EP2087293A1

EP2087293A1 - Air conditioner and method of controlling airflow having the same

Info

Publication number: EP2087293A1
Application number: EP07834326A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Kyu-Sup Jang; Nae-Hyun Park; Byung-Il Park
Original assignee: LG Electronics Inc
Current assignee: LG Electronics Inc
Priority date: 2006-11-28
Filing date: 2007-11-27
Publication date: 2009-08-12
Also published as: WO2008066311A1; EP2087293A4

Abstract

Disclosed are an air conditioner and a method for controlling the airflow thereof. The air conditioner according to the present invention includes a main body, an occupant recognition means having a plurality of cameras disposed at the main body, and an airflow control means for receiving recognition information about an occupant, such as the location, distance, etc. of the occupant, from the occupant recognition means as a signal and for determining the recognition information about the occupant through a stereoscopic imaging for airflow control. Accordingly, user satisfaction with heating and air conditioning can be increased, energy efficiency is increased as well as heating and air conditioning can be performed in various modes. Further, by controlling airflow customized for the occupant by tracking the occupant, power consumption and energy can be saved, when compared to that of the conventional heating and air conditioning. And, the time required to perform a desired heating and air conditioning can be reduced.

Description

AIR CONDITIONER AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING AIRFLOW HAVING

THE SAME

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an air conditioner, and more particularly, to an air conditioner which controls airflow according to recognition information about an occupant, an operational mode upon receipt of the recognition information or tracking of the occupant's location, and to a method for controlling airflow thereof .

Background Art

In general, an air conditioner is a device to cool and heat an indoor area by using an air conditioning cycle of a refrigerant, having a compressor, a condenser, an expansion unit and an evaporator, to provide a pleasant indoor environment to an occupant, and to purify air by using a filter, and the like. Conventional air conditioners are configured to control airflow regardless of recognition information about an occupant, e.g., the presence of an occupant, the number of occupants, or location of the occupant and distance thereof. Here, "airflow control" denotes to manually or automatically control factors, such as air velocity, air flow, temperature, humidity and direction of air discharged from the air conditioner.

That is, an occupant may control those factors by setting the temperature and humidity, or without such user's setting, the air conditioner itself may control those factors by calculating a PMV (Predicted Mean Vote) index that represents the degree to which the occupant feels pleasant or unpleasant under the influence of temperature, humidity, and the like. Figure 1 is a diagram showing that a conventional air conditioner is disposed in an indoor area in which an occupant is present and discharges airflow. Arrows indicate the flow of air discharged from the air conditioner (i.e., airflow). The thickness of the arrows represent velocity and volume of air. Figure 1 has two arrows of the same thickness, representing the same velocity and volume of air.

Referring to Fig. 1 , there is one occupant in an indoor area A, and there are 4 occupants in an indoor area B. Here, the temperature at the indoor area B is relatively higher than that at the indoor area A due to the body temperature of the occupants. Thus, in summer, more cool wind should be supplied to indoor area B, rather than to indoor area A. In addition, since the air conditioner 10 is positioned distant from indoor area B, farther than from indoor area A, greater cool wind should be supplied to indoor area B. On the contrary, during the winter time, the temperature at indoor area B becomes higher than that at indoor area A due to the body temperature of the occupants. Accordingly, more hot wind should be supplied to indoor area A, rather than to indoor area B.

However, the above-mentioned conventional air conditioner 10 unilaterally discharges airflow of the same velocity and volume to indoor areas A and B in the directions of the arrows, regardless of recognition information about the occupants, such as the presence of the occupants, the number of occupants, or locations and distances of the occupants. To be certain, the conventional air conditioner 10 may also control the velocity of airflow (high, medium, low) and the volume of airflow (greater, less). Nevertheless, it is obvious that airflow of the same velocity and volume is discharged into the indoor areas A and B. That is, the conventional air conditioner 10 can adjust the airflow of the air conditioner 10 only in the above-mentioned general modes.

Accordingly, the factors, such as velocity, volume, temperature, humidity and direction of airflow cannot be properly controlled in various operational modes conforming to recognition information, thereby diminishing occupant satisfaction with heating and air conditioning.

In addition, factors such as velocity, volume, temperature, humidity and direction of airflow discharged cannot be properly controlled by recognition information. Accordingly, the air conditioner unilaterally discharges air, thereby reducing the energy efficiency of the air conditioner.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION TECHNICAL PROBLEM

To overcome these problems and in accordance with the purposes of the present invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, there is provided an air conditioner which can control airflow according to recognition information about an occupant, and a method for controlling the airflow thereof. A second object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner which can control airflow according to various operational modes upon receipt of recognition information about an occupant, and a method for controlling the airflow thereof.

