Proposed system, proposed method, and program

Abstract

This technology helps users determine which room to choose from among several rooms, based on their air conditioning needs. [Solution] The proposed system includes means for receiving a target temperature for a room and a target time for achieving the target temperature, means for predicting the required air conditioning time for each of the multiple rooms, which indicates the time required to achieve the target temperature, and means for presenting the required air conditioning time for each of the multiple rooms.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a proposal system, a proposal method, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] There are cases where a room to be used for a meeting or the like must be selected from a plurality of rooms. The heat load and room temperature of each room vary depending on the room layout, time, and room usage status, etc. When using air conditioning under a high heat load, strong cooling operation, strong heating operation, or long-time precooling / preheating is required, increasing the energy consumption of the air conditioning. Since the time to reach the target temperature varies depending on the thermal characteristics of the room and the initial room temperature, if precooling / preheating operation cannot be performed at an appropriate time, the energy consumption of the air conditioning may increase due to overcooling or overheating. In addition, due to the thermal characteristics of the room and the initial room temperature, there is a possibility of selecting a room where it is difficult to reach the target temperature by the target time, which may impair the comfort of the user.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses control that, when receiving the setting of the target temperature of the air-conditioned space and the target time by which the target temperature should be achieved, predicts the time required to achieve the target temperature and starts the air conditioning at a time retroactively from the target time by that time. Applying such control to the room selected by the user from a plurality of rooms may enable the target temperature to be achieved at the target time, but it is unclear whether the room selection was appropriate. For example, there is a possibility that a room that requires inefficient air conditioning operation from the perspective of energy consumption is selected. In other rooms, it may have been possible to achieve the target temperature with more efficient and shorter air conditioning.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] When selecting a room from multiple options, it is desirable to be able to determine which room is best from an air conditioning perspective.

[0006] This disclosure provides a proposed system, method, and program that can solve the above-mentioned problems. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The proposed system in this disclosure includes means for receiving a target temperature for a room and a target time for achieving the target temperature, prediction means for predicting the required air conditioning time for each of a plurality of rooms, which indicates the time required to achieve the target temperature, and presentation means for outputting the required air conditioning time for each of the plurality of rooms.

[0008] Furthermore, the proposed method of this disclosure includes the steps of: a computer receiving a target temperature for a room and a target time for achieving the target temperature; the computer predicting the required air conditioning time for each of the multiple rooms, indicating the time required to achieve the target temperature; and the computer outputting the required air conditioning time for each of the multiple rooms.

[0009] Furthermore, the program of this disclosure causes a computer to function as a means for receiving a target room temperature and a target time for achieving the target temperature; a prediction means for predicting the required air conditioning time, which indicates the time required to achieve the target temperature for each of the multiple rooms; and a presentation means for outputting the required air conditioning time for each of the multiple rooms. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the proposed system, method, and program described above, when selecting a room from among several rooms based on air conditioning requirements, information to assist in that selection can be presented. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] This figure shows an example of the proposed system according to the embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a first flowchart showing an example of the proposed process according to the embodiment. [Figure 3A] This is the first figure showing an example of proposed information according to the embodiment. [Figure 3B] This is a second figure showing an example of proposed information according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] This is a second flowchart showing an example of the proposed process according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] This figure shows an example of the hardware configuration of the proposed system according to the embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] <Embodiment> A proposed room system according to one embodiment of this disclosure will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 5.

[0013] (Configuration of the proposed system) Figure 1 shows an example of the proposed system in an embodiment. As shown in Figure 1, the proposed system 100 includes a room proposal server 10, a room reservation system 20, a weather information distribution system 30, a user terminal 40, and rooms A to F to be proposed. The room proposal server 10, the room reservation system 20, the weather information distribution system 30, and the user terminal 40 are connected to each other via a network NW for communication. Although rooms A to F are shown as an example in Figure 1, the number of rooms may be five or fewer, or seven or more, and the location of the rooms is irrelevant. For example, as shown, rooms A to C may be in building 1 and rooms D to F may be in building 2, or all rooms may be in one building. Rooms A to F are equipped with air conditioners (indoor units), and a temperature sensor is provided at the intake of each indoor unit. The temperature sensor of the indoor unit in each room is connected to the network NW, and the room temperature of each room is transmitted to the room proposal server 10 via the network NW at a predetermined control cycle.

