Program and air conditioner control system

Abstract

This disclosure aims to enable users to configure air conditioners according to their requirements and the circumstances in which they are installed. [Solution] This disclosure is a program for controlling an air conditioner (7), which causes a computer (30,39) to perform a decision process to determine settings for the air conditioner (7) based on the user's request regarding the operation of the air conditioner (7) and related information relating to the air conditioner (7), and an output process to output the settings determined by the decision process.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a program and an air conditioner control system.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in controlling an air conditioner, a technique has been disclosed in which a machine learning model is used to estimate control contents that create a preferred environment for a user based on attributes such as the user's gender and the state of the air such as the surrounding temperature and humidity (see Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] When a user uses an air conditioner, after the operation starts, the user may feel cold or, conversely, may feel hot by moving the body, and the user's requirements may change even during operation. In such a case, the user operates a remote control or the like to make settings related to the operation of the air conditioner. However, since the setting contents are diverse, it has been difficult to set the air conditioner according to the user's requirements and the situation in which the air conditioner is placed during operation.

[0005] In consideration of the above circumstances, an object of the present disclosure is to set the air conditioner according to the user's requirements and the situation in which the air conditioner is placed.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] (1) Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure is a program for controlling an air conditioner, which causes a computer to perform a decision process that determines settings for the air conditioner based on the user's requests regarding the operation of the air conditioner and related information relating to the air conditioner, and an output process that outputs the settings determined by the decision process.

[0007] According to Embodiment 1, the settings of the air conditioner can be adjusted according to the user's requirements and the circumstances in which the air conditioner is installed.

[0008] (2) Aspect 2 of the present disclosure is the program described in Aspect 1, wherein the related information is equipment status information indicating the equipment status related to the operation of the air conditioner.

[0009] According to Embodiment 2, by using equipment status information that indicates the equipment status related to the operation of the air conditioner as related information related to the air conditioner, the settings of the air conditioner can be adjusted according to the user's requests and the circumstances in which the air conditioner is located.

[0010] (3) Aspect 3 of the present disclosure is a program according to aspect 1 or 2, wherein the output processing includes a transmission process that transmits setting information indicating the setting to an operating device that operates the air conditioner.

[0011] According to embodiment 3, setting information can be transmitted from a user terminal or the like on which the program is installed to an operating device such as a remote control.

[0012] (4) Embodiment 4 of the present disclosure is a program according to any one embodiment of Embodiments 1 to 3, wherein the output processing includes display control processing to cause the setting contents to be displayed on the display unit.

[0013] According to embodiment 4, the settings can be visualized.

[0014] (5) Embodiment 5 of the present disclosure is a program as described in Embodiment 4, wherein the computer executes a selection acceptance process to accept the selection of a predetermined setting from among the setting contents displayed on the display unit, and the output process includes a transmission process that transmits predetermined setting information indicating the predetermined setting to an operating device for operating the air conditioner.

[0015] According to embodiment 5, the user's request includes the selection of predetermined settings by the user, and predetermined setting information indicating the predetermined settings can be transmitted from the user terminal or the like to an operating device such as a remote control.

[0016] (6) Aspect 6 of the Disclosure is a program according to any one of Aspects 1 to 5, wherein the decision process includes a process for determining the setting content based on the user's attributes.

[0017] According to embodiment 6, the settings can be determined according to the user's attributes, in addition to the user's requests and related information concerning the air conditioner.

[0018] (7) Embodiment 7 of the present disclosure is a program according to any one embodiment of Embodiments 1 to 6, wherein the setting content includes a plurality of setting items for the air conditioner.

[0019] According to embodiment 7, by determining a predetermined setting (for example, "energy saving control"), multiple setting items (for example, "automatic airflow" and "eco mode") can be set together.

[0020] (8) Aspect 8 of the present disclosure is a program according to any one of aspects 1 to 7, wherein the relevant information is a program that shows the difference to past relevant information relating to the air conditioner.

[0021] According to embodiment 8, the amount of data of related information transmitted from the operating device can be reduced, thereby improving the processing speed.

