Control system, control device, apparatus control method, and program

Abstract

To provide a control system capable of maintaining an environment in a building in an environment comfortable to a user, a control device, an apparatus control method, and a program.SOLUTION: A control system includes: an environment information acquisition part 111 for acquiring environment information showing temperature, CO2 concentration, and humidity in a building in which an air conditioner 2A, a ventilator 2B, and an air conditioning apparatus are installed; an operation state acquisition part 113 for acquiring operation state information showing operation states of the air conditioner 2A and the ventilator 2B; a control determination part 114 for determining a control mode corresponding to the operation state of the air conditioning apparatus in controlling the air conditioner 2A and the ventilator 2B on the basis of the environment information and the operation state information; and an apparatus control part 115 for generating control information for controlling the air conditioner 2A and the ventilator 2B on the basis of the determined control mode to transmit the control information to the air conditioner 2A and the ventilator 2B.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] An air conditioning system has been proposed which comprises an air conditioner placed indoors, a blower placed indoors, and communication means for communicating between the air conditioner and the blower, in which the air conditioner has a sensor unit consisting of a human presence sensor, temperature sensor, humidity sensor, wind direction sensor, air volume sensor, etc., and a control unit which controls the blower based on various indoor information detected by the sensor unit (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-184218 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Incidentally, the air conditioning system described in Patent Document 1 may be used together with a so-called stand-alone air conditioning device that does not have a function for communicating with the air conditioner. In this case, there is a demand for the air conditioner to perform control according to the performance of the stand-alone air conditioning device used together with the air survey system based on various information detected by the sensor unit, thereby efficiently maintaining an indoor environment that is comfortable for users.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned reasons, and aims to provide a control system, a control device, an equipment control method, and a program that can maintain an environment within a building that is comfortable for users. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the control system according to the present disclosure comprises: an environmental information acquisition unit that acquires environmental information indicating environmental parameters of an area in which a first device and a second device different from the first device are installed; An operating state acquisition unit that acquires operating state information indicating an operating state of the first device; a control determination unit that determines a control mode according to an operating state of the second device when controlling the first device, based on the environmental information and the operating state information; and a device control unit that generates control information for controlling the first device based on the determined control mode and transmits the control information to the first device. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present disclosure, a control decision unit decides a control mode according to an operating state of a second device when controlling a first device, based on environmental information and operating state information. Then, a device control unit controls the first device in the decided control mode. This allows the first device to be controlled according to the operating state of the second device estimated from environmental information, power information, and operating state, so that the environment of the area in which the first device and the second device are installed can be efficiently maintained as a comfortable environment for the user. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a control system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a control system according to an embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a control device according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 1A is a diagram showing an example of information stored in an environmental information storage unit of a cloud server according to an embodiment; FIG. 1B is a diagram showing an example of information stored in an operating state storage unit of a cloud server according to an embodiment; [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of information stored in a determination criterion storage unit of a cloud server according to an embodiment; [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of information stored in a control mode storage unit of a cloud server according to an embodiment; [Figure 7] FIG. 1A is an explanatory diagram of the operation of a control system according to an embodiment, and FIG. 1B is an explanatory diagram of another operation of a cloud server according to an embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a sequence diagram for explaining the operation of a control system according to an embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is a sequence diagram for explaining the operation of a control system according to an embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 1 is a sequence diagram for explaining the operation of a control system according to an embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 1 is a sequence diagram for explaining the operation of a control system according to an embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 1 is a sequence diagram for explaining the operation of a control system according to an embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 1 is a sequence diagram for explaining the operation of a control system according to an embodiment. [Figure 14] 1 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of a device control process executed by a cloud server according to an embodiment. [Figure 15] 1 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of a device control process executed by a cloud server according to an embodiment. [Figure 16] 1 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of a device control process executed by a cloud server according to an embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of a control system according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 18] FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a control system according to a modified example. [Figure 19] FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a control device according to a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] A control system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. The control system according to the embodiment includes an environmental information acquisition unit that acquires environmental information indicating environmental parameters of an area in which a first device and a second device different from the first device are installed, an operating state acquisition unit that acquires operating state information indicating an operating state of the first device, a control determination unit that determines a control mode according to the operating state of the second device when controlling the first device based on the environmental information and the operating state information, and a device control unit that generates control information for controlling the first device based on the determined control mode and transmits the control information to the first device.

[0010] As shown in Fig. 1, the control system according to the present embodiment includes an air conditioner 2A and a ventilator fan 2B installed in a building H, a temperature sensor 3A, a CO2 sensor 3B, a humidity sensor 3C, and an infrared sensor 3D installed in the building H, a terminal device 5, and a cloud server 1. The air conditioner 2A, the ventilator fan 2B, the temperature sensor 3A, the CO2 sensor 3B, the humidity sensor 3C, and the infrared sensor 3D are each connected to a local network NW2 constructed in the building H. In addition, a so-called stand-alone heating and cooling device 9 that is not connected to the local network NW2 is installed in the building H. Examples of the heating and cooling device 9 include so-called combustion-based heating devices such as oil stoves and gas stoves, and non-combustion-based heating devices such as electric stoves.

[0011] The local network NW2 is connected to the wide area network NW1 via a broadband router (hereinafter referred to as "BBR") 4. The cloud server 1 and the terminal device 5 can communicate with each other via the wide area network NW1, and the cloud server 1 can communicate with the air conditioner 2A and the ventilator fan 2B via the wide area network NW1 and the local network NW2. An abnormality management server 6 is connected to the wide area network NW1. When an abnormality occurs in the environment in the building H, the abnormality management server 6 transmits abnormality notification information to the terminal device 5 to notify the occurrence of the abnormality. The local network NW2 is, for example, a wired LAN (Local Area Network) or a wireless LAN, and the wide area network NW1 is, for example, the Internet. When the abnormality management server 6 receives abnormality notification information from the cloud server 1 to notify the terminal device 5 that the environment in the building H has become abnormal, the abnormality management server 6 transmits the received abnormality notification information to the terminal device 5.

[0012] Each time a preset operation information transmission time arrives, the air conditioner 2A and the ventilation fan 2B each generate operation status notification information including operation status information indicating the operation status of the respective device, date and time information indicating the date and time corresponding to the operation status, and user identification information identifying a user residing in the building H, and transmit this information to the cloud server 1. Furthermore, when the air conditioner 2A and the ventilation fan 2B each acquire control information transmitted from the cloud server 1, they each operate based on the acquired control information.

[0013] The temperature sensor 3A measures the temperature of an area in the building H, and the CO2 sensor 3B measures the CO2 concentration of the area in the building H. Here, there are multiple temperature sensors 3A, which are installed near windows in the area in the building H and near the center of the area. Alternatively, as an alternative to the temperature sensor, an infrared sensor 3D may be used to measure the temperature near the center and near the windows of the area in the building H. Furthermore, the humidity sensor 3C measures the humidity of the area in the building H. Each time a preset environmental information transmission time arrives, the temperature sensor 3A, the CO2 sensor 3B, the humidity sensor 3C, and the infrared sensor 3D each generate environmental notification information including environmental information indicating the measured temperature, CO2 concentration, or humidity, date and time information indicating the measurement date and time, and user identification information, and transmit the information to the cloud server 1.

[0014] The power measuring device 7 is provided in a distribution board (not shown) that receives power from a system power supply via a main line and supplies power via branch lines to the air conditioner 2A, the ventilator fan 2B, and heating and cooling equipment 9 such as an electric stove that operates by receiving the power supply, all installed in the building H, and measures the power supplied to the air conditioner 2A, the ventilator fan 2B, or the heating and cooling equipment 9 via each branch line. Each time the aforementioned environmental information transmission time arrives, the power measuring device 7 generates power notification information including power information indicating the measured power and date and time information indicating the measurement date and time, and transmits the power notification information to the cloud server 1.

[0015] The terminal device 5 is, for example, a smartphone, and upon acquiring abnormality notification information transmitted from the abnormality management server 6, forms an abnormality notification image on the display unit based on the acquired abnormality notification information to notify the user of the terminal device 5 that the environment inside the building H is abnormal. In addition, when the user performs a criterion update operation via the input unit to update the criterion information described below, the terminal device 5 generates criterion setting request information requesting the setting of new criterion and transmits it to the cloud server 1 in response.

