Ozone generator and ozone generation management system

Abstract

To provide a sterilization device that can obtain predetermined information relating to the outside behavior of people entering and leaving an indoor space where it is installed, realizes appropriate control of ozone delivery based on the information with a simple configuration, and efficiently and safely deodorizes and sterilizes the indoor space with ozone. [Solution] The communication unit 13 receives control information acquired by the communication partner device of the communication unit 13, and the operation control related to the emission of ozone can be performed based on the control information.This makes it possible to adjust the emission of ozone based on specific information related to the external behavior of people entering and exiting the indoor space in which it is installed, such as information on the density of people or information on the congestion status of the area or transportation, without incurring excessive cost increases in the ozone generator 10, such as adding sensors, and allows appropriate ozone emission while ensuring the safety of the user.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an ozone generator that generates ozone in an indoor space and deodorizes and sterilizes the air by the oxidizing action of the ozone. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, ozone generators have come into use to deal with unclean air containing substances that cause unpleasant odors and germs, by generating ozone and contacting it with the air to deodorize and sterilize the air through the oxidizing action of the ozone. An example of such a conventional ozone generator is disclosed in JP 2018-143581 A. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2018-143581 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Conventional ozone generators have the configuration shown in the above-mentioned patent documents, in which ozone is generated and released outside the device, and the ozone is brought into contact with the air to be purified, thereby removing odor-causing substances and germs that are present in the air and in various parts of the indoor space that come into contact with the air through the oxidizing action of the ozone.

[0005] When using such a conventional ozone generator, if ozone is sent to an indoor space at a high concentration in order to obtain a strong deodorizing and disinfecting effect, if there are people near the ozone generator in the indoor space, the people may feel uncomfortable due to the ozone smell, or may have adverse effects on their bodies due to contact with the ozone. For this reason, the ozone generator is designed not to generate high concentrations of ozone in a situation where people may be near the device, but on the other hand, the deodorizing and disinfecting effect of ozone is also limited, and there is a problem that a sufficient deodorizing and disinfecting effect on the air in the indoor space cannot be expected.

[0006] In response to this, it is conceivable to provide an ozone generator with a sensor capable of detecting the presence of a person, and when the sensor detects the presence of a person near the device, the concentration of ozone is suppressed, while when the sensor does not detect the presence of a person, the ozone is emitted at a high concentration, thereby maximizing the deodorizing and disinfecting effects of ozone. However, providing such a sensor and a control mechanism for ozone emission using this sensor complicates the device configuration, which creates a new problem of increased costs for the device.

[0007] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide an ozone generator and an ozone generation management system using the same that can obtain information about the indoor space in which it is installed from other equipment and realize appropriate ozone emission control based on the information with a simple configuration, thereby efficiently and safely deodorizing and sterilizing the indoor space using ozone. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The ozone generator disclosed in the present invention has at least an electrode unit that generates ozone by discharge, and a blower unit that sends the ozone generated by the electrode unit out to the indoor space together with air taken in from the indoor space, and is equipped with a communication unit that is connected to a specified communication partner device by wired or wireless means and is capable of receiving at least information, and the communication unit receives control information acquired by the communication partner device from the communication partner device, and at least one of the electrode unit and the blower unit operates based on the control information.

[0009] Thus, according to the disclosure of the present invention, by allowing the communication unit to receive control information acquired by the communication partner device of the communication unit and perform operational control related to the emission of ozone based on the control information, it is possible to adjust the emission of ozone based on information related to the indoor space, such as information about people entering and exiting the indoor space, without incurring excessive increases in the cost of the ozone generator, such as adding sensors, and appropriate ozone can be emitted while ensuring the safety of the user.

[0010] In addition, when the ozone generator disclosed in the present invention is unable to receive information from the communication partner device via the communication unit, it will perform at least one of the following adjustments: reducing the amount of ozone generated by the electrode unit, and reducing the amount of air taken in and sent out by the blower unit, and then continue to blow ozone into the indoor space by operating the electrode unit and the blower unit.

[0011] Thus, according to the disclosure of the present invention, even if an abnormality occurs in the communication conditions between the ozone generator and the communication partner device, the transmission of ozone is not stopped, but the amount of ozone generated and the frequency of contact between the ozone and the air are reduced, and the transmission of ozone to the indoor space is continued, thereby continuing to purify the air in the indoor space by sterilizing and deodorizing it to the minimum extent necessary, thereby ensuring the cleanliness of the indoor space while maintaining the safety of people in the space.

[0012] In addition, the ozone generation system disclosed in the present invention comprises an ozone generator having at least a plurality of electrode units that generate ozone by discharge and a blower unit that sends the ozone generated by the electrode units to the indoor space together with air taken in from the indoor space, and a management unit that acquires information related to the indoor space and creates control information for the ozone generator based on the acquired information, wherein the ozone generator has a communication unit that is capable of receiving at least the control information from the management unit, and operates at least one of the electrode units and the blower unit based on the control information.

[0013] According to the disclosure of the present invention, the management unit collects and acquires information related to the indoor space, such as information about people entering and leaving the indoor space, and creates information for controlling the ozone generator based on the information, and the ozone generator that receives the control information can control its operation based on the control information, so that the ozone generator can emit ozone according to the indoor space-related information, such as the number of people in the indoor space and the location of the ozone generator, and the ozone and air purified by the ozone can be dispersed from the ozone generator efficiently and with minimal impact on people into the indoor space, and air can be properly purified without necessarily emitting high-concentration ozone, the ozone emission output can be optimized to reduce the cost of operating the device, and the frequency of generation of high-concentration ozone can be reduced to improve safety. In addition, by sending control information to the ozone generator from the outside, the number of control sensors provided in the ozone generator can be reduced, and the control mechanism can be simplified, thereby reducing the cost of the ozone generator.

[0014] Furthermore, the ozone generation management system disclosed in the present invention, as necessary, includes an indoor device that is capable of communicating with the management unit and at least transmitting information to the ozone generator, the management unit transmits the control information it has created to the indoor device, the indoor device transmits the control information received from the management unit to the ozone generator, and the communication unit of the ozone generator is connected to the indoor device via a wired or wireless connection and is capable of at least receiving information, and receives the control information through the indoor device.

[0015] Thus, according to the disclosure of the present invention, control information created by the management unit based on information related to the indoor space is sent to the ozone generator via the indoor device, and the ozone generator receiving the control information from the indoor device controls the electrode unit and the blower unit, so that the control information from the management unit is transmitted to the ozone generator in the indoor space via the indoor device, causing it to send out ozone based on this control information. Communication is performed between the indoor device and the communication unit of the ozone generator so that the ozone generator can easily receive the control information, and ozone and air purified by the ozone can be dispersed from the ozone generator into the indoor space in an appropriate manner to respond to the conditions of people in the indoor space and the indoor space itself, thereby purifying the space.

[0016] Furthermore, in the ozone generation management system disclosed in the present invention, as necessary, the indoor device has one or more sensors that can obtain specific information related to the indoor space, and the management unit acquires the specific information obtained by the indoor device through communication with the indoor device, and creates the control information using the specific information as part or all of the information related to the indoor space.

[0017] Thus, according to the disclosure of the present invention, a sensor in the indoor device obtains specific information related to the indoor space, and a management unit that acquires this information from the indoor device creates control information related to ozone emission based on the information, and enables the ozone generator to perform control based on the control information.This allows the ozone generator to emit ozone and disperse it into the indoor space in an ozone emission state that corresponds to the situation, such as people entering and exiting the indoor space and the number of people there, obtained by the sensor, and efficiently purify the dirty air containing odors and floating germs in the indoor space, optimizing the emission of ozone and reducing the operating costs of the device, while also reducing the impact on people in the room and increasing safety.

[0018] Furthermore, in the ozone generation management system disclosed in the present invention, the indoor device is a device that operates to have a specified effect on the indoor space as needed, and the management unit acquires specified information related to the operation of the indoor device through communication with the indoor device, and uses the specified information as part or all of the information related to the indoor space to create the control information.

[0019] Thus, according to the disclosure of the present invention, the management unit acquires from the indoor device specific information related to the operation of the indoor device operating in the indoor space, creates control information related to ozone emission based on the information acquired by the management unit, and enables the ozone generator to perform control based on this control information. This allows the ozone generator to emit ozone and disperse it into the indoor space in an ozone emission state adapted to the status of people in the indoor space that can be determined from the operating state of the indoor device and the impact on the indoor space due to the operation of the indoor device, such as changes in the air flow state in the indoor space, thereby efficiently purifying the dirty air containing odors and floating germs in the indoor space, optimizing the emission of ozone and reducing the operating costs of the device, while also reducing the impact on people in the room and increasing safety.

[0020] In addition, in the ozone generation management system disclosed in the present invention, as necessary, the management unit acquires specific information related to people in the indoor space obtained from an apparatus other than the ozone generator or a system other than the ozone generation management system, and uses the specific information as part or all of the information related to the indoor space to create the control information.

[0021] Thus, according to the disclosure of the present invention, the management unit acquires specific information related to people in an indoor space obtained by an apparatus other than an ozone generator or a system other than an ozone generation management system, and based on this information, the management unit creates control information related to the emission of ozone. By enabling the ozone generator to perform control based on this control information, it is possible to create control information based on a wide range of information, such as not only information related to the situation of people entering and exiting the indoor space and the number of people obtained by the sensor, but also information related to a wide range of information such as the tendency of people to enter and exit the indoor space, the people themselves who enter and exit the indoor space and the characteristics of their behavior, and it is possible to obtain an ozone emission state corresponding to this control information. The emission of ozone can efficiently purify the dirty air containing odors and floating germs in the indoor space, and the emission of ozone can be optimized to reduce the operating costs of the apparatus, while also reducing the impact on people in the room and improving safety.