[0022] (9)Aspect 9 of the present disclosure is the program according to Aspect 5, wherein the display control process includes a process of displaying a plurality of the requested contents on the display unit, the selection reception process includes a process of receiving a selection of a predetermined requested content from the user among the plurality of the requested contents, and the determination process includes a process of determining a plurality of the setting contents to be displayed on the display unit and a recommended order of the plurality of the setting contents based on the predetermined requested content of the user and device state information indicating a device state related to the operation of the air conditioner.

[0023] According to Aspect 9, by determining the recommended order of the setting contents provided to the user, the user can refer to the recommended order when selecting the setting contents.

[0024] (10)Aspect 10 of the present disclosure is an air conditioner control system having an operating device for operating an air conditioner and a user terminal communicating with the operating device, wherein the user terminal includes a determination unit that determines setting contents for the air conditioner based on a user's requested content related to the operation of the air conditioner and related information related to the air conditioner, and a transmission unit that transmits setting content information indicating the setting contents determined by the determination unit to the operating device, and the operating device performs control to operate the air conditioner based on the setting contents.

[0025] According to Aspect 10, as an air conditioner control system, the settings of the air conditioner can be made according to the user's request and the situation where the air conditioner is placed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0026] [Figure 1] It is an overall configuration diagram of the air conditioner control system according to the embodiment. [Figure 2] It is a schematic configuration diagram of the user terminal and the remote control. [Figure 3] It is a conceptual diagram showing a function management table, where (a) shows the case where the user is an end user, and (b) shows the case where the user is an installer. [Figure 4]This is a conceptual diagram showing a point management table for user requests, with (a), (b), and (c) showing tables for different request types. [Figure 5] This is a conceptual diagram showing a point management table for equipment status. [Figure 6] This is a sequence diagram showing the communication process between a user terminal and a remote control when the user is an end user. [Figure 7] This is a sequence diagram showing the communication process between a user terminal and a remote control when the user is an end user. [Figure 8] This is a conceptual diagram of the calculation used to determine the recommended order. [Figure 9] This is a screen transition diagram for a user's terminal when the user is an end-user. [Figure 10] This is a screen transition diagram for a user's terminal when the user is an end-user. [Figure 11] This is a screen transition diagram for a user's terminal when the user is an end-user. [Figure 12] This is a screen transition diagram for a user's terminal when the user is an end-user. [Figure 13] This is a screen transition diagram for a user's terminal when the user is an end-user. [Figure 14] This is a sequence diagram showing the communication process between the user terminal and the remote control when the user is the installer. [Figure 15] This is a screen transition diagram for the user's terminal when the user is an installer. [Figure 16] This is a screen transition diagram for the user's terminal when the user is an installer. [Figure 17] This is a conceptual diagram showing another example of a function management table. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0027] Embodiments will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, this disclosure is not limited to the embodiments shown below, and various modifications are possible without departing from the technical idea of ​​this disclosure. Since the drawings are for conceptual explanation of this disclosure, dimensions, ratios, or numbers may be exaggerated or simplified as necessary for ease of understanding.

[0028] [Overall configuration of the air conditioner control system] First, the overall configuration of the air conditioner control system 10 of this embodiment will be described using Figure 1. Figure 1 is an overall configuration diagram of the air conditioner control system according to this embodiment.

[0029] As shown in Figure 1, the air conditioner control system 10 of this embodiment is comprised of a user terminal 3, a remote controller (hereinafter referred to as "remote control") 5, and an air conditioner 7. The air conditioner 7 includes air conditioners, humidifiers, dehumidifiers, air coolers, ventilation systems, and air purifiers. The remote control is an example of an "operating device" and can operate the air conditioner 7.

[0030] User terminal 3 is a smartphone, tablet, smartwatch, etc., belonging to user U. User terminal 3 also has an application (hereinafter referred to as "app") p installed that communicates with the remote control 5 and displays selectable requests from user U (e.g., "comfortable," "want a breeze") and settings for the air conditioner 7 (e.g., "energy-saving control"). The user terminal 3 and the remote control 5 can communicate data using short-range wireless communication technology such as Bluetooth®.

