CN111174387A

CN111174387A - Air conditioning system, server device, air conditioner, and control method

Info

Publication number: CN111174387A
Application number: CN201910843386.5A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 作田瑞; 中村雅也; 中岛孝司
Original assignee: Sharp Corp
Current assignee: Sharp Corp
Priority date: 2018-11-12
Filing date: 2019-09-06
Publication date: 2020-05-19
Anticipated expiration: 2039-09-06
Also published as: JP7240141B2; CN111174387B; JP2020079664A

Abstract

An air conditioning system of the present invention includes an air conditioner and a server device. The server device includes: an external information receiving unit that receives external information acquired by an external device connected to the server apparatus; an operation information determining unit that determines operation information indicating operation contents for operating the air conditioner; and an operation information transmitting unit that transmits, when the external information is received, operation information based on the external information to the air conditioner. The air conditioner includes an operation information receiving unit that receives operation information based on the external information, and an operation control unit that operates the air conditioner based on the operation information based on the external information.

Description

Air conditioning system, server device, air conditioner, and control method

Technical Field

The invention relates to an air conditioning system, a server device, an air conditioner, and a control method.

Background

For example, the following patent document 1 discloses the following technique: an air conditioner connected to a network transmits a history of changes in room temperature and an operation history to a server, the server determines control contents of the air conditioner such that the air conditioner can reach a predetermined target temperature based on the history, and the air conditioner can operate based on the control contents transmitted from the server.

Documents of the prior art

Patent document

Patent document 1: japanese patent laid-open publication No. 2017-67427 (published: 2017, 4 and 6)

Disclosure of Invention

Technical problem to be solved by the invention

An object of the present invention is to realize an air conditioning system and the like capable of operating an air conditioner appropriately at an appropriate time based on, for example, environmental information such as dust and odor detected by the air conditioner, a user's situation such as going out or going home of the user, and a use situation of other home electric appliances.

Means for solving the problems

(1) An air conditioning system according to an aspect of the present invention includes an air conditioner and a server device, and the server device includes: a request information receiving unit that receives request information of the air conditioner from the air conditioner at a predetermined cycle; an external information receiving unit that receives external information acquired by an external device connected to the server apparatus; an operation information determination unit that determines operation information indicating operation content for operating the air conditioner; and an operation information transmitting unit that transmits, when the request information is received, operation information based on the request information to the air conditioner; the operation information transmitting unit transmits, to the air conditioner, operation information based on the external information when receiving the external information; the air conditioner includes: a request information transmitting unit that transmits the request information at the predetermined cycle; an operation information receiving unit that receives operation information based on the request information and operation information based on the external information; and an operation control unit that operates the air conditioner based on operation information based on the request information and operates the air conditioner based on operation information based on the external information.

(2) A server device according to an aspect of the present invention communicates with an air conditioner, and includes: a request information receiving unit that receives request information of the air conditioner from the air conditioner at a predetermined cycle; an external information receiving unit that receives external information acquired by an external device connected to the server apparatus; an operation information determination unit that determines operation information indicating operation content for operating the air conditioner; and an operation information transmitting unit that transmits, when the request information is received, operation information based on the request information to the air conditioner; the operation information transmitting unit transmits, to the air conditioner, operation information based on the external information when receiving the external information.

(3) An air conditioner according to an aspect of the present invention communicates with a server device, and includes: a request information transmitting unit that transmits request information requesting transmission of operation information of the air conditioner at a predetermined cycle; an operation information receiving unit that receives operation information based on the request information and operation information based on external information acquired by an external device connected to the server apparatus; and an operation control unit that operates the air conditioner based on operation information based on the request information and operates the air conditioner based on operation information based on the external information.

(4) A control method of a server apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention is a control method of a server apparatus that communicates with an air conditioner, the method including receiving request information of the air conditioner from the air conditioner at a predetermined cycle; receiving external information acquired by an external device connected to the server apparatus; determining operation information indicating operation contents for operating the air conditioner; transmitting, upon receiving the request information, action information based on the request information to the air conditioner; and when the external information is received, sending action information based on the external information to the air conditioner.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing a schematic configuration of an air conditioning system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of the air-conditioning system 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the operation table 206 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 4 is a timing chart showing an example of a processing flow of the air-conditioning system 100 according to the comparative example.

Fig. 5 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a processing flow of the air-conditioning system 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or equivalent elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description thereof is omitted.

As shown in fig. 1, the air conditioning system 100 according to the present embodiment includes, for example, a server apparatus 101, an information providing apparatus 102, an air conditioning unit 103 including an air conditioner 103A and an air cleaner 103B, another device group 104 including other devices in a house such as a cooking apparatus 104A and a bed 104B having a human body sensor, and a mobile terminal apparatus 105 such as a smartphone.

The information providing device 102, other devices in the house such as the air conditioner 103A and the air cleaner 103B included in the air conditioner group 103, the cooking device 104A and the bed 104B included in the other device group 104, and the mobile terminal device 105 are communicably connected to the server device 101 via a network.

The server apparatus 101 receives predetermined information from each air conditioner or each air cleaner of the air conditioning unit 103 at predetermined intervals, for example. Here, the predetermined information includes at least one of operation setting information indicating an operation state set in each air conditioner or each air cleaner, environment information indicating information on the surrounding environment, and request information indicating a transmission request of the operation information from the server apparatus 101. Here, the predetermined cycle is a predetermined cycle such as every 15 minutes. The predetermined cycle may be changed according to time instead of being always fixed, for example, every 15 minutes during the day, every 1 hour at night, or the like. The predetermined period may be set for each air conditioner by the server apparatus 101, or may be set in the air conditioner 103A.

The server apparatus 101 receives status information indicating a predetermined status of each other apparatus from each other apparatus in the other apparatus group 104, for example.

Specifically, for example, when the cooking device 104A starts cooking, during cooking, or sets a cooking menu, the server device 101 receives cooking information indicating cooking contents such as a cooking type from the cooking device 104A as state information. Specifically, for example, when the approach of a person to the bed 104B or the presence of a person on the bed 104B is detected by a motion sensor provided in the vicinity of the bed 104B or the bed 104B itself, the server apparatus 101 receives information indicating that the approach is detected from the bed 104B or the motion sensor as the state information.

Further, the server apparatus 101 receives, for example, the position information of the mobile terminal apparatus 105 from the mobile terminal apparatus 105 as the state information. Specifically, when the mobile terminal apparatus 105 enters a predetermined area or when it exits from the predetermined area, the server apparatus 101 receives information indicating the entrance from the predetermined area as state information.

