JP6793529B2 - Remote control device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention is connected to an air conditioner operated by an operation input including a set temperature input from a user via a communication line, and includes at least a recommended set temperature of the air conditioner for each time zone in the day. (I) The present invention relates to a remote control device including a control unit that stores operating conditions in an information storage unit and transmits a control command to an air conditioner according to the first operating condition.

As a remote control device for air-conditioning equipment that can realize energy saving, it communicates with the air-conditioning equipment that is operated by the operation input from the user at the set timing, and acquires information on the operating status of the air-conditioning equipment at the time of the communication. The driving status monitoring means stored in the information storage means, the driving status determining means for determining whether or not the driving status information acquired by the driving status monitoring means differs from the recommended driving conditions, and the driving status determining means. A remote control device including a control command transmitting means for transmitting a control command for operating according to the recommended operating conditions to an air conditioner having an operating condition different from the recommended operating conditions based on the determination result is known. (Patent Document 1).

JP-A-2010-78184

In the case of the remote control device as described above, when the current operating conditions are equal to or more energy-saving than the preset recommended operating conditions, the current operating conditions are not changed, so that energy saving cannot be substantially realized. There is.
The remote control device as described above has room for further ingenuity in the following points. That is, if the current operating conditions are the same as the recommended operating conditions or are set to save more energy, there is a possibility that the current operating conditions are sufficiently comfortable for the user and there is room for changing to the energy-saving operating conditions. Despite the high price, no energy saving operation is performed.
Therefore, when there is room for changing to energy-saving operating conditions, a remote control device capable of realizing energy-saving is desired regardless of the recommended operating conditions set in advance.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a remote control device capable of appropriately realizing energy saving when there is room for changing to energy saving operating conditions. ..

The characteristic configuration of the remote control device according to the present invention for achieving the above object is
First operating condition including the recommended set temperature of the air conditioner for at least the time of day, which is connected to the air conditioner operated by the operation input including the set temperature input from the user via the communication line. In a remote control device including a control unit that stores the above in an information storage unit and transmits a control command to the air conditioner according to the first operating condition.
The control unit communicates with the air conditioner at a set timing, acquires an operating condition including the set temperature of the air conditioner at the time of the communication, as the current operating condition.
When the energy consumption of the current operating condition is equal to or less than the energy consumption of the first operating condition, the control unit reduces the energy consumption of the first operating condition to less than the energy consumption of the current operating condition. The second operating condition is obtained, and the first operating condition is rewritten into the second operating condition and stored in the information storage unit.
Here, when the second operating condition is obtained, the control unit may send a control command to the air conditioner to perform the operation in accordance with the second operating condition.

Here, when the energy consumption under the current operating conditions is less than or equal to the energy consumption under the first operating conditions, the energy consumption under the current operating conditions is the energy consumption under the first operating conditions in the energy consumption of the air conditioning equipment. The case where the control unit can determine that the following is true. When the control unit determines that the energy consumption under the operating conditions is less than or equal to the energy consumption under the first operating conditions, the energy consumption under the current operating conditions and the energy consumption under the first operating conditions are actually obtained. This includes the case where the energy consumption under the current operating conditions is assumed to be equal to or less than the energy consumption under the first operating conditions, and is not necessarily limited to the case where the energy consumption is actually obtained.

When the air conditioner has a heating setting, the energy consumption under the current operating conditions is less than or equal to the energy consumption under the first operating condition, and the current set temperature of the air conditioner is the same as or lower than the recommended set temperature. Applies to.
If the air conditioner has a cooling setting and the energy consumption under the current operating conditions is less than or equal to the energy consumption under the first operating condition, is the current set temperature of the air conditioner the same as the recommended set temperature? The high case is applicable.
That is, when the energy consumption under the current operating conditions is less than or equal to the energy consumption under the first operating conditions, the current air conditioning output of the air conditioning equipment is the same as the air conditioning output when the air conditioning equipment operates under the first operating conditions. Or if it is small.

Specifically, the case where the energy consumption under the current operating conditions is less than or equal to the energy consumption under the first operating conditions is the case where the air conditioning output of the air conditioner operating under the first operating conditions intended to be set to energy saving is sufficient. Or, when the air conditioner output of the air conditioner that operates under the first operating condition that is intended to be energy-saving is rather excessive, the user himself / herself can set the same operating condition as the first operating condition or a more energy-saving operating condition. This is the case where the air conditioner is operated by inputting the operation to the air conditioner as the current operating condition.

In this way, if the air-conditioning output of the air-conditioning equipment that operates under the first operating condition is sufficient, or if the air-conditioning output of the air-conditioning equipment that operates under the first operating condition is rather excessive, the first operating condition cannot be maintained as it is. Not suitable for achieving energy savings. In addition, considering that the current operating conditions are sufficiently comfortable for the user, there is a possibility that there is room for changing the first operating condition to a more energy-saving operating condition while maintaining a comfortable state for the user. It can be said that it is expensive. Therefore, in these cases, it is not appropriate to maintain the first operating condition because energy saving cannot be realized under the first operating condition.

Therefore, according to the above configuration, when the energy consumption of the current operating condition is less than or equal to the energy consumption of the first operating condition , the control unit is less than the energy consumption of the first operating condition and the energy consumption of the current operating condition. obtains a second operating condition which is less than the amount, it is rewritten Rukoto a first operating condition to the second operating condition.
Therefore, it is possible to provide a remote control device capable of appropriately realizing energy saving when there is room for changing to energy saving operating conditions.

Further characteristic configurations of the remote control device according to the present invention are
First operating condition including the recommended set temperature of the air conditioner for at least the time of day, which is connected to the air conditioner operated by the operation input including the set temperature input from the user via the communication line. In a remote control device including a control unit that stores the above in an information storage unit and transmits a control command to the air conditioner according to the first operating condition.
The control unit communicates with the air conditioner at a set timing, acquires an operating condition including the set temperature of the air conditioner at the time of the communication, as the current operating condition.
When the energy consumption of the current operating condition is larger than the energy consumption of the first operating condition, the control unit is equal to or less than the energy consumption of the current operating condition and exceeds the energy consumption of the first operating condition. The point is that the third operating condition, which is the amount of energy consumed, is obtained, the first operating condition is rewritten into the third operating condition, and the third operating condition is stored in the information storage unit.

According to the above configuration, when the energy consumption of the current operating condition is larger than the energy consumption of the first operating condition, the control unit sets the energy consumption of the first operating condition to be less than or equal to the energy consumption of the current operating condition. It is possible to obtain the third operating condition that exceeds the energy consumption and rewrite the first operating condition to the third operating condition.
Therefore, it is possible to provide a remote control device capable of appropriately realizing energy saving when there is room for changing to energy saving operating conditions.

Further characteristic configurations of the remote control device according to the present invention are
First operating condition including the recommended set temperature of the air conditioner for at least the time of day, which is connected to the air conditioner operated by the operation input including the set temperature input from the user via the communication line. In a remote control device including a control unit that stores the above in an information storage unit and transmits a control command to the air conditioner according to the first operating condition.
The control unit communicates with the air conditioner at a set timing, acquires an operating condition including the set temperature of the air conditioner at the time of the communication, as the current operating condition.
When the energy consumption of the current operating condition is equal to or less than the energy consumption of the first operating condition, the control unit sets the first operating condition to less than the energy consumption of the first operating condition. Rewrite to and store in the information storage unit,
When the energy consumption of the current operating condition is larger than the energy consumption of the first operating condition, the control unit is equal to or less than the energy consumption of the current operating condition and exceeds the energy consumption of the first operating condition. The point is that the third operating condition, which is the amount of energy consumed, is obtained, the first operating condition is rewritten into the third operating condition, and the third operating condition is stored in the information storage unit.
Here, when the third operating condition is obtained, the control unit may send a control command to the air conditioner to perform the operation in accordance with the third operating condition.

According to the above configuration, when the energy consumption of the current operating condition is equal to or less than the energy consumption of the first operating condition, the control unit sets the first operating condition to less than the energy consumption of the first operating condition. It can be rewritten as a condition.
Therefore, it is possible to provide a remote control device capable of appropriately realizing energy saving when there is room for changing to energy saving operating conditions.

In addition, according to the above configuration, when the energy consumption under the current operating conditions is greater than the energy consumption under the first operating conditions, the control unit is equal to or less than the energy consumption under the current operating conditions and the energy under the first operating conditions. It is possible to obtain a third operating condition that consumes more energy than the consumption amount, and rewrite the first operating condition to the third operating condition.
When the air conditioner is set to heating, the energy consumption of the current operating condition is larger than the energy consumption of the first operating condition, and the energy consumption of the current operating condition is larger than the energy consumption of the first operating condition. This refers to the case where the control unit can determine, and corresponds to the case where the current set temperature of the air conditioner is higher than the recommended set temperature.
Further, when the air conditioner is set to cool, the case where the current set temperature of the air conditioner is lower than the recommended set temperature is applicable.
That is, when the energy consumption under the current operating conditions is larger than the energy consumption under the first operating conditions, the current air conditioning output of the air conditioner is larger than the air conditioning output under the first operating conditions.
Specifically, when the energy consumption under the current operating conditions is larger than the energy consumption under the first operating conditions, the air conditioning for the user when the air conditioner is operated under the first operating conditions set for energy saving. When the air-conditioning output of the equipment is small and it is not comfortable due to coldness during heating or hotness during cooling, the user himself sets the operating conditions that are less energy-saving than the first operating conditions as the current operating conditions for the air-conditioning equipment. This is the case when the air conditioner is operated by inputting the operation.

