AIR-CONDITIONING SYSTEM

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to an air-conditioning system including a wireless communication module.

BACKGROUND ART

In the related art, there is an air-conditioning control apparatus including a user detection sensor in a room. Such a user sensor may have a movement detection function in some cases. Patent Literature 1 discloses an air-conditioning control apparatus including, in each of a plurality of areas into which a room is divided, a user detection sensor and a temperature sensor. The user detection sensor detects a movement of a user by obtaining the number of users present in each area from a difference between an image of the area at the time when no user is present and an image of the area at present. The temperature sensor detects a room temperature. Patent Literature 1 discloses that conditioning of air is controlled on the basis of the number of users in each area to improve energy-saving effects and also to meet user demand for comfort.

CITATION LIST
Patent Literature

Patent Literature 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2009-299933

SUMMARY OF INVENTION
Technical Problem

In the air-conditioning control apparatus disclosed in Patent Literature 1, however, the number of users present in each area is obtained on the basis of a difference between an image of the area at the time when no user is present and an image of the area at present. For this reason, it is not apparent whether or not a person present in the area needs conditioning of air. Hence, an air-conditioning system in which the air-conditioning control apparatus disclosed in Patent Literature 1 is used causes an air-conditioning apparatus to operate even when the person present in the area does not need conditioning of air. Consequently, in Patent Literature 1, unnecessary power consumption may be caused.

To solve the above-described problem, the present disclosure provides an air-conditioning system in which an air-conditioning apparatus conditions air only as much as needed to thereby contribute to energy savings.

Solution to Problem

An air-conditioning system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a plurality of air-conditioning apparatuses configured to, in an indoor space that is divided into a plurality of air-conditioned areas, each condition air in a corresponding one of the plurality of air-conditioned areas; a wireless communication module configured to communicate with an information communication terminal to which pieces of setting information that are each set for a corresponding one of the plurality of air-conditioning apparatuses and represent operational details of the air-conditioning apparatus are input; and a controller configured to control the plurality of air-conditioning apparatuses on the basis of the pieces of setting information communicated via the wireless communication module.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the controller controls the plurality of air-conditioning apparatuses that each condition air in the corresponding one of the plurality of areas on the basis of the pieces of setting information communicated via the wireless communication module. Thus, the air-conditioning apparatuses each perform an operation, for example, on the basis of pieces of corresponding setting information optionally input to the information communication terminal by a user. Consequently, in the air-conditioning system, air is conditioned only as much as needed, therefore contributing to energy savings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an air-conditioning system 1 according to Embodiment 1.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an air-conditioned room 11 according to Embodiment 1.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view illustrating the air-conditioned room 11 according to Embodiment 1.

FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram illustrating an operation unit 61 according to Embodiment 1.

FIG. 5 is a top plan view illustrating control areas 32 according to Embodiment 1.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view illustrating an information communication terminal 42 according to Embodiment 1.

FIG. 7 is a top plan view illustrating a detection area 33 according to Embodiment 1.

FIG. 8 is a top plan view illustrating a detection area 33 according to Embodiment 1.

FIG. 9 is a top plan view illustrating a detection area 33 and a communication available area 34 according to Embodiment 1.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating a controller 45 and an infrared sensor module 44 according to Embodiment 1.

FIG. 11 is a functional block diagram illustrating the controller 45 according to Embodiment 1.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the information communication terminal 42 according to Embodiment 1.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the controller 45 according to Embodiment 1.

FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram illustrating an air-conditioning system 101 according to Embodiment 2.

FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram illustrating an air-conditioning system 201 according to Embodiment 3.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
Embodiment 1

An air-conditioning system 1 according to Embodiment 1 will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the air-conditioning system 1 according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an air-conditioned room 11 according to Embodiment 1. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the air-conditioning system 1 is installed in the air-conditioned room 11 and includes a plurality of air-conditioning apparatuses 41, an information communication terminal 42, a wireless communication module 43, an infrared sensor module 44, a controller 45, and a memory 46.

(Air-Conditioned Room 11)

The air-conditioned room 11 is a room defined by a floor 21, walls 22, and a ceiling 23. An interior space surrounded by the floor 21, the walls 22, and the ceiling 23 of the air-conditioned room 11 is referred to as an indoor space 30. On the floor 21 of the air-conditioned room 11, for example, desks 24, chairs 25, and a shelf 26 are placed as illustrated in FIG. 2.

