Air-conditioning system, terminal, and program

Abstract

To provide an air conditioning system in which comfort of a user is not impaired.SOLUTION: The air conditioning system includes an air conditioning unit configured to execute an air conditioning operation, and a control unit configured to cause the air conditioning unit to execute the air conditioning operation such that a room temperature becomes a target temperature, and to stop the air conditioning operation of the air conditioning unit when the target temperature and the room temperature have a predetermined relationship. When the control unit receives a setting change instruction of an air conditioning operation including changing the target temperature to the set temperature, the control unit continues the air conditioning operation without stopping the air conditioning operation even when the set temperature and the room temperature at the time of receiving the setting change instruction have a predetermined relationship.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an air conditioning system, a terminal device, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] An air conditioner that executes thermo-off by stopping the compressor when a predetermined thermo-off condition is met has been disclosed (Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-128075 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In Patent Document 1, the thermostat is turned off when a predetermined thermostat-off condition is met, which may cause the air conditioning unit including the compressor to stop unintentionally, resulting in a loss of comfort. The purpose of this disclosure is to provide an air conditioning system and a terminal device that do not impede user comfort. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] An air conditioning system according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes an air conditioning unit that performs air conditioning operation, and a control unit that causes the air conditioning unit to perform the air conditioning operation so that the room temperature becomes a target temperature, and stops the air conditioning operation of the air conditioning unit when the target temperature and the room temperature have a predetermined relationship, and when the control unit receives an instruction to change the setting of the air conditioning operation, which includes changing the target temperature to a set temperature, the control unit continues the air conditioning operation without stopping it, even if the set temperature and the room temperature at the time the setting change instruction is received have the predetermined relationship.

[0006] In addition, a terminal device according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes an input unit capable of inputting a setting change instruction to change the target temperature of an air conditioner that performs air conditioning operation so that the room temperature becomes a target temperature and stops the air conditioning operation when a predetermined relationship is established between the room temperature and the target temperature, a transmission unit that transmits the setting change instruction input to the input unit to the air conditioner, a notification unit that notifies information, and a control unit that, when the set temperature input to the input unit and the room temperature at the time the setting change instruction is received become the predetermined relationship, notifies the notification unit that the air conditioning operation will be stopped if the air conditioning operation is performed based on the setting change instruction.

[0007] Furthermore, a program according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a terminal device that includes an input unit capable of inputting a setting change instruction to change the target temperature of an air conditioner that performs air conditioning operation so that the room temperature becomes a target temperature and stops the air conditioning operation when a predetermined relationship is established between the room temperature and the target temperature, a transmission unit that transmits the setting change instruction inputted to the input unit to the air conditioner, and an alarm unit that notifies information, and the program is for causing a computer to execute a step of notifying the alarm unit that the air conditioning operation will be stopped if the air conditioning operation based on the setting change instruction is performed when the predetermined relationship is established between the set temperature inputted to the input unit and the room temperature at the time the setting change instruction is received. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a main part of a continuous operation system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a continuous operation process in the continuous operation system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen of a terminal device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] 4 is a diagram showing an example of an operation window displayed on the display screen of the terminal device shown in FIG. 3. FIG. [Figure 5]4 is a diagram showing an example of notification information displayed on a display screen of the terminal device shown in FIG. 3. FIG. [Figure 6] 4 is a diagram showing an example of a message including a proposal for air conditioning operation at a temporary set temperature, displayed on the display screen of the terminal device shown in FIG. 3. FIG. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a continuous operation process executed in an air conditioning system according to a modified example of an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments and modifications of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that, hereinafter, identical or corresponding elements throughout the drawings will be designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant description thereof will be omitted. Furthermore, the embodiments and modifications described below are merely examples of the present disclosure, and the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments and modifications. Various modifications other than these embodiments and modifications are possible depending on the design, etc., as long as they do not deviate from the technical concept of the present disclosure.

[0010] (Continuous operation system) A continuous operation system 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a main part of the continuous operation system 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0011] The continuous operation system 100 includes an air conditioning system 1 and a terminal device 2, and is a system that allows air conditioning operation to continue even when a change in the set temperature 72 satisfies certain conditions for performing thermo-off control, which will be described later, in the air conditioning system 1. Note that air conditioning operation includes temperature control operations that adjust the temperature of the air inside the room, such as cooling operation and heating operation. In the continuous operation system 100, the air conditioning system 1 and the terminal device 2 are connected so that they can communicate with each other.