The server apparatus 101 receives weather information indicating weather in a predetermined area from the information providing apparatus 102, for example.

The server apparatus 101 determines operation information indicating the operation content for operating the air conditioner or the air cleaner, based on external information acquired from external equipment such as environment information, operation setting information, status information, and weather information received from external equipment including the equipment of the air conditioning unit 103 connected to the server apparatus 101. Here, the external devices are devices connected to the server apparatus 101, and include, for example, not only the air-conditioning unit 103, the other device group 104, the mobile terminal apparatus 105, and the information providing apparatus 102, but also home appliances outside a house in the same area.

Further, the server apparatus 101 transmits operation information determined from external information to the devices of the air conditioning unit 103 via the network, for example, as a reply to predetermined information such as environment information, operation setting information, or request information indicating a request for transmission of the operation information, which is received at a predetermined cycle from the devices of the air conditioning unit 103.

The server apparatus 101 transmits, for example, operation information determined based on the status information to the devices of the air conditioning unit 103 via the network in response to the status information received from the devices of the other apparatus group 104. Thus, when receiving the state information, the server apparatus 101 can transmit the operation information corresponding to the state information to the air conditioner 103A or the like, and cause the air conditioner 103A to operate based on the operation information. Specifically, when the user starts cooking with the cooking device 104A or when the position information of the mobile terminal device 105 approaches the owner's home of the air-conditioning unit 103, appropriate operation information corresponding to the situation can be transmitted to the devices of the air-conditioning unit 103 via the network and operated in accordance with the operation information.

Further, when the position information of the mobile terminal device 105 approaches the owner's home of the air conditioning unit 103, for example, the server device 101 receives current weather information indicating the current weather in the own home area and determines operation information based on the current weather information. Further, for example, when receiving the state information indicating that the person approaches the bed 104B, the server apparatus 101 may receive indoor information such as temperature and humidity set in an air conditioner or an air cleaner existing near the position of the bed 104B, and set the optimum operation information based on the indoor information. Specifically, for example, when the user approaches the bed 104B, information on the humidity detected by the humidity sensor of the air conditioner that has been operating in the vicinity of the bed 104B is acquired, and if the humidity is low, operation information for causing the air purifier in the vicinity of the bed 104B to perform the humidification operation is determined and transmitted to the air purifier. This makes it possible to transmit operation information for making the temperature and humidity more comfortable according to the state information of a certain device of the air conditioning unit 103 located near the bed 104B to another device, thereby making the vicinity of the bed 104B a more comfortable space. Here, the equipment such as the air conditioner existing near the position of the bed 104B may be a database in which the equipment numbers and the like that can specify the respective equipment are associated with the bed 104B, and the air conditioner may be specified based on the equipment numbers by storing the database in the storage unit 200 of the server apparatus 101. The database may be stored in a storage unit (not shown) of the bed 104B, or may be stored in a management device (not shown) such as a home server that manages each device in a home, and the server apparatus 101 may transmit the operation information to the target device by referring to the database.

That is, the server apparatus 101 can receive external information of appropriate external devices for each situation, determine optimum operation information based on the received external information, and transmit the operation information to the devices of the air conditioning unit 103, based on the received position information on a wide range from the home to the predetermined range and the received position information on a narrow range from the home.

The server apparatus 101 may transmit the operation information determined based on the external information to each device of the air-conditioning unit 103 after a short predetermined time has elapsed after receiving the external information, instead of transmitting the operation information to each device of the air-conditioning unit 103 immediately after receiving the external information. Here, the short predetermined time means: a time shorter than a time at a fixed interval when request information indicating a request for transmission of environmental information or operation information is periodically transmitted from the equipment of the air-conditioning unit 103 at a predetermined cycle. For example, if the predetermined cycle is a cycle with an interval of 15 minutes, the time is shorter than the cycle, such as 1 minute or 3 minutes. That is, the server apparatus 101 waits for a predetermined time after receiving the external information, and transmits the operation information based on the external information to the equipment of the air conditioning unit 103 when the external information is not retransmitted from the equipment that received the external information. Accordingly, since the operation information based on the external information is transmitted to the devices of the air conditioning unit 103 only when there is no change in the received external information, the devices of the air conditioning unit 103 can be operated stably without frequently switching the operation of the devices of the air conditioning unit 103. For example, when receiving the state information that the mobile terminal device 105 is close to the vicinity of the own home and receiving the state information that the mobile terminal device is away from the own home after 1 minute, the devices of the air conditioning unit 103 are not operated based on the operation information based on the initial state information close to the own home. Here, the server apparatus 101 may transmit the time information of the start of the operation to the devices of the air conditioning unit 103 together with the determined operation information. Here, the time information may be information that the operation is started after several minutes, or may be information of an actual time at which the operation is started.

The information providing apparatus 102 acquires weather information of a predetermined area and time information corresponding to the weather information from, for example, an external predetermined server (not shown), and transmits the weather information and the time information to the server apparatus 101 via a network. Specifically, the information providing apparatus 102 is a server apparatus that provides services to other devices via a network, and may be a mobile terminal such as a tablet computer or a smartphone. The weather information includes weather information such as sunny, cloudy, and rainy days, air temperature, humidity, pollen amount, PM2.5 amount, wind direction, air volume, and ultraviolet amount (sunshine amount).

The air conditioning unit 103 includes, for example, an air conditioner 103A and an air cleaner 103B. The air conditioning unit 103 may include a plurality of air conditioners and a plurality of air cleaners. The air conditioner 103A is a device having, for example, an air cleaning function for removing dust, pollen, and odor, a temperature adjusting function for adjusting temperature such as a cooling function and a heating function, and a humidity adjusting function for adjusting humidity such as humidification and dehumidification. The air cleaner 103B is, for example, a device having an air cleaning function as a main function. The air conditioner 103A and the air cleaner 103B each include various sensors such as a dust sensor, a smell sensor, an illuminance sensor, and a human body sensor. The air conditioner 103A and the air cleaner 103B transmit ambient environment information detected by various sensors at predetermined intervals of 15 minutes or the like to the server apparatus 101 via the network at predetermined intervals. The environmental information includes, for example, dust information indicating the amount of dust detected by a dust sensor, odor information indicating the level of odor detected by an odor sensor, illuminance information indicating the brightness of the surroundings detected by an illuminance sensor, and information indicating that a person is detected by a human body sensor. Further, the devices of the air conditioning unit 103 may acquire time information, which is information on the time when the environmental information is acquired, from the information on the time of the air conditioning unit 103A and the air cleaning unit 103B, and may transmit the time information and the environmental information to the server apparatus 101 via the network at a predetermined cycle. Here, the purpose of transmitting the environmental information to the server apparatus 101 at a predetermined cycle by the equipment of the air-conditioning unit 103 includes, for example, the purpose of notifying the server apparatus 101 of the environmental information and the purpose of requesting the server apparatus 101 to transmit the operation information.

