JP7026432B2 - Controls, remote controllers, control systems, and control programs - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a control device, a remote controller, a control system, and a control program that assist the user in identifying a remote controller.

In the air conditioning equipment of a building such as an office building or an apartment, multiple indoor units that air-condition the space inside the building divided into two or more are connected to one outdoor unit, and multiple remote controllers are connected. (Hereinafter, abbreviated as remote controller) may control each indoor unit. In such a case, these plurality of remote controllers may be installed in the same section. In such a situation, if the user in the section wants to change the air-conditioning setting of his / her place of residence, the user needs to specify the remote controller that controls the indoor unit that air-conditions the section in which his / her place of residence is located.

As a method of grasping the correspondence between the indoor unit and the remote controller, for example, the same number is displayed on the indoor unit and the remote controller connected to each other by a sticker or a print, or the detailed installation position of the indoor unit is affixed or printed on the remote controller. There is a method to display with, or to create a correspondence table between the indoor unit and the remote controller.

In Patent Document 1, in conjunction with the operation of the remote controller, the display unit provided in the indoor unit corresponding to the operated remote controller indicates that it is the operation target of the remote controller, and the connection relationship between the indoor unit and the remote controller. The air conditioner for notifying the user is disclosed.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2009-77986

However, there is a problem that information is lost due to peeling or deterioration of the display on a sticker or printing. There is a problem that it takes time to confirm the correspondence table because it is necessary to visually search for the connection destination. Further, in the air conditioner described in Patent Document 1, since the notification to the user is not output to the display unit of the indoor unit unless the remote controller is operated, the remote controller that controls an arbitrary indoor unit when a plurality of remote controllers are installed. In order to specify, there is a problem that the remote controllers must be operated one by one until the display appears on the target indoor unit.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to enable a user to easily and surely confirm a remote controller of a device that changes the indoor environment of a section where a user is located. ..

In order to achieve the above object, the control device according to the present invention is associated with a device that changes the indoor environment of each section in which the space in the building is divided into two or more, and controls each of the linked devices. It is a control device capable of communicating with two or more remote controllers. The control device includes an identification information acquisition unit, an information acquisition unit, a notification information generation unit, and a notification information output unit. The identification information acquisition unit acquires user identification information that identifies a user who enters the section . The information acquisition unit consists of user information associated with the user identification information and the section in which the user's location is located, and the section in which each device changes the indoor environment and the remote controller that controls each device. Acquire the associated device information. The notification information generation unit identifies a remote controller that controls a device that changes the indoor environment of a section where the user is located, based on the user information and device information acquired by the information acquisition unit, and notifies the remote controller. Generate information. The notification information output unit outputs the notification information generated by the notification information generation unit.

According to the present invention, the control device identifies a device that changes the indoor environment of a section where the user is located based on the user identification information that identifies the user, and notifies the remote controller that controls the specified device. , The user can easily and surely confirm the remote control of the device that changes the indoor environment of the section where the user is located.

It is a figure which shows the structural example of the control system which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the functional structure example of the control apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the user information which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the device information which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the operation of the control device which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the notification screen which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the control system which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the functional structure example of the control apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 2. FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the user information which concerns on Embodiment 2. FIG. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the control system which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the operation of the control device and the remote control which concerns on Embodiment 3. FIG. It is a figure which shows the state of the operation of the user and the state of change of the remote control which concerns on Embodiment 3. FIG. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the control system which concerns on Embodiment 4 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the operation of the card reader, the control device and the remote control which concerns on Embodiment 4. FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the hardware composition of the control device which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

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

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a control system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The control system 100 includes a control device 1, an indoor unit 200a, an indoor unit 200b, an indoor unit 200c and an indoor unit 200d (hereinafter collectively referred to as an indoor unit 200), an outdoor unit 500, a remote controller 300a, a remote controller 300b and a remote controller. It is composed of 300c (hereinafter collectively referred to as remote controller 300). The components of the control system 100 are installed in the building 20 except for the outdoor unit 500. In the building 20, there is a space 21 in which air conditioning is performed. The space 21 is, for example, an office, a conference room, a drawing room, a laboratory, a processing plant, an assembly site, a work place, a living space, or the like. The space 21 is divided into a section 210a, a section 210b and a section 210c (hereinafter, collectively referred to as a section 210).

The indoor unit 200a mainly air-conditions the compartment 210a. The indoor unit 200b mainly air-conditions the compartment 210b. The indoor unit 200c and the indoor unit 200d mainly perform air conditioning in the section 210c. In FIG. 1, an example in which there are three sections 210 in the space 21 is shown, but the number of sections 210 in the space 21 is not limited to three, and may be two or more. Further, the two or more sections 210 do not necessarily have to be rooms separated by a wall, and may be, for example, a space separated by partitions or a space in which a connected space is virtually separated. Further, the compartment 210 may include two or more rooms. For example, when the air conditioning is controlled integrally like a studio room (demonstration room) and a monitor room, they may be collectively regarded as one section 210. Although FIG. 1 shows an example in which the building 20 has one space 21, the building 20 may have two or more spaces 21.

