JP7641882B2 - Air conditioner and air conditioning system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an air conditioner and an air conditioning system.

For example, a power-saving operation of an air conditioner has been proposed that includes a human detection sensor that detects the presence or absence of people in the air-conditioned space, and stops the air conditioning operation using the detection results of the human detection sensor (for example, Patent Document 1). In the air conditioner of Patent Document 1, for example, if the detection result of the human detection sensor shows that no people are detected in the air-conditioned space for a certain period of time, power saving operation is performed, thereby saving electricity consumed by the air conditioning operation.

JP 2016-17663 A

However, with conventional air conditioners, if the air conditioning operation is stopped to save energy every time someone is absent for a short period of time, it takes time to return the room temperature in the air-conditioned space to the set temperature when the person returns to the air-conditioned space, compromising user comfort. Therefore, it is difficult to achieve both improved energy saving effects and user comfort.

In view of these problems, the present invention aims to provide an air conditioner and air conditioning system that can achieve energy-saving operation that improves both the energy-saving effect and user comfort.

An air conditioner in one embodiment has a control unit that uses presence/absence information indicating the presence/absence of a user in the air-conditioned space to switch from air-conditioning operation to power-saving operation that consumes less power than the air-conditioning operation. The control unit switches from the air-conditioning operation to one of a first power-saving operation that prioritizes the comfort of the user and a second power-saving operation that prioritizes the power-saving effect as the power-saving operation.

One aspect of the air conditioner of the present invention is that it can achieve power-saving operation that improves both power saving effects and user comfort.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of an air conditioning system according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an air conditioner. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a temperature shift method in the first power saving operation in the cooling mode. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a temperature shift method in the first power saving operation in the dehumidification mode. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a temperature shift method in the first power saving operation in the heating mode. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a communications adapter. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a prediction result of presence or absence. FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a server device. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of data used to generate a presence/absence pattern. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a user pattern predicted using a presence/absence pattern. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing operation of the CPU of the server device related to the generation process for generating a presence/absence pattern. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing operation of the CPU of the server device related to the update processing for updating the presence/absence pattern. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing operation of the control unit of the indoor unit related to the first power saving process. FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of an air conditioner according to the second embodiment. FIG. 15 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of an air conditioner according to the third embodiment. FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing operation of the control unit of the indoor unit related to the second power saving process. FIG. 17 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of an air conditioner according to a fourth embodiment. FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing operation of the control unit of the indoor unit related to the third power saving process.

Below, examples of the air conditioner and air conditioning system disclosed in the present application are described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the disclosed technology is not limited to these examples. Furthermore, each of the examples shown below may be modified as appropriate within the scope of not causing any inconsistency.

<Air conditioning system configuration>
Fig. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an air conditioning system 1 according to Example 1. The air conditioning system 1 shown in Fig. 1 includes an air conditioner 2, a communication adapter 3, a router 4, a server device 5, a relay device 6, a terminal device 7, and a communication network 8.

<Air conditioner configuration>
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the air conditioner 2. The air conditioner 2 shown in FIG. 2 has an indoor unit 21, an outdoor unit 22, and a remote control 23. The indoor unit 21 is, for example, arranged indoors and is a part of the air conditioner 2 that heats or cools the air in the indoor air-conditioned space. The indoor unit 21 is provided for each air-conditioned space, such as a living room or a bedroom. The indoor unit 21 has a main body 21A, a human detection sensor 21B, a light receiving unit 21C, a control unit 21D, and a memory 21E. The main body 21A is provided with an indoor fan and an indoor heat exchanger (not shown), and the indoor air that has exchanged heat with the refrigerant supplied from the outdoor unit 22 in the indoor heat exchanger is blown out by the indoor fan to perform heating, cooling, dehumidification, etc. in the room. The human detection sensor 21B detects the presence or absence of a person in the air-conditioned space. The human detection sensor 21B is, for example, a pyroelectric sensor using infrared rays. When the air conditioner 2 is installed and connected to a commercial power source to receive power, the human detection sensor 21B starts detecting the presence or absence of a person within the sensor range in the air-conditioned space, not limited to a specific person. From this point on, unless the power supply to the air conditioner 2 is stopped, the human detection sensor 21B continues to detect the presence or absence of a person in the air-conditioned space regardless of whether the air conditioner 2 is running or stopped. The light receiving unit 21C receives a command signal from the remote control 23 and transmits the received command signal to the control unit 21D. The memory 21E is, for example, a storage unit that stores various information. The control unit 21D controls the entire indoor unit 21. The control unit 21D executes various commands based on the command signal. The outdoor unit 22 is, for example, equipped with an outdoor fan, a compressor, etc. The remote control 23 is a remote control unit that remotely controls the indoor unit 21 in response to a user's operation.

The control unit 21D uses the detection results of the human detection sensor 21B and the prediction results of the presence/absence prediction unit 34E described below to switch from air conditioning operation to power saving operation, which consumes less power than air conditioning operation. The prediction results of the presence/absence prediction unit 34E are information that accumulates the prediction results of the presence/absence of a specific user in the air-conditioned space every 10 minutes for 24 hours, obtained from the presence/absence prediction unit 34E in the communication adapter 3 described below. In contrast, the detection results of the human detection sensor 21B are the detection results of the presence/absence of a person within the sensor range in the air-conditioned space. The air-conditioning operation is a normal air-conditioning operation, such as cooling mode, heating mode, or dehumidification mode, in which the room temperature in the air-conditioned space is changed to a set temperature.

When the human detection sensor 21B detects the presence of a person during power saving operation, the control unit 21D determines that a person is present in the air-conditioned space and resumes air-conditioning operation. Details will be described later, but the control unit 21D stores the prediction result of the user's presence or absence predicted at a specified time, and refers to the prediction result of the presence/absence prediction unit 34E from the time when the human detection sensor 21B detects the absence of a person during air-conditioning operation, and if the prediction result is the presence of a person, it determines that a user is present in the air-conditioned space and continues air-conditioning operation. Specifically, the control unit 21D refers to the prediction result of the presence/absence prediction unit 34E for a specified time, for example, 60 minutes, from the time when the human detection sensor 21B detects the absence of a person during air-conditioning operation. Based on the referenced prediction result, when the prediction result is the presence of a person, the control unit 21D determines that a user is present in the air-conditioned space and continues air-conditioning operation.

The control unit 21D refers to the prediction result of the presence/absence prediction unit 34E from the time when the human detection sensor 21B detects the absence of a person while air conditioning operation is being performed, and if the prediction result indicates the absence of a person, it determines that no user is present in the air-conditioned space and switches from air conditioning operation to power saving operation. Specifically, the control unit 21D refers to the prediction result of the presence/absence prediction unit 34E for a predetermined period of time, for example, 60 minutes, from the time when the human detection sensor 21B detects the absence of a person while air conditioning operation is being performed. Based on the referenced prediction result, if the prediction result indicates the absence of a person, the control unit 21D determines that no user is present in the air-conditioned space and switches from air conditioning operation to power saving operation.

The power-saving operation includes a first power-saving operation that prioritizes user comfort and a second power-saving operation that prioritizes power-saving effect. The first power-saving operation is selected when the prediction results for a specified time show a mixture of people being present and not present, and is a power-saving operation that consumes less power than the air-conditioning operation before switching to the power-saving operation by gradually changing the set temperature of the air-conditioning operation before switching to the power-saving operation without stopping the air-conditioning operation. The second power-saving operation is selected when all prediction results for a specified time show people being present, and is a power-saving operation that prioritizes power-saving effect over user comfort by stopping the air-conditioning operation. The first power-saving operation is a power-saving operation that prioritizes comfort over power-saving effect compared to the second power-saving operation.

The first power saving operation is a power saving operation in which the set temperature is shifted stepwise every 10 minutes from the set temperature of the air conditioning operation before switching to the power saving operation corresponding to each operation mode of the normal air conditioning operation. Note that the operation modes include, for example, the cooling mode, the dehumidification mode, and the heating mode. Therefore, the temperature shift method of the first power saving operation differs for each operation mode.

3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a temperature shift method of the first power saving operation in the cooling mode. When the human detection sensor 21B detects the absence of a person at time A in the cooling mode, the control unit 21D changes the set temperature to Ts+T1, changes the set temperature to (Ts+T1)+T2 at time B when time t1 has passed since time A, changes the set temperature to (Ts+T1+T2)+T3 at time C when time t2 has passed since time B, and changes the set temperature to (Ts+T1+T2+T3)+T4 at time D when time t3 has passed since time C. In other words, the control unit 21D raises the set temperature stepwise at regular intervals, for example, with Ts+T1+T2+T3+T4 as the maximum shift temperature of the set temperature in the cooling mode. Note that each time t1, t2, and t3 is, for example, 10 minutes, and each shift temperature of T1, T2, T3, and T4 is, for example, 0.5 degrees. Between time points A and D, there is no detection result from human detection sensor 21B. In other words, the temperature shift continues as long as human presence is not detected by human detection sensor 21B.

In other words, when the set temperature in cooling mode in the first power saving operation is Ts, the control unit 21D raises the set temperature stepwise in increments of +0.5 degrees every 10 minutes, for example, until it rises from the set temperature Ts to the maximum shift temperature of +2 degrees. When the control unit 21D is raising the set temperature stepwise, if the set temperature reaches the maximum cooling temperature that can be set in cooling mode, for example 30 degrees, the control unit 21D stops raising the set temperature even if it has not reached the maximum shift temperature of +2 degrees.

In the first power saving operation in cooling mode, the set temperature is gradually increased but the cooling operation is not stopped, so the power consumption of the air conditioner 2 can be gradually reduced without compromising the comfort of the user.

Figure 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a temperature shift method for the first power saving operation in the dehumidification mode. When the human detection sensor 21B detects the absence of a person at time E in the dehumidification mode, the control unit 21D changes the set temperature to Ts + T1, and at time F when the time t1 has passed from time E, the control unit 21D changes the set temperature to (Ts + T1) + T2. In other words, in the dehumidification mode, the control unit 21D increases the set temperature, for example, to Ts + T1 + T2 as the maximum shift temperature of the set temperature. Note that the time t1 is, for example, 10 minutes, and the shift temperatures of T1 and T2 are, for example, 0.5 degrees. The detection result of the human detection sensor 21B remains the absence of a person from time E to time F. In other words, the temperature shift continues while the human detection sensor 21B does not detect the presence of a person.

In other words, when the set temperature in the dehumidification mode in the first power saving operation is Ts, the control unit 21D raises the temperature stepwise in increments of +0.5 degrees every 10 minutes, for example, until it rises from the set temperature to the maximum shift temperature of +1 degree. When the control unit 21D is raising the set temperature stepwise and the set temperature reaches the maximum dehumidification temperature possible in the dehumidification mode, for example, 30 degrees, the control unit 21D stops raising the set temperature even if it has not reached the maximum shift temperature of +1 degree.

In the first power saving operation of the dehumidification mode, the set temperature is gradually increased but the dehumidification operation is not stopped, so the power consumption of the air conditioner 2 can be gradually reduced without compromising the comfort of the user.

