WO2019220874A1 - Air-conditioning control device, air-conditioning control system, air-conditioning control method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

This air-conditioning control device controls an air-conditioning indoor unit according to a terminal position of a terminal held by a user, and comprises: an ultrasonic detection processing unit that detects an ultrasonic wave issued from the terminal via a first ultrasonic sensor disposed on the air-conditioning indoor unit and a second ultrasonic sensor disposed at a position different from the position of the air-conditioning indoor unit; an arrival time difference calculation unit that calculates an arrival time difference, which is the difference between the time at which the ultrasonic wave was detected by the first ultrasonic sensor and the time at which the ultrasonic wave was detected by the second ultrasonic sensor; a position estimation unit that estimates the terminal position of the terminal on the basis of the arrival time difference; and an indoor-unit control unit that controls the air-conditioning indoor unit on the basis of the terminal position.

Description

Air conditioning control device, air conditioning control system, air conditioning control method, and program

The present invention relates to an air conditioning control device, an air conditioning control system, an air conditioning control method, and a program.
This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2018-093758 for which it applied on May 15, 2018, and uses the content here.

In the case of providing air conditioning according to indoor users with an indoor unit for air conditioning such as an air conditioner, it is necessary to grasp the position of the user. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for estimating the position of a user by detecting an indoor temperature distribution. However, the technique described in Patent Literature 1 estimates the positions of all indoor users, and may not be suitable for providing air conditioning according to a specific user.

On the other hand, a technique for estimating a user's position using a position estimation method similar to a position estimation method using a GPS satellite is known. Specifically, an ultrasonic wave is emitted from a terminal such as a smartphone held by a specific user, and the ultrasonic wave is detected by ultrasonic sensors such as a plurality of microphones provided at different positions of the air conditioning indoor unit. The position of the user can be estimated based on the arrival time difference of the ultrasonic wave at each different position of the acoustic wave sensor.

JP 2001-304655 A

However, in the above-described technology, the farther the position of the user as the sound source is from the indoor unit for air conditioning, the greater the influence of the error included in the arrival time difference of the detected ultrasonic wave, and the more accurate the position of the user is. There is a possibility that it cannot be estimated.

Therefore, a technique capable of accurately estimating the position of the user of the air conditioning indoor unit is desired. An object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioning control device, an air conditioning control system, an air conditioning control method, and a program capable of accurately estimating the position of a user of an air conditioning indoor unit.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the air conditioning control device that controls the indoor unit for air conditioning according to the terminal position of the terminal held by the user is the first ultrasonic sensor provided in the indoor unit for air conditioning. And an ultrasonic detection processing unit that detects ultrasonic waves emitted from the terminal through a second ultrasonic sensor provided at a position different from the position of the air conditioning indoor unit, and the first ultrasonic wave An arrival time difference calculating unit that calculates an arrival time difference that is a difference between a time at which the ultrasonic wave is detected by the sensor and a time at which the ultrasonic wave is detected by the second ultrasonic sensor; and based on the arrival time difference, A position estimation unit that estimates a terminal position; and an indoor unit control unit that controls the indoor unit for air conditioning based on the terminal position.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the air conditioning control system includes the air conditioning control device according to the first aspect, the terminal, the air conditioning indoor unit, the first ultrasonic sensor, and the second. And an ultrasonic sensor.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, in the air conditioning control system according to the second aspect, the second ultrasonic sensor is provided in a remote control device that remotely operates the indoor unit for air conditioning.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, in the air conditioning control system according to the second aspect, the second ultrasonic sensor is provided in the fluorescent lamp.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the air conditioning control system according to the second aspect includes an air conditioning indoor unit different from the air conditioning indoor unit, and the second ultrasonic sensor is It is provided in an indoor unit for air conditioning.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the air conditioning control system according to any one of the second to fifth aspects, the position estimation unit refers to a lookup table and determines the arrival time difference. Based on this, the terminal position of the terminal is estimated.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the air conditioning control system according to any one of the second aspect to the fifth aspect, the position estimation unit includes the first ultrasonic sensor and the second ultrasonic sensor. The terminal position of the terminal is estimated based on the position of the ultrasonic sensor and the arrival time difference.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the air conditioning control system according to the seventh aspect, the first ultrasonic sensor includes a plurality of ultrasonic sensors provided at different positions of the indoor unit for air conditioning. The ultrasonic detection processing unit detects the ultrasonic wave emitted from the second ultrasonic sensor through the first ultrasonic sensor, and the arrival time difference calculating unit is configured to detect the first ultrasonic sensor. A setting arrival time difference, which is a difference between times at which the ultrasonic waves are detected by the plurality of ultrasonic sensors, is calculated, and the position estimation unit includes the positions of the plurality of ultrasonic sensors of the first ultrasonic sensor. The position of the second ultrasonic sensor is estimated based on the setting arrival time difference.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, an air conditioning control method is an air conditioning control method for controlling an air conditioning indoor unit according to a terminal position of a terminal held by a user, and is provided in the air conditioning indoor unit. An ultrasonic detection processing step of detecting an ultrasonic wave emitted from the terminal through a first ultrasonic sensor and a second ultrasonic sensor provided at a position different from the position of the air conditioning indoor unit; An arrival time difference calculating step of calculating an arrival time difference which is a difference between a time when the ultrasonic wave is detected by the first ultrasonic sensor and a time when the ultrasonic wave is detected by the second ultrasonic sensor; A position estimation step of estimating the terminal position of the terminal based on the time difference; and an indoor unit control step of controlling the indoor unit for air conditioning based on the terminal position.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, a program is provided in a computer of an air conditioning control device that controls an indoor unit for air conditioning according to a terminal position of a terminal held by a user. An ultrasonic detection processing step of detecting ultrasonic waves emitted from the terminal through one ultrasonic sensor and a second ultrasonic sensor provided at a position different from the position of the air conditioning indoor unit; An arrival time difference calculating step of calculating an arrival time difference that is a difference between a time when the ultrasonic wave is detected by the first ultrasonic sensor and a time when the ultrasonic wave is detected by the second ultrasonic sensor; And a position estimation step of estimating the terminal position of the terminal based on the terminal position, and an indoor unit control step of controlling the air conditioning indoor unit based on the terminal position.

