CN114096788A

CN114096788A - Control method, program, and information processing apparatus

Info

Publication number: CN114096788A
Application number: CN202180004534.XA
Authority: CN
Inventors: 小川兼人
Original assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co Ltd
Current assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co Ltd
Priority date: 2020-02-27
Filing date: 2021-01-26
Publication date: 2022-02-25
Also published as: WO2021171873A1; JPWO2021171873A1

Abstract

The control method comprises the following steps: a step of acquiring outlet information relating to a plurality of outlets (12a), (12b), (12 c); a step of displaying, on the touch panel unit (38), an icon (46) superimposed on an image (44) obtained by imaging the indoor space (6) from the viewpoint of the air conditioner (8), the icon (46) indicating the spatial range of the indoor space (6) to which the air-conditioning air blown out from at least one of the outlets (12a), (12b), and (12c) reaches; a step of receiving operation information indicating an operation by a user for changing the number of icons (46) or the area occupied by the icons (46) on the image (44); generating control information according to the air outlet information and the operation information; and controlling the air conditioner (8) according to the control information.

Description

Control method, program, and information processing apparatus

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a control method, a program, and an information processing apparatus.

Background

Patent documents 1 to 4 disclose terminal devices for controlling an air conditioner. On the touch panel portion of the terminal device, an image showing a house type diagram of a room is displayed. The user operates the touch panel unit to specify a plane position and a height position of a room to which the air-conditioned air from the air conditioner is to be supplied.

(Prior art document)

(patent document)

Patent document 1: japanese patent No. 5836741

Patent document 2: japanese patent No. 5925954

Patent document 3: japanese patent No. 6282926

Patent document 4: japanese patent No. 6374734

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

The present disclosure provides a control method, a program, and an information processing device that can set the wind direction of an air conditioner and the like by intuitive operation.

Means for solving the problems

A control method according to the present disclosure is a control method in an air conditioning system including a terminal device having a display unit and an air conditioner that is communicable with the terminal device via a network and has a plurality of outlets for blowing air-conditioned air to an indoor space, the control method including: (a) a step of obtaining outlet information relating to the plurality of outlets; (b) a step of displaying, on the display unit, a graphic showing a spatial range of the indoor space to which the air-conditioning air blown out from at least one outlet of the plurality of outlets reaches, superimposed on an image of the indoor space captured from a viewpoint of the air conditioner; (c) receiving operation information indicating an operation by a user for changing the number of the graphics or an area occupied by the graphics on the image; (d) generating control information according to the air outlet information and the operation information; and (e) controlling the air conditioner according to the control information.

Further, an information processing apparatus of the present disclosure controls an air conditioner having a plurality of outlets for blowing air-conditioning air into an indoor space, the information processing apparatus including: an obtaining unit that obtains outlet information relating to the plurality of outlets; a display unit that displays, superimposed on an image of the indoor space captured from a viewpoint of the air conditioner, a graphic that shows a spatial range of the indoor space to which the air-conditioning air blown out from at least one of the plurality of outlets reaches; an accepting unit that accepts operation information indicating an operation by a user for changing the number of graphics or an area occupied by the graphics on the image; a generation unit configured to generate control information for controlling the air conditioner, based on the outlet information and the operation information; and a communication unit that transmits the control information to the air conditioner.

Effects of the invention

By the control method and the like of the present disclosure, the wind direction and the like of the air conditioner can be set by intuitive operations.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an air conditioning system according to an embodiment.

Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of an air conditioning system according to the embodiment.

Fig. 3A is a diagram illustrating an example of wind direction control of the air-conditioning apparatus according to the embodiment.

Fig. 3B is a diagram illustrating an example of wind direction control of the air-conditioning apparatus according to the embodiment.

Fig. 4A is a diagram showing an example of display of the touch panel unit in the terminal device according to the embodiment.

Fig. 4B is a diagram showing an example of display of the touch panel unit in the terminal device according to the embodiment.

Fig. 4C is a diagram showing an example of display of the touch panel unit in the terminal device according to the embodiment.

Fig. 4D is a diagram showing an example of display of the touch panel unit in the terminal device according to the embodiment.

Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing of the terminal device according to the embodiment when an icon is added.

Fig. 6A is a diagram for explaining an operation of the air conditioning system according to the embodiment when an icon is added.

Fig. 6B is a diagram for explaining an operation of the air conditioning system according to the embodiment when an icon is added.

Fig. 6C is a diagram for explaining the operation of the air conditioning system according to the embodiment when an icon is added.

Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing of the terminal device according to the embodiment when the area of the icon is changed.

Fig. 8A is a diagram for explaining an operation of the air conditioning system according to the embodiment in a case where the icon region is changed.

Fig. 8B is a diagram for explaining the operation of the air conditioning system according to the embodiment in the case where the icon region is changed.

Fig. 8C is a diagram for explaining the operation of the air conditioning system according to the embodiment in the case where the icon region is changed.

Fig. 9 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing of the terminal device according to the embodiment in the case of deleting an icon.

Fig. 10A is a diagram for explaining an operation of the air conditioning system according to the embodiment in the case where the icon is deleted.

Fig. 10B is a diagram for explaining an operation of the air conditioning system according to the embodiment in the case where the icon is deleted.

Fig. 10C is a diagram for explaining an operation of the air conditioning system according to the embodiment in the case where the icon is deleted.

Fig. 11 is a table showing a control example of the air conditioning system according to the embodiment.

Fig. 12A is a diagram for explaining a control example of fig. 11.

Fig. 12B is a diagram for explaining a control example of fig. 11.

Fig. 12C is a diagram for explaining a control example of fig. 11.

Fig. 12D is a diagram for explaining a control example of fig. 11.

Fig. 13 is a table showing another control example of the air conditioning system according to the embodiment.

Fig. 14A is a diagram for explaining a control example of fig. 13.

Fig. 14B is a diagram for explaining a control example of fig. 13.

Fig. 14C is a diagram for explaining a control example of fig. 13.

Fig. 14D is a diagram for explaining a control example of fig. 13.

Fig. 15 is a table showing still another control example of the air conditioning system according to the embodiment.

Detailed Description

(insight underlying the present disclosure)

The present inventors have found that the following problems occur with respect to the techniques described in the background section.

In the above-described conventional terminal device, the user operates the touch panel unit while comparing an actual room with a room type map displayed on the touch panel unit of the terminal device, thereby estimating a plane position and a height position in the room to which the air-conditioned air from the air conditioner is to be supplied. Therefore, it is difficult to specify the plane position and the height position in the room to which the air-conditioned air from the air conditioner is to be supplied with high accuracy.

The embodiments are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings as appropriate. The above detailed description may be omitted. For example, detailed descriptions of well-known matters and repetitive descriptions of substantially the same configurations are omitted. This is to avoid unnecessary redundancy in the following description, which will be readily understood by those skilled in the art.

In addition, the inventors provide the drawings and the following description in order to fully understand the present disclosure, which are not provided to limit the subject matter described in the technical solution.

(embodiment mode)

The embodiment will be described below with reference to fig. 1 to 15.

[1. overview of air-conditioning System ]

First, an outline of an air conditioning system 2 according to an embodiment will be described with reference to fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an air conditioning system 2 according to an embodiment.

As shown in fig. 1, the air conditioning system 2 is a system for air conditioning an indoor space 6 such as a room of a user 4. The air conditioning system 2 includes an air conditioner 8 and a terminal device 10 (an example of an information processing device).

The air conditioner 8 is disposed on a wall surface of the indoor space 6, and has a plurality of (3 in the present embodiment)

outlets

12a, 12b, and 12c for blowing out conditioned air into the indoor space 6. Each of the

outlets

12a, 12b, and 12c can independently blow out the conditioned air toward a plurality of (3 in the present embodiment) different

spatial ranges

14a, 14b, and 14c in the indoor space 6. In the present specification, the term "spatial range" means a specific range having a three-dimensional size in the indoor space 6.

The plurality of

outlets

12a, 12b, and 12c are arranged such that a part of the wind direction ranges of the air-conditioning air blown out by the respective adjacent pairs of outlets overlap each other. Specifically, as shown in fig. 3A below, a part of the wind direction range 16a of the outlet 12a (the range surrounded by the solid line in fig. 3A) overlaps with a part of the wind direction range 16b of the outlet 12b adjacent to the outlet 12a (the range surrounded by the long and short dashed line in fig. 3A). A part of the wind direction range 16b of the outlet 12b overlaps a part of the wind direction range 16c (a range surrounded by a broken line in fig. 3A) of the outlet 12c adjacent to the outlet 12 b. The term "wind direction range" means the maximum variable range of the wind direction of the air-conditioning air blown out from each of the

outlets

12a, 12b, and 12 c.

The air conditioner 8 also has a camera 18 that photographs the indoor space 6 from the viewpoint of the air conditioner 8. The camera 18 is constituted by a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) camera, for example.

The terminal device 10 is a device for operating (controlling) the air conditioner 8, and is, for example, a smartphone or a tablet terminal operated by the user 4. The terminal device 10 is capable of communicating with the air conditioner 8 via a network 28 (see fig. 2 described later). The user 4 operates the terminal device 10 as described later to set the wind direction of the air conditioner 8.

