Notification system and notification control method

Abstract

Provided is a notification system with which it is possible to increase the possibility that cleaning of an air conditioner can be recommended at a timing that is appropriate for a user of an air conditioner.　A notification system according to the present disclosure comprises: an experience assessment unit that assesses whether an experience has occurred in which a user of an air conditioner has accepted cleaning of the air conditioner; a threshold value determination unit that, when the experience assessment unit assesses that the aforementioned experience has occurred, assesses whether the total operation time of the air conditioner is equal to or greater than a first threshold value, and, when the experience assessment unit assesses that the aforementioned experience has not occurred, assesses whether the total operation time is equal to or greater than a second threshold value; and a notification unit that, when the threshold value assessment unit assesses that the total operation time is equal to or greater than the first threshold value or that the total operation time is equal to or greater than the second threshold value, notifies the user of recommendation information for recommending the cleaning.

Description

Notification system and notification control method

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a notification system and a notification control method.

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an air purifier that includes a replaceable purifying means that purifies the air that is drawn in and an electric blower that generates suction force to draw the air in. The air purifier disclosed in Patent Document 1 sends a message to a mobile information terminal that it is time to replace the purifying means when the cumulative power-on time of the electric blower reaches or exceeds a predetermined time.

[0003] JP 2016-87510 A

[0004] The present disclosure provides a notification system and notification control method that can increase the likelihood of recommending cleaning of an air conditioner at a time that is appropriate for the user of the air conditioner.

[0005] The notification system of the present disclosure comprises an experience determination unit that determines whether a user of an air conditioning device has experience having the air conditioning device cleaned; a threshold determination unit that, if the experience determination unit determines that the user has experience, determines whether the total operating time of the air conditioning device is equal to or greater than a first threshold, and, if the experience determination unit determines that the user has no experience, determines whether the total operating time is equal to or greater than a second threshold; and a notification unit that, if the threshold determination unit determines that the total operating time is equal to or greater than the first threshold or the total operating time is equal to or greater than the second threshold, notifies the user of recommendation information recommending cleaning.

[0006] In addition, the notification system of the present disclosure includes an experience determination unit that determines whether a user of an air conditioning device has had the experience of having the air conditioning device cleaned; a threshold determination unit that, if the experience determination unit determines that the user has the experience, determines whether the period of time that has elapsed since installation of the air conditioning device is equal to or greater than a third threshold, and, if the experience determination unit determines that the user has no experience, determines whether the period of time that has elapsed is equal to or greater than a fourth threshold; and a notification unit that, if the threshold determination unit determines that the period of time that has elapsed is equal to or greater than the third threshold or the fourth threshold, notifies the user of recommendation information that recommends cleaning.

[0007] In addition, the notification system of the present disclosure includes a determination unit that determines the timing of notification of recommended information recommending cleaning of the air conditioning unit, and a notification unit that notifies the user of the air conditioning unit of the recommended information at the notification timing determined by the determination unit, and the determination unit determines the timing of notification of the recommended information according to the installation area of ​​the air conditioning unit, which is divided by climate.

[0008] In addition, the notification control method disclosed herein determines whether a user of an air conditioning device has had the air conditioning device cleaned, and if it is determined that the user has had the experience, determines whether the total operating time of the air conditioning device is equal to or greater than a first threshold, and if it is determined that the user has not had the experience, determines whether the total operating time is equal to or greater than a second threshold, and if it is determined that the total operating time is equal to or greater than the first threshold or the total operating time is equal to or greater than the second threshold, notifies the user of recommendation information recommending cleaning.

[0009] In addition, the notification control method disclosed herein determines whether a user of an air conditioning device has had the air conditioning device cleaned, and if it is determined that the user has had the experience, determines whether the period of time that has elapsed since the installation of the air conditioning device is equal to or greater than a third threshold, and if it is determined that the user has not had the experience, determines whether the period of time that has elapsed is equal to or greater than a fourth threshold, and if it is determined that the period of time that has elapsed is equal to or greater than the third threshold or the fourth threshold, notifies the user of recommendation information recommending cleaning.

[0010] The notification control method disclosed herein determines a notification timing for recommendation information recommending cleaning of an air conditioner, and notifies the user of the air conditioner of the recommendation information at the determined notification timing, and determines the notification timing according to the installation area of ​​the air conditioner, which is divided by climate. Note that this specification includes the entire contents of Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-067479, filed on April 18, 2024.

[0011] The notification system and notification control method disclosed herein can increase the likelihood of recommending cleaning of an air conditioner at an appropriate time for the user of the air conditioner.

[0012] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a notification system in embodiment 1. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of a server device and a terminal device in embodiment 1. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a first database, a second database, and a third database in embodiment 1. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of a server device in embodiment 1. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of a server device and a first server device in embodiment 1. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of notification of recommendation information and recommendation reason information in embodiment 1. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the configuration of a server device and a terminal device in embodiment 2. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a first database, a second database, and a third database in embodiment 2.

[0013] (Knowledge, etc., that Forms the Basis of the Present Disclosure) At the time the inventors conceived the present disclosure, there was a technology, such as that described in Patent Document 1, that prompts users to perform air conditioner maintenance, such as part replacement and cleaning. However, in conventional technology, as described in Patent Document 1, air conditioner maintenance is prompted when the total operating time reaches or exceeds a threshold, so maintenance is prompted at the same time regardless of whether the user has previously performed maintenance. As a result, the inventors discovered a problem in the past, where performing maintenance on an air conditioner generally does not necessarily restore it to a new condition. This could result in a situation where an experienced user's air conditioner is already too dirty by the time maintenance is prompted, or an inexperienced user is prompted to perform maintenance at a time when maintenance is not necessary. The inventors then came up with the subject matter of the present disclosure to solve this problem. The inventors also discovered a problem in the past, where a user may not be prompted to perform maintenance at a time when maintenance is necessary depending on the weather, or where maintenance is prompted at a time when maintenance is not necessary depending on the weather. The subject matter of the present disclosure was then come up with a problem in the past, where a user may not be prompted to perform maintenance at a time when maintenance is not necessary depending on the weather. Therefore, the present disclosure provides a notification system and notification control method that can increase the likelihood of recommending cleaning of an air conditioner at a time that is appropriate for the user of the air conditioner.

[0014] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, more detailed description than necessary may be omitted. For example, detailed description of already well-known matters or redundant description of substantially the same configuration may be omitted. Note that the accompanying drawings and the following description are provided to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the subject matter described in the claims.

[0015] (Embodiment 1) [1-1. Configuration] [1-1-1. Configuration of notification system] Fig. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a notification system 1000. The notification system 1000 is a system that notifies a user P of an air conditioning apparatus 1 of recommendation information J1 (see Fig. 6 ) that recommends cleaning the air conditioning apparatus 1.

[0016] The notification system 1000 includes an air conditioning apparatus 1. Fig. 1 illustrates an example in which the notification system 1000 includes three air conditioning apparatuses 1, air conditioning apparatuses 1A, 1B, and 1C, but the number of air conditioning apparatuses 1 included in the notification system 1000 is not limited to three.

[0017] The air conditioning apparatus 1 is an apparatus that conditions the air-conditioned space S. The air-conditioned space S is, for example, a room in a facility H. The air conditioning apparatus 1 includes an indoor unit 11 and an outdoor unit 12. The indoor unit 11 and the outdoor unit 12 are connected by refrigerant piping and control wiring. As a result, in the air conditioning apparatus 1, the indoor unit 11 and the outdoor unit 12 form a refrigeration cycle.

