Arrangement support device, arrangement support system, and arrangement support method

Abstract

To provide an arrangement support device which supports arrangement of an office desk so as to improve energy saving.SOLUTION: An arrangement support device 10 comprises: an acquisition unit 12 which acquires thermal control information indicating thermal control regions of which the temperatures are controlled in an office by a plurality of air conditioners respectively; and a control unit 13 which controls a display unit 22 to display a display image indicating the plurality of thermal control regions in the office, which are indicated by the acquired thermal control information. When a receiving unit 23 receives a prescribed operation of indicating an arrangement region in which an office desk set including one or more chairs and an office desk is to be arranged in the office, the control unit 13 causes the display unit 22 to display the arrangement area indicated by the received prescribed operation, over the displayed display image.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a placement assistance device, a placement assistance system, and a placement assistance method. [Background technology]

[0002] There are known technologies for improving energy conservation in offices, etc. For example, Patent Documents 1 to 3 disclose technologies in which office users (workers) carry tags such as RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tags, the location of the workers in the office is detected, and the thermal environment around the workers is controlled based on the detection results. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2006-242540 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2008-281239 A [Patent Document 3] JP 2022-134276 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the techniques disclosed in Patent Documents 1 to 3, in order to control the thermal environment around the workers who use the desks arranged in the office, it may be necessary to operate a large number of air conditioners depending on the arrangement of the desks. In this case, energy saving performance is lower than when the surrounding thermal environment can be controlled by operating a smaller number of air conditioners. For this reason, it is required to arrange the desks in a way that increases energy saving performance.

[0005] The present invention provides a layout assistance device that assists in arranging office desks in a manner that is energy efficient. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A placement assistance device according to one embodiment of the present invention includes an acquisition unit that acquires thermal control information indicating thermal control areas in an office where each of a number of air conditioning devices controls the temperature, and a control unit that controls a display image showing the multiple thermal control areas in the office indicated by the acquired thermal control information to be displayed on a display unit.When a reception unit accepts a specified operation indicating a placement area in which a desk set including one or more chairs and a desk will be placed in the office, the control unit causes the display unit to superimpose the placement area indicated by the received specified operation on the displayed display image.

[0007] A placement assistance system according to one aspect of the present invention includes the placement assistance device described above, the reception unit, and the display unit.

[0008] A placement assistance method according to one embodiment of the present invention is a placement assistance method executed by a placement assistance device, and includes an acquisition step of acquiring thermal control information indicating thermal control areas in an office where each of a plurality of air conditioning devices controls temperature, and a control step of controlling a display image showing the plurality of thermal control areas in the office indicated by the acquired thermal control information to be displayed on a display unit, wherein when a reception unit has accepted a specified operation indicating a placement area in which a desk set including one or more chairs and a desk will be placed in the office, in the control step, the placement area indicated by the accepted specified operation is superimposed on the displayed display image and displayed on the display unit. Effect of the Invention

[0009] The layout assistance device of the present invention can assist in arranging desks in a manner that is highly energy efficient. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1]FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a placement assistance system according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a first display image showing a plurality of thermal control regions according to the embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an image in which the first display image and the second display image are superimposed according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a display process according to the embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an air conditioner management table, which is an example of heat control information according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a first display image in which a plurality of thermal control regions are not shown in accordance with the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing how the first display image and the second display image according to the embodiment are displayed in a superimposed manner. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display image displayed on the display unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a desk specification table according to the embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing icons of a desk set according to the embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is an example of an image showing the first display image and the second display image superimposed and displayed on the display unit in step S60 according to the embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is another example of an image showing the first display image and the second display image superimposed and displayed on the display unit in step S60 according to the embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a desk management table as an example of desk management information according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiments described below are all comprehensive or specific examples. The numerical values, shapes, materials, components, component arrangement and connection forms, steps, and order of steps shown in the following embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the present invention. In addition, among the components in the following embodiments, components that are not described in the independent claims will be described as optional components.

[0012] In addition, each drawing is a schematic diagram and is not necessarily a precise illustration. In addition, in each drawing, the same reference numerals are used for substantially the same configuration, and duplicated explanations may be omitted or simplified.

[0013] (Embodiment) [composition] First, the configuration of the placement support system 1 according to the embodiment will be described. Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the placement support system 1 according to the present embodiment. First, a usage example of the placement support system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described.

[0014] In an office, the layout of desks may change. For example, in an office rented by a tenant in a tenant building, the layout of desks also changes when the tenant changes. In this case, the office user (for example, the manager of the tenant after the change) uses the layout assistance system 1 to determine the layout of desks. This layout assistance system 1 is a system that assists users in arranging desks in an office. The user uses the desk layout created by the layout assistance system 1 as a reference to arrange the desks in the actual office.

