Control device, air conditioning system, air conditioner control method, and program

Abstract

To activate an air conditioner at an appropriate timing.SOLUTION: A server 2 comprises: an air-conditioning data acquisition section 201 which cyclically acquires air-conditioning data related to air-conditioning from an air conditioner 3; an air-conditioning data management DB 241 which stores the acquired air-conditioning data; a threshold setting section 205 which sets, when the air conditioner 3 is activated through operation of a user after the air conditioner 3 stops operation, a room temperature in the air-conditioning data acquired predetermined time before the operation of the user as a threshold; an activation appropriateness determination section 203 which determines appropriateness of activating the air conditioner 3 on the basis of the threshold; and an activation instruction section 204 which instructs the air-conditioner 3 to start when the activation thereof is determined to be necessary.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a control device, an air conditioning system, an air conditioner control method, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] In a household air conditioner, generally, an on-timer setting (also referred to as an input timer setting) and an off-timer setting (also referred to as a cut-off timer setting) are possible, and the air conditioning can be automatically started or stopped after the set time has elapsed.

[0003] For example, if the air conditioner is left running during bedtime in summer, the user may be chilled by excessive cooling, wake up, and have their sound sleep disturbed. Further, although the user is forced to perform an operation to stop the cooling, setting an off-timer before going to bed can prevent a decrease in the quality of sleep due to excessive cooling.

[0004] On the other hand, after the cooling is automatically stopped, there is also a problem that the user becomes uncomfortable due to the rising room temperature, wakes up, and needs to manually restart the air conditioner.

[0005] In response to the above problems, Patent Document 1 focuses on the fact that the timing of restarting the air conditioner after the end of the off-timer has a certain repeatability depending on the person, and describes a technique for automatically starting by setting automatic start conditions according to the user so as to obtain comfortable sleep.

[0006] In the technique described in Patent Document 1, the air conditioner stores the time from the end of the off-timer to the manual restart as the automatic start time, and stores the room temperature at the time of manual restart as the automatic start temperature. When the automatic start time has elapsed after the off-timer has ended and the room temperature has reached the automatic start temperature, the air conditioner automatically starts.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0007] Patent Document 1 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-155166 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0008] However, in the technology of Patent Document 1, for example, even when the room temperature becomes higher than the automatic start temperature in summer, the automatic start is not performed until the automatic start time elapses. Therefore, there may be quite a few cases where the user has to manually restart it. Also, since the room temperature at the time when the user manually restarts because they cannot bear it is used as the automatic start temperature, there is a problem that even if the automatic start is performed immediately after the room temperature reaches the automatic start temperature, the deterioration of the user's sleep quality cannot be avoided.

[0009] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a control device or the like that can start an air conditioner at an appropriate timing. MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEMS

[0010] To achieve the above object, a control device according to the present disclosure includes: air-conditioning data acquisition means for periodically acquiring air-conditioning data related to air-conditioning from an air conditioner; data storage means for storing the acquired air-conditioning data; determination data setting means for setting, as determination data, air-conditioning data acquired a predetermined time before the operation when the air conditioner is started by a user operation after the air conditioner stops operating; start necessity determination means for determining whether or not to start the air conditioner based on the determination data; start command means for commanding the air conditioner to start when it is determined that the air conditioner needs to be started. EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0011] According to the present disclosure, it becomes possible to start an air conditioner at an appropriate timing.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0012]

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Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0013] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0014] (Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of the air conditioning system 1 according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure. The air conditioning system 1 is a system for air conditioning at least one room in the house H, and more specifically, is a system for assisting the user's sound sleep by air conditioning the bedroom in the house H. As shown in FIG. 1, the air conditioning system 1 includes a server 2, an air conditioner 3, and a user terminal 4.

[0015] <Server 2> The server 2 is an example of a control device according to the present disclosure. The server 2 is a so-called cloud server installed and operated by the manufacturer, sales company, etc. of the air conditioner 3, and is connected to a wide area network N such as the Internet. As shown in FIG. 2, the server 2 includes a communication interface 20, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 21, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 22, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 23, and an auxiliary storage device 24. These components are interconnected via a bus 25.

[0016] The communication interface 20 is an interface for communicating with other devices via the wide area network N. The CPU 21 controls the server 2 overall. Details of the functions of the server 2 realized by the CPU 21 will be described later. The ROM 22 stores a plurality of firmware and data used when these firmware are executed. The RAM 23 is used as a working area for the CPU 21.

[0017] The auxiliary storage device 24 is an example of the data storage device according to the present disclosure. The auxiliary storage device 24 is composed of a readable and writable non-volatile semiconductor memory, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), etc. The readable and writable non-volatile semiconductor memory is, for example, an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), a flash memory, etc. The auxiliary storage device 24 stores various programs including a program (hereinafter referred to as the sound sleep support program) for assisting the sound sleep of the user who is a resident of the house H by air conditioning, and data used when these programs are executed.

[0018] The above-mentioned sound sleep support program (including an update program for updating the sound sleep support program) can be downloaded from another server to the server 2. Also, the sound sleep support program (including the update program) can be stored and distributed on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), a magneto-optical disc, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory, a memory card, an HDD, an SSD (Solid State Drive).

[0019] <Air conditioner 3> The air conditioner 3 is an example of the air conditioner according to the present disclosure. The air conditioner 3 is a heat pump type air conditioner using a HFC (hydrofluorocarbon) such as R32 or a natural refrigerant such as CO2 as a refrigerant, and is a so-called room air conditioner. The air conditioner 3 is equipped with a vapor compression refrigeration cycle and operates by obtaining power from a commercial power source, a power generation facility, a power storage facility, etc. (not shown). As shown in FIG. 3, the air conditioner 3 includes an indoor unit 30 installed in the bedroom, an outdoor unit 31 installed outdoors, and a remote control 32. The indoor unit 30 and the outdoor unit 31 are connected via a refrigerant pipe 33 for circulating the refrigerant and a communication line 34.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 4, the indoor unit 30 includes a control circuit 300, a heat exchanger 301, a fan 302, a temperature sensor 303, and a thermal image sensor 304. The control circuit 300 comprehensively controls the air conditioner 3. Although not shown, the control circuit 300 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, a first communication interface, a second communication interface, a third communication interface, and an auxiliary storage device.

[0021] The first communication interface is hardware for communicating with the outdoor unit 31 via the communication line 34. The second communication interface is hardware for communicating with the remote controller 32, either wired or wirelessly. The third communication interface is hardware for wirelessly communicating with and connecting to a router 5, which is a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) router such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark), and communicating with other devices via the router 5. Note that the indoor unit 30 may be configured to communicate with the router 5 via an external communication adapter.

[0022] The auxiliary storage device includes a readable and writable non-volatile semiconductor memory and stores a program for comprehensively controlling the operation of the air conditioner 3 and data used during the execution of such a program. The readable and writable non-volatile semiconductor memory is, for example, an EEPROM, a flash memory, or the like.

[0023] The heat exchanger 301 performs heat exchange between the indoor air (i.e., the air in the bedroom) sucked in by the fan 302 and the refrigerant from the outdoor unit 31. The heat exchanger 301 functions as an evaporator during the cooling operation and as a condenser during the heating operation.

[0024] The fan 302 is, for example, a propeller fan that sucks indoor air from a suction port (not shown) provided in the indoor unit 30 and sends the air heat-exchanged by the heat exchanger 301 into the room from the air outlet (see FIG. 3). The rotation speed of the fan 302, that is, the air volume blown by the fan 302, is adjusted according to a command from the control circuit 300.

[0025] The temperature sensor 303 is a sensor such as a thermistor, a thermocouple, or a resistance temperature detector, measures the temperature of the air (i.e., the room temperature) sucked in by the fan 302, and outputs a signal indicating the measured room temperature to the control circuit 300.

[0026] The thermal image sensor 304 is an infrared thermography, acquires indoor thermal image data, and outputs the acquired thermal image data to the control circuit 300. The control circuit 300 can acquire the positions and surface temperatures of detected objects such as the floor, walls, windows, furniture, and people by analyzing the thermal image data acquired by the thermal image sensor 304.

[0027] The outdoor unit 31 includes a control circuit 310, a compressor 311, a four-way valve 312, a heat exchanger 313, a fan 314, an expansion valve 315, and a temperature sensor 316. In the outdoor unit 31, the compressor 311, the four-way valve 312, the heat exchanger 313, and the expansion valve 315, and the heat exchanger 301 of the indoor unit 30 are annularly connected by a refrigerant pipe 33. Thereby, a refrigeration cycle is formed.

[0028] The control circuit 310 controls each part of the outdoor unit 31 according to a command from the indoor unit 30. The control circuit 310 includes, although not shown in any figure, a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, a communication interface for communicating with the indoor unit 30 (more specifically, the control circuit 300) via a communication line 34, and an auxiliary storage device.

[0029] The auxiliary storage device is configured to include a readable and writable non-volatile semiconductor memory, and stores a program for controlling the operation of the outdoor unit 31 and data used when such a program is executed. The readable and writable non-volatile semiconductor memory is, for example, an EEPROM, a flash memory, or the like.

[0030] The compressor 311 compresses the refrigerant. Specifically, the compressor 311 compresses the low-temperature and low-pressure refrigerant and discharges the high-pressure and high-temperature refrigerant to the four-way valve 312. The compressor 311 is equipped with an inverter circuit that can change the operating capacity according to the driving frequency. The operating capacity is the amount of refrigerant that the compressor 311 delivers per unit. The compressor 311 changes the operating capacity according to the command from the control circuit 310.

[0031] The four-way valve 312 is a valve for switching the circulation direction of the refrigerant. The four-way valve 312 is switched as shown by the solid line in Fig. 4 during the cooling operation. As a result, the refrigerant circulates in the order of the compressor 311, the four-way valve 312, the heat exchanger 313, the expansion valve 315, and the heat exchanger 301. On the other hand, the four-way valve 312 is switched as shown by the broken line in Fig. 4 during the heating operation. As a result, the refrigerant circulates in the order of the compressor 311, the four-way valve 312, the heat exchanger 301, the expansion valve 315, and the heat exchanger 313.

