Air conditioning control system, air conditioning control method, and program

Abstract

This air conditioning control system (100) comprises an acquisition unit (11), a calculation unit (12), and a control unit (13). The acquisition unit (11) acquires user information relating to the attributes of a user from each of a plurality of users who use a prescribed space in a facility. The calculation unit (12) calculates a target temperature of the prescribed space. The control unit (13) controls air-conditioning equipment (2) so that the temperature of the prescribed space reaches the target temperature. The calculation unit (12) calculates, for each of the plurality of users, a comfortable temperature range, which is the temperature range within which the user feels comfortable, on the basis of the metabolic amount of the user, which is based on the user information, and a PMV. The calculation unit (12) also determines, as the target temperature, a temperature that is within a range where the plurality of comfort temperature ranges of each of the plurality of users overlap at least partially and that is little different from the air temperature outside of the prescribed space within the aforementioned range.

Description

【Technical Field】 【0001】 The present invention relates to an air conditioning control system for controlling air conditioning equipment and the like. 【Background Art】 【0002】 Patent Document 1 discloses an indoor temperature setting device for an air conditioner. This setting device calculates a comfort index by a comfort index calculation means from measurement values of various indoor sensors, activity amount, clothing amount, and set temperature candidates. Further, this setting device calculates a running cost by an air conditioning load calculation means and a cost calculation means from measurement values of various outside air sensors and indoor load sensors, characteristics of a structure, and set temperature candidates. Then, this setting device simultaneously displays the comfort index and the running cost corresponding to each of a plurality of set temperature candidates. An operator selects an indoor set temperature based on the display. 【Prior Art Documents】 【Patent Documents】 【0003】 【Patent Document 1】 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-288595 【Summary of the Invention】 【Problems to be Solved by the Invention】 【0004】 The present invention provides an air conditioning control system or the like that can easily perform temperature control that makes each of a plurality of users feel comfortable while reducing power consumption. 【Means for Solving the Problems】 【0005】 An air conditioning control system according to one aspect of the present invention comprises an acquisition unit, a calculation unit, and a control unit. The acquisition unit acquires user information relating to the attributes of each of a plurality of users who use a predetermined space in a facility. The calculation unit calculates the target temperature of the predetermined space. The control unit controls the air conditioning equipment installed in the predetermined space so that the temperature of the predetermined space becomes the target temperature. For each of the plurality of users, the calculation unit calculates a comfortable temperature range, which is the temperature range that the user finds comfortable, based on the user's metabolic rate and PMV (Predicted Mean Vote) based on the user information. The calculation unit determines the target temperature to be a range in which at least a portion of the plurality of comfortable temperature ranges of each of the plurality of users overlap, and in which the difference between the outside temperature of the predetermined space and the outside temperature is small. 【0006】 An air conditioning control method according to one aspect of the present invention comprises an acquisition step, a calculation step, and a control step. In the acquisition step, user information relating to the attributes of users is acquired from each of a plurality of users who use a predetermined space in a facility. In the calculation step, the target temperature of the predetermined space is calculated. In the control step, air conditioning equipment installed in the predetermined space is controlled so that the temperature of the predetermined space becomes the target temperature. In the calculation step, for each of the plurality of users, a comfortable temperature range, which is the temperature range that the user finds comfortable, is calculated based on the user's metabolic rate and PMV (Predicted Mean Vote) based on the user information. In the calculation step, the target temperature is determined to be a range in which at least a portion of the plurality of comfortable temperature ranges of each of the plurality of users overlap, and in that range, the difference between the temperature and the outside temperature of the predetermined space is small. 【0007】 A program according to one aspect of the present invention causes one or more processors to execute the air conditioning control method. [Effects of the Invention] 【0008】 The air conditioning control system of the present invention has the advantage of reducing power consumption while easily providing temperature control that is comfortable for each of multiple users. [Brief explanation of the drawing] 【0009】 [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration including the air conditioning control system according to the embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 shows a predetermined space in which the air conditioning control system according to the embodiment is used. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation for determining the target temperature in an air conditioning control system according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a flowchart showing an example of controlling air conditioning equipment in an air conditioning control system according to an embodiment. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration including an air conditioning control system according to a modified example of the embodiment. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation for determining the target temperature in an air conditioning control system according to a modified embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention] 【0010】 (Embodiment) The embodiments will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiments described below are all general or specific examples. The numerical values, shapes, materials, components, arrangement positions and connection configurations of components, steps, and the order of steps shown in the following embodiments are examples only and are not intended to limit the present invention. Furthermore, components in the following embodiments that are not described in an independent claim will be described as optional components. 【0011】 Please note that each figure is a schematic diagram and not necessarily a strictly accurate representation. Furthermore, in each figure, substantially identical components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations may be omitted or simplified. 