JP2000274775A - Air conditioner controller - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an air conditioner controller for setting an air conditioner to a temperature sensed comfortably by an individual or a plurality of persons and to hence provide a person's comfortable awakening by informing by the controller. SOLUTION: A set temperature of the air conditioner can be controlled by inputting indoor temperature information from an ambient temperature sensor 110 and body temperature information from a first body temperature sensor 10 by a control unit 120, generating air conditioner set temperature information by using the information or the like, and transmitting the set temperature information by an infrared ray from an infrared transmitter 190.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an air conditioner controller capable of providing comfortable air conditioning conditions, and more particularly to an air conditioner controller for controlling air conditioning conditions based on body temperature information of an object such as a human body. It is.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional air conditioner, there is a great difference between individuals in a thermal environment that is comfortable for human beings. Therefore, a user can control operating conditions such as his physical condition, a set temperature suitable for his taste, air volume, etc. Generally, a comfortable room temperature environment is realized by setting and operating with a controller of an air conditioner.

[0003] For both industrial and general use, the controller of the air conditioner controls the temperature by using an electronic dial or a tablet switch, and controls the temperature to approach the set temperature by a room temperature monitoring sensor provided in the air conditioner. Was normal. In addition, the adjustment of the humidity can only be set by a switch or a dial for maintaining a constant humidity.

[0004]

However, in an industrial air conditioner, a worker works in a work place where the air conditioner is installed, and even if the user sets the temperature using a controller, The problem was that the body temperature rose due to the subsequent work, and the inside of the workplace felt hot, and conversely, it felt cool during breaks.

[0005] In addition to the industrial air conditioner, not only for general use but also for general use, if there are a plurality of people in the room, the suitable temperature varies according to the number of people in the room and the individual physique, and the temperature setting that makes everyone comfortable. It was difficult. In addition, it is recently known that the body temperature rises and falls after waking up as in sleep and is not constant. Even if the room temperature is constant, it cannot be said that the environment is comfortable due to humidity conditions and lighting.

[0006] Also, as for the wake-up device, a buzzer sounding time setting formula using a clock is usually used. However, when waking up during REM sleep with light sleep, it was refreshing when waking up in non-REM sleep, and it was difficult to wake up.

A conventional example is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-32226.
As in No. 2, there is an advanced temperature-inducing device for sleep onset that integrates a human body temperature sensor, a control unit, and air conditioning. However, during REM sleep, it usually turns over, so in order to use a non-contact temperature sensor, It was necessary to fix the human body of the sleeper, and even when using a contact sensor, it was necessary to fix the human body so as not to cut the signal line or the thermocouple line. Further, in order to absorb individual differences, it is necessary to prepare an air conditioner space for one specific person, and there is a problem that the device becomes a special device such as a sleeping capsule. Also, there is no description about the difference in comfort from individual body temperature.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner controller for setting an air conditioner to a temperature at which an individual or a plurality of persons feels comfortable.
An object of the present invention is to provide a comfortable awakening of a person by the air conditioner controller.

[0009]

An air conditioner controller according to a first aspect of the present invention is a detachable air conditioner controller comprising a body temperature detecting means for detecting a body temperature of a subject and a transmitting section for transmitting body temperature information based on the body temperature detecting means as radio waves. A body temperature sensor unit, an ambient temperature sensor for detecting room temperature, and a receiving unit that receives a radio wave from the body temperature sensor unit and demodulates it into body temperature information, based on the body temperature information from the receiving unit and room temperature information from the ambient temperature sensor, It is characterized by comprising a control unit that controls a setting condition of one air conditioner, and a control unit that includes a transmitting unit that transmits an output of the control unit to the at least one air conditioner by radio waves.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the air conditioner controller according to the first aspect, the control unit of the control unit generates a set temperature signal for the at least one air conditioner.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the air conditioner controller according to the first aspect, the control unit detects a REM sleep state by using a brightness sensor for detecting ambient brightness and the body temperature sensor unit. The informing unit is driven when the detected REM sleep state has a preset value.

[0012]

Embodiments of the present invention, that is, embodiments, will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an air conditioner controller according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway view showing an appearance of a body temperature sensor unit, and FIG. 3 is a view showing an appearance of a control unit.

