Presence estimation system

Abstract

To provide a home time estimation system capable of obtaining in advance a home time zone in which an occupant of a house in which gas-consuming equipment is installed is at home, in a configuration effectively utilizing an existing configuration.SOLUTION: The home time estimation system is provided with a management server V for receiving and storing, via a network N, equipment usage data relating to the chronological equipment usage status of gas-consuming equipment W installed in each house K transmitted from the gas-consuming equipment W, and a home time estimation unit A for estimating, for each day of the week, the home time zone for each house K based on the usage data accumulated in the management server V.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an at-home estimation system. [Background technology]

[0002] In order to manage and monitor gas-consuming appliances (e.g., water heaters, etc.) installed in residences (e.g., ordinary homes, etc.), a management server is provided that is connected to the gas-consuming appliances via a network, and the management server receives and stores the appliance usage status over time transmitted from the gas-consuming appliances (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] Patent document 1 gives an example of a gas-consuming appliance as a heat source machine used to supply hot water for filling bathtubs and hot water supply, and gives an example of an appliance usage status in which the heat source machine sends appliance operation information, such as when it has started operating, to a management server. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-55302 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In order to conduct safety inspections of gas consumption in residences where gas consumption appliances are installed, a gas company safety inspection officer will visit the residence where the gas consumption appliances are installed, for example once every four years, in accordance with the law, to carry out safety inspection work such as adjusting the gas consumption appliances and checking for gas leaks. When visiting a residence where gas-consuming appliances are installed, a written visit schedule detailing the date and time of the visit (for example, morning or afternoon) is sent to the residence in advance, and if the time is inconvenient, the resident can request a change.

[0006] However, in the past, the visit dates and times listed on the visit schedule documents were unilaterally determined by the gas company, which often resulted in the residents of the residence being forced to request changes to the dates and times listed on the visit schedule documents. Therefore, in order to determine the visit date and time to be the time when the resident of the residence where the gas-consuming appliance is installed is at home, it is desirable to determine in advance the time when the resident of the residence where the gas-consuming appliance is installed is at home.

[0007] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to provide a home presence estimation system that can determine in advance the home hours when residents of a residence in which gas-consuming equipment is installed will be at home, using a configuration that makes effective use of existing equipment. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The present invention provides a system for estimating the presence of a person at home, comprising: a management server that receives and stores, via a network, appliance usage data relating to the time-series appliance usage status of each gas-consuming appliance installed in a residence, the appliance usage data being transmitted from the gas-consuming appliance; an at-home estimation unit that estimates an at-home time slot for each of the residences for each day of the week based on the device usage data accumulated in the management server, The gas consumption appliance is A heat source machine equipped with a heat medium supply function for supplying a heat medium to a floor heating unit; and It is a heat source machine with a hot water supply function, and the equipment usage data is Floor heating operation data indicating the operating state and stop state of the floor heating unit, and Gas usage included The at-home estimation unit, During the period when the floor heating unit is operated, the time period when the floor heating unit is in the operating state is estimated as the time period when the resident is at home, and during the period when the floor heating unit is not operated, The point is that the time period when the gas consumption is greater than the gas consumption when the resident is absent is estimated as the time period when the resident is at home.

[0009] That is, appliance usage data relating to appliance usage status over time transmitted from the gas consuming appliance is stored in a management server connected to the gas consuming appliance via a network. The at-home estimation unit then estimates the at-home time slots for each day of the week when the person will be at home for each residence based on the device usage data accumulated in the management server. Here, as gas consumption equipment A heat source machine having a heat medium supply function for supplying a heat medium to a floor heating unit, and The heat source machine with hot water supply function is used as the equipment status. Floor heating operation data indicating the operating state and stop state of the floor heating unit; and The gas consumption amount will be sent to the management server. Then, the at-home estimation unit Based on the floor heating operation data stored in the management server, when the floor heating unit is in operation, the time period when the heating unit is in operation is estimated as the time period when the resident is at home, and when the floor heating unit is not in operation, The time period when the gas consumption stored in the management server is greater than the gas consumption used when the resident is absent is estimated as the time period when the resident is at home.

