Classification apparatus and method

Abstract

Classify the indoor units installed in air-conditioned spaces. [Solution] An embodiment of the classification device of the present disclosure is a classification device (10) for classifying a plurality of indoor units installed in one or more air-conditioned spaces, wherein the control unit (1001) of the classification device (10) acquires environmental information of the air-conditioned space and the equipment status of the indoor units, calculates the degree of influence between the environmental information and the equipment status, and classifies the plurality of indoor units based on the degree of influence, wherein the environmental information includes at least the air quality of the air-conditioned space, and the equipment status includes at least one of the operating status measured by the indoor unit or the setting status of the indoor unit.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a classification device and method.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, it has been known to classify a plurality of indoor units into one or more groups based on in which air-conditioning space (for example, a room) each indoor unit of an air conditioner is installed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the conventional method for classifying indoor units, since classification is performed using only the operation data of the air conditioner, there is a risk that accurate classification cannot be achieved. Also, even if the positional relationship between the indoor units of a plurality of air conditioners or whether they exist in the same space can be estimated, it is difficult to determine in which air-conditioning space they are installed. Therefore, it is desired that not only the operation data of the air conditioner but also various data be utilized to classify the indoor units and determine the air-conditioning space in which the indoor units are installed.

[0005] An object of this disclosure is to classify indoor units installed in an air-conditioning space.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A classification device according to a first aspect of this disclosure is a classification device (10) that classifies a plurality of indoor units installed in one or more air-conditioning spaces, where a control unit (1001) of the classification device (10) The environmental information of the air-conditioned space and the equipment status of the indoor unit are acquired. The degree of influence between the aforementioned environmental information and the aforementioned equipment status is calculated, Based on the degree of influence, the multiple indoor units are classified as follows: The aforementioned environmental information includes at least the air quality of the air-conditioned space, The aforementioned equipment status includes at least one of the following: the operating status measured by the indoor unit, or the setting status of the indoor unit.

[0007] According to the first aspect of this disclosure, information on which air conditioning space the indoor unit is installed in can be automatically obtained.

[0008] A second aspect of this disclosure is a classification device as described in the first aspect, The aforementioned impact level includes either the correlation or similarity between the environmental information and the equipment status.

[0009] According to a second aspect of this disclosure, indoor units can be classified based on either the correlation or similarity between environmental information of the air-conditioned space and the equipment status of the indoor units.

[0010] A third aspect of this disclosure is a classification device as described in the second aspect, The correlation includes the correlation between the time-series data of the environmental information during the first period and the time-series data of the equipment status during the second period.

[0011] According to a third aspect of this disclosure, it is possible to consider changes over time in the correlation between environmental information of the air-conditioned space and the equipment status of the indoor unit.

[0012] A fourth aspect of this disclosure is a classification device described in any of the first to third aspects, The aforementioned environmental information includes two or more types of environmental information, The control unit (1001) is, The degree of influence of each of the two or more types of environmental information and the equipment status is calculated. Classify the plurality of indoor units based on the degrees of influence of each of the two or more types of environmental information and the device state.

[0013] According to the fourth aspect of the present disclosure, since a plurality of types of environmental information are used, the accuracy of classification can be improved.

[0014] The fifth aspect of the present disclosure is the classification device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, where the device state includes two or more types of device states, and the control unit (1001) calculates the degrees of influence of each of the two or more types of device states and the environmental information, and classifies the plurality of indoor units based on the degrees of influence of each of the two or more types of device states and the environmental information.

[0015] According to the fifth aspect of the present disclosure, since a plurality of types of device states are used, the accuracy of classification can be improved.

[0016] The sixth aspect of the present disclosure is the classification device according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, where the environmental information includes a plurality of environmental information of the same type, and the control unit (1001) calculates the degrees of influence of the representative value of the plurality of environmental information of the same type and the device state, and classifies the plurality of indoor units based on the degrees of influence of the representative value of the plurality of environmental information of the same type and the device state.

[0017] According to the sixth aspect of the present disclosure, since a plurality of environmental information of the same type are used, the accuracy of classification can be improved.

[0018] The seventh aspect of the present disclosure is the classification device according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, where the air-conditioned space includes a physically or virtually partitioned space.

[0019] According to a seventh aspect of this disclosure, information can be obtained about which physically or virtually partitioned space the indoor unit is installed in.

[0020] An eighth aspect of this disclosure is a classification device described in any of the first to seventh aspects, The control unit (1001) is, Known information regarding the air-conditioned space and the indoor units is acquired, and the multiple indoor units are classified based on the known information and the degree of influence.

[0021] According to the eighth aspect of this disclosure, the accuracy of the classification can be improved by also using known information.

[0022] A ninth aspect of this disclosure is a classification device as described in the eighth aspect, The known information includes at least one of the following: the number of air-conditioned spaces or the number of indoor units installed in the air-conditioned spaces.

