JP7629356B2 - Electrical Equipment and Air Conditioning Systems - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to electrical equipment and air conditioning systems.

In the air conditioner described in Patent Document 1, the upper and lower limits of the temperature setting range can be set by operating the remote control, thereby limiting the temperature setting range.

JP 2002-061932 A

In the air conditioner described in Patent Document 1, the user cannot recognize that the temperature setting range is restricted, and for example, even if the temperature is set outside the temperature setting range, the set temperature is not achieved, leading the user to mistakenly believe that this is a malfunction, resulting in poor usability.

The present invention was made in consideration of the above problems, and its purpose is to provide electrical equipment and an air conditioning system that can improve user convenience.

The electrical device according to the present invention includes an air conditioning unit, a reception unit, a control unit, and a display unit. The air conditioning unit conditions air. The reception unit receives air conditioning settings related to the air conditioning unit. The control unit controls the air conditioning unit based on the air conditioning settings. The display unit displays an indication related to the air conditioning settings. The air conditioning unit harmonizes at least one property of the air temperature, humidity, and airflow. The reception unit receives a restriction setting indicating a restriction range of the air conditioning setting. The control unit controls the adjustment range of the property of the air by the air conditioning unit to be within the restriction range. The display unit displays a restriction indication indicating that the air conditioning unit is operating in a restricted state based on the restriction setting.

The air conditioning system according to the present invention includes an electric device and an operation terminal. The operation terminal is capable of two-way communication with the electric device via a network. The electric device is capable of two-way communication with the operation terminal via the network. When the electric device is in a restricted state in which a restricted range is set for an air conditioning setting related to air properties, and the electric device receives an air conditioning setting from the operation terminal that is outside the restricted range, the electric device causes the operation terminal to display a display indicating that the electric device is in the restricted state.

The present invention makes it possible to improve user convenience.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an air conditioning system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram of an air conditioning system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 13 shows an example in which a restriction display is displayed on the display unit when the reception unit receives an air conditioning setting outside the restriction range. 13 shows an example in which a restriction display is displayed on the display unit while the electrical device is in a restricted state. FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram showing a restriction display method in the air conditioning system of the present embodiment.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that in the drawings, the same or equivalent parts will be given the same reference symbols and descriptions will not be repeated.

First, the air conditioning system 100 and the electrical equipment 10 of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the air conditioning system 100 of this embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the air conditioning system 100 of this embodiment. The air conditioning system 100 includes an electrical equipment 10 and one or more operation terminals 20. In FIG. 1, as an example, the air conditioning system 100 includes operation terminals 20A and 20B. In FIG. 2, one operation terminal 20 is shown as a representative. The electrical equipment 10 is, for example, an air conditioner (air conditioner) installed in a room RM, and conditions the air in the room RM. The electrical equipment 10 can communicate bidirectionally with the operation terminal 20 via a network 30. The operation terminal 20 can communicate bidirectionally with the electrical equipment 10 via a network 30. The operation terminal 20 is, for example, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a notebook personal computer (notebook PC), or a desktop personal computer (desktop PC).

[Electrical device 10]
2, the electrical device 10 includes an air conditioning unit 11, a reception unit 12, a control unit 13, a display unit 14, and a storage unit 15. The air conditioning unit 11 adjusts at least one property of air temperature, humidity, and airflow.

The reception unit 12 receives air conditioning settings related to the air conditioning unit 11. Specifically, the reception unit 12 includes, for example, a communication unit 121 and an infrared receiving unit 122. The communication unit 121 receives a signal including the air conditioning settings transmitted from the operation terminal 20 via a network 30 including a wired LAN (Local Area Network) or a wireless LAN. The infrared receiving unit 122 receives an infrared signal including the air conditioning settings transmitted from a remote control (not shown).

The control unit 13 includes a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The control unit 13 acquires the air conditioning settings contained in the signal received by the communication unit 121 or the infrared signal received by the infrared receiving unit 122, and controls the air conditioning unit 11 based on the acquired air conditioning settings.

The display unit 14 is, for example, a liquid crystal display, and displays information related to the air conditioning settings under the control of the control unit 13. Specifically, the control unit 13 generates an air conditioning setting image including the temperature and humidity indicated by the air conditioning settings, and displays it on the display unit 14. Note that the air conditioning setting image may include the air volume and air direction of the air conditioning unit 11 in addition to the temperature and humidity.

