JP2015078802A - Indoor unit of air conditioning device and air conditioning device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an indoor unit of an air conditioning device which reduces burden on monitoring.SOLUTION: An indoor unit of an air conditioning device comprises: imaging means which takes an image of an air-conditioned room; and control means which has an external notice mode where a notice is issued to an external information terminal when detecting a change in a state of a person in the air-conditioned room from the image taken by the imaging means, a notice blocking mode where the notice is not issued to the external information terminal when detecting the change in the state of the person in the air-conditioned room from the image taken by the imaging means and a notice mode setting section enabling a user to select either the external notice mode or the notice blocking mode.

Description

  The present invention relates to an air conditioner.

  Patent Document 1 describes an air conditioner that includes an imaging unit that generates a captured image and a communication unit connected to a network, and the communication unit is connected to a monitoring device via the network. According to the air conditioner described in Patent Document 1, it is possible to monitor the room via the network by providing the communication means connected to the network.

JP 2007-78283 A

  However, in the air conditioner described in Patent Document 1, when indoor monitoring is performed via a network, it is necessary to keep monitoring constantly, and for example, the burden on an external security company is large.

  Then, an object of this invention is to provide the indoor unit of the air conditioner which reduced the monitoring burden.

  The indoor unit of the air conditioner of the present invention includes an imaging unit that captures an image of the air-conditioned room, and an external unit that notifies an external information terminal when the state of the occupant detected from the image captured by the imaging unit changes. It is possible to select a notification mode, a non-notification mode that does not notify an external information terminal when the occupant's state detected from an image captured by the imaging unit changes, an external notification mode, and a non-notification mode. And a control unit having a notification mode setting unit.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the indoor unit of the air conditioner which reduced the monitoring burden can be provided.

It is a front view of the indoor unit of the air conditioner which concerns on Example 1, an outdoor unit, and a remote control. It is a sectional side view of the indoor unit of the air conditioner concerning Example 1. It is a block diagram which shows the structure containing the control means of the air conditioner which concerns on Example 1. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration when an air conditioner according to a first embodiment is connected to a local network using a wireless LAN and connected to the Internet via a router to enable information communication with a server and an external information terminal. is there. It is a figure which shows an example of the detection result in the occupant detection part 139 which concerns on Example 1. FIG. 10 is a flowchart of an example of control to which the detection result of the occupant detection unit 139 according to the first embodiment is applied. 12 is a flowchart of an example of control to which the detection result of the occupant detection unit 139 according to the second embodiment is applied. 12 is a flowchart of an example of control to which the detection result of the occupant detection unit 139 according to the third embodiment is applied.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as appropriate. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the common part in each figure, and the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted.

  FIG. 1 is a front view of an indoor unit 100, an outdoor unit 200, and a remote controller of an air conditioner according to a first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the air conditioner A includes an indoor unit 100, an outdoor unit 200, and a remote controller Re. The indoor unit 100 and the outdoor unit 200 are connected by a refrigerant pipe (not shown), and air-conditions the room where the indoor unit 100 is installed by a known refrigerant cycle. The indoor unit 100 and the outdoor unit 200 transmit and receive information to and from each other via a communication cable (not shown). The outdoor unit 200 includes a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger, an outdoor fan, and an expansion mechanism.

  The remote controller Re is operated by a user and transmits an infrared signal to the remote controller transmission / reception unit Q of the indoor unit 100. The contents of the signal are commands such as an operation request, a change in set temperature, a timer, an operation mode change, and a stop request. The air conditioner A performs air conditioning operations such as a cooling mode, a heating mode, and a dehumidifying mode based on these signals. In addition, data such as room temperature information, humidity information, and electricity bill information is transmitted from the remote control transmission / reception unit Q of the indoor unit 100 to the remote control Re. In addition, an imaging unit 110 is installed at the lower part of the center in the left-right direction of the front panel 106 of the indoor unit 100.

  FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of the indoor unit of the air conditioner according to the first embodiment. The housing base 101 houses internal structures such as the heat exchanger 102, the blower fan 103, and the filter 108.

  The heat exchanger 102 includes a plurality of heat transfer tubes 102a, and heats the air taken into the indoor unit 100 by the blower fan 103 with a refrigerant flowing through the heat transfer tubes 102a to heat or cool the air. It is configured as follows. The heat transfer tube 102a communicates with the refrigerant pipe (not shown) and constitutes a part of a known refrigerant cycle (not shown).

  The left and right wind direction plates 104 are rotated by a left and right wind direction plate motor (not shown) with a rotation shaft (not shown) provided at the lower part as a fulcrum according to an instruction from a microcomputer (not shown) of the indoor unit 100. Is done.

  The vertical airflow direction plate 105 is rotated by a vertical airflow direction plate motor (not shown) around a rotation shaft (not shown) provided at both ends in accordance with an instruction from the indoor unit 100 microcomputer.

  The front panel 106 is installed so as to cover the front surface of the indoor unit 100, and is configured to be rotatable by a front panel motor (not shown) with the lower end as an axis. Incidentally, you may comprise the front panel 106 as what is fixed to a lower end.

  When the blower fan 103 shown in FIG. 2 rotates, the indoor air is taken in through the air suction port 107 and the filter 108, and the air heat-exchanged by the heat exchanger 102 is guided to the blowout air passage 109a. Further, the air guided to the blowout air passage 109a is adjusted in air direction by the left and right airflow direction plates 104 and the vertical airflow direction plate 105, and is sent to the outside from the air blowing port 109b to air-condition the room.

  The configuration of the air conditioner 100 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is merely an example according to the present embodiment, and it goes without saying that the present invention can be applied to any form of air conditioner.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration including the control unit 130 of the air conditioner according to the first embodiment. The imaging unit 110 is configured by a camera capable of imaging such as a CMOS image sensor and a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) camera, for example, and as described above, is installed at the lower center of the front panel 106 in the left-right direction ( (See FIG. 1). In addition, the imaging unit 110 is installed so as to face downward by a predetermined angle with respect to the horizontal direction from the attachment position of the imaging unit 110, and can appropriately capture the room in which the indoor unit 100 is installed. In general, a wall-mounted or ceiling-embedded air conditioner is very advantageous for detecting the indoor environment because it is mounted at a high place in the room so that the entire room can be air-conditioned.

  The imaging unit 110 is configured to continuously capture an image of the air-conditioned room, convert the image data into image data using the A / D converter 120, and output the image data to the control unit 130. The control means 130 performs various image processing on the image data in the occupant detection unit 132. Here, as an example, a configuration in the case of including a human body detection unit 131, a face detection unit 132, and an individual detection unit 133 is illustrated. Moreover, the structure in the case of providing 132 which detects the indoor floor plan is shown. Details of the processing will be described later.

  At this time, not only the imaging unit 110 and the occupant detection unit as the environment detection unit 111 but also various sensors such as a temperature sensor using a thermopile, an illuminance sensor, or an activity amount detection sensor using a Fresnel lens and an infrared sensor. It is good also as a structure provided in an air conditioner main body.

