ENVIRONMENT CONTROL SYSTEM, ENVIRONMENT CONTROL METHOD, AND RECORDING MEDIUM

Abstract

An environment control system is an environment control system that controls an environment of a target space. The environment control system includes: an obtainer that obtains biological information of a person present in the target space and environmental information of the target space; an estimator that estimates, based on the biological information and the environmental information obtained by the obtainer, a position of the person in the target space and a condition level indicating a level of comfort felt by the person in regard to the environment; a generator that generates, based on the position and the condition level of the person estimated by the estimator, a control signal that controls an operation of a device provided in the target space; and an outputter that outputs the control signal generated by the generator to the device.

Claims

1. An environment control system that controls an environment of a target space, the environment control system comprising: an obtainer that obtains biological information of a person present in the target space and environmental information of the target space; an estimator that estimates, based on the biological information and the environmental information obtained by the obtainer, a position of the person in the target space and a condition level indicating a level of comfort felt by the person in regard to the environment; a generator that generates, based on the position and the condition level of the person estimated by the estimator, a control signal that controls an operation of a device provided in the target space; and an outputter that outputs the control signal generated by the generator to the device.

2. The environment control system according to claim 1, wherein the estimator stores, as history information, the position and the condition level of the person estimated in a storage.

3. The environment control system according to claim 2, wherein the estimator estimates the condition level based on the biological information, the environmental information, and the history information.

4. The environment control system according to claim 2, wherein when an absolute value of a difference between the condition level estimated by the estimator and a previous condition level estimated one before the condition level is greater than a threshold, the generator generates a control signal that controls an operation of the device to make the absolute value of the difference smaller than the threshold.

5. The environment control system according to claim 4, wherein when the absolute value of the difference is greater than the threshold, the outputter outputs the control signal generated by the generator to the device.

6. The environment control system according to claim 2, wherein the estimator: estimates the condition level of each of people including the person; and derives a standard index of the condition level based on the condition level of each of the people estimated, and stores the standard index derived in the storage.

7. The environment control system according to claim 1, wherein a sensor that obtains the biological information and the environmental information includes, out of an infrared sensor, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, a gas sensor, a floating matter sensor, an illuminance sensor, and a color temperature sensor, at least the infrared sensor.

8. An environment control method that controls an environment of a target space, the environment control method comprising: obtaining biological information of a person present in the target space and environmental information of the target space; estimating, based on the biological information and the environmental information obtained in the obtaining, a position of the person in the target space and a condition level indicating a level of comfort felt by the person in regard to the environment; generating, based on the position and the condition level of the person estimated in the estimating, a control signal that controls an operation of a device provided in the target space; and outputting the control signal generated in the generating to the device.

9. A non-transitory computer-readable recording medium for use in a computer, the recording medium having thereon a computer program for causing the computer to execute the environment control method according to claim 8.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0010] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating one example of the configuration of an environment control system according to an embodiment.

[0011] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a target space in which the environment control system according to the embodiment is used.

[0012] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a thermal image.

[0013] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of operations performed by the environment control system according to the embodiment.

[0014] FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating one example of the detailed flow of steps S03 and S04 shown in FIG. 4.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0015] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiments below each describe a general or specific example. The numerical values, shapes, materials, elements, the arrangement and connection of the elements, steps, orders of the steps, etc. presented in the embodiments below are mere examples, and are not intended to limit the present invention. Furthermore, among the elements in the embodiments below, those not recited in any one of the independent claims will be described as optional elements.

[0016] Note that the drawings are schematic diagrams, and do not necessarily provide strictly accurate illustration. Throughout the drawings, the same reference sign is given to substantially the same element, and redundant description may be omitted or simplified.

EMBODIMENT

Configuration

[0017] First, the configuration of an environment control system according to an embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating one example of the configuration of the environment control system according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a target space in which the environment control system according to the embodiment is used. Environment control system 200 controls device 20 provided in an indoor space (target space 80 shown in FIG. 1) inside a building, such as a home, an office, and a hospital, to adjust the environment of target space 80.

[0018] The environment of target space 80 is, for example, the temperature, humidity, concentration of gas such as CO.sub.2, amount of floating matter, illuminance, or color temperature of target space 80.

