Information processing device and air-conditioning system

Abstract

This information processing device comprises: a report acquisition unit that acquires a thermal sensation report indicating the evaluation of the thermal sensation of an air-conditioned space expressed by a user present in the air-conditioned space; a position information analysis unit that analyzes the movement pattern of the user on the basis of the position information of a terminal device carried by the user; a reference value determination unit that determines a reference value for the amount of activity of the user on the basis of the movement pattern analyzed by the position information analysis unit; an activity amount calculation unit that calculates an activity amount on the basis of the reference value determined by the reference value determination unit and the thermal sensation report acquired by the report acquisition unit; and a comfort calculation unit that determines the comfort index of the user on the basis of the activity amount calculated by the activity amount calculation unit.

Description

Information processing device and air conditioning system

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information processing device and an air conditioning system that calculate a comfort index for a user.

[0002] Conventionally, various comfort indices have been proposed for air conditioning systems to ensure user comfort. Patent Document 1 discloses an air conditioning control system that monitors the predicted mean vote (PMV) of users in an air-conditioned space as one comfort index and controls the air conditioner. The air conditioning control system disclosed in Patent Document 1 estimates the metabolic rate, which is a variable for calculating the PMV, from the user's movement amount measured using a GPS mobile phone.

[0003] International Publication No. 2008 / 087959

[0004] However, in the air conditioning control system disclosed in Patent Document 1, the metabolic rate is estimated by comparing the measured movement amount with general standards, so the calculated comfort index may not reflect the user's thermal sensation.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and provides an information processing device and an air conditioning system that calculate a comfort index that reflects a user's thermal sensation.

[0006] The information processing device according to the present disclosure includes a declaration acquisition unit that acquires a thermal sensation declaration indicating an evaluation of the thermal sensation of the air-conditioned space declared by a user present in the air-conditioned space; a location information analysis unit that analyzes the user's movement pattern based on location information of a terminal device carried by the user; a reference value determination unit that determines a reference value for the user's activity amount based on the movement pattern analyzed by the location information analysis unit; an activity amount calculation unit that calculates the activity amount based on the reference value determined by the reference value determination unit and the thermal sensation declaration acquired by the declaration acquisition unit; and a comfort calculation unit that calculates the user's comfort index based on the activity amount calculated by the activity amount calculation unit.

[0007] The air conditioning system according to the present disclosure includes an information processing device and an air conditioner that conditions the air in a space to be air-conditioned using a comfort index determined by the information processing device.

[0008] The information processing device and air conditioning system of the present disclosure calculate an activity amount based on a reference value determined based on a movement pattern and a user's thermal sensation report, and identify a comfort index corresponding to the activity amount. Therefore, the information processing device and air conditioning system of the present disclosure can determine a comfort index that reflects the user's thermal sensation.

[0009] 1 is a diagram illustrating an outline of an air conditioning system according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 1 is a refrigerant circuit diagram illustrating an air conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 2 is a schematic side view illustrating an indoor unit according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating the relationship between the angle of a first flap and the air blowing direction. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating the relationship between the angle of a second flap and the air blowing direction. FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram illustrating a control device of an air conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 6 is a hardware configuration diagram illustrating an example configuration of a control device of an air conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram illustrating a terminal apparatus according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 8 is a hardware configuration diagram illustrating an example configuration of a control device of a terminal apparatus according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram illustrating a control device of an information processing apparatus according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating an operation procedure of an information processing apparatus according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating another example of analysis of movement patterns. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a method of calculating an activity amount. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a value based on the content and number of declarations of a thermal sensation declaration. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a method of adjusting a reference value. FIG. 15 is a hardware configuration diagram illustrating an example configuration of a control device of an information processing apparatus according to Embodiment 1. 10 is a diagram for explaining an energy-saving area.

[0010] Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Various specific setting examples described in the embodiments of the present disclosure are merely examples, and the present disclosure is not limited to the described setting examples. Furthermore, in the embodiments of the present disclosure, communication refers to either wireless communication or wired communication, or both. In the embodiments of the present disclosure, communication may be a communication method in which wireless communication and wired communication are mixed. For example, the communication method may be such that wireless communication is performed in one section and wired communication is performed in another space. Furthermore, communication from one device to another device may be performed by wired communication, and communication from the other device to the present device may be performed by wireless communication.

[0011] Embodiment 1. The configuration of an air conditioning system 1 according to Embodiment 1 will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating an air conditioning system 1 according to Embodiment 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the air conditioning system 1 includes an air conditioning apparatus 2, a terminal device 3, an information processing device 4, and a fixed station 5. The air conditioning apparatus 2 conditions the air in a room, which is a space to be air-conditioned. The terminal device 3 is a communication device carried by a user in the room, such as a smartphone. The information processing device 4 is a device that is communicatively connected to the air conditioning apparatus 2, the terminal device 3, and the fixed station 5, such as a cloud server. The fixed station 5 is a device that is placed in the space to be air-conditioned and measures the position information of the terminal device 3. Note that multiple fixed stations 5 may be provided in the room. The air conditioning apparatus 2, the terminal device 3, and the fixed station 5 are communicatively connected to the information processing device 4 via a network NW. The network NW is, for example, the Internet.

[0012] The air conditioner 2 will now be described. Figure 2 is a refrigerant circuit diagram showing the air conditioner 2 pertaining to Embodiment 1. The air conditioner 2 has an outdoor unit 6 that generates hot or cold heat, and an indoor unit 7 that adjusts indoor air using the hot or cold heat generated by the outdoor unit 6. The outdoor unit 6 has a compressor 11, a flow path switching device 12, an outdoor heat exchanger 13, an expansion valve 14, and an outdoor blower 15. The indoor unit 7 has an indoor heat exchanger 21 and an indoor blower 22.

[0013] The compressor 11 compresses the refrigerant it draws in and discharges it. The compressor 11 is, for example, an inverter compressor whose capacity can be changed. The flow path switching device 12 changes the flow direction of the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant circuit. The flow path switching device 12 is, for example, a four-way valve. The outdoor heat exchanger 13 is a heat exchanger that exchanges heat between the refrigerant and outside air. The outdoor heat exchanger 13 is, for example, a fin-tube heat exchanger. The expansion valve 14 decompresses the refrigerant to expand it. The expansion valve 14 is, for example, an electronic expansion valve. The outdoor blower 15 supplies air to the outdoor heat exchanger 13.

