control system

Abstract

To provide a highly convenient control system. [Solution] The control system includes a control unit capable of controlling equipment installed inside a building that has a human presence sensor capable of detecting the presence of a user. The control unit is capable of performing scheduled control, which controls the equipment based on a preset schedule, and automatic control, which controls the equipment based on the detection results of the human presence sensor, as well as unscheduled control, which controls the equipment regardless of the schedule. Furthermore, it is configured to prioritize scheduled control over unscheduled control during a preset first priority period.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a control system for controlling equipment installed inside a building having a human presence sensor.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a lighting control system that automatically sets a lighting pattern according to the position of a user.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The lighting control system of Patent Document 1 does not consider any control other than the automatic control of the lighting pattern, and there is room for improvement in terms of improving the convenience of the user.

[0005] This disclosure aims to provide a highly convenient control system.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A control system according to one aspect of this disclosure includes a control unit capable of controlling equipment installed inside a building having a human presence sensor capable of detecting the presence of a user, wherein the control unit includes schedule control for controlling the equipment based on a preset schedule, automatic control for controlling the equipment based on the detection result of the human presence sensor, and non-schedule control for controlling the equipment regardless of the schedule, and is capable of executing The system is configured to execute the scheduled control in a predetermined first priority period, prioritizing it over the non-scheduled control. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to this disclosure, a highly convenient control system can be realized. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] A block diagram showing a control system according to one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] A flowchart illustrating an example of a first priority process performed in the control system shown in Figure 1. [Figure 3] A flowchart illustrating an example of a second priority process performed in the control system shown in Figure 1. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] An example of this disclosure is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following description is essentially illustrative and does not limit this disclosure, its applications, or its uses. The accompanying drawings are schematic, and the illustrated configuration may differ from the actual product in terms of dimensional proportions, etc. In the following description, terms such as "approximately" or "about" mean that the values ​​or shapes that follow these terms include an acceptable margin of error as determined by a person skilled in the art.

[0010] A control system 1 in one aspect of the present disclosure, as shown in Figure 1, is configured to control equipment 120 installed inside a building 100 having a motion sensor 110. The building 100 has a structure that allows for the installation of the motion sensor 110 and the equipment 120 inside. The equipment 110 includes, for example, air conditioning and lighting. The motion sensor 110 is configured to detect the presence of users using the building 100 inside the building 100. The detection result of the motion sensor 110 is output to the control system 1 at regular intervals via a communication device (not shown). For example, the manager of the building 100 inputs control information to an external device 200 using a PC or a mobile terminal such as a smartphone. The input control information for the equipment 120 is output from the external device 200, such as a server, to the control system 1. The control system 1 and the external device 200 may be located inside the building 100 or outside the building 100.

[0011] The control system 1 includes a control unit 10. In this embodiment, the control system 1 includes an acquisition unit 20, a processor 30, a storage unit 40, and a communication unit 50.

[0012] The processor 30 includes, for example, a CPU, MPU, GPU, DSP, FPGA, or ASIC. The storage unit 40 consists of, for example, an internal recording medium or an external recording medium, and is configured to store reservation information and control information. The internal recording medium includes non-volatile memory, etc. The external recording medium includes a hard disk drive (HDD), solid-state drive (SSD), or optical disc drive, etc. The communication unit 50 consists of, for example, a communication circuit or communication module for sending and receiving data with an external device 200.

[0013] The control unit 10 and the acquisition unit 20 are realized, for example, by the processor 30 executing a predetermined program stored in the storage unit 40.

[0014] The control unit 10 is configured to be able to execute schedule control and unscheduled control. Schedule control is a control mode for controlling the facility 120 based on a preset schedule, and unscheduled control is a control mode for controlling the facility 120 regardless of the preset schedule. The unscheduled control includes automatic control for controlling the facility 120 based on the detection result of the human presence sensor 110. In this mode, the unscheduled control includes, in addition to the automatic control, manual control for controlling the facility 120 based on the control information input by the user.

[0015] The control unit 10 is configured to execute at least the first process among the first to fifth processes shown below.

[0016] (First Process) The control unit 10 is configured to execute schedule control with priority over unscheduled control during a preset first priority period. The first priority period is defined by, for example, at least any one of month, day, day of the week, and time.