The indoor unit 200 is connected to the outdoor unit 500. The remote controller 300 is communicably connected to the indoor unit 200 and the control device 1. The remote controller 300a controls the indoor unit 200a. The remote controller 300b controls the indoor unit 200b. The remote controller 300c controls the indoor unit 200c and the indoor unit 200d. Although FIG. 1 shows an example in which there are four indoor units 200, the number of indoor units 200 is not limited to four, and may be two or more. Although FIG. 1 shows an example in which there are three remote controllers 300, the number of remote controllers 300 is not limited to three, and may be two or more. An address is assigned to each device connected to the control device 1, and the control device 1 communicates with the device specified by the address.

The control device 1, the remote controller 300a, the remote controller 300b, and the remote controller 300c are installed in the compartment 210c. In the example of FIG. 1, all of these devices are mounted side by side on the wall of compartment 210c. Communication standards between the devices are, for example, Ethernet (registered trademark), EIA-422, and EIA-485. The wiring between the devices does not have to be the same, and for example, a LAN (Local Area Network) cable may be partially used. Further, a part or all of the connection between the devices may be replaced with a wireless connection such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark) or Bluetooth (registered trademark). The control device 1 includes a monitor 101 and a card reader 102. The monitor 101 displays the information output by the control device 1 on the screen. The card reader 102 reads an ID card in which a user ID that identifies the user is recorded.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a functional configuration example of the control device according to the first embodiment. The control device 1 includes an ID input unit 11, an information acquisition unit 12, a storage unit 13, a notification information generation unit 14, and a notification information output unit 15. The ID input unit 11 is composed of a communication interface connected to the card reader 102, and acquires user ID information indicating a user ID read by the card reader 102. The user ID information is the user identification information in the present invention, and the ID input unit 11 is the identification information acquisition unit in the present invention. The user identification information is not limited to the user ID information, and may be any information that can identify the user, such as the user's name and date of birth. The ID input unit 11 sends the acquired user ID information to the information acquisition unit 12.

The storage unit 13 is composed of a non-volatile memory such as a hard disk, a static RAM (Random Access Memory), or a flash memory, and stores user information including user ID information and information indicating a section 210 in which the user's location is located. The user's whereabouts are predetermined places for the user, such as a place where the user's desk is located in the office, a place where the user works, and a user's own room. When the user's location changes from day to day, such as in a free layout office, the location selected by the user is specified as the user's location. As a method of specifying the user's whereabouts, for example, the user may specify by the port to which the user terminal is connected, or the ID card in which the user ID is recorded is held over a card reader provided at the place selected by the user. May be notified to the control device 1 or information indicating a location selected by the user from the user terminal may be transmitted to the control device 1. Further, the storage unit 13 stores device information including information indicating a section 210 in which the indoor unit 200 performs air conditioning and information indicating a remote controller 300 for controlling the indoor unit 200 in which the indoor unit 200 performs air conditioning. Here, the user information and the device information stored in the storage unit 13 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of user information according to the first embodiment. In the example of FIG. 3, the user information is composed of the items of "name" indicating the user's name, "user ID" indicating the user's user ID, and "section" indicating the section 210 where the user's location is located. To. The user IDs of the three users "Ichiro Yamada", "Jiro Tanaka", and "Saburo Nakayama" are "001", "002", and "003", respectively. Further, the locations of the three users "Ichiro Yamada", "Jiro Tanaka", and "Saburo Nakayama" are included in the sections 210a, 210b, and 210c, respectively. The user information is not limited to this, and may include at least information indicating a user ID and information indicating a section 210 in which the user's location is located. Further, the user information may include information not shown in FIG. 3, such as a user's department name, job type, and business content.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of device information according to the first embodiment. In the example of FIG. 4, the device information includes an "indoor unit" indicating the indoor unit 200, a "section" indicating the section 210 in which the indoor unit 200 performs air conditioning, and a remote controller for controlling the indoor unit 200 in which the section 210 is air-conditioned. It is composed of an item with a "remote control" indicating 300. The indoor unit 200a and the indoor unit 200b air-condition the compartment 210a and the compartment 210b, respectively, and the indoor unit 200c and the indoor unit 200d air-condition the compartment 210c, respectively. The indoor unit 200a and the indoor unit 200b are controlled by the remote controller 300a and the remote controller 300b, respectively, and the indoor unit 200c and the indoor unit 200d are controlled by the remote controller 300c. The "remote controller" may be the address of the remote controller 300 that controls the indoor unit 200. The device information is not limited to this, and may include at least information indicating a section 210 in which the indoor unit 200 performs air conditioning and information indicating a remote controller 300 for controlling the indoor unit 200 in which the indoor unit 200 performs air conditioning. Further, the device information may include information not shown in FIG. 4, such as the model name and model number of the indoor unit 200.

