Air conditioning control system, air conditioning control method, and program

Abstract

This invention provides an air conditioning control system, an air conditioning control method, and a program for a computer to execute the method, which enable users to experience greater comfort compared to conventional systems. [Solution] The air conditioning control system comprises an environmental information acquisition unit, a request information acquisition unit, a control information generation unit, and a control unit. The environmental information acquisition unit acquires ambient temperature environment information acquired by sensors and temperature environment setting information related to air conditioning equipment. The request information acquisition unit acquires temperature environment request information, which is the user's request for the temperature environment. The control information generation unit generates control information for air conditioning equipment based on the ambient temperature environment information, temperature environment setting information, and temperature environment request information. The control unit controls the air conditioning equipment based on the control information.

Description

Technical Field

[0005] , ,

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to an air conditioning control system, an air conditioning control method, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in building facilities such as buildings, offices, factories, shopping malls, etc., the introduction of building management systems for efficiently managing and monitoring power reception and self-generation equipment, heat source and air conditioning equipment, lighting, security, and disaster prevention equipment has been progressing. Among the above-mentioned building facilities, in particular, the heat source and air conditioning equipment directly acts on the space where people are, and in building facilities, it is an equipment that accounts for a large proportion of energy consumption.

[0003] Therefore, there is a demand for an air conditioning control method that allows people to live comfortably and leads to energy savings. For this method, various techniques have been proposed, such as a method of performing control by paying attention to an index representing the comfort of a space called PMV (Predicted Mean Vote) (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Patent Document 4

Patent Document 5

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In the PMV-based air conditioning control method described above, comfort is evaluated by quantifying the comfort of a space as a PMV value based on thermal environment elements such as air temperature and humidity, and human-related elements such as the amount of clothing worn by the user. Furthermore, methods to improve the accuracy of PMV value calculation include estimating the amount of clothing worn by the user from information from a human presence sensor, and estimating airflow by detecting air temperature and humidity.

[0006] However, the comfort evaluation method described above does not take into account qualitative information such as the user's temperature perception. Furthermore, there are limitations to the accuracy of acquiring thermal environment elements. Therefore, air conditioning control that provides a more comfortable experience for the user is desirable.

[0007] The problem that this invention aims to solve is to provide an air conditioning control system, an air conditioning control method, and a program for a computer to execute the method, which users can find more comfortable than conventional systems. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] To achieve the above objectives, the air conditioning control system according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises an environmental information acquisition unit, a request information acquisition unit, a control information generation unit, and a control unit. The environmental information acquisition unit acquires ambient temperature environment information acquired by a sensor and temperature environment setting information related to the air conditioning equipment. The request information acquisition unit acquires temperature environment request information, which is the user's request for the temperature environment. The control information generation unit generates control information for the air conditioning equipment based on the ambient temperature environment information, the temperature environment setting information, and the temperature environment request information. The control unit controls the air conditioning equipment based on the control information. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] Figure 1 shows an example of the configuration of an air conditioning control system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a system diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of an air conditioning equipment control unit according to an embodiment. [Figure 3]Figure 3 shows an example of negative / positive sentiment determination and scoring performed by the data mining unit. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a system diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the arithmetic processing unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a flowchart showing an example of processing by the air conditioning control system according to this embodiment. [Figure 6] Figure 6 shows an example of information displayed by an external terminal of the air conditioning control system according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] Figure 7 shows an example of a space to which the air conditioning control system according to the embodiment is applied. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] [Embodiment] Hereinafter, embodiments of the air conditioning control system 1 according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. The configuration of the embodiments described below, as well as the operation and results (effects) brought about by said configuration, are merely examples and are not limited to the following description. In this specification, ordinal numbers are used only to distinguish parts and components and do not indicate order or priority.

[0011] Referring to Figure 1, the configuration of the air conditioning control system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. Figure 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the air conditioning control system 1 according to an embodiment. The air conditioning control system 1 shown in Figure 1 is a system that performs air conditioning control for a predetermined space in which air conditioning equipment is installed, based on various information regarding the temperature environment.

[0012] The air conditioning control system 1 comprises an air conditioning unit 10, a receiving unit 11, an environmental monitoring sensor unit 12, an operation unit 13, an environmental information acquisition sensor unit 14, an emotion estimation unit 15, and an air conditioning unit control unit 17.

[0013] The air conditioner 10 adjusts the air conditioning of an area, which is an example of a space, based on control information. In this embodiment, there are a plurality of areas, and one air conditioner 10 is installed for each area. The air conditioners 10 installed in each area are each independently controllable.

[0014] The receiving unit 11 generates temperature environment requirement information based on information received from a server that provides information including information on the temperature environment in the area posted on, for example, an SNS (Social Networking Service) website or an Internet bulletin board, and information on the temperature environment in the area for which an inquiry has been made to the facility manager who manages the air conditioner 10.

