JP2003087872A - Control system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a control system that can easily revise identification information of a controller set by a device to be controlled. SOLUTION: In the control system for controlling the device 20 to be controlled on the basis of a control signal sent from the controller 10 to the device 20 to be controlled, the controller 10 includes a means 15b capable of inputting identification information of the controller 10 and a means 17 for transmitting a control signal including received identification information, and the device 20 to be controlled includes a means 21 for discriminating whether or not a received control signal includes a particular signal to indicate that the identification information, is to be stored, a means 24 for storing the identification information included in the control signal when the control signal includes the particular signal, and a control means 26 for controlling each section on the basis of the control signal when comparing the identification information stored in the storage means 24 with the identification information included in the control signal received after storing the identification by the storage means 24 and both are coincident.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a control system including a control device such as a remote control switch and a controlled device controlled by the control device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a plurality of air conditioners may be installed in a large living room even in a general home. In this case, however, the air conditioners of the same model are selected and installed due to reasons such as design uniformity. I often do it. Further, since the air conditioner is often installed at a high position on the wall surface of the room, it is generally controlled by using an infrared remote control switch (hereinafter referred to as a remote controller). When multiple air conditioners of the same model are installed in the same room, there may be cases where you want to individually control the air flow, air flow direction, temperature, etc. of the air conditioner by operating the remote control.
Depending on the installation position of the air conditioner or the operating direction of the remote controller, there is a problem that an air conditioner that is not intended by the person operating the remote controller reacts carelessly. In order to deal with such a problem, for example, Japanese Patent No. 314
In Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 0087, the identification information of the remote controller included in the control signal received from the remote controller for the first time after the power supply of the air conditioner is turned on is stored, and thereafter only the control signal having the identification information of this remote controller is recognized as valid. Is listed. The remote controller according to this conventional technique can input identification information by key operation, and assigns different identification information to different air conditioners to control each air conditioner without causing malfunction.

[0003]

In the above-mentioned prior art,
Since the identification information stored in the memory of the remote controller can be set by key operation with the remote controller, it can be easily changed when changing the identification information set on the remote controller side. To change the remote control identification information set on the air conditioner side, unplug the air conditioner outlet or, if the air conditioner has a power switch, turn it on. It is necessary to turn on the power of the air conditioner again by depressing it and erase the identification information stored in the memory of the air conditioner.

However, when the plug of the outlet of the air conditioner is unplugged in order to erase the identification information stored in the memory of the air conditioner, it is a large-current device, and therefore a force is required to unplug the outlet. However, there is a problem in that the outlet is often located at a high position, which is troublesome. Also, depending on the type of air conditioner, some air conditioners are equipped with a power switch, but if the air conditioner is installed at a high position in the room, such as by removing the resin panel of the air conditioner. It is troublesome because it may require work.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and the remote controller on the air conditioner side can be easily operated only by the remote controller (control device) side without operating the air conditioner (controlled device) side. The identification information is changed and set.

[0006]

A control system according to the present invention is designed to control a controlled device based on a control signal transmitted from a control device having a means for receiving an input of a control signal to the controlled device. In the control system, the control device includes input means for receiving input of the first information, storage means for storing the input first information, and signal generation means for generating a control signal including the first information. And a transmitting means for transmitting the control signal, the controlled device receiving means for receiving the control signal transmitted from the control device, and whether or not the received control signal includes second information. Determining means for determining whether the second information is included in the control signal, storage means for storing the first information included in the control signal, and first information stored in the storage means. The above If the comparing means compares the first information included in the control signal received after the storing means stores the first information with the comparing means, and if the both match, the control is performed based on the control signal. And a control means for controlling the operation.

According to the present invention, the controlled device has a storage means for storing the first information when the control signal transmitted from the control device includes the second information, and stores the first information. After that, the first information included in the control signal received after that is compared with the first information stored in the storage means, and if the two match, the controlled device is controlled. When storing the first information for identifying the device in the controlled device, it is not necessary to perform an operation such as turning off the power of the controlled device, and the first information can be easily stored. Further, since the control device is provided with the means for inputting the first information, when a plurality of sets of the control device and the controlled device are installed, the user can input different first information to each control device. It is possible to prevent erroneous control of a controlled device that is not intended by the.

The control system according to the present invention comprises means for generating a signal indicating that the information stored in the storage means of the control device should be initialized, and a case where the signal indicating that the information should be initialized is generated by the means. The control device further comprises means for adding the second information to a control signal to be transmitted to the controlled device.