A third object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner which can control airflow customized for an occupant by tracking the occupant upon receipt of recognition information about the occupant, and a method for controlling the airflow thereof.

To achieve these objects and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the present invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, there is provided an air conditioner including: a main body, an occupant recognition means having a plurality of cameras disposed at the main body, and an airflow control means for receiving recognition information about occupancy, such as a location, distance, etc. of an occupant, from the occupancy recognition means as a signal and for determining the recognition information about the occupancy through stereoscopic imaging for airflow control. The cameras may include a first camera, and a second camera spaced from the first camera with a certain distance therebetween. Preferably, the first and second cameras may be disposed on a straight horizon line on the main body, or may be disposed symmetrically with respect to a central line of the main body. Preferably, the airflow control means may include an operation unit for calculating an optimum PMV index according to recognition information obtained, and a driving unit for adjusting the number of rotations of a fan motor mounted at the main body, the angle of a louver, the angle of a guide, or a compressor driving unit based on the optimum PMV index. It is preferable that the airflow control means controls the airflow according to an operational mode.

Here, it is preferable that the operational mode may include one selected from an indirect mode, in which if the occupant does not want to be under a direct influence of airflow, the airflow is controlled to be directed to a location at which the occupant is not present according to recognition information about the occupant, a general mode, in which the occupant is allowed to randomly control the airflow velocity (high, medium or low) and airflow volume (high or low) regardless of the recognition information about the occupant, a single mode, in which if there is only one occupant, and recognition information about the single occupant is received so as to control the airflow, and a multi mode in which, if a plurality of occupants are present, recognition information about the plurality of occupants is received so as to control the airflow. In addition, the method for controlling airflow of an air conditioner may include the steps of selecting one operational mode among the general mode, indirect mode, single mode and multi mode; and displaying the selected operational mode. Here, preferably, the method for controlling the airflow of the air conditioner according to the indirect mode includes the steps of recognizing an occupant through a 3-D image, and controlling the airflow to be directed to a location other than the place where the recognized occupant is located.

Further, preferably, the method for controlling the airflow of the air conditioner according to the single mode includes the steps of recognizing a single occupant through a 3-D image, and controlling the airflow to be directed to a location where the recognized single occupant is located.

Further, preferably, the method for controlling the airflow of the air conditioner according to the multi mode includes the steps of recognizing the plurality of occupants through a 3-D image, and controlling the airflow to be directed to the location where the recognized plurality of occupants are located.

Also, the method for controlling the airflow of the air conditioner may include obtaining recognition information about an occupant, storing the obtained recognition information, and tracking the location of the occupant according to the stored recognition information and controlling the airflow customized for the occupant.

Here, preferably, the step of controlling the airflow customized for the occupant includes comparing the obtained recognition information about the occupant with pre-stored information about an occupant's preference so as to calculate an optimum PMV index, and adjusting at least one or more of the optimum PMV index, the number of rotations of a fan motor, the angle of a louver, the angle of a guide, and a compressor driving unit according to the optimum PMV index.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a diagram showing that a conventional air conditioner is disposed in an indoor area where an occupant is present and discharges airflow;

Figure 2 is a diagram showing that an air conditioner having an occupant recognition means is disposed in an indoor area where an occupant is present so as to receive recognition information about the occupant and to discharge airflow, according to one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the air conditioner in Fig. 2;

Figure 4 is a front view showing the air conditioner in Fig. 2; Figure 5 is a diagram showing a first camera, a second camera, an airflow control means, a selection unit, and a display unit in Fig. 3;

Figures 6 through 8 are diagrams respectively showing a principle that 3-D image information is obtained from first and second cameras in Fig. 3 through stereoscopic vision;

Figures 9 and 10 are flowcharts each showing a method for controlling the airflow of an air conditioner according to one embodiment of the present invention; Figures 11 through 14 are flowcharts respectively showing a method for controlling the airflow of an air conditioner according to another embodiment of the present invention;

Figures 15 through 16 are flowcharts respectively showing a method for controlling the airflow of an air conditioner according to still another embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 17 depicts experimental data showing the temperature distribution of an indoor area in which airflow is supplied by the method for controlling the airflow of an air conditioner in Fig. 15;

Figure 18 is an experimental graph showing temperature change by time by the method for controlling the airflow of an air conditioner in Fig. 15; and

Figure 19 is an experimental graph showing power consumption by time by the method for controlling the airflow of an air conditioner in Fig. 15.

MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Description will now be given in detail of the air conditioner and a method for controlling the airflow thereof according to one embodiment of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Figure 2 is a diagram showing that an air conditioner having an occupant recognition means is disposed in an indoor area where an occupant is present so as to receive recognition information about the occupant and to discharge airflow according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the air conditioner in Fig. 2. Figure 4 is a front view showing the air conditioner in Fig. 2, and Figure 5 is a view showing a first camera, a second camera, an airflow control means, a selection unit, and a display unit in Fig. 3.

Referring to Fig. 2, an air conditioner 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention appropriately controls airflow according to recognition information about an occupant, e.g., the number of occupants, and the location or distance thereof. The air conditioner 100, in summer, is configured to supply strong cooling wind to the area B where there are 4 occupants, and to supply weak cooling wind to the area A where there is only one occupant. In addition, the air conditioner 100 is positioned distant from the indoor area B, farther than from the indoor area A, thereby needing to supply cooling wind to the indoor area B more intensely. On the contrary, in winter, the temperature at the indoor area B is higher than that at the indoor area A due to the body temperature of the occupants, thereby needing to supply more warming wind to the indoor area A, rather than to the indoor area B. Here, the arrows shown in Fig. 2 denote the flows of air discharged from the air conditioner (airflows). The thickness of the arrows represents the air velocity and air volume. Referring to Figs. 3 through 5, the air conditioner 100 may include a main body 110, an occupant recognition means 120 disposed at the main body 110, an airflow control means 130 for receiving recognition information about the occupant from the occupant recognition means 120 to control the airflow according to an operational mode, a selection unit 140 for selecting the operational mode, and a display unit 150 for displaying the selected operational mode.

An inlet 111 for sucking indoor air thereinto is disposed at a lower front surface of the main body 110, and an outlet 112 for discharging air to an indoor area is disposed at an upper front surface of the main body 110. A louver 113 is mounted at the outlet 112 for opening/closing the outlet 112 and vertically adjusting the direction of airflow. A guide (not shown) is separately disposed inside the outlet 112 for horizontally (in the left and right directions) adjusting the direction of airflow. A manipulation panel 115 is disposed at a central front surface of the main body 110 so as to manipulate the air conditioner 100. A fan motor (not shown) is provided inside the main body 110 to adjust the volume and velocity of airflow discharged from the outlet 112. In addition, there is provided an air conditioning cycle apparatus (not shown) having a compressor, a condenser, an expansion unit and an evaporator. To be certain, such air conditioning cycle apparatus may be disposed at a different location, depending on whether the type of the air conditioner is a split-type or package- type. That is, in the split-type air conditioner, an indoor unit is installed indoors for cooling/radiation functions and an outdoor unit is installed outdoors for radiation/cooling and compression functions, with the two separate units connected through refrigerant piping. However, in the package air conditioner, the cooling, radiation and compression functions are integrated. The present embodiment describes the package-type air conditioner. In this case, the air conditioning cycle (not shown) is all disposed inside the main body 110.

The occupancy recognition means 120 is configured to collect recognition information about occupancy (e.g., the presence of an occupant, the number of the occupants, location(s) and distance(s) of the occupant(s), etc.). Such occupancy recognition means 120 may be implemented as a voice recognition sensor, an ultrasonic sensor or a plurality of cameras. Further, any other occupancy recognition means 120 can be used so long as it can collect recognition information about the occupancy.

The voice recognition sensor converts an occupant's voice into electrical signals and uses the converted electrical signals to determine the presence of an occupant, the number of the occupants and the location(s) and distance(s) of the occupant(s). Meanwhile, the ultrasonic sensor determines the presence of an occupant, the number of the occupants and the location(s) and distance(s) of the occupant(s) through ultrasonic waves which are reflected back to the sensor. In the present embodiment, a plurality of cameras are used as the occupancy recognition unit 120.

Referring to Figs. 4 and 5, the occupancy recognition means 120 may include a first camera 121 , and a second camera 123 spaced from the first camera 121 with a certain distance L therebetween.

