Air conditioning system and processing method

Abstract

To provide an air conditioning system capable of reducing power consumption of an air conditioner.SOLUTION: An air-conditioning system according to an embodiment includes a first acquisition unit configured to acquire first data that is data of a first air conditioner that is an air conditioner of a first household and second data that is data of a second air conditioner that is an air conditioner of a second household different from the first household, a first specifying unit configured to specify a third air conditioner that is an air conditioner having lower power consumption than the first air conditioner from among the second air conditioners based on the first data and the second data acquired by the first acquisition unit, and a third specifying unit configured to specify a third data that is a data of the third air conditioner in the second data based on the first data and the third data. The air conditioner includes a transmission unit that transmits setting information including a setting of the third air conditioner to the control device, a display unit that displays display information including at least a part of the setting of the third air conditioner included in the setting information, and a display terminal that causes the display unit to display the display information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] FIELD OF THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention relate to air conditioning systems and treatment methods. [Background technology]

[0002] It is desirable for air conditioners to be operated according to the user's preferences, and there are expectations for reducing the power consumption of such air conditioners. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-162787 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an air conditioning system that can reduce the power consumption of the air conditioner. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] An air conditioning system according to an embodiment includes a server and a terminal device. The server includes a first acquisition unit that acquires first data, which is usage data for a first air conditioner that is an air conditioner in a first home, and second data, which is usage data for a second air conditioner that is an air conditioner in a second home different from the first home. A first identification unit that identifies a third air conditioner from among the second air conditioners that consumes less power than the first air conditioner based on the first data and the second data acquired by the first acquisition unit. A transmission unit that transmits setting information, including settings for the third air conditioner, to the terminal device based on the first data and third data, which is data for the third air conditioner in the second data. The terminal device includes a display unit that displays display information including at least some of the settings for the third air conditioner included in the setting information, and a display control unit that causes the display information to be displayed on the display unit. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing an air conditioning system according to an embodiment; [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of an air conditioner according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a terminal device according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a server according to an embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a first process performed by the air conditioning system of one embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a first diagram for explaining a second process performed by the air conditioning system of one embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a second diagram for explaining the second process performed by the air conditioning system of one embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the display screen of the display device of the embodiment in the process of step S18. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a third process performed by the air conditioning system of one embodiment. [Figure 10]FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a first example of image information displayed on the display screen of an embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a second example of image information displayed on the display screen of the embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a third example of image information displayed on the display screen of the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] Hereinafter, an air conditioning system and a processing method according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, components having the same or similar functions will be assigned the same reference numerals. Duplicate descriptions of these components may be omitted. In this application, "based on XX" means "based on at least XX" and may include a case where the component is based on another element in addition to XX. Furthermore, "based on XX" is not limited to a case where the component is based directly on XX, but may also include a case where the component is based on XX after calculation or processing. In this application, "XX or YY" is not limited to either XX or YY, but may include both XX and YY. This also applies when there are three or more optional elements. XX and YY are arbitrary elements (e.g., arbitrary information).

[0008] In this application, "acquire" is not limited to actively acquiring information by sending a transmission request, but may also include passively receiving information transmitted from another device. Furthermore, "acquire" is not limited to directly acquiring target information (information to be acquired) from an external source, but may also include generating and acquiring target information by performing calculations or processing on information acquired from an external source. Furthermore, in this application, "identify" may also include selecting one or more pieces of information from multiple pieces of information related to a certain piece of information, or obtaining a result by performing a predetermined process (e.g., calculation) using a certain piece of information.

[0009] <One embodiment> (Air conditioning system) FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an air conditioning system 1 according to one embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the air conditioning system 1 includes an air conditioner 100, a server 200, and a terminal device 300 in each of residences 10a1, 10a2, ..., 10aN, for example. The network NW, described below, may be, for example, the Internet, a cellular network, a Wi-Fi network, a low power wide area network (LPWA), a wide area network (WAN), a local area network (LAN), or other public or dedicated lines, depending on the situation. Note that the residences 10a1, 10a2, ..., 10aN may be collectively referred to as residence 10a.

[0010] (Air conditioner) The air conditioner 100 is a home appliance used by a user U and is installed in the residence 10a. Note that the user U in the embodiment of the present invention refers to a user who directly uses the air conditioner 100 installed in the residence 10a. The user U may, for example, be a family consisting of one or more members. The air conditioner 100 may, for example, be a home room air conditioner. The air conditioner 100 is connected to a network NW via, for example, a wireless router WR and a modem M installed in the residence 10a of the user U. The air conditioner 100 can communicate with a server 200 or a terminal device 300 via the network NW. The air conditioner 100 may also be capable of directly communicating with the terminal device 300 using short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark).

[0011] (server) The server 200 is a management server that manages the air conditioner 100. The server 200 is composed of one or more server devices (e.g., cloud servers). The server 200 is capable of communicating with the air conditioner 100 and the terminal device 300 via the network NW. The server 200 may include an information processing unit that performs edge computing or fog computing, such as an information processing unit included in a router in the network NW. The server 200 is not limited to a cloud server, and may be a computer in the residence 10a of the user U, a home router, or the like.

[0012] (Terminal Device) The terminal device 300 is an electronic device used by a user U. The terminal device 300 is, for example, a mobile terminal device such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal device. However, the terminal device 300 is not limited to a mobile terminal device and may be a personal computer or the like. The terminal device 300 has, for example, a display device 301 (an example of a display unit), an input device 302, and a communication unit 303.

