JP2011117627A - Air conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an air conditioner capable of collectively displaying details of an energy-saving advice in an interface part of a remote control device. <P>SOLUTION: The air conditioner includes: an infrared ray sensor mounted to a front face of a body downwardly at a predetermined depression angle and detecting a temperature of a temperature detection target; a control part sensing presence of a person and heat generating equipment by the infrared ray sensor and controlling the operation of the air conditioner; the remote control device having a remote control device body, an interface display part provided in the remote control device body and constituted by a full dot liquid crystal display and an information request button provided in the remote control device body and controlling the operation of the air conditioner by a user; and a communication part performing bidirectional communications between the control part and the remote control device. By pressing the information request button by the user, the details of the energy-saving advice of the control part is collectively displayed in the interface display part via the communication part. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an air conditioner. Specifically, the present invention relates to an air conditioner that collectively displays the content of energy-saving advice on the interface unit of the remote control device.

  As air conditioners become more sophisticated and high value-added devices are installed, the number of buttons on a remote control (remote control device) that transmits a signal for executing / stopping the high value-added function is increasing.

In order to cope with an increase in the number of buttons in a limited space of the remote controller, an interface operation unit between the remote controller and the user is configured using the following method.
(1) A method of reducing the size of the button itself;
(2) A method for reducing the space between arranged button rows;
(3) A method of adopting an interface for selecting a large number of functions with one button.

  For this reason, the word that expresses the function of each button depends on the size of the button and the space between the buttons. Therefore, the operation itself of the function selection of the air conditioner necessary for the user to realize comfortable air conditioning becomes difficult. At the same time, only the function words described on or near the button cannot understand the function realized when the user presses the button, and there is a problem that the operation itself is given up.

  Then, the remote control of the air conditioner which can reduce a user's operation burden is proposed (for example, refer patent document 1).

JP 2009-127960 A

  However, the air conditioner remote control described in Patent Document 1 does not include an interface display unit configured by a full-dot liquid crystal display, or includes an interface display unit configured by a full-dot liquid crystal display. However, the screen size is smaller than the main display part of the segment display that can be displayed only with the determined contents in the determined area. However, there is a problem that they cannot be displayed at the same time.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and provides an air conditioner capable of collectively displaying the contents of energy-saving advice on an interface unit of a remote control device.

An air conditioner according to the present invention has a substantially box-shaped main body having a suction port for sucking room air and a blow-out port for blowing out conditioned air,
An infrared sensor that is mounted downward on the front surface of the main body at a predetermined depression angle, scans the temperature detection target range left and right, and detects the temperature of the temperature detection target;
A control unit that detects the presence of a person or a heat generating device with an infrared sensor and controls the operation of the air conditioner;
The remote control device main body, an interface display unit provided on the remote control device main body and configured by a full-dot liquid crystal display, and an information request button provided on the remote control device main body, the user is concerned with the air conditioner A remote control device for controlling the operation of
A communication unit that performs bidirectional communication between the control unit and the remote control device,
When the user presses the information request button, the contents of the energy saving advice possessed by the control unit are collectively displayed on the interface display unit via the communication unit.

  In the air conditioner according to the present invention, since the remote control device includes the interface display unit configured by a full-dot liquid crystal display, the contents of the energy saving advice can be collectively displayed on the interface unit.

FIG. 3 shows the first embodiment and is a perspective view of the air conditioner 100. FIG. FIG. 3 shows the first embodiment and is a perspective view of the air conditioner 100. FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the first embodiment and is a longitudinal sectional view of the air conditioner 100. FIG. 5 shows the first embodiment and shows the light distribution viewing angles of the infrared sensor 3 and the light receiving element. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the first embodiment, and is a perspective view of a housing 5 that houses the infrared sensor 3. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the first embodiment, and is a perspective view of the vicinity of the infrared sensor 3 ((a) is a state in which the infrared sensor 3 is movable toward the right end, (b) is a state in which the infrared sensor 3 is movable toward the center, and (c) ) Is a state in which the infrared sensor 3 is moved to the left end portion). FIG. 5 shows the first embodiment, and shows a vertical light distribution viewing angle in a vertical section of the infrared sensor 3. The figure which shows Embodiment 1 and is a figure which shows the thermal image data of the room where the housewife 12 is holding the infant 13. FIG. FIG. 5 shows the first embodiment, and shows a tatami mat standard and an area (area) during cooling operation defined by the capacity band of the air conditioner 100. FIG. The figure which shows Embodiment 1 and the figure which prescribed | regulated the breadth (area) of the floor surface for every capability by using the maximum area of the area (area) for every capability of FIG. The figure which shows Embodiment 1 and is a figure which shows the vertical and horizontal room shape limit value in capability 2.2kW. The figure which shows Embodiment 1 and is a figure which shows the vertical / horizontal distance conditions calculated | required from the capability band of the air conditioner 100. FIG. The figure which shows Embodiment 1 and is a figure which shows the conditions at the time of center installation at the time of capability 2.2kw. The figure which shows Embodiment 1 and the figure which shows the case at the time of the left corner installation at the time of capability 2.2kw (viewing from a user). The figure which shows Embodiment 1 and is a figure which shows the positional relationship of the floor surface and wall surface on thermal image data at the time of the capability of 2.2 kw of the air conditioner 100 when the installation position button of a remote control is set to the center. FIG. 5 shows the first embodiment and shows a calculation flow of a room shape due to temperature unevenness. FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating the first embodiment, and is a diagram illustrating a space between upper and lower pixels serving as a boundary between a wall surface and a floor surface on the thermal image data in FIG. 15. FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating the first embodiment, and detects the temperature generated between the upper and lower pixels in a total of three pixels of one pixel in the downward direction and two pixels in the upward direction with respect to the position of the boundary 60 set in FIG. To do. In the diagram showing the first embodiment, in the pixel detection region, a pixel that exceeds the threshold or a pixel that exceeds the maximum value of the slope is marked in black by the temperature unevenness boundary detection unit 53 that detects the temperature unevenness boundary. Figure. FIG. 5 shows the first embodiment, and shows the result of detecting a boundary line due to temperature unevenness. In the figure which shows Embodiment 1, the floor surface coordinate conversion part 55 converts the coordinate point (X, Y) of each element drawn on the lower part of the boundary line on a thermal image data as a floor surface coordinate point, The figure projected on the surface 18. The figure which shows Embodiment 1, and is a figure which shows the area | region of the object pixel which detects the temperature difference of the front wall 19 position vicinity by the initial setting conditions at the time of remote control center installation conditions in capability 2.2KW. FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating the first embodiment, and in FIG. 21 in which the boundary element coordinates of each thermal image data are projected on the floor 18, the scattering element coordinate points of each element that detect the vicinity of the position of the front wall 19 illustrated in FIG. The figure which calculated | required the average and calculated | required the wall surface position of the front wall 19 and the floor surface 18. FIG. FIG. 5 shows the first embodiment and shows a flow of calculating a room shape based on a human body detection position history. The figure which shows Embodiment 1 and shows the result of determining the detection of a human body with the threshold value A and the threshold value B, performing the difference with the thermal image data in which a previous background image and a human body exist. In the figure which shows Embodiment 1, every human body detection position calculated | required from the thermal image data difference as a human position coordinate (X, Y) point which coordinate-converted in the floor surface coordinate conversion part 55 for every X-axis and Y-axis The figure which shows a mode that the count integration was carried out. FIG. 5 shows the first embodiment, and shows a room shape determination result based on a human body position history. FIG. 5 shows the first embodiment, and shows the result of the human body detection position history in an L-shaped room-shaped living room. FIG. 5 shows the first embodiment, and shows the count number accumulated in the floor area (X coordinate) in the horizontal X coordinate. In the diagram showing the first embodiment, the floor area (X coordinate) obtained in FIG. 29 is equally divided into three areas A, B, and C, and the accumulated maximum accumulated numerical value exists in which area The figure which calculates | requires and calculates | requires the maximum value and minimum value for every area | region simultaneously. In the diagram showing the first embodiment, when the maximum accumulation number of accumulated data exists in the area C, the count number of 90% or more with respect to the maximum accumulation number is γ in the area (decomposed every 0.3 m). The figure which shows the means to judge with having more than the number in the area | region which is. In the diagram showing the first embodiment, when the maximum accumulation number of accumulated data exists in the area A, the count number of 90% or more with respect to the maximum accumulation number is γ (in 0.3 m increments in the area). The figure which shows the means to judge with having more than the number in the area | region which is. The figure which shows Embodiment 1 and is a figure which calculates | requires the location of 50% or more with respect to the largest accumulation | storage number, when it is judged that it is L-shaped room shape. FIG. 34 is a diagram showing the first embodiment, and is an L-shaped room obtained from a boundary surface between the floor surface and the wall surface of the L-shaped room shape obtained in FIG. The figure which shows the floor surface area | region shape of shape. The figure which shows Embodiment 1 and shows the flow which integrates three information. The figure which shows Embodiment 1 is a figure which shows the result of the room shape by temperature nonuniformity detection in the capability 2.8kw and remote control installation position condition center. The figure which shows Embodiment 1 and is a figure which shows the result reduced to the position of the left wall maximum, when the distance to the left wall surface 16 exceeds the distance of the left wall maximum. In the figure which shows Embodiment 1, when the room shape area of FIG. 37 after correction is larger than the area maximum value 19 m ² or more, the result of adjusting the distance of the front wall 19 to the maximum area 19 m ² is shown. Figure. The figure which shows Embodiment 1 and the figure which shows the result adjusted by enlarging to the area | region of the left wall minimum, when the distance to a left wall surface is less than the left wall minimum. The figure which shows Embodiment 1 and shows the example which judges whether it is in an appropriate area by calculating the room shape area after correction. The figure which shows Embodiment 1, The figure which shows the result of having calculated | required the distance Y coordinate Y_front to the front wall 19, the X coordinate X_right of the right wall surface 17, and the X coordinate X_left of the left wall surface 16, which are the distance between each wall surface. In the figure which shows Embodiment 1, each coordinate point on the floor boundary line calculated | required from each distance between the front wall 19 calculated | required on integration conditions and the left-right wall (left wall surface 16, right wall surface 17) is heat | fever. The figure backprojected to image data. The figure which shows Embodiment 1 and the figure which enclosed each wall area | region with the thick line. The figure which shows Embodiment 1 and the figure divided into the area | region (A1, A2, A3, A4, A5) of the left-right direction 5 division with respect to the near side area | region of the floor surface 18. FIG. The figure which shows Embodiment 1 and the figure divided into the area | region (B1, B2, B3) of front and rear division | segmentation with respect to the back | inner side area | region of a floor surface. FIG. 5 shows the first embodiment and shows an example of a radiation temperature obtained by a calculation formula. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the first embodiment, and is a flowchart of an operation for detecting an open / closed state of the curtain. The figure which shows Embodiment 1 and is a figure which shows the thermal image data when the curtain of the window of the right wall surface at the time of heating operation is open. FIG. 48 shows the first embodiment and is a flowchart in which an information presentation unit is added to FIG. 47; FIG. 5 shows the first embodiment and is an external view of an air conditioner 100 having a display unit 100a. FIG. 3 shows the first embodiment and is a plan view showing a remote controller 200. FIG. FIG. 5 shows the first embodiment, and is a flowchart showing the contents displayed on the guidance display unit 220 on the remote controller 200 side. FIG. 5 shows the first embodiment, and is a diagram in which a content such as “I am preparing to start driving” is displayed on the guidance display section 220 on the remote controller 200 side. FIG. 5 shows the first embodiment, and is a diagram in which a content such as “approaching set temperature” is displayed on the guidance display section 220 on the remote controller 200 side. FIG. 5 shows the first embodiment, and is a diagram in which a content such as “Do you want to restore the settings?” Is displayed on the guidance display unit 220 on the remote controller 200 side. The figure which shows Embodiment 1 and the figure which shows the display content displayed on the guidance display part 220 of the remote control 200 when the air conditioner 100 judges that the influence of the cold radiation from a window is large at the time of heating operation. The figure which shows Embodiment 1 and the figure which shows the display content displayed on the guidance display part 220 of the remote control 200 when outside temperature falls below indoor setting temperature without knowing it during a cooling operation. The figure which shows Embodiment 1 and is a figure which shows the detailed content at the time of the air_conditioning | cooling and dehumidification driving | operation of the energy saving advice obtained from the infrared sensor 3. FIG. The figure which shows Embodiment 1 and is a figure which shows the detailed content at the time of the heating operation of the energy-saving advice obtained from the infrared sensor 3. FIG. FIG. 5 shows the first embodiment, and is an external front view of a remote control 300 of a modification example. FIG. 6 shows the first embodiment, and shows a state in which a scene selection screen is displayed on the interface display section 301 of the remote controller 300 and the cursor is “I want to quickly cool down”. FIG. 6 shows the first embodiment, and shows a state where a scene selection screen is displayed on the interface display section 301 of the remote controller 300 and the cursor has moved to “I want to clean the air”. FIG. 5 shows the first embodiment, and shows a state in which a scene selection screen is displayed on the interface display section 301 of the remote controller 300 and the cursor has moved to “I want to welcome customers”. FIG. 5 shows the first embodiment, and shows a state in which a normal screen is displayed on the interface display section 301 of the remote controller 300. In the diagram showing the first embodiment, a scene selection screen (menu screen) is displayed on the interface display unit 301 of the remote controller 300, and the state until the user selects a scene ((a) is a cursor (B) is in a state where the cursor is "I do not want to hit the wind", (c) is a state where the cursor is in "I want to treat customers"). FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the first embodiment, and illustrates a state in which “scene content” and “scene detailed setting” are displayed on the interface display unit 301 of the remote controller 300 ((d) is “scene content”, (e) to FIG. (G) “Scene detail setting”). FIG. 5 shows the first embodiment, and shows an animation of a scene selection “I want to clean the air”; FIG. 5 shows the first embodiment, and shows an animation of a scene selection “I want to care for my skin”; FIG. 5 shows the first embodiment, and is an enlarged view of a scene select selection screen when a plurality of scene select contents are selected. The figure which shows Embodiment 1 and the figure which shows the state by which the scene selection combined like "I want to cool quickly and want to clean air" was displayed on the interface display part 301 of the remote control 300. The figure which shows Embodiment 1 and the figure which displays collectively the energy-saving advice of "tell a soft energy-saving effect" at the time of heating operation on the interface display part 301 of the remote control 300. In the diagram showing the first embodiment, the interface display unit 301 of the remote controller 300 displays “person's movement during the heating operation, and if the stay has exceeded a certain time, the more people gather, the more energy-saving operation can be performed. The figure which displays the energy saving advice of “teach possible thing” collectively. In the diagram showing the first embodiment, the interface display unit 301 of the remote controller 300 saves energy in the heating operation “checking the door / curtain for opening / closing with the move eye during summer and low radiation in the winter”. The figure which displays advice collectively. The figure which shows Embodiment 1 and the figure which displays collectively the energy-saving advice of "one-point advice with respect to the customer who has a cold step" on the interface display part 301 of the remote control 300 at the time of heating operation. The figure which shows Embodiment 1 and the figure which displays collectively the energy-saving advice of "the advice when the amount of activity is detected" at the time of heating operation on the interface display part 301 of the remote control 300. It is a figure shown for a comparison and the side view at the time of the door closing of the general remote control 200. It is a figure shown for a comparison and the side view at the time of the door opening of the general remote control 200. It is a figure shown for comparison and is a front view when the door of a general remote controller 200 is closed. It is a figure shown for a comparison and the front view at the time of the door opening of the general remote control 200.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
First, an outline of the present embodiment will be described. An air conditioner (indoor unit) includes an infrared sensor that detects a temperature while scanning a temperature detection target range, performs heat source detection by the infrared sensor, detects the presence of a person or a heat generating device, and performs comfortable control. I am doing so.