Figure 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a temperature shift method for the first power saving operation in heating mode. When the human detection sensor 21B detects the absence of a person at time G in heating mode, the control unit 21D changes the set temperature to Ts-T1, changes the set temperature to (Ts-T1)-T2 at time H when time t1 has passed since time G, changes the set temperature to (Ts-T1-T2)-T3 at time I when time t2 has passed since time H, changes the set temperature to (Ts-T1-T2-T3)-T4 at time J when time t3 has passed since time I, changes the set temperature to (Ts-T1-T2-T3)-T4 at time K when time t4 has passed since time J, changes the set temperature to (Ts-T1-T2-T3-T4)-T5 at time K when time t4 has passed since time J, and changes the set temperature to (Ts-T1-T2-T3-T4-T5)-T6 at time L when time t5 has passed since time K. That is, in heating mode, the control unit 21D lowers the set temperature stepwise at regular intervals, for example, with Ts-T1-T2-T3-T4-T5-T6 as the maximum shift temperature of the set temperature. Note that each period t1, t2, t3, t4, t5, t6... is, for example, 10 minutes, and each shift temperature of T1, T2, T3, T4, T5, T6... is, for example, 0.5 degrees. Between time point G and time point L, there is still no detection result from the human detection sensor 21B. In other words, the temperature shift continues while the human detection sensor 21B does not detect the presence of a person.

In other words, when the set temperature in heating mode during the first power saving operation is Ts, the control unit 21D lowers the temperature in stages in increments of -0.5 degrees every 10 minutes, for example, until the temperature drops from the set temperature to the maximum shift temperature of -4 degrees. When the control unit 21D is lowering the set temperature in stages, if the set temperature reaches the minimum heating temperature possible in heating mode, for example 16 degrees, the control unit 21D stops lowering the set temperature even if it has not yet reached the maximum shift temperature of -4 degrees.

In the first power saving operation in heating mode, the set temperature is gradually lowered but the heating operation is not stopped, so the power consumption of the air conditioner 2 can be gradually reduced without compromising the comfort of the user.

As shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 21D has a power saving operation execution unit 21D1. The power saving operation execution unit 21D1 switches from the air conditioning operation to either the first power saving operation or the second power saving operation based on the length of time that a person will be absent obtained from the prediction result of the presence/absence prediction unit 34E. The length of time that a person will be absent obtained from the prediction result is, for example, a first predetermined time, a second predetermined time, or a third predetermined time. The first predetermined time is the time for referring to the prediction result of presence/absence from the time when the absence of a person is detected by the human detection sensor 21B, for example, 60 minutes. The second predetermined time is the time until the detection result of the human detection sensor 21B continues to be "absent" and the second power saving operation is switched to when all the prediction results for the first predetermined time are "presence" and normal operation is continued, for example, 60 minutes from the time when the absence of a person is first (most recently) detected. The third specified time is the time until the first power-saving operation is switched to the second power-saving operation when the prediction result for the first specified time is a mixture of presence and absence and the detection result of the human detection sensor 21B continues to be "absent," for example, 180 minutes from the time when the absence of a person is first (most recently) detected.

The power-saving operation execution unit 21D1 refers to the prediction results of the presence/absence prediction unit 34E for a first predetermined time, for example, 60 minutes, from the point in time when the human detection sensor 21B detects the absence of a person during air-conditioning operation. If all of the prediction results indicate the absence of a person based on the referenced prediction results, the power-saving operation execution unit 21D1 determines that no user is present in the air-conditioned space for the first predetermined time, and switches from air-conditioning operation to second power-saving operation.

The power saving operation execution unit 21D1 refers to the prediction results of the presence/absence prediction unit 34E for a first predetermined time from the time when the human detection sensor 21B detects the absence of a person during air conditioning operation, and if all of the prediction results indicate the presence of a person, it determines that a user is present in the air conditioned space for the first predetermined time, and continues air conditioning operation without switching to power saving operation.

When the power-saving operation execution unit 21D1 continues air-conditioning operation in response to all prediction results indicating the presence of a person after the human detection sensor 21B detects the absence of a person, if the human detection sensor 21B detects the absence of a person and continues to detect the absence of a person for a second predetermined time from the time the absence was detected, the power-saving operation execution unit 21D1 determines that a user is absent from the air-conditioned space. Then, the power-saving operation execution unit 21D1 switches from air-conditioning operation to the second power-saving operation.

The power saving operation execution unit 21D1 refers to the prediction result of the presence/absence prediction unit 34E for a first predetermined time from the time when the human detection sensor 21B detects the absence of a person during air conditioning operation, and if the prediction result indicates a mixture of the presence and absence of a person, it determines that there is a possibility that a user is present in the air-conditioned space for the first predetermined time, and switches from air conditioning operation to a first power saving operation.

Alternatively, the power saving operation execution unit 21D1 refers to the prediction result of the presence/absence prediction unit 34E for a first predetermined time from the time when the human detection sensor 21B detects the absence of a person during air conditioning operation, and, for example, even if the presence/absence prediction unit 34E does not have a prediction result while generating a presence/absence pattern described below, determines that there is a possibility that a user is present in the air conditioned space, and switches from air conditioning operation to the first power saving operation.

When the power-saving operation execution unit 21D1 is executing the first power-saving operation in response to a mixture of the presence and absence of people in the prediction result after the human detection sensor 21B detects the absence of a person, or there is no prediction result in the presence/absence prediction unit 34E, if the human detection sensor 21B detects the absence of a person, and the absence of a person is continuously detected for a third predetermined time, for example, 180 minutes, from the time the absence was detected, the power-saving operation execution unit 21D1 determines that a user is absent from the air-conditioned space. Then, the power-saving operation execution unit 21D1 switches from the first power-saving operation to the second power-saving operation.

Returning to FIG. 1, the communication adapter 3 has a communication function for connecting the indoor unit 21 in the air conditioner 2 to the router 4 by wireless communication, and a control function for controlling the indoor unit 21 by AI (Artificial Intelligence). The communication adapter 3 is arranged for each indoor unit 21. The router 4 is an access point device that connects the communication adapter 3 to the communication network 8 by wireless communication using, for example, a WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) or the like, and also connects the terminal device 7 to the communication network 8 by wireless communication. The terminal device 7 is a communication terminal such as a smartphone of a user who is, for example, an administrator among multiple users who use the air conditioning system 1. The communication network 8 is, for example, a communication network such as the Internet. The server device 5 has a function for generating a presence/absence pattern applied to the indoor unit 21, a database for storing operation history data, etc. The server device 5 is arranged, for example, in a data center. The relay device 6 has a function for connecting to the communication network 8 by communication and connecting to the server device 5 by communication. The relay device 6 transmits operation history data and the like used to generate or update a presence/absence pattern applied to the indoor unit 21 from the communication adapter 3 to the server device 5 via the communication network 8. The relay device 6 also transmits the presence/absence pattern generated or updated by the server device 5 to the communication adapter 3 via the communication network 8. The relay device 6 is disposed, for example, in a data center or the like.

The relay device 6 has a first relay unit 6A, a second relay unit 6B, and a third relay unit 6C. The first relay unit 6A transmits various data related to the presence/absence pattern (hereinafter, referred to as operation history data) from the communication adapter 3 to the server device 5 via the communication network 8, and transmits the presence/absence pattern generated or updated by the server device 5 to the communication adapter 3 via the communication network 8. The second relay unit 6B acquires the operation conditions (such as the operation mode such as cooling/heating and the set temperature) of the indoor unit 21 set by the user using the terminal device 7 while away from home, and transmits them to the indoor unit 21. The third relay unit 6C acquires external data such as weather forecasts and calendar information (mainly holiday information) from a communication network 8 such as the Internet, and transmits the acquired external data to the server device 5. The third relay unit 6C also transmits the external data to the communication adapter 3 via the communication network 8.

<Communication adapter configuration>
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the communication adapter 3. The communication adapter 3 shown in FIG. 6 has a first communication unit 31, a second communication unit 32, a storage unit 33, and a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 34. The first communication unit 31 is a communication IF (Interface) such as a UART (Universal Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter) that communicatively connects the control unit 21D in the indoor unit 21 and the CPU 34. The second communication unit 32 is a communication unit such as a communication IF such as a WLAN that communicatively connects the router 4 and the CPU 34. The storage unit 33 has, for example, a ROM (Read Only Memory) or a RAM (Random Access Memory), and stores various information such as data and programs. The CPU 34 controls the entire communication adapter 3.

The memory unit 33 in the communication adapter 3 shown in FIG. 6 has a history memory 33A, a presence/absence pattern memory 33B, a prediction result memory 33C, and an external memory 33D. The history memory 33A temporarily stores operation history data acquired from the indoor unit 21. The operation history data is, for example, the detection results of the presence/absence of people in the indoor space detected by the human detection sensor 21B every 10 minutes. The presence/absence pattern memory 33B stores the presence/absence pattern acquired from the server device 5.

The presence/absence pattern is a pattern that the server device 5 generates for each day of the week, which indicates the tendency of the user's presence/absence in the air-conditioned space, by using, for example, past detection results of the human detection sensor 21B, for example, the presence/absence detection results for the past 30 days, day of the week information, and holiday information. In this embodiment, up to five types of presence/absence patterns are generated, and the presence/absence patterns are associated with each day of the week so that it can be determined in which presence/absence pattern the user tends to act on each day of the week. For example, on Mondays and Tuesdays, there is a tendency to act in presence/absence pattern 1, and on Wednesdays and Thursdays, there is a tendency to act in presence/absence pattern 2. On Thursdays and Fridays, there is a tendency to act in presence/absence pattern 3, on Saturdays, there is a tendency to act in presence/absence pattern 4, and on Sundays, there is a tendency to act in presence/absence pattern 5. Here, the detection results of the human detection sensor 21B for the past 30 days are used when generating the presence/absence pattern for the following reason. When generating the presence/absence pattern, it is preferable to have as many detection results as possible from the human detection sensor 21B, because the accuracy of prediction using the presence/absence pattern improves as the detection results of the human detection sensor 21B increase. On the other hand, it is assumed that the presence/absence pattern is generated using the detection results of the past 90 days, for example, so that many detection results of the human detection sensor 21B are obtained. If the air conditioner 2 is installed at the beginning of summer when cooling operation is frequently performed or at the beginning of winter when heating operation is frequently performed, summer or winter will pass while the presence/absence pattern is generated, and it will be impossible to predict the user's behavior or recommend air conditioning operation based on the prediction result of the user's presence or absence, which will be described later, in summer or winter. Therefore, in this embodiment, the presence/absence pattern is generated using the presence/absence detection results of the human detection sensor 21B for the past 30 days, so that the accuracy of the presence/absence pattern can be guaranteed and the user's behavior prediction and the air conditioning operation recommendation based on the prediction result of the user's presence or absence can be provided at an appropriate time. Note that the presence/absence detection results for the past 30 days are information obtained by accumulating the presence/absence detection results every 10 minutes for 30 days. In addition, in this embodiment, a case where the detection results of the human detection sensor 21B for the past 30 days are used when generating the presence/absence pattern is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited to this. It may be changed as appropriate depending on the period from when the air conditioner 2 is installed to when it is frequently used.

The day of the week information is information on the days of the week (Mon., Tues., Wed., Thurs., Fri., Sat., Sun.) and is calculated and obtained by the CPU 34. The holiday information is information that identifies holidays among the days of the week (Mon., Tues., Wed., Thurs., Fri., Sat., Sun.) and is obtained from the outside via the second communication unit 32. The reason for obtaining holiday information from the outside is that holidays may change from year to year. The prediction result memory 33C stores a 24-hour presence/absence prediction result, which is a prediction result of the presence/absence of people every 10 minutes for 24 hours in the air-conditioned space predicted by the presence/absence pattern. The CPU 34 can recognize the 24-hour presence/absence prediction result for each air-conditioned space by referring to the prediction result memory 33C. The external memory 33D stores external data obtained from the outside, such as the holiday information and weather forecasts mentioned above.

The CPU 34 has a collection unit 34A, a transmission unit 34B, a reception unit 34C, a setting unit 34D, and a presence/absence prediction unit 34E.

