Environmental control system and environmental control method

Abstract

An environment control system (10) comprises: an acquisition unit (92a) that acquires first information indicating a place where each of a plurality of members belonging to the same team is engaged in operation and second information indicating the physical and mental states of the members; and a control unit (92b) that executes, on the basis of the acquired first information and the acquired second information, individual environment control for controlling the environment of the place where each of the members is engaged in operation in order to enhance the operation achievement by the member.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an environmental control system and an environmental control method. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an action recommendation system that can recommend action patterns for revitalizing an organization in a manner that is easy for individuals to understand. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-97459 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-144222 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] With the recent spread of remote work, employee workplaces are becoming more decentralized. When the workplace is decentralized, it becomes more difficult to provide multiple employees with an environment suitable for their work compared to when multiple employees are gathered in one place.

[0005] The present invention provides an environmental control system and an environmental control method that can support the environmental performance of each of a plurality of employees located in different locations. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An environmental control system according to one aspect of the present invention includes an acquisition unit that acquires first information indicating the location where each of multiple members belonging to the same team works and second information indicating the physical and mental state of the multiple members, and a control unit that performs personal environmental control that controls the environment of the location where each of the multiple members works based on the acquired first information and the acquired second information in order to improve the work results of each of the multiple members.

[0007] An environmental control system according to one aspect of the present invention includes an acquisition unit that acquires first information indicating the location where each of multiple members belonging to the same team works, second information indicating the physical and mental state of the multiple members, and third information indicating the status of communication within the team, and a control unit that performs team environmental control that controls the environment where each of the multiple members works in order to improve communication based on the acquired first information, the acquired second information, and the acquired third information.

[0008] An environmental control method according to one aspect of the present invention includes an acquisition step of acquiring first information indicating the location where each of multiple members belonging to the same team works and second information indicating the physical and mental state of the multiple members, and a control step of performing personal environmental control of controlling the environment where each of the multiple members works based on the acquired first information and the acquired second information in order to improve the work results of each of the multiple members.

[0009] An environmental control method according to one aspect of the present invention includes an acquisition step of acquiring first information indicating the location where each of multiple members belonging to the same team works, second information indicating the physical and mental state of the multiple members, and third information indicating the status of communication within the team, and a control step of performing team environmental control of controlling the environment where each of the multiple members works in order to improve communication based on the acquired first information, the acquired second information, and the acquired third information. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] An environmental control system and an environmental control method according to one aspect of the present invention can provide environmental support for the performance of each of the work tasks of a plurality of employees located in different locations. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overview of an environmental control system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the environmental control system according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a first operation example of the environmental control system according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an overview of device control performed at home or the like. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a second operation example of the environmental control system according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a third operation example of the environmental control system according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a fourth operation example of the environmental control system according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen for suggesting to a plurality of members to meet at one place. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a flowchart of information processing using a machine learning model. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiments described below are all comprehensive or specific examples. The numerical values, shapes, materials, components, component placement positions, connection forms, steps, and step sequences shown in the following embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the present invention. Furthermore, among the components in the following embodiments, components not recited in independent claims will be described as optional components.

[0013] It should be noted that the drawings are schematic diagrams and are not necessarily strict illustrations. In addition, in the drawings, substantially the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and duplicated explanations may be omitted or simplified.

[0014] (Embodiment) [overview] An environmental control system according to an embodiment will be described below. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an overview of an environmental control system according to an embodiment.

[0015] The environmental control system 10 is a system for providing an environment suitable for work to a plurality of members who belong to the same team among employees belonging to a certain business entity A (company).

[0016] In recent years, the spread of remote work has reduced the burden of commuting for employees, but employees are increasingly gathering in one place. This makes it difficult for employees to grasp their contribution to the organization (team) they belong to, and also makes it difficult to maintain teamwork.

[0017] Environmental control system 10 was developed in consideration of these circumstances, and is a system that can provide an environment in which multiple employees can feel that they are contributing to the team and in which teamwork can be fostered.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 1, the environmental control system 10 can provide each of the multiple members with an environment suitable for their work, even if the multiple members are located in different locations, by having the server device 90 control the space package 20, which packages a group of sensors (described below) and a group of equipment (described below).

[0019] The space package 20 is provided in, for example, a facility such as an office 21 or a satellite office 22, and in a means of transportation 23. The office 21 and the satellite office 22 are the offices of the above-mentioned business operator A. The space package 20 refers to at least a portion of the space within the facility. The space package 20 includes a meeting area package for holding meetings and discussions, a work area package for carrying out daily tasks, a rest area package for promoting fatigue recovery, and a concentration area package for individual tasks to be performed intensively. The means of transportation 23 is, for example, a commuter train, express train, Shinkansen, long-distance bus, airplane, etc., and is a space package equipped with a table where one can work from a seat, a power source, and air conditioning with adjustable lighting and air volume.

[0020] In the following embodiment, the spatial package 20 (including the group of sensors and devices arranged in the spatial package 20) is described as being provided by a business operator B different from the business operator A. Note that "provided by business operator B" includes those provided by businesses within a mutually cooperative business ecosystem. Business operator B uses the server device 90 to provide employees of business operator B with an environment suitable for their work via the spatial package 20.

[0021] It should be noted that a space package may be installed when a member's home 24 is newly built or renovated, but in Figure 1, there are also cases where the space package 20 is not installed in the member's home 24. In this way, when a member is located in a facility where a space package 20 is not installed, an environment is provided for the member by obtaining information from sensors already installed in the home or controlling devices via the information terminal 60, smart light with communication function, and wiring device (not shown) that the member possesses.

[0022] [composition] Next, a description will be given of the functional configuration of the environmental control system 10. Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the environmental control system 10. Note that Fig. 2 illustrates only one space package 20, but as explained in Fig. 1, the environmental control system 10 may target multiple space packages 20.

[0023] Specifically, the environmental control system 10 includes a sensor group 30, a device group 40, a controller 50, an information terminal 60, a wearable sensor 70, an information providing server group 80, and a server device 90. The controller 50, the information terminal 60, the wearable sensor 70, the information providing server group 80, and the server device 90 can communicate with each other via a wide area communication network 100 such as the Internet.

[0024] The sensor group 30 is composed of multiple sensors arranged in the spatial package 20, and senses the environment within the spatial package 20 or a person located within the spatial package 20. The sensor group 30 includes an air quality sensor 30a, a brightness sensor 30b, an LPS (Local Positioning System) 30c, a biometric sensor 30d, and a camera 30e. Although only one of each sensor is shown in FIG. 1, the sensor group 30 may include two or more of each sensor.

[0025] The air quality sensor 30a is a sensor that senses air quality data within the spatial package 20. Here, air quality includes temperature, humidity, carbon dioxide concentration, particulate concentration, and hypochlorous acid concentration. In other words, the air quality sensor 30a includes a temperature sensor, humidity sensor, carbon dioxide concentration sensor, particulate concentration sensor, hypochlorous acid concentration sensor, air ion counter, differential mobility meter, and electron spin resonance device.

[0026] The brightness sensor 30b senses brightness data (specifically, illuminance, etc.) within the spatial package 20. The brightness sensor 30b is realized by, for example, a photoelectric conversion element such as a photodiode.

