Control system

Abstract

To provide a control system capable of managing an air conditioning environment of an object space on the basis of various indexes.SOLUTION: A control system includes: air conditioning means for adjusting a state of air of an object space; acquisition means for acquiring a plurality of pieces of candidate information including indoor environment information showing physical amounts related to the air of the object space; and control means for controlling operation of the air conditioning means by using one or more pieces of candidate information among the plurality of pieces of candidate information. The control means determines one or more pieces of first reference information including the indoor environment information among the plurality of pieces of candidate information in a first time zone, controls the operation of the air conditioning means by using one or more pieces of the first reference information, determines a plurality of pieces of second reference information including candidate information and indoor environment information which are not one or more pieces of the first reference information among the plurality of pieces of candidate information in a second time zone different from the first time zone, and controls the operation of the air conditioning means by using a plurality of pieces of the second reference information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a control system.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a control system. The control system includes air conditioning means for conditioning the air in a target space and control means for controlling the air conditioning means. The control means executes first control such that the thermal index of the target space is on the warmer side than the thermal index reference value before a first reference time. The control means executes second control such that the thermal index of the target space is on the colder side than the thermal index reference value after the first reference time. The contact time of the target person is set at the first reference time. In this control system, it is possible to achieve a thermal environment according to the daily variation of the deep body temperature of a person.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, for air conditioning control that makes people feel comfortable or air conditioning control considering energy conservation, there is information other than the thermal index of a person that should be referred to. In the control system described in Patent Document 1, it is difficult to perform air conditioning control corresponding to conditions other than the thermal index of the target person.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above problems. An object of the present disclosure is to provide a control system capable of managing the air conditioning environment of a target space based on various indicators.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The control system according to the present disclosure includes an air conditioning unit that adjusts the state of the air in a target space indoors by blowing air, an acquisition unit that acquires a plurality of candidate information including indoor environment information indicating a physical quantity related to the air in the target space, and a control unit that controls the operation of the air conditioning unit using one or more pieces of candidate information among the plurality of candidate information. The control unit determines one or more first reference information including the indoor environment information among the plurality of candidate information in a first time period, controls the operation of the air conditioning unit using the one or more first reference information, and determines a plurality of second reference information including candidate information that is not the one or more first reference information and the indoor environment information among the plurality of candidate information in a second time period different from the first time period, and controls the operation of the air conditioning unit using the plurality of second reference information.

Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present disclosure, in the control system, in the second time period, the operation of the air conditioning unit is controlled using a plurality of second reference information including candidate information that is not the first reference information. Therefore, the air conditioning environment of the target space can be managed based on various indicators.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Embodiments for carrying out the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In each figure, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. Redundant descriptions of such parts are appropriately simplified or omitted.

[0010] Embodiment 1. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a target space to which the control system in Embodiment 1 is applied. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the air conditioner in Embodiment 1. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a main part of the air conditioner in Embodiment 1. FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of the control system in Embodiment 1.

[0011] The control system 1 controls the environment around people indoors. As shown in FIG. 1, for example, the control system 1 is applied to an office where a plurality of users work. In Embodiment 1, the control system 1 controls the thermal environment of an indoor room R which is a target space S. In Embodiment 1, an air conditioning means 2 is provided as an environmental control means for controlling the thermal environment. The control system 1 includes the air conditioning means 2, an acquisition means 3, and a control means 10.

[0012] The air conditioning means 2 is a general term for devices that adjust the air in the target space S to change the thermal environment around people. The air conditioning means 2 performs at least one of a cooling operation, a heating operation, a dehumidifying operation, a humidifying operation, a blowing operation, and a ventilation operation, or combines any two or more of them. In the cooling operation and the heating operation, the air conditioning means 2 sucks in the air in the target space S, generates conditioned air with a decreased or increased temperature, and then blows it into the target space S. In the dehumidifying operation and the humidifying operation, the air conditioning means 2 sucks in the air in the target space S, generates conditioned air with a decreased or increased humidity, and then blows it into the target space S. In the blowing operation, the air conditioning means 2 blows out an air current with adjusted flow rate and direction. In the ventilation operation, the air conditioning means 2 sucks in outdoor air and blows it into the room. During the ventilation operation, the air conditioning means 2 may suck in indoor air and blow it outdoors.

[0013] In this example, the air conditioning means 2 includes an air conditioner 4 and a ventilation device 5. Note that the air conditioning means 2 may be only the air conditioner 4. The air conditioning means 2 may further include a blower, a dehumidifier, a humidifier, etc. Each device included in the air conditioning means 2 may be housed in the same housing or in separate housings. The indoor unit of the air conditioner 4 is installed on the ceiling of the room R. A part of the ventilation device 5 is installed on the ceiling of the room R. Although not shown, the ventilation device 5 connects the room R and the outdoors by means of a duct or the like.

[0014] The acquisition means 3 is a sensor, a calculator, and an interface for acquiring various types of information. The acquisition means 3 includes an indoor acquisition means 3a, an outdoor acquisition means 3b, an operation acquisition means 3c, and a biological acquisition means 3d.

[0015] The indoor acquisition means 3a acquires indoor environment information indicating physical quantities related to the air inside the room R. The indoor environment information includes at least one of the temperature, humidity, air pollution level including CO2 concentration, etc. of the air in the room R. The indoor acquisition means 3a includes a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, a CO2 sensor, a particle concentration sensor, etc.

[0016] The outdoor acquisition means 3b acquires outdoor environment information indicating physical quantities related to the atmosphere outdoors with respect to the room R, specifically, outdoors around the building in which the room R is located. The outdoor environment information includes at least one of the outdoor air temperature, particle concentration, ultraviolet ray amount, solar radiation amount, etc. For example, as the particle concentration, pollen concentration, yellow sand concentration, air pollutant concentration, etc. are included. The outdoor environment information may include weather information indicating these physical quantities related to the atmosphere. The outdoor acquisition means 3b may include a temperature sensor, a particle sensor, a solar radiation amount sensor, an ultraviolet ray sensor, etc. provided outdoors. Note that the outdoor acquisition means 3b may be a device that collects information related to the outdoor environment information from an external information institution or the like.

[0017] The operation acquisition means 3c acquires device operation information indicating the operation status of each device included in the control system 1, particularly the air conditioning means 2. The device operation information includes the air conditioning load status indicating the operation load of the air conditioning means 2, the power consumption amount by the air conditioning means 2, etc. The device operation information may include the air conditioning load status and the power consumption amount of the entire building in which the room R is located.

[0018] The biological acquisition means 3d acquires biological information related to human activities. The biological information includes at least one of the physiological state and the psychological state of a person. Further, the biological information may include the position of a person in the room R, the number of people present in the room R, etc. The biological acquisition means 3d may include a vital sensor that non - contact measures a person's heartbeat or pulse wave, a device that acquires information related to a person's action schedule, etc. In the example of FIG. 4, the biological acquisition means 3d is a vital sensor provided in the indoor unit of the air conditioner 4 and a wearable device worn by a person.

[0019] The control means 10 controls the environment in the target space S by operating the air conditioning means 2 using the information acquired by the acquisition means 3. As an example, the control means 10 is an environment control device that centrally controls the operation of each device in the room R. In Embodiment 1, the control means 10 controls the thermal environment of the target space S. An operation time zone is set in advance in the control means 10. For example, the morning is set as the first time zone, 13:00 to 15:00 is set as the second time zone, and 15:00 to the time when the date changes is set as the third time zone. The control means 10 controls the thermal environment of the target space S while changing the information to be referred to according to the time zone.

[0020] Next, the air conditioner 4 will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. The air conditioner 4 of the present embodiment includes an indoor unit and an outdoor unit. FIG. 2 shows the indoor unit. The indoor unit is connected to the outdoor unit via a pipe through which refrigerant flows. The illustration of this pipe and the outdoor unit is omitted in the present disclosure. Also, the illustration of each device that constitutes the refrigeration cycle necessary for the air conditioner 4 to execute the air conditioning operation and the blower fan for blowing air into the target space S is omitted in the present disclosure. The devices that constitute the refrigeration cycle include, for example, a heat exchanger and a compressor.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 2, the air conditioner 4 includes a housing 4a. The housing 4a of the air conditioner 4 is formed in a box shape having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. A rectangular or square bottom panel 4b is provided at the lower part of the housing 4a of the air conditioner 4. An intake port 4c is formed in the bottom panel 4b. The intake port 4c is an opening for taking in air from the outside into the inside of the housing 4a. A filter (not shown) is mounted on the intake port 4c. In the configuration example shown in FIG. 2, the intake port 4c is arranged at the center of the bottom panel 4b.

