Control request system, facility system, and reservation system

Abstract

To allow an environment in a predetermined area of a facility during a use period of time to be set to a desired environment when a reservation for use of the predetermined area of the facility is made.SOLUTION: A control request system (association server 41) includes a communication unit 412, a communication unit 411, and a processing unit 414. The communication unit 412 communicates with a control system 42 that controls equipment 43 that affects an environment in a predetermined area of a facility based on control request information T6. The communication unit 411 communicates with a reservation system 3 that manages a reservation for use of a predetermined use period of time assigned to the predetermined area. When the communication unit 411 receives related information T2 related to the reservation for use from the reservation system 3, the processing unit 414 causes the communication unit 412 to output the control request information T6 to the control system 42 based on the received related information T2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a control request system, an equipment system, and Reservation System Mu More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a control request system, an equipment system, and a control method for controlling the environment of a predetermined area reserved for use according to a use period specified in the use reservation. and Reservation System Mu Regarding. [Background technology]

[0002] The information processing system described in Patent Document 1 includes an acquisition means for acquiring environmental information, which is environmental information about a place (a specified area of ​​a facility) that a user is trying to reserve (reserve), and is environmental information about the date and time that the reservation is being made, and an output means for outputting the environmental information acquired by the acquisition means. With this configuration, the user can grasp environmental information about the place that the user is trying to reserve, at the date and time that the reservation is being made. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-204902 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the above information processing system, when reserving a specific area of ​​a facility, it is not possible to set the environment of the specific area to a desired environment during the period of use.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and provides a control request system, an equipment system, and a control request system that can set the environment of a specified area of ​​a facility to a desired environment during the period of use of the specified area of ​​the facility when reserving the use of the specified area of ​​the facility. and Reservation System M The purpose is to provide. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A control request system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a first communication unit, a second communication unit, and a first processing unit. The first communication unit communicates with a control system that controls equipment that affects the environment of a predetermined area of ​​a facility based on control request information. The second communication unit communicates with a reservation system that manages usage reservations for a predetermined usage period assigned to the predetermined area. When the second communication unit receives related information related to the usage reservation from the reservation system, the first processing unit causes the first communication unit to output the control request information based on the received related information to the control system. When the second communication unit receives change information that changes the environment related to the usage reservation during the specified usage period, the first processing unit outputs the control request information based on the change information from the first communication unit to the control system.

[0007] An equipment system according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes the control request system and the control system.

[0008] A reservation system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a third communication unit, a fourth communication unit, a management unit, and a second processing unit. The third communication unit communicates with a control request system that controls a control system that controls equipment that affects the environment of a predetermined area of ​​a facility based on control request information derived from related information. The fourth communication unit communicates with a terminal system. When the fourth communication unit receives a use reservation for a predetermined use period assigned to the predetermined area from the terminal system, the management unit manages the received use reservation. The second processing unit causes the third communication unit to output the related information related to the use reservation managed by the management unit to the control request system. When the fourth communication unit receives change content that changes the environment related to the usage reservation during the specified usage period, the second processing unit outputs change information based on the change content to the control request system.

[0009] A reservation system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a third communication unit, a fourth communication unit, a management unit, and a second processing unit. The third communication unit communicates with an equipment system that controls equipment that affects the environment of a predetermined area of ​​a facility based on related information. The fourth communication unit communicates with a terminal system. When the fourth communication unit receives a usage reservation for a predetermined usage period assigned to the predetermined area from the terminal system, the management unit manages the received usage reservation. The second processing unit causes the third communication unit to output the related information related to the usage reservation managed by the management unit to the equipment system. When the fourth communication unit receives change content that changes the environment related to the usage reservation during the specified usage period, the second processing unit outputs change information based on the change content to the equipment system. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the present disclosure, when reserving use of a specific area of ​​a facility, it is possible to set the environment of the specific area to a desired environment during the period of use of the specific area. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an environmental control system including a control request system, a facility system, and a reservation system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram illustrating the operation of the environmental control system for setting up the environment when a reservation is made for use. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram illustrating the operation of a modified example of the environmental control system. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram illustrating the operation of the environmental control system, which allows only the user who has reserved the use to change the environmental settings during the use period. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram illustrating the operation of automatically setting environmental information for a reservation in accordance with the contents of the reservation in the environmental control system. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram illustrating the operation of the environmental control system of the above-mentioned embodiment, in which the environmental information for the current reservation is automatically initialized in accordance with changes in the environmental settings during the period of use of the previous reservation. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram illustrating the operation of the reservation system to acquire equipment operation information regarding the operation of the equipment during the period of use in the environmental control system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] The following describes an environmental control system 1 including a control request system (cooperation server 41) and a reservation system 3 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The following embodiments are merely examples of various embodiments of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the following embodiments can be modified in various ways depending on the design, etc., as long as the object of the present disclosure can be achieved.

[0015] (1) Implementation form (1-1) Overview and configuration of environmental control system 1 An environmental control system 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIG.

[0016] The environmental control system 1 is a system that can set the environment of a specific area to a desired environment during the period of use specified in the reservation for use of the specific area when the user reserves the use of the specific area among multiple areas of a facility registered in the environmental control system 1. As a result, when the user uses the reserved specific area, the environment of the specific area is automatically adjusted to the desired environment, eliminating the need for the user to manually adjust the environment of the specific area.

[0017] Here, a "facility" refers to a building such as an office building or accommodation facility, and has multiple areas as described above. An "area" refers to, for example, a conference room, a room, a coworking space, or a satellite office. An "area" includes not only an area surrounded by walls or partitions, but also an area without surroundings. An "environment" refers to at least one of the air environment and the lighting environment. The "environment" refers to, for example, the brightness of the lighting in the area, and the temperature and humidity of the air conditioning in the area. Note that, if the area is a shower room, the "environment" may also refer to the temperature of the shower water.

[0018] The environmental control system 1 includes a terminal system 2, a reservation system 3, and a facility system 4.

[0019] In this embodiment, the terminal system 2 and the reservation system 3 are connected to each other so that they can communicate with each other via wireless communication, but they may also be connected to each other so that they can communicate with each other via wired communication.In this embodiment, the reservation system 3 and the equipment system 4 are connected to each other so that they can communicate with each other via wired communication, but they may also be connected to each other so that they can communicate with each other via wireless communication.

[0020] The terminal system 2 is a system for accepting input of a user's reservation for use, and is capable of communicating with the reservation system 3. The terminal system 2 is, for example, a mobile terminal (for example, a smartphone) carried by the user.

[0021] In this embodiment, a use reservation is input to the terminal system 2 by inputting reservation information T1. The reservation information T1 includes environmental information and usage information. That is, a use reservation includes environmental information and usage information. The environmental information is information related to the environment, such as the brightness of the lighting in the facility area, the temperature and humidity of the air, and, if the area is a shower room, the temperature of the shower water. The usage information is, for example, information about the location of the area to be reserved for use (e.g., room number), the usage period to be reserved for use (i.e., the date and time of use), the purpose of the area to be reserved for use, and information about the user (e.g., the user's name, number of users, etc.). The use reservation (reservation information T1) input to the terminal system 2 is sent to the reservation system 3.

[0022] The reservation system 3 is a system that allocates a usage reservation (reservation information T1) received from the terminal system 2 to one of multiple areas of a facility registered in the reservation system 3, and manages the usage reservations allocated to each of the multiple areas. More specifically, when the reservation information T1 for a usage reservation is input via the terminal system 2, the reservation system 3 identifies an area that matches the reservation information T1 from among the multiple areas of the facility, and manages the identified area as the area reserved for usage by the user. Note that when the reservation information T1 for a usage reservation is input via the terminal system 2, the reservation system 3 may search among the multiple areas of the facility for multiple candidate areas that match the reservation information T1, and manage the candidate area specified by the user from among the searched candidate areas as the area reserved for usage by the user.

[0023] The reservation system 3 generates related information T2 related to the usage reservation based on the usage reservation (reservation information T1) that it manages, and transmits the generated related information T2 to the equipment system 4. In this way, information on the usage reservation that it manages is transmitted to the equipment system 4. The related information T2 is information that includes at least a portion of the information (i.e., all or a portion of the information) of the usage reservation (reservation information T1), and may also include information on the user's usage reservation history.

[0024] The equipment system 4 is a system that individually controls the environment of each of multiple areas of a facility registered in the reservation system 3 by controlling equipment located in each of the multiple areas. Equipment is a device that affects the environment of an area of ​​the facility, such as lighting equipment, air conditioning equipment, or hot water equipment. In this embodiment, the equipment system 4 is linked to the reservation system 3 and can receive related information T2 from the reservation system 3.

