Servers, building material control devices, systems, computer programs and methods

Abstract

To provide a server that generates and transmits regional weather data based on multiple spot weather data. [Solution] The server comprises an aggregation unit that aggregates multiple spot weather data acquired by multiple multi-sensors corresponding to multiple buildings located within a predetermined area, a generation unit that generates regional weather data based on the multiple spot weather data, and a communication unit that transmits regional data including the regional weather data.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a server, a building material control device, a system, a computer program, and a method.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a device that can control the operation of building materials such as windows according to data acquired by an outside air temperature sensor provided outside a house.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, when acquiring data by an outside air temperature sensor and then executing the operation of building materials, the operation on the building fixtures is not executed until the environment at the spot where the outside air temperature sensor is installed changes. Therefore, when sudden environmental changes such as guerrilla heavy rain or gusts occur, the control of building materials is delayed, and flooding of the house or damage to building materials may occur.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a server that generates regional data based on surrounding weather data, a building material control device that controls the operation of electric building materials using the regional data, a system, a computer program, and a method.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The server according to the embodiment of the present disclosure includes an aggregation unit that aggregates multiple spot weather data acquired by multiple multi-sensors corresponding to multiple buildings located within a predetermined area, a generation unit that generates regional weather data based on the multiple spot weather data, and a communication unit that transmits regional data including the regional weather data.

[0007] The building material control device of the embodiment of the present disclosure includes a communication unit that receives regional data including regional weather data for a predetermined area where a building is located, wherein the regional weather data is based on a plurality of spot weather data acquired by a plurality of multi-sensors located within the predetermined area; an operation determination unit that determines the operation of electrically operated building materials of the building based on the regional weather data; and an operation control instruction unit that transmits operation control instructions to the building materials based on the operation. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a diagram showing the overall configuration including the building material control system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] This diagram shows the configuration of a building material control device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] This diagram shows the server configuration according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] This figure shows the processing flow performed by the building material control system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] This figure shows spot weather data according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] This figure shows regional weather data according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] This figure shows a wide area according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] This figure shows the processing flow executed by the building material control system according to the first modified example of the first embodiment. [Figure 9] This figure shows wide-area weather data relating to the first modified example of the first embodiment. [Figure 10]This figure shows the processing flow executed by the building material control system according to a second modified example of the first embodiment. [Figure 11] This figure shows regional weather forecast data relating to a second modified example of the first embodiment. [Figure 12] This figure shows the overall configuration of the building material control system according to the second embodiment. [Figure 13] This figure shows the processing flow performed by the building material control system according to the second embodiment. [Figure 14] This diagram shows the configuration of a building material control device according to the third embodiment. [Figure 15] This figure shows the overall configuration of the building material control system according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 16] A schematic block diagram showing the configuration of the computer according to each embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Each embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that, for illustrative purposes, some components may be omitted from the drawings used to describe each embodiment. Furthermore, in the drawings and this specification, the same reference numerals indicate the same elements.

[0010] <First Embodiment> A first embodiment will be described using Figures 1 to 11.

[0011] (Regarding the data being exchanged) The data exchanged between buildings H1-H3 and server 30 is indicated by the arrows in Figure 1. Spot weather data a1, a2, and b1 are data showing the weather conditions at each location, acquired from multi-sensors (20_1-20_3) that are set up to correspond to each of buildings H1-H3. Spot weather data a1, a2, and b1 are transmitted to server 30 from building material control devices (10_1-10_3) that correspond to each of buildings H1-H3.

[0012] Server 30 generates regional weather data a and b for each region based on the received spot weather data a1, a2, and b1. The regional weather data a and b are transmitted from server 30 to the building material control devices (10_1 to 10_3). The regional weather data a is transmitted to buildings H1 and H2 belonging to region A, and the regional weather data b different from the regional weather data a is transmitted to building H3 belonging to region B. Each of the building material control devices (10_1 to 10_3) controls the operation of the building materials in the building based on the received regional weather data.

[0013] (Configuration of Building Material Control System and Related Devices) The building furniture control system 1 in FIG. 1 includes buildings H1 to H3 and server 30. Each building is an arbitrary building such as a house or a building. Outside each building, multi-sensors (20_1 to 20_3) corresponding to buildings H1 to H3 are installed respectively. The multi-sensor 20 is connected to the corresponding building material control device 10 by at least one of wireless and wired connections.

[0014] The building material control device 10 corresponding to building H1 is installed either inside or outside building H1. The building material control device 10 receives spot weather data from the multi-sensor 20_1 installed outside building H1. The building material control device 10 receives regional weather data and the like from server 30. The building material control device 10 controls the operation of the electrically operated building materials in the building based on at least one of these received data.

[0015] The electrically operated building materials are, for example, electric windows as shown in FIG. 1. The operation of the electric window is controlled by a window opening / closing device. The electric window may be, for example, an opening window, a door, an opening window built in the door, a sliding window, a sliding door, a skylight, etc. The electrically operated building materials include an air conditioner for adjusting the indoor temperature and humidity, a snow melting device installed on a carport or a roof, a shade or an awning device that operates according to the illuminance, and a water supply device that discharges warm water according to the outside air temperature. The building materials of the present disclosure are not limited to these.

[0016] The building material control device 10 sends and receives data to and from the server 30 via a network 2 such as the Internet. Buildings H2 and H3 each have a building material control device 10, similar to building H1.

