JP2011094965A - Air conditioner and air conditioning system including the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an air conditioner and an air conditioning system including the air conditioner, accurately obtaining a position of a user in a room in a lateral direction and a longitudinal direction. <P>SOLUTION: This air conditioner is equipped with: a fan for distributing wind; a vane for changing a wind direction; infrared ray transmitting/receiving sections 24, 25 performing bidirectional communication with a remote controller 10; a multiple thermopile sensor 26 detecting infrared ray; and an air conditioner control means. The air conditioner control means determines the presence of an user in the direction where the infrared ray is detected in the case where signals are simultaneously input from the remote controller 10 through the infrared ray transmitting and receiving sections 24, 25, when the multiple thermopile sensor 26 detects the infrared ray, and receives a distance between an air conditioner 20 and the remote controller 10 from the remote controller 10 through an air conditioner communication means, to control the fan and the vane on the basis of the received distance, and thus to provide the user with an air conditioning service. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an air conditioner and an air conditioner system including the air conditioner.

Further, in a conventional air conditioner, the position (angle) of the human body in the left-right direction (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the lateral direction) in a room is determined by a detector (for example, a move eye (trademark) of Mitsubishi Electric). And a method of performing air-conditioning control without energy unevenness by sending wind at an appropriate temperature in that direction. (For example, see Non-Patent Document 1)
On the other hand, the method for detecting the distance from the air conditioner to the human body, that is, the distance from the air conditioner to the human body in the perspective direction (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the vertical direction) extending vertically is calculated from the size of the detected human body. Calculated.

  In addition, when the user inputs air conditioning characteristic information according to his / her constitution by a question-and-answer system, air conditioning information is automatically determined based on the input information based on a predetermined arithmetic expression, and air conditioning control is performed based on the air conditioning information. Is disclosed. (For example, see Patent Document 1)

  In addition, personal face information (facial feature information) is recognized by the camera, personal information according to the face information and constitution is registered in advance by a remote control, and during air-conditioning control, personal identification is performed by face recognition, It is disclosed that air conditioning and lighting are adjusted based on information set and registered by the individual. (For example, see Patent Document 2)

  In addition, home appliances have a remote controller, and various settings can be made. A human body motion detection unit such as an infrared sensor or CMOS camera sensor is installed in the bathroom, and if it is determined that there is an abnormality in the human body, it notifies the hot water remote control by communication, so that the hot water remote control does not worsen the human body abnormality. Controls warning display. In addition, a hot water supply remote controller is disclosed that performs bidirectional communication in which a received abnormality can be transferred to an external terminal. (For example, see Patent Document 3)

  In addition, a method is disclosed in which diagnosis is performed in accordance with a failure diagnosis command from a remote controller, and failure information is displayed as a diagnosis result on the device main body or the remote controller or transferred over a network. (For example, see Patent Documents 4 to 6)

  Further, human body detection may be performed using a thermal pixel image. (For example, refer to Patent Document 7) The human body detection position is rough, and the distance extending vertically from the air conditioner is calculated from the size of the detected object.

JP 2003-5040 (paragraphs 0019 to 0040, FIGS. 1 to 7) Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 05-35877 (paragraphs 0010 to 0021, FIGS. 2 to 4 and 6) JP 2002-236983 (paragraphs 0028, 0037 to 0040, FIGS. 1 and 2) JP 05-157313 A (paragraphs 0008 to 0009, FIGS. 2 to 4) Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 07-318142 (paragraph 0026, FIGS. 2 to 4) JP 2000-324565 A (paragraphs 0014 to 0016, 0019 to 0020, FIGS. 1 and 3) Japanese Patent Application No. 2006-243236 (paragraph 0020, FIGS. 1 to 3)

Mitsubishi Electric Slim Air Conditioner Catalog (issued in December 2005) (Pages 5-6)

  As shown in Non-Patent Document 1, it is conventionally possible to perform air conditioning control by scanning a room in the horizontal direction to detect a human body. However, when detecting the distance in the vertical direction, the conventional method of calculating the distance from the size of the human body has errors in the detector itself, a decrease in the heat sensing range of the human body such as cold hands and feet due to poor physical condition, physique etc. Due to various reasons such as individual differences, errors are likely to occur in the human body detection distance (vertical distance) calculated from the air conditioner.

  Further, in the conventional example shown in Patent Document 1, the user manually sets the temperature and wind direction that seems to be comfortable, but the user cannot easily switch between hot and cold, and the convenience is low and the comfort is low. Tend to.

