Air conditioning control device and air conditioning control method

Abstract

To calculate a more suitable setting temperature regarding an air conditioner.SOLUTION: An air conditioning control device controls one or more air conditioners installed in a room. One air conditioner is arranged corresponding to one seat, and corresponding to each seat, a temperature measuring unit is installed for measuring the body temperature of a seated person and outputting body temperature data. The air conditioning device includes: a data accumulation unit for accumulating body temperature data acquired from the temperature measuring unit; a normal temperature estimation unit for estimating the normal temperature of a person corresponding to the seat based on the body temperature data of predetermined number of days in the past including the very day, for each seat; a deviation calculation unit for calculating the deviation between the body temperature data of the very day and the normal temperature, based on both of them, for each seat; and a setting temperature calculation unit for, in the case where the absolute value of the deviation is larger than a reference value, calculating a new setting temperature of the corresponding air conditioner, based on the current setting temperature and the change temperature according to the deviation, for each seat.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] An embodiment of the present invention relates to an air conditioning control device and an air conditioning control method. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, when controlling an air conditioner installed indoors, there has been a method of measuring the body temperature of a person in the room using a thermal camera or the like, and controlling the air conditioner at a set temperature determined based on that body temperature. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-159716 [Patent Document 2] International Publication No. 2022 / 176103 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-249454 [Patent Document 4] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-267741 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, even if the body temperature is the same, for example, 36.8 degrees, some people may have a normal temperature, while others may have a high fever caused by illness. Therefore, when determining the temperature setting for an air conditioner, conventional technology determines the temperature setting based on body temperature, and some people may feel that the temperature is too hot or too cold. Therefore, there is room for improvement.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioning control device and an air conditioning control method that can calculate a more appropriate set temperature for an air conditioner. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An air conditioning control device according to an embodiment controls one or more air conditioners installed in a room, with one air conditioner corresponding to one seat, and a temperature measuring unit corresponding to each seat that measures the body temperature of the seated person and outputs the body temperature data. The air conditioning control device includes: a data storage unit that stores, for each seat, body temperature data acquired from the temperature measuring unit; a normal body temperature estimation unit that estimates, for each seat, the normal body temperature of the person corresponding to the seat based on the body temperature data for a predetermined number of days in the past, including the current day; a deviation calculation unit that calculates, for each seat, a deviation between the body temperature data for the current day and the normal body temperature based on the body temperature data; and a set temperature calculation unit that calculates, for each seat, a new set temperature for the corresponding air conditioner based on the current set temperature and a change temperature corresponding to the deviation, if the absolute value of the deviation is greater than a reference value. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of an air conditioning control system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a functional configuration diagram of the air conditioning control device of the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the processing performed by the air conditioning control device of the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram relating to normal body temperature estimation in the first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a graph showing the relationship between body temperature deviation and change temperature in the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of an air conditioning control system according to the second embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a functional configuration diagram of the air conditioning control device of the second embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the processing performed by the air conditioning control device of the second embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of an air conditioning control system according to the third embodiment. [Figure 10]FIG. 10 is a functional configuration diagram of an air conditioning control device according to the third embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the processing performed by the air conditioning control device of the third embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of a first calculation example of the deviation average in the third embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a second calculation example of the deviation average in the third embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of an air conditioning control system according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a functional configuration diagram of an air conditioning control device according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the processing performed by the air conditioning control device of the fourth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Hereinafter, embodiments (first to fourth embodiments) of an air conditioning control device and an air conditioning control method of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that in the second embodiment and onward, descriptions of matters similar to those in the previous embodiments will be omitted as appropriate.

[0009] (First embodiment) 1 is an overall configuration diagram of an air conditioning control system S of the first embodiment. In the first embodiment, it is assumed that the person using the seat 1 is fixed and that one air conditioner is arranged corresponding to one seat.

[0010] Seat 1 is equipped with PC 2 and thermal camera 3. The person sitting in seat 1 and logging in to PC 2 is a specific individual, and this does not change from day to day. In other words, person A always sits in seat A, person B sits in seat B, and person C sits in seat C.

