JP5665898B2 - Control device, control system, control method, and program - Google Patents

Description

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

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, devices have emerged that learn user behavior from the usage status of equipment and devices installed in a house and control equipment and the like in accordance with user behavior. According to such an apparatus, since a user's action is clarified in advance, for example, it is possible to promote energy saving or improve user comfort.

  However, when the user behaves differently from normal, it becomes difficult to appropriately control the facilities and the like. Therefore, techniques for controlling equipment and the like using information input in advance by the user in addition to the learning result have been proposed (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).

  The electric water heater described in Patent Document 1 cuts off the power to the heater within a period of time previously input by the user using the month setting button and the day setting button. This eliminates unnecessary power consumption when the electric water heater is not used for a long period of time.

  Moreover, the rice cooker of patent document 2 controls the heat retention temperature at the time of heat retention based on the time data input from the outside. Thereby, even when eating in a time zone different from the daily life, it is possible to eat delicious rice with a high temperature keeping temperature by inputting the time zone in advance.

JP 2003-279153 A JP 2004-313571 A

  However, the user himself / herself has to determine whether information needs to be input to the devices described in Patent Documents 1 and 2. Such a determination may be troublesome for the user.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to simplify the input of information to an apparatus that controls equipment.

In order to achieve the above object, the control device of the present invention provides:
Storage means for storing a target value for controlling equipment installed in one house according to the user's behavior;
An acquisition means for presenting a question or instruction to the user and acquiring information input by the user as a response to the presented question or instruction;
Changing means for changing the target value based on the information acquired by the acquiring means;
Control means for controlling equipment according to the target value;
Equipped with a,
The equipment installed in the one house has storage means for storing energy,
The acquisition means uses at least one of the number of users who can use the equipment using the stored energy currently stored in the storage means, and the number of times the equipment can be operated using the stored energy. The amount of stored energy is presented to the user .

  According to the present invention, the user inputs information by responding to the presented question or instruction. Thereby, the input of the information to the apparatus which controls equipment can be simplified.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the control system which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows a target value table. It is a flowchart which shows the process performed by a processor. It is a figure which shows the screen displayed on a touch screen. It is a figure which shows transition of the power consumption of a hot water supply equipment, and the calorie | heat amount stored in a hot water storage tank. It is a flowchart which shows the process performed by the processor which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the screen displayed on a touch screen. It is a figure which shows the target value table which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows transition of the power consumption of a hot water supply equipment, and the calorie | heat amount stored in a hot water storage tank. It is a flowchart which shows the process performed by a processor. It is a figure which shows the screen displayed on a touch screen. It is a flowchart which shows the process performed by the processor which concerns on 4th Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the screen displayed on a touch screen. It is a flowchart which shows the process performed by the processor which concerns on 5th Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the screen displayed on a touch screen. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the control system which concerns on 6th Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the screen displayed on a touch screen.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a control system 10 according to the present embodiment. The control system 10 is a system that manages the hot water in the bathtub 40 by controlling the hot water supply equipment 300. The control system 10 includes the heat pump unit 20 and the hot water supply equipment 300 installed adjacent to the house 70, the bathtub 40, the input device 50, and the control device 60 in the house 70.

  The heat pump unit 20 includes a circulation pump, an expansion valve, a heat exchanger, a compressor, and the like for constituting a heat pump cycle. The heat pump unit 20 uses the heat in the atmosphere to heat the water flowing in through the pipe 318 and generate hot water. The temperature of this hot water is 90 ° C., for example. Then, the heat pump unit 20 supplies the generated hot water to the pipe 319.

  The hot water supply facility 300 uses the hot water supplied from the heat pump unit 20 to fill the bathtub 40 with hot water for the user to take a bath, or to cook the water in the bathtub 40. The hot water supply facility 300 includes a hot water storage tank 310, circulation pumps 311, 331, 341, temperature sensors 312, 313, 343, a three-way valve 320, a heat exchanger 330, a flow rate sensor 342, and a hot water supply controller 350.

  The hot water storage tank 310 is a cylindrical tank for storing hot water and has a capacity of, for example, 500L. Pipes 319, 327 and 339 are connected to the upper part of the hot water storage tank 310. Pipes 318 and 338 and a water pipe 328 are connected to the bottom of the hot water storage tank 310.

  The circulation pump 311 is a pump provided in the pipe 318. The water sent out by the circulation pump 311 circulates through the pipe 318, the heat pump unit 20, the pipe 319, and the hot water storage tank 310 in this order. By this circulation, hot water having a relatively high temperature is stored in the upper part of the hot water storage tank 310. In addition, relatively low temperature water is stored in the lower part of the hot water storage tank 310.

