CN114761734A

CN114761734A - Control device, control system, and control method

Info

Publication number: CN114761734A
Application number: CN202180006604.5A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 川口慎介
Original assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co Ltd
Current assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co Ltd
Priority date: 2020-11-11
Filing date: 2021-07-20
Publication date: 2022-07-15
Also published as: JPWO2022102171A1; US20230116421A1; WO2022102171A1

Abstract

A server (10) is provided with: a communication unit (11) that receives operation information indicating a first operation in which a first device serving as an air conditioner starts adjusting the temperature of air; an acquisition unit (12) that, upon receiving the operation information, acquires humidity information including a first humidity measured by a humidity sensor of the first device and a second humidity measured by a humidity sensor of the second device; and a processing unit (13) that determines whether the first humidity and the second humidity acquired by the acquisition unit (12) satisfy the same condition that indicates that the space in which the first device adjusts the temperature of the air is the same as the space in which the second device is disposed, and that outputs information indicating the determination result.

Description

Control device, control system, and control method

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a control device, a control system, and a control method.

Background

Conventionally, there is a technique for preventing drying and condensation by an operation in a heating mode of an air conditioner (air conditioner) and an operation of a humidifier (see patent document 1).

Prior art documents

Patent document

Patent document 1: japanese patent No. 6196027

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

The above-described technology is premised on the air conditioner and the humidifier being disposed in the same space. If the air conditioner and the humidifier are disposed in different spaces, there is a problem that drying and condensation cannot be prevented in the room.

In addition to the above-described technologies, there are technologies on the premise that an air conditioner and other devices are disposed in the same space. In such a technique, if the air conditioner and other devices are disposed in different spaces, there is a problem that appropriate operation cannot be performed.

Accordingly, the present disclosure provides a control device and the like that maintain appropriate operations of other devices while using an air conditioner.

Means for solving the problems

A control device according to the present disclosure is a control device including: a communication unit that receives operation information indicating a first operation in which a first device serving as an air conditioner starts adjusting the temperature of air; an acquisition unit that, after receiving the operation information, acquires humidity information including a first humidity measured by a humidity sensor of the first device and a second humidity measured by a humidity sensor of a second device; and a processing unit configured to determine whether or not the first humidity and the second humidity acquired by the acquisition unit satisfy a condition that a space in which the first device adjusts the temperature of the air is the same as a space in which the second device is disposed, and output information indicating a result of the determination.

According to the above aspect, the control device outputs information indicating whether or not the second device (corresponding to another device) is disposed in the space in which the temperature and humidity of the air are being adjusted by the first device serving as the air conditioner, using the humidity information. Based on the output information, the user can act (for example, move the second device to the space) to place the second device in the space where the first device is adjusting the temperature and humidity of the air, and as a result, can realize a situation where the second device is placed in the space where the first device is adjusting the temperature and humidity of the air, and can appropriately operate the second device in that situation. In this way, the control device can maintain the appropriate operation of the other devices while using the air conditioner.

Further, the acquisition unit may acquire the humidity information including at least a relative humidity or an absolute humidity measured by a humidity sensor provided in the first device.

According to the above aspect, the control device determines whether or not the second device is disposed in the space where the first device is adjusting the temperature and humidity of the air, using at least the relative humidity or the absolute humidity measured by the humidity sensor included in the first device, in order to output information indicating whether or not the second device is disposed in the space where the first device is adjusting the temperature and humidity of the air. Therefore, since the humidity sensor other than the humidity sensor provided in the first device is not used, the necessary humidity sensor can be reduced, and the determination and the output of the determination result can be performed more easily. Therefore, the control device can more easily maintain the appropriate operation of the other devices while using the air conditioner.

In addition, the first device may be a first air conditioner, the second device may be a second air conditioner, the communication unit may transmit information for causing the second air conditioner to start a second operation for adjusting the humidity of air when the operation information is received, and the acquisition unit may acquire the humidity information including the first humidity measured by the humidity sensor included in the first air conditioner and the second humidity measured by the humidity sensor included in the second air conditioner after the second air conditioner starts the second operation.

According to the above aspect, the control device outputs the information indicating whether or not the first air conditioner and the second air conditioner are respectively adjusting the temperature and the humidity of the air in the same space, using the humidity after the start of the operation of the second air conditioner. The user can cause the first air conditioner and the second air conditioner to act to adjust the temperature and humidity of the air in the same space (for example, move the second air conditioner to the space) based on the output information, and as a result, the first air conditioner and the second air conditioner can achieve a situation in which the temperature and humidity of the air in the same space are adjusted, respectively. In this way, the control device can maintain appropriate humidity while using the air conditioner, in other words, can maintain appropriate operation of other equipment.

The first air conditioner may be a mounted heating device, and the second air conditioner may be a portable humidifier.

According to the above aspect, the control device can maintain an appropriate humidity, in other words, an appropriate operation of other equipment, by using the movable humidifier as the second air conditioner in the space where the installation-type heating device as the first air conditioner is used.

The humidity information may include a first absolute humidity at a first time measured by a humidity sensor provided in the first air conditioner and a second absolute humidity at a second time after the first time, and the processing unit may perform the determination using the condition including a first condition that the second absolute humidity is higher than the first absolute humidity by a predetermined value or more, based on the humidity information.

According to the above aspect, the control device can more easily perform the determination using the first condition based on the absolute humidity at 2 time points measured by the humidity sensor provided in the first air conditioner. Therefore, the control device can more easily maintain the appropriate humidity while using the air conditioner, in other words, can maintain the appropriate operation of other equipment.

In addition, the humidity information may include a change in relative humidity measured by a humidity sensor provided in the first air conditioner, and the processing unit may perform the determination using the condition including a second condition that the relative humidity is continuously higher than a threshold value, based on the humidity information.

According to the above aspect, the control device can more easily perform the determination using the second condition based on the transition of the relative humidity measured by the humidity sensor provided in the first air conditioner. Therefore, the control device can more easily maintain the appropriate humidity while using the air conditioner, in other words, can maintain the appropriate operation of other equipment.

In addition, the humidity information may include a first relative humidity at one time measured by a humidity sensor of the first air conditioner and a second relative humidity at the one time measured by a humidity sensor of the second air conditioner, and the processing unit may perform the determination using the condition including a third condition that a value obtained by subtracting the first relative humidity from the second relative humidity is equal to or greater than a threshold value, based on the humidity information.

According to the above aspect, the control device can more easily perform the determination using the third condition based on the relative humidity measured by the humidity sensor provided in each of the first air conditioner and the second air conditioner. Therefore, the control device can more easily maintain the appropriate humidity while using the air conditioner, in other words, can maintain the appropriate operation of other equipment.

In addition, the humidity information may include a transition of at least one of a relative humidity and an absolute humidity measured by a humidity sensor included in the first air conditioner, and the processing unit may perform the determination by using information output by inputting the humidity information acquired by the acquisition unit and a capacity value of the first air conditioner into a determination model that is generated in advance by machine learning and that outputs the information indicating whether or not the input transition satisfies the condition, the transition being at least one of a relative humidity and an absolute humidity and the capacity value of the first air conditioner.

According to the above aspect, the control device can more easily perform the determination using the determination model generated by the machine learning based on the transition of at least one of the relative humidity and the absolute humidity measured by the humidity sensor included in the first air conditioner. Therefore, the control device can more easily maintain the appropriate humidity while using the air conditioner, in other words, can maintain the appropriate operation of other equipment.

Further, the acquisition unit may further acquire temperature information indicating a temperature of the air after the second air conditioner starts the second operation, and the processing unit may further determine whether or not the temperature indicated by the temperature information acquired by the acquisition unit satisfies the condition.

According to the above aspect, the control device further outputs information indicating whether or not the first air conditioner and the second air conditioner are respectively adjusting the temperature and the humidity of the air in the same space, using the temperature after the start of the operation of the second air conditioner. Since the temperature after the start of the operation of the second air conditioner is also used, the condition can be determined with higher accuracy than the case where only the humidity after the start of the operation of the second air conditioner is used. Therefore, the control device can maintain the appropriate humidity, in other words, the appropriate operation of the other equipment, while using the air conditioner with higher accuracy.

Further, the acquisition unit may acquire temperature information indicating a temperature of the air after the second air conditioner starts the second operation, the temperature information including a first temperature at the one time measured by a temperature sensor of the first air conditioner and a second temperature at the one time measured by a temperature sensor of the second air conditioner, and the processing unit may perform the determination using the condition including a fourth condition that a value obtained by subtracting the second temperature from the first temperature is equal to or greater than a threshold value, based on the temperature information acquired by the acquisition unit.

According to the above aspect, the control device can more easily perform the determination using the fourth condition based on the relative humidity measured by the humidity sensor provided in each of the first air conditioner and the second air conditioner and the temperature measured by the temperature sensor provided in each of the first air conditioner and the second air conditioner. Therefore, the control device can more easily maintain the appropriate humidity while using the air conditioner, in other words, can maintain the appropriate operation of other equipment.

The acquisition unit may further acquire temperature information indicating a temperature of the air after the second air conditioner starts the second operation and including a transition of a temperature measured by a temperature sensor included in the first air conditioner, and the processing unit may perform the determination based on information output by inputting the humidity information, the temperature information, and the capacity value of the first air conditioner acquired by the acquisition unit to a determination model that has as input a transition of at least one of a relative humidity and an absolute humidity, a transition of a temperature, and a capacity value of the first air conditioner, and outputs the information indicating whether the input transition satisfies the condition.

According to the above aspect, the control device can more easily perform the determination using the determination model generated by the machine learning based on the transition of at least one of the relative humidity and the absolute humidity measured by the humidity sensor provided in the first air conditioner and the transition of the temperature measured by the temperature sensor provided in the first air conditioner. Therefore, the control device can more easily maintain the appropriate humidity while using the air conditioner, in other words, can maintain the appropriate operation of other equipment.

In addition, the second equipment may be a portable sensor device including at least the humidity sensor, and the acquisition unit may acquire the humidity information including the first humidity measured by the humidity sensor included in the air conditioner and the second humidity measured by the humidity sensor included in the sensor device.

According to the above aspect, the control device outputs information indicating whether or not the movable sensor device is disposed in the space in which the air conditioner is adjusting the temperature and humidity of the air. Based on the output information, the user can act to place the transportable sensor device in the space where the air conditioner is adjusting the temperature and humidity of the air (for example, move the sensor device to the space), and as a result, it is possible to realize a situation where the transportable sensor device is placed in the space where the air conditioner is adjusting the temperature and humidity of the air. In this way, the control device can maintain the appropriate operation of the other devices while using the air conditioner.

