JP6183181B2 - Air conditioner - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an air conditioner in which a two-way communication is performed between a plurality of wireless remote controllers and an air conditioner body to perform a driving operation.

  In the conventional air conditioner, an air conditioner is known in which an RF (Radio Frequency) module is used to perform bidirectional communication between the wireless remote controller and the air conditioner body to operate the air conditioner body. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1). This wireless remote controller does not need to be used with the transmitter facing the air conditioner body unlike the infrared remote controller, and can be operated from a room different from the room where the air conditioner body is installed. Patent Document 1 relates to a technique for registering one wireless remote controller as a main remote controller and a plurality of other wireless remote controllers as sub-remote controllers for one air conditioner body. Here, in order to make the air conditioner body and the wireless remote controller recognize that they should communicate with each other, an operation of registering each other using a device-specific identification number is referred to as pairing.

  In this way, by pairing a plurality of remote controllers with one air conditioner body, it is possible to set the air conditioning of another room without carrying the remote controller. One wireless remote controller can be paired with multiple air conditioner main units, but for the main remote controller, one air conditioner main unit is registered as the main unit, and other air conditioner main units are sub Registered as a machine. In this way, by pairing a plurality of air conditioner main bodies with one remote controller, it becomes possible to collectively stop the air conditioner main bodies in all rooms when going out.

  Some conventional control systems can always grasp the state of the operation target device while suppressing the power consumption of the remote control (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

JP2013-104645A International Publication No. 2010/026717

  However, in the air conditioner shown in Patent Document 1, since the power consumption of the wireless remote controller is larger than that of the infrared remote controller, the liquid crystal is used after a certain time has elapsed after the remote controller operation in order to extend the battery life of the remote controller. The power consumption was reduced by turning off the display or stopping communication for knowing the operation information of the air conditioner body. For this reason, the main remote controller cannot always update the operation information of the air conditioner body, and the display content of the main remote controller is not updated unless the user presses the operation information confirmation button (notification button). Even when the power is restored, the liquid crystal display content may not match the operation content of the air conditioner body, and appropriate information cannot be provided to the user.

  Further, in the control system shown in Patent Document 2, when the display of the remote controller is turned off according to the elapsed time and the user lifts the remote controller, the operation target device is operated with respect to the operation target device. Status information indicating the status is requested, and the acquired status information is displayed on the display unit of the remote controller. However, the operation target device of this control system is a video display device such as a television receiver or a recorder having a recording function, and does not assume remote operation by a plurality of remote controllers. Therefore, even if the driving state is changed by another user, it has not been assumed to notify it.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and when the operation of the air conditioner body has already been performed from a remote controller other than the remote controller operated by the user while extending the battery life of the remote controller. Another object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner capable of providing appropriate information by displaying that the operation state of the air conditioner main body has been changed from another remote controller in the display content of the remote controller being operated.

In order to achieve the above-described object, an air conditioner of the present invention is an air conditioner including an air conditioner main body and a plurality of wireless remote controllers capable of operating the air conditioner main body. The machine includes a determination unit that determines whether or not state information indicating an operation state of the air conditioner body has been changed, and the wireless remote controller includes an operation unit for operating the air conditioner body; A display unit that displays the operation content of the operation unit and the state information of the air conditioner body, a remote control transmission / reception unit that performs bidirectional communication with the air conditioner body, and a remote control unit that controls the wireless remote controller The remote control unit stops communication with the air conditioner main body by reducing power consumption of the remote control transmission / reception unit when the wireless remote control is not operated for a certain period of time. The power supply of the serial operation unit is operated to the remote transceiver unit restarts, the via the remote control reception unit performs communication with the air conditioner main body, the air via the remote transceiver unit When the latest status information is requested to the main body of the harmony machine, if the determination unit determines that the status information has been changed by another wireless remote controller, the operation is performed by the other wireless remote controller. After performing the display which shows, the display which shows updating the display of the said display part according to the said status information received from the said air conditioner main body is performed.

  In the air conditioner of the present invention, the plurality of remote controls include a main remote controller that registers the air conditioner body as a main machine, and a sub-remote controller that registers the air conditioner body as a sub machine, The sub-remote controller communicates with the air conditioner body registered as a sub machine when the operation screen moves to the air conditioner body registered as a sub machine, and the sub remote controller When the status information received from the air conditioner body registered as a sub machine is an error, the remote control unit displays a display indicating that an error has occurred on the air conditioner body side of the sub remote controller. It displays on a display part, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

Further, the air conditioner of the present invention is characterized in that the operation unit of the wireless remote controller has an effective button capable of performing a driving operation according to the operating state of the air conditioner body as a button for performing an operation input, and a driving operation. The remote control unit of the wireless remote controller has a storage unit that stores the previously transmitted driving operation information, and the remote control unit is stored in the storage unit The operation information transmitted last time is compared with the input signal input from the operation unit, and an operation input is performed on the operation unit according to the input signal according to the driving state indicated by the driving operation information . When the button is the valid button, the air conditioning unit transmits setting instruction data related to the driving operation input to the air conditioner body via the remote control transmission / reception unit. Makes a request of the status information to the main body, when the button performed an operation input by the operation unit according to the input signal is a said invalid button, a request for the status information to the air conditioner body Only to do.

