Air conditioner and air conditioning system

Abstract

An air conditioner (10) includes a biometric information acquisition unit (112) that acquires biometric information of a user, and a conversion unit (114) that converts the biometric information into post-personal-adaptation biometric information reflecting tendencies of biometric information unique to the user. The conversion unit (114) sets upper and lower limit values reflecting tendencies of biometric information unique to the user, on the basis of a plurality of sets of biometric information acquired during an acquisition period in the past that is set in advance, and calculates a proportion of values of biometric information in a range of the upper and lower limit values as the post-personal-adaptation biometric information.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an air conditioner and an air conditioning system capable of acquiring a user's bioinformation value. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a device that controls an air conditioner based on a person's biological information acquired by a sensor. Patent Document 1 discloses a sleep state determination system that detects a person's body movement when the detection value of a Doppler sensor exceeds a threshold value.

[0003] In the sleep state determination system disclosed in Patent Document 1, a person's sleep state is determined in response to the detected body movement, and the operation of an air conditioner is controlled in response to the determination result of the person's sleep state. The threshold is updated when the difference between the latest average value of the maximum detection value of the Doppler sensor when the person lands on the floor during a specified period and the initial average value of the maximum detection value of the Doppler sensor when the person lands on the floor during an initial specified period is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. In the sleep state determination system, the threshold is newly determined in response to a change in the distance between the person and the Doppler sensor, so that body movement can be accurately detected even if the distance between the person and the Doppler sensor changes. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-130045 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, the values ​​of a person's biometric information detected by a sensor generally vary from person to person. For example, in a certain period of time, the percentage value of the biometric information acquired by a sensor for a certain user may only be presented as 20% or more and 60% or less. In this case, although the value of 60% is 100%, which is the maximum value that the biometric information of the user can take, there is a concern that the user may become dissatisfied because the biometric information is not evaluated as the maximum value. Such concerns cannot be resolved by a system such as the sleep state determination system disclosed in Patent Document 1.

[0006] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above, and aims to obtain an air conditioner that can reflect the biometric information tendencies specific to each individual user in the acquired biometric information and convert the acquired biometric information into appropriate biometric information for each user. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the object, the air conditioner according to the present disclosure comprises: An air conditioner that is placed in a room and performs air conditioning, a biometric information acquiring unit that acquires biometric information of a user; and a converting unit that converts the biometric information into personalized biometric information that reflects a tendency of the biometric information specific to the user; A storage unit that stores biometric information; The conversion unit includes: Obtaining from a storage unit a plurality of pieces of biometric information acquired during a predetermined past acquisition period; Based on the values ​​of multiple biometric information, upper and lower limits that reflect the tendency of the biometric information specific to the user are set, and the ratio of the biometric information value within the range of the upper and lower limits is calculated as the personalized biometric information. The personal tailored biometric information is then calculated based on the biometric information value acquired from the storage unit and the biometric information value input by the user from outside the air conditioner. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to effectively convert the acquired biometric information into appropriate biometric information for each user by reflecting the biometric information tendencies specific to the individual user in the acquired biometric information. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an air conditioning system according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of an indoor unit of an air conditioner according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a remote controller for an air conditioner according to a first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a server according to a first embodiment; [Diagram 5] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an external terminal according to a first embodiment; [Figure 6] 1 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the operation of the air conditioning system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] A flowchart showing the procedure of the operation of the air conditioning system in the second embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration in which the functions of the control unit according to the first and second embodiments are realized by hardware. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration in which the functions of the control unit according to the first and second embodiments are realized by software. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] An air conditioner and an air conditioning system according to an embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0011] Embodiment 1 1 is a configuration diagram showing the configuration of an air conditioning system 100 according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the air conditioning system 100 according to the first embodiment includes an air conditioner 10, a server 20, and an external terminal 30.

[0012] The air conditioner 10 comprises an indoor unit 11 installed in a room which is an area to be air-conditioned by the air conditioner 10, an outdoor unit 12 installed outside the room, and a remote controller 13 which transmits control instructions for the air conditioner 10 to the indoor unit 11. The outdoor unit 12 is capable of communicating with the indoor unit 11 via a communication line (not shown). Hereinafter, the remote controller may be referred to as a remote controller.

[0013] The indoor unit 11 and the server 20 are capable of communicating with each other. Moreover, the indoor unit 11, the server 20, and the external terminal 30 are connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other via a network such as the Internet 40, which is a global information and communication network. In other words, the indoor unit 11, the server 20, and the external terminal 30 are connected to the network and are capable of sending and receiving information with each other.

[0014] The air conditioner 10 forms one complete refrigeration cycle with an indoor unit 11 and an outdoor unit 12. The air conditioner 10 uses a refrigerant that circulates between the indoor unit 11 and the outdoor unit 12 through a refrigerant pipe (not shown) to transfer heat between the air inside the room, which is the area to be air-conditioned, and the air outside the room, thereby realizing air conditioning for the room.

[0015] 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the indoor unit 11 of the air conditioner 10 according to the first embodiment. The indoor unit 11 has an indoor unit air conditioning unit 111, a biological information acquisition unit 112, an indoor unit storage unit 113, a conversion unit 114, an indoor unit communication unit 115, and an air conditioning control unit 116. The indoor unit storage unit 113, the conversion unit 114, the indoor unit communication unit 115, and the air conditioning control unit 116 are mounted on an indoor unit control board 117 which is a single control board for the indoor unit 11.

[0016] The indoor unit air conditioning section 111 has the air conditioning function of the indoor unit of a general air conditioner, and performs air conditioning of the room, which is the area to be air-conditioned. The indoor unit air conditioning section 111 includes an indoor heat exchanger (not shown) that exchanges heat between the air taken in by the indoor unit 11 and the refrigerant flowing in the refrigerant circuit, a blower fan (not shown) that sends the conditioned air that has been heat exchanged in the indoor heat exchanger from the indoor unit 11 to the room, and an air direction adjustment section (not shown) that adjusts the direction in which the conditioned air is sent out from the indoor unit 11. The air taken in by the indoor unit 11 is the indoor air of the room in which the indoor unit 11 is installed.

[0017] The biometric information acquisition unit 112 detects and collects biometric information of users present in a room, which is a space to be air-conditioned by the air conditioner 10, at a predetermined cycle in accordance with the control of the air conditioning control unit 116. The biometric information acquisition unit 112 acquires one or more types of biometric information instructed by the air conditioning control unit 116. When there are multiple users present in the room, the biometric information acquisition unit 112 acquires the biometric information of the multiple users present in the room for each user. The biometric information acquisition unit 112 stores the detected value of the acquired user's biometric information as a pre-conversion biometric information value 51 in the indoor unit storage unit 113. When the biometric information of multiple users is acquired, the biometric information acquisition unit 112 stores the pre-conversion biometric information value 51 for each user in the indoor unit storage unit 113.

[0018] Here, the biometric information detected by the biometric information acquiring unit 112 is an actual measurement value and is not converted by the converting unit 114. For this reason, in the first embodiment, the value of the biometric information detected by the biometric information acquiring unit 112 is called a pre-conversion biometric information value 51.

[0019] As described later, the value of the biometric information obtained by converting the pre-conversion biometric information value 51 by the conversion unit 114 is converted under a predetermined condition. Therefore, in the first embodiment, the value of the biometric information obtained by converting the pre-conversion biometric information value 51 by the conversion unit 114 is called a converted biometric information value 60.

[0020] Further, a matched biometric information value 61, which will be described later, is a value of biometric information that is adapted to the tendency of the biometric information specific to the user by reflecting the tendency of the biometric information specific to the user with respect to the pre-conversion biometric information value 51. Therefore, in the first embodiment, the value of biometric information that is adapted to the tendency of the biometric information specific to the user by reflecting the tendency of the biometric information specific to the user is called a matched biometric information value 61.

[0021] Moreover, the default converted biometric information value 62 described later is not a value of biometric information adapted to the tendency of the biometric information specific to the user by reflecting the tendency of the biometric information specific to the user for the pre-conversion biometric information value 51, but is a value of biometric information converted from the pre-conversion biometric information value 51 based on the predetermined default upper and lower limit values. Therefore, in the first embodiment, the value of biometric information converted from the pre-conversion biometric information value 51 based on the predetermined default upper and lower limit values ​​is called the default converted biometric information value 62, not a value of biometric information adapted to the tendency of the biometric information specific to the user by reflecting the tendency of the biometric information specific to the user for the pre-conversion biometric information value 51.

[0022] In the first embodiment, the case where the biological information acquisition unit 112 is provided in the indoor unit 11 is described, but the location of the biological information acquisition unit 112 is not limited to the indoor unit 11. The biological information acquisition unit 112 may be provided outside the indoor unit 11 inside the room.

