JP6808000B1 - Device identification device, device identification method and device identification program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a user who does not have detailed knowledge to select an appropriate device when newly introducing a device such as an air conditioner. An environment acquisition unit 21 acquires environmental information indicating the usage environment of an installation destination of an equipment that affects the performance required for the equipment to be introduced. The similar model identification unit 22 is installed in one or more existing destinations that are similar to the usage environment indicated by the environmental information acquired by the environment acquisition unit 21 among a plurality of existing destinations in which the equipment is already installed. Identify the model of the device. The appropriate model identification unit 24 identifies a model that has been operated with a set value close to a reference value set for each model among the models specified by the similar model identification unit 22. [Selection diagram] Fig. 1

Description

The present invention relates to a technique for supporting the selection of equipment when the equipment is installed in a living space, a factory, a building, or the like.

The equipment to be installed by the user is selected by referring to the environment of the equipment installation destination and the performance information of the equipment described in the catalog. However, it may be difficult to select a device suitable for the installation destination.
For example, when a new air conditioner is introduced in a building, the size of the building is compared with the tatami mat number display of the air conditioner described in the catalog to select the air conditioner to be introduced by the user. However, in order to select an appropriate air conditioner, it is necessary to estimate the load of the building and then design the equipment, which cannot be easily performed by a user who does not have detailed knowledge. A suitable air conditioner means that the capacity is neither too large nor too small.

Patent Document 1 describes that when replacing an existing air conditioner, it supports the selection of an air conditioner having a performance suitable for the current operating state of the air conditioner.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2016-186397

The technique described in Patent Document 1 is applied when replacing an air conditioner, and cannot be applied when a new device such as an air conditioner is introduced.
An object of the present invention is to enable a user who does not have detailed knowledge to select an appropriate device when newly introducing a device such as an air conditioner.

The device specifying device according to the present invention is
An environment acquisition department that acquires environmental information that indicates the usage environment of the installation destination of the equipment that affects the performance required for the equipment to be installed.
A model of the device installed in one or more existing destinations having a usage environment similar to the usage environment indicated by the environment information acquired by the environment acquisition unit among a plurality of existing destinations in which the device is already installed. Similar model identification part to identify
Among the models specified by the similar model identification unit, an appropriate model identification unit for specifying a model operated with a set value close to a reference value set for each model is provided.

In the present invention, among the models installed in similar usage environments, the models operated with the set values close to the reference values are specified. As a result, even a user who does not have detailed knowledge can select an appropriate device.

The block diagram of the device identification apparatus 10 which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. The explanatory view of the structural storage part 31 which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. The flowchart which shows the operation of the device identification apparatus 10 which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. The figure which shows the example of the environmental information 34 which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. An explanatory diagram of a similar model identification process according to the first embodiment. The explanatory view of the evaluation value calculation process which concerns on Embodiment 1. The explanatory view of the appropriate model identification process which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. The block diagram of the device identification apparatus 10 which concerns on modification 2. FIG. The block diagram of the device identification apparatus 10 which concerns on Embodiment 2. FIG. The flowchart which shows the operation of the device identification apparatus 10 which concerns on Embodiment 2.

Embodiment 1.
*** Explanation of configuration ***
The configuration of the device identification device 10 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
The device identification device 10 is a computer. The device identification device 10 selects an appropriate device 40 when the device 40 is introduced. In the first embodiment, the device 40 is an air conditioner. However, the device 40 is not limited to the air conditioner, and may be a power supply device or the like.

The device identification device 10 includes hardware for a processor 11, a memory 12, a storage 13, and a communication interface 14. The processor 11 is connected to other hardware via a signal line and controls these other hardware.

The processor 11 is an IC (Integrated Circuit) that performs processing. Specific examples of the processor 11 are a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), and a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit).

The memory 12 is a storage device that temporarily stores data. Specific examples of the memory 12 are SRAM (Static Random Access Memory) and DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory).

The storage 13 is a storage device for storing data. As a specific example, the storage 13 is an HDD (Hard Disk Drive). The storage 13 includes SD (registered trademark, Secure Digital) memory card, CF (CompactFlash, registered trademark), NAND flash, flexible disk, optical disk, compact disk, Blu-ray (registered trademark) disk, DVD (Digital Versaille Disk), and the like. It may be a portable recording medium.