[0016] As shown in Fig. 2, the cloud server 1 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101, a main memory unit 102, an auxiliary memory unit 103, a communication unit 106, a clock unit 108, and a bus 109 connecting these units to each other. The CPU 101 is, for example, a multi-core processor. The main memory unit 102 has a volatile memory such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) and is used as a working area for the CPU 101. The auxiliary memory unit 103 is composed of a large-capacity non-volatile memory and stores programs for realizing various functions of the cloud server 1. The communication unit 106 is connected to a wide area network NW1. The clock unit 108 has, for example, an RTC (Real Time Clock) and notifies the CPU 101 of the clocked time information.

[0017] The CPU 101 reads out the program stored in the auxiliary storage unit 103 into the main storage unit 102 and executes it, thereby functioning as an environmental information acquisition unit 111, a power information acquisition unit 112, an operating state acquisition unit 113, a control decision unit 114, an equipment control unit 115, a criterion setting request acquisition unit 116, a judgment criterion generation unit 117, and an abnormality notification unit 118, as shown in Fig. 3. The auxiliary storage unit 103 shown in Fig. 2 also has an environmental information storage unit 131, an operating state storage unit 132, a judgment criterion storage unit 133, and a control mode storage unit 134, as shown in Fig. 3. The environmental information storage unit 131 stores environmental information indicating the environment in the building H in which the air conditioner 2A and the ventilation fan 2B are installed, and power information indicating the power consumed by the air conditioner 2A, the ventilation fan 2B, and the heating and cooling equipment 9, in association with date and time information indicating the measurement date and time, as shown in Fig. 4(A), for example. Furthermore, the environmental information storage unit 131 stores the environmental information and power information in association with the user identification information of the user residing in the corresponding building H. Here, the environmental information includes indoor temperature information and indoor humidity information indicating the temperature and humidity in the building H, CO2 concentration information indicating the CO2 concentration in the building H, and indoor temperature information near the windows indicating the temperature near the windows of the building H.

[0018] 4(B), for example, the operation status storage unit 132 stores operation status information indicating the operation status of the air conditioner 2A and the ventilation fan 2B in association with date and time information indicating the date and time when the operation status information was acquired. Furthermore, the operation status storage unit 132 stores the operation status information of the air conditioner 2A and the ventilation fan 2B in association with device identification information identifying the air conditioner 2A and the ventilation fan 2B, respectively, and user identification information of the user who owns the air conditioner 2A and the ventilation fan 2B.

[0019] 5, the judgment criterion storage unit 133 stores reference change amount information indicating reference change amounts of temperature, humidity, CO2 concentration, etc., which are the criteria for determining the control contents of the air conditioner 2A and the ventilation fan 2B, reference power information indicating the reference power, and reference temperature difference information indicating the reference temperature difference for the temperature difference in the building H, in association with the operation state information indicating the operation state of the corresponding air conditioner 2A and the ventilation fan 2B. In the example shown in FIG. 5, when the air conditioner 2A is operating in heating mode with a set temperature of 23°C, air volume of "medium", and air direction of "window side", and the ventilation fan is operating with air volume of "weak", the reference temperature change amount for the temperature change amount per unit time is set to |dTh|th, the reference humidity change amount for the humidity change amount per unit time is set to |dM|th, the reference CO2 concentration change amount for the CO2 concentration change amount per unit time is set to |dC|th, the reference power consumption is set to Pth, and the reference temperature difference for the temperature difference in the building H is set to |dThp|th.

[0020] The control mode storage unit 134 stores operation setting information of the air conditioner 2A and the ventilation fan 2B corresponding to each of a plurality of types of control modes set in advance in association with the control mode information, as shown in, for example, FIG. 6. In the example shown in FIG. 6, in the first control mode adopted when it is estimated that the heating and cooling equipment 9 is a kerosene stove or a gas stove, the air conditioner 2A is operated with the operation mode set to heating mode and the air volume set to "weak", and the ventilation fan 2B is operated with the exhaust volume set to "strong". In addition, in the second control mode adopted when it is estimated that the heating and cooling equipment 9 is a combustion-based heating appliance other than a kerosene stove or a gas stove, the air conditioner 2A is operated with the operation mode set to heating mode and the air volume set to "weak", and the ventilation fan 2B is operated with the exhaust volume set to "weak". Furthermore, in the third control mode adopted when it is estimated that the heating and cooling equipment 9 is an electric stove, the air conditioner 2A is operated with the operation mode set to heating mode and the air volume set to "weak", and the ventilation fan 2B is stopped. In addition, in the fourth control mode, which is adopted when the heating and cooling equipment 9 is presumed to be a cooling equipment, the operation mode is set to the cooling mode, the air volume is set to "weak", the air conditioner 2A is operated, and the ventilation fan 2B is stopped.

[0021] 3, when the environmental information acquisition unit 111 acquires the above-mentioned environmental notification information transmitted from the temperature sensor 3A, the CO2 sensor 3B, and the humidity sensor 3C, it extracts the environmental information and date and time information included in the acquired environmental notification information, associates the extracted environmental information and date and time information with each other, and stores them in the environmental information storage unit 131. Furthermore, when the power information acquisition unit 112 acquires the above-mentioned power notification information transmitted from the power measuring device 7, it extracts the power information and date and time information included in the acquired power notification information, and associates the extracted power information and date and time information with each other, and stores them in the environmental information storage unit 131.

[0022] When the operating status acquisition unit 113 acquires operating status notification information transmitted from the air conditioner 2A and the ventilation fan 2B, it extracts the operating status information and date and time information contained in the acquired operating status notification information, and device identification information that identifies the air conditioner 2A and the ventilation fan 2B that sent the operating status notification information, and stores the extracted operating status information, date and time information, and device identification information in the operating status memory unit 132 in correspondence with each other.

[0023] The control decision unit 114 determines a control mode according to the operating state of the cooling and heating equipment 9 when controlling the air conditioner 2A and the ventilation fan 2B, based on the environmental information and power information stored in the environmental information storage unit 131 and the operating state information stored in the operating state storage unit 132. Specifically, the control decision unit 114 determines the control mode of the air conditioner 2A and the ventilation fan 2B, based on whether or not the amount of change per unit time of the temperature indicated by the temperature information stored in the environmental information storage unit 131 is equal to or less than a first reference amount of change set in advance for the temperature stored in the judgment criterion storage unit 133. Here, the control decision unit 114 calculates the amount of change per unit time of the temperature based on the transition of the temperature indicated by the temperature information from a time point a preset period before the date and time corresponding to the most recent temperature information stored in the environmental information storage unit 131 to the most recent date and time. The length of this preset period is set to, for example, about 5 min. Then, when there is no past temperature information within a preset period due to the influence of a communication abnormality, such as a communication interruption with the temperature sensor 3A, the control decision unit 114 avoids making a judgment on the amount of change per unit time.

[0024] In addition, the control decision unit 114 determines the control mode of the air conditioner 2A and the ventilation fan 2B depending on whether the change amount per unit time of the CO2 concentration indicated by the CO2 concentration information stored in the environmental information storage unit 131 is equal to or less than the preset reference change amount stored in the judgment criterion storage unit 133. Here, the control decision unit 114 calculates the change amount per unit time of the CO2 concentration based on the transition of the temperature indicated by the CO2 concentration information from a time point a preset period before the date and time corresponding to the most recent CO2 concentration information stored in the environmental information storage unit 131 to the most recent date and time. The length of this preset period is set to, for example, about 5 minutes. Furthermore, when the CO2 concentration indicated by the CO2 concentration information stored in the environmental information storage unit 131 is greater than the preset reference CO2 concentration indicated by the reference CO2 concentration information stored in the judgment criterion storage unit 133 and the ventilation fan 2B is stopped, the control decision unit 114 notifies the device control unit 115 of control command information instructing the ventilation fan 2B to be started. Furthermore, the control decision unit 114 decides the control mode depending on whether the amount of change in humidity per unit time indicated by the humidity information stored in the environmental information storage unit 131 is equal to or less than a preset reference amount of change indicated by the reference amount of change information stored in the judgment criterion storage unit 133. Here, the control decision unit 114 calculates the amount of change in humidity per unit time based on the transition of temperature indicated by the humidity information from a time point a preset period ago from the date and time corresponding to the most recent humidity information stored in the environmental information storage unit 131 to the most recent date and time. The length of this preset period is set to, for example, about 5 minutes.

