JP2009228931A - Temperature controller, air conditioner, and electric blanket - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reflect user's condition while coping with individual difference in a case when temperature control is performed according to whether a temperature is in such a state as to allow the user to feel comfort or not. <P>SOLUTION: This temperature control device controls an air conditioner 400 or an electric blanket 500 for adjusting an adjusted temperature so that the adjusted temperature as that of an adjusted object reaches a set temperature. The temperature control device comprises a sensor I/F section 110 for acquiring an electric signal by converting user's breathing activity, a waveform analyzing section 120 for determining whether breathing activity is stable or not on the basis of the waveform of the electric signal, and a set temperature changing section 140 for changing the set temperature when it is determined that breathing activity is unstable. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a temperature control device that controls a temperature adjustment device that adjusts the adjustment target temperature so that the adjustment target temperature that is a temperature to be adjusted becomes a set temperature, an air conditioner that is controlled by the temperature control device, and Relates to electric blankets.

  Conventionally, temperature control devices such as air conditioners and electric blankets have been widely used. In general, such a temperature adjusting device adjusts the adjustment target temperature so that the adjustment target temperature becomes the set temperature. In addition, a method for estimating a user's feeling of being hot / cold (hereinafter referred to as “warmth / cool”) in a temperature control device that controls a temperature adjusting device has been proposed (see Patent Document 1).

The temperature control device described in Patent Literature 1 detects the temperature in the room and the bed, estimates the thermal sensation of the user based on the detected temperature (hereinafter, “detected temperature”), and responds to the estimation result. To control the blower (air conditioner). Specifically, the temperature control device holds a table in which the temperature and the thermal sensation are associated, and the thermal sensation corresponding to the detected temperature is determined by referring to the table. Estimate as Here, the table is created in advance by subject experiment.
JP-A-6-121723

  By the way, the temperature at which the user feels comfortable varies depending on the individual and may vary depending on the user's condition (for example, the user's physical condition, the user's psychological state, the user's clothing state, etc.). It is done.

  However, in the temperature control device described in Patent Document 1, the thermal sensation corresponding to the detected temperature is estimated as the thermal sensation of the user by referring to a table created in advance, so that it is possible to deal with individual differences. In addition, there is a problem that the temperature control reflecting the state of the user cannot be realized.

  Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and is adapted to individual differences when performing temperature control according to whether or not the user feels comfortable in a temperature state. An object is to provide a temperature control device, an air conditioner, and an electric blanket that can reflect the state of the user.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention has the following aspects. First, the first aspect of the present invention controls a temperature adjustment device (air conditioner 400 or electric blanket 500) that adjusts the temperature to be adjusted so that the temperature to be adjusted, which is the temperature to be adjusted, becomes a set temperature. A temperature control device that detects a user's respiratory activity and converts the detected respiratory activity into an electrical signal, and a respiration detector (unconstrained sleep sensor 200), and the electricity obtained by the respiration detector. When it is determined that the respiratory activity is unstable by the respiratory determination unit (waveform analysis unit 120) that determines whether the respiratory activity is stable or not based on the waveform of the signal. The gist of the present invention is to include a set temperature change unit (set temperature change unit 140) that changes the set temperature.

  According to such a temperature control device, the respiration detecting unit detects the respiration activity of the user and converts the detected respiration activity into an electrical signal. Such respiratory activity has a correlation with the user's thermal sensation. Specifically, when the user feels hot or cold, that is, in a temperature state where the user feels uncomfortable, the user unconsciously changes the respiratory activity in order to keep the body temperature constant. Here, “constant” means a temperature at which the user feels comfortable.

  The respiration determining unit determines whether or not the respiration activity is stable based on the waveform of the electrical signal obtained by the respiration detecting unit. If the respiratory activity is unstable, it can be considered as a temperature state that the user feels uncomfortable, and if the respiratory activity is stable, it can be assumed that the user is in a temperature state that the user feels comfortable. it can.

  The set temperature changing unit changes the set temperature of the temperature adjusting device when the respiratory determining unit determines that the respiratory activity is unstable. Thus, the set temperature is changed when the user feels uncomfortable, and the set temperature is maintained when the user feels comfortable.

  Therefore, when performing temperature control according to whether or not the user feels comfortable in the temperature state, it is possible to realize temperature control that reflects the user's state while accommodating individual differences.

