Environmental control system

Abstract

To reduce the communication traffic between a plurality of communication devices and a control device.SOLUTION: An environmental control system 100 includes a plurality of communication devices 2 and a control device 3. Each of the plurality of communication devices 2 has a second communication unit that communicates with a first communication unit of a sensor device 1. The control device 3 has a third communication unit that communicates with a second communication unit of each of the plurality of communication devices 2, and a determination unit that determines whether a filtering function is enabled or disabled in each of the plurality of communication devices 2. The second communication unit of each of the plurality of communication devices 2 receives a first communication signal from the sensor device 1, receives a third communication signal from the control device 3, and transmits a second communication signal to the control device 3 if the filtering function is disabled.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an environmental control system, and more particularly, to an environmental control system that controls the environment of a target space. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a lighting control system including a plurality of light sources, a plurality of radio wave transmitters, a portable terminal, and a lighting control device. The plurality of light sources are installed within a predetermined area. Each of the plurality of radio wave transmitters transmits a radio wave signal within the predetermined area. The portable terminal receives the radio wave signals transmitted from each of the plurality of radio wave transmitters. The lighting control device selects a target light source from the plurality of light sources based on the strength of the radio wave signal received by the portable terminal from each of the plurality of radio wave transmitters, and controls the lighting state of the target light source. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-41408 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In a lighting control system (environment control system) such as that described in Patent Document 1, it is desirable to reduce communication traffic between a plurality of radio wave transmitting devices (communication devices) and a portable terminal (control device).

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide an environmental control system that can reduce communication traffic between a plurality of communication devices and a control device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An environmental control system according to one aspect of the present disclosure is an environmental control system that controls the environment of a target space. The environmental control system includes a plurality of communication devices and a control device. The plurality of communication devices each communicate with a sensor device. The sensor device has an acquisition unit and a first communication unit. The acquisition unit acquires environmental information, which is information about the environment of the target space. The first communication unit transmits a first communication signal including the environmental information acquired by the acquisition unit. The control device communicates with the plurality of communication devices. Each of the plurality of communication devices has a second communication unit. The second communication unit communicates with the first communication unit of the sensor device. The control device has a third communication unit and a determination unit. The third communication unit communicates with the second communication unit of each of the plurality of communication devices. The determination unit determines whether a filtering function in each of the plurality of communication devices is enabled or disabled. The filtering function is a function that stops transmission of a second communication signal including the environmental information included in the first communication signal transmitted from the sensor device to the control device. The second communication unit of each of the plurality of communication devices receives the first communication signal from the sensor device, receives a third communication signal including filtering information from the control device, and transmits the second communication signal to the control device when the filtering function is disabled. The filtering information is information regarding the filtering function. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to an environmental control system according to an aspect of the present disclosure, it is possible to reduce communication traffic between a plurality of communication devices and a control device. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an application example of an environmental control system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a sensor device in the environmental control system. [Figure 3]FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a communication device in the environmental control system. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a control device in the environmental control system. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an external device in the environmental control system. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the environmental control system. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an external device in an environmental control system according to the first modification of the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, an environmental control system according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. The drawings referred to in the following embodiments are schematic diagrams, and the sizes and thicknesses of the components in the drawings do not necessarily reflect the actual dimensions, and the ratios of sizes and thicknesses between the components do not necessarily reflect the actual dimensional ratios.

[0010] (Embodiment) (1) Overview First, an overview of an environmental control system 100 according to an embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0011] As shown in FIG. 1, an environmental control system 100 according to the embodiment is a system for controlling the environment of a target space S1. The target space S1 is, for example, a space in a residential facility such as a detached house or an individual dwelling unit in an apartment building, or a non-residential facility such as an office, a store, a school, or a nursing home. In the present embodiment, as an example, the target space S1 is the living room of a detached house. The environment of the target space S1 includes, for example, the temperature of the target space S1, the humidity of the target space S1, and the illuminance of the target space S1. In the present embodiment, as an example, the environment of the target space S1 includes the temperature of the target space S1.

[0012] 1, an environmental control system 100 according to the embodiment includes a plurality of (three in the illustrated example) communication devices 2 and a control device 3. Each of the plurality of communication devices 2 communicates with a sensor device 1. The control device 3 communicates with the plurality of communication devices 2.

[0013] 2, the sensor device 1 has an acquisition unit 11 and a first communication unit 12. The acquisition unit 11 acquires environmental information, which is information related to the environment of the target space S1. The first communication unit 12 transmits a first communication signal including the environmental information acquired by the acquisition unit 11. The environmental information includes, for example, information related to the temperature of the target space S1.

[0014] 3, each of the plurality of communication devices 2 includes a second communication unit 22. The second communication unit 22 communicates with the first communication unit 12 of the sensor device 1.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 4 , the control device 3 has a third communication unit 32 and a determination unit 311. The third communication unit 32 communicates with the second communication unit 22 of each of the multiple communication devices 2. The determination unit 311 determines whether the filtering function of each of the multiple communication devices 2 is enabled or disabled. The filtering function is a function that stops the communication device 2 from transmitting to the control device 3 a second communication signal that includes environmental information contained in the first communication signal transmitted from the sensor device 1. In other words, a communication device 2 with the filtering function enabled does not transmit the second communication signal to the control device 3. On the other hand, a communication device 2 with the filtering function disabled transmits the second communication signal to the control device 3.

[0016] The second communication unit 22 of each of the multiple communication devices 2 receives the first communication signal from the sensor device 1, receives the third communication signal from the control device 3, and transmits the second communication signal to the control device 3 when the filtering function is disabled. The third communication signal includes filtering information, which is information related to the filtering function. Specifically, the filtering information is information indicating whether the filtering function is enabled or disabled.

[0017] In the environmental control system 100 according to the embodiment, the determination unit 311 of the control device 3 determines whether the filtering function of each of the plurality of communication devices 2 is enabled or disabled. This enables the filtering function of one or more of the plurality of communication devices 2 to be enabled, thereby reducing the amount of signals transmitted from the plurality of communication devices 2 to the control device 3. In other words, the environmental control system 100 according to the embodiment makes it possible to reduce communication traffic between the plurality of communication devices 2 and the control device 3.

[0018] (2) Details Next, each component of the environmental control system 100 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0019] As described above, the environmental control system 100 according to the embodiment is a system for controlling the environment of a target space S1. As shown in FIG. 1 , the environmental control system 100 includes a sensor device 1, multiple (three in the illustrated example) communication devices 2, a control device 3, an external device 4, and an information terminal 5. Note that some or all of the sensor device 1, the external device 4, and the information terminal 5 do not have to be included in the environmental control system 100. That is, the environmental control system 100 according to the embodiment only needs to include multiple communication devices 2 and a control device 3. The multiple communication devices 2 each communicate with the sensor device 1. The control device 3 also communicates with the multiple communication devices 2.

