JP6945143B2 - Air conditioning control method and air conditioning control system - Google Patents

Description

The present disclosure relates to an air conditioning control method and an air conditioning control system that promote sleep by controlling an air conditioning unit during sleep.

So far, devices have been developed to make the temperature environment during sleep more suitable for sleep in order to improve the quality of sleep, which is said to occupy one-third of the time of life. In addition, the core body temperature of a person generally reaches a maximum value from about 19:00 to 20:00, and gradually decreases from about 21:00. In addition, as the patient goes to bed, the temperature drops rapidly, reaches a minimum around 4 to 5 in the early morning, then gradually rises, and the patient wakes up. Just as air conditioning supports changes in core body temperature, it is thought that changes similar to core body temperature lead to a good night's sleep.

For example, the air-conditioning control system disclosed in Patent Document 1 stops temperature control at the time of falling asleep by measuring the physiological amount of the sleeping person during the heating operation, and sets it according to the cycle component of sleep before waking up. Perform rhythmic operation to increase or decrease the temperature.

Further, the futon blower disclosed in Patent Document 2 adapts the alternating operation of the blower operation mode and the blower stop mode to the sleep rhythm in order to prevent awakening due to the noise of the blower during sleep, and during non-rem sleep. Operates in the blower operation mode.

Japanese Patent No. 5708220 Japanese Patent Application No. 6-190191

However, the above-mentioned air-conditioning control system and futon blower cannot both support a person's comfortable wake-up and suppress a person's awakening before wake-up, and further improvement is required. there were.

The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and is an air-conditioning control method capable of both supporting a person's comfortable wake-up and suppressing a person's awakening before wake-up. And to provide an air conditioning control system.

In order to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, the air-conditioning control method according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a method of controlling an air-conditioning unit that air-conditions a space to be air-conditioned by using a processor, and is a person existing in the space. The biometric information of the person is acquired from the measurement unit, the state of the person is determined using the biometric information, the wake-up time information indicating the wake-up time of the person is acquired, and a predetermined value prior to the wake-up time indicated by the wake-up time information is obtained. During the period, the set temperature of the air-conditioning unit is raised according to the state of the person becoming the first sleep state in which the depth of sleep is deeper than a predetermined threshold value.

According to the above aspect, the air-conditioning unit is supported by raising the set temperature of the air-conditioning unit in response to the approaching wake-up time to support the person's comfortable wake-up, and by the operating noise or air flow generated by the air-conditioning unit. It is possible to suppress the awakening of a person sleeping in the air-conditioned space before waking up at the same time.

It is a block diagram which shows an example of the structure of the air-conditioning control system in Embodiment 1 of this disclosure. It is a figure which shows an example of the set temperature determined by the air-conditioning control unit shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the air-conditioning control processing which determines a set temperature by the air-conditioning control system shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the structure of the air-conditioning control system in Embodiment 2 of this disclosure. It is a figure which shows an example of the set temperature in Embodiment 3 of this disclosure. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the air-conditioning control processing which determines a set temperature by the air-conditioning control system in Embodiment 3 of this disclosure. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the set temperature reduction process shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the set temperature in Embodiment 4 of this disclosure. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the air-conditioning control processing which determines a set temperature by the air-conditioning control system in Embodiment 4 of this disclosure.

(Knowledge on which this disclosure was based)
In the conventional air-conditioning control system, in order to support the change in core body temperature, the set temperature of the heating is raised during sleep, so that the sleeping person is awakened by the operation sound and the stimulation of the air flow emitted from the air-conditioning control system, and the sleep is comfortable. May not be obtained.

For example, in the air conditioning control system disclosed in Patent Document 1, it is known that the thermoregulatory function of a person does not work easily during REM sleep, and therefore the set temperature is raised during REM sleep. Therefore, the set temperature is raised during light sleep, which is easily affected by the stimulus of the operation sound and the air flow, and the sleeping person is awakened by the operation sound and the air flow, and there is a problem that comfortable sleep cannot be continued.

Further, in the futon blower disclosed in Patent Document 2, the time zone of the non-REM sleep state is estimated from the time of the start of bedtime by utilizing the fact that the sleep cycle consisting of REM sleep and non-REM sleep is about 90 minutes. It is controlled to operate the ventilation operation mode. However, the sleep cycle is not always 90 minutes, and the sleep state is not determined by measuring the physiological amount of the sleeping person. For this reason, the ventilation operation mode may be operated during REM sleep, and there is a problem that the sleeping person is awakened by the operation sound and the air flow, and comfortable sleep cannot be continued.

Therefore, the inventors of the present application have diligently studied how to support a person's comfortable wake-up and to suppress a person's awakening before wake-up. It is completed.

The air-conditioning control method according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a method of controlling an air-conditioning unit that air-conditions a space to be air-conditioned by using a processor, and obtains biological information of a person existing in the space from the measurement unit. The state of the person is determined using the biological information, the wake-up time information indicating the wake-up time of the person is acquired, and the state of the person sleeps in a predetermined period before the wake-up time indicated by the wake-up time information. The set temperature of the air-conditioning unit is raised according to the first sleep state in which the depth of the air-conditioning unit is deeper than a predetermined threshold value.

With such a configuration, the biometric information of a person existing in the space is acquired from the measurement unit, and the state of the person is determined using the acquired biometric information. In addition, the wake-up time information indicating the wake-up time of the person is acquired, and in the predetermined period before the wake-up time indicated by the wake-up time information, the state of the person is the first sleep state in which the sleep depth is deeper than the predetermined threshold value. The set temperature of the air conditioner is raised according to the above.

Therefore, since it is possible to accurately determine the period before the wake-up time when the person is in a deep sleep state by using the human body information, the deep sleep state is less affected by the operation sound and the stimulus of the air flow. During the period of time, the air conditioning unit can operate to raise the temperature. As a result, it is possible to both support a person's comfortable wake-up and suppress a person's awakening before wake-up.