[0027] The LPS 30c is a system that measures the current location of a transmitter carried by a member based on the signal reception strength in short-range wireless communication between multiple wireless communication devices distributed within the spatial package 20 and the transmitter carried by the member. The short-range wireless communication is based on communication standards such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) and ZigBee (registered trademark). The LPS 30c can output position data (position information) indicating the current location of the transmitter. In other words, the position information is coordinate information. In the following embodiment, an information terminal 60 (general-purpose terminal) used by a user is used as the transmitter, but the transmitter may also be a dedicated device for the LPS 30c (such as a wireless tag).

[0028] The LPS 30c acquires identification information (unique information) from the information terminal 60, includes the identification information in the location information (coordinate information), and transmits the information to the server device 90. During user registration, which will be described later, the identification information is associated with the user's personal information and stored as user registration information in the storage unit 93 of the server device 90. The server device 90 can identify where each user is located by referring to the identification information and the user registration information.

[0029] The biosensor 30d senses, in a non-contact manner, vital data of employees belonging to the business operator A. The biosensor 30d includes a body temperature sensor, a pulse wave sensor, a respiration sensor, and a body movement sensor.

[0030] In other words, the camera 30e is an image sensor that captures an image (still image or video) inside the spatial package 20 and outputs the video data of the captured image.

[0031] The device group 40 is made up of multiple devices arranged in the spatial package 20 and is controlled by a controller 50. The device group 40 includes lighting devices 40a, ventilation devices 40b, air conditioning devices 40c, sterilization devices 40d, video devices 40e, and audio devices 40f. While only one of each device is shown in FIG. 1, the device group 40 may include two or more of each device. Although not shown, the device group 40 may also include office automation equipment such as a copier, a fax machine, or a multifunction device with both a copier and fax function.

[0032] The lighting device 40a illuminates the interior (indoors) of the spatial package 20. The lighting device 40a is, for example, a base light, but may also be a ceiling light, a down light, a pendant light, a spotlight, or a bracket light. The lighting device 40a may also be a device that illuminates the exterior (outdoors) of the spatial package 20.

[0033] The ventilation equipment 40b is equipment that ventilates the space inside the spatial package 20. The ventilation equipment 40b is, for example, a total heat exchanger (ERV: Energy Recovery Ventilator), but may also be a ventilation equipment that does not involve heat exchange, such as a ventilation fan.

[0034] The air conditioning equipment 40c is an air conditioning equipment that adjusts the temperature of the space inside the spatial package 20. The air conditioning equipment 40c is an air conditioning equipment that can adjust the temperature of the air blown out from the air conditioning equipment 40c by having a heat exchanger (not shown) or the like.

[0035] The sterilization device 40d is a device that sterilizes the air in the space within the spatial package 20. The sterilization device 40d sterilizes the air in the space within the spatial package 20, for example, by releasing a mist of hypochlorous acid water into the space. The strength of sterilization is adjusted, for example, by the amount (concentration) of the mist of hypochlorous acid water released into the space.

[0036] The sterilization device 40d may sterilize the air in the space by collecting the air in the space, sterilizing the collected air with hypochlorous acid water, and discharging the collected air into the space. The sterilization device 40d may also be a device that sterilizes the air in the space by a means other than hypochlorous acid water, such as ozone. Sterilization means reducing the effectiveness of infectious substances such as viruses or bacteria, for example, by reducing the number of infectious substances.

[0037] The sterilization device 40d may also sterilize the air in the space by discharging charged atomized water particles into the space. In this case, the sterilization device 40d generates nanometer-sized charged atomized water particles containing hydroxyl radicals by supplying water to a discharge electrode and electrostatically atomizing the water. The sterilization device 40d may also sterilize the air in the space by discharging positive and negative air ions into the space. In this case, the sterilization device 40d discharges ions into the air by corona discharge or plasma discharge, and the ions combine with components in the air to generate active species.

[0038] The video device 40e presents images to employees inside the spatial package 20. The video device 40e is a display device realized by a display panel such as a liquid crystal panel or an organic EL panel, but may also be a projector that projects images.

[0039] The audio device 40f presents sound to the employees inside the spatial package 20. The audio device 40f is, for example, a speaker device fixedly disposed inside the spatial package 20, but may also be a smart speaker or the like.

[0040] The controller 50 is a local controller that can communicate with the sensor group 30 and the device group 40 via a local communication network. The controller 50 acquires sensing data obtained by sensing by the sensor group 30 and device data indicating the operating status of the device group 40 in real time via the local communication network. The controller 50 also transmits the acquired sensing data and device data to the server device 90 in real time. Here, real time does not mean in the strict sense, but means that the data is transmitted substantially in real time.

[0041] Furthermore, the controller 50 controls (actuates) the device group 40 based on, for example, a control command obtained from the server device 90. One controller 50 is provided in the spatial package 20, but multiple controllers 50 may be provided. Furthermore, if the server device 90 can directly communicate with the sensor group 30 and the device group 40, the controller 50 may be omitted.

[0042] The information terminal 60 is a portable information terminal used by an employee of the business operator A. The information terminal 60 is, for example, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or a notebook personal computer. The information terminal 60 also includes a positioning module compatible with the Global Positioning System (GPS) or the Quasi-Zenith Satellite System, and can transmit current location information indicating the current location of the information terminal 60 to the server device 90.

[0043] Wearable sensor 70 is a biosensor worn by an employee of business operator A to sense the member's vital data. Wearable sensor 70 is worn on the member's head, arm, leg, or the like. Wearable sensor 70 is, for example, a heart rate sensor, a body temperature sensor, an electroencephalogram sensor, a sweat sensor, a respiration sensor, a body movement sensor, a blood pressure sensor, or a blood flow sensor.

[0044] The information providing server group 80 provides information to the server device 90. The information providing server group 80 includes a schedule information providing server 80a, an entrance / exit information management server 80b, a macro information providing server 80c, a benchmark information providing server 80d, and a customer information providing server 80e. Note that the schedule information providing server 80a, the entrance / exit information management server 80b, the macro information providing server 80c, the benchmark information providing server 80d, and the customer information providing server 80e are provided, for example, by different businesses.

[0045] The schedule information providing server 80a manages schedule information of employees belonging to business A (i.e., plan information showing how employees spend their day). The schedule information providing server 80a is, for example, a server corresponding to a schedule management application (e.g., Microsoft 365 (registered trademark)) used by employees via information terminals 60. The schedule information providing server 80a provides the schedule information to the server device 90.

[0046] The entry / exit information management server 80b manages the entry and exit of employees to at least one of the office 21 and the satellite office 22. In other words, it manages whether an employee is located in the office 21 or the satellite office 22. The entry / exit information management server 80b provides the entry / exit information (information indicating employees located in the office 21 or the satellite office 22) to the server device 90.

[0047] The macro information providing server 80c is a server that manages macro information such as weather information, stock price information, exchange information, and patent information. Weather information includes information indicating the current weather, information indicating current weather advisories or warnings, information indicating the weather for the current day or the next day and thereafter (weather forecast information), and pollen information. Stock price information is information indicating stock prices in countries around the world, and exchange information is information indicating currency rates. Patent information is information indicating the contents of patent publications, and is information indicating which companies hold what patents (or intellectual property). The macro information providing server 80c provides macro information to the server device 90.

