JP7352711B1 - Power consumption evaluation system - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a power consumption evaluation system that makes it possible to compare the power correlation amount (value correlated to power consumption) of electric appliances such as air conditioners and refrigerators with other products with similar usage patterns. [Solution] When an information processing unit of a power consumption evaluation system receives usage history information including a power correlation amount of an electrical product, it specifies product attributes of the electrical product based on identification information included in the usage history information, and determines the usage history information of the electrical product. Identify the location of the electrical appliance based on the source address of the historical information. When the information processing unit receives the comparison information request, the information processing unit generates a power correlation amount of the electrical product (specific product) related to the comparison information request and a comparison power correlation amount that is the power correlation amount of the electrical product having the same product attributes and location area as the specific product. Send historical comparison information obtained by comparing the amount. [Selection diagram] Figure 4

Description

The present invention relates to a power consumption evaluation system. For example, the present invention relates to a power consumption evaluation system that compares the power consumption of a plurality of electrical products received via a network.

One of the conventional power consumption evaluation systems (conventional system) measures the time (arrival time) or power consumption until the indoor temperature of the room where the air conditioner is installed reaches the set temperature set for the air conditioner. Acquire and memorize. The conventional system determines whether or not the air conditioning function (i.e., cooling function or heating function) of the air conditioner has deteriorated based on a plurality of arrival times or power consumption acquired at different times.

Specifically, if the cooling function of the air conditioner has deteriorated and the filter of the air conditioner has not been cleaned for a long time, the conventional system would prompt the user to clean the filter. Alternatively, if the power consumption exceeds a predetermined threshold, conventional systems prompt the user to maintain the air conditioner (for example, see Patent Document 1).

International Publication No. 2014/171118

By the way, in general, the "periodical power consumption" obtained for each air conditioner is made public by each manufacturer. The period power consumption is calculated from the year-round energy consumption efficiency (APF) based on Japanese Industrial Standards (JIS) C 9612. Therefore, it is thought that by comparing the actual power consumption of the air conditioner in a certain period and the power amount estimated based on the period power consumption, it is possible to determine whether the air conditioning function has deteriorated or whether maintenance is necessary.

However, the power actually consumed by an air conditioner is likely to vary depending on the environment in which the air conditioner is placed (for example, outside temperature) and the usage pattern (for example, set temperature and usage time). Therefore, it is difficult to estimate the power consumption of each air conditioner based on the periodic power consumption. In other words, air conditioner users should evaluate whether or not the amount of power consumed can be reduced by changing usage patterns such as set temperature and usage time, based on periodic power consumption (specifically, periodic power consumption). It is difficult to make a judgment based on the amount of power estimated based on

In this regard, in conventional systems, although it is possible to compare the operating status of a certain air conditioner (specifically, arrival time or power consumption) with values obtained at a past point in time, the operating status of other air conditioners cannot be compared with. Therefore, it has been difficult for users to obtain guidance from the conventional system as to whether or not power consumption can be reduced by changing the way the air conditioner is used.

The present invention has been devised in view of these points, and is designed to reduce the power consumption (or amount of power) of air conditioners (and various electrical appliances other than air conditioners) compared to the same or other products with similar usage patterns. The purpose is to provide a power consumption evaluation system that enables comparison.

In order to solve the above problems, a power consumption evaluation system (the present system) according to the present invention includes identification information of a plurality of electrical products and a power correlation amount that correlates with the power consumed by the electrical products. It includes an information processing unit that receives usage history information via a network. The information processing unit identifies a product attribute that includes the electrical product based on the identification information, and determines a source address in the network of the usage history information by determining a correspondence between a pre-obtained address in the network and a region. The location area of the electrical product is determined by applying the relationship .

In addition, the information processing unit stores power history information including the identification information, the power correlation amount, the product attribute, and the location area. Furthermore, when the information processing unit receives a comparison information request including the identification information from a user terminal via the network, the information processing unit determines the specific product that is the electrical product corresponding to the identification information included in the comparison information request. For the comparison period, based on the power correlation amount related to the power history information and in the comparison period , and the power history information related to the similar product that is the electric product having the same product attributes and the same location area as the specific product. History comparison information obtained by comparing the extracted power correlation amount with a comparison power correlation amount is transmitted to the user terminal. The comparison power correlation amount is the power correlation amount of the similar product in the comparison period or in a period different from the comparison period, and the magnitude of the difference in set temperature between the specific product and the similar product is a predetermined value. The power correlation amount satisfies the approximation condition including being smaller than a threshold value.

The usage history information may be transmitted by a probe device connected to (or built into) the electrical product, or may be transmitted by another device (a node connected to the network) that has received data including the power correlation amount from the probe device. For example, a user terminal located in a home where an electrical appliance is installed may transmit the information. The power correlation amount may be the power consumed by the electrical product, or may be the amount of power. The comparative power correlation amount is the power correlation amount of electric products (similar products) that have the same product attributes and location as the specific product.

A product attribute is a collection of electrical products (other than a specific product) whose power correlation amount is compared with a specific product. For example, if the usage situation is similar to that of a specific product, the power correlation amount is similar to that of the specific product. It is a collection of electrical products with high potential. Specifically, the product attribute may be a collection of electrical products with the same model as the specific product, and the specific product and specifications (for example, the standard value of periodic power consumption or annual power consumption announced by the manufacturer). It may be a collection of electrical products that are similar to each other.

Therefore, according to the present system, it is possible to compare the power correlation amount of a specific product with other electrical products (that is, similar products) whose power correlation amounts are likely to be similar. For example, if the power correlation amount of similar products (i.e., the comparative power correlation amount) is smaller than the power correlation amount of a specific product, the user of the specific product has room to reduce the power consumption of the specific product by changing the usage pattern. It can be recognized that there is.

In addition, since the information processing unit specifies the location of the electrical appliance based on the transmission source address (source address), the user does not need to register the installation location of the electrical appliance in this system in advance. Therefore, even if the electrical product is bought and sold on a used market and the installation location is changed, the information processing unit can acquire the location area corresponding to the new installation location.

