JP2012037178A - Notifying device for air conditioner, and air conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a notifying device for an air conditioner that, when the air conditioner notifies a user of something that can benefit the user, can also notify the user by sound along with display that there is something to be notified.SOLUTION: The notifying device includes: a buzzer 8 for producing, based on an instruction signal for sounding, a melody by generating a plurality of sounds having different frequencies for a predetermined period of time in a predetermined order; and a controller 2 for selecting a melody corresponding to a decision or an instruction from a plurality of melodies registered in advance, and transmitting to the buzzer 8 an instruction signal for sounding associated with a selected melody.

Description

The present invention relates to a notification device included in an air conditioner.
For example, when a user is notified (notified) about information that can enjoy benefits such as energy saving, comfort, and convenience, and a reaction that indicates that an operation from the user has been received. By utilizing it, the convenience of the user is improved.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, some air conditioners notify a user about some information by displaying on a display device, generating sound, or a combination thereof.

  For example, in recent years, when there are various types of information (news information) that allow the user to enjoy benefits such as energy saving, comfort, and convenience, the display device displays that the user has the information. There are some things to do.

  In addition, when a user performs an operation using a remote controller or the like (hereinafter referred to as a remote controller), a response sound to the operation (setting operation reaction sound) is used to indicate to the user that the air conditioner has received a signal related to the operation. ) (In this example, it is assumed that a sound like a buzzer sounds) is generally notified. At this time, most of them are conventionally sounded by a buzzer (sounding device). For example, in the case of performing notification by a buzzer, there is one that causes a buzzer to sound with a different frequency (ringing frequency) depending on a response to an operation (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In addition, there has been a system in which a voice IC or the like is used for notification by voice or the like as an attempt to improve the notification function.

JP-A 63-129724

  However, in the conventional configuration as described above, when the air conditioner finds (detects) news information that the user can benefit from, the notification is made only by the display device of the device body. There is a problem that the person cannot enjoy the benefits without noticing that there is news information.

  Further, in the case where only the display information is displayed and notified only by the display device, the content of the notification cannot be determined only by the user looking at the display.

  For example, although a voice IC can be installed for notification, although there is a merit that the recognizability is improved as compared with the notification sound by the buzzer, the cost increases because the voice IC is more expensive than the buzzer. Further, since a speaker must be provided, the cost further increases. Furthermore, when there are restrictions such as having to be stored in a small space, there are structural problems in mounting.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems. When a user wants to notify information such as a benefit from the user, the notification is also provided in parallel with the display device. It is possible to obtain a notification device for an air conditioner that can be used.

  An air conditioner according to the present invention generates a melody that generates a plurality of ringing sounds having different frequencies in a predetermined time and in a predetermined order based on a ringing instruction signal, and a ringing device for notifying by a melody, A control device that selects a melody corresponding to predetermined information from a plurality of pre-registered melody and transmits a ringing instruction signal related to the selected melody to the ringing device;

  The air conditioner alarm device according to the present invention includes, for example, a plurality of pre-registered information such as energy saving, comfort, convenience, etc. that can be enjoyed by the user, information related to setting operations, and the like. Since the melody corresponding to the predetermined information is selected from the melody and the ringing instruction signal related to the selected melody is transmitted to the ringing device to generate the melody and notify the user, for example, the display is noticed by the user. The hard-to-recognize sound can be easily noticed by the sound of the ringing sound, and the user can enjoy more benefits.

  In addition, since a melody corresponding to predetermined information is selected from a plurality of pre-registered melody and is made to ring by the ringing device, the user can be reminded of the contents of the information just by listening to the melody. It is possible to improve the convenience for the user.

  In addition, by generating a melody with a ringing device that can vary the frequency, it can be produced at low cost regardless of, for example, a voice IC. In addition, there is no need to install separate components such as speakers that are required when using audio ICs, etc., so the problems related to structural constraints on mounting, such as installation in a space-saving manner, can be significantly reduced. Has the effect of becoming possible.

It is a figure which shows structures, such as a control apparatus of the air conditioner in Embodiment 1. FIG. 2 is an external view showing a display device 7 of an air conditioner main body 9 according to Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows the control which concerns on the alerting | reporting of the air conditioner in Embodiment 1. FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an announcement content table in the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an announcement sound ringing operation regulation table in the first embodiment. It is a figure which shows another example of the news content table in Embodiment 1. FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another example of the notification sound ringing operation definition table in the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a setting operation reaction sound ringing operation definition table in the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another example of the setting operation reaction sound ringing operation regulation table in the first embodiment. 6 is an external view of a remote controller 1 according to Embodiment 2. FIG. It is a figure which shows the setting state of the ringing sound propriety of the notification sound in Embodiment 2. FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a setting state of a setting operation reaction sound according to Embodiment 3. It is a block diagram of the air conditioner which concerns on Embodiment 5. FIG.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
The first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

  1 is a diagram showing a device configuration centering on a control device for controlling an air conditioner according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Here, an apparatus configuration for notifying a user in particular is shown. The remote controller 1 (hereinafter referred to as the remote controller 1) is an instruction input device that transmits a signal (setting operation signal) relating to an operation mode, a setting temperature, a setting humidity, and the like designated by the user as information. Here, the operation modes include a cooling operation mode, a heating operation mode, a dehumidifying operation mode, and a blower operation mode.

