JP7120046B2 - air conditioning system - Google Patents

Description

The present disclosure relates to air conditioning systems.

2. Description of the Related Art There is known an air conditioner that displays an error on a display of a remote controller when an error occurs in communication between the air conditioner body and the remote controller (Patent Document 1).

JP 2012-149852 A

BACKGROUND ART Air conditioners are known that perform air-conditioning operation using a learning model generated by AI-learning a driving history and can be operated with a communication terminal such as a smartphone. Such an air conditioner is provided with an adapter for communicating with a server device for AI learning or a communication terminal. If the communication method for communication between the adapter and the server device is different from the communication method for communication between the adapter and the communication terminal, the adapter, while communicating with one of the server device and the communication terminal, Communication with the other party may not be possible. When the communication between the communication terminal and the adapter cannot be performed, the user cannot understand why the communication terminal cannot be used to operate the air conditioner, which impairs the usability of the user.

The disclosed technique has been made in view of the above points, and aims to provide an air conditioning system that prevents deterioration of user's usability.

An air conditioning system according to one aspect of an embodiment includes an air conditioner, an adapter that controls the air conditioner, a server device that communicates with the adapter by a first communication method, and a second communication that is different from the first communication method. A communication terminal for communicating with the adapter according to a method. The adapter does not communicate with the communication terminal when the adapter communicates with the server device. The communication terminal transmits a first suspension request signal to the server device while the adapter is communicating with the server device. The server device suspends communication by the first communication method when receiving the first suspension request signal.

The disclosed air-conditioning system can prevent deterioration of user's usability.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an air conditioning system according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the adapter. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a server device; FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of a communication terminal; FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the air conditioning system related to remote control of the air conditioner.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the air conditioning system disclosed by the present application will be described in detail based on the drawings. Note that the disclosed technology is not limited by the present embodiment. Further, each embodiment shown below may be modified as appropriate within a range that does not cause contradiction.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an air conditioning system 1 of this embodiment. An air conditioning system 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes an indoor unit 2, an adapter 3, a router 4, a server device 5, a relay device 6, a communication terminal 7, and a communication network 8.

The indoor unit 2 is, for example, a part of an air conditioner that is placed indoors and heats or cools the air in the room. A user of the indoor unit 2 can remotely operate the indoor unit 2 by operating the remote controller 9 . The indoor unit 2 has a main body 2A and a control section 2B that controls the main body 2A. The main body 2A is provided with an indoor fan and an indoor heat exchanger, and the indoor air that has undergone heat exchange with the refrigerant in the indoor heat exchanger is blown out from the main body 2A to heat, cool, dehumidify, etc. the room. will be An outdoor unit (not shown) is provided with an outdoor fan, a compressor, and the like. The communication terminal 7 is a terminal device such as a user's smart phone.

The adapter 3 has a communication function that connects the indoor unit 2 and the router 4 by wireless communication, and a control function that AI-controls the indoor unit 2 . The adapter 3 is arranged for each indoor unit 2 . The router 4 is, for example, an access point device that connects the adapter 3 and the communication network 8 by wireless communication using WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) or the like. The communication network 8 is, for example, a communication network such as the Internet. The server device 5 has a function of generating a learning model for the AI that controls the indoor unit 2, a database that stores driving history data, and the like. The server device 5 is arranged in, for example, a data center. The relay device 6 has a function of communicating with the communication network 8 and communicating with the server device 5 . The relay device 6 transmits driving history data and the like used for generating or updating a learning model applied to the indoor unit 2 from the adapter 3 to the server device 5 via the communication network 8 . Also, the relay device 6 transmits the learning model generated or updated by the server device 5 to the adapter 3 via the communication network 8 . Incidentally, the relay device 6 is arranged, for example, in a data center or the like.