[0012] (Air conditioning system) First, the air conditioning system 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 1. As shown in Fig. 1, the air conditioning system 1 includes an air conditioning unit 10, an input unit 11, a communication unit 12, a notification unit 13, an indoor temperature sensor 14, an indoor humidity sensor 15, a control unit 16, and a memory unit 17. The air conditioning system 1 can be, for example, an air conditioner in which the air conditioning unit 10, the input unit 11, the communication unit 12, the notification unit 13, the indoor temperature sensor 14, the indoor humidity sensor 15, the control unit 16, and the memory unit 17 are integrally provided.

[0013] The air conditioning unit 10 is an air conditioning system that performs air conditioning operations. The air conditioning unit 10 adjusts the temperature and humidity of indoor air using a vapor compression refrigeration cycle. The air conditioning unit 10 can be configured as a unit consisting of an outdoor unit that houses a compressor and an outdoor heat exchanger, and an indoor unit that houses an indoor heat exchanger. The outdoor unit is installed outside the room and is connected to the indoor unit installed inside the room via a refrigerant connection pipe through which a refrigerant flows.

[0014] The input unit 11 is an input device for a user to input operation instructions to the air conditioning system 1, and may be, for example, a touch panel or operation buttons.

[0015] The communication unit 12 establishes communication with the terminal device 2, and, for example, receives a setting change instruction signal including a change to the set temperature 72 sent from the terminal device 2, and sends notification information 91 to the terminal device 2 to notify the user.

[0016] The setting change instruction is an instruction to change the target temperature 71 to a new set temperature 72. The setting change instruction may be a direct instruction to change the currently set set temperature 72, or may be an instruction to switch the operation mode, such as from cooling operation to dehumidifying operation, which involves a change in the set temperature 72.

[0017] The notification unit 13 notifies information to the outside, and may be, for example, a display panel or a speaker.

[0018] The indoor temperature sensor 14 is a sensor that detects the temperature inside the room. More specifically, it detects the temperature of the indoor air that is drawn into the indoor unit.

[0019] The indoor humidity sensor 15 is a sensor that detects the indoor humidity, more specifically, the humidity of the indoor air drawn into the indoor unit.

[0020] The control unit 16 performs various controls on each unit included in the air conditioning system 1. The control unit 16 includes, as functional blocks, an air conditioning processing unit 61 and a notification processing unit 62. When the control unit 16 is, for example, a CPU, each functional block can be realized by the CPU reading out a program stored in the storage unit 17 into a memory (not shown) and executing the program.

[0021] The air conditioning processing unit 61 controls the air conditioning operation by the air conditioning unit 10 based on the indoor temperature (room temperature) detected by the indoor temperature sensor 14 and the indoor humidity detected by the indoor humidity sensor 15.

[0022] For example, the air conditioning processing unit 61 causes the air conditioning unit 10 to perform air conditioning operation based on the indoor temperature detected by the indoor temperature sensor 14 so that the indoor temperature becomes the target temperature 71. Furthermore, the air conditioning processing unit 61 causes the air conditioning unit 10 to perform air conditioning operation based on the indoor humidity detected by the indoor humidity sensor 15 so that the indoor humidity becomes the target humidity.

[0023] Furthermore, when a predetermined relationship is established between target temperature 71, which is the indoor temperature that air conditioning unit 10 aims to achieve during air conditioning operation, and the actual indoor temperature, air conditioning processing unit 61 executes so-called thermo-off control, which stops the air conditioning operation of air conditioning unit 10 for a predetermined period. Note that, hereinafter, a condition that indicates the predetermined relationship between target temperature 71 and the indoor temperature may be referred to as a thermo-off condition. Furthermore, stopping the air conditioning operation means that air conditioning processing unit 61 stops the temperature adjustment operation by controlling the compressor and blower to stop their operation.

[0024] Furthermore, the air conditioning processing unit 61 may receive a setting change instruction, including a command to change the target temperature 71 to a new set temperature 72, from the terminal device 2 or the like while the air conditioning unit 10 is performing air conditioning operation. The set temperature 72 is a temperature set by the user to change the target temperature 71.