As shown in FIG. 1, a first temperature sensor unit 10 which detects a body temperature of a human body by a body temperature sensor 1 and transmits body temperature information from a transmission unit 5 uses a coin battery 4 as a power source and a contact type. The temperature information is converted into an FM wave by the transmission circuit 2 and transmitted from the antenna 3. The second, third,..., N-th body temperature sensor units 20, 30,. As shown in FIG. 2, the body temperature sensor unit is provided with a pad or a plastic cover in a shape having as little protrusion as possible so that the body temperature sensor 1 and the transmission unit do not suffer pain when the body is under the body. The band 6 has a width longer than that of the antenna 3 and is wound around an arm or a leg.
The antenna 3 is arranged substantially horizontally on the arms and legs. A magic tape 7 is provided at the stopper to improve the detachability. The band 6 is made of a breathable and durable mesh-like chemical fiber, and a non-woven fabric 8 is detachably attached to the surface that comes into contact with the skin with a magic tape 7. The nonwoven fabric 8 can be washed or replaced when it becomes dirty. It is desirable that the mounting position be set aside from the head in consideration of the effect of electromagnetic waves on the body. When installing, it is better to apply directly to the skin rather than on clothing to accurately measure body temperature. The length of the band 6 is made longer in consideration of individual differences, and the circumferences of the arms and the crotch are greatly different.

The receiving antenna 102 of the receiving unit 101 constituting the control unit 100 shown in FIG. 1 is installed in the air conditioner space as shown in FIG. 3, and is larger than the body temperature sensor unit worn on the body. The gain and the S / N ratio are improved without any problem by using the whip antenna for diversity. The FM wave from the first body temperature sensor unit 10 is received by the receiving antenna 102 of the receiving unit 101, and the receiving circuit 103 demodulates the FM wave into a body temperature information signal and inputs the body temperature information to the control unit 120.

As shown in FIG. 1, the controller 120 receives the room temperature information from the ambient temperature sensor 110 and the body temperature information from the first body temperature sensor unit 10, and combines these information to obtain the air conditioner set temperature information. Is generated, and the set temperature information of the air conditioner can be controlled by transmitting the set temperature information by infrared rays from the infrared transmitting unit 190.

The memory 122 of the control unit 120 stores the set temperature information finally transmitted to the first air conditioner 200 and the ambient temperature information and the body temperature information at that time.
For each first fixed time period, the control unit 120 controls the temperature difference between the set temperature information and the ambient temperature information, and the temperature difference between the set temperature information and the current ambient temperature information from the ambient temperature sensor 110 by the timer 123. Compare with If the temperature difference is small, the set temperature is kept as it is, and if there is no change or it is large, the set temperature signal is generated again by the control circuit 121, the infrared signal is transmitted from the infrared transmitter 190, and stored in the memory 122. Update the ambient temperature information and the set temperature information. Next, the last body temperature information is compared with the current body temperature information from the body temperature sensor unit every second fixed time by the timer 123, and if there is a change,
The same change amount is added to the set temperature information to generate a set temperature signal, an infrared signal is transmitted from the infrared transmitter 190, and the set temperature information and the body temperature information stored in the memory 122 are updated.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the pedestal 150 and the pole 15
The control unit 100 including the housing 152 and the like is of a floor-standing type. Although the infrared signal is reflected on the wall, the infrared transmitter 190 has a hinge 154 so that the elevation angle with respect to the housing can be changed so that the infrared signal receiver 201 of the first air conditioner 200 reliably receives the infrared signal. By rotating the rotary table 153 horizontally so as to be rotatable in the horizontal direction, the direction of the infrared transmitter 190 can be adjusted without changing the direction of the control panel 124.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of body temperature information can be inputted. That is, from the first body temperature sensor unit 10 to the N-th
Like the body temperature sensor unit 90, the number of users who use the air conditioner is not limited to one, and there may be a plurality of information sources. In this case, the frequency of the electromagnetic wave is changed to prepare the frequency corresponding to the number of the body temperature sensor units, the interference is avoided, and the body temperature information of the user wearing each body temperature sensor unit is stored in the memory 122 and managed by the control unit 120. Control unit 1 with a body temperature sensor unit management number assigned
20 receives a body temperature signal.

This is effective for absorbing differences in body temperature due to physique and work content, and differences in ambient temperature depending on the location. In this embodiment, the control unit 120 calculates only the average value, the maximum value, and the minimum value of the body temperature information from each body temperature sensor unit, and controls the air conditioner based on the body temperature information. The average is best for warm weather. Fewer people feel uncomfortable with the lowest value in winter and the highest value in summer. The control panel 124 determines which value is used as the reference for body temperature.
Can be selected with the operation unit 156. When absorbing the difference in the state of the body temperature depending on the amount of exercise, it is preferable to adjust to the minimum value. . The reason is that people who feel hot have comfortable sweat and no discomfort, and people with low body temperatures wear lightly and it is not healthy to cool. The user sets the reference of the body temperature as appropriate.