  Usually, an indoor unit is installed on a wall at a high place in a room, but the left and right positions on the wall on which the indoor unit is installed are various. It may be installed at the approximate center in the left-right direction of the wall, or may be installed close to the right or left wall as viewed from the indoor unit. Hereinafter, in this specification, the left-right direction of the room is defined as “left-right direction viewed from the indoor unit (infrared sensor 3)”.

1 to 75 are diagrams showing the first embodiment. FIGS. 1 and 2 are perspective views of the air conditioner 100, FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the air conditioner 100, and FIG. 4 is an infrared sensor 3 and a light receiving element. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the housing 5 that houses the infrared sensor 3, FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the vicinity of the infrared sensor 3 ((a) shows that the infrared sensor 3 is movable to the right end). (B) is a state in which the infrared sensor 3 is moved to the center, (c) is a state in which the infrared sensor 3 is moved to the left end), and FIG. 7 is a vertical light distribution viewing angle in a longitudinal section of the infrared sensor 3. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing thermal image data of a room where the housewife 12 holds the infant 13, and FIG. 9 is a tatami standard and an area (area) during cooling operation defined by the capacity band of the air conditioner 100. ), FIG. 10 uses the maximum area of area (area) for each ability described in FIG. Fig. 11 is a diagram defining the floor area (area) for each capacity, Fig. 11 is a diagram showing vertical and horizontal room shape limit values at a capacity of 2.2 kw, and Fig. 12 is a vertical and horizontal distance condition determined from the capacity band of the air conditioner 100. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing conditions at the time of central installation at a capacity of 2.2 kw, FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a case of left corner installation at a capacity of 2.2 kw (as viewed from the user), and FIG. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing the positional relationship between the floor surface and the wall surface on the thermal image data when the remote control installation position button is set at the center when the capacity of the conditioner 100 is 2.2 kw. FIG. FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating the flow, FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating the space between the upper and lower pixels that are the boundary between the wall surface and the floor surface in the thermal image data of FIG. 15, and FIG. , 1 pixel down and 2 pixels up 3 FIG. 19 is a diagram for detecting the temperature generated between the upper and lower pixels between the pixels. FIG. 19 is a pixel exceeding the threshold by the temperature unevenness boundary detecting unit 53 for detecting the temperature unevenness boundary or the maximum value of the inclination in the pixel detection region. FIG. 20 is a diagram showing the result of detecting a boundary line due to temperature unevenness, and FIG. 21 is a diagram of each element drawn below the boundary line on the thermal image data. FIG. 22 is a diagram in which the coordinate point (X, Y) is converted as a floor surface coordinate point by the floor surface coordinate conversion unit 55 and projected onto the floor surface 18, FIG. 22 is a capacity 2.2 KW, under the initial setting conditions at the time of remote control central installation conditions FIG. 23 is a diagram showing a region of a target pixel for detecting a temperature difference in the vicinity of the position of the front wall 19. FIG. 23 is a diagram in which boundary element coordinates of each thermal image data are projected on the floor 18, and FIG. Each element that detects the vicinity of the position FIG. 24 is a diagram showing a flow of calculating the room shape based on the human body detection position history, and FIG. 25 is a diagram showing the immediately preceding background image. FIG. 26 is a diagram showing a result of determining the detection of the human body with the threshold A and the threshold B by performing a difference with the thermal image data in which the human body exists. FIG. 26 shows the human body detection position obtained from the thermal image data difference as the floor coordinate conversion unit 55. The figure which shows a mode that count integration was carried out for every X-axis and Y-axis as the person position coordinate (X, Y) point which performed coordinate transformation in FIG. 27, FIG. 27 is a figure which shows the determination result of the room shape by a human body position history, 28 is a diagram showing the result of the human body detection position history in the L-shaped room-shaped living room, FIG. 29 is a diagram showing the number of counts accumulated in the floor area (X coordinate) in the horizontal X coordinate, and FIG. Floor surface area obtained in 29 (X coordinate) FIG. 31 is a diagram in which the area A, B, and C are equally divided into three areas to determine in which area the accumulated maximum accumulated numerical value exists, and at the same time, the maximum value and the minimum value for each area are obtained. When the maximum number of stored data exists, the count number of 90% or more with respect to the maximum stored number is more than γ (number in the area decomposed every 0.3 m) in the area. FIG. 32 is a diagram showing a means for determining, and FIG. 32 shows that when the maximum number of accumulated data exists in the area A, the count number of 90% or more of the maximum accumulated number is γ in the area (decomposed every 0.3 m). FIG. 33 is a diagram showing a means for judging that there are more than the number of regions to be determined), FIG. 33 is a diagram for obtaining a location of 50% or more with respect to the maximum accumulated number when it is judged that the shape is an L-shaped room shape, FIG. 34 shows the boundary point between the floor surface and wall surface of the L-shaped room shape obtained in FIG. FIG. 35 is a diagram showing a floor surface area shape of an L-shaped room shape obtained from the floor surface area of the X coordinate and Y coordinate at a value A or higher, FIG. 35 is a diagram showing a flow for integrating three pieces of information, and FIG. FIG. 37 shows the result of the room shape by temperature unevenness detection at the center of the remote control installation position condition, and FIG. 37 shows the maximum left wall when the distance to the left wall 16 exceeds the maximum left wall distance. FIG. 38 shows the result of reduction to the position. FIG. 38 shows that when the room shape area of FIG. 37 after correction is larger than the maximum area value 19 m ² , the distance of the front wall 19 is lowered to the maximum area 19 m ² and adjusted. FIG. 39 is a diagram showing the result of adjustment by enlarging to the left wall minimum area when the distance to the left wall is less than the left wall minimum, and FIG. 40 is the corrected room shape area. Whether it is within the appropriate area by calculating FIG. 41 is a diagram showing an example of determining whether or not, and FIG. 41 shows the results of calculating the distance Y coordinate Y_front to the front wall 19, the X coordinate X_right of the right wall surface 17, and the X coordinate X_left of the left wall surface 16. FIG. 42 and FIG. 42 show each coordinate point on the floor boundary obtained from the distance between the front wall 19 and the left and right walls (the left wall surface 16 and the right wall surface 17) obtained under the integration conditions as thermal image data. FIG. 44 is a projected diagram, a diagram in which each wall region of FIG. 43 is surrounded by a thick line, and FIG. 44 is a region (A1, A2, A3, A4, A5) divided into five in the left-right direction with respect to the near side region of the floor 18. FIG. 45 is a diagram divided into front and rear three-divided regions (B1, B2, B3) with respect to the back side region of the floor surface, FIG. 46 is a diagram showing an example of the radiation temperature obtained by the calculation formula, FIG. 47 is a flowchart of an operation for detecting the open / close state of the curtain. 48 is a diagram showing thermal image data when the curtain of the window on the right wall surface is open during heating operation, FIG. 49 is a flowchart in which an information presentation unit is added to FIG. 47, and FIG. Fig. 51 is a plan view showing the remote controller 200, Fig. 52 is a flowchart showing the contents displayed on the guidance display unit 220 on the remote controller 200 side, and Fig. 53 is a guidance display unit on the remote controller 200 side. FIG. 54 is a diagram in which a content such as “Preparing to start operation” is displayed in FIG. 220, FIG. 54 is a diagram in which a content such as “approaching set temperature” is displayed in the guidance display unit 220 on the remote controller 200 side, and FIG. Is displayed on the guidance display section 220 on the remote control 200 side. FIG. 56 shows the display content displayed on the guidance display unit 220 of the remote controller 200 when the air conditioner 100 determines that the influence of the cold radiation from the window is large during the heating operation. FIG. 57 is a diagram showing display contents displayed on the guidance display unit 220 of the remote controller 200 when the outside air temperature falls below the indoor set temperature without knowing during the cooling operation, and FIG. 58 is obtained from the infrared sensor 3. FIG. 59 is a diagram showing the detailed content of the energy saving advice during cooling / dehumidifying operation, FIG. 59 is a diagram showing the detailed content of the energy saving advice obtained during heating operation from the infrared sensor 3, and FIG. FIG. 61 shows a state in which the scene selection screen is displayed on the interface display section 301 of the remote controller 300 and the cursor is in “I want to cool quickly”. 62 is a diagram showing a state in which the scene selection screen is displayed on the interface display unit 301 of the remote controller 300 and the cursor has moved to “I want to clean the air”. FIG. 63 shows the interface display unit 301 of the remote controller 300. FIG. 64 is a diagram showing a state in which the scene select screen is displayed and the cursor has moved to “I want to welcome customers”, FIG. 64 is a diagram showing a state in which a normal screen is displayed on the interface display unit 301 of the remote controller 300, and FIG. The scene selection screen (menu screen) is displayed on the interface display unit 301 in FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B shows the state until the user selects a scene ((a) is the state where the cursor is in “I want to cool quickly and cool”, (b) When the cursor is in “I do n’t want to hit the wind”, (c) 66 is a diagram showing a state in which “scene content” and “scene detail setting” are displayed on the interface display section 301 of the remote controller 300 ((d) is “scene content”, (e). (G) is “scene detail setting”), FIG. 67 is a diagram showing an animation of a scene selection “I want to clean the air”, FIG. 68 is a diagram showing an animation of a scene selection “I want to care for my skin”, FIG. Is an enlarged view of the scene select selection screen when a plurality of scene select contents are selected. FIG. 70 shows a scene select combined with the interface display section 301 of the remote controller 300 such as “I want to cool quickly and clean the air”. FIG. 71 is a diagram showing the displayed state. FIG. 71 shows “soft energy saving effect is taught to the interface display unit 301 of the remote controller 300 during heating operation”. FIG. 72 is a diagram for collectively displaying energy saving advices of FIG. 72. In the interface display section 301 of the remote controller 300, “when a person's movement is detected and the stay has exceeded a certain time, The energy saving advice “Tell me that energy saving operation is possible” is displayed in a lump. FIG. 73 shows the interface display unit 301 of the remote control 300. The door / curtain with “sunlight in summer in move eye, low radiation in winter” during heating operation. 74 is a diagram that collectively displays the energy saving advice of “confirming opening and closing of the door” and FIG. 74 shows “one-point advice for customers with cold feet” on the interface display section 301 of the remote controller 300 during heating operation. FIG. 75 is a diagram for displaying energy saving advice in a lump. FIG. 75 shows an “activity” during heating operation on the interface display section 301 of the remote controller 300. It is a figure which displays collectively the energy-saving advice of "advice when detecting quantity".

  76 to 79 are diagrams for comparison, FIG. 76 is a side view of the general remote controller 200 when the door is closed, FIG. 77 is a side view of the general remote controller 200 when the door is opened, and FIG. FIG. 79 is a front view of a typical remote controller 200 when the door is closed, and FIG. 79 is a front view of the general remote controller 200 when the door is opened.

  The overall configuration of the air conditioner 100 (indoor unit) will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. 1 and FIG. 2 are external perspective views of the air conditioner 100, but the view angle is different, and FIG. 1 shows that the upper and lower flaps 43 (up and down wind direction control plates, two on the left and right) are closed. FIG. 2 is different from FIG. 2 in that the upper and lower flaps 43 are open and the left and right flaps 44 (left and right wind direction control plates, many) are visible.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the air conditioner 100 (indoor unit) has a suction port 41 for sucking room air on the upper surface of a substantially box-shaped indoor unit housing 40 (defined as a main body).