The collection unit 34A acquires the detection results of the presence or absence of people in each air-conditioned space from the indoor unit 21 at a predetermined period, for example, every 10 minutes. The air-conditioned space is, for example, an air-conditioned space such as a living room or a bedroom. The collection unit 34A collects the current detection results of the presence or absence of people by the human detection sensor 21B every 10 minutes in the acquired air-conditioned space. There are three types of variables for the presence or absence detection results, for example, absence, presence, and indefinite. Among the presence or absence detection results, "absence" is a detection result when a person cannot be detected in the air-conditioned space. This detection result of "absence" is the second detection value. Among the presence or absence detection results, "presence" is a detection result when a person is detected in the air-conditioned space. This detection result of "presence" is the first detection value. Among the presence or absence detection results, "indefinite" is a detection result that does not correspond to either presence or absence, that is, a third detection value that does not correspond to either the first detection value or the second detection value, and is not used to generate a presence or absence pattern. The collection unit 34A stores the presence/absence detection results for each air-conditioned space acquired every 10 minutes in the history memory 33A.

For example, when the transmission unit 34B stores two days' worth of presence/absence detection results in the history memory 33A, it transmits the two days' worth of presence/absence detection results stored in the history memory 33A to the server device 5 via the communication network 8. The server device 5 generates up to five types of presence/absence patterns as mentioned above using the presence/absence detection results for the past 30 days received sequentially from the communication adapter 3. The reception unit 34C receives the presence/absence patterns for each air-conditioned space from the server device 5 via the communication network 8, and stores the received presence/absence patterns in the presence/absence pattern memory 33B. The setting unit 34D applies the stored presence/absence patterns to the presence/absence prediction unit 34E.

The presence/absence prediction unit 34E uses the current detection result of the human detection sensor 21B, i.e., the presence/absence detection result that is the detection result of the human detection sensor 21B from the time when the presence/absence is predicted until a certain time before, the current day of the week information, and the current holiday information to select a presence/absence pattern to be used for prediction from among the multiple presence/absence patterns applied by the setting unit 34D. The presence/absence prediction unit 34E predicts the presence/absence of people in the air-conditioned space using the selected presence/absence pattern, and obtains presence/absence prediction results for 24 hours. The certain time is the time required to obtain a number of data that can ensure accuracy when selecting the optimal presence/absence pattern from among the multiple presence/absence patterns by looking at the most recent presence/absence detection result.

Below, we will explain in detail how to select the presence/absence pattern to be used for prediction and how to predict the user's presence/absence using the selected presence/absence pattern. In the following explanation, we will explain a case where the user's presence/absence is predicted every day at 8:00, and the user's presence/absence is predicted for 24 hours from 8:00 on the current day to 8:00 on the next day. In this embodiment, the 24-hour prediction is divided into two periods: 1) 8:00 on the current day to midnight on the next day, and 2) midnight on the next day to 8:00 on the next day, and these are combined to form the 24-hour prediction result.

<1) Predicting user presence/absence from 8:00 on the current day to 0:00 on the next day>
First, when the time to predict the user's presence or absence is, for example, 8:00 on the current day, the presence/absence prediction unit 34E obtains the presence/absence detection result of the person detected by the human detection sensor 21B a certain time before the prediction time, for example, from 21:00 on the day before the prediction date to 8:00 on the current day. Next, the presence/absence prediction unit 34E compares multiple presence/absence patterns to determine whether there is a difference between each presence/absence pattern. Specifically, it determines whether the difference between the presence/absence patterns is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. More specifically, it compares the presence/absence of the user every 10 minutes from 0:00 to 8:00 in each presence/absence pattern. Then, when the number of points where the presence/absence differs (hereinafter referred to as "time periods") is less than a predetermined value, for example, 10, it determines that the difference between each presence/absence pattern is within an acceptable range (there is no difference between the presence/absence patterns from 0:00 to 8:00). On the other hand, if there are, for example, 10 or more time periods between 0:00 and 8:00 where the user's presence/absence varies every 10 minutes, it is determined that the difference between each presence/absence pattern exceeds the acceptable range (there is a difference in the presence/absence patterns from 0:00 to 8:00).

Next, the presence/absence prediction unit 34E selects the presence/absence pattern to be used for prediction based on the comparison result of each of the above-mentioned presence/absence patterns. If the difference between each presence/absence pattern is less than a predetermined value (if there is no difference in the presence/absence patterns from 0:00 to 8:00), it selects the presence/absence pattern associated with the day of the week to be predicted. If the difference between each presence/absence pattern is equal to or greater than a predetermined value (if there is a difference in the presence/absence patterns from 0:00 to 8:00), it compares the person's presence/absence detection result obtained from 0:00 to 8:00 with the presence/absence from 0:00 to 8:00 in each presence/absence pattern. Then, it selects the presence/absence pattern that is closest to the detection result. Then, the presence/absence prediction unit 34E extracts the presence/absence from 8:00 to 0:00 in the above-mentioned selected presence/absence pattern as the prediction result of the user's presence/absence from 8:00 on the day to 0:00 on the next day. In this way, by associating each presence/absence pattern with day-of-the-week information and predicting the user's presence/absence based on the results of comparing each presence/absence pattern, it is possible to accurately predict the user's presence/absence while reducing the number of generated presence/absence patterns to less than the number of days of the week.

Ideally, a presence/absence pattern would be generated for each day of the week, and the pattern to be used would be selected according to the day of the week on which the user's presence or absence is predicted. This is because the more presence/absence patterns are generated for each day of the week, the more improved the accuracy of the prediction can be expected. However, the more presence/absence patterns are increased, the greater the amount of communication between the communication adapter 3 and the server device 5, the greater the memory capacity required by the communication adapter, and so on, placing a greater load on the air conditioning system 1.

Therefore, in this embodiment, as mentioned above, there are a maximum of five types of presence/absence patterns, and the same pattern is applied to days of the week for which the predicted presence/absence patterns can be considered to be the same. For example, presence/absence pattern 1 is applied to Monday and Tuesday, presence/absence pattern 2 is applied to Wednesday and Thursday, presence/absence pattern 3 is applied to Thursday and Friday, presence/absence pattern 4 is applied to Saturday, and presence/absence pattern 5 is applied to Sunday. However, if presence/absence patterns are generated in this way so that they can be applied to multiple days of the week, there is a risk that the accuracy of the prediction will decrease compared to when a presence/absence pattern is generated for each day of the week and these are used to predict the user's presence/absence.

To deal with such a situation, in this embodiment, the method of selecting the presence/absence pattern to be used to predict the user's presence/absence is changed depending on the comparison result of each presence/absence pattern. If the difference between each presence/absence pattern is less than a predetermined value, it is not possible to determine which presence/absence pattern to use using the user's presence/absence information acquired up to the time of prediction (8:00), so the accuracy of the prediction will not decrease if the presence/absence pattern that matches the day of the week to be predicted is selected. Also, if the difference between each presence/absence pattern is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, it is possible to distinguish between each presence/absence pattern, so the acquired user's presence/absence information is compared with the predicted results of each presence/absence pattern, and the presence/absence pattern that is closest to the detection result is selected, thereby ensuring the accuracy of the prediction.

<2) Prediction of user presence/absence from 0:00 to 8:00 the next day>
First, the presence/absence prediction unit 34E reads out the day of the week following the day for which the user's presence or absence is predicted from the external memory 33D. Next, the presence/absence prediction unit 34E selects a presence/absence pattern corresponding to the read-out day of the week from among a plurality of presence/absence patterns. Then, the presence/absence prediction unit 34E extracts a prediction result of the user's presence or absence from 0:00 to 8:00 the following day from the selected presence/absence pattern.

At 8:00 on the day when the user's presence or absence is predicted, unlike 1) when predicting the user's presence or absence from 8:00 on the day to midnight the next day, there are no detection results of the user's presence or absence detected by human detection sensor 21B after 8:00 on the day. Therefore, when predicting the user's presence or absence from midnight to 8:00 the next day, a presence or absence pattern to be used for prediction is selected based on the day of the week of the next day, and the selected presence or absence pattern is used to predict the user's presence or absence from midnight to 8:00 the next day.

Then, the presence/absence prediction unit 34E combines the prediction result of the user's presence/absence from 8:00 on the current day to 0:00 on the next day obtained in 1) with the prediction result of the user's presence/absence from 0:00 on the next day to 8:00 on the next day obtained in 2) to predict the user's presence/absence for 24 hours from 8:00 on the current day to 8:00 on the next day. The presence/absence prediction unit 34E then outputs the prediction result to the prediction result memory 33C as the prediction result of the presence/absence for 24 hours. The prediction result memory 33C stores the prediction results of the presence/absence for 24 hours. When the predicted time period includes a holiday, the presence/absence prediction unit 34E obtains the prediction result of the presence/absence for 24 hours in the air-conditioned space by regarding the time period as the same as a holiday. In addition, the presence/absence prediction unit 34E excludes the "indeterminate" presence/absence detection result (third detection value) from the presence/absence detection result, which is the detection result of the human detection sensor 21B used when predicting the presence/absence of the user in the air-conditioned space. In other words, "undefined" presence/absence detection results are excluded and are not used to generate or update the presence/absence pattern, which improves the accuracy of predictions based on the generated or updated presence/absence pattern.

The presence/absence prediction unit 34E may predict the presence/absence of a user in the air-conditioned space for 24 hours from the predetermined time, for example, 8:00 and 20:00 every day as a predetermined time for predicting the presence/absence. Specifically, the presence/absence prediction unit 34E obtains a 24-hour prediction result of the presence/absence of a user. In addition, the presence/absence prediction unit 34E improves the prediction accuracy by obtaining a 24-hour prediction result of the presence/absence from each of the above-mentioned predetermined times every half day. The 24-hour prediction result of the presence/absence is, for example, a prediction result of the presence/absence of a user in the air-conditioned space every 10 minutes. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a 24-hour prediction result of the presence/absence. The prediction result of the presence/absence shown in FIG. 7 is a prediction result of the presence/absence every 10 minutes from the predetermined time until 24 hours later for each air-conditioned space. The data indicating the prediction result of the presence/absence is "1" for presence and "0" for absence.

<Configuration of Server Device>
Fig. 8 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the server device 5. The server device 5 shown in Fig. 8 has a communication unit 51, a storage unit 52, and a CPU 53. The communication unit 51 is a communication IF that communicatively connects the relay device 6 and the CPU 53. The storage unit 52 has, for example, a hard disk drive (HDD), a ROM, a RAM, etc., and stores various information such as data and programs. The CPU 53 controls the entire server device 5.

The memory unit 52 in the server device 5 shown in FIG. 8 has a history data memory 52A and a pattern memory unit 52B. The history data memory 52A stores operation history data such as two days' worth of presence/absence detection results in the air-conditioned space received from the communication adapter 3. The pattern memory unit 52B stores the presence/absence pattern generated by the server device 5, and updates the generated presence/absence pattern using the acquired data and stores the updated presence/absence pattern.

The CPU 53 in the server device 5 has a receiving unit 53A, an acquiring unit 53B, a generating unit 53C, and a transmitting unit 53D.

The receiver 53A is connected to the communication adapters 3 of multiple indoor units 21 and receives two days' worth of presence/absence detection results for each air-conditioned space from the communication adapter 3 via the router 4, communication network 8, and relay device 6, and stores the received two days' worth of presence/absence detection results in the history data memory 52A. The receiver 53A receives day of the week information and holiday information from the communication adapter 3. The day of the week information may be calculated and obtained by the CPU 53 of the server device 5, or the holiday information may be directly obtained by the server device 5 from outside. The acquirer 53B acquires the day of the week information and holiday information received by the receiver 53A. The acquirer 53B acquires the day of the week information and holiday information received by the receiver 53A.

Figure 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of data used to generate a presence/absence pattern. The data used to generate a presence/absence pattern includes presence/absence detection results as sensor data, day of the week information as day of the week data, and holiday information as holiday data. As described above, the presence/absence detection results are the presence/absence detection results of people every 10 minutes by the human detection sensor 21B in the air-conditioned space. Also, as described above, "indefinite" presence/absence detection results are not used to generate or update a presence/absence pattern.

