JP2022077547A - Imaging apparatus, air-conditioning system, information update method, and, program - Google Patents

Abstract

To reduce a time and labor of a user upon the change of connection relation between a plurality of indoor units and a plurality of channels.SOLUTION: An imaging section 13 images a plurality of areas. An air-conditioning control section 103 controls a first indoor unit which is connected to a first channel corresponding to a first area in which a heat source is detected by the imaging performed by the imaging section 13 on the basis of correspondence relation information indicating a correspondence relation between the plurality of areas stored by a storage device 500 and a plurality of channels for connecting a plurality of indoor units 200 to the imaging apparatus 100. An update section 105 updates the correspondence relation information when a connection relation between the plurality of indoor units 200 and the plurality of channels is changed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

The present disclosure relates to an image pickup device, an air conditioning system, an information update method, and a program.

Currently, an air conditioning system that controls the operation of an indoor unit based on an image captured by an image pickup device that images a space to be air-conditioned is known. For example, in Patent Document 1, a person existing inside a room is searched for based on a field image output by a camera, and outputs of a plurality of air conditioners are output based on the positional relationship between this person and a plurality of air conditioners. An output control device that controls the operation is described.

In such an air conditioning system, an image pickup device connected to a plurality of indoor units through a plurality of channels may control the operation of the plurality of indoor units based on the captured images. For example, when an image pickup device detects a heat source in a certain area, it gives specific control to an indoor unit connected to the channel corresponding to this area based on the correspondence relationship between the plurality of areas and a plurality of channels. Run. For example, when constructing an air conditioning system, such a correspondence relationship is set by the installer while referring to the connection relationship between the plurality of indoor units and the plurality of channels.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2012-42197

However, the connection relationship between the plurality of indoor units and the plurality of channels may be changed, for example, when the image pickup apparatus is replaced. In this case, in order for the image pickup apparatus to appropriately control the operation of the indoor unit, it is necessary to change the correspondence between the plurality of areas and the plurality of channels. However, it is very troublesome for the user to reset the correspondence between the plurality of areas and the plurality of channels. The above-mentioned Patent Document 1 does not describe any technique for reducing such labor. Therefore, there is a demand for a technique that reduces the time and effort of the user when changing the connection relationship between the plurality of indoor units and the plurality of channels.

This disclosure has been made in view of the above problems, and is an image pickup device, an air conditioning system, an information update method, and a program that reduce the user's trouble when changing the connection relationship between a plurality of indoor units and a plurality of channels. The purpose is to provide.

In order to achieve the above object, the imaging device according to the present disclosure is
An image pickup device that captures images used for control and controls multiple indoor units.
An imaging means that captures multiple areas and
The heat source is detected by the image pickup by the image pickup means based on the correspondence relationship information indicating the correspondence relationship between the plurality of areas stored in the storage device and the plurality of channels connecting the plurality of indoor units to the image pickup device. A control means for controlling the first indoor unit connected to the first channel corresponding to the first area,
When the connection relationship between the plurality of indoor units and the plurality of channels changes, the update means for updating the correspondence relationship information is provided.

In the present disclosure, when the connection relationship between a plurality of indoor units and a plurality of channels changes, the correspondence relationship information indicating the correspondence relationship between the plurality of indoor units and the plurality of channels is updated. Therefore, according to the present disclosure, it is possible to reduce the time and effort of the user when changing the connection relationship between the plurality of indoor units and the plurality of channels.

Configuration diagram of the air conditioning system according to the embodiment Layout of each device included in the air conditioning system according to the embodiment Configuration diagram of the image pickup apparatus according to the embodiment Configuration diagram of the setting device according to the embodiment Functional configuration diagram of the image pickup apparatus according to the embodiment Diagram showing the setting screen Diagram showing connection-related information Diagram showing correspondence information Explanatory drawing of connection relationship and installation angle before replacement of image pickup device Explanatory drawing of connection relationship and installation angle after replacement of image pickup device Explanatory diagram of how to update connection-related information and correspondence-related information Explanatory diagram of the method of obtaining the amount of change in the reference direction Diagram showing the setting confirmation screen A flowchart showing a setting process executed by the image pickup apparatus according to the embodiment. A flowchart showing an update process executed by the image pickup apparatus according to the embodiment. A flowchart showing an air conditioning control process executed by the image pickup apparatus according to the embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The same or corresponding parts in the figure are designated by the same reference numerals.

(Embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an air conditioning system 1000 according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an arrangement of each device included in the air conditioning system 1000. The air conditioning system 1000 is a system that harmonizes the air in the room 600 to be air-conditioned. The air conditioning system 1000 includes an image pickup device 100, four indoor units 200, two outdoor units 300, a setting device 400, and a storage device 500.

The indoor unit 200 is a general term for the indoor unit 200A, the indoor unit 200B, the indoor unit 200C, and the indoor unit 200D. The outdoor unit 300 is a general term for the outdoor unit 300A and the outdoor unit 300B. The image pickup apparatus 100 and each of the four indoor units 200 are connected by a communication line 710. The communication line 710 is a communication line for connecting the air conditioner and the remote controller. Each of the indoor unit 200A and the indoor unit 200B and the outdoor unit 300A are connected by a communication line 720, and each of the indoor unit 200C and the indoor unit 200D and the outdoor unit 300B are connected by a communication line 720. The communication line 720 is a communication line for connecting the indoor unit 200 and the outdoor unit 300.

The image pickup apparatus 100 captures an image used for control, and controls four indoor units 200 based on the captured image. That is, the image pickup apparatus 100 has a function of capturing an image and a function of controlling the indoor unit 200. The image pickup apparatus 100 is installed near the center of the ceiling surface of the room 600, for example, when the air conditioning system 1000 is constructed.

The image pickup apparatus 100 takes an image of the entire room 600 while changing the azimuth angle. That is, the image pickup apparatus 100 acquires an image in the image pickup direction while switching the area to be imaged by switching the horizontal component in the image pickup direction. The imaging direction is a direction extending toward the center of the area imaged by the imaging device 100. Hereinafter, the angle formed by the horizontal component in the reference direction and the imaging direction is appropriately referred to as a rotation angle. The reference direction is a direction based on the installation angle of the image pickup apparatus 100 in the horizontal direction, and is a direction orthogonal to the vertical direction.

The image pickup apparatus 100 is connected to the four indoor units 200 by four channels. The image pickup apparatus 100 includes four ports 150 corresponding to four channels. Port 150 is a general term for port 150A, port 150B, port 150C, and port 150D. Hereinafter, as appropriate, the route including the communication line 710 connected to the port 150A is channel 1, the route including the communication line 710 connected to the port 150B is the channel 2, and the route including the communication line 710 connected to the port 150C is a channel. 3. The route including the communication line 710 connected to the port 150D is referred to as channel 4.

When the image pickup apparatus 100 detects a heat source in a certain area based on the captured image, the image pickup apparatus 100 executes specific control on the indoor unit 200 connected to the channel associated with this area. Specific controls include, for example, control that reduces the air volume of the conditioned air, control that increases the air volume of the conditioned air, control that raises the temperature of the conditioned air, and control that lowers the temperature of the conditioned air compared to normal control. be.