[0011] The thermal camera 3 is an example of a temperature measurement unit that measures the body temperature of a person seated in seat 1 and outputs the body temperature data. Specifically, the thermal camera 3 measures the body surface temperature (for example, the temperature of the surface of the face) of the person sitting in seat 1 and transmits this data (thermal imaging data) to the air conditioning control device 4 (thermal camera server device). The air conditioning control device 4 uses the thermal imaging data to calculate the deviation between the estimated normal body temperature of the person and the normal body temperature, and outputs a new set temperature calculated using these to the local server 5. In response to receiving the new set temperature, the local server 5 outputs the new set temperature to the air conditioner 7 via the CP panel 6. The new set temperature is also stored in the data server 8 and can be monitored by the monitoring terminal 9.

[0012] It is assumed that the person sitting in seat 1 does not change the temperature setting of air conditioner 7. Also, it is assumed that the initial temperature setting for each of the multiple air conditioners 7 is the same.

[0013] 2 is a functional configuration diagram of the air conditioning control device 4 of the first embodiment. The air conditioning control device 4 is a computer device that controls one or more air conditioners 7 installed in a room. The air conditioning control device 4 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), HDD (Hard Disk Drive), SSD (Solid State Drive), etc.

[0014] The air conditioning control device 4 includes, as functional components, a data accumulation unit 10, a normal body temperature estimation unit 11, a deviation calculation unit 12, and a set temperature calculation unit 13.

[0015] The data storage unit 10 stores body temperature data (measurement data of body surface temperature) acquired from the thermal camera 3 for each seat 1.

[0016] For each seat 1, the normal body temperature estimation unit 11 estimates the normal body temperature of the person corresponding to the seat based on body temperature data for a predetermined number of days (for example, one week) in the past, including the current day.

[0017] The deviation calculation unit 12 calculates the deviation between the body temperature data of the day and the normal body temperature for each seat 1 ("body temperature data" - "normal body temperature").

[0018] If the absolute value of the deviation is greater than the reference value for each seat 1, the set temperature calculation unit 13 calculates a new set temperature for the corresponding air conditioner 7 based on the current set temperature and the change temperature according to the deviation.

[0019] 3 is a flowchart showing the processing performed by the air conditioning control device 4 of the first embodiment. This processing is executed, for example, every hour.

[0020] In step S11, the data accumulation unit 10 acquires the measurement data of the body surface temperature on that day from the thermal camera 3.

[0021] Next, in step S12, the data accumulation unit 10 updates the body surface temperature data (body temperature data) for the past week to the latest data.

[0022] Next, in step S13, the normal body temperature estimation unit 11 estimates normal body temperature based on body temperature data for the past week, including the current day. Fig. 4 is an explanatory diagram for normal body temperature estimation in the first embodiment. Fig. 4 shows a moving average value for one week.

[0023] Returning to FIG. 3, next, in step S14, the deviation calculation unit 12 calculates the deviation between the body temperature data of the day and the normal body temperature ("body temperature data" - "normal body temperature").

[0024] Next, in step S15, the set temperature calculation unit 13 determines whether the absolute value of the deviation is greater than the reference value, and if Yes, proceeds to step S16, and if No, ends the process (does not change the set temperature).

[0025] In step S16, the set temperature calculation unit 13 calculates a new set temperature for the corresponding air conditioner 7 based on the current set temperature and the change temperature according to the deviation. Here, FIG. 5 is a graph showing the relationship between the body temperature deviation and the change temperature in the first embodiment. As shown in the figure, the change temperature is set according to the value of the deviation ("measured value (body temperature)" - "normal body temperature"). For example, when the deviation is "-0.2°C", the change temperature is "0.3°C". Also, when the deviation is "0.2°C", the change temperature is "-0.3°C". Thereafter, the air conditioner 7 is controlled using this new set temperature.

[0026] In this way, according to the first embodiment, for each seat 1, if the absolute value of the deviation is greater than the reference value, a new set temperature for the corresponding air conditioner 7 is calculated based on the current set temperature and the change temperature according to the deviation. This makes it possible to calculate a more appropriate set temperature taking into account individual differences in how people feel about hot and cold.

