Thermal environment control device, thermal environment control method, and program

Abstract

To control a thermal environment while considering physiological quantity information due to actions of an object person.SOLUTION: A thermal environment control device 10 includes: a prediction unit 11D for predicting physiological quantity information including at least one of the body deep part temperature and skin temperature of an object person after elapse of predetermined time using object person information including at least one of the metabolic amount and heart rate of the object person and environmental information indicating a surrounding environmental condition of the object person; and a control unit 11F for controlling thermal environment adjustment means (air conditioner 60) on the basis of the physiological quantity information that is predicted by the prediction unit 11D.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a heating and cooling environment control device, a heating and cooling environment control method, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] The following Patent Document 1 describes an air conditioning system that can automatically set an air conditioning environment according to an individual's preference.

Prior Art Document

Patent Document

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the air conditioning system of Patent Document 1, the control unit reads, from a magnetic card reader, the conditions included in the personal information of the worker using the area, which are the air conditioning environment conditions under which the person feels comfortable. Then, the air conditioning blowing conditions corresponding to the conditions are automatically set via the drive unit. Further, when it is known by the personal sensor that the worker has returned from going out, the air conditioning blowing conditions are set so that the worker can feel comfortable earlier while taking into account the conditions corresponding to the environmental adaptation ability of the worker.

[0005] This personal information includes gender, date of birth, height, weight, health information (blood pressure, pulse, etc.), medical history, and information such as heat intolerance, cold intolerance, strong heat resistance, strong cold resistance, and sweating. However, the air conditioning environment in which the subject feels comfortable is different when the worker (subject) performs a heavy workload outdoors and when the worker only walks. For this reason, even if the heating and cooling environment is controlled only by these pieces of information without taking into account the physiological quantity information caused by the behavior of the subject, it may be difficult to quickly reduce the thermal discomfort of the subject in some cases.

[0006] In view of the above facts, the present invention aims to control the thermal environment in consideration of physiological quantity information caused by the actions of the subject.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] The thermal environment control device according to claim 1 Before and during the use of the thermal environment control means by the subject, the of the subject as the subject information heart rate subject information acquisition unit that acquires the environmental information indicating the environmental state around the subject environment information acquisition unit that acquires the and each time the heart rate and the environmental information are acquired, the heart rate and the environmental information using calculate the core body temperature of the subject, and from the plurality of calculated core body temperatures, after a lapse of a predetermined time, the as the physiological quantity information deep body temperature predict a prediction unit that measures, and based on the core body temperature predicted by the prediction unit the a control unit that controls the thermal environment adjustment means.

[0008] According to the thermal environment control device described in claim 1, the prediction unit uses subject information including the heart rate of the subject and environmental information to predict physiological quantity information including the core body temperature of the subject after a lapse of a predetermined time.

[0009] Then, the control unit controls the thermal environment adjustment means such as an air conditioner based on the physiological quantity information predicted by the prediction unit. For example, based on the heart rate caused by the actions of the subject before using the thermal environment adjustment means and the environmental information to which the subject has been exposed, the control unit controls the thermal environment adjustment means.

[0010] That is, according to this thermal environment control device, the thermal environment can be controlled in consideration of physiological quantity information caused by the actions of the subject. Thereby, the thermal discomfort of the subject can be rapidly reduced. According to claim 2 The thermal environment control device is the thermal environment control device according to claim 1, wherein the subject information includes the metabolic rate of the subject, and the physiological quantity information includes the skin temperature of the subject.

[0011] The thermal environment control device according to claim 3 is the thermal environment control device according to claim 2, The subject information acquisition unit is the wherein the subject information is acquired from a mobile terminal carried by the subject.

[0012] Claim 3 According to the thermal environment control device described in

[0012] , the subject information acquisition unit acquires subject information from a mobile terminal carried by the subject. Therefore, the subject information can be sequentially acquired. As a result, the prediction unit can sequentially predict the physiological quantity information. Therefore, compared with the case where the subject information cannot be sequentially acquired, the thermal environment can be controlled in a more detailed manner.

[0013] A thermal environment control device according to one aspect is The subject information acquisition unit acquires the subject information a plurality of times both before and while the subject uses the thermal environment adjustment means.

[0014] According to one aspect In the thermal environment control device, the subject information acquisition unit acquires subject information both before and while the subject uses the thermal environment adjustment means. As a result, first, based on the metabolic rate, heart rate, and environmental information to which the subject was exposed due to the actions before the subject uses the thermal environment adjustment means, the control unit controls the thermal environment adjustment means. Then, while the subject is using the thermal environment adjustment means, when the subject approaches a thermally neutral state, controls such as reducing the air volume can be implemented. Thereby, a preferable thermal environment for the subject can be maintained.

[0015] Claim 4 The thermal environment control device according to is the thermal environment control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the environmental information includes at least one of temperature, humidity, and wind speed, the subject information includes the position information of the subject, the prediction unit associates the environmental information with the position information, and predicts the physiological quantity information using the environmental information at a location close to the subject.

[0016] Claim 4 The thermal environment control device described in

[0015] predicts physiological quantity information using information including at least one of temperature, humidity, and wind speed and the position information of the subject.

[0017] Using position information and temperature, for example, physiological quantity information affected by temperature in a low-temperature environment or a high-temperature environment can be predicted, and the thermal environment can be controlled.

[0018] Also, using position information and humidity, for example, physiological quantity information affected by humidity in a dry environment or a humid environment can be predicted, and the thermal environment can be controlled.

[0019] Furthermore, using position information and wind speed, for example, physiological quantity information affected by wind speed in a windless environment or a strong-wind environment can be predicted, and the thermal environment can be controlled.

[0020] Moreover, by using a combination of position information, temperature, humidity, and wind speed, physiological quantity information affected by these combined effects can be predicted, and the thermal environment can be controlled.

[0021] Claim 5 The thermal environment control device of... is in the thermal environment control device according to any one of claims 1 to... 4 In the thermal environment control device according to any one of claims 1 to..., the thermal environment control device further includes a clothing amount information acquisition unit that acquires clothing amount information indicating the amount of clothing worn by the subject, and the prediction unit uses the clothing amount information acquired by the clothing amount information acquisition unit in addition to the subject information and the environmental information to predict the physiological quantity information.