  In the conventional example shown in Patent Document 2, air conditioning is automatically controlled based on personal registration information (constitution) identified by face recognition, but this information remains unchanged unless reset. Because the location of the user and the constitution of the user constantly change, it does not match the air conditioning information. Therefore, the comfort and convenience of air conditioning control has not been improved as usual.

  In addition, in the conventional example shown in Patent Document 3, a form of connecting to a network and performing a service is disclosed, but it is necessary to provide a network connection device such as a wireless LAN so that home appliances and remote controllers can be connected to the network. Furthermore, connection setting work to an existing wireless LAN or the like is necessary, and specialized knowledge is required.

  Further, in the conventional examples shown in Patent Documents 4 to 6, there are disclosed methods for displaying failure information on a device main body or a remote controller, or transferring the information via a network. However, it was necessary to convey the error number to the call center, to be handled by a person at the call center, and to contact the worker in charge.

  Further, in the method of determining the position of the human body according to the temperature as shown in Patent Document 7, the position where the human body is detected is rough and is affected by the environmental temperature such as hot and cold, so that it is easy to include an error. It is possible to provide a mechanism (sensor) that measures the distance to the air conditioner and measure and control the distance. However, when detecting a human body, it is measured at a different position each time, unlike furniture. If the sensor is separated from the sensor, an error occurs due to the accuracy of the sensor and a distance measuring sensor is required, resulting in an expensive configuration.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and provides an air conditioner that accurately grasps the position of a user in a room in a horizontal direction and a vertical direction, and an air conditioning system including the air conditioner. The purpose is to do.

  An air conditioner according to the present invention includes a fan that sends out wind, a vane that changes the direction of the wind, an air conditioner communication unit that performs bidirectional communication with the remote controller for air conditioning, and an infrared detection unit that detects infrared rays. And a driving means for scanning the infrared detection means in the horizontal direction, and an air conditioner control means. The air conditioner control means controls the drive means so that the infrared detection means detects infrared rays. When a signal is simultaneously input from the air conditioner remote controller via the air conditioner communication means, it is determined that there is a user in the direction in which the infrared rays are detected, and the air conditioner communication means is determined via the air conditioner communication means. From the remote controller, the distance between the air conditioner and the air conditioning remote controller is received, and the fan and the vane are controlled based on the received distance, Serial to the user is to provide an air-conditioning service.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to accurately grasp the position of the user in the room in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction.

It is a system configuration diagram including a remote controller according to the present invention. It is a schematic diagram explaining the outline | summary of Embodiment 1 of the air conditioning system which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart explaining operation | movement of Embodiment 1 of the air conditioning system which concerns on this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the distance of the vertical direction between the air conditioner and remote control in Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is explanatory drawing explaining the distance measurement of the vertical direction in Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a system block diagram containing the remote controller in Embodiment 2 of this invention.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram including a remote controller (hereinafter referred to as a remote controller) according to the present invention, and shows the configuration of the remote controller at the same time. As shown in FIG. 1, the system includes a remote controller 10 and an air conditioner 20 that is an operation target device. The remote controller 10 includes an MPU (microprocessor) 11 that is a control means, and a RAM 12 that stores various data and tables. A ROM 13 for storing programs and fixed data, an infrared transmission unit 14, an infrared reception unit 15, an input unit 16 for inputting user setting information from the outside including various switches and buttons, and a liquid crystal display. The display unit 17 displays information, the audio output unit 18 outputs sound, the biological information detection unit 19, and the temperature / humidity detection unit 1A.
The air conditioner 20 includes an MPU (microprocessor) 21, a RAM 22 that stores various data and tables, a ROM 23 that stores programs and fixed data, an infrared transmitter 24, an infrared receiver 25, and an indoor infrared Is composed of a multi-eye thermopile sensor 26 for detecting the image and a display unit 27 such as a liquid crystal display.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining the outline of the first embodiment of the air conditioning system according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of Embodiment 1 of the air-conditioning system according to the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the distance in the vertical direction between the air conditioner and the remote controller in the first embodiment of the air conditioning system according to the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram for explaining the distance measurement in the vertical direction in the first embodiment.
Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 2, the air conditioner main body, which is an air conditioner, detects infrared rays using a multi-eye thermopile 26 to detect a lateral position. In this example, the user and the television are shown as heat generation sources that emit infrared rays into the room. In the display section of the air conditioner, the room is divided into six areas, and one heat generation source is arranged in each of the two areas. Further, this information feeds back the human body detection information detected by the temperature sensor of the air conditioner 20 from the air conditioner to the remote control by bidirectional communication between the remote controller 10 and the air conditioner 20.