In one aspect (first aspect) of this system, the electrical product is an air conditioner, and the product attributes are approximate year-round energy consumption efficiency and size of the room used, which have been obtained in advance and published by the manufacturer. The usage history information includes an indoor temperature, which is the temperature of a room in which the air conditioners are installed, and the set temperature set for the air conditioners. The approximation condition is a first approximation condition that is satisfied when the magnitude of the difference between the indoor temperature, the set temperature, and the outside temperature of the specific product during the comparison period is smaller than a predetermined threshold. In addition, the information processing unit acquires the outside air temperature of the location included in the power history information for each piece of the power history information. Furthermore, the information processing unit calculates the power correlation amount included in the power history information including the combination of the indoor temperature, the set temperature, and the outside temperature for which the first approximation condition is satisfied, into the power correlation amount in the comparison period. Extracted as a comparison power correlation amount.

The power consumption of an air conditioner is likely to change depending on the outside temperature and the set temperature. Therefore, the power history information in the first aspect includes the outside temperature and the set temperature. The outside air temperature may be obtained from the air temperature observed by the Japan Meteorological Agency, or may be detected by a temperature sensor included in the probe device. In addition, the outside temperature may be acquired from the Japan Meteorological Agency and stored in the storage device when the usage history information is received, and is required when the comparison information request is received. Temperatures may be obtained all at once from the Japan Meteorological Agency. According to the first aspect, the user can recognize whether there is room to reduce power consumption by changing the usage pattern of his or her air conditioner.

In another aspect (second aspect) of the present system, the electric appliance is a refrigerator, and the product attributes are the electric appliance whose annual power consumption and rated internal volume are similar to those obtained in advance and announced by the manufacturer. The usage history information represents a group of refrigerators , and includes the internal temperature of the refrigerator, the temperature setting set for the refrigerator, and the door opening time that is the time the door of the refrigerator was opened. The approximation condition is a second approximation condition that is satisfied when the difference between the internal temperature, the set temperature, and the door opening time of the specific product during the comparison period is smaller than a predetermined threshold. It is. In addition, the information processing unit compares the power correlation amount included in the power history information including the combination of the internal temperature, the set temperature, and the door opening time for which the second approximation condition is satisfied. It is extracted as the comparison power correlation amount in the period.

There is a high possibility that the power consumption of a refrigerator changes depending on the set temperature and the door opening time. Therefore, the power history information in the second aspect includes the set temperature and the door opening time. According to the second aspect, the user can recognize whether there is room to reduce power consumption by changing the usage pattern of his or her refrigerator.

In another aspect (third aspect) of the system, when a notification request is input, the information processing unit sends the usage history information or the comparison information request related to the electrical product corresponding to the notification request using an HTTP request . , the information related to the notification request is transmitted to the source address as an HTTP response to the received usage history information or comparison information request.

The information related to the notification request is, for example, information for urging the user to undergo maintenance of the electrical product, and the notification request is input by the manufacturer of the electrical product. A device that transmits usage history information (also called a history information transmission device, for example, a probe device or a user terminal) is likely to be assigned a private IP address in order to connect to the Internet. In this case, network address translation (NAT) is performed when the history information transmitting device connects to the Internet, so a message is sent from the information processing unit (for example, a cloud server connected to the Internet) to the history information transmitting device. This is often difficult. On the other hand, according to the third aspect, when the information processing unit receives the usage history information or the comparison information request, the information processing unit transmits the information to the probe device as a response, so that the information processing unit transmits the history information assigned the private IP address. Information can be easily transmitted to the device.

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a power consumption evaluation system (first system) according to a first embodiment. It is a schematic block diagram of the probe device of a 1st system. It is a schematic block diagram of the server of a 1st system. FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram of messages exchanged between the probe device, server, and mobile terminal according to the first system. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the contents of usage history information transmitted by the probe device to the server. It is an example of history comparison information displayed on the display of the user terminal concerning the 1st system (and the 2nd system). FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a power consumption evaluation system (second system) according to a second embodiment.

<First embodiment>
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6. The same reference numbers in the description refer to the same elements with the same function, without redundant description. As shown in FIG. 1, the power consumption evaluation system 1 according to the first embodiment includes probe devices 11 and 12, a mobile terminal 21, and a server 31 (information processing section). The probe device 11 is built into an air conditioner 41 (electrical product) installed in the house 1a. A remote control 51 for the air conditioner 41 and an in-house router 52 are arranged in the house 1a.

The operation of the probe device 12 will be described later. Note that the power consumption evaluation system 1 includes a large number of probe devices that are different from the probe devices 11 and 12 and have the same functions as the probe devices 11 and 12, but illustrations and specific explanations are omitted. In addition, the power consumption evaluation system 1 may include only one of the probe devices 11 and 12. The network 30 shown in FIG. 1 is the so-called Internet, in which various public networks are interconnected. The server 31 and the home router 52 are connected to the network 30.

The air conditioner 41 is a well-known home room air conditioner equipped with a heat pump unit (not shown). The outdoor unit that constitutes a part of the heat pump unit of the air conditioner 41 is omitted from illustration. Electric power is supplied to the air conditioner 41 via a power line Cp (outlet cable) connected to an outlet (not shown) provided in the house 1a.

A user can operate the air conditioner 41 using the remote control 51. Specifically, the remote control 51 includes an infrared light emitting section (not shown), and the air conditioner 41 includes an infrared light receiving section 43. The remote control 51 transmits an infrared signal from an infrared light emitting section in response to a user's operation. The air conditioner 41 operates in response to an infrared signal received by the infrared receiver 43. For example, the user can set (input) the set temperature Ts [° C.] of the air conditioner 41 by operating the remote control 51.

The probe device 11 is a well-known small computer (microcomputer), and as shown in FIG. . The CPU 61 sequentially executes predetermined programs (routines) to read data, perform numerical calculations, and output calculation results. The ROM 62 stores programs executed by the CPU 61, maps (lookup tables) referenced by the CPU 61, and the like. Part or all of the ROM 62 may be configured by a flash memory in which stored data can be changed. The RAM 63 temporarily stores data referenced by the CPU 61.

