WO2019239473A1 - Control system, air conditioner, and server - Google Patents

Abstract

In the present invention, when a server (20) determines that attributes of a user using a first air conditioner (30a) and attributes of a user using a second air conditioner (30b) are similar, the operation of the first air conditioner (30a) is controlled on the basis of the operation information of the second air conditioner (30b). With regard to the second air conditioner (30b), the attributes of the user are identified by the server (20) from data collected by the second air conditioner (30b). With regard to the first air conditioner (30a), the attributes of the user are identified by the server (20) from information inputted to the first air conditioner (30a).

Description

Control system, air conditioner and server

The present invention relates to a control system, an air conditioner, and a server.

In the technology described in Patent Literature 1, each energy consuming device periodically receives an average value derived with respect to the control value of the energy consuming device having the same user attribute, and is set based on the user's selection. According to the operation mode, the control value of each energy consuming device is changed by a certain amount with respect to the received average value.

JP 2003-271236 A

In the technique described in Patent Document 1, attribute information of users of all energy consuming devices must be registered in the database in advance.

In order to save the effort of registering attribute information, an image sensor is installed in each energy consuming device, and the attributes of the user of each energy consuming device are specified from the captured image obtained by the image sensor using image recognition technology. Can be considered. However, in that case, a high-sensitivity image sensor must be mounted on all energy consuming devices. In other words, all energy consuming equipment must be unified into a high-performance model.

In order to save the trouble of registering attribute information, devices such as smart speakers, water heaters, home appliances or HEMS servers are connected to each energy consuming device, and user attributes are obtained from the usage history of home appliances obtained by the connected devices. It is also possible to specify However, in that case, all the energy consuming devices must have a function of communicating with the connected devices. In other words, all energy consuming equipment must be unified into a high-performance model. “HEMS” is an abbreviation for Home Energy Management System.

The present invention aims to reduce the trouble of registering attribute information while allowing a mixture of a low-functional model and a high-functional model.

A control system according to an aspect of the present invention includes:
An attribute input unit to which attribute information indicating an attribute of the first user who uses the first air conditioner is input;
An information acquisition unit for acquiring operation information obtained during operation by a second air conditioner different from the first air conditioner;
The attribute indicated in the attribute information input to the attribute input unit, and the attribute of the second user using the second air conditioner specified from the data collected by the second air conditioner In the case of being similar, an operation control unit that controls the operation of the first air conditioner based on the operation information acquired by the information acquisition unit is provided.

In the present invention, when the attribute of the user who uses the first air conditioner is similar to the attribute of the user who uses the second air conditioner, the operation of the first air conditioner is the operation of the second air conditioner. Control based on information. About a 2nd air conditioner, since a user's attribute is specified from the collected data, the effort of registration of attribute information can be saved. About a 1st air conditioner, since a user's attribute is specified from the input information, a lower function model than a 2nd air conditioner can be applied to a 1st air conditioner. Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the trouble of registering attribute information while allowing a mixture of a low-functional model and a high-functional model to be allowed.

1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control system according to Embodiment 1. FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a server according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram illustrating a configuration of the air conditioner according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram illustrating a configuration of the air conditioner according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a first controller of the first air conditioner according to Embodiment 1. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the control system according to the first embodiment. The figure which shows the example of a screen of the remote controller of the 1st air conditioner which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. The block diagram which shows the structure of the 1st controller of the 1st air conditioner which concerns on Embodiment 2. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the control system according to the second embodiment. The figure which shows the example of a screen of the remote controller of the 1st air conditioner which concerns on Embodiment 2. FIG. The figure which shows the example of a screen of the remote controller of the 1st air conditioner which concerns on Embodiment 2. FIG. The figure which shows the example of a screen of the remote controller of the 1st air conditioner which concerns on Embodiment 2. FIG. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a server according to Embodiment 3. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the control system according to the third embodiment. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control system according to a fourth embodiment. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a server according to Embodiment 4. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of a control system according to the fourth embodiment. The figure which shows the example of a screen of the remote controller of the 1st air conditioner which concerns on Embodiment 4. FIG.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. In the description of the embodiments, the description of the same or corresponding parts will be omitted or simplified as appropriate. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below, and various modifications can be made as necessary. For example, two or more embodiments among the embodiments described below may be combined and executed. Alternatively, among the embodiments described below, one embodiment or a combination of two or more embodiments may be partially implemented.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
This embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

*** Explanation of configuration ***
With reference to FIG. 1, the structure of the control system 10 which concerns on this Embodiment is demonstrated.

The control system 10 includes a server 20 and a large number of air conditioners 30 that can communicate with the server 20 via a network 11 such as the Internet.

Each air conditioner 30 is either the first air conditioner 30a or the second air conditioner 30b. The second air conditioner 30b is a model with higher functionality than the first air conditioner 30a. Specifically, the second air conditioner 30b is a model in which the image sensor 38b is mounted, whereas the first air conditioner 30a is a model in which the image sensor 38a is not mounted, and the second air conditioner. The image sensor 38a has a lower sensitivity than the image sensor 38b mounted on the machine 30b. In the air conditioner 30 lineup, a model without an image sensor is a low-priced standard model, a model with an image sensor 38a is a medium-priced medium model, and a model with an image sensor 38b. It is a deluxe model of high price range.

The image sensor 38a mounted on the first air conditioner 30a is an infrared sensor in the present embodiment, but may be a camera. The image sensor 38b mounted on the second air conditioner 30b is an infrared sensor having a higher resolution than the image sensor 38a in the present embodiment, but may be a camera.

The configuration of the server 20 will be described with reference to FIG.

The server 20 is a computer. Specifically, the server 20 is a server computer provided in the cloud system. The server 20 includes a processor 21 and other hardware such as a memory 22 and a communication device 23. The processor 21 is connected to other hardware via a signal line, and controls these other hardware.

The server 20 includes a similarity determination unit 24 and an information providing unit 25 as functional elements. The functions of the similarity determining unit 24 and the information providing unit 25 are realized by software. Specifically, the functions of the similarity determining unit 24 and the information providing unit 25 are realized by a server program. The server program is a program that causes a computer to execute processes performed by the similarity determination unit 24 and the information providing unit 25 as a similarity determination process and an information providing process, respectively. The server program may be provided by being recorded on a computer-readable medium, may be provided by being stored in a recording medium, or may be provided as a program product.

The processor 21 is a device that executes a server program. The processor 21 is, for example, a CPU. “CPU” is an abbreviation for Central Processing Unit.

The memory 22 is a device that stores a server program. The memory 22 is, for example, a RAM, a flash memory, or a combination thereof. “RAM” is an abbreviation for Random Access Memory.

The memory 22 stores attribute information 51, a captured image 52, and driving information 53.

The attribute information 51 is information indicating the attribute of the first user U1 who uses the first air conditioner 30a. Specifically, the attribute information 51 is information indicating attributes such as the sex, age, and family structure of the first user U1. Although not required, it is desirable that lifestyles be recognized as attributes. As a specific example, if the first user U1 is a two-person household of males in their 30s and females in their 30s, it is desirable to recognize whether the household is a dual-income household without children. An action pattern such as when to wake up, go out, go home, take a bath, go to bed may be recognized as an attribute. A preference such as hot or cold may be recognized as an attribute. The attribute information 51 is input to the first air conditioner 30a by the first user U1 in the present embodiment. However, the attribute information 51 is first input by a third party other than the first user U1, such as an installer of the first air conditioner 30a. It may be input to the air conditioner 30a. In the server 20, the attribute information 51 may be acquired from an arbitrary information source through an arbitrary route. In the present embodiment, the attribute information 51 is acquired directly from the first air conditioner 30 a via the network 11.

