CN118284775A

CN118284775A - Air conditioner and air conditioning system

Info

Publication number: CN118284775A
Application number: CN202280077465.XA
Authority: CN
Inventors: 安藤直人
Original assignee: Fujitsu General Ltd
Current assignee: Fujitsu General Ltd
Priority date: 2021-11-29
Filing date: 2022-11-14
Publication date: 2024-07-02
Also published as: AU2022396650A1; JP2023079838A; WO2023095656A1

Abstract

An air conditioner of the present invention comprises: and a control unit that switches the air conditioning operation to a power saving operation having a lower power consumption than the air conditioning operation, using presence/absence information indicating whether or not a user is present in the air conditioning space. The control part switches the air conditioner operation to any one of a first power saving operation and a second power saving operation as the power saving operation, wherein the first power saving operation prioritizes the comfort of the user, and the second power saving operation prioritizes the power saving effect. As a result, the power saving operation can be realized in which both the improvement of the power saving effect and the comfort of the user are achieved.

Description

Air conditioner and air conditioning system

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an air conditioner and an air conditioning system.

Background

For example, there has been proposed a power saving operation of an air conditioner that includes a human body detection sensor for detecting the presence or absence of a human body in an air-conditioning space, and stops the operation of the air conditioner by using the detection result of the human body detection sensor (for example, patent literature 1). In the air conditioner of patent document 1, for example, when a human body detection sensor detects that a human body in an air-conditioned space is not detected for a certain time, the power consumption of the air-conditioning operation can be saved by performing the power saving operation.

Patent document 1: japanese patent laid-open publication 2016-17663

Disclosure of Invention

However, in the conventional air conditioner, for example, the air conditioning operation is stopped for power saving whenever a situation where no person is present for a short time repeatedly occurs, in which case, when a person returns to the air conditioning space, it takes time to restore the room temperature of the air conditioning space to the set temperature, resulting in impaired user comfort. Therefore, it is difficult to achieve both improvement of the power saving effect and comfort for the user.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide an air conditioner and an air conditioning system capable of achieving a power saving operation that achieves both improvement of a power saving effect and comfort for a user.

An air conditioner according to one embodiment includes: and a control unit that switches the air conditioning operation to a power saving operation having a lower power consumption than the air conditioning operation, using presence/absence information indicating whether or not a user is present in the air conditioning space. The control part switches the air conditioner operation to any one of a first power saving operation and a second power saving operation as the power saving operation, wherein the first power saving operation prioritizes the comfort of the user, and the second power saving operation prioritizes the power saving effect.

In the air conditioner of the present invention, on the one hand, it is possible to realize a power saving operation in which both improvement of the power saving effect and comfort for the user are achieved.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the air conditioning system of embodiment 1.

Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the structure of an air conditioner.

Fig. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a temperature conversion method of the first power saving operation in the cooling mode.

Fig. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a temperature conversion method of the first power saving operation in the dehumidification mode.

Fig. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a temperature conversion method of the first power saving operation in the heating mode.

Fig. 6 is a block diagram showing an example of the structure of a communication adapter.

Fig. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the present/absent prediction result.

Fig. 8 is a block diagram showing an example of the structure of a server apparatus.

Fig. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing one example of generating data used in the on/off mode.

Fig. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a user pattern predicted using the present/absent pattern.

Fig. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of a CPU processing operation of the server apparatus in relation to the generation process of the generation in/out mode.

Fig. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of a CPU processing operation of the server apparatus in relation to update processing of the update in/out mode.

Fig. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing operation of the control unit of the indoor unit in relation to the first power saving processing.

Fig. 14 is a block diagram showing an example of the structure of the air conditioner of embodiment 2.

Fig. 15 is a block diagram showing an example of the structure of the air conditioner of embodiment 3.

Fig. 16 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing operation of the control unit of the indoor unit in relation to the second power saving processing.

Fig. 17 is a block diagram showing an example of the structure of the air conditioner of embodiment 4.

Fig. 18 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing operation of the control unit of the indoor unit in relation to the third power saving processing.

Detailed Description

Embodiments of an air conditioner and an air conditioning system according to the present application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Further, the disclosed technology is not limited to the present embodiment. In addition, the embodiments shown below may be changed as appropriate within a reasonable range.

Example 1

Structure of air conditioning system

Fig. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the air conditioning system 1 of embodiment 1. The air conditioning system 1 shown in fig. 1 includes an air conditioner 2, a communication adapter 3, a router 4, a server device 5, a relay device 6, a terminal device 7, and a communication network 8.

Structure of air conditioner

Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the structure of the air conditioner 2. The air conditioner 2 shown in fig. 2 includes an indoor unit 21, an outdoor unit 22, and a remote control 23. The indoor unit 21 is, for example, disposed indoors, and is a part of the air conditioner 2 for heating or cooling air in an air-conditioning space, that is, indoor air. The indoor unit 21 is provided for each air-conditioning space such as a living room or a bedroom. The indoor unit 21 includes a main body 21A, a human body detection sensor 21B, a light receiving unit 21C, a control unit 21D, and a memory 21E. The main body 21A includes an indoor fan, an indoor heat exchanger, and the like, which are not shown, and heats, cools, dehumidifies, and the like, the indoor air that has undergone heat exchange with the refrigerant supplied from the outdoor unit 22 in the indoor heat exchanger is blown out from the indoor fan. The human body detection sensor 21B is used to detect whether a human is present in the air-conditioned space. The human body detection sensor 21B is, for example, a pyroelectric sensor using infrared rays. When the air conditioner 2 is connected to the commercial power supply to supply power after the air conditioner 2 is installed, the human body detection sensor 21B starts a detection operation of detecting whether or not a person is present in a detection range in the air-conditioning space, but is not limited to a specific person. Further, thereafter, unless the power supply to the air conditioner 2 is stopped, whether the air conditioner 2 is running/stopped or not, whether or not a person is present in the air-conditioning space will be continuously detected. The light receiving unit 21C receives the command signal from the remote controller 23, and transmits the received command signal to the control unit 21D. The memory 21E is, for example, a storage unit for storing various information. The control unit 21D controls the entire indoor unit 21. The control unit 21D executes various instructions based on the instruction signals. The outdoor unit 22 is equipped with an outdoor fan, a compressor, and the like, for example. The remote controller 23 is a remote operation unit, and remotely operates the indoor unit 21 according to a user operation.

The control unit 21D switches the air conditioning operation to a power saving operation having lower power consumption than the air conditioning operation, using the detection result of the human body detection sensor 21B and the prediction result of the presence/absence prediction unit 34E described later. The prediction result by the in/out predicting unit 34E is information obtained by accumulating the results obtained by the in/out predicting unit 34E in the communication adapter 3 described later, which are predicted to be in/out of the conditioned space by a specific user every 10 minutes, for 24 hours. In contrast, the detection result of the human body detection sensor 21B is a detection result of an out-of-condition for a person present in the sensing range within the air-conditioning space. The air conditioning operation is a normal air conditioning operation in which the room temperature in the air conditioning space is changed to a set temperature, for example, in a cooling mode, a heating mode, a dehumidifying mode, or the like.

During execution of the power saving operation, when the human body detection sensor 21B detects that a person is present, the control section 21D determines that a person is present in the air-conditioning space, and resumes the air-conditioning operation. The control unit 21D stores the prediction result of presence/absence of the user predicted at the predetermined timing, and the control unit 21D refers to the prediction result of the presence/absence prediction unit 34E from the time when the human body detection sensor 21B detects absence of the user during execution of the air-conditioning operation, and when the prediction result is presence of the user, determines that the user is present in the air-conditioning space, thereby continuing the air-conditioning operation, as will be described in detail later. Specifically, the control unit 21D refers to the prediction result of the presence/absence prediction unit 34E within a predetermined time period, for example, 60 minutes, from the time point when the human body detection sensor 21B detects that no person is present during execution of the air conditioning operation. Based on the prediction result referred to, when the prediction result is that a person is present, the control unit 21D determines that a user is present in the air-conditioning space, and continues the air-conditioning operation.

The control unit 21D refers to the prediction result of the presence/absence prediction unit 34E from the time point when the human body detection sensor 21B detects that no person is present during execution of the air-conditioning operation, and when the prediction result is that no person is present, determines that there is no user in the air-conditioning space, and switches the air-conditioning operation to the power saving operation. Specifically, the control unit 21D refers to the prediction result of the presence/absence prediction unit 34E within a predetermined time period, for example, 60 minutes, from the time point when the human body detection sensor 21B detects that no person is present during execution of the air conditioning operation. Based on the prediction result referred to, when no person is included in the prediction result, the control unit 21D determines that no user is present in the air-conditioning space, and switches the air-conditioning operation to the power-saving operation.

In addition, the power saving operation includes: a first power saving operation with priority given to user comfort, and a second power saving operation with priority given to power saving effect. The first power saving operation is a power saving operation in which no one has selected a power saving operation when there is a person in the prediction result in the predetermined time, and the set temperature of the air conditioning operation before switching to the power saving operation is changed stepwise without stopping the air conditioning operation, and the power consumption is reduced compared with the power saving operation before switching to the power saving operation. The second power saving operation is a power saving operation selected in a case where the predicted results within the prescribed time are all unattended, and is a power saving operation in which the power saving effect is prioritized over the user comfort by stopping the air conditioning operation. The first power saving operation is a power saving operation in which comfort is prioritized over a power saving effect as compared to the second power saving operation.

The first power saving operation is a power saving operation in which the set temperature is changed stepwise every 10 minutes from the set temperature of the air conditioning operation before the power saving operation is switched to the respective operation modes of the normal air conditioning operation. Examples of the operation mode include a cooling mode, a dehumidifying mode, and a heating mode. Therefore, the temperature shift method of the first power saving operation varies depending on the operation mode.

Fig. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a temperature conversion method of the first power saving operation in the cooling mode. In the cooling mode, if no person is detected by the human body detection sensor 21B at the time point a, the control unit 21D changes the set temperature to ts+t1, changes the set temperature to (ts+t1) +t2 at the time point B when the time T1 has elapsed since the time point a, changes the set temperature to (ts+t1+t2) +t3 at the time point C when the time T2 has elapsed since the time point B, and changes the set temperature to (ts+t1+t2+t3) +t4 at the time point D when the time T3 has elapsed since the time point C. That is, in the cooling mode, the control unit 21D sets ts+t1+t2+t3+t4 as the maximum conversion temperature of the set temperature, and increases the set temperature stepwise at regular intervals, for example. The respective times T1, T2, and T3 are set to 10 minutes, for example, and the respective conversion temperatures of T1, T2, T3, and T4 are set to 0.5 degrees, for example. During the period from the time point a to the time point D, the detection result of the human body detection sensor 21B is always no one. That is, the temperature change is continued for a period in which the human body detection sensor 21B does not detect the presence of a human body.

That is, when the set temperature in the cooling mode in the first power saving operation is Ts, the control unit 21D increases the set temperature stepwise every 10 minutes by +0.5 degrees, for example, until the set temperature is increased from the set temperature Ts to the maximum conversion temperature of +2 degrees. When the set temperature is increased stepwise, if the set temperature reaches the maximum cooling temperature that can be set in the cooling mode, for example, 30 degrees, the control unit 21D stops increasing the set temperature even if the maximum conversion temperature of +2 degrees is not reached.

In the first power saving operation in the cooling mode, the set temperature is raised stepwise, but the cooling operation is not stopped, so that the power consumption of the air conditioner 2 can be reduced stepwise without impairing the user's comfort.