[0022] Claim 5 The thermal environment control device according to... also uses the clothing amount of the subject to predict physiological quantity information. Thereby, the prediction accuracy of the physiological quantity information can be improved.

[0023] Claim 6 The thermal environment control device of... is in the thermal environment control device according to any one of claims 1 to... 5 In the thermal environment control device according to any one of claims 1 to..., the thermal environment control device further includes a reception unit that receives an input of at least one of the air volume and the temperature in the thermal environment adjustment means, and a storage unit that stores the input information received by the reception unit, and the control unit adjusts the operation of the thermal environment adjustment means based on the input information stored in the storage unit in addition to the physiological quantity information.

[0024] Claim 6 In the heating and cooling environment control device described in , the control unit adjusts the heating and cooling environment adjustment means based on at least one of the input information of the air volume and temperature received by the reception unit and stored in the storage unit. As a result, not only the subject information and environmental information obtained mechanically, but also the heating and cooling environment can be controlled in consideration of, for example, the subject's subjectivity. Therefore, the heating and cooling environment can be controlled according to the preferences of the subject.

[0025] Claim 7 The heating and cooling environment control method of is Before and during the use of the thermal environment control means by the subject, the The as the subject information heart rate acquire the environmental information indicating the environmental state around the subject acquire the , each time the heart rate and the environmental information are acquired, the heart rate and the environmental information is used to calculate the core body temperature of the subject, and from the plurality of calculated core body temperatures, After a predetermined time has elapsed, the as the physiological quantity information deep body temperature predict of the subject is measured and predicted, and based on the predicted core body temperature , the the heating and cooling environment adjustment means is controlled.

[0026] Claim 7 In the heating and cooling environment control method described in , subject information including the subject's heart rate and environmental information are used to predict physiological quantity information including the subject's deep body temperature after a predetermined time has elapsed.

[0027] Then, based on the predicted physiological quantity information, heating and cooling environment adjustment means such as an air conditioner are controlled. For example, based on heart rate the behavior of the subject before using the heating and cooling environment adjustment means and the environmental information to which the subject has been exposed, the heating and cooling environment adjustment means is controlled.

[0028] That is, according to this heating and cooling environment control method, the heating and cooling environment can be controlled in consideration of the physiological quantity information caused by the behavior of the subject. As a result, the thermal discomfort of the subject can be rapidly reduced.

[0029] Claim 8 The program of causes a computer to Before and during the use of the thermal environment control means by the subject, the The as the subject information heart rate subject information acquisition unit that acquires the Before and during the use of the thermal environment control means by the subject, Environmental information indicating the environmental conditions around the subject environment information acquisition unit that acquires the and each time the heart rate and the environmental information are acquired, the heart rate and the environmental information using calculate the core body temperature of the subject, and from the plurality of calculated core body temperatures, After a predetermined time has elapsed, the as the physiological quantity information deep body temperature predict a prediction unit that measures; Based on the above predicted by the prediction unit core body temperature Based on the function as a control unit that controls the thermal environment control means.

[0030] Claim 8 According to the program described in, the prediction unit uses subject information including the subject's heart rate and environmental information to predict physiological quantity information including the subject's deep body temperature after a predetermined time has elapsed.

[0031] And the control unit controls the thermal environment control means such as an air conditioner based on the physiological quantity information predicted by the prediction unit. For example, based on heart rate due to the subject's behavior before using the thermal environment control means, or based on the environmental information to which the subject has been exposed, the control unit controls the thermal environment control means.

[0032] That is, according to this thermal environment control program, the thermal environment can be controlled in consideration of the physiological quantity information resulting from the subject's behavior. Thereby, the thermal discomfort of the subject can be quickly reduced.

Effect of the Invention

[0033] According to the present invention, the thermal environment can be controlled in consideration of the physiological quantity information resulting from the subject's behavior.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0034]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0035] Hereinafter, a thermal environment control device, a thermal environment control method, and a program according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Components denoted by the same reference numerals in each drawing mean the same components. Also, descriptions of overlapping configurations and reference numerals in each drawing may be omitted. Note that the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments, and appropriate changes such as omitting configurations or replacing them with different configurations can be made within the scope of the object of the present invention.

[0036] <Thermal Environment Control System> FIG. 1 shows the overall configuration of a thermal environment control system 80 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The thermal environment control system 80 is a system that provides a suitable thermal environment for each operator, worker, etc. (hereinafter referred to as "target person") when the operator arrives at the office, when the worker in a hot environment enters the office or the rest room after work, when a person after exercise or after taking a bath enters the rest room, etc.

[0037] The thermal environment control system 80 includes a thermal environment control device 10, an environment sensor 20, a position information sensor 30, a wearable sensor 40, a clothing amount sensor 50, and an air conditioner 60.

[0038] (Thermal Environment Control Device) The thermal environment control device 10 predicts the "physiological quantity information" described later based on various information obtained from the environment sensor 20, the position information sensor 30, the wearable sensor 40, and the clothing quantity sensor 50, as well as information input via the input unit 14, and controls the air conditioner 60 based on the predicted physiological quantity information. Details of the configuration of the thermal environment control device 10 will be described later.

[0039] (Environmental Sensor) The environment sensor 20 is a general term for detection devices that detect various information regarding the environmental state of the area where the subject exists (hereinafter, this various information is collectively referred to as "environmental information"). The environment sensor 20 is installed at various locations within the area where the subject exists.

[0040] Here, the "area where the subject exists" refers to, in the case of an office worker who commutes to work, the route from the nearest station to the office, or the route from the parking lot to the office. Also, in the case of a worker in a hot environment, it is the indoor and outdoor work sites where the work is carried out. Furthermore, the "area where the subject exists" includes the office and the rest room where the air conditioner 60 is installed. The location where the environment sensor 20 is installed can be appropriately determined according to the movement range of the subject.

[0041] Examples of the various information detected by the environment sensor 20 include temperature (air temperature) (°C), glove temperature (°C), relative humidity (%RH), air flow velocity (m / s), etc. The environment sensor 20 intermittently detects (every time a predetermined time (for example, 30 seconds) elapses) this environmental information. The sensor for detecting temperature is a thermometer. The sensor for detecting relative humidity is a hygrometer. Also, the sensor for detecting air flow velocity is an anemometer. The "environmental information" detected by the environment sensor 20 is transmitted to the thermal environment control device 10.