[0015] In recent years, there has been a demand for realizing energy conservation in offices. As described above, depending on the layout of the desks, it may be necessary to operate a large number of air conditioners installed in the office, which may result in reduced energy conservation, so the user needs to arrange the desks in a manner that is more energy efficient. The layout support system 1 according to this embodiment is a system that supports the user in arranging the desks in a manner that is more energy efficient.

[0016] In this embodiment, a plurality of air conditioners are installed in the office, and the plurality of air conditioners are already installed before the user attempts to change the arrangement of the work desk. It is also assumed that an office worker works at the work desk while sitting in a chair. The work desk may be a small desk used by one office worker, or a large desk used by multiple office workers. Here, one or more chairs and one work desk are used at the same time, and such a set including one or more chairs and a work desk is referred to as a work desk set. Also, one work desk set or multiple work desk sets may be arranged in the office.

[0017] 1, the placement assistance system 1 includes a placement assistance device 10 and an input / output terminal 20. The placement assistance system 1 also includes an external storage device 30 and a server device 40.

[0018] The layout assistance device 10 is a device that assists in arranging the desks so as to increase energy efficiency. The layout assistance device 10 is a device that performs display processing to display a display image (sometimes referred to as a first display image) showing a thermal control area where each of a plurality of air conditioners controls the temperature, and a display image (sometimes referred to as a second display image) showing an arrangement area where the desk set is arranged. The layout assistance device 10, for example, displays the first display image and the second display image on a display unit 22 of the input / output terminal 20. The first display image is an image for inputting (specifying) a plurality of thermal control areas by the layout assistance device 10, and the second display image is an image for inputting (specifying) the arrangement of the desk set by the layout assistance device 10.

[0019] The placement assistance device 10 includes a first communication unit 11, an acquisition unit 12, a control unit 13, and a storage unit 14.

[0020] The first communication unit 11 is a communication circuit for the placement assistance device 10 to communicate with the input / output terminal 20, the external storage device 30, and the server device 40. The first communication unit 11 may be a wired communication circuit, but here it is a wireless communication circuit for performing wireless communication (more specifically, radio wave communication). The first communication unit 11 is also an example of an output unit.

[0021] The acquisition unit 12 acquires thermal control information indicating a thermal control region in which each of a plurality of air conditioners controls temperature in the office according to this embodiment. The thermal control region is a region (range) in which the air conditioner can control the temperature in the office, that is, can perform air conditioning. For example, the thermal control region of an air conditioner with high output is wide, and the thermal control region of an air conditioner with low output is narrow.

[0022] The control unit 13 controls the display unit 22 of the input / output terminal 20 to display a display image (first display image) showing multiple thermal control areas in the office indicated by the thermal control information acquired by the acquisition unit 12.

[0023] Fig. 2 is a diagram showing a first display image 71 showing a plurality of thermal control areas 81 according to the present embodiment. The first display image 71 shown in Fig. 2 is an image showing a floor plan of an office 60 showing a plurality of thermal control areas 81. In Fig. 2, nine thermal control areas 81 are shown by rectangular dashed lines, which means that nine air conditioners are installed in the office 60.

[0024] Furthermore, when the reception unit 23 of the input / output terminal 20 receives a predetermined operation specifying an arrangement area in which a desk set including one or more chairs and desks is to be arranged in the office 60, the control unit 13 performs the following process. That is, the control unit 13 causes the display unit 22 to display the arrangement area specified by the predetermined operation received by the reception unit 23 superimposed on the first display image 71 showing the multiple heat control areas 81. More specifically, the control unit 13 causes the display unit 22 to display the first display image 71 showing the multiple heat control areas 81 superimposed on the second display image showing the arrangement area specified by the predetermined operation.

[0025] 3 is a diagram showing an image in which the first display image 71 and the second display image 72 according to the present embodiment are superimposed. The image shown in FIG. 3 is an image in which the second display image 72 showing a plurality of arrangement regions 82 is superimposed on the first display image 71 shown in FIG. 2. In FIG. 3, the plurality of arrangement regions 82 are shown surrounded by dashed lines. One arrangement region 82 indicates an area in which one desk set is arranged in the office 60, and within one arrangement region 82, a solid-line rectangle indicates the desks included in one desk set, and a figure imitating a chair shown in solid lines indicates the chairs included in one desk set. In other words, one arrangement region 82 indicates an area in the office 60 occupied by one desk set.

[0026] As shown in Fig. 3, for example, a desk set may include one chair, three chairs, or six chairs. The number of chairs included in the desk set corresponds to the number of users of the desks included in the desk set.