The first and second cameras 121 , 123 are disposed at the front of the main body 110 to secure a wide viewing angle. In addition, the first and second cameras 121 , 123 are symmetrically disposed with respect to a center-line V of the main body 110 so as to secure a wide viewing angle. Here, preferably, the lenses of the first and second cameras 121 , 123 may be implemented as fish- eye lenses which can capture objects located within an entire hemispherical area for a wide viewing angle. Further, in order to obtain 3-D image information more easily using stereoscopic vision based on two individual image informations obtained from the first and second cameras 121 and 123, the first and second cameras 121 , 123 are positioned in a straight line on a horizon H.

Stereoscopic vision refers to a process of reconstructing two 2-D (dimensional) images into a 3-D image. Considering that a person uses binocular parallax when perceiving the depth of objects, it is a method for generating a 3-dimensional model. That is, stereoscopic vision predicts from images inputted from the right and left, the variations as information matched between the two images, and extracts characteristics of a model to be generated, thereby providing the predicted variation information for the extracted characteristics with depth information so as to generate the final 3- dimensional model. A general geometrical model of a camera using stereoscopic vision has a structure where two cameras face one object and may take various forms according to the application field. In this way, when reconstructing two 2-D images into a 3-D image using stereoscopic vision, the location and distance of the occupant can be accurately obtained, which results in obtaining more accurate recognition information about the occupant.

In order to easily obtain the 3-D image information using stereoscopic vision, the first and second cameras 121 , 123 are positioned in a straight line on the horizon H. The thusly obtained 3-D image information can be used to obtain recognition information about the occupant (e.g., the presence of the occupant, the number of the occupants, the location and distance of the occupant). Figures 6 through 8 are diagrams respectively showing the principle that 3-D image information from a first camera and a second camera in Fig. 3 is obtained through stereoscopic vision.

Referring to Figs. 6 and 7, the first and second cameras 121 , 123 view an object P inclined with a certain angle θ . Here, P1 represents the object P as captured on a CCD of the first camera 121 , and P2 represents the object P as captured on a CCD of the second camera 123. XYZ denotes the absolute coordinates, and 0 denotes the origin of the absolute coordinates, xyz denotes the relative coordinates of the first and second cameras 121 and 123, 01 denotes the center of the first camera 121 , and 02 denotes the center of the second camera 123.

The location of the first camera 121 can be obtained as a position vector from the origin 0 of the absolute coordinates to the center 01 of the first camera 121. The location of the second camera 123 can be obtained as a position vector from the origin 0 of the absolute coordinates to the center 02 of the second camera 123. Thus, a compensation step for determining the location of each of the first and second cameras 121 , 123 is completed.

Referring to Figs. 7 and 8, image information of the object P1 captured on the CCD of the first camera 121 can be obtained in respect of the origin 01 of the relative coordinates, and image information of the object P2 captured on the CCD of the second camera 123 can be obtained in respect of the origin 02 of the relative coordinates. That is, the objects P1 and P2 are displayed by as many dots as the number of the pixels of the CCD. Coordinates of each of such dots can be obtained with respect to the origins 01 and 02 of the relative coordinates, thereby obtaining separate image informations of each of the objects P1 and P2.

The thusly obtained two separate image informations of the objects P1 and P2 are converted into a 3-D image information of the final object P by using a method, such as an image processing (e.g., edge or vertex detection) or cross-correlation, generic algorithm, fuzzy algorithm, and the like.

Through the thusly obtained 3-D image information, recognition information about the occupancy, e.g., the presence of an occupant, the number of occupants, the location(s) and distance(s) of the occupant(s) can be obtained.

Referring to Fig. 5, the airflow control means 130 controls the airflow according to the thusly obtained recognition information about the occupancy, and may include an operation unit 131 for calculating an optimum PMV index, and a driving unit 133 for adjusting the number of rotations of the fan motor (not shown) disposed in the main body 110, vertical angular movements of the louver 113, horizontal angular movements of the guide (not shown), and the compressor driving unit according to the optimum PMV index. The driving unit 133 may horizontally rotate the main body 110 itself when needed, thus to supply cool wind or warm wind to a greater area. The selection unit 140 is disposed on the manipulation panel 115 in the form of a dial button. Also, it may be disposed in the form of a microphone so as to be manipulated by voice. Further, it can be implemented in the form of a plurality of buttons. The occupant can select an operational mode of the air conditioner 100 by sequentially turning the dial button. That is, the operational mode can be selected among the general mode, indirect mode, single mode, and multi mode.