[2. functional Structure of air-conditioning System ]

Next, the functional configuration of the air conditioning system 2 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to fig. 2 to 4D. Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the air conditioning system 2 according to the embodiment. Fig. 3A and 3B are diagrams illustrating an example of the wind direction control of the air-conditioner 8 according to the embodiment. Fig. 4A to 4D are diagrams showing display examples of the touch panel unit 38 in the terminal device 10 according to the embodiment. Fig. 3A and 3B are schematic views of the air conditioner 8 when viewed from directly above.

As shown in fig. 2, the air conditioner 8 includes an image generation unit 20, a wind outlet information management unit 22, a communication unit 24, and an operation control unit 26.

The image generating unit 20 generates image information showing an image of the indoor space 6 taken from the viewpoint of the air conditioner 8, based on the image data from the camera 18 (see fig. 1). The image generating unit 20 outputs the generated image information to the communication unit 24.

The outlet information management unit 22 manages outlet information on the plurality of

outlets

12a, 12b, and 12 c. The outlet information includes, for example, at least one of the number of the

outlets

12a, 12b, and 12c, the air-conditioning-air direction ranges 16a, 16b, and 16c of each of the

outlets

12a, 12b, and 12c, the number of air deflectors which are arranged at each of the

outlets

12a, 12b, and 12c and adjust the direction of the air-conditioning air blown out from each of the

outlets

12a, 12b, and 12c, and the movable range of the air deflectors.

The air guide plate includes a plurality of vertically operating air guide plates and a plurality of horizontally operating air guide plates. The plurality of vertically operating air deflectors operate in the vertical direction (vertical direction), thereby changing (moving) the air direction of the air-conditioning air blown out from the corresponding outlet among the plurality of

outlets

12a, 12b, and 12c in the vertical direction. The plurality of left-right operation air deflectors operate in the left-right direction (horizontal direction), and thereby change (move) the wind direction of the air-conditioning air blown out from the corresponding outlet among the plurality of

outlets

12a, 12b, and 12c in the left-right direction.

The communication unit 24 transmits and receives various information to and from the terminal device 10 via the network 28. Specifically, the communication unit 24 transmits the image information from the image generation unit 20 and the outlet information from the outlet information management unit 22 to the terminal device 10. The communication unit 24 receives control information (described later) from the terminal device 10.

The operation control unit 26 controls the operation of the air conditioner 8 based on the control information received by the communication unit 24. Specifically, the operation control unit 26 switches the operation mode of the air-conditioning apparatus 8 to, for example, a cooling operation mode or a heating operation mode, based on the control information.

The operation control unit 26 drives the air guide plates disposed in each of the

outlets

12a, 12b, and 12c based on the control information. For example, as shown in fig. 3A, the operation control unit 26 is driven so as to inwardly close the plurality of left and right operation air deflectors 30 arranged in the outlet 12a based on the control information, and the air-conditioning air blown out from the outlet 12a is guided to the inside. For example, as shown in fig. 3B, the operation control unit 26 is driven to expand the plurality of left and right operation air deflectors 30 arranged in the outlet 12a outward based on the control information, and the air direction of the air-conditioned air blown out from the outlet 12a is expanded outward.

As shown in fig. 2, the terminal device 10 includes a communication unit 32, a 1 st acquisition unit 34, a 2 nd acquisition unit 36 (an example of an acquisition unit), a touch panel unit 38 (an example of a reception unit and a display unit), an operation information management unit 40, and a generation unit 42.

The communication unit 32 transmits and receives various information to and from the air-conditioning apparatus 8 via the network 28. Specifically, the communication unit 32 receives the image information and the outlet information from the air conditioner 8. The communication unit 32 also transmits the control information from the generation unit 42 to the air-conditioning apparatus 8.

The 1 st acquiring unit 34 acquires the image information received by the communication unit 32, and outputs the acquired image information to the touch panel unit 38.

The 2 nd obtaining unit 36 obtains the outlet information received by the communication unit 32, and outputs the obtained outlet information to the touch panel unit 38 and the generating unit 42.

The touch panel section 38 is a user interface for accepting operation information showing various operations of the user 4. The touch panel unit 38 displays various screens.

As shown in fig. 4A, the touch panel unit 38 displays an image 44 based on the image information from the 1 st acquisition unit 34, the image 44 being an image showing the indoor space 6 captured by the camera 18 from the viewpoint of the air conditioner 8.

As shown in fig. 4B, for example, when the user 4 performs a double-click operation or the like on the image 44 displayed on the touch panel unit 38, the touch panel unit 38 displays an icon 46 (an example of a graphic) superimposed on the image 44. The icon 46 is an icon showing a spatial range of the indoor space 6 to which the air-conditioning air blown out from at least one of the

outlets

12a, 12b, and 12c reaches, and is, for example, a rectangular solid frame line. The shape of the icon 46 is not limited to this, and may be a graphic of an arbitrary shape. In this case, in order to maintain the visibility of the image 44 displayed on the touch panel unit 38, a part or all of the icons 46 may be transmitted at a predetermined transmittance.

While looking at the image 44 displayed on the touch panel unit 38, the user 4 displays the icon 46 in the area corresponding to the spatial range of the indoor space 6 that the user desires to reach with the air-conditioned air in the image 44. As shown in fig. 4B, when the user 4 wants to make the air-conditioned air reach the kitchen 48 of the indoor space 6, for example, an icon 46a is displayed in the area of the image 44 corresponding to the kitchen 48. Further, when the user 4 wants to make the conditioned air reach a restaurant 50 in the indoor space 6, for example, the icon 46b is displayed in the area of the image 44 corresponding to the restaurant 50.

An example of the method of editing the icon 46 will be described below. When a new icon 46 is added (that is, the number of icons 46 is changed) while the icon 46 is already displayed on the touch panel unit 38, the user 4 performs, for example, a double-click operation or the like on an area of the image 44 other than the existing icon 46. Accordingly, the touch panel unit 38 additionally displays a new icon 46 on the image 44. The upper limit of the number of icons 46 that can be displayed on the touch panel unit 38 is determined based on the outlet information (for example, the number of the plurality of

outlets

12a, 12b, and 12c) from the communication unit 32.

In addition, when deleting the existing icons 46 (that is, changing the number of icons 46) in a state where the icons 46 are already displayed on the touch panel unit 38, the user 4 performs, for example, a double-click operation or the like on the existing icons 46. Accordingly, the touch panel unit 38 deletes the display of the existing icon 46.

When the existing icon 46 is moved (that is, the area occupied by the existing icon 46 is changed on the image 44) while the icon 46 is displayed on the touch panel unit 38, the user 4 performs, for example, a drag operation or the like on the existing icon 46. Accordingly, the touch panel section 38 moves the existing icon 46 on the image 44.

In addition, when the size of the existing icon 46 is increased (that is, the area occupied by the existing icon 46 on the image 44 is changed) in a state where the icon 46 is already displayed on the touch panel section 38, the user 4 performs, for example, a pinch-out operation or the like on the existing icon 46. Accordingly, the touch panel unit 38 enlarges the size of the existing icon 46 on the image 44.

In addition, when the size of the existing icon 46 is reduced (that is, the area occupied by the existing icon 46 on the image 44 is changed) in a state where the icon 46 is already displayed on the touch panel section 38, the user 4 performs, for example, a pinch-in operation or the like on the existing icon 46. Accordingly, the touch panel section 38 reduces the size of the existing icon 46 on the image 44.

As shown in fig. 4C, the upper limit of the editable size of the icon 46 corresponds to the maximum wind direction range of the conditioned air from the air-conditioning apparatus 8. The lower limit of the editable size of the icon 46 corresponds to the minimum wind direction range of the conditioned air from the air conditioner 8. In addition, when the user 4 wants to enlarge the size of the icon 46 to a size exceeding the upper limit of the editable size or to reduce the size to a size smaller than the lower limit of the editable size, the touch panel unit 38 may display an error message or the like to the user, the error message notifying that the size exceeds the upper limit and is smaller than the lower limit, or may automatically adjust the size of the icon 46 to the editable size. Or the touch panel unit 38 may display the upper limit or the lower limit of the editable size of the icon 46.

As shown in fig. 4D, when the range of the editable size of the icon 46 (that is, the range of the wind direction of the conditioned air from the air-conditioning apparatus 8) exists from the image 44 displayed on the touch panel portion 38 to the area outside the image 44, for example, a black frame area 52 is additionally displayed in the area outside the image 44. That is, the size of the picture frame area 52 corresponds to the maximum wind direction range of the conditioned air from the air conditioner 8. Accordingly, the user 4 can edit the size of the icon 46 from the image 44 displayed on the touch panel unit 38 to the area outside the image 44.

When the operation of the user 4 for editing the icon 46 is not continuously performed for a predetermined time, the touch panel unit 38 determines that the editing of the icon 46 is completed.

The touch panel unit 38 receives the operation information indicating the user's operation for changing the number of icons 46 or the area occupied by the icons 46 on the image 44 as described above. The touch panel unit 38 outputs the received operation information to the operation information management unit 40.

The operation information management unit 40 manages operation information from the touch panel unit 38. The operation information management unit 40 outputs the operation information to the generation unit 42.

The generating unit 42 generates control information for controlling the air conditioner 8 based on the outlet information from the 2 nd obtaining unit 36 and the operation information from the operation information managing unit 40. The generating unit 42 outputs the generated control information to the communication unit 32.