[0025] When the equipment system 4 receives the related information T2 from the reservation system 3, it controls the equipment that affects the environment of the area in the facility specified in the related information T2 (i.e., the area reserved for use) based on the received related information T2. ​​That is, the equipment system 4 controls the environment of the area in the facility specified in the related information T2 so that it becomes the environment specified in the related information T2 (i.e., the environment specified in the use reservation) only during the usage period specified in the related information T2 (i.e., the usage period specified in the use reservation). As a result, when the user uses the reserved area, the equipment system 4 automatically adjusts the environment of the area to the desired environment (i.e., the environment specified in the use reservation), eliminating the need for the user to manually adjust the environment of the area to be used.

[0026] In this environmental control system 1, when a use reservation (reservation information T1) is entered into the reservation system 3, not only use information but also environmental information is entered. Then, by linking the reservation system 3 with the equipment system 4, the equipment system 4 controls the environment in the reserved area during the use period specified in the use reservation so that it becomes the environment specified in the environmental information of the use reservation (i.e., the desired environment). In other words, in this environmental control system 1, the environment in the reserved area during the use period specified in the use reservation can be set to the desired environment using the use reservation managed by the reservation system 3. As a result, when the user uses the reserved area, the environment of the area to be used is automatically adjusted to the desired environment, eliminating the need for the user to manually adjust the environment of the area to be used.

[0027] (1-2) Configuration of Terminal System 2 As shown in FIG. 1, the terminal system 2 includes a communication unit 21, a display unit 22, an operation unit 23, and a control unit 24.

[0028] The communication unit 21 communicates (for example, wirelessly) with a communication unit 32 (described later) of the reservation system 3. The wireless communication is, for example, Wi-Fi (registered trademark) or LTE (registered trademark).

[0029] The display unit 22 is a dot matrix display device capable of displaying various types of information, and is, for example, a liquid crystal panel or an organic EL panel. The display unit 22 is capable of displaying a reservation screen and an environment designation screen.

[0030] The reservation screen is a screen for accepting reservations for use of multiple areas of the facility from users. The reservation screen displays, for example, a usage information icon for inputting usage information and an environmental information icon for inputting environmental information. When the environmental information icon is selected, the display unit 22 displays an environmental designation screen, and when the usage information icon is selected, the display unit 22 displays a usage designation screen. The environmental designation screen is a screen for accepting input (designation) of environmental information constituting the reservation information T1. By inputting environmental information into a predetermined input field on the environmental designation screen, the environmental information is input to the terminal system 2. The usage designation screen is a screen for accepting input (designation) of usage information constituting the reservation information T1. By inputting usage information into a predetermined input field on the usage designation screen, the usage information is input to the terminal system 2. Note that in this embodiment, the reservation screen, the environmental designation screen, and the usage designation screen are separate screens, but these three screens may be combined into one screen. For example, the reservation screen may serve as both the environmental designation screen and the usage designation screen.

[0031] The operation unit 23 is an operation device for operating the terminal system 2. The operation unit 23 can be used to select an icon displayed on the reservation screen and to input various information to various screens (reservation screen, environment designation screen, and usage designation screen). The operation unit 23 may be a push-button type operation unit 23, or may be a touch panel (also called a touch sensor) provided on the display unit 22.

[0032] The control unit 24 controls the communication unit 21, the display unit 22, and the operation unit 23. The control unit 24 switches the screen displayed on the display unit 22 in response to an input operation on the operation unit 23. The control unit 24 also transmits information (reservation information T1, environmental information, and usage information) input on various screens (reservation screen, environment designation screen, and usage designation screen) from the communication unit 21 to a communication unit 32 (described later) of the reservation system 3.

[0033] In this embodiment, when using the reservation system 3 from the terminal system 2 (for example, when a user makes a reservation for use), the user inputs the user's identification information into the terminal system 2 to log in to the reservation system 3. More specifically, in the reservation system 3, the user's identification information is registered in a database 35 described below. When the user's identification information is input into the terminal system 2, the identification information is transmitted to the reservation system 3, and the reservation system 3 compares the received identification information with the identification information registered in the reservation system 3. If the received identification information is registered in the reservation system 3, the user will be able to log in to the reservation system 3 from the terminal system 2. On the other hand, if the received identification information is not registered in the reservation system 3, the user will not be able to log in to the reservation system 3 from the terminal system 2.

[0034] In this embodiment, the control unit 24 of the terminal system 2 is mainly composed of a computer having, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and memory, and the functions of the control unit 24 of the terminal system 2 are realized by executing a program stored in the memory by the CPU. The program may be pre-recorded in the computer's memory, may be provided by being recorded on a recording medium such as a memory card, or may be provided via a telecommunications line such as the Internet.

[0035] (1-3) Configuration of reservation system 3 1, the reservation system 3 includes a server 31. The server 31 includes a communication unit 32 (fourth communication unit), a communication unit 33 (third communication unit), a management unit 34, a database 35, a processing unit 36 ​​(second processing unit), a login detection unit 37, an automatic environment setting unit 38 (fourth processing unit), and a default setting unit 39 (third processing unit).

[0036] The communication unit 32 communicates with the communication unit 21 of the terminal system 2 (for example, wireless communication).

[0037] The communication unit 33 communicates (for example, wired communication) with a communication unit 411 (described later) of the equipment system 4. The communication unit 33 communicates based on a communication method in accordance with a format (a format defined by an API cooperation unit 413 (described later)) commonly defined among the cooperation servers 41 (equipment systems 4).

[0038] The management unit 34 manages the use reservation (reservation information T1) received by the communication unit 32 from the terminal system 2. More specifically, when the communication unit 32 receives the use reservation (reservation information T1) from the terminal system 2, the management unit 34 assigns the received use reservation to one of multiple areas of the facility registered in the reservation system 3. The management unit 34 then registers and manages the use reservations assigned to each of the multiple areas in the database 35. More specifically, when the communication unit 32 receives reservation information T1 for the use reservation from the terminal system 2, the management unit 34 identifies an area that matches the reservation information T1 from among the multiple areas of the facility, and manages the identified area as the area reserved for use by the user.

[0039] When a user operates equipment 43 during the usage period of a reserved area to change the environmental settings of the area, the management unit 34 registers and manages information regarding the changed settings (hereinafter referred to as "changed setting information T4") in the database 35 in association with the usage reservation of the user. That is, as will be described later, when a user operates equipment 43 during the usage period of the reserved area to change the environmental settings of the area, the equipment system 4 transmits the changed setting information T4 to the reservation system 3. Then, when the management unit 34 receives the changed setting information T4 from the equipment system 4 via the communication unit 33, the management unit 34 registers and manages the received changed setting information T4 in the database 35 in association with the usage reservation of the user, as described above.

[0040] The "changed setting information T4" is information that specifies the changed setting (hereinafter referred to as "changed setting") when the user operates the equipment 43 during the usage period of the reserved area to change the environmental setting of the area. As will be described later, the control unit 422 controls the equipment 43 based on the changed setting, thereby controlling the environment of the area to an environment (optimal environment) corresponding to the changed setting. Therefore, the "changed setting information T4" is also control history information regarding the control history of the equipment 43.

[0041] When the communication unit 33 receives the facility operation information T5 from the facility system 4, the management unit 34 associates the received facility operation information T5 with the related usage reservation, registers the information in the database 35, and manages it. The above-mentioned "facility operation information T5" is information about the operation of the facility 43 during the usage period that affects the environment of the area reserved for usage, such as the amount of energy used (e.g., the amount of power consumed) or the amount of carbon dioxide emitted during the usage period of the facility 43.

[0042] In response to a request from the terminal system 2, the management unit 34 transmits the equipment operation information T5 registered in the database 35 to the terminal system 2 from the communication unit 32. When the communication unit 21 of the terminal system 2 receives the equipment operation information T5 from the reservation system 3, the terminal system 2 displays the received equipment operation information T5 on the display unit 22. This allows the user to check information (for example, energy consumption or carbon dioxide emission amount) related to the operation of the equipment 43 during the usage period using the terminal system 2.

[0043] In the database 35, a use reservation (reservation information T1) is registered in association with information specifying the reserved area. In this embodiment, the use reservation includes location information specifying the location (i.e., area) for which the use reservation is made. The management unit 34 assigns the use reservation to the location (i.e., area) specified by the location information. That is, the use reservation is associated with information specifying the reserved area by the location information it includes. Furthermore, in the database 35, the use reservation is registered in association with the above-mentioned changed setting information T4. Furthermore, in the database 35, the use reservation is registered in association with the above-mentioned equipment operation information T5.

[0044] The processing unit 36 ​​generates related information T2 related to the use reservation managed by the management unit 34 (i.e., the use reservation input from the terminal system 2), and causes the communication unit 33 to transmit the generated related information T2 to the equipment system 4. As a result, the equipment system 4 controls equipment 43 that affects the environment of the area in the facility specified in the related information T2 (i.e., the area reserved for use) based on the received related information T2. ​​In other words, the equipment system 4 controls the equipment 43 so that the environment of the area in the facility specified in the related information T2 becomes the environment specified in the related information T2 (i.e., the environment specified in the use reservation) during the use period specified in the related information T2 (i.e., the use period specified in the use reservation).