[0032] The heat exchanger 313 performs heat exchange between the outdoor air (i.e., outside air) sucked in by the fan 314 and the refrigerant. The heat exchanger 313 functions as a condenser during the cooling operation and as an evaporator during the heating operation. The fan 314 is, for example, a propeller fan, which sucks in the outside air and sends out the air heat-exchanged by the heat exchanger 313 to the outside.

[0033] The expansion valve 315 is installed between the heat exchanger 313 and the heat exchanger 301, and decompresses and expands the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant pipe 33. The expansion valve 315 is, for example, an electronic expansion valve whose throttle opening can be adjusted by a stepping motor (not shown). The expansion valve 315 changes the opening degree according to the command from the control circuit 310 to adjust the pressure of the refrigerant.

[0034] The temperature sensor 316 is a sensor such as a thermistor, a thermocouple, or a resistance temperature detector, measures the temperature of the outside air (i.e., outside air temperature) sucked in by the fan 314, and outputs a signal indicating the measured outside air temperature to the control circuit 310.

[0035] The remote controller 32 is a remote controller that is installed by being embedded in the wall of the bedroom or installed in a manner of being hung on the wall, and receives operations related to the air conditioner from the user in the bedroom. The remote controller 32 is communicatively connected to the control circuit 300 of the indoor unit 30 by wire or wirelessly. By operating the remote controller 32, the user can instruct the start and stop of various operations such as cooling operation, heating operation, air supply operation, and dehumidifying operation, and can also instruct changes in the set temperature (i.e., the target temperature of the air conditioner), the wind speed (synonymous with the air volume), the wind direction, etc.

[0036] Furthermore, by operating the remote controller 32, the user can perform an on-timer setting (also referred to as an input timer setting) and an off-timer setting (also referred to as a cut timer setting). By performing the on-timer setting, the user can start the air conditioner 3 that is currently stopped after the elapse of the specified time, and by performing the off-timer setting, the user can stop the air conditioner 3 that is currently operating after the elapse of the specified time.

[0037] Details will be described later, but the air conditioner 3 periodically transmits air-conditioning data related to the air conditioner to the server 2 via the router 5. Also, even when the air conditioner 3 is in the operation stop state, when it receives a start command from the server 2, it immediately starts (i.e., starts) the operation.

[0038] <User terminal 4> The user terminal 4 is an example of a terminal according to the present disclosure. The user terminal 4 is an electronic device that serves as an interface with the user in the air-conditioning system 1, and is, for example, a smart device such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal. As shown in FIG. 5, the user terminal 4 includes a display 40, an operation reception unit 41, a communication interface 42, a CPU 43, a ROM 44, a RAM 45, and an auxiliary storage device 46. These components are interconnected via a bus 47.

[0039] The display 40 is configured to include a display device such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display. The display 40 displays various screens and the like according to user operations under the control of the CPU 43.

[0040] The operation reception unit 41 is configured to include one or more input devices such as a push button, a touch panel, and a touch pad, receives operation inputs from the user, and sends a signal related to the received operation to the CPU 43.

[0041] The communication interface 42 is hardware for connecting to the router 5 and communicating with the server 2 via the wide area network N. The CPU 43 comprehensively controls the user terminal 4. Details of the functions of the user terminal 4 realized by the CPU 43 will be described later. The ROM 44 stores a plurality of firmware and data used when these firmware are executed. The RAM 45 is used as a working area for the CPU 43.

[0042] The auxiliary storage device 46 is composed of a readable and writable non-volatile semiconductor memory, an HDD, etc. The readable and writable non-volatile semiconductor memory is, for example, an EEPROM, a flash memory, etc. The auxiliary storage device 46 stores various programs including an application program (hereinafter referred to as a sound sleep application) for receiving a sound sleep support service, and data used when these programs are executed.

[0043] The sound sleep application (including an update program for updating the sound sleep application) can be downloaded to the user terminal 4 from a server (including the server 2) installed and operated by a company that provides the air conditioning system 1, an affiliated company, etc., or other program distribution servers. Also, the sound sleep application (including the update program) can be stored and distributed on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a DVD, a magneto-optical disk, a USB memory, a memory card, an HDD, or an SSD.

[0044] By launching the sleep aid app, the user can make various settings to receive the sleep aid service and can also check information related to sleep aid notified from Server 2.

[0045] <Functional Configurations of Server 2 and User Terminal 4> FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the functional configurations of Server 2 and User Terminal 4. As shown in FIG. 6, Server 2 includes a setting data registration unit 200, an air conditioning data acquisition unit 201, a restart operation determination unit 202, a startup necessity determination unit 203, a startup command unit 204, a threshold setting unit 205, and a report notification unit 206. These functional units of Server 2 are realized by the CPU 21 executing the above-described sleep aid program stored in the auxiliary storage device 24.

[0046] User Terminal 4 includes a setting reception unit 400 and a report screen display unit 401. These functional units of User Terminal 4 are realized by the CPU 43 executing the above-described sleep aid app stored in the auxiliary storage device 46.

[0047] In User Terminal 4, the setting reception unit 400 receives settings related to sleep aid from the user. The setting reception unit 400 displays a setting screen as shown in FIG. 7 on the display 40 and receives settings from the user such as whether to receive sleep aid, the tendency of sleep (light, normal, or deep), and the daily bedtime. The setting reception unit 400 transmits data (hereinafter referred to as setting data) indicating the received user settings to Server 2.

[0048] The setting data registration unit 200 of Server 2 receives the setting data transmitted from User Terminal 4 and registers the received setting data in the setting data management DB 240. The setting data management DB 240 is a database for managing the setting data of users who have subscribed to the sleep aid service provided by Server 2 and is stored in the auxiliary storage device 24.

[0049] The air-conditioning data acquisition unit 201 is an example of the air-conditioning data acquisition means according to the present disclosure. The air-conditioning data acquisition unit 201 periodically acquires air-conditioning data from the air conditioner 3. For example, the air-conditioning data acquisition unit 201 acquires air-conditioning data from the air conditioner 3 at intervals of one minute. Specifically, the air-conditioning data acquisition unit 201 periodically requests air-conditioning data from the air conditioner 3. The air conditioner 3 that has received the request for air-conditioning data transmits the air-conditioning data in which the current time, the room temperature, the outside air temperature, and the operating state are stored to the server 2. The operating state includes the operating mode (heating mode, cooling mode, etc.) and information indicating whether it is in operation or stopped. Note that the air conditioner 3 may spontaneously transmit the air-conditioning data to the server 2.

[0050] The air-conditioning data acquisition unit 201 stores the acquired air-conditioning data in the air-conditioning data management DB 241. The air-conditioning data management DB 241 is an example of the data storage means according to the present disclosure. The air-conditioning data management DB 241 is a database for managing the air-conditioning data sent from the air conditioners 3 of each user, and is stored in the auxiliary storage device 24. In the air-conditioning data management DB 241, a history of air-conditioning data for a predetermined period (for example, one year) is stored for each air conditioner 3.

[0051] The restart operation determination unit 202 is an example of the restart operation determination means according to the present disclosure. The restart operation determination unit 202 determines whether or not a restart operation has been performed by the user after the operation of the air conditioner 3 has stopped after the user has gone to bed. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the restart operation determination process executed by the restart operation determination unit 202.

[0052] When the current time reaches the restart operation determination start time (step S101; YES), the restart operation determination unit 202 starts monitoring the operating state of the air conditioner 3, and determines whether or not it has changed from being stopped to being in operation, that is, whether or not the air conditioner 3 has started (step S102). In the present embodiment, the restart operation determination start time is set to a time two hours earlier than the user's scheduled bedtime, that is, the daily bedtime set by the user (see FIG. 7).

[0053] When the air conditioner 3 is not started (step S102; NO), the process of the restart operation determination unit 202 proceeds to step S106. On the other hand, when the air conditioner 3 is started (step S102; YES), the restart operation determination unit 202 determines whether there is an operation record of the air conditioner 3 from the restart operation determination start time to the present (step S103). When there is no operation record of the air conditioner 3 from the restart operation determination start time to the present (step S103; NO), the process of the restart operation determination unit 202 proceeds to step S106.

[0054] On the other hand, when there is an operation record of the air conditioner 3 from the restart operation determination start time to the present (step S103; YES), the restart operation determination unit 202 determines whether the current start is due to an automatic start according to the start command of the server 2 (step S104). When the current start is due to an automatic start according to the start command of the server 2 (step 104; YES), the process of the restart operation determination unit 202 proceeds to step S106.

[0055] On the other hand, when the current start is not due to an automatic start according to the start command of the server 2 (step 104; NO), the restart operation determination unit 202 determines that the restart operation has been performed by the user after going to bed, and records information indicating that fact in the air-conditioning data management DB241 (step S105). Specifically, the restart operation determination unit 202 adds information indicating that there has been a restart operation to the record of the corresponding air-conditioning data (see FIG. 9). The example of FIG. 9 shows a state in which information indicating that there has been a restart operation by the user has been added to the record of the air-conditioning data at 2:20 am. After step S105, the process of the restart operation determination unit 202 proceeds to step S106.

[0056] In step S106, the restart operation determination unit 202 determines whether the current time has reached the restart operation determination end time. The restart operation determination end time is, for example, the user's scheduled wake-up time (e.g., 8:00 am). If the current time has not reached the restart operation determination end time (step S106; NO), the process of the restart operation determination unit 202 returns to step S102. On the other hand, if the current time has reached the restart operation determination end time (step S106; YES), the restart operation determination unit 202 ends the restart operation determination process.

[0057] Returning to FIG. 6, the startup necessity determination unit 203 is an example of the startup necessity determination means according to the present disclosure. The startup necessity determination unit 203 determines whether it is necessary to start the stopped air conditioner 3. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the startup necessity determination process executed by the startup necessity determination unit 203. Note that the startup necessity determination unit 203 executes the startup necessity determination process only when the setting to receive sound sleep support by the user is made.

[0058] When the current time reaches the startup necessity determination start time (step S201; YES), the startup necessity determination unit 203 starts monitoring the latest air conditioning data sent from the air conditioner 3 and determines whether the air conditioner 3 is stopped (step S202). In the present embodiment, the startup necessity determination start time is set to a time 2 hours later than the user's scheduled bedtime, that is, the daily bedtime set by the user (see FIG. 7).