[0017] For example, if the facility 120 is "lighting", the first priority period is set as "12:00 to 13:00 from Monday to Friday", and the content of the schedule control is to "set the illuminance of the lighting to 100 lux". When it reaches 12:00 from Monday to Friday, the control unit 10 controls the lighting so that the illuminance becomes 100 lux until it reaches 13:00, regardless of the control information of the output unscheduled control.

[0018] (Second Process) During the first priority period, the control unit 10 executes the manual control among the unscheduled controls with priority over the schedule control. That is, the control unit 10 executes the schedule control with priority over the automatic control, and executes the manual control with priority over the schedule control and the automatic control.

[0019] For example, assume that the facility 120 is "lighting", the first priority period is set as "12:00 - 13:00 from Monday to Friday", and the content of the schedule control is "set the illuminance of the lighting to 100 lux". When it reaches 12:00 from Monday to Friday, the control unit 10 controls the lighting so that the illuminance becomes 100 lux regardless of the detection result of the human presence sensor 110. For example, when "manual control information" with the content of "set the illuminance of the lighting to 750 lux" during the period from 12:00 to 13:00 from Monday to Friday is output to the control system 1, the control unit 10 controls the lighting so that the illuminance becomes 750 lux based on the output manual control information regardless of the content of the schedule control. The manual control information is output, for example, when the user operates a controller such as a dedicated smartphone app or an operation panel in the building 100 to input control information for the facility 120 different from the schedule control.

[0020] (Third Process) After the control unit 10 executes manual control in the first control process, it preferentially executes manual control over automatic control for a preset time (for example, 30 minutes). After the preset time has elapsed, if the user's presence is not detected by the human presence sensor 110, the control unit 10 ends the execution of manual control. After the execution of manual control ends, if it is within the first priority period, the control unit 10 executes schedule control, and if it is outside the first priority period, it executes automatic control by the human presence sensor 110.

[0021] (Fourth Process) The control unit 10 preferentially executes automatic control over schedule control in a preset second priority period different from the first priority period. The second priority period is defined by, for example, at least one of month, day, day of the week, and time.

[0022] For example, suppose equipment 120 is "lighting," the second priority period is set to "Monday to Friday, 20:00 to 20:30," and the content of the schedule control is "turn off the lights." At 20:00 from Monday to Friday, the control unit 10 will turn off the lights unless the presence of a user is detected by the motion sensor 110.

[0023] (Process 5) The control unit 10 prioritizes manual control over automatic control during periods other than the first priority period and the second priority period.

[0024] The acquisition unit 20 acquires information necessary for controlling the equipment 120 via the communication unit 50. The information acquired by the acquisition unit 20 is stored in, for example, the storage unit 40. An example of the information necessary for controlling the equipment 120 is shown below. • Control information for scheduled and unscheduled controls • Information regarding the detection results of the motion sensor 110 • Information regarding the date, day of the week, and time

[0025] Referring to Figure 2, an example of a first priority process in which the second and third processes are executed will be described. The first priority process shown in Figure 2 is performed, for example, by the processor 30 executing a predetermined program.

[0026] As shown in Figure 2, when the first priority period begins (step S1), the control unit 10 executes schedule control (step S2) regardless of whether the presence of a user is detected by the human presence sensor 110. Schedule control is executed at any time after the start of the first priority period.

[0027] When scheduled control is executed, the control unit 10 determines whether or not manual control information has been acquired by the acquisition unit 20 (step S3). If it is determined that manual control information has been acquired (step S3=YES), the control unit 10 terminates the execution of scheduled control and executes manual control (step S4).

[0028] When manual control is performed, the control unit 10 determines whether a preset time (for example, 30 minutes) has elapsed since the manual control was performed (step S5). Step S5 is repeated until it is determined that the preset time has elapsed since the manual control was performed.

[0029] If it is determined that a preset time has elapsed since manual control was performed (step S5=YES), the control unit 10 determines whether or not the presence of a user has been detected by the human presence sensor 110 based on the detection result of the human presence sensor 110 acquired by the acquisition unit 20 (step S6). Step S6 is repeated until it is determined that the presence of a user has not been detected (i.e., as long as it is determined that the presence of a user has been detected).

[0030] If it is determined that the presence of a user has not been detected (step S6=NO), the control unit 10 terminates the execution of manual control (step S7).

[0031] If it is not determined in step S3 that manual control information has been acquired (step S3=NO), or if the execution of manual control ends in step S7, the control unit 10 determines whether the first priority period has ended (step S8). If it is not determined that the first priority period has ended (step S8=NO), the process returns to step S3, and it is determined whether manual control information has been acquired.

