JP6520435B2 - Non-contact active mass sensor and air conditioner - Google Patents

Description

  The technology described herein relates to a noncontact activity amount sensor and an air conditioner.

  Researches and studies have been made on techniques for measuring biological information such as heart rate, respiration and movement of a living body. In addition, a technology of making the measured biological information cooperate with control of air conditioning, for example, is also considered.

JP, 2011-015887, A JP, 2013-024466, A JP, 2015-21658, A

  The heartbeat, respiration and movement of a living body can be detected using a Doppler sensor. However, since the transmission radio wave of the Doppler sensor is attenuated according to the propagation distance, a detection error may occur in the detection signal of the Doppler sensor according to the distance between the Doppler sensor and the object. If a detection error occurs, a detection error may also occur in the amount of activity of the subject that can be determined based on the detection signal of the Doppler sensor.

  In one aspect, one of the goals of the techniques described herein is to reduce detection errors in the amount of activity of a subject that can be determined based on the detection signal of the Doppler sensor.

In one aspect, the non-contact activity sensor may comprise a Doppler sensor, a distance sensor, and a processor. The processor may calculate the amount of activity of the target included in the sensing range of each of the sensors based on the detection signal of the Doppler sensor and the detection signal of the distance sensor. The processor corrects the detection signal of the Doppler sensor or a signal generated based on the detection signal of the Doppler sensor according to the detection signal of the distance sensor, and calculates the amount of activity based on the corrected signal. You may
Furthermore, in one aspect, the non-contact activity sensor may comprise a Doppler sensor, a distance sensor, and a processor. The processor may calculate the amount of activity of the target included in the sensing range of each of the sensors based on the detection signal of the Doppler sensor and the detection signal of the distance sensor. The processor may correct a threshold used to determine the state of the target based on the calculated amount of activity in accordance with a detection signal of the distance sensor.

  In one aspect, the air conditioner may include a Doppler sensor, a distance sensor, and a controller. The controller calculates the amount of activity of a target included in the sensing range of each of the sensors based on the detection signal of the Doppler sensor and the detection signal of the distance sensor, and performs air conditioning based on the calculated amount of activity. Control may be performed.

  As one aspect, it is possible to reduce the detection error of the amount of activity of a subject that can be determined based on the detection signal of the Doppler sensor.

It is a block diagram showing an example of composition of an air-conditioning system concerning one embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the sensor illustrated in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the sensor illustrated in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the air conditioning system which paid its attention to the structure of the air conditioner illustrated in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the control system illustrated in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the operation example of the air-conditioning system which concerns on 1st Example. It is a figure which illustrates typically the concept of the wavelength at the time of extension which concerns on one Embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the example of calculation of the wavelength at the time of extension which concerns on one Embodiment. (A)-(C) are figures for demonstrating an example of calculation processing of the wavelength at the time of extension which concerns on one Embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the other calculation example of the wavelength at the time of extension which concerns on one Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the relationship between the wavelength at the time of extension | extension which concerns on one Embodiment, and exercise intensity. It is a flowchart which shows the operation example of the air-conditioning system which concerns on 2nd Example. It is a flowchart which shows the operation example of the air-conditioning system which concerns on 3rd Example. It is a flowchart which shows the operation example of the air-conditioning system which concerns on 4th Example. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the radar type | system | group range-finding sensor as an example of the distance sensor illustrated in FIG.2 and FIG.3. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the operation example of the distance sensor illustrated in FIG. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the example of distance detection by the stereo camera as an example of the distance sensor illustrated in FIG.2 and FIG.3. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the example of distance detection by the stereo camera as an example of the distance sensor illustrated in FIG.2 and FIG.3.

  Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the embodiments described below are merely examples, and there is no intention to exclude the application of various modifications and techniques not explicitly stated below. In addition, various exemplary aspects described below may be implemented in combination as appropriate. In the drawings used in the following embodiments, portions given the same reference numerals indicate the same or similar portions unless otherwise specified.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an exemplary configuration of an air conditioning system according to an embodiment. The air conditioning system 1 illustrated in FIG. 1 may include, for example, an air conditioner 2, a network (NW) 3, and a control system 4.

  The air conditioner 2 may be communicably connected to the network 3 via the router 6, for example. A control system 4 may be connected to the network 3. Thus, the air conditioner 2 may be able to communicate with the control system 4 via the router 6 and the network 3, for example.

  The air conditioner 2 transmits a signal indicating the operating condition of the air conditioner 2 (may be reworded as “information” or “data”) to the control system 4 by communication with the control system 4, or the air conditioner 2. Signals for controlling the driving of the vehicle can be received from the control system 4.

  The connection between the air conditioner 2 and the router 6 may be a wired connection or a wireless connection. In other words, the air conditioner 2 may include a communication interface (IF) that supports wired and / or wireless communication.

  The air conditioner 2 may be either home or business. The home-use air conditioner 2 is an example of a so-called “home appliance”, and the “home appliance” capable of communicating with the network 3 may be referred to as “information home appliance”.

  The network 3 may correspond to, for example, a wide area network (WAN), a local area network (LAN), or the Internet. The network 3 may also include a wireless access network. For example, the router 6 may be able to connect to the wireless access network by the wireless IF and communicate with the control system 4.

  As described above, the control system 4 can communicate with the air conditioner 2 via the network 3 and the router 6. For example, based on the information received from the air conditioner 2, the operation of the air conditioner 2 ("operation" Can be controlled).

  The control system 4 may illustratively include one or more servers. In other words, the operation of the air conditioner 2 may be controlled by one server or may be distributively controlled by a plurality of servers. The server may correspond to, for example, a cloud server provided in a cloud data center.

  The air conditioner 2 may have a sensor 5 built therein. The sensor 5 can exemplarily sense the user's biological information in a space targeted by the air conditioner 5 for air conditioning without contact. In addition, the space which the air conditioner 2 makes an object of air conditioning may be called "air-conditioned space" for convenience.

  The “air-conditioned space” may be an indoor space, for example, an indoor space such as a bedroom or a living room. The “user” in the “air conditioning space” is an example of a sensing target by the sensor 5. "Biometric information" may be referred to as "vital information". "Sensing" may be reworded as "detection" or "measurement".

  One non-limiting example of vital information is information indicating the user's heartbeat, breathing, and physical movement. The "living body" may include the "organ" of the living body. The “heart beat” may be regarded as information indicating the movement of the “heart” which is an example of the “organ”.

  The “movement” of the living body (which may be reworded as “position change”) may be abbreviated as “body movement” for convenience. The “body movement” is illustratively not limited to movement during activity of a living body (for example, movement of hands and feet), and a living body surface (for example, according to a heartbeat or breathing at rest such as sleep of the living body) Movement of the skin) may be included.

  The movement of the living body surface may be understood as occurring in response to the movement of the living organ. For example, movement occurs in the skin in response to the heartbeat. In addition, movement occurs in the skin in response to the expansion and contraction of the lung accompanying respiration.

  The sensor 5 exemplarily irradiates a radio wave such as a microwave to a target (which may be referred to as a “sensing target”), and based on a change in a reflected wave received by the target, the target (for example, , "Living body" can be detected without contact.

  For example, when the distance between the sensor 5 and the sensing object changes, the Doppler effect causes a change in the reflected wave. The change in the reflected wave can illustratively be regarded as a change in one or both of the amplitude and the frequency of the reflected wave.

  For example, in the reflected wave, a change according to the size of the area on which the sensing target moved (may be referred to as "movement amount") appears as a change in amplitude, and a change according to the speed of movement of the sensing target It appears as a change in frequency.

  Therefore, based on one or both of the amplitude and the frequency of the detection signal of the Doppler sensor 51, for example, it is possible to contactlessly detect, judge or estimate the activity state according to the "movement" of the user. .

  The “activity state of the user” may be exemplarily determined as the exercise intensity of the user. The exercise intensity is an index value representing human activity and the like, and may be represented by a METs value (Mets value).

  METs is an abbreviation of "metabolic equivalents". The Mets value may be a numerical value representing the amount of metabolism (or “calorie consumption”) during human activity as a relative value (eg, a multiple) to the amount of metabolism at rest. A table that associates Mets values by physical activity is referred to as the "Mets Table" and is published, for example, by the National Institute of Health and Nutrition.

  Therefore, sensor 5 may be referred to as non-contact activity sensor 5. In addition, an example of how to obtain exercise intensity and Mets value will be described later.

  The sensor 5 may be able to communicate with the network 3 via the controller 21 (see, for example, FIG. 4) built in the air conditioner 2 or via the router 6, for example. For example, the sensor 5 may be able to transmit the sensed vital information to the control system 4 via the network 3.