[0020] (2.1) Sensor device The sensor device 1 is disposed in the target space S1 as shown in FIG. 1. More specifically, the sensor device 1 is attached to, for example, a wall W1 of the target space S1. The sensor device 1 acquires environmental information, which is information relating to the environment of the target space S1. The environmental information includes, for example, measurement values ​​relating to the environment of the target space S1. In the present embodiment, as an example, the environmental information includes information relating to the temperature of the target space S1 (hereinafter referred to as "temperature information"). More specifically, the environmental information includes, as the temperature information, the measurement values ​​of the temperature of the target space S1. That is, in the present embodiment, the sensor device 1 is a temperature sensor 10.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 2, the sensor device 1 includes an acquisition unit 11 and a first communication unit 12.

[0022] (2.1.1) Acquisition part The acquisition unit 11 acquires environmental information, which is information about the environment of the target space S1. Specifically, the acquisition unit 11 acquires a measured value of the temperature of the target space S1 as the environmental information. The acquisition unit 11 outputs the acquired environmental information to the first communication unit 12.

[0023] (2.1.2) First communication unit The first communication unit 12 transmits a first communication signal including the environmental information acquired by the acquisition unit 11. The first communication unit 12 communicates with a second communication unit 22 (see FIG. 3) of the communication device 2, which will be described later. The first communication unit 12 includes a wireless communication interface having an antenna, a wireless communication circuit, and the like. The first communication unit 12 performs wireless communication with the second communication unit 22, for example, in accordance with BLE (Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy). That is, the first communication signal is a wireless signal using radio waves. In this embodiment, the first communication signal further includes identification information (for example, an address) that identifies the sensor device 1, in addition to the environmental information acquired by the acquisition unit 11.

[0024] (2.2) Communication equipment Each of the multiple communication devices 2 is arranged in the target space S1 as shown in Fig. 1. More specifically, each of the multiple communication devices 2 is attached to, for example, the ceiling C1 of the target space S1. Each communication device 2 is a relay device that relays communication between the sensor device 1 and the control device 3. In this embodiment, as an example, each communication device 2 is a lighting device 20 attached to the ceiling of the target space S1. That is, in this embodiment, the lighting device 20 that illuminates the target space S1 has a relay function that relays communication between the sensor device 1 and the control device 3.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 3, each communication device 2 includes a control unit 21, a second communication unit 22, a storage unit 23, and a light source unit 24.

[0026] Each communication device 2 is realized by, for example, a computer system having one or more processors and one or more memories. That is, the functions of the control unit 21 are realized by one or more processors executing a program recorded in the memory. The program may be pre-recorded in the memory, or may be provided via a telecommunications line such as the Internet, or may be recorded on a non-transitory recording medium such as a memory card and provided.

[0027] (2.2.1) Control Unit The control unit 21 is electrically connected to each of the second communication unit 22, the storage unit 23, and the light source unit 24. The control unit 21 controls the second communication unit 22 to cause the second communication unit 22 to communicate with the first communication unit 12 of the sensor device 1. The control unit 21 also controls the storage unit 23 to store information in the storage unit 23 and read information from the storage unit 23. The control unit 21 also controls the light source unit 24 to turn the light source unit 24 on, off, or blink, and to adjust at least one of the light intensity and color temperature of the light irradiated from the light source unit 24.

[0028] Furthermore, the control unit 21 calculates the signal strength of the first communication signal received from the sensor device 1. The signal strength of the first communication signal is, for example, a received signal strength indicator (RSSI).

[0029] (2.2.2) Second communication unit The second communication unit 22 communicates with the first communication unit 12 of the sensor device 1. The second communication unit 22 includes a wireless communication interface having an antenna, a wireless communication circuit, etc. The second communication unit 22 performs wireless communication with the first communication unit 12, for example, in accordance with BLE. The second communication unit 22 receives the above-mentioned first communication signal from the first communication unit 12 through wireless communication with the first communication unit 12. That is, the second communication unit 22 receives the first communication signal from the sensor device 1.

[0030] Furthermore, the second communication unit 22 communicates with a third communication unit 32 (see FIG. 4 ) of the control device 3, which will be described later. The second communication unit 22 performs wireless communication with the third communication unit 32, for example, in accordance with BLE. The second communication unit 22 receives a third communication signal from the third communication unit 32 through wireless communication with the third communication unit 32. That is, the second communication unit 22 receives the third communication signal from the control device 3. The third communication signal includes filtering information. As described above, the filtering information is information related to the filtering function, and specifically, information indicating whether the filtering function is enabled or disabled. Here, the filtering function is a function that stops transmission of a second communication signal, which includes environmental information included in a first communication signal transmitted from the sensor device 1, to the control device 3. Therefore, one or more communication devices 2, among the multiple communication devices 2, whose filtering function is enabled, do not transmit the second communication signal to the control device 3. That is, the second communication unit 22 transmits the second communication signal to the control device 3 when the filtering function is disabled.

[0031] The second communication signal further includes the signal strength of the first communication signal in addition to the environmental information included in the first communication signal. When the filtering function is disabled, the second communication unit 22 of each communication device 2 transmits the second communication signal including the environmental information and the signal strength of the first communication signal to the control device 3.

[0032] In the initial state of the environmental control system 100, the filtering function in each of the plurality of communication devices 2 is disabled.

[0033] (2.2.3) Storage section The storage unit 23 is, for example, a memory such as a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), or an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory). The storage unit 23 stores, for example, filtering information. The storage unit 23 also stores, for example, identification information (for example, an address) that identifies the communication device 2. The storage unit 23 also stores control details of the light source unit 24 associated with control commands transmitted from the control device 3, which will be described later. The storage unit 23 may further store environmental information transmitted from the sensor device 1 and the signal strength of the first communication signal.

[0034] (2.2.4) Light source section The light source unit 24 has, for example, one or more light-emitting elements. The one or more light-emitting elements are, for example, LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes). The light source unit 24 turns on, turns off, or blinks the one or more light-emitting elements in accordance with a control signal output from the control unit 21, and adjusts at least one of the light intensity and color temperature of light emitted from the one or more light-emitting elements.

[0035] In this embodiment, as described above, each of the plurality of communication devices 2 is a lighting device 20 that illuminates the target space S1. As described above, each lighting device 20 has a light source unit 24 that irradiates light toward the target space S1 and a control unit 21 that controls the light source unit 24.

[0036] Here, the control unit 21 may change the light emission state of the light source unit 24 in accordance with the determination result of a determination unit 311 of the control device 3, which will be described later. For example, assume that the air conditioner 40, which will be described later, is controlled so that the temperature of the target space S1 becomes a desired temperature, but the temperature of the target space S1 is rising. In this case, the determination unit 311 of the control device 3 determines that the air conditioner 40 is stopped because the temperature of the target space S1 is rising, and transmits a communication signal including this determination result to each communication device 2. In each communication device 2, the control unit 21 blinks the light source unit 24 at regular intervals (for example, one-second intervals) in accordance with the determination result of the determination unit 311 of the control device 3 to notify a user H1 (see FIG. 1 ) in the target space S1 that the air conditioner 40 is stopped.

