Ventilation control device, ventilation system, ventilation control method and program

Abstract

To provide a ventilation control device, a ventilation system, a ventilation control method and a program capable of keeping building environment comfortably for a user while achieving a predetermined necessary ventilation amount.SOLUTION: A cloud server 1 includes: an operational state acquisition portion 111 for acquiring operational state information indicating operational states of a plurality of apparatuses including a ventilation device 3B; an air quality acquisition portion 113 for acquiring air quality information indicating air quality in a building in which the ventilation device 3B is installed; a control mode selection portion 114 for selecting a control mode in controlling the ventilation device 3B on the basis of the operational state information, the air quality information and continuous ventilation setting information; and an apparatus control portion 119 producing control information to control an operation of the ventilation device 3B so that a unit ventilation amount of the ventilation device 3B becomes a reference ventilation amount or more on the basis of the selected control mode when the ventilation device 3B performs a continuous ventilation operation in which the unit ventilation amount is kept at the reference ventilation amount or more.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a ventilation control device, a ventilation system, a ventilation control method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] A ventilation system has been proposed that includes a range hood installed indoors, a control unit that controls the operation of the range hood, a detection unit that detects indoor air quality, and an information acquisition unit that acquires outdoor air quality information, in which the control unit compares the indoor air quality detected by the detection unit with the air quality information acquired by the information acquisition unit, and controls the operation of the range hood so that the indoor air quality approaches predetermined air quality conditions (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-118420 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The Building Standards Act requires that buildings be equipped with a 24-hour ventilation system, which must control the ventilation equipment so that the cumulative ventilation volume within a preset period is equal to or greater than the required ventilation volume stipulated by the Building Standards Act.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned reasons, and aims to provide a ventilation control device, ventilation system, ventilation control method, and program that can achieve a predetermined required ventilation volume while maintaining a comfortable environment within a building for users. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the ventilation control device according to the present disclosure includes: a continuous ventilation setting storage unit that stores continuous ventilation setting information indicating whether the ventilation device performs a continuous ventilation operation to maintain a unit ventilation volume, which is a ventilation volume per unit time, at or above a reference ventilation volume; At least one of an operating status acquisition unit that acquires operating status information indicating the operating status of at least one device including the ventilation device, and an air quality acquisition unit that acquires air quality information indicating the air quality inside or outside a building in which the ventilation device is installed; a control mode selection unit that selects a control mode when controlling the ventilation device based on at least one of the operating state information and the air quality information and the continuous ventilation setting information; and an equipment control unit that, when the ventilation device is performing the continuous ventilation operation, generates control information for controlling the operation of the ventilation device based on the selected control mode so that the unit ventilation volume is equal to or greater than the standard ventilation volume. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present disclosure, when the ventilation device is operating in continuous ventilation mode, the equipment control unit generates control information for controlling the operation of the ventilation device so that the unit ventilation volume is equal to or greater than the reference ventilation volume, based on the selected control mode. This allows the ventilation device to maintain the unit ventilation volume at or greater than the reference ventilation volume when operating in continuous ventilation mode, thereby achieving a preset required ventilation volume. Furthermore, because the control mode is selected based on at least one of the operating status information and air quality information, a comfortable environment for users within the building can be maintained. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a control system according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a control system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a control system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 4]1A is a diagram showing an example of information stored in an operating state storage unit of a cloud server according to an embodiment; FIG. 1B is a diagram showing an example of information stored in an air quality storage unit of a cloud server according to an embodiment; [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of information stored in a control mode storage unit of a cloud server according to an embodiment; [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a sequence diagram illustrating the operation of a control system according to an embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a sequence diagram illustrating the operation of a control system according to an embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a sequence diagram illustrating the operation of a control system according to an embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is a sequence diagram illustrating the operation of a control system according to an embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a change in unit ventilation volume of a ventilation device according to an embodiment. [Figure 11] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of ventilation control processing executed by the cloud server according to the embodiment. [Figure 12] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of ventilation control processing executed by the cloud server according to the embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a control system according to a modified example. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a control system according to a modified example. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a control system according to a modified example. [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a change in unit ventilation volume of a ventilation device according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] A ventilation control device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. The ventilation control device according to the present embodiment includes at least one of: a continuous ventilation setting storage unit that stores continuous ventilation setting information indicating whether the ventilation device is to perform continuous ventilation operation to maintain a unit ventilation volume, which is a ventilation volume per unit time, at or above a reference ventilation volume; an operating status acquisition unit that acquires operating status information indicating the operating status of at least one device including the ventilation device; and an air quality acquisition unit that acquires air quality information indicating the air quality inside or outside a building in which the ventilation device is installed; a control mode selection unit that selects a control mode for controlling the ventilation device based on at least one of the operating status information and the air quality information; and an equipment control unit that, when the ventilation device is performing continuous ventilation operation, generates control information for controlling the operation of the ventilation device so that the unit ventilation volume is equal to or above the reference ventilation volume, based on the selected control mode.

[0010] As shown in FIG. 1 , the control system according to this embodiment includes an environmental sensor 2, a plurality of devices 3 installed in a building H, a terminal device 5, and a cloud server 1. The plurality of devices 3 include an air conditioner 3A and a ventilator 3B. Each device 3 is connected to a local network NW2 established in the building H via a communication adapter 41. The local network NW2 is connected to a wide area network NW1 via a broadband router (hereinafter referred to as "BBR") 42. The cloud server 1 and the terminal device 5 can communicate with each other via the wide area network NW1, and the cloud server 1 can communicate with the communication adapter 41 via both the wide area network NW1 and the local network NW2. A weather server 6 is also connected to the wide area network NW1. The local network NW2 is, for example, a wired local area network (LAN) or a wireless LAN, and the wide area network NW1 is, for example, the Internet.

[0011] When the weather server 6 acquires air quality request information including regional information indicating the region where building H is located, the weather server 6 generates air quality information including information indicating the temperature, humidity, PM2.5 concentration, and pollen concentration in the region where building H is located, which is indicated by the regional information included in the acquired air quality request information. The weather server 6 then transmits the generated air quality information to the sender of the air quality request information. When the weather server 6 acquires weather information request information transmitted from, for example, the cloud server 1, the weather server 6 generates air quality information based on the regional information included in the acquired weather information request information, and transmits the generated air quality information to the cloud server 1.

[0012] The air conditioner 3A and the ventilation device 3B each have an environmental sensor (not shown) that measures the indoor air quality inside the building H. The environmental sensor for the air conditioner 3A that measures the air quality inside the building H consists of a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, etc., provided in an indoor unit installed inside the building H. The environmental sensor for the ventilation device 3B that measures the air quality inside the building H consists of a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, etc., that measure the temperature and humidity of the air that passes through the ventilation device 3B when the air inside the building H is discharged to the outside of the building H. The air conditioner 3A and the ventilation device 3B each also have an environmental sensor (not shown) that measures the air quality outside the building H. Here, the environmental sensor for the air conditioner 3A that measures the air quality consists of a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, etc., provided in an outdoor unit installed outside the building H. The environmental sensor for the ventilation device 3B also consists of a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, etc., that measure the temperature and humidity of the air that passes through the ventilation device 3B when the air outside the building H is introduced into the building H. The air conditioner 3A and the ventilation device 3B each generate operating status information indicating the operating status of the equipment 3 and air quality information indicating the air quality measured by the environmental sensor and transmit these to the cloud server 1 each time a predetermined information transmission time arrives.

[0013] The ventilation device 3B operates in either an adaptive control mode, in which it operates adaptively according to the air quality inside and outside the building based on control information acquired from the cloud server 1, or a non-adaptive control mode, in which it operates based on operation information acquired from an operation device 32 for operating the ventilation device 3B. Furthermore, when operating in the adaptive control mode or the non-adaptive control mode, the ventilation device 3B also performs continuous ventilation operation in parallel, maintaining the unit ventilation volume, which is the ventilation volume per unit time, at or above a predetermined reference ventilation volume during a predetermined continuous ventilation period during which continuous ventilation is performed. Here, the length of the continuous ventilation period is set to, for example, 24 hours.