[0018] The air conditioning apparatus 1 is connected to a network NW, which is a WAN (Wide Area Network), and communicates with a server device 2 connected to the network NW. The air conditioning apparatus 1 of this embodiment transmits operating data D1 to the server device 2, to which is added an ID (Identification) of the air conditioning apparatus 1 (hereinafter referred to as an "air conditioning ID"). The operating data D1 records the operating time, which is the time during which the air conditioning apparatus 1 operated, as information. Note that the air conditioning apparatus 1 may transmit operating data D1, in which the operating time of the most recent operation is recorded as information, to the server device 2 each time an operation ends. Furthermore, the air conditioning apparatus 1 may transmit operating data D1, in which the operating time of the operation performed from the previous time the operating data D1 was transmitted to the current time the operating data D1 is transmitted, as information, each time a predetermined period (e.g., one day) elapses, to the server device 2.

[0019] The air conditioning device 1A is an air conditioning device 1 that conditions the air-conditioned space S of facility H1. The air conditioning device 1A is installed in a first area A1. The air conditioning device 1B is an air conditioning device 1 that conditions the air-conditioned space S of facility H2. The air conditioning device 1B is installed in a second area A2 that is different from the first area A1. The air conditioning device 1C is an air conditioning device 1 that conditions the air-conditioned space S of facility H3. The air conditioning device 1C is installed in a third area A3 that is different from the first area A1 and the second area A2.

[0020] The first area A1, the second area A2, and the third area A3 are areas divided by climate. In this embodiment, the first area A1, the second area A2, and the third area A3 belong to Japan, and are any of the areas divided by seven regional divisions. Note that the first area A1, the second area A2, and the third area A3 are not limited to areas divided by seven regional divisions. The first area A1, the second area A2, and the third area A3 may be areas divided by eight regional divisions, areas divided by prefecture, or areas further divided by climate if there are areas within a prefecture with different climates. In other words, the first area A1, the second area A2, and the third area A3 may be any areas divided by climate.

[0021] The notification system 1000 includes a server device 2. The server device 2 is a device that processes information using the air conditioning device 1 and the first terminal device 3 as clients. The server device 2 is connected to a network NW and communicates with the air conditioning device 1, the first terminal device 3, and the second terminal device 4 that are also connected to the network NW. In each figure, the server device 2 is represented by a single block, but this does not necessarily mean that the server device 2 is composed of a single server device. For example, the server device 2 may be composed of multiple server devices with different processing contents.

[0022] The notification system 1000 includes a first terminal device 3. Fig. 1 illustrates an example in which the notification system 1000 includes three first terminal devices 3, namely, first terminal devices 3A, 3B, and 3C, but the number of first terminal devices 3 included in the notification system 1000 is not limited to three.

[0023] In this embodiment, the first terminal device 3 is a PC (Personal Computer) such as a smartphone or tablet terminal. The first terminal device 3 may be a laptop PC or a desktop PC. An application program related to the air conditioning apparatus 1 is installed on the first terminal device 3, and the first terminal device 3 communicates with the server device 2 using the functions of this application program. In the following description, the application program related to the air conditioning apparatus 1 is referred to as "APP," and will be appropriately represented as "APP311" with the reference number "311" added.

[0024] The first terminal device 3A is the first terminal device 3 used by user P1 of air conditioning apparatus 1A. The first terminal device 3B is the first terminal device 3 used by user P2 of air conditioning apparatus 1B. The first terminal device 3C is the first terminal device 3 used by user P3 of air conditioning apparatus 1C.

[0025] The notification system 1000 includes a second terminal device 4. In the present embodiment, the second terminal device 4 is exemplified as a PC (Personal Computer) such as a smartphone or tablet terminal, but the second terminal device 4 may also be a laptop PC or a desktop PC. The second terminal device 4 is a terminal device used by a cleaner CS who cleans the air conditioning device 1. The second terminal device 4 is connected to the network NW, and when the cleaner CS finishes cleaning, it sends cleaning completion data D2 to the server device 2. The cleaning completion data D2 is data indicating that cleaning of the air conditioning device 1 has been completed, and records the air conditioning ID of the air conditioning device 1 cleaned by the cleaner CS.

[0026] [1-1-2. Configuration of Terminal Device] Next, we will explain the configuration of the first terminal device 3. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing the configurations of the server device 2 and the first terminal device 3. The first terminal device 3 includes a terminal control device 30, a terminal communication unit 31, and a touch panel 32.

[0027] The terminal control device 30 includes a terminal processor 300 such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), a terminal memory 310, and an interface circuit to which other devices and sensors are connected. A terminal communication unit 31 and a touch panel 32 are connected to the terminal control device 30. Note that other devices such as sensors may also be connected to the terminal control device 30.

[0028] The terminal memory 310 is a memory that stores programs and data. The terminal memory 310 stores the APP 311 and other data to be processed by the terminal processor 300. The terminal memory 310 has a non-volatile storage area. The terminal memory 310 also has a volatile storage area and constitutes a work area for the terminal processor 300. The terminal memory 310 is constituted by, for example, a read-only memory (ROM) or a random access memory (RAM).

[0029] The terminal communication unit 31 includes hardware such as a communication circuit that complies with a predetermined communication standard, and communicates with the server device 2 under the control of the terminal control device 30 .

[0030] The terminal processor 300 reads and executes the APP 311 stored in the terminal memory 310, thereby functioning as a terminal communication control unit 301 and a display control unit 302. The display control unit 302 is an example of a "notification unit."

[0031] The terminal communication control unit 301 communicates with the server device 2 via the terminal communication unit 31. The display control unit 302 displays various types of information on the touch panel 32.

[0032] (1-1-3. Configuration of Server Device) Next, a description will be given of the configuration of the server device 2. The server device 2 includes a server control device 20 and a server communication unit 21.

[0033] The server communication unit 21 includes communication hardware such as a communication circuit, and communicates with the air conditioning apparatus 1 and the first terminal device 3 in accordance with the control of the server control device 20. The communication standard of the server communication unit 21 may be a wireless communication standard or a wired communication standard.

[0034] The server control device 20 is a control device that controls each part of the server device 2. The server control device 20 includes a server processor 200, which is a processor such as a CPU or an MPU, a server memory 210, and an interface circuit for connecting other devices and sensors, and controls each part of the server device 2.

[0035] The server memory 210 is a storage device that stores data. The server memory 210 stores a control program 211, a first database 212, a second database 213, a third database 214, and data to be processed by the server processor 200. The server memory 210 has a non-volatile storage area. The server memory 210 also has a volatile storage area and constitutes a work area for the server processor 200. The server memory 210 is constituted by, for example, a ROM or a RAM.

[0036] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the first database 212, the second database 213, and the third database 214. As shown in FIG.

[0037] The first database 212 is a database that manages information related to the air conditioning apparatus 1. The first database 212 has one record R1 for each air conditioning apparatus 1. Record R1 records the following information: air conditioning ID, installation date of the air conditioning apparatus 1, total operating time of the air conditioning apparatus 1, period since installation, name of the installation area of ​​the air conditioning apparatus 1, user name, notification destination, and whether or not the air conditioning apparatus 1 has been cleaned. Period since installation is the period that has elapsed since the installation of the air conditioning apparatus 1. User name is the name of user P of the air conditioning apparatus 1. Notification destination is the destination to which user P is notified of recommended information J1, and is, for example, the address of the first terminal device 3.

[0038] The second database 213 is a database for determining the notification timing of the recommended information J1. The second database 213 has a record R2 for each area. The record R2 records the name of the area and the notification period as information. The notification period is the period for which the recommended information J1 is notified, and includes a notification start date when the notification begins and a notification end date when the notification ends. The notification period is set in advance according to the area.

[0039] The third database 214 is a database related to notification reservations of recommended information J1. The third database 214 has one record R3 for each air conditioning apparatus 1. Record R3 records the following information: air conditioning ID, user name, name of the installation area of ​​the air conditioning apparatus 1, notification destination, total operating time of the air conditioning apparatus 1, period since installation, and notification time. The notification time is the time when the recommended information J1 is notified, and in this embodiment indicates the notification date when the recommended information J1 is notified.