[0025] Specifically, when the change in the CO2 concentration per unit time is greater than the reference change in the CO2 concentration and the change in the humidity per unit time is smaller than the reference change in the humidity, the control decision unit 114 decides the control mode of the air conditioner 2A and the ventilator fan 2B to the first control mode. Here, when a so-called combustion-based heating device is started, not only the temperature but also the CO2 concentration increases over time, as shown in FIG. 7(A). In addition, when the heating / cooling device 9 is a combustion-based heating device such as a kerosene stove or a gas stove, water vapor is generated during operation. For this reason, when a kerosene stove or a gas stove is started, the humidity changes more slowly than when only the air conditioner is operated in the heating mode, as shown in FIG. 7(B). The control decision unit 114 determines the first control mode, which is adopted when the cooling and heating equipment 9 is estimated to be a kerosene stove or gas stove, if the change in the CO2 concentration per unit time is greater than the reference change in the CO2 concentration or the change in the humidity per unit time is smaller than the reference change in the humidity, based on the transition of the CO2 concentration and humidity during operation of the kerosene stove or gas stove. Also, if the change in the humidity per unit time is equal to or greater than the reference change in the humidity, the control decision unit 114 determines the second control mode, which is adopted when the cooling and heating equipment 9 is estimated to be a combustion-based heating equipment other than a kerosene stove or gas stove. Also, if the change in the CO2 concentration per unit time is equal to or less than the reference change in the CO2 concentration, the control decision unit 114 determines the third control mode, which is adopted when the cooling and heating equipment 9 is estimated to be a non-combustion-based heating equipment.

[0026] Furthermore, when the temperature difference between the temperature at a location near the center of building H and the temperature at a location near the window of building H, indicated by the temperature information stored in the environmental information storage unit 131, is greater than a preset reference temperature difference indicated by the reference temperature difference information stored in the judgment criterion storage unit 133, the control decision unit 114 notifies the equipment control unit 115 of control command information instructing the air conditioner 2A to be controlled to reduce the temperature difference at these multiple locations. Specifically, the control decision unit 114 notifies the equipment control unit 115 of control command information instructing the air conditioner 2A to operate in a fan mode by setting the air direction toward the window in order to send air near the center of building H to the window area, for example.

[0027] The device control unit 115 generates control information for controlling the air conditioner 2A and the ventilation fan 2B based on the control mode determined by and notified from the control determination unit 114, and transmits the control information to the air conditioner 2A and the ventilation fan 2B. Here, the device control unit 115 identifies the operation setting information of the air conditioner 2A and the ventilation fan 2B stored in the control mode storage unit 134 and corresponding to the control mode information notified from the control determination unit 114, and generates control information for realizing the operation setting indicated by the identified operation setting information. The device control unit 115 generates control information for operating the air conditioner 2A and the ventilation fan 2B based on the control command information notified from the control determination unit 114, and transmits the generated control information to the air conditioner 2A and the ventilation fan 2B.

[0028] The abnormality notification unit 118 generates abnormality notification information when the temperature indicated by the temperature information stored in the environmental information storage unit 131 is increasing over time and the amount of change of the temperature per unit time is greater than a preset second reference change amount that is greater than a first reference change amount indicated by the reference change amount information stored in the judgment criterion storage unit 133. Then, the abnormality notification unit 118 transmits the generated abnormality notification information to the abnormality management server 6.

[0029] When the reference setting request acquisition unit 116 acquires the reference setting request information transmitted from the terminal device 5, it extracts the environmental information used for generating the criterion information included in the acquired reference setting request information and the period information indicating the period to which the operating state information belongs, and notifies the criterion generation unit 117 of the extracted period information. When the criterion generation unit 117 is notified of the period information from the reference setting request acquisition unit 116, it identifies the environmental information and the operating state information that belong to the period indicated by the period information from the environmental information stored in the environmental information storage unit 131 and the operating state information stored in the operating state storage unit 132. Then, the criterion generation unit 117 calculates the change amount per unit time of the temperature, humidity, and CO2 concentration indicated by the identified environmental information, the maximum value of the CO2 concentration, the maximum value of the power indicated by the power information, and the maximum value of the temperature difference at multiple points in the building H, and generates the criterion information based on the calculated change amount and maximum value. The criterion generation unit 117 stores the generated criterion information in the criterion storage unit 133 in association with the identified operating state information.

[0030] Next, the operation of the control system according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 8 to 13. Here, it will be described that an air conditioner 2A, a ventilator fan 2B, two temperature sensors 3A for measuring the temperature near the center of the building H and the temperature near the windows, a CO2 sensor 3B, and a humidity sensor 3C are installed in the building H. First, as shown in Fig. 8, when a preset environmental information transmission time arrives, the temperature sensor 3A, the CO2 sensor 3B, and the humidity sensor 3C generate environmental notification information including environmental information indicating environmental parameters such as the measured temperature, humidity, and CO2 concentration, date and time information, and user identification information (step S1), and the generated environmental notification information is transmitted from the temperature sensor 3A, the CO2 sensor 3B, and the humidity sensor 3C to the cloud server 1 (step S2). On the other hand, when the cloud server 1 acquires the environmental notification information, it extracts the environmental information, date and time information, and user identification information included in the acquired environmental notification information, and stores the extracted environmental information, date and time information, and user identification information in the environmental information storage unit 131 in association with each other (step S3). At this time, the power measuring device 7 generates power notification information including power information indicating the measured power consumed by the air conditioner 2A, the ventilation fan 2B, and the heating and cooling equipment 9, date and time information, and user identification information (step S4), and the generated power notification information is transmitted from the power measuring device 7 to the cloud server 1 (step S5). Meanwhile, upon acquiring the power notification information, the cloud server 1 extracts the power information, date and time information, and user identification information included in the acquired power notification information, and stores the extracted power information, date and time information, and user identification information in the environmental information storage unit 131 in association with each other (step S6).

[0031] Next, when the preset operation information transmission time arrives, the air conditioner 2A and the ventilation fan 2B generate operation status notification information including operation status information indicating the operation status of the respective devices, date and time information, and user identification information (step S7), and the generated operation status notification information is transmitted from the air conditioner 2A and the ventilation fan 2B to the cloud server 1 (step S8). Meanwhile, upon acquiring the operation status notification information, the cloud server 1 extracts the operation status information, date and time information, and user identification information included in the acquired operation status notification information, and stores the extracted operation status information, date and time information, and user identification information in the operation status storage unit 132 in association with each other (step S9).

[0032] Next, the cloud server 1 determines, based on the transition of temperature indicated by the temperature information from a time point corresponding to the most recent temperature information stored in the environment information storage unit 131, a time period past a preset time, that the temperature is increasing, and that the absolute value of the temperature change amount |dTh| is greater than a reference change amount |dTh|th1 indicated by the reference change amount information stored in the judgment criterion storage unit 133 (step S10). Then, the cloud server 1 further determines that the absolute value of the temperature change amount |dTh| is greater than a preset reference change amount |dTh|th2 that is greater than the above-mentioned reference change amount |dTh|th1 (step S11). In this case, the cloud server 1 generates the above-mentioned abnormality notification information (step S12), and the generated abnormality notification information is transmitted from the cloud server 1 to the abnormality management server 6 (step S13). Then, when the abnormality management server 6 acquires the abnormality notification information, the acquired abnormality notification information is transmitted from the abnormality management server 6 to the terminal device 5 (step S14). On the other hand, when the terminal device 5 acquires the abnormality notification information, as shown in Fig. 9, it forms the above-mentioned abnormality notification image based on the acquired abnormality notification information and displays it on the display unit (step S15).