[0017] Server 30 has the function of aggregating and analyzing data transmitted from the building material control device 10 and transmitting the analysis results to at least one of the building material control device 10 and other devices. Server 30 may be any device having these functions.

[0018] (Spot weather data) As shown in Figure 5, the multi-sensor 20 is a sensor capable of acquiring at least one spot weather data (also referred to as environmental information) from among temperature, humidity, illuminance, rainfall, wind speed, and wind direction at the location where it is installed (also referred to as a spot). The multi-sensor 20 may further acquire PM2.5 sensor data, dust quantity or size such as yellow dust, pollen, and house dust, noise level, odor (e.g., unusual odor), and snow depth. The multi-sensor 20 may also be equipped with a camera function. The multi-sensor 20 may be a single multi-sensor or may be composed of multiple sensors.

[0019] (Regional weather data) As shown in Figure 6, regional weather data has data for the same items as spot weather data. Specifically, regional weather data includes at least one of the following: regional temperature, regional humidity, regional illuminance, regional rainfall, regional wind speed, regional wind direction, regional dust amount or regional dust size, regional noise level, and regional snow depth. Regional weather data is generated by server 30 based on spot weather data.

[0020] (Regarding adjacent areas) As shown in Figures 1 and 7, buildings H1 and H2 belong to the same region A. Building H3 belongs to a different region B than the region A of buildings H1 and H2. Region B is adjacent to region A by sharing a boundary with region A. Here, "adjacent" includes not only cases where regions are adjacent by sharing a boundary, but also cases where regions are adjacent by sharing a point. For example, region F in Figure 7 is adjacent to region A because it shares a point with region A. That is, regions B to I are adjacent to region A, and regions J to L are not adjacent to region A. Also, in Figure 7, each region is divided into rectangular sections by a standard regional mesh, but they may be divided into any shape. Regions with similar environmental conditions may be divided as the same region. Regions with similar environmental conditions may be found and divided by machine learning based on data obtained from multiple multi-sensors.

[0021] (Configuration of building material control device) As shown in Figure 2, the building material control device 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 100, a communication unit 101, and a storage unit 102. The CPU 100 performs various functions by operating according to a pre-prepared program. Specifically, the CPU 100 has the functions of an operation determination unit 1001 and an operation control instruction unit 1002. These functions will be described later.

[0022] The communication unit 101 is an interface for connecting to a wide-area communication network such as the Internet. The building material control device 10 communicates with the server 30 via the wide-area communication network and the communication unit 101.

[0023] The memory unit 102 is a so-called auxiliary storage device, a non-volatile storage area such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or SSD (Solid State Drive). The memory unit 102 also stores a pre-constructed prediction model, which may be configured to be updatable by machine learning using a learning device. The prediction model is constructed using an algorithm that learns the model's parameters to optimize performance metrics, such as those found in a neural network.

[0024] (Server configuration) As shown in Figure 3, the server 30 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 300, a communication unit 301, and a storage unit 302. The CPU 300 performs various functions by operating according to a pre-prepared program. Specifically, the CPU 300 has the functions of an aggregation unit 3001 and a generation unit 3002. These functions will be described later.

[0025] The communication unit 301 is an interface for connecting to a wide-area communication network such as the Internet. The server 30 communicates with the building material control device 10 via the wide-area communication network and the communication unit 301.

[0026] The memory unit 302 is a so-called auxiliary storage device, a non-volatile storage area such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or SSD (Solid State Drive). The memory unit 302 also stores a pre-constructed prediction model, which may be configured to be updatable by machine learning using a learning device. The prediction model is constructed using an algorithm that learns the model's parameters to optimize performance metrics, such as a neural network.

[0027] (Example of operation) Referring to Figure 4, the processing flow performed by the building material control system, including the building material control device 10 and the server 30, will be explained.

[0028] The multi-sensor 20_1, which corresponds to the building material control device 10_1, acquires spot weather data a1 at the installed location (step S101). The multi-sensor 20_1 transmits the acquired spot weather data a1 to the building material control device 10_1. The building material control device 10_1 transmits the spot weather data a1 to the server 30 via the communication unit 101 (step S102). The multi-sensor 20_2, which corresponds to the building material control device 10_2, acquires spot weather data a2 at the installed location (step S101). The multi-sensor 20_2 transmits the acquired spot weather data a2 to the building material control device 10_2. The building material control device 10_2 transmits the spot weather data a2 to the server 30 via the communication unit 101 (step S102). Spot weather data a1 and a2 each represent at least one of the following: temperature, humidity, illuminance, rainfall, wind speed, wind direction, dust amount or dust size, noise level, odor, and snow depth. If the multi-sensor 20 has a camera function, the spot weather data a1 and a2 may each include images or videos acquired by the multi-sensor 20.

[0029] The aggregation unit 3001 of the server 30 aggregates the spot weather data a1 and a2 transmitted from the building material control device 10_1 and the building material control device 10_2. The generation unit 3002 of the server 30 generates regional weather data based on the spot weather data a1 and a2 received within a predetermined period (step S103).

[0030] For example, regional weather data may be calculated by averaging spot weather data a1 and a2. Regional weather data represents at least one of the following: regional temperature, regional humidity, regional illuminance, regional rainfall, regional wind speed, regional wind direction, regional dust amount or regional dust size, regional noise level, regional odor, and regional snow depth. Regional weather data can be any data that can represent the weather conditions of the entire region and may be calculated by methods other than the average described above. For example, the maximum value, minimum value, and maximum likelihood estimate of each value included in multiple spot weather data may be calculated as regional weather data. Regional weather data may be calculated by changing the calculation method for each item of weather data.

