JP2002295885A - Air-conditioning system and center computer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an air-conditioning system which operate efficiently. SOLUTION: In the air-conditioning system 1, workers 15-1, 15-2 send their own action plans, from portable terminal devices 17-1, 17-2 to a center computer 3. The computer 3 calculates the workers' positions, so as to make the air conditioners 13-1, 13-2 operate most efficiently, and locates the workers at the respective positions. Sensors 31-1 to 31-5 send the environmental statuses of an office building 9 and workers' entering and leaving states to the computer 3 by fixed time interval.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an air conditioning system for efficiently arranging workers in an office to save energy.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is an air-conditioning system in which the number of people in a house is determined, appropriate ventilation can be performed according to the number of people, and thermal loss can be reduced (JP-A-11-141954).
In addition, there is a system that obtains a change between an input image and a background image of a designated person monitoring area, detects the number and distribution of the number of persons based on the presence or absence of a human body detected in the monitoring area, and performs air conditioning based on the distribution (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. Hei 11-31682). ).

[0003]

In recent offices, the number of offices in which workers do not own their own seats and connect necessary computer devices and the like to vacant seats to carry out work has increased. . Since it is not specified where in the office to use the workers, the workers tend to be separated (for example, on different floors) and difficult to efficiently operate such as air conditioning and heating.

[0004] However, the conventional air-conditioning system performs an air-conditioning operation corresponding to the number of workers. For example, even if one worker is on each floor,
Air conditioning and heating must be performed for each floor, which is insufficient for energy saving.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioning system that operates efficiently.

[0006]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, an air conditioner is provided in a structure or a plurality of structures, and a terminal of an operator and a control of the air conditioner are provided. Device and a center computer are connected via a network in the air conditioning system, wherein the terminal includes means for sending an activity schedule of the worker to the center computer, and the center computer includes the activity schedule. The air conditioning system further comprises means for calculating an appropriate arrangement of the worker based on the information and notifying the worker.

[0007] The activity schedule of a worker is a schedule of office work, meetings, going out, and the like. The environmental conditions are environmental conditions such as temperature, humidity, and solar radiation.

[0008] An appropriate arrangement means that, for example, when the number of operating air conditioners is the lowest, or when the sizes of the air conditioners are different, work is performed by the center computer so that the total power consumption of the air conditioners becomes the lowest. For example, based on the activity schedule of the worker, the number of people scheduled for office work and meetings at each room time on the day is calculated, and workers are gathered in a specific air-conditioning area.

In the air conditioning system of the first invention, the portable terminal, the controller of the air conditioner, and the center computer are connected via a network, and the worker sends an action schedule from the portable terminal to the center computer. The center computer calculates an appropriate arrangement of the workers based on the action schedule and notifies the worker, and calculates and notifies the controller of a control value.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, an air conditioner is provided in a structure or a plurality of structures, and a center computer connected to a terminal of an operator and a controller of the air conditioner via a network. And a means for receiving an action schedule of the worker from the terminal, and a means for calculating an appropriate arrangement of the worker based on the action schedule and notifying the worker. It is a center computer that is characterized.

A center computer according to a second aspect of the present invention receives an activity schedule of a worker from a portable terminal, calculates an appropriate arrangement of the worker based on the activity schedule, notifies the worker of the arrangement, and controls a control value of a controller. Is calculated and notified to the controller.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program for realizing the center computer according to the tenth aspect.

A program according to a third aspect of the present invention causes the center computer according to claim 10 to function, and the program can be distributed via a network.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording medium storing a program for implementing the center computer according to the tenth aspect.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording medium storing a program for causing the center computer to function, and the recording medium may be distributed, and the program may be distributed via a network. Can also.

[0016]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an air conditioning system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the office building 9 is divided into a plurality of areas (FIG. 1).
Are divided into five floors), and the air conditioners 13-1 to 13-5 on each floor are controlled by the air conditioning controller 11 on the basement floor.