Also, for example, the display unit 14 may be one or more LED lamps. In this case, the control unit 13 controls the turning on and off of the corresponding LED lamps based on the air conditioning settings. Specifically, the control unit 13 changes the lighting color of the LED lamps or the number of LED lamps to be turned on according to the air conditioning settings.

The memory unit 15 stores various data. For example, the memory unit 15 stores a control program for operating the electrical device 10. The control unit 13 controls the operation of the electrical device 10 by executing the control program.

[Operation terminal 20]
The operation terminal 20 includes a control unit 21, a storage unit 22, a display unit 23, an operation unit 24, and a communication unit 25. The control unit 21 controls the storage unit 22, the display unit 23, the operation unit 24, and the communication unit 25.

The control unit 21 includes a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit).

The memory unit 22 stores various data. For example, the memory unit 22 stores a control program for driving the operation terminal 20. The control unit 21 controls the operation of the operation terminal 20 by executing the control program.

The storage unit 22 may also store an application program related to the control of the electrical device 10. For example, the control unit 21 may execute the application program to control the electrical device 10.

The display unit 23 displays the operation screen or the results of various processes. The display unit 23 includes a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display.

The operation unit 24 may include a touch sensor. The display unit 23 and the operation unit 24 may be an integrated touch panel. On the touch panel, for example, various keys for indicating the type of job and the contents of the job are displayed. Alternatively, the operation unit 24 may include buttons or a keyboard.

The communication unit 25 communicates with an external device. Here, the communication unit 25 transmits a specific signal to at least the electrical device 10 via the network 30. The communication unit 25 may also receive a specific signal from at least the electrical device 10.

For example, the communication unit 25 transmits a signal including the air conditioning settings of the electrical device 10 to the electrical device 10. Specifically, when the user operates the operation unit 24 according to the screen displayed on the display unit 23 by executing an application program to input the air conditioning settings of the electrical device 10 to the operation terminal 20, the control unit 21 generates a signal including the input air conditioning settings. The communication unit 25 transmits the signal including the air conditioning settings generated by the control unit 21 to the electrical device 10 via the network 30.

[Restriction Settings]
In this embodiment, the air conditioning settings can be set to a setting range. For example, in an electrical device 10 whose adjustable temperature range is 15° C. to 30° C., a limit setting can be set to limit the temperature setting range to 20° C. to 26° C.

Specifically, to set a limit setting on the electrical device 10, for example, the user operates a remote control to transmit an infrared signal including a limit setting instruction to set the limit setting from the remote control to the electrical device 10. The limit setting instruction includes information that the limit range is 20°C to 26°C.

The reception unit 12 of the electrical device 10 receives a limit setting that indicates the limit range of the air conditioning setting. Specifically, the infrared receiving unit 122 receives an infrared signal that includes a limit setting instruction transmitted from a remote control.

The control unit 13 acquires the restriction setting instruction contained in the infrared signal received by the infrared receiving unit 122 and stores it in the memory unit 15. The control unit 13 controls the air conditioning unit 11 based on the restriction setting instruction stored in the memory unit 15.

Specifically, the control unit 13 controls the adjustment range of the air temperature by the air conditioning unit 11 to be within the restricted range (20°C to 26°C). For example, in the electrical device 10, if the air conditioning setting (temperature setting) before accepting the restricted setting was 20°C, the control unit 13 maintains the air conditioning setting (temperature setting) at 20°C and controls the air conditioning unit 11 based on the maintained air conditioning setting. On the other hand, if the air conditioning setting (temperature setting) before accepting the restricted setting was 19°C, the control unit 13 changes the air conditioning setting (temperature setting) to 20°C and controls the air conditioning unit 11 based on the changed air conditioning setting. In this way, in the electrical device 10, the state in which the air conditioning unit 11 is operating based on the restricted setting is called the restricted state.

In this embodiment, the limit setting instruction can be sent not only from the remote control but also from the operation terminal 20. For example, when the user operates the operation unit 24 in accordance with a screen displayed on the display unit 23 by executing an application program, the control unit 21 displays a limit input screen on the display unit 23 requesting the user to input a limit range for the air conditioning settings.