  A second aspect of the present invention relates to the first aspect of the present invention, wherein the respiration determination unit stabilizes the respiratory activity according to at least one of an amplitude change of the waveform or a time change of the waveform. The gist is to determine whether or not there is.

  A third aspect of the present invention relates to the first or second aspect of the present invention, and includes a temperature detection unit (bed bed temperature sensor 300 or indoor temperature sensor 400a) that detects the temperature to be adjusted as a detection temperature, A comfortable temperature storage unit (comfort temperature storage unit 150) that stores a comfortable temperature estimated to be comfortable by the user at a predetermined temperature, and the set temperature changing unit is configured to perform the breath determination by the breath determination unit. If the respiratory activity is determined to be unstable and the detected temperature is higher than the comfortable temperature, the gist is to lower the set temperature.

  A fourth aspect of the present invention relates to the first or second aspect of the present invention, and includes a temperature detection unit (bed bed temperature sensor 300 or indoor temperature sensor 400a) that detects the adjustment target temperature as a detection temperature, A comfortable temperature storage unit (comfort temperature storage unit 150) that stores a comfortable temperature estimated to be comfortable by the user at a predetermined temperature, and the set temperature changing unit is configured to perform the breath determination by the breath determination unit. The gist is to increase the set temperature when it is determined that respiratory activity is unstable and the detected temperature is lower than the comfortable temperature.

  A fifth aspect of the present invention relates to the first or second aspect of the present invention, and includes a temperature detection unit (bed bed temperature sensor 300 or room temperature sensor 400a) that detects the temperature to be adjusted as a detection temperature, The gist of the preset temperature changing unit is to lower the preset temperature when the respiratory judgment unit judges that the respiratory activity is unstable and the detected temperature is higher than the preset temperature.

  A sixth aspect of the present invention relates to the first or second aspect of the present invention, and includes a temperature detection unit (bed bed temperature sensor 300 or indoor temperature sensor 400a) that detects the temperature to be adjusted as a detection temperature, The gist of the preset temperature changing unit is to raise the preset temperature when the respiratory judgment unit judges that the respiratory activity is unstable and the detected temperature is lower than the preset temperature.

  The seventh aspect of the present invention is controlled by the temperature control device according to any one of the first to sixth aspects of the present invention, and the temperature to be adjusted is the room in which the user is present (the indoor space R). ), Or an air conditioner (air conditioner 400) that is the temperature in the bed (bed B) where the user enters.

  The eighth aspect of the present invention is controlled by the temperature control device according to any one of the first to sixth aspects of the present invention, and the adjustment target temperature is a bed (bed B) where the user is present. The gist is that it is an electric blanket (electric blanket 500) having an internal temperature.

  The ninth aspect of the present invention is a temperature control for controlling a temperature adjusting device (air conditioner 400 or electric blanket 500) that adjusts the temperature to be adjusted so that the temperature to be adjusted, which is a temperature to be adjusted, becomes a set temperature. A device that detects a user's body movement and converts the detected body movement into an electric signal, and a body movement detection unit (unconstrained sleep sensor 200), and the electricity obtained by the body movement detection unit. Based on the waveform of the signal, the body motion determination unit (waveform analysis unit 120) that determines whether or not the body motion is stable, and the body motion determination unit determines that the body motion is unstable. In this case, the gist includes a set temperature changing unit (set temperature changing unit 140) that changes the set temperature.

  According to such a temperature control device, the body movement determination unit detects the body movement of the user and converts the detected body movement into an electric signal. Such body movement has a correlation with the thermal sensation of the user. Specifically, when the user feels hot or cold, that is, in a temperature state where the user feels uncomfortable, the user unconsciously changes the state of body movement in order to keep the body temperature constant. Here, “constant” means a temperature at which the user feels comfortable.

  The respiration determining unit determines whether or not the body movement is stable based on the waveform of the electrical signal obtained by the respiration detecting unit. If the body movement is unstable, it can be regarded as a temperature state that the user feels uncomfortable, and if the body movement is stable, it can be regarded as a temperature state that the user feels comfortable. it can.

  The set temperature changing unit changes the set temperature of the temperature adjusting device when the respiration determining unit determines that the body movement is unstable. Thus, the set temperature is changed when the user feels uncomfortable, and the set temperature is maintained when the user feels comfortable.