[0022] In addition, in the ozone generation management system disclosed in the present invention, the management unit acquires specific information related to the actions outside the indoor space of the person using the indoor space as necessary, and uses the specific information as part of the information related to the indoor space to create the control information.

[0023] Thus, according to the disclosure of the present invention, the management unit acquires specific information related to the actions outside the indoor space of the person using the indoor space, and based on this information the management unit creates control information related to the emission of ozone, and the ozone generator is able to perform control based on this control information. This makes it possible to create control information that maximizes the purification effect of ozone emission, taking into account the effects caused by the external actions of the person entering and exiting the indoor space, which cannot be obtained by simply referring to the indoor space, and optimize the purification capacity of the ozone generator for each indoor space, thereby reducing the cost of operating the device and improving safety by reducing the frequency of generation of high concentrations of ozone.

[0024] In addition, in the ozone generation management system disclosed in the present invention, the management unit acquires, as necessary, specific information related to the indoor space itself owned by an apparatus other than the ozone generator or a system other than the ozone generation management system, and uses the specific information as part of the information related to the indoor space to create the control information.

[0025] Thus, according to the disclosure of the present invention, the management unit acquires specific information related to the indoor space itself owned by an apparatus other than an ozone generator or a system other than an ozone generation management system, and based on this information the management unit creates control information related to ozone emission, and the ozone generator is able to perform control based on this control information. This makes it possible to create control information based on a wide range of information, such as not only information related to the situation of people entering and exiting the indoor space and the number of people there, obtained by the sensor, but also the structure of the indoor space and the position and size of objects placed within the space. The ozone is appropriately dispersed in the indoor space by emission of ozone corresponding to this control information, and the dirty air containing odors and floating germs in the indoor space can be efficiently purified. The emission of ozone can be optimized to reduce the operating costs of the apparatus, and the impact on people in the room can be reduced, thereby increasing safety.

[0026] In addition, in the ozone generation management system disclosed in the present invention, if necessary, the ozone generator is equipped with a sensor that detects the strength of the odor in the air in the indoor space, and the management unit acquires information on the odor detected by the ozone generator and uses the odor information as part of the information related to the indoor space to create the control information.

[0027] According to the disclosure of the present invention, a sensor for detecting the strength of an odor in an indoor space is provided in an ozone generator, information on the odor detected by the sensor is acquired by a management unit, and control information for ozone emission is created in the management unit based on the odor information, and control based on this control information can be performed in the ozone generator.By doing so, the degree of odor intensity can be appropriate based on the degree of odor intensity that can be determined from the odor information detected by the sensor during use when ozone is being emitted, and control information can be created that enables efficient purification using ozone.The purification function of ozone in indoor spaces can be maximized by sending out ozone corresponding to this control information, and purification can be performed reasonably without necessarily sending out high concentrations of ozone from the ozone generator.The ozone emission can be optimized to reduce the cost of operating the device, and the frequency of high-concentration ozone generation can be reduced, improving safety.

[0028] Furthermore, in the ozone generation management system of the present invention, the ozone generator is capable of detecting and acquiring the status of the ozone generator itself and transmitting specified information about the status to the indoor device as necessary, the indoor device receives the specified information about the status of the ozone generator transmitted from the ozone generator, and the management unit acquires the specified information from the indoor device through communication with the indoor device, and grasps the status of the ozone generator.

[0029] Thus, according to the disclosure of the present invention, the ozone generator acquires the status of the ozone generator itself, and transmits information about this status to the indoor device, and the management unit acquires further information from the indoor device and enables the management unit to perform various processes based on this information. This not only enables the operation of the ozone generator to be controlled, but also enables other processes using the information, such as determining the appropriateness of the device's installation position and determining whether the ozone generator is malfunctioning, and also enables information about the ozone generator to be transferred to another information device for control, monitoring, etc., allowing the ozone generator to be used more appropriately and peripheral devices of the ozone generator to be used effectively.

[0030] In addition, in the ozone generation management system of the present invention, the management unit transmits, as necessary, notification information relating to the status of the ozone generator that it has grasped to a communication terminal of a pre-registered administrator of the ozone generator.

[0031] Thus, according to the disclosure of the present invention, notification information relating to the status of the ozone generator grasped by the management unit is sent to the communication terminal of the manager of the ozone generator, allowing the manager to grasp the status of the ozone generator through the communication terminal. This allows the manager to check the status of the ozone generator remotely, appropriately adjust the deodorizing and sterilizing status of the indoor space using the ozone generator, and quickly respond to any malfunctions in the equipment, thereby enabling efficient management of the ozone generator. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0032] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an ozone generation management system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 1 is a schematic explanatory diagram of an indoor space to which an ozone generation management system according to a first embodiment of the present invention is applied. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an ozone generator according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an ozone generator according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of an operating state of an ozone generator in the ozone generation management system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of the state of information transmission and reception between an ozone generation device and a management unit in the ozone generation management system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram of an ozone generation management system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a schematic explanatory diagram of an indoor space to which an ozone generation management system according to a second embodiment of the present invention is applied. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of an operating state of an ozone generator in an ozone generation management system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of the state of information transmission and reception between an ozone generation device and a management unit in an ozone generation management system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0033] (First embodiment of the present invention) An ozone generation management system according to a first embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6. FIG. In each of the above drawings, the ozone generation management system 1 of this embodiment is provided in an indoor space 70 where a user enters and exits, and is configured to include an ozone generator 10 that generates ozone and sends it out to the indoor space 70 in response to operation instructions from the user, an air conditioner 50 that is disposed in the indoor space 70 where the ozone generator 10 is located and serves as the indoor device for air-conditioning the indoor space 70, and a management unit 90 that is capable of communicating with the air conditioner 50 via a network 100 and executes control to manage the ozone sending state from the ozone generator 10.

[0034] The ozone generator 10 comprises a plurality of electrode units 11 that generate ozone by discharging, a blower unit 12 that sends the ozone generated by the electrode units 11 to the indoor space 70 together with air taken in from the indoor space 70, a communication unit 13 that is capable of wireless communication with the air conditioning unit 50, an operation unit 14 that accepts input operations for instructing the device to operate, a control unit 15 that controls the operation of the electrode units 11 and the blower unit 12 based on operation instruction information given by direct operation on the device or control information obtained through the communication unit 13, a notification unit 17 that notifies information related to the ozone transmission, and an odor sensor 18 that detects the intensity of unpleasant odors in the air.

[0035] The ozone generator 10 generates ozone by discharge such as corona discharge or silent discharge at the electrode unit 11, and sends it out together with air to the indoor space 70 by the blower unit 12, where the ozone comes into contact with the air in the indoor space 70, and the oxidizing action of the ozone deodorizes and disinfects the air. The generation of ozone at the electrode unit 11 and the sending of ozone to the indoor space 70 by the blower unit 12 have the same mechanism as known ozone generators, and detailed explanation will be omitted.

[0036] This ozone generator 10 is configured so that an electrode unit 11, a blower unit 12, a communication unit 13, a control unit 15, and an ozone sensor 18 are housed within an outermost box-shaped housing 10a, and an operation unit 14 and an alarm unit 17 are provided on the top or front surface of the housing.

[0037] In addition, the ozone generator 10 is configured to use a battery built into the ozone generator 10 or a commercial power source connected directly to the ozone generator 10 or via an AC adapter or the like as a power source for supplying power to the electrode unit 11, the blower unit 12, the communication unit 13, the operation unit 14, the control unit 15, the notification unit 17, and the ozone sensor 18.

[0038] The communication unit 13 is capable of receiving information from the air conditioner 50 by wireless communication. The communication unit 13 is electrically connected to the control unit 15 within the ozone generator 10 and is a mechanism for sending information received from the air conditioner 50 to the control unit 15.

[0039] When the communication unit 13 is wirelessly connected to the air conditioner 50, the communication can be performed by infrared rays or wireless communication according to the IEEE 802.11 series or IEEE 802.15 series standard. This communication unit 13 receives, via the air conditioner 50, control information that the management unit 90 has created based on information acquired from the air conditioner 50.

[0040] In the ozone generator 10, under the control of the control unit 15 based on the control information received by the communication unit 13, at least one of the electrode unit 11 and the blower unit 12 performs an operation specified by the control information.

[0041] The operation unit 14 has input means such as switches that accept various operational inputs from the user to the ozone generator 10, and is provided on the top or front surface of the ozone generator 10. The operation unit 14 sends a signal to the control unit 15 instructing the control unit to perform an operation related to the emission of ozone in accordance with the operation received by the input means.

[0042] The control unit 15 controls the operation of the electrode unit 11 and the blower unit 12 in response to operational input from a user received by the operation unit 14, or based on control information transmitted from the air conditioning device 50.

[0043] The control unit 15 is a computer having a CPU, memory, an input / output interface, etc. as its hardware configuration, and is configured to make the computer function as the control unit by a program stored in the memory, etc. The computer forming the control unit 15 may be a microcomputer in which the CPU, memory, ROM, etc. are integrally formed.

[0044] The computer unit constituting this control unit 15 is disposed inside the housing 10a of the ozone generator 10, is connected to the communication unit 13 to enable communication therewith, and is also electrically connected to the electrode unit 11 and the blower unit 12 to control their operation.

[0045] In addition, the control unit 15 is electrically connected to signal output means such as the operation unit 14 and the ozone sensor 18, and acquires the user's operation instructions and information detected by the sensor, and controls the operation of the electrode unit 11, the blower unit 12, etc. by outputting control signals based on a pre-set control program.