[0010] In other words, the at-home estimation unit estimates the at-home time periods for each day of the week based on the appliance usage data accumulated in the management server, for example, by determining the time periods when gas consumption by gas-consuming appliances is high as the at-home time periods. The lifestyles of residents of residences where gas-consuming appliances are installed often change from day to day of the week, but by estimating the time periods when residents will be at home for each day of the week, it is possible to estimate the time periods when residents will be at home in accordance with the changes in their lifestyles that occur from day to day of the week. Floor heating units installed in the living room of a residence are likely to be in operation when the resident is at home in winter, but are likely to be kept in a stopped state when the resident is away, even in winter. Therefore, by estimating the time period during which the heating unit is in operation as the time period during which the person is at home, the time period during which the person is at home can be appropriately estimated. Also, Gas consumption in a residence exists even when the resident is absent, for example, when gas is consumed by a power generation unit such as a fuel cell, but is greater when the resident is present at home than when the resident is absent due to the use of a heat source unit, gas stove, etc. The at-home estimation unit can then appropriately estimate as the at-home time period those time periods when the gas consumption stored in the management server is greater than the gas consumption used when the resident is absent. Therefore, the at-home time periods for each day of the week estimated by the at-home estimation unit are time periods when the resident of the residence in which the gas consuming appliance is installed is likely to be at home.

[0011] As described above, by effectively utilizing the configuration in which the management server stores equipment usage data regarding equipment usage over time sent from gas-consuming equipment, it is possible to estimate in advance the times when residents of the residence are likely to be at home for each day of the week.

[0012] In short, according to the characteristic configuration of the at-home estimation system of the present invention, it is possible to determine in advance the time periods when residents of a residence in which a gas consumption appliance is installed will be at home, by effectively utilizing existing components, Floor heating operation data and The time periods when people are at home can be accurately estimated based on the gas consumption of the residence.

[0021] The present invention provides a system for estimating the presence of a person at home, comprising: a management server that receives and stores, via a network, appliance usage data relating to the time-series appliance usage status of each gas-consuming appliance installed in a residence, the appliance usage data being transmitted from the gas-consuming appliance; an at-home estimation unit that estimates an at-home time slot for each of the residences for each day of the week based on the device usage data accumulated in the management server, The gas consumption appliance is A heat source machine equipped with a heat medium supply function for supplying a heat medium to a floor heating unit; and The distributed power source is equipped with a power generation unit, and the equipment usage data includes: Floor heating operation data indicating the operating state and stop state of the floor heating unit; and The amount of electricity used by the residence is included; The at-home estimation unit, During the period when the floor heating unit is operated, the time period when the floor heating unit is in the operating state is estimated as the time period when the resident is at home, and during the period when the floor heating unit is not operated, The point is that the time period when the electricity consumption is greater than the electricity consumption when the resident is absent is estimated as the time period when the resident is at home.

[0022] That is, appliance usage data relating to appliance usage status over time transmitted from the gas consuming appliance is stored in a management server connected to the gas consuming appliance via a network. The at-home estimation unit then estimates the at-home time slots for each day of the week when the person will be at home for each residence based on the device usage data accumulated in the management server. Here, as gas consumption equipment A heat source machine having a heat medium supply function for supplying a heat medium to a floor heating unit, and Distributed power sources equipped with power generation units collect equipment usage data, Floor heating operation data indicating the operating state and stop state of the floor heating unit; and The amount of electricity used in the residence will be sent to the management server. Then, the at-home estimation unit Based on the floor heating operation data stored in the management server, when the floor heating unit is in operation, the time period when the heating unit is in operation is estimated as the time period when the resident is at home, and when the floor heating unit is not in operation, The time period when the amount of electricity usage stored in the management server is greater than the amount of electricity usage when the resident is absent is estimated as the time period when the resident is at home.

[0023] In other words, the at-home estimation unit estimates the at-home time periods for each day of the week based on the appliance usage data accumulated in the management server, for example, by determining the time periods when gas consumption by gas-consuming appliances is high as the at-home time periods. The lifestyles of residents of residences where gas-consuming appliances are installed often change from day to day of the week, but by estimating the time periods when residents will be at home for each day of the week, it is possible to estimate the time periods when residents will be at home in accordance with the changes in their lifestyles that occur from day to day of the week. Floor heating units installed in the living room of a residence are likely to be in operation when the resident is at home in winter, but are likely to be kept in a stopped state when the resident is away, even in winter. Therefore, by estimating the time period during which the heating unit is in operation as the time period during which the person is at home, the time period during which the person is at home can be appropriately estimated. Also, Electricity usage in a residence exists even when the resident is away, as electricity is constantly used by refrigerators, etc., but is higher when the resident is at home than when the resident is away, as electricity is used for lighting, television, etc. The at-home presence estimation unit can then appropriately estimate as at-home time periods those time periods when the electricity usage stored in the management server is higher than the electricity usage when the resident is away. Therefore, the at-home time periods for each day of the week estimated by the at-home estimation unit are time periods when the resident of the residence in which the gas consuming appliance is installed is likely to be at home.