  According to the present invention, when performing temperature control according to whether or not the user feels comfortable in a temperature state, the temperature control device and the air conditioner that can reflect the state of the user while responding to individual differences Can provide machine and electric blanket.

  Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Specifically, (1) overall schematic configuration of temperature control system, (2) configuration of unrestrained sleep sensor, (3) configuration of controller, (4) waveform analysis processing, (5) operation of controller, (6) Actions and effects, (7) Other embodiments will be described. In the description of the drawings in the following embodiments, the same or similar parts are denoted by the same or similar reference numerals.

(1) Overall Schematic Configuration of Temperature Control System FIG. 1 is an overall schematic configuration diagram of a temperature control system 1A according to the present embodiment. This embodiment demonstrates the structure which controls the air conditioner 400 at the time of a user's sleep.

  The air conditioner 400 includes an indoor temperature sensor 400a that detects the temperature of the indoor space R (hereinafter, “indoor temperature”), and adjusts the indoor temperature so that the detected indoor temperature becomes a set temperature. The set temperature is arbitrarily set by the user in the initial state. Here, the temperature in the bed B (hereinafter, “bed bed temperature”) varies depending on the room temperature. For this reason, the air conditioner 400 adjusts the temperature in the bed simultaneously with the room temperature. That is, in this embodiment, the room temperature and the temperature in the bed are adjustment target temperatures of the air conditioner 400.

  As illustrated in FIG. 1, the temperature control system 1A includes a controller 100 that communicates with an air conditioner 400 in a wired or wireless manner. The controller 100 is a computer having a CPU and a memory, and has a function of changing the set temperature of the air conditioner 400.

  An unconstrained sleep sensor 200, an in-bed temperature sensor 300, and an indoor temperature sensor 600 are connected to the controller 100. The unconstrained sleep sensor 200 and the bed temperature sensor 300 are disposed in the bed B where the user is present.

  The unconstrained sleep sensor 200 is a sheet-shaped pressure sensor, for example. The unconstrained sleep sensor 200 detects the respiratory activity and body movement during sleep of the user without restraining the user, and converts the detected respiratory activity and body movement into an electrical signal. That is, in the present embodiment, the unconstrained sleep sensor 200 constitutes a respiration detection unit that detects respiration activity during sleep of the user and converts the detected respiration activity into an electrical signal. In addition, the unconstrained sleep sensor 200 constitutes a body motion detection unit that detects body motion during sleep of the user and converts the detected body motion into an electrical signal. The electrical signal obtained by the conversion is transmitted to the controller 100.

  The bed temperature sensor 300 detects the bed temperature and converts the detected bed temperature into an electrical signal. The indoor temperature sensor 600 detects the indoor temperature and converts the detected indoor temperature into an electrical signal. The electrical signal obtained by the conversion is transmitted to the controller 100.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an arrangement example of the unconstrained sleep sensor 200 and the bed temperature sensor 300.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the unconstrained sleep sensor 200 is disposed on the surface of the bed of the bed B below the upper body (chest) of the user. The unconstrained sleep sensor 200 is compressed by the user's supine position, the lateral position, or the prone position, and receives pressure fluctuations accompanying the user's respiratory activity and body movement. Here, the pressure fluctuation accompanying body movement is 10 times or more compared with the pressure fluctuation accompanying respiratory activity.

  The in-bed temperature sensor 300 is disposed on the surface of the bed of the bed B around the user's foot. Here, the reason for the foot periphery is that the temperature at the peripheral part of the user's body has a great influence on the user's thermal sensation. For this reason, you may arrange | position the bed temperature sensor 300 not around the foot but around the user's hand. The in-bed temperature sensor 300 is not limited to the surface of the mattress, but may be disposed inside or on the back of the mattress.

(2) Configuration of Unconstrained Sleep Sensor FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the unconstrained sleep sensor 200. FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of the capacitive pressure sensor 210.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the unconstrained sleep sensor 200 includes a capacitive pressure sensor 210 and an inductor 220. As shown in FIG. 4, the capacitance type pressure sensor 210 includes a sheet-like dielectric 211 having elasticity in all directions between a pair of conductive cloth 212 and conductive cloth 213, and constitutes a capacitor. ing.