[0027] When the reception unit 23 receives one predetermined operation, the control unit 13 displays one arrangement area 82 corresponding to the received predetermined operation on the display unit 22. For example, in Fig. 3, since 15 arrangement areas 82 are shown, the reception unit 23 receives the predetermined operation 15 times.

[0028] The acquiring unit 12 and the control unit 13 are each realized by, for example, a microcomputer, but may also be realized by a processor or a dedicated circuit. The functions of the acquiring unit 12 and the control unit 13 are realized by hardware such as a microcomputer or a processor constituting each of the acquiring unit 12 and the control unit 13 executing software (computer programs) stored in the storage unit 14.

[0029] The storage unit 14 is a storage device that stores information necessary for information processing related to display processing of the computer program or the like executed by the control unit 13. For example, a first display image 71 and a second display image 72 are stored in the storage unit 14. The storage unit 14 is realized by, for example, a semiconductor memory.

[0030] The input / output terminal 20 is, for example, a mobile terminal such as a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant). The input / output terminal 20 may also be a dedicated remote controller used in the arrangement assistance system 1. The input / output terminal 20 is used by a user when the user arranges an office desk. Specifically, the input / output terminal 20 includes a second communication unit 21, a display unit 22, and a reception unit 23.

[0031] The second communication unit 21 is a communication circuit for the input / output terminal 20 to communicate with the placement assistance device 10. The second communication unit 21 may be a wired communication circuit, but here is a wireless communication circuit for performing wireless communication (more specifically, radio wave communication).

[0032] The display unit 22 displays images necessary for the above display processing. The display unit 22 is realized by a display panel such as a liquid crystal panel or an organic EL panel.

[0033] The reception unit 23 receives an operation from a user. Specifically, the reception unit 23 is realized by a touch panel or the like.

[0034] The external storage device 30 is an example of an external device. The external storage device 30 is configured, for example, by a hard disk drive (HDD) or a semiconductor memory.

[0035] The server device 40 is an example of an external device. In the present embodiment, the server device 40 is a cloud server. The server device 40 has a storage unit such as a HDD or a semiconductor memory.

[0036] [Example] Next, an example of the operation of the placement assistance system 1 will be described.

[0037] FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the display process according to the present embodiment.

[0038] The process shown in the flowchart of Fig. 4 is performed when a user attempts to change the layout of the desk. For example, the process shown in the flowchart of Fig. 4 is started when the user operates the reception unit 23 of the input / output terminal 20.

[0039] First, the acquisition unit 12 acquires heat control information indicating heat controlled areas 81 in which the temperatures of a plurality of air conditioners in the office 60 are controlled (S10).

[0040] The heat control information may be in any format as long as it indicates a plurality of heat control areas 81, and in this case, it is information in a table format. More specifically, the heat control information is an air conditioner management table. Figure 5 is a diagram showing an air conditioner management table, which is an example of heat control information according to this embodiment.

[0041] In this embodiment, for example, nine air conditioners are installed in office 60, and as shown in Fig. 5, each of the nine air conditioners is assigned a number (air conditioner number) from "1" to "9". In the air conditioner management table, one air conditioner, the model number of that one air conditioner, and the thermal control area 81 of that one air conditioner are linked together and managed as one set. In this embodiment, a total of nine sets corresponding to each of the nine air conditioners are managed in the air conditioner management table.

[0042] When two mutually orthogonal axes are used as a reference in a plan view of an office 60 in which air conditioning equipment is installed, the thermal control area 81 is expressed, for example, by the coordinates of the two axes. More specifically, the thermal control area 81 is expressed by two coordinates consisting of an "upper left coordinate" and a "lower right coordinate". As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the shape of the nine thermal control areas 81 in the plan view is rectangular, with the "upper left coordinate" corresponding to the upper left position of the rectangle and the "lower right coordinate" corresponding to the lower right position of the rectangle, thereby determining the thermal control area 81. If the thermal control area 81 is circular, it is preferable to express the thermal control area 81 by the coordinates of the center point of the circle and the radius of the circle.

[0043] The heat control information does not have to be in a table format, and may be, for example, information in a plan view format in which the shape of the office 60 and the shapes of the multiple heat control areas 81 are superimposed.

[0044] Next, the control unit 13 creates a display image (first display image 71) showing a plurality of thermal control areas 81 in the office 60 based on the thermal control information acquired by the acquisition unit 12 (S20).

[0045] In step S20, first, the control unit 13 acquires a first display image 71 that does not show the multiple thermal control areas 81 stored in the memory unit 14. The first display image 71 that does not show the multiple thermal control areas 81 corresponds to an image showing a floor plan of the office 60.