[0019] Environment control system 200 can appropriately control the environment of target space 80 so as to create the environment comfortable for person 1 by controlling an operation of device 20 provided in target space 80, based on a condition level indicating a level of comfort felt by person 1 in regard to the environment. The level of comfort felt by person 1 in regard to the environment indicates how person 1 feels in regard to the environment of target space 80 (i.e., an impression that person 1 has in regard to the environment). Here, the impression indicates a result of evaluating how a target (here target space 80) makes one feel, based on knowledge and empirical knowledge about the target and information newly obtained from the target. The phrase how the target makes one feel indicates a personal, psychological reaction to the characteristics of the target. In the embodiment below, environment control system 200 controls device 20 to adjust the temperature of target space 80. In this case, device 20 is, for example, an air conditioner, and environment control system 200 controls the set temperature, air volume, air direction, etc., of the air conditioner.

[0020] As illustrated in FIG. 1, environment control system 200 includes, for example, sensor 10, device 20, and server device 100. Hereinafter, each of these elements will be described.

Sensor

[0021] Sensor 10 is an environment sensor that measures the environment of target space 80, and includes, out of an infrared sensor, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, a gas sensor, a floating matter sensor, an illuminance sensor, and a color temperature sensor, at least the infrared sensor, for example. Sensor 10 measures the environment of target space 80 to obtain biological information of person 1 present inside target space 80 and environmental information of target space 80. For example, when sensor 10 includes another sensor besides the infrared sensor, each of the sensors may be individually provided inside target space 80. Sensor 10 measures at least a temperature distribution in target space 80. The present embodiment presents an example in which sensor 10 is, for example, an infrared sensor, but sensor 10 is non-limiting. As illustrated in FIG. 2, sensor 10 is, for example, provided on the ceiling of target space 80, and obtains data indicating a temperature distribution in target space 80 when target space 80 is seen from the ceiling side (stated differently, seen from above). For example, when person 1 is present in target space 80, data indicating a temperature distribution which is to be obtained by sensor 10 includes (i) data indicating the body surface temperature of person 1 (stated differently, the biological information of person 1) and (ii) data indicating a temperature distribution in a space surrounding person 1 (stated differently, the environmental information).

[0022] In addition, sensor 10 may be directly provided on the ceiling of target space 80 as illustrated in FIG. 2, or may be removably coupled to a lighting device (not illustrated) provided on the ceiling or to a power supply terminal included in a fire alarm (not illustrated). The power supply terminal is, for example, a universal serial bus (USB) terminal.

[0023] When sensor 10 is an infrared sensor, the infrared sensor may be, for example, an infrared array sensor (stated differently, a thermal image sensor) including an array of 88 infrared detection elements. Stated differently, data indicating a temperature distribution in target space 80 (more specifically, a sensing range sensed by sensor 10 in target space 80) which is to be obtained by the infrared sensor may be data of a thermal image including 88 pixels.

[0024] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a thermal image. Part (a) of FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a camera image of target space 80 measured by sensor 10. Part (b) of FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating data (the so-called thermal image) indicating the temperature distribution in target space 80 obtained by sensor 10. Each of 88 subregions shown in part (a) of FIG. 3 denotes a pixel included in the image, and each of 88 subregions shown in part (b) of FIG. 3 denotes a pixel included in the thermal image. The numerical value of each pixel shown in part (b) of FIG. 3 is a pixel value, and is specifically a temperature value. Note that head 1a of person 1 may be determined as the position of the person. A specific estimation method of estimating the position of person 1 will be described later.

[0025] Note that although a single sensor 10 is provided in target space 80, two or more sensors 10 may be provided. The two or more sensors 10 may be of the same type or of different types. Moreover, sensor 10 may be provided on the ceiling or a wall of target space 80. In addition, sensor 10 may be included in device 20 provided in target space 80 or maybe removably coupled to device 20.

[0026] Note that sensor 10 is not limited to an infrared sensor. For example, sensor 10 may be a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, a gas sensor that measures the concentration of gas such as CO.sub.2, a floating matter sensor, an illuminance sensor, a color temperature sensor, etc.

[0027] Note that besides sensor 10, target space 80 may be provided with a sensor or a device for identifying person 1. In this case, the sensor for identifying person 1 may be a camera. Moreover, the device for identifying person 1 may be a beacon or an identification device including a camera provided with artificial intelligence (AI) that identifies person 1. The beacon receives a radio wave emitted from a tag possessed by person 1 present in target space 80 to identify person 1, and further measures the position of person 1, for example.