【0012】 [1. Overall Structure] First, the overall configuration including the air conditioning control system according to the embodiment will be explained using Figure 1. Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration including the air conditioning control system 100 according to the embodiment. The air conditioning control system 100 is a system for controlling the temperature (room temperature) of a predetermined space Sp1 by controlling the air conditioning equipment 2 installed in the predetermined space Sp1 within the facility. In the embodiment, the predetermined space Sp1 has multiple areas A1, so the air conditioning control system 100 controls the area temperature of each area A1. 【0013】 Figure 2 shows a predetermined space Sp1 in which the air conditioning control system 100 according to the embodiment is used. As shown in Figure 2, in the embodiment, the predetermined space Sp1 is a space within a facility, such as a large office room, and has multiple areas A1. Each area A1 is equipped with furniture such as desks or chairs for users to work, and constitutes a space in which one or more users can work. In addition, the boundaries of each area A1 are not clearly defined, but the boundaries of each area A1 may be clearly defined by installing partitions, for example. In the predetermined space Sp1, adjacent areas A1 may or may not be separated, but even if they are separated, heat can be exchanged between adjacent areas A1. 【0014】 In the example shown in Figure 2, the designated space Sp1 has four areas A1: the first area A11, the second area A12, the third area A13, and the fourth area A14. The first area A11 and the fourth area A14 are areas not used by the user. The second area A12 is an area where the user performs work, etc., while standing or moving. The third area A13, unlike the second area A12, is an area where the user performs work, etc., while sitting. Note that the example shown in Figure 2 is just one example and is not intended to limit the use of each area A1. 【0015】 Each area A1 is equipped with one or more air conditioning units 2. In this embodiment, each air conditioning unit 2 is an indoor unit of a commercial air conditioner, but it may also be an indoor unit of a household air conditioner. In this embodiment, each air conditioning unit 2 is a ceiling-mounted cassette type, but it is not limited to this, and may also be a ceiling-mounted duct type, ceiling-suspended type, or floor-standing type, for example. In this embodiment, each air conditioning unit 2 is capable of both cooling and heating operations. However, each air conditioning unit 2 may also be configured to perform only cooling operations, or only heating operations. 【0016】 The area temperature is the ambient temperature of the corresponding area A1. In this embodiment, the area temperature is based on the temperature detected by a temperature sensor installed in the air conditioning unit 2 located in the corresponding area A1. For example, if there is one air conditioning unit 2 installed in any area A1, the area temperature of that area A1 is the temperature based on the temperature detected by the temperature sensor installed in that air conditioning unit 2. Also, for example, if there are multiple air conditioning units 2 installed in any area A1, the area temperature of that area A1 is the temperature based on a representative value (e.g., the average value) of the temperatures detected by multiple temperature sensors installed in each of the multiple air conditioning units 2. Note that if a temperature sensor is installed in any area A1, the area temperature of that area A1 may be the temperature based on the temperature detected by that temperature sensor. 【0017】 In the embodiment, the air conditioning control system 100 is realized by the server 10 as shown in FIG. 1. The server 10 is configured to be communicable with each of a plurality of air conditioning devices 2 via a network N1 such as the Internet. Further, the server 10 is configured to be communicable with each of a plurality of input devices 3 via a network N1 such as the Internet. The communication between the server 10 and each air conditioning device 2 may be wireless communication or wired communication. Also, the communication between the server 10 and each input device 3 may be wireless communication or wired communication. 【0018】 Each input device 3 is, for example, a controller dedicated to the air conditioning control system 100 or an information terminal owned by the user. The information terminal may include, as an example, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a personal computer, or the like. Each input device 3 is configured to receive various inputs by the user and transmit information based on the received inputs to the air conditioning control system 100. For example, each input device 3 receives an input for selecting an area A1 used by the user or to be used by the user. Also, for example, each input device 3 receives an input of user information regarding the attributes of the user. The user information will be described in detail in [2. Configuration of the air conditioning control system] described later. 【0019】 [2. Configuration of the air conditioning control system] The air conditioning control system 100 includes an acquisition unit 11, a calculation unit 12, a control unit 13, and a storage unit 14. Note that the air conditioning control system 100 only needs to include at least the acquisition unit 11, the calculation unit 12, and the control unit 13, and may not include the storage unit 14. 【0020】 The acquisition unit 11 acquires the area temperature of each of the multiple areas A1. In this embodiment, the acquisition unit 11 acquires the temperature detected by the temperature sensor installed in each air conditioning unit 2 by communicating with each air conditioning unit 2. Alternatively, the acquisition unit 11 acquires the temperature detected by each temperature sensor by communicating with the temperature sensors installed in each of the multiple areas A1. Then, for each area A1, the acquisition unit 11 acquires the area temperature by performing an appropriate correction calculation on the acquired temperature. Alternatively, the acquisition unit 11 acquires the acquired temperature for each area A1 by treating it as the area temperature. 【0021】 Furthermore, the acquisition unit 11 acquires user information regarding user attributes from each of the multiple users utilizing the designated space Sp1 of the facility. In this embodiment, the acquisition unit 11 acquires user information received by each input device 3 by communicating with each input device 3. Once the acquisition unit 11 acquires user information for each user, it does not need to acquire user information again unless the user information of any of the users is updated. Here, user attributes include the user's height, weight, age, and gender. User attributes are used in the calculation unit 12 when calculating the metabolic rate of each user. Note that user attributes do not need to include all of these parameters; it is sufficient if they include at least one parameter. 