[0014] The indoor heat exchanger 21 is a heat exchanger that exchanges heat between the refrigerant and the indoor air. The indoor heat exchanger 21 is, for example, a fin-tube heat exchanger. The indoor blower 22 supplies air to the outdoor heat exchanger 13. The indoor blower 22 is, for example, a cross-flow fan.

[0015] The compressor 11, the outdoor heat exchanger 13, the expansion valve 14, and the indoor heat exchanger 21 are connected by refrigerant piping to form a refrigerant circuit through which the refrigerant circulates. The refrigerant circulates through the refrigerant circuit while repeatedly compressing and expanding, forming a heat pump. The indoor unit 7 adjusts the air in the room by performing operations such as cooling, heating, dehumidification, and ventilation.

[0016] The indoor unit 7 has an airflow direction adjustment unit 23, a room temperature sensor 31, a humidity sensor 32, a temperature sensor 33, and a control device 34. The airflow direction adjustment unit 23 has a first flap 24 and a second flap 25 that adjust the direction of air blown out from the indoor unit 7. The room temperature sensor 31 detects the temperature of the air in the room. The humidity sensor 32 detects the humidity of the air in the room. The temperature sensor 33 detects the temperature Tb of the air blown out from the indoor unit 7 into the room.

[0017] Fig. 3 is a schematic side view showing the indoor unit 7 according to Embodiment 1. Fig. 3 shows a cross section of the indoor unit 7 cut in the vertical direction. The indoor unit 7 is embedded in the ceiling Ce. When the indoor blower 22 rotates, an airflow is formed in the indoor unit 7 in the direction shown by the dashed arrow, and the air is blown out into the room through the air outlet 26. A first flap 24 and a second flap 25 are provided in the air outlet 26.

[0018] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between the angle of the first flaps 24 and the air blowing direction. FIG. 4 shows the indoor unit 7 as viewed from above, with the first flaps 24 visible through the view for illustrative purposes. As shown in FIG. 4, the indoor unit 7 has four first flaps 24. The angle of the first flaps 24 is represented as θh, and the front direction of the indoor unit 7 (the negative direction on the Y axis) is set as the horizontal reference θh0 = 0°. In FIG. 4, the air blowing direction ad1 when the horizontal angle is θh1 is indicated by a dashed arrow, and the air blowing direction ad2 when the horizontal angle is θh2 is indicated by a solid arrow.

[0019] Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between the angle of the second flap 25 and the air blowing direction. For the sake of explanation, Fig. 5 shows an enlarged view of the second flap 25. The downward direction of the indoor unit 7 (the negative direction of the Z axis) is set as the vertical reference Vax, and the angle of the second flap 25 is represented as θv. In Fig. 5, the air blowing direction ad3 when the vertical angle is θv1 is shown with a solid arrow, and the air blowing direction ad4 when the vertical angle is θv2 is shown with a dashed arrow.

[0020] In the first embodiment, the indoor unit 7 is described as a ceiling-embedded type, but the indoor unit 7 is not limited to the ceiling-embedded type and may be of other types, such as a type attached to the indoor side of the ceiling Ce or a type attached to a wall. Furthermore, the configuration of the indoor unit 7 shown in Figures 3 to 5 is an example, and the configuration of the indoor unit 7 is not limited to the configuration shown in Figures 3 to 5. For example, the arrangement of the indoor heat exchanger 21 and the indoor blower 22 is not limited to the configuration shown in Figure 3.

[0021] Furthermore, the configuration for adjusting the blowing direction of air blown out from the indoor unit 7 is not limited to the airflow direction adjustment unit 23 described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5 . For example, the number of first flaps 24 may be one to three, or five or more. The number of second flaps 25 may also be two or more. While the above-described airflow direction adjustment unit 23 includes a first flap 24 that adjusts the horizontal angle and a second flap 25 that adjusts the vertical angle, it may also be configured with a single type of vane that can adjust the angle in both the horizontal and vertical directions. Furthermore, the means for adjusting the blowing direction of air blown out from the indoor unit 7 is not limited to a means such as the airflow direction adjustment unit 23, but may also be a means for changing the direction of the air outlet 26 itself. For example, a means for changing the vertical and horizontal angles of the air outlet 26 may be considered.

[0022] The control device 34 controls the operation of each device in the air conditioning apparatus 2. Fig. 6 is a functional block diagram showing the control device 34 of the air conditioning apparatus 2 according to Embodiment 1. As shown in Fig. 6, the control device 34 is communicatively connected to the room temperature sensor 31, the humidity sensor 32, and the temperature sensor 33. The control device 34 is also communicatively connected to the compressor 11, the flow path switching device 12, the expansion valve 14, the outdoor blower 15, the indoor blower 22, and the airflow direction adjustment unit 23. The control device 34 has a refrigeration cycle control unit 41 and a communication unit 42 as functional units.

[0023] 2 shows a case where the control device 34 is provided in the indoor unit 7, the installation location of the control device 34 is not limited to the indoor unit 7. The control device 34 may be provided in the outdoor unit 6, or may be provided in a location other than both the outdoor unit 6 and the indoor unit 7.

[0024] The refrigeration cycle control unit 41 controls the flow path switching device 12 in response to the operation of the indoor unit 7, such as cooling, heating, dehumidification, and ventilation. The refrigeration cycle control unit 41 controls the refrigeration cycle of the refrigerant circuit based on the room temperature, the set temperature, and the indoor humidity and set humidity. For example, the refrigeration cycle control unit 41 controls the operating frequency of the compressor 11, the opening of the expansion valve 14, and the rotation speeds of the indoor blower 22 and the outdoor blower 15 so that the room temperature matches the set temperature within a certain range and the indoor humidity matches the set humidity within a certain range. The set temperature and set humidity are set in the control device 34 by the user via a remote controller (not shown). In addition, the wind speed W of the airflow generated by the indoor blower 22 is set to three levels, for example, high, medium, and low.

