WO2022153555A1 - Environment control system, environment control method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention comprises an acquisition unit (11) and a control unit (12). The acquisition unit (11) acquires airflow information related to an airflow (A1) which passes through a region (41), in which a user (U1) is present, in a target space (4). The control unit (12) controls the environment in the target space (4) by controlling one or more environment provision devices (2) allocated to the target space (4). The control unit (12) controls, on the basis of the airflow information acquired by the acquisition unit (11), the one or more environment provision devices (2) so as to counteract the effect of the airflow (A1) on the user (U1).

Description

Environmental control system, environmental control method, and program

The present invention relates to an environmental control system, an environmental control method, and a program.

Patent Document 1 discloses a lighting control device. This lighting control device determines whether each of the divided areas in which the lighting area is divided into a plurality of areas in advance is a staying area or a non-staying area for humans, based on the human operation speed of the lighting area detected by the human body information detecting means. do. Then, the lighting control means performs lighting control on the lighting fixtures arranged in the division area based on the determination result.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2013-109876

The present invention provides an environmental control system, an environmental control method, and a program that can easily suppress a decrease in user performance or satisfaction while maintaining the effect of suppressing the spread of infectious diseases due to airflow.

The environmental control system according to one aspect of the present invention includes an acquisition unit and a control unit. The acquisition unit acquires airflow information regarding the airflow passing through the user's stay area in the target space. The control unit controls the environment of the target space by controlling one or more environment providing devices assigned to the target space. The control unit controls one or more environment providing devices so as to cancel the influence of the airflow on the user based on the airflow information acquired by the acquisition unit.

The environmental control method according to one aspect of the present invention includes an acquisition step and a control step. In the acquisition step, airflow information regarding the airflow passing through the user's stay area in the target space is acquired. In the control step, the environment of the target space is controlled by controlling one or more environment providing devices assigned to the target space. In the control step, the one or more environment providing devices are controlled so as to cancel the influence of the airflow on the user based on the airflow information acquired in the acquisition step.

The program according to one aspect of the present invention causes one or more processors to execute the environment control method.

The environmental control system, environmental control method, and program of the present invention have an advantage that it is easy to suppress a decrease in user performance or satisfaction while maintaining the effect of suppressing the spread of infectious diseases due to airflow.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of an environmental control system according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an outline of an office in which the environmental control system according to the embodiment is used. FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing a situation in which an air flow is generated in an office where the environmental control system according to the embodiment is used. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the results of the first evaluation experiment of lighting control and acoustic control. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the results of the second evaluation experiment of lighting control and acoustic control. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation example of the environmental control system according to the embodiment.

Hereinafter, the embodiment will be specifically described with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that all of the embodiments described below show comprehensive or specific examples. Numerical values, shapes, materials, components, arrangement positions and connection forms of components, steps, order of steps, etc. shown in the following embodiments are examples, and are not intended to limit the present invention. Further, among the components in the following embodiments, the components not described in the independent claims will be described as arbitrary components.

Note that each figure is a schematic diagram and is not necessarily exactly illustrated. Further, in each figure, substantially the same configuration may be designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicate description may be omitted or simplified.

(Embodiment)
[Constitution]
First, the configuration of the environmental control system 100 according to the embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the environmental control system 100 according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an outline of the office 3 in which the environmental control system 100 according to the embodiment is used.

The environmental control system 100 according to the embodiment is used in an environment where a user works, such as an office, and is a system for controlling such an environment. In the embodiment, it is assumed that the environmental control system 100 is used, for example, in an ABW (Activity Based Working) type office 3 in which a work place can be freely selected according to the work to be performed by oneself. Here, "ABW" refers to a work style in which a user (employee, etc.) selects a place or desk, etc. to work according to the work content. In an ABW-type office, the user can select a relatively quiet place for work that requires concentration, and a relaxing place such as a sofa for meetings. Is.

The environment control system 100 may be used not only in an ABW type office but also in a free address type office, as long as the environment allows the user to freely select a work place according to the work desired to be performed. It may be used in other environments. For example, the environmental control system 100 may be used in an educational facility such as an elementary school, a junior high school, a high school, or a university, may be used in a public facility such as a public hall or a library, or may be used in a store or a commercial facility. May be done.

Further, the environment control system 100 is not limited to the environment in which the user can freely select a work place as described above, and may be used, for example, in an office where the user's work area is fixed. That is, the environment in which the environment control system 100 is used need only be an environment in which the user works.

[Environmental equipment]
In the environment where the environment control system 100 is used (here, the ABW type office 3), a plurality of environment providing devices 2 are installed. The environmental control system 100 may be installed in the office 3 or may be installed in a remote place away from the office 3.

Each environment providing device 2 is a device for providing an environment that characterizes the target space. In the embodiment, each environment providing device 2 is installed on the ceiling of the office 3. Of course, each environment providing device 2 may be installed not only on the ceiling of the office 3 but also on the wall, floor, or furniture such as a desk. Hereinafter, an example of the types of the environment providing device 2 will be listed.

The environment providing device 2 may include a lighting fixture. The luminaire provides a lighting environment for the target space by illuminating the target space with illuminating light. The parameters of the illumination environment may include, for example, the illuminance of the illumination light, the color temperature, the light distribution, and the like. As an example, a luminaire is a base light as ambient lighting that uniformly illuminates a target space, and includes a light source having a solid-state light emitting element such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode). Further, the light source of the lighting fixture is configured to enable dimming, toning, or both by being controlled by the control unit 12 (described later). The luminaire may be a spotlight as a task light.