The data communication unit 64 provides a terminal (child device) function compliant with the WiFi (registered trademark) or Bluetooth (registered trademark) standards. The data communication unit 64 controls data communication (data reception and transmission) with various nodes including the server 31 via the home router 52 and the network 30. The input/output unit 65 performs data input/output (I/O) with a control device (not shown) of the air conditioner 41.

The wattmeter 66 is connected to the power line Cp and detects the power Wa [W] consumed by the air conditioner 41 . The room temperature meter 67 detects the indoor temperature Tr [° C.], which is the temperature of the air flowing into the air conditioner 41 (that is, the temperature of the room in which the air conditioner 41 is installed). The light emitting device 68 is a light emitting diode element, and is disposed at a position on the front surface of the housing of the air conditioner 41 that is visible to the user (see FIG. 1). The CPU 61 can control the lighting state of a light emitting device 68 (see FIG. 1) provided in the air conditioner 41. Further, the CPU 61 obtains the operating state of the air conditioner 41 including the set temperature Ts via the input/output unit 65.

The home router 52 provides a base station (master device) function that complies with the WiFi standard. For example, the probe device 11 and the mobile terminal 21 communicate with the server 31 (in this embodiment, data communication based on the TCP/IPv4 standard) using the base station function of the home router 52 and via the network 30. It can be performed.

The mobile terminal 21 is a portable user terminal (smartphone) equipped with a display 21a and installed with a well-known web browser application, and is operated by the user of the house 1a. Note that the mobile terminal 21 can also perform data communication with the server 31 via a mobile communication network (mobile phone network). In this case, the mobile terminal 21 may be located outside the house 1a (outdoors).

The server 31 is a well-known general-purpose computer (server device), and includes a CPU 71, a ROM 72, a RAM 73, a data communication section 74, and a storage device 75, as shown in FIG. The respective functions of the CPU 71, ROM 72, and RAM 73 are similar to those of the CPU 61, ROM 62, and RAM 63 (although they differ greatly in processing ability, capacity, etc.), and therefore a description thereof will be omitted. The data communication unit 74 controls data communication with various nodes including the probe devices 11 and 12 via the network 30. The storage device 75 is a well-known mass storage device. Note that the server 31 may be realized by a plurality of casings, or may be a shared server device (system, cloud server) that is used for purposes other than the power consumption evaluation system 1.

(Sending usage history information)
As shown in the upper part of FIG. 4, the probe device 11 transmits "usage history information" to the server 31 via the home router 52 and the network 30 every time a predetermined transmission interval Ti elapses. In this embodiment, usage history information is transmitted from the probe device 11 to the server 31 using the POST method of an HTTP request. As shown in FIG. 5, the usage history information includes identification information Id, the number of data Nd, the acquisition interval Tw, and a plurality of data sets Sa. Data set Sa is a combination of electric energy Wv [Wh], indoor temperature Tr, and set temperature Ts. The probe device 11 acquires the data set Sa every time a predetermined acquisition interval Tw shorter than the transmission interval Ti elapses.

The identification information Id is a unique identifier (character string or numerical value) given to the probe device 11 in advance. The number of data Nd is the number of data sets Sa included in the usage history information. In this embodiment, the transmission interval Ti is 30 minutes, and the acquisition interval Tw is 1 minute (=60 seconds). Therefore, the number of data Nd is "30". Note that each of the transmission interval Ti and the acquisition interval Tw can be changed as appropriate.

The probe device 11 calculates the integrated value of the power Wa repeatedly acquired by the power meter 66 while the acquisition interval Tw elapses (i.e., the value equivalent to the value obtained by integrating the power Wa with respect to time, the power correlation amount) ) is acquired as the electric energy Wv for the acquisition interval Tw. In addition, the probe device 11 detects the electric energy Wv, the indoor temperature Tr (detected by the room temperature meter 67) at the time when the electric energy Wv is acquired, and the setting (acquired via the input/output unit 65). Obtain the temperature Ts as a data set Sa.

Further, when the probe device 11 acquires the data set Sa equal to the data number Nd (that is, when the transmission interval Ti has elapsed), the probe device 11 transmits the data set Sa to the server 31 as usage history information. Note that each of the indoor temperature Tr and the set temperature Ts included in the data set Sa may be an average value of the indoor temperature Tr and the set temperature Ts that are repeatedly acquired while the acquisition interval Tw elapses.

Upon receiving usage history information from the air conditioner 41 (specifically, the probe device 11), the server 31 acquires model information Mc, location Lc, and outside temperature Te of the air conditioner 41, which will be described later. The server 31 stores the identification information Id included in the usage history information, and each of the plurality of power amounts Wv, indoor temperature Tr, and set temperature Ts as the location area Lc, model information Mc, outside temperature Te, and acquisition time Ta. It is also stored in the storage device 75 as "power history information".

The model information Mc is an identifier representing the model (model information) of the air conditioner 41. The model information Mc of the air conditioner 41 is assigned in advance to each combination of a manufacturer (manufacturing company) and a model number assigned by the manufacturer. The server 31 stores the correspondence between the identification information Id and the model information Mc acquired in advance in the storage device 75 as a "model DB". The server 31 obtains the model information Mc by applying the identification information Id of the usage history information to the model DB.

The location area Lc in this embodiment is an identifier representing an area divided by each of the observation stations of the "Area Weather Observation System" (AMeDAS, AMeDAS) installed by the Japan Meteorological Agency. The server 31 acquires the area where the air conditioner 41 is installed (in this embodiment, a city, town or village in Japan) based on the source address of the usage history information (that is, the IP address compliant with the IPv4 standard).

The outside air temperature Te in this embodiment is the air temperature observed at each of the observation stations published by the Japan Meteorological Agency. The server 31 stores, in the storage device 75, the air temperature observed by the observation station corresponding to the location Lc as the outside air temperature Te during the period in which the electric energy Wv included in the received usage history information was acquired. Note that for the relevant observation station and period, if the outside air temperature Te has already been acquired when usage history information is received from an air conditioner different from the air conditioner 41, the server 31 will not acquire new temperature information from the Japan Meteorological Agency. . Note that the server 31 may obtain the outside air temperature Te from the Japan Meteorological Agency when generating history comparison information to be described later.