[0042] (Position Information Sensor) Similar to the environment sensor 20, the position information sensor 30 is installed at various locations within the area where the subject exists. The position information sensor 30 is a sensor that identifies the position information of the subject as subject information. The position information sensor 30 is configured to include, for example, a beacon.

[0043] A beacon is a transmitter installed at various locations within the area where the target person is present, and is used in combination with a receiver carried by the target person. When using a beacon as the position information sensor 30, the receiver can detect the signal emitted by the beacon to grasp the position information of the target person.

[0044] Note that the receiver carried by the target person can be installed on various terminals such as the smartphone, watch, and employee ID card owned by the target person, and can also be integrated with the wearable sensor 40 described later.

[0045] (Wearable Sensor) The wearable sensor 40 is a portable terminal used while being worn on the body of the target person. The wearable sensor 40 is used in contact with the skin of the target person.

[0046] Although various shapes can be adopted as the wearable sensor 40, it is preferably in the shape of a wristwatch as an example. That is, it is preferable to integrate the wearable sensor 40 formed in a flat plate shape with a band for winding around the wrist.

[0047] The wearable sensor 40 intermittently (every time a predetermined time (for example, 10 seconds, 1 second, etc.) elapses) detects various information regarding the activity amount specific to the target person (hereinafter, this various information is collectively referred to as "target person information"). Examples of the various information detected by the wearable sensor 40 include, for example, the metabolic rate (W / m 2 ) of the target person wearing the wearable sensor 40, heart rate (bpm), acceleration (mG), etc. The "target person information" detected by the wearable sensor 40 is transmitted to the thermal environment control device 10. Note that, as described above, the position information of the target person is also included in the "target person information".

[0048] (Clothing Quantity Sensor) The clothing quantity sensor 50 is a detection device that detects "clothing quantity information" indicating the clothing quantity (clo) of the target person. The clothing quantity sensor 50 is configured to include, for example, a thermal camera. When this thermal camera photographs the target person, an estimation device incorporated in the clothing quantity sensor 50 estimates the clothing quantity of the target person from the photographed thermal image. The "clothing quantity information" detected by the clothing quantity sensor 50 is transmitted to the thermal environment control device 10. The thermal camera of the clothing quantity sensor 50 is installed at a position where the target person can be photographed within the area where the target person exists.

[0049] Note that the clothing quantity sensor 50 can also be omitted. When the clothing quantity sensor 50 is omitted, the "clothing quantity information" measured separately can be acquired by the thermal environment control device 10 through input via the input unit 14 described later.

[0050] (Air conditioner) The air conditioner 60 is an example of the thermal environment adjustment means in the present invention. The air conditioner 60 is a personal air conditioner provided for each seat where the target person sits in an office or a rest room.

[0051] When the seat where the target person sits is determined for each target person, the air conditioner 60 is a dedicated device for each target person. On the other hand, when the seat where the target person sits is not determined for each target person (so-called free address case), the air conditioner 60 is a shared device for a plurality of target persons.

[0052] The air conditioner 60 includes a blower unit 62 that blows temperature-controlled air to the target person, and an input unit 64 through which the target person can input the intensity of the air blown from the blower unit 62.

[0053] The blower unit 62 is, for example, a fan driven by a motor. The motor that drives the blower unit 62 is controlled by the thermal environment control device 10 and can also be controlled by the target person via the input unit 64.

[0054] The air supply unit 62 can be driven at, for example, two driving intensities of "strong" and "weak". The "driving intensity" indicates the air volume of the air supply unit 62. Specifically, when the driving intensity is "strong", the air volume that can be blown per unit time is relatively larger compared to the case of "weak". The air volumes corresponding to the respective driving intensities of "strong" and "weak" can be set in advance.

[0055] The input unit 64 is composed of a display equipped with a touch panel (hereinafter simply referred to as a "touch panel"). The subject can start, stop, and switch the driving intensity of the air supply unit 62 through the operation of the input unit 64. The switching of the driving intensity can be performed, for example, by touching an input button (not shown) displayed as "strong" or an input button (not shown) displayed as "weak" with a finger.

[0056] By the input of the subject to the input unit 64, the driving of the air supply unit 62 is controlled, and the input information is transmitted to the reception unit 11E (see FIG. 2) of the heating and cooling environment control device 10.

[0057] <Electrical Configuration of the Heating and Cooling Environment Control Device> FIG. 1 shows a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the heating and cooling environment control device 10. The heating and cooling environment control device 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit: processor) 11, a memory 12 as a temporary storage area, a non-volatile storage unit 13, an input unit 14 such as a keyboard and a mouse, a display unit 15 such as a liquid crystal display, a medium reading and writing device (R / W) 16, a communication interface (I / F) unit 18, and an external I / F unit 19. The CPU 11, the memory 12, the storage unit 13, the input unit 14, the display unit 15, the medium reading and writing device 16, the communication I / F unit 18, and the external I / F unit 19 are connected to each other via a bus B1. The medium reading and writing device 16 reads the information written in the recording medium 17 and writes information to the recording medium 17.

[0058] (Storage Unit) The storage unit 13 is implemented by a HDD (Hard Disk Drive), SSD (Solid State Drive), flash memory, or the like. The storage unit 13 as a storage medium stores a thermal environment control program 13A. The thermal environment control program 13A is stored in the storage unit 13 when the recording medium 17 on which the thermal environment control program 13A is written is set in the medium reading / writing device 16 and the medium reading / writing device 16 reads the thermal environment control program 13A from the recording medium 17. The CPU 11 reads the thermal environment control program 13A from the storage unit 13, expands it in the memory 12, and sequentially executes the processes included in the thermal environment control program 13A.

[0059] The storage unit 13 stores various arithmetic expressions for calculating physiological quantity information (“deep body temperature” and “skin temperature”) of the target person. The storage unit 13 also stores a personal information database 13B, a prediction-related information database 13C, and an input information database 13D. Details of the personal information database 13B, the prediction-related information database 13C, the input information database 13D, and the various arithmetic expressions will be described later.

[0060] (Input unit) In the input unit 14, operations for starting and ending the thermal environment control program 13A are performed by the user. As an example, the user is an administrator of the thermal environment control system 80.

