Control unit, program, and control method

Abstract

To provide a control unit that controls a heat source on the basis of snow depth.SOLUTION: A control unit is provided which comprises: an information acquisition unit that, in a predetermined time period until calculation time to calculate the snow depth in a heating target area that is an area including a heating target of a heat source, acquires first snowfall amount information indicating the amount of snowfall in a corresponding area that is an area corresponding to the heating target area; a calculation unit that calculates the snow depth in the heating target area at the calculation time, on the basis of the snow depth in the heating target area at the time before the predetermined time from the calculation time, the amount of snowfall in the corresponding area in the predetermined time until the calculation time indicated by the first snowfall amount information, and the amount of melted snow in the heating target area in the predetermined time until the calculation time; and a control unit that controls the heat source on the basis of the snow depth in the heating target area at the calculation time.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a control device that controls the operation of a snow melting device so that the heat of melting corresponding to the weight of fallen snow is approximately equal to the amount of supplied heat. [Prior art document] [Patent documents] [Patent Document 1] JP 2005-290723 A Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0003] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a control device is provided. The control device may include an information acquisition unit that acquires first snowfall amount information indicating the amount of snowfall in a corresponding area that is an area corresponding to a heated area, which is an area including a heating target of a heat source, at a calculation time for calculating the snowfall depth of the heated area, which is an area including the heating target of the heat source. The control device may include a calculation unit that calculates the snowfall depth of the heated area at the calculation time based on the snowfall depth of the heated area at a time before the predetermined time from the calculation time, the snowfall amount of the corresponding area at the predetermined time until the calculation time indicated by the first snowfall amount information, and the amount of snow melting in the heated area at the predetermined time until the calculation time. The control device may include a control unit that controls the heat source based on the snowfall depth of the heated area at the calculation time.

[0004] In the control device, the control unit may control the heat source so that when the heat source at the calculation time is in a non-heating state in which it does not heat the heated area, and the snow depth in the heated area at the calculation time is deeper than a predetermined first snow depth threshold, the heat source switches from the non-heating state to a heating state in which the heat source heats the heated area.

[0005] In any of the control devices, the control unit may control the heat source so that when the heat source is in a heating state in which it heats the heated area at the calculation time, and the snow depth in the heated area at the calculation time is shallower than a predetermined second snow depth threshold, the heat source switches from the heating state to a non-heating state in which the heat source does not heat the heated area.

[0006] In any of the control devices, the calculation unit may calculate the snow depth in the heated area at the calculation time by determining the amount of snow melting in the heated area during the predetermined time up to the calculation time based on a first heating duration from a heating start time when the heat source starts heating the heated area to the calculation time.

[0007] In any of the control devices, the control unit may control the heat source to switch from the heated state to the non-heated state based on the snow depth in the heated area at the calculation time, the information acquisition unit may further acquire second snowfall information indicating the amount of snowfall in the corresponding area during a predetermined time from the calculation time to the next calculation time after the calculation time, the calculation unit may further calculate the snow depth in the heated area at the next calculation time based on the snow depth in the heated area at the calculation time, the snowfall in the corresponding area during the predetermined time until the next calculation time indicated by the second snowfall information, and the amount of snow melted by the heat source melting the snow in the heated area with residual heat during the predetermined time until the next calculation time, and the control unit may further control the heat source based on the snow depth in the heated area at the next calculation time.

[0008] In any of the control devices, the calculation unit may determine the amount of snow melted in the heated area during the predetermined time up to the calculation time based on the amount of snow melted by the heat source during the predetermined time up to the calculation time and the amount of snow melted by natural snow melting in the heated area during the predetermined time up to the calculation time.

[0009] In any of the control devices, the information acquisition unit may further acquire temperature information indicating the temperature in the corresponding area, and the calculation unit may determine the amount of snow melted by natural snow melting of the snow in the heated area during the predetermined time up to the calculation time based on the temperature in the corresponding area indicated by the temperature information.

[0010] In any of the control devices, the information acquisition unit may further acquire temperature information indicating the temperature in the corresponding area, and the calculation unit may determine the amount of snow melted by the heat source during the predetermined time up to the calculation time based on the temperature in the corresponding area indicated by the temperature information.

[0011] In any of the control devices, the information acquisition unit may further acquire solar radiation information indicating the amount of solar radiation in the heated area, and the calculation unit may calculate the snow depth in the heated area at the calculation time by determining the amount of snow melting in the heated area for the predetermined time up to the calculation time based on the amount of solar radiation in the heated area indicated by the solar radiation information.

[0012] In any of the control devices, the control unit may control the heat source to heat the heated area with a first heating amount when the snow depth in the heated area at the calculation time is deeper than a predetermined first snow depth threshold and shallower than a predetermined third snow depth threshold so that the snow depth is deeper than the first snow depth threshold, and may control the heat source to heat the heated area with a second heating amount greater than the first heating amount when the snow depth in the heated area at the calculation time is deeper than the third snow depth threshold.

[0013] any one of the control devices further includes a learning data storage unit that stores learning data including the snow depth in the heated area at a time before a predetermined time from a certain calculation time, the amount of snowfall in the corresponding area at the predetermined time up to the certain calculation time, the air temperature in the corresponding area at the certain calculation time, the amount of snow melted in the heated area at the certain calculation time, and the snow depth in the heated area at the certain calculation time; and a model generation unit that uses the plurality of learning data stored in the learning data storage unit as teacher data to generate, by machine learning, an estimation model that estimates the snow depth in the heated area at the certain calculation time from the snow depth in the heated area at a time before a predetermined time from a certain calculation time, the amount of snowfall in the corresponding area at the certain calculation time up to the certain calculation time, the air temperature in the corresponding area at the certain calculation time, and the amount of snow melted in the heated area at the certain calculation time. the information acquisition unit may acquire first snowfall amount information of the corresponding area for a predetermined time until a certain calculation time and temperature information of the corresponding area for the predetermined time until the certain calculation time, the calculation unit may use the estimation model generated by the model generation unit to estimate the snow depth of the heated area at the certain calculation time from the snow depth of the heated area at a time before the predetermined time from the certain calculation time, the snowfall amount of the corresponding area for the predetermined time until the certain calculation time indicated by the first snowfall amount information acquired by the information acquisition unit, the temperature of the corresponding area for the predetermined time until the certain calculation time indicated by the temperature information acquired by the information acquisition unit, and the amount of snow melted in the heated area for the predetermined time until the certain calculation time, and the control unit may control the heat source based on the snow depth of the heated area at the certain calculation time estimated by the calculation unit.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a program for causing a computer to function as any one of the control devices described above.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a control method executed by a computer. The control method may include an information acquisition step of acquiring snowfall amount information indicating the amount of snowfall in a corresponding area, which is an area corresponding to a heated area, at a predetermined time until a calculation time at which a snow depth in the heated area, which is an area including a heating target of a heat source, is calculated. The control method may include a calculation step of calculating the snow depth in the heated area at the calculation time based on the snow depth in the heated area at a time before the predetermined time from the calculation time, the snowfall amount in the corresponding area at the predetermined time until the calculation time indicated by the snowfall amount information, and the amount of snow melting in the heated area at the predetermined time until the calculation time. The control method may include a control step of controlling the heat source based on the snow depth in the heated area at the calculation time.

[0016] The above summary of the invention does not list all of the necessary features of the present invention. Also, subcombinations of these features may also be inventions. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] An example of a system 10 is shown diagrammatically. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the relationship between snowfall amount and snow depth. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the relationship between the amount of snowfall and snow depth, taking into account the amount of melting snow. [Figure 4] 8 is a table 800 showing an example of the results of control of the heat source 100 by the control device 200. [Diagram 5] Another example of the system 10 is shown diagrammatically. [Figure 6] Another example of the system 10 is shown diagrammatically. [Figure 7]2 illustrates an example of a functional configuration of the control device 200. [Figure 8] 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of a processing flow of the control device 200. FIG. [Figure 9] An example of a hardware configuration of a computer 1200 functioning as the control device 200 is shown in schematic form. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0018] Conventional systems that use road heating to melt snow in parking lots and the like may waste fuel due to erroneous detection of snowfall or excessive operation of the road heating. For example, when road heating is controlled in a conventional system, the road heating may be operated in response to rain or may be operated excessively until all snow is melted. Therefore, it is desirable to be able to control road heating so as to suppress fuel waste while melting snow in parking lots and the like to a degree that does not interfere with daily life. The system according to the present embodiment employs a mechanism in which, for example, a control device calculates the snow depth of the parking lot or the like where the road heating is installed based on the snow depth calculated in the past, the amount of snowfall observed at the weather observation station closest to the parking lot or the like, and the amount of snow melted by the heating of the road heating during operation or the amount of snow melted by the residual heat of the road heating after operation, and controls ON / OFF of the road heating according to the calculated snow depth of the parking lot or the like.

[0019] The present invention will be described below through embodiments of the invention, but the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims. In addition, not all of the combinations of features described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the solution of the invention.

[0020] FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of an example of a system 10. The system 10 may include a heat source 100. FIG. 1 illustrates an example in which the system 10 includes one heat source 100. The number of heat sources 100 included in the system 10 is not limited to one, and the system 10 may include a plurality of heat sources 100. The system 10 may include a control device 200. The system 10 may include a weather information management device 300.

[0021] The heat source 100 heats a heating target. The heat source 100 heats the heating target, for example, to melt accumulated snow on the heating target. The heat source 100 melts accumulated snow on the heating target, for example, by supplying thermal energy to the heating target. Incidentally, the accumulated snow may be snow that has accumulated on the ground or the like.