[0040] Returning to the explanation of Figure 2, the server processor 200 functions as a server communication control unit 201, an experience determination unit 202, a threshold determination unit 203, a determination unit 204, and a database processing unit 205 by reading and executing a control program 211 stored in the server memory 210.

[0041] The server communication control unit 201 communicates with the air conditioning apparatus 1 and the first terminal device 3 via the server communication unit 21 .

[0042] The experience determination unit 202 determines whether or not the user P of the air conditioning apparatus 1 has had experience of having the air conditioning apparatus 1 cleaned. The experience determination unit 202 makes this determination by processing one record R1. If the record R1 to be processed records that the user P has had experience of having the air conditioning apparatus 1 cleaned, the experience determination unit 202 determines that the user P of the air conditioning apparatus 1 has had experience of having the air conditioning apparatus 1 cleaned. On the other hand, if the record R1 to be processed records that the user P has not had experience of having the air conditioning apparatus 1 cleaned, the experience determination unit 202 determines that the user P of the air conditioning apparatus 1 has not had experience of having the air conditioning apparatus 1 cleaned.

[0043] The threshold determination unit 203 determines whether the total operating time of the air conditioning apparatus 1 and the period that has elapsed since setting are equal to or greater than a threshold.

[0044] When the judgment result of the experience judgment unit 202 indicates that experience is present, the threshold judgment unit 203 judges whether the first condition and the second condition are met. The first condition is that the total operating time of the air conditioning device 1 is equal to or greater than a first threshold. The first threshold is, for example, 3000 hours. Note that the numerical value of the first threshold is not limited to this exemplified numerical value. The second condition is that the elapsed time since installation is equal to or greater than a third threshold. The third threshold is, for example, 11 months. Note that the numerical value of the third threshold is not limited to this exemplified numerical value.

[0045] When the judgment result of the experience judgment unit 202 indicates no experience, the threshold judgment unit 203 judges whether the third condition and the fourth condition are met. The third condition is a condition that the total operating time of the air conditioning device 1 is equal to or greater than a second threshold. The second threshold is a value greater than the first threshold, for example, 4000 hours. Note that the numerical value of the second threshold is not limited to this exemplified numerical value. The fourth condition is a condition that the elapsed time since installation is equal to or greater than a fourth threshold. The fourth threshold is a value greater than the third threshold, for example, 12 months. Note that the numerical value of the fourth threshold is not limited to this exemplified numerical value.

[0046] The threshold determination unit 203 processes the record R1 that the experience determination unit 202 has selected as the processing target, and determines whether these conditions are met.

[0047] Here, the operation of the threshold determination unit 203 related to determining whether the first condition is met will be described in detail. The threshold determination unit 203 determines whether the total operating time of the air conditioning device 1 recorded in the record R1 to be processed is equal to or greater than a first threshold. If the threshold determination unit 203 determines that the total operating time of the air conditioning device 1 is equal to or greater than the first threshold, it determines that the first condition is met. If the threshold determination unit 203 determines that the total operating time of the air conditioning device 1 is not equal to or greater than the first threshold, it determines that the first condition is not met.

[0048] Next, the operation of the threshold determination unit 203 related to determining whether the second condition is met will be described in detail. The threshold determination unit 203 determines whether the period since installation recorded in the record R1 to be processed is equal to or greater than a third threshold. If the threshold determination unit 203 determines that the period since installation is equal to or greater than the third threshold, it determines that the second condition is met. If the threshold determination unit 203 determines that the period since installation is not equal to or greater than the third threshold, it determines that the second condition is not met.

[0049] Next, the operation of the threshold determination unit 203 related to determining whether the third condition is met will be described in detail. The threshold determination unit 203 determines whether the total operating time of the air conditioning device 1 recorded in the record R1 to be processed is equal to or greater than the second threshold. If the threshold determination unit 203 determines that the total operating time of the air conditioning device 1 is equal to or greater than the second threshold, it determines that the third condition is met. If the threshold determination unit 203 determines that the total operating time of the air conditioning device 1 is not equal to or greater than the second threshold, it determines that the third condition is not met.

[0050] Next, the operation of the threshold determination unit 203 related to determining whether the fourth condition is met will be described in detail. The threshold determination unit 203 determines whether the period since installation recorded in the record R1 to be processed is equal to or greater than the fourth threshold. If the threshold determination unit 203 determines that the period since installation is equal to or greater than the fourth threshold, it determines that the fourth condition is met. If the threshold determination unit 203 determines that the period since installation is not equal to or greater than the fourth threshold, it determines that the fourth condition is not met.

[0051] The determination unit 204 determines the notification time for the recommended information J1 according to the installation area of ​​the air conditioning unit 1. The determination unit 204 determines the notification time by processing record R1 that was selected as the processing target by the experience determination unit 202. The determination unit 204 identifies record R2 from the second database 213 in which the same area name as the name of the installation area of ​​the air conditioning unit 1 recorded in record R1 to be processed is recorded. Next, the determination unit 204 determines the notification time by determining the notification date based on the notification period recorded in the identified record R2.

[0052] The determination unit 204 determines the notification times of the recommended information J1 to multiple users P so that the notification times of the recommended information J1 are distributed throughout the notification period recorded in the identified record R2. For example, the determination unit 204 randomly determines the notification times within the notification period recorded in the identified record R2. Also, for example, the determination unit 204 counts the number of times the notification time has been determined for each day within the notification period recorded in the record R2, and determines the day on which the count evens out as the notification time.

[0053] The database processing unit 205 updates and stores records in the database stored in the server memory 210. The database processing unit 205 updates the total operating time of the air conditioning unit 1 recorded in record R1. When the server communication control unit 201 receives operating data D1 from the air conditioning unit 1, the database processing unit 205 identifies, from the first database 212, record R1 that has the same ID as the air conditioning ID added to the operating data D1. Next, the database processing unit 205 updates the total operating time of the air conditioning unit 1 recorded in the identified record R1 to the time obtained by adding the operating time recorded in the operating data D1 received by the server communication control unit 201.

[0054] The database processing unit 205 updates the period since installation recorded in record R1. At a predetermined timing, the database processing unit 205 updates the period since installation of all records R1 stored in the first database 212. The database processing unit 205 updates the period since installation recorded in the record R1 to be updated to the period from the installation date recorded in the record R1 to be updated to the present.

[0055] The database processing unit 205 updates the experience status recorded in record R1. When the server communication control unit 201 receives cleaning completion data D2, the database processing unit 205 identifies, from the first database 212, record R1 having the same ID as the air conditioning ID recorded in the cleaning completion data D2. Next, if the experience status recorded in the identified record R1 indicates no experience, the database processing unit 205 updates the no experience status recorded in record R1 to experience status. Then, when updating from no experience to experience status, the database processing unit 205 resets the total operating time of the air conditioning device 1 recorded in the record R1 to zero and also resets the elapsed time since installation recorded in the record R1 to zero. On the other hand, if the experience status recorded in the identified record R1 indicates experience status, the database processing unit 205 resets the total operating time of the air conditioning device 1 recorded in the identified record R1 to zero and also resets the elapsed time since installation recorded in the identified record R1 to zero. By resetting in this way, the record R1 of a user P who has had cleaning experience records the total operating time since the last cleaning and the period of time that has elapsed since installation. On the other hand, the record R1 of a user P who has not had cleaning experience records the total operating time since the air conditioning device 1 was installed and the period of time that has elapsed since installation.