[0023] According to the ninth aspect of this disclosure, the number of groups after classification can be made to match known information, or the number of indoor units within a group can be made to match known information.

[0024] The method according to the tenth aspect of this disclosure is The environmental information of the air-conditioned space and the equipment status of the indoor unit are acquired. The degree of influence between the aforementioned environmental information and the aforementioned equipment status is calculated, Based on the degree of influence, the multiple indoor units are classified as follows: The aforementioned environmental information includes at least the air quality of the air-conditioned space, The aforementioned equipment status includes at least one of the following: the operating status measured by the indoor unit, or the setting status of the indoor unit.

[0025] According to a tenth aspect of this disclosure, information on which air conditioning space the indoor unit is installed in can be automatically obtained. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0026] [Figure 1] This figure shows the overall configuration according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] This figure shows the hardware configuration of a classification device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] This figure shows the functional configuration of the control unit of a classification device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] This is a diagram illustrating a classification method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] This is a diagram illustrating a classification method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] This is a diagram illustrating a classification method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] This is a diagram illustrating a classification method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] This is a diagram illustrating a classification method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 9] This is a diagram illustrating a classification method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 10] This is a diagram illustrating a classification method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 11] This is a diagram illustrating a classification method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 12] This figure illustrates the influence of environmental information and equipment status according to one embodiment of this disclosure. [Figure 13] This figure illustrates the influence of environmental information and equipment status according to one embodiment of this disclosure. [Figure 14] This is a flowchart of the classification process for an indoor unit according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0027] Embodiments of this disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0028] <Overall structure> Figure 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The indoor unit classification system 1 may include a classification device 10, a plurality of indoor units 20A, 20B, ... (hereinafter collectively referred to as indoor units 20), and an air conditioning control device 30. Each of these will be described below.

[0029] <<Indoor unit>> The indoor unit 20 is an indoor unit of an air conditioner. Each indoor unit 20 is assumed to be already installed in each air-conditioned space. An air-conditioned space includes physically separated spaces (e.g., rooms) or virtually separated spaces (e.g., multiple spaces included in one room). Each air-conditioned space may have one or more indoor units 20 installed.

[0030] <<Classification device>> The classification device 10 classifies multiple indoor units installed in one or more air-conditioned spaces (in the case of Figure 1, indoor units 20A, 20B, and 20C are installed in air-conditioned space a, indoor units 20D and 20E are installed in air-conditioned space b, and indoor unit 20F is installed in air-conditioned space c). In other words, the classification device 10 determines which of the one or more groups each indoor unit 20 belongs to. The classification device 10 consists of one or more computers.

[0031] Specifically, the classification device 10 acquires environmental information of the air-conditioned space and the equipment status of the indoor units, calculates the degree of influence between the environmental information and the equipment status, and classifies multiple indoor units based on the degree of influence.

[0032] <<Air Conditioning Control System>> The air conditioning control device 30 controls the air conditioner, including the indoor unit 20. The air conditioning control device 30 consists of one or more computers. In Figure 1, the classification device 10 and the air conditioning control device 30 are shown as separate devices, but the classification device 10 and the air conditioning control device 30 may be a single device (i.e., the classification device 10 may also have air conditioning control functions).

[0033] <Hardware Configuration> Figure 2 shows the hardware configuration of a classification device 10 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The classification device 10 may include a control unit 1001, a main memory unit 1002, an auxiliary memory unit 1003, an input unit 1004, an output unit 1005, and an interface unit 1006. Each of these will be described below.

[0034] The control unit 1001 is a processor (for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), etc.) that executes various programs installed in the auxiliary storage unit 1003.

[0035] The main memory unit 1002 includes non-volatile memory (ROM (Read Only Memory)) and volatile memory (RAM (Random Access Memory)). The ROM stores various programs, data, etc., necessary for the control unit 1001 to execute various programs installed in the auxiliary memory unit 1003. The RAM provides a work area that is expanded when the various programs installed in the auxiliary memory unit 1003 are executed by the control unit 1001.

[0036] The auxiliary storage unit 1003 is an auxiliary storage device that stores various programs and information used when various programs are executed.

[0037] The input unit 1004 is an input device that allows the operator of the classification device 10 to input various instructions to the classification device 10.

[0038] The output unit 1005 is an output device that outputs the internal state of the classification device 10, etc.

[0039] The interface unit 1006 is a communication device for connecting to a network and communicating with other devices.

[0040] <Functional Configuration> Figure 3 shows the functional configuration of the control unit 1001 of a classification device 10 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The control unit 1001 of the classification device 10 may include an acquisition unit 101, a calculation unit 102, a classification unit 103, and a presentation unit 104. Furthermore, the control unit 1001 of the classification device 10 can function as the acquisition unit 101, calculation unit 102, classification unit 103, and presentation unit 104 by executing a program. The classification device 10 includes an environmental information storage unit 105 and an equipment state storage unit 106. Note that the environmental information storage unit 105 and the equipment state storage unit 106 may be provided in devices other than the classification device 10.