When the user operates the operation unit 24 to input the restriction range to the operation terminal 20 according to the restriction input screen displayed on the display unit 23, the control unit 21 generates a restriction setting instruction generated in the remote control and generates a signal including the restriction setting instruction. The communication unit 25 transmits the signal including the restriction setting instruction generated by the control unit 21 to the electrical device 10 via the network 30.

As shown in FIG. 1, when the air conditioning system 100 includes multiple operation terminals 20, at least one operation terminal 20 is a management terminal capable of sending a limit setting instruction. In the air conditioning system 100, operation terminals 20 other than the management terminal cannot send a limit setting instruction.

[Restriction markings for electrical equipment]
For example, when the electric appliance 10 is in a restricted state, if the electric appliance 10 receives an air-conditioning setting outside the restricted range transmitted from the remote control or the operation terminal 20, the electric appliance 10 cannot reflect the received air-conditioning setting.

On the other hand, for a user who sent the air conditioning settings using the remote control or the operation terminal 20, the air conditioning settings may not be reflected, and the user may mistakenly believe that there is a malfunction.

In this embodiment, the display unit 14 displays a restriction display indicating that the restricted state is in effect. For example, when the control unit 13 receives a restriction setting instruction transmitted from the remote control or the operation terminal 20 and controls the air conditioning unit 11 to the restricted state, the control unit 13 causes the display unit 14 to display a restriction display.

Specifically, when the display unit 14 is a liquid crystal display, the control unit 13 causes the display unit 14 to display words and messages indicating that the restricted state is in effect. In addition, for example, the control unit 13 changes the display color of the temperature, humidity, and other items indicated by the air conditioning settings in the air conditioning setting image.

In addition, when the display unit 14 is an LED lamp, the control unit 13 controls the turning on and off of the corresponding LED lamp depending on whether or not the state is restricted. For example, the control unit 13 changes the lighting color of the LED lamp or the number of LED lamps to be turned on depending on whether or not the state is restricted.

For example, the control unit 13 causes the display unit 14 to display the restriction display until the restricted state is lifted. In this way, by displaying the restriction display while the air conditioning unit 11 is in a restricted state, it becomes easier for the user to recognize that the state is restricted, and meaningless operations can be reduced.

When the air conditioning unit 11 is in a restricted state and the reception unit 12 receives an air conditioning setting outside the restricted range, the control unit 13 may cause the display unit 14 to display a restriction indication. For example, when the air conditioning unit 11 is in a restricted state and the communication unit 121 receives an air conditioning setting sent from the operation terminal 20, the control unit 13 determines whether the air conditioning setting received by the communication unit 121 is within the restricted range or outside the restricted range.

Specifically, the control unit 13 refers to the information indicating the limit range contained in the limit setting instruction stored in the memory unit 15, and determines whether the air conditioning setting received by the communication unit 121 is within the limit range or outside the limit range.

When the control unit 13 determines that the air conditioning setting received by the communication unit 121 is outside the restricted range, the control unit 13 causes the display unit 14 to display a restriction display. After a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the restriction display was displayed on the display unit 14, the control unit 13 causes the display unit 14 to erase the restriction display.

In this way, by displaying the restriction display on the display unit 14 when a signal including air conditioning settings is transmitted, the user can more easily check, for example, whether the air conditioning settings have been accepted. In addition, the period during which the restriction display is displayed on the display unit 14 is shortened, which can reduce power consumption.

[Display restrictions on operation terminal]
In this embodiment, the restriction display may be displayed on the operation terminal 20. For example, when the air conditioning unit 11 is in a restricted state, and the communication unit 121 receives an air conditioning setting transmitted from the operation terminal 20, the control unit 13 determines whether the air conditioning setting received by the communication unit 121 is within the restricted range or outside the restricted range.

Specifically, the control unit 13 refers to the information indicating the limit range contained in the limit setting instruction stored in the memory unit 15, and determines whether the air conditioning setting received by the communication unit 121 is within the limit range or outside the limit range.

When the control unit 13 determines that the air conditioning settings received by the communication unit 121 are outside the restricted range, it acquires information indicating the referenced restricted range. The control unit 13 generates a restricted display instruction including the acquired information indicating the restricted range and an instruction to display the restricted display. The communication unit 121 transmits a signal including the restricted display instruction generated by the control unit 13 via the network 30 to the operation terminal 20 that transmitted the air conditioning settings.