[0023] Examples of the biometric information of the user acquired by the biometric information acquisition unit 112 include, for example, biometric information such as stress, concentration level, sleepiness level, fatigue level, and joy, anger, sadness, and happiness. The biometric information of the user acquired by the biometric information acquisition unit 112 is not limited to one type. The biometric information acquisition unit 112 can simultaneously acquire multiple types of biometric information for one user.

[0024] The pre-conversion biometric information value 51 is the biometric information of the user acquired by the biometric information acquisition unit 112, and is an actual measurement value acquired by the biometric information acquisition unit 112. The pre-conversion biometric information value 51 measured by the biometric information acquisition unit 112 is associated with date and time information and sent to the indoor unit storage unit 113 and stored in the indoor unit storage unit 113. The date and time information is information on the date and time when the pre-conversion biometric information value 51 of the user was measured by the biometric information acquisition unit 112.

[0025] The biometric information acquiring unit 112 collects the pre-conversion biometric information value 51 of the user at a predetermined cycle, so that the change in the user's physical condition can be recorded and used as information for detecting an abnormal condition of the user. The biometric information acquiring unit 112 may acquire and collect the pre-conversion biometric information value 51 of the user at a timing designated by the user or at a predetermined timing.

[0026] The biometric information acquiring unit 112 is configured with, for example, a Doppler sensor. Note that the sensor configuring the biometric information acquiring unit 112 may be of any type as long as it can appropriately acquire desired biometric information. In addition, when acquiring multiple types of biometric information, the biometric information acquiring unit 112 is provided with a sensor suitable for acquiring the biometric information for each type of biometric information.

[0027] For example, a Doppler sensor can acquire data on the user's pulse. The biometric information acquiring unit 112 can acquire the user's biometric information, i.e., the user's pre-conversion biometric information value 51, based on the user's pulse data acquired by the Doppler sensor. Considering the stress level as an example, the biometric information acquiring unit 112 can estimate the stress level, which is the balance of the user's autonomic nerves, from the fluctuation of the user's pulse. The biometric information acquiring unit 112 can acquire the pre-conversion biometric information value 51 of the user's stress level using the formula: stress level=LF / HF.

[0028] In this case, the biological information acquiring unit 112 extracts a high frequency (HF) fluctuation component corresponding to a respiratory fluctuation and a low frequency (LF) component corresponding to a Mayer wave, which is a blood pressure fluctuation, from the time series data of the pulse fluctuation, and compares the magnitude of both. Then, the biological information acquiring unit 112 can acquire the value of LF / HF as a stress index, which is the activity level of the sympathetic nerves.

[0029] Further, in addition to the Doppler sensor, the biological information acquiring unit 112 can also use sensors such as a Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave (FMCW) sensor and an acoustic wave sensor.

[0030] The indoor unit storage unit 113 is a storage unit that stores information such as various control setting values ​​and programs for controlling the operation of the air conditioner 10. The indoor unit storage unit 113 stores the pre-conversion biometric information values ​​51 acquired by the biometric information acquisition unit 112 for each user. In other words, the indoor unit storage unit 113 functions as a storage unit that stores the pre-conversion biometric information values ​​51 acquired by the biometric information acquisition unit 112. The indoor unit storage unit 113 is a non-volatile storage unit, and is configured from a semiconductor storage medium such as a flash memory.

[0031] In the first embodiment, the indoor unit storage unit 113 is described as having the function of a storage unit that stores the pre-conversion biometric information value 51 acquired by the biometric information acquisition unit 112. However, the location of the storage unit that stores the pre-conversion biometric information value 51 acquired by the biometric information acquisition unit 112 is not limited to the indoor unit storage unit 113. The storage unit that stores the pre-conversion biometric information value 51 acquired by the biometric information acquisition unit 112 may be provided in the server 20 or the external terminal 30.

[0032] The conversion unit 114 acquires the pre-conversion biometric information value 51 for a predetermined past acquisition period from the indoor unit storage unit 113. That is, the conversion unit 114 acquires the pre-conversion biometric information value 51 for a predetermined acquisition period from the indoor unit storage unit 113 after the biometric information acquisition unit 112 starts acquiring the user's biometric information. When there are multiple users from whom biometric information is to be acquired, the conversion unit 114 acquires the pre-conversion biometric information value 51 for each user from the indoor unit storage unit 113.

[0033] The acquisition period is a period of any length from when the biometric information acquisition mode is set to on in the air conditioning control unit 116 and acquisition of the user's biometric information begins, to when the number of acquired pre-conversion biometric information values ​​51 reaches a number sufficient to set appropriate personal upper and lower limit values ​​for the pre-conversion biometric information values ​​51, as described below.

[0034] Then, the conversion unit 114 sets appropriate individual setting upper and lower limit values ​​for the user based on the pre-conversion bioinformation value 51 during the acquisition period acquired from the indoor unit storage unit 113. Then, the conversion unit 114 performs percentage conversion for each of the pre-conversion bioinformation values ​​51 acquired from the indoor unit storage unit 113 against the set upper and lower limit values ​​to calculate the adapted bioinformation value 61.

[0035] That is, the conversion unit 114 sets upper and lower limit values ​​reflecting a tendency of biometric information specific to a user based on a plurality of pre-conversion biometric information values ​​51 acquired during a predetermined past acquisition period, and calculates the ratio of the pre-conversion biometric information values ​​51 within the range of the upper and lower limit values ​​as the individual tailored biometric information. In addition, the conversion unit 114 acquires a plurality of pre-conversion biometric information values ​​51 acquired during a past acquisition period for a plurality of users from the air conditioning control unit 116 for each user, and calculates the individual tailored biometric information for each user.

[0036] The conversion unit 114 also sets and stores individual setting upper and lower limit values ​​based on user input biometric information, which is information corresponding to an input operation of information on the user's physical condition input by the user, and the pre-conversion biometric information value 51. Then, the conversion unit 114 converts the pre-conversion biometric information value 51 acquired from the indoor unit storage unit 113 into a percentage of the set upper and lower limit values, to calculate the adapted biometric information value 61.

[0037] That is, based on the pre-conversion biometric information value 51 acquired from the air conditioning control unit 116 and the biometric information value input by the user from outside the air conditioner 10, the conversion unit 114 calculates personal adapted biometric information that reflects the pre-conversion biometric information value 51 and the biometric information tendencies specific to the user.

[0038] In the first embodiment, the conversion unit 114 is provided on the indoor unit control board 117 of the indoor unit 11, but the location of the conversion unit 114 is not limited to the indoor unit control board 117. The conversion unit 114 may be provided on the server 20 or the external terminal 30 in the air conditioning system 100. When a storage unit for storing the pre-conversion bioinformation value 51 is provided on the server 20, the conversion unit 114 is preferably provided on the server 20 or the external terminal 30. When a storage unit for storing the pre-conversion bioinformation value 51 is provided on the external terminal 30, the conversion unit 114 is preferably provided on the external terminal 30.

[0039] The indoor unit communication unit 115 communicates with an external communication unit, which is a communication unit provided in each component other than the indoor unit 11 in the air conditioning system 100. That is, the indoor unit communication unit 115 communicates with a remote control communication unit 134 (described later) of the remote control 13, a communication unit (not shown) of the outdoor unit 12, a server communication unit 21 (described later) of the server 20, and a terminal communication unit 34 (described later) of the external terminal 30. The indoor unit communication unit 115 transmits information received from the external communication unit to the air conditioning control unit 116. The communication method between the external communication unit and the indoor unit communication unit 115 may be wired communication, or may be wireless communication using infrared communication, Wi-Fi (registered trademark) (Wireless Fidelity), Bluetooth (registered trademark), or the like.

[0040] The indoor unit communication unit 115 is connectable to the server 20. That is, the indoor unit communication unit 115 is capable of communicating with the server 20. The indoor unit communication unit 115 and the server 20 are capable of communicating with each other, for example, via the Internet 40. The indoor unit communication unit 115 transmits the converted biometric information value 60 converted by the conversion unit 114 to the server 20 via the Internet 40. That is, the indoor unit communication unit 115 has a function as a communication unit that transmits the converted biometric information value 60 to the server 20.

[0041] The air conditioning control unit 116 is a control unit that controls the overall operation of the air conditioner 10, and controls the operation of the indoor unit 11 and the outdoor unit 12 to control the operation of the air conditioner 10. That is, the air conditioning control unit 116 operates the compressor provided in the outdoor unit 12 based on the set temperature set in the air conditioning control unit 116, the indoor temperature, and the outdoor temperature, to perform cooling or heating operation.

