Airflow formation system and airflow formation method

Abstract

To easily reduce an infection risk of infectious diseases on living bodies inside facilities.SOLUTION: An air flow forming system 100 includes a detection part 11, a first acquisition part 12, a determination part 13, a specification part 14, and a control part 15. The detection part 11 detects living bodies 4 inside a facility 2. The first acquisition part 12 acquires infection information related to an infectious disease of each living body 4 detected by the detection part 11. The determination part 13 determines an infection stage of each living body 4 detected by the detection part 11 based on the infection information acquired by the first acquisition part 12. When a plurality of living bodies 4 with mutually different infection stages are detected by the detection part 11 in a space 21 where the living bodies may share air inside the facility 2, the specification part 14 specifies an air flow 6 such that one at a lower infection stage, of the living bodies 4 is positioned on an upstream side of an air flow with respect to another one at a higher infection stage, of the living bodies 4. The control part 15 controls air-conditioning equipment 7 such that the air flow 6 specified in the specification part 14 is formed in the space 21.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an airflow formation system and an airflow formation method for forming an airflow, for example, inside a facility.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a droplet reach control system. This control system includes a first acquisition unit, a second acquisition unit, an estimation unit, and a control unit. The first acquisition unit acquires environmental information indicating at least one of wind speed, wind direction, temperature, humidity, and spatial scale in a space. The second acquisition unit acquires subject information indicating the position and orientation of each face of a first subject and a second subject existing in the space. The estimation unit estimates the reach range of droplets from the first subject based on the environmental information and the subject information. When the breathing area of the second subject exists within the reach range, the control unit adjusts the environment in the space so that the breathing area is outside the reach range.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The present disclosure provides an airflow formation system or the like that can easily reduce the risk of a living body being infected with an infectious disease inside a facility.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The airflow formation system according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a detection unit, a first acquisition unit, a determination unit, a decision unit, and a control unit. The detection unit detects a living body inside the facility. The first acquisition unit acquires the From the recording medium possessed by the living body or the image of the living body,Obtain infection information regarding the infectious disease of the living body. The determination unit determines an infection stage indicating the degree of infection of the living body detected by the detection unit based on the infection information obtained by the first acquisition unit. When a plurality of living bodies with different infection stages are detected by the detection unit in a space where air can be shared inside the facility, the determination unit determines an air current such that the living body with a lower infection stage is upwind of the living body with a higher infection stage. The control unit controls air-conditioning equipment that adjusts the air flow so that the air current determined by the determination unit is formed in the space.

[0006] The air current formation method according to one aspect of the present disclosure detects a living body inside a facility, and the detected From the recording medium possessed by the living body or the image of the living body, Obtain infection information regarding the infectious disease of the living body, determine an infection stage indicating the degree of infection of the detected living body based on the obtained infection information, and when a plurality of living bodies with different infection stages are detected in a space where air can be shared inside the facility, determine an air current such that the living body with a lower infection stage is upwind of the living body with a higher infection stage, and control air-conditioning equipment that adjusts the air flow so that the determined air current is formed in the space.

[0007] These general or specific aspects may be implemented by a system, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, or a recording medium such as a computer-readable CD-ROM, or may be implemented by any combination of a system, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, and a recording medium.

Advantages of the Invention

[0008] According to the air current formation system and the like according to one aspect of the present disclosure, there is an advantage that it is easy to reduce the risk of infection of a living body inside a facility with an infectious disease.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

[0010] In recent years, as a risk related to infectious diseases such as coronavirus disease, attention has been increasing regarding the onset of infectious diseases caused by taking in minute infectious substances floating in exhaled breath (including droplets and aerosols) emitted by a living body during breathing into the body. In this regard, for example, infection control measures for the air, such as showing the effect of preventing the scattering of infectious substances by masks and advocating the importance of indoor ventilation, have been emphasized. In particular, since there are many cases where a plurality of people (living bodies) stay in a highly airtight residence (facility) such as a home for a long time, wide attention has been drawn to the risk of household infection. In view of the above, the inventor has created the present disclosure.

[0011] Hereinafter, the embodiment will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.

[0012] It should be noted that the embodiments described below show comprehensive or specific examples. The numerical values, shapes, materials, components, arrangement positions and connection forms of the components, steps, order of steps, etc. shown in the following embodiments are examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the claims.

[0013] Also, the drawings are not necessarily drawn precisely. In each drawing, the same reference numerals are given to substantially the same configurations, and redundant descriptions may be omitted or simplified.

[0014] (Embodiment) [Configuration] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an overview of an airflow formation system 100 according to an embodiment. The airflow formation system 100 according to the embodiment is a system for reducing the risk of infection of a living body 4 inside a facility 2 with an infectious disease.

[0015] Infectious diseases are infections caused by pathogens such as viruses or pathogenic bacteria being inhaled by the respiratory tract, that is, infectious diseases caused by respiratory infections. Respiratory infections are classified into airborne infections and droplet infections. Infectious diseases caused by airborne infections may include, for example, measles, tuberculosis, or chickenpox. Infectious diseases caused by droplet infections may include, for example, influenza, mumps, or coronavirus disease.