The information acquisition unit 12 of FIG. 2 is composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM, and the like, and reads user information corresponding to the user ID information received from the ID input unit 11 from the storage unit 13. .. The information acquisition unit 12 further reads out from the storage unit 13 the device information corresponding to the information indicating the section 210 in which the user's location is located, which is included in the read user information. The information acquisition unit 12 sends the read user information and device information to the notification information generation unit 14. The notification information generation unit 14 is composed of a CPU, ROM, RAM, and the like, and controls the indoor unit 200 that air-conditions the section 210 where the user is located, based on the user information and device information received from the information acquisition unit 12. Generates notification information for notifying the remote controller 300 (hereinafter referred to as a target remote controller). The notification information generation unit 14 sends the generated notification information to the notification information output unit 15. The notification information output unit 15 is composed of a communication interface connected to the monitor 101, outputs the notification information received from the notification information generation unit 14 to the monitor 101, and displays images and characters of the notification information.

When the control device 1 includes a voice output device such as a speaker, the notification information output unit 15 may output the notification information by voice. Alternatively, if the control device 1 is provided with a notification lamp at a position that can be visually recognized by the user, the notification information may be output by turning on and off the lamp. The notification lamp is, for example, an LED. For the output of the notification information by turning the lamp on and off, for example, the control device 1 is provided with a plurality of notification lamps in the same arrangement as the remote controller 300 arranged on the wall, and the notification lamp at the position corresponding to the target remote controller is turned on or off. Notify the user of the target remote controller by letting it. The lighting of the lamp may be turned on and off by blinking the lamp. Here, the processing performed by the control device 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the control device according to the first embodiment. The following processing starts when the user in the building 20 moves to the installation location of the control device 1 and holds the ID card over the card reader 102 while the control device 1 is being activated. The ID input unit 11 of the control device 1 acquires user ID information indicating the user ID read by the card reader 102 (step S11). The ID input unit 11 sends the acquired user ID information to the information acquisition unit 12. The information acquisition unit 12 reads the user information corresponding to the user ID information received from the ID input unit 11 from the storage unit 13 (step S12).

Referring to the example of FIG. 3, for example, when the user ID indicated by the user ID information received from the ID input unit 11 is 001, the information acquisition unit 12 has "name" Ichiro Yamada, "user ID" 001, and "user ID" 001. Read the user information of the section "210a". The information acquisition unit 12 further reads out from the storage unit 13 the device information corresponding to the information indicating the section 210 where the user is located, which is included in the read user information (step S13). Referring to the example of FIG. 4, the information acquisition unit 12 reads out the device information of the "indoor unit" 200a, the "section" 210a, and the "remote controller" 300a.

The information acquisition unit 12 sends the read user information and device information to the notification information generation unit 14. The notification information generation unit 14 generates notification information for notifying the target remote controller based on the user information and device information received from the information acquisition unit 12 (step S14), and sends the notification information to the notification information output unit 15. The notification information may be text information, image information, or a combination thereof. For example, the serial number of the remote controller may be stored and displayed in advance as image data, or the image data indicating the arrangement of the remote controller may be stored and displayed in advance.

In the case of the examples of FIGS. 3 and 4, the notification information generation unit 14 includes the user information of the "name" Yamada Ichiro, the "user ID" 001, the "section" 210a, and the "indoor unit" 200a received from the information acquisition unit 12. , Based on the device information of "section" 210a and "remote control" 300a, generate a notification screen that displays a message such as "The remote control for air conditioning control of Mr. Ichiro Yamada's seat is 300a", and notify information as notification information. It is sent to the output unit 15. The notification information output unit 15 outputs the notification information received from the notification information generation unit 14 to the monitor 101 (step S15), and ends the process. Here, the notification screen output to the monitor 101 and displayed on the screen will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a notification screen according to the first embodiment. The notification information generation unit 14 includes user information of "name" Yamada Ichiro, "user ID" 001, "section" 210a, and devices of "indoor unit" 200a, "section" 210a, and "remote control" 300a from the information acquisition unit 12. Upon receiving the information, a notification screen as shown in FIG. 6 displaying the message "Ichiro Yamada's remote controller" and the image showing the position of the remote controller 300a is generated. In the example of FIG. 6, the images of the remote controller 300 are displayed in the order in which they are actually arranged on the wall, the image of the remote controller 300a is surrounded by a broken line, and the position of the remote controller 300a is indicated by an arrow.

As described above, according to the control device 1 of the first embodiment, the control device 1 identifies the indoor unit 200 that air-conditions the section 210 where the user is located based on the user ID information, and the target remote controller is the user. By notifying the user, the user can easily and surely confirm the target remote controller. Further, each time the control device 1 acquires the user ID information, the notification information for notifying the target remote controller of the user is generated and output, so that it is possible to cope with the case where the user information or the device information is changed.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the control system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The control system 200 includes a server 600, a switching hub 700, a user terminal 800a, a user terminal 800b, and a user terminal 800c (hereinafter collectively referred to as a user terminal 800) in addition to the components of the control system 100. The server 600 and the switching hub 700 are installed in the space 22 in the building 20. The control device 1, the server 600, and the user terminal 800 are each physically connected to the switching hub 700 with a LAN cable, and are connected to each other on the same network.

