Shop cooling device control system

Abstract

To provide a shop cooling device control system capable of performing temperature control corresponding to any position inside a device while suppressing an increase in the number of components and complication of the configuration of the temperature control.SOLUTION: A shop cooling device control system 100 includes: an input reception section 10; a display section 11; a first cooling device 2; a temperature sensor 5 provided within the first cooling device 2; and a first control section 12 and a second control section 25 that control the first cooling device 2. The first cooling device 2 has a display region 20 for displaying commercial products, a work region 21 in which work can be performed, and a cooling section 26. The first control section 12 sets a setpoint 30 on the basis of a candidate selected through a selection operation by an operator out of candidates related to the setpoint 30 of a temperature when control of the cooling section 26 is performed. The second control section 25 is configured to control the cooling section 26 on the basis of the setpoint 30 set by the first control section 12 and a measurement temperature within the first cooling device 2 measured by the temperature sensor 5.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a store-use cooling device control system, and more particularly to a store-use cooling device control system that allows work to be performed inside the device. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, a cooling device control system for use in a store that allows work to be performed inside the device is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a control system for controlling the cooling of showcases in a store equipped with multiple refrigerated showcases (cooling devices). Patent Document 1 discloses, as multiple refrigerated showcases, an open-type showcase without a door, and a walk-in-type showcase with a door and an internal work area that allows work inside the device. The control system described in Patent Document 1 includes freezers connected to each showcase by refrigerant piping, and a control device that controls the freezers. Each showcase also includes an evaporator connected to the refrigerant piping, a cold air circulation fan that exchanges heat with the evaporator and blows cold air into the showcase, and one internal temperature sensor.

[0004] The control device described in Patent Document 1 controls the cooling of each showcase based on the temperature inside the showcase measured by an in-cabinet temperature sensor. Specifically, the control device described in Patent Document 1 controls the cooling inside the showcase so that the temperature inside the showcase becomes a preset setting value. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-153007 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The walk-in showcase (refrigeration device) described in Patent Document 1 has a work area inside the device, allowing workers to enter and display products. In other words, a walk-in refrigerator has a larger cooling area than an open-type refrigerator. Furthermore, the configuration described in Patent Document 1 has only one internal temperature sensor (temperature sensor). Therefore, when controlling the temperature inside the device, which has a large cooling area, based on the temperature sensor's measurement value and a preset value, there is a disadvantage that the temperature may be higher than the preset value at locations far from the temperature sensor. In this case, increasing the number of temperature sensors installed in the refrigerator allows temperature control based on the temperature at any location inside the device, but this increases the number of parts and complicates the temperature control configuration. Therefore, it is desirable to be able to control the temperature according to any location inside the refrigerator while suppressing the increase in the number of parts and the complexity of the temperature control configuration.

[0007] This invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and one object of this invention is to provide a store cooling device control system that is capable of performing temperature control according to any position inside the device while suppressing an increase in the number of parts and an increase in the complexity of the temperature control configuration. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a store cooling device control system according to one aspect of the present invention is a store cooling device control system that controls a cooling device installed in a store, and is equipped with an input receiving unit that receives operation input from an operator, a display unit that displays an operation screen, a cooling device, a temperature sensor installed in the cooling device, and a control unit that controls the cooling device, and the cooling device has a display area for displaying products, a work area where work can be done inside, and a cooling unit, and the control unit is configured to set a setting value based on a candidate selected by an operator's selection operation from among candidates for the temperature setting value when controlling the cooling unit, and to control the cooling unit based on the set setting value and the measured temperature inside the cooling device measured by the temperature sensor.

[0009] In the store-use cooling device control system according to the first aspect, as described above, the control unit is configured to set a setpoint based on a candidate selected by an operator from among candidate setpoints for the temperature used to control the cooling unit, and to control the cooling unit based on the set setpoint and the temperature measured by the temperature sensor inside the cooling unit. This allows the cooling unit to be controlled based on the setpoint set based on the candidate selected by the operator. Therefore, since the setpoint can be set by the operator's selection, the temperature inside the cooling unit can be controlled based on a setpoint different from a preset setpoint without providing multiple temperature sensors inside the cooling unit. Furthermore, since the cooling unit is controlled based on the setpoint set based on the candidate selected by the operator, the temperature inside the cooling unit can be controlled based on a setpoint corresponding to an arbitrary position inside the cooling unit, unlike a configuration in which the temperature of the cooling unit is controlled based on a single preset setpoint and a temperature measured by a temperature sensor, for example, by the operator selecting a setpoint based on an arbitrary position inside the cooling unit as a candidate setpoint. As a result, the temperature can be controlled according to an arbitrary position inside the cooling unit while suppressing an increase in the number of parts and a complicated temperature control configuration.

[0010] In the store-use cooling device control system according to the above aspect, the display area preferably includes a plurality of shelves, and the system further includes a memory unit for storing information on the temperature distribution of the plurality of shelves within the cooling device. The control unit is configured to display the layout information of the plurality of shelves on the display unit and change the setpoint based on the selection input of the layout information received by the input receiving unit and the temperature distribution information corresponding to the selected shelf unit. Here, when the products displayed in the display area of ​​the cooling device include, for example, dairy products, temperature control must be performed more strictly than for soft drinks that can be stored at room temperature. Furthermore, a cooling device with an internal work area has a larger internal size (volume) than a cooling device without a work area. Furthermore, because the positional relationship between each of the plurality of shelves and the cooling unit differs, some shelves among the plurality of shelves will be more easily cooled and others will be less easily cooled. In this case, when the temperature within the cooling device is controlled based on a preset setpoint and measurements from a temperature sensor, the accuracy of temperature control will vary depending on the position of the shelf.

[0011] Therefore, as described above, by configuring the setting value to be changed based on the selection input of the arrangement information received by the input receiving unit and the temperature distribution information corresponding to the selected shelf unit, the setting value can be changed based on the temperature distribution information corresponding to the position of the shelf unit. Therefore, by selecting any shelf unit (arrangement information) desired by the operator depending on the type of product displayed on the shelf unit, the cooling unit can be controlled based on the setting value corresponding to the selected shelf unit. As a result, it is possible to control the temperature inside the cooling device based on the position of the selected shelf unit, and therefore the temperature inside the entire cooling device can be controlled depending on the position of the product displayed on the shelf unit. Furthermore, when products displayed on multiple shelf units are rearranged, the operator can select a shelf unit depending on the replaced product, and thereby perform appropriate temperature control depending on the position of the shelf on which the replaced product is displayed. As a result, convenience (usability) for the operator can be improved.

[0012] In this case, the temperature distribution information is preferably differential value information indicating a differential value between the temperature at each of the plurality of shelves and the temperature measured by the temperature sensor, and the control unit is configured to change the set value based on the differential value corresponding to the selected shelf. With this configuration, the set value can be easily set to the set value corresponding to the selected shelf by changing the set value by the differential value corresponding to the selected shelf.

[0013] In the configuration in which the control unit changes the setpoints based on the difference value corresponding to the selected shelf, the setpoints preferably include an upper setpoint, which is the upper limit of the setpoints when controlling the cooling unit, and a lower setpoint, which is the lower limit of the setpoints. The control unit is configured to stop the cooling unit when the measured temperature reaches the lower setpoint and to activate the cooling unit when the measured temperature reaches the upper setpoint. Furthermore, when the input receiving unit receives selection input of the placement information, the control unit is configured to change both the upper setpoint and the lower setpoint in accordance with the difference value corresponding to the selected shelf. With this configuration, the upper setpoint and the lower setpoint are changed by the difference value corresponding to the selected shelf, so that the cooling unit can be controlled to maintain a temperature within the changed range between the upper setpoint and the lower setpoint. As a result, the temperature inside the entire cooling device can be easily controlled to maintain a temperature within the temperature range from the upper setpoint to the lower setpoint, which is set based on the difference value of the selected shelf.

