Environment control system and environment control method

Abstract

To provide an environment control system that can improve a utilization rate of a predetermined space.SOLUTION: An environment control system includes: an acquisition unit (221) that acquires first information indicating a result of detection of a user in a first section (101) included in an office (100) from a first sensor (30) that detects the user, and a control unit (222) that controls, on the basis of the acquired first information, an environment adjustment device (50) that adjusts environment in a passage (102) included in the office (100) so as to guide a person to the first section (101).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an environmental control system and an environmental control method. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, a technique has been disclosed for improving air conditioning efficiency by detecting the position of a person and controlling the air volume of a blower device close to the person's position (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-198358 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] By the way, an increasing number of offices are expanding their rest areas in order to create an office environment that is comfortable for employees, but the utilization rate of these areas is sometimes low.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an environmental control system and an environmental control method that can improve the utilization rate of a given space. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, one embodiment of the environmental control system of the present invention comprises an acquisition unit that acquires first information indicating the detection result of a user from a first sensor that detects a user in a first section included in an office, and a control unit that controls an environmental adjustment device that adjusts the environment in a corridor included in the office so as to guide people to the first section based on the acquired first information.

[0007] In addition, in order to achieve the above-mentioned object, one form of the environmental control method of the present invention is an environmental control method executed by a computer, and includes an acquisition step of acquiring first information indicating the detection result of a user from a first sensor that detects a user in a first section included in an office, and a control step of executing control of an environmental adjustment device that adjusts the environment so as to guide people to the first section based on the acquired first information.

[0008] The present invention can be realized not only as the above-described environmental control method, but also as a program for causing a computer to execute the environmental control method, and further as a computer-readable recording medium storing the program. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, an environmental control system and an environmental control method that can improve the utilization rate of a given space can be realized. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a situation in which an environmental control system according to an embodiment is applied; [Figure 2] Schematic diagram of the layout of a building in which an environmental control system according to an embodiment is installed. [Figure 3] Block diagram of an environmental control system according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] 1 is a flowchart showing the operation of an operation example 1 of an environmental control system according to an embodiment. [Figure 5] 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of an operation example 2 of the environmental control system according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of an operation example 3 of the environmental control system according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, an embodiment of an environmental control system according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the numerical values, components, component placement and connection configurations, steps, and step order shown in the following embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the present invention. Furthermore, among the components in the following embodiments, components that are not recited in independent claims will be described as optional components that constitute preferred embodiments.

[0012] It should be noted that the drawings are schematic diagrams and are not necessarily strict illustrations. In addition, in the drawings, substantially the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and overlapping descriptions may be omitted or simplified.

[0013] (Embodiment) 1 is a diagram showing a situation in which an environmental control system 10 according to an embodiment is applied. Here, based on information indicating the number of users in a first section 101 detected by a first sensor 30, an environmental adjustment device 50 (a fragrance emitting device 502, a lighting device 503, etc.) adjusts the environment of a predetermined area in a passage 102 adjacent to the first section 101 so as to guide people into the first section 101. In this embodiment, the first section 101 is a rest area.

[0014] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the floor plan of a building 100 in which an environmental control system 10 according to an embodiment is installed. As shown in FIG. 2, the building 100 includes a plurality of sections and a corridor 102. The building 100 is, for example, an office. The plurality of sections are divided into a first section 101 and other sections 104. The first section 101 is, for example, a rest space, and the other sections 104 are, for example, a conference room, a reception room, or a work area. A predetermined area of ​​the corridor 102 adjacent to the first section 101 is referred to as a target area 103.

[0015] [composition] First, the configuration of the environmental control system 10 according to the embodiment will be described. Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the environmental control system 10 according to the embodiment.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 3, the environmental control system 10 includes an environmental control device 20, a first sensor 30, a second sensor 40, and an environmental conditioning device 50.

[0017] The environmental control device 20 controls the environmental adjustment device 50 to adjust the environment in the office so as to guide people into the first section 101. Specifically, the environmental control device 20 includes a communication unit 21, an information processing unit 22, and a storage unit 23.

