ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL DEVICE, ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL METHOD, AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL PROGRAM

Abstract

To save energy consumed in controlling an environment, while keeping happiness of a person in an activation period of the person.SOLUTION: An environment control device includes: a learning processing portion creating a control model by accumulating a relation between a past example of change of temporal or spatial happiness of a person as an object of environmental control and a past example of change of temporal or spatial environmental index relating to the person; and an environment control portion determining the temporal or spatial environmental index to increase the happiness of a person as a new object of the environmental control on the basis the created control mode, and executing the environmental control while applying the determined environmental index as a target.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an environmental control device, an environmental control method, and an environmental control program. [Background technology]

[0002] Air conditioners ensure people's comfort in residential, commercial, and other spaces. Of the energy consumed in such spaces, air conditioners account for approximately 30% to 50%. Recently, technology that allows computers to automatically set air conditioning temperatures and optimize energy efficiency has become widespread.

[0003] The sleep environment control system of Patent Document 1 sets the air conditioning temperature etc. while a person is sleeping. For example, in the summer, the system sets the set temperature to "T0" at which a person can easily fall asleep, and then, if it determines that the person is in a deep sleep and that the person's brain waves indicate that it is "not hot," it changes the set temperature to "T2" (T2>T0), thereby conserving energy consumption while keeping the person in a deep sleep. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2016-87072 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The sleep environment control system in Patent Document 1 is premised on being used while a person is sleeping, and does not refer to time-series changes in a person's physiological state (happiness level) when they are awake and active. Therefore, the present invention aims to save energy consumed to control the environment while maintaining a person's happiness level during periods when the person is active. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The environmental control device of the present invention includes a learning processing unit that accumulates a relationship between past examples of temporal or spatial changes in happiness of a person who is the subject of environmental control and past examples of temporal or spatial changes in environmental indices related to the person to create a control model, and accumulates a relationship between past examples of changes in happiness and past examples of changes in the environmental indices and past examples of temporal or spatial changes in energy consumption related to environmental control to create the control model, and determines the temporal or spatial environmental indices that will increase the happiness of a person who is newly the subject of environmental control based on the created control model, performs environmental control with the determined environmental indices as targets, and controls the person based on the happiness indices. In anticipation of the and an environmental control unit that determines the temporal or spatial environmental index that saves the energy consumption during a period of time. Other means will be described in the description of the embodiment of the invention. Effect of the Invention

[0007] The present invention makes it possible to conserve energy consumed to control the environment while maintaining a person's well-being during periods of activity. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between PMV and happiness level. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of an environmental control device. [Diagram 3] 4 is an example of control pattern information. [Figure 4] This is an example of happiness and environmental information. [Diagram 5] 2 is a flowchart of the present embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating the process of step S206. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a diagram explaining the relationship between PMV and happiness (application to space). DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention (referred to as the present embodiment) will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The present embodiment is an example of controlling an air conditioner in a room or commercial facility where people are active. In the present embodiment, when the movement of people is small, the air conditioner is controlled in a time series, and when the movement of people is large, the air conditioner is controlled on a spatial axis along the movement line.

[0010] (Environmental indicators) Environmental indicators are generally indicators that indicate the properties of a space in which people exist (air conditioning, lighting, smell, acoustics, design, etc.). An example of an environmental indicator related to air conditioning is PMV (described immediately below). An example of an environmental indicator related to lighting is illuminance. An example of an environmental indicator related to odor is the concentration of a particular chemical component in the air. An example of an environmental indicator related to acoustics is the volume of background music. An example of an environmental indicator related to design is the hue projected into a space by a projector.

[0011] (Predicted average thermal sensation report) In this embodiment, the well-known predicted mean vote (PMV) is used as an environmental index. PMV is calculated for each individual based on temperature, humidity, wind speed, heat radiation from walls, etc., the amount of activity, and the amount of clothing worn, and takes a value in the range of "-3≦PMV≦+3". When PMV is "0", a person feels neither hot nor cold. When PMV is "-3", a person feels the coldest, and when PMV is "+3", a person feels the hottest.