According to at least one of the above aspects, the position of the user of the air conditioning indoor unit can be accurately estimated.

It is the schematic which shows the whole structure of the air-conditioning control system which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the function structure of the air-conditioning control apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is the 1st explanatory view explaining the conventional air-conditioning control system as a comparative example. It is the 2nd explanatory view explaining the conventional air-conditioning control system as a comparative example. It is the 3rd explanatory view explaining the conventional air-conditioning control system as a comparative example. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the air-conditioning control apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the whole structure of the air-conditioning control system which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a schematic block diagram which shows the structure of the computer which concerns on at least 1 embodiment.

<First Embodiment>
(Overall configuration of air conditioning control system)
Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an overall configuration of an air conditioning control system 1 according to the first embodiment. The air conditioning control system 1 according to the first embodiment is assumed to be used in an indoor space W where a user exists, such as a library, a large store, a warehouse, a factory, and the like. However, in other embodiment, the air-conditioning control system 1 is not limited to the above usage.

As shown in FIG. 1, the air conditioning control system 1 according to the first embodiment includes an air conditioning control device 10, an air conditioning indoor unit 20, a remote control device 30, a terminal 40 held by a user, and a microphone M1. To M5.

The air conditioning control device 10 controls the indoor unit 20 for air conditioning so that the environment (temperature, humidity, air volume, etc.) is optimized according to the position of the user.

The indoor unit 20 for air conditioning is installed on the ceiling or the like of the indoor space W where the user exists, and performs various operations for adjusting the environment of the indoor space W according to a control command from the air conditioning control device 10. In the first embodiment, a description will be given of a case where the air conditioning indoor unit 20 is a ceiling embedded type commercial air conditioning indoor unit. However, the air conditioning indoor unit 20 is an air conditioning type other than the ceiling embedded type. It may be an indoor unit or an indoor unit for air conditioning for other uses such as home use other than business use.

The remote operation device (remote control) 30 is a device for remotely operating the environmental setting of the air conditioning indoor unit 20 by pressing a button or the like. The remote control device 30 according to the first embodiment is provided on the wall of the indoor space W, and is connected to the air conditioning control device 10 by wire. However, the remote control device 30 may be connected to the air conditioning control device 10 wirelessly.

The terminal 40 is a sound source that can emit an ultrasonic wave S of a predetermined frequency. In the first embodiment, a case where the terminal 40 is an information processing apparatus such as a smartphone will be described. However, the terminal 40 may be a sound source such as a tablet-type information processing apparatus or a wristwatch-type information processing apparatus. It may be a device. In 1st Embodiment, the smart phone which is the terminal 40 emits the predetermined ultrasonic wave S regularly in order to make a user's position to hold | maintain identify. Note that the terminal 40 may emit a predetermined ultrasonic wave S non-periodically, for example. Further, the terminal 40 superimposes, for example, information used by the air conditioning control device 10 for controlling the indoor unit 20 for air conditioning (for example, information on the environment (temperature, humidity, air volume, etc.) requested by the user) on the ultrasonic wave S. May be issued.

The microphones M1 to M5 are ultrasonic sensors that can detect the ultrasonic wave S emitted from the terminal 40. In the first embodiment, four microphones M1 to M4 are provided at different positions of the air conditioning indoor unit 20 as first ultrasonic sensors. That is, the first ultrasonic sensor includes four microphones M1 to M4. As shown in FIG. 1, the four microphones M1 to M4 are respectively provided at the four corners of the surface of the air conditioning indoor unit 20 facing the indoor space W. The first ultrasonic sensor may include a number of microphones (ultrasonic sensors) other than four.

In the first embodiment, one microphone M5 is provided in the remote operation device 30 as the second ultrasonic sensor. That is, the second ultrasonic sensor (microphone M5) is provided at a position different from the position of the air conditioning indoor unit 20. The second ultrasonic sensor may include a number of microphones (ultrasonic sensors) other than one. Moreover, although 1st Embodiment demonstrates the case where the 2nd ultrasonic sensor is provided in the remote control apparatus 30, a 2nd ultrasonic sensor is the indoor space W, such as a fluorescent lamp, for example It may be provided in other devices.