(Air-Conditioning Apparatus 41)

FIG. 3 is a top plan view illustrating the air-conditioned room 11 according to Embodiment 1. An air-conditioning apparatus 41 includes an outdoor unit 51 and an indoor unit 52. The outdoor unit 51 causes refrigerant having been subjected to heat exchange with outdoor air to flow through the indoor unit 52. As illustrated in FIG. 3, a plurality of indoor units 52 are installed, for example, on the ceiling 23 or walls 22 of the air-conditioned room 11 and condition air in the indoor space 30. When the plurality of indoor units 52 are installed in the air-conditioned room 11, the indoor space 30 is divided into a plurality of air-conditioned areas 31 in which the respective air-conditioning apparatuses 41 condition air. In other words, in the indoor space 30, which is divided into the plurality of air-conditioned areas 31, the respective air-conditioning apparatuses 41 condition air in the plurality of respective air-conditioned areas 31. Furthermore, each air-conditioning apparatus 41 includes a remote control 29. For example, an operation mode of the air-conditioning apparatus 41 or a set temperature is input to the remote control 29. Incidentally, although FIG. 3 illustrates four indoor units 52, the number of the indoor units 52 may be two, three, or five or more. Furthermore, one indoor unit 52 does not have to be connected to one outdoor unit 51. For example, a plurality of indoor units 52 may be connected to one outdoor unit 51. Additionally, the air-conditioning apparatus 41 may be, for example, a cold air fan or a heater.

(Information Communication Terminal 42)

The information communication terminal 42 is, for example, a smartphone or tablet a user of the air-conditioned room 11 owns. The information communication terminal 42 communicates with the wireless communication module 43 by use of a wireless communication function and provides an instruction to the air-conditioning apparatuses 41 about operational details. The wireless communication function is, for example, a wireless LAN, such as Bluetooth (registered trademark, the same applies hereafter) and WiFi (registered trademark, the same applies hereafter), or ZigBee (registered trademark, the same applies hereafter). Incidentally, Bluetooth here is one includes Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE).

Pieces of setting information set for the respective air-conditioning apparatuses 41 and representing operational details of the respective air-conditioning apparatuses 41 are input to the information communication terminal 42. Here, setting information includes, for example, automatic operation starting condition information, automatic operation starting setting information, and manual operation setting information. The automatic operation starting condition information is a condition for determining, while an air-conditioning apparatus 41 is stopped, whether or not to cause the operation of the air-conditioning apparatus 41 to start. The automatic operation starting condition information is, for example, an air temperature, a time period, or a time period of day. The automatic operation starting setting information is a setting for an operational method for the air-conditioning apparatus 41 implemented when the automatic operation starting condition information is met and the air-conditioning apparatus 41 starts an operation. The automatic operation starting setting information is, for example, an operation mode of the indoor unit 52, a set temperature, or an airflow direction. The manual operation setting information represents an operational method for the case where the air-conditioning apparatus 41 is caused to operate when the setting information is input through the information communication terminal 42. As in the automatic operation starting setting information, the manual operation setting information is, for example, an operation mode of the indoor unit 52, a set temperature, or an airflow direction. Furthermore, the information communication terminal 42 includes an operation unit 61 and an indicator 62.

(Operation Unit 61)

FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram illustrating the operation unit 61 according to Embodiment 1. The operation unit 61 is, for example, an application installed on the information communication terminal 42. The operation unit 61 includes an area setting circuitry 63, an automatic operation setting circuitry 64, an automatic operation starting circuitry 65, and a manual operation instruction circuitry 66. The area setting circuitry 63, the automatic operation setting circuitry 64, the automatic operation starting circuitry 65, and the manual operation instruction circuitry 66 each have an algorithm.

Furthermore, the area setting circuitry 63, the automatic operation setting circuitry 64, the automatic operation starting circuitry 65, and the manual operation instruction circuitry 66 are independently run in information communication terminals 42 owned by respective users.