[0022] The heat source 100 may be any device capable of heating a heating target. The heat source 100 is, for example, road heating. The road heating is, for example, electric road heating. The electric road heating heats the heating target by heating a heater with electricity. The road heating is, for example, boiler type road heating. The boiler type road heating heats the heating target by heating antifreeze in a boiler and circulating the heated antifreeze. The road heating is, for example, heat pump type road heating. The heat pump type road heating collects heat from the atmosphere with a heat pump to heat antifreeze, and heats the heating target by circulating the heated antifreeze.

[0023] The target to be heated by the heat source 100 is, for example, a parking lot. The target to be heated by the heat source 100 is, for example, a bicycle parking lot. The target to be heated by the heat source 100 is, for example, a road. The road is, for example, a public road. The road is, for example, a private road. The road is, for example, a driveway. The road is, for example, a sidewalk. The target to be heated by the heat source 100 may be any other location where snow may accumulate. FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a case where the target to be heated by the heat source 100 is a parking lot.

[0024] The control device 200 controls the heat source 100. The control device 200 controls a plurality of heat sources 100, for example.

[0025] The control device 200 controls, for example, the state of the heat source 100. The control device 200 controls, for example, the state of the heat source 100 so that the heat source 100 is in a heating state in which the heat source 100 heats the heating target area. The control device 200 controls, for example, the state of the heat source 100 so that the heat source 100 is in a non-heating state in which the heat source 100 does not heat the heating target area. Note that putting the heat source 100 in a particular state may include both switching the heat source 100 from another state to the particular state and maintaining the heat source 100 in the particular state.

[0026] The control device 200 controls the heat source 100, for example, by transmitting a control signal to the heat source 100. The control device 200 transmits the control signal to the heat source 100 via the network 20, for example.

[0027] The network 20 includes, for example, the Internet. The network 20 may include a core network provided by a telecommunications carrier. The core network may be compliant with any mobile communication system, for example, a 3G (3rd Generation) communication system, an LTE (Long Term Evolution) communication system, a 5G (5th Generation) communication system, and a 6G (6th Generation) communication system or later. The network 20 may include a wireless communication network compatible with a Wi-Fi (registered trademark) communication system, a Bluetooth (registered trademark) communication system, a Zigbee (registered trademark) communication system, or the like. The network 20 may include a wired communication network.

[0028] The control device 200 calculates the snow depth of the heating target area, which is an area including the heating target of the heat source 100, at a calculation time when the snow depth of the heating target area is calculated, and controls the heat source 100 based on the snow depth of the heating target area at the calculation time. Note that the snow depth may be the depth of snow.

[0029] For example, when the snow depth in the area to be heated at the calculation time is deeper than a predetermined first snow depth threshold, the control device 200 controls the heat source 100 to be in a heating state. For example, when the snow depth in the area to be heated at the calculation time is shallower than a predetermined second snow depth threshold, the control device 200 controls the heat source 100 to be in a non-heating state.

[0030] The first snow depth threshold and the second snow depth threshold are each set, for example, so that the heat source 100 melts the snow in the heating target area to a snow depth that does not interfere with daily life. The first snow depth threshold and the second snow depth threshold are each set, for example, so that the heat source 100 melts the snow in the heating target area to a snow depth that does not interfere with vehicle travel. The first snow depth threshold and the second snow depth threshold are each set, for example, so that the heat source 100 melts the snow in the heating target area to a snow depth that does not interfere with pedestrian walking.

[0031] The first snow depth threshold may be the same as the second snow depth threshold. The first snow depth threshold may be different from the second snow depth threshold.

[0032] The control device 200 calculates the snow depth in the heated area at the calculation time, for example, based on the snow depth in the heated area at a time before a predetermined time from the calculation time, the amount of snowfall in the corresponding area that is an area corresponding to the heated area at a predetermined time until the calculation time, and the amount of snow melting in the heated area at a predetermined time until the calculation time. The time before the predetermined time from the calculation time is, for example, the calculation time when the snow depth in the heated area was calculated before the calculation time.

[0033] The predetermined time is, for example, one hour, but may be any other time.

[0034] The control device 200 periodically calculates the snow depth in the area to be heated, for example, at a calculation interval of a predetermined time. The control device 200 may also intermittently calculate the snow depth in the area to be heated.

[0035] The corresponding area is, for example, an area including a meteorological observation device 30 that is installed at a position closest to the area to be heated and that observes the weather. The corresponding area is, for example, an area including a meteorological observation device 30 that is installed at a position that is closer to the area to be heated than a predetermined first distance threshold. The corresponding area may be an area including a meteorological observation device 30 that is installed in the same ward, city, town, or village as the ward, city, town, or village in which the area to be heated is located.

[0036] The amount of snow melted in the heated area includes, for example, the amount of snow melted by the heat source 100 melting the accumulated snow in the heated area. The amount of snow melted in the heated area includes, for example, the amount of snow melted by natural snow melting. The amount of snow melted in the heated area includes, for example, both the amount of snow melted by the heat source 100 melting the accumulated snow in the heated area and the amount of snow melted by natural snow melting.

[0037] The control device 200 acquires, for example, weather information. The control device 200 acquires the weather information by receiving the weather information via the network 20, for example.

[0038] The control device 200 acquires weather information from, for example, a weather information management device 300 that manages weather information. The control device 200 acquires weather information from, for example, a weather observation device 30.

[0039] The control device 200, for example, acquires weather information for the corresponding area. The control device 200 may acquire weather information for the heating target area when the weather in the heating target area is observable, such as when a weather observation device is installed in the heating target area. In this case, the heating target area may be included in the corresponding area.

[0040] The control device 200 acquires, for example, weather information for a time before a predetermined time from the calculation time. The control device 200 acquires, for example, weather information for a predetermined time until the calculation time. The predetermined time until the calculation time is, for example, a predetermined time until the calculation time when the snow depth of the heating target area is calculated for the first time. The predetermined time until the calculation time is, for example, a predetermined time until the calculation time when the snow depth of the heating target area is calculated for the nth time. Note that n is an integer greater than 1. In this case, the predetermined time until the calculation time may be a time between the calculation time when the snow depth of the heating target area is calculated for the n-1th time and the calculation time when the snow depth of the heating target area is calculated for the nth time. The control device 200 acquires, for example, weather information at the calculation time.

[0041] The weather information includes, for example, snowfall amount information indicating the amount of snowfall. The control device 200 may calculate the snow depth in the heating target area at the calculation time based on the amount of snowfall in the corresponding area during a predetermined time period until the calculation time, which is indicated by the snowfall amount information included in the acquired weather information for the corresponding area.

[0042] The weather information for the corresponding area may be an example of first snowfall amount information indicating the amount of snowfall in the corresponding area in a predetermined time period until the calculation time. Also, the weather information for the corresponding area may be an example of second snowfall amount information indicating the amount of snowfall in the corresponding area in a predetermined time period from the calculation time to the next calculation time following the calculation time.

[0043] The weather information includes, for example, temperature information indicating the temperature. The weather information for the corresponding area may be an example of the temperature information for the corresponding area.

[0044] The weather information includes solar radiation information indicating the amount of solar radiation. The weather information includes, for example, humidity information indicating the humidity. The weather information includes, for example, wind information. The wind information includes, for example, wind direction information. The wind information includes, for example, wind speed information. The weather information may include air pressure information indicating the air pressure.

[0045] The weather observation device 30 includes, for example, a snow gauge that measures the amount of snowfall. The weather observation device 30 includes, for example, a thermometer that measures the temperature. The weather observation device 30 includes, for example, a pyranometer that measures the amount of solar radiation. The weather observation device 30 includes, for example, a hygrometer that measures humidity. The weather observation device 30 includes, for example, an anemometer that measures wind direction and wind speed. The weather observation device 30 may include a barometer that measures air pressure. The weather observation device 30 may include a measurement device that measures any other weather-related data.

[0046] The meteorological observation device 30 transmits meteorological information indicating the observed weather. The meteorological observation device 30 transmits the meteorological information via the network 20, for example.

[0047] The meteorological observation device 30 transmits, for example, meteorological information to the control device 200. The meteorological observation device 30 may transmit meteorological information to the weather information management device 300.

[0048] The weather information management device 300 may receive weather information from the weather observation device 30 via the network 20. The weather information management device 300 may transmit weather information to the control device 200 via the network 20.

[0049] Conventional systems that use a heat source such as road heating to melt snow in parking lots and the like control the heat source based on measurement information measured by a precipitation intensity meter. The precipitation intensity meter uses heat to melt snow into water droplets, and measures the amount of snowfall from the water droplets. Therefore, there is a risk that the precipitation intensity meter may mistakenly detect rain as snow. As a result, conventional systems control the heat source to a heated state even in situations where there is no need to heat the heat source, such as when there is no snow or only a small amount of snow, resulting in a waste of fuel used by the heat source to generate thermal energy. In recent years, fuel costs have risen sharply, and in addition, there are areas where the frequency and amount of snowfall are increasing due to abnormal weather, etc., so there is a growing need to reduce fuel waste. For the above reasons, it is desirable to be able to control the heat source so that the heat source appropriately melts snow in parking lots and the like while suppressing the waste of fuel used by the heat source to generate thermal energy.