[0041] The acquisition unit 101 acquires environmental information of the air-conditioned space and the equipment status of the indoor unit 20. For example, the acquisition unit 101 acquires environmental information of the air-conditioned space from a sensor not attached to the indoor unit 20. For example, the acquisition unit 101 acquires the equipment status of the indoor unit 20 from the indoor unit 20. Here, "environmental information" and "equipment status" will be explained.

[0042] [Environmental information] Environmental information refers to information that indicates the state of the air-conditioned space in which the indoor unit 20 is installed. For example, environmental information is information that can be measured by sensors that are not attached to the indoor unit (for example, environmental sensors installed in the air-conditioned space, the indoor unit's remote control, etc.).

[0043] Environmental information includes at least the air quality of the air-conditioned space. Furthermore, environmental information may include at least one of the following: air quality of the air-conditioned space, illuminance, noise, or data related to the presence of people (information measured by a motion sensor).

[0044] Air quality includes at least one of the following: temperature, humidity, or CO2 concentration. Furthermore, air quality may also include at least one of the following: temperature, humidity, CO2 concentration, PM2.5 concentration, odor concentration, or volatile organic compound (TVOC) concentration.

[0045] Furthermore, if the installation location of sensors not attached to the indoor unit (i.e., which air conditioning space they are installed in) is known, it is possible to associate specific air conditioning spaces with environmental information, and finally link the classified groups with the air conditioning spaces. On the other hand, if the installation location of sensors not attached to the indoor unit (i.e., which air conditioning space they are installed in) is unknown, the information that the sensors can measure may be used to classify it into one or more environmental information items using methods such as clustering.

[0046] [Device Status] The equipment status is information indicating the status of the indoor unit 20. The equipment status includes at least one of the following: the operating status measured by the indoor unit or the setting status of the indoor unit. The operating status includes at least one of the following: intake temperature, refrigerant temperature, air conditioning capacity, thermostat status of the air conditioner (ON / OFF (operating / stopping) of the air conditioner), humidity, or CO2 concentration. The setting status includes at least one of the following: the operating command status to the air conditioner (ON / OFF (operating / stopping) of the remote control) or the set temperature.

[0047] The calculation unit 102 calculates the degree of influence between the environmental information acquired by the acquisition unit 101 and the equipment status. The degree of influence will now be explained.

[0048] [Impact] The degree of influence is the degree to which environmental information is influenced by the equipment state (or environmental information influences the equipment state), or to the degree to which the equipment state is influenced by the environmental information (or the equipment state influences the environmental information). For example, the degree of influence includes at least one of either correlation or similarity.

[0049] For example, the impact includes the correlation (correlation coefficient) between environmental information and equipment status. For example, the correlation between environmental information and equipment status includes the correlation between the time-series data of environmental information in the first period and the time-series data of equipment status in the second period. Note that the first and second periods may or may not be exactly the same period.

[0050] The classification unit 103 classifies the multiple indoor units 20 based on the degree of influence calculated by the calculation unit 102.

[0051] For example, the environmental information may include two or more types of environmental information, the calculation unit 102 may calculate the degree of influence between each of the two or more types of environmental information and the equipment status, and the classification unit 103 may classify multiple indoor units based on the degree of influence between each of the two or more types of environmental information and the equipment status. This will be described in detail later with reference to Figure 8.

[0052] For example, the equipment status may include two or more types of equipment statuses, and the calculation unit 102 may calculate the degree of influence of each of the two or more equipment statuses and environmental information, and the classification unit 103 may classify multiple indoor units based on the degree of influence of each of the two or more equipment statuses and environmental information. This will be described in detail later with reference to Figure 9.

[0053] For example, the environmental information may include multiple pieces of similar environmental information, and the calculation unit 102 may calculate the degree of influence between representative values ​​of the multiple pieces of similar environmental information and the equipment status, and the classification unit 103 may classify multiple indoor units based on the degree of influence between representative values ​​of the multiple pieces of similar environmental information and the equipment status. This will be described in detail later with reference to Figure 10.

[0054] For example, the classification unit 103 may acquire known information about air-conditioned spaces and indoor units, and classify multiple indoor units based on the known information and their impact (specifically, it may classify by considering the known information during classification, or correct the result of classification based on the impact). The known information includes at least one of the following: the number of air-conditioned spaces or the number of indoor units installed in the air-conditioned spaces. For example, the classification unit 103 can match the number of groups after classification to the known information (number of air-conditioned spaces). For example, the classification unit 103 can match the number of indoor units within a group to the known information (number of indoor units installed in the air-conditioned spaces). This will be described in detail later with reference to Figure 11.

[0055] [Known information] The classification unit 103 may acquire known information entered by the operator of the classification device 10 from the input unit 1004, or it may acquire known information from already entered layout information (information indicating the arrangement of indoor units of the air conditioner).

[0056] The display unit 104 outputs the results of the classification performed by the classification unit 103 (for example, displaying them on the classification device 10 or other devices).