  For example, the control device 2 centered on a microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as a microcomputer) includes an input unit 3, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 4, a memory 5, and an output unit 6. The input unit 3 performs signal conversion so that the CPU 4 can process the signal transmitted from the remote controller 1. The CPU 4 performs arithmetic processing, determination processing, and the like based on setting data obtained by processing of the input unit 3. The memory 5 serving as a storage unit stores data necessary for the CPU 4 to perform processing, such as various control setting values. For example, the CPU 4 processes the program to determine the sound to be generated as a melody by the buzzer 8, the ring frequency, the ringing time, and the ringing stop time are defined by the number of the ringing sounds and the melody is generated. It stores data to make it happen. The output unit 6 transmits a display instruction signal to the display device 7 on the basis of data relating to calculation results, determination results, and the like obtained by the processing performed by the CPU 4. Further, a sounding instruction signal is transmitted to the buzzer 8 which is a sounding device.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a display example of the display device 7 included in the air conditioner main body (indoor unit) 9. In this Embodiment, the air conditioner main body 9 which has the indoor side heat exchanger used as a condenser or an evaporator has the display apparatus 7, for example in a refrigerant circuit. Although described here as an indoor unit, it may be an air conditioner including a compressor and the like. Further, here, the display device 7 is stored behind the front panel 10 of the air conditioner body 9 so that the display content is transmitted and displayed. The front panel 10 is made of a material that easily transmits light.

  About the display content of the display apparatus 7, the operation lamp 11 performs the display which shows the operation state of an air conditioner. In addition, the ECO monitor 12 is in an energy saving operation using the infrared thermopile sensor 15 of the air conditioner body 9 (for example, when the detected floor temperature is high in the heating operation, the energy saving operation is performed). Etc.) is displayed. Further, the temperature monitor 13 displays the current room temperature and the like. Then, the news lamp 14 displays to inform the user that there is information (hereinafter referred to as news information) that can enjoy benefits such as energy saving, comfort and convenience.

  Here, the display of FIG. 2 shows an example. Here, as long as there is a display means for performing display related to the notification information like the news lamp 14, the configuration of the content displayed on the display device 7 may not be as shown in FIG. Moreover, it is not limited to the display content shown in FIG. Further, for example, the display device 7 may not be devised so as to be transmissively displayed, but may be displayed directly on the front surface. Further, the display means related to the news information is not limited to the news lamp 14 as shown in FIG.

  The buzzer 8 is a sounding device for generating a sounding sound (buzzer sound). The buzzer 8 can generate ringing sounds of a plurality of scales by varying the ringing frequency. For this reason, a ringing sound can be generated from the buzzer 8 as a melody. Here, the duration of the sound of which scale the buzzer 8 sounds is determined by the sounding instruction signal transmitted by the control device 2 based on the program stored in the memory 5.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the control device 2 based on processing functions related to notification of notification information and the like. Next, the function of the air conditioner control device 2 (microcomputer) of the first embodiment will be described. The process described below is performed by the CPU 4 executing the program based on the program stored in the memory 5 as described above. For this reason, the subject of the processing operation is basically assumed to be the control device 2.

  First, notification based on a setting operation signal from the remote controller 1 will be described. In FIG. 3, the receiving unit 16 (corresponding to the input unit 3 in FIG. 1) receives the setting operation signal transmitted from the remote controller 1 as information. At this point, the signal is merely a symbolic signal representing a binary value of 0 or 1. The received content analysis unit 17 analyzes this symbolic signal. Then, it is determined what instructions and requests have been made. Based on the analysis result processed by the reception content analysis unit 17, the ringing sound determination processing unit 18 transmits the contents such as the setting operation signal transmitted from the remote controller 1 to the air conditioner body 9 and the transmitted instruction. A response sound (hereinafter referred to as a setting operation response sound) is determined. Then, the ringing sound instruction unit 19 (corresponding to the output unit 6 in FIG. 1) transmits a ringing instruction signal to ring the buzzer 8 based on the set operation reaction sound determined by the ringing sound determination processing unit 18. Specifically, the ringing sound instruction unit 19 defines the ringing frequency, ringing time, and ringing stop time stored in the memory 5 corresponding to the number of sounds to be ringed, corresponding to the setting operation reaction sound related to the determination. A sounding instruction signal is transmitted based on the data, and the buzzer 8 is sounded as a melody. Here, for example, the determination result of the ringing sound determination processing unit 18 may be handed over to the display processing unit 21 to display on the display device 7 that the setting operation signal has been sent from the remote control 1.

