Temperature determination device, air-conditioning control system, temperature determination method, and computer readable medium
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air-conditioning control systems struggle to determine a comfortable temperature for multiple users, as they often lower the temperature excessively based on user feedback, leading to discomfort for some users who prefer it cooler, even if the majority finds it comfortable.
Innovation Solution
A temperature determination device that collects range information on allowable temperature ranges from users and determines a set temperature based on this information, ensuring that the temperature is comfortable for the majority of users.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the temperature is lowered based on user feedback indicating they feel hot, then the comfort for users who prefer cooler temperatures is improved, but the comfort for users who find the temperature already comfortable deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the user base into different temperature preference groups (those who feel hot, those who feel comfortable, and those who feel cold) and collects temperature evaluation data from each segment. This allows the system to understand the distribution of preferences and determine an appropriate comfort zone that balances the needs of different user segments rather than uniformly lowering the temperature for all users.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter being measured from a simple binary hot/cold evaluation to a more nuanced temperature evaluation scale that captures the degree of comfort or discomfort. This allows for more precise determination of the comfort zone by analyzing the distribution of evaluation values and identifying the temperature range where the majority of users fall within an acceptable comfort threshold.
2Productivity
If the comfort zone is determined based on the most frequently received temperature evaluation, then the majority user preference is satisfied, but the temperature may be lowered excessively causing discomfort for some users
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by determining the comfort zone based on a threshold-based approach rather than simply following the most frequent evaluation. It identifies the temperature range where a predetermined proportion of users fall within an acceptable comfort threshold, which may be a subset of the most frequent evaluations. This prevents excessive temperature lowering by only adjusting the temperature enough to satisfy the comfort threshold requirement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by continuously collecting temperature evaluations from users and using this information to adjust and refine the comfort zone determination. The system monitors user responses and adjusts the comfort zone parameters based on the accumulated feedback, creating a closed-loop control system that adapts to changing user preferences and environmental conditions while preventing excessive temperature adjustments.
Data Source
AI summary
A questionnaire sending unit (22) sends a questionnaire on an allowable temperature range to each of a plurality of users who use an object space. A range information collection unit (23) collects range information indicating the allowable temperature range by collecting a response to the questionnaire from each of the plurality of users who use the object space. A temperature determination unit (24) determines a set temperature of the object space on a basis of the range information concerning the plurality of users which is collected by the range information collection unit (23).