JP2018071950A - Air conditioner, network system, server and information processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an air conditioner that can execute control suitable for a user, and to provide a network system, a server and an information processing method.SOLUTION: An air conditioner 100 selectively executes a normal cooling mode and a cooling automatic mode that automatically sets a preset temperature based on a first table based on an operation history. The air conditioner 100 selectively executes a normal heating mode and a heating automatic mode that automatically sets a preset temperature based on the first table based on an operation history.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for controlling an air conditioner, and more particularly, to a technique for executing user preference control.

  Conventionally, a technique for effectively using an air conditioner is known. For example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006-038873 (Patent Document 1) discloses a device setting system, a device setting method, an information processing apparatus, and a device setting program. According to Patent Literature 1, an apparatus setting system having an information processing apparatus that operates an operation target device based on a history of control information for one or a plurality of devices, and acquires information for acquiring a history of control information for the device A device setting information generation unit that generates device setting information based on a device type by analyzing a history of control information obtained by the information acquisition unit, and a device setting obtained by the device setting information generation unit Setting means for setting the operation target device corresponding to the type of the device based on the information.

JP, 2006-038873, A

  An object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner, a network system, a server, and an information processing method that can execute control suitable for a user.

  According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an air conditioner that selectively executes a normal cooling mode and a cooling automatic mode that automatically sets a set temperature based on a first table based on an operation history. Is done.

  According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an air conditioner that selectively executes a normal heating mode and a heating automatic mode that automatically sets a set temperature based on a first table based on an operation history. Is done.

  Preferably, an expiration date is set in the first table.

  Preferably, when the expiration date of the first table expires, the air conditioner switches from the cooling automatic mode or the heating automatic mode to the normal cooling mode or the normal heating mode.

  Preferably, the air conditioner performs an automatic operation based on a second table indicating a relationship between a room temperature, an outside air temperature, and a set temperature corresponding to at least one of season, weather, and temperature.

  Preferably, the air conditioner stores a third table indicating a relationship between a room temperature, an outside air temperature, and a set temperature for standard automatic operation. When the expiration date of the second table expires, the air conditioner performs standard automatic operation based on the third table.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, a plurality of air conditioners and operation history of the air conditioner are accumulated, and a table for automatic cooling operation and / or heating automatic operation is created based on the operation history of the air conditioner Then, a network system comprising a server for transmitting a table to the air conditioner is provided.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, a communication interface for communicating with an air conditioner, a memory for storing an operation history of the air conditioner, an automatic cooling operation based on the operation history of the air conditioner, and / or Alternatively, a server is provided that includes a processor for creating a table for automatic heating operation and transmitting the table to the air conditioner via a communication interface.

  Preferably, an expiration date is set in the table. The processor transmits the latest table to the air conditioner a plurality of times within the expiration date via the communication interface.

  If another situation of this invention is followed, the information processing method in a server will be provided. The information processing method includes the steps of acquiring and storing an operation history from the air conditioner, creating a table for automatic cooling operation and / or automatic heating operation based on the operation history of the air conditioner, Transmitting to the air conditioner.

  As described above, according to the present invention, an air conditioner, a network system, a server, and an information processing method capable of executing control suitable for a user are provided.

1 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a network system 1 according to a first embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the server 100 and the air conditioner 300 which comprise the network system 1 concerning 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the standard automatic driving | operation control table 321 concerning 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the standard air conditioning control table 322 concerning 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the automatic driving | operation control table 123 preferable for the season and the weather concerning 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the information processing of the server 100 regarding an automatic driving | operation control table. It is a figure which shows the example of the prediction data of temperature. It is a figure which shows the example of the forecast data of a weather. It is a figure which shows the expiration date and delivery timing regarding an automatic driving | operation control table. It is a flowchart which shows the information processing of the server 100 regarding a cooling / heating control table. It is a 1st image figure which shows log data. It is a 2nd image figure which shows log data. It is a figure which shows the expiration date and delivery timing regarding a cooling / heating control table.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated.
<First Embodiment>
<Overall configuration of network system 1>

First, the overall configuration of the network system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The network system 1 mainly includes a server 100 for realizing an information providing service for providing a comfortable environment for a user, another server 200 for providing a weather forecast, user information, and the like to the server 100, a router And a plurality of air conditioners 300 that can communicate with the server 100 via the Internet or the like.
<Operation overview of network system 1>

  Next, an outline of the operation of the network system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The air conditioner 300 uploads an operation history such as an operation command received from the user and an operation being executed to the server 100 (step S002). Then, the server 100 provides the air conditioner 300 with a table indicating user-preferred control based on the operation history, a table indicating control suitable for seasonal weather, and the like (step S008). As a result, the air conditioner 300 can execute user-preferred control and control suitable for the season and weather (step S010).