[0042] The air conditioning control unit 116 receives setting on information and setting off information transmitted from the remote control 13 or the external terminal 30. Setting on information is instruction information to turn on the setting of the biometric information acquisition mode, which is a function for acquiring biometric information in the biometric information acquisition unit 112. Setting off information is instruction information to turn off the setting of the biometric information acquisition mode, which is a function for acquiring biometric information in the biometric information acquisition unit 112.

[0043] When the air conditioning control unit 116 receives the setting on information, it sets the biological information acquisition mode in the air conditioning control unit 116 to on, and performs control to start acquisition of biological information in the biological information acquisition unit 112. In other words, the air conditioning control unit 116 transmits acquisition start instruction information to the biological information acquisition unit 112, which is information instructing the biological information acquisition unit 112 to start acquiring biological information.

[0044] The acquisition start instruction information includes type information that indicates the type of biological information to be acquired by the biological information acquisition unit 112, which is the type of biological information to be acquired. The information on the type of biological information to be acquired is determined in advance and stored in the air conditioning control unit 116. Note that the information on the type of biological information to be acquired may be stored in the indoor unit storage unit 113. The type of biological information to be acquired can be changed to any type from the remote control 13 or the external terminal 30.

[0045] When the air conditioning control unit 116 receives the setting off information, it sets the biological information acquisition mode in the air conditioning control unit 116 to off, and performs control to stop acquisition of biological information by the biological information acquisition unit 112. In other words, the air conditioning control unit 116 transmits acquisition stop instruction information to the biological information acquisition unit 112, which is information instructing the biological information acquisition unit 112 to stop acquiring biological information.

[0046] The remote control 13 is an operating device for the air conditioner 10 that transmits control instruction information for the air conditioner 10 to the indoor unit 11 to control the operation of the air conditioner 10. Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the remote controller 13 of the air conditioner 10 according to the first embodiment. The remote control 13 comprises a remote controller operating unit 131, a remote controller display unit 132, a remote controller storage unit 133, a remote controller communication unit 134, and a remote controller control unit 135. The above-mentioned components of the remote control 13 are capable of transmitting and receiving information to and from each other.

[0047] The remote control operation unit 131 accepts setting operations related to air conditioning of the air conditioner 10 requested by the user. In other words, the remote control operation unit 131 is an interface for remotely controlling the operation of the air conditioner 10, and accepts operations from the user related to the operation of the air conditioner 10. When the remote control operation unit 131 accepts an operation from the user, it transmits information corresponding to the user's operation to the remote control control unit 135 as operation information.

[0048] The remote control operation unit 131 is configured to allow the user to arbitrarily select various functions related to the air conditioning operation of the air conditioner 10, such as starting operation of the air conditioner 10, stopping operation of the air conditioner 10, selecting the operation mode of the air conditioner 10, changing the set temperature, changing the set humidity, setting the air volume, setting the air direction, and changing the settings of prohibited operations.

[0049] Remote control operation unit 131 receives from the user a setting-on operation for turning on a setting of a biometric information acquisition mode, which is a function for acquiring biometric information in biometric information acquisition unit 112. When remote control operation unit 131 receives the setting-on operation by the user, it transmits setting-on information, which is information corresponding to the setting-on operation, to remote control control unit 135.

[0050] Remote control operation unit 131 receives from the user a setting-off operation for turning off the setting of a biometric information acquisition mode, which is a function for acquiring biometric information in biometric information acquisition unit 112. When remote control operation unit 131 receives the setting-off operation by the user, it transmits setting-off information, which is information corresponding to the setting-off operation, to remote control control unit 135.

[0051] The remote control display unit 132 is a display unit that displays various information, and displays information and status required for air conditioning by the air conditioner 10, such as the set temperature and operation mode of the air conditioner 10, and switches and displays screens corresponding to operations on the remote control operation unit 131.

[0052] The remote control storage unit 133 stores various information necessary for air conditioning processing in the air conditioner 10, and temporarily or long-term stores information such as setting contents to be displayed on the remote control display unit 132 and image data related to the setting contents.

[0053] The remote control communication unit 134 is capable of one-way communication of information or two-way communication of information from the remote control communication unit 134 to the indoor unit communication unit 115 of the indoor unit 11. Note that the communication between the indoor unit communication unit 115 and the remote control communication unit 134 may be wireless communication or wired communication.

[0054] The remote control control unit 135 controls the overall operation of the remote control 13. The remote control control unit 135 controls the remote control 13 based on operation information transmitted from the remote control operation unit 131. In addition, the remote control control unit 135 transmits the operation information transmitted from the remote control operation unit 131 to the air conditioning control unit 116 of the indoor unit 11.

[0055] When the remote control control unit 135 receives setting-on information from the remote control operation unit 131, it controls to transmit the setting-on information to the indoor unit communication unit 115 of the indoor unit 11 via the remote control communication unit 134. In addition, when the remote control control unit 135 receives setting-off information from the remote control operation unit 131, it controls to transmit the setting-off information to the indoor unit communication unit 115 of the indoor unit 11 via the remote control communication unit 134.

[0056] The server 20 stores the converted biometric information value 60 acquired from the indoor unit 11 of the air conditioner 10, and transmits the converted biometric information value 60 to the external terminal 30. The converted biometric information value 60 is transmitted to the server 20 from the indoor unit 11 of the air conditioner 10, which is communicably connected to the server 20 via the Internet 40. That is, the server 20 can acquire the converted biometric information value 60 from the indoor unit 11 via the Internet 40. As a result, the server 20 shares the converted biometric information value 60 with the indoor unit 11. The server 20 can transmit the converted biometric information value 60 acquired from the indoor unit 11 to the external terminal 30 via the Internet 40. A cloud server or a physical server can be used as the server 20.

[0057] 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the server 20 according to the first embodiment. The server 20 includes a server communication unit 21, a server storage unit 22, and a server control unit 23. The components of the server 20 can exchange information with each other.

[0058] The server communication unit 21 is capable of communicating with the indoor unit communication unit 115 of the indoor unit 11. The indoor unit communication unit 115 of the indoor unit 11 and the server communication unit 21 are capable of communicating with each other, for example, via the Internet 40. The server communication unit 21 receives the converted biometric information value 60 transmitted from the indoor unit communication unit 115 of the indoor unit 11 via the Internet 40. The server communication unit 21 transmits the received converted biometric information value 60 to the server storage unit 22 for storage. In addition, the server communication unit 21 transmits information such as air conditioning control instruction information transmitted from the server control unit 23 to the indoor unit communication unit 115 of the indoor unit 11.

[0059] The server communication unit 21 is capable of communicating with a terminal communication unit 34 (described later) of the external terminal 30. The terminal communication unit 34 of the external terminal 30 and the server communication unit 21 are capable of communicating with each other, for example, via the Internet 40. The server communication unit 21 transmits information such as air conditioning control instruction information transmitted from the server control unit 23 to the terminal communication unit 34 of the external terminal 30 via the Internet 40.

[0060] The server storage unit 22 stores various types of information such as the converted vital sign value 60 acquired from the indoor unit 11 of the air conditioner 10.

[0061] The server control unit 23 controls the overall processing of the server 20. The server control unit 23 also controls the acquisition of the converted bioinformation value 60 from the indoor unit 11 of the air conditioner 10 and the storage in the server storage unit 22. The server control unit 23 also controls the transmission of the converted bioinformation value 60 acquired from the indoor unit 11 of the air conditioner 10 to the external terminal 30 via the Internet 40.

[0062] In the above, a configuration has been described in which the indoor unit 11 of the air conditioner 10 communicates with the external terminal 30 via the server 20, but it is also possible to configure the indoor unit 11 of the air conditioner 10 to communicate directly with the external terminal 30 without going through the server 20. When the indoor unit 11 of the air conditioner 10 and the external terminal 30 communicate directly, the server 20 is not necessary.

[0063] The external terminal 30 connects to the server 20 based on an operation of the external terminal 30 by a user, and acquires the converted biometric information value 60 from the server 20. The external terminal 30 displays the converted biometric information value 60 acquired from the server 20, and presents the converted biometric information value 60 to the user. In other words, the external terminal 30 is a device that allows the user to visually recognize the converted biometric information value 60. The functions of the external terminal 30 can be realized by, for example, a smartphone application, a communication device connectable to the World Wide Web (Web), a remote control 13 of the air conditioner 10, or the like.

[0064] 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the external terminal 30 according to the first embodiment. The external terminal 30 includes a terminal operation unit 31, a terminal display unit 32, a terminal storage unit 33, a terminal communication unit 34, and a terminal control unit 35. The above components of the external terminal 30 can exchange information with each other.

