JP7513865B2 - Location Identification System - Google Patents

Description

Regarding placement identification systems.

Conventionally, there are systems that identify the layout of multiple devices installed in a space, such as that disclosed in Patent Document 1 (JP 2017-32469). In such systems, the layout of multiple devices is identified from information related to distance based on wireless communication between the devices and information on a diagram of the space.

However, there are cases where the location of devices cannot be identified based on distance information based on wireless communication between devices and spatial diagram information.

The arrangement identification system of the first aspect is a system that identifies the arrangement of multiple devices, each of which has identification information. The arrangement identification system includes a first distance information acquisition unit, an arrangement determination unit, a position information acquisition unit, a fixed information acquisition unit, and an arrangement identification unit. The first distance information acquisition unit acquires first distance information. The first distance information is information that links information on the distance between any two devices among the multiple devices and the identification information of each of the two devices. The device arrangement determination unit determines the arrangement of the multiple devices based on the first distance information. The position information acquisition unit acquires position information of a first virtual point that is located at any position in the arrangement and whose position is defined based on the device. The fixed information acquisition unit acquires rotation direction fixed information and inversion direction fixed information. The rotation direction fixed information fixes the degree of freedom of the rotation direction of the arrangement. The inversion direction fixed information fixes the degree of freedom of the inversion direction of the arrangement. The arrangement identification unit identifies the arrangement of the multiple devices arranged in space based on the arrangement, position information, rotation direction fixed information, and inversion direction fixed information.

This allows the placement identification system to determine the arrangement of multiple devices with fixed degrees of freedom in rotation and inversion directions, and identify the placement of the devices.

The second aspect of the layout identification system is the first aspect of the system, and the position information acquisition unit acquires the position information of the first virtual point by utilizing the fact that the center of gravity of the arrangement of the multiple devices on the drawing coincides with the center of gravity of the arrangement of the multiple devices determined by the device arrangement determination unit.

This allows the placement identification system to easily obtain position information of the first virtual point, which contributes to identifying the placement of the equipment.

The arrangement identification system of the third aspect is the system of either the first or second aspect, in which the fixed information acquisition unit acquires information on the direction in which the second virtual point at an arbitrary position exists as the rotation direction fixed information. The fixed information acquisition unit acquires information on the direction in which the third virtual point at an arbitrary position exists as the inversion direction fixed information. Alternatively, the fixed information acquisition unit acquires information on the direction in which the second virtual point at an arbitrary position exists as the rotation direction fixed information. The fixed information acquisition unit acquires information on the position in which the third virtual point at an arbitrary position exists as the inversion direction fixed information. Alternatively, the fixed information acquisition unit acquires information on the position in which the second virtual point at an arbitrary position exists as the rotation direction fixed information. Alternatively, the fixed information acquisition unit acquires information on the position in which the second virtual point at an arbitrary position exists as the rotation direction fixed information. Alternatively, the fixed information acquisition unit acquires information on the direction in which the third virtual point at an arbitrary position exists as the inversion direction fixed information.

This allows the placement identification system to identify the placement of the equipment.

The layout identification system of the fourth aspect is any of the systems of the first aspect to the third aspect, in which the first virtual point, the second virtual point, and the third virtual point do not exist on the same line. They do not exist in positions that are symmetrical with respect to an axis that passes through the first virtual point, the second virtual point, or the third virtual point.

This allows the placement identification system to identify the placement of the equipment.

The location identification system of the fifth aspect is any one of the systems of the first aspect to the fourth aspect, in which the first distance information includes information related to communication signal strength or communication time in wireless communication.

This allows the placement identification system to identify the placement of the equipment.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a placement specification system. 1 is a drawing showing a space. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an air conditioner. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a management device and a terminal device. 1 is an example of an arrangement of air conditioners. 1 is an example of an arrangement of air conditioners. 1 is an example of an arrangement of air conditioners. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process of the location specification system.

(1) Overall Configuration FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a placement specification system 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In the following description, when a common description is given to a plurality of devices having similar functions, the same reference numerals are used. When a single device is to be distinguished from a plurality of devices having similar functions, a lowercase English subscript is used. For example, air conditioners 10a to 10c are devices having similar functions, and therefore, when a common description is given, they are referred to as air conditioner 10. Subscripts are used for convenience of description, but these represent arbitrary numbers, and the quantity is not limited to these.