[0037] In this case, the third communication unit 32 of the control device 3, which will be described later, may transmit the determination result of the determination unit 311 of the control device 3 to an information terminal 5 (see FIG. 1) used by a user H1 (see FIG. 1). As a result, the user H1 looking at the information terminal 5 can know the determination result of the determination unit 311 (for example, that the air conditioner 40 has stopped). The information terminal 5 is, for example, a smartphone. Here, the determination result of the determination unit 311 may be, for example, a determination result regarding an abnormality in the sensor device 1, the communication device 2, or the external device 4 (for example, a determination result that there is a malfunction), or a determination result regarding the operating status of the sensor device 1, the communication device 2, or the external device 4 (for example, a determination result that they are operating normally).

[0038] (2.3) Control device The control device 3 is placed in the target space S1 as shown in Fig. 1. More specifically, the control device 3 is placed, for example, on the top surface of a piece of furniture 5 (e.g., a chest of drawers) placed in the target space S1. The control device 3 is, for example, a gateway 30. The control device 3 has a function of controlling an external device 4 (described later) based on the sensing result of the sensor device 1.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 4, the control device 3 includes a control unit 31, a third communication unit 32, and a storage unit 33.

[0040] The control device 3 is realized by, for example, a computer system having one or more processors and one or more memories. That is, the one or more processors execute a program recorded in the memory to realize the functions of the control unit 31 (including a determination unit 311 described below). The program may be pre-recorded in the memory, or may be provided via a telecommunications line such as the Internet, or may be recorded on a non-transitory recording medium such as a memory card and provided.

[0041] (2.3.1) Control Unit The control unit 31 is electrically connected to each of the third communication unit 32 and the storage unit 33. The control unit 31 controls the third communication unit 32 to cause the third communication unit 32 to communicate with the second communication unit 22 of each communication device 2. The control unit 31 also controls the storage unit 33 to store information in the storage unit 33 and read information from the storage unit 33.

[0042] 4, the control unit 31 includes a determination unit 311. The determination unit 311 determines whether the filtering function of each of the plurality of communication devices 2 is enabled or disabled. More specifically, the determination unit 311 determines whether the filtering function of each of the plurality of communication devices 2 is enabled or disabled based on the magnitude of the signal strength of the first communication signal acquired by each of the communication devices 2. That is, the determination unit 311 determines whether the filtering function of each of the plurality of communication devices 2 is enabled or disabled based on the magnitude of the corresponding signal strength among the signal strengths of the plurality of first communication signals stored in the storage unit 33 described below.

[0043] As an example in this embodiment, the determination unit 311 determines that the filtering function is enabled in the remaining communication devices 2 other than one or more communication devices 2 that received the first communication signal with the strongest signal strength among the multiple communication devices 2. In this case, the control device 3 receives the second communication signal from the one or more communication devices 2 that received the first communication signal with the strongest signal strength. Therefore, it is possible to reduce communication traffic between the multiple communication devices 2 and the control device 3 compared to when the control device 3 receives the second communication signals from all communication devices 2.

[0044] Furthermore, the determination unit 311 estimates the position of the corresponding sensor device 1 based on the signal strengths of the multiple first communication signals included in the multiple second communication signals and the identification information of the sensor device 1. In this embodiment, as described above, the environmental control system 100 includes three communication devices 2. Therefore, the determination unit 311 estimates the position of the sensor device 1 by so-called triangulation based on the signal strengths of the three first communication signals included in the three second communication signals transmitted from the three communication devices 2. Note that in this embodiment, as will be described later, the storage unit 33 also stores position information of the three communication devices 2 in the target space S1.

[0045] Furthermore, the determination unit 311 generates control information for controlling the air conditioner 40 so that the state of the air in the target space S1 becomes a desired state. More specifically, the determination unit 311 adjusts the temperature of the air output from the air blower 43 (see FIG. 5 ) of the air conditioner 40, which will be described later, so that the measured value of the temperature in the target space S1, which is the measurement result of the sensor device 1, becomes a desired value.

[0046] In this case, the determination unit 311 determines whether one or more measurement values ​​transmitted from one or more communication devices 2 for which the filtering function is disabled among the multiple communication devices 2 are within the appropriate range. The appropriate range is the range within which the air state in the target space S1 can be a desired state. In other words, if one or more measurement values ​​are within the appropriate range, the air state in the target space S1 can be a desired state.

[0047] When the determination unit 311 determines that one or more measurement values ​​are not within the appropriate range, the third communication unit 32 transmits a fourth communication signal including control information to the external device 4 described below so that the one or more measurement values ​​fall within the appropriate range. The external device 4 is a device disposed in the target space S1, such as an air conditioner 40 described below. The control information is information for controlling the external device 4.

[0048] (2.3.2) Third Communication Section The third communication unit 32 communicates with the second communication unit 22 of each communication device 2. The third communication unit 32 includes a wireless communication interface having an antenna, a wireless communication circuit, etc. The third communication unit 32 performs wireless communication with each second communication unit 22, for example, in accordance with BLE. The third communication unit 32 receives the above-mentioned second communication signal from each second communication unit 22 through wireless communication with each second communication unit 22. Note that the third communication unit 32 receives the second communication signal only from the second communication unit 22 of one or more communication devices 2 for which the filtering function is disabled, among the multiple communication devices 2.

[0049] Furthermore, the third communication unit 32 transmits a third communication signal to the second communication unit 22 of each communication device 2. As described above, the third communication signal includes filtering information. That is, the third communication signal includes information indicating whether the filtering function of each communication device 2 is enabled or disabled.

[0050] Furthermore, the third communication unit 32 communicates with a fourth communication unit 42 (see FIG. 5 ) of the external device 4, which will be described later. The third communication unit 32 performs wireless communication with the fourth communication unit 42, for example, in accordance with BLE. The third communication unit 32 transmits a fourth communication signal to the fourth communication unit 42 through wireless communication with the fourth communication unit 42. The fourth communication signal includes control information for controlling the external device 4.

[0051] (2.3.3) Storage section The storage unit 33 is, for example, a memory such as a ROM, a RAM, or an EEPROM. The storage unit 33 stores, for example, the signal strengths of a plurality of first communication signals acquired from a plurality of communication devices 2. More specifically, the storage unit 33 stores the signal strengths of the plurality of first communication signals in association with a plurality of pieces of identification information (for example, addresses) assigned to the plurality of communication devices 2. That is, the storage unit 33 stores the signal strengths of a plurality of first communication signals included in a plurality of second communication signals transmitted from the plurality of communication devices 2.

[0052] The storage unit 33 also stores, for example, environmental information acquired by the acquisition unit 11 of the sensor device 1, time information relating to the time when this environmental information was acquired, and filtering information of each communication device 2. That is, the storage unit 33 of the control device 3 further stores environmental information included in a second communication signal transmitted from one or more communication devices 2 for which the filtering function is disabled among the multiple communication devices 2, time information relating to the time when the acquisition unit 11 of the sensor device 1 acquired the environmental information, and the determination result of the determination unit 311 of the control device 3.

[0053] The storage unit 33 also stores, for example, position information of the three communication devices 2 in the target space S1.