In addition, the humidity information may include a third relative humidity at one time measured by the humidity sensor provided in the air conditioner and a fourth relative humidity at the one time measured by the humidity sensor provided in the sensor device, and the processing unit may perform the determination using the condition including a fifth condition that a difference between the fourth relative humidity and the third relative humidity at the one time is equal to or less than a threshold value, based on the humidity information.

According to the above aspect, the control device can more easily perform the determination using the fifth condition based on the relative humidity measured by the humidity sensor provided in the air conditioner and the relative humidity measured by the humidity sensor provided in the sensor device. Therefore, the control device can more easily maintain the appropriate operation of the other devices while using the air conditioner.

Further, the humidity information may include a transition of a third relative humidity in one period measured by the humidity sensor provided in the air conditioner and a transition of a fourth relative humidity in the one period measured by the humidity sensor provided in the sensor device, and the processing unit may perform the determination using the condition including a sixth condition that a value obtained by subtracting the third relative humidity from the fourth relative humidity at each time point in the one period is equal to or less than a threshold value, based on the humidity information.

According to the above aspect, the control device can more easily perform the determination using the sixth condition based on the transition of the relative humidity measured by the humidity sensor provided in the air conditioner and the transition of the relative humidity measured by the humidity sensor provided in the sensor device. Therefore, the control device can more easily maintain the appropriate operation of the other devices while using the air conditioner.

Further, the acquisition unit may acquire temperature information including a third temperature measured by a temperature sensor provided in the air conditioner and a fourth temperature measured by a temperature sensor provided in the sensor device after receiving the operation information, and the processing unit may determine whether or not the third temperature and the fourth temperature indicated by the temperature information acquired by the acquisition unit satisfy the condition.

According to the above aspect, the control device further outputs information indicating whether or not a movable sensor device is disposed in the space in which the air conditioner is adjusting the temperature and humidity of the air, using the temperature after receiving the operation information. Since the temperature after receiving the operation information is also used, the condition can be determined with higher accuracy than the case of using only the humidity. Therefore, the control device can maintain the appropriate operation of the other devices while using the air conditioner with higher accuracy.

In addition, the temperature information may include a third temperature at one time measured by the temperature sensor provided in the air conditioner and a fourth temperature at the one time measured by the temperature sensor provided in the sensor device, and the processing unit may perform the determination using the condition including a seventh condition that a value obtained by subtracting the third temperature from the fourth temperature at the one time is equal to or greater than a threshold value, based on the temperature information acquired by the acquisition unit.

According to the above aspect, the control device can more easily perform the determination using the seventh condition based on the temperature measured by the temperature sensor provided in the air conditioner and the temperature measured by the temperature sensor provided in the sensor device. Therefore, the control device can more easily maintain the appropriate operation of the other devices while using the air conditioner.

Further, the temperature information may include a transition of a third temperature in one period measured by the temperature sensor provided in the air conditioner and a transition of a fourth temperature in the one period measured by the temperature sensor provided in the sensor device, and the processing unit may perform the determination using the condition including an eighth condition that a value obtained by subtracting the third temperature from the fourth temperature at each time point in the one period is equal to or less than a threshold value, based on the temperature information.

According to the above aspect, the control device can more easily perform the determination using the eighth condition based on the transition of the temperature measured by the temperature sensor provided in the air conditioner and the transition of the temperature measured by the temperature sensor provided in the sensor device. Therefore, the control device can more easily maintain the appropriate operation of the other devices while using the air conditioner.

The condition may include a condition indicating that a space in which the first device adjusts the temperature of the air and a space in which the second device is disposed are the same room or a room communicating with each other.

According to the above aspect, the control device outputs information indicating whether the first equipment and the second equipment are respectively adjusting the temperature and humidity of the air in the same room or a connected room. Based on the output information, the user can cause the first device and the second device to act to adjust the temperature and humidity of the same room or a connected room, and as a result, a situation can be achieved in which the first device and the second device are respectively adjusting the temperature and humidity of the air of the same room or a connected room. In this way, the control device can maintain appropriate humidity while using the air conditioner, in other words, can maintain appropriate operation of other equipment.

When it is determined that the condition is not satisfied, the processing unit may cause (a) a display unit of the terminal to display an image indicating a result of the determination by outputting the image to the terminal, or (b) a speaker of the terminal to output the output sound information as sound by outputting sound information indicating a result of the determination to the terminal.

According to the above aspect, the control device can prompt the user's action by a display or a sound of the terminal to realize a situation in which the second device is disposed in the space in which the first device is adjusting the temperature of the air. Therefore, the control device can realize a situation in which the appropriate humidity is maintained while the air conditioner is used more appropriately, in other words, the appropriate operation of other equipment is maintained.

The control system according to the present disclosure is a control system including the control device described above, the first device that transmits the operation information to the control device, and the second device that provides the humidity information to the control device.

According to the above aspect, the same effects as those of the control device are obtained.

In addition, a control method in the present disclosure is a control method executed by a control apparatus, including: a communication step of receiving operation information indicating that a first device serving as an air conditioner starts a first operation of adjusting the temperature of air; an acquisition step of acquiring humidity information including a first humidity measured by a humidity sensor of the first device and a second humidity measured by a humidity sensor of a second device after receiving the operation information; and a processing step of determining whether or not the first humidity and the second humidity acquired in the acquisition step satisfy a condition that indicates that a space in which the first device adjusts the temperature of the air and a space in which the second device is disposed are the same, and outputting information indicating a result of the determination.

These general and specific aspects may be implemented by a system, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, or a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, or any combination of a system, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, and a recording medium.

ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS OF INVENTION

The control device of the present disclosure can maintain appropriate operation of other devices while using the air conditioner.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a control system according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing functions of devices constituting the control system according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a first example of the temperature and the relative humidity under the control of the control system of embodiment 1.

Fig. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a second example of the temperature and the relative humidity under the control of the control system of embodiment 1.

Fig. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a state of notification by the control system of embodiment 1.

Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing a process of the server according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a control system according to a modification of embodiment 1.

Fig. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a control system according to embodiment 2.

Fig. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing functions of devices constituting the control system of embodiment 2.

Fig. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a situation of notification by the control system of embodiment 2.

Fig. 11 is a flowchart showing a process of the server according to embodiment 2.

Fig. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a control system according to a modification of embodiment 2.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, unnecessary detailed description may be omitted. For example, detailed descriptions of already known matters or repetitive descriptions of substantially the same configuration may be omitted. This is to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the following description, as will be readily understood by those skilled in the art.

Furthermore, the drawings and the following description are provided by the inventors for the purpose of sufficiently understanding the present disclosure by those skilled in the art, and are not intended to limit the subject matter recited in the scope of the claims by them.

Hereinafter, the background of the present disclosure and the problems to be solved by the present disclosure will be described in detail, and then the embodiments will be described.

Conventionally, air conditioners (more generally, air conditioners) have been used to adjust the temperature of a space where people live. When the air conditioner operates in the heating mode to increase the temperature of the air, the relative humidity of the air decreases.

However, it is appropriate to maintain the relative humidity of the human living space within a predetermined appropriate range (for example, about 40% to 60%). This is to maintain the physical condition and health of the human being, etc. When the relative humidity of the air is lower than an appropriate range (i.e., dry) due to a temperature increase caused by heating of the air conditioner, it may cause a barrier to the physical condition and health of human beings.

Therefore, there is a technique of maintaining the relative humidity within an appropriate range (i.e., preventing drying) and also preventing condensation by the operation of the humidifier when the temperature of the air is adjusted by the air conditioner (see patent document 1).

Generally, an air conditioner is fixedly installed in a room, and on the other hand, a humidifier can be carried by a human.

The above-described technology is premised on the air conditioner and the humidifier being disposed in the same space. Therefore, if the air conditioner and the humidifier are disposed in different spaces, there is a problem that an operation for preventing indoor drying or the like cannot be performed.

In addition to the above-described technologies, there are technologies on the premise that an air conditioner and other devices are disposed in the same space.

For example, there are sensor devices that sense the environment around a sleeping human being. The sensor device includes a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, an acceleration sensor, an angular velocity sensor, a microphone, or the like. The information (i.e., temperature, humidity, acceleration, angular velocity, sound, or the like) sensed by the sensors may be analyzed as needed, and used to diagnose or improve the health status of the human, or the like. It is assumed that the sensor device is transportable and placed around a human being in sleep (more specifically, on bedding or a pillow, or within a range of about 1-2 m from the human being).

The sensor device described above is premised on being disposed in the same space as the air conditioner in the case where a human being is present in the space where the air conditioner is disposed. If the air conditioner and the sensor device are disposed in different spaces, there is a problem that appropriate operation of the sensor device, that is, sensing of the environment around a human being cannot be performed.

(embodiment mode 1)

In the present embodiment, a control device and the like that maintains appropriate operations of other devices while using an air conditioner will be described. Here, a description will be given of a control device and the like that maintain appropriate humidity while using an air conditioner, in the case where the other device is a humidifier.

Fig. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a control system 1 according to the present embodiment.

As shown in fig. 1, the control system 1 includes at least a server 10, an air conditioner 20, and a humidifier 30. The control system 1 may further include a terminal 40. Each device included in the control system 1 includes a communication interface and is communicably connected to the network N. The network N is a network N outside a house and may include a communication network of an internet service provider, or the internet, or the like.

Each device included in the control system 1 is disposed in the house of the user U. In addition, when an access point of a wireless network (for example, Wi-Fi (registered trademark)) is disposed in the house of the user U, each device may be connected to the network N through the access point.

The air conditioner 20 is an air conditioner disposed in the room 5 and configured to adjust the temperature of air, and corresponds to a first air conditioner. Here, a case where the air conditioner 20 operates in the heating mode (i.e., performs a heating operation) will be described as an example. In this case, the air conditioner 20 can be said to be a heating device.

The air conditioner 20 performs a heating operation to raise the temperature of the air in the room 5. The air conditioner 20 is connected to the network N. The air conditioner 20 is operated by control of the server 10 or by a command from the remote controller 25. The air conditioner 20 is a fixed-installation type air conditioner (more specifically, a fixed-installation type heating apparatus) fixedly installed on a wall, a ceiling, or the like of the room 5, and is not assumed in the present embodiment when moved from the room 5 to another room for use.

The humidifier 30 is an air conditioner that is disposed in the room 5 and adjusts the humidity of the air, and corresponds to a second air conditioner. The humidifier 30 may be a device that performs only humidification (so-called humidifier) or may be another device having a humidification function (air cleaner, air conditioner, or other electrical device).

Humidifier 30 increases the amount of water vapor contained in the air in room 5, in other words, increases the absolute humidity by causing water vapor to be contained in the air in room 5. The humidifier 30 is installed on the floor of the room 5, but may be a portable humidifier that is moved by being carried by the user U. It is assumed that the humidifier 30 is used in the room 5, and the user U moves to a room 6 different from the room 5 and uses the humidifier.