Further, the devices of the air-conditioning unit 103 transmit operation setting information indicating an operation state set in each air-conditioning apparatus by a user or the like, for example, to the server apparatus 101 via the network at a time when the operation state is set or at a time of a predetermined cycle. Here, the operation setting information includes operation mode information such as cooling, heating, and dehumidification; air volume information of weak wind, strong wind, and the like; wind direction information with the wind direction facing upwards or downwards; the operation content includes various information such as an operation start time at which the operation is started.

Further, the devices of the air conditioning unit 103 transmit request information indicating a request for transmission of operation information to the server apparatus 101 via the network, for example. Here, the request information indicating the transmission request of the operation information is information indicating that the server apparatus 101 is requested to transmit the operation information, and the server apparatus 101 transmits the operation information to the air conditioner that has transmitted the request information in response to the reception of the request information.

The other device group 104 is, for example, a cooking device 104A having a cooking range or the like, and a bed 104B having a human body sensor or the like, which are other devices in the house other than the air conditioning unit 103.

The cooking device 104A transmits cooking information indicating cooking contents such as the type of cooking being performed to the server device 101 as state information via the network, for example, at a predetermined time. Here, the predetermined time includes a time when the cooking device 104A is cooking, when the cooking device 104A starts cooking, or when a cooking menu is set in the cooking device 104A.

The bed 104B transmits a detection result of the human body sensor as state information to the server apparatus 101 via the network when the human body sensor provided near the bed 104B or on the bed 104B itself detects that a human body approaches the bed 104B or that the human body is on the bed 104B, for example. Here, the human body sensor may transmit the approach or presence of a human body to the server apparatus 101 via the network.

The mobile terminal device 105 is, for example, a communication terminal capable of communication, specifically, a mobile phone such as a smartphone, a tablet computer, or a PC. The mobile terminal apparatus 105 has a GPS function of acquiring position information of the terminal, and transmits the position information as state information to the server apparatus 101 via the network. For example, the mobile terminal apparatus 105 may transmit a case where the mobile terminal apparatus 105 enters a predetermined area or exits the predetermined area to the server apparatus 101. Here, the predetermined area is, for example, an area within a predetermined range including the installation position of the air conditioning unit 103, more specifically, within a range of 100m including the position of the owner of the air conditioning unit 103. The predetermined area may be an area within a predetermined range including the position of the owner of the mobile terminal device 105.

Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of the air-conditioning system 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention. The functional configuration of the air conditioning system 100 will be described with reference to fig. 2.

In fig. 2, the air-conditioning system 100 is composed of an air-conditioning apparatus 103A and a cooking apparatus 104A, but the air-conditioning apparatus 103A may be another apparatus included in the air-conditioning unit 103, and the cooking apparatus 104A may be another apparatus included in the other apparatus group 104.

As shown in fig. 2, the server apparatus 101 includes, for example, a storage unit 200, a control unit 201, an external information receiving unit 202, an operation information transmitting unit 203, a request transmitting unit 204, and an operation information determining unit 205.

The control unit 201 executes various information processes in accordance with, for example, a control program stored in the storage unit 200. Here, the control program may be downloaded via a network and stored in the storage unit 200. The control Unit 201 is a processor such as a CPU (central processing Unit), and the processor operates as the control Unit 201 by executing the control program.

The storage unit 200 stores information necessary for various information processing of the server apparatus 101, such as a program executed by the control unit 201, data generated by executing the program, and data acquired from the outside.

Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the operation table 206 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Specifically, the storage unit 200 stores an operation table 206 as shown in fig. 3, for example. The operation table 206 stores various operation modes, operation information on the air volume, the wind direction, and the humidification corresponding to each operation mode, and operation information on the expiration date indicating the time period until each operation mode is effectively operated, in association with each other. As shown in fig. 3, the operation table 206 stores, for example, operation information of strong air volume, upward air direction, humidification OFF, and 8-hour expiration date as operation information corresponding to the operation mode being the outgoing mode. Here, the term of validity refers to information that continues to operate in the operation mode until a time indicated by the term of validity. The storage unit 200 may store, as a history, operation information indicating the operation content of the air-conditioning apparatus 103A determined by the server apparatus 101 together with the determined time. The storage unit 200 can be implemented by, for example, a RAM (Random Access memory).

Returning to fig. 2, the air conditioning system 100 will be described.

The external information receiving unit 202 receives external information of each device from the air conditioner 103A, the cooking device 104A, the portable terminal device 105, or the information providing device 102. The external information receiving unit 202 functions as a request information receiving unit that receives request information indicating a request for transmission of operation information from the air conditioner 103A.

The external information receiving unit 202 receives the environmental information and the operation setting information from the air conditioner 103A via the network at predetermined intervals, for example, every 15 minutes. The request information receiving unit receives request information indicating a request for transmission of operation information from the air-conditioning apparatus 103A via the network at predetermined intervals, for example.

For example, when cooking device 104A is cooking, starts cooking, or sets a menu for cooking, external information receiving unit 202 receives cooking information indicating cooking contents such as the type of cooking being cooked from cooking device 104A via the network as state information.

The external information receiving unit 202 receives information that a person approaches the bed 104B or that a person is on the bed 104B from the bed 104B or a motion sensor via a network, for example, as state information.

The external information receiving unit 202 receives, for example, position information of the mobile terminal device 105 from the mobile terminal device 105 as state information. Specifically, the external information receiving unit 202 receives information indicating the entrance or exit from a predetermined area as state information when the mobile terminal apparatus 105 enters or exits from the predetermined area.

In addition, the external information receiving unit 202 receives weather information acquired by the information providing apparatus 102 from the information providing apparatus 102 via a network, for example. The external information receiving unit 202 is a communication device such as a receiver that receives data while performing data conversion and the like associated with communication, for example.

The request transmission unit 204 transmits request information requesting transmission of weather information on a predetermined day or current weather information to the information providing apparatus 102. The request transmission unit 204 is, for example, a communication device such as a transmitter that performs data transmission while performing data conversion and the like associated with communication.