[0054] (2.4) External equipment 1, the external device 4 is placed in the target space S1. The external device 4 is attached to, for example, a wall W2 of the target space S1. The external device 4 is, for example, an air conditioner 40. The air conditioner 40 is a device that has the function of adjusting the state of air in the target space S1.

[0055] As shown in FIG. 5, the external device 4 includes a control unit 41, a fourth communication unit 42, and a blower unit 43.

[0056] The external device 4 is realized by, for example, a computer system having one or more processors and one or more memories. That is, the one or more processors execute a program recorded in the memory to realize the functions of the control unit 41 (including an adjustment unit 411 described below). The program may be pre-recorded in the memory, or may be provided via a telecommunications line such as the Internet, or may be recorded on a non-transitory recording medium such as a memory card and provided.

[0057] (2.4.1) Control Unit The control unit 41 is electrically connected to each of the fourth communication unit 42 and the blower unit 43. The control unit 41 controls the fourth communication unit 42 to cause the fourth communication unit 42 to communicate with the third communication unit 32 of the control device 3. The control unit 41 also controls the blower unit 43 to adjust the state of air output from the air conditioner 40 toward the target space S1. Here, the "state of air" includes at least one of the air temperature and the air humidity. In the present embodiment, as an example, the "state of air" includes the air temperature.

[0058] 5, the control unit 41 includes an adjustment unit 411. The adjustment unit 411 adjusts the state of air output from the air blowing unit 43 toward the target space S1. More specifically, the adjustment unit 411 outputs an adjustment command to the air blowing unit 43 to adjust the state of the air output from the air blowing unit 43 (for example, the temperature of the air). The air blowing unit 43 adjusts the state of the air (the temperature of the air) to be output toward the target space S1 in accordance with the adjustment command from the adjustment unit 411.

[0059] (2.4.2) Fourth Communication Section The fourth communication unit 42 communicates with the third communication unit 32 of the control device 3. The fourth communication unit 42 includes a wireless communication interface having an antenna, a wireless communication circuit, etc. The fourth communication unit 42 performs wireless communication with the third communication unit 32, for example, in accordance with BLE. The fourth communication unit 42 receives a fourth communication signal from the control device 3 through wireless communication with the third communication unit 32.

[0060] The fourth communication signal includes, for example, control information. The control information is information for controlling the air conditioner 40 so that the air state in the target space S1 becomes a desired state. The control information is generated by the determination unit 311 of the control device 3. That is, the determination unit 311 of the control device 3 generates control information for controlling the air conditioner 40 so that the air state in the target space S1 becomes a desired state. Then, the third communication unit 32 of the control device 3 transmits a fourth communication signal including the control information generated by the determination unit 311 of the control device 3 to the fourth communication unit 42 of the external device 4.

[0061] The fourth communication unit 42 may be configured to transmit a communication signal including state information indicating the state of the blower 43 of the air conditioner 40 to the third communication unit 32 of the control device 3.

[0062] (2.4.3) Blower The blower 43 includes, for example, a sirocco fan. The blower 43 adjusts the state (temperature) of the air to be output to the target space S1 in accordance with an adjustment command output from the adjustment unit 411 of the control unit 41.

[0063] (3) Operation Next, the operation of the environmental control system 100 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 6. In the following description, it is assumed that the filtering function in each of the multiple communication devices 2 is deactivated (disabled).

[0064] First, the determination unit 311 of the control device 3 determines whether or not a plurality of second communication signals have been received from a plurality of communication devices 2 (step ST1). If a plurality of second communication signals have been received (step ST1: Yes), the determination unit 311 estimates the position of the sensor device 1 in the target space S1 by, for example, triangulation based on the signal strengths of a plurality of first communication signals included in the plurality of second communication signals (step ST2).

[0065] Thereafter, the determination unit 311 updates the current position of the sensor device 1 stored in the storage unit 33 to the position of the sensor device 1 estimated in step ST2 (step ST3). Also, the determination unit 311 updates the measurement value of the sensor device 1 stored in the storage unit 33 to the measurement value included in the second communication signal transmitted from the communication device 2 that received the first reception signal with the strongest signal strength among the multiple communication devices 2 (step ST4).

[0066] Next, the determination unit 311 determines that the filtering functions of the remaining communication devices 2, other than the one or more communication devices 2 that received the first communication signal with the strongest signal strength, are enabled. For example, if one communication device 2 receives the first communication signal with the strongest signal strength among three communication devices 2, the determination unit 311 enables the filtering functions of the remaining two communication devices 2 (step ST5). Thereafter, the control device 3 receives the second communication signal only from the communication device 2 that received the first communication signal with the strongest signal strength (hereinafter referred to as the "specific communication device 2").

[0067] Furthermore, the determination unit 311 determines whether the measurement value of the sensor device 1 included in the second communication signal received from the specific communication device 2 is within the appropriate range (step ST6). If the measurement value of the sensor device 1 is within the appropriate range (step ST6: Yes), the determination unit 311 ends the series of processes. On the other hand, if the measurement value of the sensor device 1 is not within the appropriate range (step ST6: No), the determination unit 311 controls the environment of the target space S1 by controlling the air blower 43 of the external device 4 (step ST7), and ends the series of operations.

[0068] Meanwhile, if only one second communication signal is received (step ST1: No), the determination unit 311 determines whether or not the signal strength of the first communication signal included in the received second communication signal has changed significantly (step ST8). If the signal strength of the first communication signal has changed significantly (step ST8: Yes), the determination unit 311 cancels (disables) the filtering function of the multiple communication devices 2 (step ST9). On the other hand, if the signal strength of the first communication signal has not changed significantly (step ST8: No), the process proceeds to step ST6 and executes the same process.

[0069] (4) Effects In the environmental control system 100 according to the embodiment, the determination unit 311 of the control device 3 determines whether the filtering function is enabled or disabled in each of the plurality of communication devices 2. This makes it possible to reduce the amount of signals transmitted to the control device 3 by enabling the filtering function of one or more of the plurality of communication devices 2. In other words, the environmental control system 100 according to the embodiment makes it possible to reduce communication traffic between the plurality of communication devices 2 and the control device 3.

[0070] Furthermore, according to the environmental control system 100 of the embodiment, the judgment unit 311 of the control device 3 can determine whether the filtering function in each of the multiple communication devices 2 is enabled or disabled based on the magnitude of the corresponding signal strength among the signal strengths of the multiple first communication signals stored in the memory unit 33.

[0071] Furthermore, according to the environmental control system 100 of the embodiment, it is possible to enable the filtering function in the remaining communication devices 2 other than one or more communication devices 2 that received the first communication signal with the strongest signal strength among the multiple communication devices 2.

[0072] Furthermore, according to the environmental control system 100 of the embodiment, it is possible to estimate the position of the sensor device 1 based on the signal strengths of the plurality of first communication signals and the identification information of the sensor device 1.

[0073] Furthermore, in the environmental control system 100 according to the embodiment, the external device 4 is an air conditioner 40 that adjusts the state of air in the target space S1. This makes it possible to adjust the state of air in the target space S1 to a desired state based on a fourth communication signal transmitted from the control device 3 to the external device 4.