[0024] In short, according to the characteristic configuration of the at-home estimation system of the present invention, it is possible to determine in advance the time periods when residents of a residence in which a gas consumption appliance is installed will be at home, by effectively utilizing existing components, Floor heating operation data and The time periods when people are at home can be accurately estimated based on the amount of electricity used in the home.

[0025] A further characteristic feature of the at-home estimation system of the present invention is that it is equipped with an area estimation unit that, for a target visiting area where multiple residences exist, determines, based on the estimation results of the at-home estimation unit, from among multiple potential visiting time periods, each day of the week divided into morning and afternoon, a visiting time period in which the number of residences that fall within the at-home time period is greater than a set reference number.

[0026] In other words, for a target visiting area where multiple residences exist, the area estimation unit will determine a visiting time period from among multiple potential visiting time periods, each day of the week divided into morning and afternoon, such that the number of residences that fall within the home-at-home time period estimated by the home-at-home estimation unit is greater than a set reference number.

[0027] Therefore, when visiting a target area where multiple residences exist, the possibility of visiting a residence where the person is at home increases by visiting during a visit time period in which the number of residences where the person is at home exceeds the set reference number, out of multiple possible visit time periods, each day of the week divided into morning and afternoon.

[0028] In other words, when a gas company representative visits a residence where gas consumption equipment is installed, a target visit area where multiple residences exist is determined, and all residences in that target visit area are visited at once. In such cases, for a target visit area where multiple residences exist, the area estimation unit determines a visit time period in which the number of residences at home is greater than a set reference number from among multiple candidate visit time periods, each day of the week being divided into morning and afternoon.Therefore, by visiting each residence in the target visit area during the visit time period determined by the area estimation unit, the possibility of visiting a residence at home can be increased.

[0029] In short, this further characteristic configuration of the at-home estimation system of the present invention increases the possibility of visiting a residence where the person will be at home when visiting a target visit area where multiple residences exist. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0030] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an at-home estimation system. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a distributed power source. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a heat source machine. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the storage management state of floor heating operation data. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0031] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. [Embodiment] (Basic configuration of the in-home estimation system) As shown in Figure 1, the at-home presence estimation system includes gas consumption appliances W installed in each of multiple (large number of) residences K and a management server V, which are connected to each other so as to be able to communicate freely via the Internet N (an example of a network). Equipment usage data regarding the equipment usage status of each gas consuming equipment W over time is transmitted from the gas consuming equipment W to the management server V, and the management server V is configured to store and accumulate the equipment usage status of each gas consuming equipment W in the memory unit M.

[0032] Incidentally, the memory unit M of the management server V is equipped with a residence information memory unit Mk that stores residence information such as residence identification information, address, and representative resident information for each of multiple residences K, and a usage status data memory unit Mj that stores equipment usage data (equipment usage status) for each residence K in correspondence with the residence identification information.

[0033] The management server V is provided with an at-home estimation unit A that estimates the time periods when the person will be at home for each residence K for each day of the week based on the device usage data accumulated therein. That is, the at-home presence estimation unit A is configured to estimate the at-home time periods for each day of the week for each residence K based on the device usage data for each day of the week for each residence K, and to store the estimation results in correspondence with the residence identification information, the details of which will be described later. In this embodiment, the at-home estimation unit A is provided in the management server V.

[0034] Furthermore, for a target visit area where a plurality of residences K (for example, 10 residences) exist, an area estimation unit B is provided that determines a visit time period in which the number of residences that fall within the at-home time period exceeds a set reference number (for example, 5 residences) from among a plurality of candidate visit time periods obtained by dividing each day of the week into a morning time period (for example, 9:00 to 12:00) and an afternoon time period (for example, 13:00 to 16:00) based on the estimation results of the at-home estimation unit A. In this embodiment, the area estimation unit B is provided in the management server V. In addition, a visit target area where multiple residences K exist is set in a manner that determines residences K that can be visited during a candidate visit time period, taking into consideration travel distance, stay time at each residence K, etc.