  An LC resonance circuit is configured by the capacitance (C) and the inductor (L) of the capacitance type pressure sensor 210, and resonates at a predetermined resonance frequency (f). When the sheet-like dielectric 211 is elastically deformed and the distance between the pair of conductive cloth 212 and the conductive cloth 213 is shortened, the capacitance (C) of the capacitive pressure sensor 210 changes, and the resonance of the LC resonance circuit The frequency (f) also changes.

  Therefore, the unconstrained sleep sensor 200 outputs an electrical signal whose frequency changes according to the magnitude of the pressure applied to the unconstrained sleep sensor 200. That is, the amount of change in the frequency represents the magnitude of respiratory activity or body movement during the user's sleep.

(3) Controller Configuration FIG. 5 is a functional block configuration diagram of the controller 100. As shown in FIG. 5, the controller 100 includes a sensor I / F unit 110, a waveform analysis unit 120, a set temperature change unit 140, a comfortable temperature storage unit 150, and a temperature adjustment device I / F unit 160.

  An unconstrained sleep sensor 200, a bed temperature sensor 300, and a room temperature sensor 600 are connected to the sensor I / F unit 110. The sensor I / F unit 110 receives electrical signals indicating respiratory activity and body movement detected by the unconstrained sleep sensor 200 and transmits the received electrical signals to the waveform analysis unit 120.

  In addition, the sensor I / F unit 110 receives an electrical signal indicating the temperature in the bed detected by the bed temperature sensor 300 and transmits the received electrical signal to the set temperature changing unit 140. The sensor I / F unit 110 receives an electrical signal indicating the indoor temperature detected by the indoor temperature sensor 600 and transmits the received electrical signal to the set temperature changing unit 140. In the following, the bed temperature detected by the bed temperature sensor 300 and the room temperature detected by the room temperature sensor 600 are collectively referred to as “detected temperature” as appropriate.

  The waveform analysis unit 120 analyzes the output signal waveform of the unconstrained sleep sensor 200 (hereinafter, “sleep sensor waveform”). Specifically, the waveform analysis unit 120 determines whether or not the user's respiratory activity and body movement are stable based on the sleep sensor waveform. The waveform analysis unit 120 determines whether the respiratory activity or the body movement is stable according to at least one of the amplitude change in the sleep sensor waveform or the time change of the waveform.

  Here, when respiratory activity or body movement is unstable, it can be considered that the user feels uncomfortable temperature, and when breathing activity or body movement is stable, the user is comfortable. It can be regarded as being in the temperature state to feel.

  In the present embodiment, the waveform analysis unit 120 constitutes a respiration determination unit that determines whether or not the user's respiration activity is stable. In addition, the waveform analysis unit 120 constitutes a body motion determination unit that determines whether or not the user's body motion is stable. When the waveform analysis unit 120 determines that the respiratory activity or body movement is unstable, the fact is notified to the set temperature changing unit 140.

  When the preset temperature changing unit 140 is notified that the respiratory activity or body movement is unstable, that is, that the user feels uncomfortable, the air conditioner 400 refers to the comfortable temperature storage unit 150. Change the set temperature.

  The comfortable temperature storage unit 150 stores a standard comfortable temperature estimated that the user feels comfortable. Here, the standard comfortable temperature in the room temperature is 29 ° C. ± 2 ° C. (for example, “Yamamoto Mitsuaki, Nakao Mitsuyuki (1994)“ Body temperature and sleep regulation ”, Japanese Society of Sleep Studies, Sleep Studies Handbook (See pp153-157, Asakura Shoten.) Also, the standard comfortable temperature in the bed is 32 ° C ± 2 ° C (for example, “Shima Okada, Fumio Yoneda, Yoshihisa Fujiwara, Hidefumi Matsuura, Hidefumi Satomi) (2006) “Effects of using sleep furniture on sleep quality”, Sanyo Technical Report, 37 (2), pp92-99 ”). Further, standard comfort in the peripheral part of the human body in the bed temperature. The temperature is 34 ° C. ± 2 ° C. (see, for example, “Akihisa Hirota (1998)“ Temperature Control System ”, Kiyoshi Fujisawa, Nobuharu Kashiwa, Katsuo Yamazaki, New Physiological Psychology, pp 222-236, Kitaoji Shobo).

  The set temperature changing unit 140 determines whether to raise or lower the set temperature according to the comparison result between the detected temperature and the comfortable temperature. The determination result is notified to the temperature adjustment device I / F unit 160. The temperature adjusting device I / F unit 160 transmits a control signal for raising the set temperature or a control signal for lowering the set temperature to the air conditioner 400 according to the determination result in the set temperature changing unit 140.