  Each of the temperature sensors 312 and 313 is disposed on the upper and lower side walls of the hot water storage tank 310. The temperature sensors 312 and 313 detect the temperature of the water in the hot water storage tank. The result of this detection is notified to the hot water supply controller 350 and used to measure the temperature distribution of the water in the hot water storage tank.

  The three-way valve 320 is an electromagnetic valve that mixes hot water supplied from the hot water storage tank 310 via the pipe 327 and water supplied from the water supply pipe 328 and supplies the mixed water to the pipe 329. Mixing by the three-way valve 320 is performed at a ratio instructed by the hot water supply controller 350 so that the temperature of the hot water supplied to the pipe 329 becomes a predetermined value. Further, the hot water supplied via the pipe 329 is further poured into the bathtub 40 via the pipe 348.

  The heat exchanger 330 is used for exchanging heat between the hot water in the hot water storage tank 310 and the water in the bathtub 40 to make up the water in the bathtub 40. Pipes 338 and 339 through which hot water in hot water storage tank 310 flows and pipes 348 and 349 through which water in bathtub 40 flow are connected to heat exchanger 330.

  The circulation pump 331 is a pump provided in the pipe 338. The water sent out by the circulation pump 331 circulates through the pipe 338, the hot water storage tank 310, the pipe 339, and the heat exchanger 330 in this order.

  The circulation pump 341 is a pump provided in the pipe 348. The water sent out by the circulation pump 341 circulates through the pipe 348, the heat exchanger 330, the pipe 349, and the bathtub 40 in this order.

  The flow sensor 342 detects the flow rate of water flowing through the pipe 348. The temperature sensor 343 detects the temperature of water flowing through the pipe 348. The detection results by the flow sensor 342 and the temperature sensor 343 are notified to the hot water supply controller 350 and used for managing the temperature of the hot water in the bathtub 40.

  The hot water supply controller 350 includes a microcontroller and a drive circuit for driving the circulation pumps 311, 331, and 341. The hot water supply controller 350 drives the circulation pumps 311, 331, and 341 and controls the three-way valve 320 based on the detection results of the temperature sensors 312, 313, and 343 and the flow rate sensor 342. In addition, the hot water supply controller 350 notifies the controller 60 of the temperature distribution of the water in the hot water storage tank 310.

  The input device 50 is, for example, a terminal having a touch screen 51 for a user to input information. The input device 50 displays a predetermined screen for the user in accordance with an instruction from the control device 60. The input device 50 notifies the control device 60 of information input by the user.

  The control device 60 is a computer that controls the hot water supply facility 300. The control device 60 includes a processor 61, a main storage unit 62, an auxiliary storage unit 63, an interface unit 64, and a clock unit 65. The main storage unit 62, auxiliary storage unit 63, interface unit 64, and clock unit 65 are all connected to the processor 61 via the internal bus 66.

  The processor 61 is composed of, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The processor 61 executes processing described later according to a program 67 stored in the auxiliary storage unit 63. The main storage unit 62 is composed of, for example, a RAM (Random Access Memory). The main storage unit 62 is used as a work area for the processor 61.

  The auxiliary storage unit 63 includes a nonvolatile memory such as a flash memory, for example. The auxiliary storage unit 63 stores various data used for the processing of the processor 61 in addition to the program 67. Then, the auxiliary storage unit 63 supplies data used by the processor 61 to the processor 61 in accordance with an instruction from the processor 61, and stores the data supplied from the processor 61.

  The data stored in the auxiliary storage unit 63 includes the target value table 68 shown in FIG. The target value table 68 is data in which each user (father, mother, brother and sister) taking a bath using the bathtub 40, a bathing date, a bathing time, and a hot water temperature are associated with each other. This target value table 68 is used as a target value for control by the control device 60.

  The interface unit 64 includes a communication interface for communicating with the input device 50 and the hot water supply controller 350. The interface unit 64 acquires information input to the input device 50 by the user from the input device 50 and notifies the processor 61 of the information. In addition, interface unit 64 notifies hot water supply controller 350 of an instruction from processor 61.

  The clock unit 65 is composed of, for example, a crystal resonator. The clock unit 65 notifies the processor 61 of the current time in response to a request from the processor 61.