[0022] Further, an air outlet 4d is formed in the lower surface panel 4b. The air outlet 4d is an opening for discharging air from the inside of the housing 4a to the outside. In the illustrated configuration example, four air outlets 4d are formed in the lower surface panel 4b. As shown in FIG. 2, the four air outlets 4d are arranged around the suction port 4c. The four air outlets 4d are respectively provided along each side of the lower surface panel 4b.

[0023] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the air conditioner 4 includes an up-and-down louver 4e and a left-and-right louver 4f as air direction louvers. The up-and-down louver 4e and the left-and-right louver 4f are provided at each of the air outlets 4d. The up-and-down louver 4e is for adjusting the up-and-down blowing angle of the air blown out from the air outlet 4d. The left-and-right louver 4f is for adjusting the left-and-right blowing angle of the air blown out from the air outlet 4d.

[0024] The up-and-down louver 4e is a member having a rectangular plate shape. One end of the up-and-down louver 4e is rotatably attached to the central side portion of the edge of the air outlet 4d on the lower surface panel 4b. By rotating the up-and-down louver 4e about this one end, the up-and-down blowing angle of the air blown out from the air outlet 4d is changed.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 3, the left-and-right louver 4f is composed of a plurality of members having a rectangular plate shape. The plurality of members having a rectangular plate shape are arranged along a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the air outlet 4d. One end of the left-and-right louver 4f is rotatably attached to the inner side portion of the edge of the air outlet 4d. By rotating the left-and-right louver 4f about this one end, the left-and-right blowing angle of the air blown out from the air outlet 4d is changed.

[0026] The upper and lower louvers 4e and the left and right louvers 4f configured as described above are an example of means for changing the direction in which air is blown out from the air outlet 4d into the room. The air conditioner 4 in this embodiment can blow air in various directions by changing the combination of the direction of the upper and lower louvers 4e and the direction of the left and right louvers 4f. For example, the upper and lower louvers 4e and the left and right louvers 4f, which are wind direction louvers, continue either a fixed operation in which the direction is fixed in a certain direction or a driving operation in which rotation continues. Further, the wind direction louvers are operated so as to repeat the fixed operation and the driving operation in order as a fluttering operation for generating a fluttering air flow. Which operation to perform may be determined by the control means 10.

[0027] Also, when the direction of the upper and lower louvers 4e is set to the most upward direction, the air outlet 4d is blocked by the upper and lower louvers 4e. The air conditioner 4 in this embodiment can stop blowing air from a part of the plurality of air outlets 4d by blocking the part of the air outlets 4d with the upper and lower louvers 4e.

[0028] An air passage communicating from the suction port 4c to the air outlet 4d is formed inside the housing 4a. A heat exchanger and a blower fan are installed in the air passage communicating from the suction port 4c to the air outlet 4d. The heat exchanger heats or cools the air by heat exchange between the air flowing through the air passage and the refrigerant. Whether the air is heated or cooled by the heat exchanger depends on the type of air conditioning operation performed by the air conditioner 4. The heat exchanger adjusts the temperature, humidity, etc. of the air by heating or cooling the air, and generates conditioned air. Specifically, during the heating operation, the heat exchanger heats the air. During the cooling operation, the heat exchanger cools the air. Also, during the blowing operation, the air that has passed through the heat exchanger is generated as conditioned air at room temperature.

[0029] The blower fan is for generating an air current that travels from the suction port 4c to the blowout port 4d within the air passage inside the housing 4a. When the blower fan operates, air is sucked in from the suction port 4c and blown out from the blowout port 4d. The air sucked in from the suction port 4c passes through the air passage inside the housing 4a of the air conditioner 4 in the order of the heat exchanger and the blower fan. The air that has passed through the blower fan, that is, the conditioned air, is blown out from the blowout port 4d. During the heating operation, warm air is blown out from the blowout port 4d. During the cooling operation, cold air is blown out from the blowout port 4d. During the ventilation operation, normal-temperature air is blown out from the blowout port 4d. At this time, the direction in which air is blown out from the blowout port 4d is adjusted by the upper and lower louvers 4e and the left and right louvers 4f arranged on the leeward side of the blower fan. The air conditioner 4 can blow air at various temperatures in various directions.

[0030] Next, the control system 1 will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 4.

[0031] The biological acquisition means 3d may include, as the sensor 3e, a camera that captures a visible image within the target space S, a thermal sensor that captures a thermal image within the target space S, a biological sensor that applies microwaves, millimeter waves, and sub-millimeter waves to detect pulsations, etc. non-contact, an electroencephalogram sensor, a heartbeat sensor, and the like. Also, although not shown, the biological acquisition means 3d may include an arithmetic unit 3f that processes the data detected by the sensor to generate various index values that may be included in the biological information.

[0032] For example, the sensor 3e can detect non-contact skin temperature, body temperature, heartbeat, pulse wave, respiration, etc., which are the physiological states of a person. As the skin temperature of a person, the skin temperature of the measurable part of the whole body is detected together with the position of the part. For example, a person's heartbeat, pulse wave, and respiration are detected by separating the signals obtained as a result of measuring the reflected waves of microwaves, millimeter waves, and sub-millimeter waves irradiated on the person into frequency components for each. Here, the detection of the heartbeat, pulse wave, and respiration mentioned here means that the number of heartbeats per unit time, the number of pulse waves per unit time, the number of respirations per unit time, the arithmetic processing results of frequency components derived from fluctuations in the heartbeat, etc., are detected.

[0033] Based on the detection results of the sensor 3e, the calculator 3f calculates the estimated values of various indicators such as stress level, fatigue level, concentration level, emotion, warmth / coldness sensation, etc., which are human psychological states. Based on the detection results of the sensor 3e, the calculator 3f calculates the estimated values of activity level, physical condition, etc., which are human physiological states. The stress level is an index value of the stress felt by a person. For example, as the stress level, the value of LF / HF or a value calculated from LF / HF is used.

[0034] LF / HF is the ratio of LF to HF derived by frequency analyzing the human heartbeat variation. HF (High Frequency component) is the high-frequency component of the frequency components indicating the heartbeat variation, which is from 0.15 to 0.40 [Hz]. LF (Low Frequency component) is the low-frequency component of the frequency components indicating the heartbeat variation, which is from 0.04 to 0.15 [Hz]. Conventionally, it has been reported that HF indicates the state of the human parasympathetic nerve, and LF indicates the state of the human parasympathetic nerve and sympathetic nerve. HF / LF is used as an index value indicating the state of the human sympathetic nerve and the stress level felt by a person.

[0035] The fatigue level is an index value of the fatigue felt by a person. The concentration level is an index value of the degree to which a person is concentrated. The warmth / coldness sensation is an index value that quantitatively or qualitatively represents the heat or cold felt by a person. The fatigue level, concentration level, warmth / coldness sensation, a person's physical condition, and emotion can be estimated based on the detection results of the sensor 3e, like the example of the stress level.

[0036] The activity level is an index value that quantitatively represents the intensity of a person's activity. For example, the activity level can be estimated from the detected values of a person's heart rate and respiratory rate, the person's movement amount, the person's schedule, etc. The person's movement amount can be estimated from the detected values of an acceleration sensor attached to the person, the results of analyzing an image or an infrared image, the detection results of the presence or absence of a person by a pyroelectric sensor, etc. From the person's schedule, it can be estimated that the person has exercised, has been sitting for a long time, has moved on foot, etc. The higher the intensity of a person's activity, the greater the activity level is calculated.

[0037] For example, the position of a person and the number of people in the target space S are calculated by the arithmetic unit 3f in an arbitrary manner in association with various values included in the biological information based on the detection results of the sensor 3e. For example, when the sensor 3e includes a device mounted on a wearable device, the position information of the wearable device may be used for calculating the position of the person. For example, when there are a plurality of sensors 3e, the position of the person and the number of people in the target space may be calculated based on the addresses and detection results of the plurality of sensors 3e. For example, when the sensor 3e includes a radio wave receiver, the arithmetic unit 3f may calculate the position of the person based on the radio wave intensity from the person's wearable device.

