JP7638436B2 - Air conditioner and air conditioning system - Google Patents

Description

The present disclosure relates to an air conditioner and an air conditioning system capable of acquiring a user's biometric information values.

Conventionally, there is known a device that controls an air conditioner based on a person's biological information acquired by a sensor. Patent Document 1 discloses a sleep state determination system that detects a person's body movement when the detection value of a Doppler sensor exceeds a threshold value.

In the sleep state determination system disclosed in Patent Document 1, a person's sleep state is determined in response to detected body movement, and the operation of an air conditioner is controlled in response to the determination result of the person's sleep state. The threshold is updated when the difference between the latest average value of the maximum detection value of the Doppler sensor when the person lands on the floor during a specified period and the initial average value of the maximum detection value of the Doppler sensor when the person lands on the floor during an initial specified period is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. In the sleep state determination system, the threshold is newly determined in response to a change in the distance between the person and the Doppler sensor, so that body movement can be accurately detected even if the distance between the person and the Doppler sensor changes.

JP 2019-130045 A

However, there are generally individual differences in the values of a person's biometric information detected by a sensor. For example, during a certain period of time, the percentage value of the biometric information acquired by a sensor for a certain user may only be presented as 20% or more and 60% or less. In this case, there is a concern that the user will be dissatisfied because the value of 60% is not evaluated as the maximum value of the biometric information, even though it is 100%, which is the maximum value that the user's biometric information can take. Such concerns cannot be resolved by a system such as the sleep state determination system disclosed in Patent Document 1.

The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above, and aims to obtain an air conditioner that can reflect the biometric tendencies specific to each individual user in the acquired biometric information and convert the acquired biometric information into appropriate biometric information for each user.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the object, an air conditioner according to the present disclosure is an air conditioner that is placed indoors to perform air conditioning, and includes a biometric information acquisition unit that acquires a user's biometric information, a conversion unit that converts the biometric information into personalized biometric information that reflects a tendency of the biometric information specific to the user, and a storage unit that stores the biometric information . The conversion unit acquires multiple pieces of biometric information acquired during a predetermined past acquisition period from the storage unit, sets upper and lower limit values that reflect the tendency of the biometric information specific to the user based on the values of the multiple pieces of biometric information, calculates a ratio of values of the biometric information within the range of the upper and lower limit values as personalized biometric information , and calculates the personalized biometric information based on the biometric information values acquired from the storage unit and the biometric information values input by the user from outside the air conditioner.

According to the present disclosure, it is possible to reflect the tendencies of biometric information specific to each individual user in the acquired biometric information, thereby converting the acquired biometric information into appropriate biometric information for each user.

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of an air conditioning system according to a first embodiment. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of an indoor unit of an air conditioner according to a first embodiment. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a remote controller for an air conditioner according to a first embodiment. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a server according to a first embodiment; FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an external terminal according to a first embodiment; 1 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the operation of the air conditioning system according to the first embodiment. A flowchart showing the procedure of the operation of the air conditioning system in the second embodiment. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration in which the functions of the control unit according to the first and second embodiments are realized by hardware. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration in which the functions of the control unit according to the first and second embodiments are realized by software.

Below, the air conditioner and air conditioning system relating to the embodiments are described in detail with reference to the drawings.

Embodiment 1.
Fig. 1 is a configuration diagram showing the configuration of an air conditioning system 100 according to embodiment 1. As shown in Fig. 1, the air conditioning system 100 according to embodiment 1 includes an air conditioner 10, a server 20, and an external terminal 30.

The air conditioner 10 comprises an indoor unit 11 installed in a room which is the area to be air-conditioned by the air conditioner 10, an outdoor unit 12 installed outside the room, and a remote controller 13 which transmits control instructions for the air conditioner 10 to the indoor unit 11. The outdoor unit 12 is capable of communicating with the indoor unit 11 via a communication line (not shown). Hereinafter, the remote controller may be referred to as a remote control.

The indoor unit 11 and the server 20 are capable of communicating with each other. The indoor unit 11, the server 20, and the external terminal 30 are also connected to each other via a network such as the Internet 40, which is a global information and communication network. In other words, the indoor unit 11, the server 20, and the external terminal 30 are connected to the network and are capable of sending and receiving information to and from each other.

The air conditioner 10 forms a complete refrigeration cycle with the indoor unit 11 and the outdoor unit 12. The air conditioner 10 uses a refrigerant that circulates between the indoor unit 11 and the outdoor unit 12 through a refrigerant pipe (not shown) to transfer heat between the air inside the room, which is the area to be air-conditioned, and the air outside the room, thereby realizing air conditioning for the room.

Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the indoor unit 11 of the air conditioner 10 according to embodiment 1. The indoor unit 11 has an indoor unit air conditioning unit 111, a biometric information acquisition unit 112, an indoor unit memory unit 113, a conversion unit 114, an indoor unit communication unit 115, and an air conditioning control unit 116. The indoor unit memory unit 113, the conversion unit 114, the indoor unit communication unit 115, and the air conditioning control unit 116 are implemented on an indoor unit control board 117, which is a single control board for the indoor unit 11.

The indoor unit air conditioning section 111 has the air conditioning function of a typical indoor unit of an air conditioner, and performs air conditioning of the room, which is the area to be air-conditioned. The indoor unit air conditioning section 111 is equipped with an indoor heat exchanger (not shown) that exchanges heat between the air taken in by the indoor unit 11 and the refrigerant flowing in the refrigerant circuit, a blower fan (not shown) that sends the conditioned air that has been heat exchanged in the indoor heat exchanger from the indoor unit 11 to the room, and an air direction adjustment section (not shown) that adjusts the direction in which the conditioned air is sent out from the indoor unit 11. The air taken in by the indoor unit 11 is the indoor air of the room in which the indoor unit 11 is installed.

The biometric information acquisition unit 112 detects and collects biometric information of users present in a room, which is a space to be air-conditioned by the air conditioner 10, at a predetermined period in accordance with the control of the air conditioning control unit 116. The biometric information acquisition unit 112 acquires one or more types of biometric information instructed by the air conditioning control unit 116. When there are multiple users present in the room, the biometric information acquisition unit 112 acquires the biometric information of the multiple users present in the room for each user. The biometric information acquisition unit 112 stores the detected value of the acquired user's biometric information as a pre-conversion biometric information value 51 in the indoor unit storage unit 113. When the biometric information of multiple users is acquired, the biometric information acquisition unit 112 stores the pre-conversion biometric information value 51 for each user in the indoor unit storage unit 113.

Here, the biometric information detected by the biometric information acquisition unit 112 is an actual measurement value and has not been converted by the conversion unit 114. For this reason, in embodiment 1, the value of the biometric information detected by the biometric information acquisition unit 112 is referred to as the pre-conversion biometric information value 51.

As described below, the value of the biometric information into which the pre-conversion biometric information value 51 is converted by the conversion unit 114 is converted under predetermined conditions. For this reason, in the first embodiment, the value of the biometric information into which the pre-conversion biometric information value 51 is converted by the conversion unit 114 is referred to as the converted biometric information value 60.

The adapted biometric information value 61, which will be described later, is a value of biometric information that reflects the trends in the biometric information specific to the user relative to the pre-conversion biometric information value 51 and is adapted to the trends in the biometric information specific to the user. For this reason, in the first embodiment, the value of biometric information that reflects the trends in the biometric information specific to the user and is adapted to the trends in the biometric information specific to the user is referred to as the adapted biometric information value 61.

In addition, the default converted biometric information value 62 described later is not a biometric information value adapted to the biometric information trend specific to the user by reflecting the biometric information trend specific to the user for the pre-conversion biometric information value 51, but is a value obtained by converting the pre-conversion biometric information value 51 based on predetermined default upper and lower limits. For this reason, in the first embodiment, the biometric information value obtained by converting the pre-conversion biometric information value 51 based on predetermined default upper and lower limits is referred to as the default converted biometric information value 62, rather than a biometric information value adapted to the biometric information trend specific to the user by reflecting the biometric information trend specific to the user for the pre-conversion biometric information value 51.

In addition, in the first embodiment, the case where the biometric information acquisition unit 112 is provided in the indoor unit 11 is described, but the location of the biometric information acquisition unit 112 is not limited to the indoor unit 11. The biometric information acquisition unit 112 may be provided outside the indoor unit 11 in the room.