The photographed image 52 is an image obtained by the image sensor 38b mounted on the second air conditioner 30b. Specifically, the photographed image 52 is an image obtained by photographing the inside of a building such as a house where the indoor unit of the second air conditioner 30b is installed. In the server 20, the captured image 52 may be acquired from an arbitrary information source through an arbitrary route, but in the present embodiment, the captured image 52 is acquired directly from the second air conditioner 30 b via the network 11.

The operation information 53 is information obtained during operation by the second air conditioner 30b. Specifically, the operation information 53 is information indicating the operation mode of the second air conditioner 30b. The operation mode is, for example, a cooling operation, a heating operation, a blowing operation, an air cleaning operation, a humidifying operation, or a dehumidifying operation. The operation information 53 may include various data related to the operation of the second air conditioner 30b, such as the capability of the second air conditioner 30b, the compressor rotation speed, and the fan rotation speed. In the server 20, the operation information 53 may be acquired from an arbitrary information source through an arbitrary route, but in the present embodiment, it is acquired directly from the second air conditioner 30 b via the network 11.

The communication device 23 includes a receiver that receives data input to the server program and a transmitter that transmits data output from the server program. The communication device 23 is, for example, a communication chip or a NIC. “NIC” is an abbreviation for Network Interface Card.

The server program is read from the memory 22 into the processor 21 and executed by the processor 21. The memory 22 stores the OS as well as the server program. “OS” is an abbreviation for Operating System. The processor 21 executes the server program while executing the OS. A part or all of the server program may be incorporated in the OS.

The server program and the OS may be stored in an auxiliary storage device. The auxiliary storage device is, for example, an HDD, a flash memory, or a combination thereof. “HDD” is an abbreviation for Hard Disk Drive. When the server program and the OS are stored in the auxiliary storage device, they are loaded into the memory 22 and executed by the processor 21.

The server 20 may include a plurality of processors that replace the processor 21. The plurality of processors share the execution of the server program. Each processor is, for example, a CPU.

Data, information, signal values and variable values used, processed or output by the server program are stored in the memory 22, the auxiliary storage device, or a register or cache memory in the processor 21.

The server 20 may be composed of a single computer or a plurality of computers. When the server 20 is configured by a plurality of computers, the functions of the similarity determination unit 24 and the information providing unit 25 may be realized by being distributed to each computer.

The configuration of each air conditioner 30 will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 3 shows the refrigerant circuit 31 during the cooling operation. FIG. 4 shows the refrigerant circuit 31 during heating operation.

Each air conditioner 30 includes a refrigerant circuit 31 in which the refrigerant circulates. Each air conditioner 30 includes a compressor 32, a four-way valve 33, a first heat exchanger 34 that is an outdoor heat exchanger, an expansion mechanism 35 that is an expansion valve, and a second heat exchange that is an indoor heat exchanger. And a device 36. The compressor 32, the four-way valve 33, the first heat exchanger 34, the expansion mechanism 35, and the second heat exchanger 36 are connected to the refrigerant circuit 31.

Compressor 32 compresses the refrigerant. The four-way valve 33 switches the direction in which the refrigerant flows between the cooling operation and the heating operation. The first heat exchanger 34 operates as a condenser during the cooling operation, and radiates the refrigerant compressed by the compressor 32. That is, the first heat exchanger 34 performs heat exchange using the refrigerant compressed by the compressor 32. The first heat exchanger 34 operates as an evaporator during the heating operation, and heats the refrigerant by exchanging heat between the outdoor air and the refrigerant expanded by the expansion mechanism 35. The expansion mechanism 35 expands the refrigerant radiated by the condenser. The second heat exchanger 36 operates as a condenser during the heating operation, and dissipates the refrigerant compressed by the compressor 32. That is, the second heat exchanger 36 performs heat exchange using the refrigerant compressed by the compressor 32. The second heat exchanger 36 operates as an evaporator during the cooling operation, and heats the refrigerant by exchanging heat between the indoor air and the refrigerant expanded by the expansion mechanism 35.

Each air conditioner 30 further includes a controller 37.

3 and 4 show only the connection between the controller 37 and the compressor 32, the controller 37 is connected not only to the compressor 32 but also to components other than the compressor 32 connected to the refrigerant circuit 31. May be. The controller 37 monitors and controls the state of each component connected to the controller 37.

With reference to FIG. 5, the structure of the 1st controller 40 with which the 1st air conditioner 30a was equipped as the controller 37 mentioned above is demonstrated.

The first controller 40 is a computer. Specifically, the first controller 40 is a microcomputer. The first controller 40 includes a processor 41 and other hardware such as a memory 42 and a communication device 43. The processor 41 is connected to other hardware via a signal line, and controls these other hardware.

The first controller 40 includes an attribute input unit 44, an information acquisition unit 45, and an operation control unit 46 as functional elements. The functions of the attribute input unit 44, the information acquisition unit 45, and the operation control unit 46 are realized by software. Specifically, the functions of the attribute input unit 44, the information acquisition unit 45, and the operation control unit 46 are realized by a control program. The control program is a program that causes the computer to execute processes performed by the attribute input unit 44, the information acquisition unit 45, and the operation control unit 46 as an attribute input process, an information acquisition process, and an operation control process, respectively. The control program may be provided by being recorded on a computer-readable medium, may be provided by being stored in a recording medium, or may be provided as a program product.

The processor 41 is a device that executes a control program. The processor 41 is, for example, a CPU.

The memory 42 is a device that stores a control program. The memory 42 is, for example, a RAM, a flash memory, or a combination thereof.

The memory 42 stores the attribute information 51 and the operation information 53 described above.

The communication device 43 includes a receiver that receives data input to the control program and a transmitter that transmits data output from the control program. The communication device 43 is, for example, a communication chip or a NIC.

The control program is read from the memory 42 into the processor 41 and executed by the processor 41. The memory 42 stores not only the control program but also the OS. The processor 41 executes the control program while executing the OS. Part or all of the control program may be incorporated in the OS.

The first controller 40 may include a plurality of processors that replace the processor 41. The plurality of processors share the execution of the control program. Each processor is, for example, a CPU.

Data, information, signal values, and variable values used, processed, or output by the control program are stored in the memory 42, a register in the processor 41, or a cache memory.

The first controller 40 may be composed of a single computer or a plurality of computers. When the first controller 40 is configured by a plurality of computers, the functions of the attribute input unit 44, the information acquisition unit 45, and the operation control unit 46 may be distributed and realized in each computer.

*** Explanation of operation ***
With reference to FIG. 6, the operation of the control system 10 according to the present embodiment will be described. The operation of the control system 10 corresponds to the control method according to the present embodiment.

In step S101, attribute information 51 indicating the attribute of the first user U1 who uses the first air conditioner 30a is input to the attribute input unit 44 of the first controller 40.

Specifically, the attribute information 51 is input to the attribute input unit 44 via a menu 62 output from the remote controller 60 of the first air conditioner 30a as shown in FIG.