The relay device 6 has a first relay section 6A, a second relay section 6B, and a third relay section 6C. The first relay unit 6A transmits various data related to AI control between the adapter 3 and the server device 5. FIG. The first relay unit 6A transmits the driving history data and the like used for generating or updating the learning model received from the adapter 3 to the server device 5 via the communication network 8, and transmits the learning model generated or updated by the server device 5. is transmitted to the adapter 3 via the communication network 8. The second relay unit 6B acquires the operating conditions of the indoor unit 2 (operating mode such as cooling/heating, set temperature, etc.) set by the user using the communication terminal 7 from outside, and transmits this to the indoor unit 2. Send to The third relay unit 6</b>C acquires external data such as a weather forecast from a communication network 8 such as the Internet, and transmits the acquired external data to the server device 5 . Also, the third relay unit 6C transmits external data to the adapter 3 via the communication network 8. FIG.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the adapter 3. As shown in FIG. The adapter 3 shown in FIG. 2 has a first communication section 11, a second communication section 12, a storage section 13, and a CPU (Central Processing Unit) . The first communication unit 11 is a communication IF (Interface) such as a UART (Universal Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter) that communicates with the control unit 2B in the indoor unit 2 . The second communication unit 12 is a communication unit such as a communication IF such as WLAN that is connected to the router 4 for communication. Information is transmitted and received between the adapter 3 and the server device 5 periodically (for example, every 30 minutes) using the first communication method. REST (Representational State Transfer) is exemplified as the first communication method. Information is transmitted and received between the communication terminal 7 and the adapter 3 by the second communication method. The second communication method is a communication method that allows constant communication, unlike the first communication method. WebSocket is exemplified as the second communication method. Further, the second communication unit 12 cannot execute communication according to the second communication method while communication according to the first communication method is being executed. Communication with the communication terminal 7 is not possible. The CPU 14 is capable of controlling the second communication unit 12 so that communication is performed according to the second communication method when communication is performed according to the first communication method, and processing capacity is greater than that of other CPUs. is low and cheap.

The storage unit 13 has, for example, a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory), and stores various information such as data and programs. The CPU 14 controls the adapter 3 as a whole.

The CPU 14 has a learning control section 21 , an interruption section 22 and a command execution section 23 . The learning control unit 21 acquires driving history data from the control unit 2B of the indoor unit 2 via the first communication unit 11 and stores the acquired driving history data in the storage unit 13 . The learning control unit 21 transmits the driving history data and the like stored in the storage unit 13 to the server device 5 via the communication network 8 . The learning control unit 21 receives the learning model from the server device 5 via the communication network 8 and stores the received learning model in the storage unit 13 .

The learning control section 21 controls the control section 2B inside the indoor unit 2 based on the learning model stored in the storage section 13 . For convenience of explanation, the learning control unit 21 controls the control unit 2B in the indoor unit 2 based on the learning model. 2A may be controlled directly. Also, the learning control unit 21 transmits a control mode based on the learning model to the control unit 2B. That is, the learning control section 21 may indirectly control the main body 2A via the control section 2B, and can be changed as appropriate.

The interruption unit 22 interrupts the communication with the server device 5 and interrupts the communication by the first communication method when the second interruption request signal transmitted from the server device 5 is received by the adapter 3 . When the command signal transmitted from the communication terminal 7 is received by the adapter 3 , the command execution unit 23 transmits to the communication terminal 7 a response signal indicating that the adapter 3 has received the command signal. When the command signal transmitted from the communication terminal 7 is received by the adapter 3, the command executing section 23 executes the operation indicated by the command signal. Its operation is to start "heating," "cooling," "dehumidification," or "ventilation" by controlling the air conditioner. Examples include stopping, changing the set temperature and air volume, and acquiring information such as the room temperature and the electricity rate from the indoor unit 2 .

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the server device 5. As shown in FIG. The server device 5 has a communication section 31 , a storage section 32 and a CPU 33 . The communication unit 31 is a communication IF that communicates with the relay device 6 . The storage unit 32 has, for example, ROM, RAM, etc., and stores various information such as data and programs. The CPU 33 has a receiving section 41 , a learning section 42 , a transmitting section 43 and an interruption request transferring section 44 .