[0061] Also, in the input unit 14, “personal information” of the target person is input by the user. The personal information input via the input unit 14 is stored in the personal information database 13B in the storage unit 13 (see Fig. 3(A)). The personal information input to the input unit includes age (years), gender, height (cm), weight (kg), body composition (body fat percentage (%)), and average blood pressure [diastolic blood pressure + {(systolic blood pressure - diastolic blood pressure) / 3}].

[0062] Note that personal information may be input via the subject's mobile terminal, for example, the wearable sensor 40. Alternatively, it may be input via a computer different from the thermal environment control device 10. Personal information input via a computer different from the subject's wearable sensor 40 or the thermal environment control device 10 is transmitted to the thermal environment control device 10.

[0063] (Display unit) On the display unit 15, information (for example, an input button) for starting and ending the thermal environment control program 13A is displayed. Also, when there are a plurality of subjects, a list of the subjects is displayed.

[0064] (Functional configuration of the thermal environment control device) Next, with reference to FIG. 2, the functional configuration of the thermal environment control device 10 according to the present embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the thermal environment control device 10 includes an environmental information acquisition unit 11A, a clothing quantity information acquisition unit 11B, a subject information acquisition unit 11C, a prediction unit 11D, a reception unit 11E, and a control unit 11F. When the CPU 11 of the thermal environment control device 10 executes the thermal environment control program 13A, it functions as the environmental information acquisition unit 11A, the clothing quantity information acquisition unit 11B, the subject information acquisition unit 11C, the prediction unit 11D, the reception unit 11E, and the control unit 11F.

[0065] (Environmental information acquisition unit) The environmental information acquisition unit 11A acquires "environmental information" indicating the environmental state of the area where the subject is present. In the present embodiment, the environmental information acquisition unit 11A acquires the temperature (°C), relative humidity (%RH), air flow velocity (m / s), etc. transmitted from a plurality of environmental sensors 20.

[0066] (Clothing quantity information acquisition unit) The clothing quantity information acquisition unit 11B acquires "clothing quantity information" indicating the amount of clothing worn by the subject. In the present embodiment, the clothing quantity information acquisition unit 11B acquires the clothing quantity information transmitted from the clothing quantity sensor 50. Note that when the clothing quantity sensor 50 is omitted, the clothing quantity information acquisition unit 11B may be omitted.

[0067] (Subject information acquisition unit) The subject information acquisition unit 11C acquires "subject information" indicating the measurement result of at least one of the metabolic rate and heart rate of the subject. In the present embodiment, the subject information acquisition unit 11C acquires the metabolic rate (W / m 2 ), heart rate (bpm), acceleration (mG), etc. included in the subject information transmitted from the wearable sensor 40.

[0068] In addition, the subject information acquisition unit 11C also acquires the "position information" of the subject as the subject information. In the present embodiment, the subject information acquisition unit 11C acquires the position information of the subject transmitted from the position information sensor 30. This position information is information including information for identifying a specific subject from a plurality of subjects and information indicating the position of the subject.

[0069] (Prediction unit) The prediction unit 11D uses the "environmental information" acquired by the environmental information acquisition unit 11A and the "subject information" (including position information) acquired by the subject information acquisition unit 11C to predict the "physiological quantity information" including the "deep body temperature" and "skin temperature" of the subject after a predetermined time has elapsed.

[0070] Note that the prediction unit 11D associates the "position information" of the subject with the "environmental information" acquired from a plurality of environmental sensors 20. Then, the prediction unit 11D uses the "environmental information" acquired from the environmental sensor 20 located closest to the subject to predict the "physiological quantity information".

[0071] (Reception unit) The reception unit 11E receives the input of the driving intensity (air volume) in the air conditioner 60. Specifically, the reception unit 11E receives the input information of the driving intensity (air volume) such as "strong" or "weak" input by the subject via the input unit 64 of the air conditioner 60. The input information received by the reception unit 11E is stored in the input information database 13D in the storage unit 13 (see Fig. 3(C)).

[0072] In addition, the reception unit 11E receives the position information of the target person from the target person information acquisition unit 11C. Thereby, the driving intensity input to the air conditioner 60 can be associated with the target person who input the driving intensity and stored in the input information database 13D.

[0073] (Control Unit) The control unit 11F controls the blower unit 62 of the air conditioner 60 based on the physiological quantity information predicted by the prediction unit 11D. As described above, the blower unit 62 can switch the driving intensity between "strong" and "weak". Therefore, the control unit 11F can switch the driving intensity of the blower unit 62 to either "strong" or "weak". In addition, the control unit 11F can control the start and stop of the driving of the blower unit 62.

[0074] In addition, the control unit 11F controls the blower unit 62 of the air conditioner 60 based on the driving intensity stored in the input information database 13D in the storage unit 13.

[0075] Note that the driving intensity of the blower unit 62 may not be limited to only two types, "strong" and "weak", but may be set steplessly. In this case, the control of the blower unit 62 by the control unit 11F can be adjusted steplessly. Also, the control of the blower unit 62 via the input unit 64 of the air conditioner 60 may be implemented, for example, by displaying the driving intensity as an integer from 1 to 100 on a touch panel forming the input unit 64 and allowing the target person to input an arbitrary integer.

[0076] (Database) As shown in FIG. 3(A), in the personal information database 13B, the name (or identification number) of the target person is stored in association with various personal information. In the present embodiment, the various personal information stored in the personal information database 13B includes age (years), gender, height (cm), weight (kg), body composition (body fat percentage (%)), etc.

[0077] As shown in FIG. 3(B), in the prediction-related information database 13C, the name (or identification number) of the subject and various physiological quantity information for each subject calculated by the prediction unit 11D using various arithmetic expressions described later are stored in association with the calculated date and time. In the present embodiment, the various physiological quantity information stored in the prediction-related information database 13C is the deep body temperature (° C) and the skin temperature (° C).

[0078] The interval of the calculation time of the various physiological quantity information is arbitrary, but in the present embodiment, it is calculated every 1 second. Also, in the present embodiment, the various physiological quantity information is calculated at the same timing, but the calculation timing and the calculation frequency may be changed for each type of physiological quantity information.

[0079] As shown in FIG. 3(C), in the input information database 13D, the name (or identification number) of the subject and the driving intensity such as "strong" or "weak" input by the subject via the input unit 64 of the air conditioner 60 are stored in association with the input date and time.

