JP2016200282A - Air conditioner and operation method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an air conditioner having high amenity.SOLUTION: An air conditioner includes: imaging means 14 configured to generate pickup image information of an air conditioning chamber by photoelectrically converting light in a wavelength band that is at least part of the wavelength band of near infrared ray; and control means 3 configured to detect a high luminance area in which luminance on an image in the pickup image information exceeds a predetermined luminance threshold, and change air conditioning control on the basis of the detection result of the high luminance area.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to an air conditioner or the like that performs air conditioning.

  2. Description of the Related Art An air conditioner that acquires thermal image data of an air conditioning room by an infrared sensor and performs air conditioning based on the thermal image data is known.

  For example, in Patent Document 1, a region corresponding to a wall of a room is detected from thermal image data acquired by an infrared sensor, and a portion of the wall where the temperature difference from other portions is a predetermined value or more is detected as a window. The air conditioner is described.

JP2013-64598A

  In general, since electromagnetic waves generated by thermal radiation from an object are included in the wavelength band of “far” infrared rays, in Patent Document 1, it is considered that a window is detected based on a detection result of “far” infrared rays among infrared rays. However, in a room where an indoor unit is installed, one or more heating elements (for example, a human body) often exist. Therefore, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, there is a possibility that a part other than the window whose temperature difference from the heating element is equal to or greater than a predetermined value is erroneously detected as “a window”.

Further, for example, when a highly heat-insulating window is installed in the air conditioning room, there is a possibility that there is almost no temperature difference between this window and other parts. When an air conditioner is installed in such an air-conditioned room, it is difficult to detect a highly heat-insulating window based on “far” infrared rays as in Patent Document 1.
It is desired to further improve the detection accuracy of the windows installed in the air-conditioning room and perform air conditioning with high comfort based on the detection result.

  Then, this invention makes it a subject to provide an air conditioner etc. with high comfort.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention provides an imaging unit that generates captured image information of an air-conditioning room by photoelectrically converting light in at least a part of a wavelength band of the near infrared wavelength band, and the captured image information. Control means for detecting a high brightness area in which the brightness on the image is equal to or higher than a predetermined brightness threshold and changing the air conditioning control based on the detection result of the high brightness area.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, a highly comfortable air conditioner etc. can be provided.

It is a front view of the indoor unit with which the air conditioner which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention is equipped, the outdoor unit, and a remote control. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the indoor unit with which an air conditioner is provided. (A) is explanatory drawing which shows the state in the middle of the visible light cut filter moving, (b) is explanatory drawing which shows the state by which the visible light cut filter is arrange | positioned at the front side of the imaging means. It is a functional block diagram of the apparatus with which an indoor unit is provided. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the air-conditioning room in which an indoor unit is installed. It is explanatory drawing of the air-conditioning room seen from this imaging means in the state where the imaging means was exposed. It is a flowchart regarding the detection of the floor plan of an air-conditioning room. It is a flowchart regarding the detection of the window of an air-conditioning room. (A) is explanatory drawing which shows the relationship between the wavelength of sunlight, and light intensity, (b) is explanatory drawing which shows the relationship between the wavelength of the light which permeate | transmitted the visible light cut filter, and light intensity. is there. (A) is explanatory drawing which shows the high-intensity area | region where a brightness | luminance is more than a predetermined | prescribed brightness | luminance threshold value on the image of captured image information, (b) is explanatory drawing of the area | region which remains as a window area | region candidate after applying a position filter. (C) is an explanatory diagram of a region remaining as a window region candidate after the area filter is applied. (A) is explanatory drawing which shows the relationship between a window and floor plan in the indoor image seen from the imaging means, (b) is explanatory drawing (plane) when looking down at a window and an indoor unit in real space Figure). It is a flowchart which shows the process regarding the change of air-conditioning control.

<Embodiment>
<Configuration of air conditioner>
FIG. 1 is a front view of an indoor unit 100, an outdoor unit 200, and a remote controller 300 included in the air conditioner S according to the present embodiment. FIG. 1 illustrates a state in which the imaging unit 14 is exposed in the indoor unit 100 (a state in which the imaging unit 14 is not covered by the visible light cut filter 20 described later: see FIG. 3B). .
The air conditioner S is an apparatus that performs air conditioning (cooling operation, heating operation, dehumidifying operation, etc.) by circulating a refrigerant in a heat pump cycle. The air conditioner S includes an indoor unit 100, an outdoor unit 200, and a remote controller 300.

The indoor unit 100 includes a remote control transmission / reception unit 13 and an imaging unit 14.
The remote control transmission / reception unit 13 has a function of transmitting / receiving a signal to / from the remote control 300. For example, signals such as an operation / stop command, a change in set temperature, a timer setting, and a change in operation mode are transmitted from the remote controller 300 to the indoor unit 100. Further, for example, detected values of indoor temperature and humidity are transmitted from the indoor unit 100 to the remote controller 300 and displayed on the remote controller 300.
The imaging means 14 images the air conditioning room in which the indoor unit 100 is installed. Details of the imaging means 14 will be described later.