[3. operation of air-conditioning System ]

[3-1. case of adding icon ]

The operation of the air conditioning system 2 in the case where the icon 46 is added will be described with reference to fig. 5 to 6C. Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing of the terminal device 10 according to the embodiment when the icon 46 is added. Fig. 6A to 6C are diagrams for explaining the operation of the air conditioning system 2 according to the embodiment when the icon 46 is added. Fig. 6A to 6C are schematic views of the air conditioner 8 when viewed from directly above.

As shown in fig. 5, first, the 1 st acquisition unit 34 of the terminal device 10 acquires the image information received by the communication unit 32 (S101), and outputs the acquired image information to the touch panel unit 38. The 2 nd obtaining unit 36 obtains the outlet information received by the communication unit 32 (S101), and outputs the obtained outlet information to the touch panel unit 38 and the generating unit 42.

The touch panel unit 38 displays an image 44 showing the indoor space 6 captured by the camera 18 from the viewpoint of the air conditioner 8, based on the image information from the 1 st acquisition unit 34 (S102). The user 4 performs a double-click operation or the like on the area of the image 44 displayed on the touch panel unit 38, and the touch panel unit 38 receives operation information indicating an operation of adding the icon 46 (S103). Accordingly, the touch panel unit 38 adds an icon 46 (hereinafter also referred to as an "additional icon 46") to the image 44 and displays the icon (S104).

The touch panel unit 38 outputs the received operation information to the operation information management unit 40, and the operation information management unit 40 outputs the operation information from the touch panel unit 38 to the generation unit 42. The generation unit 42 determines whether or not the number of existing icons (hereinafter also referred to as "existing icons") before the addition of the additional icon 46 is 0 based on the operation information (S105).

When the number of existing icons before the additional icon 46 is added is 0 (yes in S105), the generation unit 42 calculates all the outlets in the wind direction range included in the area of the additional icon 46 based on the operation information and the outlet information (S106). In the example shown in fig. 6A, since the area to which the icon 46 is added includes the wind direction range 16A of the outlet 12a and the wind direction range 16b of the outlet 12b, the generation unit 42 calculates 2

outlets

12a and 12 b.

The generation unit 42 determines all the calculated outlets as outlets to be controlled by the additional icon 46 (S107). In the example shown in fig. 6A, the generation unit 42 determines both of the calculated 2

outlets

12a and 12b as the outlets to be controlled by the additional icon 46. The outlet to be controlled of the additional icon 46 is an outlet controlled to blow the air-conditioning air to the spatial range of the indoor space 6 indicated by the additional icon 46.

The generating unit 42 generates control information including a control command for operating the up-down operation air guide plate and the left-right operation air guide plate disposed on the determined outlet so that the conditioned air blown out from the outlet does not exceed the spatial range of the indoor space 6 indicated by the additional icon 46 (S108). In the example shown in fig. 6A, the generation unit 42 generates control information including a control command for operating the vertical operation air guide plate and the horizontal operation air guide plate disposed in each of the determined 2

outlets

12a and 12b so that the conditioned air blown out from each of the 2

outlets

12a and 12b does not exceed the spatial range of the indoor space 6 shown by the additional icon 46.

The generating unit 42 outputs the generated control information to the communication unit 32. The communication unit 32 transmits the control information from the generation unit 42 to the air-conditioning apparatus 8 (S109). Accordingly, the operation control unit 26 of the air conditioner 8 controls the plurality of

outlets

12a, 12b, and 12c, respectively, based on the control information from the terminal device 10. In the example shown in fig. 6A, the operation control unit 26 operates the vertical operation air guide plate and the horizontal operation air guide plate disposed in each of the 2

outlets

12a and 12b so that the conditioned air blown out from each of the 2

outlets

12a and 12b does not exceed the spatial range of the indoor space 6 shown by the additional icon 46, based on the control information of the terminal device 10.

Returning to step S105, if the number of existing icons before the addition of the additional icon 46 is 1 or more (no in S105), the generation unit 42 calculates all the outlets in which the areas of the additional icon 46 and all the existing icons are included in the wind direction range, based on the operation information and the outlet information (S110).

In the example shown in fig. 6B, 1 existing icon 46A is displayed on the touch panel unit 38 before the additional icon 46 is added. Since the area of the additional icon 46 is included in the wind direction range 16a of the outlet 12a, the generation unit 42 calculates 1 outlet 12a for the additional icon 46. Since the area of the conventional icon 46A is included in the wind direction range 16A of the outlet 12a and the wind direction range 16b of the outlet 12b, the generation unit 42 calculates 2

outlets

12a and 12b with respect to the conventional icon 46A.

In the example shown in fig. 6C, 2 existing

icons

46A and 46B are displayed on the touch panel section 38 before the additional icon 46 is added. Since the area of the additional icon 46 is included in the wind direction range 16b of the outlet 12b and the wind direction range 16c of the outlet 12c, the generation unit 42 calculates 2

outlets

12b and 12c for the additional icon 46. Since the area of the conventional icon 46A is included in the wind direction range 16A of the outlet 12a and the wind direction range 16b of the outlet 12b, the generation unit 42 calculates 2

outlets

12a and 12b with respect to the conventional icon 46A. Since the area of the existing icon 46B is included in the wind direction range 16a of the outlet 12a, the generation unit 42 calculates 1 outlet 12a for the existing icon 46B.

The generating unit 42 calculates a combination of non-overlapping outlets between the additional icon 46 and all existing icons (S111), and determines whether or not there is a non-overlapping outlet (S112). If there are non-overlapping outlets (yes in S112), the generation unit 42 determines the outlets to be controlled for each of the additional icon 46 and the existing icon in combination of the non-overlapping outlets (S113).

In the example shown in fig. 6B, the generation unit 42 determines 1 outlet 12a as the outlet to be controlled by the additional icon 46, and determines 1 outlet 12B as the outlet to be controlled by the existing icon 46A. In this case, the generation unit 42 generates control information including a control command that a) causes the vertical operation air guide plate and the horizontal operation air guide plate disposed on the determined 1 outlet 12a to operate such that the conditioned air blown out from the 1 outlet 12a does not exceed the spatial range of the indoor space 6 indicated by the additional icon 46, and b) causes the vertical operation air guide plate and the horizontal operation air guide plate disposed on the determined 1 outlet 12b to operate such that the conditioned air blown out from the 1 outlet 12b does not exceed the spatial range of the indoor space 6 indicated by the existing icon 46A (S108). Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S109 described above.

In the example shown in fig. 6C, the generation unit 42 determines 1 outlet 12C as the outlet to be controlled by the additional icon 46, 1 outlet 12B as the outlet to be controlled by the existing icon 46A, and 1 outlet 12a as the outlet to be controlled by the existing icon 46B. In this case, the generation unit 42 generates control information including a control command that a) causes the vertical operation air guide plate and the horizontal operation air guide plate disposed on the determined 1 outlet 12c to operate such that the conditioned air blown out from the 1 outlet 12c does not exceed the spatial range of the indoor space 6 indicated by the additional icon 46, B) causes the vertical operation air guide plate and the horizontal operation air guide plate disposed on the determined 1 outlet 12B to operate such that the conditioned air blown out from the outlet 12B does not exceed the spatial range of the indoor space 6 indicated by the existing icon 46A, and c) causes the vertical operation air guide plate and the horizontal operation air guide plate disposed on the determined 1 outlet 12a to operate such that the conditioned air blown out from the 1 outlet 12a does not exceed the spatial range of the indoor space 6 indicated by the existing icon 46B (S108). Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S109 described above.

Returning to step S112, if there is no non-overlapping outlet (no in S112), the generation unit 42 instructs the touch panel unit 38 to cancel the display of the additional icon 46 (S114), and instructs the touch panel unit 38 to display an error message (S115). In this case, the generation unit 42 generates control information including a control command for keeping the outlet of the control target of the existing icon in a state before the additional icon 46 is added (S108). Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S109 described above.

[3-2. case of changing the region of the icon ]

The operation of the air conditioning system 2 when the area of the icon 46 is changed (i.e., the icon 46 is moved) will be described with reference to fig. 7 to 8C. Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing of the terminal device 10 according to the embodiment when the area of the icon 46 is changed. Fig. 8A to 8C are diagrams for explaining the operation of the air conditioning system 2 according to the embodiment when the icon 46 is changed. Fig. 8A to 8C are schematic views of the air conditioner 8 when viewed from directly above.

As shown in fig. 7, first, the 1 st acquisition unit 34 of the terminal device 10 acquires the image information received by the communication unit 32 (S201), and outputs the acquired image information to the touch panel unit 38. The 2 nd obtaining unit 36 obtains the outlet information received by the communication unit 32 (S201), and outputs the obtained outlet information to the touch panel unit 38 and the generating unit 42.

The touch panel unit 38 displays the image 44 of the indoor space 6 captured by the camera 18 from the viewpoint of the air conditioner 8, based on the image information from the 1 st acquisition unit 34 (S202). When the user performs a drag operation or the like on the icon 46 displayed on the touch panel unit 38, the touch panel unit 38 receives operation information indicating an operation of changing the area of the icon 46 (S203). Accordingly, the touch panel unit 38 changes the area of the icon 46 superimposed and displayed on the image 44 (S204).