Office equipment is installed on each floor. For example, office equipment 21- is located on the first floor.
1, 21-1 to 21-n are provided. The office equipment is, for example, a computer, a facsimile, a CAD, or the like, and will be described later. When the worker registers his / her activity schedule, the office equipment on the optimum floor is assigned to the worker.

In offices in recent years, offices in which workers do not particularly own their own seats but connect necessary computer devices and the like to vacant seats to carry out work are increasing. Since the worker is not specified where in the office to use, the worker can move as in the present embodiment.

The workers 15-1 and 15-2 carry the portable terminals 17-1 and 17-2, respectively, and input their own action schedules (for example, schedules for work, meetings, going out, etc.). The terminal devices 17-1 and 17-2 are connected to the network 5, and the action schedule input by the workers 15-1 and 15-2 is sent to the center computer 3 of the center 2 via the network 5. . Conversely, commands and the like from the center computer 3 are transmitted to the worker 1 via the network 5.
Sent to 5-1 and 15-2.

Each floor has sensors 31-1 to 31-31.
5 for detecting environmental conditions (temperature, humidity, solar radiation, etc.) of each floor and worker information (working in and out of the worker). These sensors 31-1 to 31-5 are also connected to the network 5 and transmit detected information to the center computer 3.

The above-mentioned air conditioning controller 11 is also connected to the network 5. That is, the center computer 3
However, the action schedule of the workers 15-1 and 15-2 and the sensor 31
The most efficient operation of the air conditioning equipment is determined in consideration of the information of −1 to 31-5, and the operation of the air conditioning controller 11 is controlled.

The center 2 includes a center computer 3 and a database 7. The center computer 3 analyzes the behavior schedule of the workers 15-1 and 15-2, and
3-1 to 31-5 are collected and the air conditioners 13-1 to 13-1 are collected.
The operator arranges the worker in the optimum area and controls the air-conditioning controller 11 so that 13-5 operates most efficiently (details will be described later).

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the database 7.
The database 7 of the center 2 includes worker data 41, worker action schedule data 43, operation past data 45, office equipment data 47, air conditioning equipment data 49, and the like.

The worker data 41 includes the worker 15-1,
15-2, data about the worker, such as name, worker code, worker's affiliation, and owning portable terminal number. The worker action schedule data 43 is action schedule data sent from the mobile terminal for each worker. That is, information such as the work schedule, going out, and meetings of the worker is recorded.
The work schedule also includes the office equipment to be used, the scheduled work time, and the like.

The past operation data 45 records past operation result data of the air conditioning system 1 and the like, and is applied to actual operation. For example, by grasping, as data, the difference between the registered action schedule and the actual situation, it becomes possible to predict the system including the margin rate. In the example of the office building 9 in FIG. 1, the office equipment data 47 includes the office equipments 21-1 to 21-n and 23-1.
~, ..., etc. are recorded. The office equipment is a computer, a facsimile, a CAD, or the like, and records data such as installation floor, performance, etc., heat generation of the equipment, and which worker is currently using the equipment.

The margin rate means that when workers are gathered so that the number of operating air conditioners is minimized, the workers can work in the office without any trouble even if the workers perform actions different from the registered action schedule. This is a value obtained by dividing the number of seats having room in the air conditioning area by the number of registered workers who work in the office.

The air conditioner data 49 records the rating, performance, current operation status, and the like of each air conditioner.

FIG. 3 shows an example of efficient arrangement of workers in the air conditioning system 1 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 3 (a),
In (b), as a specific example of an air conditioner, two air conditioners 51-1 to 51-5, 53-1 to 53 are provided on each floor using a boiler 55, a refrigerator 57, and a transport pump 59. -5
Indicates the case where is installed. FIG. 3A shows a case where the worker's action schedule is not adjusted and the worker voluntarily arranges the action schedule. For example, on the 5th floor, the air conditioners 51-5 and 53-5 must be operated even though there is only one worker. The same applies to 4F.