  Next, notification related to news information will be described. In FIG. 3, an announcement content determination unit 20 determines whether there is announcement information and the content of the announcement information (hereinafter referred to as announcement content). The determination procedure is not particularly limited. For example, it may be determined that a signal from another means is transmitted, or may be determined every predetermined time (for example, 30 minutes). When it is determined that there is news information, the determination result is delivered to the ringing sound determination processing unit 18 and the display processing unit 21. The ringing sound determination processing unit 18 determines a sound (information sound) corresponding to the content of the notification based on the determination result processed by the notification content determination unit 20. And the ringing sound instruction | indication part 19 transmits the ringing instruction | indication signal corresponding to the notification sound which concerns on judgment, and makes the buzzer 8 ring. Further, the display processing unit 21 determines whether to turn on the notification lamp 14 or to perform the blinking operation based on the determination result processed by the notification content determination unit 20. Based on the determination of the display processing unit 21, the display instruction unit 22 transmits and displays a display instruction signal for instructing a specific display operation to the display device 7 (for example, display brightness and blinking operation for a lighting operation). Display brightness, lighting time, turn-off time, blinking interval, etc.).

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an announcement content table showing the relationship between the announcement content and the announcement sound that rings according to each announcement content. In FIG. 4, the content summary column shows an overview of the news content. The display text column shows an example of text to be displayed on the remote controller 1 or the like based on the contents of each notice.

  Here, the display of sentences will be described. For example, the control device 2 turns on or blinks the notification lamp 14 of the display device 7, or sounds the buzzer 8, or performs processing related to notification of notification information by both display by the notification lamp 14 and ringing by the buzzer 8. Do. When the user notices that there is a notification, the user presses an information pull-out button (for example, a button such as a news navigation button described in FIG. 10 of the second embodiment of the invention described later) possessed by the remote controller 1. Based on the signal sent from the remote controller 1 by pressing the button, the remote controller 1 receives a signal including, for example, number data corresponding to the news content determined by the news content determination unit 20 from the air conditioner body 9 (control device 2). Send to. The remote controller 1 analyzes the data of the number transmitted from the air conditioner body 9 and displays the display unit of the remote controller 1 (for example, a display unit such as the sub liquid crystal unit 24 described in FIG. 10 of the second embodiment described later). ), The sentence in the display sentence column described above corresponding to the number is displayed. The user understands the content of the announcement by looking at the text displayed on the display unit.

  Further, the type column shows the characteristics of the content of the announcement. Here, “warning” when related to air conditioner abnormality, “energy saving” when related to energy saving, “comfort” when related to comfort, related to the current operating status of the air conditioner It is classified as “Situation”. The used news sound column shows the sound that sounds for each content of the news. In FIG. 4, it is defined that when the type column is “Warning”, the warning sound is a warning sound, and anything other than “Warning” is normally sounded. The ringing sound determination processing unit 18 performs processing for determining which notification sound is to be generated based on the content of each notification.

  Here, in FIG. 4, the content of the announcement is illustrated as five, but is not limited to five. Further, there may be news contents other than the illustrated news contents. As long as the type is specified for all the contents of the announcement and the corresponding announcement sound is prescribed, the contents are not particularly limited to those illustrated in FIG.

  In the example of FIG. 4, each content of the announcement is associated with one of the normal announcement sound and the warning announcement sound, and is activated. For example, a warning notification sound is sounded for notifying the content of important notifications, such as an abnormal condition of an air conditioner. For this reason, the notification sound is different from the normal notification sound and is more attractive. On the other hand, the normal announcement sound is a sound that is relatively less noticeable than the warning announcement sound. Further, the notification lamp 14 of the display device 7 is turned on in the case of guidance information that normally sounds a notification sound, and is blinked in the case of guidance information that sounds a warning notification sound. The display should be devised to draw the user's attention.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an audible sound ringing operation definition table that defines the setting of the audible sound. FIG. 5 shows an example of a specific sounding specification made based on the idea of making a warning sound and a normal sounding sound explained in FIG. . In FIG. 5, the used sound and musical score column expresses the sound to be used (musical scale) and the like as a musical score. In the ringing specification column, the order in which the sounds are played, the ringing time of each sound (shown as ON time in FIG. 5), and the stop time after ringing (shown as OFF time in FIG. 5). And the scale name of each sound and its ringing frequency are described. For this reason, when the sound of the ringing frequency is played in the order described in the ringing time and ringing stop time as described in the ringing specification column, the sound used and the melody represented in the score column are buzzer 8. It can be realized by ringing.

  Here, for the warning notification sound, it is assumed that the sense of incongruity in the scale difference is somewhat uncomfortable (for example, the sounds that make up the dissonance) are used, and the warning is recalled by repeating this sound repeatedly. It is a melody that draws a lot of attention. Also, for normal announcement sounds, a clean arrangement of sounds (for example, the sounds that make up a consonant sound are used so that the pitch rises smoothly, or when the pitch is raised or lowered, for example, the pitch difference is not increased. It is a short and simple melody with a relaxed major chord feeling that does not give a strong meaning from the sound itself. In addition, regarding the sound to be used, it is desirable to consider not using a high-frequency sound that is difficult for the elderly to hear. Specifically, it is desirable to sound a sound having a frequency of 2.5 kHz or less.