[0012] (happiness) In this embodiment, a "depression value" or a "stress value" during a period when a person is awake is used as a happiness level indicating the degree of happiness of a person. The depression value is a value obtained by normalizing the blood flow rate in a person's cerebral cortex to an appropriate range. The blood flow rate in the cerebral cortex can be measured non-invasively, for example, by a photopothography method. The stress value is a value obtained by normalizing the reciprocal of the concentration of amylase in saliva to an appropriate range. The concentration of amylase in saliva can be measured by contacting saliva with an analyzer. The happiness level may be defined based on the heart rate or changes (fluctuations) in the heart rate measured by an electrocardiogram meter or the like. The happiness level depends more on the context over time (context, context, etc.) than on the physiological state from moment to moment (details will be described later).

[0013] The above-mentioned examples of happiness levels require the subject to take time and effort when they are measured. Happiness levels may be "surrogate values" measured by non-invasive or non-contact methods. Surrogate values ​​may be body movements captured by a camera, vibrations measured by an acceleration sensor installed on the floor or wall, heart rate or changes therein measured by a millimeter wave transmitter, etc. Happiness levels may be defined based on the results of interviews or questionnaires given to people.

[0014] (Relationship between PMV and happiness) FIG. 1 is a diagram explaining the relationship between PMV and happiness. The horizontal axis of FIG. 1 is time, and the vertical axis is happiness and PMV. Pay attention to graphs 41a and 41b. In a room in winter, the PMV is initially "-2 (cool)". Now, the air conditioner gives a person a "stimulus" by raising the temperature in the room. Then, the PMV rises to "+2 (warm)". At the same time, for example, the blood flow in the person's cerebral cortex increases (the person is relieved from depression), and the happiness level also rises. As a result of the air conditioner continuing to operate at the same temperature, the PMV is maintained at the "+2" level for a while. However, the person becomes accustomed to the warmth, and the happiness level gradually declines.

[0015] Look at graphs 42a and 42b. The air conditioner gives the person another "stimulus" when the happiness level and PMV have dropped sufficiently. Then, the PMV returns from "-2" to "+2" and the happiness level rises again. The air conditioner then reduces output to save energy. The PMV drops slightly and stabilizes at about "+1 (slightly warm)". At this time, the happiness level is dropping, but the shape and level of graph 42a are almost the same as those of graph 41a. In other words, the air conditioner is skilfully saving energy consumption, anticipating people's habituation. The amount of energy saved corresponds to the area between graph 42b and dashed line 42c.

[0016] Pay attention to graphs 43a and 43b. The air conditioner returns the energy consumption to the original level when the happiness level and PMV have sufficiently decreased, providing the person with a "stimulation" again. Then, the PMV returns from about "+1 (slightly warm)" to "+2", and the happiness level rises again. After that, the air conditioner reduces the output and saves energy consumption. The PMV decreases slightly and stabilizes at about "+1 (slightly warm)". At this time, the happiness level has decreased, but the shape and level of graph 43a are almost the same as those of graph 41a. Here too, the air conditioner skillfully saves energy consumption, anticipating the person's habituation. The amount of saving corresponds to the area between graph 43b and dashed line 43c.

[0017] (Configuration of environmental control devices, etc.) 2 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the environmental control device 1. The environmental control device 1 is a general computer, and includes a central control device 11, input devices 12 such as a mouse and keyboard, output devices 13 such as a display, a main memory device 14, an auxiliary memory device 15, and a communication device 16. These are interconnected by a bus. The auxiliary memory device 15 stores control pattern information 31, happiness level and environment information 32, and a control model 33 (described in detail later).

[0018] The learning processing unit 21 and the environment control unit 22 in the main memory device 14 are programs. The central control device 11 realizes the functions of each program (described in detail later) by reading these programs from the auxiliary memory device 15 and loading them into the main memory device 14. The auxiliary memory device 15 may be configured independent of the environment control device 1.

[0019] A person 5 is doing desk work in a room 7. The person 5 is wearing a measuring device 3 on his / her head. An air conditioner 6 is conditioning the room 7. A sensor 8 attached to the air conditioner 6 measures the temperature, humidity, and wind speed around the person 5, as well as heat radiation from the floor, walls, and ceiling. The air conditioner 6 measures its own energy consumption.