[0025] The refrigeration cycle control unit 41 also transmits environmental information to the communication unit 42, including the room temperature detected by the room temperature sensor 31 and the humidity detected by the humidity sensor 32. The refrigeration cycle control unit 41 transmits operating information to the communication unit 42, including the frequency of the compressor 11, the opening degree of the expansion valve 14, the temperature Tb detected by the temperature sensor 33, the horizontal angle θh of the first flap 24, the vertical angle θv of the second flap 25, and the wind speed W.

[0026] Furthermore, when the refrigeration cycle control unit 41 receives information about an air conditioning control pattern from the communication unit 42, it controls the compressor 11, the indoor blower 22, or the air direction adjustment unit 23 in accordance with the air conditioning control pattern. Specifically, the air conditioning control pattern includes at least settings related to the blowing temperature, wind speed, and wind direction of the air supplied to the air-conditioned space, and the refrigeration cycle control unit 41 adjusts the blowing temperature, wind speed, and wind direction in accordance with the air conditioning control pattern.

[0027] An air conditioning control pattern is a combination of four control parameters, for example, the temperature Tb detected by the temperature sensor 33, the horizontal angle θh of the first flap 24, the vertical angle θv of the second flap 25, and the wind speed W of the air blown out from the indoor unit 7. Each of the multiple air conditioning control patterns is a combination of these four control parameters such that at least one of the control parameters is different from the others. Specific examples of the multiple air conditioning control patterns will be described later.

[0028] The communication unit 42 transmits the environmental information and operation information received from the refrigeration cycle control unit 41 to the information processing device 4. When the communication unit 42 receives information on an air conditioning control pattern from the information processing device 4, it transmits the received information on the air conditioning control pattern to the refrigeration cycle control unit 41. The communication unit 42 transmits and receives information to and from the information processing device 4 according to, for example, TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol).

[0029] Here, the hardware configuration of the control device 34 will be described. Fig. 7 is a hardware configuration diagram showing an example configuration of the control device 34 of the air conditioning apparatus 2 according to Embodiment 1. When the various functions of the control device 34 are executed by hardware, the control device 34 is configured by a processing circuit 50, as shown in Fig. 7. Each functional unit is realized by the processing circuit 50. The processing circuit 50 corresponds to, for example, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), or a combination thereof.

[0030] Another example of the hardware configuration of the control device 34 will be described. Fig. 8 is a hardware configuration diagram showing an example configuration of the control device 34 of the air conditioning apparatus 2 according to Embodiment 1. When the various functions of the control device 34 are executed by software, the control device 34 is composed of a processor 51 and a memory 52, as shown in Fig. 8. Each functional unit is realized by the processor 51 and the memory 52. ​​Fig. 8 shows that the processor 51 and the memory 52 are communicably connected to each other via a bus 53.

[0031] Each functional unit is realized by software, firmware, or a combination of software and firmware. The software and firmware are written as programs and stored in the memory 52. ​​The processor 51 realizes the function of each unit by reading and executing the programs stored in the memory 52. ​​The memory 52 may be, for example, a volatile semiconductor memory such as a RAM (Random Access Memory).

[0032] Next, the terminal device 3 will be described. Fig. 9 is a functional block diagram showing the terminal device 3 according to the first embodiment. The terminal device 3 is used to allow the information processing device 4 to identify the user's location information. The terminal device 3 is also a device used to transmit a thermal sensation report to the information processing device 4. The terminal device 3 has an operation display device 61 and a control device 62.

[0033] The operation display device 61 is, for example, a touch panel. The operation display device 61 may be a combination of an operation unit such as physical keys or a keyboard and a display unit such as a display.

[0034] The control device 62 has, as functional units, a communication unit 63 and a thermal sensation reporting unit 64. The communication unit 63 performs wireless communication for the information processing device 4 to identify the location information of the terminal device 3. For example, the communication unit 63 performs UWB (Ultra Wide Band) communication with multiple fixed stations 5. The multiple fixed stations 5 transmit to the information processing device 4 the signal arrival time and signal arrival angle from the terminal device 3, as well as identification information for identifying the terminal device 3 with which they are communicating. The transmission cycle is, for example, once per second. The information processing device 4 analyzes the signal arrival time and signal arrival angle received from the multiple fixed stations 5 to identify the location information of the terminal device 3.

[0035] The communication unit 63 may perform BLE (Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy) communication with multiple beacons (not shown) installed in the room, identify location information of the terminal device 3 in the air-conditioned space from the communication strength with the multiple beacons, and transmit the location information to the information processing device 4. The communication unit 63 may also transmit the location information of the terminal device 3 to the information processing device 4 using a satellite positioning system such as GPS (Global Positioning System). Furthermore, the communication unit 63 may combine the above-mentioned methods to cause the information processing device 4 to identify the location of the terminal device 3.

[0036] The thermal sensation reporting unit 64 displays an input screen on the operation display device 61 for receiving a thermal sensation report, which is an evaluation of the thermal sensation of the room reported by the user. The input screen includes at least buttons indicating the content of the report, such as "cold" and "hot." The user selects a button displayed on the input screen to report the thermal sensation of the room. The user can select a button multiple times. Note that the input screen may display buttons for reporting a more detailed thermal sensation, such as "very cold" and "very hot," in addition to "cold" and "hot." The thermal sensation reporting unit 64 transmits the thermal sensation report input by the user and identification information for identifying the terminal device 3 on which the operation was performed to the information processing device 4 each time. If the terminal device 3 on which the operation was performed is the same as the terminal device 3 that performed wireless communication with the fixed station 5, the same identification information is assigned.

[0037] The hardware configuration of the control device 62 of the terminal device 3 will be described. Fig. 10 is a hardware configuration diagram showing an example of the configuration of the control device 62 of the terminal device 3. As shown in Fig. 10, the control device 62 is composed of a processor 71 such as a CPU and a memory 72. Each functional unit is realized by the processor 71 and the memory 72. Fig. 10 shows that the processor 71 and the memory 72 are connected to each other via a bus 73 so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0038] Each functional unit is realized by software or a combination of software and firmware. The software and firmware are written as programs and stored in the memory 72. The software is, for example, an application program for managing the air conditioning apparatus 2, which is installed in the terminal device 3 by the user. The processor 71 realizes the function of each unit by reading and executing the program stored in the memory 72. The memory 72 may be, for example, a volatile semiconductor memory such as a RAM.

