Equipment control system, equipment control method, and program

Abstract

An equipment control system (10) is provided with: a setting unit (44) that sets a requirement for at least one piece of information among person information relating to a person located in a space in a facility (90), environment information in the space, and equipment information pertaining to equipment (70) installed in the space; an acquisition unit (45) that acquires the at least one piece of information; and a control unit (46) that, on the basis of whether or not the acquired at least one piece of information satisfies the requirement, switches between controlling the equipment (70) in a first mode in which personalized control of the equipment (70) based on a request from a person located in the space is restricted, or controlling the equipment (70) in a second mode in which personalized control is permitted.

Description

Equipment control system, equipment control method, and program

[0001] The present invention relates to an equipment control system, an equipment control method, and a program.

[0002] Various techniques for controlling equipment have been proposed. Patent Document 1 discloses a control system including a control device for controlling equipment, an operation terminal, and a log management device.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-220114

[0004] The present invention provides a facility control system and the like that can switch between prioritizing the comfort of a group or the comfort of an individual when controlling facilities installed in a space.

[0005] An equipment control system according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a setting unit that sets requirements for at least one piece of information: human information about people located in a space within a facility, environmental information about the space, and equipment information about equipment installed in the space; an acquisition unit that acquires the at least one piece of information; and a control unit that switches between controlling the equipment in a first mode in which personal control, which is control of the equipment based on the requests of people located in the space, is restricted, and controlling the equipment in a second mode in which personal control is permitted, based on whether the acquired at least one piece of information satisfies the requirements.

[0006] An equipment control method according to one aspect of the present invention is an equipment control method executed by a computer, and includes a setting step of setting requirements for at least one piece of information: human information about people located in a space within a facility, environmental information about the space, and equipment information about equipment installed in the space; an acquisition step of acquiring the at least one piece of information; and a control step of switching, based on whether the at least one piece of acquired information satisfies the requirements, whether to control the equipment in a first mode in which personal control, which is control of the equipment based on the requests of people located in the space, is restricted, or to control the equipment in a second mode in which the personal control is allowed.

[0007] A program according to one aspect of the present invention is a program for causing the computer to execute the equipment control method.

[0008] The facility control system etc. of the present invention can switch between prioritizing the comfort of a group or the comfort of an individual when controlling the facility installed in a space.

[0009] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of an equipment control system according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a space to which the equipment control system according to an embodiment is applied. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of registration information. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of placement information. FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram of an operation for estimating the current position of an operation terminal according to an embodiment. FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram of an operation example 1 of the equipment control system according to an embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a GUI (Graphical User Interface) for individual control. FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram of an operation example 2 of the equipment control system according to an embodiment.

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiments described below are all comprehensive or specific examples. The numerical values, shapes, materials, components, component placement and connection forms, steps, and step order shown in the following embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the present invention. Furthermore, among the components in the following embodiments, components not recited in independent claims will be described as optional components.

[0011] It should be noted that the drawings are schematic diagrams and are not necessarily strict illustrations. In addition, in the drawings, substantially the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and overlapping descriptions may be omitted or simplified.

[0012] (Embodiment) [Configuration] First, the configuration of an equipment control system according to an embodiment will be described. Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the equipment control system according to an embodiment. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing a space within a facility to which the equipment control system according to an embodiment is applied.

[0013] The facility control system 10 is a system that controls a plurality of facilities 70 installed in a space 90a (more specifically, an indoor space) within a facility 90. The facility 90 is, for example, an office building. The plurality of facilities 70 include lighting facilities 70a, air conditioning facilities, ventilation facilities, video facilities, audio facilities, sensors, and the like.

[0014] 1, the equipment control system 10 includes a plurality of beacon transmitters 20, a plurality of operation terminals 30, a server device 40, a management terminal 50, a local controller 60, and a plurality of equipment 70. The plurality of beacon transmitters 20, the management terminal 50, the local controller 60, and the plurality of equipment 70 are installed within a facility 90. The plurality of operation terminals 30 are located within the facility 90, and the server device 40 is installed outside the facility 90. Note that the location of each of these devices is an example, and the location of each device is not particularly limited. For example, the management terminal 50 may be installed outside the facility 90.

[0015] First, the beacon transmitter 20 will be described. The beacon transmitter 20 is a device that emits a beacon signal (a signal that is periodically transmitted at predetermined time intervals) by radio waves. Specifically, the beacon transmitter 20 performs wireless communication in accordance with a communication standard such as BLE (Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy) or Wi-Fi (registered trademark). The beacon signal may also be called an advertisement signal. The beacon signal includes the ID of the beacon transmitter 20.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 2 , the beacon transmitter 20 is detachably connected to a power supply terminal of a lighting fixture 70a installed on the ceiling of the space 90a, for example, and operates by receiving power from the lighting fixture 70a. The power supply terminal is, for example, a Universal Serial Bus (USB) terminal. The beacon transmitter 20 may be fixed directly to the ceiling of the space 90a without using the lighting fixture 70a. The beacon transmitter 20 may also be fixed to a wall, floor, or the like. Note that, as shown in FIG. 2 , the multiple beacon transmitters 20 are distributed and arranged two-dimensionally when viewed from above. The arrangement (installation positions) of the multiple beacon transmitters 20 is stored in advance as arrangement information in the memory unit 43 of the server device 40.