According to the present invention, when the information stored in the storage means of the control device is initialized, the second information is added to the control signal to be transmitted to the controlled device. Therefore, for example, when the control signal is transmitted to the controlled device after the power supply of the control device is reset to erase the content of the first information stored in the storage means of the control device,
The second information is automatically added to the transmitted control signal,
The first information included in the control signal is stored in the storage unit of the controlled device which has received the control signal including the information.
Therefore, it becomes possible to easily set the information for identifying the control device without operating the controlled device.

The control system according to the present invention accepts the input of the first information only after the information stored in the storage means is initialized and before the control signal is transmitted to the controlled device. The feature is that it is done.

In the present invention, for example, when the power of the control device is removed and then turned on again to initialize the information stored in the storage means, the control signal is transmitted after the initialization. Only during the period until the input of the first information is accepted. Therefore, normally, the control device can be used only for controlling the controlled device, and it is possible to prevent erroneous change of the first information.

In the control system according to the present invention, the control device further comprises display means for displaying the first information, and the first information can be inputted by means for receiving the input of the control signal. Is characterized by.

According to the present invention, the first information display means for identifying the control device is provided, and the first information can be inputted by means of the control signal. Therefore, it is possible to input the first information while confirming it by the display means, so that the information for identifying the control device can be set without error. Moreover, since the first information can be input by the means for inputting the control signal of the controlled device, it is not necessary to provide a new input means only for inputting the first information, and the manufacturing cost of the control device can be reduced. It is possible to lower it.

[0014]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION A remote controller embodying a control device of the present invention and an air conditioner embodying a controlled device will be specifically described below with reference to the block diagram shown in FIG.

In the figure, 10 is a remote controller, and 20 is an air conditioner controlled by the remote controller 10.

A control unit 11 of the remote controller 10 is composed of a CPU, and a ROM 13 and RA via a bus 12.
M14 is connected. Further, the control unit 11 is connected to various hardware units described later, and controls them according to a control program stored in the ROM 13. The RAM 14 is composed of a volatile memory such as SRAM, and stores data generated when the control program stored in the ROM 13 is executed.

The operation unit 15 is composed of various keys as will be described later, and the contents set by the operation unit 15 are displayed on the display unit 16 which is a liquid crystal display device.

The contents set by the operation unit 15 are transmitted from the transmission unit 17 to the air conditioner 20 as an infrared signal. The transmission unit 17 includes an infrared light emission unit, and adds a control signal set by the operation unit 15 to infrared light according to an operation command from the control unit 11 and transmits the infrared light to the air conditioner 20. In addition, the remote controller 10 may be provided with a notification unit that notifies by sound that an infrared signal has been transmitted.

The air conditioner 20 has a main controller 21 composed of a CPU, and is connected to a ROM 23 and a RAM 24 via a bus 22. Further, the main control unit 21 is connected to each hardware unit of the air conditioner 20 described later, and controls them according to a control program stored in the ROM 23. RAM24 is ROM23
Stores data generated when the control program stored in is executed.

The receiving unit 27 is for receiving the control signal transmitted from the remote controller 10, and the received control signal is delivered to the main control unit 21. The main control unit 21 that has received the control signal issues an operation command to the air conditioning control unit 26 to control the air conditioner 20.

2 and 3 show the operation unit 15 and the display unit 1.
It is a schematic diagram which shows the structural example of 6.

On the display unit 16, "cooling", "heating",
Determines operating modes such as "dehumidification", "automatic", and "air cleaning"
Within the selection selected by the mode selection key 15a
Temperature and humidity set with the temperature and temperature setting keys 15b.
Remote control settings such as humidity set with the Enter key 15c
The contents are displayed. The temperature setting key 15b
Up key 15b to raise₁ , And lower the set temperature
Down key 15b for saving ₂ It is composed by. same
Similarly, the humidity setting key 15c is for increasing the set humidity.
Up key 15c₁ , And dow to lower the set humidity
Key 15c₂ It is composed by. Air conditioner 20
The operation stop key 15d is pressed while the
If the air conditioner 20 is in operation,
In addition, while the air conditioner 20 is stopped, the mode selection key
If the 15a is pressed, the selected driving mode is selected.
Start driving according to the code. News key 15e is air
The air conditioner 20 is instructed to transmit the data, and the display unit of the air conditioner 20 is displayed.
The current indoor temperature, indoor humidity, and outdoor temperature are shown in (not shown).
It is meant to be shown. On the display of the air conditioner 20
Is a 7-segment LED for displaying numbers, outside temperature
LED indicating the degree, LED indicating the% mark, etc.
Is equipped with. In addition, the air conditioner 20
Not equipped with humidity sensor, room temperature sensor, and outside air temperature sensor
I am.