[0015] The environment monitoring sensor unit 12 is disposed in the area where the air conditioner 10 is installed. The environment monitoring sensor unit 12 includes an imaging unit 121 and a microphone 122.

[0016] The imaging unit 121 captures an image of the clothes of a user (hereinafter referred to as the user) in the area and actions related to the temperature environment in the area such as the act of putting on and taking off clothes and lying down, and obtains captured image data. The microphone 122 acquires voices related to the temperature environment in the area such as the conversation of the user and obtains voice data.

[0017] The environment monitoring sensor unit 12 generates temperature environment requirement information based on the information (captured image data and voice data) acquired from the imaging unit 121 and the microphone 122, and outputs it to the requirement information acquisition unit 172. Here, the temperature environment requirement information is information including the requirements for the temperature environment in the area where the user is located. The requirement information acquisition unit 172 will be described later.

[0018] The operation unit 13 is, for example, a remote controller for air conditioning control, an operation panel, etc. in the air conditioner 10. The user operates the operation unit 13 to change the air conditioning settings and the like. The operation unit 13 acquires information such as air conditioning settings (hereinafter referred to as temperature environment setting information) input to the remote controller, operation panel, etc. The operation unit 13 outputs the acquired temperature environment setting information to the environment information acquisition unit 171. The environment information acquisition unit 171 will be described later.

[0019] The environment information acquisition sensor unit 14 measures and acquires the temperature, humidity, radiation, air flow, carbon dioxide concentration, space cleanliness, and the user's clothing amount and activity amount (hereinafter collectively referred to as PMV measurement data or ambient temperature environment information) of the space by various sensors. The environment information acquisition sensor unit 14 outputs the PMV measurement data acquired from various sensors to the environment information acquisition unit 171. The environment information acquisition sensor unit 14 is an example of a sensor.

[0020] The emotion estimation unit 15 has a biological sensor 151 and a camera 152. The biological sensor 151 is mounted on, for example, a smart band, a smart watch, etc., and measures the user's biological information. The camera 152 reads the user's expression. The emotion estimation unit 15 generates emotion estimation information based on the information acquired from the biological sensor 151 and the camera 152, and outputs it to the environment information acquisition unit 171. Here, the emotion estimation information is information in which the user's emotion is estimated by the emotion estimation unit 15.

[0021] The emotion estimation unit 15 may further have a vibration sensor (not shown) that is fixed to a chair installed in the area and acquires the behavior, etc. of the user when sitting. In this case, the emotion estimation unit 15 also acquires emotion estimation information from the vibration sensor.

[0022] The emotion estimation unit 15 estimates emotion estimation information, which is the user's emotion information, from the information obtained by the biological sensor 151, the camera 152, and the vibration sensor described above. The emotion estimation unit 15 outputs the estimated emotion estimation information to the environment information acquisition unit 171.

[0023] The air conditioning equipment control unit 17 generates control information for the air conditioning equipment 10 based on various information input from the receiving unit 11, the environmental monitoring sensor unit 12, the operation unit 13, the environmental information acquisition sensor unit 14, and the emotion estimation unit 15, and outputs this information to the air conditioning equipment 10. The air conditioning equipment control unit 17 also outputs the operating status of the air conditioning control system 1 and the setting information of the air conditioning equipment 10 to the external terminal 18. The external terminal 18 will be described later.

[0024] Next, the functional configuration of the air conditioning equipment control unit 17 will be described with reference to Figure 2. Figure 2 is a system diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the air conditioning equipment control unit 17 according to this embodiment. As shown in Figure 2, the air conditioning equipment control unit 17 includes an environmental information acquisition unit 171, a request information acquisition unit 172, a data mining unit 173, a time-series database 174, a parameter database 176, an arithmetic processing unit 177, a system data communication unit 178, and a control unit 179.

[0025] The environmental information acquisition unit 171 acquires ambient temperature environmental information acquired by the environmental information acquisition sensor unit 14 and temperature environmental setting information related to the air conditioning equipment 10. The environmental information acquisition unit 171 also registers the emotion estimation information input from the emotion estimation unit 15 in the time-series database 174.

[0026] Here, ambient temperature environment information includes temperature, humidity, radiation, airflow, user's clothing level, and activity level. Control information refers to information used to control the air conditioning equipment 10 using PMV control based on the ambient temperature environment information.

[0027] The ambient temperature environment information does not necessarily have to include any of the following: temperature, humidity, radiation, airflow, user's clothing level, and activity level. Furthermore, the ambient temperature environment information may also include information on at least one of the following: number of users, carbon dioxide concentration, pollen concentration, PM2.5 concentration, and weather conditions, which indicates a level of spatial cleanliness. In this case, the air conditioning unit 10 optimizes the space based on the information included in the ambient temperature environment information, thereby improving user comfort.

[0028] The request information acquisition unit 172 acquires temperature environment request information, which is the user's request regarding the temperature environment. The request information acquisition unit 172 also acquires temperature environment request information from the receiving unit 11 and the environment monitoring sensor unit 12.