[0014] In this case, preferably, the work area includes a placement area where products are placed at a position different from the display area, the difference value information includes information indicating a difference value between the temperature of the placement area and the temperature measured by the temperature sensor, the input receiving unit is configured to receive an operation input for selecting the placement area, and the control unit is configured to change the setting value based on the difference value of the selected placement area. With this configuration, the setting value is changed based on the difference value of the selected placement area, so that not only the difference values ​​of each of the multiple shelf units but also the difference value of the placement area can be used as candidates for changing the setting value. Therefore, the number of candidates for changing the setting value can be increased, making it possible to control the cooling unit based on any location within the cooling device. As a result, the temperature inside the cooling device can be controlled more precisely depending on the location.

[0015] In the configuration in which the control unit changes the setpoint based on information about the temperature distribution corresponding to the selected shelf unit, the storage unit is preferably configured to store the setpoint in association with information about the cooling device, including at least one of the size of the cooling device, the type of insulation provided in the cooling device, and the arrangement of the cooling units within the cooling device. The display unit is configured to display information about multiple cooling devices. The input receiving unit is configured to receive an operation input for selecting one of the multiple pieces of information about the cooling devices. The control unit is configured to control the cooling device based on the setpoint associated with the selected piece of information about the cooling device. Here, the temperature distribution inside the cooling device varies depending on the size of the cooling device, the type of insulation provided in the cooling device, and the arrangement of the cooling units within the cooling device. In other words, there is a correlation between the information about the cooling device and the temperature distribution inside the cooling device. Therefore, if the control unit is configured to control the cooling device based on the setpoint associated with the selected piece of information about the cooling device, the operator can select information about a cooling device that is the same as or similar to the cooling device installed in the store from the information about the multiple cooling devices and change the setpoint in advance to match the selected cooling device. As a result, convenience (usability) for the operator can be improved.

[0016] In the configuration in which the control unit changes both the upper limit setting value and the lower limit setting value according to the difference value corresponding to the selected shelf unit, preferably, the memory unit stores a quench upper limit setting value lower than the upper limit setting value corresponding to the largest difference value and a quench lower limit setting value lower than the lower limit setting value corresponding to the largest difference value. When the input receiving unit receives an operation input to rapidly cool all of the multiple shelf units, the control unit is configured to control the cooling unit based on the quench upper limit setting value and the quench lower limit setting value and the measured temperature. For example, after many of the products on a shelf unit have been purchased, products that have not been sufficiently cooled may be displayed on the shelf unit. In this case, customers may not be able to purchase the products until the insufficiently cooled products are sufficiently cooled. Therefore, with the above configuration, the cooling unit is controlled based on the quench upper limit setting value and the quench lower limit setting value and the measured temperature, thereby rapidly cooling the insufficiently cooled products. As a result, it is possible to cool products more rapidly compared to when the control unit is not configured to control the cooling unit based on the rapid cooling upper limit setting value and the rapid cooling lower limit setting value and the measured temperature, thereby preventing lost sales opportunities for products due to insufficient cooling of the products. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] According to the present invention, as described above, it is possible to provide a store cooling device control system that can perform temperature control according to any position inside the device while suppressing an increase in the number of parts and an increase in the complexity of the temperature control configuration. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of a store in which a store cooling device control system is installed. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a store cooling device control system according to one embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration in which a control unit controls a cooling unit in one embodiment. [Figure 4]10 is a table illustrating differential value information for a plurality of shelves according to an embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration in which a control unit changes a setting value in an embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a configuration in which a control unit controls a cooling unit based on a changed setting value in an embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a configuration in which a control unit sets a setting value based on information about a cooling device in one embodiment. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a process in which a control unit controls a cooling unit in one embodiment. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a process in which a control unit changes a setting value in an embodiment. [Figure 10] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a process in which a control unit sets a setting value associated with information about a selected cooling device as an initial value in an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0020] [First embodiment] (Overall configuration of a store cooling device control system) The overall configuration of a store-use cooling device control system 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0021] As shown in Fig. 1, the store-use cooling device control system 100 is a store-use cooling device control system that controls a first cooling device 2 installed in a store 80. The first cooling device 2 is an example of the "cooling device" described in the claims.

[0022] The store 80 is provided with an in-store control device 1, a first cooling device 2, multiple second cooling devices 3, and multiple storage units 4. A freezer 6 is provided outside the store 80. The store 80 is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, a convenience store, supermarket, or drugstore. In this specification, the vertical direction connecting the ceiling and floor of the store 80 is referred to as the Z direction, with the ceiling side referred to as the Z1 side and the floor side referred to as the Z2 side. The front-to-back direction of the store 80, perpendicular to the Z direction, is referred to as the Y direction. The side where the entrance / exit 81 is located is referred to as the front side (Y1 side), and the side opposite the front side is referred to as the rear side (Y2 side). The left-to-right direction perpendicular to the Y direction and the Z direction is referred to as the X direction. In the X direction, the right side when viewed from the Y1 side to the Y2 side is referred to as the X1 side, and the left side is referred to as the X2 side. FIG. 1 schematically illustrates the layout of the store cooling device control system 100.

[0023] The in-store control device 1 is configured to control the first cooling device 2, the second cooling device 3, the freezing device 6, etc. The in-store control device 1 is placed, for example, in the back yard of the store 80. Details of the in-store control device 1 will be described later.

[0024] The first cooling device 2 is configured to display products and cool the displayed products. As shown in Fig. 1, the first cooling device 2 has a display area 20 where products are displayed and a work area 21 where work can be done inside.

[0025] 1, the display area 20 includes a plurality of shelf sections 20a. Products such as beverages are displayed on the shelf sections 20a.

[0026] The work area 21 is an area inside the first cooling device 2 other than the area where the plurality of shelf sections 20a are provided. In the work area 21, workers perform tasks such as displaying products on the shelf sections 20a and / or carrying products into the first cooling device 2. As shown in FIG. 1 , the work area 21 also includes a placement area 21a where products are placed at a position different from the display area 20. Foodstuffs and the like are placed in the placement area 21a.

[0027] A door 23 is provided on the X2 side of the shelf 20a. An entrance 24 is provided on the Y1 side of the first cooling device 2. The first cooling device 2 is a so-called walk-in type cooling device in which an operator can work.

[0028] The second cooling device 3 is configured to display products and cool the displayed products. The second cooling device 3 has an opening (not shown) on the front side (Y1 direction side). The second cooling device 3 is a so-called open-type cooling device.

[0029] The storage section 4 is an article storage section in which products are placed and the products are stored at room temperature.

[0030] A temperature sensor 5 is also provided inside the first cooling device 2. The temperature sensor 5 is configured to measure the temperature inside the first cooling device 2. The temperature sensor 5 is also configured to transmit the measured temperature inside the first cooling device 2 to the in-store control device 1.

[0031] Furthermore, a cooling section 26 that cools the first cooling device 2 is provided within the first cooling device 2. The detailed configuration of the cooling section 26 will be described later.

[0032] The refrigeration device 6 is connected to the first cooling device 2 and the second cooling device 3 to form a refrigeration cycle. The refrigeration device 6 is installed outside (outdoors) of the store 80. The refrigeration cycle is configured to cool an object by circulating a refrigerant. Details of the refrigeration cycle will be described later.

[0033] (System configuration of a store cooling device control system) Next, the system configuration of the store cooling device control system 100 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0034] 2, the store cooling device control system 100 includes an in-store control device 1, a first cooling device 2, a second cooling device 3, and a freezing device 6. The in-store control device 1 is communicatively connected to the first cooling device 2, the second cooling device 3, and the freezing device 6 via a network 90. ​​The in-store control device 1 is communicatively connected to a server 7 via a network 91.

[0035] The network 90 is, for example, a local area network (LAN), and the network 91 is, for example, the Internet.

[0036] The in-store control device 1 includes an input receiving unit 10, a display unit 11, a first control unit 12, and a storage unit 13.

[0037] The input receiving unit 10 is configured to receive an operation input from an operator. In this embodiment, the input receiving unit 10 is configured to receive an operation input for selecting a placement area 21a (see FIG. 1).