  Information transmitted to the control system 4 by the sensor 5 may be collectively referred to as “sensor information” for convenience. The “sensor information” may include vital information, and the “vital information” may include information indicating the exercise intensity and the amount of activity of the user.

  The control system 4 may remotely control the operation of the air conditioner 2 based on the sensor information, for example, so that the air-conditioned space becomes a comfortable environment for the user.

  For remote control of the operation of the air conditioner 2 (may be referred to as "air conditioning control"), temperature control, air flow control, wind direction control, etc. May be included. Such air conditioning control may be conveniently referred to as "sleep control".

  Unlike the air conditioner 2, the sensor 5 may not be controlled by the control system 4. In other words, the sensor 5 may be capable of one-way communication addressed to the control system 4 and may not support reception of the signal transmitted by the control system 4.

  Further, the operation of the air conditioner 2 may not necessarily be remotely controlled by the control system 4. Independently of the control system 4, the controller 21 of the air conditioner 2 may autonomously control the operation of the air conditioner 2. Alternatively, the air conditioner 2 may support both the remote control by the control system 4 and the autonomous control by the controller 21.

(Configuration example of non-contact activity amount sensor 5)
Next, a configuration example of the non-contact activity amount sensor 5 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the non-contact activity amount sensor 5 may exemplarily include a Doppler sensor 51, a distance sensor 52, a processor 53, a memory 54, and a communication IF 55.

  The sensor 5 provided with the Doppler sensor 51 and the distance sensor 52 may be referred to as a “sensor unit 5”. The "Doppler sensor" may be referred to as "RF (Radio Frequency) sensor".

  As illustrated in FIG. 3, the Doppler sensor 51, the distance sensor 52, the processor 53, the memory 54, and the communication IF 55 may be communicably connected to each other by the bus 57, for example.

  For example, the Doppler sensor 51 performs phase detection on the radio wave transmitted to the air-conditioned space and the reflected wave of the transmission radio wave to generate a beat signal. The beat signal may be provided to the processor 53 as an output signal of the Doppler sensor 51.

  The “output signal” of the Doppler sensor 51 may be referred to as a “detection signal”, or may be referred to as a “sensing result” or a “sensor value”. The same applies to the "output signal" of the distance sensor 52.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the Doppler sensor 51 exemplarily includes an antenna 511, a local oscillator (OScillator, OSC) 512, an MCU (Micro Control Unit) 513, a detection circuit 514, an operational amplifier (OP) 515, and a battery 516. May be provided.

  The antenna 511 transmits the radio wave having the oscillation frequency generated by the OSC 512 to the air conditioning space, and receives the radio wave (reflected wave) reflected by the user whose transmission radio wave is located in the air conditioning space. In the example of FIG. 2, the antenna 511 is shared for transmission and reception but may be separate for transmission and reception.

  The OSC 512 performs an oscillation operation according to the control of the MCU 513, for example, and outputs a signal of a predetermined frequency (for convenience, it may be referred to as a "local signal"). The local signal is transmitted from the antenna 511 as a transmission radio wave and input to the detection circuit 514.

  The oscillation frequency of the OSC 512 (in other words, the frequency of the radio wave transmitted by the Doppler sensor 51) may be, for example, the frequency of the microwave band. The microwave band may be, for example, the 2.4 GHz band or the 24 GHz band. These frequency bands are examples of frequency bands that are permitted for indoor use under the Radio Law of Japan. A frequency band not subject to the regulations of the Radio Law may be used for the transmission radio wave of the Doppler sensor 51.

  The MCU 513 controls the oscillation operation of the OSC 512 according to the control of the processor 53, for example. By controlling the oscillation operation of the OSC 512, the intensity of the radio wave transmitted from the Doppler sensor 51 can be varied.

  The detection circuit 514 phase-detects the reflected wave received by the antenna 511 and the local signal from the OSC 512 (in other words, a transmission radio wave), and outputs a beat signal. Note that the detection circuit 514 may be replaced by a mixer that mixes the transmission radio wave and the reflected wave. Mixing by the mixer may be regarded as equivalent to phase detection.

  Here, the beat signal obtained by the detection circuit 514 is changed to one or both of the amplitude and the frequency as described above by the Doppler effect according to the "movement" of the user or the object that reflected the transmission radio wave. Will appear.

  For example, as the user moves more with respect to the Doppler sensor 51 and the magnitude of the movement is larger, the amplitude of the beat signal tends to be larger. In addition, the frequency (that is, the number of waves) of the beat signal tends to increase as the relative speed of movement of the user with respect to the Doppler sensor 51 increases.

  In other words, the beat signal includes information indicating the "movement" of the user who reflected the transmission radio wave. As described above, the "movement" of the user may include the movement associated with the user's daily activities and the movement of the human surface (in other words, the skin) associated with the user's heart rate and breathing. .

  Since the distance between the user and the Doppler sensor 51 changes due to the change of the human body surface accompanying the user's heartbeat and respiration, the waveform of the beat signal changes according to the change of the distance.

  For example, when a user, which is an example of a sensing target, moves a distance corresponding to a half wavelength of the transmission radio wave of the Doppler sensor 51, a change corresponding to one wavelength of the transmission radio wave of the Doppler sensor 51 appears in the beat signal. Assuming that the frequency band of the transmission radio wave of the Doppler sensor 51 is 2.4 GHz, the movement of 6.25 cm of the user appears as a change corresponding to one wavelength.

  Therefore, based on the waveform change of the beat signal, it is possible to detect not only the motion accompanied by the user's activity but also the heart rate and respiratory rate of the user. For example, the movement associated with the user's activity is detected based on the change in the amplitude value because the amplitude value of the beat signal tends to largely change as compared with the movement of the human body surface according to the user's heartbeat and respiration. It is possible.

  On the other hand, the movement of the human body surface according to the user's heartbeat and respiration is more likely to appear as a change in frequency in the beat signal than a change in amplitude value, so it is possible to detect based on the change in frequency.

  The operational amplifier 515 amplifies the beat signal output from the detection circuit 514. The amplified beat signal is input to the processor 53.

  The battery 516 illustratively supplies driving power to the MCU 513, the detection circuit 514 and the operational amplifier 515.

  By the way, the intensity of the radio wave transmitted by the Doppler sensor 51 tends to be increased in attenuation amount as the propagation distance of the radio wave becomes longer. Illustratively, the strength of radio waves can be attenuated in the order of the square of the propagation distance. Further, the intensity of the radio wave tends to be increased in attenuation amount as the wavelength is shorter. Illustratively, the intensity of the radio wave can be attenuated on the order of the wavelength to the power of -2.

  When the radio wave transmitted by the Doppler sensor 51 is reflected back by the moving user, the propagation distance is doubled as the round trip distance, ie, the distance between the Doppler sensor 51 and the user. Therefore, the amount of attenuation also greatly affects.

  When the amplitude of the beat signal decreases in response to the attenuation of the radio wave intensity, the apparent user's movement appearing in the beat signal may appear smaller than it actually is. For example, even if the magnitude of the motion of the user is the same, from the beat signal, the motion performed at a location farther from the Doppler sensor 51 than the motion performed at a location near the Doppler sensor 51, It is detected like a small movement.

  Therefore, an error corresponding to the difference in the distance between the Doppler sensor 51 and the user may occur in the detection of the user's exercise intensity based on the beat signal. If a detection error occurs, efficient air conditioning control by the air conditioner 2 may be impeded.

  For example, when it is detected by the Doppler sensor 51 that the user in the air-conditioned space is overwhelmed by heat and making a large turn, suppose that the control of lowering the temperature of the air-conditioned space is performed by the air conditioning control. .

  Here, as described above, the detection result of the size of the turning operation changes depending on whether the user is sleeping at a position near or distant from the air conditioner 2 equipped with the Doppler sensor 51. It will

  Therefore, for example, when the user is at a position far from the Doppler sensor 51, control of sufficiently lowering the temperature of the air-conditioned space may not be performed as a result of under-detection of the magnitude of turning.

  On the contrary, when the user is at a position close to the Doppler sensor 51, the temperature of the air-conditioned space may be lowered excessively as a result of the magnitude of the turning over being detected excessively.

  So, in this embodiment, according to the distance between a user and the Doppler sensor 51, the detection error which may be produced in the detection signal of the Doppler sensor 51 (may be referred to as "Doppler sensor value" for convenience. The sensor 52 attempts to reduce or minimize.

  For example, the Doppler sensor value may be corrected according to the distance information indicated by the detection signal of the distance sensor 52. Alternatively, the transmission radio wave intensity of the Doppler sensor 51 may be corrected by the distance information indicated by the detection signal of the distance sensor 52. A specific example of the correction will be described later.