[0039] Before describing the configuration of the information processing device 4, we will now explain the comfort index used by the information processing device 4 when determining the air conditioning control pattern for the air conditioner 2. First, we will explain PMV, which is one type of comfort index.

[0040] PMV is a value proposed by Professor Fanger of the Technical University of Denmark as an index for numerically evaluating human comfort and thermal sensation in a thermal environment. PMV was internationally standardized as ISO-7730 in 1984. PMV links the thermal load of the human body with a person's thermal sensation. Specifically, PMV is calculated by formulating a heat balance equation for the human body based on factors from the air environment and factors from the human body, and then substituting into this heat balance equation the equation for the skin temperature at which a person feels comfortable and the amount of heat lost through sweating. Factors from the air environment include not only air temperature, but also factors such as radiant temperature, radiant temperature, humidity, and airflow. Factors from the human body include a person's activity level, amount of clothing worn, and average skin temperature.

[0041] The amount of activity is an example of human biometric information and is expressed in a unit called MET (Metabolic Equivalent), which indicates the intensity of exercise. Various types of exercise are quantified using MET. For example, the intensity of exercise when a person is sitting quietly and watching television is defined as 1 MET.

[0042] In the first embodiment, the case where the comfort index is IPMV (Individual PMV), which is an index of personal comfort, will be described. The IPMV value is a value based on PMV, but it is not an average value of the thermal sensation of the entire air-conditioned space, but a value that identifies the position where a person is present and indicates the local thermal sensation, which is the thermal sensation at the identified position. IPMV is expressed by the following equation (1).

[0043]

[0044] The eight variables in equation (1) are explained below: M is metabolic rate [W / m ２ ], and W is the mechanical work [W / m ２ Ed is the insensible perspiration rate [W / m ２ ], and Es is the amount of heat loss from sweat evaporation from the skin surface [W / m ２ Ere is the amount of latent heat loss due to respiration [W / m ２ ], and Cre is the sensible heat loss due to respiration [W / m ２ ]. R is the radiation heat loss [W / m ２ ] and C is the convection heat loss [W / m２ ].

[0045] As shown in formula (1), IPMV is a numerical representation of a person's thermal sensation based on temperature, humidity, radiant temperature, etc. The IPMV ranges from -3 to +3. IPMV = 0 is considered neutral. IPMV = 0 is defined as comfortable. IPMV = 3 is defined as hot, IPMV = 2 is defined as warm, and IPMV = 1 is defined as slightly warm. IPMV = -3 is defined as cold, IPMV = -2 is defined as cool, and IPMV = -1 is defined as slightly cool. In other words, the closer the IPMV is to 0, the better the person's comfort is.

[0046] Next, the information processing device 4 will be described. Fig. 11 is a functional block diagram showing a control device 81 of the information processing device 4 according to embodiment 1. The information processing device 4 has a control device 81 that determines an optimal air-conditioning control pattern based on the activity amounts, positions, and IPMVs of multiple users in the room and provides this to the air conditioner 2, and a storage device 82.

[0047] The control device 81 has a data acquisition unit 91, a model generation unit 92, a position information analysis unit 93, a reference value determination unit 94, a declaration acquisition unit 95, an activity amount calculation unit 96, a comfort calculation unit 97, an efficiency calculation unit 98, and a control determination unit 99. The control device 81 transmits to the air conditioner 2 an air conditioning control pattern that changes the airflow direction, airflow volume, etc. so that the IPMV at the position where the user is located approaches neutral. The control device 81 does not attempt to neutralize the PMV in all areas in the room, but determines an air conditioning control pattern so that the IPMV at the position where the user is located approaches neutral, and does not include the IPMV at positions where the user is not present as a determination factor for the air conditioning control pattern.

[0048] The storage device 82 is, for example, a hard disk drive (HDD). The storage device 82 stores a standard three-dimensional fluid model for generating an IPMV database (described later). The storage device 82 stores an IPMV database generated by the model generation unit 92. The IPMV database is configured such that distribution groups, which are collections of multiple IPMV distributions, are provided for multiple activity amounts. The IPMV distribution is a distribution of the IPMV of a user in a room corresponding to each of multiple air-conditioning control patterns of the air conditioning device 2. The storage device 82 also stores layout information. The layout information is information including the floor plan of the air-conditioned space and the arrangement of the fixed station 5 in the air-conditioned space. The layout information is registered in advance, for example, by the user or an installer of the air conditioning device 2. The IPMV distribution corresponds to the comfort index distribution of the present disclosure.

[0049] The data acquisition unit 91 periodically stores the environmental information and operating information received from the air conditioning device 2 in the storage device 82. The data acquisition unit 91 periodically stores the information received from the air conditioning device 2 in chronological order in the storage device 82, and monitors the operating status of the air conditioning device 2.

[0050] The model generation unit 92 reads environmental information and operating information from the storage device 82, reflects the read information in a standard three-dimensional fluid model that is a three-dimensional model of the air-conditioned space, and performs CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) analysis to generate an IPMV database.

[0051] Specifically, the model generation unit 92 performs CFD analysis on the entire air-conditioned space for multiple air-conditioning control patterns for each of multiple activity amounts to generate an IPMV distribution, which is the distribution of IPMV in the air-conditioned space. The IPMV distribution is obtained by dividing the air-conditioned space into multiple rectangular regions through the CFD analysis and calculating the IPMV for each rectangular region.

[0052] The IPMV for each rectangular region can be derived from the above-mentioned formula (1). Here, the values ​​of the eight variables in formula (1) can be derived from six values: the local temperature of the rectangular region, the local wind speed of the rectangular region, the local radiant temperature and humidity of the rectangular region, and the amount of clothing and activity of the user. It is known that activity level = metabolic rate / basal metabolic rate. A representative value is given to the basal metabolic rate as a constant.