[0074] Furthermore, in the environmental control system 100 according to the embodiment, each communication device 2 is a lighting device 20 that illuminates the target space S1. Each lighting device 20 changes the light emission state of the light source unit 24 in accordance with the determination result of the determination unit 311 of the control device 3. This makes it possible to notify the user H1 of information in accordance with the determination result of the determination unit 311 of the control device 3.

[0075] (5) Variations The above-described embodiment is merely one of various embodiments of the present disclosure. The above-described embodiment can be modified in various ways depending on the design, etc., as long as the object of the present disclosure can be achieved. Modifications of the above-described embodiment are listed below. The modifications described below can be applied in appropriate combinations.

[0076] (5.1) Variation 1 In the above-described embodiment, the external device 4 is an air conditioner 40 that adjusts the state of air in the target space S1 (see FIG. 1). In contrast, the external device 4A may be a display device 40A as shown in FIG. 7. The display device 40A is, for example, a display (monitor). As shown in FIG. 7, the display device 40A has a control unit 41A, a fourth communication unit 42, and a display unit 44.

[0077] The control unit 41A is electrically connected to each of the fourth communication unit 42 and the display unit 44. The control unit 41A controls the fourth communication unit 42 to cause the fourth communication unit 42 to communicate with the third communication unit 32 of the control device 3. The control unit 41A also controls the display unit 44 to cause the display unit 44 to display information acquired via the fourth communication unit 42.

[0078] As described above, the fourth communication unit 42 communicates with the third communication unit 32 of the control device 3. More specifically, the fourth communication unit 42 performs wireless communication, for example, in accordance with BLE, with the third communication unit 32 of the control device 3. The fourth communication unit 42 receives information to be displayed on the display unit 44 from the third communication unit 32 of the control device 3.

[0079] The display unit 44 displays information acquired from the control device 3 via the fourth communication unit 42. The information includes, for example, the determination result of the determination unit 311 of the control device 3. The determination result of the determination unit 311 includes, for example, the enabled / disabled state of the filtering function in each communication device 2. That is, in the first modification, the display unit 44 of the display device 40A displays, as the determination result of the determination unit 311, the correspondence between each communication device 2 and the enabled / disabled state of the filtering function.

[0080] As with the environmental control system 100 according to the above-described embodiment, the environmental control system 100 according to the first modification also makes it possible to reduce communication traffic between the plurality of communication devices 2 and the control device 3. Furthermore, the environmental control system 100 according to the first modification makes it possible to display information acquired from the control device 3 on the display unit 44 of the display device 40A.

[0081] (5.2) Variation 2 In the above-described embodiment, one sensor device 1 is placed in the target space S1. However, a plurality of sensor devices 1 may be placed in the target space S1. An environmental control system 100 according to a second modification will now be described.

[0082] The environmental control system 100 according to the second modification includes a plurality of sensor devices 1. The plurality of sensor devices 1 includes the sensor device 1 described in the above embodiment. The plurality of sensor devices 1 are arranged at a plurality of measurement points in the target space S1.

[0083] The storage unit 33 of the control device 3 further stores a plurality of optimum values. The optimum values ​​correspond one-to-one to the plurality of measurement points. Each of the optimum values ​​is a target value for the measurement value at a corresponding one of the plurality of measurement points.

[0084] The determination unit 311 of the control device 3 determines the environmental state at the multiple measurement points by comparing the multiple measurement values ​​at the multiple measurement points with the multiple appropriate values ​​stored in the memory unit 33 of the control device 3. The multiple measurement values ​​at the multiple measurement points are transmitted from one or more communication devices 2, among the multiple communication devices 2, for which the filtering function is disabled. The multiple measurement values ​​at the multiple measurement points are included in one or more second communication signals transmitted from one or more communication devices 2, among the multiple communication devices 2, for which the filtering function is disabled.

[0085] When the determination unit 311 of the control device 3 determines that one or more of the plurality of measurement values ​​do not match a corresponding appropriate value among the plurality of appropriate values, the third communication unit 32 of the control device 3 transmits a fourth communication signal including control information to the external device 4 so that the one or more measurement values ​​match the corresponding appropriate value. The control information is information for controlling the external device 4 placed in the target space S1.

[0086] In this case, it is preferable that the determination unit 311 of the control device 3 uses so-called triangulation to estimate the position of each of the multiple sensor devices 1. In this case, the determination unit 311 estimates the position of each sensor device 1 based on the signal strengths of three or more first communication signals transmitted from three or more communication devices 2 for which the filtering function is disabled among the multiple communication devices 2. That is, in this case, the filtering function must be disabled in the three or more communication devices 2. However, even if the filtering function is disabled in two or less communication devices 2, the filtering function may be temporarily disabled for one or more communication devices 2 for which the filtering function is enabled, and the position of each sensor device 1 may be estimated based on the signal strengths of three or more first communication signals transmitted from the three or more communication devices 2 for which the filtering function is disabled.

[0087] As with the environmental control system 100 according to the above-described embodiment, the environmental control system 100 according to the second modification also makes it possible to reduce communication traffic between the plurality of communication devices 2 and the control device 3. Furthermore, the environmental control system 100 according to the second modification makes it possible to control the external device 4 so that a plurality of measurement values ​​at a plurality of measurement points in the target space S1 coincide with a plurality of appropriate values ​​stored in the storage unit 33.

[0088] (5.3) Other Modifications Other variations are listed below.

[0089] The environmental control system 100 of the present disclosure includes a computer system. The computer system is primarily composed of a processor and memory as hardware. The functions of the environmental control system 100 of the present disclosure are realized by the processor executing a program stored in the memory of the computer system. The program may be pre-stored in the memory of the computer system, provided via a telecommunications line, or provided on a non-transitory recording medium readable by the computer system, such as a memory card, optical disk, or hard disk drive. The processor of the computer system is composed of one or more electronic circuits, including a semiconductor integrated circuit (IC) or a large-scale integrated circuit (LSI). The integrated circuits, such as ICs and LSIs, are referred to by different names depending on the degree of integration, and include integrated circuits called system LSIs, very large scale integrations (VLSIs), or ultra-large scale integrations (ULSIs). Furthermore, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), which are programmable after the LSI is manufactured, or logic devices that allow the reconfiguration of internal connections or circuit partitions within the LSI, can also be used as processors. The electronic circuits may be integrated into one chip or distributed across multiple chips. The chips may be integrated into one device or distributed across multiple devices. The computer system referred to here includes a microcontroller having one or more processors and one or more memories. Therefore, the microcontroller is also composed of one or more electronic circuits including a semiconductor integrated circuit or a large-scale integrated circuit.

[0090] Furthermore, it is not essential for the environmental control system 100 that multiple functions are concentrated in one housing, and the components of the environmental control system 100 may be distributed across multiple housings. Furthermore, at least some of the functions of the environmental control system 100, for example, some of the functions of the control device 3, may be realized by the cloud (cloud computing) or the like.