Fig. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a temperature conversion method of the first power saving operation in the dehumidification mode. In the dehumidification mode, if no person is detected by the human body detection sensor 21B at the time point E, the control unit 21D changes the set temperature to ts+t1, and changes the set temperature to (ts+t1) +t2 at the time point F when the time T1 has elapsed from the time point E. That is, in the dehumidification mode, the control unit 21D increases the set temperature by setting ts+t1+t2 as the maximum conversion temperature of the set temperature, for example. The time T1 is set to 10 minutes, for example, and the respective conversion temperatures of T1 and T2 are set to 0.5 degrees, for example. During the period from the time point E to the time point F, the detection result of the human body detection sensor 21B is always no one. That is, the temperature change is continued for a period in which the human body detection sensor 21B does not detect the presence of a human body.

That is, when the set temperature in the dehumidification mode in the first power saving operation is Ts, the control unit 21D increases the temperature stepwise every 10 minutes by +0.5 degrees, for example, until the set temperature is increased to the maximum conversion temperature of +1 degrees. When the set temperature is raised stepwise, if the set temperature reaches the maximum dehumidification temperature that can be achieved in the dehumidification mode, for example, 30 degrees, the control unit 21D stops raising the set temperature even if the maximum conversion temperature of +1 degrees is not reached.

In the first power saving operation in the dehumidification mode, the set temperature is raised stepwise, but the dehumidification operation is not stopped, so that the power consumption of the air conditioner 2 can be reduced stepwise without impairing the user's comfort.

Fig. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a temperature conversion method of the first power saving operation in the heating mode. In the heating mode, if no person is detected by the human body detection sensor 21B at the time point G, the control unit 21D changes the set temperature to Ts-T1, changes the set temperature to (Ts-T1) -T2 at the time point H when the time T1 has elapsed since the time point G, changes the set temperature to (Ts-T1-T2) -T3 at the time point I when the time T2 has elapsed since the time point H, changes the set temperature to (Ts-T1-T2-T3) -T4 at the time point J when the time T3 has elapsed since the time point I, changes the set temperature to (Ts-T1-T2-T3-T4) -T5 at the time point K when the time T4 has elapsed since the time point J, and changes the set temperature to (Ts-T1-T2-T3-T4-T5) -T6 at the time point L when the time T5 has elapsed since the time point K. That is, in the heating mode, the control unit 21D sets Ts-T1-T2-T3-T4-T5-T6 as the maximum conversion temperature of the set temperature, and decreases the set temperature stepwise at regular intervals, for example. The respective conversion temperatures of T1, T2, T3, T4, T5, and T6 … are set to, for example, 10 minutes, and the respective conversion temperatures of T1, T2, T3, T4, T5, and T6 … are set to, for example, 0.5 degrees. During the period from the time point G to the time point L, the detection result of the human body detection sensor 21B is always no one. That is, the temperature change is continued for a period in which the human body detection sensor 21B does not detect the presence of a human body.

That is, when the set temperature at the time of heating mode in the first power saving operation is Ts, the control unit 21D gradually decreases the temperature every 10 minutes by-0.5 degrees, for example, until the set temperature is decreased to the maximum conversion temperature of-4 degrees. When the set temperature is gradually lowered, if the set temperature reaches the lowest heating temperature that can be achieved in the heating mode, for example, 16 degrees, the control unit 21D stops lowering the set temperature even if the maximum conversion temperature of-4 degrees is not reached.

In the first power saving operation of the heating mode, the set temperature is reduced stepwise, but the heating operation is not stopped, so that the power consumption of the air conditioner 2 can be reduced stepwise without impairing the user's comfort.

As shown in fig. 2, the control unit 21D includes a power saving operation execution unit 21D1. The power saving operation execution unit 21D1 switches the air conditioning operation to either one of the first power saving operation and the second power saving operation based on the time period during which no person is present obtained from the prediction result of the presence/absence prediction unit 34E. The term "time period of absence of a person" obtained from the prediction result means, for example, a first predetermined time period, a second predetermined time period, or a third predetermined time period. The first predetermined time is a time for referring to the present/absent prediction result from the time point when the human body detection sensor 21B detects absence of a person, and is, for example, 60 minutes. The second predetermined time is a time until switching to the second power saving operation, for example, 60 minutes from a point when no person is detected (most recently) initially, when all the predicted results of the first predetermined time are "present" and normal operation is continued, and the detected result "absent" in the human detection sensor 21B is continued. The third predetermined time is a time until switching to the second power saving operation, for example, 180 minutes from a point when no person is detected (most recently) at the beginning, when the presence or absence of the first power saving operation is mixed with the prediction result of the first predetermined time, and the first power saving operation is performed.

The power saving operation execution unit 21D1 refers to the prediction result of the presence/absence prediction unit 34E within a first predetermined time, for example, within 60 minutes, from the time when no person is detected by the human body detection sensor 21B during execution of the air conditioning operation. Based on the prediction results referred to, when the prediction results are all that no one is present, the power saving operation execution section 21D1 determines that there is no user in the air conditioning space for the first prescribed period of time, and switches the air conditioning operation to the second power saving operation.

The power saving operation execution unit 21D1 refers to the prediction result of the presence/absence prediction unit 34E in the first predetermined period from the time when the human body detection sensor 21B detects absence of a person during execution of the air conditioning operation, and determines that a user is present in the air conditioning space in the first predetermined period when all of the prediction results are presence of a person, and continues the air conditioning operation without switching to the power saving operation.

When the power saving operation execution unit 21D1 receives the fact that the human body detection sensor 21B detects that all the predicted results of the absence of a human body after the human body detection sensor are present, and continues the air conditioning operation, if the human body detection sensor 21B detects that the absence of a human body is continuously detected within a second predetermined period of time from the time point when the absence of a human body is detected, it is determined that there is no user in the air conditioning space. Then, the power saving operation performing section 21D1 switches the air conditioning operation to the second power saving operation.

The power saving operation execution unit 21D1 refers to the prediction result of the presence/absence prediction unit 34E in the first predetermined period from the time when the human body detection sensor 21B detects that no person is present during execution of the air conditioning operation, and when the presence/absence of a person is mixed in the prediction result, determines that there is a possibility that a user is present in the air conditioning space in the first predetermined period, and switches the air conditioning operation to the first power saving operation.

Or the power saving operation execution unit 21D1 refers to the prediction result of the in/out prediction unit 34E in the first predetermined period from the time when the human body detection sensor 21B detects that no person is present during the execution of the air conditioning operation, and for example, when the in/out mode is generated and the in/out prediction unit 34E is not predicted as described later, it is determined that there is a possibility that a user is present in the air conditioning space, and the air conditioning operation is switched to the first power saving operation.

When the power saving operation is performed by the power saving operation performing unit 21D1, and the human body detection sensor 21B detects that there is a case where there is no prediction result in the prediction unit 34E or there is no prediction result in the prediction unit 34E, if the human body detection sensor 21B detects that there is no human body in the air-conditioning space for a third predetermined time, for example, 180 minutes, from the time when there is no human body in the air-conditioning space, it is determined that there is no user. Then, the power saving operation performing section 21D1 switches the first power saving operation to the second power saving operation.

Returning to fig. 1, the communication adapter 3 has: a communication function for connecting the indoor unit 21 in the air conditioner 2 and the router 4 by wireless communication; and a control function for performing AI (ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE ) control on the indoor unit 21. The communication adapter 3 is disposed in each indoor unit 21. The router 4 is a device that connects the communication adapter 3 and the communication network 8 in a wireless communication manner, and connects the terminal device 7 and the communication network 8 in a wireless communication manner, for example, using a WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network ) or the like. The terminal device 7 is a communication terminal such as a smart phone or the like of a user, for example, an administrator, among a plurality of users using the air conditioning system 1. The communication network 8 is, for example, a communication network such as the internet. The server device 5 has a function of generating an on/off mode suitable for the indoor unit 21, and has a database or the like for storing operation history data or the like. The server device 5 is disposed in a data center, for example. The relay device 6 has a function of being communicatively connected to the communication network 8 and communicatively connected to the server device 5. The relay device 6 transmits operation history data and the like, which are suitable for use in the generation or update of the on/off mode of the indoor unit 21, from the communication adapter 3 to the server device 5 via the communication network 8. The relay device 6 transmits the presence/absence pattern generated or updated in the server device 5 to the communication adapter 3 via the communication network 8. The relay device 6 is disposed in, for example, a data center.

The relay device 6 includes a first relay unit 6A, a second relay unit 6B, and a third relay unit 6C. The first relay unit 6A transmits various data related to the present/absent mode (hereinafter referred to as operation history data) from the communication adapter 3 to the server device 5 via the communication network 8, and the server device 5 transmits the generated or updated present/absent mode to the communication adapter 3 via the communication network 8. The second relay unit 6B acquires the operation conditions (operation mode such as cooling/heating, set temperature, etc.) of the indoor unit 21 set by the user using the terminal device 7 from the outside, and transmits the operation conditions to the indoor unit 21. The third relay unit 6C acquires external data such as weather forecast and calendar information (mainly holiday information) from the communication network 8 such as the internet, for example, and transmits the acquired external data to the server device 5. The third relay unit 6C transmits the external data to the communication adapter 3 via the communication network 8.

Structure of communication adapter

Fig. 6 is a block diagram showing an example of the structure of the communication adapter 3. The communication adapter 3 shown in fig. 6 includes a first communication unit 31, a second communication unit 32, a storage unit 33, and a CPU (Central Processing Unit ) 34. The first communication unit 31 is, for example, a communication IF (Interface) such as UART (Universal Asynchronous RECEIVER TRANSMITTER, universal asynchronous receiver) for communicatively connecting the control unit 21D in the indoor unit 21 to the CPU 34. The second communication unit 32 is, for example, a communication unit such as a communication IF of WLAN or the like, and is configured to communicatively connect the router 4 to the CPU 34. The storage unit 33 includes, for example, a ROM (Read Only Memory) or a RAM (Random Access Memory ), and the storage unit 33 is used to store various information such as data and programs. The CPU34 is used to control the entire communication adapter 3.

The storage unit 33 in the communication adapter 3 shown in fig. 6 includes a history memory 33A, an in/out pattern memory 33B, a prediction result memory 33C, and an external memory 33D. The history memory 33A temporarily stores operation history data acquired from the indoor unit 21. As the operation history data, for example, a detection result of whether or not a person is present in the indoor space detected every 10 minutes by the human body detection sensor 21B. The present/absent pattern memory 33B stores the present/absent pattern acquired from the server apparatus 5.

The present/absent mode is a mode generated by the server device 5 corresponding to each day of the week and indicating whether or not there is a tendency of the user in the air-conditioned space by using, for example, the past detection result of the human body detection sensor 21B, for example, the past detection result of the present/absent for 30 days, the day information, and the holiday information. In this embodiment, at most, five present/absent modes may be generated, each day of the week corresponding to the present/absent mode, so as to be able to determine what present/absent mode the user tends to act in on each day of the week. For example, monday and Tuesday tend to act in/not in mode 1, and Tuesday tend to act in/not in mode 2. Tuesday and Friday tend to act in/out of mode 3, saturday tends to act in/out of mode 4, sunday tends to act in/out of mode 5. Among them, the detection result of 30 days before using the human detection sensor 21B in the on/off mode is generated for the following reason. The more detection results of the human body detection sensor 21B are generated in the on/off mode, the higher the accuracy of prediction using the on/off mode is, and therefore, the detection results of the human body detection sensor 21B are as good as possible. On the other hand, assume a case where: in order to acquire a large number of detection results of the human body detection sensor 21B, the present/absent mode is generated using detection results of, for example, 90 days in the past. When the setting time of the air conditioner 2 is an early summer time in which the cooling operation is frequently performed or an early winter time in which the heating operation is frequently performed, summer or winter time in which the on/off mode is generated has elapsed, and the user behavior prediction or the air conditioner operation advice based on the prediction result of the on/off of the user described later cannot be performed in summer or winter time. In contrast, in the present embodiment, in order to ensure accuracy of the present/absent mode and to be able to provide a user action prediction or an air conditioner operation advice based on the user present/absent prediction result at an appropriate timing, the present/absent detection result of the human body detection sensor 21B for 30 days is used when the present/absent mode is generated. Further, the present/absent detection result for the past 30 days is information obtained by accumulating the present/absent detection result every 10 minutes for 30 days. In the present embodiment, the case where the detection result of the human detection sensor 21B for 30 days has been generated when the human detection sensor is in the on/off mode has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. The time period may be changed as appropriate from the installation time period of the air conditioner 2 to the time period of frequent use.