[0046] 6 is a diagram showing the first display image 71 in which the multiple heat control regions 81 according to this embodiment are not shown. The control unit 13 then inputs the multiple heat control regions 81 into the first display image 71 using the multiple heat control regions 81 indicated by the heat control information acquired by the acquisition unit 12. More specifically, the control unit 13 inputs the multiple heat control regions 81 into the first display image 71 using the coordinates of the multiple heat control regions 81 indicated by the heat control information. The first display image 71 into which the multiple heat control regions 81 have been input corresponds to the first display image 71 in which the multiple heat control regions 81 are shown, and is the image shown in FIG. 2.

[0047] Next, the control unit 13 causes the display unit 22 to display the first display image 71 created in step S20 superimposed on the second display image 72 (S30). Note that the second display image 72 displayed in step S30 is an image in which the placement area 82 is not shown, and is an image in which a floor plan of the office 60 is shown. In other words, the second display image 72 displayed in step S30 is the same image as the image in which the floor plan of the office 60 is shown in FIG. 6. The control unit 13 acquires the second display image 72 stored in the storage unit 14, which does not show the placement area 82, and which shows the floor plan of the office 60, and causes the display unit 22 to display the second display image 72.

[0048] Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a first display image 71 and a second display image 72 according to this embodiment, which are superimposed on each other. Fig. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a display image displayed on the display unit 22 according to this embodiment. For example, in step S30, the first display image 71 showing a plurality of thermal control areas 81 and the second display image 72 (the second display image 72 showing a floor plan of the office 60) not showing the placement area 82 are superimposed on each other and displayed.

[0049] Next, the reception unit 23 receives a predetermined operation from the user to specify an arrangement area 82 in which a desk set including one or more chairs and desks will be arranged in the office 60, and the number of people who will use the desks (S40). Then, the control unit 13 creates a second display image 72 showing the arrangement area 82 based on the received predetermined operation (S50).

[0050] Steps S40 and S50 will be described below.

[0051] In step S40, the display image shown in Fig. 8 and a desk specification table may be displayed on the display unit 22. Fig. 9 is a diagram showing a desk specification table according to this embodiment. In the desk specification table, the name of one desk, the size of that desk, the number of people using that desk, and the size of the chair that comes with that desk are linked together and managed as one set. In this embodiment, the desk specification table shows a total of three sets corresponding to the three desks.

[0052] The above-mentioned predetermined operation includes a first operation and a second operation.

[0053] In step S40, the user refers to the displayed desk specification table and performs a first operation to indicate the number of users of the desks that the user wishes to arrange. The reception unit 23 receives the first operation, and the display unit 22 displays an icon in the arrangement area 82 of the desk set that corresponds to the number of users indicated by the received first operation.

[0054] Fig. 10 is a diagram showing icons in arrangement area 82 of a desk set according to this embodiment. For example, when the number of users specified by the first operation is six, icons in arrangement area 82 of a desk set including six chairs and desks shown in Fig. 10 are displayed.

[0055] Next, the user performs a second operation to indicate an arrangement area 82 where a desk set including one or more chairs and desks is to be arranged in the office 60. The second operation is, for example, an operation in which the user drags and drops an icon shown in FIG. 10, and the position where the icon is dropped on the display unit 22 corresponds to the arrangement area 82. The reception unit 23 receives the second operation, and the control unit 13 creates a second display image 72 in which the arrangement area 82 is indicated in step S50 based on the received second operation. Note that in the second display image 72, the arrangement area 82 and the number of users of the desks included in the desk set in the arrangement area 82 are stored in association with each other.

[0056] Here, the second communication unit 21 outputs second operation information indicating the content of the second operation received by the reception unit 23 to the first communication unit 11. The control unit 13 acquires the second display image 72 in which the arrangement area 82 is not shown, which is stored in the storage unit 14. The second display image 72 in which the arrangement area 82 is not shown corresponds to an image in which a floor plan of the office 60 is shown, for example, the diagram shown in FIG. 6. Then, the control unit 13 inputs the arrangement area 82 into the second display image 72 according to the content of the second operation indicated by the second operation information acquired by the first communication unit 11. As a result, the second display image 72 in which the arrangement area 82 is shown is created.

[0057] Next, the control unit 13 causes the display unit 22 to display the first display image 71 showing the created heat control regions 81 and the second display image 72 showing the created arrangement region 82 in a superimposed state (S60). That is, the control unit 13 causes the display unit 22 to display the arrangement region 82 indicated by the predetermined operation received by the reception unit 23 in a superimposed state on the first display image 71 showing the multiple heat control regions 81. FIG. 11 is an example of an image showing the first display image 71 and the second display image 72 superimposed and displayed on the display unit 22 in step S60 according to this embodiment. In the image shown in FIG. 11, one arrangement region 82 is arranged within one heat control region 81.

