JP7693491B2 - Control device, air conditioning system, air conditioner control method and program - Google Patents

Description

This disclosure relates to a control device, an air conditioning system, an air conditioner control method, and a program.

Home air conditioners generally allow you to set an on timer (also called an on timer setting) and an off timer (also called an off timer setting), and you can have the air conditioning start or stop automatically after the set time has elapsed.

For example, if the air conditioner is left running during bedtime in the summer, the user will wake up feeling chilly due to the excessive cooling, which will disrupt their sleep and force them to turn off the air conditioner. However, by setting the off timer before going to bed, it is possible to prevent the quality of sleep from being reduced by the excessive air conditioning.

However, after the air conditioning is automatically stopped, the user may wake up due to the rise in room temperature and find it difficult to sleep, which may require the user to manually restart the air conditioner.

In response to the above problem, Patent Document 1 focuses on the fact that the timing for restarting an air conditioner after the off timer has expired varies from person to person, and describes a technology that sets automatic start conditions according to the user and automatically starts the air conditioner so that the user can get a comfortable sleep.

In the technology described in Patent Document 1, the air conditioner stores the time from when the off timer ends until manual restart as the automatic start time, and stores the room temperature at the time of manual restart as the automatic start temperature. Automatic start is performed when the automatic start time has elapsed since the off timer ends and the room temperature has reached the automatic start temperature.

JP 2007-155166 A

However, with the technology of Patent Document 1, even if the room temperature becomes higher than the automatic start-up temperature in summer, for example, the automatic start-up does not occur until the automatic start-up time has elapsed, so there are quite a few cases where the user is forced to restart the device manually. In addition, since the room temperature at the time when the user cannot bear it any longer and restarts the device manually is used as the automatic start-up temperature, there is a problem that a decrease in the quality of the user's sleep is unavoidable, even if the automatic start-up occurs immediately after the room temperature reaches the automatic start-up temperature.

This disclosure has been made to solve the above problems, and aims to provide a control device etc. that can start an air conditioner at the appropriate time.

In order to achieve the above object, the control device according to the present disclosure includes:
an air conditioning data acquisition means for periodically acquiring air conditioning data related to air conditioning from an air conditioner;
A data storage means for storing the acquired air conditioning data;
a determination data setting means for setting, when the air conditioner is started by a user operation after the air conditioner has stopped operating, air conditioning data acquired a predetermined time before the user operation as determination data;
a start necessity determination means for determining whether or not the air conditioner needs to be started based on the determination data;
and a start command means for commanding the air conditioner to start up when it is determined that the air conditioner needs to be started.

This disclosure makes it possible to start the air conditioner at the appropriate time.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of an air conditioning system according to a first embodiment. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a server according to a first embodiment. FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an overview of an air conditioner according to a first embodiment; FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration of an air conditioner according to the first embodiment. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a user terminal according to a first embodiment. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a server and a user terminal according to a first embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a setting screen according to the first embodiment. 1 is a flowchart showing a procedure for a restart operation determination process according to the first embodiment. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the contents of air conditioning data managed in an air conditioning data management DB in the first embodiment. 1 is a flowchart showing a procedure for a process for determining whether or not activation is required according to the first embodiment. 1 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a threshold setting process according to the first embodiment. FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining threshold candidate values according to the first embodiment; FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a notification screen according to the first embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining thresholds for each time period in a modification of the first embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a threshold derivation method according to a modification of the first embodiment. 1 is a flowchart showing a procedure for estimating a wake-up time according to a modification of the first embodiment. FIG. 1 shows an overall configuration of an air conditioning system according to a second embodiment. FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a server according to a second embodiment. 11 is a flowchart showing a procedure for a stop operation determination process according to a second embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the contents of air conditioning data managed in an air conditioning data management DB in the second embodiment. 11 is a flowchart showing a procedure for a stop command process according to a second embodiment. 11 is a flowchart showing the procedure of an upper limit operation time determination process according to a second embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of an air conditioning system according to a third embodiment. FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a server according to a third embodiment. 11 is a flowchart showing the procedure of a function disable management process according to the third embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of an air conditioning system according to a fourth embodiment. FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a server according to a fourth embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the contents of air conditioning data managed in an air conditioning data management DB in the fourth embodiment. 11 is a flowchart showing a procedure for determining whether or not activation is necessary in the fourth embodiment. 11 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a process for determining whether or not activation is required in a modification of the fourth embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of an air conditioning system according to a fifth embodiment. FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a server according to a fifth embodiment. A flowchart showing a procedure for a restart operation determination process in the fifth embodiment.

Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1)
Fig. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of an air conditioning system 1 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. The air conditioning system 1 is a system that conditions at least one room of a house H, and more specifically, is a system that supports a user's good sleep by air conditioning a bedroom of the house H. As shown in Fig. 1, the air conditioning system 1 includes a server 2, an air conditioner 3, and a user terminal 4.

<Server 2>
The server 2 is an example of a control device according to the present disclosure. The server 2 is a so-called cloud server that is installed and operated by a manufacturer, a sales company, or the like of the air conditioner 3, and is connected to a wide area network N such as the Internet. As shown in Fig. 2, the server 2 includes a communication interface 20, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 21, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 22, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 23, and an auxiliary storage device 24. These components are connected to each other via a bus 25.

The communication interface 20 is an interface for communicating with other devices via the wide area network N. The CPU 21 controls the server 2 in an overall manner. The functions of the server 2 realized by the CPU 21 will be described in detail later. The ROM 22 stores multiple pieces of firmware and data used when these firmware are executed. The RAM 23 is used as a working area for the CPU 21.

The auxiliary storage device 24 is an example of a data storage device according to the present disclosure. The auxiliary storage device 24 is composed of a readable/writable non-volatile semiconductor memory, a HDD (Hard Disk Drive), etc. The readable/writable non-volatile semiconductor memory is, for example, an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), a flash memory, etc. The auxiliary storage device 24 stores various programs including a program for supporting a good night's sleep of the user who is a resident of the house H through air conditioning (hereinafter referred to as a good night's sleep support program), and data used when these programs are executed.

The good sleep support program (including the update program for updating the good sleep support program) can be downloaded to server 2 from another server. The good sleep support program (including the update program) can also be stored and distributed on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), a Magneto-Optical Disc, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory, a memory card, a HDD, or a SSD (Solid State Drive).

<Air conditioner 3>
The air conditioner 3 is an example of an air conditioner according to the present disclosure. The air conditioner 3 is a heat pump type air conditioner that uses natural refrigerants such as HFCs (hydrofluorocarbons) such as R32 and _CO2 as refrigerants, and is a so-called room air conditioner. The air conditioner 3 is equipped with a vapor compression refrigeration cycle and operates by obtaining power from a commercial power source, a power generation facility, a power storage facility, etc. (not shown). As shown in FIG. 3, the air conditioner 3 includes an indoor unit 30 installed in a bedroom, an outdoor unit 31 installed outside the room, and a remote control 32. The indoor unit 30 and the outdoor unit 31 are connected via a refrigerant pipe 33 for circulating the refrigerant and a communication line 34.

As shown in FIG. 4, the indoor unit 30 includes a control circuit 300, a heat exchanger 301, a fan 302, a temperature sensor 303, and a thermal image sensor 304. The control circuit 300 performs overall control of the air conditioner 3. The control circuit 300 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, a first communication interface, a second communication interface, a third communication interface, and an auxiliary storage device, all of which are not shown.

The first communication interface is hardware for communicating with the outdoor unit 31 via a communication line 34, the second communication interface is hardware for communicating with the remote control 32 in a wired or wireless manner, and the third communication interface is hardware for wirelessly connecting to a router 5, which is a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) router such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark), and communicating with other devices via the router 5. The indoor unit 30 may also be configured to connect to the router 5 via an external communication adapter.

The auxiliary storage device is configured to include a readable/writable non-volatile semiconductor memory, and stores programs for controlling the overall operation of the air conditioner 3 and data used when the programs are executed. Examples of the readable/writable non-volatile semiconductor memory include EEPROM and flash memory.

The heat exchanger 301 exchanges heat between the indoor air (i.e., the bedroom air) drawn in by the fan 302 and the refrigerant from the outdoor unit 31. The heat exchanger 301 functions as an evaporator during cooling operation and as a condenser during heating operation.

Fan 302 is, for example, a propeller fan that draws in indoor air from an intake port (not shown) provided in indoor unit 30 and sends the air that has been heat exchanged by heat exchanger 301 out of an outlet port (see FIG. 3) into the room. The rotation speed of fan 302, i.e., the amount of air blown by fan 302, is adjusted according to commands from control circuit 300.

The temperature sensor 303 is a sensor such as a thermistor, a thermocouple, or a resistance temperature detector, and measures the temperature of the air drawn in by the fan 302 (i.e., room temperature) and outputs a signal indicating the measured room temperature to the control circuit 300.

The thermal image sensor 304 is an infrared thermograph that acquires thermal image data of the room and outputs the acquired thermal image data to the control circuit 300. The control circuit 300 can acquire the position and surface temperature of detected objects such as floors, walls, windows, furniture, and people by analyzing the thermal image data acquired by the thermal image sensor 304.

The outdoor unit 31 includes a control circuit 310, a compressor 311, a four-way valve 312, a heat exchanger 313, a fan 314, an expansion valve 315, and a temperature sensor 316. The compressor 311, the four-way valve 312, the heat exchanger 313, and the expansion valve 315 in the outdoor unit 31 are connected in a ring shape to the heat exchanger 301 in the indoor unit 30 by refrigerant piping 33. This forms a refrigeration cycle.

The control circuit 310 controls each part of the outdoor unit 31 according to commands from the indoor unit 30. The control circuit 310 includes a CPU, ROM, RAM, a communication interface for communicating with the indoor unit 30 (more specifically, the control circuit 300) via the communication line 34, and an auxiliary storage device, all of which are not shown.