  As a result, the detection error of the Doppler sensor 51 can be reduced, and deterioration in detection accuracy of the user's exercise intensity and activity based on the Doppler sensor value can be avoided or suppressed. Therefore, it is also possible to improve the efficiency of air conditioning control based on the detected exercise intensity and activity amount of the user.

  Any sensor may be applied to the distance sensor 52 as long as it can sense the distance to the sensing target. As a non-limiting example, a laser-type range-finding sensor, a camera mounted on the air conditioner 2, a thermal image sensor, a depth sensor, or the like may be applied to the distance sensor 52.

  The distance sensor 52 may be set to sense the air-conditioned space where the user may be located. By the setting, the distance sensor 52 can sense, for example, the distance between the user located in the air-conditioned space and the Doppler sensor 51.

  In other words, the distance sensor 52 may be set to sense at least a part of the sensing range of the Doppler sensor 51. A detection signal of the distance sensor 52 (which may be referred to as a “distance sensor value” for convenience) may be input to the processor 53. The distance sensor 52 only needs to operate during operation of the Doppler sensor 51.

  The processor 53 can detect the amount of activity according to the user's exercise intensity in the air conditioned space based on the Doppler sensor value and the distance sensor value.

  The processor 53 is an example of an arithmetic device having an arithmetic ability. The computing device may be referred to as a computing device or a computing circuit. As an example, a central processing unit (CPU) or a digital signal processor (DSP) may be applied to the processor 53 which is an example of the arithmetic device.

  Next, in FIG. 3, the memory 54 is an example of a storage medium, and may be a RAM (Random Access Memory), a flash memory, or the like. The memory 54 may store programs and data used by the processor 53 to read and operate. The "program" may be referred to as "software" or "application". The “data” may include data generated in accordance with the operation of the processor 53.

  The communication IF 55 is illustratively connected to the router 6 to enable communication with the control system 4 via the network 3. For example, the communication IF 55 may transmit the sensor information of the noncontact activity amount sensor 5 obtained based on the Doppler sensor value and the distance sensor value to the control system 4. Therefore, the communication IF 55 is an example of a transmission unit that transmits information to the control system 4 when focusing on transmission processing.

  The non-contact activity amount sensor 5 may receive the supply of power from the power supply of the air conditioner 2 or may receive the supply of power from the power supply separate from the power supply of the air conditioner 2. In other words, the power supply for the noncontact activity amount sensor 5 may be shared with the air conditioner 2 or may be separate from the air conditioner 2.

  If power is supplied to the non-contact activity amount sensor 5 from a separate power source from the air conditioner 2, even if the air conditioner 2 is powered off, the non-contact activity amount sensor 5 can perform sensing. In other words, since the non-contact activity amount sensor 5 can be operated by the sensor 5 alone even when the air conditioner 2 is not operating, it can be used as a "watching function".

  The functions of the processor 53 and the memory 54 of the noncontact activity amount sensor 5 may be realized by the controller 21 of the air conditioner 2. For example, the processor 211 and the memory 212 (see FIG. 4) built in the controller 21 of the air conditioner 2 may perform the functions of the processor 53 and the memory 54 of the non-contact activity amount sensor 5, respectively.

  In other words, the processor 211 and the memory 212 built in the controller 21 of the air conditioner 2 may be shared by the non-contact activity amount sensor 5. In this case, the non-contact activity amount sensor 5 may not include the processor 53 and the memory 54.

  When the non-contact activity amount sensor 5 is provided with the processor 53 and the memory 54, the non-contact activity amount sensor 5 can calculate the exercise intensity and the activity amount of the user by the sensor 5 alone. It does not need to be connected to the controller 21 of the machine 2.

  In addition, the function of the communication IF 55 of the non-contact activity amount sensor 5 may be realized by the communication IF 24 (see FIG. 4) connected to the controller 21 of the air conditioner 2. In other words, the communication IF 24 of the air conditioner 2 may be shared with the communication IF 55 of the non-contact activity amount sensor 5.

(Example configuration of air conditioner 2)
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the air conditioning system 1 focusing on the configuration of the air conditioner 2. The air conditioner 2 shown in FIG. 4 illustratively includes a controller 21. The controller 21 controls the operation of the air conditioner 2.

  The controller 21 may include a processor 211 and a memory 212. The processor 211 is an example of an arithmetic device having an arithmetic ability. The computing device may be referred to as a computing device or a computing circuit. A CPU or a DSP may be applied to the processor 21 as an example of the arithmetic device, as an example.

  The memory 212 is an example of a storage medium, and may be a RAM, a flash memory, or the like. The memory 212 may store programs and data used by the processor 211 to read and operate. The "program" may be referred to as "software" or "application". The “data” may include data generated in accordance with the operation of the processor 211.

  The controller 21 may be connected to a motor for driving the blower fan 22 of the air conditioner 2 and a motor for driving the louver 23 of the air conditioner 2 in addition to the non-contact activity amount sensor 5 described above. . The blower fan 22 is an example of a blower, and may be, for example, a cross flow fan. The louver 23 is an example of a wind direction adjuster, and may be referred to as an "air wing 23".

  The cross flow fan 22 is controlled by the controller 21 to control, for example, the air flow rate of the air conditioner 2. By controlling the air wing 23 by the controller 21, for example, the blowing direction of the air conditioner 2 can be controlled.

  Further, the communication IF 24, the operation unit 25, the temperature sensor 26, and the humidity sensor 27 may be connected to the controller 21, for example.

  The communication IF 24 is an interface connected to the router 6 to enable communication with the control system 4 via the network 3. An Ethernet (registered trademark) card may be applied to the communication IF 24, for example.

  The communication IF 24 is an example of a transmission unit that transmits information to the control system 4 when focusing on transmission processing, and reception of information that the control system 4 transmits to air conditioners 2 is receiving when focusing on reception processing It is an example of a part.

  The information transmitted to the control system 4 may include sensor values of the Doppler sensor 51 and the distance sensor 52. The information transmitted to the control system 4 includes the user's vital information determined by the controller 21 based on the Doppler sensor value and the distance sensor value, and the controller 21 based on the vital information. The determination result may be included.

  The operation unit 25 is operated by the user of the air conditioner 2 and inputs a signal corresponding to the operation (may be referred to as an “operation signal” for convenience) to the controller 21. Control according to the operation signal is performed by the controller 21.

  The operation unit 25 may correspond to an operation panel attached to the main body of the air conditioner 2, or may correspond to a remote controller for remotely controlling the operation of the air conditioner 2 by infrared communication, for example.

  The temperature sensor 26 senses the temperature of the air-conditioned space. The humidity sensor 27 senses the humidity of the air-conditioned space. The controller 21 may adaptively control the blower fan 22 and the louver 23 based on sensor information of one or both of the temperature sensor 26 and the humidity sensor 27.

  Note that the cleaning mechanism 29 may be connected to the controller 21. The cleaning mechanism 29 may be, for example, a mechanism for the air conditioner 2 to autonomously clean the filter of the air conditioner 2. The cleaning by the cleaning mechanism 29 may be performed, for example, in response to the power-off of the air conditioner 2.

  In addition, the camera 30 may be connected to the controller 21. The camera 30 may image the air conditioning space. The image data captured by the camera 30 may be included in the information transmitted from the communication IF 24 to the control system 4. The image data may be still image data or moving image data.

  The image data of the camera 30 received by the control system 4 may be accessible from the information terminal. The information terminal may be, for example, a terminal owned by a user of the air conditioner 2 or a relative thereof, or may be a terminal owned by a security company authorized to monitor the air-conditioned space. The information terminal may include a personal computer (PC), a mobile phone (including a smartphone), a tablet PC, and the like.

  By referring to the image data of the air conditioning space received by the control system 4 with the information terminal, the state of the air conditioning space at a remote place away from the air conditioning space Etc. can be monitored and confirmed.

(Example of configuration of control system 4)
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the control system 4 illustrated in FIG. The control system 4 illustrated in FIG. 5 may include, for example, a processor 41, a memory 42, a storage device 43, a communication interface (IF) 44, and a peripheral IF 45.

  The processor 41, the memory 42, the storage device 43, the communication IF 44, and the peripheral IF 45 may be communicably connected to one another by the bus 46, for example.

  The processor 41 illustratively controls the operation as the control system 4. The control may include controlling communication with the network 3 or remotely controlling the air conditioner 2 via the network 3 as described above.

  For example, the processor 41 may generate a control signal for controlling the operation of the air conditioner 2 based on the sensor information of the non-contact activity amount sensor 5 received by the communication IF 44. The control signal may be transmitted from the communication IF 44 to the air conditioner 2. The control signal transmitted to the air conditioner 2 may be received by the air conditioner 2 (for example, the communication IF 24) via the network 3 and the router 6.