[0020] Although not shown in Fig. 2, devices that control environmental indicators other than PMV, such as lighting devices, scent generators, speakers, projectors, etc., may be installed in the living room. These devices measure illuminance, scent, sound, and projected hue using their own or attached sensors, respectively, and also measure their own energy consumption.

[0021] The camera 2 is installed on a wall of the room 7 or the like, and observes (acquires) the amount of activity and amount of clothing of the person 5. The camera 2 can also measure body movement as the substitute value described above, and can also measure the heart rate as a substitute value by transmitting and receiving millimeter waves. In FIG. 2, the measuring device 3 measures the blood flow rate in the cerebral cortex of the person 5. Although not shown here, another portable measuring device 3 may measure the amylase concentration in the saliva of the person 5. The environmental control device 1 receives the data acquired by the camera 2, the measuring device 3, the air conditioner 6, and the sensor 8 via the network 4.

[0022] (Control pattern information) 3 is an example of the control pattern information 31. In the control pattern information 31, an initial PMV is stored in an initial PMV column 102 and a control target value is stored in a control target value column 103 in association with a pattern ID stored in a pattern ID column 101. The pattern in the pattern ID column 101 is an identifier that uniquely identifies a pattern. A pattern is a time-series environmental index (PMV) as a control target value, corresponding to the graphs 41b, 42b, and 43b in Figure 1.

[0023] The initial PMV in the initial PMV column 102 is the value of PMV at the moment immediately before a person experiences the air conditioning effect (initial). When the initial PMV is a negative value, the air conditioner 6 sends warm air to the person 5 to raise the PMV to a positive value. When the initial PMV is a positive value, the air conditioner 6 sends cold air to the person 5 to lower the PMV to a negative value. Here, PMV is an example of an environmental index. In the control target value column 103, the values of the environmental index (PMV) at the above-mentioned times (t1 < t2 < t3 < t4) for stimulation and savings are stored. The time here is a relative time starting from the initial.

[0024] From Figure 3, the following can be understood. · Patterns P01, P02, and P03 are patterns for person 5 with an initial PMV of "-3 (cold)". · Pattern P01 generally maintains the PMV at "+3" after the start of air conditioning, but decreases the PMV to "+2" at an appropriate time in anticipation of the person's "acclimation" to save energy consumption. · Pattern P02 generally maintains the PMV at "+3" after the start of air conditioning, but decreases the PMV to "+1" at an appropriate time in anticipation of the person's "acclimation" to save energy consumption. · Pattern P03 generally maintains the PMV at "+2" after the start of air conditioning, but decreases the PMV to "+1" at an appropriate time in anticipation of the person's "acclimation" to save energy consumption. · The energy consumption at times t1 to t4 is smaller for pattern P02 than for pattern P01, and smaller for pattern P03 than for pattern P02.

[0025] · Patterns P11, P12, and P13 are patterns for person 5 with an initial PMV of "+3 (hot)". Pattern P11 maintains the PMV at "-3" as a general rule after the air conditioning starts, but increases the PMV to "-2" at an appropriate time in anticipation of people becoming accustomed to it, thereby saving energy consumption. Pattern P12 maintains the PMV at "-3" as a general rule after the air conditioning starts, but takes into account people's tendency to become accustomed to the temperature and raises the PMV to "-1" at an appropriate time to save energy. Pattern P13 maintains the PMV at "-2" as a general rule after the air conditioning starts, but increases the PMV to "-1" at an appropriate time in anticipation of people becoming accustomed to the temperature, thereby saving energy consumption. The amount of energy consumption from time t1 to time t4 is smaller in pattern P12 than in pattern P11, and is smaller in pattern P13 than in pattern P12.

[0026] There are many other patterns than the six mentioned above. For example, there are patterns in which the initial PMV is "+2", "-2", etc. However, it is preferable that the positive / negative sign of the initial PMV and the positive / negative sign of the PMV at each time of the control target value are reversed. As mentioned above, the number attached to the "t" at each time of the control target value indicates the order. The time from the initial point to "t1", the time from "t1" to "t2", the time from "t2" to "t3", etc. may be different for each pattern. Ultimately, it is preferable that the pattern repeatedly reverses an environmental index that has once fallen or risen.