The auxiliary storage device is configured to include a readable/writable non-volatile semiconductor memory, and stores programs for controlling the operation of the outdoor unit 31 and data used when the programs are executed. Examples of the readable/writable non-volatile semiconductor memory include an EEPROM, a flash memory, etc.

Compressor 311 compresses the refrigerant. In detail, compressor 311 compresses low-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant and discharges the high-pressure, high-temperature refrigerant to four-way valve 312. Compressor 311 is equipped with an inverter circuit that can change the operating capacity according to the drive frequency. The operating capacity is the amount of refrigerant that compressor 311 sends out per unit. Compressor 311 changes the operating capacity according to commands from control circuit 310.

The four-way valve 312 is a valve for switching the circulation direction of the refrigerant. During cooling operation, the four-way valve 312 is switched as shown by the solid line in FIG. 4. This causes the refrigerant to circulate through the compressor 311, four-way valve 312, heat exchanger 313, expansion valve 315, and heat exchanger 301 in that order. On the other hand, during heating operation, the four-way valve 312 is switched as shown by the dashed line in FIG. 4. This causes the refrigerant to circulate through the compressor 311, four-way valve 312, heat exchanger 301, expansion valve 315, and heat exchanger 313 in that order.

The heat exchanger 313 exchanges heat between the outdoor air (i.e., outside air) drawn in by the fan 314 and the refrigerant. The heat exchanger 313 functions as a condenser during cooling operation and as an evaporator during heating operation. The fan 314 is, for example, a propeller fan, and draws in outside air and sends the air that has been heat exchanged by the heat exchanger 313 out to the outdoors.

The expansion valve 315 is installed between the heat exchanger 313 and the heat exchanger 301, and reduces the pressure of the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant pipe 33 to expand it. The expansion valve 315 is, for example, an electronic expansion valve whose throttle opening can be adjusted by a stepping motor (not shown). The expansion valve 315 changes its opening according to commands from the control circuit 310 to adjust the pressure of the refrigerant.

The temperature sensor 316 is a sensor such as a thermistor, a thermocouple, or a resistance temperature detector, and measures the temperature of the outside air drawn in by the fan 314 (i.e., the outside air temperature) and outputs a signal indicating the measured outside air temperature to the control circuit 310.

The remote control 32 is embedded in the wall of the bedroom or hung on the wall, and is a remote controller for receiving air conditioning operations from the user in the bedroom. The remote control 32 is connected to the control circuit 300 of the indoor unit 30 via wired or wireless communication. By operating the remote control 32, the user can instruct the start and stop of various operations such as cooling operation, heating operation, fan operation, and dehumidification operation, and can also instruct changes to the set temperature (i.e., the target temperature for air conditioning), wind speed (synonymous with air volume), wind direction, etc.

Furthermore, the user can operate the remote control 32 to set the on timer (also called the on timer setting) and the off timer (also called the off timer setting). By setting the on timer, the user can start the currently stopped air conditioner 3 after a specified time has elapsed, and by setting the off timer, the user can stop the currently operating air conditioner 3 after a specified time has elapsed.

As will be described in detail later, the air conditioner 3 periodically transmits air conditioning data related to air conditioning to the server 2 via the router 5. Furthermore, even if the air conditioner 3 is in a stopped state, it immediately starts operation (i.e., starts up) when it receives a start command from the server 2.

<User Terminal 4>
The user terminal 4 is an example of a terminal according to the present disclosure. The user terminal 4 is an electronic device that serves as an interface with a user in the air conditioning system 1, and is, for example, a smart device such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal. As shown in FIG. 5, the user terminal 4 includes a display 40, an operation reception unit 41, a communication interface 42, a CPU 43, a ROM 44, a RAM 45, and an auxiliary storage device 46. These components are connected to each other via a bus 47.

The display 40 includes a display device such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display. Under the control of the CPU 43, the display 40 displays various screens in response to user operations.

The operation reception unit 41 includes one or more input devices such as a push button, a touch panel, a touch pad, etc., receives operation input from the user, and sends a signal related to the received operation to the CPU 43.

The communication interface 42 is hardware that connects to the router 5 and communicates with the server 2 via the wide area network N. The CPU 43 provides overall control over the user terminal 4. The functions of the user terminal 4 realized by the CPU 43 will be described in detail below. The ROM 44 stores multiple pieces of firmware and data used when these firmware are executed. The RAM 45 is used as a working area for the CPU 43.

The auxiliary storage device 46 is composed of a readable/writable non-volatile semiconductor memory, a HDD, etc. Examples of the readable/writable non-volatile semiconductor memory include an EEPROM, a flash memory, etc. The auxiliary storage device 46 stores various programs including an application program for receiving a good sleep support service (hereinafter referred to as a good sleep app), and data used when these programs are executed.

The good sleep app (including the update program for updating the good sleep app) can be downloaded to the user terminal 4 from a server (including server 2) or other program distribution server installed and operated by the company that provides the air conditioning system 1, an affiliated company, etc. In addition, the good sleep app (including the update program) can also be stored and distributed on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, DVD, magneto-optical disk, USB memory, memory card, HDD, SSD, etc.

By launching the good sleep app, the user can configure various settings to receive the good sleep support service, and can also check information related to good sleep support notified by server 2.

<Functional configuration of server 2 and user terminal 4>
Fig. 6 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the server 2 and the user terminal 4. As shown in Fig. 6, the server 2 includes a setting data registration unit 200, an air conditioning data acquisition unit 201, a restart operation determination unit 202, a start-up necessity determination unit 203, a start-up command unit 204, a threshold setting unit 205, and a report notification unit 206. These functional units of the server 2 are realized by the CPU 21 executing the above-mentioned good sleep support program stored in the auxiliary storage device 24.

The user terminal 4 includes a setting reception unit 400 and a report screen display unit 401. These functional units of the user terminal 4 are realized by the CPU 43 executing the above-mentioned good sleep app stored in the auxiliary storage device 46.

In the user terminal 4, the setting reception unit 400 receives settings from the user regarding good sleep support. The setting reception unit 400 displays a setting screen as shown in FIG. 7 on the display 40, and receives settings from the user such as whether or not to receive good sleep support, sleep tendency (light, normal, or deep), and daily bedtime. The setting reception unit 400 transmits data indicating the received user settings (hereinafter referred to as setting data) to the server 2.

The setting data registration unit 200 of the server 2 receives the setting data transmitted from the user terminal 4 and registers the received setting data in the setting data management DB 240. The setting data management DB 240 is a database for managing the setting data of users who have subscribed to the good sleep support service provided by the server 2, and is stored in the auxiliary storage device 24.

The air conditioning data acquisition unit 201 is an example of an air conditioning data acquisition means according to the present disclosure. The air conditioning data acquisition unit 201 periodically acquires air conditioning data from the air conditioner 3. For example, the air conditioning data acquisition unit 201 acquires air conditioning data from the air conditioner 3 at one-minute intervals. In detail, the air conditioning data acquisition unit 201 periodically requests air conditioning data from the air conditioner 3. Upon receiving a request for air conditioning data, the air conditioner 3 transmits air conditioning data to the server 2, which stores the current time, room temperature, outside temperature, and operating status. The operating status includes the operating mode (heating mode, cooling mode, etc.) and information indicating whether the air conditioner is operating or stopped. The air conditioner 3 may transmit air conditioning data to the server 2 on its own initiative.

The air conditioning data acquisition unit 201 stores the acquired air conditioning data in the air conditioning data management DB 241. The air conditioning data management DB 241 is an example of a data storage means according to the present disclosure. The air conditioning data management DB 241 is a database for managing the air conditioning data sent from each user's air conditioner 3, and is stored in the auxiliary storage device 24. The air conditioning data management DB 241 stores the history of air conditioning data for each air conditioner 3 for a predetermined period (e.g., one year).

The restart operation determination unit 202 is an example of a restart operation determination means according to the present disclosure. The restart operation determination unit 202 determines whether or not the operation of the air conditioner 3 is stopped after the user goes to sleep and then a restart operation is performed by the user. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the restart operation determination process executed by the restart operation determination unit 202.

When the current time reaches the restart operation judgment start time (step S101; YES), the restart operation judgment unit 202 starts monitoring the operating status of the air conditioner 3 and judges whether the operating status has changed from stopped to running, i.e., whether the air conditioner 3 has been started (step S102). In this embodiment, the restart operation judgment start time is set to a time two hours earlier than the user's planned bedtime, i.e., the daily bedtime set by the user (see FIG. 7).

If the air conditioner 3 is not started (step S102; NO), the process of the restart operation judgment unit 202 proceeds to step S106. On the other hand, if the air conditioner 3 is started (step S102; YES), the restart operation judgment unit 202 judges whether or not the air conditioner 3 has been operated from the restart operation judgment start time to the present (step S103). If the air conditioner 3 has not been operated from the restart operation judgment start time to the present (step S103; NO), the process of the restart operation judgment unit 202 proceeds to step S106.

On the other hand, if the air conditioner 3 has been operating from the restart operation judgment start time to the present (step S103; YES), the restart operation judgment unit 202 judges whether the current startup was due to automatic startup following a startup command from the server 2 (step S104). If the current startup was due to automatic startup following a startup command from the server 2 (step 104; YES), the process of the restart operation judgment unit 202 proceeds to step S106.

On the other hand, if the current startup is not an automatic startup following a startup command from server 2 (step S104; NO), the restart operation determination unit 202 determines that a restart operation was performed by the user after going to bed, and records information indicating this in the air conditioning data management DB 241 (step S105). Specifically, the restart operation determination unit 202 adds information indicating that a restart operation has been performed to the corresponding air conditioning data record (see Figure 9). The example in Figure 9 shows how information indicating that a restart operation has been performed by the user has been added to the air conditioning data record for 2:20 AM. After step S105, the process of the restart operation determination unit 202 proceeds to step S106.