  Moreover, the blower outlet 42 which blows off conditioned air is formed in the lower part of the front, and the blower outlet 42 is provided with the upper and lower flaps 43 and the left and right flaps 44 for controlling the direction of the blown air. The upper and lower flaps 43 control the up and down direction of the blowing air, and the left and right flaps 44 control the left and right direction of the blowing air.

  The infrared sensor 3 is provided on the outlet 42 in the lower part of the front surface of the indoor unit housing 40. The infrared sensor 3 is attached downward at an depression angle of about 24.5 degrees.

  The depression angle is an angle formed by the central axis of the infrared sensor 3 and the horizontal line. In other words, the infrared sensor 3 is mounted downward at an angle of about 24.5 degrees with respect to the horizon.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the air conditioner 100 (indoor unit) includes a blower 45 inside, and a heat exchanger 46 is disposed so as to surround the blower 45.

  The heat exchanger 46 is connected to a compressor or the like mounted on an outdoor unit (not shown) to form a refrigeration cycle. It operates as an evaporator during cooling operation and as a condenser during heating operation.

  Room air is sucked in by the blower 45 from the suction port 41, heat exchange is performed with the refrigerant of the refrigeration cycle in the heat exchanger 46, passes through the blower 45, and is blown out into the room from the outlet 42.

  At the air outlet 42, the vertical and horizontal wind directions are controlled by the upper and lower flaps 43 and the left and right flaps 44. In FIG. 3, the upper and lower flaps 43 are closed.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the infrared sensor 3 has eight light receiving elements (not shown) arranged in a row in the vertical direction inside the metal can 1. On the upper surface of the metal can 1, there are provided lens windows (not shown) for passing infrared rays through the eight light receiving elements. The light distribution viewing angle 2 of each light receiving element is 7 degrees in the vertical direction and 8 degrees in the horizontal direction. In addition, although the light distribution viewing angle 2 of each light receiving element showed 7 degrees of vertical directions and 8 degrees of horizontal directions, it is not limited to 7 degrees of vertical directions and 8 degrees of horizontal directions. The number of light receiving elements changes according to the light distribution viewing angle 2 of each light receiving element. For example, the product of the vertical light distribution viewing angle of one light receiving element and the number of light receiving elements may be made constant.

  In FIG. 4, since the vertical light distribution viewing angle of one light receiving element is 7 degrees and the number of light receiving elements arranged in a line in the vertical direction is 8, the product is 56. Therefore, for example, the vertical light distribution viewing angle of one light receiving element may be 4 degrees, and the number of light receiving elements arranged in a line in the vertical direction may be 14.

  FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the vicinity of the infrared sensor 3 as seen from the back side (from the inside of the air conditioner 100). As shown in FIG. 5, the infrared sensor 3 is housed in the housing 5. A stepping motor 6 that drives the infrared sensor 3 is provided above the housing 5. The infrared sensor 3 is attached to the air conditioner 100 by fixing the mounting portion 7 integrated with the housing 5 to the lower front portion of the air conditioner 100. In a state where the infrared sensor 3 is attached to the air conditioner 100, the stepping motor 6 and the housing 5 are vertical. And the infrared sensor 3 is attached inside the housing | casing 5 downward with the depression angle of about 24.5 degree | times.

  The stepping motor is a synchronous motor that operates in synchronization with pulse power. Therefore, it is also called a pulse motor. Since accurate positioning control can be realized with a simple circuit configuration, it is often used when positioning the device.

  The infrared sensor 3 is rotationally driven by a stepping motor 6 within a predetermined angle range in the left-right direction (this rotational drive is expressed as being movable here), but as shown in FIG. 6, the right end (a) From the center to the left end (c) via the substantially central portion (b), and when it reaches the left end (c), it is reversed and moved in the reverse direction. This operation is repeated. The infrared sensor 3 detects the temperature of the temperature detection target while scanning the room temperature detection target range from side to side.

  Here, a method for acquiring thermal image data of the wall or floor of the room by the infrared sensor 3 will be described. The infrared sensor 3 and the like are controlled by a microcomputer programmed with a predetermined operation. A microcomputer programmed with a predetermined operation is defined as a control unit. In the following description, a description that each control is performed by the control unit (a microcomputer programmed with a predetermined operation) is omitted.

  When acquiring thermal image data of the walls and floors of the room, the infrared sensor 3 is moved in the left-right direction by the stepping motor 6, and the stepping motor 6 has a movable angle (rotational drive angle of the infrared sensor 3) every 1.6 degrees. The infrared sensor 3 is stopped at a position for a predetermined time (0.1 to 0.2 seconds).

  After the infrared sensor 3 is stopped, it waits for a predetermined time (a time shorter than 0.1 to 0.2 seconds), and the detection results (thermal image data) of the eight light receiving elements of the infrared sensor 3 are captured.

  After capturing the detection results of the infrared sensor 3, the stepping motor 6 is again driven (moving angle 1.6 degrees) and then stopped, and the detection results (thermal image data) of the eight light receiving elements of the infrared sensor 3 are the same operation. ).

  The above operation is repeated, and thermal image data in the detection area is calculated based on the detection results of 94 infrared sensors 3 in the left-right direction.

  Since the infrared sensor 3 is stopped at 94 positions every 1.6 degrees of the movable angle of the stepping motor 6 and the thermal image data is captured, the movable range of the infrared sensor 3 in the left-right direction (angle range for rotational driving in the left-right direction) is It is about 150.4 degrees.

  FIG. 7 shows a vertical light distribution viewing angle in a vertical cross section of the infrared sensor 3 in which eight light receiving elements are vertically arranged in a row with the air conditioner 100 installed at a height of 1800 mm from the floor of the room. .

  The angle 7 ° shown in FIG. 7 is the vertical light distribution viewing angle of one light receiving element.

  Further, an angle 37.5 ° in FIG. 7 indicates an angle from a wall to which the air conditioner 100 in a region that does not enter the vertical field region of the infrared sensor 3 is attached. If the depression angle of the infrared sensor 3 is 0 °, this angle is 90 ° −4 (the number of light receiving elements below the horizontal) × 7 ° (vertical light distribution viewing angle of one light receiving element) = 62 °. Become. In the infrared sensor 3 of the present embodiment, the depression angle is 24.5 °, so that 62 ° -24.5 ° = 37.5 °.

  FIG. 8 shows a result obtained by calculating, as thermal image data, a life scene in which a housewife 12 is holding an infant 13 in a room equivalent to 8 tatami mats based on a detection result obtained while moving the infrared sensor 3 in the left-right direction. Show.

  FIG. 8 shows thermal image data acquired on a day when the season is winter and the weather is cloudy. Therefore, the temperature of the window 14 is as low as 10 to 15 ° C. Housewives 12 and infants 13 have the highest temperatures. In particular, the temperature of the upper body of the housewife 12 and the infant 13 is 26-30 ° C. Thus, by moving the infrared sensor 3 in the left-right direction, for example, temperature information of each part of the room can be acquired.

  Next, room shape detection means for determining the room shape by comprehensively judging from the capacity band of the air conditioner, the temperature difference (temperature unevenness) information between the floor surface and the wall surface generated during the air conditioning operation, and the history of the human body detection position (Space recognition detection) will be described.

  From the thermal image data acquired by the infrared sensor 3, the floor area in the air-conditioned area being air-conditioned is obtained, and the wall surface position in the air-conditioned area on the thermal image is obtained.

  Since the areas of the floor surface and the wall surface (the wall surfaces are the front wall and the left and right wall surfaces viewed from the air conditioner 100) are understood on the thermal image, it becomes possible to obtain the average temperature of each individual wall surface. Thus, it is possible to obtain an accurate body temperature in consideration of the wall surface temperature detected by the human body.

The means for obtaining the floor area on the thermal image data integrates the following three pieces of information to enable accurate detection of the floor area and the room shape.
(1) The room shape of the shape limit value and the initial setting value obtained from the capacity band of the air conditioner 100 and the installation position button setting of the remote control.
(2) The room shape obtained from the temperature unevenness of the floor and wall generated during the operation of the air conditioner 100.
(3) The room shape obtained from the human body detection position history.

The air conditioner 100 is divided into capacity bands corresponding to the size of the room to be air-conditioned. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the tatami mat standard and the size (area) during the cooling operation defined by the capacity band of the air conditioner 100. For example, when the capacity of the air conditioner 100 is 2.2 kw, the tatami standard for the air conditioning area during the cooling operation is 6 to 9 tatami. The area (area) of 6 to 9 tatami mats is 10 to 15 m ² .

FIG. 10 is a diagram in which the floor area (area) for each capacity is defined by using the maximum area (area) for each capacity shown in FIG. When the capacity is 2.2 kw, the maximum area (area) in FIG. 9 is 15 m ² . By obtaining the square root of 15 m ² , the vertical and horizontal distances when the aspect ratio is 1: 1 are 3.9 m (3.873 m) each. The maximum vertical and horizontal distance and the minimum distance are set as vertical and horizontal distances when the maximum area of 15 m ² is fixed and the aspect ratio is varied in the range of 1: 2 to 2: 1.

FIG. 11 shows a diagram of the room shape limit values in the vertical and horizontal directions with a capacity of 2.2 kw. From the square root of the maximum area of 15 m ² for each ability, the vertical and horizontal distances when the aspect ratio is 1: 1 are 3.9 m. The maximum vertical and horizontal distance is set as the vertical and horizontal distance when the maximum area of 15 m ² is fixed and the aspect ratio is varied in the range of 1: 2 to 2: 1. When the aspect ratio is 1: 2, the length is 2.7 m and the width is 5.5 m. Similarly, when the aspect ratio is 2: 1, the length is 5.5 m: width 2.7 m.

FIG. 12 shows the vertical and horizontal distance conditions obtained from the capacity band of the air conditioner 100. The initial value in FIG. 12 is obtained from the square root of the intermediate area of the corresponding area for each ability. For example, the adaptation area with a capacity of 2.2 kw is 10 to 15 m ² and the intermediate area is 12 m ² . An initial value of 3.5 m is obtained from the square root of 12 m ² . The calculation of the initial vertical / horizontal distance for each ability band is calculated from the same concept. At the same time, the minimum value (m) and the maximum value (m) are as calculated in FIG.

  Therefore, the initial value (m) in FIG. 12 is the vertical and horizontal distance as the initial value of the room shape determined by the capacity of the air conditioner 100. However, the origin of the installation position of the air conditioner 100 is varied according to the installation position condition from the remote controller (remote control device).

  FIG. 13 shows the conditions for central installation when the capacity is 2.2 kW. As shown in FIG. 13, the initial lateral distance intermediate point is set as the origin of the air conditioner 100. The origin of the air conditioner 100 is the positional relationship of the center (1.8 m from the side) of the room 3.5 m long and wide.

  FIG. 14 shows a case where the left corner is installed (viewed from the user) when the capacity is 2.2 kw. In the case of corner installation, the distance to the wall closer to the left and right is 0.6 m from the origin of the air conditioner 100 (the center point of the width).

  Accordingly, (1) the capacity band of the air conditioner 100 and the room shape of the shape limit value and the initial setting value obtained from the setting position button setting of the remote control are set from the capacity band of the air conditioner 100 under the above-described conditions. By determining the installation position of the air conditioner 100 according to the installation position condition of the remote controller on the floor area, the boundary line between the floor surface and the wall surface can be obtained on the thermal image data acquired from the infrared sensor 3 Yes.

  FIG. 15 shows the positional relationship between the floor surface and the wall surface on the thermal image data when the remote control installation position button is set at the center when the air conditioner 100 has a capacity of 2.2 kw. It can be seen that the left wall 16, the front wall 19, the right wall 17, and the floor 18 are shown on the thermal image data as viewed from the infrared sensor 3 side. The floor shape dimensions of the capacity 2.2 kW at the initial setting are as shown in FIG. Hereinafter, the left wall surface 16, the front wall 19, and the right wall surface 17 are collectively referred to as a wall surface.

  Next, (2) a room shape calculating means obtained from the temperature unevenness of the floor and wall that occurs during the operation of the air conditioner 100 will be described. FIG. 16 shows a calculation flow of the room shape due to temperature unevenness. On the 8 × 94 horizontal thermal image generated as the thermal image data by the infrared image acquisition unit 52 from the infrared sensor driving unit 51 that drives the infrared sensor 3, the reference wall position calculation unit 54 It is characterized in that a range for detecting temperature unevenness on image data is restricted.

  In the following, the function of the reference wall position calculation unit 54 in FIG. 15 will be described under the condition that the remote control installation condition is the central time condition when the air conditioner capacity is 2.2 KW.

  FIG. 17 shows a boundary line 60 between the upper and lower pixels serving as a boundary between the wall surface (the left wall surface 16, the front wall 19, and the right wall surface 17) and the floor surface 18 on the thermal image data of FIG. Pixels above the boundary line 60 are light distribution pixels that detect the wall surface temperature, and pixels below the boundary line 60 are light distribution pixels that detect the floor surface temperature.

  In FIG. 18, the temperature generated between the upper and lower pixels is detected in a total of three pixels, one pixel in the downward direction and two pixels in the upward direction, with respect to the position of the boundary line 60 set in FIG. It is characterized by.