Although not shown, the outdoor unit 200 includes a compressor, a four-way valve, an outdoor heat exchanger, an outdoor fan, and an expansion valve. In a refrigerant circuit in which a compressor, a four-way valve, an outdoor heat exchanger, an expansion valve, and an indoor heat exchanger 11 (see FIG. 2) to be described later are sequentially connected in an annular manner, a well-known heat pump cycle is used. In order to circulate the refrigerant.
The remote controller 300 exchanges information with the indoor unit 100 as described above.

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the indoor unit 100 included in the air conditioner S. In FIG. 2, a state in which the visible light cut filter 20 is disposed on the front side of the imaging unit 14 is illustrated.
The indoor unit 100 includes an indoor heat exchanger 11, an indoor fan 12, a housing base 15, a dust filter 16, and a front panel 17 in addition to the remote control transmission / reception unit 13 (see FIG. 1) and the imaging unit 14. A left and right wind direction plate 18, an up and down wind direction plate 19, a visible light cut filter 20, and a filter moving motor 21.

The indoor heat exchanger 11 is a heat exchanger that performs heat exchange between the refrigerant and room air. As shown in FIG. 2, the indoor heat exchanger 11 includes a plurality of heat transfer tubes 11a through which the refrigerant flows.
The indoor fan 12 is, for example, a cylindrical cross flow fan, and is rotated by a fan motor 51 (see FIG. 4).

  The housing base 15 is a housing in which the indoor heat exchanger 11, the indoor fan 12, and the like are installed. The dust filter 16 is a filter that removes dust from the air taken in through the air suction hole h <b> 1, and is installed on the upper and front sides of the indoor heat exchanger 11. The front panel 17 is a panel installed on the front side of the dust filter 16 and is rotatable forward with the lower end as an axis. The front panel 17 may be configured not to rotate.

The left / right airflow direction plate 18 is a plate-like member for adjusting the flow direction of the air blown toward the air conditioning chamber in the left / right direction. The left / right wind direction plate 18 is disposed on the downstream side of the indoor fan 12 and is rotated in the left / right direction by a left / right wind direction plate motor 52 (see FIG. 4).
The up-and-down air direction plate 19 is a plate-like member for adjusting the flow direction of the air blown toward the air conditioning chamber in the up-and-down direction. The up / down wind direction plate 19 is arranged on the downstream side of the indoor fan 12 and is rotated in the up / down direction by an up / down air direction plate motor 53 (see FIG. 4).

  The indoor air sucked in through the air suction hole h1 by the rotation of the indoor fan 12 exchanges heat with the refrigerant flowing through the heat transfer pipe 11a, and the heat-exchanged air is moved in a predetermined direction by the left and right wind direction plates 18 and the upper and lower wind direction plates 19. Is sent to the air-conditioning room through the air blowing hole h2.

  As described above, the image pickup unit 14 picks up an image of the air-conditioned room and is installed on the housing base 15. More specifically, the imaging means 14 is installed between the front panel 17 and the vertical wind direction plate 19 in the vertical direction, and is downward by a predetermined angle with respect to the horizontal direction so that the air-conditioned room can be properly imaged. It is installed with facing. In addition, what is necessary is just to set suitably about the installation position and angle of the imaging means 14 according to the specification and application of the air conditioner S.

  The visible light cut filter 20 is a filter that blocks (cuts) light in the visible light band of the light traveling toward the imaging unit 14. The visible light cut filter 20 is installed on the peripheral wall surface of the installation member Q having a disk shape, for example. The filter moving motor 21 is a motor for moving the visible light cut filter 20 and is installed on the central axis of the installation member Q described above. The configuration illustrated in FIG. 2 is an example, and the configuration of the indoor unit 100 is not limited to this.

  FIG. 3A is an explanatory diagram (corresponding to a region K shown in FIG. 1) showing a state in which the visible light cut filter 20 is moving. When the visible light cut filter 20 is used, the visible light cut filter 20 is disposed on the front side of the imaging means 14 (that is, the imaging means 14 is covered by the visible light cut filter 20). The motor 21 (see FIG. 2) is driven.

  FIG. 3B is an explanatory diagram (corresponding to the region K shown in FIG. 1) showing a state in which the visible light cut filter 20 is disposed on the front side of the imaging means 14. Although details will be described later, when the position of the window installed in the air-conditioning room is estimated, the visible light cut filter 20 is disposed on the front side of the imaging means 14 as shown in FIG. The air conditioning room is imaged.

FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of devices included in the indoor unit 100.
The indoor unit 100 includes a control unit 3, an environment detection unit 41, a fan motor, in addition to a device (see FIGS. 1 and 2) including the remote control transmission / reception unit 13, the imaging unit 14, and the filter moving motor 21. 51, a left / right wind direction plate motor 52, and a vertical wind direction plate motor 53.

As shown in FIG. 4, the imaging means 14 includes an optical lens 14a, an imaging device 14b, an A / D converter 14c, and a digital signal processing unit 14d.
The optical lens 14a is a lens for adjusting the imaging range (field angle) and focus of the imaging means 14.
The imaging element 14b is an element that generates captured image information by photoelectrically converting light incident through the optical lens 14a. A CCD sensor (Charge Coupled Device) or a CMOS sensor (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) can be used as the image sensor 14b.