The environment providing device 2 may include an audio device. The acoustic device provides an acoustic environment in the target space by outputting sound to the space. The parameters of the acoustic environment may include, for example, the content to be played, the volume, and the like. As an example, the audio device is an omnidirectional speaker, and by being controlled by the control unit 12, the content transmitted from the control unit 12 is reproduced. The audio device may be a speaker having directivity such as a parametric speaker, a speaker using ultrasonic waves, or a speaker having a housing having a horn structure. When a speaker having directivity is used, it can be expected that the ratio of some sounds leaking to other spaces can be easily reduced.

The environment providing device 2 may include a scent generator. The scent generator provides a scent environment in the target space by spraying the scent component. The parameters of the scent environment may include, for example, the type of scent component, the concentration of the scent component, and the like. The scent generator is, for example, an aroma diffuser.

The environment providing device 2 may include a video device. The video apparatus provides a video environment in the target space by outputting a video (still image or moving image) to the space. The parameters of the video environment may include, for example, the content to be played back, the output range, and the like. The video apparatus may include, for example, a television receiver, a projector, or the like.

Each environment providing device 2 is assigned to a plurality of groups G1. In the examples shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, each environment providing device 2 is assigned to three groups G1. In each group G1, the environment providing device 2 may be one or a plurality. Of course, the number of groups G1 is not limited to three, and may be two or four or more. Here, one or more environment providing devices 2 assigned to the same group G1 are basically located close to each other. Then, one or more environment providing devices 2 assigned to an arbitrary group G1 provide an environment to the space corresponding to the group G1 (that is, the target space 4) in the office 3.

For example, suppose that three groups G1 are groups "A", "B", and "C". In this case, one or more environment providing devices 2 assigned to the group "A" provide an environment to the space "α" corresponding to the group "A" in the office 3. Further, one or more environment providing devices 2 assigned to the group "B" provide an environment to the space "β" corresponding to the group "B" in the office 3. Further, one or more environment providing devices 2 assigned to the group "C" provide an environment to the space "γ" corresponding to the group "C" in the office 3.

Note that the one or more environment providing devices 2 assigned to each group G1 may be one type or a plurality of types. Further, the allocation of one or more environment providing devices 2 to each group G1 may be different for each group G1. For example, in any group G1, a lighting fixture and an audio device may be assigned as the environment providing device 2, while in another group G1, only a video device may be assigned.

The allocation of each environment providing device 2 to the group G1 is executed in advance by, for example, the administrator of the environment control system 100. The administrator executes the above allocation by using, for example, an information terminal capable of setting the parameters of the environmental control system 100. The information terminal may include, for example, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a personal computer, or the like. Of course, the administrator may appropriately change the allocation of each environment providing device 2 to the group G1 during the operation of the environment control system 100.

In the office 3, the adjacent spaces may or may not be partitioned. In the embodiment, it is assumed that the office 3 is composed of one large room and one or more small rooms, and the large room has no other room separated by a wall or furniture. .. In this case, the effect of improving the outlook of the office 3 and improving the design can be expected. One or more small rooms in the office 3 are temporarily used as, for example, a conference room. That is, the user basically stays in the large room of the office 3.

Further, in the embodiment, in two adjacent spaces, the environment providing device 2 installed in one space does not have to strictly affect only the environment of one space, and affects the other space. Is allowed to give. That is, in any space, the environment provided by the environment providing device 2 corresponding to the space may be the main environment, and there is an influence from the environment providing device 2 corresponding to the space different from the space. However, it should have little effect on the environment of the space. This is because the influence of the environment providing device 2 corresponding to the space different from the space on the work environment of the user who uses the space at this time is limited.

Of course, the environment of adjacent spaces may be clearly separated. For example, when the environment providing device 2 is a lighting fixture, the lighting environment of one space of adjacent spaces, the lighting environment of the other space, and the lighting environment of the boundary thereof may be separated. Specifically, it is assumed that one space of adjacent spaces is irradiated with illumination light having a relatively low color temperature, and the other space is irradiated with illumination light having a relatively high color temperature. In this case, the illumination environment at the boundary between these spaces is an environment in which illumination lights from both spaces are mixed and irradiated, or an environment in which illumination light is not emitted from any of the spaces, so that they are adjacent to each other. The environment of the matching space can be clearly separated.

[Airflow formation system]
Here, in the office 3 where the environmental control system 100 is used, as shown in FIG. 3, an airflow A1 formed by an airflow forming system 200 (see FIG. 1) including, for example, a blower 201 (see FIG. 1) is provided. It has occurred. FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing a situation in which an air flow A1 is generated in an office 3 in which the environmental control system 100 according to the embodiment is used. In particular, FIG. 3 shows the airflow A1 generated in the space (target space 4) corresponding to any one group G1. In the target space 4, there is a stay area 41 in which the user U1 stays. The stay area 41 is, for example, an area where a plurality of users U1 hold a meeting, and a desk or the like is installed.

As shown in FIG. 3, the airflow forming system 200 forms an airflow A1 that passes through the stay area 41 of the user U1 in the target space 4. In the embodiment, the airflow forming system 200 forms an airflow (downflow) A1 from above to downward passing through the stay area 41. That is, in the embodiment, the airflow A1 passes through the stay area 41 from the ceiling side toward the floor side.

For example, if a downflow is formed in the office 3 where the density of people fluctuates greatly, fine particles (aerosol) floating in the air are blown down to the floor side. If fine particles with infectious substances (viruses, etc.) are suspended in the air, there is a concern that the infectious disease will spread unless some measures are taken. On the other hand, if the airflow forming system 200 is provided, the fine particles are blown down to the floor side by the downflow, so that the effect of suppressing the spread of infectious diseases caused by the fine particles floating in the air can be expected.

