Presence confirmation system

Abstract

To provide a room presence confirmation system that can easily confirm the presence of a person in a room.SOLUTION: A room presence confirmation system 100 detects the brightness of a room to remotely confirm whether there is a person in the room, that is, whether the person is in the room. The room presence confirmation system 100 includes a brightness acquisition device 110 and a room presence confirmation device 130. The room presence confirmation device 130 generates a room presence confirmation image. In the room presence confirmation image, the ON / OFF state of a room light determined by the room presence confirmation device 130 on the basis of illuminance information acquired by the brightness acquisition device 110, and a value of carbon dioxide concentration information acquired by the brightness acquisition device 110 are displayed in association with the room in which the brightness acquisition device 110 is located.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a presence confirmation system for confirming the presence of a person in a room, and in particular to a system that can be easily installed. [Background technology]

[0002] A conventional occupancy confirmation system will be described using a living environment control device 5 shown in Fig. 15. In living environment control device 5 that controls lighting fixtures 21, shutters 31 and blinds 32, air conditioner 41, skylight 11, and ground-level window 12, if a human presence sensor 63 installed in the living space continues to be on for more than five minutes, it determines that a person is present in the room, but if the human presence sensor 63 continues to be off for more than 15 minutes, it determines that a person is absent, and if it determines that a person is present, it controls lighting fixtures 21, shutters 31 and blinds 32, air conditioner 41, skylight 11, and ground-level window 12 in accordance with predetermined presence control, but if it determines that a person is absent, it controls lighting fixtures 21, shutters 31 and blinds 32, air conditioner 41, skylight 11, and ground-level window 12 in accordance with predetermined absence control (see Patent Document 1 for the above).

[0003] Next, a conventional occupancy confirmation system will be described using an occupancy confirmation device 1 shown in Fig. 16. In the occupancy confirmation device 1, a battery is used as the power source for a power supply unit 8, and when a locking / unlocking monitoring unit 2 attached to a lock box 11 serving as an indoor exposure member of a locking device 10 attached to a door 12 detects a locking operation of the locking device 10 from the indoor side, a timer 5 starts timing an occupancy monitoring time, an abnormality occurrence signal is output when the timing of the occupancy monitoring time exceeds an occupancy abnormality determination time, and an outdoor alarm unit 3 attached to an outdoor exposure member of the locking device is driven in response to the abnormality occurrence signal output from the timer 5 to notify the abnormality. In this device, when a locking / unlocking monitoring unit 2 detects a locking operation of a thumb turn 15, which is an indoor operation member, the power supply unit 8 starts to be supplied, and when a locking / unlocking operation of a cylinder lock 17, which is an outdoor operation member, is detected or when an unlocking operation of the thumb turn 15, which is an indoor operation member, is detected (see Patent Document 2). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-002478 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-190044 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The above-described living environment control device 5 has the following points that need to be improved. The living environment control device 5 uses the human presence sensor 63 to determine whether a person is present in a room based on whether the sensor remains on for a predetermined period of time. However, when attempting to determine whether a person is present in a room using the human presence sensor 63 over a relatively large area, such as an office, multiple human presence sensors 63 must be installed, which requires time and effort for installation, which is an area that needs to be improved.

[0006] Furthermore, the above-described room presence confirmation device 1 has the following points that need to be improved. The room presence confirmation device 1 uses a lock / unlock monitor 2 attached to a lock box 11, which is an interior-exposed member of a locking device 10 provided on a door 12, to determine whether a predetermined time has passed since a locking operation from the inside of the room was detected. However, if the presence of a person is to be determined by the operation of the locking device 10, the room lock must be changed, which requires time-consuming installation work and is costly, and this is an area that needs to be improved.

[0007] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a room presence confirmation system that can easily confirm whether a person is present in a room. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] The means for solving the problems in the present invention and the effects of the invention are as follows.

[0009] The presence confirmation system of the present invention is a presence confirmation system having a brightness acquisition device and a presence confirmation device, wherein the brightness acquisition device has a brightness detection unit that detects the brightness of a specified area and a transmission unit that transmits the acquired brightness as brightness detection information, and the presence confirmation device has a receiving unit that receives the brightness detection information, a presence confirmation unit that uses the received brightness detection information to determine whether a person is present or absent in the area and generates a presence confirmation image that indicates whether a person is present or absent in the area corresponding to the area where the brightness was detected, and a display unit that displays the presence image.

[0010] This makes it easy to check whether people are present or absent simply by detecting the brightness in a specified area.

[0011] In the presence confirmation system of the present invention, the brightness acquisition device further has an environment detection unit that detects an environmental value that indicates the environment of the area, and in the brightness acquisition device, the transmission unit further transmits the acquired environmental value as environmental information, and in the presence confirmation device, the receiving unit further receives the environmental information, and the presence confirmation unit further corresponds the received environmental information to the area in which the environmental value was detected, and generates the presence confirmation image that displays the environmental value of the environmental information.

[0012] This makes it easy to check whether people are present or absent in the area, as well as the environmental values ​​of the area.

[0013] In the presence confirmation system according to the present invention, the environment detection unit detects any one or all of temperature, humidity, atmospheric pressure, carbon dioxide concentration, and harmful gas concentration as the environment values.

[0014] This makes it easy to check whether people are present or absent in the area, as well as the area's temperature, humidity, air pressure, carbon dioxide concentration, and harmful gas concentration.