Further characteristic configurations of the remote control device according to the present invention are
First operating condition including the recommended set temperature of the air conditioner for at least the time of day, which is connected to the air conditioner operated by the operation input including the set temperature input from the user via the communication line. In a remote control device including a control unit that stores the above in an information storage unit and transmits a control command to the air conditioner according to the first operating condition.
The control unit communicates with the air conditioner at a set timing, acquires an operating condition including the set temperature of the air conditioner at the time of the communication, as the current operating condition.
When the energy consumption of the current operating condition is less than or equal to the energy consumption of the first operating condition, the control unit is less than the energy consumption of the first operating condition and less than or equal to the energy consumption of the current operating condition. The second operating condition is obtained, the first operating condition is rewritten into the second operating condition, and the second operating condition is stored in the information storage unit.
When the energy consumption of the current operating condition is larger than the energy consumption of the first operating condition, the control unit is equal to or less than the energy consumption of the current operating condition and exceeds the energy consumption of the first operating condition. The point is that the third operating condition, which is the amount of energy consumed, is obtained, the first operating condition is rewritten into the third operating condition, and the third operating condition is stored in the information storage unit.
Here, when the second operating condition is obtained, the control unit may send a control command to the air conditioner to perform the operation in accordance with the second operating condition.
Here, when the third operating condition is obtained, the control unit may send a control command to the air conditioner to perform the operation in accordance with the third operating condition.

According to the above configuration, when the energy consumption under the current operating conditions is less than or equal to the energy consumption under the first operating conditions, the control unit is less than the energy consumption under the first operating conditions and less than or equal to the energy consumption under the current operating conditions. The second operating condition can be obtained and the first operating condition can be rewritten as the second operating condition.
Therefore, it is possible to provide a remote control device capable of appropriately realizing energy saving when there is room for changing to energy saving operating conditions.
In addition, according to the above configuration, when the energy consumption under the current operating conditions is greater than the energy consumption under the first operating conditions, the control unit is equal to or less than the energy consumption under the current operating conditions and the energy under the first operating conditions. It is possible to obtain a third operating condition that consumes more energy than the consumption amount, and rewrite the first operating condition to the third operating condition.

Further characteristic configurations of the remote control device according to the present invention are
First operating condition including the recommended set temperature of the air conditioner for at least the time of day, which is connected to the air conditioner operated by the operation input including the set temperature input from the user via the communication line. In a remote control device including a control unit that stores the above in an information storage unit and transmits a control command to the air conditioner according to the first operating condition.
The control unit communicates with the air conditioner at a set timing, acquires an operating condition including the set temperature of the air conditioner at the time of the communication, as the current operating condition.
When the energy consumption of the current operating condition is equal to or less than the energy consumption of the first operating condition, the control unit sets the first operating condition to less than the energy consumption of the first operating condition. Rewrite to and store in the information storage unit,
When the energy consumption of the current operating condition is larger than the energy consumption of the first operating condition, the control unit is equal to or less than the energy consumption of the current operating condition and exceeds the energy consumption of the first operating condition. A control command for obtaining the third operating condition, which is the energy consumption, and performing the operation in accordance with the third operating condition is transmitted to the air conditioner.
When the control unit transmits a control command for performing the operation according to the third operating condition to the air conditioner, the control unit rewrites the first operating condition to the third operating condition and stores it in the information storage unit. At the point.

According to the above configuration, when the energy consumption of the current operating condition is equal to or less than the energy consumption of the first operating condition, the control unit sets the first operating condition to less than the energy consumption of the first operating condition. It can be rewritten as a condition.
Therefore, it is possible to provide a remote control device capable of appropriately realizing energy saving when there is room for changing to energy saving operating conditions.

In addition, according to the above configuration, when the energy consumption under the current operating conditions is greater than the energy consumption under the first operating conditions, the control unit is equal to or less than the energy consumption under the current operating conditions and the energy under the first operating conditions. It is possible to obtain a third operating condition that consumes more energy than the consumption amount, and send a control command to the air conditioner to perform the operation according to the third operating condition.
When the air conditioner is set to heating, the energy consumption of the current operating condition is larger than the energy consumption of the first operating condition, and the energy consumption of the current operating condition is larger than the energy consumption of the first operating condition. This refers to the case where the control unit can determine, and corresponds to the case where the current set temperature of the air conditioner is higher than the recommended set temperature.
Further, when the air conditioner is set to cool, the case where the current set temperature of the air conditioner is lower than the recommended set temperature is applicable.
That is, when the energy consumption under the current operating conditions is larger than the energy consumption under the first operating conditions, the current air conditioning output of the air conditioner is larger than the air conditioning output under the first operating conditions.
Specifically, when the energy consumption under the current operating conditions is larger than the energy consumption under the first operating conditions, the air conditioning for the user when the air conditioner is operated under the first operating conditions set for energy saving. When the air-conditioning output of the equipment is small and it is not comfortable due to coldness during heating or hotness during cooling, the user himself sets the operating conditions that are less energy-saving than the first operating conditions as the current operating conditions for the air-conditioning equipment. This is the case when the air conditioner is operated by inputting the operation.
That is, according to the above configuration, the air conditioner is operated under at least the same or energy-saving operating conditions as the current operating conditions, and at least the air conditioner is operated under the first operating conditions. It can be comfortable for the user.
In addition, when it is judged that there is a high possibility that there is room to change to energy-saving operating conditions, and the first operating condition is changed to a condition where the air conditioning output of the air conditioning equipment is small and uncomfortable for the user. It is also possible to return to the conditions before the change, which is comfortable for the user.
Therefore, it is possible to provide a remote control device that can realize energy saving in a comfortable range for the user.

In addition, according to the above configuration, the operating conditions are at least the same as the current operating conditions or more energy-saving than the current operating conditions, and at least more than the initial first operating conditions (before being rewritten to the third operating conditions). A driving condition that is comfortable for the user can be set as a new first driving condition.
Therefore, it is possible to provide a remote control device that can realize energy saving in a comfortable range for the user.

Further characteristic configurations of the remote control device according to the present invention are
The control unit performs the communication a predetermined number of times, and obtains the second operating condition when the energy consumption of the current operating condition is equal to or less than the energy consumption of the first operating condition at each communication time. At the point.

When communication is performed a predetermined number of times and the energy consumption under the current operating conditions is less than or equal to the energy consumption under the first operating conditions at each of the predetermined times of communication, that is, the energy under the current operating conditions is continuously generated. If the consumption is less than or equal to the energy consumption of the first operating condition, it is highly probable that the current operating condition is sufficiently comfortable for the user and there is room for changing to the energy-saving operating condition. To.
Therefore, according to the above configuration, it is possible to reliably provide a remote control device capable of realizing energy saving within a comfortable range for the user.

Further characteristic configurations of the remote control device according to the present invention are
The control unit performs the communication a predetermined number of times and obtains the third operating condition when the energy consumption of the current operating condition is larger than the energy consumption of the first operating condition at each communication time. It is in.

When communication is performed a predetermined number of times and the energy consumption under the current operating conditions is greater than the energy consumption under the first operating conditions at each of the predetermined times of communication, that is, the energy consumption under the current operating conditions is continuously performed. If the amount is greater than the energy consumption of the first operating condition, the user will increase the air conditioning output of the air conditioning equipment each time the remote control device sets the first setting condition for the air conditioning equipment. It is judged that this is the case when the setting of is changed. That is, if the air conditioner is operated under the first operating condition set for energy saving, it is highly likely that the user is not comfortable.
Therefore, according to the above configuration, it is possible to reliably provide a remote control device capable of realizing energy saving within a comfortable range for the user.

Further characteristic configurations of the remote control device according to the present invention are
The control unit performs the communication a predetermined number of times, and obtains the second operating condition when the energy consumption of the current operating condition is equal to or less than the energy consumption of the first operating condition at each communication time. The third operating condition is obtained when the energy consumption of the current operating condition is larger than the energy consumption of the first operating condition at each communication time after performing the communication a predetermined number of times.

When communication is performed a predetermined number of times and the energy consumption under the current operating conditions is less than or equal to the energy consumption under the first operating conditions at each of the predetermined times of communication, that is, the energy under the current operating conditions is continuously generated. If the consumption is less than or equal to the energy consumption of the first operating condition, it is highly probable that the current operating condition is sufficiently comfortable for the user and there is room for changing to the energy-saving operating condition. To.
Therefore, according to the above configuration, it is possible to reliably provide a remote control device capable of realizing energy saving within a comfortable range for the user.
When communication is performed a predetermined number of times and the energy consumption under the current operating conditions is greater than the energy consumption under the first operating conditions at each of the predetermined times of communication, that is, the energy consumption under the current operating conditions is continuously performed. If the amount is greater than the energy consumption of the first operating condition, the user will increase the air conditioning output of the air conditioning equipment each time the remote control device sets the first setting condition for the air conditioning equipment. It is judged that this is the case when the setting of is changed. That is, if the air conditioner is operated under the first operating condition set for energy saving, it is highly likely that the user is not comfortable.
Therefore, according to the above configuration, it is possible to reliably provide a remote control device capable of realizing energy saving within a comfortable range for the user.