[0038] The environmental control device, which is the control means 10, includes, as functions, an acquisition unit 11, a timing unit 12, a storage unit 13, a determination unit 14, an operation control unit 15, and a control correction unit 16.

[0039] The acquisition unit 11 acquires various types of information from each device included in the acquisition means 3. Specifically, the acquisition unit 11 can acquire indoor environmental information, outdoor environmental information, device operation information, and biological information. Note that the acquisition unit 11 may acquire the information that is the determined index when the determination is made.

[0040] The timing unit 12 measures the date and time. The date and time referred to here includes the year, month, day, hour, and minute. Further, the timing unit 12 may also measure the current season meaning spring, summer, autumn, and winter and the day of the week. Note that the timing unit 12 may measure a unit finer than the minute.

[0041] The storage unit 13 stores various settings and information for control. For example, the storage unit 13 stores a reference model. The reference model is a model for deriving reference information to be acquired from a plurality of candidate information based on the date and time. The target reference information and the plurality of candidate information include indoor environment information, outdoor environment information, device operation information, and biometric information itself, as well as various values or situations included in these information. For example, the reference model may be a database showing combinations of time zones and one or more reference information to be acquired. At a certain date and time, among the combinations included in the database of the reference model, one or more reference information associated with the time zone including the said date and time may be output as the output of the reference model.

[0042] The storage unit 13 stores a control model. The control model is a model for deriving specific control contents of the air conditioning means 2 from the date and time. The control model may include, as control contents, the set temperature, set humidity, set air volume, direction of air flow, and operation mode of the air conditioning means 2. Any one of heating operation, cooling operation, air supply operation, humidifying operation, dehumidifying operation, etc. may be selected as the operation mode. For example, the control model may be a database showing combinations of time zones and control contents. At a certain date and time, among the combinations included in the database of the control model, the control contents associated with the time zone including the said date and time may be implemented while referring to one or more reference information.

[0043] The determination unit 14 uses the reference model to determine, from among a plurality of candidate information, the reference information to be acquired for control based on the time zone including the current date and time measured by the time measurement unit 12. The time zones include a first time zone and a second time zone different from the first time zone, which are preset. Note that any number of time zones different from the first time zone and the second time zone, such as a third time zone, may be set. The time zone may be set as the period from a certain specific time to another time within a day, or as one or more days of the week, or as one or more months, or as a period from a certain specific season to another season.

[0044] In other words, in the first time period, the determination unit 14 determines one or more first reference information including indoor environment information among a plurality of candidate information. In the second time period, the determination unit 14 determines a plurality of second reference information including candidate information that is not the first reference information among the plurality of candidate information and indoor environment information. Note that if the plurality of second reference information includes candidate information that is neither the indoor environment nor the first reference information, the first reference information may further be included. Further, in the third time period, the determination unit 14 may determine a plurality of third reference information including candidate information that is neither the first reference information nor the second reference information among the plurality of candidate information and indoor environment information. When the reference information is determined by the determination unit 14, the acquisition unit 11 acquires the determined reference information.

[0045] The operation control unit 15 determines the content of the control of the air conditioning means 2 based on the current time, the control model, and the reference information determined by the determination unit 14, and transmits a command to execute the content of the control to the air conditioning means 2. In other words, in the first time period, the operation control unit 15 controls the operation of the air conditioning means 2 using one or more first reference information. The operation control unit 15 controls the operation of the air conditioning means 2 using a plurality of second reference information in the second time period. Further, in the third time period, the operation control unit 15 may control the operation of the air conditioning means 2 using a plurality of third reference information.

[0046] The control correction unit 16 corrects the content of the air conditioning means 2 determined by the operation control unit 15 based on information regarding a person's physical condition among the biological information. Specifically, the control correction unit 16 determines whether or not the person's state is a specific state to be corrected based on the person's biological information. At this time, the control correction unit 16 may determine that the person is in a state to be corrected in which the physical condition is poor based on information regarding the person's physical condition such as skin temperature and respiration rate included in the biological information. The control correction unit 16 may determine that the person is in a state to be corrected based on information directly indicating whether the person's physical condition included in the biological information is good or bad. The control correction unit 16 may determine that the person is in a state to be corrected based on information indicating that the person has a strong sense of cold included in the biological information.

[0047] When there is a person determined to be in a state requiring correction, the control correction unit 16 generates the content of correction control that corrects the control content of the air conditioner for the position of the person or the control content of the air conditioner for the area where the person exists. In this case, the operation control unit 15 controls the operation of the air conditioning means 2 based on the content of the correction control. Note that the control correction unit 16 may generate the content of the correction control regardless of which time zone the date and time belong to.

[0048] The control correction unit 16 generates, as the content of the correction control, a control such that the change amount of the set value that changes from the current state among the control contents determined by the operation control unit 15 becomes small. Specifically, when the operation control unit 15 determines a control to change the set temperature by a certain change amount when changing from the first time zone to the second time zone, the control correction unit 16 generates, as the content of the correction control, a correction change amount obtained by multiplying the change amount by a specified attenuation rate or adding a specified attenuation value. In this case, since the amount of temperature change of the surrounding air becomes small, the physical burden on the person determined to be in the state requiring correction generated by the control of the air conditioning means 2 is reduced.

[0049] Note that the control correction unit 16 may generate, as the content of the correction control, a control that moderates the change amount per unit time of the set value that changes from the current state among the control contents determined by the operation control unit 15. Specifically, when the operation control unit 15 determines a control to change the set temperature by a certain change amount in the first hour when changing from the first time zone to the second time zone, the control correction unit 16 may generate, as the content of the correction control, a correction control that changes the set value by the amount of the change amount in a second hour longer than the first hour.

[0050] Hereinafter, some examples of specific control by the control means 10 will be described.

[0051] In the first example, the first time period is the morning time period until 12:00 of the day. The second time period is the afternoon time period after 12:00 of the day. Further, the second time period may be the time period from 12:00 to 15:00. When the date and time are included in the first time period, the determination unit 14 determines the temperature information of the indoor environment information as the first reference information from among a plurality of candidate information. When the date and time are included in the second time period, the determination unit 14 determines the temperature information of the indoor environment information and the outside air temperature information of the outdoor environment information as a plurality of second reference information from among a plurality of candidate information.

[0052] When the date and time are included in the first time period, the operation control unit 15 controls the air-conditioning means 2 so that the temperature of the air in the target space approaches the set value using the temperature information of the indoor environment information. When the date and time are included in the second time period and the outside air temperature in the outdoor environment information is greater than a threshold value determined for each season, the operation control unit 15 controls the air-conditioning means 2 to change the wind instead of changing the temperature of the air in the target space.

[0053] The control of the first example further differs between summer and winter. Note that summer may include summer and autumn, and winter may include winter and spring.

[0054] In summer, when the date and time are included in the first time period, the operation control unit 15 causes the air-conditioning means 2 to perform a cooling operation so that the temperature of the air in the target space approaches the set value. In summer, when the date and time are included in the second time period and the outside air temperature is higher than the specified summer temperature threshold, the operation control unit 15 causes the air-conditioning means 2 to perform at least one of the controls of increasing the air volume of the air flow and changing the wind direction so that the wind easily hits people. At this time, the operation control unit 15 does not change the set temperature even if the indoor environment conditions are such that the set temperature is normally lowered. Note that in summer, when the date and time are included in the second time period and the outside air temperature does not exceed the summer temperature threshold, the operation control unit 15 causes the air-conditioning means 2 to perform a cooling operation so that the temperature of the air in the target space approaches the set value without changing the set temperature, as in the first time period.

[0055] In addition, in summer, when the date and time are included in the second time zone and the outside air temperature is higher than the specified summer temperature threshold, the operation control unit 15 may further increase the set temperature of the target space by a specified adjustment range.

[0056] By performing such control, even when it becomes necessary to lower the temperature of the target space, particularly in the afternoon time zone when the outside air temperature rises and the air conditioning load increases, the control system 1 reduces the human body's perceived temperature by the wind instead of lowering the temperature of the target space. For this reason, it is possible to improve the comfort felt by people in the target space with less power consumption. Furthermore, it is possible to improve the productivity of the people working in the target space.