[0031] The remote control 5 transmits device status information to the user terminal 3, indicating the current device status of the air conditioner 7. "Device status" refers to information related to the operation of the air conditioner 7, such as individual airflow direction off, rapid cooling / heating ON, thermostat ON, and temperature control. The remote control 5 also receives setting information from the user terminal 3, including setting details (e.g., "energy-saving control"), and controls the air conditioner 7 to set the appropriate settings (e.g., "automatic airflow direction" and "eco mode"). The remote control 5 and the air conditioner 7 can communicate via wired or infrared communication. "Device status information" is an example of "related information" concerning the air conditioner 7. This "related information" may include environmental information indicating the environment of the space in which the air conditioner 7 is installed (e.g., temperature, humidity).

[0032] [Configuration of user terminal and remote control] Next, we will explain the configuration of user terminal 3 using Figure 2. Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the user terminal and remote control.

[0033] <User terminal configuration> As shown in Figure 2, the user terminal 3 includes a control unit 30, a communication unit 31, an operation unit 32, a display unit 34, and a storage unit 39.

[0034] Of these components, the control unit 30 plays the role of controlling the entire user terminal 3 and is comprised of various computing devices such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The control unit 30 may also include a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit).

[0035] The communication unit 31 is a communication device for sending and receiving various information (data) with the remote control 5.

[0036] The control unit 32 is a device for receiving operations from the user (operator), and is a touch panel or the like.

[0037] The display unit 34 is a display device for displaying the screen.

[0038] The memory unit 39 is a storage device such as ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), or SSD (Solid State Drive). The control unit 30 and the memory unit 39 together form a so-called computer.

[0039] (Function Management Table) In the memory unit 39, a function management table as shown in Figure 3 is constructed upon installation of application p on the user terminal 3. Figure 3 is a conceptual diagram of the function management table, where (a) shows the case where the user is an end user and (b) shows the case where the user is an installer. Note that at least one of the function management table shown in Figure 3, the user request point management table shown in Figure 4 (described later), and the device status point management table shown in Figure 5 may be stored in a database server in cloud computing. In this case, the communication unit 31 accesses the database server to perform searches, etc. The function management table manages data tags, application display functions (settings), remote control functions (settings), and reference points associated with each user attribute.

[0040] "User attributes" refer to end-users such as customers or employees, installers such as air conditioning contractors or moving companies, and store owners, etc. Note that if the user attribute is an owner, the data structure of the function management table is the same as for end-users, so it is omitted.

[0041] A "data tag" is a label that indicates information about the performance or specifications of an air conditioner, and includes information such as "comfort" and "energy saving."

[0042] The "app display function" indicates the function name displayed on the display unit 34 of the user terminal 3 by the app p, and shows the settings for the air conditioner 7. Examples of app display functions include "rapid cooling and heating," "comfortable airflow direction," and "energy-saving control."

[0043] "Remote control function" is a function name that indicates the functions of the air conditioner 7 that can be controlled from the remote control 5, and indicates the setting items for the air conditioner 7. The settings for the air conditioner 7 may include multiple setting items. When user U selects a predetermined app display function, the corresponding remote control function is uniquely determined. For example, if user U selects "Rapid Cooling / Heating" as the app display function, then "Rapid Cooling / Heating" will be selected as the corresponding remote control function.

[0044] On the other hand, if user U selects "Energy Saving Control" as the app display function, then "Automatic Fan Speed" and "Eco Mode" will be selected as the corresponding remote control functions. As a result, even if user U does not know which remote control functions to use to achieve their desired environmental state, selecting "Energy Saving Control" will automatically select multiple settings such as "Automatic Fan Speed" and "Eco Mode" together.

[0045] The "reference point" indicates the reference point used by app p to determine the recommended order of each app display function (setting) to be displayed in the display area 310 for recommending app display functions (settings) such as those shown in Figure 10 below.

[0046] (Point management table for user requests) In the memory unit 39, a user request point management table, as shown in Figure 4, is constructed upon installation of application p on the user terminal 3. Figure 4 is a conceptual diagram of the user request point management table, where (a), (b), and (c) show tables for different request contents.

[0047] The user request point management table manages each request by associating it with a function tag, app display function (settings), and points increase / decrease.

[0048] The "Request Details" are associated with the data tags shown in Figure 3 and represent the requests that User U can select. Note that the request details in Figures 4(a), (b), and (c) are all examples where the data tag shown in Figure 3 is "Comfortable". The request details for the case where the data tag shown in Figure 3 is "Energy Saving" are omitted.