[Environmental control system]
As shown in FIG. 1, the environmental control system 100 includes an acquisition unit 11, a control unit 12, an adjustment unit 13, and a storage unit 14. In the embodiment, the environmental control system 100 may include at least the acquisition unit 11 and the control unit 12, and may not include the adjustment unit 13 and the storage unit 14.

The acquisition unit 11 acquires airflow information regarding the airflow A1 passing through the stay area 41 of the user U1 in the target space 4. The airflow information may include, for example, the wind speed, direction, temperature, and the like of the airflow A1. The acquisition unit 11 acquires the control parameters of the blower 201 by the airflow formation system 200 as airflow information by communicating with, for example, the airflow formation system 200. The communication between the acquisition unit 11 and the airflow forming system 200 may be wired communication or wireless communication. Further, the standard of communication between the acquisition unit 11 and the airflow forming system 200 is not particularly limited. The acquisition unit 11 may acquire the airflow information by acquiring the measurement result from, for example, the wind speed sensor installed in the stay area 41.

The control unit 12 can communicate with each environment providing device 2 and controls each environment providing device 2 by transmitting a control signal to each environment providing device 2. In other words, the control unit 12 controls the environment of the target space 4 by controlling one or more environment providing devices 2 assigned to the target space 4 (group G1).

In the embodiment, the control unit 12 transmits the same control signal to the same type of environment providing device 2 assigned to the same group G1. The communication between the control unit 12 and each environment providing device 2 may be a wired communication, a wireless communication, and the communication standard is not particularly limited. Further, the control signals need not be transmitted exactly at the same time, and the time difference between the transmissions of the plurality of control signals is preferably within 60 minutes, more preferably within 30 minutes, and even more preferably within 1 minute. If the time difference is within 60 minutes, the effect of saving labor can be expected as compared with changing the environment of the space by manually moving furniture or furniture.

Further, the control signals transmitted from the control unit 12 to the same type of environment providing device 2 assigned to the same group G1 do not have to be exactly the same, and the control content is within a range in which the influence of the space is limited. It is acceptable that there is an error in. For example, when the environment providing device 2 is a lighting fixture, the permissible range is ± 500 K for the color temperature and ± 20% for the dimming rate.

In this way, by controlling the environment of a plurality of spaces corresponding to each of the plurality of groups G1, it is possible to make the environment different for each space, and a so-called zoning effect can be expected.

Here, the zoning effect means, for example, a cognitive division feeling of the space, and may include an effect that the user can easily recognize that a plurality of spaces are different spaces in appearance. In addition, the zoning effect may include an effect of facilitating a change in the user's behavior or flow line as intended by the zoning, with the recognition of the user. For example, it is assumed that an arbitrary space is zoned with the intention of creating a space in which the user can easily perform work that requires concentration. In this case, it can be said that the zoning effect is exhibited if the user who sees the space uses the space mainly for the purpose of performing work that requires concentration.

In addition, the zoning effect includes an effect in which the user's subjective effect / actual feeling or physiological / psychological / biological action tends to be in accordance with the purpose of zoning when the user actually uses the zoned space. obtain. For example, it is assumed that zoning is performed on an arbitrary space with the intention of making it easy to perform work that requires concentration, and the user uses the space. In this case, if the user feels that he / she has been able to concentrate by using the space, or if an index / data suggesting that the user has concentrated as a psychological / biological action can be obtained, the zoning effect is obtained. It can be said that was demonstrated.

By controlling each environment providing device 2 as described above, it is possible to zone the space without using furniture or furniture. Therefore, it is easy to enhance the design of the space, and so-called active zoning that instantly changes the layout of the office 3 by controlling each environment providing device 2 becomes possible. That is, for example, when zoning is performed by controlling the lighting of the lighting equipment as the environment providing device 2, the change of the dimming / coloring control parameters in each space is completed in, for example, a few seconds. In this case, as a result, the layout of the office 3 can be changed in a few seconds. Here, if the layout of the office 3 is changed by manually moving furniture or furniture, it takes 60 minutes, several hours, or one day, or even several days in some cases. From this point, the zoning under the control of each of the above-mentioned environment providing devices 2 can exert an extremely remarkable effect.

With active zoning, it is possible to change the layout of office 3 in a short cycle such as hourly, daily, or monthly, compared to the conventional change of office layout by changing the arrangement of furniture or furniture. Is.

In the embodiment, the control unit 12 has one or more environment providing devices 2 assigned to the target space 4 so as to cancel the influence of the airflow A1 on the user U1 based on the airflow information acquired by the acquisition unit 11. To control. Here, the airflow A1 may give the user U1 at least one of the following two effects. That is, the direct contact of the airflow A1 passing through the stay area 41 of the user U1 with the user U1 may distract the user U1 and cause a decrease in the concentration of the user U1. Further, the airflow A1 passing through the stay area 41 of the user U1 directly hits the user U1, which has an effect on the user U1 that the user U1 feels chills. The latter effect can occur especially when the room temperature is set relatively low, or when the outside temperature is relatively low in winter. By controlling one or more environment providing devices 2 assigned to the target space 4, the control unit 12 provides the target space 4 with an environment in which a zoning effect that cancels at least one of these effects can be expected. do.