  In the example in FIGS. 4 and 5, there are two types of notification sounds, a warning notification sound and a normal notification sound. For example, if the announcement sound further classified into the normal announcement sound is used, it can be expected that the user can understand the content of the announcement roughly only by listening to the announcement sound.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing another example of the news content table. FIG. 6 is different from FIG. 4 in the contents of the used notification sound column. In the example of FIG. 6, when the type column is “warning”, the warning sound is the same as in FIG. 4, but when it is “energy saving”, the normal sound is strong (high). Further, in the case of “comfortable”, a normal announcement sound (medium) is used, and in the case of “situation”, a normal announcement sound (weak) is further classified into three types.

  Here, for example, when a normal announcement sound (strong) is sounded, the content of the announcement may be a content that can greatly benefit the user. Then, a sound that draws more attention than the normal notification sound (medium) and the normal notification sound (weak) is generated. Further, in the case of the normal notification sound (medium), the content of the notification is not as much for the user as the normal notification sound (high), but it is preferable that the content is more effective than the normal notification sound (weak). Then, a sound that is weaker than the normal notification sound (strong) and stronger than the normal notification sound (weak) is drawn. In the case of a normal announcement sound (weak), it may be a case where the content is not an announcement content that the user benefits than a normal announcement sound (strong) or a normal announcement sound (medium). Then, a sound that draws less attention than a normal announcement sound (strong) or a normal announcement sound (middle) is generated. On the other hand, as for the warning announcement sound, as described above, it informs the important announcement contents such as the abnormal state of the air conditioner, so that the announcement sound is also different from the usual announcement sound and draws attention. Make a sound. In addition, the notification lamp 14 of the display device 7 is turned on in the case of notification information that normally sounds a notification sound, and blinking is displayed in the case of notification information that sounds a warning notification sound. Try to draw the user's attention on the display.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating another example of the notification sound ringing operation regulation table. In FIG. 7, the warning and normal announcement sounds (strong) / (medium) / (weak) described in FIG. An example of a specific ringing specification is shown. Each column shown in FIG. 7 is basically the same as FIG. Here, the melody of a normal announcement sound (strong) / (medium) / (weak) will be described. For example, for the general announcement sound (weak), the arrangement of clean sounds (for example, using the sounds that make up a consonant sound so that the pitch goes up smoothly), and the sound itself has a very strong meaning. It is a short and simple melody with a relaxed major chord feeling. On the other hand, the normal announcement sound (medium) has a slightly more complex chord feeling than the normal announcement sound (weak), and the sound sequence that makes the user think "what is it?" For example, it should be configured with elements in the downward direction. And by repeating it, it is set as a melody that draws more attention than a normal announcement sound. Furthermore, for the normal announcement sound (strong), the number of sounds is increased from that of the normal announcement sound (weak) and (medium), and in the second half, the chord is changed to draw the strongest attention among the normal announcement sounds. Melody. Here, as for the sound to be used, specifically, it is desirable to use a sound that sounds at a frequency of 2.5 kHz or less.

  In this way, it is possible to make a difference in the degree of attention of the user according to the content of the announcement by making a difference by changing the ringing of each announcement sound. Here, each announcement sound in FIG.5 and FIG.7 is an example, and if it can produce a difference in each announcement sound by the same objective and thought, it will not be limited to this example. In addition, associating the content of the announcement with the announcement sound, regardless of the content of the announcement, there is only one type of announcement sound or a warning announcement sound such as an abnormality in the air conditioner, and the others are usually like an announcement sound. Only two types may be used. However, if only one type of announcement sound is used, the buzzer 8 simply notifies that there is announcement information, and the user cannot roughly understand the contents of the announcement.

  Here, a warning message is issued for air conditioner abnormalities, but the same warning message sound is set as a warning message that prompts the user to clean the filter when the accumulated operation time has exceeded a specified time. You may make it ring a sound. Further, for example, in the type column described in FIGS. 4 and 6, for example, a type “prompt” may be newly set, and a corresponding new news sound may be associated and ringed.

  Here, the buzzer 8 informs the user that there is news information, and the content of the news (text that specifically conveys the content of the news shown in the display text column of FIGS. 4 and 6 to the user) ) Is displayed on the display of the remote control. For example, an audio IC may be mounted on the air conditioner main body 9 so as to utter based on text data. However, the audio IC is more expensive than the buzzer 8 and requires another component such as a speaker, which further increases the cost. In addition, there may be a structural restriction that it must be installed in a space-saving manner. In such a case, the buzzer 8 is more convenient.

  In addition, there is a concern that if an audible sound is sounded during sleep or the like, the sleep may be disturbed. Therefore, for example, when it is determined that a predetermined function is set, the control device 2 does not transmit a ringing instruction signal to the buzzer 8. At this time, a display instruction signal may be transmitted to the information lamp 14 of the display device 7 to notify by display, or the display instruction signal may not be transmitted in the same manner as the ringing instruction signal. Here, the predetermined function includes, for example, a “turn-off timer” function that automatically turns off the power when the set time is reached or the set time has elapsed. In addition, there is a “sleep driving” function that performs an operation optimized for the sleeping state (for example, the operation is performed at a set temperature for sleeping according to the characteristic that the body temperature decreases during sleeping). In addition, when the time is set, a time zone (for example, between 0:00 and 7:00) that is likely to go to bed is registered in advance, and the current time is a bedtime zone. If it is determined that there is, the ringing instruction signal may not be transmitted. Here, the bedtime period registered in advance may be stored in the memory 5 in advance, but if the user can arbitrarily set it, the convenience of the user is further increased. Will increase. Further, for example, the setting operation reaction sound may be applied.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a setting operation reaction sound sounding operation defining table that defines the setting operation reaction sound settings. Next, the setting operation reaction sound described above will be described. As described above, the ringing sound determination processing unit 18 determines the setting operation reaction sound based on the analysis result processed by the received content analysis unit 17, and the ringing sound instruction unit 19 transmits the corresponding ringing instruction signal. Specific processing contents in the ringing sound determination processing unit 18 include, for example, what is the operation mode that was set when the power was turned off and when the power was turned on, and an operation for changing the operation mode while the power was on. It is determined whether or not an operation has been performed, an operation to increase the set temperature or the set humidity has been performed, an operation to decrease the set temperature or the set humidity, or another operation has been performed.