Examples of the user's biometric information acquired by the biometric information acquisition unit 112 include biometric information such as stress, concentration level, drowsiness level, fatigue level, and joy, anger, sadness, and happiness. The user's biometric information acquired by the biometric information acquisition unit 112 is not limited to one type. The biometric information acquisition unit 112 can simultaneously acquire multiple types of biometric information for one user.

The pre-conversion biometric information value 51 is the user's biometric information acquired by the biometric information acquisition unit 112, and is an actual measurement value acquired by the biometric information acquisition unit 112. The pre-conversion biometric information value 51 measured by the biometric information acquisition unit 112 is associated with date and time information and sent to the indoor unit storage unit 113, and stored in the indoor unit storage unit 113. The date and time information is information on the date and time when the user's pre-conversion biometric information value 51 was measured by the biometric information acquisition unit 112.

By the biometric information acquisition unit 112 collecting the user's pre-conversion biometric information value 51 at a predetermined cycle, changes in the user's physical condition can be recorded and used as information when detecting an abnormal condition of the user. The biometric information acquisition unit 112 may acquire and collect the user's pre-conversion biometric information value 51 at a timing specified by the user or at a predetermined timing.

The biometric information acquisition unit 112 is configured, for example, by a Doppler sensor. Note that the sensor constituting the biometric information acquisition unit 112 can be of any type as long as it can properly acquire the desired biometric information. Furthermore, when acquiring multiple types of biometric information, the biometric information acquisition unit 112 is provided with a sensor suitable for acquiring the biometric information for each type of biometric information.

For example, a Doppler sensor can acquire data on the user's pulse. The biometric information acquisition unit 112 can acquire the user's biometric information, i.e., the user's pre-conversion biometric information value 51, based on the user's pulse data acquired by the Doppler sensor. Considering stress level as an example, the biometric information acquisition unit 112 can estimate the stress level, which is the balance of the user's autonomic nerves, from fluctuations in the user's pulse. The biometric information acquisition unit 112 can acquire the pre-conversion biometric information value 51 of the user's stress level using the formula stress level = LF/HF.

In this case, the bioinformation acquisition unit 112 extracts a high frequency (HF) fluctuation component corresponding to respiratory fluctuation and a low frequency (LF) component corresponding to Mayer wave, which is blood pressure fluctuation, from the time series data of pulse fluctuation, and compares the magnitude of both. The bioinformation acquisition unit 112 can then acquire the LF/HF value as a stress index, which is the activity of the sympathetic nerves.

In addition to the Doppler sensor, the biometric information acquisition unit 112 can also use sensors such as a Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave (FMCW) or an acoustic wave sensor.

The indoor unit memory unit 113 is a memory unit that stores information such as various control setting values and programs for controlling the operation of the air conditioner 10. The indoor unit memory unit 113 stores the pre-conversion biometric information values 51 acquired by the biometric information acquisition unit 112 separately for each user. In other words, the indoor unit memory unit 113 functions as a memory unit that stores the pre-conversion biometric information values 51 acquired by the biometric information acquisition unit 112. The indoor unit memory unit 113 is a non-volatile memory unit and is composed of a semiconductor storage medium such as a flash memory.

In addition, in the first embodiment, the case where the indoor unit storage unit 113 has the function of a storage unit that stores the pre-conversion biometric information value 51 acquired by the biometric information acquisition unit 112 is described, but the location of the storage unit that stores the pre-conversion biometric information value 51 acquired by the biometric information acquisition unit 112 is not limited to the indoor unit storage unit 113. The storage unit that stores the pre-conversion biometric information value 51 acquired by the biometric information acquisition unit 112 may be provided in the server 20 or the external terminal 30.

The conversion unit 114 acquires the pre-conversion biometric information value 51 for a predetermined past acquisition period from the indoor unit storage unit 113. That is, the conversion unit 114 acquires the pre-conversion biometric information value 51 for a predetermined acquisition period from the indoor unit storage unit 113 after the biometric information acquisition unit 112 starts acquiring the user's biometric information. When there are multiple users from whom biometric information is to be acquired, the conversion unit 114 acquires the pre-conversion biometric information value 51 for each user from the indoor unit storage unit 113.

The acquisition period is a period of any length from when the biometric information acquisition mode is set to on in the air conditioning control unit 116 and acquisition of the user's biometric information begins, to when the number of acquired pre-conversion biometric information values 51 reaches a number sufficient to set appropriate personal upper and lower limit values for the pre-conversion biometric information values 51, as described below.

The conversion unit 114 then sets appropriate personal upper and lower limit values for the user based on the pre-conversion bioinformation values 51 for the acquisition period acquired from the indoor unit storage unit 113. The conversion unit 114 then performs percentage conversion on each of the pre-conversion bioinformation values 51 acquired from the indoor unit storage unit 113 against the set upper and lower limit values to calculate the adapted bioinformation value 61.

That is, the conversion unit 114 sets upper and lower limit values reflecting the tendency of the biometric information specific to the user based on a plurality of pre-conversion biometric information values 51 acquired during a predetermined past acquisition period, and calculates the ratio of the pre-conversion biometric information values 51 within the range of the upper and lower limit values as the individual tailored biometric information. The conversion unit 114 also acquires a plurality of pre-conversion biometric information values 51 acquired during a past acquisition period for a plurality of users from the air conditioning control unit 116 for each user, and calculates the individual tailored biometric information for each user.

The conversion unit 114 also sets and stores personal upper and lower limit values based on the user-input biometric information, which is information corresponding to the input operation of the user's physical condition information input by the user, and the pre-conversion biometric information value 51. The conversion unit 114 then converts the pre-conversion biometric information value 51 acquired from the indoor unit storage unit 113 into a percentage of the set upper and lower limit values, to calculate the adapted biometric information value 61.

That is, based on the pre-conversion biometric information value 51 obtained from the air conditioning control unit 116 and the biometric information value input by the user from outside the air conditioner 10, the conversion unit 114 calculates personal adapted biometric information that reflects the pre-conversion biometric information value 51 and the biometric information tendencies specific to the user.

In addition, in the first embodiment, the case where the conversion unit 114 is provided on the indoor unit control board 117 of the indoor unit 11 is described, but the location of the conversion unit 114 is not limited to the indoor unit control board 117. The conversion unit 114 may be provided on the server 20 or the external terminal 30 in the air conditioning system 100. In addition, when a memory unit that stores the pre-conversion bioinformation value 51 is provided on the server 20, it is preferable that the conversion unit 114 is provided on the server 20 or the external terminal 30. In addition, when a memory unit that stores the pre-conversion bioinformation value 51 is provided on the external terminal 30, it is preferable that the conversion unit 114 is provided on the external terminal 30.

The indoor unit communication unit 115 communicates with an external communication unit, which is a communication unit provided in each component other than the indoor unit 11 in the air conditioning system 100. That is, the indoor unit communication unit 115 communicates with a remote control communication unit 134 (described later) of the remote control 13, a communication unit (not shown) of the outdoor unit 12, a server communication unit 21 (described later) of the server 20, and a terminal communication unit 34 (described later) of the external terminal 30. The indoor unit communication unit 115 transmits information received from the external communication unit to the air conditioning control unit 116. The communication method between the external communication unit and the indoor unit communication unit 115 may be wired communication, or may be wireless communication using infrared communication, Wi-Fi (registered trademark) (Wireless Fidelity), Bluetooth (registered trademark), or the like.

The indoor unit communication unit 115 is connectable to the server 20. That is, the indoor unit communication unit 115 is capable of communicating with the server 20. The indoor unit communication unit 115 and the server 20 are capable of communicating with each other, for example, via the Internet 40. The indoor unit communication unit 115 transmits the converted biometric information value 60 converted by the conversion unit 114 to the server 20 via the Internet 40. That is, the indoor unit communication unit 115 functions as a communication unit that transmits the converted biometric information value 60 to the server 20.

The air conditioning control unit 116 is a control unit that controls the overall operation of the air conditioner 10, and controls the operation of the indoor unit 11 and the outdoor unit 12 to control the operation of the air conditioner 10. In other words, the air conditioning control unit 116 operates the compressor provided in the outdoor unit 12 based on the set temperature set in the air conditioning control unit 116, the indoor temperature, and the outdoor temperature, to perform cooling or heating operation.