[0013] The display device 301 is a liquid crystal display, an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display, or the like, and has a display screen 301a that can display various information. The input device 302 is capable of accepting input from the user U. The input device 302 is, for example, a touch panel that is provided on top of the display screen 301a. The input device 302 may include a camera, a microphone, or the like that is provided in the terminal device 300. The communication unit 303 is, for example, a communication module capable of wireless communication. The communication unit 303 is connected to the network NW either directly or via a wireless router WR and a modem M. The communication unit 303 is capable of communicating with the air conditioner 100 or the server 200 via the network NW. The terminal device 300 may also be capable of communicating directly with the air conditioner 100 using short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth.

[0014] An application program P is installed on the terminal device 300, and the functions described below are supported. The application program P is, for example, an application program for managing the air conditioner 100. Hereinafter, the application software that is started by executing the application program P will be referred to as the "air conditioner app AP."

[0015] In this embodiment, an example of an "air conditioning system" is realized by the air conditioner 100, the server 200, and the air conditioner app AP of the terminal device 300. However, the "air conditioning system" may be realized by only the server 200, or may be realized by only the air conditioner app AP, or may be realized by only the air conditioner 100, or may be realized by any two or more of the server 200, the air conditioner app AP, and the air conditioner 100. In this embodiment, each of the air conditioner 100, the server 200, and the terminal device 300 is an example of a "computer."

[0016] (Air conditioner) Next, we will explain the air conditioner 100. Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the air conditioner 100 of one embodiment. As shown in Fig. 2, the air conditioner 100 has, for example, a heat exchanger 110, a sensor unit 120, a control unit 130, a communication unit 140, a wind direction adjustment mechanism 150, a reception unit 160, and a memory unit 190.

[0017] The heat exchanger 110 is a device that performs heat exchange to adjust the temperature or humidity of indoor air. The heat exchanger 110 is, for example, a heat pump type heat exchanger, and includes a compressor 111, an outdoor heat exchanger 112, an expansion valve 113, an indoor heat exchanger 114, and a blower 115. The compressor 111 and the outdoor heat exchanger 112 are included in, for example, an outdoor unit. The expansion valve 113, the indoor heat exchanger 114, and the blower 115 are included in, for example, an indoor unit. The heat exchanger 110 further includes a switching valve (not shown) that switches the flow direction of the refrigerant.

[0018] In the cooling cycle, the compressor 111 compresses a refrigerant and supplies the compressed refrigerant to the outdoor heat exchanger 112. The outdoor heat exchanger 112 functions as a condenser in the cooling cycle. The refrigerant that has released heat by passing through the outdoor heat exchanger 112 is supplied to the indoor heat exchanger 114 via an expansion valve 113. The indoor heat exchanger 114 functions as an evaporator in the cooling cycle, and removes heat from the indoor air to lower the temperature of the indoor air.

[0019] In the heating cycle, the compressor 111 compresses the refrigerant and supplies the compressed refrigerant to the indoor heat exchanger 114. The indoor heat exchanger 114 functions as a condenser in the heating cycle, heating the indoor air to increase the temperature of the indoor air. The refrigerant that has dissipated heat by passing through the indoor heat exchanger 114 is supplied to the outdoor heat exchanger 112 via the expansion valve 113. The outdoor heat exchanger 112 functions as an evaporator in the heating cycle, increasing the temperature of the refrigerant. Under the control of the control unit 130, the blower 115 sends air cooled or heated by the heat exchanger 110 to the room in which the air conditioner 100 is installed. In other words, the control unit 130 controls the rotation speed of the blower 115, and as the rotation speed of the blower 115 increases, the volume of air sent out by the air conditioner 100 to the room increases.

[0020] The sensor unit 120 is a detection unit that can detect the state of the air conditioner 100 or the state of the environment in which the air conditioner 100 is installed. The sensor unit 120 has, for example, temperature sensors 121a and 121b, humidity sensors 122a and 122b, a current sensor 123, a voltage sensor 124, and a human presence sensor 125.

[0021] The temperature sensor 121a detects the temperature of the room in which the air conditioner 100 is installed (i.e., the indoor temperature). The temperature sensor 121b detects the outdoor temperature where the outdoor unit is installed (i.e., the outdoor temperature). The humidity sensor 122a detects the humidity of the room in which the air conditioner 100 is installed (i.e., the indoor humidity). The humidity sensor 122b detects the outdoor humidity where the outdoor unit is installed (i.e., the outdoor humidity). The current sensor 123 detects the current value used to operate the air conditioner 100. The voltage sensor 124 detects the voltage value used to operate the air conditioner 100. The human presence sensor 125 detects the presence or absence of a person in the room in which the air conditioner 100 is installed. The human presence sensor 125 is, for example, an infrared human presence sensor. However, the human presence sensor 125 may be a sensor of a different type instead of the above example.

[0022] The control unit 130 is realized by one or more hardware processors, such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) installed in the air conditioner 100, executing a program. However, part or all of the air conditioner 100 may be realized by hardware such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), a PLD (Programmable Logic Device), or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or may be realized by a combination of software and hardware.