[0049] A "function tag" is a label that indicates information about the function of the air conditioner, and includes information such as "increased capacity," "uniform airflow direction," and "individual airflow direction."

[0050] The "App Display Function" in the user request point management table has the same content as the App Display Function in the function management table.

[0051] The "increase / decrease points" are used by app p to determine the recommended order of each app display function (settings) to be displayed in the display area 310, which is shown in Figure 10 below, and indicate points to be added to the aforementioned base points. If the increase / decrease points are a negative value, such as "-5", they are subtracted from the base points. Note that the increase / decrease points may be a positive number, such as "+3", instead of "0". Also, the increase / decrease points in this case are an example of the first increase / decrease points.

[0052] (Equipment Status Point Management Table) In the memory unit 39, a point management table for device status, as shown in Figure 5, is constructed upon installation of application p on the user terminal 3. Figure 5 is a conceptual diagram showing the point management table for device status.

[0053] The device status point management table manages the following in association: function tags, app display functions (settings), device status, app display functions (settings), and increase / decrease points.

[0054] The "Function Tag," "Application Display Function," and "Increase / Decrease Points" in the device status point management table are the same as the function tags, application display functions, and increase / decrease points in the user request point management table, respectively. In this case, the increase / decrease points are an example of the second type of increase / decrease points.

[0055] "Equipment Status" indicates the operating status of the air conditioner (e.g., rapid cooling / heating ON) and the measurement status of Remote Control 5 (e.g., the ambient temperature measured by the temperature sensor built into Remote Control 5).

[0056] <Remote control configuration> As shown in Figure 2, the remote control 5 includes a control unit 50, a communication unit 51, an operation unit 52, a display unit 54, and a storage unit 59.

[0057] Of these, the control unit 50 plays the role of controlling the entire remote control 5 and is a CPU and other various computing devices.

[0058] The communication unit 51 is a communication device for sending and receiving various information (data) between the user terminal 3 and the air conditioner 7.

[0059] The control unit 52 is a device for receiving operations from the user (operator), and is a touch panel or the like.

[0060] The display unit 54 is a display device for displaying the screen.

[0061] The memory unit 59 is a memory device such as ROM or RAM. The control unit 50 and the memory unit 59 together form a so-called computer.

[0062] [Processing or operation of the air conditioner control system] Next, the processing or operation of the air conditioner control system 10 will be explained using Figures 6 to 16. The following examples of processing or operation are provided and are not limited to these. The control unit 30 executes the following processing based on the application p installed on the user terminal 3. Note that the following display outputs may be replaced with audio outputs, or both display and audio outputs may be used.

[0063] <Processing or actions for end users> First, we will explain the case where user U is an end user using Figures 6 to 13.

[0064] S11: When user U operates the operation unit 32 of user terminal 3 and enters login information (for example, user ID and password), the operation unit 32 accepts the input of login information. Note that user U has previously registered login information, username, and user attribute information with the application p installed on user terminal 3, so that the login information, username, and user attribute information are stored in association with each other in the storage unit 39.

[0065] S12: The control unit 30 reads the user attribute information corresponding to the login information.

[0066] S13: The control unit 30 displays a screen on the display unit 34 as shown in Figure 9(a). Here, the user ID and user name (A), the display area 110 for request 1, and the display area 310 for recommending the application display function (settings) are displayed. In addition, buttons ("Comfortable" button 111, "Energy Saving" button 112) indicating the contents of the data tags shown in Figure 3(a) are displayed in the display area 110. An "OK" button 119 is also displayed in the display area 110. At this point, no buttons or anything are displayed in the display area 310.

[0067] S14: Next, when user U operates the control unit 32 and selects the "Comfort" button 111 and the "OK" button 119, as shown in Figure 9(b), the control unit 30 receives the selection of the "Comfort" button 111 and the selection of the "OK" button 119.

[0068] S15: The control unit 30, via the communication unit 31, inquires with the remote control 5 regarding the status of the air conditioner 7. Note that the control unit 30 may also inquire about the status of the remote control 5, or it may inquire about the status of the remote control 5 only, and not the air conditioner 7. The control unit 50 of the remote control 5 receives this inquiry via the communication unit 51.