[0048] The benchmark information providing server 80d is a server that manages information about benchmark companies. The information about benchmark companies includes information about mergers and acquisitions (M&As) of the benchmark companies, information about new products of the benchmark companies, etc. The benchmark information providing server 80d provides the information about benchmark companies to the server device 90.

[0049] The customer information providing server 80e is a server that manages customer information. Here, the customer refers to, for example, a general user, and the customer information includes trend information showing trends in general products and the like, and information on the use of SNS (Social Networking Service) by an unspecified number of users. Specifically, the trend information includes information on top search keywords determined from search history information of an unspecified number of users. The SNS usage information includes, for example, information on keywords that are frequently used on SNS. The customer information providing server 80e provides the customer information to the server device 90.

[0050] The conference information providing server 80f is a server that manages information related to conferences held by employees belonging to business A. The conference information providing server 80f may be realized as part of a conference room reservation system, or may be realized by a server that provides a URL for a web conference. The conference information includes the date and time of the conference, the participants in the conference, the conference topic (purpose), and the content of the participants' speeches during the conference (recorded information). If the conference information providing server 80f is a server that provides a URL for a web conference, the conference information includes the content of operations performed by participants during the conference (content posted to the chat space, number of thumbs up (likes), etc.). The conference information providing server 80f provides the conference information to the server device 90.

[0051] The server device 90 is a cloud server that controls at least a portion of the device group 40 based on at least a portion of the sensing data obtained from the sensor group 30, the information obtained from the information providing server group 80, and the vital data obtained from the wearable sensor 70. The server device 90 serves as a control center that manages one or more spatial packages 20. The server device 90 includes a communication unit 91, an information processing unit 92, and a memory unit 93.

[0052] The communication unit 91 is a communication circuit that enables the server device 90 to communicate with other devices through the wide area communication network 100. The communication performed by the communication unit 91 may be wireless communication or wired communication. There are no particular limitations on the communication standard of the communication performed by the communication unit 91.

[0053] The information processing unit 92 performs information processing for controlling the device group 40. Specifically, the information processing unit 92 is realized by a microcomputer or a processor. The information processing unit 92 has, as functional components, an acquisition unit 92a, a control unit 92b, a proposal unit 92c, and a billing processing unit 92d. The functions of the acquisition unit 92a, the control unit 92b, the proposal unit 92c, and the billing processing unit 92d are realized, for example, by the microcomputer or processor constituting the information processing unit 92 executing a computer program stored in the storage unit 93. The functions of the acquisition unit 92a, the control unit 92b, the proposal unit 92c, and the billing processing unit 92d will be described in detail below.

[0054] The storage unit 93 is a storage device that stores various information necessary for the information processing, the computer programs, etc. The storage unit 93 is realized by, for example, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), but may also be realized by a semiconductor memory.

[0055] [Foundational knowledge for environmental control systems] It is generally said that happy employees are 1.3 times more productive and three times more creative than unhappy employees. The three conditions for working happily are (1) to (3) below.

[0056] (1) Altruistic behavior (2) Have connections with people (3) I feel a sense of accomplishment and purpose in life.

[0057] To encourage employees to behave altruistically as stated in (1) above, it is necessary to provide an environment that fosters teamwork. To make employees feel connected to others as stated in (2) above, it is necessary to provide an environment where they can collaborate with others constantly or instantly. To make employees feel motivated and fulfilled as stated in (3) above, it is necessary to provide an environment where employees can truly feel that they are contributing.

[0058] In addition, the quality of communication within a team is also important for a team of employees to achieve high results. The three elements of communication that lead to results are listed below as (1) to (3).

[0059] (1) The "passion" of communication (2) Involvement in the entire team (3) "Exploration" into the outside world

[0060] The intensity of the passion mentioned in (1) above can be estimated based on the number and nature of interactions between team members. A "yes" response or a nod in a conference room or web meeting, or an expression of intent or consent, is a one-off exchange with low intensity. The most passionate communication is face-to-face conversation in the conference room or meeting area, and the intensity is estimated from the number of reciprocal comments, the duration of the reciprocal comments, sound pressure, and emotional estimation. The next most important type of communication is web meetings (including telephone and video conferences), and the intensity is similarly estimated from the number of reciprocal comments, etc. One-off posts on emails or message boards have the lowest intensity. For each team member, the number of interactions is multiplied by the effectiveness of the communication to calculate the passion, and the team's passion can be calculated by adding up the scores of all team members and dividing by the number of people on the team.

[0061] "Involvement" in the entire team in (2) above represents the distribution of enthusiasm among members. If there are three members, a, b, and c, the enthusiasm of the team can be calculated by averaging the enthusiasm between a and b, the enthusiasm between a and c, and the enthusiasm between b and c. If everyone on the team is communicating equally and enthusiastically with each other, it can be said that the team is overflowing with enthusiasm. Even if some members are communicating enthusiastically, if other members do not seem to be participating, the team's performance will not be very good.

[0062] "Exploration," or heading out into the outside world, as mentioned in (3) above refers to communication with non-team members and the amount of enthusiasm put into interacting with other teams. Highly performing teams have a strong desire to connect with the outside world. For teams engaged in creative work and innovation that requires fresh perspectives, an eagerness to connect with the outside world is extremely important. It is said that successful teams in fields requiring creativity alternate between exploring in search of discovery and engaging with the team to compile ideas gathered from outside.

[0063] Furthermore, it is said that the key to collaboration among team members is not the quantity of communication, but rather the individual's thorough thinking and the quality of communication. Sharing your ideas and explaining why they are good helps you combine and structure each perspective, making cognitive biases visible and making it easier to come up with ideas that go beyond them.

[0064] The team environment control (described below) performed by the environment control system 10 aims to create an environment that fosters teamwork as described above. The individual environment control (described below) performed by the environment control system 10 aims to create an environment in which employees feel that they are contributing and in which individuals can think things through and overcome cognitive biases.

[0065] [Example 1: Personal environment control] Next, an operation example 1 of the operation of the environmental control system 10 will be described. Fig. 3 is a flowchart of the operation example 1 of the environmental control system 10. The operation example 1 is an operation example regarding personal environmental control. The personal environmental control is environmental control for enhancing the creativity of each of multiple members who belong to the same team among multiple employees belonging to business operator A.

[0066] As described above, the server device 90 is a server used by the business operator B, and the spatial package 20 (including the sensor group 30 and the device group 40 arranged in the spatial package 20) is provided by the business operator B. The office 21 and the satellite office 22 are offices of the business operator A.

[0067] It is assumed that multiple employees belonging to business A have registered in advance to use the environmental control system 10 and have consented to the collection of their location information along with their user identification information (i.e., the collection of information on when and where the users were). By registering users in this way, the server device 90 can identify where each user is located within the facility 20 and can communicate with the information terminals 60 possessed by multiple users.

[0068] First, the acquisition unit 92a acquires schedule information from the schedule information providing server 80a (an example of a schedule system) (S11), and the control unit 92b identifies multiple members belonging to the same team based on the acquired schedule information (S12). For example, the control unit 92b can identify employees attending the same meeting based on the schedule information as multiple members belonging to the same team.

[0069] It is not essential that multiple members belonging to the same team be identified based on schedule information. For example, if the user registration information stored in the memory unit 93 includes information indicating the team to which the employee belongs, the control unit 92b can identify multiple members belonging to the same team based on the user registration information. Also, if information indicating the team to which the employee belongs is managed by a personnel management system (not shown), the control unit 92b can identify multiple members belonging to the same team based on information provided by the personnel management system.