  The processor 41 is an example of an arithmetic device having an arithmetic ability. The computing device may be referred to as a computing device or a computing circuit. A CPU or a DSP may be applied to the processor 41 which is an example of the arithmetic device, as an example.

  The memory 42 is an example of a storage medium, and may be a RAM, a flash memory, or the like. The memory 42 may store programs and data used by the processor 41 to read and operate.

  The “program” may include a program for controlling the operation of the air conditioner 2. The “data” may include data generated according to the operation of the processor 41, a control signal for the air conditioner 2, and the like.

  The storage device 43 may store, for example, sensor information of the non-contact activity amount sensor 5 received by the communication IF 44. The sensor information may be, for example, in a database (DB) in the storage device 43. The data converted into DB may be referred to as "cloud data", "big data" or the like. A hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), or the like may be applied to the storage device 43, for example.

  The communication IF 44 is illustratively connected to the network 3 to enable communication with the air conditioner 2 via the network 3. The communication IF 44 is an example of a receiving unit that receives information transmitted from the non-contact activity amount sensor 5 to the control system 4 when focusing on reception processing. On the other hand, focusing on the transmission process, the communication IF 44 is an example of a transmission unit that transmits, for example, the control signal addressed to the air conditioner 2 generated by the processor 41. An Ethernet (registered trademark) card may be applied to the communication IF 44, for example.

  The peripheral IF 45 is an interface for connecting peripheral devices to the control system 4, for example. The peripheral devices may include an input device for inputting information to the control system 4 and an output device for outputting information obtained by the control system 4. The input device may include a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, and the like. The output device may include a display, a printer, and the like.

(Operation example)
Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 6-14, the operation example of the air conditioning system 1 is demonstrated. In the following, as a non-limiting example, an example in which the exercise intensity and the activity amount of the user are calculated by the control system 4 (for example, the processor 41) will be described. However, the exercise intensity and activity amount of the user may be calculated by the non-contact activity amount sensor 5 (for example, the processor 53) or the controller 21 (for example, the processor 211) of the air conditioner 2.

(First embodiment)
As illustrated in FIG. 6, the control system 4 receives sensor information transmitted from the sensor 5 to the control system 4. The sensor information may include, for example, the sensor value of the Doppler sensor 51 and the sensor value of the distance sensor 52. These sensor values are illustratively received by the communication IF 44 of the control system 4 and input to the processor 41 of the control system 4 (process P11a, P11b).

  The processor 41 may obtain the distance between the distance sensor 52 and the user based on the sensor value of the distance sensor 52 (processing P12 b), and may obtain a correction coefficient of the Doppler sensor value according to the obtained distance ( Process P14b).

  However, the correction coefficient may be set to be obtained only when the obtained distance has a change equal to or more than a predetermined threshold value. According to the setting, the amount of distance calculation by the processor 41 can be reduced, and the calculation load of the processor 41 can be reduced.

  For example, the processor 41 may obtain a difference between the present and the past (exemplarily, the previous time) distances, and may obtain a correction coefficient if the difference is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold (YES in process P13b) (process P14b).

  On the other hand, if the difference between the current and past distances is less than the threshold (in the case of NO in process P13b), processor 41 does not newly calculate the correction coefficient, but is obtained in process P14b in the past (for example, the previous time) The correction factor may be used to correct the Doppler sensor value.

  The correction factor may, for example, be used to correct the amplification gain of the Doppler sensor value. As a non-limiting example, the processor 41 may obtain the loss received by the Doppler sensor value based on the information indicating the relationship between the distance and the radio wave loss, as shown in the following Table 1, for example.

  The processor 41 may amplify (in other words, "correct") the amplitude of the Doppler sensor value so that the loss is compensated (processing P12a). The amplification may be realized by software processing.

表１に例示する距離対電波損失情報は、例示的に、例えばメモリ４２や記憶装置４３（図５参照）に、データベース（ＤＢ）として予め記憶されていてよい。

The distance-to-radio wave loss information illustrated in Table 1 may be stored in advance as a database (DB), for example, in the memory 42 or the storage device 43 (see FIG. 5).

  When the process illustrated in FIG. 6 is executed by the sensor 5 (for example, the processor 53), the distance-to-wave loss information illustrated in Table 1 may be stored in the memory 54 of the sensor 5. When the process illustrated in FIG. 6 is executed by the controller 21 (for example, the processor 211) of the air conditioner 2, the distance vs. radio wave loss information illustrated in Table 1 is stored in the memory 212 of the controller 21. May be done.

Instead of using the distance-to-radio wave loss information illustrated in Table 1, the processor 41 may obtain radio wave loss (Los) by the following equation (1).
Los = (4πr / λ) ² (1)

In Equation (1), “λ” represents the wavelength of the transmission radio wave of the Doppler sensor 51, and “r” represents the distance detected by the distance sensor 52. Formula (1) can be transformed into the following formula (2).
Los [dB] = 20 Log (4πr / λ) (2)

  The processor 41 may correct the Doppler sensor value so as to compensate for the radio wave loss determined by equation (1) or equation (2). The correction of the Doppler sensor value improves the calculation accuracy of the exercise intensity described later.

  The correction of the Doppler sensor value may be performed each time the Doppler sensor value is received, or may be performed on the Doppler sensor value averaged over a unit time. If correction is performed at each reception of a Doppler sensor value or at each unit time, temporal control by the processor 41 is easy.

  The processor 41 may calculate the “expansion wavelength” based on the corrected Doppler sensor value (processing P15). The “expansion wavelength” indicates, for example, the length when the signal waveform of the Doppler sensor value (that is, time change) is linearly extended in the time domain. Therefore, the “extension wavelength” is a concept different from the usual “wavelength”.

  The “extension wavelength” may be understood as that the Doppler sensor value corresponds to the length of the trace drawn in the time domain in a certain unit time. The unit time may be in the unit of “seconds” or in the unit of “minutes”.

  FIG. 7 schematically illustrates the concept of “extension wavelength”. The horizontal axis in FIG. 7 indicates time (t), and the vertical axis in FIG. 7 indicates the Doppler sensor value (for example, voltage [V]).

  In FIG. 7, the signal waveform indicated by the dotted line A exemplarily schematically shows the time change of the Doppler sensor value when the user of the sensing target is sleeping. The signal waveform shown by the solid line B schematically represents the time change of the Doppler sensor value when the user of the sensing target is awake and active.

  "Wavelength at extension time" corresponds to the length when the signal waveform per unit time (ΔT) shown by dotted line A and solid line B is extended linearly in the time direction, as exemplified in the lower part of FIG. Do.

  The “extension wavelength” exemplarily stores the Doppler sensor values in the memory 42 (see FIG. 5) sequentially with a certain period (may be referred to as “sampling period”). It can be calculated by adding the variation of the amplitude value over time.

  An example of calculation of the “spreading wavelength” will be described with reference to FIG. The horizontal axis in FIG. 8 represents time (t), and the vertical axis in FIG. 8 represents the Doppler sensor value (for example, voltage [V] corresponding to the amplitude value).

In the signal waveform illustrated in FIG. 8, the Doppler sensor values are “A _{α +2} ”, “A _{α +1} ”, and “at certain timings t = T _{N + 2} , t = T _{N + 1} , and t = T _N , respectively. A _α ".

Note that "N" is an integer representing a timing label. “A” is a real number that the voltage value [V] can take, and “α” is an integer representing a label of the voltage value. Each timing t = T _{N + 2} , t = T _{N + 1} , and t = T _N may be referred to as “sampling timing”. The sampling timing intervals may be constant or different.

  The processor 41 exemplarily determines an amplitude change amount between sampling timings based on the amplitude value (voltage value) obtained at each sampling timing. For example, the processor 41 may obtain a difference between amplitude values at adjacent sampling timings as an amplitude change amount between the sampling timings.

Illustratively, the processor 41 may determine an amplitude change amount between the sampling timing t = T _{N + 2} and the next sampling timing t = T _{N + 1} as the absolute value | A _{α + 1} −A _{α + 2} |. Similarly, the processor 41 may obtain an amplitude change amount between the sampling timing t = T _{N + 1} and the next sampling timing t = T _N as an absolute value | A _α −A _{α + 1} |.

The processor 41 repeatedly performs such an operation over the number of times of sampling per unit time, and the obtained amplitude change amount is expressed as | A _α −A _{α + 1} | + | A _{α + 1} −A _{α + 2} | +. By adding, it is possible to calculate "the extension wavelength".

  Note that, as illustrated in FIG. 8, when the Doppler sensor value is represented by a voltage value [V], the unit of “extension wavelength” may be represented by, for example, “voltage / time” (V / min) .