Further, the set temperature and the actual room temperature may be different depending on the characteristics of the air conditioner. As a rescue means at this time, a first dial value 125 for setting a temperature difference how many times the temperature of the set temperature signal is raised or lowered from the body temperature is provided, and the control unit 120 generates a set temperature signal in consideration of the specified temperature difference. . This is because the control unit 100 controls the ambient temperature sensor 1
It can also be used for temperature control when it does not have a 10. The user adjusts the temperature difference with the first dial value so that the user feels comfortable. Considering such settings, even when awake, the body temperature changes during the day like during sleep, and the user does not feel comfortable at a constant room temperature. However, if the room temperature is controlled by following the body temperature, the room temperature can be constantly maintained at a comfortable level, and it is not necessary to reset the room temperature all the time to achieve a comfortable temperature.

The memory 122 also stores rules for set temperature signals of air conditioners of major manufacturers. Although a set temperature signal rule of a required maker and model may be given by a memory card or the like, a memory is used in the embodiment. The user selects the model to be used from the manufacturer and model stored by the control panel 124 and the operation unit 156.

Memory 122 like an industrial air conditioner
If the model does not store the set temperature signal rule in
An infrared signal receiving unit 195 is provided in the infrared housing 155,
A signal of each temperature is transmitted from a remote control infrared transmitting unit (not shown) of each air conditioner (200 to 290, etc.), read by an infrared signal receiving unit 195, and the read signal and its temperature are stored in a memory 122. As a result, models that are not registered in advance can be used.

The control unit 100 prepares a type for controlling a plurality of types of air conditioners from the first air conditioner 200 to the N-th air conditioner 290 in addition to the basic type for controlling only the first air conditioner. An air conditioner management number is set for each, and the model is input for each management number using the control panel 124 and the operation unit 156.
When transmitting the set temperature signal, the control unit 120 generates and transmits a signal for each management number. However, since the controller has one ambient temperature sensor 110, it is not suitable for controlling a distant air conditioner. It is better to separately provide a control unit 100 for the air conditioner and control it exclusively. An air conditioner for cooling and heating is suitable for the control target, but there is also a hot air heater 300 for heating only.

Next, the temperature setting operation of the air conditioner controller will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation process of the air conditioner controller of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of each temperature stored in the memory 122.

In the initial state (power ON), the air conditioner controller does not store the set temperature, room temperature information, and body temperature information in the memory 122. In the initial use, the air conditioner controller is manually operated using the operation unit 156. The temperature is set, and the manually input set temperature information is transmitted as an infrared signal to each air conditioner by the infrared transmitter 190 (step S10).

Next, the body temperature information detected by the body temperature sensor unit shown in FIG. 2 is transmitted as a radio wave such as an FM radio wave, received by the reception antenna 102 of the control unit 100, and the reception circuit 103 converts the FM radio wave into a body temperature information signal. And is input to the control unit 120 (step S2).
0). Further, the ambient temperature sensor 1 of the control unit 100
10 detects the current room temperature of the space in which the control unit 100 is arranged, and inputs room temperature information to the control unit 120 (step S30).

The memory 122 of the control unit 120 stores the set temperature information, the body temperature information, and the room temperature information input in steps S10, S20, and S30 (step S40:
(A part of FIG. 6).

When it is detected by the timer 123 that the first fixed time has elapsed (y in step S50), the set temperature information and the room temperature information stored in the memory 122 are obtained.
Comparison is performed based on the current room temperature information input to the control unit 120 from the ambient temperature sensor 110 (step S6).
0). As a result of the comparison by the control unit 120, the memory 122
If the temperature difference between the set temperature information stored in the memory 122 and the room temperature information matches the temperature difference between the set temperature information stored in the memory 122 and the current room temperature information or the temperature difference is large (step (Y in S70: part b in FIG. 6), the set temperature signal is generated again, and the set temperature information is transmitted from the infrared transmitting unit 190 to the air conditioner (step S110).

The control unit 120 which has transmitted the set temperature signal,
The set temperature information and the room temperature information are stored in the memory 122 (step S120: part c in FIG. 6).