[0046] The control unit 15, which serves as a management control for managing the ozone output from the ozone generator 10, receives control information created by the management unit 90 via the air conditioner 50, and controls the electrode unit 11 and the blower unit 12 based on this control information. The control information is information for controlling the start and stop of the operation related to the ozone discharge of the ozone generator 10 and for setting the concentration of the ozone to be discharged into the indoor space 70.

[0047] When the control unit 15 is in a remote control state in which it controls the electrode unit 11 and the blower unit 12 based on control information, if the user provides operational input to the operation unit 14, the control unit 15 transitions to a state in which it controls the operation of the electrode unit 11 and the blower unit 12 in accordance with the operational input from the user received by the operation unit 14. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the control unit 15 can also be configured to maintain the remote control state without accepting operational input from the user provided to the operation unit 14.

[0048] Furthermore, when communication between the air conditioner 50 and the ozone generator 10 is interrupted due to a cause on the air conditioner 50 side, such as a malfunction of the air conditioner 50, the control unit 15 can cause the ozone generator 10 to perform an operation related to ensuring safety. Specifically, when communication is interrupted and control based on control information cannot be performed, the control unit 15 performs a mechanism for controlling the ozone generator 10 to transition to an independent operating state with reduced ozone intensity, instead of selecting the stop of the operation related to ozone delivery or the continuation of the immediately preceding operating state as a general fail-safe function against the occurrence of a malfunction.

[0049] In other words, when communication is cut off, the ozone generator 10 alone controls the electrode unit 11 and the blower unit 12 without using control information, and more specifically, controls at least one of the following: adjusting to reduce the amount of ozone generated by the electrode unit 11, and adjusting to reduce the amount of air taken in and sent out by the blower unit 12, thereby suppressing the emission of ozone and continuing the operation of the electrode unit 11 and the blower unit 12 related to the emission of ozone.

[0050] On the other hand, when communication between the ozone generator 10 and the air conditioner 50 is restored, the control unit 15 can automatically return the ozone generator 10 from an independent operating state to a remote control state based on the control information.

[0051] In addition, in the ozone generator 10, since the communication unit 13 has only a receiving function and communication is unidirectional from the air conditioner 50 to the ozone generator 10, it is desirable to periodically incorporate a preset operation restart instruction signal for the ozone generator 10 into the information transmitted from the air conditioner 50. In this way, even if the operation related to the ozone output of the ozone generator 10 is stopped by a human operation while the ozone generator 10 is in an independent operating state at the time of communication interruption, when the communication interruption is resolved and the communication unit 13 is able to receive transmissions from the air conditioner 50 that has been resumed, the control unit 15 receives the operation restart instruction signal for the ozone generator incorporated in the information transmitted from the air conditioner 50, overwrites the operation stop instruction issued by the operation, restarts the operation related to the ozone output of the ozone generator 10, and the control unit 15 can again transition to a state in which it operates the electrode unit 11 and the blower unit 12 based on the control information transmitted from the ozone generator 10.

[0052] In addition, if the ozone generator 10 has a sensor that can derive the degree of ozone emission from the detection results, such as an ozone concentration sensor, the electrode unit 11 and the blower unit 12 may be controlled based on detection by the sensor to control the operation of the ozone generator alone when communication is interrupted, so that the concentration of ozone generated does not exceed a certain level.

[0053] The notification unit 17 is provided on the top or front surface of the ozone generator 10, and can notify the user of predetermined information related to the delivery of ozone by the operation of the electrode unit 11 and the blower unit 12. The notification by the notification unit 17 to the user is notified by light or sound, more specifically, by a light-emitting display such as an LED, or by outputting a short notification sound or warning sound, so as to inform the user of various operating conditions related to ozone generation. Such notifications by the notification unit 17 can encourage the user to operate the device appropriately or to refrain from unnecessary operations.

[0054] In addition, the notification unit 17 can be configured to notify the user of various information such as the execution time of the operation related to ozone generation and the ozone generation intensity in more detail in a form that is easy for the user to understand by displaying on the display screen or outputting audio. In this case, too, by informing the user of the various operations related to ozone delivery and the operating state of each part based on remote control, the user can understand the current state of the operation of each part of the device, and can be encouraged to operate appropriately or discouraged from operating.

[0055] In addition, it is preferable that the notification unit 17 be provided with a display means, such as an LED indicating the remote control state and the independent operation state, for distinguishing between the operation state of the ozone generator 10 under remote control based on the control information sent from the air conditioner 50 and the independent operation state in a communication interruption state.

[0056] The odor sensor 18 detects the intensity of unpleasant odors in the indoor space 70 and acquires information about the odors. In detail, the odor sensor 18 is provided at a predetermined location that is not directly affected by the air taken in or sent out by the blower 12 of the ozone generator 10. Information about the odor intensity detected by the odor sensor 18 is input to the controller 15 and used for controlling the ozone output.

[0057] The air conditioner 50 is disposed in an indoor space 70, and performs air conditioning for the indoor space 70, while also being capable of communicating with the ozone generator 10 as a communication interface. In order to appropriately condition the air in the area of ​​the indoor space 70 where people are present, the air conditioner 50 is equipped with a human presence sensor 51 and is capable of detecting people entering and exiting the indoor space 70 and the presence of people in the indoor space 70.

[0058] The air conditioner 50 is provided with a first communication unit 52 for communicating with the ozone generator 10, and a second communication unit 53 for connecting to a network 100 and communicating. The second communication unit 53 enables the air conditioner 50 to communicate with the management unit 90 through the network 100. The air conditioner 50 transmits to the management unit 90 information related to the entry and exit of people into the indoor space 70 detected by the human presence sensor 51 as predetermined information related to the indoor space 70, while receiving control information created by the management unit 90 for transmission to the ozone generator 10.

[0059] In addition, the air conditioner 50 is capable of communicating with the ozone generator 10 via a first communication unit 52, and transmits control information received from the management unit 90 from the first communication unit 52 to the ozone generator 10.

[0060] Furthermore, based on being connected to the network 100 by the second communication unit 53, the air conditioning device 50 has the well-known functions of accepting remote operation from a user via a terminal device through the network 100, and collecting temperature information, information on the dispersion of fine particulate matter and pollen, etc., which are useful for air conditioning control.

[0061] In the air conditioner 50, the communication unit 13 of the ozone generator 10 has only a receiving function and communication is one-way from the air conditioner 50 to the ozone generator 10. Therefore, in case the ozone generator 10 is unable to receive information continuously due to various influences from the surroundings on the communication environment, control information is periodically transmitted from the first communication unit 52 of the air conditioner 50. By the air conditioner 50 periodically transmitting information, the information can be constantly updated without the need for a reply from the ozone generator 10, so one-way communication can be carried out without any problems.

[0062] In the air conditioner 50, the human presence sensor 51 detects people entering and exiting the indoor space 70 and sends the information about the people entering and exiting to the management unit 90 so that the management unit 90 can obtain control information. Alternatively, a sensor for grasping the indoor environment provided in the air conditioner can detect the position of the ozone generator in the indoor space 70 and send this position information to the management unit. The management unit can analyze the information about the people entering and exiting as well as the position information of the ozone generator to create control information, and the ozone generator can be made to emit ozone appropriate to its position.

[0063] The management unit 90 is arranged to be capable of data communication with the air conditioning unit 50 via a network 100, acquires information related to the indoor space 70 transmitted from the air conditioning unit 50, creates control information based on this information, and transmits this control information to the air conditioning unit 50.

[0064] This management unit 90 is a computer that functions as a server, and by executing processes according to a recorded program, the function of providing services as a management unit, such as creating and transmitting the control information, is realized.

[0065] It should be noted that the term "server" as used in this application, including this embodiment, is not limited to meaning a single physical computer device, but also includes a group of devices in which multiple computer devices are connected to a network and work together to provide one or more requested services as a whole, or a virtual device that, although it is only a portion of the functions of a computer device, has the function of providing one or more requested services as if it were a single device and can be treated as a single device by the party receiving the service.

[0066] The management unit 90, as a management control for managing the emission of ozone from the ozone generator 10, receives information regarding people entering and exiting the indoor space 70 via the network 100, which is acquired by the air conditioner 50 and sent from its second communication unit 53, derives specific control information related to the ozone emission from the ozone generator 10 from this received information, transmits this control information to the air conditioner 50, and further transmits the control information from the air conditioner 50 to the ozone generator 10, causing the ozone generator 10 to control its operation based on the control information.

[0067] The control information created by the management unit 90 is information for controlling the start and stop of the operation related to the ozone discharge of the ozone generator 10 and the setting of the concentration of ozone to be discharged into the indoor space 70.

[0068] The management unit 90 can receive and use, as information related to the indoor space 70 obtained from the air conditioner 50, information on the entry and exit of people into the indoor space 70 detected by the human presence sensor of the air conditioner 50, as well as information on the time when people entered and exited, information on the frequency of detection of people's entering and exiting actions, etc. The management unit 90 analyzes and acquires characteristics of people entering and exiting the indoor space 70 where the ozone generator is located based on the information received from the air conditioner 50 via the network 100, and creates control information for the ozone generator 10 to operate the ozone generator 10 so as to generate an ozone generation situation corresponding to the characteristics.

[0069] In addition, the management unit 90 can record and accumulate information related to the indoor space 70 received from the air conditioner 50 via the network 100 for each ozone generator 10, and based on the accumulated information, analyze and acquire characteristics of people entering and exiting the indoor space 70 in which the ozone generator is located, as described above, and create control information that will produce ozone generation conditions that correspond to these characteristics.