The conditioned air is the air for harmonizing the indoor air, and is basically heating air or cooling air. The heating air is air for heating the room, and is air having a temperature higher than the temperature of the air in the room. The cooling air is air for cooling the room, and is air having a temperature lower than the temperature of the air in the room. The heat source is a source of heat, for example, a human being or an animal. When the image pickup device 100 detects a heat source, for example, the indoor unit 200 is controlled so that the conditioned air does not strongly hit the heat source.

In the present embodiment, the association between the area and the indoor unit 200 is realized by the association between the area and the channel in consideration of the connection relationship between the channel and the indoor unit 200. Here, when the connection relationship between the channel and the indoor unit 200 changes, it is necessary to change the correspondence between the area and the channel in order to maintain the association between the area and the indoor unit 200. Therefore, when the connection relationship between the channel and the indoor unit 200 changes, the image pickup apparatus 100 automatically changes the correspondence between the area and the channel. Hereinafter, the connection relationship between the channel and the indoor unit 200 is appropriately and simply referred to as a connection relationship.

Further, in the present embodiment, the area is defined with reference to a reference direction based on the horizontal installation angle of the image pickup apparatus 100. Therefore, when the reference direction changes, it is necessary to change the correspondence between the area and the channel. Therefore, the image pickup apparatus 100 automatically changes the correspondence between the area and the channel when the reference direction changes. When the image pickup apparatus 100 is replaced, the connection relationship between the channel and the indoor unit 200 and the reference direction may change. Therefore, in the present embodiment, an example will be described in which the image pickup device 100 automatically changes the correspondence between the area and the channel as appropriate when the image pickup device 100 is replaced. The image pickup device 100 is replaced, for example, when it is time to replace it or when a failure occurs.

The indoor unit 200 is an equipment installed inside the room 600 among the equipment that harmonizes the air in the room 600 according to the control by the image pickup apparatus 100. To harmonize the air in the room 600 is to adjust the temperature, humidity, air cleanliness, etc. of the air in the room. The indoor unit 200 blows conditioned air into the room under the control of the image pickup device 100. The conditioned air is supplied from the outdoor unit 300 to the indoor unit 200. The four indoor units 200 are installed on the ceiling surface of the room 600 so as to surround the image pickup apparatus 100, for example. The image pickup apparatus 100 and the indoor unit 200 communicate with each other via the communication line 710.

In the present embodiment, in order to facilitate understanding, the room 600 is roughly divided into four areas, Area A, Area B, Area C, and Area D. Area A is the area below the indoor unit 200A, area B is the area below the indoor unit 200B, area C is the area below the indoor unit 200C, and area D is the area below the indoor unit 200D. be. When the image pickup apparatus 100 detects a heat source in the area A, for example, the image pickup apparatus 100 executes a specific control on the indoor unit 200A.

The outdoor unit 300 is an equipment installed outside the room 600 among the equipment that harmonizes the air in the room 600 according to the control by the image pickup apparatus 100. The outdoor unit 300 takes in the air taken in from the room 600 by the indoor unit 200, and supplies the conditioned air obtained by heating or cooling the taken-in air to the indoor unit 200. The indoor unit 200 and the outdoor unit 300 communicate with each other via the communication line 720.

The setting device 400 is a device that sets the correspondence between the area and the channel according to the user operation. For example, the setting device 400 displays a setting screen that clearly shows the connection relationship between the channel and the indoor unit 200, and accepts an operation of designating the association between the area and the channel on this setting screen.

The setting device 400 acquires connection relationship information indicating the connection relationship between the channel and the indoor unit 200 from the image pickup device 100. Further, the setting device 400 transmits the correspondence relationship information indicating the correspondence relationship between the area and the channel to the image pickup device 100. The image pickup device 100 stores the received correspondence information in the storage device 500. Hereinafter, the correspondence between the area and the channel is appropriately and simply referred to as a correspondence. In the present embodiment, the setting device 400 wirelessly communicates with the image pickup device 100. The setting device 400 may be a dedicated remote controller or a general-purpose device such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal. In this embodiment, the setting device 400 is a dedicated remote controller installed on the wall of the room 600.

The storage device 500 is a device that stores various types of information. The storage device 500 stores connection-related information, correspondence-related information, image information, and the like supplied from the image pickup device 100. The image information is information representing an image captured by the image pickup apparatus 100. Hereinafter, the information representing the image is simply referred to as an image. The storage device 500 communicates with the image pickup device 100 wirelessly or by wire.

Various storage devices can be adopted as the storage device 500. For example, as the storage device 500, a hard disk device having a hard disk drive, a terminal device having a flash memory, an SD memory card, a miniSD card, a microSD card, or the like can be adopted. In the present embodiment, the storage device 500 is a microSD card that can be attached to an adapter included in the image pickup device 100.

Next, the configuration of the image pickup apparatus 100 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the image pickup apparatus 100 includes a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, an image pickup unit 13, a drive unit 14, a first communication unit 15, a second communication unit 16, and a third communication unit. It is equipped with 17. Each of these parts is connected via a communication bus.

The control unit 11 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), an RTC (Real Time Clock), and the like. The CPU is also called a central processing unit, a central processing unit, a processor, a microprocessor, a microcomputer, a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), or the like, and functions as a central processing unit that executes processing and operations related to the control of the image pickup apparatus 100. In the control unit 11, the CPU reads out the programs and data stored in the ROM, and uses the RAM as a work area to collectively control the image pickup apparatus 100. The RTC is, for example, an integrated circuit having a timekeeping function. The CPU can specify the current date and time from the time information read from the RTC.

The storage unit 12 includes a non-volatile semiconductor memory such as a flash memory, an EPROM (Erasable Programmable ROM), and an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM), and serves as a so-called auxiliary storage device (also referred to as a secondary storage device). Take on. The storage unit 12 stores programs and data used by the control unit 11 to execute various processes. Further, the storage unit 12 stores data generated or acquired by the control unit 11 executing various processes.

The image pickup unit 13 takes an image of the inside of the room 600 under the control of the control unit 11. The image pickup unit 13 stores the image obtained by the image pickup in the storage unit 12. The imaging range of the imaging unit 13 is switched by the control unit 11 rotating and driving the driving unit 14. The image pickup unit 13 takes an image of the area around the image pickup unit 13 while switching the image pickup direction with the reference direction as a base point.

The image pickup unit 13 includes, for example, an infrared image sensor in which an image pickup element for detecting infrared rays is arranged two-dimensionally. Then, the imaging unit 13 generates an infrared image showing the amount of infrared rays received for each portion within the imaging range. The amount of infrared rays received basically corresponds to the temperature of the surface of the object.