(Area Setting Circuitry 63)

FIG. 5 is a top plan view illustrating control areas 32 according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 6 is a schematic view illustrating the information communication terminal 42 according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 7 is a top plan view illustrating a detection area 33 according to Embodiment 1. Also, FIG. 8 is a top plan view illustrating a detection area 33 according to Embodiment 1. The area setting circuitry 63 sets detection areas 33 for the respective air-conditioning apparatuses 41. The detection areas 33 are areas where, for example, room temperatures and human bodies used in controlling the respective air-conditioning apparatuses 41 are detected. Here, the operation of the area setting circuitry 63 will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 8.

First, the control areas 32 are allocated for the respective air-conditioning apparatuses 41. The control areas 32 are areas automatically set on the basis of locations where the indoor units 52 of the respective air-conditioning apparatuses 41 are installed. In the case where the four indoor units 52 are installed at substantially regular intervals and in respective four areas of the indoor space 30 as illustrated in FIG. 5, the respective control areas 32 are areas obtained by equally dividing the indoor space 30 into the four areas. Next, as a detection area 33, a certain area is selected from an application screen displaying a pseudo-indoor space 30 as illustrated in FIG. 6. Incidentally, the detection area 33 may be set by the infrared sensor module 44 detecting an area surrounded by a plurality of markers (not illustrated) that are disposed, for example, on the floor 21 of the air-conditioned room 11 and that emit infrared rays. Thus, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the detection area 33 is set as an area where, for example, the area of the shelf 26, which a person does not enter, is excluded from the corresponding control area 32.

Incidentally, the detection areas 33 may be set to be larger than the respective air-conditioned areas 31. Furthermore, for the individual detection areas 33, some areas may overlap each other, or some areas do not have to be in contact with each other. Additionally, as illustrated in FIG. 8, as a detection area 33, a control area 32 may be used as it is.

(Automatic Operation Setting Circuitry 64)

The automatic operation setting circuitry 64 stores, in a memory (not illustrated) of the information communication terminal 42, automatic operation starting condition information and automatic operation starting setting information that are input for each of the air-conditioning apparatuses 41. Incidentally, the number of pieces of automatic operation starting condition information may be one, or two or more. Furthermore, the automatic operation starting setting information does not have to be input.

(Automatic Operation Starting Circuitry 65)

When information acquired from the wireless communication module 43 meets the automatic operation starting condition information set by the automatic operation setting circuitry 64, the automatic operation starting circuitry 65 transmits, via the wireless communication module 43, an instruction to the corresponding air-conditioning apparatus 41 to start an operation.

(Manual Operation Instruction Circuitry 66)

The manual operation instruction circuitry 66 gives, via the wireless communication module 43, the controller 45 an instruction that a certain air-conditioning apparatus 41 perform an operation based on manual operation setting information. That is, the manual operation instruction circuitry 66 performs an operation similar to that performed by the remote control 29 included in the air-conditioning apparatus 41.

(Indicator 62)

The indicator 62 is a display and displays, for example, a screen for operating an application of the information communication terminal 42 as illustrated in FIG. 6. The indicator 62 may display, for example, automatic operation starting condition information and automatic operation starting setting information, and information, such as an air temperature and an airflow direction, acquired from the wireless communication module 43.

(Wireless Communication Module 43)

FIG. 9 is a top plan view illustrating a detection area 33 and a communication available area 34 according to Embodiment 1. The wireless communication module 43 communicates with the information communication terminal 42. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the wireless communication module 43 is integrated with the controller 45. Incidentally, the wireless communication module 43 may be an element separate from the controller 45 and be connected to the controller 45 by a communication line 27 to communicate with the controller 45. Furthermore, the wireless communication module 43 is connected to each of the air-conditioning apparatuses 41 by the communication line 27.

In the wireless communication module 43, the communication available area 34 is set. The communication available area 34 is an area reached by a radio wave with a strength that is receivable by the information communication terminal 42. As the communication available area 34, for example, an area larger than the individual detection areas 33 is set as illustrated in FIG. 9. Thus, the wireless communication module 43 performs wireless communication with, for example, an information communication terminal 42 present in a detection area 33 or an information communication terminal 42 approaching the detection area 33.