More specifically, the server 31 stores in the storage device 75 the correspondence between the IP address and the municipality obtained in advance as a "location DB". The server 31 acquires the location of the air conditioner 41 by applying the source IP address of the usage history information to the location DB. That is, the server 31 acquires the location of the air conditioner 41 using the well-known GeoIP technology. Next, the air conditioner 41 obtains an identifier representing the observation station closest to the obtained location as the region Lc where the air conditioner 41 is located.

The acquisition time Ta represents the time when the information related to the data set Sa was acquired (specifically, the start of the acquisition interval Tw). The server 31 determines the acquisition time Ta (in this embodiment, Coordinated Universal Time (UTC)) of each data set Sa based on the time when the usage history information is received and the acquisition interval Tw included in the usage history information (counting backward). UNIX (registered trademark) time) and stores it in the storage device 75.

(Viewing history comparison information)
When the user accesses the server 31 using the web browser of the mobile terminal 21 and performs a predetermined operation, the mobile terminal 21 sends a "comparison information request" (specifically, HTTP request) is sent to the server 31. The comparison information request includes identification information Id and a "comparison time period" specified by the user. The comparison time period is, for example, a period from a point 6 hours before the current point to the current point (for example, a period from 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM on that day).

When the server 31 receives the comparison information request, it generates "history comparison information" and transmits it to the mobile terminal 21 as a response to the comparison information request (see the upper side of FIG. 4). An example of a screen (specifically, an image displayed on a web browser) displayed on the display 21a of the mobile terminal 21 that has received the history comparison information from the server 31 is shown in FIG.

A solid line L1 in FIG. 6 represents the change in the electric energy Wv of the air conditioner 41 during each comparison period Pm obtained by dividing the comparison time period into each predetermined comparison time Tc (that is, the length is equal to the comparison time Tc). It is shown generally. The solid line L2 and the solid line L3 each represent the change in the maximum and minimum values of the (plural) electric energy Wv that relate to the "similar product" and satisfy the "approximation condition" (first approximation condition) in each of the comparison periods Pm. This is a general overview.

In this embodiment, the comparison time Tc is 10 minutes. As an example, the comparison period Pm is a period from 15:00 to 15:10 on the current day. Similar products are other air conditioners that have the same model information Mc and location Lc as the air conditioner 41 (that is, the air conditioner that responds to the comparison information request, and is also referred to as a "specific product"). The approximation condition is a condition that is satisfied when the operating status in the comparison period Pm is similar to that of the air conditioner 41.

More specifically, the power history information of similar products stored in the storage device 75 includes the indoor temperature Tr and set temperature of the air conditioner 41 during the comparison period Pm (or at the beginning or end of the comparison period Pm). If the magnitude of the difference between Ts and the outside temperature Te is smaller than the predetermined temperature threshold Th1, the power history information satisfies the approximation condition.

In other words, if |Tr1-Tr2|<Th1, |Ts1-Ts2|<Th1, and |Te1-Te2|<Th1, the approximation condition is satisfied. Here, the indoor temperature Tr1, the set temperature Ts1, and the outside air temperature Te1 are the indoor temperature Tr, the set temperature Ts, and the outside air temperature Te related to the air conditioner 41, respectively. In addition, the indoor temperature Tr2, the set temperature Ts2, and the outside air temperature Te2 are the indoor temperature Tr, the set temperature Ts, and the outside air temperature Te related to similar products, respectively. The fact that the difference between any of these temperatures related to the air conditioner 41 and the corresponding temperature of a similar product is smaller than the temperature threshold Th1 is hereinafter simply referred to as "the temperatures are similar". be done.

The server 31 uses the power amount Wv related to the power history information (specifically, the combination of the indoor temperature Tr, set temperature Ts, and outside temperature Te) that is related to similar products and satisfies the approximation conditions as a "comparison power correlation amount". Extract as. In addition, the server 31 extracts the minimum value and maximum value from among the (plurality of) comparative power correlation amounts (namely, the power amount Wv) extracted in a certain comparison period Pm. The server 31 executes a process of extracting the minimum value and maximum value of the comparison power correlation amount for each of the comparison periods Pm included in the comparison time period, and generates history comparison information.

For example, since the air conditioner 41 and similar products have the same location Lc where the outside air temperature Te is acquired (observed), the outside air temperature Te related to the power history information of the air conditioner 41 in a certain comparison period Pm and the same in the comparison period Pm. The outside air temperature Te related to the power history information of similar products is equal to each other. That is, the outside air temperature Te is similar. Further, if the indoor temperature Tr and the set temperature Ts of the similar products acquired in the comparison period Pm are respectively approximate to the indoor temperature Tr and the set temperature Ts of the air conditioner 41, the approximation condition is satisfied.

On the other hand, even if the power history information is related to the power amount Wv of a similar product acquired at a time different from the comparison period Pm, the outside air temperature Te of the power history information is the same as that of the air conditioner 41 acquired in the comparison period Pm. It may be approximated to the outside air temperature Te of the power history information related to the power amount Wv. In this case, if the indoor temperature Tr and the set temperature Ts are each similar, the approximation condition is satisfied. That is, the power amount Wv of a similar product acquired at a timing different from the comparison period Pm may be extracted as the comparison power correlation amount.

In this embodiment, the model information Mc is also referred to as "product attribute" for convenience. That is, air conditioners with the same model information Mc have the same product attributes. In this embodiment, the temperature threshold Th1 is 1.5°C. However, each of the above-mentioned comparison time Tc and temperature threshold Th1 makes it clear that the difference in the amount of power Wv (power correlation amount) between the specific product (i.e., the air conditioner corresponding to the comparison information request) and similar products is determined. It may be changed as appropriate. For example, the temperature threshold Th1 may be set to a different value (temperature) for each of the indoor temperature Tr, the set temperature Ts, and the outside temperature Te.

(Delivery of notification information)
As described above, the server 31 receives usage history information from the probe device 11 every time the transmission interval Ti elapses. When there is information to be notified to the user of the air conditioner 41 that incorporates the probe device 11, the server 31 sends "notification information" as a response when receiving usage history information, as shown in the upper part of FIG. It is transmitted to the probe device 11. In this embodiment, the notification information is transmitted from the server 31 to the probe device 11 as a response (HTTP response) to an HTTP request transmitted as usage history information. That is, the server 31 transmits notification information to the probe device 11 via the TCP connection established for transmitting usage history information.