[0027] (happiness / environmental information) 4 is an example of the happiness level / environment information 32. In the happiness level / environment information 32, a time is stored in a time column 112, a happiness level in a happiness level column 113, an environmental index in an environmental index column 114, and an energy consumption amount in an energy consumption amount column 115, all of which are associated with a personal ID in a personal ID column 111.

[0028] The individual ID in the individual ID column 111 is an identifier that uniquely identifies the person 5 . The time in the time column 112 is the time when the happiness level of the record (row) was measured (t1 <t2<···<t 10) However, t1 etc. here do not match t1 etc. in Figure 3. The "distance from the starting point" and "d1" etc. will be explained later. The happiness level in the happiness level column 112 is the happiness level mentioned above, and here, a depression value (column 113a), a stress value (column 113b), and an alternative value (column 113c) are stored. "#" indicates a different value in an abbreviated manner (same below). The environmental indicators in the environmental indicator column 114 are PMV (column 114a) as a representative environmental indicator, and its components: temperature (column 114b), humidity (column 114c), wind speed (column 114d), thermal radiation (column 114e), amount of activity (114f), and amount of clothing (114g). The energy consumption in the energy consumption column 115 is the amount of power consumed by the air conditioner 6.

[0029] The happiness and environment information 32 is time-series data acquired when a person 5 is placed as a subject (study subject) in a room 7 in FIG. 2 and the air conditioner 6 is controlled according to a certain pattern in FIG. 3. Even if the person 5 is in a room 7 with the same environmental index, the happiness level will differ if the person 5 is different. Even if the person 5 is the same, the happiness level will differ if the pattern is different. As will be described in more detail later, the environmental control device 1 creates multiple pieces of happiness and environment information 32 for each combination of person 5 and pattern.

[0030] The environmental control device 1 can narrow down a large set of happiness and environmental information 32 using the initial PMV (PMV at time "t1") as a search condition. The environmental control device 1 can also extract an appropriate one from the set of happiness and environmental information 32 using other conditions (happiness level is greater than a predetermined threshold, energy consumption is less than a predetermined threshold, etc.) as search conditions. Furthermore, the environmental control device 1 can also add a personal ID to the search conditions. In that sense, the set of happiness and environmental information 32 can be said to be a "control model" that outputs an appropriate time-series environmental index (described in detail later).

[0031] The environmental index (PMV) in FIG. 4 is a simple representation of the level in a time series. However, in general, the change in the environmental index can also be represented by at least one of the range of change of the environmental index, the rate of change of the environmental index, the duration of the environmental index at the same level, and the time integral of the deviation of the environmental index from a predetermined value. Similarly, the happiness level in FIG. 4 is a simple representation of the level in a time series. However, in general, the change in the happiness level can also be represented by at least one of the level of the maximum value of the happiness level, the time integral of the deviation of the happiness level from a predetermined value, and the period of the happiness level.

[0032] (Processing Procedure) 5 is a flowchart of this embodiment. This flowchart is an example in which the environmental control device controls the air conditioning in a room. In step S201, the learning processing unit 21 of the environmental control device 1 accepts the control pattern information 31 (FIG. 3). Specifically, the learning processing unit 21 accepts the control pattern information 31 input by the user via the input device 12. The number of records of the control pattern information 31 accepted here is far greater than in the example of FIG. 3. The user inputs the initial PMV and the PMV and time of the control target value in FIG. 3 after varying them in various ways.

[0033] In step S202, the learning processing unit 21 accepts a learning subject. Specifically, the learning processing unit 21 accepts an arbitrary personal ID input by the user via the input device 12. Here, it is assumed that "M01" is input.

[0034] In step S203, the learning processing unit 21 creates happiness level and environment information 32 (FIG. 4). Specifically, first, the learning processing unit 21 acquires an arbitrary unprocessed record from the control pattern information 31. The record acquired here is also called a "target record." Secondly, the learning processing unit 21 operates the air conditioner 6 according to the control target value of the target record, with the person 5 (individual M01) placed in the room 7 of Fig. 2. The learning processing unit 21 then acquires a time series of happiness level, a time series of environmental index, and a time series of energy consumption. Naturally, the time series of environmental index acquired here reflects the control target value of the target record. Thirdly, the learning processing unit 21 uses the acquired data to create happiness level and environment information 32 in FIG.