[0015] In the presence confirmation system of the present invention, the brightness acquisition device further has a human detection unit that detects a person, and in the brightness acquisition device, the transmitting unit further transmits the detection of the person as human detection information, and in the presence confirmation device, the receiving unit further receives the environmental information, and the presence confirmation unit further generates the presence confirmation image that indicates the presence of the person, corresponding to the area where the person was detected, when it is determined that the person is not present in the area where the person was detected.

[0016] This makes it possible to detect the possibility of a person entering an area where no one is present, thereby increasing the safety of the area.

[0017] In the presence confirmation system of the present invention, the presence confirmation device further has a transmitting unit that transmits equipment operation control information that instructs a specified piece of equipment to emit an infrared signal that controls the equipment to perform a specified operation, and the brightness detection device further has a receiving unit that receives the equipment operation control information and an infrared projection unit that projects the infrared signal corresponding to the equipment operation control information onto the equipment.

[0018] This allows you to control the equipment located in the area from outside while checking whether people are present or absent in the area.

[0019] In the presence confirmation system of the present invention, in the presence confirmation device, the presence confirmation unit further generates the presence confirmation image having an equipment operation input area that instructs the transmission of the equipment operation control information.

[0020] This allows the user to externally control the devices located in the area while checking the presence confirmation image.

[0021] In the presence confirmation system of the present invention, the brightness acquisition device further has a current detection unit that acquires the power consumption and / or current consumption of a specified device, and in the brightness acquisition device, the transmitting unit further transmits the acquired power consumption and / or current consumption as current information, and in the presence confirmation device, the receiving unit further receives the current information, and the presence confirmation unit further determines the operating status of the device whose power consumption and / or current consumption has been detected from the received current information, and corresponds it to the area where the device is located, and generates the presence confirmation image that displays the determined operating status of the device.

[0022] This makes it possible to easily determine the operating status of a specific installed device.

[0023] The brightness acquisition device according to the present invention includes a brightness detection unit that detects the brightness of a predetermined area, and a transmission unit that transmits the acquired brightness as brightness detection information.

[0024] This makes it easy to obtain the brightness of the area.

[0025] The brightness acquisition device according to the present invention includes an ambient light adjustment unit that adjusts ambient light incident on the brightness detection unit.

[0026] This makes it possible to easily eliminate the influence of ambient light on the acquisition of brightness.

[0027] In the brightness acquisition device according to the present invention, the ambient light adjustment unit blocks predetermined light.

[0028] This makes it possible to efficiently eliminate the influence of ambient light on the acquisition of brightness.

[0029] The brightness acquisition device of the present invention further includes a main body having at least the brightness acquisition unit, and a power receiving unit that receives power from a power supply unit installed in the area, and that can be attached to and detached from the housing unit.

[0030] This allows the brightness acquisition device to be placed at a desired location regardless of the location of the power supply source.

[0031] The brightness acquisition device of the present invention further includes a current detection unit that acquires the power consumption and / or current consumption of a specified device, and the transmission unit further transmits the acquired power consumption and / or current consumption as current information.

[0032] This makes it possible to easily obtain the operating status of a specific installed device. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0033] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing an occupancy confirmation system 100 which is an embodiment of the occupancy confirmation system according to the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a brightness acquisition device 110. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the brightness acquisition device 110. [Figure 4] 1A and 1B show a state in which the power supply unit 118 and the main body unit 117 are separated from each other, with FIG. 1A being a perspective view of the power supply unit 118 and FIG. 1B being a perspective view of the main body unit 117. FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a control unit 119. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the hardware configuration of the presence confirmation device 130. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an image for confirming presence in a room. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart showing a brightness acquisition process. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart showing a presence confirmation process. [Figure 10] 10 is a flowchart showing an occupancy confirmation image generation process. [Figure 11] 10 is a flowchart showing a device control confirmation process. [Figure 12]10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating another embodiment of a brightness acquisition device according to the present invention. [Figure 13] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating another embodiment of a brightness acquisition device according to the present invention. [Figure 14] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating another embodiment of a brightness acquisition device according to the present invention. [Figure 15] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a conventional presence confirmation system. [Figure 16] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a conventional presence confirmation system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0034] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. [Example]

[0035] The presence confirmation system according to the present invention will be described by taking an presence confirmation system 100 as an example of an embodiment.

[0036] First presence confirmation system 100 As shown in Fig. 1, the presence confirmation system 100 detects the brightness of a room to enable remote confirmation of whether or not a person is present in the room, i.e., whether or not a person is present. The presence confirmation system 100 includes a brightness acquisition device 110 and a presence confirmation device 130.

[0037] 1. Configuration of brightness acquisition device 110 The configuration of the brightness acquisition device 110 will be described with reference to Fig. 2. The brightness acquisition device 110 has a brightness detection unit 111, a human detection unit 113, a temperature / humidity / pressure detection unit 114, a carbon dioxide concentration detection unit 115, an infrared light projection unit 116, a main body unit 117, a power supply unit 118, and a control unit 119 (not shown).

[0038] The brightness detection unit 111 detects the illuminance of a predetermined space as brightness. The brightness detection unit 111 is a so-called illuminance sensor. The brightness detection unit 111 transmits the detected illuminance to the control unit 119 as illuminance information at predetermined time intervals.