[0045] The login detection unit 37 detects whether a user who has made a reservation is logged in to the reservation system 3. In this embodiment, the user logs in to the reservation system 3 via the terminal system 2. When the user logs in to the reservation system 3, the login detection unit 37 transmits login information T3a from the communication unit 33 to the facility system 4, and when the user logs out of the reservation system 3, the login detection unit 37 transmits logout information T3b from the communication unit 33 to the facility system 4. The login information T3a is information indicating that the user is logged in to the reservation system 3, and includes information about the user and information about the area reserved for use. The logout information T3b is information indicating that the user has logged out of the reservation system 3, and includes information about the user and information about the area reserved for use. Hereinafter, the login information T3a and the logout information T3b may be collectively referred to as login / out information T3.

[0046] By the above transmission, the equipment system 4 determines whether the user is currently logged in to the reservation system 3 based on the login / out information T3 received from the reservation system 3. The equipment system 4 then permits changes to the settings of the equipment 43 that affect the environment of the reserved area only while the user is logged in. As a result, if a user who has made a reservation wants to change the settings of the equipment 43 to change the environment of the area during the usage period, they can do so by logging in to the reservation system 3. This makes it possible for only the user in question to change the settings of the equipment 43.

[0047] Note that a person related to a user who has made a reservation for use may be registered in advance as a user related person in the facility system 4. Then, when the facility system 4 receives login information T3a indicating that a person related to the user has logged in to the reservation system 3, the facility system 4 may permit the related person to change the settings of the facility 43 that affect the area specified in the reservation made by the user only while the related person is logged in. This allows not only the user but also the related person of the user to change the settings of the facility 43 by logging in to the reservation system 3.

[0048] When the communication unit 32 receives a usage reservation (reservation information T1) from the terminal system 2, if environmental information is not set in the received usage reservation, the automatic environment setting unit 38 automatically sets environmental information from the usage information included in the received usage reservation. That is, as described below, the automatic environment setting unit 38 sets environmental information to be included in the related information T2 based on the usage information included in the usage reservation. For example, the automatic environment setting unit 38 sets environmental information (optimal environmental information) based on the number of users and purpose (purpose of the reserved area) set as the usage information. Note that the automatic environment setting unit 38 has a correspondence table between the number of users and room temperature and a correspondence table between purpose and lighting brightness set therein. Based on these correspondence tables, the automatic environment setting unit 38 sets the room temperature and lighting brightness based on the number of users and purpose obtained from the usage information. Then, when the processing unit 36 ​​generates the related information T2, the automatic environment setting unit 38 controls the processing unit 36 ​​so that the environment specified in the related information T2 becomes the environment (optimal environment) specified in the above-mentioned optimal environmental information. As a result, if environmental information is not set in the usage reservation, it is possible to automatically set environmental information from the usage information included in the usage reservation.

[0049] The default setting unit 39 automatically sets the environmental settings (changed settings (control history information)) specified by the user when the user changed the environmental settings specified in the previous usage reservation during the usage period specified in the previous usage reservation as the environmental information to be entered when making the current usage reservation. That is, when the communication unit 33 receives the control history information of the equipment 43, the default setting unit 39 sets the environmental information to be included in the usage reservation made after the previous usage reservation based on the received control history information. More specifically, when the user makes a usage reservation from the terminal system 2, the default setting unit 39 automatically enters the environmental settings (changed settings) changed during the usage period specified in the previous usage reservation as initial values ​​(default values) in the input fields of the environment specification screen displayed on the display unit 22 of the terminal system 2. More specifically, when the login detection unit 37 detects that the user has logged in to the reservation system 3 from the terminal system 2, the default setting unit 39 searches the database 35 for the changed setting information T4 of the user. The default setting unit 39 then transmits the retrieved changed setting information T4 to the terminal system 2 of the user, and when the user makes the current reservation from the terminal system 2, the changed setting specified in the retrieved changed setting information T4 is automatically set (input) as the initial value in the input field of the environment specification screen of the terminal system 2.

[0050] If the user does not like the automatically set post-change settings as the initial values, the user can input settings different from the automatically set post-change settings in the input field of the environment specification screen. If a setting different from the post-change settings is input, the input setting will be set as the environment information instead of the post-change settings.

[0051] In addition, a person related to the user who made the use reservation may be registered in advance in the reservation system 3 as a person related to the user. If the changed setting information T4 associated with the previous use reservation of the user who made the current use reservation is not registered, the changed setting information T4 associated with the previous use reservation of the registered person related to the user is searched for. The changed setting specified in the searched changed setting information T4 may be used as the changed setting specified in the changed setting information T4 associated with the previous use reservation of the user. As a result, if the changed setting information T4 associated with the previous use reservation of the user who made the current use reservation is not registered, the changed setting specified in the changed setting information T4 associated with the previous use reservation of the person related to the user is automatically set as the initial value in the input field of the environment specification screen of the terminal system 2.

[0052] In this embodiment, each unit of the reservation system 3 (management unit 34, processing unit 36, login detection unit 37, automatic environment setting unit 38, default setting unit 39) is mainly composed of a computer having, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and memory, and the functions of each of the above units of the reservation system 3 are realized by executing a program stored in the memory by the CPU. The program may be recorded in the computer's memory in advance, or may be provided by being recorded on a recording medium such as a memory card, or may be provided via a telecommunications line such as the Internet.

[0053] (1-4) Configuration of Equipment System 4 1, the equipment system 4 includes a cooperation server 41 (control request system) and a control system 42. In this embodiment, a plurality of pieces of equipment 43 are not included in the configuration of the equipment system 4, but may be included in the configuration of the equipment system 4.

[0054] The cooperation server 41 generates various request information (e.g., control request information T6 and permission / denial request information T7) for controlling the control system 42 based on various information (e.g., related information T2 and login / out information T3) received from the reservation system 3. Then, the cooperation server 41 outputs the generated various request information to the control system 42.

[0055] The control system 42 controls a plurality of pieces of equipment 43 based on various information received from the cooperation server 41 (for example, control request information T6 or permission / denial request information T7).

[0056] The multiple facilities 43 are facilities that affect the environments (e.g., illuminance, temperature, humidity, and hot and cold water temperature) of multiple areas (e.g., rooms) of the facility registered in the reservation system 3, and include, for example, lighting facilities, air conditioning facilities, and hot and cold water facilities (e.g., shower rooms). The multiple facilities 43 are installed inside or outside each of the multiple areas.

[0057] (1-4-1) Configuration of the collaboration server 41 As shown in Figure 1, the collaboration server 41 (control request system) includes a communication unit 411 (second communication unit), a communication unit 412 (first communication unit), an API collaboration unit 413, a processing unit 414 (first processing unit), a permission / denial generation unit 415, an operation information generation unit 416, and a change notification unit 417.

[0058] The communication unit 411 communicates with the communication unit 33 of the reservation system 3 (for example, wired communication).

[0059] The communication unit 412 communicates (wired communication or wireless communication) with a communication unit 421 of the control system 42, which will be described later.

[0060] The API linking unit 413 is a linking unit for using the services provided by the server 31 of the reservation system 3 by utilizing the API (Application Programming Interface) provided by the reservation system 3. Information (related information T2, login / out information T3, changed setting information T4, and equipment operation information T5 described below) that the linking server 41 sends and receives between it and the server 31 of the reservation system 3 via the communication unit 411 and the communication unit 33 is sent and received via the API linking unit 413.

[0061] The processing unit 414 generates control request information T6 for controlling the control system 42 based on the related information T2 received by the communication unit 411 from the reservation system 3, and transmits the generated control request information T6 from the communication unit 412 to the control system 42. The control request information T6 includes, for example, area information specifying the area to be reserved for use, environmental information specifying the environment of the area, and usage period information specifying the usage period reserved for use.

[0062] The permission / rejection generation unit 415 generates permission / rejection request information T7 based on the user's login / out information T3 received by the communication unit 411 from the reservation system 3, and transmits the generated permission / rejection request information T7 from the communication unit 412 to the control system 42.

[0063] The permission / rejection request information T7 is permission request information T7a or rejection request information T7b. The permission request information T7a is information that requests the control system 42 to permit an operation on the equipment 43 that affects the environment of the reserved area by the user specified in the login / out information T3 (i.e., an operation that changes the settings of the equipment 43). The rejection request information T7b is information that requests the control system 42 to reject an operation on the equipment 43 that affects the environment of the reserved area by the user specified in the login / out information T3.

[0064] More specifically, the permission / rejection generation unit 415 determines, based on the received login / out information T3, whether the user who made the usage reservation is currently logged in to the reservation system 3. If the user is currently logged in, the permission / rejection generation unit 415 creates permission request information T7a and transmits the created permission request information T7a from the communication unit 412 to the control system 42. If the user is currently logged out, the permission / rejection generation unit 415 creates refusal request information T7b and transmits the created refusal request information T7b from the communication unit 412 to the control system 42.