The server 600 includes a storage unit composed of a non-volatile memory such as a hard disk, static RAM, or flash memory, and stores user information and device information. That is, in the control system 100, the user information and the device information stored in the storage unit 13 of the control device 1 are stored in the storage unit of the server 600 in the control system 200. The user terminal 800 is a terminal used by the user and has a function of outputting at least the notification information received from the control device 1. Other configurations are the same as those of the control system 100. The same components as those in FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description of the configurations having the same reference numerals will be omitted.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a functional configuration example of the control device according to the second embodiment. The control device 1 of the second embodiment has a configuration in which the storage unit 13 is removed from the components of the control device 1 of the first embodiment. The information acquisition unit 12 is composed of, for example, a CPU, ROM and RAM, a communication interface connected to a network, and the like, and acquires user information corresponding to the user ID information received from the ID input unit 11 from the server 600. The user information stored in the storage unit of the server 600 includes, in addition to the user information of the first embodiment, information indicating the user terminal 800 used by the user. Here, the user information stored in the storage unit of the server 600 will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of user information according to the second embodiment. In the example of FIG. 9, the user information has the item of "user terminal" indicating the user terminal 800 used by the user, in addition to the items of "name", "user ID", and "section" shown in FIG. The item of "user terminal" indicates that the three users "Ichiro Yamada", "Jiro Tanaka", and "Saburo Nakayama" use the user terminal 800a, the user terminal 800b, and the user terminal 800c, respectively. The information indicating the user terminal 800 used by the user is not included in the user information stored in the storage unit of the server 600, and may be stored in the control device 1.

The information acquisition unit 12 of the control device 1 of FIG. 8 further acquires device information corresponding to the information indicating the section 210 where the user is located, which is included in the acquired user information, from the server 600. The information acquisition unit 12 sends the acquired user information and device information to the notification information generation unit 14. The notification information generation unit 14 generates notification information for notifying the target remote controller based on the user information and device information received from the information acquisition unit 12. The notification information output unit 15 is composed of a communication interface connected to the monitor 101 and a communication interface connected to the network. The notification information received from the notification information generation unit 14 is displayed on the monitor 101 on the screen and used by the user. It is transmitted to the user terminal 800. If the user terminal 800 is a mobile terminal owned by the user and the notification information output unit 15 is configured to transmit the notification information only to the user terminal 800 used by the user, the control device 1 does not include the monitor 101. You may.

Although not shown in FIG. 8, the control device 1 includes a storage unit for storing character information and image information for generating notification information. Further, the information acquisition unit 12 temporarily stores the user information and the device information acquired from the server 600. The functional configuration of the control device 1 is not limited to the example of FIG. 8, and includes an input unit composed of an input device such as a push switch and a touch panel, and the user can rewrite the user information and the device information acquired from the server 600 from the input unit. It may be configured as. In this case, the information acquisition unit 12 of the control device 1 may send the user information and the device information acquired from the server 600 to the notification information output unit 15 and display them on the monitor 101 on the screen. As a result, the user can rewrite while checking the user information and the device information. The notification information output unit 15 transmits the rewritten user information and device information to the server 600. As a result, the user information and the device information in the storage unit of the server 600 can be updated.

Other functional configurations are the same as those of the control device 1 of the first embodiment. The same reference numerals are given to the configurations similar to those in FIG. 2, and the description of the configurations having the same reference numerals will be omitted. The user may access the server 600 from the user terminal 800 and update the user information and the device information in the storage unit of the server 600. Here, the process performed by the control device 1 of the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. For the sake of explanation, it is assumed that the user information shown in FIG. 9 and the device information shown in FIG. 4 are stored in the storage unit of the server 600.

The following processing starts when the user in the building 20 moves to the installation location of the control device 1 and holds the ID card over the card reader 102 while the control device 1 is being activated. Here, specifically, a case where a user whose name is “Jiro Tanaka” holds an ID card in which his / her own ID is recorded over a card reader 102 in the building 20 will be described. The ID input unit 11 of the control device 1 acquires the user ID information indicating the user ID 002 read by the card reader 102 (step S11). The ID input unit 11 sends the acquired user ID information to the information acquisition unit 12. The information acquisition unit 12 reads out the user information of the "name" Jiro Tanaka, the "user ID" 002, and the "section" 210b corresponding to the user ID 002 indicated by the user ID information received from the ID input unit 11 (step S12). The information acquisition unit 12 further reads out the device information of the "indoor unit" 200b, the "section" 210b, and the "remote controller" 300b (step S13). The information acquisition unit 12 sends the read user information and device information to the notification information generation unit 14.

The notification information generation unit 14 includes user information of "name" Jiro Tanaka, "user ID" 002, and "section" 210b received from the information acquisition unit 12, and "indoor unit" 200b, "section" 210b, and "remote control" 300b. A notification screen for displaying a message such as "The remote controller for air conditioning control of Mr. Jiro Tanaka's seat is 300b" is generated (step S14) based on the device information of the above, and is sent to the notification information output unit 15 as notification information. The notification information output unit 15 transmits the notification information received from the notification information generation unit 14 to the user terminal 800b used by the user whose name is "Jiro Tanaka" (step S15), and ends the process.