[0031] The communication unit 301 of the server 30 transmits regional data, including the calculated regional weather data, to the building material control device 10_1 and the building material control device 10_2 (step S104).

[0032] The building material control devices 10_1 and 10_2 determine the operation of electrically operated building materials based on the received local weather data (step S105). Based on the determined operation, the building material control devices 10_1 and 10_2 transmit operation control instructions to the building materials (step S106).

[0033] This section explains an example of how building materials operate using rainfall values. Assume that the rainfall value per 10 minutes shown in spot weather data a1 is 0 mm, and the rainfall value per 10 minutes shown in spot weather data a2 is 2 mm. In this case, even though it is not raining in building H1 where multisensor 20_1 is installed, it indicates that a squall-like rain is occurring in building H2 where multisensor 20_2 is installed. In this case, even though it is not currently raining in building H1, there is a high probability that it will rain after a predetermined time, and there is a risk of flooding if the windows are open. In other words, regional weather data a indicates that building H1 is in danger.

[0034] Here, we assume that the rainfall value in the regional weather data is calculated by averaging multiple spot weather data. In this case, the average of the 10-minute rainfall value of 0 mm shown in spot weather data a1 and the 10-minute rainfall value of 2 mm shown in spot weather data a2 is calculated to be 1 mm in the regional weather data. Therefore, the 10-minute rainfall value shown in the regional weather data received by the building material control device 10_1 is 1 mm. At this time, the operation determination unit 1001 of the building material control device 10_1 decides to close the open window. The operation control instruction unit 1002 of the building material control device 10_1 transmits a closing control instruction to the window opening / closing device of the open electric window of building H1. The window opening / closing device that receives the closing control instruction executes the window closing operation.

[0035] Alternatively, the operation of air conditioning systems may be determined and executed based on at least one temperature and humidity value shown in local weather data. Furthermore, the operation of snow melting devices installed on carports or roofs may be determined and executed based on snow depth values ​​shown in local weather data to prevent damage to carports or roofs. Furthermore, the operation of shade or awning control devices may be determined and executed based on illuminance values ​​shown in local weather data to prevent excessive sunlight from entering the building. Furthermore, the operation of water supply systems may be determined and executed to dispense hot water in accordance with the temperature shown in local weather data to prevent water pipes from freezing.

[0036] In addition to the examples described above, various motorized building equipment may be operated based on at least one of the following regional weather data: regional temperature, regional humidity, regional illuminance, regional wind speed, regional wind direction, regional dust amount or size, regional noise level, regional odor level, and regional snow depth.

[0037] (Effects and Benefits) As described above, the server 30 includes an aggregation unit 3001 that aggregates multiple spot weather data a1 and a2 acquired by multiple multi-sensors 20 corresponding to multiple buildings located within a predetermined area A, a generation unit 3002 that generates regional weather data a based on the multiple spot weather data a1 and a2, and a communication unit 301 that transmits regional data including the regional weather data a. This makes it possible to have the building material control device 10 perform actions such as automatically closing windows before torrential downpours or strong winds arrive, thereby avoiding dangers such as rain entering the building.

[0038] Furthermore, the building material control device 10 includes a communication unit 101 that receives regional data, including regional weather data a, for a predetermined region A where the building H1 is located, from the server 30. The regional weather data a is calculated based on multiple spot weather data a1 and a2 acquired by multiple multi-sensors 20 located within the predetermined region A. The building material control device 10 includes an operation determination unit 1001 that determines the operation of electrically operated building materials in the building H1 based on the regional weather data a, and an operation control instruction unit 1002 that transmits operation control instructions to the building materials based on the operation. As a result, the building material control device 10 can automatically perform actions such as closing windows before torrential downpours or strong winds arrive, thereby avoiding dangers such as rain entering the building.

[0039] (First variation) As a first modification of the first embodiment, the processing flow of a building material control system using wide-area weather data will be explained with reference to Figures 8 and 9. Here, "wide-area" in wide-area weather data represents a broader concept than "region" in regional weather data. "Wide-area" in wide-area weather data refers to an area that includes two or more "regions".

[0040] Steps S201 to S202 of the building material control devices 10_1 and 10_2 in Figure 8 are the same as steps S101 to S102 of the building material control devices 10_1 and 10_2 in Figure 4. As shown in Figure 8, building H3, which is associated with building material control device 10_3, belongs to area B, which is different from area A.

[0041] The building material control device 10_3 acquires spot weather data b1 at the installed location (step S201). The multisensor 20_3 transmits the acquired spot weather data b1 to the building material control device 10_3. The building material control device 10_3 transmits the spot weather data b1 to the server 30 via the communication unit 101 (step S202). Spot weather data a1, a2, and b1 each represent at least one of the following: temperature, humidity, illuminance, rainfall, wind speed, wind direction, dust amount or dust size, noise level, odor, and snow depth.

[0042] The aggregation unit 3001 of server 30 aggregates the spot weather data a1, a2, and b1 transmitted from building material control devices 10_1 to 10_3.