[0016] The living body 4 is a person or animal that may develop an infectious disease caused by a respiratory infection as described above. As an example, in addition to humans, the living body 4 may include pets such as dogs, cats, minks, or ferrets, and may also include livestock such as cows or chickens. Hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, the living body 4 will be described as a human.

[0017] The facility 2 is, for example, a facility where a plurality of living bodies 4 can live or stay. As an example, the facility 2 may include residential facilities such as single-family houses or apartment houses. Also, as an example, the facility 2 may include facilities such as schools, hospitals, nursing homes, or libraries, commercial facilities such as stores or offices, or industrial facilities such as factories. Hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, the facility 2 will be described as a single-family house where a plurality of people live.

[0018] In the embodiment, the airflow forming system 100 is realized by a server device. As the server device, for example, a cloud server can be used. Also, as the server device, an edge server, a home server, a workstation, or any combination thereof may be used. Hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, it is assumed that the server device is installed inside the facility 2 for explanation purposes.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 1, the airflow forming system 100 includes a detection unit 11, a first acquisition unit 12, a determination unit 13, a decision unit 14, a control unit 15, and a storage unit 16. As each of the detection unit 11, the first acquisition unit 12, the determination unit 13, the decision unit 14, and the control unit 15, for example, a processor (not shown) and a memory (not shown) storing instructions can be used. Note that, as each of the detection unit 11, the first acquisition unit 12, the determination unit 13, the decision unit 14, and the control unit 15, a dedicated electronic circuit may be used.

[0020] The detection unit 11 detects the living body 4 inside the facility 2. Here, the detection unit 11 not only simply detects whether or not the living body 4 exists inside the facility 2, but also detects and identifies the living body 4. Further, the detection unit 11 also detects the position of the living body 4 inside the facility 2. Hereinafter, examples of the means for detecting the living body 4 by the detection unit 11 will be listed. Note that the detection means shown below is an example, and it goes without saying that there may be detection means other than the examples shown below. Also, the detection unit 11 may apply one of the detection means shown below, or may apply a combination of a plurality of detection means.

[0021] The detection unit 11 communicates via a communication network with, for example, one or more cameras installed inside the facility 2. Each camera images the inside of the facility 2 and transmits the captured still image or moving image to the detection unit 11. Then, the detection unit 11 detects the living body 4 existing inside the facility 2 by performing appropriate image analysis processing on the still image or moving image captured by each camera.

[0022] Further, the detection unit 11 communicates with one or more tag readers installed inside the facility 2 via a communication network. Each tag reader is a device that acquires information stored in an IC (Integrated Circuit) tag, which is a type of RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tag, by performing wireless communication with the IC tag. The IC tag is held by the living body 4. Information capable of individually identifying the living body 4 is stored in the IC tag. The detection unit 11 detects the living body 4 present inside the facility 2 by acquiring the information stored in the IC tag read by each tag reader.

[0023] Further, the detection unit 11 communicates with one or more transceivers installed inside the facility 2 via a communication network. Each transceiver is a device that acquires information stored in a portable device, such as a smartphone or a wristwatch, held by the living body 4 (here, a person), by performing wireless communication with the portable device. Information capable of individually identifying the living body 4 is stored in the portable device. The detection unit 11 detects the living body 4 present inside the facility 2 by acquiring the information stored in the portable device acquired by each transceiver.

[0024] The first acquisition unit 12 acquires infection information regarding an infectious disease for the living body 4 detected by the detection unit 11. The infection information may include information directly indicating whether the living body 4 has developed an infectious disease. Further, the infection information may include information suggesting that the living body 4 is in a state or engaged in behavior such that it has developed, may develop, or is unlikely to develop an infectious disease. Examples of the infection information are listed below. Note that the infection information shown below is an example, and it goes without saying that there may be infection information other than the examples shown below.

[0025] The infection information may include, for example, the test results of an examination as to whether or not the living body 4 has developed an infectious disease. For example, when the infectious disease is coronavirus disease 2019, the infection information may include the test results of a PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) test. In this case, the infection information indicating that the test results of the PCR test are positive becomes information directly indicating that the living body 4 has developed an infectious disease.

[0026] In addition, the infection information may include information indicating whether or not symptoms indicating that the living body 4 has developed or may have developed an infectious disease, such as cough or fever, have appeared in the living body 4. For example, the infection information indicating the presence or absence of cough or sneezing in the living body 4, the number of times per unit time if there is cough or sneezing, the presence or absence of fever, the presence or absence of sweating, or the pulse rate, etc. becomes information indicating whether or not there is a suspicion that the living body 4 has developed an infectious disease.

[0027] In addition, the infection information may include information indicating that, for example, the living body 4 has been ordered to stay at home. The situation where the living body 4 is ordered to stay at home may occur, for example, when a predetermined period has not elapsed since the living body 4 has had its fever reduced, when the living body 4 has moved to a region different from its residential area (for example, outside the prefecture), when the living body 4 has traveled overseas, or when the living body 4 has had relatively close contact with an infected person who has developed an infectious disease. For example, the infection information indicating that the living body 4 has been ordered to stay at home becomes information indicating that there is a suspicion that the living body 4 has developed an infectious disease.