FIG. 3B shows a case where the worker registers his / her action schedule, receives an instruction from the center 2 on his / her own portable terminal, and is in the designated arrangement. That is, by arranging the workers at appropriate positions, the air conditioners 51-4, 51-5, 53-4, 53-5 on the 4th and 5th floors are stopped to improve the efficiency of the operation of the air conditioning system. That is, by collecting workers, there is an effect of stopping the operation of the extra heat source equipment. In addition, the effect can be further increased by considering the arrangement of workers in consideration of the amount of solar radiation and the like (that is, the direction of the air conditioner and the like).

FIG. 4 shows a flow chart for controlling the worker arrangement and the air conditioning. 1 and 2 together with the worker 15-1
The procedure for arranging at an appropriate position will be described.

First, in the database 7 of the air conditioning system 1, worker data 41, office equipment data 47, and air conditioning equipment data 49 are registered in advance (step 30).
1). The worker data 41 is a worker's personal name, a personal code, a mobile terminal number, or a calorific value of an individual. The office equipment data 47 is data such as rating, performance, calorific value, installation location, operation status, and the like of computer equipment and the like provided in the office building 9. Air conditioning equipment data 49
Is the rating of the air conditioning equipment provided in the office building 9,
It is data such as performance, calorific value, installation location, and operating status.

The worker 15-1 inputs his / her action schedule into the portable terminal 17-1 and sends it to the center computer 3 (step 302). The action schedule is a schedule of work, a meeting, going out, and the like. In detail, the performance and occupation time of the computer required for the work, the size of the occupation place, and the like can be specified. In addition, the input of the action schedule is performed by the mobile terminal 17.
In addition to -1, the center 2 can be accessed from a working computer or the like to register or change.

The center computer 3 records the input action schedule in the worker action schedule data 43 of the database 7 (steps 303 and 304).

The worker 15-1 goes to the office building 9 and enters the second floor (step 305). The portable terminal 17-1 possessed by the worker 15-1 notifies the center computer 3 of the position of the worker 15-1 (step 306).
Alternatively, the sensor 31-2 installed on the second floor is
-1 may be detected and notified to the center computer 3 (step 307).

The center computer 3 has a worker 15-1.
And the worker action schedule data 43 in the database 7
Operational past data 45 (step 309) and sensor 3
Room temperature and humidity information sent from 1-2 (step 30)
8) The air conditioners 13-1 to 13-13 of the office building 9
The work position of the worker 15-1 is determined so that -5 operates most efficiently, and the worker 15-1 is notified (step 310). The worker 15-1 obtains a notification of work position designation from the portable terminal 17-1 (step 312). For example, for the mobile terminal 17-1, "Use the computer 23-1 on the second floor. The time is 11:00 to 14:00."
Receive instructions like

The operation past data 45 is used for arranging the workers including the margin rate in consideration of the difference between the registered action schedule and the actual operation based on the operation results up to now.

The center computer 3 controls the air conditioning controller 11 via the network 5 to
The operation of the air conditioners 13-1 to 13-5 is controlled (step 311). That is, the operation of the unnecessary air conditioner is stopped or the operation is adjusted.

As described above, the center computer 3 guides the workers 15-1 and 15-2 to an optimal arrangement in order to operate the air conditioners 13-1 to 13-5 most efficiently.

The most efficient operation of the air conditioner means, for example, an operation that minimizes the total power consumption of the air conditioners 13-1 to 13-5.

To guide to the optimum arrangement, for example, the arrangement of the workers is determined so as to minimize the total power consumption of the air conditioners 13-1 to 13-5, and the arrangement location is determined by using the portable terminal and the sensor. This refers to guiding workers to

Here, the workers 15-1, 15-2,.
In the above description, the most suitable office devices 21-1 and 21-2 are designated. For example, when a plurality of workers hold a meeting or the like, the most suitable meeting room is designated, and Notify the terminal.