(Functional configuration of air conditioning control device)
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the air conditioning control device 10 according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 2 also shows a connection configuration between the air conditioning control device 10 and the microphones M1 to M5 in order to explain the functions of the air conditioning control device 10.

The air conditioning control device 10 includes an ultrasonic detection processing unit 100, an arrival time difference calculation unit 110, a position estimation unit 120, an indoor unit control unit 130, and a storage unit 140.

The ultrasonic detection processing unit 100 is configured to detect the ultrasonic wave S emitted from the terminal 40 held by the user through the microphones M1 to M5. As shown in FIG. 2, the ultrasonic waves S detected by the microphones M1 to M4 are sequentially processed by amplifiers A1 to A4, filters F1 to F4, and comparators C1 to C4 provided in the air conditioning indoor unit 20, respectively. Is done. Further, the processing results (detection results) are input to the ultrasonic detection processing unit 100 from Ch1 to Ch4, respectively. Similarly, the ultrasonic wave S detected by the microphone M5 is sequentially processed by the amplifier A5, the filter F5, and the comparator C5 provided in the remote control device 30, and the processing result (detection result) is converted from Ch5 to ultrasonic detection processing. Input to the unit 100.

Amplifiers A1 to A5 amplify ultrasonic S signals detected by the microphones M1 to M5. The filters F1 to F5 extract only a component having a predetermined frequency from the amplified ultrasonic wave S signal. The predetermined frequency is defined in advance as, for example, 5 kHz according to the frequency of the ultrasonic wave S emitted from the terminal 40. The comparators C1 to C5 determine whether or not a component having a predetermined frequency has been extracted, and if not, output a first signal indicating no detection. When a component having a predetermined frequency is extracted, the comparators C1 to C5 output a second signal indicating the presence of detection. In the first embodiment, the case where the signal level of the first signal is higher than the signal level of the second signal will be described. However, any signal can be used as the first signal and the second signal as long as the signals can be distinguished from each other. A signal may be used.

When detecting the ultrasonic wave S emitted from the terminal 40 through the microphones M1 to M5, the ultrasonic detection processing unit 100 inputs the time when the ultrasonic wave S is detected by each of the microphones M1 to M5 to the arrival time difference calculating unit 110. Specifically, the time when the signals input from the comparators C1 to C5 are switched from the first signal to the second signal is input to the arrival time difference calculation unit 110. In another embodiment, the ultrasonic detection processing unit 100 may store the switched time in the storage unit 140 without directly inputting the time to the arrival time difference calculation unit 110. In this case, the arrival time difference calculation unit 110 acquires each time stored from the storage unit 140.

The arrival time difference calculation unit 110 uses the microphone M5 (second ultrasonic sensor) of the microphones M1 to M5 as a reference, the time when the reference microphone M5 detects the ultrasonic wave S, and the other four microphones M1 to M5. The difference between the time when the ultrasonic wave S is detected by the M4 (first ultrasonic sensor), that is, the time difference between the time when the ultrasonic wave S reaches the microphone M5 and the time when it reaches the microphones M1 to M4 (arrival time difference). Is calculated. The arrival time difference calculation unit 110 inputs the calculated arrival time difference to the position estimation unit 120.

The position estimation unit 120 estimates the terminal position of the terminal 40 from which the ultrasonic wave S is emitted based on the arrival time difference calculated by the arrival time difference calculation unit 110. The position estimation unit 120 inputs the estimation result to the indoor unit control unit 130.

The indoor unit control unit 130 controls the air conditioning indoor unit 20 based on the estimated terminal position. Specifically, the air conditioner indoor unit 20 is controlled so that the environment (temperature, humidity, air volume, etc.) is optimal, assuming that there is a user holding the terminal 40 at the estimated terminal position.

The storage unit 140 stores a lookup table (LUT) that is a correspondence table between the arrival time difference and the estimated terminal position, which is used when the position estimating unit 120 estimates the terminal position of the terminal 40. This lookup table shows the relationship between the positions of the microphones M1 to M4 (first ultrasonic sensor) and the position of the microphone M5 (second ultrasonic sensor), the sound speed, the distance, and the arrival time (d = vt, d Is a distance, v is a speed of sound, and t is an arrival time). Note that since the speed of sound changes depending on the temperature, a lookup table for each temperature of the indoor space W may be created and stored in the storage unit 140.

(Conventional air conditioning control system as a comparative example)
A conventional air conditioning control system as a comparative example with the air conditioning control system 1 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5. 3 to 5 are first to third explanatory views for explaining a conventional air conditioning control system as a comparative example, respectively.
A conventional air conditioning control system as a comparative example includes microphones M1 to M4 (first ultrasonic sensors) as in the air conditioning control system 1 according to the first embodiment, but is different from the air conditioning control system 1. The microphone M5 (second ultrasonic sensor) is not provided.