The communication interface 14 is an interface for communicating with an external device. Specific examples of the communication interface 14 are Ethernet (registered trademark), USB (Universal Serial Bus), and HDMI (registered trademark, High-Definition Multimedia Interface) ports.

The device identification device 10 includes an environment acquisition unit 21, a similar model identification unit 22, an evaluation value calculation unit 23, and an appropriate model identification unit 24 as functional components. The functions of each functional component of the device identification device 10 are realized by software.
The storage 13 stores a program that realizes the functions of each functional component of the device specifying device 10. This program is read into the memory 12 by the processor 11 and executed by the processor 11. As a result, the functions of each functional component of the device specifying device 10 are realized.

Further, the storage 13 realizes the function of the configuration storage unit 31.

In FIG. 1, only one processor 11 was shown. However, the number of processors 11 may be plural, and the plurality of processors 11 may execute programs that realize each function in cooperation with each other.

*** Explanation of operation ***
The operation of the device identification device 10 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 7.
The operation procedure of the device identification device 10 according to the first embodiment corresponds to the device identification method according to the first embodiment. Further, the program that realizes the operation of the device identification device 10 according to the first embodiment corresponds to the device identification program according to the first embodiment.

The configuration storage unit 31 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
The configuration storage unit 31 stores the configuration information 33 of the device 40 and the environment information 34 indicating the usage environment for the plurality of existing destinations 32 in which the device 40 is already installed.
The configuration information 33 includes model information 35, actual information 36, and user requirement 37. The model information 35 includes model identification information, a manufacturer name, a model name, and a capacity indicating performance. The performance information 36 includes device status information, operation results, and log information. The device state information is historical information of the state change of the device and the parameters of the device. The device state information is historical information of parameters such as temperature, humidity, and power consumption. The operation results are the usage time of the device 40, the operation time of the device 40, and the like. The log information includes the operation history of the device by the user, the access history from the outside, and the like. The user requirement 37 is a requirement requested by a user who uses the device 40 when introducing the device 40, and an evaluation result of evaluating an actual value for the requirement. The user requirement 37 specifies, for example, important items among non-functional items such as temperature, cost, failure rate, and comfort.
The environmental information 34 is information indicating a usage environment that affects the performance required for the device 40 to be introduced. For example, when the device 40 is an air conditioner, it is information such as area, volume, and structure.

In FIG. 2, the configuration storage unit 31 is configured by a graph database. However, the configuration storage unit 31 is not limited to the graph database and may be configured by other data structures. For example, the configuration storage unit 31 is configured with a relational database for some items such as the actual information 36, and is linked from the item of the actual information 36 of the graph database to the corresponding record of the relational database. You may.

The operation of the device identification device 10 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
In the following description, the device 40 will be described as being an air conditioner. When the device 40 is of another type, the necessary environmental information 34 or the like may be changed according to the type of the device 40.

(Step S11: Environment acquisition process)
The environment acquisition unit 21 acquires designated environment information indicating the usage environment of the installation destination of the device 40 that affects the performance required for the device 40 to be installed.
Specifically, the environment acquisition unit 21 acquires the designated environment information input by the user and the requirements required by the user when introducing the device 40 via the communication interface 14.
For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the environment acquisition unit 21 has building specifications such as the floor area, volume, use, environment-related load, structure, and scale of the installation destination building when the installation destination is a building room. Is acquired as the specified environment information. Further, as the requirements required by the user, as in the case of the user requirement 37, important items among non-functional items such as temperature, price, failure rate, and comfort are specified. Further, the requirement may be set as a cost, the running cost may be calculated from the operation results included in the configuration information 33, the long-term cost may be calculated by adding the running cost to the price, and the evaluation value may be calculated based on the cost. ..