[0018] The communication unit 21 is a communication circuit (communication module) that enables the environmental control device 20 to communicate with the first sensor 30, the second sensor 40, and the environmental adjustment device 50. The communication performed by the communication unit 21 is, for example, wireless communication, but may also be wired communication. There are no particular limitations on the communication standard of the communication performed by the communication unit 21.

[0019] The information processing unit 22 performs information processing for controlling the environment adjustment device 50. The information processing unit 22 is realized, for example, by a microcomputer, but may also be realized by a processor. The functions of the information processing unit 22 are realized, for example, by the microcomputer or processor constituting the information processing unit 22 executing a computer program stored in the storage unit 23. Specifically, the information processing unit 22 includes an acquisition unit 221 and a control unit 222.

[0020] The acquisition unit 221 acquires information detected by the first sensor 30 and the second sensor 40.

[0021] The control unit 222 controls the environment adjustment device 50 to guide people to the first section 101 based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit 221. The control unit 222 controls the environment adjustment device 50 by outputting a control signal corresponding to the content of the control to the environment adjustment device 50.

[0022] The storage unit 23 is a storage device that stores computer programs and the like executed by the information processing unit 22. The computer programs stored in the storage unit 23 include dedicated application programs that allow the environmental control device 20 to control the environmental adjustment device 50. The storage unit 23 is realized by, for example, a semiconductor memory.

[0023] The first sensor 30 is a sensor that has the function of detecting the number of users in the first section 101. The first sensor 30 is, for example, a camera installed on the ceiling of the first section 101 to detect the number of users in the first section 101, and outputs images of the users in the first section 101 to the environmental control device 20. The type of the first sensor 30 is not limited to a camera, and the images captured by the first sensor 30 may be general color images obtained by sensing visible light, or images obtained by sensing infrared light (sometimes called thermal images, etc.). Furthermore, the first sensor 30 may be installed, for example, in the passage 102 so as to be able to capture images of the inside of the first section 101. The first sensor 30 may be installed in any position, as long as it is able to detect the number of users in the first section 101.

[0024] The second sensor 40 is a sensor that has the function of detecting people passing through the passage 102. The second sensor 40 is, for example, a camera installed on the ceiling of the passage 102, and outputs images of people in the passage 102 to the environmental control device 20. The type of the second sensor 40 is not limited to a camera, and may be, for example, an infrared distance measuring radar. Furthermore, the second sensor 40 only needs to be able to detect people passing through the passage 102, and the installation position of the second sensor 40 is not limited here.

[0025] The environmental conditioning device 50 is a device that adjusts the environment in the passage 102, mainly in a predetermined area 103 that is a part of the passage 102. The environmental conditioning device 50 is controlled by the control unit 222 to adjust the environment near the first section 101 so as to guide people to the first section 101.

[0026] The environmental adjustment device 50 includes a first environmental adjustment device 51 that adjusts the environment in the target area 103 and a second environmental adjustment device 52 that adjusts the environment for passersby in the passage 102. Specifically, the environmental adjustment device 50 is at least one of an air conditioning device 501, a fragrance emitting device 502, a lighting device 503, a video projection device 504, and an acoustic device 505. In other words, the environment adjusted by the environmental adjustment device 50 is a light environment, an air quality environment, or a sound environment. The air quality environment here is a broad concept that includes temperature, humidity, airflow, fragrance, etc. Two or more types of environmental adjustment devices 50 may be installed, or they may be installed in multiple locations.

[0027] The environmental conditioning device 50 is, for example, a device that has directionality in terms of adjusting the environment. The environmental conditioning device 50 that has directionality in terms of adjusting the environment can selectively adjust only the environment of the predetermined area 103 or the passage 102, with little impact on the environment of other areas that have not been selected.

[0028] The air conditioner 501 is a device that sends out an airflow toward the subject or the subject area 103. The air conditioner 501 is, for example, a relatively highly directional air conditioner such as a circulator, but may also be an electric fan or an air conditioner installed in the passage 102. The airflow sent out by the air conditioner 501 is an airflow that guides the subject to the first section 101, such as, for example, a gentle airflow, an airflow that is cooler than the room temperature or the outside temperature on a hot day, or an airflow that is warmer than the room temperature or the outside temperature on a cold day.