[0014] The environmental sensor 2 is, for example, a CO2 sensor that measures the CO2 concentration inside the building H. The environmental sensor 2 transmits air quality information indicating the measured air quality to the cloud server 1 every time a preset information transmission time arrives.

[0015] The terminal device 5 is, for example, a smartphone, and includes, as shown in FIG. 2 , a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 501, a main memory 502, an auxiliary memory 503, a display 504, an input unit 505, a communication unit 506, and a bus 509 connecting these components to one another. The main memory 502 has a volatile memory such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) and is used as a work area for the CPU 501. The main memory 502 also has an image-only memory (not shown) that temporarily stores image information to be displayed on the display 504. The auxiliary memory 503 is a non-volatile memory such as a semiconductor flash memory and stores programs for the CPU 501 to execute various processes. The display 504 is a display device such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display. The input unit 505 is, for example, a transparent touchpad placed on top of the display 504. The communication unit 506 is connected to the wide area network NW1 and transmits information transferred from the CPU 501 to the cloud server 1 via the wide area network NW1, and transfers information received from the cloud server 1 via the wide area network NW1 to the CPU 501.

[0016] 3 , by loading a program stored in auxiliary storage unit 503 into main storage unit 502 and executing it, CPU 501 functions as reception unit 511 and setting notification unit 512. Reception unit 511 receives the operation content performed by the user on input unit 505, generates operation information according to the received operation content, and notifies setting notification unit 512. When the operation information indicates an operation for setting whether or not to cause ventilation device 3B to perform continuous ventilation operation that maintains a unit ventilation volume, which is a ventilation volume per unit time, at or above a certain reference ventilation volume, setting notification unit 512 generates continuous ventilation setting information indicating whether or not to cause ventilation device 3B to perform the continuous ventilation operation, based on the operation information, and transmits the generated continuous ventilation setting information to cloud server 1.

[0017] Returning to FIG. 2, the cloud server 1 includes a CPU 101, a main memory unit 102, an auxiliary memory unit 103, a communication unit 106, a clock unit 108, and a bus 109 interconnecting these units. The CPU 101 is, for example, a multi-core processor. The main memory unit 102 has a volatile memory such as RAM and is used as a work area for the CPU 101. The auxiliary memory unit 103 is made up of a large-capacity non-volatile memory and stores programs for realizing various functions of the cloud server 1. The communication unit 106 is connected to a wide area network NW1. The clock unit 108 has, for example, an RTC (Real Time Clock) and notifies the CPU 101 of the clocked time information.

[0018] The CPU 101 loads the programs stored in the auxiliary storage unit 103 into the main storage unit 102 and executes them, thereby functioning as an operating state acquisition unit 111, an air quality acquisition unit 113, a control mode selection unit 114, a continuous ventilation setting unit 116, and an appliance control unit 119, as shown in FIG. 3. The auxiliary storage unit 103 shown in FIG. 2 also includes an operating state storage unit 131, an air quality storage unit 132, a control mode storage unit 133, a schedule storage unit 134, and a continuous ventilation setting storage unit 135, as shown in FIG. 3. The operating state storage unit 131 stores operating state identification information indicating the operating state of each of the multiple appliances 3 in association with appliance identification information identifying the appliance 3 and appliance operation mode information indicating the type of control of the appliance 3, as shown in FIG. 4(A), for example. The operating state storage unit 131 also stores the appliance identification information of the multiple appliances 3 in association with the user identification information of the users who own the multiple appliances 3. Here, the appliance identification information may be, for example, a Media Access Control (MAC) address assigned to each appliance 3. The user identification information may be an email address or user ID registered by the user in the cloud server 1. The operation mode information is set as a combination of the operation mode of each device 3 (either the adaptive control mode or the non-adaptive control mode) and whether the ventilation device 3B is in continuous ventilation operation. In the example shown in FIG. 4(A), the air conditioner 3A identified by the device identification information IDD[0] is in heating operation identified by the operating state identification information IDM[0], and the ventilation device 3B identified by the device identification information IDD[1] is in ventilation operation. The air conditioner 3A with the device identification information IDD[0] and the ventilation device 3B with the device identification information IDD[1] are each set to ICC[0], which indicates the adaptive control mode.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 4B, the air quality storage unit 132 stores air quality information indicating the air quality inside and outside the building H in which the device 3 is installed, in association with information source identification information indicating the source from which the air quality information was obtained. The air quality storage unit 132 also stores the air quality information in association with the user identification information of the user residing in the corresponding building H. The air quality information includes indoor temperature information and indoor humidity information indicating the temperature and humidity inside the building H, and CO2 concentration information indicating the CO2 concentration inside the building H. The air quality information also includes outdoor temperature information and outdoor humidity information indicating the temperature and humidity outside the building H, PM2.5 concentration information indicating the PM2.5 concentration, and pollen concentration information indicating the pollen concentration. The example shown in FIG. 4B indicates that indoor temperature information, indoor humidity information, CO2 concentration information, outdoor temperature information, and outdoor humidity information are obtained from the air conditioner 3A identified by information source identification information IDS[0]. It also indicates that indoor temperature information, indoor humidity information, outdoor temperature information, and outdoor humidity information are acquired from the ventilation device 3B identified by the information source identification information IDS[2]. Furthermore, it indicates that outdoor temperature information, outdoor humidity information, PM2.5 concentration information, and pollen concentration information are acquired from the weather server 6 assigned the information source identification information IDS[i].

[0020] As shown in FIG. 5, for example, the control mode storage unit 133 stores control mode information indicating multiple control modes for controlling the device 3, in association with combinations of operating state conditions for the operating state of the device 3 and air quality conditions for the air quality inside and outside the building H in which the device 3 is installed. The control mode storage unit 133 also stores the control mode information, air quality condition information, and user identification information for the user of the device 3 corresponding to the operating state condition information, in association with each other. For example, in the control modes indicated by the control mode information shown in FIG. 5, the ventilation device 3B is controlled to reduce the unit ventilation rate, which is the ventilation rate per unit time of the ventilation device 3B. For example, the control mode information DCM[0] is selected when the temperature Ti inside the building H is low and the humidity Mi inside the building H is high. In the control mode corresponding to the control mode information DCM[0], the device control unit 119 performs defrosting control, causing the air conditioner 3A to perform a defrosting operation. At the same time, the device control unit 119 reduces the unit ventilation rate of the ventilation device 3B to suppress changes in the room temperature inside the building H. Furthermore, control mode information DCM[1] is selected when the power consumption P[0] of the air conditioner 3A is equal to or greater than a preset power consumption threshold P[0]th. In the control mode corresponding to control mode information DCM[1], the device control unit 119 reduces the unit ventilation volume of the ventilation device 3B to reduce the load on the air conditioner 3A and thereby execute power consumption suppression control to reduce the power consumption of the air conditioner 3A. Furthermore, control mode information DCM[2] is selected when the temperature To outside the building H is outside a preset temperature range (e.g., higher than 15°C and lower than 30°C) or the humidity Mo outside the building H is high. In addition, control mode information DCM[3] is selected under the same conditions as control mode information DCM[2] and when the air conditioner 3A is in operation n. In the control modes corresponding to control mode information DCM[2] and DCM[3], the device control unit 119 reduces the unit ventilation volume of the ventilation device 3B to execute room temperature fluctuation suppression control to reduce temperature changes inside the building H. Furthermore, the control mode information DCM[4] is selected when the CO2 concentration measured by the environment sensor 2 is less than a preset concentration threshold value.In the control mode corresponding to the control mode information DCM[5], the device control unit 119 performs energy saving control to reduce the power consumption of the ventilation device 3B by reducing the unit ventilation volume of the ventilation device 3B. Note that these various pieces of control mode information can be set in advance by, for example, the user operating the terminal device 5.