Raising the set temperature of the air-conditioning unit raises the set temperature of the air-conditioning unit each time the person's state becomes the first sleeping state in a predetermined period before the wake-up time indicated by the wake-up time information. Thereby, the set temperature of the air-conditioning unit may be set stepwise based on the target set temperature at the wake-up time.

With such a configuration, in a predetermined period before the wake-up time indicated by the wake-up time information, the set temperature of the air-conditioning unit is raised every time the sleep depth of the person becomes the first sleep state, so that the wake-up time is set. The set temperature of the air conditioner is set step by step based on the target set temperature. Therefore, the set temperature of the air-conditioning unit can be raised stepwise to the target set temperature each time a deep sleep state that is not easily affected by the operation sound or the stimulus of the air flow is reached. As a result, even when the difference between the temperature of the space before the wake-up time and the target set temperature is large, it is possible to both support the comfortable wake-up of the person and suppress the person from awakening before wake-up. be able to.

Further, in the air conditioning control method, the state of the person determined by using the biological information acquired in a predetermined period after raising the set temperature of the air conditioning unit is shallower than the first sleeping state. Depending on the sleep state, the set temperature of the air-conditioning unit may be lowered or the air-conditioning unit may be stopped.

With such a configuration, the state of the person determined by using the biometric information acquired in the predetermined period after raising the set temperature of the air conditioning unit becomes the second sleep state, which is shallower than the first sleep state. Depending on the situation, the set temperature of the air conditioning unit is lowered or the air conditioning unit is stopped. Therefore, in a light sleep state that is easily affected by operating noise and airflow stimulus, the operating noise of the air conditioning unit can be reduced and the airflow stimulus can be suppressed, so that the person is sure to awaken before waking up. Can be suppressed.

Lowering the set temperature of the air-conditioning unit may be to lower the set temperature to a higher temperature than the set temperature before raising the temperature.

With such a configuration, when lowering the set temperature of the air conditioning unit, the set temperature is lowered to a higher temperature than the set temperature before raising. Therefore, the temperature of the space can be raised to the target set temperature at the time of waking up while reducing the operating noise of the air conditioning unit to the minimum necessary and suppressing the stimulation of the air flow to the minimum necessary.

The air-conditioning control method further lowers the set temperature of the air-conditioning unit to a temperature higher than the temperature of the space when the air-conditioning unit is stopped, in response to the person's state becoming a sleep state. It may be included.

With such a configuration, the set temperature of the air-conditioning unit is lowered to a temperature higher than the temperature of the space when the air-conditioning unit is stopped, depending on the state of the person becoming a sleep state. Therefore, since the temperature of the sleeping space does not drop excessively, the difference between the temperature of the sleeping space and the target set temperature of the wake-up time can be reduced. As a result, it is possible to surely raise the temperature of the sleeping space to the target set temperature at the time of waking up while reducing the operating noise of the air conditioning unit and suppressing the stimulation of the air flow.

The biological information may include at least one piece of information on the person's body movement, heartbeat, respiration, myoelectric potential, and brain wave.

With such a configuration, at least one information of a person's body movement, heartbeat, respiration, myoelectric potential, and brain wave is acquired as biological information, so that the depth of sleep of the person can be accurately determined.

Further, the present disclosure can be realized not only as an air conditioning control method that executes the above-mentioned characteristic processing, but also an air conditioning control having a characteristic configuration corresponding to the characteristic processing executed by the air conditioning control method. It can also be realized as a system. Therefore, the same effect as the above-mentioned air conditioning control method can be obtained in the following other aspects as well.

The air-conditioning control system according to another aspect of the present disclosure includes an air-conditioning unit that air-conditions a space to be air-conditioned, a measurement unit that measures biological information of a person existing in the space, and a state of the person using the biological information. The determination unit for determining the above and the wake-up time information indicating the wake-up time of the person are acquired, and in a predetermined period before the wake-up time indicated by the wake-up time information, the state of the person has a predetermined threshold of sleep depth. It is provided with a control unit that raises the set temperature of the air conditioning unit in response to a deeper first sleep state.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that all of the embodiments described below show comprehensive or specific examples. The numerical values, shapes, components, steps, order of steps, etc. shown in the following embodiments are examples, and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. Further, among the components in the following embodiments, the components not described in the independent claims indicating the highest level concept are described as arbitrary components. Moreover, in all the embodiments, each content can be combined.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the air conditioning control system according to the first embodiment. The air conditioning control system shown in FIG. 1 includes a biological information measurement unit 101, a sleep state determination unit 102, an air conditioning control unit 103, an indoor air conditioning unit 104, and a storage unit 105.

As shown in FIG. 1, for example, a bed B1 is installed in a room where the user HB sleeps, a bedding B2 is laid on the bed B1, and a hanging bedding B3 is laid on the bed B1. The user HB sleeps using the bedding B2 and the bedding B3.

In the air conditioning control system shown in FIG. 1, the biometric information measurement unit 101 measures the biometric information of the user HB (sleeper), and the sleep state determination unit 102 determines the state of the user HB based on the measured biometric information. do. The air-conditioning control unit 103 can raise the set temperature of the indoor air-conditioning unit 104 if the determined state is deep sleep in the time zone before waking up, and awaken by the operation sound or the stimulation of the air flow if the sleep is light. Therefore, the set temperature of the indoor air-conditioning unit 104 is not changed.

Specifically, the indoor air-conditioning unit 104 is composed of, for example, an air conditioner or the like, and air-conditions the space to be air-conditioned. The indoor air-conditioning unit 104 is attached to a space to be air-conditioned, for example, above one wall of the bedroom. The indoor air-conditioning unit 104 can perform at least a heating operation, and adjusts the temperature of the space to be air-conditioned according to a set temperature or the like in the heating mode. The indoor air conditioning unit 104 is not particularly limited to the above example. As long as the space to be air-conditioned can be heated, for example, other heating equipment such as a heater may be used.