[0025] Here, when the air conditioning system 1 receives a setting change instruction, even if the room temperature and the set temperature 72 included in the setting change instruction have a predetermined relationship, i.e., satisfy the thermo-off condition, the air conditioning processing unit 61 does not stop the air conditioning operation by the air conditioning unit 10, but allows the air conditioning operation performed by the air conditioning unit 10 to continue as weak air conditioning operation.

[0026] In this embodiment, the thermo-off condition can be, for example, when the difference between the target temperature 71 and the room temperature, or the difference between the set temperature 72 and the room temperature, is 1 degree or more.

[0027] In addition, weak air conditioning operation means temperature control operation that is weaker than when normal air conditioning operation is performed with the set temperature 72 included in the setting change instruction as the target temperature 71, and can be, for example, the following operation.

[0028] That is, the air conditioning processing unit 61 forcibly changes the target temperature 71, which is changed by the set temperature 72 included in the setting change instruction, to a temporary target temperature that falls within a temperature range that does not satisfy the thermo-off condition in relation to the room temperature. The temporary target temperature is a temperature between the set temperature 72 included in the setting change instruction and the room temperature at the time the setting change instruction was received. The air conditioning processing unit 61 then performs automatic continuous operation by gradually changing the temporary target temperature to approach the set temperature 72 in accordance with changes in the room temperature, within the temperature range that does not satisfy the thermo-off condition.

[0029] Furthermore, weak air conditioning operation is an operation in which the set temperature 72 included in the setting change instruction is changed to a temporary set temperature that is within a temperature range that does not satisfy the thermo-off condition and is a temperature between the set temperature 72 included in the setting change instruction and the room temperature. Then, the air conditioning processing unit 61 controls the air conditioning unit 10 so that the upper limit of the compressor rotation speed is lower than during normal air conditioning operation in accordance with the temporary set temperature, and the air conditioning processing unit 61 controls the air conditioning unit 10 so that the volume of air sent from the blower is lower than during normal air conditioning operation.

[0030] The notification processing unit 62 controls the notification unit 13 to notify the outside of information. Alternatively, the notification processing unit 62 controls the communication unit 12 to transmit information to be notified to the terminal device 2.

[0031] The storage unit 17 is a recording medium capable of storing various data, programs, etc. The storage unit 17 includes an area for storing various programs, an area for storing data used in the various programs, an area into which the various programs are loaded, and an area used when the various programs are executed. The storage unit 17 can be configured, for example, with semiconductor memory such as a read-only memory (ROM) or a random access memory (RAM), a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), a programmable logic circuit, etc. The storage unit 17 stores a target temperature 71 when the air conditioning unit 10 performs air conditioning operation, and a set temperature 72 included in a setting change instruction received from the terminal device 2.

[0032] As described above, the air conditioning system 1 is configured to be able to continue air conditioning operation by operating at a weak temperature even when the target temperature changed by the set temperature 72 included in the change instruction and the room temperature have a predetermined relationship.

[0033] This makes it possible to prevent the air conditioning unit 10 from being stopped unintentionally by the user in the air conditioning system 1. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the comfort of the user who uses the air conditioning system 1 from being impaired.

[0034] (Terminal Device) The terminal device 2 is a device that can issue an instruction to change the set temperature 72 for air conditioning operation in the air conditioning system 1, and can be, for example, a smartphone carried by a user. As shown in FIG. 1 , the terminal device 2 includes a terminal communication unit 21, a terminal input unit 22, a terminal notification unit 23, a terminal control unit 24, and a terminal storage unit 25.

[0035] The terminal communication unit 21 establishes communication with the air conditioning system 1, and, for example, transmits setting change instruction signals including the set temperature 72 and operation instructions to the air conditioning system 1, and receives signals such as information to be displayed on the terminal device 2 from the air conditioning system 1.

[0036] The terminal input unit 22 is an input device for a user to input instructions for changing settings and the like to the terminal device 2, and may be, for example, a touch panel or operation buttons.

[0037] The terminal notification unit 23 notifies the user of information, and may be, for example, a display panel or a speaker.

