JP2021196106A - Control system and control method for air-conditioning equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a control system for air-conditioning equipment capable of operation related to automatic temperature setting every time zone matching a user's preference, and a control method.SOLUTION: A control system C1 controls air-conditioning equipment AC by a service server 31 having communication means 37. The service server 31 can receive a plurality of combinations of ON elapsed time to be a time after a time of day when the air-conditioning equipment AC is turned on, air-conditioning set temperature of the air-conditioning equipment AC, room temperature to be temperature indoors where the air-conditioning equipment AC is installed and room humidity in the state that times of day differ from one another, determines an air-conditioning preset temperature function related to the air-conditioning preset temperature as a target function by SVR with the ON elapsed time, room temperature and room humidity as explanation variables, derives recommended air-conditioning preset temperature to be air-conditioning preset temperature that is recommended by applying ON elapsed time, room temperature and room humidity received after determination to the determined air-conditioning preset temperature function, and transmits the recommended air-conditioning preset temperature to an air-conditioning equipment AC side.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a control system for air-conditioning equipment capable of automatically controlling air-conditioning equipment, and a control method for the air-conditioning equipment.

As a control device for an air conditioner, the one described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-82882 (Patent Document 1) is known.
This device uses the comfort index PMV for comfortable air conditioning control, and is a means for creating a statistical model using the indoor temperature and the outside air temperature as explanatory variables for the average radiation temperature required for calculating PMV, and air conditioning control. A means to calculate the model parameters of the statistical model using the average radiation temperature, indoor temperature, and outside air temperature measured before the start of, and input the room temperature and outside air temperature to the statistical model using the model parameters. It is equipped with a means for obtaining the average radiation temperature during air conditioning control.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2001-82782

In the above device, PMV is calculated from the average radiation temperature during air conditioning control obtained by inputting the indoor temperature and outside air temperature during air conditioning control to the statistical model, and comfortable air conditioning is controlled based on PMV. The air conditioning is controlled according to the indoor temperature and the outside air temperature.
However, the above-mentioned device does not learn the operation history of the air conditioner by the user and perform automatic control according to the user's preference.
In addition, the statistical model is obtained by bringing in an average radiation thermometer only at the time of adjustment in advance, measuring each data of the average radiation temperature, the room temperature, and the outside air temperature for several weeks, and then performing multiple regression analysis or the like from these data. Therefore, it takes time and effort to create a statistical model.

Therefore, a main object of the present invention is to provide a control system and a control method for an air conditioner in which automatic control according to a user's preference is easily performed.

The invention according to claim 1 is a control system that controls one or more air conditioners by a control computer having a communication means, wherein the control computer is the time when the air conditioner is turned on by the communication means. There are multiple sets of ON elapsed time, which is the elapsed time from, the room humidity, which is the temperature in the room where the air conditioner is installed, and the indoor humidity, which is the humidity, and the air conditioner set temperature of the air conditioner, and the times are different from each other. The air conditioner set temperature function related to the air conditioner set temperature is obtained as an objective function by multivariate analysis with the ON elapsed time, the room temperature and the indoor humidity as explanatory variables, while being receivable for each of the air conditioner devices. The recommended air conditioner set temperature, which is the recommended air conditioner set temperature, is obtained by applying the ON elapsed time, the room temperature, and the indoor humidity received after the determination to the determined air conditioner set temperature function determined for each air conditioner. It is characterized in that the recommended air-conditioning set temperature is transmitted to the air-conditioning equipment side by the derivation and the communication means.
The invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that, in the above invention, the multivariate analysis is a support vector regression.
The invention according to claim 3 is characterized in that, in the above invention, the indoor humidity is the indoor relative humidity which is the relative humidity in the room where the air conditioner is installed.
The invention according to claim 4 further has at least one of a terminal and a remote controller capable of communicating with the control computer on the air conditioning equipment side, and at least one of the terminal and the remote controller. Is characterized in that when it receives the recommended air-conditioning set temperature, it issues a command to the air-conditioning device to set the air-conditioning set temperature as the recommended air-conditioning set temperature.
The invention according to claim 5 is characterized in that, in the above invention, a communication network is interposed between the control computer and at least one of the air conditioner and the terminal and the remote controller. Is.

The invention according to claim 6 is a control method for controlling one or more air conditioners by a control computer having a communication means, and is an elapsed time from the time when the air conditioner is turned on by the communication means. The air conditioner has a plurality of sets of ON elapsed time, room humidity which is the temperature in the room where the air conditioner is installed, indoor humidity which is the humidity, and the air conditioner set temperature of the air conditioner, in a state where the times are different from each other. A multivariate analysis is performed by the step of receiving each time and the ON elapsed time, the room temperature and the indoor humidity as explanatory variables, and the air conditioner set temperature function related to the air conditioner set temperature is described as the objective function. The recommended air conditioner is recommended by applying the ON elapsed time, the room temperature and the indoor humidity received after the determination to the step determined for each air conditioner and the air conditioner set temperature function determined by the control computer. It is characterized by having a step of deriving a recommended air conditioner set temperature, which is a set temperature, and a step of transmitting the recommended air conditioner set temperature to the air conditioner device side by the communication means.
The invention according to claim 7 is characterized in that, in the above invention, the multivariate analysis is a support vector regression.
The invention according to claim 8 is characterized in that, in the above invention, the indoor humidity is the indoor relative humidity which is the relative humidity in the room where the air conditioner is installed.
According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, in the above invention, at least one of a terminal capable of communicating with the control computer and a remote controller is arranged on the air conditioning equipment side, and further, the recommended air conditioning set temperature is received. It is characterized in that at least one of the terminal and the remote controller issues a command to the air conditioner to set the air conditioner set temperature as the recommended air conditioner set temperature.
The invention according to claim 10 is characterized in that, in the above invention, a communication network is interposed between the control computer and at least one of the air conditioner and the terminal and the remote controller. Is.

The main effect of the present invention is to provide a control system and a control method for an air conditioner that can be easily automatically controlled according to a user's preference.