[0043] Server 30 performs predictive analysis based on the surrounding environment, using the regional temperature and humidity distribution and wind flow trends. For example, Server 30 calculates regional weather data a based on spot weather data a1 and a2 received within a predetermined period, and calculates regional weather data b based on spot weather data b1 received within a predetermined period (step S203). Here, regional weather data a may be calculated by averaging spot weather data a1 and a2. Regional weather data b may be calculated from spot weather data b1 alone. Alternatively, regional weather data b may be calculated based on multiple spot weather data acquired from multiple multi-sensors 20 included in region B.

[0044] Furthermore, the generation unit 3002 of the server 30 generates wide-area weather data based on multiple regional weather data (step S204). For example, wide-area weather data may be calculated by averaging regional weather data a and regional weather data b. Wide-area weather data only needs to be data that can represent the weather conditions of the entire wide area, and may be calculated by methods other than the average described above. For example, the maximum value, minimum value, and maximum likelihood estimate of each value included in regional weather data a and regional weather data b may be calculated as wide-area weather data. Wide-area weather data may be calculated by changing the calculation method for each item of weather data.

[0045] The calculated regional weather data, as shown in Figure 9, contains data for the same items as spot weather data or regional weather data. Specifically, the regional weather data includes at least one of the following: regional temperature, regional humidity, regional illuminance, regional rainfall, regional wind speed, regional wind direction, regional dust amount or regional dust size, regional noise level, and regional snow depth.

[0046] Alternatively, the generation unit 3002 of the server 30 may generate wide-area weather data based on multiple spot weather data. For example, the maximum value, minimum value, and maximum likelihood estimate of each value included in the spot weather data a1, a2, and b1 may be calculated as wide-area weather data. The calculation method for the wide-area weather data may be changed for each item of the weather data.

[0047] The communication unit 301 of the server 30 transmits the calculated wide-area weather data to the building material control devices 10_1 to 10_3 (step S205). At the same time, the communication unit 301 may also transmit regional data, including the calculated regional weather data, to the building material control devices 10_1 to 10_3 (step S205).

[0048] The building material control devices 10_1 to 10_3 determine the operation of the electric building materials of the building based on the received wide-area weather data (step S206). Based on the determined operation, the building material control devices 10_1 to 10_3 transmit operation control instructions to the electric building materials (step S207).

[0049] This section describes an example of building material operation using rainfall values. In the building material control device 10_1, there may be cases where the rainfall value per 10 minutes shown in the acquired spot weather data a1 is 0 mm, and the rainfall value per 10 minutes shown in the acquired wide-area weather data is 1 mm. In this case, even if it is not raining in area A, it indicates that it is raining in an area adjacent to area A (for example, at least one of areas B to I). In this case, even if it is not currently raining in building H1, it indicates that there is a high probability that it will rain after a predetermined time, and that there is a risk of flooding if the windows are open. In other words, the wide-area weather data indicates that building H1 is in danger. Therefore, at this time, the operation determination unit 1001 of the building material control device 10_1 decides to close the open windows. The operation control instruction unit 1002 of the building material control device 10_1 transmits a closing control instruction to the window opening / closing device of the open electric window in building H1. Upon receiving the closing control instruction, the window opening / closing device executes the window closing operation.

[0050] If the building material control device 10_1 receives both local weather data and wide-area weather data, it may determine whether at least one of the local weather data and wide-area weather data indicates a dangerous value. If it is determined that at least one of the local weather data and wide-area weather data indicates a dangerous value, the operation control instruction unit 1002 transmits a closing control instruction to the electric window.

[0051] As described above, the generation unit 3002 of the server 30 generates wide-area weather data based on multiple spot weather data a1, a2, and b1 acquired by multiple multi-sensors located within predetermined wide-area A and B, or based on multiple regional weather data for multiple areas included within predetermined wide-area A and B. The communication unit 301 of the server 30 transmits the wide-area weather data. This allows the building material control device 10 to automatically perform actions such as closing building materials before torrential downpours or strong winds arrive, thereby avoiding dangers such as rain entering the building.

[0052] Furthermore, the communication unit 101 of the building material control device 10 receives wide-area weather data. This wide-area weather data is calculated based on multiple spot weather data a1, a2, and b1 acquired by multiple multi-sensors located within predetermined wide-area A and B. Alternatively, this wide-area weather data is calculated based on multiple regional weather data for multiple regions A and B included within the predetermined wide-area. The operation determination unit 1001 determines the operation of the electric building material based on the wide-area weather data, and the operation control instruction unit 1002 transmits operation control instructions to the electric building material based on the determined operation. This makes it possible to automatically perform closing operations of building materials, etc., before torrential downpours or strong winds arrive, thereby avoiding dangers such as rain entering the building.

[0053] The above describes the operation based on rainfall values ​​from regional meteorological data. Alternatively, the operation of various motorized building materials may be performed based on at least one of the following from regional meteorological data: regional temperature, regional humidity, regional illuminance, regional wind speed, regional wind direction, regional dust amount or regional dust size, regional noise level, regional odor level, and regional snow depth.

[0054] Furthermore, if at least one of the received regional weather data and wide-area weather data indicates a dangerous value, the operation control instruction unit 1002 transmits a closing control instruction to the electric window. For example, if the wide-area wind speed in the wide-area weather data is 2 m / s, which is a safe value, and the regional wind speed in the received regional weather data is 5 m / s, which is a dangerous value, safety may be prioritized, and the operation control instruction unit 1002 may transmit a closing control instruction to the window opening and closing device of the electric window. This makes it possible to more reliably avoid dangers such as strong winds.