The touch panel unit 38 outputs the received operation information to the operation information management unit 40, and the operation information management unit 40 outputs the operation information from the touch panel unit 38 to the generation unit 42. The generating unit 42 determines whether or not the number of existing icons before the change of the area of the icon 46 is 2 or more based on the operation information (S205).

When the number of existing icons before changing the area of the icon 46 is 1 (no in S205), the generation unit 42 calculates all the outlets included in the area of the icon 46 after the area change in the wind direction range, based on the operation information and the outlet information (S206). In the example shown in fig. 8A, since the area of the icon 46 after the area change is included in the wind direction range 16c of the outlet 12c, the generation unit 42 calculates 1 outlet 12 c.

The generation unit 42 determines all the calculated outlets as outlets to be controlled by the icon 46 whose area is changed (S207). In the example shown in fig. 8A, the generation unit 42 determines the calculated 1 outlet 12c as the outlet to be controlled by the icon 46 whose area has been changed.

The generating unit 42 generates control information including a control command for operating the up-down operation air guide plate and the left-right operation air guide plate disposed at the determined outlet so that the conditioned air blown out from the outlet does not exceed the spatial range of the indoor space 6 indicated by the area-changed icon 46 (S208). In the example shown in fig. 8A, the generation unit 42 generates control information including a control command for operating the vertical operation air guide plate and the horizontal operation air guide plate disposed in the determined 1 outlet 12c so that the conditioned air blown out from the 1 outlet 12c does not exceed the spatial range of the indoor space 6 shown by the area-changed icon 46.

The generation unit 42 outputs the generated control information to the communication unit 32. The communication unit 32 transmits the control information from the generation unit 42 to the air-conditioning apparatus 8 (S209). Accordingly, the operation control unit 26 of the air conditioner 8 controls each of the

outlets

12a, 12b, and 12c based on the control information from the terminal device 10. In the example shown in fig. 8A, the operation control unit 26 operates the up-down operation air guide plate and the left-right operation air guide plate disposed on the 1 outlet 12c so that the conditioned air blown out from the 1 outlet 12c does not exceed the spatial range of the indoor space 6 shown by the icon 46 after the area change, based on the control information from the terminal device 10.

Returning to step S205, if the number of existing icons before changing the area of the icon 46 is 2 or more (yes in S205), the generation unit 42 calculates all the outlets in the wind direction range included in each area of the icon 46 and all the existing icons after changing the area, based on the operation information and the outlet information (S210).

In the example shown in fig. 8B, the area of the existing icon 46 is changed in a state where 2 existing

icons

46, 46B are displayed on the touch panel unit 38. Since the area of the existing icon 46 after the area change is included in the wind direction range 16c of the outlet 12c, the generation unit 42 calculates 1 outlet 12c for the existing icon 46 after the area change. Since the area of the existing icon 46B is included in the wind direction range 16a of the outlet 12a, the generation unit 42 calculates 1 outlet 12a for the existing icon 46B.

In the example shown in fig. 8C, the area of the existing icon 46 is changed in a state where 3 existing

icons

46, 46B, and 46C are displayed on the touch panel unit 38. Since the area of the existing icon 46 after the area change is included in the wind direction range 16c of the outlet 12c, the generation unit 42 calculates 1 outlet 12c for the existing icon 46 after the area change. Since the area of the existing icon 46B is included in the wind direction range 16a of the outlet 12a, the generation unit 42 calculates 1 outlet 12a for the existing icon 46B. Since the area of the existing icon 46C is included in the wind direction range 16b of the outlet 12b and the wind direction range 16C of the outlet 12C, the generation unit 42 calculates 2 outlets 12b and 12C for the existing icon 46C.

The generating unit 42 calculates a combination of non-overlapping outlets between the icon 46 whose area has been changed and all existing icons (S211), and determines whether or not there is a non-overlapping outlet (S212). If there are non-overlapping outlets (yes in S212), the generation unit 42 determines the outlets to be controlled for the icon 46 whose area has been changed and the existing icon in combination of the non-overlapping outlets (S213).

In the example shown in fig. 8B, the generation unit 42 determines 1 outlet 12c as the outlet to be controlled by the icon 46 whose area has been changed, and determines 1 outlet 12a as the outlet to be controlled by the existing icon 46B. In this case, the generation unit 42 generates control information including a control command that a) causes the vertical operation air guide plate and the horizontal operation air guide plate disposed on the determined 1 outlet 12c to operate such that the conditioned air blown out from the 1 outlet 12c does not exceed the spatial range of the indoor space 6 indicated by the icon 46 after the area change, and B) causes the vertical operation air guide plate and the horizontal operation air guide plate disposed on the determined 1 outlet 12a to operate such that the conditioned air blown out from the 1 outlet 12a does not exceed the spatial range of the indoor space 6 indicated by the existing icon 46B (S208). Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S209 described above.

In the example shown in fig. 8C, the generation unit 42 determines 1 outlet 12C as the outlet to be controlled by the icon 46 whose area is changed, 1 outlet 12a as the outlet to be controlled by the existing icon 46B, and 1 outlet 12B as the outlet to be controlled by the existing icon 46C. In this case, the generation unit 42 generates control information including a control command that a) causes the vertical operation air guide plate and the horizontal operation air guide plate disposed on the determined 1 outlet 12C to operate such that the conditioned air blown out from the 1 outlet 12C does not exceed the spatial range of the indoor space 6 indicated by the icon 46 after the area change, B) causes the vertical operation air guide plate and the horizontal operation air guide plate disposed on the determined 1 outlet 12a to operate such that the conditioned air blown out from the 1 outlet 12a does not exceed the spatial range of the indoor space 6 indicated by the existing icon 46B, and C) causes the vertical operation air guide plate and the horizontal operation air guide plate disposed on the determined 1 outlet 12B to operate such that the conditioned air blown out from the 1 outlet 12B does not exceed the spatial range of the indoor space 6 indicated by the existing icon 46C (S208) The formula (I) is operated. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S109 described above.

Returning to step S212, if there is no non-overlapping outlet (no in S212), the generation unit 42 instructs the touch panel unit 38 to restore the area of the icon 46 after the area change (S214), and instructs the touch panel unit 38 to display an error message (S215). In this case, the generation unit 42 generates control information including a control command for keeping the state before changing the area of the icon 46 at the outlet to be controlled of the existing icon (S208). Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S209 described above.

[3-3. case of deleting icon ]

The operation of the air conditioning system 2 in the case where the icon 46 is deleted will be described with reference to fig. 9 to 10C. Fig. 9 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing of the terminal device 10 according to the embodiment in the case where the icon 46 is deleted. Fig. 10A to 10C are diagrams for explaining the operation of the air conditioning system 2 according to the embodiment when the icon 46 is deleted. Fig. 10A to 10C are schematic views of the air conditioner 8 when viewed from directly above.

As shown in fig. 9, first, the 1 st acquisition unit 34 of the terminal device 10 acquires the image information received by the communication unit 32 (S301), and outputs the acquired image information to the touch panel unit 38. The 2 nd obtaining unit 36 obtains the outlet information received by the communication unit 32 (S301), and outputs the obtained outlet information to the touch panel unit 38 and the generating unit 42.

The touch panel unit 38 displays the image 44 of the indoor space 6 captured by the camera 18 from the viewpoint of the air conditioner 8, based on the image information from the 1 st acquisition unit 34 (S302). The user performs a double-click operation or the like on the existing icon 46 displayed on the touch panel unit 38, and the touch panel unit 38 receives operation information indicating an operation of deleting the icon 46 (S303). Accordingly, the touch panel unit 38 deletes the icon 46 superimposed on the image 44 (S304).

The touch panel unit 38 outputs the received operation information to the operation information management unit 40, and the operation information management unit 40 outputs the operation information from the touch panel unit 38 to the generation unit 42. The generation unit 42 determines whether or not the number of existing icons before the icon 46 is deleted is 2 or more based on the operation information (S305).

When the number of existing icons before the icon 46 is deleted is 1 (no in S305), the generation unit 42 generates control information including a control command for closing the up-down operation air guide plate and the left-right operation air guide plate disposed in each of all the outlets to be controlled by the deleted icon 46 (or stopping the air-conditioning air from being blown out from each of all the outlets to be controlled by the deleted icon 46), based on the operation information and the outlet information (S306).

The generating unit 42 outputs the generated control information to the communication unit 32. The communication unit 32 transmits the control information from the generation unit 42 to the air-conditioning apparatus 8 (S307). Accordingly, the operation control unit 26 of the air conditioner 8 controls the plurality of

outlets

12a, 12b, and 12c, respectively, based on the control information from the terminal device 10. In the example shown in fig. 10A, the operation control unit 26 performs control such that the up-down operation air guide plate and the left-right operation air guide plate disposed on the 1 outlet 12a to be controlled by the deleted icon 46 are closed (or the blowing of the air-conditioning air from the 1 outlet 12a to be controlled by the deleted icon 46 is stopped) based on the control information from the terminal device 10.

Returning to step S305, if the number of existing icons before the icon 46 is deleted is 2 or more (yes in S305), the generation unit 42 calculates all the outlets in which the areas of all the remaining icons (hereinafter referred to as "remaining icons") are included in the wind direction range, based on the operation information and the outlet information (S308).