In addition, the day of the week information refers to the information from Monday to Sunday, and can be calculated by the CPU 34. The holiday information is information for identifying a holiday in monday through sunday, and is acquired from the outside via the second communication section 32. Further, the holiday information is acquired from the outside because the holiday date may change each year. The prediction result memory 33C is used to store the prediction results of presence/absence of a person every 10 minutes, that is, 24 hours of presence/absence, for 24 hours in the air-conditioning space predicted in the presence/absence mode. The CPU34 can identify 24-hour present/absent prediction results for each air-conditioning space with reference to the prediction result memory 33C. The external memory 33D stores external data acquired from the outside, such as holiday information or weather forecast, as described above.

The CPU34 includes a collection unit 34A, a transmission unit 34B, a reception unit 34C, a setting unit 34D, and an in/out prediction unit 34E.

The collection unit 34A obtains the detection result of whether or not a person is present in each air-conditioned space from the indoor unit 21 at a predetermined cycle, for example, at every 10 minutes of acquisition timing. The air-conditioning space is, for example, an air-conditioning space such as a living room or a bedroom. The collection unit 34A collects the acquired current detection result of the presence or absence of a person every 10 minutes in the conditioned space detected by the human body detection sensor 21B. There are, for example, three variables that are present, and not necessarily present in the present/absent detection result. Among the detection results of/not present, "not present" is a detection result of a case where a person cannot be detected in the air-conditioned space. The detection result "not present" is the second detection value. Among the/no detection results, "in" is a detection result of a case where a person is detected in the air-conditioned space. The detection result "at" is the first detection value. Among the detection results of the present/absent mode, "absent" is a detection result that is not used in the present/absent mode, and is a third detection value that is not any of the present and absent, i.e., is not any of the first detection value or the second detection value. The collection unit 34A stores the detection result of presence/absence of each air-conditioning space acquired every 10 minutes in the history memory 33A.

For example, when the history memory 33A stores the two-day present/absent detection result, the transmitting unit 34B transmits the two-day present/absent detection result stored in the history memory 33A to the server apparatus 5 via the communication network 8. The server device 5 generates the above-described at most five presence/absence patterns using the presence/absence detection results of the past 30 days received in order from the communication adapter 3. The receiving section 34C receives the in/out mode of each air-conditioned space from the server apparatus 5 via the communication network 8, and stores the received in/out mode in the in/out mode memory 33B. The setting unit 34D applies the stored present/absent pattern to the present/absent prediction unit 34E.

The present/absent detection result of the human body detection sensor 21B, that is, the present/absent detection result of the human body detection sensor 21B, the present day of the week information, and the present holiday information, which are detection results from the time point of the present/absent prediction to the time point of the present/absent prediction, are used at the present/absent prediction unit 34E, and the present/absent mode for the prediction is selected from among the plurality of present/absent modes applied by the setting unit 34D. The presence/absence prediction section 34E predicts whether or not a person is present in the air-conditioned space using the selected presence/absence pattern, thereby obtaining a 24-hour presence/absence prediction result. The fixed time is a time required to obtain a data amount which can ensure accuracy in selecting the most suitable in-or-out mode from among a plurality of in-or-out modes by looking at the detection result of one in-or-out.

Hereinafter, a selection of the present/absent mode for prediction and a method of predicting the presence/absence of a user using the selected present/absent mode will be described in detail. Further, the following description will be made on the case that 8:00 implements prediction of user presence/absence, and prediction is from day 8:00 plays the next day 8: user on/off for 24 hours up to 00. In this embodiment, the 24-hour prediction is divided into 1) day 8: 00-the next day 0: 00. 2) the next day 0: 00-the next day 8:00 and combining the two results as 24 hours predicted results.

1) For day 8: 00-the next day 0:00 user presence/absence prediction

First, if the time at which the prediction of the presence/absence of the user is implemented is, for example, the current day 8:00, 21 a day before a predetermined time from the predicted time, for example, a predicted day, is performed by the prediction unit 34E: 00 to day 8:00, the detection result of the human being detected by the human body detection sensor 21B being absent is acquired. Then, the present/absent prediction unit 34E compares the present/absent modes with each other, and determines whether or not there is a difference between the present/absent modes. Specifically, it is determined whether or not the difference between the on/off modes is equal to or greater than a preset value. More specifically, each in/out mode will be 0: 00-8: 00 users compare presence/absence every 10 minutes. Then, when the difference between the on/off mode (hereinafter, referred to as "period") is smaller than a preset value, for example, 10, it is determined that the difference between the on/off modes is within the allowable range (no difference between the on/off modes of 0:00 to 8:00). On the other hand, when 0: 00-8: when the number of time periods for which the presence/absence of 00 is different per 10 minutes is, for example, 10 or more, it is determined that the difference between the presence/absence modes is out of the allowable range (difference between the presence/absence modes of 0:00 to 8:00).

Next, the present/absent prediction unit 34E selects the present/absent mode for prediction based on the comparison result of the present/absent modes. When the difference between the present/absent modes is smaller than a preset value (when there is no difference between the present/absent modes of 0:00 to 8:00), the present/absent mode corresponding to the day of the prediction is selected. When the difference between the on/off modes is equal to or greater than the preset value (when there is a difference between the on/off modes of 0:00 to 8:00), then 0: 00-8: 00 acquired detection result of person not present and each present/not present mode 0: 00-8: 00 is compared to the present/absent condition. Then, the present/absent mode that most approximates the detection result is selected. Then, the in/out prediction unit 34E sets the selected in/out mode to 8:00 to 0: the present/absent status up to 00 is taken as the current day 8:00 to the next day 0: the prediction result of the user not existing up to 00 is extracted. In this way, by associating each present/absent pattern with the day information and predicting whether or not there is a user based on the comparison result of each present/absent pattern, the number of present/absent patterns to be generated can be made smaller than the number of days of the day of the week, and whether or not there is a user can be accurately predicted.

It is desirable to generate the present/absent pattern for each day of the week, and select the present/absent pattern to be used according to the day of the week on which the user is actually predicted to be present/absent. The reason for this is that if the present/absent pattern is generated for each day of the week, it can be expected that the accuracy of the prediction is improved accordingly. However, as the number of in/out modes increases, there are problems such as an increase in the amount of communication between the communication adapter 3 and the server apparatus 5, an increase in the memory capacity required in the communication adapter, and the like, and a large load is imposed on the air conditioning system 1.

In contrast, in the present embodiment, as described above, at most five present/absent modes are set, and the same mode is applied to the day of the week for which the present/absent mode is regarded as the same to be predicted. For example, on/off mode 1 for monday and tuesday, on/off mode 2 for wednesday and thursday, on/off mode 3 for thursday and friday, on/off mode 4 for friday, and on/off mode 5 for sunday. But if the present/absent pattern is generated in a manner suitable for a plurality of days in the week as such, there is a risk that the accuracy of the prediction is reduced as compared to the case where the present/absent pattern is generated for each day in the week and the user is predicted to be present/absent using these patterns.

In order to cope with such a situation, in the present embodiment, the present embodiment changes the selection method of the present/absent mode used for predicting the presence/absence of the user based on the comparison result of the present/absent modes. When the difference between the present/absent modes is smaller than the preset value, the present/absent information of the user acquired before the prediction time (8:00) cannot be used to judge which present/absent mode should be used, so that if the present/absent mode matching the day of the week of the prediction is selected, the accuracy of the prediction is not reduced. In addition, when the difference between the present/absent modes is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, since the present/absent modes can be distinguished, the accuracy of the prediction is ensured by comparing the acquired present/absent information of the user with the prediction result of the present/absent modes and selecting the present/absent mode that is most similar to the detection result.

2) For the next day 0: 00-the next day 8:00 user presence/absence prediction

First, the next day of the day on which the user is predicted to be on/off is read from the external memory 33D at the on/off predicting section 34E. Next, the present/absent prediction unit 34E selects the present/absent mode corresponding to the day of the week read as described above from the plurality of present/absent modes. Then, the next day 0 is extracted from the above-selected in-or-out mode at the in-or-out prediction section 34E: 00 to the next day 8: prediction result of user presence/absence by 00.

On day 8, when the user is predicted to be present/absent: phase 00, different from 1) for day 8: 00-the next day 0:00, there is no current day 8 detected by the human body detection sensor 21B: detection results of user presence/absence after 00. Thus, on the next day 0: 00-the next day 8: in the prediction of 00, the user selects the present/absent mode for prediction based on the day of the week as the next day, and predicts the next day 0 using the selected present/absent mode: 00-the next day 8:00 user on/off status.

Then, the pair of days 8 obtained in/not in the prediction section 34E will be 1): 00-the next day 0:00 user on/off prediction, and 2) obtained for the next day 0: 00-the next day 8:00 user present/absent prediction results are combined, so that the current day 8 is predicted: 00 to the next day 8: user on/off status for 24 hours up to 00. Then, the prediction/non-presence/absence unit 34E outputs the predicted result to the predicted result memory 33C as 24-hour presence/non-presence predicted results. The prediction result memory 33C stores 24 hours of present/absent prediction results. In the case where the predicted period includes a holiday, the present/absent predicting section 34E regards the period as being equivalent to a holiday, and obtains 24-hour present/absent prediction results within the air-conditioning space. In addition, the in/out prediction unit 34E excludes the "not-in" (third detection value) detection result from among the in/out detection results, which are detection results of the human body detection sensor 21B used when predicting whether or not there is a user in the air-conditioned space. That is, since the present/absent detection result is "not necessarily present" and is not used for generating or updating the present/absent pattern, it is possible to improve the accuracy of prediction based on the generated or updated present/absent pattern.

As a predetermined time, which is a time point of prediction of presence/absence, the presence/absence prediction unit 34E may, for example, perform a prediction of presence/absence at 8:00 and 20:00, predicting the existence of user in the air-conditioning space within 24 hours from the specified time. Specifically, the present/absent prediction unit 34E acquires a present/absent prediction result of the user, that is, a 24-hour present/absent prediction result. The prediction unit 34E obtains the prediction result of presence/absence for 24 hours from each predetermined time every half day, thereby improving the prediction accuracy. The 24-hour present/absent prediction result is, for example, a prediction result of whether a user exists in the air-conditioning space every 10 minutes. Fig. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of 24-hour present/absent prediction results. The present/absent prediction result shown in fig. 7 is a present/absent prediction result every 10 minutes within 24 hours from the predetermined time in each air-conditioning space. In the data representing the present/absent prediction result, the present case is set to "1", and the absent case is set to "0".

Structure of server device

Fig. 8 is a block diagram showing an example of the structure of the server apparatus 5. The server device 5 shown in fig. 8 includes a communication unit 51, a storage unit 52, and a CPU53. The communication unit 51 is a communication IF for connecting the relay device 6 to the CPU53 in communication. The storage unit 52 includes, for example, an HDD (HARD DISK DRIVE ), ROM, RAM, or the like, and stores various information such as data and programs. The CPU53 controls the entire server apparatus 5.