Hereinafter, a specific configuration of the network system 1 for realizing such a function will be described in detail.
<Configuration of Server 100 and Air Conditioner 300>

  With reference to FIG. 2, the structure of the server 100 and the air conditioner 300 which comprise the network system 1 is demonstrated.

  First, the configuration of the server 100 will be described. The server 100 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 110, a memory 120, and a communication interface 160 as main components.

  The CPU 110 controls each unit of the air conditioner 300 by executing a program stored in the memory 120 or an external storage medium.

  The memory 120 is realized by various RAMs (Random Access Memory), various ROMs (Read Only Memory), and the like. The memory 120 stores a program executed by the CPU 110, data generated by execution of the program by the CPU 110, data input via the operation unit, and the like. In particular, in the present embodiment, the memory 120 stores log data 121 such as operation history received from each of the plurality of air conditioners 300 via a router or the Internet.

  The communication interface 160 is realized by a communication module such as a wireless LAN or a wired LAN. The communication interface 160 exchanges data with other devices by wired communication or wireless communication. That is, the CPU 110 receives information such as log data and weather data from other devices such as the plurality of air conditioners 300 and the weather information server 200 via the communication interface 160, or the plurality of air conditioners 300 and the weather. Various information such as control data is transmitted to other devices such as the information server 200.

  Next, the configuration of the air conditioner 300 will be described. The air conditioner 300 includes a CPU 310, a memory 320, a display 330, a room temperature sensor 341, an outside air temperature sensor 342, a communication interface 360, an infrared interface 365, and a device drive unit 390 as main components. .

  The CPU 310 controls each part of the air conditioner 300 by executing a program stored in the memory 320 or an external storage medium.

  The memory 320 is realized by various RAMs, various ROMs, and the like. The memory 320 stores a program executed by the CPU 310, data generated by executing the program by the CPU 310, and the like. In particular, in the present embodiment, the memory 320 stores log data such as an operation history input from an operation unit or a remote controller, a control table received from the server 100 via a router or the Internet, and the like.

  More specifically, in the present embodiment, the memory 320 stores an automatic operation control table used for the automatic operation mode, a cooling / heating control table used for the cooling automatic operation mode and the heating automatic operation mode, and the like. . In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the automatic operation control table 321 includes a correspondence relationship between the operation mode and the set temperature according to the outside air temperature and the room temperature. As shown in FIG. 4, the cooling / heating control table 322 includes a correspondence relationship between the set temperature during the cooling operation and the set temperature during the heating operation according to the time zone.

  Then, the CPU 310 executes the automatic operation mode based on the outside air temperature and the room temperature while referring to the automatic operation control table 321 based on the automatic operation instruction. Further, the CPU 110 executes the automatic cooling operation mode at the set temperature corresponding to the time zone while referring to the cooling / heating control table 322 based on the automatic cooling operation command different from the normal cooling operation. Similarly, the CPU 110 executes the automatic heating operation mode at the set temperature corresponding to the time zone while referring to the cooling / heating control table 322 based on the automatic heating operation command different from the normal heating operation.

  Here, the normal cooling operation and normal heating operation do not mean that the air conditioner 300 automatically changes the set temperature according to the table for automatic operation, but operates at the set temperature designated by the user. It is something to execute.

  Returning to FIG. 2, the display 330 outputs characters, images, and the like based on a signal from the CPU 310. The display 330 may be simply a light or a touch panel.

  The room temperature sensor 341 measures the temperature in the vicinity of the indoor unit of the air conditioner 300 and inputs it to the CPU 310. The outside air temperature sensor 342 measures the temperature near the outdoor unit of the air conditioner 300 and inputs it to the CPU 310.

  The communication interface 360 is realized by a communication module such as a wireless LAN or a wired LAN. The communication interface 360 exchanges data with other devices by wired communication or wireless communication. That is, the CPU 310 uploads information such as log data to the server 100 and other devices via the communication interface 360, or from the other devices such as the server 100 to the automatic operation control table and log data according to the weather etc. Various information such as a cooling / heating control table based on the received information is received.

  The infrared interface 365 receives a control command from the remote controller and passes it to the CPU 110.

The device driving unit 390 controls each unit (motor, heater, etc.) of the electric device based on a signal from the CPU 110.
<Information processing of network system 1>

  Next, information processing of the network system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The CPU 310 of the air conditioner 300 stores log data such as operation commands in the memory 320. Then, the CPU 310 uploads the log data to the server 100 regularly or when log data of a certain value or more is accumulated (step S002). The CPU 110 of the server 100 accumulates log data from the air conditioner 300 in the log data 121 for each user or for each air conditioner 300 as the log recording unit 111.