[0059] If the air conditioner 3 is not stopped (step S202; NO), the process of the startup necessity determination unit 203 proceeds to step S208. On the other hand, if the air conditioner 3 is stopped (step S202; YES), the startup necessity determination unit 203 determines whether the operation mode of the air conditioner 3 is the cooling mode (step S203). If the operation mode of the air conditioner 3 is the cooling mode (step S203; YES), the startup necessity determination unit 203 determines whether the current room temperature is higher than the threshold corresponding to the cooling mode (step S204).

[0060] The threshold value corresponding to the cooling mode is set for each air conditioner 3 by the threshold value setting unit 205 described later and stored in the threshold value management DB 242. The threshold value management DB 242 is a database for managing the threshold values corresponding to each of the cooling mode and the heating mode for the air conditioner 3 of each user, and is stored in the auxiliary storage device 24 of the server 2.

[0061] When the current room temperature is higher than the threshold value corresponding to the cooling mode (step S204; YES), the startup necessity determination unit 203 determines that it is necessary to start the air conditioner 3 (step S205) and notifies the startup command unit 204 to that effect. Thereafter, the process of the startup necessity determination unit 203 proceeds to step S208. On the other hand, when the current room temperature is equal to or lower than the threshold value corresponding to the cooling mode (step S204; NO), the process of the startup necessity determination unit 203 proceeds to step S208.

[0062] When the operation mode of the air conditioner 3 is not the cooling mode (step S203; NO), the startup necessity determination unit 203 determines whether the operation mode of the air conditioner 3 is the heating mode (step S206). When the operation mode of the air conditioner 3 is not the heating mode (step S206; NO), the process of the startup necessity determination unit 203 proceeds to step S208.

[0063] When the operation mode of the air conditioner 3 is the heating mode (step S206; YES), the startup necessity determination unit 203 determines whether the current room temperature is lower than the threshold value corresponding to the heating mode (step S207). The threshold value corresponding to the heating mode is also set for each air conditioner 3 by the threshold value setting unit 205 and stored in the threshold value management DB 242.

[0064] When the current room temperature is lower than the threshold value corresponding to the heating mode (step S207; YES), the startup necessity determination unit 203 determines that it is necessary to start the air conditioner 3 (step S205) and notifies the startup command unit 204 to that effect. On the other hand, when the current room temperature is equal to or higher than the threshold value corresponding to the heating mode (step S207; NO), the process of the startup necessity determination unit 203 proceeds to step S208.

[0065] In step S208, the startup necessity determination unit 203 determines whether the current time has reached the startup necessity determination end time. The startup necessity determination end time is, for example, the user's scheduled wake-up time (e.g., 8:00 am). If the current time has not reached the startup necessity determination end time (step S208; NO), the process of the startup necessity determination unit 203 returns to step S202. On the other hand, if the current time has reached the startup necessity determination end time (step S208; YES), the startup necessity determination unit 203 ends the startup necessity determination process.

[0066] Returning to FIG. 6, the startup command unit 204 is an example of the startup command means according to the present disclosure. When the startup command unit 204 receives a notification from the startup necessity determination unit 203 that it is necessary to start the air conditioner 3, it commands the air conditioner 3 to start. Specifically, the startup command unit 204 transmits a command for commanding startup by off-timer setting (hereinafter referred to as a startup command) to the air conditioner 3. The air conditioner 3 that has received such a startup command starts up and begins air conditioning. In this case, the off-timer time is the same as the previous off-timer time set by the user for the air conditioner 3.

[0067] The threshold setting unit 205 is an example of the determination data setting means according to the present disclosure. The threshold setting unit 205 sets a threshold value used when the above-described startup necessity determination unit 203 determines the startup necessity of the air conditioner 3. This threshold value is an example of the determination data according to the present disclosure. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the threshold setting process executed by the threshold setting unit 205.

[0068] When the current time reaches the threshold setting time (step S301; YES), the threshold setting unit 205 sequentially picks up the history of air-conditioning data after the most recent startup necessity determination start time (step S302). The threshold setting time is, for example, the user's scheduled wake-up time (e.g., 8:00 am). The threshold setting unit 205 determines whether the operation mode included in the picked-up air-conditioning data is the cooling mode or the heating mode (step S303). If the operation mode included in the air-conditioning data is neither the cooling mode nor the heating mode (step S303; NO), the process of the threshold setting unit 205 proceeds to step S306.

[0069] On the other hand, if the operation mode included in the air-conditioning data is the cooling mode or the heating mode (step S303; YES), the threshold setting unit 205 determines whether the air-conditioning data includes information indicating that the user has performed a restart operation, in other words, whether the user has performed a restart operation at that time (step S304). If the user has not performed a restart operation at that time (step S304; NO), the process of the threshold setting unit 205 proceeds to step S306.

[0070] On the other hand, if the user has performed a restart operation at that time (step S304; YES), the threshold setting unit 205 holds the room temperature in the air-conditioning data at a time retroactively determined from that time by a predetermined retroactive time as a threshold candidate, as shown in FIG. 12 (step S305). The retroactive time is determined by the user's sleep tendency (see FIG. 7) set by the user. In the present embodiment, the retroactive time is set to 10 minutes when the sleep tendency set by the user is "normal", 5 minutes when it is "shallow", and 15 minutes when it is "deep". For example, when the sleep tendency set by the user is "normal", in the example of FIG. 9, the room temperature at 2:10 am is held as a threshold candidate.

[0071] After step S305, the process of the threshold setting unit 205 proceeds to step S306. In step S306, the threshold setting unit 205 determines whether all the air-conditioning data after the most recent start necessity determination start time has been picked up. If not all the air-conditioning data after the most recent start necessity determination start time has been picked up (step S306; NO), the process of the threshold setting unit 205 returns to step S302.

[0072] On the other hand, if all the air-conditioning data after the most recent start necessity determination start time has been picked up (step S306; YES), the threshold setting unit 205 sets the average of the held threshold candidates as the threshold in the operation mode of the air conditioner 3 (step S307). The threshold setting unit 205 registers the set threshold in the threshold management DB 242. Note that initial values of thresholds corresponding to each of the cooling mode and the heating mode are registered in the threshold management DB 242 in advance.

[0073] Returning to FIG. 6, the report notification unit 206 is an example of the report notification means according to the present disclosure. The report notification unit 206 generates screen data indicating a report on the user's sleep situation last night, and transmits the generated screen data to the user terminal 4 of the user. The report on the sleep situation includes the transition of the room temperature, the user's sleep time, and the comfort level. The user's sleep time is derived by setting the first startup time of the air conditioner 3 after the most recent restart operation determination start time as the sleep start time, and the latest time when the operation of the air conditioner 3 was stopped by the user until 9:00 am today as the wake-up time.

[0074] In addition, the comfort level is calculated from the number of startup or stop operations of the user's air conditioner 3 between the sleep start time and the wake-up time, the transition rate within a suitable temperature range (for example, 26 to 28°C in summer), the degree of variation in the room temperature, and the like.

[0075] When the report screen display unit 401 of the user terminal 4 receives the screen data transmitted from the server 2, it displays a screen (hereinafter referred to as a notification screen) based on the received screen data on the display 40. An example of the notification screen is shown in FIG. 13.

[0076] As described above, according to the air conditioning system 1 of the present embodiment, when the user goes to bed, after the air conditioner 3 stops, in summer, when the room temperature becomes higher than the threshold value corresponding to the cooling mode, the air conditioner 3 is automatically started, and in winter, when the room temperature becomes lower than the threshold value corresponding to the heating mode, the air conditioner 3 is automatically started. As a result, the user can make the room temperature a comfortable temperature without performing a restart operation.

[0077] In addition, as the threshold value, the room temperature at the time obtained by going back a predetermined retroactive time from the time when the user performed the restart operation is used, so that the air conditioner 3 can be restarted at an appropriate timing that does not deteriorate the quality of the user's sleep.

[0078] (Modification Example 1) For example, as the determination data, the outside air temperature may be adopted, or the humidity in the bedroom may be adopted. When the humidity is adopted, the air conditioner 3 periodically transmits air conditioning data including the humidity measured by a humidity sensor (not shown) provided in the indoor unit 30 to the server 2.

[0079] (Modification Example 2) When the air conditioner 3 starts or stops, it may spontaneously transmit the air conditioning data to the server 2 immediately.

[0080] (Modification Example 3) The air conditioning data transmitted from the air conditioner 3 to the server 2 may further include the set temperature, the air volume, the air direction, the presence or absence of a timer setting, and the timer time.

[0081] (Modification Example 4) As shown in FIG. 14, the threshold setting unit 205 may set the threshold value for each time zone. In this case, the threshold setting unit 205 may execute the same process as the above-described threshold setting process for each one-hour history of the air conditioning data after the most recent start / stop determination start time. In this case, the initial values of the threshold values for each time zone of the cooling mode and the heating mode are registered in advance in the threshold management DB 242.

[0082] (Modification Example 5) The threshold setting unit 205 may set one threshold corresponding to each of the cooling mode and the heating mode or thresholds for each time zone from the history of air conditioning data for a predetermined period (for example, for several days to several years). In this case, the threshold setting unit 205 may derive a threshold by averaging the interquartile range (see FIG. 15) among a plurality of threshold candidates. By performing statistical processing to exclude outliers from a plurality of threshold candidates in this way, the accuracy of the threshold can be improved. Note that the startup necessity determination unit 203 uses one threshold corresponding to each of the cooling mode and the heating mode or thresholds for each time zone that are registered in advance as initial values in the threshold management DB 242 until the history of air conditioning data for the said period is stored in the air conditioning data management DB 241, to determine whether or not to start the air conditioner 3.

[0083] (Modification Example 6) After a threshold candidate corresponding to the cooling mode can be extracted from the history of air conditioning data in a predetermined number or more, the threshold setting unit 205 may calculate a threshold corresponding to the cooling mode by averaging the average or interquartile range of these threshold candidates, and register it in the threshold management DB 242. Similarly, after a threshold candidate corresponding to the heating mode can be extracted from the history of air conditioning data in a predetermined number or more, the threshold setting unit 205 may calculate a threshold corresponding to the heating mode by averaging the average or interquartile range of these threshold candidates, and register it in the threshold management DB 242.