  Further, the image sensor 14b senses light in at least a part of the wavelength band (for example, 760 nm to 1000 nm) of the near infrared wavelength band (for example, 700 nm to 2500 nm). In the present embodiment, as an example, a case will be described in which the image sensor 14b can sense ultraviolet rays, visible rays, and near infrared rays.

The near infrared rays described above are contained in sunlight and have the property of passing through window glass, curtains, blinds, etc. and entering the air conditioning room. In the present embodiment, light (including near-infrared light) incident through the visible light cut filter 20 is photoelectrically converted by the image sensor 14b to generate captured image information. Based on this captured image information, the window of the air conditioning room is opened. I try to detect it.
In FIG. 1, only one image sensor 14b is shown, but actually, a plurality of image sensors are arranged in the horizontal direction / vertical direction (row direction / column direction). These image sensors correspond to each pixel.

  The A / D converter 14c has a function of converting an analog signal input from the image sensor 14b into a digital signal. The digital signal processing unit 14d has a function of correcting the luminance and color tone of the image regarding the image information input from the A / D converter 14c.

The control means 3 includes a camera microcomputer 31 and a main microcomputer 32.
The camera microcomputer 31 includes a storage unit 311, an image processing unit 312, and a drive control unit 313.
Although not shown, the storage unit 311 includes a ROM (Read Only Memory) in which programs of the image processing unit 312 and the drive control unit 313 are stored, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) in which the above programs are expanded. Consists of.

The image processing means 312 includes a window detection unit 312a, a floor plan detection unit 312b, and a human body detection unit 312c.
The window detection unit 312a has a function of detecting the window of the air conditioning room based on the captured image information input from the imaging unit 14 (that is, calculating the position and size of the window). The processing performed by the window detection unit 312a will be described later. The floor plan detector 312b has a function of detecting the floor plan of the air conditioning room. The processing performed by the floor plan detection unit 312b will be described later.

The human body detection unit 312c has a function of detecting a human body (resident) in the air-conditioned room based on the captured image information input from the imaging unit 14. For example, the human body detection unit 312c extracts the head, chest, arms, legs, and the like of the human body based on the above-described image information, and calculates the position of the human body based on the extracted positional relationship of each part. Since detection of a human body is well known, detailed description is omitted.
The processing results of the window detection unit 312a, the floor plan detection unit 312b, and the human body detection unit 312c are output to the main microcomputer 32.

  The drive control unit 313 has a function of controlling the filter moving motor 21 according to the processing content performed by the image processing unit 312. For example, when the window detection unit 312 a detects the window of the air conditioning room, the drive control unit 313 drives the filter moving motor 21 so that the visible light cut filter 20 is disposed on the front side of the imaging unit 14. Further, when the floor plan detection unit 312b detects the floor plan of the air-conditioning room and when the human body detection unit 312c detects the human body, the drive control unit 313 drives the filter moving motor 21 so that the imaging unit 14 is exposed. To do.

The environment detection means 41 includes a thermal image acquisition unit 41a and an illuminance detection unit 41b.
The thermal image acquisition unit 41a acquires thermal image information indicating the temperature distribution of the air conditioning room, and is installed on the housing base 15 (see FIG. 2). The thermal image acquisition unit 41a includes a plurality of image sensors (not shown) that photoelectrically convert far-infrared rays radiated from the walls and windows of the air conditioning room.
The illuminance detection unit 41b is a sensor that detects the illuminance of the air conditioning room, and is installed on the housing base 15 (see FIG. 2). The detection values of the thermal image acquisition unit 41a and the illuminance detection unit 41b are output to the main microcomputer 32, respectively.

The main microcomputer 32 includes storage means 321, arithmetic processing means 322, and drive control means 323.
Although not shown, the storage unit 321 includes a ROM that stores the programs of the arithmetic processing unit 322 and the drive control unit 323 and a RAM in which the programs are expanded.

  The arithmetic processing means 322 is based on the signal received by the remote control transmitter / receiver 13, the processing result of the image processing means 312, and the detection result of the environment detection means 41, the rotational speed command value of the fan motor 51, It has a function of calculating rotation angle command values of the plate motor 52 and the vertical wind direction plate motor 53. The arithmetic processing means 322 also has a function of exchanging information for driving a compressor (not shown) and an outdoor fan with a microcomputer (not shown) of the outdoor unit 200.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of an air conditioning room in which the indoor unit 100 is installed.
In the example shown in FIG. 5, a window W <b> 1 is provided on the front side when viewed from the indoor unit 100, and another window W <b> 2 (broken line) is provided on the right side (front side of the page) when viewed from the indoor unit 100. These windows W1 and W2 are included in the imaging range (broken line) of the imaging means 14. A curtain C is applied to the window W1.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of the air conditioning room viewed from the imaging unit 14 in a state where the imaging unit 14 is exposed. The horizontal axis θx in FIG. 6 is the number of pixels in the horizontal direction of the image sensor 14b arranged vertically and horizontally, and the vertical axis θy is the number of pixels in the vertical direction of the image sensor 14b.
In the example shown in FIG. 6, the windows W1 and W2 and the lamp R (not shown in FIG. 5) installed on the ceiling of the air conditioning room are imaged. Moreover, sunlight shines into the air conditioning room through the window W2, and a part D of the floor is illuminated. The boundary lines G1 to G3 and the intersection point H will be described later.
Below, the case where the air-conditioning room shown in FIG. 5, FIG. 6 is imaged with the imaging means 14, and the air-conditioning control is changed based on the layout and the detection results of the windows W1 and W2 will be described.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart regarding the detection of the floor plan of the air conditioning room.
In step S101, the control means 3 drives the filter moving motor 21 by the drive control means 313 (see FIG. 4) so that the imaging means 14 is exposed.