  The control unit 130 performs overall control of the operation of the air conditioner A in accordance with image information input from the imaging unit 110, command signals input from the remote controller Re, sensor outputs input from various sensors, and the like. Therefore, it is possible to realize a configuration that enables finer operation control.

  The storage unit 140 includes, for example, a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and the like. Then, the program stored in the ROM is read out by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) in the arithmetic processing unit 141 of the control means 130, loaded in the RAM, and executed.

  The load 150 includes, for example, an indoor fan motor (not shown) included in the indoor unit 100, a compressor motor (not shown) included in the outdoor unit 200, and a vertical wind direction plate motor (not shown) installed on the vertical wind direction plate 105. And a left and right wind direction plate motor (not shown) installed on the left and right wind direction plate 104. These loads 150 are driven according to a drive signal input from the drive control unit 136 of the control means 130.

  In addition, detection data such as position information of the occupants in the occupant detection unit 139 is transmitted to the arithmetic processing unit 141. The arithmetic processing unit 141 corrects the air conditioning operation using the detected data in addition to the set operation setting of the air conditioning operation. The detailed control contents of these control means 130 will be described later. The detection data obtained by the image processing by the occupant detection unit 139 and the like is only information such as the position of the occupant and the amount of activity extracted for use in correcting the air conditioning operation. Does not include image data that can be visually recognized as an image. Therefore, even if the software is changed, the image data cannot be taken out of the control means 130. Details of the control will be described later.

  The control unit 130 includes a network communication unit 137, and is configured to be able to access a server or cloud service on the Internet using the network communication and to communicate information with an external information terminal through these. Further, as shown in the figure, a configuration may be used in which local network communication such as a home wireless LAN is used to directly communicate with an external information terminal. Further, as shown in the figure, by providing the network communication unit 137 with the wireless communication means 138, the connection to the network can be configured by wireless communication.

  FIG. 4 is an example of a configuration when the air conditioner according to the first embodiment is connected to a local network using a wireless LAN and connected to the Internet via a router to enable information communication with a server and an external information terminal. FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the external information terminal is configured to be able to perform information communication with the air conditioner via a server on the Internet, or information communication with the control unit 130 of the air conditioner via a wireless LAN router.

  As for the control means 130, based on the image data obtained by the image pickup means 110, various image processing, for example, a human body detection unit 131 for detecting a human body such as a human head, chest, arms, and legs, By providing a occupant detection unit that includes various detection units according to the specifications of the air conditioner, such as a face detection unit 132 that detects the position of the face, an individual detection unit 133 that identifies an individual from the face, Perform image processing.

  The control unit 130 includes a network communication unit 137 for connecting to a network such as the Internet and performing information communication. The network communication unit 137 is configured to be connected to the Internet by being connected to a communication device of a system mainly used in general homes, for example, a modem for the Internet through a wired LAN connection or a wireless LAN connection.

  The network communication unit 137 connects to a predetermined server on the Internet or a predetermined cloud service. Information is communicated with any commonly used mobile phone, smartphone, tablet PC, PC, dedicated control terminal, centralized control terminal, etc. via the server on the Internet or a predetermined cloud service. As a result, various types of information including various operation command signals can be communicated, so various information such as operation commands including operation start and operation stop from the external information terminal to the air conditioner, operation mode changes, etc. It is good also as a structure which can set. At this time, for example, voice recognition software is built in the smartphone, and various operations according to the specifications of the information terminal used for communication are possible, such as operating instructions to the air conditioner by this voice command. Moreover, it is good also as a structure which can supply the application software only for an information terminal and a user can set control of an air conditioner arbitrarily, such as control regarding detailed setting of operation control, and power saving. In addition, room information such as floor plan of the air-conditioned room and furniture layout is input from information equipment, the information is stored in the air conditioner, and the air conditioner's wind direction, air volume control, etc. are operated accordingly. It is good also as a structure which correct | amends control and detection in a occupant detection part.

  Similarly, various information detected by the occupant detection unit of the air conditioner, the operation information of the air conditioner, and other information held by the storage means are passed through the network communication unit 137 as necessary. It is good also as a structure which transmits to the server on a predetermined | prescribed internet, or a predetermined | prescribed cloud service. At this time, the information is transmitted to the external information terminal via the predetermined server on the Internet or a predetermined cloud service. Or as above-mentioned, it is good also as a system which communicates via a local network.

  As described above, there are many functions for performing information communication between the air conditioner and an external information terminal. However, in the air conditioner according to the present embodiment, the detection result of the occupant detection unit is associated with the storage means. By memorizing it and reflecting it in operation control according to a predetermined parameter, it is possible to perform more detailed air conditioning control.

  As described above, the contents of information communication such as operation commands performed in the external information terminal and the air conditioner, the information of the information terminal, and the detection result of the occupant detection unit are associated and stored in the storage means. For example, when a characteristic is found in the detection result of the occupant detection unit using a predetermined parameter from the detection result of the occupant detection unit when a driving command is issued from the information terminal, By reading out information such as the activity range in the room, the location of the room, and the previous operation details, it is also possible to predict the range in which indoor air conditioning is required preferentially. Immediately after transmission, comfortable air conditioning suitable for the occupants can be provided.

  As a specific example, a case where air conditioning operation is started in advance by a smartphone before returning home from an outside room destination is shown. As an example, in the case of a person who uses this function on the way home from a supermarket, the air conditioner receives operation information from the network communication unit 137 from a stopped state. In the occupant detection unit, after communication from the smartphone to the air conditioner, the occupant is not detected for a while until the user of the information terminal returns, the user of the information terminal returns home, and the ingredients are stored in the refrigerator. To store and cook, it is detected that the refrigerator is in a certain direction. By storing these operation information and the detection result of the occupant detection unit, when the operation command is transmitted from the information terminal from the stopped state of the air conditioner, the air conditioner is stored in the information terminal from the storage unit. These pieces of information stored in association with each other are read out, and control is performed to intensively air-condition areas where occupancy was frequently detected under similar conditions before. Thereby, when the operator returns in the same manner, the comfort of the air conditioning in the vicinity of the kitchen, which is often used immediately after returning home, can be increased.

  In addition to this example, various comfortable controls can be provided by storing external information terminal information, driving information, and detection results of the occupant detection unit in the storage means according to arbitrary parameters. This is a possible configuration. Another example will be described later.

  On the other hand, if a large amount of information cannot be processed by the microcomputer in the air conditioner as described above, the detection result is uploaded to a server on the Internet, processed according to predetermined parameters on the server, and sent to the air conditioner. It is good also as a system which transmits only the result. In this case, since the air conditioner according to the present embodiment has a configuration in which image information is not transmitted to the outside as image information, the privacy of the user can be ensured even in such a configuration. Is possible.