Further, the upper lid 18 of the remote controller 10 on which the temperature setting key 15b, the notification key 15e, etc. are arranged,
It is pivotally supported near the lower side of the remote controller 10. When the upper lid 18 is opened, the detailed setting key 15f and the reset key 15g appear as shown in FIG. Detailed settings such as air volume, wind direction, and timer can be set using the detailed setting key 15f, and RA can be set using the reset key 15g.
It is possible to delete the setting contents stored in M14. The reset key 15g is a push-button type switch that is inserted into a small hole that can be pressed only by using a thin tip such as a mechanical pencil, and is not normally used. , It cannot be pushed by mistake by human hands.

When changing information (corresponding to "first information" described in claims 1 to 4, hereinafter referred to as "identification information") indicating the correspondence between the remote controller 10 and the air conditioner 20 After the identification information stored in the RAM 14 is erased using the reset key 15g, the identification information to be input can be selected using the temperature setting key 15b.

FIG. 4 shows the display unit 1 when setting the identification information.
6 is a schematic diagram showing the contents displayed in FIG. First, the reset key 15g is pressed using a mechanical pencil or the like to erase the setting contents stored in the RAM 14. When the setting contents are erased, the initial value is set and the identification information is stored in the RAM 14. In this state, as shown in FIG. 4A, the digital display of the time shown on the display unit 16 is blinking, and it is possible to input the information of the current time.

Next, when the operation of pressing the up key 15b ₁ or the down key 15b ₂ is continued for 5 seconds, "1" is input as the identification information of the remote controller, and the display unit 16 is displayed as shown in FIG. 4B. The identification information "1" is displayed on. After the identification information on the display unit 16 is displayed, again, by the pressing operation of the up key 15b _1, identification information input is changed from "1" to "2", shown in FIG. 4 (d) Is displayed on the display unit 16 as described above. Also, after “2” is displayed as the identification information on the display unit 16, the down key 1
It is also possible to change the input identification information from “2” to “1” by pressing 5b ₂ , and the changed identification information is displayed on the display unit as shown in FIG. 1
6 is displayed.

Lastly, a predetermined time (for example, 10 seconds) has elapsed since the up key 15b ₁ or the down key 15b ₂ was pressed.
(Seconds) has elapsed, the set value of the identification information is confirmed.

After the remote controller 10 is reset, if a predetermined time (for example, 15 seconds) elapses without touching the up key 15b ₁ or the down key 15b ₂ , the set value of the identification information is fixed as the initial value. . In this case, the set value of the identification information is displayed on the display unit 16 as shown in FIG.
Since it is not displayed in, the value cannot be known to the user. When the user wants to know, the remote controller is reset again and the up key 15b ₁ or the down key 15b _{2 is} pressed.
It is necessary to keep pressing for 5 seconds or more to display the identification information "1" on the display unit 16. Press the up key 15b ₁ or the down key 15b ₂ to display the identification information.
If you press and hold for more than one second, the initial setting value is not changed.
This pressing operation for 5 seconds is only a request for displaying the identification information, and the up key 15b ₁ or the down key 1 after that.
This is performed because of a setting value change request according to 5b ₂ . For a general user, there is almost no need to display the identification information, and only a specific user who needs to distinguish and use a plurality of remote controllers needs to change and confirm the identification information. The identification information is displayed only when

Then, when the input of the identification information to be transmitted to the air conditioner 20 is completed and the notification key 15e is pressed, the identification information is transmitted to the air conditioner 20 together with the control signal. The identification information is transmitted to the air conditioner 20 together with the control signal by depressing not only the notification key 15e but also a mode selection key 15a or the like that can be transmitted to the air conditioner 20.

FIG. 5 shows the air conditioner 20 from the remote controller 10.
It is explanatory drawing explaining the structural example of the control signal transmitted to. The control signal transmitted from the remote controller 10 to the air conditioner 20 is an infrared wireless signal and conforms to the recommended format by the Home Appliance Association. In FIG. 5, the signal P1 and the signal D0 are 8 bits in total, and similarly,
The total of the signal D10 and the signal P2 is 8 bits. Each of the other signals has 8 bits and is composed of a total of 104 bits.