Further characteristic configurations of the remote control device according to the present invention are
When the energy consumption of the current operating condition is smaller than the energy consumption of the first operating condition, the control unit rewrites the first operating condition to the current operating condition and stores it in the information storage unit. It is in.

For example, when the air conditioner is set to heating, the energy consumption under the current operating conditions is smaller than the energy consumption under the first operating conditions, and the energy consumption under the current operating conditions is the energy consumption under the first operating conditions. If it is smaller than this, it means that the control unit can determine it, and it corresponds to the case where the current set temperature of the air conditioner is lower than the recommended set temperature.
Further, when the air conditioner is set to cool, the case where the current set temperature of the air conditioner is higher than the recommended set temperature is applicable.
In other words, if the energy consumption under the current operating conditions is smaller than the energy consumption under the first operating conditions, it is already sufficient for the user to operate the air conditioner under the first operating conditions set to save energy. It is comfortable, or rather, the output of the air conditioner is too high to be comfortable.

Therefore, when the energy consumption of the current operating condition is smaller than the energy consumption of the first operating condition, the first operating condition is rewritten to the current operating condition and stored in the information storage unit to store the first operating condition. It is more energy efficient than when the air conditioner is operated in, and it can be comfortable for the user, or rather comfortable.
Therefore, according to the above configuration, it is possible to reliably provide a remote control device capable of realizing energy saving within a comfortable range for the user.

A further characteristic configuration of the remote control device according to the present invention is that the first operating condition further includes a recommended set humidity.
Further, a further characteristic configuration of the remote control device according to the present invention is that the current operating conditions further include a set humidity.

According to the above configuration, it is possible to reliably provide a remote control device that can realize energy saving in a comfortable range for the user not only in terms of temperature but also in terms of humidity.

The figure which shows the remote control device Diagram showing an example of the display screen of the administrator terminal The figure which shows the control state of the remote control device in the case of Case 3. The figure which shows the control state of the remote control device in the case of Case 4. The figure which shows the control state of the remote control device in the case of Case 5. The figure which shows the control state of the remote control device in the case of Case 6.

The remote control device according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a system in which the remote control device 10 is operated. This system includes a plurality of air conditioners 31 that are operated or stopped in a plurality of operation modes including at least a cooling mode and a heating mode, an administrator terminal 20 operated by the administrator of the air conditioners 31, the air conditioner 31 and the like. It is provided with a remote control device 10 connected to the administrator terminal 20 via a telecommunication line N (communication line).

The remote control device 10 communicates with at least the air conditioner 31 at a set timing set in advance as a patrol time, and acquires the operating conditions including the set temperature of the air conditioner 31 at the time of the communication as the current operating conditions. It also has a patrol function that transmits a control command according to the first operating condition including a predetermined recommended set temperature to the air conditioner 31 and performs a "patrol" operation.

The manager is the owner or manager of the building 30 as illustrated in FIG. 1, and manages a plurality of air conditioners 31 installed in the building 30. The remote control device 10 according to the present invention is used to manage the air conditioner 31. The remote control device 10 and the administrator terminal 20 can be realized by a device having an information processing function such as a computer.
In FIG. 1, only one building 30 is shown, but if the air conditioner 31 is connected to the telecommunication line N, the management of the air conditioner 31 distributed and installed in a plurality of buildings and the like. It is also possible to do.

The air conditioner 31 includes an outdoor unit 34, an indoor unit 33, and an input unit 32. The input unit 32 is a device used when the user inputs various information such as operating conditions including a set temperature input to the air conditioner 31 separately.

The manager performs remote control to promote energy-saving operation of the air-conditioning device 31, suppresses unnecessary operation of the air-conditioning device 31, or provides necessary operation for the user of the air-conditioning device 31. For example, the remote control device 10 is used. Specifically, the remote control device 10 includes an operating condition reception unit 19, a control unit 11, and an information storage unit 15.
The operating condition reception unit 19 and the control unit 11 included in the remote control device 10 can be realized by functions and devices provided in a so-called computer or the like.
Further, the information storage unit 15 included in the remote control device 10 can be realized by a storage device (memory, hard disk, etc.) provided in a so-called computer or the like.

Since the air conditioner 31 is connected to the telecommunication line N, the information input by the user at the input unit 32 and the information regarding the operating status of the indoor unit 33 (such as the set temperature of the air conditioner 31) can be obtained from the telecommunication line N. It can be acquired by the remote control device 10 via. The air conditioner 31 includes an indoor thermometer 35 that detects the actual temperature of the place where the indoor unit 33 is installed, and an outdoor thermometer 36 that detects the actual temperature of the place where the outdoor unit 34 is installed. ing. The air conditioner 31 can use the temperature detection result for its own operation control.

The operation condition reception unit 19 sets the operation or stop type of the air conditioner 31, the type of the operation mode, and the recommended setting in the operation mode for each of the plurality of air conditioners 31 at least for each time zone in the day. The input of the first operating condition including the temperature is received from the administrator terminal 20 and stored in the information storage unit 15. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a display example of the display screen 40 on the administrator terminal 20.

As shown in FIG. 2, the administrator can set the application date for remote control of the air conditioner 31 in the application date setting unit 41. For example, the administrator can set the application date of remote control from the attributes of month, day, day of the week, and holiday, and set all days of the month as the application date of remote control, or set a holiday of one month. Weekdays to be excluded can also be set as the application date of remote control.
In Fig. 2, the month and day can be selected in the pull-down menu format, and the day of the week and "excluding holidays" can be set by checking the check boxes.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the administrator can set the time zone and interval for patrol and remote control of the air conditioner 31 in the patrol time setting unit 42. For example, the administrator can set a time zone defined by a start time and an end time of remote control, and can set an interval (timing) for performing remote control.
In FIG. 2, the start time and end time of the remote control and the interval for performing the remote control can be selected in the pull-down menu format.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the administrator can set the recommended setting condition of the air conditioner 31 in the detailed condition setting unit 43 provided with the menu fields 44 to 46. This recommended setting condition is included in the concept of the first operating condition of this example.
In the example shown in FIG. 2, the recommended setting conditions can be set in the pull-down menu format.
For example, in the menu column 44, it is possible to specify whether the status of the air conditioner 31 is "operation" or "stop" (that is, the type of operation or stop of the air conditioner 31).
In the menu column 45, it is possible to specify whether the operation mode of the air conditioner 31 is "cooling" or "heating" (that is, the type of operation mode).
In the menu column 46, the set temperature can be specified.

In the example shown in FIG. 2, the condition that the air conditioner 31 is set to the "operating" state and the set temperature is set to "25" ° C. in the "heating mode" can be input.

For each of the plurality of air conditioners 31 as described above, information about the patrol time zone (start time and end time) and patrol interval set by the patrol time setting unit 42, and the detailed condition setting unit 43 Information such as the set temperature to be set is included in the concept of "first operating condition".

In the target device display field 51 of FIG. 2, the air conditioner device 31 to be remotely controlled can be specified. For example, by checking the selection check box 52, the air conditioner 31 can be targeted for remote control.

As described above, after the administrator uses the administrator terminal 20 to input to the application date setting unit 41, the patrol time setting unit 42, the detailed condition setting unit 43, and the target device display field 51, the setting button 53 is pressed. When the selection is input, the input content is transmitted from the administrator terminal 20 to the remote control device 10 via the telecommunication line N.

The operation condition reception unit 19 of the remote control device 10 sets the operation or stop type and operation mode of the air conditioner 31 as described above for each of the plurality of air conditioners 31 at least for each time zone in the day. The input of the first operating condition including the type and the recommended set temperature in the operation mode is received from the administrator terminal 20 and stored in the information storage unit 15.

As a patrol, the control unit 11 of the remote control device 10 periodically communicates with a plurality of air conditioners 31 at the set timing input to the patrol time setting unit 42, and at the time of the communication, the air conditioner 31 The type of operation or stop, the type of operation mode when the air conditioner 31 is operating, and the information on the operation status including the set temperature in the operation mode when the air conditioner 31 is operating are acquired. It is stored in the information storage unit 15 as the current operating condition.

The control unit 11 determines whether or not the acquired information on the operating condition differs from the first operating condition.
Based on this determination result, the control unit 11 controls the air-conditioning device 31 whose current operating condition is different from the first operating condition to be operated in accordance with the first operating condition among the plurality of air-conditioning devices 31. Send a command.

It should be noted that the actual user of the air conditioner 31 can further change the set temperature and the like by using the input unit 32 even if the operating condition such as the set temperature of the air conditioner 31 is changed by the above control command. is there.