[0084] In the above case, until a threshold corresponding to the cooling mode or the heating mode is calculated by the threshold setting unit 205 and registered in the threshold management DB 242, in other words, until a threshold candidate corresponding to the said operation mode can be extracted in a predetermined number or more, the startup necessity determination unit 203 uses the threshold corresponding to the said operation mode that is registered in advance as an initial value in the threshold management DB 242 to determine whether or not to start the air conditioner 3.

[0085] (Modification Example 7) If a restart operation is performed more frequently than a predetermined frequency within a certain period, the threshold value setting unit 205 may calculate a threshold value corresponding to the operation mode from the history of air conditioning data for the period and register it in the threshold value management DB 242.

[0086] (Modification Example 8) When it is approaching waking up, from the perspective of prompting the user to wake up, even if the room temperature becomes higher than the threshold value in summer, the server 2 may not issue a start command to the air conditioner 3. Similarly, when it is approaching waking up, even if the room temperature becomes lower than the threshold value in winter, the server 2 may not issue a start command to the air conditioner 3. In this case, the server 2 sets the end time of the start necessity determination to a time (for example, 1 hour) before the scheduled wake-up time of the user. For example, if the scheduled wake-up time of the user is 8:00 am, the end time of the start necessity determination is set to 7:00 am.

[0087] (Modification Example 9) The setting reception unit 400 of the user terminal 4 may be configured to receive a setting of an off-timer time when the air conditioner 3 automatically starts from the user.

[0088] (Modification Example 10) The setting reception unit 400 of the user terminal 4 may be configured to receive a setting of one threshold value corresponding to the cooling mode or a threshold value for each time zone from the user, or may be configured to receive a setting of one threshold value corresponding to the heating mode or a threshold value for each time zone from the user.

[0089] (Modification Example 11) The setting reception unit 400 of the user terminal 4 may be configured to receive a setting of a retroactive time from the user.

[0090] (Modification Example 12) The setting reception unit 400 of the user terminal 4 receives the setting of the daily wake-up time from the user, and the server 2 may use the daily wake-up time set by the user as the scheduled wake-up time of the user. Alternatively, the server 2 may further include a wake-up time estimation unit (not shown) that estimates the user's wake-up time, and use the wake-up time estimated by the wake-up time estimation unit as the scheduled wake-up time of the user.

[0091] FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the wake-up time estimation process executed by the above-mentioned wake-up time estimation unit. When the current time reaches the wake-up time estimation time (step S401; YES), the wake-up time estimation unit refers to the history of the air-conditioning data corresponding to the air conditioner 3 at the user's home, and among the times from the most recent restart operation determination start time to the current time, obtains the latest time when the operation of the air conditioner 3 was stopped by the user as a wake-up time candidate (step S402). The wake-up time estimation time is, for example, 9:00 am.

[0092] The wake-up time estimation unit saves the obtained wake-up time candidate in a wake-up time candidate DB (not shown) (step S403). The wake-up time candidate DB is a database in which the history of the obtained wake-up time candidates is stored, and is stored in the auxiliary storage device 24.

[0093] The wake-up time estimation unit determines the average of the interquartile range of the entire history of the wake-up time candidates stored in the wake-up time candidate DB as the wake-up time (step S404). The wake-up time estimation unit estimates the user's wake-up time as described above.

[0094] (Modification Example 13) The startup command unit 204 of the server 2 may command the air conditioner 3 to start with the air-conditioning content that matches the user's preference. The air-conditioning content includes any one of the set temperature, wind direction, air volume, and operation mode. In this case, the setting reception unit 400 of the user terminal 4 may receive the setting of the air-conditioning content from the user.

[0095] Alternatively, the setting reception unit 400 of the user terminal 4 may receive an input of the sensed information indicating the user's perception of the previous air conditioning from the user, and a feedback unit (an example of the feedback means according to the present disclosure) (not shown) of the server 2 may adjust the air conditioning content based on the sensed information. For example, the setting reception unit 400 of the user terminal 4 presents options such as "cold", "just right", and "hot" for the air conditioning last night and allows the user to make a selection. Further, the setting reception unit 400 of the user terminal 4 may also receive an input by allowing the user to select from options regarding the sense of air flow, humidity, etc. For example, when there is an input of the sensed information of "hot" for the air conditioning last night, the feedback unit performs an adjustment to lower the set temperature of the air conditioner 3 at the time of automatic startup by 0.5°C.

[0096] In this way, at the time of automatic startup, by operating the air conditioner 3 with the air conditioning content that matches the user's preference, the comfort of the user is maintained and the quality of sleep is improved.

[0097] (Modification Example 14) The server 2 further includes a user movement data acquisition unit (an example of the movement data acquisition means according to the present disclosure) that acquires data regarding the movement of the user during sleep (hereinafter referred to as user movement data), and a discomfort state determination unit that determines whether the user is in a state of discomfort. The air conditioner 3 may be controlled taking into account the determination result of the discomfort state determination unit. The user movement data includes thermal image data in the bedroom acquired by the thermal image sensor 304 provided in the air conditioner 3, visible image data in the bedroom photographed by a visible camera, data indicating sound or vibration detected in the bedroom, and the like.

[0098] For example, the air conditioner 3 periodically (for example, at a cycle of 1 minute) transmits the thermal image data acquired by the thermal image sensor 304 to the server 2, whereby the user movement data acquisition unit acquires the user movement data.

[0099] Further, for example, a visible camera installed in the bedroom periodically (for example, at a cycle of 1 minute) transmits the visible image data in the photographed bedroom to the server 2, whereby the user movement data acquisition unit acquires the user movement data.

[0100] Also, for example, a device that detects sound or vibration installed in a bedroom periodically (e.g., at a 1-minute interval) transmits data indicating the sound or vibration detected in the bedroom to the server 2, whereby the user movement data acquisition unit acquires user movement data.

[0101] Also, for example, when the user terminal 4 is equipped with a sensor that detects sound or vibration, the user terminal 4 periodically (e.g., at a 1-minute interval) transmits data indicating the sound or vibration detected in the bedroom to the server 2, and thereby the user movement data acquisition unit may acquire user movement data.

[0102] The discomfort state determination unit determines whether the user is currently in a state of discomfort based on the user movement data acquired by the user movement acquisition unit. For example, the discomfort state determination unit analyzes the thermal image data, visible image data, and data indicating sound or vibration in the bedroom in time series to detect the frequency of the user's turning over, thereby determining whether the user is in a state of discomfort.

[0103] When the discomfort state determination unit determines that the user is in a state of discomfort, it notifies the activation command unit 204 to that effect. Upon receiving such a notification, the activation command unit 204 issues an activation command to the air conditioner 3. Thereby, for example, even when the room temperature is below the threshold value in summer, if the user is in a state of discomfort, the air conditioner 3 is automatically activated, so that it is possible to more reliably prevent a decrease in the quality of the user's sleep.

[0104] On the one hand, since a state of discomfort during sleep can be said to be a state of light sleep, if the air conditioner 3 is activated in such a state, there is a possibility that the user's sleep may be disturbed by its operating sound. For this reason, the activation necessity determination unit 203 may determine that there is no need to activate the air conditioner 3 even when the room temperature is higher than the threshold corresponding to the cooling mode or lower than the threshold corresponding to the heating mode in a state where the user has light sleep. The setting reception unit 400 of the user terminal 4 may be configured to previously receive from the user which of the above two types of controls is desired in a state of discomfort during sleep (i.e., a state of light sleep).

[0105] (Modification Example 15) All or part of the functional units of the server 2 (see FIG. 6) may be implemented by dedicated hardware, or all or part of the functional units of the user terminal 4 (see FIG. 6) may be implemented by dedicated hardware. Dedicated hardware is, for example, a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programmed processor, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), or a combination thereof.

[0106] (Modification Example 16) The user terminal 4 may have the same functions as the remote controller 32, or the remote controller 32 may have the same functions as the user terminal 4.

[0107] (Modification Example 17) The server 2 may be configured by a plurality of separate computers.

[0108] (Modification Example 18) A computer (not shown) having the same hardware configuration (see FIG. 2) and functional configuration (see FIG. 6) as the server 2 may be installed in the house H, and the computer may perform control to assist the user of the house H in falling asleep comfortably. In this case, the computer serves as an example of the control device according to the present invention. Alternatively, at least any one of the control circuits 300, 310 and the remote controller 32 of the air conditioner 3 may perform the same control as the server 2, or the user terminal 4 may perform the same control as the server 2.

[0109] The technical ideas according to the above-described respective modifications may be realized independently or may be realized in appropriate combination.

[0110] (Embodiment 2) Subsequently, Embodiment 2 of the present disclosure will be described. In the following description, components common to Embodiment 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0111] FIG. 17 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of the air conditioning system 1a in Embodiment 2. The air conditioning system 1a includes a server 2a, an air conditioner 3, and a user terminal 4. That is, in the configuration of the air conditioning system 1a, the difference from the air conditioning system 1 of Embodiment 1 is that the server 2a is provided instead of the server 2. The server 2a is an example of the control device according to the present disclosure. The hardware configuration of the server 2a is the same as that of the server 2 of Embodiment 1 (see FIG. 2).

[0112] FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the server 2a. As shown in FIG. 18, the server 2a includes a setting data registration unit 200, an air conditioning data acquisition unit 201, a restart operation determination unit 202, a startup necessity determination unit 203, a startup command unit 204a, a threshold setting unit 205, a report notification unit 206, a stop operation determination unit 207, a stop command unit 208, and an operation upper limit time determination unit 209. These functional units of the server 2a are realized by the CPU 21 of the server 2a executing a sound sleep support program, which is a program for assisting the user, who is a resident of the house H, in falling asleep comfortably by air conditioning and is stored in the auxiliary storage device 24.

[0113] The functional configuration of the above-mentioned server 2a is different from the functional configuration of the server 2 in Embodiment 1 (see FIG. 6) in that it includes a start command unit 204a instead of the start command unit 204, and also newly includes a stop operation determination unit 207, a stop command unit 208, and an operation upper limit time determination unit 209.

