阅读说明：本技术 控制方法、空气调节器以及程序 (Control method, air conditioner, and program ) 是由 佐佐木泰治 水野江都子 原田昌明 杉山真史 于 2020-02-27 设计创作，主要内容包括：一种被设置在室内的空气调节器的控制方法,且通过计算机来执行,在该控制方法中,获得室内的用户的位置信息以及作为用户的睡眠信息的睡眠深度,在睡眠深度为第1阶段的深度的情况下,根据位置信息,以使空气调节器输出的风避开用户的方式,对空气调节器的风向进行控制(S146),在睡眠深度为比第1阶段深的第2阶段的深度的情况下,根据位置信息,以使空气调节器输出的风吹到用户的方式,对风向控制(S145)。(A control method of an air conditioner installed indoors is executed by a computer, and the control method obtains position information of a user in a room and a sleep depth as sleep information of the user, controls a wind direction of the air conditioner so that wind output from the air conditioner avoids the user based on the position information when the sleep depth is a depth of a 1 st stage (S146), and controls the wind direction so that the wind output from the air conditioner blows to the user based on the position information when the sleep depth is a depth of a 2 nd stage deeper than the 1 st stage (S145).)

1. A control method for an air conditioner installed in a room, which is executed by a computer,

in the control method, the control unit is provided with a control unit,

obtaining location information of a user in the room and a sleep depth as sleep information of the user,

controlling the wind direction of the air conditioner according to the position information so that the wind output from the air conditioner avoids the user when the sleep depth is the depth of stage 1,

and controlling the wind direction of the air conditioner so that the wind output from the air conditioner blows the user, based on the position information, when the sleep depth is a depth of a 2 nd stage deeper than the 1 st stage.

2. The control method according to claim 1, wherein,

the sleep depth is determined based on an index value obtained by performing a heart rate variability analysis.

3. The control method according to claim 2, wherein,

in the control method, further,

estimating the end time of the 2 nd stage based on the variation of the index value with time,

in the control, the wind direction of the air conditioner is controlled based on the position information so that the wind output from the air conditioner avoids the user at a timing before a predetermined time from the end time of the 2 nd stage or at a timing when the index value becomes a predetermined index value.

4. The control method according to claim 2, wherein,

in the control, when the slope of the index value in the temporal change becomes larger than a predetermined positive slope, the wind direction of the air conditioner is controlled so that the wind output from the air conditioner avoids the user, based on the position information.

5. The control method according to any one of claims 1 to 4,

in the control method, further,

obtaining subjective evaluation of the user on the indoor environment of the user during sleeping or the indoor environment when the user gets up,

and changing the set temperature of the air conditioner during the air conditioning operation according to the subjective evaluation.

6. A control method for an air conditioner installed in a room, which is executed by a computer,

in the control method, the control unit is provided with a control unit,

obtaining a sleep depth as sleep information of a user in the room,

controlling a wind direction of the air conditioner to be directed upward in the room when the sleep depth is a depth of a stage 1,

and controlling the wind direction of the air conditioner to be directed downward in the room when the sleep depth is a depth of a 2 nd stage deeper than the 1 st stage.

7. An air conditioner is installed indoors and includes a processor and a memory,

the processor is configured to utilize the memory in a manner,

obtaining location information of a user in the room and a sleep depth as sleep information of the user,

controlling the wind direction of the air conditioner according to the position information so that the wind output from the air conditioner avoids the user when the sleep depth is the depth of stage 1,

and controlling the wind direction of the air conditioner so that the wind output from the air conditioner blows the user, based on the position information, when the sleep depth is a depth of a 2 nd stage deeper than the 1 st stage.

8. A program for causing a computer to execute a control method of an air conditioner provided indoors,

in the control method, the control unit is provided with a control unit,

obtaining location information of a user in the room and a sleep depth as sleep information of the user,

controlling the wind direction of the air conditioner according to the position information so that the wind output from the air conditioner avoids the user when the sleep depth is the depth of stage 1,

and controlling the wind direction of the air conditioner so that the wind output from the air conditioner blows the user, based on the position information, when the sleep depth is a depth of a 2 nd stage deeper than the 1 st stage.

Technical Field

The invention relates to a control method of an air conditioner during sleep of a user.

Background

Patent document 1 discloses an invention of an air conditioning operation method during sleep.

The invention described in patent document 1 relates to an air conditioning operation of a humidifier during sleep, and a method is proposed in which a sleep state of a user is detected, a wind avoiding operation is performed in a case of a light sleep, and a dew condensation removing operation is performed in a case of a deep sleep.

(Prior art document)

(patent document)

Patent document 1 Japanese patent laid-open publication No. 2016-176629

Disclosure of Invention

In the invention described in patent document 1, no mention is made of a method for improving the thermal comfort of a user during sleep by using the sleep state of the user. The invention provides a control method for realizing comfortable thermal environment in sleep of a user.

A control method according to the present invention is a control method of an air conditioner installed indoors, the control method being executed by a computer, the control method including obtaining position information of a user in the room and a sleep depth as sleep information of the user, controlling a wind direction of the air conditioner so that wind output from the air conditioner avoids the user based on the position information when the sleep depth is a depth of a 1 st stage, and controlling the wind direction of the air conditioner so that the wind output from the air conditioner blows to the user based on the position information when the sleep depth is a depth of a 2 nd stage deeper than the 1 st stage.

A control method according to another aspect of the present invention is a control method of an air conditioner installed in a room, and is executed by a computer, wherein a sleep depth that is sleep information of a user in the room is obtained, and when the sleep depth is a depth of a 1 st stage, a wind direction of the air conditioner is controlled to be directed upward in the room, and when the sleep depth is a depth of a 2 nd stage that is deeper than the 1 st stage, the wind direction of the air conditioner is controlled to be directed downward in the room.

An air conditioner according to another aspect of the present invention is provided indoors, and includes a processor and a memory, the processor obtaining position information of a user in the room and a sleep depth as sleep information of the user by using the memory, controlling a wind direction of the air conditioner so that wind output from the air conditioner avoids the user based on the position information when the sleep depth is a depth of a 1 st stage, and controlling the wind direction of the air conditioner so that the wind output from the air conditioner blows to the user based on the position information when the sleep depth is a depth of a 2 nd stage deeper than the 1 st stage.

These general and specific aspects may be realized by a system, an integrated circuit, a computer program, or a non-transitory recording medium such as a computer-readable CD-ROM, or may be realized by any combination of a system, an integrated circuit, a computer program, and a non-transitory recording medium.

The control method according to the present invention can control the air conditioner in accordance with the sleep state of the user who is sleeping, and perform comfortable temperature control for the user so as not to arouse the user.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an overview of the entire service according to the present embodiment.

Fig. 2 shows type 1 of service (self-company data center type).

Fig. 3 shows type 2 of service (IaaS usage type).

Fig. 4 shows type 3(PaaS usage type) of the service.

Fig. 5 shows type 4 of service (SaaS usage type).

Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram of an air conditioning control system according to an embodiment.

Fig. 7 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of an air conditioner in the embodiment.

Fig. 8 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of a cloud server in the embodiment.

Fig. 9 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of the sleep state sensor according to the embodiment.

Fig. 10 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an air conditioning control system in the embodiment.

Fig. 11 is a graph showing the relationship between the depth or characteristic of sleep of a person and the elapsed time of sleep.

Fig. 12 shows a table structure of data including air-conditioning probe information and air-conditioning control information.

Fig. 13 shows a table structure of data including sleep state information.

Fig. 14 shows an example of a screen in an application when setting is performed before falling asleep.

Fig. 15 shows an example of a screen in the application after getting up.

Fig. 16 shows an example of a table structure for managing subjective evaluation of thermal environment.

Fig. 17 shows an example of the structure of the user table of the setting DB.

Fig. 18 shows an example of the structure of the schedule table of the setting DB.

Fig. 19 shows a flow of a time series of the control method of the air conditioner while the user is sleeping.

Fig. 20 shows an air conditioning data accumulation flow.

Fig. 21 shows a sleep state data accumulation flow.

Fig. 22 shows an air conditioner setting flow.

Fig. 23 shows a control flow of the primary air conditioning control.

Fig. 24 shows a control flow during the air conditioning control 1.

Fig. 25 shows a control flow during the air conditioning control period 2.

Fig. 26 is a diagram for explaining a relationship between the sleep state of the user and LF/HF.

FIG. 27 shows an example of LF/HF vs. wind direction.

FIG. 28 shows another example of LF/HF vs. wind direction.

Fig. 29 is a graph showing the heart rate of the user, the time average of the heart rate, and the time variation of the predicted value of the heart rate.

Detailed Description

A control method according to an aspect of the present invention is a control method of an air conditioner installed in a room, and is executed by a computer, the control method obtaining position information of a user in the room and a sleep depth as sleep information of the user, controlling a wind direction of the air conditioner so that wind output from the air conditioner avoids the user based on the position information when the sleep depth is a depth of a 1 st stage, and controlling the wind direction of the air conditioner so that the wind output from the air conditioner blows to the user based on the position information when the sleep depth is a depth of a 2 nd stage deeper than the 1 st stage.

Accordingly, the air conditioner can be controlled in accordance with the sleeping state of the user during sleeping, and temperature control can be performed so that the user feels comfortable without being awakened.

The sleep depth may be determined based on an index value obtained by heart rate variability analysis.

In the control method, the end time of the 2 nd stage may be estimated based on a temporal variation of the index value, and the wind direction of the air conditioner may be controlled based on the position information so that the wind output from the air conditioner avoids the user at a timing before a predetermined time from the end time of the 2 nd stage or at a timing at which the index value becomes a predetermined index value.

In the control, when the slope of the index value in the temporal change becomes larger than a predetermined positive slope, the wind direction of the air conditioner may be controlled so that the wind output from the air conditioner avoids the user, based on the position information.

In the control method, a subjective evaluation of the user with respect to an indoor environment during sleep or an indoor environment when the user gets up may be obtained, and the set temperature during air conditioning operation of the air conditioner during sleep may be changed based on the subjective evaluation.

A control method according to another aspect of the present invention is a control method of an air conditioner installed in a room, and is executed by a computer, wherein a sleep depth that is sleep information of a user in the room is obtained, and when the sleep depth is a depth of a 1 st stage, a wind direction of the air conditioner is controlled to be directed upward in the room, and when the sleep depth is a depth of a 2 nd stage that is deeper than the 1 st stage, the wind direction of the air conditioner is controlled to be directed downward in the room.

Accordingly, the air conditioner can be controlled in accordance with the sleeping state of the user during sleeping, and temperature control can be performed so that the user feels comfortable without being awakened.