In the example shown in fig. 10B, after the icons 46 are deleted, 1 remaining icon 46A is displayed on the touch panel section 38. Since the areas of the remaining icons 46A are included in the wind direction range 16A of the outlet 12a and the wind direction range 16b of the outlet 12b, the generation unit 42 calculates 2

outlets

12a and 12b for the remaining icons 46A.

In the example shown in fig. 10C, after the icon 46 is deleted, 2 remaining

icons

46A, 46B are displayed on the touch panel section 38. Since the areas of the remaining icons 46A are included in the wind direction range 16A of the outlet 12a and the wind direction range 16b of the outlet 12b, the generation unit 42 calculates 2

outlets

12a and 12b for the existing icon 46A. Since the area of the remaining icon 46B is included in the wind direction range 16a of the outlet 12a, the generation unit 42 calculates 1 outlet 12a for the remaining icon 46B.

The generation unit 42 calculates a non-repeating combination of outlets among all the remaining icons (S309), and determines the outlets to be controlled for each of the remaining icons with the non-repeating combination of outlets (S310).

In the example shown in fig. 10B, the generation unit 42 determines 2 outlets 12a and 12B as outlets to be controlled by the remaining icons 46A. In this case, the generation unit 42 generates control information including a control command for a) operating the vertical operation air guide plates and the horizontal operation air guide plates disposed in the determined 2

outlets

12a and 12b, respectively, so that the conditioned air blown out from the 2

outlets

12a and 12b does not exceed the spatial range of the indoor space 6 indicated by the surplus icon 46A (S306). Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S307 described above.

In the example shown in fig. 10C, the generation unit 42 determines 1 outlet 12B as the outlet to be controlled by the remaining icon 46A, and determines 1 outlet 12a as the outlet to be controlled by the remaining icon 46B. In this case, the generation unit 42 generates control information including a control command that a) causes the vertical operation air guide plate and the horizontal operation air guide plate disposed on the determined 1 outlet 12B to operate such that the conditioned air blown out from the 1 outlet 12B does not exceed the spatial range of the indoor space 6 indicated by the surplus icon 46A, and B) causes the vertical operation air guide plate and the horizontal operation air guide plate disposed on the determined 1 outlet 12a to operate such that the conditioned air blown out from the 1 outlet 12a does not exceed the spatial range of the indoor space 6 indicated by the surplus icon 46B (S306). Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S307 described above.

[4. control example of air-conditioning System ]

[4-1. absence of existing icon ]

A control example of the air conditioning system 2 when the additional icon 46 is added in the case where no existing icon exists will be described with reference to fig. 11 to 12C. Fig. 11 is a table showing a control example of the air conditioning system 2 according to the embodiment. Fig. 12A to 12C are diagrams for explaining a control example of fig. 11.

[4-1-1. case where there are 2 air outlets ]

First, a case where the air conditioner 8 has 2 outlets 12a and 12B will be described with reference to fig. 11 to 12B. As shown in fig. 11 and 12A, when the area of the additional icon 46 is included in the wind direction range 16a of 1 outlet 12A (that is, when output from 1 outlet 12A is possible), output is performed with the 1 outlet 12A.

As shown in fig. 11 and 12B, the area of the additional icon 46 includes a) output from 1 outlet or B) output from 2 outlets in the case where the wind direction ranges 16a and 16B of the 2 outlets 12a and 12B are included (that is, in the case where output from the 2 outlets 12a and 12B is possible). When the output is from 1 outlet, of the 2

outlets

12a and 12b, the output is from one outlet (for example, the outlet 12a) close to the spatial region indicated by the additional icon 46, or the output is from an outlet (for example, the outlet 12b) that has not been used in the previous operation. In the case of output from 2 outlets, the output may be alternately or simultaneously output from 2

outlets

12a, 12 b.

In the case of simultaneous output from a plurality of outlets, for example, the air volume of each outlet is controlled so that the air volume of each outlet is reduced by dividing the air volume (output volume) in the case of output from 1 outlet by the number of outlets. For example, when the air volume output from 1 outlet is "1", the air volume output from 2 outlets is 0.5 (total "1") instead of 1/2. The same applies to "simultaneous output" in fig. 11 described below.

[4-1-2. case where there are 3 outlets ]

Next, a case where the air conditioner 8 has 3

outlets

12a, 12b, and 12C will be described with reference to fig. 11 and 12C. The case where the output can be performed with 1 outlet and the case where the output can be performed with 2 outlets are the same as the case where the air-conditioning apparatus 8 has 2

outlets

12a and 12b, and therefore, the description thereof is omitted.

As shown in fig. 11 and 12C, when the area of the additional icon 46 is included in the wind direction ranges 16a, 16b, and 16C of the 3

outlets

12a, 12b, and 12C (that is, when the output from the 3

outlets

12a, 12b, and 12C is possible), a) is output from 1 outlet, b) is output from 2 outlets, or C) is output from 3 outlets. When the output is from 1 outlet, of the 3

outlets

12a, 12b, and 12c, the output is from the outlet (for example, the outlet 12b) closest to the spatial region indicated by the additional icon 46, or the output is from the outlet (for example, the outlet 12c) that was not used in the previous operation. When the outputs are output from 2 outlets, the outputs are alternately or simultaneously output from 2 outlets (for example, 2

outlets

12a and 12b) closest to the spatial region indicated by the additional icon 46. When the output is from the 3 outlets, the 3

outlets

12a, 12b, and 12c are alternately or simultaneously output.

[4-1-3. case of 4 outlets ]

Next, a case where the air conditioner 8 has 4

outlets

12a, 12b, 12c, and 12D will be described with reference to fig. 11 and 12D. The case where output is possible from 1 outlet, the case where output is possible from 2 outlets, and the case where output is possible from 3 outlets is the same as the case where the air-conditioning apparatus 8 has 3

outlets

12a, 12b, and 12c, and therefore, description thereof is omitted.

As shown in fig. 11 and 12D, when the area of the additional icon 46 is included in the wind direction ranges 16a, 16b, 16c, and 16D of the 4

outlets

12a, 12b, 12c, and 12D (that is, when the output from the 4

outlets

12a, 12b, 12c, and 12D is possible), a) the output is from 1 outlet, b) the output is from 2 outlets, c) the output is from 3 outlets, or D) the output is from 4 outlets. When the output is from 1 outlet, of the 4

outlets

12a, 12b, 12c, and 12d, the output is from the outlet (for example, the outlet 12b) closest to the spatial region indicated by the additional icon 46, or the output is from the outlet (for example, the outlet 12d) that was not used in the previous operation. When the outputs are output from 2 outlets, the outputs are alternately or simultaneously output from 2 outlets (for example, 2

outlets

12a and 12b) closest to the spatial region indicated by the additional icon 46. When the outputs are output from the 3 outlets, the outputs are alternately or simultaneously output from the 3 outlets closest to the spatial region indicated by the additional icon 46 (for example, the 3

outlets

12a, 12b, and 12 c). When the output is from the 4 outlets, the 4

outlets

12a, 12b, 12c, and 12d are alternately or simultaneously output.

[4-2. case where existing icon exists ]

A control example of the air conditioning system 2 when the icon 46 is added in the case where the existing icon exists will be described with reference to fig. 13 to 14D. Fig. 13 is a table showing another control example of the air conditioning system 2 according to the embodiment. Fig. 14A to 14D are diagrams for explaining a control example of fig. 13.

[4-2-1 ] in the case where the wind direction of the outlet of the control target of the conventional icon falls within the range ]

As shown in fig. 13, when the area of the additional icon (an example of the 2 nd graphic) is within the range of the wind direction of the outlet to be controlled of the existing icon (an example of the 1 st graphic), the control target is output from the outlet to be controlled of the existing icon.

As shown in fig. 13 and 14A, the area of the additional icon 46 is output from the 1 outlet 12b when the wind direction of the outlet 12b to be controlled of the conventional icon 46A is within the range 16 b. In this case, the outlet 12b alternately outputs the output to the spatial ranges indicated by the existing icon 46A and the additional icon 46.

As shown in fig. 13 and 14B, when the area of the additional icon 46 is located within the wind direction ranges 16A and 16B of the outlets 12a and 12B to be controlled by the existing icon 46A, the icon is outputted from the 2 outlets 12a and 12B. In this case, the 2

outlets

12a, 12b are alternately or simultaneously output.

In the case of simultaneous output from a plurality of outlets, for example, the air volume of each outlet may be controlled by reducing the air volume of each outlet by the air volume obtained by dividing the air volume when output from 1 outlet by the number of outlets. For example, when the air volume output from 1 outlet is "1", the air volume output from 2 outlets may be individually output at an air volume of 1/2 ═ 0.5 (total "1"). This is also the same as "simultaneous output" in fig. 13 explained below.

On the other hand, as shown in fig. 13, when the area of the additional icon is within the range of the wind direction of the outlet to be controlled of the existing icon, the output is output from the other outlets other than the outlet to be controlled of the existing icon.

As shown in fig. 13 and 14C, when the area of the additional icon 46A is located within the wind direction ranges 16A and 16b of the

outlets

12a and 12b to be controlled by the existing icon 46A, the other outlet 12C that is not to be controlled by the existing icon 46A is output. In this case, all the outlets are alternately or simultaneously output, or a part of the outlets are alternately or simultaneously output.