[0114] The start command unit 204a is an example of the start command means according to the present disclosure. Similar to the start command unit 204 in Embodiment 1, when the start command unit 204a receives a notification from the start necessity determination unit 203 that it is necessary to start the air conditioner 3, it commands the air conditioner 3 to start. However, at that time, the start command unit 204a does not perform an off-timer setting for the air conditioner 3.

[0115] After the air conditioner 3 is started by the start command unit 204a, the stop operation determination unit 207 determines whether a stop operation has been performed by the user. FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the stop operation determination process executed by the stop operation determination unit 207.

[0116] The stop operation determination unit 207 starts monitoring the operation state of the air conditioner 3 and determines whether it has changed from the operating state to the stopped state, that is, whether the operation of the air conditioner 3 has stopped (step S501). If the operation of the air conditioner 3 has not stopped (step S501; NO), the stop operation determination unit 207 continues to execute the process of step S501.

[0117] On the other hand, if the operation of the air conditioner 3 has stopped (step S501; YES), the stop operation determination unit 207 determines whether the current stop is a stop in accordance with the stop command of the server 2a (step S502). If the current stop is a stop in accordance with the stop command of the server 2a (step 502; YES), the stop operation determination unit 207 ends the stop operation determination process.

[0118] On the other hand, if the current stop is not a stop following the stop command of server 2a (step 502; NO), the stop operation determination unit 207 determines that the stop operation has been performed by the user, and records information indicating that fact in the air-conditioning data management DB241a (step S503). After that, the stop operation determination unit 207 ends the stop operation determination process.

[0119] The air-conditioning data management DB241a is an example of the data storage means according to the present disclosure. The air-conditioning data management DB241a is a database for managing the air-conditioning data sent from the air conditioners 3 of each user, similar to the air-conditioning data management DB241 of Embodiment 1, and is stored in the auxiliary storage device 24 of the server 2a. As shown in FIG. 20, the air-conditioning data management DB241a is different from the air-conditioning data management DB241 in that a "stop operation" item is added to the record of the air-conditioning data, and the other points are the same as those of the air-conditioning data management DB241. In the example of FIG. 20, a state is shown in which information indicating that there has been a stop operation by the user is added to the record of the air-conditioning data at 6:50 am.

[0120] Returning to FIG. 18, the stop command unit 208 is an example of the stop command means according to the present disclosure. After the air conditioner 3 is started by the start command unit 204a, when the condition for stopping the operation is satisfied, the stop command unit 208 commands the air conditioner 3 to stop the operation. FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the stop command process executed by the stop command unit 208.

[0121] The stop command unit 208 reads and acquires information indicating the operation upper limit time corresponding to the air conditioner 3 from the operation upper limit time management DB243 (step S601). The operation upper limit time management DB243 is a database for managing the operation upper limit time for each air conditioner 3 of the users who have subscribed to the sound sleep support service provided by the server 2a, and is stored in the auxiliary storage device 24 of the server 2a. The operation upper limit time is determined by the operation upper limit time determination unit 209 described later and registered in the operation upper limit time management DB243. Note that an initial value of the operation upper limit time is registered in the operation upper limit time management DB243 in advance.

[0122] After step S601, the stop command unit 208 monitors the elapsed time since the air conditioner 3 was started, and determines whether the operation upper limit time corresponding to the air conditioner 3 has been reached (step S602). If the elapsed time since the air conditioner 3 was started has not reached the operation upper limit time (step S602; NO), the stop command unit 208 continues to execute the process of step S602.

[0123] On the other hand, if the elapsed time since the air conditioner 3 was started has reached the operation upper limit time (step S602; YES), the stop command unit 208 commands the air conditioner 3 to stop operating (step S603), and ends the stop command process. Specifically, the stop command unit 208 transmits a command for commanding operation stop (hereinafter referred to as a stop command) to the air conditioner 3. The air conditioner 3 that has received such a stop command stops operating.

[0124] Returning to FIG. 18, the operation upper limit time determination unit 209 is an example of the operation upper limit time determination means according to the present disclosure. The operation upper limit time determination unit 209 determines the operation upper limit time of the air conditioner 3 from the history of the air conditioning data corresponding to the air conditioner 3 stored in the air conditioning data management DB 241a. FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the operation upper limit time determination process executed by the operation upper limit time determination unit 209. The operation upper limit time determination unit 209 executes the operation upper limit time determination process when information indicating that a stop operation has been performed by the user is recorded in the air conditioning data management DB 241a.

[0125] The operation upper limit time determination unit 209 calculates the operation time of the air conditioner 3 (that is, the time from when the air conditioner 3 automatically starts until it stops operating) from the history of the air conditioning data corresponding to the air conditioner 3 for which the stop operation has been performed by the user (step S701). The operation upper limit time determination unit 209 determines the operation upper limit time based on the calculated operation time (step S702).

[0126] Specifically, the operation upper limit time determination unit 209 determines the operation upper limit time as a time shorter than the calculated operation time. For example, the operation upper limit time determination unit 209 determines the operation upper limit time by subtracting a predetermined time (for example, 10 minutes) from the calculated operation time. This is because it is assumed that the stop operation by the user is caused by excessive air conditioning except for waking up, so the air conditioner 3 is stopped before the user becomes uncomfortable and sleep is disturbed.

[0127] The above subtraction time may be determined according to the sleep tendency preset by the user, or may be directly set by the user via the user terminal 4. The operation upper limit time determination unit 209 registers the information indicating the operation upper limit time of the air conditioner 3 thus determined in the operation upper limit time management DB 243 (step S703), and ends the operation upper limit time determination process.

[0128] As described above, according to the air conditioning system 1a of the present embodiment, the same effects as those of the air conditioning system 1 of the first embodiment are achieved, and further, the air conditioner 3 after automatic startup can be stopped at an appropriate timing that does not deteriorate the user's sleep quality.

[0129] (Modification Example 1) The operation upper limit time determination unit 209 may determine the operation upper limit time of the air conditioner 3 based on the history of air conditioning data for a predetermined period (for example, several days to several years) corresponding to the air conditioner 3. That is, the operation upper limit time determination unit 209 may calculate a representative operation time from not only the most recent operation time of the air conditioner 3 but also a plurality of past operation times of the air conditioner 3, and determine the operation upper limit time of the air conditioner 3 based on the calculated representative operation time.

[0130] For example, the driving upper limit time determination unit 209 may calculate the average of a plurality of driving times as the representative driving time, or may calculate the representative driving time by averaging the interquartile ranges among the plurality. Further, the driving upper limit time determination unit 209 may calculate the representative driving time for each driving mode (cooling mode or heating mode), and determine the driving upper limit time for each driving mode of the air conditioner 3 based on the calculated representative driving time.

[0131] (Modification Example 2) The setting reception unit 400 of the user terminal 4 may receive the setting of the driving upper limit time from the user, and register the driving upper limit time set by the user in the driving upper limit time management DB 243. At that time, the setting reception unit 400 may receive the setting of the driving upper limit time for each driving mode.

[0132] (Modification Example 3) The server 2a may determine the time to stop the operation (hereinafter referred to as the stop time) for each air conditioner 3 instead of the driving upper limit time, and perform control to stop the operation of the air conditioner 3 when the determined stop time arrives. In this case, the server 2a includes a room temperature change trend acquisition unit and a stop time determination unit (both not shown) instead of the stop operation determination unit 207 and the driving upper limit time determination unit 209, and includes a stop time management DB (not shown) instead of the driving upper limit time management DB 243. The stop time management DB is a database for managing the stop time for the air conditioner 3 of each user, and is stored in the auxiliary storage device 24 of the server 2a. Note that an initial value of the stop time is registered in the stop time management DB in advance.

[0133] The room temperature change trend acquisition unit is an example of the room temperature change trend acquisition means according to the present disclosure. The room temperature change trend acquisition unit acquires the change trend of the room temperature after the operation of the air conditioner 3 stops. Specifically, the room temperature change trend acquisition unit calculates and acquires the change trend (for example, temperature gradient) of the room temperature after the operation of the air conditioner 3 stops from the history of the air conditioning data corresponding to the air conditioner 3.

[0134] The stop time determination unit is an example of a stop time determination means according to the present disclosure. The stop time determination unit determines the time to stop the operation of the air conditioner 3 based on the change trend of the room temperature acquired by the room temperature change trend acquisition unit and the user's planned wake-up time. The stop time determination unit determines a time at least before the planned wake-up time as the stop time. In this case, the stop time determination unit determines a retroactive time from the planned wake-up time based on the change trend of the room temperature of the room.

[0135] For example, the retroactive time is T1 to T3 (T1 <T2<T3)がある場合に、当該部屋の室温が短時間で大きく変化する傾向を示す場合(例えば、温度勾配が予め定めた基準範囲を超える場合)、停止時刻決定部は、遡及時間を最も短いT1に決定する。また、当該部屋の室温がゆるやかに変化する傾向を示す場合(例えば、温度勾配が上記の基準範囲を下回る場合)、停止時刻決定部は、遡及時間を最も長いT3に決定する。室温の変化傾向が上記の何れにも該当しない場合(例えば、温度勾配が上記の基準範囲に属する場合)、停止時刻決定部は、遡及時間をT2に決定する。なお、遡及時間は、ユーザ端末4の設定受付部400によって、ユーザが任意の時間を設定できるようにしてもよい。

[0136] Alternatively, the stop time determination unit may determine the stop time by determining a retroactive time based on the change trend of the room temperature in the room so that the room temperature at the scheduled wake-up time will be a predetermined temperature (for example, the set temperature +1 to 3°C when cooling, and the set temperature -1 to 3°C when heating).

[0137] (Variation 4) All or part of the functional units of the server 2a (see FIG. 18) may be realized by dedicated hardware, such as a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programmed processor, an ASIC, an FPGA, or a combination of these.

[0138] (Variation 5) Modifications 1 to 8, 10 to 14, and 16 to 18 of the first embodiment can also be applied to this embodiment.

[0139] The technical ideas according to the above-described respective modifications may be realized individually or may be realized in appropriate combination.