  The CPU 110 acquires, as the control table creation unit 112, weather forecasts for 24 hours at the address of the user or the air conditioner 300 from the external weather information server 200 or the like periodically, for example, every 6 hours. Then, the CPU 110 creates an automatic operation control table 123 suitable for the season and weather as shown in FIG. 5 for each user or each air conditioner 300 (step S004). Moreover, CPU110 produces the air conditioning control table for 24 hours of a user's liking based on the log data of a user or the air conditioner 300 as the control table preparation part 112 (step S004).

  The CPU 110 instructs the air conditioner 300 to download the control table via the communication interface 160 (step S006).

  Based on the instruction, the CPU 310 of the air conditioner 300 downloads a control table from the server 100 via the communication interface 360 (step S008).

  More specifically, in the present embodiment, with respect to the automatic operation control table, the CPU 110 of the server 100 executes the process shown in FIG. That is, CPU110 acquires the prediction data for 24 hours for every area from the weather information server 200 via the communication interface 160, for example every 6 hours (step S102). More specifically, the CPU 110 acquires prediction data for the temperature for the future day as shown in FIG. 7 and prediction data for the weather for the future day as shown in FIG.

  Then, the CPU 110 creates an automatic operation control table 123 for 24 hours every 6 hours from the predicted data as shown in FIG. 9 (step S104). CPU110 transmits the automatic driving | operation control table 123 for 24 hours suitable for the weather etc. of the area | region of the air conditioner 300 for every air conditioner 300 via the communication interface 160 (step S106).

  Moreover, in this Embodiment, regarding the air conditioning control table 322, CPU110 of the server 100 performs the process shown in FIG. 10, for example every 12 hours. That is, CPU110 acquires log data as shown in FIG. 11 for every user or every air conditioner 300 from the air conditioner 300 via the communication interface 160 (step S202). CPU110 calculates the average value of the setting temperature for every air_conditioning | cooling, heating, and a time slot | zone (step S204).

  Note that, as shown in FIG. 12, the CPU 110 preferably excludes data that greatly deviates from the average value for each cooling / heating / time period (step S206). In this case, the CPU 110 recalculates the average value of the set temperatures for each cooling / heating / time period based on the data after exclusion (step S208).

  The CPU 110 creates a cooling / heating control table 322 for 24 hours for each user or each air conditioner 300 from the average value of the set temperatures for each user or each air conditioner 300 for each cooling / heating / time period (step). S210). In the present embodiment, CPU 110 determines the set temperature based on the average value of the set temperatures in the surrounding time zones for the time zone in which the average value of the set temperature cannot be calculated (step S212).

  CPU110 transmits the cooling / heating control table 322 for 24 hours to the air conditioner 300 via the communication interface 160 (step S214).

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13, the CPU 110 creates a cooling / heating control table 322 for 24 hours based on the latest log data every 12 hours and provides it to the air conditioner 300. To do.

  In the cooling / heating control table 322, a numerical value of 24 hours or a date and time after 24 hours is set as an expiration date. The CPU 310 of the air conditioner 300 accepts an automatic cooling operation command until the expiration date expires, and automatically sets a set temperature based on the cooling / heating control table 322 from the server 100 as an automatic cooling operation mode. And if an expiration date expires, a normal cooling operation will be performed based on a user's preset temperature. Similarly, the CPU 310 of the air conditioner 300 accepts an automatic heating operation command until the expiration date expires, and automatically sets the set temperature based on the cooling / heating control table 322 from the server 100 as the automatic heating operation mode. To do. And if an expiration date expires, a normal heating operation will be performed based on a user's preset temperature.

  As a result, the CPU 310 of the air conditioner 300 executes the automatic operation mode based on the outside air temperature and the room temperature while referring to the automatic operation control table 123 before the expiration date from the server 100 based on the automatic operation command. If the automatic operation control table 123 from the server 100 has expired, the CPU 310 refers to the standard automatic operation control table 321 stored in the memory 320 in advance, based on the outside temperature and room temperature. To execute the automatic operation mode.

Further, the CPU 310 of the air conditioner 300 refers to the cooling / heating control table 322 before the expiration date from the server 100 based on an automatic cooling operation command different from the normal cooling operation, and the set temperature corresponding to the time zone. Execute automatic cooling operation mode. Similarly, the CPU 110 performs automatic heating operation at a set temperature corresponding to the time zone while referring to the cooling / heating control table 322 before the expiration date from the server 100 based on an automatic heating operation command different from the normal heating operation. Run the mode. When the expiration date of the cooling / heating control table 322 from the server 100 has expired, the CPU 310 notifies the display 330 or the speaker of that fact, and executes normal cooling operation or normal heating operation, or Does not accept automatic cooling operation instructions or automatic heating operation instructions.
<Second Embodiment>