[0014] Room reservation system 20 is a reservation system for rooms A through F. For example, if a user reserves room A from 13:00 to 15:00 on December 1, 2024, room reservation system 20 checks whether any other users have reserved the room during that time slot. If no other users have reserved the room, the system confirms the user's reservation. As will be explained later, room suggestion server 10 suggests which room is preferable to use from an air conditioning perspective, for example, the time required to air condition the room to the desired target temperature (referred to as pre-cooling time or pre-heating time), and from the perspective of the heat load and energy consumption required for air conditioning. Room reservation system 20 may cooperate with room suggestion server 10 and, when a user makes a reservation, retrieve and present information such as the pre-cooling time or pre-heating time and heat load information for each room from room suggestion server 10, thereby providing information that helps the user decide which room to reserve from an air conditioning perspective.

[0015] The weather information distribution system 30 distributes weather information in the vicinity of Buildings 1 and 2 where Rooms A to F are located. The weather information includes information such as temperature (outdoor temperature), weather (sunny, rainy, snowy, cloudy), and humidity. The room proposal server 10 periodically accesses the weather information distribution system 30 to obtain the weather information in the vicinity of Buildings 1 and 2.

[0016] The user terminal 40 is an information processing terminal such as a PC, a tablet terminal, or a smartphone used by a user who reserves Rooms A to F.

[0017] The room proposal server 10 includes a room information management unit 11, an air conditioning target reception unit 12, a prediction unit 13, and a proposal unit 14.

[0018] The room information management unit 11 obtains the temperature of each room from temperature sensors provided in the indoor units of each of Rooms A to F, and stores the room temperature of Rooms A to F. The temperature of each room is transmitted at a predetermined control cycle. Also, the room information management unit 11 periodically (for example, every hour, every 30 minutes, etc.) obtains and stores the weather information in the vicinity of Rooms A to F distributed by the weather information distribution system 30. Further, the room information management unit 11 obtains and stores the reservation information of Rooms A to F from the room reservation system 20.

[0019] The air conditioning target reception unit 12 receives the air conditioning target from the user for using the room. The air conditioning target includes the target temperature of the room and the target time which is the time when the target temperature should be achieved.

[0020] The prediction unit 13 predicts the precooling time (in the case of cooling) or the preheating time (in the case of heating), which is the time required from the start of air conditioning until the target temperature received by the air conditioning target reception unit 12 is reached. The prediction method for the precooling time or the like is not particularly limited. The precooling time or the preheating time may be predicted by any method. For example, using information such as weather information and room temperature accumulated for a certain period, the heat characteristics (ease of cooling and warming) of each room may be analyzed, and the precooling time or the like may be predicted based on the analysis results. Alternatively, from the past operation data of the past air conditioners, the actual values of the precooling time or the preheating time may be collected for each of various air conditioning conditions (outdoor temperature, room temperature, weather, etc.), and the collected values may be used. Also, for example, based on the past operation data of the air conditioners in each room, indoor temperature, outdoor temperature, weather (sunny, rainy, etc.), target temperature, month of the air conditioning target (January, August, etc., or season), etc. are used as explanatory variables, and the precooling time or the preheating time required to achieve the target temperature is used as the objective variable (in addition to the precooling time or the preheating time, the power consumption required to achieve the target temperature may be added to the objective variable).) A prediction model for each room is created by machine learning or the like, and the temperature, outdoor temperature, weather, target temperature, month, etc. of the room at the time of prediction are input into the prediction model for each room to predict the precooling time or the preheating time. Further, the prediction unit 13 may predict the energy consumption (power consumption) and heat load required from the start of air conditioning until the target temperature received by the air conditioning target reception unit 12 is reached. Generally, since the length of the precooling time or the preheating time has a positive correlation with the heat load of the air conditioning, the prediction unit 13 may regard the length of the predicted precooling time or preheating time as the heat load of the air conditioning. Alternatively, when the power consumption is added to the objective variable of the prediction model exemplified above, the power consumption output by the prediction model together with the precooling time or the like may be regarded as the heat load or the energy consumption.

[0021] The proposal unit 14 presents the target temperature arrival time, the precooling time, etc. to the user who has input the air conditioning target. Alternatively, the proposal unit 14 proposes to the user to use a room that can be controlled to a temperature close to the target temperature with a low heat load.