[0065] The terminal operation unit 31 is an operation reception unit that receives user operations, that is, operations from the user. The operations from the user include operations such as remotely controlling the operation of the air conditioner 10, acquiring the converted biometric information value 60 from the server 20, displaying the converted biometric information value 60 acquired from the server 20 on the terminal display unit 32, turning on a setting of a biometric information acquisition mode, which is a function for acquiring biometric information in the biometric information acquisition unit 112, and turning off the setting of the biometric information acquisition mode. The terminal operation unit 31 receives input of a user operation and transmits information corresponding to the user operation to the terminal control unit 35. The terminal operation unit 31 is composed of input devices such as a keyboard, a mouse, and a touch panel display equipped with a touch panel function, and operations on the external terminal 30 are performed by the user.

[0066] The terminal operation unit 31 receives from the user a setting-on operation for turning on a setting of a biometric information acquisition mode, which is a function for acquiring biometric information in the biometric information acquisition unit 112. When the terminal operation unit 31 receives the setting-on operation by the user, it transmits setting-on information, which is information corresponding to the setting-on operation, to the terminal control unit 35.

[0067] The terminal operation unit 31 receives from the user a setting-off operation that is an operation for turning off the setting of a biometric information acquisition mode that is a function for acquiring biometric information in the biometric information acquisition unit 112. When the terminal operation unit 31 receives the setting-off operation by the user, it transmits setting-off information that is information corresponding to the setting-off operation to the terminal control unit 35.

[0068] The terminal display unit 32 is a display unit that displays various types of information inside the external terminal 30. In addition, the terminal display unit 32 displays the converted biometric information value 60 acquired from the server 20.

[0069] The terminal storage unit 33 is a storage unit that stores various types of information inside the external terminal 30. The terminal storage unit 33 stores the converted biometric information value 60 transmitted from the server 20.

[0070] The terminal communication unit 34 is connected to the Internet 40 and communicates with the server 20. The terminal communication unit 34 transmits various information transmitted from the server 20 to the terminal control unit 35. The terminal communication unit 34 transmits the converted vital information value 60 transmitted from the server 20 to the terminal control unit 35. The terminal communication unit 34 transmits air conditioning control instruction information transmitted from the terminal control unit 35 to the server 20.

[0071] The terminal control unit 35 controls the overall processing of the external terminal 30. The terminal control unit 35 also performs control to acquire the converted biometric information value 60 from the server 20 based on an operation from a user, and control to display the converted biometric information value 60 on the terminal display unit 32. That is, the terminal control unit 35 has a function as a display control unit that performs control to display information on the terminal display unit 32.

[0072] When the terminal control unit 35 receives setting-on information from the terminal operation unit 31, it controls to transmit the setting-on information to the indoor unit communication unit 115 of the indoor unit 11 via the terminal communication unit 34 and the server 20. In addition, when the terminal control unit 35 receives setting-off information from the terminal operation unit 31, it controls to transmit the setting-off information to the indoor unit communication unit 115 of the indoor unit 11 via the terminal communication unit 34 and the server 20.

[0073] In the above, a configuration has been described in which the external terminal 30 acquires the converted bioinformation value 60 from the server 20, but it is also possible to configure the terminal communication unit 34 of the external terminal 30 to communicate directly with the indoor unit 11 of the air conditioner 10 without going through the server 20. When the terminal communication unit 34 of the external terminal 30 and the indoor unit 11 of the air conditioner 10 communicate directly with each other, the server 20 is not necessary.

[0074] Next, the operation of the air conditioning system 100 will be described. Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the operation of the air conditioning system 100 according to the first embodiment. The operation of the air conditioning system 100 shown in Fig. 6 is repeatedly performed from when the air conditioning control unit 116 of the indoor unit 11 of the air conditioner 10 receives setting-on information and sets the setting of the biological information acquisition mode in the air conditioning control unit 116 to on, until when the air conditioning control unit 116 receives setting-off information and sets the setting of the biological information acquisition mode in the air conditioning control unit 116 to off.

[0075] In step S110, the biometric information acquisition unit 112 of the indoor unit 11 of the air conditioner 10 starts acquiring the biometric information of the user. Specifically, the biometric information acquisition unit 112 starts acquiring the biometric information of the user in accordance with the control of the air conditioning control unit 116 of the indoor unit 11.

[0076] When the air conditioning control unit 116 receives the setting-on information, it sets the biological information acquisition mode in the air conditioning control unit 116 to on, and transmits acquisition start instruction information to the biological information acquisition unit 112. When the biological information acquisition unit 112 receives the acquisition start instruction information, ToThe biometric information acquisition unit 112 starts acquiring the biometric information of the user for the type of biometric information specified in the included type information. If there are multiple users for whom biometric information is to be acquired, the biometric information acquisition unit 112 acquires the biometric information of each user. Then, the process proceeds to step S120.

[0077] In step S120, the biometric information is acquired from the biometric information acquisition unit 112 in the indoor unit storage unit 113 of the indoor unit 11 of the air conditioner 10. Specifically, the indoor unit storage unit 113 acquires the biometric information from the biometric information acquisition unit 112. When the biometric information acquisition unit 112 starts acquiring the user's biometric information, it acquires the user's biometric information at a predetermined cycle. The biometric information acquisition unit 112 transmits the acquired user's biometric information to the indoor unit storage unit 113 as a pre-conversion biometric information value 51, and stores it in the indoor unit storage unit 113. Note that the acquisition of the biometric information from the biometric information acquisition unit 112 in the indoor unit storage unit 113 may be mainly performed by a functional unit such as the indoor unit storage unit 113 or the air conditioning control unit 116.

[0078] The biometric information acquiring unit 112 associates the time information of the time when the biometric information was acquired with the biometric information, and transmits it to the indoor unit storage unit 113 as a pre-conversion biometric information value 51. That is, the pre-conversion biometric information value 51 includes the biometric information and the time information of the time when the biometric information was acquired.

[0079] The indoor unit storage unit 113 receives and stores the pre-conversion biometric information value 51 transmitted from the biometric information acquisition unit 112. When there are multiple users from whom biometric information is to be acquired, the indoor unit storage unit 113 stores the pre-conversion biometric information value 51 for each user. Then, the process proceeds to step S130.

[0080] In step S130, it is determined whether or not a past acquisition period, which is a predetermined period, has elapsed. Specifically, the conversion unit 114 determines whether or not the predetermined acquisition period has elapsed. The conversion unit 114 uses a clock function that the conversion unit 114 has to determine whether or not the acquisition period has elapsed.

[0081] The acquisition period is a period of any length from when the biometric information acquisition mode is set to ON in the air conditioning control unit 116 and acquisition of the user's biometric information is started in step S110 until the number of acquired pre-conversion biometric information values ​​51 reaches a number at which appropriate personal setting upper and lower limits, described below, can be set for the pre-conversion biometric information values ​​51. When there are multiple users from whom biometric information is to be acquired, the conversion unit 114 determines for each user whether a predetermined acquisition period has elapsed. The acquisition period can be changed to any period from the remote control 13 or the external terminal 30.

[0082] Alternatively, the conversion unit 114 may determine whether or not the quantity of pre-conversion biometric information values ​​51 stored in the indoor unit storage unit 113 has reached a predetermined number of biometric information acquisitions, instead of the acquisition period. In this case, the number of biometric information acquisitions is the number of pre-conversion biometric information values ​​51 that allows appropriate individual setting upper and lower limits to be set for each user, as described above.

[0083] If it is determined that the predetermined acquisition period has elapsed, the result in step S130 is Yes, and the process proceeds to step S140. If it is determined that the predetermined acquisition period has not elapsed, the result in step S130 is No, and the process proceeds to step S170.

[0084] In step S140, the individual setting upper and lower limit values ​​are set based on the pre-conversion biometric information value 51, and the adapted biometric information value 61, which is the converted biometric information value 60, is calculated. Specifically, the conversion unit 114 sets and stores the individual setting upper and lower limit values ​​based on the pre-conversion biometric information value 51. The conversion unit 114 acquires the pre-conversion biometric information value 51 stored in the indoor unit storage unit 113 during the acquisition period from the indoor unit storage unit 113. The conversion unit 114 sets appropriate individual setting upper and lower limit values ​​for the user based on the pre-conversion biometric information value 51 during the acquisition period acquired from the indoor unit storage unit 113. Then, the conversion unit 114 calculates the adapted biometric information value 61 by performing percentage conversion for the set upper and lower limit values ​​for each of the pre-conversion biometric information values ​​51 acquired from the indoor unit storage unit 113. That is, the conversion unit 114 calculates the percentage value of the pre-conversion biometric information value 51 within the range that the user's personal biometric information can take.