It is an overall block diagram of the control system and related elements which concerns on this invention. It is a schematic diagram of the air-conditioning equipment operation screen displayed in the mobile terminal of FIG. It is a flowchart about the process related to the machine learning and the automatic control of the air-conditioning set temperature executed in the service server of FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram relating to a machine learning processing unit that executes support vector regression (SVR) formed in the service server of FIG. 1. It is a graph which shows the concept of ε tube and slack variable ξ in SVR. It is a flowchart about the machine learning process of FIG. It is a schematic diagram of the teacher data stored in the storage part of FIG. It is a flowchart about the air-conditioning set temperature control process of FIG. (A) to (B) show the relationship between the time (horizontal axis) in the household where the air conditioning set temperature is relatively not operated, and the recommended air conditioning set temperature and the actual air conditioning set temperature (vertical axis) on each day. It is a graph. (A) to (B) are the relationship between the time (horizontal axis) in the household where the air conditioning set temperature is relatively not operated, and the recommended air conditioning set temperature and the actual air conditioning set temperature (vertical axis) for each day. Is a graph showing. (A) to (B) are the relationship between the time (horizontal axis) in a household in which the air conditioning set temperature is operated relatively frequently, and the recommended air conditioning set temperature and the actual air conditioning set temperature (vertical axis) on each day. Is a graph showing. (A) to (B) are still different from the time (horizontal axis) in the household where the air conditioning set temperature is operated relatively frequently, the recommended air conditioning set temperature and the actual air conditioning set temperature (vertical axis). It is a graph showing the relationship between days.

Hereinafter, an example of the embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings as appropriate, together with a modified example thereof.
The form is not limited to the following examples and modified examples.

FIG. 1 is an overall block diagram of a control system C1 for an air conditioner according to the present invention and related elements.
The control system C1 according to the present invention includes one or more service providing server computers (service servers) 31. Further, depending on the way of thinking, the control system C1 further appropriately includes at least one of one or more remote controllers (RC) 11, one or more mobile terminals 1, and one or more outside air temperature server TCs.

The mobile terminal 1 as a terminal is a computer capable of executing an operation program for operating the air conditioner AC via RC11 as appropriate, and more specifically, an operation application (operation application) can be executed, for example, a smartphone. Mobile phones, etc. The computer may be at least one of a personal computer and a server computer, or a plurality of computers may be appropriately combined via a network. The terminal may be other than the mobile terminal 1 such as a computer having poor portability.
Typically, the mobile terminal 1 and RC11 are handled for each user. Each user operates the control of one or more air-conditioning equipment ACs owned by the user by the mobile terminal 1. Since the RC11 sends a command to the air conditioner AC by infrared rays, the RC11 is installed within a range where infrared communication is possible with the air conditioner AC, and one or more RC11s are appropriately installed. When operating a plurality of air conditioner ACs, one RC11 may be installed in common, or a plurality of RC11s may be installed in common. Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, a case where one user controls one air conditioner AC by one RC11 will be mainly described.

The mobile terminal 1 includes a terminal display means 2 for displaying information and the like, a terminal input means 4 for receiving input of information and the like, a terminal storage means 6 for storing information and the like, a terminal communication means 7, and a terminal for controlling these. It has a control means 8. For example, the terminal display means 2 and the terminal input means 4 are displays with touch sensors, the terminal storage means 6 is a memory, and the terminal communication means 7 is a mobile phone network and premises wireless communication (for example, Wi-Fi (registered trademark)). ) A communication device capable of connecting to the Internet IN through at least one of possible routers, and the terminal control means 8 is a CPU.
The operation application is stored in the terminal storage means 6 and executed by the terminal control means 8.
The operation application has a function of setting the air conditioning set temperature in the air conditioning device AC (air conditioner).

The RC 11 includes an infrared light receiving / receiving unit 12, an RC communication means 14, an RC storage means 16 for storing various information, and an RC control means 18 for controlling these.
RC11 is a so-called learning RC. That is, the infrared light receiving / emitting unit 12 can receive infrared rays emitted by the attached RC attached to the air conditioner AC and transmitting various commands to the air conditioner AC according to the light emitting mode of the infrared rays, and is controlled by the RC control means 18 to receive the attached RC. Various light emission modes according to the above can be stored in the RC storage means 16. Further, the RC control means 18 can emit light from any of the various stored light emitting modes in the infrared receiving / emitting unit 12. The air-conditioning equipment AC is provided with an infrared light receiving unit corresponding to the attached RC, and the RC control means 18 can transmit various commands to the air-conditioning equipment AC by the light emitted from the infrared light receiving / emitting unit 12 as well as the attached RC. be. The RC11 may be capable of commanding a predetermined air conditioner AC without learning by presetting or the like.
The RC communication means 14 can communicate various types of information, and can be connected to the Internet IN in the same manner as the terminal communication means 7 of the mobile terminal 1. The terminal communication means 7 and the RC communication means 14 may be capable of premises wireless communication with each other. Further, the terminal communication means 7 may be capable of short-range wireless communication with the RC 11. Further, the terminal communication means 7 may be connected to the RC11 (wired controller) by other communication methods including wired communication.
The RC control means 18 has a function of storing the air conditioning set temperature in the RC storage means 16 in a state appropriately associated with the set time. At least one of the setting and storage of the air conditioning set temperature may be performed only by the mobile terminal 1 or together with the mobile terminal 1, or may be performed by a program other than the operation application of the mobile terminal 1, and the air conditioning may be performed. It may be acquired by communication from the device AC or the device that operates the air conditioning device AC.

Further, the RC 11 includes a temperature sensor 20 and a humidity sensor 22.
The temperature sensor 20 can detect the ambient temperature and transmit a room temperature signal indicating the temperature to the RC control means 18.
The humidity sensor 22 can detect the ambient humidity and transmit an indoor humidity signal indicating the humidity to the RC control means 18. The humidity sensor 22 detects relative humidity. The humidity sensor 22 may detect absolute humidity instead of relative humidity or together with relative humidity. The relative humidity may be calculated from the room temperature and the absolute humidity by the RC control means 18.
The RC11 is installed in a room where infrared rays can reach the air conditioner AC, the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 20 corresponds to the room temperature, which is the indoor temperature, and the humidity detected by the humidity sensor 22 is the indoor humidity. Corresponds to (indoor relative humidity, which is indoor relative humidity).
The RC control means 18 has a function of storing room temperature and indoor humidity in the RC storage means 16 in a state appropriately associated with time. The RC control means 18 may store the absolute humidity in the room as the room humidity instead of the room relative humidity or together with the room relative humidity.