[0058] Here, the control unit 13 causes the first communication unit 11 to output display image information indicating the contents of the created first display image 71 and second display image 72 to the second communication unit 21. The second communication unit 21 acquires the display image information, and the display unit 22 displays the first display image 71 and the second display image 72 in a superimposed manner in accordance with the contents of the first display image 71 and the second display image 72 indicated by the acquired display image information.

[0059] Then, the control unit 13 determines whether the placement area 82 and the multiple heat control areas 81 in the office 60 are displayed on the display unit 22 in step S60, and whether the displayed placement area 82 overlaps with the multiple heat control areas 81 (S70). In other words, the control unit 13 determines whether one placement area 82 is displayed across multiple placement areas 82.

[0060] Fig. 12 is another example of an image showing the first display image 71 and the second display image 72 superimposed and displayed on the display unit 22 in step S60 according to the present embodiment. In the image shown in Fig. 12, two heat control areas 81 and one placement area 82 are displayed superimposed, that is, one placement area 82 is displayed across two heat control areas 81.

[0061] When the displayed placement area 82 overlaps with multiple heat control areas 81 (Yes in S70), the control unit 13 causes the display unit 22 to highlight the placement area 82 (S80). Examples of highlighting the placement area 82 include, but are not limited to, displaying the placement area 82 blinking, displaying the color representing the placement area 82 in red, or displaying the color representing the placement area 82 in a different color from the color representing the heat control areas 81.

[0062] Here, the control unit 13 causes the first communication unit 11 to output highlighting information indicating that the placement area 82 is to be highlighted and displayed to the second communication unit 21. The second communication unit 21 acquires the highlighting information, and the display unit 22 displays the placement area 82 in a highlighted manner in accordance with the acquired highlighting information.

[0063] It should be noted that when the placement area 82 is displayed in an emphasized manner in this way, the user may perform the predetermined operation (second operation) again, that is, may perform an operation to change the position of the placement area 82.

[0064] Furthermore, if the displayed placement area 82 does not overlap with the multiple heat control areas 81 (No in S70), the process of step S80 is not performed. For example, as shown in Fig. 11, if one placement area 82 is placed within one heat control area 81, it is determined No in step S70.

[0065] Furthermore, the control unit 13 judges whether or not the acceptance of the predetermined operation has been completed (S90). For example, in the example shown in Fig. 3, 15 placement areas 82 are placed in the office 60, and the user needs to perform the predetermined operation 15 times in order to place the 15 placement areas 82. In step S90, for example, an icon with text such as "Continue arranging the desk set" and "Arrangement of the desk set completed" may be displayed on the display unit 22.

[0066] If all of the 15 placement areas 82 have not been placed, the user selects an icon with the text "Continue placing the work desk set" displayed on the display unit 22, in other words, the reception unit 23 receives an operation indicating "Continue placing the work desk set." In this case, the control unit 13 determines that the reception of the predetermined operation has not been completed (No in S90), and the processing from step S40 onwards is repeated again. As a result, an image in which the first display image 71 showing the multiple heat control areas 81 and the second display image 72 showing the multiple placement areas 82 are superimposed on each other is displayed on the display unit 22, as shown in FIG.

[0067] Furthermore, when all of the 15 placement areas 82 have been placed, the user selects an icon with the words "Arrangement of the work desk set is complete" displayed on the display unit 22, and the reception unit 23 receives an operation indicating that "Arrangement of the work desk set is complete." In this case, the control unit 13 determines that the reception of the predetermined operation has been completed (Yes in S90).

[0068] If it is determined that the answer is Yes in step S90, the control unit 13 creates desk management information indicating the coordinates of the arrangement area 82 in the office 60 and the number of users based on the received predetermined operation (S100). More specifically, the control unit 13 creates the desk management information based on the arrangement area 82 and the number of users stored in the second display image 72 created based on the predetermined operation. The desk management information may be in any format as long as it indicates the coordinates of the arrangement area 82 and the number of users, and is in a table format here. More specifically, the desk management information is a desk management table. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a desk management table, which is an example of desk management information according to this embodiment.

[0069] In this embodiment, for example, 15 desk sets are installed in the office 60, and as shown in FIG. 13, the 15 desks corresponding to the 15 desk sets are numbered "1" to "15" (desk numbers). In the desk management table, one desk, the number of users of the desk, and the coordinates of the arrangement area 82 of the desk set corresponding to the desk are linked together and managed as one set. In this embodiment, a total of 15 sets are managed in the desk management table, corresponding to the 15 desk sets.