[0029] The scent generating device 502 is a device that generates a scent in the target area 103. The scent generating device 502 is, for example, an aroma diffuser, but may be other scent generating devices. The scent generated by the scent generating device 502 is, for example, a scent that relaxes the subject and evokes a sense of rest, such as a coffee scent, a cypress scent, or a lavender scent. It may also be a scent that refreshes the subject, such as a grapefruit scent, a lemon scent, or a mint scent. Here, the scent generated by the scent generating device 502 is not particularly limited. In this way, the scent generated by the scent generating device 502 is a scent that guides the subject to the first section 101.

[0030] The lighting device 503 is a lighting device arranged to illuminate the target area 103. The lighting device 503 is, for example, a base light having a light-emitting element such as an LED as a light source, but may also be other lighting devices such as a downlight or ceiling light. The lighting device 503 is capable of adjusting its brightness and color using the environmental control device 20. The lighting device 503 may also be an indirect lighting device arranged to illuminate the walls, floor, ceiling, etc. that define the target area 103. The lighting device 503 can change its emitted color, for example, by including multiple light sources with different emitted colors. The lighting device 503 may also be able to achieve any emitted color by combining light sources and optical filters. The emitted color of the lighting device 503 can be changed to, for example, monochromatic red light, monochromatic green light, monochromatic blue light, or a combination thereof. Here, the emitted color of the lighting device 503 is not particularly limited. The light emitted by the lighting device 503 is light that guides the target person to the first section 101.

[0031] The image projection device 504 is an image projection device arranged to project an image onto the walls, floor, ceiling, etc. that define the target area 103. The image projection device 504 is, for example, a projector. The image projected by the image projection device 504 is an image that guides the target person into the first section 101. For example, it is an image of footprints moving from the outside to the inside of the target area 103.

[0032] The acoustic device 505 is an acoustic device arranged to transmit sound to the target area 103. The acoustic device 505 is, for example, a speaker. The sound generated by the acoustic device 505 is a sound that relaxes the target person and evokes a sense of rest, such as the sound of birds chirping, the environmental sounds of a forest, the sound of a babbling brook, the sound of a music box playing, or the sound of waves. Here, the type of sound generated by the acoustic device 505 is not particularly limited. In this way, the sound generated by the acoustic device 505 is a sound that guides the target person to the first section 101.

[0033] [Example 1] Next, a description will be given of the operation of the environmental control system 10 according to the embodiment. In office spaces, improving the utilization rate of rest areas is an issue.

[0034] In contrast, the environmental control system 10 can guide people to the first section 101 by adjusting the environment in a predetermined area 103 adjacent to the rest space (first section 101) using the first environmental adjustment device 51 so as to guide people to the rest space. This can improve the utilization rate of the rest space. Below, a first operation example of such an environmental control system 10 will be described. Figure 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the first operation example of the environmental control system 10 according to the embodiment.

[0035] First, the acquisition unit 221 communicates with the first sensor 30 via the communication unit 21 and acquires first information from the first sensor 30 (S11). The first information is information indicating the number of users in the first section 101. The information indicating the number of users in the first section 101 is, for example, an image captured inside the first section 101. In this case, the acquisition unit 221 detects the number of users in the first section 101 based on the acquired image.

[0036] Next, the control unit 222 determines whether the number of users in the first section 101 has remained below a predetermined number for a first period or longer, based on the first information acquired by the acquisition unit 221 (S12). The predetermined number is, for example, 0 people. The predetermined number may also be, for example, 5 people. The first period is, for example, 15 minutes. The predetermined number and the first period are merely examples and may increase or decrease depending on the size of the first section 101, the number of people working in the office 100, etc.

[0037] If it is determined that the situation where the number of people is below the predetermined number has not continued for the first period or more (No in S12), it can be determined that the utilization rate of the first section 101 is sufficient. In this case, the process returns to step S11, and step S11 is repeated until it is determined that the situation where the number of people is below the predetermined number has continued for the first period or more (Yes in S12).

[0038] If it is determined that the situation where the number of people is below the predetermined number has continued for at least the first period (Yes in S12), the control unit 222 starts a first control of the first environment adjustment device 51 (S13). The first control of the first environment adjustment device 51 is a control to adjust the environment in a predetermined area 103 of the passage 102 adjacent to the first section 101 so as to guide people to the first section 101.