  Next, a series of processes executed by the processor 61 of the control device 60 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the processor 61 first presents an instruction regarding a bathing schedule to the user (step S1). Specifically, the processor 61 causes the touch screen 51 to display the screen shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the screen displayed on touch screen 51 includes an area A1 where the content of the instruction is displayed, and buttons B1 to B4 for inputting a response to the instruction. The content of the instruction is “If there is a person who does not take a bath, please press the button of the person who does not take a bath”.

  Each of the buttons B1 to B4 is a button indicating that each of the father, mother, brother and sister does not take a bath. When the user touches any of the buttons B1 to B4, the user's intention of “not bathing” corresponding to the touched button is input to the input device 50.

  Next, the processor 61 determines whether or not there is an input by the user (step S2). Specifically, the processor 61 determines whether any of the buttons B1 to B4 is touched. Note that the processor 61 determines that there is no input when there is no input after step S <b> 1 is executed. When it determines with there being no input (step S2; No), the processor 61 transfers a process to step S4.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that there is an input (step S2; Yes), the processor 61 acquires the input information and updates the target value table 68 (step S3). Specifically, the processor 61 acquires information indicating the user corresponding to the touched button. Then, the processor 61 removes today's date from this user's bathing date. For example, when the button B1 indicating that the father does not take a bath is touched, the processor 61 changes the bathing day of the father from “every day” to “every day;

  Next, the processor 61 controls the hot water supply equipment 300 according to the target value table 68 (step S4). Specifically, the processor 61 causes the hot water supply facility 300 to perform hot water filling, additional cooking, a warming operation, and the like so that the temperature of the hot water in the bathtub 40 during the bathing time becomes a temperature associated with the bathing time. Further, the control device 60 controls the hot water supply facility 300 based on the target value table 68 so that hot water required for hot water filling or the like is stored in the hot water storage tank 310 in advance.

  FIG. 5 shows the transition of the electric power consumed by the hot water supply facility 300 under the control of the control device 60 and the transition of the heat amount of the water in the hot water storage tank 310. A solid line L1 and a solid line L3 in FIG. 5 indicate the transition of power consumption when none of the buttons B1 to B4 is touched, and the transition of the heat amount in this case. A broken line L2 and a broken line L4 indicate the transition of power consumption when the button B1 is touched at 9:00 and the transition of the heat amount in this case.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the hot water supply facility 300 consumes electric power at midnight (1-5 o'clock) when the electricity rate is low, and stores hot water in the hot water storage tank 310. And the amount of heat of this warm water decreases stepwise by each user's bathing (18:00 to 23:00).

  When the button B1 is touched, the amount of heat necessary for the father's bathing becomes unnecessary. Therefore, the hot water supply facility 300 stops the heat insulation operation of the hot water storage tank 310 from 9 o'clock to 17 o'clock when the button B1 is touched, and makes the power consumption almost zero. Thereby, power consumption can be reduced, ensuring the amount of heat for the user who takes a bath.

  The amount of heat that the water in the hot water storage tank 310 has is managed by the control device 60 based on the temperature distribution in the hot water storage tank 310. For this reason, when the amount of heat stored in the hot water storage tank 310 is excessively decreased due to, for example, disturbance, the control device 60 operates the heat pump unit 20 to ensure the amount of heat.

  Returning to FIG. 3, after step S <b> 4, the processor 61 repeats the processing after step S <b> 1.

  As described above, the control device 60 according to the present embodiment controls the hot water supply facility 300 using the target value table 68. In addition, when the user's intention of “not bathing” is input, the control device 60 controls the hot water supply equipment 300 based on this intention. Thereby, the control apparatus 60 can control the hot water supply equipment 300 finely so that a user's request may be satisfy | filled.

  In addition, as a general rule, all users according to the present embodiment take a bath every day as shown in FIG. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4, a screen for instructing input is displayed on the touch screen 51 only when there is a user who does not take a bath. In other words, only an instruction for changing the target value table 68 is presented to the user. Thus, the user can input appropriate information simply by responding to the presented instruction. As a result, information can be input easily.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, the second embodiment will be described focusing on the differences from the first embodiment described above. In addition, about the structure same or equivalent to the said embodiment, while using an equivalent code | symbol, the description is abbreviate | omitted or simplified.

  The control system 10 according to the present embodiment is different from that according to the first embodiment in that a bathing user inputs hot water control into the input device 50. In addition, the input device 50 shall be installed in the position where the user who is immersed in the bath can input.