[0023] The control unit 130 performs overall control of the air conditioner 100. For example, the control unit 130 controls the air conditioner 100 with the settings indicated in the setting information received by the reception unit 160. Furthermore, if the user U changes the settings from the settings indicated in the setting information, the control unit 130 controls the air conditioner 100 with the changed settings. The control of the air conditioner 100 by the control unit 130 includes control of the heat exchanger 110 and the airflow direction adjustment mechanism 150. The control unit 130 actually controls the air conditioner 100, and each time the control content is changed, the control content is associated with the environmental conditions at the time of operation under that control content, the settings, information about the user U registered in the air conditioner app AP (including at least information that can identify the user U and information about the user U's residence 10a), information indicating the model of the air conditioner 100, and information indicating the cumulative power consumption of the air conditioner 100 since its shipment and its initial use, calculated by the control unit 130 of the air conditioner 100, and records the associated information as operation history information 192 in the storage unit 190 at predetermined intervals (e.g., every 30 minutes). The environmental conditions may include the date and time, the outdoor temperature and humidity of the residence 10a in which the air conditioner 100 is installed, and the temperature and humidity of the room in which the air conditioner 100 is installed. Therefore, the environmental conditions may change each time the control content is changed. In other words, the environmental conditions are represented by a combination of different values ​​for the date and time, outdoor temperature, outdoor humidity, indoor temperature, and indoor humidity. When the air conditioner 100 and the server 200 are online, the control unit 130 transmits the operation history information 192 of unsent content stored in the storage unit 190 to the server 200 via the communication unit 140. Note that the control unit 130 can transmit only the operation history information 192 of unsent content to the server 200 by associating the operation history information 192 of sent content with a flag indicating that the information has been sent, or by deleting the sent content from the storage unit 190.

[0024] The control unit 130 controls the heat exchanger 110 to implement multiple operating modes for the air conditioner 100. The multiple operating modes include, for example, cooling operation, heating operation, and dehumidification operation, and further include multiple operating modes that are the same but have different set temperatures. The control unit 130 also controls the blower 115 to adjust the volume of air sent from the air conditioner 100 into the room. The control unit 130 also controls the air direction adjustment mechanism 150 to adjust the direction of air sent from the air conditioner 100 into the room. Thus, by combining various controls of the heat exchanger 110 and the air direction adjustment mechanism 150, the control unit 130 can realize various operations of the air conditioner 100 with different combinations of set temperatures, air volumes, and air directions.

[0025] The communication unit 140 is, for example, a wireless communication module connectable to a wireless router WR. The communication unit 140 is capable of communicating with the server 200 or the terminal device 300 via the network NW. For example, under the control of the control unit 130, the communication unit 140 transmits the driving history information 192 stored in the storage unit 190 to the server 200.

[0026] The airflow direction adjustment mechanism 150 adjusts the volume and direction of airflow sent into the room from the air conditioner 100 under the control of the control unit 130. The airflow direction adjustment mechanism 150 includes, for example, a louver 150a and left and right flaps 150b.

[0027] The position of the louver 150a within the movable range is determined by the control of the control unit 130. The vertical direction of the air blown from the air conditioner 100 into the room is determined by the position of the louver 150a.

[0028] The positions of the left and right flaps 150b within the movable range are determined by the control of the control unit 130. The left and right direction of the air blown from the air conditioner 100 into the room is determined by the positions of the left and right flaps 150b.

[0029] The reception unit 160 receives settings for the air conditioner 100 made by the user U. For example, the user U performs operations on the terminal device 300, on which the application program for the air conditioning system 1 is installed, to set the operation mode (i.e., cooling operation, heating operation, dehumidification operation), timer, temperature, air volume, air direction, plasma air purification function, windless function that prevents the user from feeling the air volume, radar function that detects users, zone function that designates a specific area, or power saving function. The terminal device 300 that receives the operation transmits setting information according to the operation made by the user U to the air conditioner 100. The reception unit 160 then receives the setting information.

[0030] The storage unit 190 is realized by, for example, a combination of RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM), SSD (Solid State Drive), etc. The storage unit 190 stores various types of information. For example, the storage unit 190 stores driving history information 192.

[0031] (Terminal Device) Next, for convenience of explanation, the terminal device 300 will be described before the server 200. Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the terminal device 300 according to an embodiment. The terminal device 300 includes, for example, an information acquisition unit 310, a display control unit 320, an operation reception unit 330, an information transmission unit 340, and a storage unit 390.

[0032] The information acquisition unit 310, the display control unit 320, the operation reception unit 330, and the information transmission unit 340 are realized by one or more hardware processors, such as a CPU, mounted on the terminal device 300 executing the application program P. In other words, the information acquisition unit 310, the display control unit 320, the operation reception unit 330, and the information transmission unit 340 are software function units included in, for example, the air conditioner application AP.

[0033] The information acquisition unit 310 acquires various types of information from the server 200 or the air conditioner 100 by communicating with the server 200 or the air conditioner 100. For example, the information acquisition unit 310 acquires image information from the server 200. Details of this image information will be described later.

[0034] The display control unit 320 controls the content displayed on the display screen 301a of the display device 301 by controlling the display device 301 of the terminal device 300. Screens and operation units (for example, touch panel portions on the display screen 301a corresponding to operations accepted by the operation acceptance unit 330) displayed on the display screen 301a described below are displayed under the control of the display control unit 320. The display control unit 320 displays, for example, various notifications received from the server 200 or the air conditioner 100 on the display screen 301a. Details of the display on the display device 301 by the display control unit 320 will be described later.

[0035] The operation reception unit 330 receives setting operations performed by the user U on the input device 302 to specify the settings of the air conditioner 100, including the operating mode (i.e., cooling operation, heating operation, dehumidification operation), timer, set temperature, air volume, and air direction. Note that the settings of the air conditioner 100 shown here are merely examples and are not limited to these setting items. In another embodiment, the settings of the air conditioner 100 may include at least one of the operating mode, timer, temperature, air volume, air direction, plasma air purification function, no-wind function that prevents the user from feeling the air volume, radar function that detects users, zone function that designates a specific area, and power saving function.

[0036] The information transmitting unit 340 transmits to the air conditioner 100 setting information indicating the setting contents according to the setting operation received by the operation receiving unit 330.