[0039] Here, the first control by the first environmental adjustment device 51 may be performed so as not to adjust the environment in areas other than the predetermined area 103. Furthermore, it may be performed so as not to be noticed by people outside the predetermined area 103. This makes it possible to adjust the environment so as to guide people to the first section 101 without disturbing the concentration of people working in the office.

[0040] The first control may be, for example, a control using an air conditioner 501 to create a strong airflow only in front of the entrance to the first section 101, thereby making a person aware of the first section 101. The first control may also be, for example, a control using an aroma generator 502 to deliver a coffee aroma so that the closer a person gets to the first section 101, the stronger the aroma of coffee becomes. The first control may also be, for example, a control using a lighting device 503 to light up the area near the entrance to the first section 101, thereby making a person aware of the first section 101. The first control may also be, for example, a control using a video projection device 504 to project an image that moves in a direction toward the first section 101 onto the floor of the predetermined area 103. The first control may also be, for example, a control using an audio device 505 to deliver a sound so that the closer a person gets to the first section 101, the louder the sound of a babbling brook becomes. The first control may also be, for example, a combination of these. Here, the first control method is not limited as long as it is a control that guides people to the first section 101.

[0041] After starting the first control of the first environmental adjustment device 51, the acquisition unit 221 communicates with the first sensor 30 via the communication unit 21 and reacquires the first information detected by the first sensor 30 (S14). Next, the control unit 222 determines whether the number of users in the first section 101 is equal to or less than a predetermined number, based on the first information acquired by the acquisition unit 221 (S15).

[0042] If it is determined that the number of people is equal to or less than the predetermined number (Yes in S15), it can be determined that the utilization rate of the first section 101 has not improved, and the first control of the first environmental adjustment device 51 is continued. At this time, the process returns to step S14, and step S14 is repeated until it is determined that the number of people is greater than the predetermined number (No in S15).

[0043] If it is determined that the number of people is greater than the predetermined number (No in S15), the control unit 222 ends the first control of the first environment adjusting device 51 (S16).

[0044] According to such an operation example 1, it is possible to guide people to the first section 101 by adjusting the environment of the predetermined area 103 adjacent to the first section 101 so as to guide people to the first section 101. Therefore, it is possible to improve the utilization rate of the first section 101.

[0045] [Example 2] In addition, the environmental control system 10 adjusts the environment for passersby in the passage 102 using the second environmental adjustment device 52, thereby guiding the passersby to the rest area (first section 101) without affecting anyone other than the passersby.

[0046] The following describes a second operational example of the environmental control system 10. Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the second operational example of the environmental control system 10 according to the embodiment.

[0047] First, the acquisition unit 221 communicates with the first sensor 30 via the communication unit 21 and acquires first information from the first sensor 30 (S21). Next, the control unit 222 determines whether the number of users in the first section 101 is equal to or less than a predetermined number based on the first information acquired by the acquisition unit 221 (S22). The predetermined number is, for example, five people.

[0048] If it is determined that the number of people is greater than the predetermined number (No in S22), it can be determined that the utilization rate of the first section 101 is sufficient, and therefore the environmental control system 10 ends its operation.

[0049] If it is determined that the number of people is equal to or less than the predetermined number (Yes in S22), the acquisition unit 221 acquires second information from the second sensor 40 (S23). The second information is information indicating the number of people passing through the passage 102. Here, the second information includes information indicating that the number of people passing through the passage 102 is zero, that is, that there are no people passing through the passage 102.

[0050] Next, the control unit 222 determines whether or not there are any passersby in the passage 102 based on the second information acquired by the acquisition unit 221 (S24). If the control unit 222 determines that there are no passersby in the passage 102 (No in S24), the process returns to step S21, and steps S21 to S24 are repeated until it is determined that the number of people indicated by the first information is greater than a predetermined number of people (No in S22) or it is determined that there are passersby in the passage 102 (Yes in S24).

[0051] Next, the control unit 222 identifies the position of the passerby in the passage 102 based on the passerby detection information acquired by the acquisition unit 221 (S25).

