WO2021229801A1

WO2021229801A1 - Air conditioning control device, air conditioning system, and position information output method

Info

Publication number: WO2021229801A1
Application number: PCT/JP2020/019457
Authority: WO
Inventors: 英里酒井
Original assignee: 三菱電機株式会社
Priority date: 2020-05-15
Filing date: 2020-05-15
Publication date: 2021-11-18
Also published as: JPWO2021229801A1

Abstract

An air conditioning control unit (102) controls operations of an indoor unit (300) positioned in an indoor space. An output unit (104) outputs indoor unit position information that indicates the position of the indoor unit (300), said information being based on an infrared image acquired through an infrared sensor (210) imaging the indoor space when the indoor unit (300) blows out conditioned air.

Description

Air conditioning control device, air conditioning system, and location information output method

This disclosure relates to an air conditioning control device, an air conditioning system, and a position information output method.

Currently, a technique for detecting the position of an indoor unit, the position of a user, etc. is known in order to realize appropriate air conditioning. For example, Patent Document 1 describes an air conditioning system that analyzes the position of an air outlet of an indoor unit and the position of a user based on an image captured by a camera and controls air conditioning according to the position of the user. ..

In the air conditioning system described in Patent Document 1, a light emitting unit is provided around the air outlet of the indoor unit, and the position of the air outlet is specified based on the position of the light emitting unit in the image captured by the camera. ..

International Publication No. 2018/0426221

However, if a light emitting unit is provided around the air outlet of the indoor unit as in the air conditioning system described in Patent Document 1, the configuration of the indoor unit becomes complicated. Therefore, a technique for realizing appropriate air conditioning with a simple configuration is desired.

The present disclosure has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present disclosure is to provide an air conditioning control device, an air conditioning system, and a position information output method that realize appropriate air conditioning with a simple configuration.

In order to achieve the above object, the air conditioning control device according to the present disclosure is
An air conditioning control means that controls the operation of indoor units installed indoors,
An output means for outputting indoor unit position information indicating the position of the indoor unit based on an infrared image acquired by an infrared sensor taking an image of the room while the indoor unit is blowing out conditioned air is provided.

In the present disclosure, indoor unit position information indicating the position of the indoor unit based on an infrared image acquired by an infrared sensor taking an image of the room while the indoor unit is blowing out conditioned air is output. Therefore, according to the present disclosure, appropriate air conditioning can be realized with a simple configuration.

Configuration diagram of the air conditioning system according to the first embodiment Diagram showing a room to be air-conditioned Configuration diagram of the air conditioning control device according to the first embodiment Bottom view of the indoor unit according to the first embodiment Functional configuration diagram of the air conditioning control device according to the first embodiment A flowchart showing an air conditioning control process executed by the air conditioning control device according to the first embodiment. A flowchart showing the indoor unit position estimation process shown in FIG. A diagram showing an infrared image used to estimate the position of an indoor unit A flowchart showing the outlet position estimation process shown in FIG. A diagram showing an infrared image used to estimate the position of the air outlet Diagram showing a heat distribution image presented to the user Configuration diagram of the air conditioning control device according to the second embodiment Configuration diagram of the image pickup apparatus according to the second embodiment Functional configuration diagram of the air conditioning control device according to the second embodiment Functional configuration diagram of the image pickup apparatus according to the second embodiment

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

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an air conditioning system 1000 according to the first embodiment. The air conditioning system 1000 is a system that harmonizes the air in the room to be air-conditioned. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a room to be air-conditioned. The air conditioning system 1000 includes an air conditioning control device 100, an infrared sensor 210, an infrared sensor 220, four indoor units 300, an outdoor unit 400, and a terminal device 500. For ease of understanding, FIG. 1 illustrates only one of the four indoor units 300 of the indoor unit 300A, the indoor unit 300B, the indoor unit 300C, and the indoor unit 300D.

As shown in FIG. 1, the air conditioning control device 100, the infrared sensor 210, the infrared sensor 220, and the four indoor units 300 are provided indoors, and the outdoor unit 400 is provided outdoors. The terminal device 500 may be indoors or outdoors. FIG. 1 shows an example in which the terminal device 500 is indoors.

The air conditioning control device 100 is a device that controls the operation of the four indoor units 300 and the operation of the outdoor unit 400 to harmonize the air in the room to be air-conditioned. The air conditioning control device 100 has a function of communicating with each of the infrared sensor 210, the infrared sensor 220, the four indoor units 300, the outdoor unit 400, and the terminal device 500. The air conditioning control device 100 has a function of estimating the positions of each of the four indoor units 300 based on the infrared image captured by the infrared sensor 210. The air conditioning control device 100 is installed on the wall 630 of the room to be air-conditioned. The air conditioning control device 100 is, for example, a remote controller mounted on the wall 630.

Next, the configuration of the air conditioning control device 100 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the air conditioning control device 100 includes a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, a display unit 13, an operation reception unit 14, a first communication unit 15, a second communication unit 16, and a third. A communication unit 17 and an angle adjusting unit 18 are provided. Each of these parts is connected via a communication bus.

The control unit 11 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), RTC (Real Time Clock), and the like. The CPU is also called a central processing unit, a central processing unit, a processor, a microprocessor, a microcomputer, a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), etc., and functions as a central processing unit that executes processing and operations related to the control of the air conditioning control device 100. .. In the control unit 11, the CPU reads out the programs and data stored in the ROM, and uses the RAM as a work area to collectively control the air conditioning control device 100. The RTC is, for example, an integrated circuit having a timekeeping function. The CPU can specify the current date and time from the time information read from the RTC.

The storage unit 12 includes a non-volatile semiconductor memory such as a flash memory, EPROM (ErasableProgrammableROM), and EEPROM (ElectricallyErasableProgrammableROM), and serves as a so-called auxiliary storage device (also referred to as a secondary storage device). Take on. The storage unit 12 stores programs and data used by the control unit 11 to execute various processes. Further, the storage unit 12 stores data generated or acquired by the control unit 11 executing various processes.

The display unit 13 displays various images according to the control by the control unit 11. The display unit 13 includes a touch screen, a liquid crystal display, and the like. The operation reception unit 14 receives various operations from the user and supplies information indicating the contents of the accepted operations to the control unit 11. The operation reception unit 14 includes a touch screen, buttons, levers, and the like.

The first communication unit 15 communicates with each of the infrared sensor 210 and the infrared sensor 220 by wire according to the control by the control unit 11. For example, the first communication unit 15 communicates with the infrared sensor 210 by wire via a communication line connecting the air conditioning control device 100 and the infrared sensor 210. Further, for example, the first communication unit 15 communicates with the infrared sensor 220 by wire via a communication line connecting the air conditioning control device 100 and the infrared sensor 220. The first communication unit 15 includes a communication interface conforming to various wired communication standards.

The second communication unit 16 communicates with each of the four indoor units 300 and also communicates with the outdoor unit 400 according to the control by the control unit 11. For example, the second communication unit 16 communicates with the indoor unit 300A by wire via a communication line connecting the air conditioning control device 100 and the indoor unit 300A. Further, for example, the second communication unit 16 is wired to the outdoor unit 400 via a communication line connecting the air conditioning control device 100 and the indoor unit 300A and a communication line connecting the indoor unit 300A and the outdoor unit 400. Communicate with. The second communication unit 16 includes a communication interface conforming to various wired communication standards.