[0033] Also, it is assumed that the cloud server 1 determines that the temperature change amount dTh per unit time is greater than 0 and the temperature is increasing, and that the absolute value |dTh| of the temperature change amount is greater than the reference change amount |dTh|th1 indicated by the reference change amount information stored in the judgment criterion storage unit 133 (step S10), and further determines that the absolute value |dTh| of the temperature change amount is equal to or less than the above-mentioned reference change amount |dTh|th2 (step S16). Then, it is assumed that the cloud server 1 determines that the CO2 concentration change amount dC per unit time is greater than 0 and the CO2 concentration is increasing, and that the absolute value |dC| of the CO2 concentration change amount is greater than the reference change amount |dC|th indicated by the reference change amount information stored in the judgment criterion storage unit 133 (step S17), based on the transition of the CO2 concentration indicated by the CO2 concentration information from a time point a preset period before the date and time corresponding to the most recent CO2 concentration information stored in the environmental information storage unit 131 to the most recent date and time. Furthermore, it is assumed that the cloud server 1 determines, based on the change in humidity indicated by the humidity information from a time point a preset period in the past from the date and time corresponding to the most recent humidity information stored in the environmental information storage unit 131 to the most recent date and time, that the absolute value |dM| of the humidity change amount dM per unit time is smaller than the reference change amount |dM|th indicated by the reference change amount information stored in the judgment criterion storage unit 133 (step S18). In this case, the cloud server 1 determines the control mode of the air conditioner 2A and the ventilation fan 2B to be the above-mentioned first control mode (step S19), and generates control information based on the operation setting information of the air conditioner 2A and the ventilation fan 2B corresponding to the first control mode stored in the control mode storage unit 134 (step S20). After that, the generated control information is transmitted from the cloud server 1 to the air conditioner 2A and the ventilation fan 2B (step S21). On the other hand, when the air conditioner 2A and the ventilation fan 2B acquire the control information, they operate based on the acquired control information (step S22).

[0034] Also, suppose that the cloud server 1 determines that the temperature change amount dTh per unit time is greater than 0 and is increasing, and that the absolute value of the temperature change amount |dTh| is greater than the reference change amount |dTh|th1 indicated by the reference change amount information stored in the judgment criterion storage unit 133 (step S10), and further determines that the absolute value of the temperature change amount |dTh| is equal to or less than the above-mentioned reference change amount |dTh|th2 (step S16).Then, suppose that the cloud server 1 determines that the humidity change amount dM per unit time is equal to or less than 0, and that the absolute value of the humidity change amount |dM| is equal to or more than the reference change amount |dM|th indicated by the reference change amount information stored in the judgment criterion storage unit 133 (step S23). In this case, the cloud server 1 determines the control mode of the air conditioner 2A and the ventilation fan 2B to be the above-mentioned second control mode (step S24), and generates control information based on the operation setting information of the air conditioner 2A and the ventilation fan 2B corresponding to the second control mode stored in the control mode storage unit 134 (step S25), as shown in Fig. 10. The generated control information is then transmitted from the cloud server 1 to the air conditioner 2A and the ventilation fan 2B (step S26). Meanwhile, upon acquiring the control information, the air conditioner 2A and the ventilation fan 2B operate based on the acquired control information (step S27).

[0035] Also, the cloud server 1 determines that the temperature change amount dTh per unit time is greater than 0 and the temperature is increasing, and that the absolute value of the temperature change amount |dTh| is greater than the reference change amount |dTh|th1 indicated by the reference change amount information stored in the judgment criterion storage unit 133 (step S10), and further determines that the absolute value of the temperature change amount |dTh| is equal to or less than the above-mentioned reference change amount |dTh|th2 (step S16), and determines that the power P indicated by the power information stored in the environmental information storage unit 131 is greater than the reference power Pth stored in the judgment criterion storage unit 133 (step S29). In this case, the cloud server 1 determines the control mode of the air conditioner 2A and the ventilation fan 2B to the above-mentioned third control mode (step S30), and generates control information based on the operation setting information of the air conditioner 2A and the ventilation fan 2B corresponding to the third control mode stored in the control mode storage unit 134 (step S31). Next, the generated control information is transmitted from the cloud server 1 to the air conditioner 2A and the ventilation fan 2B (step S32). On the other hand, upon acquiring the control information, the air conditioner 2A and the ventilation fan 2B operate based on the acquired control information (step S33).

[0036] Also, after executing the process of step S9, the cloud server 1 determines that the temperature change amount dTh per unit time is 0 or less, the temperature is on a decreasing trend, and the absolute value |dTh| of the temperature change amount is greater than the reference change amount |dTh|th1 indicated by the reference change amount information stored in the judgment criterion storage unit 133, based on the transition of the temperature indicated by the temperature information from a time point a preset period before the date and time corresponding to the most recent temperature information stored in the environment information storage unit 131 (step S34). In this case, as shown in FIG. 11, the cloud server 1 determines the control mode of the air conditioner 2A and the ventilation fan 2B to the aforementioned fourth control mode (step S35), and generates control information based on the operation setting information of the air conditioner 2A and the ventilation fan 2B corresponding to the fourth control mode stored in the control mode storage unit 134 (step S36). Next, the generated control information is transmitted from the cloud server 1 to the air conditioner 2A and the ventilation fan 2B (step S37). On the other hand, upon acquiring the control information, the air conditioner 2A and the ventilator fan 2B operate based on the acquired control information (step S38).

[0037] Also, assume that the cloud server 1 determines that the CO2 concentration C indicated by the most recent CO2 concentration information stored in the environmental information storage unit 131 is greater than the reference CO2 concentration Cth stored in the judgment criterion storage unit 133 (step S39). Then, assume that the cloud server 1 determines that the ventilation fan 2B is stopped based on the operation state information stored in the operation state storage unit 132 (step S40). In this case, the cloud server 1 generates control information for starting the ventilation fan 2B (step S41), and the generated control information is transmitted from the cloud server 1 to the ventilation fan 2B (step S42). On the other hand, upon acquiring the control information, the ventilation fan 2B starts up based on the control information (step S43).

[0038] Also, suppose that the cloud server 1 determines that the temperature Th indicated by the most recent temperature information stored in the environmental information storage unit 131 is equal to or lower than the reference temperature Thth stored in the judgment criterion storage unit 133 (step S44). Then, suppose that the cloud server 1 determines that the air conditioner 2A is not operating in the heating mode based on the operation state information stored in the operation state storage unit 132 (step S45). In this case, the cloud server 1 generates control information for operating the air conditioner 2A in the heating mode (step S46), and the generated control information is transmitted from the cloud server 1 to the air conditioner 2A as shown in FIG. 12 (step S47). On the other hand, when the air conditioner 2A acquires the control information, it operates in the heating mode based on the control information (step S48).

[0039] Also, suppose that the cloud server 1 determines that the temperature difference |dThp| of the temperature Th indicated by the most recent temperature information between a preset location in the building H and a location near the window, which is stored in the environmental information storage unit 131, is greater than the reference temperature difference |dThp|th stored in the judgment criterion storage unit 133 (step S49). Then, suppose that the cloud server 1 determines that the air conditioner 2A is stopped based on the operation state information stored in the operation state storage unit 132 (step S50). In this case, the cloud server 1 generates control information for operating the air conditioner 2A in a blowing mode that blows air to the window side (step S51), and the generated control information is transmitted from the cloud server 1 to the air conditioner 2A (step S52). On the other hand, when the air conditioner 2A acquires the control information, it operates in a blowing mode that blows air to the window side based on the control information (step S53).

[0040] Also, assume that the cloud server 1 determines that the temperature difference |dThp| is greater than the reference temperature difference |dThp|th (step S49) and determines that the air conditioner 2A is operating based on the operation state information stored in the operation state storage unit 132 (step S54). In this case, the cloud server 1 generates control information for changing the airflow direction of the air conditioner 2A to a direction toward the window (step S55), and the generated control information is transmitted from the cloud server 1 to the air conditioner 2A (step S56). On the other hand, upon acquiring the control information, the air conditioner 2A performs an airflow direction changing operation to change the airflow direction to a direction toward the window based on the control information (step S57).