[0017] Next, the operation terminal 30 will be described. The operation terminal 30 is a portable information terminal carried by a user located in the space 90a. Specifically, the operation terminal 30 is a portable terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal. Alternatively, the operation terminal 30 may be a dedicated terminal used in the equipment control system 10. Specifically, the operation terminal 30 includes an operation reception unit 31, a display unit 32, a first communication unit 33, a second communication unit 34, an information processing unit 35, and a storage unit 36.

[0018] The operation reception unit 31 receives operations from a user. Specifically, the operation reception unit 31 is realized by a touch panel or the like.

[0019] The display unit 32 is a display that displays images and the like for the user to control the equipment 70. The display unit 32 is realized by a display panel such as a liquid crystal panel or an organic EL panel, for example.

[0020] The first communication unit 33 is a wireless communication circuit for performing wireless communication (more specifically, radio wave communication) through a local communication network. Specifically, the first communication unit 33 performs wireless communication in accordance with a communication standard such as BLE or Wi-Fi (registered trademark). The first communication unit 33 receives beacon signals emitted by each of the multiple beacon transmitters 20.

[0021] The second communication unit 34 is a wireless communication circuit for allowing the operation terminal 30 to perform wireless communication with the server device 40 through a wide area communication network. The wide area communication network here includes a mobile communication network, the Internet, and the like.

[0022] The information processing unit 35 performs various information processing such as a position estimation process for estimating the current position of the operation terminal 30 and a display process for displaying an image on the display unit 32. The information processing unit 35 is realized by, for example, a microcomputer, but may also be realized by a processor or a dedicated circuit. The functions of the information processing unit 35 are realized by hardware such as a microcomputer or processor constituting the information processing unit 35 executing a computer program (software) stored in the storage unit 36.

[0023] The storage unit 36 ​​is a storage device that stores information necessary for the information processing. The information stored in the storage unit 36 ​​includes computer programs executed by the information processing unit 35. The computer programs stored in the storage unit 36 ​​include predetermined application programs (hereinafter also simply referred to as predetermined apps) that are installed in the storage unit 36 ​​in advance by the user. The storage unit 36 ​​is realized, for example, by a semiconductor memory or the like.

[0024] After the predetermined application is installed on the operation terminal 30, user registration is performed. As a result of the user registration, information about the user who owns the operation terminal 30 is stored as registration information in the storage unit 43 of the server device 40. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the registration information. The registration information associates the ID, name, and attribute information of the installed predetermined application. The attribute information includes gender, age, job position, occupation, affiliation, and preference information.

[0025] Next, the server device 40 will be described. The server device 40 controls the plurality of pieces of equipment 70. The server device 40 is, for example, a cloud computer provided outside the facility 90. The server device 40 includes a communication unit 41, an information processing unit 42, and a storage unit 43.

[0026] The communication unit 41 is a communication module (communication circuit) that enables the server device 40 to communicate with the operation terminal 30, the management terminal 50, and the local controller 60 over a wide area communication network. The communication performed by the communication unit 41 may be wired communication or wireless communication. There are no particular limitations on the communication standard used for the communication.

[0027] The information processing unit 42 processes information related to the control of the plurality of pieces of equipment 70. Specifically, the information processing unit 42 is realized by a processor or a microcomputer. The information processing unit 42 includes, as functional components, a setting unit 44, an acquisition unit 45, and a control unit 46. The functions of the setting unit 44, the acquisition unit 45, and the control unit 46 are realized by the processor or microcomputer constituting the information processing unit 42 executing a computer program stored in the storage unit 43.

[0028] The storage unit 43 is a storage device that stores information necessary for the various information processes described above. The information stored in the storage unit 43 includes computer programs executed by the information processing unit 42. The storage unit 43 also stores the above-mentioned registration information ( FIG. 3 ). Specifically, the storage unit 43 is realized by a semiconductor memory, a hard disk drive (HDD), or the like.

[0029] The storage unit 43 stores arrangement information indicating the arrangement of a plurality of beacon transmitters 20 as information to be provided to the operation terminal 30. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the arrangement information. As shown in Fig. 4, the arrangement information associates the ID of the beacon transmitter 20 with the installation location of the beacon transmitter 20. The installation location is expressed by, for example, a position and an area.

[0030] The position in the location information is a three-dimensional coordinate in the space 90a in the facility 90. The area in the location information means the name of the area in which the beacon transmitter 20 is installed, which corresponds to the space 90a, for example, a conference room, an office, a break room, etc. The area may also be a passageway such as a corridor.

[0031] The above-mentioned placement information is registered in the server device 40, for example, when multiple beacon transmitters 20 are installed (constructed) in the space 90a, and is updated appropriately when the floor plan is changed or when the placement of the multiple beacon transmitters 20 is changed.

[0032] Next, the management terminal 50 will be described. The management terminal 50 is an information terminal owned by the manager of the facility 90. The management terminal 50 is, for example, a stationary information terminal such as a personal computer, but may also be a portable information terminal such as a smartphone or tablet terminal. The management terminal 50 may also be a dedicated terminal used in the equipment control system 10.

[0033] Next, the local controller 60 will be described. The local controller 60 is an edge computer that controls a plurality of facilities 70. The local controller 60 communicates with the server device 40 via a wide area communication network. When the local controller 60 receives a control command from the server device 40 to instruct control of the facilities 70, the local controller 60 controls the facilities 70 in accordance with the control command.

[0034] Next, the multiple pieces of equipment 70 will be described. The multiple pieces of equipment 70 include lighting equipment 70a, air conditioning equipment, ventilation equipment, video equipment, audio equipment, and sensors. The sensors include temperature sensors, humidity sensors, and carbon dioxide concentration sensors.