[0028] In addition, the infection information may include information indicating that the living body 4 has performed actions that are likely to develop an infectious disease. Here, the actions that are likely to develop an infectious disease for the living body 4 are, for example, actions of visiting places where so-called "three Cs" of closed, crowded, and close contact can occur. Places where the "three Cs" can occur may include, for example, restaurants where eating and drinking with conversation are carried out, karaoke shops, event venues such as meetings and live shows, examination venues such as schools, or ceremony venues for weddings, funerals, and memorial services. For example, the infection information indicating that the living body 4 has performed actions that are likely to develop an infectious disease becomes information indicating that there is a suspicion that the living body 4 has developed an infectious disease.

[0029] In addition, the infection information may include information indicating that the living body 4 is a subject to be protected from infectious diseases. Here, the living body 4 to be protected is a person who is feared to develop severe symptoms when infected with an infectious disease, such as an elderly person, an infant, a pregnant woman, or a patient with a respiratory disease.

[0030] The first acquisition unit 12 acquires infection information by receiving, via a communication network, the infection information input by the living body 4 or a person related to the living body 4 using an information terminal (not shown). That is, the first acquisition unit 12 acquires infection information based on self-reporting by the living body 4 or a person related to the living body 4. The information terminal is, for example, a smartphone or a tablet computer having a touch panel display. Also, for example, the information terminal may be a desktop computer or a laptop computer having an input device (such as a mouse and a keyboard) and a display. In addition, the information terminal may be a controller dedicated to the airflow forming system 100. As the communication means between the first acquisition unit 12 and the information terminal, for example, a wired communication circuit or a wireless communication circuit can be used, but it is not limited thereto.

[0031] Further, the first acquisition unit 12 may be configured to automatically acquire infection information without relying on self-reporting by the living body 4 or a person related to the living body 4. Hereinafter, examples of acquisition means for automatically acquiring infection information by the first acquisition unit 12 will be listed. It should be noted that the acquisition means shown below is only an example, and it goes without saying that there may be acquisition means other than the examples shown below. Also, the first acquisition unit 12 may apply one of the acquisition means shown below, or may apply a combination of a plurality of acquisition means.

[0032] For example, assume a mode in which the detection unit 11 detects the living body 4 by communicating with each tag reader via a communication network, and infection information is stored in the IC tag held by the living body 4. In this case, the first acquisition unit 12 can indirectly acquire the infection information from the IC tag via each tag reader. Note that the living body 4 or a person related to the living body 4 may write the infection information into the IC tag in advance.

[0033] Also, for example, assume a mode in which the detection unit 11 detects the living body 4 by communicating with each transceiver via a communication network, and infection information is stored in the portable device held by the living body 4. In this case, the first acquisition unit 12 can indirectly acquire the infection information from the portable device via each transceiver. Note that the living body 4 or a person related to the living body 4 may input the infection information into the portable device in advance.

[0034] Even if the infection information is not stored in the IC tag or the portable device, for example, when there is another system that manages the infection information of the living body 4, the first acquisition unit 12 can acquire the infection information of the living body 4 from the other system. That is, when the first acquisition unit 12 acquires the identification information of the living body 4 from the IC tag or the portable device, it can acquire the infection information of the living body 4 from the other system by requesting the other system for the infection information corresponding to the identification information.

[0035] Also, for example, assume a mode in which the detection unit 11 detects the living body 4 based on the still image or moving image captured by each camera. In this case, the first acquisition unit 12 can acquire the infection information by analyzing that the living body 4 is performing an action such as coughing in the still image or moving image captured by each camera. Also, for example, if each camera is a thermal camera, the first acquisition unit 12 can also acquire the infection information by analyzing the body temperature of the living body 4 in the still image or moving image captured by each camera.

[0036] The first acquisition unit 12 may apply either a mode of acquiring infection information based on the above-mentioned living body 4 or a self-report of a person related to the living body 4, or a mode of automatically acquiring infection information, or may apply both in combination.

[0037] Based on the infection information acquired by the first acquisition unit 12, the determination unit 13 determines an infection stage indicating the degree of infection of the living body 4 detected by the detection unit 11. In the embodiment, the infection stage includes at least three stages: a first stage in which the living body 4 has developed an infectious disease, a second stage in which there is a suspicion that the living body 4 has developed an infectious disease, and a third stage in which the living body 4 has not developed an infectious disease. Further, in the embodiment, the infection stage further includes a fourth stage that is lower than the third stage and indicates that the living body 4 is a target for protection from the infectious disease. That is, in the embodiment, the determination unit 13 determines that the living body 4 is in any one of the infection stages from the first stage to the fourth stage. Hereinafter, examples of the determination of the infection stage by the determination unit 13 will be listed. It should be noted that the determination examples shown below are just examples, and it goes without saying that there may be determination examples other than those shown below.