The operation information determination unit 205 determines operation information indicating the operation content for operating the air-conditioning apparatus 103A, for example, based on at least any one of the environment information, the operation setting information, the state information, and the weather information received by the external information reception unit 202, request information indicating a request for transmission of the operation information, the operation table 206 stored in the storage unit 200, and the like.

The operation information determination unit 205 determines the operation information based on predetermined information such as environment information, operation setting information, or request information indicating a request for transmission of the operation information, which is received from the air-conditioning apparatus 103A at predetermined intervals determined in advance, for example, every 15 minutes. Then, the operation information transmitting unit 203 transmits the determined operation information to the air-conditioning apparatus 103A as a reply to predetermined information periodically transmitted at a predetermined cycle. Here, the operation information transmitting unit 203 may not transmit the operation information when there is no operation information determined based on the environment information or when it is determined that the operation information is the same as the operation information determined last time, for example. The operation information transmitting unit 203 is a communication device such as a transmitter that transmits data while performing data conversion and the like associated with communication, for example.

For example, when the environmental information around the air-conditioning apparatus 103A satisfies a specific condition, the operation information determination unit 205 determines that a specific event has occurred, determines an operation mode corresponding to the event, and acquires operation information corresponding to the operation mode. Specifically, for example, when the external information receiving unit 202 receives illuminance information indicating brightness, dust information indicating an increase in the amount of dust, and time information indicating that the detected time is the morning, the operation information determining unit 205 determines that an event of getting up has occurred. Then, the operation information determination unit 205 selects a get-up mode corresponding to the event of getting-up from the operation modes of the operation table 206, and acquires operation information corresponding to the get-up mode. Specifically, the operation information determination unit 205 acquires operation information such as the valid period of the operation in the no-get-up mode with the air volume being medium, the wind direction being upward, the humidification ON, and the air volume referring to the operation table 206 shown in fig. 3, and determines the operation information as operation information corresponding to the get-up mode. Then, the operation information transmitting unit 203 transmits the operation information to the air conditioner 103A. Thus, when the server apparatus 101 detects a transmission-specifying event based on the environment information periodically received from the air-conditioning apparatus 103A, it can automatically operate the air-conditioning apparatus 103A using appropriate operation information corresponding to the event.

Further, the operation information determination unit 205 may determine an operation mode suitable for the weather information of the next day received from the information providing apparatus 102, for example, with reference to the operation table 206 shown in fig. 3, and determine operation information corresponding to the determined operation mode. Specifically, for example, when the weather information ON the next day is weather information with a large pollen amount, the operation information determination unit 205 determines operation information in which the operation mode corresponds to the pollen mode, the airflow rate is high, the airflow direction is upward, and the humidification is ON. This makes it possible to determine the operation information of the air conditioner 103A on the next day as the operation information having a large air cleaning effect. The operation information transmitting unit 203 may transmit the operation information based on the weather information on the next day at a time determined in late night, for example, and may set the operation information on the next day in the air conditioner 103A in advance.

The operation information determination unit 205 determines whether or not the state information received from the cooking device 104A is predetermined state information, for example. Specifically, the operation information determination unit 205 determines whether or not the cooking information indicating the cooking content such as the type of cuisine received from the cooking device 104A is cooking information of a fish cuisine, for example. When the type of the received food is the fish food, the operation information determination unit 205 selects a food mode from the operation modes of the operation table 206, and acquires operation information corresponding to the food mode. Specifically, the operation information determination unit 205 acquires operation information such as a strong air volume, an upward wind direction, a humidification ON, and a validity period of an operation in the food mode of 3 hours, with reference to the operation table 206 shown in fig. 3, and determines the operation information as operation information corresponding to the food mode. The operation information transmitting unit 203 receives the cooking information from the external information receiving unit 202, and immediately after the operation information determining unit 205 determines the operation information based on the cooking information or after a lapse of a short predetermined time, transmits the operation information determined for the air conditioner 103A. Thus, when the cooking device 104A cooks a fish food considered to have a high odor level, the server device 101 transmits operation information, which is strong in air volume, oriented in the upward direction, and has a high air purification effect of humidification ON, to the air conditioner 103A, and continues the operation of the air conditioner 103A for 3 hours using the operation information, thereby further improving the air purification effect.

The operation information determination unit 205 determines whether or not the state information received from the mobile terminal apparatus 105 is predetermined state information, for example. Specifically, for example, when the state information received from the mobile terminal apparatus 105 is position information indicating that the mobile terminal apparatus 105 enters a predetermined range from the position of the owner's own home of the air conditioner 103A, the operation information determination unit 205 selects the return mode from the operation modes of the operation table 206 and acquires the operation information corresponding to the return mode. Specifically, the operation information determination unit 205 acquires operation information such as the wind direction is forward, the humidification ON, and the expiration date of the operation in the no-return mode among the air volumes, with reference to the operation table 206 shown in fig. 3, and determines the operation information as the operation information corresponding to the return mode. Then, the operation information transmitting unit 203 receives the predetermined position information at the external information receiving unit 202, and immediately after the operation information determining unit 205 determines the operation information or after a lapse of a short predetermined time, transmits the determined operation information to the air conditioner 103A. Thus, when the user returns to his/her home, the server apparatus 101 can operate the air conditioner 103A with the operation information that the wind direction is forward in the appropriate air flow and air purification volume, and can change his/her home to a comfortable environment before the user returns to home.

Specifically, for example, when the state information received from the mobile terminal apparatus 105 is position information indicating that the mobile terminal apparatus 105 has come out of the predetermined range from the position of the owner of the air conditioner 103A, the operation information determination unit 205 similarly selects the outgoing mode from the operation modes of the operation table 206, and acquires and determines operation information indicating that the operation information corresponding to the outgoing mode has a strong air volume, an upward wind direction, a humidification OFF, and a valid period of 8 hours. Similarly, the operation information transmitting unit 203 transmits the determined operation information to the air conditioner 103A.

When the operation information determination unit 205 determines the mode to be the out mode, the control unit 201 may store operation information such as the air volume, the air direction, and the humidification of the air-conditioning apparatus 103A before the mode is determined in the storage unit 200. When the operation information determination unit 205 determines that the mode is the return mode, the operation information before the outgoing mode stored in the storage unit 200 may be determined as the operation information of the air-conditioning apparatus 103A. Thus, when the user returns home, the air conditioner 103A can be operated with the same operation information as the operation information before going out before the user returns home.