[0035] [Current Position Estimation Operation] When the operation terminal 30 is located in the space 90a, the operation terminal 30 can estimate the current position of the operation terminal 30 in the space 90a and transmit current position information indicating the estimated current position to the server device 40. Fig. 5 is a sequence diagram of the operation of estimating the current position of the operation terminal 30.

[0036] When the user is located in the space 90a, the user performs a predetermined operation on the operation terminal 30 to instruct the execution of a predetermined app, and the operation acceptance unit 31 accepts this predetermined operation (S11). The information processing unit 35 executes the predetermined app stored in the storage unit 36 ​​and performs information processing defined in the predetermined app. The information processing unit 35 specifically transmits a request for location information to the server device 40 (S12). The request for location information is specifically transmitted to the server device 40 by the second communication unit 34. The request for location information includes the ID of the predetermined app. The ID of the predetermined app is used to identify the user.

[0037] The communication unit 41 of the server device 40 receives the request for the placement information. The information processing unit 42 reads out the placement information ( FIG. 4 ) stored in the storage unit 43 ( S13 ), and transmits (outputs) the read placement information to the operation terminal 30 ( S14 ). Specifically, the placement information is transmitted to the operation terminal 30 by the communication unit 41.

[0038] The second communication unit 34 of the operation terminal 30 receives the arrangement information. The information processing unit 35 stores the received arrangement information in the storage unit 36 ​​(S15).

[0039] Each of the multiple beacon transmitters 20 installed in the space 90a periodically transmits a beacon signal, and the beacon signal includes the ID of the beacon transmitter 20. The ID is, for example, a MAC (Media Access Control) address, but may be any other ID.

[0040] The first communication unit 33 of the operation terminal 30 receives a beacon signal from each of the multiple beacon transmitters 20 (S16), and the information processing unit 35 measures the received signal strength (RSSI: Received Signal Strength Indicator) of the received beacon signal (S17).

[0041] Next, the information processing unit 35 identifies the current position of the operation terminal 30 based on the measured received signal strength and the location information stored in the storage unit 36 ​​in step S15 (S18). The position of the operation terminal 30 is specifically the three-dimensional coordinates of the operation terminal 30 in the space 90a.

[0042] Specifically, the information processing unit 35 can identify the position (three-dimensional coordinates) of the beacon transmitter 20 that is the source of the beacon signal by comparing the ID of the beacon transmitter 20 that is the source of the beacon signal, which is included in the beacon signal, with the location information. Here, the received signal strength of the beacon signal measured in step S17 can be considered as an estimated distance from the beacon transmitter 20 that is the source of the beacon signal to the operation terminal 30. Then, the information processing unit 35 can identify (estimate) the current position of the operation terminal 30 from the positions of each of the multiple beacon transmitters 20 and the estimated distance from that position to the operation terminal 30. Note that any existing algorithm may be used as a method for identifying the position based on the received signal strength.

[0043] Next, the information processing unit 35 transmits current location information indicating the current location of the identified operating terminal 30 to the server device 40 (S19). Specifically, the current location information is transmitted to the server device 40 by the second communication unit 34. The current location information is information including the location (coordinates) of the identified operating terminal 30, the current time, and the ID of a predetermined app.

[0044] The communication unit 41 of the server device 40 receives the current location information, and the information processing unit 42 stores the received current location information in the storage unit 43 (S20).

[0045] In this way, when the operation terminal 30 is located in the space 90a, it can estimate the current position of the operation terminal 30 in the space 90a and transmit current position information indicating the estimated current position to the server device 40.

[0046] The processing of steps S16 to S20 is repeated while the operation terminal 30 is executing a predetermined application. As a result, the latest current location information of the user is stored in the storage unit 43 of the server device 40. Since the equipment control system 10 includes a plurality of operation terminals 30 corresponding to a plurality of users, the latest current location information of each of the plurality of users is stored in the storage unit 43 of the server device 40. In other words, the server device 40 can manage (know) the latest current location information of each of the plurality of users.

[0047] [Operation Example 1] In the equipment control system 10, the control unit 46 of the server device 40 can control the equipment 70 installed in the space 90a by transmitting a control command to the local controller 60.

[0048] Here, the control unit 46 can switch between a first mode in which the comfort of the entire space 90a is prioritized over that of individuals and in which personalized control of the equipment 70 based on the requests of people located in the space 90a is limited, and a second mode in which personalized control is possible. A first example of operation of the equipment control system 10 will now be described. Figure 6 is a sequence diagram of the first example of operation of the equipment control system 10.

[0049] The administrator of the facility 90 (space 90a) performs a predetermined setting operation to set the requirements for activating the second mode, and the management terminal 50 accepts the setting operation (S21). Based on the setting operation, the management terminal 50 transmits setting information indicating the settings intended by the administrator through the setting operation to the server device 40 (S22).

[0050] The communication unit 41 of the server device 40 receives the setting information. The setting unit 44 acquires the setting information, accepts the administrator's setting, and stores the acquired setting information in the storage unit 43 (S23). In other words, the setting unit 44 sets the requirements for activating the second mode.

[0051] If the space 90a is a space in an office building, the requirement is, for example, that the attendance rate in the space 90a is equal to or less than a predetermined value (i.e., that there are few people in the space 90a). Note that the attendance rate here means the ratio of the actual number of people to the predetermined capacity of the space 90a.