[0052] Then, the control unit 222 executes the second control of the second environment adjustment device 52 based on the identified position of the passerby (S26).

[0053] The second control is, for example, a control that uses the image projection device 504 and the sound device 505 to project an image of footprints moving in a direction toward the first section 101 onto the floor where a passerby is about to pass, and delivers a cheerful sound to the passerby when the passerby follows the footprints. The method of the second control is not limited here as long as it is a control that guides passersby to the first section 101.

[0054] Furthermore, if the position of the passerby identified by the control unit 222 is moving away from the first section 101 over time, the second control does not need to be executed.

[0055] According to such operation example 2, it is possible to guide passersby in the passage 102 to the first section 101 by adjusting the environment so as to guide them to the first section 101. Therefore, it is possible to improve the utilization rate of the first section 101.

[0056] Note that the determination in steps S21 and S22 as to whether the first information indicates a predetermined number of people or less may be performed after step S25. In other words, it may be determined whether the utilization rate of the first section 101 is sufficient after the positions of passersby in the passage 102 have been identified.

[0057] Note that the determination of whether the first information indicates a predetermined number of people or less in steps S21 and S22 does not have to be performed. In other words, regardless of the usage status of first section 101, an adjustment of the environment may be performed to guide passersby to first section 101.

[0058] [Example 3] Furthermore, when the first environmental adjustment device 51 is adjusting the environment using the first control, the environmental control system 10 can change the first control method if it is determined that the environmental adjustment being performed is not effective. This makes it possible to guide people to the first section 101 using a more effective environmental adjustment method, thereby improving the utilization rate of the first section 101. Below, a third operational example of such an environmental control system 10 will be described. Figure 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the third operational example of the environmental control system 10 according to the embodiment.

[0059] 4, the control unit 222 starts the first control of the first environmental adjustment device 51. Next, the acquisition unit 221 communicates with the first sensor 30 via the communication unit 21 and acquires first information detected by the first sensor 30 (S31). Next, the control unit 222 determines whether the number of users in the first section 101 is equal to or less than a predetermined number, based on the first information acquired by the acquisition unit 221 (S32).

[0060] If it is determined that the number of people is equal to or less than the predetermined number (Yes in S32), the control unit 222 calculates the time that has elapsed since the first control started, that is, the implementation period of the first control (S33).

[0061] Next, the control unit 222 determines whether the calculated duration of the first control is equal to or longer than a predetermined second period (S34). The second period is, for example, 15 minutes. The second period may be 5 minutes or 30 minutes. Here, the length of the second period is not limited.

[0062] If it is determined that the implementation period of the first control is equal to or longer than the second period (Yes in S34), the control unit 222 changes the method of the first control being performed by the first environment adjustment device 51 (S35). For example, the method is changed from one performed by the lighting device 503 alone to one performed by a combination of the video projection device 504 and the audio device 505.

[0063] Thereafter, the process returns to step S31, and the control unit 222 continues the first control of the first environmental adjustment device 51. However, from this point on, the implementation period of the first control calculated by the control unit 222 in step S33 is the period after the method has been changed. In other words, if the situation in which the number of users in the first section 101 remains below the predetermined number during the first control continues, the control unit 222 changes the method of the first control for each second period.

[0064] If the implementation period of the first control is shorter than the second period (No in S34), the control unit 222 does not change the method of the first control being performed, and continues the first control of the first environment adjustment device 51. At this time, the process returns to step S31, and steps S31 to S34 are repeated until step S32 is judged as No or step S34 is judged as Yes.

[0065] In step S32, if it is determined that the number of people is greater than the predetermined number (No in S32), the control unit 222 ends the first control of the first environment adjusting device 51 (S36).

[0066] According to Operation Example 3, if the first control executed in Operation Example 1 is not effective, the method of the first control is changed, thereby making it possible to more efficiently guide people to the first section 101. Therefore, it is possible to improve the utilization rate of the first section 101.

[0067] [Effects, etc.] Hereinafter, examples of inventions that can be obtained from the disclosure of this specification will be given, and the effects and the like that can be obtained from the exemplified inventions will be explained.