The air conditioning control unit 116 receives setting on information and setting off information transmitted from the remote control 13 or the external terminal 30. Setting on information is instruction information to turn on the setting of the biometric information acquisition mode, which is a function for acquiring biometric information in the biometric information acquisition unit 112. Setting off information is instruction information to turn off the setting of the biometric information acquisition mode, which is a function for acquiring biometric information in the biometric information acquisition unit 112.

When the air conditioning control unit 116 receives the setting on information, it sets the biometric information acquisition mode in the air conditioning control unit 116 to on and controls the biometric information acquisition unit 112 to start acquiring biometric information. In other words, the air conditioning control unit 116 transmits acquisition start instruction information to the biometric information acquisition unit 112, which is information instructing the biometric information acquisition unit 112 to start acquiring biometric information.

The acquisition start instruction information includes type information indicating the type of biometric information to be acquired by the biometric information acquisition unit 112, which is the type of biometric information to be acquired. Information on the type of biometric information to be acquired is predetermined and stored in the air conditioning control unit 116. Note that information on the type of biometric information to be acquired may also be stored in the indoor unit storage unit 113. The type of biometric information to be acquired can be changed to any type from the remote control 13 or external terminal 30.

When the air conditioning control unit 116 receives the setting off information, it sets the biometric information acquisition mode in the air conditioning control unit 116 to off, and controls the biometric information acquisition unit 112 to stop acquiring the biometric information. In other words, the air conditioning control unit 116 transmits acquisition stop instruction information to the biometric information acquisition unit 112, which is information instructing the biometric information acquisition unit 112 to stop acquiring the biometric information.

The remote control 13 is an operating device for the air conditioner 10 that transmits control instruction information for the air conditioner 10 to the indoor unit 11 to control the operation of the air conditioner 10. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the remote controller 13 of the air conditioner 10 according to the first embodiment. The remote control 13 comprises a remote controller operating unit 131, a remote controller display unit 132, a remote controller storage unit 133, a remote controller communication unit 134, and a remote controller control unit 135. Each of the components of the remote control 13 described above is capable of transmitting and receiving information to and from each other.

The remote control operation unit 131 accepts setting operations related to air conditioning of the air conditioner 10 requested by the user. In other words, the remote control operation unit 131 is an interface for remotely controlling the operation of the air conditioner 10, and accepts operations related to the operation of the air conditioner 10 from the user. When the remote control operation unit 131 accepts an operation from the user, it transmits information corresponding to the user's operation as operation information to the remote control control unit 135.

The remote control operation unit 131 is configured to allow the user to arbitrarily select various functions related to the air conditioning operation of the air conditioner 10, such as starting operation of the air conditioner 10, stopping operation of the air conditioner 10, selecting the operation mode of the air conditioner 10, changing the set temperature, changing the set humidity, setting the air volume, setting the air direction, and changing the settings of prohibited operations.

The remote control operation unit 131 receives from the user a setting on operation for turning on the setting of a biometric information acquisition mode, which is a function for acquiring biometric information in the biometric information acquisition unit 112. When the remote control operation unit 131 receives the setting on operation by the user, it transmits setting on information, which is information corresponding to the setting on operation, to the remote control control unit 135.

The remote control operation unit 131 receives from the user a setting off operation, which is an operation to turn off the setting of the biometric information acquisition mode, which is a function for acquiring biometric information in the biometric information acquisition unit 112. When the remote control operation unit 131 receives the setting off operation by the user, it transmits setting off information, which is information corresponding to the setting off operation, to the remote control control unit 135.

The remote control display unit 132 is a display unit that displays various information, and displays information and status required for air conditioning by the air conditioner 10, such as the set temperature and operation mode of the air conditioner 10, and switches and displays screens corresponding to operations on the remote control operation unit 131.

The remote control memory unit 133 stores various information necessary for air conditioning processing in the air conditioner 10, and temporarily or long-term stores information such as the setting contents to be displayed on the remote control display unit 132 and image data related to the setting contents.

The remote control communication unit 134 is capable of one-way or two-way communication of information from the remote control communication unit 134 to the indoor unit communication unit 115 of the indoor unit 11. Note that communication between the indoor unit communication unit 115 and the remote control communication unit 134 may be wireless communication or wired communication.

The remote control control unit 135 controls the operation of the entire remote control 13. The remote control control unit 135 controls the remote control 13 based on operation information transmitted from the remote control operation unit 131. In addition, the remote control control unit 135 transmits the operation information transmitted from the remote control operation unit 131 to the air conditioning control unit 116 of the indoor unit 11.

When the remote control control unit 135 receives setting on information from the remote control operation unit 131, it controls the transmission of the setting on information to the indoor unit communication unit 115 of the indoor unit 11 via the remote control communication unit 134. In addition, when the remote control control unit 135 receives setting off information from the remote control operation unit 131, it controls the transmission of the setting off information to the indoor unit communication unit 115 of the indoor unit 11 via the remote control communication unit 134.

The server 20 stores the converted biometric information value 60 acquired from the indoor unit 11 of the air conditioner 10, and transmits the converted biometric information value 60 to the external terminal 30. The converted biometric information value 60 is transmitted to the server 20 from the indoor unit 11 of the air conditioner 10, which is communicatively connected to the server 20 via the Internet 40. That is, the server 20 can acquire the converted biometric information value 60 from the indoor unit 11 via the Internet 40. As a result, the server 20 shares the converted biometric information value 60 with the indoor unit 11. The server 20 can then transmit the converted biometric information value 60 acquired from the indoor unit 11 to the external terminal 30 via the Internet 40. A cloud server or a physical server can be used for the server 20.

Figure 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the server 20 according to the first embodiment. The server 20 includes a server communication unit 21, a server storage unit 22, and a server control unit 23. The components of the server 20 can exchange information with each other.

The server communication unit 21 is capable of communicating with the indoor unit communication unit 115 of the indoor unit 11. The indoor unit communication unit 115 of the indoor unit 11 and the server communication unit 21 are capable of communicating, for example, via the Internet 40. The server communication unit 21 receives the converted biometric information value 60 transmitted from the indoor unit communication unit 115 of the indoor unit 11 via the Internet 40. The server communication unit 21 transmits the received converted biometric information value 60 to the server storage unit 22 for storage. The server communication unit 21 also transmits information such as air conditioning control instruction information transmitted from the server control unit 23 to the indoor unit communication unit 115 of the indoor unit 11.

The server communication unit 21 is capable of communicating with a terminal communication unit 34 of the external terminal 30, which will be described later. The terminal communication unit 34 of the external terminal 30 and the server communication unit 21 are capable of communicating, for example, via the Internet 40. The server communication unit 21 transmits information such as air conditioning control instruction information transmitted from the server control unit 23 to the terminal communication unit 34 of the external terminal 30 via the Internet 40.

The server memory unit 22 stores various information such as the converted bio-information value 60 obtained from the indoor unit 11 of the air conditioner 10.

The server control unit 23 controls the overall processing of the server 20. The server control unit 23 also controls the acquisition of the converted bio-information value 60 from the indoor unit 11 of the air conditioner 10 and the storage of the converted bio-information value 60 in the server storage unit 22. The server control unit 23 also controls the transmission of the converted bio-information value 60 acquired from the indoor unit 11 of the air conditioner 10 to the external terminal 30 via the Internet 40.

Note that, although the above describes a configuration in which the indoor unit 11 of the air conditioner 10 communicates with the external terminal 30 via the server 20, it is also possible to configure the indoor unit 11 of the air conditioner 10 to communicate directly with the external terminal 30 without going through the server 20. When the indoor unit 11 of the air conditioner 10 and the external terminal 30 communicate directly, the server 20 is not required.

The external terminal 30 connects to the server 20 based on the user's operation of the external terminal 30, and acquires the converted biometric information value 60 from the server 20. The external terminal 30 displays the converted biometric information value 60 acquired from the server 20, and presents the converted biometric information value 60 to the user. In other words, the external terminal 30 is a device that allows the user to visually recognize the converted biometric information value 60. The functions of the external terminal 30 can be realized, for example, by a smartphone application, a communication device that can connect to the World Wide Web (Web), a remote control 13 for the air conditioner 10, etc.

Figure 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the external terminal 30 according to the first embodiment. The external terminal 30 includes a terminal operation unit 31, a terminal display unit 32, a terminal storage unit 33, a terminal communication unit 34, and a terminal control unit 35. Information can be exchanged between the components of the external terminal 30.