FIG. 3 shows the positional relationship between the microphones M1 and M4 and the terminal 40 held by the user in the conventional air conditioning indoor unit provided with the microphones M1 to M4 as in the air conditioning indoor unit 20 shown in FIG. .
In the conventional air conditioning control system, as in the air conditioning control system 1 according to the first embodiment, the time difference between the times at which the ultrasonic waves S emitted from the terminal 40 held by the user reach the microphones M1 to M4 ( The user's position is estimated based on the arrival time difference. However, unlike the air conditioning control system 1 according to the first embodiment, the conventional air conditioning control system estimates the position of the user using only four microphones M1 to M4. In the following, with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5, the microphones M1 and M4 that are the farthest from each other among the four microphones M1 to M4 will be described as an example. This is because, when the distance between the microphones is farthest, the allowable range of detection error of the arrival time difference of the ultrasonic wave S used for estimating the position of the user is maximized.

The horizontal axis x in FIG. 3 indicates a horizontal position x (m) based on a conventional air conditioning indoor unit (the horizontal center position thereof). That is, the distance in the horizontal direction from the conventional indoor unit for air conditioning (the center position in the horizontal direction) to the terminal 40 is x (m). 3 indicates the vertical height (m) from the terminal 40.

In the example shown in FIG. 3, the vertical height of the conventional air conditioning indoor unit from the terminal 40 is 1.5 (m), and the horizontal distance between the microphones M1 and M4 is 1.19 (m). It is. FIG. 3 shows an example in which the terminal 40 exists at positions x (m) at 0 (m), 1 (m), and 5 (m). In FIG. 3, a path through which the ultrasonic wave S travels from the terminal 40 to the microphones M1 and M4 is indicated by a dotted line.

FIG. 4 specifically calculates the difference (arrival time difference) in which the ultrasonic waves S reach the microphones M1 and M4 from the terminal 40 when the position x (m) of the terminal 40 shown in FIG. 3 is changed. The calculation result is shown.
As shown in FIG. 4, when the position x (m) of the terminal 40 is determined, the distance (m) from the terminal 40 to the microphone M1 is determined, so that the ultrasonic wave S is necessary to reach the microphone M1 from the terminal 40. The arrival time t1 (ms) can be calculated from the sound speed. Similarly, since the distance (m) from the terminal 40 to the microphone M4 is determined, the arrival time t4 (ms) required for the ultrasonic wave S to reach the microphone M4 from the terminal 40 can be calculated from the sound speed.

Therefore, the arrival time difference Δt41 (ms), which is the time difference between the arrival time t1 (ms) required for the ultrasonic wave S to reach the microphone M1 and the arrival time t4 (ms) required to reach the microphone M4, is Δt41. = T4-t1.
As shown in FIG. 5, the arrival time difference Δt41 (ms) actually used for control is calculated from detection times t1 and t4 when the conventional air conditioning indoor unit detects the ultrasonic waves S with the microphones M1 and M4, respectively. In FIG. 5, the horizontal axis indicates time, and the vertical axis indicates the signal level. That is, in FIG. 5, the time when the signal level has increased indicates the detection time of the ultrasonic wave S.

FIG. 4 shows the calculation result of the arrival time difference Δt41 (ms) when the position x (m) of the terminal 40 is 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 (m). For example, as can be seen from the calculation result of the arrival time difference Δt41 (ms) shown in FIG. 4, the arrival time difference between the case where the position x (m) of the terminal 40 is 0 (m) and the case where it is 1 (m). Δt41 (ms) is different by 1.29 (ms). On the other hand, the arrival time difference Δt41 (ms) differs only by 0.05 (ms) when the position x (m) of the terminal 40 is 4 (m) and when it is 5 (m). . This means that when the terminal 40 is at the position 4 (m), the position estimation error becomes 1 (m) only by the detection time shown in FIG. 5 being deviated by 0.05 (ms). 0.05 (ms) corresponds to one cycle of 20 (kHz).

Furthermore, the arrival time difference Δt41 (ms) differs only by 0.03 (ms) when the position x (m) of the terminal 40 is 5 (m) and 6 (m). Therefore, in order to obtain an accuracy of ± 1 (m) at the position 5 (m) of the terminal 40 under the condition that the distance between the microphones M1 and M4 is 1.19 (m) as shown in FIG. It is understood that it is necessary to suppress the error of the arrival time difference Δt41 (ms) within only 0.03 (ms). 0.03 (ms) corresponds to 0.6 periods of 20 (kHz).

As described above, in the conventional air conditioning control system, since the position of the user is estimated using only the four microphones M1 to M4 provided in one air conditioning indoor unit, the predetermined accuracy required for the position estimation is obtained. When trying to achieve (for example, ± 1 (m)), the allowable range of detection error of the arrival time difference Δt41 becomes very narrow and strict. In particular, the farther the terminal 40 is located from the indoor unit for air conditioning, the narrower and stricter the allowable range of detection error becomes.

(Processing flow of air conditioning control system)
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the air conditioning control device 10 according to the first embodiment.
Operation | movement of the air-conditioning control apparatus 10 which concerns on 1st Embodiment is demonstrated using FIG.

When the processing flow shown in FIG. 6 starts, the ultrasonic detection processing unit 100 detects the ultrasonic wave S emitted from the terminal 40 through the first ultrasonic sensor and the second ultrasonic sensor (step S101).
Specifically, the detection process is performed according to the following procedure. When the microphones M1 to M5 detect the ultrasonic waves S emitted from the terminal 40 held by the user, the signals of the detected ultrasonic waves S are amplified by the amplifiers A1 to A5, and then amplified by the filters F1 to F5. A predetermined frequency component is extracted from the ultrasonic S signal. The comparators C1 to C5 input the first signal or the second signal to the ultrasonic detection processing unit 100 depending on whether or not a predetermined frequency component has been extracted.