[0035] The learning processing unit 21 repeats the "first to third" processes of step S203 for each unprocessed target record (inner loop, not shown). Furthermore, the learning processing unit 21 accepts a new arbitrary personal ID and then repeats the processes of steps S202 and S203 a sufficiently large number of times (outer loop, not shown). At the stage when the learning processing unit 21 exits the outer loop, it will have created a set of happiness level and environment information 32 (which can also be called a "control model") of "the number of people 5 x the number of patterns" and stored it in the auxiliary storage device 15.

[0036] The processing up to this point is the "learning phase." In the learning phase, the learning processing unit 21 accumulates past examples of changes in happiness level over time, changes in environmental indicators over time, and changes in energy consumption over time or space. In the learning phase, no consideration is given to what the actual time-series happiness level will be, and whether or not some of the energy consumption will end up being wasted. The processing that follows is the "execution phase." In the execution phase, the environmental control unit 22 minimizes energy consumption within a range that ensures the happiness level of the person who is newly the target of environmental control (air conditioning).

[0037] In step S204, the environmental control unit 22 of the environmental control device 1 accepts a controlled person. Specifically, the environmental control unit 22 accepts the user inputting the personal ID of an arbitrary person (controlled person) who will be a new target of air conditioning via the input device 12. It is preferable that the controlled person is a person who became a learning subject in step S202. If not, the environmental control unit 22 may convert the personal ID of the controlled person accepted here into the personal ID of a learning subject who is similar in constitution to the controlled person by any method, or may omit step S204. Here, it is assumed that "M01" is input.

[0038] In step S205, the environment control unit 22 acquires an initial value of the environment index of the controlled person. Specifically, after the individual M01 enters the room 7, the environment control unit 22 calculates the current PMV using the data acquired from the camera 2 and the sensor 8. For the sake of explanation, it is assumed here that "-3" is calculated.

[0039] In step S206, the environment control unit 22 acquires optimal happiness level / environment information 32. Specifically, the environment control unit 22 acquires, from the set of happiness level / environment information 32 stored in the auxiliary storage device 15 (control model 33), one that satisfies all of the following conditions: <Condition 1> The personal ID is “M01”. <Condition 2> The initial PMV (time t1) is “−3”. <Condition 3> The total energy consumption over time is less than a predetermined threshold. Condition 4: The total happiness level over time is greater than a specified threshold. It should be noted that if step S204 is omitted (if the controlled person is not included in the learning person), the environment control unit 22 ignores condition 1. Although it is halfway through FIG. 5, the description will now move to FIG.

[0040] 6 is a diagram for explaining the process of step S206. The environment control unit 22 draws a coordinate plane 51 with the horizontal axis representing energy consumption (integral value over time) and the vertical axis representing happiness (integral value over time). The environment control unit 22 draws a control model 33 on this coordinate plane 51a. The control model 33 is a collection of multiple "●", and each ● corresponds to the individual happiness and environment information 31 (FIG. 4) when the PMV for individual M01 at time t1 is "-3". Normally, the greater the energy consumption, the greater the happiness, so the control model 33 is an ellipse sloping upward to the right.

[0041] Now, the environment control unit 22 defines a straight line equation "p=αy-(1-α)x" on the coordinate plane 51a. x is the energy consumption. y is the happiness level. α is a weight (0<α<1). p is a concept like happiness level including energy cost, but it is not very important here. The larger the value of α, the more importance is attached to happiness level and the less importance is attached to saving energy consumption. Now, assume that the user specifies "α1" as a specific value of α. For ease of understanding, the equation of the straight line is transformed to "y=[(1-α) / α]x+p / α". The environment control unit 22 substitutes "α1" for "α" in this equation and then draws a straight line 52a on the coordinate plane 51a. The straight line 52a is in contact with the upper left of the control model 33 at a tangent point ●53a. The tangent point ●53a is the happiness level and environment information 32 that satisfies the above conditions 1 to 4.