  Further, in the air conditioner according to the present embodiment, although the imaging unit 110 is provided, information such as the person's occupancy information detected from the acquired image information is reflected in the air conditioning operation control. Therefore, the image information itself acquired by the imaging unit 110 is not used as a detection result. Therefore, although image data is configured to be connected to the network in terms of hardware, there is no way to extract image data structurally even when a computer virus is transmitted or hacked. There is no fear that these will be illegally taken out and misused. The control unit 130 may be configured to transmit only the detection result of the occupant detection unit to the network communication unit 137, and the configuration may be such that image information cannot be extracted as an image. At this time, it goes without saying that the image information cannot be directly viewed on the external information terminal, and the same effect can be obtained for other detection and control.

  In addition, when connected to the Internet through a local network via a wireless LAN router, the mobile phone, smartphone, tablet PC, PC, dedicated controller, and other terminals can be detected and connected to the same local network. In this way, the functions can be further expanded.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a detection result by the occupant detection unit 139 according to the first embodiment. This example is an example of a case where control for detecting an indoor edge and detecting a floor plan of an air-conditioned room is also used. The position of the occupant and the shape of the room in the air-conditioned room are detected from the image information detected by the imaging unit 110, and are extracted as occupancy information. The estimation of the position of the occupant and the detection of the distance from the indoor unit 100 are performed by arbitrarily setting parameters according to the angle of view and the mounting position of the imaging unit 110 and performing image processing according to the parameters. Is detected as coordinate data.

  When disclosing the detection result of the occupant by the occupant detection unit 139, the detection result of the occupant detected by the occupant detection unit 139 is changed to the occupant detection result (imaging direction) in FIG. As shown, it is visualized in a form according to the result of imaging by the imaging means 110, or in a form showing the position of the occupant as viewed from the top of the room as shown in the detection result of the occupant in the room (top view of the room). Can be disclosed.

  When detecting a human body, in a method for detecting a human body based on the silhouette of the human body, a case similar to the shape of the human body may be erroneously detected as the human body. At this time, for example, by using other image detection, such as face detection, individual detection, or control of estimating gender and age from human face parts and skin, etc., it is possible to avoid false detection and more accurate detection. It becomes possible. Moreover, it is possible to detect a person's movement by detecting a person's body continuously. Thus, for example, when control for performing individual detection is added, the occupant can adjust the air conditioning by associating the result detected by the individual detection with the body detected in the vicinity of the image information. Even if the face is no longer visible with the back facing the machine, it is possible to estimate an individual from the position of the occupant's body detected continuously.

  Moreover, the structure which can obtain much information is realizable by combining the detection result of a body detection and a face detection. For example, the distance from the air conditioner to the occupant detected can be estimated from the size of the body and the size of the face in the image information acquired by the imaging unit 110. For example, the occupant's face or body near the air conditioner appears larger, and the occupant's face or body further away from the air conditioner appears smaller. By detecting this and further associating it with the position information of the body, it becomes possible to accurately detect the position of the occupant.

  As another example, the size of a person generally differs greatly from child to adult, whereas the size of a person's face is not different from the proportion of the body size. For this reason, since the detected child's body size and the detected face size cause the child with a small body to be mistakenly captured in the imaging means 110, it is also possible to avoid erroneous detection that the child is far away in the room. Not only is it possible, it is possible to estimate the distance and age from the air conditioner.

  In the control means 130, it is possible to detect the amount of activity by capturing not only the position of the occupant in the air-conditioned room but also the change over time. By reflecting this in the air-conditioning operation, the comfort in the air-conditioned room can be further enhanced. This is realized by calculating the sensible temperature corresponding to the activity amount of the person in the room from the detection result of the activity amount of the occupant in the air-conditioning room and reflecting this in the air conditioning operation setting. The

  Also, depending on the conditions in the air-conditioning room, there are objects that may be mistakenly detected as human bodies, such as the human body depicted on indoor posters, people on TV, and furniture similar to human shapes. There is also a possibility. This can be reduced by controlling the control unit 130 to extract the detected temporal change of the human body. This is achieved by excluding a human body that has been detected for a predetermined time, period, and so on from the detection result as a false detection rather than an actual human body because there is no movement for a long time for posters and furniture. The In addition, for televisions and the like, the television screen changes every few seconds, so even if it is erroneously detected at the timing when a person is captured, the detection result changes each time the screen is changed, so this can be reduced. . In addition, when the method is capable of detecting an individual, the detected person changes on the TV screen, so that erroneous detection reduction becomes easier.

  Further, in the control means 130, the presence / absence of the occupant may be determined by determining that the occupant is present at the location when a human body is detected a predetermined number of times or more within a predetermined time. Thereby, it is possible to easily distinguish a person who passes through the air-conditioned room and a person who is present in the room. For example, if the control means 130 determines the occupants in the air-conditioned room and the detection result of the image detection means for 10 seconds at the location is 80% or more, the occupants are at the location. In the case of the method of confirming, since the person who moves through the room and passes by is not detected as an occupant, no error occurs in the air conditioning operation.

  In addition, if the specification is such that the individual detection unit 133 is used to specify the individual of the occupant and air conditioning control is performed, a method of registering the individual in advance may be used, or the detected occupant may be automatically registered. It is good as a method to keep. Or, if the number of detections exceeds a predetermined number of times within a predetermined period, the individual and the contents of the air conditioning operation are stored in association with each other, so that the resident of the house and the tendency of the air conditioning operation Can be registered automatically.

  In this case, it is possible to provide a more comfortable air conditioning operation by detecting the faces of people in the room, reading out information about the detected individuals, pre-registered individuals and their air conditioning operations, and correcting the settings of the air conditioning operations. is there.

  These various image processing methods are examples of an air conditioner to which the present embodiment is applied, and similar effects can be obtained even when an appropriate detection method is set according to the specifications of the air conditioner. Needless to say, you can.

  In addition to the method for detecting the human body, a control for detecting an edge from the image data obtained by the imaging unit 110 and detecting a floor plan such as the shape and size of the air-conditioned room may be added.

  Further, the control unit 130 includes a movement amount calculation unit 134 that calculates a movement amount of a person for each time from the various image processing results, and an activity amount calculation unit that calculates an activity amount with a predetermined parameter using the calculation result. By providing 135, the activity amount of the person is extracted from the calculation results of the life scene determination, personal identification, etc., and reflected in the operation control of the air conditioner. Note that the types of image processing are merely examples, and various image detections may be arbitrarily set according to the specifications of each air conditioner. Moreover, what is necessary is just to set parameters, such as a reflection degree to this detection result and the operation mode by this, according to the specification of an air conditioner.

  In addition, you may change the system which detects a human body by various image processing from these image data according to the specification of the air conditioner to apply. For example, in the case of a ceiling-embedded air conditioner that is often installed in the center of a room, the imaging means 110 captures the occupant from directly above, so that the detection of the face and the contours of the shoulder and head Since detection cannot be performed, it is possible to obtain an effect by using software that can image a person from directly above.