[0037] The storage unit 390 is realized by, for example, a combination of RAM, ROM, EEPROM, SSD, etc. The storage unit 390 stores various types of information. For example, the storage unit 390 stores an application program P.

[0038] (server) Next, the server 200 will be described. Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the server 200 according to an embodiment. The server 200 includes, for example, an information communication unit 210, an analysis unit 220, an image information generation unit 230, and a storage unit 290, as shown in Fig. 4.

[0039] The information communication unit 210, the analysis unit 220, and the image information generation unit 230 are realized by one or more hardware processors, such as a CPU, installed in the server 200 executing a program. However, some or all of these functional units may be realized by hardware such as an ASIC, PLD, or FPGA, or may be realized by a combination of software and hardware. These functional units may be provided separately in multiple server devices. Furthermore, one or more of these functional units may be provided in the air conditioner 100 or the air conditioner app AP of the terminal device 300 instead of the server 200. For example, the analysis unit 220 and the image information generation unit 230 may be provided in the air conditioner app AP of the air conditioner 100.

[0040] Every time the air conditioner 100 transmits new operation history information 192 to the server 200, the information communication unit 210 receives the operation history information 192. Every time the information communication unit 210 receives operation history information 192, it records the new information included in the received operation history information 192 in the storage unit 290 as new operation history information 192 in addition to the information already stored.

[0041] The analysis unit 220 uses the operation history information 192 stored in the storage unit 290 to identify a plurality of other air conditioners 100 that are similar in status to the air conditioner 100 used by a certain user U. The analysis unit 220 then performs processing in response to an operation by the user U on the terminal device 300, which will be described later. Details of the processing performed by the analysis unit 220 will be described later.

[0042] The image information generating section 230 generates image information based on the processing result by the analyzing section 220. Details of the image information generated by the image information generating section 230 will be described later.

[0043] The storage unit 290 is realized by, for example, a combination of RAM, ROM, EEPROM, SSD, etc. The storage unit 290 stores various types of information.

[0044] Note that the processing performed by the air conditioning system 1 in each embodiment of the present disclosure is not limited to the processing described above. For example, the air conditioning system 1 may perform the processing described below.

[0045] (First process performed by the air conditioning system) We will now explain the first process performed by the air conditioning system 1. Fig. 5 is a diagram for explaining the first process performed by the air conditioning system 1 of one embodiment. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing a first example of the processing flow of the air conditioning system 1. The processing flow shown in Fig. 5 shows the processing performed by the air conditioning system 1 to send operation history information 192 of the air conditioner 100 to the server 200.

[0046] In the following description, in order to distinguish between descriptions related to the air conditioner 100 (an example of a first air conditioner) installed in the first residence 10a1 (an example of a first household) and descriptions related to the air conditioners 100 (an example of a second air conditioner) installed in second residences 10a2 to 10aN (an example of a second household) different from the first residence 10a1, the last two digits of the reference numeral will be one of a1 to aN, the same as the last two digits of the reference numeral of the residence. For example, the air conditioner 100 installed in the first residence 10a1 will be referred to as "air conditioner 100a1." Furthermore, the user U of the air conditioner 100 installed in the first residence 10a1 will be referred to as "user Ua1." Furthermore, the terminal device 300 used by user Ua1 will be referred to as "terminal device 300a1." Furthermore, the air conditioner 100 installed in the second residence 10a2 will be referred to as "air conditioner 100a2." Furthermore, the air conditioner 100 installed in the second residence 10aN will be referred to as the “air conditioner 100aN.” When there is no particular need to distinguish between them, none of a1 to aN will be used as the last two digits of the reference numeral.

[0047] In each residence 10a, when a user U uses an air conditioner 100, the user U performs setting operations on the input device 302 of the terminal device 300 to specify settings for the air conditioner 100, such as the timer, set temperature, air volume, and air direction. The operation reception unit 330 receives the setting operations performed by the user U on the input device 302 to specify the settings (step S1). The information transmission unit 340 transmits setting information indicating the settings corresponding to the setting operations received by the operation reception unit 330 to the air conditioner 100 (step S2).

[0048] The reception unit 160 receives setting information from the terminal device 300. The control unit 130 controls the air conditioner 100 with the setting contents indicated in the setting information received by the reception unit 160 (step S3). Furthermore, if the user U changes the setting contents from the setting contents indicated in the setting information, the control unit 130 controls the air conditioner 100 with the changed setting contents. The control of the air conditioner 100 by the control unit 130 includes control of the heat exchanger 110 and the air direction adjustment mechanism 150. The control unit 130 actually controls the air conditioner 100, and each time the control contents are changed, the control unit 130 associates the control contents with the environmental conditions when the air conditioner 100 was operated with the change, the setting contents, and information about the user U registered in the air conditioner app AP (including at least information that can identify the user U and information about the user U's address), and records the associated information as operation history information 192 in the storage unit 190 at a predetermined interval (for example, every 30 minutes) (step S4).

[0049] The control unit 130 determines whether the air conditioner 100 and the server 200 are online (step S5). If the control unit 130 determines that the air conditioner 100 and the server 200 are offline (NO in step S5), the control unit 130 returns to the processing of step S5. Furthermore, if the control unit 130 determines that the air conditioner 100 and the server 200 are online (YES in step S5), the control unit 130 transmits the operation history information 192 of the untransmitted content recorded in the storage unit 190 to the server 200 via the communication unit 140 (step S6). The control unit 130 deletes the operation history information 192 of the transmitted content from the storage unit 190 (step S7). This enables the control unit 130 to prevent the transmission of duplicate information in subsequent transmissions.