In step S102, the control means 3 detects the floor plan of the air conditioning room by the floor plan detector 312b (see FIG. 4). The above-described “room layout” includes the coordinates of the ridgeline of the wall in the air conditioning room.
For example, the control unit 3 detects boundary lines G1, G2, and G3 of regions having different luminances on the image shown in FIG. In FIG. 6, the walls and floor are illustrated with uniform dots, but actually, sunlight including visible light is incident on the imaging means 14. Therefore, usually the brightness of adjacent walls is different, and the brightness of the wall and floor is also different.

The control means 3 has one point (a crossing point H shown in FIG. 6) that includes a straight line including the horizontal boundary line G1, a straight line including the vertical boundary line G2, and a straight line including the diagonal boundary line G3. When intersecting with each other, the boundary lines G1, G2, and G3 are specified as ridge lines of the wall. The same applies to the other ridge lines of the air conditioning room shown in FIG.
In step S103, the control unit 3 stores the detection result of step S102 in the storage unit 311 (see FIG. 4), and ends the processing (END).

FIG. 8 is a flowchart regarding the detection of the window of the air conditioning room.
In addition, at the time of “START” in FIG. 8, it is assumed that the room floor detection result is stored in the storage unit 311 (see FIG. 4). Moreover, the process shown in FIG. 8 shall be performed in the time slot | zone (except nighttime) which sunlight injects into an air-conditioning room.

  In step S201, the control means 3 arranges the visible light cut filter 20 on the front side of the imaging means 14 by the filter moving motor 21 (see FIG. 4).

  Fig.9 (a) is explanatory drawing which shows the relationship between the wavelength of sunlight, and light intensity. The horizontal axis of Fig.9 (a) is the wavelength of sunlight, and a vertical axis | shaft is the light intensity of sunlight. As shown in FIG. 9A, the sunlight includes ultraviolet rays, visible rays, near infrared rays, far infrared rays, and the like.

FIG. 9B is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the wavelength of light transmitted through the visible light cut filter 20 and the light intensity. The horizontal axis of FIG.9 (b) is the wavelength of the light which permeate | transmitted the visible light cut filter 20, and a vertical axis | shaft is the light intensity of above-described light.
By arranging the visible light cut filter 20 in front of the imaging means 14, light in the visible light wavelength band is attenuated (or reflected) by the visible light cut filter 20, and light in a wavelength band other than visible light is visible. It passes through the light cut filter 20. That is, light including ultraviolet rays, near infrared rays, and far infrared rays passes through the visible light cut filter 20.

  When such light enters the image sensor 14b, mainly light in the near-infrared and ultraviolet wavelength bands (see the hatched portion in FIG. 9B) is converted into photocurrent. In other words, the extent to which light in the far-infrared wavelength band is converted to photocurrent is small enough to be ignored. This is because an image sensor 14b having a low far-infrared sensitivity is used.

  The photocurrent generated in each image sensor 14b is converted into a digital signal by the A / D converter 14c (see FIG. 4), and this digital signal is converted into a window detection unit via the digital signal processing unit 14d (see FIG. 4). It is output to 312a. When performing window detection, the luminance and contrast of the image may be corrected by the digital signal processing unit 14d, or the above-described correction may not be performed.

In step S202 of FIG. 8, the control means 3 acquires captured image information by the window detector 312a (see FIG. 4) (imaging step). This captured image information includes the coordinates of each pixel corresponding to each image sensor and its luminance.
In step S203, the control means 3 sets the brightness threshold value B1 by the window detection unit 312a. The luminance threshold value B1 is a threshold value serving as a determination criterion for extracting a relatively high luminance area including the window area. For example, when the entire air conditioning room is brightly illuminated by sunlight, the brightness threshold is set high so that the wall surface (for example, floor) of the air conditioning room and the window can be distinguished. Further, for example, when a curtain is put on each window and the entire air-conditioned room is dark, the brightness threshold is set to be low.

  The above-described method for setting the brightness threshold B1 will be specifically described. For example, the control unit 3 adds the predetermined value to the brightness of the area (reference area) corresponding to the floor or ceiling of the air-conditioning room, thereby setting the brightness threshold. Set. The above-mentioned “reference area” is an area used as a reference for the brightness threshold value B1 on the image of the captured image information, and can be specified based on, for example, the detection result of the floor plan of the air conditioning room. Note that the luminance threshold B1 may be set by multiplying the luminance of the reference region by a predetermined value (> 1).