The third communication unit 17 communicates with the terminal device 500 according to the control by the control unit 11. For example, the third communication unit 17 communicates with the terminal device 500 in accordance with well-known communication standards such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark) and Bluetooth (registered trademark). The third communication unit 17 includes a communication interface compliant with wireless communication standards such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

The angle adjusting unit 18 adjusts the installation angle of the infrared sensor 210 built in the air conditioning control device 100 according to the control by the control unit 11. The angle adjusting unit 18 switches the imaging region of the infrared sensor 210 by adjusting the installation angle of the infrared sensor 210. The angle adjusting unit 18 includes, for example, a rotating member, a support member, and an actuator. The rotating member is a member that rotates about a rotation axis and is a member to which the infrared sensor 210 is fixed. The support member is a member that includes a rotation shaft and rotatably supports the rotation member around the rotation shaft. In the present embodiment, the rotation axis included in the support member is one axis extending in the horizontal direction. The actuator rotates a rotating member around a rotation axis.

The infrared sensor 210 is a sensor that detects infrared rays. That is, the infrared sensor 210 outputs an electric signal according to the amount of received infrared rays. In the present embodiment, the infrared sensor 210 is an infrared image sensor in which an image pickup element for detecting infrared rays is two-dimensionally arranged. The infrared sensor 210 generates an infrared image showing the amount of received infrared rays for each portion in the imaging region. The amount of infrared rays received basically corresponds to the temperature of the surface of the object. The infrared sensor 210 is mainly used to identify the position where the indoor unit 300 is installed.

The infrared sensor 210 is installed indoors so that the indoor unit 300 fits in the image pickup area of the infrared sensor 210. Since the indoor unit 300 is installed on the ceiling 610 in the room, the infrared sensor 210 is installed at a position where the image of the ceiling 610 can be captured and at an angle at which the image of the ceiling 610 can be captured. The infrared sensor 210 is built in the air conditioning control device 100 installed on the wall 630. It is preferable that the portion of the housing of the air conditioning control device 100 facing the infrared sensor 210 is made of a transparent resin. Alternatively, the housing of the air conditioning control device 100 may have an opening in this portion, and the infrared sensor 210 may be exposed. It is preferable that the infrared sensor 210 is installed at an angle at which a region above the horizontal direction is imaged.

The infrared sensor 220 basically has the same configuration as the infrared sensor 210. The infrared sensor 220 is used to detect the heat distribution in the room. The infrared sensor 220 is installed near the center of the ceiling 610 in the room, for example. Each of the infrared sensor 210 and the infrared sensor 220 communicates with the air conditioning control device 100 by wire. Each of the infrared sensor 210 and the infrared sensor 220 may capture an infrared image according to the control by the air conditioning control device 100 and transmit the captured infrared image to the air conditioning control device 100. Alternatively, each of the infrared sensor 210 and the infrared sensor 220 may continuously capture an infrared image and continuously transmit the infrared image to the air conditioning control device 100 during activation.

The indoor unit 300 is an equipment installed in the room among the equipment that harmonizes the air in the room according to the control by the air conditioning control device 100. Harmonizing the indoor air means adjusting the temperature, humidity, air cleanliness, etc. of the indoor air. The indoor unit 300 blows harmonized air into the room according to the control by the air conditioning control device 100. The conditioned air is the air for harmonizing the indoor air, and is basically heating air or cooling air. The heating air is air for heating the room, and is air having a temperature higher than the temperature of the air in the room. The cooling air is air for cooling the room, and is air having a temperature lower than the temperature of the air in the room.

The configuration of the indoor unit 300 will be briefly described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the indoor unit 300. As shown in FIG. 4, the indoor unit 300 includes four outlets 310, four louvers 320, and a suction port 330. The outlet 310 is a general term for the outlet 310A, the outlet 310B, the outlet 310C, and the outlet 310D. The louver 320 is a general term for the louver 320A, the louver 320B, the louver 320C, and the louver 320D.

The outlet 310 is an opening for blowing out harmonious air from the inside of the air conditioning control device 100 into the room. In the present embodiment, each of the four outlets 310 has an elongated shape, and the four outlets 310 are arranged at positions corresponding to the four sides of the square. The louver 320 is a member for adjusting the wind direction of the conditioned air blown out from the outlet 310. In this embodiment, one louver 320 is provided for one outlet 310. Specifically, a louver 320A is provided for the outlet 310A, a louver 320B is provided for the outlet 310B, a louver 320C is provided for the outlet 310C, and a louver 320D is provided for the outlet 310D. It will be provided.

The louver 320 adjusts the wind direction of the conditioned air between the direction directly below and the direction directly beside it. The horizontal direction is a horizontal direction toward the outside of the air conditioning control device 100. In the present embodiment, the angles of the four louvers 320 can be independently controlled, and the wind direction of the conditioned air blown out from the four outlets 310 can be independently controlled. The suction port 330 is an opening for taking in air from the room into the air conditioning control device 100. The suction port 330 is arranged at a position surrounded by the four outlets 310 and is square in a plan view.

In the present embodiment, four indoor units 300 are installed on the ceiling 610 of the room, and the bottom surface of each of the four indoor units 300 is exposed from the ceiling surface. The indoor unit 300A is arranged on the right side in front of the infrared sensor 210. The indoor unit 300B is arranged on the left side in front of the infrared sensor 210. The indoor unit 300C is arranged on the right side on the far side when viewed from the infrared sensor 210. The indoor unit 300D is arranged on the left side on the far side when viewed from the infrared sensor 210.

In the present embodiment, the room has a rectangular parallelepiped space, and includes a ceiling 610, a floor 620, a wall 630, a wall 640, and a wall 650. The wall 630 and the wall 640 face each other, the wall 630 and the wall 650 are adjacent to each other, and the wall 640 and the wall 650 are adjacent to each other. Each of the four indoor units 300 communicates with the air conditioning control device 100 by wire and operates according to the control signal supplied from the air conditioning control device 100.

The outdoor unit 400 is an equipment installed outdoors among the equipment that harmonizes the indoor air according to the control by the air conditioning control device 100. The outdoor unit 400 takes in the air taken in from the room by the indoor unit 300, and supplies the conditioned air obtained by heating or cooling the taken-in air to the indoor unit 300. The outdoor unit 400 communicates with the air conditioning control device 100 by wire via the indoor unit 300, and operates according to the control signal supplied from the air conditioning control device 100.

The terminal device 500 is a device that functions as a user interface of the air conditioning control device 100. The user can control and monitor the air conditioning by the air conditioning control device 100 via the terminal device 500. For example, the user can operate the terminal device 500 to change the operation mode, the operation mode, the set temperature, the wind direction, and the like. The operation mode is a mode indicating operating, stopped, or the like. The operation mode is a mode indicating a heating operation, a cooling operation, a dehumidifying operation, and the like. The set temperature is the temperature of the target room in the heating operation or the cooling operation.

Further, the user can operate the terminal device 500 to check various information regarding air conditioning. For example, the user can confirm the operation mode, the operation mode, the set temperature, and the like by checking the screen displayed by the terminal device 500. Further, the user can confirm the heat distribution image showing the heat distribution of the room by confirming the screen displayed by the terminal device 500. The heat distribution image is generated from the infrared image captured by the infrared sensor 210 or the infrared sensor 220.

The terminal device 500 communicates with a control unit that controls the operation of the entire terminal device 500, an operation unit that accepts operations from the user, a display unit that displays various information, a storage unit that stores various information, and an air conditioning control device 100. It is equipped with a communication unit and the like. The control unit includes, for example, a CPU, ROM, RAM, RTC, and the like. The operation unit and the display unit include, for example, a touch screen. The storage unit includes an SSD, a hard disk drive, and the like. The communication unit includes, for example, a communication interface for communicating according to a well-known communication standard such as Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. The terminal device 500 is a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a personal computer, or the like.