The mobile terminal 1 and the RC 11 are respectively connected to the service server 31 as a control computer via the Internet IN so as to be able to communicate with each other. The mobile terminal 1 and RC11 are arranged on the air-conditioning equipment AC side (for example, a room in which the air-conditioning equipment AC is installed). The control computer may be a personal computer or the like instead of the server computer.
The service server 31 is installed here in a building related to an organization that provides an operation application. The service server 31 may be installed in another place such as in a building related to an organization related to the organization or in a building related to a rental server operating organization.
The service server 31 has a storage means 36 similar to the terminal storage means 6, a communication means 37 similar to the terminal communication means 7, and a control means 38 similar to the terminal control means 8.
The storage means 36 can store the air-conditioning set temperature for each user's air-conditioning equipment AC, and can store each air-conditioning set temperature in a state appropriately associated with the set time. Further, the storage means 36 can store the room temperature and the indoor humidity (relative humidity) for each user or RC11 in a state appropriately associated with the set time. The storage means 36 does not have to store at least one of these in a set time or a state associated with the time. Further, the absolute humidity may be stored.
The communication means 37 is connected to the outside air temperature server TC via the Internet IN. The outside air temperature server TC is, for example, a server computer installed by a meteorological observation organization, and when an inquiry is made by designating an area and a time, the outside air temperature observed in the area and the time is transmitted.
The service server 31 can execute a control program that controls the air-conditioning set temperature of the air-conditioning equipment AC. The control program includes an air conditioner set temperature determination program that determines the air conditioner set temperature based on the air conditioner set temperature function 108 (described later), and a function learning program that machine-learns the air conditioner set temperature function 108 by support vector regression (SVR). include. SVR is a kind of multivariate analysis that analyzes the relationship between a plurality of explanatory variables and objective variables. The control program is stored in the storage means 36 and executed by the control means 38. At least one of the various programs in the control program may be treated as an independent program.

The mobile terminal 1 provides an operation start signal for designating the air-conditioning set temperature of the air-conditioning device AC belonging to the user of the mobile terminal 1 to the service server 31 via the terminal communication means 7, the Internet IN, and the communication means 37, and the operation. A stop signal can be transmitted. The control means 38 stores these signals in the storage means 36 in relation to the set time, and transmits the signals to the RC 11 via the communication means 37, the Internet IN, and the RC communication means 44.
Upon receiving the operation start signal, the RC 11 emits an operation start command at the designated air-conditioning set temperature from the infrared light receiving / emitting unit 12. Further, the RC11 that has received the operation stop signal emits an operation stop command. The air conditioner AC is operated in response to various commands.
The terminal communication means 7 may directly transmit an operation start signal or the like to the RC 11 by wireless communication without going through the Internet IN and the service server 31.

The RC 11 can transmit the elapsed time (ON elapsed time), the room temperature, and the relative humidity from the time when the operation start command is issued to the service server 31.
The RC11 may be capable of transmitting at least one of the discomfort index and the absolute humidity in place of these, or in combination with at least one of them. The discomfort index may be calculated from room temperature and humidity.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an air conditioner operation screen D1 displayed on the terminal display means 2 of the mobile terminal 1.
In addition, at least one of the size, shape and arrangement of various display elements on various screens, and the input reception mode may be changed from those described as appropriate. Further, various screens may be displayed on the entire terminal display means 2 or may be displayed on a part of the terminal display means 2. Further, various screens may be displayed in parallel with other screens, or may be displayed so as to overlap with other screens. Further, various screens may be displayed together with the display related to other programs. Further, a hardware button capable of inputting the same as various buttons (input unit) displayed on the screen may be used. In addition, at least one of the display modes of the various display units and the names of the various buttons may be changed from the following. Further, at least one of various display units and various buttons may be displayed on another screen.

At the top of the air-conditioning equipment operation screen D1, there is a target equipment display section 51 that indicates the type of air-conditioning equipment AC to be operated (living room installation, bedroom installation, etc.), and a device selection button 52 on the right side. It is displayed. When the terminal control means 8 grasps the pressing of the device selection button 52 by the terminal input means 4, it displays an option of the type of the air conditioner AC to be operated and accepts the input to the option. The selected air conditioner AC is displayed on the target device display unit 51.
The target device signal indicating the selected air conditioning device AC is transmitted to the RC11 and processed. Hereinafter, the same applies to other signals. Further, various information (including display contents and signals) is stored in the terminal storage means 6. The various memories are appropriately referred to by the terminal control means 8. It should be noted that the information does not have to be stored in the terminal storage means 6 when the information is processed immediately.

In the center of the air-conditioning equipment operation screen D1, a room temperature humidity display unit 53 indicating room temperature and indoor humidity, an air-conditioning set temperature display unit 54 indicating an air-conditioning set temperature, an air-conditioning set temperature increase input unit 55+, and an air-conditioning set temperature Decrease input unit 55-and are displayed.
The room temperature / humidity display unit 53 displays the room temperature and the room humidity at the time closest to the present obtained by the service server 31 from the RC11. That is, the mobile terminal 1 obtains the room temperature and the indoor humidity from the service server 31 and displays them. At least one of the room temperature related to the room temperature signal and the indoor humidity related to the indoor humidity signal tends to be detected by the temperature sensor 20 or the humidity sensor 22 (for example, the actual value of the detected value due to the arrangement of the RC11 in the housing). It may be corrected based on a correction formula or the like in which (excessiveness) is added. Further, the display of at least one of the room temperature and the indoor humidity may be omitted.
By inputting to the air-conditioning set temperature increase input unit 55+, the air-conditioning set temperature is increased by a predetermined width (for example, 1 ° C. width), and by inputting to the air-conditioning set temperature decrease input unit 55-, the air-conditioning set temperature is decreased by a predetermined width. To. The display of the air-conditioning set temperature on the air-conditioning set temperature display unit 54 is updated each time. Further, when the air conditioning set temperature is updated, the air conditioning set temperature signal related to the new air conditioning set temperature is emitted.
By inputting to the air-conditioning set temperature display unit 54, options for the air-conditioning set temperature may be displayed and the input of the options may be accepted. Further, at least one of an upper limit and a lower limit may be provided for the air conditioning set temperature.