  According to the air conditioner of the present invention, the operation of the air conditioner body is performed from another wireless remote controller while the power consumption of the wireless remote controller is reduced to stop communication with the air conditioner body. Even if the wireless remote controller other than the wireless remote controller that performed the operation is displayed on the display of the other wireless remote controller indicating that the driving operation has been performed, the operator can operate the air conditioner body correctly. There is an effect that the state can be notified.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a relationship between an air conditioner body of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention and a remote controller. FIG. 2A is an external view of the remote controller of FIG. FIG. 2-2 is an external view showing a detailed setting button of the remote control of FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the air conditioner of FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a procedure of signals transmitted and received between the air conditioner body and the remote controller. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of an error screen displayed on the display unit on the remote controller side when an error occurs during the exchange of signals in FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the air conditioner according to the present embodiment. FIG. 7 is a display transition diagram of the display unit when the valid button is operated when the liquid crystal display of the remote control is turned off. FIG. 8 is a display transition diagram of the display unit when the invalid button is operated when the liquid crystal display of the remote controller is turned off. FIG. 9 is a display transition diagram of the display unit when a stop operation is performed from another remote controller when the liquid crystal display of the remote controller is turned off. FIG. 10 is a display transition diagram of the display unit when the air conditioner main body is stopped due to an error when the liquid crystal display of the remote control is turned off. FIG. 11 is a display transition diagram of the display unit when a setting instruction operation is not performed from another remote controller when the liquid crystal display of the remote controller is turned off. FIG. 12 is a display transition diagram of the display unit when a setting instruction operation is performed from another remote controller when the liquid crystal display of the remote controller is turned off. FIG. 13 is a display transition diagram of the display unit when an air conditioner registered as a sub machine is operated from the sub remote controller.

  Embodiments of an air conditioner according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

[Description of air conditioner configuration]
First, a schematic configuration showing a relationship between an air conditioner body of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention and a remote controller will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, an air conditioner 10 according to the present invention includes air conditioner main bodies (hereinafter referred to as air conditioners) 12a and 12b, remote controllers 14a and 14b, and outdoor units (not shown) arranged in a plurality of rooms RA and RB. The air conditioners 12a and 12b and the remote controllers 14a and 14b have the same function.

  The air conditioner 10 can perform remote operation and various settings from the remote controller 14a to the air conditioners 12a and 12b, for example, using two-way wireless communication by RF modules mounted on the air conditioner and the remote controller. . Further, the remote controller 14a has a storage unit 96a2 in the remote control unit 96a shown in FIG. 3 for storing state information indicating the operating state of the air conditioners 12a and 12b, and a liquid crystal display unit 92a for displaying the storage unit 96a2. When the remote controller 14a receives state information indicating the operation state of the air conditioners 12a and 12b by transmitting and receiving signals to be described later, the state information stored in the storage unit 96a2 is updated and displayed on the display unit 92a for operation management and various types of operations. Used for setting. The same applies to other remote controllers 14b. The state information indicating the operation state includes information such as set temperature, wind direction, power consumption, and air conditioner error information, in addition to operation modes such as cooling and heating.

  On the surface of the remote controller 14a, as shown in FIG. 2-1, a display unit 16a composed of an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or an organic EL (Organic Electroluminescence) that displays operation information and setting information in a dot matrix; A large number of operation buttons 44a for receiving various driving operations are arranged. The operation button 44a includes a cross button 18a used for selection when airflow adjustment is performed, a determination button 20a for determining the selected content, and an automatic setting mode for automatically setting a predetermined wind direction and air volume suitable for various operation modes. A button 22a, an option button 24a for a manual setting mode in which the user manually sets the wind direction and air volume, a run / stop button 26a for starting and stopping the operation, and a temperature button 28a for changing the set temperature with the up and down arrow buttons An air volume button 30a for performing air volume change setting, an information button 32a for requesting operation information such as the current room temperature and electricity bill to the air conditioner 12a and displaying the status information received from the air conditioner 12a on the display unit 16a, in the cooling operation mode The cooling button 34a for switching from the start of operation or other operation modes to the cooling operation mode, in the heating operation mode Heating button 36a for switching from operation start or other operation mode to heating operation mode, operation start in dehumidification operation mode or dehumidification button 38a for switching from other operation mode to dehumidification operation mode, operation start in blower operation mode, etc. There is a blow button 40a for switching from the operation mode to the blow operation mode (the same applies to the remote control 14b, and thus the duplicated explanation is omitted. The configuration of the remote control 14b is a subscript in FIG. 2-1. b is substituted for a).

  When the lid 42a of the remote controller 14a is opened, as shown in FIG. 2-2, a detailed setting button is arranged therein. The detailed setting button has an automatic operation button 46a that switches to an automatic operation mode that automatically selects heating operation or cooling operation according to the environmental temperature, and stops operation when a predetermined time elapses while performing temperature control suitable for sleep A good night button 48a, a laundry button 50a used for drying laundry, a high power button 52a for rapid heating and cooling operations, and a current cut button 54a for reducing power consumption by operating the inverter while suppressing peak current. The absence ECO button 56a for stopping or saving the operation of the air conditioner when the presence sensor detects the absence of the person, the timer button 58a for controlling the operation of the air conditioner according to the time set by the user, Function button 60a for setting and the cursor for function selection are moved Up button 62a and down button 64a, cancel button 66a for canceling settings, confirm button 68a for confirming settings, registered air conditioner button 70a for displaying a list of air conditioners registered as sub-machines, and a child for preventing erroneous operation by children There is a lock button 72a and the like.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the air conditioner 12a includes an air conditioner transmission / reception unit 86a composed of an RF module that performs two-way wireless communication with the remote control 14a, an LED display unit 80a, an operation unit 82a, and an air conditioner control unit 84a that controls them. Yes. The air conditioner control unit 84a controls each unit of the air conditioners 12a and 12b based on the received setting instruction data related to the driving operation from the remote controllers 14a and 14b, and holds data of current operation information of the air conditioners 12a and 12b. Does not contain memory. Further, although not shown in FIG. 3, the air conditioner control unit 84a may include a determination unit corresponding to a determination unit 96a1 provided in a remote control unit 96a described later. The determination unit determines whether or not the state information indicating the operation information of the air conditioner has been changed. The determination unit provided on the air conditioner 12a side identifies the remote controller that last operated from the remote controller 14a or 14b by a pairing ID described later, and accesses from a remote controller other than the remote controller that last performed the driving operation. Since the status information has been changed, this is notified to the remote controller (the same applies to the air conditioner 12b, and therefore, a duplicate description is omitted. The configuration of the air conditioner 12b is shown in FIG. In FIG. 3, b is attached instead of the subscript a).