[0085] When the acquisition period has elapsed, the conversion unit 114 converts the pre-conversion vital information value 51 stored in the indoor unit storage unit 113 into a percentage for each user to obtain the individual setting upper and lower limit values. Suitable The individual upper and lower limit values ​​are the upper and lower limit values ​​of the biometric information that are the reference when converting the pre-conversion biometric information value 51 into the combined biometric information value 61. In other words, the individual upper and lower limit values ​​are the upper and lower limit values ​​of the biometric information that are the reference when calculating the adapted biometric information value 61 based on the pre-conversion biometric information value 51 that can be taken by the individual user, reflecting the tendency of the biometric information unique to the individual user, and adapting the pre-conversion biometric information value 51 for each user. Therefore, the individual upper and lower limit values ​​are the reference values ​​when calculating the converted biometric information value 60, reflecting the tendency of the biometric information unique to the individual user.

[0086] Then, the conversion unit 114 transmits the calculated matched biometric information value 61 to the server 20. That is, the conversion unit 114 transmits the calculated matched biometric information value 61 to the indoor unit communication unit 115 of the indoor unit 11. Upon receiving the matched biometric information value 61 transmitted from the indoor unit 11, the indoor unit communication unit 115 transmits the matched biometric information value 61 to the server 20 via the Internet 40.

[0087] Regarding the calculation method of the individual setting upper and lower limit values ​​set in the conversion unit 114, for example, a method in which the maximum value of the multiple pre-conversion biometric information values ​​51 stored in the indoor unit storage unit 113 during the acquisition period is set as the upper limit value, and the minimum value of the multiple pre-conversion biometric information values ​​51 stored in the indoor unit storage unit 113 during the acquisition period is set as the lower limit value. In addition, as another calculation method of the individual setting upper and lower limit values, a method in which the individual setting upper and lower limit values ​​are calculated from the average value and standard deviation of the multiple pre-conversion biometric information values ​​51 stored in the indoor unit storage unit 113 during the acquisition period is exemplified. However, the calculation method of the individual setting upper and lower limit values ​​is not limited as long as it is a method that can calculate the individual setting upper and lower limit values ​​appropriate for each user and process the numerical values ​​from the multiple pre-conversion biometric information values ​​51 stored in the indoor unit storage unit 113 during the acquisition period.

[0088] For example, assume that the values ​​of the pre-conversion biometric information values ​​51 stored in the indoor unit storage unit 113 during the acquisition period for a certain type of biometric information of a certain user include pre-conversion biometric information values ​​51 that are 20 or more and 80 or less. In this case, the conversion unit 114 can calculate a value of "20" as the lower limit value of the pre-conversion biometric information value 51. The conversion unit 114 can also calculate a value of "80" as the upper limit value of the pre-conversion biometric information value 51. As a result, the conversion unit 114 can calculate and set a lower limit value of 20 and an upper limit value of 80 as the individual setting upper and lower limits. Then, the range of the lower limit value of 20 or more and the upper limit value of 80 or less becomes the reference range when the pre-conversion biometric information value 51 of the user is converted into a percentage.

[0089] As an example of calculating the matched biometric information value 61, for example, when the pre-conversion biometric information value 51 value: “20” is converted into a percentage using the personally set upper and lower limits of 20 and 80, respectively, to calculate the matched biometric information value 61, the matched biometric information value 61 is calculated as 0% using the formula: (20-20) / (80-20)×100.

[0090] In addition, when the pre-conversion biometric information value 51, which is "30", is converted into a percentage using the personally set upper and lower limits of 20 and 80, respectively, to calculate the matched biometric information value 61, the matched biometric information value 61 is calculated as (30-20) / (80-20)×100≒17%.

[0091] In addition, when the pre-conversion biometric information value 51, which is "70", is converted into a percentage using the personally set upper and lower limits of 20 and 80, respectively, to calculate the matched biometric information value 61, the matched biometric information value 61 is calculated as (70-20) / (80-20)×100≒83%.

[0092] In addition, when the pre-conversion biometric information value 51, which is "80", is converted into a percentage using the personally set upper and lower limits of 20 and 80, respectively, to calculate the matched biometric information value 61, the matched biometric information value 61 is calculated as 100% using the formula: (80-20) / (80-20)×100.

[0093] In other words, when the acquisition period has elapsed since the biometric information acquisition mode was set to on in the air conditioning control unit 116, the conversion unit 114 sets appropriate personal setting upper and lower limit values ​​for each user based on the multiple pre-conversion biometric information values ​​51 stored in the indoor unit memory unit 113 during the acquisition period, and transmits the value obtained by percentageing the pre-conversion biometric information value 51 against the set personal setting upper and lower limit values ​​to the server 20 as the adapted biometric information value 61.

[0094] The conversion unit 114 performs the above-mentioned process of step S140 for each user and for each type of biometric information, and then proceeds to step S150.

[0095] In step S150, the server 20 acquires the matched biometric information value 61. Specifically, when the server communication unit 21 of the server 20 receives the matched biometric information value 61 transmitted from the conversion unit 114, the server communication unit 21 transmits the matched biometric information value 61 to the server control unit 23. When the server control unit 23 receives the matched biometric information value 61 transmitted from the server communication unit 21, the server control unit 23 stores the matched biometric information value 61 in the server storage unit 22. As a result, the server 20 acquires the matched biometric information value 61.

[0096] Then, the server control unit 23 transmits the matched biometric information value 61 stored in the server storage unit 22 to the external terminal 30. That is, the server control unit 23 transmits the matched biometric information value 61 stored in the server storage unit 22 to the server communication unit 21 of the server 20. When the server communication unit 21 receives the matched biometric information value 61 transmitted from the server control unit 23, it transmits the matched biometric information value 61 to the external terminal 30 via the Internet 40. Then, the process proceeds to step S160.

[0097] In step S160, the external terminal 30 acquires the matched biometric information value 61 and displays the matched biometric information value 61. Specifically, when the terminal communication unit 34 of the external terminal 30 receives the matched biometric information value 61 transmitted from the server 20, it transmits the matched biometric information value 61 to the terminal control unit 35 of the external terminal 30. When the terminal control unit 35 receives the matched biometric information value 61 transmitted from the terminal communication unit 34, it stores the matched biometric information value 61 in the terminal storage unit 33 of the external terminal 30. As a result, the matched biometric information value 61 is acquired in the external terminal 30.

[0098] Then, the terminal control unit 35 controls the terminal display unit 32 to display the matched biometric information value 61 stored in the terminal storage unit 33. The terminal display unit 32 displays the matched biometric information value 61 in accordance with the control of the terminal control unit 35, and presents the matched biometric information value 61 of the user to the user. The update frequency of the control of the display of the matched biometric information value 61 in the terminal control unit 35, i.e., the update frequency of the display of the matched biometric information value 61 in the external terminal 30, may be any frequency. Then, the process returns to step S120.

[0099] Thereafter, the process is repeated in the order of step S120 → step S130 → step S140 → step S150 → step S160. That is, after the acquisition period has elapsed, while the biological information acquisition mode setting in the air conditioning control unit 116 is set to ON, in the indoor unit 11, the biological information acquisition unit 112 continues to acquire the pre-conversion biological information value 51, the conversion unit 114 sets the personal setting upper and lower limit values ​​based on the pre-conversion biological information value 51 during the acquisition period, and calculates the adapted biological information value 61, and this cycle is repeated.

[0100] The conversion unit 114 may store and hold the previously calculated individual upper and lower limit values. By holding the previously calculated individual upper and lower limit values, the conversion unit 114 can also set more appropriate upper and lower limit values ​​by combining the previously calculated individual upper and lower limit values ​​and the currently calculated individual upper and lower limit values. For example, the conversion unit 114 can determine the average value of the previously calculated upper limit value of the individual upper and lower limit values ​​and the currently calculated upper limit value of the individual upper and lower limit values ​​as a new upper limit value. Furthermore, the conversion unit 114 can determine the average value of the previously calculated lower limit value of the individual upper and lower limit values ​​and the currently calculated lower limit value of the individual upper and lower limit values ​​as a new lower limit value. However, the method of setting appropriate upper and lower limit values ​​by combining the previously calculated individual upper and lower limit values ​​and the currently calculated individual upper and lower limit values ​​is not limited.