An air conditioner according to another aspect of the present invention is provided indoors, and includes a processor and a memory, the processor obtaining position information of a user in the room and a sleep depth as sleep information of the user by using the memory, controlling a wind direction of the air conditioner so that wind output from the air conditioner avoids the user based on the position information when the sleep depth is a depth of a 1 st stage, and controlling the wind direction of the air conditioner so that the wind output from the air conditioner blows to the user based on the position information when the sleep depth is a depth of a 2 nd stage deeper than the 1 st stage.

Accordingly, the air conditioner can be controlled in accordance with the sleeping state of the user during sleeping, and temperature control can be performed so that the user feels comfortable without being awakened.

These general and specific aspects may be realized by a system, an integrated circuit, a computer program, or a non-transitory recording medium such as a computer-readable CD-ROM, or may be realized by any combination of a system, an integrated circuit, a computer program, and a non-transitory recording medium.

(Overall overview of the services provided)

Fig. 1 (a) shows an overall overview of the service according to the present embodiment.

The group 100 is, for example, an enterprise, a group, a family, etc., and its size is not limited. There are multiple devices 101 in the community 100, namely device a, device B, and a home gateway 102. Among the plurality of devices 101, there are devices (for example, a smartphone, a PC, a TV, and the like) that can be connected to the internet and devices (for example, a lighting, a washing machine, a refrigerator, and the like) that cannot be connected to the internet by themselves. Even devices that cannot connect to the internet by themselves, there are devices that can connect to the internet via the home gateway 102. Also, there are users 10 in the group 100 who use multiple devices 101.

A cloud server 111 exists in the data center operating company 110. The cloud server 111 is a virtual server that cooperates with various devices via the internet. It is mainly to manage huge data (big data) and the like which are difficult to handle by a general database management tool and the like. The data center operation company 110 performs data management, management of the cloud server 111, operation of a data center that performs such management, and the like. The work performed by the data center operation company 110 will be described in detail later. Here, the data center operation company 110 is not limited to a company that performs only data management or operates the cloud server 111. For example, when a device manufacturer who develops or manufactures one device among the plurality of devices 101 further performs data management, management of the cloud server 111, or the like, the device manufacturer corresponds to the data center operator 110 (fig. 1B). Also, the data center operating company 110 is not limited to one company. For example, when the device manufacturer and another management company perform data management together, and the cloud server 111 is operated or shared, both or one of them corresponds to the data center operation company 110 ((C) of fig. 1).

The service provider 120 owns the server 121. The server 121 here is not affected by the scale, and includes, for example, a memory in a personal PC. Also, there may be a case where the service provider does not own the server 121.

In addition, in the above-described service, the home gateway 102 is not necessarily present. For example, when the cloud server 111 manages all data, the home gateway 102 is not necessary. Further, in a case where all the devices in the home are connected to the internet, there may be a case where there is no device that cannot be connected to the internet.

Next, a flow of log information (operation history information and work history information) of the device in the service will be described.

First, the device a or the device B of the group 100 transmits each log information to the cloud server 111 of the data center operation company 110. The cloud server 111 collects log information of the device a or the device B ((a) of fig. 1). Here, the log information indicates information indicating, for example, the operation status, the date and time of operation, and the like of the plurality of devices 101. Examples of the information include recording schedule information of a television viewing history や recorder, operation date and time of a washing machine, an amount of laundry, and opening/closing date and time and the number of times of opening/closing a refrigerator, but the information is not limited thereto and may be various information that can be obtained from all devices.

The log information may be directly provided from the plurality of devices 101 themselves to the cloud server 111 via the internet. Also, the log information may be collected from the plurality of devices 101 to the home gateway 102 first, and provided from the home gateway 102 to the cloud server 111.

Next, the cloud server 111 of the data center operation company 110 provides the collected log information to the service provider 120 in a certain unit. Here, the information collected by the data center operation company may be organized into units that can be provided to the service provider 120, or may be units requested by the service provider 120. Although described as a fixed unit, it may not be a fixed unit, and the amount of information provided may vary according to the situation. The log information is stored to a server 121 owned by the service provider 120 as needed ((b) of fig. 1). Then, the service provider 120 sorts the log information into information suitable for the service provided to the user, and provides it to the user. The user who accepts the provision may be the user 10 who uses the plurality of devices 101 or the external user 20. The service providing method for the user may be, for example, providing directly from the service provider to the user (fig. 1 (b) and (e)). Further, the service providing method for the user may be provided to the user again via the cloud server 111 of the data center operation company 110, for example (c) and (d) of fig. 1). Also, the cloud server 111 of the data center operating company 110 sorts the log information into information suitable for the service provided to the user, and provides to the service provider 120.

The user 10 and the user 20 may be the same or different.

(embodiment mode)

Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram of an air conditioning control system according to an embodiment.

Specifically, fig. 6 shows that the air conditioning control system 1 includes: air conditioner 300, cloud server 400, sleep state sensor 500, communication network 600, and router 610.

The air conditioning control system 1 is a system for providing a comfortable air-conditioned space during sleep to a user U1 in a room of a building such as a house 601, for example.

Each apparatus will be specifically described below.

Fig. 7 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of an air conditioner in the embodiment.

The air conditioner 300 is a device that adjusts the indoor air quality environment, and for example, adjusts the indoor temperature by a heating operation or a cooling operation. The air conditioner 300 is, for example, an indoor air conditioner. As shown in fig. 7, the air conditioner 300 includes: a heat source 301, a blower 302, various sensors 303, and a control circuit 304.

The heat source 301 is a heat exchanger provided in a refrigerant circuit (not shown), and is, for example, a heat exchanger functioning as a condenser. The heat source 301 is not limited to the heat exchanger provided in the refrigerant circuit, and may be an electric heater, a gas heater, a kerosene heater, or the like.

The blower 302 sends air heated by the heat source to the room. The blower 302 is constituted by, for example, a fan and a motor for rotating the fan. The fan may be, for example, a cross-flow fan or an axial-flow fan.

The various sensors 303 include: a temperature sensor that detects an indoor temperature, a humidity sensor that detects an indoor humidity, a temperature sensor that detects an outdoor temperature, a humidity sensor that detects an outdoor humidity, a human body induction sensor that detects the presence of a person in the room, a power sensor that detects the amount of electricity consumed by the air conditioner 300, and the like. The various sensors 303 may also include a temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the heat source 301, a temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the air blown out from the air conditioner 300, and the like.

The control circuit 304 controls the operations of the heat source 301 and the blower 302 so that the detected indoor temperature approaches a preset target temperature in accordance with the indoor temperature detected by the various sensors 303. For example, in the heating operation, when the indoor temperature does not reach the target temperature, that is, when the indoor temperature is lower than the target temperature, the control circuit 304 drives the heat source 301 and the blower 302 to heat the indoor space. In the heating operation, when the indoor temperature reaches the target temperature, that is, when the indoor temperature is equal to or higher than the target temperature, the control circuit 304 temporarily stops the heat source 301 and the blower 302. In the heating operation, since the outdoor temperature is often lower than the indoor temperature, the indoor temperature is lowered and approaches the outdoor temperature by stopping the heat source 301 and the blower 302. Accordingly, when the indoor temperature becomes lower than the target temperature, the control circuit 304 drives the heat source 301 and the blower 302. In this way, the control circuit 304 controls the operations of the heat source 301 and the blower 302 based on the relationship between the indoor temperature and the target temperature, and can adjust the indoor temperature so as to maintain the indoor temperature at the target temperature.

The control circuit 304 has a communication IF (Interface) for establishing communication with the communication network 600 via the router 610. The communication IF is a communication interface for communicating with the cloud server 400 via the communication network 600. That is, the communication IF may be a communication interface capable of performing communication connection with the communication network 600. Specifically, the communication IF is a communication interface that is communicatively connected to the communication network 600 by being communicatively connected to a base station of the mobile communication system or by being communicatively connected to the router 610. The communication IF may be a wireless lan (local area network) interface suitable for ieee802.11a, b, G, n, ac, ax standards, or may be a wireless communication interface suitable for a communication standard used in a mobile communication system such as a 3 rd generation mobile communication system (3G), a 4 th generation mobile communication system (4G), a 5 th generation mobile communication system (5G), or LTE (registered trademark).

The communication IF included in the control circuit 304 may be a communication interface that is connected to another terminal device for communication and is connected to the communication network 600 for communication. In this case, the communication IF may be a wireless LAN interface or a wireless communication interface suitable for the Bluetooth (registered trademark) standard, for example.

Fig. 8 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of a cloud server in the embodiment.

As shown in fig. 8, the cloud server 400 includes: a processor 401, a main memory 402, a storage device 403, and a communication if (interface) 404.

The processor 401 is a processor that executes a control program stored in the storage device 403 or the like.

The main memory 402 is a volatile storage area as a work area used when the processor 401 executes the control program.

The storage device 403 is a nonvolatile storage area for storing a control program and the like.

The communication IF404 is a communication interface for communicating with the air conditioner 300, the sleep state sensor 500, the terminal device 700, and the like via the communication network 600. The communication IF404 is, for example, a wired LAN interface. In addition, the communication IF404 may be a wireless LAN interface. The communication IF404 is not limited to the LAN interface, and may be any communication interface as long as it can establish a communication connection with a communication network.

Fig. 9 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of the sleep state sensor according to the embodiment.

As shown in fig. 9, the sleep state sensor 500 includes an antenna 501 and a control circuit 502. The sleep state sensor 500 is, for example, a contactless electric wave sensor.

The antenna 501 includes a transmission antenna for transmitting a transmission wave (microwave) of a predetermined frequency into a room, and a reception antenna for receiving a reflected wave obtained by reflecting the transmission wave from an object including a person in the room.

The control circuit 502 calculates a minute change in distance between the antenna 501 and a measurement object (e.g., a person) based on the doppler shift of the reflected wave received by the antenna 501. The control circuit 502 estimates the movement (body movement), respiration, heart rate, and the like of the measurement target using the calculated result.

The control circuit 502 has a communication if (interface) for establishing communication with the communication network 600 via the router 610. The communication IF is a communication interface for communicating with the cloud server 400 via the communication network 600. That is, the communication IF may be a communication interface capable of performing communication connection with the communication network 600. Specifically, the communication IF is a communication interface that is communicatively connected to the communication network 600 through a communication connection with a base station of the mobile communication system or a communication connection with the router 610. The communication IF may be, for example, a wireless lan (local area network) interface suitable for ieee802.11a, b, G, n, ac, ax standards, or a wireless communication interface suitable for a communication standard used in a mobile communication system such as a 3 rd generation mobile communication system (3G), a 4 th generation mobile communication system (4G), a 5 th generation mobile communication system (4G), or LTE (registered trademark).