[0022] (Operation) Next, referring to FIG. 2, the process of proposing a room to the user will be described. Figure 2 is a first flowchart showing an example of the room proposal process according to the embodiment. As a prerequisite, the room information management unit 11 of the room suggestion server 10 acquires and stores information such as room temperature, outside temperature, and weather for rooms A to F at predetermined intervals. The first user who wants to select a room sets the air conditioning target on the user terminal 40 and requests a room suggestion. For example, the user sets the target temperature to 22°C and the target time (time to start using the room) to 15:00. The user terminal 40 sends the air conditioning target, including the target temperature and target time, to the room suggestion server 10. The air conditioning target receiving unit 12 on the room suggestion server 10 acquires the air conditioning target (step S1).

[0023] Next, the prediction unit 13 predicts the pre-cooling time, etc. (step S2). For example, the prediction unit 13 inputs the room temperature, outside temperature, weather, target temperature set by the user, month, etc., of room A at the time of prediction into the prediction model for room A and predicts the pre-cooling time or pre-heating time. Similarly, the prediction unit 13 inputs the room temperature, outside temperature, weather, target temperature set by the user, month, etc., of room B at the time of prediction into the prediction model for room B and predicts the pre-cooling time or pre-heating time. The same applies to rooms C to F. The prediction unit 13 also predicts the energy consumption or heat load required for air conditioning in rooms A to F. The prediction unit 13 may use the length of the pre-cooling time or pre-heating time as the heat load, or it may predict the pre-cooling time, etc. and energy consumption using the prediction model constructed with the pre-cooling time, etc. and energy consumption as the target variables. The prediction unit 13 outputs the predicted pre-cooling time, etc. and heat load or energy consumption to the proposal unit 14.

[0024] Next, the proposal unit 14 creates proposal information (step S3). Proposal information is information that serves as an indicator for the user when selecting a room from an air conditioning perspective. The proposal information includes the time to reach the target temperature, or pre-cooling time, or pre-heating time, and the magnitude of the heat load or energy consumption. The proposal unit 14 outputs the created proposal information to the user terminal 40 (step S4). An example of the proposal information output on the display screen of the user terminal 40 is shown in Figures 3A and 3B.

[0025] Figure 3A shows the predicted pre-cooling times until the target temperature of 22°C is reached. Room A is 30 minutes, Room B is 50 minutes, Room C is 100 minutes, and so on. These values ​​are the pre-cooling times predicted in step S2. By referring to the suggested information in Figure 3A, the user can understand the pre-cooling time for each room and use it as a reference when selecting a room. The suggested information may also include the time to reach the target temperature in addition to the pre-cooling time. In this case, the suggestion unit 14 calculates the time to reach the target temperature by adding the pre-cooling time or pre-heating time to the time the suggested information is created.

[0026] Figure 3B shows the predicted pre-cooling time for each room to reach the target temperature of 22°C, along with the current room temperature and the magnitude of the heat load on the air conditioning system. Figure 3B also indicates which room is recommended for use based on pre-cooling time and heat load. In the example in Figure 3B, room D, which has the shortest pre-cooling time (lowest heat load), is recommended for booking, followed by room B, which has the next shortest pre-cooling time (second lowest heat load). For example, a user can consider other needs for the room (such as the number of people using the room) to determine which room to select in the recommended order.

[0027] (Examples of application) Figure 4 shows an example of the process when integrating with a room reservation system. Figure 4 is a second flowchart showing an example of the room proposal process according to the embodiment. The room reservation system 20 and the room suggestion server 10 periodically repeat the processes shown in steps S11 to S14 of Figure 4. Specifically, the room reservation system 20 sends predetermined air conditioning targets to the room suggestion server 10 for rooms that have not been reserved (step S11). The predetermined air conditioning targets are target temperatures for each room. In this case, the target temperatures may be predetermined for each season and each room. For example, even in summer, the target temperature for room A may be set higher for people who do not like strong air conditioning, while the target temperature for room B may be set lower. In the room suggestion server 10, the air conditioning target receiving unit 12 receives the transmitted air conditioning targets, and the prediction unit 13 predicts the pre-cooling time, etc., based on the transmitted air conditioning targets (target temperatures) (step S12). This process is the same as step S2 in Figure 2, except that it targets rooms that have not been reserved among rooms A to F. Subsequently, the suggestion unit 14 creates suggestion information (step S13), and outputs the created suggestion information to the room reservation system 20 (step S14). The processing in steps S13 to S14 is the same as steps S3 and S4 in Figure 2, except that the output destination for the proposed information is the room reservation system 20. The above processing is repeated, for example, at a predetermined interval, and the room reservation system 20 is provided with predicted values ​​such as pre-cooling time or pre-heating time and heat load according to the room reservation status, room temperature, outside temperature, weather, etc.