The notification information is executed, for example, by a person in charge of the manufacturer who manufactured the air conditioner 41 inputting the model information Mc to be notified to the server 31 as a "notification request" according to a predetermined procedure. The notification request is input to the server 31 by, for example, an HTTP request sent to the server 31. Alternatively, the notification request may be input by a maintenance person to a terminal of the server 31.

When the model information Mc is input, when the server 31 receives usage history information from the air conditioner (probe device) corresponding to the model information Mc, it sends notification information (that is, information related to the notification request) to the probe device. Send. The notification information is transmitted, for example, when the manufacturer wants to urge the user of the air conditioner corresponding to the model information Mc to repair the air conditioner.

When the probe device 11 receives the notification information, it lights up the light emitting device 68 of the air conditioner 41. A user who notices the lighting of the light emitting device 68 can check detailed information by accessing the website of the manufacturer of the air conditioner 41, for example. Note that the notification information includes a predetermined reason code (numeric value), and the probe device 11 that receives the notification information including the reason code outputs a sound corresponding to the reason code to a speaker (not shown) built in the air conditioner 41. The probe device 11 and the air conditioner 41 may be configured to perform regeneration.

Note that, as shown in the lower part of FIG. 4, the usage history information may be transmitted from the mobile terminal 21 to the server 31 (instead of the probe device 11). In this case, the probe device 11 and the mobile terminal 21 perform communication based on WiFi or Bluetooth standards. Specifically, the probe device 11 acquires and stores the data set Sa every time the acquisition interval Tw elapses. On the other hand, the mobile terminal 21 transmits a "usage history information request" to the probe device 11 at the user's arbitrary timing.

Upon receiving the usage history information request, the probe device 11 transmits a "usage history information response" to the mobile terminal 21. The usage history information response includes (a plurality of) data sets Sa acquired from the last time the probe device 11 received the usage history information request to the present time. Upon receiving the usage history information response, the mobile terminal 21 transmits the usage history information including the data set Sa received from the probe device 11 to the server 31. Note that when transmitting the usage history information from the mobile terminal 21 to the server 31, the probe device 11 continues to hold the usage history information for a certain period of time until it receives a history information acquisition request from the mobile terminal 21. When the storage capacity limit is reached, the oldest history will be overwritten.

If a notification request related to the model information Mc of the air conditioner 41 is input, the server 31 transmits (reply) notification information to the mobile terminal when receiving usage history information from the mobile terminal 21. In this case, the mobile terminal 21 notifies the user that the notification information has been received. Alternatively, if the comparison information request is received after the notification request is input and before the usage history information is received from the mobile terminal 21, the server 31 transmits the notification information together with the history comparison information.

(external probe device)
Next, the operation of the probe device 12 will be explained, focusing on the differences from the built-in probe device 11 described above. As shown in FIG. 1, the probe device 12 is placed at a location where there is little temperature difference from the air conditioner 42 installed in the house 1b. The probe device 12 is interposed in the power line Cp of the air conditioner 42. The probe device 12 and the air conditioner 42 are operated by power supplied from the power line Cp.

Like the probe device 11, the probe device 12 is a well-known small computer, and includes a CPU 61, a ROM 62, a RAM 63, and a light emitting device 69 (see FIG. 1). The probe device 12 includes a built-in wattmeter (not shown) disposed on the power line Cp, and detects the power Wa consumed by the air conditioner 42. In addition, the probe device 12 has a built-in room temperature meter (not shown) that detects the temperature of the room where the air conditioner 42 is installed as the room temperature Tr.

Since the probe device 12 cannot directly obtain the set temperature Ts, it sets an unrealistic value (for example, 256° C.) to the set temperature Ts included in the data set Sa. In this case, the server 31 estimates the actual set temperature Ts. Specifically, the server 31 determines that the state in which the power Wa of the air conditioner 42 is near the minimum value during operation (minimum power state) has continued for a predetermined time based on the power amount Wv included in the received data set Sa. Once determined, the room temperature Tr at that time is acquired (estimated) as the set temperature Ts. For example, the server 31 determines the indoor temperature Tr when the minimum power state continues for a predetermined period of time or more, when the minimum power state occurs again after the minimum power state occurs before, the power Wa increases, and the minimum power state occurs again for a predetermined period of time. Until the above continues, it is treated as the set temperature Ts for the period.

The probe device 12 transmits usage history information to the server 31 via the home router 52 disposed in the house 1b and the network 30 every time the transmission interval Ti elapses. Naturally, the identification information Id given to the probe device 12 is different from the identification information Id of the probe device 11.

When the probe device 12 receives the notification information from the server 31, the probe device 12 lights up the light emitting device 69. In addition, similar to the example of the house 1a described above, when the user transmits a comparison information request to the server 31 by operating the mobile terminal 21 in the house 1b, the server 31 sends history comparison information to the mobile terminal 21. Send. As a result, a graph (see the example of FIG. 6) related to the history comparison information is displayed on the display 21a.

(First modification)
A modification (first modification) of the first embodiment will be described. In the first embodiment described above, the server 31 extracts the power amount Wv related to the power history information that is related to a similar product and satisfies the first approximation condition as the comparison power correlation amount. The similar product in the first embodiment was an air conditioner (other than the specific product) having the same model information Mc and location Lc as the specific product. On the other hand, the similar product in the first modification is an air conditioner (other than the specific product) that has the same "product group" and the same location Lc as the specific product. This difference will be mainly explained below.

The server 31 according to the first modification stores a set of model information Mc belonging to each of a plurality of product groups in the storage device 75 as a "product group DB." That is, when a certain model information Mc is applied to the product group DB, a plurality of model information Mc included in the product group to which the model information Mc belongs is acquired. Each of the product groups related to this modification has a year-round energy consumption efficiency (APF) published by the manufacturer and a guideline for the usage environment (specifically, the size of the room in which it will be used, for example, a Japanese-style room with tatami mats). This is a set of model information Mc of air conditioners whose numbers (represented by number or area of a Western-style room) are similar to each other.