Next, the functional configuration of the air conditioning control device 100 will be described with reference to FIG. The air conditioning control device 100 functionally includes an image acquisition unit 101, an air conditioning control unit 102, a position estimation unit 103, an output unit 104, and an angle control unit 105. Each of these functions is realized by software, firmware, or a combination of software and firmware. The software and firmware are described as a program and stored in the ROM or the storage unit 12. Then, the CPU realizes each of these functions by executing the program stored in the ROM or the storage unit 12.

The image acquisition unit 101 acquires an infrared image from the infrared sensor 210. For example, the image acquisition unit 101 transmits image pickup instruction information instructing image pickup to the infrared sensor 210 via the first communication unit 15. Then, the image acquisition unit 101 acquires an infrared image acquired by the infrared sensor 210 by imaging from the infrared sensor 210 via the first communication unit 15. Similarly, the image acquisition unit 101 acquires an infrared image from the infrared sensor 220 via the first communication unit 15. The image acquisition unit 101 is an example of an image acquisition means.

The air conditioning control unit 102 controls the operation of the indoor unit 300 installed in the room. For example, the air conditioning control unit 102 determines the control content for the indoor unit 300 according to the operation received from the user by the operation reception unit 14. Then, the air conditioning control unit 102 transmits control information indicating the control content for the indoor unit 300 to the indoor unit 300 via the second communication unit 16. The air conditioner control unit 102 is indoors based on an infrared image acquired from the infrared sensor 210, an infrared image acquired from the infrared sensor 220, and indoor unit position information output by the output unit 104, which will be described later. Controls the operation of the machine 300. The air conditioning control unit 102 is an example of the air conditioning control means.

The position estimation unit 103 estimates the position of the indoor unit 300 based on the infrared image acquired by the image acquisition unit 101. This infrared image is acquired by the infrared sensor 210 taking an image of the room while the indoor unit 300 is blowing out conditioned air. The position of the indoor unit 300 is a concept including the installation position of the indoor unit 300 and the relative position of the indoor unit 300 with respect to the infrared sensor 210 (hereinafter, appropriately referred to as “relative position of the indoor unit 300”). The installation position of the indoor unit 300 is the position where the indoor unit 300 is installed in the room. The relative position of the indoor unit 300 is a position relatively representing the installation position of the indoor unit 300 with reference to the installation position of the infrared sensor 210. The installation position of the infrared sensor 210 is the position where the infrared sensor 210 is installed in the room.

The relative position of the indoor unit 300 is, for example, the distance from the infrared sensor 210 to the indoor unit 300, the height of the indoor unit 300 when viewed from the infrared sensor 210, the straight line connecting the infrared sensor 210 and the indoor unit 300, and the horizontal plane. It is expressed by the angle formed by infrared rays. When there are a plurality of indoor units 300, the relative position of the indoor unit 300 is expressed by the magnitude relationship of the distance from the infrared sensor 210 to the indoor unit 300, the arrangement of the indoor units 300 when viewed from the infrared sensor 210, and the like. You may. For example, the relative position of the indoor unit 300A and the relative position of the indoor unit 300B may be expressed as the front side, and the relative position of the indoor unit 300C and the relative position of the indoor unit 300D may be expressed as the back side. Alternatively, for example, the relative position of the indoor unit 300A may be expressed as the right front, the relative position of the indoor unit 300B may be expressed as the left front, the relative position of the indoor unit 300C may be expressed as the right back, and the relative position of the indoor unit 300D may be expressed as the left back.

The position estimation unit 103 estimates the relative position of the indoor unit 300 based on the infrared image acquired by the image acquisition unit 101. For example, when the conditioned air is heating air, the temperature of the portion around the outlet 310 of the indoor unit 300 is higher than the temperature of the other portions. Therefore, in the infrared image, the portion around the outlet 310 of the indoor unit 300 is represented at a higher temperature than the other portions. Therefore, the position estimation unit 103 estimates the relative position of the indoor unit 300 by using the portion represented by the high temperature in the infrared image as the peripheral portion of the outlet 310 of the indoor unit 300. The position estimation unit 103 can accurately estimate the relative position of the indoor unit 300 based on the device information stored in the storage unit 12. The device information is information indicating the model of the indoor unit 300, the number of outlets 310, the arrangement of outlets 310, and the like.

Further, the position estimation unit 103 further estimates the installation position of the indoor unit 300 from the estimated relative position of the indoor unit 300 and the installation position of the infrared sensor 210. The operation receiving unit 14 receives the installation position of the infrared sensor 210 from the user. The installation position of the infrared sensor 210 is, for example, which wall of the wall 630, the wall 640, and the wall 650 the infrared sensor 210 is installed, the position of the wall 630 where the infrared sensor 210 is installed, and the infrared rays from the ceiling 610. It is expressed by the distance to the sensor 210, the distance from the floor 620 to the infrared sensor 210, and the like.

It is assumed that the storage unit 12 stores information necessary for appropriately expressing the installation position of the infrared sensor 210, the installation position of the indoor unit 300, and the like. For example, it is assumed that the storage unit 12 stores indoor information indicating the shape of the room and the size of the room. Further, it is assumed that the storage unit 12 stores information indicating the installation position of the infrared sensor 220.

The position estimation unit 103 estimates the installation position of the indoor unit 300 in the room based on the installation position of the infrared sensor 210 in the room and the relative position of the indoor unit 300 when viewed from the infrared sensor 210. The position estimation unit 103 estimates the installation position in the room for each of the four indoor units 300. The position estimation unit 103 is an example of the position estimation means. The operation reception unit 14 is an example of the installation position reception means.

The output unit 104 outputs indoor unit position information indicating the position of the indoor unit 300 based on an infrared image acquired by the infrared sensor 210 taking an image of the room while the indoor unit 300 is blowing out conditioned air. That is, the output unit 104 outputs the indoor unit position information indicating the relative position of the indoor unit 300 estimated by the position estimation unit 103 or the installation position of the indoor unit 300 obtained from the relative position of the indoor unit 300.

For example, the output unit 104 outputs the indoor unit position information to the air conditioning control unit 102. On the other hand, the air conditioning control unit 102 controls the operation of the indoor unit 300 based on the indoor unit position information output by the output unit 104. Further, the output unit 104 outputs the indoor unit position information to the display unit 13. On the other hand, the display unit 13 displays a heat distribution image showing the heat distribution in the room and the position of the indoor unit 300 based on the indoor unit position information output by the output unit 104. Further, the output unit 104 transmits the indoor unit position information to the terminal device 500 via the third communication unit 17. On the other hand, the terminal device 500 displays a heat distribution image showing the heat distribution in the room and the position of the indoor unit 300 based on the indoor unit position information output by the output unit 104. The output unit 104 is an example of output means. The display unit 13 is an example of display means.

The angle control unit 105 controls the operation of the angle adjustment unit 18 that adjusts the installation angle of the infrared sensor 210. That is, the angle control unit 105 controls the operation of the angle adjustment unit 18 so that the indoor unit 300 is included in the image pickup region. For example, when the indoor unit 300 is not included in the imaging region, the angle control unit 105 adjusts the installation angle of the infrared sensor 210 until the indoor unit 300 is included in the imaging region. The angle control unit 105 is an example of the angle control means. The angle adjusting unit 18 is an example of the angle adjusting means.

The indoor unit 300 is provided with a plurality of outlets 310, and the wind direction can be adjusted for each of the plurality of outlets 310. In this case, in the air conditioning control unit 102, the indoor unit 300 blows out the harmonized air from the plurality of outlets 310, and the wind direction of the first outlet of the plurality of outlets 310 is different from the wind direction of the other outlets. The operation of the indoor unit 300 is controlled so as to be in a state. On the other hand, the position estimation unit 103 is relative to the infrared sensor 210 of the first outlet based on the infrared image acquired by the infrared sensor 210 taking an image of the room when the indoor unit 300 is in the first state. Estimate the position. Then, the output unit 104 is a first outlet obtained from the relative position of the first outlet with respect to the infrared sensor 210 estimated by the position estimation unit 103, or the relative position of the first outlet with respect to the infrared sensor 210. Outputs indoor unit position information indicating the installation position of.