Further, the remote control device 10 of this example is set to the preset first operating condition when the current operating condition is sufficiently comfortable for the user and there is room for changing to the energy-saving operating condition. It is equipped with the first automatic adjustment mode that performs automatic adjustment, which can realize energy saving regardless.

The remote control device 10 of this example further includes a second automatic adjustment mode that enables the user to save energy within a comfortable range.

Normally, the first automatic adjustment mode and the second automatic adjustment mode can be executed at the same time.
However, of course, it is also possible to selectively execute only the first automatic adjustment mode or the second automatic adjustment mode.

In the target device display field 51 of FIG. 2, in the menu field 54, the automatic adjustment can be enabled or disabled for each air conditioner 31. Whether to enable or disable this automatic adjustment can also be selected, for example, in the pull-down menu format.
Hereinafter, the first automatic adjustment mode and the second automatic adjustment mode will be described in detail in order.

First, the first automatic adjustment mode will be described.
In the first automatic adjustment mode, when the air conditioning device 31 is operated under the first operating condition intended to be set to energy saving, the air conditioning output of the air conditioning device 31 is sufficient in terms of comfort felt by the user, or rather. This is a function that automatically changes the first operating condition to a more energy-saving operating condition when the air conditioning output is excessive.

Hereinafter, how the control unit 11 controls the operating conditions of the air conditioner 31 when the operation in the first automatic adjustment mode is enabled will be specifically described below.

The operation of the first automatic adjustment mode will be described.
In this example, the control unit 11 performs the following operations in the first automatic adjustment mode.
That is, the control unit 11 communicates with the air conditioner 31 at the set timing, and acquires the operating condition including the set temperature T1 of the air conditioner 31 at the time of the communication as the current operating condition.

Further, when the control unit 11 determines that the energy consumption under the current operating conditions is equal to or less than the energy consumption under the first operating conditions, the energy consumption of the air conditioning device 31 is less than the energy consumption under the first operating conditions. A second operating condition that is equal to or less than the energy consumption of the current operating condition is obtained, and a control command for performing the operation in accordance with the second operating condition is transmitted to the air conditioner 31. Then, the first operating condition is rewritten into the second operating condition and stored in the information storage unit 15.
Here, the energy consumption of the first operating condition refers to the energy consumption of the air conditioner 31 when the air conditioner is operated under the first operating condition.

When the control unit 11 performs communication a predetermined number of times and determines that the energy consumption of the current operating conditions is equal to or less than the energy consumption of the first operating conditions at each communication time, the second operating condition is set. It is possible to send a control command to the air conditioner 31 to obtain the required operation and perform the operation in accordance with the second operating condition.

For example, when the control unit 11 performs communication once and determines that the energy consumption of the current operating condition is equal to or less than the energy consumption of the first operating condition at the time of the communication, the control unit 11 obtains the second operating condition. A control command for performing the operation in accordance with the second operating condition can be transmitted to the air conditioner 31.

Alternatively, when the control unit 11 performs communication twice and determines that the energy consumption of the current operating conditions is equal to or less than the energy consumption of the first operating conditions at each communication time, the control unit 11 obtains the second operating conditions. , A control command for performing the operation according to the second operating condition can be transmitted to the air conditioner 31.

Alternatively, when the control unit 11 continuously performs communication for one day and determines that the energy consumption under the current operating conditions is equal to or less than the energy consumption under the first operating conditions throughout the day, the second operating condition is set. It is possible to obtain and rewrite the first operating condition to the second operating condition on the next day, and send a control command to the air conditioner 31 to perform the operation according to the second operating condition on or after the next day.

The second automatic adjustment mode will be described.
In the second automatic adjustment mode, the air conditioner is operated under the first operating condition set for energy saving, but for the user, when the air conditioner 31 is operated under the first operating condition, it is cold during heating or during cooling. In order for the user to change the current operating condition of the air conditioner 31 to the operating condition that the user feels comfortable when it is not comfortable due to heat or the like, the air conditioner 31 is used via the input unit 32. A function that automatically changes and optimizes the first operating condition to the operating condition that balances energy saving and user comfort in consideration of the operation input of the user when the operation is input to. Is.

Hereinafter, how the control unit 11 controls the operating conditions of the air conditioner 31 when the operation in the second automatic adjustment mode is enabled will be specifically described below.

First, the operation of the second automatic adjustment mode will be described.
In this example, the control unit 11 performs the following operations in the second automatic adjustment mode.
That is, the control unit 11 communicates with the air conditioner 31 at the set timing, and acquires the operating condition including the set temperature T1 of the air conditioner 31 at the time of the communication as the current operating condition.

Further, when the control unit 11 determines that the energy consumption under the current operating conditions is larger than the energy consumption under the first operating conditions, the energy consumption of the air conditioning device 31 is equal to or less than the energy consumption under the current operating conditions. The third operating condition, which is the energy consumption exceeding the energy consumption of the first operating condition, that is, the third operating condition, which is the energy consumption between the energy consumption of the current operating condition and the energy consumption of the first operating condition. The operation is performed to obtain and send a control command to the air conditioner to perform the operation according to the third operating condition. Then, the first operating condition is rewritten into the third operating condition and stored in the information storage unit 15.

On the other hand, when the control unit 11 determines that the energy consumption of the current operating condition is smaller than the energy consumption of the first operating condition, the control unit 11 sets the current operating condition as the third operating condition and sets the first operating condition as the current operating condition. It is rewritten to the third operating condition set to the same value as and stored in the information storage unit.

The control unit 11 performs communication a predetermined number of times, and when it is determined that the energy consumption of the current operating conditions is larger than the energy consumption of the first operating conditions at each communication time, the control unit 11 obtains the third operating conditions. , A control command for performing operation according to the third operating condition can be transmitted to the air conditioner 31.

For example, when the control unit 11 performs communication once and determines that the energy consumption under the current operating conditions is larger than the energy consumption under the first operating conditions at the time of the communication, the control unit 11 obtains the third operating condition and obtains the third operating condition. (Iii) A control command for operating according to the operating conditions can be transmitted to the air conditioner 31.

Alternatively, the control unit 11 performs communication twice, and when it is determined that the energy consumption of the current operating condition is larger than the energy consumption of the first operating condition at each communication time, the control unit 11 obtains the third operating condition. It is possible to transmit a control command to the air conditioner 31 to perform the operation according to the third operating condition.

Alternatively, when the control unit 11 continuously performs communication for one day and determines that the energy consumption of the current operating conditions is larger than the energy consumption of the first operating conditions at each communication time, the third operating condition is set. It is possible to obtain and rewrite the first operating condition to the third operating condition on the next day, and send a control command to the air conditioner 31 to perform the operation according to the third operating condition on or after the next day.

Hereinafter, a specific example of the operation of the remote control device 10 will be described.
First, the basic operation of the remote control device 10 of this example will be described.
In this explanation, the case where the operation mode is heating will be described, but even in the case of cooling, the concept is the same except that the magnitude of the temperature setting is reversed.
As the recommended setting conditions, the first operating conditions that have been input in advance on the display screen 40 of the administrator terminal 20 and stored in the information storage unit 15 are set.

[Case 1]
First, a case where energy-saving operation is realized will be described.
For example, as a recommended setting condition, a first operation condition that is input in advance on the display screen 40 of the administrator terminal 20 and stored in the information storage unit 15 is set. In this example, 26 ° C. is set in the heating mode. That is, the set temperature T2 is set to 26 ° C.
Hereinafter, as the current operating conditions, a case where the set temperature T1 is set to 30 ° C. will be illustrated.

As a patrol, the control unit 11 communicates with the air conditioner 31 at a time tm (m is an integer of 1 or more), and acquires the current operating conditions of the air conditioner 31 at that time tm.

For example, if the air conditioner 31 is in the operating state at the time tm, is operated in the heating mode, and the set temperature T1 of the air conditioner 31 is set to 30 ° C., the current operating condition (set temperature T1) is set at the time tm. ) And the recommended setting condition (set temperature T2) are different. Further, since the value of the set temperature T1 is higher than the set temperature T2, it is determined that the energy consumption under the current operating conditions is larger than the energy consumption under the first operating conditions. Therefore, the control unit 11 can transmit a control command for changing the set value of the set temperature T1 to 26 ° C. to the air conditioner 31 as the operation according to the recommended setting condition, that is, the first operating condition.
Therefore, the set temperature T1 of the air conditioner 31 is changed from 30 ° C. to 26 ° C., and energy saving operation is realized.

[Case 2]
Next, a case where energy-saving operation is not realized will be described.
For example, as a recommended setting condition, a first operation condition that is input in advance on the display screen 40 of the administrator terminal 20 and stored in the information storage unit 15 is set. In this example, 28 ° C. is set in the heating mode. That is, the set temperature T2 is set to 28 ° C.
Hereinafter, as the current operating conditions, a case where the set temperature T1 is set to 27 ° C. will be illustrated.