Below the air-conditioning set temperature display unit 54, there are an air volume button 56 that accepts changes in air volume and heating / cooling switching, a heating / cooling switching button 57, and an OFF button 58 and an ON button 59 that accept operation stop and operation start of the air conditioner AC, respectively. They are lined up. It should be noted that other buttons such as a wind direction button for adjusting the wind direction (angle of the louver of the air conditioner AC) may be provided.
By pressing the air volume button 56, the input to the air volume option related to the air conditioner AC is accepted, and a new air volume signal related to the air volume is emitted.
The contents to be switched in the future (cooling: heating, heating: cooling) are displayed in the heating / cooling switching button 57, and when an input is received, the contents are changed to the contents and the display in the heating / cooling switching button 57 is updated to perform heating / cooling. A heating / cooling switching signal is issued to the effect of switching. It should be noted that other operation contents such as dehumidification may be switchable in place of either one of the heating and cooling, or together with the heating and cooling.
By pressing the OFF button 58, an operation stop signal relating to the operation stop of the air conditioner AC is emitted. By pressing the ON button 59, an operation start signal for instructing the RC 11 to start the operation of the air conditioner AC designated with the air conditioner set temperature displayed on the air conditioner set temperature display unit 54 is emitted. The air conditioning set temperature is stored in the terminal storage means 6.

Further, the AI switch 60 is displayed adjacent to the ON button 59. The AI switch 60 may be omitted. In this case, the process when the AI switch 60 is ON may be appropriately performed.
The terminal control means 8 switches the state of the AI switch 60 by inputting to the AI switch 60.
The terminal control means 8 can weaken the display tone of the AI switch 60 when the AI switch 60 is OFF. To weaken the tone of the display is, for example, at least one of lightening the color, black-and-white the color, and weakening the contrast.

When the AI switch 60 is turned on and the operation to start machine learning is performed, as shown in FIG. 3, processing related to machine learning and automatic control of the air conditioning set temperature (control method of the air conditioning equipment AC) is performed. The process includes a machine learning process (step S1) and an air conditioning set temperature control process (step S2) after a predetermined machine learning.
When the AI switch 60 is turned on for the first time (or after a reset described later), further input to the learning start button or the like may be accepted for confirmation. In this case, the learning start button may be displayed in the pop-up window. A cancel button may also be displayed in the pop-up window. Also, in the pop-up window, a message such as "This mode automatically controls the set temperature according to your taste. It will learn the temperature setting of your air conditioner for about 20 hours (7 days)." You may display a message such as "Please change the set temperature of the air conditioner to your liking during the learning period." Or "For operating the air conditioner during the learning period, use the genuine remote control. You may display a message such as "Please use the app because you cannot learn if you use it."
Further, information related to machine learning may be displayed during the machine learning process. In this case, the information may be displayed in a pop-up window. The information may be "learning (currently 11 hours / 20 hours)". Further, at least one of the above-mentioned messages may be displayed together.
Further, a reset button for resetting machine learning may be displayed during the machine learning process and the air conditioning set temperature control process, and input to the reset button may be accepted. The reset button may be displayed on the air conditioner operation screen D1, may be displayed in a pop-up window, or may be displayed in another screen that is transitioned by inputting to the setting button. If an input is made to the reset button during the machine learning process, the machine learning is canceled and various information related to the machine learning is deleted. If an input is made to the reset button during the air-conditioning set temperature control process, various information related to machine learning is deleted and the air-conditioning set temperature control process is stopped. After inputting to the reset button, a confirmation screen for confirming whether or not to reset is displayed and confirmation input may be accepted, as in the case of the learning start button described above.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram relating to the machine learning process (step S1).
The machine learning process is performed in the machine learning process unit 101 formed by the control means 38 that executes the function learning program, the storage means 36 controlled by the control means 38, and the like.
The machine learning processing unit 101 solves a storage unit 104 that receives input of teacher data 102, a setting unit 106 that sets a regression problem related to SVR, and a regression problem set by the setting unit 106, and a model function (air conditioning set temperature). A function estimation unit 110 for obtaining an air conditioning set temperature function 108 is provided as a function).
The setting unit 106 and the function estimation unit 110 can appropriately refer to the teacher data 102 and the storage unit 104 in which the data related to the calculation related to the SVR is stored.
Instead of SVR, the machine learning processing unit 101 may perform other machine learning (multivariate analysis) such as neural network and reinforcement learning, or may perform multivariate analysis such as linear regression.

SVR is an extension of the support vector machine (SVM) related to the classification problem to the regression problem. The SVM is a classifier using supervised machine learning. The SVM finds the optimum separation hyperplane in the high-dimensional space of the input feature quantity in the classification problem, and has a high generalization ability.
SVR is a non-linear regression of the _{l-dimensional output y i from the l-dimensional input x i} (i = 1, 2, ... L). To handle nonlinear regression as more computationally easy linear regression, consider the non-linear mapping to a feature space according to the input x _i φ (x), performing a linear regression in the feature space after the mapping.
In SVR, as shown in FIG. 5, a penalty is given according to the ^{slack variables ξ, ξ *} representing the distance from the ε tube when the element of the teacher data 102 does not fall within a certain range called the ε tube. The optimum regression function is calculated so that ξ and ξ ^{* become smaller.}
In SVR, the regression function f is given by the following equation (1). In equation (1), ω is an l-dimensional weight vector and b is a bias term.

In the machine learning processing unit 101, ε-SVR is used among the SVRs. In the machine learning processing unit 101, another type of SVR may be used.
ε-SVR is formulated as the following equation (2) using predetermined C> 0, ε> 0, slack variables ξ, ξ ^*.