Next, the air conditioning control process executed by the air conditioning control device 100 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The air conditioning control device 100 starts executing the air conditioning control process, for example, in response to the power being turned on. The position information output method in the present disclosure is realized by the air conditioning control device 100 executing the air conditioning control process.

First, the control unit 11 included in the air conditioning control device 100 determines whether or not there is a position detection instruction (step S101). For example, the control unit 11 determines whether or not the operation reception unit 14 has received the position detection instruction operation instructing the position detection from the user. Alternatively, the control unit 11 determines whether or not the position detection instruction information instructing the position detection has been received from the terminal device 500. Alternatively, if the program is programmed to execute position detection at startup, the control unit 11 determines whether or not the air conditioning control device 100 is immediately after startup.

When the control unit 11 determines that there is a position detection instruction (step S101: YES), the control unit 11 accepts an input of the installation position of the infrared sensor 210 (step S102). For example, the control unit 11 controls the display unit 13 to display an image inquiring about the installation position of the infrared sensor 210. The installation position of the infrared sensor 210 is specified by, for example, the distance from the infrared sensor 210 to the ceiling 610. When the information indicating the installation position of the air conditioning control device 100 is stored in the storage unit 12, the installation position of the air conditioning control device 100 may be treated as the installation position of the infrared sensor 210. The control unit 11 receives an input of the installation position of the infrared sensor 210 from the user via the operation reception unit 14.

When the control unit 11 completes the process of step S102, the control unit 11 executes the air conditioner position estimation process (step S103). Hereinafter, the air conditioner position estimation process will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 7.

First, the control unit 11 acquires an infrared image of the ceiling surface (step S201). For example, the control unit 11 controls the angle adjustment unit 18 so that the ceiling surface is included in the image pickup range of the infrared sensor 210. Then, the control unit 11 instructs the infrared sensor 210 to take an image, and acquires an infrared image including the ceiling surface from the infrared sensor 210. The control unit 11 selects the indoor unit 300 when the process of step S201 is completed (step S202). Specifically, the control unit 11 selects one unselected indoor unit 300 out of the four indoor units 300.

When the control unit 11 completes the process of step S202, the control unit 11 sets the wind direction of the selected indoor unit 300 to the side (step S203). Specifically, the control unit 11 adjusts the angles of all the louvers 320 for the selected indoor unit 300 so that the conditioned air is blown out from all the outlets 310 to the side. When the process of step S203 is completed, the control unit 11 sets the wind direction of the unselected indoor unit 300 directly below (step S204). Specifically, the control unit 11 adjusts the angles of all the louvers 320 so that the conditioned air is blown directly below from all the outlets 310 for all the indoor units 300 that have not been selected.

When the control unit 11 completes the process of step S204, the control unit 11 blows out conditioned air (step S205). For example, the control unit 11 controls all the indoor units 300 so that the conditioned air is blown out from all the outlets 310 provided in each of the indoor units 300. In this embodiment, the conditioned air is heating air.

When the control unit 11 completes the process of step S205, the control unit 11 acquires an infrared image of the ceiling surface (step S206). The control unit 11 acquires an infrared image of the ceiling surface from the infrared sensor 210 by the same processing as in step S201. When the control unit 11 completes the process of step S206, the control unit 11 identifies the temperature change region (step S207). This temperature change region is a region in which the infrared image acquired in step S201 and the infrared image acquired in step S206 change the image due to the change in temperature.

In the infrared image acquired in step S201, that is, the infrared image acquired before all the indoor units 300 blow out the conditioned air, a region having a higher temperature than the surroundings is not observed. On the other hand, in the infrared image acquired in step S206, the region corresponding to the selected indoor unit 300 is observed as a region having a higher temperature than the surroundings. FIG. 8 shows an image 710, which is an infrared image acquired in step S206 when the indoor unit 300A is selected. The wall 660 is a wall facing the wall 650.

In image 710, the region corresponding to the selected indoor unit 300A is observed as a region having a higher temperature than the surroundings. More specifically, in the image 710, the indoor unit 300A includes a region 330A which is an outer region of the outlet 310A included in the indoor unit 300A, a region 330B which is an outer region of the outlet 310B included in the indoor unit 300A, and the indoor unit 300A. The region 330C, which is the region outside the outlet 310C, and the region 330D, which is the region outside the outlet 310D included in the indoor unit 300A, are observed as regions having a higher temperature than the surroundings. The reason for this is that the heating air is blown out right beside the outlet 310 included in the indoor unit 300A, and the temperature of the member outside the outlet 310 included in the indoor unit 300A rises.

On the other hand, in the image 710, the region corresponding to the indoor unit 300B, the indoor unit 300C, and the indoor unit 300D is not observed as a region having a higher temperature than the surroundings. The reason for this is that the heating air is blown directly below from the outlet 310 provided in the indoor unit 300B, the indoor unit 300C and the indoor unit 300D, and the members around the outlet 310 provided in the indoor unit 300B, the indoor unit 300C and the indoor unit 300D. This is because the temperature does not rise so much.

When the control unit 11 completes the process of step S207, the control unit 11 estimates the relative position of the selected indoor unit 300 (step S208). For example, when the selected indoor unit 300 is the indoor unit 300A, in the image 710, the region 330A, the region 330B, the region 330C, and the region 330D are observed as the temperature change region. The control unit 11 identifies a region surrounded by the region 330A, the region 330B, the region 330C, and the region 330D on the image 710 as the region in which the indoor unit 300A is installed.

The region 330A and the region 330C are observed as linear regions extending in the horizontal direction. If the distance from the floor 620 to the ceiling 610 is not so long with respect to the distance from the wall 630 to the wall 640 in which the infrared sensor 210 is installed, the straight line connecting the infrared sensor 210 and the indoor unit 300 and the horizontal plane. It is thought that the angle of formation will not be so large. In this case, the length of the region 330A and the length of the region 330C are considered to be longer than the length of the region 330B and the length of the region 330D. Therefore, the area 330A and the area 330C are easier to detect from the image 710 than the area 330B and the area 330D. Therefore, the control unit 11 detects the region 330A and the region 330C extending in the horizontal direction and facing each other from the image 710, and estimates the region sandwiched between the region 330A and the region 330C as the region of the indoor unit 300A. Is preferable.

The control unit 11 estimates the relative position of the indoor unit 300A based on the position and size of the indoor unit 300A on the image 710. The relative position of the indoor unit 300A is expressed by, for example, the distance from the infrared sensor 210 to the indoor unit 300A and the angle formed by the straight line connecting the infrared sensor 210 and the indoor unit 300A and the horizontal plane.

When the control unit 11 completes the process of step S208, the control unit 11 estimates the installation position of the selected indoor unit 300 (step S209). Specifically, the control unit 11 installs the selected indoor unit 300 in the room based on the installation position of the infrared sensor 210 received in step S102 and the relative position of the selected indoor unit 300 estimated in step S208. Estimate the position.

When the process of step S209 is completed, the control unit 11 determines whether or not there is an unselected indoor unit 300 (step S210). When the control unit 11 determines that there is an unselected indoor unit 300 (step S210: YES), the control unit 11 returns the process to step S202. When the control unit 11 determines that there is no unselected indoor unit 300 (step S210: NO), the control unit 11 completes the air conditioner position estimation process.