[0038] For example, when the infection information of the living body 4 includes information indicating that the test result for the infectious disease is positive, the determination unit 13 determines that the infection stage of this living body 4 is in the first stage. Also, for example, when the infection information of the living body 4 includes information indicating that symptoms such as fever have appeared in the living body 4, the determination unit 13 determines that the infection stage of this living body 4 is in the second stage. Also, for example, when the infection information of the living body 4 includes information indicating that the test result for the infectious disease is negative and includes information indicating that the living body 4 has been ordered to wait at home, the determination unit 13 determines that the infection stage of this living body 4 is in the second stage. Also, for example, when the infection information of the living body 4 includes information indicating that the living body 4 has performed an action with a high possibility of developing an infectious disease, the determination unit 13 determines that the infection stage of this living body 4 is in the second stage.

[0039] Further, for example, when the determination unit 13 does not include both information indicating that the living body 4 has developed an infectious disease and information indicating that there is a suspicion that the living body 4 has developed an infectious disease, it is determined that the infection stage of this living body 4 is in the third stage. Also, for example, when the infection information of the living body 4 includes information indicating that the living body 4 is a protected subject from the infectious disease, the determination unit 13 determines that the infection stage of this living body 4 is in the fourth stage.

[0040] When a plurality of living bodies 4 with different infection stages are detected by the detection unit 11 in the space 21 where air can be shared inside the facility 2, the determination unit 14 determines an air flow 6 such that the living body 4 with a lower infection stage is upwind of the living body 4 with a higher infection stage. Here, the higher the likelihood that the living body 4 has developed an infectious disease, the higher the infection stage, and the higher the likelihood that the living body 4 has not developed an infectious disease, the lower the infection stage. In the embodiment, the infection stages increase in the order of the fourth stage, the third stage, the second stage, and the first stage.

[0041] The space 21 mentioned here may include, for example, not only a single room but also a plurality of adjacent rooms, etc. In the case of a plurality of adjacent rooms, if there is an opening and closing member 3 (see FIGS. 2 and 3) such as a window or a door in the wall that forms the boundary, when the opening and closing member 3 is open, the air in each room is shared through the opening and closing member 3. Therefore, in this case, the plurality of adjacent rooms correspond to the space 21 where air can be shared regardless of whether the opening and closing member 3 is open or not.

[0042] Specifically, the determination unit 14 determines the air flow 6 based on the positions of the plurality of living bodies 4 detected by the detection unit 11 in the space 21 and the position and performance of the air conditioning device 7 that the control unit 15 can control. Regarding the information indicating the position and performance of the air conditioning device 7, if it is stored in the storage unit 16 in advance, it can be referred to by reading it out from the storage unit 16.

[0043] For example, assume that the detection unit 11 detects that there are two living bodies 4 in the space 21. Here, when the determination unit 13 determines that the infection stage of one of the two living bodies 4 is higher than that of the other living body 4, the determination unit 14 determines an air current 6 such that the other living body 4 is upwind and the one living body 4 is downwind, that is, an air current 6 flowing from the other living body 4 to the one living body 4. Conversely, when the determination unit 13 determines that the infection stage of one living body 4 is lower than that of the other living body 4, the determination unit 14 determines an air current 6 such that the one living body 4 is upwind and the other living body 4 is downwind, that is, an air current 6 flowing from the one living body 4 to the other living body 4.

[0044] Also, for example, when three or more living bodies 4 are detected in the space 21, the determination unit 14 determines an air current 6 such that the living body 4 determined by the determination unit 13 to have the highest infection stage among these living bodies 4 is downwind and the remaining living bodies 4 are upwind.

[0045] In addition, when the infection stages of the plurality of living bodies 4 detected in the space 21 are the same, the determination unit 14 does not determine the air current 6, that is, does not perform anything in particular. For example, when all of the plurality of living bodies 4 detected in the space 21 are in the third stage (that is, not suffering from an infectious disease), the determination unit 14 does not determine the air current 6.

[0046] The control unit 15 controls the air conditioner 7 that adjusts the air flow so that the air current 6 determined by the determination unit 14 is formed in the space 21. In the embodiment, a plurality of air conditioners 7 are installed inside the facility 2. Also, each air conditioner 7 can communicate with the control unit 15 via a communication network. Therefore, the control unit 15 can remotely control each air conditioner 7 by transmitting a control signal to each air conditioner 7 via the communication network.

[0047] The air-conditioning device 7 may include an air conditioner, a blower, or a ventilation fan 71 (see FIGS. 2 and 3), etc. The blower may include, for example, a fan, a circulator, or an air purifier, etc. Both the air conditioner and the blower among the air-conditioning devices 7 are devices that form the air current 6 by sending air into the space 21. On the other hand, the ventilation fan 71 among the air-conditioning devices 7 is a device that forms the air current 6 by sucking in the air in the space 21 and discharging it to the outside of the space 21. In the embodiment, the air-conditioning device 7 includes a ventilation fan 71 that exhausts the air in the space 21 to the outside. The "outside" here only needs to be outside the space 21 and does not necessarily have to be outside the facility 2.