[0057] The environmental information storage unit 105 stores the environmental information acquired by the acquisition unit 101 and the date and time when the environmental information was acquired.

[0058] The device state storage unit 106 stores information about the device state acquired by the acquisition unit 101 and the date and time when that device state was acquired.

[0059] <Classification method> The following describes examples of how to classify indoor units. These examples all describe the case of two air-conditioned spaces, but the same applies to cases with three or more air-conditioned spaces. Note that in the case of a single air-conditioned space, each indoor unit is classified as a separate group.

[0060] In this specification, a higher impact value indicates a greater impact; however, this disclosure can also be applied to cases where a lower impact value indicates a greater impact.

[0061] [Classification method based on linking to environmental information] Referring to Figure 4, we will explain the classification method based on linking to environmental information. First, as shown in [Calculation of Impact], the classification device 10 calculates the impact for each combination of the equipment status (equipment status 1 to equipment status 8) of each indoor unit (referred to as indoor unit 1 to indoor unit 8) and each environmental information (referred to as environmental information 1 and environmental information 2). (Note that a higher impact value indicates a greater impact.) Note that each environmental information is the environmental information of each air-conditioned space (for example, environmental information 1 is the environmental information of air-conditioned space 1, and environmental information 2 is the environmental information of air-conditioned space 2). Next, as shown in [Linking Equipment Status to Environmental Information], the classification device 10 determines whether the impact level is above or below a threshold and links each equipment status to the environmental information in which the impact level is above or below the threshold. The classification device 10 may also link each equipment status to the environmental information with the highest impact level. Next, as shown in [Classification], the classification device 10 groups together equipment states (i.e., indoor units) associated with the same environmental information (in the case of Figure 4, indoor units 1-4 associated with environmental information 1 become group 1, and indoor units 5-8 associated with environmental information 2 become group 2).

[0062] [Classification method based on linking to device status] Referring to Figure 5, we will explain the classification method linked to the device status. First, as shown in [Calculation of Impact], the classification device 10 calculates the impact for each combination of the equipment status (equipment status 1 to equipment status 8) of each indoor unit (referred to as indoor unit 1 to indoor unit 8) and each environmental information (referred to as environmental information 1 and environmental information 2). (Note that a higher impact value indicates a greater impact.) Note that each environmental information is the environmental information of each air-conditioned space (for example, environmental information 1 is the environmental information of air-conditioned space 1, and environmental information 2 is the environmental information of air-conditioned space 2). Next, as shown in [Linking environmental information to equipment status], the classification device 10 determines whether the impact level is above a threshold and links each piece of environmental information to the equipment status in which the impact level is above the threshold. The classification device 10 may also link each piece of environmental information to the equipment status with the highest impact level. Next, as shown in [Classification], the classification device 10 groups together equipment states (i.e., indoor units) associated with the same environmental information (in the case of Figure 5, indoor units 1-4 associated with environmental information 1 become group 1, and indoor units 5-8 associated with environmental information 2 become group 2).

[0063] As mentioned above, if the installation location of sensors not attached to the indoor unit (i.e., which air conditioning space they are installed in) is known, it is possible to associate specific air conditioning spaces with environmental information, and ultimately link the classified groups with the air conditioning spaces.

[0064] [Combination of multiple classification methods] The classification device 10 may perform one classification method individually, or it may perform multiple classification methods in combination and sequentially. For example, it may perform the classification methods described in Figure 4 [Classification method linked to environmental information] and Figure 5 [Classification method linked to equipment status] individually, or it may perform the classification methods described in Figure 4 [Classification method linked to environmental information] and Figure 5 [Classification method linked to equipment status] in combination and sequentially.

[0065] For example, as shown in Figure 6, it is possible to first link to environmental information whose impact level is above a threshold, and then later link to the environmental information with the highest impact level.

[0066] As shown in STEP 1 of [Linking Equipment Status to Environmental Information] in Figure 6, the classification device 10 determines whether the impact level is above a threshold (set at 0.7) and links each equipment status to environmental information where the impact level is above the threshold. At this time, equipment statuses 3 to 6 are not linked to environmental information, so STEP 2 is performed.

[0067] As shown in STEP 2 of [Linking Equipment Status to Environmental Information] in Figure 6, the classification device 10 links equipment statuses 3 to 6, which were not linked to environmental information in STEP 1, to the environmental information with the highest impact.

[0068] For example, as shown in Figure 7, it is possible to first link to environmental information whose impact level is above a threshold, and then later link to the environmental information with the highest impact level.

[0069] As shown in STEP 1 of [Linking Equipment Status to Environmental Information] in Figure 7, the classification device 10 determines whether the impact level is above a threshold (set at 0.7) and links each equipment status to the environmental information for which the impact level is above the threshold. At this time, since equipment statuses 1 to 4 are linked to multiple environmental information, STEP 2 is performed.