The communication unit 25 of the operation terminal 20 receives a signal including a restricted display instruction transmitted from the electrical device 10. The control unit 21 acquires the restricted display instruction included in the signal received by the communication unit 25. Based on the information indicating the restricted range included in the acquired restricted display instruction and the instruction to display the restricted display, the control unit 21 causes the display unit 23 to display words and messages indicating that the electrical device 10 is in a restricted state and an indication indicating the restricted range.

In this way, by displaying the restriction display and the restricted range on the operation terminal 20, the user can recognize the restricted state and the restricted range at their fingertips.

In addition, the control unit 13 may include the air conditioning settings to be controlled in the restricted state in the restricted display instruction instead of the information indicating the restricted range. In this case, the control unit 21 of the operation terminal 20 causes the display unit 23 to display the air conditioning settings to be controlled in the restricted state.

In addition, in this embodiment, when the air conditioning unit 11 is in a restricted state and the communication unit 121 receives an air conditioning setting outside the restricted range transmitted from the operation terminal 20, the management terminal may be notified that an air conditioning setting outside the restricted range has been received.

For example, when the control unit 13 determines that the air conditioning setting received by the communication unit 121 is outside the restricted range, the control unit 13 generates information to the effect that an air conditioning setting outside the range has been accepted. The communication unit 121 transmits a signal including the information generated by the control unit 13 to the effect that an air conditioning setting outside the range has been accepted to the management terminal via the network 30.

Next, an example of a method for controlling limit settings in the electrical device 10 of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of a method for controlling limit settings in the electrical device 10 of this embodiment. FIG. 3 shows an example in which a limit display is displayed on the display unit 14 when the reception unit 12 receives an air conditioning setting outside the limit range.

When the reception unit 12 receives a restriction setting instruction (Yes in step S11), the control unit 13 controls the air conditioning unit 11 to a restricted state. Specifically, the control unit 13 controls the adjustment range of the air temperature by the air conditioning unit 11 to be within the restricted range according to the restriction setting instruction (step S12). The control unit 13 waits for the reception of an air conditioning setting (step S13).

On the other hand, if the control unit 13 cannot confirm that the reception unit 12 has received a restriction setting instruction (No in step S11), it does not control the air conditioning unit 11 to a restricted state and waits for the air conditioning setting to be received (step S13).

When the reception unit 12 receives the air conditioning settings, the control unit 13 determines whether the air conditioning unit 11 is in a restricted state (step S14).

If the air conditioning unit 11 is not in a restricted state (No in step S14), the control unit 13 controls the air conditioning unit 11 according to the air conditioning settings accepted by the acceptance unit 12 (step S16).

On the other hand, if the air conditioning unit 11 is in a restricted state (Yes in step S14), the control unit 13 determines whether the air conditioning setting accepted by the acceptance unit 12 is within the restricted range (step S15).

If the air conditioning setting accepted by the reception unit 12 is within the restricted range (Yes in step S15), the control unit 13 controls the air conditioning unit 11 according to the air conditioning setting accepted by the reception unit 12 (step S16).

On the other hand, if the air conditioning setting received by the reception unit 12 is outside the restricted range (No in step S15), the control unit 13 causes the display unit 14 to display a restriction indication (step S17). The control unit 13 controls the air conditioning unit 11 according to the restricted range indicated by the restriction setting instruction (step S18).

Next, another example of the restriction setting control method in the electrical device 10 of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 4. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing another example of the restriction setting control method in the electrical device 10 of this embodiment. FIG. 4 shows an example in which a restriction display is displayed on the display unit 14 while the electrical device 10 is in a restricted state.

Steps S21 and S22 shown in FIG. 4 are the same as steps S11 and S12 shown in FIG. 3. When the control unit 13 controls the air conditioning unit 11 to a restricted state (step S22), it causes the display unit 14 to display a restriction display (step S23) and waits for the reception of air conditioning settings (step S24).

Steps S24 to S27 are the same as steps S13 to S16 shown in FIG. 3. However, if the air conditioning setting accepted by the acceptance unit 12 is outside the restricted range (No in step S26), the control unit 13 controls the air conditioning unit 11 according to the restricted range indicated by the restricted setting instruction (step S18).

Next, the restriction display method in the air conditioning system 100 of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 5. FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram showing the restriction display method in the air conditioning system 100 of this embodiment.

The operation terminal 20 transmits a restriction setting instruction to the electrical device 10 (step S31).