[0029] The data mining unit 173 receives temperature environment request information from the request information acquisition unit 172 and converts it into quantitative information. More specifically, the data mining unit 173 converts qualitative information of the temperature environment input from the receiving unit 11 and the environmental monitoring sensor unit 12 into quantitative information that can be quantified (for example, "a little hot," "quite cold," etc.). Here, the temperature environment request information is qualitative information. In the following explanation, qualitative information will be referred to as qualitative data.

[0030] Through the processing performed by the data mining unit 173 as described above, the qualitative information (qualitative data) acquired by the receiving unit 11 and the environmental monitoring sensor unit 12 is converted into quantitative information that indicates the trends and correlations of users' emotions regarding the temperature environment within the area. In the following explanation, the quantitative information converted by the data mining unit 173 will be referred to as quantitative data.

[0031] Here, with reference to Figure 3, the negative / positive determination by the data mining unit 173 will be explained. Figure 3 is a diagram showing an example of negative / positive determination and scoring by the data mining unit 173. The data mining unit 173 performs a negative / positive determination on qualitative information (qualitative data) and calculates a first requirement score indicating the user's degree of requirement for the temperature environment based on the result of the negative / positive determination.

[0032] Nega-positivity determination is a process that converts qualitative information perceived by the user regarding the temperature environment of a space into quantitative data that can be converted into numerical values ​​corresponding to the intensity of the user's emotions. In this embodiment, nega-positivity determination includes the process of quantifying the quantitative data.

[0033] The values ​​converted into quantitative data and quantified through the positive / negative judgment are shown as the positive / negative judgment values ​​in Figure 3. In Figure 3, the word is quantitative data indicating the emotion the user feels regarding the temperature environment. The frequency for each area is the number of data points corresponding to each word acquired by the request information acquisition unit 172 in each area. The score is the value obtained by multiplying the positive / negative judgment value and the frequency for each area. The sum of the scores for No. 1 to 18 is the total score for the area subject to the positive / negative judgment. The first request score refers to this total score.

[0034] Returning to Figure 2, the data mining unit 173 may perform reinforcement learning on qualitative information (qualitative data) and calculate a second requirement score indicating the user's degree of preference for the temperature environment based on the results of reinforcement learning.

[0035] In this case, the data mining unit 173 performs reinforcement learning by quantifying qualitative data of temperature environment requirements according to the user's level of comfort, and accumulating the quantified quantitative data as a reward. The data mining unit 173 then calculates a second requirement score based on the results of reinforcement learning and registers it in the time-series database 174. The control information generation unit 1773 then calculates corrected control information by correcting the control information according to the value of the second requirement score.

[0036] The time-series database 174 stores ambient temperature environment information, temperature environment setting information, and emotion estimation information input from the environmental information acquisition unit 171, as well as temperature environment request information (first request score, second request score) input from the data mining unit 173, as a database.

[0037] Furthermore, the time-series database 174 stores control information calculated by the arithmetic processing unit 177 (described later) based on the input ambient temperature environment information, temperature environment setting information, emotion estimation information, and temperature environment request information (first request score, second request score) as time-series data. Here, the time-series data is data in which ambient temperature environment information, temperature environment setting information, emotion estimation information, or temperature environment request information at a predetermined time are recorded continuously over a predetermined period. Alternatively, the time-series data may be data in which ambient temperature environment information, temperature environment setting information, emotion estimation information, or temperature environment request information at a predetermined time are recorded area by area over a predetermined period.

[0038] The parameter database 176 stores building information such as area information (floor number, zone, etc.) where the air conditioning equipment 10 is installed, and detailed installation locations of the air conditioning equipment 10 within the area.

[0039] The calculation processing unit 177 inputs ambient temperature environment information, temperature environment setting information, temperature environment request information, emotion estimation information, a first request score and a second request score at predetermined intervals, inputs area information and building information from the parameter database 176, generates control information for the air conditioning equipment 10 from this information, and writes the control information back to the time-series database 174.

[0040] Here, the functional configuration of the arithmetic processing unit 177 will be described with reference to Figure 4. Figure 4 is a system diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the arithmetic processing unit 177 according to this embodiment. As shown in Figure 4, the arithmetic processing unit 1777 includes a control arithmetic processing unit 1771, a correction processing unit 1772, and a control information generation unit 1773.

[0041] The control calculation processing unit 1771 acquires area information and building information from the parameter database 176 at regular intervals, and also acquires ambient temperature environment information from the time-series database 174, and performs PMV calculation. The control calculation processing unit 1771 outputs the PMV value calculated by the PMV calculation to the control information generation unit 1773.

[0042] The ambient temperature environment information acquired by the control calculation processing unit 1771 from the time-series database 174 may contain information that cannot be obtained by various sensors (for example, the amount of clothing the user is wearing, their activity level, etc.). In this case, the control information generation unit 1773 estimates and supplements the information that the control calculation processing unit 1771 cannot obtain from other ambient temperature environment information.