[0039] The human detection unit 113 is a so-called pyroelectric sensor that uses infrared rays to detect changes in heat emitted from the human body, etc. The human detection unit 113 has a detection range of 360 degrees, which allows the human detection unit 113 to detect people in any direction. When the human detection unit 113 detects a predetermined change in heat, it transmits this as human detection information to the control unit 119.

[0040] The temperature, humidity, and air pressure detection unit 114 measures the temperature, humidity, and air pressure in a predetermined area. The temperature, humidity, and air pressure detection unit 114 transmits the measured temperature, humidity, and air pressure values ​​to the control unit 119 at predetermined time intervals.

[0041] The carbon dioxide concentration detection unit 115 measures the carbon dioxide concentration in a predetermined region. The carbon dioxide concentration detection unit 115 transmits the measured carbon dioxide concentration to the control unit 119 as carbon dioxide concentration information at predetermined time intervals.

[0042] The infrared light projector 116 projects an infrared signal to a predetermined device. An example of the predetermined device is an air conditioner whose operation can be controlled by an infrared signal. The air conditioner starts and stops its operation by projecting an infrared signal that instructs it to start and stop its operation.

[0043] The main body 117 has a housing 117a and an ambient light adjustment unit 117b. The housing 117a has a hollow prismatic shape. The housing 117a has a control unit 119 inside. The brightness detection unit 111, the human detection unit 113, the carbon dioxide concentration detection unit 115, and the infrared light projector 116 are arranged on an upper surface P117a of the housing 117a so as to be exposed to the outside from the upper surface P117a.

[0044] The disturbance light adjuster 117b has a hood shape that is open on the bottom and front and covers part of the top surface of the housing part 117a. The disturbance light adjuster 117b is made of a translucent material that allows some light to pass through. The brightness detection part 111 and the carbon dioxide concentration detection part 115 are disposed in an area of ​​the top surface P117a of the housing part 117a that is covered by the disturbance light adjuster 117b. This makes it possible to prevent light other than the illumination light targeted by the brightness detection part 111, i.e., disturbance light, from entering the brightness detection part 111.

[0045] The disturbance light adjuster 117b also has a ventilation opening A117b on the side close to the temperature / humidity / pressure detector 114 and the carbon dioxide concentration detector 115. This allows the temperature / humidity / pressure detector 114 and the carbon dioxide concentration detector 115 to detect the temperature, humidity, pressure, and carbon dioxide concentration of the outside air even when they are covered by the disturbance light adjuster 117b.

[0046] The power supply unit 118 is disposed below the housing unit 117a. Fig. 3 shows the brightness acquisition device 110 shown in Fig. 2 as viewed from the rear side. The power supply unit 118 has a plug 118a on the rear side for receiving power from an AC outlet C, which is a general external power supply source. The power supply unit 118 can be attached to and detached from the main body unit 117. By arranging the power supply unit 118 so that it can receive power from an external power supply source, so-called constant monitoring can be achieved without having to consider battery exhaustion.

[0047] Fig. 4A shows power supply unit 118 when it is removed from main body unit 117, and Fig. 4B shows main body unit 117. As shown in Fig. 4A, power supply unit 118 has power supply interface 118b on the surface that comes into contact with main body unit 117. Power supply interface 118b is formed by a so-called USB (Universal Serial Bus) connector.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 4B, the housing 117a of the main body 117 has a power receiving opening A117a on the surface that contacts the power supply 118, in which a power receiving interface 119e (described later) is disposed.

[0049] The control unit 119 is disposed inside the housing unit 117a. The configuration of the control unit 119 will be described with reference to Fig. 5. The control unit 119 has a CPU 119a, a memory 119b, an information acquisition interface 119c, a communication unit 119d, and a power receiving interface 119e.

[0050] The CPU 119a performs processing based on an operating system (OS), firmware, a brightness acquisition program, and other applications stored in the memory 119b. The memory 119b provides a working area for the CPU 119a. The memory 119b stores and holds the OS, the brightness acquisition program, and other applications, as well as various data.

[0051] The information acquisition interface 119c is connected to the brightness detection unit 111, the human detection unit 113, the temperature / humidity / air pressure detection unit 114, the carbon dioxide concentration detection unit 115, and the infrared light projector 116. The CPU 119a transmits and receives predetermined information to and from the brightness detection unit 111, the human detection unit 113, the temperature / humidity / air pressure detection unit 114, the carbon dioxide concentration detection unit 115, and the infrared light projector 116 via the information acquisition interface 119c.

[0052] The communication unit 119d connects to a predetermined network, for example, a wireless LAN network, communicates with a predetermined communication device such as the presence confirmation device 130, and transmits various information obtained from the brightness detection unit 111, the human detection unit 113, the temperature / humidity / barometric pressure detection unit 114, and the carbon dioxide concentration detection unit 115.

[0053] The power receiving interface 119e is connected to the power supply interface 118b of the power supply unit 118, and receives a predetermined amount of power from the power supply unit 118. The power obtained via the power receiving interface 119e is supplied to each component.

[0054] 2. Configuration of the presence confirmation device 130 The hardware configuration of the presence confirmation device 130 will be described with reference to Fig. 6. The presence confirmation device 130 includes a CPU 130a, a memory 130b, a hard disk drive 130c (hereinafter referred to as HDD 130c), a keyboard 130d, a mouse 130e, a display 130f, an optical drive 130g, and a communication circuit 130h.