【0022】 The calculation unit 12 calculates the target temperature of a predetermined space Sp1. In this embodiment, as already described, the predetermined space Sp1 has a plurality of areas A1. Therefore, the calculation unit 12 calculates the target temperature for each of the plurality of areas A1. The calculation unit 12 calculates the target temperature for each area A1 as follows. 【0023】 First, the calculation unit 12 calculates the comfortable temperature range, which is the temperature range that a user will find comfortable, for each of the multiple users, based on the user's metabolic rate and PMV (Predicted Mean Vote) based on the user information. The "multiple users" referred to here are users who are using or planning to use area A1. 【0024】 PMV is expressed by the following formula (1). The formula for PMV is standardized in ISO (International Organization for Standardization)-7730. 【0025】 【number】 【0026】 In equation (1), "L" represents the heat load on the human body, and "M" represents the user's metabolic rate. "L" is expressed by the following equation (2). 【0027】 【number】 【0028】 In equation (2), "W" is the amount of mechanical work, and "E" is the amount of mechanical work. d " is insensible perspiration, "E s " is the amount of heat loss due to evaporation from sweating, "E re " represents latent heat loss due to respiration, "Cre" represents sensible heat loss due to respiration, "R" represents radiant heat loss, and "C" represents convective heat loss. Although a detailed explanation is omitted here, "L" includes the temperature (temperature of the given space Sp1 (in this case, area temperature)) as a variable. In addition, "L" includes Clo value, radiant temperature, humidity, and wind speed as variables. The Clo value is a parameter that represents the thermal resistance of the clothing worn by the user. Here, the Clo value, radiant temperature, humidity, and wind speed are all assumed to be constants. 【0029】 The metabolic rate, "M," can be calculated using, for example, the Ganpule formula, the Harris-Benedict formula, the Schofield formula, the FAO / WHO / UNU formula, or the DuBois formula. As an example, in the Ganpule formula, the basal metabolic rate for men, "BMR_M," is expressed by the following formula (3), and the basal metabolic rate for women, "BMR_F," is expressed by the following formula (4). 【0030】 【number】 【0031】 In formulas (3) and (4), "W" represents the user's weight (in "kg"), "H" represents the user's height (in "cm"), and "A" represents the user's age. 【0032】 The calculation unit 12 calculates the user's metabolic rate "M" for each of the multiple users, using either formula (3) or (4) based on the user information acquired by the acquisition unit 11. Then, the calculation unit 12 calculates the temperature range (temperature of the predetermined space Sp1 (in this case, area temperature)) in which the PMV is -0.5 to 0.5, using formulas (1) and (2). 【0033】 Here, the PMV is a positive number, and the larger the value, the greater the percentage of users who feel hot. Conversely, the smaller the PMV is, the greater the percentage of users who feel cold. According to ISO-7730, when the PMV is in the range of -0.5 to 0.5, the PPD (Predicted Percentage of Dissatisfied) is 10% or less. In other words, when the PMV is in the range of -0.5 to 0.5, it is thought that approximately 90% of people will feel the temperature is comfortable. Therefore, in this embodiment, the calculation unit 12 calculates the temperature range in which the PMV is -0.5 to 0.5 as the comfortable temperature range. 【0034】 Next, the calculation unit 12 determines the target temperature to be a range in which at least a portion of the multiple comfortable temperature ranges of multiple users overlap, and in which the difference between that range and the outside temperature of the predetermined space Sp1 is small. For example, if there are five users who use or plan to use an arbitrary area A1, the calculation unit 12 searches for a range in which the comfortable temperature ranges of all these users overlap. If there is no range in which the comfortable temperature ranges of all users overlap, the calculation unit 12 searches for a range in which the comfortable temperature ranges of a predetermined percentage (e.g., 80%) or more of all users overlap. Then, the calculation unit 12 compares the searched range with the outside temperature of the predetermined space Sp1 and determines the target temperature to be the temperature in which the difference between that range and the outside temperature is small (in this case, the smallest). 【0035】 Furthermore, if there is only one user in any area A1, the calculation unit 12 determines the target temperature to be the temperature within the user's comfortable temperature range that has a small difference from the outside temperature of a predetermined space Sp1. 【0036】 Furthermore, in this embodiment, the calculation unit 12 determines the control content of one or more air conditioning units 2 for each of the multiple areas A1. The control content may include control to operate one or more air conditioning units 2 in the area A1 so that the area temperature of the area A1 reaches a set temperature, as well as control to stop one or more air conditioning units 2 in the area A1. Specific examples of how the calculation unit 12 determines the control content will be described in detail in <Air Conditioning Unit Control Examples> of [3. Operation] below. 【0037】 The control unit 13 controls each air conditioning unit 2 so that the temperature of the predetermined space Sp1 reaches the target temperature. In this embodiment, as already described, the predetermined space Sp1 has a plurality of areas A1. Therefore, the control unit 13 controls each air conditioning unit 2 for each of the plurality of areas A1 so that the area temperature reaches the target temperature. 【0038】 In this embodiment, the control unit 13 controls one or more air conditioning units 2 for each of the multiple areas A1 based on the control content determined by the calculation unit 12. Specifically, the control unit 13 communicates with each air conditioning unit 2 and transmits a control signal containing the control content to the corresponding one or more air conditioning units 2 for each area A1. When each air conditioning unit 2 receives a control signal, it is controlled according to the control content contained in the received control signal. 【0039】 The storage unit 14 is a memory device that stores information (such as computer programs) necessary for the acquisition unit 11, the calculation unit 12, and the control unit 13 to perform their respective functions. The storage unit 14 also stores the area temperature of each area A1 acquired by the acquisition unit 11, and the target temperature of each area A1. Furthermore, the storage unit 14 stores the control contents of each air conditioning device 2 determined by the calculation unit 12. The storage unit 14 is implemented by, for example, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), but may also be implemented by semiconductor memory, and is not particularly limited to any known means of electronic information storage that can be used. 