When the control unit 11 completes the air conditioner position estimation process in step S103, the control unit 11 executes the air outlet position estimation process (step S104). Hereinafter, the outlet position estimation process will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

First, the control unit 11 acquires an infrared image of the ceiling surface (step S301). When the control unit 11 completes the process of step S301, the control unit 11 selects the indoor unit 300 (step S302). When the control unit 11 completes the process of step S302, the control unit 11 selects the outlet 310 (step S303). Specifically, the control unit 11 selects one unselected outlet 310 from the four outlets 310.

When the control unit 11 completes the process of step S303, the control unit 11 sets the wind direction of the selected outlet 310 to the side (step S304). Specifically, the control unit 11 adjusts the angle of the louver 320 corresponding to the selected outlet 310 so that the conditioned air is blown right beside the selected outlet 310 included in the selected indoor unit 300. When the process of step S304 is completed, the control unit 11 sets the wind direction of the unselected outlet 310 directly below (step S305). Specifically, the control unit 11 is provided at each of the unselected outlets 310 so that the conditioned air is blown directly below from all the unselected outlets 310 of the selected indoor unit 300. Adjust the angle of the corresponding louver 320.

When the control unit 11 completes the process of step S305, the control unit 11 blows out conditioned air (step S306). For example, the control unit 11 controls the selected indoor unit 300 so that conditioned air is blown out from all the outlets 310 included in the selected indoor unit 300. In this embodiment, the conditioned air is heating air.

When the control unit 11 completes the process of step S306, the control unit 11 acquires an infrared image of the ceiling surface (step S307). The control unit 11 acquires an infrared image of the ceiling surface from the infrared sensor 210 by the same processing as in step S201. When the control unit 11 completes the process of step S307, the control unit 11 identifies the temperature change region (step S308). This temperature change region is a region in which the infrared image acquired in step S301 and the infrared image acquired in step S307 change the image due to the change in temperature.

FIG. 10 shows an image 720 which is an infrared image acquired in step S307 when the indoor unit 300A is selected and the outlet 310A is selected. In image 720, the region corresponding to the selected outlet 310A included in the selected indoor unit 300A is observed as a region having a higher temperature than the surroundings. More specifically, in the image 720, the region 330A, which is the region outside the outlet 310A included in the indoor unit 300A, is observed as a region having a higher temperature than the surroundings. The reason for this is that the heating air is blown out from the outlet 310A of the indoor unit 300A right beside, and the temperature of the member outside the outlet 310A of the indoor unit 300A rises.

On the other hand, in the image 720, the region corresponding to each of the outlet 310B, the outlet 310C and the outlet 310D included in the indoor unit 300A is not observed as a region having a higher temperature than the surroundings. The reason for this is that the heating air is blown directly below from each of the outlet 310B, the outlet 310C and the outlet 310D provided in the indoor unit 300A, and the outlet 310B, the outlet 310C and the outlet 310D provided in the indoor unit 300A, respectively. This is because the temperature of the surrounding members does not rise so much.

When the control unit 11 completes the process of step S308, the control unit 11 estimates the relative position of the selected outlet 310 (step S309). For example, when the selected indoor unit 300 is the indoor unit 300A and the selected outlet 310 is the outlet 310A, the region 330A is observed as a temperature change region in the image 720. The control unit 11 identifies the region where the region 330A is observed on the image 720 as the region where the outlet 310A included in the indoor unit 300A is installed.

When the control unit 11 completes the process of step S309, the control unit 11 estimates the installation position of the selected outlet 310 (step S310). Specifically, the control unit 11 installs the selected outlet 310 in the room based on the installation position of the infrared sensor 210 received in step S102 and the relative position of the selected outlet 310 estimated in step S309. Estimate the position.

When the processing of step S310 is completed, the control unit 11 determines whether or not there is an unselected outlet 310 (step S311). When the control unit 11 determines that there is an unselected outlet 310 (step S311: YES), the control unit 11 returns the process to step S303. When the control unit 11 determines that there is no unselected outlet 310 (step S311: NO), the control unit 11 determines whether or not there is an unselected indoor unit 300 (step S312). When the control unit 11 determines that there is an unselected indoor unit 300 (step S312: YES), the control unit 11 returns the process to step S302. When the control unit 11 determines that there is no unselected indoor unit 300 (step S312: NO), the control unit 11 completes the outlet position estimation process.

When the control unit 11 determines that there is no position detection start instruction (step S101: NO), or when the outlet position estimation process in step S104 is completed, whether or not there is a heat distribution image display instruction. Determination (step S105). For example, the control unit 11 determines whether or not the operation reception unit 14 has received a display instruction operation instructing the display of the heat distribution image from the user. Alternatively, the control unit 11 determines whether or not the display instruction information instructing the display of the heat distribution image has been received from the terminal device 500.

When the control unit 11 determines that there is an instruction to display the heat distribution image (step S105: YES), the control unit 11 displays the heat distribution image (step S106). For example, the control unit 11 controls the display unit 13 to display a heat distribution image. Alternatively, the control unit 11 transmits image information indicating the heat distribution image to the terminal device 500, and causes the terminal device 500 to display the heat distribution image. This heat distribution image is an image showing the heat distribution in the room and the position of the indoor unit 300. For example, the heat distribution image is an image obtained by synthesizing an infrared image acquired by the infrared sensor 210 or an infrared image acquired by the infrared sensor 220 with an image showing the position of the indoor unit 300.

FIG. 11 shows an image 730 which is a heat distribution image. The image 730 is an image obtained by synthesizing an icon image showing the indoor unit 300 and a character string image showing the name of the outlet 310 with the infrared image acquired by the infrared sensor 220. The position of the icon image on the image 730 is determined based on the installation position of the indoor unit 300 estimated by the air conditioner position estimation process. Further, the position of the character string image on the image 730 is determined based on the installation position of the outlet 310 estimated by the outlet position estimation process. The indoor unit A, the indoor unit B, the indoor unit C, and the indoor unit D are the names of the indoor unit 300A, the indoor unit 300B, the indoor unit 300C, and the indoor unit 300D, respectively. Further, the outlet A, the outlet B, the outlet C, and the outlet D are the names of the outlet 310A, the outlet 310B, the outlet 310C, and the outlet 310D, respectively.

In the image 730, the area 731, the area 732, and the area 733 are shown by color coding. The region 731 is a region where the temperature is lower than that of the region 732 and the region 733. The region 732 is a region having a higher temperature than the region 731 and a lower temperature than the region 733. The region 733 is a region having a higher temperature than the region 731 and the region 732. In image 730, the indoor unit 300A overlaps the area 731 and the area 732, and the indoor unit 300B, the indoor unit 300C, and the indoor unit 300D overlap the area 733.

That is, the image 730 shows that the temperature of the air in the region below the indoor unit 300A is low, and the temperature of the air in the region below the indoor unit 300B, the indoor unit 300C, and the indoor unit 300D is high. For example, at the time of heating, the user who refers to the image 730 raises the set temperature of the indoor unit 300A, raises the air volume of the indoor unit 300A, and changes the wind direction of the indoor unit 300B and the wind direction of the indoor unit 300C to the wind direction toward the indoor unit 300A. Measures such as switching can be taken.

The control unit 11 executes air conditioning control when it is determined that there is no display instruction of the heat distribution image (step S105: NO) or when the process of step S106 is completed (step S107). The control unit 11 controls the operation of the indoor unit 300 based on the installation position of the indoor unit 300 estimated by the air conditioner position estimation process and the installation position of the outlet 310 estimated by the outlet position estimation process. .. For example, the control unit 11 adjusts the set temperature, the air volume, the angle of the louver 320, and the like for each of the four indoor units 300 so that the temperature in the indoor space does not vary. When the control unit 11 completes the process of step S107, the control unit 11 returns the process to step S101.