The operation information determination unit 205 determines whether or not the state information received from the bed 104B or the motion sensor near the bed 104B is predetermined state information, for example. Specifically, for example, when the received status information is status information such that a person approaches the bed 104B or the person is on the bed 104B, the operation information determination unit 205 selects a bedtime mode from the operation modes of the operation table 206 and acquires the operation information corresponding to the bedtime mode. Specifically, the operation information determination unit 205 acquires operation information such as a small air volume, a downward wind direction, a humidification ON, and a valid period of the operation in the bedtime mode being 8 o' clock the next day, with reference to the operation table 206 shown in fig. 3, and determines the operation information as the operation information corresponding to the bedtime mode. Then, the operation information transmitting unit 203 transmits the determined operation information to the air conditioner 103A. Thus, the server apparatus 101 can cause the air conditioner 103A to perform an operation in which the air volume is small and the wind direction is downward when the person approaches or is on the bed, and can cause the air conditioner 103A to perform an operation that does not hinder the person when the person is going to sleep, for example. Further, the server device 101 can continue the operation of the air-conditioning unit 103A to 8 o' clock on the next day without stopping the operation during the sleeping period of the person.

Further, when the state information is such that a person approaches the bed 104B or a person is on the bed 104B, the operation information determination unit 205 may cause the external information reception unit 202 to receive indoor information of the temperature and humidity detected by an air conditioner or an air cleaner existing near the position of the bed 104B, and may set the operation information based on the received indoor information. That is, the operation information determination unit 205 may determine the operation information based on the indoor information which is the external information different from the state information received first. Thus, since the air conditioner 103A is operated using the operation information based on the current indoor environment in the vicinity of the bed 104B where the person is present, it is possible to determine appropriate operation information for making the space in the vicinity of the bed 104B where the person is present more comfortable.

Further, when the external information receiving unit 202 receives the external information, the operation information determining unit 205 may receive different external information from the information providing apparatus 102 and determine the operation information based on the first received external information and the external information different from the first external information. Specifically, the operation information determination unit 205 may acquire weather information from the information providing apparatus 102 when the external information reception unit 202 receives the status information, and determine the operation information based on the status information and the weather information. Specifically, when the home mode of the operation modes is selected based on the position information that the portable terminal device 105 enters the predetermined range from the position of the air conditioner 103A, the operation information determination unit 205 transmits request information requesting transmission of the current weather information of the area where the air conditioner 103A is located, from the request transmission unit 204 to the information providing device 102. Then, the operation information determination unit 205 determines appropriate operation information from the weather information received from the information providing apparatus 102 in response to the request for weather information. Specifically, for example, when the return mode is selected and the current weather information in the vicinity of the own home is information with a large amount of dust, the operation information determination unit 205 determines the operation information (with the middle air volume and the forward wind direction) corresponding to the return mode in the operation mode shown in fig. 3 as the operation information with the high air volume and the upward wind direction. This makes it possible to determine operation information having an air cleaning effect greater than that of the operation information in the home mode, and to operate the air conditioner 103A with operation information more suitable for the current weather information.

Further, for example, when receiving, as the state information, the position information that the portable terminal device 105 enters a predetermined range from the position of the owner's own home of the air conditioner 103A, the operation information determining unit 205 may determine the operation information based on the operation setting information received at a predetermined cycle. That is, the operation information determination unit 205 may determine the operation information based on the operation setting information which is external information different from the state information received first. Specifically, the operation information determination unit 205 may determine the operation information in which the received operation setting information is changed when the mobile terminal apparatus 105 enters a predetermined range from its own home and selects the home mode. Specifically, when the received operation setting information indicates that the air volume is small, the operation information for increasing the air volume to the middle level may be determined.

As described above, the operation information transmitting unit 203 transmits the operation information determined by the operation information determining unit 205 to each device of the air conditioning unit 103 including the air conditioner 103A and the air cleaner 103B via the network. Here, the operation information transmitting unit 203 transmits the operation information to the air conditioner of the source of the predetermined information via the network in response to the reception of the predetermined information, for example, based on the reception of the predetermined information such as the environment information, the operation setting information, or the request information indicating the request for transmission of the operation information at predetermined intervals by the external information receiving unit 202. When the external information receiving unit 202 receives the external information, the operation information transmitting unit 203 transmits the operation information determined based on the external information to any one of the devices of the air conditioning unit 103 via the network within a short predetermined time after the external information is received. Specifically, when the external information reception unit 202 receives the external information, the operation information transmission unit 203 transmits the operation information to any one of the devices of the air conditioning unit 103 via the network, according to the time at which the external information is received, which is different from the predetermined cycle.

As shown in fig. 2, the air conditioner 103A includes, for example, an air conditioning information acquisition unit 221, an air conditioning information transmission unit 222, an operation information reception unit 223, and an operation control unit 224. Here, the air conditioner 103A in fig. 2 may be an air cleaner 103B. Specifically, the functional configuration of the air conditioner 103A will be described below.

The air conditioning information acquiring unit 221 acquires environmental information such as odor and dust around the air conditioner 103A at predetermined intervals of 15 minutes or the like by using various sensors such as a dust sensor, an odor sensor, an illuminance sensor, and a human body sensor included in the air conditioner 103A. The air conditioning information acquiring unit 221 acquires, for example, operation setting information indicating the set operation state. Here, the operation setting information is operation information such as the air volume, the wind direction, and the humidification set in the air conditioner 103A. The air conditioning information acquiring unit 221 is a processor such as a CPU, for example, and the processor operates as the air conditioning information acquiring unit 221 by executing a program stored in a memory.

The air conditioning information transmitting unit 222 transmits, for example, the environmental information and the operation setting information around the air conditioner 103A acquired by the air conditioning information acquiring unit 221 to the server apparatus 101 via the network at a predetermined cycle. The air conditioning information transmitting unit 222 transmits request information, which indicates a request for the server device 101 to transmit the operation information, to the server device 101 via the network at a predetermined cycle, for example. The air conditioning information transmitting unit 222 is, for example, a communication device such as a transmitter that performs data conversion and the like accompanying communication and simultaneously transmits data.

The operation information receiving unit 223 receives, for example, operation information indicating the operation content of the air conditioner 103A determined by the server apparatus 101 from the server apparatus 101 via the network. The operation information receiving unit 223 is a communication device such as a receiver that receives data while performing data conversion and the like associated with communication, for example.

The operation control unit 224 controls the operation of the air conditioner 103A based on, for example, the operation information received by the operation information receiving unit 223 or the operation information set by the user. The operation control unit 224 is a processor such as a CPU, for example, and the processor operates as the operation control unit 224 by executing a program stored in a memory.