The terminal 40 is a communication terminal held by the user U. The terminal 40 outputs the determination result by the display or sound output server 10. When receiving an operation of operating air conditioner 20 by user U, terminal 40 transmits an instruction to operate air conditioner 20 to server 10. The terminal 40 is a smartphone, a tablet or a personal computer, or a smart speaker, etc.

The server 10 is a control device that controls the operations of the air conditioner 20 and the humidifier 30.

The server 10 controls the operation of the air conditioner 20 and the humidifier 30 by transmitting information including an instruction to start or end the operation to the air conditioner 20 and the humidifier 30, respectively, via the network N. Further, it is determined whether or not the air conditioner 20 and the humidifier 30 are disposed in the same space based on information generated by sensors (described later) provided in the air conditioner 20 and the humidifier 30, and a determination result is output.

Fig. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing functions of devices constituting the control system 1 according to the present embodiment.

As shown in fig. 2, the server 10 includes a communication unit 11, an acquisition unit 12, and a processing unit 13. Each functional Unit included in the server 10 is realized by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) (not shown) included in the server 10 executing a predetermined program using a memory.

The communication unit 11 is a functional unit that has a communication interface and transmits and receives information to and from other devices via the network N. Specifically, the communication unit 11 receives operation information indicating an operation (also referred to as a first operation) in which the air conditioner 20 starts adjusting the temperature of the air. The first operation is specifically a heating operation for adjusting the temperature of the air to be increased.

When receiving the operation information, the communication unit 11 transmits information for starting an operation (also referred to as a second operation) of the humidifier 30 to adjust the humidity of the air.

The acquisition unit 12 is a functional unit that acquires humidity information indicating the humidity of the air. The acquisition unit 12 acquires the humidity information after the communication unit 11 receives the operation information and after the humidifier 30 starts the second operation.

The acquisition unit 12 acquires humidity information via the communication unit 11. More specifically, the acquisition unit 12 acquires humidity information including at least the relative humidity or the absolute humidity measured by the humidity sensor 23 of the air conditioner 20. The acquisition unit 12 acquires humidity information including at least the relative humidity or the absolute humidity measured by the humidity sensor 33 included in the humidifier 30. The acquisition unit 12 may acquire temperature information indicating the temperature of the air after the humidifier 30 starts the second operation.

The processing unit 13 is a functional unit that performs processing for determining whether the air conditioner 20 and the humidifier 30 are disposed in the same space. The processing unit 13 determines whether or not the space in which the air conditioner 20 adjusts the temperature of the air is the same as the space in which the humidifier 30 is disposed (that is, the space in which the humidifier 30 adjusts the humidity of the air). Specifically, the processor 13 determines whether or not the humidity indicated by the humidity information acquired by the acquisition unit 12 satisfies a predetermined condition, and outputs information indicating the result of the determination. When the acquisition unit 12 acquires the temperature information, the processing unit 13 further determines whether or not the temperature indicated by the temperature information satisfies the above condition.

The predetermined condition used by the processor 13 in the determination is a condition indicating that the space in which the air conditioner 20 adjusts the temperature of the air is the same as the space in which the humidifier 30 adjusts the humidity of the air. The above conditions may include a condition that the space in which the air conditioner 20 adjusts the temperature of the air and the space in which the humidifier 30 adjusts the humidity of the air are the same room or communicated rooms. The above conditions may be a condition indicating that the space in which the air conditioner 20 adjusts the temperature of the air and the space in which the humidifier 30 adjusts the humidity of the air are within a range in which the air can freely flow. The range in which air can freely circulate may also be a range in which the temperature gradient is small. The range in which air can freely flow is, for example, a range having a width of about several meters to several tens of meters in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction, but is not limited thereto.

When outputting the information indicating the result of the determination, (a) the processing unit 13 outputs an image indicating the result of the determination to the terminal 40, and causes the display unit 43 of the terminal 40 to display the output image, or (b) the processing unit outputs the sound information indicating the result of the determination to the terminal 40, and causes the speaker 44 of the terminal 40 to output the output sound information as sound.

As shown in fig. 2, the air conditioner 20 includes a communication unit 21, an air conditioning module 22, a humidity sensor 23, and a temperature sensor 24. The air conditioner 20 may be provided with a remote controller 25.

The communication unit 21 is a functional unit that includes a communication interface and transmits and receives information to and from other devices via the network N. The communication unit 21 transmits or receives information indicating that the air conditioner 20 starts heating. The air conditioner 20 starts the heating operation in a mode of receiving a command from the remote controller 25 and a mode of receiving a command from the server 10. In the case of the mode in which the command is received from the remote controller 25 to start the heating operation, the communication unit 21 operates the air-conditioning module 22 in the heating mode in accordance with the command received from the remote controller 25, and transmits information indicating that the air-conditioning module 22 or the air conditioner 20 starts the heating operation. In the case of the method of receiving the command from the server 10, the communication unit 21 receives the command to start the heating operation of the air conditioner 20 received from the server 10, and supplies the received command to the air conditioning module 22, thereby starting the heating operation of the air conditioner 20. The communication unit 21 also transmits the humidity information generated by the humidity sensor 23 to the server 10. The communication unit 21 may also transmit the temperature information generated by the temperature sensor 24 to the server 10.

The air conditioning module 22 is a module that adjusts the temperature of air, and more specifically, a module that heats air by raising the temperature of air. The air conditioning module 22 has a function of maintaining the temperature of the air at an appropriate value (for example, around 25 ℃) based on the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor 24.

The humidity sensor 23 is a sensor that senses the humidity of the air. The humidity sensor 23 senses the humidity of the air at the position where the humidity sensor 23 is disposed, and outputs information indicating the sensed humidity. The humidity sensed by the humidity sensor 23 is the humidity of the room 5, which is the space where the air conditioner 20 is disposed. The humidity sensed by the humidity sensor 23 is also referred to as the humidity of the location of the air conditioner 20.

The temperature sensor 24 is a sensor that senses the temperature of the air. The temperature sensor 24 senses the temperature of the air at the position where the temperature sensor 24 is disposed, and outputs information indicating the sensed temperature. The temperature sensed by the temperature sensor 24 is the temperature of the room 5, which is the space where the air conditioner 20 is disposed. The temperature sensed by the temperature sensor 24 is also referred to as the temperature of the location of the air conditioner 20.

The remote controller 25 is a controller that transmits a command to start the operation of the air conditioner 20. When receiving an operation (for example, pressing a button) of the user U to start the operation of the air conditioner 20, the remote controller 25 transmits a signal to start the operation of the air conditioner 20 to the air conditioner 20 by infrared rays or radio waves.

As shown in fig. 2, the humidifier 30 includes a communication unit 31, a humidification module 32, a humidity sensor 33, and a temperature sensor 34.

The communication unit 31 is a functional unit that includes a communication interface and transmits and receives information to and from other devices via the network N. The communication unit 31 receives information indicating that the humidifier 30 starts operating from the server 10, and supplies the received information to the humidification module 32, thereby starting the humidification operation of the humidifier 30.

The humidification module 32 is a module that adjusts the humidity of air, and more specifically, is a module that humidifies air by increasing the humidity of air by including water vapor in the air. The humidification module 32 has a function of maintaining the humidity of the air at an appropriate value (for example, around 50%) or in an appropriate range (for example, around 40% to 60%) based on the humidity sensed by the humidity sensor 33.

The humidity sensor 33 is a sensor that senses the humidity of the air. The humidity sensor 33 senses the humidity of the air at the position where the humidity sensor 33 is disposed, and outputs information indicating the sensed humidity. The humidity sensed by humidity sensor 33 is the humidity of the space in which humidifier 30 is disposed, more specifically, the humidity of room 5 when humidifier 30 is disposed in room 5, and the humidity of room 6 when humidifier 30 is disposed in room 6. The humidity sensed by the humidity sensor 33 is also referred to as the humidity of the location of the humidifier 30.

The temperature sensor 34 is a sensor that senses the temperature of the air. The temperature sensor 34 senses the temperature of the air at the position where the temperature sensor 34 is disposed, and outputs information indicating the sensed temperature. The temperature sensed by the temperature sensor 34 is the temperature of the space in which the humidifier 30 is disposed, and more specifically, the temperature of the room 5 when the humidifier 30 is disposed in the room 5, and the temperature of the room 6 when the humidifier 30 is disposed in the room 6. The temperature sensed by the temperature sensor 34 is also referred to as the temperature of the location of the humidifier 30.

As shown in fig. 2, the terminal 40 includes a communication unit 41, an operation unit 42, a display unit 43, and a speaker 44.

The communication unit 41 is a functional unit that transmits and receives information to and from other devices via the network N. The communication unit 41 receives information indicating the result of the determination output by the processing unit 13 of the server 10, and supplies the received information to at least one of the display unit 43 and the speaker 44.

The operation unit 42 is a functional unit that receives an operation by the user U. When receiving an operation to start the heating operation of the air conditioner 20 from the user U, the operation unit 42 supplies an instruction to start the heating operation of the air conditioner 20 to the communication unit 41, and transmits the instruction to the server 10. The operation unit 42 is, for example, a touch panel.

The display unit 43 is a display screen for displaying an image. The display unit 43 displays an image, which is information indicating the result of the determination by the processing unit 13 of the server 10, provided from the communication unit 41.

The speaker 44 is an output device that outputs sound. The speaker 44 outputs the sound supplied from the communication unit 41 as the information indicating the result of the determination by the processing unit 13 of the server 10.

The conditions used by the processing unit 13 for the determination will be described in more detail.

The conditions used by the processing unit 13 for the determination include at least conditions related to humidity. The conditions include a condition that can be determined using humidity without depending on temperature, and a condition that can be determined using humidity and temperature. The respective conditions will be described below.

(1) Conditions under which determination can be made using humidity without depending on temperature

(Condition 1-1) Absolute humidity rises.

When the humidifier 30 is performing the humidification operation in the room 5, the absolute humidity of the room 5 rises after the humidification operation is started. Therefore, if an increase in the absolute humidity of the room 5 is detected, it can be determined that the room 5 is being humidified by the humidifier 30, that is, the room in which the air conditioner 20 adjusts the temperature of the air is the same as the room in which the humidifier 30 adjusts the humidity of the air.

This (condition 1-1) is expressed as "the absolute humidity at the second time point is higher than the absolute humidity at the first time point by a predetermined value or more" using the absolute humidity at the first time point after the start of the humidification operation and the absolute humidity at the second time point after the start of the humidification operation "(the first condition). Here, the first time point and the second time point may be any time point as long as the above-described context is satisfied.

That is, the following (equation 1) holds for the absolute humidity AH1 at the first time point and the absolute humidity AH2 at the second time point.