The drive unit 14 rotates and drives the image pickup unit 13 according to the control by the control unit 11. For example, the drive unit 14 changes the rotation angle of the image pickup unit 13 within a range of 0 degrees to 360 degrees around a rotation axis extending in the vertical direction. The rotation angle when the horizontal component in the imaging direction coincides with the reference direction is 0 degree or 360 degrees. The rotation angle is expressed by the amount of rotation in the clockwise direction with respect to the reference direction when the rotation axis is viewed from above. The drive unit 14 includes an actuator that rotates the image pickup unit 13 around a rotation axis.

The first communication unit 15 communicates with the indoor unit 200 by wire according to the control by the control unit 11. For example, the first communication unit 15 communicates with each of the four indoor units 200 via the communication line 710. The first communication unit 15 includes four ports 150 to which one end of each of the four communication lines 710 is connected. Each of these four ports corresponds to four channels. The first communication unit 15 includes a communication interface conforming to various wired communication standards.

The second communication unit 16 communicates with the setting device 400 according to the control by the control unit 11. For example, the second communication unit 16 communicates with the terminal device 500 in accordance with well-known communication standards such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark) and Bluetooth (registered trademark). The second communication unit 16 includes a communication interface compliant with wireless communication standards such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

The third communication unit 17 communicates with the storage device 500 according to the control by the control unit 11. For example, the third communication unit 17 includes an adapter to which a storage device 500, which is a microSD card, is mounted.

Next, the configuration of the setting device 400 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the setting device 400 includes a control unit 41, a storage unit 42, a display unit 43, an operation reception unit 44, and a communication unit 45. Each of these parts is connected via a communication bus.

The control unit 41 includes a CPU, ROM, RAM, RTC, and the like. The CPU functions as a central arithmetic processing unit that executes processing and operations related to the control of the setting device 400. In the control unit 41, the CPU reads out the programs and data stored in the ROM, and uses the RAM as a work area to collectively control the setting device 400.

The storage unit 42 includes a non-volatile semiconductor memory such as a flash memory, EPROM, and EEPROM, and plays a role as a so-called auxiliary storage device (also referred to as a secondary storage device). The storage unit 42 stores programs and data used by the control unit 41 to execute various processes. Further, the storage unit 42 stores data generated or acquired by the control unit 41 executing various processes.

The display unit 43 displays various images under the control of the control unit 41. The display unit 43 includes a touch screen, a liquid crystal display, and the like. The operation reception unit 44 receives various operations from the user and supplies information indicating the contents of the accepted operations to the control unit 41. The operation reception unit 44 includes a touch screen, buttons, levers, and the like.

The communication unit 45 communicates with the image pickup apparatus 100 according to the control of the control unit 41. For example, the communication unit 45 communicates with the image pickup apparatus 100 in accordance with well-known communication standards such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. The communication unit 45 includes a communication interface compliant with wireless communication standards such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

Next, the functional configuration of the image pickup apparatus 100 will be described with reference to FIG. The image pickup device 100 functionally includes an image pickup control unit 101, an angle adjustment unit 102, an air conditioning control unit 103, a transfer unit 104, and an update unit 105. Each of these functions is realized by software, firmware, or a combination of software and firmware. The software and firmware are described as a program and stored in the ROM or the storage unit 12. Then, the CPU realizes each of these functions by executing the program stored in the ROM or the storage unit 12.

The image pickup control unit 101 controls the image pickup by the image pickup unit 13. For example, the image pickup control unit 101 transmits a setting signal instructing the setting of the sampling cycle, the resolution, and the like to the image pickup unit 13. Further, the imaging control unit 101 transmits a control signal instructing the start of imaging, the stop of imaging, and the like to the imaging unit 13. The image pickup unit 13 captures a plurality of areas according to the setting signal and the control signal. Further, the image pickup control unit 101 acquires an image obtained by imaging from the image pickup unit 13, and stores the acquired image in the storage unit 12. The image pickup unit 13 is an example of an image pickup means.

The angle adjusting unit 102 controls the driving unit 14 to adjust the rotation angle of the imaging unit 13. For example, the angle adjusting unit 102 adjusts the rotation angle of the imaging unit 13 so that the rotation angle of the imaging unit 13 returns from 0 degree to 360 degrees and then returns to 0 degree in a predetermined cycle.

The air conditioning control unit 103 controls the operation of the indoor unit 200 via the first communication unit 15. For example, the air conditioning control unit 103 transmits a setting signal instructing the air volume, the wind direction, the set temperature, the operation mode, and the like to the indoor unit 200. The operation mode is, for example, an operation mode such as a heating operation, a cooling operation, a dehumidifying operation, and a ventilation operation. Further, the air conditioning control unit 103 transmits a control signal instructing operation start, operation stop, etc. to the indoor unit 200. The air conditioning control unit 103 is an example of control means.

Here, the air conditioning control unit 103 is the first indoor unit connected to the first channel corresponding to the first area in which the heat source is detected by the image pickup by the image pickup unit 13 based on the correspondence relationship information stored in the storage device 500. To control. The first area is an area where a heat source is detected. The first channel is a channel associated with the first area by the correspondence information. The first indoor unit is an indoor unit connected to the first channel. The correspondence information is information showing the correspondence between the plurality of areas and the plurality of channels connecting the plurality of indoor units 200 to the image pickup apparatus 100. The correspondence information is, for example, information indicating the correspondence set by the user using the setting device 400 at the time of construction of the air conditioning system 1000. In this embodiment, the user is a builder.

Hereinafter, a method in which the user sets the correspondence using the setting device 400 will be described with reference to FIGS. 6, 7, and 8. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a setting screen displayed by the setting device 400. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing connection-related information. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing correspondence information.

The setting screen is a screen for accepting from the user an operation for specifying a correspondence relationship between a plurality of areas and a plurality of channels. The control unit 41 included in the setting device 400 controls the display unit 43 included in the setting device 400 to display the setting screen. Then, the operation reception unit 44 included in the setting device 400 performs an operation from the user to specify a correspondence relationship between the plurality of areas imaged by the image pickup device 100 and the plurality of channels connecting the plurality of indoor units 200 to the image pickup device 100. accept. The control unit 41 included in the setting device 400 stores in the storage device 500 the correspondence relationship information indicating the correspondence relationship designated by this operation. The operation reception unit 44 is an example of the operation reception means. The control unit 41 is an example of storage means.

In the present embodiment, as described above, the room 600 is roughly divided into four areas, Area A, Area B, Area C, and Area D. Area A is an area having an angle of −45 to 45 degrees from the reference direction when viewed from the image pickup apparatus 100. Area B is an area having an angle of 45 to 135 degrees from the reference direction when viewed from the image pickup apparatus 100. Area C is an area having an angle of 135 to 225 degrees from the reference direction when viewed from the image pickup apparatus 100. The area D is an area having an angle of 225 to 315 degrees from the reference direction when viewed from the image pickup apparatus 100. Further, in the present embodiment, the area A is the area below the indoor unit 200A, the area B is the area below the indoor unit 200B, the area C is the area below the indoor unit 200C, and the area D is the area below the indoor unit 200C. This is the area below the indoor unit 200D.

