JP2015055384A - Air conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an air conditioner capable of detecting a human body whether a room is bright or dark and appropriately controlling air conditioning and the like.SOLUTION: An imaging element 131 images an indoor space and a first detection unit detects a human body. A temperature detection element 132 detects an indoor temperature and a second detection unit detects a human body. A third detection units detects illuminance. A first control unit controls air-conditioning based on detection of the human body by the first detection unit if the illuminance detected by the third detection unit is not less than a first reference value. A second control unit controls air-conditioning based on detection of the human body by the second detection unit if the illuminance detected by the third detection unit is less than the first reference value.

Description

  The present invention relates to an air conditioner.

As background art of this technical field, there is JP-A-2001-355898 (Patent No. 4106857 (Patent Document 1)). The gazette states that “the image sensor 1 capable of photographing the state of the room is arranged in the main body 10” (see summary).
Moreover, there exists Unexamined-Japanese-Patent No. 2010-266188 (patent document 2) as background art of this technical field. This publication states that “an air conditioning system that includes an air conditioner 200 that performs air conditioning control based on a control target value set at a desired set temperature and a controller 100 for the air conditioner 200. The air conditioner 200 includes a storage unit and a human body. It comprises a detection means, a user determination section, a control index determination section, and an air conditioning control section, and the personal comfort set by the feature setting means of the control controller according to the detection result of the human body detection means and the determination result of the user determination section The control correction value calculated according to the characteristic is added to the desired setting content to determine whether it is the control target value or the overall comfort of the room is the control target value. " (See summary).

JP 2001-355898 A JP 2010-266188 A

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-228667 describes that a room is photographed with an image sensor. Patent Document 2 describes human body detection means.
However, in a normal imaging device using a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) or the like, the position of the human body can be specified from the captured image only when the room is bright to some extent. It is also possible to detect the position of the human body by detecting the temperature in the room using a temperature detection element. In this case, a person can be detected even when the room is dark. However, detecting the position of the human body based on the captured image can detect the position of the human body more accurately than detecting the position of the human body by temperature detection.
Then, this invention makes it a subject to provide the air conditioner which can detect a human body position etc. appropriately and can control air conditioning etc. appropriately.

  In order to solve the above problems, according to one embodiment of the present invention, an imaging unit that captures an indoor image, a first detection unit that detects a human body based on an image captured by the imaging unit, and indoor temperature detection are performed. A temperature detection unit that performs the detection, a second detection unit that detects a human body based on the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit, a third detection unit that detects illuminance in the room, and the third detection unit When the illuminance is greater than or equal to the first reference value, the illuminance detected by the first control unit that controls air conditioning based on detection of the human body by the first detection unit and the illuminance detected by the third detection unit is And a second control unit that controls air conditioning based on detection of a human body by the second detection unit when the value is less than one reference value.

ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the air conditioner which can detect a human body position etc. appropriately and can control air conditioning etc. appropriately can be provided.
Problems, configurations, and effects other than those described above will be clarified by the following description of embodiments.

Drawing 1 is an explanatory view of the appearance composition of the air harmony machine concerning one example of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of an indoor unit of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention cut in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a mechanism for driving the orientation of the imaging element and the temperature detection element of the air conditioner according to the embodiment of the present invention in the horizontal direction. (A)-(c) has shown another example, respectively. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the movement in the horizontal direction and the viewing angle of the image sensor of the air conditioner according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the viewing angle in the vertical direction of the air conditioner image sensor according to the embodiment of the present invention. (A) is a figure which shows the viewing angle of the image pick-up element seen from the side of the indoor unit, (b) is a figure which shows the example of the indoor image imaged with the image pick-up element. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the viewing angle in the vertical direction of the temperature detecting element of the air conditioner according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the horizontal viewing angle of the temperature detecting element of the air conditioner according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a matrix showing the temperature distribution of the detected temperatures in the range of a viewing angle of 150 ° when temperature detection is performed 30 times by the temperature detection element of the air conditioner according to one embodiment of the present invention. It is. FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing electrical connection of the control system of the air conditioner according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a flowchart of the imaging process of the air conditioner according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a flowchart of the temperature detection process of the air conditioner according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 12 is a flowchart of the human body detection process of the air conditioner according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a flowchart of the air conditioning control process of the air conditioner according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 14 is a flowchart of human body detection processing based on an image of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram illustrating in detail the human body detection process based on the image of the air conditioner according to the embodiment of the present invention. (A)-(c) explains how to obtain the values of x, y, z. FIG. 16 is a flowchart of the human body detection process based on the temperature of the air conditioner according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 17 is a flowchart of an air conditioning control process based on human body detection based on an image of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 18 is a flowchart of an air conditioning control process according to a first temperature of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 19 is a flowchart of an air conditioning control process at a second temperature of the air conditioner according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 20 is a flowchart of an air conditioning control process at a third temperature of the air conditioner according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 21 is a flowchart of the illumination control process of the air conditioner according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the illumination control process of the air conditioner according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 23 is a longitudinal sectional view of a room interior of a building for explaining another example of the lighting control process of the air conditioner according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 24 is a flowchart for explaining another example of the illumination control process of the air conditioner according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 25 is a timing chart for explaining another example of the illumination control process of the air conditioner according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 26 is a plan view of the room interior of the building for explaining another example of the lighting control process of the air conditioner according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 27 is a plan view of a room interior of a building for explaining another example of the lighting control process of the air conditioner according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
<Overall configuration of device>
Drawing 1 is an explanatory view of the appearance composition of air harmony machine 1 concerning this example. The air conditioner 1 is a device that performs indoor air conditioning such as cooling using, for example, heat pump technology. The air conditioner 1 is roughly classified into an indoor unit 100 installed on an indoor wall and the like, an outdoor unit 200 installed outdoors and the like, and the user communicates with the indoor unit 100 by infrared communication or the like. And a remote controller Re for operating. When the air conditioner 1 is installed, the indoor unit 100 and the outdoor unit 200 are connected by a refrigerant pipe (not shown). The indoor unit 100 and the outdoor unit 200 are connected by a communication cable (not shown) and can communicate with each other.

The remote controller Re is operated by the user and transmits an infrared signal to the remote control receiving unit 342 (FIG. 9) of the indoor unit 100. The contents of the signal are various commands such as an operation request, a change in set temperature, a timer, an operation mode change, and a stop request.
The air conditioner 1 can perform at least indoor cooling, heating, dehumidification, and the like based on these signals. Further, other air conditioning functions such as air purification may be provided. That is, the air conditioner 1 can adjust indoor air in various ways.

For example, at the lower part of the central portion of the indoor unit 100 in the longitudinal direction, the image sensor 131 is installed with the indoor side as the imaging side. For example, a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) can be used as the imaging device 131. Furthermore, the temperature detection element 132 is installed in the lower part of the center part of the longitudinal direction of the front panel 111 of the indoor unit 100 with the indoor side as the temperature detection side. For example, a thermopile can be used as the temperature detection element 132. A more detailed configuration regarding the imaging element 131 and the temperature detection element 132 will be described later.
FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the indoor unit 100 cut in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction. The housing base 112 of the indoor unit 100 houses internal structures such as the heat exchanger 113, the blower fan 114, and the filter 115.

The heat exchanger 113 has a plurality of heat transfer tubes 116, and heats the indoor air taken into the indoor unit 100 by the blower fan 114 with the refrigerant flowing through the heat transfer tubes 116 to cool or cool the air. It is configured to heat. The heat transfer tube 116 communicates with the above-described refrigerant pipe (not shown) and constitutes a part of a known refrigerant cycle (not shown). The blower fan 114 can adjust the wind speed.
The left and right wind direction plates 121 are rotated forward and backward by a left and right wind direction plate motor 343 (FIG. 9) with a base end side of a rotation shaft (not shown) provided at the lower portion of the indoor unit 100 as a fulcrum. And the front end side of the left and right wind direction plate 121 faces the indoor side, and thereby the front end side of the left and right wind direction plate 121 can operate so as to swing in the horizontal direction.