The location identification system 1 is a system that identifies the location of multiple devices. The location identification system 1 includes devices, a management device 20, and a terminal device 30. Below, an "air conditioner" that cools or heats a target space (space α) will be described as an example of an identification target of the location identification system 1 according to this embodiment. However, the identification target of the location identification system 1 according to this embodiment is not limited to an air conditioner.

The management device 20 is installed, for example, in a management center 3. Within the jurisdiction area of the management center 3, there are numerous facilities 2 (2a to 2c). The facilities 2 are, for example, office buildings, commercial buildings, condominiums, etc. The facilities 2 have spaces α, which are, for example, rooms, tenants, areas, etc.

As shown in FIG. 2, multiple air conditioners 10 (indoor units 12) as equipment are installed at installation positions Q (Q1 to Q9) in space α. Note that FIG. 2 is drawing β showing space α, in which the installation positions Q of the air conditioners 10 are shown on a plan view of space α. In space α, the installation positions Q are installed roughly symmetrically from left to right and from top to bottom. When the multiple air conditioners 10 are installed at their installation positions Q, a serviceman or the like uses a terminal device 30 to perform placement registration work in which the placement and identification information of the air conditioners 10 are linked and registered in the management device 20. The management device 20 begins managing the air conditioners 10 when the placement and identification information of the air conditioners 10 are linked and registered.

The air conditioners 10, the management device 20, and the terminal devices 30 are connected to each other via a communication network NW. The communication network NW is, for example, the Internet, and includes a WAN (Wide Area Network) that spans multiple properties. The management device 20 registers the placement of the air conditioners 10 and manages the air conditioners 10 by sending and receiving various information to and from the air conditioners 10 and the terminal devices 30 via the communication network NW.

(2) Equipment FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an air conditioner 10 according to this embodiment. The air conditioner 10 has a refrigerant circuit composed of a compressor, a heat exchanger, etc. (not shown). The air conditioner 10 has an outdoor unit 11, a plurality of indoor units 12 (12a to 12c), and a plurality of short-range wireless communication devices 13 (13a to 13c). The outdoor unit 11 is a device that functions as a heat source for the refrigerant circuit, and is installed, for example, on the roof or basement of the facility 2. The indoor unit 12 cools or heats the space α based on an operation signal input from an operation panel or a remote control installed in the room. Here, the indoor units 12 are each installed at an installation position Q in the space α (FIG. 2). The short-range wireless communication device 13 performs short-range wireless communication with another short-range wireless communication device 13 or a terminal device 30. The plurality of short-range wireless communication devices 13 are each provided corresponding to the indoor unit 12. The short-range wireless communication device 13 may be built into the indoor unit 12 or may be installed on a ceiling or the like near the indoor unit 12.

The outdoor unit 11, indoor unit 12, and short-range wireless communication device 13 are each provided with an outdoor control unit 111, an indoor control unit 121 (121a to 121c), and a short-range wireless control unit 131 (131a to 131c). The outdoor control unit 111, the indoor control unit 121, and the short-range wireless control unit 131 are each composed of a CPU, memory, communication interface, etc. (not shown), and are connected via a dedicated communication line.

(2-1) Outdoor control unit The outdoor control unit 111 is provided with a storage unit 112, a processing unit 113, and a communication unit 114. The storage unit 112 stores various types of information and is composed of a non-volatile memory, a volatile memory, etc. For example, the storage unit 112 stores programs for executing various functions of the air conditioner 10 (the outdoor unit 11, the indoor unit 12, and the short-range wireless communication device 13) and various types of information for executing the programs.

The processing unit 113 includes a CPU, cache memory, etc., and executes various information processing. The processing unit 113 transmits and receives various signals, etc. to and from the indoor control unit 121 (121a to 121c) or the short-range wireless control unit 131 (131a to 131c) via, for example, a dedicated communication line. The processing unit 113 transmits and receives various information, etc. to and from the management device 20 via, for example, the communication unit 114.

The communication unit 114 is a communication interface for communicating with external networks, including the communication network NW. The communication unit 114 may include a device such as a router (not shown).