[0028] Next, the user accesses the room reservation system 20 using the user terminal 40 to reserve a room and check the room reservation status (step S15). The room reservation system 20 then outputs the latest suggestion information obtained from the room suggestion server 10 in the final step S14 to the user terminal 40 (step S16). The user terminal 40 displays the suggestion information as illustrated in Figures 3A and 3B. This allows the user to select and reserve a room, taking into account the air conditioning requirements. By linking the room reservation system 20 and the room suggestion server 10, it is expected that the peak power demand for buildings 1 and 2 will be suppressed, preventing an increase in the power contract charges (basic charges) for buildings 1 and 2 (power contract charges depend on peak power). In addition, it is expected that the amount of electricity consumed by buildings 1 and 2 will be suppressed, resulting in savings on usage charges (electricity charges).

[0029] (effect) As described above, according to this embodiment, when a user sets an air conditioning target, the time to reach the target temperature, the pre-cooling time, or the pre-heating time are presented to the user. This allows the user to select a room that can reach a target temperature that they find comfortable by the target time (or the room that is closest to the target temperature). Furthermore, by prioritizing the use of rooms with low energy consumption for air conditioning, i.e., rooms with low heat load and a room temperature close to the target temperature, an increase in air conditioning energy consumption can be suppressed. In addition, by presenting the pre-cooling time or pre-heating time to the user, it is expected that the user will avoid rooms with long pre-cooling times, thereby suppressing excessive pre-cooling or pre-heating.

[0030] It should be noted that some rooms A through F may have poor air conditioning efficiency (e.g., large rooms, rooms with good sunlight in summer), and in such cases, it might seem that rooms with poor air conditioning efficiency would not be recommended. However, even in rooms with poor air conditioning efficiency, if air conditioning was used at the previous time, the pre-cooling time may be shorter and the heat load may be lower. According to this embodiment, since the pre-cooling time is predicted based on the indoor temperature, outdoor temperature, etc., when the user sets the air conditioning target, it is possible to avoid a concentration of reservations in rooms with good air conditioning efficiency, regardless of the air conditioning conditions at the time (outdoor temperature, indoor temperature, weather, etc.).

[0031] Figure 5 shows an example of the hardware configuration of the proposed system according to the embodiment. The computer 900 includes a CPU 901, main memory 902, auxiliary memory 903, input / output interface 904, and communication interface 905. The aforementioned room suggestion server 10, room reservation system 20, weather information distribution system 30, and user terminal 40 are implemented in the computer 900. Each of the above functions is stored in auxiliary storage device 903 in the form of a program. The CPU 901 reads the program from auxiliary storage device 903, loads it into main memory 902, and executes the above processing according to the program. The CPU 901 also allocates memory space in main memory 902 according to the program. The CPU 901 also allocates memory space in auxiliary storage device 903 to store data being processed according to the program.

[0032] A program to implement all or part of the functions of the room suggestion server 10, room reservation system 20, weather information distribution system 30, and user terminal 40 may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and the program recorded on this recording medium may be loaded into a computer system and executed to perform processing by each functional unit. Here, "computer system" includes hardware such as the OS and peripheral devices. Furthermore, if a WWW system is used, "computer system" also includes the homepage provision environment (or display environment). Furthermore, "computer-readable recording medium" refers to portable media such as CDs, DVDs, USBs, and storage devices such as hard disks built into the computer system. Furthermore, if this program is distributed to computer 900 via a communication line, computer 900 that receives the distribution may load the program into main memory 902 and execute the above processing. Furthermore, the above program may only implement part of the functions described above, and may also be able to implement the above functions in combination with programs already recorded in the computer system.

[0033] As described above, several embodiments relating to this disclosure have been explained, but all of these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be carried out in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their variations are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as in the claims and their equivalents.