[0055] The CPU 130a performs processing based on the operating system (OS), presence confirmation program, and other applications stored in the HDD 130c.

[0056] The memory 130b provides a working area for the CPU 130a. The HDD 130c stores and holds the operating system (OS), other application programs such as a presence confirmation program, and other data. The memory 130b stores brightness acquisition device location information that indicates the correspondence between the brightness acquisition device 110 and the area in which the brightness acquisition device 110 is installed.

[0057] The keyboard 130d and mouse 130e accept commands from the outside.

[0058] The display 130f displays an occupancy confirmation image generated by the CPU 130a based on the occupancy confirmation program. The occupancy confirmation image will be described later. The display 130f has a so-called touch panel function that allows input via the screen.

[0059] The optical drive 130g reads the presence confirmation program from the optical media 130p on which the presence confirmation program is recorded, and also reads other application programs from other optical media, thereby reading data from optical media.

[0060] The communication circuit 130h connects to a predetermined network, for example, a wireless LAN network, and transmits and receives information to and from external communication devices such as the brightness acquisition device 110. The communication circuit 130h also connects to the predetermined network and provides an occupancy confirmation image to a predetermined communication terminal. An address that uniquely identifies the location on the network is set in advance in the communication circuit 130h.

[0061] 3. Room presence confirmation image An example of the presence confirmation image is shown in Fig. 7. Fig. 7 shows the presence confirmation image in a layout in which two rooms, a hall, and a washroom are arranged on each of the first to fourth floors, and brightness acquisition devices 110 are arranged in each room, hall, and washroom on each floor, and air conditioners are arranged in each room and hall on each floor.

[0062] The presence confirmation image has a presence confirmation area R1 and a device control area R3. In the presence confirmation area R1, the brightness acquisition device 110 is installed, and the area from which the brightness acquisition device 110 acquires brightness is displayed so that it can be easily confirmed. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the floor plan of each room in which the brightness acquisition device 110 is installed is displayed as the area from which the brightness acquisition device 110 acquires brightness.

[0063] Furthermore, various pieces of information acquired by the brightness acquisition device 110 and / or various pieces of information determined by the occupancy confirmation device 130 based on the information acquired by the brightness acquisition device 110 are displayed in association with the area in which the brightness acquisition device 110 is installed. For example, in Fig. 7, the on / off state of the indoor lights determined by the occupancy confirmation device 130 based on the illuminance information acquired by the brightness acquisition device 110, and the values ​​of temperature, humidity, air pressure, and carbon dioxide concentration acquired by the brightness acquisition device 110 are displayed in association with the room in which the brightness acquisition device 110 is installed. The on / off state of the indoor lights is displayed by the shade of the image.

[0064] By determining whether the room light is on or off based on the brightness of the room, it is possible to easily determine whether the room light is on or off, as there is no need for electrical work to obtain a control signal from the room light. Also, since a room light being on is considered to indicate that someone is present, and a room light being off is considered to indicate that no one is present, it is therefore possible to determine whether a person is present or absent by determining whether the room light is on or off.

[0065] The device control area R3 also displays a selection of the control operation of the target device. For example, as shown in Fig. 7, a drop-down device selection button for selecting an air conditioner as the target device to be controlled, an "ON" button for selecting the start of operation of the target device, and an "OFF" button for selecting the end of operation are displayed. The user can select the operation control of the air conditioner by using the "ON" button and "OFF" button displayed in the device control area R3 and the touch input function of the display 130f.

[0066] In this way, by making it possible to control a specific device from the presence confirmation image, the device can be controlled remotely. If the device to be controlled is an air conditioner, even if you forget to turn the air conditioner "OFF," you can remotely turn the air conditioner "OFF" from a location where you can check the presence confirmation image.

[0067] By placing the display 130f that displays the presence confirmation image at, for example, the entrance of a building, a person leaving the building can easily know whether or not someone is present in the building. Therefore, it is easy to know whether or not they are the last person to leave, and by extension, the need to lock the door, enabling thorough safety management of the building.

[0068] Furthermore, by providing a presence confirmation image to a predetermined communication terminal, the user can remotely check whether someone is present or absent via the communication terminal. In addition, the user can remotely control the operation of predetermined equipment located in a predetermined area via the communication terminal.

[0069] Second, brightness acquisition process, presence confirmation process

[0070] The brightness acquisition process executed by the CPU 119a of the brightness acquisition device 110 based on the brightness acquisition program and the presence confirmation process executed by the CPU 130a of the presence confirmation device 130 based on the presence confirmation program will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0071] 1. Brightness acquisition process The brightness acquisition process will be described with reference to the flowchart in Fig. 8. When the power is turned on, the CPU 119a of the brightness acquisition device 110 transmits detection start information to the brightness detection unit 111, the human detection unit 113, the temperature / humidity / barometric pressure detection unit 114, and the carbon dioxide concentration detection unit 115 (S801).

[0072] When the brightness detection unit 111 acquires the detection start information, it detects the brightness, that is, the illuminance, at predetermined time intervals and transmits the detected brightness information to the control unit 119 .

[0073] When the CPU 119a acquires brightness information from the brightness detection unit 111 (S803), it transmits the acquired brightness information to the presence confirmation device 130 (S805).