Further, in ε-SVR, the non-linear regression of the equation (2) is reduced to the optimization problem of the linear regression of the following equation (3) (duality problem). ^{That is, ω t} φ (x) in Eq. (2) is replaced with the kernel function K (x _i , x _j ) = φ (x _i ) ^t φ (x _{j ), and α i} and α _i ^* are replaced with the Lagrange multiplier. Eq. (3) is derived by the Lagrange undetermined multiplier method.
Then, when the equation (3) is solved, the regression function becomes the following equation (4).

In the machine learning processing unit 101, the Gaussian kernel (RBF kernel, Radial Basis Function) according to the following equation (5) is used as _{the kernel function K (x i} , x _j). As the kernel function K (x _i , x _j ), the linear kernel according to the equation (6) may be used, the polynomial kernel according to the equation (7) may be used, or other kernel functions may be used. It may be used.
In equations (5) to (7), p, γ, and α are parameters, and the regression characteristics change greatly depending on these values, but high generalization performance can be obtained by estimating the parameters suitable for the problem. Further, in ε-SVR, ε and C are also parameters. In SVR, there is a soft margin and a hard margin. With soft margins, the constraints are relaxed to allow errors. On the other hand, in the hard margin, the cost related to the error is overestimated, the error is not tolerated as much as possible, and the accuracy and strictness of the regression function for the teacher data 102 are increased, but overfitting is likely to occur. Care must be taken to ensure versatility. The degree of soft margin-hard margin (balance) is controlled by C.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart relating to the machine learning process (S1).
As shown in FIG. 7, the machine learning processing unit 101 that executes the machine learning processing sets the following items (explanatory variables and air conditioning set temperature as correct answer data for the explanatory variables) as the teacher data 102 into the air conditioning equipment AC (air conditioning). Each of the device identification information (air conditioning device ID) is stored in the storage unit 104 (step S11). That is, the machine learning processing unit 101 stores the room temperature (° C.), the ON elapsed time (minutes), and the relative humidity (%) as explanatory variables in the storage unit 104, and the air conditioning set temperature (° C.) as the correct answer data. Remember. Since the SVR input x _i has three types of explanatory variables, it is three-dimensional. Relative humidity is obtained from RC11. The relative humidity may be calculated from the absolute humidity obtained from the RC 11 in the machine learning processing unit 101.
Here, the teacher data 102 is transmitted from the RC 11 every 10 minutes when the ON elapsed time is 0 (when the air conditioner AC is ON). If the teacher data 102 is obtained every 10 minutes, the processing amount (including the communication amount as appropriate) is reduced without significantly reducing the accuracy. However, in consideration of the balance between the accuracy and the processing amount, the acquisition interval of the teacher data 102 May be increased or decreased from 10 minutes. Further, even if the acquisition interval of the teacher data 102 and the interval to be machine learning are different, for example, when the teacher data 102 directly used for machine learning is at an interval of 10 minutes, the acquisition interval is set to 5 minutes just in case. good.
The teacher data 102 (type of explanatory variable) is not limited to these combinations, and is, for example, time (related to lifestyle), discomfort index, absolute humidity, or the corresponding date and time (and air conditioning equipment AC) from the outside air temperature server TC. At least one of the outside air temperatures obtained by the communication specifying the location (closest to the installation location) may be added. In SVR, machine learning is possible flexibly even if the input element and the number of dimensions change, various combinations are tried, and the amount of processing (generally proportional to the number of dimensions) and accuracy (generally proportional to the number of dimensions, but the elements). The best balance with (depending on the combination) was the above-mentioned combination of room temperature, ON elapsed time, and relative humidity. The outside air temperature may be acquired by the outside air temperature sensor.

The machine learning processing unit 101 performs step S11 until the teacher data 102 is accumulated in a predetermined amount or more (No in step S12).
Here, in order to secure a similar learning period for each user (for each machine learning), the machine learning processing unit 101 assumes that the teacher data 102 has been accumulated in a predetermined amount or more after 7 days have passed from the start of the accumulation. In this case, the learning period is uniform and it is easy for many users to understand, as compared with the case where the condition is simply to secure a predetermined amount or more. If the condition is simply to secure a predetermined amount or more, the machine learning will not end while the total ON time of the air conditioning equipment AC is short, the learning period will vary depending on the user, and the machine for users who do not operate the air conditioning equipment AC relatively. Learning is hard to finish and it becomes annoying. After 7 days from the start of accumulation, a total ON time of about 20 hours is normally secured, and sufficient teacher data 102 can be obtained. Further, where the amount of teacher data 102 varies depending on the user, SVR can respond more flexibly to changes in the number of samples as compared with other machine learning (regression). If it is 7 days from the start of accumulation, the air conditioning set temperature control after machine learning will be executed early while maintaining the accuracy of machine learning, but the period of 7 days is a balance between accuracy and early execution. In view of this, it may be increased or decreased. In addition, SVR works well even with a small number of samples (for example, several tens) compared to other machine learning and regression with the same accuracy, so the air conditioning set temperature for ensuring accuracy Suitable for early execution of control.
The condition for completing the accumulation of the teacher data 102 may be the case where only a predetermined time such as 20 hours is obtained, whether 20 hours are obtained, or whether 7 days have passed from the start of accumulation. It may be a complex condition. Further, when the teacher data 102 is obtained (predetermined times or only a specific amount within a predetermined amount), the machine learning processing unit 101 proceeds to the next step S3 and performs machine learning calculation (update) each time. Is also good.