【0040】 [3. Operation] The operation of the air conditioning control system 100 according to this embodiment will be described below. 【0041】 <Example of an operation to determine the target temperature> First, an example of the operation by which the air conditioning control system 100 according to the embodiment determines the target temperature of each area A1 will be explained using Figure 3. Figure 3 is a flowchart of an example of the operation by which the air conditioning control system 100 according to the embodiment determines the target temperature. Note that the example of operation of the air conditioning control system 100 shown in Figure 3 is an example of operation for any area A1 among the multiple areas A1. The air conditioning control system 100 performs the operation described below for each of the multiple areas A1. 【0042】 First, the acquisition unit 11 acquires user information from each user who uses area A1 or plans to use area A1 (S11). 【0043】 Next, the calculation unit 12 calculates the comfortable temperature range for each user based on the user information acquired by the acquisition unit 11 (S12). As already mentioned, the calculation unit 12 calculates the user's metabolic rate by referring to the user information and calculates the temperature range (comfortable temperature range) in which the PMV is -0.5 to 0.5 based on the calculated metabolic rate. 【0044】 Then, the calculation unit 12 determines the target temperature for area A1 based on each user's comfortable temperature range (S13). As already mentioned, the calculation unit 12 searches for an area where at least a portion of each user's comfortable temperature range overlaps, compares the searched area with the outside temperature of the predetermined space Sp1, and determines the temperature with the smallest difference (in this case, the smallest) between the outside temperature of the predetermined space Sp1 and the searched area as the target temperature. 【0045】 In the above example of operation, step S11 corresponds to the acquisition step in the air conditioning control method, and steps S12 and S13 correspond to the calculation steps in the air conditioning control method. 【0046】 <Example of air conditioning equipment control> Next, an example of the operation by which the air conditioning control system 100 according to the embodiment controls each air conditioning device 2 will be explained using Figure 4. Figure 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the control of the air conditioning device 2 in the air conditioning control system 100 according to the embodiment. 【0047】 First, the acquisition unit 11 acquires the area temperature of each of the multiple areas A1 and the target temperature of each of the multiple areas A1 (S21). The target temperature of each of the multiple areas A1 is calculated by the calculation unit 12 according to the <Example of operation for determining the target temperature> described above. 【0048】 Next, the calculation unit 12 determines the target area from the multiple areas A1 (S22). Specifically, the calculation unit 12 determines the area A1 that satisfies predetermined conditions from among the multiple areas A1 as the target area, based on the target temperature of each of the multiple areas A1 that are currently being used by the user or are scheduled to be used by the user. 【0049】 Here, the predetermined condition is that the difference between the target temperature and the area temperature is the largest. Therefore, the calculation unit 12 determines the area A1 with the largest difference between the target temperature and the area temperature among the multiple areas A1 as the target area. 【0050】 Next, the calculation unit 12 determines the control content for each air conditioning unit 2 during the initial period (S23). Here, the initial period is the period from when one or more air conditioning units 2 in the target area are started (i.e., begin operation) until the area temperature in the target area reaches the target temperature. For example, if the target temperature in the target area is 28 degrees Celsius, the initial period is the period from when one or more air conditioning units 2 in the target area begin cooling operation until the area temperature in the target area reaches 28 degrees Celsius. Specifically, during the initial period, the calculation unit 12 determines the control content for all air conditioning units 2 so that the set temperature of all air conditioning units 2 becomes the target temperature of the target area. In other words, for each of the multiple areas A1, the calculation unit 12 determines the control content so that the set temperature of one or more air conditioning units 2 becomes the target temperature of the target area. For example, if the target temperature in the target area is 28 degrees Celsius, the calculation unit 12 determines the control content for all air conditioning units 2 so that the set temperature of all air conditioning units 2 becomes 28 degrees Celsius. 【0051】 Next, the control unit 13 controls each air conditioning unit 2 based on the control content determined by the calculation unit 12 (S24). As a result, all air conditioning units 2 are controlled based on the control content for one or more air conditioning units 2 in the target area determined by the calculation unit 12. For example, if the target temperature of the target area is 28 degrees Celsius, all air conditioning units 2 will perform cooling operation with a set temperature of 28 degrees Celsius. 【0052】 Subsequently, the calculation unit 12 does not change the control content of each air conditioning unit 2 until the area temperature of the target area reaches the target temperature of the target area (i.e., the initial period has elapsed) (S25: No). In other words, the control of each air conditioning unit 2 is maintained until the area temperature of the target area reaches the target temperature of the target area. 【0053】 Then, when the area temperature of the target area reaches the target temperature of the target area (i.e., the initial period has elapsed) (S25: Yes), the calculation unit 12 determines the control content for each air conditioning unit 2 after the initial period (S26). Specifically, the calculation unit 12 maintains the control content of one or more air conditioning units 2 in the target area as it was during the initial period after the initial period. Then, the calculation unit 12 determines the control content for each of the multiple areas A1 excluding the target area after the initial period to revert to the control content before the initial period. 【0054】 For example, if one or more air conditioning units 2 were stopped in any area A1 outside the target area before the initial period, the control content before the initial period would be equivalent to stopping one or more air conditioning units 2. Also, for example, if one or more air conditioning units 2 were operating in cooling mode with a set temperature of 25 degrees Celsius in any area A1 outside the target area before the initial period, the control content before the initial period would be equivalent to operating one or more air conditioning units 2 in cooling mode with a set temperature of 25 degrees Celsius. 