[0048] The control unit 15 transmits a control signal via the communication network to the air-conditioning device 7 among the plurality of air-conditioning devices 7 that may contribute to the formation of the air current 6 determined by the determination unit 14. As a result, the air-conditioning device 7 that receives the control signal operates according to the control content included in the control signal, so that the air current 6 determined by the determination unit 14 is formed in the space 21.

[0049] The storage unit 16 is a storage device that stores various information. The storage unit 16 is realized by, for example, a semiconductor memory, but can use known means for storing electronic information without being particularly limited. The storage unit 16 stores, for example, the infection information acquired by the first acquisition unit 12 in association with the identification information of the living body 4. In addition, the storage unit 16 stores the infection stage determined by the determination unit 13 in association with the identification information of the living body 4. Furthermore, the storage unit 16 stores information indicating the position and performance of the air-conditioning device 7.

[0050] Hereinafter, the significance of forming the air current 6 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of the infection risk of the living body 4 inside the facility 2 in the embodiment. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of the air current 6 formed by the air current formation system 100 according to the embodiment.

[0051] Figures 2 and 3 both show two adjacent rooms 22A and 22B, which share air within the facility 2 and are bounded by a door 31 as an opening / closing member. In the examples shown in Figures 2 and 3, the door 31 is open. Also, in one of the two adjacent rooms 22A and 22B, a ventilation fan 71 as an air-conditioning device 7 is installed. Further, Figure 2 shows that the airflow formation system 100 according to the embodiment is not functioning, and thus no airflow 6 is formed. On the other hand, Figure 3 shows that the airflow formation system 100 according to the embodiment is functioning, and thus an airflow 6 is formed.

[0052] Here, in the examples shown in Figures 2 and 3, assume that there are two living bodies 4 in the space 21, and the infection stage of the first living body 4A, which is one of the living bodies 4, is the first stage, and the infection stage of the second living body 4B, which is the other living body 4, is the third stage.

[0053] In the example shown in Figure 2, since no airflow 6 is formed, the exhaled breath 5 exhaled from the first living body 4A in the first stage of the infection stage will float around in the space 21 disorderly. The exhaled breath 5 here may include, for example, aerosols exhaled from the living body 4 in addition to droplets exhaled from the living body 4. Therefore, in the example shown in Figure 2, the exhaled breath 5 floating in the space 21 reaches the second living body 4B, and the second living body 4B inhales this exhaled breath 5, so there is a high possibility that the second living body 4B takes in the infectious substances contained in the exhaled breath 5 into the body. That is, in the example shown in Figure 2, the risk of the living body 4 (here, the second living body 4B) being infected with an infectious disease tends to be high. Note that the arrow A1 in Figure 2 represents the flow of the exhaled breath 5.

[0054] In contrast, in the example shown in FIG. 3, an air flow 6 is formed by the air flow forming system 100 such that the second living body 4B in the third stage of the infection stage is upwind and the first living body 4A in the first stage of the infection stage is downwind. For this reason, in the example shown in FIG. 3, since the exhaled breath 5 exhaled from the first living body 4A is pushed away by the air flow 6, it is difficult for the exhaled breath 5 to reach the second living body 4B. Therefore, in the example shown in FIG. 3, it is difficult for the second living body 4B to inhale the exhaled breath 5, and the possibility of taking in infectious substances into the body is reduced. That is, in the example shown in FIG. 3, it is possible to reduce the risk of the living body 4 (here, the second living body 4B) being infected with an infectious disease.

[0055] [Operation] Hereinafter, an example of the operation (air flow forming method) of the air flow forming system 100 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 4. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation (air flow forming method) of the air flow forming system 100 according to the embodiment.

[0056] First, the detection unit 11 detects whether or not a living body 4 exists inside the facility 2 (S1). The process S1 is executed constantly. And when a living body 4 exists inside the facility 2 (S2: Yes), the first acquisition unit 12 acquires the infection information of the living body 4 detected by the detection unit 11 (S3). The infection information acquired by the first acquisition unit 12 is stored in the storage unit 16 in association with the identification information of the living body 4. And the determination unit 13 determines the infection stage of the living body 4 based on the infection information acquired by the first acquisition unit 12 (S4). The infection stage determined by the determination unit 13 is stored in the storage unit 16 in association with the identification information of the living body 4. On the other hand, when a living body 4 does not exist inside the facility 2 (S2: No), the first acquisition unit 12 and the determination unit 13 do not execute anything in particular.

[0057] Next, when a plurality of living bodies 4 are detected in the space 21 (S5: Yes), the determination unit 14 reads out the infection stage of each of these living bodies 4 from the storage unit 16 and compares the infection stages of each of these living bodies 4 (S6). On the other hand, when a plurality of living bodies 4 are not detected in the space 21 (S5: No), the determination unit 14 does not execute anything in particular. Then, if the infection stages of these living bodies 4 are not the same (S6: Yes), the determination unit 14 determines an air current 6 such that the living body 4 with a lower infection stage is upwind of the living body 4 with a higher infection stage (S7). On the other hand, if the infection stages of these living bodies 4 are the same (S6: No), the determination unit 14 does not execute anything in particular.