When the machine learning processing unit 101 accumulates the teacher data 102 in a predetermined amount or more (Yes in step S12). The air-conditioning set temperature function 108 related to the air-conditioning equipment AC is derived by SVR (step S13). That is, the machine learning processing unit 101 sets the problem related to the above equations (4) and (5) in the setting unit 106, applies the teacher data 102 in the function estimation unit 110 to solve the problem, and solves the problem, and the teacher data 102. The air conditioner set temperature function 108 is determined as a function of the objective variable (air conditioner set temperature) with the ON elapsed time, room temperature, and relative humidity as explanatory variables. The machine learning processing unit 101 stores the obtained air-conditioning set temperature function 108 in the storage means 36 for each air-conditioning device AC, completes the machine learning this time, and ends the machine learning process.
In the machine learning processing unit 101, C was set to 1, ε was set to 0.1, and γ was set to 0.04 (automatic adjustment) from the results of prior analysis for dozens of households over a month in the summer. However, at least one of them may be a value other than these. In the preceding analysis, the air-conditioning set temperature function 108 of each household (each air-conditioning device AC) is determined after 7 days of machine learning, and after the machine learning, the air-conditioning set temperature function 108 is not controlled and the user switches the air-conditioning set temperature. On the other hand, the air-conditioning set temperature (recommended air-conditioning set temperature) obtained as a predicted value from the function is derived, and the transition of the user's switching of the air-conditioning set temperature and the transition of the recommended air-conditioning set temperature are compared. rice field. In this prior analysis, the transition of the recommended air-conditioning set temperature under the conditions such as the above-mentioned C value well follows the transition of the switching of the air-conditioning set temperature by the user, and the recommended air-conditioning setting predicted by many users. The difference between the temperature and the actual air-conditioning set temperature by the user is within ± 1 ° C, and the root-mean-squared error (RMSE, Root Mean Square Deviation) between the recommended air-conditioning set temperature and the actual air-conditioning set temperature is all. It was about 1.12 in the household.

After the machine learning process of the machine learning process unit 101 is completed, the control means 38 performs the air conditioning set temperature control process (step S2).
FIG. 8 is a flowchart relating to the air conditioning set temperature control process.
In the air-conditioning set temperature control process, the control means 38 controls the air-conditioning set temperature of the air-conditioning equipment AC based on the air-conditioning set temperature function 108.

That is, the control means 38 acquires the air-conditioning set temperature, the ON elapsed time, the room temperature, and the relative humidity every 10 minutes from the RC11 related to the operating air-conditioning device AC that has finished machine learning (step S21).
Further, the control means 38 applies the ON elapsed time, room temperature, and relative humidity to the air-conditioning set temperature function 108 of the air-conditioning equipment AC based on each acquisition, and outputs the recommended air-conditioning set temperature at that time (step S22). ..
The control means 38 is set by rounding off when the air-conditioning set temperature obtained by applying the ON elapsed time, room temperature, and relative humidity to the air-conditioning set temperature function 108 is not the air-conditioning set temperature that can be set by the air-conditioning equipment AC. Converts to a possible air conditioning set temperature and outputs the recommended air conditioning set temperature. For example, when the air-conditioning set temperature that can be set by the air-conditioning equipment AC is in 0.5 ° C increments such as 26 ° C and 26.5 ° C, by applying the ON elapsed time, room temperature, and relative humidity to the air-conditioning set temperature function 108. When the obtained air-conditioning set temperature is 26.32 ° C., the recommended air-conditioning set temperature is set to 26.5 ° C. because it is 26.25 ° C. or higher in the same manner as rounding.

The control means 38 compares the received air-conditioning set temperature (current air-conditioning set temperature of the air-conditioning equipment AC) with the recommended air-conditioning set temperature (step S23), and if they do not match (No), sets the recommended air-conditioning set temperature to RC11. (Step S24). Upon receiving the recommended air-conditioning set temperature, the RC11 issues a command to the air-conditioning equipment AC to switch the air-conditioning set temperature to the recommended air-conditioning set temperature (step S25). On the other hand, if the air-conditioning set temperature and the recommended air-conditioning set temperature match (Yes in step S23), the process waits until the next (10 minutes later) process without doing anything (returning to step S21). In this way, when the air-conditioning set temperature and the recommended air-conditioning set temperature match, nothing is done and the air-conditioning equipment AC is not operated, so the processing amount is reduced and the air-conditioning equipment AC (especially voice guidance at the time of switching) is provided. The troublesomeness of switching the air conditioner AC) is avoided.
The control means 38 may transmit the recommended air-conditioning set temperature to the RC 11 even when the received air-conditioning set temperature and the calculated recommended air-conditioning set temperature match. Further, instead of RC11 or together with RC11, the mobile terminal 1 may command the air-conditioning set temperature of the air-conditioning apparatus AC based on the recommended air-conditioning set temperature. Further, the RC 11 transmits the ON / OFF state of the air conditioner to the service server 31 instead of the ON elapsed time, and the control means 38 processes the elapsed time from the time when the ON state is received as the ON elapsed time. May be. Furthermore, the control means 38 may receive the absolute humidity from the RC 11 and calculate the relative humidity. Further, in the control system C1, the interval of acquiring the teacher data 102 at the time of machine learning and the interval of acquiring the set of the values of the explanatory variables at the time of controlling the air conditioning set temperature may be different. In addition, the control means 38 (machine learning processing unit 101) performs machine learning by SVR using the ON elapsed time, room temperature, and relative humidity obtained from RC11 as teacher data 102 during the air conditioning set temperature control processing. Is also good. In this case, although the processing amount increases, the machine learning regarding the air-conditioning set temperature function 108 is deepened while controlling the air-conditioning set temperature.

Hereinafter, specific examples of air-conditioning set temperature control after machine learning for two households (two types of air-conditioning equipment AC) will be described for four days in the summer of each household (discontinuous, different days, cooling operation). To.
It should be noted that, where the cooling operation is typically described here, machine learning can be performed for various operation modes such as heating operation and dehumidification operation.

9A-9B and 10A-10B show the time (horizontal axis) in a household where the air-conditioning set temperature is relatively unoperated, and the recommended air-conditioning set temperature and the actual air-conditioning set temperature (vertical axis) on each day. It is a graph showing the relationship between. In the preliminary analysis, it was found that many households did not frequently switch the air-conditioning set temperature, and the frequency of switching was about once a day (about 8 hours of operation) on average. This household has a near-average switching frequency.
In this household, the recommended air-conditioning set temperature is predicted to be approximately ± 1 ° C. with respect to the actual air-conditioning set temperature on any day.
It should be noted that there is a portion where the recommended air-conditioning set temperature changes during the time when the actual air-conditioning set temperature is not switched. This is due to changes in at least one of room temperature and relative humidity within that time. This can be seen as indicating that it is possible to switch to a more appropriate air-conditioning set temperature from the past tendency of switching the air-conditioning set temperature on behalf of the user.