The receiving unit 41 receives operation history data from each adapter 3 of the indoor units 2 via the router 4 , the communication network 8 and the relay device 6 . The learning unit 42 learns using the driving history data received by the receiving unit 41, and generates or updates the learning model of each indoor unit 2 based on the learning result. The learning unit 42 stores the generated or updated learning model in the storage unit 32 . The transmission unit 43 transmits the learning model generated or updated by the learning unit 42 to each adapter 3 via the relay device 6 , the communication network 8 and the router 4 .

The suspension request transfer unit 44 transmits the second suspension request signal to the adapter 3 when the first suspension request signal transmitted from the communication terminal 7 is received by the server device 5 .

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the communication terminal 7. As shown in FIG. The communication terminal 7 is a smart phone, for example, and has a CPU 51 and a storage unit 52 . The storage unit 52 stores application software installed in the communication terminal 7 and stores information used by the CPU 51 . The CPU 51 controls the entire communication terminal 7 by executing application software stored in the storage unit 52 .

The application software installed in the communication terminal 7 is composed of a plurality of computer programs for making the communication terminal 7 realize a plurality of functions. The CPU 51 has a command transmission section 54 and an interruption request section 55 as its functional sections. The command transmission unit 54 transmits a command signal input by operating the communication terminal 7 to the adapter 3 .

The interruption request unit 55 determines whether or not the response signal transmitted from the adapter 3 has been received by the communication terminal 7 within a predetermined time (for example, 30 seconds) after the command signal is transmitted by the command transmission unit 54. do. The interruption requesting unit 55 determines whether or not the adapter 3 is performing communication according to the first communication method based on whether or not the response signal has been received. The suspension request unit 55 determines that the adapter 3 is not performing communication according to the first communication method when the response signal is received, and when the response signal is not received, the adapter 55 determines that the communication according to the first communication method is not performed. 3 is performed. When the response signal transmitted from the adapter 3 is not received by the communication terminal 7, that is, when it is determined that the adapter 3 is performing communication according to the first communication method, the interruption request unit 55 performs the first communication method. A suspension request signal is transmitted to the server device 5 .

[Operation of air conditioning system 1]
The operation of the air conditioning system 1 will be described. The air conditioning system 1 can perform operations related to AI control of the air conditioner and operations related to remote control of the air conditioner.

In the operation related to the AI control of the air conditioner, the adapter 3 acquires operation history data from the indoor unit 2 at acquisition timings of 5-minute cycles, and stores the acquired operation history data in the storage unit 13 . The adapter 3 transmits the driving history data for 48 hours out of the driving history data stored in the storage unit 13 to the server device 5 by the first communication method every 48 hours. The server device 5 receives the driving history data transmitted from the adapter 3 and stores the driving history data in the storage unit 32 . The server device 5 generates a learning model based on the driving history data stored in the storage unit 32 and stores the generated learning model in the storage unit 32 . Server device 5 transmits the learning model stored in storage unit 32 to adapter 3 via relay device 6 . The adapter 3 receives the learning model transmitted from the server device 5 using the first communication method, and stores the received learning model in the storage unit 13 . The adapter 3 controls the controller 2B of the indoor unit 2 based on the learning model stored in the storage unit 13, and indirectly controls the main body 2A of the indoor unit 2 via the controller 2B.

The learning model includes, for example, a sensible temperature setting that predicts the sensible temperature for indoor users after 5 minutes according to the operating status of the air conditioner in each home, and controls the air conditioner according to the predicted sensible temperature. You have a predictive model. Conventionally, an air conditioner adjusts the room temperature so that the room temperature reaches a target temperature, and the user may feel uncomfortable with the temperature change. On the other hand, the sensible temperature setting prediction model, for example, is used when adjusting the air conditioner so that the user feels comfortable according to the time-series operation history data such as indoor temperature, indoor humidity, and outdoor temperature. is the program to run. For example, an air conditioner is controlled based on a sensible temperature setting prediction model so that the set temperature of the air conditioner is changed to a temperature different from the temperature set by the user so that the user feels comfortable. be. According to such operation, the air conditioning system 1 appropriately operates the air conditioner so that the user of the air conditioner is comfortable by controlling the air conditioner based on the learning model. be able to.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the air conditioning system 1 related to remote control of the air conditioner. By operating the communication terminal 7 , the user inputs to the communication terminal 7 an operation that the air conditioner is to perform. The communication terminal 7 transmits a command signal indicating the input operation to the adapter 3 (step S1). At this time, as shown in steps S2 and S3, if the adapter 3 communicates with the server device 5 according to the first communication method prior to receiving the command signal from the communication terminal 7, the command signal is transmitted from the communication terminal 7. cannot receive the command signal.