[0070] Next, the acquisition unit 92a acquires information indicating the location where each of the multiple members identified in step S12 performs their work (S13). The acquisition unit 92a can acquire current location information obtained from each of the multiple information terminals 60 owned by the multiple members, or location information obtained from the LPS 30c, as the information indicating the location. The acquisition unit 92a may also acquire entry / exit information (information indicating employees located in office 21 or satellite office 22) obtained from entry / exit information management server 80b (an example of an entry / exit management system) as the information indicating the location.

[0071] Next, the control unit 92b identifies the spatial package 20 to be controlled based on the information acquired in step S13 (S14). The control unit 92b determines, for example, based on the acquired current location information, whether each of the multiple members is located in the office 21, satellite office 22, public transportation 23, or another location (such as home 24). For a member determined to be located in the office 21, satellite office 22, or public transportation 23, the control unit 92b further determines which spatial package 20 in the office or public transportation 23 the member is near based on location information obtained from the LPS 30c installed in the office or public transportation 23. As a result, the spatial package 20 in which the member is located is identified as the target of control. Note that if the member is in the office 21 or satellite office 22, the spatial package 20 in which the member is located can also be identified based on entry / exit information. In addition, for members who are determined to be located in a place where a spatial package 20 is not installed, such as a home 24, the equipment is controlled via the information terminal 60 owned by the member rather than the spatial package 20 (device group 40).

[0072] Next, the acquisition unit 92a acquires information indicating the mental and physical states of the multiple members (S15). For example, the acquisition unit 92a acquires, from the information terminals 60 carried by the multiple members, multiple member face images captured by cameras of the information terminals 60 as information indicating the mental and physical states of the multiple members. The acquisition unit 92a may also acquire vital data of the members provided from the biosensor 30d or the wearable sensor 70 as information indicating the mental and physical states of the members. Furthermore, when the members are located at their homes 24, etc., the acquisition unit 92a may acquire information indicating the mental and physical states of the members via smart lights or wiring devices.

[0073] Next, the control unit 92b identifies parameters indicating the physical and mental states of the multiple members based on the information acquired in step S15 (S16). The control unit 92b estimates emotions from the facial expressions of the members based on, for example, facial images of the members. Specifically, the control unit 92b uses a method described in Patent Document 2 (JP 2017-144222 A) to acquire physiological data such as facial color and heart rate associated with changes in blood flow from the facial images, and non-physiological data such as facial expressions identified by the positions of facial feature points, and can estimate the emotions of the members based on this acquired data.

[0074] Furthermore, the control unit 92b may estimate the user's emotions using a machine learning model that can input a facial image and output the member's emotions such as concentration, distraction, wakefulness, drowsiness, fatigue, relaxation, etc. When constructing the machine learning model, a multilayer network may be made to learn feature amounts, or machine learning may be performed that specifies the degree of eye opening, gaze, cheeks, mouth, etc. as the feature amounts.

[0075] In step S16, the control unit 92b specifies the estimated emotion as a parameter. In addition to a parameter indicating a mental state such as an emotion, the control unit 92b may also specify a physical condition such as a heart rate or body temperature from the member's vital data provided by the biosensor 30d or the wearable sensor 70 as a parameter.

[0076] The parameters indicating the physical and mental states of the multiple members may be identified based on response information to a questionnaire via the information terminal 60. In this case, the response information can be used as information indicating the physical and mental states of the multiple members.

[0077] Next, the acquisition unit 92a acquires information indicating the work contents of the multiple members (S17). The acquisition unit 92a can acquire the work contents of the multiple members from, for example, schedule information. The work contents may be, for example, data processing, idea generation, preparation of presentation materials, etc. The work contents may also be breaks (break times).

[0078] The business content can also be estimated by extracting feature words using natural language processing from the registered, transmitted, and posted content in emails and collaboration software such as Microsoft Teams (registered trademark). It is not essential to obtain information indicating the business content of multiple members, or to change the machine learning model (change the purpose of control) according to the business content, as described below.

[0079] Next, the control unit 92b determines the control content for each of the multiple members (S18). The control unit 92b determines the control content using, for example, a machine learning model. For example, a first machine learning model that outputs control parameters for the device group 40 to enhance creativity, a second machine learning model that outputs control parameters for the device group 40 to enhance concentration, and a third machine learning model that outputs control parameters for the device group 40 to promote physical and mental recovery are stored in the storage unit 93 in advance.

[0080] First, the control unit 92b determines whether creativity, concentration, or recovery (hereinafter also referred to as concentration, etc.) is required for the work content currently being performed by each of the multiple members (i.e., the work content acquired in step S17). For example, if the storage unit 93 stores table information that associates the work content with whether concentration, etc. is required for that work content, the control unit 92b can determine, based on such table information, which of concentration, etc. is required for the work currently being performed by each of the multiple members. Note that whether concentration, etc. is appropriate for each work content may be determined using another machine learning model (fourth machine learning model).

[0081] Next, the control unit 92b inputs parameters indicating the physical and mental state of the member identified in step S16 into a machine learning model (one of the first, second, and third machine learning models) determined based on the determination result, thereby determining the control content of the group of devices 40. For example, by inputting parameters indicating the physical and mental state of a member who is performing work that requires concentration into the second machine learning model, the control content of the group of devices 40 for that member is determined. In other words, the control content is a control parameter, such as the brightness of the lighting device 40a, the color temperature of the lighting device 40a, the ventilation volume of the ventilation device 40b, and the set temperature of the air conditioning device 40c.

[0082] The first machine learning model, the second machine learning model, and the third machine learning model are constructed using, for example, parameters indicating physical and mental states previously identified by the environmental control system 10 and learning data generated by assigning evaluation information to control details previously executed, but may also be constructed by a system separate from the environmental control system 10. The evaluation information is, for example, subjective evaluation information by the employee indicating whether or not concentration, etc. has improved, but may also be objective evaluation information based on sensing data indicating whether or not concentration, etc. has improved (such as the number of blinks identified by the camera 30e).

[0083] Next, the control unit 92b controls the devices 40 installed in the space package 20 identified in step S14 in accordance with the control content determined for the member located in the space package (S19). The control unit 92b sets the control content (control parameters) determined in step S18 for each of the lighting devices 40a, ventilation devices 40b, air conditioning devices 40c, and sterilization devices 40d by, for example, sending a control command to the controller 50 via the communication unit 91, and causes them to operate. This creates an environment suitable for improving the member's concentration, etc.

[0084] As described above, for a member who is determined to be located in a place where the spatial package 20 is not installed, such as the home 24, the devices are controlled using the information terminal 60 owned by the member in place of the controller 50, rather than the spatial package 20 (device group 40). Figure 4 is a diagram showing an overview of device control performed at home, etc. In the example of Figure 4, the information terminal 60 is a laptop computer.

[0085] 4, a member located at home 24 places information terminal 60 on a table or the like, and information terminal 60 controls lighting equipment and air conditioning equipment installed at home or the like via wired or wireless communication. Information terminal 60 may also control air purifiers, circulators, fans, wiring devices, electric shutters, electric curtains, etc. (not shown). Communication standards for wireless communication include infrared IrDA, wireless LAN, Bluetooth (registered trademark), ZigBee (registered trademark), etc.