[0032] If it is determined that the first priority period has ended (step S8 = YES), the control unit 10 terminates the execution of schedule control (step S9), and the first priority processing ends. The termination of schedule control is performed at any time after the end of the first priority period.

[0033] Referring to Figure 3, an example of a second priority process in which the fourth process is executed will be described. The second priority process shown in Figure 3 is performed, for example, by the processor 30 executing a predetermined program.

[0034] As shown in Figure 3, when the second priority period begins (step S11), the control unit 10 performs schedule control (step S12). Schedule control is performed at any time after the start of the second priority period.

[0035] When scheduled control is executed, the control unit 10 determines whether or not the presence of a user has been detected by the human presence sensor 110 based on the detection result of the human presence sensor 110 acquired by the acquisition unit 20 (step S13). If it is determined that the presence of a user has been detected (step S13=NO), the control unit 10 terminates the execution of scheduled control and executes automatic control (step S14).

[0036] When automatic control is executed, the control unit 10 determines whether or not the presence of a user has been detected by the human presence sensor 110 based on the detection result of the human presence sensor 110 acquired by the acquisition unit 20 (step S15). Step S15 is repeated until it is determined that the presence of a user has not been detected (i.e., as long as it is determined that the presence of a user has been detected).

[0037] If it is determined that the presence of a user has not been detected (step S15 = NO), the control unit 10 terminates the execution of automatic control (step S16).

[0038] If it is determined in step S13 that the presence of a user has not been detected (step S13=NO), or if the execution of automatic control ends in step S16, the control unit 10 determines whether the second priority period has ended (step S17). If it is determined that the second priority period has not ended (step S17=NO), the process returns to step S13, where it is determined whether the presence of a user has been detected.

[0039] If it is determined that the second priority period has ended (step S17 = YES), the control unit 10 terminates the execution of schedule control (step S18), and the second priority processing ends. The termination of schedule control is performed at any time after the end of the second priority period.

[0040] In the descriptions of each step in Figures 2 and 3, "when" can be interpreted as meaning "when" or "in response to doing."

[0041] Control system 1 can achieve the following effects:

[0042] The control system 1 includes a control unit 10 capable of controlling equipment 120 installed inside a building 100 that has a human presence sensor 110 capable of detecting the presence of users. The control unit 10 is capable of performing scheduled control, which controls the equipment 120 based on a preset schedule, and automatic control, which controls the equipment 120 based on the detection results of the human presence sensor 110, as well as unscheduled control, which controls the equipment 120 regardless of the schedule. Furthermore, it is configured to prioritize scheduled control over unscheduled control during a preset first priority period. With this configuration, the building manager can operate the equipment 120 as desired while optimizing energy efficiency by turning off lights or adjusting illumination based on detection by the human presence sensor 110. As a result, a highly convenient control system 1 can be realized.

[0043] Non-scheduled control includes manual control, which controls the equipment 120 based on control information entered by the user. The control unit 10 is configured to execute scheduled control in priority over automatic control during the first priority period, and to execute manual control in priority over both scheduled control and automatic control. With this configuration, the building manager can operate the equipment 120 as desired, while optimizing energy efficiency by turning off lights or adjusting illumination based on detection by the motion sensor 110. As a result, a highly convenient control system 1 can be realized.

[0044] The control unit 10 is configured to prioritize manual control over automatic control for a predetermined period of time after manual control has been performed, and to terminate manual control if the presence of a user is not detected by the motion sensor 110 after the predetermined period of time has elapsed. With this configuration, the building manager can operate the equipment 120 as desired, while optimizing energy efficiency by turning off lights or adjusting illumination based on detection by the motion sensor 110. As a result, a highly convenient control system 1 can be realized.

[0045] The control unit 10 is configured to prioritize automatic control over scheduled control during a preset second priority period, which is different from the first priority period. This configuration allows for the operation of the equipment 120 as desired by the building manager 100, while optimizing energy efficiency by turning off lights or adjusting illumination based on detection by the motion sensor 110. As a result, a highly convenient control system 1 can be realized.

[0046] The control unit 10 is configured to prioritize manual control over automatic control during periods other than the first and second priority periods. This configuration allows the building manager to operate the equipment 120 as desired while optimizing energy efficiency by turning off lights or adjusting illumination based on detection by the motion sensor 110. As a result, a highly convenient control system 1 can be realized.