In step S106, the restart operation determination unit 202 determines whether the current time has reached the restart operation determination end time. The restart operation determination end time is, for example, the user's planned wake-up time (e.g., 8:00 a.m.). If the current time has not reached the restart operation determination end time (step S106; NO), the process of the restart operation determination unit 202 returns to step S102. On the other hand, if the current time has reached the restart operation determination end time (step S106; YES), the restart operation determination unit 202 ends the restart operation determination process.

Returning to FIG. 6, the start-up necessity determination unit 203 is an example of a start-up necessity determination means according to the present disclosure. The start-up necessity determination unit 203 determines whether or not it is necessary to start up the stopped air conditioner 3. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the start-up necessity determination process executed by the start-up necessity determination unit 203. Note that the start-up necessity determination unit 203 executes the start-up necessity determination process only when the user has set up to receive good sleep assistance.

When the current time reaches the start time for determining whether or not the air conditioner 3 is started (step S201; YES), the start-up necessity determination unit 203 starts monitoring the latest air conditioning data sent from the air conditioner 3 and determines whether or not the air conditioner 3 is stopped (step S202). In this embodiment, the start time for determining whether or not the air conditioner 3 is started is set to a time two hours later than the user's planned bedtime, i.e., the daily bedtime set by the user (see FIG. 7).

If the air conditioner 3 is not stopped (step S202; NO), the process of the start-up necessity determination unit 203 proceeds to step S208. On the other hand, if the air conditioner 3 is stopped (step S202; YES), the start-up necessity determination unit 203 determines whether the operation mode of the air conditioner 3 is the cooling mode (step S203). If the operation mode of the air conditioner 3 is the cooling mode (step S203; YES), the start-up necessity determination unit 203 determines whether the current room temperature is higher than the threshold corresponding to the cooling mode (step S204).

The threshold value corresponding to the cooling mode is set for each air conditioner 3 by the threshold setting unit 205 described below and is stored in the threshold management DB 242. The threshold management DB 242 is a database for managing the threshold values corresponding to each of the cooling mode and the heating mode for each user's air conditioner 3, and is stored in the auxiliary storage device 24 of the server 2.

If the current room temperature is higher than the threshold value corresponding to the cooling mode (step S204; YES), the start-up necessity determination unit 203 determines that the air conditioner 3 needs to be started (step S205) and notifies the start-up command unit 204 of this fact. Thereafter, the process of the start-up necessity determination unit 203 proceeds to step S208. On the other hand, if the current room temperature is equal to or lower than the threshold value corresponding to the cooling mode (step S204; NO), the process of the start-up necessity determination unit 203 proceeds to step S208.

If the operation mode of the air conditioner 3 is not the cooling mode (step S203; NO), the start-up necessity determination unit 203 determines whether the operation mode of the air conditioner 3 is the heating mode (step S206). If the operation mode of the air conditioner 3 is not the heating mode (step S206; NO), the process of the start-up necessity determination unit 203 proceeds to step S208.

If the operation mode of the air conditioner 3 is the heating mode (step S206; YES), the start necessity determination unit 203 determines whether the current room temperature is lower than the threshold value corresponding to the heating mode (step S207). The threshold value corresponding to the heating mode is also set for each air conditioner 3 by the threshold setting unit 205 and stored in the threshold management DB 242.

If the current room temperature is lower than the threshold corresponding to the heating mode (step S207; YES), the start-up necessity determination unit 203 determines that the air conditioner 3 needs to be started (step S205) and notifies the start-up command unit 204 accordingly. On the other hand, if the current room temperature is equal to or higher than the threshold corresponding to the heating mode (step S207; NO), the process of the start-up necessity determination unit 203 proceeds to step S208.

In step S208, the startup necessity determination unit 203 determines whether the current time has reached the startup necessity determination end time. The startup necessity determination end time is, for example, the user's planned wake-up time (e.g., 8:00 a.m.). If the current time has not reached the startup necessity determination end time (step S208; NO), the processing of the startup necessity determination unit 203 returns to step S202. On the other hand, if the current time has reached the startup necessity determination end time (step S208; YES), the startup necessity determination unit 203 ends the startup necessity determination processing.

Returning to FIG. 6, the start-up command unit 204 is an example of a start-up command means according to the present disclosure. When the start-up command unit 204 receives a notification from the start-up necessity determination unit 203 that the air conditioner 3 needs to be started, it commands the air conditioner 3 to start up. In detail, the start-up command unit 204 sends a command (hereinafter referred to as a start-up command) to the air conditioner 3 to command start-up based on the off-timer setting. Upon receiving this start-up command, the air conditioner 3 starts up and begins air conditioning. The off-timer time in this case is the same as the previous off-timer time set by the user for the air conditioner 3.

The threshold setting unit 205 is an example of a determination data setting means according to the present disclosure. The threshold setting unit 205 sets a threshold used by the above-mentioned start-up necessity determination unit 203 when determining whether or not the air conditioner 3 needs to be started. This threshold is an example of determination data according to the present disclosure. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the steps of the threshold setting process executed by the threshold setting unit 205.

When the current time reaches the threshold setting time (step S301; YES), the threshold setting unit 205 sequentially picks up the history of air conditioning data from the most recent start-up necessity determination start time onward (step S302). The threshold setting time is, for example, the user's planned wake-up time (e.g., 8:00 a.m.). The threshold setting unit 205 determines whether the operation mode included in the picked-up air conditioning data is cooling mode or heating mode (step S303). If the operation mode included in the air conditioning data is neither cooling mode nor heating mode (step S303; NO), the processing of the threshold setting unit 205 proceeds to step S306.

On the other hand, if the operation mode included in the air conditioning data is the cooling mode or the heating mode (step S303; YES), the threshold setting unit 205 determines whether the air conditioning data includes information indicating that a restart operation has been performed by the user, in other words, whether a restart operation has been performed by the user at that time (step S304). If a restart operation has not been performed by the user at that time (step S304; NO), the processing of the threshold setting unit 205 proceeds to step S306.

On the other hand, if the user performs a restart operation at that time (step S304; YES), the threshold setting unit 205 retains the room temperature in the air conditioning data at a time that is a predetermined retroactive time from that time as a threshold candidate (step S305), as shown in FIG. 12. The retroactive time is determined according to the sleep tendency of the user set by the user (see FIG. 7). In this embodiment, the retroactive time is set to 10 minutes if the sleep tendency set by the user is "normal", 5 minutes if the sleep tendency is "light", and 15 minutes if the sleep tendency is "deep". For example, if the sleep tendency set by the user is "normal", in the example of FIG. 9, the room temperature at 2:10 a.m. is retained as the threshold candidate.

After step S305, the process of the threshold setting unit 205 proceeds to step S306. In step S306, the threshold setting unit 205 determines whether or not all air conditioning data from the most recent start time of the start-up necessity determination has been picked up. If all air conditioning data from the most recent start-up necessity determination start time has not been picked up (step S306; NO), the process of the threshold setting unit 205 returns to step S302.

On the other hand, if all air conditioning data from the most recent start-up necessity determination start time onward has been picked up (step S306; YES), the threshold setting unit 205 sets the average of the stored threshold candidates as the threshold for that operation mode of the air conditioner 3 (step S307). The threshold setting unit 205 registers the set threshold in the threshold management DB 242. Note that the threshold management DB 242 has pre-registered initial values of the thresholds corresponding to the cooling mode and the heating mode.

Returning to FIG. 6, the report notification unit 206 is an example of a report notification means according to the present disclosure. The report notification unit 206 generates screen data showing a report of the user's sleep state last night, and transmits the generated screen data to the user terminal 4 of the user. The report of the sleep state includes the change in room temperature, the user's sleep time, and comfort level. The user's sleep time is derived by taking the first start time of the air conditioner 3 after the most recent restart operation determination start time as the sleep start time, and taking the latest time that the user stopped the operation of the air conditioner 3 up until 9:00 a.m. today as the wake-up time.

The comfort level is also calculated from the number of times the user starts or stops the air conditioner 3 between the time the user goes to sleep and the time the user wakes up, the rate of change within a preferred temperature range (e.g., 26 to 28°C in summer), the degree of variation in room temperature, etc.

When the report screen display unit 401 of the user terminal 4 receives the screen data transmitted from the server 2, it displays a screen based on the received screen data (hereinafter, referred to as a notification screen) on the display 40. An example of the notification screen is shown in FIG. 13.

As described above, according to the air conditioning system 1 of this embodiment, after the air conditioner 3 is stopped while the user is sleeping, the air conditioner 3 is automatically started when the room temperature is higher than the threshold corresponding to the cooling mode in summer, and is automatically started when the room temperature is lower than the threshold corresponding to the heating mode in winter. This makes it possible for the user to make the room temperature comfortable without having to perform a restart operation.

In addition, the threshold value used is the room temperature at a time a predetermined retroactive time before the time the user performed the restart operation, making it possible to restart the air conditioner 3 at an appropriate time that does not reduce the quality of the user's sleep.

(Variation 1)
For example, the data for determination may be the outside air temperature or the humidity in the bedroom. When the humidity is used, the air conditioner 3 periodically transmits air conditioning data including the humidity measured by a humidity sensor (not shown) provided in the indoor unit 30 to the server 2.

(Variation 2)
The air conditioner 3 may automatically transmit air conditioning data to the server 2 immediately when it is started or stopped.

(Variation 3)
The air conditioning data transmitted by the air conditioner 3 to the server 2 may further include the set temperature, air volume, air direction, whether or not a timer is set, and the timer time.

(Variation 4)
The threshold setting unit 205 may set a threshold for each time period as shown in Fig. 14. In this case, the threshold setting unit 205 may execute the same process as the threshold setting process described above for each hour of the history of air conditioning data after the most recent start-up necessity determination start time. In this case, the threshold management DB 242 has registered in advance the initial values of the thresholds for each time period for the cooling mode and the heating mode.