  In FIG. 8, the notification sound type column in FIG. 7 is a set operation response sound type column. For example, when an operation for increasing the set temperature or set humidity is performed, the sound is specified to be sounded according to the sound specification corresponding to the sound (three beats) to be raised in the set operation response sound type column. And, by using the ringing time and ringing stop time as described in the ringing specification column, the ringing frequency sounds in the order described, and the melody as expressed in the musical score column is played. be able to. Similarly, when an operation for lowering the set temperature or set humidity is performed, it is defined that the sound is sounded according to the sound specification corresponding to the sound to be lowered (three beats). In addition, when the operation mode is changed while the power is on, or when the power is turned on from the power OFF, the ringing specification corresponding to the operation mode sound (heating / cooling / dehumidification / air blowing) related to the change or setting It is stipulated that it is made to ring.

  Here, in the first embodiment, when an operation other than the above is performed, a simple sound with a fixed frequency is used. This is because if the ringing frequency is varied for all operations, the user will be flooded with various sounds, making it difficult to distinguish. For this reason, the ringing frequency is varied only for the operation of the main function, and the ringing sound is differentiated between the main function operation and other operations. However, for example, if discrimination is possible, the number is not limited to the number of setting operation reaction sounds described in the first embodiment, but may be increased. For example, a predetermined melody may be sounded from the buzzer 8 even when a setting operation for turning the power off from the power on is performed.

  For each setting operation reaction sound, for example, in the case of a sound to be raised (three beats), the sound to be used is arranged in a natural arrangement and the scale is increased. Further, in the case of a sound to be lowered (three beats), the sound to be used is arranged in a natural manner and the scale is lowered. Thereby, the operation of raising / lowering can be recalled.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating another example of the setting operation reaction sound ringing operation regulation table. In FIG. 8, since three sounds are used, three beats are used. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, two sounds may be used to make a sound with two beats. In the case of three beats, there is an effect that the recognition of raising / lowering is enhanced, but there is a concern that annoyance increases due to the large number of sounds. On the other hand, in the case of 2 beats, although the recognizability of raising / lowering is inferior to that in the case of 3 beats, there is an effect that a clear audibility is obtained because the number of sounds is small. Either of these may be adopted. Also, as shown in the sound of raising / lowering the beat of 3 beats in FIG. 8 and the sound of raising / lowering the beat of 2 beats in FIG. If the pitch of some or all of the sounds is set differently, it can be recognized more strongly whether the scale is going up or down, and the recognition of the sound to be raised / lowered can be improved. Since it is possible, it is good to compose with such a sound.

  Next, as for the operation mode sound, since heating is an operation that wants to warm up from a cold environment, the sound of the low frequency range is used, and the scale goes up and down so that it can be distinguished from the sound to be raised / lowered. The sound sequence includes the direction. Similarly, for cooling, the operation is to cool from a hot environment, so the sound of the higher frequency range is used to feel cooler than in the case of heating, and the scale goes up and down in the same way as in heating. The sound sequence includes In addition, since dehumidification is similar to cooling operation, the sound used is the same or similar to the sound used for cooling, and the sound sequence is changed to distinguish it from cooling. The sound is arranged in such a way. In the case of ventilation, it is configured in a sequence of sounds that is not in any case and can be distinguished from these sounds. In addition, although not shown in the figure, the temperature is increased during heating in association with the temperature change when the air conditioner actually air-conditions, so the melody where the scale rises, and the temperature is lowered during cooling, the melody where the scale falls ( At this time, the number of sounds is changed in order to distinguish it from the above-mentioned raising / lowering sound), and at the time of blowing or dehumidifying, the temperature is not actively controlled, so without changing the scale, The sound may be a sound in which a sound pattern (combination of sound ON / OFF times) is changed at a fixed frequency, and may be configured as a symbolic sound. In any case, it is desirable to use a sound that sounds at a frequency of 2.5 kHz or less.

  Here, the contents of FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 are examples of each setting operation reaction sound, and are limited to this example as long as it is possible to cause a difference in each setting operation reaction sound for the same purpose and idea. It is not a thing.

  As described above, in the air conditioner alarm device according to the first embodiment, when the air conditioner detects annunciation information that the user can benefit from, the buzzer is arranged in parallel with the display by the display device 7. Since the user can be notified of the content of the announcement even by the sound of the sound of 8, the user can easily notice the announcement information as compared with the case where the notification is made only by the display device 7. Has the effect of increasing the probability of enjoying the benefits.