[0021] The schedule storage unit 134 stores schedule information indicating, for each device 3, the period during which the device operates in the adaptive control mode and the period during which the device operates in the non-adaptive mode. This schedule information can be set in advance, for example, by the user operating the terminal device 5. The continuous ventilation setting storage unit 135 stores continuous ventilation setting information indicating whether the ventilator 3B will perform continuous ventilation operation to maintain the unit ventilation volume, which is the ventilation volume per unit time, at or above a certain reference ventilation volume. Here, the reference ventilation volume can be set to a certain ventilation volume that is equal to or above a predetermined legal ventilation volume.

[0022] 3, when the driving state acquisition unit 111 acquires driving state information periodically transmitted from each device 3, the driving state acquisition unit 111 stores the acquired driving state information in the driving state storage unit 131 in association with device identification information that identifies the device 3 that is the source of the driving state information. Here, the driving state acquisition unit 111 extracts, for example, a MAC address included in header information of a packet including the driving state information acquired from the device 3, and stores the extracted MAC address in the driving state storage unit 131 in association with the driving state information.

[0023] The air quality acquisition unit 113 acquires air quality information for the building H in which the device 3 is installed. Specifically, the air quality acquisition unit 113 acquires, from each device 3, air quality information indicating the air quality inside and outside the building H, measured by an environmental sensor provided in each device 3. The air quality acquisition unit 113 also acquires air quality information indicating the air quality measured by the environmental sensor 2 installed in the building H, from the environmental sensor 2. Furthermore, the air quality acquisition unit 113 acquires air quality information indicating the air quality in the area in which the building H is located from the weather server 6. Here, the air quality acquisition unit 113 acquires outside-building air quality information from the weather server 6 by transmitting air quality information request information to the weather server 6, requesting the weather server 6 to transmit air quality information indicating the temperature, humidity, etc. of the area in which the building H is located.

[0024] The control mode selection unit 114 references the operation mode information for each device 3 stored in the operation state storage unit 131 and selects at least one control mode from the multiple control modes stored in the control mode storage unit 133 for a device 3 operating in the adaptive control mode based on at least one of the operation state information stored in the operation state storage unit 131 and the air quality information stored in the air quality storage unit 132. Here, the control mode selection unit 114 selects control mode information corresponding to at least one of the operation state conditions satisfied by the operation state of the device 3 indicated by the operation state information stored in the operation state storage unit 131 and the air quality conditions satisfied by the air quality indicated by the air quality information stored in the air quality storage unit 132. Furthermore, it is assumed that the control mode selection unit 114 is unable to select control mode information because there is no control mode information that satisfies the operation state conditions or the air quality conditions among the control mode information stored in the control mode storage unit 133. In this case, the control mode selection unit 114 notifies the device control unit 119 that it is unable to select a control mode.

[0025] The operation mode update unit 115 updates the operation mode information of each device 3 stored in the operation state storage unit 131 based on the schedule information stored in the schedule storage unit 134. When the continuous ventilation setting unit 116 acquires the continuous ventilation setting information transmitted from the terminal device 5, it stores the acquired continuous ventilation setting information in the continuous ventilation setting storage unit 135.

[0026] The device control unit 119 refers to the operation mode information for each device 3 stored in the operation state storage unit 131, and controls the device 3 operating in the adaptive control mode in the control mode selected by the control mode selection unit 114. Specifically, the device control unit 119 generates control information for the device 3 based on the control mode information and controls the operation of the device 3 by transmitting the generated control information to the corresponding device 3. Furthermore, when the device control unit 119 is notified by the control mode selection unit 114 that it is not possible to select a control mode, it identifies control information for causing the device 3 to operate in the same manner as in the non-adaptive control mode, i.e., the manual operation mode, immediately before it operated in the first device operation mode described above. Then, the device control unit 119 generates selection-impossible notification information including the identified control information and transmits it to the device 3.

[0027] Furthermore, when ventilation device 3B is in continuous ventilation operation, the device control unit 119 generates and transmits to ventilation device 3B control information for controlling the operation of ventilation device 3B based on the selected control mode so that the unit ventilation volume of ventilation device 3B is equal to or greater than a predetermined reference ventilation volume. Here, even if the operating mode of ventilation device 3B is a non-adaptive control mode during the continuous ventilation period, the device control unit 119 controls ventilation device 3B so that the unit ventilation volume of ventilation device 3B is equal to or greater than the reference ventilation volume. Furthermore, when the unit ventilation volume of ventilation device 3B corresponding to the selected control mode is less than the reference ventilation volume during the continuous ventilation period in which ventilation device 3B is in continuous ventilation operation, the device control unit 119 generates and transmits to ventilation device 3B control information for controlling ventilation device 3B so that the unit ventilation volume of ventilation device 3B is equal to the reference ventilation volume, regardless of the selected control mode.

[0028] Next, the operation of the control system according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 11. Here, it is assumed that the air conditioner 3A and the ventilation device 3B are operating in the adaptive control mode described above. First, as shown in FIG. 6, when the predetermined information transmission time for the air conditioner 3A arrives, the air conditioner 3A generates operating status information indicating the operating status of the air conditioner 3A, as well as indoor air quality measured by an environmental sensor provided in the air conditioner 3A and air quality information indicating the indoor air quality (step S1). Next, the generated operating status information and air quality information are transmitted from the air conditioner 3A to the cloud server 1 (step S2). Meanwhile, upon acquiring the operating status information and air quality information from the air conditioner 3A, the cloud server 1 updates the operating status information stored in the operating status memory unit 131 and the air quality information stored in the air quality memory unit 132 with the acquired operating status information and air quality information (step S3). Furthermore, when a predetermined information transmission time for ventilation device 3B arrives, ventilation device 3B generates operating state information indicating the operating state of ventilation device 3B, and air quality information indicating the air quality inside the building measured by an environmental sensor provided in ventilation device 3B (step S4). Subsequently, the generated operating state information and air quality information are transmitted from ventilation device 3B to cloud server 1 (step S5). Meanwhile, upon acquiring the operating state information and air quality information from ventilation device 3B, cloud server 1 updates the operating state information stored in operating state storage unit 131 and the air quality information stored in air quality storage unit 132 with the acquired operating state information and air quality information (step S6).

[0029] Furthermore, when a preset information transmission time for the environmental sensor 2 arrives, the environmental sensor 2 generates the measured air quality inside the building and air quality information indicating the air quality inside the building (step S7). The generated air quality information is then transmitted from the environmental sensor 2 to the cloud server 1 (step S8). Meanwhile, when the cloud server 1 acquires air quality information from the environmental sensor 2, it updates the air quality information stored in the air quality storage unit 132 with the acquired air quality information (step S9). Next, when a preset time arrives to acquire air quality information from the weather server 6, the cloud server 1 transmits air quality information request information to the weather server 6, requesting the weather server 6 to transmit air quality information (step S10). Meanwhile, when the weather server 6 acquires the air quality information request information, it generates air quality information indicating the air quality outside the building H (step S11). The generated air quality information is then transmitted from the weather server 6 to the cloud server 1 (step S12). Meanwhile, when the cloud server 1 acquires air quality information from the weather server 6, it updates the air quality information stored in the air quality storage unit 132 with the acquired air quality information (step S13). Thereafter, the air conditioner 3A and the ventilator 3B transmit operating status information and air quality information each time the aforementioned information transmission period arrives, and the environmental sensor 2 transmits operating status information and air quality information each time the aforementioned information transmission period arrives. In addition, the cloud server 1 acquires air quality information from the weather server 6 by transmitting air quality information request information to the weather server 6 each time the aforementioned air quality information acquisition period arrives.