[0050] The information communication unit 210 receives new operation history information 192 each time the air conditioner 100 transmits the operation history information 192 to the server 200 (step S8). That is, the information communication unit 210 (an example of a first acquisition unit) acquires operation history information 192 (an example of first data) that is usage data of the air conditioner 100a1 (an example of a first air conditioner) in the first residence 10a1 (an example of a first home), and operation history information 192 (an example of second data) that is usage data of the air conditioners 100a2-100aN (an example of a second air conditioner) in second residences 10a2-10aN (an example of a second home) different from the first residence 10a1. Then, each time the information communication unit 210 receives operation history information 192, it records the new information included in the received operation history information 192 in the storage unit 290 as new operation history information 192 in addition to the already recorded information (step S9).

[0051] (Second process performed by the air conditioning system) The second process performed by the air conditioning system 1 will now be described. FIG. 6 is a first diagram illustrating the second process performed by the air conditioning system 1 of an embodiment. FIG. 7 is a second diagram illustrating the second process performed by the air conditioning system 1 of an embodiment. FIGS. 6 and 7 are diagrams illustrating a second example of the processing flow of the air conditioning system 1. The processing flow shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 shows processing performed by the server 200 in the air conditioning system 1 to generate image information for displaying on the terminal device 300 settings that are likely to reduce the power consumption of the air conditioner 100. Note that here, processing performed by the server 200 to generate image information for displaying on the terminal device 300a1 used by the user Ua1 settings that are likely to reduce the power consumption of the air conditioner 100a1 installed in the first residence 10a1 will be described.

[0052] The analysis unit 220 determines whether a predetermined time has arrived (step S11). An example of the predetermined time is a predetermined time such as midnight every day. If the analysis unit 220 determines that the predetermined time has not arrived (NO in step S11), the process returns to step S11. If the analysis unit 220 determines that the predetermined time has arrived (YES in step S11), the analysis unit 220 uses the operation history information 192 of each air conditioner 100 stored in the storage unit 290 (excluding operation history information 192 with zero operation time and no information updates) to identify the settings, environmental (room temperature, humidity), and hourly power consumption of each air conditioner 100 during the operating time period of each air conditioner 100 (all operating time periods when the analysis unit 220 initially determines) between the last time the analysis unit 220 determined that the predetermined time had arrived and the current time the predetermined time has arrived (step S12). The analysis unit 220 then records information indicating the identified content in the storage unit 290 (step S13).

[0053] Here, the user Ua1 performs an operation on the terminal device 300a1 to launch the air conditioner application AP. The operation accepting unit 330a1 accepts the operation by the user Ua1 (step S14). When the operation accepting unit 330a1 accepts the operation, the display control unit 320a1 launches the air conditioner application AP (step S15). Then, the display control unit 320a1 displays a start-up screen on the display screen 301aa1 (step S16).

[0054] The user Ua1 performs an operation on the terminal device 300a1 to transition from the startup screen to a screen displaying settings that are likely to reduce the power consumption of the air conditioner 100a1. The operation accepting unit 330a1 accepts the operation by the user Ua1 (step S17). When the operation accepting unit 330a1 accepts the operation, the display control unit 320a1 displays on the display screen 301aa1 a screen that allows the user Ua1 to select one of multiple modes for the display content of the settings (step S18).

[0055] 8 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed by the display screen 301aa1 of the display device 301 according to an embodiment in the process of step S18. Examples of the multiple modes of display content include three modes, patterns 1 to 3, shown in FIG. 7. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the display control unit 320a1 displays buttons BT1 to BT3 on the display screen 301aa1, which allow the user to select one of patterns 1 to 3. The user Ua1 can select pattern 1 to 3 by tapping one of the buttons BT1 to BT3 displayed on the display screen 301aa1.

[0056] The analysis unit 220 determines which of the buttons BT1 to BT3 has been tapped (step S19). In the process of step S18, it is assumed that the user Ua1 taps the button BT1 displayed on the display screen 301aa1 while the screen is displayed on the display screen 301aa1 (i.e., selects pattern 1). In this case, the operation acceptance unit 330 accepts the operation. When the operation acceptance unit 330 accepts the operation, it transmits operation information, which is information indicating that the operation has been accepted, to the server 200.

[0057] The analysis unit 220 receives the operation information via the information communication unit 210. In this case, the analysis unit 220 determines that the button BT1 has been tapped (BT1 in step S19). When the analysis unit 220 determines that the button BT1 has been tapped (BT1 in step S19), the analysis unit 220 uses, from the information stored in the memory unit 290 in the processing of step S13, information from the period between when the analysis unit 220 determined that the predetermined time had last been reached and when the analysis unit 220 determined that the predetermined time had now been reached (for example, information from the previous day), to identify, from among the air conditioners 100a2 to 100aN, an air conditioner 100 whose model, the area in which the air conditioner 100a1 is installed, and the operating time period of the air conditioner 100a1 match, within a predetermined error range, and whose hourly power consumption is lower than that of the air conditioner 100a1 (step S20). That is, the analysis unit 220 (an example of a first identification unit) identifies an air conditioner 100 (an example of a third air conditioner) that consumes less power than the air conditioner 100a1 from among the air conditioners 100a2 to 100aN (an example of a prefecture) based on operation history information 192 (an example of first data) which is usage data for the air conditioner 100a1 (an example of a first air conditioner) and operation history information 192 (an example of second data) which is usage data for the air conditioners 100a2 to 100aN (an example of a second air conditioner) acquired by the analysis unit 220. An example of a region is a prefecture. The region can be identified based on the prefecture included in the address of the user U.