That is, in a state where the ultrasonic waves S of a predetermined frequency are not detected by the microphones M1 to M5, the comparators C1 to C5 input the first signal to the ultrasonic detection processing unit 100, but the microphones M1 to M5. When the ultrasonic wave S having a predetermined frequency is detected and a predetermined frequency component is extracted, the comparators C1 to C5 input the second signal to the ultrasonic wave detection processing unit 100.

Therefore, the ultrasonic detection processing unit 100, when the signal input from the comparators C1 to C5 is switched from the first signal to the second signal, has a predetermined frequency generated from the user terminal 40. It is determined that the sound wave S has been detected, and the time is input to the arrival time difference calculation unit 110. For example, when the signal input via Ch5 is switched from the first signal to the second signal at time t5, the ultrasonic detection processing unit 100 uses the time t5 as the reception time of the microphone M5, and the arrival time difference calculation unit 110. To enter. Similarly, when the signals input via Ch1 to Ch4 are switched from the first signal to the second signal at times t1 to t4, the ultrasonic detection processing unit 100 determines the reception times of the microphones M1 to M4. Times t1 to t4 are each input to arrival time difference calculation section 110.

Next, the arrival time difference calculation unit 110 detects the ultrasonic waves S from the times t1 to t4 when the ultrasonic waves S are detected by the microphones M1 to M4 (first ultrasonic sensors) and the microphones M5 (second ultrasonic sensors). An arrival time difference that is a difference from the time t5 is calculated (step S102).
For example, the arrival time difference calculation unit 110 calculates Δt15 (= t1−t5) as the arrival time difference between the microphone M1 (first ultrasonic sensor) and the microphone M5 (second ultrasonic sensor). Similarly, the arrival time difference calculation unit 110 sets Δt25 (= t2−t5) as arrival time differences between the microphones M2 to M4 (first ultrasonic sensor) and the microphone M5 (second ultrasonic sensor), respectively. , Δt35 (= t3−t5), and Δt45 (= t4−t5) are calculated. The arrival time difference calculation unit 110 inputs the calculated arrival time difference to the position estimation unit 120.

Next, the position estimation unit 120 estimates the terminal position of the terminal 40 based on the arrival time difference (step S103).
Specifically, the position estimation unit 120 refers to the lookup table stored in the storage unit 140, and the first ultrasonic sensor (microphones M1 to M4) input from the arrival time difference calculation unit 110 and the second Terminal position of the terminal 40 is estimated from arrival time differences (Δt15, Δt25, Δt35, Δt45) with respect to the ultrasonic sensor (microphone M5). Since there may be a plurality of terminal positions corresponding to one arrival time difference in the lookup table, in the first embodiment, the position estimation unit 120 has four arrival time differences (Δt15, Δt25, Δt35, Δt45). The terminal position is estimated based on However, in other embodiments, the terminal position of the terminal 40 may be estimated based on any number of arrival time differences of one or more. The position estimation unit 120 inputs the estimated terminal position to the indoor unit control unit 130.

Next, the indoor unit control unit 130 controls the air conditioning indoor unit 20 based on the estimated terminal position (step S104). Specifically, the air conditioner indoor unit 20 is controlled so that the environment (temperature, humidity, air volume, etc.) is optimal, assuming that there is a user holding the terminal 40 at the estimated terminal position. This is the end of the flow shown in FIG.

(Action / Effect)
As described above, according to the air conditioning control device 10 (air conditioning control system 1) according to the first embodiment, not only the first ultrasonic sensors (microphones M1 to M4) provided in the air conditioning indoor unit 20 but also air conditioning. The ultrasonic wave S emitted from the terminal 40 is detected through a second ultrasonic sensor (microphone M5) provided at a position different from the position of the indoor unit 20.
As a result, the distance between the first ultrasonic sensor and the second ultrasonic sensor can be set large and freely without limitation of the size of the indoor unit 20 for air conditioning and the like. In addition, the allowable range of the detection error of the arrival time difference of the ultrasonic wave S can be increased as compared with the case where the ultrasonic wave S is detected only by the first ultrasonic sensor, and the accuracy of the estimated position can be improved. Therefore, according to the air conditioning control device 10 (air conditioning control system 1) according to the first embodiment, the position of the user of the air conditioning indoor unit 20 can be accurately estimated.

Furthermore, according to the air conditioning control system 1 according to the first embodiment, the second ultrasonic sensor (microphone M5) is provided in the remote operation device 30 that remotely operates the indoor unit 20 for air conditioning.
Thereby, since the existing remote control device 30 can be used, for example, the installation cost and the installation space can be reduced as compared with the case where the second ultrasonic sensor is newly installed alone. In addition, the second ultrasonic sensor can be easily mounted.
In the air conditioning control system 1 according to the first embodiment, the second ultrasonic sensor may be provided in a fluorescent lamp.
In this case, since the fluorescent lamp which is the existing equipment can be used, for example, the installation cost and the installation space can be reduced as compared with the case where the second ultrasonic sensor is newly installed alone. In addition, the second ultrasonic sensor can be easily mounted.