The general mode allows the occupant to randomly control the airflow velocity (high, medium, low) regardless of the recognition information about the occupancy, and to adjust the volume of the airflow (high or low).

The indirect mode is a mode, in which if the occupant does not want to be under the direct influence of the airflow, the airflow is controlled to be directed to a location where the occupant is not present according to the recognition information about the occupancy.

The single mode is a mode, in which if there is only one occupant, the airflow is controlled by receiving recognition information about the single occupant. The multi mode is a mode, in which if a plurality of occupants are present, the airflow is controlled by receiving recognition information about the plurality of occupants.

Meanwhile, the operational modes may be simplified by the occupant into a manual mode and an automatic mode. The manual mode is configured to unilaterally control the airflow according to the occupant's preference, regardless of the presence of the occupant, the number of occupants and the location(s) and distance(s) of the occupant(s). Or, the manual mode can control the airflow according to the occupant's preference while automatically receiving the obtained recognition information about the occupancy. To be certain, various other algorithms may be considered.

The automatic mode refers to a mode in which the air conditioner 100 itself calculates an optimum PMV index according to the thusly obtained recognition information about the occupancy, and automatically adjusts factors such as air velocity, air volume, temperature, humidity and direction of airflow.

Meanwhile, the automatic mode may be set such that the air conditioner

100 can unilaterally control airflow according to the recognition information without using the selection unit 140.

The display unit 150 is implemented as a liquid crystal display screen on the manipulation panel 115. The display unit 150 displays the operational mode through an avatar such that the occupant may easily recognize the operational mode. For this, the display unit 150 includes a memory 151 for storing avatar data of a character having various shapes and movements, and recognition information about the occupancy, a search unit 153 for searching avatar data corresponding to the selected operational mode, and a display driving unit 155 for displaying the corresponding avatar data as an image. Hereinafter, description of the method for controlling the airflow of an air conditioner according to one embodiment of the present invention will be given in detail. Figures 9 and 10 are flowcharts each showing a method for controlling airflow of an air conditioner according to one embodiment of the present invention. Referring to Figs. 2, 5, 9 and 10, the method for controlling the airflow of an air conditioner according to one embodiment of the present invention may include the steps of selecting an operational mode (S 10), receiving recognition information about the occupancy (S20), and controlling the airflow according to the obtained recognition information (S30). The step of selecting the operational mode (S 10) is a step for an occupant to set the operation mode of the air conditioner 100 as the manual mode or the automatic mode through a button or by speaking.

That is, in the manual mode, the airflow can be controlled according to the occupant's preference only, regardless of the presence of the occupant, the number of the occupants and the location(s) and distance(s) of the occupant(s). Also, the airflow can be controlled according to the occupant's preference while the obtained recognition information about the occupancy is automatically received. To be certain, various other algorithms can be considered.

On the contrary, in the automatic mode, the air conditioner 100 itself calculates an optimum PMV index according to the obtained recognition information about the occupancy, and automatically adjusts factors including air velocity, air volume, temperature, humidity and direction of airflow.

The step of receiving recognition information about the occupant (S20) may include the steps of receiving signals from the pair of cameras 121 , 123

(S21 ), and stereoscopic imaging (S23) for obtaining recognition information about the occupancy (i. e., the presence of an occupant, the number of occupants, the location and distance information, etc.) from such signals.

The cameras 121 , 123 transfer to the operation unit 131 of the airflow control means 130 in the form of a signal that there is 1 occupant present in the indoor area A and there are 4 occupants present in the indoor area B. The operation unit 131 uses stereoscopic vision to calculate the presence of the occupants, the number of the occupants and the locations and distances of the occupants. In addition, the operation unit 131 calculates an optimum PMV index through the calculated locations and distances of the occupants.

The step of stereoscopic imaging (S23) includes the steps of compensating for determined locations of the cameras 121 , 123 S23a, and obtaining 3-D image information based on the two separate image informations obtained from the cameras 121 , 123 (S23b). Such procedures are the same as described above, and detailed explanations therefor are omitted.

The step of controlling the airflow (S30) includes calculating an optimum

PMV index (S31 ), and according to the optimum PMV index, adjusting the number of rotations of the fan motor (not shown), the angle of the louver 113, the angle of the guide (not shown), or the compressor driving unit (not shown)

(S33). The temperature at the indoor area B is relatively higher than that at the indoor area A due to the body temperature of the occupants. Thus, in summer, more cooling wind should be supplied to the indoor area B, rather than to the indoor area A. In addition, the air conditioner 100 is positioned distant from the indoor area B, farther away than from the indoor area A, thereby needing to supply greater cooling wind to the indoor area B.