[0055] Furthermore, an example of controlling the operation of electric building materials based on temperature and wind speed data from wide-area and regional weather data will be explained. For example, if the wide-area temperature from wide-area weather data is higher than the regional temperature from regional weather data a, the pre-set comfortable temperature for the building material control device 10 is less than the regional temperature, and the regional wind speed from regional weather data a is above a predetermined threshold, it is expected that a mass of hot air that may cause discomfort to residents will arrive in region A. Also, if the windows are open, it is expected that such uncomfortable air may enter building H. Therefore, when the above conditions are met, the operation determination unit 1001 of the building material control device 10 determines a hazard avoidance operation as an operation for the building material in order to close the window, which is a building material. The operation control instruction unit 1002 transmits an operation control instruction to close the window based on the determined operation. This makes it possible to avoid the danger of uncomfortable air entering building H due to a mass of hot air.

[0056] The above explanation described the control of electric building materials with safety in mind. Furthermore, control of electric building materials may also be implemented with consideration for costs such as electricity bills.

[0057] (Second variation) As a second modification of the first embodiment, the processing flow of a building material control system using regional weather forecast data will be explained with reference to Figures 10 and 11.

[0058] Steps S301 to S303 of the building material control devices 10_1 to 10_3 in Figure 10 are the same as steps S201 to S303 of the building material control devices 10_1 to 10_3 in Figure 8.

[0059] The generation unit 3002 of the server 30 generates regional weather forecast data for each region based on multiple regional weather data (step S304). For example, as shown in Figure 11, if the wind direction of the regional weather data b for region B, which is adjacent to region A, is south (i.e., a wind blowing from south to north 3), then the environment of region A (e.g., temperature, humidity, rainfall) is expected to soon change to an environment similar to that of region B, which is located upwind of region A. At this time, the regional weather forecast data aP for region A is set to have numerical data similar to that of regional weather data b. The communication unit 301 of the server 30 transmits the set regional weather forecast data aP to the building material control devices 10_1 and 10_2 belonging to region A (step S305). Simultaneously, the server 30 transmits the set regional weather forecast data bP for region B to the building material control device 10_3 belonging to region B (step S305).

[0060] The building material control devices 10_1 to 10_3 determine the operation of the electric building materials of the building based on the received regional weather forecast data (step S306). Based on the determined operation, the building material control devices 10_1 to 10_3 transmit operation control instructions to the electric building materials (step S307).

[0061] As described above, the communication unit 101 is configured to receive regional weather forecast data (step S305). Here, the regional weather forecast data is set based on adjacent regional weather data for regions adjacent to a predetermined region. The operation determination unit 1001 determines the operation of the electric building equipment based on the regional weather forecast data. Furthermore, the adjacent region B may be a region located upwind of the predetermined region A, as indicated by the regional wind direction included in the regional weather data. This allows for more accurate responses to sudden weather changes.

[0062] <Second Embodiment> A second embodiment will be described using Figures 12 to 13.

[0063] (Configuration of building material control system and related equipment) The building material control system 1 in Figure 12 includes cameras 40_1 to 40_3 in addition to the building material control system 1 in Figure 1. Each of cameras 40_1 to 40_3 is a surveillance camera and can capture images including suspicious persons in the vicinity of buildings H1 to H3, respectively. The building material control device 10_1 directly transmits the images captured by camera 40_1 to the security server 50. Alternatively, the building material control device 10_1 may be configured to transmit the images captured by camera 40_1 to the server 30, and the server 30 may forward the images to the security server 50. The security server 50 is configured to analyze the received images and, if it determines that the images contain suspicious persons, to transmit suspicious person information created from the images to the server 30.

[0064] (Example of operation) Referring to Figure 13, the processing flow executed by the building material control system 1 and the security server 50 will be explained.

[0065] Camera 40_1 captures an image of the area around building H1 and transmits it to building material control device 10_1 (step S401). Building material control device 10_1 transmits the acquired image to security server 50 (step S402). Security server 50 analyzes the received image and determines whether or not it contains a suspicious person. If it is determined that the image contains a suspicious person (step S403), security server 50 transmits suspicious person information, i.e., the result that the received image contained a suspicious person, to server 30 (step S404). Server 30 includes the received suspicious person information in the regional data. Server 30 transmits the regional data to building material control device 10_1 and to other building material control devices 10_2 belonging to region A to which building material control device 10_1 belongs (step S405).

[0066] Next, the operation determination unit 1001 of the building material control device 10_1 determines the operation of the electric building materials of the building based on the received information about the suspicious person (step S406). For example, in order to prevent a suspicious person from entering building H1, the operation determination unit 1001 determines a danger avoidance operation, that is, an operation to lock the electric windows of building H1. The operation control instruction unit 1002 of the building material control device 10_1 performs at least one of closing control and locking control on the window opening and closing device to lock the electric windows in the determined locked state (step S407).

[0067] The security server 50 may be any device that has the function of aggregating and analyzing at least one of the images and videos from the surveillance cameras and transmitting the analysis results to the server 30. The security server 50 is, for example, a device managed by a security company.