[0035] When visiting multiple residences K in the target visit area to perform safety inspection work such as adjusting gas consumption appliances W and inspecting for gas leaks, the gas company staff member who creates the visit schedule uses a management terminal T that is freely connected to the management server V to obtain the residence information of the multiple residences K in the target visit area stored in the memory unit M, and the visit time periods for the multiple residences K in the target visit area that have been estimated and stored in the area estimation unit B. Then, based on the results of this acquisition, a visit schedule document (e.g., a postcard) is created for each of the multiple residences K, addressing each residence K and listing the visit date and visit time corresponding to the day of the week on which the visit time falls, and the created visit schedule document is sent to each residence K in the target visit area.

[0036] Therefore, the person in charge of inspection and maintenance work at the gas company will visit multiple residences K in the target area for which a visit schedule document has been sent during the visit time period (morning or afternoon) on the visit date specified in the visit schedule document, and will perform safety inspection work such as adjusting gas-consuming equipment W and checking for gas leaks. When visiting a plurality of residences K in the target visit area, the order of visits is determined taking into consideration efficiency, such as reducing travel distance.

[0037] (Gas consumption equipment W details) The gas consumption equipment W includes a distributed power source Wd (see FIG. 2) equipped with a power generation module 1 (an example of a power generation unit) and a heat source machine Wn (see FIG. 3) equipped with a hot water supply function. As shown in FIG. 3, the heat source machine Wn also includes a type equipped with a heat medium supply function that supplies a heat medium to a floor heating unit D in addition to the hot water supply function.

[0038] In the distributed power source Wd, for example, information regarding the start and stop of operation of the power generation module 1 and the amount of power generated by the power generation module 1 are transmitted as equipment usage data, and the amount of electricity used by the residence K is also included as equipment usage data. Incidentally, by including the amount of electricity used by the residence K as equipment usage data, it is possible to determine the proportion of the amount of electricity used by the residence K that can be covered by the amount of power generated by the power generation module 1.

[0039] In the heat source machine Wn with a hot water supply function, information on the start and stop of hot water supply and gas consumption are transmitted as equipment usage data. Furthermore, in the heat source machine Wn with a heat medium supply function, floor heating operation data indicating the operating state and stopped state of the floor heating section D is also transmitted as equipment usage data.

[0040] When the appliance usage data includes the amount of electricity used at residence K, the at-home estimation unit A is configured to estimate the time period when the amount of electricity used is greater than the standard amount of electricity used as the at-home time period. Furthermore, when the appliance usage data includes gas consumption, the at-home estimation unit A is configured to estimate, as the at-home time period, a time period in which the gas consumption is greater than the reference gas consumption. Furthermore, when the equipment usage data includes floor heating operation data indicating the operating state and stopped state of the floor heating unit D, the at-home presence estimation unit A is configured to estimate the time period during which the floor heating unit D is in operating state as the at-home time period.

[0041] (Details of distributed power sources) As shown in Figure 2, the distributed power source Wd includes a power generation module 1 (e.g., a power generation unit equipped with a fuel cell) that generates electricity using fuel gas such as city gas supplied from an external source, a power conversion unit 2 that converts the generated electricity into alternating current, a waste heat recovery heat exchange unit 3 that recovers waste heat generated during power generation in the power generation module 1, a hot water storage tank 4 that heats and stores water using the waste heat recovered in the waste heat recovery heat exchange unit 3, an auxiliary heat source unit 6 that heats hot water in the hot water storage tank 4 or water from a water supply line 5 as needed to supply hot water to a hot water load, and a power generation control unit 7 that controls the entire distributed power source Wd.

[0042] The auxiliary heat source unit 6 is configured to include a water heating heat exchanger and a hot water supply combustion burner that heats the water heating heat exchanger, and to supply heated water to the water heating heat exchanger. The hot water storage tank 4 is configured so that water is replenished from the water supply channel 5 as the stored hot water is supplied to the auxiliary heat source unit 6. Furthermore, fuel gas such as city gas is supplied to the power generation module 1 and the auxiliary heat source unit 6 through a power supply side gas supply path 8 .