[0070] The management unit 90 creates control information based on information related to the indoor space 70, such as information about people entering and leaving the indoor space 70 detected by the human presence sensor 51 of the air conditioner 50. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and other information such as temperature and humidity available from the air conditioner 50 can also be transmitted and acquired by the management unit 90, and based on this information, control information can be created to control the operation of ozone emission corresponding to the status of the indoor space 70 shown in the information. The air conditioner 50 transmits information related to its operation to the management unit 90, and the management unit 90 detects the operation of the air conditioner 50 related to air conditioning from this information, and controls the operation of the air conditioner 50 to control the operation of the air conditioner 50. It is also possible to regard the operation of the air-conditioning device 50 as arising from the need for air conditioning due to the presence of people, and to create control information so that the management unit 90 recognizes the presence of people in the indoor space 70 and controls the operation of ozone delivery corresponding to this state. Furthermore, the management unit 90 can obtain changes in the air flow state in the indoor space 70 accompanying the operation of the air-conditioning device 50 from the information related to the operation of the air-conditioning device 50 similar to that described above, and create control information that appropriately brings ozone into contact with the air to promote air purification in response to such air flow state in the indoor space 70.

[0071] In addition, the management unit 90 can transmit information to the ozone generator 10 via the air conditioner 50 as part of control information instructing the ozone generator 10 to start or stop operation, etc., that specifies settings related to the operation of each ozone generator, such as the time period during which the ozone generator operates, and instructs the ozone generator 10 to change settings related to the operating mode related to ozone generation and the indoor space 70 to which the ozone is to be sent, thereby allowing the ozone generator 10 to be controlled in more detail.

[0072] When information related to instructions for operating and setting the ozone generator 10 is sent to the management unit 90 from a communication terminal 80 such as a smartphone of the administrator (user) of the ozone generator 10, the management unit 90 creates control information based on the information, and transmits this control information to the ozone generator 10 via the air conditioning unit 50, making it possible to operate, set, etc. remotely from the communication terminal 80 of the administrator (user).

[0073] When operations can be performed from the communication terminal 80 in this manner, remote operation of the air conditioner 50 can also be performed using the communication terminal 80, and the operation of the ozone generator 10 based on operation from the communication terminal 80 can be coordinated with the operation of the air conditioner 50. For example, when the user operates the air conditioner 50 from the communication terminal 80 to perform advance air conditioning in preparation for the user's return home, the ozone generator can be operated in conjunction with this. The ozone sent out from the ozone generator can be mixed with the air blown by the air conditioner 50, and the ozone can be widely diffused throughout the indoor space 70, making it possible to more efficiently purify the indoor space 70 before entry.

[0074] In addition, the management unit 90 collects data related to the external environment through the network 100, such as weather, temperature, humidity, fine particulate matter (so-called PM2.5, etc.) and pollen dispersion conditions, and based on this, creates control information for instructing settings or changes to settings related to the operation of each ozone generator 10, or starting or stopping operation, and transmits this to the ozone generator 10 via the air conditioner 50, thereby allowing the ozone generator 10 to control its operation in response to the external environment.

[0075] In addition, the management unit 90 acquires data relating to the environment of the indoor space 70 acquired by the air conditioning unit 50, such as data on temperature, humidity, cleanliness state, etc., as specified information relating to the indoor space 70, and based on this, creates control information for instructing settings or changes to settings related to the operation of each ozone generator 10, or starting or stopping operation, and transmits this to the ozone generator 10 via the air conditioning unit 50, thereby allowing the ozone generator 10 to control its operation in accordance with the environment of the indoor space 70.

[0076] Furthermore, the management unit 90 can also create information for controlling the ozone generator based on information related to the actions outside the indoor space 70 of the user who uses the indoor space 70. In detail, the management unit 90 acquires information related to the user's activity schedule and position changes associated with the user's movements from the communication terminal 80 of the user of the indoor space 70, determines the user's actions such as going out or returning home, and creates control information for instructing the settings or changes to the settings related to the operation of each ozone generator, or the start or stop of operation, based on the information related to the determined action. This information is then transmitted to the ozone generator 10 via the air conditioner 50, allowing the ozone generator 10 to control its operation in response to the user's actions.

[0077] In addition, the management unit 90 acquires and analyzes information on the user's movement, the area where the user stayed, and the means of transportation used for the movement from the communication terminal 80 of the user of the indoor space 70, as well as information on the crowded state of people and information on the congestion state of the area or transportation means collected through the network 100, and when it is confirmed that the user has been exposed to a crowded state, such as moving to a crowded area, staying there, or using a means of transportation (transportation) that was in a crowded state for a certain period of time, it creates control information that can send ozone according to the user's state. For example, it can also create control information that operates the ozone generator 10 so as to pre-purify the indoor space 70 before the user's predicted return home based on the information on the behavior. In this case, the ozone generator 10 that has received the control information generates and diffuses more ozone than usual into the indoor space 70 before the user's predicted return home time by operating the ozone generator 10 based on the control information, so that the cleanliness of the indoor space 70 is not excessively reduced even if the user enters the indoor space 70.

[0078] Among the information collected by the management unit 90 through the network 100, information regarding crowding and congestion can include information publicly collected for purposes such as infectious disease control. By utilizing large-scale, highly accurate data, it is possible to more appropriately grasp the need for purification associated with human behavior and create control information for operating the ozone generator in accordance with the level of purification.

[0079] Next, the state of management of the ozone generator by the ozone generation management system according to this embodiment will be described. As a premise, it is assumed that the ozone generator 10 is installed in the indoor space 70, there is no problem with the power supply capacity of the built-in battery or the connected commercial power source as a power source, and the electrode unit 11 and the blower unit 12 are operated as necessary under the control of the control unit 15 to send ozone together with air into the indoor space 70, and the deodorizing and sterilizing effects of ozone are exerted in the indoor space 70.

[0080] The air conditioner 50 is capable of performing air conditioning for the indoor space 70, while the first communication unit 52 is capable of transmitting control information to the ozone generator 10 by infrared communication, and the second communication unit 53 is capable of communicating with the management unit 90 through the network 100. The indoor space 70 is initially unoccupied.

[0081] When the indoor space 70 is unoccupied, the air conditioner 50 transmits information indicating a situation in which the human presence sensor 51 cannot detect a human to the management unit 90. The management unit 90 acquires the information related to the indoor space 70 transmitted from the air conditioner 50, and based on this information, creates control information for making the ozone generator 10 send out the maximum amount of ozone to the unoccupied indoor space 70, and transmits the obtained control information to the air conditioner 50 for transmission to the ozone generator 10. The control information is received by the second communication unit 53 of the air conditioner 50, and is then further transmitted from the first communication unit 52 to the ozone generator 10.

[0082] When the communication unit 13 of the ozone generator 10 receives the control information, the control unit 15 acquires this control information, and the control unit 15 controls the operation of the electrode unit 11 and the blower unit 12 in accordance with the control information, thereby adjusting the amount of ozone generated and the amount of air blown to maximum.

[0083] In the ozone generator 10, under the operational control of the control unit 15, ozone is generated by the electrode unit 11, and the air blower unit 12 takes in air from the indoor space 70, and sends this taken-in air together with the generated ozone to the indoor space 70, thereby sending the ozone to the indoor space 70. When the ozone comes into contact with the air in the indoor space 70, the air is deodorized and sterilized by the oxidizing action of the ozone.

[0084] Next, when a person enters the indoor space 70, the human presence sensor 51 of the air conditioning unit 50 detects this, and the air conditioning unit 50 determines that a change has occurred in the indoor space 70 related to people entering or exiting it, and performs air conditioning at a preset intensity as necessary, while transmitting information regarding people entering and exiting the indoor space 70 from the second communication unit 53 to the management unit 90 via the network 100.

[0085] The management unit 90 receives information from the air conditioner 50, and based on the information indicating the entry of people into the indoor space 70 and the resulting increase in the number of people in the room, creates control information for adjusting the concentration of ozone generated by the electrode unit 11 of the ozone generator 10 and the reach of the air blown by the air blower 12. Here, the control information is created so that adjustments can be made to reduce the amount of ozone generated and the amount of air blown, taking into consideration the safety of people in the indoor space 70.

[0086] Then, the management unit 90 transmits this control information to the second communication unit 53 of the air conditioner 50. After the control information is received by the second communication unit 53 of the air conditioner 50, it is further transmitted from the first communication unit 52 to the ozone generator 10.

[0087] When the communication unit 13 of the ozone generator 10 receives new control information, the control unit 15 controls the operation of the electrode unit 11 and the blower unit 12 in accordance with this control information, and makes adjustments to reduce the amount of ozone generated and the amount of air blown, so that the ozone concentration and the reach of the air blown correspond to the presence of people in the indoor space 70.

[0088] Thereafter, whenever a person enters or leaves the indoor space 70 and the human presence sensor 51 of the air conditioner 50 detects this, information about the person entering or leaving the indoor space 70 is transmitted from the air conditioner 50 to the management unit 90 in the same manner as described above, and the management unit 90 creates control information based on the information, which is then transmitted from the management unit 90 to the air conditioner 50, which in turn transmits the control information to the ozone generator 10. Then, in the ozone generator 10, the control unit 15 controls the operation of the electrode unit 11 and the blower unit 12 in accordance with the received control information, and the delivery of ozone to the indoor space 70 is adapted to the presence of people in the indoor space 70.

[0089] If more people enter the indoor space 70, increasing the number of people in the indoor space 70 and increasing the opportunities for people to come into contact with ozone emitted from the ozone generator, the control information will cause the control unit 15 to perform control to suppress the operation of the electrode unit 11 and the blower unit 12 of the ozone generator 10.