(2-2) Indoor Control Unit The indoor control unit 121 (121a to 121c) is provided with a memory unit 122 (122a to 122c) and a processing unit 123 (123a to 123c). The memory unit 122 stores various information and is composed of a non-volatile memory, a volatile memory, etc. For example, the memory unit 122 stores programs for executing various functions of the indoor unit 12 and various information for executing the programs. The memory unit 122 also stores identification information unique to each indoor unit 12. The identification information is, for example, the device ID, MAC address, name, etc. of the indoor unit 12.

The processing unit 123 includes a CPU, cache memory, etc., and executes various information processing. The processing unit 123 transmits and receives various signals, etc., to and from the outdoor control unit 111 or the short-range wireless control unit 131, for example, via a dedicated communication line.

(2-3) Short-range wireless control unit The short-range wireless control unit 131 (131a to 131c) is provided with a memory unit 132 (132a to 132c), a processing unit 133 (133a to 133c), and a short-range wireless communication unit 134 (134a to 134c). The memory unit 132 stores various information and is composed of a non-volatile memory, a volatile memory, and the like. For example, the memory unit 132 stores programs for executing various functions of the short-range wireless communication device 13 and various information for executing the programs. The memory unit 132 also stores in advance identification information of the indoor unit 12 corresponding to the short-range wireless communication device 13.

The processing unit 133 includes a CPU, cache memory, etc., and executes various information processing. The processing unit 133 transmits and receives various signals, etc., to and from the outdoor control unit 111 or the indoor control unit 121, for example, via a dedicated communication line. The processing unit 133 performs short-range wireless communication with another short-range wireless communication device 13 or the terminal device 30, for example, via the short-range wireless communication unit 134.

The short-range wireless communication unit 134 includes a short-range wireless transmission unit 135 (135a to 135c) and a short-range wireless reception unit 136 (136a to 136c). The short-range wireless transmission unit 135 transmits a signal including identification information of the corresponding indoor unit 12 by short-range wireless communication. The short-range wireless communication may be, for example, BLE (Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy) communication, and may conform to the iBeacon (registered trademark) communication standard. The short-range wireless reception unit 136 receives a signal including identification information from another short-range wireless communication device 13. The closer the other short-range wireless communication device 13 is, the stronger the radio wave strength of the signal including the identification information is received. The identification information (signal) received by the short-range wireless reception unit 136 is associated with the radio wave strength at the time the identification information was received, and is transmitted to the outdoor control unit 111 via a dedicated communication line.

The outdoor control unit 111 transmits the identification information and radio wave intensity information received by the short-range wireless receiving unit 136 to the management device 20 via the communication unit 114.

(3) Management Device 20
4 is connected to one or more air conditioners 10 via a communication network NW. The management device 20 is, for example, a supercomputer, a workstation, a personal computer, a tablet device, or a smartphone. For example, the management device 20 may be configured by connecting a plurality of computers or devices via a network.

The management device 20 has a memory unit 21, a communication unit 22, and a processing unit 23.

(3-1) Storage Unit The storage unit 21 stores various information and includes a ROM, a RAM, and/or a hard disk. Here, the storage unit 21 stores programs for executing various functions of the management device 20 and various information for executing the programs. The storage unit 21 stores information on the drawing β in advance.

The memory unit 21 also stores various information received from the air conditioner 10 or the terminal device 30. The information stored in the memory unit 21 can be updated as appropriate.

(3-2) Communication Unit The communication unit 22 is a communication interface for communicating with an external network including the communication network NW. The communication unit 22 receives, for example, identification information and radio wave intensity information from the air conditioner 10 (outdoor control unit 111). The communication unit 22 also transmits the identification information and radio wave intensity information, or information on the drawing β stored in the storage unit 21, to the terminal device 30.

(3-3) Processing Unit The processing unit 23 includes a CPU, a cache memory, etc., and executes various information processes. The processing unit 23 transmits and receives various information via the communication network NW, for example.

(4) Terminal Device The terminal device 30 shown in Fig. 4 is connected to the management device 20 via the communication network NW. The terminal device 30 is, for example, a personal computer, a tablet device, or a smartphone. The terminal device 30 has a storage unit 31, a communication unit 32, a processing unit 33, a display unit 34, and an input unit 35.