[0041] 13, it is assumed that the cloud server 1 determines that the above-mentioned temperature difference |dThp| is equal to or less than the above-mentioned reference temperature difference |dThp|th (step S58), and determines that the air conditioner 2A is operating based on the operation state information stored in the operation state storage unit 132 (step S59). In this case, the cloud server 1 generates control information for stopping the air conditioner 2A (step S60), and the generated control information is transmitted from the cloud server 1 to the air conditioner 2A (step S61). On the other hand, upon acquiring the control information, the air conditioner 2A stops based on the control information (step S62).

[0042] Also, when the user performs the above-mentioned judgment criterion update operation on the input unit of the terminal device 5, the terminal device 5 generates criteria setting request information (step S63), and the generated criteria setting request information is transmitted from the terminal device 5 to the cloud server 1 (step S64). On the other hand, when the cloud server 1 acquires the criteria setting request information, it extracts period information included in the acquired criteria setting request information (step S65). Next, the cloud server 1 identifies the environmental information and the operating state information belonging to the period indicated by the period information from the environmental information stored in the environmental information storage unit 131 and the operating state information stored in the operating state storage unit 132, calculates the amount of change per unit time of the temperature, humidity, and CO2 concentration indicated by the identified environmental information, the maximum value of the CO2 concentration, the maximum value of the power indicated by the power information, and the maximum value of the temperature difference at multiple points in the building H, and generates judgment criterion information based on the calculated amount of change and maximum value. Then, the cloud server 1 stores the generated judgment criterion information in the judgment criterion storage unit 133 in association with the identified operating state information (step S66).

[0043] Next, the device control process executed by the cloud server 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 14 to 16. The device control process is started when a program for executing the device control process is started in the cloud server 1. First, as shown in Fig. 14, the environmental information acquisition unit 111 and the power information acquisition unit 112 determine whether or not they have acquired the environmental notification information transmitted from the temperature sensor 3A, the CO2 sensor 3B, and the humidity sensor 3C, and the power notification information transmitted from the power measurement device 7 (step S101). Here, if the environmental information acquisition unit 111 and the power information acquisition unit 112 determine that they have not acquired the environmental notification information and the power notification information (step S101: No), the process of step S103 described later is executed. On the other hand, it is assumed that the environmental information acquisition unit 111 and the power information acquisition unit 112 determine that they have acquired the environmental notification information and the power notification information (step S101: Yes). In this case, the environmental information acquisition unit 111 extracts the environmental information, date and time information, and user identification information included in the environmental notification information, and stores the extracted environmental information, date and time information, and user identification information in the environmental information storage unit 131 in association with each other. Also, the power information acquisition unit 112 extracts the power information, date and time information, and user identification information included in the power notification information, and stores the extracted power information, date and time information, and user identification information in the environmental information storage unit 131 in association with each other (step S102). Next, the operation state acquisition unit 113 determines whether or not the operation state notification information transmitted from the air conditioner 2A and the ventilation fan 2B has been acquired (step S103). Here, if the operation state acquisition unit 113 determines that the operation state notification information has not been acquired (step S103: No), the process of step S133 described below is executed. On the other hand, when the driving state acquisition unit 113 determines that it has acquired driving state notification information (step S103: Yes), it extracts the driving state information, date and time information, and user identification information contained in the acquired driving state notification information, and stores the extracted driving state information, date and time information, and user identification information in the driving state memory unit 132 in association with each other (step S104).

[0044] Next, the control decision unit 114 determines whether the temperature change amount dTh per unit time is greater than 0 and the temperature is increasing, and the absolute value of the temperature change amount |dTh| is greater than the reference change amount |dTh|th1 indicated by the reference change amount information stored in the judgment criterion storage unit 133, based on the transition of the temperature indicated by the temperature information from a time point a preset period before the date and time corresponding to the most recent temperature information stored in the environment information storage unit 131 (step S105). Here, it is assumed that the control decision unit 114 determines that the temperature change amount dTh per unit time is greater than 0 and the absolute value of the temperature change amount |dTh| is greater than the reference change amount |dTh|th1 (step S105: Yes). In this case, the abnormality notification unit 118 determines whether the absolute value of the temperature change amount |dTh| is equal to or less than the above-mentioned reference change amount |dTh|th2 (step S106). Here, if the abnormality notification unit 118 determines that the absolute value of the temperature change amount |dTh| is greater than the aforementioned reference change amount |dTh|th2 (step S106: No), it generates abnormality notification information and transmits it to the abnormality management server 6 (step S107), and the processing of step S133 described below is executed.

[0045] On the other hand, it is assumed that the abnormality notification unit 118 determines that the absolute value of the temperature change amount |dTh| is equal to or smaller than the reference change amount |dTh|th2 (step S106: Yes). In this case, the control decision unit 114 determines whether or not the change amount dC of the CO2 concentration per unit time is greater than 0 and the CO2 concentration is increasing, and whether or not the absolute value of the change amount of the CO2 concentration |dC| is greater than the reference change amount |dC|th indicated by the reference change amount information stored in the determination criterion storage unit 133, based on the transition of the CO2 concentration indicated by the CO2 concentration information from a time point a preset period before the date and time corresponding to the most recent CO2 concentration information stored in the environmental information storage unit 131 (step S108). Here, the control decision unit 114 determines that the change amount dC of the CO2 concentration per unit time is greater than 0 and that the absolute value |dC| of the change amount of the CO2 concentration is greater than the reference change amount |dC|th indicated by the reference change amount information stored in the judgment criterion storage unit 133 (step S108: Yes). In this case, the control decision unit 114 determines whether or not the absolute value |dM| of the change amount dM of the humidity per unit time is smaller than the reference change amount |dM|th indicated by the reference change amount information stored in the judgment criterion storage unit 133, based on the change in humidity indicated by the humidity information from a time point a preset period before the date and time corresponding to the most recent humidity information stored in the environmental information storage unit 131 to the most recent date and time (step S109). Here, if the control decision unit 114 determines that the absolute value |dM| of the amount of change in humidity dM is smaller than the aforementioned reference amount of change |dM|th (step S109: Yes), it decides the control mode of the air conditioner 2A and the ventilation fan 2B to the aforementioned first control mode (step S110), and executes the processing of step S116 described below. On the other hand, if the control decision unit 114 determines that the amount of change in humidity dM is 0 or less, or that the amount of change in humidity dM is greater than 0 and the absolute value |dM| of the amount of change in humidity is equal to or less than the aforementioned reference amount of change |dM|th (step S109: No), it decides the control mode of the air conditioner 2A and the ventilation fan 2B to the aforementioned second control mode (step S111), and executes the processing of step S116 described below.

[0046] Also, in step S108, the control decision unit 114 determines that the change amount dC of the CO2 concentration per unit time is 0 or less, or the change amount dC of the CO2 concentration per unit time is greater than and the absolute value of the change amount of the CO2 concentration |dC| is less than the above-mentioned reference change amount |dC|th (step S108: No). In this case, the control decision unit 114 determines whether the power P indicated by the power information stored in the environmental information storage unit 131 is greater than the reference power Pth stored in the judgment criterion storage unit 133 (step S112). Here, if the control decision unit 114 determines that the power P is less than the reference power Pth (step S112: No), the process of step S117 described later is executed. On the other hand, if the control decision unit 114 determines that the power P is greater than the reference power Pth (step S112: Yes), it decides the control mode of the air conditioner 2A and the ventilation fan 2B to be the above-mentioned third control mode (step S113), and the processing of step S116 described below is executed.

[0047] Also, in step S105, the control decision unit 114 determines that the temperature change amount dTh per unit time is 0 or less, or the absolute value |dTh| of the temperature change amount per unit time is the reference change amount |dTh| th1 or less (step S105: No). In this case, the control decision unit 114 determines whether the temperature change amount dTh per unit time is 0 or less, and the absolute value |dTh| of the temperature change amount is greater than the reference change amount |dTh| th1 indicated by the reference change amount information stored in the determination criterion storage unit 133 (step S114). Here, if the control decision unit 114 determines that the temperature change amount dTh per unit time is greater than 0, or the temperature change amount dTh is 0 or less, and the absolute value |dTh| of the temperature change amount is the reference change amount |dTh| th1 or less (step S114: No), the process of step S117 described later is executed. On the other hand, if the control decision unit 114 determines that the temperature change per unit time dTh is less than or equal to 0 and the absolute value of the temperature change |dTh| is greater than the reference change |dTh|th1 (step S114: Yes), it decides the control mode of the air conditioner 2A and the ventilation fan 2B to the aforementioned fourth control mode (step S115).

