Air conditioning control device, air conditioning control method and program
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air conditioning control systems require complex user input for specifying the area to be air-conditioned and the position of each air conditioner, making it difficult to maintain comfort and save energy, especially in small rooms with a single air conditioner.
Innovation Solution
An air conditioning control device that uses a storage unit to store a floorplan, an area specifying unit to identify areas based on a drawing's hue, and a number specifying unit to determine the number of air conditioners within those areas, allowing for automatic specification and control of air conditioner operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual input setting is used for area and air conditioner position, then control precision is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically detects air conditioner positions and areas by processing uploaded floor plan images. The image processing unit extracts positional information and area boundaries without requiring manual input, allowing the system to serve itself in the information gathering process.
Solution Approach 2:
Manual mechanical input methods (typing, clicking to define positions) are replaced with automated image processing techniques. The system uses optical recognition and algorithmic analysis of floor plan images to automatically determine positions and areas, substituting manual operations with automated computational processes.
2Ease of operation
If automated position detection is used, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides feedback by displaying the detected air conditioner positions and area boundaries on the processed floor plan image. Users can review the automatic detection results and correct any errors, ensuring both ease of operation and measurement precision are maintained.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary automated detection to provide initial position and area information. This preliminary action simplifies the user's task by providing a starting point that requires minimal adjustment, combining automation with precision requirements.
3Reliability
If air conditioners operate simultaneously, then comfort is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit operates air conditioners in periodic cycles rather than continuously. By controlling operating time and creating operational sequences, the system maintains comfort through periodic cooling while reducing overall energy consumption compared to simultaneous continuous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments the operation of multiple air conditioners by controlling them individually based on their positions and areas. Instead of operating all air conditioners simultaneously, the control unit manages them in divided time periods or sequences, maintaining comfort while reducing total power consumption.
Data Source
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AI summary
An air conditioning control device (300) includes; a storage unit (350) configured to store a drawing illustrating a floorplan indicating where one or more air conditioners are installed and separated areas within the floorplan; an area specifying unit (342) configured to specify areas where the one or more air conditioners are installed on the basis of the stored drawing; a number specifying unit (343) configured to specify the number of air conditioners within the respective specified areas; and an air conditioner control unit (341) configured to control operation of each air conditioner within the specified areas on the basis of the specified number of air conditioners. This permits automatically specifying the positions of each air conditioner and the number of air conditioners on the basis of the drawing, thereby facilitating input setting for each air conditioner.