Further, a more accurate distance can be obtained by calculating and correcting the distance from the information arrival speed and time communicated with each other when the user operates the remote controller 10.
In this case, the operation is as follows.
The MPU 21 as the control means of the air conditioner 20 specifies the size of the user's face and physique from the user's infrared rays detected by the multi-eye thermopile sensor 26, and the size of the physique and the size of a general adult. Then, the distance to the user is calculated using a predetermined arithmetic expression. Then, after dividing the room into a plurality of areas, the area where the user is located is marked and displayed on the display unit 27 based on the calculated distance, and at least the distance from the air conditioner 20 to the position of the user Alternatively, any of the area information is transmitted to the remote controller 10 via the infrared transmission unit 25.
When the remote controller 10 receives the distance information from the air conditioner 20 via the infrared receiver 15, the remote controller 10 displays the received distance information on the display unit 17 and the temperature of the user's body temperature detected by the biological information detector 19. Calculate the error. In this case, the body temperature measured directly than the temperature information detected by infrared rays causes the temperature user to check the distance information (area information) more accurately. The user confirms the area information displayed on the display unit of the remote controller 10, and if the area where the user is located is different from the area displayed on the display unit, the user can use the buttons provided for each area. Correct the information. Further, the remote controller 10 transmits the area correction information to the air conditioner 20 via the infrared transmission unit 14. When the air conditioner 20 receives the area correction information from the remote control 10 via the infrared reception unit 24, the remote control 10 receives the area correction information. The area is corrected based on the area correction information. Thereby, in the air conditioner 20, since a user's position is pinpointed also based on the corrected area information, more appropriate air conditioning control can be performed.

  The correction of the distance will be described with reference to FIG. The user can set, for example, a hot mode or a cold mode by operating a desired button among a plurality of buttons mounted on the remote controller 10. In addition, various modes such as a baby mode when a baby is present and a student mode when a student is present can be selected. With these settings, a control signal indicating the corresponding mode is transmitted from the remote controller 10 to the air conditioner 20 (step S31). When the air conditioner 20 receives the control signal from the remote controller 10, the air conditioner performs air conditioning control based on the control signal, divides the room into a plurality of areas, and positions of the human body including the user based on the distance of the human body detected so far. The information is marked on the corresponding area by a method such as color or blinking, displayed on the display unit 27, and transmitted to the remote controller 10 as human body detection information (step S32). The remote controller 10 that has received the human body detection information displays this information on the display unit to allow the user to confirm. When the user confirms the human body detection information (human body position information) in the marked area of the display screen, the current actual position information is visually checked and compared to determine whether there is an error displayed ( Step S33). If there is an error as a result of the comparison, the correction is necessary. Therefore, the correction is performed by operating the remote controller, and the correction information is transmitted to the air conditioner 20. Thereby, the air conditioner 20 corrects and learns the human body detection information (human body position information) based on the correction information (step S34), and proceeds to step S35. The learned human body detection information is reflected in the air conditioning control after the next time. If there is no error as a result of the comparison in step S33, the process proceeds directly to step S35. In step S35, the air conditioner 20 provides an air conditioning service and executes human body detection processing (measurement of the distance to the human body). If a human body is detected, the corresponding area is marked by a method such as color or blinking and displayed on the display unit 27, and whether the detection information (position information of the human body) has changed is checked (step S36). ) Only when there is a change in the human body detection information due to the movement of the human body, the human body detection information is transmitted from the air conditioner 20 to the remote controller 10 (step S37), and the process returns to step S33. If there is no change in the human body detection information in step S37, the process returns to step S35.

  The distance from the air conditioner 20 to the user who owns the remote controller 10 is easily and accurately calculated from the infrared flight time used for bidirectional communication. Specifically, the infrared light is transmitted from the air conditioner 20 to the remote controller 10, and the MPU 11 of the remote controller 10 that receives the information included in the infrared rays via the infrared receiver 15 includes the time including the internal processing time in the information. Return plus. As a result, the round trip flight time of the infrared rays is obtained by subtracting the remote control internal processing time from the time from the completion of infrared transmission to the start of infrared reception, and half of this is the one-way flight time. The distance can be estimated easily. In the case of transmission from the remote controller 10, the distance can be estimated in the same manner. When there are a plurality of users and there are a plurality of human body detections, the one with the smallest error from the distance is assumed to be positive. Further, when it is determined that a plurality of users have the same distance below a certain threshold value, it is possible to apply distance measurement of two-way communication to a plurality of users. Of course, when multiple users are in the same area, it is possible to give the same value to all users.