[0057] In addition, in the summer of the first example, when the date and time are included in the second time zone, the determination unit 14 may determine device operation information instead of outside air temperature information as the second reference information. In this case, when the date and time are included in the second time zone and the power consumption or air conditioning load included in the device operation information is greater than the threshold, the operation control unit 15 may control the air conditioning means 2 to change the air volume and air direction of the airflow instead of changing the temperature of the air in the target space.

[0058] In winter, the plurality of second reference information may further include solar radiation amount information of outdoor environment information. When the date and time are included in the first time zone, the operation control unit 15 causes the air conditioning means 2 to perform a heating operation so that the temperature of the air in the target space approaches the set value. In winter, when the date and time are included in the second time zone, and the outside air temperature is higher than the specified winter temperature threshold, or the solar radiation amount is greater than the specified threshold, the operation control unit 15 controls the air conditioning means 2 to increase the ventilation volume, which is the amount of wind flowing from the outside to the inside. In addition, in winter, when the date and time are included in the second time zone, and the outside air temperature does not exceed the winter temperature threshold and the solar radiation amount does not exceed the threshold, the operation control unit 15 causes the air conditioning means 2 to perform a heating operation so that the temperature of the air in the target space approaches the set value without changing the set temperature, similar to the first time zone.

[0059] In winter, when the time is included in the second time zone, the outside air temperature is higher than the specified winter temperature threshold, and the solar radiation amount is greater than the specified threshold, the operation control unit 15 may control the air conditioning means 2 to increase the ventilation volume. Also, in winter, when the time is included in the second time zone, and the outside air temperature does not exceed the winter temperature threshold or the solar radiation amount does not exceed the threshold, the operation control unit 15 may cause the air conditioning means 2 to perform a heating operation so that the temperature of the air in the target space approaches the set value without changing the set temperature, similar to the first time zone.

[0060] By performing such control, in the warm afternoon time zone in winter when heat is likely to accumulate indoors especially due to a large amount of solar radiation or a high outside air temperature, instead of adjusting the temperature of the target space, the control system 1 introduces outside air so that the indoor temperature does not extremely exceed the set temperature. For this reason, the comfort felt by people in the target space can be improved with less power consumption. Furthermore, the productivity of people working in the target space can be improved.

[0061] In the second example, the first time zone is summer. Summer includes summer and autumn. The second time zone is winter. Winter includes winter and spring. When the time is included in the first time zone, the determination unit 14 determines the CO2 concentration information of the indoor environment information as the first reference information from among a plurality of candidate information. When the time is included in the second time zone, the determination unit 14 determines the CO2 concentration information of the indoor environment information and the particle concentration information of the outdoor environment information as a plurality of second reference information from among a plurality of candidate information.

[0062] When the time falls within the first time period, the operation control unit 15 determines whether the CO2 concentration in the target space is equal to or higher than a specified first concentration threshold using the CO2 concentration information in the indoor environment information. When the CO2 concentration is equal to or higher than the first concentration threshold in the first time period, the operation control unit 15 controls the air conditioning means 2 to increase the ventilation volume. When the time falls within the second time period and the particle concentration in the outdoor environment information is higher than the specified particle concentration threshold, the operation control unit 15 determines whether the CO2 concentration in the target space is equal to or higher than a specified second concentration threshold using the CO2 concentration information in the indoor environment information. The second concentration threshold is a value that is larger than the first concentration threshold by a specified increase range. As an example, it is conceivable that the first concentration threshold is 800 ppm and the second concentration threshold is 900 ppm. That is, when the time falls within the second time period and the information on the outdoor particle concentration is larger than the particle concentration threshold, the operation control unit 15 raises the first concentration threshold by the increase range to obtain the second concentration threshold. In this case, when the CO2 concentration is equal to or higher than the second concentration threshold, the operation control unit 15 controls the air conditioning means 2 so that the circulation volume of the air in the target space increases. Specifically, in this case, the operation control unit 15 increases the ventilation volume and controls the air conditioning means 2 so that the airflow becomes a turbulent operation. Further, the operation control unit 15 may control the air conditioning means 2 to increase the air volume.

[0063] Note that when the time falls within the second time period and the particle concentration in the outdoor environment information is equal to or lower than the specified particle concentration threshold, the operation control unit 15 determines whether the CO2 concentration in the target space is equal to or higher than the first concentration threshold using the CO2 concentration information in the indoor environment information. In this case, when the CO2 concentration is equal to or higher than the first concentration threshold, the operation control unit 15 controls the air conditioning means 2 to increase the ventilation volume.

[0064] The control as in the second example is performed so that the indoor CO2 concentration does not exceed the legal standard value. Specifically, in the summer which is the first time zone, the ventilation operation is performed so that the CO2 concentration does not exceed 1000 ppm which is the legal standard value. On the other hand, in the winter which is the second time zone, the outdoor particle concentration is high due to particles such as pollen. In this case, if the ventilation volume increases, the inflow amount of pollen and the like into the room may increase. By raising the threshold value from the first concentration threshold value to the second concentration threshold value, the inflow amount of pollen and the like can be suppressed. Then, by performing the fluctuation operation by the air conditioning means 2, the CO2 in the target space is diffused to suppress the local increase in the CO2 concentration. For this reason, it is possible to suppress the increase in the stuffy discomfort of people due to the increase in the CO2 concentration while suppressing the inflow of the particle concentration. Note that since there is a risk that the discomfort of people increases when the airflow hits, when the outdoor particle concentration is not high, it is desirable to manage the CO2 concentration in the target space by the first concentration threshold value.

[0065] Note that in the second example, when the date and time are included in the second time zone, the determination unit 14 may determine the CO2 concentration information of the indoor environment information and the outside air temperature information of the outdoor environment information as a plurality of second reference information from among the plurality of candidate information. The operation control unit 15 may raise the first concentration threshold value by the rising width to the second concentration threshold value when the date and time are included in the second time zone and the outside air temperature is lower than the specified ventilation threshold value. In this case, the control system 1 can suppress the increase in the stuffy discomfort of people due to the increase in the CO2 concentration while suppressing the decrease in the indoor temperature in winter.

[0066] In the third example, the first time period is the morning time period. The second time period is the time period from 12:00 to 15:00. The third time period is the time period after 15:00 in a day. When the date and time are included in the first time period, the determination unit 14 determines the temperature information of the indoor environment information as the first reference information from among a plurality of candidate information. When the date and time are included in the second time period, the determination unit 14 determines the temperature information of the indoor environment information and the concentration information of the biological information as a plurality of second reference information from among a plurality of candidate information. When the date and time are included in the third time period, the determination unit 14 determines the temperature information of the indoor environment information, the concentration information of the biological information, and the skin temperature information of the biological information as a plurality of third reference information from among a plurality of candidate information.

[0067] When the date and time are included in the first time period, the operation control unit 15 controls the air conditioner means 2 so that the temperature of the air in the target space approaches the set value using the temperature information of the indoor environment information. When the date and time are included in the second time period, the operation control unit 15 raises the set temperature of the target space by a specified adjustment range, and increases the air volume of the airflow and changes the wind direction so that the concentration of the target person exceeds the specified concentration threshold value. Specifically, when the concentration of the target person is equal to or lower than the concentration threshold value, the operation control unit 15 controls to increase the air volume of the airflow and change the wind direction so that the person is easily hit by the wind. When the date and time are included in the third time period, in parallel with the control in the second time period, the operation control unit 15 controls the air conditioner means 2 to raise the set temperature as the skin temperature of the target person rises.

[0068] In the third example, basically, control is performed so that the indoor temperature follows the set temperature throughout the day. In the early afternoon, which is the second time period, people are likely to feel sleepy. In this case, although it is effective to lower the set temperature to improve concentration, for example, in the second time period in summer, the power consumption by the air conditioning means 2 is large. In this case, in the control system 1, control is performed to increase the concentration of people by airflow instead of temperature, thereby improving energy efficiency. Also, generally in the evening, a person's core body temperature rises due to the circadian rhythm. In the control system 1, as the skin temperature, which indicates information on the core body temperature, rises, the set temperature changes so as to increase. For this reason, the room temperature can be comfortably maintained within a range that does not prevent the natural rise of a person's body temperature. As a result, the person can fall into a deep sleep, and the productivity of the person the next day can be improved.