[0069] S16: The control unit 50 of the remote control 5 transmits equipment status information, which is obtained from the air conditioner 7, to the user terminal 3 via the communication unit 51. The equipment status information may include not only the equipment status of the air conditioner 7 but also the equipment status of the remote control 5, or it may include only the equipment status of the remote control 5. As a result, the control unit 30 of the user terminal 3 receives the equipment status information via the communication unit 31.

[0070] The equipment status information transmitted in processing S16 may also show the difference from past equipment status information related to the air conditioner 7.

[0071] S17: The control unit 30 also reads the application display function (settings) and reference points corresponding to the data tag "Comfort" related to the "Comfort" button 111 received in process S14 from the function management table (Figure 3(a)) to determine the recommended function and recommended order. Here, the application display function ("Rapid Cooling / Heating", "Comfort Airflow", "Individual Airflow") corresponding to the data tag "Comfort" is determined in the function management table (Figure 3(a)), and the recommended order is determined in descending order of reference points.

[0072] S18: The control unit 30 displays a screen on the display unit 34 as shown in Figure 10(a). Here, the display has been changed from the display area 110 for request 1 to the display area 210 for request 2 on the screen shown in Figure 9. The display area 210 displays buttons indicating the request content shown in Figure 4 ("I want to feel the wind" button 211, "I don't want to feel the wind" button 212, "I want to make the temperature uniform" button 213). The display area 210 also displays a "Back" button 218 to return to the screen of Figure 9(a) and an "OK" button 219.

[0073] Furthermore, the display area 310 displays buttons indicating the recommended app display functions determined in process S17 ("Rapid Cooling / Heating" button 311, "Comfortable Airflow Direction" button 312, "Individual Airflow Direction" button 313) in the recommended order from top to bottom. The display area 310 also displays a "Back" button 318 and an "OK" button 319 to restore the display order of the buttons indicating the recommended app display functions. Note that even if the "Back" button 318 is selected at this point, the display order will not change because the state shown in Figure 10(a) is the initial state.

[0074] Additionally, the buttons indicating the app display function ("Rapid Cooling / Heating" button 311, "Comfortable Airflow Direction" button 312, "Individual Airflow Direction" button 313) may start displaying from the state shown in Figure 9(a).

[0075] S21: Next, proceeding to Figure 7, when user U operates the control unit 32 and selects the "I want to feel the wind" button 211 and the "OK" button 219 as shown in Figure 10(b), the control unit 30 receives the selection of the "I want to feel the wind" button 211 and the selection of the "OK" button 219.

[0076] S22: The control unit 30 reads the increase / decrease points for each application display function in the user request point management table (Figure 4) using the request content table (Figure 4(a)) related to the "I want to feel the breeze" button 211 received in process S21. Furthermore, the control unit 30 reads the increase / decrease points for each application display function corresponding to the device state indicated by the device state information received in process S16 in the device state point management table (Figure 5). Then, for each application display function as a recommended function determined in process S17, the control unit 30 re-determines the recommendation order by adding (influencing) the increase / decrease points (Figure 4(a)) and increase / decrease points (Figure 5) to the reference points (Figure 3(a)).

[0077] Here, we will explain in detail the calculation method for re-determining the recommended order using Figure 8. Figure 8 is a conceptual diagram of the calculation when determining the recommended order. As shown in Figure 8, when the application display function as the recommended function determined by the control unit 30 in process S17 is "Rapid Cooling / Heating", "Comfortable Airflow Direction", and "Individual Airflow Direction", by adding the increase / decrease points (request) (Figure 4(a)) and increase / decrease points (device status) (Figure 5) to each reference point (Figure 3(a)), the total points for "Rapid Cooling / Heating", "Comfortable Airflow Direction", and "Individual Airflow Direction" become "-3", "2", and "3", respectively. As a result, the order of the total points changes from the highest reference points, and the recommended order becomes "Individual Airflow Direction", "Comfortable Airflow Direction", and "Rapid Cooling / Heating".

[0078] S23: Returning to Figure 7, the control unit 30 changes the display order of the buttons for each recommended application display function in the display area 310 from top to bottom, as shown in Figure 11(a), to the recommended order determined in process S22 (display output). Note that this "display output" in process S23 is an example of "output processing". "Output processing" includes not only display output but also audio output.