The vertical wind direction plate 122 is rotated forward and backward by a vertical wind direction plate motor 344 (FIG. 9) with rotation shafts (not shown) provided at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the indoor unit 100 as fulcrums. Thereby, the front end side of the up-and-down wind direction board 122 can be operated so as to swing in the up-and-down direction.
The front panel 123 is installed so as to cover the front surface of the indoor unit 100, and can be rotated forward and backward by a front panel motor 345 (FIG. 9) with a rotation shaft (not shown) at the lower end as a fulcrum. Incidentally, the front panel 123 may be fixed to the lower end of the indoor unit 100 without rotating.

The indoor unit 100 takes in indoor air into the indoor unit 100 through the air inlet 124 and the filter 115 as the blower fan 114 rotates, and heat-exchanges the air in the heat exchanger 113. Thereby, the air after the heat exchange is cooled by the heat exchanger 113 or heated. The air after the heat exchange is guided to the blowing air path 125. Furthermore, the air guided to the blow-out air passage 125 is sent out from the air outlet 126 to the outside of the indoor unit 100 and air-conditions the room. When the air after heat exchange is blown into the room from the air outlet 126, the horizontal wind direction is adjusted by the left and right wind direction plates 121, and the vertical wind direction is adjusted by the upper and lower wind direction plates 122.
In addition, the air conditioner 1 includes a compressor that compresses the refrigerant, an expansion valve that decompresses the high-pressure refrigerant, a four-way valve that switches the flow path of the refrigerant, and a heat exchanger of the outdoor unit 200 that exchanges heat between the outside air and the refrigerant. However, since the configuration and operation of these devices are known, illustration and description thereof are omitted.

<Details of image sensor and temperature detector>
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of a mechanism for driving the orientation of the image sensor 131 and the temperature detection element 132 in the horizontal direction. The image sensor 131 and the temperature detection element 132 are independently driven by different drive mechanisms, but the mechanisms are similar, and in FIG. 3, the image sensor 131 and the temperature detection element 132 are respectively connected. Only the stepping motor to drive is attached | subjected a different code | symbol, and another mechanism member demonstrates the same code | symbol for convenience.

  The imaging element 131 can capture an indoor image from the air outlet 126 side, for example, by capturing an indoor image from the vicinity of the air outlet 126 at the lower part of the center in the longitudinal direction of the indoor unit 100. Moreover, the temperature detection element 132 can also detect the indoor temperature distribution from the blower outlet 126 side, for example, by detecting the indoor temperature from the blower outlet 126 vicinity of the center direction lower part of the indoor unit 100. FIG.

  FIGS. 3A to 3C show examples of different mechanisms. In any example, the image sensor 131 (temperature detection element 132) is attached to the attachment member 141. In the example of FIG. 1, the image sensor 131 and the temperature detection element 132 are arranged in parallel in the horizontal direction, but can be arranged in various positional relationships, such as arranged up and down. The mounting member 141 is driven by a stepping motor 142a (142b), and thereby the orientation of the imaging element 131 (temperature detection element 132) on the imaging side (temperature detection side) in the horizontal direction is variable (variable by swing control). ).

FIG. 3A shows an example in which the mounting member 141 and the stepping motor 142a (142b) are directly connected. FIG. 3B is an example in which the mounting member 141 and the stepping motor 142 a (142 b) are connected via the arm 133. FIG. 3C is an example in which the mounting member 141 and the stepping motor 142a (142b) are connected via gears 134 and 135 that are engaged with each other. As in these examples, the drive mechanism of the attachment member 141 by the stepping motor 142a (142b) can be variously configured.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the movement of the image sensor 131 in the horizontal direction and the viewing angle. FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram of the indoor unit 100 and the room in which the indoor unit 100 is provided as viewed from the vertically upper side. The upper side of FIG. 4 is the wall side to which the indoor unit 100 is attached, and the lower side is It becomes a space on the front side of the indoor unit 100 to which the indoor unit 100 is attached.

  In this example, the horizontal viewing angle of the image sensor 131 is approximately 60 °. Therefore, if an image is picked up by the image pickup device 131 when the horizontal direction of the image pickup device 131 is in front (direction 311), an indoor image within the range of the arrow 312 can be picked up. Further, if the direction of the image sensor 131 from the direction 311 is moved to the right by, for example, 45 ° toward the indoor unit 100 and an image is taken in the direction of the direction 313, an indoor image in the range of the arrow 314 can be taken. Furthermore, if the direction of the image sensor 131 from the direction 311 is moved 45 degrees to the left toward the indoor unit 100, for example, and an image is taken in the direction 315, an indoor image in the range of the arrow 316 can be taken. As a result, in this example, it is possible to image the room in which the indoor unit 100 is installed with a total viewing angle of about 150 ° (range from the direction 317 to the direction 318).

Further, the range of the arrow 312 and the range of the arrow 314 partially overlap (a range of about 15 °), and an image can be acquired. Similarly, the range of the arrow 312 and the range of the arrow 316 partially (about 15 ° Range) Overlapping images can be acquired.
Here, in order to capture an indoor image with the viewing angle of about 150 °, the orientation of the image sensor 131 may be changed in the horizontal direction in the range from the direction 313 to the direction 315.
As shown in FIG. 2, the image sensor 131 captures an image obliquely downward by a predetermined angle. That is, as shown in FIG. 2, the direction 322 of the image sensor 131 is shifted downward by a predetermined angle with respect to the horizontal direction 321.

  FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the vertical viewing angle of the image sensor 131. FIG. 5A is a diagram illustrating a viewing angle of the image sensor 131 viewed from the side of the indoor unit 100, and FIG. 5B is a diagram illustrating an example of an indoor image 337 captured by the image sensor 131. is there. Reference numeral 331 is a wall on which the indoor unit 100 is installed, reference numeral 332 is an indoor ceiling, reference numeral 333 is an indoor floor 333, reference numeral 334 is a front wall of the indoor unit 100, and reference numeral 335 is an indoor room. The reference numeral 336 denotes a left wall as viewed from the indoor unit 100.

As shown in FIG. 5A, the viewing angle in the vertical direction of the image sensor 131 is 45 ° in the example of this embodiment. The range of the viewing angle is a range between the ceiling 332, the parallel direction 338, and a direction 339 that forms an angle of 45 ° downward from the direction 338. In this case, in the image 337, the height of the range where the front wall 334 of the indoor unit 100 is reflected is a, and the height of the range where the ceiling 332 is reflected is b.
The temperature detection element 32 is, for example, a thermopile having 1 × 1 pixel, 1 × 4 pixel, or 1 × 8 pixel in the horizontal and vertical directions, and will be described below with an example of 1 × 8 pixels. In this example, each pixel of the temperature detecting element 32 has a horizontal viewing angle of about 5 ° and a vertical viewing angle of about 5.6 °.

  FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the viewing angle of the temperature detection element 32 in the vertical direction. The “distance” on the horizontal axis indicates the distance from the indoor unit 100, and the “height” on the vertical axis indicates the height from the floor 333 in the room. The numbers with circles in FIG. 6 correspond to the eight pixels in the vertical direction of the temperature detection element 32, respectively. That is, the numbers 1 to 8 with circles correspond to the pixels 1 to 8 from the bottom in the vertical direction of the temperature detection element 32, respectively. That is, the viewing angles of the 1st to 8th pixels from the bottom in the vertical direction of the temperature detection element 32 are indicated by circled numbers 1 to 8. Since the vertical viewing angle α of one pixel is about 5.6 °, the vertical viewing angle of the temperature detecting element 32 is about 45 ° in total by 8 pixels. The upper limit line 341 of the viewing angle of 45 ° in the vertical direction is parallel to the ceiling 332.

  FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the horizontal viewing angle of the temperature detecting element 132. FIG. 7 is a view of the horizontal viewing angle of the temperature detecting element 132 as seen from above. The viewing angle β in the horizontal direction of one pixel is about 5 °. The temperature detecting element 32 detects the temperature 30 times while changing the direction by 5 ° in the horizontal direction by driving the stepping motor 142b (FIG. 9). As a result, a total viewing angle of about 150 ° in the horizontal direction can be obtained by detecting the temperature 30 times. In FIG. 7, numbers (1) to (30) respectively correspond to the first to 30th temperature detection viewing angles of the 30th temperature detection. FIG. 7 also shows the viewing angle of the image sensor 131 corresponding to the viewing angle of about 150 ° of the temperature detection element 132. That is, the viewing angle ranges 314, 312, and 316 shown with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 8 is a matrix showing the temperature distribution of the detected temperature in the range of a viewing angle of 150 ° when the temperature detection element 132 performs temperature detection 30 times as described above. In FIG. 8, the numbers 1 to 30 are shown on the horizontal axis, which correspond to the numbers (1) to (30) in FIG. Moreover, although the code | symbol of the 1st-8th of a vertical axis | shaft is shown, this respond | corresponds to the numbers 1-8 of a circle in FIG. 6, respectively. In the matrix 361, the 30 × 8 total 240 areas 362 correspond to the vertical circled numbers 1 to 8 in FIG. 6 and the horizontal (1) to (30 in FIG. The detected temperature in the direction viewed from the temperature detecting element 132 corresponding to No.) is shown.

  8 shows images 314a, 312a, and 316a picked up by the image pickup device 131 in correspondence with the viewing angle ranges 314, 312, and 316 shown with reference to FIG. The correspondence relationship is also shown. That is, the range of the horizontal viewing angle 150 ° of the image sensor 131 and the horizontal viewing angle 150 ° of the temperature detection element 132 are the same. The vertical viewing angle 45 ° (FIG. 5) of the image sensor 131 and the vertical viewing angle 45 ° (FIG. 6) of the temperature detection element 132 are in the same range. Therefore, it is possible to specify which of the regions 362 the temperature distribution is at a certain position on the images 314a, 312a, and 316a.

<Control system configuration>
FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing electrical connection of the control system of the air conditioner 1. The control device 341 is a device that is mainly configured of a microcomputer and centrally controls the air conditioner 1. An imaging element 131 and a temperature detection element 132 are connected to the control device 341 via a predetermined interface. Further, the control device 341 includes a remote control receiving unit 342 that receives infrared light from the remote controller Re, a left and right wind direction plate motor 343 that drives the left and right wind direction plates 121, and an up and down wind direction plate 122 via a predetermined interface. Is connected to an up / down wind direction plate motor 344. Further, a front panel motor 345 that drives the front panel 123 and a blower fan motor 346 that drives the blower fan 114 are connected to the control device 341 via a predetermined interface. In addition, the control device 341 communicates with a stepping motor 142a that drives the image sensor 131, a stepping motor 142b that drives the temperature detection device 132, and an external device via a predetermined interface. And are connected. The communication control device 347 can communicate with the outside by, for example, infrared communication or wireless communication.
The storage unit 351 is a volatile or nonvolatile storage device that stores various information in the control device 341. The imaging control unit 352 to the third control unit 359 indicate each function realized by the control device 341, and detailed description thereof will be described later.

<Contents of control by control system>
By the way, if the air conditioner 1 detects a human body in the room that becomes an air-conditioned space, the air conditioner 1 can perform appropriate air conditioning according to the position of the human body. In this case, as means for detecting a human body, there are means for detecting a human body based on an image detected by the image sensor 131 and means for detecting based on a temperature detected by the temperature detection element 132.

Among these, the means for detecting the human body based on the image detected by the image sensor 131 can specify the position of the human body more accurately than the case based on the temperature detection. In this case, human body features such as head width / stand width, shoulder width, head center position, head and shoulder position, height, clothing amount, and skin surface temperature are detected to identify individual persons. Thus, it is possible to perform precise air conditioning control of the air conditioner 1 by performing personal authentication. However, when a general CCD (Charge Coupled Device) or the like is used as the image sensor 131, the human body can be detected only when the room is bright to some extent.
On the other hand, when a human body is detected based on the temperature detected by the temperature detection element 132, the position of the human body cannot be specified more accurately than when a human body is detected based on an image. However, in this case, unlike the case where the human body is detected based on the image, the human body can be detected even when the room is dark.

  Therefore, in the air conditioner 1 of this embodiment, when the room is bright to some extent, the human body is detected based on the image detected by the image sensor 131, and air conditioning is controlled based on the result. On the other hand, when the room becomes dark, a human body is detected based on the temperature detected by the temperature detection element 132, and air conditioning is controlled based on the result. Thereby, the air conditioner 1 which can detect a human body irrespective of the brightness of a room and can control air conditioning etc. accurately is provided. The detailed control will be described below.

(Imaging processing)
FIG. 10 is a flowchart for describing imaging processing using the imaging element 131. Indoor imaging with the image sensor 131 is performed every predetermined time t1 (for example, 5 minutes, for example, which can be properly used depending on the purpose of control). That is, the imaging control unit 352 (FIG. 9), when a predetermined time t1 has elapsed from the end of the imaging process by the previous imaging element 131 (from the previous time stored in step S11 described later) (Yes in S1). Then, the mounting member 141 is driven by controlling the stepping motor 142a. Accordingly, the imaging control unit 352 starts to move the imaging element 131 in the horizontal direction at a constant angular velocity, for example (S2). This operation starts from the direction 318 shown in FIG. 4 toward the direction 317, for example. Then, when the orientation of the imaging device 131 reaches the direction 315 (Yes in S3), the imaging control unit 352 performs imaging with the imaging device 131 by temporarily stopping as necessary, and the image data is converted into the left image. It memorize | stores in the memory | storage part 351 (FIG. 9) as 316a (FIG. 8) (S4). Next, when the orientation of the imaging device 131 reaches the direction 311 (Yes in S5), the imaging control unit 352 performs imaging with the imaging device 131 by temporarily stopping as necessary, and the image data is displayed in front. It memorize | stores in the memory | storage part 351 as an image 312a (FIG. 8) (S6). Next, when the orientation of the imaging device 131 reaches the direction 313 (Yes in S7), the imaging control unit 352 captures an image with the imaging device 131 by temporarily stopping as necessary, and the image data is transferred to the right. It memorize | stores in the memory | storage part 351 as an image 314a (FIG. 8) (S8).

  As shown in FIG. 4, when the orientation of the image sensor 131 reaches the direction 313, the rotation direction of the stepping motor 142 a is reversed to change the horizontal orientation of the image sensor 131 from the direction 313 toward the direction 318. The fluctuation is started (S9). While the image sensor 131 is moving from the direction 313 toward the direction 318, the image sensor 131 does not have to perform image capturing. When the direction of the image sensor 131 returns to the direction 315 (Yes in S10), the time is stored in the storage unit 351, the stepping motor 142a is stopped (S11), and the process returns. The time may be stored at the time after the image data is stored in the storage unit 351 as the “right image” (S8).