In the example of FIG. 7, the screen of the menu 62 is output on the display 61 of the remote controller 60. The first user U1 operates the display 61, which is a touch panel, and selects attributes such as sex, age, and family structure from items displayed on the screen. Information indicating the selected attribute is transmitted as attribute information 51 from the remote controller 60. The attribute input unit 44 receives the attribute information 51 transmitted from the remote controller 60 via the communication device 43 of the first controller 40. That is, the attribute information 51 is input from the remote controller 60 to the attribute input unit 44. The attribute input unit 44 writes the input attribute information 51 in the memory 42 of the first controller 40.

Instead of the dedicated remote controller 60 of the first air conditioner 30a, a mobile terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet may be used for inputting the attribute information 51.

When a speaker and a microphone are mounted on the first air conditioner 30a, an audio menu may be output from the speaker. In that case, the 1st user U1 transmits attributes, such as sex, age, and a family structure, verbally via a microphone according to voice guidance. Then, information indicating the transmitted attribute is input to the attribute input unit 44 as attribute information 51.

The attribute input unit 44 reads the attribute information 51 from the memory 42. The attribute input unit 44 transmits the read attribute information 51 to the server 20 via the communication device 43.

In step S102, the similarity determination unit 24 of the server 20 specifies the attribute of the second user U2 who uses the second air conditioner 30b from the data collected by the second air conditioner 30b. In the present embodiment, the data collected by the second air conditioner 30b is a captured image 52 obtained by the image sensor 38b mounted on the second air conditioner 30b. The similarity determination unit 24 determines whether the attribute indicated in the attribute information 51 is similar to the specified attribute.

Specifically, the similarity determination unit 24 receives the captured image 52 transmitted from the second air conditioner 30b via the network 11 via the communication device 23 of the server 20. Each time the captured image 52 is obtained by the image sensor 38b, the obtained captured image 52 may be transmitted from the second air conditioner 30b to the server 20, or periodically, the captured images accumulated so far. 52 may be transmitted to the server 20 from the second air conditioner 30b. Or according to the request | requirement from the server 20, the picked-up image 52 accumulate | stored until then may be transmitted to the server 20 from the 2nd air conditioner 30b. The similarity determination unit 24 writes the received captured image 52 in the memory 22 of the server 20. As a result, the captured image 52 obtained over a certain period such as the most recent one week, one month, several months, or one year is stored in the memory 22.

The similarity determination unit 24 receives the attribute information 51 transmitted from the first controller 40 via the network 11 via the communication device 23. The similarity determination unit 24 writes the received attribute information 51 into the memory 22.

The similarity determination unit 24 reads the attribute information 51 and the captured image 52 from the memory 22. The similarity determination unit 24 identifies attributes such as the sex, age, and family structure of the first user U1 from the read attribute information 51. The similarity determination unit 24 specifies attributes such as the sex, age, and family structure of the second user U2 from the captured image 52 that has been read. As a method for specifying the attribute of a person shown in the captured image 52, a known image recognition algorithm may be used, or a dedicated image recognition algorithm may be used. The similarity determination unit 24 determines whether the attributes of the identified first user U1 and second user U2 are similar. Any criteria may be used as a criterion for judgment. However, in this embodiment, if categories such as the elderly living alone or a double-income household without children match, the attributes are similar, and if the categories do not match. It is determined that the attributes are not similar. Which category each user belongs to is determined from gender, age, and family structure.

In the present embodiment, the similarity determination unit 24 acquires the captured image 52 from two or more air conditioners 30 that are each the second air conditioner 30b. The similarity determination unit 24 specifies the attributes of two or more users who are each the second user U2 and use two or more air conditioners 30 from the acquired captured image 52. The similarity determination unit 24 selects a user Ux whose specified attribute is similar to the attribute of the first user U1 from the two or more users.

In selecting the user Ux, not only whether the attribute of the user Ux is similar to the attribute of the user U1 but also whether the location of the user Ux is close to the location of the user U1 or the environmental conditions around the location of the user Ux. It is desirable to consider whether it is similar to the environmental conditions of the user U1's whereabouts. The environmental condition is, for example, a weather condition such as temperature, humidity, or weather, or a concentration or total amount of particles such as pollen, PM2.5, or yellow sand contained in the atmosphere.

In step S103, the information providing unit 25 of the server 20 obtains during operation by the second air conditioner 30b when the attribute indicated in the attribute information 51 is similar to the attribute specified from the captured image 52. The obtained operation information 53 is provided to the first controller 40.

Specifically, the information providing unit 25 receives the operation information 53 transmitted from the second air conditioner 30b via the network 11 via the communication device 23. The operation information 53 may be periodically obtained by the second air conditioner 30b, and the obtained operation information 53 may be transmitted from the second air conditioner 30b to the server 20, or in response to a request from the server 20. Then, the operation information 53 may be obtained by the second air conditioner 30b, and the obtained operation information 53 may be transmitted from the second air conditioner 30b to the server 20. The information providing unit 25 writes the received operation information 53 in the memory 22. As a result, information indicating the current operation mode of the second air conditioner 30 b is stored in the memory 22 as the operation information 53.

The information providing unit 25 reads the operation information 53 from the memory 22. The information providing unit 25 transmits the read operation information 53 to the first controller 40 via the communication device 23.

In the present embodiment, the information providing unit 25 acquires the operation information 53 from the air conditioner 30 used by the user Ux selected by the similarity determining unit 24. The information providing unit 25 transmits the acquired driving information 53 to the first controller 40.

In step S104, the information acquisition unit 45 of the first controller 40 acquires the operation information 53.

Specifically, the information acquisition unit 45 receives the operation information 53 transmitted from the server 20 via the network 11 via the communication device 43. The information acquisition unit 45 writes the received operation information 53 in the memory 42.

In step S105, the operation control unit 46 of the first controller 40 determines that the attribute of the first user U1 and the attribute of the second user U2 are similar by the similarity determination unit 24, and the first air conditioner 30a. The operation is controlled based on the operation information 53 acquired by the information acquisition unit 45. That is, the operation control unit 46 controls the operation of the first air conditioner 30a based on the operation information 53 when the attribute specified by the attribute input unit 44 and the attribute specified from the captured image 52 are similar. To do.

Specifically, the operation control unit 46 reads information indicating the current operation mode of the second air conditioner 30b from the memory 42 as the operation information 53 acquired by the information acquisition unit 45. The operation control unit 46 stops the operation of the first air conditioner 30a when the read operation information 53 indicates that the operation of the second air conditioner 30b is stopped. When the read operation information 53 indicates that the operation mode of the second air conditioner 30b is set to the specific operation mode, the operation control unit 46 operates the operation mode of the first air conditioner 30a. Is set to the same operation mode as the second air conditioner 30b.

When the operation information 53 includes data relating to the operation of the second air conditioner 30b, such as the capacity of the second air conditioner 30b, the compressor rotation speed, or the fan rotation speed, the same or approximate data. The value may be applied to the operation of the first air conditioner 30a. That is, the operation control unit 46 sets the capacity, the compressor rotation speed, or the fan rotation speed of the first air conditioner 30a to the same, approximate capacity, the compressor rotation speed, or the fan rotation speed as the second air conditioner 30b. May be.