The biometric information measurement unit 101 measures the biometric information of the user HB. The biological information measurement unit 101 is connected to the sleep state determination unit 102 by using wired communication, wireless communication, or the like, and outputs biological information to the sleep state determination unit 102. Biological information includes at least one piece of information on a person's body movement, heartbeat, respiration, myoelectric potential, and brain wave.

For example, when measuring body motion data as biometric information, the biometric information measuring unit 101 is composed of a body motion sensor having an acceleration sensor, a gyro sensor, or the like, and is located at a predetermined position in the bedding B2, for example, the waist of the user HB. It is installed nearby. The biological information measurement unit 101 measures body movement data (for example, the number of turns) representing the movement of the user HB during sleep as biological information.

Further, for example, when measuring the heartbeat as biometric information, the biometric information measuring unit 101 is composed of a heartbeat sensor such as a radio wave sensor that measures the heartbeat (heartbeat signal) of the user HB in a non-contact manner. Further, for example, when measuring respiration as biometric information, the biometric information measuring unit 101 is composed of a respiration sensor such as a radio wave sensor that measures the respiration (breathing signal) of the user HB in a non-contact manner. The biological information measurement unit 101 is not particularly limited to the above example. For example, a biosensor or the like that measures other biometric information may be used, or a plurality of sensors may be used in combination.

The sleep state determination unit 102, the air conditioning control unit 103, and the storage unit 105 are installed in a space to be air-conditioned, for example, at a predetermined position in the bedroom. The air conditioning control unit 103 is communicably connected to the sleep state determination unit 102, the indoor air conditioning unit 104, and the storage unit 105 by using a wired or wireless network, infrared rays, or the like. The sleep state determination unit 102 and the air conditioning control unit 103 are composed of a processor or the like, execute a predetermined program stored in an internal memory or the like, and execute the functions of the sleep state determination unit 102 and the air conditioning control unit 103.

The sleep state determination unit 102 determines the state of the user HB using the biological information measured by the biological information measurement unit 101, and outputs the determination result to the air conditioning control unit 103. Specifically, the sleep state determination unit 102 determines that the state of the user HB is a first sleep state in which the sleep depth is deeper than a predetermined threshold value (hereinafter, referred to as “deep sleep state”) based on biological information. It is determined whether or not there is, or whether or not there is a second sleep state (hereinafter, referred to as "light sleep state") that is shallower than the first sleep state.

For example, in "Akihiro Michimori, 2 outsiders," Sleep monitoring system by heart rate variability analysis ", Matsushita Electric Technical Report, 82, 2003, p29-33", the sleep state of a person depends on the depth of sleep. , Awake state, REM sleep state, and non-REM sleep state represented by sleep stages 1, 2, 3, and 4. In the present embodiment, the sleep state determination unit 102 determines sleep stages 3 and 4 in which the sleep depth is deeper than a predetermined threshold as a deep sleep state by using the heart rate variability analysis or the like described in the above publication. , Sleep stages 1 and 2 are determined to be light sleep states.

The first and second sleep states are not particularly limited to the above examples. For example, non-REM sleep is determined to be a deep sleep state, REM sleep is determined to be a light sleep state, only the above sleep stage 4 is determined to be a deep sleep state, and only the above sleep stage 1 is determined to be a light sleep state. It can be changed.

Further, the method for determining the sleep state is not particularly limited to the method described in the above publication, and various known methods can be used. For example, the determination method described in "Shima Okada, 4 others," Sensing of sleep depth using microwaves ", Biomedical Engineering, 54 (3), 2016, p139-144" may be used. In addition, as a method for determining the sleep state, comparison between biometric information and a threshold value, comparison between a feature amount of biometric information and a predetermined feature amount, or an output obtained by inputting biometric information into a machine learning model for determining the state, etc. Various methods can be adopted.

The storage unit 105 is composed of a memory such as an external storage device, and stores in advance wake-up time information indicating the wake-up time of the user HB. The configuration of the storage unit 105 is not particularly limited to the above example. For example, various changes can be made such as providing a memory inside the air conditioning control unit 103 and using this memory as the storage unit 105. Further, the method of acquiring the wake-up time information is not particularly limited to the above example. For example, the user HB may transmit its own wake-up time information to the storage unit 105 or the air conditioning control unit 103 using a mobile terminal such as a smartphone.

The air-conditioning control unit 103 acquires the wake-up time information from the storage unit 105, and in a predetermined period before the wake-up time indicated by the wake-up time information, the user HB sleeps deeper than the predetermined threshold value. The set temperature of the indoor air-conditioning unit 104 is raised according to the state.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a set temperature determined by the air conditioning control unit 103 shown in FIG. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the air conditioning control unit 103 raises the set temperature of the indoor air conditioning unit 104 in two steps from before waking up.

Specifically, after the first set time T1 (for example, 2 hours before the wake-up time RB) before waking up, the sleep state determination unit 102 determines the sleep state from the biological information measured by the biological information measurement unit 101. To judge. If the determined sleep state is a deep sleep state (first sleep state), the air conditioning control unit 103 changes the set temperature of the indoor air conditioning unit 104 from the first set temperature A1 to the second set temperature A2. , The set temperature of the indoor air conditioning unit 104 is raised. Here, the second set temperature A2 is an intermediate value between the first set temperature A1 at the time determined to be deep sleep and the third set temperature A3 (target set temperature) at the wake-up time RB.

Next, after the second set time T2 (for example, one hour before the wake-up time RB), the sleep state determination unit 102 determines the sleep state from the biological information measured by the biological information measurement unit 101. If the determined sleep state is a deep sleep state (first sleep state), the air conditioning control unit 103 sets the set temperature of the indoor air conditioning unit 104 from the second set temperature A2 to the third set temperature of the wake-up time RB. Change to A3 and raise the set temperature of the indoor air conditioning unit 104.