[0043] The power generation module 1 supplies power to a power load 9 such as a general power load while being interconnected with a power system E (commercial power system). That is, a distribution board 10 connected to a power system E is provided, and power is supplied to a power load 9 through a power supply line 11 connected to the distribution board 10. The power conversion unit 2 is configured to adjust the power generated from the power generation module 1 to the same voltage and frequency as the power supplied from the power grid E, and supply the adjusted power to the distribution board 10.

[0044] The distribution board 10 is provided with a wattmeter 12 that detects the power used by the power load 9, and the power generation control unit 7 is configured to calculate the amount of electricity used by the residence K based on the detection result of the wattmeter 12. Specifically, the power generation control unit 7 is configured to calculate the amount of electricity used per unit time (e.g., one hour).

[0045] There is provided a power generation side remote control Rh that issues various control commands to the power generation control unit 7. In other words, the power generation side remote control Rh is configured to issue various control commands to the power generation control unit 7, such as power generation operation information that issues commands to start and stop operation of the power generation module 1, auxiliary heat source unit operation information that issues commands to start and stop operation of the auxiliary heat source unit 6, and hot water temperature information that issues commands to the target temperature at which the auxiliary heat source unit 6 supplies hot water.

[0046] The power generation side remote control Rh is provided with a power generation remote control control unit 13 and a power generation remote control communication unit 14 which are communicatively connected to the power generation control unit 7. The power generation remote control communication unit 14 is connected to a distributed power source router Uh (WiFi router), and the distributed power source router Uh is communicatively connected to a server communication unit Vs of the management server V via the Internet N. The power generation control unit 7 is configured to communicate device usage data relating to the device usage status over time of the dispersed power source Wd to the server communication unit Vs of the management server V via the power generation remote control communication unit 14.

[0047] In this embodiment, the equipment usage data relating to the equipment usage status of the distributed power source Wd over time includes when the power generation module 1 enters an operating state, when the power generation module 1 enters a stopped state, when the auxiliary heat source unit 6 enters an operating state, when the auxiliary heat source unit 6 enters a stopped state, the amount of power generated by the power generation module 1, and the amount of electricity used by the residence K per unit time (e.g., 1 hour).

[0048] (Details of the heat source machine) As shown in Figure 3, the heat source machine Wn includes a hot water supply section 18 that heats water from a hot water supply water passage 16 and supplies it to a hot water load through a hot water supply passage 17, a heat medium supply section 20 that circulates and supplies the heated heat medium to the floor heating section D through a heat medium forward passage 19a and a heat medium return passage 19b, and a heat source control section 21 that controls the operation of these sections. The heat medium outgoing path 19a is provided with a thermal valve 19c that switches on and off the flow of the heat medium, and the heat source control unit 21 controls the opening and closing of the thermal valve 19c to control the amount of heat in the floor heating unit D.

[0049] The hot water supply section 18 is equipped with a water heating heat exchanger and a hot water supply combustion burner that heats the water heating heat exchanger, and is configured to supply hot water heated by the water heating heat exchanger to the hot water supply load. The heat medium supply section 20 is equipped with a heat medium heating heat exchanger, a heat medium combustion burner that heats the heat medium heating heat exchanger, and a heat medium circulation pump, and is configured to supply the heat medium heated in the heat medium heating heat exchanger to the floor heating section D.

[0050] The system is configured so that fuel gas such as city gas is supplied to the hot water supply section 18 and the heat medium supply section 20 through a gas supply passage 22 on the heat source unit side. A gas meter 23 that measures the consumption of fuel gas is provided in the heat source unit side gas supply path 22. The heat source control unit 21 is configured to calculate the gas consumption amount of the residence K based on the detection result of the gas meter 23. Specifically, the heat source control unit 21 is configured to calculate the gas consumption amount per unit time (for example, one hour).

[0051] A heat source side remote control Rn is provided to issue various control commands to the heat source control unit 21. In other words, the heat source side remote control Rn is configured to issue various control commands to the heat source control unit 21, such as water heating unit operation information that commands the start and stop of water heating unit 18, water heating temperature information that commands the target temperature at which water heating unit 18 will supply hot water, and floor heating unit operation information that commands the start and stop of floor heating unit D. Incidentally, when the heat source control unit 21 receives a command to start operating the floor heating unit D, it controls the opening and closing of the thermal valve 19c while the heat medium supply unit 20 is operating, thereby supplying the heat medium to the floor heating unit D.