[0140] (Embodiment 3) Subsequently, Embodiment 3 of the present disclosure will be described. In the following description, for the constituent elements and the like common to Embodiment 1, the same reference numerals will be given and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0141] FIG. 23 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of the air conditioning system 1b in Embodiment 3. The air conditioning system 1b includes a server 2b, an air conditioner 3a, and a user terminal 4. That is, in the configuration of the air conditioning system 1b, the difference from the air conditioning system 1 of Embodiment 1 is that the server 2b is provided instead of the server 2 and the air conditioner 3a is provided instead of the air conditioner 3. The server 2b is an example of the control device according to the present disclosure, and the air conditioner 3a is an example of the air conditioner according to the present disclosure.

[0142] The hardware configuration of the server 2b is the same as that of the server 2 in Embodiment 1 (see FIG. 2). Also, the hardware configuration of the air conditioner 3a is the same as that of the air conditioner 3 in Embodiment 1 (see FIG. 4).

[0143] FIG. 24 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the server 2b. As shown in FIG. 24, the server 2b includes a setting data registration unit 200, an air conditioning data acquisition unit 201, a restart operation determination unit 202, a startup necessity determination unit 203, a startup command unit 204, a threshold setting unit 205, a report notification unit 206, a function invalidation necessity determination unit 210, and a function invalidation command unit 211. These functional units of the server 2b are realized by executing a sound sleep support program, which is a program for assisting the sound sleep of a user who is a resident of the house H, stored in the auxiliary storage device 24 by the CPU 21 of the server 2b.

[0144] The functional configuration of the above-mentioned server 2b is different from that of the server 2 in Embodiment 1 (see FIG. 6) in that it newly includes a function invalidation necessity determination unit 210 and a function invalidation command unit 211. The function invalidation necessity determination unit 210 is an example of the function invalidation necessity determination means according to the present disclosure. The function invalidation necessity determination unit 210 determines whether it is necessary to invalidate a specific function that the air conditioner 3a has. The specific function is a function different from the normal air conditioning function, and in this embodiment, it is the beep sound output function. Specifically, when the current time reaches the start time of the time zone (hereinafter referred to as the function invalidation time zone) in which the user has previously set via the user terminal 4 to invalidate the beep sound output function, the function invalidation necessity determination unit 210 determines that it is necessary to invalidate the beep sound output function, and when the function invalidation time zone has passed, determines that it is not necessary to invalidate the beep sound output function.

[0145] The function invalidation command unit 211 is an example of the function invalidation command means according to the present disclosure. When the function invalidation necessity determination unit 210 determines that it is necessary to invalidate a specific function of the air conditioner 3a, the function invalidation command unit 211 commands the air conditioner 3a to invalidate the specific function. Specifically, when the function invalidation necessity determination unit 210 determines that it is necessary to invalidate the beep sound output function, the function invalidation command unit 211 transmits a command (hereinafter referred to as an invalidation setting command) for instructing the invalidation setting of the beep sound output function to the air conditioner 3a at the user's home.

[0146] The air conditioner 3a that has received the invalidation setting command performs the setting to invalidate the beep sound output function. As a result, the air conditioner 3a does not output a beep sound hereafter. Also, when the function invalidation necessity determination unit 210 determines that it is not necessary to invalidate the beep sound output function, the function invalidation command unit 211 transmits a command (hereinafter referred to as a setting cancellation command) for instructing the cancellation of the previous invalidation setting to the air conditioner 3a. The air conditioner 3a that has received the setting cancellation command cancels the invalidation setting of the beep sound output function.

[0147] In this way, the air conditioner 3a has a function of invalidating a specific function (in this embodiment, the beep sound output function) in response to a command from the server 2b.

[0148] Figure 25 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the function disabling management process executed by server 2b. Server 2b executes the function disabling management process when a setting to enable function disabling management by the user is made, that is, when a setting for the function disabling time zone is made.

[0149] Server 2b determines whether the current time has reached the start time of the function disabling time zone (step S801). If the current time has not reached the start time of the function disabling time zone (step S801; NO), server 2b continues to execute the process of step S801.

[0150] On the other hand, when the current time has reached the start time of the function disabling time zone (step S801; YES), server 2b determines that it is necessary to disable the beep sound output function and sends a disabling setting command to air conditioner 3a at the user's home (step S802). Thereby, the air conditioner 3a performs the disabling setting of the beep sound output function and does not output a beep sound thereafter.

[0151] Thereafter, server 2b determines whether the current time has reached the end time of the function disabling time zone (step S803). If the current time has not reached the end time of the function disabling time zone (step S803; NO), server 2b continues to execute the process of step S803.

[0152] On the other hand, when the current time has reached the end time of the function disabling time zone (step S803; YES), server 2b determines that it is not necessary to disable the beep sound output function and sends a setting cancellation command to air conditioner 3a at the user's home (step S804). Thereby, the air conditioner 3a cancels the disabling setting of the beep sound output function.

[0153] As described above, according to the air conditioning system 1b of the present embodiment, the same effects as those of the air conditioning system 1 of the first embodiment are achieved, and further, a silent environment is provided to the user in which the output of the beep sound by the air conditioner 3a is stopped during the function invalidation time zone set by the user. Thereby, for example, in the function invalidation time zone, when the air conditioner 3a restarts by receiving the start command from the server 2b, since the beep sound is not output, it is possible to further prevent the deterioration of the user's sleep quality.

[0154] (Modification Example 1) The specific function of the air conditioner 3a invalidated during the function invalidation time zone is not limited to the beep sound output function. For example, it may be a voice notification function that notifies the user by voice, an automatic cleaning function that performs internal cleaning, an internal drying function that dries the inside, etc. Further, when there are a plurality of specific functions that can be invalidated, the user may be able to specify in advance the specific function to be invalidated via the user terminal 4.

[0155] (Modification Example 2) Even when the air conditioner 3a makes a setting to invalidate the beep sound output function, when the user operates the remote control 32 of the air conditioner 3a, the beep sound may be output. In this case, since outputting the beep sound does not interfere with the user's sleep and it is preferable that the user can confirm that their operation has been reflected in the main body of the air conditioner 3a.

[0156] (Modification Example 3) When the start command unit 204 of the server 2b determines that it is necessary to start the air conditioner 3a during the function invalidation time zone, it may transmit a start command that commands a start with the output of the beep sound prohibited to the air conditioner 3a. In this case, the server 2b does not need to include the function invalidation command unit 211.

[0157] (Modification Example 4) Instead of preventing the air conditioner 3b from outputting the beep sound during the function invalidation time zone, the volume of the beep sound may be lowered to a level that does not interfere with sleep and then output.

[0158] (Modification Example 5) Rather than the user setting the function invalid time zone, the server 2b may set a predetermined time zone (for example, from 0:00 am to 5:00 am) as the function invalid time zone, or may set the time from the bedtime set by the user to the wake-up time as the function invalid time zone.

[0159] (Modification Example 6) Even before the end time of the function invalid time zone, if an event such as the lighting of a lighting device occurs and the server 2b can confirm waking up, the server 2b may regard that point as the end time of the function invalid time zone.

[0160] (Modification Example 7) Embodiments 1 to 2 and their respective modification examples can also be appropriately applied in this embodiment.

[0161] The technical ideas related to the above modification examples may be realized individually or may be realized in appropriate combinations.

[0162] (Embodiment 4) Next, Embodiment 4 of the present disclosure will be described. In the following description, for components common to Embodiment 1, the same reference numerals will be given and their descriptions will be omitted.

[0163] FIG. 26 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of the air conditioning system 1c in Embodiment 4. The air conditioning system 1c includes a server 2c, an air conditioner 3, and a user terminal 4. That is, in the configuration of the air conditioning system 1c, the difference from the air conditioning system 1 of Embodiment 1 is that the server 2c is provided instead of the server 2. The server 2c is an example of the control device according to the present disclosure. The hardware configuration of the server 2c is the same as that of the server 2 in Embodiment 1 (see FIG. 2).

[0164] FIG. 27 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of server 2c. As shown in FIG. 27, server 2c includes a setting data registration unit 200, an air-conditioning data acquisition unit 201, a restart operation determination unit 202, a startup necessity determination unit 203a, a startup command unit 204, a threshold setting unit 205, and a report notification unit 206. These functional units of server 2c are realized by the CPU 21 of server 2c executing a sound sleep support program, which is a program for supporting the sound sleep of a user who is a resident of house H by means of air conditioning and is stored in the auxiliary storage device 24.

[0165] The above functional configuration of server 2c is different from the functional configuration of server 2 in Embodiment 1 (see FIG. 6) in that it includes a startup necessity determination unit 203a instead of the startup necessity determination unit 203. The startup necessity determination unit 203a is an example of the startup necessity determination means according to the present disclosure. Similar to the startup necessity determination unit 203 in Embodiment 1, the startup necessity determination unit 203a determines whether it is necessary to start the stopped air conditioner 3 based on the threshold value set by the threshold setting unit 205.

[0166] However, when the operation mode of the air conditioner 3 is the cooling mode, the startup necessity determination unit 203a determines that there is no need to start the air conditioner 3 (that is, there is no need to start it by the startup command from server 2c) even when the current room temperature is higher than the threshold value corresponding to the cooling mode but is close to the startup time based on the on-timer setting. Similarly, when the operation mode of the air conditioner 3 is the heating mode, the startup necessity determination unit 203a determines that there is no need to start the air conditioner 3 even when the current room temperature is lower than the threshold value corresponding to the heating mode but is close to the startup time based on the on-timer setting.

[0167] In this embodiment, the user can specify the start time of the operation of the air conditioner 3 as an on-timer setting and the stop time of the operation of the air conditioner 3 as an off-timer setting via the remote controller 32 of the air conditioner 3. The on-timer setting and the off-timer setting can be set simultaneously. Also, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 28, the air-conditioning data periodically transmitted from the air conditioner 3 to the server 2c includes, as the operation state of the air conditioner 3, in addition to the operation mode and the information indicating whether it is in operation or stopped, information regarding the timer setting set by the user (the specified time of the on-timer, the specified time of the off-timer) (if not set, it is NULL).