[0038] The terminal control unit 24 performs various controls on the units included in the terminal device 2. The terminal control unit 24 includes, as functional blocks, an operation processing unit 81 and a terminal notification processing unit 82. If the terminal control unit 24 is, for example, a CPU, each functional block can be realized by the CPU reading out a program stored in the terminal storage unit 25 into a memory (not shown) and executing it.

[0039] The operation processing unit 81 processes operation instructions input by the user via the terminal input unit 22. For example, when a setting change instruction including a change in the set temperature 72 is input from the terminal input unit 22, the operation processing unit 81 controls the setting change instruction to be sent to the air conditioning system 1 via the terminal communication unit 21.

[0040] When the terminal notification processing unit 82 receives notification information 91 to be notified to the user from the air conditioning system 1 via the terminal communication unit 21, the terminal notification processing unit 82 stores the notification information in the terminal storage unit 25. Then, the terminal notification processing unit 82 controls the terminal notification unit 23 to notify the user based on the notification information 91 stored in the terminal storage unit 25.

[0041] The terminal storage unit 25 is a recording medium capable of storing various data, programs, etc. The terminal storage unit 25 includes an area for storing various programs, an area for storing data used in the various programs, an area into which the various programs are loaded, and an area used when the various programs are executed. The terminal storage unit 25 can be configured, for example, with semiconductor memory such as ROM or RAM, a HDD, an SSD, a programmable logic circuit, etc. The terminal storage unit 25 stores notification information 91 received from the air conditioning system 1.

[0042] Furthermore, the above-described continuous operation system 100 is configured to include the air conditioning system 1 and the terminal device 2, but is not limited to this, and may be configured to include, for example, a remote controller capable of communicating with the air conditioning system 1 via short-range wireless communication such as infrared communication, instead of the terminal device 2. Alternatively, the continuous operation system 100 may be configured to include the air conditioning system 1, the terminal device 2, and a remote controller.

[0043] (Continuous operation processing) Next, a description will be given of a continuous operation process in the continuous operation system 100 with reference to Figs. 2 to 5. Fig. 2 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a continuous operation process in the continuous operation system 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen in the terminal device 2 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of an operation window displayed on the display screen of the terminal device 2 shown in Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of notification information 91 displayed on the display screen of the terminal device 2 shown in Fig. 3.

[0044] 2, the continuous operation process of the air conditioning system 1 based on a setting change instruction from the terminal device 2 will be described as an example.

[0045] First, the user operates the terminal input unit 22 to input a setting change instruction into the terminal device 2. For example, as shown in Fig. 3, on the display screen of the terminal device 2, the current room temperature and humidity are displayed above the center, and the temperature currently set as the set temperature 72 of the air conditioning unit 10 is displayed below the center. In the example of Fig. 3, the temperature currently set as the set temperature 72 is 28°C.

[0046] Here, when the user touches the area below the center of the display screen, an operation window that functions as terminal input unit 22 is displayed on the display screen, as shown in Fig. 4. The user can touch the "+" or "-" key in the operation window to change 28°C to 26°C as shown in Fig. 4, and then touch the "OK" button to input a setting change instruction to change set temperature 72 from 28°C to 26°C.

[0047] When the user inputs a setting change instruction to the terminal device 2 in this way, the operation processing unit 81 transmits the setting change instruction to the air conditioning system 1 via the terminal communication unit 21 (step S21).

[0048] The air conditioning system 1 receives a setting change instruction from the terminal device 2 via the communication unit 12 (step S11).

[0049] When the air conditioning system 1 receives a setting change instruction from the terminal device 2, the air conditioning processing unit 61 acquires the room temperature detected by the room temperature sensor 14. Then, the air conditioning processing unit 61 determines whether the room temperature and the target temperature changed by the set temperature 72 included in the setting change instruction satisfy the thermo-off condition (step S12).

[0050] If it is determined that the thermo-off condition is not met ("No" in step S12), the air conditioning processing unit 61 proceeds to step S16 and controls the air conditioning unit 10 to perform air conditioning operation based on the setting change instruction.

[0051] On the other hand, if the air conditioning processing unit 61 determines that the thermo-off condition is met ("Yes" in step S12), the notification processing unit 62 instructs the terminal device 2 to notify that thermo-off control will be performed when air conditioning operation based on the setting change instruction is performed (step S13).