[0080] Also, in the input information database 13D, the deep body temperature (° C) and the skin temperature (° C), which are the physiological quantity information predicted by the prediction unit 11D immediately before the subject inputs via the input unit 64 of the air conditioner 60, are stored.

[0081] <Prediction of Physiological Quantity Information> In the thermal environment control device 10, in order to predict various physiological quantity information ( "deep body temperature" and "skin temperature") after a lapse of a predetermined time, for example, the following arithmetic expressions stored in the storage unit 13 are used.

[0082] (Arithmetic Expression) In the storage unit 13, various arithmetic expressions (known arithmetic expressions) for calculating the "deep body temperature" and the "skin temperature" are stored.

[0083] The "deep body temperature" is the temperature of the central part (deep inside the body) at a specific part (for example, the head) of the subject's body. This deep body temperature is calculated by the prediction unit 11D from the "heat balance" per unit time at the central part.

[0084] In addition, by acquiring the deep body temperature a predetermined number of times (at least three times in this embodiment), the transition of the change in the deep body temperature during the acquired period is derived. Thereby, the deep body temperature after a lapse of a predetermined time can be predicted (linear prediction).

[0085] The "skin temperature" is the "skin surface temperature" calculated in the process of calculating the sensible heat loss amount to the external environment shown below in (4).

[0086] The "heat balance" can be calculated by the sum of the heat balances shown in the following (1) to (5) for the subject. (1) Heat production amount due to energy production (2) Heat exchange amount due to blood flow (3) Amount of heat moving from the deep inside of the body to the outside by heat conduction (4) Sensible heat loss amount to the external environment (sensible heat loss amount due to respiration and convective radiation on the skin surface) (5) Latent heat loss amount to the external environment (latent heat loss amount due to respiration and sweating on the skin surface)

[0087] The heat production amount due to the energy production in the above (1) is calculated as the sum of the "heat production amount due to basal metabolism", the "heat production amount due to activity", and the "heat production amount due to shivering".

[0088] The "heat production amount due to basal metabolism" can be calculated by a known method from the personal information (gender, height, weight, age, etc.) of the subject as an example.

[0089] In addition, the "heat production amount due to activity" can be calculated by a known method from the subject information (acceleration, heart rate) as an example.

[0090] Furthermore, the "heat production amount due to shivering" can be calculated by a known method from the temperature difference between the temperature at the time of exposure to the target environment and the temperature at thermoneutrality at each part of the body as an example.

[0091] The heat exchange amount due to blood flow in the above (2) is calculated by a known method from the product of the "blood flow rate", which is calculated as the sum of the basal blood flow rate, skin blood flow rate, muscle blood flow rate, etc., the "specific heat of blood", and the "temperature difference from the thermoneutral state".

[0092] Among the "blood flow rate", the basal blood flow rate can be calculated from the total body surface area of the whole body and the cardiac index (calculated from the "personal information" (age)). Also, the skin blood flow rate can be calculated from the basal blood flow rate at each part of the body and the temperature difference between the temperature at the time of exposure to the target environment and the thermoneutral temperature at each part of the body. Further, the muscle blood flow rate is expressed as a function of the activity level and is calculated by a known method (for example, Equation (9) in "Research on the 65-segment body temperature regulation model for thermal environment evaluation", Journal of the Planning Division of the Architectural Institute of Japan, No. 541, 9-16, March 2001, pages 9 to 15).

[0093] The amount of heat transferred from the deep part of the body to the outside by the above (3) heat conduction can be calculated by a known method from the "personal information" (body composition, height, weight).

[0094] The sensible heat loss amount to the external environment in the above (4) is calculated from the convective heat transfer coefficient (calculated from the environmental information (wind speed) and the subject information (metabolic rate)), the convective and radiative heat exchange amount between the skin surface and the environment (calculated from the clothing amount information), the skin surface temperature (calculated by dividing the heat balance amount [J] obtained from the above "heat balance" (the sum of the heat balances shown in (1) to (5)) by the heat capacity [J / ℃] of each part), and the temperature difference from the outside air temperature (environmental information (temperature)). In addition, for the calculation of the sensible heat loss amount to the external environment in this (4), the value of the heat balance calculated one step before is used in the heat balance calculated per unit time.

[0095] The latent heat loss amount to the external environment in the above (5) can be calculated by a known method from the difference between the saturated water vapor pressure calculated from the skin surface temperature and the water vapor pressure of the outside air (calculated from the environmental information (air temperature, relative humidity)).

[0096] <Function> Next, with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, the operation of the thermal environment control system 80 according to the present embodiment will be described. In response to an execution instruction or the like via the input unit 14 from the user, the CPU 11 of the thermal environment control device 10 executes the thermal environment control program 13A, whereby the thermal environment control process shown in FIG. 4 is executed.

[0097] To avoid complication, here, the case where there is only one subject and the personal information database 13B has been constructed in advance will be described. Also, here, the case where the control unit 11F controls the air conditioner 60 based only on the physiological quantity information predicted by the prediction unit 11D will be described. The case where the control unit 11F controls the air conditioner 60 based on the input information stored in the input information database 13D will be described later.

[0098] (Thermal environment control process) When the execution of the thermal environment control program 13A is started, in step 200, the CPU 11 reads out the "personal information" stored in the personal information database 13B.

[0099] In step 202, the CPU 11 acquires the "environmental information" of the area where the subject exists from the environment sensor 20. Also, the CPU 11 acquires the "clothing quantity information" for each subject from the clothing quantity sensor 50. Further, the CPU 11 acquires the "subject information" of the subject from the position information sensor 30 and the wearable sensor 40.

[0100] In step 204, the CPU 11 calculates various physiological quantity information from various information (personal information, environmental information, clothing quantity information, and subject information) using various arithmetic expressions stored in the storage unit 13.

[0101] In step 206, the CPU 11 stores the physiological quantity information calculated using various arithmetic expressions in the prediction-related information database 13C. The CPU 11 stores these physiological quantity information in the prediction-related information database 13C in association with the calculated time.

[0102] In step 208, the CPU 11 determines whether physiological quantity information has been calculated a predetermined number of times. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 210. On the other hand, if the determination in step 208 is negative, the process returns to step 202.

[0103] In step 210, the CPU 11 predicts various physiological quantities after a predetermined time has elapsed.