[0091] Conversely, in the above-described embodiment, at least some of the functions of environmental control system 100 that are distributed among multiple devices may be integrated into a single housing. For example, some of the functions of environmental control system 100 that are distributed among communication device 2 and control device 3 may be integrated into a single housing.

[0092] In the above-described embodiment, the determination unit 311 of the control device 3 determines that the filtering function is enabled in the remaining communication devices 2, which are different from the one or more communication devices 2 that received the first communication signal having the highest signal strength among the multiple communication devices 2. In contrast, the determination unit 311 of the control device 3 may also determine that the filtering function is enabled in the remaining communication devices 2, which are different from the one or more communication devices 2 that received the first communication signal having a signal strength equal to or greater than a threshold. That is, in this case, the filtering function is disabled in the one or more communication devices 2 that received the first communication signal having a signal strength equal to or greater than a threshold, and a second communication signal is transmitted from the one or more communication devices 2 to the control device 3. Even in this case, it is possible to reduce communication traffic between the multiple communication devices 2 and the control device 3.

[0093] Furthermore, the determination unit 311 of the control device 3 may determine that the filtering function is enabled in one or more of the multiple communication devices 2 that have received a first communication signal whose signal strength is less than a threshold. In this case, the filtering function is disabled in the remaining communication devices 2 whose signal strength is equal to or greater than the threshold, and the remaining communication devices 2 transmit a second communication signal to the control device 3. In this case as well, it is possible to reduce communication traffic between the multiple communication devices 2 and the control device 3.

[0094] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the storage unit 33 of the control device 3 stores the position information of the multiple communication devices 2. Therefore, the determination unit 311 of the control device 3 can calculate the distance from each communication device 2 to the control device 3. In this case, the determination unit 311 of the control device 3 may determine that the filtering function is enabled in the remaining communication devices 2, other than the one or more communication devices 2 that are closest to the control device 3, among the multiple communication devices 2. That is, in this case, the filtering function is disabled in the one or more communication devices 2 that are closest to the control device 3, and a second communication signal is transmitted from the one or more communication devices 2 to the control device 3. In this case, it is also possible to reduce communication traffic between the multiple communication devices 2 and the control device 3.

[0095] In the above-described embodiment, the communications between the first communication unit 12 of the sensor device 1 and the second communication unit 22 of each communication device 2, the communications between the second communication unit 22 of each communication device 2 and the third communication unit 32 of the control device 3, and the communications between the third communication unit 32 of the control device 3 and the fourth communication unit 42 of the external device 4 are all wireless communications, but at least one of them may be wired communications.

[0096] In the above-described embodiment, the third communication unit 32 of the control device 3 transmits the determination result of the determination unit 311 of the control device 3 to the information terminal 5 used by the user H1 of the environmental control system 100. In contrast, the third communication unit 32 of the control device 3 may transmit the determination result of the determination unit 311 of the control device 3 to an information terminal (not shown) used by an administrator (not shown) of the environmental control system 100, or may transmit the determination result of the determination unit 311 of the control device 3 to separate information terminals used by the administrator of the environmental control system 100 and the user H1, respectively. In other words, the third communication unit 32 of the control device 3 may transmit the determination result of the determination unit 311 of the control device 3 to an information terminal used by at least one of the administrator of the environmental control system 100 and the user H1.

[0097] Furthermore, the information terminal 5 is not limited to a smartphone, but may be, for example, a tablet terminal or a personal computer.

[0098] In the above-described embodiment, the sensor device 1 is attached to the wall W1 of the target space S1, but the sensor device 1 may be placed anywhere within the target space S1, for example, on a desk, a table, or a floor within the target space S1.

[0099] In the above-described embodiment, when one or more measurement values ​​are not within the appropriate range, the external device 4 is controlled so that one or more measurement values ​​fall within the appropriate range. In contrast, for example, when the position of the sensor device 1 is shifted, the position estimation of the sensor device 1 may be redone before controlling the external device 4. In this case, it is only necessary to redo the position estimation of the sensor device 1 when the deviation of one or more measurement values ​​from the appropriate range is large. In other words, when the deviation of one or more measurement values ​​from the appropriate range is small, it is not necessary to redo the position estimation of the sensor device 1.

[0100] In this case, if the position of the sensor device 1 has changed significantly, an operation different from the operation of controlling the external device 4 may be performed. For example, as the different operation, one or more measurement values ​​may be stored in the memory unit 33 of the control device 3 together with the change in the position of the sensor device 1, the determination unit 31 of the control device 3 may make a new determination based on an appropriate range that has been reset according to the position of the sensor device 1, or the administrator of the environmental control system 100 may be notified that the position of the sensor device 1 has changed.

[0101] (Aspect) The present specification discloses the following aspects.

[0102] An environmental control system (100) according to a first aspect is an environmental control system (100) that controls the environment of a target space (S1). The environmental control system (100) includes a plurality of communication devices (2) and a control device (3). The plurality of communication devices (2) each perform wireless communication with a sensor device (1). The sensor device (1) has an acquisition unit (11) and a first communication unit (12). The acquisition unit (11) acquires environmental information, which is information related to the environment of the target space (S1). The first communication unit (12) transmits a first communication signal including the environmental information acquired by the acquisition unit (11). The control device (3) communicates with the plurality of communication devices (2). Each of the plurality of communication devices (2) has a second communication unit (22). The second communication unit (22) communicates with the first communication unit (12) of the sensor device (1). The control device (3) has a third communication unit (32) and a determination unit (311). The third communication unit (32) communicates with the second communication unit (22) of each of the multiple communication devices (2). The determination unit (311) determines whether a filtering function is enabled or disabled in each of the multiple communication devices (2). The filtering function is a function that stops transmission of a second communication signal, which includes environmental information contained in a first communication signal transmitted from the sensor device (1), to the control device (3). The second communication unit (22) of each of the multiple communication devices (2) receives the first communication signal from the sensor device (1) and the third communication signal from the control device (3), and transmits the second communication signal to the control device (3) when the filtering function is disabled. The third communication signal includes filtering information, which is information related to the filtering function.

[0103] According to this embodiment, the second communication signal is not transmitted from the communication device (2) among the plurality of communication devices (2) for which the filtering function is enabled, thereby making it possible to reduce communication traffic between the plurality of communication devices (2) and the control device (3).

[0104] In the environmental control system (100) according to the second aspect, in the first aspect, the first communication signal is a wireless signal using radio waves. The second communication signal further includes signal strength of the first communication signal. The control device (3) further includes a storage unit (33). The storage unit (33) stores signal strengths of a plurality of first communication signals included in a plurality of second communication signals transmitted from a plurality of communication devices (2). A determination unit (311) of the control device (3) determines whether a filtering function is enabled or disabled in each of the plurality of communication devices (2) based on the magnitude of a corresponding signal strength among the signal strengths of the plurality of first communication signals stored in the storage unit (33) of the control device (3).

[0105] According to this aspect, it is possible to enable or disable the filtering function in each of the plurality of communication devices (2) based on the magnitude of the signal strength of the first communication signal acquired by each of the plurality of communication devices (2).