  In addition, the ringing sound determination processing unit 18 (the control device 2) determines the corresponding announcement sound based on the content of the announcement from a plurality of kinds of announcement sounds, and causes the buzzer 8 to ring. The person can roughly recognize the contents of the announcement only with the announcement sound without looking at the text displayed on the remote controller 1 or the like. Therefore, for example, there is an effect that it is possible to respond to the various needs of the user such as to know in detail the contents of the news that can be particularly beneficial to the user, and not to see anything that is not.

  Also, for example, when the off timer is set, when sleep mode is set, or when the bedtime is considered to be sleeping, the notification sound is not generated. Thus, for example, there is an effect that the user's sleep is not inhibited.

  Further, the ringing sound determination processing unit 18 (the control device 2) determines a corresponding setting operation reaction sound from a plurality of types of setting operation reaction sounds based on the setting operation signal, and causes the buzzer 8 to ring. Therefore, for example, the user can recognize that the air conditioner main body 9 has received the setting operation signal, and can recognize the contents of the setting operation.

  In addition, when a user performs an operation with a remote controller or the like, a response sound for the operation (setting operation reaction sound) that is sounded to recognize whether the operation has been transmitted to the air conditioner is turned on. To change the ringing frequency of the buzzer 8 by focusing on important functions that are frequently used, such as when the power is turned off, when the operation mode is changed, or when the set temperature and set humidity are raised or lowered. Therefore, the operability and recognizability of the important functions can be further improved among the various setting operation reaction sounds emitted by the air conditioner. In particular, when the power is turned on, it is possible to further improve the recognizability by generating a setting operation reaction sound corresponding to the operation mode set at that time.

  In addition, since the buzzer 8, which is an inexpensive ringing device, realizes the notification contents by sound without incurring a large cost such as a voice IC, the notification device can be produced at low cost. In addition, there is no need to install separate components such as speakers that are required when using audio ICs, etc., so the problems related to structural constraints on mounting, such as installation in a space-saving manner, can be significantly reduced. Has the effect of becoming possible.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
In the first embodiment described above, for example, when a predetermined function is set so as not to disturb a sleep due to a notification sound when the user is sleeping, the buzzer 8 It was made not to ring. In the present embodiment, the user can arbitrarily select whether or not to make an announcement sound.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the appearance of the remote controller 1 according to the second embodiment. Further, FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an announcement sound setting screen. Here, the basic configuration of the air conditioner is the same as that of the first embodiment. Also, the same reference numerals are given to the same or corresponding parts as those in the first embodiment.

  In FIG. 10, the remote control 1 is provided with a remote control door 25, which is a mechanism that can be freely opened and closed. FIG. 10A shows an external view of the remote controller 1 with the remote control door 25 closed, and FIG. 10B shows an external view of the remote control 1 with the remote control door 25 opened. When the remote control door 25 is opened, an internal detailed setting button group 26 appears, and the buttons on the remote control door 25 (air conditioning, dehumidification switching, heating, guidance navigation, mist, on timer, off timer on FIG. 10A). This means that you can make detailed settings that cannot be operated with just the buttons.

  The display unit includes a main liquid crystal unit 23 and a sub liquid crystal unit 24. The main liquid crystal unit 23 is configured to be capable of switching display according to the open / closed state of the remote control door 25. For example, as shown in FIG. 10A, a screen for improving the visibility of only main information such as the set temperature and set humidity with large characters is displayed. Moreover, the screen which concerns on the detailed setting state which can display the fine setting state of an air conditioner in a list form like FIG. 10 (B) is displayed. This switching may be realized by using the main liquid crystal unit 23 using a full dot type liquid crystal, or when using a liquid crystal that is not a dot type, two liquid crystals are stacked in front and rear and combined. It may be realized in this way. In addition, the sub liquid crystal unit 24 can selectively display more detailed setting items that cannot be displayed on the main liquid crystal unit 23, or can display text indicating the content of the operation mode and news information. It is configured using dot type liquid crystal. For example, in the second embodiment of the present invention, the remote controller 1 has a setting item that allows the user to arbitrarily select whether or not to make a notification sound from the air conditioner body 9 (buzzer 8). It is displayed and can be selected and set (hereinafter referred to as an audible tone selection setting). This setting item is not displayed on the main liquid crystal unit 23 but is displayed on the sub liquid crystal unit 24.

  Next, a specific setting method of the notification sound ringing selection setting will be described with reference to FIG. 11 regarding the display state related to the setting of the notification sound and the operation method with reference to FIG. For example, when the user presses the setting item button 27 in FIG. 10B, a setting screen for detailed setting items is displayed on the sub liquid crystal unit 24. When there are a plurality of detailed setting items, each setting item is displayed in order on the sub liquid crystal unit 24 each time the setting item button 27 is pressed. When the notification sound setting screen is displayed, the screen is as shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the announcement sound setting screen displays “announcement sound” on the first line of the sub liquid crystal unit 24. In the second line, the contents to be set for the announcement sound setting are displayed. In FIG. 11, “do not sound” indicating a setting state in which a notification sound is not generated and “sound” indicating a setting state in which a notification sound is generated are displayed.