  The LED display unit 80a has a main machine LED and a sub machine LED, and is turned off when the main remote control or sub remote control has been registered, and turned on when not registered. Controlled by the unit 84a. The operation unit 82a has a pairing registration button (not shown) used when pairing the air conditioners 12a and 12b with the remote controllers 14a and 14b as a main machine and a sub machine.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3, the remote controller 14a includes an air conditioner transmission / reception unit 86a of the air conditioner 12a, or a remote control transmission / reception unit 90a composed of an RF module that performs two-way wireless communication with the air conditioner transmission / reception unit 86b of the air conditioner 12b. A liquid crystal display unit 92a for displaying status information (operating time, power consumption, operation mode, etc.), an operation unit 94a for operating the air conditioner, and a remote control unit 96a for controlling them. As shown in FIG. 3, a determination unit 96a1 is provided in the remote control unit 96a. The determination unit 96a1 determines whether or not the state information indicating the air conditioner operation information has been changed. When the air conditioner 12a or 12b accessed from the remote controller 14a transmits the pairing ID (number unique to the device) of the remote controller that last operated, the determination unit 96a1 of the remote controller 14a compares it with its own ID. If they are different, it is determined that the state information has been changed. Further, by selecting the own room air conditioner or the other room air conditioner paired by the remote control unit 96a, two-way wireless communication can be performed between the respective air conditioners. In the present embodiment, after the operation of the operation unit 94a of the remote controller 14a is performed, the supply power is reduced or the power supply is cut off after a certain time (for example, 30 seconds), and the display on the liquid crystal display unit 92a is displayed. Is turned off and the operation of the remote control transmission / reception unit 90a is turned off to prevent the battery used from being consumed and to extend the battery life. In order for the remote controller 14a to resume communication with the air conditioner 12a or the air conditioner 12b, the display of the liquid crystal display unit 92a of the remote controller 14a disappears, and the operation unit 94a is restarted from the state where the operation of the transmitter / receiver unit 90a of the remote controller is turned off. When operated, the remote control unit 96a recognizes the first button operation as an empty stroke, and using this as a trigger, the display of the liquid crystal display unit 92a is resumed, and the remote controller 90a is turned on to operate the remote controller 90a. Supply is started and the second and subsequent button operations are recognized as formal driving operations.

  Note that the air conditioner controllers 84a and 84b of the air conditioners 12a and 12b and the remote controller controllers 96a and 96b of the remote controllers 14a and 14b have a pairing setting function, respectively. In this pairing setting function, a main machine registration function for registering a pair of the plurality of air conditioners 12a and 12b and the plurality of remote controls 14a and 14b, for example, the air conditioner 12a and the remote control 14a as a main machine (for own room) (in FIG. 3). Sub-machine registration function for registering the air conditioner 12b registered as the main machine between the other air conditioner 12b and the other remote controller 14b as a sub machine (for example, for another room) with the remote controller 14a. (Broken arrows in FIG. 3). That is, according to this pairing setting function, for example, a pair of a plurality of air conditioners 12a and 12b and a plurality of remote controllers 14a and 14b can be registered as a main machine, and the remaining one can be registered as a sub machine. . As shown in FIG. 3, the remote controllers 14a and 14b are connected to the air conditioners 12a and 12b registered for the main machine by solid arrows, respectively, and are referred to as main remote controllers. The remote controllers 14a and 14b are connected to the air conditioners 12a and 12b registered as sub-machines by the broken arrows and are called sub-remote controllers. As described above, the main remote controller for the air conditioner registered with the main machine can give setting instructions for all setting items. However, the sub remote controller for the air conditioner registered with the sub machine can be operated / stopped by the operation / stop buttons 26a and 26b. In addition to the operation, it is limited to temperature adjustment by the temperature buttons 28a and 28b, and the setting instruction of the operation mode (cooling, heating, dehumidification, ventilation, etc.) cannot be performed.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the air conditioner described above performs, for example, a two-way wireless communication between the remote controller 14a and the air conditioner 12a or the air conditioner 12b so that the remote controller 14a can operate the air conditioners 12a and 12b. The status information indicating the operating status of the air conditioners 12a and 12b can be received and the display can be updated. The air conditioner in the present embodiment turns off the display of the liquid crystal display unit 92a and turns off the operation of the transmission / reception unit 90a of the remote control 14a when a certain time (in this case, 30 seconds) elapses after the remote control is operated. Then, when any button of the operation unit 94a of the remote controller 14a is pressed from this state (coloring), the control unit 96a of the remote control 14a resumes the display of the liquid crystal display unit 92a, and the remote controller transmission / reception unit 90a Turn on the action. When the button (for example, the temperature button 28a) of the operation unit 94a is pressed again from this state (this operation), the remote controller 14a sends setting instruction data for changing the temperature setting to the air conditioner 12a as shown in FIG. (Step S10). When the air conditioner 12a receives the setting instruction data, it returns a data reception completion signal notifying the remote controller 14a that the setting instruction data has been received to the remote control 12a side (step S12).

  When receiving the data reception completion signal, the remote controller 14a transmits a state information return request signal for requesting to return state information indicating the latest operation state of the air conditioner 12a to the air conditioner 12a (step S14). On the other hand, the air conditioner 12a transmits the latest state information stored in the main body storage unit 84a1 in the air conditioner control unit 84a to the remote controller 14a (step S16). When receiving the status information of the air conditioner 12a, the remote control 14a returns an information reception completion signal notifying the air conditioner 12a that the status information has been received, to the remote control 12a (step S18).