[0106] In the environmental control system (100) according to the third aspect, in the second aspect, the determination unit (311) of the control device (3) determines that the filtering function of the remaining communication devices (2) other than the one or more communication devices (2) that received the first communication signal having the strongest signal strength among the plurality of communication devices (2) is valid.

[0107] According to this aspect, it is possible to enable the filtering function in the remaining communication devices (2) other than the one or more communication devices (2) that received the first communication signal with the strongest signal strength.

[0108] In the environmental control system (100) according to the fourth aspect, in the second aspect, the determination unit (311) of the control device (3) determines that the filtering function of the remaining communication devices (2) other than one or more communication devices (2) that have received a first communication signal having a signal strength equal to or greater than a threshold is valid among the plurality of communication devices (2).

[0109] According to this aspect, it is possible to enable the filtering function in the remaining communication devices (2) other than the one or more communication devices (2) that have received the first communication signal whose signal strength is equal to or greater than the threshold.

[0110] In the environmental control system (100) according to the fifth aspect, in the second aspect, the determination unit (311) of the control device (3) determines that the filtering function of one or more communication devices (2) that have received a first communication signal having a signal strength less than a threshold value among the plurality of communication devices (2) is valid.

[0111] According to this aspect, it is possible to enable the filtering function in one or more communication devices (2) that receive a first communication signal whose signal strength is less than the threshold value.

[0112] In the environmental control system (100) according to the sixth aspect, in the second aspect, the determination unit (311) of the control device (3) determines that the filtering function of the remaining communication devices (2) other than one or more communication devices (2) that are closest to the control device (3) among the plurality of communication devices (2) is valid.

[0113] According to this embodiment, it is possible to enable the filtering function of the remaining communication devices (2) other than the one or more communication devices (2) that are closest to the control device (3).

[0114] In an environmental control system (100) according to a seventh aspect, in any one of the second to sixth aspects, the first communication signal further includes identification information that is information for identifying the sensor device (1). A determination unit (311) of the control device (3) estimates the position of the sensor device (1) based on the signal strengths and the identification information of the plurality of first communication signals included in the plurality of second communication signals.

[0115] According to this aspect, it is possible to estimate the position of the sensor device (1) in the target space (S1) based on the signal strengths and identification information of the plurality of first communication signals included in the plurality of second communication signals.

[0116] In an environmental control system (100) according to an eighth aspect, in any one of the second to seventh aspects, the environmental information includes measurement values ​​related to the environment of the target space (S1). A determination unit (311) of the control device (3) determines whether or not one or more measurement values ​​transmitted from one or more communication devices (2) having a filtering function disabled among the plurality of communication devices (2) are within an appropriate range. When the determination unit (311) of the control device (3) determines that the one or more measurement values ​​are not within the appropriate range, a third communication unit (32) of the control device (3) transmits to the external device (4) a fourth communication signal including control information for controlling the external device (4) placed in the target space (S1) so that the one or more measurement values ​​are within the appropriate range.

[0117] According to this aspect, it is possible to adjust the environment of the target space (S1) to a desired environment by controlling the external device (4).

[0118] In an environmental control system (100) according to a ninth aspect, in any one of the second to eighth aspects, the environmental information includes measurement values ​​related to the environment of the target space (S1). A plurality of sensor devices (1) including a sensor device (1) are arranged at a plurality of measurement points in the target space (S1). A storage unit (33) of the control device (3) further stores a plurality of optimum values ​​at the plurality of measurement points. A determination unit (311) of the control device (3) determines the state of the environment at the plurality of measurement points by comparing a plurality of measurement values ​​at the plurality of measurement points transmitted from one or more communication devices (2) having a filtering function disabled among the plurality of communication devices (2) with a plurality of optimum values ​​stored in the storage unit (33) of the control device (3). When the determination unit (311) of the control device (3) determines that one or more of the plurality of measurement values ​​do not match a corresponding appropriate value among the plurality of appropriate values, the third communication unit (32) of the control device (3) transmits to the external device (4) a fourth communication signal including control information for controlling the external device (4) placed in the target space (S1) so that the one or more measurement values ​​match the corresponding appropriate value.

[0119] According to this aspect, it is possible to adjust the environment of the target space (S1) to an appropriate environment by controlling the external device (4).

[0120] In the environmental control system (100) according to the tenth aspect, in the ninth aspect, the determination unit (311) of the control device (3) estimates the position of each of the plurality of sensor devices (1) based on the signal strength of three or more first communication signals transmitted from three or more communication devices (2) among the plurality of communication devices (2) whose filtering function is disabled.

[0121] According to this embodiment, it is possible to estimate the position of each sensor device (1) by so-called triangulation.

[0122] An environmental control system (100) according to an eleventh aspect is any one of the eighth to tenth aspects, wherein the external device (4) is an air conditioner (40) having a fourth communication unit (42) and an adjustment unit (411) and adjusting the state of air in the target space (S1). The fourth communication unit (42) communicates with a third communication unit (32) of the control device (3). The adjustment unit (411) adjusts the state of air to be output to the target space (S1). The determination unit (311) of the control device (3) generates control information for controlling the air conditioner (40) so that the state of air in the target space (S1) becomes a desired state. The third communication unit (32) of the control device (3) transmits a fourth communication signal including the control information generated by the determination unit (311) of the control device (3) to the fourth communication unit (42) of the external device (4).

[0123] According to this embodiment, the air conditioner (40) can adjust the state of the air in the target space (S1).

[0124] An environmental control system (100) according to a twelfth aspect is any one of the eighth to eleventh aspects, wherein the external device (4A) is a display device (40A) having a fourth communication unit (42) and a display unit (44). The fourth communication unit (42) communicates with the third communication unit (32) of the control device (3). The display unit (44) displays information acquired from the control device (3) via the fourth communication unit (42).

[0125] According to this embodiment, it is possible to display information obtained from the control device (3) on the display unit (44) of the display device (40A).

[0126] In an environmental control system (100) according to a thirteenth aspect, in any one of the second to twelfth aspects, the storage unit (33) of the control device (3) further stores environmental information, time information, and a determination result of the determination unit (311) of the control device (3). The environmental information is included in a second communication signal transmitted from one or more communication devices (2) whose filtering function is disabled among the plurality of communication devices (2). The time information is information related to the time when the acquisition unit (11) of the sensor device (1) acquired the environmental information.

[0127] According to this aspect, it is possible to store the environmental information of the target space (S1), the time information, and the determination result of the determination unit (311) of the control device (3) in the storage unit (33) of the control device (3).

[0128] In the environmental control system (100) according to the fourteenth aspect, in any one of the second to thirteenth aspects, the third communication unit (32) of the control device (3) transmits the determination result of the determination unit (311) of the control device (3) to an information terminal (5) used by at least one of the administrator and the user (H1) of the environmental control system (100).

[0129] According to this aspect, it is possible to notify at least one of the administrator of the environmental control system (100) and the user (H1) of information according to the determination result of the determining unit (311) of the control device (3).