As a patrol, the control unit 11 communicates with the air conditioner 31 at a time tm (m is an integer of 1 or more), and acquires the current operating conditions of the air conditioner 31 at that time tm.
For example, if the air conditioner 31 is in the operating state at the time tm, is operated in the heating mode, and the set temperature T1 of the air conditioner 31 is set to 27 ° C., the current operating condition (set temperature T1) is set at the time tm. ) And the recommended setting condition (set temperature T2) are different. However, since the set temperature T1 is smaller than the set temperature T2, it is determined that the energy consumption under the current operating conditions is smaller than the energy consumption under the first operating conditions. Therefore, the control unit 11 does not transmit the control command for changing the set value of the set temperature T1 to 28 ° C. to the air conditioner 31 as the operation according to the recommended setting condition, that is, the first operating condition.
Therefore, the set temperature T1 of the air conditioner 31 is not changed from 27 ° C., and further energy saving operation is not realized with respect to the current operating conditions.
In the following examples, the case where the magnitude of the energy consumption under each operating condition is determined by the magnitude of the set temperature under each operating condition is described. The description of the size determination in each case will be omitted below.

This will be described based on the specific values illustrated in FIG.
In FIG. 3, the “time” is the time for communication at the set timing input to the patrol time setting unit 42. In this example, the time tm is set every hour.
In FIG. 3, the “current operating condition” is the current operating condition of the air conditioner 31. That is, the control unit 11 communicates with the air conditioner 31 at the set timing, acquires the operating condition including the set temperature T1 of the air conditioner 31 at the time of the communication as the current operating condition, and causes the information storage unit 15 to communicate. It is a memorized value.
Further, in FIG. 3, the “recommended setting condition” is the first operating condition.
In the case of the example of FIG. 3, since the set temperature T1 is always 27 ° C. from the time t1 to the time t9, when the set temperature T2 is set to 28 ° C., the control unit 11 controls the set value of the set temperature T1. Does not send a control command to change the temperature to 28 ° C.

[Case 3]
Hereinafter, the case where the remote control device 10 of this example operates in the first automatic adjustment mode will be described.
In this explanation, the case where the operation mode is heating will be described, but even in the case of cooling, the concept is the same except that the magnitude of the temperature setting is reversed.
For example, as a recommended setting condition, a first operation condition that is input in advance on the display screen 40 of the administrator terminal 20 and stored in the information storage unit 15 is set. In this example, 28 ° C. is set in the heating mode. That is, the set temperature T2 is set to 28 ° C.

In the following example, when the control unit 11 continuously performs communication for one day and determines that the energy consumption under the current operating conditions is equal to or less than the energy consumption under the first operating conditions throughout the day, the first operation is performed. (Ii) A case will be described in which a control command for obtaining the operating conditions, rewriting the first operating conditions to the second operating conditions on the next day, and performing the operation according to the second operating conditions on or after the next day is transmitted to the air conditioner 31.

The operation on the first day is the same as in Case 2.
That is, as a patrol, the control unit 11 communicates with the air conditioner 31 at each time tm (m is an integer of 1 or more), and acquires the current operating conditions of the air conditioner 31 at each time tm. To do.
The control unit 11 continuously performs this communication for one day, and in the case of FIG. 3, the energy consumption under the current operating conditions is equal to or less than the energy consumption under the first operating conditions throughout the day.

Therefore, the control unit 11 obtains the second operating condition that is less than the energy consumption of the first operating condition and less than the energy consumption of the current operating condition, rewrites the first operating condition to the second operating condition on the next day, and performs the second operation. With the condition as the new first operating condition, a control command for causing the operation according to the second operating condition to be performed the next day or later is transmitted to the air conditioner 31. Then, the control unit 11 rewrites the set temperature T2 of the recommended setting condition (first operating condition) to the second operating condition and stores it in the information storage unit 15.

The control unit 11 obtains a value smaller than the set temperature T1 by a predetermined temperature as a temperature below the set temperature T2 and below the set temperature T1.
For example, the control unit 11 obtains a value smaller than the set temperature T1 by 3 ° C. as a predetermined temperature as a temperature below the set temperature T2 and below the set temperature T1.

In the case of this example, the control unit 11 obtains 24 ° C, which is 3 ° C smaller than the set temperature T1 of 27 ° C, as the temperature of less than 28 ° C of the set temperature T2 and 27 ° C or less of the set temperature T1, and sets it the next day. A control command for rewriting the temperature T2 to 24 ° C. is transmitted to the air conditioner 31.

[Case 4]
In the following, after Case 3, a case where the operation does not operate in the second automatic adjustment mode will be described.
The normal operation of the remote control device 10 of this example will be described with reference to the specific values illustrated in FIG. In this explanation, the case where the operation mode is heating will be described, but even in the case of cooling, the concept is the same except that the magnitude of the temperature setting is reversed.
Similar to FIG. 3, in FIG. 4, the “time” is the time tm, the “current operating condition” is the current operating condition of the air conditioner 31, and the “recommended setting condition” is the first operating condition. ..

In the following, a case where the operation does not operate in the second automatic adjustment mode will be described after the third case. For example, as a recommended setting condition, the information storage unit 15 is input in advance on the display screen 40 of the administrator terminal 20. The same is true for this example when the first operating condition stored in is set to 24 ° C. in the heating mode.

As the first patrol, the control unit 11 communicates with the air conditioner 31 at time t1 to acquire the current operating conditions of the air conditioner 31 at that time t1.
In the example of FIG. 4, at time t1, the air conditioner 31 was in the operating state and was operated in the heating mode, and the set temperature T1 of the air conditioner 31 was set to 27 ° C.
As the recommended setting condition at time t1, the first operating condition stored in the information storage unit 15 in advance is set. In this example, 24 ° C. is set in the heating mode.
At time t1, the current operating conditions and the recommended setting conditions are different. Therefore, the control unit 11 transmits a control command to the air conditioner 31 to perform the operation according to the recommended setting condition, that is, the first operation condition.

The control unit 11 communicates with the air conditioner 31 at time t2, and acquires the current operating conditions of the air conditioner 31 at that time t2.
In the example of FIG. 4, the air conditioner 31 was in the operating state at time t2, was operated in the heating mode, and the set temperature T1 of the air conditioner 31 was set to 24 ° C.
At time t2, the current operating conditions and the recommended setting conditions match. Therefore, the control unit 11 does not transmit a control command to the air conditioner 31.
However, in this example, the user subsequently felt uncomfortable and changed the set temperature T1 of the air conditioner 31 to 32 ° C. This is because when the set temperature T1 of the air conditioner 31 is set to 24 ° C., the user feels cold.

The control unit 11 communicates with the air conditioner 31 at time t3, and acquires the current operating conditions of the air conditioner 31 at that time t3.
In the example of FIG. 4, at time t3, the air conditioner 31 was in the operating state and was operated in the heating mode, and the set temperature T1 of the air conditioner 31 was set to 32 ° C.
At time t3, the current operating conditions and the recommended setting conditions are different. Therefore, the control unit 11 transmits a control command to the air conditioner 31 to perform the operation according to the recommended setting condition, that is, the first operation condition.
However, in this example, the user still feels uncomfortable and changes the set temperature T1 of the air conditioner 31 to 32 ° C. This is because when the set temperature T1 of the air conditioner 31 is set to 24 ° C., the user feels cold.

After time t4, the control unit 11 similarly communicates with the air conditioner 31 and transmits a control command for performing the operation in accordance with the first operating condition, but the user still feels uncomfortable and air-conditions. The set temperature T1 of the device 31 is changed to a temperature higher than the operation according to the first operating condition.
In this example, after a lapse of a certain period of time, the user repeatedly sets the set temperature T1 to 28 ° C., and the control unit 11 repeatedly sets the set temperature T1 to 24 ° C. (after time t6).
After that, the remote control device 10 repeats the same operation according to the first operation condition stored in the information storage unit 15 in advance.

Therefore, in this example, the recommended set temperature of the air conditioner 31 is set to 24 ° C., but when the recommended set temperature is set, the user feels uncomfortable, so the set temperature T1 is set to a high temperature. However, as a result, the air conditioner 31 was operated with the set temperature T1 set to 28 ° C., so that the expected energy saving was not achieved. Further, the user also feels that the air conditioner 31 is cold every time the temperature is set to 24 ° C., which is not always comfortable, which is not preferable.

[Case 5]
In the following, after Case 3, the case of operating in the second automatic adjustment mode will be described.
The normal operation of the remote control device 10 of this example will be described with reference to the specific values illustrated in FIG. In this explanation, the case where the operation mode is heating will be described, but even in the case of cooling, the concept is the same except that the magnitude of the temperature setting is reversed.

Further, in the following, a case of operating in the second automatic adjustment mode will be described after Case 3. For example, as a recommended setting condition, the information storage unit 15 is input in advance on the display screen 40 of the administrator terminal 20. The same is true for this example when the first operating condition stored in is set to 24 ° C. in the heating mode.

FIG. 5 shows an example in which the control unit 11 controls the operation of the air conditioner 31 while executing the second automatic adjustment mode according to the first operation condition stored in the information storage unit 15 in advance.
In FIG. 5, the “time” is the time for communication at the set timing input to the patrol time setting unit 42. In this example, communication is set to be performed at the time t1 and the time tn (n is an integer of 2 or more) determined every hour. Hereinafter, t2 means the second time, and the n-1th time and the n + 1th time are represented as the time tn-1 and the time tn + 1, respectively.