[0052] The control unit 46 of the server device 40 basically operates in the first mode (S24). In the first mode, the control unit 46 controls the equipment 70 based on a predetermined algorithm, and changes to settings related to the control of the equipment 70 are permitted only through operations by an administrator on the management terminal 50. In the first mode, general users located in the space 90a are not permitted to change the control content of the equipment 70 (personal control, described below, is not permitted), but they may be permitted to change the control content to a more limited extent than the administrator or to a more limited extent than personal control. In other words, in the first mode, personal control is restricted. If the equipment 70 is air conditioning equipment, changes to the control content include changing the operation on / off, changing the airflow direction, changing the airflow volume, changing the operating mode, and changing the set temperature. If the equipment 70 is lighting equipment 70a, changes to the control content include changing the light on / off, changing the dimming rate, changing the color temperature, etc.

[0053] Next, the acquisition unit 45 acquires (calculates) the attendance rate in the space 90a based on the latest current location information of the multiple users stored in the storage unit 43 by the location estimation operation of Fig. 5 (S25). Note that the storage unit 43 stores a coordinate range of the space 90a (room, etc.) in the facility 90, and when the position (coordinates) indicated by the current location information is within the coordinate range, the acquisition unit 45 can determine that the user is located in the space 90a and calculate the attendance rate for the space 90a.

[0054] Next, the control unit 46 determines whether the attendance rate acquired in step S25 satisfies the requirement set in step S23 (i.e., being equal to or less than a predetermined value) (S26). If the control unit 46 determines that the attendance rate does not satisfy the requirement, it continues operation in the first mode. On the other hand, if the control unit 46 determines that the attendance rate satisfies the requirement, it performs operation in the second mode (S27).

[0055] During operation in the second mode, a user located in the space 90a is permitted to perform personalized control of the equipment 70 based on the user's wishes. Personal control is, for example, control of the equipment 70 based on a control signal transmitted from the operation terminal 30 when the user operates the operation terminal 30. In other words, the user can freely change the control content of the equipment 70 using the operation terminal 30 as a remote controller for the equipment 70.

[0056] To allow personalized control, when the operation in the second mode is started, the control unit 46 transmits authority information for granting the operation terminal 30 control authority for the equipment 70 (S28). Specifically, the authority information is transmitted to the operation terminal 30 by the communication unit 41.

[0057] The second communication unit 34 of the operation terminal 30 receives the notification information. The information processing unit 35 displays a GUI (Graphical User Interface) for controlling the equipment 70 on the display unit 32 based on the received authority information (S29). Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a GUI for individual control.

[0058] 7 shows an example of a GUI (control screen) for controlling the lighting equipment 70a. A user can control the lighting equipment 70a by selecting one of three lighting modes (i.e., lighting conditions configured by brightness, color temperature, light distribution, etc.): solo work, remote, and team work. In the adjustment area at the bottom of the GUI, a check mark is placed in the position corresponding to the currently selected lighting mode (current lighting condition), and the user can fine-tune the lighting condition by moving the check mark.

[0059] 7 is displayed on the display unit 32 of the operation terminal 30, the operation accepting unit 31 accepts a control instruction operation (e.g., an operation to select a lighting mode) to instruct control of the equipment 70 (S30). The information processing unit 35 transmits a control request to the server device 40 to control the equipment 70 in response to the control instruction operation (S31). Specifically, the control request is transmitted to the server device 40 by the second communication unit 34. The control request includes the ID of a predetermined app.

[0060] The communication unit 41 of the server device 40 receives the control request. The control unit 46 transmits a control command to the local controller 60 based on the received control request (S32). Specifically, the control command is transmitted to the local controller 60 by the communication unit 41.

[0061] The local controller 60 controls the equipment 70 based on the received control command (S33). In steps S32 to S33, the control unit 46 transmits the control command to the local controller 60, thereby performing personalized control based on the control request transmitted by the operation terminal 30 in step S31.

[0062] Although not shown, a determination similar to that in step S26 is made during operation in the second mode, and if the control unit 46 determines that the acquired attendance rate does not satisfy the set requirements, it switches operation from the second mode to operation in the first mode.

[0063] In this way, the equipment control system 10 comprises a setting unit 44 that sets requirements for the attendance rate in space 90a within facility 90, an acquisition unit 45 that acquires the current attendance rate, and a control unit 46 that controls the equipment 70 in a first mode in which personal control, which is control of the equipment 70 based on the requests of people located in space 90a, is limited, and, if the acquired attendance rate satisfies the requirements, controls the equipment 70 in a second mode in which personal control is allowed.

[0064] In the equipment control system 10, it can be said that during operation in the first mode, the administrator primarily has control authority over the equipment 70, and during operation in the second mode, the user primarily has control authority over the equipment 70. In other words, the equipment control system 10 can transfer control authority over the equipment 70 installed in the space 90a depending on the status of people in the space 90a (e.g., attendance rate). For example, if the administrator is the owner of the facility 90 and the user is an employee of a company that occupies the space 90a as a tenant in the facility 90, in the equipment control system 10, control authority over the equipment 70 will be transferred between the owner and the tenant depending on the status of people in the space 90a.

[0065] In the first operational example, the control unit 46 executes the operation in the second mode when a requirement related to the attendance rate is satisfied, based on the operation in the first mode. However, the control unit 46 may execute the operation in the first mode when a requirement related to the attendance rate is satisfied, based on the operation in the second mode. In this case, the requirement related to the attendance rate is, for example, that the attendance rate exceeds a predetermined value (that there are many people positioned in the space 90a).