[0027] (Second embodiment) FIG. 6 is an overall configuration diagram of an air conditioning control system S of the second embodiment. What differs from the first embodiment is that the person who occupies seat 1 is not fixed. Specifically, the person who sits in seat 1 and logs into PC 2 is not a specific individual, and therefore varies from day to day. For example, seat A could be occupied by any of persons A, B, or C.

[0028] In order to identify (determine) the person sitting in seat 1, the login information for computer 2 in seat 1 and / or facial recognition data from the web camera (compatible with facial recognition) of computer 2 are sent to air conditioning control device 4, which then identifies the person.

[0029] 7 is a functional configuration diagram of the air conditioning control device 4 of the second embodiment. Compared to FIG. 2, a person determination unit 15 is added.

[0030] The person identification unit 15 identifies the person seated at each seat 1 based on predetermined information (for example, login information for the personal computer 2 or face authentication data from a web camera (face authentication compatible) of the personal computer 2).

[0031] The data storage unit 10 stores the body temperature data acquired from the thermal camera 3 for each person. The normal body temperature estimation unit 11 estimates the normal body temperature for each person based on body temperature data for a predetermined number of days in the past, including the current day.

[0032] The deviation calculation unit 12 calculates the deviation between the body temperature data of the day and the normal body temperature for each person based on the body temperature data of the day and the normal body temperature. If the absolute value of the deviation for each person is greater than the reference value, the set temperature calculation unit 13 calculates a new set temperature for the air conditioner 7 corresponding to the seat where the person is seated, based on the current set temperature and the change temperature according to the deviation.

[0033] 8 is a flowchart showing the processing by the air conditioning control device 4 of the second embodiment. In step S21, the person discrimination unit 15 discriminates the seated person based on predetermined information for each seat 1. Steps S22 to S27 below are similar to steps S11 to S16 in FIG. 3 except that processing is performed for each person rather than for each seat 1, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0034] In this way, according to the second embodiment, if the absolute value of the deviation for each person is greater than the reference value, a new set temperature for the corresponding air conditioner 7 is calculated based on the current set temperature and the change temperature according to the deviation. This makes it possible to calculate a more appropriate set temperature taking into account individual differences in how people perceive heat and cold, even if the person using the seat 1 is not fixed.

[0035] (Third embodiment) 9 is an overall configuration diagram of an air conditioning control system S of the third embodiment. In the third embodiment, it is assumed that the person using the seat is fixed and that one air conditioner 7 is arranged corresponding to a plurality of seats 1 (three in this case).

[0036] 10 is a functional configuration diagram of an air conditioning control device 4 according to the third embodiment. Compared to FIG. 2, a deviation average calculation unit 16 has been added. The data accumulation unit 10, normal body temperature estimation unit 11, and deviation calculation unit 12 are the same as those in FIG. 2.

[0037] The deviation average calculation unit 16 calculates, for each air conditioner 7, the deviation average, which is the average of the deviations of the corresponding plurality of seats 1.

[0038] If the absolute value of the deviation average is greater than the reference value, the set temperature calculation unit 13 calculates a new set temperature for each air conditioner 7 based on the current set temperature and a change temperature according to the deviation average.

[0039] 11 is a flowchart showing the processing by the air conditioning control device 4 of the third embodiment. Steps S31 to S34 are the same as steps S11 to S14 in FIG.

[0040] After step S34, in step S35, the air conditioning control device 4 determines whether calculations have been performed for all people in the target area, and if Yes, proceeds to step S36, and if No, returns to step S31.

[0041] In step S36, the deviation average calculation unit 16 calculates the deviation average, which is the average of the deviations of the multiple seats 1 corresponding to one air conditioner 7. Specifically, the deviation average can be calculated by, for example, calculating the average value, the median value, or the mode value.

[0042] To calculate the average value, the calculation is performed by (total deviation ÷ number of people) within the target area. The calculation of the median is as shown in Figure 12. In this case, the value a3 is used as the body surface temperature change value (deviation). The calculation of the mode is as shown in Figure 13. In this case, the value a4 is used as the body surface temperature change value (deviation).