[0090] On the other hand, when people leave the indoor space 70, resulting in fewer people in the indoor space 70 and thus fewer opportunities for people to come into contact with ozone emitted from the ozone generator, the control information causes the control unit 15 to control the operation of the electrode unit 11 and the blower unit 12 so as to increase the amount of ozone generated and the amount of air blown in the ozone generator 10.

[0091] In this manner, while air conditioning is performed by the air conditioner 50 for the indoor space 70 and ozone is sent out by the ozone generator 10 in response to the presence or absence of people in the room, a situation may occur in which communication between the air conditioner 50 and the ozone generator 10 is interrupted due to a malfunction of the communication mechanism of the air conditioner 50 or influences from people or outside on the communication path between the air conditioner 50 and the ozone generator 10, making it impossible to remotely control the ozone generator 10 using control information.

[0092] In such a case, when the control unit 15 of the ozone generator 10 determines that the control information cannot be received by the communication unit 13 due to a communication interruption, it suppresses the emission of ozone by controlling at least one of the following: reducing the amount of ozone generated by the electrode unit 11 and reducing the amount of air taken in and sent out by the blower unit 12. Then, the operation of the electrode unit 11 and the blower unit 12 related to the emission of ozone is continued, and the ozone generator 10 transitions to an operating state alone, not depending on the control information.

[0093] In this way, when remote control using control information is not possible, the ozone generator 10 operates independently to suppress the emission of ozone while continuing to emit ozone, thereby continuing to purify the air in the indoor space 70 by sterilizing and deodorizing it to the minimum extent necessary, thereby reducing the impact of ozone on people, maintaining the safety of people in the indoor space 70, and ensuring the cleanliness of the air in the indoor space 70.

[0094] When the communication interruption between the air conditioner 50 and the ozone generator 10 is resolved and the ozone generator 10 is able to receive the control information transmitted from the air conditioner 50 again, the control unit 15, which has acknowledged the resumption of reception of the control information, automatically returns the ozone generator 10 from an independent operation state to a remote control state based on the control information.

[0095] In this way, in the ozone generation management system according to the present embodiment, information related to the indoor space 70, such as information regarding the entry and exit of people into the indoor space 70 obtained by the air conditioner 50, is acquired by the management unit 90, and information for controlling the ozone generator 10 is created based on the information. This control information is sent to the ozone generator 10 via the air conditioner 50, enabling the ozone generator 10 to be controlled. As a result, the ozone generator 10 is caused to emit ozone according to the situation in the indoor space 70, such as the number of people present, and ozone and air purified by the ozone can be dispersed from the ozone generator 10 into the indoor space 70 efficiently while minimizing the impact on people. Therefore, air can be properly purified without necessarily emitting high-concentration ozone, and the ozone emission output can be optimized to reduce the cost of operating the device, while reducing the frequency of generation of high-concentration ozone and improving safety. Furthermore, by providing the ozone generator 10 with a communication unit 13 for receiving information and sending control information from the outside to the ozone generator 10, it is possible to simplify the control mechanism, for example by reducing the number of control sensors provided in the ozone generator 10, and to reduce the cost of the ozone generator 10. And, as long as the ozone generator 10 has at least a function for receiving control information, it can obtain control information based on reliable information on the entry and exit of people acquired by the management unit 90, and can realize safe ozone delivery.

[0096] In the ozone generation management system according to the embodiment, the air conditioner 50 as an indoor device is installed in the indoor space 70 and operates independently to perform air conditioning, but the present invention is not limited to this. The air conditioner may be incorporated into a comprehensive air conditioning system that covers the entire building, and the management unit may obtain information related to people entering and leaving the indoor space 70 corresponding to the ozone generator from entrance and exit management information for air conditioning obtained by the system using a human presence sensor or the like provided separately from the air conditioner. In this case, control information generated by the management unit based on such information is transmitted to the air conditioner or other communication device, and the air conditioner or other communication device further transmits control information to the ozone generator, so that the operation of the ozone generator can be controlled based on the control information.

[0097] In addition, in the ozone generation management system according to the above embodiment, the information related to the indoor space 70 that the management unit 90 acquires when creating control information for the ozone generator 10 is mainly information regarding the ingress and egress of people obtained from the air conditioning unit 50. However, the management unit 90 can also be configured to record in advance the location of each ozone generator 10 in the indoor space 70 in which the ozone generator 10 is located, and to create control information based on this location information.

[0098] In this case, the ozone generator 10 will appropriately disperse ozone in the indoor space 70 with an emission state according to its installation position, and the dirty air containing odors and floating germs in the indoor space 70 can be efficiently deodorized, disinfected, and purified even at a lower ozone concentration. This optimizes the emission of ozone, reduces the operating costs of the device, and reduces the impact on people in the room, increasing safety.

[0099] The management unit 90 can also acquire information related to the indoor space 70, such as the positions of entrances and exits in the indoor space 70, the positions of ventilation openings in the indoor space 70, and information on the ventilation status, which information has been acquired through communication with the air conditioner 50, obtained from other systems, or collected and accumulated in advance, or information on the relative positions of the ozone generators 10 in the indoor space 70, the ozone generation status, and the status of air conditioning and ventilation by the air conditioner 50. Based on this information, the management unit 90 can estimate the position of the ozone generator in the indoor space 70, and create control information based on the estimated position.

[0100] In this case, too, the air in the indoor space 70 can be efficiently purified by sending out ozone from the ozone generator 10 in a manner that corresponds roughly to its location, and optimizing the sending out of ozone reduces the operating costs of the device while also reducing the impact on people in the room and increasing safety.

[0101] Furthermore, the management unit 90 may suggest a location for the ozone generator in the indoor space 70 based on data collected and stored in advance. In this case, the management unit can propose the placement of ozone generators that will maximize the purification effect of ozone emission in response to people entering and exiting the indoor space 70, based on various information that cannot be obtained by simply referring to information obtained from the indoor space 70, such as the tendency of people to enter and exit the indoor space 70, the people themselves and the characteristics of their behavior, and the influences that the people have experienced outside.If the ozone generators are placed in the indoor space 70 as proposed, the purification capacity of the ozone generators can be optimized for each indoor space 70, making it possible to reduce the cost of operating the equipment and improve safety by reducing the frequency of high-concentration ozone being generated.

[0102] In the ozone generation management system according to the embodiment, the communication unit 13 of the ozone generator 10 is configured to have only the function of receiving control information transmitted from the air conditioner 50, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the communication unit 13 can be configured to transmit as well as receive information, for example, information about the air in the indoor space 70 acquired by a sensor provided in the ozone generator 10, information about the operating state of each part of the device acquired by the control unit 15, information about the amount of ozone detected by the ozone sensor, etc., can be transmitted from the communication unit 13 to the air conditioner 50. Such information is transmitted from the air conditioner 50 to the management unit 90 via the network 100.

[0103] In addition, communication unit 13b can be configured to transmit information about the odor detected by odor sensor 18 to air conditioner 50, and further transmitted from air conditioner 50 to management unit 90. Then, it is also possible to make it possible for the odor information to be acquired by management unit 90, and for management unit 90 to propose a position for installing the ozone generator in indoor space 70 based on the acquired odor information.

[0104] In this case, the degree of odor strength is appropriate based on the odor information detected by odor sensor 18 while ozone is being emitted, and the location of ozone generator 10 where purification using ozone can be performed efficiently can be estimated, and the manager can be prompted to place ozone generator 10 in that location. This maximizes the purification function of ozone generator 10 in indoor space 70, and purification can be performed without necessarily emitting high-concentration ozone from ozone generator 10. Ozone emission can be optimized to reduce the cost of operating the device, while also reducing the frequency of high-concentration ozone generation, improving safety.

[0105] (Second embodiment of the present invention) An ozone generation management system according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In each of the figures, the ozone generation management system 2 of this embodiment comprises an ozone generator 20 and a management unit 90, similar to the first embodiment, but differs in that it comprises a terminal device 60 which is a wireless LAN access point as the indoor device, and is configured so that the management unit 90 can obtain information from an entry / exit management system 200 which includes an indoor space 70 within its management range.

[0106] The ozone generator 20, like the first embodiment, comprises an electrode unit 21, a blower unit 22, a communication unit 23, an operation unit 24, a control unit 25, an alarm unit 27, and an odor sensor 28, but differs in that the communication unit 23 is wirelessly connected to and communicates with a terminal device 60, which is the indoor device.

[0107] The electrode section 21, blower section 22, operation section 24, notification section 27, and odor sensor 28 in this ozone generator 20 are all similar to those in the first embodiment, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0108] The communication unit 23 is capable of communicating with the terminal device 60 via wireless communication. The communication unit 23 is electrically connected to the control unit 25 within the ozone generator 20 and is a mechanism for sending information received from the terminal device 60 to the control unit 25. When the communication unit 23 is wirelessly connected to the terminal device 60, the communication can be performed as wireless communication according to the standard method of the IEEE 802.11 series or the IEEE 802.15 series, for example.

[0109] The communication unit 23 receives, via the terminal device 60, control information that the management unit 90 has generated based on information acquired from the entrance and exit management system 200 via the network 100.

[0110] In the ozone generator 20, as in the first embodiment, at least one of the electrode unit 21 and the blower unit 22 performs an operation specified by the control information under the control of the control unit 25 based on the control information received by the communication unit 23.

[0111] On the other hand, it is also possible to transmit information on the strength of the odor detected by the odor sensor 28 of the ozone generator 20 (odor level information), information on the air in the indoor space 70 obtained by a sensor provided in the ozone generator 20, and information on the operating state of each part of the device obtained by the control unit 25 to the terminal device 60 from the communication unit 23. Such information is transmitted from the terminal device 60 to the management unit 90 via the network 100.