(Step S12: Similar model identification process)
The similar model identification unit 22 is located in one or more existing destinations 32 that are similar to the usage environment indicated by the designated environment information acquired in step S11 among the plurality of existing destinations 32 in which the device 40 is already installed. The model of the installed device 40 is specified.
Specifically, the similar model identification unit 22 searches the configuration storage unit 31 using the designated environment information acquired in step S11 as a keyword, and is a usage environment similar to the usage environment indicated by the designated environment information. The above existing destination 32 is specified. At this time, the similar model identification unit 22 can provide not only the existing destination 32, which is the same usage environment as the usage environment indicated by the designated environment information, but also the designated environment information by giving a range to the information indicated by the designated environment information. The existing destination 32, which is a usage environment close to the usage environment shown, is specified. Having a range of information indicated by the designated environment information means, for example, that the area from 10% smaller to 10% larger than the floor area indicated by the designated environment information is targeted. Further, for example, it means that the load from 10% smaller to 10% larger than the air conditioning load indicated by the designated environmental information is targeted.
The similar model identification unit 22 identifies the model of the device 40 installed in the specified existing destination 32. In the example of FIG. 5, as a result of the similarity determination for each room, the room 301 of the company X building 01 similar to the environmental information 34 shown in FIG. 4 was specified as the existing destination 32 and installed in the specified room 301. A group of model air conditioner 001 (air conditioner 001) and air conditioner 002 (air conditioner 002) is specified. It should be noted that the air conditioner 001 and the air conditioner 002 are not specified respectively, but the group composed of the air conditioner 001 and the air conditioner 002 is specified as the model. The group may include only one model. Further, here, the similarity is determined for each room, but the similarity may be determined for each floor such as 3F, or for each building such as Company X Building 01.

When the group is specified as a model, the similar model identification unit 22 aggregates the actual information of the device 40 for each model included in the group (based on the actual information of each device 40). ), Ask for group performance information.

(Step S13: Evaluation value calculation process)
The evaluation value calculation unit 23 calculates the evaluation value for the target model based on the requirements specified by the user for the model specified in step S12.
Specifically, the evaluation value calculation unit 23 calculates the evaluation value by weighting the number of existing destinations 32 in which the device 40 of the target model is already installed based on the requirements. The number of existing destinations 32 is the number of rooms in which the device 40 of the target model is already installed when the similarity is determined for each room. The evaluation value calculation unit 23 calculates the evaluation value by weighting each model according to the requirements. For example, if the requirement is low cost, the lower the cost, the higher the rating. At this time, the evaluation value calculation unit 23 acquires data corresponding to the requirements for the target model from the configuration information 33 and weights it based on the acquired data. For example, if the requirement is low cost, the evaluation value calculation unit 23 acquires price data of the target model and weights the evaluation value so that the lower the price, the higher the evaluation.
The evaluation value calculation unit 23 may acquire the user requirement 37 of the target model and weight the user requirement 37 so that the evaluation is high when the user requirement 37 matches the requirement specified by the user. For example, the evaluation value calculation unit 23 weights the evaluation value calculation unit 23 so that the evaluation is high when the requirement is low cost and the cost is specified as an item to be emphasized in the user requirement 37 of the target model. May be good.

(Step S14: Appropriate model identification process)
The appropriate model specifying unit 24 identifies a model whose evaluation value calculated in step S13 is higher than the threshold value and which is operated with a set value close to a reference value set for each model. Here, in the case of an air conditioner, the reference value is a load capacity, a rated output, an average power consumption, or a value obtained from these. That is, in the case of an air conditioner, the appropriate model identification unit 24 identifies a model that has been operated with an output close to a value such as load capacity or average power consumption.
Specifically, the appropriate model identification unit 24 targets each model whose evaluation value calculated in step S13 is higher than the threshold value, and describes the target model from the configuration information 33 to the capacity included in the model information 35. Acquire the device status information included in the performance information 36. The appropriate model specifying unit 24 calculates the average value of the difference between the reference value and the actual output specified from the device status information for the target model. Then, the appropriate model specifying unit 24 identifies the model having the smallest average difference value as the model operated with an output close to the reference value.
The appropriate model identification unit 24 outputs the specified model via the communication interface 14. The appropriate model identification unit 24 may output models having an average difference smaller than the reference value via the communication interface 14 after ranking the models in ascending order of the average difference.