[0050] In addition, other conventional systems that use a heat source such as road heating to melt snow in parking lots and the like control the heat source based on an image captured by an imaging device such as a camera of the location where the heat source is installed. When controlling the heat source based on the captured image, an imaging device must be installed at the location where the heat source is installed. Furthermore, when controlling the heat source based on the captured image, a person must visually check the captured image and then determine the control content of the heat source. Therefore, other conventional systems that control the heat source based on the captured image have high system introduction and operation costs. For the above reasons, it is desirable to be able to reduce the introduction and operation costs of a system that uses a heat source such as road heating to melt snow in parking lots and the like.

[0051] In contrast, according to the system 10 of this embodiment, the control device 200 calculates the snow depth of the heating target area at the calculation time based on the snow depth of the heating target area at a time before the calculation time and the snowfall amount of the corresponding area at a predetermined time before the calculation time, and the snow melting amount of the heating target area at a predetermined time before the calculation time, and controls the heat source 100 based on the calculated snow depth of the heating target area at the calculation time. For example, the control device 200 controls the heat source 100 to be in a heating state when the snow depth of the heating target area at the calculation time is deeper than the first snow depth threshold, and controls the heat source 100 to be in a non-heating state when the snow depth of the heating target area at the calculation time is shallower than the second snow depth threshold. The first snow depth threshold and the second snow depth threshold are each set so that the heat source 100 melts the snow in the heating target area to a snow depth that does not cause any disruption to life. As a result, the heat source 100 can melt the snow in the heating target area to a snow depth that does not cause any disruption to life, while preventing the heat source 100 from being in a heated state under circumstances where a heating state is not necessary, under the control of the control device 200. As a result, in the system 10 according to this embodiment, the control device 200 can control the heat source 100 so that the heat source 100 appropriately melts the snow in the heating target area while suppressing the waste of fuel used by the heat source 100 to generate thermal energy. Furthermore, according to the system 10 according to this embodiment, the control device 200 calculates the snow depth in the heating target area at the calculation time based on the amount of snowfall in the corresponding area, and controls the heat source 100 based on the calculated snow depth in the heating target area at the calculation time. By calculating the snow depth in the heating target area based on the amount of snowfall in the corresponding area where the meteorological observation device 30 is already installed, it is not necessary to newly install a meteorological observation device, an imaging device, or the like in the heating target area to calculate the snow depth in the heating target area. As a result, the system 10 according to this embodiment can reduce the introduction cost of a system that uses the heat source 100 to melt snow in an area to be heated.In particular, when constructing the system 10 according to this embodiment using an existing heat source 100, it is only necessary to retrofit a changeover switch or the like for switching the state of the heat source 100 to the existing heat source 100, so that the introduction cost of the system that melts snow in the heating target area using the heat source 100 can be further reduced. Furthermore, since the amount of snowfall in the corresponding area is a highly accurate observation value observed locally by the meteorological observation device 30, the control device 200 can calculate the snow depth in the heating target area with high accuracy based on the amount of snowfall in the corresponding area. In addition, by adopting a mechanism in which the control device 200 controls the heat source 100 based on the comparison result of comparing the snow depth in the heating target area with the snow depth threshold, the control content of the heat source 100 is automatically determined without human intervention. As a result, the system 10 according to this embodiment can reduce the operating cost of the system that melts snow in the heating target area using the heat source 100.

[0052] 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the relationship between the amount of snowfall and the snow depth. Here, it is assumed that the amount of melted snow is 0 during a predetermined time Δt between time t0 and time t0+Δt.

[0053] The snow depth on the ground at t0 is D t0 and the amount of snowfall on the ground between t0 and Δt is S Δt In this case, the snow depth on the ground at t0+Δt is D t0+Δt About D t0+Δt =D t0 +S Δt The following relationship holds.

[0054] 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the relationship between the amount of snowfall and the snow depth, taking into account the amount of melted snow. Here, it is assumed that the heat source 100 is in a heating state for a predetermined time Δt between time t0 and time t0+Δt.

[0055] The snow depth in the area heated by heat source 100 at t0 is D t0 and the amount of snowfall in the corresponding area corresponding to the heated area between t0 and Δt is S Δt The amount of snow melting in the heated area between t0 and Δt is M ΔtIn this case, the snow depth D of the heating target area at t0+Δt t0+Δt About D t0+Δt =D t0 +S Δt -M Δt Here, it is assumed that the amount of snowfall in the corresponding area is the same as the amount of snowfall in the heating target area.

[0056] 4 is a table 800 showing an example of the control results of the heat source 100 by the control device 200. Table 800 shows an example of the control results of the heat source 100 by the control device 200 when the control device 200 heats the heat source 100 under the following conditions 1 to 8.

[0057] Condition 1 is that the control device 200 calculates the snow depth of the area to be heated by the heat source 100 at calculation intervals of one hour. Condition 2 is that the first snow depth threshold is 2 cm. Condition 3 is that the second snow depth threshold is 2 cm. Condition 4 is that when the heating duration from the heating start time when the heat source 100 starts heating the heated area is one hour or less, the amount of snow melted by the heat source 100 melting the snow in the heated area is reduced by 1 cm. Condition 5 is that when the air temperature of the corresponding area corresponding to the heated area is -5°C or lower, the amount of snow melted by the heat source 100 melting the snow in the heated area is reduced by 0.5 cm. Condition 6 is that the amount of snow melted by the residual heat of the heat source 100 in the first hour after the heat source 100 switches from a heating state to a non-heating state is 0.5 cm. Condition 7 is that the control device 200 acquires air temperature information of the corresponding area only when the heat source 100 is in a heating state at the calculation time. Condition 8 is that when the control device 200 calculates the snow depth in the heating target area without acquiring the temperature information of the corresponding area, the amount of snow melted by natural melting in the heating target area is assumed to be 0 cm. Note that the amount of snow melted by residual heat is the amount of snow melted by the heat source 100 melting the snow in the heating target area with residual heat.

[0058] The first line of table 800 is the time. The second line of table 800 is the temperature in the corresponding area. The third line of table 800 is the amount of snowfall in the corresponding area. The fourth line of table 800 is the amount of snow melted by natural snow melting in the area to be heated. The amount of snow melted by natural snow melting in the area to be heated is the amount of snow melted by natural snow melting in the area to be heated. The fifth line of table 800 is the amount of snow melted by heat source 100 in the area to be heated. The amount of snow melted by heat source 100 in the area to be heated is the amount of snow melted by heat source 100 melting the snow in the area to be heated. The amount of snow melted by the residual heat of heat source 100 may be an example of the amount of snow melted by heat source 100. The sixth line of table 800 is the depth of snow in the area to be heated. The seventh line of table 800 is the state of heat source 100.

[0059] As shown in the second column of table 800, at "midnight", the control of the heat source 100 by the control device 200 is started. The heat source 100 is in a "non-heated state" at midnight. Because the heat source 100 is in a non-heated state at midnight, the control device 200 does not acquire temperature information of the corresponding area at midnight. The snow depth of the heating target area at midnight is "0 cm". The control device 200 acquires the snow depth of the heating target area at midnight, for example, by accepting an input from a user of the control device 200. The user of the control device 200 may be the owner or manager of the heat source 100 or the heating target area. The control device 200 may acquire the snow depth of the heating target area at midnight by setting the initial value of the snow depth stored in advance to the snow depth of the heating target area at midnight. In this case, the initial value of the snow depth is 0 cm.

[0060] At "1 o'clock", the control device 200 calculates the snow depth of the heating target area. As shown in the fourth column of table 800, the heat source 100 at 1 o'clock is in the "non-heated state". Because the heat source 100 at 1 o'clock is in the non-heated state, the control device 200 does not acquire the temperature information of the corresponding area at 1 o'clock. The control device 200 calculates the snow depth of the heating target area at 1 o'clock based on the snow depth of the heating target area at 0 o'clock, the amount of snowfall in the corresponding area for one hour between 0 o'clock and 1 o'clock, and the amount of snow melting in the heating target area for one hour between 0 o'clock and 1 o'clock. As shown in the third column of table 800, the amount of snowfall in the corresponding area for one hour between 0 o'clock and 1 o'clock is "1 cm", the amount of snow melting due to natural snow melting in the heating target area for one hour between 0 o'clock and 1 o'clock is "0 cm", and the amount of snow melting due to the heat source 100 in the heating target area for one hour between 0 o'clock and 1 o'clock is "0 cm". From the above, as shown in the fourth column of table 800, the control device 200 calculates that the snow depth in the heating target area at 1 o'clock is "1 cm" from 0 cm + 1 cm - 0 cm - 0 cm. Because the snow depth in the heating target area at 1 o'clock is shallower than the first snow depth threshold, the control device 200 maintains the heat source 100 in a non-heating state.

[0061] At "2 o'clock", the control device 200 calculates the snow depth of the heating target area. As shown in the sixth column of table 800, the heat source 100 at 2 o'clock is in the "non-heated state". Because the heat source 100 at 2 o'clock is in the non-heated state, the control device 200 does not acquire the temperature information of the corresponding area at 2 o'clock. The control device 200 calculates the snow depth of the heating target area at 2 o'clock based on the snow depth of the heating target area at 1 o'clock, the amount of snowfall in the corresponding area for one hour between 1 o'clock and 2 o'clock, and the amount of snow melting in the heating target area for one hour between 1 o'clock and 2 o'clock. As shown in the fifth column of table 800, the amount of snowfall in the corresponding area for one hour between 1 o'clock and 2 o'clock is "1 cm", the amount of snow melting due to natural snow melting in the heating target area for one hour between 1 o'clock and 2 o'clock is "0 cm", and the amount of snow melting due to the heat source 100 in the heating target area for one hour between 1 o'clock and 2 o'clock is "0 cm". From the above, as shown in the sixth column of table 800, the control device 200 calculates that the snow depth in the heating target area at 2 o'clock is "2 cm" from 1 cm + 1 cm - 0 cm - 0 cm. Because the snow depth in the heating target area at 2 o'clock is equal to the first snow depth threshold, the heat source 100 is switched from the non-heating state to the heating state.