[0112] The control unit 25 controls the operation of the electrode unit 21 and the blower unit 22 in response to operational input from the user received by the operation unit 24, or based on control information transmitted from the terminal device 60. The hardware configuration of the control unit 25 is similar to that of the first embodiment, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0113] The control unit 25, which serves as a management control for managing the ozone discharge from the ozone generator, receives control information generated by the management unit 90 via the terminal device 60, and controls the electrode unit 21 and the blower unit 22 based on this control information. The control information is information for controlling the start and stop of operations related to the ozone discharge from the ozone generator 20 and the setting of the concentration of ozone to be discharged into the indoor space 70, as in the first embodiment.

[0114] Multiple ozone generators 20 may be placed in the indoor space 70. When two or more ozone generators 20 are installed in the indoor space 70, the odor level information obtained by each ozone generator 20 can be transmitted to the management unit 90 via the terminal device 60, which enables the management unit 90 to determine the appropriateness of the placement position of the ozone generator 20 in the indoor space 70 from the odor level information.

[0115] In addition, in the ozone generator 20, since the communication unit 23 has a transmission / reception function and communication is performed bidirectionally between the terminal device 60 and the ozone generator 20, the communication unit 23 of the ozone generator 20 can also send received information back to the terminal device 60 in order to confirm whether the ozone generator 20 has correctly received the information sent from the terminal device 60. In this case, when the terminal device 60 detects that the sent information and the received information are different, or that there is no reply, it determines that the sent information has not been correctly received by the ozone generator 20 and sends it again.

[0116] Furthermore, when the ozone generator 20 falls into an abnormal state due to a malfunction or the like, it can transmit an abnormality notification signal to the management unit 90 via the terminal device 60 so that the abnormal state can be grasped by the management unit 90. A signal including a code set for each failure mode is transmitted as an abnormality notification signal from the ozone generator 20 to the terminal device 60, and is further transmitted from the terminal device 60 to the management unit 90. Upon receiving the abnormality notification signal, the management unit 90 can take action such as requesting maintenance service for the ozone generator 20. In this case, the ozone generator 20 automatically stops operation as a fail-safe function in response to a malfunction, or, if it continues to operate, transitions to a specific mode that provides greater safety.

[0117] Furthermore, when the ozone generator 20 detects that a predetermined maintenance time has arrived or that the deterioration of a specific part has reached a state requiring maintenance, the ozone generator 20 can also transmit information including a request for maintenance (maintenance information) to the management unit 90 via the terminal device 60. If the management unit 90 is configured to notify the manager's communication terminal 80 of the need for maintenance of the ozone generator based on the maintenance information, it is possible to prompt the manager to take action.

[0118] Furthermore, when communication between the terminal device 60 and the ozone generator 20 is interrupted due to a cause on the terminal device 60 side, such as a malfunction of the terminal device 60, and control using control information becomes impossible, the control unit 25 controls the ozone generator 20 to transition to an independent operating state with reduced ozone intensity, as in the first embodiment.

[0119] In other words, when communication is cut off, the ozone generator 20 alone, regardless of control information, controls the electrode unit 21 and the blower unit 22 to suppress the emission of ozone, while continuing to operate the electrode unit 21 and the blower unit 22 related to the emission of ozone.

[0120] On the other hand, when communication between the ozone generator 20 and the terminal device 60 is restored, the control unit 25 can automatically return the ozone generator 20 from an independent operating state to a remote control state based on the control information.

[0121] In the ozone generator 20, since the communication unit 23 has a transmission / reception function and communication is performed bidirectionally between the terminal device 60 and the ozone generator 20, it is desirable to periodically perform communication related to status monitoring bidirectionally. In this way, after the ozone generator 20 transitions from a remote-controlled state to an independent operating state due to a communication interruption, when the communication interruption is resolved and communication between the ozone generator 20 and the terminal device 60 can be resumed (when communication from the terminal device 60 to the ozone generator 20 becomes possible), a communication possible state is immediately confirmed by communication related to status monitoring, new control information is accepted by the ozone generator 20, and the ozone generator 20 can easily be restored to an operating state by remote control based on the control information.

[0122] Furthermore, even if the ozone generator 20 is in a standalone operating state when communication is interrupted and the operation related to ozone transmission of the ozone generator 20 is stopped by human operation, when the communication interruption is resolved and the communication unit 23 is able to receive transmissions from the resumed terminal device 60, the control unit 25 receives the control information transmitted from the terminal device 60 and overwrites the operation stop instruction issued by the control unit 25 to transition the ozone generator 20 to a remote control state, and the electrode unit 21 and the blower unit 22 can be operated based on the control information.

[0123] In addition, if the ozone generator 20 has a sensor that can derive the degree of ozone emission from the detection results, such as an ozone concentration sensor or an odor sensor, the operation of the ozone generator alone during a communication interruption may be controlled based on detection by the sensor, so that the concentration of the generated ozone and the odor-causing substances in the air of the indoor space 70 that are reduced by the deodorization using ozone do not exceed a certain level.

[0124] The terminal device 60 is disposed in the indoor space 70 or at a predetermined location outside the indoor space 70 so that the indoor space 70 is included in its effective communication range, and is capable of communicating with the ozone generator 20 as an access point of a wireless LAN.

[0125] The terminal device 60 is capable of wireless communication with the ozone generator 10, and can also be connected to the network 100 via a wired or wireless connection for communication. The terminal device 60 is capable of communication with the management unit 90 via the network 100, receiving information acquired by the ozone generator 20 and transmitting it to the management unit 90, while also receiving control information created by the management unit 90 and transmitting it to the ozone generator 20.

[0126] The terminal device 60 normally maintains a state of two-way communication with the ozone generator 20 regardless of the operating status of the ozone generator 20, receiving information obtained by the ozone generator 20 and making it available to the management unit 90, while also transmitting control information to the ozone generator 20.

[0127] The management unit 90 is arranged to be capable of data communication with the terminal device 60 via a network 100, and acquires information related to the indoor space 70 from an entry / exit management system 200 accessible via the network 100, creates control information based on this information, and transmits this control information to the terminal device 60.

[0128] This management unit 90, like the first embodiment, is a computer that functions as a server, and by executing processing according to a recorded program, the function of providing services such as creating and transmitting the control information as a management unit is realized.

[0129] As a management control for managing the emission of ozone from the ozone generator 20, the management unit 90 collects information regarding people entering and exiting the indoor space 70, which is obtained by the entry / exit management system 200, which includes the indoor space 70 in its management range, via the network 100, and acquires it as information related to the indoor space 70.From this acquired information, it derives specific control information related to the ozone emission from the ozone generator 20, transmits this control information to the terminal device 60, and further transmits the control information from the terminal device 60 to the ozone generator 10, causing the ozone generator 10 to perform operation control based on the control information.

[0130] The control information created by the management unit 90 is information for controlling the start and stop of the operation related to the ozone discharge of the ozone generator 20 and the setting of the concentration of ozone to be discharged into the indoor space 70.

[0131] The management unit 90 can receive and use, as information related to the indoor space 70 obtainable from the entrance / exit management system 200, information related to the entry and exit of people into the indoor space 70, which is recorded each time a person enters and leaves the indoor space 70 for security purposes, as well as information identifying people who have entered and exited the indoor space 70, information related to the number of people present in the indoor space 70 at each time, and the like. The management unit 90 analyzes and obtains the characteristics of people entering and exiting the indoor space 70 in which the ozone generator 20 is located, based on the information obtained from the entrance / exit management system 200 via the network 100, and controls the management unit 90 to generate an ozone generation situation corresponding to the characteristics. This creates control information for the ozone generator 10, which can operate the ozone generator 20.

[0132] The management unit 90 can also acquire other entry / exit management information handled by the entry / exit management system 200, such as information determining whether a person entering or exiting an indoor space 70 is a person (related person) who regularly and continuously engages in each indoor space 70 within a building managed by the system, or a person (outsider) who is visiting from outside and temporarily entering the indoor space 70.

[0133] In addition, the management unit 90 can record and accumulate information obtained from the entrance / exit management system 200 via the network 100 for each ozone generator 20, and based on the accumulated information, analyze and acquire characteristics of people entering and exiting the indoor space 70 in which the ozone generator is located, as described above, and create control information that will create ozone generation conditions that correspond to these characteristics.

[0134] Furthermore, the management unit 90 collects information regarding the entry and exit of people into and from the indoor space 70 owned by the entry and exit management system 200, and based on this information the management unit 90 is able to obtain control information. Alternatively, a sensor for understanding the indoor environment provided in the indoor space 70 as part of the entry and exit management system 200 can detect the position of an ozone generator in the indoor space 70 and send this position information to the management unit 90, so that the management unit 90 can analyze the information regarding the entry and exit of people as well as the position information of the ozone generator to create control information, and the ozone generator can be made to emit ozone appropriate to its position.

[0135] In addition, the management unit 90 can transmit information to the ozone generator 20 via the terminal device 60 as part of control information instructing the ozone generator 20 to start or stop operation, etc., which sets operation settings for each ozone generator, such as specifying the time period for operation, and instructs the ozone generator 20 to change settings for the operation mode related to ozone generation and the indoor space 70 to which the ozone is to be sent, thereby allowing the ozone generator 20 to be controlled in more detail.

[0136] When information related to instructions for operating and setting the ozone generator 20 is sent to the management unit 90 from a communication terminal 80 such as a smartphone of the administrator (user) of the ozone generator 20, the management unit 90 transmits such information to the ozone generator 20 via the terminal device 60, making it possible to perform operations, settings, etc. remotely from the terminal device of the administrator (user).