[0030] 7, it is assumed that a preset adaptive control period start time for ventilation device 3B arrives when ventilation device 3B is not performing continuous ventilation operation. In this case, cloud server 1 updates the operation mode information of ventilation device 3B to operation mode information indicating the adaptive control mode (step S14). It is assumed that a preset control mode update time arrives, and cloud server 1 determines that the operation state stored in operation state storage unit 131 satisfies the operation state conditions and the air quality indicated by the air quality information stored in air quality storage unit 132 (step S15). In this case, cloud server 1 selects control mode information that satisfies at least one of the operation state conditions satisfied by the operation state of device 3 indicated by the operation state information stored in operation state storage unit 131 and the air quality conditions satisfied by the air quality indicated by the air quality information stored in air quality storage unit 132 (step S16). Next, the cloud server 1 refers to the operation mode information of the ventilation device 3B stored in the operation state storage unit 131 and determines that the ventilation device 3B is not in continuous ventilation operation (step S17). In this case, the cloud server 1 generates control information for controlling the ventilation device 3B based on the selected control mode information (step S18). The generated control information is then transmitted from the cloud server 1 to the ventilation device 3B (step S19). Meanwhile, upon receiving the control information from the cloud server 1, the ventilation device 3B starts operating in accordance with the received control information (step S20).

[0031] Thereafter, the ventilation device 3B generates operating state information indicating the operating state of the device itself (step S21). Next, the generated operating state information is transmitted from the ventilation device 3B to the cloud server 1 (step S22). Meanwhile, upon acquiring the operating state information, the cloud server 1 updates the operating state information stored in the operating state storage unit 131 with the acquired operating state information (step S23).

[0032] Furthermore, when the aforementioned control mode update time arrives, it is assumed that the cloud server 1 determines that the air quality indicated by the air quality information stored in the air quality storage unit 132 and the operating state stored in the operating state storage unit 131 do not satisfy the operating state conditions (step S24). In this case, selection failure notification information notifying that the cloud server 1 is unable to select control mode information from the control mode information stored in the control mode storage unit 133 is transmitted from the cloud server 1 to, for example, the ventilator 3B (step S25). Here, the selection failure notification information includes control information for causing the ventilator 3B to operate in the non-adaptive control mode, i.e., the same as the operation in the manual operation mode, immediately before the ventilator 3B controls the ventilator 3B in the aforementioned adaptive control mode. Meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 8, upon receiving the selection failure notification information from the cloud server 1, the ventilator 3B starts operating in the non-adaptive control mode (step S26). Then, the ventilator 3B starts operating in the non-adaptive control mode based on the control information included in the selection failure notification information that is the same as the control content when the ventilator 3B was previously operating in the non-adaptive control mode.

[0033] Next, the ventilation device 3B generates operating state information indicating the operating state of the ventilation device 3B itself (step S27). After that, the generated operating state information is transmitted from the ventilation device 3B to the cloud server 1 (step S28). Meanwhile, upon acquiring the operating state information, the cloud server 1 updates the operating state information stored in the operating state storage unit 131 with the acquired operating information (step S29).

[0034] Thereafter, it is assumed that the user performs a continuous ventilation start operation on the input unit 505 of the terminal device 5 to cause the ventilation device 3B to start continuous ventilation operation. In this case, the terminal device 5 generates continuous ventilation setting information indicating that the ventilation device 3B is to perform continuous ventilation operation, based on operation information indicating the operation to cause the ventilation device 3B to perform continuous ventilation operation (step S30). Next, the generated continuous ventilation setting information is transmitted from the terminal device 5 to the cloud server 1 (step S31). Meanwhile, upon receiving the continuous ventilation setting information transmitted from the terminal device 5, the cloud server 1 updates the continuous ventilation setting information stored in the continuous ventilation setting storage unit 135 with the received continuous ventilation setting information (step S32). As a result, the cloud server 1 performs continuous ventilation operation on the ventilation device 3B, based on the continuous ventilation setting information stored in the continuous ventilation setting storage unit 135 indicating that the ventilation device 3B is to perform continuous ventilation operation.

[0035] Next, it is assumed that the cloud server 1 determines that the unit ventilation volume V[1] of the ventilation device 3B indicated by the operating state information of the ventilation device 3B stored in the operating state storage unit 131 is less than a preset reference ventilation volume V[1]th (step S33). In this case, the cloud server 1 generates control information for causing the ventilation device 3B to perform continuous ventilation operation at the reference ventilation volume V[2]th (step S34), and the generated control information is transmitted from the cloud server 1 to the ventilation device 3B (step S35). Meanwhile, upon receiving the control information transmitted from the cloud server 1, the ventilation device 3B starts continuous ventilation operation at the reference ventilation volume V[2]th based on the received control information (step S36).

[0036] Thereafter, the aforementioned control mode update time arrives, and the cloud server 1 determines that the operating state of the ventilation device 3B stored in the operating state storage unit 131 satisfies the operating state condition, or that the air quality indicated by the air quality information stored in the air quality storage unit 132 satisfies the air quality condition (step S37). In this case, as shown in Fig. 9, the cloud server 1 selects control mode information that satisfies at least one of the operating state condition satisfied by the operating state of the ventilation device 3B indicated by the operating state information stored in the operating state storage unit 131 and the air quality condition satisfied by the air quality indicated by the air quality information stored in the air quality storage unit 132 (step S38). Next, the cloud server 1 determines that the ventilation device 3B is in continuous ventilation operation by referring to the continuous ventilation setting information stored in the continuous ventilation setting storage unit 135 (step S39). Then, it is assumed that the cloud server 1 determines that the unit ventilation volume V[2] of the ventilation device 3B indicated by the operating state information of the ventilation device 3B stored in the operating state storage unit 131 is less than the preset reference ventilation volume V[2]th (step S33). In this case, the series of processes from steps S34 to S36 described above is executed.

[0037] Next, assume that the user performs a continuous ventilation end operation on the input unit 505 of the terminal device 5 to end the continuous ventilation operation of the ventilation device 3B. In this case, the terminal device 5 generates continuous ventilation setting information indicating that the continuous ventilation operation of the ventilation device 3B is to be ended, based on operation information indicating the operation to end the continuous ventilation operation of the ventilation device 3B (step S40). Thereafter, the generated continuous ventilation setting information is transmitted from the terminal device 5 to the cloud server 1 (step S41). Meanwhile, upon receiving the continuous ventilation setting information transmitted from the terminal device 5, the cloud server 1 updates the continuous ventilation setting information stored in the continuous ventilation setting storage unit 135 with the received continuous ventilation setting information (step S42). As a result, the cloud server 1 ends the continuous ventilation operation of the ventilation device 3B, based on the continuous ventilation setting information stored in the continuous ventilation setting storage unit 135 indicating that the continuous ventilation operation of the ventilation device 3B is to be ended. Next, if the cloud server 1 determines that the operating state stored in the operating state memory unit 131 satisfies the operating state conditions and the air quality indicated by the air quality information stored in the air quality memory unit 132 (step S43), a series of processes from step S15 onwards described above are executed.

[0038] Here, the transition of the ventilation volume of the ventilation device 3B in the series of operations of the ventilation system described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 9 will be described with reference to FIG. 10. First, assume that at time Tas, the operation mode of the ventilation device 3B transitions from the non-adaptive control mode to the adaptive control mode, and then at time Tuc0, the control mode update time arrives. Here, when the cloud server 1 determines that at least one of the operating state of the device 3 and the air quality inside and outside the building H satisfies the operating state condition and the air quality condition, it selects control mode information corresponding to the operating state condition and the air quality condition from the control mode information stored in the control mode storage unit 133. Then, the ventilation device 3B starts operating at the unit ventilation volume V[1]1 corresponding to the selected control mode. Here, because the ventilation device 3B has not yet performed continuous ventilation operation at time Tuc0, the ventilation device 3B operates at a ventilation volume smaller than the reference ventilation volume V[1]th. Next, at time Tuc1, the control mode update time arrives again, and as a result of the cloud server 1 selecting a new control mode, the ventilation device 3B starts operating at a unit ventilation volume V[1]2. Subsequently, at time Tcv1, the operation mode of the ventilation device 3B is changed to the continuous operation mode. In this case, at time Tuc2, the control mode update time arrives again, and the cloud server 1 selects a control mode that sets the unit ventilation volume of the ventilation device 3B to less than the reference ventilation volume V[1]th. In this case, because the ventilation device 3B is in continuous ventilation operation at time Tuc2, the cloud server 1 sets the unit ventilation volume V[1] of the ventilation device 3B to the reference ventilation volume V[1]th regardless of the control mode. Then, the ventilation device 3B starts operating at the reference ventilation volume V[1]th. Thereafter, at time Tuc3, the continuous ventilation operation of the ventilation device 3B is canceled, and the cloud server 1 selects a control mode that sets the unit ventilation volume of the ventilation device 3B to less than the reference ventilation volume V[1]th. In this case, the ventilation device 3B starts operating at a unit ventilation volume V[1]3 that is less than the reference ventilation volume V[1]th corresponding to the selected control mode.