Specifically, one or more environment providing devices 2 assigned to the target space 4 may include lighting equipment. In this case, the control unit 12 controls the luminaire so that the illuminance of the stay area 41 in the target space 4 is higher than the illuminance of the area other than the stay area 41. In other words, the luminaire is controlled so as to illuminate the stay area 41 with a spotlight. By controlling one or more environment providing devices 2 in this way, an environment in which the user U1 can expect an improvement in concentration can be expected to be provided in the target space 4.

Further, in this case, the control unit 12 may control the luminaire so that the color temperature in the stay area 41 is lower than the reference color temperature. In other words, the luminaire may be controlled so as to illuminate the stay area 41 with warm-colored lighting. In the embodiment, the reference color temperature is 4000K. By controlling one or more environment providing devices 2 in this way, an environment in which the zoning effect that allows the user U1 to feel warmth can be expected is provided in the target space 4.

Further, one or more environment providing devices 2 assigned to the target space 4 may include an audio device. In this case, the control unit 12 controls the acoustic device so as to reproduce white noise or natural environment sound in the stay area 41. By controlling one or more environment providing devices 2 in this way, an environment in which the user U1 can expect an improvement in concentration can be expected to be provided in the target space 4.

Further, in this case, the control unit 12 may control the audio device so as to play music classified as jazz or bossa nova in the stay area 41. By controlling one or more environment providing devices 2 in this way, an environment in which the zoning effect that allows the user U1 to feel warmth can be expected is provided in the target space 4.

Note that one or more environment providing devices 2 assigned to the target space 4 may include a scent generating device. In this case, the control unit 12 controls the scent generator so that the target space 4 is provided with a scent environment in which the user U1 can expect a zoning effect in which he / she can feel the improvement of concentration. Further, in this case, the control unit 12 may control the scent generator so that the target space 4 is provided with a scent environment in which the user U1 can expect a zoning effect in which he / she can feel the warmth.

Further, one or more environment providing devices 2 assigned to the target space 4 may include a video device. In this case, the control unit 12 controls the video device so that the target space 4 is provided with a video environment in which the user U1 can expect a zoning effect in which he / she can feel the improvement in concentration. Further, in this case, the control unit 12 may control the video device so that the target space 4 is provided with a video environment in which the user U1 can expect a zoning effect in which he / she can feel the warmth.

Further, when a plurality of types of environment providing devices 2 are assigned to the target space 4, the control unit 12 may control only one type of environment providing device 2 or control a plurality of types of environment providing devices 2. You may. For example, it is assumed that a lighting fixture and an audio device are assigned to the target space 4 as the environment providing device 2. In this case, the control unit 12 may control only the lighting equipment to provide the lighting environment, or control only the acoustic device to provide the acoustic environment to the target space 4, or both. May be controlled to provide a complex environment.

[Verification of zoning effect]
Here, the inventor of the present application conducted the following experiments in order to verify the zoning effect. That is, a plurality of subjects (here, 10 people) are gathered in the space to be tested (here, one room in the office), and each subject is given a predetermined task (here, a personal computer) while changing the conditions of the space to be tested. I had them do the typing work for 1 minute at. Then, a questionnaire was given to each subject about the impression of the space to be tested for each condition of the space to be tested.

Multiple desks are installed in the space to be tested. Then, each subject performed typing work using a personal computer (here, a laptop-type personal computer) at one of the desks. Further, on the ceiling of the space to be tested, a plurality of base lights are installed to uniformly illuminate the entire space to be tested. In addition, each desk is equipped with a spotlight to locally illuminate the corresponding desk.

The condition of the space to be tested is a combination of one of the four lighting conditions related to lighting and one of the four sound conditions related to sound. That is, the experiment was conducted under a total of 16 conditions.

The lighting conditions are the following four conditions (A1) to (A4). (A1) is to control each base light so that the color temperature of the illumination light is 3000 K and the illuminance of the space to be tested is 800 lpx. (A2) is to control each base light so that the color temperature of the illumination light is 4000 K and the illuminance of the space to be tested is 800 lpx. (A3) is to control each base light so that the color temperature of the illumination light is 5800 K and the illuminance of the space to be tested is 800 lpx. (A4) is to control each spotlight so that the color temperature of the illumination light is 4000 K and the illuminance at the center of each desk is 1200 lpx.

The sound conditions are the following four conditions (B1) to (B4). (B1) is to make no sound flow through the space to be tested, that is, to make it silent. (B2) is to play the sound of the murmuring of a stream (running water sound) in the space to be tested. (B3) is to play jazz in the space to be tested. (B4) is to play music for meditation in the space to be tested. The music for meditation is the music played when performing meditation or yoga, and is so-called healing music.

In the questionnaire for each subject, answers were obtained regarding the degree of actual feeling of the space to be tested. Specifically, the degree of realization of the space to be tested is (a) very good, (b) quite good, (c) somewhat good, (d) neither, (e) slightly bad, (f). Answers were obtained from each subject as to which of the seven grades, which was quite bad or (g) very bad.

Then, the inventor of the present application quantitatively evaluated the conditions of the space to be tested based on the results of the questionnaire for each subject. Specifically, the 7-grade evaluation obtained in the questionnaire is treated as an evenly spaced scale, and the above evaluations (g), (f), ..., (A) are evaluated as "7", "6", ..., "1", respectively. Was assigned a scalar value. Then, the evaluation function for evaluating the space of the experiment target is defined as the following formula (1), and the score is obtained for each condition of the space of the experiment target by the following formula (2) using the evaluation function. V (m) was calculated.