(Variation 5)
The threshold setting unit 205 may set one threshold value corresponding to each of the cooling mode and the heating mode or a threshold value for each time period from the history of air conditioning data for a predetermined period (e.g., several days to several years). In this case, the threshold setting unit 205 may derive the threshold value by averaging the quartile ranges (see FIG. 15) of multiple threshold candidate values. By performing statistical processing to remove outliers from multiple threshold candidate values in this manner, the accuracy of the threshold value can be improved. Note that the start-up necessity determination unit 203 determines whether or not to start the air conditioner 3 using one threshold value corresponding to each of the cooling mode and the heating mode or a threshold value for each time period that is registered in advance as an initial value in the threshold management DB 242 until the history of air conditioning data for the period is stored in the air conditioning data management DB 241.

(Variation 6)
The threshold setting unit 205 may, once a predetermined number or more of threshold candidates corresponding to the cooling mode can be extracted from the history of air conditioning data, calculate a threshold corresponding to the cooling mode by averaging the average or the interquartile range of these threshold candidates, and register the calculated threshold in the threshold management DB 242. Similarly, the threshold setting unit 205 may, once a predetermined number or more of threshold candidates corresponding to the heating mode can be extracted from the history of air conditioning data, calculate a threshold corresponding to the heating mode by averaging the average or the interquartile range of these threshold candidates, and register the calculated threshold in the threshold management DB 242.

In the above case, the start-up necessity determination unit 203 determines whether or not the air conditioner 3 needs to be started using the threshold corresponding to the operating mode that is registered in advance as an initial value in the threshold management DB 242 until the threshold corresponding to the cooling mode or heating mode is calculated by the threshold setting unit 205 and registered in the threshold management DB 242, in other words, until a predetermined number or more of threshold candidates corresponding to the operating mode can be extracted.

(Variation 7)
When a restart operation is performed at a frequency equal to or greater than a predetermined frequency within a certain period of time, the threshold setting unit 205 may calculate a threshold corresponding to the operating mode from the history of air conditioning data for that period and register the calculated threshold in the threshold management DB 242.

(Variation 8)
When the user is about to wake up, from the viewpoint of encouraging the user to wake up, the server 2 may not command the air conditioner 3 to start up even if the room temperature is higher than the threshold in summer. Similarly, when the user is about to wake up, the server 2 may not command the air conditioner 3 to start up even if the room temperature is lower than the threshold in winter. In this case, the server 2 sets the end time for determining whether or not the user needs to start up to a time that is a predetermined time (e.g., one hour) earlier than the user's planned wake-up time. For example, if the user's planned wake-up time is 8:00 a.m., the end time for determining whether or not the user needs to start up is set to 7:00 a.m.

(Variation 9)
The setting reception unit 400 of the user terminal 4 may receive from the user a setting for the off timer time when the air conditioner 3 is automatically started.

(Variation 10)
The setting reception unit 400 of the user terminal 4 may be configured to receive from the user the setting of a single threshold value corresponding to the cooling mode or a threshold value for each time period, or may be configured to receive from the user the setting of a single threshold value corresponding to the heating mode or a threshold value for each time period.

(Modification 11)
The setting reception unit 400 of the user terminal 4 may be configured to receive a retroactive time setting from the user.

(Variation 12)
The setting reception unit 400 of the user terminal 4 may receive a setting of a daily wake-up time from the user, and the server 2 may use the daily wake-up time set by the user as the planned wake-up time of the user. Alternatively, the server 2 may further include a wake-up time estimation unit (not shown) that estimates the wake-up time of the user, and may use the wake-up time estimated by the wake-up time estimation unit as the planned wake-up time of the user.

Figure 16 is a flowchart showing the steps of the wake-up time estimation process executed by the wake-up time estimation unit. When the current time reaches the wake-up time estimation time (step S401; YES), the wake-up time estimation unit refers to the history of air conditioning data corresponding to the air conditioner 3 in the user's home, and acquires the latest time at which the user stopped the operation of the air conditioner 3 between the most recent restart operation determination start time and the current time as a wake-up time candidate (step S402). The wake-up time estimation time is, for example, 9:00 a.m.

The wake-up time estimation unit stores the obtained wake-up time candidates in a wake-up time candidate DB (not shown) (step S403). The wake-up time candidate DB is a database that stores the history of the obtained wake-up time candidates, and is stored in the auxiliary storage device 24.

The wake-up time estimation unit determines the average of the interquartile range of the entire history of the wake-up time candidates stored in the wake-up time candidate DB as the wake-up time (step S404). The wake-up time estimation unit estimates the wake-up time of the user in this manner.

(Variation 13)
The start-up command unit 204 of the server 2 may command the air conditioner 3 to start up with air conditioning settings that match the user's preferences. The air conditioning settings include any one of the set temperature, air direction, air volume, and operation mode. In this case, the setting reception unit 400 of the user terminal 4 may receive the setting of the air conditioning settings from the user.

Alternatively, the setting reception unit 400 of the user terminal 4 may receive input of impression information from the user indicating impressions regarding the previous air conditioning, and a feedback unit (not shown) of the server 2 (an example of a feedback means according to the present disclosure) may adjust the air conditioning content based on the impression information. For example, the setting reception unit 400 of the user terminal 4 may present options such as "cold", "just right" and "hot" regarding last night's air conditioning and allow the user to select one. The setting reception unit 400 of the user terminal 4 may also receive input by allowing the user to select from options regarding the air flow feeling, humidity feeling, etc. For example, if impression information that "hot" is input regarding last night's air conditioning is received, the feedback unit adjusts the set temperature of the air conditioner 3 at the time of automatic start-up to be lowered by 0.5°C.

In this way, when the air conditioner 3 is automatically started, it operates with air conditioning settings that match the user's preferences, thereby maintaining the user's comfort and improving the quality of their sleep.

(Modification 14)
The server 2 may further include a user motion data acquisition unit (an example of a motion data acquisition means according to the present disclosure) that acquires data on the user's motion while sleeping (hereinafter referred to as user motion data), and an uncomfortable sleeping state determination unit that determines whether the user is in an uncomfortable sleeping state, and may control the air conditioner 3 taking into consideration the determination result of the uncomfortable sleeping state determination unit. The user motion data includes thermal imaging data of the bedroom acquired by the thermal image sensor 304 equipped in the air conditioner 3, visible image data of the bedroom captured by a visible camera, data indicating sounds or vibrations detected in the bedroom, etc.

For example, the air conditioner 3 periodically (e.g., once a minute) transmits thermal image data acquired by the thermal image sensor 304 to the server 2, whereby the user movement data acquisition unit acquires the user movement data.

In addition, for example, a visible camera installed in a bedroom periodically (e.g., once every minute) transmits visible image data captured in the bedroom to the server 2, whereby the user movement data acquisition unit acquires user movement data.

Also, for example, a device that detects sound or vibration installed in a bedroom periodically (e.g., once every minute) transmits data indicating the sound or vibration detected in the bedroom to the server 2, whereby the user movement data acquisition unit acquires user movement data.

Also, for example, if the user terminal 4 is equipped with a sensor that detects sound or vibration, the user terminal 4 may periodically (e.g., once every minute) transmit data indicating the sound or vibration detected in the bedroom to the server 2, whereby the user movement data acquisition unit may acquire the user movement data.

The uncomfortable sleeping state determination unit determines whether the user is currently experiencing uncomfortable sleeping conditions based on the user movement data acquired by the user movement acquisition unit. For example, the uncomfortable sleeping state determination unit analyzes thermal imaging data, visible image data, and data indicating sound or vibration in the bedroom in chronological order to detect the frequency with which the user turns over in their sleep and thereby determine whether the user is experiencing uncomfortable sleeping conditions.

When the uncomfortable sleeping state determination unit determines that the user is having difficulty sleeping, it notifies the start-up command unit 204 accordingly. When the start-up command unit 204 receives such a notification, it commands the air conditioner 3 to start up. As a result, for example, even if the room temperature is below the threshold in summer, the air conditioner 3 is automatically started up if the user is having difficulty sleeping, making it possible to more reliably prevent the quality of the user's sleep from deteriorating.

On the other hand, since an uncomfortable sleep state can also be said to be a light sleep state, if the air conditioner 3 is started in such a state, the operating noise may disturb the user's sleep. For this reason, the start necessity determination unit 203 may determine that it is not necessary to start the air conditioner 3 when the user is in a light sleep state, even if the room temperature is higher than the threshold corresponding to the cooling mode or lower than the threshold corresponding to the heating mode. The setting reception unit 400 of the user terminal 4 may be configured to receive in advance from the user which of the above two types of control is desired when the user is in an uncomfortable sleep state (i.e., a light sleep state).

(Variation 15)
All or part of the functional units (see FIG. 6) of the server 2 may be realized by dedicated hardware, and all or part of the functional units (see FIG. 6) of the user terminal 4 may be realized by dedicated hardware. The dedicated hardware is, for example, a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programmed processor, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), or a combination of these.

(Variation 16)
The user terminal 4 may have the same functions as the remote control 32 , or the remote control 32 may have the same functions as the user terminal 4 .

(Modification 17)
The server 2 may be configured as a plurality of separate computers.

(Variation 18)
A computer (not shown) having the same hardware configuration (see FIG. 2) and functional configuration (see FIG. 6) as the server 2 may be installed in the house H, and the computer may perform control to help the user of the house H get a good night's sleep. In this case, the computer is an example of a control device according to the present invention. Alternatively, at least one of the control circuit 300, the control circuit 310, and the remote control 32 of the air conditioner 3 may perform the same control as the server 2, or the user terminal 4 may perform the same control as the server 2.

The technical ideas of each of the above modifications may be realized individually or in appropriate combinations.

(Embodiment 2)
Next, a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. In the following description, components and the like common to the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

Figure 17 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of an air conditioning system 1a in embodiment 2. The air conditioning system 1a includes a server 2a, an air conditioner 3, and a user terminal 4. That is, the configuration of the air conditioning system 1a differs from that of the air conditioning system 1 in embodiment 1 in that it includes a server 2a instead of the server 2. The server 2a is an example of a control device according to the present disclosure. The hardware configuration of the server 2a is similar to that of the server 2 in embodiment 1 (see Figure 2).

FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of server 2a. As shown in FIG. 18, server 2a includes a setting data registration unit 200, an air conditioning data acquisition unit 201, a restart operation determination unit 202, a start necessity determination unit 203, a start command unit 204a, a threshold setting unit 205, a report notification unit 206, a stop operation determination unit 207, a stop command unit 208, and an operation upper limit time determination unit 209. These functional units of server 2a are realized by the CPU 21 of server 2a executing a good sleep support program stored in the auxiliary storage device 24, which is a program for supporting a good sleep of a user who is a resident of house H through air conditioning.

The functional configuration of the server 2a described above differs from the functional configuration of the server 2 of the first embodiment (see FIG. 6) in that it includes a start command unit 204a instead of the start command unit 204, and also includes a stop operation determination unit 207, a stop command unit 208, and an upper limit operation time determination unit 209.

The start-up command unit 204a is an example of a start-up command means according to the present disclosure. Similar to the start-up command unit 204 in the first embodiment, when the start-up command unit 204a receives a notification from the start-up necessity determination unit 203 that the air conditioner 3 needs to be started, the start-up command unit 204a commands the air conditioner 3 to start up. However, at that time, the start-up command unit 204a does not set an off timer for the air conditioner 3.

The stop operation determination unit 207 determines whether or not a stop operation has been performed by the user after the air conditioner 3 has been started by the start command unit 204a. FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing the procedure for the stop operation determination process executed by the stop operation determination unit 207.

The stop operation determination unit 207 starts monitoring the operation status of the air conditioner 3, and determines whether the operation status has changed from operating to stopped, i.e., whether the operation of the air conditioner 3 has stopped (step S501). If the operation of the air conditioner 3 has not stopped (step S501; NO), the stop operation determination unit 207 continues to execute the process of step S501.

On the other hand, if the operation of the air conditioner 3 has been stopped (step S501; YES), the stop operation determination unit 207 determines whether the current stop is in accordance with a stop command from the server 2a (step S502). If the current stop is in accordance with a stop command from the server 2a (step 502; YES), the stop operation determination unit 207 ends the stop operation determination process.

On the other hand, if the current stop is not in accordance with a stop command from server 2a (step S502; NO), the stop operation determination unit 207 determines that a stop operation has been performed by the user, and records information indicating this in the air conditioning data management DB 241a (step S503). Thereafter, the stop operation determination unit 207 ends the stop operation determination process.

The air conditioning data management DB 241a is an example of a data storage means according to the present disclosure. Like the air conditioning data management DB 241 of embodiment 1, the air conditioning data management DB 241a is a database for managing air conditioning data sent from each user's air conditioner 3, and is stored in the auxiliary storage device 24 of the server 2a. As shown in FIG. 20, the air conditioning data management DB 241a differs from the air conditioning data management DB 241 in that a "stop operation" item has been added to the air conditioning data record, but is otherwise similar to the air conditioning data management DB 241. The example of FIG. 20 shows that information indicating that a stop operation had been performed by the user has been added to the record of the air conditioning data for 6:50 AM.

Returning to FIG. 18, the stop command unit 208 is an example of a stop command means according to the present disclosure. After the air conditioner 3 is started by the start command unit 204a, when a condition for stopping operation is satisfied, the stop command unit 208 commands the air conditioner 3 to stop operation. FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing the steps of the stop command process executed by the stop command unit 208.

The stop command unit 208 reads and acquires information indicating the upper limit operation time corresponding to the air conditioner 3 from the upper limit operation time management DB 243 (step S601). The upper limit operation time management DB 243 is a database for managing the upper limit operation time for the air conditioners 3 of each user who has subscribed to the good sleep support service provided by the server 2a, and is stored in the auxiliary storage device 24 of the server 2a. The upper limit operation time is determined by the upper limit operation time determination unit 209, which will be described later, and is registered in the upper limit operation time management DB 243. Note that an initial value for the upper limit operation time is registered in advance in the upper limit operation time management DB 243.

After step S601, the stop command unit 208 monitors the time that has elapsed since the air conditioner 3 was started, and determines whether or not the upper limit operation time corresponding to the air conditioner 3 has been reached (step S602). If the time that has elapsed since the air conditioner 3 was started has not reached the upper limit operation time (step S602; NO), the stop command unit 208 continues to execute the process of step S602.

On the other hand, if the time that has elapsed since the air conditioner 3 was started reaches the upper operation limit time (step S602; YES), the stop command unit 208 commands the air conditioner 3 to stop operation (step S603) and ends the stop command process. In detail, the stop command unit 208 sends a command to the air conditioner 3 to stop operation (hereinafter referred to as a stop command). The air conditioner 3 that receives this stop command stops operation.

Returning to FIG. 18, the upper operation limit time determination unit 209 is an example of an upper operation limit time determination means according to the present disclosure. The upper operation limit time determination unit 209 determines the upper operation limit time of the air conditioner 3 from the history of air conditioning data corresponding to the air conditioner 3 stored in the air conditioning data management DB 241a. FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing the steps of the upper operation limit time determination process executed by the upper operation limit time determination unit 209. The upper operation limit time determination unit 209 executes the upper operation limit time determination process when information indicating that a stop operation has been performed by the user is recorded in the air conditioning data management DB 241a.

The upper operation limit time determination unit 209 calculates the operation time of the air conditioner 3 (i.e., the time from when the air conditioner 3 is automatically started to when it is stopped) from the history of air conditioning data corresponding to the air conditioner 3 that has been stopped by the user (step S701). The upper operation limit time determination unit 209 determines the upper operation limit time based on the calculated operation time (step S702).

In detail, the operation upper limit time determination unit 209 determines the operation upper limit time to be a time that is shorter than the calculated operation time. For example, the operation upper limit time determination unit 209 determines the operation upper limit time by subtracting a predetermined time (e.g., 10 minutes) from the calculated operation time. This is because, except for when waking up, it is assumed that the stop operation by the user is caused by the air conditioning being too effective, and the air conditioner 3 is stopped before the user becomes uncomfortable and their sleep is disturbed.

The time to be subtracted may be determined according to the sleep tendency set in advance by the user, or may be set directly by the user via the user terminal 4. The upper operation limit time determination unit 209 registers information indicating the determined upper operation limit time of the air conditioner 3 in the upper operation limit time management DB 243 (step S703), and ends the upper operation limit time determination process.

As described above, the air conditioning system 1a of this embodiment has the same effects as the air conditioning system 1 of embodiment 1, and furthermore, after automatic startup, it is possible to stop the air conditioner 3 at an appropriate time so as not to reduce the quality of the user's sleep.

(Variation 1)
The upper operation time determination unit 209 may determine the upper operation time of the air conditioner 3 based on the history of air conditioning data for a predetermined period (for example, several days to several years) corresponding to the air conditioner 3. In other words, the upper operation time determination unit 209 may calculate a representative operation time from multiple past operation times of the air conditioner 3, in addition to the most recent operation time of the air conditioner 3, and determine the upper operation time of the air conditioner 3 based on the calculated representative operation time.

For example, the upper operation time determination unit 209 may calculate the average of multiple operation times as a representative operation time, or may calculate the representative operation time by averaging the quartile range of the multiple operation times. The upper operation time determination unit 209 may also calculate a representative operation time for each operation mode (cooling mode or heating mode) and determine the upper operation time for each operation mode of the air conditioner 3 based on the calculated representative operation time.

(Variation 2)
The setting reception unit 400 of the user terminal 4 may receive a setting of the upper driving time limit from the user, and the upper driving time limit set by the user may be registered in the upper driving time limit management DB 243. In this case, the setting reception unit 400 may receive a setting of the upper driving time limit for each driving mode.

(Variation 3)
The server 2a may determine a time to stop operation for each air conditioner 3 (hereinafter referred to as a stop time) instead of the upper operation limit time, and control the operation of the air conditioner 3 to be stopped when the determined stop time is reached. In this case, the server 2a is provided with a room temperature change tendency acquisition unit and a stop time determination unit (neither of which are shown in the figures) instead of the stop operation determination unit 207 and the upper operation limit time determination unit 209, and is provided with a stop time management DB (not shown in the figures) instead of the upper operation limit time management DB 243. The stop time management DB is a database for managing the stop times for each user's air conditioner 3, and is stored in the auxiliary storage device 24 of the server 2a. An initial value for the stop time is registered in the stop time management DB beforehand.

The room temperature change trend acquisition unit is an example of a room temperature change trend acquisition means according to the present disclosure. The room temperature change trend acquisition unit acquires the change trend of the room temperature after the operation of the air conditioner 3 has stopped. In detail, the room temperature change trend acquisition unit calculates and acquires the change trend of the room temperature (e.g., temperature gradient) after the operation of the air conditioner 3 has stopped from the history of the air conditioning data corresponding to the air conditioner 3.

The stop time determination unit is an example of a stop time determination means according to the present disclosure. The stop time determination unit determines the time to stop the operation of the air conditioner 3 based on the room temperature change trend acquired by the room temperature change trend acquisition unit and the user's planned wake-up time. The stop time determination unit determines a time at least before the planned wake-up time as the stop time. In doing so, the stop time determination unit determines the retroactive time from the planned wake-up time based on the room temperature change trend of the room.

For example, when there are retroactive times T1 to T3 (T1<T2<T3), if the room temperature in the room shows a tendency to change significantly in a short period of time (for example, if the temperature gradient exceeds a predetermined reference range), the stop time determination unit determines the retroactive time to be T1, which is the shortest. If the room temperature in the room shows a tendency to change slowly (for example, if the temperature gradient is below the above reference range), the stop time determination unit determines the retroactive time to be T3, which is the longest. If the room temperature does not show any of the above trends (for example, if the temperature gradient falls within the above reference range), the stop time determination unit determines the retroactive time to be T2. Note that the user may be allowed to set the retroactive time to any time via the setting reception unit 400 of the user terminal 4.