The communication IF included in the control circuit 502 may be a communication interface that is connected to another terminal device for communication and is connected to the communication network 600 for communication. In this case, for example, the communication IF wireless LAN interface may be used, or a wireless communication interface suitable for the Bluetooth (registered trademark) standard may be used.

Fig. 10 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an air conditioning control system in the embodiment.

The air conditioning control system 1 includes an air conditioner 300, a cloud server 400, and a sleep state sensor 500. Some or all of the functional blocks of the cloud server 400 belong to any one of the cloud server 111 of the data center operation company 110 or the server 121 of the service provider 120.

The air conditioner 300 includes a sensor information obtaining unit 311, a control information obtaining unit 312, and an air conditioning control unit 313.

The air conditioning control unit 313 controls the operation of the heat source 301 and the blower 302 to adjust the temperature, humidity, and the like of the air in the room. The air conditioning control unit 313 is not limited to a specific air conditioning function as long as it is a control means capable of controlling the temperature or humidity of the room. The air conditioning control unit 313 performs control based on the operation parameters specified by the air conditioning setting unit 413. The operation parameters include parameters indicating "operation", "mode", "set temperature", "air volume", and "wind direction", respectively. "operation" indicates ON/OFF of operation, "mode" indicates an operation mode of the air conditioner 300 such as cooling, heating, and dehumidification, "set temperature" indicates a target temperature specified for the air conditioner 300, "air volume" indicates the volume of air blown by the air conditioner 300, and "wind direction" indicates the direction of air blown by the air conditioner. The air conditioning control unit 313 is realized by the control circuit 304, for example.

The sensor information obtaining unit 311 obtains air conditioning detection information, which is a detection result detected by the various sensors 303 included in the air conditioner 300. The air conditioner detection information that can be obtained includes: temperature/humidity obtained from a temperature/humidity sensor, outdoor temperature/humidity, presence/absence information indicating the presence or absence of a person obtained from a human body sensor such as an infrared ray, electric power obtained from a power sensor that obtains electric power from current flowing when the air conditioner 300 is operated, and the like. The sensor information obtaining unit 311 is implemented by, for example, various sensors 303 and a control circuit 304.

The control information obtaining part 312 obtains air conditioning control information. The air-conditioning control information indicates the control content of the air-conditioning control unit 313 for controlling the operations of the heat source 301 and the blower 302. The air conditioning control information is specifically information showing an operation state (ON/OFF), an operation mode (cooling/heating/dehumidification/automatic), a set temperature, an air direction, an air volume, an outlet temperature, a rotation speed (cooling/heating intensity) of a compressor in the refrigerant circuit, and the like. The control information obtaining unit 312 is realized by the control circuit 304, for example.

The above is a description of the structure of the air conditioner 300.

The sleep state sensor 500 is composed of a sleep state information acquisition unit 511.

The sleep state information obtaining unit 511 estimates the sleep state of the person by detecting the person using electromagnetic waves such as microwaves. The sleep state information obtaining part 511 transmits the sleep state information showing the estimated sleep state to the cloud server 400.

As shown in fig. 11, the sleep of a person can be classified into several "sleep states" in time series according to the depth or characteristics of sleep. As shown in fig. 11, the sleep is divided into rapid eye movement sleep and non-rapid eye movement sleep. Rapid eye movement sleep is sleep accompanied by rapid movement of eyeballs, and is one of the sleeping states, in which the body is in a resting state while the brain is in an active state. Human dreams mostly occur during rapid eye movement sleep.

The non-rapid eye movement sleep is sleep without rapid movement of the eyeball, and is divided into 4 stages, i.e., stage 1 to stage 4, according to the depth of sleep. The more the number of stages, the deeper the sleep, stage 4 being the deepest sleep level. When the brain wave at this time is measured, a low-frequency and high-amplitude waveform called a delta wave (delta wave) from 1Hz to 4Hz is measured with high frequency. Generally, the period from the time of falling asleep to 45 to 60 minutes passes to the stages 3 and 4 of non-rapid eye movement sleep, and further, the sleep gradually becomes shallow to become rapid eye movement sleep after about one hour to two hours. Thereafter, non-rapid eye movement sleep and rapid eye movement sleep alternately appear, and are repeated with 90-110 minutes as a sleep cycle.

Body movement, respiration, and heart rate have a correlation with the sleep state shown in fig. 11. For example, in non-rapid eye movement sleep, deep sleep such as stages 3 and 4 shows less physical activity than light sleep and reduced heart rate variability (RRI: R-R Interval). The sleep state information obtaining part 511 estimates the sleep state of the person in real time by detecting an index value among indexes having a correlation with such a sleep state, and transmits the estimated result to the cloud server 400 as the sleep state information.

The sleep state information is a sleep state and information corresponding to an estimated time of the estimated sleep state. The sleep state includes: arousal, rapid eye movement sleep, and stages 1, 2, 3, and 4 showing various depths of non-rapid eye movement sleep. The estimated time is a time at which at least one of body movement, respiration, and heart rate that is a basis of the estimated corresponding sleep state is measured. The sleep state information may further include at least one of body movement, respiration, and heart rate measured at the estimated time.

In addition, the determination of the sleep state may not be performed by the sleep state sensor 500, and may be performed by the cloud server 400. In this case, the sleep state sensor 500 transmits the sleep detection information, which is the detection data of at least one of the body movement, the respiration, and the heart rate and information corresponding to the time when the detection data is detected, to the cloud server 400 as the sleep state information. The cloud server 400 estimates the sleep state of the user U1 using the sleep detection information obtained from the sleep state sensor 500.

The sleep state sensor 500 is not limited to the above, and may be any type as long as it can obtain sleep detection information for estimating the sleep state. The sleep state sensor may be, for example, a wearable type terminal worn on the arm. In this case, the sleep state sensing apparatus is provided with a heart rate sensor that measures a heart rate, and an IMU (Inertial measurement unit) that measures body movement. The IMU has a three-axis acceleration sensor and a gyro sensor. The sleep state sensor may be configured to include a pressure-sensitive sensor that is disposed, for example, under a mattress for sleeping and detects a human body motion.

The above is a description of the configuration of the sleep state sensor 500.

The cloud server 400 includes an acquisition unit 411, a parameter calculation unit 412, an air-conditioning setting unit 413, an interface 414, a history DB415, and a setting DB 416.

The obtaining section 411 obtains air-conditioning detection information from the sensor information obtaining section 311 of the air conditioner 300. The obtaining unit 411 stores the obtained air-conditioning detection information in the history DB 415. The obtaining unit 411 may obtain the air-conditioning detection information from the sensor information obtaining unit 311 and store the air-conditioning detection information in the history DB415, for example, once per minute. The obtaining unit 411 may obtain the air-conditioning detection information periodically loaded from the sensor information obtaining unit 311.

Also, the obtaining portion 411 obtains air-conditioning control information from the control information obtaining portion 312 of the air conditioner 300. The obtaining unit 411 stores the obtained air conditioning control information in the history DB 415. The obtaining unit 411 may obtain the air conditioning control information from the control information obtaining unit 312 and store the air conditioning control information in the history DB415, for example, once per minute. The obtaining unit 411 may obtain the air conditioning control information periodically loaded from the control information obtaining unit 312. The load timing in this case is not limited to a regular period, and may be a timing at which an event occurs in which the control in the air conditioner 300 is changed.

Also, the obtaining unit 411 obtains the sleep state information from the sleep state sensor 500. The obtaining unit 411 stores the obtained sleep state information in the history DB 415. The obtaining unit 411 may obtain the sleep state information from the sleep state sensor 500 and store the information in the history DB415, for example, once per minute. The obtaining unit 411 may obtain the sleep state information periodically loaded from the sleep state sensor 500.

The obtaining unit 411 may obtain weather information of the area where the air conditioner 300 is installed. The area where the air conditioner 300 is installed may be determined based on a Global IP address (Global IP address) used by the air conditioner 300 for communication, may be determined based on information set in advance by the user, or may be determined based on location information obtained from the terminal device 700 used by the user.

The history DB415 is a database storing the air-conditioning detection information, the air-conditioning control information, and the sleep state information obtained by the obtaining unit 411. The form of the database may be a relational database such as SQL, or a configuration of a database called No SQL, such as a Key-Value type, which configures data with simple relationships.

Fig. 12 and 13 show an example of the table structure of the history DB. Fig. 12 shows a table structure of data including air conditioning detection information and air conditioning control information obtained and accumulated from the air conditioner 300. Fig. 13 shows a table structure of data including sleep state information obtained and accumulated from the sleep state sensor 500.

In the table of fig. 12, "ID" represents a unique identifier for identifying each record. "time" indicates the time at which each piece of information is obtained. The "indoor temperature", "indoor humidity", "outdoor air temperature", "outlet air temperature", "electric quantity", and "presence/absence information" are air-conditioning detection information obtained by the sensor information obtaining portion 311. The "operating state", "operating mode", "set temperature", "air volume", and "wind direction" are air-conditioning control information obtained by the control information obtaining unit 312. The "weather" is weather information of the area obtained by the obtaining unit 411. For convenience of explanation, in fig. 12, the air-conditioning detection information and the air-conditioning control information are shown in a single table, but each information may be managed by a different table. The power amount in fig. 12 indicates the cumulative power amount (wh) from the previous record to the current record.

In the table of fig. 13, "ID" represents a unique identifier for identifying each record. "time" indicates the time at which each piece of information is obtained. "sleep state", "heart rate", "breathing rate", "body movement amount" are sleep state information obtained from the sleep state sensor 500. Sleep states the depth of sleep of the person illustrated in fig. 11 is represented in stages. Specifically, the sleep states include "wake", "rapid eye movement sleep", and "stage 1", "stage 2", "stage 3", and "stage 4". The "heart rate" and the "breathing rate" respectively indicate the heart rate and the breathing rate at the corresponding time, and in the example of fig. 13, the heart rate and the breathing rate are one minute. The "body movement amount" indicates the amount of physical activity at the corresponding time, and is, for example, the maximum body movement amount for one minute, or a numerical value exceeding a threshold value for determining body movement within one minute. The "body momentum" is expressed by normalizing to a value of 0 to 100 or the like.

The interface 414 is an external interface for accepting input from a user, such as external I/F (WebAPI) that communicates in http/https protocol. The interface 414 stores a setting command received from the terminal device 700 by an Application (Application) in the setting DB416 or the history DB415, for example. The interface 414 may transmit information such as sleep state information, air conditioning control information, and air conditioning probe information stored in the history DB415 to the terminal device 700 through an application.

Fig. 14 shows an example of a screen in an Application (Application) when setting before falling asleep in a terminal device.