  FIGS. 9A to 9C show an example of the wavelength calculation process during extension. FIG. 9 (A) shows the original waveform of the Doppler sensor value, FIG. 9 (B) shows the differential waveform, and FIG. 9 (C) is a value obtained by summing the differential waveform over a predetermined time (1 second in this example) Indicates

  The original waveform illustrated in FIG. 9A corresponds to the waveform of the Doppler sensor value that has been corrected according to the distance as described above. The differential waveform illustrated in FIG. 9B represents the amount of change in amplitude for each predetermined minute time, and is, for example, a differential waveform calculated at a sampling period of 1 kHz. Therefore, the amplitude change amount exemplarily represents the amplitude change amount every 1/1000 second.

  The differential waveforms may be summed every one second in the period ΔT illustrated in FIG. For example, the amount of change in amplitude may be summed every one thousand in the period ΔT. Thus, as illustrated in FIG. 9C, the extension wavelength in the period ΔT is calculated.

  Note that if the number of samplings of the amplitude value per unit time is too small, the calculation accuracy of the "expansion wavelength" will decrease, and if it is too large, the calculation load will be high and calculation delay etc. may occur, so set in a realistic range. May be done. Furthermore, the "extension wavelength" may be time averaged over a predetermined time. For example, 60 “extension wavelengths” obtained in 1 minute may be taken with a unit time of 1 second.

  Further, the processor 41 may calculate the “spreading wavelength” as follows. For example, FIG. 10 shows an example of calculating the “spreading wavelength” of the curve AB. The interval AB is divided into n minute sections, each minute section is approximated by a line segment, and the sum Sn of the lengths is expressed by the following formula (3).

Assuming that the minute displacement in the x direction of the minute section is Δxk and the minute displacement in the y direction is Δyk, ΔSk is expressed by the following equation (4) according to the three-square theorem.

As shown in the following equation (5), the sum Sn approaches the length L of the curve AB when the number n of the minute sections in the equation 2 is increased to infinity.

In the equation (5), assuming that the x direction is a time axis and the sampling period of the Doppler sensor value is constant (for example, 1 kHz), “x _k ” is constant, and “y _k ” is the Doppler sensor value (amplitude By substituting the value), the “extension wavelength” is calculated.

  The processor 41 may calculate the exercise intensity of the user on the basis of the “extension wavelength” of the Doppler sensor value (processing P16 in FIG. 6). The exercise intensity may be determined as a METs value (Mets value).

  Here, the “extension wavelength” of the Doppler sensor value becomes longer because the amplitude of the Doppler sensor value increases as the magnitude of the user's motion increases, and the frequency increases as the user's motion speed increases. It will be longer because it

  Since the size and speed of the user's movement are related to the exercise intensity according to the user's movement, the “extension wavelength” can be used as an index of the user's exercise intensity. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, there is a correlation between the extension wavelength and the exercise intensity.

  In FIG. 11, the exercise intensity with respect to the extension wavelength of each of five types of “sleep”, “seat rest”, “dishwashing”, “cleaning” and “walking” as an example of the physical activity of the user is shown. It is plotted. Note that “sleep” corresponds to a resting state, and the exercise intensity at “sleep” may be set to the reference value “1”.

  As illustrated in FIG. 11, in the order of “sleep”, “sitting rest”, “dishwashing”, “cleaning” and “walking”, the size of the movement of the user tends to be large and the speed of movement becomes faster. Therefore, the exercise intensity tends to increase, and hence the extension wavelength also tends to increase.

  In the case of “sitting”, the heart rate and respiration rate tend to be about 5 to 10% higher than in the resting state during “sleep” (in other words, the number of movements increases), so the reflected wave The wave number per unit time increases, and the extension wavelength tends to be long.

  The extension wavelength and the exercise intensity can be related by a certain relational expression y. The relational expression y may be derived in advance by curve fitting (in other words, curve fitting) using a plurality of actual measurement values.

For example, when “the extension wavelength” is represented by “L”, the relational expression y may be represented by the following equation (6).
y (METs) = aL ² + bL + c (6)
In the formula (6), “a”, “b” and “c” are all constants.

  As a non-limiting example, FIG. 11 illustrates the relationship of exercise intensity (METs value) to extension wavelength when a = -3E-12, b = 6E-06, c = 1.0829. ing.

  The processor 41 may obtain the exercise intensity of the user as the metric value (Y) by substituting the extension wavelength L into the equation (6).

  The relational expression y may be stored in the memory 42 or the storage device 43, for example. If the process illustrated in FIG. 6 is performed by the sensor 5 (for example, the processor 53), the relational expression y may be stored in the memory 54 of the sensor 5. Further, when the process illustrated in FIG. 6 is executed by the controller 21 (for example, the processor 211) of the air conditioner 2, the relational expression y may be stored in the memory 212 of the controller 21.

  The relational expression y is not limited to the actual measurement value, and may be derived assuming an average user. Also, the relational expression y may be derived for each gender, weight, and height of the user. This is because the correlation between the extension wavelength and the exercise intensity may differ depending on the sex, the weight, and the height.

  In this case, the processor 41 may calculate the exercise intensity using the relational expression y according to the user. Information indicating the user's age, height, weight and the like may be input to the control system 4 at the time of initial setting and the like.

  Also, since the relationship between extension wavelength and exercise intensity may change depending on other parameters such as the environmental temperature and the user's mental tension, the relationship y is derived separately from such parameters. It may be done. Alternatively, the relational expression y may be derived separately for the user based on actual measurement values specific to the user.

  Furthermore, in the above-described exercise intensity calculation process P16, instead of the relational expression y, the exercise intensity of the user may be obtained based on data indicating the relationship between the extension wavelength and the exercise intensity. The data indicating the relationship between the extension wavelength and the exercise intensity may be, for example, stored in the memory 42 or the storage device 43 and made into a database.

  The exercise intensity may be related to the amplitude and frequency of the Doppler sensor value used to calculate the "extension wavelength" instead of the "extension wavelength". In this case, the processor 41 can obtain the exercise intensity of the user without calculating the extension wavelength.

  The processor 41 may estimate (or determine) the state of the user based on the exercise intensity of the user determined in the process P16 of FIG. 6 (process P17 of FIG. 6).

  For example, when the exercise intensity exceeds a certain threshold (may be referred to as a “state determination threshold” for convenience), the processor 41 indicates that the user is active in the air-conditioned space as described above. It may be determined that The fact that the user is active may include, as described above, a state in which the user is struggling to sleep a lot due to heat and is turning over.

Further, since the relationship between the user's exercise intensity and the heart rate can be expressed by the following equation (7), the processor 41 estimates the user's heart rate from the exercise intensity calculated in the process P16. It can also be done.

Exercise intensity = (heart rate-resting heart rate) / (maximum heart rate-resting heart rate) x 10 ... (7)

  Here, the resting heart rate and the maximum heart rate of the equation (7) may each be predetermined values. Further, the resting heart rate and the maximum heart rate of equation (7) may be set for each user. For example, (220-user's age) may be used for the maximum heart rate. Alternatively, actual measurement data of the user may be used for the resting heart rate and the maximum heart rate.

  As described above, although it is difficult to accurately detect the heart rate when the user is moving, the user's exercise intensity is estimated by detecting the size and speed of the user's movement with the Doppler sensor 51. can do.

  In other words, the user's exercise intensity can be calculated based on the size and speed of the user's movement that can be detected by the Doppler sensor 51, not the information that is difficult to detect such as the heart rate at the user's activity. Since the heart rate of the user can be calculated based on the calculated exercise intensity, it is possible to calculate the heart rate of the user with high accuracy even during activities in which the user is not resting.

  The user's consumed calories can also be calculated and estimated based on the user's MetS value. The consumed calories may be regarded as an example of information indicating the state of the user. For example, the processor 41 may calculate the calorie consumption of the user by a simple calculation represented by: calorie consumption (kcal) = 1.05 × mets value × time × body weight (kg).

  For example, when a user weighing 52 kg performs an exercise of “2.5 METs” by “walking” for 1 hour, the consumed calorie is 1.05 × 2.5 × 1.0 (hours) × 52 (kg) = It can be calculated as 136.5 (kcal).

  However, this number is the total value of the total calories consumed during the activity (“calorie consumption at rest + consumption consumed by activity”), so the calories increased by activity is one METs (rest Of the calorie consumption of 8) (kcal).

  The processor 41 may output the information (for example, the heart rate and the consumed calories) indicating the state of the user obtained in the process P17 to an output device such as a display or a printer via the peripheral IF 45 (see FIG. 6). Process P18).

  The processor 41 may output a warning to the output device when the heart rate is out of the predetermined normal range. The warning may be output together with the information indicating the heart rate, and may be output instead of the information indicating the heart rate.

  The calculation of heart rate may be omitted. Information indicating the exercise intensity calculated in process P16 of FIG. 6 may be output to an output device such as a display or a printer via the peripheral IF 45.