  Instead of searching for a temperature difference between all the pixels of all the thermal image data, a temperature difference is detected around the boundary line 60 between the wall surface (left wall surface 16, front wall 19, right wall surface 17) and floor surface 18. The temperature generated on the boundary line 60 between the wall surface and the floor surface 18 is detected.

  Accordingly, the present invention is characterized in that it has both a reduction in extra software calculation processing (reduction in calculation processing time and load reduction) and an erroneous detection processing (noise debounce processing) due to all pixel detection.

Next, a temperature unevenness boundary detection unit 53 that detects a boundary due to temperature unevenness with respect to the inter-pixel region described above,
(A) Judging means based on absolute values obtained from thermal image data of floor surface temperature and wall surface temperature,
(B) Judgment means based on the maximum value of the gradient (first derivative) in the depth direction of the temperature difference between the upper and lower pixels in the detection region, (c) The gradient of the gradient in the depth direction of the temperature difference between the upper and lower pixels in the detection region Judgment means based on the maximum value of (secondary derivative),
The boundary line 60 can be detected by any one of the means.

  In FIG. 19, in the pixel detection area, a pixel that exceeds a threshold value or a pixel that exceeds the maximum value of the slope is marked by thick line hatching by the temperature unevenness boundary detection unit 53 that detects the temperature unevenness boundary. . In addition, marking is not performed for a portion that does not exceed the threshold value or the maximum value for detecting the temperature unevenness boundary.

  FIG. 20 shows the result of detecting a boundary line due to temperature unevenness. The condition for drawing the boundary line between pixels exceeds the threshold value or the maximum value in the temperature unevenness boundary detection unit 53 below the marked pixel exceeding the threshold value or the maximum value and between the upper and lower pixels in the detection region. In a column that does not exist, it is a condition that a line is drawn at a reference position between pixels that is initially set by the reference wall position calculation unit 54 in FIG.

  Then, on the thermal image data, the coordinate point (X, Y) of each element drawn below the boundary line is converted as a floor surface coordinate point by the floor surface coordinate conversion unit 55 and projected onto the floor surface 18. Is shown in FIG. It can be understood that the element coordinates drawn on the lower part of the boundary line 60 for 94 columns are projected.

  FIG. 22 shows a region 66 of a target pixel for detecting a temperature difference in the vicinity of the position of the front wall 19 under an initial setting condition at a capacity of 2.2 kW and a remote controller central installation condition.

  First, in FIG. 21 in which the boundary element coordinates of each thermal image data are projected on the floor 18, the average of the scattering element coordinate points of each element that detects the vicinity of the position of the front wall 19 shown in FIG. 23 is a front wall boundary 122 of FIG.

  In the same way as the front wall boundary line drawing means, the boundary line is drawn with the average of the scattering element coordinate points of each element corresponding to the right wall surface 17 and the left wall surface 16. The left wall boundary line 120 and the right wall boundary line 121 in FIG. 23 are boundary lines drawn by the average of the scattering element coordinate points of each element. A region connecting the left and right left wall boundary lines 120, the right wall boundary line 121, and the front wall boundary line 122 is a floor surface region.

  Further, as means for drawing a more accurate floor wall boundary line by detecting temperature unevenness, the average value of the element coordinates Y and the standard deviation σ of the area for which the front boundary line is obtained in FIG. There is also a means for recalculating the average value only with the following element target.

  Similarly, in calculating the left and right wall boundary lines, it is possible to use the average value of each element coordinate X and the standard deviation σ.

  Another means for calculating the left and right wall boundary lines is an intermediate region of the distance between the Y coordinates with respect to the Y coordinate obtained by calculating the front wall boundary line, that is, the distance from the wall surface on the air conditioner 100 installation side. It is also possible to obtain the boundary line between the left and right wall surfaces using the average of the X coordinates of each element distributed in 1/3 to 2/3. There is no problem in either case.

  The distance Y to the front wall 19 from the installation position of the air conditioner 100 that can be obtained by the front left and right wall position calculation unit 56 by the above means as the origin, the distance X_left to the left wall surface 16, and the right wall surface 17 And the distance X_right is integrated as a total sum of distances in the detection history storage unit 57 and the number of times is integrated as a distance detection counter, and an average distance is obtained by dividing the sum of the detection distances and the count number. To do. The left and right walls are obtained by the same means.

  Note that the room shape determination result due to temperature unevenness is valid only when the number of detections counted by the detection history storage unit 57 is greater than the threshold number.

  Next, (3) Calculation of the room shape obtained from the human body detection position history will be described. FIG. 24 shows a flow of calculating the room shape based on the human body detection position history. The human body detection unit 61 uses the output of the infrared sensor drive unit 51 that drives the infrared sensor 3 as the thermal image data generated by the infrared image acquisition unit 52 as the thermal image data of 8 * 94 horizontal, and the previous thermal image data. It is characterized by determining the position of the human body by taking the difference between.

  The human body detection unit 61 that detects the presence / absence of the human body and the position of the human body, when taking the difference between the thermal image data, a threshold A that enables the difference detection of the vicinity of the head of the human body having a relatively high surface temperature, and a slight surface temperature. It is characterized by individually having a threshold value B that enables differential detection of a lower foot portion.

  In FIG. 25, the difference between the background image immediately before the generation of the thermal image data in which the human body exists and the thermal image data in which the human body exists is determined, and the detection of the human body is determined based on the threshold A and the threshold B. The thermal image difference area of the thermal image data having elements exceeding the threshold A is determined to be near the human head, and the thermal image difference area of the thermal image data having elements exceeding the threshold B adjacent to the area obtained by the threshold A Ask. At this time, it is assumed that the thermal image difference area obtained from the threshold value B is adjacent to the thermal image difference area obtained from the threshold value A. That is, the thermal image difference area that only exceeds the threshold B is not determined to be a human body. The difference threshold relationship between the thermal image data indicates that threshold A> threshold B.

  The region of the human body obtained by this means makes it possible to detect the region from the head of the human body to the feet, and the thermal image coordinates X, Y of the central portion of the lowermost end portion of the thermal image difference region indicating the feet of the human body The coordinates of the human body position (X, Y) are taken by holding (the coordinates of the shaded Δ marks in FIG. 25).

  The human foot position coordinate (X, Y) obtained from the difference in the thermal image data is converted through the floor surface coordinate conversion unit 55 that converts the floor surface coordinate point as shown in FIG. The human body position history accumulating unit 62 is characterized by accumulating the human body position history.

  FIG. 26 shows a state where the human body detection position obtained from the thermal image data difference is counted and integrated for each of the X axis and Y axis as the human position coordinate (X, Y) point subjected to coordinate conversion by the floor surface coordinate conversion unit 55. Show. In the human body position history accumulating unit 62, as shown in FIG. 26, the minimum resolution of the lateral X coordinate and the depth Y coordinate is secured every 0.3 m, and is secured at intervals of 0.3 m for each axis. Assume that the position coordinates (X, Y) generated every time the human position is detected in the area are counted.

  Based on the human body detection position history information from the human body position history storage unit 62, the wall surface determination unit 58 obtains the floor surface 18 and wall surfaces (left wall surface 16, right wall surface 17, front wall 19) that are room shapes.

  FIG. 27 shows the room shape determination result based on the human body position history. The floor area is determined to have a range of 10% or more of the maximum accumulated numerical value accumulated in the horizontal X coordinate and the depth Y coordinate.

  Next, it is estimated from the accumulated data of the human body detection position history whether the room shape is rectangular (square) or L-shaped, and the floor surface 18 and the wall surface (left wall surface 16, right wall surface) of the L-shaped room shape are estimated. 17, an example of calculating an accurate room shape by detecting temperature unevenness near the front wall 19) will be described.

  FIG. 28 shows the result of the human body detection position history in an L-shaped room-shaped living room. The minimum resolution of the horizontal X coordinate and the depth Y coordinate is an area that is set every 0.3 m, and the position coordinates (X, Y) that are generated every time human body is detected in an area that is secured at intervals of 0.3 m for each axis. Will be counted.

  Naturally, since the human body moves within the L-shaped room shape, the number of counts accumulated in the floor area (X coordinate) in the left and right direction and the floor area (Y coordinate) in the depth direction is the X and Y coordinates. The shape is proportional to each depth region (area).

  A means for determining whether the room shape is rectangular (square) or L-shaped from the accumulated data of the human body detection position history will be described.

  FIG. 29 shows the number of counts accumulated in the floor area (X coordinate) in the horizontal direction X coordinate. The threshold A is characterized in that the distance (width) in the floor surface X direction is 10% or more with respect to the maximum accumulated numerical value.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 30, the floor surface area (X coordinate) obtained in FIG. 29 is equally divided into three areas A, B, and C, and the maximum accumulated numerical value accumulated exists in which area. This is characterized in that the maximum value and the minimum value for each region are obtained at the same time.

  The accumulated maximum accumulated numerical value exists in the region C (or region A), the difference between the maximum value and the minimum value in the region C is within Δα, and the maximum accumulated numerical value in the region C and in the region A When the difference from the maximum accumulation number is equal to or greater than Δβ, it is determined that the shape is L-shaped.

  Obtaining the difference Δα between the maximum value and the minimum value for each region is one of noise debounce processes for estimating the room shape from the accumulated data of the human body detection position history. As shown in FIG. 31, when there is a maximum accumulation number of accumulated data in the area C, the count number of 90% or more of the maximum accumulation number is γ (area decomposed every 0.3 m). There is also a means to judge when there are more than the number). After performing the above calculation process in the area C, the same calculation is performed in the area A to determine the L-shaped room shape (see FIG. 32).

  If it is determined that the room has an L-shaped room shape as described above, as shown in FIG. 33, a location of 50% or more with respect to the maximum accumulation number is obtained. Although this description is given with the X coordinate in the horizontal direction, the same applies to the accumulated data in the Y coordinate in the depth direction.

  A coordinate point with a threshold value B of 50% or more with respect to the maximum accumulation number in the floor area of the horizontal X coordinate and the Y coordinate in the depth direction is a boundary point between the floor and wall surface of the L-shaped room shape. It is characterized by judging.

  FIG. 34 shows the floor area of the L-shaped room shape obtained from the boundary surface between the floor surface and the wall surface of the L-shaped room shape obtained in FIG. Show shape.

  The L-shaped floor shape result obtained above is fed back to the reference wall position calculation unit 54 in the temperature unevenness room shape algorithm, and the range for detecting temperature unevenness on the thermal image data is recalculated. .

  Next, a method for integrating three pieces of information for determining the room shape will be described. However, the process of feeding back the L-shaped floor shape result to the reference wall position calculation unit 54 in the temperature unevenness room shape algorithm and recalculating the range for detecting temperature unevenness on the thermal image data is excluded here.

FIG. 35 shows a flow for integrating the following three pieces of information.
(1) The room shape of the shape limit value and the initial setting value obtained from the capacity band of the air conditioner 100 and the installation position button setting of the remote control.
(2) The room shape obtained from the temperature unevenness of the floor and wall generated during the operation of the air conditioner 100.
(3) The room shape obtained from the human body detection position history.

  (2) For the room shape obtained from the temperature unevenness between the floor 18 and the wall surface that occurs during the operation of the air conditioner 100, the number of detections counted by the detection history accumulating unit 57 by the temperature unevenness boundary detecting unit 53 is greater than the threshold number. Only in the case where the temperature unevenness is valid, the temperature unevenness validity determination unit 64 validates the determination result of the room shape due to the temperature unevenness.

  Similarly, as for the room shape obtained from the human body position history accumulation unit 62 based on (3) the room shape obtained from the human body detection position history, the number of human body detection position histories in which the human body position history accumulation unit 62 accumulates the human body position history is larger than the threshold number. Only when the number is large, the human body position validity determination unit 63 performs the following conditions in the wall position determination unit 58 under the precondition that the determination result of the room shape based on the human body detection position history is valid. Make a decision.

  I. When both (2) and (3) are invalid, the room shape of the initial setting value obtained from the capacity band of the air conditioner 100 and the installation position button setting of the remote controller according to (1) is set.

  B. When (2) is valid and (3) is invalid, the output result of (2) is taken as the room shape. However, if the room shape in (2) does not fit in the length of the side determined in FIG. 12 in (1), or does not fit in the area, it will be expanded or contracted to that range. However, when expanding or contracting depending on the area, the distance to the front wall 19 is corrected.

  A specific correction method will be described. FIG. 36 shows the result of the room shape by detecting the temperature unevenness at the center of the remote control installation position condition with the capability of 2.8 kW. From FIG. 12, when the capacity of the air conditioner 100 is 2.8 kW, the minimum value of the length of the vertical and horizontal sides is 3.1 m, and the maximum value is 6.2 m. Therefore, the limit distance of the distance X_right to the right wall surface and the distance X_left to the left wall surface is determined to be half that in FIG. Therefore, the distance of the minimum right wall / minimum left wall shown in the figure is 1.5 m, and the maximum distance of the right wall / maximum left wall is 3.1 m. When the distance to the left wall surface 16 exceeds the maximum left wall distance as in the room shape due to temperature unevenness illustrated in FIG. 36, the left wall is reduced to the maximum position as illustrated in FIG. I will do it.

Similarly, as shown in FIG. 36, when the distance to the right wall is located between the minimum right wall and the maximum right wall, the positional relationship is maintained as it is. After reducing to the left wall maximum as shown in FIG. 37, the area of the room shape is obtained, and it is confirmed whether it is within the appropriate range of the area range of 13 to 19 m ² at the capacity of 2.8 kW shown in FIG.