[0068] (Effects and Benefits) As described above, the regional data includes information on suspicious persons, and if the information indicates that a suspicious person is present in a designated area, the action determination unit 1001 decides to perform a hazard avoidance action. This makes it possible to prepare for the danger posed by a suspicious person who is located near building H2.

[0069] <Third Embodiment> A third embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 14.

[0070] As shown in Figure 14, in addition to the building material control device 10 in Figure 2, the system includes an operational status information acquisition unit 1003 and a display unit 103. When control of electric equipment such as opening and closing windows is performed, the operational status information acquisition unit 1003 acquires the results of each operation and stores the results as operational status information in the storage unit 102. When a predetermined amount or more of operational status information is collected, the building material control device 10 transmits the operational status information to the server 30. Based on the operational status information, the server 30 creates maintenance information indicating whether maintenance is required, the recommended timing for maintenance, and the building materials to be maintained. The server 30 transmits the created maintenance information to the building material control device 10. The building material control device 10 displays the received maintenance information on the display unit 103 and notifies at least one of the residents and / or the manager of building H.

[0071] As described above, the building material control device 10 further includes an operating status information acquisition unit 1003 that acquires operating status information of electric building materials. The communication unit 101 transmits the operating status information to the server 30 and receives maintenance information created from the server 30 based on the operating status information. The building material control device 10 further includes a display unit 103 that displays the maintenance information. This makes it possible to inform residents of the optimal maintenance timing according to the operating status.

[0072] <Fourth Embodiment> A fourth embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 15.

[0073] The building materials control system 1 in Figure 15 communicates with external organizations such as weather forecasting companies 60 and local governments. Specifically, the server 30 can provide regional weather data created for each region to external devices other than the building materials control system 1, such as weather forecasting companies 60, local governments, and individual users such as user terminals. This enables the effective utilization of regional weather data.

[0074] <Computer Configuration> As shown in Figure 16, each embodiment of the computer 90 in this disclosure comprises a processor 91, main memory 92, storage 93, and an interface 94.

[0075] The building material control device 10 or server 30 described above is implemented in the computer 90. The operation of each processing unit described above is stored in storage 93 in the form of a program. The processor 91 reads the program from storage 93, loads it into main memory 92, and executes the above processing according to the program. The processor 91 also allocates memory areas in main memory 92 corresponding to each of the above-mentioned storage units according to the program.

[0076] The program may be for implementing a part of the functions to be performed by the computer 90. For example, the program may perform functions in combination with other programs already stored in storage, or in combination with other programs implemented in other devices. In other embodiments, the computer may be equipped with a custom LSI (Large Scale Integrated Circuit) such as a PLD (Programmable Logic Device) in addition to, or in place of, the above configuration. Examples of PLDs include PAL (Programmable Array Logic), GAL (Generic Array Logic), CPLD (Complex Programmable Logic Device), FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), etc. In this case, some or all of the functions implemented by the processor may be implemented by the integrated circuit.

[0077] Examples of storage 93 include HDDs, SSDs, magnetic disks, magneto-optical disks, CD-ROMs (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), DVD-ROMs (Digital Versatile Disc Read Only Memory), and semiconductor memory. Storage 93 may be an internal medium directly connected to the bus of the computer 90, or an external medium connected to the computer 90 via an interface 94 or a communication line. Furthermore, if this program is distributed to the computer 90 via a communication line, the computer 90 that receives the distribution may expand the program into main memory 92 and execute the above processing. In at least one embodiment, storage 93 is a tangible storage medium that is not temporary.

[0078] <Other Embodiments> Although the embodiments have been described above, they are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the present invention. Each embodiment can be implemented in various ways without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0079] (Executor of the process) For example, in the above embodiment, the building material control device 10 may perform some or all of the processing that the server 30 would perform.

[0080] In the above embodiment, when the server 30 performs some or all of the processing performed by the building material control device 10, and the server 30 performs processing as a communication unit 101, an operation determination unit 1001, and an operation control instruction unit 1002, the server 30 is an example of a building material control device.

[0081] If the occupant of the building material control device 10 gives instructions regarding the operation of the building material, the building material control device 10 may prioritize these instructions over the regional weather data and spot weather data generated by the server 30 and control the operation of the building material.

[0082] Each device in each embodiment may consist of multiple devices. Each device in each embodiment may be implemented using cloud computing.