[4-2-2 ] case where the wind direction of the outlet of the control target of the existing icon is out of range ]

As shown in fig. 13, when the area of the additional icon is outside the range of the wind direction of the outlet to be controlled by the existing icon, the output is output from the outlet other than the outlet to be controlled by the existing icon.

As shown in fig. 13 and 14D, when the area of the additional icon 46 (an example of the 2 nd graphic) is outside the wind direction range 16A of the outlet 12a to be controlled of the existing icon 46A (an example of the 1 st graphic), the

other outlets

12b and 12c output the wind direction. In this case, all the outlets are alternately or simultaneously output, or a part of the outlets are alternately or simultaneously output.

[4-3 ] case where the spatial region indicated by the additional icon is not less than a predetermined size ]

Referring to fig. 15, a control example of the air conditioning system 2 in the case where the spatial region indicated by the additional icon 46 is equal to or larger than a predetermined size will be described. Fig. 15 is a table showing still another control example of the air conditioning system 2 according to the embodiment.

[4-3-1. output from multiple outlets ]

As shown in fig. 15, when the outputs are output from a plurality of outlets, the plurality of outlets are alternately or simultaneously output to the spatial region indicated by the additional icon 46.

[4-3-2. output from 1 Outlet ]

[4-3-2-1. control of wind direction according to operation mode ]

As shown in fig. 15, when the air is output from 1 outlet, the wind direction is controlled in accordance with the operation mode of the air conditioner 8.

When the operation mode is the cooling operation mode, the wind direction is controlled from the upper range in the spatial region indicated by the additional icon 46. Specifically, in the spatial region indicated by the additional icon 46, the wind direction moves (changes) gradually as the upper range is closer, and the wind direction moves rapidly as the lower range is closer.

When the operation mode is the heating operation mode, the wind direction is controlled from the lower range in the spatial region indicated by the additional icon 46. Specifically, in the spatial region indicated by the additional icon 46, the wind direction moves more slowly in the lower range and more quickly in the upper range.

[4-3-2-2 ] controlling wind direction according to the presence or absence of an object ]

As shown in fig. 15, when the air is output from 1 outlet, the air direction is controlled according to whether or not an object (for example, a person, a pet, a window, a curtain, a door, a wall, a floor, a ceiling, a heat source, or the like) is present in the spatial region indicated by the additional icon 46.

In the case of performing wind direction control from the range where the object is present, in the spatial region indicated by the additional icon 46, the wind direction moves more slowly as the range where the object is present is, and moves more quickly as the range where the object is not present is.

In the case of performing wind direction control from the range where no object is present, in the spatial region indicated by the additional icon 46, the wind direction moves more slowly as the range where no object is present is located, and the wind direction moves more rapidly as the range where an object is present is located.

[4-3-2-3. controlling wind direction according to user's attributes ]

As shown in fig. 15, when the wind is output from 1 outlet, the wind direction is controlled according to the attribute of the user 4 (for example, adult, child, male, female, cold-resistant, hot-resistant, thick-wearing, little-wearing, short-sleeved, long-sleeved, short-sleeved, long-pants-wearing, heavy-activity, small-activity, high-body temperature, low-body temperature, or the like) existing in the spatial region indicated by the additional icon 46.

When the wind direction control is performed from the range where the user 4 with the predetermined attribute exists, the wind direction moves more slowly in the range where the user 4 with the predetermined attribute exists and moves more quickly in the range where the user 4 with the predetermined attribute does not exist in the spatial region indicated by the additional icon 46.

When the wind direction control is performed from the range where the user 4 with the predetermined attribute does not exist, the wind direction moves more slowly in the range where the user 4 with the predetermined attribute does not exist and moves more quickly in the range where the user 4 with the predetermined attribute exists in the spatial region indicated by the additional icon 46.

[4-3-2-4. controlling wind direction according to distance between object and air conditioner ]

As shown in fig. 15, when the air is output from 1 outlet, the wind direction is controlled according to the distance between the air conditioner 8 and an object (for example, a person, a pet, a window, a curtain, a door, a wall, a floor, a ceiling, a heat source, or the like) existing in the space region indicated by the additional icon 46. The distance between the object and the air conditioner 8 is detected by a depth sensor or the like disposed in the air conditioner 8.

When the wind direction control is started from a range where the distance between the object and the air conditioner 8 is long, in the spatial region indicated by the additional icon 46, the wind direction moves more slowly in the range where the distance is long and more quickly in the range where the distance is short.

When the wind direction control is started from a range where the distance between the object and the air conditioner 8 is short, in the spatial region indicated by the additional icon 46, the wind direction moves more slowly in the range where the distance is short, and moves more quickly in the range where the distance is long.

In place of the above control, in the spatial region indicated by the additional icon 46, the air volume may be increased in a range farther away from the spatial region and may be decreased in a range closer to the spatial region.

[4-3-2-5. controlling wind direction according to orientation ]

As shown in fig. 15, when the wind is output from 1 outlet, the wind direction is controlled in accordance with the orientation of the spatial region indicated by the additional icon 46.

When the wind direction control is performed from a range close to the predetermined azimuth, in the spatial region indicated by the additional icon 46, the wind direction moves more slowly in a range close to the predetermined azimuth and more rapidly in a range far from the predetermined azimuth.

When the wind direction control is performed from a range far from the predetermined azimuth, in the spatial region indicated by the additional icon 46, the wind direction moves more slowly in a range far from the predetermined azimuth and more rapidly in a range near to the predetermined azimuth.

[4-3-2-6. control of wind Direction according to temperature distribution of indoor space ]

As shown in fig. 15, when the air is output from 1 outlet, the wind direction is controlled in accordance with the temperature distribution in the indoor space 6.

When the wind direction control is started from a range close to the predetermined temperature, in the spatial region indicated by the additional icon 46, the wind direction moves more slowly in a range close to the predetermined temperature and more quickly in a range away from the predetermined temperature.

When the wind direction control is started from a range far from the predetermined temperature, in the spatial region indicated by the additional icon 46, the wind direction moves more slowly in a range far from the predetermined temperature and more rapidly in a range near to the predetermined temperature.

[4-3-2-7. controlling wind direction according to humidity distribution in indoor space ]

As shown in fig. 15, when the air is output from 1 outlet, the wind direction is controlled according to the humidity distribution in the indoor space 6.

When the wind direction control is performed from a range near the predetermined humidity, the wind direction moves more slowly in a range near the predetermined humidity and more quickly in a range far from the predetermined humidity in the spatial region indicated by the additional icon 46.

When the wind direction control is performed from a range far from the predetermined humidity, in the spatial region indicated by the additional icon 46, the wind direction moves more slowly in a range far from the predetermined humidity and more quickly in a range near to the predetermined humidity.

[4-3-2-8. moving in a stroke path ]

As shown in fig. 15, when the wind is output from 1 outlet, the wind direction is moved by a single stroke path (i.e., a path in which some of the paths do not overlap) in the space region indicated by the additional icon 46.

[4-3-2-9. moving in random paths ]

As shown in fig. 15, when the wind is output from 1 outlet, the wind direction moves in a random path (i.e., a path partially overlapping) in the spatial region indicated by the additional icon 46.

[4-3-2-10. moving alternately in the vertical direction and the lateral direction ]

As shown in fig. 15, when the output is from 1 outlet, the wind direction is alternately moved in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction in the spatial region indicated by the additional icon 46.

[5. Effect ]

As described above, the present embodiment is a control method in the air conditioning system 2, the air conditioning system 2 includes the terminal device 10 and the air conditioner 8, the terminal device 10 includes the touch panel unit 38, and the air conditioner 8 includes the plurality of

outlets

12a, 12b, and 12c for blowing the air-conditioned air to the indoor space 6, and is capable of communicating with the terminal device 10 via the network 28. The control method comprises the following steps: (a) a step of acquiring outlet information relating to the plurality of

outlets

12a, 12b, 12 c; (b) a step of displaying, on the touch panel section 38, an icon 46 superimposed on the image 44 obtained by imaging the indoor space 6 from the viewpoint of the air conditioner 8, the icon 46 indicating a spatial range of the indoor space 6 to which the air-conditioned air blown out from at least one of the

outlets

12a, 12b, and 12c reaches; (c) a step of receiving operation information showing an operation of the user 4 for changing the number of icons 46 or the area occupied by the icons 46 on the image 44; (d) generating control information according to the air outlet information and the operation information; and (e) controlling the air conditioner 8 based on the control information.

As described above, the user 4 can easily perform an operation of specifying the spatial range of the indoor space 6 to which the air-conditioned air is to be supplied, on the image 44 displayed on the touch panel unit 38. At this time, since the image 44 is an image in which the indoor space 6 is photographed from the viewpoint of the air conditioner 8, the user 4 can easily estimate the spatial range of the indoor space 6 to which the air-conditioned air is to be supplied. As a result, the wind direction of the air conditioner 8 can be set by intuitive operation.

In the present embodiment, the outlet information includes at least one of the number of the plurality of

outlets

12a, 12b, and 12c, the wind direction range of the conditioned air for each of the plurality of

outlets

12a, 12b, and 12c, the number of the air deflectors which are arranged for each of the plurality of

outlets

12a, 12b, and 12c and adjust the direction of the conditioned air blown out from the outlet, and the movable range of the air deflectors.