  As described above, when the operation unit 94a is operated and power is supplied to each unit from the state where the display of the liquid crystal display unit 92a is turned off and the operation of the transmission / reception unit 90a is turned off, the remote controller 14a transmits the setting instruction data to the air conditioner. To display the information on the liquid crystal display unit 92a of the remote controller 14a so as to match the latest state information of the air conditioner 12a. For this reason, while the display of the liquid crystal display unit 92a of the remote controller 14a is turned off and the operation of the transmitting / receiving unit 90a is turned off, the other remote controller 14b transmits the setting instruction data to the air conditioner 12a, and the setting is changed. Even when the remote controller 14a is operated, the latest driving state can be displayed.

  In the present embodiment, in step S16 of FIG. 4, the pairing ID of the remote controller that last operated the air conditioner 12a is transmitted together with the latest state information transmitted from the air conditioner 12a to the remote controller 14a. The determination unit 96a1 in the remote control unit 96a of the remote controller 14a compares the transmitted pairing ID with its own ID. If they are different, there is a possibility that the status information has been changed by a driving operation by another remote controller. . For this reason, the remote controller control unit 96a can notify the user of the change of the state information by displaying on the liquid crystal display unit 92a that the driving operation has been performed by another remote controller.

  Further, if the remote controller 14a is not operated for a certain period of time, the power supply to the remote control transmission / reception unit 90a of the remote control 14a is cut off, communication with the air conditioner 12a is stopped, and the display on the liquid crystal display unit 92a is displayed only when the remote control 14a is operated. And the remote control transmission / reception unit 90a is operated. For this reason, battery consumption is reduced and the life can be extended. For example, in the case of a wireless remote controller that constantly supplies power (two AA alkaline batteries) using an RF module, the battery life is only about one week. On the other hand, in the case of a wireless remote controller configured to supply power (two AA alkaline batteries) only when operating the remote controller, like the air conditioner of this embodiment, the battery life is extended to about one year. be able to. The effect of the remote controller 14b is the same as this.

  Further, the remote control unit 96a of the remote controller 14a has a timer function for measuring time. As shown in FIG. 4, the remote control unit 96a sends a setting instruction data (step S10) and does not receive a data reception completion signal (step S12) from the air conditioner 12a within 7 seconds. After the reply request is transmitted (step S14), if the status information is not sent from the air conditioner 12a within 17 seconds, it is determined that a communication error has occurred, and a communication error display as shown in FIG. 5 is displayed on the liquid crystal display. The information is displayed on the unit 92a to inform the user that the latest operating state of the air conditioner cannot be displayed because communication is not possible.

  The air conditioner control unit 84a of the air conditioner 12a has a timer function for measuring time. As shown in FIG. 4, the air conditioner control unit 84a transmits a data reception completion signal (step S12) to the remote control 12a side, and then the other device operation prohibition period is set here for 2 minutes and 20 seconds. The operation from the device is not accepted. This gives the user enough time to be able to redo the settings from the remote controller that performed the operation, and prepares to start the compressor as when the operation mode is switched from cooling to heating. This is to prevent the driving operation from being switched while it is not ready.

  The driving operation by the operation unit 44a of the remote controller 14a is not always an effective operation. For example, when the air conditioner is in a stopped state, even if the temperature button 28a is pressed, the set temperature cannot be changed, so that it is not an effective operation. As described above, the operation buttons of the operation unit 44a can be divided into an effective button that enables the operation and an invalid button that disables the operation according to the operating state of the air conditioner 12a. For example, when the air conditioner is in an operating state, all the operation buttons of the remote controller are effective buttons that can be operated effectively. On the other hand, when the air conditioner is in the stopped state, the cross button 18a for airflow adjustment, the decision button 20a, the auto button 22a, the favor button 24a, the temperature button 28a, the air volume button 30a, and the high power related to the operation operation of the air conditioner. Even if the button 52a is operated, it is an invalid button whose operation is not valid. In the case of the up button 62a, the down button 64a, or the confirm button 68a that is valid only when the function is selected even when the air conditioner is in an operating state, the operation does not become valid even when pressed when the function is not selected. Treated in the same way as an invalid button. Such determination of validity / invalidity of the operation buttons is performed by comparing the previously transmitted driving operation information stored in the storage unit 96a2 of the remote control unit 96a shown in FIG. 3 with the input signal input from the operation unit 94a. Based on the collation result, the determination unit 96a1 of the remote control unit 96a determines whether the operation button is a valid button or an invalid button.

[Description of air conditioner operation]
The air conditioner according to the present embodiment is configured as described above, and the operation thereof will be described below. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the remote control unit 96a of the remote control 14a turns off the liquid crystal display when the remote control 14a is not operated for a predetermined time (here, 30 seconds) (step S100), and remote control transmission / reception unit composed of an RF module. The power supply to 90a is stopped and the operation is turned off (step S102). As a result, the remote controller 14a can significantly reduce power consumption and extend the life of the battery.

  When the user operates any button of the operation unit 44a from the state where the liquid crystal display is turned off and the operation of the remote control transmission / reception unit 90a is turned off (Yes in step S104), the remote control unit 96a of the remote control 14a is used as a trigger for power supply. Supply is resumed, the liquid crystal display unit 92a is displayed, and the operation of the remote control transmission / reception unit 90a is turned on (step S106). The button operation restarts the power supply of the remote controller, and the operation corresponding to the operation button is performed on the air conditioner body. That is, the remote control unit 96a of the remote controller 14a compares the previously transmitted driving operation information stored in the storage unit 96a2 with the input signal input from the operation unit 94a, and the determination unit 96a1 operates the valid button. When the determination is made (Yes in step S108), setting instruction data for instructing the setting of the air conditioner and a state information return request signal for requesting to return state information indicating the current operating state of the air conditioner are transmitted to the air conditioner 12a (step S108). S110).