In other words, the product group is a set of model information Mc of air conditioners whose power consumption Wa is likely to be similar to that of the specific product when usage conditions are similar to that of the specific product (for example, air conditioner 41). In this modification, the product group also includes air conditioners whose model information Mc is the same as that of the specific product, but the model information Mc that is the same as the specific product may be omitted. In this modification, the product group is also referred to as "product attribute" for convenience. That is, air conditioners included in the same product group have the same product attributes.

Upon receiving the comparison information request, the server 31 acquires the model information Mc by applying the identification information Id included in the comparison information request to the model DB. In addition, the server 31 applies model information Mc related to the comparison information request to the product group DB to create a product group related to the comparison information request (i.e., a set of model information Mc corresponding to similar products according to this modification). get. Further, the server 31 extracts the power amount Wv (ie, the comparison power correlation amount) related to the power history information that is related to a similar product and satisfies the first approximation condition. Next, the server 31 executes a process of extracting the minimum value and maximum value from the extracted comparison power correlation amounts for each of the comparison periods Pm, and generates history comparison information.

<Second embodiment>
A second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the power consumption evaluation system 1 according to the first embodiment described above, the probe devices 11 and 12 transmit usage history information including the power amount Wv of the air conditioners 41 and 42 to the server 31. On the other hand, in the power consumption evaluation system 2 according to the second embodiment, the probe device 13 built in the refrigerator 81 in the house 2a transmits usage history information to the server 31 via the mobile terminal 22. Hereinafter, differences from the first embodiment will be mainly explained.

The refrigerator 81 includes a pair of refrigerator compartment doors 82, a vegetable compartment door 83, and a freezer compartment door 84. The mobile terminal 22 is installed with an application that transmits usage history information to the server 31 and notifies the user when notification information is received from the server 31, as will be described later. Note that the power consumption evaluation system 2 includes a number of devices that are different from the probe device 13 and the mobile terminal 22 and have the same functions as the probe device 13 and the mobile terminal 22, but illustrations and specific explanations are omitted. be done.

The usage history information in the second embodiment includes identification information Id, the number of data Nd, the acquisition interval Tw, and a plurality of data sets Sb. Data set Sb is a combination of electric energy Wv, internal temperature Tk [°C], set temperature Tu [°C], and door opening time Td1 to Td4 [seconds]. The internal temperature Tk is the temperature detected by a temperature sensor (not shown) disposed in the refrigerating chamber of the refrigerator 81. The set temperature Tu is a target value of the internal temperature Tk set by a slide switch (not shown) provided in the refrigerating compartment of the refrigerator 81.

Each of the door open times Td1 to Td3 is the time during which the refrigerator compartment door 82, the vegetable compartment door 83, and the freezer compartment door 84 were open during the acquisition interval Tw. Note that since the refrigerator 81 includes three types of doors, the door opening time Td4 is always set to "0". In other words, if the refrigerator has four types of doors, the time each door was open during the acquisition interval Tw is set to each of the door open times Td1 to Td4.

(Sending usage history information)
The probe device 13 communicates with the mobile terminal 22 in accordance with the Bluetooth standard. Specifically, the probe device 13 transmits the data set Sb to the mobile terminal 22 every time the acquisition interval Tw elapses. When the probe device 13 cannot transmit the data set Sb to the mobile terminal 22 (for example, when the mobile terminal 22 is taken out of the house 2a), the probe device 13 transmits the data set Sb that could not be transmitted to the probe device 13. Store in RAM63. Thereafter, when data transmission from the probe device 13 to the mobile terminal 22 becomes possible, the probe device 13 transmits the stored data set Sb to the mobile terminal 22. When the probe device 13 cannot transmit the data set Sb to the mobile terminal 22, it can store about one day's worth of data set Sb in the RAM 63.

The mobile terminal 22 transmits the usage history information including the plurality of data sets Sb received from the probe device 13 to the server 31 every time the transmission interval Ti elapses. Upon receiving the usage history information, the server 31 acquires the location area Lc and model information Mc. In addition, the server 31 stores the identification information Id included in the usage history information, as well as a plurality of electric power amounts Wv, internal temperature Tk, set temperature Tu, and door opening time Td1 to Td4, in the location area Lc, It is stored in the storage device 75 as power history information together with model information Mc and acquisition time Ta.

(Viewing history comparison information)
Upon receiving the comparison information request from the mobile terminal 22, the server 31 transmits history comparison information to the mobile terminal 22. When the mobile terminal 22 receives the history comparison information from the server 31, it displays a graph similar to FIG. 6. That is, the display 22a of the mobile terminal 22 shows the electric energy Wv of the refrigerator 81 and the maximum and minimum values of the electric energy Wv that are related to similar products and satisfy the approximation condition (second approximation condition) in each comparison period Pm. (that is, the comparative power correlation amount) is displayed.

Similar products are other refrigerators that have the same model information Mc and location Lc as the refrigerator 81 (that is, the specific product). To describe the approximation conditions more specifically, the power history information of similar products stored in the storage device 75 is the internal temperature of the refrigerator 81 during the comparison period Pm (or at the beginning or end of the comparison period Pm). If the magnitude of each difference between Tk and set temperature Tu is smaller than a predetermined temperature threshold Th2, and the magnitude of each difference between door opening times Td1 to Td4 related to the refrigerator 81 is smaller than a predetermined time threshold Tt, the approximate condition is satisfied. Satisfied.

For example, if the difference between the door opening time Td1 of the refrigerator 81 (including the case where the door opening time Td1 is 0 seconds) and the door opening time Td1 of a similar product in a certain comparison period Pm is smaller than the time threshold Tt, The door opening times Td1 are similar to each other. If the internal temperature Tk, the set temperature Tu, and the door opening times Td1 to Td4 are approximate to each other, the approximation condition is satisfied.