  Note that the elapse of the predetermined time t1 may be determined only by the operation time of the air conditioner 1 by the operation of the remote controller Re, or may include the time period when the air conditioner 1 is not operated. The determination may be made for the entire time (in this case, only the image pickup device 131 is operated even if the air conditioner 1 is not operated). As is clear from the above description, the “imaging unit” of the present invention is realized by the imaging element 131, the stepping motor 142a, the imaging control unit 352, and the like.

(Temperature detection processing)
FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining temperature detection processing using the temperature detection element 132. First, indoor imaging with the temperature detection element 132 is performed every predetermined time t2 (for example, 5 minutes can be properly used depending on the purpose of control). That is, the imaging control unit 352 (FIG. 9), when a predetermined time t2 has elapsed from the end of the imaging process by the previous imaging device 131 (from the previous time stored in step S29 described later) (Yes in S21). The temperature detection control unit 353 controls the stepping motor 142b. With this control, the imaging control unit 352 directs the temperature detection side of the temperature detection element 132 in the direction of the number (1) that is closest to the direction 318 in FIG. 7 (S22). And the temperature detection control part 353 performs a temperature detection, after stopping the motion of the stepping motor 142b by the said direction as needed (S23). And the temperature detection control part 353 memorize | stores this detected temperature information in the memory | storage part 351 (S24). Here, as described above, since the temperature detection element 132 is a thermopile of 8 × 1 in length × width, detection temperature information of each detection temperature of the eight elements is stored. Next, the temperature detection control unit 353 directs the temperature detection side of the temperature detection element 132 in the next direction (S25). And the temperature detection control part 353 performs temperature detection similarly to S23 (S26). The temperature detection control unit 353 stores the detected temperature information in the storage unit 351 (S27). Thereby, when the temperature detection in the direction of the number (30) has not been completed yet (No in S28), the temperature detection control unit 353 repeats the processes in and after step S25, and the numbers (1) to (30) Perform temperature detection in all directions. When the temperature detection in the direction (30) is completed (Yes in S28), the time is stored in the storage unit 351, the stepping motor 142b is stopped (S29), and the process of FIG. 11 is terminated. Through the above processing, the temperature distribution matrix 361 shown in FIG. 8 can be acquired. That is, the “temperature detection unit” of the present invention is realized by the imaging element 131, the stepping motor 142b, the temperature detection control unit 353, and the like.

  Moreover, the imaging process of FIG. 10 and the temperature detection process of FIG. 11 are performed independently. However, in the case where air conditioning is controlled using the image captured by the image sensor 131 and the temperature detected by the temperature detector 132, in many cases, it is desirable to synchronize the timings of the two to some extent. That is, the operation of performing imaging once at all viewing angles by the imaging process and the operation of performing temperature detection once at all viewing angles by the temperature detection process are performed in parallel or at least as close as possible to the timing of both. It is desirable.

(Human body detection processing and air conditioning control processing)
FIG. 12 is a flowchart for describing human body detection processing executed by the control device 341. The indoor image and temperature information acquired at each of the times t1 and t2 by the processing of FIGS. 10 and 11 is accumulated in the storage unit 351 (accumulation of only information up to a predetermined number of times in the past). The previous information may be deleted).

  First, when a new imaging process is performed by the imaging process of FIG. 10 (Yes in S31), the first detection unit 354 (FIG. 9) stores the image accumulated in the storage unit 351 in the process of FIG. Is detected, and the indoor human body is detected based on the image (S32) (details will be described later). When the temperature detection process is newly performed by the temperature detection process of FIG. 11 (Yes in S33), the second detection unit 355 (FIG. 9) accumulates in the storage unit 351 by the temperature detection process of FIG. The temperature information is read out, and the human body in the room is detected based on the temperature information (S34) (details will be described later).

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating air conditioning control processing executed by control device 341. Here, first, the third detection unit 356 (FIG. 9) detects the brightness of the room (the illuminance of the image sensor 131) based on the image captured by the image sensor 131 (S41). When the illuminance is greater than or equal to the reference value a (first reference value) (Yes in S42), the first control unit 357 determines the air conditioner 1 based on the detection of the human body from the indoor image in S32. Is controlled (S43) (details will be described later). When the illuminance is less than the reference value a (No in S42), the second control unit 358 controls air conditioning by the air conditioner 1 based on the detection of the human body by the room temperature in S2 ( S44) (details will be described later).

  The imaging process of FIG. 10 is continuously performed at least during the operation of the air conditioner 1 regardless of the indoor brightness. On the other hand, in the air conditioning control process of FIG. 13, when the illuminance of the image is less than the reference value a (No in S42), that is, when the room is dark and it is difficult to detect the human body by the image, Based on this detection, the air conditioning by the air conditioner 1 is controlled (S44). The situation in which the room is dark and it is difficult to detect a human body by an image is a situation in which the lighting in the room is not turned on at night, and a family is usually sleeping. In such a situation, it is difficult to detect a human body based on an image. Even in such a situation, the imaging process according to FIG. 10 is continued because the room may become brighter by suddenly turning on the lighting, such as standing in the toilet, even while sleeping, so that the situation can be quickly dealt with. It is. That is, even when the illumination is suddenly turned on at night, the human body can be immediately detected from the image (S32).

  Further, even when the room is bright (when the illuminance is greater than or equal to the reference value a (S42)), if the detection result of the human body based on the temperature is used for air conditioning control or the like, the temperature detection control unit 353 will be described with reference to FIG. The temperature detection process may be performed. In this case, the human body in the room can be detected based on the temperature information regardless of whether the room is bright or dark (S34). On the other hand, when the room is bright (when the illuminance is greater than or equal to the reference value a (S42)), the temperature detection control unit 353 does not have to perform the temperature detection process of FIG. In this case, the detection of the human body in the room based on the temperature information (S34) is not performed. Below, each process of FIG. 12, FIG. 13 is demonstrated in detail.

(Human body detection processing based on images)
Next, a process (S32) for detecting a human body based on the image will be described. FIG. 14 is a flowchart of a subroutine of human body detection processing (S32) based on an image. First, the first detection unit 354 (FIG. 9) detects the position of the human body from the left image 316a, the front image 312a, and the right image 314a (FIG. 8) acquired by the imaging process of FIG. 10 (S51). Next, the first detection unit 354 converts the detected position of the human body from the coordinate system on the screen to the coordinate system of the real space (S52). Thereby, it can be determined where the human body existed in the room. Thus, if the coordinate of the real space of a human body is determined, the 1st detection part 354 will memorize | store the information of the said coordinate in the memory | storage part 351 (S53).

  FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram illustrating in detail the human body detection process based on the image of FIG. In S52 of the process of FIG. 14, specifically, the coordinates of the real space of the human body in the room are determined by the following process. First, the head is a part of the human body having a size that is relatively independent of height and sex. Therefore, the first detection unit 354 calculates the position of the face center of the human body for each human body detected in step S51, and calculates the size (vertical length) D0 of the head.

  FIG. 15A is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the optical axis P and the vertical plane S of the image sensor 131. As shown in FIG. 15A, the optical axis P of the image sensor 131 has a depression angle ε with respect to the horizontal plane. The vertical plane S is a virtual plane that is perpendicular to the optical axis P and passes through the face center of the human body 391. The distance L is the distance between the focal point 131a of a lens (not shown) included in the image sensor 131 and the face center of the human body 391. The distance between the wall 331 where the indoor unit 100 is installed and the focal point 131a of the lens is Δd.

FIG. 15B is an explanatory diagram showing a relationship between an image captured on the image plane and a human body 391 existing in the real space. An image plane R shown in FIG. 15B is a plane that passes through a plurality of light receiving elements (not shown) included in the imaging element 131. The vertical angle of view γ _y corresponding to the calculated head size D0 is expressed by the following equation (1). Incidentally, the angle β _y [deg / pixel] in the equation (1) is an average value of the angle of view (y direction) per pixel, and is a known value.