  The air conditioner according to the present embodiment includes an imaging unit 110 and a occupant detection unit 139. By counting the detection results in the occupant detection unit 139 by a predetermined program according to the operation setting, and transmitting the results to a terminal such as a mobile phone, a smartphone, a tablet PC, and a PC through the network, the predetermined program It is possible to provide a wide variety of functions for each specification.

  For example, it is possible to check the family return home, the number of people in the room, and the like by receiving the detection result of the occupant detection unit at an outside location with an information terminal such as a smartphone.

  In addition, when control for estimating the physique, sex, and age of the occupants and control of the individual detection unit 133 that detects an individual are added, the accuracy is further increased, and more accurate information can be provided.

  On the other hand, when the air conditioner and an external information terminal can communicate with each other via a network, detailed operation control that cannot be set by a normal remote controller can be added using an arbitrary external information terminal. For example, detailed setting of the operation mode, information related to air-conditioning control such as floor plan, operation timer control, and information detection for each user when performing the individual detection by the occupant detection unit.

  Since various types of information communication can be performed through a network such as the Internet, it is possible to check the indoor conditions when the air-conditioned room is absent. For example, confirming the state of a child answering from the outside, confirming indoor information from a travel destination, and confirming that no suspicious person such as a vacant nest has entered the room, or is weak A wide variety of applications are possible, such as checking the living conditions of the elderly etc. from outside by relatives and home helpers, and it is possible to meet various needs.

  In addition, for the information transmitted to the external information terminal in this way, the operating status of the air conditioner, the amount of activity of the occupants in the room detected by the control means 130, the detection result of the individual detection of the occupants, Information on the detection result of the occupant detection unit 139 that can be received arbitrarily and information on the operation control of the air conditioner in the control means 130, such as information on the room illuminance acquired by the imaging means 110, for each information terminal. By adopting a configuration that can be set in advance by the user, even if it is connected to the network, it is considered that information will not be leaked more than necessary. Can be secured.

  The notification content and the detection mode for notifications can be set according to the specifications of the air conditioner, or can be set arbitrarily by the user of the air conditioner, preventing unnecessary notifications and using them. It does not give trouble to the person.

  In the air conditioner according to the present embodiment, other information acquired by the air conditioner body, such as the temperature and humidity in the air-conditioned room, may be added. In addition, from the viewpoint of heat stroke prevention and the like, when a predetermined temperature or humidity is exceeded, it may be configured to notify this to a preset terminal. By using this configuration, it is possible to realize a configuration in which prevention of heat stroke of the elderly and the like can be confirmed from the outside, such as the family. Furthermore, if a temperature sensor using a thermopile or the like is used as the environment detection means, this is used to control when a high temperature such as a flame is detected, or a gas sensor or the like that detects the degree of air contamination If this is the case, it is possible to use the outputs of various sensors to be mounted, such as detecting a blur, by performing control to detect air dirt above a predetermined value as smoke.

  Regardless of whether or not the air-conditioning operation is performed, when a occupant is detected using a result of the occupant detection unit 139 including the imaging unit 110 when a predetermined operation mode is set, the preset operation mode is set in advance. By notifying an information terminal such as a mobile phone by application software for air conditioning control or e-mail, it is possible to detect an intruder when absent.

  Specifically, in the indoor unit 100 of the air conditioner according to the present embodiment, the imaging unit 110 that images the air-conditioned room, and the state of the occupant detected from the image captured by the imaging unit 110 has changed. An external notification mode for sometimes notifying an external information terminal and a control means 130 having a notification mode setting unit 160 capable of selecting the external notification mode are provided. According to the present embodiment, when monitoring the air-conditioned room in which the indoor unit 100 of the air conditioner is installed, an external information terminal is notified when there is a change. Therefore, there is no need to constantly monitor the air-conditioned room, and the monitoring burden can be reduced.

  Note that a non notification mode that does not notify an external information terminal when the occupant's state detected from an image captured by the image capturing unit 110 changes is provided, and the notification mode setting unit 160 selects the non notification mode. You may be able to.

  Here, when the state of the occupants detected from the image captured by the imaging unit 110 is changed, the number of occupants is increased, the amount of activity of the occupants is changed, and the like. In particular, in this embodiment, the control unit 130 including the occupant detection unit 139 that detects the occupant from the image captured by the imaging unit 110 is provided, and the notification mode setting unit 160 selects the external notification mode. In this case, when the number of occupants detected by the occupant detection unit 139 changes, an external information terminal is notified.

  According to the present embodiment, when an intruder enters the room when the family is absent, the number of people in the room increases, so that an external information terminal can be notified. Also, for example, when an intruder enters the room when an adult goes out and only a child is in the room, the number of people in the room increases, so that an external information terminal can be notified.

  In the normal operation mode (during the operation of the air conditioner), the occupant detection unit 139 in the occupant detection unit 139 for 20 seconds (first set time) determines the occupancy of the person by the control means 130. When the detection result at a location is 80% or more, if the method is to determine the presence of a resident at the location, if the intruder is moving inside the room, make sure that there is a person inside the room. It cannot be detected. When checking the presence or absence of an intruder in the absence, it is only necessary to detect the presence or absence of a person in the room rather than the presence of the person in the room. By setting the time to 1 second (second set time), for example, it is possible to linearly detect a person's entry into the room.

  That is, in the indoor unit 100 of the air conditioner according to the present embodiment, the occupant detection unit 139 is resident when the occupant is detected more than a set ratio during the first set time during the operation of the air conditioner. When the person's occupancy is confirmed and the external notification mode is selected by the notification mode setting unit 160, the occupant is detected when the occupant is detected for a set ratio or more in the second set time shorter than the first set time. Determine the occupancy of the person. As described above, from the detection result of the same occupant detection unit 139, it is possible to perform detection with higher accuracy by performing control to change the control method in the control unit 130 according to the detection target. .

  In addition, when an imaging unit 110 detects a room edge and adds a function for estimating the floor plan and size of the air-conditioned room, it is possible to detect the entrance / exit of the room. When the detection mode is set, it is possible to improve the detection accuracy of the intruder by controlling the camera to face the entrance / exit of the room.

  In addition, there may be a case where the room is dark and an image cannot be detected by the imaging unit 110 and a person cannot be detected. At this time, when a human activity amount detection sensor using a Fresnel lens and an infrared sensor is mounted as a part of the occupant detection unit 139, even if the imaging means 110 cannot perform imaging, Similar effects can be obtained. In addition, when network communication of each home appliance including the home automation system is possible, when the activity of the person is detected by the activity amount calculation unit 135 of the person, by turning on the indoor lighting, It is good also as a system which confirms the occupant in an air conditioned room with the imaging means 110. FIG.

  In addition, this intruder detection notification not only simply notifies the user that an intruder has been detected, but also provides information such as where in the room the detected intruder is located. You may do it.