As described above, according to the control device 1 of the second embodiment, the control device 1 identifies the indoor unit 200 that air-conditions the section 210 where the user is located based on the user ID information, and the target remote controller is the user. By notifying the user, the user can easily and surely confirm the target remote controller. Further, each time the control device 1 acquires the user ID information, the notification information for notifying the target remote controller of the user is generated and output, so that it is possible to cope with the case where the user information or the device information is changed. Further, since the control device 1 does not hold the user information and the device information but acquires the user information and the device information from the server 600, the control device 1 can be miniaturized. When the control device 1 is configured to include an input unit, the user can update the user information and the device information stored in the server 600 from the control device 1. Since the user terminal 800 is connected to the same network as the server 600, the user can also update the user information and the device information stored in the server 600 from the user terminal 800.

(Embodiment 3)
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the control system according to the third embodiment of the present invention. The control system 300 is the same as the components of the control system 200, but the control device 1 is installed in the space 22 in the building 20. The control device 1 of the third embodiment includes the monitor 101, but the card reader 102 is an external device connected to the control device 1 and is installed in the compartment 210c. The connection between the control device 1 and the card reader 102 may be a wired connection or a wireless connection. Further, the remote controller 300 is provided with a notification lamp at a position that can be visually recognized by the user. The notification lamp is, for example, an LED. Other configurations are the same as those of the control system 200. The same components as those in FIG. 7 are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description of the configurations having the same reference numerals will be omitted. The functional configuration of the control device 1 of the third embodiment is the same as that of FIG.

The notification information of the third embodiment includes a blinking control signal for blinking the notification lamp of the target remote controller. The notification information output unit 15 is composed of a communication interface connected to the monitor 101 and a communication interface connected to the network, and monitors a notification screen for notifying the target remote controller included in the notification information received from the notification information generation unit 14. The blinking control signal included in the notification information is transmitted to the remote controller 300. When the notification information is only a blinking control signal, the control device 1 does not have to include the monitor 101. Here, the process performed by the control device 1 of the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. For the sake of explanation, it is assumed that the user information shown in FIG. 9 and the device information shown in FIG. 4 are stored in the storage unit of the server 600.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the control device and the remote controller according to the third embodiment. The following processing starts when the user in the building 20 moves to the installation location of the card reader 102 and holds the ID card over the card reader 102 while the control device 1 and the remote controller 300 are activated. In the example of FIG. 11, specifically, a case where a user whose name is “Saburo Nakayama” holds an ID card in which his / her own ID is recorded over a card reader 102 in the building 20 will be described. Further, it is assumed that the notification information is only a blinking control signal, and the control device 1 does not include the monitor 101.

The ID input unit 11 of the control device 1 acquires the user ID information indicating the user ID 003 read by the card reader 102 (step S21). The ID input unit 11 sends the acquired user ID information to the information acquisition unit 12. The information acquisition unit 12 reads out the user information of the "name" Saburo Nakayama, the "user ID" 003, and the "section" 210c corresponding to the user ID 003 indicated by the user ID information received from the ID input unit 11 (step S22). The information acquisition unit 12 further reads out the device information of the "indoor unit" 200c, the "section" 210c, and the "remote controller" 300c (step S23). The information acquisition unit 12 sends the read device information to the notification information generation unit 14.

The notification information generation unit 14 blinks the notification lamp of the remote controller 300c, which is the target remote controller, based on the device information of the "indoor unit" 200c, the "section" 210c, and the "remote controller" 300c received from the information acquisition unit 12. A control signal is generated (step S24) and sent to the notification information output unit 15 as notification information. The notification information output unit 15 transmits the notification information (blinking control signal) received from the notification information generation unit 14 to the remote controller 300c (step S25), and ends the process. When the remote controller 300c receives the notification information (blinking control signal) from the control device 1 (step S31), the remote controller 300c blinks the notification lamp (step S32). If the predetermined time has not elapsed (step S33; NO), the remote controller 300c repeats step S32 and step S33, and continues blinking the notification lamp. When the predetermined time has elapsed (step S33; YES), the remote controller 300c ends the process. The predetermined time for blinking the notification lamp may be specified by a blinking control signal, or may be specified by a program built in the remote controller 300. The operation of the user and the change of the remote controller 300c when the above processing is executed will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the operation of the user and the change of the remote controller according to the third embodiment. FIG. 12A shows a user whose name is “Saburo Nakayama” holding an ID card in which his / her ID is recorded over the card reader 102. In the example of FIG. 12A, the card reader 102 is provided with a completion notification lamp, and the completion notification lamp is configured to light up when the card reader 102 completes reading the ID card. The completion notification lamp is, for example, an LED. The ID input unit 11 of the control device 1 acquires the user ID information indicating the user ID 003 read by the card reader 102. FIG. 12B shows a state of the remote controller 300 when a user whose name is "Saburo Nakayama" holds an ID card in which his / her ID is recorded over a card reader 102. Among the remote controllers 300, the remote controller 300c, which is the target remote controller of the user whose name is "Saburo Nakayama", receives the notification information (blinking control signal) from the control device 1 and blinks the notification lamp.