[0056] The database processing unit 205 generates record R3 and stores the generated record R3 in the third database 214. The database processing unit 205 generates record R3 as follows: When the determination unit 204 determines the notification time, the database processing unit 205 generates record R3 in which the air conditioning ID, user name, name of the installation area of ​​the air conditioning device 1, total operating time, period since installation, and notification destination recorded in record R1 processed by the determination unit 204, and the notification time determined by the determination unit 204 are recorded.

[0057] 1-2. Operation Next, a description will be given of the operation of each unit of the notification system 1000 according to this embodiment. FIG.

[0058] The operation shown in Fig. 4 is performed for each record R1 to be processed. Note that the record R1 to be processed in the operation of Fig. 4 may be a record R1 for which the total operating time of the air conditioning device 1 has been updated, or a record R1 for which the elapsed time since installation has been updated.

[0059] The experience determining unit 202 reads the record R1 to be processed from the first database 212 (step SA1).

[0060] Next, the experience determination unit 202 determines whether or not the user P of the air conditioner 1 has had the air conditioner 1 cleaned, based on the record R1 read in step SA1 (step SA2).

[0061] If the experience determination unit 202 determines that the person has experience with cleaning (step SA2: YES), the threshold determination unit 203 determines whether the first condition and the second condition are met based on the record R1 read in step SA1 (step SA3).

[0062] If the server processor 200 determines that the first condition and the second condition are not met, i.e., that at least one of the first condition and the second condition is not met (step SA3: NO), the server processor 200 ends this process. On the other hand, if the threshold determination unit 203 determines that the first condition and the second condition are met (step SA3: YES), the server processor 200 performs the process of step SA5.

[0063] Returning to the explanation of step SA2, if the experience determination unit 202 determines that the user has no experience of cleaning (step SA2: NO), the threshold determination unit 203 determines whether the third condition and the fourth condition are met (step SA4).

[0064] If the server processor 200 determines that the third and fourth conditions are not met, i.e., that at least one of the third and fourth conditions is not met (step SA4: NO), the server processor 200 ends this process. On the other hand, if the threshold determination unit 203 determines that the third and fourth conditions are met (step SA4: YES), the server processor 200 performs the process of step SA5.

[0065] If a positive determination is made in step SA3 or step SA4, the determination unit 204 determines the notification time based on the record R1 read in step SA1 (step SA5).

[0066] Next, the database processing unit 205 generates record R3 based on record R1 read in step SA1 and the notification time determined in step SA5, and stores the generated record R3 in the third database 214 (step SA6).

[0067] Next, the operations of the server device 2 and the first terminal device 3 related to notification of the recommended information J1 will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing the operations of the server device 2 and the first terminal device 3. In Fig. 5, the flowchart on the left shows the operation of the server device 2, and the flowchart on the right shows the operation of the first terminal device 3.

[0068] The operation on the left side of Fig. 5 is performed for each record R3 stored in the third database 214. Note that the start trigger for the operation on the left side of Fig. 5 may be, for example, the timing when the current time reaches a predetermined time.

[0069] The server communication control unit 201 determines whether the current date corresponds to the notification date recorded in the record R3 to be processed (step SB1).

[0070] If the server communication control unit 201 determines that the current date does not fall within the notification period recorded in the record R3 to be processed (step SB1: NO), it ends this process.

[0071] On the other hand, if the server communication control unit 201 determines that the current date corresponds to the notification period recorded in the record R3 to be processed (step SB1: YES), it sends notification request information to the first terminal device 3 based on the notification destination recorded in the record R3 to be processed (step SB2).

[0072] The notification request information is information that requests notification of recommendation information J1. The notification request information includes the recommendation information J1 and recommendation reason information J2. As will be described in detail later, the recommendation reason information J2 is information indicating the reason for recommending cleaning of the air conditioning device 1, and includes the total operating time of the air conditioning device 1 and the period since installation that are recorded in the record R3 to be processed.

[0073] When the server device 2 transmits the notification request information to the first terminal device 3, the terminal communication control unit 301 receives the notification request information from the server device 2 (step SB3).

[0074] Next, the display control unit 302 notifies the user of the recommendation information J1 and the recommendation reason information J2 by ​​displaying the recommendation information J1 and the recommendation reason information J2 on the touch panel 32 (step SB4). Note that the display control unit 302 may perform the notification of step SB4 by displaying the recommendation information J1 and the recommendation reason information J2 on a screen displayed by a function of the APP 311, or may perform the notification of step SB4 by push notification.

[0075] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of notification of recommendation information J1 and recommendation reason information J2. FIG. 6 illustrates an example in which the following text is displayed on the touch panel 32: "Your air conditioner has been installed for 12 months and has been in operation for a long period of 3,003 hours. Therefore, we recommend cleaning it." In the example of FIG. 6, the text "Your air conditioner has been installed for 12 months and has been in operation for a long period of 3,003 hours." is recommendation reason information J2, and the text "We recommend cleaning it." is recommendation information J1. In the example of FIG. 6, "12 months" indicates the period since installation, and "3,003 hours" indicates the total operating time of the air conditioning device 1. Note that the recommendation information J1 is not limited to the text illustrated in FIG. 6 and may be any information that recommends cleaning the air conditioning device 1. Furthermore, the recommendation reason information J2 is not limited to the text illustrated in FIG. 6 and may be any information that indicates the reason for recommending cleaning the air conditioning device 1.

[0076] The timing of notification will now be specifically explained with reference to Figures 1 and 3. In Figure 3, records R11 and R31 are records related to air conditioning apparatus 1A, records R12 and R32 are records related to air conditioning apparatus 1B, and records R13 and R33 are records related to air conditioning apparatus 1C.

[0077] Therefore, the notification system 1000 notifies user P1 of the recommendation information J1 on April 1, notifies user P2 of the recommendation information J1 on May 5, and notifies user P3 of the recommendation information J1 on June 4. As described above, the air conditioning apparatuses 1A, 1B, and 1C are installed in different areas. That is, the notification system 1000 notifies the recommendation information J1 at a notification time that corresponds to the installation area of ​​the air conditioning apparatus 1. In general, the air conditioning apparatus 1 is often cleaned when the air conditioning apparatus 1 is not in use. This is because there is a user need to clean the air conditioning apparatus 1 before the period when the air conditioning apparatus 1 is used more frequently arrives. Because the period when the air conditioning apparatus 1 is not in use may vary depending on the climate, the period when user P does not feel the need to clean the air conditioning apparatus 1 may vary depending on the area where the air conditioning apparatus 1 is installed. Therefore, the notification system 1000 notifies the recommended information J1 at a notification time that corresponds to the installation area of ​​the air conditioning device 1, thereby increasing the likelihood that the recommended information J1 can be notified at an appropriate time for the user P.

[0078] Furthermore, as is clear from reference to FIG. 3 , user P1 has had the air conditioning device 1 cleaned, while users P2 and P3 have not. As described above, in the notification system 1000, when user P has had the air conditioning device 1 cleaned, the first threshold value is used to determine whether the first condition is met, and the third threshold value is used to determine whether the second condition is met. Furthermore, in the notification system 1000, when user P has not had the air conditioning device 1 cleaned, the second threshold value is used to determine whether the third condition is met, and the fourth threshold value is used to determine whether the fourth condition is met. Here, in the present embodiment, there is a relationship in which the second threshold value is greater than the first threshold value, and the fourth threshold value is greater than the third threshold value. In other words, in the notification system 1000, the recommendation information J1 is notified earlier when user P has had the air conditioning device 1 cleaned than when user P has not had the air conditioning device 1 cleaned. In FIG. 1 , the recommendation information J1 is notified to user P1 at an earlier timing than users P2 and P3. Generally, cleaning an air conditioning device 1 does not necessarily return it to a new condition. Therefore, if the recommendation information J1 is notified at the same timing regardless of whether the user has had cleaning experience, a situation may occur in which the air conditioning device 1 used by an experienced user P is already too dirty at the time of notification. Furthermore, if the recommendation information J1 is notified at the same timing regardless of whether the user has had cleaning experience, the recommendation information J1 may be notified to an inexperienced user P at a timing when the user does not feel the need to have the device cleaned, for example, because it has not been long since the user purchased the device. Therefore, the notification system 1000 uses different threshold values ​​depending on whether the user has had cleaning experience, thereby increasing the likelihood of notifying the recommendation information J1 at an appropriate timing for the user P.