The generation unit 53C uses the presence/absence detection results, day of the week information, and holiday information for a predetermined period stored in the history data memory 52A, for example, 30 days of past detection results, to generate a presence/absence pattern of users in the air-conditioned space of the indoor unit 21. The generation unit 53C stores the generated presence/absence pattern in the pattern storage unit 52B. If a holiday is included in the time period of the presence/absence detection results, the generation unit 53C considers the time period to be the same as a holiday. After storing the presence/absence pattern in the pattern storage unit 52B, the generation unit 53C updates the presence/absence pattern stored in the pattern storage unit 52B using the presence/absence detection results for, for example, 6 days unused for generation in the history data memory 52A. The generation unit 53C then stores the updated presence/absence pattern in the pattern storage unit 52B.

If the air conditioner 2 is installed in, for example, a living room, the generation unit 53C extracts the presence/absence detection results for a weekday, for example Monday (excluding public holidays), from the presence/absence detection results for the living room stored in the history data memory 52A. Furthermore, the generation unit 53C extracts presence/absence detection results other than "undefined" from the above-mentioned extracted presence/absence detection results for Monday, and generates a presence/absence pattern that predicts the presence/absence of people in the living room on Monday based on the extracted presence/absence detection results for the living room.

The generation unit 53C also extracts the presence/absence detection results for holidays and Sundays from the presence/absence detection results for the living room stored in the history data memory 52A. Furthermore, the generation unit 53C extracts the presence/absence detection results other than "undefined" from the extracted presence/absence detection results for holidays and Sundays, and generates a presence/absence pattern that predicts the presence/absence of people in the living room on Sundays based on the extracted presence/absence detection results for the living room.

In other words, the generation unit 53C generates a presence/absence pattern for each day of the week in the air-conditioned space in which the indoor unit 21 is installed. For ease of explanation, an example has been given in which a presence/absence pattern for each day of the week is generated, but, for example, Monday through Friday excluding holidays may be set as weekdays, and a presence/absence pattern for each air-conditioned space on weekdays may be generated, and holidays, Saturdays, and Sundays may be set as holidays, and a presence/absence pattern for each air-conditioned space on holidays may be generated. In addition, while holidays, Saturdays, and Sundays have been given as examples of holidays, this is not limited to these, and for example, Tuesdays may be set as holidays regardless of holidays on the calendar, and this can be changed as appropriate.

Figure 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a generated user presence/absence pattern. Pattern 1 of the presence/absence patterns shown in Figure 10 is a presence/absence pattern that indicates the presence/absence of a user in the air-conditioned space on Mondays and Tuesdays. Although not shown, the presence/absence pattern of a user in the air-conditioned space from Wednesday to Saturday, excluding holidays, is also predicted. Pattern 2 is a presence/absence pattern that indicates the presence/absence of a user in the air-conditioned space on Sundays and holidays.

The generation unit 53C generates or updates a presence/absence pattern for each day of the week for each air-conditioned space based on the presence/absence detection results, day of the week information, and holiday information, and stores the generated or updated presence/absence pattern in the pattern storage unit 52B. The transmission unit 53D transmits the presence/absence pattern for each day of the week for each air-conditioned space stored in the pattern storage unit 52B to the communication adapter 3 via the relay device 6, the communication network 8, and the router 4.

<Generation of occupancy patterns in air conditioning systems>
Next, the generation of the presence/absence pattern in the air conditioning system 1 of this embodiment will be described. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing operation of the CPU 53 of the server device 5 related to the generation process for generating the presence/absence pattern. The generation process is a process for generating the presence/absence pattern for the first time after the air conditioner 2 is installed in the air-conditioned space. In FIG. 11, the receiving unit 53A in the CPU 53 of the server device 5 communicates with the communication adapter 3 periodically, for example, at 0:00 every day, and determines whether or not the presence/absence detection results for two days for each air-conditioned space have been received from the communication adapter 3 (step S11). Note that the communication adapter 3 stores the presence/absence detection results for two days in the history memory 33A until they are obtained. When the receiving unit 53A receives the presence/absence detection results for two days (step 11: Yes), the receiving unit 53A stores the received presence/absence detection results for two days in the history data memory 52A of the storage unit 52 (step S12). The generating unit 53C in the CPU 53 judges whether the presence/absence detection results for 30 days have been stored in the history data memory 52A (step S13). If the presence/absence detection results for 30 days have been stored (step S13: Yes), the generating unit 53C generates a presence/absence pattern for each day of the week for each air-conditioned space based on the presence/absence detection results, day of the week information, and holiday information stored (step S14). Note that when acquiring the presence/absence detection results for two days, the acquiring unit 53B in the CPU 53 also acquires the day of the week information and holiday information of the detection date of the presence/absence detection results for the two days, or links the day of the week information and holiday information acquired by the server device 5 to the presence/absence detection results for the two days acquired. In addition, the generating unit 53C illustrates an example of generating a presence/absence pattern for each day of the week, but it may generate two presence/absence patterns for holidays or weekdays, and can be changed as appropriate.

The generation unit 53C stores the generated presence/absence pattern in the pattern storage unit 52B (step S15). The transmission unit 53D in the CPU 53 transmits the presence/absence pattern stored in the pattern storage unit 52B to the communication adapter 3 (step S16), and the processing operation of FIG. 11 ends.

If the receiving unit 53A has not received two days' worth of presence/absence detection results for each air-conditioned space in the process of step S11 (step S11: No), the process returns to step S11. Also, if the receiving unit 53A has not stored 30 days' worth of presence/absence detection results in the process of step S13 (step S13: No), the process returns to step S11.

When the CPU 53 stores the presence/absence detection results for each air-conditioned space for 30 days from the communication adapter 3, it generates a presence/absence pattern for each day of the week that predicts the presence/absence of the user in the air-conditioned space based on the presence/absence detection results for each air-conditioned space for 30 days, the day of the week information, and the holiday information. The CPU 53 then transmits the generated presence/absence pattern to the communication adapter 3. As a result, the server device 5 can provide the communication adapter 3 with the presence/absence pattern for each day of the week to be used in the air-conditioned space.

Figure 12 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing operation of the CPU 53 of the server device 5 related to the update process for updating the presence/absence pattern. The update process is a process for updating the contents of the presence/absence pattern stored in the pattern storage unit 52B. In Figure 12, the receiving unit 53A communicates with the communication adapter 3 periodically, for example, at 0:00 every day, and determines whether or not it has received two days' worth of presence/absence detection results for each air-conditioned space from the communication adapter 3 (step S21). Note that the communication adapter 3 stores the presence/absence detection results for two days in the history memory 33A until they are obtained. When the receiving unit 53A receives two days' worth of presence/absence detection results for each air-conditioned space (step S21: Yes), it stores the received two days' worth of presence/absence detection results in the history data memory 52A of the storage unit 52 (step S22). The generating unit 53C determines whether or not six days' worth of presence/absence detection results that have not been used for generation have been stored in the history data memory 52A (step S23).

If the generation unit 53C has stored the presence/absence detection results for six days that have not been used for generation (step S23: Yes), the generation unit 53C updates the presence/absence pattern for each day of the week for each air-conditioned space based on the stored presence/absence detection results, day of the week information, and holiday information (step S24). The generation unit 53C stores the updated presence/absence pattern for each day of the week for each air-conditioned space in the pattern storage unit 52B (step S25). The transmission unit 53D transmits the presence/absence pattern for each day of the week for each air-conditioned space stored in the pattern storage unit 52B to the communication adapter 3 (step S26). The reception unit 53A then returns to the processing of step S21 to determine whether or not it has received the presence/absence detection results for two days for each air-conditioned space.

If the receiving unit 53A has not received two days' worth of presence/absence detection results in the process of step S21 (step S21: No), the process returns to step S21. Also, if the receiving unit 53A has not stored six days' worth of presence/absence detection results that have not been used for generation in the process of step S23 (step S23: No), the process returns to step S21.

After generating the presence/absence pattern, the CPU 53 updates the presence/absence pattern for each day of the week in the air-conditioned space based on the presence/absence detection results for the six days, day of the week information, and holiday information for the air-conditioned space each time it obtains six days' worth of presence/absence detection results from the communication adapter 3. The CPU 53 then transmits the updated presence/absence pattern to the communication adapter 3. As a result, the server device 5 can provide the communication adapter 3 with the latest presence/absence pattern for each day of the week to be used in the air-conditioned space.

Figure 13 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing operation of the control unit 21D of the indoor unit 21 related to the power saving process. The power saving process is a process of continuing the air conditioning operation or switching from the air conditioning operation to either the first power saving operation or the second power saving operation using the detection result of the human detection sensor 21B and the prediction result of the presence/absence prediction unit 34E. In Figure 13, the control unit 21D of the indoor unit 21 determines whether the air conditioning operation such as cooling mode, dehumidification mode, or heating mode is in progress (step S31). If the air conditioning operation is in progress (step S31: Yes), the control unit 21D determines whether the human detection sensor 21B has detected the absence of a person (step S32). The control unit 21D takes in the detection result of the human detection sensor 21B, for example, every 10 milliseconds, and is essentially always taking in the detection result of the human detection sensor 21B.

When the human detection sensor 21B detects the absence of a person (step S32: Yes), the control unit 21D extracts a prediction result of the presence or absence of a person for the first predetermined time from the current time, i.e., the time when the absence of a person is detected by the human detection sensor 21B, based on the prediction result of the presence or absence obtained from the presence or absence prediction unit 34E of the communication adapter 3 (step S34). Note that the prediction result of the presence or absence of a person for the first predetermined time from the current time is, for example, the prediction result of the presence or absence of a person in the air-conditioned space for the next 60 minutes from the current time.

Based on the extracted prediction result of the presence or absence of the person, the control unit 21D judges whether or not all the prediction results of the presence or absence of the person during the first predetermined time are absent (step S35). When all the prediction results of the presence or absence of the person during the first predetermined time are absent (step S35: Yes), the control unit 21D executes the second power saving operation (step S36) and ends the processing operation shown in FIG. 13. By determining that there is no user in the air-conditioned space and executing the second power saving operation, the control unit 21D can reduce power consumption compared to when the air conditioner 2 is performing the air conditioning operation, as well as when the air conditioner 2 is performing the first power saving operation. Note that, if the presence of a person is detected by the human detection sensor 21B while the air conditioning operation is stopped due to the second power saving operation in the processing of step S36, the second power saving operation may be stopped and the air conditioning operation that was performed before the second power saving operation may be resumed.

If all prediction results of the presence or absence of a person during the first specified time are not absence (step S35: No), the control unit 21D judges whether all prediction results of the presence or absence of a person during the first specified time are presence or absence based on the extracted prediction results of the presence or absence of a person (step S37). If all prediction results of the presence or absence of a person during the first specified time are presence (step S37: Yes), the control unit 21D judges whether the human detection sensor 21B has continuously detected the absence of a person during the second specified time from the time when the absence of a person was detected by the human detection sensor 21B in the processing of step S32 (step S38).

When the control unit 21D detects the absence of a person continuously for a second predetermined time from the time when the human detection sensor 21B detects the absence of a person (step S38: Yes), the control unit 21D returns to the processing of step S36 to execute the second power saving operation. Even if all prediction results of the presence or absence of a person during the first predetermined time are present, when the control unit 21D determines that a person is absent in the air-conditioned space based on the detection result of the human detection sensor 21B, the control unit 21D executes the second power saving operation, thereby appropriately suppressing the power consumption of the air conditioner 2. Furthermore, when the control unit 21D does not detect the absence of a person continuously for a second predetermined time from the time when the human detection sensor 21B detects the absence of a person (step S38: No), the control unit 21D ends the processing operation shown in FIG. 13 while continuing the current air conditioning operation. In this case, the control unit 21D determines that a person is present in the air-conditioned space and continues the air conditioning operation, thereby ensuring the comfort of the person in the air-conditioned space.