In this embodiment, the model information Mc is also referred to as "product attribute" for convenience. That is, refrigerators with the same model information Mc have the same product attributes. In this embodiment, the temperature threshold Th2 is 2° C., and the time threshold Th is 10 seconds. However, each of the comparison time Tc, temperature threshold Th2, and time threshold Th may be changed as appropriate so that the difference in power amount Wv (power correlation amount) between a specific product and a similar product becomes clear. For example, the time threshold Th may be set to a different value (time) for each of the door opening times Td1 to Td4.

The server 31 extracts the power amount Wv related to the power history information that is related to a similar product and satisfies the approximation condition as a "comparison power correlation amount." In addition, the server 31 extracts the minimum value and maximum value from among the (plurality of) comparison power correlation amounts extracted in a certain comparison period Pm. The server 31 executes a process of extracting the minimum value and maximum value of the comparison power correlation amount for each of the comparison periods Pm included in the comparison time period, and generates history comparison information.

(Delivery of notification information)
When the server 31 receives a notification request including the model information Mc and receives usage history information from a mobile terminal related to the refrigerator corresponding to the model information Mc, it transmits the notification information to the mobile terminal. When the mobile terminal 22 receives the notification information, it displays the information included in the notification information on the display 22a.

(Second modification)
A modification (second modification) of the second embodiment will be described. In the second embodiment described above, the server 31 extracts, as the comparison power correlation amount, the power amount Wv related to the power history information that is related to a similar product and satisfies the second approximation condition. The similar product in the second embodiment is a refrigerator (other than the specific product) that has the same model information Mc and location Lc as the specific product. On the other hand, the similar product in the second modification is a refrigerator (other than the specific product) that has the same "product group" and location Lc as the specific product. This difference will be mainly explained below.

Each of the product groups according to this modification is a set of model information Mc of refrigerators whose annual power consumption and rated internal volume are similar to a specific product (for example, the refrigerator 81) published by the manufacturer. The annual power consumption and rated internal volume are, for example, values obtained based on JIS C 9801-3.

When the server 31 according to the second modification receives the comparison information request, it acquires the model information Mc by applying the identification information Id included in the comparison information request to the model DB. In addition, the server 31 applies model information Mc related to the comparison information request to the product group DB to create a product group related to the comparison information request (i.e., a set of model information Mc corresponding to similar products according to this modification). get.

Furthermore, the server 31 extracts the power amount Wv (i.e., the comparative power correlation amount) related to the power history information that is related to similar products and satisfies the second approximation condition, and extracts the comparative power correlation amount related to each of the comparison periods Pm. Get the minimum and maximum values from among. That is, the server 31 generates history comparison information. In this modification, the product group is also referred to as "product attribute" for convenience. That is, refrigerators included in the same product group have the same product attributes.

As explained above, based on the history comparison information sent from the server 31, the user can determine the type of use of the electrical appliance that he or she is using (i.e., either the air conditioner 41 or 42 or the refrigerator 81). It becomes possible to compare the power correlation amount with other similar products (that is, similar products). Therefore, there is a high possibility that the factors that cause the power correlation amount to change depending on the environment in which the electrical product is used and the usage pattern become clear.

In particular, when the comparison power correlation amount is extracted from the power history information related to an electrical product (air conditioner or refrigerator) whose model information Mc is the same as that of a specific product, the user can determine the degree of deterioration of the electrical product that he/she is using. You can compare your products with those used by others. Alternatively, when the comparison power correlation amount is extracted from power history information related to multiple model information Mc obtained by referring to the product group DB, the user can compare the electrical products he/she is using and the target of replacement. You can compare the power history information of other companies' products.

In general, communication using Bluetooth consumes less power than communication using WiFi. Therefore, when a probe device transmits data (that is, either dataset Sa or Sb) to a mobile terminal via a Bluetooth connection, the probe device transmits the data or usage history information via a WiFi connection. The power consumption of the probe device can be reduced compared to the conventional case.

In addition, by configuring the probe device to connect (i.e., pair) only with a specific mobile terminal via Bluetooth, the security risks (i.e., spoofing) of the data sets Sa and Sb transmitted by the probe device can be reduced. , the risk of wiretapping and tampering).

Furthermore, when the probe device transmits data (that is, either dataset Sa or Sb) to a mobile terminal, it is possible to configure the mobile terminal so that the information related to the data can be viewed on the mobile terminal. Become.

When the notification request is input, the server 31 transmits notification information as a response to the usage history information. Therefore, even if the probe devices 11 and 12 and the mobile terminal 22 connected to the home router 52 via WiFi are assigned private IP addresses, these devices can receive notification information.

Although embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to the above structure, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many alterations, improvements, and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, forms of the invention may include all alterations, modifications, and changes that do not depart from the spirit and purpose of the appended claims. For example, the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned special structure, and can be modified as described below.

The power correlation amount included in the usage history information received by the server 31 was the power amount Wv. Alternatively, the power correlation amount included in the usage history information may be the power Wa. Similarly, when the server 31 generates history comparison information, the power Wa (instead of the power amount Wv) may be extracted as the comparison power correlation amount.

The server 31 according to the first modification example and the second modification example described above stores power information related to a plurality of model information Mc acquired by referring to a product group DB constructed based on values (specs) published by manufacturers. Comparative power correlation amounts were extracted from historical information. Alternatively, the product group DB may be constructed based on power history information. For example, a combination of power history information of an air conditioner related to a certain model information Mc and power history information of an air conditioner related to a different model information Mc, which satisfies the first approximation condition and is related to these power history information. When combinations whose power amounts Wv are similar to each other are detected a predetermined number of times, it is determined that these model information Mc belong to the same product group, and this may be reflected in the product group DB.

The server 31 had sent history comparison information as a response to the comparison information request. In other words, the user used a Web browser to view history comparison information in the form of a graph. Alternatively, the user may obtain (download) the history comparison information from the server 31 in the form of a CSV file. In this case, a message (request) for acquiring a CSV file received by the server 31 corresponds to a comparison information request. This CSV file may include all power correlation amounts related to similar products and satisfying the approximation conditions (i.e., the above-mentioned comparison power correlation amounts), or all power correlation amounts related to similar products (in this case, (comparative power correlation amount) may also be included. Furthermore, the CSV file may include a comparison (difference) between the average value of each comparison power correlation amount and the power correlation amount of a specific product.