[0065] The operation information generation unit 416 generates information (equipment operation information T5) regarding the operation of the equipment 43 that affects the environment of the reserved area during the usage period. The equipment operation information T5 is, for example, the amount of energy consumption or carbon dioxide emission of the equipment 43 during the usage period. That is, the operation information generation unit 416 measures the energy consumption or carbon dioxide emission of each of the multiple pieces of equipment 43. The operation information generation unit 416 then calculates the amount of energy consumption or carbon dioxide emission of the equipment 43 that affects the environment of the reserved area during the usage period. The operation information generation unit 416 then transmits the calculation result as equipment operation information T5 from the communication unit 411 to the reservation system 3. The equipment operation information T5 transmitted to the reservation system 3 is registered in the database 35 of the reservation system 3, as described above.

[0066] When the communication unit 412 receives change detection information T8 (described later) from the control system 42, the change notification unit 417 generates post-change setting information T4 and transmits the generated post-change setting information T4 from the communication unit 412 to the reservation system 3.

[0067] As will be described later, the change detection information T8 is information that is transmitted from the control system 42 to the cooperation server 41 when the setting of the environment of the reserved area (the environment specified in the reservation) is changed by an operation on the equipment 43 that affects the environment. The change detection information T8 includes, for example, equipment information that specifies the operated equipment 43, operation content information that specifies the operation content (for example, information on which setting the environment setting was changed from to which setting), and operation time information that specifies the time of the operation.

[0068] The changed setting information T4 is generated based on the change detection information T8. The changed setting information T4 includes, for example, equipment information specifying the operated equipment 43, operation content information specifying the operation content (for example, information on which environmental setting was changed from which setting to which setting), and operation time information specifying the operation time.

[0069] In this embodiment, each unit of the cooperation server 41 (API cooperation unit 413, processing unit 414, permission / denial generation unit 415, operation information generation unit 416, and change notification unit 417) is mainly composed of, for example, a computer having a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and memory, and the functions of each of the above units of the cooperation server 41 are realized by executing a program stored in the memory by the CPU. The program may be recorded in the computer's memory in advance, or may be provided by being recorded on a recording medium such as a memory card, or may be provided via a telecommunications line such as the Internet.

[0070] (1-4-2) Configuration of control system 42 As shown in FIG. 1, the control system 42 includes a communication unit 421 and a plurality of control units 422.

[0071] The communication unit 421 communicates with the communication unit 412 of the cooperation server 41 (wired communication or wireless communication).

[0072] The plurality of control units 422 control the plurality of facilities 43. The plurality of control units 422 include, for example, a lighting control unit that controls lighting facilities, an air conditioning control unit that controls air conditioning facilities, and a cold / hot water control unit that controls cold / hot water facilities.

[0073] Each control unit 422 corresponds to one or more of the plurality of pieces of equipment 43 and controls the corresponding pieces of equipment 43. Each control unit 422 controls a different piece of equipment 43. Each control unit 422 has information on which area of ​​the facility the corresponding piece of equipment 43 affects the environment of (in other words, in which area the piece of equipment 43 is installed).

[0074] Each piece of equipment 43 corresponds to an individual operation terminal 44 (e.g., a remote control) and can be operated by the corresponding operation terminal 44. The operation terminal 44 can change the settings of the corresponding piece of equipment 43. By changing these settings, it is possible to change the environment (area environment) that the piece of equipment 43 affects. In this embodiment, the operation terminal 44 is connected wirelessly or by wire to a control unit 422 that controls the corresponding piece of equipment 43, and controls the corresponding piece of equipment 43 via the control unit 422.

[0075] Each control unit 422 controls the corresponding equipment 43 based on the control request information T6 received by the communication unit 412 from the cooperation server 41. More specifically, if the corresponding equipment 43 includes equipment 43 (hereinafter referred to as target equipment) that affects the environment of the same area as the area specified in the control request information T6, each control unit 422 controls the target equipment based on the control request information T6. That is, each control unit 422 controls the target equipment 43 so that the area specified in the control request information T6 has the environment specified in the control request information T6 during the usage period specified in the control request information T6.

[0076] Each control unit 422 controls the corresponding equipment 43 based on the permission / rejection request information T7 that the communication unit 412 receives from the cooperation server 41. More specifically, if the corresponding equipment 43 includes equipment 43 (hereinafter referred to as target equipment) that affects the environment of the same area as the area specified in the permission / rejection request information T7, each control unit 422 controls the target equipment 43 based on the permission / rejection request information T7.

[0077] That is, when permission request information T7a is received, each control unit 422 controls the target equipment 43 to permit an input operation (e.g., a remote control operation) to the target equipment 43. On the other hand, when refusal request information T7b is received, each control unit 422 controls the target equipment 43 to refuse an input operation to the target equipment 43. This makes it possible to make the target equipment 43 operable only when permission request information T7a is received, and inoperable when refusal request information T7b is received.

[0078] Each control unit 422 detects whether the setting of the corresponding equipment 43 has been changed from the setting corresponding to the environment specified in the usage reservation to another setting by operating the operation terminal 44. Then, when the setting of the corresponding equipment 43 has been changed, each control unit 422 transmits the above-mentioned change detection information T8 indicating that the change has been detected from the communication unit 412 to the cooperation server 41.

[0079] In this embodiment, each unit of the control system 42 (the communication unit 421 and the multiple control units 422) is mainly composed of, for example, a computer having a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and memory, and the CPU executes a program stored in the memory to realize the functions of each of the above units of the control system 42. The program may be pre-recorded in the computer's memory, may be provided by being recorded on a recording medium such as a memory card, or may be provided via an electric communication line such as the Internet.

[0080] (1-5) Operation explanation of environmental control system 1 (1-5-1) Explanation of the environment settings when making a reservation In the environmental control system 1, the environment (e.g., room temperature 28°C) of the area reserved for use (e.g., a room) can be set at the time of reservation. As a result, the environment of the reserved area is automatically controlled to the environment (e.g., room temperature 28°C) set at the time of reservation for the usage period (e.g., from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM) specified in the reservation. Details of the operation in this case will be described below with reference to FIG. 2.

[0081] A user makes a reservation for use by inputting reservation information T1 into the terminal system 2 (step S1). At this time, the reservation information T1 includes, for example, information such as user: Mr. A, usage period: 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM, and the like, and also includes information such as room temperature of 28°C as environmental information. The input reservation information T1 is transmitted from the terminal system 2 to the reservation system 3.

[0082] The reservation system 3 generates related information T2 related to the received reservation information T1 (step S2), and transmits the generated related information T2 from the reservation system 3 to the cooperation server 41. At this time, the related information T2 includes information such as the usage period: 13:00 to 14:00, room temperature 28°C, etc.

[0083] In accordance with the usage period (1:00 PM to 2:00 PM) of the received related information T2, the cooperation server 41 generates control request information T6 (control request information for controlling the room temperature to 28°C) based on the related information T2 when the time reaches 1:00 PM (step S3). The cooperation server 41 then transmits the generated control request information T6 to the control system 42. Based on the received control request information T6, the control system 42 controls the equipment 43 that affects the room temperature of the reserved area so that the room temperature of the area is set to 28°C (step S4). As a result, when the usage period (1:00 PM to 2:00 PM) begins, the room temperature of the area is automatically controlled to 28°C.

[0084] Then, in accordance with the usage period (13:00 to 14:00) of the received related information T2, the cooperation server 41 generates control request information (control request information for stopping the equipment 43) T6 based on the related information T2 when the time reaches 14:00 (step S5), and transmits the generated control request information T6 to the control system 42. The control system 42 stops the equipment 43 based on the received control request information T6. As a result, when the usage period ends, the equipment 43 is automatically stopped (step S6). Then, the processing ends.

[0085] In the above explanation, when a user makes a reservation using the terminal system 2, the user actually logs in to the reservation system 3, and then logs out once the reservation is complete. However, the login and logout operations are not essential to the above "Explanation of the operation related to the environment settings when making a reservation," and so have been omitted.

[0086] (1-5-2) Variations of the above operations The operation explanation in (1-5-1) above illustrates an example in which, before the reserved usage period begins, information on the start and end of the usage period is sent from the reservation system 3 to the control system 42 using related information T2, and the control system 42 (more specifically, the control unit 422) determines the start and end of the usage period and controls the equipment 43.

[0087] In this modified example, the reservation system 3 (for example, the processing unit 36) determines the start and end of the usage period (1:00 PM to 2:00 PM), and when the usage period begins, related information T for controlling the room temperature to 28°C as specified in the usage reservation is sent from the reservation system 3 to the control system 42, and when the usage period ends, related information T2 for notifying that the usage period has ended (or for stopping the equipment 43) is sent from the reservation system 3 to the control system 42. Details of the operation in this case will be described below with reference to FIG. 3.