  On the other hand, when the detection mode of the intruder when absent is set, when another living person comes home, it is detected and notified like the intruder. At this time, the detection mode of the intruder may be canceled from the information terminal of the other living person, or in the case of the method of detecting the individual from the image acquired by the imaging unit 110, the fact that the living person has been detected. It is possible to notify the user who is going out and cancel the intruder detection mode from the user who is going out, and it may be set according to the specifications of the air conditioner to which the present embodiment is applied.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart of an example of control to which the detection result of the occupant detection unit 139 according to the first embodiment is applied. In the example of FIG. 6, when this watch function is set, the time until the occupant leaves the room and goes out is set to 5 minutes or less, a stable time is provided, and the occupant is detected after 5 minutes. The detection operation by the unit 139 is started. That is, the indoor unit 100 of the air conditioner according to the present embodiment starts the operation of the occupant detection unit 139 after a stable time has elapsed since the notification mode setting unit 160 selected the external notification mode. In other words, when the number of occupants detected by the occupant detection unit 139 changes from when the notification mode setting unit 160 selects the external notification mode and before the stable time has elapsed, the external information terminal is notified. If the number of occupants detected by the occupant detection unit 139 changes after the stable time has elapsed, the external information terminal is notified. It is based on the number of occupants and the amount of activity of occupants when the stable time has elapsed since the external notification mode was selected.

  The control unit 130 reads out and executes a program of the watching function when going out from the storage unit 140. In this example, the case where the detection result of the occupant detection unit 139 indicates that the number of times of detection of the body in 3 seconds is 70% or more is used as a criterion for determining the intruder into the room when absent. When this is determined, whether the result detected by the individual detection unit 133 of the occupant detection unit 139 matches the resident information registered in advance or the data is read from the storage unit 140 and compared. . If the result of the comparison is that the user is not a resident, the control means 130 sends information such as “inside the room in the right direction” and “front position” to the external information terminal. Or notify the text without using the image data and notify that there is a possibility that there is a person other than the registered resident. And exit the program. In addition, when it is detected that the detected occupant is a resident registered in the storage unit 140, the control unit 130 sends an external information terminal to the position where the occupant is detected, For example, information such as “inside the room to the right” and “front position” is notified without using image data in numerical values or text, and “the resident may have returned home. To finish the program of the watch function.

  If the image recognition software has a function for detecting an individual and can identify an individual from the image detected by the imaging means 110, it detects whether the person detected in the absence is a registered person in advance. In addition, by transmitting to the information terminal, it is possible to distinguish an intruder from a cohabitant such as another family, and it is possible to provide a more accurate intruder detection function.

  At this time, a predetermined intruder detection mode is set from the remote controller or the information terminal in order to detect an intruder into the air-conditioned room. At this time, the operation control means 130 of the air conditioner uses the detection result of the occupant detection unit 139 used for the air conditioning operation to detect the occupants during the operation mode setting. The room person detection program may be changed.

  In the example of FIG. 6, the intruder is detected only by the occupant detection unit 139 including the body detection unit and the face detection unit 132 and the individual detection unit 133 for detection of the intruder, and the detection result by the individual detection unit 133 is detected. However, in practice, the control content may be set in accordance with the specifications of the air conditioner.

  When information is transmitted from an air conditioner to an external information terminal, a request signal is transmitted from the external information terminal to the air conditioner, and the air conditioner receives various signals held in the control means 130. There are a method for transmitting information via a network and a method for automatically transmitting information to the external information terminal when a predetermined condition is detected in the occupant detection unit 139 or the control unit 130 provided with the imaging unit 110. However, these may be set to transmit information according to each detection target.

  For example, when detecting the presence or absence of an intruder in the absence, or when an intruder is detected in the air-conditioning room by the control unit 130 of the air conditioner, a method for immediately transmitting this fact to an external information terminal It is better to do. In addition, for the monitoring function for children, etc., data that summarizes indoor activities is transmitted at regular intervals, and if a new occupant is detected, it is immediately transmitted to an external information terminal. What is necessary is just to correct | amend the timing of information communication according to a detection target and a specification. Alternatively, the user may be able to set notification conditions and the like in detail.

  The same applies to a ceiling-embedded air conditioner or the like that is used not for ordinary homes but for building air conditioning. In particular, in this case, it is possible to connect to a management room or the like via a local network without going through the Internet, and send the requested information to the central controller in the management room in response to a request signal from the central controller in the management room. good.

  Alternatively, a predetermined detection result may be transmitted to a preset external information terminal from the occupant side in the air-conditioned room by a predetermined remote control operation or the like.

  The air conditioner according to the present embodiment includes the imaging unit 110 and the occupant detection unit as described above. The detection result in the occupant detection unit and the information acquired by an external information terminal such as a mobile phone, a smartphone, a tablet PC, a PC or a dedicated controller from its own function, the information on the air conditioner and the external information Information communication between terminals, detection of external information terminals on the local network such as a wireless LAN router, or the detection result of disconnection of the local network is reflected in the operation control of the air conditioner By doing so, it is possible to meet the various needs of customers. Alternatively, an external information terminal on a local network such as a wireless LAN may be detected, or it may be detected that the local network has been disconnected.

  For example, at present, information terminals such as mobile phones, smartphones, and tablet PCs are generally capable of specifying the position of the information terminal by a GPS function or the like. Therefore, more convenient air conditioning control can be realized by using this information.

  As an example, the position information of the air conditioner is stored on a server on the Internet using the GPS data of the information terminal when the user is in the room where the air conditioner is installed. As a result, when the occupant goes out with the information terminal without stopping the air conditioner, the GPS data of the information terminal is automatically transmitted to an Internet server or cloud service and registered in advance. Calculate the distance to the air conditioner. When the distance exceeds a predetermined distance, a notification for confirming whether or not the air conditioner is stopped is transmitted from the server or cloud service to the information terminal, and a server on the Internet or the Internet according to the operation on the information terminal The cloud service sends a signal to continue operation, stop operation, and change the operation mode of the air conditioner. Thereby, the control which prevents forgetting to stop the air conditioner when going out can be realized.

  Or, when the occupant goes out with the external information terminal without stopping the air conditioner, if the distance between the information terminal and the air conditioner exceeds a predetermined value by GPS data, If the occupant detection unit does not detect the occupant for a predetermined time, control for weakening the air conditioning operation or control for stopping the air conditioning operation may be added. In addition, when the occupant is not detected for a predetermined time, it is possible to notify the information terminal of confirmation of the change of the air conditioning control. Or, when it is detected that the external information terminal disappears from the local network instead of GPS distance data, it is determined that the external information terminal is abnormally separated from the air conditioner by a predetermined distance. The same effect can be obtained even if notification such as the above or a change or stop of the air conditioning operation is performed.

  In addition, when a plurality of external information terminals are registered and connected to an air conditioner, the control accuracy can be further improved.