[0070] In the desk management table, the coordinates of the placement area 82 are expressed by two-axis coordinates, similar to the thermal control area 81 in the air conditioning equipment management table. More specifically, the coordinates of the placement area 82 are expressed by two coordinates consisting of "upper left coordinates" and "lower right coordinates."

[0071] The desk management information is used as follows.

[0072] As described above, the technology using tags such as RFID as shown in Patent Documents 1 to 3 may have low energy-saving performance. In addition, this technology has problems with the cost of distributing tags to all workers and the cost of installing tag receivers evenly throughout the office 60, making it difficult for this technology to become widespread. Recently, the following technology (system) has been considered as a technology that solves these problems and controls the thermal environment of the office 60 to save energy.

[0073] In this system, the number of people present in the office 60 is calculated based on authentication information from an existing security card reader at the entrance / exit of the office 60. Furthermore, the system determines which of a plurality of office areas will be used according to the calculated number of people present, and guides each worker to work at a desk located within the range of the determined office area. This system achieves energy conservation by controlling the thermal environment of the determined office area so that it is more comfortable for workers than the thermal environments of other undetermined office areas. Since this system uses information based on an existing security authentication device (security reader), it does not require new tags such as RFID or RFID receivers, and can solve the cost problem.

[0074] However, such a system requires correspondence management information that associates desks with air conditioning equipment in order to determine which air conditioning equipment to operate for the desks included in the office area being used (the active office area).

[0075] The correspondence management information is information linking a desk with an air conditioning device whose thermal control area 81 overlaps with the arrangement area 82 of a desk set including the desk. In this embodiment, the desk management information is used to create the correspondence management information. That is, the arrangement assistance device 10 creates the correspondence management information based on the desk management information indicating the coordinates of the arrangement area 82 and the number of users, and the thermal control information indicating the thermal control area 81. The arrangement assistance device 10 creates the correspondence management information by particularly referring to the arrangement area 82 indicated by the desk management information and the thermal control area 81 indicated by the thermal control information.

[0076] The correspondence management information thus created can be used in the above-mentioned system, thereby achieving further energy savings.

[0077] 4, the first communication unit 11 outputs the desk management information (desk management table) created by the control unit 13 to the external storage device 30 (S110). The desk management information is then stored in the external storage device 30. The first communication unit 11 may also output the desk management information created by the control unit 13 to the server device 40, in which case the desk management information is stored in a storage unit included in the server device 40. The desk management information may also be stored in the storage unit 14 without being output by the first communication unit 11.

[0078] Reference will now be made again to the processes in steps S40 and S50.

[0079] In steps S40 and S50, when the user performs a predetermined operation (second operation) to specify an arrangement area 82 in which a desk set including one or more chairs and desks is to be arranged in the office 60, the first display image 71 showing a plurality of thermal control areas 81 is displayed on the display unit 22. Therefore, the user can perform the second operation so that the arrangement area 82 fits within one thermal control area 81, that is, so that one arrangement area 82 does not overlap with a plurality of thermal control areas 81. In other words, it is easy to prevent one arrangement area 82 from being arranged across a plurality of thermal control areas 81.

[0080] If the first display image 71 showing multiple thermal control areas 81 is not displayed on the display unit 22 in steps S40 and S50, the user may perform the second operation so that one arrangement area 82 overlaps multiple thermal control areas 81. If such a second operation is performed, it will be necessary to operate multiple air conditioners to control the thermal environment around the office desk set shown in one arrangement area 82, resulting in reduced energy efficiency.

[0081] However, in this embodiment, as described above, it is easy to prevent one placement area 82 from being placed across multiple thermal control areas 81. Therefore, in order to control the thermal environment around the office desk set shown in one placement area 82, it is only necessary to operate one air conditioner, thereby improving energy conservation.

[0082] Further, the process at step S80 will be mentioned.

[0083] In step S80, when a displayed placement region 82 overlaps with a plurality of heat control regions 81, the placement region 82 is highlighted. This makes it easier for the user to perceive that a single placement region 82 is placed across a plurality of heat control regions 81, making it even easier to prevent a single placement region 82 from being placed across a plurality of heat control regions 81.

[0084] After this operation example is performed, the user may try to change the arrangement of the desk again after a certain period of time has elapsed. That is, this operation example may be performed multiple times. Even if this operation example is performed multiple times, the arrangement of the air conditioners in the office 60 is not changed, so the first display image 71 created once can be used again. However, since the arrangement of the desk (more specifically, the desk set) is changed, the second display image 72 in which the arrangement area 82 is indicated needs to be created again. For this reason, for example, the following processing may be performed between steps S20 and S30 shown in FIG. 4. That is, the control unit 13 may perform a processing to delete the arrangement area 82 from the second display image 72 in which the arrangement area 82 is indicated, that is, from the second display image 72 in which the arrangement area 82 was input in the processing of the previous operation example. That is, when this operation example is newly performed, the previously input arrangement area 82 may be deleted from the second display image 72. As a result, when this operation example is newly performed, processing can be performed using the second display image 72 in which the placement area 82 is not shown.