"0001" is set in the lower 4 bits of the signal D3.
Alternatively, the header information of “0010” (corresponding to the above-mentioned identification information “1” or “2”, respectively) is added. Also,
Specific information “1111” (corresponding to the second information described in claims) or a normal signal “0001” is added to the signal D10. If the battery, which is the power source for the remote controller, is removed and then inserted again, or if the reset key 15g is pressed, the remote controller is reset and the RAM
The setting contents stored in 14 are initialized. When the control signal is transmitted for the first time after the reset, the specific information “1111” is added to the signal D10, and the normal signal “0001” is added after the second time.

When the control signal is received by the air conditioner 20, the main controller 21 of the air conditioner 20 determines whether or not the signal D10 includes the specific information "1111".
When the specific information “1111” is included, the signal D
The lower 4-bit header information of 3 is stored in the RAM 24 of the air conditioner 20 as identification information of the remote controller 10. After that, when the air conditioner 20 receives the control signal issued by the remote controller 10, the identification information stored in the RAM 24 of the air conditioner 20 is compared with the identification information corresponding to the header information of the newly received control signal. , The main control unit 21 validates the control signal only when they match, and the main control unit 21 sets the air conditioning control unit 26
To issue an operation command to control the air conditioner 20.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a procedure for changing the identification information stored in the air conditioner 20.

The control unit 11 determines whether or not the reset key 15g is pressed (step S1). When the reset key 15g is not pressed (S1: NO), the process waits until the reset key 15g is pressed. When the reset key 15g is pressed (S1: YE
S), it is determined whether or not the pressing operation of the temperature setting key 15b (up key 15b ₁ or down key 15b ₂ ) is continued for 5 seconds (step S2). Temperature setting key 15b
When the pressing operation of is continued for 5 seconds (S2: YE
S), "1" is displayed on the display unit 16 as the identification information (step S3).

Next, the control section 11 controls the up key 15b.
_It is determined whether or not the pressing operation of ₁ is performed (step S
4). If the up key 15b ₁ is not pressed (S
4: NO), and it is determined whether the second predetermined time has elapsed since the pressing operation of the temperature setting key 15b was performed for 5 seconds (step S5). When the second predetermined time has not elapsed (step S5: NO), the process is returned to S4. When the second predetermined time has elapsed (S5: YES), the identification information to be transmitted to the air conditioner 20 is confirmed (step S).
6).

In step S4, when the up key 15b ₁ is pressed (S4: YES), as identification information,
"2" is displayed on the display unit 16 (step S7). Next, the control unit 11 determines whether or not the down key 15b ₂ is pressed (step S8). Down key 1
If there is a pressing operation of 5b ₂ (S8: YES), the process returns to S3. When the down key 15b ₂ is not pressed (S8: NO), the control unit 11 determines whether or not the second predetermined time has elapsed after the temperature setting key 15b was pressed for 5 seconds (step S8). S9). When the second predetermined time has not elapsed (S9: NO), the process is returned to S8. When the second predetermined time has elapsed (S9: YE
S), the identification information is confirmed (step S6).

In step S2, if the pressing operation of the temperature setting key 15b is not continued for 5 seconds (S2: NO), whether or not the first predetermined time has elapsed since the pressing operation of the reset key 15g was performed. Is determined (step S10). If the first predetermined time has not elapsed, the process proceeds to step S
Return to 2 and the first predetermined time has elapsed (S10: Y
ES), the identification information is set to the initial value (for example, "1") (step S6).

After the identification information is confirmed, the control section 11 determines whether or not there is a control signal transmission command by pressing the notification key 15e or the like (step S11). If there is no transmission command (S11: NO), wait until there is a control signal transmission command, and if there is a transmission command (S11: YE
S), and transmits a control signal to the air conditioner 20 (step S12).

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a procedure for changing the identification information based on the control signal received by the air conditioner 20.

The main control section 21 of the air conditioner 20 determines whether or not the receiving section 27 has received the control signal transmitted from the remote controller 10 (step S21). When the control signal is not received (S21: NO), it waits until the control signal is received, and when the control signal is received (S21: YE
S), the main control unit 21 of the air conditioner 20 determines whether or not the received control signal includes the specific information (step S22). When the control signal includes specific information (S
22: YES), the identification information for identifying the remote controller 10 is stored in the RAM 24 of the air conditioner 20 (step S2).
3) Then, the change of the identification information is completed. When the control signal does not include the specific information (S22: NO), the air conditioner 2
0 is ended without changing the identification information stored in the RAM 24.