[0069] Note that when the time is included in the third time period, the determination unit 14 may determine the warm / cold feeling information of the biological information as a plurality of third reference information instead of the skin temperature information of the biological information. In this case, when the time is included in the third time period, the operation control unit 15 may control the air conditioning means 2 to increase the set temperature as the warm / cold feeling of the target person decreases, that is, as the cold feeling felt by the person becomes stronger, in parallel with the control in the second time period.

[0070] In the fourth example, the first time period is the morning time period. The second time period is the afternoon time period. When the time is included in the first time period, the determination unit 14 determines the temperature information of the indoor environment information and the information on the whole body skin temperature of the biological information as a plurality of first reference information from among the plurality of candidate information. When the time is included in the second time period, the determination unit 14 determines the temperature information of the indoor environment information, the information on the whole body skin temperature of the biological information, and the information on the peripheral skin temperature of the biological information as a plurality of second reference information from among the plurality of candidate information. The peripheral part corresponds to a part of a person's hand or foot.

[0071] In the first time period, the operation control unit 15 controls the air conditioning means 2 so that the temperature of the air in the target space follows the set temperature and the temperature of the whole body state of a person stabilizes. In the second time period, while the operation control unit 15 controls so that the temperature of the air in the target space follows the set temperature and the temperature of the whole body state of a person stabilizes, when the skin temperature of the peripheral part becomes lower than the specified peripheral threshold value, the set temperature is raised.

[0072] In the fourth example, during the morning which is the first time period, the temperature in the room is controlled while referring to the skin temperature so that the activity level of the whole body of a person is low and stable. This is because when going to work etc., the activity level of a person is often too high to improve productivity. On the other hand, while a person is doing PC work etc. in a state of sitting quietly, the metabolic rate of the whole body decreases and it becomes easier to feel discomfort due to cold. In the afternoon which is the second time period, by controlling the air conditioning means 2 while referring to the degree of coldness of the peripheral part of a person, temperature adjustment can be performed before the skin temperature of the whole body drops too much. For this reason, the control system 1 can improve the comfort of a person. Further, in the evening, as the core body temperature rises, the skin temperature of the whole body rises and the set temperature also rises. However, at this time, since there is a risk that a person may feel discomfort due to heat, if the heat dissipation amount or coldness of the peripheral part is detected at the same time, the set temperature can be adjusted. For this reason, the comfort of a person can be improved.

[0073] Note that when the date and time are included in the second time period, the determination unit 14 may determine the information of the difference between the core body skin temperature and the peripheral skin temperature of the biological information as a plurality of second reference information instead of the information of the peripheral skin temperature of the biological information. Or, when the date and time are included in the second time period, the determination unit 14 may determine the information of the cold feeling of the peripheral part of the biological information as a plurality of second reference information instead of the information of the peripheral skin temperature of the biological information. In any case, the same control as when the information of the peripheral skin temperature of the biological information is used can be performed.

[0074] Next, an example of the control flow of the control system 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the control system in Embodiment 1. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation when correction control is performed in the control system in Embodiment 1.

[0075] The flowchart of FIG. 5 starts at an arbitrary timing when the air conditioning means 2 is operating. Also, the operations of the flowchart are repeated at a prescribed cycle.

[0076] In step S01, the determination unit 14 determines the reference information to be acquired from the date and time. Thereafter, in step S02, the acquisition unit 11 acquires the reference information determined by the determination unit 14.

[0077] Thereafter, in step S03, the operation control unit 15 determines the content of control from the date and time. Thereafter, in step S04, the operation control unit 15 transmits a command indicating the determined content of control to the air conditioning means 2. The air conditioning means 2 performs the control determined by the operation control unit 15. Thereafter, the operation of the flowchart ends.

[0078] The flowchart of FIG. 6 starts at an arbitrary timing when the air conditioning means 2 is operating. Also, the operations of the flowchart are repeated at a prescribed cycle.

[0079] The operations of step S01, step S02, and step S03 are the same as the operations shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5.

[0080] After step S03, the operation of step S11 is performed. In step S11, the acquisition unit 11 acquires the biometric information of the occupants present in the target space. The biometric information includes at least information regarding the physical condition of the occupants.

[0081] Thereafter, in step S12, the control correction unit 16 determines whether or not the occupants are in a state requiring correction based on the acquired biometric information.

[0082] In step S12, if it is determined that the occupant is in a state requiring correction, the operation of step S13 is performed. In step S13, the control correction unit 16 generates the content of correction control based on the content of control determined by the operation control unit 15 in step S03.

[0083] Thereafter, in step S14, the air conditioning means 2 performs the correction control generated by the control correction unit 16. Thereafter, the operation of the flowchart ends.

[0084] In step S12, if it is determined that the occupant is not in a state requiring correction, the operation of step S04 is performed. In step S04, similar to the flowchart of FIG. 5, the air conditioning means 2 performs the control determined by the operation control unit 15. Thereafter, the operation of the flowchart ends.

[0085] According to the first embodiment described above, the control system 1 includes the air conditioning means 2, the acquisition means 3, and the control means 10 which is an environmental control device. The control means 10 controls the operation of the air conditioning means 2 using a plurality of second reference information including candidate information that is not the first reference information in the second time zone. In particular, the candidate information includes at least one of outdoor environmental information, equipment operation information, and biological information in addition to the indoor environmental information. Therefore, the control system 1 can manage the air conditioning environment of the target space based on various indicators. In particular, which indicators are appropriate to use may vary depending on the date and time of control. In the control system 1, appropriate indicators can be utilized according to the date and time of control.

[0086] Also, when controlling the air conditioning means 2, the control means 10 makes at least one of the set temperature, set humidity, air volume, air flow direction, and operation mode different between the first time zone and the second time zone. Therefore, various air conditioning environments can be controlled. For example, by raising the set temperature and increasing the air volume, it is possible to enhance energy efficiency while suppressing the discomfort of the people in the target space.

[0087] In addition, the air conditioning means 2 has a wind direction louver. In particular, the wind direction louver performs any one of fixed operation, driving operation, and swaying operation. In this way, by changing the wind direction, the environment such as the temperature gradient and CO2 concentration distribution in the target space can be changed without changing the temperature or the like. Also, by blowing wind on people, people may feel comfortable. On the other hand, by not blowing wind on people, it is sometimes possible to avoid people feeling uncomfortable. Furthermore, by intentionally creating a place where no wind is blown, temperature unevenness may be generated in the target space. Thus, since the air conditioning means 2 has a configuration for changing the wind direction, various air conditioning environments can be created.

[0088] Also, the biological information includes the detected value of the biological sensor or the value calculated from the detected value. For example, the biological information may include, as a person's physiological state, body temperature, skin temperature, respiratory rate, heart rate, pulse wave, estimated value of metabolic amount, estimated value of activity amount, and the like. The biological information may include, as a person's psychological state, estimated value of emotion, estimated value of warm and cold feeling, estimated value of physical condition, and the like. The biological information may include the position of a person and the number of people present in the target space. Thus, since the biological information can include various information using the biological sensor, fine air conditioning control can be performed on the occupants.

[0089] Also, the control means 10 includes a control correction unit 16. For example, when there are a plurality of people in the target space, air conditioning control that allows the plurality of people to feel comfortable as a whole or improves productivity can be performed by the air conditioning means 2. On the other hand, when there is an occupant with poor physical condition, there is a risk that the occupant may feel uncomfortable or become more out of sorts under such air conditioning control. The control correction unit 16 can maintain the health of the occupant with poor physical condition by performing correction control in this way.

[0090] Note that the reference model may be generated using machine learning techniques. For example, algorithms such as supervised learning, unsupervised learning, reinforcement learning, etc. may be used with learning data in which the date and time are associated with reference information to generate the reference model. When supervised learning is used, reference information of a type that enables air conditioning control as assumed in advance may be set as correct answer data.

[0091] Note that the control model may be generated using machine learning techniques. For example, algorithms such as supervised learning, unsupervised learning, reinforcement learning, etc. may be used with learning data in which the date and time are associated with control content to generate the control model. When supervised learning is used, control content that enables environmental control as assumed in advance may be set as correct answer data.

[0092] Embodiment 2. FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram of the control system in Embodiment 2. Note that the same reference numerals are given to the same or corresponding parts as those in Embodiment 1, and the description of those parts is omitted.