[0048] After that, the device control unit 115 generates control information for controlling the air conditioner 2A and the ventilation fan 2B based on the control mode determined by the control determination unit 114 as shown in FIG. 15, and transmits the control information to the air conditioner 2A and the ventilation fan 2B (step S116). Next, the control determination unit 114 judges whether or not the CO2 concentration C indicated by the latest CO2 concentration information stored in the environmental information storage unit 131 is greater than the reference CO2 concentration Cth stored in the judgment criterion storage unit 133 (step S117). Here, if the control determination unit 114 judges that the CO2 concentration C is greater than the reference CO2 concentration Cth (step S117: Yes), it judges whether or not the ventilation fan 2B is stopped based on the operation state information stored in the operation state storage unit 132 (step S118). Here, if the control determination unit 114 judges that the ventilation fan 2B is operating (step S118: No), the process of step S122 described later is executed. On the other hand, when the control decision unit 114 determines that the ventilation fan 2B is stopped (step S118: Yes), it notifies the equipment control unit 115 of control command information commanding to start the ventilation fan 2B. Then, based on the notified control command information, the equipment control unit 115 generates control information for starting the ventilation fan 2B and transmits it to the ventilation fan 2B (step S119), and the process of step S122 described later is executed.

[0049] Also, when the control decision unit 114 determines in step S117 that the CO2 concentration C is equal to or lower than the reference CO2 concentration Cth (step S117: No), it determines whether the ventilation fan 2B is operating based on the operating state information stored in the operating state storage unit 132 (step S120). Here, when the control decision unit 114 determines that the ventilation fan 2B is stopped (step S120: No), the process of step S122 described later is executed. On the other hand, when the control decision unit 114 determines that the ventilation fan 2B is operating (step S120: Yes), it notifies the device control unit 115 of control command information instructing to stop the ventilation fan 2B. Then, the device control unit 115 generates control information for stopping the ventilation fan 2B based on the notified control command information and transmits it to the ventilation fan 2B (step S121).

[0050] Next, the control decision unit 114 judges whether or not the temperature Th indicated by the most recent temperature information stored in the environmental information storage unit 131 is equal to or lower than the reference temperature Thth stored in the judgment criterion storage unit 133 (step S122). If the control decision unit 114 judges that the temperature Th is equal to or lower than the reference temperature Thth (step S122: Yes), it judges whether or not the air conditioner 2A is not operating in the heating mode based on the operation state information stored in the operation state storage unit 132 (step S123). If the control decision unit 114 judges that the air conditioner 2A is operating in the heating mode (step S123: No), the process of step S127 described below is executed. On the other hand, if the control decision unit 114 judges that the air conditioner 2A is not operating in the heating mode (step S123: Yes), it generates control information for operating the air conditioner 2A in the heating mode and transmits it to the air conditioner 2A (step S124), and the process of step S127 described below is executed.

[0051] Furthermore, if the control decision unit 114 determines in step S122 that the temperature Th is higher than the reference temperature Thth (step S122: No), it determines whether or not the air conditioner 2A is operating in the heating mode based on the operation state information stored in the operation state storage unit 132 (step S125). If the control decision unit 114 determines that the air conditioner 2A is not operating in the heating mode (step S125: No), the process of step S127 described below is executed. On the other hand, if the control decision unit 114 determines that the air conditioner 2A is operating in the heating mode (step S125: Yes), it generates control information for stopping the air conditioner 2A and transmits it to the air conditioner 2A (step S126).

[0052] 16, the control decision unit 114 judges whether or not the temperature difference |dThp| of the temperature Th indicated by the most recent temperature information stored in the environmental information storage unit 131 between a location near the center and a location near the window in the building H is larger than the reference temperature difference |dThp|th stored in the judgment criterion storage unit 133 (step S127). If the control decision unit 114 judges that the temperature difference |dThp| is larger than the reference temperature difference |dThp|th (step S127: Yes), it judges whether or not the air conditioner 2A is stopped based on the operation state information stored in the operation state storage unit 132 (step S128). If the control decision unit 114 judges that the air conditioner 2A is stopped (step S128: Yes), it generates control information for operating the air conditioner 2A in a blowing mode that blows air to the window side, and transmits it to the air conditioner 2A (step S129), and the process of step S133 described later is executed. On the other hand, when the control decision unit 114 determines that the air conditioner 2A is operating (step S128: No), it generates control information for changing the air direction of the air conditioner 2A to face the window and transmits it to the air conditioner 2A (step S130), and the processing of step S133 described below is executed.

[0053] Furthermore, when the control decision unit 114 determines in step S127 that the temperature difference |dThp| is equal to or less than the reference temperature difference |dThp|th (step S127: No), it determines whether or not the air conditioner 2A is in a fan operation based on the operation state information stored in the operation state storage unit 132 (step S131). Here, when the control decision unit 114 determines that the air conditioner 2A is not in a fan operation (step S131: No), the process of step S133 described below is executed. On the other hand, when the control decision unit 114 determines that the air conditioner 2A is in a fan operation (step S131: Yes), it generates control information for stopping the air conditioner 2A and transmits it to the air conditioner 2A (step S132).

[0054] Thereafter, the reference setting request acquisition unit 116 judges whether or not the reference setting request information transmitted from the terminal device 5 has been acquired (step S133). If the reference setting request acquisition unit 116 judges that the reference setting request information has not been acquired (step S133: No), the process of step S101 is executed again. On the other hand, if the reference setting request acquisition unit 116 judges that the reference setting request information has been acquired (step S133: Yes), the reference setting request acquisition unit 116 extracts period information included in the acquired reference setting request information (step S134) and notifies the extracted period information to the judgment criterion generation unit 117. Next, the judgment criterion generating unit 117 identifies the environmental information and the operating state information belonging to the period indicated by the notified period information from among the environmental information stored in the environmental information storage unit 131 and the operating state information stored in the operating state storage unit 132, calculates the amount of change per unit time of the temperature, humidity, and CO2 concentration indicated by the identified environmental information, the maximum value of the CO2 concentration, the maximum value of the power indicated by the power information, and the maximum value of the temperature difference at multiple points in the building H, and generates the judgment criterion information based on the calculated amount of change and maximum value. Then, the cloud server 1 stores the generated judgment criterion information in the judgment criterion storage unit 133 in association with the identified operating state information (step S135). Then, the process of step S101 is executed again.

[0055] In this embodiment, when the cooling and heating equipment 9 is a combustion-type heating appliance, the control modes of the air conditioner 2A and the ventilator fan 2B are determined based on the amount of change in humidity inside the building H, distinguishing between when the cooling and heating equipment 9 is an oil stove, a gas stove, or other types of equipment, thereby more efficiently maintaining an environment inside the building H that is comfortable for users. In fact, as shown in Fig. 17, it has been found that the temperature desired by the user can be reached more quickly when both the cooling and heating equipment 9 and the air conditioner 2A are operated in conjunction with each other, compared to when only the cooling and heating equipment 9 consisting of a combustion-type heating appliance is used.

[0056] As described above, according to the control system of this embodiment, the control decision unit 114 decides a control mode according to the operating state of the heating and cooling equipment 9 when controlling the air conditioner 2A and the ventilation fan 2B, based on the environmental information, the operating state information, and the power information. Then, the equipment control unit 115 controls the air conditioner 2A and the ventilation fan 2B in the decided control mode. As a result, the air conditioner 2A and the ventilation fan 2B can be controlled according to the operating state of the heating and cooling equipment 9 estimated from the environmental information, the power information, and the operating state, so that the environment of the area in the building H in which the air conditioner 2A, the ventilation fan 2B, and the heating and cooling equipment 9 are installed can be efficiently maintained to be comfortable for users.