[0086] Next, the acquisition unit 92a acquires evaluation information indicating the evaluation of each of the members on the executed control (S20). The evaluation information may be information based on evaluation values ​​(i.e., results of subjective evaluations) input by the members to the information terminal 60 or the like, or may be information based on sensing data sensed by the biosensor 30d or the wearable sensor 70. Note that the evaluation information may be acquired during control of the device group 40, rather than after control of the device group 40.

[0087] Next, the control unit 92b generates learning data by adding the evaluation information acquired in step S20 to the parameters indicating the physical and mental states of the members identified in step S16 and the control content (control parameters of the device group 40) determined in step S18, and updates the machine learning model used in step S18 using the generated learning data. That is, the control unit 92b updates the method for determining the control content (S21).

[0088] As described above, the environmental control system 10 performs individual environmental control based on information indicating the location where each of multiple members belonging to the same team works, information indicating the physical and mental states of the multiple members (also referred to as second information), and information indicating the work content of the multiple members. Individual environmental control controls the environment where each of multiple members works in order to improve the work performance of each of the multiple members, and refers to control that gives the above-mentioned employees a sense of contribution. This makes it possible to improve the work performance of each employee belonging to business operator A.

[0089] In addition, in the personal environment control, information may be presented to each member using at least one of the video device 40e and the audio device 40f. This represents an "exploration" into the outside world. For example, in the personal environment control, the control unit 92b may present auxiliary information to assist each of the multiple members in the tasks they are working on. The auxiliary information is presented at the request of the member, for example, when the member performs an operation on the information terminal 60 to instruct the presentation of information.

[0090] The auxiliary information includes at least one of weather information, stock price information, exchange information, patent information, information on benchmark companies, and customer information. The weather information, stock price information, exchange information, and patent information are provided by a macro information providing server 80c. The information on benchmark companies is provided by a benchmark information providing server 80d, and the customer information is provided by a customer information providing server 80e.

[0091] [Example 2: Team environment control] Next, an operation example 2 of the operation of the environmental control system 10 will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the operation example 2 of the environmental control system 10. The operation example 2 is an operation example for team environmental control. The team environmental control is environmental control for improving communication among multiple members of the same team among multiple employees belonging to business operator A, and is control that provides an environment that fosters teamwork, increases the "energy" of communication, and encourages "involvement" in the entire team. The team environmental control is executed, for example, when multiple members are performing work that mainly involves communication between members, such as a meeting. Whether multiple members are holding a meeting can be determined based on schedule information, conference information, etc.

[0092] As in operation example 1, the server device 90 is a server used by business operator B, and the space package 20 (including the sensor group 30 and device group 40 arranged in the space package 20) is provided by business operator B. The office 21 and the satellite office 22 are offices of business operator A. As in operation example 1, multiple employees belonging to business operator A have registered in advance to use the environmental control system 10.

[0093] The processes of steps S31 to S36 are the same as the processes of steps S11 to S16. After step S36, the acquisition unit 92a acquires information indicating the communication status of a plurality of members (S37). The information indicating the communication status is, for example, the contents of utterances made by members and the contents posted to the chat space among the conference information provided by the conference information providing server 80f, and the acquisition unit 92a acquires such information from the conference information providing server 80f. The contents of utterances made by members and the contents posted to the chat space are, in other words, information indicating the contents of the conference (meeting).

[0094] Next, the control unit 92b identifies parameters indicating the communication situation based on the acquired information indicating the communication situation (S38). For example, the control unit 92b identifies the number of comments made by each of the multiple members during a predetermined period of time during the conference, the duration of the comments, the number of posts, the number of replies such as "yes," and the like as parameters indicating the communication situation. Note that there may be cases where speaker identification is required to determine who made what comment. For example, if the user registration information stored in the storage unit 93 includes voice features of each employee (member), the speaker can be identified by analyzing the content of the participant's utterances included in the conference information based on the voice features.

[0095] Next, the control unit 92b determines control details for each of the multiple members based on the parameter(s) (S39). The control unit 92b determines the control details using, for example, a machine learning model. The machine learning model is configured to output control details for the device group 40 that are suitable for a certain member when parameters indicating the mental and physical state of the certain member identified in step S36 and parameters indicating the communication situation of the certain member identified in step S38 are input. Specifically, the machine learning model outputs control details for the device group 40 that standardize the communication of each of the multiple members with other members. In other words, the control details are control parameters, such as the brightness of the lighting devices 40a, the color temperature of the lighting devices 40a, the ventilation volume of the ventilation devices 40b, and the set temperature of the air conditioning devices 40c.

[0096] For example, in order to promote team discussion, one possible control for the brightness of lighting device 40a is to darken the surroundings of members who speak too much, exceeding the overall balance, to encourage them to speak less, and conversely, to brighten the surroundings of members who speak too little to encourage them to speak more actively. It is expected that the control content determined by the machine learning model will be similar to this.

[0097] The machine learning model is constructed using, for example, parameters indicating physical and mental states previously identified by the environmental control system 10, parameters indicating communication situations previously identified, and learning data generated by assigning evaluation information to control details previously executed, but it may also be constructed by a system separate from the environmental control system 10. The evaluation information is, for example, subjective evaluation information from employees indicating whether communication has improved (whether communication has become uniform), but it may also be objective evaluation information obtained by analyzing meeting information (the content of participants' utterances after control started).

[0098] Next, the control unit 92b controls the equipment group 40 provided in the space package 20 identified in step S14 in accordance with the control content determined for the member located in the space package (S40). The processing of step S40 is similar to step S19, and therefore a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0099] Next, the acquisition unit 92a acquires evaluation information indicating the evaluation of the executed control (by the members who received the environment provided by the control) (S41). The evaluation information may be subjective evaluation information based on evaluation values ​​input by the members to the information terminal 60 or the like, or may be objective evaluation information obtained by analyzing the conference information (the content of utterances made by the participants after the control started). Note that the acquisition of the evaluation information may be performed during the control of the device group 40, rather than after the control of the device group 40.

[0100] Next, the control unit 92b generates learning data by adding the evaluation information acquired in step S41 to the parameters indicating the physical and mental states of the members identified in step S36, the parameters indicating the communication situations identified in step S38, and the control content (control parameters of the device group 40) determined in step S39, and updates the machine learning model using the generated learning data. That is, the control unit 92b updates the method for determining the control content (S42).

[0101] As described above, the environmental control system 10 performs team environmental control based on information indicating the locations where each of multiple team members works, information indicating the physical and mental states of the multiple team members, and information indicating the state of communication within the team. Team environmental control means controlling the environment where each of multiple team members works in order to improve communication. This can improve communication within a team made up of employees belonging to business operator A.

[0102] In the second operational example, the team environment control is described as a control that aims to standardize communication, but it may be a control that aims to improve other aspects of communication. For example, the team environment control may be a control that simply aims to activate communication, in which case the machine learning model may be constructed to activate communication.