If the air-conditioning control unit 103 is not in a deep sleep state by the second set time T2, the air-conditioning control unit 103 sets the set temperature of the indoor air-conditioning unit 104 from the first set temperature A1 to the second set temperature A1 at the second set time T2. Change to the set temperature A2. If the air-conditioning control unit 103 is not in a deep sleep state by the third set time T3 (for example, 20 minutes before the wake-up time RB), the air-conditioning control unit 103 sets the indoor air-conditioning unit 104 at the third set time T3. The temperature is changed from the second set temperature A2 to the third set temperature A3.

As described above, the air-conditioning control unit 103 raises the set temperature of the indoor air-conditioning unit 104 every time the state of the user HB becomes the first sleeping state in a predetermined period before the wake-up time indicated by the wake-up time information. As a result, the set temperature of the indoor air-conditioning unit 104 is set stepwise based on the target set temperature at the wake-up time.

Therefore, when the sleep state determination unit 102 determines that it is light sleep (second sleep) or REM sleep, the air conditioning control unit 103 does not change the set temperature of the indoor air conditioning unit 104. In general, during deep sleep, it is rare to be awakened by stimuli such as motion sounds and airflow, and conversely, during light sleep and REM sleep, it is relatively often affected by stimuli, and stimuli of motion sounds and airflow. It is believed that it may be awakened by. As described above, in the present embodiment, since the set temperature of the indoor air-conditioning unit 104 is raised when it is determined that the sleep is deep, it is possible to suppress awakening due to the operation sound of the indoor air-conditioning unit 104 or the stimulation of the air flow. It becomes possible.

The method of raising the set temperature is not particularly limited to the above example. For example, in consideration of the influence of operating noise and airflow stimulation, the set temperature of the indoor air conditioning unit 104 is raised in three or more steps according to the difference between the first set temperature A1 and the third set temperature A3. You may. In this case, since the temperature to be raised at one time can be reduced, the operation noise and the stimulation of the air flow can be sufficiently reduced, and the person can be surely prevented from awakening before waking up.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of an air conditioning control process for determining a set temperature by the air conditioning control system shown in FIG. Here, the air conditioning control unit 103 sets the time before a predetermined time (for example, 2 hours) from the wake-up time indicated by the wake-up time information acquired from the storage unit 105 as the first set time T1 before executing the main air-conditioning control process. The time before the predetermined time (for example, 1 hour) from the wake-up time is determined as the second set time T2, and the time before the predetermined time (for example, 20 minutes) from the wake-up time is the third set time T3. It is decided as.

First, the air conditioning control unit 103 determines whether or not the current time is the first set time T1 (step S11), and if the current time is not the first set time T1 (NO in step S11), step S11. Repeat the process of.

On the other hand, when the current time is the first set time T1 (YES in step S11), the air conditioning control unit 103 requests the biometric information measurement unit 101 to measure the biometric information of the user HB via the sleep state determination unit 102. Then, the biometric information measurement unit 101 measures the biometric information of the user HB and outputs it to the sleep state determination unit 102 (step S12).

Next, the sleep state determination unit 102 determines the sleep state of the user HB using the biometric information measured by the biometric information measurement unit 101, and outputs the determination result to the air conditioning control unit 103 (step S13). The processing of steps S12 and S13 is not particularly limited to the above timing. For example, it may be executed all the time while the user HB is sleeping.

Next, the air conditioning control unit 103 determines whether or not the determination result of the sleep state determination unit 102 is a deep sleep state (first sleep state) (step S14), and when the determination result is a deep sleep state. (YES in step S14), the process proceeds to step S15.

On the other hand, when the determination result is not a deep sleep state (NO in step S14), the air conditioning control unit 103 determines whether or not the current time is the second set time T2 (step S16), and the current time is the second. If the set time is not T2 (NO in step S16), the processes after step S12 are repeated.

Next, when the determination result is a deep sleep state (YES in step S14), or when the current time is the second set time T2 (YES in step S16), the air conditioning control unit 103 is the indoor air conditioning unit 104. The set temperature is changed from the first set temperature A1 to the second set temperature A2, and the set temperature is raised.

Next, the air conditioning control unit 103 determines whether or not the current time is the second set time T2 (step S17), and if the current time is not the second set time T2 (NO in step S17), the step. The process of S17 is repeated.

On the other hand, when the current time is the second set time T2 (YES in step S17), the air conditioning control unit 103 requests the biometric information measurement unit 101 to measure the biometric information of the user HB via the sleep state determination unit 102. Then, the biometric information measurement unit 101 measures the biometric information of the user HB and outputs it to the sleep state determination unit 102 (step S18).

Next, the sleep state determination unit 102 determines the sleep state of the user HB using the biometric information measured by the biometric information measurement unit 101, and outputs the determination result to the air conditioning control unit 103 (step S19). The processing of steps S18 and S19 is not particularly limited to the above timing. For example, it may be executed all the time while the user HB is sleeping.

Next, the air conditioning control unit 103 determines whether or not the determination result of the sleep state determination unit 102 is a deep sleep state (first sleep state) (step S20), and when the determination result is a deep sleep state. (YES in step S20), the process proceeds to step S21.

On the other hand, when the determination result is not a deep sleep state (NO in step S20), the air conditioning control unit 103 determines whether or not the current time is the third set time T3 (step S22), and the current time is the third. If the set time is not T3 (NO in step S22), the processes after step S18 are repeated.

Next, when the determination result is a deep sleep state (YES in step S20), or when the current time is the third set time T3 (YES in step S22), the air conditioning control unit 103 is the indoor air conditioning unit 104. The set temperature is changed from the second set temperature A2 to the third set temperature A3, the set temperature of the indoor air conditioning unit 104 is raised (step S21), and the process is completed.

By the above processing, in the present embodiment, the biometric information of the user HB is acquired from the biometric information measuring unit 101, and the state of the user HB is determined using the acquired biometric information. Further, the wake-up time information indicating the wake-up time of the user HB is acquired from the storage unit 105, and in a predetermined period before the wake-up time indicated by the acquired wake-up time information, the state of the user HB has a predetermined threshold of sleep depth. The set temperature of the indoor air-conditioning unit 104 is raised in response to the deeper first sleep state.