As shown in FIG. 6, it is assumed that 11 models from model A to model K are specified in step S12. In this case, in step S13, the evaluation value calculation unit 23 calculates the evaluation value for each model from model A to model K. In step S14, the appropriate model specifying unit 24 identifies a model that is operated with a set value close to the reference value among the model B, the model F, and the model I whose evaluation value is higher than the threshold value.
FIG. 7 is an example in which the reference value is the load capacity. As shown in FIG. 7, in step S14, the actual output of the model B, the model F, and the model I when the reference value is used as the load capacity is specified. The load factor is power consumption / load capacity. When there are a plurality of actual results for one model, the standard actual results of the model may be obtained in consideration of the standard deviation. Based on the result, the model F having the smallest average value of the difference between the reference value and the actual output is specified. That is, the model that most closely approximates the load factor of 100% is specified as an appropriate model. FIG. 7 shows an example in which the reference value is used as the load capacity, but the amount of electric power that allows the air conditioner to operate efficiently may be used as the reference value.

*** Effect of Embodiment 1 ***
As described above, the device identification device 10 according to the first embodiment specifies a model installed in a usage environment similar to the usage environment of the installation destination, and operates with a set value close to the reference value among the specified models. Identify the model that was being used. As a result, when a new device such as an air conditioner is introduced, even a user who does not have detailed knowledge can select an appropriate device.
In particular, a model that has been operated with a set value close to the standard value is likely to be an appropriate model that suits the usage environment. For example, in the case of an air conditioner, if it is operated at an output higher than the standard value, the capacity of the model may be insufficient. On the contrary, in the case of an air conditioner, if it is operated at an output lower than the standard value, the capacity of the model may be excessive and the introduction cost may have been higher than necessary. Therefore, by specifying the model that was operated with the set value close to the reference value, it is possible to select an appropriate device.

Further, the device identification device 10 according to the first embodiment identifies a model having a high evaluation value calculated based on the requirements specified by the user. This makes it possible to select an appropriate device that is likely to meet different requirements for each user.
The evaluation value is calculated based on the number of existing 32 existing destinations introduced. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a model with a small introduction record from being ranked high and making it impossible to select an appropriate model.

As described above, the following effects can be obtained by enabling the selection of an appropriate device even by a user who does not have detailed knowledge.
(1) For equipment managers of equipment 40 and the like, it is possible to reduce the discrepancy between the budget and the actual results regarding the introduction and operation of equipment 40, and there is no waste in investment. (2) As for the manufacturer of the device 40, since it is difficult to perform excessive operation exceeding the capacity, the burden of troubleshooting is reduced. (3) As for the user who introduces the device 40, it is possible to specify the model of the device 40 which has a track record and satisfies the requirements without having detailed knowledge.

*** Other configurations ***
<Modification example 1>
If there is a new product, the new product has not yet been introduced anywhere and will not be selected by the above process. Therefore, the new product may be registered in the configuration storage unit 31 together with the environment information 34 indicating the usage environment targeted by the new product as a fictitious existing destination 32. As a result, there is a possibility that a new product will be selected depending on the environmental information 34 of the introduction destination.
In this case, when the evaluation value is calculated in step S13 of FIG. 3, the evaluation is low because the number of existing destinations 32 for the new product is small. Therefore, when weighting according to the requirements, the new product may be weighted so that the evaluation value becomes high to some extent.

<Modification 2>
In the first embodiment, each functional component is realized by software. However, as a modification 2, each functional component may be realized by hardware. The difference between the second modification and the first embodiment will be described.

The configuration of the device identification device 10 according to the second modification will be described with reference to FIG.
When each functional component is realized by hardware, the device identification device 10 includes an electronic circuit 15 instead of the processor 11, the memory 12, and the storage 13. The electronic circuit 15 is a dedicated circuit that realizes the functions of each functional component, the memory 12, and the storage 13.

Examples of the electronic circuit 15 include a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programmed processor, a parallel programmed processor, a logic IC, a GA (Gate Array), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), and an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array). is assumed.
Each functional component may be realized by one electronic circuit 15, or each functional component may be distributed and realized by a plurality of electronic circuits 15.

