JP2009133550A - Air conditioner control device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To operate an indoor unit regardless of a user by an information processing terminal. <P>SOLUTION: An identification number (an IP address 45) of the personal computer 6 and an identification number 49 of the indoor unit 16 operated by the personal computer 6 are previously registered in the personal computer 6 and an air conditioner control device 4 communicating with the indoor unit 16 with correspondence between them. When the user accesses the air conditioner control device 4 by the personal computer 6, the air conditioner control device 4 verifies the IP address 45, and if it is the registered personal computer, an operation screen 46 of the indoor unit 16 corresponding to the personal computer 6 is displayed on the personal computer 6, and the user performs operation for the indoor unit 16 using the operation screen 46. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an air conditioner control device capable of operating an indoor unit of an air conditioner with an information processing terminal and an air conditioning system using the same.

  Generally, an indoor unit of an air conditioner is operated with a dedicated remote controller provided in the vicinity of each indoor unit. However, since it is necessary to go to the dedicated remote controller every time the indoor unit is operated, and it is not easy to use, it is desired to operate the indoor unit without using the dedicated remote controller.

  For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for solving such a problem. In Patent Document 1, an air conditioner control apparatus that can communicate with an information processing terminal (personal computer) and an indoor unit, user identification information including an ID and password of the user of the indoor unit, and an indoor unit that can be operated by the user Is registered in advance. The user accesses the air conditioner control device with a personal computer and inputs the user identification information. The air conditioner control device performs user confirmation based on the user identification information, and if confirmed, responds to the user identification information. The registered indoor unit can be operated.

Japanese Patent Publication No. 2004-301435

  However, in order to operate the indoor unit in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to input user identification information on a personal computer, whether it is a general user or a special user such as an administrator or a maintenance inspector. In particular, when the general user only operates the indoor unit, the input operation of the user identification information is troublesome. In addition, for example, when Patent Document 1 is used in an office or the like, an indoor unit that can be operated with user identification information is determined, and therefore, a user who can operate an indoor unit on the first floor with a personal computer on the first floor in the workplace. However, when the workplace changes to the second floor due to a change, it is necessary to change the registration so that the changed user can operate the indoor unit on the second floor. Furthermore, when the user forgets to change the registration, there is a possibility that the indoor unit that the user wants to operate and the indoor unit that can be actually operated remain different from each other and that the user may operate erroneously. Therefore, in the above case, it is convenient and desirable to be able to operate the indoor unit near the personal computer regardless of the user.

  The problem to be solved by the present invention is to enable operation of an indoor unit at an information processing terminal regardless of a user.

  In order to solve the above problems, an air conditioner control device according to the present invention includes an arithmetic processing unit, a storage unit, a communication unit capable of communicating with a plurality of information processing terminals via a communication network, and a plurality of indoor units of the air conditioner. Air conditioner communication means communicable with the machine, an internal bus connected to these means, and a program stored in a storage means for operating the arithmetic processing means, the arithmetic processing means operates based on the program The information processing terminal request command input via the communication network is captured, and the indoor unit operation screen is displayed on the information processing terminal display screen in response to the request command, and input from the operation screen via the communication network. In the air conditioner control apparatus for operating an indoor unit by transmitting the operation command to the indoor unit via the air conditioner communication unit, the storage unit And a correspondence table in which the identification information of at least one indoor unit that allows an operation by the information processing terminal is stored in association with each other, and the arithmetic processing means includes a request instruction of the information processing terminal for identifying the information processing terminal When there is identification information that matches the identification information by searching the correspondence table when the information is entered together with the information, the operation screen is displayed on the display screen of the information processing terminal corresponding to the identification information, and is input from the operation screen. The operation command is transmitted to the corresponding indoor unit.

  According to the present invention, if the identification information of the information processing terminal and the identification information of the indoor unit to be operated by the information processing terminal (usually an indoor unit near the information processing terminal) are associated with each other and stored in the correspondence table, A specific indoor unit can be operated by a specific information processing terminal regardless of the person. Therefore, as described above, even if the user on the first floor moves to the second floor due to a change, the indoor unit can be operated from a nearby information processing terminal without any registration change. Moreover, since user identification information is not required, the trouble of inputting user identification information can be saved. When a plurality of indoor units are associated with one information processing terminal, an operation screen of the plurality of indoor units may be displayed when the information processing terminal accesses the air conditioner control device. desirable.

  In addition, when a request command of the information processing terminal is input together with the identification information of the information processing terminal, the arithmetic processing means searches the correspondence table and corresponds to the identification information if there is no identification information that matches the identification information. A terminal registration screen for associating the information processing terminal with the indoor unit is displayed on the display screen of the information processing terminal, and the information input from the terminal registration screen is used to display the information processing terminal identification information and the indoor unit identification in the correspondence table. It can also be configured to store information.