[0079] [1-3. Effects, etc.] As described above, the notification system 1000 includes an experience determination unit 202 that determines whether a user P of the air conditioning device 1 has had the air conditioning device 1 cleaned. Furthermore, the notification system 1000 includes a threshold determination unit 203 that, when the experience determination unit 202 determines that the user P has had the air conditioning device 1 cleaned, determines whether the total operating time of the air conditioning device 1 is equal to or greater than a first threshold, and determines whether the period elapsed since installation is equal to or greater than a third threshold. When the experience determination unit 202 determines that the user P has not had the air conditioning device 1 cleaned, the threshold determination unit 203 determines whether the total operating time of the air conditioning device 1 is equal to or greater than a second threshold, and determines whether the period elapsed since installation is equal to or greater than a fourth threshold. Furthermore, the notification system 1000 includes a display control unit 302 that notifies the user of recommendation information J1. The display control unit 302 notifies recommended information J1 when the threshold determination unit 203 determines that the total operating time of the air conditioning unit 1 is equal to or greater than the first threshold and the period elapsed since installation is equal to or greater than the third threshold, or that the total operating time of the air conditioning unit 1 is equal to or greater than the second threshold and the period elapsed since installation is equal to or greater than the fourth threshold.

[0080] This allows the threshold value used for the judgment to differ depending on whether or not the user P has had the air conditioning device 1 cleaned, thereby increasing the possibility of notifying the user P of recommended information J1 at an appropriate time.

[0081] The second threshold is greater than the first threshold, and the fourth threshold is greater than the third threshold.

[0082] According to this, the recommended information J1 is notified to a user P who has had cleaning experience earlier than to a user P who has not had cleaning experience, which prevents the air conditioning device 1 used by the user P who has had cleaning experience from being too dirty at the time the recommended information J1 is notified. Also, it prevents the recommended information J1 from being notified to a user P who has not had cleaning experience at a time when the user P does not feel the need to have cleaning.

[0083] The display control unit 302 notifies the user of the recommendation reason information J2 together with the recommendation information J1. The recommendation reason information J2 includes the total operating time of the air conditioning device 1 and the period of time that has elapsed since installation.

[0084] This increases the likelihood that the user P will understand the reasons why cleaning of the air conditioning device 1 is recommended, and increases the likelihood that the air conditioning device 1 will be cleaned. Therefore, the notification system 1000 can prevent the air conditioning device 1 from not being cleaned, and the comfort of the conditioned space S from being impaired.

[0085] The notification system 1000 includes a determination unit 204 that determines the notification timing of recommended information J1 according to the installation area of ​​the air conditioning apparatus 1, which is divided by climate. The display control unit 302 notifies the recommended information J1 at the notification timing determined by the determination unit 204.

[0086] This allows the recommended information J1 to be notified at a notification time that corresponds to the installation area of ​​the air conditioning device 1, thereby increasing the likelihood that the recommended information J1 will be notified at an appropriate time for the user P.

[0087] A notification period for the recommendation information J1 is set for each installation area of ​​the air conditioning apparatus 1. The determination unit 204 determines the notification period for the recommendation information J1 so that the notification periods for the recommendation information J1 are dispersed within the notification period.

[0088] This prevents requests for cleaning the air conditioner 1 from concentrating on a single day, and prevents the cleaner CS from becoming overwhelmed with cleaning work, thereby preventing the occurrence of a situation where the user P has to wait for a long period of time to have their air conditioner 1 cleaned.

[0089] (Embodiment 2) Next, a description will be given of embodiment 2. In the description of embodiment 2, differences from embodiment 1 will be explained.

[0090] [2-1. Configuration] Fig. 7 is a diagram showing the configuration of the server device 2 and the first terminal device 3 in embodiment 2. Fig. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the first database 212, the second database 213, and the third database 214 in embodiment 2.

[0091] 7 and 2, the server memory 210 of the second embodiment stores a control program 211A instead of the control program 211. The server processor 200 of the second embodiment reads out and executes the control program 211A from the server memory 210, thereby functioning as a threshold determination unit 203A instead of the threshold determination unit 203 and as a database processing unit 205A instead of the database processing unit 205. The threshold determination unit 203A and the database processing unit 205A will be described later.

[0092] Furthermore, as is clear from a comparison between FIG. 8 and FIG. 3 , the record R1 of the second embodiment further records the degree of dirtiness of the air conditioning apparatus 1 as information if the air conditioning apparatus 1 has been cleaned before. The degree of dirtiness of the air conditioning apparatus 1 may be the degree of dirtiness of the air conditioning apparatus 1 before cleaning, or may be the degree of dirtiness of the air conditioning apparatus 1 after cleaning. In the present embodiment, the degree of dirtiness of the air conditioning apparatus 1 is categorized into four levels: “Like new,” “Slightly dirty,” “Moderately dirty,” and “Dirty.” The degree of dirtiness of “Like new” is the lowest of the four levels. The degree of dirtiness of “Slightly dirty” is the second lowest of the four levels. The degree of dirtiness of “Moderately dirty” is the second highest of the four levels. “Dirty” is the highest of the four levels. Note that the degree of dirtiness of the air conditioning apparatus 1 is not limited to four levels, and may be further categorized or may be three or less levels.

[0093] Next, the threshold determination unit 203A and the database processing unit 205A will be described. When the determination result of the experience determination unit 202 indicates that experience has been performed, the threshold determination unit 203A determines whether the first and second conditions are met. Furthermore, when the determination result of the experience determination unit 202 indicates that experience has been performed, the threshold determination unit 203A determines whether the third and fourth conditions are met.

[0094] The threshold determination unit 203A determines whether these conditions are met by processing the record R1 that was processed by the experience determination unit 202. Note that the threshold determination unit 203A determines whether the third and fourth conditions are met in the same manner as the threshold determination unit 203.

[0095] Here, the operation of the threshold determination unit 203A related to determining whether the first condition is met will be described in detail. The threshold determination unit 203A determines the level of contamination of the air conditioning device 1 recorded in the record R1 to be processed. Next, the threshold determination unit 203A uses a first threshold value corresponding to the determined level of contamination of the air conditioning device 1 to determine whether the total operating time of the air conditioning device 1 recorded in the record R1 to be processed is equal to or greater than the first threshold value. For example, if the level of contamination of the air conditioning device 1 is in the "like new" level, the threshold determination unit 203A determines whether the total operating time of the air conditioning device 1 recorded in the record R1 to be processed is equal to or greater than 8,000 hours. Note that this specific numerical value is merely an example. Also, for example, if the level of contamination of the air conditioning device 1 is in the "slightly dirty" level, the threshold determination unit 203A determines whether the total operating time of the air conditioning device 1 recorded in the record R1 to be processed is equal to or greater than 5,000 hours. Note that this specific numerical value is merely an example. Furthermore, for example, if the degree of contamination of the air conditioning apparatus 1 is at the "slightly dirty" stage, the threshold determination unit 203A determines whether the total operating time of the air conditioning apparatus 1 recorded in the record R1 to be processed is 3,500 hours or more. Note that this specific numerical value is merely an example. Furthermore, for example, if the degree of contamination of the air conditioning apparatus 1 is at the "dirty" stage, the threshold determination unit 203A determines whether the total operating time of the air conditioning apparatus 1 recorded in the record R1 to be processed is 2,000 hours or more. Note that this specific numerical value is merely an example. If the threshold determination unit 203 determines that the total operating time of the air conditioning apparatus 1 is equal to or greater than the first threshold, it determines that the first condition is met. If the threshold determination unit 203 determines that the total operating time of the air conditioning apparatus 1 is not equal to or greater than the first threshold, it determines that the first condition is not met.