[0088] A user makes a reservation by inputting reservation information T1 into the terminal system 2 (step S1). The reservation information T1 at this time includes, as usage information, information such as user: Mr. A, usage period: 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM, area to be reserved: Room 202, and the like, and also includes, as environmental information, information such as room temperature of 28°C. The input reservation information T1 is transmitted from the terminal system 2 to the reservation system 3.

[0089] In the reservation system 3, when the time reaches 1:00 PM, in accordance with the usage period (1:00 PM to 2:00 PM) of the received reservation information T1, related information T2 (related information for controlling the room temperature to 28°C) related to the reservation information T1 is generated (step S2-1). Then, the reservation system 3 transmits the generated related information T2 from the reservation system 3 to the cooperation server 41.

[0090] The cooperation server 41 generates control request information T6 (control request information for controlling the room temperature to 28°C) based on the received related information T2 (step S3), and transmits the generated control request information T6 to the control system 42. Based on the received control request information T6, the control system 42 controls the equipment 43 that affects the room temperature of the reserved area so that the room temperature of the area is set to 28°C (step S4). As a result, when the usage period begins, the room temperature of the area is automatically controlled to 28°C.

[0091] Then, in the reservation system 3, when the time reaches 2:00 PM, in accordance with the usage period (1:00 PM to 2:00 PM) of the received reservation information T1, related information T2 (related information about stopping the equipment 43) related to the reservation information T1 is generated (step S2-2). Then, the reservation system 3 transmits the generated related information T2 from the reservation system 3 to the cooperation server 41.

[0092] The cooperation server 41 generates control request information T6 (control request information for stopping the equipment 43) based on the received related information T2 (step S5), and transmits the generated control request information T6 to the control system 42. The control system 42 stops the equipment 43 based on the received control request information T6 (step S6). As a result, when the usage period ends, the equipment 43 is automatically stopped. Then, the processing ends.

[0093] (1-5-3) Operation explanation that allows only the user who reserved the use to change the environment settings during the use period In the environmental control system 1, only the user who has made a reservation for use can change the environmental settings (i.e., operate the equipment 43) during the period of use of the reserved area. Details of the operation in this case will be described below with reference to FIG.

[0094] In step S10, in response to the user's reservation for use, the control system 42 controls the environment (e.g., room temperature) during the usage period (13:00 to 14:00) of the reserved area to the environment specified (set) in the reservation (e.g., room temperature of 28°C). More specifically, based on the control request information T6 received from the cooperation server 41, the control system 42 controls the equipment 43 so that the environment during the usage period (13:00 to 14:00) of the reserved area becomes the environment specified (set) in the reservation (room temperature of 28°C).

[0095] When a user who has made a reservation for use wishes to change the environmental setting of the area (room temperature 28°C) during the use period (1:00 PM to 2:00 PM), the user first logs in to the reservation system 3 by inputting a login operation into the terminal system 2 (step S11). As a result, the reservation system 3 detects that the user has logged in to the reservation system 3, generates login information T3a (step S12), and transmits the generated login information T3a to the cooperation server 41. The cooperation server 41 generates permission request information T7a based on the received login information T3a (step S13), and transmits the generated permission request information T7a to the control system 42.

[0096] Next, in this logged-in state, the user operates the operation terminal (hereinafter referred to as the remote control) 44 of the equipment 43 to change the current environmental setting of the area (e.g., room temperature 28°C) to a desired setting (e.g., room temperature 30°C) (step S14). This operation is input to the control system 42. As a result, the control system 42 inputs an operation for the equipment 43 in a state where it has received the permission request information T7a. In this way, when the control system 42 inputs an operation for the equipment 43 using the remote control 44 in a state where it has received the permission request information T7a, it permits the input operation. Then, the control system 42 controls the equipment 43 so that the environmental setting of the area (e.g., room temperature 28°C) becomes the changed setting (e.g., room temperature 30°C).

[0097] Then, after changing the environmental settings of the area as described above, the user inputs a logout operation into the terminal system 2 to log out of the reservation system 3 (step S16). As a result, the reservation system 3 detects that the user has logged out of the reservation system 3, generates logout information T3b (step S17), and transmits the generated logout information T3b to the cooperation server 41. The cooperation server 41 generates rejection request information T7b based on the received logout information T3b (step S18), and transmits the generated rejection request information T7b to the control system 42.

[0098] In this logged-out state, a person other than the user (another person) attempts to change the environmental settings of the area by operating the remote control 44 of the equipment 43 (step S19). The operation is input to the control system 42, but since the control system 42 has received the rejection request information T7b, the operation is rejected and the equipment 43 is not controlled based on the operation. Therefore, the environmental settings of the area are not changed.

[0099] In this way, a user can change the environmental settings for the area they have reserved for use during the period of use by operating the remote control 44 of the equipment 43 only while they are logged in to the reservation system 3. Therefore, people other than the user cannot change the environmental settings for the area during the period of use.

[0100] (1-5-4) How to automatically set the reservation environment information according to the reservation details In the environmental control system 1, if environmental information is not set in the use reservation, the environmental information is automatically set from the use information included in the use reservation. Details of the operation in this case will be described below with reference to FIG.

[0101] A user makes a reservation for use by inputting reservation information T1 into the terminal system 2 (step S30). At this time, the reservation information T1 includes, for example, the following information as usage information: user: Mr. A and 10 others, usage period: 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM, purpose: meeting, etc., but does not include environmental information. In this example, the reservation information T1 does not include environmental information, i.e., settings of the environment (for example, room temperature and lighting brightness). The input reservation information T1 is transmitted from the terminal system 2 to the reservation system 3.

[0102] The reservation system 3 generates related information T2 related to the received reservation information T1 (step S31). The generated related information T2 is sent from the reservation system 3 to the cooperation server 41. More specifically, in step S31, if the reservation information T1 does not include environmental information (i.e., environmental settings), as in this example, the reservation system 3 automatically sets the environmental information (environmental settings) from the usage information included in the reservation information T1. More specifically, the reservation system 3 sets the room temperature to 25°C based on the information on the number of users obtained from the usage information (Mr. A and 10 others, i.e., 11 people), and sets the lighting brightness to a reddish brightness to stimulate discussion based on the information on the purpose (meeting) obtained from the usage information. In other words, if the reservation information T1 does not include environmental information, the reservation system 3 automatically sets the environmental information to the optimal environment according to the usage information.

[0103] In accordance with the usage period (1:00 PM to 2:00 PM) of the received related information T2, the cooperation server 41 generates control request information T6 (control request information for controlling the room temperature to 25° C. and the lighting brightness to a reddish brightness) based on the related information T2 when the time reaches 1:00 PM (step S32). The cooperation server 41 then transmits the generated control request information T6 to the control system 42. Based on the received control request information T6, the control system 42 controls the equipment 43 that affects the room temperature of the reserved area so that the room temperature of the area is 25° C. and the lighting brightness is a reddish brightness (step S33). As a result, when the usage period (1:00 PM to 2:00 PM) begins, the room temperature of the area is automatically controlled to 28° C. and the lighting brightness is a reddish brightness.

[0104] Then, in accordance with the usage period (13:00 to 14:00) of the received related information T2, the cooperation server 41 generates control request information (control request information for stopping the equipment 43) T6 based on the related information T2 when the time reaches 14:00 (step S34). Then, the cooperation server 41 transmits the generated control request information T6 to the control system 42. The control system 42 stops the equipment 43 based on the received control request information T6. As a result, when the usage period ends, the equipment 43 is automatically stopped (step S35). Then, the processing ends.

[0105] (1-5-5) Explanation of the operation to automatically initialize the environment information for this reservation according to the changes made to the environment during the usage period of the previous reservation In the environmental control system 1, if a user changes the settings of the equipment 43 to change the environmental settings of the reserved area during the usage period of the previous usage reservation, the changed settings (changed settings) are stored. Then, when the user makes the current usage reservation from the terminal system 2, the stored changed settings are automatically initialized in the environmental information input field on the environment specification screen of the terminal system 2. The operation in this case will be described in detail below with reference to FIG. 6.

[0106] In response to the user's reservation, the control system 42 controls the environment (e.g., room temperature) of the reserved area during the usage period (13:00 to 14:00) to the environment specified (set) in the reservation (e.g., room temperature 28°C) (step S40).

[0107] Then, the user who made the reservation logs in to the reservation system 3 by inputting a login operation from the terminal system 2 in order to change the environmental setting of the area (room temperature 28°C) to a new setting (room temperature 30°C) during the above-mentioned usage period (1:00 PM to 2:00 PM) (step S41). Then, while in this logged-in state, the user operates the operation terminal (hereinafter referred to as the remote control) 44 of the equipment 43 that affects the environment of the area to change the environmental setting of the area from the current setting (e.g., room temperature 20°C) to a desired setting (e.g., room temperature 30°C (new setting)) (step S42). Then, after that operation, the user inputs a login operation into the terminal system 2 to log out of the reservation system 3 (step S43).