[0104] In step 220, the CPU 11 performs a thermal environment adjustment process. Although the details of the thermal environment adjustment process will be described later, here, the CPU 11 determines the driving intensity of the air supply unit 62 of the air conditioner 60 according to the physiological quantity of the subject.

[0105] In step 230, the CPU 11 determines whether the subject is present at the location where the air conditioner 60 is installed based on the position information of the subject. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 232. On the other hand, if the determination in step 230 is negative, the process returns to step 202.

[0106] In step 232, the CPU 11 executes an operation switching of the air supply unit 62 of the air conditioner 60 according to the driving intensity determined in the immediately preceding step 220. The "operation switching" includes not only control for switching the driving intensity of the air supply unit 62 between "strong" and "weak", but also control for starting and stopping the driving of the air supply unit 62.

[0107] In step 234, the CPU 11 determines whether input information to the air supply unit 62 of the air conditioner 60 by the subject has been received. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 236. On the other hand, if the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step 238.

[0108] In step 236, the CPU 11 waits for the subject to leave. Specifically, the CPU 11 determines whether the subject has left the location where the air conditioner 60 is installed. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 240, and the CPU 11 stops the operation of the air supply unit 62 of the air conditioner 60. On the other hand, if the determination is negative, the CPU 11 repeatedly executes step 236 until the determination becomes affirmative.

[0109] In addition, when the subject inputs the driving intensity to the air supply unit 62 of the air conditioner 60, the driving intensity of the air supply unit 62 is controlled by the input information input by the subject.

[0110] In step 238, the CPU 11 determines whether the subject has left the place where the air conditioner 60 is installed. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 240, and the CPU 11 stops the operation of the air supply unit 62 of the air conditioner 60. On the other hand, if the determination is negative, the process returns to step 202.

[0111] That is, while the subject is present at the place where the air conditioner 60 is installed, the CPU 11 continuously acquires environmental information, subject information, etc., executes physiological quantity prediction processing, and appropriately executes operation switching of the air supply unit 62.

[0112] In step 242, the CPU 11 determines whether the end timing of the thermal environment control process has arrived. If the determination is affirmative, the thermal environment control process ends. This end timing, as an example, arrives when the subject removes the wearable sensor 40. The removal of the wearable sensor 40 is detected by a change in the acceleration detected by the wearable sensor 40. As another example, this end timing arrives when the subject or the administrator of the thermal environment control system 80 inputs the end of the thermal environment control process via the input unit 14. If the determination in step 242 is negative, the process returns to step 202.

[0113] (Thermal environment adjustment process) As shown in FIG. 5, when the thermal environment adjustment process shown in step 220 is started, in step 221, the control unit 11F determines whether the deep body temperature among the physiological quantity information predicted by the prediction unit 11D is equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold value T1 (° C.). If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 222.

[0114] If a negative determination is made in step 221, the process proceeds to step 223 to determine whether the skin temperature is equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold value K1 (°C). If an affirmative determination is made, the process proceeds to step 222.

[0115] In this embodiment, the threshold values are set as T1 = 37 (°C) and K1 = 36 (°C). However, these threshold values can be appropriately changed according to the season and the subject.

[0116] In step 222, the control unit 11F sets the driving intensity of the air supply unit 62 in the air conditioner 60 to "strong" and ends the warm environment adjustment process. After the warm environment adjustment process ends, the process proceeds to step 230 shown in FIG. 4.

[0117] If a negative determination is made in step 223, the process proceeds to step 224 to determine whether the deep body temperature is equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold value T2 (°C). If an affirmative determination is made, the process proceeds to step 225.

[0118] If a negative determination is made in step 224, the process proceeds to step 226 to determine whether the skin temperature is equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold value K2 (°C). If an affirmative determination is made, the process proceeds to step 225.

[0119] In this embodiment, the threshold values are set as T2 = 36.5 (°C) and K2 = 35.5 (°C). However, these threshold values can be appropriately changed according to the season and the subject.

[0120] In step 225, the control unit 11F sets the driving intensity of the air supply unit 62 in the air conditioner 60 to "weak" and ends the warm environment adjustment process. After the warm environment adjustment process ends, the process proceeds to step 230 shown in FIG. 4.

[0121] If a negative determination is made in step 226, the process proceeds to step 227, where the control unit 11F sets the driving intensity of the air supply unit 62 in the air conditioner 60 to "stop" and ends the warm environment adjustment process. After the warm environment adjustment process ends, the process proceeds to step 230 shown in FIG. 4.

[0122] (Control Based on Input Information) In the above description, the case where the control unit 11F controls the air conditioner 60 based only on the physiological quantity information predicted by the prediction unit 11D has been described. However, the control unit 11F can also control the air conditioner 60 based on the input information stored in the input information database 13D in addition to the physiological information.

[0123] When the control unit 11F controls the air conditioner 60 based on the input information, as shown in FIG. 6, in the thermal environment adjustment process, after steps 222, 225, and 227, the process proceeds to step 228.

[0124] In step 228, the control unit 11F determines whether there is input information in the input information database 13D.

[0125] Specifically, the control unit 11F determines whether a combination of physiological quantities ("close" to the combination of physiological quantities predicted by the physiological quantity prediction process of step 210 shown in FIG. 4 (deep body temperature and skin temperature)) is stored in the input information database 13D shown in FIG. 3(C).

[0126] If a combination of physiological quantities "close" to the predicted combination of physiological quantities is stored in the input information database 13D, step 228 results in an affirmative determination and the process proceeds to step 229.

[0127] In step 229, the input information at the time when the combination of physiological quantities becomes "close" to the combination of physiological quantities predicted by the physiological quantity prediction process is set as the driving intensity of the blower unit 62, and the thermal environment adjustment process is terminated.

[0128] If a negative determination is made in step 228, the process proceeds to step 229 and the thermal environment adjustment process is terminated. That is, in this case, the control unit 11F sets the driving intensity of the blower unit 62 in the air conditioner 60 to the driving intensity set in steps 222, 225, and 227 instead of the input information stored in the input information database 13D.

[0129] Note that the combination of physiological quantities being "close" means that "at least one" of the core body temperature and skin temperature stored in the input information database 13D is within ±0.2 (°C) of the core body temperature and skin temperature predicted in step 210. Or, "both" of the core body temperature and skin temperature stored in the input information database 13D are within ±0.2 (°C) of the core body temperature and skin temperature predicted in step 210.