  In step S204, the control means 3 uses the window detection unit 312a to extract a “high luminance region” whose luminance is equal to or higher than the luminance threshold B1 on the image of the captured image information. That is, the control unit 3 specifies a pixel whose luminance is equal to or higher than the luminance threshold B1, and further specifies adjacent pixels as one region.

FIG. 10A is an explanatory diagram showing a high luminance region whose luminance is equal to or higher than the luminance threshold B1 on the image of the captured image information. In FIG. 10A, the horizontal axis θx is the number of pixels in the horizontal direction of the plurality of image sensors 14b, and the vertical axis θy is the number of pixels in the vertical direction of the image sensor 14b (FIG. 10B, The same applies to (c)).
In the example shown in FIG. 10A, sunlight is radiated from the window on the floor, the area _RA corresponding to the lamp R shown in FIG. 6, the areas W1 _A and W2 _A corresponding to the windows W1 and W2. _A region DA corresponding to the portion D is extracted as a “high luminance region”. As described above, since the near infrared rays contained in sunlight pass through the glass and the curtain, the region W1 _{A of the} window W1 (see FIG. 6) on which the curtain C is applied is also extracted.

Even if a heating element (not shown) that emits far infrared rays is present in the air conditioning room, the imaging element 14b has low far infrared sensitivity as described above (the shaded area in FIG. 9B). See). Therefore, no heating element is extracted in the process of step S204.
Even if white furniture is present in the air-conditioned room, the visible light cut filter 20 is disposed on the front side of the imaging means 14 (S201), so that visible light is incident on the imaging element 14b. Absent. Therefore, in the process of step S204, white furniture with relatively high luminance in the visible light band is not extracted.

  In step S205 in FIG. 7, the control unit 3 performs filtering based on the feature amount by the window detection unit 312a. Hereinafter, a position filter based on the position of each region, an area filter based on the area (size) of each region, and a shape filter based on the shape of each region will be sequentially described.

(1. Position filter)
The control means 3 regards each area extracted in step S204 as a candidate for “window area” if at least a part thereof is included in the upper area M (θy ≧ θ1y: see FIG. 10B) on the captured image. leave. The above-described upper region M is, for example, a region above the ridge line G1 (see FIG. 6) between the front wall and the floor of the air conditioning room as viewed from the imaging unit 14, and is set based on the floor plan detection result (S102). Is done.

FIG. 10B is an explanatory diagram of regions remaining as window region candidates after the position filter is applied. In the example shown in FIG. 10B, the regions R _A , W1 _A , and W2 _A included in the upper region M on the captured image are left as window region candidates. The region D _A contained in the lower region of the image are excluded from candidates for the window region. Thus, by applying a position filter, a region D _A corresponding to the partial's sunlight Sashikon in floor D (see FIG. 6) can be removed from candidates for the window region.

(2. Area filter)
The control means 3 leaves the area extracted in step S204 whose area (number of pixels) on the image of the captured image information is a predetermined value or more as a window area candidate. Here, as an example, a method for determining the areas of the regions W1 _A and W2 _A based on the detection result of the air conditioning room layout will be described.

FIG. 11A is an explanatory diagram illustrating a relationship between a window and a room layout in the indoor image viewed from the imaging unit 14. For example, the region W1 _A existing between the ridge G2, G4 in the θx direction is assumed to be a window, the window is said to be installed in the front wall as viewed from the imaging unit 14.

FIG.11 (b) is explanatory drawing (plan view) when looking down at the window and the indoor unit 100 in real space. As described above, assuming that the area W1 _A is the window W1, the width of the window W1 installed on the front wall is the distance L _F from the imaging means 14 to the window and the area W1 _A (FIG. 11 (a ))) Can be approximated by a value (L _F · θ _αF ) obtained by multiplying the number of pixels θ _αF in the horizontal direction on the image. This is similar to the case of _obtaining the length of an arc whose radius is equal to the distance L _F and whose angle formed by the radius is equal to the number of pixels _θαF . Therefore, the area _{S F} of the window W1 can be approximated using the following (Equation 1).

S _{F ≈L F} ² · θ _αF · θ _βF (Formula 1)

Incidentally, the distance L _F from the imaging unit 14 to the windows W1, and the coordinates ([theta] y direction) on the image of the ridge line G1 between the front wall and the floor, and the standard installation height of the indoor unit 100, the imaging with respect to the horizontal plane It is obtained based on the angle formed by the optical axis of the means 14.

Further, as shown in FIG. 11 (a), the region W2 _A existing in the right ridge G2 in θx direction is assumed to be the window, when the window is installed in the right wall seen from the imaging unit 14 I can say that. As shown in FIG. 11B, the horizontal width X of the window W2 installed on the right wall can be approximated using (Expression 2) shown below.