The notification lamp may be blinked, may be turned on from the off state, or may be turned off from the on state. Further, the remote controller 300 is configured to include a notification lamp, but the remote controller 300 includes a display device for displaying characters and images such as a liquid crystal display, an audio output device such as a buzzer and a speaker, or Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. It may be configured to be equipped with a wireless communication device such as a specific low power radio or a specific low power wireless device, and output notification information by these devices. Further, although the blinking control signal is transmitted to the target remote controller, the blinking control signal may be transmitted to the indoor unit 200 controlled by the target remote controller, and the indoor unit 200 may transmit the blinking control signal to the target remote controller. ..

As described above, according to the control device 1 of the third embodiment, the control device 1 identifies the indoor unit 200 that air-conditions the section 210 where the user is located based on the user ID information, and the target remote controller is the user. By notifying the user, the user can easily and surely confirm the target remote controller. Further, each time the control device 1 acquires the user ID information, the notification information for notifying the target remote controller of the user is generated and output, so that it is possible to cope with the case where the user information or the device information is changed. Further, by blinking the notification lamp of the target remote controller, the visibility is improved, and the user can check the target remote controller more quickly.

(Embodiment 4)
FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the control system according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. The control system 400 is the same as the components of the control system 300, but the card reader 102 is installed at the entrance 23 of the building 20, and the card reader 102 and the control device 1 are physically connected to the switching hub 700 by a LAN cable. Connected and connected on the same network. That is, in the fourth embodiment, all the communication interfaces between the devices other than the air conditioning equipment (indoor unit 200, remote controller 300, and outdoor unit 500) are integrated in the LAN. The card reader 102 reads the user ID recorded on the ID card held by the user, and transmits the user ID information indicating the read user ID to the control device 1. Other configurations are the same as those of the control system 300. The same components as those in FIG. 10 are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description of the configurations having the same reference numerals will be omitted.

The functional configuration of the control device 1 of the fourth embodiment is the same as that of FIG. As in the third embodiment, when the notification information is only a blinking control signal that blinks the notification lamp of the target remote controller, the control device 1 does not have to include the monitor 101. Here, the process performed by the control device 1 of the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. For the sake of explanation, it is assumed that the user information shown in FIG. 9 and the device information shown in FIG. 4 are stored in the storage unit of the server 600.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the card reader, the control device, and the remote controller according to the fourth embodiment. The following processing starts when the user holds the ID card over the card reader 102 installed at the entrance 23 of the building 20 while the card reader 102, the control device 1, and the remote controller 300 are being activated. In the example of FIG. 14, specifically, the user whose name is "Ichiro Yamada" decides to blink the notification lamp after holding the ID card in which his / her ID is recorded at the entrance 23 over the card reader 102. A case where a user whose name is "Saburo Nakayama" holds an ID card in which his / her ID is recorded held over a card reader 102 at the entrance 23 will be described before the elapsed time elapses. Further, it is assumed that the notification information is only a blinking control signal, and the control device 1 does not include the monitor 101.

When the user whose name is "Ichiro Yamada" holds the ID card in which his / her ID is recorded over the card reader 102 at the entrance 23, the notification lamp of the remote controller 300a is blinking (step S61). The card reader 102 reads the user ID 003 recorded on the ID card held by the user whose name is "Saburo Nakayama" (step S41), and transmits the user ID information indicating the user ID 003 to the control device 1 (step S42). , End the process. The ID input unit 11 of the control device 1 receives the user ID information from the card reader 102 (step S51). The ID input unit 11 sends the received user ID information to the information acquisition unit 12. The information acquisition unit 12 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the user ID information was previously received from the ID input unit 11 (step S52).

Since the determined time has not passed since the user ID information indicating the user ID 001 of the user whose name is "Ichiro Yamada" has been received (step S52; NO), the user ID information indicating the information acquisition unit 12 user ID 001 is used. Information indicating that the predetermined time has not elapsed since the receipt is sent to the notification information generation unit 14. When the notification information generation unit 14 receives information indicating that a predetermined time has not elapsed since receiving the user ID information indicating the user ID 001 from the information acquisition unit 12, the notification information generation unit 14 ends the blinking of the notification lamp. A signal is generated (step S53) and sent to the notification information output unit 15. The notification information output unit 15 transmits the end control signal received from the notification information generation unit 14 to the remote controller 300a (step S54). When the remote controller 300a receives the end control signal from the control device 1 (step S62), the remote control 300a ends the blinking of the notification lamp (step S63), and ends the process. If the determined time has elapsed since the previous user ID information was received (step S52; YES), the process proceeds to step S55.

The information acquisition unit 12 reads out the user information of the "name" Saburo Nakayama, the "user ID" 003, and the "section" 210c corresponding to the user ID 003 indicated by the user ID information received from the ID input unit 11 (step S55). The information acquisition unit 12 further reads out the device information of the "indoor unit" 200c, the "section" 210c, and the "remote controller" 300c (step S56). The information acquisition unit 12 sends the read device information to the notification information generation unit 14. The notification information generation unit 14 blinks the notification lamp of the remote controller 300c, which is the target remote controller, based on the device information of the "indoor unit" 200c, the "section" 210c, and the "remote controller" 300c received from the information acquisition unit 12. A control signal is generated (step S57) and sent to the notification information output unit 15 as notification information. The notification information output unit 15 transmits the notification information (blinking control signal) received from the notification information generation unit 14 to the remote controller 300c (step S58), and ends the process. When the remote controller 300c receives the notification information (blinking control signal) from the control device 1 (step S71), the remote controller 300c blinks the notification lamp (step S72). If the predetermined time has not elapsed (step S73; NO), the remote controller 300c repeats steps S72 and S73, and continues blinking the notification lamp. When the predetermined time has elapsed (step S73; YES), the remote controller 300c ends the process.