In the present embodiment, it is determined that the attribute of the first user U1 and the attribute of the user Ux are similar, and the operation information 53 of the air conditioner 30 used by the user Ux is acquired by the information acquisition unit 45. Therefore, the operation control unit 46 unconditionally controls the operation of the first air conditioner 30a based on the operation information 53 acquired by the information acquisition unit 45.

When the operation information 53 of the plurality of air conditioners 30 is acquired by the information acquisition unit 45, the operation control unit 46 selects any one air conditioner 30 from the plurality of air conditioners 30 and selects it. The operation information 53 of the air conditioner 30 may be used, or the operation information 53 of the plurality of air conditioners 30 may be integrated and the integrated operation information 53 may be used. In the latter case, the operation control unit 46 applies a common part among the operation information 53 of the plurality of air conditioners 30 to the operation of the first air conditioner 30a. Alternatively, the operation control unit 46 calculates a representative value such as an average value, a median value, a maximum value, or a minimum value obtained from the operation information 53 of the plurality of air conditioners 30, and uses the representative value as the first air conditioner. Applies to 30a operation.

The processing from step S103 to step S105 is repeatedly executed.

The processing of step S101 and step S102 only needs to be executed once before the first operation of the first air conditioner 30a, such as when the first air conditioner 30a is installed. Since the operation of the first air conditioner 30a can be completely automated by the processing from step S103 to step S105, the remote controller 60 is unnecessary when the remote controller 60 is not used for inputting the attribute information 51 in step S101. By eliminating the remote controller 60, the user can be released from troublesome operations of the remote controller 60.

In addition, even if it is after the first driving | operation of the 1st air conditioner 30a, the process of step S101 and step S102 may be re-executed as needed, such as when the attribute of the 1st user U1 changes.

In step S103 and step S104, the operation information 53 obtained in the past by the second air conditioner 30b may be given to the first controller 40. Specifically, as the operation information 53, instead of information indicating the current operation mode of the second air conditioner 30b, the operation mode several tens of minutes before, one hour before, or several hours before the second air conditioner 30b. Or information indicating the change history of the operation mode of the second air conditioner 30b may be given to the first controller 40. In that case, in step S <b> 105, the operation of the first air conditioner 30 a is controlled in advance based on the operation information 53. When the difference between the outside air temperature and the room temperature is large at the start of operation of the first air conditioner 30a, high-capacity operation of the first air conditioner 30a is necessary to improve comfort. However, energy savings are reduced during high-capacity operation. Therefore, energy saving can be improved by starting low-performance driving ahead of the time zone in which comfort is required.

Specifically, when the operation information 53 indicates that the operation mode of the second air conditioner 30b is set to a specific operation mode, the operation control unit 46 determines the first air conditioner 30a. Set the operating mode ahead of that particular operating mode. When the operation information 53 indicates that the operation mode of the second air conditioner 30b is changed from one operation mode to another operation mode, the operation control unit 46 operates the first air conditioner 30a. Is changed in advance from the former operation mode to the latter operation mode.

*** Explanation of the effect of the embodiment ***
In the present embodiment, when the attribute of the user who uses the first air conditioner 30a is similar to the attribute of the user who uses the second air conditioner 30b, the operation of the first air conditioner 30a is the second. It is controlled based on the operation information 53 of the air conditioner 30b. For the second air conditioner 30b, the user's attributes are specified from the image obtained by the mounted image sensor 38b, so that the trouble of registering the attribute information 51 can be saved. About the 1st air conditioner 30a, since a user's attribute is specified from the inputted information, a lower function model than the 2nd air conditioner 30b can be applied to the 1st air conditioner 30a. . That is, in the second air conditioner 30b, the user attribute is automatically recognized, whereas in the first air conditioner 30a, such a function is omitted and the user attribute is manually input. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to reduce the labor of registering the attribute information 51 while allowing a mixture of a low-functional model and a high-functional model to be allowed.

*** Other configurations ***
In the present embodiment, the functions of the similarity determination unit 24 and the information providing unit 25 of the server 20 are realized by software, but as a modification, the functions of the similarity determination unit 24 and the information providing unit 25 are realized by dedicated hardware. May be. Alternatively, the functions of the similarity determining unit 24 and the information providing unit 25 may be realized by a combination of software and dedicated hardware. That is, some of the functions of the similarity determination unit 24 and the information providing unit 25 may be realized by dedicated hardware, and the rest may be realized by software.

The dedicated hardware is, for example, a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programmed processor, a parallel programmed processor, a logic IC, a GA, an FPGA, an ASIC, or some or all of these. . “IC” is an abbreviation for Integrated Circuit. “GA” is an abbreviation for Gate Array. “FPGA” is an abbreviation for Field-Programmable Gate Array. “ASIC” is an abbreviation for Application Specific Integrated Circuit.

Both the processor 21 and the dedicated hardware are processing circuits. That is, regardless of whether the functions of the similarity determining unit 24 and the information providing unit 25 are realized by software or a combination of software and hardware, the operations of the similarity determining unit 24 and the information providing unit 25 are as follows. This is done by the processing circuit.

In the present embodiment, the functions of the attribute input unit 44, the information acquisition unit 45, and the operation control unit 46 of the first controller 40 are realized by software, but as a modification, the attribute input unit 44, the information acquisition unit 45, and the operation The function of the control unit 46 may be realized by dedicated hardware. Alternatively, the functions of the attribute input unit 44, the information acquisition unit 45, and the operation control unit 46 may be realized by a combination of software and dedicated hardware. That is, some of the functions of the attribute input unit 44, the information acquisition unit 45, and the operation control unit 46 may be realized by dedicated hardware, and the rest may be realized by software.

The dedicated hardware is, for example, a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programmed processor, a parallel programmed processor, a logic IC, a GA, an FPGA, an ASIC, or some or all of these. .

Both the processor 41 and the dedicated hardware are processing circuits. That is, regardless of whether the functions of the attribute input unit 44, the information acquisition unit 45, and the operation control unit 46 are realized by software, hardware, or a combination of software and hardware. The operations of the attribute input unit 44, the information acquisition unit 45, and the operation control unit 46 are performed by a processing circuit.

In the present embodiment, the attribute input unit 44, the information acquisition unit 45, and the operation control unit 46 are provided in the first controller 40 of the first air conditioner 30a. However, as a modification, the attribute input unit, the information acquisition unit, and the operation A control unit may be provided in the server 20. That is, instead of the server 20 and the first air conditioner 30a functioning as the control system 10 as a whole, the server 20 functions as a control system alone and controls the operation of the first air conditioner 30a via the network 11. May be.

In the present embodiment, the similarity determination unit 24 and the information providing unit 25 are provided in the server 20, but as a modification, the similarity determination unit is provided in the first controller 40 of the first air conditioner 30a, and the information providing unit 25 is provided. May be omitted. That is, instead of the server 20 and the first air conditioner 30a functioning as the control system 10 as a whole, the first air conditioner 30a may function as a control system alone.

In the present embodiment, the similarity determination unit 24 of the server 20 uses the second air conditioner 30b from the captured image 52 obtained by the image sensor 38b mounted on the second air conditioner 30b. The second air conditioner 30b may have a function equivalent to this function instead of the server 20 as a modification. That is, in step S102 of this modification, the second air conditioner 30b uses the second air conditioner 30b from the captured image 52 obtained by the image sensor 38b mounted on the second air conditioner 30b. 2 Specify the attributes of user U2. The second air conditioner 30b transmits information indicating the specified attribute to the server 20. The similarity determination unit 24 of the server 20 receives the information transmitted from the second air conditioner 30b via the network 11, and uses the attribute indicated in the attribute information 51 and the information received from the second air conditioner 30b. Determine if the attribute shown is similar. According to this modification, the amount of data stored in the cloud can be reduced. Moreover, since it is not necessary to disclose the captured image 52 related to the privacy of the second user U2 to the cloud, the privacy can be reliably protected.