[0043] Returning to FIG. 11, steps S37 and S38 are similar to steps S15 and S16 in FIG. 3 except that deviation averages are used instead of deviations, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0044] In this way, according to the third embodiment, a new set temperature is calculated using the deviation average instead of the deviation, as compared to the first embodiment. This makes it possible to calculate a more appropriate set temperature taking into account individual differences in how people feel about heat and cold, even when multiple seats 1 are assigned to one air conditioner 7.

[0045] (Fourth embodiment) Fig. 14 is an overall configuration diagram of an air conditioning control system S of the fourth embodiment. Fig. 15 is a functional configuration diagram of an air conditioning control device 4 of the fourth embodiment. What differs from the third embodiment is that the person occupying the seat 1 is not fixed. Therefore, as in the second embodiment, the person occupying the seat 1 is identified by the person identification unit 15.

[0046] Fig. 16 is a flowchart showing the processing by the air conditioning control device 4 of the fourth embodiment. In step S41, the person discrimination unit 15 discriminates the seated person based on predetermined information for each seat 1. Steps S42 to S49 are the same as steps S31 to S38 in Fig. 11 except that processing is performed for each person rather than for each seat 1, and therefore explanations thereof will be omitted.

[0047] In this way, according to the fourth embodiment, compared to the third embodiment, even when the person using the seat 1 is not fixed, a more appropriate set temperature can be calculated taking into account individual differences in how people perceive heat and cold.

[0048] In the above-described embodiment, the program for executing the information processing may be provided by being recorded in an installable or executable file format on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a flexible disk (FD), a CD-R, a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), or a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory. The program may also be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet. The program may also be provided by being pre-installed in a ROM or the like.

[0049] The program has a modular configuration including the above-mentioned functional components, and in actual hardware, for example, a CPU (processor circuit) reads the program from a ROM or HDD and executes it, thereby loading the above-mentioned functional units into RAM and generating the above-mentioned functional units in RAM. Note that some or all of the above-mentioned functional units can also be realized using dedicated hardware such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array).

[0050] Although the embodiments have been described, the above embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The novel embodiments can be embodied in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. The above embodiments are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, and are also included in the inventions and their equivalents as defined in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0051] 1...seat, 2...personal computer, 3...thermal camera, 4...air conditioning control device, 5...local server, 6...CP panel, 7...air conditioner, 8...data server, 9...monitoring terminal, 10...data storage unit, 11...normal body temperature estimation unit, 12...deviation calculation unit, 13...set temperature calculation unit, 15...person recognition unit, 16...deviation average calculation unit, S...air conditioning control system

Claims

1. An air conditioning control device that controls one or more air conditioners installed in a room, One air conditioner is arranged corresponding to one seat, A temperature measuring unit is provided for each seat, which measures the body temperature of the seated person and outputs the body temperature data. The air conditioning control device a data storage unit that stores body temperature data acquired from the temperature measuring unit for each of the seats; a normal body temperature estimation unit that estimates the normal body temperature of a person corresponding to each seat based on the body temperature data for a predetermined number of days in the past, including the current day; a deviation calculation unit that calculates a deviation between the body temperature data of the day and the normal body temperature for each seat, based on the body temperature data of the day and the normal body temperature; and a set temperature calculation unit that calculates, for each seat, a new set temperature for the corresponding air conditioner based on the current set temperature and a change temperature according to the deviation if the absolute value of the deviation is greater than a reference value.

2. a person discrimination unit is provided for each of the seats, which discriminates a person seated thereon based on predetermined information; the data storage unit stores the body temperature data acquired from the temperature measurement unit for each person; the normal body temperature estimation unit estimates a normal body temperature for each person based on the body temperature data for a predetermined number of days in the past, including the current day; the deviation calculation unit calculates, for each person, a deviation between the body temperature data of the day and the normal body temperature, 2. The air conditioning control device according to claim 1, wherein, for each person, if the absolute value of the deviation is greater than a reference value, the set temperature calculation unit calculates a new set temperature for the air conditioner corresponding to the seat where the person is seated based on the current set temperature and a change temperature corresponding to the deviation.