On the other hand, the memory registration (step S4)
0), the first fixed time does not elapse (step S50).
N) When the elapse of the second fixed time is detected by the timer 123 (y in step S80), the body temperature information (a 'in FIG. 6) stored in the memory and the current body temperature received from the body temperature sensor unit are used. Compare (step S90), if there is a change in body temperature (y in step S100: f section in FIG. 6),
The control unit 120 sets again the set temperature based on the change in body temperature and transmits the set temperature from the infrared transmission unit 190 (step S11).
0). The control unit 120 that has transmitted the setting signal stores the set temperature information and the body temperature information in the memory 122 (step S120: g section in FIG. 6).

N in step S70 (d in FIG. 6),
N in step S80, n in step S100 (h in FIG. 6)
In the case of (part), it is determined whether or not the power of the air conditioner controller is turned off in step S130. If the power is turned off (y in step S130), the process ends. If the power is not turned off (step S130). n), timer 1 again
23 is used to measure time. At this time, the contents of the memory 122 are not updated (part e or e ′ in FIG. 6).
Part)

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention, that is, a second embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the sleep state of a human as the passage of time.

A general air conditioning function related to sleep includes a brightness sensor 115 and a wake-up counter 131 provided in the control unit 100 shown in FIG.
Perform according to 2. In this apparatus, the brightness sensor 115 detects darkness, and determines that preparation for sleep has been started. As shown in FIG. 4, in the early stage of sleep, the subject is in REM sleep state, and the body temperature decreases when shifting to deep non-REM sleep. I do. Although it is possible to argue about how good the lowering of the body temperature is, it is set to 0.5 degrees because it is desired to avoid losing the timing of REM sleep. Generally, REM sleep comes about every 1.5 to 2 hours as shown in FIG. 4, but the present apparatus detects the transition from REM sleep to non-REM sleep based on a decrease in body temperature and counts it. The first sleep is the first time, and the second to third is the next time. The wake-up counter 131 drives a notification unit such as a buzzer 132 when the body temperature decrease count reaches a designated count. The counter 131 is also set by the control panel 124 and the operation unit 156. The buzzer 132 is of an alarm clock type in which the sound is gradually increased or a constant volume. The operation unit 156 is used to stop the buzzer 132 from sounding.
The buzzer 132 can also be stopped by transmitting a buzzer stop signal from the transmission unit when the switch is pressed, provided in the body temperature sensor unit 10. The buzzer 132 may be changed to a speaker to play a melody. As another wake-up method, a predetermined time may be set by the timer 123, and after the set time has elapsed, the REM sleep state may be detected and the notification unit may be driven.

Further, an illumination 31 which is turned on by an infrared signal
0 or the audio 320 can be activated by storing an activation signal in the memory 122.
A mode is set in which an infrared signal is transmitted by linking to the sound of the buzzer 132. In that case, the operation signal is stored in advance.

Furthermore, since the comfort of the temperature felt during sleep differs from the comfort felt during wakefulness, a second dial value 130 for setting a temperature difference for sleep is provided. It is set by the control panel 124 and the operation unit 156. The value to be set is initially set to the same temperature as when the user is awake, and can be adjusted to the corrected temperature difference by changing the setting when the user wakes up due to cold or heat during use. It is the user who sets. It should be noted that the control based on the temperature difference for sleep is performed even when the lightness sensor 115 detects darkness.
It may be a time when a decrease in body temperature is detected.

In this example, various settings are displayed on the control panel 124 and input to the operation unit 156 to simplify the operation. However, when the model of the air conditioner is not stored, no display is required. Therefore, you may use a dial for various settings. In this example, the control panel displays the ambient temperature. The operation unit 156 includes numerical values from 0 to 9, a decimal point, and function keys, and various setting switching is performed by the function keys. To stop the buzzer or turn on / off the power, press two keys at the same time to make it work. The control panel 124 may have a function of displaying an ambient temperature if the operation unit 156 is not used for one minute. .

The air conditioner controller according to the present invention comprises:
Although the communication is performed using wireless communication, the electromagnetic waves to be used are radio waves having an electric field strength that does not require a license of a radio station in consideration of the Radio Law. Although a generally used infrared radio wave may be used, a radio band for radio control of a 40 MHz band is suitable in consideration of radio performance. The reason is that the HF band (short wave) with a long wavelength includes a mobile radio for maritime security, a mobile radio for marine emergency, an aeronautical mobile radio, and a citizen radio.
The belt has many uses related to administration and disaster prevention, such as a radio for disaster prevention administration, in order to prevent the transmitted electromagnetic waves from being falsely reported or disturbed, and to prevent the control unit from malfunctioning by receiving them. Another reason is that a longer wavelength facilitates analysis. However, in the very high frequency band, so-called VHF, the wavelength is long and the antenna becomes huge. In order to make the antenna large enough to be worn, 1.5 GHz of a mobile phone or PHS (Personal Handyphone Syst
em) of 1.9 GHz. Then, it becomes 322 MHz to 10 GHz, and the electric field strength is 3 m
It becomes 35 μV / m or less at a remote position. Also, in consideration of the miniaturization of the transmission device and the cost of creating a circuit, analog modulation and demodulation are preferable to digital methods. Also in that case, the FM system becomes simpler than the AM system with much noise.