[0079] S24: Next, when user U operates the control unit 32 and selects the "Individual Airflow Direction" button 313 and the "OK" button 319, as shown in Figure 11(b), the control unit 30 accepts the selection of the "Individual Airflow Direction" button 313 and the selection of the "OK" button 319.

[0080] S25: The control unit 30 displays a screen on the display unit 34 as shown in Figure 12(a). Here, the user ID and user name (A), and a display area 410 for the function description of the application display function are displayed. In addition, the display area 410 displays a descriptive text for the function description of the application display function "Individual Airflow Direction" selected in process S24.

[0081] The memory unit 39 stores explanatory text for each function upon installation of application a on the user terminal 3. The control unit 30 reads the explanatory text for the application display function selected in process S24 from the memory unit 39 and displays it. The display area 410 also displays a "back" button 418 for returning to the screen shown in Figure 11(a), and an "OK" button 419.

[0082] S26: Next, when user U confirms the comment explaining the function and selects the "OK" button 419, the control unit 30 accepts the selection of the "OK" button 419.

[0083] S27: The control unit 30 displays a screen on the display unit 34 as shown in Figure 13(a). The storage unit 39 stores images for detailed settings of each application display function, as shown in Figure 13(a), after the application p is installed on the user terminal 3. Here, the user ID and username (A), and a display area 500 for further detailed settings of the application display function are displayed. The display area 500 displays an image of "wind direction settings" as a detailed setting of "individual wind direction". The display area 500 also displays an image 510 showing the four air outlets of the air conditioner 7, a selection area 520 for wind direction settings at each air outlet, and a selection area 530 for flap angle. Furthermore, the selection area 520 displays selection buttons 521, 522, 523, and 524 for each air outlet. The selection area 530 displays an image of the flap angle being changed up and down. Additionally, the display area 500 also shows a "Back" button 508 for returning to the screen shown in Figure 12(a), and a "Send" button 509.

[0084] S28: Next, when user U selects, for example, the predetermined selection button 523 from among the selection buttons 521, 522, 523, and 524, and then selects an image in the selection area 530 to stop the flap angle at a predetermined angle, and finally selects the "Send" button 509, the control unit 30 refers to the function management table (Figure 3(a)) and accepts confirmation of the settings made so far. Here, the control unit 30 confirms the remote control function (individual airflow direction) and detailed settings (airflow direction setting for individual airflow direction and flap angle) corresponding to a predetermined application display function (individual airflow direction) as the settings. As shown in Figure 3(a), if the application display function "Energy Saving Control" is selected, the control unit 30 confirms multiple remote control functions (automatic airflow, eco mode) corresponding to the predetermined application display function (energy saving control).

[0085] S29: The control unit 30 then transmits setting information, which indicates the settings confirmed in process S28, to the remote control 5 via the communication unit 31 (transmission process). As a result, the control unit 50 of the remote control 5 receives this setting information via the communication unit 51. Note that the "transmission process" in process S29 is an example of an "output process".

[0086] S30: The control unit 50 of the remote control 5 controls the air conditioner via the communication unit 51 according to the setting information.

[0087] With the above steps completed, the series of processes or operations of the air conditioner control system 10 when user U is an end user is finished. Note that processes S15 and S16 may be performed at any time before process S22. For example, they may be performed between processes S11 and S12, or between processes S21 and S22.

[0088] <Processing or operation in the case of an installer> Next, we will explain the case where user U is an installer, using Figures 14 to 16.

[0089] S51: Similar to process S11, when user U operates the operation unit 32 of user terminal 3 and enters login information (for example, user ID and password), the operation unit 32 accepts the input of login information.

[0090] S52: Similar to process S12, the control unit 30 reads the user attribute information corresponding to the login information.

[0091] S53: Similar to process S13, the control unit 30 displays a screen on the display unit 34 as shown in Figure 15(a). Here, the user ID and user name (B), the display area 120 for request 1, and the display area 320 recommending the application display function (settings) are displayed. In addition, buttons indicating the contents of the data tags shown in Figure 3(b) ("Local Settings" button 121, "Remote Control Settings" button 122) are displayed in the display area 120. An "OK" button 129 is also displayed in the display area 120. Note that at this point, no buttons or anything are displayed in the display area 320, which is the same as in Figure 9(a).