AH2-AH1> Th1 (formula 1)

Here, Th1 is a predetermined threshold value, and may be zero or a predetermined value larger than zero. Th1 may be determined as a value of the degree of measurement accuracy of the absolute humidity of the humidity sensor 23, and can be, for example, 1g/m³Or 0.1g/m³So that from 0 to 1g/m³Th1 is appropriately set in the equal range.

(Condition 1-2) the relative humidity is within an appropriate range.

In the case where the humidifier 30 is performing the humidification operation in the room 5, the relative humidity is maintained within the appropriate range. Therefore, if it is detected that the relative humidity of the room 5 is maintained within the appropriate range, it can be determined that the room 5 in which the humidifier 30 is performing the humidification operation, that is, the space in which the air conditioner 20 adjusts the temperature of the air is the same as the space in which the humidifier 30 adjusts the humidity of the air.

This (condition 1-2) uses the relative humidity after the start of the humidification operation, and represents that "the relative humidity is continuously higher than the threshold" (second condition). As the threshold, a lower limit value of an appropriate range can be adopted.

Before the humidifier 30 starts the humidification operation, the relative humidity of the room 5 may be out of the appropriate range. In this case, the relative humidity may not fall within the appropriate range for a predetermined time (several minutes to several tens of minutes) after the humidifier 30 starts the humidification operation. In this case, the determination may be made using the change in the relative humidity after the humidifier 30 starts the humidification operation for several minutes to several tens of minutes.

(condition 1-3) the relative humidity at the position of the humidifier 30 is higher than the relative humidity at the position of the air conditioner 20 by a threshold or more.

When the humidifier 30 is performing the humidification operation in the room 5, the relative humidity at the position of the humidifier 30 and the relative humidity at the position of the air conditioner 20 are substantially the same value. When the humidifier 30 is performing the humidification operation in the room 6, the relative humidity at the position of the humidifier 30 is increased or maintained, and the relative humidity at the position of the air conditioner 20 is decreased due to the temperature increase caused by the heating operation of the air conditioner 20. Therefore, if it is detected that the value obtained by subtracting the relative humidity at the position of the air conditioner 20 from the relative humidity at the position of the humidifier 30 is equal to or greater than the threshold value, it can be determined that the room 5 in which the humidifier 30 is performing the humidification operation, that is, the space in which the air conditioner 20 adjusts the temperature of the air is the same as the space in which the humidifier 30 adjusts the humidity of the air.

This (condition 1-3) represents that "the value obtained by subtracting the first relative humidity from the second relative humidity is equal to or greater than the threshold value" using the relative humidity at one time point (also referred to as the first relative humidity) measured by the humidity sensor 23 of the air conditioner 20 and the relative humidity at the above one time point (also referred to as the second relative humidity) measured by the humidity sensor 33 of the humidifier 30 (the third condition).

That is, the following (equation 2) is established for the relative humidity RH1 measured by the humidity sensor 23 and the relative humidity RH2 measured by the humidity sensor 33 at the above one time point.

RH2-RH1 > Th2 (formula 2)

Here, Th2 is a predetermined threshold value, and may be a predetermined value larger than zero. Th2 can be determined as a value of the degree of the relative humidity measurement accuracy of the

humidity sensor

23 or 33, and can be set appropriately from a range of about ± 1% to 5%, such as ± 1% or ± 5%.

(conditions 1 to 4) determination based on a determination model using humidity.

When the transition of at least one of the relative humidity and the absolute humidity and the capability value of the air conditioner 20 are given, it is possible to determine whether the given transition satisfies the condition using the discriminant model. In this case, the discrimination model can be generated in advance by supervised machine learning using (a) transition of at least one of relative humidity and absolute humidity, (b) a capability value of the air conditioner 20, and (c) transition information indicating whether or not the transition of (a) is transition in a case where a space in which the temperature of the air conditioner 20 is adjusted is the same as a space in which the humidity of the air is adjusted by the humidifier 30. The generated discrimination model is a determination model that receives transitions of at least one of the relative humidity and the absolute humidity and the capacity value of the air conditioner 20 as inputs and outputs information indicating whether the input transitions satisfy a condition.

Then, the processing unit 13 performs determination using information output by inputting transition information acquired by the acquisition unit 12 and the capacity value of the air conditioner 20 to the generated discriminant model.

(2) Conditions capable of determination based on humidity and temperature

(condition 2-1) the relative humidity at the position of the humidifier 30 is higher than the relative humidity at the position of the air conditioner 20 by a threshold value or more, and the temperature at the position of the air conditioner 20 is higher than the temperature at the position of the humidifier 30 by a threshold value or more.

As described above (conditions 1 to 3), the relative humidity operations at the respective positions of the air conditioner 20 and the humidifier 30 are different between the case where the humidifier 30 is performing the humidification operation in the room 5 and the case where the humidifier 30 is performing the humidification operation in the room 6.

Further, the operation of the temperature at the respective positions of the air conditioner 20 and the humidifier 30 differs between the case where the humidifier 30 is performing the humidification operation in the room 5 and the case where the humidifier 30 is performing the humidification operation in the room 6.

That is, when the humidifier 30 is performing the humidification operation in the room 5, the temperature at the position of the humidifier 30 and the temperature at the position of the air conditioner 20 take substantially the same value. When the humidifier 30 is performing the humidification operation in the room 6, the temperature at the position of the humidifier 30 is maintained, but the temperature at the position of the air conditioner 20 is increased.

Therefore, if it is detected that the value obtained by subtracting the relative humidity at the position of the air conditioner 20 from the relative humidity at the position of the humidifier 30 is equal to or greater than the threshold value, and it is detected that the value obtained by subtracting the temperature at the position of the humidifier 30 from the temperature at the position of the air conditioner 20 is equal to or greater than the threshold value, it can be determined that the room 5 in which the humidifier 30 is performing the humidification operation, that is, the space in which the air conditioner 20 adjusts the temperature of the air is the same as the space in which the humidifier 30 adjusts the humidity of the air.

This (condition 2-1) is expressed by using the relative humidity at one time point (also referred to as a first relative humidity) measured by the humidity sensor 23 of the air conditioner 20, the relative humidity at the one time point (also referred to as a second relative humidity) measured by the humidity sensor 33 of the humidifier 30, the temperature at the one time point (also referred to as a first temperature) measured by the temperature sensor 24 of the air conditioner 20, and the temperature at the one time point (also referred to as a second temperature) measured by the temperature sensor 34 of the humidifier 30, in such a manner that a value obtained by subtracting the first relative humidity from the second relative humidity is equal to or more than a threshold value, and a value obtained by subtracting the second temperature from the first temperature is equal to or more than a threshold value (fourth condition).

That is, the following (equation 3) holds for the relative humidity RH1 measured by the humidity sensor 23, the relative humidity RH2 measured by the humidity sensor 33, the temperature T1 measured by the temperature sensor 24, and the temperature T2 measured by the temperature sensor 34 at the above one time point.

RH2-RH1> Th2 and T1-T2> Th3 (formula 3)

Here, Th2 is the same as Th2 in the above (conditions 1 to 3). Th3 is a predetermined threshold value, and may be a predetermined value larger than zero. Th3 can be determined as a value of the degree of measurement accuracy of the

temperature sensor

24 or 34, and can be set to, for example, about ± 1 to 2 ℃.

(condition 2-2) determination based on a determination model using humidity and temperature.

When the transition of at least one of the relative humidity and the absolute humidity, the transition of the temperature, and the capability value of the air conditioner 20 are given, it is possible to determine whether the given transition satisfies the condition using the discriminant model. In this case, the determination model can be generated in advance by supervised machine learning using (a) transition of at least one of relative humidity and absolute humidity, (b) transition of temperature, (c) capability value of the air conditioner 20, and (d) information indicating whether or not the transitions of (a) and (b) are transition when a space in which the temperature of the air conditioner 20 is adjusted and a space in which the humidity of the air is adjusted by the humidifier 30 are the same. The generated discrimination model is a determination model that receives as input a transition of at least one of a relative humidity and an absolute humidity, a transition of a temperature, and a capacity value of the air conditioner 20, and outputs information indicating whether the input transition satisfies a condition.

Then, the processing unit 13 performs determination using information output by inputting the humidity information and the temperature information acquired by the acquisition unit 12 and the capacity value of the air conditioner 20 to the generated discriminant model.

Fig. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a first example of the temperature and the relative humidity controlled by the control system 1 of the present embodiment. Fig. 3 shows temporal changes in the temperature and relative humidity of room 5 at times before and after the time when air conditioner 20 starts the heating operation. At this time, humidifier 30 is disposed in room 5 similar to air conditioner 20.

As shown in fig. 3, the temperature of the room 5 is about 15 ℃ and the relative humidity is about 40% before the air conditioner 20 starts the heating operation. When the air conditioner 20 starts the heating operation, the temperature of the room 5 rises to about 23 ℃, and the relative humidity is maintained at about 42% after slight fluctuation.

Such a temperature change has an effect of increasing the temperature of the air by the heating operation of the air conditioner 20. Such a change in humidity is an effect achieved when the humidifier 30 starts the humidification operation upon the start of the heating operation of the air conditioner 20.

Since the relative humidity falls within the appropriate range before and after the start of the heating operation of the air conditioner 20, the room 5 maintains a relative temperature suitable for human life before and after the start of the heating operation of the air conditioner 20.

Fig. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a second example of the temperature and the relative humidity controlled by the control system 1 of the present embodiment. Fig. 4 shows temporal changes in the temperature and relative humidity of room 5 at times before and after the time when air conditioner 20 starts the heating operation. At this time, humidifier 30 is disposed in room 6.

The temperatures shown in fig. 4 are the same as those shown in fig. 3. Before the air conditioner 20 starts the heating operation, the relative humidity of the room 5 is about 40%, and when the air conditioner 20 starts the heating operation, the relative humidity decreases to about 30%.

Such a temperature change is an effect of the heating operation of the air conditioner 20, as in the case of fig. 3. On the other hand, such a change in relative humidity is a change caused by humidifier 30 operating in room 6, in other words, humidifier 30 not operating in room 5.

Further, since the relative humidity is lower than the appropriate range after the start of the heating operation of the air conditioner 20, the room 5 cannot maintain the relative temperature suitable for human life after the start of the heating operation of the air conditioner 20.

As shown in fig. 4, the control system 1 of the present embodiment detects that the space in which the air conditioner 20 adjusts the temperature of the air is different from the space in which the humidifier 30 adjusts the humidity of the air, and notifies the user U of the detected difference. This can urge the user U to move the humidifier 30 to the room 5, and cause the humidifier 30 to perform the humidification operation in the room 5.

Fig. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a state of notification by the control system 1 of the present embodiment.

Fig. 5 (a) shows a case where a smartphone, which is an example of the terminal 40, notifies by display.

When the communication unit 41 of the terminal 40 acquires the determination result output from the server 10, the determination result is displayed as an image on the display unit 43. It is assumed that the image displayed on the display unit 43 is visually recognized by the user U.