[0039] Next, a ventilation control process for controlling the ventilation device 3B executed by the cloud server 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12. The ventilation control process is initiated when a program for executing the ventilation control process is started in the cloud server 1. First, as shown in FIG. 11, the operating state acquisition unit 111 and the air quality acquisition unit 113 determine whether they have acquired operating state information and air quality information, respectively (step S101). If the operating state acquisition unit 111 and the air quality acquisition unit 113 determine that they have not acquired operating state information and air quality information (step S101: No), the process of step S103, which will be described later, is executed. On the other hand, if at least one of the operating state acquisition unit 111 and the air quality acquisition unit 113 determines that they have acquired operating state information and air quality information (step S101: Yes), the operating state information and air quality information stored in the operating state storage unit 131 and the air quality storage unit 132 are updated with the acquired operating state information and air quality information (step S102).

[0040] Next, the operation mode update unit 115 determines whether or not the current period is an adaptive control period by referring to the schedule information stored in the schedule storage unit 134 (step S103). If the control mode selection unit 114 and the device control unit 119 determine that the current period is not an adaptive control period (step S103: No), the process of step S119, which will be described later, is executed. On the other hand, if the operation mode update unit 115 determines that the current period is an adaptive control period (step S103: Yes), it updates the operation mode information of each device 3 (air conditioner 3A, ventilator 3B) stored in the operation state storage unit 131 to operation mode information indicating the adaptive control mode (step S104). Next, the control mode selection unit 114 determines whether or not the operation mode of the ventilator 3B is the adaptive control mode (step S105). If the control mode selection unit 114 determines that the operation mode of the ventilator 3B is not the adaptive control mode (step S105: No), the process of step S117, which will be described later, is executed. On the other hand, it is assumed that the control mode selection unit 114 determines that the operation mode of the ventilation device 3B is the adaptive control mode (step S105: Yes). In this case, the control mode selection unit 114 determines whether or not the control mode update time has arrived (step S106). Here, if the control mode selection unit 114 determines that the control mode update time has not yet arrived (step S106: No), the process of step S119, which will be described later, is executed. On the other hand, it is assumed that the control mode selection unit 114 determines that the control mode update time has arrived (step S106: Yes). In this case, the control mode selection unit 114 refers to the operating state condition information and air quality condition information stored in the control mode storage unit 133, and determines whether the operating state of the devices 3 (air conditioners 3A, ventilators 3B) indicated by the operating state information stored in the operating state storage unit 131 and the air quality inside and outside the building H indicated by the air quality information stored in the air quality storage unit 132 satisfy the operating state conditions indicated by the operating state condition information stored in the control mode storage unit 133 and the air quality conditions indicated by the air quality condition information (step S107). If the control mode selection unit 114 determines that at least one of the operating state of the devices 3 and the air quality inside and outside the building H does not satisfy the operating state conditions or air quality conditions (step S107: No), the process of step S115, which will be described later, is executed.

[0041] On the other hand, if the control mode selection unit 114 determines that at least one of the operating state of the device 3 and the air quality inside and outside the building H satisfies the operating state condition and the air quality condition (step S107: Yes), it selects control mode information corresponding to the operating state condition and the air quality condition from the control mode information stored in the control mode storage unit 133 (step S108). Thereafter, the device control unit 119 determines whether the ventilation device 3B is in continuous ventilation operation by referring to the continuous ventilation setting information stored in the continuous ventilation setting storage unit 135 (step S109). Here, if the device control unit 119 determines that the ventilation device 3B is not in continuous ventilation operation (step S109: No), it generates control information based on the selected control mode information and transmits it to the ventilation device 3B (step S110), and then the process of step S112 described below is executed. On the other hand, when the device control unit 119 determines that the ventilation device 3B is in continuous ventilation operation (step S109: Yes), it determines whether the unit ventilation volume V[1] of the ventilation device 3B corresponding to the selected control mode is less than the reference ventilation volume V[1]th (step S111). Here, when the device control unit 119 determines that the unit ventilation volume V[1] of the ventilation device 3B corresponding to the selected control mode is equal to or greater than the reference ventilation volume V[1]th (step S111: No), the processing of the above-mentioned step S109 is executed. On the other hand, when the device control unit 119 determines that the unit ventilation volume V[1] of the ventilation device 3B corresponding to the selected control mode is less than the reference ventilation volume V[1]th (step S111: Yes), it generates control information for continuous ventilation that controls the ventilation device 3B so that the unit ventilation volume V[1] becomes the reference ventilation volume V[1]th and transmits the control information to the ventilation device 3B (step S112). Next, when the operating state acquisition unit 111 acquires the operating state information transmitted from the ventilation device 3B (step S113), it updates the operating state information of the ventilation device 3B stored in the operating state memory unit 131 with the acquired operating state information (step S114), and the processing of step S119 described below is executed.

[0042] Furthermore, suppose that the control mode selection unit 114 determines in step S106 that at least one of the operating state of the device 3 (air conditioner 3A, ventilation device 3B) and the air quality inside and outside the building H does not satisfy the above-mentioned operating state condition or air quality condition (step S107: No). In this case, the device control unit 119 transmits the above-mentioned non-selection notification information to the ventilation device 3B (step S115). This non-selection notification information includes control information for realizing the same operating state as the ventilation device 3B when it was operating in the non-adaptive control mode immediately before the ventilation device 3B started operating in the adaptive control mode. Then, upon acquiring the non-selection notification information, the ventilation device 3B starts operating based on the control information included in the acquired non-selection notification information.

[0043] Thereafter, the device control unit 119 refers to the operation mode information of the ventilation device 3B stored in the operation state storage unit 131 and determines whether the ventilation device 3B is in continuous ventilation operation (step S116). If the device control unit 119 determines that the ventilation device 3B is not in continuous ventilation operation (step S116: No), the process of step S112 described above is executed. On the other hand, if the device control unit 119 determines that the ventilation device 3B is in continuous ventilation operation (step S116: Yes), the device control unit 119 determines whether the unit ventilation volume V[1] of the ventilation device 3B corresponding to the selected control mode is less than the reference ventilation volume V[1]th (step S117). If the device control unit 119 determines that the unit ventilation volume V[1] of the ventilation device 3B is equal to or greater than the reference ventilation volume V[1]th (step S116: No), the process of step S112 described above is executed. On the other hand, if the device control unit 119 determines that the unit ventilation volume V[1] of the ventilation device 3B is less than the reference ventilation volume V[1]th (step S117: Yes), it generates control information for continuous ventilation that controls the ventilation device 3B so that the unit ventilation volume V[1] becomes the reference ventilation volume V[1]th and transmits it to the ventilation device 3B (step S118). Next, the processes of steps S113 and S114 are executed.