  For example, in the case of a configuration in which information terminals such as mobile phones and smartphones for the whole family are connected to the air conditioner via the Internet, all information terminals such as mobile phones and smartphones are registered from the position of the registered air conditioner. When connecting to a plurality of information terminals such as stopping the operation of the air conditioner when the distance is longer than a predetermined distance, it is possible to realize more suitable control.

  In addition, when it is detected that the distance between the information terminal and the air conditioner is within a predetermined distance, an operation signal is transmitted from the server or cloud service on the Internet to the air conditioner, and the predetermined air conditioning By setting it as the structure which starts driving | running or the preset air-conditioning driving | operation, the control which starts driving | running | working beforehand in anticipation of returning home is realizable. Alternatively, when an external information terminal is detected on a home local network such as a wireless LAN router, a predetermined notification or operation may be performed.

  Note that the registration of the position information of the air conditioner may be a method in which input is performed by the external information terminal, or a method in which a service person registers in the server at the time of installation work of the air conditioner. What is necessary is just to carry out according to the specification of a harmony machine.

  As described above, since various notifications and settings can be performed using network communication, various highly convenient air conditioning controls can be realized. The control described above is merely an example, and it goes without saying that the same effect can be obtained even when the control according to the performance, application, and design of the air conditioner is arbitrarily set.

  In addition, when a method is used in which information communication is performed by connecting to a plurality of external information terminals via a local network such as a router of the wireless LAN or a network such as the Internet, the functions are further expanded and convenient. A highly functional air conditioner can be provided. This means that an external information terminal such as a mobile phone, smartphone, tablet PC, PC or dedicated controller is connected to the local network to which the air conditioner is connected, or is disconnected from the local network. This is realized by detecting this and performing information communication via the local network or the Internet.

  For example, it is assumed that there is an external information terminal A, an external information terminal B, and an external information terminal C that can be connected to the indoor unit 100. These three external information terminals are configured to be able to perform information communication with the indoor unit 100 via the server or cloud service on the Internet. For example, when the timer reservation for starting the operation of the air conditioner is set from the information terminal A, the external information terminal A is transferred from the server or cloud service on the Internet to the external information terminal B and the external information terminal C. To notify that the timer reservation for starting operation has been set. For example, when setting the timer of the air conditioner from the outside, the user of the external information terminal B and the external information terminal C uses the external information terminal A because the setting is usually performed in accordance with the return time. It becomes easy to predict the return time of a person.

  Moreover, when it is set as the structure which can communicate an air conditioner and an external information terminal by a local network as mentioned above, the structure which performs air-conditioning control more automatically can be implement | achieved.

  For example, a dedicated application is used for each information terminal, and arbitrary air conditioning control is input for each user of each external information terminal. Accordingly, it is assumed that it is detected that only the external information terminal B is connected to the local network when the air conditioner starts operation. At this time, the indoor unit 100 starts operation based on arbitrary air conditioning control stored in the external information terminal B. When only the external information terminal C is detected in the local network, the air conditioner is operated based on any air conditioning control stored in the external information terminal C.

  Further, when this control is performed and a plurality of information terminals are connected to the local network, the indoor air conditioning control can be performed with finer control.

  For example, the external information terminal A is registered so as to directly control the air blown from the indoor unit 100 during cooling, and the external information terminal B directly receives the wind blown from the indoor unit 100 during cooling. Suppose that it was registered to perform control to blow air so as not to hit the body. It is assumed that when the air conditioner is cooled in a predetermined mode, an external information terminal A and an external information terminal B are detected in the local network.

  At this time, the control means 130 detects where the user of the external information terminal A and the user of the external information terminal B registered in advance by the occupant detection unit are in the room. For example, it is assumed that the user of the information terminal A is in front of the air conditioner and the user of the information terminal B is on the right side of the air conditioner. At this time, the control unit 130 performs the air blowing operation so that the air from the indoor unit 100 is directly applied to the user of the information terminal B.

  In addition, when swinging the air, the front of the air conditioner blows upward toward the occupant so that the front of the air conditioner does not directly hit the user of the external information terminal A, and the air direction is outside information on the right side of the indoor unit 100 When turning to the direction where the user of the terminal B is, it is possible to realize the air conditioning control according to the occupant by controlling the wind direction so that the user of the external information terminal B is directly blown. it can. In addition, although the change of the direction of the ventilation from the indoor unit 100 is performed by the up-and-down wind direction plate 105 and the left-and-right wind direction plate 104, it is the same in any form as long as it is a means for actually changing the wind direction. Needless to say, it can be effective.

  In addition, a method of inputting air conditioning control for each individual using an information terminal, or personal detection of a person in the room by the individual detection unit 133, information on personal faces using an external information terminal in advance. However, by detecting a plurality of information terminals connected to the local network, a configuration for automatically registering personal driving control and personal face information can be realized. In the control means 130, when there is only one external information terminal connected to the local network and there is only one occupant in the room, the human body detection unit 131 of the occupant detection unit, the face The storage unit 140 or the information such as the characteristics detected by the detection unit 132 and the individual detection unit 133 and the operation setting of the air conditioner at this time are associated with the external information terminal connected to the local network at this time. Store on a server or cloud service on the Internet. From these multiple times of information, information about the preference of air conditioning operation using predetermined parameters and information about personal facial features that are required when performing individual detection are generated and reflected in subsequent air conditioning operation In this way, fine-tuned air conditioning tailored to the individual can be realized automatically without the need to input information.

  In addition, although an example of the air conditioner concerning a present Example was shown above, the information regarding the air-conditioning setting for each owner of each external information terminal inputted to each external information terminal, individual detection, etc. It may be configured to transmit directly to the air conditioner through a local network, or may be configured to transmit to the air conditioner via the Internet, or transmitted to a server or cloud service on the Internet, and the information is aggregated on the server. It is good also as a structure which transmits to a conditioner, and what is necessary is just to set arbitrarily for every specification of an air conditioner.

  The air conditioner according to the present embodiment utilizes the occupant detection unit 139 including the imaging unit 110 and the body detection software, and detects abnormalities in the occupants, for example, in an elderly person's house or a nursing home. A watch function can be realized. At this time as well, since the data such as the location information of the occupants and the amount of activity are used instead of the image information obtained by the imaging means 110, the family and the administrator check while protecting the privacy of the resident. The function that can be realized.

  For example, the occupant detection unit 139 according to the present embodiment shows a method for detecting the contour and face of a person's head, but for example, the person's head moves downward at a speed equal to or higher than a predetermined value. In this case, it is possible to estimate an indoor fall, and if there is no activity for a predetermined time, it is possible to estimate that the patient has fallen due to illness. When these are detected, it is possible to inform the outside of the occupant's abnormality by notifying the fact to a predetermined information terminal set in advance. That is, in the indoor unit 100 of the air conditioner according to the present embodiment, the control unit 130 calculates the amount of activity of the occupant based on the change of the occupant's position or the position of the occupant's face. A state where the activity amount calculation unit 135 is included and the notification mode setting unit 160 selects the external notification mode, and the activity amount calculated by the activity amount calculation unit 135 is greater than or equal to the set value When the activity amount calculated by the activity amount calculating unit 135 changes to a state where the activity amount is equal to or less than the set value, the external information terminal is notified.