[0070] As shown in STEP 2 of [Linking Equipment Status to Environmental Information] in Figure 7, the classification device 10 links equipment statuses 1 to 4, which were linked to multiple environmental information in STEP 1, to the environmental information with the highest impact.

[0071] For example, if you first perform the classification method shown in Figure 4 [Classification method by linking to environmental information] and are unable to classify the data so that "at least one device state is linked to each environmental information, and each device state is linked to one environmental information" (for example, there is environmental information to which no device state is linked, or one device state is linked to multiple environmental information), then you may perform the classification method shown in Figure 5 [Classification method by linking to device state].

[0072] For example, if you first perform the [Classification method by linking to equipment status] shown in Figure 5 and are unable to classify the environmental information so that "at least one equipment status is linked to each environmental information, and each equipment status is linked to one environmental information" (for example, there is environmental information to which no equipment status is linked, or one equipment status is linked to multiple environmental information), then you may perform the [Classification method by linking to environmental information] shown in Figure 4.

[0073] [Classification method using multiple types of environmental information] Referring to Figure 8, a classification method using multiple types of environmental information will be explained. The classification device 10 uses two or more types of environmental information (for example, first environmental information (e.g., temperature) and second environmental information (e.g., humidity)). First, as shown in [Calculation of First Impact], the classification device 10 calculates the first impact for each combination of the equipment status (equipment status 1 to equipment status 8) of each indoor unit (referred to as indoor unit 1 to indoor unit 8) and each environmental information (referred to as first environmental information 1 and first environmental information 2) (note that a higher impact value indicates a higher impact). Note that each first environmental information is the first environmental information of each air-conditioned space (for example, first environmental information 1 is the environmental information of air-conditioned space 1, and first environmental information 2 is the environmental information of air-conditioned space 2). Similarly, as shown in [Calculation of Second Impact], the classification device 10 calculates the second impact for each combination of the equipment status (equipment status 1 to equipment status 8) of each indoor unit (indoor unit 1 to indoor unit 8) and each environmental information (second environmental information 1 and second environmental information 2) (a higher impact value indicates a higher impact). Each second environmental information is the second environmental information of each air-conditioned space (for example, second environmental information 1 is the environmental information of air-conditioned space 1, and second environmental information 2 is the environmental information of air-conditioned space 2). Next, as shown in [Linking], the classification device 10 comprehensively determines the link between the equipment status and environmental information based on the first and second impact levels. For example, if the classification device 10 cannot link the equipment status based on the impact level of one type of environmental information (in the case of Figure 8, equipment statuses 5 to 8 cannot be linked based on the impact level of the first environmental information), it links them based on the impact level of another type of environmental information (i.e., in the case of Figure 8, equipment statuses 1 to 4 are linked based on the impact level of the first environmental information, and equipment statuses 5 to 8 are linked based on the impact level of the second environmental information). For example, the classification device 10 links each equipment status to the environmental information with the highest product of multiple impact levels (i.e., the first and second impact levels). For example, the classification device 10 converts multiple impact levels (i.e., the first and second impact levels) into ranks and links each equipment status to the environmental information with the highest sum of the ranks of each environmental information. For example, the classification device 10 associates each device state with the environmental information that has the highest maximum value of multiple influence levels (i.e., the first influence level and the second influence level). Alternatively, each environmental information could be associated with the device state. Next, as shown in [Classification], the classification device 10 groups together equipment states (i.e., indoor units) associated with the same environmental information (in the case of Figure 8, indoor units 1-4 associated with environmental information 1 become group 1, and indoor units 5-8 associated with environmental information 2 become group 2).

[0074] Furthermore, in a classification method using multiple types of environmental information, the classification device 10 may use an index that combines the first environmental information and the second environmental information to calculate the degree of influence between the index and the equipment status.