Alternatively, the stop time determination unit may determine the stop time by determining a retroactive time based on the change trend of the room temperature in the room so that the room temperature at the planned wake-up time will be a predetermined temperature (for example, set temperature +1 to 3°C for cooling, set temperature -1 to 3°C for heating).

(Variation 4)
All or part of the functional units of the server 2a (see FIG. 18) may be realized by dedicated hardware, such as a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programmed processor, an ASIC, an FPGA, or a combination thereof.

(Variation 5)
Modifications 1 to 8, 10 to 14, and 16 to 18 of the first embodiment can also be applied to this embodiment.

The technical ideas of each of the above modifications may be realized individually or in appropriate combinations.

(Embodiment 3)
Next, a third embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. In the following description, components and the like common to the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 23 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of air conditioning system 1b in embodiment 3. Air conditioning system 1b includes server 2b, air conditioner 3a, and user terminal 4. That is, air conditioning system 1b differs from air conditioning system 1 in embodiment 1 in that it includes server 2b instead of server 2 and air conditioner 3a instead of air conditioner 3. Server 2b is an example of a control device according to the present disclosure, and air conditioner 3a is an example of an air conditioner according to the present disclosure.

The hardware configuration of the server 2b is the same as that of the server 2 in embodiment 1 (see FIG. 2). The hardware configuration of the air conditioner 3a is the same as that of the air conditioner 3 in embodiment 1 (see FIG. 4).

FIG. 24 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of server 2b. As shown in FIG. 24, server 2b includes a setting data registration unit 200, an air conditioning data acquisition unit 201, a restart operation determination unit 202, a startup necessity determination unit 203, a startup command unit 204, a threshold setting unit 205, a report notification unit 206, a function disable necessity determination unit 210, and a function disable command unit 211. These functional units of server 2b are realized by the CPU 21 of server 2b executing a good sleep support program stored in the auxiliary storage device 24, which is a program for supporting a good sleep of a user who is a resident of house H through air conditioning.

The functional configuration of the server 2b described above differs from the functional configuration of the server 2 of the first embodiment (see FIG. 6) in that it newly includes a function disable necessity determination unit 210 and a function disable command unit 211. The function disable necessity determination unit 210 is an example of a function disable necessity determination means according to the present disclosure. The function disable necessity determination unit 210 determines whether or not it is necessary to disable a specific function of the air conditioner 3a. The specific function is a function different from a normal air conditioning function, and in this embodiment, it is a beep sound output function. In detail, the function disable necessity determination unit 210 determines that it is necessary to disable the beep sound output function when the current time reaches the start time of a time period during which the beep sound output function set by the user in advance via the user terminal 4 is disabled (hereinafter referred to as a function disable time period), and determines that it is not necessary to disable the beep sound output function after the function disable time period has passed.

The function disable command unit 211 is an example of a function disable command means according to the present disclosure. When the function disable necessity determination unit 210 determines that it is necessary to disable a specific function of the air conditioner 3a, the function disable command unit 211 commands the air conditioner 3a to disable the specific function. In detail, when the function disable necessity determination unit 210 determines that it is necessary to disable the beep sound output function, the function disable command unit 211 transmits a command to the air conditioner 3a in the user's home to command the beep sound output function to be disabled (hereinafter referred to as an disable setting command).

The air conditioner 3a that receives the disable setting command disables the beep sound output function. As a result, the air conditioner 3a will not output a beep sound thereafter. Furthermore, when the function disable necessity determination unit 210 determines that there is no need to disable the beep sound output function, the function disable command unit 211 sends a command to the air conditioner 3a to instruct it to cancel the previous disable setting (hereinafter referred to as a setting cancellation command). The air conditioner 3a that receives the setting cancellation command cancels the disabled setting of the beep sound output function.

In this way, the air conditioner 3a has the function of disabling a specific function (in this embodiment, the beep sound output function) in response to a command from the server 2b.

Figure 25 is a flowchart showing the procedure for the function disable management process executed by server 2b. Server 2b executes the function disable management process when the user has set the function disable management to be enabled, i.e., when a function disable time period has been set.

Server 2b determines whether the current time has reached the start time of the function-disabled time period (step S801). If the current time has not reached the start time of the function-disabled time period (step S801; NO), server 2b continues to execute the process of step S801.

On the other hand, if the current time reaches the start time of the function disabled time period (step S801; YES), the server 2b determines that it is necessary to disable the beep sound output function and sends a disable setting command to the air conditioner 3a in the user's home (step S802). As a result, the air conditioner 3a disables the beep sound output function and will not output a beep sound thereafter.

After that, server 2b judges whether the current time has reached the end time of the function-disabled time period (step S803). If the current time has not reached the end time of the function-disabled time period (step S803; NO), server 2b continues to execute the process of step S803.

On the other hand, if the current time reaches the end time of the function disabled time period (step S803; YES), the server 2b determines that it is not necessary to disable the beep sound output function and sends a setting cancellation command to the air conditioner 3a in the user's home (step S804). As a result, the air conditioner 3a cancels the disabled setting of the beep sound output function.

As described above, the air conditioning system 1b of this embodiment achieves the same effects as the air conditioning system 1 of embodiment 1, and further provides the user with a quiet environment by stopping the air conditioner 3a from outputting a beep during the function-disabled time period set by the user. As a result, for example, when the air conditioner 3a restarts upon receiving a start command from the server 2b during the function-disabled time period, the beep is not output, which further prevents the user's quality of sleep from deteriorating.

(Variation 1)
The specific function of the air conditioner 3a that is disabled during the function disabled time period is not limited to the beep sound output function, and may be, for example, a voice notification function that notifies the user by voice, an automatic cleaning function that cleans the inside, an internal drying function that dries the inside, etc. Furthermore, when there are multiple specific functions that can be disabled, the user may be able to specify in advance the specific function that he or she wishes to disable via the user terminal 4.

(Variation 2)
Even if the beep sound output function is disabled, the air conditioner 3a may output a beep sound when the user operates the remote control 32 of the air conditioner 3a. In this case, the beep sound output does not disturb the user's sleep, and it is preferable that the user be able to confirm that his or her operation has been reflected in the main body of the air conditioner 3a.

(Variation 3)
When it is necessary to start the air conditioner 3a during the function invalid time period, the start-up command unit 204 of the server 2b may transmit a start-up command to the air conditioner 3a to command the air conditioner 3a to start up while prohibiting the output of a beep sound. In this case, the server 2b does not need to include the function invalidation command unit 211.

(Variation 4)
During the function-disabled time period, instead of preventing the air conditioner 3b from outputting a beep sound, the volume of the beep sound may be lowered to a level that does not disturb sleep.

(Variation 5)
Instead of the user setting the function disabled time period, the server 2b may set a predetermined time period (e.g., from midnight to 5:00 a.m.) as the function disabled time period, or may set the function disabled time period from the bedtime to the wake-up time set by the user as the function disabled time period.

(Variation 6)
Even if the time is before the end time of the function disabled time period, if an event occurs that indicates that the user has woken up, such as a lighting device being turned on, server 2b may consider that time to be the end time of the function disabled time period.

(Variation 7)
The first and second embodiments and their respective modified examples can also be applied to this embodiment as appropriate.

The technical ideas of each of the above modifications may be realized individually or in appropriate combinations.

(Embodiment 4)
Next, a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. In the following description, components and the like common to the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

Figure 26 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of air conditioning system 1c in embodiment 4. Air conditioning system 1c includes server 2c, an air conditioner 3, and a user terminal 4. That is, air conditioning system 1c differs from air conditioning system 1 in embodiment 1 in that it includes server 2c instead of server 2. Server 2c is an example of a control device according to the present disclosure. The hardware configuration of server 2c is similar to that of server 2 in embodiment 1 (see Figure 2).

Fig. 27 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of server 2c. As shown in Fig. 27, server 2c includes a setting data registration unit 200, an air conditioning data acquisition unit 201, a restart operation determination unit 202, a start-up necessity determination unit 203a, a start-up command unit 204, a threshold setting unit 205, and a report notification unit 206. These functional units of server 2c are realized by the CPU 21 of server 2c executing a good sleep support program stored in the auxiliary storage device 24, which is a program for supporting a user who is a resident of house H to sleep well through air conditioning.

The functional configuration of the server 2c described above differs from the functional configuration of the server 2 of embodiment 1 (see FIG. 6) in that it includes a start-up necessity determination unit 203a instead of the start-up necessity determination unit 203. The start-up necessity determination unit 203a is an example of a start-up necessity determination means according to the present disclosure. Like the start-up necessity determination unit 203 of embodiment 1, the start-up necessity determination unit 203a determines whether or not it is necessary to start up the stopped air conditioner 3 based on the threshold value set by the threshold value setting unit 205.

However, when the operation mode of the air conditioner 3 is the cooling mode, even if the current room temperature is higher than the threshold value corresponding to the cooling mode, if the start time based on the on-timer setting is approaching, the start necessity determination unit 203a determines that it is not necessary to start the air conditioner 3 (i.e., it is not necessary to start it by a start command from the server 2c) if the operation mode of the air conditioner 3 is the cooling mode and the current room temperature is lower than the threshold value corresponding to the heating mode, if the start time based on the on-timer setting is approaching.

In this embodiment, the user can specify the start time of the air conditioner 3 as the on timer setting via the remote control 32 of the air conditioner 3, and can specify the stop time of the air conditioner 3 as the off timer setting. The on timer setting and the off timer setting can be set simultaneously. Also, in this embodiment, the air conditioning data periodically sent from the air conditioner 3 to the server 2c includes, as shown in FIG. 28, the operating state of the air conditioner 3, information indicating the operating mode and whether it is operating or stopped, as well as information regarding the timer settings set by the user (designated time for the on timer, designated time for the off timer) (NULL if not set).