In this case, the user associates the area A with the indoor unit 200A, associates the area B with the indoor unit 200B, associates the area C with the indoor unit 200C, and associates the area D with the indoor unit 200D. It is preferable to associate the area with the channel. Here, the connection relationship between the channel and the indoor unit 200 is determined when the image pickup apparatus 100 is installed.

Then, the connection relationship information indicating the connection relationship between the channel and the indoor unit 200 is acquired by the image pickup apparatus 100. The setting device 400 acquires this connection relationship information from the image pickup device 100, and clearly indicates the connection relationship between the channel and the indoor unit 200 on the setting screen. On the other hand, the user associates the area with the channel in consideration of the connection relationship between the channel specified on the setting screen and the indoor unit 200. For example, when the user wants to associate the area A with the indoor unit 200A, the user associates the area A with the channel 1 in consideration of the fact that the indoor unit 200A is connected to the channel 1. By this association, when a heat source is detected in the area A, a specific control is executed for the indoor unit 200A connected to the channel 1 corresponding to the area A.

As shown in FIG. 7, the connection-related information is information including a plurality of records associating the channel with the indoor unit 200. The channel is represented by, for example, a channel number, which is a number for identifying the channel. Further, the indoor unit 200 is represented by, for example, an identifier of the indoor unit 200. The identifier of the indoor unit 200 is an identification number of the indoor unit 200, a serial number of the indoor unit 200, a name of the indoor unit 200, or the like. When the image pickup apparatus 100 receives the identification information indicating the identifier of the indoor unit 200 from the indoor unit 200 connected to a certain channel, the connection relationship information in which the channel number of this channel and the identifier of the indoor unit 200 are associated with each other. To generate.

Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the correspondence information generated by the setting device 400 is information including a plurality of records for associating a channel with an area. Channels are represented by channel numbers. Further, the area is represented by an angle from the reference direction. The setting device 400 stores the generated correspondence information in the storage device 500 via the image pickup device 100.

The method for the user to grasp which indoor unit 200 is installed above which area can be appropriately adjusted. For example, the setting device 400 divides the room 600 into four areas with reference to the reference direction on the setting screen. Further, the setting device 400 prepares a button on the setting screen for accepting an operation of setting the rotation angle of the image pickup unit 13 to 0 degree. When this button is pressed by the user, the setting device 400 transmits a control signal instructing the rotation angle of the image pickup unit 13 to be 0 degree to the image pickup device 100. The image pickup apparatus 100 sets the rotation angle of the image pickup unit 13 to 0 degrees in response to receiving this control signal. Here, the user can grasp which direction the reference direction is in the real space by visually observing the image pickup unit 13.

Further, the setting device 400 prepares a button on the setting screen for receiving an operation instructing a specific operation to the indoor unit 200 connected to each channel. Specific actions include, for example, blowing air, driving a louver, emitting light from a light emitting device, and the like. When this button is pressed by the user, the setting device 400 transmits a control signal instructing the indoor unit 200 to perform a specific operation to the image pickup device 100. The image pickup apparatus 100 causes the indoor unit 200 to perform a specific operation in response to receiving the control signal. Here, the user can grasp the position of the indoor unit 200 that has executed this specific operation in the real space. Then, the user can grasp in which direction the indoor unit 200 is installed with respect to the reference direction, and can grasp which area the indoor unit 200 should be associated with.

The transfer unit 104 transfers various types of information. For example, the transfer unit 104 supplies the correspondence information acquired from the storage device 500 via the third communication unit 17 to the setting device 400 via the second communication unit 16. Further, for example, the transfer unit 104 supplies the correspondence information acquired from the setting device 400 via the second communication unit 16 to the storage device 500 via the third communication unit 17. Further, the transfer unit 104 appropriately supplies the information acquired from the setting device 400 or the storage device 500 to the storage unit 12, and supplies the information acquired from the storage unit 12 to the setting device 400 or the storage device 500.

When the connection relationship between the plurality of indoor units 200 and the plurality of channels changes, the update unit 105 updates the correspondence relationship information. For example, when the connection relationship changes due to the replacement of the image pickup apparatus 100, the update unit 105 updates the correspondence relationship information. Specifically, the update unit 105 stores the connection relationship information indicating the connection relationship between the plurality of indoor units 200 and the plurality of channels in the storage device 500 before the change in the connection relationship. For example, the update unit 105 specifies the connection relationship between the plurality of indoor units 200 and the plurality of channels when the image pickup device 100 is installed at the time of construction of the air conditioning system 1000, and the connection relationship information indicating the specified connection relationship. Is stored in the storage device 500.

Then, when the connection relationship changes, the update unit 105 updates the connection relationship information so as to indicate the connection relationship after the change of the connection relationship. Further, when the connection relationship changes, the update unit 105 responds so that the correspondence relationship between the plurality of areas and the plurality of indoor units obtained from the correspondence relationship information and the connection relationship information does not change before and after the change in the connection relationship. Update related information. In the present embodiment, basically, before the change of the connection relationship, it means before the replacement of the image pickup apparatus 100, and after the change of the connection relationship, it means after the replacement of the image pickup apparatus 100.

Further, in the present embodiment, the plurality of areas are defined with reference to a reference direction based on the horizontal installation angle of the image pickup apparatus 100. Here, when the reference direction changes, the update unit 105 updates the correspondence information according to the amount of change in the reference direction. For example, when the reference direction changes due to the replacement of the image pickup apparatus 100, the update unit 105 updates the correspondence information according to the amount of change in the reference direction.

Specifically, the update unit 105 stores the pre-change image in the storage device 500 before the change in the reference direction. The pre-change image is an image taken by the image pickup apparatus 100 with the reference direction before the change as a base point before the change in the reference direction. The pre-change image is preferably a panoramic image generated by joining the images captured by the image pickup device 100 before the change in the reference direction, or a panoramic image captured by the image pickup device 100 before the change in the reference direction. Is. The panoramic image is an image obtained by joining a plurality of images obtained by the image pickup apparatus 100 while changing the rotation angle of the image pickup unit 13 in the range of 0 to 360 degrees with the reference direction as a base point. When the image pickup apparatus 100 can directly capture a panoramic image, the process of stitching the images is unnecessary.

Then, when the reference direction changes, the update unit 105 obtains the amount of change in the reference direction by comparing the image after the change with the image before the change. The changed image is an image taken by the image pickup apparatus 100 with the changed reference direction as a base point after the change in the reference direction. The post-change image is preferably a panoramic image captured or generated by the image pickup apparatus 100 before the change in the reference direction. In the present embodiment, basically, before the change in the reference direction, it means before the replacement of the image pickup apparatus 100, and after the change in the reference direction, it means after the replacement of the image pickup apparatus 100. The updating unit 105 is an example of updating means.

Hereinafter, a method of updating the connection-related information and the correspondence-related information will be described with reference to FIGS. 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of the connection relationship and the installation angle before the replacement of the image pickup apparatus 100. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of the connection relationship and the installation angle after the replacement of the image pickup apparatus 100. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of a method of updating the connection-related information and the correspondence-related information. FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of a method for obtaining the amount of change in the reference direction. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a setting confirmation screen.