  FIG. 6 shows a series of processes executed by the processor 61 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 6, the processor 61 first determines whether or not the user is taking a bath (step S21). Specifically, the processor 61 determines whether or not the current time is included in the bathing time of the target value table 68. When it is determined that bathing is not in progress (step S21; No), the processor 61 shifts the processing to step S25.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the user is taking a bath (step S21; Yes), the processor 61 presents the user with a question about hot water adjustment (step S22). Specifically, the processor 61 causes the touch screen 51 to display the screen shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the screen displayed on the touch screen 51 includes an area A2 where the contents of the question are displayed, and buttons B21 to B23 for inputting a response to the question. The content of the question is "How about hot water?"

  Each of the buttons B21 to B23 is a button for inputting that the hot water in the bathtub 40 is high temperature, appropriate temperature, and low temperature. When the user touches any of the buttons B21 to B23, the degree of the hot water felt by the user is input to the input device 50.

  Next, the processor 61 determines whether or not there is an input by the user (step S23). Specifically, the processor 61 determines whether any of the buttons B21 to B23 has been touched. Note that the processor 61 determines that there is no input when there is no input after the execution of step S22. When it is determined that there is no input (step S23; No), the processor 61 shifts the processing to step S25.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that there is an input (step S23; Yes), the processor 61 updates the target value table 68 (step S24). Specifically, the processor 61 determines the user currently taking a bath from the current time and the bathing time in the target value table 68. When the button B21 is touched, the processor 61 changes the hot water temperature associated with the user who is currently bathing to a temperature lower by 1 ° C. Further, when the button B23 is touched, the processor 61 changes the hot water temperature associated with the user who is currently bathing to a temperature higher by 1 ° C.

  Next, the processor 61 controls the hot water supply equipment 300 according to the target value table 68 (step S25). Thereafter, the processor 61 repeats the processing after step S21.

  As described above, the control device 60 according to the present embodiment adjusts the temperature of the hot water in the bathtub 40 according to the amount of hot water felt by the user. This makes it possible to finely control the hot water supply facility 300 in accordance with the user's feeling.

(Third embodiment)
Subsequently, the third embodiment will be described focusing on differences from the first embodiment described above. In addition, about the structure same or equivalent to 1st Embodiment, while using an equivalent code | symbol, the description is abbreviate | omitted or simplified.

  The control system 10 according to the present embodiment is different from that according to the first embodiment in that a user inputs a control guide by the control device 60 to the input device 50. The guideline input by the user is a guideline regarding energy saving (hereinafter referred to as energy saving).

  As shown in FIG. 8, the target value table 68 according to the present embodiment includes an energy saving level indicating a guideline for energy saving. The energy saving level is any one of level 1, level 2, and level 3. Level 1 means that the allowable amount of energy consumed by the hot water supply facility 300 is large, and level 3 means that this allowable amount is small.

  For example, in the control when the energy saving level is level 1, a relatively large amount of heat is consumed and a large amount of heat is stored in the hot water storage tank 310. In the control when the energy saving level is level 2, an average amount of electric power is consumed, and an average amount of heat is stored in the hot water storage tank 310. In the control when the energy saving level is level 3, power consumption can be suppressed by storing only a minimum amount of heat in the hot water storage tank 310.

  FIG. 9 shows the transition of power consumed in the control of each of level 1 to level 3, and the transition of the amount of heat stored in hot water storage tank 310. Each of the solid line L31 and the solid line L34 indicates the transition of power consumption and the amount of heat in level 1 control. Moreover, each of the broken line L32 and the broken line L35 indicates the transition of power consumption and the amount of heat in level 2 control. Further, each of the alternate long and short dash line L33 and the alternate long and short dash line L36 indicates the transition of power consumption and the amount of heat in level 3 control.

  Next, a series of processes executed by the processor 61 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  As illustrated in FIG. 10, the processor 61 first presents an instruction for inputting an energy saving guideline to the user (step S <b> 31). Specifically, the processor 61 causes the touch screen 51 to display the screen shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the screen displayed on touch screen 51 includes an area A3 where the contents of the instruction are displayed, and buttons B31 to B33 for inputting a response to the instruction. The content of the instruction is “If you want to change the energy-saving guidelines, press the button that follows the guidelines”.

  Each of the buttons B31 to B33 is a button for setting the energy saving level to each of the levels 3 to 1. When the user touches any of the buttons B31 to B33, the user's intention regarding the energy saving guideline is input to the input device 50.

  Next, the processor 61 determines whether or not there is an input by the user (step S32). Specifically, the processor 61 determines whether any of the buttons B31 to B33 is touched. It should be noted that the processor 61 determines that there is no input when there is no input after the execution of step S31. When it is determined that there is no input (step S32; No), the processor 61 shifts the processing to step S34.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that there is an input (step S32; Yes), the processor 61 acquires the input information and updates the target value table 68 (step S33). Specifically, the processor 61 changes the energy saving level included in the target value table 68 to a value corresponding to the touched button.