In the present embodiment, the first air conditioner 30a is a model having a lower function than the second air conditioner 30b, but as a modification, the first air conditioner 30a is equal to or more than the second air conditioner 30b. It may be a model.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
In the present embodiment, differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described with reference to FIGS.

In Embodiment 1, when the attribute of the user who uses the first air conditioner 30a is similar to the attribute of the user who uses the second air conditioner 30b, the first air conditioner 30a is unconditionally. The operation is controlled based on the operation information 53 of the second air conditioner 30b. In the present embodiment, “unconditional” is changed to “conditional”.

*** Explanation of configuration ***
As in the first embodiment, the control system 10 according to the present embodiment includes a server 20 and a number of air conditioners 30 that can communicate with the server 20 via the network 11 such as the Internet.

As in the first embodiment, each air conditioner 30 is either the first air conditioner 30a or the second air conditioner 30b.

The configuration of the server 20 is the same as that of the first embodiment shown in FIG.

Since the configuration of each air conditioner 30 is the same as that of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, description thereof will be omitted.

The configuration of the first controller 40 provided in the first air conditioner 30a will be described with reference to FIG.

The first controller 40 includes a mode selection unit 47 and an information output unit 48 in addition to the attribute input unit 44, the information acquisition unit 45, and the operation control unit 46 as functional elements. The functions of the attribute input unit 44, the information acquisition unit 45, the operation control unit 46, the mode selection unit 47, and the information output unit 48 are realized by software. Specifically, the functions of the attribute input unit 44, the information acquisition unit 45, the operation control unit 46, the mode selection unit 47, and the information output unit 48 are realized by a control program. The control program performs processing performed by the attribute input unit 44, information acquisition unit 45, operation control unit 46, mode selection unit 47, and information output unit 48, respectively, as attribute input processing, information acquisition processing, operation control processing, mode selection processing and A program to be executed by a computer as information output processing.

*** Explanation of operation ***
With reference to FIG. 9, the operation of the control system 10 according to the present embodiment will be described. The operation of the control system 10 corresponds to the control method according to the present embodiment.

Since the processing from step S201 to step S204 is the same as the processing from step S101 to step S104 in the first embodiment, a description thereof will be omitted.

In step S205, the mode selection unit 47 of the first controller 40 causes the first user U1 using the first air conditioner 30a to select one mode from the first mode M1 and the second mode M2. The first mode M1 is a mode for controlling the operation of the first air conditioner 30a without depending on the operation information 53 obtained during operation by the second air conditioner 30b. The second mode M2 is a mode for controlling the operation of the first air conditioner 30a based on the operation information 53.

Specifically, the mode selection unit 47 selects one from the first mode M1 and the second mode M2 via a menu 63 output from the remote controller 60 of the first air conditioner 30a as shown in FIG. The first user U1 is made to select the mode.

10, the screen of the menu 63 is output on the display 61 of the remote controller 60. The first user U1 operates the display 61 which is a touch panel, and a first mode M1 displayed as “recommended mode” on the screen and a second mode M2 displayed as “favorite mode” on the screen. Select one of these. Information indicating the selected mode is transmitted from the remote controller 60. The mode selection unit 47 receives information transmitted from the remote controller 60 via the communication device 43 of the first controller 40. The mode selection unit 47 specifies the mode selected by the first user U1 from the received information.

Instead of the dedicated remote controller 60 of the first air conditioner 30a, a mobile terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet may be used for mode selection. The “mode” here is different from the operation mode such as cooling operation or heating operation.

When a speaker and a microphone are mounted on the first air conditioner 30a, an audio menu may be output from the speaker. In that case, the first user U1 verbally transmits, via the microphone, which mode to select between the first mode M1 and the second mode M2 according to the voice guidance. And the mode selection part 47 specifies the mode selected by the 1st user U1.

In step S206, the operation control unit 46 of the first controller 40 selects the second mode M2 when the similarity determination unit 24 determines that the attributes of the first user U1 and the attributes of the second user U2 are similar. If so, the operation of the first air conditioner 30 a is controlled based on the operation information 53 acquired by the information acquisition unit 45. Even if it is determined by the similarity determination unit 24 that the attributes of the first user U1 and the attributes of the second user U2 are similar, the operation control unit 46 is the first air conditioner if the first mode M1 is selected. The operation of 30a is controlled regardless of the operation information 53 acquired by the information acquisition unit 45. That is, even if the attribute of the 1st user U1 and the attribute of the 2nd user U2 are similar, if the 1st mode M1 is selected by the 1st user U1, the operation control part 46 will be the 1st air conditioner 30a. Is controlled without using the driving information 53.

Specifically, if the mode specified by the mode selection unit 47 is the second mode M2, the operation control unit 46 uses the current information of the second air conditioner 30b as the operation information 53 acquired by the information acquisition unit 45. Information indicating the operation mode is read from the memory 42. The operation control unit 46 stops the operation of the first air conditioner 30a when the read operation information 53 indicates that the operation of the second air conditioner 30b is stopped. When the read operation information 53 indicates that the operation mode of the second air conditioner 30b is set to the specific operation mode, the operation control unit 46 operates the operation mode of the first air conditioner 30a. Is set to the same operation mode as the second air conditioner 30b.

If the mode specified by the mode selection unit 47 is the first mode M1, the operation control unit 46 does not read the operation information 53 from the memory 42, and the menu 64 output by the remote controller 60 as shown in FIG. The first user U1 is allowed to make settings related to the operation of the first air conditioner 30a, such as temperature setting. The operation control unit 46 controls the operation of the first air conditioner 30a according to the setting by the first user U1.

Instead of the dedicated remote controller 60 of the first air conditioner 30a, a mobile terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet may be used for settings related to the operation of the first air conditioner 30a.

When a speaker and a microphone are mounted on the first air conditioner 30a, an audio menu may be output from the speaker. In that case, the 1st user U1 performs the setting regarding the driving | operation of the 1st air conditioner 30a verbally through a microphone according to audio | voice guidance. And the operation control part 46 controls the driving | operation of the 1st air conditioner 30a according to the setting by the 1st user U1.

In step S207, the information output unit 48 of the first controller 40 gives information indicating whether the operation control unit 46 controls the operation of the first air conditioner 30a based on the operation information 53 to the first user U1. Output.

Specifically, the information output unit 48 outputs a message 65 as shown in FIG.

In the example of FIG. 12, the information output unit 48 outputs a message 65 on the display 61 of the remote controller 60 indicating which mode is applied between the first mode M1 and the second mode M2.

Instead of the dedicated remote controller 60 of the first air conditioner 30a, a mobile terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet may be used for outputting information.

When a speaker is mounted on the first air conditioner 30a, a voice message may be output from the speaker.

The processing from step S203 to step S207 is repeatedly executed.