<Modification example 3>
As a modification 3, some functional components may be realized by hardware, and other functional components may be realized by software.

The processor 11, the memory 12, the storage 13, and the electronic circuit 15 are referred to as processing circuits. That is, the function of each functional component is realized by the processing circuit.

Embodiment 2.
The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that a candidate model of the device 40 is specified even when there is no existing destination 32 in a similar usage environment. In the second embodiment, the points different from the first embodiment will be described, and the same points will be omitted.

*** Explanation of configuration ***
The configuration of the device identification device 10 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
The device identification device 10 is different from the device identification device 10 shown in FIG. 1 in that it includes the number identification unit 25.

*** Explanation of operation ***
The operation of the device identification device 10 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
The operation procedure of the device identification device 10 according to the second embodiment corresponds to the device identification method according to the second embodiment. Further, the program that realizes the operation of the device identification device 10 according to the second embodiment corresponds to the device identification program according to the second embodiment.

The processing of step S21 and step S22 is the same as the processing of step S11 and step S12 of FIG. Further, the processing of step S24 and step S25 is the same as the processing of step S13 and step S14 of FIG.

(Step S23: Search determination process)
The similar model identification unit 22 determines in step S22 whether or not the model of the device 40 installed in one or more existing destinations 32 having a similar usage environment has been identified. This corresponds to determining whether or not the existing destination 32, which is a similar usage environment, has been specified in step S22.
If the similar model identification unit 22 is specified, the process proceeds to step S24. On the other hand, if the similar model identification unit 22 is not specified, the process proceeds to step S26.

In some cases, there is no existing destination 32 having a usage environment similar to the usage environment of the installation destination where the device 40 is to be introduced. For example, when the device 40 is an air conditioner, the usage environment that affects the performance required for the device 40 includes the floor area of the building. In this case, the floor area of the building registered as the existing destination 32 may be 500 square meters at the maximum, whereas the floor area of the building to be introduced may be 2000 square meters. In this way, when the introduction destination of the floor area that has never existed before is specified, the existing destination 32 of the similar usage environment does not exist.

(Step S26: Number of units identification process)
The number specifying unit 25 targets the models (groups) of the devices 40 installed in each of the plurality of existing destinations 32 stored in the configuration storage unit 31, and is used as indicated by the designated environment information acquired in step S21. Based on the performance required for the device 40 specified from the environment, the number of devices 40 of the target model required when installing the device 40 at the installation destination is specified.
Specifically, the number specifying unit 25 calculates the performance required for the device 40 based on the designated environment information acquired in step S21. For example, when the device 40 is an air conditioner, the number specifying unit 25 calculates an air conditioning load indicating the performance required for the air conditioner based on the existing technology from the floor area and structure of the building. At this time, the number specifying unit 25 may calculate the air conditioning load in consideration of other factors such as the number of people in the building and the orientation of the room.
The number specifying unit 25 specifies the number required when installing the device 40 of the target model at the introduction destination from the performance required for the device 40 and the performance of the device 40 of the target model. For example, the number specifying unit 25 specifies the required number of units by dividing the value indicating the performance required for the device 40 by the value indicating the performance of the device 40 of the target model.

(Step S27: Evaluation value calculation process)
The evaluation value calculation unit 23 targets the models of the devices 40 installed in each of the plurality of existing destinations 32 stored in the configuration storage unit 31, based on the requirements specified by the user, and describes the target models. Calculate the evaluation value.
Specifically, the evaluation value calculation unit 23 calculates the evaluation value by weighting the number of existing destinations 32 in which the device 40 of the target model is already installed according to the requirements, as in step S24. Alternatively, the evaluation value may be calculated based on the requirements without considering the number of existing destinations 32. At this time, the evaluation value calculation unit 23 may calculate the evaluation value in consideration of the number of units calculated in step S26. For example, if the requirement is low cost, the evaluation value is calculated after multiplying the price of the target model by the number of units.
The evaluation value calculation unit 23 ranks the models having a higher evaluation value than the standard together with the number of models having a higher evaluation value, and then outputs the models via the communication interface 14.