  When the air conditioner control unit 84a of the air conditioner 12a receives the setting instruction data and the status information return request signal at the air conditioner transmission / reception unit 86a (step S112), the air conditioner control unit 84a determines whether the main body of the air conditioner 12a is operating (step S114). If the air conditioner 12a is operating (Yes in step S114), operation control based on the setting instruction data is performed, and reception completion of the setting instruction data is returned to the remote controller 14a (step S116).

  The air conditioner control unit 84a of the air conditioner 12a is a main body storage unit provided in the control unit 84a when the air conditioner 12a is not in operation (No in step S114) or after returning a data reception completion signal to the remote control 14a in step S116. The latest status information of the air conditioner 12a stored in 84a1 is read out and returned to the remote controller 14a together with the pairing ID of the remote controller that has instructed the final setting of the air conditioner 12a (step S118).

  When the remote control controller 96a of the remote controller 14a receives the status information signal and the pairing ID from the air conditioner 12a by the remote controller transmission / reception unit 90a (step S120), the pairing ID received by the determination unit 96a1 and the storage unit 96a2 are stored. If the pairing IDs are different from each other (Yes in step S122), it is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 92a that the other remote controller has operated, and then the liquid crystal display unit 92a is displayed based on the received status information. The display is updated, the latest operating state is displayed (step S124), and the process returns to step S100. If the received pairing ID and the pairing ID stored in the storage unit 96a2 are the same (No in step S122), the operating state of the air conditioner 12a matches the display content of the remote controller 14a. The display indicating that there has been a driving operation and the display on the liquid crystal display unit 92a are not updated (step S126), and the process returns to step S100.

  In addition, the determination unit 96a1 of the remote control unit 96a of the remote control 14a compares the previously transmitted driving operation information stored in the storage unit 96a2 with the input signal input from the operation unit 94a in step S108, and invalidates it. If it is determined that the button has been operated (No in step S108), a state information return request signal requesting the air conditioner 12a to return state information indicating the latest operating state of the air conditioner is transmitted (step S128).

  When the air conditioner control unit 84a of the air conditioner 12a receives the status information return request signal from the remote controller 14a by the air conditioner transmission / reception unit 86a (step S130), the air conditioner 12a reads the status information of the air conditioner 12a stored in the main body storage unit 84a1. Is returned to the remote controller 14a together with the pairing ID of the remote controller that has instructed the final setting (step S118). Also in this case, the remote control unit 96a of the remote controller 14a performs the above-described steps S120 to S126 and returns to step S100.

[Display example when operating valid buttons]
For example, as shown in FIG. 7, after the user sets the set temperature of the air conditioner 12a to the cooling operation of 27 ° C. using the remote controller 14a, the liquid crystal display unit (LCD) 92a is turned off if no operation is performed for a predetermined time. When the user operates the temperature button 28a while the light is turned off, the liquid crystal display unit (LCD) 92a is turned on and the remote control transmission / reception unit 90a is turned on (step S106). This operation is sent to the determination unit 96a1 of the remote control unit 96a. For example, when the set temperature is increased by 1 ° C. by the temperature button 28a, the temperature button 28a is an effective button that can be operated during the cooling operation. Then, the remote control unit 96a of the remote controller 14a transmits setting instruction data for raising the set temperature by 1 ° C. and a status information return request signal for requesting the latest status information of the air conditioner 12a to be returned (step S110). . In the meantime, as shown in FIG. 7, the liquid crystal display unit (LCD) 92a of the remote controller 14a displays that communication is in progress and displays a screen for changing the set temperature of the air conditioner 12a to 28 ° C. The air conditioner control unit 84a of the air conditioner 12a receives the setting instruction data and the status information return request signal (step S112). Since the air conditioner 12a is operating (Yes in step S114), the setting is performed based on the received setting instruction data. A setting instruction to set the temperature to 28 ° C. is issued, and a data reception completion signal is returned to the remote controller (step S116). Then, the air conditioner control unit 84a of the air conditioner 12a returns the latest status information instructed to set the cooling operation set temperature to 28 ° C. and the pairing ID of the remote control instructed to finally set the air conditioner 12a to the remote control (step) S118). Upon receiving the air conditioner status information and the pairing ID (step S120), the remote control unit 96a of the remote control 14a updates the display on the liquid crystal display (LCD) 92a of the remote control 14a so as to be the latest operating state of the air conditioner. Thus (step S122), as shown in FIG. 7, the set temperature is displayed as 28 ° C. during the cooling operation. Here, when the operated button is an effective button, the received pairing ID and the own pairing ID match, so that the driving operation can be performed from another remote controller while the liquid crystal display (LCD) 92a is turned off. There is no indication of what happened.

[Display example when the invalid button is operated]
For example, as shown in FIG. 8, after the user performs the stop operation of the air conditioner 12a using the remote controller 14a, the user presses the temperature button 28a while the liquid crystal display unit (LCD) 92a of the remote controller 14a is turned off. When operated, the liquid crystal display unit (LCD) 92a is turned on, and the remote control transmission / reception unit 90a is turned on (step S106). The contents of this operation are sent to the determination unit 96a1 of the remote control unit 96a. For example, when determining that the temperature button 28a is an invalid button that cannot be operated while the operation is stopped (No in step S108), the determining unit 96a1 of the remote control control unit 96a makes a status information return request to the air conditioner 12a (step S128). ). At this time, as shown in FIG. 8, the liquid crystal display unit (LCD) 92a of the remote controller 14a displays that the communication is in progress, but the operation state of the air conditioner 12a remains stopped. When the air conditioner control unit 84a of the air conditioner 12a receives the status information return request signal (step S130), the air conditioner 12a reads the latest status information of the air conditioner 12a stored in the main body storage unit 84a1, and the remote control pair that has instructed the final setting of the air conditioner 12a. A reply is sent to the remote controller 14a together with the ring ID (step S118). The remote controller controller 96a of the remote controller 14a is not instructed to change the set temperature of the air conditioner 12a by operating the invalid button, and the received pairing ID matches the pairing ID stored in the storage unit 96a2. Even if it is determined that there is no driving operation from another remote controller while the liquid crystal display unit (LCD) 92a is turned off and the liquid crystal display is updated with the status information received from the air conditioner 12 (step S122), the liquid crystal display unit (LCD ) The display of 92a does not change.