As shown in FIG. 9, before the replacement of the image pickup device 100, the indoor unit A is connected to the channel 1 of the image pickup device 100, the indoor unit B is connected to the channel 2 of the image pickup device 100, and the indoor unit C is connected to the image pickup device 100. The indoor unit D is connected to the channel 3 of the image pickup apparatus 100. The indoor unit A is an indoor unit 200A identified by an identifier of AAAAAA. The indoor unit B is an indoor unit 200B identified by an identifier of BBBBBBB. The indoor unit C is an indoor unit 200C identified by an identifier of CCCCCC. The indoor unit D is an indoor unit 200D identified by an identifier of DDDDDDD. The connection relationship between the channel and the indoor unit 200 before the replacement of the image pickup apparatus 100 is the connection relationship shown by the connection relationship information shown in FIG. 7.

In the present embodiment, the indoor unit A is installed above the area A, the indoor unit B is installed above the area B, the indoor unit C is installed above the area C, and the indoor unit D is above the area D. It is installed in. Therefore, the user can associate the indoor unit A with the area A, the indoor unit A with the area A, the indoor unit A with the area A, and the indoor unit A with the area A. Associate with a channel. For example, the user associates the channel 1 to which the indoor unit A is connected with the area A so that the indoor unit A is associated with the area A. The correspondence between the channel and the area before the replacement of the image pickup apparatus 100 is the correspondence shown by the correspondence information shown in FIG.

Further, before the replacement of the image pickup apparatus 100, the reference direction is the direction from the image pickup apparatus 100 toward the area A. Therefore, when the rotation angle of the imaging unit 13 is 0 degrees, the imaging range and the area A overlap. Further, when the rotation angle of the image pickup unit 13 is 90 degrees, the image pickup range and the area B overlap. Further, when the rotation angle of the image pickup unit 13 is 180 degrees, the image pickup range and the area C overlap. Further, when the rotation angle of the image pickup unit 13 is 270 degrees, the image pickup range and the area D overlap. In FIG. 9, θ represents the rotation angle.

Here, even if the image pickup apparatus 100 is replaced, the positional relationship between the indoor unit 200 and the area in the real space does not change. On the other hand, if the image pickup apparatus 100 is replaced, the connection relationship between the indoor unit 200 and the channel may be changed. Then, when the connection relationship between the indoor unit 200 and the channel is changed, the relationship between the indoor unit 200 and the area cannot be maintained unless the correspondence relationship between the area and the channel is changed. Therefore, in the image pickup apparatus 100, when the connection relationship between the indoor unit 200 and the channel is changed, the correspondence relationship between the plurality of areas and the plurality of indoor units 200 obtained from the correspondence relationship information and the connection relationship information is the connection relationship. Update the correspondence information so that it does not change before and after the change.

Further, when the image pickup device 100 is replaced, the horizontal installation angle of the image pickup device 100 may be changed, and the reference direction based on the installation angle may be changed. Here, in the present embodiment, the plurality of areas are defined with reference to the reference direction. For example, the correspondence information defines an area at an angle from the reference direction. Therefore, when the reference direction is changed, it is preferable to maintain the correspondence between the area and the channel indicated by the correspondence information by changing the correspondence information.

Therefore, when the reference direction changes, the image pickup apparatus 100 updates the correspondence information according to the amount of change in the reference direction. The amount of change in the reference direction is the angle between the reference direction before the change and the reference direction after the change. Here, when the reference direction changes, the image pickup apparatus 100 has a panoramic image generated from an image captured before the change in the reference direction, which is a panoramic image, and a panorama generated from an image captured after the change in the reference direction. The amount of change in the reference direction is obtained by comparing with the changed image which is an image.

As shown in FIG. 10, after the replacement of the image pickup device 100, the indoor unit A is connected to the channel 3 of the image pickup device 100, the indoor unit B is connected to the channel 1 of the image pickup device 100, and the indoor unit C is connected to the image pickup device 100. The indoor unit D is connected to the channel 2 of the image pickup apparatus 100. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 11, the image pickup apparatus 100 updates the connection relationship information so as to show the connection relationship after the change of the connection relationship according to the change of the connection relationship. That is, in the image pickup apparatus 100, the channel 1 and the indoor unit B are connected, the channel 2 and the indoor unit D are connected, the channel 3 and the indoor unit A are connected, and the channel 4 and the indoor unit C are connected. Update the connection-related information to indicate that.

Further, as shown in FIG. 11, the image pickup apparatus 100 prevents the correspondence relationship between the plurality of areas and the plurality of indoor units 200 obtained from the correspondence relationship information and the connection relationship information from changing before and after the change in the connection relationship. Update correspondence information. That is, in the image pickup apparatus 100, the channel 1 corresponds to the area in the range of 45 to 135 degrees, the channel 2 corresponds to the area in the range of 225 to 315 degrees, and the channel 3 corresponds to the area in the range of −45 to 45 degrees. Correspondence information is updated to indicate that the area corresponds and the channel 4 corresponds to the area in the range of 135 to 225 degrees.

Further, as shown in FIG. 10, after the replacement of the image pickup apparatus 100, the horizontal installation angle of the image pickup apparatus 100 changes, and the reference direction based on this installation angle also changes. Specifically, the reference direction after the replacement of the image pickup apparatus 100 is a direction in which the reference direction before the replacement of the image pickup apparatus 100 is rotated by 45 degrees in the clockwise direction. Therefore, the image pickup apparatus 100 updates the correspondence information according to the amount of change in the reference direction. That is, the image pickup device 100 updates the correspondence relationship information so that the correspondence relationship between the channel and the area indicated by the correspondence relationship information does not change before and after the replacement of the image pickup device 100.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 11, in the image pickup apparatus 100, the channel 1 corresponds to the area in the range of 0 to 90 degrees, and the channel 2 corresponds to the area in the range of 180 to 270 degrees. Correspondence information is updated to indicate that 3 corresponds to an area in the range of 270 to 360 degrees and that channel 4 corresponds to an area in the range of 90 to 180 degrees. The area A is an area in the range of −45 to 45 degrees based on the reference direction before the change, and an area in the range of 270 to 360 degrees based on the reference direction after the change. Further, the area B is an area in the range of 45 to 135 degrees with respect to the reference direction before the change, and an area in the range of 0 to 90 degrees with respect to the reference direction after the change. Further, the area C is an area in the range of 135 to 225 degrees with respect to the reference direction before the change, and an area in the range of 90 to 180 degrees with respect to the reference direction after the change. Further, the area D is an area in the range of 225 to 315 degrees with respect to the reference direction before the change, and an area in the range of 180 to 270 degrees with respect to the reference direction after the change.

Here, when the reference direction changes, the image pickup apparatus 100 has a panoramic image generated from an image captured before the change in the reference direction, which is a panoramic image, and a panorama generated from an image captured after the change in the reference direction. The amount of change in the reference direction is obtained by comparing with the changed image which is an image. FIG. 12 shows an image before the change and an image after the change. The pre-change image is a panoramic image with the reference direction before the change as the base point. The changed image is a panoramic image with the changed reference direction as the base point.