As shown in fig. 14, in the terminal device 700, a pre-sleep setting screen 701 for an application includes reservation lists 702 and 703 for sleep control. The reservation lists 702, 703 show that the setting of the sleep onset scheduled time and the getting-up scheduled time is accepted for each day of one week. In the example of fig. 14, the reservation list 702 shows that the sleep onset scheduled time is 23:00 and the getting up scheduled time is 7:00, and that these scheduled times are valid on monday, tuesday, wednesday, thursday, friday. The reservation list 703 shows that the sleep onset scheduled time is 23:30 and the getting up scheduled time is 8:00, and that these scheduled times are valid on saturday and sunday. When each reservation list 702, 703 is clicked, the screen is shifted to a screen for setting a sleep start scheduled time, a wake-up scheduled time, and a week for which the scheduled time is valid. When the reservation lists 702 and 703 are set and enabled, the terminal device 700 transmits the sleep reservation information indicated by the reservation lists 702 and 703 to the cloud server 200.

Fig. 15 shows an example of a screen in the application after getting up in the terminal device.

As shown in fig. 15, when the set scheduled getting-up time is reached, a getting-up screen 710 using an application is displayed by the terminal device 700, and the user is prompted to perform an input of "feeling in the thermal environment" while sleeping or when getting up. In the example of fig. 15, the getting-up screen 710 includes a comment 711 that prompts the user to input subjective evaluation about the indoor thermal environment in which the user is sleeping and/or about the indoor thermal environment when the user gets up, with a cartoon avatar, and the comment 711 shows, for example, "how is today air-conditioning? Please click on the icon! ". The getting-up screen 710 includes icons 712 and 713 including 5 icons of "cold" to "hot" for receiving input of a feeling (subjective evaluation) for a temperature during sleep and/or a temperature when getting-up.

The 5 icons show "cold", "slightly cold", "comfortable", "slightly hot", and "hot" in 5-stage evaluations.

When receiving an input of a feeling of a thermal environment during sleep and when getting up, the terminal device 700 displays a reception completion screen 720 including icons 721 and 722 showing that the input of the feeling is received. Terminal device 700 displays acceptance screen 720 and transmits evaluation information showing a feeling of the thermal environment to cloud server 200. The terminal device 700 transmits evaluation information indicating any one of "cold", "slightly cold", "comfortable", "slightly hot", and "hot" as a sense of each of the sleep and the getting up to the cloud server 200. Further, "cold" may be represented by "1," slightly cold "may be represented by" 2, "comfortable" may be represented by "3," slightly hot "may be represented by" 4, "and" hot "may be represented by" 5.

The subjective evaluation of the user on the thermal environment during sleep is defined as "subjective evaluation of the thermal environment during sleep", and the subjective evaluation on the thermal environment during getting up is defined as "subjective evaluation of the thermal environment during getting up". The subjective evaluation of each thermal environment may be not only an evaluation of a temperature, a humidity, and a comfort, but also an evaluation of a temperature, a humidity, and a comfort. The time zone in sleep to be evaluated may be subdivided into a first half, a middle half, and a second half, or may be a combination of the time zone in sleep and the time zone in getting up. When receiving evaluation information showing subjective evaluation of a thermal environment from the terminal device 700, the cloud server 200 stores the evaluation information in the history DB 415.

In the history DB415, the subjective evaluation of the thermal environment is managed specifically by a table shown in fig. 16. Fig. 16 shows an example of a table structure for managing subjective evaluation of thermal environment in the history DB.

In the table of fig. 16, "actual sleep start time" indicates the time at which the user actually starts falling asleep, and "actual getting-up time" indicates the time at which the user actually gets up. The "subjective evaluation of thermal environment during sleep" and the "subjective evaluation of thermal environment during getting up" are as described above.

In the examples of fig. 14 and 15, a configuration has been described in which the terminal device 700 executes an application to display a screen for accepting an input from a user and accepts an input based on the displayed screen, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The terminal device 700 may be configured to accept the input for setting described in fig. 14 and the input for evaluation described in fig. 15 by using a dialogue-type application such as VPA (Virtual personal assistant). That is, the terminal device 700 may be a device having a display device such as a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or a PC, or may be a device having a microphone and a speaker such as a VPA.

The setting DB416 is a database for storing evaluation information obtained through the interface 414. The form of the database may be a relational database such as SQL, or a configuration of a database called No SQL, such as a Key-Value type, which configures data with simple relationships.

Fig. 17 shows an example of the configuration of the user table stored in the setting DB. Fig. 18 shows an example of the structure of the schedule stored in the setting DB.

The setting DB416 stores therein a user table and a schedule table.

The user table includes items of "user ID", "user name", "target temperature at getting up", and "lower limit temperature". "user ID" represents a unique identifier for identifying each record. "username" represents a nickname for the user. The "target temperature at the time of getting up" indicates a target indoor temperature reached at the time of getting up. The "lower limit temperature" means a lower limit indoor temperature in sleep. The "target temperature at the time of getting up" and the "lower limit temperature" are used in the processing by the parameter calculation unit 412.

As will be described in detail later.

The schedule includes items of "schedule ID", "sleep start scheduled time", "wake scheduled time", "day of week", and "user ID". "schedule ID" represents a unique identifier for identifying each record. The "sleep start scheduled time" means a sleep start scheduled time. "getting up scheduled time" means getting up scheduled time. The "week" indicates a week that is the subject of the sleep onset scheduled time and the wake scheduled time of the corresponding record. The schedule table is generated based on the sleep reservation information explained in fig. 14. The "user ID" is an ID for establishing correspondence with the user table.

The parameter calculation unit 412 calculates the operation parameters for the control command to the air conditioner 300 based on the information stored in the history DB415 and/or the setting DB 416. The parameter calculation unit 412 may periodically calculate the operation parameters, or may calculate the operation parameters when a predetermined condition is satisfied.

The air-conditioning setting unit 413 transmits the operation parameters calculated by the parameter calculation unit 412 to the air-conditioning control unit 313 of the air conditioner 300. Accordingly, the operation setting of the air conditioner 300 is controlled. The air conditioner setting unit 413 transmits the operation parameter calculated by the parameter calculation unit 412 to the air conditioner 300 every time the parameter calculation unit 412 calculates the operation parameter.

Fig. 19 shows a flow of a time series of the control method of the air conditioner while the user is sleeping. Fig. 19 shows an example of the case where the air conditioner 300 performs the heating operation in the environment where the outdoor air temperature is lower than the indoor temperature.

The horizontal axis of the graph of fig. 19 represents the time elapsed during sleep, and the vertical axis represents the temperature. The indoor temperature 1101 is a line showing a change in the indoor temperature with time. The indoor temperature employs a detection value obtained from a sensor of the air conditioner 300. The set temperature 1102 is a line indicating a change with time of the set temperature of the air conditioner 300 set by the parameter calculation unit 412. The lower limit temperature indicates a lower limit temperature of the user set for each user in the setting DB 416. In the case of fig. 19, the lower limit temperature is 19.5 ℃. The target getting-up temperature indicates a target getting-up temperature of the user set for each user in the setting DB 416. In the case of fig. 19, the target temperature at the time of getting up was 21.0 ℃. The wind direction indicates the change in the wind direction of the air conditioner 300 set by the parameter calculation unit 412. The period a indicates a period of time after the sleep state sensor 500 detects that the user falls asleep. Time t2 when period a has elapsed represents the timing of switching of air conditioning control. The switching of the air conditioning control will be described later in detail.

The control contents shown in the graph will be described below. The range hatched with oblique lines in fig. 19 indicates a range in which the sleep state of the corresponding user detected by the sleep state sensor 500 is in the deep sleep state. Here, the deep sleep is, for example, stage 3 and stage 4 sleep in the non-rapid eye movement sleep.

In fig. 19, the air conditioner 300 is operated according to the operation parameters set according to the preference of the user during the period from entering the room to going to bed. Specifically, the air conditioner 300 is operated in accordance with an operation mode, an air volume, an air direction, and a temperature setting set by a user via a remote controller of the air conditioner 300 or the like.

Next, when the user is asleep, the air conditioner 300 is operated according to an operation parameter different from the period until the user is asleep. Specifically, when the current time exceeds the scheduled sleep start time of the setting DB416, the parameter calculation unit 412 determines that the user has started sleeping, calculates the operation parameters of the air conditioner 300, transmits the calculated operation parameters to the air conditioner 300, and starts the sleep operation control for the air conditioner 300.

The parameter calculation unit 412 determines the set temperature at the beginning of bedtime as follows. The parameter calculation unit 412 obtains the indoor temperature obtained from the various sensors 303 of the air conditioner 300 by referring to the history DB 415. When the obtained indoor temperature is higher than the lower limit temperature, the parameter calculation unit 412 sets the set temperature to the lowest value (16 ℃ in the example of fig. 19) of the range that can be set by the air conditioner 300 in the heating operation mode, and when the indoor temperature is lower than the lower limit temperature, sets the set temperature to the lower limit temperature. In the example of fig. 19, the room temperature is about 20.5 ℃ at the beginning of bedtime, and the lower limit temperature is 19.5 ℃. Therefore, the parameter calculation unit 412 calculates the operation parameter in which the set temperature is set to 16 ℃, which is the lowest value that can be set by the air conditioner 300, at bedtime. The parameter calculation unit 412 calculates an operation parameter for orienting the wind direction at the start of bedtime. The air-conditioning setting unit 413 transmits the calculated operating parameter to the air-conditioning unit 300, and causes the air-conditioning unit 300 to perform a heating operation with the setting based on the transmitted operating parameter.

After the start of sleep, the parameter calculation unit 412 determines the set temperature at time t2 after the sleep of the user is detected and until the period a elapses, as follows. Here, the parameter calculation unit 412 detects that the user is asleep based on the sleep state sent thereto from the sleep state sensor 500. When the sleep state is detected as deep sleep (stage 3 or stage 4) for the first time after the start of sleep, the parameter calculation unit 412 determines that the sleep state is "deep sleep".