The "current operating condition" is the current operating condition of the air conditioner 31. That is, the control unit 11 communicates with the air conditioner 31 at the set timing, acquires the operating condition including the set temperature T1 of the air conditioner 31 at the time of the communication as the current operating condition, and causes the information storage unit 15 to communicate. It is a memorized value.

The "setting command condition" is an operating condition newly determined by the control unit 11 as an operating condition of the air conditioner 31 that balances the comfort of the user and the energy saving at the time tun. The third operating condition obtained at the time of tun is set.
The initial value of the "set temperature" (the set value at the time t1) is the first operating condition that is input in advance and stored in the information storage unit 15.

The first operating condition is set in the "recommended setting condition".
As the initial value of the "recommended setting condition" (set value at time t1), the first operating condition stored in advance in the information storage unit 15 is used. As the first operating condition at the time tn-1, the third operating condition obtained at the time tn-1 is set as a new first operating condition.
That is, the third operating condition derived at the time tn-1 is rewritten and set as the first operating condition at the time tn-1.

In the operation example described below, the control unit 11 has set temperatures T1, T2, and T3 among the operating conditions of the current operating condition, the recommended setting condition (first setting condition), and the setting command condition (second setting condition). Is referred to as a judgment parameter used for judging energy consumption, and automatic adjustment is performed. That is, the case where the magnitude of the energy consumption is determined by the magnitude of the set temperatures T1, T2, and T3 is described. The description of the size determination in each case will be omitted below.
Here, the set temperatures T1, T2, and T3 are included in the current operating condition, the recommended setting condition (first setting condition), and the setting command condition (second setting condition), respectively.
That is, in this example, the control unit 11 communicates with the air conditioner 31 once every time tun, which is the set timing, and acquires the set temperature T1 of the air conditioner at that time tun as the current operating condition. In addition, the set temperature T2 of the recommended setting condition at the time tun is acquired.

Further, when the control unit 11 determines that the energy consumption under the current operating conditions is larger than the energy consumption under the first operating conditions at the time tun when the communication is performed once at each time tun, the setting command condition (Third operating condition) is obtained, and a control command for operating according to the setting command condition is transmitted to the air conditioner 31.

That is, in this example, the control unit 11 sets the current operating condition of the air conditioner at time tun when the set temperature T1 of the air conditioner at time tun is larger than the set temperature T2 of the recommended setting condition at time tun. The "temperature between" the temperature T1 and the set temperature T2 of the recommended setting condition at the time tun is obtained as the set temperature T3 of the setting command condition at the time tun, and the control command for operating at the set temperature T3 is air-conditioned. The operation of transmitting to the device 31 is performed.

Here, the set temperature T3 obtained as the "temperature between" the set temperature T1 and the set temperature T2 is set to a value larger than the set temperature T2 and equal to or less than the set temperature T1.
That is, the energy consumption of the current operating condition, which increases as the value of the set temperature T1 at the time tun increases, is larger than the energy consumption of the first operating condition, which increases as the value of the set temperature T2 increases. When it is determined to be large, the energy consumption of the air conditioner 31 is equal to or less than the energy consumption of the current operating condition and exceeds the energy consumption of the first operating condition, that is, the third operating condition, that is, the current operating condition. The set temperature T3 of the third operating condition, which is the energy consumption between the energy consumption of the first operating condition and the energy consumption of the first operating condition, is obtained as the "temperature between" the set temperature T1 and the set temperature T2. It is.

Then, the control unit 11 rewrites the set temperature T2 of the recommended setting condition at the time tn + 1 to the set temperature T3 and stores it in the information storage unit 15.
On the other hand, when the set temperature T1 of the air conditioner at the time tun is smaller than the set temperature T2 of the recommended setting condition at the time tun, the control unit 11 sets the set temperature T2 of the recommended setting condition at the time tun + 1 to the time tun. It is rewritten to the set temperature T1 of the air conditioner 31 in the above and stored in the information storage unit 15.

The method of obtaining the set temperature T3 at the time tun will be supplemented.
For example, as the set temperature T3, the arithmetic mean of the set temperature T1 of the air conditioner at the time tun and the set temperature T2 of the recommended setting condition at the time tun can be used.
Further, the set temperature T3 may be obtained by adding a predetermined temperature to the set temperature T2 within the range of the set temperature T1 of the air conditioner at the time tun and the set temperature T2 of the recommended setting condition at the time tun. Good. For example, as an addition of a predetermined temperature, it may be obtained as an addition of 1 ° C.

Hereinafter, a specific example of the operation of the second automatic adjustment mode will be described using the specific values of FIG. In this explanation, the case where the operation mode is heating will be described, but even in the case of cooling, the concept is the same except that the magnitude of the temperature setting is reversed.
In the example of FIG. 5, when the set temperature T1 of the air conditioner at the time tun is larger than the set temperature T2 of the recommended setting condition at the time tun, the set temperature T3 at the time tun is the time. As a temperature between the set temperature T1 of the air conditioner at tun and the set temperature T2 of the recommended setting condition at the time tun, a value obtained by adding 1 ° C. to the set temperature T2 is obtained.

As the first patrol, the control unit 11 communicates with the air conditioner 31 at time t1 to acquire the current operating conditions of the air conditioner 31 at that time t1.
In the example of FIG. 5, at time t1, the air conditioner 31 was in the operating state and was operated in the heating mode, and the set temperature T1 of the air conditioner 31 was set to 27 ° C.
As the recommended setting condition and setting command condition at time t1 and time, the first operating condition input in advance on the display screen 40 of the administrator terminal 20 and stored in the information storage unit 15 is used. In this example, 24 ° C. is set in each heating mode.
At time t1, the current operating conditions and the recommended setting conditions are different. Therefore, the control unit 11 transmits a control command for causing the air conditioner 31 to perform the operation according to the setting command condition, that is, the first operation condition.

The control unit 11 communicates with the air conditioner 31 at time t2, and acquires the current operating conditions of the air conditioner 31 at that time t2.
In the example of FIG. 5, the air conditioner 31 was in the operating state at time t2, was operated in the heating mode, and the set temperature T1 of the air conditioner 31 was set to 24 ° C.

Since the set temperature T2 of the recommended setting condition is set to 24 ° C. at the time t2, the current operating condition (set temperature T1) and the recommended setting condition (set temperature T2) match. Therefore, the control unit 11 does not transmit a control command to the air conditioner 31.
However, in this example, the user subsequently felt uncomfortable, and then changed the set temperature T1 of the air conditioner 31 to 32 ° C. This is because when the set temperature T1 of the air conditioner 31 is set to 24 ° C., the user feels cold.

The control unit 11 communicates with the air conditioner 31 at time t3, and acquires the current operating conditions of the air conditioner 31 at that time t3.
In the example of FIG. 5, at time t3, the air conditioner 31 was in the operating state and was operated in the heating mode, and the set temperature T1 of the air conditioner 31 was set to 32 ° C.

At time t3, the current operating condition (set temperature T1) and the recommended set condition (set temperature T2) are different in a state where the set temperature T1 is larger than the set temperature T2. Therefore, the control unit 11 obtains the temperature between the set temperature T1 and the set temperature T2, and obtains the set temperature T3 of the setting command condition. In this example, the set temperature T3 sets a value of plus 1 ° C. to the set temperature T2. That is, the set temperature T3 is set to 25 ° C. and stored in the information storage unit 15.
Further, the control unit 11 transmits a control command for operating at the set temperature T3 to the air conditioner 31.

Then, the control unit 11 rewrites the set temperature T2 of the recommended setting condition at the time t4 to the same value as the set temperature T3 at the time t4 and stores it in the information storage unit 15.
However, in this example, the user still feels uncomfortable, and then the set temperature T1 of the air conditioner 31 is changed to 30 ° C. This is because when the set temperature T1 of the air conditioner 31 is set to 25 ° C., the user feels a little cold.

The control unit 11 communicates with the air conditioner 31 at time t4, and acquires the current operating conditions of the air conditioner 31 at that time t4.
In the example of FIG. 5, at time t4, the air conditioner 31 was in the operating state and was operated in the heating mode, and the set temperature T1 of the air conditioner 31 was set to 30 ° C.

At time t4, the current operating condition (set temperature T1) and the recommended set condition (set temperature T2) are different in a state where the set temperature T1 is larger than the set temperature T2. Therefore, the control unit 11 obtains the temperature between the set temperature T1 and the set temperature T2, and obtains the set temperature T3 of the setting command condition. In this example, the set temperature T3 sets a value of plus 1 ° C. to the set temperature T2. That is, the set temperature T3 is set to 26 ° C. and stored in the information storage unit 15.
Further, the control unit 11 transmits a control command for operating at the set temperature T3 to the air conditioner 31.