[0108] In response to the operation on the equipment 43 in step S42, the control system 42 controls the equipment 43 so that the environment of the area is set to the changed setting (step S44). As a result, the environment of the area is controlled to the changed setting (room temperature 30°C). Furthermore, as described above, when the environment setting is changed by the operation on the equipment 43, the control system 42 detects the change and generates change detection information T8 (step S45), and transmits the generated change detection information T8 to the cooperation server 41.

[0109] The collaboration server 41 generates changed setting information T4 based on the received change detection information T8 (step S46), sends the generated changed setting information T4 to the reservation system 3, and registers it in the database 35 of the reservation system 3 in association with the usage reservation (step S47).

[0110] Then, when the usage period ends, the cooperation server 41 generates control request information T6 to shut down the equipment 43 (step S48) and sends it to the control system 42, which then shuts down the equipment 43 (step S49).

[0111] Then, in order to make the next reservation, the user inputs a login operation into the terminal system 2 to log in to the reservation system 3 (step S50).

[0112] The reservation system 3 detects the login (step S51), searches the database 35, and identifies the changed setting information T4 associated with the user's previous reservation (i.e., the changed setting information in which the changed setting is a room temperature of 30°C) (step S52).The reservation system 3 then transmits the identified changed setting information T4 to the terminal system 2.

[0113] Then, while logged in as described above, the user makes a reservation by inputting reservation information T1 from the terminal system 2 (step S53). At this time, when the terminal system 2 displays the environment designation screen on the display unit 22, the terminal system 2 automatically sets the changed setting (room temperature 30°C) specified in the changed setting information T4 received from the reservation system 3 as the initial setting in the environment information input field of the environment designation screen. If the user agrees with the changed setting initially set on the environment designation screen, the user keeps the initial setting without changing it, and if not, the user inputs a setting different from the changed setting. In this way, the reservation information T1 is input to the terminal system 2. The input reservation information T1 is then transmitted from the terminal system 2 to the reservation system 3. Thereafter, the same processing as, for example, step 2 and subsequent steps in "1-5-1" above is performed.

[0114] (1-5-6) Operation explanation for acquiring information on the operation of the facility 43 during the usage period on the reservation system 3 side In the environmental control system 1, information regarding the operation of the equipment 43 (for example, energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions) during the reserved usage period is collected by the equipment system 4 and can be acquired by the reservation system 3. Details of the operation in this case will be described below with reference to FIG. 7.

[0115] In steps S60 to S63, in accordance with the user's reservation, the control system 42 controls the environment (e.g., room temperature) of the reserved area during the usage period (1:00 PM to 2:00 PM) to the environment specified (set) in the reservation (e.g., room temperature of 28°C).

[0116] After the usage period ends, the cooperation server 41 calculates the energy consumption and carbon dioxide emission amount of equipment 43 that affected the environment of the used area during the usage period (such as air conditioning equipment that controlled the room temperature of the area) from the energy consumption, etc. measured by the equipment 43. The cooperation server 41 then generates equipment operation information T5 from the calculation results (step S64). The cooperation server 41 then transmits the generated equipment operation information T5 to the reservation system 3.

[0117] The reservation system 3 registers the received facility operation information T5 in the database 35 in association with the usage reservation (step S65). Then, the reservation system 3 transmits the registered facility operation information T5 to the terminal system 2 in response to a request from the terminal system, for example. Then, the terminal system 2 displays the received facility operation information T5 on the display unit 22 (step S66).

[0118] (1-6) Main effects As described above, the cooperation server 41 (control request system) of the environmental control system 1 according to this embodiment includes a communication unit 412 (first communication unit), a communication unit 411 (second communication unit), and a processing unit 414 (first processing unit). The communication unit 412 communicates with a control system 42 that controls equipment 43 that affects the environment of a predetermined area of ​​the facility based on control request information T6. The communication unit 411 communicates with a reservation system 3 that manages use reservations for a predetermined use period assigned to the predetermined area. When the communication unit 411 receives related information T2 related to the use reservation from the reservation system 3, the processing unit 414 generates the control request information T6 based on the received related information T2 and outputs the generated control request information T6 from the communication unit 412 to the control system 42.

[0119] According to this configuration, the environment (the environment of a specified area of ​​facility 43) can be set to a desired environment during a specified period of use specified in a usage reservation managed by the reservation system 3. In other words, by linking with the reservation system 3, when reserving the use of a specified area of ​​a facility in the reservation system 3, the environment of the specified area can be set to a desired environment during the period of use of the specified area. As a result, when a user uses a specified area of ​​a facility, the environment of the specified area is automatically controlled to a desired environment, eliminating the need for the user to manually adjust the environment of the specified area.

[0120] Furthermore, the reservation system 3 of the environmental control system 1 according to this embodiment includes a communication unit 32 (fourth communication unit), a communication unit 33 (third communication unit), a management unit 34, and a processing unit 36 ​​(second processing unit). The communication unit 33 generates control request information T6 based on related information T2 and communicates with an equipment system 4 that controls equipment 43 that affects the environment of a predetermined area of ​​the facility based on the control request information T6. The communication unit 32 communicates with the terminal system 2. When the communication unit 32 receives a use reservation for a predetermined use period assigned to the above-mentioned predetermined area from the terminal system 2, the management unit 34 manages the received use reservation. The processing unit 36 ​​generates related information T2 related to the use reservation managed by the management unit 34 and causes the communication unit 33 to output the generated related information T2 to the equipment system 4.

[0121] According to this configuration, when a reservation for use of a predetermined area of ​​a facility is made from the terminal system 2, the reservation is managed by the management unit 34, and the managed reservation for use can be used to set the environment (the environment of the predetermined area) to a desired environment during the period of use specified in the reservation in the equipment system 4. In other words, by cooperating with the terminal system 2 and the equipment system 4, when a reservation for use of a predetermined area of ​​a facility is made from the terminal system 2, the environment of the predetermined area can be set to a desired environment during the period of use. As a result, when a user uses the predetermined area, the environment of the predetermined area is automatically adjusted to a desired environment, eliminating the need for the user to manually adjust the environment of the predetermined area.

[0122] (2) Control method and program Functions similar to the cooperation server 41 and reservation system 3 included in the environmental control system according to the above embodiment may be embodied as a control method, a computer program (program), or a non-transitory recording medium on which a computer program is recorded, etc.

[0123] A control method according to one embodiment is a control method for a terminal system 2 having a display unit 22. This control method has a first step and a second step. In the first step, a reservation screen for accepting reservations for use of a predetermined usage period assigned to a predetermined area of ​​a facility is displayed on the display unit 22. In the second step, an environment designation screen for accepting designation of the environment of the predetermined area is displayed on the display unit 22.

[0124] A program according to one aspect causes one or more processors to execute the above control method.

[0125] A non-transitory recording medium according to one embodiment temporarily records a program that causes one or more processors to execute the above control method.

[0126] (3) Variations Modifications of the above embodiment will be described below. Note that the above embodiment may be implemented in combination with the following modifications.

[0127] (3-1) Variation 1 In the above embodiment, the environment of the reserved area may be changed gradually or in stages at least either immediately after the start or immediately before the end of the usage period specified in the usage reservation. In this case, the processing unit 414 generates control request information T6 for changing the environment of the reserved area gradually or in stages at least either immediately after the start or immediately before the end of the usage period specified in the usage reservation.

[0128] More specifically, when the environment is changed gradually or in stages immediately after the start of the usage period, it may be changed gradually or in stages from the environment immediately before the usage period (e.g., room temperature 26°C) to the environment specified in the usage reservation (e.g., 30°C). Also, when the environment is changed gradually or in stages immediately before the end of the usage period, it may be changed gradually or in stages from the environment immediately before the end of the usage period (e.g., room temperature 30°C) to the environment immediately after the usage period (e.g., room temperature 26°C).

[0129] This configuration can prevent the environment of the predetermined area from suddenly changing at least one of immediately after the start and immediately before the end of the usage period, thereby reducing energy waste due to a sudden change in the environment.

[0130] In particular, if the usage periods of two usage reservations are consecutive, the environment immediately before the end of the first usage period may be changed gradually or in stages from the environment specified in the first usage reservation to the environment specified in the second usage period, thereby enabling a smooth changeover between the environments between consecutive usage periods.

[0131] (3-2) Variation 2 In the above embodiment, when a reserved area is assigned to one of multiple areas of the facility, for example, if the environmental settings specified in each reservation for different users are the same or similar, those reservations may be assigned so that their usage periods are consecutive in the same area of ​​the facility.

[0132] (3-3) Variation 3 In the above embodiment, the use period specified in the use reservation may be extended. In this case, the conditions other than the use period (especially the environmental conditions) among the reservation conditions of the use reservation may be inherited as they are during the extended period.