[0074] The temperature, humidity, and air pressure detection unit 114 measures the temperature, humidity, and air pressure in a predetermined area. Upon receiving detection start information, the temperature, humidity, and air pressure detection unit 114 transmits the measured temperature, humidity, and air pressure values ​​to the control unit 119 at predetermined time intervals.

[0075] When the CPU 119a acquires the temperature, humidity, and atmospheric pressure information from the temperature / humidity / atmospheric pressure detection unit 114 (S811), it transmits the acquired temperature, humidity, and atmospheric pressure information to the occupancy confirmation device 130 (S813).

[0076] When the carbon dioxide concentration detection unit 115 acquires the detection start information, it measures the carbon dioxide concentration at predetermined time intervals and transmits the measured carbon dioxide concentration to the control unit 119 as carbon dioxide concentration information.

[0077] When the CPU 119a acquires the carbon dioxide concentration information from the carbon dioxide concentration detection unit 115 (S811), it transmits the acquired carbon dioxide concentration information to the presence confirmation device 130 (S813).

[0078] When the human detection unit 113 acquires the detection start information and detects a human, it transmits the information to the control unit 119 as human detection information.

[0079] When the CPU 119a acquires human detection information from the human detection unit 113 (S821), the CPU 119a transmits the acquired human detection information to the presence confirmation device 130 (S823).

[0080] When the CPU 119a acquires the equipment operation control information (described later) from the presence confirmation device 130 (S831), it transmits the equipment operation control information indicating the start or end of operation to the air conditioner, which is the equipment to be controlled, via the infrared light projector 116 (S833).

[0081] 2. Room presence confirmation process The presence confirmation process will be described with reference to the flowchart of Fig. 9. When the CPU 130a of the presence confirmation device 130 acquires brightness information from the brightness acquisition device 110 (S901), it executes presence confirmation image generation process (S903).

[0082] The presence confirmation image generation process will be described with reference to FIG. 10. The presence confirmation image generation process is a process for generating an image indicating whether a person is present or absent in a predetermined area based on brightness information. The CPU 130a determines whether the illuminance corresponding to the acquired brightness information is greater than a predetermined illuminance (S1001). If the CPU 130a determines that the illuminance corresponding to the acquired brightness information is less than the predetermined illuminance, it generates a presence confirmation image (see FIG. 7) indicating that a person is present in the area corresponding to the acquired brightness information (S1003). If the CPU 130a determines that the illuminance corresponding to the acquired brightness information is not less than the predetermined illuminance, it generates a presence confirmation image indicating that a person is absent in the area corresponding to the acquired brightness information (S1005).

[0083] In addition, when the CPU 130a acquires temperature, humidity, and air pressure information from the brightness acquisition device 110 (S911), it generates an occupancy confirmation image (see Figure 7) that displays the temperature, humidity, and air pressure in association with the area corresponding to the acquired temperature, humidity, and air pressure information (S913).

[0084] Furthermore, when the CPU 130a acquires carbon dioxide concentration information from the brightness acquisition device 110 (S921), it generates an occupancy confirmation image (see FIG. 7) that displays the carbon dioxide concentration in association with the area corresponding to the acquired carbon dioxide concentration information (S923).

[0085] Furthermore, when the CPU 130a acquires human detection information from the brightness acquisition device 110 (S931), it determines whether the brightness acquisition device 110 that transmitted the human detection information is turned off (S933). If the CPU 130a determines that the brightness acquisition device 110 that transmitted the human detection information is turned off, it determines that a person has entered an unlit room, that is, a room where it is determined that no person is present, and transmits human detection notification information to a preset notification destination via the communication circuit 130h (S935). The CPU 130a generates a presence confirmation image, such as by flashing in red an area corresponding to the brightness acquisition device 110 that transmitted the human detection information (S937).

[0086] The CPU 130a displays the generated presence confirming image on the display 130f (S951). The CPU 130a also provides the generated presence confirming image to a communication terminal that has requested the image (S953).

[0087] Furthermore, when the CPU 119a acquires device operation instruction information instructing the air conditioner to start or stop operation via the display 130f displaying the presence confirmation image (see FIG. 7) and a predetermined communication terminal (S941), it transmits device control information for controlling the air conditioner to operate in accordance with the acquired device operation instruction information to the brightness acquisition device 110 (S943). An example of a case where device operation instruction information is provided via the display 130f is when the display 130f is installed in an entrance hall, and when leaving work, the presence or absence of people in each room is checked, and if necessary, control devices such as the air conditioner are controlled from the entrance hall. Another example of a case where device operation control information is provided via a predetermined communication terminal is when a user checks the presence or absence of people in their rooms during their commute, and operates the air conditioner if necessary.

[0088] Then, the CPU 119a executes a device control confirmation process (S945). The device control confirmation process is a process for confirming whether a device instructed via the infrared projector 116 of the brightness acquisition device 110 to execute a predetermined operation is actually executing the predetermined operation, and if the device is not executing the predetermined operation, for instructing the device to execute the operation again. When an operation instruction is given using infrared rays, the infrared rays may not reach the predetermined device. For example, when a person operates an air conditioner, which is a controlled device, using the attached remote control, the air conditioner may not start operating, and the remote control must be operated again.