[0052] The heat source side remote control Rn is provided with a heat source remote control control unit 24 and a heat source remote control communication unit 25 which are communicatively connected to the heat source control unit 21. The heat source remote control communication unit 25 is connected to a heat source machine router Un (WiFi router), and the heat source machine router Un is communicatively connected to a server communication unit Vs of the management server V via the Internet N. The heat source control unit 21 is configured to communicate device usage data relating to the device usage status of the heat source unit Wn over time to the server communication unit Vs of the management server V via the heat source remote control communication unit 25.

[0053] In this embodiment, the equipment usage data relating to the equipment usage status of the heat source unit Wn over time includes when the hot water supply unit 18 is in operation, when the hot water supply unit 18 is stopped, when the floor heating unit D is in operation, when the floor heating unit D is stopped, and the amount of gas consumed per unit time (e.g., 1 hour).

[0054] (Details of the At-Home Estimation Department) The at-home estimation unit A is configured to estimate the at-home time period for each day of the week based on the equipment usage data for the same day of the week. Below, we will explain the at-home estimation unit A, using the floor heating operation data that shows the operating and stopped states of the floor heating unit D as an example.

[0055] For each residence K, the at-home estimation unit A determines whether the state of the floor heating unit D during each time period between 9:00 and 12:00 and 13:00 and 16:00 on Monday through Friday, as shown in Figure 4, is in an operating state (ON) corresponding to the time period when the person is at home, or in a stopped state (OFF) corresponding to the time period when the person is not at home.

[0056] To define the state of the floor heating unit D for each time period as operating (ON) or stopped (OFF), if the operating state (ON) is in effect for more than half of the days stored in the usage data storage unit Mj, or if the operating state (ON) is in effect for half of the days stored in the usage data storage unit Mj, the state is defined as operating (ON), and if the stopped state (OFF) is in effect for more than half of the days stored in the usage data storage unit Mj, the state is defined as stopped.

[0057] Incidentally, for a target visiting area where there are multiple residences K (for example, 10 residences), the area estimation unit B will determine, based on the estimation results of the above-mentioned at-home presence estimation unit A, from among multiple potential visiting time periods in which each day of the week is divided into morning time periods (for example, 9:00 to 12:00) and afternoon time periods (for example, 13:00 to 16:00), a visiting time period in which the number of residences that fall into the at-home time period is greater than a set standard number (for example, 5 residences).

[0058] That is, in this embodiment, the area estimation unit B is configured to determine whether or not each of the multiple residences K in the target visiting area is at home during the morning time slot (e.g., 9:00 to 12:00) and the afternoon time slot (e.g., 1:00 to 4:00) on each day of the week. That is, if two of the three one-hour periods in the morning (e.g., 9 to 12 o'clock) are in operation (ON), the morning (e.g., 9 to 12 o'clock) is determined as the home time period, and if two of the three one-hour periods in the morning (e.g., 9 to 12 o'clock) are in stop (OFF), the morning (e.g., 9 to 12 o'clock) is determined as the non-home time period. The afternoon (e.g., 1 to 4 o'clock) is also determined in the same way as the morning (e.g., 9 to 12 o'clock) time period.

[0059] Then, the area estimation unit B will determine the visiting time slot as the visiting time slot from among multiple visiting time slots, which are obtained by dividing each day into morning time slots (e.g., 9:00 to 12:00) and afternoon time slots (e.g., 13:00 to 16:00), and select the visiting time slot that has more than a set standard number of residences where the person will be at home (e.g., 5 residences).

[0060] (Estimating time periods when people are at home using electricity usage) As described above, the at-home estimation unit A estimates the at-home time slots for each day of the week based on floor heating operation data that indicates the operating and stopped states of the floor heating unit D, but this can also be implemented when electricity usage is used as equipment usage data. In other words, during times such as summer and spring when the floor heating unit D is not operating, the at-home time slots for each day of the week can be estimated using electricity usage instead of floor heating operation data.

[0061] At-home estimation unit A calculates the amount of electricity used for each residence K in three hourly time slots between 9:00 and 12:00 and 13:00 and 16:00 on each of Monday through Friday. The amount of electricity used in each time period can be calculated by adding up the amount of electricity used for the number of days stored in the usage data storage unit Mj and dividing the total amount of electricity used by the number of days for which it was added. Then, the time periods in which the amount of electricity usage is greater than the reference amount of electricity usage are estimated as the time periods when the person is at home. The reference amount of electricity usage is determined by extracting a low amount of electricity equivalent to the amount of electricity used by electrical appliances that are in constant use, such as an electric refrigerator, based on the amount of electricity usage stored in the usage data storage unit Mj.