If the room shape area of FIG. 37 after correction is larger than the maximum area value 19 m ² , as shown in FIG. 38, the distance of the front wall 19 is adjusted to be reduced to the maximum area 19 m ^2. .

  Similarly, in the case shown in FIG. 39, when the distance to the left wall 16 is less than the minimum left wall, the area is expanded to the minimum left wall region.

  Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 40, it is determined whether the room area is within the appropriate area by calculating the corrected room shape area.

  C. Even when (2) is invalid and (3) is valid, the output result of (3) is the room shape. Similarly to the case of (2) valid and (3) invalid, correction is made so as to meet the side length and area restrictions determined by (1).

  D. When both (2) and (3) are valid, the room shape based on the human body detection position history of (3) has a shorter distance to the wall, based on the room shape due to temperature unevenness of (2). If there is, the correction is made so that the output of the room shape due to the temperature unevenness of (2) is narrowed with a maximum width of 0.5 m.

  Conversely, if (3) is wider, no correction is made. The room shape after correction is also corrected so as to conform to the restrictions on the length and area of the side determined in (1).

  From the above integration conditions, as shown in FIG. 41, the distance Y between the wall surfaces, the Y coordinate Y_front to the front wall 19, the X coordinate X_right of the right wall surface 17, and the X coordinate X_left of the left wall surface 16 can be obtained.

  Next, calculation of the floor wall radiation temperature will be described. Each coordinate point on the floor boundary obtained from the distance between the front wall 19 and the left and right walls (the left wall surface 16 and the right wall surface 17) obtained under the above integration conditions is back projected onto the thermal image data. FIG. 42 shows the result.

  It can be understood that the area of the floor 18, the front wall 19, the left wall 16, and the right wall 17 are divided on the thermal image data of FIG. 42.

  First, regarding the calculation of the wall surface temperature, the average of the temperature data obtained from the thermal image data of each wall region obtained on the thermal image data is set as the wall temperature.

  As shown in FIG. 43, each wall region is surrounded by a thick line.

  Next, the temperature region of the floor 18 will be described. The floor area on the thermal image data is subdivided into, for example, a total of 15 divided areas of 5 in the left-right direction and 3 in the depth direction. The number of areas to be divided is not limited to this, and may be arbitrary.

  The example shown in FIG. 44 is divided into five regions (A1, A2, A3, A4, A5) divided in the left-right direction with respect to the near side region of the floor surface 18.

  Similarly, in FIG. 45, the area is divided into three front and rear divided areas (B1, B2, B3) with respect to the back side area of the floor. Both are characterized in that front, back, left, and right floor areas overlap each other. Therefore, on the thermal image data, temperature data of the temperature of the front wall 19, the left wall surface 16, and the right wall surface 17 and the floor surface temperature divided into 15 are generated. The temperature of each divided floor surface area is the average temperature. Based on the temperature information divided into regions on the thermal image data, the radiation temperature of each human body in the living area captured by the thermal image data is obtained.

  The radiation temperature from the floor surface and wall surface for each human body is obtained by the following calculation formula.

here,
T_calc: radiation temperature Tf. ave: floor temperature T_left of the place where the human body is detected: left wall surface temperature T_front: front wall temperature T_right: right wall surface temperature Xf: X coordinate of human body detection position Yf: Y coordinate of human body detection position X_left: distance between left wall surfaces Y_front : Distance between front wall surfaces X_right: Distance between right wall surfaces α, β, γ: Correction coefficient

  It is possible to calculate the radiation temperature in consideration of the influence of the floor surface temperature, the wall surface temperature of each wall surface, and the distance between the wall surfaces at the place where the human body is detected.

  FIG. 46 shows an example of the radiation temperature obtained by the above formula. The radiation temperature is estimated on the condition detected in the living space where the subject A and the subject B image on the thermal image data on the thermal image data. Front wall temperature T_front: 23 ° C., T_left: 15 ° C., T_right: 23 ° C., subject A floor temperature Tf. ave = 20 ° C., subject B's floor temperature Tf. As a result of calculating ave = 23 ° C. and all correction coefficients on the radiation temperature calculation formula as 1, it can be determined that the radiation temperature of subject A is T_calc = 18 ° C. and the radiation temperature of subject B is T_calc = 23 ° C.

  Conventionally, the radiation temperature is calculated based on the temperature of the floor surface 18 alone. However, it is possible to consider the radiation temperature from the wall surface temperature obtained by recognizing the room shape, and the radiation that the human body can experience in the entire body. It became possible to determine the temperature.

  Next, an example in which the open / close state of the curtain is detected using the wall surface temperature obtained by recognizing the above-described room shape will be described. In the air-conditioned room, the air-conditioning efficiency is often better when the curtain is closed than when the curtain is opened. Therefore, when it is detected that the curtain is open, the user of the air conditioner 100 closes the curtain. This is so that it can be encouraged.

  The flow of detecting the curtain open / closed state will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  The following control is performed by a microcomputer programmed with a predetermined operation. Here again, a microcomputer programmed with a predetermined operation is defined as a control unit. In the following description, a description that each control is performed by the control unit (a microcomputer programmed with a predetermined operation) is omitted.

  The thermal image acquisition unit 101 acquires a thermal image by scanning the temperature sensor target range left and right with the infrared sensor 3 and detecting the temperature of the temperature detection target.

  As described above, when acquiring thermal image data of a wall or floor of a room, the infrared sensor 3 is moved in the left-right direction by the stepping motor 6, and the movable angle of the stepping motor 6 (the rotational drive angle of the infrared sensor 3) 1 The infrared sensor 3 is stopped at each position for a predetermined time (0.1 to 0.2 seconds) every 6 degrees. After the infrared sensor 3 is stopped, it waits for a predetermined time (a time shorter than 0.1 to 0.2 seconds), and the detection results (thermal image data) of the eight light receiving elements of the infrared sensor 3 are captured. After capturing the detection results of the infrared sensor 3, the stepping motor 6 is again driven (moving angle 1.6 degrees) and then stopped, and the detection results (thermal image data) of the eight light receiving elements of the infrared sensor 3 are the same operation. ). The above operation is repeated, and thermal image data in the detection area is calculated based on the detection results of 94 infrared sensors 3 in the left-right direction.

The floor wall detection unit 102 performs air conditioning by the above-described control unit scanning the infrared sensor 3 to acquire thermal image data of the room, and integrating the following three pieces of information on the thermal image data. The floor area in the air conditioning area is obtained, and the wall area (wall surface position) in the air conditioning area on the thermal image data is obtained.
(1) The room shape of the shape limit value and the initial setting value obtained from the capacity band of the air conditioner 100 and the installation position button setting of the remote control;
(2) Room shape obtained from temperature unevenness of floor and wall generated during operation of the air conditioner 100;
(3) The room shape obtained from the human body detection position history.

  From the thermal image acquired by the thermal image acquisition unit 101, the temperature condition determination unit (room temperature determination unit 103, outside temperature determination unit 104) described below is applied to the background thermal image (FIG. 43) generated by the above-described processing. By applying the process, it is determined whether or not the current temperature condition is a state that requires detection of the window state.

  For example, in the case of heating operation, the state where the window state needs to be detected is that the outside air temperature is lower than a certain temperature (for example, 5 ° C.) with respect to the room temperature, the window is cooled, and the heating efficiency is increased when the curtain is opened. Indicates a bad condition.

  Conversely, during cooling, the outside air temperature is higher than a certain temperature (for example, 5 ° C.) with respect to room temperature, the window is warmed, and the cooling efficiency is poor when the curtain is opened.

The room temperature determination unit 103 of the temperature condition determination unit is a means for detecting the room temperature. The room temperature can be estimated by the following method.
(1) The average temperature of the entire background thermal image;
(2) Average temperature of the floor area of the background thermal image;
(3) Value of a room temperature thermistor thermometer (not shown) mounted on the suction port 41 of the indoor unit housing 40 (main body) of the air conditioner 100.

The outside air temperature determination unit 104 is means for detecting the outside air temperature. The outside air temperature can be estimated by the following method.
(1) Value of an outside temperature thermistor thermometer (not shown) mounted on the outdoor unit (not shown) of the air conditioner 100;
(2) Or even if the following method is used instead, there is no problem in determining whether the window state needs to be detected.
a. The lowest temperature in the wall area of the background thermal image (during heating);
b. (Cooling) The highest temperature in the wall area of the background thermal image.

  If the difference between the room temperature and the outside air temperature detected by the room temperature determination unit 103 and the outside air temperature determination unit 104 is a certain value (for example, 5 ° C.) or more, the process proceeds to the following window state detection unit.

  The window state detection unit detects a region having a significant temperature difference (predetermined temperature difference, for example, 5 ° C.) in the background thermal image as the window region 31 (FIG. 48), and monitors the time change of the window region 31. At the same time, the operation of closing the curtain can be detected.

  For example, when a room temperature distribution during heating is photographed by the infrared sensor 3, a thermal image as shown in FIG. 48 is obtained. A low temperature portion of the right wall surface 17 in the thermal image is detected as the window region 31. In FIG. 48, the level of temperature is represented by the color depth. The darker the color, the lower the temperature.

  The wall region temperature difference determination unit 105 determines whether or not the temperature difference in the wall region in the background thermal image is a certain value (for example, 5 ° C.) or more. The temperature difference in the wall area varies depending on the heating, cooling, room size, elapsed time after the start of air conditioning, etc., but the wall temperature may differ from the reference temperature such as floor temperature or room temperature during air conditioning. In many cases, it is difficult to determine the presence / absence of the window region 31 only by threshold processing of the difference from the reference temperature.

  Therefore, the wall region temperature difference determination unit 105 determines whether there is a temperature difference in the wall region based on the idea that the window region 31 exists if there is a significant difference in the temperature in the same wall.

  When the wall area temperature difference determination unit 105 determines that there is no significant temperature difference in the wall area, it determines that there is no window area 31 and does not perform the subsequent processing.

  The wall region inside / outside temperature region extraction unit 106 extracts a region close to the outside temperature in the wall region in the background thermal image. That is, a region having a high temperature in the wall region is extracted during cooling, and a region having a low temperature is extracted in the wall region during heating.

  As a method of extracting a region close to the outside temperature in the wall region in the background thermal image, there is a method of extracting a region that is higher (lower) than a certain temperature (for example, 5 ° C.) than the average temperature in the wall region.

  However, the wall region inside / outside air temperature region extraction unit 106 deletes a minute region as a false detection. For example, the minimum size of the window is 80 cm wide × 80 cm high. From the position of the floor wall detected by the floor wall detector 102 and the installation angle of the infrared sensor 3, the size of the window on the thermal image when there is a window at each position on the thermal image can be calculated. When the size of the window on the thermal image calculated by the calculation is an area that is not larger than the minimum size of the window, it is deleted as a minute area.

  The window region extraction unit 107 extracts a region that is likely to be the window region 31 among the regions extracted by the wall region inside / outside air temperature region extraction unit 106.

  The window area extraction unit 107 detects, as the window area 31, an area that has been extracted as the window area 31 for a predetermined time (for example, 10 minutes) in the wall area inside / outside air temperature area extraction unit 106.

  The window region temperature difference determination unit 108 monitors the temperature change in the region detected as the window region 31 by the window region extraction unit 107, and determines whether the temperature of the region determined as the window has changed to near the wall average temperature. If there is a change, it is determined that the window region 31 has disappeared.

  When the curtain closing operation determination unit 109 determines that all the window regions 31 detected by the window region extraction unit 107 are not the window regions 31 in the window region temperature difference determination unit 108, it is determined that the curtain is closed.

  Further, when the window region extraction unit 107 detects the window region 31 and the wall region temperature difference determination unit 105 determines that the window region 31 is not present, it is also determined that the curtain is closed.

  As described above, the thermal image acquisition unit 101 scans the temperature sensor target range left and right to detect the temperature of the temperature detection target and acquires the thermal image, and the floor wall detection unit 102 detects the thermal image data on the thermal image data. The wall condition in the air-conditioning area is acquired, and the temperature condition determination unit determines whether the current temperature condition requires detection of the window state. A region having a significant temperature difference in the thermal image is detected as the window region 31, and the operation of closing the curtain can be detected simultaneously with monitoring the time change of the window region 31.

  With such a configuration, the exposure of the window affected by the outside air temperature, which requires extra power consumption for air conditioning, is detected, and the user of the air conditioner 100 is urged to close the curtain or the like. Make it possible.

  The user of the air conditioner 100 can reduce the power consumption of the air conditioner 100 by closing the curtain or the like.

  Next, for example, a specific method for detecting the exposure of the window affected by the outside air temperature and encouraging the user of the air conditioner 100 to close the curtain or the like will be described.

  The flowchart in FIG. 49 is obtained by adding an information presentation unit (user interface unit 110) to the flowchart for detecting the open / closed state of the curtain in FIG.

  The information presenting unit (user interface unit 110) is intended to promote the user's energy-saving behavior by conveying the user's own energy-saving information that is difficult or unnoticeable to the user.

  Even if there is no particular knowledge of energy saving, the energy saving operation can be performed by executing the guidance content displayed on the remote controller 200 (see the display content displayed on the guidance display unit 220 in FIG. 51).

Basic information obtained from the thermal image obtained by the infrared sensor 3 described in the present embodiment is the following three points.
(1) Information on the position of the human body in the living space area (detection result of where in the room).
(2) Information on the amount of movement (movement amount) of the human body obtained from the detection result of the human body per time axis. When a human body is always detected in a different place, it is determined that the amount of activity (movement amount) is large. On the contrary, when staying at the same place (such as a state of being relaxed on the sofa), it is determined that the activity amount (movement amount) is small.
(3) Temperature information of a window region 31 in the wall surface obtained from space recognition.