[0089] In addition, for devices whose operation can be controlled using infrared communication, the operating status may not be obtainable from outside unless the device's control unit is accessed. For example, when an air conditioner to be controlled is controlled using infrared communication with a toggle command of the same signal, or when the air conditioner is controlled by a person in a room using a remote control attached to the air conditioner, the current operating status cannot be obtained from outside. Therefore, in the device control confirmation process, in order to check the operating status of the device from outside, the operating status of the device is determined using information that is expected to fluctuate depending on the operation of the device, such as environmental information such as temperature and humidity.

[0090] The device control confirmation process will be described with reference to the flowchart in Fig. 11. The CPU 130a acquires the air temperature at that time as the first auxiliary information (S1101). After a predetermined time has elapsed (S1103), the CPU 130a acquires the air temperature at the time the predetermined time has elapsed as the second auxiliary information (S1105). The CPU 130a determines whether the information obtained using the first auxiliary information and the second auxiliary information satisfies a predetermined condition corresponding to the control operation on the air conditioner, which is the device to be controlled (S1107). If the CPU 130a determines that the information obtained using the first auxiliary information and the second auxiliary information satisfies the predetermined condition corresponding to the control operation on the air conditioner, which is the device to be controlled, it determines that the device to be controlled is executing the control operation. On the other hand, if the CPU 130a determines that the information obtained using the first auxiliary information and the second auxiliary information does not satisfy the predetermined conditions corresponding to the control operation for the air conditioner, which is the device to be controlled, it transmits the device operation control information again (S1109).

[0091] For example, when starting the control operation of the air conditioner, CPU 130a determines whether the temperature corresponding to the second auxiliary information is lower than the temperature corresponding to the first auxiliary information by a predetermined value. If the temperature corresponding to the second auxiliary information is lower than the temperature corresponding to the first auxiliary information by a predetermined value, CPU 130a determines that the air conditioner has started operating. On the other hand, if the temperature corresponding to the second auxiliary information is not lower than the temperature corresponding to the first auxiliary information by a predetermined value, CPU 130a determines that the air conditioner has not started operating and retransmits the appliance operation control information.

[0092] Returning to FIG. 9, the CPU 130a executes the processes of steps S901 to S953 until the operation is completed (S955).

[0093] [Other embodiments] (1) Brightness detection unit 111: In the first embodiment, the brightness detection unit 111 detects the illuminance of a predetermined area, but is not limited to the example as long as it can detect the brightness of the predetermined area. For example, it may be a means for detecting changes in the amount of light, such as an image sensor or a photodiode.

[0094] (2) Human detection unit 113: In the first embodiment described above, the human detection unit 113 is provided, but it may not be provided if human detection is not required.

[0095] (3) Temperature, humidity and atmospheric pressure detection unit 114: In the first embodiment described above, the temperature, humidity and atmospheric pressure detection unit 114 is provided, but if the information is not required, it may not be provided.

[0096] (3) Carbon dioxide concentration detector 115: In the first embodiment, the carbon dioxide concentration detector 115 is provided, but if it is not necessary to detect the carbon dioxide concentration, it need not be provided. Also, for example, a detector for detecting toxic gases such as carbon monoxide, natural gas, propane gas, and toxic gases generated during a fire may be provided.

[0097] (4) Infrared light projecting unit 116: In the first embodiment described above, an infrared light projecting unit 116 is provided to control a specific device using infrared light, but if there is no need to control the device, it need not be provided. Similarly, if there is no need to control the device, there is no need to provide a device control area R3 in the presence confirmation image.

[0098] (5) Display 130f: In the first embodiment, the display 130f has a touch panel function, but it does not have to have a touch panel function. When using a display 130f without a touch panel function and some input is required, other input devices such as a keyboard 130d or a mouse e may be used.

[0099] (6) Connection between the main body unit 117 and the power supply unit 118: In the first embodiment described above, the power supply interface 118b of the power supply unit 118 is connected to the power receiving interface 119e of the control unit 119 built into the main body unit 117. However, any connection may be used as long as it is capable of supplying and receiving power. For example, as in the brightness acquisition device 200 shown in FIG. 12, a connection extension member 250 may be used to connect the power supply interface 118b of the power supply unit 118 to the power receiving interface 119e of the control unit 119. By using the connection extension member 250, the brightness acquisition device 110 can be placed even if the location where the brightness is detected and the location of the AC outlet C that supplies power are far apart. In other words, the brightness acquisition device 110 can be placed where the user desires.

[0100] (7) Communication unit 119d: In the first embodiment, the communication unit 119d communicates using a wireless LAN. However, the communication unit 119d may communicate via a base station using a mobile phone line, etc. Also, a communication method that enables "long-distance data communication" with "low current consumption" compatible with so-called LPWA (Low Power, Wide Area), such as Sigfox (registered trademark), may be used.

[0101] Furthermore, instead of wireless communication, wired communication such as Ethernet or MobBus may be used.

[0102] (8) Power Supply Unit 118: In the first embodiment described above, the power supply unit 118 receives power from the AC outlet C. However, the power supply unit 118 is not limited to the illustrated one as long as it can supply power sufficient to operate each component. For example, a predetermined rechargeable battery such as a button battery, a dry cell battery, or a solar cell may be used.

[0103] Alternatively, power may be supplied from an external power source such as a commonly installed outlet or a storage battery. Furthermore, contactless power supply, so-called wireless power supply, or various types of environmental power generation may be used.