For example, the image displayed on the display unit 43 includes a message indicating "the humidifier is as if it is disposed in a room different from the air conditioner. "images of notifications provided by such information. The above notification is an example of providing the user U with information that the space where the air conditioner 20 adjusts the temperature of the air and the space where the humidifier 30 adjusts the humidity of the air are different.

In addition, as the notification, it is also possible to use "is the humidifier located in the same room as the air conditioner? "notification of such a query. When the specific name of the room 5 is specified, a notification using the name may be used, and specifically, when the room 5 is a living room, the "whether the humidifier is in the living room? ".

As the notification, a "please move the humidifier to the same room as the air conditioner" may be used. "notification of such indication. The above notification is an example of a notification that the user U is instructed that the space where the air conditioner 20 adjusts the temperature of the air is the same as the space where the humidifier 30 adjusts the humidity of the air.

Fig. 5 (b) shows a case where the smart speaker as an example of the terminal 40 performs notification by sound.

When the communication unit 41 of the terminal 40 acquires the determination result output from the server 10, the determination result is output as audio through the speaker 44. It is assumed that the sound output by the speaker 44 is heard by the user U. The content of the notification is the same as in the case of fig. 5 (a).

Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing the processing of the server 10 according to the present embodiment.

As shown in fig. 6, in step S1, the communication unit 11 determines whether or not a signal for starting the heating operation is received. If it is determined to have received a message (yes at step S1), the process proceeds to step S2, otherwise (no at step S1), and step S1 is executed again. That is, the communication unit 11 is in the standby state in step S1 until it receives a signal to start the heating operation.

In step S2, the communication unit 11 transmits a signal (start signal) for starting the humidification operation to the humidifier 30.

In step S3, the acquisition unit 12 acquires humidity information indicating the humidity of the air after the humidifier 30 starts the humidification operation, based on the signal transmitted in step S2. At this time, the acquiring unit 12 may acquire temperature information indicating the temperature of the air after the humidifier 30 starts the humidification operation, based on the signal transmitted in step S2.

In step S4, the processing unit 13 determines whether or not the humidity information received in step S3 satisfies a predetermined condition. The predetermined condition is the same condition as the space in which the air conditioner 20 adjusts the temperature of the air and the space in which the humidifier 30 adjusts the humidity of the air. If it is determined that the predetermined condition is satisfied (yes in step S4), the process proceeds to step S5, and if not (no in step S4), the series of processing shown in fig. 6 ends.

In step S5, the processing unit 13 outputs information indicating the result of the determination performed in step S4 to the terminal 40. The terminal 40 that has received the output information notifies the user U of the result of the determination by display or sound.

Through a series of processes shown in fig. 6, the server 10 can maintain appropriate humidity while utilizing the air conditioner.

In the present embodiment, a case where the first air conditioner is an air conditioner, the first operation is heating, the second air conditioner is a humidifier, and the second operation is humidification has been described as an example. Here, the second action can be said to be an action having an effect of canceling a state generated as a result of the first action. That is, when the first operation is heating, if heating is performed in a closed space, a dry state in which the relative humidity is reduced occurs. In this case, the humidification as the second operation can be said to be an operation of eliminating the dry state.

As another example, it may be assumed that the first air conditioner is an air conditioner, the first operation is cooling, the second air conditioner is a dehumidifier, and the second operation is dehumidifying. In this case, when the cooling as the first operation is performed in the sealed space, a wet state in which the relative humidity is increased occurs. In this case, the dehumidification as the second operation can be said to be an operation of eliminating the wet state.

A system that does not use communication via the network N outside the house is also conceivable as the control system 1 (see a modification of embodiment 1 described below). Compared with this method, the control system 1 has the following advantages: the server 10 is connected to the air conditioners 20 and the humidifiers 30 in the plurality of houses, and can determine conditions regarding the air conditioners 20 and the humidifiers 30 in the plurality of houses and output the results. Since the server 10 is centrally managed, there are advantages such as reduction in operation cost of the server 10, reduction in power consumption, and reduction in resources required for maintenance work such as software upgrade.

(modification of embodiment 1)

In the present modification, a control device that maintains appropriate operation of other devices while using an air conditioner, and more specifically, a control device that maintains appropriate humidity while using an air conditioner, will be described in a manner different from that of embodiment 1.

Fig. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of the control system 2 according to the present modification.

As shown in fig. 7, the control system 2 includes at least an air conditioner 20A and a humidifier 30. The control system 2 may further include a terminal 40. Each device included in the control system 2 includes a communication interface and is communicably connected to each other.

The air conditioner 20A is an air conditioner disposed in the room 5 and adjusting the temperature of air, and corresponds to a first air conditioner. The air conditioner 20A has the functions of the air conditioner 20 according to embodiment 1 and also has the functions of the server 10.

The air conditioner 20A may also have a function of an access point of a wireless network in the house of the user U. In this case, there is an advantage that it is not necessary to additionally provide an access point of the wireless network in the house of the user U.

The humidifier 30 and the terminal 40 are the same as those in embodiment 1.

The control system 2 shown in fig. 7 has an advantage that it can be continuously used even when a communication failure occurs in the network N outside the house because it is not necessary to perform communication via the network N outside the house.

When the server 10 holds information indicating that the air conditioner 20 and the humidifier 30 are related to each other, the communication unit 11 may transmit information for causing the humidifier 30 to start the operation of adjusting the humidity of the air when receiving operation information indicating that the air conditioner 20 starts the operation of adjusting the temperature of the air.

The information indicating the association between the air conditioner 20 and the humidifier 30 may be generated, for example, by setting an initial setting screen for communicating the air conditioner 20 and the humidifier 30 with the server 10. That is, in the initial setting screen, when the user U is made to select whether or not the air conditioner 20 and the humidifier 30 can be cooperatively controlled, and the user U allows the air conditioner 20 and the humidifier 30 to be cooperatively controlled, information indicating the relationship between the air conditioner 20 and the humidifier 30 may be generated.

According to the above-described aspect, the user U can set the air conditioner 20 and the humidifier 30 according to the arrangement, and when there are a plurality of air conditioners 20, unnecessary determination by the processing unit 13 can be reduced for an air conditioner 20 that is less likely to be installed in the same room as the humidifier 30.

As described above, the control device according to embodiment 1 and the modification of embodiment 1 outputs information indicating whether or not the second device (corresponding to another device) is disposed in the space where the temperature and humidity of the air are being adjusted by the first device serving as the air conditioner, using the humidity information. Based on the output information, the user can act (for example, move the second device to the space) to place the second device in the space where the first device is adjusting the temperature and humidity of the air, and as a result, can realize a situation where the second device is placed in the space where the first device is adjusting the temperature and humidity of the air, and can appropriately operate the second device in that situation. In this way, the control device can maintain the appropriate operation of the other equipment while using the air conditioner.

The control device determines whether or not the second device is disposed in the space where the temperature and humidity of the air are being adjusted by the first device, using at least the relative humidity or the absolute humidity measured by the humidity sensor included in the first device, in order to output information indicating whether or not the second device is disposed in the space where the temperature and humidity of the air are being adjusted by the first device. Therefore, since a humidity sensor other than the humidity sensor of the first device is not used, the necessary humidity sensor can be reduced, and the determination and the output of the determination result can be performed more easily. Therefore, the control device can more easily maintain the appropriate operation of the other devices while using the air conditioner.

The control device outputs information indicating whether or not the first air conditioner and the second air conditioner are respectively adjusting the temperature and the humidity of the air in the same space, using the humidity after the start of the operation of the second air conditioner. The user can cause the first air conditioner and the second air conditioner to act to adjust the temperature and humidity of the air in the same space (for example, move the second air conditioner to the space) based on the output information, and as a result, the first air conditioner and the second air conditioner can achieve a situation in which the temperature and humidity of the air in the same space are adjusted, respectively. In this way, the control device can maintain an appropriate humidity while using the air conditioner, in other words, can maintain an appropriate operation of other equipment.

In addition, the control device can maintain appropriate humidity, in other words, can maintain appropriate operation of other equipment by using a movable humidifier as the second air conditioner in a space where the installation-type heating device as the first air conditioner is used.

In addition, the control device can more easily perform the determination using the first condition based on the absolute humidity at 2 time points measured by the humidity sensor provided in the first air conditioner. Therefore, the control device can more easily maintain appropriate humidity while using the air conditioner, in other words, can maintain appropriate operation of other equipment.

In addition, the control device can more easily perform the determination using the second condition based on the transition of the relative humidity measured by the humidity sensor provided in the first air conditioner. Therefore, the control device can more easily maintain appropriate humidity while using the air conditioner, in other words, can maintain appropriate operation of other equipment.

In addition, the control device can more easily perform the determination using the third condition based on the relative humidity measured by the humidity sensor provided in each of the first air conditioner and the second air conditioner. Therefore, the control device can more easily maintain appropriate humidity while using the air conditioner, in other words, can maintain appropriate operation of other equipment.

In addition, the control device can more easily perform the determination using the determination model generated by the machine learning based on the transition of at least one of the relative humidity and the absolute humidity measured by the humidity sensor provided in the first air conditioner. Therefore, the control device can more easily maintain the appropriate humidity while using the air conditioner, in other words, can maintain the appropriate operation of other equipment.

The control device also outputs information indicating whether or not the first air conditioner and the second air conditioner are respectively adjusting the temperature and humidity of the air in the same space, using the temperature after the start of the operation of the second air conditioner. Since the temperature after the start of the operation of the second air conditioner is also used, the condition can be determined with higher accuracy than the case where only the humidity after the start of the operation of the second air conditioner is used. Therefore, the control device can maintain the appropriate humidity, in other words, the appropriate operation of the other equipment, while using the air conditioner with higher accuracy.

The control device can further easily perform the determination using the fourth condition based on the relative humidity measured by the humidity sensor provided in each of the first air conditioner and the second air conditioner and the temperature measured by the temperature sensor provided in each of the first air conditioner and the second air conditioner. Therefore, the control device can more easily maintain the appropriate humidity while using the air conditioner, in other words, can maintain the appropriate operation of other equipment.

Further, the control device can more easily perform the determination using the determination model generated by the machine learning based on the transition of at least one of the relative humidity and the absolute humidity measured by the humidity sensor provided in the first air conditioner and the transition of the temperature measured by the temperature sensor provided in the first air conditioner. Therefore, the control device can more easily maintain the appropriate humidity while using the air conditioner, in other words, can maintain the appropriate operation of other equipment.

The control device outputs information indicating whether or not the first device and the second device are respectively adjusting the temperature and humidity of the air in the same room or a connected room. Based on the output information, the user can cause the first device and the second device to act to adjust the temperature and humidity of the same room or a connected room, and as a result, a situation can be achieved in which the first device and the second device are respectively adjusting the temperature and humidity of the air of the same room or a connected room. In this way, the control device can maintain an appropriate humidity while using the air conditioner, in other words, can maintain an appropriate operation of other equipment.