In the following equations (1) and (2), "f (n, m)" represents the evaluation function, and "v" represents the above scalar value. Further, in the following equations (1) and (2), "n" is the number assigned to the subject, "N" is the number of subjects, and "m" is the combination of the lighting condition and the sound condition. Represents the assigned number. Here, since there are 10 subjects, "N" is 10, and "n" can be a natural number of 1 to 10. Further, here, since there are a total of 16 combinations of lighting conditions and sound conditions, "m" can take any natural number from 1 to 16.

In the following equation (2), the score V (m) is corrected to be "0" when there is no particular impression of favor or dislike in the space to be tested, that is, when the evaluation is the above (d). In order to do so, "4" is subtracted. Therefore, the maximum value of the score V (m) is "3", and the minimum value of the score V (m) is "-3". For example, if the score V (m) is the maximum value, it means that all the subjects have the impression that the space to be tested is "very good". On the other hand, if the score V (m) is the minimum value, it means that all the subjects have the impression that the space to be tested is "very bad".

The results of the above experiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a part of the results of the first evaluation experiment of lighting control and acoustic control. In FIG. 4, the vertical axis represents the score V (m) as to whether or not it is easy to concentrate on the space to be tested. Further, in FIG. 4, the horizontal axis represents the condition of the space to be tested. Specifically, on the horizontal axis of FIG. 4, "3000K" represents the lighting condition (A1), and "TA" represents the lighting condition (A4). Further, on the horizontal axis of FIG. 4, "silence" represents the sound condition (B1), and "running water" represents the sound condition (B2).

In FIG. 4, the score V (m) for the combination of "silence" and "3000K" is "0", whereas the score V (m) for "silence" and "TA" is "+1" or more. It has become. That is, by controlling each spotlight so that the illuminance at the center of each desk is 1200 lp, an increase in the score V (m) (in other words, an improvement in concentration) was confirmed. The above control corresponds to a control in which the illuminance of the stay area 41 in the target space 4 is made higher than the illuminance of the area other than the stay area 41.

Further, in FIG. 4, the score V (m) in the combination of "running water" and "3000K" is "+0.2", which is higher than that in the combination of "silence" and "3000K". That is, it was confirmed that the score V (m) was increased (in other words, the concentration was improved) by flowing the sound of running water through the space to be tested. The above control corresponds to the control of reproducing the natural environment sound (running water sound) in the stay area 41. It should be noted that the same effect as described above can be exhibited even when white noise is reproduced instead of the natural environment sound.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a part of the results of the second evaluation experiment of lighting control and acoustic control. In FIG. 5, the vertical axis represents the score V (m) of whether or not it is easy to feel warmth in the space to be tested. Further, in FIG. 5, the horizontal axis represents the condition of the space to be tested. Specifically, on the horizontal axis of FIG. 5, "3000K" represents the lighting condition (A1), and "5800K" represents the lighting condition (A3). Further, on the horizontal axis of FIG. 5, "silence" represents the sound condition (B1), and "jazz" represents the sound condition (B3).

In FIG. 5, the score V (m) for the combination of "silence" and "5800K" is "-1", whereas the score V (m) for "silence" and "3000K" is "+1". That is all. That is, by controlling each base light so that the color temperature of the illumination light becomes 3000 K, an increase in the score V (m) (in other words, an improvement in the sensation of warmth) was confirmed. The above control corresponds to the control of lowering the color temperature below the reference color temperature (here, 4000K) in the stay area 41.

Further, in FIG. 5, the score V (m) in the combination of "jazz" and "3000K" is "+2", which is a particularly remarkable increase. That is, it was confirmed that the score V (m) was increased (in other words, the feeling of warmth was improved) by playing jazz in the space to be tested. The above control corresponds to the control of playing music classified as jazz in the stay area 41. Even when playing music classified as bossa nova instead of jazz, the same effect as described above can be exhibited.

Based on the results of the first evaluation experiment, the inventor of the present application controls the luminaire so that the illuminance of the stay area 41 in the target space 4 is higher than the illuminance of the area other than the stay area 41, so that the user U1 can use it. We obtained the knowledge that we can expect a zoning effect that allows us to feel the improvement of concentration. Further, the inventor of the present application has found that by controlling the acoustic device so as to reproduce white noise or natural environment sound in the stay area 41, a zoning effect that allows the user U1 to realize an improvement in concentration can be expected. Got

Further, based on the result of the second evaluation experiment, the inventor of the present application can realize the warmth of the user U1 by controlling the luminaire so that the color temperature is lower than the reference color temperature in the stay area 41. We obtained the finding that a zoning effect can be expected. Further, the inventor of the present application has found that by controlling the acoustic device so as to play music classified as jazz or bossa nova in the stay area 41, a zoning effect that allows the user U1 to feel warmth can be expected. Got

[Control example]
Based on the above knowledge of the zoning effect, in the embodiment, the control unit 12 executes any of the first control examples to the third control examples listed below. Each of the first control example to the third control example can be executed when the airflow information acquired by the acquisition unit 11 satisfies a predetermined condition. The predetermined condition is that the airflow A1 effective for suppressing the spread of the infectious disease is generated in the stay area 41 of the target space 4. As an example, the predetermined condition may include an airflow such that the airflow A1 passes through the stay area 41, and the wind speed of the airflow A1 is equal to or higher than a predetermined value (for example, a few commas / s).

In the first control example, the control unit 12 estimates the influence of the airflow A1 on the user U1 based on the airflow information acquired by the acquisition unit 11. For example, the control unit 12 estimates whether or not the airflow A1 causes a decrease in the concentration of the user U1 based on the wind speed or the like of the airflow A1. Further, for example, the control unit 12 estimates whether or not the airflow A1 causes the user U1 to feel chills based on the temperature of the airflow A1 or the like. Then, the control unit 12 can expect a zoning effect that cancels the influence of the airflow A1 on the user U1 by controlling one or more environment providing devices 2 assigned to the target space 4 according to the estimated influence. The environment is provided to the target space 4.