(Infrared Sensor Module 44)

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating the controller 45 and the infrared sensor module 44 according to Embodiment 1. One infrared sensor module 44 is provided, for example, at the center of the ceiling 23 of the air-conditioned room 11 as illustrated in FIG. 5 and measures temperatures of all the detection areas 33. The one infrared sensor module 44 includes a sensor circuitry 71 (see FIG. 11), a motor 73, and an infrared sensor 72. As illustrated in FIG. 10, the infrared sensor module 44 is an element separate from the controller 45 and is connected to the controller 45 by the communication line 27. Incidentally, the infrared sensor module 44 may be integrated with the controller 45. Furthermore, the infrared sensor module 44 is installed on the ceiling 23 by use of a leaf spring 28.

The sensor circuitry 71 controls the operation of the motor 73. When an internal element (not illustrated) responds to an infrared ray, the infrared sensor 72 detects a temperature of the floor 21 in a detection area 33, and, in the detection area 33, a surface temperature of a human body present, the number of people who are present, and a position of the human body present. An element used as the infrared sensor 72 is a single element. To the motor 73, the infrared sensor 72 is installed such that the infrared sensor 72 is tilted to a direction perpendicular to the ceiling 23. The motor 73 rotates the infrared sensor 72360 degrees about, as an axis of rotation, a line perpendicular to the ceiling 23 passing through a base portion (not illustrated) where the infrared sensor 72 is installed to thus detect the temperatures of all the detection areas 33. Furthermore, every time the motor 73 rotates the infrared sensor 72 by a few degrees, the infrared sensor 72 detects an infrared ray. A range where the infrared sensor 72 detects an infrared ray at a time is, for example, narrower than the size of a human body.

Thus, since the infrared sensor module 44 rotates the infrared sensor 72 by use of the motor 73 the infrared sensor module 44 subjects all the detection areas 33 to detection, and also resolution is increased. Furthermore, since the infrared sensor 72 is a single element, temperature calibration performed between a plurality of elements is unnecessary. Incidentally, the infrared sensor 72 does not have to be a single element. In this case as well, one infrared sensor module 44 is provided at the center of the ceiling 23 of the air-conditioned room 11, and thus temperature calibration is easier than that in the case where a plurality of infrared sensor modules 44 are provided.

The controller 45 controls the operation of each of the air-conditioning apparatuses 41. The controller 45 is a CPU (also referred to as a Central Processing Unit, a central processor, a processing unit, an arithmetic circuitry, a microprocessor, a microcomputer, or a processor) that executes a program stored in dedicated hardware or the memory 46 (see FIG. 11). When the controller 45 is dedicated hardware, the controller 45 corresponds to, for example, a single circuit, a complex circuit, an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), or a combination of these circuits. Functional units implemented by the controller 45 may be implemented by respective pieces of hardware or may be implemented by one piece of hardware.

When the controller 45 is the CPU, functions executed by the controller 45 are implemented by software, firmware, or a combination of software and firmware. Software and firmware are written as programs and stored in the memory 46 (not illustrated). The CPU reads out a program stored in the memory 46 and executes the program to thereby implement each function. Here, the memory 46 is, for example, a non-volatile or volatile semiconductor memory, such as a RAM, a ROM, a flash memory, an EPROM, and an EEPROM. Incidentally, some of the functions of the controller 45 may be implemented by dedicated hardware and some of the functions may be implemented by software or firmware.

FIG. 11 is a functional block diagram illustrating the controller 45 according to Embodiment 1. As illustrated in FIG. 11, the controller 45 includes an environment recognition circuitry 81, a wireless communication circuitry 82, a control information arithmetic circuitry 83, and an output circuitry 84. The environment recognition circuitry 81, the wireless communication circuitry 82, the control information arithmetic circuitry 83, and the output circuitry 84 each have an algorithm.