Therefore, since the period before the wake-up time in which the user is in a deep sleep state can be accurately determined by using the biometric information of the user HB, the deep sleep state is less affected by the operation sound and the stimulus of the air flow. During this period, the indoor air-conditioning unit 104 can perform an operation of raising the temperature. As a result, it is possible to both support the comfortable wake-up of the user HB and suppress the user HB from awakening before wake-up.

(Embodiment 2)
In the first embodiment described above, an example in which the air conditioning control unit 103 or the like is installed in the room where the user HB sleeps has been described, but a cloud server or the like connected via a network such as the Internet is the air conditioning control unit 103 or the like. The function may be performed on your behalf. In this embodiment, an air conditioning control system using a server connected via a network will be described.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the air conditioning control system according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. The air conditioning control system shown in FIG. 4 includes a biological information measurement unit 101N, a sleep state determination unit 102N, a server 103N, an indoor air conditioning unit 104N, and a storage unit 105N. Note that FIG. 4 illustrates an example in which one indoor air-conditioning unit 104N or the like is connected to the server 103N via the network 106, but the present invention is not particularly limited to this example. For example, a plurality of indoor air-conditioning units 104N and the like may be connected to a network so that the server 103N controls these devices. Further, when the server 103N executes the function of the sleep state determination unit 102N, the sleep state determination unit 102N may be omitted, and the biometric information measurement unit 101N may transmit the biometric information to the server 103N via the network 106. ..

The biological information measurement unit 101N, the sleep state determination unit 102N, the server 103N, the indoor air conditioning unit 104N, and the storage unit 105N are the biological information measurement unit 101, the sleep state determination unit 102, the air conditioning control unit 103, and the indoor air conditioning unit 105N shown in FIG. It is configured in the same manner as the 104 and the storage unit 105.

The sleep state determination unit 102N, the server 103N, the indoor air conditioning unit 104N, and the storage unit 105N are internally provided with a communication unit (not shown) for connecting to a network. The sleep state determination unit 102N, the indoor air conditioning unit 104N, and the storage unit 105N are communicably connected to the server 103N via the network 106 using the internal communication unit. The configuration of the communication unit is not particularly limited to the above example. For example, various changes can be made such as connecting the sleep state determination unit 102N, the indoor air conditioning unit 104N, and the storage unit 105N to the network 106 via a communication device such as a broadband router.

Since the same air-conditioning control process as the air-conditioning control process shown in FIG. 3 is executed in the present embodiment as well, the air-conditioning control process of the present embodiment will be described below with reference to FIG. 3 by omitting the illustration. do.

Here, as in the first embodiment, the server 103N takes a predetermined time (for example, 2 hours) from the wake-up time indicated by the wake-up time information acquired from the storage unit 105N via the network 106 before executing the main air conditioning control process. ) The previous time is determined as the first set time T1, the time before a predetermined time (for example, 1 hour) from the wake-up time is determined as the second set time T2, and the predetermined time (for example, 20 minutes) from the wake-up time is determined. ) The previous time is determined as the third set time T3.

First, the server 103N determines whether or not the current time is the first set time T1 (step S11), and if the current time is not the first set time T1 (NO in step S11), the process of step S11. repeat.

On the other hand, when the current time is the first set time T1 (YES in step S11), the server 103N requests the biometric information measurement unit 101N to measure the biometric information of the user HB via the sleep state determination unit 102N. The biometric information measurement unit 101N measures the biometric information of the user HB and outputs it to the sleep state determination unit 102N (step S12).

Next, the sleep state determination unit 102N determines the sleep state of the user HB using the biometric information measured by the biometric information measurement unit 101N, and outputs the determination result to the server 103N (step S13). The processing of steps S12 and S13 is not particularly limited to the above timing. For example, it may be executed all the time while the user HB is sleeping.

Next, the server 103N determines whether or not the determination result of the sleep state determination unit 102N is a deep sleep state (first sleep state) (step S14), and when the determination result is a deep sleep state (step). YES in S14), the process proceeds to step S15.

On the other hand, when the determination result is not a deep sleep state (NO in step S14), the server 103N determines whether or not the current time is the second set time T2 (step S16), and the current time is set to the second setting. If the time is not T2 (NO in step S16), the processes after step S12 are repeated.

Next, when the determination result is a deep sleep state (YES in step S14), or when the current time is the second set time T2 (YES in step S16), the server 103N has the set temperature of the indoor air conditioning unit 104N. Is changed from the first set temperature A1 to the second set temperature A2 to raise the set temperature.

Next, the server 103N determines whether or not the current time is the second set time T2 (step S17), and if the current time is not the second set time T2 (NO in step S17), step S17. Repeat the process.

On the other hand, when the current time is the second set time T2 (YES in step S17), the server 103N requests the biometric information measurement unit 101N to measure the biometric information of the user HB via the sleep state determination unit 102N. The biometric information measurement unit 101N measures the biometric information of the user HB and outputs it to the sleep state determination unit 102N (step S18).

Next, the sleep state determination unit 102N determines the sleep state of the user HB using the biometric information measured by the biometric information measurement unit 101N, and outputs the determination result to the server 103N (step S19). The processing of steps S18 and S19 is not particularly limited to the above timing. For example, it may be executed all the time while the user HB is sleeping.

Next, the server 103N determines whether or not the determination result of the sleep state determination unit 102N is a deep sleep state (first sleep state) (step S20), and when the determination result is a deep sleep state (step). YES in S20), the process proceeds to step S21.

On the other hand, when the determination result is not a deep sleep state (NO in step S20), the server 103N determines whether or not the current time is the third set time T3 (step S22), and the current time is set to the third. If the time is not T3 (NO in step S22), the processes after step S18 are repeated.