_{X≈L R} · θ _αR / cos θ _r (Formula 2)

Note that the distance _LR and the angle θ _r shown in FIG. 11B are relative to the coordinates of the intersection J (see FIG. 11A) on the image, the standard installation height of the indoor unit 100, and the horizontal plane. It is obtained based on the angle formed by the optical axis of the imaging means 14. The intersection J described above has a ridge line between the right wall and floor G3 (see FIG. 11 (a)), the vertical direction of the straight line including the center of the area W2 _A (dashed line shown in FIG. 11 (a)), the It is an intersection. The angle theta _R shown in FIG. 11 (b), can be approximated by the number of pixels θx direction of a region W2 _A. Further, the vertical width of the window W2 can be approximated by (L _R · θ _βR ), similar to the vertical width of the window W1. Therefore, the area S _{R of the} window W2 can be approximated using (Equation 3) shown below.

S _{R ≈L R} ² · θ _αR · θ _βR / cos θ _r (Formula 3)

Control means 3 in this way, the positional relationship between each ridge and the region _W1 A, W2 _A of the air conditioning chamber, the number of pixels in the vertical and horizontal direction of a region _W1 A, W2 _A, based on the regions W1 _A , W2 _A (windows W1, W2) are calculated. Similarly, the control means 3 obtains the areas of the other regions R _A and D _A (high luminance region: see FIG. 10A) extracted in step S204.
Then, the control unit 3, of the region _{W1 A, W2 A, R A} , D A, the area leaving what is predetermined area threshold value S1 or as a candidate of the window region. The above-described area threshold S1 is a threshold serving as a determination criterion when leaving a window region candidate based on the area on the image, and is set in advance.

FIG. 10C is an explanatory diagram of a region remaining as a window region candidate after the area filter is applied. In the example shown in FIG. 10 (c), region area is an area threshold S1 or _{W1 A,} W2 _{A, D} A have been left as a candidate in the window region. In addition, the region R _A (corresponding to the lamp R: see FIG. 6) whose area is less than the area threshold S1 is excluded from the window region candidates. By applying the area filter in this way, a lamp having a relatively small area on the image and a minute portion where sunlight is reflected in the air-conditioned room can be excluded from the window area candidates.

(3. Shape filter)
The control means 3 leaves the area extracted in step S204 having a quadrangular shape as a window area candidate. For example, the control means 3 leaves the boundary line inside and outside each region as a straight line and having four vertices as window region candidates.
What remains as a window region candidate after applying the shape filter is the same as in FIG. 9C. In other words, the area is a square W1 _A, W2 _A, D A is left as a candidate of the window region, region R _A is not a square is removed from the candidate of the window region. By applying the shape filter in this way, it is possible to prevent a lamp or the like installed in the air conditioning room from being erroneously detected as a “window”.

The control means 3 specifies an area that remains in common as a window area candidate as a “window area” in all of the above-described position filter, area filter, and shape filter. In the example illustrated in FIG. 10, the regions W1 _A and W2 _A (common portions of FIGS. 10A and 10B) are specified as “window regions”.

In step S206 of FIG. 7, the control means 3 calculates the position (coordinates) of the window by the window detection unit 312a. For example, the control means 3 calculates the positions of the windows W1 and W2 in the real space based on the coordinates of the centers (centers of gravity) of the areas W1 _A and W2 _A.
In step S207, the control unit 3 stores the window area calculated in step S205 (area filter) and the window position calculated in step S206 in the storage unit 311 (see FIG. 4).

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a process related to the change of the air conditioning control.
Note that at the time of “START” shown in FIG. 12, it is assumed that the storage unit 311 (see FIG. 4) stores the floor plan detection result and the window position / area calculation result.
In step S301, the control means 3 drives the filter moving motor 21 by the drive control means 313 (see FIG. 4) so that the imaging means 14 is exposed.

In step S302, the control means 3 detects a human body (resident) in the air-conditioned room by the human body detection unit 312c (see FIG. 4).
In step S303, the control means 3 estimates the ease of heat conduction through the windows W1, W2. For example, the control means 3 calculates the temperature difference between the window W1 (region) and the air-conditioned room (for example, floor) by the thermal image acquisition unit 41a (see FIG. 4). The position of the window W1 is acquired by reading the processing result of step S206 (see FIG. 8) from the storage unit 311. And the control means 3 calculates the numerical value which shows the ease of heat conduction by multiplying an above-described temperature difference and the area of the window W1 (area of area | region W1 _A ). The larger the area of the window W1 and the larger the temperature difference between the window W1 and the floor (the lower the heat insulating property of the window W1), the larger the numerical value indicating the ease of heat conduction. The same applies to the other window W2.

In step S304, the control means 3 changes the air conditioning control based on the position of the window area (S206: see FIG. 8), the position of the human body (S302), and the ease of heat conduction (S303) ( Control change step).
For example, it is assumed that a human body is detected within a predetermined range (for example, a distance of 1 to 3 m) from the window W1 during the heating operation. The room temperature (floor temperature) is 23 ° C., and the temperature near the window W1 is 15 ° C. In this case, since the temperature difference (8K) between the room and the vicinity of the window is relatively large, it is estimated that heat conduction is likely to occur through the window W1 (S303).
That is, since the air in the vicinity of the window W1 is easily cooled, the control means 3 causes the left and right wind direction plates 18 (see FIG. 2) and the up and down wind direction plates 19 (see FIG. 2) to send warm air between the human body and the window. Adjust the orientation. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the human body from being cooled by the cool air near the window W1, and to improve the comfort of the heating operation.