(Environment Recognition Circuitry 81)

The environment recognition circuitry 81 recognizes environment information and includes an environment information acquisition circuitry 91 and an environment information memory 92. Pieces of environment information are, for example, a room temperature or a position of a human body in a detection area 33, and an operating state of an air-conditioning apparatus 41 The environment information acquisition circuitry 91 acquires, from the sensor circuitry 71, pieces of environment information, such as room temperatures and positions of human bodies in the detection areas 33, detected by the infrared sensor 72. Incidentally, the environment information acquisition circuitry 91 may acquire pieces of environment information, such as room temperatures in the air-conditioned room 11, by use of temperature sensors (not illustrated) provided in the respective air-conditioning apparatuses 41 or temperature sensors (not illustrated) provided in the respective remote controls 29. Also, the environment information acquisition circuitry 91 may obtain a mean value from a plurality of room temperatures described above. Furthermore, the environment information acquisition circuitry 91 acquires, of the respective air-conditioning apparatuses 41, pieces of environment information, such as operation modes, set temperatures, and air volumes, from the respective air-conditioning apparatuses 41. The environment information memory 92 causes the memory 46 to store the pieces of environment information acquired by the environment information acquisition circuitry 91.

(Wireless Communication Circuitry 82)

The wireless communication circuitry 82 receives setting information from the wireless communication module 43 and includes a setting information acquisition circuitry 93 and a setting information memory 94. The setting information acquisition circuitry 93 acquires, via the wireless communication module 43, automatic operation starting setting information and manual operation setting information that are set in an information communication terminal 42. The setting information memory 94 causes the memory 46 to store the automatic operation starting setting information and the manual operation setting information that are acquired by the setting information acquisition circuitry 93.

(Control Information Arithmetic Circuitry 83)

The control information arithmetic circuitry 83 calculates control information to be output by the output circuitry 84 and includes an arithmetic circuitry 95 and a result memory 96. The control information is air-conditioning control information representing, for example, the amount of operation of each device of an air-conditioning apparatus 41 in adjusting, of the air-conditioning apparatus 41, an operation mode, a set temperature, or an air volume. Furthermore, the control information is sensor control information representing, for example, the amount of operation for driving the motor 73 to direct the infrared sensor 72 toward a specific detection area 33. The arithmetic circuitry 95 calculates control information by use of environment information and setting information that are stored in the memory 46. The arithmetic circuitry 95 calculates air-conditioning control information such that, for example, a sensible temperature obtained by correcting a suction temperature of the air-conditioning apparatus 41 using a temperature of the floor 21 is equal to setting information of a room temperature. Furthermore, the arithmetic circuitry 95 may calculate air-conditioning control information such that an airflow direction and an air volume are adjusted on the basis of a position of a human body. The result memory 96 causes the memory 46 to store the control information calculated by the arithmetic circuitry 95.

(Output Circuitry 84)

The output circuitry 84 outputs environment information, setting information, and control information to relevant devices included in the air-conditioning system 1 and includes a display 97, a sensor control circuitry 98, and an air-conditioning control circuitry 99. The display 97 causes, via the wireless communication module 43, the indicator 62 of an information communication terminal 42 to display environment information and setting information that are stored in the memory 46. The sensor control circuitry 98 communicates sensor control information stored in the memory 46 to the sensor circuitry 71 of the infrared sensor module 44. The air-conditioning control circuitry 99 transmits pieces of air-conditioning control information stored in the memory 46 to the respective air-conditioning apparatuses 41. Furthermore, the air-conditioning control circuitry 99 may cause an air-conditioning apparatus 41 to perform a fan operation before the infrared sensor 72, or a temperature sensor provided in the air-conditioning apparatus 41 or remote control 29 detects a temperature.

Incidentally, the controller 45 may communicate with an external server provided outside the air-conditioning system 1 to transfer information stored in the memory 46 to the external server.

(Memory 46)

The memory 46 stores, for example, environment information recognized by the environment recognition circuitry 81, setting information received from the wireless communication module 43, and control information calculated by the control information arithmetic circuitry 83.

(Automatic Operation Instruction Provided by Information Communication Terminal 42)

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the information communication terminal 42 according to Embodiment 1. Here, a procedure will be described by which the information communication terminal 42 transmits an operation instruction to an air-conditioning apparatus 41. As illustrated in FIG. 12, wireless communication between the information communication terminal 42 and the wireless communication module 43 is enabled. Here, in the information communication terminal 42, a state in which wireless communication with the wireless communication module 43 is enabled refers to, for example, that an application that is running in the background is in a standby state in which a setting of automatic operation of the air-conditioning apparatus 41 is enabled.