[0133] More specifically, in this modification, when a user inputs an operation to extend the usage period specified in the usage reservation from the terminal system 2, the operation is transmitted from the terminal system 2 to the reservation system 3. Then, upon receiving the operation, the reservation system 3 (e.g., the processing unit 36) generates extension information regarding the extension of the usage period specified in the usage reservation and transmits the generated extension information from the reservation system 3 to the cooperation server 41. When the communication unit 411 of the cooperation server 41 receives the extension information from the reservation system 3, the communication unit 411 extends the output period of the control request information T6 to be transmitted to the control system 42. In other words, the cooperation server 41 continues to output the control request information T6 to the control system 42 during the usage period. Then, when the usage period is to be extended (i.e., when the communication unit 411 receives the extension information), the cooperation server 41 extends the output period of the control request information T6 to be output from the communication unit 412 to the control system 42 from the usage period to the extension period.

[0134] (3-4) Variation 4 In the above embodiment, consider a case where a first use reservation for a specific area where a first use reservation has been made is allocated a first use reservation for a first use period and a second use reservation for a second use period that is consecutive to at least one of the first use period and the second use period. In this case, when generating control request information T6 for controlling equipment 43 that affects the environment of the specific area during the first use period, the processing unit 414 (first processing unit) may generate the control request information T6 based on first related information T2 associated with the first use reservation and second related information T2 associated with the second use reservation. In other words, while the control request information T6 is usually generated based only on the first related information, in the above case, the control request information T6 is generated based on both the first related information T2 and the second related information T2.

[0135] Consider a case where the first environment specified in the first usage reservation and the second environment specified in the second usage reservation are significantly different (for example, the first environment has a fairly high room temperature of 40°C, while the second environment has a fairly low room temperature of 20°C). In this case, if the environment suddenly changes from the first environment to the second environment at the transition between the first and second usage periods, energy loss will be significant.

[0136] However, according to this modification, when the first usage period and the second usage period are consecutive in the predetermined area, the processing unit 414 (first processing unit) can generate the control request information taking into consideration not only the first related information T2 but also the second related information T2. ​​This makes it possible to generate the control request information T6 so that the environment of the area does not suddenly change between the first usage period and the second usage period. As a result, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of energy waste (energy loss) related to the environment of the area between the first usage period and the second usage period.

[0137] (3-5) Variation 5 In the above embodiment, the user who has made the reservation may be able to change the reservation information T1 (for example, environmental information) of the reservation during the usage period specified in the reservation by operating the terminal system 2.

[0138] In this case, the user inputs changes to the usage reservation (reservation information T1) into the terminal system 2. The input changes are transmitted from the terminal system 2 to the reservation system 3. The reservation system 3 generates change information regarding the usage reservation based on the received changes and transmits the generated change information to the cooperation server 41. The change information regarding the usage reservation includes information regarding the changes to the usage reservation. When the communication unit 411 of the cooperation server 41 receives change information from the reservation system 3 during the usage period specified in the usage reservation, the cooperation server 41 generates control request information T6 based on the received change information and transmits the generated control request information T6 to the control system 42. As a result, the control system 42 changes the environment during the usage period to the environment changed by the user.

[0139] (3-6) Variation 6 In the description of the operations of the above embodiment, six operations, "1-5-1" to "1-5-6", are exemplified, but it is not necessary to include all six of these operations, and a combination of one or more of these six operations may be implemented.

[0140] (4) Aspects Based on the above-described embodiments and modifications, the present disclosure can take the following aspects.

[0141] The control request system (cooperation server 41) of the first aspect includes a first communication unit (communication unit 412), a second communication unit (communication unit 411), and a first processing unit (processing unit 414). The first communication unit (412) communicates with a control system (42) that controls equipment (43) that affects the environment of a predetermined area of ​​the facility based on control request information (T6). The second communication unit (411) communicates with a reservation system (3) that manages use reservations for a predetermined use period assigned to the predetermined area. When the second communication unit (411) receives related information (T2) related to the use reservation from the reservation system (3), the first processing unit (414) causes the first communication unit (412) to output control request information (T6) to the control system (42) based on the received related information (T2).

[0142] According to this configuration, the environment (environment of a specified area of ​​the facility) can be set to a desired environment during a specified period of use specified in a reservation for use managed by the reservation system (3). That is, by linking with the reservation system (3), the control request system (41) can set the environment of a specified area of ​​the facility to a desired environment during the period of use when reserving the use of the specified area of ​​the facility in the reservation system (3). As a result, when a user uses a specified area of ​​the facility, the environment of the specified area is automatically controlled to the desired environment, eliminating the need for the user to manually adjust the environment of the specified area.

[0143] In the control request system (41) of the second aspect, in the first aspect, the environment includes at least one of an air environment and a lighting environment.

[0144] According to this configuration, at least one of the air environment and the lighting environment can be set to a desired environment as the environment of the predetermined area.

[0145] In the control request system (41) of the third aspect, in the first or second aspect, the use reservation includes environmental information that specifies the environment of the predetermined area.

[0146] According to this configuration, when making a reservation for use, the environment of the predetermined area can be directly designated as the desired environment.

[0147] In the control request system (41) of the fourth aspect, in any one of the first to third aspects, the use reservation is defined as the first use reservation, the predetermined use period is defined as the first use period, and the related information (T2) is defined as the first related information (T2). When a first use reservation for the first use period and a second use reservation for a second use period that is continuous with at least one of the preceding and following the first use period are allocated in a predetermined area, the first processing unit (414) generates control request information (T6) based on the first related information (T2) related to the first use reservation and the second related information (T2) related to the second use reservation.

[0148] According to this configuration, when the first use period and the second use period are consecutive in a predetermined area of ​​the facility, the first processing unit (414) can generate the control request information (T6) taking into consideration not only the first related information (T2) but also the second related information (T2). This makes it possible to generate the control request information (T6) so that the environment of the predetermined area does not suddenly change between the first use period and the second use period. As a result, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of energy waste related to the environment of the predetermined area between the first use period and the second use period.

[0149] In the control request system (41) of the fifth aspect, in any one of the first to fourth aspects, the first processing unit (414) generates control request information (T6) that gradually or stepwise changes the environment of a predetermined area at least either immediately after the start or immediately before the end of a predetermined usage period.

[0150] This configuration can prevent the environment of the predetermined area from suddenly changing at least one of immediately after the start and immediately before the end of the predetermined usage period, thereby reducing energy waste due to a sudden change in the environment.

[0151] In the control request system (41) of the sixth aspect, in any one of the first to fifth aspects, when the second communication unit (411) receives extension information regarding the extension of a predetermined usage period, the first processing unit (414) extends the output period of the control request information (T6) from the first communication unit (412).

[0152] According to this configuration, if the specified usage period specified in the usage reservation is extended, the extension can be accommodated by extending the output period of the control request information (T6). This allows the usage period to be extended while maintaining the environment of the specified area as it is.

[0153] In the seventh aspect of the control request system (41), in any one of the first to sixth aspects, when the second communication unit (411) receives change information regarding the usage reservation during a specified usage period, the first processing unit (414) changes the control request information (T6) based on the change information.

[0154] According to this configuration, the user can change the environment of the specified area during the specified usage period by changing the usage reservation during the specified usage period.

[0155] In the control request system (41) of the eighth aspect, in any one of the first to seventh aspects, the first communication unit (412) transmits facility operation information based on the operation of the facility (43) during a predetermined usage period to the reservation system (3).

[0156] According to this configuration, the reservation system (3) can use facility operation information (for example, energy consumption) based on the operation of the facility (43) during a predetermined usage period.

[0157] In the ninth aspect of the control request system (41), in any one of the first to eighth aspects, the second communication unit (411) receives the related information (T2) based on a communication method conforming to a format commonly defined with the reservation system (3).

[0158] This configuration allows smooth transmission and reception of information between the control request system (41) and the reservation system (3).

[0159] The facility system (4) of the tenth aspect includes the control request system (41) of any one of the first to ninth aspects and a control system (42).

[0160] According to this configuration, it is possible to provide a facility system (4) including the control request system (41) according to any one of the first to ninth aspects.

[0161] The reservation system (3) of an eleventh aspect includes a third communication unit (33), a fourth communication unit (32), a management unit (34), and a second processing unit (36). The third communication unit (33) communicates with a control request system (41) that controls a control system (42) that controls equipment (43) that affects the environment of a predetermined area of ​​the facility, based on control request information (T6) based on related information (T2). The fourth communication unit (32) communicates with a terminal system (2). When the fourth communication unit (32) receives a use reservation for a predetermined use period assigned to the predetermined area from the terminal system (2), the management unit (34) manages the received use reservation. The second processing unit (36) causes the third communication unit (33) to output related information (T2) related to the use reservation managed by the management unit (34) to the control request system (41).

[0162] According to this configuration, when a reservation for use of a predetermined area of ​​a facility is made from the terminal system (2), the reservation is managed by the management unit (34), and the managed reservation can be used in the control request system (41) to set the environment (environment of the predetermined area) to a desired environment during the period of use specified in the reservation. In other words, by cooperating with the terminal system (2) and the control request system (41), when a reservation for use of a predetermined area of ​​a facility is made from the terminal system (2), the reservation system (3) can set the environment of the predetermined area to a desired environment during the period of use. As a result, when a user uses the predetermined area, the environment of the predetermined area is automatically adjusted to the desired environment, eliminating the need for the user to manually adjust the environment of the predetermined area.