[0047] The control system 1 can be configured as follows:

[0048] The control system 1 only needs to include a control unit 10, and other components can be added or removed as desired. For example, all components constituting the control system 1 do not need to be located in a single device, but may be distributed across any number of networked computers. For example, the control system 1 may consist of a first computer having a control unit 10, an acquisition unit 20, a processor 30, and a communication unit 50, and a second computer having a storage unit 40 and a communication unit 50. Each of any number of networked computers may be provided with all the components constituting the control system 1.

[0049] The control unit 10 may be configured to execute processes other than the first to fifth processes.

[0050] In the first priority processing shown in Figure 2, steps S3 to S7 can be omitted. In this case, the first priority processing shown in Figure 2 will execute the first process.

[0051] Various aspects of this disclosure are described below.

[0052] The control system in the first aspect of this disclosure is It includes a control unit capable of controlling equipment installed inside a building that has a human presence sensor capable of detecting the presence of users, The control unit, Schedule control, which controls the equipment based on a pre-set schedule, This includes automatic control that controls the equipment based on the detection results of the human presence sensor, and non-scheduled control that controls the equipment regardless of the schedule. It is possible to do so, The system is configured to execute the scheduled control in a predetermined first priority period, prioritizing it over the non-scheduled control.

[0053] The control system of the second aspect of this disclosure is, in the control system of the first aspect, The non-scheduled control includes manual control that controls the equipment based on control information input by the user, The control unit, During the first priority period, the system is configured to execute the schedule control in priority over the automatic control, and to execute the manual control in priority over both the schedule control and the automatic control.

[0054] A control system according to a third aspect of this disclosure is a control system according to a second aspect, The control unit, After the manual control is executed, the manual control is executed with priority over the automatic control for a predetermined period of time. If the presence of the user is not detected by the motion sensor after the predetermined time has elapsed, the manual control is configured to terminate.

[0055] A control system according to the fourth aspect of this disclosure is a control system according to any of the first to third aspects, The control unit, The system is configured to execute the automatic control in a preset second priority period, which is different from the first priority period, taking precedence over the scheduled control.

[0056] The control system of the fifth aspect of this disclosure is a control system of the fourth aspect, The non-scheduled control includes manual control that controls the equipment based on control information input by the user, The control unit, During periods other than the first priority period and the second priority period, the system is configured to prioritize the manual control over the automatic control.

[0057] The embodiments and variations of this disclosure can be combined with each other, or with each other, or with each other. Features included in the embodiments and variations of this disclosure can also be combined with each other.

[0058] As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, many modifications and variations of this disclosure can be realized without departing from the scope and spirit of this disclosure. This disclosure is limited only by the terms of the claims, along with the entire scope of the equivalents to which the claims are entitled. [Explanation of symbols]

[0059] 1. Control System 10 Control Unit 20 Acquisition Department 30 processors 40 Storage section 50 Communications Department 100 buildings 110 motion sensors 120 Equipment 200 External device

Claims

1. It includes a control unit capable of controlling equipment installed inside a building that has a human presence sensor capable of detecting the presence of users, The control unit, Schedule control, which controls the equipment based on a pre-set schedule, This includes automatic control that controls the equipment based on the detection results of the human presence sensor, and non-scheduled control that controls the equipment regardless of the schedule. It is possible to do so, A control system configured to execute scheduled control over non-scheduled control in a predetermined first priority period.

2. The non-scheduled control includes manual control that controls the equipment based on control information input by the user, The control unit, The control system according to claim 1, configured to execute the schedule control in priority over the automatic control during the first priority period, and to execute the manual control in priority over the schedule control and the automatic control.

3. The control unit, After the manual control is executed, the manual control is executed with priority over the automatic control for a predetermined period of time. The control system according to claim 2, wherein if the presence of the user is not detected by the motion sensor after the predetermined time has elapsed, the execution of the manual control is terminated.

4. The control unit, The control system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the system is configured to execute the automatic control in a preset second priority period, which is different from the first priority period, in priority to the scheduled control.

5. The non-scheduled control includes manual control that controls the equipment based on control information input by the user, The control unit, The control system according to claim 4, wherein the manual control is configured to take precedence over the automatic control during periods other than the first priority period and the second priority period.

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