  When you want to measure the distance, if there are multiple devices such as ZigBee (IEEE802.15.4) remote controller that performs wireless communication, the same method is used, and the distance is obtained by trigonometry with two air conditioners including the remote controller. In both infrared communication and wireless communication, it is possible to attach a plurality of infrared light receiving units and antenna devices to one air conditioner, and it is also possible to measure the distance from the remote controller with a single air conditioner such as a stereo camera. In the system configuration of the present invention, it is possible to reduce the number of sensors from three types of communication device, distance sensor, and human body detection sensor to two types of communication device and human body detection sensor.

  In addition to the above, the present invention can be similarly applied to the case of detecting the bed temperature near the user with a thermopile of other elements, or to an air conditioner that detects human bodies using images such as a CMOS sensor. It is also possible to provide a plurality of infrared light receivers or transmitters and determine the direction and distance of the user who has performed the remote control operation from the signal reception speed. Although the position of the remote controller may be different from the position where the user usually spends as the user moves in the room, the position operated by the remote controller (the position of the destination) is detected by the air conditioner 20, and both the air conditioner 20 and the remote controller 10 are detected. By direct communication, the distance to the human body detected by the air conditioner is corrected on the remote controller 10 by a user operation, and the corrected distance is reflected on the air conditioner 20 to correct the distance of the destination.

  If the method of the present invention is used, the human body is detected and controlled by a thermopile with multiple elements as described above, and there is no human body information (such as height), and the distance cannot be calculated accurately depending on the size of the person However, the distance can be calculated, and when using a CMOS sensor or the like, there is no need to input and correct the height and the like, and more accurate and simple comfortable control can be performed. Furthermore, there is no wasteful distant separation due to distance errors, and there is also an energy saving effect.

  If there is a sudden change such as coming back from a hot or cold outside and taking off your jacket, the distance will be corrected taking into account the temperature change. Change to something that takes into account. In the case of a CMOS camera, if there is a sudden change in illuminance etc. in the part that seems to be the body after face detection, it is thought that there was a change in clothes, but in that case, it is judged by the size of the face and correction is not performed .

  In addition, the remote controller of the present invention can calculate the size of the human body with respect to the distance when measuring the distance. When there is a baby, the remote control 10 is provided with a button for a baby, and if this button is pressed to enter baby mode and placed near the crib, the remote control 10 and the air conditioner 20 will communicate periodically, Raise the set temperature to a state where it is not overcooled, avoid direct wind and control to remove moisture, and avoid symptoms such as poor physical condition, rash and atopy due to air conditioning. The remote control is also equipped with sensors such as temperature and humidity. By communicating temperature and humidity information periodically detected from the remote control, more accurate and safe control is possible. Similarly, an examination mode for students (for example, a mode in which the head is clean and easy to study by controlling the air conditioning so as to send a wind of low humidity and moderate temperature), a cold mode (below the predetermined temperature) By setting the air conditioning control corresponding to these modes (wind direction control including not only the horizontal direction but also the vertical direction) into the program in advance, Air conditioning control according to the mode is also possible.

  In addition, the air conditioner has a high-resolution and expensive sensor that detects the human body and calculates the surface temperature, and it is possible to control based on the image acquired by the sensor, the thermal pixel image, temperature, and humidity. There are limits and errors and misrecognitions are constant.

  From the information obtained when operating with the remote control or periodically, the remote control considers the biological rhythm (such as circadian rhythm) and grasps the human body position, which is air conditioner information, and the state of the user's surroundings, thereby calculating the difference (error). Compared to the conventional control with built-in air conditioner, which can be corrected and body temperature and ambient temperature can be managed, and everyone has the same control, the radiation temperature of the surrounding environment by the air conditioner and the biological information (body temperature by the remote control) , Breathing, pulse, skin temperature / humidity, etc.), the control result of the air conditioner is fed back to the remote control, and the remote control obtains the difference from the state of the sensor that it owns, corrects this difference, and the air conditioner by two-way communication Reflecting it in the air makes it possible to control the air condition appropriately and optimize the surrounding environment, so it has a high level of comfort. Control can be performed.