In the present embodiment, the position of the indoor unit 300 is estimated and estimated based on the infrared image acquired by the infrared sensor 210 taking an image of the room while the indoor unit 300 is blowing out conditioned air. Indoor unit position information indicating the position of the machine 300 is output. This indoor unit position information can be used for air conditioning control, heat distribution image generation, and the like. Further, the infrared image can be used not only for estimating the position of the indoor unit 300 but also for grasping the temperature distribution in the room. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, appropriate air conditioning can be realized with a simple configuration.

Further, in the present embodiment, the relative position of the indoor unit 300 is estimated based on the infrared image, and the indoor unit indicates the relative position of the indoor unit 300 or the installation position of the indoor unit 300 obtained from the relative position of the indoor unit 300. Machine position information is output. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the relative position of the indoor unit 300 or the installation position of the indoor unit 300 can be used for air conditioning control, heat distribution image generation, and the like.

Further, in the present embodiment, the installation position of the indoor unit 300 is estimated based on the relative position of the indoor unit 300 and the installation position of the infrared sensor 210. According to this embodiment, the installation position of the indoor unit 300 can be automatically detected.

Further, in the present embodiment, when the indoor unit 300 is in the first state in which the wind direction of the first outlet among the plurality of outlets 310 is different from the wind direction of the other outlets, the infrared sensor 210 takes an image of the room. Based on the infrared image thus acquired, the relative position of the first outlet with respect to the infrared sensor 210 is estimated. According to this embodiment, the relative position of the first outlet with respect to the infrared sensor 210 can be detected with high accuracy.

Further, in the present embodiment, the angle of the infrared sensor 210 can be adjusted. According to this embodiment, a wide range of infrared images can be acquired even when the viewing angle of the infrared sensor 210 is narrow.

Further, in the present embodiment, the operation of the indoor unit 300 is controlled based on the indoor unit position information. According to this embodiment, more appropriate air conditioning control can be expected.

Further, in the present embodiment, a heat distribution image showing the heat distribution in the room and the position of the indoor unit 300 is displayed based on the indoor unit position information. According to the present embodiment, it is possible to inform the user in an easy-to-understand manner of the heat distribution in the room and the operation necessary for realizing appropriate air conditioning control.
(Embodiment 2)
In the first embodiment, an example in which the infrared sensor 210 is built in the air conditioning control device 100 has been described. The infrared sensor 210 may be provided outside the air conditioning control device 100. Hereinafter, the air conditioning system 1100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 12 to 15. In the present embodiment, the air conditioning control device 110 having no built-in infrared sensor 210 acquires an infrared image from the infrared sensor 210 by wirelessly communicating with the image pickup device 200 having the built-in infrared sensor 210. The description of the same configuration and function as that of the first embodiment will be omitted or simplified as appropriate.

FIG. 12 shows the configuration of the air conditioning control device 110 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 12, the air conditioning control device 110 includes a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, a display unit 13, an operation reception unit 14, a first communication unit 15, a second communication unit 16, and a third. A communication unit 17 and a fourth communication unit 19 are provided. That is, the air conditioning control device 110 is different from the air conditioning control device 100 in that the angle adjusting unit 18 is not provided and the fourth communication unit 19 is provided.

The fourth communication unit 19 wirelessly communicates with the infrared sensor 210 according to the control by the control unit 11. The fourth communication unit 19 wirelessly communicates with the image pickup device 200, and receives the movement notification information and the infrared image notifying that the image pickup device 200 has moved from the image pickup device 200. For example, the fourth communication unit 19 communicates with the infrared sensor 210 in accordance with well-known communication standards such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. The fourth communication unit 19 includes a communication interface compliant with wireless communication standards such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. The fourth communication unit 19 is an example of communication means. In the present embodiment, the first communication unit 15 communicates with the infrared sensor 220 by wire according to the control by the control unit 11.

Next, the configuration of the image pickup apparatus 200 will be described with reference to FIG. The image pickup device 200 is an infrared camera having a wireless communication function and a movement detection function. As shown in FIG. 13, the image pickup apparatus 200 includes a control unit 21, a storage unit 22, a communication unit 23, an angle adjustment unit 24, a movement detection unit 25, and an infrared sensor 210. Each of these parts is connected via a communication bus.

The control unit 21 includes a CPU, ROM, RAM, RTC, and the like. The CPU is also called a central processing unit, a central processing unit, a processor, a microprocessor, a microcomputer, a DSP, or the like, and functions as a central processing unit that executes processing and operations related to the control of the image pickup device 200. In the control unit 21, the CPU reads out the programs and data stored in the ROM, and uses the RAM as a work area to collectively control the image pickup apparatus 200. The RTC is, for example, an integrated circuit having a timekeeping function. The CPU can specify the current date and time from the time information read from the RTC.

The storage unit 22 includes a non-volatile semiconductor memory such as a flash memory, EPROM, or EEPROM, and plays a role as a so-called secondary storage device or auxiliary storage device. The storage unit 22 stores programs and data used by the control unit 21 to execute various processes. Further, the storage unit 22 stores data generated or acquired by the control unit 21 executing various processes.

The communication unit 23 wirelessly communicates with the air conditioning control device 110 according to the control by the control unit 21. For example, the communication unit 23 communicates with the air conditioning control device 110 in accordance with well-known communication standards such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. The communication unit 23 includes a communication interface compliant with wireless communication standards such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

The angle adjusting unit 24 adjusts the installation angle of the infrared sensor 210 built in the image pickup apparatus 200 according to the control by the control unit 21. The angle adjusting unit 24 switches the imaging region of the infrared sensor 210 by adjusting the installation angle of the infrared sensor 210. The angle adjusting unit 24 has the same configuration as the angle adjusting unit 18.

The movement detection unit 25 detects that the image pickup device 200 has moved. Further, the movement detection unit 25 detects the movement amount of the image pickup device 200, the movement direction of the image pickup device 200, the direction of the image pickup device 200, and the like. The movement detection unit 25 includes, for example, a 3-axis acceleration sensor and a 3-axis angular velocity sensor.

Next, the functional configuration of the air conditioning control device 110 will be described with reference to FIG. The air conditioning control device 110 functionally includes an image acquisition unit 101, an air conditioning control unit 102, a position estimation unit 103, and an output unit 104. Functionally, the air conditioning control device 110 does not include the angle control unit 105, and the image acquisition unit 101 acquires an infrared image via the fourth communication unit 19 instead of the first communication unit 15. It is different from the air conditioning control device 100.

In the present embodiment, when it is detected that the image pickup apparatus 200 has moved, a process of detecting the position of the indoor unit 300 is executed. That is, when the fourth communication unit 19 receives the movement notification information from the image pickup device 200, the image acquisition unit 101 executes a process of acquiring an infrared image from the infrared sensor 210. Further, the position estimation unit 103 estimates the relative position of the indoor unit 300 based on the infrared image acquired by the image acquisition unit 101. Then, the output unit 104 outputs the indoor unit position information indicating the relative position of the indoor unit 300 estimated by the position estimation unit 103 or the installation position of the indoor unit 300 based on the relative position of the indoor unit 300.

In the present embodiment, the image acquisition unit 101 transmits the angle change instruction information for instructing the change of the installation angle of the infrared sensor 210 to the image pickup apparatus 200 via the fourth communication unit 19. Then, the image acquisition unit 101 transmits the image pickup instruction information instructing the infrared sensor 210 to take an image to the image pickup device 200 via the fourth communication unit 19.

Next, the functional configuration of the image pickup apparatus 200 will be described with reference to FIG. The image pickup apparatus 200 functionally includes an image pickup control unit 201, an angle control unit 202, and a movement notification unit 203. Each of these functions is realized by software, firmware, or a combination of software and firmware. The software and firmware are described as a program and stored in the ROM or the storage unit 22. Then, the CPU realizes each of these functions by executing the program stored in the ROM or the storage unit 22.