Without the remodeling of the room 600, the layout of the room 600 generally does not change much before and after the replacement of the image pickup apparatus 100. For example, the position of the window, the position of the wall, and the like basically do not change before and after the replacement of the image pickup apparatus 100. Therefore, the image pickup apparatus 100 can obtain the amount of change in the reference direction by comparing the pre-change image and the post-change image. In FIG. 12, the amount of change in the reference direction is 45 degrees.

For example, the image pickup apparatus 100 can obtain the difference between the rotation angle at which the feature is detected in the pre-change image and the rotation angle at which the feature is detected in the post-change image as the amount of change in the reference direction. Characteristic objects are those characterized in shape, size, temperature distribution, and the like. The image pickup apparatus 100 can identify the feature feature in the post-change image and the feature feature in the pre-change image by using, for example, a well-known pattern matching technique.

FIG. 13 shows a setting confirmation screen displayed by the setting device 400 after the replacement of the image pickup device 100. The setting confirmation screen is a screen for confirming settings such as the connection relationship between the channel and the indoor unit 200 and the correspondence relationship between the channel and the area. The setting confirmation screen is displayed according to, for example, a setting confirmation request operation made to the setting device 400. The setting device 400 generates a setting confirmation screen based on the correspondence relationship information and the connection relationship information after the replacement of the image pickup device 100. This setting confirmation screen shows that Area A corresponds to Channel 3, Area B corresponds to Channel 1, Area C corresponds to Channel 4, and Area D corresponds to Channel 2. ..

Further, in this setting confirmation screen, the indoor unit A and the channel 3 correspond, the indoor unit B and the channel 2 correspond, the indoor unit C and the channel 4 correspond, and the indoor unit D and the channel 2 correspond. Shows that to do. Further, in this setting confirmation screen, Area A is an area in the range of 270 to 360 degrees with respect to the reference direction, Area B is an area in the range of 0 to 90 degrees with respect to the reference direction, and Area C. Indicates an area in the range of 90 to 180 degrees with respect to the reference direction, and area D indicates an area in the range of 180 to 270 degrees with respect to the reference direction.

Next, the setting process executed by the image pickup apparatus 100 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. For example, the image pickup apparatus 100 is installed on the ceiling of the room 600, and after the power is turned on, the image pickup apparatus 100 executes the setting process in response to receiving the setting instruction information instructing the execution of the setting process from the setting apparatus 400. .. The setting device 400 transmits the setting instruction information to the image pickup device 100, for example, when the user receives an operation instructing the execution of the setting process after the image pickup device 100 is installed.

First, the control unit 11 included in the image pickup apparatus 100 acquires identification information from the indoor unit 200 (step S101). This identification information is information indicating the identifier of the indoor unit 200. When the control unit 11 completes the process of step S101, the control unit 11 stores the connection-related information in the storage device 500 (step S102). For example, the control unit 11 generates connection-related information in which the channel number of the channel from which the identification information is acquired and the identifier of the indoor unit 200 indicated by the identification information are associated with each other, and stores the generated connection-related information in the storage device 500. Send.

When the control unit 11 completes the process of step S102, the control unit 11 transmits the connection-related information to the setting device 400 (step S103). The setting device 400 displays the setting screen based on the connection relationship information received from the image pickup device 100, and accepts the setting of the correspondence relationship between the channel and the area from the user. Then, the setting device 400 transmits the correspondence relationship information indicating the correspondence relationship received from the user to the image pickup device 100. When the control unit 11 completes the process of step S103, the control unit 11 acquires the correspondence information from the setting device 400 (step S104).

When the control unit 11 completes the process of step S104, the control unit 11 stores the correspondence information in the storage device 500 (step S105). That is, the control unit 11 transfers the correspondence information acquired from the setting device 400 to the storage device 500. When the control unit 11 completes the process of step S105, the control unit 11 generates an unchanged image (step S106). This unchanged image is a panoramic image for all directions with the reference direction before the change as a base point, which is generated from the images in each direction captured before the change of the reference direction.

When the process of step S106 is completed, the control unit 11 stores the generated image information representing the unchanged image in the storage device 500 (step S107). That is, the control unit 11 transmits the image information representing the generated unchanged image to the storage device 500. When the control unit 11 completes the process of step S107, the control unit 11 completes the setting process.

Next, the update process executed by the image pickup apparatus 100 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The image pickup apparatus 100 executes the update process in response to receiving the update instruction information instructing the execution of the update process from the setting device 400 after the replacement of the image pickup apparatus 100, for example. The setting device 400 transmits, for example, the update instruction information to the image pickup device 100 when the user receives an operation instructing the execution of the update process after the replacement of the image pickup device 100.

First, the control unit 11 acquires the identification information from the indoor unit 200 (step S201). When the control unit 11 completes the process of step S201, the control unit 11 acquires the connection-related information from the storage device 500 (step S202). When the process of step S202 is completed, the control unit 11 determines whether or not the connection relationship has been changed (step S203). For example, the control unit 11 matches the correspondence relationship between the channel from which the identification information is acquired and the indoor unit 200 identified by the identifier indicated by the identification information and the correspondence relationship indicated by the connection relationship information acquired from the storage device 500. Determine if or not to do so.

When the control unit 11 determines that the connection relationship has been changed (step S203: YES), the control unit 11 updates the connection relationship information (step S204). That is, the control unit 11 updates the connection relationship information stored in the storage device 500 so as to show the connection relationship between the channel and the indoor unit 200 after the change. When the control unit 11 completes the process of step S204, the control unit 11 updates the correspondence relationship information from the change in the connection relationship (step S205). Here, the control unit 11 updates the correspondence relationship information stored in the storage device 500 so that the correspondence relationship between the indoor unit 200 and the area is maintained before and after the change in the connection relationship.

Specifically, the control unit 11 has a correspondence relationship between the indoor unit 200 and the area derived from the connection relation information before the change and the correspondence relation information before the change, and the connection relation information after the change and the correspondence relation after the change. The correspondence relationship information is updated so that the correspondence relationship between the indoor unit 200 and the area derived from the information matches. When the control unit 11 determines that the connection relationship has not been changed (step S203: NO), or when the process of step S205 is completed, the control unit 11 generates a changed image (step S206). This changed image is a panoramic image for all directions with the changed reference direction as a base point, which is generated from an image in each direction captured after the change in the reference direction.

When the control unit 11 completes the process of step S206, the control unit 11 acquires the image information from the storage device 500 (step S207). When the process of step S207 is completed, the control unit 11 determines whether or not the reference direction has been changed (step S208). Specifically, the control unit 11 determines whether or not the reference direction has been changed by comparing the unchanged image represented by the image information acquired from the storage device 500 with the generated changed image.