(4-1) Storage Unit The storage unit 31 stores various information and includes a ROM, a RAM, and/or a hard disk, etc. Here, the storage unit 31 stores programs for executing various functions of the management device 20 and various information for executing the programs.

The memory unit 31 also stores various information received from the air conditioner 10 or the terminal device 30. The information stored in the memory unit 31 can be updated as appropriate.

(4-2) Communication Unit The communication unit 32 is a communication interface for communicating with an external network including the communication network NW. The communication unit 32 receives, for example, identification information and radio wave intensity information, or information on the drawing β, from the management device 20. The information received by the communication unit 32 is appropriately stored in an appropriate area of the storage unit 31.

The processing unit 33 includes a CPU, a cache memory, etc., and executes various information processes. The processing unit 33 includes a first distance information acquisition unit 331, an equipment arrangement determination unit 332, a position information acquisition unit 333, a fixed information acquisition unit 334, and a placement identification unit 335.

(4-3-1) First Distance Information Acquisition Unit The first distance information acquisition unit 331 acquires first distance information based on the identification information and radio wave intensity information received by the communication unit 32. Here, the radio wave intensity information is, in other words, information relating to the distance between any two indoor units 12 (air conditioners 10). The first distance information is information that links the information relating to the distance between the any two indoor units 12 with the identification information, and is, for example, the information shown in Table 1. The first distance information acquired by the first distance information acquisition unit 331 is stored in an appropriate area of the memory unit 31.

(4-3-2) Equipment Arrangement Determination Unit The equipment arrangement determination unit 332 determines the arrangement of the indoor units 12 based on a plurality of pieces of first distance information stored in the storage unit 31. For example, the equipment arrangement determination unit 332 can determine that the arrangement of the indoor units 12 (air conditioners 10) installed in the space α is the arrangement shown in FIG. 5 based on a plurality of pieces of first distance information stored in the storage unit 31. Here, the arrangement shown in FIG. 5 is symmetrical from left to right, so it can be inverted to become the arrangement shown in FIG. 6. Similarly, the arrangement shown in FIG. 5 is symmetrical from left to right and from top to bottom, so it can be rotated to become the arrangement shown in FIG. 7, for example. In other words, the arrangement of the indoor units 12 determined by the equipment arrangement determination unit 332 is an arrangement in which the degree of freedom in the inversion direction and the degree of freedom in the rotation direction are not fixed. Information related to the arrangement of the indoor units 12 installed in the space α determined by the equipment arrangement determination unit 332 is stored in an appropriate area of the storage unit 31.

(4-3-3) Position Information Acquisition Unit The position information acquisition unit 333 acquires the position of the first virtual point. The first virtual point is an arbitrary point whose position is defined based on the indoor unit 12 (air conditioner 10). Specifically, the position information acquisition unit 333 sets the position of the center of gravity P of the installation position Q of the indoor unit 12 in the information of drawing β received by the communication unit 32 as the position of the first virtual point. Here, if the position of the center of gravity P' of the arrangement determined by the equipment arrangement determination unit 332 is correct, the position of the center of gravity P' coincides with the position of the center of gravity P of the installation position Q of the indoor unit 12 in the information of drawing β. Therefore, the position information acquisition unit 333, for example, matches the position of the center of gravity P of the installation position Q of the indoor unit 12 in the information of drawing β shown in FIG. 2 with the position of the center of gravity P' of the arrangement determined by the equipment arrangement determination unit 332 shown in FIGS. 5, 6, and 7 . The position information acquisition unit 333 can calculate the position of the center of gravity P of the installation position Q of the indoor unit 12 in the information of the drawing β by calculation processing. The information related to the position of the first virtual point acquired by the position information acquisition unit 333 is stored in an appropriate area of the storage unit 31.

(4-3-4) Fixed Information Acquisition Unit The fixed information acquisition unit 334 acquires rotation direction fixing information and inversion direction fixing information input by a serviceman or the like via the input unit 35. The rotation direction fixing information is information for fixing the degree of freedom of the rotation direction of the arrangement determined by the device arrangement determination unit 332, and is information on the position or direction of the second virtual point at an arbitrary position. The inversion direction fixing information is information for fixing the degree of freedom of the inversion direction, and is information on the position or direction of the third virtual point at an arbitrary position. Note that it is preferable that the first virtual point, the second virtual point, and the third virtual point do not exist at positions on the same line. It is also preferable that the first virtual point, the second virtual point, and the third virtual point do not exist at positions that are linearly symmetrical with respect to an axis passing through the first virtual point, the second virtual point, or the third virtual point.