[0052] Furthermore, the notification processing unit 62 instructs the terminal device 2 to inquire of the user as to whether or not to perform air conditioning operation based on the setting change instruction (step S14).

[0053] That is, the notification processing unit 62 transmits notification information indicating that thermo-off control will occur when air conditioning operation (automatic operation) based on the setting change instruction is performed, and notification information indicating an inquiry as to whether air conditioning operation (automatic operation) based on the setting change instruction should be performed, to the terminal device 2 via the communication unit 12. Note that when there is no need to particularly distinguish between the notification information indicating that thermo-off control will occur and the notification information indicating an inquiry, they will simply be referred to as notification information 91.

[0054] Then, the notification processing unit 62 instructs the terminal device 2 to notify the notification information 91 .

[0055] When the terminal device 2 receives the notification information 91 from the air conditioning system 1 via the terminal communication unit 21, the terminal notification processing unit 82 in the terminal control unit 24 causes the terminal notification unit 23 to notify the notification information 91 (step S22).

[0056] For example, if the terminal notification unit 23 is a display panel of the terminal device 2, the notification information 91 is notified to the user by displaying a message as shown in Fig. 5 on the display screen of the display panel. That is, as shown in Fig. 5, the terminal device 2 displays a message on the display screen including notification information 91 such as "When automatic operation is performed with the changed set temperature, the air conditioner will temporarily stop operating. Do you want to operate it automatically?"

[0057] In addition, automatic operation means that the air conditioning unit 10 determines whether to perform cooling or heating operation based on the room temperature detected by the indoor temperature sensor 14 and the indoor humidity detected by the indoor humidity sensor 15, and performs air conditioning operation so that the room temperature becomes the new set temperature.

[0058] The manner in which the notification information 91 is presented in the terminal device 2 is not limited to displaying such a message. For example, if the terminal device 2 is configured to include a speaker as the terminal notification unit 23, the content of the message shown in Fig. 5 may be output by voice. Alternatively, the terminal notification unit 23 may be configured to output sound effects as the notification information 91 instead of the specific messages described above. In the case where sound effects are output, for example, an operation manual for the terminal device 2 or the like may include a table associating the sound effects with the content of the notification information 91, so that the user can understand the content of the notification information 91 corresponding to the sound effects.

[0059] After the notification information 91 is notified in step S22, the operation processing unit 81 of the terminal device 2 controls the terminal input unit 22 to enter an input waiting state in which a selection instruction from the user can be input. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 5, a display is displayed in which it is possible to select "OK" if automatic operation is permitted to be performed with the changed set temperature 72, or "Cancel" if it is not permitted. Then, the operation processing unit 81 receives a selection instruction of "OK" or "Cancel" from the user (step S23).

[0060] When the user inputs a selection instruction of "OK" or "Cancel", the operation processing unit 81 transmits information related to the selection instruction input by the user to the air conditioning system 1 via the terminal communication unit 21 (step S24).

[0061] In the air conditioning system 1, when information regarding the selection instruction is received from the terminal device 2, the air conditioning processing unit 61 determines whether or not to maintain the setting change instruction and perform air conditioning operation (step S15).

[0062] If the information regarding the selection instruction received from the terminal device 2 indicates that automatic operation is permitted at the changed set temperature 72, the air conditioning processing unit 61 determines to maintain the setting change instruction ("Yes" in step S15). Then, the air conditioning processing unit 61 performs air conditioning operation based on the setting change instruction (step S16). That is, the air conditioning processing unit 61 performs so-called thermo-off control, which stops the air conditioning operation of the air conditioning unit 10 for a predetermined period of time.

[0063] On the other hand, if the information regarding the selection instruction received from the terminal device 2 does not permit automatic operation to be performed at the changed set temperature 72, the air conditioning processing unit 61 determines not to maintain the setting change instruction ("No" in step S15). Then, the air conditioning processing unit 61 continues the air conditioning operation by performing weak air conditioning operation (step S17).

[0064] (Weak air conditioning operation) Next, the weak air conditioning operation performed by the air conditioning system 1 in step S17 will be described. In weak air conditioning operation, the air conditioning processing unit 61 in the air conditioning system 1 transmits a message including a proposal for air conditioning operation at a provisional set temperature that does not satisfy the thermo-off condition to the terminal device 2. When the terminal notification processing unit 82 in the terminal device 2 receives the message including the proposal for air conditioning operation at a provisional set temperature, it causes the terminal notification unit 23 to notify this message.