In this case, first, the automatic operation starting circuitry 65 determines whether a predetermined time period of 30 minutes has elapsed since a previous attempt to connect to the wireless communication module 43 (step S1). Incidentally, the predetermined time period may be set to less than 30 minutes or more than 30 minutes. Subsequently, when the predetermined time period has elapsed (YES in step S1), the automatic operation starting circuitry 65 determines whether a time period during which the information communication terminal 42 receives a radio wave transmitted from the wireless communication module 43 and having a strength of not less than a threshold value of −70 dBm has lasted for a threshold time period of two seconds (step S2). In other words, the automatic operation starting circuitry 65 determines whether the information communication terminal 42 is present in the communication available area 34. Incidentally, the threshold value of radio wave strength may be set to less than −70 dBm or more than −70 dBm. Furthermore, the threshold time period may be set to less than two seconds or more than two seconds.

Additionally, when the time period during which the information communication terminal 42 receives the radio wave transmitted from the wireless communication module 43 and having the strength of not less than the threshold value has lasted for the threshold time period (YES in step S2), the automatic operation starting circuitry 65 displays an application of the information communication terminal 42 on the indicator 62. Furthermore, the automatic operation starting circuitry 65 connects the information communication terminal 42 to the wireless communication module 43 (step S3). Finally, when automatic operation starting condition information set in the automatic operation setting circuitry 64 is met (YES in step S4), the automatic operation starting circuitry 65 transmits, via the wireless communication module 43, an operation instruction to an air-conditioning apparatus 41 set in automatic operation starting setting information (step S5). Incidentally, as described above, when a plurality of pieces of automatic operation starting condition information are set, any one piece of automatic operation starting condition information only has to be met.

Furthermore, when the predetermined time period has not elapsed since the previous attempt to connect to the wireless communication module 43 (NO in step S1), the automatic operation starting circuitry 65 repeatedly determines whether the predetermined time period has elapsed (step S1). In other words, the information communication terminal 42 is not able to transmit an operation instruction to an air-conditioning apparatus 41 for the predetermined time period. Additionally, when the time period during which the information communication terminal 42 receives the radio wave transmitted from the wireless communication module 43 and having the strength of not less than the threshold value has not lasted for the threshold time period (NO in step S2), the automatic operation starting circuitry 65 again determines whether the predetermined time period has elapsed (step S1). Furthermore, when automatic operation starting condition information set in the automatic operation setting circuitry 64 is not met (NO in step S4), the automatic operation starting circuitry 65 again determines whether the predetermined time period has elapsed (step S1).

(Operation of Controller 45)

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the controller 45 according to Embodiment 1. Furthermore, the operation of the controller 45, which has received an operation instruction from the information communication terminal 42, will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 13. First, when the setting information acquisition circuitry 93 acquires setting information (step S11), the arithmetic circuitry 95 calculates air-conditioning control information (step S12). Subsequently, the air-conditioning control circuitry 99 transmits the air-conditioning control information to the air-conditioning apparatus 41 (step S13). Thus, the air-conditioning apparatus 41 starts an operation on the basis of the air-conditioning control information received from the air-conditioning control circuitry 99. Incidentally, at this time, when no automatic operation starting setting information has been set, the air-conditioning apparatus 41 starts an operation on the basis of operational details of a previous operation that the air-conditioning apparatus 41 has performed. Thus, when the information communication terminal 42 in which wireless communication is enabled is present in the communication available area 34, the air-conditioning apparatus 41 automatically starts an operation.

The air-conditioning apparatus 41 that has started the operation does not accept execution of the automatic operation starting circuitry 65 performed by the information communication terminal 42. For this reason, the information communication terminal 42 provides, to an air-conditioning apparatus 41 that has already started an operation, an instruction about an operational method, such as an operation mode, a set temperature, and an airflow direction, by use of the manual operation instruction circuitry 66. Furthermore, when a state in which no setting information is received from the wireless communication circuitry 82 with no human body being detected by the environment information acquisition circuitry 91 lasts for 30 minutes (YES in step S14), the air-conditioning control circuitry 99 of the controller 45 stops the air-conditioning apparatus 41 (step S15). For example, when the environment information acquisition circuitry 91 detects a human body, or when setting information is received from the wireless communication circuitry 82 (NO in step S14), a determination is again made about the condition of detection of a human body and reception of setting information (step S14). Thus, the controller 45 acquires information from both the infrared sensor module 44 and the wireless communication module 43 to thereby recognize the presence or absence of a user with high accuracy.