[0028] Note that the biological information of person 1 present in target space 80 and the environmental information of target space 80 may be obtained by different sensors. For example, the biological information may be obtained by a contact sensor, such as a watch-type sensor, or by a non-contact sensor using a radio wave, such as a microwave.

Device

[0029] Device 20 is provided in target space 80, and operates according to a control signal output from server device 100. Device 20 is, for example, an air conditioner, and adjusts a set temperature, an air volume, an air direction, etc. according to control signals. The air conditioner may include, for example, an air supply device that supplies air from an external space to target space 80 and an air exhaustion device that exhausts air from target space 80 to the external space. The air supply device and air exhaustion device each may be implemented by, for example, an air blower (fan). In addition, the air conditioner includes a heating-and-cooling device. The heating-and-cooling device is an air conditioning device that circulates the air in target space 80 based on a control signal received from server device 100 to adjust the temperature and humidity of target space 80. The heating-and-cooling device is provided on, for example, a wall of target space 80.

[0030] Note that the air conditioner is to have a function of supplying and exhausting air and a heating and cooling function. Accordingly, it is not essential for the air conditioner to be implemented by three devices consisting of an air supply device, an air exhaustion device, and a heating-and-cooling device. For example, the air conditioning equipment may be implemented as a single device.

Server Device

[0031] Server device 100 obtains the environmental information of target space 80 and the biological information of person 1 present in target space 80, estimates the position of person 1 in target space 80 and the condition level of person 1, and outputs a control signal generated based on the estimation results to device 20. Server device 100 is, for example, an edge server provided in target space 80 or in a building including target space 80. Server device 100 includes, for example, communicator 110, information processor 120, and storage 130.

[0032] Communicator 110 is a communication module (communication circuit) for server 100 to communicate with sensor 10 and device 20. Communicator 110 may include a communication circuit (communication module) for communication via a wide area network (not illustrated) and a communication circuit (communication module) for communication via a local communication network (not illustrated). Communicator 110 is, for example, a wireless communication circuit for wireless communication, but may be a wired communication circuit for wired communication. Note that the communication standard used by communicator 110 for communication is not particularly limited.

[0033] Information processor 120 performs various types of information processing based on the biological information and environmental information obtained from sensor 10 to control operations of device 20. Specifically, information processor 120 includes obtainer 121, estimator 122, generator 123, and outputter 124. The functions of obtainer 121, estimator 122, generator 123, and outputter 124 are implemented by a processor or a microcomputer including information processor 120 executing computer programs stored in storage 130.

[0034] Obtainer 121 obtains biological information and environmental information received by communicator 110.

[0035] Estimator 122 estimates, based on the biological information and environmental information obtained by obtainer 121, the position of person 1 in target space 80 and the condition level of person 1 which indicates a level of comfort felt by person 1 in regard to the environment of target space 80.

[0036] In addition, estimator 122 may store the estimated position and the estimated condition level of person 1 in storage 130 as history information. Note that the history information may be stored in database 131 that will be described later. In this case, estimator 122 may estimate the condition level based on the biological information, environmental information, and history information.

[0037] For example, estimator 122 may estimate the position and condition level of person 1, using a machine learning model that will be described later.

[0038] Generator 123 generates, based on the position and condition level of person 1 estimated by estimator 122, a control signal that controls an operation of device 20 provided in target space 80. More specifically, when, for example, a difference between the condition level estimated by estimator 122 and the previous condition level estimated one before the condition level is greater than a threshold, generator 123 may generate a control signal that controls an operation of device 20 so as to make the difference smaller than the threshold. Note that the previous condition level is a condition level estimated by estimator 122 temporally before the condition level, and is a condition level estimated when the environment of target space 80 was appropriately controlled so as to create the environment comfortable for person 1.

[0039] Outputter 124 outputs the control signal generated by generator 123 to device 20. More specifically, when, for example, a difference between the condition level estimated by estimator 122 and the previous condition level is greater than the threshold, outputter 124 outputs the control signal generated by generator 123 to device 20.

[0040] Storage 130 is a storage device that stores dedicated application programs, etc. to be executed by information processor 120. Storage 130 may store database 131. Database 131 may store associating items of information, such as a position of person 1, a condition level of person 1, and an estimation date and time, for example. Database 131 may further store associating control conditions for controlling device 20. Note that when obtainer 121 obtains identification information (e.g., an identifier (ID)) of person 1, database 131 may store associating the identification information of person 1 with the position and condition level of person 1.