As shown in fig. 2, the cooking apparatus 104A includes, for example, a state information acquisition unit 231 and a state information transmission unit 232. Specifically, the functional configuration of the cooking device 104A will be described below.

The state information acquiring unit 231 acquires cooking information indicating cooking contents such as the type of cooking being cooked by the cooking apparatus 104A from the cooking apparatus 104A as state information, for example. The food is fish, meat, heated food, fried food, etc. The state information acquiring unit 231 may acquire, as the state information, the type of cooking in the cooking menu selected by the user in the cooking menu provided in the cooking device 104A. The state information acquisition unit 231 is a processor such as a CPU, for example, and the processor operates as the state information acquisition unit 231 by executing a program stored in a memory.

The state information transmitting unit 232 transmits the cooking information of the cooking apparatus 104A acquired by the state information acquiring unit 231 to the server apparatus 101 as state information via the network, for example.

Here, the cooking apparatus 104A in fig. 2 may be a bed 104B. The state information acquiring unit 231 of the bed 104B acquires the detection result of the motion sensor as the state information when the motion sensor (not shown) provided near the bed 104B or on the bed 104B itself detects that a person approaches the bed 104B or that a person is on the bed 104B. The state information transmitting unit 232 of the bed 104B transmits the detection result of the human body sensor as state information to the server apparatus 101 via the network. The status information transmitting unit 232 is a communication device such as a transmitter that transmits data while performing data conversion and the like associated with communication, for example.

As shown in fig. 2, the mobile terminal apparatus 105 includes, for example, a positional information acquisition unit 241 and a positional information transmission unit 242. Specifically, the functional configuration of the mobile terminal apparatus 105 will be described below.

The position information acquiring unit 241 acquires the position information of the mobile terminal device 105, for example, by the GPS function of the mobile terminal device 105. The position information acquiring unit 241 acquires, for example, a case where the mobile terminal device 105 enters or leaves a predetermined area as position information from the history of the position information of the mobile terminal device 105. Here, the predetermined area indicates, for example, a predetermined range in which the air conditioner 103A is located. Specifically, the predetermined area is, for example, a predetermined range including the devices of the air-conditioning unit 103 and the position of the owner of the mobile terminal apparatus 105. The location information of the owner's own home is stored in a storage unit (not shown) of the portable terminal apparatus 105. The mobile terminal device 105 determines the entrance from the vicinity of the own home based on the stored position information of the own home and the current position information of the mobile terminal device 105. The positional information acquisition unit 241 is, for example, a processor such as a CPU, and the processor operates as the positional information acquisition unit 241 by executing a program stored in a memory.

The position information transmitting unit 242 transmits the position information acquired by the position information acquiring unit 241 to the server apparatus 101 via the network, for example, when the position information enters a predetermined area or when the position information exits the predetermined area. The position information transmitting unit 242 is a communication device such as a transmitter that transmits data while performing data conversion and the like associated with communication, for example.

As shown in fig. 2, the information providing apparatus 102 includes, for example, a weather information acquisition unit 251 and a weather information communication unit 252. Specifically, the functional configuration of the information providing apparatus 102 will be described below.

The weather information communication unit 252 functions as a weather information request receiving unit that receives request information indicating a request for the server apparatus 101 to transmit weather information, for example. Here, the weather information communication unit 252 may receive region information such as a region name indicating which region the weather information is, together with request information for weather information transmission. The weather information communication unit 252 requests the weather information acquisition unit 251 to acquire weather information in a predetermined area, for example, based on request information received from the server apparatus 101 to transmit weather information. The weather information communication unit 252 also functions as a weather information transmission unit that transmits the weather information acquired by the weather information acquisition unit 251 to the server apparatus 101 via the network. The weather information communication unit 252 is a communication device such as a transceiver that performs data transmission and reception while performing data conversion and the like associated with communication.

The weather information acquisition unit 251 acquires weather information in a predetermined area and time information corresponding to the weather information from, for example, an external predetermined server (not shown) in response to a request for acquiring weather information from the weather information communication unit 252. The weather information includes current and past weather information, weather information of weather forecast for each hour of the current day or the next day, or weather information for a long period of more than one week. The weather information includes weather-related information such as weather on a sunny day, a cloudy day, and a rainy day, air temperature, humidity, pollen amount, PM2.5 amount, wind direction, air volume, and ultraviolet light amount (solar radiation amount). The weather information acquisition unit 251 is a processor such as a CPU, for example, and the processor operates as the weather information acquisition unit 251 by executing a program stored in a memory.

Fig. 4 is a timing chart showing an example of a processing flow of the air-conditioning system 100 according to the comparative example. For convenience of explanation, the reference numerals of the respective components in the comparative example are the same as those of the respective components in the embodiment. A flow of processing in which the server apparatus 101 receives request information requesting transmission of operation information from the air-conditioning apparatus 103A at predetermined intervals and transmits the operation information to the air-conditioning apparatus 103A in response to the reception of the request information will be described with reference to fig. 4. It is assumed that, prior to the processing shown in fig. 4, the server apparatus 101 determines the operation information of the air conditioner 103A from the external information, and transmits the operation information from the server apparatus 101 to the air conditioner 103A.

The air conditioning information transmitting unit 222 of the air conditioner 103A periodically transmits request information requesting transmission of the operation information of the air conditioner 103A to the server apparatus 101 at a predetermined cycle. In fig. 4, the air conditioning information transmitting unit 222 transmits request information to the server apparatus 101 every 15 minutes. The air conditioning information transmitting unit 222 transmits request information to the server apparatus 101 at point 0 and point 58 (S100). Here, the air conditioning information transmitting unit 222 may transmit operation setting information indicating an operation state set in the air conditioner 103A and environment information around the air conditioner 103A.

The external information receiving unit 202 of the server apparatus 101 receives the request information from the air conditioner 103A. In response to the reception of the request information by the external information receiving unit 202, the operation information transmitting unit 203 of the server apparatus 101 transmits operation information based on the request information to the air conditioner 103A (S101). For example, the operation information transmitting unit 203 transmits the latest operation information of the air conditioner 103A determined based on the external information to the air conditioner 103A as the operation information based on the request information. When the operation information transmitted to the air-conditioning apparatus 103A last time is the same as the latest operation information determined this time, the operation information transmitting unit 203 transmits reply information, i.e., no operation information, as the operation information based on the request information. Here, in S101, the operation information transmitted to the air conditioner 103A last time is the same as the latest operation information determined this time. Therefore, the operation information transmitting unit 203 transmits reply information such as no operation information as operation information based on the request information. When receiving the response information such as the no-operation information, the air conditioner 103A continues the operation without changing the current operation. In addition, when the operation information transmitted to the air-conditioning apparatus 103A last time is the same as the latest operation information determined this time, the operation information transmitting unit 203 may transmit the operation information transmitted to the air-conditioning apparatus 103A last time to the air-conditioning apparatus 103A again.