In the second control example, the control unit 12 detects the influence of the airflow A1 on the user U1 based on the detection result from the sensor that detects the state of the user U1. The sensor is, for example, a camera that captures the target space 4, and captures an image (still image or moving image) including at least the face of the user U1. The control unit 12 executes appropriate image processing on the image acquired from the camera, and the airflow A1 causes a decrease in the concentration of the user U1 based on the eye condition (behavior of the line of sight, etc.) of the user U1. Detects whether or not. Further, the sensor is, for example, a temperature sensor having a thermopile, and measures the surface temperature of the user U1. The control unit 12 detects whether or not the airflow A1 makes the user U1 feel cold based on the measurement result acquired from the temperature sensor. Then, the control unit 12 can expect a zoning effect that cancels the influence of the airflow A1 on the user U1 by controlling one or more environment providing devices 2 assigned to the target space 4 according to the detected influence. The environment is provided to the target space 4.

In the third control example, the control unit 12 grasps the influence of the airflow A1 on the user U1 based on the evaluation of the airflow A1 received from the user U1. The user U1 inputs an evaluation at, for example, an information terminal owned by the user U1. The input evaluation is transmitted from the information terminal to the environmental control system 100. The evaluation may include, for example, information indicating that the user U1 lacks concentration, or information indicating that the user U1 is feeling chills. Then, the control unit 12 can expect a zoning effect that cancels the influence of the airflow A1 on the user U1 by controlling one or more environment providing devices 2 assigned to the target space 4 according to the grasped influence. The environment is provided to the target space 4.

The adjusting unit 13 adjusts the control parameters of one or more environment providing devices 2 assigned to the target space 4 in response to the input of the user U1. The control parameters may include, for example, a lighting range, illuminance, color temperature, etc., if the environment providing device 2 is a lighting fixture. Further, the control parameter may include, for example, the type of content to be reproduced, the volume, and the like if the environment providing device 2 is an audio device. The adjustment unit 13 may be configured to acquire the operation input received by the information terminal possessed by the user U1 by communication with the information terminal, or may be configured by the input interface provided in the controller for the environment control system 100. It may be configured to acquire the received operation input.

The user U1 can adjust the control parameters of one or more environment providing devices 2 by the adjusting unit 13 so that the environment suitable for the preference of the user U1 is provided to the target space 4. The control parameters can be adjusted within a range that does not deviate from the control for canceling the influence of the air flow A1 on the user U1.

The storage unit 14 is a storage device that stores information (computer program, etc.) necessary for the control unit 12 to perform control. The storage unit 14 is realized by, for example, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), but may be realized by a semiconductor memory, and a known electronic information storage means can be used without particular limitation. As an example, the storage unit 14 stores information in which the airflow information and the control content of each environment providing device 2 are associated with each other.

The acquisition unit 11, the control unit 12, the adjustment unit 13, and the storage unit 14 may all be mounted on the same board or housed in the same housing. The substrate or housing may be attached to furniture / furniture such as the ceiling, wall, floor, or desk of the office 3. In this case, the effect that the environmental control system 100 is miniaturized can be expected.

[motion]
Hereinafter, an example of the operation of the environmental control system 100 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation example of the environmental control system 100 according to the embodiment. In the following, it is assumed that the airflow A1 is generated by the airflow forming system 200 in an arbitrary target space 4. Further, it is assumed that the environment control system 100 controls one or more environment providing devices 2 assigned to the target space 4. When a plurality of target spaces 4 exist, the environmental control system 100 may perform the following operations for each target space 4.

First, the acquisition unit 11 acquires airflow information (S1). The process S1 corresponds to the acquisition step ST1 of the environment control method. Next, the control unit 12 determines whether or not a predetermined condition is satisfied based on the airflow information acquired by the acquisition unit 11 (S2). If the predetermined condition is not satisfied (S2: No), the process returns to process S1. On the other hand, when the predetermined condition is satisfied (S2: Yes), the control unit 12 cancels out the influence of the airflow A1 on the user U1 according to any of the control examples of the first control example to the third control example. It controls one or more environment providing devices 2 assigned to the target space 4 (S3 to S6). The processes S2 to S6 correspond to the control step ST2 of the environment control method.

When the user U1 feels a decrease in concentration due to the air flow A1 (S3: Yes), the control unit 12 controls one or more environment providing devices 2, so that the user U1 can realize the improvement in concentration. Provide an environment in which the target space 4 can be expected (S4). On the other hand, when the user U1 feels cold air due to the air flow A1 (S3: No, S5: Yes), the control unit 12 controls one or more environment providing devices 2 so that the user U1 can feel the warmth. An environment in which an effect can be expected is provided to the target space 4 (S6). When the user U1 does not feel any decrease in concentration or cold air due to the air flow A1 (S5: No), the control unit 12 does not control one or more environment providing devices 2. Hereinafter, the above series of processes are repeated.

[advantage]
Hereinafter, the advantages of the environmental control system 100 according to the embodiment will be described. First, the point of view of the inventor of the present application will be described. In recent years, for example, with the worldwide epidemic of infectious diseases, an increasing number of companies are actively introducing telework in order to avoid crowding of people in the same space. Telework is a work style that allows you to carry out work without going to the office 3 by utilizing software that is mainly specialized in digital communication.