In addition, when all prediction results of the presence or absence of people during the first specified time are not present (step S37: No), the control unit 21D recognizes that the prediction results of the presence or absence of people during the first specified time are a mixture of presence and absence or there is no prediction result (step S39). Then, the control unit 21D executes the first power saving operation (step S40). If the prediction results of the presence or absence of people during the first specified time are a mixture of presence and absence or there is no prediction result, the control unit 21D executes the first power saving operation that does not stop the air conditioning operation, although the power saving effect is lower than that of the second power saving operation, thereby ensuring the comfort of the user while suppressing the power consumption of the air conditioner 2. Note that, if the presence of a person is detected by the human detection sensor 21B during the first power saving operation in the process of step S40, the first power saving operation may be stopped and the air conditioning operation that was performed before the first power saving operation may be resumed.

After executing the first power saving operation, the control unit 21D determines whether the human detection sensor 21B continues to detect the absence of a person for a third predetermined time from the time when the human detection sensor 21B detects the absence of a person in the processing of step S32 (step S41).

When the control unit 21D detects the continued absence of a person for a third predetermined time from the time when the human detection sensor 21B detected the absence of a user in the processing of step S32 (step S41: Yes), the control unit 21D returns to the processing of step S36 to execute the second power saving operation. Even if the processing of step S39 indicates that a person may be present, if the control unit 21D determines that no person is present in the air-conditioned space based on the detection result of the human detection sensor 21B, the control unit 21D can appropriately suppress the power consumption of the air conditioner 2 by executing the second power saving operation.

Furthermore, if the control unit 21D does not detect the absence of a person continuously for a third predetermined time from the time when the human detection sensor 21B detected the absence of a person in the processing of step S32 (step S41: No), the control unit 21D returns to the processing of step S40 and continues the first power saving operation. If the control unit 21D does not detect the absence of a person continuously for the third predetermined time, it determines that there is a possibility that a person is present in the air-conditioned space, and by continuing the first power saving operation, it is possible to ensure the comfort of the user while suppressing the power consumption of the air conditioner 2.

In addition, if the air conditioning is not in operation in the processing of step S31 (step S31: No) or if the human detection sensor 21B does not detect the absence of a person (step S32: No), the control unit 21D ends the processing operation shown in FIG. 13.

Effects of Example 1
The control unit 21D uses the detection result of the human detection sensor 21B and the prediction result of the presence/absence prediction unit 34E to switch from air conditioning operation to power saving operation, which consumes less power than air conditioning operation. As a result, for example, if the absence of a person is detected while air conditioning operation is being performed and the absence of a person is predicted from the presence/absence prediction result, it is determined that no user is present in the air-conditioned space. Then, since the air conditioning operation is switched to an appropriate power saving operation, the power saving effect of suppressing the power consumption of the air conditioner 2 can be prioritized. In other words, the air conditioner 2 performs air conditioning operation when a user is present in the air-conditioned space to achieve comfort, and performs power saving operation when the user is no longer in the air-conditioned space to improve energy efficiency.

The control unit 21D resumes the air conditioning operation if the human detection sensor 21B detects the presence of a person while the power saving operation is being performed. As a result, even while the power saving operation is being performed, if the human detection sensor 21B detects the presence of a person, the air conditioning operation will be resumed, thereby ensuring the comfort of the user in the air-conditioned space.

The control unit 21D refers to the prediction results of the presence/absence prediction unit 34E from the point when the human detection sensor 21B detects the absence of a person during air conditioning operation, and continues air conditioning operation if all prediction results indicate the presence of a person. As a result, even if the absence of a person is detected temporarily during air conditioning operation, if the prediction result of presence/absence indicates the presence of a person, it is determined that a user is present in the air-conditioned space and air conditioning operation is continued, thereby ensuring the comfort of the user in the air-conditioned space.

The control unit 21D refers to the prediction result of the presence/absence prediction unit 34E for a first predetermined time, for example 60 minutes, from the point when the human detection sensor 21B detects the absence of a person while air conditioning operation is being performed. Based on the referenced prediction result, the control unit 21D continues air conditioning operation if the prediction result for the first predetermined time indicates the presence of a person. As a result, even if the control unit 21D detects the temporary absence of a person while air conditioning operation is being performed, it determines that a user is present in the air-conditioned space for the first predetermined time and continues air conditioning operation, thereby ensuring the comfort of the user in the air-conditioned space.

The control unit 21D refers to the prediction results of the presence/absence prediction unit 34E for a first predetermined time from the time when the human detection sensor 21B detects the absence of a person during air conditioning operation. The control unit 21D switches from air conditioning operation to power saving operation when all prediction results for the first predetermined time are that no one is present, based on the referenced prediction results. For example, the control unit 21D refers to the prediction results of the presence/absence prediction unit 34E for a first predetermined time, for example, 60 minutes, from the time when the human detection sensor 21B detects the absence of a person during air conditioning operation. The control unit 21D switches from air conditioning operation to power saving operation when all prediction results are that no one is present, based on the referenced prediction results. As a result, if the absence of a person is detected during air conditioning operation and the presence/absence prediction result indicates that no one is present, the control unit 21D switches from air conditioning operation to power saving operation, so that the power saving effect can be prioritized.

The power-saving operation execution unit 21D1 refers to the prediction results of the presence/absence prediction unit 34E for a first predetermined time, for example, 60 minutes, from the time when the human detection sensor 21B detects the absence of a person during air-conditioning operation. Based on the referenced prediction results, the power-saving operation execution unit 21D1 switches from air-conditioning operation to second power-saving operation when all of the prediction results indicate the absence of a person. As a result, it is determined that no user is present in the air-conditioned space for the first predetermined time after the absence of a person is detected during air-conditioning operation, and the power-saving operation is switched from air-conditioning operation to second power-saving operation, so that power consumption can be reduced not only when the air conditioner 2 is performing air-conditioning operation, but also when the air conditioner is performing the first power-saving operation.

The power-saving operation execution unit 21D1 refers to the prediction results of the presence/absence prediction unit 34E for a first predetermined time, for example 60 minutes, while air-conditioning operation is being performed. Based on the referenced prediction results, the power-saving operation execution unit 21D1 continues air-conditioning operation if all of the prediction results indicate the presence of people. As a result, even if the absence of people is temporarily detected while air-conditioning operation is being performed, it is determined that a user is present in the air-conditioned space for the first predetermined time, and air-conditioning operation is continued, thereby ensuring the comfort of the user in the air-conditioned space.

When the power saving operation execution unit 21D1 detects that no one is present for a second predetermined time, for example, 60 minutes, from the time the human detection sensor 21B detects no one present during the air conditioning operation, the power saving operation execution unit 21D1 switches from air conditioning operation to second power saving operation. As a result, even if all of the predicted results of presence or absence during the first predetermined time indicate the presence of a person and the air conditioning operation is continued, it is determined that no user is present in the air conditioned space and the power saving operation is switched from air conditioning operation to second power saving operation, so that the power consumption of the air conditioner 2 can be appropriately suppressed.

The power-saving operation execution unit 21D1 refers to the prediction result of the presence/absence prediction unit 34E for a first predetermined time, for example 60 minutes, while air-conditioning operation is being performed. Based on the referenced prediction result, the power-saving operation execution unit 21D1 switches from air-conditioning operation to the first power-saving operation if the prediction result indicates a mixture of presence and absence of a user. As a result, if the prediction result of presence/absence for the first predetermined time after detecting absence of a user during air-conditioning operation indicates a mixture of presence and absence of a user, it is determined that there is a possibility that a user is present in the air-conditioned space. Then, by switching from air-conditioning operation to the first power-saving operation, it is possible to reduce power consumption while ensuring the comfort of the user in the air-conditioned space.

The power-saving operation execution unit 21D1 refers to the prediction results of the presence/absence prediction unit 34E for a first predetermined time, for example 60 minutes, while air-conditioning operation is being performed. If there are no prediction results to refer to, the power-saving operation execution unit 21D1 switches from air-conditioning operation to the first power-saving operation. As a result, if there are no prediction results of presence/absence for the first predetermined time after detecting absence of a person while air-conditioning operation is being performed, it is determined that there is a possibility that a user is present in the air-conditioned space. Then, by switching from air-conditioning operation to the first power-saving operation, it is possible to reduce power consumption while ensuring the comfort of the user in the air-conditioned space.

When the power saving operation execution unit 21D1 detects a continuous absence of a person for a third predetermined time, for example, 180 minutes, from the time when the human detection sensor 21B detects the absence of a person while performing the first power saving operation in response to a mixture of presence and absence of a person or no prediction result for a first predetermined time from the time when the human detection sensor 21B detects the absence of a person, the power saving operation execution unit 21D1 switches from the first power saving operation to the second power saving operation. As a result, even when the first power saving operation is being performed, that is, even when there is a possibility that a person is present, if it is determined that no person is present in the air-conditioned space based on the detection result of the human detection sensor 21B, the second power saving operation is performed, thereby making it possible to appropriately suppress the power consumption of the air conditioner 2.

<Modification of the First Embodiment>
In the communication adapter 3 of the first embodiment, a presence/absence pattern to be used for prediction is selected from among a plurality of presence/absence patterns using the presence/absence detection result, day of the week information, and holiday information, and the presence/absence of a user in the air-conditioned space is predicted using the selected presence/absence pattern. However, the server device 5 may predict the presence/absence of a user in the air-conditioned space. In this case, the server device 5 selects a presence/absence pattern to be used for prediction from a predetermined time to a predetermined time before the time when the presence/absence of a user in the air-conditioned space is predicted, from among a plurality of presence/absence patterns, using the presence/absence detection result, day of the week information, and holiday information. Then, the server device 5 predicts the presence/absence of a user in the air-conditioned space using the selected presence/absence pattern. Then, the server device 5 transmits the presence/absence prediction result to the air conditioner 2 via the communication adapter 3. As a result, the server device 5 can generate a presence/absence pattern and predict the presence/absence, thereby reducing the processing load on the communication adapter 3 side.

The presence/absence prediction unit 34E selects a presence/absence pattern to be used for prediction from among multiple presence/absence patterns, using the presence/absence detection results from a specified time to a specified time ago, day of the week information, and holiday information. The presence/absence prediction unit 34E uses the selected presence/absence pattern to predict presence/absence for a 24-hour period in the air-conditioned space, as an example. However, even if there is no holiday information, the presence/absence prediction unit 34E may select a presence/absence pattern to be used for prediction, using the presence/absence detection results from a specified time to a specified time ago, and day of the week information.

In addition, the air conditioning system 1 uses the air conditioner 2, the communication adapter 3, and the server device 5, and the generation of the presence/absence pattern is performed by the server device 5, the presence/absence prediction is performed by the communication adapter 3, and the air conditioning operation start command is performed by the indoor unit 21 of the air conditioner 2. However, the presence/absence prediction and the air conditioning operation start command may be performed by the communication adapter 3, that is, all of the processes in Figures 11 and 12 may be performed by the communication adapter 3, and modifications may be made as appropriate.

The air conditioner 2 may also be configured to generate a presence/absence pattern, predict presence/absence, and issue an instruction to start air conditioning operation, and this embodiment will be described below as Example 2. Note that the same components as in Example 1 are given the same reference numerals, and descriptions of the overlapping components and operations will be omitted.