When the communication terminal 7 does not receive a response signal from the adapter 3 within a predetermined time (for example, 30 seconds) after the command signal is transmitted to the adapter 3, the communication terminal 7 resumes communication by the first communication method. 3, and transmits a first interruption request signal to the server device 5 (step S4). When the server device 5 receives the first suspension request signal transmitted from the communication terminal 7 (step S5), it transmits the second suspension request signal to the adapter 3 (step S6). When the adapter 3 receives the second suspension request signal transmitted from the server device 5 (step S7), it suspends communication with the server device 5 and suspends communication by the first communication method (step S8). By suspending the communication according to the first communication method, the adapter 3 becomes able to communicate according to the second communication method and receive the command signal transmitted from the communication terminal 7.例文帳に追加

After transmitting the first interruption request signal to the server device 5, the communication terminal 7 retransmits the same command signal as the command signal transmitted in step S1 to the adapter 3 (step S9). The adapter 3 receives the command signal transmitted from the communication terminal 7 because it is not communicating according to the first communication method (step S10). Upon receiving the command signal transmitted from the communication terminal 7, the adapter 3 returns a response signal to the communication terminal 7 (step S11). When the communication terminal 7 receives the response signal transmitted from the adapter 3 (step S<b>12 ), it determines that the command signal has been properly received by the adapter 3 . Upon receiving the command signal transmitted from the communication terminal 7, the adapter 3 further controls the air conditioner so that the air conditioner performs the operation indicated by the command signal (step S13).

According to such an operation, the air conditioning system 1 can interrupt the communication between the adapter 3 and the server device 5 even while the adapter 3 is communicating with the server device 5, and the communication terminal 7 The transmitted command signal can be made to be received by the adapter 3 . Therefore, the air conditioning system 1 enables remote control of the air conditioner by the communication terminal 7 even while the adapter 3 and the server device 5 are communicating with each other. It is possible to prevent deterioration of user's usability.

[Effect of the air conditioning system 1 of the embodiment]
The air conditioning system 1 of the embodiment includes an air conditioner, an adapter 3 that controls the air conditioner, a server device 5 that communicates with the adapter 3 by a first communication method, and a second communication method different from the first communication method. A communication terminal 7 that communicates with the adapter 3 is provided. The adapter 3 does not communicate with the communication terminal 7 while the adapter 3 communicates with the server device 5 . The communication terminal 7 transmits the first suspension request signal to the server device 5 while the adapter 3 is communicating with the server device 5 . When the server device 5 receives the first suspension request signal, it suspends communication using the first communication method. At this time, the air conditioning system 1 can interrupt the communication between the adapter 3 and the server device 5 even while the adapter 3 is communicating with the server device 5, and the communication terminal 7 communicates with the adapter 3. be able to Therefore, the air conditioning system 1 enables remote control of the air conditioner by the communication terminal 7 even while the adapter 3 and the server device 5 are communicating with each other. It is possible to prevent deterioration of user's usability.

Further, the server device 5 of the air conditioning system 1 of the embodiment transmits a second interruption request signal to the adapter 3 when receiving the first interruption request signal. The adapter 3 suspends communication by the first communication method when receiving the second suspension request signal. At this time, the adapter 3 can appropriately interrupt communication with the server device 5 , so that the air-conditioning system 1 can stop the communication terminal 7 from communicating with the adapter 3 during communication between the adapter 3 and the server device 5 . be able to communicate.