Next, when the determination result is a deep sleep state (YES in step S20), or when the current time is the third set time T3 (YES in step S22), the server 103N has the set temperature of the indoor air conditioning unit 104N. Is changed from the second set temperature A2 to the third set temperature A3, the set temperature of the indoor air conditioning unit 104N is raised (step S21), and the process is completed.

By the above processing, also in this embodiment, the biometric information of the user HB is acquired from the biometric information measuring unit 101N, and the state of the user HB is determined using the acquired biometric information. Further, the wake-up time information indicating the wake-up time of the user HB is acquired from the storage unit 105N, and in a predetermined period before the wake-up time indicated by the acquired wake-up time information, the state of the user HB has a predetermined threshold of sleep depth. The set temperature of the indoor air-conditioning unit 104N is raised in response to the deeper first sleep state.

Therefore, since the period before the wake-up time in which the user is in a deep sleep state can be accurately determined by using the biometric information of the user HB, the deep sleep state is less affected by the operation sound and the stimulus of the air flow. During this period, the indoor air-conditioning unit 104N can perform an operation of raising the temperature. As a result, it is possible to both support the comfortable wake-up of the user HB and suppress the user HB from awakening before wake-up.

In the present embodiment, an example in which the server 103N is used instead of the air conditioning control unit 103 of the first embodiment has been described, but the present invention is not particularly limited to this example. For example, a server may be used instead of the other air conditioning control unit described later, and the same effect can be obtained.

(Embodiment 3)
In the air-conditioning control system of the present embodiment, if the sleep state becomes shallow while the sleep state is determined to be deep sleep and the set temperature is raised to perform the heating operation, the operation noise due to the rise in the set temperature or Judge that it is due to the air flow, and lower the set temperature once. Since the configuration of the air conditioning control system of the present embodiment is the same as that of the air conditioning control system shown in FIG. 1, the illustration is omitted, and only the points different from those of the first embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIG. do.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the set temperature in the third embodiment of the present disclosure. In the example shown in FIG. 5, in the air conditioning control unit 103, the state of the user HB determined by using the biometric information acquired in a predetermined period after raising the set temperature of the indoor air conditioning unit 104 is the first sleep state. The set temperature of the indoor air-conditioning unit 104 is lowered or the indoor air-conditioning unit 104 is stopped according to the shallower second sleep state.

Specifically, as in the first embodiment, after the first set time T1 (for example, 2 hours before the wake-up time RB) before waking up, the sleep state determination unit 102 is subjected to the biological information measurement unit 101. The sleep state is determined from the measured biological information. If the determined sleep state is a deep sleep state (first sleep state), the air conditioning control unit 103 changes the set temperature of the indoor air conditioning unit 104 from the first set temperature A1 to the second set temperature A2. , The set temperature of the indoor air conditioning unit 104 is raised.

Next, the sleep state determination unit 102 determines the sleep state from the biological information measured by the biological information measurement unit 101. If the determined sleep state is a light sleep state (second sleep state, for example, the sleep stages 1 and 2 described above), the air conditioning control unit 103 sets the set temperature of the indoor air conditioning unit 104 to the second set temperature A2. To the fourth set temperature A4, the set temperature of the indoor air conditioning unit 104 is lowered. In this way, when lowering the set temperature of the indoor air-conditioning unit 104, the air-conditioning control unit 103 lowers the set temperature to a higher temperature than the set temperature (first set temperature A1) before raising the set temperature.

Here, the fourth set temperature A4 is at a level slightly lower than the second set temperature A2 because the room temperature has already risen while the set temperature has already been raised to the second set temperature A2, for example, the first. The temperature lowered from the second set temperature A2 by one-third of the difference between the set temperature A1 and the second set temperature A2 is used. The fourth set temperature A4 is not particularly limited to the above example. For example, an intermediate value between the first set temperature A1 and the second set temperature A2 may be used.

After that, the sleep state determination unit 102 continuously determines the sleep state, and if the determined sleep state is determined to be a deep sleep state again, the air conditioning control unit 103 sets the set temperature of the indoor air conditioning unit 104. The set temperature A4 of 4 is changed to the 5th set temperature A5, and the set temperature of the indoor air conditioning unit 104 is raised. Here, the fifth set temperature A5 is, for example, an intermediate value between the fourth set temperature A4 and the third set temperature A3 (target set temperature) at the time of waking up.

Next, after the second set time T2 (for example, one hour before the wake-up time RB), the sleep state determination unit 102 determines the sleep state from the biological information measured by the biological information measurement unit 101. If the air conditioning control unit 103 is in a deep sleep state (first sleep state), the air conditioning control unit 103 changes the set temperature of the indoor air conditioning unit 104 from the fifth set temperature A5 to the third set temperature A3 of the wake-up time RB.

If the air-conditioning control unit 103 is not in a deep sleep state by the second set time T2, the air-conditioning control unit 103 sets the set temperature of the indoor air-conditioning unit 104 from the first set temperature A1 to the second set temperature A1 at the second set time T2. Change to the set temperature A2. If the air-conditioning control unit 103 is not in a deep sleep state again by the second set time T2, the air-conditioning control unit 103 sets the set temperature of the indoor air-conditioning unit 104 from the fourth set temperature A4 to the second set temperature T2 at the second set time T2. Change to the set temperature A5 of 5. If the air-conditioning control unit 103 is not in a deep sleep state by the third set time T3 (for example, 20 minutes before the wake-up time RB), the air-conditioning control unit 103 sets the indoor air-conditioning unit 104 at the third set time T3. The temperature is changed from the second set temperature A2 to the third set temperature A3.

As described above, when the air-conditioning control unit 103 determines from the sleep state immediately after raising the set temperature that there is an effect of raising the set temperature, the set temperature is temporarily lowered, so that the indoor air-conditioning unit 104 It is possible to suppress awakening due to the operation sound of the air conditioner and the stimulation of the air flow.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of an air conditioning control process for determining a set temperature by the air conditioning control system according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the set temperature reduction process shown in FIG. Is. Note that, in FIG. 6, the same processes as those shown in FIG. 3 are designated by the same reference numerals, and different processes will be described in detail below.