  Next, the processor 61 controls the hot water supply equipment 300 according to the target value table 68 (step S34). Thereby, hot water supply equipment 300 is controlled based on the energy saving level set by the user. Thereafter, the processor 61 repeats the processing after step S31.

  As described above, the control device 60 according to the present embodiment controls the hot water supply facility 300 in accordance with the energy saving guidelines desired by the user. Thereby, the user can use the hot water supply equipment 300 according to his / her life style.

(Fourth embodiment)
Subsequently, the fourth embodiment will be described focusing on differences from the above-described third embodiment. In addition, about the structure same or equivalent to 3rd Embodiment, while using an equivalent code | symbol, the description is abbreviate | omitted or simplified.

  The control system 10 according to the present embodiment is different from that according to the third embodiment in that the control device 60 prompts the user to reduce power consumption.

  FIG. 12 shows a series of processing executed by the processor 61 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 12, the processor 61 first presents a question to the user asking whether or not to increase the energy saving level (step S41). Specifically, the processor 61 causes the touch screen 51 to display the screen shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the screen displayed on the touch screen 51 includes an area A4 where the contents of the question are displayed, a button B41 for inputting a response to the question, and a box B42 indicating the current energy saving level. Is included. The content of the question is "Do you want to increase the energy saving level?"

  The button B41 is a button indicating that the energy saving level is raised. When the user touches the button B41, the user's intention to increase the energy saving level from the current level is input to the input device.

  Next, the processor 61 determines whether or not to increase the energy saving level (step S42). Specifically, the processor 61 determines whether or not the button B41 is touched. It should be noted that when a predetermined time has elapsed without input after the execution of step S41, the processor 61 determines that the energy saving level is not increased. When it is determined that the energy saving level is not increased (step S42; No), the processor 61 proceeds to step S31 without changing the energy saving level in the target value table 68.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the energy saving level is to be increased (step S42; Yes), the processor 61 shifts the processing to step S33. In step S33, the value of the energy saving level in the target value table 68 is updated to a value larger by one. For example, when the button B41 shown in FIG. 13 is touched, the processor 61 changes the energy saving level to level 3.

  Note that the processing in steps S31 to S34 in FIG. 12 is the same as the processing according to the third embodiment.

  As described above, the control device 60 according to the present embodiment prompts the user to step up the energy saving level. Thereby, the improvement mind regarding a user's energy saving can be stimulated. As a result, reduction of power consumption is expected.

  In addition, a box B42 indicating the current energy saving level is displayed on the screen that prompts the user to step up the energy saving level. Accordingly, the user can determine whether or not to increase the energy saving level based on the current energy saving level.

(Fifth embodiment)
Subsequently, the fifth embodiment will be described focusing on differences from the above-described third embodiment. In addition, about the structure same or equivalent to 3rd Embodiment, while using an equivalent code | symbol, the description is abbreviate | omitted or simplified.

  The control system 10 according to the present embodiment is different from that according to the third embodiment in that the amount of heat stored in the hot water storage tank 310 is displayed using the number of people who can take a bath with this amount of heat.

  The target value table 68 according to the present embodiment is the same as that shown in FIG. However, when the energy saving level according to the present embodiment is increased or decreased by 1, the amount of heat stored in the hot water storage tank 310 is increased or decreased by the amount used by one user for bathing.

  For example, when the energy saving level is level 2 at 9 o'clock, the amount of heat that two users can bathe is stored in the hot water storage tank 310. At level 3, the amount of heat that can be bathed by three users is stored in hot water storage tank 310.

  FIG. 14 shows a series of processes executed by the processor 61 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 14, the processor 61 first presents a question to the user asking about the number of people scheduled to bathe (step S51). Specifically, the processor 61 causes the touch screen 51 to display the screen shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 15, the screen displayed on the touch screen 51 includes an area A5 where the contents of the question are displayed, a box B51 displaying predetermined information, and a button B52 for inputting a response to the question. B53. The content of the question is "If you want to change the amount of hot water, press the button".

  Box B51 shows the number of people who can take a bath with the amount of hot water currently stored in hot water storage tank 310. This number of people means, for example, the number of times that additional cooking is possible based on the average value (40.75 ° C. = (42 + 40 + 40 + 41) / 4) of the data of each user stored in the target value table 68.