[0103] Furthermore, if a brainstorming session (hereafter referred to as "brainstorming") for new ideas is scheduled, individual environmental control can be implemented to encourage the aforementioned "exploration" and concentration to enhance creativity in the lead-up to the brainstorming session, and team environmental control can be implemented on the day of the brainstorming session to increase "energy" and encourage "involvement" of the entire team. Team environmental control is not limited to brainstorming sessions in conference rooms or meeting areas, but can also be done remotely via the interactive board of Proposed Action 1 described below.

[0104] [Example 3: Billing process] Furthermore, the environmental control system 10 may charge the team members or the business entity A for performing at least one of the individual environmental control and the team environmental control (i.e., for providing the environment to the team members). Figure 6 is a flowchart of an operation example 3 (billing process) of such an environmental control system 10.

[0105] First, the accounting processing unit 92d acquires the member's evaluation information (S51). For example, when the member inputs an evaluation value to the information terminal 60, the accounting processing unit 92d acquires the input evaluation value as the member's evaluation information using the communication unit 91.

[0106] The charging processing unit 92d charges the member based on the acquired member evaluation information (S52). Specifically, the charging processing unit 92d stores in the storage unit 93 charging information that associates the member's identification information with the amount charged to the member. The charging processing unit 92d charges a predetermined service fee, and may, for example, provide a discount to a member who provides detailed responses about poor evaluations, or charge a premium amount to a member when the acquired evaluation information indicates a high (good) evaluation. Optional charging based on evaluation of control performance, so-called tipping, may also be performed.

[0107] The evaluation information may be based on vital data sensed by the sensor group 30. For example, the evaluation information for the individual environmental control may be based on sensing data (such as the number of blinks determined by the camera 30e) indicating whether or not concentration has improved. The evaluation information may also be based on information provided by the information providing server group 80. For example, the evaluation information for the team environmental control may be obtained by analyzing meeting information (the content of participants' speech after the control started).

[0108] Furthermore, after the above-described operations are performed daily, at a predetermined time, such as the end of a fiscal year, the billing processing unit 92d uses the communication unit 91 to acquire the evaluation value entered by the representative of operator A into an information terminal (not shown) as evaluation information for operator A (S53).

[0109] The charging processing unit 92d charges business operator A based on the acquired evaluation information of business operator A (S54). Specifically, the charging processing unit 92d stores, in the storage unit 93, charging information that associates identification information of business operator A with the amount charged to business operator A. The charging processing unit 92d charges a predetermined service fee, and, for example, if the work performance of employees belonging to business operator A improves as a result of the control of the space package 20, it infers that the evaluation of business operator A is high (good) and charges business operator A a premium amount. The improvement in work performance may take into account at least one of the following: improvement in members' creativity, improvement in members' concentration, recovery of members' vital or mental health, and improvement in communication between members.

[0110] In this way, the environmental control system 10 may charge the member and business A for providing the environment. It is not necessary to charge both the member and business A, but it is sufficient to charge at least one of the member and business A. Furthermore, the premium amount may be higher the higher the rating, and the charge may be a flat rate based on a contract (for example, a certain amount per year) rather than a variable rate based on rating information.

[0111] Furthermore, the environmental control system 10 may charge the member or business A for controlling the group of devices 40 arranged in the space package 20, regardless of the evaluation of the member or business A. In this case, the charge for controlling the group of devices 40 may be a flat-rate system based on a contract, or may be charged each time the group of devices 40 is actuated. For example, the charge may be based on at least one of the number of times the group of devices 40 is controlled and the control time.

[0112] [Example 4: Proposed action 1] Furthermore, the environmental control system 10 may suggest that multiple members of the same team gather in one place as necessary. Fig. 7 is a flowchart of an operation example 4 (proposed operation 1) of the environmental control system 10.

[0113] In Operation Example 4, suggestions are made based on the frequency of use of an interactive board. An interactive board is a virtual bulletin board that is displayed on a web conference screen, for example, and on which multiple members can freely post comments. The interactive board may also be realized as a real device such as the projector in FIG. 4 (which may be a smart light with communication and projector functions), Surface Hub (registered trademark), or an electronic whiteboard.

[0114] First, the acquiring unit 92a acquires information indicating the frequency of use of the interactive board (S61). The acquiring unit 92a acquires the information indicating the frequency of use of the interactive board, for example, from the conference information providing server 80f. If the interactive board is realized as an actual device, the acquiring unit 92a may acquire the information indicating the frequency of use of the interactive board from the interactive board itself. The frequency of use of the interactive board is, for example, information indicating the cumulative number (total number) of times multiple members have written.

[0115] Next, the suggestion unit 92c determines whether the frequency of use of the interactive board has exceeded a predetermined value based on the information acquired in step S61 (S62). When the frequency of use of the interactive board is expressed as the number of posts by multiple members as described above, the suggestion unit 92c determines, for example, whether the cumulative number of posts by multiple members has exceeded a predetermined number.

[0116] If it is determined that the frequency of use of the interactive board is equal to or less than the predetermined value (No in S62), the operation ends. On the other hand, if it is determined that the frequency of use of the interactive board exceeds the predetermined value (Yes in S62), the suggestion unit 92c suggests that the multiple members get together in one place (S63). Specifically, the suggestion unit 92c sends a display command to the information terminal 60 of the member, causing the information terminal 60 to display a display screen such as that shown in FIG. 8. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen for suggesting that the multiple members get together in one place. In the example of FIG. 8, the information terminal 60 is a smartphone.

[0117] The projector (smart light) in Figure 4 can also project images or avatars of team members in real time, creating a simulated environment where they are working together in the same space, encouraging casual conversation and serendipity.

[0118] Such an environmental control system 10 can provide an environment in which multiple members can constantly or instantly collaborate with other members. In other words, the environmental control system 10 can make multiple members feel connected to other members (people).

[0119] [Example 5: Proposed action 2] Furthermore, the environmental control system 10 may, as necessary, propose introducing new equipment to be used for at least one of personal environmental control and team environmental control (i.e., adding new equipment to the equipment group 40) into the space package 20. Specifically, the proposal unit 92c sends a display command to an information terminal (not shown) of the manager of the space package 20 of business operator B, causing the information terminal to display a display screen. The proposal unit 92c can propose introducing new equipment into the space package 20 through such a display screen.

[0120] The new device may be, for example, a new model or a high-performance model of the same type of device as the device already installed in the space package 20 (for example, a new model or a high-performance model of the lighting device 40a). The new device may also be a device not installed in the space package 20, such as a fragrance-emitting device (aroma diffuser).

[0121] The proposal to introduce new equipment may be made periodically, or may be made when the evaluation (evaluation value indicated by the evaluation information) of the individual environmental control or the team environmental control drops.

[0122] The suggestion unit 92c may send a display command to the member's information terminal 60 to cause the information terminal 60 to display a display screen, and may suggest introducing a new device into the home 24 or the like through the display screen.

[0123] [Information processing using machine learning models] Next, a more detailed description will be given of the information processing using the machine learning model described in Operational Example 1 and Operational Example 2. Fig. 9 is a flowchart of the information processing using the machine learning model.

[0124] The control unit 92b acquires (specifies) at least one of a parameter indicating the physical and mental state of the member and a parameter indicating the communication situation of the member as input information (S71). As described above, the control unit 92b determines the control content for the member in accordance with the control content determination rule (S72).

[0125] The control content determination rule is expressed, for example, by an action value function that determines the value of the control content, and using the action value function, the control content that is estimated to have the highest reward based on the input information is determined to be the control content for that input information.