[0137] In addition, the management unit 90 collects data related to the external environment through the network 100, such as weather, temperature, humidity, fine particulate matter (so-called PM2.5, etc.) and pollen dispersion conditions, and based on this, creates control information for instructing settings or changes to settings related to the operation of each ozone generator 20, or starting or stopping operation, and transmits this to the ozone generator 20 via the terminal device 60, thereby allowing the ozone generator 20 to control its operation in response to the external environment.

[0138] On the other hand, the management unit 90 collects data related to the environment of the indoor space 70, such as data on temperature, humidity, cleanliness, etc., obtained by the entrance / exit management system 200 or other systems via the network 100, or obtains data related to the environment of the indoor space 70 obtained by a sensor built into the ozone generator 20 from the ozone generator 20 via the terminal device 60, and based on this, creates control information for setting or changing the operation of each ozone generator 20, or for instructing the start or stop of operation, and transmits this to the ozone generator 20 via the terminal device 60, thereby allowing the ozone generator 20 to control its operation in accordance with the environment of the indoor space 70.

[0139] The management unit 90 can also create control information for the ozone generator based on data related to the behavior of the user of the indoor space 70. In detail, the management unit 90 acquires information related to the user's activity schedule and location changes from the communication terminal 80 of the user of the indoor space 70, determines the user's actions such as going out or returning home, and creates control information for instructing the settings or changes to the settings related to the operation of each ozone generator, or the start or stop of operation, based on the information related to the determined action. This information is then transmitted to the ozone generator 20 via the terminal device 60, allowing the ozone generator 20 to control its operation in response to the user's actions.

[0140] In particular, when the management unit 90 acquires information on the user's destination, schedule, time, etc., or information posted by the user himself to a web service, and determines the eating behavior of the user, it can create control information based on such information related to eating, and control the ozone generator 20 to perform operation control corresponding to the eating behavior of the user using the control information, for example, by regarding eating as an opportunity for close contact with people, and by reducing the rate at which the operation of the electrode unit 21 and the blower unit 22 of the ozone generator 20 is suppressed due to an increase in the number of people when entering the indoor space 70 compared to the case of normal entry, thereby ensuring a certain level of deodorizing and sterilizing ability of the air. In addition, as another operation control corresponding to the eating behavior, it can be performed to determine that the odor has become stronger due to eating, and to control the emission of ozone to a state suitable for deodorization.

[0141] Furthermore, the management unit 90 acquires and analyzes information related to the user's movements, the areas where the user stayed, and the means of transportation used for the movements from the communication terminal 80 of the user of the indoor space 70, as well as information on the crowding of people collected through the network 100, information on the congestion of the area or means of transportation, information related to infectious diseases, etc., and if it determines that the user has been exposed to a crowded state or a state with a high risk of infection with an infectious disease, such as moving to or staying in a crowded area or an area with many infectious disease infections, or using a means of transportation (transport) that was in a crowded state for a certain period of time, it creates control information that can send ozone according to the user's condition.For example, it can also create control information to operate the ozone generator 20 to pre-purify the indoor space 70 before the user returns home, which is predicted based on the information related to the user's behavior.

[0142] In this case, the ozone generator 20 that has received the control information generates and diffuses more ozone than usual into the indoor space 70 before the user's predicted return time through operation control based on the control information, thereby preventing the cleanliness of the indoor space 70 from decreasing excessively even if the user unintentionally brings in odor-causing substances, germs, or viruses from outside when entering the indoor space 70.

[0143] Among the information collected by the management unit 90 through the network 100, information regarding crowding and congestion can include information publicly collected for purposes such as infectious disease control. By utilizing large-scale, highly accurate data, it is possible to more appropriately grasp the need for purification associated with human behavior and create control information for operating the ozone generator in accordance with the level of purification.

[0144] Next, the state of management of the ozone generator by the ozone generation management system according to this embodiment will be described. As a premise, as in the first embodiment, the ozone generator 20 is installed in the indoor space 70, there is no problem with the power supply capacity of the built-in battery or the connected commercial power source as a power source, and the electrode unit 21 and the blower unit 22 are operated as necessary under the control of the control unit 25 to send ozone together with air into the indoor space 70, and the deodorizing and sterilizing effects of ozone are exerted in the indoor space 70.

[0145] In addition, the terminal device 60 is in a state in which it can communicate with the ozone generator 20 in the indoor space 70 , and is also in a state in which it can communicate with the management unit 90 via the network 100 . It is assumed that the indoor space 70 is initially unoccupied while the entry / exit management system 200, which includes the indoor space 70 in its management range, is in operation.

[0146] When the indoor space 70 is unoccupied, the management unit 90 acquires the situation where no one has entered the indoor space 70, which is grasped by the entrance / exit management system 200, as information regarding the entry and exit of people into the indoor space 70. Based on the information acquired from the entrance / exit management system 200, the management unit 90 creates control information for making the ozone generator 20 send out the maximum amount of ozone to the unoccupied indoor space 70, and transmits the obtained control information to the terminal device 60 for transmission to the ozone generator 20. After being received by the terminal device 60, the control information is further transmitted to the ozone generator 20.

[0147] When the communication unit 23 of the ozone generator 20 receives the control information, the control unit 25 acquires this control information, and the control unit 25 controls the operation of the electrode unit 21 and the blower unit 22 in accordance with the control information, thereby adjusting the amount of ozone generated and the amount of air blown to maximum.

[0148] In the ozone generator 20, under the operational control of the control unit 25, ozone is generated by the electrode unit 21, and the air blower unit 22 takes in air from the indoor space 70 and sends the taken-in air together with the generated ozone to the indoor space 70, thereby sending the ozone to the indoor space 70. When the ozone comes into contact with the air in the indoor space 70, the air is deodorized and sterilized by the oxidizing action of the ozone.

[0149] Next, when a person enters the indoor space 70 after performing authentication operations on the authentication terminal unit related to entry and exit to the indoor space 70 in the entry / exit management system 200, the management unit 90 acquires as new information the situation of a person entering the indoor space 70, which is newly grasped by the entry / exit management system 200 based on the information acquired by the authentication terminal unit.

[0150] The management unit 90 creates control information for adjusting the concentration of ozone generated by the electrode unit 21 of the ozone generator 20 and the reach of the air blown by the air blower 22, based on information obtained from the entrance / exit management system 200 indicating the entry of people into the indoor space 70 and the resulting increase in the number of people in the room. Here, the control information is created so that adjustments can be made to reduce the amount of ozone generated and the amount of air blown, taking into consideration the safety of people present in the indoor space 70. Then, the management unit 90 transmits this control information to the terminal device 60. After the control information is received by the terminal device 60, it is further transmitted to the ozone generator 20.

[0151] When the communication unit 23 of the ozone generator 20 receives new control information, the control unit 25 controls the operation of the electrode unit 21 and the blower unit 22 in accordance with this control information, and makes adjustments to reduce the amount of ozone generated and the amount of air blown, so that the ozone concentration and the reach of the air blown correspond to the presence of people in the indoor space 70.

[0152] Thereafter, as people enter and leave the indoor space 70, the entrance and exit management system 200 determines this, and whenever there is a change in the entry and exit status of people in the indoor space 70 that is grasped and held by the system, the management unit 90 similarly acquires this as information relating to the entry and exit of people in the indoor space 70, and creates control information based on the information, which is then transmitted from the management unit 90 to the terminal device 60, and further transmitted from the terminal device 60 to the ozone generator 20. Then, in the ozone generator 20, the control unit 25 controls the operation of the electrode unit 21 and the blower unit 22 according to the received control information, and the delivery of ozone to the indoor space 70 corresponds to the presence of people in the indoor space 70.

[0153] For example, if more people enter the indoor space 70, increasing the number of people in the indoor space 70 and increasing the opportunities for people to come into contact with ozone emitted from the ozone generator 20, the control information will cause the control unit 25 to perform control to suppress the operation of the electrode unit 21 and the blower unit 22 of the ozone generator 20.

[0154] On the other hand, when people leave the indoor space 70, resulting in fewer people in the indoor space 70 and thus fewer opportunities for people to come into contact with ozone emitted from the ozone generator 20, the control information causes the control unit 25 to control the operation of the electrode unit 21 and the blower unit 22 so as to increase the amount of ozone generated and the amount of air blown in the ozone generator 20.

[0155] In addition, when the management unit 90 obtains information from the entry / exit management system 200 that determines whether a person entering or leaving the indoor space 70 is an associated person or an outsider, the management unit 90 can control the operation of the electrode unit 21 and the blower unit 22 of the ozone generator 20 in even more detail.

[0156] If the person who enters the indoor space 70 is not a related person but an outsider, the control information will be set to a lower rate at which the operation of the electrode unit 21 and the blower unit 22 of the ozone generator 20 is suppressed due to the increase in the number of people than when a related person enters, thereby ensuring a certain level of deodorizing and disinfecting ability of the air and preparing for the possibility that an outsider may unintentionally bring in odor-causing substances, germs, or viruses from outside.

[0157] In this manner, while ozone is emitted from the ozone generator 20 in response to the presence of people in the indoor space 70, based on the entrance / exit monitoring performed by the entrance / exit management system 200 for security purposes, a situation may arise in which communication between the terminal device 60 and the ozone generator 20 is interrupted due to a malfunction of the communication mechanism of the terminal device 60 or due to human or external influences on the communication path between the terminal device 60 and the ozone generator 20, making it impossible to remotely control the ozone generator 20 using control information.

[0158] In such a case, when the control unit 25 of the ozone generator 20 determines that the control information cannot be received by the communication unit 23 due to a communication interruption, it suppresses the emission of ozone by controlling at least one of the following: reducing the amount of ozone generated by the electrode unit 21 and reducing the amount of air taken in and sent out by the blower unit 22. Then, the operation of the electrode unit 21 and the blower unit 22 related to the emission of ozone is continued, and the ozone generator 20 transitions to an operating state alone, not depending on the control information.