[0096] The operation of the threshold determination unit 203 related to determining whether the second condition is met will now be described in detail. The threshold determination unit 203A determines the level of contamination of the air conditioning device 1 recorded in the record R1 to be processed. Next, the threshold determination unit 203A uses a third threshold value corresponding to the determined level of contamination of the air conditioning device 1 to determine whether the period since installation recorded in the record R1 to be processed is equal to or greater than the third threshold value. For example, if the level of contamination of the air conditioning device 1 is in the "like new" stage, the threshold determination unit 203A determines whether the period since installation recorded in the record R1 to be processed is 14 months or more. Note that this specific numerical value is merely an example. Also, for example, if the level of contamination of the air conditioning device 1 is in the "slightly dirty" stage, the threshold determination unit 203A determines whether the period since installation recorded in the record R1 to be processed is 13 months or more. Note that this specific numerical value is merely an example. Furthermore, for example, if the degree of contamination of the air conditioning apparatus 1 is at the "slightly dirty" stage, the threshold determination unit 203A determines whether the period since installation recorded in the record R1 to be processed is 12 months or more. Note that this specific numerical value is merely an example. Furthermore, for example, if the degree of contamination of the air conditioning apparatus 1 is at the "dirty" stage, the threshold determination unit 203A determines whether the period since installation recorded in the record R1 to be processed is 11 months or more. Note that this specific numerical value is merely an example. If the threshold determination unit 203 determines that the period since installation is equal to or greater than the third threshold, it determines that the second condition is met, and if it determines that the period since installation is not equal to or greater than the third threshold, it determines that the second condition is not met.

[0097] In this embodiment, the first threshold value may be greater than the second threshold value depending on the degree of dirtiness of the air conditioning apparatus 1. In addition, in this embodiment, the third threshold value may be greater than the fourth threshold value depending on the degree of dirtiness of the air conditioning apparatus 1.

[0098] The database processing unit 205A also updates the degree of dirtiness of the air conditioning unit 1 recorded in record R1. In this embodiment, the cleaning completion data D2 records the degree of dirtiness of the air conditioning unit 1 entered by the cleaner CS into the second terminal device 4 as information. When the server communication control unit 201 receives the cleaning completion data D2, the database processing unit 205A identifies, from the first database 212, record R1 having the same ID as the air conditioning ID recorded in the cleaning completion data D2. Next, the database processing unit 205A updates the degree of dirtiness of the air conditioning unit 1 recorded in the identified record R1 to the degree of dirtiness of the air conditioning unit 1 recorded in the cleaning completion data D2.

[0099] [2-2. Operation] Next, a description will be given of the operation of each unit of notification system 1000 in this embodiment. The operation of each unit of notification system 1000 in the second embodiment is the same as in the first embodiment.

[0100] [2-3. Effects, etc.] According to the second embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be achieved.

[0101] Furthermore, in the second embodiment, the values ​​of the first threshold and the third threshold are changed depending on the degree of dirtiness of the air conditioner 1 when the air conditioner 1 is cleaned.

[0102] In general, the degree of dirtiness of the air conditioning apparatus 1 varies depending on the usage manner of the air conditioning apparatus 1 (such as how the air conditioning apparatus 1 is used and the usage conditions of the air conditioning apparatus 1). Therefore, the notification system 1000 changes the values ​​of the first threshold and the third threshold depending on the degree of dirtiness of the air conditioning apparatus 1, and can therefore notify the user P of the recommended information J1 at a timing that takes into account the usage manner of the air conditioning apparatus 1. Therefore, the notification system 1000 can increase the likelihood of notifying the user P of the recommended information J1 at a timing that is more appropriate for the user P.

[0103] (Other Embodiments) As described above, the above-mentioned first and second embodiments have been described as examples disclosed in the present application. However, the technology in the present disclosure is not limited to these, and can also be applied to embodiments in which modifications, substitutions, additions, omissions, etc. are made. Furthermore, it is also possible to combine the components described in the above-mentioned first and second embodiments to create new embodiments. Therefore, other embodiments will be described below as examples.

[0104] In the first and second embodiments described above, if the user P has had the air conditioning apparatus 1 cleaned, the threshold determination unit 203, 203A is configured to determine whether the first condition and the second condition are met. In other embodiments, if the user P has had the air conditioning apparatus 1 cleaned, the threshold determination unit 203, 203A may determine whether only the first condition is met. That is, in other embodiments, if the user P has had the air conditioning apparatus 1 cleaned, the recommendation information J1 may be notified when the first condition is met. In other embodiments, the recommendation reason information J2 may not include the period since installation. Furthermore, in other embodiments, if the user P has had the air conditioning apparatus 1 cleaned, the threshold determination unit 203, 203A may determine whether only the second condition is met. That is, in other embodiments, if the user P has had the air conditioning apparatus 1 cleaned, the recommendation information J1 may be notified when the second condition is met. In this other embodiment, the recommendation reason information J2 does not have to include the total operating time of the air conditioning apparatus 1.

[0105] In the first and second embodiments described above, the threshold determination units 203 and 203A are configured to determine whether the third and fourth conditions are met when the user P has never had the air conditioning device 1 cleaned. In other embodiments, the threshold determination units 203 and 203A may determine whether only the third condition is met when the user P has never had the air conditioning device 1 cleaned. That is, in other embodiments, the recommendation information J1 may be notified when the third condition is met when the user P has never had the air conditioning device 1 cleaned. In other embodiments, the recommendation reason information J2 may not include the period since installation. Furthermore, in other embodiments, the threshold determination units 203 and 203A may determine whether only the fourth condition is met when the user P has never had the air conditioning device 1 cleaned. That is, in other embodiments, the recommendation information J1 may be notified when the fourth condition is met when the user P has never had the air conditioning device 1 cleaned. In this other embodiment, the recommendation reason information J2 does not have to include the total operating time of the air conditioning apparatus 1.

[0106] In the first and second embodiments described above, when the total operating time of the air conditioning apparatus 1 and the period since installation are equal to or greater than a threshold, the recommendation information J1 is notified at a notification timing that corresponds to the installation area of ​​the air conditioning apparatus 1. In other embodiments, the recommendation information J1 may be notified at a notification timing that corresponds to the installation area of ​​the air conditioning apparatus 1, regardless of the total operating time of the air conditioning apparatus 1 and the period since installation.

[0107] In another embodiment, if the production of an air conditioning apparatus 1 of the same type as the air conditioning apparatus 1 used by user P has been discontinued, the recommendation information J1 may not be notified if a predetermined period of time has passed since the discontinuation. This is to avoid the risk of not being able to repair the air conditioning apparatus 1, including cleaning, because parts for the discontinued air conditioning apparatus 1 are no longer available.

[0108] In another embodiment, a questionnaire regarding notification of recommended information J1 may be conducted for users P who have had their air conditioning apparatus 1 cleaned, and the values ​​of the first threshold and third threshold may be changed depending on the responses to the questionnaire.

[0109] In the first and second embodiments described above, the display control unit 302 is exemplified as the "notification unit." That is, in the first and second embodiments described above, the "notification unit" is configured to notify the recommendation information J1 and the recommendation reason information J2 by ​​display. In other embodiments, the "notification unit" may notify the recommendation information J1 and the recommendation reason information J2 by ​​voice or by sending an e-mail. Note that when the recommendation information J1 and the recommendation reason information J2 are notified by sending an e-mail, the "notification unit" is a functional unit of the server processor 200, not a functional unit of the terminal processor 300.