[0092] S54: Similar to process S14, when user U operates the operation unit 32 and selects the "Local Settings" button 121 and the "OK" button 129 as shown in Figure 15(b), the control unit 30 receives the selection of the "Local Settings" button 121 and the selection of the "OK" button 129.

[0093] S55: Similar to process S15, the control unit 30 inquires with the remote control 5 via the communication unit 31 regarding the status of the air conditioner 7. Note that the control unit 30 may also inquire about the status of the remote control 5, not just the air conditioner 7. As a result, the control unit 50 of the remote control 5 receives this inquiry via the communication unit 51.

[0094] S56: Similar to process S16, the control unit 50 of the remote control 5 transmits equipment status information indicating the equipment status of the air conditioner 7, which it has obtained from the air conditioner 7, to the user terminal 3 via the communication unit 51. The control unit 50 may also include the equipment status of the remote control 5 in the equipment status information. As a result, the control unit 30 of the user terminal 3 receives the equipment status information via the communication unit 31.

[0095] S57: Next, processes S17 and S22 are combined, and the control unit 30 reads the application display function (settings) and reference points corresponding to the data tag "Local Settings" related to the "Local Settings" button 121 received in process S54 from the function management table (Figure 3(b)). Here, the application display functions ("Remote Control Thermo Setting", "High Ceiling Setting") corresponding to the data tag "Local Settings" are determined in the function management table (Figure 3(b)), and the recommended order is tentatively determined in descending order of reference points. Furthermore, the control unit 30 reads the increase / decrease points for each application display function corresponding to the equipment status indicated by the equipment status information received in process S16 from the equipment status point management table (Figure 5). Then, for each application display function as a determined recommended function, the control unit 30 determines the recommended order by adding (influencing) the increase / decrease points (Figure 5) to the reference points (Figure 3(b)). The calculation method for determining the recommended order is the same as shown in Figure 8, except that "increase / decrease points (requests)" are not included in the calculation, so the explanation is omitted.

[0096] S58: Next, the control unit 30 displays (outputs) a screen as shown in Figure 16(a) to the display unit 34. A "back" button 128 for returning to the screen of Figure 15(a) is additionally displayed in the display area 120. In addition, buttons indicating the application display functions shown in Figure 3(b) ("remote control thermo setting" button 321, "high ceiling setting" button 322) are displayed in the display area 310. In addition, a "back" button 328 for returning to the screen of Figure 15(a) and an "OK" button 329 are also displayed in the display area 320. Note that the "OK" button 329 may be displayed as the "transmit" button 509 as shown in Figure 13. Furthermore, the "display output" in this process S58 is an example of "output processing". "Output processing" includes not only display output but also audio output.

[0097] S59: Next, similar to process S24, when user U operates the operation unit 32 and selects the "Remote Control Thermo Setting" button 321 and the "OK" button 329 as shown in Figure 1b(b), the control unit 30 accepts the selection of the "Remote Control Thermo Setting" button 321 and the selection of the "OK" button 329. As a result, the control unit 30 refers to the function management table (Figure 3(b)) and confirms the remote control function (automatic airflow, eco mode) corresponding to the predetermined application display function (remote control thermo setting) as the setting content.

[0098] S60: Then, similar to process S29, the control unit 30 transmits setting information indicating the settings confirmed in process S59 to the remote control 5 via the communication unit 31 (transmission process). As a result, the control unit 50 of the remote control 5 receives this setting information via the communication unit 51. Note that this "transmission process" in process S60 is an example of an "output process".

[0099] S61: Similar to process S30, the control unit 50 of the remote control 5 controls the air conditioner via the communication unit 51 according to the setting information.

[0100] With the above steps completed, the series of processes or operations of the air conditioner control system 10 when user U is the installer is finished.

[0101] [Main effects of the embodiment] As described above, this embodiment has the effect of allowing settings related to the operation of the air conditioner 7 to be made according to the user U's requests (request 1, request 2) and the circumstances in which the air conditioner 7 is placed (equipment status, etc.).