[0062] At "3 o'clock", the control device 200 calculates the snow depth of the heating target area. As shown in the eighth column of table 800, the heat source 100 at 3 o'clock is in the "heating state", and the temperature of the corresponding area at 3 o'clock is "-4°C". The control device 200 calculates the snow depth of the heating target area at 3 o'clock based on the snow depth of the heating target area at 2 o'clock, the amount of snowfall in the corresponding area for one hour between 2 o'clock and 3 o'clock, and the amount of snow melting in the heating target area for one hour between 2 o'clock and 3 o'clock. As shown in the seventh column of table 800, the amount of snowfall in the corresponding area for one hour between 2 o'clock and 3 o'clock is "2 cm", the amount of snow melting due to natural snow melting in the heating target area for one hour between 2 o'clock and 3 o'clock is "0 cm", and the amount of snow melting due to the heat source 100 in the heating target area for one hour between 2 o'clock and 3 o'clock is "0.5 cm". In addition, because the heating duration of heat source 100 between 2:00 and 3:00 is one hour or less, the amount of snow melted by heat source 100 in the heated area for one hour between 2:00 and 3:00 is 1 cm less than the reference snow melting amount of 1.5 cm. From the above, as shown in the eighth column of table 800, control device 200 calculates that the snow depth in the heated area at 3:00 is "3.5 cm" from 2 cm + 2 cm - 0 cm - 0.5 cm. Because the snow depth in the heated area at 3:00 is deeper than the second snow depth threshold, heat source 100 is maintained in a heated state.

[0063] At "4 o'clock", the control device 200 calculates the snow depth of the heating target area. As shown in the 10th column of table 800, the heat source 100 at 4 o'clock is in the "heating state", and the temperature of the corresponding area at 4 o'clock is "-5°C". The control device 200 calculates the snow depth of the heating target area at 4 o'clock based on the snow depth of the heating target area at 3 o'clock, the amount of snowfall in the corresponding area for one hour between 3 o'clock and 4 o'clock, and the amount of snow melted in the heating target area for one hour between 3 o'clock and 4 o'clock. As shown in the 9th column of table 800, the amount of snowfall in the corresponding area for one hour between 3 o'clock and 4 o'clock is "2 cm", the amount of snow melted by natural snow melting in the heating target area for one hour between 3 o'clock and 4 o'clock is "0 cm", and the amount of snow melted by the heat source 100 in the heating target area for one hour between 3 o'clock and 4 o'clock is "1 cm". Furthermore, because the temperature in the corresponding area at 4 o'clock is below -5°C, the amount of snow melted by heat source 100 in the heated area for one hour between 3 o'clock and 4 o'clock is 0.5 cm less than the reference snow melting amount of 1.5 cm. From the above, as shown in the 10th column of table 800, control device 200 calculates that the snow depth in the heated area at 4 o'clock is "4.5 cm" from 3.5 cm + 2 cm - 0 cm - 1 cm. Because the snow depth in the heated area at 4 o'clock is deeper than the second snow depth threshold, heat source 100 is maintained in a heated state.

[0064] At "5:00", the control device 200 calculates the snow depth of the heating target area. As shown in the 12th column of table 800, the heat source 100 is in the "heating state" at 5:00, and the temperature of the corresponding area at 5:00 is "-3°C". The control device 200 calculates the snow depth of the heating target area at 5:00 based on the snow depth of the heating target area at 4:00, the amount of snowfall in the corresponding area for one hour between 4:00 and 5:00, and the amount of snow melted by natural snowmelt in the heating target area for one hour between 4:00 and 5:00 is "0 cm", and the amount of snow melted by the heat source 100 in the heating target area for one hour between 4:00 and 5:00 is "1.5 cm". From the above, as shown in the 12th column of table 800, the control device 200 calculates that the snow depth in the heating target area at 5 o'clock is "3 cm" from 4.5 cm + 0 cm - 0 cm - 1.5 cm. Because the snow depth in the heating target area at 5 o'clock is deeper than the second snow depth threshold, the heat source 100 is maintained in the heating state.

[0065] At "6:00", the control device 200 calculates the snow depth of the heating target area. As shown in the 14th column of table 800, the heat source 100 is in the "heating state" at 6:00, and the temperature of the corresponding area at 6:00 is "2°C". The control device 200 calculates the snow depth of the heating target area at 6:00 based on the snow depth of the heating target area at 5:00, the amount of snowfall in the corresponding area for one hour between 5:00 and 6:00, and the amount of snow melted by natural snowmelt in the heating target area for one hour between 5:00 and 6:00 is "0.5 cm", and the amount of snow melted by the heat source 100 in the heating target area for one hour between 5:00 and 6:00 is "1.5 cm". Since the temperature of the corresponding area at 6:00 is higher than 0°C, the snow in the heating target area melts by natural snowmelt in the hour between 5:00 and 6:00. From the above, as shown in the 14th column of table 800, the control device 200 calculates that the snow depth in the heating target area at 6 o'clock is "1 cm" from 3 cm + 0 cm - 0.5 cm - 1.5 cm. Because the snow depth in the heating target area at 6 o'clock is shallower than the second snow depth threshold, the heat source 100 is switched from the heating state to the non-heating state.

[0066] At "7:00", the control device 200 calculates the snow depth of the heating target area. As shown in the 16th column of table 800, the heat source 100 at 7:00 is in the "non-heated state". Since the heat source 100 at 7:00 is in the non-heated state, the control device 200 does not acquire the temperature information of the corresponding area at 7:00. The control device 200 calculates the snow depth of the heating target area at 7:00 based on the snow depth of the heating target area at 6:00, the amount of snowfall in the corresponding area for one hour between 6:00 and 7:00, and the amount of snow melted by natural snowmelt in the heating target area for one hour between 6:00 and 7:00, is "0 cm", and the amount of snow melted by the heat source 100 in the heating target area for one hour between 6:00 and 7:00 is "0.5 cm". The amount of snow melted by heat source 100 in the heated area for one hour between 6:00 and 7:00 is the amount of snow melted by the residual heat of heat source 100 after heat source 100 is switched from a heated state to a non-heated state at 6:00. From the above, as shown in the 16th column of table 800, control device 200 calculates that the snow depth in the heated area at 7:00 is "0.5 cm" from 1 cm + 0 cm - 0 cm - 0.5 cm. Because the snow depth in the heated area at 7:00 is shallower than the first snow depth threshold, control device 200 maintains heat source 100 in a non-heated state.

[0067] At "8:00", the control device 200 calculates the snow depth of the heating target area. As shown in the 18th column of table 800, the heat source 100 at 8:00 is in the "non-heated state". Since the heat source 100 at 8:00 is in the non-heated state, the control device 200 does not acquire the temperature information of the corresponding area at 8:00. The control device 200 calculates the snow depth of the heating target area at 8:00 based on the snow depth of the heating target area at 7:00, the amount of snowfall in the corresponding area for one hour between 7:00 and 8:00, and the amount of snow melted by the heat source 100 in the heating target area for one hour between 7:00 and 8:00. As shown in the 17th column of table 800, the amount of snowfall in the corresponding area for one hour between 7:00 and 8:00 is "0 cm", the amount of snow melted by natural snowmelt in the heating target area for one hour between 7:00 and 8:00 is "0 cm", and the amount of snow melted by the heat source 100 in the heating target area for one hour between 7:00 and 8:00 is "0 cm". From the above, as shown in the 18th column of table 800, the control device 200 calculates that the snow depth in the area to be heated at 8 o'clock is "0.5 cm" from 0.5 cm + 0 cm - 0 cm - 0 cm. Because the snow depth in the area to be heated at 8 o'clock is shallower than the first snow depth threshold, the control device 200 maintains the heat source 100 in a non-heating state.

[0068] 5 is a schematic diagram of another example of the system 10. Here, differences from the system 10 shown in FIG. 1 will be mainly described.

[0069] The heating target of the heat source 100 may be the rooftop of a building. The building may be, for example, a building. The building may be, for example, a commercial facility. The building may be, for example, a school. The building may be a residence such as a detached house, condominium, apartment, etc.

[0070] The heating target of the heat source 100 may be the roof of a building. In this case, the first snow depth threshold and the second snow depth threshold may be set so that the weight of snow on the roof does not exceed the load capacity of the roof.

[0071] Fig. 6 shows a schematic diagram of another example of the system 10. Here, differences from the system 10 shown in Fig. 1 will be mainly described.

[0072] The system 10 may further include an API (Application Programming Interface) Platform (PF) 400. The system 10 may further include a changeover switch 500. The system 10 may further include a notification system 600. The system 10 may further include a log system 700.

[0073] The control device 200 constructs a logic function using at least one of five setting parameters, for example, a first snow depth threshold, a second snow depth threshold, an air temperature threshold, a reduced snow melting amount that reduces the amount of snow melted in the area to be heated by the heat source 100 when the air temperature of the corresponding area corresponding to the area to be heated by the heat source 100 is lower than the air temperature threshold, and an amount of snow melted by the residual heat of the heat source 100 during a predetermined time from a switching time when the heat source 100 switches from a heating state to a non-heating state. The control device 200 may acquire the above-mentioned five setting parameters by receiving an input from a user.