  Each of the buttons B52 and B53 is a button indicating that the amount of hot water is added or reduced. The amount of hot water means the volume when the amount of heat in the hot water storage tank 310 is converted to hot water of 90 ° C. For example, the amount of heat of 38 MJ (megajoules) is converted to 100 L of hot water. When the user touches any of the buttons B52 and B53, the user's intention regarding the number of people scheduled to bathe is input to the input device 50.

  Next, the processor 61 determines whether or not there is an input by the user (step S52). Specifically, the processor 61 determines whether any of the buttons B52 and B53 is touched. Note that the processor 61 determines that there is no input when there is no input after the execution of step S51 and a certain time has elapsed. When it is determined that there is no input (step S52; No), the processor 61 shifts the processing to step S54.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that there is an input (step S52; Yes), the processor 61 acquires the input information and updates the target value table 68 (step S53). Specifically, the processor 61 decreases the energy saving level by 1 when the button B52 is touched. Further, the processor 61 increases the energy saving level by 1 when the button B53 is touched.

  Next, the processor 61 controls the hot water supply equipment 300 according to the target value table (step S54). Thereafter, the processor 61 repeats the processing after step S51.

  As described above, the amount of hot water stored in the hot water storage tank 310 is displayed on the screen of the touch screen 51 according to the present embodiment using the number of people who can take a bath with this amount of hot water. Thereby, the user can grasp | ascertain the amount of hot water intuitively. Further, the user can set an energy saving guideline based on the amount of hot water. For example, the user is given an opportunity to determine whether to refrain from using other electrical devices (such as a vacuum cleaner).

  Further, the user can adjust the amount of hot water stored in the hot water storage tank 310 using the buttons B52 and B53. Thereby, the user can change the energy saving guideline.

(Sixth embodiment)
Subsequently, the sixth embodiment will be described focusing on differences from the above-described third embodiment. In addition, about the structure same or equivalent to 3rd Embodiment, while using an equivalent code | symbol, the description is abbreviate | omitted or simplified.

  The control system 11 according to the present embodiment compares the power consumed in the house 70 where the user resides with the power consumed in other houses, and displays the result of the comparison. Is different.

  As shown in FIG. 16, the control system 11 is installed in a CT (Current Transformer) sensor 80, a server device 90, other houses 70B and 70C, and these houses 70B and 70C installed in the house 70. The hot water supply facilities 300B and 300C and the heat pump units 20B and 20C are provided.

  The CT sensor 80 is provided on a wiring for supplying electric power from a commercial power source to the hot water supply facility 300 via a distribution board. The CT sensor 80 measures the power consumption of the hot water supply facility 300 and notifies the control device 60 of the measurement result.

  The interface unit 64 of the control device 60 performs communication via the network NW outside the house 70. The control device 60 periodically transmits the measurement result by the CT sensor 80 to the server device 90 via the network NW.

  Server device 90 receives information related to the power consumption of hot water supply facilities 300, 300B, and 300C via network NW, and calculates the amount of power consumption of each of hot water supply facilities 300, 300B, and 300C. Then, the server device 90 ranks the houses 70, 70B, 70C where the hot water supply facilities 300, 300B, 300C are installed according to the calculated power consumption. The server device 90 transmits the ranks of the houses 70, 70B, and 70C to the control device 60 and the like via the network NW.

  Houses 70B and 70C, hot water supply equipment 300B and 300C, and heat pump units 20B and 20C each have the same configuration as house 70, hot water supply equipment 300 and heat pump unit 20 respectively.

  The processing executed by the processor 61 according to this embodiment is the same processing as the processing shown in FIG. However, the screen displayed on the touch screen 51 in step S31 according to the present embodiment includes an area A6 where the content of the instruction is displayed and boxes B61 and B62 displaying predetermined information as shown in FIG. , B63 and a panel B64 for inputting a response to the instruction.

  The content of the instruction displayed in the area A6 is "Please input the level when changing the energy saving level".

  In the box B61, the current energy saving level is displayed. In the box B62, the current rank of the house 70 is displayed. Further, in the box B63, the change in the rank of the house 70 is indicated by an arrow. For example, the arrow pointing upward in FIG. 17 indicates that the ranking has risen from yesterday.

  The panel B64 includes a plurality of buttons for inputting an energy saving level. The user can input a numerical value indicating an energy saving level by touching a “decision” button after touching any numerical button.