[Display example when operation is stopped from another remote control while the LCD is turned off]
For example, as shown in FIG. 9, after the user sets the set temperature of the air conditioner 12a to the cooling operation of 27 ° C. using the remote controller 14a, the liquid crystal display unit (LCD) 92a of the remote controller 14a is turned off. A case where the operation of stopping the air conditioner 12a has been performed from another remote controller 14b will be described. First, when the user operates the temperature button 28a for the first time, the liquid crystal display unit (LCD) 92a is turned on and the remote control transmission / reception unit 90a is turned on (step S106). The remote control unit 96a of the remote controller 14a recognizes that the air conditioner is in the cooling operation at the time when the temperature button 28a is operated. Therefore, when the determination unit 96a1 determines that the air conditioner is an effective button (Yes in step S108), Setting instruction data for raising the set temperature by 1 ° C. and a status information return request signal for the air conditioner 12a are transmitted (step S110). Meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 9, a liquid crystal display unit (LCD) 92a of the remote controller 14a displays that the communication is in progress and displays a screen for changing the set temperature of the air conditioner 12a to 28 ° C. However, even if it is determined that the remote controller is an effective button at the time of the operation, if the operation state of the air conditioner is changed by operating from another remote controller while the liquid crystal display (LCD) 92a is turned off, The operation of the invalid button that cannot be performed is determined by the determination unit 96a1. That is, when the air conditioner control unit 84a of the air conditioner 12a receives the setting instruction data and the status information return request from the remote controller 14a (step S112), it determines whether the air conditioner body is in operation or not. (No in step S114), the controller returns the air conditioner status information to the remote controller without performing the setting instruction, and returns the pairing ID of the remote controller that has instructed the final setting of the air conditioner 12a (step S118). The remote control unit 96a of the remote controller 14a receives the air conditioner state information and the pairing ID (step S120), and compares the pairing ID received by the determination unit 96a1 with the pairing ID stored in the storage unit 96a2. Since the IDs are different from each other, as shown in FIG. 9, after a message “There is an operation from another remote controller” is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit (LCD) 92a for 5.5 seconds, the current operation state of the air conditioner 12a is stopped. The liquid crystal display is updated to the state (step S122). The user confirms the message “There is an operation from another remote controller” displayed on the liquid crystal display unit (LCD) 92a of the remote controller 14a and the display that the air conditioner 12a is currently stopped. Setting instructions can be given.

[Display example when the air conditioner stops due to an error while the LCD is turned off]
For example, as shown in FIG. 10, after the user sets the set temperature of the air conditioner 12a to the cooling operation of 27 ° C. using the remote controller 14a, the liquid crystal display unit (LCD) 92a of the remote controller 14a is turned off. A case where the air conditioner 12a is stopped due to an error will be described. First, when the user operates an arbitrary button (for example, the temperature button 28a), the liquid crystal display unit (LCD) 92a is turned on and the remote control transmission / reception unit 90a is turned on (step S106). When the user presses the temperature button 28a, the determination unit 96a1 of the remote control unit 96a of the remote control 14a determines that the remote control side recognizes that the air conditioner is in the cooling operation when the temperature button 28a is operated, and thus determines that the button is an effective button. (Yes in step S108), a setting instruction data transmission screen for increasing the setting temperature by 1 ° C. to 28 ° C. is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit (LCD) 92a, and the setting instruction data and the status information return request signal are transmitted to the air conditioner 12a. (Step S110). The air conditioner control unit 84a of the air conditioner 12a receives the setting instruction data and the status information return request signal (step S112), but is not operating because it has stopped due to an error (No in step S114), so that the driving operation can be performed. It is determined that there is no invalid button operation, and the error information of the air conditioner 12a stored in the main body storage unit 84a1 is read and returned to the remote controller without performing the setting instruction to raise the set temperature by 1 ° C. The pairing ID of the remote controller is returned (step S118). On the basis of the received error information, the remote control unit 96a of the remote control 14a causes the liquid crystal display unit (LCD) 92a to confirm that “inspection / repair is required and the indoor unit lamp blinks as shown in FIG. After displaying the letters “Please contact the store where you purchased” and an illustration screen, the liquid crystal display is updated to the current status information of the air conditioner 12a in the stopped state (step S122). Also here, when the received pairing ID matches the pairing ID stored in the storage unit 96a2, it is determined that there is no driving operation from another remote controller while the liquid crystal display unit (LCD) 92a is turned off. No indication that there was a driving operation using the remote control.