(4) Waveform analysis processing Next, the waveform analysis processing executed by the waveform analysis unit 120, specifically, (4.1) Respiratory activity and body movement classification processing, (4.2) Stable / unstable determination processing Will be described.

(4.1) Classification process of respiratory activity and body movement FIG. 6 is a waveform diagram for explaining the classification process of respiratory activity and body movement. The waveform analysis unit 120 analyzes the sleep sensor waveform by performing a fast Fourier transform on the sleep sensor waveform at regular intervals. In the waveform diagram shown in FIG. 6, the horizontal axis represents time, and the vertical axis represents the frequency change amount (that is, the pressure applied to the unconstrained sleep sensor 200).

  First, the waveform analysis unit 120 classifies the sleep sensor waveform into a respiratory activity waveform (hereinafter, “respiration waveform”) and a body motion waveform (hereinafter, “body motion waveform”). As described above, the pressure fluctuation associated with body movement is 10 times or more compared with the pressure fluctuation associated with respiratory activity, and a waveform having an amplitude of a certain level or more can be regarded as a body movement waveform.

  Therefore, the waveform analysis unit 120 compares the amplitude of the sleep sensor waveform with a certain level, classifies a waveform having an amplitude equal to or higher than the certain level among the sleep sensor waveforms as a body movement waveform, and is less than the certain level among the sleep sensor waveforms. Are classified as respiratory waveforms.

(4.2) Stable / unstable determination process FIG. 7 is a waveform diagram for explaining the sleep sensor waveform stability / unstable determination process. Here, the case where the stable / unstable determination process is performed on the respiratory waveform of the sleep sensor waveform will be described.

As shown in Table 1, the waveform analysis unit 120 performs a respiratory activity on the respiratory waveform using any one of (a) time change, (b) amplitude change, and (c) combination of time change and amplitude change as a determination criterion. It is determined whether or not is stable.

  As shown in FIG. 7, in the case where the change over time is used as a determination criterion, the peak interval or frequency band of the respiratory waveform is used as the determination criterion.

  For the peak interval, the waveform analysis unit 120 derives a time interval between the time t1 when the signal waveform reaches the peak value (maximum value) and the time t2 of the next peak value, and the derived time interval falls below the threshold value. If the breathing waveform (user's respiratory activity) is unstable,

  For the frequency band, the waveform analysis unit 120 derives a frequency (the number of breaths per unit time) by performing a fast Fourier transform on the breath waveform in unit time, and the breath waveform when the derived frequency is outside the standard frequency range. It is determined that (the user's respiratory activity) is unstable.

  Next, when the time change is used as a determination criterion, the peak value, differential value, or maximum value difference of the respiratory waveform is used as the determination criterion.

  For the peak value, the waveform analysis unit 120 derives the peak value of the respiratory waveform, and determines that the respiratory waveform (the user's respiratory activity) is unstable when the derived peak value exceeds a threshold value.

  For the differential value, the waveform analysis unit 120 derives the amplitude change amount (d2-d1) per unit time as the differential value, and when the derived differential value exceeds the threshold value, the respiratory waveform (the user's respiratory activity) Is determined to be unstable.

  For the maximum value difference, the waveform analysis unit 120 derives the difference between the maximum value (the peak value on the positive direction side) and the minimum value (the peak value on the negative direction side), and when the derived difference exceeds the threshold value The respiratory waveform (the user's respiratory activity) is determined to be unstable.

  Next, in the case where the combination of time change and amplitude change is used as a criterion, the integrated value or autocorrelation of the respiratory waveform is used as the criterion.

  As for the integral value, the waveform analysis unit 120 multiplies the waveform values between the zero-cross points (Z1, Z2) of the respiratory waveform to derive an integral value, and when the derived integral value exceeds the threshold value, the respiratory waveform It is determined that (the user's respiratory activity) is unstable.

  For autocorrelation, the waveform analysis unit 120 samples the respiratory waveform every unit time, derives a correlation coefficient indicating the level of correlation between the waveform of a certain unit time and the waveform of the next unit time, and the correlation When the number falls below the threshold, it is determined that the respiratory waveform (the user's respiratory activity) is unstable.