The terminal operation unit 31 is an operation reception unit that receives user operations, i.e., operations from the user. The user operations include operations such as remotely controlling the operation of the air conditioner 10, acquiring the converted biometric information value 60 from the server 20, displaying the converted biometric information value 60 acquired from the server 20 on the terminal display unit 32, turning on the setting of the biometric information acquisition mode, which is a function for acquiring biometric information in the biometric information acquisition unit 112, and turning off the setting of the biometric information acquisition mode. The terminal operation unit 31 accepts input of user operations and transmits information corresponding to the user operations to the terminal control unit 35. The terminal operation unit 31 is composed of input devices such as a keyboard, a mouse, and a touch panel display equipped with a touch panel function, and operations on the external terminal 30 are performed by the user.

The terminal operation unit 31 receives from the user a setting-on operation that turns on the setting of a biometric information acquisition mode, which is a function for acquiring biometric information in the biometric information acquisition unit 112. When the terminal operation unit 31 receives the setting-on operation by the user, it transmits setting-on information, which is information corresponding to the setting-on operation, to the terminal control unit 35.

The terminal operation unit 31 receives from the user a setting-off operation that turns off the setting of the biometric information acquisition mode, which is a function for acquiring biometric information in the biometric information acquisition unit 112. When the terminal operation unit 31 receives the setting-off operation by the user, it transmits setting-off information, which is information corresponding to the setting-off operation, to the terminal control unit 35.

The terminal display unit 32 is a display unit that displays various information inside the external terminal 30. The terminal display unit 32 also displays the converted biometric information value 60 obtained from the server 20.

The terminal memory unit 33 is a memory unit that stores various internal information of the external terminal 30. The terminal memory unit 33 stores the converted biometric information value 60 transmitted from the server 20.

The terminal communication unit 34 is connected to the Internet 40 and communicates with the server 20. The terminal communication unit 34 transmits various information transmitted from the server 20 to the terminal control unit 35. The terminal communication unit 34 transmits the converted vital sign value 60 transmitted from the server 20 to the terminal control unit 35. The terminal communication unit 34 transmits the air conditioning control instruction information transmitted from the terminal control unit 35 to the server 20.

The terminal control unit 35 controls the overall processing of the external terminal 30. The terminal control unit 35 also controls the acquisition of the converted biometric information value 60 from the server 20 based on an operation from the user, and controls the display of the converted biometric information value 60 on the terminal display unit 32. In other words, the terminal control unit 35 functions as a display control unit that controls the display of information on the terminal display unit 32.

When the terminal control unit 35 receives setting-on information from the terminal operation unit 31, it controls the transmission of the setting-on information to the indoor unit communication unit 115 of the indoor unit 11 via the terminal communication unit 34 and the server 20. When the terminal control unit 35 receives setting-off information from the terminal operation unit 31, it controls the transmission of the setting-off information to the indoor unit communication unit 115 of the indoor unit 11 via the terminal communication unit 34 and the server 20.

Although the above describes a configuration in which the external terminal 30 acquires the converted bio-information value 60 from the server 20, it is also possible to configure the terminal communication unit 34 of the external terminal 30 to communicate directly with the indoor unit 11 of the air conditioner 10 without going through the server 20. When the terminal communication unit 34 of the external terminal 30 and the indoor unit 11 of the air conditioner 10 communicate directly, the server 20 is not required.

Next, the operation of the air conditioning system 100 will be described. Figure 6 is a flowchart showing the procedure for the operation of the air conditioning system 100 according to embodiment 1. The operation of the air conditioning system 100 shown in Figure 6 is repeatedly performed from when the air conditioning control unit 116 of the indoor unit 11 of the air conditioner 10 receives setting-on information and sets the setting of the biometric information acquisition mode in the air conditioning control unit 116 to on, until when the air conditioning control unit 116 receives setting-off information and sets the setting of the biometric information acquisition mode in the air conditioning control unit 116 to off.

In step S110, the biometric information acquisition unit 112 of the indoor unit 11 of the air conditioner 10 starts acquiring the user's biometric information. Specifically, the biometric information acquisition unit 112 starts acquiring the user's biometric information in accordance with the control of the air conditioning control unit 116 of the indoor unit 11.

When the air conditioning control unit 116 receives the setting on information, it sets the biometric information acquisition mode in the air conditioning control unit 116 to on, and sends acquisition start instruction information to the biometric information acquisition unit 112. When the biometric information acquisition unit 112 receives the acquisition start instruction information , it starts acquiring the user's biometric information for the type of biometric information specified in the type information included in the acquisition start instruction information. When there are multiple users for whom biometric information is to be acquired, the biometric information acquisition unit 112 acquires the biometric information of each user. Then, the process proceeds to step S120.

In step S120, biometric information is acquired from the biometric information acquisition unit 112 in the indoor unit memory unit 113 of the indoor unit 11 of the air conditioner 10. Specifically, the indoor unit memory unit 113 acquires the biometric information from the biometric information acquisition unit 112. When the biometric information acquisition unit 112 starts acquiring the user's biometric information, it acquires the user's biometric information at a predetermined period. The biometric information acquisition unit 112 transmits the acquired user's biometric information to the indoor unit memory unit 113 as a pre-conversion biometric information value 51, and stores it in the indoor unit memory unit 113. Note that the acquisition of biometric information from the biometric information acquisition unit 112 in the indoor unit memory unit 113 may be mainly performed by a functional unit such as the indoor unit memory unit 113 or the air conditioning control unit 116.

The biometric information acquisition unit 112 associates the time information of the time when the biometric information was acquired with the biometric information and transmits it to the indoor unit storage unit 113 as a pre-conversion biometric information value 51. In other words, the pre-conversion biometric information value 51 includes the biometric information and the time information of the time when the biometric information was acquired.

The indoor unit storage unit 113 receives and stores the pre-conversion biometric information value 51 transmitted from the biometric information acquisition unit 112. If there are multiple users from whom biometric information is to be acquired, the indoor unit storage unit 113 stores the pre-conversion biometric information value 51 for each user. Then, the process proceeds to step S130.

In step S130, it is determined whether or not a predetermined period of time, that is, a past acquisition period, has elapsed. Specifically, the conversion unit 114 determines whether or not a predetermined acquisition period has elapsed. The conversion unit 114 uses a clock function possessed by the conversion unit 114 to determine whether or not the acquisition period has elapsed.

The acquisition period is a period of any length from when the biometric information acquisition mode is set to on in the air conditioning control unit 116 and acquisition of the user's biometric information is started in step S110, until the number of acquired pre-conversion biometric information values 51 reaches a number at which appropriate personal upper and lower limit values described below can be set for the pre-conversion biometric information values 51. When there are multiple users from whom biometric information is to be acquired, the conversion unit 114 determines for each user whether a predetermined acquisition period has elapsed. The acquisition period can be changed to any period from the remote control 13 or external terminal 30.

Alternatively, the conversion unit 114 may determine whether the quantity of pre-conversion biometric information values 51 stored in the indoor unit storage unit 113 has reached a predetermined number of biometric information acquisitions, instead of the acquisition period. In this case, the number of biometric information acquisitions is the number of pre-conversion biometric information values 51 that allows appropriate personal setting upper and lower limit values to be set for each user, as described above.

If it is determined that the predetermined acquisition period has elapsed, the answer is Yes in step S130 and the process proceeds to step S140. If it is determined that the predetermined acquisition period has not elapsed, the answer is No in step S130 and the process proceeds to step S170.

In step S140, the personal setting upper and lower limit values are set based on the pre-conversion biometric information value 51, and the adapted biometric information value 61, which is the converted biometric information value 60, is calculated. Specifically, the conversion unit 114 sets and stores the personal setting upper and lower limit values based on the pre-conversion biometric information value 51. The conversion unit 114 acquires the pre-conversion biometric information value 51 stored in the indoor unit storage unit 113 during the acquisition period from the indoor unit storage unit 113. The conversion unit 114 sets appropriate personal setting upper and lower limit values for the user based on the pre-conversion biometric information value 51 during the acquisition period acquired from the indoor unit storage unit 113. Then, the conversion unit 114 performs percentage conversion for the set upper and lower limit values for each of the pre-conversion biometric information values 51 acquired from the indoor unit storage unit 113 to calculate the adapted biometric information value 61. That is, the conversion unit 114 calculates the percentage value of the pre-conversion biometric information value 51 within the range that the user's personal biometric information can take.