  For example, in the state determination process P17, the processor 41 may output a warning to an output device such as a display or a printer if the exercise intensity calculated in the process P16 is less than a certain threshold (for example, less than 1). The warning may be output together with the information indicating the exercise intensity, or may be output instead of the information indicating the exercise intensity.

  The exercise intensity may be calculated in combination with information of another sensor (for example, an image sensor). For example, the processor 41 may correct the exercise intensity based on the information detected by the other sensor indicating the user's load (for example, a heavy load).

  The processor 41 may generate a signal for controlling the operation of the air conditioner 2 using the result of the process P17 described above (process P19 in FIG. 6). Illustratively, the processor 41 generates a control signal instructing the air conditioner 2 to lower the temperature when it is determined in process P17 that the user's exercise intensity exceeds a certain threshold, and the air conditioner 2 May be sent to.

  Thus, for example, as described above, it is possible to control to lower the temperature of the air-conditioned space when the user is asleep in the air-conditioned space, is turning around badly, and exercise intensity exceeds the threshold. become.

  Here, the exercise intensity of the user is calculated based on the extension wavelength corrected in accordance with the distance information detected by the distance sensor 52. Therefore, it is possible to avoid or suppress underdetection or overdetection of the exercise intensity of the user due to the distance between the user and the Doppler sensor 51 in the air-conditioned space.

  Therefore, regardless of where the user is located in the air-conditioned space, the exercise intensity of the user is correctly detected without depending on the position, and the appropriate air conditioning control according to the exercise intensity is efficiently implemented. It becomes possible. The “air conditioning control” may include not only temperature control but also humidity control, wind direction control, air volume control, and the like.

Second Embodiment
In the first embodiment described above, an example in which the correction target based on the distance information detected by the distance sensor 52 is a Doppler sensor value has been described, but the correction target based on the distance information is obtained from the Doppler sensor value It may be the "extension wavelength".

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an operation example of the air conditioning system 1 according to the second embodiment, and shows an example of correcting the “extension wavelength” of the Doppler sensor value based on the distance information detected by the distance sensor 52. .

  As illustrated in FIG. 12, the control system 4 receives sensor information transmitted from the sensor 5 to the control system 4 as in the first embodiment. The sensor information may include, for example, the sensor value of the Doppler sensor 51 and the sensor value of the distance sensor 52. These sensor values are illustratively received by the communication IF 44 of the control system 4 and input to the processor 41 of the control system 4 (process P11a, P11b).

  Similar to the first embodiment, the processor 41 obtains the distance between the distance sensor 52 and the user based on the sensor value of the distance sensor 52 (processing P12 b), and the correction coefficient corresponding to the obtained distance is obtained. You may ask for (processing P14b).

  However, also in the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the correction coefficient may be set so as to be obtained only when the obtained distance has a change equal to or more than a predetermined threshold value. For example, the processor 41 may obtain a difference between the present and the past (exemplarily, the previous time) distances, and may obtain a correction coefficient if the difference is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold (YES in process P13b) (process P14b).

  On the other hand, if the difference between the current and past distances is less than the threshold (in the case of NO in process P13b), processor 41 does not newly calculate the correction coefficient, but is obtained in process P14b in the past (for example, the previous time) The correction factor may be used to correct the Doppler sensor value.

  The correction factor may be used, for example, to correct the "extension wavelength" of the Doppler sensor value. By way of example, in the first embodiment, the correction factor for the “expansion wavelength” is compensated for the distance to radio wave loss information illustrated in Table 1 or the radio wave loss determined by the equation (1) or (2). May be determined. For example, the “stretching wavelength” may be corrected to be longer as the distance indicated by the distance sensor value is longer.

  On the other hand, the processor 41 may calculate the “spreading wavelength” based on the Doppler sensor value (processing P15a). Unlike the first embodiment, the Doppler sensor value is a Doppler sensor value not corrected by the correction coefficient.

  The processor 41 may correct the calculated “expansion wavelength” using the correction coefficient obtained based on the distance sensor value in process P14b (process P15b). The correction accuracy of the “extension wavelength” of the Doppler sensor value improves the calculation accuracy of the user's exercise intensity.

  Since the correction of the "expansion wavelength" is a correction to the sum of the differential waveforms over a unit time of the Doppler sensor value, the deterioration in accuracy due to the accumulation of the correction error is suppressed compared to the correction of the Doppler sensor value in the first embodiment. be able to.

  Thereafter, the processor 41 may calculate the exercise intensity of the user on the basis of the corrected “wavelength at extension” in the same manner as in the first embodiment (processing P16). Further, the processor 41 may estimate or determine the state of the user based on the calculated exercise intensity in the same manner as in the first embodiment (processing P17).

  Furthermore, the processor 41 may output information indicating the user's condition (for example, heart rate and consumed calories) to an output device such as a display or a printer as in the first embodiment (processing P18). Further, as in the first embodiment, the processor 41 may perform air conditioning control in accordance with the estimated or determined user's condition (processing P19).

  As described above, according to the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, wherever the user is located in the air-conditioned space, the exercise intensity of the user is correctly detected without depending on the position. Then, it is possible to efficiently implement appropriate air conditioning control according to the exercise intensity.

  Further, according to the second embodiment, since the “extension wavelength” of the Doppler sensor value is corrected based on the distance sensor value, it is possible to suppress the decrease in accuracy due to the accumulation of correction errors as described above. Therefore, the calculation accuracy of the user's exercise intensity and the estimation accuracy of the user's condition can be improved, and more efficient air conditioning control becomes possible.

Third Embodiment
Although the target of correction based on the distance information detected by the distance sensor 52 has been described in the first or second embodiment described above as an example in which the "Doppler sensor value" or the "expansion wavelength" is used, the correction based on the distance information The target of may be a threshold used to determine the state of the user.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an operation example of the air conditioning system 1 according to the third embodiment, and shows an example of correcting the threshold used for the user state determination based on the distance information detected by the distance sensor 52. .

  As illustrated in FIG. 13, the control system 4 receives sensor information transmitted from the sensor 5 to the control system 4 as in the first and second embodiments. The sensor information may include, for example, the sensor value of the Doppler sensor 51 and the sensor value of the distance sensor 52. These sensor values are illustratively received by the communication IF 44 of the control system 4 and input to the processor 41 of the control system 4 (process P11a, P11b).

  The processor 41 obtains the distance between the distance sensor 52 and the user based on the sensor value of the distance sensor 52 in the same manner as in the first and second embodiments (processing P12 b), and the processing according to the obtained distance A correction coefficient may be obtained (processing P14 b).

  Also in the third embodiment, as in the first and second embodiments, the correction coefficient may be set so as to be obtained only when the obtained distance has a change equal to or more than a predetermined threshold value. For example, the processor 41 may obtain a difference between the present and the past (exemplarily, the previous time) distances, and may obtain a correction coefficient if the difference is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold (YES in process P13b) (process P14b).

  On the other hand, if the difference between the current and past distances is less than the threshold (in the case of NO in process P13b), processor 41 does not newly calculate the correction coefficient, but is obtained in process P14b in the past (for example, the previous time) The correction coefficient may be used to correct the state determination threshold.

  The correction coefficient of the state determination threshold value is, by way of example, the distance to radio wave loss information illustrated in Table 1 in the first embodiment, a value by which the radio wave loss calculated by the equation (1) or the equation (2) is compensated May be determined.

  For example, the greater the distance indicated by the distance sensor value, the higher the user's exercise intensity is and the more likely it is determined that the user is "active" (in other words, the exercise intensity determination sensitivity is higher). It may be corrected to a small value.

  Conversely, the closer the distance indicated by the distance sensor value, the lower the user's exercise intensity and the more likely it is determined that the user is "inactive" (in other words, the exercise intensity determination sensitivity is lower) It may be corrected to a large value.

  On the other hand, the processor 41 may calculate the “spreading wavelength” based on the Doppler sensor value (processing P15a).

  The processor 41 may calculate the exercise intensity of the user based on the calculated “extension wavelength” in the same manner as in the first and second embodiments (processing P16). Further, the processor 41 may estimate or determine the state of the user based on the calculated exercise intensity (processing P17a).

  In the process P17a, the processor 41 may correct the threshold used to estimate or determine the state of the user with the correction coefficient calculated in the process P14b. As a result, for example, even if the user has a small movement at a position far from the Doppler sensor 51, it is likely that the user is determined to be "active." Conversely, even if the user has the same movement at a position near the Doppler sensor 51, it is difficult to determine that the user is "active."

  Therefore, under detection or over detection of the user's condition (for example, exercise intensity) depending on the distance from the air conditioner 2 can be avoided or suppressed. Therefore, the processor 41 can perform the air conditioning control according to the user's state efficiently by performing the air conditioning control according to the user's state estimated or determined in the process P17a (process P19) It is.