When the control unit 11 determines that the reference direction has been changed (step S208: YES), the control unit 11 updates the correspondence information based on the amount of change in the reference direction (step S209). The control unit 11 updates the correspondence information stored in the storage device 500 so that the correspondence between the channel and the area specified from the reference direction and the correspondence information is maintained before and after the reference direction. Specifically, the control unit 11 is based on the correspondence relationship between the channel and the area specified from the reference direction before the change and the correspondence information before the change, and the reference direction after the change and the correspondence information after the change. Update the correspondence information so that the correspondence between the identified channel and the area matches.

When the control unit 11 completes the process of step S209, the control unit 11 saves the generated changed image as a new unchanged image in the storage device 500 (step S210). When the control unit 11 determines that the reference direction has not been changed (step S208: NO), or when the process of step S210 is completed, the control unit 11 completes the update process.

Next, the air conditioning control process executed by the image pickup apparatus 100 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The image pickup apparatus 100 executes the air conditioning control process in response to receiving the control instruction information instructing the execution of the air conditioning control process from the setting device 400, for example. When the setting device 400 receives, for example, an operation instructing the execution of the air conditioning control process from the user, the setting device 400 transmits the control instruction information to the image pickup device 100.

First, the control unit 11 acquires the connection-related information and the correspondence-related information from the storage device 500 (step S301). The control unit 11 stores the connection-related information and the correspondence-related information acquired from the storage device 500 in the storage unit 12. When the control unit 11 completes the process of step S301, the control unit 11 starts controlling all the indoor units 200 (step S302). For example, the control unit 11 starts controlling all the indoor units 200 according to the control content indicated by the control instruction information. When the control unit 11 completes the process of step S302, the control unit 11 starts imaging (step S303). After that, the control unit 11 changes the rotation angle of the image pickup unit 13 to perform imaging while switching the imaging range.

When the process of step S303 is completed, the control unit 11 determines whether or not a heat source is detected from the captured image (step S304). When the control unit 11 determines that the heat source is detected from the captured image (step S304: YES), the control unit 11 identifies the channel corresponding to the area where the heat source is detected (step S305). For example, the control unit 11 identifies the channel associated with the area where the heat source is detected by the correspondence information.

When the process of step S305 is completed, the control unit 11 executes specific control for the indoor unit 200 connected to the specified channel (step S306). For example, the control unit 11 identifies the indoor unit 200 connected to the specified channel based on the connection relationship information, and executes specific control on the specified indoor unit 200. When the control unit 11 determines that the heat source is not detected from the captured image (step S304: NO), or when the process of step S306 is completed, the control unit 11 returns the process to step S304.

In the present embodiment, when the connection relationship between the plurality of indoor units 200 and the plurality of channels changes, the correspondence relationship information indicating the correspondence relationship between the plurality of indoor units 200 and the plurality of channels is updated. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to reduce the time and effort of the user when changing the connection relationship between the plurality of indoor units 200 and the plurality of channels.

Further, in the present embodiment, when the connection relationship between the plurality of indoor units 200 and the plurality of channels changes, the correspondence relationship between the plurality of areas and the plurality of indoor units 200 obtained from the correspondence relationship information and the connection relationship information. The correspondence information is updated so that does not change before and after the change of the connection relationship. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the correspondence information can be appropriately updated.

Further, in the present embodiment, when the connection relationship changes due to the replacement of the image pickup apparatus 100, the correspondence relationship information is updated. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to reduce the time and effort of the user when replacing the image pickup apparatus 100.

Further, in the present embodiment, when the reference direction changes, the correspondence information is updated according to the amount of change in the reference direction. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to reduce the time and effort of the user when the reference direction changes.

Further, in the present embodiment, when the reference direction changes, the amount of change in the reference direction can be obtained by comparing the pre-change image and the post-change image. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the amount of change in the reference direction can be appropriately obtained when the reference direction changes.

Further, in the present embodiment, when the connection relationship changes due to the replacement of the image pickup apparatus 100, the correspondence relationship information is updated according to the amount of change in the reference direction. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to reduce the time and effort of the user when exchanging the image pickup apparatus 100.

Further, in the present embodiment, a storage device 500 for storing connection-related information, correspondence-related information, and image information is provided outside the image pickup device 100. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, for example, even if the image pickup device 100 fails, if the image pickup device 100 is replaced, the correspondence relationship information due to the change in the connection relationship or the reference direction is appropriately updated.

(Modification example)
In the embodiment, an example in which it is determined whether or not the connection relationship and the reference direction have changed when the image pickup apparatus 100 is replaced has been described. The timing for determining whether or not the connection relationship and the reference direction have changed is not limited to the time when the image pickup apparatus 100 is replaced. For example, it may be determined whether or not the connection relationship and the reference direction have changed when the power of the image pickup apparatus 100 is turned on. Further, when the image pickup apparatus 100 is replaced or the power is turned on, it is determined whether or not the connection relationship has changed, and it is not necessary to determine whether or not the reference direction has changed.

In addition, when the change of the connection relation or the reference direction is allowed, the correspondence relation information is updated, and when the change of the connection relation or the reference direction is not allowed, the connection relation or the reference direction is replaced with the update of the correspondence relation information. May be notified that has changed. For example, it is assumed that the change in the connection relationship is allowed only when the image pickup apparatus 100 is replaced. In this assumption, when it is determined that the connection relationship has changed when the image pickup apparatus 100 is replaced, the correspondence relationship information is updated. On the other hand, when it is determined that the connection relationship has changed when the power of the image pickup apparatus 100 is turned on, the correspondence relationship information is not updated, and it is notified that the connection relationship has changed.

Further, for example, it is assumed that the change in the reference direction is not allowed at both the time of replacement of the image pickup apparatus 100 and the time of turning on the power of the image pickup apparatus 100. In this assumption, when it is determined that the reference direction has changed, it is notified that the reference direction has changed regardless of the timing at which the change in the reference direction is detected. The notification method can be adjusted as appropriate. For example, according to the notification from the image pickup device 100, the setting device 400 may notify that the connection relationship or the reference direction has changed due to the screen display, the light emission of the light emitting element, the output of the warning sound, and the like.

In the embodiment, an example in which the image pickup unit 13 includes an infrared image sensor has been described. The image sensor included in the image pickup unit 13 is not limited to the infrared image sensor. For example, the image sensor included in the image pickup unit 13 may be a visible light image sensor. In this case, the image pickup apparatus 100 detects the heat source by estimating whether or not the object is a heat source based on, for example, the shape, size, color, operation, etc. of the object in the captured image. You may.

In the embodiment, an example in which the storage device 500 is a microSD card that can be attached to an adapter included in the image pickup device 100 has been described. Various devices can be adopted as the storage device 500. For example, the storage device 500 may be a device connected to the image pickup device 100 via a communication network. Further, the storage unit 12 included in the image pickup device 100 or the storage unit 42 included in the setting device 400 may play the role of the storage device 500. Further, the storage device 500 may be a device connected to the setting device 400.

In the embodiment, an example in which the image pickup unit 13 included in the image pickup apparatus 100 rotates in the range of 0 to 360 degrees has been described. For example, when the image pickup unit 13 has a wide-angle lens capable of simultaneously capturing a wide area, the image pickup unit 13 does not have to rotate. Since the reference direction exists even in this case, it is meaningful to update the correspondence information when the reference direction changes.