The electrical device 10 accepts the restriction setting instruction and transitions to a restricted state (step S32).

The operation terminal 20 transmits the air conditioning setting that is outside the restricted range to the electrical device 10 (step S33).

The electrical device 10 determines that the air conditioning setting from the operation terminal 20 is outside the restricted range (step S34), and generates a restriction display instruction including information indicating the restricted range and an instruction to display the restriction display, and transmits the instruction to the operation terminal 20 (step S35).

The operation terminal 20 receives the restriction display instruction transmitted from the electrical device 10, and displays the restriction display in accordance with the instruction to display the restriction display included in the restriction display instruction (step S36).

The operation terminal 20 also displays the restricted range based on the information indicating the restricted range included in the restricted display instruction (step S37).

In this embodiment, the electrical appliance 10 is an air conditioner, but it is not limited to this and may be, for example, an electric fan, an electric carpet, etc.

The above describes an embodiment of the present invention with reference to the drawings (Figs. 1 to 5). However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and can be implemented in various forms without departing from the gist of the present invention. The drawings are mainly schematic, showing each component, for ease of understanding, and the thickness, length, number, etc. of each component shown in the drawings may differ from the actual ones due to the convenience of creating the drawings. In addition, the materials, shapes, dimensions, etc. of each component shown in the above embodiment are merely examples and are not particularly limited, and various modifications are possible without substantially departing from the effects of the present invention.

The present invention can be used in the field of air conditioning systems.

10: Electrical equipment 11: Air conditioning unit 12: Reception unit 13: Control unit 14: Display unit 15: Storage unit 20, 20A, 20B: Operation terminal 25: Communication unit 30: Network 100: Air conditioning system 121: Communication unit

Claims (8)

an air conditioning unit that conditions air;
A reception unit that receives signals including air conditioning settings related to the air conditioning unit from a plurality of operation terminals ;
A control unit that controls the air conditioning unit based on the air conditioning setting;
A display unit that displays an indication regarding the air conditioning setting,
The air conditioning unit adjusts at least one property of the air, including temperature, humidity, and airflow;
The reception unit receives a limit setting indicating a limit range of the air conditioning setting,
The control unit controls the adjustment range of the property of the air by the air conditioning unit to be within the limited range,
the display unit displays a restriction display indicating that the air conditioning unit is operating in a restricted state based on the restriction setting,
The reception unit is
An electric device that receives the restriction setting from a management terminal of the plurality of operation terminals, and does not receive the restriction setting from a terminal of the plurality of operation terminals other than the management terminal . The electrical device according to claim 1, wherein the display unit displays the restriction display while the air conditioning unit is in the restricted state. The electrical device according to claim 1, wherein the display unit displays the restriction display when the reception unit receives an air conditioning setting outside the restriction range when the air conditioning unit is in the restricted state. Electrical equipment and
A plurality of operation terminals capable of two-way communication with the electrical devices via a network;
Equipped with
the electrical device is capable of two-way communication with the operation terminal via the network,
When the electrical device is in a restricted state in which a restricted range is set for an air conditioning setting related to air properties, and the electrical device receives an air conditioning setting outside the restricted range from the operation terminal, the electrical device displays a display indicating that the electrical device is in the restricted state on the operation terminal ;
The electrical device includes:
An air conditioning system that accepts a restriction setting for placing the electrical equipment in the restricted state from a management terminal of the plurality of operation terminals, and does not accept the restriction setting from terminals of the plurality of operation terminals other than the management terminal . The air conditioning system according to claim 4, wherein when the electrical device is in the restricted state, and receives from the operation terminal an air conditioning setting outside the restricted range, the restricted range is displayed on the operation terminal. The air conditioning system according to claim 4 or 5, wherein when the electrical device is in the restricted state and receives an air conditioning setting outside the restricted range from the operation terminal, the electrical device adjusts the properties of the air to a setting within the restricted range. The control unit is
The electrical device of claim 1, wherein when the reception unit receives an air conditioning setting outside the restriction range from any one of the plurality of operation terminals, the reception unit performs control to notify the management terminal of the plurality of operation terminals that the air conditioning setting outside the restriction range has been received. The electrical device includes:
The air conditioning system of claim 4, wherein when an air conditioning setting outside the limit range is received from any one of the plurality of operating terminals, control is performed to notify the management terminal of the plurality of operating terminals that the air conditioning setting outside the limit range has been received.

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