【0055】 Next, the control unit 13 controls each air conditioning unit 2 based on the control content determined by the calculation unit 12 (S27). As a result, one or more air conditioning units 2 installed in the target area are controlled based on the control content during the initial period. On the other hand, one or more air conditioning units 2 installed in each of the multiple areas A1 excluding the target area are controlled based on the control content prior to the initial period. 【0056】 In the control example above, steps S24 and S27 correspond to control steps in the air conditioning control method. 【0057】 As described above, in the air conditioning control system 100 according to the embodiment, during the initial period, all air conditioning equipment 2 in all areas A1, including the target area, are controlled so that the set temperature becomes the target temperature of the target area. Subsequently, the air conditioning control system 100 according to the embodiment controls each air conditioning equipment 2 in multiple areas A1 excluding the target area using the control settings from before the initial period. 【0058】 Therefore, the air conditioning control system 100 according to this embodiment has the advantage of reducing power consumption and shortening the time it takes for the area temperature of the target area to reach the target temperature, compared to the case where only one or more air conditioning units 2 in the target area are operated during the initial period. Furthermore, the air conditioning control system 100 according to this embodiment also has the advantage of shortening the start-up time for the area temperature of the target area to reach the target temperature and improving air conditioning efficiency, compared to the case where only one or more air conditioning units 2 in the target area are operated during the initial period. 【0059】 [4. Advantages] The advantages of the air conditioning control system 100 and air conditioning control method according to the embodiment will be described below. Conventionally, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, for example, a method for determining the set temperature of air conditioning equipment based on PMV is known. However, the conventional method has the problem that it does not take into account the temperature that each user finds comfortable, because it calculates PMV without considering the metabolic rate of the user, which can vary greatly from user to user, for example, by assuming a fixed value for the user's metabolic rate. Furthermore, the temperature that users find comfortable has a range of several degrees Celsius, and there can be a difference of several tens of percent in the power consumption of the air conditioning equipment depending on whether the lower limit of this range is set as the set temperature or the upper limit. For this reason, the conventional method has the problem that temperature control may be performed at a temperature that is not comfortable for each of the multiple users, and depending on the set temperature, power consumption may increase. 【0060】 In contrast, the air conditioning control system 100 and air conditioning control method according to the embodiment calculates a comfortable temperature range for each of the multiple users based on their metabolic rate and PMV, taking into account the user's attributes. Then, based on the multiple comfortable temperature ranges for each of the multiple users, the air conditioning control system 100 and air conditioning control method according to the embodiment determines a target temperature that is likely to be comfortable for all of the multiple users. For this reason, the air conditioning control system 100 and air conditioning control method according to the embodiment makes it easier to control the temperature so that each of the multiple users finds it comfortable, compared to conventional methods. 【0061】 Furthermore, in the air conditioning control system 100 and air conditioning control method according to the embodiment, the target temperature is determined not only based on multiple comfortable temperature ranges, but also on a temperature that has a small difference from the outside temperature of a predetermined space Sp1. For this reason, the air conditioning control system 100 and air conditioning control method according to the embodiment require less load on the air conditioning equipment 2 and makes it easier to reduce power consumption compared to conventional methods. 【0062】 Thus, the air conditioning control system 100 and air conditioning control method according to this embodiment have the advantage of reducing power consumption while making it easier to control the temperature to a level that is comfortable for each of the multiple users, compared to operating the air conditioning equipment 2 without considering the individual attributes of the multiple users and the outside temperature of the predetermined space Sp1. 【0063】 [5. Variant] Although embodiments have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. 【0064】 Figure 5 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration including an air conditioning control system 100 according to a modified embodiment. This modified air conditioning control system 100 differs from the air conditioning control system 100 according to the embodiment in that it includes a determination unit 15. 【0065】 The determination unit 15 determines whether or not there is a person in the predetermined space Sp1. Specifically, the determination unit 15 determines whether or not there is a user in the predetermined space Sp1 by communicating with an access control system that manages the entry and exit of people (users) in the predetermined space Sp1. The access control system is configured to include, for example, a reader that reads the identification information of each user from an information terminal such as a smartphone or an ID (Identifier) ​​tag carried by each user. 【0066】 In the modified air conditioning control system 100, the calculation unit 12 calculates the comfortable temperature range for multiple people determined by the determination unit 15 to be present in a predetermined space Sp1, treating them as multiple users. In other words, in this modified system, the calculation unit 12 calculates the comfortable temperature range for each of the multiple users actually present in the predetermined space Sp1, and determines the target temperature based on these multiple comfortable temperature ranges for each of these users. 