The processes of steps S11 to S22 shown in FIG. 6 are the same as the processes of steps S11 to S22 shown in FIG. 3, and in the air conditioning control process shown in FIG. 6, the process of step S15 and the process of step S17 shown in FIG. The set temperature reduction process of step S30 is added between the process, and the set temperature decrease process shown in FIG. 7 is executed.

That is, after the process of step S15, the air conditioning control unit 103 requests the biometric information measurement unit 101 to measure the biometric information of the user HB via the sleep state determination unit 102, and the biometric information measurement unit 101 requests the biometric information of the user HB to be measured. The information is measured and output to the sleep state determination unit 102 (step S31).

Next, the sleep state determination unit 102 determines the sleep state of the user HB using the biometric information measured by the biometric information measurement unit 101, and outputs the determination result to the air conditioning control unit 103 (step S32).

Next, the air conditioning control unit 103 determines whether or not the determination result of the sleep state determination unit 102 is a light sleep state (second sleep state) (step S33).

When the determination result is not a light sleep state (NO in step S33), the air conditioning control unit 103 determines whether or not the current time is the second set time T2 (step S35).

When the current time is not the second set time T2 (NO in step S35), the processing after step S31 is repeated, and when the current time is the second set time T2 (YES in step S35), the step shown in FIG. The process proceeds to S17, and the subsequent processing is executed.

On the other hand, when the determination result is a light sleep state (YES in step S33), the air conditioning control unit 103 changes the set temperature of the indoor air conditioning unit 104 from the second set temperature A2 to the fourth set temperature A4, and indoors. The set temperature of the air conditioning unit 104 is lowered (step S34).

Next, the air conditioning control unit 103 requests the biometric information measurement unit 101 to measure the biometric information of the user HB via the sleep state determination unit 102, and the biometric information measurement unit 101 measures the biometric information of the user HB. Output to the sleep state determination unit 102 (step S36).

Next, the sleep state determination unit 102 determines the sleep state of the user HB using the biometric information measured by the biometric information measurement unit 101, and outputs the determination result to the air conditioning control unit 103 (step S37).

Next, the air conditioning control unit 103 determines whether or not the determination result of the sleep state determination unit 102 is a deep sleep state (first sleep state) (step S38). When the determination result is a deep sleep state (YES in step S38), the process proceeds to step S39.

On the other hand, when the determination result is not a deep sleep state (NO in step S38), the air conditioning control unit 103 determines whether or not the current time is the second set time T2 (step S40). If the current time is not the second set time T2 (NO in step S40), the process proceeds to step S36, and the subsequent processes are repeated.

Next, when the determination result is a deep sleep state (YES in step S38), or when the current time is the second set time T2 (YES in step S40), the air conditioning control unit 103 is the indoor air conditioning unit 104. The set temperature is changed from the fourth set temperature A4 to the fifth set temperature A5, and the set temperature of the indoor air conditioning unit 104 is raised (step S39). After that, the process proceeds to step S17 shown in FIG. 6 and the subsequent processes are executed.

By the above processing, in the present embodiment, the state of the user HB determined by using the biometric information acquired in the predetermined period after raising the set temperature of the indoor air conditioning unit 104 is shallower than the first sleeping state. Depending on the second sleep state, the set temperature of the indoor air-conditioning unit 104 is lowered or the indoor air-conditioning unit 104 is stopped. Therefore, in a light sleep state that is easily affected by the operation sound and the airflow stimulus, the operation sound of the indoor air conditioning unit 104 can be reduced and the airflow stimulus can be suppressed, so that the user HB awakens before waking up. This can be reliably suppressed.

In the present embodiment, the set temperature reduction process is executed during the period between the set time T1 and the set time T2, but the present invention is not particularly limited to this example. For example, the set temperature reduction process is executed during the period between the set time T2 and the set time T3, or the set temperature reduction process is executed at each stage when the set temperature is raised in multiple stages of three or more stages. Various changes such as the temperature can be made.

(Embodiment 4)
In the air-conditioning control system of the present embodiment, when the user's state goes to sleep, that is, when the user falls asleep, the set temperature of the indoor air-conditioning unit is set to the space to be air-conditioned when the indoor air-conditioning unit is stopped. The temperature is lowered to a temperature higher than the temperature of the above, and then the air conditioning control process is executed in the same manner as in the first embodiment. Since the configuration of the air conditioning control system of the present embodiment is the same as that of the air conditioning control system shown in FIG. 1, the illustration is omitted, and only the points different from those of the first embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIG. do.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the set temperature according to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure. In the example shown in FIG. 8, the air conditioning control unit 103 determines that the user HB has fallen asleep when the state of the user HB changes from the awake state to the sleep state, that is, at the sleep onset time IS. The air-conditioning control unit 103 lowers the set temperature of the indoor air-conditioning unit 104 from the set temperature A0 before falling asleep to the first set temperature A1 in response to the state of the user HB becoming a sleep state. Here, the set temperature A0 before falling asleep is, for example, 22 to 23 ° C., and the first set temperature A1 is the temperature of the space to be air-conditioned when the indoor air-conditioning unit 104 is stopped, for example, from 10 ° C. Is also a high set temperature, for example 15-20 ° C.

As in Patent Document 1, when the operation of the air conditioning control system is stopped after the determination of falling asleep, the room temperature of the air-conditioned object is often 10 ° C. or lower in winter. On the other hand, the temperature in the bed between the bedding B2 and the bedding B3 is usually 33 ° C. ± 1 ° C. Therefore, it is conceivable that the temperature difference between the temperature inside the bed and the room temperature becomes large when the person leaves the bed for the purpose of toileting or the like, causing heat shock. Here, heat shock is a large fluctuation in blood pressure due to a sudden temperature change, and causes fainting, myocardial infarction, cerebral infarction, or the like. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the risk of heat shock can be reduced by setting the set temperature of the indoor air-conditioning unit 104 to the first set temperature A1 of 15 to 20 ° C. after falling asleep.