  Moreover, the indoor unit 100 of the air conditioner according to the present embodiment includes an imaging unit 110 that captures an image of the air-conditioned room, and a control unit 130. The control unit 130 is the position of the occupant or the occupant. An activity amount calculation unit 135 that calculates an activity amount of the occupant based on a change in the position of the face of the person, and an activity amount calculation unit when the occupant is detected from the image captured by the imaging unit 110 You may make it have an external notification mode which notifies to an external information terminal, when the amount of activity of the occupant calculated by 135 is below a setting value.

  The detection of these abnormalities can be performed at a higher level by setting according to the performance of the imaging means 110 and the specification of the body recognition software.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart of an example of control to which the detection result of the occupant detection unit 139 according to the second embodiment is applied. In the example of FIG. 7, when an occupant watching function is set, an abnormality detection program is read and executed. At this time, the air conditioning of the air conditioner is not changed, and the normal air conditioning operation and the watching control are operated in parallel. In this example, a total time is set in advance by the user, the amount of activity of the occupant detection unit 139 for each time is totaled, and this is notified when the amount of activity falls below a predetermined value. Control. In addition, when the occupant detection unit 139 detects that the occupant has performed a predetermined action such as a fall of the occupant, the occupant detection unit 139 immediately notifies this fact and then detects the occupant detection unit 139 for a certain period. The control is such that the result is notified to an external information terminal.

  In particular, when people with severe illness or elderly people with poor physical condition are used, relatives who do not live together can make it easier to confirm abnormalities based on information from the air conditioner as described above. it can. In particular, when a sudden deterioration in physical condition occurs, the detection result of the occupant detection unit of the air conditioner changes particularly remarkably, so when the control means 130 detects it, this is notified to an external information terminal. By doing so, it is possible to notify outside relatives.

  For example, the storage unit 140 stores the operating condition of the air conditioner, the detection result of the occupant detection unit, the detection result of the movement amount calculation unit 134, and the detection amount of the activity amount 135 in a predetermined period of one day to several days. And by comparing with the operation status of the air conditioner newly acquired by the control means 130, the detection result of the occupant detection unit, the detection result of the movement amount calculation unit 134, and the activity amount calculation unit 135. It is possible to detect changes in the amount of activity.

  In the case of sudden illness, it is known that the treatment will be delayed by delaying the treatment, and for that purpose, early detection of abnormalities is essential. Therefore, when an operation such as a person falling down can be detected by the occupant detection unit 139, a control for notifying the detection result immediately may be added. Similarly, it is also effective to add a control such as continuously sounding a buzzer in order to notify the housemate of this.

  In recent years, the problem of solitary death in the living alone of elderly people and those with serious illness has been addressed. On the other hand, noisy incidents such as disappearance cases, kidnappings, and murders of those who live alone have also occurred, and this embodiment can contribute to these early detections.

  In the air conditioner according to the present embodiment, when the occupant detection unit does not detect the occupant detection unit for a predetermined period of time, it is also possible to notify the external information terminal in the same manner as described above. It is possible to realize a configuration that can cooperate in early detection of

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart of an example of control to which the detection result of the occupant detection unit 139 according to the third embodiment is applied. In the air conditioner according to the present embodiment, by using the configuration of the air conditioner according to the present embodiment, a function of confirming, for example, the state of the child in the answering machine from the outside is realized. Is possible. This is realized by transmitting the detection result of the occupants in the air-conditioned room to the information terminal set in advance from the air conditioner at a certain time interval or when requested from the information terminal. Further, a notification method may be used when a resident is newly detected or when a resident is not detected from the room for a certain period of time. Also in this case, similarly, from the image data acquired by the imaging means 110, even when the software is used to estimate the age and sex of the occupants and the occupants, or software for identifying individuals, Similar effects can be obtained.

  FIG. 8 shows a flowchart of control contents as an example of this notification function. In this example, when the watching function is set, the timer counts, and the detection result of the occupant detection unit 139 is stored in the storage means every predetermined time, and the timer value is set at a preset time. In this case, the detection results of the occupant detection unit 139 stored in the storage unit are totaled, transmitted to an external information terminal, the timer is reset, and the occupant detection unit 139 performs detection again. As described above, it is possible to realize a configuration in which the detection results are aggregated at regular intervals and the detection results are transmitted to an external information terminal at regular intervals until the setting is canceled.

  Thereby, it becomes possible for the parent to confirm the state of the activity in the room of the child who is on the answering machine, the intruder and the child's going out from the outside.

  In the air conditioner according to the present embodiment, information communication between air conditioners that can communicate with the network is performed, and the communication is performed through the network, thereby providing more energy-saving and comfortable air conditioning. I can do it.

  For example, when two or more air conditioners that can be connected to the server via the Internet are installed in the same house, for example, by entering a security code or the like, the two or more air conditioners on the server on the Internet Link air conditioner information. At this time, if each air conditioner is assumed to be an air conditioner A and an air conditioner B, the operation information of the air conditioner transmitted on the server, or the outside that can communicate with each air conditioner via the Internet. As for the registration information related to the information terminal, information transmission of one registration information to the other or the information of the air conditioner A and the air conditioner B is compared, and information that is lacking in each other is shared. That is, for example, when the air conditioner has a specification for determining an individual from the face, when the registration information for personal detection is registered in the air conditioner A, the same information is automatically stored in the air conditioner B. Is transmitted through a server on the Internet, it is possible to save the trouble of manually registering information in the air conditioner B manually.

  In addition, when an air conditioner is replaced, it is possible to take over the information registered in the server on the Internet. This saves you the trouble of re-setting the air conditioner when replacing it. I can do things.

  Further, when at least two or more air conditioners are installed in the same room, it is possible to operate in conjunction with each other by performing communication via the network during the air conditioning operation.

  For example, in a certain air conditioner, when an operation command including operation start and stop of operation start is received by a remote control or the like, to at least one air conditioner that is registered in advance in the same room, The air conditioner installed in the same room that transmits and receives the same operation command via the network performs the same operation. Thereby, it becomes possible to remove the troublesomeness of operating each air conditioner installed in the same room.

  As another example, it is assumed that an air conditioner A and an air conditioner B are installed in the same room. In general, in an air conditioner that performs air-conditioning control by heat exchange indoors and outdoors as in the present embodiment, frost forms on the heat exchanger of the outdoor unit 200 during the heating operation in winter and hinders heat exchange. Therefore, the defrosting operation is performed in which heat exchange between the room and the outside is temporarily stopped and frost on the heat exchanger of the outdoor unit 200 is removed. At this time, since the heat exchange between the room and the outside is stopped, the indoor air conditioner is in a state where warm air is not emitted from the air conditioner. There is a case to call. If two or more air conditioners are installed in the same room, the room temperature will drop when one air conditioner starts defrost operation unless two or more air conditioners enter defrost operation at the same time. The other air conditioner will increase the heating output, but in reality, the other air conditioner cannot increase the heating output until the room temperature drops to a predetermined value. Will occur.