[0085] [Effects, etc.] Invention 1 is a placement assistance device 10 comprising an acquisition unit 12 that acquires thermal control information indicating thermal control areas 81 in an office 60 where each of a plurality of air conditioning devices controls the temperature, and a control unit 13 that controls a display image on a display unit 22 showing the plurality of thermal control areas 81 in the office 60 indicated by the acquired thermal control information, and when a reception unit 23 accepts a predetermined operation that indicates a placement area 82 in which a desk set including one or more chairs and a desk will be placed in the office 60, the control unit 13 causes the display unit 22 to display the placement area 82 indicated by the received predetermined operation superimposed on the displayed display image.

[0086] As a result, as shown in the operation example, in steps S40 and S50, when the user performs a predetermined operation (second operation) to specify an arrangement area 82 in which a desk set including one or more chairs and desks is to be arranged in the office 60, the first display image 71 showing a plurality of thermal control areas 81 is displayed on the display unit 22. Therefore, the user can perform the second operation so that the arrangement area 82 fits within one thermal control area 81, that is, so that one arrangement area 82 does not overlap with a plurality of thermal control areas 81. In other words, it is easy to prevent one arrangement area 82 from being arranged across a plurality of thermal control areas 81.

[0087] Therefore, it is only necessary to operate one air conditioner to control the thermal environment around the office desk set shown in one arrangement region 82, thereby improving energy conservation. In other words, the arrangement assistance device 10 according to the present embodiment can assist the user in arranging the office desk in a manner that improves energy conservation.

[0088] Furthermore, in the technology using tags such as RFID as shown in the above Patent Documents 1 to 3, the cost of distributing tags to all the workers and the cost of installing tag receivers all over the office 60 are issues. However, in the layout assistance device 10 according to the present embodiment, it is not necessary to distribute tags to all the workers, and it is also not necessary to install tag receivers all over the office 60. Therefore, the layout assistance device 10 according to the present embodiment can assist in arranging office desks at low cost and in a manner that is highly energy-efficient.

[0089] Invention 2 is the placement assistance device 10 described in Invention 1, which is equipped with an output unit (first communication unit 11), the specified operation is an operation of indicating the number of people using the desk, the control unit 13 creates desk management information indicating the coordinates of the placement area 82 in the office 60 and the number of users based on the received specified operation, and the output unit (first communication unit 11) outputs the created desk management information.

[0090] This makes it possible to create correspondence management information in which desks and air conditioners are associated with each other.

[0091] Invention 3 is a placement support device 10 described in Invention 1 or 2, in which a placement area 82 and multiple thermal control areas 81 in an office 60 are displayed on the display unit 22, and when the displayed placement area 82 overlaps with the multiple thermal control areas 81, the control unit 13 causes the display unit 22 to display the placement area 82 in an emphasized manner.

[0092] As a result, as shown in the operation example, in step S80, when a displayed placement area 82 overlaps with a plurality of thermal control areas 81, the placement area 82 is highlighted. This makes it easier for the user to perceive that a placement area 82 is placed across a plurality of thermal control areas 81, making it easier to prevent a placement area 82 from being placed across a plurality of thermal control areas 81. In other words, the placement assistance device 10 according to this embodiment can better assist the user in placing a work desk in a manner that is highly energy-efficient.

[0093] Invention 4 is a placement assistance system 1 including the placement assistance device 10 according to any one of Inventions 1 to 3, a reception unit 23, and a display unit 22.

[0094] As described above, the layout assistance device 10 according to the present embodiment can assist the user in arranging the desk so as to improve energy efficiency when arranging the desk. Therefore, the layout assistance system 1 including such a layout assistance device 10 can also assist the user in arranging the desk so as to improve energy efficiency when arranging the desk.

[0095] Invention 5 is a placement assistance method executed by placement assistance device 10, which includes an acquisition step of acquiring thermal control information indicating thermal control areas 81 in which each of a plurality of air conditioning devices in office 60 controls temperature, and a control step of controlling display unit 22 to display a display image indicating the plurality of thermal control areas 81 in office 60 indicated by the acquired thermal control information, in which, when reception unit 23 has accepted a specified operation indicating a placement area 82 in which a desk set including one or more chairs and a desk will be placed in office 60, in the control step, the placement assistance method causes display unit 22 to superimpose the placement area 82 indicated by the accepted specified operation on the displayed display image.