[0104] (9) Configuration of the Main Body 117: In the first embodiment described above, the main body 117 includes the housing 117a and the ambient light adjuster 117b. However, the main body 117 may have any configuration that can adjust ambient light for the brightness detector 111. For example, as shown in FIG. 13 , the brightness detector 111, the carbon dioxide concentration detector 115, and the controller 119 (not shown) may be housed inside the main body 317 having a hollow prismatic shape, and an opening for acquiring brightness as the ambient light adjuster 317b may be disposed in a portion corresponding to the brightness detector 111. The ambient light incident on the brightness detector 111 may be adjusted by, for example, the size of the opening of the ambient light adjuster 317b. Note that the main body 317 may have a ventilation opening A317b disposed in a position corresponding to the carbon dioxide concentration detector 115.

[0105] The human detection unit 113 and the infrared light projector 116 are disposed so as to be exposed to the outside from the upper surface P317a of the main body 317.

[0106] (10) Configuration of the control unit 119: In the first embodiment, the control unit 119 executes the brightness acquisition process using the CPU 119a. However, the configuration is not limited to the example, as long as it executes the brightness acquisition process. For example, the brightness acquisition process may be executed using a dedicated logic circuit.

[0107] (11) Configuration of the presence confirmation device 130: In the first embodiment, the presence confirmation device 130 executes the presence confirmation process using the CPU 130a. However, the present invention is not limited to the above example, and any other device may execute the presence confirmation process. For example, the presence confirmation process may be executed using a dedicated logic circuit.

[0108] (12) Brightness Acquisition Process: In the first embodiment, the flowchart of FIG. 8 is shown as the brightness acquisition process, but the brightness acquisition process is not limited to the illustrated flowchart.

[0109] (13) Presence Confirmation Process: In the first embodiment described above, the presence confirmation process is shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 9 to 11, but is not limited to the illustrated flowcharts.

[0110] (14) Presence Confirmation Image: In the first embodiment described above, the presence confirmation image displayed on the display 130f and the presence confirmation image provided to the communication terminal are the same image, but they may be different depending on the functions provided to each. For example, the device control area R3 may not be displayed on the presence confirmation image displayed on the display 130f, but may be displayed on the presence confirmation image displayed on the communication terminal. Also, different information may be displayed on each.

[0111] (15) Transmission of Device Operation Control Information: In the first embodiment described above, the control operation of the device to be controlled was described as the start and end of operation. However, this is not limited to the above examples. For example, since there is often a discrepancy between the set temperature of an air conditioner and the actual temperature in a room, if the current temperature is 28°C and the user's desired set temperature is 27°C, device operation control information for lowering the temperature to the desired temperature may be transmitted using information such as the current temperature acquired from the temperature, humidity, and atmospheric pressure detection unit 114. Furthermore, if the set temperature can be acquired from the attached remote control of the air conditioner, device operation control information specifying the desired set temperature may be transmitted. Furthermore, if device operation control information for a desired set temperature of 27°C has been provided but the temperature acquired from the temperature, humidity, and atmospheric pressure detection unit 114 is only 28°C, device operation control information for a desired set temperature of 26°C may be transmitted again, taking into account the discrepancy between the set temperature of the air conditioner and the actual temperature in the room.

[0112] (16) Additional Configuration: The brightness acquisition device 110 in the first embodiment may further include an image sensor or a camera for monitoring the room conditions. Similarly, a microphone for monitoring the audio conditions may be included. If it is desired to monitor the vibration conditions in the room, a three-axis acceleration sensor may be included.

[0113] (17) Device Control Confirmation Process: In the first embodiment described above, the device control confirmation process determines the operating state of the device using information that is expected to change depending on the device's operation, such as environmental information such as temperature and humidity, but is not limited to the example described above as long as it can determine the operating state of the device. For example, the operating state of the device may be determined based on the actual power consumption and current consumption when the device, which is the controlling entity, is operating.

[0114] In this case, if the device to be controlled is an air conditioner, a current detection unit such as a current monitoring coupling coil is placed on the power line of a specific air conditioner, such as in a distribution panel. The placed current monitoring coupling coil is connected to the control unit 119 via a harness, a connector, and an information acquisition interface 119c. The control unit 119 acquires current changes from the current monitoring coupling coil based on an AC connection with the air conditioner's power line on the primary side and the coil winding of the current monitoring coupling coil on the secondary side, and transmits this as current information to the occupancy detection device 130. This allows the occupancy detection device 130 to determine the operating status of the air conditioner, which is the device to be controlled. In the equipment control confirmation process in FIG. 11, the occupancy confirmation device 130 acquires information on current changes from the current monitoring coupling coil as the first auxiliary information in step S1101, and then in step S1107 determines the control state of the equipment based on the current change from the current monitoring coupling coil during operation or the current change from the current monitoring coupling coil during stoppage as a predetermined condition, and generates an occupancy confirmation image as shown in FIG. 14.

[0115] For example, if an employee accesses the presence confirmation image shown in Fig. 14 from a remote location to check the operating status of the air conditioner on their own smartphone, which is a predetermined communication terminal, the operating status of the air conditioner based on the current monitoring coupling coil can be confirmed. Then, by performing a predetermined operation in the equipment control area R3 displayed on the presence confirmation image, the presence confirmation device 130 can start / stop the operation of the air conditioner via the infrared light projector 116, that is, perform operation control.