  As described above, the order of the houses 70 is displayed on the screen of the touch screen 51 according to the present embodiment. Thereby, it is thought that a user's consciousness about energy saving can be raised. In addition, a change in order is displayed on the screen of the touch screen 51. As a result, an opportunity to compete with other houses with similar rankings is given, and it is expected that the user's awareness of energy saving will be maintained.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited by the said embodiment.

  For example, only the button for raising the energy saving level is displayed on the touch screen 51 according to the fourth embodiment (see FIG. 13). However, a button for lowering the energy saving level may be displayed. When a button for lowering the energy saving level is displayed, the energy saving level can be temporarily lowered, for example, on a day when it becomes extremely hot temporarily.

  In addition, the number of users who can take a bath is displayed on the touch screen 51 according to the fifth embodiment (see FIG. 15). However, it is not limited to this. For example, the amount of hot water in the hot water storage tank 310 may be displayed using the number of times hot water filling or additional cooking by the hot water supply facility 300 is possible. In addition, the amount of hot water in the hot water storage tank 310 may be displayed using the time during which the heat insulation operation by the hot water supply facility 300 is possible.

  Moreover, although the server apparatus 90 which concerns on the said 6th Embodiment ranked several houses only based only on comparison of power consumption, it is not limited to this. For example, the server device 90 may classify the houses into a plurality of groups according to the family structure and the house scale, and give a rank to each group. Thereby, it becomes possible to compare and rank houses having similar family structures and the like.

  In each of the above embodiments, the control device 60 presents a question or instruction to the user. These questions or instructions can be easily replaced with each other. For example, the question “How about hot water?” According to the second embodiment can be replaced with an instruction “If hot water is not at the right temperature, please input hot water”.

  Moreover, in each said embodiment, although the heat pump unit 20 and the hot water supply equipment 300 were made into a separate component, it is not limited to this. For example, the hot water supply facility 300 may incorporate the heat pump unit 20.

  In each of the above embodiments, the input device 50 and the control device 60 are separate components, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the control device 60 may incorporate the input device 50.

  Moreover, although the input device 50 which concerns on each said embodiment presented the question or the instruction | indication or acquired the input information using the touch screen 51, it is not limited to this. For example, the input device 50 may present a question or instruction by emitting synthesized speech from a speaker. The input device 50 may acquire information by receiving a user's voice signal input to the microphone and performing voice recognition processing on the voice signal.

  Moreover, you may combine arbitrarily the process which concerns on said each embodiment. For example, in the time when none of the users are bathing, the steps S1 to S4 (see FIG. 3) according to the first embodiment are executed, and only when the time when any of the users is bathing is the second. You may perform step S22-S25 (refer FIG. 6) which concerns on embodiment. Further, for example, steps S31 to S34 (see FIG. 10) according to the third embodiment and steps S51 to S54 (see FIG. 14) according to the fifth embodiment may be repeated.

  Moreover, in each said embodiment, although the control apparatus 60 controlled the hot water supply equipment 300, you may control another equipment.

  The functions of the control device 60 according to the above-described embodiment can be realized by dedicated hardware or by a normal computer system.

  For example, the program 67 stored in the auxiliary storage unit 63 can be read by a computer such as a flexible disk, a CD-ROM (Compact Disk Read-Only Memory), a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), and an MO (Magneto-Optical disk). By storing and distributing in a recording medium and installing the program 67 in a computer, an apparatus that executes the above-described processing can be configured.

  Further, the program 67 may be stored in a disk device or the like included in a predetermined server device on a communication network such as the Internet, and may be downloaded onto a computer, for example, superimposed on a carrier wave.

  The above-described processing can also be achieved by starting and executing the program 67 while transferring it via the communication network.

  Furthermore, the above-described processing can also be achieved by executing all or part of the program 67 on the server device and executing the program 67 while the computer transmits / receives information related to the processing via the communication network. .

  Note that when the above functions are realized by sharing an OS (Operating System) or when the functions are realized by cooperation between the OS and an application, only the part other than the OS may be stored in a medium and distributed. Alternatively, it may be downloaded to a computer.

  The means for realizing the function of the control device 60 is not limited to software, and part or all of the means may be realized by dedicated hardware (circuit or the like).

  Various embodiments and modifications can be made to the present invention without departing from the broad spirit and scope of the present invention. Further, the above-described embodiment is for explaining the present invention, and does not limit the scope of the present invention. That is, the scope of the present invention is shown not by the embodiments but by the claims. Various modifications within the scope of the claims and within the scope of the equivalent invention are considered to be within the scope of the present invention.

  The control device, control system, control method, and program of the present invention are suitable for control of equipment installed in a house.