[0041] In addition, storage 130 may store a trained machine learning model (not illustrated). The machine learning model may be trained by a trainer (not illustrated) of server device 100 or by an external device (e.g., a cloud server). In the case of the latter, information processor 120 may store a trained machine learning model (hereafter, also called a trained model) transmitted from the external device into storage 130 to update a trained machine learning model inside storage 130. The machine learning model may be, for example, a convolutional neural network (CNN), but is not limited to the CNN as long as the machine learning model includes a convolution layer. The machine learning model is trained using training data, for example. The training data includes, as input data, biological information of person 1 and environmental information of target space 80 in which person 1 is present, and, as output label data, the position and condition level of person 1 in target space 80, for example. For example, when sensor 10 is an infrared sensor, the training data may be a data set that includes, as input data, (i) data indicating a temperature distribution in target space 80 (e.g., a thermal image) and (ii) a set of the position and condition level of person 1 in target space 80.

[0042] Note that although server device 100 communicates with sensor 10 and device 20 in the example shown in FIG. 1, the communication may be performed via a controller provided in target space 80, for example.

Operation Example

[0043] Next, an example of operations performed by environment control system 200 will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of operations performed by environment control system 200. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating one example of the detailed flow of steps S03 and S04 shown in FIG. 4.

[0044] When obtainer 121 of server device 100 obtains, via communicator 110, the biological information of person 1 present in target space 80 and the environmental information of target space 80 from sensor 10 provided in target space 80 (S01), obtainer 121 outputs the obtained biological information and the obtained environmental information to estimator 122. At this time, obtainer 121 stores the biological information and environmental information into storage 130. For example, when sensor 10 is an infrared sensor, obtainer 121 may obtain data that indicates a temperature distribution in target space 80 (e.g., see part (b) of FIG. 3) that includes the body surface temperature of person 1 present in target space 80 as the biological information and a temperature of the space surrounding person 1 (also called the environmental temperature) as the environmental information.

[0045] Next, estimator 122 estimates, based on the biological information and environmental information obtained by obtainer 121 in step S01, the position of person 1 in target space 80 and a condition level indicating a level of comfort felt by person 1 in regard to the environment (S02). For example, estimator 122 may estimate the position of person 1 in target space 80 and the condition level of person 1, based on an output result obtained by inputting, into a trained model, the obtained biological information and the obtained environmental information (e.g., data indicating a temperature distribution). In this case, the output result may be, as shown in part (b) of FIG. 3, a thermal image in which the position of head 1a of person 1 and a region (the bold-line frame in part (b) of FIG. 3) for calculating the body surface temperature of person 1 are segmented, for example. Based on the output result, estimator 122 may estimate the position of person 1 in target space 80 using coordinate conversion and may calculate the body surface temperature of person 1 and the environmental temperature surrounding person 1 by calculating the average value of pixel values (here, temperature values) of subregions inside the segmented regions and the average value of pixel values (i.e., temperature values) of subregions outside the segmented regions. Thereafter, estimator 122 may estimate a condition level of person 1 based on the absolute value of a difference value between the body surface temperature of person 1 and the environmental temperature.

[0046] Note that when a trained model outputs the position of person 1 (e.g., the position of head 1a of person 1) in a thermal image, but does not output a segment for calculating the body surface temperature of person 1, estimator 122 may calculate, as the body surface temperature of person 1, the average value of pixel values (i.e., temperature values) of nine subregions consisting of the subregion corresponding to the position of person 1 and subregions adjacent to the subregion corresponding to the position of person 1. In this case, estimator 122 may calculate, as the environmental temperature, the average value of pixel values (i.e., temperature values) of all other subregions, other than the nine subregions in the thermal image.

[0047] In addition, estimator 122 may use, as an estimation result, an output result obtained by inputting the obtained biological information and the obtained environmental information into a trained model, for example. In this case, the trained model outputs, as an output result, the position and condition level of person 1 in target space 80. Estimator 122 may associate the estimated position with the estimated condition level of person 1, and may store this association in database 131 in storage 130 as history information.