*** Explanation of the effect of the embodiment ***
In the present embodiment, when the attribute of the user who uses the first air conditioner 30a is similar to the attribute of the user who uses the second air conditioner 30b, the operation of the first air conditioner 30a is changed to the second. A user using the first air conditioner 30a can freely select whether to control based on the operation information 53 of the air conditioner 30b. And the user who uses the 1st air conditioner 30a can confirm at any time whether the driving | operation of the 1st air conditioner 30a is controlled based on the driving | operation information 53 of the 2nd air conditioner 30b.

*** Other configurations ***
In the present embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the functions of the attribute input unit 44, information acquisition unit 45, operation control unit 46, mode selection unit 47, and information output unit 48 of the first controller 40 are realized by software. However, as in the modification of the first embodiment, the functions of the attribute input unit 44, the information acquisition unit 45, the operation control unit 46, the mode selection unit 47, and the information output unit 48 may be realized by hardware. Good. Alternatively, the functions of the attribute input unit 44, the information acquisition unit 45, the operation control unit 46, the mode selection unit 47, and the information output unit 48 may be realized by a combination of software and hardware.

Embodiment 3 FIG.
In the present embodiment, differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described with reference to FIGS.

In the first embodiment, when the attribute of the user who uses the first air conditioner 30a is similar to the attribute of the user who uses the second air conditioner 30b, the operation of the first air conditioner 30a is the second. It is controlled with reference to the operation information 53 of the air conditioner 30b. In the present embodiment, information that is most likely to obtain the energy saving effect is selected as the operation information 53 to be referred to.

*** Explanation of configuration ***
As in the first embodiment, the control system 10 according to the present embodiment includes a server 20 and a number of air conditioners 30 that can communicate with the server 20 via the network 11 such as the Internet.

As in the first embodiment, each air conditioner 30 is either the first air conditioner 30a or the second air conditioner 30b.

The configuration of the server 20 will be described with reference to FIG.

The server 20 includes an air conditioner selecting unit 26 in addition to the similarity determining unit 24 and the information providing unit 25 as functional elements. The functions of the similarity determining unit 24, the information providing unit 25, and the air conditioner selecting unit 26 are realized by software. Specifically, the functions of the similarity determining unit 24, the information providing unit 25, and the air conditioner selecting unit 26 are realized by a server program. The server program is a program that causes the computer to execute the processes performed by the similarity determination unit 24, the information provision unit 25, and the air conditioner selection unit 26 as a similarity determination process, an information provision process, and an air conditioner selection process, respectively.

In addition to the attribute information 51, the captured image 52, and the driving information 53, the memory 22 stores energy information 54.

Energy information 54 is information indicating at least one of the energy consumption amount and the energy usage fee of the second air conditioner 30b. Specifically, the energy information 54 is information indicating at least one of the power consumption and the electricity cost of the second air conditioner 30b. In the server 20, the energy information 54 may be acquired from an arbitrary information source through an arbitrary route. In the present embodiment, the energy information 54 is acquired from the second air conditioner 30 b via the network 11.

Since the configuration of each air conditioner 30 is the same as that of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, description thereof will be omitted.

The configuration of the first controller 40 provided in the first air conditioner 30a is the same as that of the first embodiment shown in FIG.

*** Explanation of operation ***
The operation of the control system 10 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The operation of the control system 10 corresponds to the control method according to the present embodiment.

Since the processing in step S301 and step S302 is the same as the processing in step S101 and step S102 in the first embodiment, description thereof will be omitted.

In step S302, it is assumed that the similarity determination unit 24 of the server 20 selects a plurality of users Us, each of which is a user Ux. That is, it is assumed that the attributes of the first user U1 who uses the first air conditioner 30a are similar to the attributes of a plurality of users Us, each of which is the second user U2 who uses the second air conditioner 30b. .

In step S303, the air conditioner selection unit 26 of the server 20 refers to the energy information 54 for the plurality of air conditioners 30 each of which is the second air conditioner 30b and is used by the plurality of users Us. One or more air conditioners 30 are selected from the plurality of air conditioners 30. The energy information 54 is information indicating at least one of the energy consumption amount and the energy usage fee of each air conditioner 30.

Specifically, the air conditioner selection unit 26 receives the energy information 54 transmitted from the second air conditioner 30b via the network 11 via the communication device 23 of the server 20. Periodically, the energy information 54 may be transmitted together with the operation information 53 from the second air conditioner 30 b to the server 20, and the energy information 54 together with the operation information 53 may be transmitted to the second air conditioner according to a request from the server 20. It may be transmitted from the machine 30b to the server 20. The air conditioner selection unit 26 writes the received energy information 54 in the memory 22 of the server 20. Thereby, as the energy information 54, information indicating at least one of the latest power consumption and the electricity cost of the second air conditioner 30b is stored in the memory 22.

The air conditioner selection unit 26 reads the energy information 54 from the memory 22 for the plurality of air conditioners 30 used by the plurality of users Us. The air conditioner selection unit 26 selects the air conditioner 30 having the minimum value indicated in the read energy information 54 from the plurality of air conditioners 30. That is, the air conditioner selection unit 26 selects the air conditioner 30 that has the least amount of power consumption. Or the air conditioner selection part 26 selects the air conditioner 30 in which the latest electricity bill was the cheapest. The air conditioner 30 whose operation is stopped may be excluded from the options. That is, the air conditioner selection unit 26 selects the air conditioner 30 having the minimum value indicated in the energy information 54 from the operating air conditioners 30 used by the plurality of users Us. Also good.

In step S304, the information providing unit 25 of the server 20 provides the first controller 40 with the operation information 53 obtained during operation by the air conditioner 30 selected by the air conditioner selecting unit 26.

Specifically, the information providing unit 25 receives the operation information 53 transmitted together with the energy information 54 from the air conditioner 30 selected by the air conditioner selecting unit 26 via the communication device 23. The information providing unit 25 writes the received operation information 53 in the memory 22. As a result, information indicating the current operation mode of the second air conditioner 30b is stored in the memory 22 as the operation information 53 corresponding to the energy information 54.

The information providing unit 25 reads the operation information 53 from the memory 22. The information providing unit 25 transmits the read operation information 53 to the first controller 40 via the communication device 23.

Since the processing of step S305 and step S306 is the same as the processing of step S104 and step S105 in the first embodiment, description thereof will be omitted.

In the present embodiment, the operation information 53 of the air conditioner 30 selected by the air conditioner selection unit 26 is acquired by the information acquisition unit 45 of the first controller 40. Therefore, the operation control unit 46 of the first controller 40 inevitably acquires the operation of the first air conditioner 30a by the information acquisition unit 45 for the air conditioner 30 selected by the air conditioner selection unit 26. Control is performed based on the operation information 53.

The processing from step S304 to step S306 is repeatedly executed.

*** Explanation of the effect of the embodiment ***
In the present embodiment, the operation of the first air conditioner 30a is controlled with reference to the actual operation of the air conditioner 30 with the most energy saving effect. Therefore, according to this Embodiment, energy saving property can be improved.

*** Other configurations ***
In the present embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the functions of the similarity determination unit 24, the information providing unit 25, and the air conditioner selection unit 26 of the server 20 are realized by software. As in the example, the functions of the similarity determining unit 24, the information providing unit 25, and the air conditioner selecting unit 26 may be realized by hardware. Or the function of the similarity determination part 24, the information provision part 25, and the air conditioner selection part 26 may be implement | achieved by the combination of software and hardware.