  Energy saving advice that encourages users to save energy is based on these three types of information.

  The user himself / herself does not know or does not know energy saving information through the user interface unit 110 of the information presentation unit to promote the user's energy saving behavior, and the remote controller 200 (see FIG. 51) without any energy saving knowledge. The energy saving operation is enabled by executing the guidance content displayed in.

  Details of the user interface unit 110 will be described below.

  As shown in FIG. 50, the air conditioner 100 includes a display unit 100 a on the front surface of the indoor unit housing 40. The display unit 100a includes an ECO lamp 20 (which can display guidance).

  The air conditioner 100 that can obtain energy-saving information that the user does not know (not notice) based on the information from the infrared sensor 3 lights the ECO lamp 20 (can display guidance) of the display unit 100a of the indoor unit housing 40. First, the user is notified that there is energy saving information.

  The remote controller 200 (remote control device) shown in FIG. 51 is for the user to control the operation of the air conditioner 100 at hand. The remote controller 200 shown here has buttons for normal operation on / off, temperature setting, and the like. In addition, an ECO advice button 210 (information request button) and a guidance display unit 220 are provided.

  The user notices the ECO lamp 20 that is lit on the display unit 100a of the air conditioner 100 (indoor unit), and presses the ECO advice button 210 (information request button) provided on the operation unit of the remote controller 200, thereby performing detailed energy saving. Information can be obtained.

  The energy saving information delivery technology means between the air conditioner 100 (indoor unit) and the remote controller 200 may be either bidirectional infrared communication or wireless communication.

  The air conditioner 100 (indoor unit) performs communication that performs bidirectional communication between the control unit of the air conditioner 100 (indoor unit) and the remote controller 200 (remote control device) by bidirectional infrared communication or wireless communication. Part (not shown).

  Detailed energy saving information is displayed on the guidance display unit 220 at the top of the remote controller 200.

  As shown in FIG. 51, the remote controller 200 (remote control device) is a dot matrix that can display energy-saving operation information (information regarding recommended operation and energy-saving advice) and operation modes such as cooling, dehumidification, heating, and air blowing at the top. A configured guidance display unit 220 is provided.

  The guidance display unit 220 uses a dot matrix type liquid crystal panel in which pixels are evenly arranged in a grid pattern in order to display a variety of images.

  Even if an attempt is made to wire electrodes to a large number of pixels in a dot matrix display, all the terminals cannot be taken out at the peripheral edge of the substrate, so that an active element is placed in each pixel to drive (active matrix driving), or An orthogonal stripe electrode is provided on both substrates, and the liquid crystal at the intersection is driven (simple matrix drive).

  Below the guidance display section 220, a setting information display section 230 that displays time, set temperature, and set humidity is provided.

  An on / off button 240 for operating / stopping the air conditioner 100 (indoor unit) is provided below the setting information display unit 230.

  Below the ON / OFF button 240, a temperature adjustment button 250 for adjusting the temperature and a humidity adjustment button 260 for adjusting the humidity are arranged side by side.

  An operation mode change button 270 for changing the operation mode is provided under the temperature adjustment button 250 for adjusting the temperature and the humidity adjustment button 260 for adjusting the humidity. From the left, the operation mode change button 270 includes a cooling button that performs a cooling operation, a dehumidification switching button that performs a dehumidifying operation, and a heating button that performs a heating operation arranged side by side.

  Below these buttons for changing the operation mode, an ECO advice button 210 (energy saving operation information request button) for requesting the air conditioner 100 (indoor unit) to transmit information on energy saving operation is provided. The ECO advice button 210 is an image of a leaf.

  A mist button 290 for generating mist and a timer button 280 are provided below the ECO advice button 210.

  The detailed energy saving information is displayed on the guidance display unit 220 at the top of the remote controller 200. However, the remote controller 200 has a function of generating a sound so that the user can be notified of the detailed energy saving information by voice. Good. Even when the user is unaware of the display on the guidance display unit 220 of the remote controller 200, the user can be surely notified of the energy saving information by notifying the user of the detailed energy saving information by voice.

  Also, the illustration (leaf) of the ECO lamp 20 of the air conditioner 100 (indoor unit) and the ECO advice button 210 on the remote control 200 side is the same, and the color of the ECO advice button 210 on the remote control 200 side is green. Therefore, one of the features is that the ECO lamp 20 of the air conditioner 100 (indoor unit) also employs a green LED (light emitting diode) or a green filter to express a shared function. 50 and 51, the illustrations of the ECO lamp 20 of the air conditioner 100 (indoor unit) and the ECO advice button 210 on the remote controller 200 are not exactly the same.

  Hereinafter, the lighting conditions of the ECO lamp 20 on the air conditioner 100 side will be described.

  The ECO lamp 20 is turned on when energy-saving information not noticed by the user obtained by analyzing / analyzing the thermal image obtained from the infrared sensor 3 is generated during operation of the air conditioner 100 (when the ECO advice generation condition is satisfied). Let However, it is not turned on when the operation of the air conditioner 100 is not stable, such as immediately after the start of operation. That is, the condition is that the operating state of the air conditioner 100 is stable.

Next, conditions for turning off the ECO lamp 20 will be described. The extinguishing conditions are the following three points.
(1) When energy saving information is received from the main body of the air conditioner 100 by the user pressing the ECO advice button 210 of the remote controller 200.
(2) While the air conditioner 100 is presenting energy saving information to the user side with the ECO lamp 20 (while the ECO lamp 20 is lit), before the user notices the lighting of the ECO lamp 20 (ECO advice of the remote controller 200) When the user cancels the state indicated by the energy saving information presented by the main body of the air conditioner 100 (without pressing the button 210). The energy-saving information presented by the main body is, for example, “When there is a cold place on the wall surface and the curtain door is closed, energy is saved” during heating operation. At this time, when the user spontaneously closes the curtain door, the air conditioner 100 detects this and turns off the ECO lamp 20.
(3) When a predetermined time has elapsed after the ECO lamp 20 is turned on (about 30 minutes).
The ECO lamp 20 is turned off at the above three points.

  The contents of the guidance display unit 220 displayed when the ECO advice button 210 on the remote controller 200 side is pressed will be described below.

  In the guidance display unit 220, in addition to information on energy saving advice, it is possible to display the contents of the operation mode or operation status of the air conditioner 100.

  When the user presses the ECO advice button 210 on the remote control 200 side while the ECO lamp 20 is lit, the guidance display unit 220 displays energy saving advice information. Yes.

  Furthermore, it is characterized by displaying the content for guiding the setting change to the optimum operation mode in accordance with the energy saving advice.

  When the user presses the ECO advice button 210 on the remote control 200 side when the ECO lamp 20 is not lit, the air conditioner 100 is characterized in that the contents of the operation status of the air conditioner 100 are displayed.

  Details will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG. When the predetermined time (α time) immediately after the start of the operation of the air conditioner 100 has not elapsed (that is, as the actual operation state of the air conditioner 100, the time before the compressor (compressor) is started or before the start of the heating operation. When the ECO advice button 210 on the remote control side is pressed while the cold wind prevention time is increased, the operation information of the air conditioner 100 is displayed. For example, the content is “currently preparing for operation start” (see also FIG. 53).

  After that, the operation information of the air conditioner 100 is displayed even when the user presses the ECO advice button 210 on the remote control 200 side until the air conditioner 100 starts operation and stabilizes (at the time of fluctuation). To do. For example, the content is “approaching set temperature” (see also FIG. 54).

  After that, after the operating condition of the air conditioner 100 shifts to a stable state, when the energy saving advice content is confirmed with information from the infrared sensor 3, the ECO lamp 20 of the display unit 100a of the air conditioner 100 is turned on. .

  If the user presses the ECO advice button 210 on the remote control 200 side when the ECO lamp 20 is lit, the content of the energy saving advice is displayed on the guidance display section 220 of the remote control 200.

  After displaying the content of the energy saving advice, the guide content that encourages switching to the optimum operation mode is displayed. When the user performs an operation of the remote controller 200 according to the guide content, the air conditioner 100 performs an operation in accordance with the operation content.

  When the user presses the ECO advice button 210 again within a predetermined time (β time) after the operation mode is changed, a guide display as to whether or not to cancel the operation mode recommended in the previous guidance is performed. “Do you want to restore the settings?” (See also FIG. 55).

  When the user gives priority to comfort over the previous energy-saving operation mode, the operation is performed to return the operation mode to the original state in accordance with the advice cancellation instruction.

  The detailed expression method of energy saving advice is described below. In the window detection algorithm using the infrared sensor 3, when the air conditioner 100 determines that the influence of the cold radiation from the window is large during the heating operation, the following display content is displayed on the guidance display unit 220 of the remote controller 200. Display is performed (FIG. 56).

  First, the message “There is a cold place on the wall” is displayed for 5 seconds, then the display is changed, and the message “When the curtain door is closed” is displayed for 5 seconds. "Is displayed for 5 seconds.

  It is intended to encourage the user to save energy by displaying the contents of this energy saving advice.

  Further, when the outside air temperature falls below the indoor set temperature without knowing during the cooling operation, the following display contents are displayed on the guidance display unit 220 of the remote controller 200 (FIG. 57).

  First, the message “Set temperature and outside temperature are approaching” is displayed for 5 seconds, then the display is changed and the message “Comfortable air blow operation” is displayed for 5 seconds, and then the cooling operation is switched to the air blowing operation. "Blower operation transition? Yes: Press" Eco "No: Leave" is displayed for 5 seconds.

  For the guidance content, if the user presses the ECO advice button 210, it means that the operation mode is changed from the cooling operation to the air blowing operation.

58, details of the energy saving advice obtained from the infrared sensor 3 during the cooling / dehumidifying operation will be described. The content of the energy saving advice at this time is, for example, as shown below, and is described from the one with the highest priority.
(1) The advice outline is “teach soft energy-saving effect” and is “not known” for the user. On the guidance display unit 220 of the remote controller 200, the content of “Controlled only by the air temperature” is displayed on the display 1 for 5 seconds, and then the content of the display is changed and the display 2 is “driving at a temperature felt by the body”. The contents are displayed for 5 seconds, and the display contents are changed, and the contents such as “Experience setting? Yes:“ Eco ”is pressed.
(2) The advice outline is “Detecting people's movements and telling people that people stay together for a certain period of time can be energy-saving operation”. It was not. On the guidance display section 220 of the remote control 200, the content of “The entire room is being air-conditioned” is displayed on display 1 for 5 seconds, and then the content of the display is changed and the content of “display is saved by windbreak” is displayed on display 2. Is displayed for 5 seconds, and the display contents change and display 3 displays “Wind protection setting? Yes:“ Eco ”is pressed.
(3) The advice outline is “I recommend checking and closing the door / curtain with the sunlight in the move eye and the low radiation in the winter” and is “inadvertently” for the user. On the guidance display section 220 of the remote controller 200, the display 1 displays “There is a warm place on the wall” for 5 seconds, and then the display changes and the display 2 displays “When the curtain door is closed” for 5 seconds. In addition, the contents of the display are changed, and the contents such as “energy saving” is displayed for 5 seconds in the display 3.
(4) The advice summary is “one-point advice for a user who has a cold foot” and is “inadvertently” for the user. The display on the guidance display unit 220 of the remote controller 200 is omitted.
(5) The advice summary is “advice when detecting the amount of activity” and is “inadvertently” for the user. The guidance display unit 220 of the remote control 200 displays the content “Air is easily dirty” on the display 1 for 5 seconds, and then the content on the display 2 changes to “Suppresses floating bacteria with mist”. Display for 5 seconds, and display contents change, and display 3 displays “Mist setting? Yes:“ Eco ”is pressed. Note that “inadvertently” includes, for example, not aware, not conscious, or forgotten.

59, the detailed content at the time of heating operation of the energy saving advice obtained from the infrared sensor 3 will be described. The content of the energy saving advice at this time is, for example, as shown below, and is described from the one with the highest priority.
(1) The advice outline is “teach soft energy-saving effect” and is “not known” for the user. On the guidance display unit 220 of the remote controller 200, the content of “Controlled only by the air temperature” is displayed on the display 1 for 5 seconds, and then the content of the display is changed and the display 2 is “driving at a temperature felt by the body”. The contents are displayed for 5 seconds, and the display contents are changed, and the contents such as “Experience setting? Yes:“ Eco ”is pressed.
(2) The advice outline is “Detecting people's movements and telling people that people stay together for a certain period of time can be energy-saving operation”. It was not. On the guidance display section 220 of the remote control 200, the content of “The entire room is being air-conditioned” is displayed on display 1 for 5 seconds, and then the content of the display is changed and the content of “display is saved by windbreak” is displayed on display 2. Is displayed for 5 seconds, and the display contents change and display 3 displays “Wind protection setting? Yes:“ Eco ”is pressed.
(3) The advice outline is “I recommend checking and closing the door / curtain with the sunlight in the move eye and the low radiation in the winter” and is “inadvertently” for the user. On the guidance display section 220 of the remote controller 200, the display 1 displays “There is a warm place on the wall” for 5 seconds, and then the display changes and the display 2 displays “When the curtain door is closed” for 5 seconds. In addition, the contents of the display are changed, and the contents such as “energy saving” is displayed for 5 seconds in the display 3.
(4) The advice summary is “one-point advice for a user who has a cold foot” and is “inadvertently” for the user. The guidance display section 220 of the remote control 200 displays on the display 1 “wind direction is upward and isn't it cold at the feet?” For 5 seconds, and then the display is changed and the display 2 shows “automatically saves wind speed”. Is displayed for 5 seconds, and the display contents are changed, and the display 3 displays “Set wind speed auto? Yes: Press“ Eco ”No: Leave” for 5 seconds.
(5) The advice summary is “advice when detecting the amount of activity” and is “inadvertently” for the user. The guidance display unit 220 of the remote control 200 displays the content “Air is easily dirty” on the display 1 for 5 seconds, and then the content on the display 2 changes to “Suppresses floating bacteria with mist”. Display for 5 seconds, and display contents change, and display 3 displays “Mist setting? Yes:“ Eco ”is pressed.