[0043] The correction processing unit 1772 reads temperature environment requirement information from the time-series database 174, calculates a correction weight value based on the importance set in advance for each area, time, etc., and outputs it to the control information generation unit 1773. Here, the correction weight value is a value calculated based on the total score for each area (first requirement score) and the importance set for each area.

[0044] The control information generation unit 1773 generates control information for the air conditioning equipment 10 based on ambient temperature environment information, temperature environment setting information, and temperature environment request information. More specifically, the control information generation unit 1773 calculates corrected control information by correcting the control information according to the value of the first request score (or second request score).

[0045] Here, at least one of the temperature environment request information, temperature environment setting information, ambient temperature environment information, first request score, and second request score is time-series data. That is, the control information generation unit 1773 calculates corrected control information by correcting the control information according to the value of the time-series data.

[0046] Furthermore, the control information generation unit 1773 generates control information based on emotion estimation information. The control information generation unit 1773 also generates corrected control information based on the PMV value input from the control calculation processing unit 1771 and the corrected weight value input from the correction processing unit 1772, and registers it in the time-series database 174.

[0047] The correction processing unit 1772 may perform reinforcement learning on the time-series data. In this case, the correction processing unit 1772 calculates a third request score based on the results of reinforcement learning. The control information generation unit 1773 then calculates corrected control information by correcting the control information according to the value of the third request score.

[0048] Returning to Figure 2, the system data communication unit 178 communicates some or all of the time-series data with the external terminal 18. More specifically, the system data communication unit 178 reads corrected control information from the time-series database 174, and also reads area information and building information from the parameter database 176, and transmits them to the external terminal 18. The system data communication unit 178 also transmits corrected control information to the external terminal 18.

[0049] The control unit 179 controls the air conditioning equipment 10 based on the control information. More specifically, the control unit 179 reads corrected control information from the time-series database 174, converts it into a connection interface for the air conditioning equipment 10 (e.g., BACnet (Building Automation and Control Networking protocol)), and outputs it to the air conditioning equipment 10.

[0050] The external terminal 18 is a terminal that manages and displays the operating status of the air conditioning control system 1 and the control information of the air conditioning equipment 10. The system data communication unit 178 transmits the corrected control information read from the time-series database 174 to the external terminal 18. The external terminal 18 then displays the corrected control information on a monitor.

[0051] Each user can operate the external terminal 18 to display the operating status of the air conditioning control system 1 and the control information of the air conditioning equipment 10 on a monitor, and by visually checking the monitor, they can confirm the operating status of the air conditioning control system 1 and the contents of the control information of the air conditioning equipment 10.

[0052] [Processing flow of the air conditioning control system] Next, with reference to Figure 5, the processing flow of the air conditioning control system 1 will be explained. Figure 5 is a flowchart showing an example of processing by the air conditioning control system 1 according to the embodiment. Steps S101 to S104 and S110 to S112 in Figure 5 show the processing flow from when the control information generation unit 1773 calculates control information based on the PMV value and writes it to the time-series database 174. Steps S105 to S109 show the processing flow in which the correction processing unit 1772 calculates a correction weight value and feeds it back to the control information generation unit 1773.

[0053] In step S101 in Figure 5, the control information generation unit 1773 first acquires area information and building information from the parameter database 176. Then, in step S102, the control information generation unit 1773 acquires ambient temperature environment information from the time-series database 174.

[0054] Next, in step S103, the control information generation unit 1773 estimates ambient temperature environment information that the control calculation processing unit 1771 cannot obtain from other ambient temperature environment information. Then, in step S104, the control information generation unit 1773 performs control information calculation processing by PMV value calculation.

[0055] Here, we will explain the process flow in which the correction processing unit 1772 calculates the correction weight value and feeds it back to the control information generation unit 1773 in steps S105 to S109. In step S105, the correction processing unit 1772 obtains the importance for each area from the parameter database 176 at predetermined time intervals. Also, in step S106, the correction processing unit 1772 obtains temperature environment requirement information for each area from the time series database 174.

[0056] Next, in step S107, the correction processing unit 1772 calculates a total score (first request score) for each area based on the acquired indoor temperature environment request information for each area (see Figure 3). Furthermore, in step S108, the correction processing unit 1772 calculates a corrected weight value for each area based on the total score for each area calculated in step S107 and the importance of each area.

[0057] Then, in step S109, the correction processing unit 1772 calculates a PMV correction value based on the area-specific correction weight values ​​calculated in step S108. Here, the PMV correction value is the correction value for the PMV value calculated by the control information generation unit 1773.

[0058] Returning to the processing of the control information generation unit 1773, in step S110, the control information generation unit 1773 corrects the PMV value based on the PMV correction value calculated by the correction processing unit 1772. Then, in step S111, the control information generation unit 1773 generates control information (corrected control information) for the air conditioning equipment 10 based on the corrected PMV value.