[0058] For example, the analysis unit 220 assigns a negative score for each difference in model, region, and operating time zone. The analysis unit 220 also assigns a positive score for each match in model, region, and operating time zone. The analysis unit 220 then totals the scores for the match in model, region, and operating time zone between the air conditioner 100a1 and each of the air conditioners 100a2-100aN, and determines that the air conditioners 100 among the air conditioners 100a2-100aN whose total score is equal to or exceeds a predetermined score are air conditioners 100 that match within a predetermined margin of error. The analysis unit 220 then identifies air conditioners 100 that have lower hourly power consumption than the air conditioner 100a1 among the air conditioners 100 that are determined to match within a predetermined margin of error.

[0059] The analysis unit 220 identifies the number of identified air conditioners 100. The analysis unit 220 then determines whether the number of identified air conditioners 100 is one (step S21). If the analysis unit 220 determines that the number of identified air conditioners 100 is one (YES in step S21), the image information generation unit 230 generates image information for displaying on the display screen 301aa1 information including at least the settings of the one air conditioner 100 and air conditioner 100a1 identified by the analysis unit 220 and the hourly power consumption for the period from when the analysis unit 220 determined that the previous predetermined time had arrived to when the analysis unit 220 determines that the current predetermined time has arrived (step S22).

[0060] Furthermore, if the analysis unit 220 determines that there are multiple identified air conditioners 100 (NO in step S21), it identifies from the multiple identified air conditioners 100 the model of the air conditioner 100a1, the area in which the air conditioner 100a1 is installed, and the air conditioner 100 with the closest operating time slot to the air conditioner 100a1 (step S23). For example, the analysis unit 220 may identify the air conditioner 100 with the highest total score described above from the multiple identified air conditioners 100. The analysis unit 220 then proceeds to the processing of step S22.

[0061] Also, in the process of step S18, it is assumed that while the display screen 301aa1 is displaying the screen, the user Ua1 taps the button BT2 displayed on the display screen 301aa1 (i.e., selects pattern 2). In this case, the operation accepting unit 330 accepts the operation. When the operation accepting unit 330 accepts the operation, it transmits operation information, which is information indicating that the operation has been accepted, to the server 200.

[0062] The analysis unit 220 receives the operation information via the information communication unit 210. In this case, the analysis unit 220 determines that button BT2 has been tapped. When the analysis unit 220 determines that button BT2 has been tapped (BT2 in step S19), it uses the information stored in the storage unit 290 in the processing of step S13 to identify, from among the air conditioners 100a2 to 100aN, an air conditioner 100 whose model of air conditioner 100a1, the area in which the air conditioner 100a1 is installed, and the operating time period of the air conditioner 100a1 match, within a predetermined error range, and whose hourly power consumption is lower than that of the air conditioner 100a1 (step S24).

[0063] The analysis unit 220 identifies the number of identified air conditioners 100. The analysis unit 220 then determines whether the number of identified air conditioners 100 is one (step S25). If the analysis unit 220 determines that the number of identified air conditioners 100 is one (YES in step S25), the image information generation unit 230 generates image information that displays, in chronological order on the display screen 301aa1, information that includes at least the settings and hourly power consumption of the one air conditioner 100 and air conditioner 100a1 identified by the analysis unit 220 from the time the analysis unit 220 determined that the previous predetermined time had arrived to the time the analysis unit 220 determines that the current predetermined time has arrived (step S26).

[0064] Furthermore, if the analysis unit 220 determines that a plurality of air conditioners 100 have been identified (NO in step S25), it identifies the air conditioner 100 that has the closest model of air conditioner 100a1, the closest area in which the air conditioner 100a1 is installed, and the closest operating time slot to the air conditioner 100a1 from among the plurality of identified air conditioners 100 (step S27).The analysis unit 220 then proceeds to the processing of step S26.

[0065] Also, in the process of step S18, it is assumed that while the display screen 301aa1 is displaying the screen, the user Ua1 taps the button BT3 displayed on the display screen 301aa1 (i.e., selects pattern 3). In this case, the operation accepting unit 330 accepts the operation. When the operation accepting unit 330 accepts the operation, it transmits operation information, which is information indicating that the operation has been accepted, to the server 200.

[0066] The analysis unit 220 receives the operation information via the information communication unit 210. In this case, the analysis unit 220 determines that button BT3 has been tapped. When the analysis unit 220 determines that button BT3 has been tapped (BT3 in step S19), it uses the information stored in the storage unit 290 in the processing of step S13 to identify, from among the air conditioners 100a2 to 100aN, an air conditioner 100 whose model of air conditioner 100a1, the area in which the air conditioner 100a1 is installed, and the operating time period of the air conditioner 100a1 match, within a predetermined margin of error, and whose hourly power consumption is lower than that of the air conditioner 100a1 (step S28).

[0067] The analysis unit 220 identifies the most frequent combination of the operation modes and temperatures of the identified multiple air conditioners 100 for each predetermined time period (for example, for each hour obtained by dividing the total time period into one hour) (step S29).The analysis unit 220 then identifies the average power consumption corresponding to the most frequent combination identified for each predetermined time period (step S30).

[0068] The image information generation unit 230 generates image information that displays on the display screen 301aa1 in chronological order the most frequent combinations of operating modes and temperatures for each specified time period, and the corresponding average power consumption values, from the time the analysis unit 220 determines that the specified time has arrived last time until the time the analysis unit 220 determines that the specified time has arrived this time (step S31).

[0069] The image information generating unit 230 causes the information communicating unit 210 to transmit the generated image information. The information communicating unit 210 transmits the image information to the terminal device 300a1 (step S32).