[0163] In a reservation system (3) of a twelfth aspect, in the eleventh aspect, the use reservation includes environmental information related to the environment. The reservation system (3) further includes a third processing unit (default setting unit 39). When the third communication unit (33) receives control history information (changed setting information T4) related to the control history of the equipment (43), the third processing unit (39) sets environmental information to be included in a use reservation made next to the use reservation based on the received control history information (T4).

[0164] According to this configuration, the environmental information to be input when making the next reservation can be automatically set based on the control history information. As a result, by using the changed settings when the settings of the equipment (43) that affects the environment of the area were changed during the usage period specified in the previous reservation as the control history information, if the settings of the equipment that affects the environment of the area were changed during the usage period specified in the previous reservation, the environmental information to be input when making the next reservation can be automatically set to the changed settings.

[0165] In a thirteenth aspect of the reservation system (3), in the eleventh or twelfth aspect, the related information (T2) includes environmental information related to the environment, and the usage reservation includes usage information related to the usage of the specified area. The reservation system (3) further includes a fourth processing unit (automatic environmental setting unit 38), and the fourth processing unit (38) sets the environmental information to be included in the related information (T2) based on the usage information included in the usage reservation.

[0166] According to this configuration, even if environmental information is not input when making a reservation for use, the environmental information to be included in the related information (T2) can be automatically set based on the usage information input when making a reservation for use.

[0167] In the reservation system (3) of the 14th aspect, in any one of the 11th to 13th aspects, the third communication unit (33) transmits the related information (T2) based on a communication method conforming to a format commonly defined with the control request system (41).

[0168] This configuration allows smooth transmission and reception of information between the control request system (41) and the reservation system (3).

[0169] A reservation system (3) of a fifteenth aspect includes a third communication unit (33), a fourth communication unit (32), a management unit (34), and a second processing unit (36). The third communication unit (33) communicates with an equipment system (4) that controls equipment (43) that affects the environment of a predetermined area of ​​a facility based on related information (T2). The fourth communication unit (32) communicates with a terminal system (2). When the fourth communication unit (32) receives a use reservation for a predetermined use period assigned to the predetermined area from the terminal system (2), the management unit (34) manages the received use reservation. The second processing unit (36) causes the third communication unit (33) to output related information (T2) related to the use reservation managed by the management unit (34) to the equipment system (4).

[0170] According to this configuration, when a reservation for use of a predetermined area of ​​a facility is made from the terminal system (2), the reservation is managed by the management unit (34), and the managed reservation can be used to set the environment (environment of the predetermined area) to a desired environment during the period of use specified in the reservation in the equipment system (4). In other words, by linking with the terminal system (2) and the equipment system (4), when a reservation for use of a predetermined area of ​​a facility is made from the terminal system (2), the reservation system (3) can set the environment of the predetermined area to a desired environment during the period of use. As a result, when a user uses the predetermined area, the environment of the predetermined area is automatically adjusted to the desired environment, eliminating the need for the user to manually adjust the environment of the predetermined area.

[0171] A control method of a sixteenth aspect is a control method for a terminal system (2) having a display unit (22). The control method includes a first step and a second step. In the first step, a reservation screen for accepting a reservation for use of a predetermined use period assigned to a predetermined area of ​​a facility is displayed on the display unit (22). In the second step, an environment designation screen for accepting designation of an environment for the predetermined area is displayed on the display unit (22).

[0172] According to this configuration, a reservation screen for accepting a reservation for use of a predetermined use period assigned to a predetermined area of ​​the facility can be displayed on the display unit (22) of the terminal system (2). As a result, a reservation for use of the predetermined area of ​​the facility can be made from the reservation screen displayed on the display unit (22) of the terminal system (2). Also, an environment designation screen for accepting designation of the environment of the predetermined area of ​​the facility can be displayed on the display unit (22) of the terminal system (2). As a result, the environment of the predetermined area of ​​the facility can be designated from the environment designation screen displayed on the display unit (22) of the terminal system (2).

[0173] A program according to a seventeenth aspect causes one or more processors to execute the control method according to the sixteenth aspect.

[0174] According to this configuration, it is possible to provide a program for causing one or more processors to execute the above control method. [Explanation of symbols]

[0175] 2. Terminal Systems 3. Reservation System 4. Equipment Systems 22 Display section 32 Communications Department (4th Communications Department) 33 Communications Department (Third Communications Department) 34 Management Department 36 Processing section (second processing section) 38 Automatic environment setting unit (fourth processing unit) 39 Default setting unit (third processing unit) 41 Collaboration server (control request system) 42 Control System 43 Equipment 412 Communications Department (1st Communications Department) 411 Communications Department (Second Communications Department) 414 Processing section (first processing section) T2 Related Information T6 Control request information

Claims

1. a first communication unit that communicates with a control system that controls equipment that affects the environment of a predetermined area of ​​the facility based on control request information; a second communication unit that communicates with a reservation system that manages reservations for use during a predetermined period of time allocated to the predetermined area; a first processing unit that, when the second communication unit receives related information related to the use reservation from the reservation system, causes the first communication unit to output the control request information based on the received related information to the control system; When the second communication unit receives change information that changes the environment related to the usage reservation during the predetermined usage period, the first processing unit causes the first communication unit to output the control request information based on the change information to the control system. Control request system.

2. a first communication unit that communicates with a control system that controls equipment that affects the environment of a predetermined area of ​​the facility based on control request information; a second communication unit that communicates with a reservation system that manages reservations for use during a predetermined period of time allocated to the predetermined area; a first processing unit that, when the second communication unit receives related information related to the use reservation from the reservation system, causes the first communication unit to output the control request information based on the received related information to the control system; the first communication unit outputs permission request information permitting an input operation to the facility during the predetermined usage period. Control request system.

3. The environment includes at least one of an air environment and a lighting environment.

3. The control request system according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The reservation for use includes environmental information that specifies the environment of the predetermined area. The control request system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The use reservation is a first use reservation, the predetermined use period is a first use period, and the related information is first related information; When the first use reservation for the first use period and the second use reservation for the second use period that is continuous with at least one of the periods before and after the first use period are allocated in the predetermined area, the first processing unit generates the control request information based on the first related information related to the first use reservation and the second related information related to the second use reservation. The control request system according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. the first processing unit generates the control request information for gradually or stepwise changing the environment of the predetermined area at least one of immediately after the start of the predetermined usage period and immediately before the end of the predetermined usage period. The control request system according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. When the second communication unit receives extension information regarding an extension of the predetermined usage period, the first processing unit extends an output period of the control request information from the first communication unit. The control request system according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. the first communication unit transmits equipment operation information based on operation of the equipment during the specified usage period to the reservation system; The control request system according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. the second communication unit receives the related information based on a communication method conforming to a format commonly defined between the second communication unit and the reservation system; The control request system according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. A control request system according to any one of claims 1 to 9; the control system; Equipped with Equipment system.

11. a third communication unit that communicates with a control request system that controls a control system that controls equipment that affects the environment of a predetermined area of ​​the facility based on control request information that is based on related information; a fourth communication unit that communicates with the terminal system; a management unit that manages a usage reservation received when the fourth communication unit receives a usage reservation for a predetermined usage period allocated to the predetermined area from the terminal system; and a second processing unit that outputs the related information related to the use reservation managed by the management unit from the third communication unit to the control request system, When the fourth communication unit receives a change content that changes the environment related to the usage reservation during the predetermined usage period, the second processing unit outputs change information based on the change content to the control request system. Reservation system.

12. the reservation includes environmental information relating to the environment; When the third communication unit receives control history information regarding the control history of the equipment, a third processing unit that sets the environmental information to be included in a subsequent reservation based on the received control history information; The reservation system according to claim 11.

13. the related information includes environmental information related to the environment; the use reservation includes use information regarding use of the predetermined area, a fourth processing unit that sets the environmental information to be included in the related information based on the usage information included in the usage reservation; 13. A reservation system according to claim 11 or 12.

14. the third communication unit transmits the related information based on a communication method conforming to a format commonly defined with the control request system. The reservation system according to any one of claims 11 to 13.

15. a third communication unit that communicates with an equipment system that controls equipment that affects the environment of a predetermined area of ​​the facility based on related information; a fourth communication unit that communicates with the terminal system; a management unit that manages a usage reservation received when the fourth communication unit receives a usage reservation for a predetermined usage period allocated to the predetermined area from the terminal system; and a second processing unit that outputs the related information related to the use reservation managed by the management unit from the third communication unit to the facility system, When the fourth communication unit receives a change content that changes the environment related to the usage reservation during the predetermined usage period, the second processing unit outputs change information based on the change content to the equipment system. Reservation system.

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