  As described above, energy saving information that is difficult or unknown to the user himself / herself is communicated by the user interface unit 110 of the information presentation unit, so that the user's energy saving action can be promoted. The energy-saving operation becomes possible by executing the guidance content.

  The guidance display unit 220 provided in the remote controller 200 (remote control device) shown in FIG. 51 uses a dot matrix type liquid crystal panel in which each pixel is evenly arranged in a grid pattern in order to perform a variety of image display. . However, since the liquid crystal panel is small as shown in FIG. 51, the guidance display unit 220 displays energy saving advice content at predetermined time intervals (for example, 5 seconds) as shown in FIGS. There is a restriction that it must be displayed in multiple times (for example, three times).

  Therefore, a remote control 300 (remote control device) of a modification having an interface display unit 301 (see FIG. 60) using a full dot (255 * 160) LCD (liquid crystal display) is used, and a full dot (255 * 160) LCD (liquid crystal display) is used. An example in which the energy saving advice content is collectively displayed on the interface display unit 301 using the display) will be described.

  First, a modified remote controller 300 (remote control device) having an interface display unit 301 (see FIG. 60) using a full dot (255 * 160) LCD (liquid crystal display) will be described with reference to FIGS. Do.

  A feature of the remote controller 300 of the modification shown in FIG. 60 is that the number of buttons operated by the user is significantly reduced compared to a normal one. Although details will be described later, the remote controller 300 does not have a door. The buttons operated by the user are only the buttons shown in FIG.

  60, since the air conditioner (not shown) is stopped, only the time is displayed on the interface display unit 301 at the upper front of the remote control main body 310 (remote control device main body).

  For the interface display unit 301, for example, a full dot (255 * 160) LCD (liquid crystal display) is used.

  Eliminate the display restrictions on the segment display used in the interface display section of the conventional remote control (* function restrictions that can only be displayed with the contents determined in the determined area), and free expression and animation within the interface screen Can be deployed.

  The setting information display unit 230 of the remote controller 200 shown in FIG. 51 is a segment display, and can only display the content determined in the determined area.

  Below the interface display unit 301, an operation on / off button 302 and an operation mode switching button 303 are arranged in the approximate center of the remote controller 300.

  The operation mode switching button 303 includes a cooling button, a dehumidification switching button, and a heating button.

  Below the operation mode switching button 303, a scene button 304, an adjustment button 305, and a temperature adjustment button 306 are arranged in one circle.

  The scene button 304 includes a scene select button 304a, an up / down button 304b, and an enter button 304c.

  The up / down button 304b is arranged at the center of a large circle and has a circular shape. The up / down button 304b is one, and when the user presses the “▲” portion of the up / down button 304b, the cursor (see FIG. 61) of the interface display unit 301 moves upward.

  When the user presses the “▲” portion of the up / down button 304b once, the cursor of the interface display unit 301 moves up one line.

  When the user presses the “▼” portion of the up / down button 304b, the cursor (see FIG. 61) of the interface display unit 301 moves downward.

  When the user presses the “▼” portion of the up / down button 304b once, the cursor on the interface display unit 301 moves down one line.

  A scene select button 304a, an adjustment button 305, a determination button 304c, and a temperature adjustment button 306 are arranged in a donut shape.

  Below the scene button 304, a return button 307 and an announcement navigation button 308 are provided. As will be described later, the return button 307 has a function of, for example, setting end.

  The above layout is an example and is not limited to the arrangement shown in FIG.

  A method of using the remote control 300 will be described. When the operation of the air conditioner 100 is started from the state where the air conditioner 100 is stopped, any of the cooling button, the dehumidification switching button, and the heating button of the operation on / off button 302 or the operation mode switching button 303 is selected. By pressing the, the air conditioner 100 starts operation.

  When the cooling operation is desired, the operation on / off button 302 or the cooling button of the operation mode switching button 303 is pressed. When the operation on / off button 302 is pressed, the previous operation mode is set. For example, if the previous time is cooling, this time also becomes cooling. If you want to change to the operation mode different from the previous operation mode, press the operation mode button again. For example, when the previous dehumidifying operation and this time cooling operation is desired, the dehumidifying operation starts when the operation ON / OFF button 302 is pressed, but the cooling operation is started by pressing the cooling button of the operation mode switching button 303. The

  When the air conditioner 100 is stopped, the air conditioner 100 can be operated by pressing one of the operation on / off button 302 or the cooling button, the dehumidification switching button, and the heating button of the operation mode switching button 303. The operation is started. At this time, a scene selection screen is displayed on the interface display unit 301 of the remote controller 300 (see FIG. 61).

  Although details will be described later, when a predetermined time elapses after the user selects the scene selection, the interface display unit 301 of the remote controller 300 is switched to a normal screen (setting screen for temperature, humidity, etc., see FIG. 64).

  To display the scene select screen when the interface display unit 301 of the remote controller 300 is a normal screen and no scene is set, when the scene select button 304a of the scene button 304 is pressed, the interface display unit 301 becomes the scene select screen.

Next, an example of the contents of the scene select will be described. The interface display unit 301 displays the optimum user's feeling (contents to be set at that time) suitable for the life scene. The input contents of the scene select are as shown below, for example.
(1) I want to hurry and cool (I want to hurry and warm);
(2) I do not want to hit the wind (I want to hit the wind);
(3) I want to clean the air;
(4) I want to dry the room;
(5) I want to care for my skin;
(6) I want to treat customers;
(7) I want to sleep comfortably.

  When the user presses the scene select button 304a of the scene button 304 at the start of the operation of the air conditioner 100 or during scene operation of the air conditioner 100, the interface display unit 301 of the remote controller 300 displays, for example, FIG. A scene selection screen (menu screen) as shown in FIG. The cursor is on the top “I want to hurry and cool down”.

  To move the cursor to the input content that the user wants to select, the up / down button 304b of the scene button 304 is used. For example, when selecting “I want to clean the air”, when the “▼” portion of the up / down button 304b is pressed twice from the state shown in FIG. 61, the cursor is “I want to make the air clean” as shown in FIG. Move to.

  In addition, when selecting “I want to entertain the customer”, when the “▼” portion of the up / down button 304b is pressed five times from the state shown in FIG. 61, the cursor moves to “I want to entertain the customer” as shown in FIG. To do.

  Hereinafter, the selection of input contents on the scene selection screen (menu screen), the contents of the selected scene, and the flow of detailed scene settings will be described with reference to FIGS.

  First, when the scene selection button 304a of the scene button 304 is pressed for setting a scene at the start of the operation of the air conditioner 100 or during the operation of the air conditioner 100, the interface display unit 301 of the remote controller 300 displays, for example, FIG. A scene selection screen (menu screen) as shown in FIG. The cursor is on the top “I want to hurry and cool down”.

  Next, when the user presses the “▼” portion of the up / down button 304b of the scene button 304 once, as shown in FIG. 65B, the cursor moves to “I do not want to hit the wind”.

  The content that the user wants to set is not "I don't want to hit the wind" but "I want to entertain customers". Therefore, as shown in FIG. 65C, the user further presses the “▼” portion of the up / down button 304b of the scene button 304 four times to move the cursor to “I want to entertain the customer”.

  In the state where the cursor is “I want to entertain the customer”, the determination button 304c of the scene button 304 is pressed. Then, the scene content is displayed on the interface display section 301 of the remote controller 300 as shown in FIG.

  Here, for example, “high power 30 minutes”, “upward”, and “platinum nanocolloid” are displayed in order from the top as the contents of “I want to treat customers”.

  Here, if the scene content is acceptable, the return button 307 is pressed to end the scene. When a predetermined time elapses after the scene ends, the interface display section 301 of the remote controller 300 changes to a normal screen (setting screen for temperature, humidity, etc.) (see FIG. 64).

  In addition, when the user wants to change the scene content to, for example, “upward”, the user presses the decision button 304 c of the scene button 304. Then, the interface display unit 1 of the remote controller 300 becomes a scene detail setting screen as shown in FIG.

Scene Details setting screen, for example, from the top, is displayed "OFF ON you want to entertain customers", "Change high power 30 minutes Off On Time", "wind up Off On adjustment", "platinum nano colloid Off On" . In FIG. 66 (e), the on-on display is shown by enclosing the box with a square, but here it is shown with an underline.

The left edge of the triangle of the cursor at the scene detailed setting screen in FIG. 66 (e) is to "change the high-power 30 minutes Off On time".

  Here, it is assumed that the user wants to change the setting to “windward”.

Thus, the user, the cursor of the "▼" portion by pressing one of the triangle up and down button 304b of the scene button 304, to move to "wind up Off On adjustment".

Then, the user, and press the enter button 4c twice to change the setting to "wind up Off On Adjustment" (FIG. 66 (f)).

  Further, the user presses the return button 307 to complete the setting. Then, as shown in FIG. 66 (g), “high power 30 minutes” and “platinum nanocolloid” are displayed in order from the top as the contents of “I want to welcome customers” on the interface display section 301 of the remote controller 300. Is done.

  Thereafter, when a predetermined time elapses, the interface display unit 301 of the remote controller 300 switches to a normal screen (setting screen for temperature, humidity, etc.) (see FIG. 64).

  The scene selection screen (menu screen) in FIGS. 65A to 65C will be supplemented. For example, in FIGS. 65A to 65C, most of the interface display unit 301 of the remote controller 300 is used for a scene selection screen (menu screen). An animation corresponding to the selected scene (with the cursor) is displayed as shown in each figure together with the input contents of the select.

  When the cursor as shown in FIG. 65 (a) is at the top "I want to cool it down quickly", as shown in the figure, an animation in which a person is sweating in the sunlight. Is displayed at the bottom of the interface display unit 301.

  When the cursor as shown in FIG. 65 (b) is in "I do not want to hit the wind", as shown in the figure, the conditioned air from the air conditioner is blown away avoiding people. The animation is displayed at the bottom of the interface display unit 301.

  When the cursor as shown in FIG. 65 (c) is in “I want to entertain a customer”, as shown in FIG. 65, an animation of a person (customer) approaching the house is displayed on the interface display unit 301. Displayed at the bottom.

  Note that the animations shown in FIGS. 65 (a) to 65 (c) are not displayed in the same manner, but change every moment. In FIG. 65 (a) to FIG. 65 (c), one screen is displayed.

  There are two methods for displaying animation on the scene selection screen (menu screen) shown in FIGS. 65 (a) to 65 (c). One is a method of displaying an animation under the scene selection screen (menu screen) as shown in FIGS. 65 (a) to 65 (c).

  The other one is that only the scene selection screen is initially displayed, and an animation is displayed on the entire screen of the interface display unit 301 of the remote controller 300 after a predetermined time has elapsed (for example, several seconds later). Thereby, the user can understand the content of the scene well. Thereafter, when the user presses the enter button 304c at an appropriate time during the animation display, the scene contents shown in FIG.

  Next, an example of an animation that changes every moment is shown. FIG. 67 is an example of an animation when the scene select is “I want to clean the air”. “Platinum nano colloid is being released” is displayed at the top of the interface display section 301 of the remote controller 300. The animation changes in the order of the arrows. In the figure, platinum nanocolloids are small circles and diamonds. It can be seen that the virus in the air disappears or becomes smaller by the platinum nanocolloid.

  67. When the scene selection shown in FIG. 67 is “I want to clean the air” and the cursor comes to “I want to clean the air” on the scene selection screen, the animation is displayed below the scene selection screen or the interface display unit 301. Is displayed on the full screen.

  In this way, as a method of cleansing air, operating a device that has the function of removing viruses in the air is explained by the word “emitting platinum nanocolloid” and its functional image The animation is displayed.

  By displaying the contents of the effect of sterilizing viruses in the air with platinum nanocolloids in an animation, the contents of the functions can be communicated to the user in an easy-to-understand manner. As a result, the user can fully implement the functions of the air conditioner so that the user can carry out more energy-saving driving.

  FIG. 68 shows an example of an animation when the scene select is “I want to care for my skin”. “Platinum nano colloid is being released” is displayed at the top of the interface display section 301 of the remote controller 300. The animation changes in the order of the arrows. In the figure, the small circular shape is platinum nanocolloid. It can be seen that platinum nanocolloids act on human faces to moisturize the skin.

  FIG. 69 is an enlarged view of the scene select selection screen when a plurality of scene select contents are selected. In this way, two (plural) scene selections can be selected. This is characterized in that the user can respond to various conditions and feelings such as when the user cannot satisfy the feeling by selecting one scene select.

  In the example of FIG. 69, two scene selections of “I want to cool quickly and want to cool” and “I want to clean the air” are selected. Two or more scene select selections are also possible.

  Further, the display priority order of scene selection is characterized in that the order of display contents is changed from the next selection screen according to the use selection frequency of the user, and is displayed in order from the top of the interface display unit 301 in descending order of frequency of use. To do.