[0038] The display unit 11 is configured to display an operation screen and includes a display device such as a liquid crystal monitor.

[0039] In this embodiment, the input receiving unit 10 and the display unit 11 are an integrally configured touch panel.

[0040] The first control unit 12 is configured to control each unit of the in-store control device 1. The first control unit 12 is also configured to set a temperature setpoint 30 when controlling the cooling unit 26. The first control unit 12 is configured, for example, by a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a memory such as a RAM (Random Access Memory). The first control unit 12 is an example of the "control unit" set forth in the claims.

[0041] The storage unit 13 is configured to store setting values ​​30. The setting values ​​30 include an upper limit setting value 30a and a lower limit setting value 30b, which will be described later. That is, the storage unit 13 stores the upper limit setting value 30a and the lower limit setting value 30b. The storage unit 13 is also configured to store the setting values ​​30 in association with cooling device information 35, which will be described later. The storage unit 13 includes, for example, a ROM (Read Only Memory) and an SD (Secure Digital) memory card.

[0042] The storage unit 13 is also configured to store information 31 about the temperature distribution of the multiple shelves 20a (see FIG. 1) in the first cooling device 2. The temperature distribution information 31 includes differential value information 31a, which will be described later. The differential value information 31a is experimentally obtained in advance for each first cooling device 2 and is stored in the storage unit 13.

[0043] The storage unit 13 also stores a reference value 32. The reference value 32 is a value that is set in advance based on the Food Sanitation Act and the like, depending on the products to be displayed on the shelf unit 20a. The reference value 32 is, for example, 10°C.

[0044] The storage unit 13 also stores a rapid cooling upper limit setting value 33 and a rapid cooling lower limit setting value 34, which will be described later.

[0045] The setting values ​​30 associated with the cooling device information 35 are stored in the server 7. In this embodiment, the storage unit 13 stores in advance the setting values ​​30 associated with the cooling device information 35 acquired from the server 7. The storage unit 13 may also store the setting values ​​30 associated with the cooling device information 35 acquired by the first control unit 12.

[0046] The first cooling device 2 has a second control unit 25 and a cooling unit 26. The second control unit 25 is an example of the "control unit" recited in the claims.

[0047] The second control unit 25 is configured to control the first cooling device 2. The second control unit 25 is configured to control the cooling unit 26 based on the set value 30 set by the first control unit 12 and the temperature measured inside the first cooling device 2 by the temperature sensor 5. The second control unit 25 is, for example, a microcomputer including a CPU, a memory, etc.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 2, the cooling unit 26 includes an evaporator 26a, an expansion valve 26b, and a blower 26c.

[0049] The evaporator 26a is configured to exchange heat with the refrigerant to cool the refrigerant. Specifically, the evaporator 26a exchanges heat with the air to be cooled, and evaporates the refrigerant by receiving heat from the air to be cooled.

[0050] The expansion valve 26b is configured to expand the condensed, high-pressure, liquid-phase refrigerant, and is, for example, a pulse-type electronic expansion valve.

[0051] The blower 26c is configured to blow the air cooled by the evaporator 26a into the inside of the first cooling device 2. The blower 21c includes, for example, a fan and a motor.

[0052] 2, the refrigeration device 6 includes a compressor 6a and a condenser 6b. The compressor 6a is configured to compress the evaporated gas-phase refrigerant to form a high-pressure refrigerant. The condenser 6b is configured to cool the refrigerant and condense it into a high-pressure liquid-phase refrigerant.

[0053] In the first embodiment, a refrigeration cycle is configured by the evaporator 26a, the expansion valve 26b, the compressor 6a, and the condenser 6b. That is, the refrigerant condensed by the condenser 6b is distributed to the expansion valve 26b of the first cooling device 2. The evaporated refrigerant from the evaporator 26a of the first cooling device 2 is collected and flows into the compressor 6a. The expansion valve 26b expands the high-pressure, liquid-phase refrigerant condensed by the condenser 6b. The evaporator 26a evaporates the low-pressure, gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant expanded by the expansion valve 26b. The compressor 6a compresses the gas-phase refrigerant evaporated by the evaporator 26a to produce high-pressure refrigerant. The condenser 6b cools the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 6a and condenses it into high-pressure, liquid-phase refrigerant. The refrigeration cycle, which is made up of an evaporator 26a, an expansion valve 26b, a compressor 6a, and a condenser 6b, is configured to circulate a refrigerant between the refrigeration device 6 and the first cooling device 2, thereby cooling the object (air).

[0054] In the first cooling device 2, the air that is the object of heat exchange is cooled by the refrigerant and sent into the inside of the first cooling device 2 by the blower 26c, thereby cooling the inside of the first cooling device 2.

[0055] The second cooling device 3 also has an evaporator (not shown), an expansion valve (not shown), and a blower (not shown) inside, and like the first cooling device 2, forms a refrigeration cycle with the refrigeration device 6 to cool the inside of the second cooling device 3.

[0056] An air outlet and an air inlet are arranged at the opening of the second cooling device 3 to form an air curtain. Cooled air flows through the air curtain from above (Z1 side) to below (Z2 side). The air outlet is configured so that a portion of the air that cools the inside of the second cooling device 3 is blown out from above (Z1 side) to below (Z2 side) and is sucked into the air inlet. More specifically, the air sucked in by the air inlet is sent to the refrigeration cycle and cooled. The air curtain is formed to prevent the temperature of the air inside the second cooling device 3 from rising.

[0057] (Cooling control of first cooling device) Next, with reference to Fig. 3, a configuration in which the second control unit 25 (see Fig. 2) controls the temperature of the first cooling device 2 (see Fig. 2) will be described. Graph G1 shown in Fig. 3 is a graph showing the change in temperature inside the first cooling device 2 when the second control unit 25 controls the temperature of the first cooling device 2. In graph G1, the vertical axis represents temperature and the horizontal axis represents time.

[0058] The second control unit 25 controls the temperature of the first cooling device 2 by controlling the cooling unit 26 (see FIG. 2) based on set values ​​30 (see FIG. 2). In this embodiment, the set values ​​30 include an upper limit set value 30a (see FIG. 2) that is the upper limit of the set values ​​30 when controlling the cooling unit 26, and a lower limit set value 30b (see FIG. 2) that is the lower limit. The second control unit 25 controls the cooling unit 26 so that the temperature inside the first cooling device 2 is a value between the upper limit set value 30a and the lower limit set value 30b.

[0059] First, the second control unit 25 starts cooling the first cooling device 2 by driving the cooling unit 26. Then, as shown by the solid line 40 in graph G1, the temperature inside the first cooling device 2 decreases over time from time t0 to time t1. Then, at time t1, the second control unit 25 stops the cooling unit 26 when the measured temperature reaches the lower limit setting value 30b. Thereafter, from time t1 to time t2, the temperature inside the first cooling device 2 increases over time. Then, at time t2, the second control unit 25 is configured to drive the cooling unit 26 when the measured temperature reaches the upper limit setting value 30a. Note that the dashed lines 41a and 41b in graph G1 indicate the upper limit setting value 30a and the lower limit setting value 30b, respectively.

[0060] The second control unit 25 repeats the same process to control the cooling unit 26 so that the temperature inside the first cooling device 2 falls within the range of the set value 30. The set value 30 is a value that does not exceed a temperature that is preset depending on the products displayed on the shelf unit 20a (see FIG. 1). For example, if the temperature inside the first cooling device 2 needs to be kept within 10°C, which is the reference value 32 (see FIG. 2), the upper limit set value 30a is set to 10°C, and the lower limit set value 30b is set to a temperature that is 1 to 2°C lower than the upper limit set value 30a. For safety reasons, the upper limit set value 30a may be set to a value approximately 1°C lower than the reference value 32. The reference value 32 is set to a temperature at which the products to be cooled will not freeze. Furthermore, the difference in the temperature distribution inside the first cooling device 2 will not exceed 10°C due to differences in the position of the shelf unit 20a. Therefore, even if the first control unit 12 changes the upper limit setting value 30a and the lower limit setting value 30b, the temperature inside the first cooling device 2 is controlled within a temperature range in which the product will not freeze.