[Display example when there is no setting instruction from another remote control while the LCD is off]
For example, as shown in FIG. 11, after the user sets the set temperature of the air conditioner 12a to the cooling operation of 27 ° C. using the remote controller 14a, the liquid crystal display unit (LCD) 92a of the remote controller 14a is turned off. A case where there is no setting instruction from the other remote controller 14b and the notification button 32a is pressed will be described. First, the user operates the notification button 32a to turn on the liquid crystal display (LCD) 92a. When the notification button 32a is pressed, the determination unit 96a1 of the remote control unit 96a of the remote controller 14a determines that the valid button is operated in step S108 of FIG. 6 (Yes in step S108), and sets the setting instruction data to the air conditioner 12a. A status information reply request signal is transmitted (step S110), and as shown in FIG. 11, “during communication” is additionally displayed on the liquid crystal display unit (LCD) 92a before being turned off. When the air conditioner control unit 84a of the air conditioner 12a receives the setting instruction data and the status information return request signal (step S112), the air conditioner main body is in operation (Yes in step S114), and returns a data reception completion signal to the remote control ( In step S116, the air conditioner status information and the remote control pairing ID are returned to the remote control (step S118). The air conditioner status information sent back to the remote control includes temperature information, humidity information, and electricity bill information, which are notification information of the air conditioner 12a stored in the main body storage unit 84a1, and status information indicating the operating status of the air conditioner. ing. The air conditioner control unit 84a of the air conditioner 12a reads these and sends them back to the remote controller 14a, and sends back to the remote controller 14a the pairing ID of the remote controller that has instructed the final setting of the air conditioner 12a. On the basis of the received notification information, the remote control unit 96a of the remote controller 14a causes the liquid crystal display (LCD) 92a to display “temperature / student” and “electricity” information as shown in FIG. After displaying the “room” information indicating this for a certain period of time, the liquid crystal display is updated based on the acquired operating state of the current air conditioner (step S122).

[Display example when there is a setting instruction from another remote control while the LCD is turned off]
For example, as shown in FIG. 12, after the user sets the set temperature of the air conditioner 12a to the cooling operation of 27 ° C. using the remote controller 14a, the liquid crystal display unit (LCD) 92a of the remote controller 14a is turned off. A case where there is a setting instruction to lower the set temperature by 1 ° C. from another remote controller 14b will be described. First, the user operates the notification button 32a to turn on the liquid crystal display (LCD) 92a. The determination unit 96a1 of the remote control unit 96a of the remote controller 14a is, for example, when any of the up button 62a, the down button 64a, or the confirm button 68a, which is valid only when selecting a function, is pressed but not when selecting a function. 6, it is determined that the invalid button is operated in step S108 (No in step S108), a status information return request signal is transmitted to the air conditioner 12a (step S128), and the liquid crystal display unit (LCD) 92a is not turned off. Additional information is displayed on the display. When the air conditioner control unit 84a of the air conditioner 12a receives the state information return request signal (step S130), the air conditioner control unit 84a reads the state information of the air conditioner 12a instructed to lower the set temperature stored in the main body storage unit 84a1 by 1 ° C. 12a is returned to the remote controller 14a together with the pairing ID of the remote controller that has instructed the final setting (step S118). The determination unit 96a1 of the remote control unit 96a of the remote controller 14a compares the pairing ID received in step S120 with the pairing ID stored in the storage unit 96a2 (Yes in step S122). Assuming that there is an operation from another remote controller while the LCD) 92a is turned off, the display “LCD is operated from another remote controller” is displayed on the liquid crystal display (LCD) 92a, and the acquired current air conditioner operation state is displayed. The liquid crystal display is updated based on the status information shown (step S124). For this reason, the liquid crystal display (LCD) 92a displays that the cooling operation is performed at 26 ° C., which is 1 ° C. lower than the set temperature before turning off.

[Display example of status information when operating an air conditioner registered as a sub unit from the sub remote control]
First, as shown in FIG. 13, the liquid crystal display unit 92b of the remote controller 14b that is a sub-remote controller shows the operating state of the air conditioner 12b that is the main machine viewed from the remote controller 14b. Here, the air conditioner 12b in the living room is in a stopped state, and the room temperature is 30 ° C. During this time, the remote controller 14a, which is the main remote controller of the air conditioner 12a in the dining room, performed a setting instruction operation for starting the cooling operation to the air conditioner 12a. An error occurred for some reason, and the operation of the air conditioner 12a in the dining room was stopped. And At this time, when the user operates the air conditioner 12a in the dining room from the remote controller 14b of the sub-remote controller for the air conditioner 12a, as shown in FIG. 13, the registered air conditioner button 70b of the remote controller 14b is pressed. Then, a list of operation screens of air conditioners registered as sub-machines is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 92b of the remote controller 14b. That is, the remote control unit 96b of the remote controller 14b requests all the air conditioners registered as sub-machines to return the latest state information, and the latest operation of the air conditioner registered based on the received state information. A list of states is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 92b. As shown in FIG. 13, the liquid crystal display unit 92b of the remote control 14b has the dining air conditioner 12a “error stopped”, the child room “stop filter clean”, and the bedroom “automatic standard temperature + 2 ° C.”. Others are displayed as “stopped” so that the operation status of the air conditioner in each room can be grasped at a glance. Here, when the user moves the cursor using the ascending button 62b and the descending button 64b of the remote controller 14b and depresses the confirm button 68b to confirm the operation target and the operation content, the screen shifts to a more detailed operation screen. For example, as shown in FIG. 13, when the air conditioner 12a in the dining room is selected and the confirm button 68b is pressed, the error content can be confirmed.

  When the operation of the air conditioner 12a in the dining room registered by the sub-remote controller 14b is completed, as shown in FIG. 13, the first screen showing the operating state of the air conditioner 12b in the living room as the main machine of the remote controller 14b is displayed. Return.

  Thus, in the air conditioner according to the present embodiment, when the operation unit of the remote control is not operated for a certain period of time, the display unit of the remote control is turned off and the power consumption of the remote control transmission / reception unit is reduced to reduce the power consumption between the air conditioner and the air conditioner. If communication is stopped and the user operates an operation button while the remote control LCD (LCD) is off, power is supplied to the remote control to display the LCD display and the remote control transceiver is turned on. Then, air conditioner setting instruction data is transmitted based on the operated operation button. For this reason, power is supplied to the remote control only when the remote control is operated, and power consumption is reduced at other times, so that consumption of the battery used can be prevented and the battery life can be extended.