    10, 11 Control system, 20, 20B, 20C Heat pump unit, 300, 300B, 300C Hot water supply equipment, 310 Hot water storage tank, 311, 331, 341 Circulation pump, 312, 313, 343 Temperature sensor, 318, 319, 327, 329, 338, 339, 348, 349 Piping, 320 Three-way valve, 328 Water pipe, 330 Heat exchanger, 342 Flow sensor, 350 Hot water controller, 40 Bathtub, 50 Input device, 51 Touch screen, 60 Control device, 61 Processor, 62 Main Storage unit, 63 Auxiliary storage unit, 64 Interface unit, 65 Clock unit, 66 Internal bus, 67 Program, 68 Target value table, 70, 70B, 70C Housing, 80 CT sensor, 90 Server device, A1, A2, A3, A4 , A5, A6 Eri , B1, B2, B3, B4, B21, B22, B23, B31, B32, B33, B41, B52, B53, B64 buttons, B42, B51, B61, B62, B63 boxes, L1, L3, L31, L34 solid lines, L2, L4, L32, L35 Dashed line, L33, L36 One-dot chain line, NW network.

Claims (12)

Storage means for storing a target value for controlling equipment installed in one house according to the user's behavior;
An acquisition means for presenting a question or instruction to the user and acquiring information input by the user as a response to the presented question or instruction;
Changing means for changing the target value based on the information acquired by the acquiring means;
Control means for controlling equipment according to the target value;
Equipped with a,
The equipment installed in the one house has storage means for storing energy,
The acquisition means uses at least one of the number of users who can use the equipment using the stored energy currently stored in the storage means, and the number of times the equipment can be operated using the stored energy. A control device for presenting the amount of stored energy to a user . The acquisition means includes
Present only questions or instructions to change the target value,
The control device according to claim 1. The target value is
Including a level indicating the allowable amount of energy consumed by the facility,
The acquisition means includes
Presents questions or instructions for the user to select a level;
The control device according to claim 1 or 2. The acquisition means includes
Presents a question asking whether or not to change the level so that the amount of energy consumed by the facility is reduced,
The control device according to claim 3. The acquisition means includes
Before SL with the amount of time the equipment with the stored energy capable running presents the amount of the stored energy to the user,
The control apparatus as described in any one of Claims 1 thru | or 4. Receiving means for receiving the rank of the one house among a plurality of houses that are installed and ranked based on the amount of energy consumed by the installed equipment, via a network;
With
The acquisition means includes
Presenting the order received by the receiving means to the user;
The control apparatus as described in any one of Claims 1 thru | or 5. The facility installed in the one house is a hot water supply facility,
The target value is
Including the temperature of hot water supplied by the hot water supply equipment,
The acquisition means includes
Presents questions or instructions regarding the degree of hot water felt by the user,
The control apparatus as described in any one of Claims 1 thru | or 6. The acquisition means includes
Displaying on the touchscreen a question or instruction and a plurality of buttons for selecting a response to the question or instruction;
The control device according to any one of claims 1 to 7. Equipment installed in one house,
The control device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, which controls the facility;
A control system comprising: Measuring means for measuring the amount of energy consumed by equipment installed in each of a plurality of houses;
A server device that ranks the plurality of houses based on the amount of energy measured by the measuring means, and transmits the ranks of the plurality of houses via a network;
The control device according to claim 6, wherein the order of one house among the plurality of houses is received via a network, and the equipment installed in the one house is controlled.
A control system comprising: An acquisition step of presenting a question or instruction to the user and acquiring information input by the user as a response to the presented question or instruction;
A change step of changing a target value for controlling equipment installed in a house according to a user's action based on the information acquired in the acquisition step;
A control step of controlling equipment according to the target value;
Only including,
The equipment installed in the house has storage means for storing energy,
In the obtaining step, at least one of the number of users who can use the equipment using the storage energy currently stored in the storage means and the number of times the equipment can be operated using the stored energy is used. A control method for presenting the amount of stored energy to a user . The computer,
An acquisition means for presenting a question or instruction to the user and acquiring information input by the user as a response to the presented question or instruction;
The target value for controlling in accordance with equipment installed in residential user's behavior, the change unit to change based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit,
Control means for controlling equipment according to the target value;
To function as,
The equipment installed in the house has storage means for storing energy,
The acquisition means uses at least one of the number of users who can use the equipment using the stored energy currently stored in the storage means, and the number of times the equipment can be operated using the stored energy. A program for presenting the amount of stored energy to a user .

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