[0061] Here, various types of beverages are placed on the multiple shelves 20a of the first cooling device 2, including soft drinks such as water and tea, and dairy products such as milk and yogurt drinks. Dairy products require stricter temperature control than soft drinks. Only one temperature sensor 5 is provided inside the first cooling device 2, and depending on the position of the shelves 20a, the temperature may be higher than the temperature measured by the temperature sensor 5. If the set value 30 is configured to remain at the reference value 32 and cannot be changed, it may not be possible to control the temperature inside the first cooling device 2 to a temperature appropriate for the products displayed on the shelves 20a.

[0062] Therefore, in this embodiment, the first control unit 12 (see FIG. 2) is configured to set the setting value 30 based on a candidate selected by a selection operation by the operator from among candidates for the setting value 30. Specifically, the first control unit 12 is configured to change the setting value 30 based on a difference value corresponding to the selected shelf unit 20a.

[0063] The difference value corresponding to the shelf 20a is a value indicating the difference between the temperature at each of the plurality of shelf parts 20a and the measured temperature measured by the temperature sensor 5. In this embodiment, the first control unit 12 changes the setting value 30 based on difference value information 31a (see FIG. 2) corresponding to the plurality of shelf parts 20a.

[0064] (Difference value information) 4 shows a table 50 showing difference value information 31a (see FIG. 2). Table 50 includes a column number display field 51, a row number display field 52, and a difference value display field 53. Table 50 has a number of column number display fields 51 and row number display fields 52 corresponding to the number of shelves 20a (see FIG. 1). That is, if the number of shelves 20a is six rows and six columns, table 50 includes six column number display fields 51 and six row number display fields 52.

[0065] Furthermore, the difference value information 31a is displayed in the difference value display field 53. The position of each of the difference value display fields 53 corresponds to the position of each of the multiple shelves 20a. Therefore, each of the difference value display fields 53 displays the difference value of the corresponding shelf 20a. The unit of the difference value displayed in each of the difference value display fields 53 is "°C."

[0066] In the table 50 shown in Fig. 4, the difference value "+3.0" shown in the difference value display field 53 where both the column number display field 51 and the row number display field 52 are "1" indicates the difference between the temperature of the shelf 20a located at the upper left side (the side furthest in the Y2 direction and the side furthest in the Z1 direction) and the measured temperature in the example shown in Fig. 1. In other words, the temperature of the upper left shelf 20a among the multiple shelf portions 20a is 3.0°C higher than the temperature measured by the temperature sensor 5.

[0067] In this embodiment, the storage unit 13 (see FIG. 2) stores the difference value of each shelf 20a to the first decimal place as the difference value information 31a. Therefore, in the table 50, the difference value is also displayed to the first decimal place in each of the difference value display fields 53.

[0068] (Change the setting value) Next, with reference to FIG. 5, a configuration in which the first control unit 12 (see FIG. 2) changes the setting value 30 (see FIG. 2) will be described.

[0069] 5 shows a cooling temperature location setting screen 60 displayed on the display unit 11 (see FIG. 2). The cooling temperature location setting screen 60 displays arrangement information 61 of the multiple shelf units 20a (see FIG. 1), a decision button 62, a rapid cooling button 63, and an arrangement area cooling button 64.

[0070] The arrangement information 61 corresponds to the plurality of shelf sections 20a. Specifically, the arrangement information 61 is a matrix diagram that displays rectangles 61a at positions corresponding to the plurality of shelf sections 20a. For example, if the plurality of shelf sections 20a are arranged in six rows and six columns, the arrangement information 61 is also a matrix diagram that includes six rows and six columns of rectangles 61a, as shown in FIG. 5.

[0071] The decision button 62, the rapid cooling button 63, and the placement area cooling button 64 are GUI (Graphical User Interface) buttons.

[0072] 5, in this embodiment, the first control unit 12 is configured to display arrangement information 61 of the multiple shelf units 20a on the display unit 11. The first control unit 12 is configured to change the setting value 30 based on a selection input of the arrangement information 61 received by the input receiving unit 10 (see FIG. 2) and on temperature distribution information 31 (see FIG. 2) corresponding to the selected shelf unit 20a.

[0073] In this embodiment, the first control unit 12 changes the setting value 30 when the arrangement information 61 is selected and the decision button 62 is operated (tapped). Specifically, when the input receiving unit 10 receives a selection input of the arrangement information 61, the first control unit 12 is configured to change both the upper limit setting value 30a (see FIG. 2) and the lower limit setting value 30b (see FIG. 2) in accordance with the difference value corresponding to the selected shelf unit 20a. The first control unit 12 acquires the difference value of the shelf unit 20a at the selected position 61b based on the temperature distribution information 31. Then, the first control unit 12 changes the upper limit setting value 30a and the lower limit setting value 30b from the reference value 32 (see FIG. 2) by the acquired difference value.

[0074] For example, let us consider a case where the operator selects rectangle 61c from a state in which the setting value 30 has been set based on the shelf 20a corresponding to the position of rectangle 61b. If the difference value of the shelf 20a corresponding to the position of rectangle 61c is "+1.6", the first control unit 12 sets the setting value 30 to the upper limit setting value 30a and the lower limit setting value 30b that are 1.6°C lower than both the upper limit setting value 30a and the lower limit setting value 30b of the reference value 32.

[0075] 5, when displaying the arrangement information 61 of the plurality of shelves 20a, the first control unit 12 is configured to display a rectangle 61b indicating the shelf 20a corresponding to the currently set setting value 30, a rectangle 61c indicating the shelf 20a selected by the operator, and a rectangle 61a indicating the other shelves 20a in a manner that allows them to be distinguished from one another. For example, the first control unit 12 displays the rectangle 61b indicating the shelf 20a corresponding to the currently set setting value 30, the rectangle 61c indicating the shelf 20a selected by the operator, and the rectangle 61a indicating the other shelves 20a in different display modes, thereby allowing the rectangle 61b indicating the shelf 20a corresponding to the currently set setting value 30, the rectangle 61c indicating the shelf 20a selected by the operator, and the rectangle 61a indicating the other shelves 20a to be distinguished from one another.

[0076] In the example shown in FIG. 5, the rectangle 61b representing the shelf section 20a corresponding to the currently set setting value 30 is labeled "Setting" and hatched. The rectangle 61c representing the shelf section 20a selected by the operator is labeled "Selecting" and hatched differently from the rectangle 61b. The rectangles 61a representing other shelf sections 20a do not display the words "Setting" or "Selecting," nor are they hatched. That is, in the example shown in FIG. 5, the rectangles 61a representing the shelf section 20a corresponding to the currently set setting value 30, the rectangles 61a representing the shelf section 20a selected by the operator, and the rectangles 61a representing other shelf sections 20a are displayed in a distinguishable manner, depending on the displayed words and the presence or absence and type of hatching. Each rectangle 61a may also display the type of product displayed on the corresponding shelf section 20a.

[0077] Furthermore, when the rapid cooling button 63 is operated (tapped), the first control unit 12 changes the setting value 30 based on the rapid cooling upper limit setting value 33 (see FIG. 2) and the rapid cooling lower limit setting value 34 (see FIG. 2). Then, when the input receiving unit 10 receives an operation input to rapidly cool all of the plurality of shelves 20a, the second control unit 25 is configured to control the cooling unit 26 based on the rapid cooling upper limit setting value 33, the rapid cooling lower limit setting value 34, and the measured temperature.

[0078] The quenching upper limit setting value 33 is set to a value lower than the upper limit setting value 30a corresponding to the largest difference value. The quenching lower limit setting value 34 is set to a value lower than the lower limit setting value 30b corresponding to the largest difference value. For example, if the largest difference value included in the difference value information 31a is "+3.0," the quenching upper limit setting value 33 and the quenching lower limit setting value 34 are set to values ​​that are 3.0°C lower than the reference value 32 and that allow control of the cooling unit 26.