  Further, in the air conditioner according to the present embodiment, when the user operates the remote controller while the liquid crystal display unit (LCD) of the remote controller is turned off, the air conditioner indicates the latest operating state with respect to the air conditioner. When the information is requested and the state information is received from the air conditioner, the display on the display unit of the remote control is updated according to the state information. For this reason, even if the status information of the air conditioner changes while the liquid crystal display unit of the remote control is turned off, the latest operation state of the air conditioner can always be confirmed on the remote control side, so that an erroneous operation can be prevented.

  Further, in the air conditioner according to the present embodiment, when the change in the status information of the air conditioner while the liquid crystal display unit of the remote control is turned off is due to an operation from another remote control or due to an error of the air conditioner, By displaying the fact on the liquid crystal display of the remote control, even if the liquid crystal display of the remote control is turned off, the change of the air conditioner status information that occurred during that time and the cause of the change can be grasped by the user of the remote control Can do.

  Further, in the air conditioner according to the present embodiment, when an effective button that is enabled according to the operation state of the air conditioner is operated, the setting instruction data is transmitted and the air conditioner state information return request is transmitted. Even if an invalid button that disables the operation according to the air conditioner's operating status is pressed, the remote controller always obtains the latest air conditioner status information by making a request to return the air conditioner status information. By updating the liquid crystal display on the side and matching the state on the air conditioner side with the display on the remote control side, erroneous operation can be prevented.

  Further, in the air conditioner according to the present embodiment, when operating the air conditioner registered as the sub machine from the sub remote controller, there are a plurality of registered air conditioners, and the operation status of each air conditioner is displayed as a list and operated. Since the target can be selected, the operation status of the air conditioner in the house can be grasped from any remote controller and can be operated from any remote controller, so the air conditioner can be turned off at the same time when going out. No worries about forgetting to erase.

  As described above, the air conditioner according to the present invention is useful for an air conditioner including a plurality of wireless remote controllers capable of operating the air conditioner main body, particularly when the wireless remote controller is not operated for a certain period of time. Suitable for air conditioners that reduce the power of the wireless remote control.

10 Air conditioner 12a, 12b Air conditioner (air conditioner body)
14a, 14b Remote control (wireless remote control)
16a, 16b Display unit 18a, 18b Cross button 20a, 20b Confirm button 22a, 22b Auto button 24a, 24b Favorite button 26a, 26b Run / stop button 28a, 28b Temperature button 30a, 30b Air volume button 32a, 32b Notification button 34a, 34b Cooling button 36a, 36b Heating button 38a, 38b Dehumidifying button 40a, 40b Air blow button 42a, 42b Lid 44a, 44b Operation button 46a, 46b Automatic operation button 48a, 48b Good night button 50a, 50b Laundry button 52a, 52b High power button 54a , 54b Current cut button 56a, 56b Absent ECO button 58a, 58b Timer button 60a, 60b Function button 62a, 62b Up button 64a, 64b Bottom Down button 66a, 66b Cancel button 68a, 68b Confirm button 70a, 70b Registered air conditioner button 72a, 72b Child lock button 80a, 80b LED display part 82a, 82b Operation part 84a, 84b Air conditioner control part 86a, 86b Air conditioner transmission / reception part 90a, 90b Remote control transmission / reception unit 92a, 92b Liquid crystal display unit 94a, 94b Operation unit 96a, 96b Remote control unit 96a1, 96b1 Judgment unit 96a2, 96b2 Storage unit

Claims (3)

An air conditioner comprising an air conditioner body and a plurality of wireless remote controllers capable of operating the air conditioner body,
The air conditioner includes a determination unit that determines whether or not state information indicating an operation state of the air conditioner body is changed,
The wireless remote control is
An operation unit for operating the air conditioner body;
A display unit for displaying the operation content of the operation unit and the state information of the air conditioner body;
A remote control transceiver for performing bidirectional communication with the air conditioner body;
A remote control unit for controlling the wireless remote controller;
With
The remote control unit stops communication with the air conditioner body by reducing power consumption of the remote control transmission / reception unit when the wireless remote control is not operated for a certain period of time, and the operation unit is operated during the stop. Then, the power supply to the remote control transceiver unit is resumed, and communication with the air conditioner body is performed via the remote control transceiver unit, and the air conditioner body is updated via the remote control transceiver unit. When the determination unit determines that the state information has been changed by another wireless remote controller when the state information is requested , after displaying that the other wireless remote controller has been operated. The air conditioner updates the display on the display unit in accordance with the state information received from the air conditioner body . The plurality of remote controllers include a main remote controller that registers the air conditioner body as a main machine, and a sub remote controller that registers the air conditioner body as a sub machine. The sub remote controller is registered as a sub machine. When shifting to the operation screen for operating the air conditioner body, perform communication with the air conditioner body registered as a sub machine,
When the status information received from the air conditioner main body registered as a sub machine is an error, the remote control unit of the sub remote control displays a display indicating that an error has occurred on the air conditioner main body side. It displays on the said display part of the said sub remote control, The air conditioner of Claim 1 characterized by the above-mentioned. The operation unit of the wireless remote controller is
As a button for performing operation input , according to the operating state of the air conditioner body, it has an effective button that can be operated and an invalid button that cannot be operated,
The remote control unit of the wireless remote controller has a storage unit for storing driving operation information transmitted last time,
The remote controller control unit compares the previously transmitted driving operation information stored in the storage unit with an input signal input from the operating unit, and determines the input according to the driving state indicated by the driving operation information. When the button for which an operation input is performed on the operation unit corresponding to the signal is the effective button, setting instruction data related to the driving operation input to the air conditioner body is transmitted via the remote control transmission / reception unit. In addition, when the state information is requested to the air conditioner main body, and the button that has been subjected to the operation input by the operation unit corresponding to the input signal is the invalid button, the air conditioner main body The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 2 , wherein only the status information is requested.

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