[0048] Note that, although not illustrated, estimator 122 may read history information stored in storage 130 when estimator 122 obtains biological information and environmental information output from obtainer 121. Thereafter, estimator 122 may estimate the position and condition level of person 1 in target space 80, based on the biological information and environmental information obtained from obtainer 121 and the history information readout from storage 130. For example, estimator 122 may estimate the position and condition level of person 1 in a target space based on an output result obtained by inputting biological information, environmental information, and history information into a trained model, or may use the output result as an estimation result. As described above, environment control system 200 can relatively estimate the current condition level based on a past condition level included in history information. Accordingly, environment control system 200 can estimate a condition level depending on a preference or a nature of person 1. As a result, environment control system 200 can control operations of device 20 so as to create the environment more comfortable for person 1 present in target space 80. Therefore, environment control system 200 can more appropriately control the environment of the target space.

[0049] Next, generator 123 generates, based on the position and condition level of person 1 estimated by estimator 122 in step S02, a control signal that controls an operation of device 20 provided in target space 80 (S03). More specifically, when generator 123 obtains the condition level of person 1 estimated by estimator 122, generator 123 reads the previous condition level estimated one before the condition level from history information in storage 130 (not illustrated). Thereafter, generator 123 calculates (not illustrated) a difference between the condition level estimated by estimator 122 and the previous condition level. As illustrated in FIG. 5, generator 123 then determines whether the difference is greater than a threshold (S11). When generator 123 determines that the difference is not greater than the threshold (No in S11), generator 123 maintains the previous control signal (S12). In this case, generator 123 need not output the same control signal as the previous control signal to outputter 124, but may output the same control signal as the previous control signal depending on the design.

[0050] Alternatively, when generator 123 determines that the difference is greater than the threshold (Yes in S11), generator 123 generates a control signal to control an operation of device 20 so as to make the difference smaller than the threshold (S13). In this case, generator 123 may read a control condition as history information from database 131 stored in storage 130, and may generate a control signal based on the control condition, for example. Thereafter, generator 123 outputs (not illustrated) the generated control signal to outputter 124.

[0051] Next, outputter 124 outputs, via communicator 110, the control signal generated by generator 123 in step S03 to device 20 (S04). More specifically, outputter 124 outputs, for example, the control signal generated in step S13 shown in FIG. 5 to device 20 (S14).

[0052] Next, when device 20 receives (not illustrated) the control signal output from outputter 124 in step S04 (more specifically, step S14), device 20 controls the environment of target space 80 by operating based on the received control signal (S05).

[0053] Note that environment control system 200 may perform steps S01 through S11 after step S05 is performed, and when the difference is greater than the threshold (Yes in S11), environment control system 200 may resume repeating steps S01 through S11 after step S05 is performed.

[0054] Note that environment control system 200 may identify person 1 using, for example, a camera or a beacon. In this case, environment control system 200 can more appropriately control the environment of target space 80 depending on a preference or a nature of person 1, based on history information associated with the ID of person 1 and stored in database 131.

[0055] As has been described above, environment control system 200 obtains data indicating a temperature distribution in target space 80 measured by sensor 10 provided in target space 80, and estimates the position and condition level of person 1 present in target space 80 based on the obtained data indicating the temperature distribution. When a difference between the estimated condition level and the previous condition level is greater than a threshold, environment control system 200 then generates a control signal that controls an operation of device 20 so as to make the difference smaller than the threshold. Alternatively, when the difference between the estimated condition level and the previous condition level is smaller than the threshold, environment control system 200 maintains the previous control signal. As a consequence of controlling device 20, environment control system 200 may repeat updating the control signal until the difference between the estimated condition level and the previous condition level gets smaller than the threshold.

[0056] In this way, environment control system 200 can control the operations of device 20 so as to create the environment more comfortable for person 1 present in target space 80. Therefore, environment control system 200 can appropriately control the environment of target space 80.

Variation

[0057] Next, a variation of the operation example will be described. In the variation of the operation example, an example of operations performed by environment control system 200 when several people including person 1 are present in target space 80 will be described.

[0058] When several people including person 1 is present in target space 80, estimator 122 estimates the position and condition level of each of the several people including person 1 in target space 80, based on items of biological information and items of environmental information obtained from obtainer 121. Since the estimation method is as the same as the estimation method described in the above-described Operation Example, the description of the estimation method is omitted here.

[0059] Next, estimator 122 derives a standard index of the condition level based on the estimated condition levels of the people, and stores the derived standard index into storage 130. The standard index is a typical condition level, and may be the average value or median value of the condition levels of the several people.