[0065] For example, if the terminal notification unit 23 is a display panel of the terminal device 2, a message such as that shown in Fig. 6 is displayed on the display screen of the display panel to notify the user of a message suggesting air conditioning operation at a provisional set temperature. That is, as shown in Fig. 6, the terminal device 2 displays a message such as "To continue operating the air conditioner, would you like to operate it in cooling mode (28°C) instead of automatic operation?" on the display screen. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a message suggesting air conditioning operation at a provisional set temperature, displayed on the display screen of the terminal device shown in Fig. 3.

[0066] After displaying the message including the proposal for air conditioning operation at the temporary set temperature, the operation processing unit 81 of the terminal device 2 controls the terminal input unit 22 to enter an input standby state in which a selection instruction from the user can be input. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 6, a display is displayed in which it is possible to select "OK" if the execution of cooling operation of the air conditioning system 1 at the temporary set temperature is permitted, or "Cancel" if the execution of cooling operation is not permitted. The operation processing unit 81 then receives the selection instruction of "OK" or "Cancel" from the user.

[0067] Here, when the operation processing unit 81 receives the selection instruction of "OK" from the user, it transmits information ("OK") related to the selection instruction received from the user to the air conditioning system 1 via the terminal communication unit .

[0068] In the air conditioning system 1, when information regarding the selection instruction ("OK") is received from the terminal device 2, the air conditioning processing unit 61 changes the target temperature 71 to the temporary set temperature and causes the air conditioning unit 10 to continue air conditioning operation.

[0069] On the other hand, when the operation processing unit 81 receives a selection instruction of "NO" from the user, it transmits information ("NO") related to the selection instruction received from the user to the air conditioning system 1 via the terminal communication unit 21.

[0070] In the air conditioning system 1, when information relating to a selection instruction ("NO") is received from the terminal device 2, the air conditioning processing unit 61 executes the above-mentioned automatic continuous operation.

[0071] Furthermore, the air conditioning system 1 may be configured to transmit notification information indicating that automatic continuous operation will be executed to the terminal device 2 before executing automatic continuous operation. Then, in the terminal device 2, the terminal notification processing unit 82 may be configured to control the terminal notification unit 32 to notify that automatic continuous operation will be executed in the air conditioning system 1.

[0072] In the air conditioning system 1 described above, a message including a proposal for a temporary set temperature is sent to the terminal device 2, and automatic continuous operation is performed if the proposal is not accepted by the user. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the air conditioning system 1 may be configured to perform only automatic continuous operation as weak air conditioning operation in step S17 without sending a message including a proposal for a temporary set temperature to the terminal device 2.

[0073] Furthermore, when the air conditioning system 1 determines that the relationship between the set temperature 72 and the room temperature satisfies the thermo-off condition, it transmits to the terminal device 2 notification information indicating that thermo-off control will occur if air conditioning operation based on the setting change instruction is performed, as well as notification information inquiring as to whether or not air conditioning operation based on the setting change instruction should be performed, and the notification is made on the terminal device 2. Furthermore, the air conditioning system 1 is configured to receive from the terminal device 2 a selection instruction input by the user in response to this notification, and determine whether to perform air conditioning operation based on the setting change instruction or to perform weak air conditioning operation.

[0074] However, if the air conditioning system 1 determines that the relationship between the set temperature 72 and the room temperature satisfies the thermo-off condition, it may be configured to perform weak air conditioning operation without notifying the terminal device 2 of the above-mentioned notification information 91.

[0075] (Variation) 2, the notification processing unit 62 is configured to instruct the terminal device 2 to notify the terminal device 2 of the above-described notification information 91. The air conditioning system 1 is also configured to receive from the terminal device 2 a selection instruction input by the user in response to the notification of the notification information 91, and to determine whether or not to maintain the setting change instruction.

[0076] In contrast, the air conditioning system 1 according to a modified example of this embodiment is configured to control the notification information 91 to be notified from the notification unit 13. Furthermore, the user operates the input unit 11 provided in the air conditioning system 1 to directly input a selection instruction to the air conditioning system 1. Then, in the air conditioning system 1, the air conditioning processing unit 61 determines whether or not to maintain the setting change instruction based on the selection instruction input at the input unit 11.