  In addition, a selection content instruction icon 31 is displayed together on the sub liquid crystal unit 24, and the setting state indicated by the selection content instruction icon 31 indicates a state where it is currently set. (A) in FIG. 11 indicates that the selection content instruction icon 31 indicates “do not sound” and is in a setting state in which an announcement sound is not generated. On the other hand, (B) in FIG. 11 indicates that the selection content instruction icon 31 indicates the “ring” display, and is in a setting state in which a notification sound is played. In order to switch the selection state between “not sound” and “sound” for the announcement sound, when the user presses the selection button (up) 28 or the selection button (down) 29 in FIG. 31 are alternately displayed as shown in FIG. 11 (A) or (B), thereby enabling selection of “do not sound” or “ring” the announcement sound. Which setting is finally set is determined by the user pressing the enter button 30 shown in FIG. When the notification sound setting is completed, the sub liquid crystal unit 24 changes from a setting screen for detailed setting items as shown in FIG. 11 to a normal screen for displaying the operation mode as shown in FIG. Switch.

  Further, it is assumed that either the selection button (up) 28 or the selection button (down) 29 may be pressed as a button used for selecting the setting state of the announcement sound. For example, when there are three selection items A, B, and C, when the selection button (up) 28 is pressed, “selection item A” → “selection item B” → “selection item C” → “selection item” It changes cyclically like “A”. In addition, when the selection button (lower) 29 is pressed, the selection is switched cyclically in the order of “selection item A” → “selection item C” → “selection item B” → “selection item A”. As described above, the difference between the two is only the direction of circulation when selecting. For this reason, when the number of selection items is two as in the case of an announcement sound, there is no difference in the operation of both buttons.

  Here, when the setting state of the notification sound is set to “do not sound”, the notification sound is not sounded even if the notification information is found. In such a case, the user may be notified by only the display operation of turning on or blinking the notification lamp 14 of the display device 7, or may be operated so as not to perform notification by display.

  Even if the setting state of the notification sound is set on the “ring” side, as described in the first embodiment, for example, when a predetermined function is set, the notification sound is generated. It may not be allowed to. At this time, a display instruction signal may be transmitted to the information lamp 14 of the display device 7 to notify by display, or the display instruction signal may not be transmitted in the same manner as the ringing instruction signal.

  Here, in the second embodiment of the present invention, the main liquid crystal unit 23 and the sub liquid crystal unit 24 constitute the display device of the remote controller 1. Further, when the remote control door 25 is opened so that the remote control door 25 is provided, a detailed setting button group 26 is arranged inside. Further, the display content of the main liquid crystal unit 23 is switched by opening and closing the remote control door 25. Then, the setting state of the announcement sound is selected and determined with the buttons in the detailed setting button group 26, and the operation content is displayed on the sub liquid crystal unit 24. However, the remote controller 1 is not limited to the above configuration. In the present embodiment, it is only necessary to basically be able to set a news sound. For this reason, for example, a notification sound setting button may be arranged on the remote controller 1 so that it can be directly set, or a changeover switch or the like can be prepared and set on the air conditioner body 9. .

  As described above, in the air conditioner alarm device according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the remote controller 1 can be used to select whether or not an audible sound is sounded, so that the air conditioner sounds spontaneously. It has an effect that it can respond to various needs of users, such as a request not to sound such a notification sound and a request that notification information is sequentially noticed by a notification sound.

  In addition, for example, even if you are in a setting to sound a notification sound, do not sound a notification sound when the `` turn-off timer '' function is set, in sleep driving mode, during bedtime, etc. Thus, for example, there is an effect that a notification sound is not generated when the user is sleeping and does not disturb the user's sleep.

Embodiment 3 FIG.
In the first embodiment described above, the setting operation reaction sound when the user operates the remote controller 1 is made to sound by changing the sound frequency for the operation of the main function, and when other operations are performed. It was made to ring with a simple sound. In the third embodiment, the user can arbitrarily select whether to make a setting operation reaction sound in which the ringing frequency is varied according to the setting operation or to make all the setting operation reaction sounds ring at a fixed frequency. Like that.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a setting operation response sound according to the third embodiment of the present invention. The basic configuration of the air conditioner in the present embodiment is the same as that in the first and second embodiments. Further, the same reference numerals are given to the same or corresponding parts as those in the first embodiment and the second embodiment.

  The remote controller of the third embodiment is the same as that of the second embodiment. However, whether the setting operation response sound is sounded by changing the ringing frequency (mode with scale, hereinafter referred to as UD (universal design) sound mode), or all setting operation reaction sounds are sounded with a simple sound at a fixed frequency. (No scale mode; hereinafter referred to as simple sound mode) is displayed on the remote controller 1 so that the user can arbitrarily select a setting item so that it can be selected (hereinafter referred to as setting operation reaction sound selection setting). This is different from the second embodiment.