[0058] Then, the control unit 15 controls one or more target air-conditioning devices 7 so that the air current 6 determined by the determination unit 14 is formed in the space 21 (S8). The control of the one or more air-conditioning devices 7 continues, for example, until a plurality of living bodies 4 are no longer detected in the space 21.

[0059] [Effects, etc.] As described above, the air current formation system 100 according to the embodiment includes a detection unit 11, a first acquisition unit 12, a determination unit 13, a determination unit 14, and a control unit 15. The detection unit 11 detects the living body 4 inside the facility 2. The first acquisition unit 12 acquires infection information regarding an infectious disease of the living body 4 detected by the detection unit 11. The determination unit 13 determines an infection stage indicating the degree of infection of the living body 4 detected by the detection unit 11 based on the infection information acquired by the first acquisition unit 12. When a plurality of living bodies 4 with different infection stages are detected by the detection unit 11 in the space 21 where air can be shared inside the facility 2, the determination unit 14 determines an air current 6 such that the living body 4 with a lower infection stage is upwind of the living body 4 with a higher infection stage. The control unit 15 controls the air-conditioning device 7 that adjusts the air flow so that the air current 6 determined by the determination unit 14 is formed in the space 21.

[0060] According to this, since the exhaled breath 5 exhaled from the living body 4 with a high infection stage is washed away by the air current 6, it is difficult for the exhaled breath 5 to reach the living body 4 with a low infection stage. Therefore, it is difficult for the living body 4 with a low infection stage to inhale the exhaled breath 5, and the possibility of taking in infectious substances into the body is reduced. That is, there is an advantage that it is easy to reduce the risk of infection of the living body 4 in the facility 2 with an infectious disease.

[0061] In particular, when the facility 2 is a residential facility, since a situation where a plurality of residents are relatively close is likely to occur, there is a high possibility of causing household infection if no measures are taken. Even in such a case, by forming the air current 6 by the air current forming system 100 according to the embodiment, it can be expected to reduce the probability of causing household infection.

[0062] In the air current forming system 100 according to the embodiment, compared with the droplet reach range control system disclosed in Patent Document 1, since it is not necessary to detect the orientation of each face of a plurality of living bodies 4 and estimate the reach range of droplets, there is an advantage that it is easy to reduce the risk of infection of the living body 4 with an infectious disease by a simple method. Further, in the air current forming system 100 according to the embodiment, since the air current 6 is formed only when there are a plurality of living bodies 4 with different infection stages in the space 21, for example, when there are a plurality of living bodies 4 with the same infection stage in the space 21, an unnecessary air current 6 is not formed, and there is also an advantage that it is difficult to give discomfort to the living body 4 by the air current 6.

[0063] Further, in the air current forming system 100 according to the embodiment, the infection stage includes at least three stages: a first stage in which the living body 4 has developed an infectious disease, a second stage in which there is a suspicion that the living body 4 has developed an infectious disease, and a third stage in which the living body 4 has not developed an infectious disease.

[0064] According to this, compared with the case where the infection stage includes only two stages of the first stage and the third stage, there is an advantage that it is easy to reduce the possibility that another living body 4 develops an infectious disease via the living body 4 that is suspected of having developed an infectious disease.

[0065] In addition, in the airflow formation system 100 according to the embodiment, the infection stage is a stage lower than the third stage, and further includes a fourth stage indicating that the living body 4 is a target to be protected from infectious diseases.

[0066] According to this, there is an advantage that it is easier to further reduce the risk of infection with an infectious disease for the living body 4 that is feared to deteriorate when developing an infectious disease.

[0067] In addition, in the airflow formation system 100 according to the embodiment, the air conditioner 7 includes a ventilation fan 71 that exhausts the air in the space 21 to the outside.

[0068] According to this, since the exhaled breath 5 that may contain infectious substances floating in the space 21 can be exhausted to the outside by the ventilation fan 71, there is an advantage that it is easier to further reduce the risk of the living body 4 being infected with an infectious disease.

[0069] In addition, in the airflow formation method according to the embodiment, the living body 4 inside the facility 2 is detected. In addition, in the airflow formation method according to the embodiment, infection information regarding an infectious disease for the detected living body 4 is acquired. In addition, in the airflow formation method according to the embodiment, based on the acquired infection information, an infection stage indicating the degree of infection of the detected living body 4 is determined. In addition, in the airflow formation method according to the embodiment, when a plurality of living bodies 4 with different infection stages are detected in the space 21 where air can be shared inside the facility 2, an airflow 6 is determined such that the living body 4 with a lower infection stage is upwind of the living body 4 with a higher infection stage. In addition, in the airflow formation method according to the embodiment, the air conditioner 7 that adjusts the air flow is controlled so that the determined airflow 6 is formed in the space 21.