[0159] In this way, when remote control using control information is not possible, the ozone generator 20 operates independently to suppress the emission of ozone while continuing to emit ozone, thereby continuing to purify the air in the indoor space 70 by sterilizing and deodorizing it to the minimum extent necessary, thereby reducing the impact of ozone on people, maintaining the safety of people in the indoor space 70, and ensuring the cleanliness of the air in the indoor space 70.

[0160] When the communication interruption between the terminal device 60 and the ozone generator 20 is resolved and the control unit 25, which monitors the communication status, confirms that the communication unit 23 of the ozone generator 20 is able to receive information sent from the terminal device 60, the ozone generator 20 automatically returns from an independent operation state to a remote control state based on the control information.

[0161] In this way, in the ozone generation management system according to this embodiment, the management unit 90 collects and acquires information related to the indoor space 70, such as information related to people entering and exiting the indoor space 70, from the entry and exit management system 200, and creates control information for the ozone generator 20 based on the information. This control information is then sent to the ozone generator 20 via the terminal device 60, enabling the ozone generator 20 to be controlled. As a result, the ozone generator 20 is made to emit ozone according to the situation, such as the number of people present in the indoor space 70, and ozone and air purified by the ozone can be dispersed from the ozone generator 20 into the indoor space 70 efficiently while minimizing the impact on people. This allows air purification to be performed appropriately without necessarily emitting high-concentration ozone, and the ozone emission output can be optimized to reduce the cost of operating the device, while reducing the frequency of high-concentration ozone generation to improve safety.

[0162] In the ozone generation management system according to the embodiment, the terminal device 60 as an indoor device is connected to the network 100, and the terminal device 60 and the ozone generator 20 communicate with each other, enabling information to be exchanged between the ozone generator 20 and the management unit 90. However, if the indoor space 70 side terminal (such as an authentication device or a locking / unlocking device) in the entry / exit management system 200 has a communication function that allows communication between the system and the ozone generator 20, then the indoor space 70 side terminal may be used as an indoor device in place of the terminal device 60, and the ozone generator 20 may be connected to the network 100 via the indoor space 70 side terminal and the entry / exit management system 200 to enable communication with the management unit 90, within the scope that does not pose a security problem for the entry / exit management system 200.

[0163] Furthermore, if the communication unit 23 of the ozone generator 20 is capable of being connected to the network 100 by directly and wirelessly connecting to an access point of a public wireless LAN or an IP communication network, and is capable of communicating directly with the management unit 90 through the network 100, then it is possible to employ a configuration in which an indoor device having only an access point function is not provided.

[0164] In the ozone generation management system according to the embodiment, the information related to the indoor space 70 acquired when the management unit 90 creates control information for the ozone generator 20 is mainly information related to the entry and exit of people obtained from the entry and exit management system 200, but the management unit 90 can also acquire information (smell, ozone) acquired by the sensors of the ozone generator 20 and information related to operation through the terminal device 60, and have the ozone generator 20 receive control information created based on such information. This allows the ozone generator to be operated more appropriately in response to the circumstances around the ozone generator 20 and the state of the ozone generator itself.

[0165] In addition, the management unit 90 records and accumulates information (odor level information) regarding the degree of odor strength detected by the odor sensor 28 of the ozone generator 20, which is transmitted from the ozone generator 20 via the terminal device 60, and from this accumulated data, it can calculate the deodorizing tendency of the ozone generator 20, such as the deodorizing speed by time of day, the speed and amount of change in ozone concentration, etc., and create control information such as energy-saving operation or fumigation operation of the ozone generator 20 that is suitable for the indoor space 70 and its usage conditions, and can transmit this information to the ozone generator 20 to cause it to perform control.

[0166] As a specific example, the need for deodorizing the indoor space 70 immediately after the user enters the room upon returning home can be derived from the temporal trend of the deodorizing load of the indoor space 70 as determined from the accumulated data, and based on that, control information can be created to adjust the ozone generation intensity to be higher at the time assumed to be before the user returns home.

[0167] In addition, the management unit 90 may transmit information received from the ozone generator 20, such as information related to the cleanliness of the air, information related to the operating status of the ozone generator, and the maintenance information, directly to the communication terminal 80 of the manager (user) of the ozone generator 20 or in the form of a notification (in the case of a notification, the information content is transmitted and provided as e-mail or web content from another website in response to the user's notification). This allows the manager (user) to constantly check the status of the ozone generator 20 and the indoor space 70 from his / her own communication terminal 80, and when maintenance information for the ozone generator 20 is notified, for example, it is possible to prompt the manager to take prompt action regarding the maintenance.

[0168] Furthermore, in the ozone generation management system according to the above embodiment, the management unit 90 creates control information based on information relating to people entering and exiting the indoor space 70, obtained from the entry / exit management system 200. However, this is not limited to this. If it is possible to communicate with a specific air-conditioning device installed in the indoor space 70 and obtain information held by the air-conditioning device, the management unit 90 can also obtain information relating to people and objects in the indoor space 70 detected by an indoor situation monitoring sensor of the air-conditioning device, and information such as temperature and humidity available to the air-conditioning device, and based on this information, it is possible to create control information that controls the operation of ozone emission in accordance with the situation of the indoor space 70 as shown in the information.

[0169] In addition, the management unit 90 can obtain information related to the operating state of the air conditioner, and from this information, create control information for operating the ozone generator 20 in response to the operating state of the air conditioner, for example, control information for operating the ozone generator 20 in response to changes in the air flow state in the indoor space 70 inferred from the operating state of the air conditioner, so as to appropriately bring ozone into contact with air and promote air purification.

[0170] (Third embodiment of the present invention) In the ozone generation management system of the second embodiment, only one ozone generator is placed in the indoor space 70 and is configured to send ozone into the indoor space 70, but the present invention is not limited to this. A configuration is also possible in which multiple ozone generators are provided in the indoor space 70, and these multiple ozone generators operate individually or in conjunction with each other to send out ozone and purify the indoor space 70 by deodorizing and disinfecting.

[0171] In this manner, when multiple ozone generators 20 are installed in the indoor space 70, the management unit 90 can obtain the odor level information obtained from each ozone generator 20 from each ozone generator 20 via the terminal device 60, and can determine the appropriateness of the placement position of the ozone generator 20 in the indoor space 70 from the obtained odor level information.

[0172] For example, by acquiring 24-hour odor level information of multiple ozone generators 20 or control signal levels of the ozone generators 20 by the management unit 90 and performing a comparative analysis between the ozone generators 20, it becomes possible to determine which ozone generator 10 is overdoing or underdoing deodorization by ozone emission. This makes it possible for the management unit 90 to transmit information proposing a change in the placement position of the ozone generator 20 in the indoor space 70 in order to correct the overdoing or underdoing of deodorization, or to create control information for optimizing operation by adjusting the strength of ozone emission in the ozone generator 20.

[0173] On the other hand, the management unit 90 can also obtain location information of the ozone generator 20 when analyzing the appropriateness of the placement position of the ozone generator 20 or the proposed changes. As a method for the management unit 90 to obtain the location information of the ozone generator 20, for example, the management unit 90 can obtain information on the result of acquiring the positional relationship of the indoor space 70 accompanying the automatic cleaning execution of an automatic cleaning robot, and obtain the location information of the ozone generator 20 based on the information, obtain information on the radio wave intensity during communication with the ozone generator 20 in the terminal device 60, and estimate the location of the ozone generator 20 in the indoor space 70 based on the information, or obtain information on the detection result by an indoor monitoring sensor of an air conditioner provided in the indoor space 70, and obtain the location information of the ozone generator 20 based on the information. After obtaining the location information in this way, information related to the proposal of an appropriate placement position can be transmitted. [Explanation of symbols]

[0174] 1, 2 Ozone generation management system 10, 20 Ozone generator 10a Housing 11, 21 Electrode section 12, 22 Blower section 13, 23 Communications Department 14, 24 Operation section 15, 25 Control section 17, 27 Notification Department 18, 28 Odor sensor 50 Air conditioner 51 Human Sensor 52 First Communications Department 53 Second Communications Department 60 Terminal Equipment 70 Indoor space 80 Communication terminal 90 Management Department 100 Network 200 Entrance / Exit Control System

Claims

1. An ozone generator for generating ozone; A management unit that creates control information for the ozone generator; a communication terminal carried by a user of the indoor space in which the ozone generator is installed, the ozone generator has a communication unit capable of receiving at least the control information from the management unit, Operate the ozone generator based on the control information; The management unit creates the control information using information regarding the user's predicted return time to the indoor space obtained by acquiring information regarding a change in position of the user accompanying the user's movement from the communication terminal, and information regarding the congestion situation in the area to which the user has moved.

2. An ozone generator for generating ozone; A management unit that creates control information for the ozone generator; a communication terminal carried by a user of the indoor space in which the ozone generator is installed, the ozone generator has a communication unit capable of receiving at least the control information from the management unit, Operate the ozone generator based on the control information; The management unit creates the control information using information regarding a predicted time when the user will return to the indoor space obtained by acquiring information regarding a change in position of the user accompanying the user's movement from the communication terminal, and information regarding the congestion situation in an area where the user stayed.

3. An ozone generator for generating ozone; A management unit that creates control information for the ozone generator; a communication terminal carried by a user of the indoor space in which the ozone generator is installed, the ozone generator has a communication unit capable of receiving at least the control information from the management unit, Operate the ozone generator based on the control information; The management unit creates the control information using information relating to a location change accompanying the movement of the user obtained from the communication terminal, the predicted time when the user will return to the indoor space, and information relating to the congestion status of the transportation used by the user.

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