For example, PHS is used for commercial use in the 1.9 GHz band, but PHS telephones are currently used for outdoor reception, and indoors use indoor antennas or indoor PHs.
Since it is limited to the case where S is introduced, the user can determine the quality of use in consideration of interference.

Here, if 1.9 GHz is adopted, the wavelength is 16 cm, if a half-wavelength antenna is used, it is 8 cm, and if a quarter-wavelength antenna is used, it becomes 4 cm.

As shown in FIG. 2, a monopole antenna system is used in this embodiment, and the antenna 3
Is hidden.

[0042]

According to the present invention, in a private room, a comfortable temperature is maintained in accordance with a change in the user's body temperature, and in a room having a plurality of members, the user does not feel uncomfortable according to the average, maximum, and minimum of the body temperature. An air conditioner controller that maintains the room temperature can be obtained. Further, even when there are widely different types of air conditioners such as offices, it is possible to control the air conditioners with one unit. Furthermore, it can be used in places where body temperature changes due to movement of the user, such as workplaces. In particular, the present invention is excellent in that a body temperature measurer can move around because of the use of wireless communication.

Also, awakening in the REM sleep state is effective for refreshing awakening. In this case as well, the use of wireless communication corresponds to the sleep phase and improves the practicality.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an air conditioner controller according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a wave cutaway diagram of a body temperature sensor unit constituting the air conditioner controller according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an external view of a control unit included in the air conditioner controller according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a human sleep state.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the air conditioner controller according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of each temperature stored in a memory.

[Explanation of Signs] 1 ... Body temperature sensor 2 ... Transmission circuit 3 ...
・ Antenna, 4 ・ ・ ・ Coin battery, 5 ・ ・ ・ Transmission unit,
6 ... band, 7 ... magic tape, 8 ...
· Non-woven fabric, 10 ··· First body temperature sensor unit, 20
... 2nd body temperature sensor unit, 30 ... 3rd body temperature sensor unit, 90 ... Nth body temperature sensor unit, 100 ... Control unit, 102 ... Reception antenna, 103 ... Reception circuit, 110 ... ambient temperature sensor, 115 ... lightness sensor, 120 ...
Control section 121 control circuit 122 memory 123 123 control panel 125 first dial value 130
..Second dial value, 131 ... Counter value, 1
32 ... buzzer, 140 ... power supply, 150 ...
-Pedestal, 151 ... pole, 152 ... housing,
153: rotary table, 154: hinge, 1
55: infrared housing, 156: operation unit, 157
・ ・ ・ Power cord, 158 ・ ・ ・ Buzzer hole, 190 ・
..Infrared transmitter, 195 ... Infrared receiver, 20
0: first air conditioner 201: infrared receiver
210 ... second air conditioner, 290 ... Nth air conditioner, 300 ... warm air heater, 310 ... lighting,
320 ・ ・ ・ Audio

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A detachable body temperature sensor unit comprising a body temperature detecting means for detecting a body temperature of a subject, a transmitting unit for transmitting body temperature information based on the body temperature detecting means as radio waves, an ambient temperature sensor for detecting room temperature, and A receiving unit that receives a radio wave from the body temperature sensor unit and demodulates it into body temperature information; a control unit that controls a setting condition of at least one air conditioner based on body temperature information from the receiving unit and room temperature information from an ambient temperature sensor. A control unit comprising a transmitting unit for transmitting an output of the control unit to the at least one air conditioner by radio waves, the air conditioner controller comprising: 2. The air conditioner controller according to claim 1, wherein the control unit of the control unit generates a set temperature signal for the at least one air conditioner. 3. The control unit detects a REM sleep state using a lightness sensor for detecting ambient brightness and the body temperature sensor unit, and informs when the detected REM sleep state has a preset value. The air conditioner controller according to claim 1, wherein the controller drives the unit.