[0093] In Embodiment 2, the control system 1 controls the environment related to scent as the environment of the target space. The control system 1 further includes a perfume preparation means 20 as an environmental control means.

[0094] The perfume preparation means 20 is provided inside the target space. The perfume preparation means 20 can release an aromatic component inside the target space. The environment related to the scent of the target space is adjusted by the aromatic component. Note that the perfume preparation means 20 may be configured to remove odor substances in the air.

[0095] In Embodiment 2, the indoor acquisition means 3a can further detect the concentration of odor components contained in the air of the target space as a physical quantity related to the scent of the target space. That is, the indoor acquisition means 3a includes an odor sensor.

[0096] The control means 10 controls the operation of the flavoring means 20 by the same process as the control of the air conditioning means 2 in the first embodiment. In this case, the concentration of the odor component is used as the indoor environment information. The control means 10 adjusts the fragrance of the target space by using at least one of the outdoor environment information, the equipment operation information, and the biological information in addition to the concentration information of the odor component of the indoor environment information as the reference information. For example, the control means 10 controls the flavoring means 20 so that the odor component in the target space follows the set type and the set concentration.

[0097] Specifically, the determination unit 14 of the control means 10 determines one or a plurality of first reference information including the indoor environment information among the plurality of candidate information in the first time zone. The determination unit 14 determines a plurality of second reference information including the candidate information that has not been determined as the first reference information among the indoor environment information and the plurality of candidate information in the second time zone. The operation control unit 15 of the control means 10 controls the operation of the flavoring means 20 by using one or a plurality of first reference information in the first time zone. The operation control unit 15 controls the operation of the flavoring means 20 by using a plurality of second reference information in the second time zone.

[0098] According to the second embodiment described above, the control system 1 includes the flavoring means 20, the acquisition means 3, and the control means 10. Therefore, the control system 1 can manage the environment regarding the fragrance of the target space based on various indicators. In particular, which indicators are appropriate to use may vary depending on the date and time of control. In the control system 1, appropriate indicators can be used according to the date and time of control.

[0099] Note that the control means 10 may control the air conditioning means 2 in parallel with the control of the flavoring means 20.

[0100] Embodiment 3. FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram of the control system in Embodiment 3. Note that the same or corresponding parts as those in Embodiment 1 or 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description of those parts is omitted.

[0101] In Embodiment 3, the control system 1 controls the lighting environment as the environment of the target space. The control system 1 further includes lighting means 21 as environment control means.

[0102] The lighting means 21 is provided inside the target space. The lighting means 21 has a light source. The lighting means 21 adjusts the lighting environment of the target space by emitting light inside the target space.

[0103] In Embodiment 3, the indoor acquisition means 3a can further detect the illuminance of the target space as a physical quantity indicating the lighting environment of the target space. That is, the indoor acquisition means 3a includes an illuminance sensor. Note that the indoor acquisition means 3a may further include a color temperature sensor capable of detecting the color temperature.

[0104] The control means 10 controls the operation of the lighting means 21 by the same process as the control of the air conditioning means 2 in Embodiment 1. In this case, the illuminance of the target space is used as the indoor environment information. The control means 10 adjusts the lighting environment of the target space using at least one of outdoor environment information, device operation information, and biological information in addition to the illuminance information of the indoor environment information as reference information.

[0105] Specifically, the determination unit 14 of the control means 10 determines one or a plurality of first reference information including the indoor environment information among the plurality of candidate information in the first time period. The determination unit 14 determines a plurality of second reference information including candidate information that has not been determined as the first reference information among the indoor environment information and the plurality of candidate information in the second time period. The operation control unit 15 of the control means 10 controls the operation of the lighting means 21 using one or a plurality of first reference information in the first time period. The operation control unit 15 controls the operation of the lighting means 21 using the plurality of second reference information in the second time period.

[0106] According to Embodiment 3 described above, the control system 1 includes the lighting means 21, the acquisition means 3, and the control means 10. Therefore, the control system 1 can manage the lighting environment of the target space based on various indicators. In particular, what kind of indicators are appropriate to use may vary depending on the date and time of control. In the control system 1, appropriate indicators can be used according to the date and time of control.

[0107] Note that the control means 10 may control at least one of the air conditioning means 2 and the fragrance means 20 in parallel with the control of the lighting means 21.

[0108] Embodiment 4. FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram of the control system in Embodiment 4. Note that the same or corresponding parts as those in Embodiment 1, 2, or 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description of such parts is omitted.

[0109] In Embodiment 4, the control system 1 controls the sound environment in the target space as the environment of the target space. The sound environment is an environment related to the sounds that can be heard by people in the target space. The sound environment includes, as physical quantities related to sound, the loudness of the sound that can be heard, sound pressure, frequency components of the sound, the music genre when the sound is music, and the like. The control system 1 further includes the acoustic means 22 as environment control means.

[0110] The acoustic means 22 is provided inside the target space. The acoustic means 22 has a speaker that emits sound. The acoustic means 22 adjusts the sound environment of the target space by emitting sound inside the target space.

[0111] In Embodiment 4, the indoor acquisition means 3a can further detect the sound of the target space as a physical quantity related to the sound of the target space. That is, the indoor acquisition means 3a includes a sound sensor having a microphone. The volume, sound pressure, frequency components of the sound, and the like can be detected by the sound sensor. The indoor acquisition means 3a may further be able to estimate the music genre of the music when the sound is music.

[0112] The control means 10 controls the operation of the acoustic means 22 by the same process as the control of the air conditioning means 2 in the first embodiment. In this case, as the indoor environment information, the acoustic environment information of the target space is used. The control means 10 adjusts the lighting environment of the target space by using at least one of the outdoor environment information, the device operation information, and the biological information in addition to the acoustic environment information of the indoor environment information as the reference information.

[0113] Specifically, the determination unit 14 of the control means 10 determines one or a plurality of first reference information including the indoor environment information among the plurality of candidate information in the first time zone. The determination unit 14 determines a plurality of second reference information including the candidate information that has not been determined as the first reference information among the indoor environment information and the plurality of candidate information in the second time zone. The operation control unit 15 of the control means 10 controls the operation of the acoustic means 22 by using one or a plurality of first reference information in the first time zone. The operation control unit 15 controls the operation of the acoustic means 22 by using a plurality of second reference information in the second time zone.

[0114] According to the fourth embodiment described above, the control system 1 includes the acoustic means 22, the acquisition means 3, and the control means 10. Therefore, the control system 1 can manage the acoustic environment of the target space based on various indicators. In particular, which indicators are appropriate to use may vary depending on the date and time of control. In the control system 1, appropriate indicators can be used according to the date and time of control.

[0115] Note that the control means 10 may perform the control of at least one of the air conditioning means 2, the fragrance means 20, and the lighting means 21 in parallel with the control of the lighting means 21.

[0116] Next, an example of the hardware constituting the control means 10 will be described with reference to FIG. 10. FIG. 10 is a hardware configuration diagram of an environment control device which is the control means of the control system in the first to fourth embodiments.

[0117] Each function of the control means 10 can be realized by a processing circuit. For example, the processing circuit includes at least one processor 100a and at least one memory 100b. For example, the processing circuit includes at least one dedicated hardware 200.

[0118] When the processing circuit includes at least one processor 100a and at least one memory 100b, each function of the control means 10 is realized by software, firmware, or a combination of software and firmware. At least one of the software and the firmware is described as a program. At least one of the software and the firmware is stored in at least one memory 100b. The at least one processor 100a reads and executes the program stored in the at least one memory 100b to realize each function of the control means 10. The at least one processor 100a is also referred to as a central processing unit, a processing unit, an arithmetic unit, a microprocessor, a microcomputer, or a DSP. For example, the at least one memory 100b is a non-volatile or volatile semiconductor memory such as a RAM, a ROM, a flash memory, an EPROM, or an EEPROM, a magnetic disk, a flexible disk, an optical disk, a compact disk, a mini disk, or a DVD.

[0119] When the processing circuit includes at least one dedicated hardware 200, the processing circuit is realized by, for example, a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programmed processor, a parallel programmed processor, an ASIC, an FPGA, or a combination thereof. For example, each function of the control means 10 is realized by the processing circuit respectively. For example, each function of the control means 10 is realized by the processing circuit collectively.