When the server 31 receives the comparison information request, it transmits the history comparison information. In addition, the server 31 may be configured to transmit "model history information" upon receiving a "model information request" including model information Mc. In this case, the model history information includes the power correlation amount included in the power history information of each electrical product corresponding to the model information Mc related to the model information request. A model information request is transmitted to the server 31, for example, by a person in charge of a manufacturer of an electrical product corresponding to a certain model information Mc. Manufacturer personnel will be able to recognize the actual operating status of their own products (including power correlation amounts) based on model history information, and will be able to use this as a reference when developing new products. However, in order to prevent the acquisition of model history information related to other companies' electrical products, the server 31 manages the authority of each manufacturer's personnel (for example, manages the authority to acquire model history information related to each model information Mc). Also good.

The electrical appliances related to the usage history information received by the server 31 were an air conditioner and a refrigerator. Alternatively, the server 31 may receive usage history information related to electrical appliances other than air conditioners and refrigerators. An electrical appliance different from an air conditioner and a refrigerator may be, for example, a clothes dryer. In this case, the usage history information regarding the clothes dryer may include a drying menu selected by the user.

The probe devices 11 and 12 (similar to the probe device 13) transmit the data set Sa to the mobile terminal 21 via Bluetooth connection every time the acquisition interval Tw elapses, and transmit the data set Sa to the mobile terminal every time the transmission interval Ti elapses. 21 may transmit usage history information to the server 31. On the other hand, the probe device 13 may transmit the usage history information to the server 31 (not via the mobile terminal 22) every time the transmission interval Ti elapses. That is, the probe device 13 may transmit the usage history information to the server 31 via a WiFi connection with the home router 52.

Like the probe device 11, the probe device 13 may be configured to transmit a usage history information response when receiving a usage history information request from the mobile terminal 22. In this case, usage history information is transmitted from the mobile terminal 22 to the server 31. Furthermore, like the probe device 12, the probe device 13 may be configured as an external probe device for the refrigerator 81.

The location area Lc was an area divided by each of the observation stations of the regional weather observation system established by the Japan Meteorological Agency. Alternatively, the location area Lc may be divided by city, town, or village, or by prefecture.

Data communication was performed between the probe devices 11 and 12, the mobile terminals 21 and 22, and the server 31 based on the IPv4 standard. Instead, IPv6 may be used as the data communication standard.

1, 2...Power consumption evaluation system 1a, 1b, 2a...House 11, 12, 13...Probe device 21, 22...Mobile terminal 21a, 22a...Display 30...Network 31...Server 41, 42...Air conditioner 43...Infrared light receiving unit 51...Remote control 52...Home router 61...CPU
62...ROM
63...RAM
64... Data communication section 65... Input/output section 66... Power meter 67... Room temperature meter 68, 69... Light emitting device 71... CPU
72...ROM
73...RAM
74...Data communication unit 75...Storage device 81...Refrigerator 82...Fridge compartment door 83...Vegetable compartment door 84...Freezer compartment door Cp...Power line

Claims (4)

A power consumption evaluation system that includes an information processing unit that receives, via a network, usage history information regarding a plurality of electrical products, including identification information of the electrical products and a power correlation amount that correlates with the power consumed by the electrical products. There it is,
The information processing unit includes:
identifying product attributes including the electrical product based on the identification information;
identifying the area where the electrical appliance is located by applying the source address in the network of the usage history information to a previously acquired correspondence relationship between the address in the network and the area;
storing power history information including the identification information, the power correlation amount, the product attribute, and the location area;
When a comparison information request including the identification information is received from a user terminal via the network, the power history information of the specific product that is the electrical product corresponding to the identification information included in the comparison information request is received; The power correlation amount in the comparison period and the power correlation amount extracted for the comparison period from the power history information related to the similar product that is the electrical product having the same product attributes and the same location area as the specific product. Sending history comparison information obtained by comparing a certain comparative power correlation amount to the user terminal,
The comparison power correlation amount is the power correlation amount of the similar product in the comparison period or in a period different from the comparison period, and the magnitude of the difference in set temperature between the specific product and the similar product is a predetermined value. the power correlation amount satisfying approximation conditions including being smaller than a threshold;
Power consumption evaluation system. The power consumption evaluation system according to claim 1,
The electrical product is an air conditioner,
The product attributes represent a set of air conditioners whose year-round energy consumption efficiency and the size of the room used are similar to those obtained in advance and published by the manufacturer,
The usage history information includes the indoor temperature, which is the temperature of the room where the air conditioner is installed, and the temperature setting set for the air conditioner,
The approximation condition is a first approximation condition that is satisfied when the magnitude of the difference between the indoor temperature, the set temperature, and the outside temperature of the specific product during the comparison period is smaller than a predetermined threshold,
The information processing unit includes:
acquiring the outside air temperature of the location area included in the power history information for each of the power history information;
extracting the power correlation amount included in the power history information including a combination of the indoor temperature, the set temperature , and the outside temperature for which the first approximation condition is satisfied as the comparison power correlation amount in the comparison period;
Power consumption evaluation system. The power consumption evaluation system according to claim 1,
The electrical product is a refrigerator,
The product attributes represent a set of refrigerators that have been obtained in advance and have similar annual power consumption and rated internal volume announced by the manufacturer,
The usage history information includes the internal temperature of the refrigerator, the temperature setting set for the refrigerator, and a door opening time that is the time the door of the refrigerator was opened,
The approximation condition is a second approximation condition that is satisfied when the difference between the internal temperature, the set temperature, and the door opening time of the specific product during the comparison period is smaller than a predetermined threshold. and
The information processing unit includes:
Extracting the power correlation amount included in the power history information including the combination of the internal temperature, the set temperature, and the door opening time for which the second approximation condition is satisfied as the comparison power correlation amount in the comparison period . do,
Power consumption evaluation system. The power consumption evaluation system according to claim 1,
The information processing unit includes:
When a notification request is input, when the usage history information or the comparison information request related to the electrical product corresponding to the notification request is received by an HTTP request, the information related to the notification request is sent to the received usage history information or the comparison information request. Sending to the source address as an HTTP response to the comparison information request;
Power consumption evaluation system.

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