[0062] Incidentally, the area estimation unit B determines the morning time slot (e.g., 9 to 12 o'clock) as the home time slot when two of the three hourly time slots in the morning time slot (e.g., 9 to 12 o'clock) are home time slots, and determines the morning time slot (e.g., 9 to 12 o'clock) as the non-home time slot when two of the three hourly time slots in the morning time slot (e.g., 9 to 12 o'clock) are home time slots. The afternoon time slot (e.g., 1 to 4 o'clock) is also determined in the same way as the morning time slot (e.g., 9 to 12 o'clock).

[0063] Then, the area estimation unit B will determine the visiting time slot as the visiting time slot from among multiple visiting time slots, which are obtained by dividing each day into morning time slots (e.g., 9:00 to 12:00) and afternoon time slots (e.g., 13:00 to 16:00), and select the visiting time slot that has more than a set standard number of residences where the person will be at home (e.g., 5 residences).

[0064] (Estimating time periods when people are at home using gas consumption) As described above, the at-home estimation unit A estimates the at-home time slots for each day of the week based on the floor heating operation data indicating the operating and stopped states of the floor heating unit D, but this can also be implemented when gas consumption is used as equipment usage data. In other words, during times such as summer and spring when the floor heating unit D is not operating, the at-home time slots for each day of the week can be estimated using gas consumption instead of floor heating operation data.

[0065] At-home estimation unit A calculates the gas consumption amount for each residence K for three time periods, one hour each, between 9:00 and 12:00 and 13:00 and 16:00 on Monday through Friday. The gas consumption amount for each time period can be calculated by adding up the gas consumption amounts for the number of days stored in the usage data storage unit Mj and dividing the added gas consumption amount by the number of days for which it was added. The time periods in which the gas consumption is greater than the reference gas consumption amount are then estimated as the home time periods. The reference gas consumption amount is determined by extracting a low gas consumption amount equivalent to the gas consumption amount used by gas appliances that are in regular use, such as fuel cells and gas refrigerators, based on the gas consumption amounts stored in the usage data storage unit Mj.

[0066] Incidentally, the area estimation unit B determines the morning time slot (e.g., 9 to 12 o'clock) as the home time slot when two of the three hourly time slots in the morning time slot (e.g., 9 to 12 o'clock) are home time slots, and determines the morning time slot (e.g., 9 to 12 o'clock) as the non-home time slot when two of the three hourly time slots in the morning time slot (e.g., 9 to 12 o'clock) are home time slots. The afternoon time slot (e.g., 1 to 4 o'clock) is also determined in the same way as the morning time slot (e.g., 9 to 12 o'clock).

[0067] Then, the area estimation unit B will determine the visiting time slot as the visiting time slot from among multiple visiting time slots, which are obtained by dividing each day into morning time slots (e.g., 9:00 to 12:00) and afternoon time slots (e.g., 13:00 to 16:00), and select the visiting time slot that has more than a set standard number of residences where the person will be at home (e.g., 5 residences).

[0068] [Another embodiment] (1) In the above embodiment, an example was given of the case where the presence-at-home estimation unit A and the area estimation unit B are provided in the management server V, but the locations where the presence-at-home estimation unit A and the area estimation unit B are installed can be changed in various ways, such as by providing a separate calculation server that can communicate freely with the management server V and having that calculation server be equipped with the presence-at-home estimation unit A and the area estimation unit B.

[0069] (2) In the above embodiment, the home presence estimation unit A basically uses floor heating operation data as equipment usage data, and during times such as summer and spring when the floor heating unit D is not in operation, electricity usage or gas consumption is used instead of floor heating operation data to estimate the home presence time period for each day of the week. However, the present invention may also be implemented in a form in which electricity usage or gas consumption is always used as equipment usage data to estimate the home presence time period for each day of the week.

[0070] (3) In the above embodiment, an example was given of the case where the information indicating the home hours estimated by the home-at-home estimation unit A is used as information for creating a visit schedule document, but the information indicating the home hours estimated by the home-at-home estimation unit A can be used for various purposes, such as being used by a delivery company of various items as information for setting delivery times.