【0067】 Figure 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation for determining the target temperature in the air conditioning control system 100 according to a modified embodiment. Note that the example of operation of the air conditioning control system 100 shown in Figure 6 is an example of operation for any area A1 among the multiple areas A1. The air conditioning control system 100 performs the operations described below for each of the multiple areas A1. Furthermore, the control of each air conditioning device 2 in the air conditioning control system 100 according to this modified embodiment is the same as the control of each air conditioning device 2 in the air conditioning control system 100 according to the embodiment, so the explanation is omitted here. 【0068】 First, the determination unit 15 determines whether or not there is a person in area A1 (S31). As already mentioned, the determination unit 15 determines whether or not there is a user in area A1 by communicating with the access control system. 【0069】 Next, the calculation unit 12 calculates the comfortable temperature range for each of the multiple users determined by the determination unit 15 to be present in area A1 (S32). Specifically, for each of the multiple users determined to be present in area A1, the calculation unit 12 calculates the user's metabolic rate by referring to the user information, and calculates the temperature range (comfortable temperature range) in which the PMV is -0.5 to 0.5 based on the calculated metabolic rate. 【0070】 Then, the calculation unit 12 determines the target temperature for area A1 based on the comfort temperature range of each user determined by the determination unit 15 to be present in area A1 (S33). Specifically, the calculation unit 12 searches for an area in which at least a portion of the comfort temperature ranges of each user determined to be present in area A1 overlap, and compares the searched area with the outside temperature of the predetermined space Sp1. Then, the calculation unit 12 determines the temperature with the smallest difference (in this case, the smallest) between the searched area and the outside temperature of the predetermined space Sp1 as the target temperature. 【0071】 As described above, the air conditioning control system 100 and air conditioning control method according to this modified example have the advantage of easily performing temperature control optimized for each user, since they perform temperature control considering multiple users actually present in a predetermined space Sp1. 【0072】 <Other variations> In this embodiment, the calculation unit 12 may calculate the comfortable temperature range for each of the multiple users based on the user's exercise intensity. Here, exercise intensity can be expressed, for example, in METs, which indicates the strength of physical activity. For example, according to ISO-7730, if the activity level at rest in a seated position is 1 MET, then the activity level at rest in a standing position is 1.2 METs. The metabolic rate of each user calculated in this embodiment is the metabolic rate at rest in a seated position. 【0073】 If the user information includes the user's exercise intensity, for example, the calculation unit 12 calculates the user's metabolic rate using either formula (3) or (4), and then multiplies that metabolic rate by METs corresponding to the user's exercise intensity to calculate the metabolic rate corresponding to the user's exercise intensity. Then, the calculation unit 12 uses the calculated metabolic rate and formulas (1) and (2) to calculate the comfortable temperature range in which the PMV is -0.5 to 0.5. 【0074】 In this case, compared to not referencing the exercise intensity of each of the multiple users, there is an advantage in that it becomes easier to control the temperature in a way that each of the multiple users finds comfortable. 【0075】 Furthermore, if the predetermined space Sp1 has multiple areas A1 as in the embodiment, the calculation unit 12 may set the exercise intensity determined according to each of the multiple areas A1 as the exercise intensity for each of the multiple users, and further calculate the comfortable temperature range based on said exercise intensity. For example, in the second area A12 shown in Figure 2, each user works while standing, so the exercise intensity of the second area A12 is set to 1.2met. Also, for example, in the third area A13 shown in Figure 2, each user works while sitting, so the exercise intensity of the third area A13 is set to 1met. The exercise intensity of each area A1 is set, for example, by the manager of each area A1. 【0076】 In this case, instead of obtaining the exercise intensity of each individual user, the advantage is that it becomes easier to further control the temperature to a level that each user finds comfortable by referring to the exercise intensity determined according to area A1. 【0077】 In this embodiment, the user information may include a Clo value. That is, the calculation unit 12 may further consider the Clo value for each of the multiple users when calculating the user's metabolic rate. For example, each user inputs the type of clothing they are wearing using the input device 3. When the acquisition unit 11 acquires information indicating the type of clothing the user is wearing, the calculation unit 12 calculates a Clo value based on that information. 【0078】 In this embodiment, the calculation unit 12 determines the area A1 with the largest difference between the area temperature and the target temperature as the target area, but it is not limited to this. For example, if each air conditioning unit 2 is performing cooling operation, the calculation unit 12 may determine the area A1 with the lowest target temperature as the target area, and if each air conditioning unit 2 is performing heating operation, it may determine the area A1 with the highest target temperature as the target area. In other words, the predetermined condition may be that the target temperature is the lowest if one or more air conditioning units 2 in each of the multiple areas A1 are performing cooling operation, and that the target temperature is the highest if one or more air conditioning units 2 in each of the multiple areas A1 are performing heating operation. 【0079】 In this embodiment, the air conditioning control system 100 controls each air conditioning unit 2 in coordination until the area temperature of each area A1 reaches the target temperature, but it is not limited to this. For example, the air conditioning control system 100 may simply instruct each air conditioning unit 2 to set the target temperature determined by the calculation unit 12 as the set temperature. In this case, the acquisition unit 11 does not need to acquire the area temperature of each area A1. 【0080】 In this embodiment, the control unit 13 is provided in the server 10, but is not limited to this. For example, the control unit 13 may be implemented by a module different from the server 10. In this case, the module constituting the control unit 13 only needs to be configured to communicate with the server 10 and to communicate with each air conditioning unit 2. 【0081】 Furthermore, in this embodiment, the control unit 13 controls all air conditioning equipment 2 installed in a predetermined space Sp1, but this is not limited to this. For example, the control unit 13 may be provided for each area A1. In this case, there will be as many control units 13 as there are areas A1. Each control unit 13 will then control one or more air conditioning equipment 2 in its corresponding area A1. 