The request transmitting unit 204 of the server apparatus 101 transmits request information requesting transmission of weather information to the information providing apparatus 102 (S102). Here, request information for transmission of weather information is transmitted to the information providing apparatus 102 at the same time every day. The request information for sending weather information is, for example, information that is sent to the information providing apparatus 102 at 1 am and requests the sending of weather information on the morning and afternoon on the same date as the date of 1 am.

The weather information communication unit 252 of the information providing device 102 transmits the weather information to the server device 101 based on the request information requesting transmission of weather information on the morning and afternoon on the same date as the date of 1 am from the server device 101 (S103). The external information receiving unit 202 of the server apparatus 101 receives weather information on the morning and afternoon on the same date as the date of 1 am from the information providing apparatus 102 (S103).

The operation information determination unit 205 of the server apparatus 101 determines operation information from the weather information of the next morning and afterward received by the external information reception unit 202 from the information providing apparatus 102 (S104). That is, the operation information determination unit 205 determines the operation information of the next morning and afterward based on the weather information of the morning and afterward on the same date as the date of the morning 1, for example.

The air conditioning information transmitting unit 222 of the air conditioner 103A transmits request information requesting transmission of operation information to the server apparatus 101 after a certain time period representing a predetermined period has elapsed from the transmission time of the request information in S100 (S105). Here, the air conditioning information transmitting unit 222 transmits the transmission request information at time 1 and 13 after 15 minutes from the transmission of the request information in S100.

The external information receiving unit 202 of the server apparatus 101 receives the request information from the air conditioner 103A. In response to the reception of the request information by the external information receiving unit 202, the operation information transmitting unit 203 of the server apparatus 101 transmits operation information based on the request information to the air conditioner 103A (S106). Here, the latest operation information of the air conditioner 103A determined based on the external information is the operation information determined based on the weather information in S104. Therefore, the operation information transmitting unit 203 transmits the operation information determined from the weather information in S104 to the air conditioner 103A as the operation information based on the request information (S106).

The air conditioner 103A operates in accordance with the operation information received from the server apparatus 101, instead of the currently set operation information (S107).

In the comparative example described above, the server apparatus 101 transmits the operation information to the air-conditioning apparatus 103A and controls the air-conditioning apparatus 103A based on the request information received at the predetermined cycle without using the position information of the portable terminal apparatus 105, and therefore, it is difficult to cause the air-conditioning apparatus 103A to perform an appropriate operation at an appropriate time in accordance with the user's situation such as going out or going home of the user.

Fig. 5 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a processing flow of the air-conditioning system 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention. A flow of processing in which the server apparatus 101 transmits operation information based on external information to the air-conditioning apparatus 103A when receiving the external information from an external device such as the mobile terminal apparatus 105 will be described with reference to fig. 5. In contrast to the comparative example, the server apparatus 101 according to the embodiment transmits the operation information to the air-conditioning apparatus 103A not only when receiving the request information but also when receiving external information such as position information. It is assumed that, prior to the processing shown in fig. 5, the server apparatus 101 determines operation information of the air conditioner 103A from external information, and transmits the operation information from the server apparatus 101 to the air conditioner 103A.

The air conditioning information transmitting unit 222 of the air conditioner 103A periodically transmits request information requesting transmission of the operation information of the air conditioner 103A to the server apparatus 101 at a predetermined cycle. In fig. 5, the air conditioning information transmitting unit 222 transmits request information to the server apparatus 101 every 15 minutes. The air conditioning information transmitting unit 222 transmits the request information to the server apparatus 101 at 19 hours 00 minutes 32 seconds (S200). Here, the air conditioning information transmitting unit 222 may transmit operation setting information indicating an operation state set in the air conditioner 103A and environment information around the air conditioner 103A.

The external information receiving unit 202 of the server apparatus 101 receives the request information from the air conditioner 103A. In response to the reception of the request information by the external information receiving unit 202, the operation information transmitting unit 203 of the server apparatus 101 transmits operation information based on the request information to the air conditioner 103A (S201). For example, the operation information transmitting unit 203 transmits the latest operation information of the air conditioner 103A determined based on the external information to the air conditioner 103A as the operation information based on the request information. When the operation information transmitted to the air-conditioning apparatus 103A last time is the same as the latest operation information determined this time, the operation information transmitting unit 203 transmits reply information, i.e., no operation information, as the operation information based on the request information. Here, in S201, the operation information transmitted to the air conditioner 103A last time is the same as the latest operation information determined this time. Therefore, the operation information transmitting unit 203 transmits reply information such as no operation information as operation information based on the request information. When receiving the response information such as the no-operation information, the air conditioner 103A continues the operation without changing the current operation. In addition, when the operation information transmitted to the air-conditioning apparatus 103A last time is the same as the latest operation information determined this time, the operation information transmitting unit 203 may transmit the operation information transmitted to the air-conditioning apparatus 103A last time to the air-conditioning apparatus 103A again.

The position information transmitting unit 242 of the mobile terminal device 105 transmits the position information of the mobile terminal device 105 to the server device 101 (S202). In fig. 5, the position information transmitting unit 242 transmits the position information to the server apparatus 101 at 19 o' clock 1 min 10 sec. The position information transmitting unit 242 transmits, for example, a case where the mobile terminal apparatus 105 enters a predetermined area or a case where the mobile terminal apparatus is out of the predetermined area, to the server apparatus 101. Here, a case will be described where the mobile terminal device 105 transmits position information that enters an area within a predetermined range from the home of the user where the air conditioner 103A is installed.

The external information receiving unit 202 of the server apparatus 101 receives the position information from the mobile terminal apparatus 105. When the external information receiving unit 202 of the server apparatus 101 receives, from the mobile terminal apparatus 105, the position information that is within the area within the predetermined range from the home of the user (S202), the request transmitting unit 204 transmits, to the information providing apparatus 102, request information requesting transmission of the current weather information (S203).