  In addition, when the change in the amplitude of the sleep sensor waveform is used as a determination criterion, the processing load is small and it is possible to cope with a certain amount of sleep sensor waveform disconnection, but it is easily affected by individual differences. Become.

  On the other hand, when the time change of the sleep sensor waveform is used as a determination criterion, it is difficult to be influenced by individual differences and a stable determination result can be obtained.

  Furthermore, when a combination of amplitude change and time change is used as a criterion, it is difficult to be influenced by individual differences and can cope with a certain degree of sleep sensor waveform breakage, but the amount of calculation is large. However, the processing load increases.

  Therefore, it is possible to efficiently determine whether or not the respiratory activity or the body movement is stable by properly using the determination criteria utilizing these characteristics.

  For example, when the processing load of the controller 100 exceeds a certain value and the sleep sensor waveform is continuously obtained, it is conceivable that the time change is used as a determination criterion.

  When the processing load (for example, CPU usage rate, memory usage rate) of the controller 100 exceeds a certain value and the sleep sensor waveform is disconnected, it is considered that the change in amplitude is used as a criterion.

  Furthermore, if the processing load of the controller 100 is less than a certain value, it is preferable to use a combination of amplitude change and time change as a criterion.

(5) Controller Operation FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation of the controller 100.

  In step S <b> 101, the waveform analysis unit 120 acquires a sleep sensor waveform from the sensor I / F unit 110.

  In step S102, the waveform analysis unit 120 analyzes the sleep sensor waveform as described in the above (4.2) stability / unstable determination processing.

  In step S103, the waveform analysis unit 120 determines whether respiratory activity or body movement is stable. Here, the present invention is not limited to determining stability / unstable with respect to either respiratory activity or body motion, and stability / unstable may be determined with respect to both respiratory activity and body motion. If it is determined that respiratory activity or body movement is unstable, the process proceeds to step S104.

  In step S104, the set temperature changing unit 140 acquires the detected temperature and the comfortable temperature described above.

  In step S105, the set temperature changing unit 140 determines whether the detected temperature is higher or lower than the comfortable temperature. If it is determined that the detected temperature is higher than the comfortable temperature, the process proceeds to step S106. On the other hand, if it is determined that the detected temperature is lower than the comfortable temperature, the process proceeds to step S107.

  In step S <b> 106, the set temperature changing unit 140 transmits a control signal for lowering the set temperature to the air conditioner 400 via the temperature adjusting device I / F unit 160.

  In step S <b> 107, the set temperature changing unit 140 transmits a control signal for increasing the set temperature to the air conditioner 400 via the temperature adjusting device I / F unit 160.

(6) Action / Effect According to the present embodiment, the unconstrained sleep sensor 200 detects the respiratory activity of the user and converts the detected respiratory activity into an electrical signal. Such respiratory activity has a correlation with the user's thermal sensation. Specifically, when the user feels hot or cold, that is, in a temperature state in which the user feels uncomfortable, the user is unconscious to maintain a constant body temperature (a temperature at which the user feels comfortable). Change respiratory activity.

  The waveform analysis unit 120 determines whether the respiratory activity is stable based on the respiratory waveform obtained by the unconstrained sleep sensor 200. If the respiratory activity is unstable, it can be considered that the user feels uncomfortable, and if the respiratory activity is stable, it can be considered that the user feels comfortable. it can.

  The set temperature changing unit 140 changes the set temperature of the air conditioner 400 when the waveform analyzing unit 120 determines that the respiratory activity is unstable. Thus, the set temperature is changed when the user feels uncomfortable, and the set temperature is maintained when the user feels comfortable.

  The unconstrained sleep sensor 200 detects the user's body movement and converts the detected body movement into an electrical signal. Such body movement has a correlation with the thermal sensation of the user. Specifically, when the user feels hot or cold, that is, in a temperature state in which the user feels uncomfortable, the user is unconscious to maintain a constant body temperature (a temperature at which the user feels comfortable). Change the state of body movement.

  The waveform analysis unit 120 determines whether the body movement is stable based on the body movement waveform obtained by the unconstrained sleep sensor 200. If the body movement is unstable, it can be regarded as a temperature state that the user feels uncomfortable, and if the body movement is stable, it can be regarded as a temperature state that the user feels comfortable. it can.