The control device can prompt the user's action by a display or a sound of the terminal so as to realize a situation in which the second device is disposed in the space in which the first device is adjusting the temperature of the air. Therefore, the control device can realize a situation in which the appropriate humidity is maintained while the air conditioner is used more appropriately, in other words, the appropriate operation of other equipment is maintained.

(embodiment mode 2)

In the present embodiment, a control device and the like that maintains appropriate operations of other devices while using an air conditioner will be described. Here, a case where the other device is a sensor device, that is, a control device or the like that realizes sensing while using the air conditioner will be described.

Fig. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of the control system 1A of the present embodiment.

As shown in fig. 8, the control system 1A includes at least a server 10A, an air conditioner 20, and a sensor device 30A.

The air conditioner 20 corresponds to a first device. The sensor device 30A corresponds to a second apparatus.

The control system 1A differs from the control system 1 (see fig. 1) described in embodiment 1 in that the control system 1A includes a sensor device 30A in place of the humidifier 30 and a server 10A in place of the server 10. These aspects are explained in detail below. The control system 1A is otherwise the same as the control system 1 described in embodiment 1.

The sensor device 30A is a sensor device that is disposed in the room 5 and senses the surrounding environment, and may correspond to a second apparatus. The sensor device 30A includes a sensor such as a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, an acceleration sensor, or a microphone, and a communication interface. The sensor device 30A transmits information (i.e., temperature, humidity, acceleration, sound, or the like) acquired by the sensing of the sensor to the server 10A via the communication interface and the network N. Further, the sensor device 30A may have some of the above-described sensors.

The information obtained by the sensor device 30A may be used, for example, to diagnose or improve the health of a user that is using the sensor device 30A.

The sensor device 30A may be mounted on other electric devices (for example, a portable lighting device, a portable television receiver, or the like). In this case, the communication interface of the sensor device 30A may also be used as a communication interface of the other electrical equipment.

Server 10A controls the operation of air conditioner 20 by transmitting information including an instruction to start or end the operation to air conditioner 20 via network N. Further, the server 10A acquires information acquired by a sensor provided by the sensor device 30A.

Then, the server 10A determines whether or not the air conditioner 20 and the sensor device 30A are disposed in the same space based on information generated by the sensor provided in the air conditioner 20, and outputs the determination result.

Next, the functions of the devices constituting the control system 1A will be described.

Fig. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing functions of devices constituting the control system 1A of the present embodiment.

In the apparatus shown in fig. 9, the air conditioner 20 and the terminal 40 are the same as those in embodiment 1, and therefore, the description thereof is omitted.

As shown in fig. 9, the server 10A includes a communication unit 11, an acquisition unit 12A, and a processing unit 13A as functional units. The functional unit included in the server 10A is realized by a cpu (central Processing unit) (not shown) included in the server 10A executing a predetermined program using a memory.

The communication unit 11 is a functional unit that has a communication interface and transmits and receives information to and from other devices via the network N. Specifically, the communication unit 11 receives operation information indicating an operation (also referred to as a first operation) in which the air conditioner 20 starts adjusting the temperature of the air. The first operation specifically includes a heating operation for adjusting the temperature of the air to be increased, a cooling operation for adjusting the temperature of the air to be decreased, or a dehumidifying operation for adjusting the humidity of the air to be decreased.

The acquisition unit 12A is a functional unit for acquiring humidity information. The acquisition unit 12A, upon receiving the operation information by the communication unit 11, acquires humidity information including humidity (corresponding to a first humidity) measured by a humidity sensor included in the air conditioner 20 and humidity (corresponding to a second humidity) measured by a humidity sensor included in the sensor device 30A. The acquisition unit 12A acquires humidity information via the communication unit 11. More specifically, the acquisition unit 12A acquires humidity information including at least the relative humidity or the absolute humidity measured by the humidity sensor 23 of the air conditioner 20.

The processing unit 13A is a functional unit that determines whether or not the space in which the air conditioner 20 adjusts the temperature of the air is the same as the space in which the sensor device 30A is disposed. Specifically, the processing unit 13A determines whether the humidity indicated by the humidity information acquired by the acquisition unit 12A satisfies a predetermined condition, and outputs information indicating the result of the determination. When the acquiring unit 12A acquires the temperature information, the processing unit 13A further determines whether or not the temperature indicated by the temperature information satisfies the above condition.

The predetermined condition used by the processing unit 13A for the determination is the same condition as the space in which the sensor device 30A is disposed, indicating that the air conditioner 20 adjusts the temperature of the air. The above conditions are the same as those in embodiment 1.

The processing unit 13A outputs the result of the determination in the same manner as the processing unit 13 in embodiment 1.

As shown in fig. 9, the sensor device 30A includes a communication unit 31A, a humidity sensor 33A, a temperature sensor 34A, an acceleration sensor 35A, and a microphone 36A. The sensor device 30A includes at least the humidity sensor 33A, and may or may not include the temperature sensor 34A, the acceleration sensor 35A, and the microphone 36A.

The communication unit 31A is a functional unit that has a communication interface and transmits and receives information to and from other devices via the network N.

The humidity sensor 33A and the temperature sensor 34A are the same as the humidity sensor 33 and the temperature sensor 34, respectively.

The acceleration sensor 35A is a sensor (for example, a three-axis acceleration sensor) that senses acceleration of the sensor device 30A. The acceleration sensor 35A senses acceleration (for example, acceleration in three-axis directions) of the sensor device 30A and outputs information indicating the sensed acceleration. The acceleration sensed by the acceleration sensor 35A represents the vibration of the bedding or pillow caused by the body movement of the human when the sensor device 30A is placed on the bedding or pillow of the sleeping human, and the body movement of the sleeping human can be analyzed based on the acceleration.

The temperature sensed by temperature sensor 34A is the temperature of the space in which sensor device 30A is disposed, more specifically, the temperature of room 5 when sensor device 30A is disposed in room 5, and the temperature of room 6 when sensor device 30A is disposed in room 6. The temperature sensed by temperature sensor 34A is also referred to as the temperature of the location of sensor device 30A.

The microphone 36A is a microphone that senses sound around the sensor device 30A. The microphone 36A senses the sound around the sensor device 30A and outputs sound information indicating the sensed sound. The sound sensed by microphone 36A may include the sound emitted by a human being or the sound or sound transmitted to a human being from the surroundings of the human being when sensor device 30A is placed on the bedding or pillow of a sleeping human being.

The conditions used by the processing unit 13A for determination will be described in more detail.

The conditions used by the processing unit 13A for the determination include at least conditions related to humidity. The conditions include a condition that can be determined using humidity without depending on temperature, and a condition that can be determined using humidity and temperature. The respective conditions will be described below.

(condition 3-1) the difference between the relative humidity at the position of the air conditioner 20 and the relative humidity at the position of the sensor device 30A is equal to or less than the threshold value.

When the sensor device 30A is disposed in the room 5, the relative humidity at the position of the air conditioner 20 and the relative humidity at the position of the sensor device 30A take substantially the same value.

On the other hand, when the sensor device 30A is disposed in the room 6, the relative humidity at the position of the air conditioner 20 and the relative humidity at the position of the sensor device 30A are independent of each other and often take different values (however, the same value may be taken).

Therefore, if it is detected that the difference between the relative humidity at the position of the sensor device 30A and the relative humidity at the position of the air conditioner 20 is equal to or less than the threshold value, it can be determined that the room 5 in which the sensor device 30A is disposed, that is, the space in which the air conditioner 20 adjusts the temperature of the air is the same as the space in which the sensor device 30A is disposed.

This (condition 3-1) is expressed as "the difference between the fourth relative humidity and the third relative humidity at one time point is equal to or less than the threshold value" using the relative humidity at one time point (also referred to as the third relative humidity) measured by the humidity sensor 23 of the air conditioner 20 and the relative humidity at the above-mentioned one time point (also referred to as the fourth relative humidity) measured by the humidity sensor 33A of the sensor device 30A (the fifth condition).

That is, the following (equation 4) is established for the relative humidity RH3 measured by the humidity sensor 23 and the relative humidity RH4 measured by the humidity sensor 33A at the above one time point.

Th4 (formula 4) is less than or equal to I RH4-RH 3I

Here, Th4 is a predetermined threshold value, and may be a predetermined value larger than zero. Th4 can be determined as a value of the degree of measurement accuracy of the relative humidity of the

humidity sensor

23 or 33A, and can be set appropriately from a range of, for example, about ± 1% to 5% such as ± 1% or ± 5%.

The difference between the relative humidity at the position of the air conditioner 20 and the relative humidity at the position of the sensor device 30A during the period (condition 3-2) is equal to or less than the threshold value.

The above-mentioned (condition 3-1) is a condition of relative humidity at one time point, but the above-mentioned (condition 3-1) may be applied to relative humidity at each time point in a period, that is, a transition of relative humidity in a period.

This (condition 3-2) is expressed as "the difference between the fourth relative humidity and the third relative humidity at each time point in one period is equal to or less than the threshold value" using the relative humidity (also referred to as the third relative humidity) at each time point in one period measured by the humidity sensor 23 included in the air conditioner 20 and the relative humidity (also referred to as the fourth relative humidity) at the above-mentioned one time point measured by the humidity sensor 33A included in the sensor device 30A (sixth condition).

(condition 3-3) determination based on a determination model using humidity.

When the transition of the relative humidity at the position of the sensor device 30A and the transition of the relative humidity at the position of the air conditioner 20 are given, it is possible to determine whether the given transition satisfies the condition using the discriminant model. In this case, the determination model can be generated in advance by supervised machine learning using (a) transition of the relative humidity at the position of the sensor device 30A, (b) transition of the relative humidity at the position of the air conditioner 20, and (c) information indicating whether or not the transition of the above (a) and (b) is transition in a case where the space where the temperature of the air conditioner 20 is adjusted is the same as the space where the sensor device 30A is arranged. The generated discrimination model is a determination model that receives changes in the relative humidity at the position of the sensor device 30A and changes in the relative humidity at the position of the air conditioner 20 as inputs and outputs information indicating whether the input changes satisfy a condition.

Then, the processing unit 13A performs determination using information output by inputting the transition of the relative humidity at the position of the sensor device 30A and the transition of the relative humidity at the position of the air conditioner 20 acquired by the acquisition unit 12A to the generated determination model.

(2) Conditions capable of determination based on humidity and temperature

(condition 4-1) the difference between the relative humidity of the position of the air conditioner 20 and the relative humidity of the position of the sensor device 30A is equal to or less than a threshold value, and the difference between the temperature of the position of the air conditioner 20 and the temperature of the position of the sensor device 30A is equal to or less than a threshold value.