  The processor 41 may output information (for example, heart rate and consumed calories) indicating the state of the user to an output device such as a display or a printer in the same manner as in the first and second embodiments (processing P18).

  As described above, according to the third embodiment, as in the first and second embodiments, no matter where the user is located in the air-conditioned space, it does not depend on the position of the user, and It is possible to efficiently implement appropriate and appropriate air conditioning control.

  Furthermore, according to the third embodiment, instead of correcting the Doppler sensor value or the extension wavelength as in the first or second embodiment, the control by the processor 41 can be simplified because the threshold is corrected.

Fourth Embodiment
The target of the correction based on the distance information detected by the distance sensor 52 may be the transmission radio wave intensity of the Doppler sensor 51. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an operation example of the air conditioning system 1 according to the fourth embodiment, and shows an example of correcting the transmission radio wave intensity of the Doppler sensor 51 based on the distance information detected by the distance sensor 52.

  As illustrated in FIG. 14, the control system 4 receives sensor information transmitted from the sensor 5 to the control system 4 as in the first to third embodiments. The sensor information may include, for example, the sensor value of the Doppler sensor 51 and the sensor value of the distance sensor 52. These sensor values are illustratively received by the communication IF 44 of the control system 4 and input to the processor 41 of the control system 4 (process P11a, P11b).

  The processor 41 obtains the distance between the distance sensor 52 and the user based on the sensor value of the distance sensor 52 in the same manner as in the first and second embodiments (processing P12 b), and the processing is performed according to the obtained distance. A correction coefficient may be obtained (processing P14 b).

  Also in the fourth embodiment, as in the first to third embodiments, the correction coefficient may be set so as to be obtained only when the obtained distance has a change equal to or more than a predetermined threshold. For example, the processor 41 may obtain a difference between the present and the past (exemplarily, the previous time) distances, and may obtain a correction coefficient if the difference is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold (YES in process P13b) (process P14b).

  On the other hand, if the difference between the current and past distances is less than the threshold (in the case of NO in process P13b), processor 41 does not newly calculate the correction coefficient, but is obtained in process P14b in the past (for example, the previous time) The correction coefficient may be used to correct the transmission radio wave intensity of the Doppler sensor 51.

  The correction factor of the transmission radio wave intensity of the Doppler sensor 51 is, for example, the distance to radio wave loss information exemplified in Table 1 in the first embodiment, the radio wave loss calculated by the equation (1) or the equation (2) The value to be compensated may be determined. For example, the correction coefficient of the transmission radio wave intensity of the Doppler sensor 51 may be corrected to a value that increases the transmission radio wave intensity as the distance indicated by the distance sensor value increases.

  The processor 41 may generate a control signal for correcting the transmission radio wave intensity of the Doppler sensor 51 in accordance with the calculated correction coefficient, and transmit the control signal to the sensor 5. According to the control signal, for example, the OSC 512 (see FIG. 2) of the Doppler sensor 51 is controlled by the processor 53, whereby the transmission radio wave intensity of the Doppler sensor 51 is corrected (processing P14c).

  The processor 41 of the control system 4 may calculate the “extension wavelength” based on the sensor value of the Doppler sensor 51 in which the transmission radio wave intensity is corrected (processing P15 a).

  The processor 41 may calculate the exercise intensity of the user based on the calculated “extension wavelength” in the same manner as in the first and second embodiments (processing P16). Also, the processor 41 may estimate or determine the state of the user based on the calculated exercise intensity (processing P17).

  The processor 41 can perform the air conditioning control according to the user's state efficiently by performing the air conditioning control according to the estimated or determined user's state (processing P19).

  The processor 41 may output information (for example, heart rate and consumed calories) indicating the state of the user to an output device such as a display or a printer in the same manner as in the first and second embodiments (processing P18).

  As described above, according to the fourth embodiment, since the transmission radio wave intensity of the Doppler sensor 51 is corrected according to the distance sensor value, the state of the user (for example, exercise intensity) is according to the distance from the air conditioner 2 Under detection or under detection can be avoided or suppressed.

  Therefore, regardless of where the user is located in the air-conditioned space, the exercise intensity of the user is correctly detected without depending on the position, and the appropriate air conditioning control according to the exercise intensity is efficiently implemented. It becomes possible.

(Example of configuration of distance sensor 52)
As a non-limiting example, a laser range sensor may be applied to the distance sensor 52 illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3. The "laser-type range-finding sensor" may be conveniently referred to as "laser radar". By applying a laser radar to the distance sensor 52, it is possible to detect a distance with high accuracy.

  The laser radar 52 exemplarily intermittently emits a laser beam (may be referred to as “pulse emission”), scans the scanning range, and receives the reflected light of the laser beam to obtain position information of the object. Can be measured.

  For example, the laser radar 52 scans the scanning range while pulsing the laser light. The laser radar 52 can measure the distance and direction to the object based on the time difference from the emission of the laser light to the reception of the reflected light and the emission direction of the emitted laser light.

  The “scanning range” is a range in which scanning (also referred to as “scanning”) is performed by laser light, and for example, the conditioned space may be scanned by laser light. The “scanning” may be changing the emission direction of the laser light in the scanning range.

  FIG. 15 shows a configuration example of a laser range sensor as an example of the distance sensor 52. As shown in FIG. The laser range-finding sensor 52 illustrated in FIG. 15 may include, for example, a transmission unit 521, a pulse signal generation unit 522, a scan angle control unit 523, and a drive circuit 524. The laser range sensor 52 may include, for example, a receiver 525, a calculator 526, and a storage 527.

  The transmission unit 521 may include, for example, a laser diode (LD) that emits laser light according to a drive signal, and a movable mirror that changes the spatial reflection direction of the incident laser light. As a non-limiting example, an infrared LED emitting infrared laser light may be applied to the LD. The transmitting unit 521 may be paraphrased as a light emitting unit 521.

  A micro electro mechanical system (MEMS) mirror or a galvano mirror may be applied to the movable mirror as a non-limiting example. The transmitting unit 521 may be provided with a lens (may be referred to as a “scanning angle enlarging lens” for convenience) for spatially expanding and emitting the laser light reflected by the movable mirror.

  The pulse signal generation unit 522 generates a pulse signal as an example of a drive signal given to the infrared LED. By driving the infrared LED according to the pulse signal, infrared laser light is intermittently emitted from the infrared LED.

  The scanning angle control unit 523 illustratively controls the spatial emission direction of the laser light by controlling the angle of the movable mirror described above in the transmission unit 521. The scanning angle control unit 523 may be controlled by the computing unit 526, for example.

  The drive circuit 524 may drive the pulse signal generation unit 522 and the scan angle detection unit 523 according to the control by the calculation unit 526, for example.

  The receiving unit 525 illustratively receives the reflected light of the laser beam emitted from the transmitting unit 521 reflected by the object. The receiver 525 may illustratively be provided with a PD (photodiode or photodetector).

  The reflected light of the laser light is received by the PD, and an electrical signal corresponding to the received light power is generated. The electrical signal may illustratively be a current signal. The current signal may be converted into a voltage signal by, for example, a transimpedance amplifier (TIA) or the like. The receiving unit 525 may be provided with a lens for condensing the reflected light of the laser light on the PD. The receiving unit 525 may be reworded as a light receiving unit 525.

  Arithmetic unit 526 is, for example, based on the emission timing of the laser light by transmission unit 521 and the light reception timing of the reflected light at reception unit 525, between the object that has reflected the laser light and laser radar 52. The distance D may be calculated.

For example, when the time difference between the emission timing of the laser beam and the light reception timing of the reflected light is represented by Δt, the computing unit 526 can calculate the distance D using the following equation (8).
D = (c × Δt) / 2 (8)
However, in Formula (8), "c" represents the speed of light, for example, cc300,000 [km / s]. The calculation method is sometimes called "Time of Flight".

  Note that a processor such as a CPU or a DSP may be applied to the operation unit 526. Further, the calculation of equation (8) may be executed by the control system 4 (for example, the processor 41), the non-contact activity amount sensor 5 (for example, the processor 53), or the controller 21 of the air conditioner 2 as an example. (For example, processor 211) may be performed.

  The storage unit 527 may store the distance information (D) calculated by the calculation unit 526. The distance information stored in the storage unit 527 may be appropriately read by the operation unit 526, for example, and provided to the processor 41, 53 or 211. The computing unit 526 may correspond to any of the processors 41, 53, and 211.

  A RAM, a flash memory, or the like may be applied to the storage unit 527. Further, the storage unit 527 may store programs and data used for the calculation unit 526 to read and operate. The “data” may include data generated according to the operation of the calculation unit 526.