  The set temperature changing unit 140 changes the set temperature of the air conditioner 400 when the waveform analysis unit 120 determines that the body movement is unstable. Thus, the set temperature is changed when the user feels uncomfortable, and the set temperature is maintained when the user feels comfortable.

  Therefore, according to the present embodiment, when the temperature control is performed on the air conditioner 400 according to whether or not the user feels comfortable, the user's state is reflected while responding to individual differences. Thus, temperature control for the air conditioner 400 can be realized.

  In addition, according to the present embodiment, the waveform analysis unit 120 determines whether the respiratory activity or body movement is stable according to at least one of the amplitude change or the time change of the signal waveform obtained by the unconstrained sleep sensor 200. Determine whether. This makes it possible to determine with high accuracy whether or not the respiratory activity or body movement is stable.

  Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, the set temperature changing unit 140 decreases the set temperature when it is determined that respiratory activity or body movement is unstable and the detected temperature is higher than the comfortable temperature. The set temperature changing unit 140 increases the set temperature when it is determined that respiratory activity or body movement is unstable and the detected temperature is lower than the comfortable temperature. Accordingly, the set temperature can be appropriately changed when the user feels uncomfortable.

(7) Other Embodiments As described above, the present invention has been described according to the embodiment. However, it should not be understood that the description and drawings constituting a part of this disclosure limit the present invention. From this disclosure, various alternative embodiments, examples and operational techniques will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

(7.1) Modification Example of System Configuration In the above-described embodiment, the controller 100 is configured separately from the air conditioner 400, but may be configured to be incorporated in the air conditioner 400.

  In the embodiment described above, the room temperature sensor 600 is provided. However, when the controller 100 can acquire the room temperature detected by the room temperature sensor 400a of the air conditioner 400, the room temperature sensor 600 may be unnecessary.

  Furthermore, a configuration in which the air conditioner 400 does not include the indoor temperature sensor 400a is possible. In this case, the air conditioner 400 adjusts the room temperature and the temperature in the bed under the control of the controller 100.

(7.2) Modification Example of Temperature Adjusting Device In the above-described embodiment, the controller 100 controls the air conditioner 400. However, the controller 100 is not limited to the air conditioner 400, and may control other temperature adjusting devices. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a modification example of the temperature adjustment device.

  As shown in FIG. 9, in the temperature control system 1B according to this modification, the controller 100 controls the electric blanket 500 for adjusting the temperature in the bed. According to this modified example, similarly to the above-described embodiment, the controller 100 can realize the temperature control for the electric blanket 500 while reflecting the state of the user while dealing with individual differences.

(7.3) Modification Example of Controller Operation The controller 100 is not limited to the operation of the flowchart shown in FIG. 8, and may execute the operation of the flowchart shown in FIG.

  In the flowchart shown in FIG. 10, the processes in steps S204 to S207 are different from the flowchart in FIG.

  Specifically, in step S204, the set temperature changing unit 140 acquires the detected temperature described above.

  In step S205, the set temperature changing unit 140 determines whether the detected temperature is higher or lower than the set temperature. If it is determined that the detected temperature is higher than the set temperature, the process proceeds to step S206. On the other hand, if it is determined that the detected temperature is lower than the set temperature, the process proceeds to step S206.

  In step S206, the set temperature changing unit 140 transmits a control signal for lowering the set temperature to the temperature adjusting device via the temperature adjusting device I / F unit 160 in step S106.

  In step S207, the set temperature changing unit 140 transmits a control signal for increasing the set temperature to the temperature adjusting device via the temperature adjusting device I / F unit 160.

  Such a processing flow is particularly effective in a configuration in which the controller 100 controls the temperature adjustment device when the air conditioner 400 does not include the indoor temperature sensor 400a.

(7.4) Modification Example of Comfortable Temperature In the embodiment described above, the comfortable temperature storage unit 150 stores a standard comfortable temperature. However, the comfortable temperature storage unit 150 is not limited to storing the standard comfortable temperature, and may be configured to learn the user's comfortable temperature.

  For example, the comfortable temperature storage unit 150 may store, as a comfortable temperature, a detected temperature that is frequently determined to indicate that respiratory activity or body movement is stable. Or the comfortable temperature memory | storage part 150 accumulate | stores the detected temperature at the time of determining that respiratory activity or a body movement is stable, and the representative value (for example, average value, median value, mode value) of the accumulated detected temperature ) May be stored as a comfortable temperature. With such a configuration, it is possible to more reliably cope with individual differences.