3. An air conditioning control device that controls one or more air conditioners installed in a room, One air conditioner is arranged corresponding to a plurality of seats, A temperature measuring unit is provided for each seat, which measures the body temperature of the seated person and outputs the body temperature data. The air conditioning control device a data storage unit that stores body temperature data acquired from the temperature measuring unit for each of the seats; a normal body temperature estimation unit that estimates the normal body temperature of a person corresponding to each seat based on the body temperature data for a predetermined number of days in the past, including the current day; a deviation calculation unit that calculates a deviation between the body temperature data of the day and the normal body temperature for each seat, based on the body temperature data of the day and the normal body temperature; a deviation average calculation unit that calculates, for each of the air conditioners, a deviation average that is an average of the deviations for each of the corresponding seats; and a set temperature calculation unit that calculates, for each air conditioner, a new set temperature based on the current set temperature and a change temperature corresponding to the deviation average when the absolute value of the deviation average is greater than a reference value.

4. a person discrimination unit is provided for each of the seats, which discriminates a person seated thereon based on predetermined information; the data storage unit stores the body temperature data acquired from the temperature measurement unit for each person; the normal body temperature estimation unit estimates a normal body temperature for each person based on the body temperature data for a predetermined number of days in the past, including the current day; the deviation calculation unit calculates, for each person, a deviation between the body temperature data of the day and the normal body temperature, the deviation average calculation unit calculates, for each of the air conditioners, a deviation average that is an average of the deviations of the person in each of the corresponding plurality of seats; 4. The air conditioning control device according to claim 3, wherein, when the absolute value of the deviation average is greater than a reference value, the set temperature calculation unit calculates a new set temperature for each air conditioner based on the current set temperature and a change temperature corresponding to the deviation average.

5. An air conditioning control method using an air conditioning control device that controls one or more air conditioners installed in a room, One air conditioner is arranged corresponding to one seat, A temperature measuring unit is installed corresponding to each seat to measure the body temperature of the seated person and output the body temperature data, The air conditioning control method includes: a data accumulation step in which a data accumulation unit accumulates the body temperature data acquired from the temperature measurement unit for each seat; a normal body temperature estimation step in which a normal body temperature estimation unit estimates, for each seat, a normal body temperature of a person corresponding to the seat based on the body temperature data for a predetermined number of days in the past, including the current day; a deviation calculation step in which a deviation calculation unit calculates a deviation between the body temperature data of the day and the normal body temperature for each seat based on the body temperature data of the day and the normal body temperature; a set temperature calculation step in which, for each seat, if the absolute value of the deviation is greater than a reference value, a set temperature calculation unit calculates a new set temperature for the corresponding air conditioner based on the current set temperature and a change temperature according to the deviation.

6. An air conditioning control method using an air conditioning control device that controls one or more air conditioners installed in a room, One air conditioner is arranged corresponding to a plurality of seats, A temperature measuring unit is installed corresponding to each seat to measure the body temperature of the seated person and output the body temperature data, The air conditioning control method includes: a data accumulation step in which a data accumulation unit accumulates the body temperature data acquired from the temperature measurement unit for each seat; a normal body temperature estimation step in which a normal body temperature estimation unit estimates, for each seat, a normal body temperature of a person corresponding to the seat based on the body temperature data for a predetermined number of days in the past, including the current day; a deviation calculation step in which a deviation calculation unit calculates a deviation between the body temperature data of the day and the normal body temperature for each seat based on the body temperature data of the day and the normal body temperature; a deviation average calculation step in which a deviation average calculation unit calculates, for each air conditioner, a deviation average that is an average of the deviations of each of the corresponding plurality of seats; a set temperature calculation step in which, when the absolute value of the deviation average is greater than a reference value, the set temperature calculation unit calculates, for each of the air conditioners, a new set temperature based on the current set temperature and a change temperature corresponding to the deviation average.

Images