[0034] <Note> The proposed systems, methods, and programs described in each embodiment can be understood, for example, as follows:

[0035] (1) The proposed system according to the first embodiment includes means for receiving a target temperature for a room and a target time for achieving the target temperature, prediction means for predicting the required air conditioning time (pre-cooling time, pre-heating time) for each of the multiple rooms, which indicates the time required to achieve the target temperature, and presentation means for outputting the required air conditioning time for each of the multiple rooms. This allows us to provide information (pre-cooling time or pre-heating time) to assist in selecting a room from among several rooms based on air conditioning requirements.

[0036] (2) The proposed system according to the second embodiment is the proposed system according to (1), further comprising means for predicting the heat load or energy consumption of air conditioning to achieve the target temperature for each of the plurality of rooms, wherein the presenting means outputs the heat load or energy consumption along with the required air conditioning time for each of the plurality of rooms. This allows us to provide information to assist in selecting a room from among several rooms based on air conditioning requirements (pre-cooling time or pre-heating time, and heat load or energy consumption).

[0037] (3) The proposed system relating to the third embodiment is the proposed system of (1) to (2), wherein the presentation means outputs information recommending the room among the plurality of rooms that has the minimum required air conditioning time. This allows us to provide information to assist in selecting a room from among several rooms based on air conditioning requirements (such as the room with the shortest pre-cooling or pre-heating time).

[0038] (4) The proposed system according to the fourth embodiment is the proposed system according to (1) to (3), further comprising means for acquiring information indicating the reservation status of the plurality of rooms from the room reservation system in cooperation with the room reservation system, wherein the prediction means predicts the required air conditioning time for the rooms that are not reserved among the plurality of rooms, and the presentation means presents the required air conditioning time for the rooms that are not reserved among the plurality of rooms. This allows you to select a room from among those not yet reserved that requires the shortest necessary air conditioning time (pre-cooling or pre-heating time).

[0039] (5) The proposed method according to the fifth embodiment includes the steps of: a computer receiving a target temperature for a room and a target time for achieving the target temperature; the computer predicting the required air conditioning time for each of the multiple rooms, which indicates the time required to achieve the target temperature; and the computer outputting the required air conditioning time for each of the multiple rooms.

[0040] (6) The program according to the sixth embodiment causes the computer to function as means for receiving a target temperature for a room and a target time for achieving the target temperature; prediction means for predicting the required air conditioning time for each of the multiple rooms, which indicates the time required to achieve the target temperature; and presentation means for outputting the required air conditioning time for each of the multiple rooms. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0041] 10... Room suggestion server 11. Room Information Management Department 12. Air Conditioning Target Reception Department 13. Prediction Section 14...Proposal Department 20... Room reservation system 30. Weather information distribution system 40. User terminals NW... Network 100... Proposal System 900... Computer 901···CPU 902...Main memory 903...Auxiliary storage device 904... Input / Output Interface 905...Communication Interface

Claims

1. A means for receiving the setting of a target room temperature and a target time for achieving the said target temperature, A prediction means for each of the multiple rooms, which predicts the required air conditioning time, indicating the time required to achieve the target temperature, For each of the aforementioned multiple rooms, a display means for outputting the required air conditioning time, A proposed system equipped with the following features.

2. The system further comprises means for predicting the heat load or energy consumption of the air conditioning to achieve the target temperature for each of the aforementioned rooms, The presenting means outputs the heat load or energy consumption along with the required air conditioning time for each of the plurality of rooms. The proposed system according to claim 1.

3. The aforementioned presentation means outputs information recommending the room among the plurality of rooms that has the minimum required air conditioning time. The proposed system according to claim 1 or claim 2.

4. A means for obtaining information indicating the reservation status of the multiple rooms from the room reservation system in conjunction with the room reservation system. Furthermore, The prediction means predicts the required air conditioning time for the rooms that are not reserved among the plurality of rooms. The aforementioned presentation means presents the required air conditioning time for the rooms that are not reserved among the plurality of rooms. The proposed system according to claim 1 or claim 2.

5. The computer receives a target room temperature and a target time for achieving that target temperature. The computer predicts the required air conditioning time for each of the multiple rooms, which indicates the time required to achieve the target temperature. The computer outputs the required air conditioning time for each of the plurality of rooms, A proposed method having

6. Computers, A means for receiving the setting of a target room temperature and a target time for achieving the said target temperature. A prediction means for predicting the required air conditioning time, which indicates the time required to achieve the target temperature in each of the multiple rooms. For each of the aforementioned multiple rooms, a display means for outputting the required air conditioning time, A program designed to function as such.

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