[0074] The logic functions include a first logic function for outputting the snow depth in the area to be heated, and a second logic function for determining whether or not to switch the state of the heat source 100.

[0075] The control device 200 transmits, for example, a weather information acquisition request requesting acquisition of weather information for a corresponding area to the weather information management device 300. The control device 200 transmits the weather information acquisition request to the weather information management device 300 in the form of, for example, an API request.

[0076] The weather information management device 300 receives, for example, a weather information acquisition request from the control device 200. In response to receiving the weather information acquisition request, the weather information management device 300 may transmit weather information for the corresponding area to the control device 200. For example, the weather information management device 300 transmits the weather information for the corresponding area to the control device 200 in real time.

[0077] The control device 200 may calculate the snow depth in the heating target area at a certain calculation time by executing a first logic function using as input parameters the snow depth in the heating target area at a calculation time prior to the certain calculation time and the weather information for the corresponding area received from the weather information management device 300. The control device 200 may calculate the snow depth in the heating target area every hour, for example, by executing the first logic function every hour.

[0078] The control device 200 executes a second logic function using the snow depth in the heated area at the one calculation time as an input parameter to determine whether or not to switch the state of the heat source 100. For example, when the heat source 100 is in a non-heated state at the one calculation time and the snow depth in the heated area at the one calculation time is deeper than a first snow depth threshold, or when the heat source 100 is in a heated state at the one calculation time and the snow depth in the heated area at the one calculation time is shallower than a second snow depth threshold, the control device 200 determines to switch the state of the heat source 100. On the other hand, when the heat source 100 is in a non-heated state at that calculation time and the snow depth in the heated area at that calculation time is shallower than the first snow depth threshold, or when the heat source 100 is in a heated state at that calculation time and the snow depth in the heated area at that calculation time is deeper than the second snow depth threshold, the control device 200 determines not to switch the state of the heat source 100.

[0079] When the control device 200 determines to switch the state of the heat source 100, it notifies the API platform 400 of a switching notification notifying that the state of the heat source 100 will be switched. In response to receiving the switching notification from the control device 200, the API platform 400 may transmit a switching command to switch the state of the heat source 100 to the changeover switch 500 that switches the state of the heat source 100. In response to receiving the switching command from the API platform 400, the changeover switch 500 may switch the state of the heat source 100.

[0080] For example, if the heat source 100 is in a non-heating state at the time when the switching command is received from the API platform 400, the changeover switch 500 switches the heat source 100 from the non-heating state to the heating state. For example, if the heat source 100 is in a heating state at the time when the switching command is received from the API platform 400, the changeover switch 500 switches the heat source 100 from the heating state to the non-heating state.

[0081] The changeover switch 500 is, for example, retrofitted to an existing heat source 100. When a heat source 100 is newly installed, the changeover switch 500 may be incorporated in the newly installed heat source 100.

[0082] The control device 200 notifies the notification system 600 of, for example, a status notification notifying the status of the area to be heated and the state of the heat source 100. The control device 200 notifies the notification system 600 of a status notification in response to, for example, calculating the snow depth in the area to be heated.

[0083] The status notification includes, for example, information indicating the state of the heat source 100 at a predetermined time until the calculation time when the control device 200 calculates the snow depth in the area to be heated. The status notification includes, for example, information indicating the state of the heat source 100 at the calculation time. The status notification includes, for example, information indicating whether the changeover switch 500 maintained or switched the state of the heat source 100 at the calculation time.

[0084] The status notification may further notify the state of the area to be heated. The status notification includes, for example, information indicating the snow depth in the area to be heated at the calculation time. The status notification includes information indicating the amount of snow melted by natural melting of the snow in the area to be heated during a predetermined time period up to the calculation time. The status notification includes information indicating the amount of snow melted by the heat source 100 of the snow in the area to be heated during a predetermined time period up to the calculation time.

[0085] The status notification may further include information on the state of the corresponding area. The status notification may include, for example, information indicating the amount of snowfall in the corresponding area during a predetermined period of time up to the calculation time. The status notification may include, for example, information indicating the temperature in the corresponding area at the calculation time.

[0086] The notification system 600 may transmit the status notification notified from the control device 200 to a log system 700 that records the control result of the heat source 100 by the control device 200 as a status log of the control of the heat source 100 by the control device 200. The log system 700 may record the status log received from the notification system 600. The log system 700 records the status log received from the notification system 600 in a table format, for example, like a table 800 shown in FIG. 4.

[0087] 7 illustrates an example of a functional configuration of the control device 200. The control device 200 may include an information storage unit 202, an information acquisition unit 204, a calculation unit 206, a control unit 208, a notification unit 209, a learning data storage unit 210, a model generation unit 212, a model storage unit 214, and a model acquisition unit 216. It is not essential that the control device 200 includes all of these components.

[0088] The information storage unit 202 stores various information. The information storage unit 202 stores three-dimensional map data including the area to be heated by the heat source 100. The information storage unit 202 stores, for example, corresponding area information indicating a corresponding area corresponding to the heating target area. The information storage unit 202 stores, for example, an initial value of snow depth.

[0089] The information storage unit 202 stores, for example, first correspondence relationship information indicating a correspondence relationship between the temperature of the corresponding area and the amount of snow melted by the heat source 100 of the snow in the heating target area. The first correspondence relationship information indicates, for example, that the snow in the heating target area melts by natural snow melting only when the temperature of the corresponding area is higher than a predetermined first temperature threshold. The first correspondence relationship information indicates, for example, that when the temperature of the corresponding area is higher than the first temperature threshold, the higher the temperature of the corresponding area, the more snow in the heating target area melts by natural snow melting. The first correspondence relationship information indicates, for example, that when the temperature of the corresponding area is lower than a predetermined second temperature threshold, the amount of snow melting that the heat source 100 melts the snow in the heating target area is reduced by a first reduced snow melting amount from a reference snow melting amount that the heat source 100 melts the snow in the heating target area.

[0090] The information storage unit 202 stores, for example, second correspondence relationship information indicating a correspondence relationship between the heating duration for which the heat source 100 heats the heating target area and the amount of snow melted in the heating target area by the heat source 100. The second correspondence relationship information indicates, for example, that when the heating duration is shorter than a predetermined heating duration threshold, the amount of snow melted by the heat source 100 melting the snow in the heating target area is reduced by a second reduced snow melting amount from a reference snow melting amount by which the heat source 100 melts the snow in the heating target area.

[0091] The information storage unit 202 stores, for example, third correspondence relationship information indicating a correspondence relationship between the amount of solar radiation in the area to be heated and the amount of snow melted in the area to be heated by the heat source 100. The third correspondence relationship information indicates, for example, that when the amount of solar radiation in the area to be heated is less than a predetermined solar radiation threshold, the amount of snow melted by the heat source 100 to melt the snow in the area to be heated is reduced by a third reduced snow melting amount from a reference snow melting amount by which the heat source 100 melts the snow in the area to be heated by the heat source 100.

[0092] The information storage unit 202 stores, for example, a logic function. The information storage unit 202 stores, for example, a first logic function. The information storage unit 202 stores, for example, a second logic function.

[0093] The information storage unit 202 stores, for example, setting parameters for constructing a logic function. The information storage unit 202 stores, for example, a first snow depth threshold. The information storage unit 202 stores, for example, a second snow depth threshold. The information storage unit 202 stores, for example, an air temperature threshold. The air temperature threshold includes at least one of a first air temperature threshold and a second air temperature threshold. The information storage unit 202 stores, for example, a heating duration threshold. The information storage unit 202 stores, for example, an insolation amount threshold. The information storage unit 202 stores, for example, a reduced snow melting amount. The reduced snow melting amount includes at least one of a first reduced snow melting amount, a second reduced snow melting amount, and a third reduced snow melting amount. The information storage unit 202 stores, for example, the amount of snow melting due to the residual heat of the heat source 100 at a predetermined time from a switching time when the heat source 100 switches from a heating state to a non-heating state.

[0094] The information acquisition unit 204 acquires various information. For example, the information acquisition unit 204 receives various information by receiving the various information via the network 20. For example, the information acquisition unit 204 receives various information from the weather information management device 300. For example, the information acquisition unit 204 receives various information from the weather observation device 30. The information acquisition unit 204 may acquire various information by accepting input from a user via an input unit included in the information acquisition unit 204. The information acquisition unit 204 may store the acquired various information in the information storage unit 202.

[0095] The information acquiring unit 204 acquires, for example, a logic function, and for example, a setting parameter for constructing the logic function.

[0096] The information acquisition unit 204 acquires, for example, weather information. The information acquisition unit 204 acquires, for example, weather information for the corresponding area indicated by the corresponding area information stored in the information storage unit 202. The information acquisition unit 204 acquires the weather information for the corresponding area by, for example, transmitting a weather information acquisition request to the weather information management device 300.

[0097] The information acquisition unit 204 may acquire meteorological information for the area to be heated. For example, the information acquisition unit 204 acquires solar radiation amount information indicating the amount of solar radiation in the area to be heated.