Figure 29 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the start-up necessity determination process executed by the start-up necessity determination unit 203a. Note that the start-up necessity determination unit 203a executes the start-up necessity determination process only when the user has set to receive good sleep support.

When the current time reaches the start time for determining whether or not the air conditioner 3 is started (step S901; YES), the start-up necessity determination unit 203a starts monitoring the latest air conditioning data sent from the air conditioner 3 and determines whether or not the air conditioner 3 is stopped (step S902). The start time for determining whether or not the air conditioner 3 is started is set, for example, to a time two hours later than the user's planned bedtime, i.e., the daily bedtime set by the user (see FIG. 7).

If the air conditioner 3 is not stopped (step S902; NO), the process of the start-up necessity determination unit 203a proceeds to step S909. On the other hand, if the air conditioner 3 is stopped (step S902; YES), the start-up necessity determination unit 203a determines whether the operation mode of the air conditioner 3 is the cooling mode (step S903). If the operation mode of the air conditioner 3 is the cooling mode (step S903; YES), the start-up necessity determination unit 203a determines whether the current room temperature is higher than the threshold value corresponding to the cooling mode (step S904).

If the current room temperature is not higher than the threshold corresponding to the cooling mode, i.e., is equal to or lower than the threshold (step S904; NO), the process of the start necessity determination unit 203a proceeds to step S909. On the other hand, if the current room temperature is higher than the threshold corresponding to the cooling mode (step S904; YES), the start necessity determination unit 203a determines whether the remaining time until the on-timer time (i.e., the operation start time specified in the on-timer setting) is longer than time T (step S905). Time T is, for example, 10 minutes. Note that time T may be determined according to the user's sleep tendency (see FIG. 7) set by the user. In this case, time T is 10 minutes if the user's sleep tendency is "normal", 5 minutes if "light", 15 minutes if "deep", etc.

If the remaining time until the on-timer time is not longer than time T, i.e., is equal to or less than time T (step S905; NO), the process of the start-up necessity determination unit 203a proceeds to step S909. On the other hand, if the remaining time until the on-timer time is longer than time T (step S905; YES), the start-up necessity determination unit 203a determines that the air conditioner 3 needs to be started (step S906) and notifies the start-up command unit 204 of this fact. Thereafter, the process of the start-up necessity determination unit 203a proceeds to step S909.

If the operation mode of the air conditioner 3 is not the cooling mode (step S903; NO), the start-up necessity determination unit 203a determines whether the operation mode of the air conditioner 3 is the heating mode (step S907). If the operation mode of the air conditioner 3 is not the heating mode (step S907; NO), the process of the start-up necessity determination unit 203a proceeds to step S909.

If the operation mode of the air conditioner 3 is the heating mode (step S907; YES), the start-up necessity determination unit 203a determines whether the current room temperature is lower than the threshold corresponding to the heating mode (step S908). If the current room temperature is lower than the threshold corresponding to the heating mode (step S908; YES), the process of the start-up necessity determination unit 203a proceeds to step S905. On the other hand, if the current room temperature is equal to or higher than the threshold corresponding to the heating mode (step S908; NO), the process of the start-up necessity determination unit 203a proceeds to step S909.

In step S909, the startup necessity determination unit 203a determines whether the current time has reached the startup necessity determination end time. The startup necessity determination end time is, for example, the user's planned wake-up time (e.g., 8:00 a.m.). If the current time has not reached the startup necessity determination end time (step S909; NO), the startup necessity determination unit 203a returns to step S902. On the other hand, if the current time has reached the startup necessity determination end time (step S909; YES), the startup necessity determination unit 203a ends the startup necessity determination process.

As described above, according to the air conditioning system 1c of this embodiment, if the on-timer time set by the user is approaching, the server 2c does not command the air conditioner 3 to start up. Even in this way, the air conditioner 3 starts up and performs air conditioning shortly thereafter, so the quality of the user's sleep is not impaired. In addition, because the on-timer setting made by the user is respected, a user-friendly good sleep support service can be provided.

(Variation 1)
When the on-timer time is approaching, the server 2c may not avoid issuing a start command to the air conditioner 3, but may instead instruct the air conditioner 3 to start up with a lower load (i.e., start up with limited capacity) than the air conditioning content set by the on-timer as set by the user. In this case, when setting the on-timer, the user can specify the operation start time and set the air conditioning content (operation mode, set temperature, etc.), and the air conditioning data sent from the air conditioner 3 to the server 2c further includes the air conditioning content set by the on-timer as the operating state. Figure 30 is a flowchart showing the steps of the start necessity determination process executed by the start necessity determination unit 203a in this modified example.

In FIG. 30, if the remaining time until the on timer time is longer than the time T (step S905; YES), the start-up necessity determination unit 203a determines that the air conditioner 3 needs to be started normally (step S906a) and notifies the start-up command unit 204 of that effect. The process of the start-up necessity determination unit 203a then proceeds to step S909. Normal start-up means starting up at the previous set temperature. In this case, the start-up command unit 204 commands the air conditioner 3 to start up at the previous set temperature.

On the other hand, if the remaining time until the on-timer time is not longer than the time T, i.e., is equal to or less than the time T (step S905; NO), the start-up necessity determination unit 203a determines that the air conditioner 3 needs to be started with a lower load than the air conditioning content set by the on-timer (step S906b), and notifies the start-up command unit 204 of that effect. The process of the start-up necessity determination unit 203a then proceeds to step S909. In this case, the start-up command unit 204 commands the air conditioner 3 to start up with a set temperature 1°C higher than the set temperature set by the user during cooling and 1°C lower during heating. For example, if the user has set the on-timer to start operation at a specified time in "cooling mode: 26°C", the air conditioner 3 that receives the above command from the server 2c starts operation in "cooling mode: 27°C".

Then, when the on-timer time arrives, the air conditioner 3 changes the set temperature to the set temperature set by the user (26°C in the above example). Note that, when the on-timer time arrives, the server 2c may instruct the air conditioner 3 to change the set temperature to the set temperature set by the user.

In this way, the air conditioner 3 operates to gradually increase its capacity toward the on timer time, thereby reducing the peak load when the air conditioner 3 starts up and reducing power consumption. Note that the load fluctuations can be smoothed out by, for example, lowering the set temperature by 0.5°C every 5 minutes when cooling and raising it when heating.

(Variation 2)
When instructing the air conditioner 3 with an on-timer setting to start, the start-up command unit 204 may simultaneously instruct the air conditioner 3 to set the on-timer to the same contents (i.e., the same operation start time and air conditioning contents), or may instruct the air conditioner 3 to set the on-timer to the same contents after instructing the air conditioner 3 to start. In this way, even if the previous on-timer setting is reset when the air conditioner 3 is started up in response to a command from the server 2c, the original on-timer setting contents are reset, so it is possible to prevent the air conditioner 3 from not starting up at the time desired by the user.

(Variation 3)
In the above embodiment, the user specified the operation start time when setting the on timer, but the user may specify the on timer time, which is the time until operation starts. Similarly, the user may specify the off timer time, which is the time until operation is stopped, when setting the off timer. In this case, the air conditioning data sent from the air conditioner 3 to the server 2c stores the remaining on timer time rather than the on timer time, and stores the remaining off timer time rather than the off timer time. In the determination of step S905 of the start necessity determination process shown in FIG. 29, the start necessity determination unit 203a of this modified example compares the remaining on timer time stored in the latest air conditioning data of the air conditioner 3 with the time T.

(Variation 4)
The first to third embodiments and their respective modified examples can also be applied to this embodiment as appropriate.

The technical ideas of each of the above modifications may be realized individually or in appropriate combinations.

(Embodiment 5)
Next, a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. In the following description, components and the like common to the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

Figure 31 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of an air conditioning system 1d in embodiment 5. The air conditioning system 1d includes a server 2d, an air conditioner 3, and a user terminal 4. That is, the configuration of the air conditioning system 1d differs from that of the air conditioning system 1 in embodiment 1 in that it includes a server 2d instead of the server 2. The server 2d is an example of a control device according to the present disclosure. The hardware configuration of the server 2d is similar to that of the server 2 in embodiment 1 (see Figure 2).

Fig. 32 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of server 2d. As shown in Fig. 32, server 2d includes a setting data registration unit 200, an air conditioning data acquisition unit 201, a restart operation determination unit 202a, a start-up necessity determination unit 203, a start-up command unit 204, a threshold setting unit 205, and a report notification unit 206. These functional units of server 2d are realized by the CPU 21 of server 2d executing a good sleep support program stored in the auxiliary storage device 24, which is a program for supporting a good sleep of a user who is a resident of house H through air conditioning.

The functional configuration of the server 2d described above differs from the functional configuration of the server 2 of the first embodiment (see FIG. 6) in that the server 2d includes a restart operation determination unit 202a instead of the restart operation determination unit 202. The restart operation determination unit 202a is an example of a restart operation determination means according to the present disclosure. Like the restart operation determination unit 202, the restart operation determination unit 202a determines whether or not a user has performed a restart operation on the air conditioner 3 after the operation of the air conditioner 3 has stopped. However, the restart operation determination unit 202a excludes operations related to the on-timer setting from the restart operations. In detail, in the first embodiment, the restart operation determination unit 202 determined that the start of the air conditioner 3 in accordance with the start command from the server 2 was not started by the user's restart operation, but the restart operation determination unit 202a further determines that the start of the air conditioner 3 based on the on-timer setting is also not started by the user's restart operation.

In this embodiment, as in the fourth embodiment, the air conditioning data periodically sent from the air conditioner 3 to the server 2d includes, as shown in FIG. 28, the operating state of the air conditioner 3, information indicating the operating mode and whether it is operating or stopped, as well as information regarding the timer settings set by the user (designated time for the on timer, designated time for the off timer) (NULL if not set). Note that the information regarding the timer settings may be the remaining time on the timer instead of the designated time.