The parameter calculation unit 412 periodically checks the indoor temperature of the air conditioner 300 by referring to the history DB415, for example, every 5 minutes, and compares the indoor temperature with the lower limit temperature. The parameter calculation unit 412 sets the set temperature to the lower limit temperature when the indoor temperature is lower than the lower limit temperature. In the example of fig. 19, since the indoor temperature is lower than the lower limit temperature at the timing of time t1, the parameter calculation unit 412 calculates the operation parameter of 19.5 ℃ that sets the set temperature of the air conditioning control at the timing of time t1 to the lower limit temperature. After the set temperature is set to the lower limit temperature, the parameter calculation unit 412 maintains the current state of the set temperature even if the indoor temperature exceeds the lower limit temperature. In this way, by setting the set temperature to the lowest temperature between the indoor temperature and the lower limit temperature, the indoor temperature is not lower than the set temperature even when the air-conditioning apparatus 300 is not performing the heating operation while the indoor temperature is lower than the lower limit temperature. Therefore, the operating parameters of the air conditioner 300 can be set in an operating mode in which the air conditioner 300 does not blow out warm air, and the indoor temperature can be lowered to the lower limit temperature. Accordingly, the indoor temperature is lowered from the time t1 when the user's sleep is detected, and the deep temperature is promoted to be lowered, thereby making it possible to provide an environment in which the user can easily sleep. Since the lower limit temperature is set as the set temperature at the timing of time t1, the air conditioner 300 is operated to blow out warm air when the indoor temperature is lower than the lower limit temperature after time t 1. Therefore, the drop in the indoor temperature is cut off to the lower limit temperature, and the environment can be prevented from becoming too cold.

Here, in order to promote the decrease in the core temperature and decrease the indoor temperature, the set temperature of the air conditioner 300 is set to the minimum temperature during the period from when the user falls asleep to when the indoor temperature is lower than the lower limit temperature at time t 1. Although there is a method of turning off the power of the air conditioner 300 instead of setting the set temperature of the air conditioner 300 to the lowest temperature, in this case, the power of the air conditioner 300 is switched from off to on during sleep. Therefore, at the timing of switching to on, the air conditioner 300 may emit noise, thereby increasing the possibility of prompting the user to be awake. Further, when the power supply of the air conditioner 300 is off at bedtime and the power supply of the air conditioner 300 is switched from off to on during sleep, the user cannot confirm the turning on of the power supply of the air conditioner 300, and therefore, anxiety may occur from the viewpoint of safety. The air conditioner 300 has an indoor temperature sensor, and as long as the indoor temperature detected by the indoor temperature sensor is not lower than a set temperature, the operation of blowing out warm air may not be performed even during the heating operation. Therefore, the power supply of the air conditioner 300 is turned on at bedtime, and the set temperature for the heating operation is set to the lowest temperature.

After time t2, the parameter calculation unit 412 determines the set temperature as follows.

The parameter calculation unit 412 performs control to increase the set temperature from the lower limit temperature to the start-up target temperature in stages so that the set temperature of the air conditioner 300 becomes the start-up target temperature at the start-up scheduled time during the period from the time t2 to the start-up scheduled time. That is, the parameter calculation unit 412 performs control to gradually increase the set temperature of the air conditioner 300 during the period from the time t2 to the scheduled getting-up time. The parameter calculation unit 412 calculates a gradually increasing set temperature at a predetermined timing (a plurality of different timings) so that, for example, a rapid temperature change does not occur as much as possible, and a connection line between the current set temperature or the room temperature and the target temperature at the time of getting up becomes a linear shape. Accordingly, the indoor temperature is gradually increased in response to the user getting up, so that the temperature at the deep part of the user can be promoted to be increased, and an environment in which the user easily gets up can be created.

Next, the control of the wind direction will be described.

After time t2, the parameter calculation unit 412 controls the wind direction based on the sleep state transmitted from the sleep state sensor 500. The parameter calculation unit 412 periodically checks the sleep state such as once every 1 minute, and sets the wind direction to face downward when the sleep state of the user is deep sleep (stage 3 or stage 4), and sets the wind direction to face upward when the user is light sleep (stage 1 or stage 2) or rapid eye movement sleep. In addition, stage 1 or stage 2 in non-rapid eye movement sleep, rapid eye movement sleep is an example of the 1 st stage in the sleep depth. Also, stage 3 or stage 4 in the non-rapid eye movement sleep is an example of the 2 nd stage deeper than the 1 st stage in the sleep depth.

Generally, an indoor unit of an indoor air conditioner, which is an example of the air conditioner 300, is installed at a position higher than a position where a user sleeps. During the heating operation, the warm air (warm air) blown out from the air conditioner 300 is directed upward by natural convection. Therefore, when the air conditioner 300 is turned upward, the warm air blown out by the air conditioner 300 does not easily reach the position where the user sleeps. When the air conditioner 300 is turned downward, warm air blows on the user, and therefore the user is more likely to be awakened. Therefore, the user feels sluggish in the external environment, and the wind direction is directed downward when the user is blowing a deep sleep in which the user is not likely to wake up even when the user is blowing warm wind, and the wind direction is directed upward when the user is blowing a shallow sleep in which the user is likely to wake up. Accordingly, the user can be made comfortable in the surrounding thermal environment without being awakened during sleep.

After the user gets up, the parameter calculation unit 412 may update the lower limit temperature and the target temperature at the time of getting up included in the user table stored in the setting DB416 based on the previous subjective evaluation of the thermal environment of the corresponding user stored in the history DB 415. For example, when the air conditioner 300 is controlled with the lower limit temperature set to 19.5 ℃, the parameter calculation unit 412 may update the lower limit temperature to a value obtained by adding 1 ℃ to the currently set temperature when the subjective evaluation of the thermal environment during sleep is evaluated as "cold", and update the lower limit temperature to a value obtained by subtracting 1 ℃ from the currently set temperature when the subjective evaluation of the thermal environment is evaluated as "hot". For example, when the air conditioner 300 is controlled with the target getting-up temperature set at 21.0 ℃, the parameter calculating unit 412 may update the target getting-up temperature to a value obtained by adding 1 ℃ to the currently set temperature when the subjective evaluation of the thermal environment during getting-up is evaluated as "cold", and update the target getting-up temperature to a value obtained by subtracting 1 ℃ from the currently set temperature when the subjective evaluation of the thermal environment during getting-up is evaluated as "hot". In this way, the indoor environment can be adjusted to a comfortable temperature according to the subjective evaluation of the user during sleep and when getting up.

The lower limit temperature and the target temperature at the time of getting up may be determined based on the correlation between the subjective evaluation of the thermal environment and the environmental data (air conditioning detection information) such as the indoor temperature, without using the latest data. For example, the lower limit temperature or the target temperature at the time of getting up may be updated to the average of the lower limit temperature or the target temperature at the time of getting up which is evaluated as "comfortable" in the previous subjective evaluation of thermal environment. That is, the parameter calculation unit 412 may set, as the lower limit temperature, an average value of the lower limit temperatures evaluated as "comfortable" during a period from the current time to a time before the predetermined period, and may set, as the getting-up target temperature, an average value of the getting-up target temperatures evaluated as "comfortable" during the same period. Accordingly, the temperature preferred by the user can be reflected more effectively than the result of the latest reference.

In the example of fig. 19, the parameter calculation unit 412 changes the set temperature to the lower limit temperature at time t1 when the indoor temperature is lower than the lower limit temperature, and in this case, the set temperature may be changed according to the sleep state of the user. For example, when the indoor temperature is lower than the lower limit temperature, the parameter calculation unit 412 may not change the set temperature to the lower limit temperature when the sleep state of the user is "light sleep". When the sleep state of the user is "light sleep", if the set temperature is rapidly increased, air conditioning noise or temperature change due to the operation of the air conditioner 300 to blow out warm air may occur, which may cause the user to be awake. Therefore, even when the indoor temperature is lower than the lower limit temperature, the set temperature may be changed to the lower limit temperature after the sleep state of the user becomes "deep sleep" without changing the set temperature to the lower limit temperature when the sleep state of the user is "light sleep". Accordingly, the possibility of arousing the user during sleep can be further reduced, and the indoor environment can be adjusted to a comfortable temperature.

In the example of fig. 19, the parameter calculation unit 412 changes the set temperature to the lower limit temperature at time t1 when the indoor temperature is lower than the lower limit temperature, and in this case, the set temperature may be gradually increased so that the set temperature reaches the lower limit temperature from the lowest value of the range that can be set by the air conditioner 300 in the heating operation mode, without rapidly changing the temperature setting. The parameter calculation unit 412 may change the set temperature by 0.5 ℃ every 5 minutes, for example. If the set temperature is rapidly increased, air conditioning noise or temperature change due to the operation of the air conditioner 300 to blow out warm air may occur, which may cause the user to be awake. Therefore, even when the indoor temperature is lower than the lower limit temperature, the set temperature is gradually increased, so that the indoor environment can be adjusted to a comfortable temperature while reducing the possibility of arousing the user during sleep. Further, the parameter calculation unit 412 may increase the set temperature gradually in the case where the sleep state is "light sleep" and increase the set temperature so that the increase width of the set temperature is larger than that in the case of "light sleep" in the case where the sleep state is "deep sleep" in accordance with the sleep state. Accordingly, the possibility of arousing the user can be reduced more effectively, and the indoor environment can be adjusted to a comfortable temperature.

The outlet air is also referred to as outlet air.

The operation of the air conditioning control system 1 will be described below.

The detailed flow of the air conditioning setting by the parameter calculation unit 412 will be described with reference to the processing flows shown in fig. 22 to 25.

The system configuration of the air conditioning control system 1 in the present embodiment is explained above.

Next, a process flow of the air conditioning control system 1 in the present embodiment will be described. The processing flow of the air conditioning control system 1 in the present embodiment can be roughly divided into three. An "air conditioner data accumulation flow", a "sleep state data accumulation flow", and an "air conditioner setting flow".

Fig. 20 shows an "air conditioning data accumulation flow".

In step S101, the air conditioner 300 obtains air conditioning detection information by the sensor information obtaining portion 311.

In step S102, the air conditioner 300 obtains air conditioning control information of the air conditioner by the control information obtaining portion 312.

In step S103, the air conditioner 300 transmits the air conditioning detection information obtained in step S101 and the air conditioning control information obtained in step S102 to the cloud server 400. In the cloud server 400, the obtaining unit 411 receives the air-conditioning detection information and the air-conditioning control information and accumulates them in the history DB 415.

In step S104, the air conditioner 300 waits for a predetermined period (for example, 1 minute), that is, waits for a predetermined period, and then returns to step S101. The air conditioner 300 counts, for example, 60 seconds, and when the result of the counting reaches 60 seconds, it proceeds to step S101.

The processing of the air conditioner data accumulation flow is repeatedly executed without stopping when a communication path with the cloud server 400 is established and the power is turned on. In this way, all of the air-conditioning detection information and the air-conditioning control information are recorded in the history DB415 of the cloud server 400. In the air conditioning data accumulation flow shown in fig. 20, although step S102 is executed after step S101, the order of execution may be reversed. Steps S101 and S102 may be executed sequentially or in parallel. Further, step S102 of obtaining the air-conditioning control information may be executed not periodically but at the timing at which the control is changed, that is, at the timing at which the air-conditioning control information is changed, and then, the obtained air-conditioning control information may be transmitted to the cloud server 400.