[0053] The model generation unit 92 calculates the local temperature, local wind speed, local radiation temperature, and humidity in each rectangular region under conditions that combine each of a plurality of preset activity amounts with each of a plurality of preset air-conditioning control patterns. The model generation unit 92 estimates the temperature at a specific location as the local temperature from the temperature distribution in the air-conditioned space indicated by the CFD analysis results. The model generation unit 92 acquires the humidity value detected by the humidity sensor 32 and stored in the storage device 82. The model generation unit 92 estimates the wind speed at a specific location from the overall air wind speed in the air-conditioned space indicated by the CFD analysis results. The local radiation temperature is assumed to be equivalent to the room temperature. Therefore, the model generation unit 92 acquires the room temperature value detected by the room temperature sensor 31 and stored in the storage device 82. The model generation unit 92 also acquires the clo value, which is preset for each season, based on calendar information at the time of control, etc., to acquire the amount of clothing. The clo value is stored, for example, in the storage device 82.

[0054] The model generation unit 92 generates IPMV distributions for a plurality of activity amounts, for example, between 0.1 MET and 3.0 MET, in increments of 0.1 MET.

[0055] The model generation unit 92 generates IPMVs for air conditioning control patterns that are combinations of, for example, three patterns related to the angle θh of the first flap 24, three patterns related to the angle θv of the second flap 25, three patterns related to the air velocity W, and three patterns related to the temperature Tb. In other words, the model generation unit 92 generates IPMVs for 3 x 3 x 3 x 3 = 81 different air conditioning control patterns.

[0056] For example, the horizontal angle θh of the first flap 24 has three patterns: 30° leftward (positive direction of the X axis in FIG. 4), 0°, and 30° rightward (negative direction of the X axis in FIG. 4). The vertical angle θv of the second flap 25 has three patterns: θv = 20°, 45°, and 60°. The wind speed W has three patterns: high, medium, and low. The temperature Tb of the air blown out from the indoor unit 7 has three patterns: high, medium, and low.

[0057] FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram illustrating the operation procedure of the information processing device 4 according to the first embodiment. That is, as shown in FIG. 12( a), 81 IPMV distributions are generated for an activity amount of 0.1 MET, and these are grouped together to form one distribution group. Also, 81 IPMV distributions are generated for an activity amount of 0.2 MET, and these are grouped together to form another distribution group. Similarly, 81 IPMV distributions are generated for activity amounts up to 3.0 MET, in increments of 0.1 MET, and each group is grouped together to form a separate distribution group. In this manner, the model generation unit 92 generates distribution groups corresponding to each of the multiple activity amounts, and stores the multiple distribution groups in the storage device 82 as an IPMV database. Note that the intervals and ranges of activity amounts to be generated and the number of air-conditioning control patterns described above are merely examples. The processing performed after generating the IPMV database shown in FIG. 12 will be described later.

[0058] The location information analysis unit 93 communicates with the terminal device 3 or the fixed station 5 carried by the user to analyze the user's movement pattern. If there are multiple users identified by identification information in the air-conditioned space, the location information analysis unit 93 analyzes the movement pattern of each user. The movement patterns are distinguished, for example, by the distance traveled by the user within an acquisition time. The acquisition time is, for example, 30 minutes. Specifically, the location information analysis unit 93 identifies the location information of the terminal device 3 in the air-conditioned space based on layout information about the air-conditioned space and the signal arrival times and signal arrival angles received from multiple fixed stations 5. The location information is expressed, for example, as coordinates (x, y) on a plane. Note that the location information analysis unit 93 may receive the location information in the air-conditioned space directly from the terminal device 3. The location information analysis unit 93 measures the user's movement distance from time-series changes in the location information of the terminal device 3. The location information analysis unit 93 classifies the user's movement patterns into four patterns, first, second, third, and fourth, in order of increasing distance traveled. The amount of activity of the user is predicted to increase in the order of first, second, third, and fourth patterns. However, the number of patterns may be two, three, five, or more.

[0059] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating another example of movement pattern analysis. The location information analysis unit 93 may classify movement patterns by a factor other than the movement distance. For example, the movement patterns may be classified by the trajectory formed by the location information of the terminal device 3. Specifically, the location information analysis unit 93 classifies a case in which the trajectory formed by the location information of the terminal device 3 is a "dot" as a first pattern. Similarly, the location information analysis unit 93 classifies a case in which the trajectory formed by the location information of the terminal device 3 is a "line" as a second pattern. The location information analysis unit 93 classifies a case in which the trajectory formed by the location information of the terminal device 3 is a "line with two or more strokes" as a third pattern. Finally, the location information analysis unit 93 classifies a case in which the trajectory formed by the location information of the terminal device 3 is "other," which cannot be classified as a "dot," "line," or a "line with two or more strokes," as a fourth pattern. In this case, too, the amount of activity of the user is predicted to increase in the order of the first, second, third, and fourth patterns. In the example of Figure 13, the movement patterns of users A and E correspond to the first pattern, the movement pattern of user C corresponds to the second pattern, the movement pattern of user B corresponds to the third pattern, and the movement pattern of user D corresponds to the fourth pattern.

[0060] The reference value determination unit 94 determines a reference value for the user's activity amount based on the movement pattern. Specifically, the reference value determination unit 94 identifies a reference value corresponding to the analyzed movement pattern from multiple reference values ​​corresponding to multiple movement patterns. When there are multiple users identified by identification information in the air-conditioned space, the reference value determination unit 94 determines a reference value for the activity amount for each user. FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining a method for calculating the activity amount. As indicated by black dots in FIG. 14 , a reference value for the activity amount is set in advance for each movement pattern. The reference value for the activity amount is set, for example, through experiments conducted in advance. The reference values ​​for the activity amount are set to larger values ​​in the order of the first pattern, the second pattern, the third pattern, and the fourth pattern.

[0061] The declaration acquisition unit 95 communicates with the terminal device 3 to acquire thermal sensation declarations made by users present in the air-conditioned space. When there are multiple users identified by identification information in the air-conditioned space, the declaration acquisition unit 95 acquires a thermal sensation declaration for each user.