Here, suppose that the identification information of the indoor unit 12a is A001, and the position is the installation position Q1 shown in FIG. 2. For example, a service person or the like can input the identification information A001 of the indoor unit 12a and the installation position Q1 of the indoor unit 12a as rotation direction fixing information via the input unit 35. At this time, the position of the indoor unit 12a becomes the position of the second virtual point. In addition, the service person or the like can input A001, which is the identification information of the indoor unit 12a, and northwest, which is the direction of the indoor unit 12a as seen from the first virtual point. At this time, the direction of the indoor unit 12a becomes the direction of the second virtual point.

Furthermore, suppose that the identification information of the indoor unit 12b is A002, and that the position is the installation position Q2 shown in FIG. 2. For example, a service person or the like can input the identification information A002 of the indoor unit 12b and the installation position Q2 of the indoor unit 12b as inversion direction fixing information via the input unit 35. At this time, the position of the indoor unit 12b becomes the position of the third virtual point. Furthermore, a service person or the like can input A002, which is the identification information of the indoor unit 12b, and north, which is the direction of the indoor unit 12b as seen from the first virtual point. At this time, the direction of the indoor unit 12b becomes the direction of the third virtual point.

The fixed information acquisition unit 334 may acquire multiple pieces of rotation direction fixed information or multiple pieces of inversion direction fixed information. In other words, the fixed information acquisition unit 334 may acquire information on the positions or directions of multiple second virtual points at any position, or may acquire information on the positions or directions of multiple third virtual points at any position.

(4-3-5) Layout Identification Unit The layout identification unit 335 identifies the layout of the indoor units 12 in the space α based on the layout determined by the equipment layout determination unit 332, the position information of the first virtual point acquired by the position information acquisition unit 333, and the rotation direction fixed information and the inversion direction fixed information acquired by the fixed information acquisition unit 334. Specifically, the layout identification unit 335 identifies an layout (layout of the indoor units 12) in which the degree of freedom of the inversion direction and the degree of freedom of the rotation direction are fixed, from the multiple layouts determined by the equipment layout determination unit 332, based on the position information of the first virtual point acquired by the position information acquisition unit 333, and the rotation direction fixed information and the inversion direction fixed information acquired by the fixed information acquisition unit 334. The information identified by the layout identification unit 335 is stored in an appropriate area of the storage unit 31 and is transmitted to the management device 20 via the communication unit 32.

(4-4) Display Unit The display unit 34 is for displaying various information and is composed of various displays and speakers, etc. A service person or the like can perform a registration operation by referring to the various information displayed on the display unit 34.

(4-5) Input Unit The input unit 35 is for inputting various information, and is composed of a mouse, a keyboard, a touch panel, etc. A service person or the like can input various information via the input unit 35.

(5) Processing in the Layout Identification System Fig. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of processing in the layout identification system 1 according to this embodiment. The layout identification system 1 according to this embodiment identifies the layout of each of the multiple air conditioners 10 (indoor units 12) installed in the space α shown as drawing β in Fig. 2.

Note that here, multiple indoor units 12 have been installed in space α by a serviceman or the like. The short-range wireless communication devices 13 corresponding to the indoor units 12 store the identification information of the indoor units 12, and transmit signals including the identification information of the indoor units 12 by short-range wireless at predetermined intervals. The management device 20 stores the information of drawing β, and shares the information of drawing β with the terminal device 30.

First, when multiple air conditioners 10 (indoor units 12) are installed in space α, the multiple short-range wireless communication devices 13 transmit signals including identification information of the corresponding indoor units 12 from the short-range wireless transmission units 135 via short-range wireless communication (step S1).

The multiple short-range wireless communication devices 13 receive signals transmitted by the other short-range wireless communication devices 13 at the short-range wireless receiving unit 136 (step S2). The information received at the short-range wireless receiving unit 136 is sent to the outdoor control unit 111 via a dedicated communication line, and is transmitted to the management device 20 via the communication unit 114 in association with the identification information of the indoor unit 12 contained in the signal and the information on the radio wave intensity at the time the signal was received (step S3).