[0059] Then, in step S112, the control information generation unit 1773 writes the corrected control information of the generated air conditioning equipment 10 to the time-series database 174. The processing by the air conditioning control system 1 is performed according to the above procedure.

[0060] Furthermore, in the processing performed by the air conditioning control system 1 described above, the calculation of the PMV correction value by the correction processing unit 1772 (steps S105 to S109) is not required. If the calculation of the PMV correction value by the correction processing unit 1772 is not performed, the control information generation unit 1773 writes the control information calculated in step S104 to the time-series database 174 in step S112. In other words, in this case, the correction of the PMV value by the correction processing unit 1772 is not performed.

[0061] Next, with reference to Figures 6 and 7, the display of air conditioning control in each area to which the air conditioning control system 1 is applied will be described. Figures 6 and 7 are diagrams showing examples of information displayed by the external terminal 18 of the air conditioning control system 1 according to this embodiment.

[0062] The PMV measurement data acquired by the environmental information acquisition sensor unit 14, and the corrected control information generated by the calculation processing unit 177 (control information generation unit 1773), are output to the system data communication unit 178 at predetermined intervals. The system data communication unit 178 also converts the input PMV measurement data and corrected control information into a format that can be communicated with the external terminal 18 (for example, the HTTPS protocol) and transmits it to the external terminal 18. Figures 6 and 7 show examples of information that the external terminal 18 receives the PMV measurement data and corrected control information and displays on the monitor.

[0063] Figure 6 shows the measured values ​​(temperature, humidity, carbon dioxide concentration, and air cleanliness) of PMV measurement data (temperature, humidity, carbon dioxide concentration, and air cleanliness) acquired by the environmental information acquisition sensor unit 14 in a predetermined area, either numerically or graphically. It also shows the changes in carbon dioxide concentration, temperature, and humidity over time, as well as comparative information between multiple areas over a predetermined period.

[0064] By visualizing the comparative information mentioned above, managers in each area can understand the trends in air conditioning control in their respective areas. Therefore, managers in each area can efficiently control air conditioning by grouping together areas with similar air conditioning control patterns.

[0065] Figure 7 shows the positional relationships of each area and the control information regarding the temperature of each area, categorized by pattern. In Figure 7, areas shown with the same pattern indicate that the same temperature control is being performed by the air conditioning control system 1. For example, Area A and Area B are classified as cool areas, indicating that the same temperature control is being performed by the air conditioning control system 1.

[0066] By viewing the air conditioning controls shown in Figures 6 and 7 on the monitor, users can understand the temperature environment of their area and how the air conditioning control system 1 is controlling that area. This allows users to select an area that they find comfortable from among the multiple areas controlled by the air conditioning control system 1.

[0067] In the above-described embodiment, the air conditioning control system 1 comprises an environmental information acquisition unit 171, a request information acquisition unit 172, a control information generation unit 1773, and a control unit 179. The environmental information acquisition unit 171 acquires ambient temperature environment information acquired by the environmental information acquisition sensor unit 14 and temperature environment setting information related to the air conditioning equipment 10. The request information acquisition unit 172 acquires temperature environment request information, which is the user's request for the temperature environment. The control information generation unit 1773 generates control information for the air conditioning equipment 10 based on the ambient temperature environment information, temperature environment setting information, and temperature environment request information. The control unit 179 controls the air conditioning equipment 10 based on the control information.

[0068] In the above configuration, the control information generation unit 1773 generates control information for the air conditioning equipment 10 based on ambient temperature environment information, temperature environment setting information, and temperature environment request information. The control unit 179 then controls the air conditioning equipment 10 based on the control information.

[0069] As a result, the air conditioning unit 10 is controlled to ensure that the user feels a comfortable temperature, based on control information generated from ambient temperature environment information acquired by the environmental information acquisition sensor unit 14, temperature environment setting information related to the air conditioning unit 10, and temperature environment request information, which is the user's request regarding temperature in the current environment. Therefore, user comfort is improved in the space where the air conditioning unit 10 is installed. In other words, the air conditioning control system 1 can make the user feel a comfortable temperature.

[0070] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the ambient temperature environment information includes temperature, humidity, radiation, airflow, user's clothing amount, and activity level. The control information is information that controls the air conditioning equipment 10 by PMV control based on the ambient temperature environment information.

[0071] According to the above configuration, the air conditioning unit 10 is controlled by PMV control based on ambient temperature environment information, which includes information on temperature, humidity, radiation, airflow, user's clothing amount, and activity level, so that the user feels the temperature is comfortable. As a result, the user's comfort is improved because they are in a space where the surrounding environment is optimized by the PMV control of the air conditioning unit 10. In other words, the air conditioning control system 1 can make the user feel the temperature is comfortable.