[0066] Furthermore, in the first operational example, while the second mode is being executed, the GUI is displayed on each of the operation terminals 30 corresponding to the multiple users located in the space 90a, but may be displayed only on the operation terminals 30 held by users located near the equipment 70 to be controlled. For example, if the location information ( FIG. 4 ) stored in the memory unit 43 of the server device 40 includes the location of the equipment 70 in addition to the location of the beacon transmitters 20, the control unit 46 can transmit authority information only to the operation terminals 30 of users located within a predetermined distance from the equipment 70, thereby displaying the GUI only on the operation terminals 30 held by users located near the equipment 70.

[0067] Furthermore, in the first operational example, the equipment 70 that can be controlled by operating the GUI may be limited to the equipment 70 that is not in operation as of step S28, among the equipment 70 installed in the space 90a. This allows for personalized control to be achieved using the equipment 70 that is not in operation, while maintaining the same control as in the first mode for the equipment 70 that is in operation.

[0068] If the equipment 70 that can be controlled by operating the GUI is limited to equipment 70 that is not in operation, the transmission of the authority information in step S28 and the display of the GUI in step S29 have the effect of informing the user that the user can personally use shared equipment 70 that is not in operation.

[0069] [Operation Example 2] In Operation Example 1, the personalized control was described as control of the equipment 70 using the operation terminal 30 as a remote controller, but the personalized control may also be automatic control of the equipment 70 based on attribute information of a user located in the space 90a (hereinafter also referred to as personalized control based on attribute information). Below, an operation example 2 of such an equipment control system 10 will be described. Figure 8 is a sequence diagram of Operation Example 2 of the equipment control system 10.

[0070] The processes of steps S41 to S46 are similar to the processes of steps S21 to S26, and therefore detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0071] If the control unit 46 determines in step S46 that the attendance rate satisfies the set requirements, it performs operation in the second mode (S47). During operation in the second mode, a user located in the space 90a is permitted to perform personalized control of the equipment 70 based on the user's requests. As described above, in operation example 2, personalized control is automatic control of the equipment 70 according to the user's attribute information.

[0072] The control unit 46 determines whether or not the user has approached within a predetermined distance range from the target facility 70 (S48). For example, if the location information ( FIG. 4 ) stored in the storage unit 43 includes the location of the facility 70 in addition to the location of the beacon transmitter 20, the control unit 46 can determine whether or not the user has approached within a predetermined distance range from the target facility 70 based on the location of the facility 70 determined by the location information and the latest current location information of multiple users stored in the storage unit 43 by the location estimation operation in FIG. 5 .

[0073] When the control unit 46 determines that the user has approached within a predetermined distance range from the target facility 70, it identifies attribute information of the user (S49). As described above, the registration information ( FIG. 3 ) associates the ID of a predetermined app with the attribute information of the user, and therefore the control unit 46 can identify the attribute information of the user who has entered within a predetermined distance range from the target facility 70 by comparing the ID of the predetermined app in the registration information with the ID of the predetermined app in the current location information.

[0074] The control unit 46 transmits a control command to the local controller 60 to control the equipment 70 based on the identified attribute information (S50). Specifically, the control command is transmitted to the local controller 60 by the communication unit 41.

[0075] The local controller 60 controls the equipment 70 based on the received control command (S51). In steps S50 to S51, the control unit 46 transmits the control command to the local controller 60, thereby performing personalized control based on the attribute information identified in step S49.

[0076] For example, if the equipment 70 is an air conditioning equipment and the identified attribute information specifies that the user is sensitive to the cold, in step S51, the local controller 60 controls the air conditioning equipment by setting the set temperature of the air conditioning equipment to a temperature higher than that during operation in the first mode (a set temperature higher than the standard set temperature).

[0077] The above-described personalized control based on attribute information can be realized, for example, by referring to control information pre-stored in the storage unit 43. The control information is information that associates requirements related to the user's attribute information (e.g., being sensitive to cold) with how the control content should be changed when the requirement is met (e.g., raising the set temperature).

[0078] Furthermore, if the preference information included in the attribute information specifies the user's preferred control content, the control unit 46 may control the equipment 70 in accordance with the user's preferred control content. In this case, the control unit 46 can realize personalized control based on the attribute information by referring to the preference information instead of the control information.

[0079] In this way, the equipment control system 10 can perform automatic control of the equipment 70 based on the attribute information of the person located in the space 90a as personalized control.

[0080] In the second operational example, the control unit 46 executes the operation in the second mode when the requirement regarding the attendance rate is satisfied, based on the operation in the first mode. However, the control unit 46 may execute the operation in the first mode when the requirement regarding the attendance rate is satisfied, based on the operation in the second mode. In this case, the requirement regarding the attendance rate is, for example, that the attendance rate exceeds a predetermined value (that there are many people positioned in the space 90a).

[0081] In addition, in Operation Example 2, personalized control based on attribute information may be performed on inactive equipment 70 among the equipment 70 installed in space 90a. That is, the target equipment 70 in step S48 may be limited to equipment 70 that is not in operation at the time of step S48.

[0082] This makes it possible to realize individual control using equipment 70 that is not in operation, while maintaining control similar to that in the first mode for equipment 70 that is in operation.

[0083] In addition, if the target equipment 70 is limited to equipment 70 that is not in operation, the information processing unit 42 may notify the operation terminal 30 (user) that there is shared equipment 70 that is not in operation (that there is equipment that can be used for personal control based on attribute information).