【0082】 In this embodiment, the predetermined space Sp1 has multiple areas A1, but is not limited to this. For example, the predetermined space Sp1 may consist of a single area A1. 【0083】 In this embodiment, the multiple air conditioning devices 2 provided in a predetermined space Sp1 are not included as components of the air conditioning control system 100, but they may be included as components of the air conditioning control system 100. In other words, the air conditioning control system 100 may further include the air conditioning devices 2 provided in the predetermined space Sp1. 【0084】 Furthermore, the air conditioning control system may be implemented by multiple devices (e.g., multiple servers) or by a single device (e.g., a single server). If the air conditioning control system is implemented by multiple devices, the components of the air conditioning control system (in particular, the functional components) may be distributed among the multiple devices in any way. 【0085】 Furthermore, the communication method between devices in the above embodiment is not particularly limited. In addition, relay devices (such as broadband routers) not shown may be involved in the communication between devices. 【0086】 Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the processing performed by a specific processing unit may be performed by another processing unit. Also, the order of multiple processing units may be changed, or multiple processing units may be executed in parallel. 【0087】 Furthermore, in the above embodiment, each component may be realized by executing a software program suitable for each component. Each component may also be realized by a program execution unit such as a CPU or processor reading and executing a software program recorded on a recording medium such as a hard disk or semiconductor memory. 【0088】 Furthermore, each component may be implemented by hardware. For example, each component may be a circuit (or integrated circuit). These circuits may form a single circuit as a whole, or they may be separate circuits. Also, each of these circuits may be a general-purpose circuit or a dedicated circuit. 【0089】 Furthermore, general or specific embodiments of the present invention may be implemented as a system, apparatus, method, integrated circuit, computer program, or recording medium such as a computer-readable CD-ROM. Alternatively, they may be implemented as any combination of a system, apparatus, method, integrated circuit, computer program, and recording medium. 【0090】 For example, the present invention may be implemented as an information processing method executed by the computer of the air conditioning control system of the above embodiment. The present invention may also be implemented as a program (computer program product) for causing a computer to execute these information processing methods. Furthermore, the present invention may be implemented as a computer-readable non-temporary recording medium on which such a program is recorded. 【0091】 Furthermore, the present invention also includes forms obtained by applying various modifications to each embodiment that a person skilled in the art could conceive, or forms realized by arbitrarily combining the components and functions of each embodiment without departing from the spirit of the present invention. 【0092】 (summary) As described above, the air conditioning control system 100 according to the first embodiment comprises an acquisition unit 11, a calculation unit 12, and a control unit 13. The acquisition unit 11 acquires user information regarding the attributes of each of the multiple users who use a predetermined space Sp1 of the facility. The calculation unit 12 calculates the target temperature of the predetermined space Sp1. The control unit 13 controls the air conditioning equipment 2 so that the temperature of the predetermined space Sp1 becomes the target temperature. For each of the multiple users, the calculation unit 12 calculates the comfortable temperature range, which is the temperature range that the user finds comfortable, based on the user's metabolic rate and PMV based on the user information. The calculation unit 12 also determines the target temperature as a range in which at least a portion of the multiple comfortable temperature ranges of each of the multiple users overlap, and in that range, the difference with the outside temperature of the predetermined space Sp1 is small. 【0093】 Compared to operating the air conditioning equipment 2 without considering the individual attributes of multiple users and the outside temperature of a predetermined space Sp1, such an air conditioning control system 100 has the advantage of reducing power consumption while making it easier to control the temperature to a level that is comfortable for each of the multiple users. 【0094】 Furthermore, in the air conditioning control system 100 according to the second embodiment, in the first embodiment, the calculation unit 12 calculates a comfortable temperature range for each of the multiple users based on the user's exercise intensity. 【0095】 Such an air conditioning control system 100 has the advantage of making it easier to control the temperature in a way that is comfortable for each of the multiple users, compared to a system that does not refer to the exercise intensity of each of the multiple users. 【0096】 Furthermore, the air conditioning control system 100 according to the third embodiment further includes a determination unit 15 that determines the presence or absence of people in a predetermined space Sp1, in the first or second embodiment. The calculation unit 12 calculates the comfortable temperature range for multiple people determined by the determination unit 15 to be present in the predetermined space Sp1, treating them as multiple users. 【0097】 Such an air conditioning control system 100 has the advantage of easily providing optimized temperature control for each user, as it takes into account the temperature control performed while considering the multiple users actually present in the predetermined space Sp1. 【0098】 Furthermore, in the fourth embodiment of the air conditioning control system 100, in any one of the first to third embodiments, a predetermined space Sp1 has a plurality of areas A1, each of which is equipped with an air conditioning device 2. The calculation unit 12 calculates a target temperature for each of the plurality of areas A1. The control unit 13 controls the air conditioning device 2 for each of the plurality of areas A1 so that the area temperature becomes the target temperature. 【0099】 Such an air conditioning control system 100 has the advantage of making it easy to control the temperature in each of the multiple areas A1 in a way that is comfortable for each of the multiple users, while also reducing power consumption. 