[0068] Invention 1 is an environmental control system 10 comprising an acquisition unit 221 that acquires first information indicating the detection result of a user from a first sensor 30 that detects a user in a first section 101 included in an office 100, and a control unit 222 that executes control of an environmental adjustment device 50 that adjusts the environment in a corridor 102 included in the office 100 so as to guide people to the first section 101 based on the acquired first information.

[0069] Such an environmental control system 10 can guide people to the first section 101 by adjusting the environment using the environmental adjustment device 50. In other words, the utilization rate of a given space can be improved.

[0070] Invention 2 is the environmental control system 10 of Invention 1, in which the control unit 222, when determining that the number of users in the first section 101 remains below a predetermined number for a first period or longer, executes a first control of the first environmental adjustment device 51 that adjusts the environment in a predetermined area 103 of the corridor 102 adjacent to the first section 101 so as to guide people into the first section 101.

[0071] Such an environmental control system 10 can guide people into the first section 101 by adjusting the environment of a predetermined area 103 adjacent to the first section 101.

[0072] Invention 3 is the environmental control system 10 of Invention 1 or 2, in which the acquisition unit 221 further acquires second information indicating the detection result of passersby from a second sensor 40 that detects passersby in the passage 102, and the control unit 222 executes second control of the second environmental adjustment device 52 that adjusts the environment so as to guide passersby to the first section 101 based on the acquired second information.

[0073] Such an environmental control system 10 can guide passersby to the first section 101 by adjusting the environment for passersby in the passageway 102 .

[0074] Invention 4 is the environmental control system 10 of any one of Inventions 1 to 3, in which the first section 101 is a rest space.

[0075] Such an environmental control system 10 can guide people to the rest space, which means that the utilization rate of the rest space can be improved.

[0076] Invention 5 is the environmental control system 10 of any one of Inventions 1 to 4, in which the environmental adjustment device 50 is at least one of an air conditioner 501, a fragrance emitting device 502, a lighting device 503, a video projection device 504, and a sound device 505.

[0077] Such an environmental control system 10 can adjust the environment using at least one of an air conditioning device 501, a fragrance emitting device 502, a lighting device 503, a video projection device 504, and a sound device 505.

[0078] Invention 6 is the environmental control system 10 of any one of Inventions 1 to 5, in which the environmental adjustment device 50 is controlled so as not to adjust the environment in any area of ​​the passage 102 other than the predetermined area 103 adjacent to the first section 101.

[0079] Such an environmental control system 10 can guide people to the first section 101 without affecting people using areas other than the specified area 103, such as a conference room or office area.

[0080] Invention 7 is the environmental control system 10 of any one of Inventions 1 to 6, in which the environmental adjustment device 50 is controlled so as not to be noticed by people outside a predetermined area 103 of the passage 102 adjacent to the first section 101.

[0081] Such an environmental control system 10 can guide people to the first section 101 without affecting people using areas other than the specified area 103, such as a conference room or office area.

[0082] Invention 8 is an environmental control system 10 of any of Inventions 1 to 7, in which the environmental adjustment device 50 is a lighting device 503 or an image projection device 504, and the control unit 222 controls the environmental adjustment device 50 to project light or an image that moves in a direction from the outside to the inside of the first section 101.

[0083] Such an environmental control system 10 can guide people into the first section 101 using a lighting device 503 or a video projection device 504.

[0084] Invention 9 is an environmental control system 10 of any of Inventions 1 to 8, in which the control unit 222 changes the method of the first control when it determines that the number of users in the first section 101 has remained below a predetermined number for a second period or longer after the start of the first control.

[0085] Such an environmental control system 10 can guide people to the first section 101 more efficiently by changing the control method when the first control is not effective.

[0086] Invention 10 is an environmental control method including an acquisition step of acquiring first information indicating the detection result of a user from a first sensor 30 that detects a user in a first section 101 included in an office 100, and a control step of executing control of an environmental adjustment device 50 that adjusts the environment so as to guide people to the first section 101 based on the acquired first information.

[0087] Such an environmental control method can guide people to the first section 101 by adjusting the environment using the environmental adjustment device 50. In other words, it is possible to improve the utilization rate of a given space.