The storage unit 52 in the server device 5 shown in fig. 8 has a history data memory 52A and a pattern storage unit 52B. The history data memory 52A is used to store operation history data such as the detection result of presence/absence of two days in the air-conditioned space received from the communication adapter 3. The pattern storage section 52B is for storing the present/absent pattern generated by the server apparatus 5, and updates the generated present/absent pattern using the acquired data, and stores the updated present/absent pattern.

The CPU53 in the server apparatus 5 includes a receiving unit 53A, an acquiring unit 53B, a generating unit 53C, and a transmitting unit 53D.

The receiving unit 53A is connected to the communication adapter 3 of the plurality of indoor units 21, receives the two-day presence/absence detection result in each air-conditioned space from the communication adapter 3 via the router 4, the communication network 8, and the relay device 6, and stores the received two-day presence/absence detection result in the history data memory 52A. The receiving unit 53A receives day information or holiday information from the communication adapter 3. Further, the week information may also be calculated by the CPU53 of the server apparatus 5, and the holiday information may also be acquired directly from the outside by the server apparatus 5. The acquisition unit 53B acquires the day information or holiday information received by the reception unit 53A. The acquisition unit 53B acquires the day information or holiday information received by the reception unit 53A.

Fig. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing one example of generating data used in the on/off mode. As data for generating data used in/out of the mode, there are: the present/absent detection result as sensor data, week information as week data, and holiday information as holiday data. As described above, the detection result of presence/absence is a result of presence/absence of detection of a person by the human body detection sensor 21B in the air-conditioned space every 10 minutes. In addition, as described above, the on/off detection result "don't have to be on" for generation or update of the on/off pattern.

The generating unit 53C generates the presence/absence pattern of the user in the air-conditioned space of the indoor unit 21 using the detection result, the day information, and the holiday information of the presence/absence for a predetermined period stored in the history data memory 52A, for example, 30 days as the past detection result. The generating unit 53C stores the generated present/absent pattern in the pattern storage unit 52B. When the holiday is included in the period of the detection result of on/off, the generation section 53C regards the period as being equivalent to the holiday. After the present/absent pattern is stored in the pattern storage unit 52B, the generation unit 53C updates the present/absent pattern stored in the pattern storage unit 52B with the present/absent detection result of, for example, six days that have not been used for generation in the history data memory 52A. Then, the generating unit 53C stores the updated present/absent pattern in the pattern storage unit 52B.

When the air conditioner 2 is installed in, for example, a living room, the generation unit 53C extracts the presence/absence detection result of a workday, for example, monday (except for the case of holidays), from the presence/absence detection results of the living room stored in the history data memory 52A. Further, the generating unit 53C extracts the presence/absence detection result other than "not necessarily present" from among the above-mentioned presence/absence detection results of monday, and generates a presence/absence pattern for predicting whether or not a person is present in the living room of monday based on the extracted presence/absence detection result of the living room.

The generating unit 53C extracts the presence/absence detection result of the holiday and the sunday from the presence/absence detection result of the living room stored in the history data memory 52A. Further, the generating unit 53C extracts the presence/absence detection result other than "not necessarily present" from among the extracted presence/absence detection results of the holiday and the sunday, and generates a presence/absence pattern for predicting whether or not a person is present in the living room on the basis of the extracted presence/absence detection result of the living room.

That is, the generating section 53C generates the present/absent mode corresponding to the day of the week of the air-conditioning space provided by the indoor unit 21. Further, for convenience of explanation, an example of a case where the present/absent pattern corresponding to the day of the week is generated is shown, but for example, the present/absent pattern of each air-conditioning space of the working day may be generated with monday to friday other than the holiday, and the present/absent pattern of each air-conditioning space of the holiday may be generated with holiday, wednesday, and sunday as the holidays. Further, the holiday, the wednesday, and the sunday are shown as examples of the holiday, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and the holiday on the calendar may be set as the holiday, for example, and may be changed as appropriate.

Fig. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the generated user presence/absence pattern. Mode 1 of the present/absent mode shown in fig. 10 is a present/absent mode indicating whether there is a user in the air-conditioned space on monday and tuesday. In addition, although not shown, the presence/absence pattern of the user in the air-conditioned space of wednesday to wednesday other than holiday is also predicted. Mode 2 is a present/absent mode indicating whether or not there is a user in the conditioned space on sunday and holiday.

The generating section 53C generates or updates the present/absent pattern corresponding to the day of the week for each air-conditioning space based on the present/absent detection result, the day of the week information, and the holiday information, and stores the generated or updated present/absent pattern in the pattern storing section 52B. The transmitting section 53D transmits the present/absent mode corresponding to the day of the week for each air-conditioned space stored in the mode storage section 52B to the communication adapter 3 via the relay device 6, the communication network 8, and the router 4.

Generation of presence/absence patterns in an air conditioning system

Next, generation of the present/absent mode in the air conditioning system 1 of the present embodiment will be described. Fig. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing operation of the CPU53 of the server apparatus 5 in relation to the generation processing of the generation in/out mode. The generation process is a process of generating the present/absent mode performed for the first time after the air conditioner 2 is installed in the air-conditioned space. In fig. 11, the reception unit 53A in the CPU53 of the server apparatus 5 periodically, for example, 0:00 communicates with the communication adapter 3, and determines whether or not the detection result of presence/absence for two days in each air-conditioned space has been received from the communication adapter 3 (step S11). Further, the communication adapter 3 stores the detection result of presence/absence for two days in the history memory 33A in advance until it is acquired. When the two-day present/absent detection result has been received (yes in step S11), the receiving unit 53A stores the received two-day present/absent detection result in the history data memory 52A of the storage unit 52 (step S12). The generation unit 53C in the CPU53 determines whether or not the 30-day present/absent detection result is already stored in the history data memory 52A (step S13). In the case where the present/absent detection result for 30 days has been stored (step S13: yes), the generation section 53C generates the present/absent pattern corresponding to the day of the week for each air-conditioned space based on the present/absent detection result, the day of the week information, and the holiday information in the storage (step S14). Further, when acquiring the two-day present/absent detection result, the acquisition unit 53B in the CPU53 acquires the day of the detection and the holiday information of the two-day present/absent detection result, or associates the day of the week and the holiday information acquired by the server device 5 with the acquired two-day present/absent detection result. Although the generation unit 53C has been described as generating the present/absent pattern corresponding to the day of the week, the present/absent pattern may be generated on a day of rest or on a day of the work, and may be changed as appropriate.

The generating unit 53C stores the generated present/absent pattern in the pattern storage unit 52B (step S15). The transmitting unit 53D in the CPU53 transmits the present/absent mode stored in the mode storage unit 52B to the communication adapter 3 (step S16), and ends the processing operation of fig. 11.

When the detection result of presence/absence for two days in each air-conditioning space is not received in the process of step S11 (step S11: no), the receiving section 53A returns to the process of step S11. In addition, when the detection result of presence/absence for 30 days is not stored in the processing of step S13 (step S13: no), the receiving unit 53A returns to the processing of step S11.

The CPU53 generates the present/absent pattern corresponding to each day of the week for predicting whether or not there is a user in the air-conditioned space based on the 30-day present/absent detection result, the day of the week information, and the holiday information of each air-conditioned space in the case where the 30-day present/absent detection result from each air-conditioned space of the communication adapter 3 is stored. Then, the CPU53 transmits the generated present/absent mode to the communication adapter 3. As a result, the server device 5 can provide the in/out mode corresponding to each day of the week used in the air-conditioned space to the communication adapter 3.

Fig. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing operation of the CPU53 of the server apparatus 5 in relation to the update processing of the update in/out mode. The update process is a process of updating the contents of the present/absent mode stored in the mode storage unit 52B. In fig. 12, the receiving unit 53A periodically, for example, 0:00 communicates with the communication adapter 3, and determines whether or not the detection result of presence/absence for two days in each air-conditioned space has been received from the communication adapter 3 (step S21). Further, the communication adapter 3 stores the detection result of presence/absence for two days in the history memory 33A in advance until it is acquired. In the case where the detection result of presence/absence for two days in each air-conditioned space has been received (step S21: yes), the receiving section 53A stores the received detection result of presence/absence for two days in the history data memory 52A of the storing section 52 (step S22). The generating unit 53C determines whether or not the six-day-old detection result that is not used for generation is stored in the history data memory 52A (step S23).

In the case where the present/absent detection result of six days that is not used for the generation has been stored (step S23: yes), the generation section 53C updates the present/absent pattern for each day of the week for each air-conditioning space based on the present/absent detection result, the day of the week information, and the holiday information in the storage (step S24). The generating section 53C stores the updated present/absent pattern corresponding to the day of the week for each air-conditioning space in the pattern storage section 52B (step S25). The transmitting section 53D transmits the present/absent mode corresponding to each day of the week for each air-conditioning space stored in the mode storage section 52B to the communication adapter 3 (step S26). Then, the receiving unit 53A returns to the process of step S21 in order to determine whether or not the detection result of presence/absence for two days in each air-conditioning space has been received.

When the detection result of presence/absence for two days is not received in the process of step S21 (step S21: no), the receiving unit 53A returns to the process of step S21. In addition, when the detection result of presence/absence of six days that is not used for generation is not stored in the processing of step S23 (step S23: no), the receiving unit 53A returns to the processing of step S21.

After the on/off pattern is generated, the CPU53 updates the on/off pattern of the air-conditioning space corresponding to each day of the week based on the on/off detection result, the day information, and the holiday information of the six-day lot of the air-conditioning space every time the on/off detection result of the six-day lot is acquired from the communication adapter 3. Then, the CPU53 transmits the updated present/absent mode to the communication adapter 3. As a result, the server device 5 can provide the communication adapter 3 with the latest on/off mode corresponding to each day of the week used in the air-conditioned space.

Fig. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing operation of the control unit 21D of the indoor unit 21 in relation to the power saving process. The power saving process is a process of: the air conditioning operation is continued or is switched to any one of the first power saving operation and the second power saving operation by using the detection result of the human body detection sensor 21B and the prediction result of the presence/absence prediction unit 34E. In fig. 13, the control unit 21D of the indoor unit 21 determines whether or not the air conditioning operation such as the cooling mode, the dehumidifying mode, the heating mode, and the like is in progress (step S31). When it is determined that the air conditioning operation is in progress (yes in step S31), the control unit 21D determines whether or not no person has been detected by the human body detection sensor 21B (step S32). The control unit 21D receives the detection result of the human body detection sensor 21B, for example, every 10 milliseconds, and substantially always receives the detection result of the human body detection sensor 21B.

When the human body detection sensor 21B detects that no person is present (yes in step S32), the control unit 21D extracts a present time, that is, a predicted result of presence/absence of a person in a first predetermined period of time from a time when the human body detection sensor 21B detects that no person is present, based on the predicted result of presence/absence acquired from the presence/absence predicting unit 34E of the communication adapter 3 (step S34). The prediction result of presence/absence of a person in the first predetermined period from the current time is, for example, a prediction result of presence/absence of a person in an air-conditioning space within 60 minutes from the current time.

The control unit 21D determines whether all of the predicted presence/absence of the person in the first predetermined period of time are absent based on the extracted predicted presence/absence of the person (step S35). When all the prediction results of the presence/absence of the person within the first predetermined period are absent (yes in step S35), the control unit 21D executes the second power saving operation (step S36), and ends the processing operation shown in fig. 13. The control unit 21D executes the second power saving operation by determining that there is no user in the air-conditioning space, and thus, as compared with the case where the air-conditioning operation is performed by the air-conditioner 2, it is needless to say that the power consumption can be suppressed even when the first power saving operation is performed by the air-conditioner 2. Further, during the period in which the air conditioning operation is stopped by the second power saving operation in the process of step S36, when the human body detection sensor 21B detects the presence of a human, the second power saving operation may also be stopped and the air conditioning operation that was performed before the second power saving operation may be restarted.