[0120] Regarding each function of the control means 10, part of it may be realized by dedicated hardware 200, and the other part may be realized by software or firmware. For example, the function of the operation control unit 15 may be realized by a processing circuit as dedicated hardware 200, and for functions other than the function of the operation control unit 15, at least one processor 100a may read and execute a program stored in at least one memory 100b to realize it.

[0121] In this way, the processing circuit realizes each function of the control means 10 with hardware 200, software, firmware, or a combination thereof.

[0122] Note that at least a part of each function of the control means 10 may be realized on a cloud server. In this case, the processing circuit is composed of a plurality of sub-circuits. The plurality of sub-processing circuits are respectively provided in a plurality of devices constituting the cloud server. The plurality of devices constituting the cloud server may each be provided in a different building. In this case, the functions of the control means 10 realized on the cloud server are related to the control of the air conditioning means 2 by communicating with the air conditioning means 2 through a network.

[0123] Although not shown in the figure, the functions of the air conditioning means 2, the indoor acquisition means 3a, the outdoor acquisition means 3b, the operation acquisition means 3c, and the biological acquisition means 3d are also realized by a processing circuit equivalent to the processing circuit that realizes each function of the control means 10. For example, a part of the function of the biological acquisition means 3d may be realized on a cloud server.

[0124] Summarizing the above description, the possible configurations of the technology according to the present disclosure include the following configurations shown as appendices. (Appendix 1) Air conditioning means for adjusting the state of the air in the target space indoors by blowing air, Acquisition means for acquiring a plurality of candidate information including indoor environment information indicating physical quantities related to the air in the target space, Control means for controlling the operation of the air conditioning means using one or more pieces of candidate information among the plurality of candidate information comprising wherein the control means in a first time period, determines one or more first reference information including the indoor environment information among the plurality of candidate information, and controls the operation of the air conditioning means using the one or more first reference information; in a second time period different from the first time period, determines a plurality of second reference information including candidate information that is not the one or more first reference information among the plurality of candidate information and the indoor environment information, and controls the operation of the air conditioning means using the plurality of second reference information; a control system. (Appendix 2) at least one of outdoor environment information indicating a physical quantity of outdoor air, equipment operation information regarding the operation of equipment including the air conditioning means, and human biological information is included in the plurality of candidate information; The control system according to Appendix 1. (Appendix 3) The first reference information is temperature information of the indoor environment information; the plurality of second reference information includes temperature information of the indoor environment information and outside air temperature information of the outdoor environment information; The control system according to Appendix 2. (Appendix 4) The first time period is the morning time period in summer; The second time period is the afternoon time period in summer; wherein the control means in the first time period, controls the air conditioning means so that the temperature of the target space, which is the first reference information, follows the set temperature; in the second time period, when the outside air temperature of the outdoor environment information included in the plurality of second reference information is higher than the summer temperature threshold, causes the air conditioning means to perform at least one of control to increase the air volume and change the air direction; The control system according to Appendix 3. (Appendix 5) The first time period is the morning time period in winter; The second time period is the afternoon time period in winter; Among the plurality of second reference information, at least one of the solar radiation amount information of the outdoor environmental information and the outside air temperature information of the outdoor environmental information is included. The control means In the first time period, control the air conditioning means so that the temperature of the target space, which is the first reference information, follows the set temperature. In the second time period, when the outside air temperature of the outdoor environmental information is higher than the winter temperature threshold or the solar radiation amount of the outdoor environmental information is greater than the threshold, increase the amount of air that the air conditioning means allows to flow from the outside to the target space. The control system according to Supplementary Note 3. (Supplementary Note 6) The first reference information is the CO2 concentration information of the indoor environmental information. Among the plurality of second reference information, the particle concentration information outdoors of the outdoor environmental information or the outside air temperature information of the outdoor environmental information and the CO2 concentration information of the indoor environmental information are included. The control system according to Supplementary Note 2. (Supplementary Note 7) The first time period is summer and autumn. The second time period is winter and spring. Among the plurality of second reference information, the particle concentration information is included. The control means In the first time period, when the CO2 concentration of the target space becomes equal to or higher than the first concentration threshold, increase the amount of air that the air conditioning means allows to flow from the outside to the target space. In the second time period, when the particle concentration outdoors is higher than the specified particle concentration threshold and the CO2 concentration of the target space becomes equal to or higher than the second concentration threshold, increase the amount of air that the air conditioning means allows to flow from the outside to the target space. The second concentration threshold is a value larger than the first concentration threshold. The control system according to Supplementary Note 6. (Supplementary Note 8) The first reference information is the temperature information of the indoor environmental information. Among the second reference information, the temperature information of the indoor environmental information and the concentration information of the biological information are included. The control system described in Supplementary Note 2. (Supplementary Note 9) The first time period is the time period until 12:00 of a day, The second time period is the time period from 12:00 to 15:00 of a day, The control means In the first time period, control the air conditioning means so that the temperature of the target space, which is the first reference information, follows the set temperature, In the second time period, raise the set temperature of the air conditioning means by a specified adjustment range, and increase the amount of the airflow blown out by the air conditioning means so that the concentration degree of the biological information exceeds a specified concentration threshold value. The control system described in Supplementary Note 8. (Supplementary Note 10) The control means In a third time period different from the first time period and the second time period, determine a plurality of third reference information including candidate information that is neither the one or more first reference information nor the plurality of second reference information among the plurality of candidate information and the indoor environment information, and control the operation of the air conditioning means using the plurality of third reference information. The third time period is the time period after 15:00 of a day, The plurality of third reference information includes temperature information of the indoor environment information, concentration degree information of the biological information, and skin temperature information of the biological information. The control system described in Supplementary Note 9. (Supplementary Note 11) The plurality of first reference information is temperature information of the indoor environment information and whole body skin temperature information of the biological information, The second reference information includes temperature information of the indoor environment information, whole body skin temperature information of the biological information, and peripheral skin temperature information of the biological information. The control system described in Supplementary Note 2. (Supplementary Note 12) The control means controls the operation of the air conditioning means so that at least one of the set temperature, set humidity, air volume, airflow direction, and operation mode of the air conditioning means is different between the first time period and the second time period. The control system according to any one of Supplementary Note 1 to Supplementary Note 11. (Supplementary Note 13) The air conditioning means is rotatable in the vertical direction or the horizontal direction, and has an air direction louver that changes the direction of the airflow blown out by rotation. The control system according to any one of Supplementary Note 1 to Supplementary Note 12, which has the above. (Supplementary Note 14) As an operation for controlling the direction of the airflow, the air conditioning means performs any one of a fixed operation for fixing the air direction louver, a driving operation for continuously rotating the air direction louver, and a fluctuation operation for repeatedly performing the fixed operation and the driving operation in order. The control system according to Supplementary Note 13. (Supplementary Note 15) The biological information includes information on a person's physiological state or psychological state. The physiological state and the psychological state are detection values by a non-contact biological sensor using microwaves or millimeter waves or values calculated from the detection values by the biological sensor. The control system according to any one of Supplementary Note 2 to Supplementary Note 14. (Supplementary Note 16) The biological sensor detects or estimates at least one of a person's body temperature, skin temperature, respiratory rate, heart rate, pulse wave, position, estimated value of emotion, estimated value of warm and cold feeling, estimated value of physical condition, estimated value of metabolic rate, estimated value of activity amount, and the number of people present in the target space. The control system according to Supplementary Note 15. (Supplementary Note 17) When the control means determines that the physical condition of the occupant present in the target space is poor based on the information on the physical condition of the person included in the biological information, the control means corrects the control of the air conditioning means for the occupant. The control system according to any one of Supplementary Note 2 to Supplementary Note 16. (Supplementary Note 18) A fragrance adjusting means for adjusting the fragrance of the target space in the room by releasing a fragrance component. An acquisition means for acquiring a plurality of candidate information including indoor environment information indicating a physical quantity related to the fragrance of the target space. Control means for controlling the operation of the flavoring means using one or more pieces of candidate information among the plurality of pieces of candidate information; comprising; the control means; In a first time period, determine one or more pieces of first reference information including the indoor environment information among the plurality of pieces of candidate information, and control the operation of the flavoring means using the one or more pieces of first reference information; In a second time period different from the first time period, determine a plurality of pieces of second reference information including the indoor environment information and candidate information that is not the one or more pieces of first reference information among the plurality of pieces of candidate information, and control the operation of the flavoring means using the plurality of pieces of second reference information. Control system. (Appendix 19) Illumination means having a light source for adjusting the illumination environment of a target space indoors; Acquisition means for acquiring a plurality of pieces of candidate information including indoor environment information indicating a physical quantity related to the illumination environment of the target space; Control means for controlling the operation of the illumination means using one or more pieces of candidate information among the plurality of pieces of candidate information; comprising; the control means; In a first time period, determine one or more pieces of first reference information including the indoor environment information among the plurality of pieces of candidate information, and control the operation of the illumination means using the one or more pieces of first reference information; In a second time period different from the first time period, determine a plurality of pieces of second reference information including the indoor environment information and candidate information that is not the one or more pieces of first reference information among the plurality of pieces of candidate information, and control the operation of the illumination means using the plurality of pieces of second reference information. Control system. (Appendix 20) Acoustic means for emitting sound to adjust the sound environment of a target space indoors; Acquisition means for acquiring a plurality of pieces of candidate information including indoor environment information indicating a physical quantity related to the sound environment of the target space; Control means for controlling the operation of the acoustic means using one or more pieces of candidate information among the plurality of pieces of candidate information; comprising; The control means In a first time period, determine one or more first reference information including the indoor environment information among the plurality of candidate information, and control the operation of the acoustic means using the one or more first reference information, In a second time period different from the first time period, determine a plurality of second reference information including the indoor environment information and candidate information that is not the one or more first reference information among the plurality of candidate information, and control the operation of the acoustic means using the plurality of second reference information, Control system.