[0075] [Classification method using multiple types of device status] Referring to Figure 9, a classification method using multiple types of equipment states will be explained. The classification device 10 uses two or more types of equipment states (for example, a first equipment state (e.g., operating state) and a second equipment state (e.g., setting state)). First, as shown in [Calculation of First Influence], the classification device 10 calculates the first influence for each combination of the first equipment state (first equipment state 1 to first equipment state 8) of each indoor unit (indoor unit 1 to indoor unit 8) and each environmental information (environmental information 1 and environmental information 2) (a higher influence value indicates a higher influence). Each environmental information is the environmental information of each air-conditioned space (for example, environmental information 1 is the environmental information of air-conditioned space 1, and environmental information 2 is the environmental information of air-conditioned space 2). Similarly, as shown in [Calculation of Second Impact], the classification device 10 calculates the second impact for each combination of the second equipment state (second equipment state 1 to second equipment state 8) of each indoor unit (indoor unit 1 to indoor unit 8) and each environmental information (environmental information 1 and environmental information 2) (a higher impact value indicates a higher impact). Each environmental information is the environmental information of each air-conditioned space (for example, environmental information 1 is the environmental information of air-conditioned space 1, and environmental information 2 is the environmental information of air-conditioned space 2). Next, as shown in [Linking], the classification device 10 comprehensively determines the link between the equipment status and environmental information based on the first and second impact levels. For example, if the classification device 10 cannot link equipment statuses based on the impact level of one type of equipment status (in the case of Figure 9, equipment statuses 5 to 8 cannot be linked based on the impact level of the first equipment status), it links them based on the impact level of another type of equipment status (i.e., in the case of Figure 9, equipment statuses 1 to 4 are linked based on the impact level of the first equipment status, and equipment statuses 5 to 8 are linked based on the impact level of the second equipment status). For example, the classification device 10 links each equipment status to the environmental information with the highest product of multiple impact levels (i.e., the first and second impact levels). For example, the classification device 10 converts the multiple impact levels (i.e., the first and second impact levels) into ranks and links each equipment status to the environmental information with the highest sum of the ranks of each environmental information. For example, the classification device 10 associates each device state with the environmental information that has the highest maximum value of multiple influence levels (i.e., the first influence level and the second influence level). Alternatively, each environmental information could be associated with the device state. Next, as shown in [Classification], the classification device 10 groups together equipment states (i.e., indoor units) associated with the same environmental information (in the case of Figure 9, indoor units 1-4 associated with environmental information 1 become group 1, and indoor units 5-8 associated with environmental information 2 become group 2).

[0076] Furthermore, in a classification method using multiple types of equipment status, the classification device 10 may use an index that combines the first equipment status and the second equipment status to calculate the degree of influence between the index and environmental information.

[0077] As mentioned above, if the installation location of a sensor not attached to an indoor unit (i.e., which air conditioning space it is installed in) is unknown, the information that the sensor can measure may be used to classify it into one or more environmental information items using methods such as clustering.

[0078] [Classification method using representative values] Referring to Figure 10, a classification method using representative values ​​will be explained. The classification device 10 uses multiple environmental information of the same type. The representative value may be the mean, mode, median, etc., of the multiple environmental information of the same type, or it may be the value of one type of environmental information out of multiple types of environmental information. First, as shown in [Calculation of Representative Values], the classification device 10 calculates representative values ​​for multiple similar environmental information (for example, representative value for environmental information 1, representative value for environmental information 2). Note that each piece of environmental information is the environmental information for each air-conditioned space (for example, environmental information 1 is the environmental information for air-conditioned space 1, and environmental information 2 is the environmental information for air-conditioned space 2). Next, as shown in [Calculation of Impact], the classification device 10 calculates the impact for each combination of the equipment status (equipment status 1 to equipment status 8) of each indoor unit (referred to as indoor unit 1 to indoor unit 8) and the representative value of each environmental information (note that a higher impact value indicates a greater impact). Next, as shown in [Linking Equipment Status to Environmental Information], the classification device 10 links each equipment status to the environmental information with the highest degree of influence (for example, for equipment statuses 1 to 4, the environmental information with the highest degree of influence is environmental information 1, so equipment statuses 1 to 4 are linked to environmental information 1. For equipment statuses 5 to 8, the environmental information with the highest degree of influence is environmental information 2, so equipment statuses 5 to 8 are linked to environmental information 2). Alternatively, each piece of environmental information may be linked to an equipment status. Next, as shown in [Classification], the classification device 10 groups together equipment states (i.e., indoor units) associated with the same environmental information (in the case of Figure 10, indoor units 1-4 associated with environmental information 1 become Group 1, and indoor units 5-8 associated with environmental information 2 become Group 2).

[0079] [Classification methods using known information] Referring to Figure 11, the classification method using known information will be explained. The classification device 10 uses known information. First, as shown in [Calculation of Impact], the classification device 10 calculates the impact for each combination of the equipment status (equipment status 1 to equipment status 8) of each indoor unit (referred to as indoor unit 1 to indoor unit 8) and each environmental information (referred to as environmental information 1 and environmental information 2) (note that a higher impact value indicates a higher impact). Note that each environmental information is the environmental information of each air-conditioned space (for example, environmental information 1 is the environmental information of air-conditioned space 1, and environmental information 2 is the environmental information of air-conditioned space 2). Furthermore, as shown in [Known Information], the classification device 10 acquires known information (in the example in Figure 11, the number of indoor units in each environmental information (i.e., the air-conditioned space)). Next, as shown in [Linking Environmental Information to Equipment Status], the classification device 10 links each piece of environmental information to equipment status in order of decreasing impact until it reaches the number of known indoor units (for example, since the number of indoor units for environmental information 1 is 6, environmental information 1 is linked to 6 equipment statuses (equipment statuses 1-6 in Figure 11) in order of decreasing impact. Since the number of indoor units for environmental information 2 is 2, environmental information 2 is linked to 2 equipment statuses (equipment statuses 7-8 in Figure 11) in order of decreasing impact). Alternatively, each equipment status may be linked to environmental information. Next, as shown in [Classification], the classification device 10 groups together equipment states (i.e., indoor units) associated with the same environmental information (in the case of Figure 11, indoor units 1-6 associated with environmental information 1 become Group 1, and indoor units 7-8 associated with environmental information 2 become Group 2).