The sensor 31-2 will be described in more detail.
-1 is detected, or room temperature, humidity, amount of solar radiation, etc. are detected. For example, detection of a heat generation state of an office device or the like and other environmental state changes are also included.

Next, FIG. 5 shows a flowchart during normal operation of the air conditioning system 1. Note that a case where the worker 15-1 performs an action different from the action schedule will also be described.

The worker 15-1 obtains a notification of work position designation from the center computer 3 to the portable terminal 17-1 based on the action schedule registered in advance (step 401).
The worker 15-1 starts work (step 40).
2). The mobile terminal 17-1 of the worker 15-1 is the worker 1
The work position of 5-1 is notified to the center computer 3 (step 403). Alternatively, the sensors 31-1 to 31-5 in the office building 9 detect the position of the worker 15-1 and notify the center computer 3 (step 404).

When it is confirmed that the worker 15-1 is working at the designated position (YE in step 405).
S), the center computer 3 optimizes the worker and the air conditioning as needed (step 409). That is, the center computer 3 receives the notification of the position information from the portable terminal 17-1 at regular time intervals (step 410), and
From 1-1 to 31-5, notification of the environmental information is received (step 411), and an instruction is given to the worker and the air conditioning controller 11 so that the air conditioners 13-1 to 13-5 maintain the optimal operation status. send.

If the worker 15-1 is not working at the designated position (step 405), the center computer 3 informs the portable terminal 17-1 of the worker 15-1 to change the action schedule. Send notification to prompt (step 40
6). The worker 15-1 changes the action schedule from the mobile terminal 17-1 (step 407). The center computer 3 determines the position of the worker 15-1 again and the control value of the air-conditioning controller 11 based on the changed action schedule (step 408). Operational past data 45 of the database 7
The history of this procedure is recorded and the worker action schedule 45 is changed.

If the action schedule is not changed by the worker 15-1, the center computer 3 may automatically rewrite the action schedule after a certain time has elapsed.

Thereafter, as described above, the center computer 3 optimizes the worker and the air conditioning control as needed (step 409). That is, an instruction to move a certain worker to another position may be sent after a certain time has elapsed. That is, the center computer 3 includes the air conditioners 13-1 to 13-1.
At the same time as optimizing the operation of 13-5, it also acts as a command tower, ascertaining the behavior schedule of each worker and sending commands to the workers.

If the worker's work is significantly different from the behavior registered in the behavior schedule, the center computer 3 examines the rearrangement of all the workers in the entire office building 9 and gives each worker It may be re-notified.

Here, one office building is divided into several floors, and the type in which air conditioning is managed for each floor has been described. However, one floor is further divided into several areas. However, it is possible to cope with a more detailed (for example, for each room) management of air conditioning equipment.

Further, when a certain company owns a plurality of buildings adjacent to each other, it is also possible to perform management such that all workers in one building are moved to another building.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to specify the arrangement of the worker based on the activity schedule of the worker.
In addition, by detecting the environmental condition, efficient operation of the air conditioning system can be achieved.

[0053]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an air-conditioning system that operates efficiently.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an air conditioning system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a database 7;

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an appropriate arrangement of workers.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for performing worker arrangement and air conditioning control.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart at the time of normal operation of the air conditioning system 1.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Air-conditioning system 2 ... Center 3 ... Center computer 5 ... Network 7 ... Database 9 ... Office building 11 ... Air-conditioning controllers 13-1 to 13-5 ... Air conditioners 15-1, 15-2 ... workers 17-1, 17-2 ... portable terminals 19 ... piping and control lines 21-1, 21-2 to 21-n ... 1F Office equipment 23-1 to 23-n ... 2F office equipment 25-1 to 25-n ... 3F office equipment 27-1, 27-2 to 27-n ... 4F office equipment 29- 1, 29-2 to 29-n ... 5F office equipment 31-1 to 31-5 ... Sensor 41 ... Worker data 43 ... Worker action schedule data 45 ... Operational past data 47 · · · Office equipment data 49 · · · Air-conditioning equipment data 51-1～51-5,53-1～53-5 ... air conditioning equipment 55 ... boiler 57 ... refrigerator 59 ... transport pump

Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Masaaki Ito 1-5-20 Kaigan, Minato-ku, Tokyo Tokyo Gas Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Junko Amano 1-5-20 Kaigan, Minato-ku, Tokyo Tokyo Gas Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Yoshinobu Miyagi 1-5-20 Kaigan, Minato-ku, Tokyo Tokyo Gas Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 3L060 AA03 CC02 CC07 CC11 DD08 EE22 3L061 BA05

Claims (20)

[Claims] An air conditioning system in which an air conditioner is provided in a structure or a plurality of structures, and a terminal of an operator, a controller of the air conditioner, and a center computer are connected via a network. Wherein the terminal includes means for sending an activity schedule of the worker to the center computer, wherein the center computer calculates an appropriate arrangement of the worker based on the activity schedule and calculates the worker An air-conditioning system comprising means for notifying a user. 2. The air conditioning system according to claim 1, wherein said center computer further comprises means for calculating a control value of said controller and notifying said controller. 3. The air conditioning system according to claim 1, wherein the structure has a plurality of areas, and each of the areas is provided with a sensor. 4. The sensor detects environmental conditions such as temperature and humidity for each area and detects whether the worker enters or exits the area, and notifies the center computer. The air conditioning system according to claim 3. 5. The air conditioning system according to claim 4, wherein the center computer calculates an appropriate arrangement of the workers based on the environmental status sent from the sensor and the action schedule. 6. The center computer includes means for notifying the worker of a change in the behavior schedule when the behavior schedule of the worker is different from the information on the worker sent from the sensor. The air conditioning system according to claim 4, wherein the air conditioning is performed. 7. The center computer prompts the worker to change the behavior schedule when the behavior schedule of the worker is different from the information of the worker sent from the position information of the sensor or the terminal. 3. The air conditioning system according to claim 2, further comprising means for performing notification. 8. The air conditioning system according to claim 2, wherein an air conditioner is provided for each area, and wherein the controller controls the operation of the air conditioner according to an instruction from the center computer. 9. The air conditioning system according to claim 1, wherein the action schedule is an action schedule of the worker such as work, meeting, going out, and the like. 10. A center computer provided with an air conditioner in a structure or in a plurality of structures, and connected to a terminal of an operator and a controller of the air conditioner via a network, A means for receiving an activity schedule of the worker from the terminal; and a means for calculating an appropriate arrangement of the worker based on the activity schedule and notifying the worker. Center computer to do. 11. The center computer according to claim 10, further comprising means for calculating a control value of said controller and notifying said controller. 12. The center computer according to claim 10, wherein the structure has a plurality of areas, and each of the areas is provided with a sensor. 13. The sensor according to claim 1, wherein the temperature of each area is:
13. The center computer according to claim 12, wherein the center computer detects environmental conditions such as humidity, detects the worker entering and leaving the area, and notifies the center computer of the detection. 14. The center computer according to claim 13, wherein an appropriate arrangement of the worker is calculated based on the environmental situation sent from the sensor and the action schedule. 15. When the behavior schedule of the worker is different from the information about the worker sent from the sensor, a means for notifying the worker of a change in the behavior plan is provided. 14. The center computer according to claim 13, 16. A means for notifying the worker of a change in the behavior schedule when the behavior schedule of the worker is different from the information of the worker sent from the position information of the sensor or the terminal. The center computer according to claim 11, wherein: 17. The center computer according to claim 11, wherein an air conditioner is installed for each area, and wherein the controller controls the operation of the air conditioner in accordance with an instruction from the center computer. 18. The action schedule includes a task of the worker,
11. The center computer according to claim 10, wherein the user is scheduled to have an action such as a meeting or going out. 19. A program for realizing the center computer according to claim 10. 20. A recording medium on which a program for realizing the center computer according to claim 10 is recorded.