<Air conditioner configuration>
Fig. 14 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an air conditioner 2A of Example 2. In addition to the main body 21A, the human detection sensor 21B, the light receiving unit 21C, and the control unit 21D, the indoor unit 210 in the air conditioner 2A shown in Fig. 14 has an acquisition unit 21E1, a presence/absence pattern 21F, a generation unit 21G, and a presence/absence prediction unit 21H. The acquisition unit 21E1 acquires day of the week information. The presence/absence pattern 21F is a pattern generated for each day of the week as a presence/absence pattern indicating the presence/absence of a user in the air-conditioned space.

The generation unit 21G generates the presence/absence pattern 21F using the presence/absence detection result of the human detection sensor 21B, the day of the week information, and the holiday information. When a holiday is included in the time period of the presence/absence detection result of the human detection sensor 21B, the generation unit 21G considers the time period to be the same as a holiday. In addition, among the presence/absence detection results, the presence/absence detection result of "indefinite" is not used for the presence/absence pattern 21F. The presence/absence prediction unit 21H selects a presence/absence pattern to be used for prediction from the multiple presence/absence patterns 21F using the presence/absence detection result from a specified time, which is the time when the presence/absence of the user is predicted, to a specified time before. Furthermore, the presence/absence prediction unit 21H predicts the presence/absence of the user in the air-conditioned space using the selected presence/absence pattern. The control unit 21D switches from air-conditioning operation to power-saving operation, which consumes less power than air-conditioning operation, using the detection result of the human detection sensor 21B and the prediction result of the presence/absence prediction unit 21H described later. The power-saving operation execution unit 21D1 in the control unit 21D switches from air-conditioning operation to either the first power-saving operation or the second power-saving operation based on the length of time that the user will be absent, which is obtained from the prediction result of the presence/absence prediction unit 21H.

The generation unit 21G generates the presence/absence pattern 21F using the presence/absence detection results detected by the human detection sensor 21B over a first predetermined period, for example, 30 days. The generation unit 21G stores the presence/absence detection results of the human detection sensor 21B in a storage unit (not shown) without going through the communication adapter 3, and executes the generation process shown in FIG. 11 to generate or update the presence/absence pattern 21F using the stored presence/absence detection results.

The presence/absence prediction unit 21H uses the selected presence/absence pattern to predict the presence/absence of a user in the air-conditioned space at a specified time, for example, 8:00 or 20:00 every day, for a second specified period from the specified time, for example, up to 24 hours later. The presence/absence prediction unit 21H predicts the presence/absence of a user in the air-conditioned space for a third specified period, for example, every 10 minutes. If the predicted time period includes a public holiday, the presence/absence prediction unit 21H treats the time period as the same as a public holiday and predicts the presence/absence in the air-conditioned space for 24 hours. In addition, the presence/absence prediction unit 21H excludes "indeterminate" presence/absence detection results from the human detection sensor 21B used when predicting the presence/absence of a user in the air-conditioned space.

The power saving operation execution unit 21D1 continues air conditioning operation or switches from air conditioning operation to either the first power saving operation or the second power saving operation based on the detection result of the human detection sensor 21B and the prediction result of the presence/absence prediction unit 21H.

The power-saving operation execution unit 21D1 refers to the prediction results of the presence/absence prediction unit 21H for a first predetermined time, for example, 60 minutes, from the point in time when the human detection sensor 21B detects the absence of a person during air-conditioning operation. If all of the prediction results indicate the absence of a person based on the referenced prediction results, the power-saving operation execution unit 21D1 determines that no user is present in the air-conditioned space for the first predetermined time, and switches from air-conditioning operation to second power-saving operation.

The power saving operation execution unit 21D1 refers to the prediction results of the presence/absence prediction unit 21H for a first predetermined time from the time when the human detection sensor 21B detects the absence of a person during air conditioning operation, and if all of the prediction results indicate the presence of a person, it determines that a user is present in the air conditioned space for the first predetermined time, and continues air conditioning operation without switching to power saving operation.

When the power-saving operation execution unit 21D1 continues air-conditioning operation in response to all prediction results indicating the presence of a person after the human detection sensor 21B detects the absence of a person, if the human detection sensor 21B detects the absence of a person and continues to detect the absence of a person for a second predetermined time from the time the absence was detected, the power-saving operation execution unit 21D1 determines that a user is absent from the air-conditioned space. Then, the power-saving operation execution unit 21D1 switches from air-conditioning operation to the second power-saving operation.

The power saving operation execution unit 21D1 refers to the prediction result of the presence/absence prediction unit 21H for a first predetermined time from the time when the human detection sensor 21B detects the absence of a person during air conditioning operation, and if the prediction result indicates a mixture of the presence and absence of a person, it determines that there is a possibility that a user is present in the air-conditioned space for the first predetermined time, and switches from air conditioning operation to a first power saving operation.

The power saving operation execution unit 21D1 refers to the prediction result of the presence/absence prediction unit 21H for a first predetermined time from the time when the human detection sensor 21B detects the absence of a person during air conditioning operation, and, for example, even if there is no prediction result in the presence/absence prediction unit 34E while a presence/absence pattern described below is being generated, it determines that there is a possibility that a user is present in the air conditioned space and switches from air conditioning operation to the first power saving operation.

When the power-saving operation execution unit 21D1 is executing the first power-saving operation in response to a mixture of the presence and absence of people in the prediction result after the human detection sensor 21B detects the absence of a person, or in response to the absence of a prediction result in the presence/absence prediction unit 21H, if the human detection sensor 21B detects the absence of a person and the absence of a person is continuously detected for a third predetermined time, for example, 180 minutes, from the time the absence was detected, the power-saving operation execution unit 21D1 determines that a user is absent from the air-conditioned space. Then, the power-saving operation execution unit 21D1 switches from the first power-saving operation to the second power-saving operation.

Effects of Example 2
The air conditioner 2A of the second embodiment continues the air conditioning operation, or switches from the air conditioning operation to the power saving operation, which consumes less power than the air conditioning operation, using the detection result of the human detection sensor 21B and the prediction result of the presence/absence prediction unit 21H. As a result, for example, when the absence of a person is detected during the air conditioning operation and the prediction result of the presence/absence during the first predetermined time from the time when the absence of a person is detected includes the absence of a person, it is determined that there is no person in the air conditioned space during the first predetermined time, or that there is a time period during which no person will be in the air conditioned space during the first predetermined time. Then, the air conditioning operation is switched to an appropriate power saving operation according to the predicted absence time of the person, so that power consumption can be reduced while ensuring the comfort of the user.

In addition, the control unit 21D of the indoor unit 21 in the air conditioner 2 in Example 1 has been exemplified as switching from air conditioning operation to power saving operation based on the detection result of the human detection sensor 21B and the prediction result of the presence/absence prediction unit 34E. However, even if there is no detection result from the human detection sensor 21B, the control unit 21D may switch from air conditioning operation to power saving operation based on the prediction result of the presence/absence prediction unit 34E, and an embodiment of this will be described below as Example 3.

Figure 15 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an air conditioner 2B of Example 3. Note that the same components as those of the air conditioner 2 of Example 1 are given the same reference numerals, and explanations of the overlapping components and operations are omitted. The power-saving operation execution unit 21D2 in the control unit 21D of the indoor unit 21 shown in Figure 15 switches from air-conditioning operation to power-saving operation using presence/absence information indicating the presence or absence of a user in the air-conditioned space. Specifically, the power-saving operation execution unit 21D2 periodically, for example, every 10 minutes, refers to the prediction result of the presence/absence prediction unit 34E, and switches from air-conditioning operation to power-saving operation based on the prediction result.

The power-saving operation execution unit 21D2 refers to the prediction results of the presence/absence prediction unit 34E for a first predetermined time, for example, 60 minutes, while air-conditioning operation is being performed. Based on the referenced prediction results, if all of the prediction results indicate that no one is present, the power-saving operation execution unit 21D2 determines that no user is present in the air-conditioned space for the first predetermined time, and switches from air-conditioning operation to second power-saving operation.

The power saving operation execution unit 21D2 refers to the prediction results of the presence/absence prediction unit 34E for a first predetermined time while air conditioning operation is being performed, and if all of the prediction results indicate the presence of a person, it determines that a user is present in the air conditioned space for the first predetermined time, and continues air conditioning operation without switching to power saving operation.

The power saving operation execution unit 21D2 refers to the prediction result of the presence/absence prediction unit 34E for a first specified time while air conditioning operation is being performed, and if the prediction result indicates a mixture of people being present and not being present, it determines that there is a possibility that a user may be present in the air-conditioned space for the first specified time, and switches from air conditioning operation to a first power saving operation.

The power saving operation execution unit 21D2 refers to the prediction result of the presence/absence prediction unit 34E for a first predetermined time while air conditioning operation is being performed, and, for example, even if there is no prediction result in the presence/absence prediction unit 34E while a presence/absence pattern described below is being generated, determines that there is a possibility that a user is present in the air-conditioned space for the first predetermined time, and switches from air conditioning operation to first power saving operation.

Figure 16 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing operation of the control unit 21D of the indoor unit 21 related to the second power saving process. The second power saving process is a process of continuing the air conditioning operation or switching from the air conditioning operation to either the first power saving operation or the second power saving operation using the prediction result of the presence/absence prediction unit 34E. The control unit 21D executes the second power saving process shown in Figure 16 periodically, for example, every 10 minutes. In Figure 16, the control unit 21D of the indoor unit 21 determines whether the air conditioning operation is in progress, for example, in cooling mode, dehumidification mode, heating mode, etc. (step S51). If the control unit 21D is in air conditioning operation (step S51: Yes), it extracts the prediction result of the presence/absence of a person from the current time to the first predetermined time based on the prediction result of the presence/absence obtained from the presence/absence prediction unit 34E of the communication adapter 3 (step S53). The predicted result of the presence or absence of people from the current time to the first specified time is, for example, the predicted result of the presence or absence of people in the air-conditioned space from the current time up to 60 minutes into the future.

Based on the extracted prediction result of the presence or absence of the person, the control unit 21D judges whether or not all the prediction results of the presence or absence of the person during the first predetermined time are absent (step S54). When all the prediction results of the presence or absence of the person during the first predetermined time are absent (step S54: Yes), the control unit 21D executes the second power saving operation (step S55) and ends the processing operation shown in FIG. 15. The control unit 21D determines that there is no user in the air-conditioned space and executes the second power saving operation, thereby reducing power consumption compared to when the air conditioner 2B is performing the air conditioning operation, as well as when the air conditioner 2B is performing the first power saving operation. Note that, if the presence of a person is predicted based on the prediction result of the presence or absence of the person while the air conditioning operation is stopped by the second power saving operation in the processing of step S55, the second power saving operation may be stopped and the air conditioning operation that was performed before the second power saving operation may be resumed.

When all prediction results of the presence or absence of people during the first specified time are not absent (step S54: No), the control unit 21D determines whether all prediction results of the presence or absence of people during the first specified time are present or not based on the extracted prediction results of the presence or absence of people (step S56). When all prediction results of the presence or absence of people during the first specified time are present (step S56: Yes), the control unit 21D continues the current air conditioning operation and ends the processing operation shown in FIG. 15. In this case, the control unit 21D determines that people are present in the air-conditioned space and continues the air conditioning operation, thereby ensuring the comfort of people in the air-conditioned space.

In addition, when all prediction results of the presence or absence of people during the first predetermined time are not present (step S56: No), the control unit 21D recognizes that the prediction results of the presence or absence of people during the first predetermined time are a mixture of presence and absence or there is no prediction result (step S57). The control unit 21D executes the first power saving operation (step S58). When the prediction results of the presence or absence of people during the first predetermined time are a mixture of presence and absence or there is no prediction result, the control unit 21D executes the first power saving operation that does not stop the air conditioning operation, although the power saving effect is lower than that of the second power saving operation, so that the comfort of the user can be ensured while suppressing the power consumption of the air conditioner 2B. Note that, if the presence of a person is predicted based on the prediction results of the presence or absence of people during the first power saving operation is performed in the process of step S58, the first power saving operation may be stopped and the air conditioning operation that was performed before the first power saving operation may be resumed.