As described above, in the remote controller 10 of the present invention,
It is not necessary to provide a new hardware key only for inputting the identification information, and the identification information can be easily input.

In the present embodiment, when the identification information of the remote controller 10 is input, the reset key 15g is pressed before the identification information is input. However, the power source (dry battery) for operating the remote controller 10 is used. Alternatively, the identification information stored in the RAM 14 can be erased by removing the button battery).

The identification information of the remote controller 10 is "1".
Although two types of “2” and “2” have been described, any natural number can be used as the value acquired as the identification information.

In the present embodiment, the air conditioner has been described, but instead of the air conditioner, a CD player, a DV, etc.
It may be a device that uses a remote controller, such as a D player, a television, a video tape recorder, or a lighting device.

[0045]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, the controlled device stores the first information when the control signal transmitted from the control device includes the second information. A first information stored in the storage means and the first information included in the control signal received after the first information is stored.
When the information is compared with each other and the two match, the controlled device is controlled. Therefore, when the first information for identifying the control device is stored in the controlled device, the power of the controlled device is changed. It is possible to easily store the first information without having to perform an operation such as dropping. Further, since the control device is provided with the means for inputting the first information, when a plurality of sets of the control device and the controlled device are installed, the user can input different first information to each control device. It is possible to prevent erroneous control of a controlled device that is not intended by the.

According to the present invention, when the information stored in the storage means of the control device is initialized, the second information is added to the control signal to be transmitted to the controlled device. Therefore, for example, when the control signal is transmitted to the controlled device after the power supply of the control device is reset to erase the content of the first information stored in the storage means of the control device,
The second information is automatically added to the transmitted control signal,
The first information included in the control signal is stored in the storage unit of the controlled device which has received the control signal including the information.
Therefore, it becomes possible to easily set the information for identifying the control device without operating the controlled device.

In the present invention, for example, when the power of the control device is removed and then turned on again to initialize the information stored in the storage means, the control signal is transmitted after the initialization. Only during the period until the input of the first information is accepted. Therefore, normally, the control device can be used only for controlling the controlled device, and it is possible to prevent erroneous change of the first information.

The present invention is provided with the first information display means for identifying the control device, and the first information can be inputted by means of the control signal. Therefore, it is possible to input the first information while confirming it by the display means, so that the information for identifying the control device can be set without error. Moreover, since the first information can be input by the means for inputting the control signal of the controlled device, it is not necessary to provide a new input means only for inputting the first information, and the manufacturing cost of the control device can be reduced. It has an excellent effect that it can be lowered.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a remote controller and an air conditioner.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration example of an operation unit and a display unit.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration example of an operation unit and a display unit.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing contents displayed on a display unit when setting identification information.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration example of a control signal transmitted from the remote controller to the air conditioner.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a procedure for changing identification information stored in the air conditioner.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a procedure for changing identification information based on a control signal received by the air conditioner.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 remote control 11 Control unit 12 buses 13 ROM 14 RAM 15 Operation part 16 Display 17 Transmitter 18 Top lid 20 Air conditioner 21 Main controller 22 bus 23 ROM 24 RAM 25 Operation part 26 Air conditioning control unit 27 Receiver

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A control system configured to control the controlled device based on a control signal transmitted from the control device to the controlled device, the control device comprising: An input unit that receives input of one information, a storage unit that stores the input first information, a signal generation unit that generates a control signal including the first information, and a transmission unit that transmits the control signal. The controlled device receives a control signal transmitted from the control device, a receiving device that determines whether the received control signal includes second information, and the control signal includes the receiving device. Second
If information is included, the first included in the control signal
Storage means for storing information; comparison means for comparing the first information stored in the storage means with the first information included in the control signal received after the storage means stores the first information; A control system comprising: control means for controlling based on the control signal when both of them match as a result of comparison by the comparison means. 2. A means for generating a signal to initialize the information stored in the storage means of the control device, and to the controlled device when the signal to initialize the information is generated by the means. The control system according to claim 1, further comprising means for adding the second information to a control signal to be transmitted, in the control device. 3. The input of the first information is accepted only after the information stored in the storage means is initialized and before the control signal is transmitted to the controlled device. The control system according to claim 1 or 2, which is characterized. 4. The control device further comprises display means for displaying the first information, and the first information can be inputted by means for receiving the input of the control signal. The control system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.