When all the predicted presence/absence results of the person within the first predetermined period are not absent (step S35: NO), the control unit 21D determines whether all the predicted presence/absence results of the person within the first predetermined period are present based on the extracted predicted presence/absence results of the person (step S37). When all the prediction results of presence/absence of the person within the first predetermined period of time are present (yes in step S37), the control unit 21D makes a determination as to whether or not the person detection sensor 21B continues to detect absence of the person within the second predetermined period of time from the time when the person detection sensor 21B detected absence of the person in the process of step S32 (step S38).

When no person is detected continuously for a second prescribed period of time from the point when no person is detected by the human body detection sensor 21B (step S38: yes), the control section 21D proceeds to the process of step S36 in order to perform the second power saving operation. When the presence/absence of a person is predicted to be present in all of the first predetermined time periods, but it is determined that no person is present in the air-conditioning space based on the detection result of the human body detection sensor 21B, the control unit 21D can appropriately suppress the power consumption of the air-conditioner 2 by executing the second power saving operation. When no existence of a person is detected continuously for a second predetermined period of time from the time when the existence of a person is detected by the person detection sensor 21B (step S38: no), the control unit 21D ends the processing operation shown in fig. 13 while continuing the currently running air conditioning operation. In this case, the control unit 21D determines that a person is present in the air-conditioned space and continues the air-conditioning operation, thereby ensuring the comfort of the person in the air-conditioned space.

When all the predicted results of the presence/absence of the person in the first predetermined period are not present (step S37: no), the control unit 21D recognizes that the predicted results of the presence/absence of the person in the first predetermined period are mixed with the predicted results of the presence/absence or absence of the person (step S39). Then, the control portion 21D executes the first power saving operation (step S40). Since there may be a user in the air-conditioning space when there is a mix of presence and absence or no predicted result in the predicted result of presence/absence of a person in the first predetermined period of time, the control unit 21D can ensure user comfort while suppressing the power consumption of the air conditioner 2 by executing the first power saving operation without stopping the air-conditioning operation although the power saving effect is lower than the second power saving operation. Further, when the human body detection sensor 21B detects the presence of a person during the execution of the first power saving operation in the process of step S40, the first power saving operation may be stopped and the air conditioning operation that was performed before the first power saving operation may be restarted.

After the first power saving operation is performed, the control unit 21D determines whether or not the human body detection sensor 21B continues to detect that no person is present within a third predetermined period of time from the time when the human body detection sensor 21B detected that no person is present in the process of step S32 (step S41).

When no person is detected for a third prescribed period of time from the point in time when the person detection sensor 21B detects that the user is not present in the process of step S32 (yes in step S41), the control section 21D proceeds to the process of step S36 in order to execute the second power saving operation. Even in the case where it is recognized that a person is likely to be present according to the processing of step S39, when it is determined that no person is present in the air-conditioning space based on the detection result of the human body detection sensor 21B, the control section 21D can appropriately suppress the power consumption of the air conditioner 2 by executing the second power saving operation.

When no existence of a person is detected for a third predetermined period of time from the time when no existence of a person is detected by the human body detection sensor 21B in the process of step S32 (step S41: no), the control unit 21D returns to the process of step S40 to continue the first power saving operation. When no existence of a person is continuously detected within the third predetermined period of time, the control unit 21D determines that a person may exist in the air-conditioning space, and continues the first power saving operation, thereby ensuring user comfort while suppressing the power consumption of the air conditioner 2.

In addition, when the air conditioning operation is not in progress in the process of step S31 (step S31: no), or when no existence of a person is detected by the human body detection sensor 21B (step S32: no), the control unit 21D ends the processing operation shown in fig. 13.

Effect of example 1

The control unit 21D switches the air conditioning operation to a power saving operation having lower power consumption than the air conditioning operation, using the detection result of the human body detection sensor 21B and the prediction result of the presence/absence prediction unit 34E. As a result, for example, when a person is detected to be absent during execution of the air conditioning operation, and no person is predicted to be absent from the presence/absence prediction result, it is determined that no user is present in the air conditioning space. Further, since the air conditioning operation is switched to the appropriate power saving operation, the power saving effect of suppressing the power consumption of the air conditioner 2 can be preferentially achieved. That is, in the air conditioner 2, when a user is present in the air-conditioning space, the air-conditioning operation can be performed to achieve comfort, and when the user is not already present in the air-conditioning space, the power-saving operation can be performed to improve the energy-saving performance.

During execution of the power saving operation, when the human body detection sensor 21B detects the presence of a human, the control section 21D causes the air conditioning operation to resume. As a result, even when the human body detection sensor 21B detects the presence of a human during execution of the power saving operation, the air conditioning operation is restarted, so that the comfort of the user in the air conditioning space can be ensured.

The control unit 21D refers to the prediction result of the presence/absence prediction unit 34E from the time point when the human body detection sensor 21B detects that no person is present during execution of the air conditioning operation, and when all of the prediction results are present, causes the air conditioning operation to continue. As a result, even if no person is detected temporarily during execution of the air conditioning operation, when the presence/absence prediction result is that a person is present, it is determined that a user is present in the air conditioning space, and the air conditioning operation is continued, so that the comfort of the user in the air conditioning space can be ensured.

The control unit 21D refers to the prediction result of the presence/absence prediction unit 34E within a first predetermined time, for example, 60 minutes, from the time point when no person is detected by the human body detection sensor 21B during execution of the air conditioning operation. Based on the referenced prediction result, when the prediction result of the first predetermined time is that a person is present, the control unit 21D causes the air conditioning operation to continue. As a result, even if no person is detected temporarily during execution of the air conditioning operation, it is determined that a user is present in the air conditioning space for the first predetermined period of time, and the air conditioning operation is continued, so that the comfort of the user in the air conditioning space can be ensured.

The control unit 21D refers to the prediction result of the presence/absence prediction unit 34E in the first predetermined period from the time when no person is detected by the human body detection sensor 21B during execution of the air conditioning operation. Based on the prediction results referred to, when all the prediction results within the first predetermined period are not present, the control section 21D switches the air conditioning operation to the power saving operation. For example, the control unit 21D refers to the prediction result of the presence/absence prediction unit 34E within a first predetermined time, for example, 60 minutes, from the time when no person is detected by the human body detection sensor 21B during execution of the air conditioning operation. Based on the prediction results referred to, when all the prediction results are not present, the control section 21D switches the air conditioning operation to the power saving operation. As a result, when no existence of a person is detected during execution of the air conditioning operation and it is determined that no existence exists based on the existence/non-existence prediction result, the air conditioning operation is switched to the power saving operation, whereby the power saving effect can be preferentially achieved.

The power saving operation execution unit 21D1 refers to the prediction result of the presence/absence prediction unit 34E within a first predetermined time, for example, 60 minutes, from the time when no person is detected by the human body detection sensor 21B during execution of the air conditioning operation. Based on the prediction results referred to, when all of the prediction results are not present, the power saving operation execution section 21D1 switches the air conditioning operation to the second power saving operation. As a result, when it is determined that there is no user in the air-conditioning space within the first predetermined period of time since the detection of the absence of a person during the execution of the air-conditioning operation, the air-conditioning operation is switched to the second power-saving operation, and thus, the power consumption can be suppressed even when the air-conditioning operation is performed in comparison with the case where the air-conditioning operation is performed in the first power-saving operation, as compared with the case where the air-conditioning operation is performed in the air-conditioning apparatus 2.

The power saving operation execution unit 21D1 refers to the prediction result of the presence/absence prediction unit 34E within a first predetermined time, for example, 60 minutes, during execution of the air conditioning operation. Based on the prediction results referred to, when all the prediction results are present, the power saving operation execution unit 21D1 continues the air conditioning operation. As a result, even if no person is detected temporarily during execution of the air conditioning operation, it is determined that a user is present in the air conditioning space for the first predetermined period of time, and the air conditioning operation is continued, so that the comfort of the user in the air conditioning space can be ensured.

When the air conditioning operation is continued, the power saving operation execution unit 21D1 switches the air conditioning operation to the second power saving operation in a case where no person is continuously detected for a second predetermined time, for example, 60 minutes, from the time point when no person is detected by the human body detection sensor 21B. As a result, even when all of the presence/absence prediction results in the first predetermined period are present and the air conditioning operation is continued, it is determined that no user is present in the air conditioning space, and the air conditioning operation is switched from the air conditioning operation to the second power saving operation, whereby the power consumption of the air conditioner 2 can be appropriately suppressed.

The power saving operation execution unit 21D1 refers to the prediction result of the presence/absence prediction unit 34E within a first predetermined time, for example, 60 minutes, during execution of the air conditioning operation. Based on the prediction result referred to, when the presence and absence of the user are mixed in the prediction result, the power saving operation execution unit 21D1 switches the air conditioning operation to the first power saving operation. As a result, during execution of the air conditioning operation, as a result of prediction of presence/absence within a first predetermined period of time from detection of absence of a person, when presence of a person and absence of a person are mixed in the result, it is determined that there is a possibility that a user is present in the air conditioning space. Then, the air conditioning operation is switched to the first power saving operation, whereby the user comfort in the air conditioning space can be ensured and the power consumption can be suppressed.

The power saving operation execution unit 21D1 refers to the prediction result of the presence/absence prediction unit 34E within a first predetermined time, for example, 60 minutes, during execution of the air conditioning operation. When there is no predicted result to be referred to, the power saving operation performing section 21D1 switches the air conditioning operation to the first power saving operation. As a result, when the presence/absence prediction result of the absence of a person within the first predetermined period of time is detected during execution of the air conditioning operation, it is determined that there is a possibility that a user is present in the air conditioning space. Then, the air conditioning operation is switched to the first power saving operation, whereby the user comfort in the air conditioning space can be ensured and the power consumption can be suppressed.

When the power saving operation execution unit 21D1 receives the presence or absence of the predicted result in the first predetermined time from the time point when the human body detection sensor 21B detects the absence of the human body, and the predicted result is not present, the first power saving operation is executed, the power saving operation execution section 21D1 switches the first power saving operation to the second power saving operation if no person is continuously detected for a third prescribed time, for example, 180 minutes, from the time when no person is detected by the person detection sensor 21B. As a result, even in the case where the first power saving operation is performed, that is, a person may exist, when it is determined that no person exists in the air-conditioning space based on the detection result of the human body detection sensor 21B, the power consumption of the air conditioner 2 can be appropriately suppressed by performing the second power saving operation.

Variation of example 1

Further, the following is shown: the communication adapter 3 of embodiment 1 selects a present/absent mode for prediction from among a plurality of present/absent modes using the present/absent detection result, day of the week information, and holiday information, and predicts whether or not a user is present in the air-conditioning space using the selected present/absent mode. However, it is also possible that the server apparatus 5 predicts whether a user is present in the air-conditioned space. In this case, the server device 5 selects the present/absent mode for prediction from among the plurality of present/absent modes using the detection result of the present/absent from the predetermined time when the prediction of whether the user exists in the air-conditioning space to the predetermined time before, the day of the week information, and the holiday information. Then, the server device 5 predicts whether a user exists in the air-conditioned space using the selected present/absent mode. Then, the server device 5 transmits the prediction result of presence/absence to the air conditioner 2 via the communication adapter 3. As a result, the server device 5 can perform the generation of the presence/absence pattern and the prediction of presence/absence, and thus the processing load on the communication adapter 3 side can be reduced.

The following is shown: the present/absent prediction unit 34E selects a present/absent mode for prediction from among a plurality of present/absent modes using the present/absent detection result, day of the week information, and holiday information from the predetermined time to the predetermined time; then, the presence/absence prediction section 34E predicts the presence/absence condition of 24 hours in the air-conditioning space using the selected presence/absence mode. However, even if there is no holiday information, the present/absent prediction unit 34E may select the present/absent mode for prediction using the present/absent detection result and the week information from the predetermined time to the predetermined time.