The above is the description of the "air conditioning data accumulation flow".

Fig. 21 shows a "sleep state data accumulation flow".

In step S111, the sleep state sensor 500 obtains information such as the heart rate/heart rate variability, the respiratory rate, and the body movement of the person by the sleep state information obtaining unit 511. Then, the sleep state (arousal, rapid eye movement sleep, stage N (N is any one of 1, 2, 3, 4)) is determined based on the obtained information.

In step S112, the sleep state sensor 500 transmits the sleep state information obtained in step S111 to the cloud server 400.

In step S113, the sleep state sensor 500 waits for a predetermined period (for example, 1 minute), that is, waits for a predetermined period, and then returns to step S111. The sleep state sensor 500 counts, for example, 60 seconds, and returns to step S111 when the count result reaches 60 seconds.

In addition, as described above, the sleep state information may not include the estimation result of the sleep state. That is, the sleep state sensor 500 may transmit information used when estimating the sleep state including at least one of body movement, respiration, and heart rate to the cloud server 400 without estimating the sleep state. In this case, the cloud server 400 may estimate the sleep state according to the accumulated information for estimating the sleep state.

The above is a description of the "sleep state data accumulation flow".

Fig. 22 shows an "air-conditioning setting flow".

In step S121, the parameter calculation unit 412 compares the current time with the sleep start scheduled time set in the setting DB416, determines whether or not the current time exceeds the sleep start scheduled time, and executes the primary air conditioning control when the current time exceeds the sleep start scheduled time. When the current time does not exceed the sleep start scheduled time, the parameter calculation unit 412 waits for the first execution of the air conditioning control. When the primary air conditioning control is finished, the process proceeds to step S122. Details of the first air conditioning control will be described later with reference to fig. 23.

In step S122, the parameter calculation unit 412 compares the current time with the scheduled getting-up time set in the setting DB416, and determines whether or not the current time exceeds the scheduled getting-up time. When the current time exceeds the scheduled getting-up time, that is, when the current time is not less than the scheduled getting-up time (yes in S122), the parameter calculation unit 412 ends the processing of the air-conditioning setting flow. If the current time does not exceed the scheduled getting-up time, that is, if the current time < the scheduled getting-up time (no in S122), the process proceeds to the next step S123.

In step S123, the parameter calculation unit 412 compares the current time with the sleep onset sensing + period a, and determines whether or not the current time is equal to or greater than the sleep onset sensing + period a. That is, the parameter calculation unit 412 determines whether or not the period a has elapsed since the time when the user is sensed to fall asleep. The falling sleep sensing is performed according to the sleep state transmitted from the sleep state sensor 500. When a record of one or more deep sleeps (stage 3 or stage 4) in the sleep state is sensed after the predetermined sleep start time set in the setting DB416, the recorded time is determined as the time of falling asleep.

If it is determined that the period a has not elapsed since the time when the user is sensed to fall asleep ("no" in S123), the parameter calculation unit 412 proceeds to the air-conditioning control period 1 in step S124. The details of the air conditioning control period 1 will be described later with reference to fig. 24. When determining that the period a has elapsed since the user was sensed to fall asleep ("yes" in S123), the parameter calculation unit 412 proceeds to the air-conditioning control period 2 in step S125. The details of the air conditioning control period 2 will be described later with reference to fig. 25.

In step S126, the parameter calculation unit 412 waits for a predetermined period (for example, 1 minute), that is, waits for a predetermined period, and then returns to step S122. The parameter calculation unit 412 counts, for example, 60 seconds, and returns to step S122 when the count result reaches 60 seconds.

The above is the description of the "air conditioner setting flow". In the air-conditioning setting flow, the control parameter for controlling the air conditioner 300 set by the parameter calculation unit 412 may be transmitted to the air conditioner 300 by the air-conditioning setting unit 413 every time a new control parameter is calculated, or may be periodically transmitted to the air conditioner 300 by the air-conditioning setting unit 413.

Fig. 23 shows a control flow of the "primary air conditioning control".

In step S131, the parameter calculation unit 412 obtains the latest indoor temperature, that is, the current indoor temperature from the air-conditioning detection information stored in the history DB415, compares the current indoor temperature with the lower limit temperature, and proceeds to step S132 if the current indoor temperature is lower than the lower limit temperature (yes in step S131), or proceeds to step S133 if the current indoor temperature is equal to or higher than the lower limit temperature (no in step S131).

In step S132, the parameter calculation unit 412 calculates control parameters for setting the operation mode of the air-conditioning apparatus 300 to the heating operation. At this time, the parameter calculation unit 412 calculates control parameters for setting the set temperature to the "lower limit temperature" and setting the wind direction to the upward direction, and ends the primary air conditioning control.

In step S133, the parameter calculation unit 412 calculates control parameters for setting the operation mode of the air-conditioning apparatus 300 to the heating operation. At this time, the parameter calculation unit 412 calculates a control parameter for setting the set temperature to "the lowest set temperature that can be set by the air conditioner" and setting the wind direction to be upward, and ends the primary air conditioning control.

The above is an explanation of the control flow of the "primary air conditioning control".

Fig. 24 shows a control flow of "air conditioning control period 1".

In step S141, the parameter calculation unit 412 obtains the latest indoor temperature, that is, the current indoor temperature from the air-conditioning detection information stored in the history DB415, compares the current indoor temperature with the lower limit temperature, and proceeds to step S142 if the current indoor temperature is lower than the lower limit temperature (yes in step S141), or proceeds to step S143 if the current indoor temperature is equal to or higher than the lower limit temperature (no in step S141).

In step S142, the parameter calculation unit 412 calculates a control parameter for setting the set temperature of the air conditioner 300 to the lower limit temperature, and the process proceeds to step S143.

In step S143, the parameter calculation unit 412 determines whether the current set temperature of the air conditioner 300 is equal to the lower limit temperature. When the current set temperature is equal to the lower limit temperature (yes in S143), the parameter calculation unit 412 proceeds to step S144, and when the current set temperature is not equal to the lower limit temperature (no in S143), the process of the air-conditioning control period 1 is ended.

In step S144, the parameter calculation unit 412 determines whether or not the current sleep state of the user is a deep sleep, with reference to the latest sleep state, that is, with reference to the current sleep state of the user, from the sleep state information of the user stored in the history DB 415. The parameter calculation unit 412 proceeds to step S145 when the current sleep state of the user is the deep sleep state (yes in S144), and proceeds to step S146 when the current sleep state of the user is not the deep sleep state (no in S144).

In step S145, the parameter calculation unit 412 calculates a control parameter for setting the wind direction of the air conditioner 300 to be downward, and ends the process of the air-conditioning control period 1.

In step S146, the parameter calculation unit 412 calculates a control parameter for setting the wind direction of the air conditioner 300 to be upward, and ends the process of the air-conditioning control period 1.

The above is the description of the control flow of the "air conditioning control period 1".

Fig. 25 shows a control flow of "air conditioning control period 2".

In step S151, the parameter calculation unit 412 calculates a control parameter for gradually increasing the set temperature from the lower limit temperature to the getting-up target temperature in such a manner that the set temperature of the air conditioner 300 reaches the getting-up target temperature at the getting-up scheduled time during the period from the time t2 to the getting-up scheduled time. Therefore, the parameter calculation unit 412 periodically calculates the set temperature at the present time, and calculates a control parameter for setting the calculated set temperature as the set temperature of the air conditioner 300.

During sleep, rapid temperature changes can cause a user to become awake. Therefore, it is desirable to gradually raise the indoor temperature as much as possible. Therefore, the set temperature (ST _ Target) in step S151 is calculated, for example, in the following manner.

ST_Target＝IT_Start+(ST_Wakeup-IT_Start)×{(T_Now-T_Start)/(T_Last-T_Start)}

T _ Start the Start time of air conditioning control period 2 (time a + sleep sensing period)

T _ Last, scheduled time to get up

T _ Now current time

Indoor temperature at IT _ Start T _ Start

ST _ Wakeup target temperature

Since the controllable temperature range differs depending on the air conditioner 300, the parameter calculation unit 412 calculates the set temperature in accordance with the temperature range of the set temperature that can be adjusted in the air conditioner 300. For example, when the temperature range of the settable set temperature is 0.5 ℃, the parameter calculating unit 412 adjusts ST _ Target by 0.5 ℃ to calculate the set temperature.

Further, since it is conceivable that the result of the calculation is already lower than the current set temperature of the air conditioner, the temperature can be adjusted to the current set temperature in this case.

In step S152, the parameter calculation unit 412 determines whether or not the current sleep state of the user is a deep sleep, with reference to the latest sleep state, that is, with reference to the current sleep state of the user, from the sleep state information of the user stored in the history DB 415. The parameter calculation unit 412 proceeds to step S153 if the current sleep state of the user is the deep sleep state (yes in S152), and proceeds to step S154 if the current sleep state of the user is not the deep sleep state (no in S152).

In step S153, the parameter calculation unit 412 calculates a control parameter for setting the wind direction of the air conditioner 300 to be downward, and ends the air-conditioning control period 2.

In step S154, the parameter calculation unit 412 calculates a control parameter for setting the wind direction of the air conditioner 300 to be upward, and ends the air-conditioning control period 2.

The above is the description of the control flow of the "air conditioning control period 2".

By configuring the air conditioning control system 1 according to the present embodiment, it is possible to control the thermal environment in the room where the user is sleeping to an environment comfortable for the user at the timing when the user gets up during the period from when the user gets up to when he sleeps.

In the present embodiment, the wind direction of the air conditioner 300 is set to face downward when the sleep state of the user measured by the sleep state sensor is a deep sleep and to face upward when the user is a light sleep, but the invention is not limited thereto. For example, the air conditioner capable of changing the direction of the wind in the lateral direction may be configured such that the wind direction is directed downward normally, and is directed inward when the user is sleeping deeply, and is directed outward so as to avoid a person when the user is sleeping lightly. With this configuration, warm air can be sent downward, and arousal from a light sleep can be avoided. The various sensors 303 of the air conditioner 300 may include a human body sensor, and detect the position where the user is present in the indoor space where the air conditioner 300 is installed. In this case, the human body sensing sensor outputs position information indicating a position where the user exists.

In this way, the air conditioning control system 1 can control the wind direction of the air conditioner so that the blown wind can be blown to the user based on the position information when the sleep state of the user is deep sleep, and so that the blown wind avoids the user when the sleep state of the user is light sleep.

In the present embodiment, the direction of wind to avoid the user may be a direction in which wind is not blown to the user, or may be a direction toward a position different from the position of the user. The direction of the wind blowing toward the user is a direction toward the position of the user.