[0098] The information acquisition unit 204 acquires solar radiation information for the area to be heated, for example, from a meteorological observation device including an actinometer installed in the area to be heated, via the network 20. The information acquisition unit 204 may estimate whether or not a shadow is cast in the area to be heated based on the position of the sun and the 3D map data stored in the information storage unit 202, and acquire solar radiation information for the area to be heated based on the estimation result of whether or not a shadow is cast in the area to be heated.

[0099] The calculation unit 206 calculates the snow depth in the area to be heated. The calculation unit 206, for example, calculates the snow depth in the area to be heated periodically. The calculation unit 206 calculates the snow depth in the area to be heated at calculation intervals of, for example, one hour.

[0100] The calculation unit 206 calculates the snow depth in the heating target area based on, for example, weather information for the corresponding area. The calculation unit 206 calculates the snow depth in the heating target area based on, for example, weather information for the heating target area.

[0101] The calculation unit 206 calculates the snow depth of the heated area at the calculation time based on, for example, the snow depth of the heated area at a time before a predetermined time from the calculation time when the snow depth of the heated area is calculated, the amount of snowfall in the corresponding area at the predetermined time until the calculation time indicated by the first snowfall amount information included in the weather information of the corresponding area, and the amount of melted snow in the heated area at the predetermined time until the calculation time. The calculation unit 206 determines the amount of melted snow in the heated area at the predetermined time until the calculation time based on, for example, the amount of melted snow melted by the heat source 100 in the predetermined time until the calculation time and the amount of melted snow melted by natural snow melting in the heated area at the predetermined time until the calculation time.

[0102] The calculation unit 206 calculates the snow depth in the heating target area at the calculation time, for example, further based on temperature information of the corresponding area included in the weather information of the corresponding area. The temperature information of the corresponding area is, for example, temperature information indicating the temperature of the corresponding area at the calculation time. The temperature information of the corresponding area is, for example, temperature information indicating the temperature of the corresponding area at a time before a predetermined time from the calculation time. The temperature information of the corresponding area may be temperature information indicating the average temperature of the corresponding area during a predetermined time until the calculation time. The calculation unit 206 calculates the snow depth in the heating target area at the calculation time, for example, further based on first correspondence relationship information stored in the information storage unit 202.

[0103] The calculation unit 206 determines the amount of melted snow in the heating target area by natural snowmelt during a predetermined time until the calculation time, for example, based on the temperature of the corresponding area indicated by the temperature information of the corresponding area. For example, when the temperature of the corresponding area is higher than a first temperature threshold, the calculation unit 206 determines that the snow in the heating target area has melted by natural snowmelt during a predetermined time until the calculation time. In this case, the calculation unit 206 determines the amount of melted snow in the heating target area by natural snowmelt during a predetermined time until the calculation time so that the higher the temperature of the corresponding area, the greater the amount of melted snow in the heating target area by natural snowmelt during a predetermined time until the calculation time. On the other hand, when the temperature of the corresponding area is lower than the first temperature threshold, the calculation unit 206 determines that the snow in the heating target area has not melted by natural snowmelt during a predetermined time until the calculation time.

[0104] The calculation unit 206 determines the amount of snow melted by the heat source 100 melting the snow in the heating target area during a predetermined time period up to the calculation time, based on the temperature of the corresponding area indicated by the temperature information of the corresponding area, for example. For example, when the temperature of the corresponding area is higher than the second temperature threshold, the calculation unit 206 determines that the amount of snow melted by the heat source 100 melting the snow in the heating target area during a predetermined time period up to the calculation time is the reference snow melting amount. On the other hand, when the temperature of the corresponding area is lower than the second temperature threshold, the calculation unit 206 determines that the amount of snow melted by the heat source 100 melting the snow in the heating target area during a predetermined time period up to the calculation time is the reference snow melting amount reduced by the first reduced snow melting amount.

[0105] The calculation unit 206 calculates the snow depth in the heated area at the calculation time, further based on, for example, the heating duration for which the heat source 100 heats the heated area. The calculation unit 206 calculates the snow depth in the heated area at the calculation time, further based on, for example, the second correspondence relationship information stored in the information storage unit 202.

[0106] The calculation unit 206 calculates the snow depth of the heated area at the calculation time by determining the amount of melted snow in the heated area during a predetermined time period up to the calculation time based on the heating duration from the heating start time when the heat source 100 starts heating the heated area to the calculation time. For example, when the heating duration from the heating start time to the calculation time is longer than the heating duration threshold, the calculation unit 206 determines that the amount of melted snow melted by the heat source 100 during the predetermined time period up to the calculation time is the reference snow melting amount. On the other hand, when the heating duration from the heating start time to the calculation time is shorter than the heating duration threshold, the calculation unit 206 determines that the amount of melted snow melted by the heat source 100 during the predetermined time period up to the calculation time is the amount of melted snow reduced by the second reduced snow melting amount from the reference snow melting amount.

[0107] The calculation unit 206 calculates the snow depth in the heating target area at the calculation time, for example, further based on the solar radiation information of the heating target area. The calculation unit 206 calculates the snow depth in the heating target area at the calculation time, for example, further based on the third correspondence relationship information stored in the information storage unit 202.

[0108] The calculation unit may calculate the snow depth of the heated area at the calculation time by determining the amount of snow melting in the heated area for a predetermined time until the calculation time based on the amount of solar radiation in the heated area indicated by the solar radiation information of the heated area included in the weather information of the heated area. For example, when the amount of solar radiation in the heated area is greater than the solar radiation threshold, the calculation unit 206 determines that the amount of snow melting caused by the heat source 100 melting the snow in the heated area for a predetermined time until the calculation time is the reference snow melting amount. On the other hand, when the amount of solar radiation in the heated area is greater than the solar radiation threshold, the calculation unit 206 determines that the amount of snow melting caused by the heat source 100 melting the snow in the heated area for a predetermined time until the calculation time is the reference snow melting amount reduced by a third reduced snow melting amount.

[0109] The calculation unit 206 calculates the snow depth in the heating target area, for example, by executing a first logic function stored in the information storage unit 202. The calculation unit 206 may construct the first logic function using setting parameters stored in the information storage unit 202. The calculation unit 206 may store the constructed first logic function in the information storage unit 202.

[0110] The control unit 208 controls the heat source 100. The control unit 208 controls a plurality of heat sources 100, for example.

[0111] The control unit 208 controls the heat source 100, for example, by transmitting a control signal to the heat source 100. The control unit 208 transmits the control signal to the heat source 100 via the network 20, for example.

[0112] The control unit 208 controls the state of the heat source 100, for example, to put the heat source 100 in a heating state. The control unit 208 controls the state of the road heating, for example, to put the road heating in a heating state. For example, when the road heating is electric road heating, the control unit 208 operates a heater to put the electric road heating in a heating state. For example, when the road heating is boiler type road heating, the control unit 208 operates a boiler to put the boiler type road heating in a heating state. When the road heating is heat pump type road heating, the control unit 208 may operate the heat pump to put the heat pump type road heating in a heating state.

[0113] The control unit 208 controls the state of the heat source 100, for example, to put the heat source 100 in a non-heating state. The control unit 208 controls the state of the road heating, for example, to put the road heating in a non-heating state. For example, when the road heating is an electric road heating, the control unit 208 puts the electric road heating in a non-heating state by stopping the heater. For example, when the road heating is a boiler type road heating, the control unit 208 puts the boiler type road heating in a non-heating state by stopping the boiler. When the road heating is a heat pump type road heating, the control unit 208 may put the heat pump type road heating in a non-heating state by stopping the heat pump.

[0114] The control unit 208 controls the heat source 100 based on, for example, the snow depth in the area to be heated at the calculation time calculated by the calculation unit 206. For example, when the heat source 100 is in an unheated state at the calculation time and the snow depth in the area to be heated at the calculation time is deeper than a first snow depth threshold, the control unit 208 controls the heat source 100 to switch from the unheated state to the heated state. On the other hand, when the heat source 100 is in an unheated state at the calculation time and the snow depth in the area to be heated at the calculation time is shallower than the first snow depth threshold, the control unit 208 controls the heat source 100 to maintain the unheated state.

[0115] For example, when the heat source 100 is in a heating state at the calculation time and the snow depth in the heated area at the calculation time is shallower than the second snow depth threshold, the control unit 208 controls the heat source 100 to switch from the heating state to the non-heating state. On the other hand, when the heat source 100 is in a heating state at the calculation time and the snow depth in the heated area at the calculation time is deeper than the second snow depth threshold, the control unit 208 controls the heat source 100 to maintain the heating state.

[0116] When the control unit 208 controls the heat source 100 to switch the state of the heat source 100 from a heating state to a non-heating state based on the snow depth in the heated area at the calculation time, the calculation unit 206 may calculate the snow depth in the heated area at the calculation time next to the calculation time based on the amount of snow melted by the heat source 100 melting the snow in the heated area with residual heat. The calculation unit 206 calculates the snow depth in the heated area at the next calculation time based on, for example, the snow depth in the heated area at the calculation time, the amount of snowfall in the corresponding area during a predetermined time until the next calculation time indicated by second snowfall amount information included in the weather information for the corresponding area, and the amount of snow melted by the heat source 100 melting the snow in the heated area with residual heat during a predetermined time until the next calculation time. The calculation unit 206 may calculate the snow depth in the heating target area at the next calculation time based on the amount of snow melted by natural snow melting in the heating target area during a predetermined time until the next calculation time. The control unit 208 may control the heat source 100 based on the snow depth in the heating target area at the next calculation time.