[0072] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the air conditioning control system 1 includes a receiving unit 11 that generates temperature environment request information based on information received from a server that provides information on the temperature environment within the area, and an environmental monitoring sensor unit 12 that generates temperature environment request information based on information acquired from an imaging unit 121 and a microphone 122. The request information acquisition unit 172 acquires temperature environment request information from the receiving unit 11 and the environmental monitoring sensor unit 12.

[0073] In the above configuration, the request information acquisition unit 172 acquires temperature environment request information using means provided by the receiving unit 11 and the environment monitoring sensor unit 12. As a result, the request information acquisition unit 172 can improve the accuracy of the temperature environment request information compared to when the temperature environment request information is acquired by a single means.

[0074] Therefore, the control information that controls the air conditioning equipment 10 will be such that there is less information from the user regarding their temperature requirements. Consequently, the air conditioning control system 1 can make the user feel that the temperature is comfortable.

[0075] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the air conditioning control system 1 includes an emotion estimation unit 15 that generates emotion estimation information, which is information in which the user's emotions are estimated based on information acquired from the biosensor 151 and the camera 152. The environmental information acquisition unit 171 acquires the emotion estimation information from the emotion estimation unit 15. The control information generation unit 1773 generates control information based on the emotion estimation information.

[0076] In the above configuration, the emotion estimation unit 15 generates emotion estimation information, which is information that estimates the user's emotion, such as whether they are hot or cold, based on information acquired from the biosensor 151 and the camera 152. The environment information acquisition unit 171 acquires the emotion estimation information from the emotion estimation unit 15. The control information generation unit 1773 generates and outputs control information based on the emotion estimation information.

[0077] As a result, the control information output by the control information generation unit 1773 reflects emotion estimation information, which is information that estimates the user's emotions. In other words, the control information that controls the air conditioning equipment 10 will be control information that makes the user's emotions, such as being too hot or too cold, more comfortable. Therefore, the user's comfort level will be improved in the space where the air conditioning equipment 10 is installed. That is, the air conditioning control system 1 can make the user feel a comfortable temperature.

[0078] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the temperature environment requirement information is qualitative information. The air conditioning control system 1 has a data mining unit 173 that receives the temperature environment requirement information from the requirement information acquisition unit 172 and converts it into quantitative information.

[0079] The temperature environment request information acquired by the request information acquisition unit 172 from the receiving unit 11, etc., is qualitative information, making it difficult for the control information generation unit 1773 to process. By having the data mining unit 173 input the temperature environment request information and convert the qualitative information into quantitative information, it becomes easier to reflect the temperature environment request information in the control information generated by the control information generation unit 1773.

[0080] As a result, the control information that controls the air conditioning equipment 10 becomes control information that makes the user's feelings, such as being too hot or too cold, more comfortable. Therefore, the user's comfort level is improved in the space where the air conditioning equipment 10 is installed. In other words, the air conditioning control system 1 can make the user feel a comfortable temperature.

[0081] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the data mining unit 173 performs a positive / negative judgment on qualitative information and calculates a first request score indicating the user's degree of demand for the temperature environment based on the result of the positive / negative judgment. The control information generation unit 1773 calculates corrected control information by correcting the control information according to the value of the first request score.

[0082] In the above configuration, the data mining unit 173 performs a positive / negative determination on qualitative temperature environment requirement information and calculates a first requirement score. The control information generation unit 1773 then calculates corrected control information according to the value of the first requirement score.

[0083] As a result, the corrected control information for controlling the air conditioning equipment 10 reflects the first request score calculated from the result of the negative / positive judgment, resulting in control information that is more comfortable for the user. Therefore, the user's comfort level improves in the space where the air conditioning equipment 10 is installed. In other words, the air conditioning control system 1 can make the user feel comfortable at a comfortable temperature.

[0084] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the data mining unit 173 performs reinforcement learning on qualitative information and calculates a second request score indicating the user's degree of preference for the temperature environment based on the results of reinforcement learning. The control information generation unit 1773 calculates corrected control information by correcting the control information according to the value of the second request score.

[0085] In the above configuration, the data mining unit 173 performs reinforcement learning on qualitative temperature environment requirement information to calculate a second requirement score. The control information generation unit 1773 then calculates corrected control information according to the value of the second requirement score.

[0086] As a result, the corrected control information for controlling the air conditioning equipment 10 reflects a second request score calculated from the reinforcement learning results, resulting in control information that is more comfortable for the user. Therefore, the user's comfort level improves in the space where the air conditioning equipment 10 is installed. In other words, the air conditioning control system 1 can make the user feel comfortable at a comfortable temperature.

[0087] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the ambient temperature environment information includes information on the cleanliness of the space, at least one of the following: the number of users, carbon dioxide concentration, pollen concentration, PM2.5 concentration, and weather.