【0100】 Furthermore, in the fifth embodiment of the air conditioning control system 100, in the fourth embodiment, the calculation unit 12 determines the exercise intensity for each of the multiple users according to the exercise intensity for each of the multiple areas A1, and further calculates the comfortable temperature range based on said exercise intensity. 【0101】 Such an air conditioning control system 100 has the advantage of making it easier to control the temperature to a level that each user finds comfortable, by referring to the exercise intensity set according to area A1, without having to obtain the exercise intensity of each individual user. 【0102】 Furthermore, the sixth embodiment of the air conditioning control system 100 further comprises an air conditioning device 2 installed in a predetermined space Sp1 in any one of the first to fifth embodiments. 【0103】 Compared to operating the air conditioning equipment 2 without considering the individual attributes of multiple users and the outside temperature of a predetermined space Sp1, such an air conditioning control system 100 has the advantage of reducing power consumption while making it easier to control the temperature to a level that is comfortable for each of the multiple users. 【0104】 Furthermore, the seventh embodiment of the air conditioning control method includes an acquisition step (S11), calculation steps (S12, S13), and control steps (S24, S27). In the acquisition step, user information regarding the attributes of each of the multiple users who use a predetermined space Sp1 of the facility is acquired. In the calculation step, the target temperature of the predetermined space Sp1 is calculated. In the control step, the air conditioning equipment 2 installed in the predetermined space Sp1 is controlled so that the temperature of the predetermined space Sp1 becomes the target temperature. In the calculation step, for each of the multiple users, the comfortable temperature range, which is the temperature range that the user finds comfortable, is calculated based on the user's metabolic rate and PMV based on the user information. In addition, in the calculation step, the target temperature is determined to be a range in which at least a portion of the multiple comfortable temperature ranges of each of the multiple users overlap, and in that range, the difference between the temperature of the predetermined space Sp1 and the outside temperature is small. 【0105】 This type of air conditioning control method has the advantage of reducing power consumption while making it easier to control the temperature to a level that is comfortable for each of the multiple users, compared to operating the air conditioning unit 2 without considering the individual attributes of the multiple users and the outside temperature of the designated space Sp1. 【0106】 Furthermore, the program according to the eighth embodiment causes one or more processors to execute the air conditioning control method according to the seventh embodiment. 【0107】 Compared to operating the air conditioning unit 2 without considering the individual attributes of multiple users and the outside temperature of a predetermined space Sp1, this type of program has the advantage of reducing power consumption while making it easier to control the temperature to a level that is comfortable for each of the multiple users. [Explanation of symbols] 【0108】 100 Air Conditioning Control System 11 Acquisition Department 12 Arithmetic section 13 Control Unit 15 Judgment section 2 Air conditioning equipment A1 Area Sp1 Predetermined space

Claims

[Claim 1] An acquisition unit that acquires user information regarding user attributes from each of multiple users who use a designated space in the facility, A calculation unit that calculates the target temperature of the predetermined space, The system includes a control unit that controls air conditioning equipment installed in the predetermined space so that the temperature of the predetermined space becomes the target temperature, The aforementioned arithmetic unit, For each of the aforementioned users, the comfortable temperature range, which is the temperature range that the user finds comfortable, is calculated based on the user's metabolic rate and PMV (Predicted Mean Vote) according to the user information. The target temperature is determined to be a range in which at least a portion of the multiple comfortable temperature ranges of each of the multiple users overlap, and in that range, the temperature difference with the outside temperature of the predetermined space is small. Air conditioning control system. [Claim 2] The calculation unit calculates the comfortable temperature range for each of the plurality of users, based on the user's exercise intensity. The air conditioning control system according to claim 1. [Claim 3] The system further includes a determination unit that determines whether or not a person is present in the predetermined space. The calculation unit calculates the comfortable temperature range, using the multiple people determined by the determination unit to be present in the predetermined space as the multiple users. The air conditioning control system according to claim 1 or 2. [Claim 4] The aforementioned predetermined space comprises multiple areas, each of which is equipped with the aforementioned air conditioning equipment. The calculation unit calculates the target temperature for each of the plurality of areas, The control unit controls the air conditioning equipment for each of the plurality of areas so that the area temperature reaches the target temperature. The air conditioning control system according to claim 1 or 2. [Claim 5] The calculation unit determines the exercise intensity for each of the multiple users based on the exercise intensity set according to the area for each of the multiple areas, and further calculates the comfortable temperature range based on said exercise intensity. The air conditioning control system according to claim 4. [Claim 6] The air conditioning equipment provided in the predetermined space further comprises The air conditioning control system according to claim 1 or 2. [Claim 7] An acquisition step to obtain user information regarding user attributes from each of multiple users using a designated space in the facility, A calculation step for calculating the target temperature of the predetermined space, The control step includes controlling an air conditioning device installed in the predetermined space so that the temperature of the predetermined space becomes the target temperature, In the aforementioned calculation step, For each of the aforementioned users, the comfortable temperature range, which is the temperature range that the user finds comfortable, is calculated based on the user's metabolic rate and PMV (Predicted Mean Vote) according to the user information. The target temperature is determined to be a range in which at least a portion of the multiple comfortable temperature ranges of each of the multiple users overlap, and in that range, the temperature difference with the outside temperature of the predetermined space is small. Air conditioning control method. [Claim 8] One or more processors, To execute the air conditioning control method described in claim 7, program.