[0044] 12, the operation mode update unit 115 determines whether the end of the adaptive control period has arrived by referring to the schedule information stored in the schedule storage unit 134 (step S119). If the operation mode update unit 115 determines that the end of the adaptive control period has not arrived yet (step S119: No), the process of step S124, which will be described later, is executed. On the other hand, if the operation mode update unit 115 determines that the end of the adaptive control period has arrived (step S119: Yes), the operation mode update unit 115 updates the operation mode information of the ventilator 3B stored in the operating state storage unit 131 to operation mode information indicating the adaptively controlled mode (step S120).

[0045] Thereafter, the continuous ventilation setting unit 116 determines whether or not it has acquired continuous ventilation setting information transmitted from the terminal device 5 (step S121). If the continuous ventilation setting unit 116 determines that it has not acquired continuous ventilation setting information (step S121: No), the process of step S101 is executed again. On the other hand, if the continuous ventilation setting unit 116 determines that it has acquired continuous ventilation setting information (step S121: Yes), it updates the continuous ventilation setting information stored in the continuous ventilation setting storage unit 135 with the acquired continuous ventilation setting information (step S122). Next, the process of step S105 is executed again. That is, if the ventilation device 3B is operating in the adaptive control mode, when the continuous ventilation setting unit 116 updates the continuous ventilation setting information, the device control unit 119 generates control information for controlling the operation of the ventilation device 3B based on the control mode selected by the control mode selection unit 114.

[0046] As described above, according to the cloud server 1 of this embodiment, when the ventilation device 3B is in continuous ventilation operation, the device control unit 119 generates control information for controlling the operation of the ventilation device 3B based on the selected control mode so that the unit ventilation volume is equal to or greater than the reference ventilation volume. As a result, when the ventilation device 3B is in continuous ventilation operation, the unit ventilation volume of the ventilation device 3B can be maintained at or greater than the reference ventilation volume, thereby achieving a predetermined required ventilation volume. Furthermore, because the control mode is selected based on at least one of the operating state information and the air quality information described above, the environment within the building H can be maintained as being comfortable for users.

[0047] Furthermore, when the operation mode of ventilation device 3B is the non-adaptive control mode during the continuous ventilation period, device control unit 119 according to the present embodiment controls ventilation device 3B so that the unit ventilation volume of ventilation device 3B is equal to or greater than the reference ventilation volume. This makes it easier to satisfy the required ventilation volume stipulated by the Building Standards Act even when ventilation device 3B is in the non-adaptive control mode.

[0048] Furthermore, if, during the continuous ventilation period, the unit ventilation volume of ventilation device 3B corresponding to the selected control mode is less than the standard ventilation volume, the device control unit 119 controls ventilation device 3B so that the unit ventilation volume of ventilation device 3B becomes the standard ventilation volume, regardless of the selected control mode. As a result, when the operating mode of ventilation device 3B is the adaptive control mode, the unit ventilation volume of ventilation device 3B is always maintained at or above the standard ventilation volume, making it easier to satisfy the required ventilation volume stipulated by the Building Standards Act.

[0049] Furthermore, in the cloud server 1 according to this embodiment, the continuous ventilation setting unit 116 sets the start and end of the continuous ventilation period of the ventilation device 3B and the reference ventilation volume, based on the continuous ventilation setting information transmitted from the terminal device 5. This allows the user to freely set the continuous ventilation period by the ventilation device 3B and the lower limit of the unit ventilation volume of the ventilation device 3B during the continuous ventilation period, thereby improving user convenience.

[0050] Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments. For example, when the ventilation device 3B is in continuous ventilation operation, the equipment control unit may control the ventilation device 3B so that the unit ventilation volume during a period other than the reference ventilation volume operation period is greater than the unit ventilation volume corresponding to the selected control mode, based on the cumulative ventilation volume corresponding to the product of the length of the reference ventilation volume operation period during which the ventilation device 3B operates at the reference ventilation volume and the reference ventilation volume. As shown in FIG. 13 , the cloud server 2001 according to this modification differs from the cloud server 1 according to the embodiment in that it includes a reference ventilation volume operation period identification unit 2120 that identifies the reference ventilation volume operation period during which the ventilation device 3B operates at the reference ventilation volume, and a correction amount calculation unit 2121 that calculates a correction amount for the unit ventilation volume of the ventilation device 3B. Note that in FIG. 13 , components similar to those in the embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 3 .

[0051] The reference ventilation volume operation period identification unit 2120 monitors the length of the reference ventilation volume operation period in which the ventilation device 3B operates at the reference ventilation volume during the continuous ventilation period in which the ventilation device 3B is in continuous ventilation operation, based on the content of the control information transmitted to the ventilation device 3B by the device control unit 2119. Specifically, the reference ventilation volume operation period identification unit 2120 identifies the reference ventilation volume operation period as the period from the time when the device control unit 2119 transmits to the ventilation device 3B control information for operating the ventilation device 3B so that the unit ventilation volume is the reference ventilation volume to the time when the device control unit 2119 next transmits control information for operating the ventilation device 3B so that the unit ventilation volume is greater than the reference ventilation volume. The reference ventilation volume operation period identification unit 2120 then notifies the correction amount calculation unit 2121 of information indicating the identified reference ventilation volume operation period.

[0052] The correction amount calculation unit 2121 calculates a cumulative ventilation volume corresponding to the product of the length of the standard ventilation volume operation period indicated by the information notified from the standard ventilation volume operation period identification unit 2120 and the standard ventilation volume. Then, based on the calculated cumulative ventilation volume, the correction amount calculation unit 2121 calculates a correction amount for the unit ventilation volume in a period other than the standard ventilation volume operation period that arrives after the corresponding standard ventilation volume operation period. Then, the correction amount calculation unit 2121 notifies the device control unit 2119 of information indicating the calculated correction amount.

[0053] At the start of a period other than the standard ventilation volume operation period that arrives after the corresponding standard ventilation volume operation period, the device control unit 2119 generates and transmits to the ventilation device 3B control information for operating the ventilation device 3B at a unit ventilation volume obtained by adding a correction volume indicated by information notified by the correction volume calculation unit 2121 to the unit ventilation volume of the ventilation device 3B corresponding to the selected control mode information. As a result, the ventilation device 3B starts operating at a unit ventilation volume that is larger than the unit ventilation volume corresponding to the selected control mode information by the correction volume.

[0054] This configuration makes it easier to satisfy the required ventilation volume stipulated by the Building Standards Act.

[0055] In the embodiment, when the ventilation device 3B is in continuous ventilation operation and the unit ventilation volume of the ventilation device 3B corresponding to the selected control mode is less than the reference ventilation volume, the equipment control unit may control the ventilation device 3B so that the period during which the unit ventilation volume is less than the reference ventilation volume is shorter than a preset reference period. As shown in Fig. 14, the cloud server 3001 according to this modification differs from the cloud server 1 according to the embodiment in that it includes a low ventilation volume period identification unit 3122 that identifies the length of a low ventilation volume period during which the unit ventilation volume corresponding to the selected control mode is less than the reference ventilation volume within the continuous ventilation period. Note that in Fig. 14, the same components as those in the embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in Fig. 3.

[0056] The low ventilation volume period identifying unit 3122 identifies the length of a low ventilation volume period during which the ventilation device 3B operates at a unit ventilation volume less than the reference ventilation volume, within a continuous ventilation period, based on the content of the control information transmitted to the ventilation device 3B by the device control unit 3119. Specifically, when the ventilation device 3B is in continuous ventilation operation, the low ventilation volume period identifying unit 3122 identifies the period from the time when the device control unit 3119 transmits to the ventilation device 3B control information for operating the ventilation device 3B so that the unit ventilation volume is less than the reference ventilation volume, to the time when the device control unit 2119 next transmits control information for operating the ventilation device 3B so that the unit ventilation volume is greater than the reference ventilation volume, as the low ventilation volume period. The standard ventilation volume operation period identifying unit 2120 then calculates the sum of the lengths of the identified low ventilation volume periods within the continuous ventilation period, and notifies the device control unit 3119 of information indicating the calculated length of the low ventilation volume period.