  If the user feels comfortable based on the biological rhythm such as the body temperature of the remote controller, the remote controller thermistor temperature, or the ambient temperature obtained by acquiring the air conditioner, the setting temperature can be changed only when it can be changed to a more energy-saving temperature. In the processing of the present invention, when the capability of the microcomputer of the remote controller is not so high, the system configuration can also perform the processing instead of the microcomputer of the air conditioner. In this case, the microcomputer also calculates the distance from the remote controller.

  There are methods to set personal comfort through questions and answers, overwrite the air conditioner using a remote control etc., and perform air conditioning by personal identification such as face recognition, but it is unknown how the air conditioner is processing , It is necessary to confirm by receiving feedback, and the settings of air conditioning etc. are changed variously depending on the position and state of the user, so the result of the setting is automatically executed and it is not comfortable and the setting is changed each time This will not improve comfort and convenience.

  In the system configuration of the present invention as shown in FIG. 2, it is possible to correct personal identification obtained from the air conditioner sensor, false detection and misidentification such as human body detection and temperature information, etc., and correction can be made by air conditioner information and remote control information. Is possible.

  In the case of an air conditioner that can blow the wind direction in 6 directions, the control of sending the wind to the human foot by heat and image recognition is disclosed, but the TV is misdetected and recognized as a human body, Controls to send wind (misidentified when there are multiple people, misjudgment that there are different people, or absent but not in energy saving mode).

  The remote control feeds back the information controlled by the air conditioner to the user by means of a display unit such as a screen or LED, and voice. Thus, the user can know how the automatic control is performed without checking the air conditioner body, and can determine whether the control is wrong. If it is correct, it is sufficient to drive as it is, so there is no need for correction, but even if it is wrong, correct control can be performed with buttons and voice. The correction is learned by the air conditioner and is reflected at the next driving. There are various correction methods, such as a segment liquid crystal and button configuration like a normal remote control, a method of pointing the airflow area displayed on the air conditioner surface like an infrared pointer, or a touch panel etc. Correct on the correction screen.

  In addition, the distance is measured and controlled as described above, but you can select multiple foot positions and head positions in the relaxing space (place that is stationary) in advance using the remote control, air conditioner control information, and two-way communication with the remote control. It is possible to perform automatic control in consideration of the distance by In addition, when the result is significantly different from the recognition result, it is possible to preferentially apply the value set in advance by the remote control, and to provide information to the user by the display on the remote control and make a correct judgment. Is possible.

  The personal identification can be corrected with a single button from previously entered data, or it can be corrected in detail and reflected in the pre-registered data from the next time. In addition, it is possible to incorporate functions that provide information to the user into the air conditioner body, and the air conditioner body shows arrows and areas, so it recognizes where the wind is going from the direction of the air conditioner and how many times the air conditioner is near It's easy to do. In addition, if it is installed in the air conditioner body, the communication method can be selected without worrying about power and size. For example, it is possible to directly connect to a wireless LAN or a power line and correct the result of the air conditioner from the TV. In the case where an input unit is provided, an inexpensive push button or a capacitance sensor may be used, or a voice recognition function may be used.

  The remote control and the air conditioner main body can raise the user's awareness of energy saving by giving the Eco Mark according to the control status. From the operating state calculated at the time of setting, it is possible to set the energy saving operation while being conscious of the eco-mark at the time of setting. In addition, as described above, it is also displayed when the setting is automatically changed based on the prevention of useless blowing and the human body state.

  The communication method with the remote control may be either wireless or wired, wired is UART, Ethernet (registered trademark), PLC, etc., wireless is wireless LAN, ZigBee, specific power saving, infrared communication, etc. If the remote control communication unit is of a replaceable type such as a cartridge, the remote control can be shared, and can be handled by exchanging only the communication unit.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
In the second embodiment, processing at the time of failure will be described.
The air conditioner 20 transmits failure information such as refrigerant leakage detection, control failure, failure detection, and infrared rays exceeding the upper limit value from the sensor to the remote controller. The remote control notifies the failure information by text display or voice output. The notification content includes the call center address, telephone number, etc., and the user can easily analyze the failure by following the procedure.

  For example, the air conditioner control means of the air conditioner 20 may detect air in the direction in which the infrared detection means detects the infrared rays when the infrared detection means detects infrared rays and does not simultaneously input signals from the remote controller for air conditioning. It is determined that there is a harmony machine, and the air conditioning service is stopped. When the remote controller remote controller receives failure information sent from the air conditioner, the failure information is displayed on the display unit of the remote controller. The user calls the designated call center, makes an announcement such as `` Please enter the number displayed on XX '' with a computer, and asks the user to enter the XX number on the display section, The computer recognizes the input value or judges the situation by voice recognition and performs a predetermined operation such as connecting to the operator in charge.