  According to this, even when the identification information of the operated information processing terminal and the identification information of the indoor unit to be operated are not associated with each other, they can be associated using the terminal registration screen. A general user or an administrator may be associated, but an administrator is preferable. It is also possible to associate a plurality of indoor units with one information processing terminal and associate a plurality of information processing terminals with one indoor unit. Further, it is preferable that the identification information of the information processing terminal is an Internet protocol (IP) address.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, operation of an indoor unit is attained regardless of a user with an information processing terminal.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of an air conditioning system using an air conditioner control device of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, a general personal computer is applied to the information processing terminal, and the personal computer identification information is an IP address.

  FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an air conditioning system 2 using the air conditioner control device of the present invention. The air conditioning system 2 includes an air conditioner control device 4, a personal computer 6, and an air conditioner 8. The air conditioner control device 4 and the personal computer 6 can communicate with each other via the Internet 10, and the air conditioner control device 4 and the air conditioner 8 can communicate with each other via the communication line 12. The air conditioner 8 includes an outdoor unit 14, an indoor unit 16, and an operation remote controller 18.

  FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of the air conditioner control device 4. As shown in FIG. 2, the air conditioner control device 4 includes an arithmetic processing means 20, a storage means 22, a communication means 24, an air conditioner communication means 26, and an internal bus 28 connected to these means. I have. The communication means 24 can communicate with the personal computer 6, and the air conditioner communication means 26 can communicate with the indoor unit 14. The storage means 22 stores user identification information 29 including a program 30, a correspondence table 31, and a user ID and a password corresponding to the user ID. In the correspondence table 31, the IP address 45 of the personal computer 6 and the identification number 49 of the indoor unit 16 that can be operated by the personal computer 6 are stored in association with each other, which will be described later. The program 30 includes a personal computer management program 33, an air conditioner control program 35, and other control programs. The arithmetic processing means 20 is configured to operate based on the program 30.

  FIG. 3 shows the configuration of the personal computer 6. As shown in FIG. 3, the personal computer 6 includes an arithmetic processing unit 32, a storage unit 34, an input unit 36, a display unit 38, a communication unit 40, and an internal bus 42 connected to these units. ing. The communication means 40 can communicate with the air conditioner control device 4. The storage unit 34 stores a program 44 and an IP address 45. The arithmetic processing means 32 is configured to operate based on the program 44.

  FIG. 4 is an example of an operation screen for operating the indoor unit 16. In this example, the operation screen 46 includes a setting display screen 48, an operation lamp 50, an operation / stop button 52, a temperature adjustment 54, an operation switching 56, an air volume button 58, an air direction button 60, and a transmission button 62. With. On the setting display screen 48, an identification number 49 of the indoor unit 16 to be operated, 8 operation data transmitted from the indoor unit 16, and the like are displayed. The operation lamp 50 is turned on when the indoor unit 16 is operating, and is turned off when the indoor unit 16 is stopped. The operation / stop button 52 is used to operate / stop the indoor unit 16. The temperature adjustment 54 is used for temperature adjustment of the indoor unit 16. The operation switching 56 is used for operation switching such as cooling / heating of the indoor unit 16. The air volume button 58 is used for changing the air volume of the indoor unit 16, and the air direction button 60 is used for changing the air blowing direction. The send button 62 is used to send these operation commands to the indoor unit 16 after adjusting the temperature, changing the air volume, and the like.

  FIG. 5 shows a user authentication screen 64 displayed on the personal computer 6 when the unregistered personal computer 6 accesses the air machine control device 4. FIG. 6 sets and registers the indoor unit 16 that can be operated on the personal computer 6. Is a personal computer registration screen 66 for this purpose, which will be described later.

  Next, the operation of the present embodiment configured as described above will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 shows a procedure for operating the indoor unit 16 with the personal computer 6. In step 1, the personal computer 6 accesses the air conditioner control device 4. In this embodiment, an address is input to a general web browser for access. When accessing with the personal computer 6, the IP address 45 of the personal computer 6 is transmitted to the air conditioner control apparatus 4 via a web browser. In step 2, the air conditioner control device 4 checks whether the transmitted IP address 45 is stored in the correspondence table 31 by the personal computer management program 33, and determines whether it is a registered personal computer. If it is a registered personal computer, the process proceeds to step 3a.

  In step 3 a, the air conditioner control device 4 searches the correspondence table 31 by the personal computer management program 33, and the indoor unit 16 associated with the IP address 45, that is, the indoor unit set to be operable on the personal computer 6. 16 operation screens 46 are displayed on the personal computer 6 via the web browser. In step 4, when the user of the indoor unit 16 inputs an operation command using the operation screen 46, the operation command is transmitted to the air conditioner control device 4 via the web browser. The air conditioner control program 35 of the air conditioner control device 4 transmits an operation command to the corresponding indoor unit 16 via the communication line 12. The indoor unit 16 is operated on the personal computer 6 in the above procedure.