Then, the distance L [m] from the focal point 131a of the lens (not shown) of the image sensor 131 to the center of the face is the average value of the length in the vertical direction of a general human face, D1 [m] (known Is expressed by the following equation (2). As described above, the depression angle ε is an angle formed by the optical axis of the lens and a horizontal plane.

FIG. 15C is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the distance L from the focal point of the lens to the center of the face and the angles of view δ _x and δ _y . Assuming that the angles of view in the x direction and y direction from the center of the image plane R to the center of the face on the image are δ _x and δ _y , these are expressed by the following equations (3) and (4). Here, x _c and y _c are positions of the human body center of the human body 391 in the image (x coordinate, y coordinate in the image). Further, T _x [pixel] is the horizontal size of the imaging screen, and T _y [pixel] is the vertical size of the imaging screen, each of which is a known value.

Therefore, the position coordinates of the center of the human body in the real space are expressed by the following equations (5) to (7).

That is, the values of x, y, and z are as shown in FIG. 15, and from these values, the X direction (left and right direction in FIG. 4) and Y direction (FIG. 4) as viewed from the outlet 126 side of the indoor unit 100. ) And Z direction (direction perpendicular to FIG. 4). With the above processing, the first detection unit 354 realizes the processing of S52.
As described above, here, the means for detecting the position coordinates of the human body based on the image has been described. However, various information may be acquired by detecting a human body. For example, the number of people in the room can be detected by specifying the position of the human body.

It also detects detected human body features such as head width / stand width, shoulder width, head center position, head and shoulder position, height, clothing amount, skin surface temperature, skin color, color temperature, posture, etc. The feature amount and the identification information may be stored in association with each other. As a result, each individual can be identified and the movement of each individual can be tracked. In this case, the age and sex of the human body may be estimated from the facial feature amount of the human body, and this information may be stored in association with the identification mark. Facial features include: face width / stand width, face outline, eye position, eye size, eyebrow position, eyebrow size, eye and eyebrow position, nose position, nose size, eye and The position of the eyebrow and nose, the position of the mouth, the size of the mouth, the position of the eyes and eyebrows, the nose and the mouth, the layout of the face brightness, the surface temperature of the face, the color of the face and so on.
Furthermore, the amount of movement of the occupants may be calculated based on the temporal change in the position and size of the human body, and the amount of activity of the occupants may be calculated based on the amount of movement within a predetermined time.
(Temperature detection processing based on temperature)

  Next, the process (S34) which detects a human body based on the said temperature is demonstrated. FIG. 16 is a flowchart of a subroutine of human body detection processing (S34) based on temperature. First, the body temperature of a person is generally in the range of 35 to 37 degrees Celsius, and may increase to 42 degrees or more when fever is caused by a disease. Therefore, when the temperature detection process of FIG. 11 is performed (Yes in S61), the second detection unit 355 (FIG. 9) sets the human body temperature in the matrix 361 (FIG. 8) obtained after the temperature detection. It is determined whether or not there is a region 362 within a close predetermined temperature range (S62). In the above-described example, the matrix 361 has 240 regions 362 in total in which the vertical direction is Nos. 1 to 8 and the horizontal direction is Nos. 1 to 30. If there is a region 362 within a predetermined temperature range close to the human body temperature (Yes in S62), the second detection unit 355 estimates that the human body has been detected, and the coordinates of the region 362 ( Information on what number is in the vertical direction and what is in the horizontal direction is stored together with the temperature information (S63).

(Air conditioning control processing based on human body detection using images)
Next, an example of processing (S43) for controlling air conditioning based on human body detection based on an image will be described. FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating a subroutine of an example of an air conditioning control process (S43) based on human body detection based on an image. The air conditioner 1 is provided with a swing function that drives the left and right wind direction plates 121 to change the horizontal direction of the air blown out from the air outlet 126 so as to reciprocate by swinging. On the other hand, since the coordinate information of the human body in the room can be acquired by the processing of FIG. 14, it is possible to determine in which direction the human body exists as viewed from the outlet 126 side.

Therefore, in the example of FIG. 17, the swing function is controlled according to the direction of the human body as viewed from the outlet 126 side. That is, the first control unit 357 (FIG. 9) is set (in that case) when the swing function is performed to vary the horizontal direction of the air blown out from the blowout port 126 so as to reciprocate by swinging. The speed of the air blown out from the air outlet 126 is assumed to be S1 (Yes in S71), and the current air blowing direction from the air outlet 126 is the direction in which the human body is detected (according to the latest processing shown in FIG. 16). It is determined whether or not the direction has been determined (from the matrix 361 based on the information obtained in S63) (S72). When the blowing direction of the air is directed to the direction in which the human body is detected (Yes in S72), the first control unit 357 sets the wind speed of the air blown out from the outlet 126 to S2 lower than S1 (S73). ). Thereafter, when the blowing direction of the air deviates from the direction in which the human body is detected (No in S72), the wind speed of the air blown out from the air outlet 126 is returned to S1 (S74).
According to the processing example of FIG. 17, it is possible to prevent cold air or hot air blown from the air outlet 126 from directly hitting a person in the room, and it is possible to perform human-friendly air conditioning.

  Note that the process in FIG. 17 is merely an example of a process (S43) for controlling air conditioning based on human body detection based on an image, and various other methods for controlling air conditioning based on human body detection based on an image. . For example, the air conditioner 1 is also provided with a swing function that drives the vertical wind direction plate 122 to change the vertical direction of the air blown from the air outlet 126 so as to reciprocate by swinging. Therefore, similarly to the processing of FIG. 17, when the vertical direction of the air blown out from the air outlet 126 is directed to the detected direction of the human body in the room, the air velocity of the air blown out from the air outlet 126 is changed from S1 to S2. It may be lowered. Also, it is possible to control the amount of activity of a person in the room based on human body detection based on images, and to increase the set temperature when there is a large amount of activity, and lower the set temperature when there is a small amount of activity. .

(Air conditioning control process based on human detection by temperature)
Next, a plurality of examples of processing (S44) for controlling air conditioning based on human body detection based on temperature will be described. The air conditioning control process (S44) based on the human body detection based on the temperature is executed when the indoor brightness (illuminance of the image sensor 131) is less than the reference value a as described above (No in S42, S44). This situation assumes a case where the room illumination is not turned on even at night, that is, a case where a householder is usually sleeping. Therefore, any of the following processing examples is a suitable example when the air conditioner 1 is used while sleeping.

  FIG. 18 is an example of an air conditioning control process (S44) based on human body detection based on temperature, and is a flowchart showing an air conditioning control process using a first temperature that is a subroutine of the processing. First, in this example, the area range in which the temperature detection element 132 detects the indoor temperature is within the viewing angle range of 150 ° in the horizontal direction (FIG. 7) and 45 ° in the vertical direction (FIG. 6) as described above. Yes, this is illustrated by matrix 361 (FIG. 8).

When the second control unit 358 detects the region 362 estimated to be a human body in the process of FIG. 16 (Yes in S81), the second control unit 358 performs the following process. First, the second control unit 358 determines whether or not the region 362 estimated as a human body in the matrix 361 has changed by a predetermined degree compared to the previous one in the detection of the human body by the processing of FIG. 16 (S82). .
Specifically, for example, the number of the regions 362 estimated as the human body (the total area of the one or more regions 362 estimated as the human body) is larger than the reference value b (second reference). Value) or more. This is determined based on whether the number of areas 362 has increased by c or more, or whether the number of areas 362 has increased by c% or more.