[0057] Furthermore, when the temperature indicated by the temperature information is increasing over time and the amount of change in temperature per unit time is greater than a reference amount of change |dTh|th2 that is greater than a reference amount of change |dTh|th1, the abnormality notification unit 118 according to this embodiment generates abnormality notification information and transmits it to the abnormality management server 6. This makes it possible to quickly notify the user of the terminal device 5 when an abnormality occurs in the environment in the building H due to, for example, an incorrect use of the heating and cooling equipment 9 by a user, and therefore makes it possible to quickly take subsequent measures.

[0058] Furthermore, when the CO2 concentration indicated by the CO2 concentration information is greater than a preset reference CO2 concentration and the ventilation fan 2B is stopped, the control decision unit 114 according to this embodiment notifies the appliance control unit 115 of control command information commanding to start the ventilation fan 2B, and the appliance control unit 115 starts the ventilation fan 2B based on the notified control command information. This makes it possible to suppress an increase in the CO2 concentration in the building H when, for example, the heating and cooling appliance 9, which is a combustion-based heating appliance, is used continuously for a long period of time.

[0059] Furthermore, when the temperature difference between the temperature near the center of the building H and the temperature near the window is greater than the reference temperature difference |dThp|th, the control decision unit 114 according to this embodiment notifies the equipment control unit 115 of control command information that controls the air conditioner 2A to control the airflow direction so as to reduce the temperature difference between these locations and to control the air conditioner 2A to send airflow near the window. Then, based on the notified control command information, the equipment control unit 115 generates control information for directing the air conditioner 2A's airflow to send air near the window and transmits it to the air conditioner 2A. This makes it possible to reduce temperature unevenness within the building H, thereby making it possible to prevent the occurrence of places within the building H where the temperature is low and condensation occurs.

[0060] Although the embodiment of the present disclosure has been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiment. For example, an air conditioner may have all or part of the functions of the cloud server 1 described in the embodiment. For example, as shown in FIG. 18, an air conditioner 2002 includes a control unit 2021 and a drive unit 2022 that drives the air conditioner 2002 based on control information input from the control unit 2021. In FIG. 18, the same components as those in the embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 2. The control unit 2021 includes a CPU 201, a main memory unit 202, an auxiliary memory unit 203, a communication unit 206, an interface 204 connected to the drive unit 2022, a timer unit 208, and a bus 209 that connects these to each other. The main memory unit 202 has a volatile memory and is used as a working area for the CPU 201, and the auxiliary memory unit 203 is composed of a non-volatile memory and stores programs for realizing various functions of the air conditioner 2002. The communication unit 206 is connected to the local network NW2. The clock unit 208 has, for example, an RTC (Real Time Clock) and notifies the CPU 201 of the clocked time information. The CPU 201 reads out the program stored in the auxiliary storage unit 203 into the main storage unit 202 and executes it, thereby functioning as an environmental information acquisition unit 111, a power information acquisition unit 112, an operating state acquisition unit 113, a control decision unit 114, an appliance control unit 2115, a criterion setting request acquisition unit 116, a judgment criterion generation unit 117, and an abnormality notification unit 118, as shown in FIG. 19. Note that in FIG. 19, the same components as those in the embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 3. Also, the auxiliary storage unit 203 shown in FIG. 18 has an environmental information storage unit 231, an operating state storage unit 232, a judgment criterion storage unit 233, and a control mode storage unit 234, as shown in FIG. 19.

[0061] The environmental information storage unit 231 stores environmental information indicating the environment only in the building H in which the user of the air conditioner 2A and the ventilation fan 2B resides, and power information indicating the power consumed by the air conditioner 2A, the ventilation fan 2B, and the heating and cooling equipment 9, in association with date and time information indicating the measurement date and time described above. The operation state storage unit 232 stores operation state information indicating the operation state of only the air conditioner 2A and the ventilation fan 2B used by the user, in association with date and time information indicating the date and time when the operation state information was acquired. The judgment criterion storage unit 233 stores reference change amount information indicating a reference change amount that is a criterion when determining the control content of only the air conditioner 2A and the ventilation fan 2B used by the user, reference power information, and reference temperature difference information, in association with the operation state information indicating the operation state of the corresponding air conditioner 2A and the ventilation fan 2B. The control mode storage unit 234 stores operation setting information of the air conditioner 2A and the ventilation fan 2B corresponding to each of a plurality of types of control modes preset for one user, in association with the control mode information.

[0062] The device control unit 2115 generates control information for controlling its own device based on the control mode determined by and notified from the control determination unit 114, and outputs the control information to the drive unit 2022, and also generates control information for controlling the ventilation fan 2B and transmits it to the ventilation fan 2B. Here, the device control unit 2115 identifies the operation setting information of its own device, the ventilation fan 2B, which corresponds to the control mode information notified from the control determination unit 114 and is stored in the control mode storage unit 234, and generates control information for realizing the operation setting indicated by the identified operation setting information. The device control unit 2115 generates control information for operating its own device, the ventilation fan 2B, based on the control command information notified from the control determination unit 114.

[0063] According to this configuration, the air conditioner 2002 connected to the local network NW2 in the building H has the same functions as the cloud server 1 described in the embodiment. As a result, even if a communication failure occurs in the wide area network NW1, it is possible to continue control of the air conditioner 2A and the ventilator fan 2B according to the operating state of the heating and cooling equipment 9 inferred from the environmental information, power information, and operating state.

[0064] In an embodiment, the cloud server 1 is equipped with a message notification unit that generates message information indicating a message for a user and transmits it to the terminal device 5, and when the control decision unit 114 decides that the control mode for the air conditioner 2A and the ventilation fan 2B is the first control mode, the message notification unit may generate message information prompting the user to start the ventilation fan 2B in accordance with the continuous operation time of the heating and cooling equipment 9 and transmit it to the terminal device 5.

[0065] In the embodiment, an example was described in which an air conditioner 2A, a ventilator fan 2B, two temperature sensors 3A for measuring the temperature near the center of the building H and the temperature near the windows, a CO2 sensor 3B, and a humidity sensor 3C are installed in the building H. However, the number of these devices and the number of sensors are not particularly limited. In addition to the air conditioner 2A and the ventilator fan 2B, a ventilator fan with a heat exchange function capable of communicating with the cloud server 1, a dehumidifier, etc. may be installed in the building H. In the embodiment, an example was described in which the temperature sensor 3A measures the temperature near the center and the temperature near the windows in the building H, but this is not limited thereto, and the temperature sensor 3A may be installed at three or more locations in the building H and measure the temperature at each location. In this case, the cloud server 1 may control the air conditioner 2A so that the air conditioner 2A preferentially blows air to a location among the three or more locations that has a large temperature difference from the average temperature of these locations.

[0066] In addition, the various functions of the cloud server 1 according to the present disclosure can be realized by using a normal computer system, not a dedicated system. For example, a program for executing the above operations may be stored in a non-transitory recording medium (CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory)) that can be read by a computer system and distributed to a computer connected to a network, and the program may be installed in the computer system to configure the cloud server 1 that executes the above processes.

[0067] The method of providing the program to the computer is arbitrary. For example, the program may be uploaded to a bulletin board (BBS (Bulletin Board System)) on a communication line and distributed to the computer via the communication line. The computer then starts up the program and executes it under the control of an OS (Operating System) in the same way as other applications. In this way, the computer functions as a cloud server 1 or a terminal device 5 that executes the above-mentioned processes.

[0068] Although the embodiments and modifications of the present disclosure have been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to these. The present disclosure includes appropriate combinations of the embodiments and modifications, and appropriate modifications thereto.

[0069] Various aspects of the present disclosure are summarized below as appendices.