[0079] In this embodiment, the difference value information 31a includes information indicating the difference value between the temperature of the placement area 21a (see FIG. 1) and the temperature measured by the temperature sensor 5 (see FIG. 2). Therefore, when the operator operates (tap) the placement area cooling button 64, the first control unit 12 is configured to change the setting value 30 based on the difference value of the selected placement area 21a.

[0080] The difference value between the temperature of the placement area 21a and the temperature measured by the temperature sensor 5 is experimentally obtained in advance, and is set to the value of the placement area 21a that has the largest difference from the temperature measured by the temperature sensor 5. The set difference value of the placement area 21a is stored in the storage unit 13 (see FIG. 2).

[0081] (Cooling control of the first cooling device using the changed setting value) Next, with reference to FIG. 6, a configuration in which the second control unit 25 (see FIG. 2) controls the cooling unit 26 (see FIG. 2) based on the changed set value 30 (see FIG. 2) will be described.

[0082] 6 is a graph showing the change in temperature inside the first cooling device 2 when the second control unit 25 controls the temperature of the first cooling device 2 based on the changed set value 30. In the graph G2, the vertical axis represents temperature and the horizontal axis represents time.

[0083] In graph G2, the two-dot chain line 40a illustrates the temperature change in the first cooling device 2 when the cooling unit 26 is controlled based on the pre-change setting value 30. The dashed lines 41a and 41b respectively represent the upper limit setting value 30a and the lower limit setting value 30b of the pre-change setting value 30.

[0084] In graph G2, the solid line 42 indicates the temperature change in the first cooling device 2 when the cooling unit 26 is controlled based on the changed set value 30. The dashed-dotted line 43a and dashed-dotted line 43b indicate the upper set value 30a and the lower set value 30b of the changed set value 30, respectively.

[0085] Furthermore, times t4, t6, and t7 in graph G2 correspond to times t1, t2, and t3 in graph G1, respectively.

[0086] As shown in graph G2, as time passes after the cooling unit 26 is driven, the temperature inside the first cooling device 2 decreases from time t0 to time t4. Because the set value 30 has been changed, the cooling unit 26 is not stopped even if the set value 30 exceeds the lower limit set value 30b of the set value 30 before the change, indicated by the dashed-dotted line 43b, at time t4. The second control unit 25 then stops the cooling unit 26 when the measured temperature reaches the changed lower limit set value 30b at time t5. Thereafter, as shown from time t5 to time t7, the temperature inside the first cooling device 2 rises over time. The second control unit 25 is configured to then drive the cooling unit 26 when the measured temperature reaches the changed upper limit set value 30a, as shown at time t7. The second control unit 25 repeats the same control to control the temperature inside the first cooling device 2.

[0087] Furthermore, as shown in graph G2, when the set value 30 is lowered, the upper set value 30a and the lower set value 30b also become smaller. Therefore, when the cooling unit 26 is controlled based on the changed set value 30, the temperature inside the first cooling device 2 is controlled in a lower temperature range than before the set value 30 was changed.

[0088] (Change of reference value based on initial value) Next, with reference to FIG. 7, a configuration in which the first control unit 12 (see FIG. 2) changes the reference value 32 (see FIG. 2) based on the initial value of the selected setting value 30 (see FIG. 2) will be described.

[0089] 7 shows an example of an initial value selection screen 70 for the setting values ​​30. The initial value selection screen 70 for the setting values ​​30 displays an information display field 71 that displays information 35 (see FIG. 2) about a plurality of cooling devices, and an OK button 72. The OK button 72 is a GUI button.

[0090] In this embodiment, the display unit 11 (see FIG. 1) is configured to display information 35 about a plurality of cooling devices by displaying an initial value selection screen 70 for the setting values ​​30. The cooling device information 35 includes at least one of the size of the first cooling device 2, the type of heat insulating material provided in the first cooling device 2, and the arrangement of the cooling section 26 (see FIG. 2) within the first cooling device 2.

[0091] The first control unit 12 is configured to control the display of images (images 35a to 35c) showing the information 35 of the cooling devices so that the operator can easily distinguish between differences in the size of the cooling devices when information 35 of a plurality of cooling devices is displayed on the display unit 11. In the example shown in Fig. 7, images 35a to 35c showing three cooling devices that differ in the number of shelves 20a and the arrangement of the cooling units 26 are displayed in the information display field 71 of the initial value selection screen 70.

[0092] The images 35a to 35c are stored in the storage unit 13 (see FIG. 2). The format of the images 35a to 35c is, for example, JPEG. However, the format of the images 35a to 35c is not important.

[0093] Furthermore, the first control unit 12 displays the names 36a to 36c of the cooling devices at positions corresponding to the images 35a to 35c.

[0094] The input receiving unit 10 (see FIG. 2) is configured to receive an operation input for selecting one of the plurality of pieces of cooling device information 35. That is, the input receiving unit 10 is configured to receive an operation (tap) for selecting an image (image 35a to image 35c) showing the cooling device information 35.

[0095] 7, the first control unit 12 is configured to identifiably display information 35 of the selected cooling device. Specifically, the first control unit 12 displays an icon (sign) 37a indicating that the selected cooling device has been selected at a position corresponding to the information 35 of the selected cooling device, and surrounds the information 35 of the selected cooling device, the name 36a of the selected cooling device, and the icon 37a indicating that the selected cooling device has been selected with a frame 37b, thereby identifiably displaying the information 35 of the selected cooling device. Note that instead of surrounding the information 35 with a frame 37b, the background color of the information 35 of the selected cooling device may be changed.

[0096] The first control unit 12 is configured to set an initial value of the setting value 30 based on the information 35 of the cooling device selected by the operator. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 7, when the confirm button 72 is pressed with the image 35a selected, the first control unit 12 acquires the setting value 30 associated with the information 35 of the selected cooling device as the initial value of the setting value 30. Then, the first control unit 12 changes the reference value 32 based on the acquired initial value.

[0097] In this embodiment, when the first control unit 12 acquires the setting value 30 associated with the information 35 of the selected cooling device as the initial value and changes the reference value 32 based on the acquired initial value, the second control unit 25 is configured to control the first cooling device 2 based on the setting value 30 (initial value) associated with the information 35 of the selected cooling device from the information 35 of the multiple cooling devices.

[0098] (Cooling process of the first cooling device) Next, with reference to FIG. 8, a process in which the second control unit 25 (see FIG. 2) performs cooling control of the first cooling device 2 (see FIG. 2) will be described.

[0099] In step S1, the second control unit 25 acquires the setting value 30 (see FIG. 2). Specifically, the second control unit 25 acquires the setting value 30 stored in the storage unit 13 (see FIG. 2).

[0100] In step S2, the second control unit 25 acquires the measured temperature inside the first cooling device 2 measured by the temperature sensor 5 (see FIG. 2).

[0101] In step S3, the second control unit 25 determines whether the measured temperature acquired in step S2 is equal to or greater than the upper limit setting value 30a (see FIG. 2) of the setting value 30 acquired in step S1. If the measured temperature is equal to or greater than the upper limit setting value 30a, the process proceeds to step S4. If the measured temperature is lower than the upper limit setting value 30a, the process proceeds to step S5.

[0102] When the process proceeds from step S3 to step S4, second control unit 25 drives cooling unit 26 (see FIG. 2) in step S4, after which the process proceeds to step S7.

[0103] Furthermore, when the process proceeds from step S3 to step S5, in step S5, the second control unit 25 determines whether the measured temperature is equal to or lower than the lower limit setting value 30b of the setting value 30. If the measured temperature is equal to or lower than the lower limit setting value 30b, the process proceeds to step S6. If the measured temperature is higher than the lower limit setting value 30b, the process proceeds to step S7.

[0104] When the process proceeds from step S5 to step S6, in step S6, second control unit 25 stops cooling unit 26. After that, the process proceeds to step S7.