[0096] As a result, as shown in the operation example, in steps S40 and S50, when the user performs a predetermined operation (second operation) to specify an arrangement area 82 in which a desk set including one or more chairs and desks is to be arranged in the office 60, the first display image 71 showing a plurality of thermal control areas 81 is displayed on the display unit 22. Therefore, the user can perform the second operation so that the arrangement area 82 fits within one thermal control area 81, that is, so that one arrangement area 82 does not overlap with a plurality of thermal control areas 81. In other words, it is easy to prevent one arrangement area 82 from being arranged across a plurality of thermal control areas 81.

[0097] Therefore, energy saving can be improved since only one air conditioner needs to be operated to control the thermal environment around the office desk set shown in one arrangement region 82. In other words, the arrangement assistance method according to the present embodiment can assist the user in arranging the office desk in a manner that is highly energy efficient.

[0098] (Other embodiments) Although the embodiment has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment.

[0099] In the above embodiment, the processes executed by a specific processing unit may be executed by another processing unit. The order of multiple processes may be changed, or multiple processes may be executed in parallel.

[0100] In the present embodiment, the first display image 71 and the second display image 72 are separate images, but are not limited to this. For example, the first display image 71 and the second display image 72 may be integrated into one display image, and the one display image is an image for inputting (specifying) a plurality of thermal control regions 81 and an image for inputting (specifying) the placement region 82.

[0101] In the above embodiment, components such as the control unit 13 may be realized by executing a software program suitable for each component. Each component may be realized by a program execution unit such as a CPU or a processor reading and executing a software program recorded on a recording medium such as a hard disk or a semiconductor memory.

[0102] Furthermore, components such as the control unit 13 may be realized by hardware. For example, components such as the control unit 13 may be circuits (or integrated circuits). These circuits may form a single circuit as a whole, or each may be a separate circuit. Furthermore, each of these circuits may be a general-purpose circuit or a dedicated circuit.

[0103] In addition to the air conditioners, lighting equipment is often installed in the office 60. Although the energy consumption by lighting equipment is not small, in this embodiment, processing is performed with a focus on air conditioners, which consume more energy than lighting equipment.

[0104] In addition, the general or specific aspects of the present invention may be realized as a system, an apparatus, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, or a recording medium such as a computer-readable CD-ROM. In addition, the present invention may be realized as any combination of a system, an apparatus, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, and a recording medium. For example, the present invention may be realized as the placement support system 1 or the placement support device 10 of the above embodiment, or as a placement support method executed by the placement support device 10. The present invention may be realized as a program for causing a computer to execute such a placement support method, or as a non-transitory recording medium on which such a program is recorded. Such a program includes an application program for causing a computer such as a general-purpose information terminal to function as the placement support device 10 of the above embodiment.

[0105] In addition, the present invention also includes forms obtained by applying various modifications to each embodiment that a person skilled in the art may think of, or forms realized by arbitrarily combining the components and functions of each embodiment within the scope that does not deviate from the spirit of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0106] 1 Placement Support System 10 Placement support device 12 Acquisition Department 13 Control section 14 Storage section 22 Display section 23 Reception 60 Office 81 Thermal Control Area 82 Placement area

Claims

1. an acquisition unit that acquires thermal control information indicating a thermal control area in which each of a plurality of air conditioners in an office controls a temperature; a control unit that controls a display unit to display a display image showing the plurality of heat control areas in the office indicated by the acquired heat control information; When the reception unit receives a predetermined operation to designate an arrangement area in which a desk set including one or more chairs and desks is to be arranged in the office, the control unit causes the display unit to superimpose the placement area instructed by the received predetermined operation on the display image being displayed, and Placement support device.

2. An output unit is provided, The predetermined operation is an operation of indicating the number of users of the office desk, The control unit creates desk management information indicating the coordinates of the arrangement area in the office and the number of users based on the received predetermined operation, The output unit outputs the created desk management information. The arrangement assistance device according to claim 1 .

3. When the display unit displays the placement area and the plurality of thermal control areas in the office and the displayed placement area overlaps with the plurality of thermal control areas, The control unit causes the display unit to highlight the placement area. The arrangement assistance device according to claim 1 .

4. A placement assistance device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The reception unit; The display unit is provided. Placement support system.

5. A placement assistance method executed by a placement assistance device, An acquisition step of acquiring thermal control information indicating a thermal control area in which each of a plurality of air conditioners controls temperature in the office; and a control step of controlling a display unit to display a display image showing the plurality of heat control areas in the office indicated by the acquired heat control information, When the reception unit receives a predetermined operation to designate an arrangement area in which a desk set including one or more chairs and desks is to be arranged in the office, In the control step, the display unit is caused to superimpose the placement area instructed by the received predetermined operation on the display image being displayed. Placement support method.

Images