[0168] FIG. 29 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the startup necessity determination process executed by the startup necessity determination unit 203a. Note that the startup necessity determination unit 203a executes the startup necessity determination process only when the setting for receiving sleep assistance by the user is made.

[0169] When the current time reaches the startup necessity determination start time (step S901; YES), the startup necessity determination unit 203a starts monitoring the latest air-conditioning data sent from the air conditioner 3 and determines whether the air conditioner 3 is stopped (step S902). The startup necessity determination start time is set, for example, to a time 2 hours later than the user's scheduled bedtime, that is, the daily bedtime set by the user (see FIG. 7).

[0170] If the air conditioner 3 is not stopped (step S902; NO), the process of the startup necessity determination unit 203a proceeds to step S909. On the other hand, if the air conditioner 3 is stopped (step S902; YES), the startup necessity determination unit 203a determines whether the operation mode of the air conditioner 3 is the cooling mode (step S903). If the operation mode of the air conditioner 3 is the cooling mode (step S903; YES), the startup necessity determination unit 203a determines whether the current room temperature is higher than the threshold corresponding to the cooling mode (step S904).

[0171] If the current room temperature is not higher than the threshold corresponding to the cooling mode, that is, if it is below the threshold (step S904; NO), the process of the startup necessity determination unit 203a proceeds to step S909. On the other hand, if the current room temperature is higher than the threshold corresponding to the cooling mode (step S904; YES), the startup necessity determination unit 203a determines whether the remaining time until the on-timer time (that is, the operation start time specified in the on-timer setting) is longer than time T (step S905). Time T is, for example, 10 minutes. Note that time T may be determined according to the sleep tendency of the user (see FIG. 7) set by the user. In this case, time T is 10 minutes when the sleep tendency of the user is "normal", 5 minutes when it is "shallow", 15 minutes when it is "deep", and so on.

[0172] If the remaining time until the on-timer time is not longer than time T, that is, if it is time T or less (step S905; NO), the process of the startup necessity determination unit 203a proceeds to step S909. On the other hand, if the remaining time until the on-timer time is longer than time T (step S905; YES), the startup necessity determination unit 203a determines that it is necessary to start the air conditioner 3 (step S906) and notifies the startup command unit 204 to that effect. Thereafter, the process of the startup necessity determination unit 203a proceeds to step S909.

[0173] If the operation mode of the air conditioner 3 is not the cooling mode (step S903; NO), the startup necessity determination unit 203a determines whether the operation mode of the air conditioner 3 is the heating mode (step S907). If the operation mode of the air conditioner 3 is not the heating mode (step S907; NO), the process of the startup necessity determination unit 203a proceeds to step S909.

[0174] When the operation mode of the air conditioner 3 is the heating mode (step S907; YES), the startup necessity determination unit 203a determines whether the current room temperature is lower than the threshold value corresponding to the heating mode (step S908). If the current room temperature is lower than the threshold value corresponding to the heating mode (step S908; YES), the process of the startup necessity determination unit 203a proceeds to step S905. On the other hand, if the current room temperature is equal to or higher than the threshold value corresponding to the heating mode (step S908; NO), the process of the startup necessity determination unit 203a proceeds to step S909.

[0175] In step S909, the startup necessity determination unit 203a determines whether the current time has reached the startup necessity determination end time. The startup necessity determination end time is, for example, the user's scheduled wake-up time (e.g., 8:00 am). If the current time has not reached the startup necessity determination end time (step S909; NO), the process of the startup necessity determination unit 203a returns to step S902. On the other hand, if the current time has reached the startup necessity determination end time (step S909; YES), the startup necessity determination unit 203a ends the startup necessity determination process.

[0176] As described above, according to the air conditioning system 1c of the present embodiment, when it is near the on-timer time set by the user, the server 2c does not instruct the air conditioner 3 to start. Even in this way, since the air conditioner 3 will start soon and air conditioning will be performed, the quality of the user's sleep will not be impaired. In addition, since the on-timer setting by the user is respected, a user-friendly sound sleep support service can be provided.

[0177] (Modification 1) When the server 2c is approaching the on-timer time, instead of avoiding issuing a startup command to the air conditioner 3, it may issue a command to the air conditioner 3 to start with a reduced load (i.e., a startup with limited capacity) compared to the air conditioning content set by the user in the on-timer setting. In this case, the user can set the air conditioning content (operation mode, set temperature, etc.) together with the specified start time of operation when setting the on-timer. It is assumed that the air conditioning data sent from the air conditioner 3 to the server 2c includes the air conditioning content of the on-timer setting as the operation state. FIG. 30 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the startup necessity determination process executed by the startup necessity determination unit 203a in this modified example.

[0178] In FIG. 30, when the remaining time until the on-timer time is longer than the time T (step S905; YES), the startup necessity determination unit 203a determines that it is necessary to normally start the air conditioner 3 (step S906a), and notifies the startup command unit 204 to that effect. Thereafter, the process of the startup necessity determination unit 203a proceeds to step S909. Normal startup means starting at the previous set temperature. In this case, the startup command unit 204 commands the air conditioner 3 to start at the previous set temperature.

[0179] On the other hand, when the remaining time until the on-timer time is not longer than the time T, that is, when it is time T or less (step S905; NO), the startup necessity determination unit 203a determines that it is necessary to start the air conditioner 3 with a reduced load compared to the air conditioning content of the on-timer setting (step S906b), and notifies the startup command unit 204 to that effect. Thereafter, the process of the startup necessity determination unit 203a proceeds to step S909. In this case, the startup command unit 204 commands the air conditioner 3 to start with the set temperature increased by 1°C during cooling and decreased by 1°C during heating compared to the set temperature set by the user. For example, when the user has set the on-timer to start operation at "cooling mode: 26°C" at the specified time, the air conditioner 3 that has received the above command from the server 2c starts operation at "cooling mode: 27°C".

[0180] After that, when the on-timer time arrives, the air conditioner 3 changes the set temperature to the set temperature set by the user (in the above example, 26°C). Note that the server 2c may issue a command to the air conditioner 3 to change the set temperature to the set temperature set by the user when the on-timer time arrives.

[0181] In this way, by operating the air conditioner 3 so that its capacity gradually increases towards the on-timer time, the peak load at the start-up of the air conditioner 3 can be reduced, and the power consumption can be reduced. Note that, for example, the set temperature may be decreased by 0.5°C every 5 minutes during cooling or increased during heating to smooth out the load fluctuations.

[0182] (Modification Example 2) When the start command unit 204 issues a start command to the air conditioner 3 with an on-timer setting, it may simultaneously instruct the air conditioner 3 to set an on-timer with the same content (i.e., the same start time and air conditioning content), or it may instruct the air conditioner 3 to set an on-timer with the said content after issuing the start command. By doing so, even if the previous on-timer setting is reset when the air conditioner 3 is started by a command from the server 2c, the content of the original on-timer setting is reset, preventing the occurrence of an inconvenient situation where the air conditioner 3 does not start at the time desired by the user.

[0183] (Modification Example 3) In the above-described embodiment, the user specified the driving start time when setting the on-timer, but the user may specify the on-timer time, which is the time until the driving starts. Similarly, when setting the off-timer, the user may specify the off-timer time, which is the time until the operation is stopped. In this case, the air-conditioning data sent from the air conditioner 3 to the server 2c stores the remaining time of the on-timer instead of the on-timer time, and stores the remaining time of the off-timer instead of the off-timer time. The startup necessity determination unit 203a of this modification example compares the remaining time of the on-timer stored in the latest air-conditioning data of the air conditioner 3 with the time T in the determination of step S905 of the startup necessity determination process shown in FIG. 29.

[0184] (Modification Example 4) Embodiments 1 to 3 and their respective modification examples can also be appropriately applied in this embodiment.

[0185] The technical ideas according to the above-described modification examples may be realized independently or in appropriate combination.

[0186] (Embodiment 5) Subsequently, Embodiment 5 of the present disclosure will be described. In the following description, components common to Embodiment 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0187] FIG. 31 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of the air-conditioning system 1d in Embodiment 5. The air-conditioning system 1d includes a server 2d, an air conditioner 3, and a user terminal 4. That is, in the configuration of the air-conditioning system 1d, the difference from the air-conditioning system 1 of Embodiment 1 is that the server 2d is provided instead of the server 2. The server 2d is an example of the control device according to the present disclosure. The hardware configuration of the server 2d is the same as that of the server 2 in Embodiment 1 (see FIG. 2).

[0188] FIG. 32 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the server 2d. As shown in FIG. 32, the server 2d includes a setting data registration unit 200, an air-conditioning data acquisition unit 201, a restart operation determination unit 202a, a startup necessity determination unit 203, a startup command unit 204, a threshold setting unit 205, and a report notification unit 206. These functional units of the server 2d are realized by the CPU 21 of the server 2d executing a sound sleep support program, which is a program for assisting the sound sleep of the user, who is a resident of the house H, by air conditioning and is stored in the auxiliary storage device 24.

[0189] The above functional configuration of the server 2d is different from the functional configuration of the server 2 in Embodiment 1 (see FIG. 6) in that it includes a restart operation determination unit 202a instead of the restart operation determination unit 202. The restart operation determination unit 202a is an example of the restart operation determination means according to the present disclosure. Similar to the restart operation determination unit 202, the restart operation determination unit 202a determines whether a restart operation on the air conditioner 3 has been performed by the user after the operation of the air conditioner 3 has stopped. However, the restart operation determination unit 202a excludes the operation related to the on-timer setting from the restart operation. Specifically, in Embodiment 1, the restart operation determination unit 202 determines that the startup of the air conditioner 3 according to the startup command from the server 2 is not a startup by the user's restart operation, but the restart operation determination unit 202a further determines that the startup of the air conditioner 3 by the on-timer setting is not a startup by the user's restart operation.

[0190] Also in this embodiment, similar to Embodiment 4, the air-conditioning data periodically transmitted from the air conditioner 3 to the server 2d includes, as shown in FIG. 28, as the operation state of the air conditioner 3, in addition to the operation mode and the information indicating whether it is in operation or stopped, information related to the timer setting set by the user (the designated time of the on-timer, the designated time of the off-timer) (if not set, it is NULL). Note that the information related to the timer setting may be the remaining time of the timer instead of the designated time.