[0105] Next, in step S7, the second control unit 25 determines whether or not to stop the first cooling device 2. The second control unit 25 determines whether or not to stop the first cooling device 2, for example, based on whether or not the input receiving unit 10 (see FIG. 2) has received an operation input to stop the first cooling device 2. If the first cooling device 2 is to be stopped, the process proceeds to step S8. If the first cooling device 2 is not to be stopped, the process proceeds to step S1.

[0106] When the process proceeds from step S7 to step S8, in step S8, the second control unit 25 stops the first cooling device 2. After that, the process ends.

[0107] It should be noted that either the process of step S1 or the process of step S2 may be performed first.

[0108] (Setting value change processing) Next, with reference to FIG. 9, a configuration in which the first control unit 12 (see FIG. 2) changes the setting value 30 (see FIG. 2) will be described.

[0109] In step S10, the first control unit 12 determines whether an operation input for selecting the shelf unit 20a (see FIG. 1) or the placement area 21a (see FIG. 1) has been received. Specifically, the first control unit 12 determines whether the decision button 62 (see FIG. 5) or the placement area cooling button 64 (see FIG. 5) has been operated (tapped). If the decision button 62 or the placement area cooling button 64 has been operated (tapped), the process proceeds to step S11. If the decision button 62 or the placement area cooling button 64 has not been operated (tapped), the process proceeds to step S13.

[0110] When the process proceeds from step S10 to step S11, in step S11, the first control unit 12 acquires difference value information 31a (see FIG. 2). Specifically, when the enter button 62 is operated (tapped), the first control unit 12 acquires the difference value of the shelf section 20a at the position corresponding to the selected rectangle 61c (see FIG. 5) from the storage unit 13 (see FIG. 2). Furthermore, when the placement area cooling button 64 is operated (tapped), the first control unit 12 acquires the difference value of the selected placement area 21a from the storage unit 13.

[0111] Next, in step S12, the first control unit 12 changes the upper limit setting value 30a (see FIG. 2) and the lower limit setting value 30b (see FIG. 2) of the setting value 30 (see FIG. 2) based on the acquired difference value. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S15.

[0112] Furthermore, when the process proceeds from step S10 to step S13, in step S13, the first control unit 12 determines whether or not the input receiving unit 10 (see FIG. 2) has received an operation input for performing rapid cooling. Specifically, the first control unit 12 determines whether or not the rapid cooling button 63 (see FIG. 5) has been operated (tapped). If the rapid cooling button 63 has been operated (tapped), the process proceeds to step S14. If the rapid cooling button 63 has not been operated (tapped), the process proceeds to step S10.

[0113] When the process proceeds from step S13 to step S14, in step S14, the first control unit 12 acquires the quenching upper limit setting value 33 (see FIG. 2) and the quenching lower limit setting value 34 (see FIG. 2) stored in the memory unit 13. Then, the first control unit 12 changes the upper limit setting value 30a and the lower limit setting value 30b of the setting value 30 based on the acquired quenching upper limit setting value 33 and quenching lower limit setting value 34. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S15.

[0114] Next, in step S15, the first control unit 12 stores the changed upper limit setting value 30a and lower limit setting value 30b in the storage unit 13. After that, the process ends.

[0115] (Process to change setting values ​​based on cooling device information) Next, referring to Figure 10, we will explain the process in which the first control unit 12 (see Figure 2) changes the reference value 32 (see Figure 2) based on the setting value 30 (see Figure 2) associated with the information 35 (see Figure 2) of the selected cooling device.

[0116] In step S20, the first control unit 12 determines whether or not the input receiving unit 10 (see FIG. 2) has received an operation input for selecting the cooling device information 35. Specifically, the first control unit 12 determines whether or not the decision button 72 (see FIG. 7) has been operated (tapped). If the decision button 72 has been operated (tapped), the process proceeds to step S21. If the decision button 72 has not been operated (tapped), the first control unit 12 repeats the process of step S20.

[0117] When the process proceeds from step S20 to step S21, in step S21, the first control unit 12 acquires the setting value 30 associated with the information 35 of the selected cooling device. Specifically, the first control unit 12 acquires the setting value 30 associated with the information 35 of the selected cooling device from the storage unit 13 (see FIG. 2).

[0118] Next, in step S22, the first control unit 12 sets the setting value 30 based on the setting value 30 associated with the information 35 of the selected cooling device. If the setting value 30 has not been changed from the reference value 32 (see FIG. 2), the first control unit 12 changes the reference value 32 based on the setting value 30 associated with the information 35 of the selected cooling device. In other words, the first control unit 12 acquires the setting value 30 associated with the information 35 of the selected cooling device as an initial value, and changes the reference value 32 based on the acquired initial value.

[0119] Next, in step S23, the first control unit 12 stores the set value 30 after the setting in the storage unit 13. After that, the processing ends.

[0120] (Effects of this embodiment) In this embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

[0121] In this embodiment, as described above, the store-use cooling device control system 100 is a store-use cooling device control system that controls the first cooling device 2 installed in the store 80, and includes an input receiving unit 10 that receives operation input from an operator, a display unit 11 that displays an operation screen, the first cooling device 2, a temperature sensor 5 provided in the first cooling device 2, and a first control unit 12 and a second control unit 25 that control the first cooling device 2. The first cooling device 2 has a display area 20 for displaying products, a work area 21 where work can be performed inside, and a cooling unit 26. The first control unit 12 sets the temperature setting value 30 based on a candidate selected by an operator's selection operation from among candidates for the temperature setting value 30 when controlling the cooling unit 26, and the second control unit 25 controls the cooling unit 26 based on the setting value 30 set by the first control unit 12 and the temperature measured inside the first cooling device 2 by the temperature sensor 5. This allows the cooling unit 26 to be controlled based on the setting value 30 set based on the candidate selected by the operator's selection operation. Therefore, since the set value 30 can be set by the operator's selection, it is possible to control the temperature inside the first cooling device 2 based on a set value 30 that is different from a preset set value 30, without providing multiple temperature sensors inside the first cooling device 2. Furthermore, since the cooling unit 26 is controlled by the set value 30 set based on a candidate selected by the operator, for example, by the operator selecting a set value 30 based on an arbitrary position inside the first cooling device 2 as a candidate for the set value 30, it is possible to control the temperature inside the first cooling device 2 based on the set value 30 corresponding to an arbitrary position inside the device, unlike a configuration in which the temperature of the first cooling device 2 is controlled based on a single preset set value (reference value 32) and a measurement value measured by the temperature sensor 5. As a result, it is possible to control the temperature according to an arbitrary position inside the device while suppressing an increase in the number of parts and a complicated temperature control configuration.

[0122] In this embodiment, as described above, the display area 20 includes a plurality of shelf sections 20a and further includes a memory unit 13 that stores information 31 about the temperature distribution of the plurality of shelf sections 20a in the first cooling device 2. The first control unit 12 is configured to display arrangement information 61 about the plurality of shelf sections 20a on the display unit 11 and change the set value 30 based on a selection input of the arrangement information 61 received by the input receiving unit 10 and the temperature distribution information 31 corresponding to the selected shelf section 20a. Here, when the products displayed in the display area 20 of the first cooling device 2 include dairy products, for example, temperature control is required more strictly than in the case of soft drinks that can be stored at room temperature. Furthermore, a first cooling device 2 having a working area 21 therein has a larger internal size (volume) than a first cooling device 2 without a working area 21. Furthermore, since the positional relationship between each of the plurality of shelf sections 20a and the cooling section 26 differs from one another, among the plurality of shelf sections 20a, some shelf sections 20a cool easily and others do not cool easily. In this case, when controlling the temperature inside the first cooling device 2 based on the preset setting value 30 and the measurement value of the temperature sensor 5, the accuracy of the temperature control varies depending on the position of the shelf section 20a.