[0070] (Appendix 1) an environmental information acquisition unit that acquires environmental information indicating environmental parameters of an area in which a first device and a second device different from the first device are installed; An operating state acquisition unit that acquires operating state information indicating an operating state of the first device; a control determination unit that determines a control mode according to an operating state of the second device when controlling the first device, based on the environmental information and the operating state information; and a device control unit that generates control information for controlling the first device based on the determined control mode and transmits the control information to the first device. Control system. (Appendix 2) the environmental information includes temperature information indicating a temperature of the area, the control determination unit determines the control mode depending on whether a change amount per unit time of the temperature indicated by the temperature information is equal to or less than a first reference change amount set in advance. 2. The control system of claim 1. (Appendix 3) the environmental information includes temperature information indicating a temperature of the area, and an abnormality notification unit that generates abnormality notification information when the temperature indicated by the temperature information is increasing over time and the amount of change in the temperature per unit time is greater than a second reference change amount that is greater than the first reference change amount. 3. The control system of claim 2. (Appendix 4) a power information acquiring unit that acquires power information indicating power consumed by the first device and the second device, The control determination unit determines the control mode based on the power information together with the environmental information and the operating state information. 4. The control system of claim 1. (Appendix 5) The environmental information includes CO2 concentration information indicating a CO2 concentration in the area, The control determination unit determines the control mode depending on whether or not a change amount per unit time of the CO2 concentration indicated by the CO2 concentration information is equal to or less than a third reference change amount set in advance. 5. A control system according to any one of claims 1 to 4. (Appendix 6) The first device is a ventilation fan, the control decision unit notifies the device control unit of control command information for commanding the device control unit to start up the first device when the CO2 concentration indicated by the CO2 concentration information is greater than a preset reference CO2 concentration and the first device is stopped; The device control unit generates the control information for starting the first device based on the notified control command information. 6. The control system of claim 5. (Appendix 7) the environmental information includes humidity information indicating humidity in the area; the control determination unit determines the control mode depending on whether a change amount per unit time of the humidity indicated by the humidity information is equal to or less than a fourth reference change amount set in advance. 7. The control system of any one of claims 1 to 6. (Appendix 8) the environmental information includes temperature information indicating temperatures at each of a plurality of locations in the area, The first device is an air conditioner, the control decision unit notifies the device control unit of control command information for commanding the device control unit to control the first device so as to reduce the temperature difference at each of the plurality of locations when a temperature difference at each of the plurality of locations indicated by the temperature information is greater than a preset reference temperature difference; The device control unit generates the control information for starting the first device based on the notified control command information. A control system according to any one of claims 1 to 7. (Appendix 9) an environmental information acquisition unit that acquires environmental information indicating environmental parameters of an area in which a first device and a second device different from the first device are installed; An operating state acquisition unit that acquires operating state information indicating an operating state of the first device; a control determination unit that determines a control mode according to an operating state of the second device when controlling the first device, based on the environmental information and the operating state information; and a device control unit that generates control information for controlling the first device based on the determined control mode and transmits the control information to the first device. Control device. (Appendix 10) A control system acquires environmental information indicating environmental parameters of an area in which a first device and a second device different from the first device are installed; The control system acquires operating state information indicating an operating state of the first device; determining a control mode according to an operating state of the second device when the control system controls the first device based on the environmental information and the operating state information; and a step of the control system generating control information for controlling the first device based on the determined control mode and transmitting the control information to the first device. Device control method. (Appendix 11) Computer, an environmental information acquisition unit that acquires environmental information indicating environmental parameters of an area in which a first device and a second device different from the first device are installed; an operating state acquisition unit that acquires operating state information indicating an operating state of the first device; a control determination unit that determines a control mode according to an operating state of the second device when controlling the first device, based on the environmental information and the operating state information; a device control unit that generates control information for controlling the first device based on the determined control mode and transmits the control information to the first device; A program to function as a [Industrial Applicability]

[0071] The present disclosure is suitable as a control system for controlling equipment such as air conditioners, ventilators, and the like installed in a building together with so-called stand-alone heating and cooling equipment. [Explanation of symbols]

[0072] 1 Cloud server, 2A, 2002 Air conditioner, 2B Ventilator, 3A Temperature sensor, 3B CO2 sensor, 3C Humidity sensor, 4 BBR, 5 Terminal device, 6 Abnormality management server, 7 Power measurement device, 101, 201 CPU, 102, 202 Main memory unit, 103, 203 Auxiliary memory unit, 106, 206 Communication unit, 108, 208 Timekeeping unit, 109, 209 Bus, 111 Environmental information acquisition unit, 112 Power information acquisition unit, 113 Operation state acquisition unit, 114 Control decision unit, 115, 2115 Equipment control unit, 116 Criteria setting request acquisition unit, 117 Judgment criterion generation unit, 118 Abnormality notification unit, 131 Environmental information storage unit, 132 Operation state storage unit, 133 Judgment criterion storage unit, 134 Control mode storage unit, 204 Interface, 2021 control unit, 2022 drive unit, NW1 wide area network, NW2 local network

Claims

1. an environmental information acquisition unit that acquires environmental information indicating environmental parameters of an area in which a first device and a second device different from the first device are installed; An operating state acquisition unit that acquires operating state information indicating an operating state of the first device; a control determination unit that determines a control mode according to an operating state of the second device when controlling the first device, based on the environmental information and the operating state information; and a device control unit that generates control information for controlling the first device based on the determined control mode and transmits the control information to the first device. Control system.

2. the environmental information includes temperature information indicating a temperature of the area, the control determination unit determines the control mode depending on whether a change amount per unit time of the temperature indicated by the temperature information is equal to or less than a first reference change amount set in advance. The control system of claim 1 .

3. the environmental information includes temperature information indicating a temperature of the area, and an abnormality notification unit that generates abnormality notification information when the temperature indicated by the temperature information is increasing over time and a change amount of the temperature per unit time is greater than a second reference change amount that is greater than the first reference change amount. The control system of claim 2.

4. a power information acquiring unit that acquires power information indicating power consumed by the first device and the second device, The control determination unit determines the control mode based on the power information together with the environmental information and the operating state information. A control system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The environmental information is the CO ２ Shows concentration of CO ２ Contains concentration information, The control decision unit ２ CO concentration information ２ determining the control mode depending on whether or not the amount of change in concentration per unit time is equal to or smaller than a third reference amount of change that is set in advance; A control system according to claim 2 or 3.

6. The first device is a ventilation fan, The control decision unit ２ CO concentration information ２ A reference CO concentration is preset ２ if the concentration is greater than the concentration of the first device and the first device is stopped, notify the device control unit of control command information for commanding the device control unit to start up the first device; The device control unit generates the control information for starting the first device based on the notified control command information. The control system of claim 5.

7. the environmental information includes humidity information indicating humidity in the area; the control determination unit determines the control mode depending on whether a change amount per unit time of the humidity indicated by the humidity information is equal to or less than a fourth reference change amount set in advance. A control system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

8. the environmental information includes temperature information indicating temperatures at each of a plurality of locations in the area, The first device is an air conditioner, the control decision unit notifies the device control unit of control command information for commanding the device control unit to control the first device so as to reduce the temperature difference at each of the plurality of locations when a temperature difference at each of the plurality of locations indicated by the temperature information is greater than a preset reference temperature difference; The device control unit generates the control information for starting the first device based on the notified control command information. A control system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

9. an environmental information acquisition unit that acquires environmental information indicating environmental parameters of an area in which a first device and a second device different from the first device are installed; An operating state acquisition unit that acquires operating state information indicating an operating state of the first device; a control determination unit that determines a control mode according to an operating state of the second device when controlling the first device, based on the environmental information and the operating state information; and a device control unit that generates control information for controlling the first device based on the determined control mode and transmits the control information to the first device. Control device.

10. A control system acquires environmental information indicating environmental parameters of an area in which a first device and a second device different from the first device are installed; The control system acquires operating state information indicating an operating state of the first device; determining a control mode according to an operating state of the second device when the control system controls the first device based on the environmental information and the operating state information; The control system generates control information for controlling the first device based on the determined control mode, and transmits the control information to the first device. Device control method.

11. Computer, an environmental information acquisition unit that acquires environmental information indicating environmental parameters of an area in which a first device and a second device different from the first device are installed; an operating state acquisition unit that acquires operating state information indicating an operating state of the first device; a control determination unit that determines a control mode according to an operating state of the second device when controlling the first device, based on the environmental information and the operating state information; a device control unit that generates control information for controlling the first device based on the determined control mode and transmits the control information to the first device; A program to function as a

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