[0071] (4) In the above embodiment, examples of gas consumption equipment W include a distributed power source Wd and a heat source unit Wn equipped with a hot water supply function and a heat transfer medium supply function. However, various other types of gas consumption equipment W can be applied, such as a heat source unit Wn equipped only with a hot water supply function without a heat transfer medium supply function.

[0072] (5) In the above embodiment, the power generation control unit 7 of the distributed power source Wd and the heat source control unit 21 of the heat source unit Wn, which are gas consumption equipment W, are illustrated as being freely communicatively connected to the management server V via the power generation side remote control Rh and the heat source side remote control Rn, but the power generation control unit 7 of the distributed power source Wd and the heat source control unit 21 of the heat source unit Wn may also be implemented in a form in which they are freely communicatively connected directly to the management server V.

[0073] (6) In the above embodiment, the example was given of the case where the at-home estimation unit A uses floor heating operation data, electricity usage, and gas consumption as equipment usage data, but the embodiment may also be implemented in a form where the amount of hot water supplied by the heat source unit Wn, information on operations performed on the power generation side remote control Rh or the heat source side remote control Rn, etc. are used as equipment usage data.

[0074] (7) In the above embodiment, an example was given of a form in which the amount of electricity used by residence K is calculated based on the detection results of the power meter 12 provided in the distribution board 10. However, the form in which the amount of electricity used by residence K is calculated can be modified in various ways, for example, by providing a detection unit that detects the amount of electricity supplied to the distribution board 10 from the power system E (commercial power system) and a detection unit that detects the amount of electricity supplied to the distribution board from the power conversion unit 2, and adding up the detected amounts of electricity by both detection units to calculate the amount of electricity used by residence K.

[0075] The configurations disclosed in the above-described embodiments (including other embodiments, the same applies hereinafter) can be applied in combination with the configurations disclosed in other embodiments, unless a contradiction arises. Furthermore, the embodiments disclosed in this specification are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited to these, and can be modified as appropriate within the scope of the purpose of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0076] 1 Power Generation Department A. Home Prediction Department B Area estimation section D Floor heating section N Network K Residence V Management Server W Gas consumption equipment Wd distributed power supply Wn heat source machine

Claims

1. a management server that receives and stores appliance usage data relating to the time-series appliance usage status of the gas consumption appliances, the time-series appliance usage data being transmitted from the gas consumption appliances installed in each of the residences via a network; an at-home estimation unit that estimates an at-home time slot for each of the residences for each day of the week based on the device usage data accumulated in the management server, The gas consumption equipment is a heat source machine with a heat medium supply function for supplying a heat medium to a floor heating unit, and a heat source machine with a hot water supply function, and the equipment usage data includes floor heating operation data indicating the operating state and stopped state of the floor heating unit, and the gas usage amount of the heat source machine with the hot water supply function, The at-home estimation unit, This is an at-home estimation system that, during periods when the floor heating unit is operating, estimates the time period during which the floor heating unit is in operation as the at-home time period, and, during periods when the floor heating unit is not operating, estimates the time period during which the gas consumption is greater than the gas consumption used when the resident is absent as the at-home time period.

2. a management server that receives and stores appliance usage data relating to the time-series appliance usage status of the gas consumption appliances, the time-series appliance usage data being transmitted from the gas consumption appliances installed in each of the residences via a network; an at-home estimation unit that estimates an at-home time slot for each of the residences for each day of the week based on the device usage data accumulated in the management server, the gas consumption equipment is a heat source machine having a heat medium supply function for supplying a heat medium to a floor heating unit, and a distributed power source having a power generation unit, and the equipment usage data includes floor heating operation data indicating the operating state and stopped state of the floor heating unit, and electricity usage amount of the residence; The at-home estimation unit, This is an at-home estimation system that, during periods when the floor heating unit is operating, estimates the time period during which the floor heating unit is in operation as the at-home time period, and, during periods when the floor heating unit is not operating, estimates the time period during which the electricity consumption is greater than the electricity consumption when the resident is absent as the at-home time period.

3. The at-home estimation system according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising an area estimation unit that, for a target visiting area where a plurality of the residences exist, determines, based on the estimation results of the at-home estimation unit, from among a plurality of candidate visiting time periods in which each day of the week is divided into morning and afternoon, a visiting time period in which the number of residences that fall within the at-home time period is greater than a set reference number.

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