[0123] Therefore, as described above, by configuring the input receiving unit 10 to change the set value 30 based on the selection input of the arrangement information 61 received and the temperature distribution information 31 corresponding to the selected shelf unit 20a, the set value 30 can be changed based on the temperature distribution information 31 corresponding to the position of the shelf unit 20a. Therefore, by selecting any shelf unit 20a (arrangement information 61) desired by the operator depending on the type of products displayed on the shelf unit 20a, the cooling unit 26 can be controlled based on the set value 30 corresponding to the selected shelf unit 20a. As a result, it is possible to control the temperature inside the first cooling device 2 entirely based on the position of the selected shelf unit 20a, and therefore the temperature inside the first cooling device 2 entirely can be controlled depending on the positions of the products displayed on the shelf unit 20a. Furthermore, when rearranging products displayed on multiple shelf units 20a, the operator can select a shelf unit 20a depending on the products after the rearrangement, thereby performing appropriate temperature control depending on the position of the shelf on which the rearranged products are displayed. As a result, the convenience (usability) for the operator can be improved.

[0124] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as described above, the temperature distribution information 31 is difference value information 31a indicating the difference between the temperature at each of the plurality of shelves 20a and the temperature measured by the temperature sensor 5, and the first control unit 12 is configured to change the set value 30 based on the difference value corresponding to the selected shelf 20a. This makes it possible to easily set the set value 30 to the set value 30 corresponding to the selected shelf 20a by changing the set value 30 by the difference value corresponding to the selected shelf 20a.

[0125] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as described above, the set values ​​30 include an upper limit set value 30a, which is the upper limit of the set values ​​30 when controlling the cooling unit 26, and a lower limit set value 30b, which is the lower limit. The second control unit 25 is configured to stop the cooling unit 26 when the measured temperature reaches the lower limit set value 30b and to drive the cooling unit 26 when the measured temperature reaches the upper limit set value 30a. The first control unit 12 is configured to change both the upper limit set value 30a and the lower limit set value 30b in accordance with the difference value corresponding to the selected shelf unit 20a when the input receiving unit 10 receives a selection input of the arrangement information 61. As a result, the upper limit set value 30a and the lower limit set value 30b are changed by the difference value corresponding to the selected shelf unit 20a, and the cooling unit 26 can be controlled so that the temperature falls within the range between the changed upper limit set value 30a and the changed lower limit set value 30b. As a result, the temperature inside the first cooling device 2 can be easily controlled so that it is within the temperature range from the upper limit setting value 30a to the lower limit setting value 30b, which is set based on the difference value of the selected shelf section 20a.

[0126] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as described above, the work area 21 includes an arrangement area 21a where products are arranged at a position different from the display area 20. The difference value information 31a includes information indicating a difference value between the temperature of the arrangement area 21a and the temperature measured by the temperature sensor 5. The input receiving unit 10 is configured to receive an operation input for selecting the arrangement area 21a. The first control unit 12 is configured to change the setting value 30 based on the difference value of the selected arrangement area 21a. As a result, the setting value 30 is changed based on the difference value of the selected arrangement area 21a. Therefore, not only the difference values ​​of each of the multiple shelf units 20a but also the difference value of the arrangement area 21a can be used as candidates for changing the setting value 30. This increases the number of candidates for changing the setting value 30, allowing the cooling unit 26 to be controlled based on any location within the first cooling device 2. As a result, the temperature within the first cooling device 2 can be controlled more precisely depending on the location.

[0127] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as described above, the memory unit 13 is configured to store the setting value 30 in association with cooling device information 35 including at least one of the size of the first cooling device 2, the type of insulating material provided in the first cooling device 2, and the arrangement of the cooling unit 26 within the first cooling device 2. The display unit 11 is configured to display the plurality of pieces of cooling device information 35. The input receiving unit 10 is configured to receive an operation input for selecting one piece of the plurality of pieces of cooling device information 35. The second control unit 25 is configured to control the first cooling device 2 based on the setting value 30 associated with the selected piece of cooling device information 35 from the plurality of pieces of cooling device information 35. Here, the temperature distribution within the first cooling device 2 differs depending on the size of the first cooling device 2, the type of insulating material provided in the first cooling device 2, and the arrangement of the cooling unit 26 within the first cooling device 2. In other words, there is an association between the cooling device information 35 and the temperature distribution within the first cooling device 2. Therefore, as described above, if the first cooling device 2 is configured to be controlled based on the setting value 30 associated with the selected cooling device information 35, the operator can change the setting value 30 in advance by selecting, from the multiple cooling device information 35, information 35 of a cooling device that is the same as or similar to the first cooling device 2 installed in the store 80. As a result, convenience (usability) for the operator can be improved.

[0128] In this embodiment, as described above, the memory unit 13 stores the quench upper limit setting value 33, which is lower than the upper limit setting value 30a corresponding to the largest difference value, and the quench lower limit setting value 34, which is lower than the lower limit setting value 30b corresponding to the largest difference value. When the input receiving unit 10 receives an operation input to rapidly cool all of the shelves 20a, the second control unit 25 controls the cooling unit 26 based on the quench upper limit setting value 33, the quench lower limit setting value 34, and the measured temperature. For example, after many of the products on the shelves 20a are purchased, insufficiently cooled products may be displayed on the shelves 20a. In this case, the purchaser cannot purchase the products until the insufficiently cooled products are sufficiently cooled. Therefore, with the above configuration, the cooling unit 26 is controlled based on the quench upper limit setting value 33, the quench lower limit setting value 34, and the measured temperature, thereby rapidly cooling the insufficiently cooled products. As a result, it is possible to cool the product more rapidly compared to when the second control unit 25 is not configured to control the cooling unit 26 based on the rapid cooling upper limit setting value 33 and the rapid cooling lower limit setting value 34 and the measured temperature, thereby preventing lost sales opportunities for the product due to insufficient cooling of the product.

[0129] [Variations] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative and not restrictive in all respects. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims rather than the description of the above embodiments, and further includes all modifications (variations) within the meaning and scope of the claims.

[0130] For example, in the above embodiment, an example of a configuration was shown in which the first control unit 12 (control unit) changes the set value 30 based on the arrangement information 61 and the temperature distribution information 31 corresponding to the selected shelf unit 20a, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the first control unit (control unit) may be configured to change the set value based on an operation input that selects the position of the shelf unit 20a and a cooling level such as "low," "medium," or "high" as candidates for the temperature set value.

[0131] In the above embodiment, the first control unit 12 (control unit) changes the set value 30 based on the difference value of the selected shelf unit 20a. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the storage unit may store information indicating the cooling level for each shelf unit, and the first control unit (control unit) may change the set value based on the information on the cooling level corresponding to the selected shelf unit. The cooling level information may be, for example, information indicating "hard to cool," "easy to cool," or "normal." For example, if the cooling level of the selected shelf unit is "hard to cool," the first control unit (control unit) may be configured to lower the upper and lower limit set values. Note that a configuration in which the set value is changed based on the difference value allows for more accurate temperature control, so it is preferable that the first control unit (control unit) change the set value based on the difference value of the selected shelf unit.

[0132] In the above embodiment, an example of a configuration in which the first control unit 12 (control unit) changes both the upper limit setting value 30a and the lower limit setting value 30b of the setting value 30 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the first control unit (control unit) may be configured to change only one of the upper limit setting value and the lower limit setting value.

[0133] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, an example of a configuration has been shown in which, when an operation input for selecting the placement area 21a is received, the first control unit 12 changes the setting value 30 based on the value in the placement area 21a that has the largest difference from the temperature measured by the temperature sensor 5, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the placement area may be divided into areas of a predetermined size, and a difference value may be obtained for each divided area and stored in a storage unit, and the first control unit (control unit) may change the setting value based on the difference value of the area selected by the operator.