  Similarly, it is possible to input on the web page to display the solution or to make a repair reservation. By incorporating lots and production numbers, it is possible to instantly determine which repairs have been made on which products.

  When an air conditioner or remote control is connected to a network, it can be automatically transferred to a server on the Internet. The function to connect to the network can be built into the air conditioner body, and if it is built into the air conditioner body, the communication method can be selected without worrying about power. Also, since it is directly connected to the power line, a communication method such as PLC can be selected. In addition, the air conditioner itself has a larger display than the remote control, making it easier to understand.

  It also encourages users to dial the call center with voice and screen displays. Alternatively, the telephone mark LED is turned on to prompt the user to dial the telephone number described there. After connecting the telephone, bring the remote control near the handset according to instructions from the call center. Then, an instruction is given to press a predetermined button on the remote control, and after the button is pressed, sound is generated from the remote control, and the sound generated from the remote control is transmitted to the call center through a microphone such as a handset or a personal computer. Like fax, data is converted into audio signals for transmission / reception, or a call center registers a table that associates predetermined sound signals with failure contents in a database, and determines failure modes from sound analysis. As a result, a failure handling process can be performed. When using a Web page, sound analysis starts when a button is pressed using a technology such as Ajax, and the processing status and results are displayed smoothly. As shown in FIG. 6, a transmitter 1B for performing automatic dialing may be mounted on the remote controller, or connected to an external automatic dialing device and automatically connected to a call center via, for example, a wide area network by automatic dialing.

  In this case, there is a possibility that a sound is emitted from the remote control before making a call, or noise may enter midway. Therefore, in order to solve this problem, a method of looping at least twice or changing the frequency / system is used. In addition to the frequency signal, a method of recognizing 1/0 only by changing the sound volume regardless of sound recognition by creating an ON / OFF period of only sound volume may be used.

  For example, when the use frequency is used in the analog signal, the frequency is sent by combining different frequencies or sent at different frequencies multiple times. By sending an analog signal of a certain frequency with or without sound like a digital signal, it is only necessary to analyze the strength of the volume of a certain frequency, and it becomes strong against noise of other frequencies. In addition, if one frequency is dropped at the same time if it is transmitted at a plurality of frequencies, it can be received as an accurate signal if the remaining frequencies match. Similarly, when sending multiple times, if the frequency is changed, the call center can analyze a plurality of frequencies and collate the results obtained at each frequency to obtain a more accurate result.

  When the remote control has a built-in microphone, the sound volume is automatically increased when the sound pressure is above a certain level, so that the analysis error is eliminated. If it cannot be received for a certain period of time (determined by taking into account the audio playback time), an error number such as alphanumeric characters on the display section can be typed in with a button such as a telephone because it cannot be read, or a human operator is connected to confirm .

  Other devices such as air conditioner indoor units can be substituted for devices with microphones and speakers. For example, since the S / W is downloaded to the mobile phone or the program is executed from the accessed page, the same operation can be easily performed since the dialing can be performed all at once.

  An infrared port is provided on the remote control to transfer the above failure information to the mobile phone. By using the failure information as it is on a mobile phone, you can send it to the call center by e-mail or send it to the call center by communicating with the JAVA (registered trademark) application etc. I know if it's a malfunction. Since the mobile phone number is sent after confirming whether or not the mobile phone number has been sent, the user who wants to contact immediately can receive the phone as it is, and can receive the answer of the text by e-mail It is possible to look back later. Similarly, an infrared port can be provided in the air conditioner body, and it can be transmitted to the mobile phone by a button operation from the remote controller or the air conditioner body.

  In addition to infrared communication, it can communicate with devices such as personal computers via USB and wireless communication (wireless LAN, ZigBee, etc.). Accordingly, a communication method may be selected in accordance with a device and a system that can communicate with the outside. A personal computer can receive information by, for example, a wireless LAN simply by executing downloaded software.

  Also, this function can be incorporated into the air conditioner body, and if it is incorporated into the air conditioner body, the communication method can be selected without worrying about electric power. Also, since it is directly connected to the power line, a communication method such as PLC can be selected. In addition, the display can be enlarged, making the interface easier to understand.