The individual setting upper and lower limit values are upper and lower limit values of biometric information that are used as a reference when the conversion unit 114 converts the pre-conversion biometric information value 51 stored in the indoor unit storage unit 113 into a matched biometric information value 61 by converting the pre-conversion biometric information value 51 stored in the indoor unit storage unit 113 into a percentage for each user individually when the acquisition period has elapsed. In other words, the individual setting upper and lower limit values are upper and lower limit values of biometric information that are used as a reference when the matched biometric information value 61 is calculated based on the pre-conversion biometric information value 51 that can be taken by the individual user, reflecting the tendency of the biometric information specific to the individual user, and the pre-conversion biometric information value 51 is matched for each user. Therefore, the individual setting upper and lower limit values are values that are used as a reference when calculating the converted biometric information value 60, reflecting the tendency of the biometric information specific to the individual user.

Then, the conversion unit 114 transmits the calculated adapted biometric information value 61 to the server 20. That is, the conversion unit 114 transmits the calculated adapted biometric information value 61 to the indoor unit communication unit 115 of the indoor unit 11. When the indoor unit communication unit 115 receives the adapted biometric information value 61 transmitted from the indoor unit 11, it transmits the adapted biometric information value 61 to the server 20 via the Internet 40.

As a calculation method of the personal setting upper and lower limit values set in the conversion unit 114, for example, a method in which the maximum value of the multiple pre-conversion bioinformation values 51 stored in the indoor unit storage unit 113 during the acquisition period is set as the upper limit value, and the minimum value of the multiple pre-conversion bioinformation values 51 stored in the indoor unit storage unit 113 during the acquisition period is set as the lower limit value. In addition, as another calculation method of the personal setting upper and lower limit values, a method in which the personal setting upper and lower limit values are calculated from the average value and standard deviation of the multiple pre-conversion bioinformation values 51 stored in the indoor unit storage unit 113 during the acquisition period is exemplified. However, the calculation method of the personal setting upper and lower limit values is not important as long as it is a method that can calculate the appropriate personal setting upper and lower limit values and process the numerical values for each user from the multiple pre-conversion bioinformation values 51 stored in the indoor unit storage unit 113 during the acquisition period.

For example, assume that the values of multiple pre-conversion biometric information values 51 stored in the indoor unit storage unit 113 during the acquisition period for a certain type of biometric information of a certain user include pre-conversion biometric information values 51 of 20 or more and 80 or less. In this case, the conversion unit 114 can calculate a value of "20" as the lower limit value of the pre-conversion biometric information value 51. The conversion unit 114 can also calculate a value of "80" as the upper limit value of the pre-conversion biometric information value 51. This allows the conversion unit 114 to calculate and set a lower limit value of 20 and an upper limit value of 80 as the personal setting upper and lower limits. The range of the lower limit value of 20 or more and the upper limit value of 80 or less becomes the reference range when the pre-conversion biometric information value 51 of the user is converted into a percentage.

As an example of calculating the matched biometric information value 61, for example, if the pre-conversion biometric information value 51 value: "20" is converted into a percentage using the personally set upper and lower limits of 20 and 80, respectively, to calculate the matched biometric information value 61, the matched biometric information value 61 is calculated as 0% using the formula (20-20)/(80-20) x 100.

In addition, when the pre-conversion biometric information value 51 value: "30" is converted into a percentage using the personally set upper and lower limits of 20 and 80, respectively, to calculate the matched biometric information value 61, the matched biometric information value 61 is calculated as (30-20)/(80-20) x 100 ≒ 17%.

In addition, when the pre-conversion biometric information value 51 value: "70" is converted into a percentage using the personally set upper and lower limits of 20 and 80, respectively, to calculate the matched biometric information value 61, the matched biometric information value 61 is calculated as (70-20)/(80-20) x 100 ≒ 83%.

In addition, when the pre-conversion biometric information value 51 value: "80" is converted into a percentage to calculate the matched biometric information value 61 using the personally set upper and lower limits of 20 and 80, the matched biometric information value 61 is calculated as 100% using the formula (80-20)/(80-20) x 100.

In other words, when an acquisition period has elapsed since the biometric information acquisition mode was set to on in the air conditioning control unit 116, the conversion unit 114 sets appropriate personal setting upper and lower limit values for each user based on the multiple pre-conversion biometric information values 51 stored in the indoor unit memory unit 113 during the acquisition period, and transmits the value obtained by percentageing the pre-conversion biometric information value 51 against the set personal setting upper and lower limit values to the server 20 as the adapted biometric information value 61.

The conversion unit 114 performs the above-mentioned process of step S140 for each user and for each type of biometric information. Then, the process proceeds to step S150.

In step S150, the server 20 acquires the matched biometric information value 61. Specifically, when the server communication unit 21 of the server 20 receives the matched biometric information value 61 transmitted from the conversion unit 114, it transmits the matched biometric information value 61 to the server control unit 23. When the server control unit 23 receives the matched biometric information value 61 transmitted from the server communication unit 21, it stores the matched biometric information value 61 in the server storage unit 22. As a result, the matched biometric information value 61 is acquired in the server 20.

Then, the server control unit 23 transmits the adapted biometric information value 61 stored in the server storage unit 22 to the external terminal 30. That is, the server control unit 23 transmits the adapted biometric information value 61 stored in the server storage unit 22 to the server communication unit 21 of the server 20. When the server communication unit 21 receives the adapted biometric information value 61 transmitted from the server control unit 23, it transmits the adapted biometric information value 61 to the external terminal 30 via the Internet 40. Then, proceed to step S160.

In step S160, the external terminal 30 acquires the adapted biometric information value 61 and displays the adapted biometric information value 61. Specifically, when the terminal communication unit 34 of the external terminal 30 receives the adapted biometric information value 61 transmitted from the server 20, it transmits the adapted biometric information value 61 to the terminal control unit 35 of the external terminal 30. When the terminal control unit 35 receives the adapted biometric information value 61 transmitted from the terminal communication unit 34, it stores the adapted biometric information value 61 in the terminal storage unit 33 of the external terminal 30. As a result, the adapted biometric information value 61 is acquired in the external terminal 30.

The terminal control unit 35 then controls the terminal display unit 32 to display the adapted biometric information value 61 stored in the terminal storage unit 33. The terminal display unit 32 displays the adapted biometric information value 61 in accordance with the control of the terminal control unit 35, and presents the user's adapted biometric information value 61 to the user. The update frequency of the control of the display of the adapted biometric information value 61 in the terminal control unit 35, i.e., the update frequency of the display of the adapted biometric information value 61 in the external terminal 30, may be any frequency. Then, the process returns to step S120.

Thereafter, the process is repeated in the order of step S120 → step S130 → step S140 → step S150 → step S160. That is, after the acquisition period has elapsed, while the biometric information acquisition mode setting in the air conditioning control unit 116 is set to on, in the indoor unit 11, the biometric information acquisition unit 112 continues to acquire the pre-conversion biometric information value 51, the conversion unit 114 sets the personal setting upper and lower limit values based on the pre-conversion biometric information value 51 during the acquisition period, and calculates the adapted biometric information value 61. This cycle is repeated.

The conversion unit 114 may store and hold the previously calculated individual upper and lower limit values. By holding the previously calculated individual upper and lower limit values, the conversion unit 114 can also set more appropriate upper and lower limit values by combining the previously calculated individual upper and lower limit values and the currently calculated individual upper and lower limit values. For example, the conversion unit 114 can determine the average value of the previously calculated upper limit value of the individual upper and lower limit values and the currently calculated upper limit value of the individual upper and lower limit values as a new upper limit value. In addition, the conversion unit 114 can determine the average value of the previously calculated lower limit value of the individual upper and lower limit values and the currently calculated lower limit value of the individual upper and lower limit values as a new lower limit value. However, the method of combining the previously calculated individual upper and lower limit values and the currently calculated individual upper and lower limit values to set appropriate upper and lower limit values is not limited.

In step S170, the default converted bioinformation value 62, which is the converted bioinformation value 60, is calculated based on the pre-conversion bioinformation value 51 and the predetermined default upper and lower limit values. Specifically, the conversion unit 114 calculates the default converted bioinformation value 62 based on the pre-conversion bioinformation value 51 and the predetermined default upper and lower limit values. The conversion unit 114 acquires the pre-conversion bioinformation value 51 stored in the indoor unit storage unit 113 for which the acquisition period has not elapsed from the indoor unit storage unit 113. The conversion unit 114 calculates the default converted bioinformation value 62 by converting each of the pre-conversion bioinformation values 51 for which the acquisition period has not elapsed acquired from the indoor unit storage unit 113 into a percentage value for the predetermined default upper and lower limit values.