[0088] According to the above configuration, the air conditioning equipment 10 is controlled based on information such as the number of users, carbon dioxide concentration, pollen concentration, PM2.5 concentration, and weather conditions included in the ambient temperature environment information. As a result, users are in a space optimized according to the number of users, carbon dioxide concentration, pollen concentration, PM2.5 concentration, and weather conditions, thereby improving their comfort. In other words, the air conditioning control system 1 can make users feel comfortable at a comfortable temperature.

[0089] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, at least one of the temperature environment request information, temperature environment setting information, ambient temperature environment information, first request score, and second request score is time-series data. The control information generation unit 1773 calculates corrected control information by correcting the control information according to the value of the time-series data.

[0090] According to the above configuration, the control information generation unit 1773 calculates corrected control information by correcting the control information according to the value of any of the time-series data, namely the temperature environment request information, temperature environment setting information, ambient temperature environment information, the first request score, and the second request score.

[0091] As a result, the corrected control information that controls the air conditioning equipment 10 reflects time-series data, resulting in control information that is more comfortable for the user. Therefore, the user's comfort level improves in the space where the air conditioning equipment 10 is installed. In other words, the air conditioning control system 1 can make the user feel comfortable at a comfortable temperature.

[0092] Furthermore, the above-described embodiment includes a system data communication unit 178 that communicates some or all of the time-series data with an external terminal 18.

[0093] According to the above configuration, the external terminal 18 can manage and analyze time-series data received from the system data communication unit 178, depending on its configuration. Therefore, the air conditioning control system 1 can reuse the acquired information for purposes other than air conditioning control.

[0094] Furthermore, the above-described embodiment includes a correction processing unit 1772 that performs reinforcement learning on time-series data and calculates a third request score based on the results of reinforcement learning. The control information generation unit 1773 calculates corrected control information by correcting the control information according to the value of the third request score.

[0095] In the above configuration, the correction processing unit 1772 performs reinforcement learning on time-series data to calculate a third request score. The control information generation unit 1773 calculates corrected control information according to the value of the third request score.

[0096] As a result, the corrected control information for controlling the air conditioning equipment 10 reflects a third request score calculated from the results of reinforcement learning on time-series data, resulting in control information that is more comfortable for the user. Therefore, the user's comfort level improves in the space where the air conditioning equipment 10 is installed. In other words, the air conditioning control system 1 can make the user feel comfortable at a comfortable temperature.

[0097] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the system data communication unit 178 transmits the corrected control information to the external terminal 18. The external terminal 18 displays the corrected control information on a monitor.

[0098] The control information for the air conditioning control system 1 in each area differs depending on the environment within the controlled area, so the area that users find comfortable may also differ from user to user.

[0099] According to the above configuration, the corrected control information calculated by the control information generation unit 1773 is displayed on the monitor of the external terminal 18. This allows each user to visually confirm the contents of the control information of the air conditioning equipment 10. Therefore, each user can visually confirm and select the area from among the multiple areas controlled by the air conditioning control system 1 that they find to be comfortable. Consequently, the air conditioning control system 1 can perform more efficient air conditioning control.

[0100] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the air conditioning control method includes the steps of: an environmental information acquisition unit 171 acquiring ambient temperature environment information acquired by an environmental information acquisition sensor unit 14 and temperature environment setting information related to the air conditioning equipment 10; a request information acquisition unit 172 acquiring temperature environment request information, which is a user's request for the temperature environment; a control information generation unit 1773 generating control information for the air conditioning equipment 10 based on the ambient temperature environment information, temperature environment setting information, and temperature environment request information; and a control unit 179 controlling the air conditioning equipment 10 based on the control information.

[0101] According to the method described above, the air conditioning unit 10 is controlled to ensure that the user feels a comfortable temperature, based on control information generated from ambient temperature environment information acquired by the environmental information acquisition sensor unit 14, temperature environment setting information related to the air conditioning unit 10, and temperature environment request information, which is the user's request regarding temperature in the current environment. As a result, user comfort is improved in the space where the air conditioning unit 10 is installed. In other words, the air conditioning control system 1 can make the user feel a comfortable temperature.

[0102] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the program causes the computer to execute the following processes: acquiring ambient temperature environment information acquired by the environmental information acquisition sensor unit 14 and temperature environment setting information related to the air conditioning equipment 10; acquiring temperature environment request information, which is the user's request for the temperature environment; generating control information for the air conditioning equipment 10 based on the ambient temperature environment information, temperature environment setting information, and temperature environment request information; and controlling the air conditioning equipment 10 based on the control information.

[0103] According to the program described above, the air conditioning unit 10 is controlled to ensure that the user feels a comfortable temperature, based on control information generated from ambient temperature environment information acquired by the environmental information acquisition sensor unit 14, temperature environment setting information related to the air conditioning unit 10, and temperature environment request information, which is the user's request regarding temperature in the current environment. As a result, user comfort is improved in the space where the air conditioning unit 10 is installed. In other words, the air conditioning control system 1 can make the user feel a comfortable temperature.