In the present embodiment, the air conditioner selection unit 26 is provided in the server 20, but as a modification, the air conditioner selection unit may be provided in the first controller 40 of the first air conditioner 30a. In that case, the information providing unit 25 of the server 20 provides the first controller 40 with the operation information 53 of the plurality of air conditioners 30 each of which is the second air conditioner 30b and used by the plurality of users Us. The information acquisition unit 45 of the first controller 40 acquires the operation information 53 of the plurality of air conditioners 30. The air conditioner selection unit of the first controller 40 refers to the energy information 54 and selects one or more air conditioners 30 from the plurality of air conditioners 30. The operation control unit 46 of the first controller 40 controls the operation of the first air conditioner 30a based on the operation information 53 acquired by the information acquisition unit 45 for the air conditioner 30 selected by the air conditioner selection unit. To do.

Embodiment 4 FIG.
In the present embodiment, differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described with reference to FIGS. 15 to 18.

In the first embodiment, the data collected by the second air conditioner 30b to identify the attribute of the second user U2 who uses the second air conditioner 30b is an image mounted on the second air conditioner 30b. It is the picked-up image 52 obtained by the sensor 38b. In the present embodiment, data collected for the same purpose is different from the captured image 52.

*** Explanation of configuration ***
The configuration of the control system 10 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

As in the first embodiment, the control system 10 according to the present embodiment includes a server 20 and a large number of air conditioners 30 that can communicate with the server 20 via the network 11 such as the Internet.

As in the first embodiment, each air conditioner 30 is either the first air conditioner 30a or the second air conditioner 30b. The second air conditioner 30b is a model with higher functionality than the first air conditioner 30a. In the first embodiment, the second air conditioner 30b is a model on which the image sensor 38b is mounted. In the present embodiment, the second air conditioner 30b is a device 71 such as a smart speaker, a water heater, or a home appliance. This model is equipped with a function to communicate with. Or the 2nd air conditioner 30b is a model by which the function which communicates with apparatus 73, such as a HEMS server which collects data from other apparatuses 72, such as a water heater or a household appliance, is mounted. The 1st air conditioner 30a is a model in which the function to communicate with the apparatus 71 or the apparatus 73 is not mounted. In the air conditioner 30 lineup, a model not equipped with a function to communicate with the device 71 or the device 73 has a function to communicate with a low-priced standard model or a medium-price medium model, the device 71 or the device 73. This model is a high-priced deluxe model.

A device 71 such as a smart speaker, a water heater, or a home appliance is connected to the second air conditioner 30b directly or via a network such as a LAN. “LAN” is an abbreviation for Local Area Network. The device 71 is installed in the same building as the second air conditioner 30b and is used by the second user U2. Home appliances are other than air conditioners, and are, for example, televisions, rice cookers, or refrigerators.

A device 72 such as a water heater or home appliance is connected to a device 73 such as a HEMS server directly or via a network such as a LAN. As with the device 71, the device 72 is installed in the same building as the second air conditioner 30b and used by the second user U2.

The device 73 such as a HEMS server may be installed in the same building as the second air conditioner 30b, or may be installed in a place different from the second air conditioner 30b, such as a remote place.

The configuration of the server 20 will be described with reference to FIG.

In addition to the attribute information 51 and the driving information 53, the memory 22 stores a use history 55 instead of the captured image 52.

The usage history 55 is a history of the use of the device 71 or the device 72 by the second user U2. If the device 71 is a smart speaker, the usage history 55 is data in which a conversation made by the second user U2 as a smart speaker is recorded for each date and time. If the device 71 or the device 72 is a water heater, the use history 55 is data in which the bath temperature set by the second user U2 and the time when the second user U2 took a bath are recorded for each date and time. If the device 71 or the device 72 is a television, the usage history 55 is data in which the genre of the program viewed on the television by the second user U2 is recorded for each date and time. In the server 20, the usage history 55 may be acquired from an arbitrary information source through an arbitrary route, but is acquired from the second air conditioner 30 b via the network 11 in the present embodiment.

Since the configuration of each air conditioner 30 is the same as that of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, description thereof will be omitted.

The configuration of the first controller 40 provided in the first air conditioner 30a is the same as that of the first embodiment shown in FIG.

*** Explanation of operation ***
With reference to FIG. 17, the operation of the control system 10 according to the present embodiment will be described. The operation of the control system 10 corresponds to the control method according to the present embodiment.

In step S401, attribute information 51 indicating the attribute of the first user U1 who uses the first air conditioner 30a is input to the attribute input unit 44 of the first controller 40.

Specifically, the attribute information 51 is input to the attribute input unit 44 via a menu 66 output from the remote controller 60 of the first air conditioner 30a as shown in FIG.

In the example of FIG. 18, the screen of the menu 66 is output on the display 61 of the remote controller 60. The first user U1 operates the display 61, which is a touch panel, and selects an attribute such as an action pattern or a preference from items displayed on the screen. Information indicating the selected attribute is transmitted as attribute information 51 from the remote controller 60. The attribute input unit 44 receives the attribute information 51 transmitted from the remote controller 60 via the communication device 43 of the first controller 40. That is, the attribute information 51 is input from the remote controller 60 to the attribute input unit 44. The attribute input unit 44 writes the input attribute information 51 in the memory 42 of the first controller 40.

Instead of the dedicated remote controller 60 of the first air conditioner 30a, a mobile terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet may be used for inputting the attribute information 51.

When a speaker and a microphone are mounted on the first air conditioner 30a, an audio menu may be output from the speaker. In that case, the 1st user U1 transmits attributes, such as an action pattern or a preference, orally via a microphone according to voice guidance. Then, information indicating the transmitted attribute is input to the attribute input unit 44 as attribute information 51.

The attribute input unit 44 reads the attribute information 51 from the memory 42. The attribute input unit 44 transmits the read attribute information 51 to the server 20 via the communication device 43.

In step S402, the similarity determination unit 24 of the server 20 identifies the attribute of the second user U2 who uses the second air conditioner 30b from the data collected by the second air conditioner 30b. In the present embodiment, data collected by the second air conditioner 30b is obtained by at least the device 71 and the device 72 by the second user U2 obtained by the device 71 or the device 73 connected to the second air conditioner 30b. One of the usage histories 55 is. The similarity determination unit 24 determines whether the attribute indicated in the attribute information 51 is similar to the specified attribute.

Specifically, the similarity determination unit 24 receives the usage history 55 transmitted from the second air conditioner 30b via the network 11 via the communication device 23 of the server 20. Each time the additional data of the usage history 55 is obtained by the device 71 or the device 73, the obtained additional data may be transmitted from the second air conditioner 30b to the server 20, or periodically accumulated until then. The used usage history 55 may be transmitted from the second air conditioner 30b to the server 20. Alternatively, the use history 55 accumulated so far may be transmitted from the second air conditioner 30b to the server 20 in response to a request from the server 20. The similarity determination unit 24 writes the received usage history 55 in the memory 22 of the server 20. As a result, the use history 55 obtained over a certain period such as the most recent one week, one month, several months, or one year is stored in the memory 22.

The similarity determination unit 24 receives the attribute information 51 transmitted from the first controller 40 via the network 11 via the communication device 23. The similarity determination unit 24 writes the received attribute information 51 into the memory 22.