[0060] Next, when, for example, the absolute value of a difference between the average value of the condition levels of the several people and the standard index, which are estimated by estimator 122, is greater than a threshold, generator 123 may generate a control signal that controls an operation of device 20 so as to make the absolute value of the difference smaller than the threshold. Alternatively, when the absolute value of the difference is smaller than the threshold, generator 123 may maintain the previous control signal.

[0061] Next, outputter 124 outputs the control signal generated by generator 123 to device 20.

[0062] As has been described above, when the several people including person 1 is present in target space 80, environment control system 200 obtains data indicating a temperature distribution in target space 80 measured by sensor 10, and estimates the position and condition level of each of several people present in target space 80 based on the obtained data indicating the temperature distribution. Environment control system 200 then derives a standard index based on the estimated condition levels of the several people. When the absolute value of a difference between the average value of the condition levels of the several people and the standard index is greater than a threshold, environment control system 200 generates a control signal to control an operation of device 20 so as to make the absolute value of the difference smaller than the threshold. Alternatively, when the absolute value of the difference is smaller than the threshold, environment control system 200 maintains the previous control signal. As a consequence of controlling device 20, environment control system 200 may repeat updating the control signal until the absolute value of the difference between the average value of the estimated condition levels of the several people and the standard index gets smaller than the threshold.

[0063] In this way, environment control system 200 can control the operations of device 20 so as to create the environment relatively comfortable for people present in target space 80. Therefore, environment control system 200 can appropriately control the environment of target space 80.

Advantageous Effects, etc.

[0064] As has been described above, environment control system 200 is an environment control system that controls an environment of target space 80. Environment control system 200 includes: obtainer 121 that obtains biological information of person 1 present in target space 80 and environmental information of target space 80; estimator 122 that estimates, based on the biological information and the environmental information obtained by obtainer 121, a position of person 1 in target space 80 and a condition level indicating a level of comfort felt by person 1 in regard to the environment; generator 123 that generates, based on the position and the condition level of person 1 estimated by estimator 122, a control signal that controls an operation of device 20 provided in target space 80; and outputter 124 that outputs the control signal generated by generator 123 to device 20. One example of the biological information and environmental information is data indicating a temperature distribution in target space 80 which is to be measured by sensor 10. The condition level may indicate a larger number for greater discomfort and may indicate a smaller number for greater comfort, or may indicate a larger number for greater comfort and may indicate a smaller number for greater discomfort. The condition level may be expressed by five levels from 1 to 5 or by a percentage from 0% to 100%.

[0065] Environment control system 200 as described above can control an operation of device 20 provided in target space 80 based on a condition level indicating a level of comfort felt by person 1 present in target space 80 in regard to the environment. Stated differently, environment control system 200 can control an operation of device 20 based on an impression that person 1 has in regard to the environment. For this reason, environment control system 200 can appropriately control the environment of target space 80 so as to create the environment comfortable for person 1.

[0066] In addition, for example, estimator 122 stores, as history information, the position and the condition level of person 1 estimated in storage 130.

[0067] Environment control system 200 as described above can control the environment of target space 80 using the history information.

[0068] Moreover, for example, estimator 122 estimates the condition level based on the biological information, the environmental information, and the history information.

[0069] Environment control system 200 as described above can estimate a condition level of person 1 using the history information. Accordingly, environment control system 200 can control the environment of target space 80 depending on a preference or a nature of person 1. For this reason, environment control system 200 can more appropriately control the environment of target space 80 so as to create the environment more comfortable for person 1.

[0070] In addition, for example, when an absolute value of a difference between the condition level estimated by estimator 122 and a previous condition level estimated one before the condition level is greater than a threshold, generator 123 generates a control signal that controls an operation of device 20 to make the absolute value of the difference smaller than the threshold. The threshold may be appropriately set according to whether the condition level is expressed by five levels or by a percentage from 1 to 100. For example, when the condition level is expressed by five levels, the threshold may be 1. Moreover, for example, when the condition level is expressed by a percentage, the threshold may be 10%.

[0071] Environment control system 200 as described above can generate a control signal that controls device 20 so as to make the condition level fall within an appropriate range, when the condition level of person 1 falls outside the appropriate range.

[0072] Moreover, for example, when the absolute value of the difference is greater than the threshold, outputter 124 outputs the control signal generated by generator 123 to device 20.