[0042] As another specific value of α, it is assumed that the user has specified “α2”. And it is assumed that “0<α1<α2<0” is established. The environment control unit 22 draws the same control model 33 as above on the same coordinate plane 51b as above. The environment control unit 22 draws a straight line 52b on the coordinate plane 51b after substituting “α2” for “α” in the equation “y=[(1-α) / α]x+p / α”. The slope “(1-α2) / α2” of the straight line 52b is smaller than the slope “(1-α1) / α1” of the straight line 52a. The straight line 52b is in contact with the upper left of the control model 33 at a tangent point 53b. The tangent point ●53b is the happiness level and environment information 32 that satisfies the above conditions 1 to 4.

[0043] Comparing the position of the junction ●53a with the position of the junction ●53b, the junction ●53b consumes more energy and obtains a greater degree of happiness. Although it is the same, the junction ●53a consumes less energy and obtains a smaller degree of happiness. There is an inherent trade-off between happiness and saving energy consumption. The user determines the balance by the value of α. Refer back to Figure 5 for an explanation.

[0044] In step S207, the environmental control unit 22 executes air conditioning control. Specifically, first, the environmental control unit 22 controls the air conditioner 6 by transmitting "temperature", "humidity" and "wind speed" among the time-series environmental indices of the happiness level / environment information 32 acquired in step S206 to the air conditioner 6. Then, the air conditioner 6 executes energy-saving operation while ensuring the happiness level of the individual M01, with the time-series environmental indices as control targets.

[0045] Secondly, the environment control unit 22 acquires the time series happiness level, the time series environmental index, and the time series energy consumption. Unlike the learning phase, in the execution phase, it is preferable not to impose the burden of wearing the measuring device 3 on the person 5. Therefore, the environment control unit 22 may acquire the happiness level (alternative value) by a non-invasive or non-contact method.

[0046] In step S208, the environment control unit 22 feeds back the execution result. Specifically, the environment control unit 22 creates information (called "execution result information") having the same configuration as the happiness level and environment information 32 in FIG. 4 based on the data acquired in "second" of step S208, and stores (accumulates) it in the auxiliary storage device 15 as a part of the control model 33. Then, the processing procedure ends. The execution phase of steps S204 to S208 is repeated for each controlled person. Then, each time, execution result information is additionally stored in the control model 33, and the control model 33 is enriched.

[0047] (Spatial application) FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the relationship between PMV and happiness level (application to space). In FIG. 7, an event venue (not shown) is assumed instead of the room 7 in FIG. 2. The vertical axis in FIG. 7 is happiness level and PMV, as in FIG. 1. The horizontal axis in FIG. 7 is distance along the movement line of person 5, which corresponds to "distance from starting point" and "d1" in the time column 112 in FIG. 4. The starting point of the distance is, for example, the gate of the site of the event venue.

[0048] A person 5 is outdoors in winter. Their PMV is around "-1". Their happiness level is also at a low level. Person 5 enters the entrance. The air conditioning unit at the entrance warms the entrance to create a sense of relief. As a result, the PMV at the entrance temporarily rises to about "+2". Happiness also increases. Person 5 enters the passageway. The air conditioner in the passageway barely conditions the passageway and only ventilates it to improve the flow of person 5. At this time, the air conditioner saves energy consumption. As a result, the PMV in the passageway drops to a level slightly below "0" and stabilizes at that level. Happiness returns to a low level.

[0049] · Person 5 enters the event venue. In order to create a sense of elation, the air conditioning system in the event venue warms the area immediately after entering the venue, but in other areas, it only ventilates the room, anticipating that Person 5's sense of elation will continue (this is also a result of "getting used to it"), thereby saving energy consumption. As a result, the PMV rises to about "+2" at the location immediately after entering, but gradually drops to a level of about "-1" at other locations. Happiness level goes from rising to falling, but remains at a high level overall. This is because Person 5 is satisfied with the content of the event (exhibits, etc.).

[0050] Person 5 enters the souvenir section. The air conditioning unit in the souvenir section warms up the area along the path of travel again to promote souvenir sales. As a result, the PMV temporarily rises to about "+2". Happiness starts to rise again.

[0051] In FIG. 3, "time" is replaced with "distance", and "t1" etc. are replaced with "d1" etc. In FIG. 4, "t1" etc. are replaced with "d1" etc. Then, the happiness level, environmental index and energy consumption in FIG. 4 change on the spatial axis. The environmental control device 1 performs such replacement and executes the processing procedure of FIG. 5. In step S207, the environmental control unit 22 transmits "temperature", "humidity" and "wind speed" among the environmental indexes on the spatial axis of the happiness level / environment information 32 acquired in step S206 to the air conditioners arranged at various locations along the flow line. The air conditioners perform energy-saving operation while ensuring the happiness level of people, with the environmental indexes on the spatial axis as the control target.

