desired sensibility and the database. The airflow control system according to claim 1 .

3. The acquisition unit further acquires a correction instruction from the user for the generated fluctuation pattern, The airflow control system further includes a correction unit that corrects the fluctuation pattern based on the acquired correction instruction, The control unit changes the wind speed of the blower according to the corrected fluctuation pattern, The correction unit updates the database so that the corrected fluctuation pattern is generated when the desired sensitivity is acquired. The airflow control system according to claim 2 .

4. The acquisition unit further acquires environmental information around the user, The control unit switches the fluctuation control to intermittent air blowing control that intermittently stops blowing air from the air blowing device based on the acquired environmental information. The airflow control system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The control unit determines a duration of the fluctuation control and a duration of the intermittent air blowing control when the fluctuation control and the intermittent air blowing control are alternately performed based on the acquired environmental information. The airflow control system according to claim 4.

6. The control unit is When it is determined that the temperature around the user indicated by the acquired environmental information is continuously decreasing, the fluctuation control is switched to the intermittent air blowing control; When it is determined that the temperature around the user indicated by the acquired environmental information is continuously increasing, the intermittent air blowing control is switched to the fluctuation control. The airflow control system according to claim 4.

7. The control unit changes a length of a period during which air blowing is stopped in the intermittent air blowing control based on a season indicated by the acquired environmental information. The airflow control system according to claim 4.

8. The acquisition unit further acquires thermal sensation information of the user when the user is receiving the fluctuation-controlled airflow, The control unit switches the fluctuation control to intermittent air blowing control for intermittently stopping the air blowing of the air blowing device based on the acquired thermal sensation information. The airflow control system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

9. The control unit changes a length of a period during which air blowing is stopped in the intermittent air blowing control based on the acquired thermal sensation information. The airflow control system according to claim 8.

10. The acquisition unit further acquires body surface temperature information of the user when the user is receiving the fluctuation-controlled airflow, The control unit switches the fluctuation control to intermittent air blowing control that intermittently stops blowing air from the air blowing device based on the acquired body surface temperature information. The airflow control system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

11. The control unit, while performing the intermittent air blowing control, gradually shortens a length of a period during which air blowing is stopped in the intermittent air blowing control, and then switches the intermittent air blowing control to fluctuation control. The airflow control system according to claim 10.

12. A method for controlling airflow executed by a computer, comprising the steps of: An acquisition step of acquiring a desired sensibility of a user; A generating step of generating a fluctuation pattern by combining at least a part of a plurality of basic patterns determined in advance based on the acquired desired sensitivity; and a control step of executing fluctuation control for changing the wind speed of the blower according to the generated fluctuation pattern. Air flow control method.

13. A program for causing the computer to execute the airflow control method according to claim 12.

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