[0117] The heat source 100 may have multiple heating states. In this case, the heating state of the heat source 100 may include a first heating state in which the heat source 100 heats the heating target area with a first heating amount, and a second heating state in which the heat source 100 heats the heating target area with a second heating amount that is greater than the first heating amount.

[0118] For example, when the snow depth in the area to be heated at the calculation time is deeper than the first snow depth threshold and shallower than a third snow depth threshold that is predetermined to be deeper than the first snow depth threshold, the control unit 208 controls the heat source 100 to be in the first heating state. For example, when the snow depth in the area to be heated at the calculation time is deeper than the third snow depth threshold, the control unit 208 controls the heat source 100 to be in the second heating state.

[0119] The control unit 208 determines whether or not to switch the state of the heat source 100 by, for example, executing a second logic function stored in the information storage unit 202. The control unit 208 may construct the second logic function using setting parameters stored in the information storage unit 202. The control unit 208 may store the constructed first logic function in the information storage unit 202.

[0120] The notification unit 209 notifies various kinds of information. The notification unit 209 notifies various kinds of information via the network 20, for example.

[0121] The notification unit 209, for example, notifies the API platform 400 of the switching notification. The control unit 208 may control the heat source 100 by notifying the API platform 400 of the switching notification using the notification unit 209. The notification unit 209 may notify the notification system 600 of the status notification.

[0122] The information acquisition unit 204 may acquire learning data. The learning data includes, for example, the snow depth in the heating target area at a time before a predetermined time from the one calculation time, the amount of snowfall in the corresponding area at a predetermined time until the one calculation time, the air temperature in the corresponding area at the one calculation time, the amount of snow melting in the heating target area at a predetermined time until the one calculation time, and the snow depth in the heating target area at the one calculation time. Note that the snow depth in the heating target area at a time before a predetermined time from the one calculation time and the snow depth in the heating target area at the one calculation time may be data measured by a user or a surveyor who measures the snow depth in the heating target area. The information acquisition unit 204 may store the acquired learning data in the learning data storage unit 210.

[0123] The model generation unit 212 generates an estimation model for estimating the snow depth in the heating target area by machine learning. For example, the model generation unit 212 uses a plurality of learning data stored in the learning data storage unit 210 as teacher data to generate an estimation model for estimating the snow depth in the heating target area at one calculation time by machine learning from the snow depth in the heating target area at a time before a predetermined time from one calculation time, the amount of snowfall in the corresponding area at a predetermined time until the one calculation time, the temperature in the corresponding area at a predetermined time until the one calculation time, and the amount of snow melting in the heating target area at a predetermined time until the one calculation time. The model generation unit 212 may store the generated estimation model in the model storage unit 214.

[0124] The model acquisition unit 216 acquires an estimation model for estimating snow depth in the heating target area. For example, the model acquisition unit 216 acquires an estimation model similar to the estimation model generated by the model generation unit 212. The model acquisition unit 216 may store the acquired estimation model in the model storage unit 214.

[0125] The information acquisition unit 204 may acquire first snowfall amount information of the corresponding area at a predetermined time before the one calculation time, and temperature information of the corresponding area at a predetermined time before the one calculation time. The calculation unit 206 may estimate the snowfall depth of the heating target area at the one calculation time from the snowfall depth of the heating target area at a time before the predetermined time from the one calculation time, the snowfall amount of the corresponding area at the predetermined time before the one calculation time indicated by the first snowfall amount information acquired by the information acquisition unit 204, the temperature of the corresponding area at the predetermined time before the one calculation time indicated by the temperature information acquired by the information acquisition unit 204, and the snow melting amount of the heating target area at the predetermined time before the one calculation time, using the estimation model stored in the model storage unit 214. The control unit 208 may control the heat source 100 based on the snowfall depth of the heating target area at the one calculation time estimated by the calculation unit 206.

[0126] 8 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of the flow of processing by the control device 200. Here, a state in which the control device 200 controls the heat source 100 will be described as a start state.

[0127] In step (sometimes abbreviated to S) 102, the information acquisition unit 204 acquires snowfall amount information in the corresponding area for a predetermined time until a calculation time at which the calculation unit 206 calculates the snow depth in the heating target area. In S104, the calculation unit 206 calculates the snow depth in the heating target area at the calculation time based on the snow depth in the heating target area at a time before the predetermined time from the calculation time, the amount of snowfall in the corresponding area for the predetermined time until the calculation time indicated by the snowfall amount information acquired by the information acquisition unit 204 in S104, and the amount of melted snow in the heating target area for the predetermined time until the calculation time.

[0128] In S106, if the heat source 100 is in a heating state at the calculation time, the process proceeds to S108. In S106, if the heat source 100 is in a non-heating state at the calculation time, the process proceeds to S114.

[0129] In S108, the control unit 208 determines whether the snow depth in the heating target area at the calculation time calculated by the calculation unit 206 in S104 is deeper than the second snow depth threshold. If the control unit 208 determines that the snow depth in the heating target area at the calculation time is deeper than the second snow depth threshold, the process proceeds to S110. If the control unit 208 determines that the snow depth in the heating target area at the calculation time is shallower than the second snow depth threshold, the process proceeds to S112.

[0130] In S110, the control unit 208 controls the heat source 100 so as to maintain the heat source 100 in a heating state. In S112, the control unit 208 controls the heat source 100 so as to switch the heat source 100 from the heating state to the non-heating state.

[0131] In S114, the control unit 208 determines whether the snow depth in the heating target area at the calculation time calculated by the calculation unit 206 in S104 is deeper than the first snow depth threshold. If the control unit 208 determines that the snow depth in the heating target area at the calculation time is deeper than the first snow depth threshold, the process proceeds to S116. If the control unit 208 determines that the snow depth in the heating target area at the calculation time is shallower than the first snow depth threshold, the process proceeds to S118.

[0132] In S116, the control unit 208 controls the heat source 100 to switch the heat source 100 from a non-heating state to a heating state. In S118, the control unit 208 controls the heat source 100 to maintain the heat source 100 in the non-heating state.

[0133] In S120, if the information acquiring unit 204 does not acquire an end instruction to end the control of the heat source 100 by the control device 200 by the next calculation time, the process returns to S102. In S120, if the information acquiring unit 204 acquires an end instruction by the next calculation time, the control of the heat source 100 by the control device 200 ends.

[0134] 9 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of a computer 1200 functioning as the control device 200. A program installed in the computer 1200 can cause the computer 1200 to function as one or more "parts" of the device according to the above embodiment, or cause the computer 1200 to execute operations or one or more "parts" associated with the device according to the above embodiment, and / or cause the computer 1200 to execute a process or steps of the process according to the above embodiment. Such a program can be executed by the CPU 1212 to cause the computer 1200 to execute specific operations associated with some or all of the blocks in the flowcharts and block diagrams described herein.

[0135] The computer 1200 according to this embodiment includes a CPU 1212, a RAM 1214, and a graphics controller 1216, which are connected to each other by a host controller 1210. The computer 1200 also includes input / output units such as a communication interface 1222, a storage device 1224, a DVD drive 1226, and an IC card drive, which are connected to the host controller 1210 via an input / output controller 1220. The DVD drive 1226 may be a DVD-ROM drive, a DVD-RAM drive, or the like. The storage device 1224 may be a hard disk drive, a solid state drive, or the like. The computer 1200 also includes legacy input / output units such as a ROM 1230 and a keyboard 1242, which are connected to the input / output controller 1220 via an input / output chip 1240.

[0136] The CPU 1212 operates according to a program stored in the ROM 1230 and the RAM 1214, thereby controlling each unit. The graphic controller 1216 acquires image data generated by the CPU 1212 into a frame buffer or the like provided in the RAM 1214 or into itself, and causes the image data to be displayed on the display device 1218.

[0137] The communication interface 1222 communicates with other electronic devices via a network. The storage device 1224 stores programs and data used by the CPU 1212 in the computer 1200. The DVD drive 1226 reads programs or data from a DVD-ROM 1227 or the like and provides the programs or data to the storage device 1224. The IC card drive reads programs and data from an IC card and / or writes programs and data to an IC card.

[0138] The ROM 1230 stores therein a boot program or the like that is executed by the computer 1200 upon activation, and / or a program that depends on the hardware of the computer 1200. The input / output chip 1240 may also connect various input / output units to the input / output controller 1220 via a USB port, a parallel port, a serial port, a keyboard port, a mouse port, and the like.

[0139] The programs are provided by a computer-readable storage medium such as a DVD-ROM 1227 or an IC card. The programs are read from the computer-readable storage medium, installed in the storage device 1224, the RAM 1214, or the ROM 1230, which are also examples of computer-readable storage media, and executed by the CPU 1212. Information processing described in these programs is read by the computer 1200, and brings about cooperation between the programs and the various types of hardware resources described above. An apparatus or method may be constructed by implementing operations or processing of information according to the use of the computer 1200.

[0140] For example, when communication is performed between the computer 1200 and an external device, the CPU 1212 may execute a communication program loaded in the RAM 1214 and instruct the communication interface 1222 to perform communication processing based on the processing described in the communication program. Under the control of the CPU 1212, the communication interface 1222 reads transmission data stored in a transmission buffer area provided in the RAM 1214, the storage device 1224, the DVD-ROM 1227, or a recording medium such as an IC card, and transmits the read transmission data to a network, or writes reception data received from the network to a reception buffer area or the like provided on the recording medium.