[0110] In another embodiment, the recommendation reason information J2 may not be notified, but the recommendation information J1 may be notified.

[0111] In the embodiment described above, the notification period is recorded as information in record R2, and the notification period is managed in the second database 213. In another embodiment, whether or not notification of the recommended information J1 is permitted may be managed in the second database 213. In this other embodiment, whether or not notification of the recommended information J1 is permitted is recorded as information in each record R2, and whether or not notification is permitted is switched in conjunction with a weather forecast, etc. Then, when the information indicating whether or not notification is permitted indicates that notification is permitted, the determination unit 204 determines the notification time so that notifications are not concentrated on a specific day.

[0112] The server processor 200 and the terminal processor 300 may be configured with a single processor or multiple processors. These processors may be hardware programmed to implement the corresponding functional units. That is, these processors may be configured with, for example, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array).

[0113] The configurations of the server device 2 and the first terminal device 3 shown in Figures 2 and 7 are merely examples, and the specific implementation form is not particularly limited. In other words, it is not necessarily necessary to implement hardware corresponding to each unit individually, and it is also possible to implement a configuration in which a single processor executes a program to realize the functions of each unit. Furthermore, some of the functions realized by software in the above-mentioned embodiments may be implemented by hardware, or some of the functions realized by hardware may be implemented by software.

[0114] The step units of the operations shown in Figures 4 and 5 are divided according to the main processing content to make the operations easier to understand, and the operation is not limited by the way the processing units are divided or the names of the processing units. The operations may be divided into more step units depending on the processing content. Furthermore, one step unit may be divided so that it includes more processing. Furthermore, the order of the steps may be changed as appropriate within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0115] It should be noted that the above-described embodiments are intended to illustrate the technology of the present disclosure, and various modifications, substitutions, additions, omissions, etc. may be made within the scope of the claims or their equivalents.

[0116] (Additional Notes) The above description of the embodiments discloses the following techniques.

[0117] (Technology 1) A notification system comprising: an experience determination unit that determines whether a user of an air conditioning device has had the experience of having the air conditioning device cleaned; a threshold determination unit that determines whether a total operating time of the air conditioning device is equal to or greater than a first threshold if the experience determination unit determines that the user has the experience, and determines whether the total operating time is equal to or greater than a second threshold if the experience determination unit determines that the user has no experience; and a notification unit that notifies the user of recommendation information recommending cleaning if the threshold determination unit determines that the total operating time is equal to or greater than the first threshold or the second threshold. According to this, because the threshold value used for the determination differs depending on whether the user has had the air conditioning device cleaned, it is possible to increase the likelihood that cleaning of the air conditioning device can be recommended at an appropriate time for the user of the air conditioning device.

[0118] (Technology 2) The notification system according to Technology 1, wherein the second threshold is greater than the first threshold. This notifies users with cleaning experience of the recommended information earlier than users without cleaning experience, thereby preventing an air conditioning device used by an experienced user from being too dirty at the time of notification of the recommended information. Furthermore, it is possible to prevent users with no cleaning experience from being notified of the recommended information at a time when they do not feel the need for cleaning.

[0119] (Technology 3) The notification system according to Technology 1, wherein the threshold determination unit changes the value of the first threshold depending on the degree of contamination of the air conditioning device during the cleaning. Generally, the degree of contamination of an air conditioning device varies depending on how the air conditioning device is used. Because the notification system changes the value of the first threshold depending on the degree of contamination of the air conditioning device, it can notify the user of recommended information at a timing that takes into account how the air conditioning device is used. Therefore, the notification system can increase the likelihood of notifying the user of recommended information at a timing that is more appropriate for the user of the air conditioning device.

[0120] (Technology 4) The notification system according to any one of Technologies 1 to 3, wherein the notification unit notifies the user of recommendation reason information indicating the reason for recommending cleaning together with the recommendation information, and the recommendation reason information includes the total operating time. This increases the likelihood that the user will understand why cleaning of the air conditioning device is recommended, and increases the likelihood that the air conditioning device will be cleaned. Therefore, the notification system can prevent the air conditioning device from not being cleaned, which would result in a loss of comfort in the conditioned space.

[0121] (Technology 5) A notification system comprising: an experience determination unit that determines whether a user of an air conditioning device has had the experience of having the air conditioning device cleaned; a threshold determination unit that determines whether the period of time that has elapsed since installation of the air conditioning device is equal to or greater than a third threshold if the experience determination unit determines that the user has the experience, and determines whether the period of time that has elapsed is equal to or greater than a fourth threshold if the experience determination unit determines that the user has no experience; and a notification unit that notifies the user of recommendation information that recommends cleaning if the threshold determination unit determines that the period of time that has elapsed is equal to or greater than the third threshold or the fourth threshold. This achieves the same effects as the notification system described in Technology 1.

[0122] (Technology 6) The notification system according to Technology 5, wherein the fourth threshold value is greater than the third threshold value. This provides the same effects as the notification system according to Technology 2.

[0123] (Technology 7) The notification system according to Technology 5, wherein the threshold determination unit changes the value of the third threshold depending on the degree of contamination of the air conditioning device at the time of cleaning. This achieves the same effect as the notification system according to Technology 3.

[0124] (Technology 8) The notification system according to any one of Technology 5 to Technology 7, wherein the notification unit notifies recommendation reason information indicating a reason for recommending the cleaning together with the recommendation information, and the recommendation reason information includes the elapsed period. This achieves the same effect as the notification system according to Technology 4.

[0125] (Technology 9) The notification system according to Technology 1, wherein the threshold determination unit, when determining that the user has experience, further determines whether the elapsed period since installation of the air conditioning device is equal to or greater than a third threshold, and when determining that the user has no experience, further determines whether the elapsed period is equal to or greater than a fourth threshold, and the notification unit, when determining that the total operating time is equal to or greater than the first threshold and the elapsed period is equal to or greater than the third threshold, or the total operating time is equal to or greater than the second threshold and the elapsed period is equal to or greater than the fourth threshold, notifies the user of the recommended information. This notifies the recommended information taking into account the total operating time of the air conditioning device and the elapsed period since installation of the air conditioning device, thereby increasing the likelihood of notifying the user of the air conditioning device of the recommended information at a more appropriate time.

[0126] (Technology 10) The notification system according to Technology 9, wherein the notification unit notifies recommendation reason information indicating a reason for recommending the cleaning together with the recommendation information, and the recommendation reason information includes the total operation time and the elapsed period. This achieves the same effect as the notification system according to Technology 4.

[0127] (Technology 11) A notification system according to any one of Technologies 1 to 10, further comprising a determination unit that determines a notification timing for the recommended information according to an installation area of ​​the air conditioning device, which is divided by climate, and the notification unit notifies the recommended information at the notification timing determined by the determination unit. According to this, since the recommended information is notified at a notification timing according to the installation area of ​​the air conditioning device, it is possible to increase the possibility of recommending cleaning of the air conditioning device at a timing appropriate for the user of the air conditioning device.

[0128] (Technology 12) The notification system according to Technology 11, wherein a notification period for the recommended information is set for each area where the air conditioning device is installed, and the determination unit determines the notification times so that the notification times are dispersed within the notification period. This prevents a concentration of cleaning requests for air conditioning devices on a certain day and prevents cleaners from becoming overwhelmed with cleaning work. This prevents the occurrence of a situation where users have to wait a long time to have their air conditioning devices cleaned.