As described above (condition 3-1), when the sensor device 30A is disposed in the room 5, the relative humidity at the position of the air conditioner 20 and the relative humidity at the position of the sensor device 30A take substantially the same value. When the sensor device 30A is disposed in the room 5, the temperature at the position of the air conditioner 20 and the temperature at the position of the sensor device 30A have substantially the same value.

On the other hand, as described above (condition 3-1), when the sensor device 30A is disposed in the room 6, the relative humidity at the position of the air conditioner 20 and the relative humidity at the position of the sensor device 30A are independent of each other and often take different values (however, the same value may be taken). When sensor device 30A is disposed in room 6, the temperature at the position of air conditioner 20 and the temperature at the position of sensor device 30A are often different values, independently of each other (however, the same value may be used).

Therefore, if it is detected that the difference between the relative humidity at the position of the sensor device 30A and the relative humidity at the position of the air conditioner 20 is equal to or less than the threshold value and the difference between the temperature at the position of the sensor device 30A and the temperature at the position of the air conditioner 20 is equal to or less than the threshold value, it can be determined that the room 5 in which the sensor device 30A is disposed, that is, the space in which the air conditioner 20 adjusts the temperature of the air is the same as the space in which the sensor device 30A is disposed.

This (condition 4-1) is expressed as "the difference between the fourth relative humidity and the third relative humidity at one point in time is equal to or less than a threshold value, and the difference between the fourth temperature and the third temperature at one point in time is equal to or less than a threshold value" (seventh condition), using the relative humidity (also referred to as third relative humidity) and the temperature (also referred to as third temperature) at one point in time measured by humidity sensor 23 included in air conditioner 20, and the relative humidity (also referred to as fourth relative humidity) and the temperature (also referred to as fourth temperature) at the aforementioned one point in time measured by humidity sensor 33A included in sensor device 30A.

That is, the following (equation 5) holds for the relative humidity RH3 measured by the humidity sensor 23, the relative humidity RH4 measured by the humidity sensor 33A, the temperature T3 measured by the temperature sensor 24, and the temperature T4 measured by the temperature sensor 34A at the above one time point.

I RH4-RH3| ≦ Th4 and I T4-T3| ≦ Th5 (formula 5)

Here, Th4 is the same as Th4 in the above (condition 3-1). Th5 is a predetermined threshold value, and may be a predetermined value larger than zero. Th5 can be determined to be a value of the degree of measurement accuracy of the

temperature sensor

24 or 34A, and can be set to, for example, about + -1 to 2 ℃.

The difference between the relative humidity at the position of the air conditioner 20 and the relative humidity at the position of the sensor device 30A during the period (condition 4-2) is equal to or less than the threshold value.

The above-mentioned (condition 4-1) is a condition of the relative humidity and the temperature at one time point, but the above-mentioned (condition 4-1) may be applied to the relative humidity and the temperature at each time point within the period, that is, the transition of the relative humidity and the temperature within the period.

This (condition 4-2) is expressed by using the relative humidity (also referred to as a third relative humidity) at each time point in one period measured by the humidity sensor 23 of the air conditioner 20, the relative humidity (also referred to as a fourth relative humidity) at the one time point measured by the humidity sensor 33A of the sensor device 30A, the temperature (also referred to as a third temperature) at each time point in one period measured by the temperature sensor 24 of the air conditioner 20, and the temperature (also referred to as a fourth temperature) at the one time point measured by the temperature sensor 34A of the sensor device 30A, in such a manner that "the difference between the fourth relative humidity and the third relative humidity at each time point in one period is equal to or less than a threshold value, and the difference between the fourth temperature and the third temperature at each time point in one period is equal to or less than the threshold value "(eighth condition).

(condition 4-3) determination based on a determination model using humidity and temperature.

When the changes in the relative humidity and the temperature at the position of the sensor device 30A and the changes in the relative humidity and the temperature at the position of the air conditioner 20 are given, it is possible to determine whether or not the given changes satisfy the conditions using the discriminant model. In this case, the determination model can be generated in advance by supervised machine learning using (a) transition of the relative humidity at the position of the sensor device 30A, (b) transition of the relative humidity at the position of the air conditioner 20, (c) transition of the temperature at the position of the sensor device 30A, (d) transition of the temperature at the position of the air conditioner 20, and (e) information indicating whether or not the transition of the above-described (a) to (d) is transition in a case where the space in which the air conditioner 20 adjusts the temperature of the air is the same as the space in which the sensor device 30A is arranged. The generated discrimination model is a determination model that receives changes in the relative humidity and temperature at the position of the sensor device 30A and changes in the relative humidity and temperature at the position of the air conditioner 20 as inputs and outputs information indicating whether the input changes satisfy a condition.

Then, the processing unit 13A performs determination using information output by inputting the changes in the relative humidity and the temperature at the position of the sensor device 30A and the changes in the relative humidity and the temperature at the position of the air conditioner 20 acquired by the acquisition unit 12A to the generated determination model.

Fig. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state of notification by the control system 1A of the present embodiment. The case of notification shown in fig. 10 corresponds to the case of notification similar to that in embodiment 1 (see fig. 5), in which the sensor device 30A is used instead of the humidifier 30.

Fig. 10 (a) shows a case where a smartphone, which is an example of the terminal 40, performs notification by display.

When the communication unit 41 of the terminal 40 acquires the determination result output from the server 10A, the determination result is displayed as an image on the display unit 43. It is assumed that the image displayed on the display unit 43 is visually recognized by the user U.

For example, the image displayed on the display unit 43 includes a representation indicating "the sensor device is as if it is disposed in a room different from the air conditioner. "an image of a notification provided by such information. The above notification is an example of providing the user U with information that the space where the air conditioner 20 adjusts the temperature of the air is different from the space where the sensor device 30A adjusts the humidity of the air.

In addition, as the notification, it is also possible to use "is the sensor device present in the same room as the air conditioner? "notification of such inquiry. When the specific name of the room 5 is specified, a notification using the name may be used, and specifically, when the room 5 is a living room, "may be" is the sensor device present in the living room? ".

Further, as the notification, a notification of "please move the sensor device to the same room as the air conditioner" may be used. "notification of such indication. The above notification is an example of a notification that the user U is instructed that the space where the air conditioner 20 adjusts the temperature of the air is the same as the space where the sensor device 30A adjusts the humidity of the air.

Fig. 10 (b) shows a case where the smart speaker as an example of the terminal 40 notifies by sound.

When the communication unit 41 of the terminal 40 obtains the determination result output from the server 10A, the determination result is output as sound through the speaker 44. It is assumed that the sound output by the speaker 44 is heard by the user U. The content of the notification is the same as in the case of fig. 10 (a).

Fig. 11 is a flowchart showing the processing of the server 10A according to the present embodiment.

Step S1 shown in fig. 11 is the same as the step of embodiment 1 (see fig. 6) having the same name.

In step S2A, the communication unit 11 transmits a signal (start signal) for starting sensing to the sensor device 30A. Assume that the sensor device 30A that receives the start signal starts sensing. Note that, when the sensor device 30A performs sensing without receiving the start signal, the communication unit 11 may not transmit the start signal.

Steps S3 to S5 are the same as the steps of embodiment 1 (see fig. 6).

Through a series of processing shown in fig. 11, the server 10A can maintain appropriate operation of other devices while using the air conditioner.

(modification of embodiment 2)

In this modification, a control device or the like that maintains appropriate operation of other devices while using an air conditioner will be described as a mode different from embodiment 2.

Fig. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a control system 2A according to the present modification.

As shown in fig. 12, the control system 2A includes at least an air conditioner 20A and a sensor device 30A. The control system 2A may further include a terminal 40. Each device included in the control system 2A includes a communication interface and is communicably connected to each other.

The air conditioner 20A is an air conditioner disposed in the room 5 and adjusting the temperature of air, and corresponds to a first air conditioner. The air conditioner 20A has the functions of the air conditioner 20 according to embodiment 2 and also has the functions of the server 10A.

The sensor device 30A and the terminal 40 are the same as those in embodiment 2.

The control system 2A shown in fig. 12 has an advantage that it can be continuously used even when a communication failure occurs in the network N outside the house because it is not necessary to perform communication via the network N outside the house.

When the server 10A holds information indicating that the air conditioner 20A and the sensor device 30A are related to each other, the communication unit 11 may transmit information for starting sensing by the sensor device 30A when receiving operation information indicating that the air conditioner 20A starts adjusting the temperature of the air.

The information indicating the association between the air conditioner 20A and the sensor device 30A may be generated, for example, by setting an initial setting screen for communicating the air conditioner 20A and the sensor device 30A with the server 10A. That is, in the above-described initial setting screen, when the user U is made to select whether or not the cooperative control of the air conditioner 20A and the sensor device 30A is possible, and the user U permits the cooperative control of the air conditioner 20A and the sensor device 30A, information indicating that the air conditioner 20A and the sensor device 30A are related to each other may be generated.

According to the above-described aspect, the user U can make settings according to the arrangement of the air conditioners 20A and the sensor devices 30A, and when there are a plurality of air conditioners 20A, unnecessary determination by the processing unit 13A can be reduced for an air conditioner 20A that is less likely to be installed in the same room as the sensor device 30A.

As described above, the control device according to embodiment 2 and the modification of embodiment 2 outputs information indicating whether or not the second device (corresponding to another device) is disposed in the space where the temperature and humidity of the air are being adjusted by the first device serving as the air conditioner, using the humidity information. Based on the output information, the user can act to place the second device in the space where the first device is adjusting the temperature and humidity of the air (for example, move the second device to the space), and as a result, the second device can be placed in the space where the first device is adjusting the temperature and humidity of the air, and the second device can be operated appropriately in this situation. In this way, the control device can maintain the appropriate operation of the other devices while using the air conditioner.

The control device outputs information indicating whether or not a movable sensor device is disposed in a space in which the air conditioner is adjusting the temperature and humidity of the air. Based on the output information, the user can act to place the transportable sensor device in the space where the air conditioner is adjusting the temperature and humidity of the air (for example, move the sensor device to the space), and as a result, it is possible to realize a situation where the transportable sensor device is placed in the space where the air conditioner is adjusting the temperature and humidity of the air. In this way, the control device can maintain the appropriate operation of the other devices while using the air conditioner.

The control device can further easily perform the determination using the fifth condition based on the relative humidity measured by the humidity sensor included in the air conditioner and the relative humidity measured by the humidity sensor included in the sensor device. Therefore, the control device can more easily maintain the appropriate operation of the other devices while using the air conditioner.

The control device can further easily perform the determination using the sixth condition based on the transition of the relative humidity measured by the humidity sensor included in the air conditioner and the transition of the relative humidity measured by the humidity sensor included in the sensor device. Therefore, the control device can more easily maintain the appropriate operation of the other equipment while using the air conditioner.