In the embodiment, the indoor unit 200 is not replaced after the image pickup device 100 is installed, and the identifier of the indoor unit 200 included in the connection-related information before the replacement and the identifier indicated by the identification information of the indoor unit 200 acquired after the replacement. An example of matching is described. When the indoor unit 200 is replaced after the image pickup device 100 is installed and the identifier of the indoor unit 200 included in the connection-related information before the replacement does not match the identifier included in the identification information of the indoor unit 200 acquired after the replacement. The image pickup apparatus 100 may notify the user that the indoor unit 200 has been replaced.

Further, the image pickup device 100 and the setting device 400 may execute a process of notifying the user of the connection relationship between the channel and the indoor unit 200 when setting the correspondence relationship between the area and the channel. For example, the image pickup apparatus 100 may operate the louvers of the indoor unit 200 in the order of the channel numbers of the channels to which the indoor unit 200 is connected. Further, the indoor unit 200 is provided with four-color LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes), the setting device 400 presents information about the channel in a color corresponding to the channel on the setting screen, and the image pickup device 100 is connected to the indoor unit 200. The indoor unit 200 may be controlled so as to emit an LED having a color corresponding to the channel.

In the above embodiment, in the control unit 11, the CPU functions as each unit shown in FIG. 5 by executing the program stored in the ROM or the storage unit 12. However, in the present disclosure, the control unit 11 may be dedicated hardware. The dedicated hardware is, for example, a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programmed processor, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), or a combination thereof. When the control unit 11 is dedicated hardware, the functions of each unit may be realized by individual hardware, or the functions of each unit may be collectively realized by a single hardware.

Further, some of the functions of each part may be realized by dedicated hardware, and other parts may be realized by software or firmware. As described above, the control unit 11 can realize each of the above-mentioned functions by hardware, software, firmware, or a combination thereof.

By applying an operation program that defines the operation of the image pickup device 100 and the setting device 400 according to the present disclosure to a computer such as an existing personal computer or an information terminal device, the computer can be applied to the image pickup device 100 and the setting device according to the present disclosure. It is also possible to make it function as 400. Further, the distribution method of such a program is arbitrary, and for example, a computer-readable recording such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disk ROM), a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), an MO (Magneto Optical Disk), or a memory card. It may be stored in a medium and distributed, or may be distributed via a communication network such as the Internet.

The present disclosure allows for various embodiments and variations without departing from the broad spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Moreover, the above-described embodiment is for explaining the present disclosure, and does not limit the scope of the present disclosure. That is, the scope of the present disclosure is shown not by the embodiment but by the scope of claims. And various modifications made within the scope of the claims and within the scope of the equivalent disclosure are considered to be within the scope of the present disclosure.

The present disclosure is applicable to air conditioning systems.

11,41 Control unit, 12,42 Storage unit, 13 Imaging unit, 14 Drive unit, 15 First communication unit, 16 Second communication unit, 17 Third communication unit, 43 Display unit, 44 Operation reception unit, 45 Communication unit , 100 Imaging device, 150, 150A, 150B, 150C, 150D port, 101 Imaging control unit, 102 Angle adjustment unit, 103 Air conditioning control unit, 104 Transfer unit, 105 Update unit, 200, 200A, 200B, 200C, 200D Indoor unit , 300, 300A, 300B outdoor unit, 400 setting device, 500 storage device, 600 room, 710, 720 communication line, 1000 air conditioning system

Claims (9)

An image pickup device that captures images used for control and controls multiple indoor units.
An imaging means that captures multiple areas and
The heat source is detected by the image pickup by the image pickup means based on the correspondence relationship information indicating the correspondence relationship between the plurality of areas stored in the storage device and the plurality of channels connecting the plurality of indoor units to the image pickup device. A control means for controlling the first indoor unit connected to the first channel corresponding to the first area,
A means for updating the correspondence information when the connection relationship between the plurality of indoor units and the plurality of channels changes.
Imaging device. The updating means stores the connection relationship information indicating the connection relationship between the plurality of indoor units and the plurality of channels in the storage device before the change of the connection relationship, and when the connection relationship changes, the connection The connection relationship information is updated so as to show the connection relationship after the change of the relationship, and the correspondence relationship between the plurality of areas and the plurality of indoor units obtained from the correspondence relationship information and the connection relationship information is the connection relationship. Update the correspondence information so that it does not change before and after the change of
The imaging device according to claim 1. The updating means updates the correspondence information when the connection relationship changes due to the replacement of the imaging device.
The imaging device according to claim 1 or 2. The plurality of areas are defined with reference to a reference direction based on the horizontal installation angle of the image pickup device.
When the reference direction changes, the updating means updates the correspondence information according to the amount of change in the reference direction.
The imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The updating means stores a pre-change image, which is an image captured by the image pickup means before the change in the reference direction, in the storage device before the change in the reference direction, and when the reference direction changes, the change. The amount of change in the reference direction is obtained by comparing the previous image with the post-change image, which is an image captured after the change in the reference direction by the image pickup device.
The imaging device according to claim 4. When the reference direction changes due to the replacement of the image pickup apparatus, the updating means updates the correspondence information according to the amount of change in the reference direction.
The imaging device according to claim 4 or 5. An air conditioning system including a plurality of indoor units, a setting device, a storage device, and an image pickup device.
The setting device is
An operation receiving means for receiving from a user an operation for designating a correspondence relationship between a plurality of areas imaged by the image pickup device and a plurality of channels connecting the plurality of indoor units to the image pickup device.
A storage means for storing the correspondence information indicating the correspondence specified by the operation in the storage device is provided.
The image pickup device
An imaging means for imaging the plurality of areas and
A control means for controlling the first indoor unit connected to the first channel corresponding to the first area in which the heat source is detected by the image pickup by the image pickup means based on the correspondence information stored in the storage device.
A means for updating the correspondence information when the connection relationship between the plurality of indoor units and the plurality of channels changes.
Air conditioning system. Stores correspondence information indicating the correspondence between a plurality of areas imaged by the image pickup device and a plurality of channels connecting the plurality of indoor units to the image pickup device.
Based on the correspondence information, the first indoor unit connected to the first channel corresponding to the first area where the heat source is detected by the image pickup by the image pickup device is controlled.
When the connection relationship between the plurality of indoor units and the plurality of channels changes, the correspondence relationship information is updated.
Information update method. A computer equipped with an image pickup device that captures images used for control and controls multiple indoor units.
Imaging by the image pickup device based on correspondence information indicating the correspondence relationship between a plurality of areas stored by the storage device and imaged by the image pickup device and a plurality of channels connecting the plurality of indoor units to the image pickup device. Control means for controlling the first indoor unit connected to the first channel corresponding to the first area where the heat source is detected by
When the connection relationship between the plurality of indoor units and the plurality of channels changes, it functions as an update means for updating the correspondence relationship information.
program.

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