When the ID input unit 11 of the control device 1 receives other user ID information from the card reader 102 while the remote controller 300c repeats steps S72 and S73, an end control signal is sent from the control device 1 to the remote controller 300c. It is transmitted, and the remote controller 300c ends blinking of the notification lamp without waiting for the elapse of a predetermined time. In the example of FIG. 14, the control device 1 is configured to determine whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the previous acquisition of the user ID information, but the control device 1 has an elapsed time. Regardless of whether or not the user ID information is acquired, the end control signal may be transmitted to the remote controller 300 that previously transmitted the notification information. Further, the card reader 102 is configured to be connected to the control device 1 via the switching hub 700. For example, an entrance / exit management system for managing the entrance / exit of the user is provided by the card reader 102, and the control device 1 manages the entrance / exit. It may be configured to receive the user's ID from the system.

In particular, in an environment where many users frequently hold the ID card over the entrance 23, the blinking of the notification lamp of the previous remote controller 300 is stopped at the timing when the next ID card is held over. There is a possibility that the user who uses the remote controller 300 whose processing has been canceled cannot specify the target remote controller. In order to prevent this, when the notification lamp of the remote controller 300 is lit / blinking, the color of the notification lamp to be lit / blinking may be changed for each user, or the lighting / blinking pattern may be changed. In this case, the color and lighting / blinking pattern of the notification lamp for each user may be uniquely assigned in advance, or it is difficult to assign the color and lighting / blinking pattern of the identifiable notification lamp for each user. In this case, for example, the card reader 102 is also provided with a lamp similar to the notification lamp of the remote control 300 (for example, a completion notification lamp), and the lamp of the card reader 102 is controlled by a different color or lighting / blinking pattern each time the ID card is held over. However, the notification lamp of the remote control 300 may be controlled by the same color and lighting / blinking pattern as the lamp of the card reader 102.

As described above, according to the control device 1 of the fourth embodiment, the control device 1 identifies the indoor unit 200 that air-conditions the section 210 where the user is located based on the user ID information, and the target remote controller is the user. By notifying the user, the user can easily and surely confirm the target remote controller. Further, each time the control device 1 acquires the user ID information, the notification information for notifying the target remote controller of the user is generated and output, so that it is possible to cope with the case where the user information or the device information is changed. Further, by blinking the notification lamp of the target remote controller, the visibility is improved, and the user can check the target remote controller more quickly.

If there is a blinking notification lamp when the user holds the ID card over the card reader 102, by ending the blinking, the notification lamp of the different remote controller 300 blinks at the same time, so that which user's It is possible to prevent the target remote controller from being indistinguishable. Further, by arranging the card reader 102 at the entrance 23 through which a plurality of users having different locations enter the building 20, the user moves by holding the ID card over the card reader 102 only to specify the target remote controller. There is no need. Further, if the fixed time for blinking the notification lamp of the remote controller 300 is set to be sufficiently longer than the time required for moving from the installation position of the card reader 102 to the installation position of the remote controller 300, the installation position of the card reader 102 can be set. Even when the installation positions of the remote controller 300 are separated from each other, it is possible to prevent the notification by the notification lamp from ending while the user is moving from the installation position of the card reader 102 to the installation position of the remote controller 300.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. The present invention also includes a modification of the present embodiment that can be conceived by a person skilled in the art without departing from the gist of the present invention. That is, in the present invention, the embodiments can be appropriately modified or omitted within the scope of the invention.

In the above embodiment, the ID input unit 11 of the control device 1 acquires the user ID information by using the card reader 102, but the method of acquiring the user ID information is not limited to this, and the ID input unit 11 is, for example, , A user interface such as a push switch or a touch panel may be configured to accept input of a user ID and acquire user ID information indicating the user ID input by the user.

In the above embodiment, the control device 1 notifies the user of the target remote controller for controlling the indoor unit 200, but the target remote controller notified by the control device 1 to the user is not limited to this, and the target remote controller is a lighting device, a ventilation device, or air. Any remote controller for a device such as a purifier that changes the indoor environment of the space 21 in the building 20 may be used.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of a control device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The control device 1 includes a processor 81, a memory 82, and an interface 83 as a hardware configuration. Each function of the information acquisition unit 12 and the notification information generation unit 14 of the control device 1 is realized by the processor 81 executing the control program stored in the memory 82. The memory 82 is, for example, a RAM (Random Access Memory), a Flash ROM (Read Only Memory), or a combination thereof, and the storage unit 13 is configured on the memory 82.