[0084] [Modification of Information Used for Mode Switching] In the above-described Operational Examples 1 and 2, the attendance rate in space 90a is used as information for switching between the first mode operation and the second mode operation. However, the information for switching between the first mode operation and the second mode operation may be information other than the attendance rate.

[0085] For example, the information for switching between the operation in the first mode and the operation in the second mode may be a congestion degree. The acquisition unit 45 can acquire (calculate) the congestion degree by, for example, dividing the number of people present in the space 90a by the area (total floor area) of the space 90a.

[0086] In this case, the requirement set by the setting unit 44 for switching from the first mode operation to the second mode operation is, for example, that the congestion level is equal to or less than a predetermined value (i.e., the space 90a is not congested).The requirement set by the setting unit 44 for switching from the second mode operation to the first mode operation is, for example, that the congestion level is greater than a predetermined value (i.e., the space 90a is congested).

[0087] Furthermore, since the attendance rate and the congestion level are determined by the number of people present in the space 90a, they can be considered to be person information related to the people present in the space 90a. The information for switching between the first mode operation and the second mode operation is not limited to such person information. For example, the information for switching between the first mode operation and the second mode operation may be environmental information in the space 90a.

[0088] The environmental information is, for example, information indicating the carbon dioxide concentration sensed by a carbon dioxide concentration sensor included in the equipment 70. In this case, the requirement set by the setting unit 44 for switching from the first mode operation to the second mode operation is, for example, that the carbon dioxide concentration is equal to or less than a predetermined value (i.e., that the number of people (carbon dioxide emission sources) in the space 90a is estimated to be small). The requirement set by the setting unit 44 for switching from the second mode operation to the first mode operation is, for example, that the carbon dioxide concentration is greater than a predetermined value (i.e., that the number of people in the space 90a is estimated to be large).

[0089] Furthermore, the information for switching between the first mode operation and the second mode operation may be equipment information related to the equipment 70 installed in the space 90a. The equipment information is, for example, information indicating the amount of power consumed by the equipment 70. The amount of power consumed by the equipment 70 is measured, for example, by power measurement equipment included in the equipment 70 or the local controller 60. The acquisition unit 45 can acquire the amount of power consumed by the equipment 70 by making an inquiry to the power measurement equipment or the local controller 60 using the communication unit 41.

[0090] In this case, the requirement set by the setting unit 44 for switching from the first mode operation to the second mode operation is, for example, that the total power consumption of the equipment 70 installed in the space 90a is equal to or less than a predetermined value (i.e., that the power demand in the space 90a is low and an increase in power consumption due to personal control is acceptable).The requirement set by the setting unit 44 for switching from the second mode operation to the first mode operation is, for example, that the total power consumption of the equipment 70 installed in the space 90a is greater than a predetermined value (i.e., that the power demand in the space 90a is high and an increase in power consumption due to personal control is unacceptable).

[0091] Furthermore, the equipment information may be information indicating the availability of the equipment 70 installed in the space 90a. When m pieces of equipment 70 are installed and n pieces of equipment 70 are operating, the availability of the equipment 70 is expressed as n / m. The acquisition unit 45 can acquire the availability of the equipment 70 by making an inquiry to the local controller 60 using the communication unit 41.

[0092] In this case, the requirement set by the setting unit 44 for switching from the first mode of operation to the second mode of operation is, for example, that the availability rate of the equipment 70 installed in the space 90a is equal to or less than a predetermined value (i.e., it is possible to use the equipment 70 that is not operating for personal control). The requirement set by the setting unit 44 for switching from the second mode of operation to the first mode of operation is, for example, that the availability rate of the equipment 70 installed in the space 90a is greater than a predetermined value (i.e., it is difficult to use the equipment 70 that is not operating for personal control).

[0093] In this way, the information for switching between the first mode operation and the second mode operation may be human information, environmental information, or facility information.

[0094] Furthermore, as information for switching between the first mode operation and the second mode operation, two or more of the person information, the environmental information, and the facility information may be used in combination.

[0095] For example, if a requirement for switching from the first mode operation to the second mode operation is requirement A, the control unit 46 switches the first mode operation to the second mode operation when, for example, all of two or more pieces of information among the person information, the environmental information, and the equipment information satisfy requirement A. The control unit 46 may switch the first mode operation to the second mode operation when, for example, at least a part of two or more pieces of information among the person information, the environmental information, and the equipment information satisfies requirement A.

[0096] Similarly, if a requirement for switching from the second mode operation to the first mode operation is requirement B, the control unit 46 switches the second mode operation to the first mode operation when, for example, at least a part of two or more pieces of information among the person information, the environmental information, and the equipment information satisfies requirement B. The control unit 46 may also switch the second mode operation to the first mode operation when, for example, all of two or more pieces of information among the person information, the environmental information, and the equipment information satisfy requirement B.

[0097] As described above, in the equipment control system 10, the setting unit 44 sets requirements for at least one of the personal information, environmental information, and equipment information, and the acquisition unit 45 acquires the at least one piece of information. The control unit 46 switches between controlling the equipment 70 in the first mode and controlling the equipment 70 in the second mode, based on whether the acquired at least one piece of information satisfies the requirement.

[0098] [Other Modifications] In the above embodiment, the facility 90 is described as an office building, but it may also be a commercial facility, a social education facility (such as a library, museum, or art gallery), a medical facility (such as a hospital), a factory, a research facility, a lodging facility, or a public facility. For example, if the facility 90 is a lodging facility (hotel), when a guest is not in the guest room, the equipment 70 installed in the guest room is controlled in the first mode, and when a guest is in the guest room, the equipment 70 installed in the guest room is controlled in the second mode. In other words, the control authority for the equipment 70 in the guest room is transferred between the guest and the manager.