In the first embodiment, regarding the automatic operation control table, four automatic operation control tables every 6 hours are created every 6 hours and transmitted to the air conditioner 300. However, the server 100 creates Z automatic operation control tables every Y hours for every X hours, and transmits them to the air conditioner 300, and only needs to satisfy the condition of aX ≦ Z × Y. The expiration date may not be 24 hours. Note that a is preferably an integer of 2 or more, or an integer of 2 or more. Thereby, even if delivery of the automatic operation control table fails, the possibility of returning to the operation of the standard automatic operation control table can be reduced.
<Third Embodiment>

In the first embodiment, a cooling / heating control table for 24 hours is created and transmitted to the air conditioner 300 every 12 hours for the cooling / heating control table. However, the server 100 creates a cooling / heating control table for Y hours every X hours and transmits it to the air conditioner 300, and only needs to satisfy the condition of aX ≦ Y. The expiration date may not be 24 hours. Note that a is preferably an integer of 2 or more, or an integer of 2 or more. Thereby, even if delivery of the cooling / heating control table fails, the possibility of returning to normal cooling operation or normal heating operation can be reduced.
<Fourth embodiment>

  In the first embodiment, the air conditioner 300 has the automatic operation mode, the cooling automatic operation mode, and the heating automatic operation mode. However, the air conditioner 300 may have a normal cooling mode and no automatic cooling operation mode, or may have a normal heating mode and no automatic heating operation mode. It may be a thing. In this case, the server 100 provides the automatic operation control table to the air conditioner 300, but the cooling / heating control table does not need to be provided to the air conditioner 300.

Conversely, the air conditioner 300 may have a cooling automatic operation mode and / or a heating automatic operation mode without having the automatic operation mode. In this case, the server 100 provides the cooling / heating control table to the air conditioner 300, but does not need to provide the automatic operation control table to the air conditioner 300.
<Fifth embodiment>

A part or all of the role of the air conditioner 300 of the above embodiment may be played by a communication terminal such as the server 100 or a smartphone, a remote controller, or the like. Alternatively, some or all of the roles of the server 100 may be performed by a plurality of servers, a communication terminal such as the air conditioner 300 or a smartphone, a remote controller, or the like.
<Other application examples>

  It goes without saying that the present invention can also be applied to a case where it is achieved by supplying a program to a system or apparatus. Then, a storage medium (or memory) storing a program represented by software for achieving the present invention is supplied to the system or apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus stores it in the storage medium. The effect of the present invention can also be enjoyed by reading and executing the program code.

  In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

  Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an OS (operating system) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code However, it is needless to say that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by performing part or all of the actual processing and the processing is included.

  Furthermore, after the program code read from the storage medium is written to another storage medium provided in the function expansion board inserted into the computer or the function expansion unit connected to the computer, based on the instruction of the program code, It goes without saying that the CPU of the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

  The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

1: Network system 100: Server 110: CPU
111: Log recording unit 112: Control table creation unit 120: Memory 121: Log data 123: Automatic operation control table 160: Communication interface 200: Server 300: Air conditioner 310: CPU
320: Memory 321: Automatic operation control table 322: Cooling / heating control table 330: Display 340: Operation unit 341: Room temperature sensor 342: Outside air temperature sensor 360: Communication interface 365: Infrared interface 390: Device drive unit

Claims (10)

  An air conditioner that selectively executes a normal cooling mode and a cooling automatic mode that automatically sets a set temperature based on a first table based on an operation history.   An air conditioner that selectively executes a normal heating mode and a heating automatic mode that automatically sets a set temperature based on a first table based on an operation history.   The air conditioner according to claim 1 or 2, wherein an expiration date is set in the first table.   The air conditioner according to claim 3, wherein when the expiration date of the first table expires, the cooling automatic mode or the heating automatic mode is switched to the normal cooling mode or the normal heating mode.   5. The automatic operation is executed based on a second table indicating a relationship between a room temperature and an outside air temperature and a set temperature corresponding to at least one of season, weather, and temperature. Air conditioner. Storing a third table showing the relationship between room temperature and outside air temperature and set temperature for standard automatic operation;
The air conditioner according to claim 5, wherein when the expiration date of the second table expires, standard automatic operation is executed based on the third table. Multiple air conditioners,
The operation history of the air conditioner is accumulated, a table for automatic cooling operation and / or automatic heating operation is created based on the operation history of the air conditioner, and the table is transmitted to the air conditioner A network system. A communication interface for communicating with the air conditioner;
A memory for storing an operation history of the air conditioner;
A processor for creating a table for automatic cooling operation and / or automatic heating operation based on an operation history of the air conditioner, and transmitting the table to the air conditioner via the communication interface. server. An expiration date is set in the table,
The server according to claim 8, wherein the processor transmits the latest table to the air conditioner a plurality of times within the expiration date via the communication interface. An information processing method in a server,
Acquiring and accumulating operation history from the air conditioner; and
Creating a table for automatic cooling operation and / or automatic heating operation based on the operation history of the air conditioner;
Transmitting the table to the air conditioner.

Images