The weather information communication unit 252 of the information providing apparatus 102 transmits the current weather information to the server apparatus 101 in accordance with the request information requesting transmission of the current weather information from the server apparatus 101 (S204). Then, the external information receiving unit 202 of the server apparatus 101 receives the current weather information from the information providing apparatus 102 (S204).

The operation information determination unit 205 of the server apparatus 101 determines operation information based on the position information received by the external information reception unit 202 in S202 and the current weather information received in S204 (S205). The operation information determined by the operation information determination unit 205 in S205 is an example of operation information based on external information.

The operation information transmitting unit 203 of the server apparatus 101 transmits, to the air conditioner 103A, a command for instructing transmission of request information requesting transmission of the operation information to the air conditioner 103A (S206).

When the operation information receiving unit 223 of the air conditioner 103A receives a command for instructing transmission of request information for requesting transmission of operation information (S206), the air conditioning information transmitting unit 222 transmits the request information for requesting transmission of operation information to the server apparatus 101 at a time different from a regular cycle of a predetermined cycle (S207). In fig. 5, the position information transmitting unit 242 transmits request information to the server apparatus 101 at 19 o' clock 1 min 11 sec.

When the external information receiving unit 202 of the server apparatus 101 receives the request information requesting the transmission of the operation information (S207), the operation information determined by the operation information determining unit 205 in S205 is transmitted to the air-conditioning apparatus 103A (S208). The processing of S202 to S208 is an example of processing for transmitting operation information based on external information to the air-conditioning apparatus 103A when the server apparatus 101 receives the external information.

When the operation information receiving unit 223 of the air conditioner 103A receives the operation information from the server apparatus 101 (S208), the operation control unit 224 operates the air conditioner 103A using the received operation information.

Here, after the operation information is determined by the server apparatus 101 in S205, the process of S208 may be performed without performing the processes of S206 and S207. That is, when the operation information is transmitted at an irregular time other than the predetermined period, the operation information can be transmitted to the air-conditioning apparatus 103A at the time point when the operation information is determined, without performing the process (S206) in which the server apparatus 101 requests the air-conditioning apparatus 103A to transmit the request information for requesting the transmission of the operation information.

As described above, in the comparative example, the server apparatus 101 transmits the operation information only based on the request information of the predetermined cycle without using the position information from the mobile terminal apparatus 105, and therefore, it is difficult to control the air conditioner 103A according to the user's situation such as the user going out or going home. On the other hand, the server apparatus 101 according to the embodiment transmits the operation information based on the external information to the air conditioner 103A when the external information is received from the external device such as the mobile terminal apparatus 105, and therefore, the air conditioner 103A can be controlled according to the user's situation such as the user going out or going home. More specifically, in the processing from S202 onward, the portable terminal device 105 determines appropriate operation information based on the latest weather information, for example, when it enters an area within a predetermined range from the home where the air conditioner 103A is installed. As described above, according to the air-conditioning system 100 of the embodiment, before the time when the user having the mobile terminal device 105 returns home, the operation information based on the latest weather information can be transmitted to the air-conditioning apparatus 103A, and the air-conditioning apparatus 103A can be operated appropriately before returning home.

The above flow is an example, and the present embodiment is not limited to the above.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and modifications, and modifications are possible, and the above-described configuration may be replaced with a configuration having substantially the same configuration, exhibiting the same operational effects, or achieving the same object.

Description of the reference numerals

100 air conditioning system, 101 server device, 102 information providing device, 103 air conditioning unit, 103A air conditioner, 103B air cleaner, 104 other device group, 104A cooking device, 104B bed, 105 portable terminal device, 200 storage unit, 201 control unit, 202 external information receiving unit, 203 operation information transmitting unit, 204 request transmitting unit, 205 operation information determining unit, 221 air conditioning information acquiring unit, 222 air conditioning information transmitting unit, 223 operation information receiving unit, 224 operation control unit, 231 state information acquiring unit, 232 state information transmitting unit, 241 position information acquiring unit, 242 position information transmitting unit, 251 information acquiring unit, and 252 weather information communicating unit.

Claims

1. An air conditioning system including an air conditioner and a server device, the air conditioning system being characterized in that,

the server device includes:

a request information receiving unit that receives request information of the air conditioner from the air conditioner at a predetermined cycle;

an external information receiving unit that receives external information acquired by an external device connected to the server apparatus;

an operation information determination unit that determines operation information indicating operation content for operating the air conditioner; and

an operation information transmitting unit that transmits, when the request information is received, operation information based on the request information to the air conditioner;

the operation information transmitting unit transmits, to the air conditioner, operation information based on the external information when receiving the external information;

the air conditioner includes:

a request information transmitting unit that transmits the request information at the predetermined cycle;

an operation information receiving unit that receives operation information based on the request information and operation information based on the external information; and

and an operation control unit that operates the air conditioner based on operation information based on the request information and operates the air conditioner based on operation information based on the external information.

2. A server device that communicates with an air conditioner, the server device comprising:

the operation information transmitting unit transmits, to the air conditioner, operation information based on the external information when receiving the external information.

3. The server apparatus according to claim 2,

the operation information transmitting unit transmits the operation information based on the external information to the air conditioner according to a time at which the external information is received, the time being different from the predetermined cycle.

4. The server apparatus according to claim 2 or 3,

the operation information transmitting unit transmits, when receiving external information that is position information of the external device, operation information based on the position information.

5. The server apparatus according to claim 4,

the operation information transmitting unit transmits operation information based on external information different from the external information when the position information is within a predetermined range.

6. The server apparatus according to claim 5,

a weather information acquisition unit that acquires current weather information indicating the current weather of a region where the air conditioner is located;

the operation information transmitting unit transmits the operation information based on the current weather information when the position information indicates that the position information is within a predetermined range.

7. The server apparatus according to claim 2 or 3,

the operation information transmitting unit transmits, when receiving external information that is cooking information indicating cooking contents to be cooked by the external device, operation information based on the cooking information.

8. An air conditioner that communicates with a server device, the air conditioner comprising:

a request information transmitting unit that transmits request information requesting transmission of operation information of the air conditioner at a predetermined cycle;

an operation information receiving unit that receives operation information based on the request information and operation information based on external information acquired by an external device connected to the server apparatus; and

9. A control method of a server device that communicates with an air conditioner, the control method of the server device characterized in that,

receiving request information of the air conditioner from the air conditioner at a prescribed period;

receiving external information acquired by an external device connected to the server apparatus;

determining operation information indicating operation contents for operating the air conditioner;

transmitting, upon receiving the request information, action information based on the request information to the air conditioner;

and when the external information is received, sending action information based on the external information to the air conditioner.