[0057] When the low ventilation volume period is equal to or longer than a preset reference period, based on the low ventilation volume period indicated by the information notified from the low ventilation volume period identifying unit 3122, the device control unit 3119 generates and transmits to the ventilation device 3B control information for controlling the ventilation device 3B so that the unit ventilation volume of the ventilation device 3B becomes the reference ventilation volume, regardless of the selected control mode information. This makes it possible to keep the low ventilation volume period always shorter than the reference period.

[0058] Furthermore, when ventilation device 3B is in continuous ventilation operation and the unit ventilation rate of ventilation device 3B corresponding to the selected control mode is less than the reference ventilation rate, the device control unit 3119 may control ventilation device 3B so that the cumulative ventilation rate, which corresponds to the product of the unit ventilation rate and the period during which the unit ventilation rate is less than the reference ventilation rate, is less than a predetermined reference cumulative ventilation rate. In this case, when the cumulative ventilation rate, obtained by integrating the unit ventilation rate during a low ventilation rate period, for example, becomes equal to or greater than the reference cumulative ventilation rate, the device control unit 3119 may generate and transmit to ventilation device 3B control information for controlling ventilation device 3B so that the unit ventilation rate of ventilation device 3B becomes the reference ventilation rate, regardless of the selected control mode information.

[0059] These configurations make it easier to meet the required ventilation volume stipulated by the Building Standards Act.

[0060] In the embodiment, when the unit ventilation volume corresponding to the selected control mode is less than the reference ventilation volume during a continuous ventilation period within a predetermined target period that is longer than the continuous ventilation period and includes the continuous ventilation period, the device control unit may control the ventilation device 3B so that the unit ventilation volume during a period other than the continuous ventilation period within the target period is greater than the unit ventilation volume corresponding to the selected control mode information. Here, for example, if the length of the continuous ventilation period is 24 hours, the length of the target period is set to, for example, 48 hours or more. As shown in FIG. 15 , the cloud server 3001 according to this modification differs from the cloud server 1 according to the embodiment in that it includes a low ventilation volume period identification unit 3122 that identifies the length of a low ventilation volume period during the continuous ventilation period during which the unit ventilation volume corresponding to the selected control mode is less than the reference ventilation volume, and a ventilation volume increase period determination unit 4123 that determines the length of a ventilation volume increase period during which the unit ventilation volume is greater than the unit ventilation volume corresponding to the selected control mode. Note that in FIG. 15 , the same components as those in the embodiment and the modification described using FIG. 14 are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in FIGS. 3 and 14 .

[0061] Based on the contents of the control information sent by the equipment control unit 4119 to the ventilation device 3B, the low ventilation volume period identification unit 3122 identifies the length of the low ventilation volume period during which the ventilation device 3B operates at a unit ventilation volume less than the standard ventilation volume within the continuous ventilation period, and notifies the ventilation volume increase period determination unit 4123 of information indicating the sum of the lengths of the identified low ventilation volume periods.

[0062] The ventilation volume increase period determination unit 4123 determines the length of the ventilation volume increase period for increasing the unit ventilation volume during periods other than the continuous ventilation period within a predetermined target period that is longer than the continuous ventilation period and includes the continuous ventilation period, based on the length of the low ventilation volume period within the continuous ventilation period. Here, the increased ventilation volume of the unit ventilation volume of the ventilator 3B during the ventilation volume increase period is set to, for example, a predetermined allowable constant volume. The ventilation volume increase period determination unit 4123 then determines the length of the ventilation volume increase period as the time obtained by, for example, integrating the difference ventilation volume between the unit ventilation volume during the low ventilation volume period and the reference ventilation volume by the length of the low ventilation volume period and dividing the cumulative difference ventilation volume by the increased ventilation volume. The device control unit 4119 controls the ventilator 3B during the ventilation volume increase period so that the unit ventilation volume of the ventilator 3B is, for example, larger than the unit ventilation volume corresponding to the selected control mode information by the increased ventilation volume.

[0063] In this modification, for example, as shown in Fig. 16, a low ventilation volume period dTlv exists within the continuous ventilation period dTcv, in which the unit ventilation volume V[1]31 of the ventilation device 3B is lower than the reference ventilation volume V[1]th. In this case, during the ventilation volume increase period dThv, in a period dTocv other than the continuous ventilation period dTcv within the target period dTt, the ventilation device 3B operates at a ventilation volume V[1]33 that is greater than the unit ventilation volume V[1]32 corresponding to the control mode information by the increased ventilation volume dV[1]hc, for example. That is, as shown by the arrow in Fig. 15, the ventilation device 3B operates to compensate for the cumulative difference ventilation volume from the reference ventilation volume V[1]th during the low ventilation volume period dTlv with the cumulative increased ventilation volume during the ventilation volume increase period.

[0064] According to this configuration, it becomes easier to satisfy the required ventilation volume stipulated by the Building Standards Act for the entire target period.

[0065] In the embodiment, an example has been described in which, when a user performs an operation via the input unit 505 of the terminal device 5 to set whether or not to perform continuous ventilation on the ventilation device 3B, the setting notification unit 512 of the terminal device 5 generates continuous ventilation setting information indicating whether or not to perform continuous ventilation on the ventilation device 3B and transmits the generated continuous ventilation setting information to the cloud server 1. However, this is not limiting, and for example, the device may include a switch (not shown) that is operated by the user to cause the ventilation device 3B to perform the continuous ventilation operation described above and is capable of communicating with the cloud server 1. In this case, when the user operates the switch to cause the ventilation device 3B to perform continuous ventilation, the switch generates continuous ventilation setting information indicating this and transmits the generated continuous ventilation setting information to the cloud server 1. Then, when the continuous ventilation setting unit 116 of the cloud server 1 receives the continuous ventilation setting information transmitted from the switch, the continuous ventilation setting unit 116 stores the received continuous ventilation setting information in the continuous ventilation setting storage unit 135.

[0066] In the embodiment, the cloud server 1 may include an air quality monitoring unit (not shown) that monitors whether the air quality indicated by the air quality information acquired from the device 3 by the air quality acquisition unit 113 satisfies the air quality conditions corresponding to the control mode information selected by the control mode selection unit 114 at the most recent control mode update time. Here, the air quality monitoring unit monitors the air quality information at a cycle shorter than the cycle at which the control mode update times occur. Then, when the air quality monitoring unit determines that the air quality indicated by the air quality information acquired from the device 3 does not satisfy the air quality conditions corresponding to the control mode information selected at the most recent control mode update time, the control mode selection unit 114 may select new control mode information, and the device control unit 119 may generate new control information based on the newly selected control mode information.

[0067] Furthermore, the various functions of the cloud server 1 and terminal device 5 according to the present disclosure can be realized using a normal computer system, rather than a dedicated system. For example, a program for executing the above operations may be stored on a non-transitory recording medium (such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory)) that can be read by the computer system and distributed to a computer connected to a network, and the cloud server 1 and terminal device 5 that execute the above-described processes may be configured by installing the program in the computer system.

[0068] The method of providing the program to the computer is arbitrary. For example, the program may be uploaded to a bulletin board system (BBS) on a communication line and distributed to the computer via the communication line. The computer then launches the program and executes it under the control of an operating system (OS) in the same way as other applications. This allows the computer to function as a cloud server 1 or terminal device 5 that executes the above-mentioned processes.