Furthermore, according to the air conditioning control system 1 according to the first embodiment, the position estimation unit 120 estimates the terminal position of the terminal 40 based on the arrival time difference with reference to the lookup table.
Thereby, since the position estimation unit 120 can estimate the terminal position of the terminal 40 only by referring to the lookup table, the processing load of the air conditioning control system 1 is reduced and the terminal position is estimated very quickly. It becomes possible. In addition, for example, the terminal position can be estimated more accurately by creating a lookup table for each of various conditions (for example, temperature) in advance.

<Modification of First Embodiment>
As described above, the air conditioning control system 1 according to the first embodiment has been described in detail. However, specific modes of the air conditioning control system 1 are not limited to the above-described ones, and various types are possible without departing from the gist. It is possible to add design changes.

<First Modification of First Embodiment>
For example, in the air conditioning control system 1 according to the first embodiment, the position estimation unit 120 is input from the arrival time difference calculation unit 110 with reference to the lookup table stored in the storage unit 140 in step S103 of FIG. In the above description, the terminal position of the terminal 40 is estimated from the arrival time difference between the first ultrasonic sensor (microphones M1 to M4) and the second ultrasonic sensor (microphone M5).
Here, as a first modification of the first embodiment, the position estimation unit 120 may calculate and estimate the terminal position of the terminal 40 held by the user without using a lookup table.

For example, the position estimation unit 120 may estimate the terminal position of the terminal 40 by a method similar to the position estimation method that estimates the position based on the arrival time difference of radio waves received from GPS satellites.
In the position estimation method using a GPS satellite, the position of the receiver is calculated by solving simultaneous equations. Therefore, in the simultaneous equations of the position estimation method using GPS satellites, the position estimation unit 120 can estimate the terminal position of the terminal 40 by switching the transmission side and the reception side.

Specifically, the three-dimensional coordinates of four microphones (for example, microphones M1 to M3 (first ultrasonic sensor) and microphone M5 (second ultrasonic sensor)) at different positions are respectively (X1, Y1, Z1), (X2, Y2, Z2), (X3, Y3, Z3), and (X4, Y4, Z4), and the three-dimensional coordinates of the terminal 40 are (x, y, z). When the reception time of the radio wave S by the two microphones (M1, M2, M3, and M5) is t1, t2, t3, and t4, the radio wave transmission time by the terminal 40 is d, and the radio wave speed is v, The simultaneous equations are obtained.
f1 = (x−X1) ² + (y−Y1) ² + (z−Z1) ² − (v (t1-d)) ² = 0f2 = (x−X2) ² + (y−Y2) ² + ( z−Z2) ² − (v (t2−d)) ² = 0f3 = (x−X3) ² + (y−Y3) ² + (z−Z3) ² − (v (t3−d)) ² = 0f4 = (X-X4) ² + (y-Y4) ² + (z-Z4) ^2- (v (t4-d)) ² = 0
The position (x, y, z) of the terminal 40 can be obtained by solving this equation. The solution of this equation is obtained by using an approximate calculation such as Newton-Raphson method.

In the first modification of the first embodiment, instead of the reception time (t1, t2, t3, and t4) of the radio wave S and the transmission time d, the arrival time differences (Δt15, Δt25, The terminal position of the terminal 40 is estimated by performing an approximate calculation on the above equation using Δt35).
Note that the positions of the first ultrasonic sensor and the second ultrasonic sensor may be stored in advance in the storage unit 140, for example. In the above description, the case where the four microphones are the microphones M1 to M3 and M5 has been described. However, the four microphones are any three microphones of the microphones M1 to M4 (first ultrasonic sensor). (Ultrasonic sensor) and M5 (second ultrasonic sensor) may be used.

(Action / Effect)
As described above, according to the air conditioning control system 1 according to the first modification of the first embodiment, the position estimation unit 120 determines the positions of the first ultrasonic sensor and the second ultrasonic sensor and the arrival time difference. Based on this, the terminal position of the terminal 40 is estimated.
This eliminates the need to prepare and prepare a lookup table that is a correspondence table between the arrival time difference and the estimated terminal position, and allows the air conditioning control system 1 to be introduced very easily.

<Second Modification of First Embodiment>
In the air conditioning control system 1 according to the first modified example of the first embodiment described above, the first ultrasonic sensor and the second ultrasonic wave that are used when the position estimation unit 120 estimates the terminal position of the terminal 40. The position of the sensor has been described as being stored in the storage unit 140 in advance.
Here, as a second modification of the first embodiment, the storage unit 140 stores only the position of the first ultrasonic sensor, and the position of the second ultrasonic sensor is the position of the terminal 40. You may make it estimate in the procedure similar to the procedure which estimates a terminal position.

That is, a plurality of ultrasonic sensors (microphones) provided at different positions of the air conditioner indoor unit 20 are emitted from the second ultrasonic sensor (microphone M5) provided in the remote control device 30. The ultrasonic wave S may be detected by the first ultrasonic sensor including M1 to M4), and the position of the second ultrasonic sensor (microphone M5) may be estimated.