Then, the control unit 11 rewrites the set temperature T2 of the recommended setting condition at the time t5 to the same value as the set temperature T3 at the time t4 and stores it in the information storage unit 15.
However, in this example, the user somehow felt uncomfortable, and then changed the set temperature T1 of the air conditioner 31 to 27 ° C. This is because the user still felt a little cold when the set temperature T1 of the air conditioner 31 was set to 26 ° C.

The control unit 11 communicates with the air conditioner 31 at time t5 to acquire the current operating conditions of the air conditioner 31 at that time t5.
In the example of FIG. 5, at time t5, the air conditioner 31 was in the operating state and was operated in the heating mode, and the set temperature T1 of the air conditioner 31 was set to 27 ° C.

At time t5, the current operating condition (set temperature T1) and the recommended set condition (set temperature T2) are different in a state where the set temperature T1 is larger than the set temperature T2. Therefore, the control unit 11 obtains the temperature between the set temperature T1 and the set temperature T2, and obtains the set temperature T3 of the setting command condition. In this example, the set temperature T3 sets a value of plus 1 ° C. to the set temperature T2. That is, the set temperature T3 is set to 27 ° C. and stored in the information storage unit 15.
Further, the control unit 11 transmits a control command for operating at the set temperature T3 to the air conditioner 31.

Then, the control unit 11 rewrites the set temperature T2 of the recommended setting condition at the time t6 to the same value as the set temperature T3 at the time t5 and stores it in the information storage unit 15.
In this example, the user felt that it was about to be comfortable and did not change the set temperature T1 of the air conditioner 31 thereafter.

The control unit 11 communicates with the air conditioner 31 at time t6 to acquire the current operating conditions of the air conditioner 31 at that time t6.
In the example of FIG. 5, at time t6, the air conditioner 31 was in the operating state and was operated in the heating mode, and the set temperature T1 of the air conditioner 31 was set to 27 ° C.

At time t6, the current operating condition (set temperature T1) and the recommended set condition (set temperature T2) match. Therefore, the control unit 11 does not transmit a control command to the air conditioner 31.
However, in this example, the user somehow felt uncomfortable, and then changed the set temperature T1 of the air conditioner 31 to 26 ° C. This is because the user felt rather hot when the set temperature T1 of the air conditioner 31 was continuously set to 27 ° C.

The control unit 11 communicates with the air conditioner 31 at time t7, and acquires the current operating conditions of the air conditioner 31 at that time t7.
In the example of FIG. 5, at time t7, the air conditioner 31 was in the operating state and was operated in the heating mode, and the set temperature T1 of the air conditioner 31 was set to 26 ° C.

At time t7, the current operating condition (set temperature T1) and the recommended set condition (set temperature T2) are different in a state where the set temperature T1 is smaller than the set temperature T2. Therefore, the control unit 11 rewrites the set temperature T3 to 26 ° C., which is the same value as the set temperature T1 at the time t7, and stores it in the information storage unit 15.
In this case, the control unit 11 does not need to transmit the control command for operating at the set temperature T3 to the air conditioner 31.

Further, the control unit 11 rewrites the set temperature T2 of the recommended setting condition at the time t8 to 26 ° C., which is the same value as the set temperature T1 at the time t7, and stores it in the information storage unit 15.
In this example, the user felt comfortable and did not change the set temperature T1 of the air conditioner 31 thereafter.

The control unit 11 communicates with the air conditioner 31 at time t8 to acquire the current operating conditions of the air conditioner 31 at that time t8.
In the example of FIG. 5, at time t8, the air conditioner 31 was in the operating state and was operated in the heating mode, and the set temperature T1 of the air conditioner 31 was set to 26 ° C.

At time t8, the set temperature T2 of the recommended setting condition is set to 26 ° C., so that the current operating condition (set temperature T1) and the recommended setting condition (set temperature T2) match. Therefore, the control unit 11 does not transmit a control command to the air conditioner 31.
Further, when the control unit 11 communicates with the air conditioner 31 at time t9, it is the same as when communicating with the air conditioner 31 at time t8.
This is because, in this example, the user feels sufficiently comfortable when the set temperature T1 of the air conditioner 31 is continuously set to 26 ° C.

As described above, when the remote control device 10 includes the second automatic adjustment mode, the recommended set temperature (first operating condition) of the air conditioner 31 has converged to 26 ° C.
Therefore, it succeeded in energy-saving operation from the time t1.
Further, when the remote control device 10 does not have the second automatic adjustment mode (in the case of Case 4), the set temperature T1 is generally set to 28 ° C. and the operation is performed, but when the remote control device 10 has the second automatic adjustment mode. The recommended set temperature (first operating condition) of the air conditioner 31 converged to 26 ° C., and energy saving could be realized within a comfortable range for the user.

[Another Embodiment]
(1) In the above embodiment, the control unit 11 determines that the energy consumption under the current operating conditions is larger than the energy consumption under the first operating conditions at the time tun when the communication is performed once at each time tun. In this case, an example is shown in which a setting command condition (third operating condition) is obtained and a control command for performing operation according to the setting command condition is transmitted to the air conditioner 31, but the control unit 11 has performed a predetermined number of times. For example, when communication is performed twice in total at time tun and time tun + 1, and it is determined that the energy consumption under the current operating conditions is larger than the energy consumption under the first operating conditions at each communication time, a setting command is given. A control command for obtaining a condition (third operating condition) and causing the operation according to the setting command condition may be transmitted to the air conditioner 31.

[Case 6]
Specifically, for example, the control unit 11 communicates twice in total at the time points of time tun and time tun + 1, and the energy consumption of the current operating conditions at each time point is the first operating condition twice in a row. When it is determined that the energy consumption is larger than the energy consumption, the setting command condition (third operating condition) can be obtained, and a control command for performing the operation according to the setting command condition can be transmitted to the air conditioning device 31.

A specific example in this case is shown in FIG.
The basic operation is the same as the above-described embodiment illustrated in FIG.
In FIG. 6, since the set temperature T1 is higher than the set temperature T2 twice in succession at the time t3 and the time t4, the setting command condition (third operating condition) T3 is newly added at the time t4. It is calculated as 26 ° C. and transmitted to the air conditioner 31.
Further, in FIG. 6, since the set temperature T1 is higher than the set temperature T2 twice in succession at the time t4 and the time t5, the setting command condition (third operating condition) T3 is set at the time t5. It is newly calculated as 27 ° C. and transmitted to the air conditioner 31.

(2) In the above embodiment, the control unit 11 has set temperatures T1, T2, and T3 among the operating conditions of the current operating condition, the recommended setting condition (first setting condition), and the setting command condition (second setting condition). Is referred to as a judgment parameter of energy consumption, and the case of automatic adjustment is shown, but as each operating condition of the current operating condition, recommended setting condition (first setting condition), and setting command condition (second setting condition). The determination parameter to be referred to may further include information and parameters related to humidity. In this case, the recommended set humidity may be included in the reference as the first operating condition, and the set humidity may be included in the current operating condition. A known method may be used as a method for determining the magnitude of energy consumption based on information and parameters related to humidity.

(3) In the above embodiment, the second automatic adjustment mode in the case of heating has been described, but the second automatic adjustment mode can also be performed in the case of cooling.
In the case of cooling, for example, the control unit 11 operates as follows.
When the set temperature T1 of the air conditioner at the time tun is smaller than the set temperature T2 of the recommended setting condition at the time tun, the control unit 11 sets the temperature T1 and the time tun of the current operating condition of the air conditioner at the time tun. The "temperature between" the set temperature T2 of the recommended setting condition at the time is obtained as the set temperature T3 of the setting command condition at the time tun, and a control command for operating at the set temperature T3 is transmitted to the air conditioner 31. Do the action.
In this case, the set temperature T3 is set to a value smaller than the set temperature T2 and equal to or higher than the set temperature T1.

That is, the energy consumption of the current operating condition, which increases as the value of the set temperature T1 at the time tun decreases, is larger than the energy consumption of the first operating condition, which increases as the value of the set temperature T2 decreases. When it is determined that the temperature is large, the set temperature T3 of the third operating condition is set so that the energy consumption of the air conditioner 31 becomes the energy consumption between the energy consumption of the current operating condition and the energy consumption of the first operating condition. , It may be obtained as the "temperature between" the set temperature T1 and the set temperature T2.

(4) In the above embodiment, when the control unit 11 determines that the energy consumption under the current operating conditions is equal to or less than the energy consumption under the first operating conditions, the energy consumption of the air conditioning device 31 is the first operation. The second operating condition, which is less than the energy consumption of the condition and less than the energy consumption of the current operating condition, is obtained, and a control command for operating according to the second operating condition is transmitted to the air conditioner 31. An example of rewriting the first operating condition to the second operating condition and storing it in the information storage unit 15 is shown.
However, when the control unit 11 determines that the energy consumption of the current operating condition is equal to or less than the energy consumption of the first operating condition, the first operating condition is set to less than the energy consumption of the current first operating condition. The operating conditions may be once rewritten and stored in the information storage unit 15.

In this case, the operating condition that is less than the energy consumption of the first operating condition may be, for example, an operating condition that consumes more energy than the second operating condition. Further, the operating condition that is less than the energy consumption of the first operating condition may be an operating condition in which the energy consumption is larger than the energy consumption of the current operating condition.