[0070] According to this, since the exhaled breath 5 exhaled from the living body 4 with a high infection stage is pushed away by the airflow 6, it is difficult for the exhaled breath 5 to reach the living body 4 with a low infection stage. Therefore, it is difficult for the living body 4 with a low infection stage to inhale the exhaled breath 5, and the possibility of taking in infectious substances into the body is reduced. That is, there is an advantage that it is easy to reduce the risk of the living body 4 inside the facility 2 being infected with an infectious disease.

[0071] (Modification example) As described above, the airflow formation system and the airflow formation method according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure have been described based on the embodiments, respectively. However, the present disclosure is not limited to these embodiments. As long as the gist of the present disclosure is not deviated from, various modifications conceived by those skilled in the art applied to these embodiments, or forms constructed by combining components in different embodiments may also be included within the scope of one or more aspects of the present disclosure.

[0072] [First modification example] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an overview of an airflow formation system 100A according to a first modification example of the embodiment. The airflow formation system 100A according to the first modification example is different from the airflow formation system 100 according to the embodiment in that it further includes a second acquisition unit 17. Further, in the airflow formation system 100A according to the first modification example, the determination unit 14 is different from the airflow formation system 100 according to the embodiment in that it further refers to the floor plan information acquired by the second acquisition unit 17 to determine the airflow 6.

[0073] The second acquisition unit 17 acquires floor plan information regarding the floor plan of the facility 2. The floor plan information is, for example, information showing the design drawing of the facility 2 and may include information showing the positions of walls and opening / closing members 3 in the facility 2. Further, the floor plan information may include, for example, information showing the positions of furniture installed inside the facility 2. Further, the floor plan information may include, for example, BIM (Building Information Modeling) data of the facility 2.

[0074] The second acquisition unit 17 acquires the floor plan information, for example, by receiving the floor plan information input by the living body 4 or a person related to the living body 4 using an information terminal from the information terminal via a communication network. Further, the second acquisition unit 17 may acquire the floor plan information by, for example, transmitting a request signal for requesting the floor plan information to a terminal operated by a management company that manages the facility 2 or a design company involved in the design of the facility 2 and receiving the floor plan information from the terminal.

[0075] The determination unit 14 determines the air flow 6 based on the floor plan information acquired by the second acquisition unit 17. That is, the determination unit 14 comprehensively considers not only the positions of the plurality of living bodies 4 detected by the detection unit 11 in the space 21, the positions and performances of the air conditioning devices 7 that can be controlled by the control unit 15, but also the positions of walls or the like that can obstruct the air flow in the space 21, and determines the air flow 6.

[0076] As described above, the air flow formation system 100A according to the first modification of the embodiment further includes a second acquisition unit 17 that acquires floor plan information regarding the floor plan of the facility 2. The determination unit 14 determines the air flow 6 based on the floor plan information acquired by the second acquisition unit 17.

[0077] According to this, since the air flow 6 can be determined based on the floor plan of the facility 2, it is expected to determine the air flow 6 that can more easily reduce the risk of infection of the living body 4 with an infectious disease.

[0078] [Second Modification Example] FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an outline of an air flow formation system 100B according to the second modification of the embodiment. The air flow formation system 100B according to the second modification is different from the air flow formation system 100A according to the first modification of the embodiment in that it further includes a notification unit 18.

[0079] When the operation of the opening / closing member 3 that connects the space 21 and the outside and can be manually opened and closed is necessary to form the air flow 6 determined by the determination unit 14, the notification unit 18 notifies to that effect. The opening / closing member 3 here is, for example, a window or a door.

[0080] Specifically, the determination unit 14 further refers to information indicating the opening / closing state of the opening / closing member 3 in addition to the floor plan information acquired by the second acquisition unit 17, and determines the air flow 6. Here, there may be a case where the determination unit 14 determines the air flow 6 regardless of the opening / closing state of the opening / closing member 3, and there may also be a case where the air flow 6 cannot be determined because the opening / closing member 3 is closed and obstructs the air flow.

[0081] In the latter case, the notification unit 18 transmits, for example, via a communication network, a notification signal including information instructing a person to manually open the opening and closing member 3 to a notification device installed in the facility 2 or an information terminal used by the living body 4 or a person related to the living body 4. The notification device or the information terminal that has received the notification signal notifies the living body 4 or a person related to the living body 4 by outputting the above information as voice via a speaker or displaying the above information via a display. As a result, by operating the living body 4 or a person related to the living body 4 to open the opening and closing member 3, the air flow 6 can be formed.

[0082] As described above, the air flow forming system 100B according to the second modification of the embodiment further includes a notification unit 18. When it is necessary to operate the opening and closing member 3 that connects the space 21 to the outside and can be manually opened and closed in order to form the air flow 6 determined by the determination unit 14, the notification unit 18 notifies to that effect.

[0083] According to this, for example, even when there is an opening and closing member 3 that can inhibit the formation of the air flow 6, it is possible to prompt the living body 4 or a person related to the living body 4 to open the opening and closing member 3, so that there is an advantage that it becomes easier to form the air flow 6.