[0083] (Examples of various forms) Exemplary examples, this disclosure includes servers, building material control devices, systems, computer programs, and methods described in the following embodiments. [Aspect 1] An aggregation unit that aggregates multiple spot weather data acquired by multiple multi-sensors corresponding to multiple buildings located within a designated area, A generation unit that generates regional weather data based on the aforementioned multiple spot weather data, A communication unit that transmits regional data, including the aforementioned regional weather data. A server equipped with the following features. [Aspect 2] The server according to embodiment 1, wherein the regional weather data includes at least one of regional temperature, regional humidity, regional illuminance, regional rainfall, regional wind speed, regional wind direction, regional dust amount or regional dust size, regional noise level, and regional snow depth. [Aspect 3] The generation unit generates wide-area weather data based on multiple spot weather data acquired by multiple multi-sensors located within a predetermined wide area, or based on multiple regional weather data for multiple areas included within the predetermined wide area. The communication unit is a server according to embodiment 1 or 2 that transmits the wide-area weather data. [Aspect 4] The aforementioned regional data includes information on suspicious persons, and is a server as described in any one of the three descriptions 1 to 3. [Aspect 5] A communication unit that receives regional data including regional weather data for a predetermined area where a building is located, wherein the regional weather data is based on multiple spot weather data acquired by multiple multi-sensors located within the predetermined area, An operation determination unit that determines the operation of electrically operated building materials in the building based on the aforementioned regional weather data, A building material control device comprising: an operation control instruction unit that transmits operation control instructions to the building material based on the aforementioned operation. [Aspect 6] The building material control device according to embodiment 5, wherein the regional weather data includes at least one of regional temperature, regional humidity, regional illuminance, regional rainfall, regional wind speed, regional wind direction, regional dust amount or regional dust size, regional noise level, and regional snow depth. [Aspect 7] The communication unit receives wide-area weather data, and the wide-area weather data is based on multiple spot weather data acquired by multiple multi-sensors located within a predetermined wide area, or multiple regional weather data for multiple areas included within the predetermined wide area. The building material control device according to embodiment 5 or 6, wherein the operation determination unit determines the operation based on the wide-area weather data. [Aspect 8] The building material control device according to embodiment 7, wherein if at least one of the regional weather data and the wide-area weather data indicates a dangerous value, the operation determination unit determines a danger avoidance operation as the operation. [Aspect 9] The building material control device according to embodiment 7 or 8, wherein if the wide-area temperature included in the wide-area weather data is higher than the regional temperature included in the regional weather data, a preset comfort temperature is less than the regional temperature, and the regional wind speed included in the regional weather data is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold, the operation determination unit determines a hazard avoidance operation as the operation. [Aspect 10] The communication unit receives regional weather forecast data, and the regional weather forecast data is based on adjacent regional weather data for the region adjacent to the predetermined region. The building material control device according to any one of embodiments 5 to 9, wherein the operation determination unit determines the operation based on the regional weather forecast data. [Aspect 11] The building material control device according to embodiment 10, wherein the adjacent area is an area located upwind of the predetermined area, as indicated by the regional wind direction included in the regional weather data. [Aspect 12] The aforementioned regional data includes information on suspicious individuals, The building material control device according to any one of embodiments 5 to 11, wherein, when the information regarding the suspicious person indicates that a suspicious person is present in the predetermined area, the action determination unit determines a hazard avoidance action as the action. [Aspect 13] The system further includes an operating status information acquisition unit that acquires operating status information of the aforementioned building materials, The communication unit transmits the operational status information to the server and receives maintenance information created from the server based on the operational status information. A building material control device according to any one of embodiments 5 to 12, further comprising a display unit for displaying the aforementioned maintenance information. [Aspect 14] Equipped with a building materials control device and server, The aforementioned server, An aggregation unit that aggregates multiple spot weather data acquired by multiple multi-sensors corresponding to multiple buildings located within a designated area, A generation unit that generates regional weather data based on the aforementioned multiple spot weather data, A communication unit that transmits regional data, including the aforementioned regional weather data. Equipped with, The aforementioned building material control device is A communication unit that receives regional data, including the regional weather data for a predetermined area where a building is located, from the server, wherein the regional weather data is based on a plurality of spot weather data acquired by a plurality of multisensors located within the predetermined area, An operation determination unit that determines the operation of electrically operated building materials in the building based on the aforementioned regional weather data, A system comprising: an operation control instruction unit that transmits operation control instructions to the building material based on the aforementioned operation. [Aspect 15] The system according to embodiment 14, wherein the communication unit of the server transmits the regional data to a device other than the building material control device or to a user terminal. [Aspect 16] The processor that the server has, An aggregation unit that aggregates multiple spot weather data acquired by multiple multi-sensors corresponding to multiple buildings located within a designated area, A generation unit that generates regional weather data based on the aforementioned multiple spot weather data, A communication unit that transmits regional data, including the aforementioned regional weather data, and a computer program that operates as such. [Aspect 17] The processor in the building material control system A communication unit that receives regional data including regional weather data for a predetermined area where a building is located, wherein the regional weather data is based on multiple spot weather data acquired by multiple multi-sensors located within the predetermined area, An operation determination unit that determines the operation of electrically operated building materials in the building based on the aforementioned regional weather data, A computer program that functions as an operation control instruction unit, which transmits operation control instructions to the building material based on the aforementioned operation. [Aspect 18] Multiple spot weather data acquired by multiple multi-sensors corresponding to multiple buildings located within a designated area are aggregated. Based on the aforementioned multiple spot weather data, regional weather data is generated. A method for transmitting regional data, including the aforementioned regional weather data. [Aspect 19] The system receives regional data including regional weather data for a predetermined area where the building is located, and the regional weather data is based on multiple spot weather data acquired by multiple multisensors located within the predetermined area. Based on the aforementioned regional weather data, the operation of electrically operated building materials in the building is determined. A building material control method that transmits an operation control instruction to the building material based on the aforementioned operation. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0084] 1 Building material control system, 2 Network, 3 Wind, 10 Building material control device, 100 CPU, 1001 Operation determination unit, 1002 Operation control instruction unit, 1003 Operation status information acquisition unit, 101 Communication unit, 102 Storage unit, 103 Display unit, 20 Multi-sensor, 30 Server, 300 CPU, 3001 Aggregation unit, 3002 Generation unit, 301 Communication unit, 302 Storage unit, 40 Camera, 50 Security server, 60 Weather forecasting company, H Building

Claims

1. An aggregation unit that aggregates multiple spot weather data acquired by multiple multi-sensors corresponding to multiple buildings located within a designated area, A generation unit that generates regional weather data based on the aforementioned multiple spot weather data, A communication unit that transmits regional data, including the aforementioned regional weather data. A server equipped with the following features.