In addition, the following is shown: in the air conditioning system 1, the air conditioner 2, the communication adapter 3, and the server apparatus 5 are used, the server apparatus 5 is caused to share the generation of the on/off pattern, the communication adapter 3 is caused to share the prediction of the on/off pattern, and the indoor unit 21 of the air conditioner 2 is caused to share the processing of the air conditioning operation start instruction. However, it is also possible to make the communication adapter 3 execute the present/absent prediction and the air-conditioning operation start instruction, that is, to make the communication adapter 3 execute all the processing shown in fig. 11 and 12, and to change the processing as appropriate.

The following description may be made as to embodiment 2 of the present embodiment by causing the air conditioner 2 to execute the processes of the generation of the present/absent mode, the prediction of the present/absent mode, and the instruction to start the air conditioner operation. Note that the same components as those in embodiment 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description of the repeated components and operations thereof is omitted.

Example 2

Structure of air conditioner

Fig. 14 is a block diagram showing an example of the structure of an air conditioner 2A according to embodiment 2. The indoor unit 210 in the air conditioner 2A shown in fig. 14 includes an acquisition unit 21E1, an in/out mode 21F, a generation unit 21G, and an in/out prediction unit 21H in addition to the main body 21A, the human body detection sensor 21B, the light receiving unit 21C, and the control unit 21D. The acquisition section 21E1 is for acquiring week information. The on/off mode 21F is a mode to be generated corresponding to each day of the week, and is used to indicate whether or not a user is present in the air-conditioning space.

The generating unit 21G generates the presence/absence pattern 21F using the presence/absence detection result of the human detection sensor 21B, the day of the week information, and the holiday information. When the holiday is included in the period of the on/off detection result of the human body detection sensor 21B, the generation section 21G regards the period as being equivalent to the holiday. Further, among the detection results of the on/off, the detection result of the on/off is "not necessarily on" for the on/off mode 21F. The present/absent prediction unit 21H selects a present/absent mode for prediction from among the plurality of present/absent modes 21F using the present/absent detection results from the predetermined time point, which is the time point when the user is predicted to be present/absent, to the predetermined time. Further, the presence/absence prediction unit 21H predicts whether or not the user is present in the air-conditioning space using the selected presence/absence mode. The control unit 21D switches the air conditioning operation to a power saving operation having lower power consumption than the air conditioning operation, using the detection result of the human body detection sensor 21B and the prediction result of the presence/absence prediction unit 21H described later. The power saving operation execution unit 21D1 in the control unit 21D switches the air conditioning operation to either one of the first power saving operation and the second power saving operation based on the period of time in which the user is absent, obtained from the prediction result of the presence/absence prediction unit 21H.

The generating unit 21G generates the present/absent pattern 21F using the present/absent detection result detected by the human body detection sensor 21B for a first predetermined period, for example, 30 days. The generation unit 21G stores the presence/absence detection result of the human body detection sensor 21B in a storage unit, not shown, without going through the communication adapter 3, and executes the generation process shown in fig. 11 in order to generate or update the presence/absence pattern 21F using the presence/absence detection result in storage.

The present/absent mode selected by the present/absent prediction unit 21H is used at a predetermined time, for example, 8 per day: 00 or 20:00, predicting whether there is a presence/absence condition of the user in the air-conditioned space within a second predetermined period, for example, 24 hours, from the predetermined time. The presence/absence prediction unit 21H predicts whether or not the presence/absence of the user is present in the conditioned space every 10 minutes for example during a third predetermined period. When the period to be predicted includes a holiday, the present/absent predicting section 21H predicts the present/absent condition of 24 hours in the air-conditioned space as equivalent to a holiday. In addition, the presence/absence prediction unit 21H excludes the presence/absence detection result "not necessarily in" from among the presence/absence detection results of the human body detection sensor 21B used when predicting whether or not the user is present in the air-conditioned space.

The power saving operation execution unit 21D1 continues the air conditioning operation or switches the air conditioning operation to either one of the first power saving operation and the second power saving operation based on the detection result of the human body detection sensor 21B and the prediction result of the presence/absence prediction unit 21H.

The power saving operation execution unit 21D1 refers to the prediction result of the presence/absence prediction unit 21H within a first predetermined time, for example, 60 minutes, from the time when no person is detected by the human body detection sensor 21B during execution of the air conditioning operation. Based on the prediction results referred to, when the prediction results are all that no one is present, the power saving operation execution section 21D1 determines that there is no user in the air conditioning space for the first prescribed period of time, and switches the air conditioning operation to the second power saving operation.

The power saving operation execution unit 21D1 refers to the prediction result of the prediction unit 21H in/out of the first predetermined period from the time point when no person is detected by the human body detection sensor 21B during execution of the air conditioning operation, and determines that a user is present in the air conditioning space in the first predetermined period when all of the prediction results are present, and continues the air conditioning operation without switching to the power saving operation.

The power saving operation execution unit 21D1 refers to the prediction result of the presence/absence prediction unit 21H in the first predetermined period from the time when the human body detection sensor 21B detects that no person is present during execution of the air conditioning operation, and when the presence/absence of a person is mixed in the prediction result, determines that there is a possibility that a user is present in the air conditioning space in the first predetermined period, and switches the air conditioning operation to the first power saving operation.

The power saving operation execution unit 21D1 refers to the prediction result of the in/out prediction unit 21H in the first predetermined period from the time when the human body detection sensor 21B detects that no person is present during the execution of the air conditioning operation, and for example, when the in/out mode is generated and the in/out prediction unit 34E is not predicted as described later, it is determined that there is a possibility that a user is present in the air conditioning space, and the air conditioning operation is switched to the first power saving operation.

When the power saving operation is performed by detecting that no person is present in the prediction result after the human body detection sensor 21B has detected that no person is present in the prediction result or that no person is present in the prediction unit 21H, the human body detection sensor 21B determines that no user is present in the air-conditioning space if the human body detection sensor 21B detects that no person is present for a third predetermined time, for example, 180 minutes, from the time when no person is detected. Then, the power saving operation performing section 21D1 switches the first power saving operation to the second power saving operation.

Effect of example 2

The air conditioner 2A of embodiment 2 uses the detection result of the human body detection sensor 21B and the prediction result of the presence/absence prediction unit 21H to continue the air conditioning operation or switches the air conditioning operation to the power saving operation with less power consumption than the air conditioning operation. As a result, for example, when no existence is detected during execution of the air conditioning operation, and no existence is included in the prediction result of existence/non-existence in the first predetermined period from the time point when no existence is detected, it is determined that no existence exists in the air conditioning space in the first predetermined period, or that there is a period of existence in the air conditioning space in the first predetermined period. Then, the air conditioning operation is switched to an appropriate power saving operation according to the predicted time when no one is present, whereby the user comfort can be ensured and the power consumption can be reduced.

Further, the case where the control unit 21D of the indoor unit 21 in the air conditioner 2 of embodiment 1 switches from the air conditioning operation to the power saving operation based on the detection result of the human body detection sensor 21B and the prediction result of the presence/absence prediction unit 34E is exemplified. However, even if there is no detection result of the human body detection sensor 21B, the air-conditioning operation may be switched to the power-saving operation based on the prediction result of the prediction unit 34E or not, and the following description will be made as example 3 regarding the embodiment thereof.

Example 3

Fig. 15 is a block diagram showing an example of the structure of the air conditioner 2B of embodiment 3. Note that the same components as those of the air conditioner 2 of embodiment 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description of repetitive structures and operations is omitted. The power saving operation execution unit 21D2 in the control unit 21D of the indoor unit 21 shown in fig. 15 switches from the air conditioning operation to the power saving operation by using presence/absence information indicating whether or not a user is present in the air conditioning space. Specifically, the power saving operation execution unit 21D2 refers to the prediction result of the presence/absence prediction unit 34E at regular intervals, for example, every 10 minutes, and switches from the air conditioning operation to the power saving operation based on the prediction result.

The power saving operation execution unit 21D2 refers to the prediction result of the presence/absence prediction unit 34E within a first predetermined time, for example, 60 minutes, during execution of the air conditioning operation. Based on the prediction results referred to, when the prediction results are all that no one is present, the power saving operation execution section 21D2 determines that there is no user in the air conditioning space for the first prescribed period of time, and switches the air conditioning operation to the second power saving operation.

The power saving operation execution unit 21D2 refers to the prediction result of the presence/absence prediction unit 34E in the first predetermined period during execution of the air conditioning operation, and determines that the user is present in the air conditioning space in the first predetermined period when all of the prediction results are present, and continues the air conditioning operation without switching to the power saving operation.

The power saving operation execution unit 21D2 refers to the prediction result of the presence/absence prediction unit 34E in the first predetermined period of time during execution of the air conditioning operation, and when the prediction result is mixed with presence or absence of a person, determines that there is a possibility that a user is present in the air conditioning space in the first predetermined period of time, and switches from the air conditioning operation to the first power saving operation.

The power saving operation execution unit 21D2 refers to the prediction result of the present/absent prediction unit 34E in the first predetermined period during execution of the air conditioning operation, and determines that there is a possibility that a user is present in the air conditioning space in the first predetermined period even when there is no prediction result in the present/absent prediction unit 34E during generation of the present/absent mode, for example, as will be described later, and switches from the air conditioning operation to the first power saving operation.

Fig. 16 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing operation of the control unit 21D of the indoor unit 21 in relation to the second power saving processing. The second power saving process is a process of: the air conditioning operation is continued or switched from the air conditioning operation to any one of the first power saving operation and the second power saving operation using the prediction result of the present/absent predicting section 34E. Further, the control section 21D executes the second power saving process shown in fig. 16 periodically, for example, every 10 minutes. In fig. 16, the control unit 21D of the indoor unit 21 determines whether or not the air conditioning operation such as the cooling mode, the dehumidifying mode, or the heating mode is being performed (step S51). When the air conditioner is in operation (step S51: yes), the control section 21D extracts a prediction result of presence/absence of a person for a first prescribed period of time from the current time on the basis of the presence/absence prediction result obtained from the presence/absence prediction section 34E of the communication adapter 3 (step S53). The prediction result of presence/absence of a person in the first predetermined period from the current time is, for example, a prediction result of presence/absence of a person in an air-conditioning space within 60 minutes from the current time.

The control unit 21D determines whether all of the predicted presence/absence of the person in the first predetermined period of time are absent based on the extracted predicted presence/absence of the person (step S54). When all the prediction results of the presence/absence of the person within the first predetermined period are absent (yes in step S54), the control unit 21D executes the second power saving operation (step S55), and ends the processing operation shown in fig. 15. The control unit 21D determines that there is no user in the air-conditioning space and executes the second power saving operation, and thus, as compared with the case where the air-conditioning operation is performed by the air-conditioning unit 2B, it is needless to say that the power consumption can be suppressed even when the first power saving operation is performed by the air-conditioning unit 2B. Further, during the period in which the air conditioning operation is stopped by the second power saving operation in the process of step S55, when the presence of the person is predicted in the prediction result of the presence/absence of the person, the second power saving operation may also be stopped and the air conditioning operation that was performed before the second power saving operation may be restarted.

When all the predicted presence/absence results of the person within the first predetermined period are not absent (step S54: NO), the control unit 21D determines whether all the predicted presence/absence results of the person within the first predetermined period are present based on the extracted predicted presence/absence results of the person (step S56). When all the prediction results of presence/absence of the person within the first predetermined period are present (yes in step S56), the control unit 21D continues the current air conditioning operation, and ends the processing operation shown in fig. 15. In this case, the control unit 21D can ensure the comfort of the person in the air-conditioned space by determining that the person is in the air-conditioned space and continuing the air-conditioning operation.