Specifically, the ultrasonic detection processing unit 100 detects the ultrasonic wave S emitted from the second ultrasonic sensor (microphone M5) through the first ultrasonic sensors (microphones M1 to M4). Next, the arrival time difference calculation unit 110 calculates an arrival time difference (setting arrival time difference) that is a difference between the times when the ultrasonic waves S are detected by the plurality of ultrasonic sensors (microphones M1 to M4) of the first ultrasonic sensor. calculate. Next, the position estimation unit 120 uses a plurality of ultrasonic sensors (microphones M1 to M4) of the first ultrasonic sensor, similarly to the position estimation method described in the first modification of the first embodiment described above. And the position of the second ultrasonic sensor (microphone M5) are estimated based on the difference between the positions and the setting arrival time difference.

(Action / Effect)
As described above, according to the air conditioning control system 1 according to the second modification of the first embodiment, the position estimation unit 120 is configured to detect the positions of the plurality of ultrasonic sensors (microphones M1 to M4) of the first ultrasonic sensor. Based on the arrival time difference (setting arrival time difference), the position of the second ultrasonic sensor (microphone M5) is estimated.
Thereby, it is not necessary to grasp the position of the second ultrasonic sensor (microphone M5) in advance and store it in the storage unit 140, for example, through the remote operation device 30. Further, even when the position of the second ultrasonic sensor (microphone M5) is moved together with the remote control device 30, the position after the movement of the second ultrasonic sensor (microphone M5) can be accurately acquired. .

<Second Embodiment>
Next, an air conditioning control system 1 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating the overall configuration of the air conditioning control system 1 according to the second embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 7, the air conditioning control system 1 according to the second embodiment includes an air conditioning indoor unit 21 different from the air conditioning indoor unit 20. The air conditioning indoor unit 21 is configured in the same manner as the air conditioning indoor unit 20, and the air conditioning indoor unit 21 is provided with four microphones M5 to M7 (second ultrasonic sensors).

That is, in the air conditioning control system 1 according to the second embodiment, the point including another air conditioning indoor unit 21 and the second ultrasonic sensor are provided in the air conditioning indoor unit 21 instead of the remote operation device 30. Only the difference is the air conditioning control system 1 according to the first embodiment. Regarding the other points, unless otherwise noted, the air conditioning control system 1 according to the second embodiment is configured and functions in the same manner as the air conditioning control system 1 according to the first embodiment, and thus description thereof is omitted. .

In the second embodiment, the second ultrasonic sensor includes four microphones M5 to M8, but only a part (for example, the microphone M5) may function as the second ultrasonic sensor. .

(Action / Effect)
As described above, according to the air conditioning control system 1 according to the second embodiment, the air conditioning control system 1 includes the air conditioning indoor unit 21 different from the air conditioning indoor unit 20, and the second ultrasonic sensors (microphones M5 to M8). ) Is provided in another indoor unit 21 for air conditioning.
Thereby, since the existing air conditioning indoor unit 21 can be used, for example, the installation cost and the installation space can be reduced as compared with the case where the second ultrasonic sensor is newly installed alone. In addition, the second ultrasonic sensor can be easily mounted.
Furthermore, the air-conditioning control apparatus 10 optimizes the environment (temperature, humidity, air volume, etc.) not only for the air conditioning indoor unit 20 but also for another air conditioning indoor unit 21 based on the estimated terminal position. Since it can control, it can control very efficiently.
Further, for example, the first ultrasonic sensor provided in the air conditioning indoor unit 20 includes a plurality of microphones (M1 to M4), and the second ultrasonic sensor provided in the air conditioning indoor unit 21 includes a plurality of microphones. If the microphones (M5 to M8) are included, the position of the user of the air conditioning indoor unit 20 can be estimated more accurately based on a number of arrival time differences obtained from a number of combinations of microphones. .

FIG. 8 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a configuration of a computer according to at least one embodiment.
The computer 9 includes a CPU 91, a main storage device 92, an auxiliary storage device 93, and an interface 94.
The air conditioning control device 10 described above includes a computer 9. The operation of each processing unit described above is stored in the auxiliary storage device 93 in the form of a program. The CPU 91 reads out the program from the auxiliary storage device 93 and develops it in the main storage device 92, and executes the above processing according to the program. For example, the ultrasonic detection processing unit 100, the arrival time difference calculation unit 110, the position estimation unit 120, and the indoor unit control unit 130 described above may be the CPU 91.
Further, the CPU 91 secures a storage area corresponding to each database described above in the main storage device 92 or the auxiliary storage device 93 according to the program. For example, the storage unit 140 described above may be secured in the main storage device 92 or the auxiliary storage device 93.

Examples of the auxiliary storage device 93 include an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), an SSD (Solid State Drive), a magnetic disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), and a DVD-ROM (Digital Versatile Disc Read Only. Memory), semiconductor memory, and the like. The auxiliary storage device 93 may be an internal medium directly connected to the bus of the computer 9 or an external medium connected to the computer 9 via the interface 94 or a communication line. When this program is distributed to the computer 9 through a communication line, the computer 9 that has received the distribution may develop the program in the main storage device 92 and execute the above processing. In at least one embodiment, the auxiliary storage device 93 is a tangible storage medium that is not temporary.