[0101] In step S170, the default converted biometric information value 62, which is the converted biometric information value 60, is calculated based on the pre-conversion biometric information value 51 and the predetermined default upper and lower limit values. Specifically, the conversion unit 114 calculates the default converted biometric information value 62 based on the pre-conversion biometric information value 51 and the predetermined default upper and lower limit values. The conversion unit 114 acquires the pre-conversion biometric information value 51 stored in the indoor unit storage unit 113 for which the acquisition period has not elapsed from the indoor unit storage unit 113. The conversion unit 114 calculates the default converted biometric information value 62 by converting each of the pre-conversion biometric information values ​​51 for which the acquisition period has not elapsed acquired from the indoor unit storage unit 113 into a percentage value for the predetermined default upper and lower limit values.

[0102] The default upper and lower limit values ​​are upper and lower limit values ​​of the biometric information that are used as a reference when the conversion unit 114 converts the pre-conversion biometric information value 51 stored in the indoor unit storage unit 113 into a default converted biometric information value 62 by converting it into a percentage when the acquisition period has not elapsed. The range of the default upper limit value, which is the upper limit of the default upper and lower limit values, and the default lower limit value, which is the lower limit of the default upper and lower limit values, is the reference range when the pre-conversion biometric information value 51 of the user is converted into a percentage using the default upper and lower limit values. In other words, the default upper and lower limit values ​​are values ​​that are used as a reference when calculating the converted biometric information value 60 without reflecting the tendency of the biometric information specific to the individual user. The default upper and lower limit values ​​are determined in advance and stored in the conversion unit 114. The default upper and lower limit values ​​may also be stored in the indoor unit storage unit 113. The default upper and lower limit values ​​can be changed at any time from the remote control 13 or the external terminal 30.

[0103] Then, the conversion unit 114 transmits the calculated default converted biometric information value 62 to the server 20. That is, the conversion unit 114 transmits the calculated default converted biometric information value 62 to the indoor unit communication unit 115 of the indoor unit 11. When the indoor unit communication unit 115 receives the default converted biometric information value 62 transmitted from the indoor unit 11, it transmits the default converted biometric information value 62 to the server 20 via the Internet 40.

[0104] The conversion unit 114 performs the above-mentioned process of step S170 for each user and for each type of biometric information, and then proceeds to step S180.

[0105] In step S180, the server 20 acquires the default converted biometric information value 62. Specifically, when the server communication unit 21 of the server 20 receives the default converted biometric information value 62 transmitted from the conversion unit 114, the server communication unit 21 transmits the default converted biometric information value 62 to the server control unit 23. When the server control unit 23 receives the default converted biometric information value 62 transmitted from the server communication unit 21, the server control unit 23 stores the default converted biometric information value 62 in the server storage unit 22. As a result, the default converted biometric information value 62 is acquired in the server 20.

[0106] Then, the server control unit 23 transmits the default converted biometric information value 62 stored in the server storage unit 22 to the external terminal 30. That is, the server control unit 23 transmits the default converted biometric information value 62 stored in the server storage unit 22 to the server communication unit 21 of the server 20. When the server communication unit 21 receives the default converted biometric information value 62 transmitted from the server control unit 23, it transmits the default converted biometric information value 62 to the external terminal 30 via the Internet 40. Then, the process proceeds to step S190.

[0107] In step S190, the external terminal 30 acquires the default converted biometric information value 62 and displays the default converted biometric information value 62. Specifically, when the terminal communication unit 34 of the external terminal 30 receives the default converted biometric information value 62 transmitted from the server 20, it transmits the default converted biometric information value 62 to the terminal control unit 35 of the external terminal 30. When the terminal control unit 35 receives the default converted biometric information value 62 transmitted from the terminal communication unit 34, it stores the default converted biometric information value 62 in the terminal storage unit 33 of the external terminal 30. As a result, the default converted biometric information value 62 is acquired in the external terminal 30.

[0108] Then, the terminal control unit 35 controls the terminal display unit 32 to display the default converted biometric information value 62 stored in the terminal storage unit 33. The terminal display unit 32 displays the default converted biometric information value 62 in accordance with the control of the terminal control unit 35, and presents the default converted biometric information value 62 of the user to the user. The update frequency of the control of the display of the default converted biometric information value 62 in the terminal control unit 35, i.e., the update frequency of the display of the default converted biometric information value 62 in the external terminal 30, may be any frequency. Then, the process returns to step S120.

[0109] As described above, in the air conditioning system 100 according to the first embodiment, the conversion unit 114 sets the individual setting upper and lower limit values ​​based on the pre-conversion biometric information value 51 stored in the indoor unit storage unit 113 during the acquisition period, and calculates the matched biometric information value 61 by percentage-rating the pre-conversion biometric information value 51 based on the individual setting upper and lower limit values. The matched biometric information value 61 is a converted biometric information value 60 that reflects the tendency of the user's individual biometric information more than the default converted biometric information value 62.

[0110] As a result, the air conditioning system 100 can calculate the matched biometric information value 61 based on the pre-conversion biometric information value 51 that can be taken by the individual user, reflecting the tendency of the biometric information specific to the individual user, and can convert the pre-conversion biometric information value 51 into the matched biometric information value 61 appropriate for each user and provide it to the user. Therefore, the air conditioning system 100 can provide appropriate biometric information for each individual user, and can improve the user's satisfaction with the management of biometric information.

[0111] Therefore, according to the air conditioning system 100 and air conditioner 10 of embodiment 1, the effect is achieved that the biometric information of the user acquired by the biometric information acquisition unit 112 can be converted into appropriate biometric information for each user by reflecting the biometric information tendencies specific to the individual user in the biometric information of the user acquired by the biometric information acquisition unit 112.

[0112] Embodiment 2 In the above-mentioned embodiment 1, the conversion unit 114 uses the pre-conversion biometric information value 51 acquired during the acquisition period to set appropriate individual upper and lower limit values ​​for each user, and performs percentage conversion of the pre-conversion biometric information value 51 with respect to the set individual upper and lower limit values ​​to individually adapt the pre-conversion biometric information value 51 for each user. In embodiment 2, a case where the individual upper and lower limit values ​​are set using data directly input by the user and the pre-conversion biometric information value 51, which is another processing form of the air conditioning system 100, is described.

[0113] In the second embodiment, based on the biometric information value of the individual feeling of the user inputted by the user to the external terminal 30 and the pre-conversion biometric information value 51, a default post-conversion biometric information value 62 is determined and displayed on the external terminal 30.

[0114] The biological information value of personal sensation is not the biological information of the user acquired by the biological information acquisition unit 112 of the indoor unit 11 of the air conditioner 10, but is the value of the biological information intuitively felt by the user himself.

[0115] Next, the operation of the air conditioning system 100 in embodiment 2 will be described. Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the operation of the air conditioning system 100 in embodiment 2. The operation of the air conditioning system 100 shown in Fig. 7 is repeatedly performed from when the air conditioning control unit 116 of the indoor unit 11 of the air conditioner 10 receives setting-on information and sets the setting of the biological information acquisition mode in the air conditioning control unit 116 to on, until when the air conditioning control unit 116 receives setting-off information and sets the setting of the biological information acquisition mode in the air conditioning control unit 116 to off.

[0116] First, steps S310 and S320 are performed. In step S310, the same process as step S110 in the above-mentioned embodiment 1 is performed. In step S320, the same process as step S120 in the above-mentioned embodiment 1 is performed. Then, the process proceeds to step S330.

[0117] In step S330, it is determined whether or not user-input biometric information, which is biometric information of the user input by the user himself / herself, has been received. Specifically, the conversion unit 114 of the indoor unit 11 of the air conditioner 10 determines whether or not user-input biometric information, which is biometric information of the user input by the user himself / herself, has been received.

[0118] After the biometric information acquisition unit 112 of the indoor unit 11 of the air conditioner 10 starts acquiring the user's biometric information in step S310, the terminal display unit 32 of the external terminal 30 displays a screen prompting the user to input at least one piece of user's physical condition information at any timing in accordance with the control of the terminal control unit 35 of the external terminal 30. The frequency of notifications prompting the user to input the user's physical condition information in the external terminal 30 is arbitrary. The user's physical condition information corresponds to the user's biometric information.

[0119] Regarding a method of inputting information on the user's physical condition, in the case of "degree of concentration" as an example, a screen with a question such as "How concentrated are you now?" is displayed on the terminal display unit 32, and the user is asked to select an answer to the question from a five-level evaluation such as "very concentrated", "somewhat concentrated", "average", "not very concentrated", and "not at all concentrated". Each evaluation such as "very concentrated", "somewhat concentrated", "average", "not very concentrated", and "not at all concentrated" is assigned with information on a predetermined value of bioinformation. The terminal operation unit 31 transmits information on the value of the bioinformation assigned to the evaluation answered by the user to the terminal control unit 35 as operation information. In this case, the operation information corresponds to information on the user's physical condition.