When all the predicted results of the presence/absence of the person in the first predetermined period are not present (step S56: no), the control unit 21D recognizes that the predicted results of the presence/absence of the person in the first predetermined period are mixed with the predicted results of the presence/absence or absence of the person (step S57). The control section 21D performs a first power saving operation (step S58). Since there may be a user in the air-conditioning space when there is a mix of presence and absence or no predicted result in the predicted result of presence/absence of a person in the first predetermined period of time, the control unit 21D can suppress the power consumption of the air conditioner 2B and ensure the user's comfort by executing the first power saving operation in which the air-conditioning operation is not stopped although the power saving effect is lower than the second power saving operation. Further, when a person predicts that a person is present in the prediction result of/not present during the execution of the first power saving operation in the process of step S58, the first power saving operation may be stopped and the air conditioning operation that was performed before the first power saving operation restarted.

After the first power saving operation is performed, the control unit 21D determines whether or not the set temperature has reached the threshold temperature (step S59). The threshold temperature is, for example, a maximum conversion temperature that varies depending on the operation mode. When the set temperature reaches the threshold temperature (step S59: yes), the control portion 21D returns to the process of step S55 in order to execute the second power saving operation of stopping the air conditioning operation. As a result, the control unit 21D determines that no one is present in the air-conditioning space and performs the second power saving operation, and can suppress the power consumption of the air conditioner 2.

When the set temperature has not reached the threshold temperature (step S59: no), the control unit 21D returns to the process of step S58 in order to continue the first power saving operation in which the set temperature is changed stepwise. As a result, the control unit 21D determines that a person may be in the air-conditioning space and continues the first power saving operation, so that the power consumption of the air conditioner 2 can be suppressed while ensuring user comfort in the air-conditioning space.

When the air conditioner is not in operation (step S51: no), the control unit 21D ends the processing operation shown in fig. 15.

Effect of example 3

The control unit 21D switches from the air-conditioning operation to the power-saving operation having lower power consumption than the air-conditioning operation, using the prediction result of the presence/absence prediction unit 34E. As a result, for example, when no person is predicted to be present in the air-conditioning space based on the prediction result of presence/absence during execution of the air-conditioning operation, it is determined that there is no user in the air-conditioning space, and the air-conditioning operation is switched to the appropriate power-saving operation, so that the power-saving effect of suppressing the power consumption of the air-conditioner 2 can be preferentially achieved. That is, in the air conditioner 2B, when a user is present in the air-conditioning space, the air-conditioning operation can be performed to achieve comfort, and when the user is not already present in the air-conditioning space, the power-saving operation can be performed to promote energy saving.

The control unit 21D refers to the prediction result of the presence/absence prediction unit 34E within a predetermined time, for example, 60 minutes, from the current time during execution of the air conditioning operation, and when all of the prediction results are present, causes the air conditioning operation to continue. As a result, when the presence of a person is predicted as a result of the presence/absence of the person within the predetermined period of time during the execution of the air conditioning operation, it is determined that the user is present in the air conditioning space within the predetermined period of time, and the air conditioning operation is continued, so that the user comfort in the air conditioning space can be ensured.

The control unit 21D refers to the prediction result of the present/absent prediction unit 34E within a predetermined time, for example, 60 minutes, from the current time during execution of the air conditioning operation, and switches the air conditioning operation to the power saving operation when all of the prediction results within the predetermined time period are absent. As a result, the air conditioning operation is switched to the power saving operation when the prediction result of presence/absence in the predetermined period from the current time is that no one is present during the execution of the air conditioning operation, whereby the power saving effect can be preferentially achieved.

The power saving operation execution unit 21D2 refers to the prediction result of the presence/absence prediction unit 34E within a first predetermined time, for example, 60 minutes from the current time during execution of the air conditioning operation, and switches the air conditioning operation to the second power saving operation when all of the prediction results are absent. As a result, when no person is present as a result of the prediction of presence/absence of the first predetermined period from the current time during execution of the air conditioning operation, it is determined that no user is present in the air conditioning space, and the air conditioning operation is switched to the second power saving operation, whereby the power saving effect can be preferentially achieved.

The power saving operation execution unit 21D2 refers to the prediction result of the presence/absence prediction unit 34E within a first predetermined time, for example, 60 minutes from the current time during execution of the air conditioning operation, and when all of the prediction results are present, causes the air conditioning operation to continue. As a result, when the presence/absence of a person is predicted as a result of the first predetermined period from the current time during execution of the air conditioning operation, it is determined that a user is present in the air conditioning space, and the air conditioning operation is continued, whereby user comfort in the air conditioning space can be ensured.

The power saving operation execution unit 21D2 refers to the prediction result of the presence/absence prediction unit 34E within a first predetermined time, for example, 60 minutes, from the current time during execution of the air conditioning operation, and switches the air conditioning operation to the first power saving operation when the presence/absence of a person is mixed in the prediction result. As a result, when the presence/absence prediction result for the first predetermined period of time from the current time is mixed with presence or absence of a person during execution of the air conditioning operation, it is determined that there is a possibility that a user is present in the air conditioning space. Then, the air conditioning operation is switched to the first power saving operation, whereby not only user comfort in the air conditioning space can be ensured, but also power consumption can be suppressed.

The power saving operation execution unit 21D2 refers to the prediction result of the present/absent prediction unit 34E within a first predetermined time, for example, 60 minutes, from the present time during execution of the air conditioning operation, and switches the air conditioning operation to the first power saving operation when there is no prediction result. As a result, when there is no prediction result of presence/absence for the first predetermined period from the current time during execution of the air conditioning operation, it is determined that there is a possibility that a user is present in the air conditioning space. Then, the air conditioning operation is switched to the first power saving operation, whereby not only user comfort in the air conditioning space can be ensured, but also power consumption can be suppressed.

Further, the case where the control unit 21D of the indoor unit 21 in the air conditioner 2 of embodiment 1 switches the air conditioning operation to the power saving operation based on the detection result of the human body detection sensor 21B and the prediction result of the presence/absence prediction unit 34E is exemplified. However, instead of generating or updating the present/absent pattern corresponding to each day of the week for each air-conditioning space based on the present/absent detection result, the day information, and the holiday information as in embodiment 1, the generation unit 53C of the server apparatus 5 may perform statistical processing on the detection result of each past date and time of the human body detection sensor 21B, for example, by storing the absence probability of the user in any period of the day in pairs with the period, find the present/absent pattern corresponding to each day of the week (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as a statistical pattern), and switch the air-conditioning operation to the power-saving operation using the found present/absent pattern corresponding to each day of the week. The following description will be made as example 4 on the embodiment thereof.

Example 4

Fig. 17 is a block diagram showing an example of the structure of the air conditioner 2C of embodiment 4. Note that the same components as those of the air conditioner 2 of embodiment 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description of repetitive structures and operations is omitted. The power saving operation execution unit 21D3 in the control unit 21D of the indoor unit 21 shown in fig. 17 switches the air conditioning operation to the power saving operation by using presence/absence information indicating whether or not a person is present in the air conditioning space. Specifically, the power saving operation execution unit 21D3 switches the air conditioning operation to the power saving operation based on the statistical pattern indicating whether or not a person is present in the air conditioning space. For example, as described above, the statistical pattern is found for each day of the week by storing the absence probability of the user during any period of the day in pairs with that period. The power saving operation execution unit 21D3 refers to the statistical pattern corresponding to the current day of the week at regular intervals, for example, every 10 minutes, and predicts whether or not a person is present in the air-conditioning space based on the referred statistical pattern.

The power saving operation execution unit 21D3 refers to a statistical pattern within a first predetermined time, for example, 60 minutes, from the current time point during execution of the air conditioning operation, and predicts whether or not a person is present based on the statistical pattern. When all the predicted results are that no one is present, the power saving operation executing section 21D3 determines that no user is present in the air conditioning space for the first predetermined period of time, and switches the air conditioning operation to the second power saving operation.

The power saving operation execution unit 21D3 refers to a statistical pattern within a first predetermined time, for example, 60 minutes, from the current time point during execution of the air conditioning operation, and predicts whether or not a person is present based on the statistical pattern. When all the prediction results are that someone is present, the power saving operation execution unit 21D3 determines that there is a user in the air conditioning space within the first predetermined period of time, and does not switch to the power saving operation, and continues the air conditioning operation.

The power saving operation execution unit 21D3 refers to a statistical pattern within a first predetermined time, for example, 60 minutes, from the current time point during execution of the air conditioning operation, and predicts whether or not a person is present based on the statistical pattern. When the prediction result is mixed with presence or absence of a person, the power saving operation execution unit 21D3 determines that there is a possibility that a user is present in the air-conditioning space within the first predetermined period of time, and switches the air-conditioning operation to the first power saving operation.

The power saving operation execution unit 21D3 refers to a statistical pattern within a first predetermined time, for example, 60 minutes, from the current time point during execution of the air conditioning operation, and predicts whether or not a person is present based on the statistical pattern. When there is no prediction result, the power saving operation execution unit 21D3 determines that there is a possibility that a user is present in the air-conditioning space within the first predetermined period of time, and switches the air-conditioning operation to the first power saving operation.

Fig. 18 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing operation of the control unit 21D of the indoor unit 21 in relation to the third power saving processing. The third power saving process is a process of: the method uses the prediction result of whether people exist in the air-conditioning space in the statistical mode corresponding to the current day of the week to enable the air-conditioning operation to continue or switch the air-conditioning operation to any one of the first power-saving operation and the second power-saving operation. Further, the control unit 21D periodically executes the third power saving process shown in fig. 18, for example, every 10 minutes. In fig. 18, the control unit 21D of the indoor unit 21 determines whether or not the air conditioning operation such as the cooling mode, the dehumidifying mode, or the heating mode is being performed (step S61). While in the air conditioning operation (step S61: yes), the control section 21D selects the present/absent statistical mode corresponding to the current day of the week (step S62). Based on the selected statistical pattern, the control unit 21D acquires a prediction result of presence/absence of a person in a first predetermined period from the current time (step S63). The prediction result of presence/absence of a person in the first predetermined period of time from the current time is, for example, a prediction result of presence/absence of a person in the air-conditioning space within 60 minutes from the current time.

The control unit 21D determines whether all the obtained prediction results of presence/absence of the person within the first predetermined period are absence based on the obtained prediction results of presence/absence of the person (step S64). When all the prediction results of the presence/absence of the person within the first predetermined period are absent (yes in step S64), the control unit 21D executes the second power saving operation (step S65), and ends the processing operation shown in fig. 18. The control unit 21D determines that there is no user in the air-conditioning space and executes the second power saving operation, and thus, as compared with the case where the air-conditioning operation is performed by the air-conditioning unit 2C, it is needless to say that the power consumption can be suppressed even when the first power saving operation is performed by the air-conditioning unit 2C. Further, during the period in which the air conditioning operation is stopped by the second power saving operation in the process of step S65, when the presence of the person is predicted in the prediction result of the presence/absence of the person, the second power saving operation may also be stopped and the air conditioning operation that was performed before the second power saving operation may be restarted.

When all the human presence/absence prediction results are not absent in the first predetermined period of time (step S64: NO), the control unit 21D determines whether all the human presence/absence prediction results are present in the first predetermined period of time based on the obtained human presence/absence prediction results (step S66). When all the prediction results of presence/absence of the person within the first predetermined period are present (yes in step S66), the control unit 21D continues the current air conditioning operation, and ends the processing operation shown in fig. 18. In this case, the control unit 21D determines that a person is present in the air-conditioning space and continues the air-conditioning operation, thereby ensuring the comfort of the person in the air-conditioning space.