[0080] [Impact] The impact will be described in detail below.

[0081] Figures 12 and 13 illustrate the influence of environmental information and equipment status according to one embodiment of this disclosure.

[0082] As shown in Figures 12 and 13, the influence of the equipment status and environmental information on indoor units installed in the same air-conditioned space increases. This is thought to be because external disturbances such as people cause changes in environmental information and equipment status. It is also thought to be because the values ​​of environmental sensors that measure environmental information change when the air conditioner is in operation.

[0083] For example, the classification device 10 calculates the correlation coefficient r between equipment status (x) and environmental information (y), which is an example of the degree of influence, using the following formula.

[0084]

number

[0085] Here, s xy This is the covariance of x and y. s x This is the standard deviation of x. s y This is the standard deviation of y. n is the total number of two-variable data (x, y). x i and y i These are the numerical values ​​of individual data. x mean and y mean These are the mean values ​​of each variable.

[0086] Furthermore, the classification device 10 may calculate the similarity between time-series data of environmental information and time-series data of equipment status using methods other than the influence calculation method described above, such as dynamic time stretching. The classification device 10 may also calculate the similarity between time-series data of environmental information and time-series data of equipment status based on the distance between multiple data points, such as Manhattan distance or Euclidean distance. Additionally, the classification device 10 may calculate the similarity between an image representing time-series data of environmental information and an image representing time-series data of equipment status.

[0087] <Processing method> Figure 14 is a flowchart of the classification process for an indoor unit according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0088] In step 101 (S101), the control unit 1001 of the classification device 10 acquires the equipment status of the indoor unit 20.

[0089] In step 102 (S102), the control unit 1001 of the classification device 10 acquires environmental information of the air-conditioned space.

[0090] Note that the order of S101 and S102 may be reversed.

[0091] In step 103 (S103), the control unit 1001 of the classification device 10 calculates the degree of influence between the equipment status acquired in S101 and the environmental information acquired in S102.

[0092] In step 104 (S104), the control unit 1001 of the classification device 10 classifies the multiple indoor units 20 based on the degree of influence calculated in S103.

[0093] In step 105 (S105), the control unit 1001 of the classification device 10 determines whether it was possible to classify the environmental information such that "at least one equipment state is associated with each piece of environmental information, and each equipment state is associated with one piece of environmental information" (for example, whether the number of groups after classification matches the number of air-conditioned spaces). If classification was possible (for example, the number of groups after classification matches the number of air-conditioned spaces), the process ends; if classification was not possible (for example, the number of groups after classification does not match the number of air-conditioned spaces), the process proceeds to step 106.

[0094] In step 106 (S106), the control unit 1001 of the classification device 10 decides to reclassify the indoor units using a method different from that of S104, and returns to S104 to reclassify them.

[0095] The classification device 10 may terminate processing after executing S101 to S104, or it may execute processing S105 after executing S101 to S104.

[0096] <Utilizing the classification of indoor units> The classification of indoor units relating to this disclosure may be used when registering the room in which the indoor unit is installed, or it may be used to implement schedule control or energy-saving control for each group of classified indoor units, or it may be used to show the average set temperature, energy-saving effect, comfort improvement, and other effects for each group of classified indoor units.

[0097] As described above, according to the embodiments of this disclosure, a classification device (10) for classifying a plurality of indoor units installed in one or more air-conditioned spaces can be provided, wherein the control unit (1001) of the classification device (10) acquires environmental information of the air-conditioned space and the equipment status of the indoor units, calculates the degree of influence between the environmental information and the equipment status, classifies the plurality of indoor units based on the degree of influence, the environmental information includes at least the air quality of the air-conditioned space, and the equipment status includes at least one of the operating status measured by the indoor unit or the setting status of the indoor unit. This makes it possible to automatically obtain information on which air-conditioned space the indoor units are installed in.

[0098] Preferably, the degree of influence includes either the correlation or similarity between the environmental information of the air-conditioned space and the equipment status of the indoor unit. This allows indoor units to be classified based on either the correlation or similarity between the environmental information of the air-conditioned space and the equipment status of the indoor unit.

[0099] Preferably, the correlation between the environmental information of the air-conditioned space and the equipment status of the indoor unit includes the correlation between time-series data of the environmental information in a first period and time-series data of the equipment status in a second period. This allows for consideration of changes over time in the correlation between the environmental information of the air-conditioned space and the equipment status of the indoor unit.

[0100] Preferably, the environmental information of the air-conditioned space includes two or more types of environmental information, and the control unit (1001) calculates the degree of influence of each of the two or more types of environmental information and the equipment status, and classifies multiple indoor units based on the degree of influence of each of the two or more types of environmental information and the equipment status. By using multiple types of environmental information, the accuracy of the classification can be improved.