[0120] As for the method of inputting information on the user's physical condition, taking "degree of concentration" as an example, a slider between 0% and 100% is displayed on the terminal display unit 32, and the user is allowed to intuitively input the degree of concentration using the slider. However, the method of inputting information on the user's physical condition is not limited as long as the user can intuitively input the user's physical condition.

[0121] The user's physical condition information input to the external terminal 30 by the user is transmitted from the terminal control unit 35 of the external terminal 30 to the conversion unit 114 via the server 20. That is, the terminal operation unit 31 accepts the input of a user operation related to the user's physical condition information. When the terminal operation unit 31 accepts the user's operation of inputting the user's physical condition information, it transmits user input biometric information, which is information corresponding to the operation of inputting the user's physical condition information, to the terminal control unit 35.

[0122] The terminal operation unit 31 generates user-input biometric information by associating the time information of the user's physical condition information with the time information of the user's physical condition input to the terminal operation unit 31, i.e., the time information of the time when the terminal operation unit 31 accepts the operation of inputting the user's physical condition information. In other words, the user-input biometric information includes the time information of the time when the user's physical condition information is input to the terminal operation unit 31.

[0123] When the terminal control unit 35 receives the user-input biometric information from the terminal operation unit 31 , it performs control to transmit the user-input biometric information to the conversion unit 114 of the indoor unit 11 via the terminal communication unit 34 and the server 20 .

[0124] When the air conditioning control unit 116 of the indoor unit 11 receives the user-input biometric information transmitted from the server 20 via the indoor unit communication unit 115, the air conditioning control unit 116 stores the user-input biometric information.

[0125] The conversion unit 114 determines that the user-input biometric information has been received when the user-input biometric information is stored in the air conditioning control unit 116. The conversion unit 114 determines that the user-input biometric information has not been received when the user-input biometric information is not stored in the air conditioning control unit 116.

[0126] If it is determined that the user-input biometric information has been received, the result is Yes in step S330, and the process proceeds to step S340. If it is determined that the user-input biometric information has not been received, the result is No in step S330, and the process proceeds to step S380.

[0127] In step S340, the user-input biometric information is acquired in the conversion unit 114. Specifically, the conversion unit 114 acquires the user-input biometric information stored in the air conditioning control unit 116. After that, the process proceeds to step S350.

[0128] In step S350, the user-input biometric information is used to set the individual upper and lower limit values, and the matched biometric information value 61, which is the converted biometric information value 60, is calculated. Specifically, the conversion unit 114 sets and stores the individual upper and lower limit values ​​based on the user-input biometric information and the pre-conversion biometric information value 51.

[0129] The conversion unit 114 acquires from the indoor unit storage unit 113 the pre-conversion biometric information value 51 stored in the indoor unit storage unit 113 at a time corresponding to the time when the information on the user's physical condition was input to the terminal operation unit 31. Then, the conversion unit 114 sets and stores personal setting upper and lower limit values ​​appropriate for the user based on the user input biometric information and the pre-conversion biometric information value 51. Then, the conversion unit 114 performs percentage conversion of the pre-conversion biometric information value 51 acquired from the indoor unit storage unit 113 against the set upper and lower limit values ​​to calculate the adapted biometric information value 61.

[0130] The conversion unit 114 determines the time corresponding to the time when the information on the user's physical condition was input to the terminal operation unit 31, based on the time information of the time when the information on the user's physical condition, which is included in the user-input biometric information, was input to the terminal operation unit 31. When there is no pre-conversion biometric information value 51 stored in the indoor unit storage unit 113 at a time directly corresponding to the time information, the conversion unit 114 acquires the pre-conversion biometric information value 51 stored in the indoor unit storage unit 113 at the time closest to the time information.

[0131] For example, regarding the calculation method of the adapted biometric information value 61 in the conversion unit 114, the conversion unit 114 calculates a first value by converting the pre-conversion biometric information value 51 acquired from the indoor unit storage unit 113 into a percentage based on the predetermined upper and lower limit values. The conversion unit 114 also calculates a second value by converting the user-input biometric information input by the user into a percentage based on the predetermined upper and lower limit values. The conversion unit 114 then sets the average value of the first value and the second value as the adapted biometric information value 61. It is also conceivable to set appropriate upper and lower limit values ​​according to the adapted biometric information value 61 calculated in this way. However, the calculation method of the adapted biometric information value 61 is not important as long as it is a method that can calculate appropriate individual setting upper and lower limit values ​​and process numerical values ​​for each user using the actually measured pre-conversion biometric information value 51 acquired from the indoor unit storage unit 113 and the value of the user-input biometric information intuitively input by the user.

[0132] Consider a case where the information on the user's physical condition, i.e., the user-input biometric information, is "drowsiness." The method of inputting the information on "drowsiness," which is the user-input biometric information, can be, for example, a five-level selection format. Here, assume that an application for executing the functions of the external terminal 30 is installed on a smartphone.

[0133] In this case, a pop-up window with a question such as "How sleepy are you right now?" is displayed at any timing on the terminal display unit 32 of the smartphone functioning as the external terminal 30. The pop-up window also displays answer candidates for evaluating the state of sleepiness on a five-point scale, such as "Very sleepy", "A little sleepy", "Normal", "Not very sleepy" and "Not sleepy at all". Each evaluation, such as "Very sleepy", "A little sleepy", "Normal", "Not very sleepy" and "Not sleepy at all", is given information of a predetermined value of biological information.

[0134] In response to the question, the user selects an answer that corresponds to the user's current state of drowsiness from among answer candidates with a five-level evaluation scale displayed in a pop-up window. Consider the case where the user selects the answer with the evaluation of "a little sleepy." Here, it is assumed that the default upper and lower limit values, in which the default upper limit value is set to 100 and the default lower limit value is set to 0, are stored in the conversion unit 114. In this case, since the state of drowsiness is evaluated on a five-level scale, the input value of the user-input biometric information that corresponds to the evaluation of "a little sleepy," which is the evaluation selected by the user, is "75."

[0135] The conversion unit 114 acquires, from the indoor unit storage unit 113, the pre-conversion biological information value 51 stored in the indoor unit storage unit 113 at the time corresponding to the time when the user inputs the answer to the drowsiness evaluation into the terminal operation unit 31 of the smartphone. Here, it is assumed that the pre-conversion biological information value 51 acquired by the conversion unit 114, i.e., the actual measured value of the user's "drowsiness", is "45".

[0136] In this case, the conversion unit 114 calculates the intermediate value between the input value "75" of the user-input biometric information and the actual measured value of the user's "drowsiness" of "45" as an intermediate value: 60 using the formula (75+45) / 2. Then, the conversion unit 114 converts the intermediate value: 60 into a percentage using the lower limit value 0 and the upper limit value 100, which are the default upper and lower limits, to calculate the matched biometric information value 61. The matched biometric information value 61 is calculated as 60% using the formula 60 / 100×100.

[0137] After the above process is performed, the conversion unit 114 determines that the actual measurement value of "drowsiness": "45" is "75" for the user, and can set the personal upper and lower limits. The conversion unit 114 sets the default lower limit value: 0 of the default upper and lower limits as the personal lower limit value. In addition, the conversion unit 114 sets the default upper limit value: 60 of the default upper and lower limits as the personal upper limit value.

[0138] As described above, the actual measurement value of "drowsiness" of "45" becomes "75" for the user. Therefore, the biological information of "drowsiness" for the user is the actual measurement value of "drowsiness" multiplied by (75 / 45). Therefore, according to the formula of the default upper limit value of the default upper and lower limits: 60 × (75 / 45) = 100, the default upper limit value of the default upper and lower limits: 60 corresponds to the upper limit value of the personal setting: 100.

[0139] Therefore, the individual setting upper and lower limit values ​​are set as follows: individual setting lower limit value: 0, individual setting upper limit value: 60. The conversion unit 114 sets and stores the individual setting upper and lower limit values ​​calculated as described above in the conversion unit 114. After setting the individual setting upper and lower limit values, the conversion unit 114 can use the individual setting upper and lower limit values ​​to convert the pre-conversion bioinformation value 51, which is the actual measurement value of the user's "drowsiness", into a percentage to calculate the adapted bioinformation value 61.

[0140] In addition, as a method of inputting user-input biometric information, in addition to the five-point evaluation, it is also possible to adopt a method in which a slider bar in 1% increments is displayed on the terminal display unit 32 of the smartphone, and the user is allowed to input the user-input biometric information in numerical form.

[0141] The conversion unit 114 performs the process of step S350 described above for each user and for each type of biometric information. Then, steps S360 and S370 are performed. In step S360, the same process as step S150 in the above-mentioned first embodiment is performed. In step S370, the same process as step S160 in the above-mentioned first embodiment is performed. Then, the process returns to step S320.