[0099] In the above embodiment, in order to acquire person information, a positioning system including a plurality of beacon transmitters 20 and an operation terminal 30 is used. However, instead of such a first positioning system, a second positioning system including a plurality of beacon receivers and an operation terminal 30 that emits a beacon signal may be used.

[0100] Furthermore, it is not essential to use a positioning system such as the first positioning system or the second positioning system. For example, suppose that an access control system is installed in facility 90, and authentication using an authentication medium such as an IC card or biometric authentication is required to enter space 90a. Since the access control system manages which users are in space 90a based on the results of the authentication, server device 40 can also acquire person information or information for acquiring (calculating) person information from the access control system instead of a positioning system.

[0101] In addition, if a high-performance camera capable of acquiring human information based on an image of the space 90a is installed in the space 90a, the server device 40 can also acquire the human information from the high-performance camera.

[0102] [Effects, etc.] Hereinafter, examples of inventions obtained from the disclosure of this specification will be given, and effects, etc. obtained from the inventions will be described.

[0103] Invention 1 is an equipment control system 10 including: a setting unit 44 that sets requirements for at least one piece of information including person information about a person located in a space 90a within a facility 90, environmental information about the space 90a, and equipment information about equipment 70 installed in the space 90a; an acquisition unit 45 that acquires the at least one piece of information; and a control unit 46 that switches between controlling the equipment 70 in a first mode in which personal control, which is control of the equipment 70 based on the requests of the person located in the space 90a, is limited, and controlling the equipment 70 in a second mode in which personal control is permitted, based on whether the acquired at least one piece of information satisfies the requirements. Here, "personal control is limited" means that personal control is not permitted at all or that personal control is partially permitted.

[0104] When controlling equipment 70 installed in space 90a, such an equipment control system 10 can switch between prioritizing group comfort and restricting individual control, or prioritizing individual comfort and allowing individual control.

[0105] Invention 2 is the equipment control system 10 of Invention 1, in which the personal control is control of the equipment 70 based on a control request transmitted from the operation terminal 30 when a person located in the space 90a operates the operation terminal 30.

[0106] Such an equipment control system 10 can give the operation terminal 30 (user) the authority to freely control the equipment 70 installed in the space 90 a by operating the operation terminal 30 .

[0107] Invention 3 is the equipment control system 10 of Invention 2, in which the control unit 46 switches from the first mode to the second mode when at least one of the acquired information satisfies the requirements, and transmits authority information to the operation terminal 30 to grant control authority for the equipment 70, and the display unit 32 of the operation terminal 30 that has received the authority information displays a GUI for performing personal control, and the operation terminal 30 transmits a control request in response to an operation on the GUI by a person located in the space 90a.

[0108] Such an equipment control system 10 can notify the user by displaying a GUI that the user has been granted the authority to freely control the equipment 70 installed in the space 90a by operating the operation terminal 30.

[0109] Invention 4 is the equipment control system 10 of Invention 1, in which the personalized control is automatic control of the equipment 70 based on attribute information of a person located in the space 90a.

[0110] Such an equipment control system 10 can perform automatic control of the equipment 70 based on attribute information of people located in the space 90a, as personalized control.

[0111] Invention 5 is an equipment control system 10 of any of Inventions 1 to 4, wherein at least one of the information includes person information, the person information indicating the degree of congestion of the space 90a or the ratio of the actual number of people to a specified capacity in the space 90a, and the setting unit 44 sets requirements for the degree of congestion of the space 90a or the ratio of the actual number of people to a specified capacity in the space 90a.

[0112] Such an equipment control system 10 can switch between allowing and restricting individual control based on the number of people in the space 90a.

[0113] Invention 6 is an equipment control system 10 of any of Inventions 1 to 5, in which at least one of the information includes equipment information, the equipment information indicating the amount of power consumption of the equipment 70, and the setting unit 44 sets requirements for the amount of power consumption of the equipment 70.

[0114] Such an equipment control system 10 can switch between allowing and restricting individual control, taking into consideration energy conservation in the space 90a.

[0115] Invention 7 is an equipment control system 10 described in any of Inventions 1 to 6, in which at least one piece of information includes two or more pieces of information selected from human information, environmental information, and equipment information, and the control unit 46 switches between controlling the equipment 70 in a first mode and controlling the equipment 70 in a second mode based on whether each of the two or more pieces of information satisfies the requirements.

[0116] Such an equipment control system 10 can take into consideration two or more pieces of information from among human information, environmental information, and equipment information, and can switch between prioritizing group comfort and restricting individual control, or prioritizing individual comfort and allowing individual control.

[0117] Invention 8 is an equipment control method executed by a computer, including a setting step S23 (or S43) of setting requirements for at least one piece of information including person information about a person located in a space 90a in a facility 90, environmental information about the space 90a, and equipment information about equipment 70 installed in the space 90a, an acquisition step S25 (or S45) of acquiring the at least one piece of information, and a control step S27 (or S47) of switching between controlling the equipment 70 in a first mode in which personal control, which is control of the equipment 70 based on the requests of the person located in the space 90a, is limited, and controlling the equipment 70 in a second mode in which personal control is permitted, based on whether the acquired at least one piece of information satisfies the requirements. Here, "personal control is limited" means that personal control is not permitted at all or that personal control is partially permitted.