[0130] An environmental control system (100) according to a fifteenth aspect is any one of the second to fourteenth aspects, wherein each of the plurality of communication devices (2) is a lighting device (20) that illuminates a target space (S1). Each of the plurality of lighting devices (20) has a light source unit (24) that emits light toward the target space (S1) and a control unit (21) that controls the light source unit (24). The control unit (21) of each of the plurality of lighting devices (20) changes the light emission state of the light source unit (24) in accordance with a determination result of a determination unit (311) of the control device (3).

[0131] According to this aspect, it is possible to notify the user (H1) of the determination result of the determination unit (311) of the control device (3) based on the light emitting state of the light emitting unit (24) of the lighting device (20).

[0132] The configurations according to the second to fifteenth aspects are not essential for the environmental control system (100) and can be omitted as appropriate. [Explanation of symbols]

[0133] 1. Sensor device 2. Communications equipment 3. Control device 4,4A external equipment 5. Information terminals 11 Acquisition Department 12 First Communications Department 20 Lighting equipment 21 Control section 22 Second Communications Department 24 Light source section 32 Third Communications Department 33 Storage section 40 Air conditioner 40A display device 42 4th Communications Department 44 Display section 100 Environmental Control System 311 Judgment Department 411 Adjustment section H1 User S1 Target space

Claims

1. An environmental control system for controlling an environment of a target space, a plurality of communication devices that communicate with a sensor device having an acquisition unit that acquires environmental information, which is information about the environment of the target space, and a first communication unit that transmits a first communication signal including the environmental information acquired by the acquisition unit; a control device that communicates with the plurality of communication devices, Each of the plurality of communication devices a second communication unit that communicates with the first communication unit of the sensor device; The control device a third communication unit that communicates with the second communication unit of each of the plurality of communication devices; a determination unit that determines whether a filtering function in each of the plurality of communication devices is enabled or disabled, the filtering function is a function of stopping a second communication signal, which includes the environmental information included in the first communication signal transmitted from the sensor device, from being transmitted to the control device; The second communication unit of each of the plurality of communication devices receiving the first communication signal from the sensor device; receiving a third communication signal from the control device, the third communication signal including filtering information relating to the filtering function; and transmitting the second communication signal to the control device when the filtering function is disabled; Environmental control system.

2. the first communication signal is a wireless signal using radio waves, the second communication signal further includes a signal strength of the first communication signal; the control device further includes a storage unit configured to store the signal strengths of the first communication signals included in the second communication signals transmitted from the communication devices; the determination unit of the control device determines whether the filtering function of each of the plurality of communication devices is enabled or disabled based on a magnitude of a corresponding signal strength among the signal strengths of the plurality of first communication signals stored in the storage unit of the control device. The environmental control system of claim 1 .

3. the determination unit of the control device determines that the filtering function is valid in the remaining communication devices other than the one or more communication devices that received the first communication signal with the strongest signal strength among the plurality of communication devices. The environmental control system of claim 2 .

4. the determination unit of the control device determines that the filtering function is valid in the remaining communication devices other than one or more communication devices that received the first communication signal, the signal strength of which is equal to or greater than a threshold, among the plurality of communication devices. The environmental control system of claim 2 .

5. the determination unit of the control device determines that the filtering function is valid in one or more communication devices among the plurality of communication devices that have received the first communication signal, the signal strength of which is less than a threshold value; The environmental control system of claim 2 .

6. the determination unit of the control device determines that the filtering function is valid in the remaining communication devices other than the one or more communication devices that are closest to the control device among the plurality of communication devices. The environmental control system of claim 2 .

7. the first communication signal further includes identification information that identifies the sensor device; the determination unit of the control device estimates a position of the sensor device based on the signal strengths and the identification information of the plurality of first communication signals included in the plurality of second communication signals. The environmental control system according to any one of claims 2 to 6.

8. the environmental information includes measurements related to the environment of the target space; the determination unit of the control device determines whether or not the one or more measurement values ​​transmitted from one or more communication devices in which the filtering function is disabled among the plurality of communication devices are within an appropriate range; When the determination unit of the control device determines that the one or more measurement values ​​are not within the appropriate range, the third communication unit of the control device transmits a fourth communication signal to the external device, the fourth communication signal including control information for controlling an external device disposed in the target space so that the one or more measurement values ​​are within the appropriate range. The environmental control system according to any one of claims 2 to 6.

9. the environmental information includes measurements related to the environment of the target space; a plurality of sensor devices including the sensor device are arranged at a plurality of measurement points in the target space; the storage unit of the control device further stores a plurality of optimum values ​​at the plurality of measurement points, the determination unit of the control device determines the state of the environment at the plurality of measurement points by comparing a plurality of measurement values ​​at the plurality of measurement points transmitted from one or more communication devices among the plurality of communication devices in which the filtering function is disabled with the plurality of appropriate values ​​stored in the storage unit of the control device; When the determination unit of the control device determines that one or more measurement values ​​among the plurality of measurement values ​​do not match a corresponding appropriate value among the plurality of appropriate values, the third communication unit of the control device transmits a fourth communication signal to the external device, the fourth communication signal including control information for controlling an external device disposed in the target space so that the one or more measurement values ​​match the corresponding appropriate value. The environmental control system according to any one of claims 2 to 6.

10. the determination unit of the control device estimates the position of each of the plurality of sensor devices based on the signal strengths of the three or more first communication signals transmitted from three or more communication devices among the plurality of communication devices for which the filtering function is disabled; The environmental control system of claim 9.

11. the external device is an air conditioning device that includes a fourth communication unit that communicates with the third communication unit of the control device and an adjustment unit that adjusts a state of air to be output toward the target space, and adjusts the state of the air in the target space, the determination unit of the control device generates control information for controlling the air conditioner so that the state of the air in the target space becomes a desired state; the third communication unit of the control device transmits a fourth communication signal including the control information generated by the determination unit of the control device to the fourth communication unit of the external device; The environmental control system of claim 8.

12. The external device is a display device having a fourth communication unit that communicates with the third communication unit of the control device, and a display unit that displays information acquired from the control device via the fourth communication unit. The environmental control system of claim 8.

13. The storage unit of the control device the environmental information included in the second communication signal transmitted from one or more communication devices in which the filtering function is disabled among the plurality of communication devices; time information that is information about a time when the acquisition unit of the sensor device acquired the environmental information; and The determination result of the determination unit of the control device is further stored. The environmental control system according to any one of claims 2 to 6.

14. the third communication unit of the control device transmits the determination result of the determination unit of the control device to an information terminal used by at least one of an administrator and a user of the environmental control system. The environmental control system according to any one of claims 2 to 6.

15. each of the plurality of communication devices is a lighting device that illuminates the target space; Each of the plurality of lighting devices a light source unit that irradiates light toward the target space; a control unit that controls the light source unit, the control unit of each of the plurality of lighting devices changes the light emission state of the light source unit in accordance with the determination result of the determination unit of the control device. The environmental control system according to any one of claims 2 to 6.

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