[0052] (Variations: Group and Representative) When multiple people 5 are present in a room 7, it is difficult for the air conditioner 6 to condition the air for each individual person based on zoning. Therefore, the environmental control unit 22 determines a representative who represents the group of people 5 by one of the following methods 1 to 3. Now, in step S204, it is assumed that the environmental control unit 22 simultaneously accepts "M01", "M02", and "M03" as control targets.

[0053] <Method 1> The environment control unit 22 selects as the "representative" the person among "M01", "M02" and "M03" whose center of gravity of the control model 33 for that individual is located at the rightmost position on the coordinate plane 51a or 51b in Fig. 6. In Method 1, the person for whom it is most difficult to reduce energy consumption is selected as the representative. <Method 2> The environment control unit 22 selects as the "representative" the person among "M01", "M02", and "M03" whose center of gravity of the control model 33 for that individual is located at the lowest position on the coordinate plane 51a or 51b in Fig. 6. In Method 2, the person with the lowest happiness level is selected as the representative.

[0054] <Method 3> The environment control unit 22 creates a virtual personality "M01", "M02" and "M03". 01~03 The environment control unit 22 creates “M 01~03Each of the multiple ●'s included in the virtual control model 33 exists at the average coordinate position of the three ●'s of the same pattern for "M01", "M02" and "M03".

[0055] The process after the representative is decided is the same as steps S205 to S208 in Fig. 5. However, in the case of method 3, the initial value (current PMV) in step S205 is set to the average value of "M01", "M02" and "M03".

[0056] (Number of rooms, etc.) 2 may have a plurality of rooms 7, and the number of the event venues may also be a plurality of spaces. In this case, the learning processing unit 21 executes the processes of steps S201 to S203 in parallel or successively for these spaces. The environment control unit 22 executes the processes of steps S204 to S208 in parallel or successively for these spaces.

[0057] (Effects of this embodiment) The effects of the environmental control device of this embodiment are as follows. (1) The environmental control device can maintain a person's happiness. (2) Environmental control devices can reduce energy consumption. (3) The environmental control device can use environmental indicators according to the user's preferences. (4) The environmental control device can accurately measure happiness using established methods. (5) The environmental control device can create a typical pattern of changes in environmental indicators.

[0058] (6) The environmental control device can use various values ​​according to the user's preferences as changes in the environmental index. (7) The environmental control device can use various values ​​for the change in happiness level according to the user's preferences. (8) The environmental control device may use non-invasive or non-contact happiness measures. (9) The environmental control device can periodically give a person “stimuli.” (10) The environmental control device may determine a representative for multiple air-conditioned users. (11) The environmental control device can provide feedback on the results of air conditioning control. (12) The environmental control device can balance happiness and energy conservation according to user instructions. (13) The environmental control device may provide environmental control for multiple spaces.

[0059] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but includes various modified examples. For example, the above-described embodiment has been described in detail to easily explain the present invention, and is not necessarily limited to those including all of the configurations described. It is also possible to replace a part of the configuration of one embodiment with the configuration of another embodiment, and it is also possible to add the configuration of another embodiment to the configuration of one embodiment. It is also possible to add, delete, or replace a part of the configuration of each embodiment with another configuration.

[0060] In addition, the above-mentioned configurations, functions, processing units, processing means, etc. may be realized in part or in whole by hardware, for example, by designing them as integrated circuits. In addition, the above-mentioned configurations, functions, etc. may be realized in software by a processor interpreting and executing a program that realizes each function. Information such as the program, table, file, etc. that realizes each function can be stored in a memory, a recording device such as a hard disk or SSD (Solid State Drive), or a recording medium such as an IC card, SD card, or DVD. In addition, the control lines and information lines shown are those that are considered necessary for the explanation, and not all control lines and information lines in the product are necessarily shown. In reality, it can be considered that almost all components are connected to each other. [Explanation of symbols]