  The pulse signal generation unit 522, the scan angle control unit 523, the drive circuit 524, the calculation unit 526, and the storage unit 527 may be considered to form an example of a control unit of the laser radar 52.

  FIG. 16 is a view schematically showing an example of the scanning order of the laser radar 52. As shown in FIG. In FIG. 16, the ○ marks represent one laser beam emission of the laser radar 52. For example, when scanning of the first row in the horizontal direction is completed, the laser radar 52 moves upward to one step in the vertical direction while returning to the right, and performs scanning of the second row in the horizontal direction. Then, the laser radar 52 ends the scanning when scanning of the k-th column (k is an integer of 2 or more) in the horizontal direction is completed. Such "scan" method is sometimes referred to as "raster scan".

  A stereo camera may be applied to the distance sensor 52 illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 as a non-limiting example. The stereo camera 52 may correspond to the camera 30 provided in the air conditioner 2 illustrated in FIG. 4. In other words, the stereo camera 52 may be shared by the air conditioner 2 and the noncontact activity amount sensor 5.

  The stereo camera 52 may include a plurality of (exemplarily, two) cameras C1 and C2 spaced apart by a certain distance in the horizontal direction, for example, as schematically shown in FIG. The distance between the two cameras C1 and C2 is called "baseline length" and is represented by "B" in FIG.

  The optical axes of the cameras C1 and C2 may be oriented perpendicular to the sensing object with respect to the direction of the baseline length B. At this time, in the captured images of the cameras C1 and C2 (may be referred to as “camera images” for convenience), the object to be sensed is shifted to the left and right as schematically shown in FIG. 18, for example. Looks like.

  The amount of deviation is called "disparity". The “parallax” represents “xb” as the horizontal coordinate value in the captured image of one camera C1, and “Xa” as the horizontal coordinate value in the captured image of the other camera C2. Can be represented by

  Based on the parallax (Xb−Xa), the distance D between the stereo camera 52 and the sensing target can be obtained.

  For example, when the focal lengths of the cameras C1 and C2 are represented by “f” and the pixel pitch in the camera image is represented by “F”, the distance D can be obtained by the following equation (9). The pixel pitch F is determined in accordance with the resolutions of the cameras C1 and C2.

式（９）の演算は、例示的に、制御システム４（例えばプロセッサ４１）で実行されてもよいし、非接触活動量センサ５（例えばプロセッサ５３）、あるいは、空調機２のコントローラ２１（例えばプロセッサ２１１）にて実行されてもよい。

The calculation of equation (9) may be executed by, for example, the control system 4 (eg, the processor 41), the non-contact activity amount sensor 5 (eg, the processor 53), or the controller 21 of the air conditioner 2 (eg, It may be executed by the processor 211).

  As described above, when the stereo camera built in the air conditioner 2 is used as the distance sensor 52, the Doppler sensor 51 may be additionally attached to the air conditioner 2. Therefore, it is possible to aim at cost reduction of the system which senses the amount of activities of the user in air-conditioning space, and by extension, cost reduction of the air conditioning system 1.

  As described above, according to the embodiment including the above-described embodiments, the amount of activity of the user can be determined based on the sensor value of the Doppler sensor 51 and the sensor value of the distance sensor 52 according to the width of the air conditioned space. And it can detect with high accuracy non-contacting independently of the position in the air conditioning space.

  For example, regardless of whether the air-conditioned space is a narrow room or a large living room, and regardless of where the user is located in the air-conditioned space, it is possible to accurately detect the amount of activity of the user. it can. In addition, the health condition of the user can be accurately estimated based on the detected activity amount.

  For example, based on the change in the amount of activity of the user, the control system 4 can estimate and grasp the health condition of the user, such as poor health or injury. In other words, it is possible to realize the "watch guard system" of the user with high accuracy.

  In addition, since the amount of activity of the user can be detected without contact, the user needs to always carry a dedicated device for measuring the amount of activity (for example, a contact-type measuring device such as a wristband type). There is no.

  Therefore, for example, by incorporating the non-contact activity amount sensor 5 into the air conditioner 2, it becomes possible to measure the exercise intensity of the user staying in the air conditioned space at home without the user being aware. Therefore, the usability of activity measurement can be improved.

(Others)
In the embodiment including the above-described embodiments, the aspect in which the processing illustrated in FIGS. 6 to 14 is implemented by the processor 41 of the control system 4 has been described as a non-limiting example.

  However, as described above, some or all of the processes illustrated in FIGS. 6 to 14 may be performed by the non-contact active mass sensor 5 or the controller 21 of the air conditioner 2.

  For example, the controller 21 of the non-contact activity amount sensor 5 or the air conditioner 2 transmits to the control system 4 the calculated value calculated in the process of determining the state of the user based on the Doppler sensor value. Good. The control system 4 may execute the remaining processing steps up to the estimation of the state of the user based on the received calculated value.

  When all the processes illustrated in FIGS. 6 to 14 are performed by the noncontact activity amount sensor 5 or the controller 21 of the air conditioner 2, the control system 4 may be unnecessary. Moreover, if the air conditioner 2 incorporating the non-contact activity amount sensor 5 is installed in the air conditioning space, it is possible to realize appropriate air conditioning control according to the state of the user in the air conditioning space.

  On the other hand, in a mode in which calculation processing, correction processing, and state estimation processing are performed in the control system 4, for example, function addition or update of the control system 4 is performed by modification of a program or data which the processor 41 of the control system 4 reads and operates. Is easily possible.

  Therefore, the update of the air conditioning system 1 can be easily and centrally performed by the modification of the control system 4 without the modification of the non-contact active mass sensor 5 or the like.

  In the embodiment including each example described above, the state determination of the user in the air-conditioned space has been described, but whether the user is staying in the air-conditioned space based on the Doppler sensor value and the distance sensor value It may be determined whether there is any. The air conditioner 2 or the control system 4 may adaptively control the operation of the air conditioner 2 according to the stay and absence of the user.

  Furthermore, although the embodiment in which the non-contact activity amount sensor 5 is incorporated in the air conditioner 2 has been described in the embodiment including the above-described embodiments, the air conditioner 2 can be incorporated with the non-contact activity amount sensor 5. It is not limited and may be another electrical appliance such as a refrigerator. Alternatively, the non-contact activity amount sensor 5 may be distributed and used alone.

1 air conditioning system 2 air conditioner 21 controller 211 processor 212 memory 3 network (NW)
4 Control System 41 Processor 42 Memory 43 Storage Device 44 Communication Interface (IF)
45 Peripheral interface (IF)
46 bus 5 sensors (non-contact active mass sensor)
51 Doppler sensor 511 antenna 512 local oscillator (OSC)
513 MCU
514 detection circuit 515 operational amplifier (OP)
516 battery 52 distance sensor 521 transmitter (projector)
522 pulse signal generation unit 523 scanning angle control unit 524 drive circuit 525 reception unit (light receiving unit)
526 operation unit 527 storage unit 53 processor 54 memory 55 communication interface (IF)
57 bus 6 router

Claims (8)

Doppler sensor,
Distance sensor,
A processor that calculates an amount of activity of an object included in a sensing range of each of the sensors based on a detection signal of the Doppler sensor and a detection signal of the distance sensor;
Equipped with
The processor corrects the detection signal of the Doppler sensor or a signal generated based on the detection signal of the Doppler sensor according to the detection signal of the distance sensor, and calculates the amount of activity based on the corrected signal. to the non-contact activity amount sensor. The non-contact activity amount sensor according to claim 1, wherein the distance sensor senses at least a part of a sensing range of the Doppler sensor . 3. The signal according to claim 2 , wherein the signal generated based on the detection signal of the Doppler sensor is a signal representing a length corresponding to a locus drawn in a time domain per unit time of a change in the detection signal of the Doppler sensor. Non-contact activity sensor. Doppler sensor,
Distance sensor,
A processor that calculates an amount of activity of an object included in a sensing range of each of the sensors based on a detection signal of the Doppler sensor and a detection signal of the distance sensor;
Equipped with
The non- contact activity amount sensor, wherein the processor corrects a threshold used to determine the state of the object based on the calculated activity amount in accordance with a detection signal of the distance sensor . The non-contact activity amount sensor according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein the distance sensor is a laser range sensor. The non-contact activity amount sensor according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein the distance sensor is a stereo camera. The non-contact activity amount sensor according to any one of claims 1 to 6 , wherein the activity amount is calculated using one or both of an amplitude and a frequency of a detection signal of the Doppler sensor. Doppler sensor,
Distance sensor,
Based on the detection signal of the Doppler sensor and the detection signal of the distance sensor, the amount of activity of a target included in the sensing range of each sensor is calculated, and air conditioning control is performed based on the calculated amount of activity Controller,
An air conditioner equipped with

Images