[0077] More specifically, the air conditioning system 1 according to the modified embodiment of the present disclosure executes the continuous operation process as shown in Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the continuous operation process executed in the air conditioning system 1 according to the modified embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0078] That is, the air conditioning system 1 receives a setting change instruction from the terminal device 2 or a remote controller (not shown) via the communication unit 12 (step S31).

[0079] When the air conditioning system 1 receives a setting change instruction from the terminal device 2 or the remote controller, the air conditioning processing unit 61 acquires the room temperature detected by the room temperature sensor 14. Then, the air conditioning processing unit 61 determines whether the room temperature and the target temperature changed by the set temperature 72 included in the setting change instruction satisfy the thermo-off condition (step S32).

[0080] If it is determined that the thermo-off condition is not met ("No" in step S32), the air conditioning processing unit 61 proceeds to step S36 and controls the air conditioning unit 10 to perform air conditioning operation based on the setting change instruction.

[0081] On the other hand, if the air conditioning processing unit 61 determines that the thermo-off condition is met ("Yes" in step S32), the notification processing unit 62 notifies the notification unit 13 that thermo-off control will be performed when air conditioning operation based on the setting change instruction is performed (step S33).

[0082] Furthermore, the notification processing unit 62 causes the notification unit 13 to notify the user of an inquiry as to whether or not to perform air conditioning operation based on the setting change instruction (step S34).

[0083] After the notification information 91 is notified from the notification unit 13 in steps S33 and S34, the input unit 11 receives a selection instruction input from the user as to whether or not to permit air conditioning operation to be performed at the changed set temperature 72. Then, based on this user input, the air conditioning processing unit 61 determines whether or not to maintain the setting change instruction and perform air conditioning operation (step S35).

[0084] If the air conditioning processing unit 61 determines to maintain the setting change instruction and perform air conditioning operation ("Yes" in step S35), it performs air conditioning operation based on the setting change instruction (step S36). That is, the air conditioning processing unit 61 performs so-called thermo-off control, which stops the air conditioning operation of the air conditioning unit 10 for a predetermined period of time.

[0085] On the other hand, if the air conditioning processing unit 61 determines that the setting change instruction should be maintained and that air conditioning operation should not be performed ("No" in step S35), the air conditioning operation is continued by performing weak air conditioning operation (step S37).

[0086] In weak air conditioning operation, the notification processing unit 62 in the air conditioning system 1 causes the notification unit 13 to issue a message including a proposal for air conditioning operation at a temporary set temperature that does not satisfy the thermo-off condition.

[0087] After issuing a message including a proposal for air conditioning operation at a temporary set temperature, the air conditioning system 1 controls the input unit 11 so that the air conditioning processing unit 61 enters an input standby state in which selection instructions can be input from the user.

[0088] Here, when the air conditioning processing unit 61 receives a selection instruction from the user via the input unit 11 to allow air conditioning operation to be performed at a provisional set temperature, it changes the target temperature 71 to the provisional set temperature and continues air conditioning operation by the air conditioning unit 10.

[0089] On the other hand, when the operation processing unit 81 receives a selection instruction from the user via the input unit 11 not to permit the execution of air conditioning operation at the temporary set temperature, it executes the automatic continuous operation described above.

[0090] Furthermore, the air conditioning system 1 may be configured such that, before the automatic continuous operation is executed, the notification unit 13 notifies the user that the automatic continuous operation will be executed.

[0091] In the air conditioning system 1 described above, a message including a proposal for air conditioning operation at a temporary set temperature is displayed, and if the proposal is not accepted by the user, automatic continuous operation is performed. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the air conditioning system 1 may be configured to perform only automatic continuous operation as weak air conditioning operation in step S37. [Explanation of symbols]

[0092] 1. Air conditioning system 2. Terminal Device 10 Air Conditioning Unit 11 Input section 12 Communications Department 13. Information Department 14 Indoor temperature sensor 15 Indoor humidity sensor 16 Control Unit 17 Memory section 21 Terminal communication unit 22 Terminal input section 23 Terminal notification unit 24 Terminal control unit 25 Terminal memory section 32 Terminal notification unit 61 Air conditioning processing unit 62 Notification processing section 71 Target temperature 72 Set temperature 81 Operation processing section 82 Terminal notification processing unit 91 Notification Information 100 Continuous Operation System