Alternatively, the number of regions 362 estimated as a human body is different from that before the region 362 estimated as a human body (the total area of one or a plurality of regions 362 estimated as a human body), that is, the region 362 estimated as a human body does not overlap in the previous and current times. Determine the number of things. Then, whether this number (width) has increased to a reference value d (third reference value) or more (whether the number of regions 362 has increased by c or more, or whether it has increased by c% or more, Etc.).
In this case, the region 362 estimated as a human body in the matrix 361 has a certain degree of fluctuation (increased to a reference value b or more or a reference value d or more). It is presumed that the person who is sleeping is in a situation where it is difficult to sleep due to heat.

  In other words, if a person is hard to sleep, the futon may be peeled off. In this case, the temperature of the back side of the futon warmed by the body temperature becomes a temperature close to the body temperature, the temperature of the back side of the futon turned off and turned over is detected, and the back side portion of the warmed futon is also shown as a human body in FIG. (In this way, the human body detection based on the temperature (S34) is inferior to accurately detecting the position of the human body compared to the human body detection based on the image (S32)). Therefore, in this case, the number (area) of the region 362 estimated as a human body is increased to a reference value b or more compared to before, and in this case, it is estimated that the person is sleepy and moving. be able to.

Or if a person is sleepy and moves, the position of the human body will change. For this reason, the number of non-overlapping regions 362 estimated as human bodies changes between before and this time. Therefore, when this number (width) increases to the reference value d or more, it can be estimated that the person is sleepy and moving.
In these cases, the number (area) of the region 362 estimated as a human body is compared between before and this time. In this case, “previous and current” means, for example, the detection of the human body by the process of FIG. 16 of the previous time (which may be the previous or previous time) and the detection of the human body by the process of FIG. is there.
Then, the detection of the human body based on the temperature is executed every time new temperature detection is performed (FIG. 12), and the temperature detection process is performed every predetermined time t2 (FIG. 11). It will be executed every (for example, 5 minutes).

  However, in this case, there is a possibility that it is misjudged that the person is just sleeping and moving because it is hard to sleep even if the person makes a simple turn. In that case, if the number of times estimated that the person is struggling and moving in the last predetermined number of comparisons (for example, the past 10 times) is a certain number of times (for example, 5 times), simply turning over It can be judged that it is actually hard to sleep and moving.

  When it is determined by the processing of FIG. 18 that the region 362 estimated as a human body in the matrix 361 has a predetermined fluctuation compared to before (Yes in S82), when the cooling operation is performed ( Yes in S83), it is estimated that the cooling effect is insufficient and the person is in a state of sleepiness due to heat. In this case, the second control unit 358 changes the control of the air conditioning as compared to before (S84). Specifically, the second control unit 358 controls to increase the cooling effect before that time. Increasing the cooling effect means lowering the set temperature, which is the target of air-conditioning control, to a predetermined level, increasing the cooling capacity by the refrigerant cycle (not shown) to a predetermined level, or changing the wind direction by the swing control depending on the temperature. For example, it is concentrated in the direction in which the human body is detected.

In order to concentrate the wind direction by the swing control in the direction in which the human body is detected by the temperature, for example, the following is performed. That is, with the horizontal and vertical swing functions described above, the movement of the wind direction by the swing function is slowed only when the wind direction by the left and right wind direction plates 121 and 122 is the direction in which the human body is detected by temperature. Or pause. Or you may make it raise a wind speed only in the direction where the human body was detected with the ventilation fan 114 compared with the direction which is not so.
According to the first air conditioning control process (FIG. 18), it is possible to detect that the person in the room is in a sleepless state due to heat, and to enhance the cooling effect so as to eliminate the sleepiness.

FIG. 19 is an example of an air conditioning control process (S44) based on human body detection based on an image, and is a flowchart illustrating an air conditioning control process using a second temperature that is a subroutine of the processing. When the second control unit 358 detects the region 362 estimated to be a human body in the process of FIG. 16 (Yes in S91), the second control unit 358 performs the following process. First, the second control unit 358 detects whether or not the temperature of the region 362 estimated as a human body in the matrix 361 in the detection of the human body in FIG. Judgment is made (S92).
Specifically, for example, for the region 362 estimated as a human body in the matrix 361, the second control unit 358 reduces the temperature to a reference value e (fourth reference value) or more this time compared to the previous time. It is determined whether it has risen (S93).

When the temperature of the region 362 estimated to be a human body in the process of FIG. 16 decreases to a reference value e or more, it is estimated that the surface temperature of the sleeping person is excessively decreased due to excessive cooling or insufficient heating. can do.
In addition, when the temperature of the region 362 estimated to be a human body in the process of FIG. 16 increases to a reference value e or more, the surface temperature of the sleeping person is excessively increased due to insufficient cooling or excessive heating. Can be estimated.

In this case, the temperatures before and after the comparison are as follows, for example. First, as described above, the detection of the human body based on the temperature is performed every time a new temperature detection is performed (Yes in S33 in FIG. 12), and the temperature detection process is performed at every predetermined time t2 (FIG. 11). This comparison determination is executed every predetermined time t2 (for example, 5 minutes). The “current” temperature to be compared is a temperature obtained by the latest temperature detection executed every predetermined time t2. Further, as the “previous” temperature, the temperature obtained by the temperature detection a predetermined number of times before is used. The temperature detection before the predetermined number of times may be, for example, the temperature detected about 20 to 30 minutes before (4 to 6 times before), or the temperature at the beginning of the execution of the process of S44, that is, the first after the light is turned off. The detected temperature may be used.
When the temperature drops or rises above the reference value e (Yes in S93), the cooling effect (in the case of cooling operation) or the heating effect (in the case of heating operation) is increased or decreased in a direction to reduce the temperature drop or rise. Thus, the air conditioning is controlled (S94).

Specifically, the cooling capacity (in the case of cooling operation) or the heating capacity (in the case of heating operation) by the above-described refrigerant cycle (not shown), which lowers or raises the set temperature, which is the target of air conditioning control, by a predetermined amount is predetermined. Increase the degree. Alternatively, the wind direction by the swing control may be concentrated in the direction in which the human body is detected by the temperature. In order to concentrate the wind direction by the swing control in the direction in which the human body is detected by the temperature, the same means as in the case of the first air conditioning control process can be used.
According to this second air conditioning control process, even if a sleeping person feels cold or heat due to excessive or insufficient cooling or heating, it can be controlled to an appropriate air conditioning and kept at an appropriate temperature.

  FIG. 20 is an example of an air conditioning control process (S44) based on human body detection based on temperature, and is a flowchart illustrating an air conditioning control process using a third temperature that is a subroutine of the processing. The second control unit 358 specifies a predetermined number of regions 362 from the bottom of the matrix 361 obtained by the processing of FIG. 16 (S101). In this example, a description will be given of an example in which the first to third regions 362 from the bottom of the matrix 361 (the portion of the range 363 in the example of FIG. 8) are specified. That is, a total of 90 areas 362 in the first row to the third row in the column and the first row to the third row in the row in FIG. 8 are specified. As described above, the viewing angle in the vertical direction of the temperature detecting element 132 is directed downward by a predetermined angle (FIG. 6). A predetermined number of regions 362 from the bottom of the matrix 361, and in this example, the first to third regions 362 are the results of detecting the lower temperature in the vicinity of the indoor unit 100 (circled numbers 1 to 3 in FIG. 6). No.). This can be regarded as detection of the temperature of the indoor floor 333.

  Therefore, the second control unit 358 determines the latest detected temperature of each region 362 in the range 363 (according to the latest detection result of the process of FIG. 16) (S102). Specifically, the average temperature of each region 362 in the range 363 can be obtained, and this average temperature can be used as the temperature of the indoor floor 333. The process of FIG. 18 also assumes a situation where a householder is sleeping at night. In general, the householder is sleeping with a futon placed directly on the floor 333, or is sleeping on a bed on the floor 333 (the householder lies at a height close to the floor 333). Therefore, by determining the temperature of the floor 333, it is possible to determine whether the person lying on the floor 333 or a height close to the floor 333 is excessive or insufficient in cooling or heating.