Accordingly, the driving unit 133 controls the angle of the louver 113 to be set upwardly for cooling air to flow from top to bottom, controls the angle of the guide (not shown) to face the direction of the indoor area B, and increases the number of rotations of the fan motor (not shown), thereby supplying more cooling wind to the indoor area B. On the contrary, during the winter time, the temperature at the indoor area B becomes higher than that at the indoor area A due to the body temperature of the occupants. Accordingly, more hot wind needs to be supplied to the indoor area A, rather than to the indoor area B. For this, the angle of the louver 113 is adjusted to face downwardly for the hot air to flow from bottom to top, the angle of the guide (not shown) is adjusted to face the direction of the indoor area A, and also the number of rotations of the fan motor (not shown) is increased, thus to supply more hot wind to the indoor area A, rather than to the indoor area B. Hereinafter, the method for controlling the airflow of an air conditioner according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail.

Figures 11 through 14 are flowcharts respectively showing the method for controlling the airflow of an air conditioner according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to Figs. 11 through 14, the method for controlling the airflow of an air conditioner according to another embodiment of the present invention includes the steps of selecting an operational mode (S100), and displaying the selected operational mode (S600).

The step of selecting the operational mode (S100) is a step for an occupant to select one operational mode among the general mode (S200), indirect mode (S300), single mode (S400), and multi mode (S500) by sequentially turning the dial button or by speaking.

The general mode (S200) refers to a mode which allows the occupant to randomly control the airflow velocity (high, medium or low) regardless of the recognition information about the occupancy, and to adjust the volume of the airflow (high or low).

The indirect mode (S300) includes the steps of recognizing the presence of the occupant through a 3-D image (S310), and controlling the airflow to be directed to a location other than the place where the recognized occupant is located (S330). This is also called, an "evasion mode." Further, the single mode (S400) includes the steps of recognizing a single occupant through the 3-D image (S410), and controlling the airflow to be directed to the location where the recognized single occupant is located (S430).

Further, the multi mode (S500) includes the steps of recognizing a plurality of occupants through the 3-D image (S510), and controlling the airflow to be directed to the location where the recognized plurality of occupants are located (S530).

Here, the steps (S310), (S410) and (S510) of recognizing the single occupant or the plurality of occupants through the 3-D image commonly used by the indirect mode (S300), the single mode (S400) and the multi mode (S500) may include the steps of receiving signals from the pair of cameras 121 , 123 (referring to Fig. 5), and stereoscopic imaging for obtaining recognition information about the occupancy, such as the presence of an occupant, the number of the occupants, the location(s) and distance(s) of the occupant(s), etc. from the signals. Since description of the stereoscopic imaging has already been given, detailed explanations therefor are omitted.

In addition, the steps (S330), (S430) and (S530) of controlling the airflow commonly performed by the indirect mode (S300), the single mode

(S400) and the multi mode (S500) refer to the step of controlling the number of rotations of the fan motor (not shown), the angle of the louver 113, the angle of the guide (not shown), or the compressor driving unit (not shown) according to the recognition information and the operational mode selected by the occupant. Description of the multi mode (S500) comprising the steps of recognizing the presence of a plurality of occupants through the 3-D image

(S510), and controlling the airflow to the position where the plurality of recognized occupants are located (S530) will be given in detail.

Referring to Figs. 2, 5 and 14, description of the step (S510) of recognizing the presence of the plurality of occupants through the 3-D image will be given in detail.

Next, the step (S530) of controlling the airflow to the location where the plurality of recognized occupants are located will be described in detail.

The temperature at the indoor area B is relatively higher than that at the indoor area A due to the body temperature of the occupants. Thus, in summer, more cooling wind should be supplied to the indoor area B, rather than to the indoor area A. In addition, the air conditioner 100 is positioned distant from the indoor area B, farther than from the indoor area A, thereby needing to supply greater cooling air to the indoor area B. For this, the driving unit 133 is configured to control the angle of the louver 113 to be set upwardly for cool air to flow from top to bottom and to control the angle of the guide (not shown) to face the direction of the indoor area B, and to increase the number of rotations of the fan motor (not shown), thereby supplying more cooling wind to the indoor area B. On the contrary, during the winter time, the temperature at the indoor area B becomes higher than that at the indoor area A due to the body temperature of the occupants. Accordingly, more hot wind needs to be supplied to the indoor area A, rather than to the indoor area B. For this, the angle of the louver 113 is adjusted to face downwardly for the hot air to flow from bottom to top, the angle of the guide (not shown) is adjusted to face the direction of the indoor area A, and the number of rotations of the fan motor (not shown) is increased, thus to supply more hot wind to the indoor area A.