11A to 11B and 12A to 12B show the time (horizontal axis) in a household in which the air conditioning set temperature is operated relatively frequently, and the recommended air conditioning set temperature and the actual air conditioning set temperature (vertical axis). It is a graph which shows the relationship in each day. This household is far from the average trend.
In this household, the recommended air-conditioning set temperature is in the range of about ± 2 ° C with respect to the actual air-conditioning set temperature on any day, but it can follow well. In this household, the range of air-conditioning set temperature at the time of switching tends to be relatively large (there are multiple 5 ° C widths or more for an average 1-2 ° C width), and the recommended air-conditioning set temperature is such. It gently smoothes the sudden transition of the actual air-conditioning set temperature, and can provide a more detailed transition of the air-conditioning set temperature.

Such a control system C1 has the following effects.
That is, the control system C1 controls one or more air-conditioning equipment ACs by the service server 31 having the communication means 37, and the service server 31 controls the time when the air-conditioning equipment AC is turned on by the communication means 37. There are multiple sets of ON elapsed time, which is the elapsed time from, room humidity, which is the temperature in the room where the air conditioning equipment AC is installed, and indoor humidity, which is the humidity, and the air conditioning set temperature of the air conditioning equipment AC, and the times are different from each other. (Every 10 minutes), it can be received for each air-conditioning device AC, and the air-conditioning set temperature function 108 related to the air-conditioning set temperature is used as the objective function by multivariate analysis with the ON elapsed time, room temperature and indoor humidity as explanatory variables. Is determined for each air-conditioning device AC, and the ON elapsed time, room temperature, and indoor humidity received after the determination are applied to the determined air-conditioning set temperature function 108 to obtain the recommended air-conditioning set temperature, which is the recommended air-conditioning set temperature. It is derived, and the recommended air-conditioning set temperature is transmitted to the air-conditioning equipment AC side by the communication means 37.
Therefore, the switching mode of the air conditioner set temperature according to the user's preference is set to the air conditioner set temperature which is the objective variable in a state of good accuracy and efficiency by multivariate analysis with ON elapsed time, room temperature and indoor humidity as explanatory variables. By deriving the relationship between the above, the control system C1 is provided in which automatic control according to the user's preference is easily performed. Since the explanatory variables are ON elapsed time, room temperature and indoor humidity, and the objective variable is the air conditioning set temperature, variable analysis is executed only by measuring the ON / OFF of the air conditioning equipment AC, the air conditioning set temperature, and the room temperature and indoor humidity. That is, the multivariate analysis and the control of the air conditioning set temperature are performed only by installing the RC11 without installing other special equipment.

Furthermore, the multivariate analysis is SVR. Therefore, even if the learning period is shorter than other machine learning (for example, about 7 days), it is possible to learn with good accuracy, and the learning is completed immediately when the control of the air conditioning set temperature is newly started. It is convenient, and even if the operation mode of the air conditioner AC changes due to changes in the seasons, learning is completed immediately and more diligent measures are taken.
The indoor humidity is the indoor relative humidity, which is the relative humidity in the room where the air conditioner AC is installed. Therefore, the accuracy of SVR is further improved.
Further, the RC11 capable of communicating with the service server 31 is provided on the air-conditioning equipment AC side, and when the RC11 receives the recommended air-conditioning set temperature, the RC11 instructs the air-conditioning equipment AC to set the air-conditioning set temperature as the recommended air-conditioning set temperature. I do. Therefore, automatic control based on the recommended air-conditioning set temperature can be easily realized at a lower cost without incorporating a reception function into the air-conditioning equipment AC.
In addition, an Internet IN is interposed between the service server 31 and the air conditioner AC and RC11. Therefore, the recommended air-conditioning set temperature by SVR is provided to a large number of air-conditioning equipment ACs at low cost.

Further, the control method of the air-conditioning equipment AC performed by the control system C1 having the communication means 37 includes the ON elapsed time, which is the elapsed time from the time when the air-conditioning equipment AC is turned on by the communication means 37, and the air-conditioning equipment AC. Step S11 to receive the air-conditioning set temperature and the room temperature which is the temperature in the room where the air-conditioning equipment AC is installed and the indoor humidity which is the humidity in a plurality of sets and the times are different from each other, and the service server. 31 performs SVR with ON elapsed time, room temperature and indoor humidity as explanatory variables, and step S13 in which the air conditioning set temperature function 108 related to the air conditioning set temperature is determined for each air conditioning device AC as an objective function, and the service server 31. To the determined air-conditioning set temperature function 108, the ON elapsed time, room temperature and indoor humidity (step S21) received after the determination are applied, and the recommended air-conditioning set temperature, which is the recommended air-conditioning set temperature, is derived. S22 and step S24 in which the recommended air-conditioning set temperature is transmitted to the air-conditioning equipment AC side by the communication means 37 are provided.
Therefore, the switching mode of the air-conditioning set temperature according to the user's preference is set to the air-conditioning set temperature, which is the objective variable in a state of good accuracy and efficiency, by multivariate analysis with ON elapsed time, room temperature and indoor humidity as explanatory variables. By deriving the relationship between the above, a control method for the air conditioner AC is provided, in which automatic control according to the user's preference is easily performed. Since the explanatory variables are ON elapsed time, room temperature and indoor humidity, and the objective variable is the air conditioning set temperature, multivariate analysis can be performed simply by measuring the ON / OFF of the air conditioning equipment AC, the air conditioning set temperature, and the room temperature and indoor humidity. It is executed, that is, the multivariate analysis and the control of the air conditioning set temperature are performed only by installing the RC11 without installing other special equipment.