Next, the second control unit 358 controls air conditioning based on the temperature of the floor 333 determined in S103 (step S103). Specifically, the temperature of the floor 333 determined in step S103 (for example, for example, the temperature that is assumed to be comfortable for a sleeping person or the temperature set by the user by operating the remote controller Re as the air conditioning target temperature) Cooling or heating is controlled so that the average temperature in the range 363) becomes the target temperature. Alternatively, by comparing with a predetermined reference value, the target temperature may be increased when the temperature of the floor 333 is low, and conversely, the target temperature may be decreased when the temperature is high. Alternatively, when it is determined that the cooling or heating capability on the floor 333 side is insufficient by comparing with a predetermined reference value, the vertical wind direction plate 122 is directed downward and fixed to the floor 33 to some extent. Then, cold air or hot air may sufficiently reach the floor 333 side.
According to the third air conditioning control process, it is assumed that the housekeeper lies at a height close to the floor 333 or the floor 333 while sleeping, and therefore, based on the temperature of the floor 333, not simply the room temperature. By controlling the air conditioning, comfortable air conditioning can be provided to a sleeping person.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing illumination control processing based on human body detection based on an image. FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the illumination control process.
As illustrated in FIG. 22, a lighting device 400 that illuminates a room on a ceiling 332 is provided in a room where the indoor unit 100 is installed. The lighting device 400 is driven to be turned on by a lighting circuit 410, and is turned on / off, illuminance, and the like are controlled by a control device 411 including an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) and a microcomputer. A communication control device 412 is connected to the control device 411. The communication control device 412 can communicate with the communication control device 347 (FIG. 9) connected to the control device 341 by infrared communication, wireless communication, or the like.
When the region estimated to be a human body based on the temperature is detected by the previous processing of FIG. 16 (Yes in S111), the third control unit 359 has a predetermined degree of comparison with the previous detection (for example, the previous time). It is determined whether or not there is a large variation (a variation greater than S82) (S112).

This is, for example, a different number compared to the previous (for example, the previous time) of the region 362 estimated as the human body (the total area of the one or more regions 362 estimated as the human body). The number of different portions of the estimated region 362 is determined. Then, whether this number (width) has increased beyond a reference value f (a value larger than the reference value d) or not (whether the number of regions 362 has increased by g or more, or whether it has increased by g% or more) Or the like).
When the reference value f or more is increased, it can be estimated that a person sleeping in the room is about to get up or get up because of a toilet or the like.

Alternatively, it may be determined whether or not the region 362 estimated as the human body in the current detection is in a position completely different from the previous (for example, the previous time), and whether or not the current time and the previous time are more than a predetermined distance on the matrix 361. Further, although the region 362 that is estimated to be a human body in the previous detection (for example, the previous time) exists, it may be determined whether or not it exists in the current detection.
If the region 362 estimated to be a human body is completely different from the previous one, or if the region 362 previously estimated to be a human body is detected but not detected this time, the person who is sleeping indoors For example, it can be estimated that the user has moved from the sleeping place.

In these cases, when there is a predetermined large fluctuation compared to the previous detection (Yes in S112), the third control unit 359 sends the control device 411 to the control device 411 via the communication control devices 347 and 412. A control signal instructing to turn on the lighting device 400 is output (S113). Thereby, the control device 411 lights the lighting device 400 via the lighting circuit 412.
According to this process, it is possible to automatically turn on the lighting device 400 by detecting that a person sleeping in the room is going to move from the sleeping place for a toilet or the like or has moved.

  Two reference values f may be prepared. That is, if the number (area) that is different from the previous (for example, the previous time) of the region 362 estimated to be a human body is equal to or greater than a small reference value f, the person starts to move from the sleeping place for a toilet or the like. And the lighting device 400 is turned on with the illuminance darkened. After that, when the number (area) becomes greater than or equal to the large reference value f, it is determined that the person has actually moved (being) from the sleeping place for a toilet or the like, and the illuminance of the lighting device 400 is determined. Lights up brightly. For example, as in this example, the illuminance of the lighting device 400 may also be controlled.

Next, another example of the illumination control process described with reference to FIGS. 21 and 22 will be described. FIG. 23 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a room in a building for explaining another example of the illumination control process. FIG. 24 is a flowchart for explaining another example of the illumination control process. FIG. 25 is a timing chart for explaining another example of the illumination control process.
In FIG. 23, a plurality of adjacent rooms 520a, 520b, and 520c are shown. The partitions 510a and 510b are partitions between adjacent rooms (a door or the like is provided). Illumination equipment 400 (400a, 400b, 400c) is provided in each of the rooms 520a, 520b, 520c partitioned by the partitions 510a, 510b (the lighting circuit 412 is not shown). .

In each room 530 (530a, 530b, 530c), an indoor unit 100 (100a, 100b, 100c) is installed. The configuration and basic operation of each indoor unit 100 are the same as those of the indoor unit 100 (air conditioner 1) described above. Each indoor unit 100 is provided with the control device 341 and the communication control device 347 (communication unit). And each indoor unit 100 (the communication control apparatus 347) can communicate with each other via the transmission means 560 (including wireless communication) (communication unit). The outdoor unit 200 may be prepared for each indoor unit 100, or one outdoor unit 200 may be connected to the plurality of indoor units 100.
The transmission unit 560 may use a transmission line dedicated to the air conditioner 100, but may be based on, for example, an open network technology used for communication between devices in a building management system or the like.

Each indoor unit 100 can mutually share the detection information of each human body etc. by the transmission means 560. Thereby, each indoor unit 100 can perform the coordinated control between each indoor unit 100.
Next, the illumination control process which the control apparatus 341 of each indoor unit 100 performs is demonstrated. The third control unit 359 determines whether or not the human body 520 is detected by the first detection unit 354 or the second detection unit 355 in the room 530 where the own indoor unit 100 is installed (S121). When the human body 520 is detected (Yes in S121), the third control unit 359 turns on the lighting device 400 in the room 530 (S122). When the human body 520 is not detected (No in S121), the third control unit 359 determines whether or not the lighting device 400 is turned on in another room 530 adjacent to the own room 530 (S123). . When it is lit (Yes in S123), the third control unit 359 turns off the lighting device 400 in the own room 530 (S124).

FIG. 25 shows the presence / absence of detection of the human body 520 of the indoor unit 100 in each room 530 and the ON / OFF timing of the control signal to the lighting device 400 (control device 411 thereof) by the control device 341. . When the human body 520 is detected in each room 530 by the processing of FIG. 24, the lighting device 400 in the room 530 is turned on. Even if the human body 520 is no longer detected in the room 530, the lighting device 400 in the own room 530 is kept on until the lighting device 400 is turned on in the adjacent room 530.
Therefore, the lighting device 400 can always be turned on around the moving human body 520. Thereby, since the lighting equipment 400 lights up without interruption with the movement of the human body 520, it can be safely moved between the rooms 530.

  FIG. 26 is a plan view of a building. In the example of FIG. 26, the indoor unit 100 of the air conditioner 1 described with reference to FIGS. 24 and 25 is provided in each indoor 530 (530a to 530h) (the indoor unit 100 in each indoor 530 is not shown). ). This building is an example of a building with many partitions such as a school. Each room 530a to 530h is arranged in this order from left to right in FIG. 26. Each room 530a to 530h is adjacent to the hallway 522, and the hallway 522 and each room 530 (or between the adjacent rooms 530) are doors. People can enter and exit by opening and closing 523 (523a to 523i). Each room 530 is provided with a lighting device 400 (400a to 400h). A broken-line arrow denoted by reference numeral 521 indicates a human flow line.