As described above, the control information can be generated with high accuracy from the outlet information and the operation information.

In the present embodiment, the plurality of

outlets

12a, 12b, and 12c are arranged such that a part of the range of the wind direction of the air-conditioning air blown out by each of the adjacent pair of outlets overlaps with each other.

As a result, the conditioned air blown out from two or more outlets of the plurality of

outlets

12a, 12b, and 12c can reach the spatial range indicated by the icon 46.

In the present embodiment, in the above-mentioned (d), a specific outlet corresponding to the icon 46 indicated by the operation information is determined from among the plurality of

outlets

12a, 12b, 12c indicated by the outlet information. Control information for controlling the specific outlet is generated so that the air-conditioning air blown out from the specific outlet reaches the spatial range indicated by the icon 46.

As a result, the air-conditioning air blown out from the specific outlet can reach the spatial range indicated by the icon 46.

In the present embodiment, in the case where the icon 46 can correspond to two or more of the plurality of

outlets

12a, 12b, and 12c in the above-described (d), the outlet closest to the spatial range indicated by the icon 46 among the two or more outlets is determined as the specific outlet.

As a result, the conditioned air blown out from the outlet closest to the spatial range indicated by the icon 46 can efficiently reach the spatial range indicated by the icon 46.

In the present embodiment, in the case where the icon 46 can correspond to two or more outlets of the plurality of

outlets

12a, 12b, and 12c in the above-described (d), each of the two or more outlets is determined as a specific outlet.

As a result, the conditioned air blown out from each of the two or more outlets can efficiently reach the spatial range indicated by the icon 46.

In the present embodiment, in the above-described (d), control information for controlling each of the two or more outlets is generated so that the air-conditioning air alternately blown out by each of the two or more outlets reaches the spatial range indicated by the icon 46.

As a result, the air-conditioning air blown out from each of the two or more outlets can be efficiently brought into the spatial range indicated by the icon 46.

In the present embodiment, in the above-described (d), control information for controlling each of the two or more outlets is generated so that the air-conditioning air blown out simultaneously from both of the two or more outlets reaches the spatial range indicated by the icon 46.

As a result, the air-conditioning air simultaneously blown out from each of the two or more outlets can be efficiently brought into the spatial range indicated by the icon 46.

outlets

12a, 12b, and 12c in the above-described (d), the outlet that is not used in the previous operation of the air conditioner 8 among the two or more outlets is determined as the specific outlet.

As described above, the plurality of

outlets

12a, 12b, and 12c can be uniformly used.

In the present embodiment, in the case where the existing icon is displayed in the touch panel unit 38 in a superimposed manner on the image 44 in the above-described (c), the operation information is information showing the operation of the user 4 that superimposes the existing icon and the additional icon 46 different from the existing icon on the image 44. In the above (d), the outlet corresponding to the additional icon 46 among the plurality of

outlets

12a, 12b, and 12c is determined as a specific outlet corresponding to the existing icon.

As a result, the conditioned air blown out from the outlet corresponding to the conventional icon can efficiently reach the spatial range indicated by the additional icon 46.

In the present embodiment, in the case where the existing icon is displayed in the touch panel unit 38 in a superimposed manner on the image 44 in (c) described above, the operation information is information showing the operation of the user that superimposes the additional icon 46 different from the existing icon on the image 44, and in (d) described above, the other outlet than the outlet corresponding to the existing icon out of the plurality of

outlets

12a, 12b, 12c is determined as the specific outlet corresponding to the additional icon 46.

As a result, the air-conditioning air blown out from the outlet other than the outlet corresponding to the conventional icon can efficiently reach the spatial range indicated by the additional icon 46.

In the present embodiment, in the above-mentioned (d), control information for controlling the specific outlet is generated so that the wind direction of the air-conditioned air from the specific outlet changes within the spatial range indicated by the icon 46.

As a result, the air-conditioning air blown out from the specific outlet can be efficiently caused to reach the spatial range indicated by the icon 46.

In the present embodiment, in the above-mentioned (d), the control information for controlling the specific outlet is generated so that the wind direction of the air-conditioned air from the specific outlet changes within the spatial range according to the operation mode of the air-conditioning apparatus 8.

As a result, the conditioned air blown out from the specific outlet can efficiently reach the spatial range indicated by the icon 46 in consideration of the operation mode of the air conditioner 8.

In addition, in the present embodiment, in the above-mentioned (d), the control information for controlling the specific outlet is generated so that the wind direction of the air-conditioned air from the specific outlet changes in the spatial range depending on at least one of whether or not the object is present in the spatial range indicated by the icon 46, the distance between the object and the air-conditioning equipment 8, and the attribute of the user 4 present in the spatial range.

As described above, the air-conditioning air blown out from the specific outlet can be efficiently brought into the spatial range indicated by the icon 46, in consideration of the presence or absence of an object, the distance between the object and the air-conditioning apparatus 8, and at least one of the attributes of the user 4 present in the spatial range.

In addition, in the present embodiment, in the above-mentioned (d), the control information for controlling the specific outlet is generated so that the wind direction of the air-conditioned air from the specific outlet changes within the spatial range in accordance with at least one of the orientation of the spatial range indicated by the icon 46, the temperature distribution in the indoor space, and the humidity distribution in the indoor space.

As a result, the conditioned air blown out from the specific outlet can efficiently reach the spatial range indicated by the icon 46, taking into account at least one of the orientation of the spatial range, the temperature distribution in the indoor space, and the humidity distribution in the indoor space.

In the present embodiment, in the above-mentioned (d), control information for controlling the specific outlet is generated so that the wind direction of the air-conditioned air from the specific outlet changes in accordance with a one-stroke route within the spatial range indicated by the icon 46.

In the present embodiment, in the above-mentioned (d), the control information for controlling the specific outlet is generated so that the wind direction of the air-conditioned air from the specific outlet changes along a random path within the spatial range indicated by the icon 46.

As a result, the conditioned air blown out from the specific outlet can be efficiently caused to reach the spatial range indicated by the icon 46 in a more natural wind direction.

In the present embodiment, in the above-mentioned (d), the control information for controlling the specific outlet is generated so that the wind direction of the air-conditioning air from the specific outlet changes alternately between the vertical direction and the horizontal direction within the spatial range indicated by the icon 46.

This can improve the circulation of the conditioned air in the indoor space 6.

In the present embodiment, the program is a program for causing a computer to execute any of the above-described control methods.

In the present embodiment, the terminal device 10 is an information processing device for controlling the air conditioner 8, and the air conditioner 8 has a plurality of

outlets

12a, 12b, and 12c for blowing the air-conditioned air into the indoor space 6. The information processing device is provided with: a 2 nd obtaining unit 36 (obtaining unit) that obtains outlet information on the plurality of

outlets

12a, 12b, and 12 c; a touch panel unit 38 (display unit) that superimposes an icon 46 on an image 44 of the indoor space 6 from the viewpoint of the air conditioner 8, the icon 46 showing a spatial range of the indoor space 6 to which the conditioned air blown out from at least one of the

outlets

12a, 12b, and 12c reaches; a touch panel unit 38 (receiving unit) that receives operation information indicating an operation by the user 4 for changing the number of icons 46 or the area occupied by the icons 46 on the image 44; a generation unit 42 that generates control information for controlling the air conditioner 8 based on the outlet information and the operation information; and a communication unit 32 for transmitting the control information to the air conditioner 8.

(other embodiments)

As described above, the embodiments have been described as an example of the technology disclosed in the present application. However, the technique in the present disclosure is not limited to this, and is also applicable to embodiments in which changes, substitutions, additions, omissions, and the like are appropriately made. Further, the respective constituent elements described in the above embodiments can be combined to form a new embodiment.

Accordingly, the following examples illustrate other embodiments.

In the above embodiment, the camera 18 is constituted by a CCD camera, but is not limited thereto, and may be constituted by an infrared array sensor or the like, for example.

In the above embodiment, the camera 18 is incorporated in the air conditioner 8, but the angle of the camera 18 with respect to the air conditioner 8 may be adjusted in the vertical direction, the horizontal direction, and the like so that the angle of view of the camera 18 is extremely wide.

In the embodiment, the camera 18 is built in the air conditioner 8, but is not limited thereto, and the camera 18 may be externally provided outside the air conditioner 8, for example. Alternatively, the user 4 may photograph the indoor space 6 from the viewpoint of the air conditioner 8 using a camera mounted on the terminal device 10. In this case, after shipment of the air conditioner 8, the user 4 may cause the air conditioner 8 to learn a wind direction control method for sending the conditioned air to a spatial range corresponding to a predetermined area in an image captured by the camera of the terminal device 10.

Although the icons 46 are displayed on the touch panel unit 38 in the above embodiment, the operation of the user 4 for editing the operation information (for example, the operation mode, the set temperature, the set humidity, and the air volume) of the air conditioner 8 may be received for each icon 46. In addition, when the icon 46 is added, the operation information of the air-conditioner 8 may be set to the initial setting value. In the case where a plurality of icons 46 are displayed on the touch panel unit 38, the operation mode that can be set simultaneously for each of the plurality of icons 46 may be limited to the same operation mode (for example, cooling operation mode).