Furthermore, the multivariate analysis is SVR. Therefore, it is possible to learn with good accuracy even if the learning period is shorter than other machine learning, and it is convenient to complete the learning immediately when starting new control of the air conditioning set temperature, and also the season. Even if the operation mode of the air conditioner AC changes due to a change in the air conditioner AC, the learning is completed immediately and more diligent measures are taken.
The indoor humidity is the indoor relative humidity, which is the relative humidity in the room where the air conditioner AC is installed. Therefore, the accuracy of SVR is further improved.
In addition, an RC11 capable of communicating with the service server 31 is arranged on the air-conditioning equipment AC side, and further, the RC11 that has received the recommended air-conditioning set temperature sets the air-conditioning set temperature to the recommended air-conditioning set temperature for the air-conditioning equipment AC. Is issued. Therefore, automatic control based on the recommended air-conditioning set temperature can be easily realized at a lower cost without incorporating a reception function into the air-conditioning equipment AC.
Further, an Internet IN is interposed between the service server 31 and the air conditioner AC and RC11. Therefore, the recommended air-conditioning set temperature by SVR is provided to a large number of air-conditioning equipment ACs at low cost.

The control method of the control system C1 and the air conditioner AC has the following modification examples in addition to the modification examples described above.
That is, the control system C1 can also be a control system that does not go through the RC11. In this case, the mobile terminal 1 may also serve as the RC11.
Further, the service server 31 (control computer) and the mobile terminal 1 in the control system C1 may be communicably connected via a dedicated line or the like instead of the Internet IN, and in short, they may be connected by a communication network.
Further, at least one of the mobile terminal 1 or RC11 only outputs the recommended air-conditioning set temperature received from the service server 31 by display or the like, and does not have to automatically control the air-conditioning equipment AC. In this case, the user may manually operate the air conditioner AC based on the output recommended air conditioner set temperature.
In addition, when at least one of the mobile terminal 1 and RC11 has a high processing capacity at low cost, at least one of the mobile terminal 1 and RC11 plays the role of a service server 31 for the air conditioner AC or the like. Is also good.
Further, the service server 31 may directly transmit the recommended air-conditioning set temperature to the air-conditioning equipment AC.
Further, each step in the control method (each flowchart) of the air conditioner AC may be replaced with a step having substantially the same other contents, or may be divided into a plurality of steps having substantially the same contents. Alternatively, at least any two of them may be combined with each other, or the order may be changed as appropriate.
Furthermore, multivariate analysis (machine learning) may be performed for each segment including a plurality of households (air conditioner AC) instead of each household. In this case, the segments may be divided according to the similarity of the operation history regarding the air conditioning set temperature (those belonging to the same operation history pattern among a plurality of types of operation history patterns). By applying the analysis results of some of the air-conditioning equipment ACs in the segment to other air-conditioning equipment ACs of the same segment by such analysis for each segment, the analysis can be performed more efficiently, and new By determining which segment the air conditioner AC belongs to and applying the analysis result in the same segment, the analysis can be performed more efficiently. Alternatively, it is possible to improve the accuracy by collectively analyzing a plurality of air conditioner ACs in the same segment.

C1 ... Control system (of air conditioning equipment), 1 ... Mobile terminal (terminal), 11 ... Remote controller (RC), 31 ... Service server (service providing server computer, control computer), 37 ... Communication means, 108 ... Air conditioning set temperature function, AC ... Air conditioning equipment, IN ... Internet (communication network).

Claims (10)

A control system that controls one or more air conditioners by a control computer having communication means.
The control computer is
The ON elapsed time, which is the elapsed time from the time when the air conditioner is turned on by the communication means, the room temperature, which is the temperature in the room where the air conditioner is installed, and the indoor humidity, which is the humidity, and the air conditioner. It is possible to receive the air-conditioning set temperature for each of the air-conditioning devices in a state where the time is different from each other in a plurality of sets.
With the ON elapsed time, the room temperature, and the indoor humidity as explanatory variables, the air-conditioning set temperature function related to the air-conditioning set temperature is determined as an objective function for each air-conditioning device by multivariate analysis.
By applying the ON elapsed time, the room temperature, and the indoor humidity received after the determination to the determined air-conditioning set temperature function, the recommended air-conditioning set temperature, which is the recommended air-conditioning set temperature, is derived.
A control system for an air conditioner, characterized in that the recommended air conditioner set temperature is transmitted to the air conditioner side by the communication means. The control system for an air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the multivariate analysis is a support vector regression. The control system for an air conditioner according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the indoor humidity is an indoor relative humidity which is a relative humidity in the room where the air conditioner is installed. Further, at least one of the terminal and the remote controller capable of communicating with the control computer is provided on the air conditioning equipment side.
1. The control system for air conditioning equipment according to any one of claim 3. The control system for an air-conditioning device according to claim 4, wherein a communication network is interposed between the control computer and at least one of the air-conditioning device and the terminal and the remote controller. A control method for controlling one or more air conditioners by a control computer having a communication means.
The ON elapsed time, which is the elapsed time from the time when the air conditioner is turned on by the communication means, the room temperature, which is the temperature in the room where the air conditioner is installed, and the indoor humidity, which is the humidity, and the air conditioner. A step of receiving a plurality of sets of air-conditioning set temperatures for each air-conditioning device in a state where the times are different from each other, and
The control computer performs multivariate analysis with the ON elapsed time, the room temperature, and the indoor humidity as explanatory variables, and determines the air conditioning set temperature function related to the air conditioning set temperature as an objective function for each air conditioning device. Steps and
The ON elapsed time, the room temperature, and the indoor humidity received after the determination are applied to the determined air-conditioning set temperature function by the control computer, and the recommended air-conditioning set temperature, which is the recommended air-conditioning set temperature, is derived. Steps to be taken and
A step in which the recommended air-conditioning set temperature is transmitted to the air-conditioning equipment side by the communication means, and
A control method for air conditioning equipment, characterized in that it has. The control system for an air conditioner according to claim 6, wherein the multivariate analysis is a support vector regression. The control method for an air conditioner according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the indoor humidity is an indoor relative humidity which is a relative humidity in the room where the air conditioner is installed. At least one of a terminal capable of communicating with the control computer and a remote controller is arranged on the air conditioner side.
Further, the claim is characterized in that at least one of the terminal and the remote controller that has received the recommended air-conditioning set temperature issues a command to the air-conditioning equipment to set the air-conditioning set temperature to the recommended air-conditioning set temperature. 6. The method for controlling an air conditioner according to any one of claims 8. The method for controlling an air conditioner according to claim 9, wherein a communication network is interposed between the control computer and at least one of the air conditioner and the terminal and the remote controller.

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