[0088] (Other embodiments) Although the environmental control system according to the present invention has been described above based on the embodiment, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment.

[0089] For example, in the above embodiment, the environmental control system is realized by multiple devices, but it may also be realized as a single device. Thus, the system in this specification may be configured by a single device or multiple devices. When the system is realized by multiple devices, the components of the system may be distributed among the multiple devices in any manner.

[0090] In the above-described embodiment, the processing performed by a specific processing unit may be performed by another processing unit. The order of multiple processing operations may be changed, or multiple processing operations may be performed in parallel.

[0091] In the above-described embodiments, each component may be realized by executing a software program suitable for that component, or by a program execution unit such as a CPU or processor reading and executing a software program recorded on a recording medium such as a hard disk or semiconductor memory.

[0092] Furthermore, each component may be realized by hardware. Each component may be a circuit (or integrated circuit). These circuits may form a single circuit as a whole, or each may be a separate circuit. Furthermore, each of these circuits may be a general-purpose circuit or a dedicated circuit.

[0093] Furthermore, the general or specific aspects of the present invention may be realized as a system, an apparatus, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, or a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, or as any combination of a system, an apparatus, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, and a recording medium.

[0094] For example, the present invention may be realized as the information terminal of the above-described embodiment. The present invention may also be realized as a display method executed by the information terminal. The present invention may also be realized as a program for causing a computer to execute the display method, or as a computer-readable non-transitory recording medium on which such a program is recorded.

[0095] In addition, the present invention also includes forms obtained by applying various modifications to each embodiment that a person skilled in the art would think of, or forms realized by arbitrarily combining the components and functions of each embodiment within the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0096] 10 Environmental Control System 221 Acquisition Department 222 Control Unit 30 First Sensor 40 Second sensor 50 Environmental control device 501 Air conditioner 502 Fragrance Generator 503 Lighting equipment 504 Video Projection Equipment 505 Sound equipment 51 1st environment adjustment device 52 Second environment control device 100 Buildings (Offices) 101 Section 1 102 Passage 103 Target area (prescribed area)

Claims

1. an acquisition unit that acquires first information indicating a detection result of a user from a first sensor that detects a user in a first section included in the office; a control unit that controls an environmental adjustment device that adjusts an environment in a passageway included in the office so as to guide people to the first section based on the acquired first information, Environmental control system.

2. When the control unit determines that a situation in which the number of users in the first section is equal to or less than a predetermined number has continued for a first period or more, the control unit executes a first control of a first environment adjustment device that adjusts an environment in a predetermined area of ​​the passage adjacent to the first section so as to guide people to the first section. The environmental control system of claim 1 .

3. The acquisition unit further acquires second information indicating a detection result of a passerby from a second sensor that detects a passerby in the passage; the control unit executes a second control of a second environment adjustment device that adjusts an environment so as to guide the passerby to the first section based on the acquired second information.

3. The environmental control system according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The first section is a rest space.

3. The environmental control system according to claim 1 or 2.

5. The environmental adjustment device is at least one of an air conditioning device, a fragrance emitting device, a lighting device, a video projection device, and a sound device.

3. The environmental control system according to claim 1 or 2.

6. The environmental conditioning device is controlled so as not to adjust the environment in any area other than a predetermined area of ​​the passage adjacent to the first section. The environmental control system of claim 1 .

7. The environmental conditioning device is controlled so as not to be noticeable by people in a region other than a predetermined region of the passageway adjacent to the first section. The environmental control system of claim 1 .

8. the environmental adjustment device is a lighting device or a video projection device, the control unit controls the environmental adjustment device to project light or an image that moves in a direction from the outside to the inside of the first section.

3. The environmental control system according to claim 1 or 2.

9. the control unit changes the method of the first control when it determines that a situation in which the number of users in the first section is equal to or less than a predetermined number of users has continued for a second period or more after the start of the first control. The environmental control system of claim 2 .

10. 1. A computer-implemented method for controlling an environment, comprising: an acquisition step of acquiring first information indicating a detection result of a user from a first sensor that detects a user in a first section included in the office; and a control step of controlling an environment conditioning device that adjusts an environment so as to guide a person to the first section based on the acquired first information. Environmental control methods.

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