The image pickup control unit 201 controls the image pickup by the infrared sensor 210. For example, when the communication unit 23 receives the image pickup instruction information from the air conditioning control device 110, the image pickup control unit 201 instructs the infrared sensor 210 to take an image and acquires an infrared image from the infrared sensor 210. The image pickup control unit 201 transmits an infrared image to the air conditioning control device 110 via the communication unit 23.

The angle control unit 202 controls the operation of the angle adjustment unit 24. For example, when the communication unit 23 receives the angle change instruction information from the air conditioning control device 110, the angle control unit 202 controls the angle adjustment unit 24 to change the installation angle of the infrared sensor 210.

The movement notification unit 203 notifies that the image pickup apparatus 200 has moved. For example, when the movement detection unit 25 detects the movement of the image pickup device 200, the movement notification unit 203 sends the movement notification information notifying that the image pickup device 200 has moved via the communication unit 23 to the air conditioning control device 110. Send to. The movement notification information may include information indicating the movement amount of the image pickup device 200, the movement direction of the image pickup device 200, the direction of the image pickup device 200, and the like.

The air-conditioning control process executed by the air-conditioning control device 110 determines that the air-conditioning control device 110 acquires an infrared image from the infrared sensor 210 by wireless communication and that a position detection instruction is given when the movement of the image pickup device 200 is detected. It is the same as the air conditioning control process executed by the air conditioning control device 100 except that the point is.

In this embodiment, the air conditioning control device 110 and the infrared sensor 210 communicate wirelessly. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the degree of freedom in the installation location of the infrared sensor 210 is high. For example, when the installation position of the air conditioning control device 110 is an installation position unsuitable for imaging the ceiling 610, it is difficult to acquire an infrared image of the ceiling 610 if the infrared sensor 210 is built in the air conditioning control device 110. In the air conditioning system 1100 according to the present embodiment, since the air conditioning control device 110 and the infrared sensor 210 communicate wirelessly, the installation location of the infrared sensor 210 can be freely changed.

Further, in the present embodiment, when the movement of the image pickup apparatus 200 is detected, the position detection of the indoor unit 300 is automatically started. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, when the air conditioning control device 110 wants to execute the position detection of the indoor unit 300 every time the image pickup device 200 moves, the user controls the air conditioning every time the image pickup device 200 moves. It is not necessary to give a position detection instruction to the device 110, which can be expected to reduce the burden on the user.

For example, when a contractor installs an indoor unit 300 indoors, he / she may want to detect and record the positional relationship of a plurality of indoor units 300 installed on the ceiling 610. That is, the contractor may want to create a layout map of the indoor unit 300. Here, for example, when the room in which the indoor unit 300 is installed is large, the infrared sensor 210 may not be able to image all the indoor units 300 installed in the ceiling 610 at once. In this case, a method is conceivable in which the air conditioning control device 110 is made to detect the position of the indoor unit 300 while moving the infrared sensor 210, and the positions of all the indoor units 300 are specified based on the acquired plurality of infrared images. .. In this case, if the position detection of the indoor unit 300 is automatically executed every time the infrared sensor 210 moves, it is convenient because the user has less trouble.

Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, various modifications and applications are possible in carrying out the present disclosure. In the present disclosure, it is arbitrary which part of the configuration, function, and operation described in the above embodiment is adopted. Further, in the present disclosure, in addition to the above-mentioned configurations, functions, and operations, further configurations, functions, and operations may be adopted. Further, the configurations, functions, and operations described in the above embodiments can be freely combined.

(Modification 1)
In the first embodiment, an example of specifying the position of the outlet 310 by providing a difference in the wind direction of the plurality of outlets 310 has been described. The position of the outlet 310 may be specified by providing a difference in the temperature of the conditioned air blown out from the plurality of outlets 310. In this case, it is premised that the indoor unit 300 can adjust the temperature of the conditioned air for each of the plurality of outlets 310. In the air conditioning control unit 102, the indoor unit 300 blows out the harmonized air from the plurality of outlets 310, and the temperature of the harmonized air blown out from the first outlet of the plurality of outlets 310 is blown out from the other outlets 310. The operation of the indoor unit 300 is controlled so as to be in a second state different from the temperature of the conditioned air. For example, when heating air is blown out from a plurality of outlets 310, the temperature of the conditioned air blown out from the first outlet is set to 30 ° C., and the temperature of the conditioned air blown out from the other outlets 310 is set to 20 ° C. Set. The temperature of the conditioned air blown out from the outlet 310 is basically the set temperature of the outlet 310.

Then, the image acquisition unit 101 acquires an infrared image acquired by the infrared sensor 210 taking an image of the room when the indoor unit 300 is in the second state. The position estimation unit 103 estimates the relative position of the first outlet with respect to the infrared sensor 210 based on this infrared image. The output unit 104 installs the first outlet obtained from the relative position of the first outlet with respect to the infrared sensor 210 estimated by the position estimation unit 103 or the relative position of the first outlet with respect to the infrared sensor 210. Outputs indoor unit position information indicating the position.

(Other variants)
In the first embodiment, an example of acquiring four infrared images with each of the four outlets 310 as the first outlet and estimating the positions of the four outlets 310 from the four infrared images has been described. When the device information stored in the storage unit 12 includes information indicating the arrangement relationship of the four outlets 310 in the indoor unit 300, the positions of the four outlets 310 may be estimated from one infrared image. Specifically, one infrared image is acquired with one outlet 310 as the first outlet, the position of the first outlet is estimated from one infrared image, and the other is estimated from the estimated position of the first outlet. The positions of the three outlets 310 may be estimated.

In the first embodiment, an example in which the number of indoor units 300 is four has been described. The number of indoor units 300 may be 3 or less, or 5 or more. Further, in the first embodiment, an example in which the number of outlets 310 included in the indoor unit 300 is four and the four outlets 310 are arranged so as to correspond to the four sides of the square has been described. The arrangement of the four outlets 310 is not limited to this example. Further, the number of outlets 310 may be 3 or less, or 5 or more.

In the first embodiment, the air conditioning control device 100 communicates with the infrared sensor 210, the infrared sensor 220, the indoor unit 300, and the outdoor unit 400 by wire, and the air conditioning control device 100 wirelessly communicates with the terminal device 500. An example was explained. The method by which the air conditioning control device 100 communicates with the infrared sensor 210, the infrared sensor 220, the indoor unit 300, the outdoor unit 400, and the terminal device 500 can be appropriately adjusted. For example, the air conditioning control device 100 may wirelessly communicate with each of the infrared sensor 210, the infrared sensor 220, the indoor unit 300, the outdoor unit 400, and the terminal device 500.

In the first embodiment, an example in which the air conditioning control device 100 receives an input of the installation position of the infrared sensor 210 from the user has been described. When the installation position of the infrared sensor 210 is predetermined, it is not necessary for the user to input the installation position of the infrared sensor 210. In this case, for example, it is preferable that the storage unit 12 stores information indicating the installation position of the infrared sensor 210.

In the first embodiment, an example of generating a heat distribution image presented to the user by synthesizing the icon image of the indoor unit 300 and the character string image of the outlet 310 with the infrared image acquired by the infrared sensor 220 will be described. bottom. The heat distribution image presented to the user may be generated by synthesizing the icon image of the indoor unit 300 and the character string image of the outlet 310 with the infrared image acquired by the infrared sensor 210. In this case, the infrared sensor 220 may not be necessary.

Further, the heat distribution in the room may be accurately obtained from the infrared image acquired by the infrared sensor 220 and the infrared image acquired by the infrared sensor 210. In this case, the heat distribution image presented to the user is generated by synthesizing the icon image of the indoor unit 300 and the character string image of the outlet 310 with the obtained image showing the heat distribution in the room.