[0070] (Third process performed by air conditioning systems) The following describes a third process performed by the air conditioning system 1. Fig. 9 is a diagram illustrating the third process performed by the air conditioning system 1 of one embodiment. Fig. 9 is a diagram illustrating a third example of the processing flow of the air conditioning system 1. The processing flow shown in Fig. 9 shows processing for displaying image information performed by the terminal device 300 in the air conditioning system 1. Note that the following describes processing for generating image information by the terminal device 300a1 used by the user Ua1.

[0071] The information acquisition unit 310a1 receives image information from the server 200 (step S41). The display control unit 320a1 displays the image information received by the information acquisition unit 310a1 on the display screen 301aa1 (step S42).

[0072] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a first example of image information displayed on the display screen 301aa1 of an embodiment. FIG. 10 shows an example of image information of the above-mentioned pattern 1. For example, under the control of the display control unit 320a1, the display screen 301aa1 displays image information of pattern 1 as shown in FIG. 10. In the example shown in FIG. 10, the model of the air conditioner 100a1 and the area in which the air conditioner 100a1 is installed are displayed in area R1. In addition, in the example shown in FIG. 10, the hourly power consumption of the air conditioner 100a1 yesterday (referred to as power consumption in FIG. 10) and the hourly power consumption of the other air conditioners 100 yesterday are displayed in area R2. In addition, in the example shown in FIG. 10, the settings of the air conditioner 100a1 that were set for the longest time yesterday and the settings of the other air conditioners 100 are displayed in area R3.

[0073] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a second example of image information displayed on the display screen 301aa1 of an embodiment. FIG. 11 illustrates an example of image information of the above-described pattern 2. For example, under the control of the display control unit 320a1, the display screen 301aa1 displays image information of pattern 2 as shown in FIG. 11. In the example illustrated in FIG. 11, similar to the example illustrated in FIG. 10, the model of the air conditioner 100a1 and the area in which the air conditioner 100a1 is installed are displayed in area R1. In addition, in the example illustrated in FIG. 11, the hourly power consumption of the air conditioner 100a1 and the hourly power consumption of the other air conditioners 100 are displayed in chronological order in area R4. In addition, in the example illustrated in FIG. 11, when a time is tapped in area R4, the settings of the air conditioner 100a1 and the settings of the other air conditioners 100 that were set at that time are displayed in area R5.

[0074] FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a third example of image information displayed on the display screen 301aa1 of an embodiment. FIG. 12 illustrates an example of image information of the above-described pattern 3. For example, under the control of the display control unit 320a1, the display screen 301aa1 displays image information of pattern 3 as shown in FIG. 12. In the example illustrated in FIG. 12, similar to the examples illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11, the model of the air conditioner 100a1 and the area in which the air conditioner 100a1 is installed are displayed in area R1. In addition, in the example illustrated in FIG. 12, the most frequently used settings of other air conditioners 100 in each time period in area R7 are displayed in area R6. In addition, in the example illustrated in FIG. 12, the hourly power consumption of the air conditioner 100a1 in each time period in area R7 and the hourly power consumption of other air conditioners 100 when the settings illustrated in area R6 are used are displayed in chronological order.

[0075] (advantage) The air conditioning system 1 of one embodiment has been described above. The air conditioning system 1 includes a server 200 and a terminal device 300. In the server 200 of the air conditioning system 1, an information communication unit 210 (an example of a first acquisition unit) acquires operation history information 192 (an example of first data) which is usage data of an air conditioner 100a1 (an example of a first air conditioner) in a first residence 10a1 (an example of a first home), and operation history information 192 (an example of second data) which is usage data of air conditioners 100a2-100aN (an example of a second air conditioner) in second residences 10a2-10aN (an example of a second home) different from the first residence 10a1. Then, each time the information communication unit 210 receives operation history information 192, it records new information included in the received operation history information 192 in the storage unit 290 as new operation history information 192 in addition to the information already recorded. The analysis unit 220 (an example of a first identification unit) identifies an air conditioner 100 (an example of a third air conditioner) from among the air conditioners 100a2 to 100aN that consumes less power than the air conditioner 100a1 based on operation history information 192 (an example of first data), which is usage data of the air conditioner 100a1 acquired by the analysis unit 220, and operation history information 192 (an example of second data), which is usage data of the air conditioners 100a2 to 100aN. The information communication unit 210 (an example of a transmission unit) transmits to the terminal device 300 image information (an example of setting information including settings of the third air conditioner) generated by the image information generation unit 230 based on operation history information 192, which is usage data for the air conditioner 100a1, and operation history information 192 (an example of third data), which is usage data for the air conditioners 100a2 to 100aN that consume less power than the air conditioner 100a1 in the operation history information 192, which is usage data for the air conditioners 100a2 to 100aN. With this kind of air conditioning system 1, the user U can learn settings that can reduce power consumption when operating the air conditioner 100 they use. Because these settings are settings for other air conditioners in conditions similar to those of the air conditioner 100, the user U is likely to accept these settings. As a result, the air conditioning system 1 can achieve a reduction in power consumption by the air conditioner 100.

[0076] <First Modification of the Embodiment> In the embodiment described above, it has been described that an air conditioner 100 that consumes less power than air conditioner 100a1 is identified from among air conditioners 100a2 to 100aN. However, the air conditioning system 1 of the first modified embodiment may use an electricity rate instead of power consumption. For example, the user U transmits the unit price of electricity from the terminal device 300 to the server 200. The server 200 may convert the power consumption into an electricity rate using the unit price of electricity transmitted to the terminal device 300, and then perform processing equivalent to the processing described above.