On the other hand, if telework permeates as a new work style, there is a concern that face-to-face communication such as meetings in office 3 will be weakened. And face-to-face communication is still important for improving business performance. Therefore, it is required to realize face-to-face communication in the office 3 while suppressing the spread of infectious diseases.

As described above, when the airflow A1 is formed in the office 3 by using the airflow formation system 200, the fine particles (aerosol) suspended in the air are blown down to the floor side, so that the spread of the infectious disease can be suppressed. Face-to-face communication can be realized. However, when the airflow A1 directly hits the user U1, the concentration of the user U1 on communication is lowered, or the user U1 feels chills, so that the performance or satisfaction of the user U1 is lowered. There are challenges.

Here, it is conceivable to reduce the influence of the airflow A1 on the user U1 by controlling the airflow A1 itself by weakening the wind speed of the airflow A1, but the effect of suppressing the spread of the infectious disease due to the airflow A1 is effective. It is not preferable because it weakens. Therefore, in the environmental control system 100 according to the embodiment, in order to suppress the deterioration of the user's performance or satisfaction while maintaining the effect of suppressing the spread of the infectious disease due to the air flow A1, the target space 4 is set as described above. It controls one or more assigned environment providing devices 2.

For example, when the airflow A1 passing through the stay area 41 of the user U1 directly hits the user U1 to cause a decrease in the concentration of the user U1, the environmental control system 100 can realize the improvement of the concentration of the user U1. The target space 4 is provided with an environment in which a zoning effect can be expected. As a result, it can be expected that the decrease in the concentration of the user U1 due to the air flow A1 is canceled by the environment provided by the environmental control system 100.

Further, for example, when the user U1 feels chills due to the airflow A1 passing through the stay area 41 of the user U1 directly hitting the user U1, the environmental control system 100 has a zoning effect that allows the user U1 to feel warmth. Providing a promising environment to the target space 4. As a result, it can be expected that the cold air felt by the user U1 due to the air flow A1 is canceled by the environment provided by the environmental control system 100.

As described above, the environmental control system 100 according to the embodiment attempts to cancel the influence of the airflow A1 on the user U1 by changing the environment of the target space 4 without changing the control for the airflow A1. There is. Therefore, the environmental control system 100 according to the embodiment has an advantage that it is easy to suppress a decrease in user performance or satisfaction while maintaining the effect of suppressing the spread of an infectious disease due to the air flow A1.

(Modification example)
Although the embodiments have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. Hereinafter, modifications of the embodiment will be listed. The modifications described below may be combined as appropriate.

In the embodiment, the environment control system 100 controls the environment of a plurality of target spaces 4, but is not limited to this. For example, the environment control system 100 may control only the environment of one target space 4.

In the embodiment, the airflow A1 generated in the target space 4 is a downflow, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the airflow A1 may be an airflow that passes horizontally through the target space 4 (particularly, the stay area 41). Even in such an air flow A1, since the fine particles existing in the stay region 41 are kept away from the stay region 41, the effect of suppressing the spread of infectious diseases caused by the fine particles suspended in the air can be expected.

In the embodiment, when a plurality of types of environment providing devices 2 are assigned to an arbitrary group G1, these environment providing devices 2 may be configured separately for each type or may be configured integrally. You may be.

In the embodiment, the office 3 is composed of one large room and one or more small rooms, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the office 3 may be configured by one large room having no other rooms, or may be configured across a plurality of layers.

In the embodiment, the environmental control system 100 targets one office 3, but is not limited to this. For example, the environment control system 100 may target a plurality of offices 3 and control each environment providing device 2 for each office 3.

In the embodiment, the environment providing device 2 is not included in the component of the environment control system 100, but the environment providing device 2 may be included in the component of the environment control system 100.

Further, for example, in the above embodiment, the environmental control system 100 is realized by a plurality of devices, but may be realized as a single device. For example, the environmental control system 100 may be realized as a single device corresponding to a server device. When the environmental control system 100 is realized by a plurality of devices, the components included in the environmental control system 100 may be distributed to the plurality of devices in any way. For example, the components included in the server device in the above embodiment may be provided in the information terminal installed in the closed space. That is, the present invention may be realized by cloud computing or edge computing.

For example, the communication method between the devices in the above embodiment is not particularly limited. Further, in the communication between the devices, a relay device (not shown) may intervene.

Further, in the above embodiment, each component may be realized by executing a software program suitable for each component. Each component may be realized by a program execution unit such as a CPU or a processor reading and executing a software program recorded on a recording medium such as a hard disk or a semiconductor memory.

Further, each component may be realized by hardware. For example, each component may be a circuit (or an integrated circuit). These circuits may form one circuit as a whole, or may be separate circuits from each other. Further, each of these circuits may be a general-purpose circuit or a dedicated circuit.

Further, general or specific aspects of the present invention may be realized by a recording medium such as a system, an apparatus, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, or a computer-readable CD-ROM. Further, it may be realized by any combination of a system, an apparatus, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program and a recording medium.

For example, the present invention may be realized as an environment control method executed by a computer such as the environment control system 100, or may be realized as a program for causing a computer to execute such an environment control method. Such a program may be realized as a computer-readable non-temporary recording medium on which such a program is recorded.

In addition, it is realized by applying various modifications to each embodiment that can be conceived by those skilled in the art, or by arbitrarily combining the components and functions of each embodiment within the range not deviating from the gist of the present invention. Also included in the present invention.