Further, in the present embodiment, the set temperature of the indoor air-conditioning unit 104 is raised in two steps from before waking up, as in the first embodiment. At this time, the difference between the first set temperature A1 up to the set time T1 before waking up and the third set temperature A3 of the wake-up time RB is the set time before waking up when the temperature is 10 ° C. or less due to the stop of operation. It is small compared to the difference between the room temperature up to T1 and the third set temperature A3 of the wake-up time RB. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the difference between the first set temperature A1 and the second set temperature A2 and the difference between the second set temperature A2 and the third set temperature A3 become small, and the indoor air conditioning unit 104 It is possible to reduce the operating noise and the stimulation of the air flow.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of an air conditioning control process for determining a set temperature by the air conditioning control system according to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure. In FIG. 9, the same processes as those shown in FIG. 3 are designated by the same reference numerals, and different processes will be described in detail below.

First, before the user HB falls asleep, the air conditioning control unit 103 requests the biometric information measurement unit 101 to measure the biometric information of the user HB via the sleep state determination unit 102, and the biometric information measurement unit 101 requests the user HB to measure the biometric information. The biological information is measured and output to the sleep state determination unit 102 (step S51).

Next, the sleep state determination unit 102 determines the sleep state of the user HB using the biometric information measured by the biometric information measurement unit 101, and outputs the determination result to the air conditioning control unit 103 (step S52).

Next, the air conditioning control unit 103 determines whether or not the determination result of the sleep state determination unit 102 is a sleep state, that is, a state in which the user HB has fallen asleep (sleep state) (step S53), and the determination result is a state in which the user HB has fallen asleep. If not, that is, in the awake state (NO in step S53), the processes after step S51 are repeated.

On the other hand, when the determination result indicates a state of falling asleep (YES in step S53), the air conditioning control unit 103 sets the temperature of the indoor air conditioning unit 104 when the indoor air conditioning unit 104 is stopped from the set temperature A0 before falling asleep. The temperature is changed to the first set temperature A1 which is higher than the temperature of the space to be air-conditioned, and the set temperature is lowered (step S54). After that, each process of steps S11 to S22 is executed in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

By the above processing, in the present embodiment, the set temperature of the indoor air-conditioning unit 104 is set to be higher than the temperature of the space when the indoor air-conditioning unit 104 is stopped, in response to the state of the user HB becoming a sleep state. Lower to a higher temperature. Therefore, since the temperature of the sleeping space does not drop excessively, the difference between the first set temperature A1 which is the temperature of the sleeping space and the third set temperature A3 which is the target set temperature of the wake-up time. Can be made smaller. As a result, the temperature to be raised at one time can be reduced, so that the temperature of the sleeping space at the time of waking up is set as the target temperature while reducing the operating noise of the indoor air conditioning unit 104 and suppressing the stimulation of the air flow. Can be surely raised.

According to the present disclosure, by determining the sleep state before waking up and raising the set temperature when the person is in a deep sleep state, the person is not awakened by the operating noise and air flow caused by the heating of the air conditioning unit, and the person is comfortable. Since it is possible to continue a good sleep, it is useful for an air conditioning control method and an air conditioning control system that promotes sleep by controlling the air conditioning unit during sleep.

101, 101N Biometric information measurement unit 102, 102N Sleep state determination unit 103 Air conditioning control unit 104, 104N Indoor air conditioning unit 105, 105N Storage unit 103N Server

Claims (6)

It is a method of controlling the air conditioning unit that air-conditions the space to be air-conditioned using a processor.
Obtaining the biological information of a person existing in the space from the measurement unit,
The state of the person is determined using the biometric information, and the condition of the person is determined.
A first sleep in which the sleep depth of the person is deeper than a predetermined threshold value in a predetermined period before the wake-up time indicated by the wake-up time information by acquiring the wake-up time information indicating the wake-up time of the person. Depending on the state, the set temperature of the air conditioner is raised .
In response to the person's state becoming a sleep state, the set temperature of the air-conditioning unit is lowered to a temperature higher than the temperature of the space when the air-conditioning unit is stopped.
Air conditioning control method. Raising the set temperature of the air-conditioning unit raises the set temperature of the air-conditioning unit each time the person's state becomes the first sleeping state in a predetermined period before the wake-up time indicated by the wake-up time information. Thereby, the set temperature of the air-conditioning unit is set stepwise based on the target set temperature at the wake-up time.
The air conditioning control method according to claim 1. Further, in the air conditioning control method, the state of the person determined by using the biological information acquired in a predetermined period after raising the set temperature of the air conditioning unit is shallower than the first sleeping state. Including lowering the set temperature of the air-conditioning unit or stopping the air-conditioning unit according to the sleep state.
The air conditioning control method according to claim 1 or 2. Lowering the set temperature of the air-conditioning unit means lowering it to a set temperature higher than the set temperature before raising it.
The air conditioning control method according to claim 3. The biological information includes at least one piece of information on the person's body movement, heartbeat, respiration, myoelectric potential, and brain wave.
The air conditioning control method according to any one of claims 1 to 4. An air conditioner that air-conditions the space to be air-conditioned,
A measuring unit that measures the biological information of a person existing in the space,
A determination unit that determines the state of the person using the biological information,
Control unit and
With
The control unit
A first sleep in which the sleep depth of the person is deeper than a predetermined threshold value in a predetermined period before the wake-up time indicated by the wake-up time information by acquiring the wake-up time information indicating the wake-up time of the person. Depending on the state, the set temperature of the air conditioner is raised .
In response to the person's state becoming a sleep state, the set temperature of the air-conditioning unit is lowered to a temperature higher than the temperature of the space when the air-conditioning unit is stopped.
Air conditioning control system.

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