[0073] Environment control system 200 as described above can control an operation of device 20 so as to make the condition level fall within an appropriate range, when the condition level of person 1 falls outside the appropriate range. For this reason, environment control system 200 can more appropriately control the environment of target space 80.

[0074] In addition, for example, estimator 122 estimates the condition level of each of people including person 1, derives a standard index of the condition level based on the condition level of each of the people estimated, and stores the standard index derived in storage 130.

[0075] Environment control system 200 as described above can control the environment of target space 80 using the standard index of the condition level. Accordingly, environment control system 200 can more appropriately control the environment of target space 80.

[0076] Moreover, for example, sensor 10 that obtains the biological information and the environmental information includes, out of an infrared sensor, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, a gas sensor, a floating matter sensor, an illuminance sensor, and a color temperature sensor, at least the infrared sensor.

[0077] Since environment control system 200 as described above includes sensor 10 that includes at least an infrared sensor, sensor 10 can obtain a temperature distribution of the body surface temperature of person 1 present in target space 80 and a temperature distribution of the environmental temperature other than person 1, for example. For this reason, environment control system 200 can relatively easily obtain the biological information and environmental information, based on data indicating the above-described temperature distributions in target space 80. In addition, when sensor 10 further includes at least any one of a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, a gas sensor, a floating matter sensor, an illuminance sensor, and a color temperature sensor, the biological information and environmental information can be obtained based on sensing data sensed by at least any one of these sensors in addition to the above-described data indicating the temperature distributions. Accordingly, the condition level can be estimated from various angles.

[0078] In addition, for example, an environment control method is an environment control method that controls an environment of target space 80. The environment control method includes: obtaining biological information of person 1 present in target space 80 and environmental information of target space 80 (step S01 in FIG. 4); estimating, based on the biological information and the environmental information obtained in the obtaining (step S01), a position of person 1 in target space 80 and a condition level indicating a level of comfort felt by person 1 in regard to the environment (step S02); generating, based on the position and the condition level of person 1 estimated in the estimating (step S02), a control signal that controls an operation of device 20 provided in target space 80 (step S03); and outputting the control signal generated in the generating (step S03) to device 20 (step S04).

[0079] The environment control method as described above can control an operation of device 20 provided in target space 80, based on a condition level indicating a level of comfort felt by person 1 present in target space 80 in regard to the environment. Stated differently, the environment control method can control an operation of device 20 based on an impression that person 1 has in regard to the environment. For this reason, the environment control method can appropriately control the environment of target space 80 so as to create the environment comfortable for person 1.

Other Embodiments

[0080] Hereinbefore, the environment control system according to the embodiments has been described; however, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments.

[0081] In the above-described embodiments, the environment control system is implemented by several devices, but the environment control system may be implemented as a single device. For example, the environment control system may be implemented as a single device corresponding to a server device. Moreover, when the environment control system is implemented by several devices, each of elements to be included in the environment control system may be assigned to several devices in any way.

[0082] In the above-described embodiments, each element may be a dedicated hardware product, or may be implemented by executing a software program suitable for the element. Each element may be implemented as a result of a program execution unit, such as a central processing unit (CPU), processor or the like, loading and executing a software program stored in a storage medium such as a hard disk or a semiconductor memory.

[0083] In addition, each element may be a circuit (or an integrated circuit). These circuits may constitute a single circuit as a whole or may be individual circuits. Moreover, these circuits may be general-purpose circuits, or dedicated circuits.

[0084] Note that general or specific aspects of the present invention may be implemented by a system, a device, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, or a computer-readable recording medium, such as a CD-ROM. The general or specific aspects of the present invention may also be implemented by an optional combination of a system, a device, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, and a recording medium. For example, the present invention may be implemented as the above-described server device (or a system corresponding to the server device). In addition, the present invention may be implemented as the environment control method to be executed by a computer such as the above-described environment control system. The present invention may be implemented as a program for causing a computer to execute the above-described environment control method, or may be a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium on which such a program is stored.

[0085] Furthermore, the order of processes shown in the flowchart described in the above-described embodiment is a mere example. The order of the processes may be changed or may be performed in parallel. Moreover, a process performed by a particular processor may be performed by another processor.

[0086] The present invention also encompasses: embodiments achieved by applying various modifications conceivable to those skilled in the art to each embodiment; and embodiments achieved by optionally combining the structural elements and the functions of each embodiment without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES

[0087] Hereinafter, the inventions that can be achieved from the disclosure of the present specification will be exemplified, and advantageous effects, etc., produced from these inventions will be described.