By the way, the adapter 3 of the air conditioning system 1 of the above-described embodiment interrupts the communication with the server device 5 in response to the second interruption request signal transmitted from the server device 5, but the second interruption request Communication with the server device 5 may be interrupted in response to a trigger other than a signal. For example, in response to the server device 5 interrupting communication with the adapter 3, the adapter 3 may interrupt communication with the server device 5 and interrupt communication using the first communication method. In this case as well, the air conditioning system 1 can interrupt communication between the server device 5 and the adapter 3 during communication between the adapter 3 and the server device 5, thereby enabling communication between the communication terminal 7 and the adapter 3. can do. For this reason, the air conditioning system 1 enables remote control of the air conditioner using the communication terminal 7 even while the adapter 3 and the server device 5 are communicating with each other. A decrease can be prevented.

Also, the communication terminal 7 of the air conditioning system 1 of the embodiment transmits a command signal to the adapter 3 . When receiving the command signal, the adapter 3 transmits a response signal indicating that the command signal has been received to the communication terminal 7, and controls the air conditioner so that the air conditioner performs the operation indicated by the command signal. do. The communication terminal 7 transmits the first interruption request signal to the server device 5 when the response signal is not received within a predetermined period of time after the command signal is transmitted. At this time, the communication terminal 7 can appropriately determine whether or not the adapter 3 is communicating with the server device 5, so that the air conditioning system 1 can stop the communication between the adapter 3 and the server device 5. can be properly interrupted.

Also, the communication terminal 7 of the air conditioning system 1 of the embodiment transmits the command signal to the adapter 3 again after the first interruption request signal is transmitted to the server device 5 . At this time, the communication terminal 7 can reliably transmit the command signal to the adapter 3 , so that the air conditioning system 1 can reliably remotely control the air conditioner using the communication terminal 7 .

By the way, in the air conditioning system 1, the server device 5 causes the AI to learn based on the operation history data collected from the air conditioner to generate a learning model, and the operation of the air conditioner is controlled based on the learning model. However, such control using AI may be omitted. The server device 5 can prevent the user's feeling of use from deteriorating even when control using AI is omitted.

Although the embodiments have been described above, the embodiments are not limited by the contents described above. In addition, the components described above include those that can be easily assumed by those skilled in the art, those that are substantially the same, and those within the so-called equivalent range. Furthermore, the components described above can be combined as appropriate. Furthermore, at least one of various omissions, replacements, and modifications of components can be made without departing from the gist of the embodiments.

1: Air conditioning system 3: Adapter 5: Server device 7: Communication terminal 22: Suspension unit 23: Command execution unit 44: Suspension request transfer unit 54: Command transmission unit 55: Suspension request unit

Claims (4)

an air conditioner;
an adapter that controls the air conditioner;
a server device that communicates with the adapter by a first communication method;
a communication terminal that communicates with the adapter by a second communication method different from the first communication method;
In an air conditioning system in which the adapter does not communicate with the communication terminal while the adapter is communicating with the server device,
wherein the communication terminal transmits a first suspension request signal to the server device while the adapter is communicating with the server device;
The air conditioning system, wherein the server device suspends communication according to the first communication method when receiving the first suspension request signal. The server device transmits a second suspension request signal to the adapter when receiving the first suspension request signal,
The air conditioning system according to claim 1, wherein the adapter suspends communication according to the first communication method when receiving the second suspension request signal. The communication terminal transmits a command signal to the adapter,
When the adapter receives the command signal, the adapter transmits a response signal indicating that the command signal has been received to the communication terminal, and causes the air conditioner to perform the operation indicated by the command signal. control the air conditioner,
2. The communication terminal transmits the first interruption request signal to the server device when the response signal is not received within a predetermined time after the command signal is transmitted, or The air conditioning system according to claim 2. The air conditioning system according to claim 3, wherein the communication terminal retransmits the command signal to the adapter after the first interruption request signal is transmitted to the server device.

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