When all the predicted results of the presence/absence of the person in the first predetermined period are not present (step S66: no), the control unit 21D recognizes that the predicted results of the presence/absence of the person in the first predetermined period are mixed with the predicted results of the presence/absence of the person (step S67). The control portion 21D performs a first power saving operation (step S68). Since there may be a user in the air-conditioning space when there is a mix of presence and absence or no predicted result in the predicted result of presence/absence of a person in the first predetermined period of time, the control unit 21D can ensure user comfort while suppressing the power consumption of the air conditioner 2B by executing the first power saving operation without stopping the air-conditioning operation although the power saving effect is lower than the second power saving operation. Further, when the presence of a person is predicted in the prediction result of the presence/absence of a person during the execution of the first power saving operation in the process of step S68, the first power saving operation may be stopped and the air conditioning operation that was performed before the first power saving operation may be restarted.

After the first power saving operation is performed, the control unit 21D determines whether or not the set temperature has reached the threshold temperature (step S69). The threshold temperature is, for example, a maximum conversion temperature that varies depending on the operation mode. When the set temperature reaches the threshold temperature (step S69: yes), the control portion 21D returns to the process of step S65 in order to execute the second power saving operation of stopping the air conditioning operation. As a result, the control unit 21D determines that there is no user in the air-conditioning space and executes the second power saving operation, so that the power consumption of the air conditioner 2 can be suppressed.

When the set temperature has not reached the threshold temperature (step S69: no), the control unit 21D returns to the process of step S68 in order to continue the first power saving operation in which the set temperature is changed stepwise. As a result, the control unit 21D determines that a person may be present in the air-conditioning space and continues the first power saving operation, thereby suppressing the power consumption of the air conditioner 2 while ensuring user comfort in the air-conditioning space.

When the air conditioner is not in operation (step S61: no), the control unit 21D ends the processing operation shown in fig. 18.

Effect of example 4

The control unit 21D switches the air conditioning operation to a power saving operation having lower power consumption than the air conditioning operation, using the presence/absence prediction result based on the presence/absence statistical pattern. As a result, for example, when it is predicted that no person is present in the air-conditioning space based on the presence/absence prediction result during execution of the air-conditioning operation, it is determined that the user is not present in the air-conditioning space, and the air-conditioning operation is switched to the appropriate power-saving operation, so that the power-saving effect of suppressing the power consumption of the air-conditioner 2C can be preferentially achieved. That is, in the air conditioner 2C, when a user is present in the air-conditioning space, the air-conditioning operation can be performed to achieve comfort, and when the user is not already present in the air-conditioning space, the power-saving operation can be performed to promote energy saving.

The control unit 21D refers to a statistical pattern of presence/absence for a predetermined time, for example, 60 minutes from the current time during execution of the air conditioning operation, and predicts whether or not a person is present based on the statistical pattern. When all the predicted results are in existence, the control unit 21D causes the air conditioning operation to continue. As a result, when the presence of a person is predicted as a result of the presence/absence of the person within the predetermined period of time during the execution of the air conditioning operation, it is determined that the user is present in the air conditioning space within the predetermined period of time, and the air conditioning operation is continued.

The control unit 21D refers to a statistical pattern of presence/absence for a predetermined time, for example, 60 minutes from the current time during execution of the air conditioning operation, and predicts whether or not a person is present based on the statistical pattern. When all the predicted results are not present within the predetermined period, the control section 21D switches the air conditioning operation to the power saving operation. As a result, the air conditioning operation is switched to the power saving operation when the prediction result of the presence/absence of the predetermined period from the current time is that no one is present during the execution of the air conditioning operation, and therefore, the power saving effect can be preferentially achieved.

The power saving operation execution unit 21D3 refers to a statistical pattern within a first predetermined time, for example, 60 minutes, from the current time point during execution of the air conditioning operation, and predicts whether or not a person is present based on the statistical pattern. When all of the predicted results are that no one is present, the power saving operation performing section 21D3 switches the air conditioning operation to the second power saving operation. As a result, when no person is present as a result of the prediction of presence/absence of the first predetermined period from the current time during execution of the air conditioning operation, it is determined that no user is present in the air conditioning space, and the air conditioning operation is switched to the second power saving operation.

The power saving operation execution unit 21D3 refers to a statistical pattern within a first predetermined time, for example, 60 minutes, from the current time point during execution of the air conditioning operation, and predicts whether or not a person is present based on the statistical pattern. When all the prediction results are in existence, the power saving operation execution unit 21D3 continues the air conditioning operation. As a result, when the presence/absence of a person is predicted as a result of the first predetermined period from the current time during execution of the air conditioning operation, it is determined that a user is present in the air conditioning space, and the air conditioning operation is continued, so that user comfort in the air conditioning space can be ensured.

The power saving operation execution unit 21D3 refers to a statistical pattern within a first predetermined time, for example, 60 minutes, from the current time point during execution of the air conditioning operation, and predicts whether or not a person is present based on the statistical pattern. When the prediction result is mixed with presence or absence of a person, the power saving operation execution unit 21D3 switches the air conditioning operation to the first power saving operation. As a result, when the presence/absence prediction result from the current time to the first predetermined time period is mixed with presence or absence of a person during execution of the air conditioning operation, it is determined that there is a possibility that a user is present in the air conditioning space. Then, the air conditioning operation is switched to the first power saving operation, whereby not only user comfort in the air conditioning space can be ensured, but also power consumption can be suppressed.

The power saving operation execution unit 21D3 refers to a statistical pattern within a first predetermined time, for example, 60 minutes, from the current time point during execution of the air conditioning operation, and predicts whether or not a person is present based on the statistical pattern. When there is no prediction result, the power saving operation execution section 21D3 switches the air conditioning operation to the first power saving operation. As a result, when there is no prediction result of presence/absence for the first predetermined period from the current time during execution of the air conditioning operation, it is determined that there is a possibility that a user is present in the air conditioning space. Then, the air conditioning operation is switched to the first power saving operation, whereby not only user comfort in the air conditioning space can be ensured, but also power consumption can be suppressed.

Modification of the embodiment

The predetermined time, the first predetermined time, the second predetermined time, and the third predetermined time in examples 1 to 4 can be changed as appropriate.

The control unit 21D of the indoor unit 21 of embodiment 1 has been exemplified as switching the air conditioning operation to the power saving operation based on the detection result of the human body detection sensor 21B and the prediction result of the presence/absence prediction unit 34E. However, the air conditioning operation may be switched to the power saving operation based on whether or not the user's date and time exists in the air conditioning space arbitrarily set by the user or whether or not the user's date and time exists set by the network calendar, and may be changed as appropriate.

The components of each part shown in the drawings are not necessarily configured as shown in the figure in a physical layer. That is, the specific form of the dispersion/combination of the respective parts is not limited to that shown in the drawings, and all or a part thereof may be configured to be dispersed or combined in any unit in a functional or physical layer according to various loads, use conditions, and the like.

Further, all or any of the various processing functions performed by the respective devices may be executed on CPU (Central Processing Unit) (or microcomputers such as an MPU (Micro Processing Unit, microprocessor) and an MCU (Micro Controller Unit, microcontroller)). The various processing functions may be entirely or partially executed by a program that is analyzed and executed by a CPU (or a microcomputer such as an MPU or an MCU) or by hardware based on wired logic.

Symbol description

1 Air conditioning system

2. 2A air conditioner

3. Communication adapter

5. Server device

21. 210 Indoor unit

21B human body detection sensor

21D control unit

21D1, 21D2, 21D3 power saving operation execution unit

21F on/off mode

21G generating unit

21H presence/absence prediction unit

34E in/out prediction section

Claims

1. An air conditioner, comprising:

a control unit that switches an air conditioning operation to a power saving operation having lower power consumption than the air conditioning operation, using presence/absence information indicating whether or not a user is present in an air conditioning space;

The control part switches the air conditioner operation to any one of a first power saving operation and a second power saving operation as the power saving operation, wherein the first power saving operation prioritizes the comfort of the user, and the second power saving operation prioritizes the power saving effect.

2. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein,

The power saving operation includes:

The first power saving operation changes the set temperature of the air conditioning operation before the power saving operation is switched to so that the power consumption of the air conditioning operation is smaller than the power consumption of the air conditioning operation before the power saving operation is switched to; and

And the second power saving operation stops the air conditioner operation.

3. The air conditioner according to claim 2, further comprising:

A human body detection sensor for detecting whether a human body exists in the air-conditioned space,

The control section switches the air conditioning operation to any one of the first power saving operation and the second power saving operation using the presence/absence information obtained from the detection result of the human body detection sensor during execution of the air conditioning operation.

4. An air conditioner according to claim 2, wherein,

The control unit includes:

An in/out prediction unit that predicts whether a person is present in the air-conditioned space using a plurality of in/out modes indicating whether the user tends to be present in the air-conditioned space; and

And a power saving operation execution unit that refers to the presence/absence information from the presence/absence prediction unit to a time period during which the person is absent, and switches the air conditioning operation to any one of the first power saving operation and the second power saving operation based on the time period during which the person is absent.

5. The air conditioner according to claim 2, further comprising:

The control unit includes:

And a power saving operation execution unit that refers to the time period in which the person is absent from the presence/absence information including the detection result of the human body detection sensor and the prediction result of the presence/absence prediction unit on the presence/absence of the person during execution of the air conditioning operation, and switches the air conditioning operation to any one of the first power saving operation and the second power saving operation based on the time period in which the person is absent.

6. The air conditioner according to claim 5, wherein,

The power saving operation performing section refers to a prediction result of the present/absent predicting section within a first prescribed period of time from a point in time when the human body detection sensor detects absence of a person during execution of the air conditioning operation, and switches the air conditioning operation to the second power saving operation when the prediction result is that the person is absent.

7. The air conditioner according to claim 6, wherein,

The power saving operation execution unit refers to a prediction result of the present/absent prediction unit in the first predetermined period during execution of the air conditioning operation, and when the prediction result is that the person is present, causes the air conditioning operation to continue.

8. The air conditioner according to claim 7, wherein,

And when the air-conditioning operation is continued, if the absence of the person is continuously detected within a second prescribed period of time from the time point when the person is detected by the person detection sensor, the power-saving operation execution unit switches the air-conditioning operation to the second power-saving operation.

9. The air conditioner according to claim 6, wherein,

The power saving operation execution unit refers to a result of prediction by the presence/absence prediction unit in the first predetermined period of time during execution of the air conditioning operation, and switches the air conditioning operation to the first power saving operation when the presence and absence of the person are mixed in the result of prediction.

10. The air conditioner according to claim 9, wherein,

And in the execution process of the first power saving operation, if the absence of the person is continuously detected within a third stipulated time period from the time point when the person is detected by the person detection sensor, the power saving operation execution part switches the first power saving operation to the second power saving operation.

11. An air conditioning system, comprising: an air conditioner provided with a human body detection sensor for detecting whether a human body exists in an air-conditioning space; a server device for generating a plurality of presence/absence modes which are generated using past detection results of the human body detection sensor and which indicate whether or not there is a tendency of a user in the air-conditioned space; and a communication adapter for communicating between the air conditioner and the server device, wherein the air conditioning system includes:

A presence/absence prediction section that selects a presence/absence mode from the plurality of presence/absence modes using a current detection result of the human body detection sensor, and predicts whether the human is present in the air-conditioned space using the selected presence/absence mode; and

And a control unit that uses the detection result of the human body detection sensor and the prediction result of the presence/absence prediction unit to switch to any one of a first power saving operation and a second power saving operation in which power consumption is smaller than that of the air conditioning operation, the first power saving operation prioritizing comfort of the user, and the second power saving operation prioritizing a power saving effect.

12. An air conditioning system according to claim 11, wherein,

The presence/absence prediction unit is provided in the server device,

The control unit is provided in the air conditioner.

13. An air conditioning system according to claim 11, wherein,

The presence/absence prediction section is provided within the communication adapter,

The control unit is provided in the air conditioner.