The similarity determination unit 24 reads the attribute information 51 and the usage history 55 from the memory 22. The similarity determination unit 24 identifies attributes such as the sex, age, and family structure of the first user U1 from the read attribute information 51. The similarity determination unit 24 specifies an attribute such as a behavior pattern or a preference of the second user U2 from the read usage history 55. As a method for identifying a human attribute from the usage history 55, a known algorithm may be used, or a dedicated algorithm may be used. The similarity determination unit 24 determines whether the attributes of the identified first user U1 and second user U2 are similar. Any criterion may be used as a criterion for determination, but in this embodiment, the attributes are similar if the clusters corresponding to the behavior pattern or preference match, and the attributes are not similar if the clusters do not match. Is done. Which cluster each user belongs to is determined using an existing clustering technique.

In the present embodiment, the similarity determination unit 24 acquires the use history 55 from two or more air conditioners 30 that are each the second air conditioner 30b. The similarity determination unit 24 specifies the attributes of two or more users who are each the second user U2 and use two or more air conditioners 30 from the acquired usage history 55. The similarity determination unit 24 selects a user Ux whose specified attribute is similar to the attribute of the first user U1 from the two or more users.

In step S403, the information providing unit 25 of the server 20 obtains during operation by the second air conditioner 30b when the attribute indicated in the attribute information 51 is similar to the attribute specified from the usage history 55. The obtained operation information 53 is provided to the first controller 40.

Since the processing in step S404 and step S405 is the same as the processing in step S104 and step S105 in the first embodiment, description thereof will be omitted.

The processing from step S403 to step S405 is repeatedly executed.

*** Explanation of the effect of the embodiment ***
In the present embodiment, when the attribute of the user who uses the first air conditioner 30a is similar to the attribute of the user who uses the second air conditioner 30b, the operation of the first air conditioner 30a is the second. It is controlled based on the operation information 53 of the air conditioner 30b. For the second air conditioner 30b, the user's attribute is specified from the data obtained by the connected device 71 or the device 73, so that the trouble of registering the attribute information 51 can be saved. About the 1st air conditioner 30a, since a user's attribute is specified from the inputted information, a lower function model than the 2nd air conditioner 30b can be applied to the 1st air conditioner 30a. . That is, in the second air conditioner 30b, the user attribute is automatically recognized, whereas in the first air conditioner 30a, such a function is omitted, and the user attribute is manually input. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to reduce the trouble of registering the attribute information 51 while allowing a mixture of a low function model and a high function model.

*** Other configurations ***
In the present embodiment, the similarity determination unit 24 of the server 20 uses the second air conditioner 30b from the use history 55 obtained by the device 71 or the device 73 connected to the second air conditioner 30b. Although it has a function which specifies an attribute of user U2, as a modification, the 2nd air harmony machine 30b may have a function equivalent to this function instead of server 20. That is, in step S402 of this modification, the second air conditioner 30b uses the second air conditioner 30b from the usage history 55 obtained by the device 71 or the device 73 connected to the second air conditioner 30b. The attribute of the second user U2 to be identified is specified. The second air conditioner 30b transmits information indicating the specified attribute to the server 20. The similarity determination unit 24 of the server 20 receives the information transmitted from the second air conditioner 30b via the network 11, and uses the attribute indicated in the attribute information 51 and the information received from the second air conditioner 30b. Determine if the attribute shown is similar. According to this modification, the amount of data stored in the cloud can be reduced. Moreover, since it is not necessary to disclose the usage history 55 related to the privacy of the second user U2 to the cloud, the privacy can be reliably protected.

10 control system, 11 network, 20 server, 21 processor, 22 memory, 23 communication device, 24 similarity determination unit, 25 information providing unit, 26 air conditioner selection unit, 30 air conditioner, 30a first air conditioner, 30b 2nd air conditioner, 31 refrigerant circuit, 32 compressor, 33 four-way valve, 34 first heat exchanger, 35 expansion mechanism, 36 second heat exchanger, 37 controller, 38a image sensor, 38b image sensor, 40 1st Controller, 41 processor, 42 memory, 43 communication device, 44 attribute input unit, 45 information acquisition unit, 46 operation control unit, 47 mode selection unit, 48 information output unit, 51 attribute information, 52 photographed image, 53 operation information, 54 Energy information, 55 usage history, 60 remote DOO controller, 61 display, 62 menu, 63 menu, the menu 64, 65 message, 66 menus, 71 device, 72 device, 73 device.

Claims (14)

1. An attribute input unit to which attribute information indicating an attribute of the first user who uses the first air conditioner is input;
   An information acquisition unit for acquiring operation information obtained during operation by a second air conditioner different from the first air conditioner;
   The attribute indicated in the attribute information input to the attribute input unit and the attribute of the second user using the second air conditioner specified from the data collected by the second air conditioner A control system provided with an operation control part which controls operation of the 1st air harmony machine based on operation information acquired by the information acquisition part, when similar.
2. The control system according to claim 1, wherein the second air conditioner is a model having a higher function than the first air conditioner.
3. The control system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the data is a photographed image obtained by an image sensor mounted on the second air conditioner.
4. The first air conditioner is one of a model in which an image sensor is not mounted and a model in which an image sensor having a lower sensitivity than the image sensor mounted in the second air conditioner is mounted. 3. The control system according to 3.
5. The control system according to claim 1, wherein the data is a usage history of at least one of the device and other devices by the second user obtained by a device connected to the second air conditioner.
6. The control system according to claim 5, wherein the use history is a history that the second user has used a device installed in the same building as the second air conditioner.
7. A similarity determination unit that determines whether the attribute indicated in the attribute information is similar to the attribute specified from the data;
   The operation control unit controls the operation of the first air conditioner based on the operation information when the similarity determination unit determines that the attribute of the first user and the attribute of the second user are similar. The control system according to any one of claims 1 to 6.
8. The control system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the attribute information is input to the attribute input unit via a menu output by a remote controller of the first air conditioner.
9. One mode is selected from a first mode for controlling the operation of the first air conditioner without depending on the operation information, and a second mode for controlling the operation of the first air conditioner based on the operation information. A mode selection unit that allows the first user to select the mode;
   Even if the attribute of the first user and the attribute of the second user are similar, the operation control unit operates the first air conditioner as long as the first mode is selected by the first user. The control system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the control is performed without using the driving information.
10. The information output part which outputs further the information which shows whether the said operation control part is controlling the driving | operation of the said 1st air conditioner based on the said driving | operation information with respect to the said 1st user. The control system according to any one of the above.
11. When the attributes of the first user and the attributes of a plurality of users, each of which is the second user, are similar to each other, the plurality of air conditioners that are each the second air conditioner and used by the plurality of users With respect to the air conditioner, one or more air conditioners are selected from the plurality of air conditioners with reference to energy information indicating at least one of the energy consumption amount and energy usage fee of each air conditioner An air conditioner selection unit,
    The said operation control part controls the driving | operation of a said 1st air conditioner based on the operation information acquired by the said information acquisition part about the air conditioner selected by the said air conditioner selection part. The control system according to any one of the above.
12. The control system according to claim 11, wherein the air conditioner selection unit selects an air conditioner having a minimum value indicated in the energy information from the plurality of air conditioners.
13. An air conditioner that is the first air conditioner and includes the control system according to any one of claims 1 to 12.
14. A server that is the control system according to any one of claims 1 to 12, and controls the operation of the second air conditioner via a network.

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