Invention 1

[0088] An environment control system that controls an environment of a target space, the environment control system comprising: [0089] an obtainer that obtains biological information of a person present in the target space and environmental information of the target space; [0090] an estimator that estimates, based on the biological information and the environmental information obtained by the obtainer, a position of the person in the target space and a condition level indicating a level of comfort felt by the person in regard to the environment; [0091] a generator that generates, based on the position and the condition level of the person estimated by the estimator, a control signal that controls an operation of a device provided in the target space; and [0092] an outputter that outputs the control signal generated by the generator to the device.

Advantageous Effect of Invention 1

[0093] The environment control system as described above can control an operation of a device provided in a target space, based on a condition level indicating a level of comfort felty by a person present in the target space in regard to the environment. Stated differently, the environment control system can control an operation of the device based on an impression that the person has in regard to the environment. For this reason, the environment control system can appropriately control the environment of the target space so as to create the environment comfortable for the person.

Invention 2

[0094] The environment control system according to invention 1, wherein [0095] the estimator stores, as history information, the position and the condition level of the person estimated in a storage.

Advantageous Effect of Invention 2

[0096] The environment control system as described above can control the environment of the target space using the history information.

Invention 3

[0097] The environment control system according to invention 2, wherein [0098] the estimator estimates the condition level based on the biological information, the environmental information, and the history information.

Advantageous Effect of Invention 3

[0099] The environment control system as described above can estimate a condition level of the person using the history information. Accordingly, the environment control system can control the environment of the target space depending on a preference or a nature of the person. For this reason, the environment control system can more appropriately control the environment of the target space so as to create the environment more comfortable for the person.

Invention 4

[0100] The environment control system according to invention 2 or 3, wherein [0101] when an absolute value of a difference between the condition level estimated by the estimator and a previous condition level estimated one before the condition level is greater than a threshold, the generator generates a control signal that controls an operation of the device to make the absolute value of the difference smaller than the threshold.

Advantageous Effect of Invention 4

[0102] The environment control system as described above can generate a control signal that controls the device so as to make the condition level fall within an appropriate range when the condition level of the person falls outside the appropriate range.

Invention 5

[0103] The environment control system according to invention 4, wherein [0104] when the absolute value of the difference is greater than the threshold, the outputter outputs the control signal generated by the generator to the device.

Advantageous Effect of Invention 5

[0105] The environment control system as described above can control an operation of the device so as to make the condition level fall within an appropriate range when the condition level of the person falls outside the appropriate range. For this reason, the environment control system can more appropriately control the environment of the target space.

Invention 6

[0106] The environment control system according to invention 2 or 3, wherein [0107] the estimator: [0108] estimates the condition level of each of people including the person; and [0109] derives a standard index of the condition level based on the condition level of each of the people estimated, and stores the standard index derived in the storage.

Advantageous Effect of Invention 6

[0110] The environment control system as described above can control the environment of the target space using the standard index of the condition level. Accordingly, the environment control system can more appropriately control the environment of the target space.

Invention 7

[0111] The environment control system according to any one of inventions 1 to 6, wherein [0112] a sensor that obtains the biological information and the environmental information includes, out of an infrared sensor, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, a gas sensor, a floating matter sensor, an illuminance sensor, and a color temperature sensor, at least the infrared sensor.

Advantageous Effect of Invention 7

[0113] Since the environment control system as described above includes the sensor that includes at least an infrared sensor, the sensor can obtain a temperature distribution of the body surface temperature of the person present in the target space and a temperature distribution of the environmental temperature other than the person, for example. For this reason, the environment control system can relatively easily obtain the biological information and environmental information based on data indicating the above-described temperature distributions in the target space. In addition, when the sensor further includes at least any one of a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, a gas sensor, a floating matter sensor, an illuminance sensor, and a color temperature sensor, the biological information and environmental information can be obtained based on sensing data sensed by at least any one of these sensors in addition to the above-described data indicating the temperature distributions. Accordingly, the condition level can be estimated from various angles.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

[0114] 1 person [0115] 10 sensor [0116] 20 device [0117] 80 target space [0118] 121 obtainer [0119] 122 estimator [0120] 123 generator [0121] 124 outputter [0122] 130 storage [0123] 200 environment control system