In Embodiment 1, the controller 45 controls the plurality of air-conditioning apparatuses 41, which condition air in the plurality of respective air-conditioned areas 31, on the basis of pieces of setting information communicated via the wireless communication module 43. Thus, the respective air-conditioning apparatuses 41 perform operations on the basis of the pieces of setting information input in the information communication terminal 42. Consequently, in the air-conditioning system 1, air is conditioned only as much as needed, therefore contributing to energy savings.

Furthermore, in Embodiment 1, the controller 45 controls the plurality of air-conditioning apparatuses 41 on the basis of pieces of manual operation setting information representing an operational method for the case where the air-conditioning apparatuses 41 are caused to operate when the pieces of setting information are input through the information communication terminal 42. Thus, the respective air-conditioning apparatuses 41 perform operations on the basis of the pieces of manual operation setting information input in the information communication terminal 42. Consequently, the air-conditioning apparatuses 41 in the air-conditioning system 1 are operated by use of the information communication terminal 42, therefore increasing convenience.

Additionally, in Embodiment 1, the controller 45 controls the plurality of air-conditioning apparatuses 41 on the basis of pieces of automatic operation starting condition information for determining, while one of the air-conditioning apparatuses 41 for which the pieces of setting information are each set is stopped, whether or not to cause an operation of the one of the air-conditioning apparatuses 41 to start. Thus, the respective air-conditioning apparatuses 41 perform operations on the basis of the pieces of automatic operation starting condition information input in the information communication terminal 42. Consequently, the air-conditioning system 1 does not cause an air-conditioning apparatus 41 to operate when air does not have to be conditioned, therefore contributing to energy savings.

Furthermore, in Embodiment 1, the air-conditioning system 1 includes the infrared sensor module 44, which detects an infrared ray. Thus, the controller 45 acquires information from both the infrared sensor module 44 and the wireless communication module 43 to thereby recognize the presence or absence of a user with high accuracy. Consequently, the air-conditioning system 1 stops an air-conditioning apparatus 41 when the air-conditioning apparatus 41 is unnecessary, therefore further contributing to energy savings.

Additionally, in Embodiment 1, the air-conditioning system 1 includes the single infrared sensor module 44, which detects infrared rays in all the detection areas 33. Thus, errors are unlikely to occur in temperatures detected in the respective areas. Consequently, in the air-conditioning system 1, the air-conditioning apparatuses 41 condition air on the basis of accurate measurements of room temperature distribution, therefore enabling an increase in the comfort of the user.

Furthermore, in Embodiment 1, the infrared sensor module 44 is installed on the ceiling 23 by use of the leaf spring 28. The ceiling 23 where the infrared sensor module 44 is installed is usually small, and thus it is difficult to provide enough space to install the infrared sensor module 44. The leaf spring 28 typically has a thin and light structure in comparison with the infrared sensor module 44. Consequently, the leaf spring 28 is unlikely to hinder work even when the leaf spring 28 is used in installing the infrared sensor module 44 as in Embodiment 1 and keeps the ease of work in installing the infrared sensor module 44 from decreasing.

Additionally, in Embodiment 1, the infrared sensor module 44 is an element separate from the controller 45. The ceiling 23 where the infrared sensor module 44 is installed is usually small, and thus it is difficult to provide enough space to install the infrared sensor module 44. Furthermore, for example, each air-conditioning apparatus 41, a power supply, and an external input-output terminal are connected to the controller 45. In other words, when the infrared sensor module 44 is integrated with the controller 45 and has to be installed simultaneously with the controller 45, the space to install the infrared sensor module 44 is further limited, therefore reducing the ease of work. Consequently, when the infrared sensor module 44 is an element separate from the controller 45 as in Embodiment 1, the ease of work is kept from decreasing.

In Embodiment 1, the controller 45 may be connected to an external server. The controller 45 transmits, to the external server, pieces of operating information of the air-conditioning apparatuses 41, information obtained from the information communication terminal 42, and information obtained from the infrared sensor module 44. Thus, when the air-conditioning system 1 is used, the controller 45 accumulates, in the external server, information, such as the presence or absence of a user for each time period in the air-conditioned room 11, and information, such as settings for operations of the air-conditioning apparatuses 41. Consequently, when the controller 45 is connected to the external server, the operation of another device that uses information accumulated in the external server is made more efficient.