[0126] After step S72, the control unit 92b executes control (actuation, action) of the devices 40 arranged in the spatial package 20 based on the determined control content (S73), and the control unit 92b acquires evaluation information indicating the member's evaluation of the executed control (S74). The evaluation information here has substantially the same meaning as the evaluation information described in the billing process above. As described above, the evaluation information may be information based on an evaluation value input to the information terminal 60 or the like, may be based on sensing data sensed by the sensor group 30 or the wearable sensor 70, or may be based on information provided by the information providing server group 80. Note that the evaluation information may be acquired during control of the devices 40, rather than after control of the devices 40.

[0127] Next, the control unit 92b calculates a reward based on the evaluation information acquired in step S74 (S75). The control unit 92b also updates the control content determination rule using the calculated reward (S76). The control unit 92b learns a control content adapted to the member (i.e., a control content that will obtain the most reward) by, for example, reinforcement learning based on the calculated reward. That is, in operation examples 1 and 2, when evaluation information (reward) is obtained, the machine learning model is updated during operation by using, as learning data, data in which the evaluation information is added to the information and data that were the basis for controlling the device group 40.

[0128] In updating the action value function, the control content decision rule may be updated using Q-learning or TD learning or the like.

[0129] [Variations] In the above-described personal environment control, the control content is determined by inputting parameters indicating the mental and physical state of the member into the machine learning model, but environmental information (environmental parameters) of the space package 20 to be controlled may be input into the machine learning model in addition to the parameters indicating the mental and physical state. Specifically, the environmental information is air quality data, brightness data, etc. sensed by the sensor group 30 provided in the space package 20. This allows the control unit 92b to determine the control content of the personal environment control taking the environmental information into consideration.

[0130] Similarly, in the above-described individual environmental control, the control content is determined by inputting parameters indicating the mental and physical states of the members and parameters indicating the communication situation into the machine learning model, but in addition to these parameters, environmental information about the spatial package 20 to be controlled may also be input into the machine learning model. This allows the control unit 92b to determine the control content of the team environmental control by taking the environmental information into consideration.

[0131] [Effects, etc.] As described above, the environmental control system 10 includes an acquisition unit 92a that acquires first information indicating the location where each of multiple members belonging to the same team works and second information indicating the physical and mental states of the multiple members, and a control unit 92b that performs personal environmental control that controls the environment of the location where each of the multiple members works, based on the acquired first information and the acquired second information, in order to improve the performance of each of the multiple members' work.

[0132] Such an environmental control system 10 can provide environmental support for the execution of each of the work tasks of a plurality of employees, even if the employees are located in different locations.

[0133] Furthermore, for example, the acquisition unit 92a further acquires third information indicating the work contents of the multiple members. The control unit 92b performs personal environment control based on the acquired first information, the acquired second information, and the acquired third information.

[0134] Such an environmental control system 10 can support the performance of each of the tasks of a plurality of employees by providing an environment according to the content of the task.

[0135] Furthermore, for example, the control unit 92b presents supplementary information to assist each of the members in their work in personal environment control. The supplementary information includes at least one of weather information, stock price information, currency exchange information, patent information, information on benchmark companies, and customer information.

[0136] Such an environmental control system 10 can support the performance of each of the tasks of a plurality of employees by presenting auxiliary information.

[0137] The environmental control system 10 also includes an acquisition unit 92a that acquires first information indicating the location where each of multiple members belonging to the same team works, second information indicating the physical and mental state of the multiple members, and third information indicating the status of communication within the team, and a control unit 92b that performs team environmental control that controls the environment where each of the multiple members works in order to improve communication based on the acquired first information, acquired second information, and acquired third information.

[0138] Such an environmental control system 10 can support the environmental performance of each of the multiple employees, even if they are located in different locations. Specifically, the environmental control system 10 can provide each of the multiple employees with an environment that improves communication among them.

[0139] Furthermore, for example, information indicating the status of communication is information indicating the content of meetings held by the team.

[0140] Such an environmental control system 10 can perform team environmental control based on information indicating the content of a meeting held by the team.

[0141] Furthermore, for example, in team environment control, the environment where each of the multiple members works is controlled so that communication between each of the multiple members and other members is standardized.

[0142] Such an environmental control system 10 can provide each of the multiple employees with an environment in which communication among the multiple employees is standardized.

[0143] The system further includes a suggestion unit that suggests to the multiple members to gather in one place when, for example, multiple members are working in different locations and the frequency of use of the interactive board by the multiple members exceeds a predetermined value.

[0144] Such an environmental control system 10 can provide an environment in which multiple members can collaborate with other members at all times or instantly.

[0145] Furthermore, for example, the multiple members are part of multiple employees, and the control unit 92b identifies the multiple members belonging to the team based on information obtained from a schedule system or a personnel management system.

[0146] Such an environmental control system 10 can identify multiple members of a team based on information obtained from a scheduling or personnel management system.

[0147] Furthermore, for example, the acquisition unit 92a acquires the first information from any one of a GPS, an entrance / exit management system, and an LPS.

[0148] Such an environment control system 10 can acquire the first information from any one of a GPS, an entrance / exit control system, and an LPS.

[0149] Furthermore, for example, the acquisition unit 92a acquires the second information from the information terminals 60, smart lights, or wiring devices possessed by the multiple members.

[0150] Such an environmental control system 10 can acquire second information from the information terminals 60, smart lights, or wiring devices possessed by multiple members.

[0151] Also, for example, the system further includes a billing processing unit 92d that charges for the environmental control performed by the control unit 92b.

[0152] Such an environmental control system 10 can charge the member or the business A to which the member belongs.

[0153] Furthermore, for example, the environmental control performed by the control unit 92b is realized by controlling equipment installed in the facility (space package 20). The environmental control system 10 further includes a proposal unit 92c that proposes the introduction of new equipment to be used in the environmental control performed by the control unit 92b into the facility (space package 20).

[0154] Such an environmental control system 10 can propose the introduction of new equipment to the member or to the business A to which the member belongs.

[0155] In addition, the environmental control method executed by a computer such as the environmental control system 10 includes an acquisition step of acquiring first information indicating the location where each of multiple members belonging to the same team works and second information indicating the physical and mental states of the multiple members, and a control step of performing personal environmental control of controlling the environment of the location where each of the multiple members works, based on the acquired first information and the acquired second information, in order to improve the work results of each of the multiple members.

[0156] Such an environmental control method can support the environmental performance of each of a plurality of employees, even if the employees are located in different locations.

[0157] In addition, an environmental control method executed by a computer such as the environmental control system 10 includes an acquisition step of acquiring first information indicating the location where each of multiple members belonging to the same team works, second information indicating the physical and mental states of the multiple members, and third information indicating the status of communication within the team, and a control step of performing team environmental control of controlling the environment of the location where each of the multiple members works in order to improve communication, based on the acquired first information, the acquired second information, and the acquired third information.

[0158] This environmental control method can support the environmental performance of each of the multiple employees even if they are located in different places. Specifically, the environmental control method can provide each of the multiple employees with an environment that improves communication among them.

[0159] (Other embodiments) Although the embodiments have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments.

[0160] For example, in the above embodiment, the spatial package is intended to be installed in facilities such as office buildings, but it may also be installed in other facilities such as commercial facilities, homes, accommodation facilities, halls, studios, hospitals, schools, factories, or warehouses.