[0142] The conversion unit 114 may store and hold the previously calculated individual upper and lower limit values. By holding the previously calculated individual upper and lower limit values, the conversion unit 114 can also set more appropriate upper and lower limit values ​​by combining the previously calculated individual upper and lower limit values ​​and the currently calculated individual upper and lower limit values. For example, the conversion unit 114 can determine the average value of the previously calculated upper limit value of the individual upper and lower limit values ​​and the currently calculated upper limit value of the individual upper and lower limit values ​​as a new upper limit value. Furthermore, the conversion unit 114 can determine the average value of the previously calculated lower limit value of the individual upper and lower limit values ​​and the currently calculated lower limit value of the individual upper and lower limit values ​​as a new lower limit value. However, the method of setting appropriate upper and lower limit values ​​by combining the previously calculated individual upper and lower limit values ​​and the currently calculated individual upper and lower limit values ​​is not limited.

[0143] In step S380, the same process as step S170 in the above-mentioned first embodiment is performed. Then, steps S390 and S400 are performed. In step S390, the same process as step S180 in the above-mentioned first embodiment is performed. In step S400, the same process as step S190 in the above-mentioned first embodiment is performed. Then, the process returns to step S320.

[0144] As described above, in the second embodiment, the air conditioning system 100 can calculate the adapted bioinformation value 61 based on the value of the user-input bioinformation intuitively input by the user and the pre-conversion bioinformation value 51 acquired by the bioinformation acquisition unit 112 at a time corresponding to the time when the information on the user's physical condition was input to the terminal operation unit 31 and stored in the indoor unit storage unit 113. That is, in the second embodiment, the air conditioning system 100 can calculate the adapted bioinformation value 61 based on the bioinformation value of the individual sense felt by the user and the pre-conversion bioinformation value 51 of the actual measurement value acquired by the bioinformation acquisition unit 112.

[0145] As a result, in the second embodiment, the air conditioning system 100 can calculate the matched bioinformation value 61 by reflecting the tendency of the bioinformation specific to each individual user as sensed by the user, and can convert the pre-conversion bioinformation value 51 into an appropriate matched bioinformation value 61 for each user and provide it to the user. Therefore, even in the second embodiment, the air conditioning system 100 can improve the user's satisfaction with the management of the bioinformation.

[0146] Therefore, also in embodiment 2, the air conditioning system 100 and the air conditioner 10 have the effect of being able to reflect the biometric information tendencies specific to each individual user in the user's biometric information acquired by the biometric information acquisition unit 112, and convert the biometric information acquired by the biometric information acquisition unit 112 into appropriate biometric information for each user.

[0147] Next, the hardware configuration of each of the control units 80 according to the first and second embodiments will be described. The control units 80 according to the first and second embodiments correspond to the conversion unit 114 in the indoor unit 11 of the air conditioner 10, the air conditioning control unit 116, the remote control unit 135 of the remote control 13, the server control unit 23 of the server 20, and the terminal control unit 35 of the external terminal 30. Each of the functions of the control unit 80 according to the first and second embodiments is realized by a processing circuit. The processing circuit may be dedicated hardware, or may be a processing device that executes a program stored in a storage device.

[0148] When the processing circuit is a dedicated hardware, the processing circuit corresponds to a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programmed processor, a parallel programmed processor, an application specific integrated circuit, a field programmable gate array, or a combination of these. Figure 8 is a diagram showing a configuration in which the functions of the control unit 80 according to the first and second embodiments are realized by hardware. A logic circuit 81a that realizes the functions of the control unit 80 is incorporated in the processing circuit 81.

[0149] When the processing circuit 81 is a processing device, the functions of the control unit 80 are realized by software, firmware, or a combination of software and firmware.

[0150] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a configuration in which the functions of the control unit 80 according to the first and second embodiments are realized by software. The processing circuit 81 includes a processor 811 that executes a program 81b, a random access memory 812 that the processor 811 uses as a work area, and a storage device 813 that stores the program 81b. The processor 811 deploys the program 81b stored in the storage device 813 on the random access memory 812 and executes it, thereby realizing the functions of the control unit 80. The software or firmware is written in a program language and stored in the storage device 813. The processor 811 can be exemplified by a central processing unit, but is not limited to this. The storage device 813 can be a semiconductor memory such as a random access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), a flash memory, an erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM), or an electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM (registered trademark)). The semiconductor memory may be a non-volatile memory or a volatile memory. Further, in addition to a semiconductor memory, a magnetic disk, a flexible disk, an optical disk, a compact disk, a mini disk, or a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) can be applied to the storage device 813. The processor 811 may output data such as a calculation result to the storage device 813 for storage, or may store the data in an auxiliary storage device (not shown) via the random access memory 812. By integrating the processor 811, the random access memory 812, and the storage device 813 on one chip, the functions of the control unit 80 can be realized by a microcomputer.

[0151] The processing circuit 81 realizes the functions of the control unit 80 by reading and executing the program 81b stored in the storage device 813. It can also be said that the program 81b causes a computer to execute procedures and methods for realizing the functions of the control unit 80.

[0152] In addition, the processing circuit 81 may be configured so that some of the functions of the control unit 80 are realized by dedicated hardware, and some of the functions of the control unit 80 are realized by software or firmware.

[0153] Thus, the processing circuitry 81 can realize each of the above-described functions by hardware, software, firmware, or a combination of these.

[0154] The configurations shown in the above embodiments are merely examples, and may be combined with other known technologies, or the embodiments may be combined with each other. Also, parts of the configurations may be omitted or modified without departing from the spirit of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0155] 10 air conditioner, 11 indoor unit, 12 outdoor unit, 13 remote controller, 20 server, 21 server communication unit, 22 server memory unit, 23 server control unit, 30 external terminal, 31 terminal operation unit, 32 terminal display unit, 33 terminal memory unit, 34 terminal communication unit, 35 terminal control unit, 40 Internet, 51 pre-conversion biometric information value, 60 converted biometric information value, 61 adapted biometric information value, 62 default converted biometric information value, 80 control unit, 81 processing circuit, 81a logic circuit, 81b program, 100 air conditioning system, 111 indoor unit air conditioning unit, 112 biometric information acquisition unit, 113 indoor unit memory unit, 114 conversion unit, 115 indoor unit communication unit, 116 air conditioning control unit, 117 indoor unit control board, 131 remote controller operation unit, 132 remote controller display unit, 133 A remote controller memory unit, a remote controller communication unit, a remote controller control unit, a processor, a random access memory, and a storage device.

Claims

1. An air conditioner that is placed in a room and performs air conditioning, A biometric information acquisition unit that acquires biometric information of a user; a conversion unit for converting the biometric information into personalized biometric information that reflects a tendency of biometric information specific to the user; A storage unit that stores the biological information; Equipped with The conversion unit is Obtaining from the storage unit a plurality of pieces of biometric information acquired during a predetermined past acquisition period; setting upper and lower limit values ​​reflecting a tendency of the biometric information specific to the user based on the plurality of values ​​of the biometric information, and calculating a ratio of the value of the biometric information within the range of the upper and lower limit values ​​as the individually adapted biometric information; Calculating the personalized biometric information based on the biometric information value acquired from the storage unit and the biometric information value input by the user from outside the air conditioner. Air conditioner.

2. The storage unit stores the biometric information of a plurality of users for each user, the conversion unit acquires from the storage unit, for each user, a plurality of pieces of biometric information acquired during the past acquisition period for each user, and calculates the individually tailored biometric information for each user. The air conditioner according to claim 1.

3. an air conditioner that is disposed in a room and performs air conditioning; A biometric information acquisition unit that acquires biometric information of a user; a conversion unit for converting the biometric information into personalized biometric information that reflects a tendency of biometric information specific to the user; A storage unit that stores the biological information; a mobile terminal that displays the biometric information after personal matching; and Equipped with The conversion unit is Obtaining from the storage unit a plurality of pieces of biometric information acquired during a predetermined past acquisition period; setting upper and lower limit values ​​reflecting a tendency of the biometric information specific to the user based on the plurality of values ​​of the biometric information, and calculating a ratio of the value of the biometric information within the range of the upper and lower limit values ​​as the individually adapted biometric information; Calculating the personalized biometric information based on the biometric information value acquired from the storage unit and the biometric information value input by the user from outside the air conditioner. Air conditioning system.

4. The storage unit stores the biometric information of a plurality of users for each user, the conversion unit acquires from the storage unit, for each user, a plurality of pieces of biometric information acquired during the past acquisition period for each user, and calculates the individually tailored biometric information for each user.

4. The air conditioning system according to claim 3.

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