Embodiment 3 FIG.
In the third embodiment, a process when the location of the remote controller becomes unknown will be described.
Until now, there was no means to search when the location of the remote control became unknown, but when performing a predetermined operation (pressing a button, issuing a remote control search command by voice recognition, etc.) to the air conditioner body by performing bidirectional communication The air conditioner issues a search request (with an identifier for the remote controller) from the wireless communication unit to the remote controller. When the remote controller receives the search request command, the remote controller checks the identifier and does nothing if it is other than itself, but if the identifier is itself, performs a location notification operation to the user. For example, a buzzer or a speaker sounds. Make the LED emit light. The location is notified by vibrating with the vibrator function.

  If the two-way communication is infrared (directional) communication, the command from the air conditioner side may not reach the remote controller whose location is unknown. In that case, the infrared light receiving unit of the air conditioner is provided with a plurality of elements to display from which direction the reception was last. In addition, a plurality of infrared transmission units of the air conditioner are provided. Alternatively, a remote control search request signal can be transmitted from the air conditioner in multiple directions by using a method such as diffusion by a lens. Thereby, even in infrared communication, a remote control search request command can easily reach the remote control, and even if it does not reach, the air conditioner display panel can grasp the approximate location of the last communication.

  Even if it is in wired form, if the remote control of the air conditioner is unknown, the remote control panel display section shines by displaying the remote control search operation as described above, displaying characters, generating sound, etc. The same operation can be performed when searching for an air conditioner on the remote control side.

  This makes it possible to easily select an air conditioner whose operation is to be changed from a number of remote controls. Except in the case of commanding by voice recognition or image, if the search button is in the form of another small remote controller and it is placed at a predetermined place, it can be operated without directly touching the air conditioner at a high position. It is also possible to provide a network unit or an infrared communication unit in the air conditioner main body so that when the remote control search signal is received from a mobile phone or the like via a network or an infrared port, the remote controller performs a predetermined operation.

  When searching for an air conditioner from the remote control side, the weight is oscillated (vibrated) using a slide motor, a motor with an elliptical weight connected to the remote control, a motor and crank mechanism, a spring, etc., and moved with a large acceleration in one direction. Return the weight in the opposite direction with a small acceleration. This gives a large difference in acceleration in both directions. Human tactile perception is sensitive to large accelerations and insensitive to small accelerations. Therefore, repeating the amplitude action causes an illusion that the remote control is moving. As a result, it is possible to teach the user the direction of the device operated from the remote control.

In addition, the remote control can provide information to the human perceptually. When the wind direction is changed, the acceleration is changed so that the remote controller is moved in the wind direction as seen from the remote controller or the air conditioner.
By pulling the remote control in the direction of the device that you want to operate (selected) with a centralized controller, you can grasp the direction of the room you are trying to operate.

  In addition, when the temperature rises, it is possible to perceive by using the attractive force upward. In addition, when the setting with the temperature greatly increased is completed, it can be perceived by pulling upward strongly. If the remote control is installed in the main body of the air conditioner with a drive unit incorporating the same principle and the remote control is lost, if the approximate position is known by two-way communication, use the slave unit to move the user in that direction. It is possible to guide. In addition, both the remote control and the slave unit can be provided with a display unit or speaker somewhere in the air conditioner body to support things that cannot be conveyed by perceptual information.

  For example, if each device, remote control, and slave unit are connected in a network that can communicate with each other, remove the slave unit from the air conditioner to confirm the location of the remote control, and then check the triangle from the communication time difference between the slave unit, air conditioner, and remote control. A rough position is obtained by the law (the position becomes more accurate as the number of communication terminals and devices increases).

The user is guided from the position of the air conditioner body by the attractive force, and when the position of the remote control is estimated, the position of the remote control is taught on the display screen of the slave unit or the air conditioner body display screen. Of course, you may guide as it is with the slave unit.
As a result, it is also possible to teach and guide the position of a failed device in another room to the user without a display interface.

  When the service person learns of the failure, the service person visits the user's home and repairs it. The remote control uses gravitation to tell which air conditioner is out of order. At that time, the air conditioner information (wireless information, faulty device serial number, etc.) sent by the above method is stored in the dedicated controller in advance. Even if you don't know which device is the defective air conditioner at the user's home, you can determine which air conditioner is the defective device with the dedicated controller without checking all the air conditioners. In the case of wireless communication, the location is also taught so that repairs can be started immediately.