[0104] Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments are presented as examples only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented 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 of the invention and its equivalents. [Explanation of symbols]

[0105] 1. Air conditioning control system 10 Air conditioning equipment 11 Receiving unit 12. Environmental monitoring sensor unit 13 Control section 14. Environmental Information Acquisition Sensor Unit 15 Emotion estimation part 17. Air Conditioning Equipment Control Unit 18 External terminals 121 Imaging Unit 122 Mike 151 Biosensors 152 Cameras 171 Environmental Information Acquisition Department 172 Request information acquisition unit 173 Data Mining Department 174 Time-series databases 176 Parameter Database 177 Arithmetic Processing Unit 178 System Data Communications Department 179 Control Unit 1771 Control and arithmetic processing unit 1772 Correction Processing Unit 1773 Control Information Generation Unit

Claims

1. An environmental information acquisition unit that acquires ambient temperature environment information obtained by a sensor and temperature environment setting information related to air conditioning equipment, A request information acquisition unit that acquires temperature environment request information, which is the user's request for the temperature environment, A control information generation unit generates control information for the air conditioning equipment based on the ambient temperature environment information, the temperature environment setting information, and the temperature environment request information. A control unit that controls the air conditioning equipment based on the control information, Equipped with, Air conditioning control system.

2. The ambient temperature environment information includes temperature, humidity, radiation, airflow, the amount of clothing worn by the user, and activity level. The control information is information that controls the air conditioning equipment by PMV control based on the ambient temperature environment information. The air conditioning control system according to claim 1.

3. A receiving unit that generates the temperature environment request information based on information received from a server that provides information on the temperature environment within the area, The system comprises an environmental monitoring sensor unit that generates the temperature environment requirement information based on information acquired from an imaging unit and a microphone, The request information acquisition unit acquires the temperature environment request information from the receiving unit and the environment monitoring sensor unit. The air conditioning control system according to claim 1 or 2.

4. It includes an emotion estimation unit that generates emotion estimation information, which is information that estimates the user's emotions, based on information acquired from biosensors and cameras. The environmental information acquisition unit acquires the emotion estimation information from the emotion estimation unit, The control information generation unit generates the control information based on the emotion estimation information. The air conditioning control system according to claim 1 or 2.

5. The aforementioned temperature environment requirement information is qualitative information. The system includes a data mining unit that receives the temperature environment requirement information from the requirement information acquisition unit and converts it into quantitative information. The air conditioning control system according to claim 1 or 2.

6. The data mining unit performs a positive / negative determination on the qualitative information and calculates a first requirement score indicating the user's degree of preference regarding the temperature environment based on the result of the positive / negative determination. The control information generation unit calculates corrected control information by correcting the control information according to the value of the first request score. The air conditioning control system according to claim 5.

7. The data mining unit performs reinforcement learning on the qualitative information and calculates a second requirement score indicating the user's degree of preference regarding the temperature environment based on the results of the reinforcement learning. The control information generation unit calculates corrected control information by correcting the control information according to the value of the second request score. The air conditioning control system according to claim 6.

8. The ambient temperature environment information includes information on the cleanliness of the space, at least one of the following: the number of users, carbon dioxide concentration, pollen concentration, PM2.5 concentration, and weather. The air conditioning control system according to claim 1 or 2.

9. At least one of the temperature environment request information, temperature environment setting information, ambient temperature environment information, the first request score, and the second request score is time-series data. The control information generation unit calculates corrected control information by correcting the control information according to the values ​​of the time series data. The air conditioning control system according to claim 7.

10. The system has a data communication unit that communicates some or all of the aforementioned time-series data to an external terminal. The air conditioning control system according to claim 9.

11. The system includes a correction processing unit that performs reinforcement learning on the aforementioned time-series data and calculates a third request score based on the results of the reinforcement learning. The control information generation unit calculates corrected control information by correcting the control information according to the value of the third request score. The air conditioning control system according to claim 10.

12. The system data communication unit transmits the corrected control information to the external terminal. The external terminal displays the corrected control information on a monitor. The air conditioning control system according to claim 11.

13. The environmental information acquisition unit performs the process of acquiring ambient temperature environmental information acquired by the sensor and temperature environmental setting information related to the air conditioning equipment. The request information acquisition unit performs the step of acquiring temperature environment request information, which is the user's request regarding the temperature environment, The control information generation unit generates control information for the air conditioning equipment based on the ambient temperature environment information, the temperature environment setting information, and the temperature environment request information. The control unit controls the air conditioning equipment based on the control information, An air conditioning control method comprising:

14. A process for acquiring ambient temperature environment information obtained by a sensor and temperature environment setting information related to air conditioning equipment, A process to obtain temperature environment request information, which is the user's request regarding the temperature environment, A process for generating control information for the air conditioning equipment based on the ambient temperature environment information, the temperature environment setting information, and the temperature environment request information, A process for controlling the air conditioning equipment based on the control information, A program that causes a computer to execute something.

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