[0130] <Effect> As described above, according to the thermo-environment control device 10 according to the present embodiment, the prediction unit 11D shown in FIG. 2 uses the subject information including the metabolic rate and heart rate of the subject and the environmental information to predict physiological quantity information including the core body temperature and skin temperature of the subject after a lapse of a predetermined time.

[0131] Then, the control unit 11F controls the air conditioner 60 based on the physiological quantity information predicted by the prediction unit 11D. For example, the control unit 11F controls the air conditioner 60 based on the metabolic rate, heart rate, etc. resulting from the subject's actions before using the air conditioner 60 and the environmental information to which the subject has been exposed.

[0132] That is, according to this thermo-environment control device 10, it is possible to control the thermo-environment in consideration of the physiological quantity information resulting from the subject's actions. Thereby, the thermal discomfort of the subject can be rapidly reduced.

[0133] Further, according to the thermo-environment control device 10 according to the present embodiment, the subject information acquisition unit 11C acquires subject information from the wearable sensor 40 which is a portable terminal carried by the subject. Therefore, the subject information can be sequentially acquired. Thereby, the prediction unit 11D can sequentially predict the physiological quantity information. Therefore, compared with the case where the subject information cannot be sequentially acquired, the thermo-environment can be controlled in a more detailed manner.

[0134] Further, as described with reference to FIG. 4, the thermal environment control device 10 according to the present embodiment has the subject information acquisition unit 11C acquire subject information both before and during the subject's use of the air conditioner 60.

[0135] Accordingly, first, based on the metabolic rate, heart rate, etc. resulting from the subject's actions before using the air conditioner 60 and the environmental information to which the subject was exposed, the control unit 11F controls the air conditioner 60. Then, while the subject is using the air conditioner 60, when the subject approaches a thermally neutral state, controls such as reducing the air volume can be executed. Thereby, a preferable thermal environment for the subject can be maintained.

[0136] Further, the thermal environment control device 10 according to the present embodiment predicts physiological quantity information using information including temperature, humidity, and wind speed and the position information of the subject.

[0137] Since the position information and temperature are used, for example, physiological quantity information affected by temperature in a low-temperature environment or a high-temperature environment can be predicted, and the thermal environment can be controlled.

[0138] Also, since the position information and humidity are used, for example, physiological quantity information affected by humidity in a dry environment or a humid environment can be predicted, and the thermal environment can be controlled.

[0139] Furthermore, since the position information and wind speed are used, for example, physiological quantity information affected by wind speed in a windless environment or a strong wind environment can be predicted, and the thermal environment can be controlled.

[0140] Moreover, since the position information is used in combination with temperature, humidity, and wind speed, physiological quantity information affected by these combined effects can be predicted, and the thermal environment can be controlled.

[0141] In addition, the thermal environment control device 10 according to the present embodiment also uses the clothing amount of the subject to predict physiological quantity information. Thereby, the prediction accuracy of the physiological quantity information can be improved.

[0142] In addition, in the heating and cooling environment control device 10 according to the present embodiment, the control unit adjusts the heating and cooling environment adjustment means based on the driving intensity (air volume) input by the subject, received by the reception unit 11E, and stored in the storage unit 13. Thereby, not only the subject information and environmental information obtained mechanically, but also the heating and cooling environment can be controlled in consideration of the subject's subjectivity. Therefore, the heating and cooling environment can be controlled according to the subject's preference.

[0143] <Other Embodiments> As described above, the control unit 11F controls the driving intensity of the air conditioner 60. In addition, the subject inputs the driving intensity of the air conditioner 60 via the input unit 64. These driving intensities are the air volume of the air blowing unit 62, but the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to this.

[0144] The control unit 11F may control the temperature instead of or in addition to the air volume as the driving intensity of the air conditioner 60. That is, the control unit 11F may control at least one of the air volume and temperature of the air conditioner 60.

[0145] Similarly, the subject may input the temperature instead of or in addition to the air volume as the driving intensity of the air conditioner 60. When the subject inputs the temperature, the reception unit 11E receives the input information of the temperature. That is, the reception unit 11E may receive the input of at least one of the air volume and temperature from the subject.

[0146] Also, the input information database 13D in the storage unit 13 may store the input information of at least one of the air volume and temperature input by the subject.

[0147] In addition, in the present embodiment, the heating and cooling environment adjustment means controlled by the control unit 11F is the air conditioner 60 as a personal air conditioner provided for each seat where the subject sits, but the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to this.

[0148] For example, the heating and cooling environment control means may be a fan or the like attached to the clothing of the subject. In this case, the control of the heating and cooling environment control means by the control unit 11F can be executed during the work of the subject.

[0149] Alternatively, the heating and cooling environment control means may be an air conditioner that controls the heating and cooling environment of the entire rest room. There may be a plurality of subjects in the rest room. In this case, the control unit 11F controls the heating and cooling environment control means, for example, according to the "average intensity" of the driving intensity corresponding to each subject.

[0150] In the present embodiment, the position information sensor 30 acquires the position information as the subject information, but the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the position information sensor 30 may be omitted, and the position information of the subject may not be acquired. Such an aspect can be applied when the action range of the subject is determined every time.

[0151] In the present embodiment, both the deep body temperature and the skin temperature are predicted as the physiological quantity information, but the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to this. For example, at least one of the deep body temperature and the skin temperature may be predicted as the physiological quantity information. By predicting any one of these physiological quantity information, the heating and cooling environment can be controlled in consideration of the physiological quantity information caused by the action of the subject, and the thermal discomfort of the subject can be rapidly reduced.

[0152] In the present embodiment, the metabolic rate, heart rate, and acceleration are measured as the subject information, but the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the heart rate and acceleration may be measured as the subject information, and the metabolic rate may be calculated using a known method as a function of the heart rate and acceleration (for example, estimation of daily energy consumption by three-dimensional acceleration and heart rate, Journal of the Japanese Home Economics Association, Vol. 59, No. 4, 221-229 (2008)).

[0153] Alternatively, the metabolic rate may be stored in the storage unit 13 in advance, for example, as a value corresponding to the work content. In this case, the work content of the subject is input to the input unit 14. Then, the prediction unit 11D reads the value stored in the storage unit 13 according to the input content and predicts the physiological quantity. Further, the work content of the subject may be predicted and specified by the prediction unit 11D from an image captured using a camera or the like.