The management device 20 transmits the received identification information of the indoor unit 12 and the radio wave intensity information to the terminal device 30 via the communication unit 22 (step S4).

The terminal device 30 receives the identification information of the indoor unit 12 and the radio wave intensity information from the management device 20 via the communication unit 32 (step S5).

The first distance information acquisition unit 331 of the processing unit 33 of the terminal device 30 acquires the first distance information based on the identification information and the radio wave intensity information received by the communication unit 32 (step S6). The first distance information acquired by the first distance information acquisition unit 331 is stored in an appropriate area of the memory unit 31.

The equipment arrangement determination unit 332 of the processing unit 33 of the terminal device 30 determines the arrangement of the indoor units 12 based on the multiple pieces of first distance information stored in the memory unit 31 (step S7). The arrangement of the indoor units 12 determined by the equipment arrangement determination unit 332 is an arrangement in which the degree of freedom in the inversion direction and the degree of freedom in the rotation direction are not fixed (FIGS. 5, 6, and 7). Information related to the arrangement of the indoor units 12 installed in the space α determined by the equipment arrangement determination unit 332 is stored in the memory unit 31.

The position information acquisition unit 333 of the processing unit 33 of the terminal device 30 acquires the position of the first virtual point (step S8). Here, the position information acquisition unit 333 acquires the position of the first virtual point by calculating the position of the center of gravity P of the installation position Q of the indoor unit 12 in the information of drawing β through arithmetic processing. The information related to the position of the first virtual point acquired by the position information acquisition unit 333 is stored in the memory unit 31.

The fixed information acquisition unit 334 acquires the rotation direction fixing information and the reverse direction fixing information input by the serviceman or the like via the input unit 35 (step S9). Here, for example, the serviceman or the like inputs, via the input unit 35, the identification information of the indoor unit 12a as A001 and the direction of the indoor unit 12a as seen from the first virtual point (the direction of the second virtual point), which is northwest, as the rotation direction fixing information. Also, the identification information of the indoor unit 12b as A002 and the direction of the indoor unit 12b as seen from the first virtual point (the direction of the third virtual point), which is north, as the reverse direction fixing information.

In step S9, the service person or the like can input information from the input unit 35 by referring to the information on the drawing β displayed on the display unit 34 and the input screen, etc.

The arrangement identification unit 335 of the processing unit 33 of the terminal device 30 identifies the arrangement of the indoor units 12 in the space α based on the arrangement determined by the equipment arrangement determination unit 332 in step S7, the position information of the first virtual point acquired by the position information acquisition unit 333 in step S8, and the rotation direction fixing information and the inversion direction fixing information acquired by the fixed information acquisition unit 334 in step S9 (step S10).

The information regarding the placement of the indoor units 12 identified by the placement identification unit 335 is transmitted to the management device 20 via the communication unit 32 (step S11).

The management device 20 links and registers the location of the indoor units 12 (air conditioners 10) with the identification information based on the information related to the location of the indoor units 12 received from the terminal device 30 via the communication unit 22 (step S12). This enables the management device 20 to manage the air conditioners 10.

(6) Characteristics (6-1)
The arrangement specification system 1 shown in the present disclosure is a system that specifies the arrangement of a plurality of devices each having identification information. Here, the device is, for example, an air conditioner 10 (indoor unit 12). The arrangement specification system 1 includes a first distance information acquisition unit 331, an equipment arrangement determination unit 332, a position information acquisition unit 333, a fixed information acquisition unit 334, and an arrangement specification unit 335. The first distance information acquisition unit 331 acquires first distance information. The first distance information is information that links information on the distance between any two devices among the plurality of devices and the identification information of each of the two devices. The equipment arrangement determination unit 332 determines the arrangement of the plurality of air conditioners 10 based on the first distance information. The position information acquisition unit 333 acquires position information of a first virtual point that is located at any position in the arrangement and whose position is defined based on the air conditioner 10. The fixed information acquisition unit 334 acquires rotation direction fixed information and inversion direction fixed information. The rotation direction fixed information fixes the degree of freedom of the rotation direction of the arrangement. The inversion direction fixing information fixes the degree of freedom of the inversion direction of the arrangement. The arrangement specification unit 335 specifies the arrangement of the multiple air conditioners 10 arranged in the space α based on the arrangement, position information, rotation direction fixing information, and inversion direction fixing information. The first distance information includes information on the communication radio wave intensity in wireless communication.