(summary)
As described above, the environmental control system 100 includes an acquisition unit 11 and a control unit 12. The acquisition unit 11 acquires airflow information regarding the airflow A1 passing through the stay area 41 of the user U1 in the target space 4. The control unit 12 controls the environment of the target space 4 by controlling one or more environment providing devices 2 assigned to the target space 4. The control unit 12 controls one or more environment providing devices 2 so as to cancel the influence of the airflow A1 on the user U1 based on the airflow information acquired by the acquisition unit 11.

According to such an environmental control system 100, there is an advantage that it is easy to suppress a decrease in the performance or satisfaction of the user U1 while maintaining the effect of suppressing the spread of the infectious disease due to the air flow A1.

Further, for example, in the environment control system 100, one or more environment providing devices 2 include a lighting fixture. The control unit 12 controls the luminaire so that the illuminance of the stay area 41 in the target space 4 is higher than the illuminance of the area other than the stay area 41.

According to such an environmental control system 100, there is an advantage that the decrease in the concentration of the user U1 due to the air flow A1 can be expected to be canceled by the lighting environment.

Further, for example, in the environment control system 100, one or more environment providing devices 2 include an audio device. The control unit 12 controls the acoustic device so as to reproduce white noise or natural environment sound in the stay area 41.

According to such an environmental control system 100, there is an advantage that the decrease in the concentration of the user U1 due to the air flow A1 can be expected to be canceled by the acoustic environment.

Further, for example, in the environment control system 100, one or more environment providing devices 2 include a lighting fixture. The control unit 12 controls the luminaire so that the color temperature in the stay area 41 is lower than the reference color temperature.

According to such an environmental control system 100, there is an advantage that the cold air felt by the user U1 due to the air flow A1 can be expected to be canceled by the lighting environment.

Further, for example, in the environment control system 100, one or more environment providing devices 2 include an audio device. The control unit 12 controls the audio device so as to play music classified as jazz or bossa nova in the stay area 41.

According to such an environmental control system 100, there is an advantage that the cold air felt by the user U1 due to the air flow A1 can be expected to be canceled by the acoustic environment.

Further, for example, the environment control system 100 further includes an adjustment unit 13 that adjusts the control parameters of one or more environment providing devices 2 in response to the input of the user U1.

According to such an environmental control system 100, there is an advantage that it becomes easy to provide an environment suitable for the preference of the user U1 to the target space 4 while maintaining the effect of suppressing the spread of infectious diseases.

Further, for example, in the environmental control system 100, the airflow A1 passes through the stay area 41 from the ceiling side toward the floor side.

According to such an environmental control system 100, there is an advantage that fine particles to which an infectious substance is attached are less likely to stay in the stay area 41.

Further, for example, the environment control method includes acquisition step ST1 and control step ST2. In the acquisition step ST1, the airflow information regarding the airflow A1 passing through the stay area 41 of the user U1 in the target space 4 is acquired. In the control step ST2, the environment of the target space 4 is controlled by controlling one or more environment providing devices 2 assigned to the target space 4. In the control step ST2, one or more environment providing devices 2 are controlled so as to cancel the influence of the airflow A1 on the user U1 based on the airflow information acquired in the acquisition step ST1.

According to such an environmental control method, there is an advantage that it is easy to suppress a decrease in the performance or satisfaction of the user U1 while maintaining the effect of suppressing the spread of the infectious disease due to the air flow A1.

Also, for example, the program causes one or more processors to execute the above environment control method.

According to such a program, there is an advantage that it is easy to suppress a decrease in the performance or satisfaction of the user U1 while maintaining the effect of suppressing the spread of the infectious disease due to the air flow A1.

100 Environmental control system 11 Acquisition unit 12 Control unit 13 Adjustment unit 2 Environmental provision device 4 Target space 41 Stay area 200 Airflow formation system 201 Blower A1 Airflow U1 User ST1 Acquisition step ST2 Control step

Claims (9)

1. An acquisition unit that acquires airflow information related to the airflow passing through the user's stay area in the target space,
   A control unit that controls the environment of the target space by controlling one or more environment providing devices assigned to the target space is provided.
   Based on the airflow information acquired by the acquisition unit, the control unit controls the one or more environment providing devices so as to cancel the influence of the airflow on the user.
   Environmental control system.
2. The one or more environment providing devices include lighting equipment.
   The control unit controls the luminaire so that the illuminance of the stay area in the target space is higher than the illuminance of the area other than the stay area.
   The environmental control system according to claim 1.
3. The one or more environment providing devices include an audio device.
   The control unit controls the acoustic device so as to reproduce white noise or natural environment sound in the stay area.
   The environmental control system according to claim 1 or 2.
4. The one or more environment providing devices include lighting equipment.
   The control unit controls the luminaire so that the color temperature is lower than the reference color temperature in the stay area.
   The environmental control system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
5. The one or more environment providing devices include an audio device.
   The control unit controls the sound device so as to play music classified as jazz or bossa nova in the stay area.
   The environmental control system according to any one of claims 1 to 4.
6. Further, an adjusting unit for adjusting the control parameters of the one or more environment providing devices according to the input of the user is provided.
   The environmental control system according to any one of claims 1 to 5.
7. The airflow passes through the stay area from the ceiling side to the floor side.
   The environmental control system according to any one of claims 1 to 6.
8. The acquisition step of acquiring the airflow information about the airflow passing through the user's stay area in the target space, and
   A control step for controlling the environment of the target space by controlling one or more environment providing devices assigned to the target space is included.
   In the control step, the one or more environment providing devices are controlled so as to cancel the influence of the airflow on the user based on the airflow information acquired in the acquisition step.
   Environmental control method.
9. For one or more processors
   The environmental control method according to claim 8 is executed.
   program.

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