The default upper and lower limit values are upper and lower limit values of bioinformation that are the reference when the conversion unit 114 converts the pre-conversion bioinformation value 51 stored in the indoor unit storage unit 113 into a default converted bioinformation value 62 by converting it into a percentage when the acquisition period has not elapsed. The range from the default upper limit value, which is the upper limit of the default upper and lower limit values, to the default lower limit value, which is the lower limit of the default upper and lower limit values, is the reference range when the pre-conversion bioinformation value 51 of the user is converted into a percentage using the default upper and lower limit values. In other words, the default upper and lower limit values are values that are the reference when calculating the converted bioinformation value 60 without reflecting the tendency of the user's individual bioinformation. The default upper and lower limit values are predetermined and stored in the conversion unit 114. The default upper and lower limit values may also be stored in the indoor unit storage unit 113. The default upper and lower limit values can be changed to any period from the remote control 13 or the external terminal 30.

Then, the conversion unit 114 transmits the calculated default converted biometric information value 62 to the server 20. That is, the conversion unit 114 transmits the calculated default converted biometric information value 62 to the indoor unit communication unit 115 of the indoor unit 11. When the indoor unit communication unit 115 receives the default converted biometric information value 62 transmitted from the indoor unit 11, it transmits the default converted biometric information value 62 to the server 20 via the Internet 40.

The conversion unit 114 performs the above-mentioned process of step S170 for each user and for each type of biometric information. Then, the process proceeds to step S180.

In step S180, the server 20 acquires the default converted biometric information value 62. Specifically, when the server communication unit 21 of the server 20 receives the default converted biometric information value 62 transmitted from the conversion unit 114, it transmits the default converted biometric information value 62 to the server control unit 23. When the server control unit 23 receives the default converted biometric information value 62 transmitted from the server communication unit 21, it stores the default converted biometric information value 62 in the server storage unit 22. As a result, the default converted biometric information value 62 is acquired in the server 20.

Then, the server control unit 23 transmits the default converted biometric information value 62 stored in the server storage unit 22 to the external terminal 30. That is, the server control unit 23 transmits the default converted biometric information value 62 stored in the server storage unit 22 to the server communication unit 21 of the server 20. When the server communication unit 21 receives the default converted biometric information value 62 transmitted from the server control unit 23, it transmits the default converted biometric information value 62 to the external terminal 30 via the Internet 40. Then, proceed to step S190.

In step S190, the external terminal 30 acquires the default converted biometric information value 62 and displays the default converted biometric information value 62. Specifically, when the terminal communication unit 34 of the external terminal 30 receives the default converted biometric information value 62 transmitted from the server 20, it transmits the default converted biometric information value 62 to the terminal control unit 35 of the external terminal 30. When the terminal control unit 35 receives the default converted biometric information value 62 transmitted from the terminal communication unit 34, it stores the default converted biometric information value 62 in the terminal storage unit 33 of the external terminal 30. As a result, the default converted biometric information value 62 is acquired in the external terminal 30.

Then, the terminal control unit 35 controls the terminal display unit 32 to display the default converted biometric information value 62 stored in the terminal memory unit 33. The terminal display unit 32 displays the default converted biometric information value 62 in accordance with the control of the terminal control unit 35, and presents the default converted biometric information value 62 of the user to the user. The update frequency of the control of the display of the default converted biometric information value 62 in the terminal control unit 35, i.e., the update frequency of the display of the default converted biometric information value 62 in the external terminal 30, may be any frequency. Then, return to step S120.

As described above, in the air conditioning system 100 according to the first embodiment, the conversion unit 114 sets personal upper and lower limit values based on the pre-conversion biometric information value 51 stored in the indoor unit storage unit 113 during the acquisition period, and calculates the adapted biometric information value 61 by percentage-rating the pre-conversion biometric information value 51 based on the personal upper and lower limit values. The adapted biometric information value 61 is a converted biometric information value 60 that reflects the tendency of the user's individual biometric information more than the default converted biometric information value 62.

This allows the air conditioning system 100 to calculate the adapted biometric information value 61 based on the pre-conversion biometric information value 51 that the individual user can have, reflecting the biometric information tendencies specific to the individual user, and convert the pre-conversion biometric information value 51 into an appropriate adapted biometric information value 61 for each user and provide it to the user. Therefore, the air conditioning system 100 can provide each user with biometric information that is appropriate for that individual user, thereby improving user satisfaction with the management of their biometric information.

Therefore, according to the air conditioning system 100 and air conditioner 10 of embodiment 1, the effect is achieved that the biometric information of the user acquired by the biometric information acquisition unit 112 can be converted into appropriate biometric information for each user by reflecting the biometric information tendencies specific to the individual user in the biometric information of the user acquired by the biometric information acquisition unit 112.

Embodiment 2.
In the above-mentioned embodiment 1, the conversion unit 114 uses the pre-conversion bioinformation value 51 acquired during the acquisition period to set appropriate individual upper and lower limit values for each user, and performs percentage conversion of the pre-conversion bioinformation value 51 with respect to the set individual upper and lower limit values to individually adapt the pre-conversion bioinformation value 51 for each user. In embodiment 2, a case where the individual upper and lower limit values are set using data directly input by the user and the pre-conversion bioinformation value 51, which is another processing form of the air conditioning system 100, is described.

In embodiment 2, a default converted biometric information value 62 is determined based on the biometric information value of the user's personal sensation input by the user to the external terminal 30 and the pre-conversion biometric information value 51, and is displayed on the external terminal 30.

The personal sense bioinformation value is not the user's bioinformation acquired by the bioinformation acquisition unit 112 of the indoor unit 11 of the air conditioner 10, but the value of the bioinformation intuitively felt by the user himself.

Next, the operation of the air conditioning system 100 in embodiment 2 will be described. Figure 7 is a flowchart showing the procedure for the operation of the air conditioning system 100 in embodiment 2. The operation of the air conditioning system 100 shown in Figure 7 is repeatedly performed from when the air conditioning control unit 116 of the indoor unit 11 of the air conditioner 10 receives setting on information and sets the setting of the biometric information acquisition mode in the air conditioning control unit 116 to on, until when the air conditioning control unit 116 receives setting off information and sets the setting of the biometric information acquisition mode in the air conditioning control unit 116 to off.

First, steps S310 and S320 are performed. In step S310, the same processing as in step S110 in the above-described first embodiment is performed. In step S320, the same processing as in step S120 in the above-described first embodiment is performed. Then, the process proceeds to step S330.

In step S330, it is determined whether user-input biometric information, which is biometric information of the user input by the user himself, has been received. Specifically, the conversion unit 114 of the indoor unit 11 of the air conditioner 10 determines whether user-input biometric information, which is biometric information of the user input by the user himself, has been received.

After the biometric information acquisition unit 112 of the indoor unit 11 of the air conditioner 10 starts acquiring the user's biometric information in step S310, the terminal display unit 32 of the external terminal 30 displays a screen prompting the user to input at least one piece of user's physical condition information at any timing in accordance with the control of the terminal control unit 35 of the external terminal 30. The frequency of notifications in the external terminal 30 prompting the user to input information on the user's physical condition is arbitrary. The information on the user's physical condition corresponds to the user's biometric information.

As an example of a method for inputting information on the user's physical condition, in the case of "degree of concentration," a screen with a question such as "How concentrated are you now?" is displayed on the terminal display unit 32, and the user is asked to select an answer to the question on a five-level scale such as "very concentrated," "somewhat concentrated," "average," "not very concentrated," and "not at all concentrated." Each of the ratings such as "very concentrated," "somewhat concentrated," "average," "not very concentrated," and "not at all concentrated" is assigned a predetermined value of bioinformation. The terminal operation unit 31 transmits the value of the bioinformation assigned to the rating given by the user to the terminal control unit 35 as operation information. In this case, the operation information corresponds to the information on the user's physical condition.