Embodiment 2

FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram illustrating an air-conditioning system 101 according to Embodiment 2. Embodiment 2 differs from Embodiment 1 in that the air-conditioning system 101 does not include the infrared sensor module 44. In Embodiment 2, portions that are the same as those in Embodiment 1 are denoted by the same reference signs, and description of the portions is omitted. Description will be given with emphasis on respects in which Embodiment 2 differs from Embodiment 1.

As illustrated in FIG. 18, the air-conditioning system 101 does not include the infrared sensor module 44. In this case as well, the controller 45 controls the plurality of air-conditioning apparatuses 41, which condition air in the plurality of respective air-conditioned areas 31, on the basis of pieces of setting information communicated via the wireless communication module 43.

In Embodiment 2, the controller 45 controls the plurality of air-conditioning apparatuses 41, which condition air in the plurality of respective air-conditioned areas 31, on the basis of pieces of setting information communicated via the wireless communication module 43. Thus, the respective air-conditioning apparatuses 41 perform operations on the basis of the pieces of setting information input in the information communication terminal 42. Consequently, in the air-conditioning system 101, air is conditioned only as much as needed, therefore contributing to energy savings.

Embodiment 3

FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram illustrating an air-conditioning system 201 according to Embodiment 3. Embodiment 3 differs from Embodiment 1 in that the air-conditioning system 201 does not include the wireless communication module 43. In Embodiment 3, portions that are the same as those in Embodiment 1 are denoted by the same reference signs, and description of the portions is omitted. Description will be given with emphasis on respects in which Embodiment 3 differs from Embodiment 1.

As illustrated in FIG. 15, the air-conditioning system 201 does not include the wireless communication module 43. In this case as well, the controller 45 controls the plurality of air-conditioning apparatuses 41, which condition air in the plurality of respective air-conditioned areas 31, only on the basis of detection results acquired from the infrared sensor module 44 including the single infrared sensor 72, which detects a temperature.

(Operation of Controller 45)

Next, for details of the operation of the controller 45, which has received an operation instruction from the information communication terminal 42, a respect in which Embodiment 3 differs from Embodiment 1 will be described. When a state in which the environment information acquisition circuitry 91 does not detect a position of a human body lasts for one hour, the air-conditioning control circuitry 99 of the controller 45 stops an air-conditioning apparatus 41. The duration for which a state in which a position of a human body is not detected lasts may be set to less than one hour or more than one hour.

In Embodiment 3, the controller 45 includes the single infrared sensor module 44, which detects infrared rays in all the detection areas 33. Thus, errors are unlikely to occur in temperatures detected in the respective detection areas 33. Consequently, in the air-conditioning system 201, the air-conditioning apparatuses 41 condition air on the basis of accurate measurements of room temperature distribution, therefore enabling an increase in the comfort of a user.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

1: air-conditioning system, 11: air-conditioned room, 21: floor, 22: wall, 23: ceiling, 24: desk, 25: chair, 26: shelf, 27: communication line, 28: leaf spring, 29: remote control, 30: indoor space, 31: air-conditioned area, 32: control area, 33: detection area, 34: communication available area, 41: air-conditioning apparatus, 42: information communication terminal, 43: wireless communication module, 44: infrared sensor module, 45: controller, 46: memory, 51: outdoor unit, 52: indoor unit, 61: operation unit, 62: indicator, 63: area setting circuitry, 64: automatic operation setting circuitry, 65: automatic operation starting circuitry, 66: manual operation instruction circuitry, 71: sensor circuitry, 72: infrared sensor, 73: motor, 81: environment recognition circuitry, 82: wireless communication circuitry, 83: control information arithmetic circuitry, 84: output circuitry, 91: environment information acquisition circuitry, 92: environment information memory, 93: setting information acquisition circuitry, 94: setting information memory, 95: arithmetic circuitry, 96: result memory, 97: display, 98: sensor control circuitry, 99: air-conditioning control circuitry, 101: air-conditioning system, 201: air-conditioning system

AIR-CONDITIONING SYSTEM

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