[0129] (Technology 13) A notification system comprising: a determination unit that determines when to notify a user of recommendation information that recommends cleaning an air conditioning unit; and a notification unit that notifies the user of the air conditioning unit of the recommendation information at the notification time determined by the determination unit, wherein the determination unit determines when to notify the recommendation information according to an installation area of ​​the air conditioning unit that is divided by climate. By notifying the recommendation information at a notification time according to the installation area of ​​the air conditioning unit, it is possible to increase the likelihood that cleaning of the air conditioning unit can be recommended at a time appropriate for the user of the air conditioning unit.

[0130] (Technology 14) A notification control method that determines whether a user of an air conditioning device has had the air conditioning device cleaned, and if it is determined that the user has had the experience, determines whether the total operating time of the air conditioning device is equal to or greater than a first threshold, and if it is determined that the user has no experience, determines whether the total operating time is equal to or greater than a second threshold, and if it is determined that the total operating time is equal to or greater than the first threshold or the second threshold, notifies the user of recommendation information that recommends cleaning. This achieves the same effect as the notification system of Technology 1.

[0131] (Technology 15) A notification control method that determines whether a user of an air conditioning device has had the air conditioning device cleaned, and if it is determined that the user has had the experience, determines whether the period of time that has elapsed since installation of the air conditioning device is equal to or greater than a third threshold, and if it is determined that the user has no experience, determines whether the period of time that has elapsed is equal to or greater than a fourth threshold, and if it is determined that the period of time that has elapsed is equal to or greater than the third threshold or the fourth threshold, notifies the user of recommendation information that recommends cleaning. This achieves the same effect as the notification system of Technology 5.

[0132] (Technology 16) A notification control method that determines a notification time for recommendation information that recommends cleaning of an air conditioner, and notifies a user of the air conditioner of the recommendation information at the determined notification time, and determines the notification time according to an installation area of ​​the air conditioner that is divided by climate. This achieves the same effect as Technology 13.

[0133] As described above, the notification system and notification control method according to the present invention can be used to notify a user of recommendation information that recommends cleaning of an air conditioner.

[0134] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1, 1A, 1B, 1C Air conditioning device 2 Server device 3, 3A, 3B, 3C First terminal device 4 Second terminal device 11 Indoor unit 12 Outdoor unit 20 Server control device 21 Server communication unit 30 Terminal control device 31 Terminal communication unit 32 Touch panel 200 Server processor 201 Server communication control unit 202 Experience determination unit 203, 203 Threshold determination unit 204 Determination unit 205, 205A Database processing unit 210 Server memory 211, 211A Control program 212 First database 213 Second database 214 Third database 300 Terminal processor 301 Terminal communication control unit 302 Display control unit (notification unit) 310 Terminal memory 311 APP 1000 Notification system A1 First area A2 Second area A3 Third area CS Cleaner D1 Operation data D2 Cleaning completion data H, H1, H2, H3 Facility J1 Recommendation information J2 Recommendation reason information NW Network P, P1, P2, P3 User R1, R2, R3, R11-R13, R31-R33 Record S Air-conditioned space

Claims

1. A notification system comprising: an experience determination unit that determines whether a user of an air conditioning device has had the experience of having the air conditioning device cleaned; a threshold determination unit that, if the experience determination unit determines that the user has the experience, determines whether the total operating time of the air conditioning device is equal to or greater than a first threshold, and, if the experience determination unit determines that the user has no experience, determines whether the total operating time is equal to or greater than a second threshold; and a notification unit that, if the threshold determination unit determines that the total operating time is equal to or greater than the first threshold or the total operating time is equal to or greater than the second threshold, notifies the user of recommendation information recommending cleaning.

2. The notification system according to claim 1, wherein the second threshold value is greater than the first threshold value.

3. The notification system according to claim 1, wherein the threshold determination unit changes the value of the first threshold depending on the degree of dirtiness of the air conditioning device at the time of cleaning.

4. The notification system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the notification unit notifies recommendation reason information indicating the reason for recommending the cleaning together with the recommendation information, and the recommendation reason information includes the total operating time.

5. A notification system comprising: an experience determination unit that determines whether a user of an air conditioning device has had the experience of having the air conditioning device cleaned; a threshold determination unit that, if the experience determination unit determines that the user has the experience, determines whether the period of time that has elapsed since installation of the air conditioning device is equal to or greater than a third threshold, and, if the experience determination unit determines that the user has no experience, determines whether the period of time that has elapsed is equal to or greater than a fourth threshold; and a notification unit that, if the threshold determination unit determines that the period of time that has elapsed is equal to or greater than the third threshold or the fourth threshold, notifies the user of recommendation information recommending cleaning.

6. The notification system according to claim 5, wherein the fourth threshold value is greater than the third threshold value.

7. The notification system according to claim 5, wherein the threshold determination unit changes the value of the third threshold depending on the degree of dirtiness of the air conditioning device at the time of cleaning.

8. The notification system according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the notification unit notifies recommendation reason information indicating the reason for recommending the cleaning together with the recommendation information, and the recommendation reason information includes the elapsed period.

9. The notification system of claim 1, wherein the threshold determination unit, when the experience determination unit determines that the user has the experience, further determines whether the period of time that has elapsed since installation of the air conditioning device is equal to or greater than a third threshold, and when the experience determination unit determines that the user does not have the experience, further determines whether the period of time that has elapsed is equal to or greater than a fourth threshold, and the notification unit, when the threshold determination unit determines that the total operating time is equal to or greater than the first threshold and the period of time that has elapsed is equal to or greater than the third threshold, or that the total operating time is equal to or greater than the second threshold and the period of time that has elapsed is equal to or greater than the fourth threshold, notifies the user of the recommended information.

10. The notification system according to claim 9, wherein the notification unit notifies recommendation reason information indicating the reason for recommending the cleaning together with the recommendation information, and the recommendation reason information includes the total operating time and the elapsed period.

11. A notification system as described in claims 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9 and 10, further comprising a determination unit that determines the notification timing of the recommended information according to the installation area of ​​the air conditioning device, which is divided by climate, and the notification unit notifies the recommended information at the notification timing determined by the determination unit.

12. The notification system described in claim 11, wherein a notification period for the recommended information is set for each area where the air conditioning device is installed, and the determination unit determines the notification times so that the notification times are dispersed within the notification period.

13. A notification system comprising: a determination unit that determines the timing of notification of recommendation information recommending cleaning of an air conditioning unit; and a notification unit that notifies a user of the air conditioning unit of the recommendation information at the notification timing determined by the determination unit, wherein the determination unit determines the timing of notification of the recommendation information according to the installation area of ​​the air conditioning unit, which is divided by climate.

14. A notification control method comprising: determining whether a user of an air conditioning device has had the air conditioning device cleaned; determining whether the total operating time of the air conditioning device is equal to or greater than a first threshold if it is determined that the user has had the experience; determining whether the total operating time is equal to or greater than a second threshold if it is determined that the user has not had the experience; and notifying the user of recommendation information recommending cleaning if it is determined that the total operating time is equal to or greater than the first threshold or the second threshold.

15. A notification control method comprising: determining whether a user of an air conditioning device has had the air conditioning device cleaned; determining whether the period of time that has elapsed since installation of the air conditioning device is equal to or greater than a third threshold if it is determined that the user has had the experience; determining whether the period of time that has elapsed since installation of the air conditioning device is equal to or greater than a fourth threshold if it is determined that the period of time that has elapsed is equal to or greater than the third threshold or the fourth threshold; and notifying the user of recommendation information that recommends cleaning.

16. A notification control method, comprising determining a notification time for recommendation information recommending cleaning of an air conditioning device, notifying a user of the air conditioning device of the recommendation information at the determined notification time, and determining the notification time according to the installation area of ​​the air conditioning device, which is divided by climate.

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