As an example of a method for inputting information on the user's physical condition, in the case of "concentration level," a slider between 0% and 100% is displayed on the terminal display unit 32, and the user is asked to intuitively input the level of concentration using the slider. However, the method for inputting information on the user's physical condition is not critical as long as the user can intuitively input the user's physical condition.

The user's physical condition information input to the external terminal 30 by the user is transmitted from the terminal control unit 35 of the external terminal 30 to the conversion unit 114 via the server 20. That is, the terminal operation unit 31 accepts input of a user operation related to the user's physical condition information. When the terminal operation unit 31 accepts an operation by the user to input the user's physical condition information, it transmits user input biometric information, which is information corresponding to the operation to input the user's physical condition information, to the terminal control unit 35.

The terminal operation unit 31 generates user-input biometric information by associating the time information of the time when the user's physical condition information is input to the terminal operation unit 31 (i.e., the time information of the time when the terminal operation unit 31 accepts the operation of inputting the user's physical condition information) with the user's physical condition information. In other words, the user-input biometric information includes the time information of the time when the user's physical condition information is input to the terminal operation unit 31.

When the terminal control unit 35 receives user-input biometric information from the terminal operation unit 31, it controls the transmission of the user-input biometric information to the conversion unit 114 of the indoor unit 11 via the terminal communication unit 34 and the server 20.

When the air conditioning control unit 116 of the indoor unit 11 receives user-input biometric information transmitted from the server 20 via the indoor unit communication unit 115, it stores the user-input biometric information in the air conditioning control unit 116.

The conversion unit 114 determines that the user-input biometric information has been received when the user-input biometric information is stored in the air conditioning control unit 116. The conversion unit 114 determines that the user-input biometric information has not been received when the user-input biometric information is not stored in the air conditioning control unit 116.

If it is determined that user-input biometric information has been received, the answer is Yes in step S330 and the process proceeds to step S340. If it is determined that user-input biometric information has not been received, the answer is No in step S330 and the process proceeds to step S380.

In step S340, the conversion unit 114 acquires user-input biometric information. Specifically, the conversion unit 114 acquires user-input biometric information stored in the air conditioning control unit 116. Then, the process proceeds to step S350.

In step S350, personal upper and lower limit values are set using the user-input biometric information, and a matched biometric information value 61, which is a converted biometric information value 60, is calculated. Specifically, the conversion unit 114 sets and stores personal upper and lower limit values based on the user-input biometric information and the pre-conversion biometric information value 51.

The conversion unit 114 acquires from the indoor unit storage unit 113 the pre-conversion biometric information value 51 stored in the indoor unit storage unit 113 at the time corresponding to the time when the user's physical condition information was input to the terminal operation unit 31. The conversion unit 114 then sets and stores appropriate personal upper and lower limit values for the user based on the user-input biometric information and the pre-conversion biometric information value 51. The conversion unit 114 then converts the pre-conversion biometric information value 51 acquired from the indoor unit storage unit 113 into a percentage of the set upper and lower limit values to calculate the adapted biometric information value 61.

The conversion unit 114 determines the time corresponding to the time when the user's physical condition information was input to the terminal operation unit 31 based on the time information of the time when the user's physical condition information, which is included in the user-input biometric information, was input to the terminal operation unit 31. If there is no pre-conversion biometric information value 51 stored in the indoor unit storage unit 113 at a time that directly corresponds to the time information, the conversion unit 114 acquires the pre-conversion biometric information value 51 stored in the indoor unit storage unit 113 at the time closest to the time information.

For example, regarding the calculation method of the adapted bioinformation value 61 in the conversion unit 114, the conversion unit 114 calculates a first value by converting the pre-conversion bioinformation value 51 acquired from the indoor unit storage unit 113 into a percentage based on the predetermined upper and lower limit values. The conversion unit 114 also calculates a second value by converting the user-input bioinformation input by the user into a percentage based on the predetermined upper and lower limit values. The conversion unit 114 then sets the average value of the first value and the second value as the adapted bioinformation value 61. It is also conceivable to set appropriate upper and lower limit values according to the adapted bioinformation value 61 calculated in this manner. However, the calculation method of the adapted bioinformation value 61 is not important as long as it is a method that can calculate appropriate individual setting upper and lower limit values and process numerical values for each user using the actually measured pre-conversion bioinformation value 51 acquired from the indoor unit storage unit 113 and the value of the user-input bioinformation intuitively input by the user.

Consider a case where the information on the user's physical condition, i.e., the user-input biometric information, is "drowsiness." The method of inputting the information on "drowsiness," which is the user-input biometric information, can be, for example, a five-level selection format. Here, assume that an application for executing the functions of the external terminal 30 is installed on a smartphone.

In this case, a pop-up window with a question such as "How sleepy are you right now?" is displayed at any timing on the terminal display unit 32 of the smartphone functioning as the external terminal 30. The pop-up window also displays answer candidates that evaluate the state of sleepiness on a five-point scale, such as "Very sleepy," "A little sleepy," "Normal," "Not very sleepy," and "Not sleepy at all." Each evaluation, such as "Very sleepy," "A little sleepy," "Normal," "Not very sleepy," and "Not sleepy at all," is accompanied by information on a predetermined biometric value.

In response to the question, the user selects an answer that corresponds to the user's current state of drowsiness from among the five-level rating answer candidates displayed in a pop-up window. Consider the case where the user selects the answer rating "a little sleepy." Here, it is assumed that the default upper and lower limits, with the default upper limit set to 100 and the default lower limit set to 0, are stored in the conversion unit 114. In this case, since the state of drowsiness is rated on a five-level scale, the input value of the user-input biometric information that corresponds to the rating "a little sleepy," which is the rating selected by the user, is "75."

The conversion unit 114 acquires from the indoor unit storage unit 113 the pre-conversion bioinformation value 51 stored in the indoor unit storage unit 113 at the time corresponding to the time when the user inputs the response to the drowsiness evaluation into the terminal operation unit 31 of the smartphone. Here, it is assumed that the pre-conversion bioinformation value 51 acquired by the conversion unit 114, i.e., the actual measured value of the user's "drowsiness", is "45".

In this case, the conversion unit 114 calculates the intermediate value between the input value of the user-input biometric information, "75", and the actual measured value of the user's "drowsiness", "45", as an intermediate value of 60 using the formula (75 + 45)/2. The conversion unit 114 then converts the intermediate value of 60 into a percentage using the default upper and lower limits, a lower limit of 0 and an upper limit of 100, to calculate the matched biometric information value 61. The matched biometric information value 61 is calculated as 60% using the formula 60/100 x 100.

After the above process is performed, the conversion unit 114 determines that the actual measurement value of "drowsiness" of "45" is "75" for the user, and can set the personal upper and lower limits. The conversion unit 114 sets the default lower limit value of 0 of the default upper and lower limits as the personal lower limit value. The conversion unit 114 also sets the default upper limit value of 60 of the default upper and lower limits as the personal upper limit value.

As shown above, the actual measured value of "drowsiness" is "45", which becomes "75" for the user. Therefore, the biometric information of "drowsiness" for the user is the actual measured value of "drowsiness" multiplied by (75/45). Therefore, according to the formula of the default upper limit value of the default upper and lower limits: 60 x (75/45) = 100, the default upper limit value of the default upper and lower limits: 60 corresponds to the personally set upper limit value: 100.

Therefore, the personal setting upper and lower limits are set as follows: personal setting lower limit: 0, personal setting upper limit: 60. The conversion unit 114 sets and stores the personal setting upper and lower limit values calculated as described above in the conversion unit 114. After setting the personal setting upper and lower limit values, the conversion unit 114 can use the personal setting upper and lower limit values to convert the pre-conversion bioinformation value 51, which is the actual measured value of the user's "drowsiness", into a percentage to calculate the adapted bioinformation value 61.

In addition, as a method of inputting user-input biometric information, in addition to the five-point evaluation, it is also possible to adopt a method in which a slider bar in 1% increments is displayed on the terminal display unit 32 of the smartphone, and the user is allowed to input the user-input biometric information in numerical form.

The conversion unit 114 performs the process of step S350 described above for each user and for each type of biometric information. Then, steps S360 and S370 are performed. In step S360, the same process as step S150 in the above-mentioned first embodiment is performed. In step S370, the same process as step S160 in the above-mentioned first embodiment is performed. Then, the process returns to step S320.