When managing multiple air conditioners 10 using a management device 20 or the like, a placement identification task is required to link the identification information of the air conditioners 10 (indoor units 12) with their placement and register them in the management device 20. Conventionally, this placement identification task has been performed by identifying each indoor unit after installation by operating the indoor unit using a remote control or the like corresponding to the indoor unit. However, with conventional methods, the placement identification task requires a lot of man-hours, and it takes a long time to complete the task.

On the other hand, as shown in Patent Document 1 (JP 2017-32469), in a system that identifies the location of multiple indoor units from distance information based on wireless communication between indoor units and information on a spatial diagram, the degree of freedom for the rotation direction and reverse direction is not fixed, and it may not be possible to identify the location of multiple indoor units.

By adopting the above-mentioned configuration, the location identification system 1 shown in the present disclosure can reduce the man-hours required for location identification work and complete the work efficiently. In particular, since there is no need for the worker to operate the indoor unit using a remote control or the like, it is possible to reduce the burden on the service personnel performing the work.

In addition, it is possible to identify the layout even when multiple air conditioners 10 are installed in a symmetrical arrangement.

(6-2)
The position information acquisition unit 333 of the arrangement identification system 1 shown in the present disclosure acquires position information of the first virtual point by utilizing the fact that the center of gravity P of the arrangement of multiple air conditioners 10 on the drawing β coincides with the center of gravity P' of the arrangement of multiple equipment determined by the equipment arrangement determination unit 332.

This makes it possible to easily obtain the position information of the first virtual point. It also makes it possible to reduce the amount of work required by service personnel, etc.

(6-3)
The fixed information acquisition unit 334 of the arrangement identification system 1 disclosed in the present disclosure acquires information on the direction in which a second virtual point located at an arbitrary position exists as rotation direction fixed information. The fixed information acquisition unit 334 acquires information on the direction in which a third virtual point located at an arbitrary position exists as inversion direction fixed information.

Alternatively, the fixed information acquisition unit 334 acquires information on the direction in which a second virtual point at an arbitrary position exists as the rotation direction fixed information. The fixed information acquisition unit 334 acquires information on the position in which a third virtual point at an arbitrary position exists as the inversion direction fixed information.

Alternatively, the fixed information acquisition unit 334 acquires information on the position where a second virtual point at an arbitrary position exists as the rotation direction fixed information. The fixed information acquisition unit 334 acquires information on the direction where a third virtual point at an arbitrary position exists as the inversion direction fixed information.

This makes it possible to identify the placement of the air conditioners 10 from the arrangement of the air conditioners 10 determined by the equipment arrangement determination unit 332.

(6-4)
The first virtual point, the second virtual point, and the third virtual point of the location identification system 1 disclosed in the present disclosure are not located on the same line, and are not located in symmetrical positions with respect to an axis passing through the first virtual point, the second virtual point, or the third virtual point.

This makes it easier for the fixed information acquisition unit 334 to acquire rotation direction fixed information and inversion direction fixed information.

(7) Modification (7-1)
The first distance information of the arrangement identification system 1 described in the present disclosure is information including information on communication radio wave strength, but the first distance information may be information including information on communication time. The equipment arrangement determination unit 332 can determine the arrangement of the multiple air conditioners 10 based on the first distance information including information on communication time.

(7-2)
The fixed information acquisition unit 334 of the placement identification system 1 shown in the present disclosure acquires the rotation direction fixing information and the inversion direction fixing information input by a serviceman or the like via the input unit 35, but the rotation direction fixing information and the inversion direction fixing information may be acquired by other methods.

For example, the terminal device 30 may have a short-range wireless communication unit capable of short-range wireless communication, and may acquire the rotation direction fixing information and the inversion direction fixing information by receiving a signal transmitted by the short-range wireless communication device 13. This allows the fixing information acquisition unit 334 to easily acquire the rotation direction fixing information and the inversion direction fixing information.

(8)
Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, it will be understood that various changes in form and details can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure described in the claims.