In the present embodiment, the sleep state of the user is estimated based on the body movement, respiration, and heart rate of the user detected by the sleep state sensor 500, and the sleep state of the user may be estimated based on, for example, lf (low frequency)/hf (high frequency), which is an index obtained from a result of frequency analysis of the heart rate variability of the user. As shown in fig. 26, the sleep state of the user and the LF/HF have a correlation with each other. Fig. 26 (a) is a graph showing the sleep state of the person with respect to the sleep elapsed time, as in fig. 11, and fig. 26 (b) is a graph showing the LF/HF values in the same time axis as fig. 26 (a). In this way, when LF/HF is higher than the threshold Th, the sleep state sensor 500 or the cloud server 400 can determine that the user is in the light sleep state. Also, in this case, it can be known that the user in sleep is dominant over the parasympathetic nerve. When LF/HF is equal to or less than threshold Th, sleep state sensor 500 or cloud server 400 can determine that the user is in the deep sleep state. In this case, it is known that the parasympathetic nerve of the user is dominant over the sympathetic nerve.

In this way, the sleep state sensor 500 or the cloud server 400 may determine the sleep depth through the heart rate variability analysis. The sleep state sensor 500 or the cloud server 400 may also determine the sleep depth of the user according to the LF/HF values obtained by the heart rate variability analysis.

In the present embodiment, when the sleep state of the user is the deep sleep state, the wind direction is controlled so that the wind output from the air conditioner 300 is blown to the user, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, as shown in fig. 27, in the control of the wind direction of the air conditioner 300, when the slope of the tangent line in the temporal change of the index value related to the sleep depth obtained by the heart rate variability analysis becomes larger than a predetermined positive slope, the wind direction of the air conditioner 300 may be controlled so that the wind output from the air conditioner 300 avoids the user even in a deep sleep state, based on the position information of the user. In this case, the parameter calculation unit 412 may calculate a control parameter for controlling the wind direction of the wind blown out by the air conditioner 300 to be upward, and thereby control the wind direction of the air conditioner 300 so that the wind output by the air conditioner 300 avoids the user. The term "when the slope of the tangent line becomes larger than a predetermined positive slope" means a timing when the slope becomes larger than the predetermined positive slope when the slope tends to increase.

In the present embodiment, when the user's sleep depth is the depth of the 1 st stage, the wind direction of the air conditioner 300 is controlled so that the wind output from the air conditioner 300 avoids the user, based on the position information of the user, and when the user's sleep depth is the depth of the 2 nd stage deeper than the 1 st stage, the wind direction of the air conditioner 300 is controlled so that the wind output from the air conditioner 300 is blown to the user, based on the position information of the user. Here, the wind direction control in two stages is performed according to the sleep depth in two stages, but as shown in fig. 28, the wind direction control in three or more stages may be performed according to the sleep depth in three or more stages.

Specifically, when the index value related to the sleep depth obtained by the heart rate analysis is an index value divided into four ranges by dividing the index value by three threshold values Th1, Th2, and Th3, the parameter calculation unit 412 may calculate a control parameter for controlling the wind direction corresponding to the range of the index value. The four ranges are respectively in one-to-one correspondence with the four wind directions. For example, when the range is the lowest range among the four ranges, that is, when LF/HF is equal to or less than the threshold Th1, the parameter calculation unit 412 calculates a control parameter for setting the wind direction of the air-conditioner 300 to the most downward wind direction (the lowest wind direction). When the position of the LF/HF is in the range of the second lowest position among the four ranges, that is, when the LF/HF position is greater than the threshold Th1 and equal to or less than the threshold Th2, the parameter calculation unit 412 calculates a control parameter for setting the wind direction of the air-conditioner 300 to the wind direction of the second lowest position (the wind direction of the second lowest position from the lowest position). When the current is the second highest range (i.e., the third lowest range) among the four ranges, that is, when LF/HF is greater than the threshold value Th2 and equal to or less than the threshold value Th3, the parameter calculation unit 412 calculates the control parameter for setting the wind direction of the air-conditioner 300 to the second-highest wind direction (the wind direction from the uppermost stage to the second-highest wind direction). When the range is the highest range among the four ranges, that is, when LF/HF is greater than the threshold value Th3, the parameter calculation unit 412 calculates a control parameter for setting the wind direction of the air-conditioner 300 to the upmost wind direction (the uppermost wind direction). As described above, the calculated control parameter is transmitted from the air conditioner setting unit 413 to the air conditioner 300 at regular intervals or at updated timings, and the air conditioner 300 changes the operation in accordance with the received control parameter.

In the present embodiment, the parameter calculation unit 412 updates the lower limit temperature and the target temperature at the time of getting-up included in the user table stored in the setting DB416 based on the past subjective evaluation of the thermal environment of the corresponding user stored in the history DB415, but is not limited to the update based on the subjective evaluation of the thermal environment. It is known that the heart rate or heart rate variability value of a user while sleeping may be affected by the temperature in the surroundings of the user. Specifically, it can be known that the higher the temperature around the user, the larger the value of the heart rate or heart rate variability of the user while sleeping. Therefore, it can be said that the higher the ambient temperature is, the more the user feels hot.

Fig. 29 is a graph showing the heart rate of the user, the time average of the heart rate, and the predicted value of the heart rate over time.

In fig. 29, a thin solid line 801 represents a temporal change in the heart rate of the user, a thick solid line 802 represents a temporal average temporal change in the heart rate of the user, and a thick broken line 803 represents a temporal change in a predicted value based on past history of the heart rate of the user.

For example, the parameter calculation unit 412 calculates the correlation between the heart rate or heart rate variability, which is associated with the user and is stored in the history DB415, and the indoor temperature, and calculates the predicted value of the heart rate or heart rate variability of the user in the future based on the calculated correlation. In the calculation of the correlation, a correlation including a sleep elapsed time, LF/HF, and the like may be calculated. Then, the parameter calculation unit 412 may change the lower limit temperature or the target getting-up temperature to a lower temperature when the time average of the heart rate is larger than the predicted value by a predetermined value. The heart rate or heart rate variability of the user and the indoor temperature obtained in the past stored in the history DB415 for calculating the correlation may be information obtained from a period before a predetermined period from the present.

In the present embodiment, the "deep sleep" may be set to "stage 3 or stage 4", or may be set to "stage 4 only", or "stage 2, stage 3, or stage 4" according to the trend of the air-conditioning probe information or the sleep state information. In addition, although the brain is active during light sleep, rapid eye movement sleep may be considered to be a state in which the body's own activity is suppressed and it is not easy to get up. Therefore, the rapid eye movement sleep can be regarded as a sleep state in which it is not easy to get up, as in the "deep sleep". That is, in the above embodiment, the wind direction of the air conditioner 300 is controlled by dividing the sleep depth into the 1 st stage and the 2 nd stage and by whether the sleep depth of the user is the 1 st stage or the 2 nd stage, but the invention is not limited thereto. The direction of the wind of the air conditioner 300 may be controlled according to whether the sleep state of the user is a state in which it is difficult to get up. The direction of the wind of the air conditioner 300 may be controlled so that the wind blows on the user when the user's sleep state is a state in which the user is not likely to get up, and the direction of the wind of the air conditioner 300 may be controlled so that the wind avoids the user when the user's sleep state is a state in which the user is likely to get up. The sleep state of the user is a state in which the user does not easily get up, and may be a case in which the sleep depth of the user is deep sleep, or a case in which the user rapidly sleeps with eyes or deep sleep.

Further, the air conditioning control system 1 may be configured to determine the initial value of the lower limit temperature or the target temperature at the time of getting up, based on subjective evaluation of the individual on the air conditioner, such as "hot feeling" or "cold feeling", when the user starts sleeping first. In this case, the cloud server 400 obtains the subjective evaluation of the user from the terminal device 700, and determines the lower limit temperature and the target temperature at the time of getting up corresponding to the obtained subjective evaluation. For example, when the subjective evaluation of the user is weak to heat, the cloud server 400 sets the lower limit temperature corresponding to the user to 18 ℃. For example, when the subjective evaluation of the user indicates a fear of cold, the cloud server 400 sets the lower limit temperature corresponding to the user to 20 ℃ and sets the target temperature at the time of getting up to 22 ℃. Accordingly, even when first used, the operation of the air conditioner 300 can be controlled by setting a desired set temperature corresponding to subjective evaluation by the user.

Further, the air conditioning control system 1 may be configured to determine the lower limit temperature or the initial value of the target temperature at the time of getting up, in accordance with the state of the bedding used, when the user first sleeps. In this case, the cloud server 400 obtains the state of the bedding used by the user from the terminal device 700, and determines the lower limit temperature and the target temperature at the time of getting up corresponding to the obtained state of the bedding. For example, in the case where the state of the bedding is "duvet + blanket", the cloud server 400 sets the lower limit temperature to 18 ℃ and sets the target temperature at the time of getting up to 20 ℃. For example, when the state of the bedding is "blanket", the cloud server 400 sets the lower limit temperature to 20 ℃ and sets the target temperature at the time of getting up to 22 ℃. The state of the bedding can be acquired from the terminal device 700 by periodically conducting inquiry investigation or the like to the terminal device 700. Accordingly, even when first used, the operation of the air conditioner 300 can be controlled by setting a desired set temperature corresponding to the state of the bedding used by the user. In addition, in the case where the sleep state sensor 500 or the like has a sensor for measuring the temperature inside the bedding, the cloud server 400 may estimate the thickness of the bedding from the correlation of the measured temperature and the indoor temperature by obtaining the temperature measured by the sensor. Accordingly, the cloud server 400 can automatically reflect the change in the state of the bedding without the user manually setting the state of the bedding to the terminal device 700.

In the present embodiment, the air volume may be increased in the case of deep sleep and decreased or stopped in the case of light sleep, although the air volume may be set downward in the case of deep sleep and upward in the case of light sleep. With this configuration, the air conditioning control can be performed more efficiently in accordance with the sleep cycle, and the arousal during sleep can be prevented.

In the present embodiment, the sleep state sensor is set to face downward when the sleep state is deep sleep and to face upward when the sleep state is light sleep, but the setting temperature may be set to be high when the sleep state is deep sleep and low when the sleep state is light sleep. With this configuration, the air conditioning control can be performed more efficiently in accordance with the sleep cycle, and the arousal during sleep can be prevented.

In the present embodiment, the sleep state sensor is set to face downward when the sleep state is deep sleep and set to face upward when the sleep state is light sleep, but the sleep state sensor may be configured to swing up and down when the sleep state is deep sleep. With this configuration, warm air in the upward direction can be flowed downward by circulating air in the room, thereby improving comfort.