[0154] Also, in this embodiment, all of the temperature, humidity, and wind speed are used as environmental information to predict the physiological quantity information. However, the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to this. For example, at least one of the temperature, humidity, and wind speed may be used as environmental information to predict the physiological quantity information.

[0155] If the temperature is used, for example, in a low-temperature environment or a high-temperature environment, the physiological quantity information (body temperature) affected by the temperature can be predicted, and the preventive actions of the subject can be supported.

[0156] Also, if the humidity is used, for example, in a dry environment or a humid environment, the physiological quantity information (body temperature) affected by the humidity can be predicted, and the preventive actions of the subject can be supported.

[0157] Furthermore, if the wind speed is used, for example, in a windless environment or a strong-wind environment, the physiological quantity information (body temperature) affected by the wind speed can be predicted, and the preventive actions of the subject can be supported.

[0158] Also, in this embodiment, the subject information acquisition unit 11C acquires the subject information from the wearable sensor 40. However, the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to this. For example, the subject information acquisition unit 11C may acquire the subject information from a terminal (such as a dedicated measuring device or a smartphone equipped with a sensor capable of measuring the subject information) carried by the subject, which is not necessarily worn on the body. In this case, it is preferable to notify the predetermined time by a buzzer sound so that the subject can measure the subject information at predetermined intervals.

[0159] Also, in the present embodiment, for example, as the hardware structure of a processing unit that executes the respective processes of the environment information acquisition unit 11A, the clothing amount information acquisition unit 11B, the subject information acquisition unit 11C, the prediction unit 11D, the reception unit 11E, and the control unit 11F, various processors shown below can be used. As described above, among the various processors, in addition to the CPU, which is a general-purpose processor that executes software (program) and functions as a processing unit, there are a programmable logic device (PLD) such as an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), which is a processor whose circuit configuration can be changed after manufacturing, and a dedicated electric circuit, which is a processor having a circuit configuration designed specifically to execute specific processes such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit).

[0160] The processing unit may be configured by one of these various processors, or may be configured by a combination of two or more processors of the same type or different types (for example, a combination of multiple FPGAs, or a combination of a CPU and an FPGA). Also, the processing unit may be configured by one processor.

[0161] As an example of configuring the processing unit by one processor, first, as represented by computers such as clients and servers, there is a form in which one processor is configured by a combination of one or more CPUs and software, and this processor functions as the processing unit. Second, as represented by a system on chip (SoC) or the like, there is a form in which a processor that realizes the functions of the entire system including the processing unit with one IC (Integrated Circuit) chip is used. Thus, the processing unit is configured using one or more of the various processors as its hardware structure.

[0162] Furthermore, as the hardware structure of these various processors, more specifically, an electrical circuit (circuitry) combined with circuit elements such as semiconductor elements can be used. Thus, the present invention can be implemented in various modes.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0163] 10 Thermal environment control device 11 CPU 11A Environmental information acquisition unit 11B Clothing quantity information acquisition unit 11C Subject information acquisition unit 11D Prediction unit 11E Reception unit 11F Control unit 13 Storage unit 13A Thermal environment control program 13B Personal information database 13C Prediction-related information database 13D Input information database 20 Environment sensor 30 Position information sensor 40 Wearable sensor 50 Clothing quantity sensor

Claims

1. A subject information acquisition unit that acquires the subject's heart rate as subject information multiple times both before and while the subject is using a thermal environment adjustment means; an environmental information acquisition unit that acquires environmental information indicating an environmental state around the subject multiple times both before and while the subject uses the thermal environment adjustment means; a prediction unit that calculates a body deep temperature of the subject using the heart rate and the environmental information each time the heart rate and the environmental information are acquired, and predicts a body deep temperature as physiological quantity information of the subject after a predetermined time has elapsed from the calculated multiple body deep temperatures; a control unit that controls the thermal environment adjusting means based on the body deep temperature predicted by the prediction unit; A thermal environment control device equipped with the above.

2. The subject information includes a metabolic rate of the subject, The physiological information includes a skin temperature of the subject. The thermal environment control device according to claim 1 .

3. A thermal environment control device as described in Claim 2, wherein the subject information acquisition unit acquires the subject information from a mobile terminal carried by the subject.

4. The environmental information is at least one of temperature, humidity, and wind speed; The subject information includes: location information of the subject; The prediction unit linking the environmental information with the location information, and predicting the physiological quantity information using the environmental information of a location close to the subject; The thermal environment control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. a clothing amount information acquisition unit that acquires clothing amount information indicating the amount of clothing worn by the subject; the prediction unit predicts the physiological amount information by using the clothing amount information acquired by the clothing amount information acquisition unit in addition to the subject information and the environmental information. The thermal environment control device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. a receiving unit that receives input of at least one of an air volume and a temperature of the thermal environment adjusting means; a storage unit that stores the input information received by the reception unit, the control unit adjusts the operation of the thermal environment adjusting means based on the physiological amount information as well as the input information stored in the storage unit. The thermal environment control device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The method of claim 7, wherein the heart rate of the subject is acquired multiple times as subject information both before and while the subject is using the thermal environment adjustment means, Before and during the use of the thermal environment control means by the subject, environmental information indicating the environmental state around the subject is acquired multiple times. Each time the heart rate and the environmental information are acquired, the deep body temperature of the subject is calculated using the heart rate and the environmental information, and the deep body temperature as the physiological quantity information of the subject after a lapse of a predetermined time is predicted from the plurality of calculated deep body temperatures. The thermal environment control means is controlled based on the predicted deep body temperature. Thermal environment control method.

8. A computer, A subject information acquisition unit that acquires the heart rate as subject information of the subject multiple times before and during the use of the thermal environment control means by the subject, An environmental information acquisition unit that acquires environmental information indicating the environmental state around the subject multiple times before and during the use of the thermal environment control means by the subject, Each time the heart rate and the environmental information are acquired, the deep body temperature of the subject is calculated using the heart rate and the environmental information, and a prediction unit that predicts the deep body temperature as the physiological quantity information of the subject after a lapse of a predetermined time from the plurality of calculated deep body temperatures, A control unit that controls the thermal environment control means based on the deep body temperature predicted by the prediction unit, A program for causing the computer to function as such.

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