[0101] Preferably, the indoor unit's equipment status includes two or more types of equipment statuses, and the control unit (1001) calculates the degree of influence of each of the two or more types of equipment statuses and environmental information, and classifies the multiple indoor units based on the degree of influence of each of the two or more types of equipment statuses and environmental information. By using multiple types of equipment statuses, the accuracy of the classification can be improved.

[0102] Preferably, the environmental information includes multiple pieces of similar environmental information, and the control unit (1001) calculates the degree of influence between representative values ​​of the multiple pieces of similar environmental information and the equipment status, and classifies the multiple indoor units based on the degree of influence between representative values ​​of the multiple pieces of similar environmental information and the equipment status. By using multiple pieces of similar environmental information, the accuracy of the classification can be improved.

[0103] Preferably, the air-conditioned space includes physically or virtually partitioned spaces. This allows information to be obtained about which physically or virtually partitioned space the indoor unit is installed in.

[0104] Preferably, the control unit (1001) acquires known information about the air-conditioned space and indoor units, and classifies the multiple indoor units based on the known information and their degree of influence. This improves the accuracy of the classification by also using the known information.

[0105] Preferably, the known information includes at least one of the following: the number of air-conditioned spaces or the number of indoor units installed in the air-conditioned spaces. This makes it possible to match the number of groups after classification to the known information, or to match the number of indoor units within a group to the known information.

[0106] According to embodiments of this disclosure, environmental information of an air-conditioned space and the equipment status of an indoor unit are acquired, the degree of influence between the environmental information and the equipment status is calculated, and multiple indoor units are classified based on the degree of influence. The environmental information includes at least the air quality of the air-conditioned space, and the equipment status includes at least one of the operating status measured by the indoor unit or the setting status of the indoor unit. This makes it possible to automatically obtain information on which air-conditioned space the indoor unit is installed in.

[0107] Although embodiments have been described above, it should be understood that various modifications to the form and details are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0108] 1. Indoor Unit Classification System 10 Classifier 20 Indoor unit 30 Air conditioning control device 101 Acquisition Department 102 Calculation Unit 103 Classification Department 104 Presentation section 105 Environmental information storage section 106 Device state storage unit 1001 Control Unit 1002 Main memory 1003 Auxiliary storage unit 1004 Input section 1005 Output section 1006 Interface section

Claims

1. A classification device (10) for classifying multiple indoor units installed in one or more air-conditioned spaces, The control unit (1001) of the classification device (10) is, The environmental information of the air-conditioned space and the equipment status of the indoor unit are acquired. The degree of influence between the aforementioned environmental information and the aforementioned equipment status is calculated, Based on the degree of influence, the multiple indoor units are classified as follows: The aforementioned environmental information includes at least the air quality of the air-conditioned space, A classification device in which the equipment status includes at least one of the operating status measured by the indoor unit or the setting status of the indoor unit.

2. The classification apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the degree of influence includes either the correlation or similarity between the environmental information and the equipment status.

3. The classification apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the correlation includes a correlation between time-series data of environmental information during a first period and time-series data of the equipment status during a second period.

4. The aforementioned environmental information includes two or more types of environmental information, The control unit (1001) is The degree of influence of each of the two or more types of environmental information and the equipment status is calculated. A classification device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, which classifies the plurality of indoor units based on the degree of influence of each of the two or more types of environmental information and the equipment status.

5. The aforementioned device state includes two or more types of device states, The control unit (1001) is The degree of influence of each of the two or more aforementioned device states and the aforementioned environmental information is calculated. A classification device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, which classifies the plurality of indoor units based on the degree of influence of each of the two or more equipment states and the environmental information.

6. The aforementioned environmental information includes multiple pieces of similar environmental information, The control unit (1001) is The influence of representative values ​​of the aforementioned multiple similar environmental information and the equipment status is calculated. A classification device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, which classifies the plurality of indoor units based on the degree of influence of representative values ​​of the plurality of similar environmental information and the equipment status.

7. The classification apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the air-conditioned space includes a physically or virtually partitioned space.

8. The control unit (1001) is A classification device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, which acquires known information relating to the air-conditioned space and the indoor units, and classifies the plurality of indoor units based on the known information and the degree of influence.

9. The classification device according to claim 8, wherein the known information includes at least one of the number of air-conditioned spaces or the number of indoor units installed in the air-conditioned spaces.

10. A method performed by the control unit (1001) of a classification device (10) that classifies multiple indoor units installed in one or more air-conditioned spaces, The environmental information of the air-conditioned space and the equipment status of the indoor unit are acquired. The degree of influence between the aforementioned environmental information and the aforementioned equipment status is calculated, Based on the degree of influence, the multiple indoor units are classified as follows: The aforementioned environmental information includes at least the air quality of the air-conditioned space, The method wherein the equipment state includes at least one of the operating state measured by the indoor unit or the setting state of the indoor unit.

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