Further, the program may be for realizing a part of the functions described above. Further, the program may be a so-called difference file (difference program) that realizes the above-described function in combination with another program already stored in the auxiliary storage device 93.

Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the invention described in the claims and equivalents thereof in the same manner as included in the scope and gist of the invention.

According to the air conditioning control device, the air conditioning control system, the air conditioning control method, and the program, the position of the user of the air conditioning indoor unit can be accurately estimated.

1 Air-conditioning control system 9 Computer 10 Air-conditioning control device 20 Air-conditioning indoor unit 21 (Another) Air-conditioning indoor unit 30 Remote operation device (remote control)
40 terminal 91 CPU
92 Main storage device 93 Auxiliary storage device 94 Interface 100 Ultrasonic detection processing unit 110 Arrival time difference calculation unit 120 Position estimation unit 130 Indoor unit control unit 140 Storage units A1 to A5 Amplifiers C1 to C5 Comparator F1 to F5 Filters M1 to M4 Microphone ( First ultrasonic sensor)
M5 to M8 microphone (second ultrasonic sensor)
S Ultrasonic wave W Indoor space

Claims (10)

1. An air conditioning control device that controls an indoor unit for air conditioning according to a terminal position of a terminal held by a user,
   The ultrasonic wave emitted from the terminal is transmitted through a first ultrasonic sensor provided in the indoor unit for air conditioning and a second ultrasonic sensor provided at a position different from the position of the indoor unit for air conditioning. An ultrasonic detection processing unit to detect;
   An arrival time difference calculating unit for calculating an arrival time difference that is a difference between a time at which the ultrasonic wave is detected by the first ultrasonic sensor and a time at which the ultrasonic wave is detected by the second ultrasonic sensor;
   A position estimation unit that estimates a terminal position of the terminal based on the arrival time difference;
   An indoor unit control unit that controls the indoor unit for air conditioning based on the terminal position;
   An air conditioning control device.
2. An air conditioning control device according to claim 1;
   The terminal;
   The indoor unit for air conditioning;
   The first ultrasonic sensor;
   The second ultrasonic sensor;
   An air conditioning control system.
3. The air conditioning control system according to claim 2, wherein the second ultrasonic sensor is provided in a remote operation device that remotely operates the indoor unit for air conditioning.
4. The air conditioning control system according to claim 2, wherein the second ultrasonic sensor is provided in a fluorescent lamp.
5. An air conditioning indoor unit different from the air conditioning indoor unit,
   The air conditioning control system according to claim 2, wherein the second ultrasonic sensor is provided in the another indoor unit for air conditioning.
6. The air conditioning control system according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the position estimation unit estimates a terminal position of the terminal based on the arrival time difference with reference to a lookup table.
7. The said position estimation part estimates the terminal position of the said terminal based on the position of the said 1st ultrasonic sensor and the said 2nd ultrasonic sensor, and the said arrival time difference, Any of the Claims 2-5 The air conditioning control system according to claim 1.
8. The first ultrasonic sensor includes a plurality of ultrasonic sensors provided at different positions of the indoor unit for air conditioning,
   The ultrasonic detection processing unit detects ultrasonic waves emitted from the second ultrasonic sensor through the first ultrasonic sensor,
   The arrival time difference calculation unit calculates a setting arrival time difference that is a difference between times at which the ultrasonic waves are detected by the plurality of ultrasonic sensors of the first ultrasonic sensor,
   The position estimation unit estimates the position of the second ultrasonic sensor based on the positions of the plurality of ultrasonic sensors of the first ultrasonic sensor and the setting arrival time difference. Air conditioning control system.
9. An air conditioning control method for controlling an air conditioning indoor unit according to a terminal position of a terminal held by a user,
   The ultrasonic wave emitted from the terminal is transmitted through a first ultrasonic sensor provided in the indoor unit for air conditioning and a second ultrasonic sensor provided at a position different from the position of the indoor unit for air conditioning. An ultrasonic detection processing step to detect;
   An arrival time difference calculating step of calculating an arrival time difference that is a difference between a time at which the ultrasonic wave is detected by the first ultrasonic sensor and a time at which the ultrasonic wave is detected by the second ultrasonic sensor;
   A position estimation step of estimating a terminal position of the terminal based on the arrival time difference;
   An indoor unit control step for controlling the indoor unit for air conditioning based on the terminal position;
   An air conditioning control method.
10. In the computer of the air conditioning control device that controls the indoor unit for air conditioning according to the terminal position of the terminal held by the user,
    The ultrasonic wave emitted from the terminal is transmitted through a first ultrasonic sensor provided in the indoor unit for air conditioning and a second ultrasonic sensor provided at a position different from the position of the indoor unit for air conditioning. An ultrasonic detection processing step to detect;
    An arrival time difference calculating step of calculating an arrival time difference that is a difference between a time at which the ultrasonic wave is detected by the first ultrasonic sensor and a time at which the ultrasonic wave is detected by the second ultrasonic sensor;
    A position estimation step of estimating a terminal position of the terminal based on the arrival time difference;
    An indoor unit control step for controlling the indoor unit for air conditioning based on the terminal position;
    A program that executes

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