The interface 83 includes a communication I / F that connects to each device and a user interface (hereinafter, abbreviated as user I / F) that receives input of information from the user. The communication I / F functions as an ID input unit 11 and a notification information output unit 15. The interface 83 may include other types of interfaces as needed. For example, the interface 83 may include a user I / F that accepts input of information from the user. The user I / F is, for example, an input device such as a push switch or a touch panel, and functions as an input unit in a configuration in which the control device 1 includes an input unit. Although FIG. 15 shows an example in which the processor 81 and the memory 82 are each configured by one, the plurality of processors 81 and the plurality of memories 82 may cooperate with each other to execute each function.

Further, when the above-mentioned functions are realized by sharing the OS (Operating System) and the application or by cooperating with the OS and the application, only the part other than the OS may be stored in the medium. Further, it is also possible to superimpose each program on the carrier wave and distribute it via the communication network. For example, the program may be posted on a bulletin board system (BBS, Bulletin Board System) on a communication network, and the program may be distributed via the network. Then, by starting these programs and executing them in the same manner as other application programs under the control of the operating system, the above-mentioned processing may be executed.

1 Control device, 11 ID input unit, 12 information acquisition unit, 13 storage unit, 14 notification information generation unit, 15 notification information output unit, 20 building, 21.22 space, 23 entrance, 81 processor, 82 memory, 83 interface, 100,200,300,400 control system, 101 monitor, 102 card reader, 200,200a, 200b, 200c, 200d indoor unit, 210,210a, 210b, 210c compartment, 300,300a, 300b, 300c remote control, 500 outdoor unit , 600 servers, 700 switching hubs, 800, 800a, 800b, 800c user terminals.

Claims (9)

It is a control device that is linked to a device that changes the indoor environment of each section that divides the space inside the building into two or more, and can communicate with two or more remote controllers that control each of the linked devices. ,
An identification information acquisition unit that acquires user identification information that identifies a user who enters the section, and an identification information acquisition unit.
The user information in which the user identification information is associated with the section in which the user's location is located among the divided sections, the section in which each device changes the indoor environment, and the remote controller that controls each device. The information acquisition unit that acquires the device information associated with
Notification information that identifies a remote controller that controls a device that changes the indoor environment of the section where the user's location is located based on the user information and the device information acquired by the information acquisition unit, and notifies the remote controller. Notification information generator and
A notification information output unit that outputs the notification information generated by the notification information generation unit, and
A control device equipped with. It is a control device that is linked to a device that changes the indoor environment of each section that divides the space inside the building into two or more, and can communicate with two or more remote controllers that control each of the linked devices. ,
An identification information acquisition unit that acquires user identification information that identifies a user entering the building from an entrance / exit management system that manages the entrance / exit of the building.
The user information in which the user identification information is associated with the section in which the user's location is located among the divided sections, the section in which each device changes the indoor environment, and the remote controller that controls each device. The information acquisition unit that acquires the device information associated with
Notification information that identifies a remote controller that controls a device that changes the indoor environment of the section where the user's location is located based on the user information and the device information acquired by the information acquisition unit, and notifies the remote controller. Notification information generator and
A notification information output unit that outputs the notification information generated by the notification information generation unit, and
A control device equipped with. It is possible to further communicate with the user terminal used by the user,
The notification information output unit transmits the notification information to the user terminal.
The control device according to claim 1 or 2 . The notification information includes information indicating the name of the user.
The control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 . The notification information is an image that imitates the arrangement of a remote controller that controls the device that changes the indoor environment of the section where the user's location is located, and changes the indoor environment of the section where the user's location is located. Contains information for displaying an image that highlights the remote controller that controls the device.
The control device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 . When the remote controller has a function of outputting the notification information by at least one of image display, character display, voice output, and turning on / off of the lamp.
The notification information output unit transmits the notification information to the remote controller that controls the device that changes the indoor environment of the section where the user's location is located.
The control device according to claim 1 or 2 . It is a remote controller that controls equipment that can change the indoor environment of a section that divides the space inside the building into two or more, which can communicate with the control device.
Notification information for notifying the remote controller specified by the control device as a remote controller for controlling the device that changes the indoor environment of the section where the user's location is located in the divided section from the control device. Receive notification information including information indicating the user's name ,
The notification information is output for a predetermined time by at least one of image display, character display, and voice output .
Remote controller. The control device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 and two or more devices that change the indoor environment of each section that divides the space inside the building into two or more are associated with the respective devices. , Two or more remote controllers capable of controlling each of the associated devices and communicating with the control device,
Control system with. A computer that is linked to a device that changes the indoor environment of each section that divides the space inside the building into two or more, and can communicate with two or more remote controllers that control each of the linked devices.
User identification information that identifies a user entering the section, user information associated with the section in which the user's location is located among the divided sections, and a section in which each device changes the indoor environment and each of the sections. An information acquisition unit that acquires device information associated with the remote controller that controls the device,
Notification information that identifies a remote controller that controls a device that changes the indoor environment of the section where the user's location is located based on the user information and the device information acquired by the information acquisition unit, and notifies the remote controller. Notification information generator, as well as
Notification information output unit that outputs the notification information generated by the notification information generation unit,
A control program that functions as.

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