[0191] FIG. 33 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the restart operation determination process executed by the restart operation determination unit 202a.

[0192] When the current time reaches the restart operation determination start time (step S1001; YES), the restart operation determination unit 202a starts monitoring the operating state of the air conditioner 3, and determines whether it has changed from the stopped state to the operating state, that is, whether the air conditioner 3 has started (step S1002). The restart operation determination start time is set, for example, to a time 2 hours earlier than the user's scheduled bedtime, that is, the daily bedtime set by the user (see FIG. 7).

[0193] If the air conditioner 3 has not started (step S1002; NO), the process of the restart operation determination unit 202a proceeds to step S1007. On the other hand, if the air conditioner 3 has started (step S1002; YES), the restart operation determination unit 202a determines whether there is an operation record of the air conditioner 3 from the restart operation determination start time to the present (step S1003). If there is no operation record of the air conditioner 3 from the restart operation determination start time to the present (step S1003; NO), the process of the restart operation determination unit 202a proceeds to step S1007.

[0194] On the other hand, if there is an operation record of the air conditioner 3 from the restart operation determination start time to the present (step S1003; YES), the restart operation determination unit 202a determines whether the current start is due to an automatic start according to the start command of the server 2d (step S1004). If the current start is due to an automatic start according to the start command of the server 2d (step 1004; YES), the process of the restart operation determination unit 202a proceeds to step S1007.

[0195] On the other hand, if the current start is not due to an automatic start according to the start command of the server 2d (step 1004; NO), the restart operation determination unit 202a determines whether the current start is due to an on-timer setting (step S1005). If the current start is due to an on-timer setting (step 1005; YES), the process of the restart operation determination unit 202a proceeds to step S1007.

[0196] On the other hand, if the current startup is not due to an on-timer setting (step 1005; NO), the restart operation determination unit 202a determines that the user has performed a restart operation after going to bed, and records information indicating that fact in the air-conditioning data management DB 241 (step S1006). Specifically, the restart operation determination unit 202a adds information indicating that there has been a restart operation to the record of the corresponding air-conditioning data. After step S1006, the process of the restart operation determination unit 202a proceeds to step S1007.

[0197] In step S1007, the restart operation determination unit 202a determines whether the current time has reached the restart operation determination end time. The restart operation determination end time is, for example, the user's scheduled wake-up time (e.g., 8:00 am). If the current time has not reached the restart operation determination end time (step S1007; NO), the process of the restart operation determination unit 202a returns to step S1002. On the other hand, if the current time has reached the restart operation determination end time (step S1007; YES), the restart operation determination unit 202a ends the restart operation determination process.

[0198] As described above, according to the air-conditioning system 1d of the present embodiment, the restart operation determination unit 202a of the server 2d determines not only the startup of the air conditioner 3 in accordance with the startup command from the server 2d, but also that the startup of the air conditioner 3 by the on-timer setting is not due to the user's restart operation. Thereby, the user's restart operation can be accurately detected, and the accuracy of the threshold value set by the threshold value setting unit 205 is improved. As a result, it becomes possible to restart the air conditioner 3 at a more appropriate timing without degrading the quality of the user's sleep.

[0199] Embodiments 1 to 4 and their respective modified examples can also be appropriately applied in the present embodiment.

[0200] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments and their modified examples, and various changes can of course be made without departing from the gist of the present disclosure.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0201] 1, 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d air conditioning system, 2, 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d server, 3, 3a air conditioner, 4 user terminal, 5 router, 20, 42 communication interface, 21, 43 CPU, 22, 44 ROM, 23, 45 RAM, 24, 46 auxiliary storage device, 25, 47 bus, 30 indoor unit, 31 outdoor unit, 32 remote control, 33 refrigerant pipe, 34 communication line, 40 display, 41 operation reception unit, 200 setting data registration unit, 201 air conditioning data acquisition unit, 202, 202a restart operation determination unit, 203, 203a startup necessity determination unit, 204, 204a startup command unit, 205 threshold setting unit, 206 report notification unit, 207 stop operation determination unit, 208 stop command unit, 209 operation upper limit time determination unit, 210 function invalidation necessity determination unit, 211 function invalidation command unit, 240 setting data management DB, 241, 241a air conditioning data management DB, 242 threshold management DB, 243 operation upper limit time management DB, 300, 310 control circuit, 301, 313 heat exchanger, 302, 314 fan, 303, 316 temperature sensor, 304 thermal image sensor, 311 compressor, 312 four-way valve, 315 expansion valve, 400 setting reception unit, 401 report screen display unit

Claims

1. An air-conditioning data acquisition means for periodically acquiring air-conditioning data related to air-conditioning from an air conditioner; A data storage means for storing the acquired air-conditioning data; When the air conditioner is started by a user's operation after the air conditioner has stopped operating, a determination data setting means for setting, as determination data, the air-conditioning data acquired a predetermined time before the operation; A startup necessity determination means for determining whether startup of the air conditioner is necessary based on the determination data; A control device comprising a startup command means for commanding startup of the air conditioner when it is determined that startup of the air conditioner is necessary.

2. The determination data setting means sets the determination data for each time zone. The control device according to claim 1.

3. The determination data setting means determines the determination data by performing statistical processing to exclude outliers from a plurality of determination data candidates. The control device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The air-conditioning data indicates the room temperature of the room to be air-conditioned by the air conditioner, The startup necessity determination means determines whether startup of the air conditioner is necessary by comparing the room temperature of the room to be air-conditioned with the room temperature indicated by the determination data. The control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The startup necessity determination means determines whether startup of the air conditioner is necessary on the condition that the current time is between the user's scheduled bedtime and scheduled wake-up time. The control device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The startup necessity determination means determines whether startup of the air conditioner is necessary on the condition that the current time is before the time obtained by going back a predetermined time from the user's scheduled wake-up time. The control device according to claim 5.

7. The control device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising report notification means for notifying the user of a report on the sleep status.

8. The startup necessity determination means determines the necessity of starting up the air conditioner based on a predetermined initial value until a predetermined condition is satisfied, according to the control device of any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. The startup command means commands the air conditioner to start with air conditioning content that matches the user's preference, according to the control device of any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. The air conditioning content includes any one of a set temperature, an air volume, an air direction, and an operation mode, according to the control device of claim 9.

11. The air conditioning content is set by the user via a terminal, according to the control device of claim 9 or 10.

12. The control device according to claim 9 or 10, further comprising feedback means for adjusting the air conditioning content based on the sensed information indicating the user's perception of the air conditioning input by the user via the terminal.

13. Further comprising movement data acquisition means for acquiring user movement data related to the movement of the user during sleep, The startup necessity determination means determines the necessity of starting up the air conditioner in consideration of the acquired user movement data, according to the control device of any one of claims 1 to 12.

14. The control device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, further comprising stop command means for commanding the air conditioner to stop operating when a condition for stopping the operation is satisfied after the air conditioner is started by the startup command means.

15. The stop command means commands the air conditioner to stop operating when a time set in advance by the user has elapsed since the air conditioner was started, according to the control device of claim 14.

16. The air conditioner further includes an operation upper limit time determination means for determining the operation upper limit time of the air conditioner based on the operation time from when the air conditioner is started by the start command means until the operation of the air conditioner is stopped by a user's operation. The stop command means commands the air conditioner to stop operating when the operation upper limit time has elapsed since the air conditioner was started. The control device according to claim 14.

17. The air conditioner further includes a room temperature change trend acquisition means for acquiring the change trend of the room temperature after the air conditioner stops operating. The air conditioner further includes a stop time determination means for determining a stop time to stop the operation of the air conditioner based on the acquired change trend of the room temperature and the user's scheduled wake-up time. The stop command means commands the air conditioner to stop operating at the stop time. The control device according to claim 14.

18. The air conditioner further includes a function invalidation necessity determination means for determining whether it is necessary to invalidate a specific function of the air conditioner. When it is determined that it is necessary to invalidate the specific function, the air conditioner further includes a function invalidation command means for commanding the air conditioner to invalidate the specific function. The control device according to any one of claims 1 to 17.

19. The specific function is a function different from the normal air conditioning function of the air conditioner. The control device according to claim 18.

20. The air conditioning data includes information related to the on-timer setting. When the remaining time until the start time based on the on-timer setting is equal to or less than a predetermined time, the start necessity determination means determines that it is not necessary to start the air conditioner. The control device according to any one of claims 1 to 19.

21. The air conditioning data includes information related to the on-timer setting. When the remaining time until the start time based on the on-timer setting is equal to or less than a predetermined time, the start necessity determination means determines that a start with the capacity of the air conditioner limited is necessary. When it is determined that it is necessary to start the air conditioner with its capacity restricted, the start command means commands the air conditioner to start with its capacity restricted. The control device according to any one of claims 1 to 19.

22. Further comprising a restart operation determination means for determining whether or not a restart operation on the air conditioner has been performed by the user. The determination data setting means sets the air-conditioning data acquired before a predetermined time from the time of the restart operation as the determination data. The control device according to any one of claims 1 to 21.

23. The restart operation determination means excludes an operation related to the on-timer setting by the user from the restart operation. The control device according to claim 22.

24. The control device according to any one of claims 1 to 23, and An air conditioner, and an air-conditioning system comprising the same.

25. Periodically acquire air-conditioning data related to air-conditioning from the air conditioner, Store the acquired air-conditioning data in a data storage device, After the air conditioner stops operating, when the air conditioner is started by a user operation, set the air-conditioning data acquired before a predetermined time from the time of the operation as determination data, Determine whether or not it is necessary to start the air conditioner based on the determination data, When it is determined that it is necessary to start the air conditioner, command the air conditioner to start. An air-conditioner control method.

26. A computer, An air-conditioning data acquisition means for periodically acquiring air-conditioning data related to air-conditioning from the air conditioner and storing it in a data storage device, A determination data setting means for setting, as determination data, the air-conditioning data acquired before a predetermined time from the time of the operation when the air conditioner is started by a user operation after the air conditioner stops operating, Startup necessity determination means for determining whether the air conditioner needs to be started based on the determination data A program that functions as startup command means for issuing a startup command to the air conditioner when it is determined that startup of the air conditioner is necessary.

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