For example, when the control unit 11 determines that the energy consumption under the current operating condition is much smaller than the energy consumption under the first operating condition, the control unit 11 sets the first operating condition as the energy consumption under the current first operating condition. It may be stored in the information storage unit 15 after being temporarily rewritten to an operating condition that is less than the current operating condition and has an operating condition that consumes more energy than the current operating condition.

As a specific example, for example, in the heating mode, the set temperature T2 is set to 32 ° C. as the first operating condition, and the set temperature T1 is set to 24 ° C. as the current operating condition. In this case, the control unit 11 determines that the energy consumption under the current operating conditions is equal to or less than the energy consumption under the first operating conditions. Further, since the set temperature T1 is very low with respect to the set temperature T2, the control unit 11 determines that the energy consumption under the current operating conditions is much smaller than the energy consumption under the first operating conditions.
Therefore, the control unit 11 sets the set temperature T2 as the first operating condition as an operating condition that is less than the energy consumption of the first operating condition and consumes more energy than the energy consumption of the current operating condition. The temperature is once rewritten to the set temperature and stored in the information storage unit 15. For example, the set temperature T2 as the first operating condition is set to 28 ° C.

In this example, when the second operating condition is obtained and the first operating condition is rewritten to the second operating condition, for example, the set temperature T2, which is the first operating condition, is set to 24 ° C. However, if the first operating conditions are changed very significantly at one time in this way, the user may feel uncomfortable.
However, the first operating condition is temporarily rewritten to an operating condition in which the energy consumption is less than the energy consumption of the first operating condition and the energy consumption is larger than the energy consumption of the current operating condition. It is possible to avoid the case where the user feels uncomfortable by reducing the amount of change in the first operating condition by gradually bringing it closer to the one operating condition.

The configuration disclosed in the above embodiment (including another embodiment, the same shall apply hereinafter) can be applied in combination with the configuration disclosed in other embodiments as long as there is no contradiction. The embodiments disclosed in the present specification are examples, and the embodiments of the present invention are not limited thereto, and can be appropriately modified without departing from the object of the present invention.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be used to provide a remote control device that is highly convenient for an administrator of an air conditioner device to be remotely controlled.

10: Remote control device 11: Control unit 15: Information storage unit 31: Air conditioning equipment N: Telecommunications line (communication line)
T1: Set temperature

Claims (16)

First operating condition including the recommended set temperature of the air conditioner for at least the time of day, which is connected to the air conditioner operated by the operation input including the set temperature input from the user via the communication line. In a remote control device including a control unit that stores the above in an information storage unit and transmits a control command to the air conditioner according to the first operating condition.
The control unit communicates with the air conditioner at a set timing, acquires an operating condition including the set temperature of the air conditioner at the time of the communication, as the current operating condition.
When the energy consumption of the current operating condition is equal to or less than the energy consumption of the first operating condition, the control unit reduces the energy consumption of the first operating condition to less than the energy consumption of the current operating condition. A remote control device that obtains a second operating condition, rewrites the first operating condition into the second operating condition, and stores the second operating condition in the information storage unit. First operating condition including the recommended set temperature of the air conditioner for at least the time of day, which is connected to the air conditioner operated by the operation input including the set temperature input from the user via the communication line. In a remote control device including a control unit that stores the above in an information storage unit and transmits a control command to the air conditioner according to the first operating condition.
The control unit communicates with the air conditioner at a set timing, acquires an operating condition including the set temperature of the air conditioner at the time of the communication, as the current operating condition.
When the energy consumption of the current operating condition is larger than the energy consumption of the first operating condition, the control unit is equal to or less than the energy consumption of the current operating condition and exceeds the energy consumption of the first operating condition. A remote control device that obtains a third operating condition that becomes energy consumption, rewrites the first operating condition into the third operating condition, and stores the third operating condition in the information storage unit. First operating condition including the recommended set temperature of the air conditioner for at least the time of day, which is connected to the air conditioner operated by the operation input including the set temperature input from the user via the communication line. In a remote control device including a control unit that stores the above in an information storage unit and transmits a control command to the air conditioner according to the first operating condition.
The control unit communicates with the air conditioner at a set timing, acquires an operating condition including the set temperature of the air conditioner at the time of the communication, as the current operating condition.
When the energy consumption of the current operating condition is equal to or less than the energy consumption of the first operating condition, the control unit sets the first operating condition to less than the energy consumption of the first operating condition. Rewrite to and store in the information storage unit,
When the energy consumption of the current operating condition is larger than the energy consumption of the first operating condition, the control unit is equal to or less than the energy consumption of the current operating condition and exceeds the energy consumption of the first operating condition. A remote control device that obtains a third operating condition that becomes energy consumption, rewrites the first operating condition to the third operating condition, and stores the third operating condition in the information storage unit. When the energy consumption of the current operating condition is smaller than the energy consumption of the first operating condition, the control unit rewrites the first operating condition to the current operating condition and stores it in the information storage unit. The remote control device according to claim 3. First operating condition including the recommended set temperature of the air conditioner for at least the time of day, which is connected to the air conditioner operated by the operation input including the set temperature input from the user via the communication line. In a remote control device including a control unit that stores the above in an information storage unit and transmits a control command to the air conditioner according to the first operating condition.
The control unit communicates with the air conditioner at a set timing, acquires an operating condition including the set temperature of the air conditioner at the time of the communication, as the current operating condition.
When the energy consumption of the current operating condition is less than or equal to the energy consumption of the first operating condition, the control unit is less than the energy consumption of the first operating condition and less than or equal to the energy consumption of the current operating condition. The second operating condition is obtained, the first operating condition is rewritten into the second operating condition, and the second operating condition is stored in the information storage unit.
When the energy consumption of the current operating condition is larger than the energy consumption of the first operating condition, the control unit is equal to or less than the energy consumption of the current operating condition and exceeds the energy consumption of the first operating condition. A remote control device that obtains a third operating condition that becomes energy consumption, rewrites the first operating condition into the third operating condition, and stores the third operating condition in the information storage unit. When the energy consumption of the current operating condition is smaller than the energy consumption of the first operating condition, the control unit rewrites the first operating condition to the current operating condition and stores it in the information storage unit. The remote control device according to claim 5. First operating condition including the recommended set temperature of the air conditioner for at least the time of day, which is connected to the air conditioner operated by the operation input including the set temperature input from the user via the communication line. In a remote control device including a control unit that stores the above in an information storage unit and transmits a control command to the air conditioner according to the first operating condition.
The control unit communicates with the air conditioner at a set timing, acquires an operating condition including the set temperature of the air conditioner at the time of the communication, as the current operating condition.
When the energy consumption of the current operating condition is equal to or less than the energy consumption of the first operating condition, the control unit sets the first operating condition to less than the energy consumption of the first operating condition. Rewrite to and store in the information storage unit,
When the energy consumption of the current operating condition is larger than the energy consumption of the first operating condition, the control unit is equal to or less than the energy consumption of the current operating condition and exceeds the energy consumption of the first operating condition. A control command for obtaining the third operating condition, which is the energy consumption, and performing the operation in accordance with the third operating condition is transmitted to the air conditioner.
When the control unit transmits a control command for performing the operation in accordance with the third operating condition to the air conditioner, the control unit rewrites the first operating condition to the third operating condition and stores it in the information storage unit. , Remote control device. When the energy consumption of the current operating condition is smaller than the energy consumption of the first operating condition, the control unit rewrites the first operating condition to the current operating condition and stores it in the information storage unit. The remote control device according to claim 7. The remote control device according to claim 1, 5 or 6, wherein when the second operating condition is obtained, the control unit transmits a control command for performing the operation in accordance with the second operating condition to the air conditioner. .. The control unit performs the communication a predetermined number of times, and obtains the second operating condition when the energy consumption of the current operating condition is equal to or less than the energy consumption of the first operating condition at each communication time. , The remote control device according to claim 1 or 5 or 6 or 9. The second or three or four or five or six claims, wherein when the control unit obtains the third operating condition, the control unit transmits a control command for performing the operation in accordance with the third operating condition to the air conditioner. Remote control device. The control unit performs the communication a predetermined number of times, and obtains the third operating condition when the energy consumption of the current operating condition is larger than the energy consumption of the first operating condition at each communication time. The remote control device according to claim 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7 or 8 or 11. When the second operating condition is obtained, the control unit transmits a control command for performing the operation in accordance with the second operating condition to the air conditioner, and when the third operating condition is obtained, the third The remote control device according to claim 5 or 6, which transmits a control command for causing the operation according to the operating conditions to the air conditioner. The control unit performs the communication a predetermined number of times, and obtains the second operating condition when the energy consumption of the current operating condition is equal to or less than the energy consumption of the first operating condition at each communication time. The third operating condition is obtained when the energy consumption of the current operating condition is larger than the energy consumption of the first operating condition at each communication time by performing the communication a predetermined number of times. The remote control device according to 6 or 13. The remote control device according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the first operating condition further includes a recommended set humidity. The remote control device according to claim 15, wherein the current operating conditions further include a set humidity.

Images