[0069] Although the embodiments and modifications of the present disclosure have been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to these. The present disclosure includes appropriate combinations of the embodiments and modifications, and appropriate modifications thereto. [Industrial Applicability]

[0070] The present disclosure is suitable as a ventilation system that adjusts the ventilation volume according to the operating state of the equipment and the environment inside and outside the building in which the equipment is installed. [Explanation of symbols]

[0071] 1 Cloud server, 2 Environmental sensor, 3 Equipment, 3A Air conditioner, 3B Ventilation device, 5 Terminal device, 6 Weather server, 32 Operation device, 41 Communication adapter, 42 BBR, 101,501 CPU, 102,502 Main memory, 103,503 Auxiliary memory, 106,506 Communication unit, 108 Timer, 109,509 Bus, 111,511 Operation status acquisition unit, 113 Air quality acquisition unit, 114 Control mode selection unit, 115 Operation mode update unit, 116 Continuous ventilation setting unit, 119,2119,3119,4119 Equipment control unit, 131 Operation status memory unit, 132 Air quality memory unit, 133 Control mode memory unit, 134 Schedule memory unit, 135 Continuous ventilation setting memory unit, 504 Display unit, 505 Input unit, 511 reception unit, 512 setting notification unit, 2120 standard ventilation volume operation period specification unit, 2121 correction amount calculation unit, 3122 low ventilation period specification unit, 4123 ventilation volume increase period determination unit, NW1 wide area network, NW2 local network

Claims

1. a continuous ventilation setting storage unit that stores continuous ventilation setting information indicating whether the ventilation device performs a continuous ventilation operation to maintain a unit ventilation volume, which is a ventilation volume per unit time, at or above a reference ventilation volume; At least one of an operating status acquisition unit that acquires operating status information indicating the operating status of at least one device including the ventilation device, and an air quality acquisition unit that acquires air quality information indicating the air quality inside or outside a building in which the ventilation device is installed; a control mode selection unit that selects a control mode when controlling the ventilation device based on at least one of the operating state information and the air quality information and the continuous ventilation setting information; and an equipment control unit that generates control information for controlling the operation of the ventilation device so that the unit ventilation volume is equal to or greater than the reference ventilation volume, based on the selected control mode, when the ventilation device is performing the continuous ventilation operation. Ventilation control device.

2. Further provided is a continuous ventilation setting unit that acquires the continuous ventilation setting information and stores the acquired continuous ventilation setting information in the continuous ventilation setting storage unit, the ventilation device further operates in one of an adaptive control mode in which it operates based on the control information, and a non-adaptive control mode in which it operates based on operation information acquired from an operation device for operating the ventilation device; When the ventilation device is operating in the adaptive control mode, when the continuous ventilation setting unit updates the continuous ventilation setting information, the equipment control unit generates control information for controlling the operation of the ventilation device based on the control mode selected by the control mode selection unit. The ventilation control device according to claim 1 .

3. the ventilation device further operates in one of an adaptive control mode in which it operates based on the control information, and a non-adaptive control mode in which it operates based on operation information acquired from an operation device for operating the ventilation device; When the continuous ventilation operation is being performed and the operation mode of the ventilation device is the non-adaptive control mode, the equipment control unit generates control information for controlling the ventilation device so that the unit ventilation volume is equal to or greater than the reference ventilation volume. The ventilation control device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. When the ventilation device is performing the continuous ventilation operation and the unit ventilation volume of the ventilation device corresponding to the selected control mode is less than the reference ventilation volume, the equipment control unit generates control information for controlling the ventilation device so that the unit ventilation volume becomes the reference ventilation volume regardless of the selected control mode. The ventilation control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. When the ventilation device is performing the continuous ventilation operation, the equipment control unit generates the control information according to an accumulated ventilation volume corresponding to the product of the length of an operation period in which the ventilation device operated at less than the reference ventilation volume and the reference ventilation volume, so that the unit ventilation volume during a period other than the operation period is larger than the unit ventilation volume corresponding to the selected control mode. The ventilation control device according to claim 4.

6. and when the ventilation device is performing the continuous ventilation operation and the unit ventilation volume of the ventilation device corresponding to the selected control mode is less than the reference ventilation volume, the equipment control unit generates control information for controlling the ventilation device so that a period during which the unit ventilation volume is less than the reference ventilation volume is less than a predetermined reference period. The ventilation control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

7. and when the ventilation device is performing the continuous ventilation operation and the unit ventilation volume of the ventilation device corresponding to the selected control mode is less than the reference ventilation volume, the equipment control unit generates control information for controlling the ventilation device so that an accumulated ventilation volume corresponding to the product of a period during which the unit ventilation volume is less than the reference ventilation volume and the unit ventilation volume becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined reference cumulative ventilation volume. The ventilation control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

8. When the ventilation device is performing the continuous ventilation operation and the unit ventilation volume corresponding to the selected control mode is less than the reference ventilation volume, the equipment control unit generates the control information so that the unit ventilation volume during a period other than the continuous ventilation period during which the ventilation device is performing the continuous ventilation operation is greater than the unit ventilation volume corresponding to the selected control mode. The ventilation control device according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. a ventilation volume increase period determination unit that determines, based on a length of a low ventilation volume period during which the unit ventilation volume corresponding to the selected control mode is less than the reference ventilation volume, a length of a ventilation volume increase period during which the unit ventilation volume in a period other than the continuous ventilation period is made greater than the unit ventilation volume corresponding to the selected control mode; The ventilation control device according to claim 8.

10. at least one device including a ventilation device; a continuous ventilation setting storage unit that stores continuous ventilation setting information indicating whether the ventilation device performs a continuous ventilation operation to maintain a unit ventilation volume, which is a ventilation volume per unit time, at or above a reference ventilation volume; At least one of an operating status acquisition unit that acquires operating status information indicating the operating status of the at least one device, and an air quality acquisition unit that acquires air quality information indicating the air quality inside or outside a building in which the ventilation device is installed; a control mode selection unit that selects a control mode when controlling the ventilation device based on at least one of the operating state information and the air quality information and the continuous ventilation setting information; and an equipment control unit that generates control information for controlling the operation of the ventilation device so that the unit ventilation volume is equal to or greater than the reference ventilation volume, based on the selected control mode, when the ventilation device is performing continuous ventilation operation. Ventilation system.

11. A terminal device; Further provided is a continuous ventilation setting unit that acquires the continuous ventilation setting information transmitted from the terminal device and stores the acquired continuous ventilation setting information in the continuous ventilation setting storage unit, the ventilation device further operates in one of an adaptive control mode in which it operates based on the control information, and a non-adaptive control mode in which it operates based on operation information acquired from an operation device for operating the ventilation device; When the ventilation device is operating in the adaptive control mode, when the continuous ventilation setting unit updates the continuous ventilation setting information, the equipment control unit generates control information for controlling the operation of the ventilation device based on the control mode selected by the control mode selection unit.

11. The ventilation system of claim 10.

12. Storing continuous ventilation setting information indicating whether the ventilation device performs a continuous ventilation operation to maintain a unit ventilation volume, which is a ventilation volume per unit time, at or above a reference ventilation volume; At least one of a step of acquiring operating status information indicating an operating status of at least one device including the ventilation device, and a step of acquiring air quality information indicating air quality inside or outside a building in which the ventilation device is installed; selecting a control mode for controlling the ventilation device based on at least one of the operating state information and the air quality information and the continuous ventilation setting information; and generating control information for controlling the operation of the ventilation device so that the unit ventilation volume is equal to or greater than the reference ventilation volume, based on the selected control mode, when the ventilation device is performing the continuous ventilation operation. Ventilation control methods.

13. Computer, a continuous ventilation setting storage unit that stores continuous ventilation setting information indicating whether the ventilation device performs a continuous ventilation operation to maintain a unit ventilation volume, which is a ventilation volume per unit time, at or above a reference ventilation volume; at least one of an operating status acquisition unit that acquires operating status information indicating the operating status of at least one device including the ventilation device, and an air quality acquisition unit that acquires air quality information indicating the air quality inside or outside a building in which the ventilation device is installed; a control mode selection unit that selects a control mode when controlling the ventilation device based on at least one of the operating state information and the air quality information and the continuous ventilation setting information; an equipment control unit that generates control information for controlling the operation of the ventilation device so that the unit ventilation volume is equal to or greater than the reference ventilation volume, based on the selected control mode, when the ventilation device is performing the continuous ventilation operation; A program to function as a

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