Explanation of Signs

[0125] 1 Control system, 2 Air conditioning means, 3 Acquisition means, 3a Indoor acquisition means, 3b Outdoor acquisition means, 3c Operation acquisition means, 3d Living body acquisition means, 3e Sensor, 3f Arithmetic unit, 4 Air conditioner, 4a Housing, 4b Bottom panel, 4c Suction port, 4d Outlet, 4e Vertical louver, 4f Horizontal louver, 5 Ventilation device, 10 Control means, 11 Acquisition unit, 12 Timing unit, 13 Storage unit, 14 Determination unit, 15 Operation control unit, 16 Control correction unit, 20 Perfuming means, 21 Lighting means, 22 Acoustic means, 100a Processor, 100b Memory, 200 Hardware, R Room, S Target space

Claims

1. Air conditioning means for adjusting the air state of the target space indoors by blowing air, Acquisition means for acquiring a plurality of candidate information including indoor environment information indicating a physical quantity related to the air in the target space, Control means for controlling the operation of the air conditioning means using one or more pieces of candidate information among the plurality of candidate information, Comprising, The control means, In the first time period, one or more pieces of first reference information including the indoor environment information among the plurality of candidate information are determined, and the operation of the air conditioning means is controlled using the one or more pieces of first reference information, In a second time period different from the first time period, a plurality of second reference information including candidate information that is not the one or more pieces of first reference information and the indoor environment information among the plurality of candidate information are determined, and the operation of the air conditioning means is controlled using the plurality of second reference information, Control system.

2. Among the plurality of candidate information, at least one of outdoor environment information indicating a physical quantity related to outdoor air, equipment operation information related to the operation of equipment including the air conditioning means, and human biological information is included, The control system according to claim 1.

3. The first reference information is the temperature information of the indoor environment information, The plurality of second reference information includes the temperature information of the indoor environment information and the outside air temperature information of the outdoor environment information, The control system according to claim 2.

4. The first time period is the morning time period in summer, The second time period is the afternoon time period in summer, The control means, In the first time period, the air conditioning means is controlled so that the temperature of the target space, which is the first reference information, follows the set temperature, In the second time period, when the outside air temperature of the outdoor environment information included in the plurality of second reference information is higher than the summer temperature threshold, at least one of the controls of increasing the air volume and changing the wind direction is performed on the air conditioning means, The control system according to claim 3.

5. The first time period is the morning time period in winter, The second time period is the afternoon time period in winter, The plurality of second reference information includes at least one of the solar radiation amount information of the outdoor environment information and the outside air temperature information of the outdoor environment information, The control means, In the first time period, the air conditioning means is controlled so that the temperature of the target space, which is the first reference information, follows the set temperature, When, in the second time period, the outside air temperature of the outdoor environmental information is higher than the winter temperature threshold or the solar radiation amount of the outdoor environmental information is greater than the threshold, the air conditioning means increases the amount of air flowing from the outside to the target space. The control system according to claim 3.

6. The first reference information is the CO2 concentration information of the indoor environmental information. Among the plurality of second reference information, the particle concentration information outdoors of the outdoor environmental information or the outside air temperature information of the outdoor environmental information and the CO2 concentration information of the indoor environmental information are included. The control system according to claim 2.

7. The first time period is summer and autumn. The second time period is winter and spring. Among the plurality of second reference information, the particle concentration information is included. The control means In the first time period, when the CO2 concentration in the target space becomes equal to or higher than the first concentration threshold, the air conditioning means increases the amount of air flowing from the outside to the target space. In the second time period, when the particle concentration outdoors is higher than the specified particle concentration threshold and the CO2 concentration in the target space becomes equal to or higher than the second concentration threshold, the air conditioning means increases the amount of air flowing from the outside to the target space. The second concentration threshold is a value larger than the first concentration threshold. The control system according to claim 6.

8. The first reference information is the temperature information of the indoor environmental information. Among the second reference information, the temperature information of the indoor environmental information and the concentration information of the biological information are included. The control system according to claim 2.

9. The first time period is the time period until 12:00 in a day. The second time period is the time period from 12:00 to 15:00 in a day. The control means In the first time period, the air conditioning means is controlled so that the temperature of the target space, which is the first reference information, follows the set temperature. In the second time period, the set temperature of the air conditioning means is increased by a specified adjustment range, and the amount of air flow blown out by the air conditioning means is increased so that the concentration of the biological information exceeds the specified concentration threshold. The control system according to claim 8.

10. The control means In a third time period different from the first time period and the second time period, candidate information that is neither the one or more first reference information nor the plurality of second reference information among the plurality of candidate information and a plurality of third reference information including the indoor environment information are determined, and the operation of the air conditioning means is controlled using the plurality of third reference information. The third time period is a time period after 15:00 of a day. The plurality of third reference information includes temperature information of the indoor environment information, concentration information of the biological information, and skin temperature information of the biological information. The control system according to claim 9.

11. The plurality of first reference information is temperature information of the indoor environment information and whole body skin temperature information of the biological information. The second reference information includes temperature information of the indoor environment information, whole body skin temperature information of the biological information, and peripheral skin temperature information of the biological information. The control system according to claim 2.

12. The control means controls the operation of the air conditioning means such that at least one of the set temperature, set humidity, air volume, air flow direction, and operation mode of the air conditioning means is different between the first time period and the second time period. The control system according to claim 1.

13. The air conditioning means has an air direction louver that is rotatable in the vertical direction or the horizontal direction and changes the direction of the air flow blown out by rotation. The control system according to any one of claims 1 to 11 having the above.

14. As an operation for controlling the direction of the air flow, the air conditioning means performs any one of a fixed operation for fixing the air direction louver, a drive operation for continuously rotating the air direction louver, and a fluctuation operation for repeatedly performing the fixed operation and the drive operation in order. The control system according to claim 13.

15. The biological information includes information on a person's physiological state or psychological state. The physiological state and the psychological state are detection values by a non-contact biological sensor using microwave or millimeter wave or values calculated from detection values by the biological sensor. The control system according to any one of claims 2 to 11.

16. The biological sensor detects or estimates at least one of a person's body temperature, skin temperature, respiratory rate, heart rate, pulse wave, position, estimated value of emotion, estimated value of warm and cold sensation, estimated value of physical condition, estimated value of metabolic rate, estimated value of activity amount, and the number of people present in the target space. The control system according to claim 15.

17. When the control means determines that the physical condition of the occupant present in the target space is poor based on the information regarding the physical condition of the person included in the biological information, the control of the air conditioning means for the occupant is corrected. The control system according to any one of claims 2 to 11.

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