After executing the first power saving operation, the control unit 21D determines whether the set temperature has reached the threshold temperature (step S59). The threshold temperature is, for example, a maximum shift temperature that differs for each operation mode. If the set temperature has reached the threshold temperature (step S59: Yes), the control unit 21D returns to the processing of step S55 to execute a second power saving operation that stops the air conditioning operation. As a result, the control unit 21D determines that no one is present in the air-conditioned space, and executes the second power saving operation, thereby reducing power consumption by the air conditioner 2.

If the set temperature has not reached the threshold temperature (step S59: No), the control unit 21D returns to the processing of step S58 to continue the first power saving operation in which the set temperature is shifted stepwise. As a result, the control unit 21D determines that there is a possibility that a person is present in the air-conditioned space, and by continuing the first power saving operation, it is possible to reduce the power consumption of the air conditioner 2 while ensuring the comfort of the user in the air-conditioned space.

If the air conditioning is not in operation (step S51: No), the control unit 21D ends the processing operation shown in FIG. 15.

<Effects of Example 3>
The control unit 21D uses the prediction result of the presence/absence prediction unit 34E to switch from air-conditioning operation to power-saving operation, which consumes less power than air-conditioning operation. As a result, for example, if it predicts that no one is present based on the presence/absence prediction result while air-conditioning operation is being performed, it determines that no user is present in the air-conditioned space and switches from air-conditioning operation to appropriate power-saving operation, so that the power-saving effect of suppressing power consumption of the air conditioner 2 can be prioritized. In other words, the air conditioner 2B can achieve comfort by performing air-conditioning operation when a user is present in the air-conditioned space, and can perform power-saving operation when the user is no longer in the air-conditioned space, thereby improving energy efficiency.

The control unit 21D refers to the prediction results of the presence/absence prediction unit 34E for a predetermined time from the current time, for example 60 minutes, while air conditioning operation is being performed, and continues air conditioning operation if all prediction results indicate the presence of a person. As a result, if the prediction results of presence/absence for a predetermined time while air conditioning operation is being performed indicate the presence of a person, it is determined that a user is present in the air-conditioned space for the predetermined time, and air conditioning operation is continued, thereby ensuring the comfort of the user in the air-conditioned space.

The control unit 21D refers to the prediction results of the presence/absence prediction unit 34E for a predetermined time from the current time, for example 60 minutes, while air conditioning operation is being performed, and switches from air conditioning operation to power saving operation if all prediction results for the predetermined time show that no one is present. As a result, if the prediction results for presence/absence for the predetermined time from the current time show that no one is present while air conditioning operation is being performed, the operation switches from air conditioning operation to power saving operation, so that the power saving effect can be prioritized.

The power-saving operation execution unit 21D2 refers to the prediction results of the presence/absence prediction unit 34E for a first specified time from the current time, for example 60 minutes, while air-conditioning operation is being performed, and switches from air-conditioning operation to the second power-saving operation if all of the prediction results indicate that no one is present. As a result, if the prediction results of presence/absence from the current time to the first specified time while air-conditioning operation is being performed indicate that no one is present, it is determined that no user is present in the air-conditioned space, and the power-saving operation is switched from air-conditioning operation to the second power-saving operation, thereby prioritizing the power-saving effect.

The power saving operation execution unit 21D2 refers to the prediction results of the presence/absence prediction unit 34E for a first specified time from the current time, for example 60 minutes, while air conditioning operation is being performed, and continues air conditioning operation if all of the prediction results indicate the presence of a person. As a result, if the prediction results of presence/absence from the current time to the first specified time while air conditioning operation is being performed indicate the presence of a person, it is determined that a user is present in the air conditioned space and air conditioning operation is continued, thereby ensuring the comfort of the user in the air conditioned space.

The power saving operation execution unit 21D2 refers to the prediction result of the presence/absence prediction unit 34E for a first specified time from the current time, for example 60 minutes, while air conditioning operation is being performed, and switches from air conditioning operation to the first power saving operation if the prediction result indicates a mixture of people being present and not being present. As a result, if the prediction result of presence/absence from the current time to the first specified time while air conditioning operation is being performed indicates a mixture of people being present and not present, it determines that there is a possibility that a user is present in the air conditioned space. Then, by switching from air conditioning operation to the first power saving operation, it is possible to reduce power consumption while ensuring the comfort of the user in the air conditioned space.

The power saving operation execution unit 21D2 refers to the prediction result of the presence/absence prediction unit 34E for a first specified time from the current time, for example 60 minutes, while air conditioning operation is being performed, and switches from air conditioning operation to the first power saving operation if there is no such prediction result. As a result, if there is no presence/absence prediction result from the current time to the first specified time while air conditioning operation is being performed, it determines that there is a possibility that a user is present in the air conditioned space. Then, by switching from air conditioning operation to the first power saving operation, it is possible to reduce power consumption while ensuring the comfort of the user in the air conditioned space.

The control unit 21D of the indoor unit 21 in the air conditioner 2 in Example 1 switches from air conditioning operation to power saving operation based on the detection result of the human detection sensor 21B and the prediction result of the presence/absence prediction unit 34E. However, instead of generating or updating the presence/absence pattern for each day of the week for each air-conditioned space based on the presence/absence detection result, day of the week information, and holiday information as in Example 1, the generation unit 53C of the server device 5 may statistically process the detection results for each past date and time of the human detection sensor 21B, for example, by storing the probability of the user being absent in any time period of a day in association with that time period to obtain the presence/absence pattern of the user for each day of the week (hereinafter, may be referred to as a statistical pattern), and switch from air conditioning operation to power saving operation using the obtained presence/absence pattern for each day of the week, and an embodiment of this will be described below as Example 4.

Figure 17 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an air conditioner 2C of Example 4. Note that the same components as those of the air conditioner 2 of Example 1 are given the same reference numerals, and the description of the overlapping components and operations is omitted. The power-saving operation execution unit 21D3 in the control unit 21D of the indoor unit 21 shown in Figure 17 switches from air-conditioning operation to power-saving operation using presence/absence information indicating the presence or absence of a person in the air-conditioned space. Specifically, the power-saving operation execution unit 21D3 switches from air-conditioning operation to power-saving operation based on a statistical pattern indicating the presence or absence of a person in the air-conditioned space. For example, as described above, the statistical pattern is obtained for each day of the week by storing the probability of a user being absent in any time period of a day in association with that time period. The power-saving operation execution unit 21D3 periodically, for example, every 10 minutes, refers to the statistical pattern corresponding to the current day of the week, and predicts the presence or absence of a person in the air-conditioned space based on the referred statistical pattern.

The power-saving operation execution unit 21D3 refers to the statistical pattern for a first predetermined time, for example, 60 minutes, from the current time while air-conditioning operation is being performed, and predicts the presence or absence of people from the statistical pattern. If all prediction results show that no people are present, the power-saving operation execution unit 21D3 determines that no users are present in the air-conditioned space for the first predetermined time, and switches from air-conditioning operation to second power-saving operation.

The power-saving operation execution unit 21D3 refers to the statistical pattern for a first predetermined time, for example, 60 minutes, from the current time while air-conditioning operation is being performed, and predicts the presence or absence of people from the statistical pattern. If all prediction results indicate the presence of people, the power-saving operation execution unit 21D3 determines that a user is present in the air-conditioned space for the first predetermined time, and continues air-conditioning operation without switching to power-saving operation.

The power-saving operation execution unit 21D3 refers to the statistical pattern for a first predetermined time, for example, 60 minutes, from the current time while air-conditioning operation is being performed, and predicts the presence or absence of people from the statistical pattern. When the prediction result indicates a mixture of people's presence and absence, the power-saving operation execution unit 21D3 determines that there is a possibility that a user may be present in the air-conditioned space during the first predetermined time, and switches from air-conditioning operation to first power-saving operation.

The power-saving operation execution unit 21D3 refers to the statistical pattern for a first predetermined time, for example, 60 minutes, from the current time while air-conditioning operation is being performed, and predicts the presence or absence of a person from the statistical pattern. If there is no prediction result, the power-saving operation execution unit 21D3 determines that there is a possibility that a user is present in the air-conditioned space during the first predetermined time, and switches from air-conditioning operation to first power-saving operation.

Figure 18 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing operation of the control unit 21D of the indoor unit 21 related to the third power saving process. The third power saving process is a process of continuing the air conditioning operation or switching from the air conditioning operation to either the first power saving operation or the second power saving operation using the prediction result of the presence or absence of a person in the air-conditioned space of the statistical pattern for the current day of the week. The control unit 21D executes the third power saving process shown in Figure 18 periodically, for example, every 10 minutes. In Figure 18, the control unit 21D of the indoor unit 21 determines whether or not the air conditioning operation is in progress, for example, in the cooling mode, the dehumidification mode, or the heating mode (step S61). If the air conditioning operation is in progress (step S61: Yes), the control unit 21D selects a statistical pattern of presence or absence corresponding to the current day of the week (step S62). The control unit 21D acquires a prediction result of the presence or absence of a person from the current time to the first predetermined time based on the selected statistical pattern (step S63). The predicted result of whether people are present or absent from the current time to the first specified time is, for example, the predicted result of whether people are present or absent in the air-conditioned space from the current time up to 60 minutes into the future.

Based on the acquired prediction result of the presence or absence of a person, the control unit 21D determines whether or not all the prediction results of the presence or absence of a person during the first predetermined time are absent (step S64). When all the prediction results of the presence or absence of a person during the first predetermined time are absent (step S64: Yes), the control unit 21D executes the second power saving operation (step S65) and ends the processing operation shown in FIG. 18. The control unit 21D determines that there is no user in the air-conditioned space and executes the second power saving operation, thereby reducing power consumption compared to when the air conditioner 2C is performing the air conditioning operation, as well as when the air conditioner 2C is performing the first power saving operation. Note that, if the presence of a person is predicted based on the prediction result of the presence or absence of a person while the air conditioning operation is stopped by the second power saving operation in the processing of step S65, the second power saving operation may be stopped and the air conditioning operation that was performed before the second power saving operation may be resumed.

When all prediction results of the presence or absence of people during the first specified time are not absent (step S64: No), the control unit 21D determines whether all prediction results of the presence or absence of people during the first specified time are present or not based on the obtained prediction results of the presence or absence of people (step S66). When all prediction results of the presence or absence of people during the first specified time are present (step S66: Yes), the control unit 21D continues the current air conditioning operation and ends the processing operation shown in FIG. 18. In this case, the control unit 21D determines that people are present in the air-conditioned space and continues the air conditioning operation, thereby ensuring the comfort of people in the air-conditioned space.

In addition, when all prediction results of the presence or absence of people during the first specified time are not present (step S66: No), the control unit 21D recognizes that the prediction results of the presence or absence of people during the first specified time are a mixture of presence and absence, or there is no prediction result (step S67). The control unit 21D executes the first power saving operation (step S68). When the prediction results of the presence or absence of people during the first specified time are a mixture of presence and absence, or there is no prediction result, the control unit 21D determines that a user may be present in the air-conditioned space, and executes the first power saving operation that does not stop the air conditioning operation, although the power saving effect is lower than that of the second power saving operation, thereby suppressing the power consumption of the air conditioner 2B while ensuring the comfort of the user. Note that, if the presence of a person is predicted based on the prediction results of the presence or absence of people during the first power saving operation in the process of step S68, the first power saving operation may be stopped and the air conditioning operation that was performed before the first power saving operation may be resumed.