  Thus, it should be understood that the present invention includes various embodiments and the like not described herein. Therefore, the present invention is limited only by the invention specifying matters in the scope of claims reasonable from this disclosure.

1 is an overall schematic configuration diagram of a temperature control system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the example of arrangement | positioning of the unrestrained sleep sensor and bed temperature sensor which concern on embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the unrestrained sleep sensor which concerns on embodiment of this invention. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a capacitive pressure sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a functional block block diagram of the controller which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a wave form chart for explaining classification processing of respiratory activity and body movement concerning an embodiment of the present invention. It is a wave form diagram for demonstrating the stability / instability discrimination | determination process of the sleep sensor waveform which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the controller which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the temperature control apparatus which concerns on the example of a change of embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the controller which concerns on the example of a change of embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1A, 1B ... Temperature control system, 100 ... Controller, 110 ... Sensor I / F part, 120 ... Waveform analysis part, 140 ... Setting temperature change part, 150 ... Comfortable temperature memory | storage part, 160 ... Temperature adjustment apparatus I / F part, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 200 ... Unrestrained sleep sensor, 210 ... Capacitance type pressure sensor, 211 ... Sheet-like dielectric, 212, 213 ... Conductive cloth, 220 ... Inductor, 300 ... In-bed temperature sensor, 400 ... Air conditioner, 400a ... Indoor temperature Sensor 500 ... Electric blanket 600 ... Indoor temperature sensor

Claims (9)

A temperature control device that controls a temperature adjustment device that adjusts the adjustment target temperature so that the adjustment target temperature that is a temperature to be adjusted becomes a set temperature.
A respiratory detector that detects the respiratory activity of the user and converts the detected respiratory activity into an electrical signal;
Based on the waveform of the electrical signal obtained by the respiratory detector, a respiratory determining unit that determines whether the respiratory activity is stable;
A temperature control apparatus comprising: a set temperature changing unit that changes the set temperature when the respiratory determining unit determines that the respiratory activity is unstable.   The temperature control according to claim 1, wherein the respiration determination unit determines whether the respiration activity is stable according to at least one of an amplitude change of the waveform or a time change of the waveform. apparatus. A temperature detector that detects the adjustment target temperature as a detection temperature;
A comfortable temperature storage unit that stores a comfortable temperature estimated to be comfortable by a user at a predetermined temperature;
The said set temperature change part reduces the said set temperature, when it determines with the said respiratory activity being unstable by the said breathing determination part, and the said detected temperature is higher than the said comfortable temperature, The said temperature setting part is characterized by the above-mentioned. The temperature control apparatus according to 1 or 2. A temperature detector that detects the adjustment target temperature as a detection temperature;
A comfortable temperature storage unit that stores a comfortable temperature estimated to be comfortable by a user at a predetermined temperature;
The set temperature changing unit increases the set temperature when the respiratory determining unit determines that the respiratory activity is unstable and the detected temperature is lower than the comfortable temperature. The temperature control apparatus according to 1 or 2. A temperature detection unit that detects the adjustment target temperature as a detection temperature;
The preset temperature changing unit lowers the preset temperature when the respiratory judgment unit judges that the respiratory activity is unstable and the detected temperature is higher than the preset temperature. The temperature control apparatus according to 1 or 2. A temperature detection unit that detects the adjustment target temperature as a detection temperature;
The set temperature changing unit increases the set temperature when the respiratory determining unit determines that the respiratory activity is unstable and the detected temperature is lower than the set temperature. The temperature control apparatus according to 1 or 2. Controlled by the temperature control device according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The adjustment target temperature is a temperature in a room where a user is present or a temperature in a bed where a user enters the room. Controlled by the temperature control device according to claim 1,
The electric blanket according to claim 1, wherein the temperature to be adjusted is a temperature in a bed where a user is present. A temperature control device that controls a temperature adjustment device that adjusts the adjustment target temperature so that the adjustment target temperature that is a temperature to be adjusted becomes a set temperature.
A body motion detecting unit that detects the user's body motion and converts the detected body motion into an electrical signal;
A body motion determination unit that determines whether or not the body motion is stable based on the waveform of the electrical signal obtained by the body motion detection unit;
A temperature control device comprising: a set temperature changing unit that changes the set temperature when the body motion determining unit determines that the body motion is unstable.

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