2. The server according to claim 1, wherein the regional weather data includes at least one of regional temperature, regional humidity, regional illuminance, regional rainfall, regional wind speed, regional wind direction, regional dust amount or regional dust size, regional noise level, and regional snow depth.

3. The generation unit generates wide-area weather data based on multiple spot weather data acquired by multiple multi-sensors located within a predetermined wide area, or based on multiple regional weather data for multiple areas included within the predetermined wide area. The communication unit is a server according to claim 1 or 2 that transmits the wide-area weather data.

4. The server according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the aforementioned regional data includes information on suspicious persons.

5. A communication unit that receives regional data including regional weather data for a predetermined area where a building is located, wherein the regional weather data is based on multiple spot weather data acquired by multiple multi-sensors located within the predetermined area, An operation determination unit that determines the operation of electrically operated building materials in the building based on the aforementioned regional weather data, A building material control device comprising: an operation control instruction unit that transmits operation control instructions to the building material based on the aforementioned operation.

6. The building material control device according to claim 5, wherein the regional weather data includes at least one of regional temperature, regional humidity, regional illuminance, regional rainfall, regional wind speed, regional wind direction, regional dust amount or regional dust size, regional noise level, and regional snow depth.

7. The communication unit receives wide-area weather data, and the wide-area weather data is based on multiple spot weather data acquired by multiple multi-sensors located within a predetermined wide area, or multiple regional weather data for multiple areas included within the predetermined wide area. The building material control device according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the operation determination unit determines the operation based on the wide-area weather data.

8. The building material control device according to claim 7, wherein if at least one of the regional weather data and the wide-area weather data indicates a dangerous value, the operation determination unit determines a danger avoidance operation as the operation.

9. The building material control device according to claim 7, wherein if the wide-area temperature included in the wide-area weather data is higher than the regional temperature included in the regional weather data, a preset comfort temperature is less than the regional temperature, and the regional wind speed included in the regional weather data is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold, the operation determination unit determines a hazard avoidance operation as the operation.

10. The communication unit receives regional weather forecast data, and the regional weather forecast data is based on adjacent regional weather data for the region adjacent to the predetermined region. The building material control device according to claim 5, wherein the operation determination unit determines the operation based on the regional weather forecast data.

11. The building material control device according to claim 10, wherein the adjacent area is an area located upwind of the predetermined area as indicated by the regional wind direction included in the regional weather data.

12. The aforementioned regional data includes information on suspicious individuals, The building material control device according to claim 5, wherein if the suspicious person information indicates that a suspicious person is present in the predetermined area, the action determination unit determines a hazard avoidance action as the action.

13. The system further includes an operating status information acquisition unit that acquires operating status information of the aforementioned building materials, The communication unit transmits the operational status information to the server and receives maintenance information created from the server based on the operational status information. The building material control device according to claim 5, further comprising a display unit for displaying the aforementioned maintenance information.

14. Equipped with a building materials control device and server, The aforementioned server, An aggregation unit that aggregates multiple spot weather data acquired by multiple multi-sensors corresponding to multiple buildings located within a designated area, A generation unit that generates regional weather data based on the aforementioned multiple spot weather data, A communication unit that transmits regional data, including the aforementioned regional weather data. Equipped with, The aforementioned building material control device is A communication unit that receives regional data, including the regional weather data for a predetermined area where a building is located, from the server, wherein the regional weather data is based on a plurality of spot weather data acquired by a plurality of multisensors located within the predetermined area, An operation determination unit that determines the operation of electrically operated building materials in the building based on the aforementioned regional weather data, A system comprising: an operation control instruction unit that transmits operation control instructions to the building material based on the aforementioned operation.

15. The system according to claim 14, wherein the communication unit of the server transmits the regional data to a device other than the building material control device or to a user terminal.

16. The processor that the server has, An aggregation unit that aggregates multiple spot weather data acquired by multiple multi-sensors corresponding to multiple buildings located within a designated area, A generation unit that generates regional weather data based on the aforementioned multiple spot weather data, A communication unit that transmits regional data, including the aforementioned regional weather data, and a computer program that operates as such.

17. The processor in the building material control system A communication unit that receives regional data including regional weather data for a predetermined area where a building is located, wherein the regional weather data is based on multiple spot weather data acquired by multiple multi-sensors located within the predetermined area, An operation determination unit that determines the operation of electrically operated building materials in the building based on the aforementioned regional weather data, A computer program that functions as an operation control instruction unit, which transmits operation control instructions to the building material based on the aforementioned operation.

18. Multiple spot weather data acquired by multiple multi-sensors corresponding to multiple buildings located within a designated area are aggregated. Based on the aforementioned multiple spot weather data, regional weather data is generated. A method for transmitting regional data, including the aforementioned regional weather data.

19. The system receives regional data including regional weather data for a predetermined area where the building is located, and the regional weather data is based on multiple spot weather data acquired by multiple multisensors located within the predetermined area. Based on the aforementioned regional weather data, the operation of electrically operated building materials in the building is determined. A building material control method that transmits an operation control instruction to the building material based on the aforementioned operation.

Images