Figure 33 is a flowchart showing the steps of the restart operation determination process executed by the restart operation determination unit 202a.

When the current time reaches the restart operation judgment start time (step S1001; YES), the restart operation judgment unit 202a starts monitoring the operating status of the air conditioner 3 and judges whether the operating status has changed from stopped to running, i.e., whether the air conditioner 3 has been started (step S1002). The restart operation judgment start time is set, for example, to a time two hours earlier than the user's planned bedtime, i.e., the daily bedtime set by the user (see FIG. 7).

If the air conditioner 3 is not started (step S1002; NO), the process of the restart operation judgment unit 202a proceeds to step S1007. On the other hand, if the air conditioner 3 is started (step S1002; YES), the restart operation judgment unit 202a judges whether or not the air conditioner 3 has been operated from the restart operation judgment start time to the present (step S1003). If the air conditioner 3 has not been operated from the restart operation judgment start time to the present (step S1003; NO), the process of the restart operation judgment unit 202a proceeds to step S1007.

On the other hand, if the air conditioner 3 has been operating from the restart operation judgment start time to the present (step S1003; YES), the restart operation judgment unit 202a judges whether the current startup was due to automatic startup following a startup command from server 2d (step S1004). If the current startup was due to automatic startup following a startup command from server 2d (step 1004; YES), the process of the restart operation judgment unit 202a proceeds to step S1007.

On the other hand, if the current startup is not the result of automatic startup in accordance with a startup command from server 2d (step 1004; NO), the restart operation determination unit 202a determines whether the current startup is due to on-timer setting (step S1005). If the current startup is due to on-timer setting (step 1005; YES), the process of the restart operation determination unit 202a proceeds to step S1007.

On the other hand, if the current activation is not due to the on-timer setting (step S1005; NO), the restart operation determination unit 202a determines that the user performed a restart operation after going to sleep, and records information indicating this in the air conditioning data management DB 241 (step S1006). Specifically, the restart operation determination unit 202a adds information indicating that a restart operation has been performed to the corresponding air conditioning data record. After step S1006, the process of the restart operation determination unit 202a proceeds to step S1007.

In step S1007, the restart operation determination unit 202a determines whether the current time has reached the restart operation determination end time. The restart operation determination end time is, for example, the user's planned wake-up time (e.g., 8:00 a.m.). If the current time has not reached the restart operation determination end time (step S1007; NO), the process of the restart operation determination unit 202a returns to step S1002. On the other hand, if the current time has reached the restart operation determination end time (step S1007; YES), the restart operation determination unit 202a ends the restart operation determination process.

As described above, according to the air conditioning system 1d of this embodiment, the restart operation determination unit 202a of the server 2d determines that not only the start of the air conditioner 3 following a start command from the server 2d, but also the start of the air conditioner 3 due to an on timer setting is not the start of the air conditioner 3 due to a restart operation by the user. This allows the user's restart operation to be detected with high accuracy, improving the accuracy of the threshold set by the threshold setting unit 205. As a result, it becomes possible to restart the air conditioner 3 at a more appropriate timing that does not deteriorate the quality of the user's sleep.

Embodiments 1 to 4 and their respective variations can also be applied to this embodiment as appropriate.

This disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments and their variations, and various modifications are of course possible without departing from the spirit of this disclosure.

1, 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d Air conditioning system, 2, 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d Server, 3, 3a Air conditioner, 4 User terminal, 5 Router, 20, 42 Communication interface, 21, 43 CPU, 22, 44 ROM, 23, 45 RAM, 24, 46 Auxiliary storage device, 25, 47 Bus, 30 Indoor unit, 31 Outdoor unit, 32 Remote control, 33 Refrigerant piping, 34 Communication line, 40 Display, 41 Operation reception unit, 200 Setting data registration unit, 201 Air conditioning data acquisition unit, 202, 202a Restart operation determination unit, 203, 203a Start necessity determination unit, 204, 204a Start command unit, 205 Threshold setting unit, 206 Report notification unit, 207 Stop operation determination unit, 208 Stop command unit, 209 Upper limit operation time determination unit, 210 Function disable necessity determination unit, 211 Function disable command unit, 240 Setting data management DB, 241, 241a Air conditioning data management DB, 242 Threshold management DB, 243 Upper limit operation time management DB, 300, 310 Control circuit, 301, 313 Heat exchanger, 302, 314 Fan, 303, 316 Temperature sensor, 304 Thermal image sensor, 311 Compressor, 312 Four-way valve, 315 Expansion valve, 400 Setting reception unit, 401 Report screen display unit

Claims (26)

an air conditioning data acquisition means for periodically acquiring air conditioning data related to air conditioning from an air conditioner;
A data storage means for storing the acquired air conditioning data;
a determination data setting means for setting, when the air conditioner is started by a user operation after the air conditioner has stopped operating, air conditioning data acquired a predetermined time before the user operation as determination data;
a start necessity determination means for determining whether or not the air conditioner needs to be started based on the determination data;
a start command means for commanding the air conditioner to start up when it is determined that the air conditioner needs to be started up. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the determination data setting means sets the determination data for each time period. The control device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the determination data setting means determines the determination data by performing statistical processing on a plurality of determination data candidates to remove outliers. The air conditioning data indicates a room temperature of a room to be air-conditioned by the air conditioner,
The control device according to claim 1 , wherein the start-up necessity determination means determines whether or not the air conditioner needs to be started by comparing a room temperature of the room to be air-conditioned with a room temperature indicated by the determination data. The control device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the start-up necessity determination means determines whether or not the air conditioner needs to be started if the current time is between the user's planned bedtime and planned wake-up time. The control device according to claim 5, wherein the start-up necessity determination means determines whether or not the air conditioner needs to be started on the condition that the current time is earlier than a time that is a predetermined time before the user's planned wake-up time. The control device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a report notification means for notifying a user of a sleep status report. The control device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the start-up necessity determination means determines whether or not the air conditioner needs to be started based on a predetermined initial value until a predetermined condition is satisfied. The control device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the start command means commands the air conditioner to start with air conditioning content that matches the user's preferences. The control device according to claim 9, wherein the air conditioning contents include one of a set temperature, air volume, air direction, and an operation mode. The control device according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the air conditioning content is set by a user via a terminal. The control device according to claim 9 or 10, further comprising a feedback means for adjusting the air conditioning content based on impression information indicating impressions regarding the air conditioning input by a user via a terminal. The device further includes a motion data acquisition means for acquiring user motion data relating to the motion of the user while sleeping,
The control device according to claim 1 , wherein the start necessity determining means determines whether or not the start of the air conditioner is necessary by taking into account the acquired user movement data. The control device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, further comprising a stop command means for commanding the air conditioner to stop operation when a condition for stopping operation is satisfied after the air conditioner is started by the start command means. The control device according to claim 14, wherein the stop command means commands the air conditioner to stop operation when a time set by a user in advance has elapsed since the air conditioner was started. The air conditioner further includes an operation upper limit time determination means for determining an upper limit time of the air conditioner based on an operation time from when the air conditioner is started by the start command means to when the operation of the air conditioner is stopped by a user operation,
The control device according to claim 14 , wherein the stop command means commands the air conditioner to stop operation when the upper operation limit time has elapsed since the air conditioner was started. A room temperature change tendency acquisition means for acquiring a change tendency of the room temperature after the operation of the air conditioner is stopped;
and a stop time determination means for determining a time to stop the operation of the air conditioner based on the acquired change trend of the room temperature and a scheduled wake-up time of the user,
The control device according to claim 14 , wherein the stop command means commands the air conditioner to stop operation when the stop time arrives. a function disable necessity determination means for determining whether or not it is necessary to disable a specific function of the air conditioner;
The control device according to claim 1 , further comprising: a function disable command means for commanding the air conditioner to disable the specific function when it is determined that the specific function needs to be disabled. The control device according to claim 18, wherein the specific function is a function different from the normal air conditioning function of the air conditioner. The air conditioning data includes information regarding an on-timer setting,
20. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the start-up necessity determining means determines that start-up of the air conditioner is not necessary when the remaining time until the start time based on the on-timer setting is equal to or less than a predetermined time. The air conditioning data includes information regarding an on-timer setting,
The start-up necessity determination means determines that it is necessary to start the air conditioner with a limited capacity when the remaining time until the start time based on the on-timer setting is equal to or shorter than a predetermined time,
20. The control device according to claim 1, wherein when it is determined that the air conditioner needs to be started with its capacity restricted, the start-up command means commands the air conditioner to start with its capacity restricted. The air conditioner further includes a restart operation determination means for determining whether or not a restart operation has been performed on the air conditioner by a user,
The control device according to claim 1 , wherein the determination data setting means sets the air conditioning data acquired a predetermined time before the restart operation as the determination data. The control device according to claim 22, wherein the restart operation determination means excludes operations related to on-timer setting by a user from the restart operations. A control device according to any one of claims 1 to 23;
An air conditioning system comprising an air conditioner. Air conditioning data is periodically acquired from the air conditioner.
The acquired air conditioning data is stored in a data storage device.
When the air conditioner is started by a user operation after the air conditioner has stopped operating, air conditioning data acquired before a predetermined time from the time of the operation is set as determination data;
determining whether or not the air conditioner needs to be started based on the determination data;
The air conditioner control method includes issuing a command to start the air conditioner when it is determined that start-up of the air conditioner is necessary. Computer,
an air conditioning data acquisition means for periodically acquiring air conditioning data related to air conditioning from the air conditioner and storing the data in a data storage device;
a determination data setting means for setting, when the air conditioner is started by a user operation after the air conditioner has stopped operating, air conditioning data acquired a predetermined time before the user operation as determination data;
a start-up necessity determination means for determining whether or not the air conditioner needs to be started based on the determination data;
a program that functions as a start-up command means for commanding the air conditioner to start up when it is determined that the air conditioner needs to be started up;

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