  Further, when a human body is detected near the window W1 (for example, within 1 m) under the above-described environment, the control means 3 sends warm air toward the human body (toward the window W1). The directions of the left and right wind direction plates 18 and the up and down wind direction plate 19 are adjusted. Accordingly, since warm air is blown directly into the human body, it is possible to suppress the human body from being cooled by the cool air near the window W1.

  In addition, when there is no human body in the vicinity of the window W1 in the above-described environment (for example, a human body exists at a position of 3 m or more from the window), the control unit 3 does not send warm air to the window W1 so that warm air is not sent. The direction of the wind direction plate 18 and the vertical wind direction plate 19 is adjusted. As a result, heat conduction through the window W1 can be suppressed, and cold air near the window W1 can be suppressed from circulating in the room.

  If the area of the window W1 is relatively small and the temperature difference between the room and the window W1 is relatively small, the control means 3 determines that heat conduction through the window W1 is unlikely to occur (S303). In this case, the control means 3 performs normal control (control that does not consider the position of the window W1 or the like) in which warm air is sent toward the feet of the human body.

The control in the heating operation described above can be similarly applied to the cooling operation.
In addition, in the cooling operation, the wind direction may be adjusted as follows based on the brightness value on the captured image. For example, when there is a relatively high brightness area (high brightness area) on the floor near the window W1, and there is a human body between this area and the window W1, the control means 3 Cool air is sent to the human body at predetermined intervals. Thereby, since cold air is sent to the human body in the place where the sun is shining at predetermined time intervals, the comfort of the cooling operation can be improved as compared with the conventional case.

<Effect>
According to the present embodiment, when the window of the air-conditioning room is detected, the visible light cut filter 20 is disposed on the front side of the imaging unit 14, so that visible light can be prevented from entering the imaging element 14b. Therefore, for example, even if white furniture (that has high luminance when photoelectrically converting visible light) is installed in the air conditioning room, this furniture is not erroneously detected as a “window”.
Further, since the imaging element 14b has low sensitivity to far infrared rays, far infrared rays contained in sunlight are hardly converted into photocurrent. Therefore, even when a heating element is present in the air conditioning room, for example, a wall surface other than a window is not erroneously detected as a “window”.
Further, even if an ultraviolet cut film is installed on the window, near infrared light is transmitted through the window and enters the image sensor 14b, and photoelectric conversion is performed in the image sensor 14b. Therefore, the window in which the ultraviolet cut film is installed can also be detected appropriately.

In the present embodiment, the position filter, the area filter, and the shape filter are applied in the process of detecting the window of the air conditioning room (S205: see FIG. 8). Therefore, it is possible to prevent the lamp R (see FIG. 6) installed in the air-conditioning room and the portion D (see FIG. 6) where sunlight is reflected on the floor from being erroneously detected as a “window”.
Further, by changing the air conditioning control based on the detection result of the human body (S302: see FIG. 12) and the ease of heat conduction through the windows W1 and W2 (S303), the occupants Air conditioning can be performed comfortably.

≪Modification≫
As mentioned above, although air conditioner S concerning the present invention was explained by an embodiment, the present invention is not limited to these statements and can change variously.
For example, in the embodiment, the configuration including the visible light cut filter 20 (see FIG. 2) that covers the imaging unit 14 when the window is detected has been described, but the configuration is not limited thereto. That is, an optical filter that selectively transmits at least one of near infrared rays and ultraviolet rays and blocks the other may be provided, and when detecting a window, the imaging means 14 may be covered by this optical filter. Even in such a configuration, since at least one of near infrared rays and ultraviolet rays passes through the optical filter, the window can be appropriately detected by a method similar to the embodiment (see FIG. 8).

  Further, the visible light cut filter 20 (see FIG. 2), the filter moving motor 21 (see FIG. 4), and the drive control means 313 (see FIG. 4) may be omitted from the air conditioner S described in the embodiment. . Even in such a configuration, for example, when the illuminance detection unit 41b has a relatively high illuminance in the air-conditioning room, sunlight including visible light is photoelectrically converted in the image sensor 14b, and based on the luminance level on the image. Can detect windows in air-conditioned rooms.

Alternatively, a maximum value of luminance on the image may be obtained, and a value obtained by multiplying the maximum value by a predetermined value (<1) may be used as the luminance threshold value B1.
Further, the maximum value / minimum value of the luminance on the image may be obtained, and the luminance (for example, the median value) between the maximum value and the minimum value may be set as the luminance threshold B1.
Further, the luminance threshold value may be set based on the height of the illuminance detected by the illuminance detection unit 41b (see FIG. 4), or the luminance threshold value B1 may be set as a fixed value considering the use environment of the air conditioner S. It may be set in advance.

  In the embodiment, the case where the shape filter or the like (S205: see FIG. 8) is applied after setting the luminance threshold B1 (S203: see FIG. 8) is not limited to this. For example, when the shape filter process is repeatedly executed while the brightness threshold value B1 is gradually reduced and an area close to a quadrangle is identified, this area may be left as a window area candidate.