[0161] In the above embodiment, the environmental control system is realized by cloud computing, but may be realized by fog computing. Also, the environmental control system may be realized on-premise.

[0162] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the environmental control system is realized by multiple devices, but it may also be realized as a single device. For example, the environmental control system may be realized as a single device corresponding to a server device. When the environmental control system is realized by multiple devices, the components (especially functional components) of the environmental control system may be distributed in any manner among the multiple devices. For example, some or all of the functional components of the server device may be provided by the controller.

[0163] Furthermore, the information and data transmission paths in the above-described embodiments are merely examples and are not particularly limited. In the above-described embodiments, when two devices transmit and receive information and data via communication, a relay device (not shown) may be interposed between the two devices.

[0164] In the above-described embodiment, the processing performed by a specific processing unit may be performed by another processing unit. The order of multiple processing operations may be changed, or multiple processing operations may be performed in parallel.

[0165] In the above-described embodiments, each component may be realized by executing a software program suitable for that component, or by a program execution unit such as a CPU or processor reading and executing a software program recorded on a recording medium such as a hard disk or semiconductor memory.

[0166] Furthermore, each component may be realized by hardware. For example, each component may be a circuit (or integrated circuit). These circuits may form a single circuit as a whole, or each may be a separate circuit. Furthermore, each of these circuits may be a general-purpose circuit or a dedicated circuit.

[0167] Furthermore, the general or specific aspects of the present invention may be realized as a system, an apparatus, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, or a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, etc. Furthermore, the general or specific aspects of the present invention may be realized as any combination of a system, an apparatus, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, and a recording medium.

[0168] For example, the present invention may be realized as an environmental control method executed by a computer such as an environmental control system, or as a program for causing a computer to execute such an environmental control method. The present invention may also be realized as a computer-readable non-transitory recording medium on which such a program is recorded.

[0169] In addition, the present invention also includes forms obtained by applying various modifications to each embodiment that a person skilled in the art would think of, or forms realized by arbitrarily combining the components and functions of each embodiment within the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0170] 10 Environmental Control System 60 Information terminal 92a Acquisition part 92b Control section 92c Proposal Department 92d Billing Processing Unit

Claims

1. an acquisition unit that acquires first information indicating the location where each of a plurality of members belonging to the same team works, second information indicating the mental and physical states of the plurality of members, and third information indicating the work content of the plurality of members; a storage unit that stores table information indicating a correspondence relationship between the job content and the capabilities required for the job content, and a plurality of machine learning models; a control unit; The control unit performs the following for each of the plurality of members: Identifying, as a target device, a device that is installed at a location indicated by the acquired first information of the target person and that controls the environment of the location; Identifying the subject's abilities required for the subject's work content based on the acquired third information and the table information of the subject; inputting the acquired second information of the subject into a machine learning model corresponding to the identified ability from among the plurality of machine learning models, thereby acquiring a control parameter of the subject device for improving the ability from the machine learning model; Operate the target device according to the acquired control parameters. Environmental control system.

2. The acquisition unit acquires at least one of weather information, stock price information, exchange information, patent information, information on benchmark companies, and customer information from a server that manages the at least one of the information; The control unit transmits the acquired at least one piece of information to an information terminal carried by each of the plurality of members, thereby presenting the at least one piece of information. The environmental control system of claim 1 .

3. an acquisition unit that acquires first information indicating the location where each of a plurality of members belonging to the same team works, second information indicating the mental and physical states of the plurality of members, and third information indicating at least one of the number of times each of the plurality of members speaks and the duration of their speech in meetings held by the team; a control unit; The control unit performs the following for each of the plurality of members: Identifying, as a target device, a device that is installed at a location indicated by the acquired first information of the target person and that controls the environment of the location; inputting the acquired second information of the target person and the acquired third information into a machine learning model, thereby acquiring, from the machine learning model, control parameters of the target device for improving communication among the plurality of members; Operate the target device according to the acquired control parameters. Environmental control system.

4. The control parameter is a control parameter for uniforming communication between each of the plurality of members and other members other than the member in question. The environmental control system of claim 3 .

5. The system further includes a suggestion unit that, when the plurality of members are working in different locations and the frequency of use of the interactive board by the plurality of members exceeds a predetermined value, suggests that the plurality of members gather in one location. The environmental control system according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. the plurality of members is a portion of a plurality of employees; The control unit identifies employees attending the same meeting as the plurality of members belonging to the team based on schedule information of the plurality of employees obtained from a schedule system, or identifies the plurality of members belonging to the team based on information indicating the teams to which the plurality of employees belong obtained from a personnel management system. The environmental control system according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The acquisition unit acquires, as the first information, current location information of the information terminals carried by the plurality of members, measured by positioning modules of the information terminals, and indicating a location where each of the plurality of members is working. The environmental control system according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The acquisition unit acquires, as the second information, facial images of the plurality of members taken by cameras of the information terminals carried by the plurality of members, the facial images indicating the mental and physical states of the plurality of members. The environmental control system according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. a billing processing unit that performs billing processing on the plurality of members for the environmental control performed by the control unit, In the charging process, the charging processing unit stores in a storage unit charging information in which identification information of each of the plurality of members is associated with the amount charged to that member. The environmental control system according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. the control of the environment performed by the control unit is realized by controlling equipment installed in the facility; The environmental control system further includes a proposal unit that, when there is new equipment corresponding to a new model of the equipment and that is used in the environmental control performed by the control unit, transmits to the information terminal of the manager a display command for proposing to the facility manager, via a display screen, that the new equipment be introduced into the facility, the display command causing the information terminal of the manager to display the display screen. The environmental control system according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. An environmental control method performed by an environmental control system, comprising: The environmental control system can access a storage unit that stores table information indicating a correspondence between job content and capabilities required for the job content, and a plurality of machine learning models; The environmental control method includes: an acquiring step of acquiring first information indicating the location where each of a plurality of members belonging to the same team works, second information indicating the mental and physical states of the plurality of members, and third information indicating the work content of the plurality of members; and a control step, In the control step, each of the plurality of members is a target, Identifying, as a target device, a device that is installed at a location indicated by the acquired first information of the target person and that controls the environment of the location; Identifying the subject's abilities required for the subject's work content based on the acquired third information and the table information of the subject; inputting the acquired second information of the subject into a machine learning model corresponding to the identified ability from among the plurality of machine learning models, thereby acquiring a control parameter of the subject device for improving the ability from the machine learning model; Operate the target device according to the acquired control parameters. Environmental control methods.

12. An environmental control method performed by an environmental control system, comprising: an acquisition step of acquiring first information indicating the location where each of a plurality of members belonging to the same team works, second information indicating the mental and physical states of the plurality of members, and third information indicating at least one of the number of times each of the plurality of members speaks and the duration of their speech in meetings held by the team; and a control step, In the control step, each of the plurality of members is a target, Identifying, as a target device, a device that is installed at a location indicated by the acquired first information of the target person and that controls the environment of the location; inputting the acquired second information of the target person and the acquired third information into a machine learning model, thereby acquiring, from the machine learning model, control parameters of the target device for improving communication among the plurality of members; Operate the target device according to the acquired control parameters. Environmental control methods.

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