[0077] <Second Modification of the Embodiment> In the above-described embodiments, image information is generated using operation history information 192, which is information indicating past performance. Therefore, the image information displayed on display screen 301aa1 is also described as displaying past performance. However, air conditioning system 1 in a second modified embodiment may identify information from past days in operation history information 192 of air conditioners 100a2-100aN that matches the predicted maximum temperature, minimum temperature, humidity, and weather for that day within a margin of error, identify from the identified information a setting for air conditioner 100a1 with lower power consumption than the setting planned for air conditioner 100a1, and display the identified setting and power consumption of air conditioner 100 with lower power consumption. For example, assuming a usage scenario in which user Ua1 only turns air conditioner 100a1 on and off without changing the mode (cooling, dehumidification, etc.) or set temperature, the current setting of air conditioner 100a1 may be used as the future setting. Furthermore, for example, assuming that the user Ua1 uses the timer settings of the air conditioner 100a1, the contents of the timer settings (e.g., cooling 26°C from 7:00, dehumidification 30°C from 9:00, cooling 25°C from 17:40, stop at 22:00, etc.) may be used as future settings. Furthermore, the power consumption may be the closest setting based on past performance. This allows the air conditioning system 1 to reduce power consumption even for predicted future settings.

[0078] Several embodiments have been described above. However, the embodiments are not limited to the above examples. Furthermore, several of the above-described embodiments can be realized in combination with each other.

[0079] According to at least one of the above-described embodiments, the air conditioning system of the embodiment includes a server and a terminal device. The server includes a first acquisition unit that acquires first data, which is usage data of a first air conditioner that is an air conditioner in a first home, and second data, which is usage data of a second air conditioner that is an air conditioner in a second home different from the first home. A first identification unit that identifies a third air conditioner from the second air conditioners that consumes less power than the first air conditioner based on the first data and the second data acquired by the first acquisition unit. A transmission unit that transmits setting information, including settings for the third air conditioner, to the terminal device based on the first data and third data, which is data for the third air conditioner in the second data. The terminal device includes a display unit that displays display information including at least some of the settings for the third air conditioner included in the setting information, and a display control unit that causes the display information to be displayed on the display unit. This configuration can reduce the power consumption of the air conditioners.

[0080] Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as within the scope of the invention described in the claims and their equivalents. [Explanation of symbols]

[0081] 1...air conditioning system, 10a1, 10a2, 10aN...residence, 100...air conditioner, 110...heat exchanger, 120...sensor unit, 130...control unit, 140...communication unit, 150...wind direction adjustment mechanism, 160...reception unit, 190...memory unit, 192...operation history information, 200...server, 210...information communication unit, 220...analysis unit, 230...image information generation unit, 290...memory unit, 300...terminal device, 301...display device, 301a...display screen, 302...input device, 303...communication unit, 310...information acquisition unit, 320...display control unit, 330...operation reception unit, 340...information transmission unit, 390...memory unit.

Claims

1. An air conditioning system comprising a server and a terminal device, The server a first acquisition unit that acquires first data that is usage data of a first air conditioner that is an air conditioner in a first home and second data that is usage data of a second air conditioner that is an air conditioner in a second home different from the first home; a first identification unit that identifies a third air conditioner, which is an air conditioner consuming less power than the first air conditioner, from among the second air conditioners based on the first data and the second data acquired by the first acquisition unit; a transmitting unit that transmits setting information including settings of the third air conditioner to the terminal device based on the first data and third data that is data of the third air conditioner in the second data; Equipped with The terminal device a display unit that displays display information including at least a part of the settings of the third air conditioner included in the setting information; a display control unit that causes the display information to be displayed on the display unit; Equipped with Air conditioning system.

2. There are a plurality of the third air conditioners, The server a second identification unit that identifies a fourth air conditioner, which is one air conditioner, from among the third air conditioners based on the area in which the first air conditioner is installed and the first data, and the area in which the third air conditioner is installed and the third data; Equipped with The transmission unit transmitting the setting information including the setting of the fourth air conditioner to the terminal device; The display control unit displaying the display information, which includes at least a part of the settings of the fourth air conditioner included in the setting information, on the display unit; The air conditioning system of claim 1 .

3. There are a plurality of the third air conditioners, The server a second acquisition unit that acquires at least a representative value of a part of the settings of the third air conditioner; Equipped with The display control unit displaying the display information including the representative value on the display unit; The air conditioning system of claim 1 .

4. The representative value is This is a value obtained by statistical methods. The air conditioning system according to claim 3 .

5. The value obtained by the statistical method is the mean, mode, or median, The air conditioning system according to claim 4.

6. The display control unit displaying the display information on the display unit in chronological order; When an arbitrary portion of the display information displayed by the display unit is designated, the setting of the air conditioner corresponding to the designated portion is displayed on the display unit. The air conditioning system of claim 1 .

7. The server a third identification unit that, when operating the first air conditioner, identifies past weather information similar to the weather information for the area in which the first air conditioner is installed; Equipped with The display control unit causing the display unit to display the settings of the air conditioner associated with the past weather information identified by the third identification unit; The air conditioning system of claim 1 .

8. A processing method executed by an air conditioning system including a server and a terminal device, The server acquire first data that is usage data of a first air conditioner that is an air conditioner in a first home, and second data that is usage data of a second air conditioner that is an air conditioner in a second home different from the first home; Identifying a third air conditioner, which is an air conditioner consuming less power than the first air conditioner, from among the second air conditioners based on the acquired first data and second data; transmitting setting information including settings for the third air conditioner to the terminal device based on the first data and third data, which is data for the third air conditioner in the second data; The terminal device displaying display information including at least a part of the settings of the third air conditioner included in the setting information; Processing method.

Images