  If the personal computer 6 is not a registered personal computer in step 2, it is determined that the personal computer 6 is not a registered personal computer, and the process proceeds to step 3b. In step 3b, the air conditioner control device 4 causes the personal computer management program 33 to display the user authentication screen 64 on the personal computer 6 via the web browser. When the user of the indoor unit 16 inputs the user identification information 29 using the user authentication screen 64, the input command is transmitted to the air conditioner control device 4 via the web browser. The air conditioner control device 4 checks whether the user identification information 29 is stored in the storage unit 22 by the personal computer management program 33 and determines whether the user is a legitimate user. If it is an authorized user, the process proceeds to step 3c.

  In step 3c, the air conditioner control device 4 causes the personal computer management program 33 to display the personal computer registration screen 66 on the personal computer 6 via the web browser. The user of the indoor unit 16 selects and registers the indoor unit 16 that is desired to be operable on the personal computer 6 from the indoor units 16 displayed on the personal computer registration screen 66. At this time, the indoor unit 16 displayed on the personal computer registration screen 66 is determined by authority predetermined for the user. For example, when the user is an air conditioner manager, all indoor units 16 in the building are displayed. When registration is completed, the process proceeds to step 3a described above.

  As described above, according to the air conditioner control device 4 of the present embodiment, the IP address 45 of the personal computer 6 and the identification number 49 of the indoor unit 16 to be operated by the personal computer 6 are associated with each other and stored in the correspondence table 31 in advance. In this case, the indoor unit 16 can be operated by the personal computer 6 regardless of the user. Therefore, even if the user changes, the indoor unit 16 can be operated from the personal computer 6 without any registration change. Moreover, since user identification information is not required, the trouble of inputting user identification information can be saved.

  Further, even when the IP address 45 of the operated personal computer 6 and the identification number 49 of the indoor unit 16 to be operated are not associated, they can be associated using the personal computer registration screen 66. A plurality of indoor units 16 can be associated with one personal computer 6, and a plurality of personal computers 6 can be associated with one indoor unit 16.

  In the present embodiment, the air conditioner control device 4 may include a display unit and an input unit. In addition, the personal computer 6 accesses the air conditioner control device 4 using a general web browser. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and dedicated software for operating the air conditioner 8 via the air conditioner control device 4 on the personal computer 6 is provided. The identification information of the personal computer 6 may be other than the IP address 45.

It is a lineblock diagram showing an air-conditioning system using an air-conditioner control device of the present invention. It is a block diagram of an air conditioning machine control apparatus. It is a block diagram of a personal computer. It is the operation screen of the indoor unit displayed on the personal computer. It is a user authentication screen displayed on a personal computer. It is a personal computer registration screen displayed on the personal computer. It is a procedure for operating an air conditioner with a personal computer.

Explanation of symbols

4 Air Conditioner Controller 6 Personal Computer 14 Outdoor Unit 16 Indoor Unit 31 Corresponding Table 33 Personal Computer Management Program 45 IP Address 46 Indoor Unit Operation Screen 49 Indoor Unit Identification Number 66 Personal Computer Registration Screen

Claims (4)

Arithmetic processing means, storage means, communication means capable of communicating with a plurality of information processing terminals via a communication network, air conditioner communication means capable of communicating with a plurality of indoor units of an air conditioner, and connection to these means An internal bus and a program stored in the storage means for operating the arithmetic processing means,
The arithmetic processing means is operated based on the program, fetches a request command of the information processing terminal input via the communication network, and displays an operation screen of the indoor unit according to the request command. The operation command input from the operation screen via the communication network is captured, and the operation command is transmitted to the indoor unit via the air conditioner communication means to operate the indoor unit. In the air conditioner control device to
The storage means includes a correspondence table in which identification information of the information processing terminal and identification information of at least one indoor unit that allows an operation by the information processing terminal are stored in association with each other.
When the request command of the information processing terminal is input together with the identification information of the information processing terminal, the arithmetic processing means searches the correspondence table and if there is identification information that matches the identification information, the identification information An air conditioner control apparatus that displays the operation screen on a display screen of an information processing terminal corresponding to, and transmits the operation command input from the operation screen to the corresponding indoor unit. In the air conditioner control device according to claim 1,
When the request command of the information processing terminal is input together with the identification information of the information processing terminal, the arithmetic processing means searches the correspondence table and if there is no identification information that matches the identification information, the identification information A terminal registration screen for associating the information processing terminal and the indoor unit is displayed on the display screen of the information processing terminal corresponding to the information processing terminal, and an instruction input from the terminal registration screen displays the information processing terminal in the correspondence table. An air conditioner control device that stores identification information and identification information of the indoor unit. In the air conditioner control device according to claim 1 or 2,
The air conditioner control device, wherein the identification information of the information processing terminal is an Internet protocol (IP) address. The air conditioner control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, an air conditioner that can communicate with the air conditioner control device, and a plurality of information that can communicate with the air conditioner control device via a communication network. A control system for an air conditioner comprising a processing terminal.

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