[0118] When controlling equipment 70 installed in space 90a, this equipment control method can switch between prioritizing group comfort and restricting individual control, or prioritizing individual comfort and allowing individual control.

[0119] A ninth aspect of the present invention is a program for causing a computer to execute the equipment control method of the eighth aspect of the present invention.

[0120] According to such a program, when controlling equipment 70 installed in space 90a, the computer can switch between prioritizing group comfort and restricting individual control, or prioritizing individual comfort and allowing individual control.

[0121] (Other Embodiments) Although the embodiments have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments.

[0122] For example, in the above embodiment, the equipment control system is realized by multiple devices. When the equipment control system is realized by multiple devices in this way, the components (especially functional components) of the equipment control system may be distributed in any way among the multiple devices. For example, some or all of the functions provided by the information processing unit of the server device may be provided by the information processing unit of the information terminal, or may be provided by the local controller.

[0123] The equipment control system may also be realized as a single device. For example, the equipment control system may be realized as a single device corresponding to a server device or a single device corresponding to an information terminal. The equipment control system may also be realized as a local controller having the same functions (functional components) as the server device of the above embodiment.

[0124] For example, the communication method between the devices in the above-described embodiment is not particularly limited. Furthermore, a relay device (such as a broadband router) (not shown) may be involved in the communication between the devices.

[0125] In the above-described embodiment, the processing performed by a specific processing unit may be performed by another processing unit. The order of multiple processing operations may be changed, or multiple processing operations may be performed in parallel.

[0126] In the above-described embodiments, each component may be realized by executing a software program suitable for that component, or 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.

[0127] Furthermore, each component may be realized by hardware. For example, each component may be a circuit (or integrated circuit). These circuits may form a single circuit as a whole, or each may be a separate circuit. Furthermore, each of these circuits may be a general-purpose circuit or a dedicated circuit.

[0128] Furthermore, the general or specific aspects of the present invention may be realized as a system, an apparatus, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, or a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, or as any combination of a system, an apparatus, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, and a recording medium.

[0129] For example, the present invention may be realized as the equipment control system of the above-described embodiment, or as an equipment control method executed by a computer such as an equipment control system. The present invention may be realized as a program for causing a computer to execute such an equipment control method, or as a computer-readable non-transitory recording medium on which such a program is recorded. Furthermore, the present invention may be realized as a predetermined application program installed on an information terminal, or as a computer-readable non-transitory recording medium on which such an application program is recorded.

[0130] In addition, the present invention also includes forms obtained by applying various modifications to each embodiment that a person skilled in the art would think of, or forms realized by arbitrarily combining the components and functions of each embodiment within the scope of the present invention.

[0131] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 Equipment control system 20 Beacon transmitter 30 Operation terminal 31 Operation reception unit 32 Display unit 33 First communication unit 34 Second communication unit 35, 42 Information processing unit 36, 43 Storage unit 40 Server device 41 Communication unit 44 Setting unit 45 Acquisition unit 46 Control unit 50 Management terminal 60 Local controller 70 Equipment 70a Lighting equipment 90 Facility 90a Space

Claims

1. An equipment control system comprising: a setting unit that sets requirements for at least one piece of information including human information on people located in a space within a facility, environmental information on the space, and equipment information on equipment installed in the space; an acquisition unit that acquires the at least one piece of information; and a control unit that switches between controlling the equipment in a first mode in which personal control, which is control of the equipment based on the requests of people located in the space, is restricted, and controlling the equipment in a second mode in which the personal control is permitted, based on whether the at least one piece of acquired information satisfies the requirements.

2. The equipment control system according to claim 1, wherein the personal control is control of the equipment based on a control request transmitted from an operation terminal by a person located in the space operating the operation terminal.

3. The equipment control system of claim 2, wherein the control unit switches from the first mode to the second mode when the acquired at least one piece of information satisfies the requirement, and transmits authority information to the operation terminal to grant control authority for the equipment, a GUI (Graphical User Interface) for executing the personal control is displayed on a display unit of the operation terminal that has received the authority information, and the operation terminal transmits the control request in response to an operation on the GUI by a person located in the space.

4. The equipment control system according to claim 1, wherein the individual control is automatic control of the equipment based on attribute information of people located in the space.

5. An equipment control system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the at least one piece of information includes the person information, the person information indicating the degree of congestion of the space or the ratio of the actual number of people to a specified capacity in the space, and the setting unit sets the requirement for the degree of congestion of the space or the ratio of the actual number of people to a specified capacity in the space.

6. An equipment control system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the at least one piece of information includes equipment information, the equipment information indicates the amount of power consumption of the equipment, and the setting unit sets the requirements for the amount of power consumption of the equipment.

7. An equipment control system as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the at least one information includes two or more pieces of information selected from the human information, the environmental information, and the equipment information, and the control unit switches between controlling the equipment in the first mode and controlling the equipment in the second mode based on whether each of the two or more pieces of information satisfies the requirements.

8. An equipment control method executed by a computer, comprising: a setting step of setting requirements for at least one piece of information including human information on people located in a space within a facility, environmental information in the space, and equipment information on equipment installed in the space; an acquisition step of acquiring the at least one piece of information; and a control step of switching between controlling the equipment in a first mode in which personal control, which is control of the equipment based on the requests of people located in the space, is restricted, and controlling the equipment in a second mode in which the personal control is permitted, based on whether the acquired at least one piece of information satisfies the requirements.

9. A program for causing a computer to execute the equipment control method according to claim 8.

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