1 Layout identification system 10 Equipment 331 First distance information acquisition unit 332 Equipment arrangement determination unit 333 Position information acquisition unit 334 Fixed information acquisition unit 335 Layout identification unit α Space β Drawing

Patent Publication No. 2017-32469

Claims (4)

A location identification system (1) for identifying the locations of a plurality of devices (10) each having identification information and each having a corresponding short-range wireless communication device (13),
a first short-range wireless communication device provided corresponding to a first device, which is one of any two devices (10) among the plurality of devices (10), receives a signal including an identification signal from a second short-range wireless communication device provided corresponding to a second device, which is the other of the any two devices, and associates the identification information with radio wave intensity at the time of receiving the signal; and a first distance information acquisition unit (331) that acquires first distance information linking information regarding the distance between the first device and the second device and the identification information of each of the first device and the second device;
an equipment arrangement determination unit (332) that determines an arrangement of the plurality of equipment (10) that is set to be symmetrical in left- right and top-bottom in a space (α) based on the first distance information;
a position information acquisition unit (333) that acquires position information of a first virtual point that is located at an arbitrary position of the array and whose position is defined based on the device (10);
a fixed information acquisition unit (334) that acquires rotation direction fixing information input via an input unit and fixing the degree of freedom in the rotation direction of the array, and inversion direction fixing information input via the input unit and fixing the degree of freedom in the inversion direction of the array;
an arrangement identification unit (335) that identifies an arrangement of the plurality of devices (10) arranged in the space (α) based on the arrangement, the position information, the rotation direction fixing information, and the inversion direction fixing information;
Equipped with
the position information acquisition unit (333) acquires the position information of the first virtual point by utilizing the coincidence between a center of gravity of an arrangement of the plurality of devices (10) on the drawing (β) in the target space (α) and a center of gravity of an arrangement of the plurality of devices (10) in the target space (α) determined by the device arrangement determination unit (332);
Location identification system (1). A location identification system (1) for identifying the locations of a plurality of devices (10) each having identification information and each having a corresponding short-range wireless communication device (13),
a first short-range wireless communication device provided corresponding to a first device, which is one of any two devices (10) among the plurality of devices (10), receives a signal including an identification signal from a second short-range wireless communication device provided corresponding to a second device, which is the other of the any two devices, and associates the identification information with radio wave intensity at the time of receiving the signal; and a first distance information acquisition unit (331) that acquires first distance information linking information regarding the distance between the first device and the second device and the identification information of each of the first device and the second device;
an equipment arrangement determination unit (332) that determines an arrangement of the plurality of equipment (10) that is set to be symmetrical in left- right and top-bottom in a space (α) based on the first distance information;
a position information acquisition unit (333) that acquires position information of a first virtual point that is located at an arbitrary position of the array and whose position is defined based on the device (10);
a fixed information acquisition unit (334) that acquires rotation direction fixing information input via an input unit and fixing the degree of freedom in the rotation direction of the array, and inversion direction fixing information input via the input unit and fixing the degree of freedom in the inversion direction of the array;
an arrangement identification unit (335) that identifies an arrangement of the plurality of devices (10) arranged in the space (α) based on the arrangement, the position information, the rotation direction fixing information, and the inversion direction fixing information;
Equipped with
the fixed information acquisition unit (334) acquires information on a direction in which a second virtual point located at an arbitrary position exists as the rotation direction fixed information, and acquires information on a direction in which a third virtual point located at an arbitrary position exists as the inversion direction fixed information.
or,
the fixed information acquisition unit (334) acquires information on a direction in which the second virtual point located at an arbitrary position exists as the rotation direction fixing information, and acquires information on a position in which the third virtual point located at an arbitrary position exists as the inversion direction fixing information.
or,
the fixed information acquisition unit (334) acquires information on a position where the second virtual point located at an arbitrary position exists as the rotation direction fixed information, and acquires information on a direction where the third virtual point located at an arbitrary position exists as the inversion direction fixed information.
Location identification system (1). the first virtual point, the second virtual point, and the third virtual point are not on the same line;
does not exist at a position symmetrical with respect to an axis passing through the first imaginary point, the second imaginary point, or the third imaginary point;
A location determination system (1) according to claim 2. The first distance information includes information regarding a communication radio wave intensity or a communication time in wireless communication.
A location determination system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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