[0062] The activity amount calculation unit 96 calculates the activity amount based on the reference value determined by the reference value determination unit 94 and the thermal sensation declaration acquired by the declaration acquisition unit 95. The activity amount calculation unit 96 calculates the activity amount by adding or subtracting a value based on the content and number of thermal sensation declarations at the acquisition time to or from the reference value. The reference value of the activity amount for each user is linked to the thermal sensation declaration by identification information. The arrows in FIG. 14 indicate that a value based on the thermal sensation declaration is added to or subtracted from the reference value. When there are multiple users identified by identification information in the air-conditioned space, the activity amount calculation unit 96 calculates the activity amount for each user.

[0063] The addition or subtraction of the reference value will now be described. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing values ​​based on the content and number of thermal sensation declarations. For example, as shown in FIG. 15, if a thermal sensation declaration with the content "cold" is made seven times, the activity amount is reduced by 0.3 MET from the reference value. In this case, if the travel pattern is the second pattern, for example, the activity amount calculation unit 96 calculates the activity amount as 0.7 MET (= 1.0 - 0.3 MET). Similarly, if a thermal sensation declaration with the content "hot" is made four times, the activity amount is increased by 0.2 MET from the reference value. In this case, if the travel pattern is the fourth pattern, for example, the activity amount calculation unit 96 calculates the activity amount as 2.2 MET (= 2.0 + 0.2 MET).

[0064] In addition, when buttons for reporting a detailed thermal sensation such as "very cold" and "very hot" are displayed on the input screen, the number of reports may be counted more when these buttons are selected than when the "cold" and "hot" buttons are selected. For example, when the content of the thermal sensation report is "very cold," the activity amount calculation unit 96 may treat the content of "cold" as having been reported twice. In this way, the report content may be set in stages, and the number of reports of a larger level of report ("very cold" or "very hot") may be converted into the number of reports of a smaller level of report ("cold" or "hot"). Furthermore, when both the "cold" and "hot" buttons are selected during the acquisition period, the reports may be counted offsetting each other.

[0065] The reference value determination unit 94 adjusts the reference values ​​corresponding to the multiple movement patterns when the user's time in the air-conditioned space exceeds the adjustment time. The adjustment time is, for example, one hour. The time spent in the space is measured while the location information analysis unit 93 continuously acquires the user's location information, and the measurement stops when acquisition of the user's location information is discontinued. When there are multiple users identified by identification information in the air-conditioned space, the reference value determination unit 94 adjusts the activity amount reference value for each user. FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a method for adjusting the reference value. FIG. 16 illustrates the adjustment of the reference value when the air conditioning device 2 is performing cooling. As shown in FIG. 16, the reference value determination unit 94 reduces the reference value by 0.1 MET each time the adjustment time elapses. It is generally known that users tend to feel cold when they are in a space maintained at the same room temperature by air conditioning, and the adjustment of the reference value reflects this. Similarly, when the air conditioner 2 is performing heating, the reference value may be increased by 0.1 MET each time the adjustment time elapses.

[0066] The comfort calculation unit 97 calculates the IPMV of each user based on the activity amount. Specifically, the comfort calculation unit 97 refers to the IPMV database and identifies a distribution group corresponding to the activity amount calculated by the activity amount calculation unit 96 for each user identified by the identification information. FIG. 12( b) illustrates an example in which user A's activity amount is 1.0 MET and user B's activity amount is 2.0 MET. The comfort calculation unit 97 then extracts, for each user, multiple IPMVs corresponding to the user's location information last detected by the location information analysis unit 93 from multiple IPMV distributions within the identified distribution group. FIG. 12( c) illustrates an example in which user A is located at coordinates (x, y) = (2, 7) and user B is located at coordinates (x, y) = (7, 9).

[0067] The efficiency calculation unit 98 calculates a comfort efficiency ζ that indicates the overall comfort level of multiple users for each of multiple air-conditioning control patterns using the multiple IPMVs extracted corresponding to each user's position. The efficiency calculation unit 98 calculates the comfort efficiency ζ for each of the multiple air-conditioning control patterns using equation (2). That is, as shown in FIG. 12(d), 81 comfort efficiencies ζ corresponding to the 81 air-conditioning control patterns are calculated.

[0068]

[0069] In equation (2), the number attached to "IPMV" is an identification number that is unique to each user, and K is the number of users in the room. Note that the target value is to set the individual IPMV within ±0.5, so that when |IPMVk| > 0.5, |IPMVk| is set to 0.5.

[0070] The comfort efficiency ζ is a value that evaluates how close the thermal sensations of multiple users are to neutral (individual IPMV = 0). The comfort efficiency ζ is a value that indicates the overall comfort level of multiple users in a room. The higher the comfort efficiency ζ (up to 100%), the more comfortable the multiple users in the room will be. In other words, a comfort efficiency ζ = 100% means that multiple users are comfortable, and a comfort efficiency ζ = 0% means that multiple users are uncomfortable.

[0071] As shown in Figure 12 (e), the control decision unit 99 determines, from among multiple air conditioning control patterns, the air conditioning control pattern that maximizes the calculated comfort efficiency ζ. Here, of the comfort efficiencies ζ corresponding to the 81 air conditioning control patterns, the air conditioning control pattern that maximizes the comfort efficiency ζ is determined. The control decision unit 99 transmits the determined air conditioning control pattern to the air conditioner 2.

[0072] The hardware configuration of the control device 81 will be described. Fig. 17 is a hardware configuration diagram showing an example configuration of the control device 81 of the information processing device 4 according to the first embodiment. As shown in Fig. 17, the control device 81 is composed of a processor 101 such as a CPU and a memory 102. Each functional unit is realized by the processor 101 and the memory 102. Fig. 17 shows that the processor 101 and the memory 102 are connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other via a bus 103. The processor 101 and the memory 102 are connected to the storage device 82 shown in Fig. 11 via the bus 103. The memory 102 functions as a main storage device, and the storage device 82 functions as an auxiliary storage device.

[0073] Each functional unit is realized by software, firmware, or a combination of software and firmware. The software and firmware are written as programs and stored in the memory 102. The processor 101 realizes the function of each unit by reading and executing the programs stored in the memory 102. The memory 102 may be, for example, a volatile semiconductor memory such as a RAM.