  Note that the present invention can be applied not only to an air conditioner but also to other home appliances such as a TV and an air purifier that are determined by a sensor.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Remote control, 11 MPU (microprocessor), 12 RAM, 13 ROM, 14 Infrared transmission part, 15 Infrared receiving part, 16 Input part, 17 Display part, 18 Voice output part, 19 Biometric information detection part, 1A Temperature / humidity detection part , 20 air conditioner, 21 MPU (microprocessor), 22 RAM, 23 ROM, 24 infrared receiver, 25 infrared transmitter, 26 multi-eye thermopile sensor, 27 display.

Claims (10)

A fan that sends out the wind,
A vane that changes the direction of the wind,
An air conditioner communication means for performing bidirectional communication with the air conditioning remote controller;
Infrared detecting means for detecting infrared;
Driving means for scanning the infrared detection means in a horizontal direction;
An air conditioner control means,
The air conditioner control means controls the driving means, and when the infrared detecting means detects infrared rays, when a signal is simultaneously input from the air conditioning remote controller via the air conditioner communication means, It is determined that there is a user in the direction in which infrared rays are detected, and the distance between the air conditioner and the air conditioning remote controller is received from the air conditioning remote controller via the air conditioner communication means. An air conditioner that controls the fan and the vane based on a distance to provide an air conditioning service to the user.   The air conditioner control means has an air conditioner in the direction in which the infrared detection means detects the infrared rays when the infrared detection means detects infrared rays and does not simultaneously input signals from the remote controller for air conditioning. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the air conditioning service is stopped.   The air conditioner control means determines that there is an abnormality when the amount of infrared rays detected by the infrared detection means exceeds a predetermined value, and sends abnormality information to the air conditioning remote via the air conditioner communication means. It transmits to a controller, The air conditioner of Claim 2 characterized by the above-mentioned. A remote controller for air conditioning and the air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The air conditioner control means calculates the size of the user from the user's infrared rays detected by the infrared detection means, estimates a first distance in the perspective direction from this magnitude, and obtains the first distance information. , Transmit to the air conditioning remote controller via the air conditioner communication means,
When the air conditioning remote controller receives the first distance information from the air conditioner via the remote control communication means, the received first distance information is displayed on the display means or voice output means of the air conditioning remote controller. Prompting the user to make corrections by outputting to at least one of them, and sending correction information input by the input means to the air conditioner via the remote control communication means;
The air conditioner control means, when receiving the correction information from the air conditioning remote controller via the air conditioner communication means, corrects the first distance information based on the received correction information, An air conditioning system characterized by providing an air conditioning service based on the distance information of 1. The air conditioner further includes a specific button switch,
When this button switch is pressed, a command for searching the remote controller for air conditioning is generated based on the signal generated at this time, and this command is transmitted via the air conditioner communication means,
When the air-conditioning remote controller receives a command from the air conditioner via the remote control communication unit, the display unit displays a warning or blinks, outputs a warning sound to the sound output unit, and vibrations to the vibration generation unit. The air conditioning system according to claim 4, wherein at least one of the command outputs is performed. The remote controller for air conditioning includes a specific button,
When the specific button is pressed, the remote control means determines that the user is a baby, transmits information to that effect to the air conditioner via the remote control communication means,
When the air conditioner control means receives the information via the air conditioner communication means, the air conditioner control means raises the set temperature to a predetermined temperature, sets the temperature within a predetermined humidity range, and sends the wind around the user or the floor surface. The air conditioning system according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the fan and the vane are controlled. The remote controller for air conditioning includes a specific button,
When the specific button is pressed, the remote control means determines that the user is a student, and sends information to that effect to the air conditioner via the remote control communication means,
When the air conditioner control means receives the information via the air conditioner communication means, the air conditioner control means suppresses the set temperature within a predetermined temperature range, sets the humidity within the predetermined range, and blows air around the user or on the floor surface. The air conditioning system according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the fan and the vane are controlled to be sent.   The air conditioning system according to any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein the remote controller for air conditioning is a mobile phone. The infrared detecting means includes a plurality of light receiving elements that detect respective positions of angle regions obtained by dividing the room into a plurality of horizontal directions,
The air conditioner control means transmits a command to a horizontal angle region of the remote controller detected by the infrared detection means, and emits the infrared light of the command, and then the infrared detection means The position of the remote controller is determined by calculating the distance between the remote controller and the air conditioner based on the elapsed time until external light is received, and air conditioning control is performed on this position. Item 9. The air conditioning system according to any one of Items 4 to 8. The air conditioning system according to any one of claims 4 to 9, wherein the infrared detection means is a CMOS sensor means.

Images