[0102] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, by associating the app display function (settings) with the remote control function (setting items), the app display function is shown to user U in an easy-to-understand manner, and setting information indicating the actual remote control function is sent to the remote control 5 (see S29, S60). This eliminates the need for user U to search for the remote control function to achieve their desired environmental state. In particular, for example, if multiple remote control functions such as "automatic airflow" and "eco mode" are associated with a single app display function "energy saving control," the operation of the remote control to set multiple remote control functions can be simplified. Also, if the app display function and the remote control function do not match, user U does not need to know which remote control function is needed to achieve "energy saving control." Therefore, it is highly convenient for user U.

[0103] 〔supplement〕 (1) Figure 17 is a conceptual diagram showing another example of a function management table. In Figure 17, the data tags shown in Figure 3 are designated as data tags (level 1), and the request contents shown in Figure 4 are designated as data tags (level 2), thereby managing the tables in Figures 3 and 4 in a single table. The function management table shown in Figure 17 may also be stored in a database server or the like in cloud computing. In this case as well, the communication unit 31 accesses the database server or the like to perform searches, etc.

[0104] (2) In the above embodiment, the control unit 30 (app p) uses the tables shown in Figures 3 to 5 or Figure 17 to determine the app display functions (settings) to recommend to the user and the recommended order based on the user's request (request 1 and request 2, or request 1) and device status information. However, a machine learning model M may be used instead of the tables. This machine learning model M is a trained model that has been trained using input data which is the user's request (request 1 and request 2, or request 1) and device status information, and ground truth data which is the app display functions (settings). The ground truth data may include not only the app display functions (settings) but also the recommended order of each app display function.

[0105] (3) The control units 30 and 50 execute processing according to each program, and each program can be recorded on a (non-temporary) recording medium or provided via a communication network such as the Internet. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0106] 3. User terminals 5 Remote control 7. Air conditioner 10. Air Conditioner Control System 31 Communications Department 32 Operation section 34 Display section 39 Memory section 51 Communications Department 52 Operation section 54 Display section 59 Memory section

Claims

1. A program for controlling the air conditioner (7), Computer (30, 39), A decision process to determine the settings for the air conditioner (7) based on the user's requests regarding the operation of the air conditioner (7) and related information concerning the air conditioner (7), An output process that outputs the setting content determined by the aforementioned determination process, A program that executes the command.

2. The program according to claim 1, wherein the related information is equipment status information indicating the equipment status related to the operation of the air conditioner (7).

3. The program according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the output processing includes a transmission process that transmits setting information indicating the setting to an operating device (3) that operates the air conditioner (7).

4. The output processing is the program according to claim 1 or 2, which includes display control processing to display the settings on the display unit.

5. The program according to claim 4, The aforementioned computers (30, 39) The display unit is instructed to execute a selection acceptance process that accepts the selection of a predetermined setting from among the setting contents displayed on the display unit. The output processing is a program that includes a transmission process that transmits predetermined setting information indicating the predetermined setting to an operating device (3) that operates the air conditioner (7).

6. The program according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the determination process includes a process for determining the setting content based on the user's attributes.

7. The program according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the aforementioned settings include a plurality of setting items for the air conditioner (7).

8. The aforementioned related information is the program according to claim 1 or 2, which shows the difference from past related information related to the air conditioner (7).

9. The display control process includes a process for displaying a plurality of the requested items on the display unit. The selection acceptance process includes a process of accepting a selection of a predetermined request from the user among a plurality of request contents. The determination process includes determining a plurality of settings to be displayed on the display unit and the recommended order of the plurality of settings, based on the user's predetermined request and equipment status information indicating the equipment status related to the operation of the air conditioner (7). The program according to claim 5.

10. An air conditioner control system (10) having an operating device (3) for operating an air conditioner (7), and a user terminal for communicating with the operating device (3), The aforementioned user terminal is A determination unit that determines the settings for the air conditioner (7) based on the user's requirements regarding the operation of the air conditioner (7) and related information concerning the air conditioner (7), The device (3) has a transmission unit that transmits setting information indicating the setting content determined by the determination unit to the operating device (3), The aforementioned operating device (3) is an air conditioner control system (10) that controls the operation of the air conditioner (7) based on the settings.

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