[0074] Next, the operation of the information processing device 4 of Embodiment 1 will be described, focusing on the method of calculating the amount of activity. Fig. 18 is a flowchart showing the operation of the information processing device 4 according to Embodiment 1. First, the model generation unit 92 generates an IPMV database using the operating information and environmental information of the air conditioning device 2 acquired by the data acquisition unit 91, and stores the IPMV database in the storage device 82 (step S1). Next, the location information analysis unit 93 acquires the user's location information from the terminal device 3 and analyzes the movement pattern (step S2). Furthermore, the declaration acquisition unit 95 acquires the user's thermal sensation declaration from the terminal device 3 (step S3).

[0075] The reference value determination unit 94 determines whether the first measurement time has elapsed the acquisition time (step S4). The first measurement time is the time since the information processing device 4 started operating or the time since the first measurement time was last reset. If the acquisition time has not elapsed (step S4: NO), the reference value determination unit 94 continues measuring the first measurement time. At this time, the processes of steps S2 and S3 are repeatedly executed until the measurement time has elapsed the acquisition time.

[0076] If the acquisition time has elapsed (step S4: YES), the reference value determination unit 94 resets the first measurement time and determines whether the second measurement time has elapsed the adjustment time (step S5). The second measurement time is the time spent in the room measured for each user. If the adjustment time has not elapsed (step S5: NO), the reference value determination unit 94 determines a reference value based on the movement pattern (step S7).

[0077] If the adjustment time has elapsed (step S5: YES), the reference value determination unit 94 adjusts the reference values ​​set for each of the plurality of movement patterns (step S6) and determines a reference value (step S7) based on the movement pattern analyzed by the position information analysis unit 93. Subsequently, the activity amount calculation unit 96 adds or subtracts a value based on the thermal sensation declaration acquired by the declaration acquisition unit 95 to or from the reference value determined by the reference value determination unit 94 to calculate the activity amount (step S8).

[0078] The comfort calculation unit 97 reads out from the IPMV database a distribution group of the activity amount calculated by the activity amount calculation unit 96. This distribution group includes multiple IPMV distributions for each air-conditioning control pattern for the read activity amount. The comfort calculation unit 97 reads out, from the multiple IPMV distributions, multiple IPMVs located at the coordinates of the user last identified by the position information analysis unit 93. This determines the IPMV for each air-conditioning control pattern (step S9). The processes of steps S2 to S9 are performed for each user detected in the room.

[0079] The efficiency calculation unit 98 substitutes the IPMV of each user for each air conditioning control pattern into equation (2), thereby calculating the comfort efficiency ζ for the number of air conditioning control patterns (step S10).

[0080] The control decision unit 99 decides the air conditioning control pattern with the highest comfort efficiency ζ from among the multiple air conditioning control patterns (step S11). At this time, the selection conditions for the air conditioning control pattern may include not only the condition that the comfort efficiency ζ is the highest, but also the condition that each user's IPMV is within ±0.5. The control decision unit 99 transmits information about the decided air conditioning control pattern to the air conditioner 2. The information processing device 4 repeatedly executes the processes of steps S2 to S10.

[0081] When the control device 81 of the air conditioner 2 receives information about the air conditioning control pattern from the information processing device 4, it controls at least one of the compressor 11, the indoor blower 22, and the air direction adjustment unit 23 in accordance with the air conditioning control pattern. For example, when changing the temperature of air blown out from the indoor unit 7, the refrigeration cycle control unit 41 changes the operating frequency of the compressor 11. When changing the air speed W, the refrigeration cycle control unit 41 changes the rotation speed of the indoor blower 22. When changing the angle θh, the refrigeration cycle control unit 41 changes the angle θh of the first flap 24. When changing the angle θv, the refrigeration cycle control unit 41 changes the angle θv of the second flap 25.

[0082] The information processing device 4 and the air conditioning system 1 of the first embodiment calculate the activity amount based on the reference value determined based on the movement pattern and the user's thermal sensation declaration, and obtain the IPMV corresponding to the activity amount. Therefore, the information processing device 4 and the air conditioning system 1 of the first embodiment can obtain the IPMV that reflects the user's thermal sensation.

[0083] While it is conceivable to use a wearable device attached directly to the user's body to calculate the amount of activity, it is difficult to request that users who may be in the air-conditioned space wear a wearable device. On the other hand, according to the first embodiment, the amount of activity is calculated using a terminal device 3 such as a smartphone, so that the air-conditioning control pattern can be determined with more reference to the user's IPMV.

[0084] Furthermore, according to the first embodiment, by adjusting the reference value in accordance with the passage of adjustment time, the user's thermal sensation can be more accurately reflected in the IPMV.

[0085] Embodiment 2. Fig. 19 is a functional block diagram showing an information processing device 4 according to embodiment 2. As shown in Fig. 19, embodiment 2 differs from embodiment 1 in that the information processing device 4 has an energy management unit 100. In embodiment 2, the same parts as those in embodiment 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted, and the description will focus on the differences from embodiment 1.

[0086] The energy management unit 100 determines whether or not energy saving control is required. Energy saving control is an operation for reducing power consumption. In energy saving control, the determination of the air conditioning control pattern that reflects IPMV described in the first embodiment is omitted, and only control is performed to satisfy the set temperature and humidity set by the user.

[0087] The energy management unit 100 determines that energy-saving control is necessary when a user is present in an energy-saving area previously set in the air-conditioned space and the power consumption of the air-conditioning apparatus 2 is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. FIG. 20 is a diagram for explaining energy-saving areas. As shown in FIG. 20 , multiple energy-saving areas EA are set in the room R, which is the air-conditioned space. The coordinates of the energy-saving areas are set in advance, for example, by a user or an installer of the air-conditioning apparatus 2, and are stored in the storage device 82 as information included in the layout information. The energy management unit 100 receives information indicating the user's coordinates from the position information analysis unit 93. The energy management unit 100 then compares the coordinates of the energy-saving area EA included in the layout information with the user's coordinates received from the position information analysis unit 93 to determine whether the user is present in the energy-saving area previously set in the air-conditioned space.

[0088] Furthermore, the energy management unit 100 calculates the power consumption of the air conditioning device 2 from the operation information of the air conditioning device 2 stored in the storage device 82. The threshold value is determined in advance by the user, taking into consideration peak power consumption and the like. The threshold value may be changed depending on the time period.