The conversion unit 114 may store and hold the previously calculated individual upper and lower limit values. By holding the previously calculated individual upper and lower limit values, the conversion unit 114 can also set more appropriate upper and lower limit values by combining the previously calculated individual upper and lower limit values and the currently calculated individual upper and lower limit values. For example, the conversion unit 114 can determine the average value of the previously calculated upper limit value of the individual upper and lower limit values and the currently calculated upper limit value of the individual upper and lower limit values as a new upper limit value. In addition, the conversion unit 114 can determine the average value of the previously calculated lower limit value of the individual upper and lower limit values and the currently calculated lower limit value of the individual upper and lower limit values as a new lower limit value. However, the method of combining the previously calculated individual upper and lower limit values and the currently calculated individual upper and lower limit values to set appropriate upper and lower limit values is not limited.

In step S380, the same processing as in step S170 in the above-mentioned first embodiment is performed. Then, steps S390 and S400 are performed. In step S390, the same processing as in step S180 in the above-mentioned first embodiment is performed. In step S400, the same processing as in step S190 in the above-mentioned first embodiment is performed. Then, the process returns to step S320.

As described above, in the second embodiment, the air conditioning system 100 can calculate the adapted bioinformation value 61 based on the value of the user-input bioinformation intuitively input by the user and the pre-conversion bioinformation value 51 acquired by the bioinformation acquisition unit 112 at a time corresponding to the time when the user's physical condition information was input to the terminal operation unit 31 and stored in the indoor unit storage unit 113. That is, in the second embodiment, the air conditioning system 100 can calculate the adapted bioinformation value 61 based on the bioinformation value of the individual sensation felt by the user and the pre-conversion bioinformation value 51 of the actual value acquired by the bioinformation acquisition unit 112.

As a result, in embodiment 2, the air conditioning system 100 can calculate the adapted bioinformation value 61 reflecting the tendency of the bioinformation specific to each individual user as perceived by the user, and can convert the pre-conversion bioinformation value 51 into an appropriate adapted bioinformation value 61 for each user and provide it to the user. Therefore, even in embodiment 2, the air conditioning system 100 can improve user satisfaction with the management of bioinformation.

Therefore, even in embodiment 2, the air conditioning system 100 and the air conditioner 10 have the effect of reflecting the biometric information tendencies specific to each individual user in the user's biometric information acquired by the biometric information acquisition unit 112, and converting the biometric information acquired by the biometric information acquisition unit 112 into appropriate biometric information for each user.

Next, the hardware configuration of each of the control units 80 according to the first and second embodiments will be described. The control units 80 according to the first and second embodiments correspond to the conversion unit 114 in the indoor unit 11 of the air conditioner 10, the air conditioning control unit 116, the remote control unit 135 of the remote control 13, the server control unit 23 of the server 20, and the terminal control unit 35 of the external terminal 30. Each function of the control unit 80 according to the first and second embodiments is realized by a processing circuit. The processing circuit may be dedicated hardware, or may be a processing device that executes a program stored in a storage device.

When the processing circuit is dedicated hardware, the processing circuit may be a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programmed processor, a parallel programmed processor, an application specific integrated circuit, a field programmable gate array, or a combination of these. Figure 8 is a diagram showing a configuration in which the functions of the control unit 80 in the first and second embodiments are realized by hardware. The processing circuit 81 incorporates a logic circuit 81a that realizes the functions of the control unit 80.

When the processing circuit 81 is a processing device, the functions of the control unit 80 are realized by software, firmware, or a combination of software and firmware.

9 is a diagram showing a configuration in which the functions of the control unit 80 according to the first and second embodiments are realized by software. The processing circuit 81 has a processor 811 that executes the program 81b, a random access memory 812 that the processor 811 uses as a work area, and a storage device 813 that stores the program 81b. The processor 811 deploys the program 81b stored in the storage device 813 on the random access memory 812 and executes it, thereby realizing the functions of the control unit 80. The software or firmware is written in a program language and stored in the storage device 813. The processor 811 can be exemplified by a central processing unit, but is not limited to this. The storage device 813 can be a semiconductor memory such as a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a flash memory, an EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), or an EEPROM (registered trademark) (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory). The semiconductor memory may be a non-volatile memory or a volatile memory. Further, in addition to a semiconductor memory, a magnetic disk, a flexible disk, an optical disk, a compact disk, a mini disk, or a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) can be applied to the storage device 813. The processor 811 may output data such as a calculation result to the storage device 813 for storage, or may store the data in an auxiliary storage device (not shown) via the random access memory 812. By integrating the processor 811, the random access memory 812, and the storage device 813 on one chip, the functions of the control unit 80 can be realized by a microcomputer.

The processing circuit 81 realizes the functions of the control unit 80 by reading and executing the program 81b stored in the storage device 813. It can also be said that the program 81b causes the computer to execute the procedures and methods for realizing the functions of the control unit 80.

In addition, the processing circuit 81 may be configured to realize some of the functions of the control unit 80 using dedicated hardware and some of the functions of the control unit 80 using software or firmware.

Thus, the processing circuit 81 can realize each of the above-mentioned functions through hardware, software, firmware, or a combination of these.

The configurations shown in the above embodiments are merely examples, and may be combined with other known technologies, or the embodiments may be combined with each other. Also, parts of the configurations may be omitted or modified without departing from the spirit of the invention.

10 Air conditioner, 11 Indoor unit, 12 Outdoor unit, 13 Remote controller, 20 Server, 21 Server communication unit, 22 Server memory unit, 23 Server control unit, 30 External terminal, 31 Terminal operation unit, 32 Terminal display unit, 33 Terminal memory unit, 34 Terminal communication unit, 35 Terminal control unit, 40 Internet, 51 Pre-conversion bioinformation value, 60 Conversion bioinformation value, 61 Adaptation bioinformation value, 62 Default conversion bioinformation value, 80 Control unit, 81 Processing circuit, 81a Logic circuit, 81b Program, 100 Air conditioning system, 111 Indoor unit air conditioning unit, 112 Bioinformation acquisition unit, 113 Indoor unit memory unit, 114 Conversion unit, 115 Indoor unit communication unit, 116 Air conditioning control unit, 117 Indoor unit control board, 131 Remote controller operation unit, 132 Remote controller display unit, 133 Remote controller storage unit, 134 remote controller communication unit, 135 remote controller control unit, 811 processor, 812 random access memory, 813 storage device.

Claims (4)

An air conditioner that is placed in a room and performs air conditioning,
A biometric information acquisition unit that acquires biometric information of a user;
a conversion unit for converting the biometric information into personalized biometric information that reflects a tendency of biometric information specific to the user;
A storage unit that stores the biological information;
Equipped with
The conversion unit is
Obtaining from the storage unit a plurality of pieces of biometric information acquired during a predetermined past acquisition period;
setting upper and lower limit values reflecting a tendency of the biometric information specific to the user based on the plurality of values of the biometric information, and calculating a ratio of the value of the biometric information within the range of the upper and lower limit values as the individually adapted biometric information;
Calculating the personal tailored biometric information based on the biometric information value acquired from the storage unit and the biometric information value input by a user from outside the air conditioner.
Air conditioner. The storage unit stores the biometric information of a plurality of users for each user,
the conversion unit acquires from the storage unit, for each user, a plurality of pieces of biometric information acquired during the past acquisition period for each user, and calculates the individually tailored biometric information for each user;
The air conditioner according to claim 1 . an air conditioner that is disposed in a room and performs air conditioning;
A biometric information acquisition unit that acquires biometric information of a user;
a conversion unit for converting the biometric information into personalized biometric information that reflects a tendency of biometric information specific to the user;
A storage unit that stores the biological information;
a mobile terminal that displays the biometric information after personal matching; and
Equipped with
The conversion unit is
Obtaining from the storage unit a plurality of pieces of biometric information acquired during a predetermined past acquisition period;
setting upper and lower limit values reflecting a tendency of the biometric information specific to the user based on the plurality of values of the biometric information, and calculating a ratio of the value of the biometric information within the range of the upper and lower limit values as the individually adapted biometric information;
Calculating the personal tailored biometric information based on the biometric information value acquired from the storage unit and the biometric information value input by a user from outside the air conditioner.
Air conditioning system. The storage unit stores the biometric information of a plurality of users for each user,
the conversion unit acquires from the storage unit, for each user, a plurality of pieces of biometric information acquired during the past acquisition period for each user, and calculates the individually adapted biometric information for each user.
4. The air conditioning system according to claim 3 .

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