*** Effect of Embodiment 2 ***
As described above, the device identification device 10 according to the second embodiment is required for the device 40 specified from the usage environment of the introduction destination when there is no existing destination 32 of the usage environment similar to the usage environment of the introduction destination. Calculate the required number of each model based on the performance. Then, the device identification device 10 calculates an evaluation value based on the number of units and requirements, and identifies a model having a high evaluation value. This makes it possible to identify a model that is likely to satisfy the user's request when there is no existing destination 32 in the usage environment similar to the usage environment of the introduction destination.

<Modification example 4>
As described in the first modification, by registering the new product in the configuration storage unit 31, the new product can be used by the user even when the existing destination 32 of the usage environment similar to the usage environment of the introduction destination does not exist. It may be identified as a model that is likely to meet the requirements.

10 device identification device, 11 processor, 12 memory, 13 storage, 14 communication interface, 15 electronic circuit, 21 environment acquisition unit, 22 similar model identification unit, 23 evaluation value calculation unit, 24 appropriate model identification unit, 25 number identification unit, 31 Configuration storage unit, 32 Existing destination, 33 Configuration information, 34 Environmental information, 35 Model information, 36 Actual information, 37 User requirements, 40 Equipment.

Claims (8)

An environment acquisition department that acquires designated environment information that indicates the usage environment of the device installation destination,
Of the plurality of existing destinations where the equipment has already been installed, the equipment installed in one or more existing destinations which is a usage environment similar to the usage environment indicated by the designated environment information acquired by the environment acquisition unit. Similar model identification part that identifies the model, and
A device identification device including an appropriate model identification unit that identifies a model that has been operated with a set value close to a reference value set for each model among the models specified by the similar model identification unit. The device identification device further
The evaluation value calculation unit for calculating the evaluation value for the target model based on the requirements specified for the device to be introduced is provided for the model specified by the similar model identification unit.
The appropriate model identification unit is described in claim 1, wherein among the models whose evaluation value calculated by the evaluation value calculation unit is higher than the threshold value, the model which is operated with a set value close to the reference value is specified. Equipment identification device. The device according to claim 2, wherein the evaluation value calculation unit calculates the evaluation value by weighting the number of existing destinations in which the device of the target model is already installed based on the requirements. Specific device. The device specifying device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the requirement is a non-functional requirement specified for the device to be introduced in addition to the function of the device. The evaluation value calculation unit is a model of the device installed in each of the plurality of existing destinations when the existing destinations of the usage environment similar to the usage environment indicated by the designated environment information are not included in the plurality of existing destinations. Based on the requirements specified for the equipment to be introduced, the evaluation value for the target model is calculated.
The device identification device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the appropriate model identification unit identifies a model whose evaluation value calculated by the evaluation value calculation unit is higher than a threshold value. The device identification device further
When the existing destinations of the usage environment similar to the usage environment indicated by the designated environment information are not included in the plurality of existing destinations, the designated environment is targeted for the model of the device installed in each of the plurality of existing destinations. A claim including a number identification unit that specifies the number of units required when installing the device of the target model in the installation destination based on the usage environment indicated by the information and the usage environment of the device installed in the existing destination. Item 5. The device specifying device according to item 5. The environment acquisition department acquires the designated environment information indicating the usage environment of the device installation destination, and
The similar model identification unit selects the model of the device installed in one or more existing sites that are similar to the usage environment indicated by the designated environment information among the plurality of existing sites in which the device is already installed. Identify and
A device identification method in which the appropriate model identification unit identifies a model among the specified models that has been operated with a set value close to a reference value set for each model. Environment acquisition process to acquire specified environment information indicating the usage environment of the device installation destination,
Of the plurality of existing destinations where the equipment has already been installed, the equipment installed in one or more existing destinations which is a usage environment similar to the usage environment indicated by the designated environment information acquired by the environment acquisition process. Similar model identification processing to identify the model and
The computer functions as a device identification device that performs appropriate model identification processing for identifying a model that has been operated with a set value close to a reference value set for each model among the models identified by the similar model identification process. Device identification program.

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