In the first embodiment, an example in which the number of infrared sensors 210 for detecting the position of the indoor unit 300 is one has been described. The number of infrared sensors 210 may be two or more. Further, in the first embodiment, an example in which the conditioned air is the heating air has been described. The conditioned air may be cooling air.

In the above embodiment, in the control unit 11, the CPU functions as each unit shown in FIGS. 5 and 14 by executing the program stored in the ROM or the storage unit 12. However, in the present disclosure, the control unit 11 may be dedicated hardware. The dedicated hardware is, for example, a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programmed processor, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), or a combination thereof. When the control unit 11 is dedicated hardware, the functions of each unit may be realized by individual hardware, or the functions of each unit may be collectively realized by a single hardware.

In addition, some of the functions of each part may be realized by dedicated hardware, and other parts may be realized by software or firmware. As described above, the control unit 11 can realize each of the above-mentioned functions by hardware, software, firmware, or a combination thereof.

By applying an operation program that regulates the operation of the air-conditioning control device 100 according to the present disclosure to a computer such as an existing personal computer or an information terminal device, the computer can be made to function as the air-conditioning control device 100 according to the present disclosure. It is possible. Further, the distribution method of such a program is arbitrary, and for example, a computer-readable recording such as a CD-ROM (CompactDiskROM), a DVD (DigitalVersatileDisk), an MO (MagnetoOpticalDisk), or a memory card. It may be stored in a medium and distributed, or may be distributed via a communication network such as the Internet.

The present disclosure allows for various embodiments and variations without departing from the broad spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Moreover, the above-described embodiment is for explaining this disclosure, and does not limit the scope of the present disclosure. That is, the scope of the present disclosure is shown not by the embodiment but by the scope of claims. And various modifications made within the scope of the claims and within the scope of the equivalent disclosure are considered to be within the scope of this disclosure.

This disclosure is applicable to air conditioning systems.

11,21 Control unit, 12,22 Storage unit, 13 Display unit, 14 Operation reception unit, 15 1st communication unit, 16 2nd communication unit, 17 3rd communication unit, 18, 24 angle adjustment unit, 19 4th communication Unit, 23 communication unit, 25 movement detection unit, 100, 110 air conditioning control device, 101 image acquisition unit, 102 air conditioning control unit, 103 position estimation unit, 104 output unit, 105 angle control unit, 200 imaging device, 201 imaging control unit , 202 angle control unit, 203 movement notification unit, 210, 220 infrared sensor, 300, 300A, 300B, 300C, 300D indoor unit, 310, 310A, 310B, 310C, 310D outlet, 320, 320A, 320B, 320C, 320D Luba, 330 suction port, 330A, 330B, 330C, 330D area, 400 outdoor unit, 500 terminal device, 610 ceiling, 620 floor, 630, 640, 650, 660 wall, 710, 720, 730 image, 731, 732, 733 Area, 1000, 1100 air conditioning system

Claims

An air conditioning control means that controls the operation of indoor units installed indoors,
The indoor unit is provided with an output means for outputting indoor unit position information indicating the position of the indoor unit based on an infrared image acquired by an infrared sensor taking an image of the room when the indoor unit is blowing out conditioned air.
Air conditioning controller.
An image acquisition means for acquiring the infrared image from the infrared sensor,
Further, a position estimation means for estimating the relative position of the indoor unit with respect to the infrared sensor based on the infrared image acquired by the image acquisition means is provided.
The output means outputs the indoor unit position information indicating the relative position estimated by the position estimation means or the installation position of the indoor unit obtained from the relative position.
The air conditioning control device according to claim 1.
Further equipped with an installation position receiving means for receiving the installation position of the infrared sensor from the user,
The position estimation means estimates the installation position of the indoor unit based on the relative position and the installation position of the infrared sensor received by the installation position reception means.
The output means outputs the indoor unit position information indicating the installation position of the indoor unit estimated by the position estimation means.
The air conditioning control device according to claim 2.
The indoor unit is provided with a plurality of outlets, and the wind direction can be adjusted for each of the plurality of outlets.
In the air conditioning control means, the indoor unit is in a first state in which the harmonized air is blown out from the plurality of outlets and the wind direction of the first outlet among the plurality of outlets is different from the wind direction of the other outlets. The operation of the indoor unit is controlled so as to be
The position estimation means is relative to the first outlet with respect to the infrared sensor based on the infrared image acquired by the infrared sensor taking an image of the room when the indoor unit is in the first state. Estimate the position
The output means is the first outlet obtained from the relative position of the first outlet with respect to the infrared sensor estimated by the position estimation means or the relative position of the first outlet with respect to the infrared sensor. Outputs the indoor unit position information indicating the installation position of the exit.
The air conditioning control device according to claim 2 or 3.
The indoor unit is provided with a plurality of outlets, and the temperature of the conditioned air can be adjusted for each of the plurality of outlets.
In the air conditioning control means, in the indoor unit, the harmonized air is blown out from the plurality of outlets, and the temperature of the harmonized air blown out from the first outlet among the plurality of outlets is the temperature of the harmonized air from another outlet. The operation of the indoor unit is controlled so as to be in a second state different from the temperature of the conditioned air to be blown out.
The position estimation means is relative to the first outlet with respect to the infrared sensor based on the infrared image acquired by the infrared sensor taking an image of the room when the indoor unit is in the second state. Estimate the position
The output means is the first outlet obtained from the relative position of the first outlet with respect to the infrared sensor estimated by the position estimation means or the relative position of the first outlet with respect to the infrared sensor. Outputs the indoor unit position information indicating the installation position of the exit.
The air conditioning control device according to claim 2 or 3.
The infrared sensor is built in an image pickup device having a wireless communication function and a movement detection function.
Further provided with a communication means for wirelessly communicating with the image pickup device and receiving the movement notification information for notifying that the image pickup device has moved and the infrared image from the image pickup device.
When the communication means receives the movement notification information from the image pickup device, the image acquisition means acquires the infrared image from the infrared sensor, the position estimation means estimates the relative position, and the output means. Outputs the indoor unit position information,
The air conditioning control device according to any one of claims 2 to 5.
The infrared sensor is built in an image pickup device having a wireless communication function.
A communication means for wirelessly communicating with the image pickup device and receiving the infrared image from the image pickup device is further provided.
The air conditioning control device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.
The infrared sensor is built in the air conditioning control device, and the infrared sensor is built in the air conditioning control device.
An angle adjusting means for adjusting the installation angle of the infrared sensor, and
Further provided with an angle control means for controlling the operation of the angle adjusting means.
The air conditioning control device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.
The air conditioning control means controls the operation of the indoor unit based on the indoor unit position information output by the output means.
The air conditioning control device according to any one of claims 1 to 8.
A display means for displaying a heat distribution image showing the heat distribution in the room and the position of the indoor unit based on the indoor unit position information output by the output means is further provided.
The air conditioning control device according to any one of claims 1 to 9.
An air conditioning system including an indoor unit installed in a room, an air conditioning control device for controlling the operation of the indoor unit, and an infrared sensor for imaging the room.
The infrared sensor acquires an infrared image by taking an image of the room while the indoor unit is blowing out conditioned air.
The air conditioning controller is
An air conditioning control means for controlling the operation of the indoor unit and
An image acquisition means for acquiring the infrared image from the infrared sensor,
It is provided with an output means for outputting indoor unit position information indicating the position of the indoor unit based on the infrared image acquired by the image acquisition means.
Air conditioning system.
The infrared sensor acquires an infrared image by taking an image of the room when the indoor unit installed in the room blows out conditioned air.
The air conditioning control device outputs indoor unit position information indicating the position of the indoor unit based on the infrared image.
Location information output method.