  Another feature is that the input content of the scene select is changed by learning the frequency of multiple selection and the combination of scene select.

  For example, if you frequently select multiple scene selections, such as `` I want to cool quickly '' and `` I want to clean the air '', I will add a new scene select that combines `` I want to cool quickly and clean the air '' Display (see FIG. 70).

  In this way, it is characterized by providing a scene select suitable for the user and suitable for life.

  Further, by displaying and explaining the product function on the interface display unit 301 of the remote controller 300, a part of the function of the instruction manual of the air conditioner attached to the product is taken over.

  In order to clarify the characteristics of the present embodiment, a general air conditioner remote control 400 will be briefly described.

  A general air conditioner remote control 400 will be described with reference to FIGS. 76 to 79.

  A general air conditioner remote control 400 shown in FIGS. 76 to 79 is of a vertically long stick type.

  The remote controller 400 is provided with a display unit 402 that displays the operation mode of the air conditioner such as operation modes such as cooling, dehumidification, and heating, set temperature, set humidity, wind speed, and wind direction.

  An on / off button 403 for operating / stopping the air conditioner is provided below the display unit 402.

  Below the ON / OFF button 403, a temperature adjustment button 407 for adjusting the temperature and a humidity adjustment button 404 for adjusting the humidity are arranged side by side.

  The remote control 400 includes a remote control door 415 under a temperature adjustment button 407 for adjusting temperature and a humidity adjustment button 404 for adjusting humidity. The remote control door 415 opens downward (see FIG. 77).

  On the surface of the remote control door 415, a button that can be operated with the remote control door 415 closed is provided. As shown in FIG. 78, a cooling button 412, a dehumidification switching button 411, and a heating button 410 are arranged side by side on the upper surface of the remote control door 415.

  A news navigation button 413 for requesting information on the air conditioner is provided at a substantially central portion of the surface of the remote control door 415.

  Under the news navigation button 413, a blow button 414, an on timer button 416, and an off timer button 417 are arranged side by side on the lower part of the surface of the remote control door 415.

  Below the temperature adjustment button 407 and the humidity adjustment button 404, a detailed setting button group 405 that appears when the remote control door 415 is opened is provided (see FIG. 79). The detailed setting button group 405 is used, for example, when performing detailed settings such as a wind speed and a wind direction blown out from the indoor unit and a timer.

  A door opening / closing detection switch 406 for detecting opening / closing of the remote control door 415 is provided at the center of the lowermost part of the detailed setting button group 405.

  A protrusion (not shown) is formed on the back side of the remote control door 415 to press the door opening / closing detection switch 406 when the remote control door 415 is closed to turn it on from off.

  Thus, the remote control 400 for a general air conditioner has many buttons on the surface of the remote control 400 and the remote control door 415. For this reason, there is an anxiety that you do not know the appropriate remote control settings in daily life scenes, and that you do not know how to use functions that you do not normally use, and you give up at the end, giving you a complicated operation and impression. There is a problem that there is. Further, even a button having a new value added name has a problem that the effect and function when the button is pressed cannot be understood.

  As already described, the remote controller 300 according to the modification greatly reduces the number of operation buttons compared to the general remote controller 400. Further, the remote control door 415 unlike the general remote control 400 is not provided.

  Various air conditioners 100 can be controlled by selecting and determining a scene selection (menu) displayed on the interface display unit 301 of the remote controller 300 by operating only the scene button 304 instead of operating a plurality of buttons. It becomes.

  In addition, the scene selection (menu) displayed on the interface display unit 301 of the remote controller 300 expresses the scene of the user's daily life in words, and displays the scene as an animation. Therefore, the user can fully use the additional functions of the air conditioner 100 without giving up and giving up the added value functions.

  When the number of scene selections (menus) displayed on the interface display unit 301 of the remote controller 300 is large and cannot be displayed on the interface display unit 301 at a time, all scene selections can be selected and determined by scrolling.

  The relationship between the scene select (menu) displayed on the interface display unit 301 of the remote controller 300 and various buttons of the general remote controller 400 will be briefly described.

  For example, “I want to chill quickly” in the scene select corresponds to a “high power button” (not specified in the drawing) in the detailed setting button group 405 of the general remote controller 400.

  Also, “I do not want to hit the wind” in the scene select corresponds to a “wind / wind button” (not specified in the figure) in the detailed setting button group 205 of the general remote controller 400.

  The scene select “I want to clean the air” corresponds to a “mist button” (not specified in the figure) of a general remote controller 400.

  Also, “I want to care for my skin” in the scene select corresponds to a “mist button” (not specified in the figure) of a general remote controller 400.

  The scene selection “I want to dry the room” corresponds to a “laundry button” (not specified in the figure) of the general remote controller 400.

  Also, “I want to sleep comfortably” in the scene select corresponds to a “sleep button” (not specified in the figure) of a general remote controller 400.

  As described above, various buttons of the general remote controller 400 can be replaced with the input contents of the scene select displayed on the interface display unit 301 of the remote controller 300. In the above description, the relationship between some buttons of the general remote controller 400 and the scene selection input content displayed on the interface display unit 301 of the remote controller 300 has been described. Although not described, all the buttons of the general remote controller 400 can be replaced with a scene select displayed on the interface display unit 301 of the remote controller 300.

  As described above, the remote controller 300 according to the modified example eliminates the buttons that are difficult to understand due to the large number of general remote controllers 400 and replaces the buttons with the scene select displayed on the interface display unit 301. Because the scene is expressed in words and the scene is displayed as an animation, the user's daily life scene is expressed in words instead of button input, giving up without losing value-added functions. Thus, the additional functions of the air conditioner 100 can be fully used, and energy saving of the air conditioner 100 can be easily realized.

  Furthermore, it is possible to easily convey the benefits by expressing the effects of the additional functions of the air conditioner 100 that realizes the user needs selected in the living scene input by expressing them in words and animations, and attached to the product. It is characterized by eliminating the trouble and necessity of looking at the instruction manual.

  The content of the energy saving advice shown in FIGS. 58 and 59 is the same as that of the remote control 300 (remote control device) of the modification having the interface display unit 301 (see FIG. 60) using a full dot (255 * 160) LCD (liquid crystal display). Display examples to be collectively displayed on the interface display unit 301 will be described with reference to FIGS. 71 to 75.

  58 and 59, it is displayed on the guidance display section 220 of the remote controller 200 (in order to perform a variety of image display, a dot matrix type liquid crystal panel in which pixels are arranged in a grid pattern is used). Detailed energy-saving driving information (information regarding recommended driving and energy-saving advice) cannot be displayed at a time because the area of the guidance display unit 220 is small, and the advice content display 1, display 2, and display 3 are in order. For a predetermined time (for example, 5 seconds).

  The interface display unit 301 (see FIG. 60) using the full-dot (255 * 160) LCD (liquid crystal display) of the remote controller 300 (remote control device) of the modified example has an advice content display 1, display 2, and display 3 (see FIG. 60). 58 and FIG. 59) can be displayed together.

  Specific examples in which the detailed contents during the heating operation of the energy saving advice obtained from the infrared sensor 3 of FIG. 59 are collectively displayed on the interface display unit 301 of the remote controller 300 of the modification are shown in FIGS.

  FIG. 71 shows the advice contents collectively in the interface display section 301 of the remote controller 300 when the advice outline of FIG. 59 is “Teach soft energy saving effect”.

That is, on the interface display unit 301, the time is displayed at the top, and the operation mode (here, heating), the set temperature (20.5 ° C.), and the set humidity (50%) are displayed below it. And under them, as “News Navi”, “Control only by air temperature”, “Driving at the temperature felt by the body”,
“Experience temperature? Yes: Press“ Eco ”No: Leave” is displayed at once. Thereby, the user can see the whole advice content at once.

  FIG. 72 shows an advice when the advice outline of FIG. 59 is “detection of a person's movement and if the stay has exceeded a certain period of time, teach that people gathered can save energy”. The contents are collectively displayed on the interface display unit 301 of the remote controller 300.

That is, on the interface display unit 301, the time is displayed at the top, and the operation mode (here, heating), the set temperature (20.5 ° C.), and the set humidity (50%) are displayed below it. And under them, “News Navigation” “Air-conditioning the whole room”, “Wind protection and energy saving”,
“Windproof setting? Yes: Press“ Eco ”No: Leave” is displayed at once. Thereby, the user can see the whole advice content at once.

  FIG. 73 shows a summary of advice in the case where the advice outline in FIG. 59 is “recommend closing / opening of door / curtain with infrared radiation in summer and low radiation in winter”. The information is displayed on the interface display unit 301 of 300.

  That is, on the interface display unit 301, the time is displayed at the top, and the operation mode (here, heating), the set temperature (20.5 ° C.), and the set humidity (50%) are displayed below it. Underneath them, “Notice Navi” displays “There is a cold place on the wall”, “When you close the curtain door”, and “Energy saving?”. Thereby, the user can see the whole advice content at once.

  FIG. 74 shows advice contents collectively in the interface display section 301 of the remote controller 300 when the advice summary of FIG. 59 is “one-point advice for a user who has a cold foot”.

  That is, on the interface display unit 301, the time is displayed at the top, and the operation mode (here, heating), the set temperature (20.5 ° C.), and the set humidity (50%) are displayed below it. And under them, as “News Navi”, “Wind direction is upward, isn't it cold at the feet?”, “Wind speed auto saves energy”, “Set wind direction auto?” Yes: “Eco” is pressed No: Left "Is displayed at once. Thereby, the user can see the whole advice content at once.

  FIG. 75 shows the contents of advice in a batch on the interface display unit 301 of the remote controller 300 when the advice summary of FIG. 59 is “advice when detecting the amount of activity”.

  That is, on the interface display unit 301, the time is displayed at the top, and the operation mode (here, heating), the set temperature (20.5 ° C.), and the set humidity (50%) are displayed below it. Underneath them, “Notice Navigation”, “Air is easily contaminated?”, “Mist suppresses airborne bacteria with mist”, “Mist setting? Yes: Press“ Eco ”No: Leave unattended Is displayed. Thereby, the user can see the whole advice content at once.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Metal can, 2 Light distribution viewing angle, 3 Infrared sensor, 5 Case, 6 Stepping motor, 7 Mounting part, 12 Housewife, 13 Infant, 14 Window, 16 Left wall surface, 17 Right wall surface, 18 Floor surface, 19 Front wall , 20 ECO lamp, 31 window region, 40 indoor unit housing, 41 suction port, 42 air outlet, 43 top and bottom flaps, 44 left and right flaps, 45 blower, 46 heat exchanger, 51 infrared sensor drive unit, 52 infrared image acquisition unit, 53 temperature unevenness boundary detection unit, 54 reference wall position calculation unit, 55 floor surface coordinate conversion unit, 56 front left and right wall position calculation unit, 57 detection history storage unit, 58 wall position determination unit, 60 boundary line, 61 human body detection unit, 62 human body position history accumulating section, 63 human body position validity determining section, 64 temperature unevenness validity determining section, 66 area, 100 air conditioner, 100a display section, 10 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Thermal image acquisition part, 102 Floor wall detection part, 103 Room temperature determination part, 104 Outside air temperature determination part, 105 Wall area inside temperature difference determination part, 106 Wall area inside / outside air temperature area extraction part, 107 Window area extraction part, 108 Window In-region temperature difference determination unit, 109 curtain closing operation determination unit, 110 user interface unit, 120 left wall boundary line, 121 right wall boundary line, 122 front wall boundary line, 200 remote control, 210 ECO advice button, 220 guidance display unit, 230 Setting information display section, 240 On / off button, 250 Temperature adjustment button, 260 Humidity adjustment button, 270 Operation mode change button, 280 Timer button, 290 Mist button, 300 Remote control, 301 Interface display section, 302 Operation on / off button , 303 Operation mode switching button, 04 Scene button, 304a Scene select button, 304b Up / down button, 304c Enter button, 305 Incremental adjustment button, 306 Temperature adjustment button, 310 Remote control body, 307 Return button, 308 INFORMATION NAVI button, 400 Remote control, 402 display, 403 ON / OFF button, 404 Humidity adjustment button, 405 Detailed setting button, 406 Door open / close detection switch, 407 Temperature adjustment button, 410 Heating button, 412 Cooling button, 411 Dehumidification switching button, 413 News navigation button, 414 Air blow button, 415 Remote control door 416 On timer button, 417 off timer button.

Claims (4)

A substantially box-shaped body having a suction port for sucking air in the room and a blow-out port for blowing out conditioned air;
An infrared sensor that is attached downward to the front surface of the main body at a predetermined depression angle and that detects the temperature of the temperature detection target by scanning the temperature detection target range from side to side;
A control unit that detects the presence of a person or a heat generating device by the infrared sensor and controls the operation of the air conditioner;
A remote control device main body, an interface display unit provided on the remote control device main body and configured by a full-dot liquid crystal display, and an information request button provided on the remote control device main body, and the user A remote control device for controlling the operation of the harmonic machine;
A communication unit that performs bidirectional communication between the control unit and the remote control device,
The air conditioner characterized in that when the user presses the information request button, the content of the energy saving advice of the control unit is collectively displayed on the interface display unit via the communication unit.   The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the content of the energy saving advice of the control unit is collectively displayed on substantially the entire interface display unit.   The air conditioner according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the remote control device includes a scene button for selecting and determining a scene select displayed on the interface display unit.   The air conditioner according to claim 3, wherein the scene button includes a scene select button, an up / down button, and an enter button.

Images