[0061] 1. Environmental control equipment 2 Camera 3. Measurement equipment 4. Network 5 people 6 Air conditioner 7 Room 11 Central control unit 12 Input Devices 13 Output Devices 14 Main memory 15 Auxiliary storage 16 Communication Equipment 21 Learning processing unit 22 Environmental Control Section 31 Control pattern information 32 Happiness / Environmental information 33 Control Model

Claims

1. A control model is created by accumulating the relationship between past examples of changes in the happiness level of a person who is the subject of environmental control over time or space and past examples of changes in environmental indicators related to said person over time or space, and a learning processing unit that accumulates a relationship between past examples of changes in the happiness level and past examples of changes in the environmental index, and past examples of changes in the amount of energy consumption over time or space related to environmental control, and creates the control model; Based on the created control model, a temporal or spatial environmental index that increases the happiness of a person who is a new target of environmental control is determined, and the environment is controlled with the determined environmental index as a target. An environmental control unit that determines the temporal or spatial environmental index that saves the energy consumption during a period in which the happiness index is used to predict human habituation; An environmental control device comprising:

2. The environmental indicators are: At least one of the predicted average thermal sensation report, illuminance, smell, and sound is included; The environmental control device according to claim 1 .

3. The happiness level is: Including values ​​based on cerebral blood flow, saliva composition, or heart rate; The environmental control device according to claim 2 .

4. The learning processing unit: Creating a pattern of change in the environmental indicator over time or space; The environmental control device according to claim 3 .

5. The change in the environmental indicators is the environmental index includes at least one of a change range of the environmental index, a change rate of the environmental index, a maintenance time of the environmental index at the same level, and a time integral value of a deviation of the environmental index from a predetermined value; The environmental control device according to claim 4 .

6. The change in happiness level is The level of the maximum value of the happiness level, the time integral value of the deviation of the happiness level from a predetermined value, and the period of the happiness level are included. The environmental control device according to claim 5 .

7. The happiness level is: Including non-invasive or non-contact alternatives; The environmental control device according to claim 6 .

8. The pattern is: The environmental index, once decreased or increased, is repeatedly reversed; The environmental control device according to claim 7 .

9. The environmental control unit includes: If there are multiple people who will be newly subject to the environmental control, determining one representative; The environmental control device according to claim 8 .

10. The environmental control unit includes: accumulating the results of the environmental control carried out with the determined environmental index as a target as part of the control model; The environmental control device according to claim 9 .

11. The environmental control unit includes: determining a balance between the happiness level and the energy consumption saving in accordance with a weighting specified by a user; The environmental control device according to claim 10 .

12. The learning processing unit: Creating the control model for a plurality of different spaces; The environmental control unit includes: performing said environmental control for said plurality of different spaces; The environmental control device according to claim 11 .

13. The learning processing unit of the environmental control device A control model is created by accumulating the relationship between past examples of changes in the happiness level of a person who is the subject of environmental control over time or space and past examples of changes in environmental indicators related to said person over time or space, and creating the control model by accumulating relationships between past examples of changes in the happiness level and past examples of changes in the environmental index and past examples of changes in the amount of energy consumption over time or space related to environmental control; The environmental control unit of the environmental control device includes: Based on the created control model, a temporal or spatial environmental index that increases the happiness of a person who is a new target of environmental control is determined, and the environment is controlled with the determined environmental index as a target. Determining the temporal or spatial environmental indicators that conserve the energy consumption during a period that allows for a person's habituation to the indicators of well-being; An environmental control method for an environmental control device comprising the steps of:

14. Computer, A control model is created by accumulating the relationship between past examples of changes in the happiness level of a person who is the subject of environmental control over time or space and past examples of changes in environmental indicators related to said person over time or space, and a learning processing unit that accumulates a relationship between past examples of changes in the happiness level and past examples of changes in the environmental index, and past examples of changes in the amount of energy consumption over time or space related to environmental control, and creates the control model; Based on the created control model, a temporal or spatial environmental index that increases the happiness of a person who is a new target of environmental control is determined, and the environment is controlled with the determined environmental index as a target. An environmental control unit that determines the temporal or spatial environmental index that saves the energy consumption during a period in which the happiness index is expected to cause a person to become accustomed to the happiness index; Environmental control program to make it function as a

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