Claims

1. an air conditioning unit that performs air conditioning operation; a control unit that causes the air conditioning unit to perform the air conditioning operation so that a room temperature becomes a target temperature, and stops the air conditioning operation of the air conditioning unit when a predetermined relationship is established between the target temperature and the room temperature; Equipped with When the control unit receives an instruction to change the settings of the air conditioning operation, including changing the target temperature to a set temperature, the control unit continues the air conditioning operation without stopping it, even if the set temperature and the room temperature at the time the setting change instruction is received are in the predetermined relationship.

2. 2. The air conditioning system according to claim 1, wherein, when the set temperature and the room temperature at the time when the setting change instruction is received are in the predetermined relationship, the control unit continues the air conditioning operation with weaker temperature control than when the air conditioning operation is performed based on the setting change instruction.

3. Further provided is a notification unit that notifies information, 3. The air conditioning system of claim 2, wherein when the control unit determines that the set temperature and the room temperature at the time the setting change instruction is received are in the predetermined relationship, the control unit notifies the notification unit that the air conditioning unit will be stopped if the air conditioning operation based on the setting change instruction is performed.

4. The air conditioning system according to claim 3, wherein, when the control unit determines that the set temperature and the room temperature at the time the setting change instruction is received are in the predetermined relationship, the control unit further causes the notification unit to notify the user of a request for input as to whether or not to continue the air conditioning operation.

5. further comprising an input unit capable of inputting instructions; When the notification unit notifies the user to input whether or not to continue the air conditioning operation, The air conditioning system according to claim 4 , wherein the control unit enables an instruction regarding whether or not to continue the air conditioning operation to be input to the input unit.

6. The air conditioning system according to claim 5 , wherein the control unit continues the air conditioning operation in the weak temperature control mode when the input unit receives an input of an instruction to continue the air conditioning operation.

7. The air conditioning system of claim 6, wherein when the air conditioning operation is performed as the weak temperature control operation, the control unit changes the target temperature of the air conditioning operation to a tentative target temperature that is a temperature between the set temperature included in the setting change instruction and the room temperature at the time the setting change instruction is received.

8. The air conditioning system according to claim 7 , wherein, during the air conditioning operation that is the weak temperature control operation, the control unit changes the tentative target temperature in stages so as to approach the set temperature included in the setting change instruction.

9. The air conditioning system of claim 6, wherein when the air conditioning operation is performed as the weak temperature control operation, the control unit notifies the notification unit that it proposes changing the set temperature to a provisional set temperature whose relationship with the room temperature at the time the setting change instruction is received does not satisfy the specified relationship.

10. The air conditioning system according to claim 9, wherein, when an instruction to permit the setting temperature to be changed to the provisional setting temperature is received, the control unit controls the air conditioning unit to perform the air conditioning operation based on the provisional setting temperature.

11. an input unit capable of inputting a setting change instruction to change the target temperature of an air conditioner that performs air conditioning operation so that a room temperature becomes a target temperature and stops the air conditioning operation when the room temperature and the target temperature have a predetermined relationship; and a transmission unit that transmits the setting change instruction inputted to the input unit to the air conditioner; a notification unit that notifies information; a control unit that, when the set temperature inputted to the input unit and the room temperature at the time of receiving the setting change instruction are in the predetermined relationship, causes the notification unit to notify that the air conditioning operation will be stopped if the air conditioning operation based on the setting change instruction is performed; and A terminal device comprising:

12. an input unit capable of inputting a setting change instruction to change the target temperature of an air conditioner that performs air conditioning operation so that a room temperature becomes a target temperature and stops the air conditioning operation when the room temperature and the target temperature have a predetermined relationship; and a transmission unit that transmits the setting change instruction inputted to the input unit to the air conditioner; A terminal device including: a notification unit that notifies information; A program for causing a computer to execute a step of notifying the notification unit that, when the set temperature input into the input unit and the room temperature at the time the setting change instruction is received are in the specified relationship, the air conditioning operation will be stopped if the air conditioning operation is performed based on the setting change instruction.

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