The control device also outputs information indicating whether or not a movable sensor device is disposed in the space in which the air conditioner is adjusting the temperature and humidity of the air, using the temperature after receiving the operation information. Since the temperature after receiving the operation information is also used, the condition can be determined with higher accuracy than the case of using only the humidity. Therefore, the control device can maintain the appropriate operation of the other equipment while using the air conditioner with higher accuracy.

In addition, the control device can more easily perform the determination using the seventh condition based on the temperature measured by the temperature sensor provided in the air conditioner and the temperature measured by the temperature sensor provided in the sensor device. Therefore, the control device can more easily maintain the appropriate operation of the other devices while using the air conditioner.

The control device can further easily perform the determination using the eighth condition based on a change in the temperature measured by the temperature sensor provided in the air conditioner and a change in the temperature measured by the temperature sensor provided in the sensor device. Therefore, the control device can more easily maintain the appropriate operation of the other devices while using the air conditioner.

Further, the control device in the present disclosure may also be expressed as follows, but is not limited thereto.

That is, the control device in the present disclosure includes: a communication unit that, when receiving operation information indicating a first operation in which a first air conditioner starts adjusting the temperature of air, transmits information indicating a second operation in which the second air conditioner starts adjusting the humidity of air to a second air conditioner; an acquisition unit that acquires humidity information indicating a humidity of the air after the second air conditioner starts the second operation; and a processing unit configured to determine whether or not the humidity indicated by the humidity information acquired by the acquisition unit satisfies a condition that a space in which the humidity of the air is adjusted by the first air conditioner is the same as a space in which the humidity of the air is adjusted by the second air conditioner, and output information indicating a result of the determination.

According to the above aspect, the control device outputs the information indicating whether or not the first air conditioner and the second air conditioner are respectively adjusting the temperature and the humidity of the air in the same space, using the humidity after the start of the operation of the second air conditioner. Based on the output information, the user can cause the first air conditioner and the second air conditioner to act to adjust the temperature and humidity of the air in the same space, and as a result, a situation can be achieved in which the first air conditioner and the second air conditioner are respectively adjusting the temperature and humidity of the air in the same space. Thus, the control device can maintain an appropriate humidity while using the air conditioner.

As described above, the embodiment and the modification are explained as examples of the technique in the present disclosure. For this reason, the drawings and detailed description are provided.

Therefore, the components described in the drawings and the detailed description include not only components necessary to solve the problem but also components unnecessary to solve the problem in order to exemplify the above-described technology. Accordingly, these non-essential components should not be immediately deemed necessary based on their description in the drawings and detailed description.

In addition, since the above-described embodiments and modifications are intended to exemplify the technology in the present disclosure, various changes, substitutions, additions, omissions, and the like can be made within the scope of the claims and the equivalent scope thereof.

Industrial applicability of the invention

The present disclosure can be applied to a control device that controls an air conditioner in cooperation with a device such as a humidifier or a sensor device.

Description of the reference numerals

1. 1A, 2A control system

5. 6 Room

10. 10A server

11. 21, 31A, 41 communication unit

12. 12A acquisition part

13. 13A treatment part

20. 20A air conditioner

22 air-conditioning module

23. 33, 33A humidity sensor

24. 34, 34A temperature sensor

25 remote controller

30 humidifier

30A sensor device

32 humidification module

35A acceleration sensor

36A microphone

40 terminal

42 operating part

43 display part

44 loudspeaker

N network

U user

Claims

1. A control device is provided with:

a communication unit that receives operation information indicating a first operation in which a first device serving as an air conditioner starts adjusting the temperature of air;

an acquisition unit that, after receiving the operation information, acquires humidity information including a first humidity measured by a humidity sensor of the first device and a second humidity measured by a humidity sensor of a second device; and

And a processing unit configured to determine whether or not the first humidity and the second humidity acquired by the acquisition unit satisfy a condition that a space in which the first device adjusts the temperature of the air is the same as a space in which the second device is disposed, and output information indicating a result of the determination.

2. The control device according to claim 1,

the acquisition unit acquires the humidity information including at least a relative humidity or an absolute humidity measured by the humidity sensor of the first device.

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

the first device is a first air conditioner,

the second device is a second air conditioner,

the communication unit transmits information of a second operation for starting the adjustment of the humidity of the air by the second air conditioner when receiving the operation information,

the acquisition unit acquires the humidity information including the first humidity measured by the humidity sensor of the first air conditioner and the second humidity measured by the humidity sensor of the second air conditioner after the second air conditioner starts the second operation.

4. The control device according to claim 3,

the first air conditioner is a heating device of a mount type,

the second air conditioner is a movable humidifier.

5. The control device according to claim 4,

the humidity information includes an absolute humidity at a first time point measured by a humidity sensor provided in the first air conditioner and an absolute humidity at a second time point after the first time point,

the processing unit performs the determination using the condition including a first condition that the absolute humidity at the second time is higher than the absolute humidity at the first time by a predetermined value or more, based on the humidity information.

6. The control device according to claim 4 or 5,

the humidity information includes a change in relative humidity measured by a humidity sensor provided in the first air conditioner,

the processing portion performs the determination using the condition including a second condition that the relative humidity is continuously higher than a threshold value, based on the humidity information.

7. The control device according to any one of claims 4 to 6,

The humidity information includes a first relative humidity at a time measured by a humidity sensor of the first air conditioner and a second relative humidity at the time measured by a humidity sensor of the second air conditioner,

the processing unit performs the determination using the condition including a third condition that a value obtained by subtracting the first relative humidity from the second relative humidity is equal to or greater than a threshold value, based on the humidity information.

8. The control device according to any one of claims 4 to 7,

the humidity information includes a transition of at least one of a relative humidity and an absolute humidity measured by a humidity sensor provided in the first air conditioner,

the processing unit performs the determination using information output by inputting the humidity information acquired by the acquisition unit and the capacity value of the first air conditioner to a determination model that is generated in advance by machine learning and that has a transition of at least one of a relative humidity and an absolute humidity and the capacity value of the first air conditioner as inputs and outputs the information indicating whether the input transition satisfies the condition.

9. The control device according to any one of claims 4 to 8,

the acquisition unit further acquires temperature information indicating a temperature of the air after the second air conditioner starts the second operation,

the processing unit further determines whether or not the temperature indicated by the temperature information acquired by the acquisition unit satisfies the condition.

10. The control device according to claim 7,

the acquisition unit further acquires temperature information indicating a temperature of the air after the second air conditioner started the second operation, the temperature information including a first temperature at the one time measured by a temperature sensor of the first air conditioner and a second temperature at the one time measured by a temperature sensor of the second air conditioner,

the processing unit performs the determination using the condition including a fourth condition that a value obtained by subtracting the second temperature from the first temperature is equal to or greater than a threshold value, based on the temperature information acquired by the acquisition unit.

11. The control device according to claim 8,

The acquisition unit further acquires temperature information indicating a temperature of the air after the second air conditioner started the second operation and including a change in temperature measured by a temperature sensor included in the first air conditioner,

the processing unit performs the determination based on information output by inputting the humidity information, the temperature information, and the capability value of the first air conditioner, which are acquired by the acquisition unit, to the determination model that receives at least one of a transition in relative humidity and absolute humidity, a transition in temperature, and a capability value of the first air conditioner and outputs the information indicating whether the input transition satisfies the condition.

12. The control device according to claim 1 or 2,

said second device is a transportable sensor arrangement having at least said humidity sensor,

the acquisition unit acquires the humidity information including the first humidity measured by the humidity sensor included in the air conditioner and the second humidity measured by the humidity sensor included in the sensor device.

13. The control device according to claim 12,

the humidity information includes a third relative humidity at a time point measured by the humidity sensor of the air conditioner and a fourth relative humidity at the time point measured by the humidity sensor of the sensor device,

the processing unit performs the determination using the condition including a fifth condition that a difference between the fourth relative humidity and the third relative humidity at the one time point is equal to or less than a threshold value, based on the humidity information.

14. The control device according to claim 12,

the humidity information includes transition of a third relative humidity in one period measured by the humidity sensor of the air conditioner and transition of a fourth relative humidity in the one period measured by the humidity sensor of the sensor device,

the processing unit performs the determination using the condition including a sixth condition that a value obtained by subtracting the third relative humidity from the fourth relative humidity at each time point in the one period is equal to or less than a threshold value, based on the humidity information.

15. The control device according to any one of claims 12 to 14,

the acquisition unit further acquires, after receiving the operation information, temperature information including a third temperature measured by a temperature sensor provided in the air conditioner and a fourth temperature measured by a temperature sensor provided in the sensor device,

the processing unit further determines whether or not a third temperature and a fourth temperature indicated by the temperature information acquired by the acquisition unit satisfy the condition.

16. The control device according to claim 15,

the temperature information includes a third temperature at a time measured by the temperature sensor of the air conditioner and a fourth temperature at the time measured by the temperature sensor of the sensor device,

the processing unit performs the determination using the condition including a seventh condition that a value obtained by subtracting the third temperature from a fourth temperature at the one time point is equal to or greater than a threshold value, based on the temperature information acquired by the acquisition unit.

17. The control device according to claim 15,

The temperature information includes a transition of a third temperature in one period measured by the temperature sensor of the air conditioner and a transition of a fourth temperature in the one period measured by the temperature sensor of the sensor device,

the processing unit performs the determination using the condition including an eighth condition that a value obtained by subtracting the third temperature from the fourth temperature at each time point in the one period is equal to or less than a threshold value, based on the temperature information.

18. The control device according to any one of claims 1 to 17,

the condition includes a condition indicating that a space in which the first device adjusts the temperature of air and a space in which the second device is disposed are the same room or a room communicating with each other.

19. The control device according to any one of claims 1 to 18,

when the processing unit determines that the condition is not satisfied,

(a) outputting an image indicating a result of the determination to a terminal, and displaying the image to be output on a display unit of the terminal, or,

(b) and causing a speaker of the terminal to output the output sound information as sound by outputting sound information indicating a result of the determination to the terminal.

20. A control system is provided with:

the control device of any one of claims 1 to 19;

the first equipment sends the action information to the control device; and

the second device provides the humidity information to the control apparatus.

21. A control method executed by a control device includes:

a communication step of receiving operation information indicating that a first device serving as an air conditioner starts a first operation of adjusting the temperature of air;

an acquisition step of acquiring humidity information including a first humidity measured by a humidity sensor of the first device and a second humidity measured by a humidity sensor of a second device after receiving the operation information; and

a processing step of determining whether or not the first humidity and the second humidity acquired in the acquisition step satisfy the same condition that indicates that a space in which the first device adjusts the temperature of air and a space in which the second device is disposed are the same, and outputting information indicating a result of the determination.