After executing the first power saving operation, the control unit 21D determines whether the set temperature has reached the threshold temperature (step S69). The threshold temperature is, for example, a maximum shift temperature that differs for each operation mode. If the set temperature has reached the threshold temperature (step S69: Yes), the control unit 21D returns to the processing of step S65 to execute a second power saving operation that stops the air conditioning operation. As a result, the control unit 21D determines that no user is present in the air-conditioned space, and executes the second power saving operation, thereby reducing power consumption by the air conditioner 2.

If the set temperature has not reached the threshold temperature (step S69: No), the control unit 21D returns to the process of step S68 to continue the first power saving operation in which the set temperature is shifted stepwise. As a result, the control unit 21D determines that there is a possibility that a person is present in the air-conditioned space, and by continuing the first power saving operation, it is possible to reduce the power consumption of the air conditioner 2 while ensuring the comfort of the user in the air-conditioned space.

In addition, if the air conditioning is not in operation (step S61: No), the control unit 21D ends the processing operation shown in FIG. 18.

<Effects of Example 4>
The control unit 21D uses the prediction result of presence/absence based on the statistical pattern of presence/absence to switch from air-conditioning operation to power-saving operation, which consumes less power than air-conditioning operation. As a result, for example, if the absence of a person is predicted from the prediction result of presence/absence while air-conditioning operation is being performed, it is determined that no user is present in the air-conditioned space, and the control unit 21D switches from air-conditioning operation to appropriate power-saving operation, so that the power-saving effect of suppressing the power consumption of the air conditioner 2C can be prioritized. In other words, the air conditioner 2C performs air-conditioning operation when a user is present in the air-conditioned space to achieve comfort, and performs power-saving operation when the user is no longer in the air-conditioned space to improve energy efficiency.

The control unit 21D refers to the statistical pattern of presence/absence for a predetermined time, for example 60 minutes, from the current time while air conditioning operation is in progress, and predicts the presence or absence of people from the statistical pattern. The control unit 21D continues air conditioning operation if all prediction results indicate the presence of people. As a result, if the prediction result of presence/absence for a predetermined time while air conditioning operation is in progress indicates the presence of a person, it is determined that a user is present in the air-conditioned space for the predetermined time, and air conditioning operation is continued, thereby ensuring the comfort of the user in the air-conditioned space.

The control unit 21D refers to the statistical pattern of presence/absence for a predetermined time from the current time, for example 60 minutes, while air conditioning operation is being performed, and predicts the presence/absence of people from the statistical pattern. If all prediction results for the predetermined time show that no one is present, the control unit 21D switches from air conditioning operation to power saving operation. As a result, if the prediction result of presence/absence for a predetermined time from the current time while air conditioning operation is being performed shows that no one is present, the control unit 21D switches from air conditioning operation to power saving operation, so that the power saving effect can be prioritized.

The power-saving operation execution unit 21D3 refers to the statistical pattern for a first specified time from the current time, for example 60 minutes, while air-conditioning operation is being performed, and predicts the presence or absence of people from the statistical pattern. If all of the prediction results show that no people are present, the power-saving operation execution unit 21D3 switches from air-conditioning operation to second power-saving operation. As a result, if the prediction result of presence or absence from the current time to the first specified time while air-conditioning operation is being performed shows that no people are present, it is determined that no user is present in the air-conditioned space, and the unit switches from air-conditioning operation to second power-saving operation, thereby prioritizing the power-saving effect.

The power-saving operation execution unit 21D3 refers to the statistical pattern for a first specified time from the current time, for example 60 minutes, while air-conditioning operation is being performed, and predicts the presence or absence of people from the statistical pattern. The power-saving operation execution unit 21D3 continues air-conditioning operation if all of the prediction results indicate the presence of people. As a result, if the prediction results of presence or absence from the current time to the first specified time while air-conditioning operation is being performed indicate the presence of a person, it is determined that a user is present in the air-conditioned space and air-conditioning operation is continued, thereby ensuring the comfort of the user in the air-conditioned space.

The power-saving operation execution unit 21D3 refers to a statistical pattern for a first specified time from the current time, for example 60 minutes, while air-conditioning operation is being performed, and predicts the presence or absence of people from the statistical pattern. If the prediction result indicates a mixture of people being present and absent, the power-saving operation execution unit 21D3 switches from air-conditioning operation to the first power-saving operation. As a result, if the prediction result of presence or absence from the current time to the first specified time while air-conditioning operation is being performed indicates a mixture of people being present and absent, it is determined that there is also a possibility that a user is present in the air-conditioned space. Then, by switching from air-conditioning operation to the first power-saving operation, it is possible to reduce power consumption while ensuring the comfort of the user in the air-conditioned space.

The power-saving operation execution unit 21D3 refers to the statistical pattern for a first predetermined time from the current time, for example 60 minutes, while air-conditioning operation is being performed, and predicts the presence or absence of people from the statistical pattern. If there is no such prediction result, the power-saving operation execution unit 21D3 switches from air-conditioning operation to the first power-saving operation. As a result, if there is no prediction result of presence or absence from the current time to the first predetermined time while air-conditioning operation is being performed, it determines that there is a possibility that a user is present in the air-conditioned space. Then, by switching from air-conditioning operation to the first power-saving operation, it is possible to reduce power consumption while ensuring the comfort of the user in the air-conditioned space.

<Modifications of the embodiment>
The predetermined time, the first predetermined time, the second predetermined time, and the third predetermined time in the first to fourth embodiments can be changed as appropriate.

In the first embodiment, the control unit 21D of the indoor unit 21 switches from air conditioning operation to power saving operation based on the detection result of the human detection sensor 21B and the prediction result of the presence/absence prediction unit 34E. However, the control unit 21D may also switch from air conditioning operation to power saving operation based on the date and time of the user's presence or absence in the air-conditioned space set by the user or the date and time of the user's presence or absence set on a web calendar, and this can be changed as appropriate.

Furthermore, each component of each part shown in the figure does not necessarily have to be physically configured as shown in the figure. In other words, the specific form of distribution and integration of each part is not limited to that shown in the figure, and all or part of them can be functionally or physically distributed and integrated in any unit depending on various loads, usage conditions, etc.

Furthermore, the various processing functions performed by each device may be executed in whole or in part on a CPU (Central Processing Unit) (or a microcomputer such as an MPU (Micro Processing Unit) or MCU (Micro Controller Unit)). Needless to say, the various processing functions may be executed in whole or in part on a program that is analyzed and executed by a CPU (or a microcomputer such as an MPU or MCU), or on hardware using wired logic.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Air conditioning system 2, 2A Air conditioner 3 Communication adapter 5 Server device 21, 210 Indoor unit 21B Human detection sensor 21D Control unit 21D1, 21D2, 21D3 Power saving operation execution unit 21F Presence/absence pattern 21G Generation unit 21H Presence/absence prediction unit 34E Presence/absence prediction unit

Claims (11)

a presence/absence prediction unit that predicts the presence or absence of a user in the air-conditioned space during a specified time period ;
A human detection sensor that detects the presence or absence of the user in the air-conditioned space;
a storage unit configured to store presence/absence prediction information indicating the presence/absence of the user during the specified time period as a result of the prediction of the presence/absence of the user by the presence/absence prediction unit;
a control unit that uses the presence /absence prediction information to switch from an air-conditioning operation to a power-saving operation that consumes less power than the air-conditioning operation,
The control unit is
This air conditioner is characterized in that it references from the memory unit the presence/absence prediction information for a predetermined time period from the time when the human detection sensor detects the absence of the user in the air-conditioned space, and switches from the air conditioning operation to the power saving operation as either a first power saving operation which prioritizes the comfort of the user or a second power saving operation which prioritizes power saving effect based on the length of time the user will be absent within the referenced presence/absence prediction information for the predetermined time period. The power saving operation is
the first power saving operation in which the set temperature of the air conditioning operation before switching to the power saving operation is changed and the power consumption is smaller than the power consumption of the air conditioning operation before switching to the power saving operation;
the second power saving operation in which the air conditioning operation is stopped;
2. The air conditioner according to claim 1, further comprising: The control unit is
a presence /absence prediction unit that predicts the presence/absence of the user in the air-conditioned space during a predetermined time period using a plurality of presence/absence patterns that indicate a tendency of the user to be present or absent in the air-conditioned space;
a power-saving operation execution unit that refers to the presence/absence prediction information for a predetermined time period from the time point when the absence of the user in the air-conditioned space is detected by the human detection sensor during execution of the air-conditioning operation in the storage unit, and switches from the air-conditioning operation to either the first power-saving operation or the second power-saving operation based on the length of time during which the user will be absent in the presence/absence prediction information for the predetermined time period that has been referred to;
3. The air conditioner according to claim 2, further comprising: The power saving operation execution unit is
The air conditioner of claim 3, characterized in that the presence /absence prediction information for a first predetermined time from the point at which the human detection sensor detects the absence of the user during the air conditioning operation is referenced from the memory unit, and if the presence/absence prediction information for the referenced first predetermined time indicates that the user is absent, the air conditioning operation is switched to the second power saving operation. The power saving operation execution unit is
The air conditioner described in claim 4, characterized in that the presence /absence prediction information for the first specified time period is referenced from the memory unit while the air conditioning operation is being performed, and if the presence/absence prediction information for the first specified time period referenced indicates the presence of the user , the air conditioning operation is continued. The power saving operation execution unit is
The air conditioner according to claim 5, characterized in that, when the air conditioning operation is continued, if the human detection sensor detects the continued absence of the user for a second predetermined time from the time when it detects the absence of the user , the air conditioning operation is switched to the second power saving operation. The power saving operation execution unit is
The air conditioner of claim 4, characterized in that the presence /absence prediction information for the first specified time period is referenced from the memory unit while the air conditioning operation is being performed, and if the presence/absence prediction information for the first specified time period referenced indicates a mixture of the user 's presence and absence, the air conditioning operation is switched to the first power saving operation. The power saving operation execution unit is
The air conditioner according to claim 7, characterized in that if the human detection sensor detects the continued absence of the user for a third predetermined time from the point at which the human detection sensor detects the absence of the user while the first power saving operation is being performed, the air conditioner switches from the first power saving operation to the second power saving operation . An air conditioning system having an air conditioner equipped with a human detection sensor that detects the presence or absence of a user in an air-conditioned space, a server device that generates a plurality of presence/absence patterns that are generated using past detection results of the human detection sensor and indicate a tendency of the presence or absence of the user in the air-conditioned space, and a communication adapter that communicates between the air conditioner and the server device,
The air conditioning system includes:
a presence/absence prediction unit that selects one presence/absence pattern from the plurality of presence/absence patterns using a current detection result of the human detection sensor, and predicts the presence/absence of the user in the air-conditioned space during a predetermined time period using the selected presence/absence pattern;
a storage unit configured to store presence/absence prediction information indicating the presence/absence of the user during the specified time period as a result of the prediction of the presence/absence of the user by the presence/absence prediction unit;
a control unit which references from the memory unit the presence/absence prediction information for a predetermined time period from the time when the human detection sensor detects the absence of the user in the air-conditioned space, and switches from the air-conditioning operation to one of a first power-saving operation which prioritizes the comfort of the user and a second power-saving operation which prioritizes power-saving effect , as power-saving operation which consumes less power than the air-conditioning operation, based on the length of time during which the user will be absent in the referenced presence/absence prediction information for the predetermined time period;
An air conditioning system comprising: The presence/absence prediction unit
The server device includes:
The control unit is
The air conditioning system according to claim 9 , characterized in that the air conditioning system is provided inside the air conditioner. The presence/absence prediction unit
provided in the communication adapter,
The control unit is
The air conditioning system according to claim 9 , characterized in that the air conditioning system is provided inside the air conditioner.

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