  However, in the air conditioner according to the present embodiment, it is possible to perform an operation that suppresses a change in room temperature due to the defrost operation by performing control to share information on the defrost operation with each other via the network. For example, when the air conditioner A starts the defrosting operation, the control unit 130 of the air conditioner A transmits a predetermined signal to the air conditioner B via the network, so that the air conditioner B that has received this signal is transmitted. Until the air conditioner A finishes the defrost operation and restarts the heating operation, the heating output is temporarily increased, and the operation to compensate for the decrease in the indoor temperature due to the air conditioner A being stopped is performed. Do. When the air conditioner A finishes the defrost operation, the air conditioner B returns the heating output as usual. At the end of the defrost operation, a signal may be transmitted to another air conditioner again when the defrost operation is completed, or the time of the defrost operation may be added to the signal when the defrost operation is started. The timing for returning to normal operation may be shared, or the defrost time may be stored in the storage unit 140 in advance, and may be set according to the specifications of the air conditioner. The same applies when the air conditioner B performs the defrost operation or when three or more air conditioners are used in combination.

  Further, for example, by performing control for registering the layout of the air-conditioned room or the arrangement of at least two air conditioners by using the external information terminal or the like, when one starts the defrost operation, the other air conditioner The air conditioner controls the temperature of the indoor air conditioner during defrost operation and maintains the comfort of the room by controlling the hot air to swing in the direction in which the air conditioner is operating. realizable.

  In addition, when the air conditioning load is light, such as when the room temperature is stable, and all the air conditioners installed indoors are operated, the air conditioning load and the presence detected by each air conditioner are excessive. Communicates over the location of the room person via the network, without air exchange between the air conditioner that performs operations such as cooling, heating, or dehumidifying operation, and the air like a circulator, It is good also as a structure which isolate | separates with the air conditioner which performs only ventilation or stops an operation | movement, and each air conditioner operate | moves in a separate operation mode according to an indoor environment. In particular, in the case of indoors where it is generally necessary to install multiple air conditioners, it is difficult to circulate the air throughout the room with only one air conditioner, so all operations such as cooling, heating, dehumidification etc. In a situation where it is not necessary to perform this operation with an air conditioner, it is possible to save energy while maintaining the comfort of the room by circulating the air in the whole room by performing the air blowing operation as described above.

  In addition, when multiple air conditioners according to the present embodiment are installed in the same room, by sharing the information of the occupant detection unit, it is possible to grasp the indoor environment more accurately and realize fine control. Things will be possible. That is, for example, the direction and distance of the occupant viewed from each air conditioner, which are detected by the occupant detection unit 139 provided in a plurality of air conditioners, and the setting of each air conditioner are set. Based on the positional relationship, the position of the occupant in the air-conditioned room is verified. As a result, it is possible not only to detect a occupant in a blind spot from one air conditioner or to reduce false detection, but also to detect the distance from the air conditioner more accurately. Is possible.

  Also, for example, when it is detected that at least one occupant is biased to one side of the air-conditioned room, it is further away from at least one occupant depending on the activity range of the detected occupant. By suppressing the output of the air conditioner installed in the room, unnecessary power consumption can be suppressed without impairing the comfort of the occupants.

  Similarly, more convenient control can be realized by communicating between air conditioners attached to separate rooms. This communicates between the air conditioners installed in separate rooms, thereby sharing information about each occupant detection unit 139 and the control means 130.

  As a result, the occupant moves to another room, so that the correction value of the air conditioning operation is transmitted to the air conditioner in the other room, and the air conditioning adapted to the occupant at the destination of the occupant Driving can be realized. In addition to the air-conditioning operation, various types of watching functions using the occupant detection unit 139 as described above can be added to the monitoring functions with higher accuracy by operating in conjunction with each other.

  As described above, in the air conditioner according to the present invention, it is possible to realize a wide variety of comfortable controls. In the present embodiment, a wall-mounted air conditioner for general households is described as an example, but even if it is actually applied to a ceiling-embedded air conditioner or BMS, the same applies. It goes without saying that the effect of can be obtained.

  In the present embodiment, the same effect can be obtained even when a plurality of air conditioners including a building air conditioner are connected to the control server via a network.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Indoor unit 110 Imaging means 120 A / D converter 130 Control means 131 Human body detection part 132 Face detection part 133 Personal detection part 134 Movement amount calculation part 135 Activity amount calculation part 136 Drive control part 137 Network communication part 138 Wireless communication means 139 Resident detection unit 140 Storage unit 160 Notification mode setting unit

Claims (7)

Imaging means for imaging the air-conditioned room;
An external notification mode for notifying an external information terminal when the state of a occupant detected from an image captured by the imaging means changes, and a notification mode setting unit capable of selecting the external notification mode An air conditioner indoor unit comprising control means. A control means having an occupant detection unit for detecting occupants from the image captured by the imaging means;
The external information terminal is notified when the external notification mode is selected by the notification mode setting unit and the number of occupants detected by the occupant detection unit is changed. The indoor unit of the air conditioner described in 1.   If the number of occupants detected by the occupant detection unit before the stable time has elapsed since the external notification mode was selected by the notification mode setting unit, the external information terminal is not notified, The air conditioner according to claim 2, wherein when the number of occupants detected by the occupant detection unit changes after the stable time has elapsed, an external information terminal is notified. A control means having an occupant detection unit for detecting occupants from the image captured by the imaging means;
The occupant detection unit determines the occupant's occupancy when detecting the occupant more than a set ratio during the first set time during the operation of the air conditioner,
The occupant detection unit is a case where the external notification mode is selected by the notification mode setting unit, and a second set time shorter than the first set time while the air conditioner is stopped. 2. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the occupant's occupancy is determined when the occupant is detected at a set rate or more. The control means includes an activity amount calculating unit that calculates an activity amount of the occupant based on the position of the occupant or a change in the position of the occupant's face,
When the external notification mode is selected by the notification mode setting unit, the activity amount calculation unit calculates from the state where the activity amount of the occupant calculated by the activity amount calculation unit is a set value or more. The indoor unit of the air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein when the amount of activity of the occupant who has been changed to a state where the activity amount is equal to or less than a set value, the external information terminal is notified. Imaging means for imaging the air-conditioned room;
Control means,
The control means includes an activity amount calculation unit that calculates an activity amount of the occupant based on the position of the occupant or a change in the position of the face of the occupant;
When an occupant is detected from an image captured by the imaging means, and the activity amount of the occupant calculated by the activity amount calculator is equal to or less than a set value, to an external information terminal An indoor unit of an air conditioner having an external notification mode for notification. The indoor unit of the air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
An air conditioner provided with a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger, an outdoor fan, and an outdoor unit having an expansion mechanism.