[0116] Furthermore, because the operating status of the air conditioner, whether it is operating or stopped, can be determined from changes in current from the current monitoring coupling coil, the occupancy confirmation device 130 can determine whether the infrared rays emitted by the infrared emitting unit 116 were received by the air conditioner to be controlled. Therefore, if it is determined that the infrared rays emitted from the infrared emitting unit 116 were not received by the air conditioner for some reason, the occupancy confirmation device 130 can easily emit the rays again. Furthermore, if it is determined that the air conditioner is not operating even after emitting infrared rays multiple times, the occupancy confirmation device 130 can also notify the user that the air conditioner is malfunctioning.

[0117] Furthermore, up until now, when a user changed the operating state of the air conditioner using the remote control that came with the air conditioner, it was difficult to determine the current operating state of the air conditioner unless information could be obtained directly from the air conditioner, i.e., unless some electrical work had been performed on the air conditioner.However, by installing a current monitoring coupling coil, the occupancy confirmation device 130 can easily determine the operating state of the air conditioner in real time.

[0118] By arranging current detection units such as current monitoring coupling coils in multiple control objects, the occupancy confirmation device 130 can easily determine the operating states of multiple control objects. Also, by displaying the operating state of each control object in an occupancy confirmation image or the like, the user can easily determine each operating state from the visualized operating states of the multiple control objects. [Industrial Applicability]

[0119] The presence confirmation system according to the present invention can be used in places where it is necessary to confirm whether people are present, such as homes, offices, factories, etc. [Explanation of symbols]

[0120] 100 Presence confirmation system 110 Brightness acquisition device 111 Brightness detection unit 113 Human detection unit 114 Temperature, humidity and atmospheric pressure detection unit 115 Carbon dioxide concentration detection unit 116 Infrared projector 117 Main body 117a Housing A117a Power receiving opening P117a top 117b Ambient light adjustment unit A117b Ventilation opening 118 Power supply section 118a plug 118b Power Supply Interface 119 Control Unit 119a CPU 119b Memory 119c Information Acquisition Interface 119d Communications Department 119e power receiving interface 130 Room presence confirmation device 130a CPU 130b memory 130c hard disk drive 130d keyboard 130e Mouse 130f display 130g optical drive 130h communication circuit 130p optical media 200 Brightness acquisition device 250 Connection extension member 310 Brightness acquisition device 317 Main body P317a top side 317b Ambient light adjustment section A317b Ventilation opening R1 Occupancy confirmation area R3 Equipment Control Area C AC outlet

Claims

1. An occupancy confirmation system having a brightness acquisition device and an occupancy confirmation device, The brightness acquisition device a brightness detection unit that detects the brightness of a predetermined area; a transmitter that transmits the acquired brightness as brightness detection information; and The presence confirmation device a receiving unit for receiving the brightness detection information; an occupancy confirmation unit that uses the received brightness detection information to determine whether a person is present or absent in the area, and generates an occupancy confirmation image that indicates whether a person is present or absent in the area, corresponding to the area where the brightness is detected; a display unit that displays the presence confirmation image; and In the presence confirmation device, a transmitter that transmits device operation control information instructing a predetermined device to emit an infrared signal for controlling the device to perform a predetermined operation; and In the brightness acquisition device, a receiving unit for receiving the appliance operation control information; an infrared projection unit that projects the infrared signal corresponding to the appliance operation control information onto the appliance; and In the presence confirmation device, The presence confirmation unit further generating the presence confirmation image having an appliance operation input area for instructing transmission of the appliance operation control information; A room presence confirmation system characterized by the above.

2. In the brightness presence confirmation system according to claim 1, The brightness acquisition device further includes: an environment detection unit that detects an environment value that indicates the environment of the area; and In the brightness acquisition device, The transmission unit further Transmitting the acquired environmental value as environmental information; In the presence confirmation device, The receiving unit further receiving the environmental information; The presence confirmation unit further generating the presence confirmation image displaying the environmental value of the environmental information by correlating the received environmental information with the area in which the environmental value is detected; A room presence confirmation system characterized by the above.

3. In the presence confirmation system according to claim 2, The environment detection unit Detecting a carbon dioxide concentration as the environmental value; A room presence confirmation system characterized by the above.

4. In the presence confirmation system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The brightness acquisition device further includes: a human detection unit that detects a person; and In the brightness acquisition device, The transmission unit further Transmitting the detection of the person as person detection information; In the presence confirmation device, The receiving unit further receiving the human detection information; The presence confirmation unit further generating the presence confirmation image indicating the presence of the person in correspondence with the area where the person is detected, when the area where the person is detected is determined to be absent; A room presence confirmation system characterized by the above.

5. In the brightness presence confirmation system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, The brightness acquisition device further includes: a current detection unit that acquires the power consumption and / or current consumption of a predetermined device; and In the brightness acquisition device, The transmission unit further Transmitting the acquired power consumption and / or current consumption as current information; In the presence confirmation device, The receiving unit further receiving the current information; The presence confirmation unit further determining the operation state of the device that detected the power consumption and / or current consumption from the received current information, and generating the presence confirmation image that displays the determined operation state of the device in association with the area where the device is located; A room presence confirmation system characterized by the above.

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