[0134] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, an example of a configuration has been shown in which, when an operation input for selecting the placement area 21a is received, the first control unit 12 changes the setting value 30 based on the value of the placement area 21a that has the largest difference from the temperature measured by the temperature sensor 5. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The first control unit (control unit) does not have to be configured to change the setting value based on an operation input for selecting the placement area. However, if the first control unit (control unit) is not configured to change the setting value based on an operation input for selecting the placement area, it becomes difficult to control the temperature inside the entire first cooling device (cooling device) in more detail. Therefore, it is preferable that the first control unit (control unit) be configured to change the setting value based on an operation input for selecting the placement area.

[0135] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, an example of a configuration has been described in which the first control unit 12 sets the setting value 30 based on the setting value 30 associated with the information 35 of the selected cooling device, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the first control unit (control unit) does not have to be configured to set the setting value based on the setting value associated with the information of the selected cooling device. However, if the first control unit (control unit) is not configured to set the setting value based on the setting value associated with the information of the selected cooling device, convenience (usability) for the operator will decrease. Therefore, it is preferable that the first control unit (control unit) be configured to set the setting value based on the setting value associated with the information of the selected cooling device.

[0136] In the above embodiment, the second control unit 25 (control unit) controls the cooling unit 26 based on the quench upper limit setting value 33 and the quench lower limit setting value 34 and the measured temperature when the input receiving unit 10 receives an operation input to rapidly cool all of the shelves 20a. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the second control unit (control unit) does not have to be configured to control the cooling unit based on the quench upper limit setting value and the quench lower limit setting value and the measured temperature. However, if the second control unit (control unit) is not configured to control the cooling unit based on the quench upper limit setting value and the quench lower limit setting value and the measured temperature, it will be impossible to cool the product more rapidly, which may result in a loss of a sales opportunity due to insufficient cooling of the product. Therefore, it is preferable that the second control unit (control unit) be configured to control the cooling unit based on the quench upper limit setting value and the quench lower limit setting value and the measured temperature.

[0137] In the above embodiment, an example of a configuration in which the first control unit 12 sets and changes the set value 30 and the second control unit 25 controls the cooling unit 26 is described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the first control unit may control the cooling unit, and the second control unit may set and change the set value. Furthermore, the store cooling device control system may include either the first control unit or the second control unit. In this case, it is sufficient for either the first control unit or the second control unit to both set and change the set value and control the cooling unit.

[0138] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, an example of a configuration has been shown in which the setting value 30 associated with the cooling device information 35 is acquired in advance from the server 7 and stored in the storage unit 13, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when the enter button is operated (tapped) on the cooling device information selection screen, the first control unit (control unit) may be configured to acquire the setting value associated with the cooling device information from the server via the network, and change the setting value based on the acquired setting value.

[0139] In the above embodiment, an example of a configuration in which the first control unit 12 (control unit) displays, as the arrangement information 61, a plurality of rectangles 61a corresponding to the positions of the shelf units 20a has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the first control unit (control unit) may be configured to display, as the arrangement information, the column number and row number of each of the plurality of shelf units. As long as the operator can select a shelf unit, the display format of the arrangement information is not important.

[0140] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, an example of a configuration in which the first control unit 12 (control unit) displays the cooling device information 35 as image information such as images 35a to 35c has been shown, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the first control unit (control unit) may be configured to display the cooling device information such as the size of the first cooling device 2 (cooling device), the type of heat insulating material provided in the first cooling device 2 (cooling device), and the arrangement of the cooling units within the first cooling device 2 (cooling device) as text information. As long as the operator can select the cooling device information, the display format of the cooling device information is not important.

[0141] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the cooling device information 35 includes at least one of the size of the first cooling device 2 (cooling device), the type of insulating material provided in the first cooling device 2 (cooling device), and the arrangement of the cooling unit 26 within the first cooling device 2 (cooling device), and the first control unit 12 (controller) sets the set value 30 based on the selected cooling device information. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the first control unit 12 (controller) may be configured to set the set value based on information that may be caused by temperature changes inside the first cooling device (cooling device), such as seasonal information, weather information, and time information. In this case, the first control unit (controller) may be configured to display seasonal information, weather information, time information, and the like on the display unit, and set the set value based on the seasonal information, weather information, time information, and the like selected by the operator.

[0142] In the above embodiment, an example of a configuration in which the differential value information 31a is experimentally acquired in advance for each first cooling device 2 and stored in the storage unit 13 is described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the differential value information may be acquired by simulation based on information about the cooling device. Furthermore, the differential value information may be acquired based on a calculation formula acquired based on multiple pieces of differential value information acquired experimentally. [Explanation of symbols]

[0143] 2 1st cooling device (cooling device) 5 Temperature Sensor 10 Input reception section 11 Display section 12 First control section (control section) 20 display area 20a Shelf (multiple shelves) 21 Working area 21a Placement area 25 Second control section (control section) 26 Cooling section 30 setting values 30a Upper limit setting value 30b Lower limit setting value 31 Temperature distribution information 31a Difference value information 33 Upper limit of rapid cooling setting 34 Lower limit of rapid cooling 35 Cooling System Information 61 Placement information 100 Store cooling device control system

Claims

1. A store cooling device control system that controls cooling devices installed in a store, an input receiving unit that receives an operation input from an operator; a display unit that displays an operation screen; the cooling device; a temperature sensor provided in the cooling device; a control unit that controls the cooling device, The cooling device has a display area for displaying products, a work area in which work can be performed inside, and a cooling unit, The control unit is configured to set the temperature setting value when controlling the cooling unit based on a candidate selected by an operator's selection operation from among candidates for the temperature setting value, and to control the cooling unit based on the set setting value and the measured temperature inside the cooling unit measured by the temperature sensor.

2. the display area includes a plurality of shelves; a storage unit configured to store information about the temperature distribution of the plurality of shelves in the cooling device; 2. The store cooling device control system of claim 1, wherein the control unit is configured to display the arrangement information of the plurality of shelf sections on the display unit, and to change the setting value based on the selection input of the arrangement information received by the input receiving unit and the temperature distribution information corresponding to the selected shelf section.

3. the temperature distribution information is difference value information indicating a difference value between the temperature at each of the plurality of shelves and the measured temperature measured by the temperature sensor, The store-use cooling device control system according to claim 2 , wherein the control unit is configured to change the setting value based on the difference value corresponding to the selected shelf unit.

4. the set values ​​include an upper limit set value that is an upper limit value of the set values ​​when controlling the cooling unit, and a lower limit set value that is a lower limit value of the set values; The control unit When the measured temperature reaches the lower limit set value, the cooling unit is stopped, and when the measured temperature reaches the upper limit set value, the cooling unit is driven; 4. The store cooling device control system of claim 3, wherein when the input receiving unit receives a selection input of the placement information, the input receiving unit is configured to change both the upper limit setting value and the lower limit setting value according to the difference value corresponding to the selected shelf unit.

5. the work area includes a placement area for placing products at a position different from the display area, the difference value information includes information indicating a difference value between the temperature of the placement area and the temperature measured by the temperature sensor, the input receiving unit is configured to receive an operation input for selecting the placement area, The store-use cooling device control system according to claim 4 , wherein the control unit is configured to change the setting value based on the difference value of the selected placement area.

6. the storage unit is configured to store the setting value in association with information about the cooling device, including at least one of a size of the cooling device, a type of heat insulating material provided in the cooling device, and an arrangement of the cooling unit within the cooling device; the display unit is configured to display information about the plurality of cooling devices, the input receiving unit is configured to receive an operation input for selecting any one of the pieces of information about the plurality of cooling devices, 3. The store-use cooling device control system of claim 2, wherein the control unit is configured to control the cooling device based on the setting value associated with information on a selected cooling device from among information on the plurality of cooling devices.

7. the storage unit stores a quenching upper limit setting value that is lower than the upper limit setting value at the largest value of the difference values, and a quenching lower limit setting value that is lower than the lower limit setting value at the largest value of the difference values, The store cooling device control system of claim 4, wherein the control unit is configured to control the cooling unit based on the rapid cooling upper limit setting value, the rapid cooling lower limit setting value, and the measured temperature when the input receiving unit receives an operation input to rapidly cool all of the plurality of shelf sections.

Images