In the embodiment, the case where all of the position filter, the area filter, and the shape filter are applied in the process of detecting the window has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. That is, one or two of the above-described filters (for example, only the position filter) may be applied.
Further, the filtering process (S205) is omitted, and a “high luminance region” in which the luminance on the image in the captured image information is equal to or higher than a predetermined luminance threshold is detected as a window region corresponding to the window of the air conditioning room. Also good. Even in this case, since it is unlikely that the windows W1 and W2 (see FIG. 6) installed in the air-conditioning room are excluded from the window area candidates, comfortable air-conditioning can be performed based on the detection result of the windows.

In the embodiment, the configuration in which the image processing unit 312 (see FIG. 4) includes the window detection unit 312a, the floor plan detection unit 312b, and the human body detection unit 312c has been described. However, the floor plan detection unit 312b and the human body detection unit are described. One or both of 312c may be omitted. Even when the floor plan detection unit 312b is omitted, the front wall viewed from the indoor unit 100 based on the standard installation height of the indoor unit 100 and the angle formed by the optical axis of the imaging unit 14 with respect to the horizontal plane. The position of the ridge line G1 (see FIG. 6) between the floor and the floor can be estimated.
In addition, in a configuration in which the human body detection unit 312c is not installed, when a window that easily generates heat is detected, for example, cool air or warm air is sent to avoid the window so as to suppress heat conduction through the window. You can do it.

Moreover, although the environment detection means 41 demonstrated the case provided with the thermal image acquisition part 41a and the illumination intensity detection part 41b in embodiment, you may abbreviate | omit one or both of these. In the configuration in which the thermal image acquisition unit 41a is omitted, the ease of heat conduction through the window may be estimated based on the area of the window (S303: see FIG. 12).
In the embodiment, the case where the area of the window in the real space is calculated has been described. However, the area of the window area on the image may be calculated.

  Moreover, although embodiment demonstrated the case where the numerical value which shows the ease of heat conduction through a window was calculated by multiplying the temperature difference of a window and a floor, and the area of a window (S303: However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, if the area of the window is greater than or equal to a predetermined value and the temperature near the window is lower than a predetermined value in winter (predetermined value or higher in summer), it is determined that “heat conduction through the window is likely to occur” You may make it do.

The embodiments are described in detail for easy understanding of the present invention, and are not necessarily limited to those having all the configurations described. In addition, it is possible to add, delete, and replace other configurations for a part of the configuration of each embodiment.
In addition, the above-described mechanisms and configurations are those that are considered necessary for the description, and do not necessarily indicate all the mechanisms and configurations on the product.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS S Air conditioner 14 Imaging means 20 Visible light cut filter 3 Control means 312 Image processing means 312a Window detection part 312b Floor plan detection part 312c Human body detection part 41a Thermal image acquisition part 41b Illuminance detection part

Claims (8)

Imaging means for generating imaged image information of the air-conditioning room by photoelectrically converting light in a wavelength band at least in the near-infrared wavelength band; and
Control means for detecting a high-brightness area in which the brightness on the image in the captured image information is equal to or higher than a predetermined brightness threshold, and changing the air-conditioning control based on the detection result of the high-brightness area. Air conditioner. The control means includes
The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein an area having an area equal to or larger than a predetermined area threshold is detected from the high-luminance area, and the air conditioning control is changed based on a detection result of the area. The control means includes
2. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein an area having a quadrangular shape among the high-luminance areas is detected, and air conditioning control is changed based on a detection result of the area. The control means includes
Having a floor plan detection unit for detecting a ridge line of the wall in the air conditioning room as a floor plan of the air conditioning room;
The area of the high luminance region is calculated based on the positional relationship between the ridge line and the high luminance region and the number of pixels in the vertical and horizontal directions of the high luminance region. Air conditioner. A thermal image acquisition unit that acquires information of a thermal image indicating the temperature distribution of the air conditioning room;
The control means includes
Based on the information of the thermal image acquired by the thermal image acquisition unit, acquire the temperature of the region,
Based on the temperature difference between the region and the air-conditioned room, and the area of the region, the ease of heat conduction through the region is estimated, and the region is more likely to conduct heat through the region. The air conditioner according to claim 2, wherein hot air or cold air is sent to the air conditioning room while avoiding the above. The control means acquires the brightness of a predetermined reference area used as a reference for the brightness threshold on the image of the captured image information, and sets the brightness threshold to a higher value as the brightness of the reference area is higher. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein The air according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a visible light cut filter that is disposed on a front side of the imaging unit and blocks visible light contained in light traveling toward the imaging unit. Harmony machine. An imaging step for generating imaged image information of the air-conditioning room by photoelectrically converting light in at least a part of the near-infrared wavelength band; and
A control change step of detecting a high-luminance region in which the luminance on the image in the captured image information is equal to or greater than a predetermined luminance threshold, and changing the air-conditioning control based on the detection result of the high-luminance region. How to operate an air conditioner.

Images