In the embodiment, the operation information of the air conditioner 8 may be expressed by the color, pattern, shape, and the like of the icon 46. For example, the color of the icon 46 is blue, which indicates that the set temperature of the air-conditioning apparatus 8 is relatively low, and the color of the icon 46 is red, which indicates that the set temperature of the air-conditioning apparatus 8 is relatively high.

In the above embodiment, for example, the user 4 may rotate the icon 46 on the image 44 by performing a touch operation on the touch panel section 38 and rotating the icon.

In the above embodiment, the generation unit 42 of the terminal device 10 generates the control information, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and the control information may be generated by the operation control unit 26 of the air conditioner 8.

In the above embodiment, the icon 46 is a two-dimensional surface, but the present invention is not limited to this, and may be a dot or a three-dimensional area, for example.

In addition, the terminal device 10 may detect whether or not a moving object such as a person or a pet is included in the area of the icon 46. In the case where a moving body is included in the area of the icon 46, the wind direction may be controlled so as to track the movement of the moving body within the spatial range shown by the icon 46. Alternatively, the area of the icon 46 may be changed by tracking the movement of the moving body. In this case, when there is a combination of overlapping air outlets between the tracked icon 46 and all existing icons, the control of the wind direction with respect to the tracked icon 46 may be prioritized, and after the same processing as the above-described operation of deleting the icon is performed with respect to all existing icons whose air outlets overlap with the tracked icon 46, the same processing as the above-described operation of changing the area of the icon may be performed with respect to the tracked icon 46.

As described above, the embodiments have been described as an example of the technique of the present disclosure. The drawings and detailed description are thus provided.

Therefore, the components described in the drawings and the detailed description include not only components necessary for solving the problem but also components for exemplifying the above-described technique, which are not essential for solving the problem. Therefore, since the unnecessary components are described in the drawings and the detailed description, the unnecessary components cannot be directly regarded as the necessary components.

In addition, since the above-described embodiments exemplify the technology of the present disclosure, various modifications, substitutions, additions, omissions, and the like can be made within the technical scope or the equivalent thereof.

The present disclosure may be a computer program that realizes the above-described method by a computer, or may be a digital signal configured by a computer program. The present disclosure may be a non-transitory recording medium that records the computer program or the digital signal on a computer readable medium, for example, a flexible disk, a hard disk, a CD-ROM, an MO, a DVD-ROM, a DVD-RAM, a BD (Blu-ray (registered trademark) Disc), a semiconductor memory, or the like. The present disclosure may be a computer system including a microprocessor and a memory, the memory storing the computer program, and the microprocessor operating according to the computer program. The memory may include a recording medium, more specifically, a semiconductor memory inside the CPU such as a register or a cache memory, including a main memory (main memory/RAM) and a memory (external memory/auxiliary memory), or the memory may be an online memory or an offline memory.

Industrial applicability

The control method according to the present disclosure can be applied to, for example, an air conditioning system including a terminal device and an air conditioner.

Description of the symbols

2 air-conditioning system

4 users

6 indoor space

8 air conditioner

10 terminal device

12a, 12b, 12c, 12d outlet

14a, 14b, 14c spatial extent

16a, 16b, 16c, 16d wind direction range

18 camera

20 image generating part

22 outlet information management unit

24, 32 communication section

26 operation control part

28 network

30 left and right action wind deflector

34 1 st obtaining part

36 No. 2 obtaining part

38 touch panel unit

40 operation information management part

42 generation part

44 images

46, 46A, 46B, 46C icons

48 kitchen

50 restaurant

52 picture frame area

Claims

1. A control method in an air conditioning system including a terminal device having a display unit and an air conditioner that is communicable with the terminal device via a network and has a plurality of outlets for blowing air-conditioned air into an indoor space, the control method comprising:

(a) a step of obtaining outlet information relating to the plurality of outlets;

(b) a step of displaying, on the display unit, a graphic showing a spatial range of the indoor space to which the air-conditioning air blown out from at least one outlet of the plurality of outlets reaches, superimposed on an image of the indoor space captured from a viewpoint of the air conditioner;

(c) receiving operation information indicating an operation by a user for changing the number of the graphics or an area occupied by the graphics on the image;

(d) generating control information according to the air outlet information and the operation information; and

(e) and controlling the air conditioner according to the control information.

2. The control method according to claim 1, wherein,

the outlet information includes at least one of the number of the plurality of outlets, a wind direction range of the air-conditioning air for each of the plurality of outlets, the number of air deflectors, and a movable range of the air deflectors, the air deflectors being disposed at each of the plurality of outlets and adjusting the direction of the air-conditioning air blown out from the outlet.

3. The control method according to claim 1 or 2,

the plurality of outlets are arranged such that a part of the wind direction ranges of the air-conditioning air blown out by the adjacent pairs of outlets respectively overlap with each other.

4. The control method according to any one of claims 1 to 3,

in the step (d), a specific outlet corresponding to the pattern indicated by the operation information is determined from the plurality of outlets indicated by the outlet information,

and generating the control information for controlling the specific outlet so that the air-conditioning air blown out from the specific outlet reaches the spatial range shown in the graph.

5. The control method according to claim 4, wherein,

in the above (d), when the pattern can correspond to two or more outlets of the plurality of outlets, the outlet of the two or more outlets that is closest to the spatial range indicated by the pattern is determined as the specific outlet.

6. The control method according to claim 4, wherein,

in the (d), when the pattern can correspond to two or more outlets of the plurality of outlets, each of the two or more outlets is determined as the specific outlet.

7. The control method according to claim 6, wherein,

in the step (d), the control information for controlling each of the two or more outlets is generated so that the air-conditioning air alternately blown out by each of the two or more outlets reaches the spatial range indicated by the graph.

8. The control method according to claim 6, wherein,

in the step (d), the control information for controlling each of the two or more outlets is generated so that the air-conditioning air blown out simultaneously from the two or more outlets reaches the spatial range indicated by the graph.

9. The control method according to claim 4, wherein,

in the above (d), when the pattern is capable of corresponding to two or more outlets of the plurality of outlets, an outlet of the two or more outlets that is not used in the previous operation of the air conditioner is determined as the specific outlet.

10. The control method according to claim 4, wherein,

in the (c), when the 1 st figure is superimposed on the image on the display unit, the operation information is information showing an operation of a user who superimposes a 2 nd figure different from the 1 st figure on the image,

in the step (d), the outlet corresponding to the 1 st pattern among the plurality of outlets is determined as the specific outlet corresponding to the 2 nd pattern.

11. The control method according to claim 4, wherein,

in the step (d), the other outlets, other than the outlet corresponding to the pattern 1, of the plurality of outlets are determined as the specific outlet corresponding to the pattern 2.

12. The control method according to claim 4, wherein,

in the step (d), the control information for controlling the specific outlet is generated so that the wind direction of the air-conditioning air from the specific outlet changes within the spatial range indicated by the graph.

13. The control method according to claim 12, wherein,

in the step (d), the control information for controlling the specific outlet is generated so that the direction of the air-conditioned air from the specific outlet changes within the spatial range according to the operation mode of the air-conditioning apparatus.

14. The control method according to claim 12, wherein,

in the step (d), the control information for controlling the specific outlet is generated so that at least one of whether or not an object is present in the spatial range shown in the graph, a distance between the object and the air conditioner, and an attribute of a user present in the spatial range changes in the spatial range in accordance with the wind direction of the air-conditioned air from the specific outlet.

15. The control method according to claim 12, wherein,

in the step (d), the control information for controlling the specific outlet is generated so that the direction of the air-conditioning air from the specific outlet changes within the spatial range, based on at least one of the direction of the spatial range, the temperature distribution in the indoor space, and the humidity distribution in the indoor space, which are shown in the graph.

16. The control method according to any one of claims 12 to 15,

in the step (d), the control information for controlling the specific outlet is generated so that the wind direction of the air-conditioning air from the specific outlet changes in accordance with a path of one stroke within the spatial range shown in the graph.

17. The control method according to any one of claims 12 to 15,

in the step (d), the control information for controlling the specific outlet is generated so that the wind direction of the air-conditioning air from the specific outlet changes along a random path within the spatial range indicated by the graph.

18. The control method according to any one of claims 12 to 15,

in the step (d), the control information for controlling the specific outlet is generated such that the wind direction of the air-conditioning air from the specific outlet changes alternately between a vertical direction and a horizontal direction within the spatial range indicated by the graph.

19. A program for causing a computer to execute the control method according to any one of claims 1 to 18.

20. An information processing device for controlling an air conditioner having a plurality of outlets for blowing air-conditioning air into an indoor space, comprising:

an obtaining unit that obtains outlet information relating to the plurality of outlets;

a display unit that displays, superimposed on an image of the indoor space captured from a viewpoint of the air conditioner, a graphic that shows a spatial range of the indoor space to which the air-conditioning air blown out from at least one of the plurality of outlets reaches;

an accepting unit that accepts operation information indicating an operation by a user for changing the number of graphics or an area occupied by the graphics on the image;

a generation unit configured to generate control information for controlling the air conditioner, based on the outlet information and the operation information; and

and a communication unit that transmits the control information to the air conditioner.