[0084] [Other Modifications] In the embodiment, the first modification, and the second modification, the ventilation fan 71 exhausts the air in the space 21 to the outside, but it is not limited to this. For example, even when the opening and closing member 3 is closed in the space 21 and the ventilation fan 71 is not operating, that is, when the space 21 is sealed from the outside, if the air flow 6 is formed, it is expected that the exhalation 5 of the infected person is diluted by the air flow 6 and the probability of non-infected persons being infected is reduced.

[0085] In the embodiment, the first modification, and the second modification, the infection stage includes a total of four stages from the first stage to the fourth stage, but is not limited thereto. For example, the infection stage may not include the fourth stage. Further, for example, the infection stage may not further include the second stage. That is, the infection stage may include only two stages indicating whether or not an infectious disease has developed. Note that the infection stage may include two or more stages among the first stage to the fourth stage, or may include even more stages. For example, the second stage in which there is a suspicion that the living body 4 has developed an infectious disease may be divided into even more stages with different levels of suspicion.

[0086] In the embodiment, the first modification, and the second modification, the determination unit 14 regards a plurality of adjacent rooms having the opening / closing member 3 as a boundary as a space 21 that can share air regardless of whether the opening / closing member 3 is open or not, but is not limited thereto. For example, when information indicating whether the opening / closing member 3 is open or not can be obtained, the determination unit 14 may regard a plurality of adjacent rooms having the opening / closing member 3 as a boundary as a space 21 that can share air only when the opening / closing member 3 is open.

[0087] In the embodiment, the first modification, and the second modification, the control unit 15 controls only the air conditioner 7, but is not limited thereto. For example, when the opening / closing member 3 can be remotely controlled, the control unit 15 may also control the opening and closing of the opening / closing member 3. In this case, the determination unit 14 may further refer to information indicating that the opening / closing member 3 can be opened and closed to determine the air flow 6.

[0088] In the embodiment, the first modification, and the second modification, the air flow forming systems 100, 100A, and 100B are all constructed as local systems for one facility 2, but are not limited thereto. For example, the air flow forming systems 100, 100A, and 100B may be constructed as cloud systems that collectively manage a plurality of facilities 2. In this case, for example, even when a living body 4 residing or staying in an arbitrary facility 2 visits another facility 2, it is possible to form an air flow by referring to the infection information of the living body 4 in the other facility 2.

Industrial Applicability

[0089] The present disclosure can be used, for example, as an airflow formation system for forming an airflow inside a facility.

Explanation of Signs

[0090] 11 Detection unit 12 First acquisition unit 13 Determination unit 14 Decision unit 15 Control unit 16 Storage unit 17 Second acquisition unit 18 Notification unit 2 Facility 21 Space 22A, 22B Rooms 3 Opening / closing member 31 Door 4 Living body 4A First living body 4B Second living body 5 Exhalation 6 Airflow 7 Air conditioning equipment 71 Exhaust fan 100, 100A, 100B Airflow formation system A1 Arrow

Claims

1. A detection unit that detects a living body inside the facility, A first acquisition unit that acquires infection information regarding an infectious disease about the living body from a recording carrier possessed by the living body detected by the detection unit or an image of the living body, A determination unit that determines an infection stage indicating the degree of infection of the living body detected by the detection unit based on the infection information acquired by the first acquisition unit, A determination unit that determines an air current such that a living body with a lower infection stage is upwind with respect to a living body with a higher infection stage when a plurality of living bodies with different infection stages are detected by the detection unit in a space where air can be shared inside the facility, A control unit that controls an air conditioner that adjusts the air flow so that the air current determined by the determination unit is formed in the space, An air current formation system.

2. The infection stage includes at least three stages: a first stage in which the living body has developed the infectious disease, a second stage in which there is a suspicion that the living body has developed the infectious disease, and a third stage in which the living body has not developed the infectious disease, The air current formation system according to Claim 1.

3. The infection stage further includes a fourth stage that is lower than the third stage and indicates that the living body is a protected target from the infectious disease, The air current formation system according to Claim 2.

4. The air conditioner includes a ventilation fan that exhausts the air in the space to the outside, The air current formation system according to any one of Claims 1 to 3.

5. It further includes a second acquisition unit that acquires floor plan information regarding the floor plan of the facility, The determination unit determines the air current based on the floor plan information acquired by the second acquisition unit, The air current formation system according to any one of Claims 1 to 4.

6. It further includes a notification unit that notifies that an operation of an opening / closing member that connects the space and the outside and can be manually opened and closed is required to form the air current determined by the determination unit, The air current formation system according to Claim 5.

7. Detect a living body inside the facility, Acquire infection information regarding an infectious disease about the living body from a recording carrier possessed by the detected living body or an image of the living body, Based on the acquired infection information, determine an infection stage indicating the degree of infection of the detected living body, In a space within the facility where air can be shared, when a plurality of living bodies with different infection stages are detected, determine an air current such that the living body with a lower infection stage is upwind of the living body with a higher infection stage. Control an air conditioner that adjusts the air flow so that the determined air current is formed in the space. Air current formation method.

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