  In the case of FIG. 26 as well, the illumination control process described with reference to FIGS. 24 and 25 is executed. Therefore, for example, even when the user goes out of the room 530a and enters the room 530b, the lighting device 400a in the room 530a is turned off after confirming that the lighting device 400b in the room 530b is turned on. Can be easily prevented from turning off. At this time, since the lighting control of the lighting device 400 is performed based on the above-described human body detection information of the indoor unit 100, it can be performed without adding a special control system for the lighting device 400. .

FIG. 27 is a plan view of the building. An example of this building is, for example, a shopping center in which a room 530, which is a relatively large space, is divided by display shelves and low partitions (reference numeral 531), and the human body 520 moves like a flow line 521.
An indoor unit 100 (air conditioner) corresponding to each lighting device 400 (400a to 400h) and air conditioning each region 532 corresponding to each region 532 (532a to 532h) in the room 530 corresponding to each lighting device 400. In FIG. 27, illustration is omitted).

  In the example of FIG. 27 as well, the illumination control processing of FIGS. 24 and 25 is executed. That is, as shown in FIG. 24, the third control unit 359 detects whether or not the first detection unit 354 or the second detection unit 355 detects the human body 520 in the room 530 where the own indoor unit 100 is installed. Is determined (S121). When the human body 520 is detected (Yes in S121), the third control unit 359 turns on the lighting device 400 in the region 532 supported by the indoor unit 100 (S122). When the human body 520 is not detected (No in S121), the third control unit 359 determines whether or not the lighting device 400 is turned on in another area 532 adjacent to the own area 532 (S123). . When it is lit (Yes in S123), the third control unit 359 turns off the lighting device 400 in its own region 532 (S124).

Even in the example of FIG. 27, the lighting device 400 can always be kept on around the moving human body. Accordingly, the lighting device 400 is lit without interruption as the human body moves, so that it can be safely moved between the regions 532 of the room 530.
As described above, according to the illumination control process described with reference to FIGS. 23 to 27, the illumination device 400 is interrupted as the human body moves only by allowing the plurality of indoor units 100 to communicate with each other via the transmission unit 560. The process of FIG. 24 and FIG. 25 which makes it light without it becomes possible with the air conditioner 1. FIG.

  According to the air conditioner 1 of the present embodiment described above, when the room is bright to some extent, a human body is detected based on the image detected by the image sensor 131, and air conditioning is controlled based on the result. On the other hand, when the room becomes dark, a human body is detected based on the temperature detected by the temperature detection element 132, and air conditioning is controlled based on the result. As a result, it is possible to accurately control air conditioning and the like by detecting a human body regardless of the brightness of the room.

Further, as described above, the imaging process of FIG. 10 is continuously performed at least during the operation of the air conditioner 1 regardless of the brightness of the room. In this case, when the room is dark (No in S42), the swing movement of the image sensor 131 may be stopped (the direction of the image sensor 131 is fixed in one direction). Thereby, deterioration of the stepping motor 142a can be prevented.
Of course, the swing movement of the image sensor 131 may be maintained even when the room is dark (No in S42). In this case, when the room becomes brighter thereafter, the process of S43 can be promptly shifted.
Or, when the room is dark (No in S42), when performing the imaging process of FIG. 10, it is not necessary to determine only the illuminance of the imaging element 131 and detect the human body based on the image of S32. This is because the detection of the human body based on the image of S32 takes time (for example, 2 to 3 seconds), and thus the processing is accelerated.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to an above-described Example, Various modifications are included. For example, the above-described embodiments have been described in detail for easy understanding of the present invention, and are not necessarily limited to those having all the configurations described. Further, a part of the configuration of one embodiment can be replaced with the configuration of another embodiment, and the configuration of another embodiment can be added to the configuration of one embodiment. Moreover, it is also possible to add, delete, and replace other configurations for a part of the configuration of each embodiment.

Each of the above-described configurations, functions, processing units, processing means, and the like may be realized by hardware by designing a part or all of them with, for example, an integrated circuit. Further, each of the above-described configurations, functions, and the like may be realized by software by interpreting and executing a program that realizes each function by the processor. Information such as programs, tables, and files for realizing each function can be stored in a memory, a recording device such as a hard disk or SSD (Solid State Drive), or a recording medium such as an IC card, SD card, or DVD.
Further, the control lines and information lines indicate what is considered necessary for the explanation, and not all the control lines and information lines on the product are necessarily shown. In practice, it can be considered that almost all the components are connected to each other.

1 Air conditioner 131 Image sensor (imaging part)
132 Temperature detection element (temperature detection unit)
347 Communication control device (communication unit)
352 Imaging control unit (imaging unit)
353 Temperature detection control unit (temperature detection unit)
354 1st determination part 355 2nd determination part 356 3rd determination part 357 1st control part 358 2nd control part 359 3rd control part 400 (400a-400h) Lighting apparatus 530 (530a-530h) Indoor 532 (532a to 532h) area 560 transmission means (communication unit)

Claims (9)

An imaging unit that captures an indoor image;
A first detection unit that detects a human body based on an image captured by the imaging unit;
A temperature detector for detecting the temperature in the room;
A second detection unit for detecting a human body based on the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit;
A third detector for detecting the illuminance in the room;
A first controller that controls air conditioning based on detection of a human body by the first detector when the illuminance detected by the third detector is greater than or equal to a first reference value;
A second control unit that controls air conditioning based on detection of a human body by the second detection unit when the illuminance detected by the third detection unit is less than a first reference value;
An air conditioner comprising:   The first detection unit continues the detection by the second detection unit even when the illuminance detected by the third detection unit is less than the first reference value. The air conditioner described.   The said 2nd control part changes the control of air conditioning according to the fluctuation | variation of the area | region which detected the human body in the said 2nd detection part within the area | region range detected by the said temperature detection part. The air conditioner according to 1.   The second control unit is configured such that a region where the human body is detected is wider than the second reference value compared to the previous detection, or the third range is different from the previous detection of the region where the human body is detected. The air conditioner according to claim 3, wherein when it becomes wider than a reference value, the control of the air conditioning is changed so as to enhance the cooling effect before that time.   2. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the second control unit changes the control of the air conditioning according to the detection of the temperature of the human body detected by the second detection unit.   When the temperature of the human body detected by the second detection unit has decreased or increased to a fourth reference value or more in the current detection compared to the previous detection, the second control unit performs the temperature decrease or increase. 6. The air conditioner according to claim 5, wherein the control of the air conditioning is changed so as to increase or decrease the cooling effect or the heating effect in a decreasing direction.   When the illuminance detected by the third detection unit is less than the first reference value, according to the temperature of the image within a predetermined range from the bottom of the image within the region range detected by the temperature detection unit, The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the control of the air conditioner is changed.   A third control unit that outputs a control signal for controlling an external illumination device in accordance with a change in a region in which a human body is detected by the second detection unit within an area range detected by the temperature detection unit; The air conditioner according to claim 1. The imaging unit, the first detection unit, the temperature detection unit, the second detection unit, the third detection unit, the first control unit, the second control unit, and the third control A plurality of indoor units each having a section,
Each of the indoor units has a communication unit that communicates with each other,
When each of the third control units detects a human body using the first detection unit or the second detection unit, the third control unit includes the third control unit. The lighting device provided in the lighting is turned on, and then the human body is not detected, and the human body is detected by detecting the human body in the room or the indoor area adjacent to the room or the indoor area by the communication. 9. The lighting device that is turned on by the third control unit is turned off when it is detected that the lighting device provided in the room or an indoor area is turned on. Air conditioner.

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