The step of displaying the selected operational mode (S600) is a step for the display unit 150 to display the operational modes to the occupant by using avatars of various characters corresponding to the operational modes. Thus, the occupant may easily recognize the current operational mode through such avatars.

The method for controlling the airflow of the air conditioner according to still another embodiment of the present invention will now be described. Figures 15 and 16 are flowcharts respectively showing the method for controlling the airflow of an air conditioner according to the still further embodiment of the present invention. Referring to Figs. 3, 5, 6, 15 and 16, the method for controlling the airflow of an air conditioner according to the still further embodiment of the present invention may include the steps of receiving recognition information about the occupancy (S20¹), storing the obtained recognition information (S25¹), and tracking the occupant(s) based on the obtained recognition information and controlling the airflow customized for the occupant(s) (S30¹).

The step of receiving recognition information about the occupancy

(S20¹) may include the steps of receiving signals from the pair of cameras 121 ,

123 (S21¹), and stereoscopic imaging for obtaining recognition information about the occupancy, such as the presence of an occupant, the number of the occupants, location(s) and distance(s) of the occupant(s), etc. from the signals

(S23¹).

If the occupant present in indoor area A moves to the indoor area B, signals from the cameras 121 , 123 are transmitted to the operation unit 131 of the airflow control means 130. The operation unit 131 uses stereoscopic vision to track the location and distance of the occupant and then to calculate an optimum PMV index.

The step of stereoscopic imaging (S23¹) includes the steps of compensating for the determined locations of the cameras 121 , 123 (S23'a), and obtaining 3-D image information based on the two separate image informations obtained from the cameras 121 , 123 (S23'b). Such procedures are the same as described above, and detailed explanations therefor are omitted.

In the step of storing the obtained recognition information (S25¹), the recognition information obtained by the step (S20¹) of receiving the recognition information about the occupant is stored in the memory 151. Here, information about the volume of airflow or the intensity thereof required according to an occupant's preference is pre-stored in the memory 151. The step of tracking the occupant and controlling the airflow customized for the occupant (S30¹) may include the steps of comparing the obtained recognition information about the occupant with pre-stored information about the occupant's preference so as to calculate an optimum PMV index (S31¹), and controlling more than one among the number of rotations of the fan motor (not shown), the angle of the louver 113, the angle of the guide (not shown), or the compressor driving unit (not shown) so as to track the occupant according to the optimum PMV index and to control the airflow customized for the occupant (S33¹). Figure 17 depicts experimental data showing the temperature distribution in an indoor area in which airflow is supplied by the method for controlling the airflow of an air conditioner in Fig. 15. Figure 18 is an experimental graph showing temperature change by time by the method for controlling the airflow of an air conditioner in Fig. 15. And, Figure 19 is an experimental graph showing power consumption over time by the method for controlling the airflow of an air conditioner in Fig. 15.

Referring to Fig. 17, it is observed that as a result of tracking the occupancy, even though the temperature at a target space Z3 presenting in which an occupant is present becomes 26⁰C , which is the target temperature, an area adjacent to the target space Z3 was not excessively cooled and did not have a non-uniform temperature.

Referring to Fig. 18, as time elapses, in the air conditioner according to the present invention, deviation between a target temperature and an average temperature does not increase. However, the conventional air conditioner exhibited increasing deviation between the target temperature and the average temperature. In particular, in 15 minutes of using the conventional air conditioner, the temperature deviation was remarkably increased. In addition, as shown in Fig. 19, as time elapses, when the air conditioner according to the present invention is used, power consumption is reduced when compared to using the conventional air conditioner. In particular, from a time point of use for 12 or 13 minutes, the difference in power consumption between the air conditioner according to the present invention and the conventional air conditioner becomes greatly increased.

As a result, by performing the airflow control customized for the occupant to only the target space Z3 where the occupant is present through the tracking of the occupant, the temperature control can be performed only to an indoor area where the occupant is located. Accordingly, power consumption and energy can be saved, compared to that required for the conventional heating and air conditioning costs. And, the time required to perform a desired heating and air conditioning may also be reduced.

ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECT

As so far described, the air conditioner according to one embodiment of the present invention can increase user satisfaction with the air conditioning by controlling the airflow according to recognition information about the occupancy or according to the operational mode upon receipt of the recognition information.

The air conditioner according to the present invention can enhance energy efficiency by appropriately controlling factors including air velocity, air volume, temperature, humidity, and direction of air discharged by recognition information or by the operational mode after receiving the recognition information, when compared to the conventional air conditioner which unilaterally discharges air without considering recognition information and operational modes.

Also, the air conditioner according to the present invention can control airflow in various operational modes, thereby to perform heating and air conditioning in various modes.

The air conditioner according to the present invention can control airflow customized for an occupant by tracking the occupant, thus to control the temperature of an indoor area only where the occupant is present, thereby saving power consumption and energy, when compared to that required for the conventional heating and air conditioning, and reducing the time required to perform a desired heating and air conditioning.

The air conditioner and the method for controlling the airflow thereof according to the present invention can be applied to both the package-type and the split-type air conditioner.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An air conditioner, comprising: a main body; an occupancy recognition means having a plurality of cameras disposed at the main body; and an airflow control means for receiving recognition information about occupancy, such as a location, distance, etc. of an occupant, from the occupancy recognition means as a signal and for determining the recognition information about the occupancy through a stereoscopic imaging for airflow control.

2. The air conditioner of claim 1 , wherein the cameras comprise: a first camera; and a second camera spaced from the first camera with a certain distance therebetween.

3. The air conditioner of claim 2, wherein the first and second cameras are disposed on a straight horizon line on the main body.

4. The air conditioner of claim 2, wherein the first and second cameras are disposed symmetrically with respect to a central line of the main body.

5. The air conditioner of claim 1 , wherein the airflow control means comprises: an operation unit for calculating an optimum PMV index according to recognition information obtained; and a driving unit for adjusting the number of rotations of a fan motor mounted at the main body, an angle of a louver, an angle of a guide or a compressor driving unit based on the optimum PMV index.

6. The air conditioner of claim 1 , wherein the airflow control means controls airflow according to an operational mode.

7. The air conditioner of claim 6, wherein the operational mode is one selected from an indirect mode, in which if the occupant does not want to be under a direct influence of airflow, the airflow is controlled to be directed to a location where the occupant is not present according to recognition information about the occupant, a general mode, in which the occupant is allowed to randomly control airflow velocity (high, medium or low) and airflow volume (high or low) regardless of the recognition information about the occupant, a single mode, in which if there is only one occupant, recognition information about the single occupant is received so as to control the airflow, and a multi mode in which, if a plurality of occupants are present, recognition information about the plurality of occupants is received so as to control the airflow.

8. A method for controlling the airflow of the air conditioner of claim 6 or 7, the method comprising: selecting one operational mode among the general mode, indirect mode, single mode and multi mode; and displaying the selected operational mode.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the method for controlling the airflow of the air conditioner according to the indirect mode includes recognizing an occupant through a 3-D image; and controlling the airflow to be directed to a location other than a place where the recognized occupant is located.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the method for controlling the airflow of the air conditioner according to the single mode includes recognizing a single occupant through a 3-D image; and controlling the airflow to be directed to a location where the recognized single occupant is located.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein the method for controlling the airflow of the air conditioner according to the multi mode includes recognizing the plurality of occupants through a 3-D image; and controlling the airflow to be directed to a location where the recognized plurality of occupants are located.

12. The air conditioner of claim 1 , wherein the airflow control means is configured to track the occupant to supply airflow only to an area where the occupant is present.

13. The air conditioner of claim 12, further comprising: a memory for pre-storing information about airflow volume or intensity thereof according to the occupant's preference in order to control the airflow customized for the tracked occupant.

14. A method for controlling airflow of the air conditioner of claim 12 or 13, the method comprising: obtaining recognition information about the occupant; storing the obtained recognition information; and tracking the location of the occupant according to the stored recognition information and controlling the airflow customized for the occupant.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the step of controlling the airflow customized for the occupant comprises: comparing the obtained recognition information about the occupant with pre-stored information about the occupant's preference so as to calculate an optimum PMV index; and adjusting at least one or more of an optimum PMV index, the number of rotations of a fan motor, an angle of a louver, an angle of a guide, and a compressor driving unit according to the optimum PMV index.