[0089] Energy-saving control is performed with priority over control for maintaining user comfort, as described in embodiment 1. In other words, when it is determined that energy-saving control is necessary, the air conditioning device 2 performs energy-saving control without performing control based on the air-conditioning control pattern determined by the control determination unit 99.

[0090] Fig. 21 is a flowchart showing the operation of the information processing device 4 according to the second embodiment. The processing from steps S1 to S11 is the same as in the first embodiment, and therefore description thereof will be omitted. As shown in Fig. 21, the energy management unit 100 determines whether or not the user is present in an energy-saving area (step S12). If the user is not present in the energy-saving area (step S12: NO), it is determined that energy-saving control is not necessary, and the processing of step S5 is performed. If the user is present in the energy-saving area (step S12: YES), the energy management unit 100 calculates the power consumption of the air conditioning device 2 (step S13).

[0091] Next, the energy management unit 100 determines whether the power consumption of the air conditioning device 2 is equal to or greater than a threshold value (step S14). If the power consumption is less than the threshold value (step S14: NO), it is determined that energy-saving control is not necessary, and the process of step S5 is performed. If the power consumption is equal to or greater than the threshold value (step S14: YES), energy-saving control is executed (step S15).

[0092] According to the second embodiment, by performing energy saving control, it is possible to prevent an increase in power consumption of the air conditioner 2 when emphasis is placed on user comfort.

[0093] The above is a description of the embodiments of the present disclosure, but the present disclosure is not limited to the configurations of the above embodiments and various modifications and combinations are possible within the scope of the technical concept. For example, the information processing device 4 may be configured to acquire the power consumption of electronic devices and the like operating in the energy-saving area EA. In this case, as described in the second embodiment, the need for energy-saving control can be determined taking into account the power consumption of the air conditioner as well as the power consumption of the electronic devices and the like operating in the energy-saving area EA.

[0094] Furthermore, in the embodiment, an example has been described in which the information processing device 4 is a cloud server, but the information processing device 4 may also be a PC (Personal Computer) terminal provided outside the air conditioning device 2, or the information processing device 4 may be part of the control device 34 of the air conditioning device 2. Furthermore, some of the functions of the information processing device 4 may be realized by the above-mentioned PC terminal provided outside the air conditioning device 2, the control device 34 of the air conditioning device 2, or the control device 62 of the terminal device 3.

[0095] REFRIGERATION CYCLE CONTROL UNIT, 42 COMMUNICATION UNIT, 50 PROCESSING CIRCUIT, 51 PROCESSOR, 52 MEMORY, 53 BUS, 61 OPERATION AND DISPLAY UNIT, 62 CONTROL UNIT, 63 COMMUNICATION UNIT, 64 THERMAL SENSATION DEclaration UNIT, 71 PROCESSOR, 72 MEMORY, 73 BUS, 81 CONTROL UNIT, 82 MEMORY UNIT, 91 DATA ACQUISITION UNIT, 92 MODEL GENERATION UNIT, 93 Position information analysis unit, 94 reference value determination unit, 95 declaration acquisition unit, 96 activity amount calculation unit, 97 comfort calculation unit, 98 efficiency calculation unit, 99 control determination unit, 100 energy management unit, 101 processor, 102 memory, 103 bus.

Claims

1. An information processing device having: a declaration acquisition unit that acquires a thermal sensation declaration indicating an evaluation of the thermal sensation of an air-conditioned space declared by a user present in the air-conditioned space; a location information analysis unit that analyzes a movement pattern of the user based on location information of a terminal device carried by the user; a reference value determination unit that determines a reference value for an activity amount of the user based on the movement pattern analyzed by the location information analysis unit; an activity amount calculation unit that calculates the activity amount based on the reference value determined by the reference value determination unit and the thermal sensation declaration acquired by the declaration acquisition unit; and a comfort calculation unit that calculates a comfort index of the user based on the activity amount calculated by the activity amount calculation unit.

2. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the activity amount calculation unit calculates the activity amount by adding or subtracting a value based on the content and number of declarations of the thermal sensation during the acquisition time to the reference value.

3. The information processing device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the reference value determination unit identifies the reference value corresponding to the analyzed movement pattern from a plurality of reference values ​​corresponding to a plurality of the movement patterns, and adjusts the plurality of reference values ​​corresponding to the plurality of the movement patterns when the user's time of presence in the room has exceeded an adjustment time.

4. An air conditioning system comprising: an information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3; and an air conditioning device that conditions the air in the space to be air-conditioned using the comfort index determined by the information processing device.

5. The air conditioning system described in claim 4, wherein the information processing device has a storage device that stores distribution groups each containing a plurality of comfort index distributions, which are distributions of the comfort index, the storage device stores a plurality of the distribution groups for each of the activity amounts, and the plurality of comfort index distributions in one distribution group correspond to each of a plurality of air conditioning control patterns of the air conditioning device.

6. The information processing device further has an efficiency calculation unit and a control decision unit, wherein the comfort calculation unit identifies the distribution group corresponding to the activity amount based on the activity amount, and extracts a plurality of comfort indices for each air-conditioning control pattern corresponding to the user's position from the plurality of comfort index distributions of the identified distribution group, the efficiency calculation unit calculates a comfort efficiency indicating an overall comfort level of the plurality of users for each air-conditioning control pattern using the plurality of comfort indices for each air-conditioning control pattern extracted corresponding to the user's position, and the control decision unit decides the air-conditioning control pattern among the plurality of air-conditioning control patterns that maximizes the comfort efficiency. The air-conditioning system described in claim 5.

7. The air conditioning system of claim 6, wherein the information processing device has an energy management unit which determines whether or not energy saving control is necessary, and when it is determined that the energy saving control is necessary, the air conditioning device performs the energy saving control without performing control based on the air conditioning control pattern which reflects the comfort index of the user.

8. The air conditioning system according to claim 7, wherein the energy management unit determines that the energy saving control is necessary when the user is present in an energy saving area set in the air conditioned space and the power consumption of the air conditioning device is equal to or greater than a threshold value.

9. The air conditioning system according to any one of claims 4 to 8, wherein the location information of the terminal device is identified using GPS or UWB.

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