[0141] Furthermore, the CPU 1212 may cause all or a necessary portion of a file or database stored in an external recording medium such as the storage device 1224, the DVD drive 1226 (DVD-ROM 1227), an IC card, etc. to be read into the RAM 1214, and perform various types of processing on the data on the RAM 1214. The CPU 1212 may then write back the processed data to the external recording medium.

[0142] Various types of information, such as various types of programs, data, tables, and databases, may be stored in the recording medium and undergo information processing. The CPU 1212 may perform various types of processing on the data read from the RAM 1214, including various types of operations, information processing, conditional judgment, conditional branching, unconditional branching, information search / replacement, etc., as described throughout this disclosure and specified by the instruction sequence of the program, and write back the results to the RAM 1214. The CPU 1212 may also search for information in a file, database, etc. in the recording medium. For example, when a plurality of entries each having an attribute value of a first attribute associated with an attribute value of a second attribute are stored in the recording medium, the CPU 1212 may search for an entry whose attribute value of the first attribute matches a specified condition from among the plurality of entries, read the attribute value of the second attribute stored in the entry, and thereby obtain the attribute value of the second attribute associated with the first attribute that satisfies a predetermined condition.

[0143] The above-described programs or software modules may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium on the computer 1200 or in the vicinity of the computer 1200. In addition, a recording medium such as a hard disk or a RAM provided in a server system connected to a dedicated communication network or the Internet can be used as a computer-readable storage medium, thereby providing the programs to the computer 1200 via the network.

[0144] The blocks in the flowcharts and block diagrams in the present embodiment may represent stages of a process in which an operation is performed or "parts" of an apparatus responsible for performing the operation. Particular stages and "parts" may be implemented by dedicated circuitry, programmable circuitry provided with computer-readable instructions stored on a computer-readable storage medium, and / or a processor provided with computer-readable instructions stored on a computer-readable storage medium. The dedicated circuitry may include digital and / or analog hardware circuits, and may include integrated circuits (ICs) and / or discrete circuits. The programmable circuitry may include reconfigurable hardware circuits, such as, for example, field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), programmable logic arrays (PLAs), and the like, including AND, OR, XOR, NAND, NOR, and other logical operations, flip-flops, registers, and memory elements.

[0145] A computer-readable storage medium may include any tangible device capable of storing instructions that are executed by a suitable device, such that a computer-readable storage medium having instructions stored thereon comprises an article of manufacture that includes instructions that can be executed to create means for performing the operations specified in the flowcharts or block diagrams. Examples of computer-readable storage media may include electronic storage media, magnetic storage media, optical storage media, electromagnetic storage media, semiconductor storage media, and the like. More specific examples of computer-readable storage media may include floppy disks, diskettes, hard disks, random access memories (RAMs), read-only memories (ROMs), erasable programmable read-only memories (EPROMs or flash memories), electrically erasable programmable read-only memories (EEPROMs), static random access memories (SRAMs), compact disk read-only memories (CD-ROMs), digital versatile disks (DVDs), Blu-ray disks, memory sticks, integrated circuit cards, and the like.

[0146] The computer readable instructions may include either assembler instructions, instruction set architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions, machine-dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions, state setting data, or source or object code written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including object-oriented programming languages ​​such as Smalltalk®, JAVA®, C++, etc., and conventional procedural programming languages ​​such as the “C” programming language or similar programming languages.

[0147] Computer readable instructions may be provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus, or to a programmable circuit, either locally or over a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), such as the Internet, etc., to cause the processor of the general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus, or to a programmable circuit, to execute the computer readable instructions to generate means for performing the operations specified in the flowcharts or block diagrams. Examples of processors include computer processors, processing units, microprocessors, digital signal processors, controllers, microcontrollers, etc.

[0148] Although the present invention has been described above using the embodiments, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments. It is clear to those skilled in the art that various modifications and improvements can be made to the above embodiments. It is clear from the description of the claims that such modifications and improvements can also be included in the technical scope of the present invention.

[0149] It should be noted that the order of execution of each process, such as operations, procedures, steps, and stages, in the devices, systems, programs, and methods shown in the claims, specifications, and drawings is not specifically stated as "before" or "prior to," and that the process may be performed in any order unless the output of a previous process is used in a later process. Even if the operational flow in the claims, specifications, and drawings is described using "first," "next," etc. for convenience, it does not mean that the process must be performed in this order. [Explanation of symbols]

[0150] 10 system, 20 network, 30 weather observation device, 100 heat source, 200 control device, 202 information storage unit, 204 information acquisition unit, 206 calculation unit, 208 control unit, 209 notification unit, 210 learning data storage unit, 212 model generation unit, 214 model storage unit, 216 model acquisition unit, 300 weather information management device, 400 API platform, 500 changeover switch, 600 notification system, 700 log system, 800 table, 1200 computer, 1210 host controller, 1212 CPU, 1214 RAM, 1216 graphic controller, 1218 display device, 1220 input / output controller, 1222 communication interface, 1224 storage device, 1226 DVD drive, 1227 DVD-ROM, 1230 ROM, 1240 input / output chip, 1242 keyboard

Claims

1. an information acquisition unit that acquires first snowfall amount information indicating the amount of snowfall in a corresponding area that corresponds to a heating target area, the corresponding area including a heating target of a heat source, during a predetermined time until a calculation time for calculating a snow depth in the heating target area; a calculation unit that calculates the snow depth in the heated area at the calculation time based on the snow depth in the heated area at a time before the predetermined time from the calculation time, the snowfall amount in the corresponding area at the predetermined time until the calculation time indicated by the first snowfall amount information, and the snow melting amount in the heated area at the predetermined time until the calculation time; a control unit that controls the heat source based on the snow depth in the heating target area at the calculated time; A control device comprising:

2. The control device of claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the heat source so that when the heat source at the calculation time is in a non-heated state that does not heat the heated area, and when the snow depth in the heated area at the calculation time is deeper than a predetermined first snow depth threshold, the heat source switches from the non-heated state to a heated state in which the heat source heats the heated area.

3. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the heat source so that when the heat source at the calculation time is in a heating state in which it heats the heated area, and when the snow depth in the heated area at the calculation time is shallower than a predetermined second snow depth threshold, the heat source switches from the heating state to a non-heating state in which the heat source does not heat the heated area.

4. The control device described in claim 3, wherein the calculation unit calculates the snow depth in the heated area at the calculation time by determining the amount of snow melting in the heated area during the predetermined time up to the calculation time based on a first heating duration from a heating start time when the heat source starts heating the heated area to the calculation time.

5. The control unit controls the heat source to switch from the heating state to the non-heating state based on the snow depth in the heating target area at the calculation time, The information acquisition unit further acquires second snowfall amount information indicating a snowfall amount in the corresponding area during a predetermined time period from the calculation time to a calculation time next to the calculation time, The calculation unit further calculates the snow depth in the heated area at the next calculation time based on the snow depth in the heated area at the calculation time, the snowfall amount in the corresponding area during the predetermined time until the next calculation time indicated by the second snowfall amount information, and the amount of snow melted by the heat source melting the snow in the heated area with residual heat during the predetermined time until the next calculation time, The control unit further controls the heat source based on the snow depth in the heating target area at the next calculation time. The control device according to claim 3.

6. A control device as described in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the calculation unit determines the amount of snow melted in the heated area during the predetermined time up to the calculation time based on the amount of snow melted by the heat source during the predetermined time up to the calculation time and the amount of snow melted by natural snow melting in the heated area during the predetermined time up to the calculation time.

7. The information acquisition unit further acquires temperature information indicating a temperature in the corresponding area; The calculation unit determines the amount of melted snow caused by natural snow melting of the accumulated snow in the heating target area during the predetermined time period up to the calculation time, based on the air temperature in the corresponding area indicated by the air temperature information. The control device according to claim 6.

8. The information acquisition unit further acquires temperature information indicating a temperature in the corresponding area; The calculation unit determines the amount of snow melted by the heat source in the heating target area during the predetermined time period up to the calculation time, based on the air temperature in the corresponding area indicated by the air temperature information. The control device according to claim 6.

9. The information acquisition unit further acquires solar radiation amount information indicating the amount of solar radiation in the heating target area, The calculation unit calculates the snow depth in the heated area at the calculation time by determining the amount of snow melting in the heated area for the predetermined time until the calculation time based on the amount of solar radiation in the heated area indicated by the solar radiation information. A control device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

10. the control unit controls the heat source so that the heat source heats the heated area with a first heating amount when the snow depth in the heated area at the calculation time is deeper than a predetermined first snow depth threshold and shallower than a predetermined third snow depth threshold so as to be deeper than the first snow depth threshold, and controls the heat source so that the heat source heats the heated area with a second heating amount greater than the first heating amount when the snow depth in the heated area at the calculation time is deeper than the third snow depth threshold. A control device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

11. A program for causing a computer to function as the control device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

12. 1. A computer-implemented control method comprising: An information acquisition step of acquiring snowfall amount information indicating the amount of snowfall in a corresponding area, which is an area corresponding to a heating target area, during a predetermined time until a calculation time for calculating the snow depth in the heating target area, which is an area including a heating target of a heat source; a calculation step of calculating the snow depth of the heated area at the calculation time based on the snow depth of the heated area at a time before the predetermined time from the calculation time, the snowfall amount of the corresponding area at the predetermined time until the calculation time indicated by the snowfall amount information, and the snow melting amount of the heated area at the predetermined time until the calculation time; a control step of controlling the heat source based on the snow depth in the heating target area at the calculated time; A control method comprising:

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