In the present embodiment, the sleep state sensor is set to face downward when the sleep state is a deep sleep state, and is set to face upward when the sleep state is a light sleep state. The defrosting operation is an operation of removing frost that hinders the heating operation, and is an operation of frosting an outdoor area when the outdoor temperature is lower than a predetermined temperature and the humidity is higher than a predetermined humidity in winter. Since the heating is stopped during this operation, the indoor unit also stops the wind. After the defrosting operation, the air conditioner starts to operate by heating the room which has been cooled during the defrosting operation again, and therefore, the defrosting operation is preferably performed not in the deep sleep but in the light sleep.

In the present embodiment, the air conditioner is set to face downward when the sleep state measured by the sleep state sensor is a deep sleep and to face upward when the sleep state is a light sleep, but the air conditioner may be configured such that the humidification operation is increased in the deep sleep and the humidification operation is decreased or stopped in the light sleep when the air conditioner has a humidification operation function. According to this configuration, since the humidification operation generates noise, the humidification operation is reduced at a light sleep, so that the sound during humidification can be reduced, and the user can be prevented from being awakened from the sleep.

In the present embodiment, the sleep state sensor is set to face downward when the sleep state is a deep sleep state, and to face upward when the sleep state is a light sleep state. The wind direction and/or the air volume during deep sleep and the wind direction and/or the air volume during light sleep are set in advance in the system, and the system can be controlled according to the setting. With this configuration, it is possible to further perform control in consideration of the user's taste, the room pattern, and the like.

In the present embodiment, the sleep state sensor is set to face downward when the sleep state is a deep sleep state, and is set to face upward when the sleep state is a light sleep state. Even in deep sleep, the temperature in the room is set to face upward when the temperature is sufficiently high, and even in light sleep, the temperature in the room is set to face downward when the temperature is excessively low. With this configuration, more flexible and finer control can be performed according to the sleep state and the indoor temperature.

In the present embodiment, the sleep state sensor is set to face downward when the sleep state is a deep sleep state, and is set to face upward when the sleep state is a light sleep state. For example, after the deep sleep is started, the deep sleep may be set to be upward even if the deep sleep continues for a long time, after 20 minutes have elapsed. Alternatively, the wind direction may be changed to the upward direction before the end timing of the deep sleep by learning the past sleep stage, the heart rate, and the like, predicting the later sleep stage after the deep sleep is progressed. With this configuration, when the user moves from the deep sleep to the shallow sleep, the user can be prevented from being aroused by the wind.

The configuration may be made in consideration of the indoor temperature. Even in deep sleep, the temperature in the room is set to face upward when the temperature is sufficiently high, and even in light sleep, the temperature in the room is set to face downward when the temperature is too low. With this configuration, more flexible and finer control can be performed according to the sleep state and the indoor temperature.

The configuration may be such that the state of the indoor humidity is taken into consideration. Even in deep sleep, the downward direction is set when the humidity is too low. With this configuration, when the humidity is too low, the skin can be prevented from drying.

In the present embodiment, the air purification function may be set to be downward when the sleep state measured by the sleep state sensor is deep sleep, and upward when the sleep state is light sleep, or may be set to be strong when the air purifier is used in the air conditioner, and the air purification function may be weakened or stopped when the air purifier is used in light sleep. With this configuration, since the air cleaning function generates noise, the operation is reduced during light sleep to reduce the sound, thereby suppressing the user from being awakened from sleep.

In the present embodiment, the micro-ion generating function may be set to be downward when the sleep state measured by the sleep state sensor is deep sleep, set to be upward when the sleep state is light sleep, and configured to be increased when the air conditioner has a micro-ion generating function such as naonoi (nano), and the micro-ion generating function may be decreased or stopped when the sleep state is light sleep. With this configuration, since the micro-ion generating function generates noise, the operation is reduced during light sleep, and the noise of the micro-ion generating function is reduced, thereby suppressing the user from being awakened from sleep.

In the present embodiment, as shown in the description of fig. 18, when the indoor temperature is lower than the lower limit temperature value at the start of bedtime, the set temperature of the air conditioner is set to the lowest temperature that can be set. In the case where the minimum value of the set temperature of the air conditioner is 16 ℃, it is desirable for a user who uses thick bedding to lower the lower limit temperature. For example, when the lower limit temperature is set to 10 ℃, if the heating is set to the minimum set temperature of 16 ℃, the heating operation is performed regardless of the decrease in the outdoor air temperature, and therefore the temperature is not shifted to 10 ℃. Therefore, in this case, the lower limit temperature can be configured to be lower than the lowest temperature of the air conditioner by setting the cooling temperature to 30 ℃.

In the present embodiment, as shown in the description of fig. 18, when the indoor temperature is higher than the lower limit temperature value at the start of bedtime, the set temperature of the air conditioner is set to the lowest temperature that can be set, but may be configured not to heat but to perform a standby operation (not to perform any operation). In the case where the minimum value of the set temperature of the air conditioner is 16 ℃, it is desirable to lower the lower limit temperature for a user who uses thick bedding during sleeping. For example, when the lower limit temperature is set to 10 ℃, if the heating is set to the minimum set temperature of 16 ℃, the heating operation is performed regardless of the low outdoor temperature, and therefore the temperature is not shifted to 10 ℃. In this case, by setting the standby operation mode, the lower limit temperature can be set to be lower than the minimum temperature of the air conditioner by turning on the power supply of the air conditioner but not performing any operation, and the power supply of the air conditioner is turned on at bedtime, so that the uncomfortable feeling given to the user due to the random turning on of the power supply during sleep can be eliminated.

In the present embodiment, the control of the air direction of the air conditioner 300 during the heating operation is described, but the same control can be performed during the cooling operation. That is, similarly, when the sleep depth of the user is the depth of the 1 st stage, the wind direction of the air conditioner may be controlled so that the wind output from the air conditioner 300 avoids the user based on the position information of the user, and when the sleep depth of the user is the depth of the 2 nd stage deeper than the 1 st stage, the wind direction may be controlled so that the wind output from the air conditioner 300 blows to the user based on the position information of the user.

In the present embodiment, the cloud server 400 obtains air conditioner detection information and air conditioner control information from the air conditioner 300, obtains sleep state information from the sleep state sensor 500, and calculates control parameters for controlling the air conditioner 300 based on the information, but the cloud server 400 may not perform the process of calculating the control parameters. That is, instead of the cloud server 400 calculating the control parameters, the air conditioner 300 may calculate the control parameters. In this case, the air conditioner 300 includes the parameter calculation unit 412, the history DB415, the interface 414, and the setting DB416 among the functional blocks of the cloud server 400. The air conditioning control unit 313 operates according to the control parameter calculated by the parameter calculation unit 412. Also, in this case, the air conditioner 300 has an obtaining portion that obtains the sleep state information from the sleep state sensor 500. In this way, the calculation process of the control parameter may be performed by the air conditioner 300 without the cloud server 400.

The air conditioner 300 may further include an airflow direction adjustment mechanism for adjusting the flow direction (airflow direction) of the air blown into the room by the air blower 302. The air direction adjustment mechanism is configured by, for example, a swing blade that is disposed at the air outlet of the air conditioner 300 and adjusts the flow direction of air, and an actuator (motor) that adjusts the angle of the swing blade.

The above is a description of the air conditioning control system in the present embodiment.

(type of service 1: data center type of Home company)

Fig. 2 shows type 1 of service (self-company data center type). The present type is a type in which the service provider 120 obtains information from the group 100 and provides a service to the user. In this type, the service provider 120 has a function of a data center operation company. That is, the service provider owns the cloud server 111 that performs management of large data. Thus, there is no data center operating company.

In the present type, the service provider 120 operates and manages the data center (cloud server 111) (203). The service provider 120 manages the OS (202) and the application (201). The service provider 120 performs service provision (204) using the OS (202) and the application (201) managed by the service provider 120.

(type of service 2: IaaS utilization type)

Fig. 3 shows type 2 of service (IaaS usage type). Here, IaaS is an infrastructure service, which is an abbreviation of a service, and is a cloud server provision model in which an infrastructure for constructing a computer system or operating is provided as a service via the internet.

In the present type, a data center operation company operates and manages a data center (cloud server 111) (203). The service provider 120 manages the OS (202) and the application (201). The service provider 120 performs service provision (204) using an OS (202) and an application (201) managed by the service provider 120.

(type of service 3: PaaS utilization type)

Fig. 4 shows type 3(PaaS usage type) of the service. Here, PaaS is an abbreviation of platform-as-a-service, and is a cloud server provision model in which a platform for building a software or a base for running is provided as a service via the internet.

In the present type, the data center operating company 110 manages the OS (202), and operates and manages the data center (cloud server 111) (203). Also, the service provider 120 manages the application (201). The service provider 120 performs service provisioning using an OS (202) managed by the data center operations company and an application (201) managed by the service provider 120 (204).

(type of service 4: SaaS utilization type)

Fig. 5 shows type 4 of service (SaaS usage type). Here, SaaS is an abbreviation of software as a service. For example, the cloud server providing model is provided with a function of enabling a company or an individual (user) who does not have a data center (cloud server) to use an application provided by a platform provider who owns the data center (cloud server) by using a network such as the internet.

In the present type, the data center operation company 110 manages an application (201), manages an OS (202), and operates and manages a data center (cloud server 111) (203). The service provider 120 provides a service using an OS (202) and an application (201) managed by the data center operator 110 (204).

In either of the above types, the service provider 120 performs service provisioning activities. Also, for example, it may be that a service provider or a data center operation company develops an OS, a database of applications or big data, or the like by itself, and may entrust a third party.

An air conditioning control system according to an aspect of the present invention can gradually increase a thermal environment as getting close to getting up by using a thermal index in controlling an air conditioner, adjust to a comfortable environment when getting up, and improve comfort when sleeping. Therefore, the air conditioning control system according to the present invention has high applicability in the household appliance industry.

Description of the symbols

10. 20 users

100 groups of the population

101 device

102 home gateway

110 data center operations company

111 cloud server

120 service provider

121 Server

201 application

202 OS

203 data center (cloud server)

204 service provisioning

300 air conditioner

301 heat source

302 blower

303 various sensors

304 control circuit

311 sensor information obtaining unit

312 control information obtaining part

313 air conditioner control unit

400 cloud server

401 processor

402 main memory

403 storage device

404 communication IF

411 obtaining part

412 parameter calculating part

413 air conditioner setting part

414 interface

415 resume DB

416 setting DB

500 sleep state inductor

501 antenna

502 control circuit

511 sleep state information obtaining unit

600 communication network

601 house

610 router

700 terminal device

701 setting screen

702. 703 subscription list

710 picture of getting up

711 notes on

712. 713 icon

720 accepted picture

721. 722 icon

801 thin solid line

802 thick solid line

803 thick dotted line