  The setting operation response sound setting method according to the third embodiment is basically the same as the method for setting the announcement sound according to the second embodiment. However, the display of “notification sound” in the first line of the sub liquid crystal unit 24 in FIG. 11 is “setting operation response sound” in FIG. 12, and the setting item currently set is the state of the setting operation response sound. It has come to show that. In FIG. 11, the display of “no sound” and “sound” on the second line of the sub liquid crystal unit 24 is “simple sound” and “UD sound” in FIG. 12, respectively. The contents are displayed. For this reason, the setting selection method, the determination method, and the meaning of (A) and (B) in the figure are the same as those in the second embodiment.

  If the setting operation reaction sound is set as a simple sound, the setting operation reaction sound operates so as to sound with a simple sound of a fixed frequency. On the other hand, if the setting operation reaction sound is set as a UD sound, the setting operation reaction sound is sounded by varying the ringing frequency according to the setting operation as in the first embodiment of the present invention. The contents can be recognized.

  As described above, the alarm device for the air conditioner according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention determines whether the setting operation reaction sound is sounded with the sounding frequency varied or at a fixed frequency. Since it was configured to be selectable from the remote controller 1, it has the effect of being able to meet various needs of users. For example, a user who feels annoyed by multiple types of ringing may ring at a fixed frequency. Further, when it is desired to determine the operation content without looking at the display device, the ringing frequency may be varied.

Embodiment 4 FIG.
In the first embodiment, the content of the news and the news sound are associated in advance, and the buzzer 8 sounds the news sound corresponding to the content of the news determined by the news content determination unit 20. In the fourth embodiment, an announcement sound is generated according to the frequency of notifying the content of each announcement. Here, the basic configuration of the air conditioner in the present embodiment is the same as that in the first and second embodiments. Also, the same reference numerals are given to the same or corresponding parts as in the first embodiment.

  Next, a specific ringing procedure and the like in the present embodiment will be described. The number of notifications of each news content is stored in the memory 5. For example, when the content of the news related to news 1 is notified for the first time, it is set once. Thereafter, when the content of the notification related to the same notification 1 is notified again, the notification content is counted twice, and similarly, the notification count is counted as three times, four times, and the like, and stored in the memory 5. Similarly, other contents of the news are counted and stored in the memory 5.

  In this way, the number of notifications individually counted for all the contents of the announcement is associated with each announcement sound. For example, a normal announcement sound (strong) is associated with the number of notifications 1 to 5 times, a normal announcement sound (medium) is associated with the number of notifications 6 to 10 times, and a normal announcement sound (weak) is associated 11 times or more. Make it correspond. By doing so, the user's attention is not so much noticed about the contents of the notice with a lot of information, and the user's attention is drawn with respect to the contents of the notice with little information so as to be easily noticed. Here, for example, the notification sound may not be sounded 20 times or more, and only the notification by the notification lamp 14 may be notified. Further, the number of notifications for switching each notification sound (in the above example, the notification sound is switched at the notification frequency of 6 and 11) is not limited to this number. Further, as with the warning notification sound such as abnormality, the warning notification sound may be generated regardless of the number of notifications, as in the first embodiment.

  As described above, the air conditioner according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention counts the number of notifications for each content of notification and causes the buzzer 8 to sound a notification sound according to the number of notifications. An announcement sound that is more likely to be noticed by attracting attention when it is lower is used. For example, the content of an announcement that has been reported many times is not very useful, and the content of an announcement that has not been reported yet or that has not been reported frequently For users who are interested in, there is an effect that the convenience is increased.

Embodiment 5 FIG.
FIG. 13 is a configuration diagram of an air conditioner according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention. This Embodiment demonstrates the example of an apparatus which performs air conditioning of the air conditioner which has the alerting | reporting apparatus mentioned above. In the refrigerated air conditioner of FIG. 13, the outdoor unit 100 and the indoor unit 200 constituting the air conditioner main body 9 described above are connected by piping to constitute a refrigerant circuit to circulate the refrigerant.

  In the present embodiment, the outdoor unit 100 includes a compressor 101, an outdoor heat exchanger 102, a four-way valve 103, and a throttle device (expansion valve) 104. The compressor 101 compresses and discharges the sucked refrigerant. Here, the compressor 101 includes an inverter device or the like, and can arbitrarily change the capacity of the compressor 101 (the amount of refrigerant sent out per unit time) by arbitrarily changing the operation frequency. Good. The outdoor heat exchanger 102 performs heat exchange between the refrigerant and air (outdoor air). For example, it functions as an evaporator during heating operation and functions as a condenser during cooling operation. Further, the four-way valve 103 switches the refrigerant flow between the cooling operation and the heating operation based on an instruction from the outdoor control device 110. The expansion device 104 is provided to adjust the refrigerant pressure in the indoor heat exchanger 201 of the indoor unit 200 by changing the opening degree.

  On the other hand, the indoor unit 200 includes an indoor heat exchanger 201 and an indoor fan 202. The indoor heat exchanger 201 exchanges heat between the refrigerant and air. For example, it functions as a condenser during heating operation and functions as an evaporator during cooling operation. The indoor blower 202 sends air that has undergone heat exchange with the refrigerant in the indoor heat exchanger 201 into the room that is the air conditioning target space. The indoor unit 200 is equipped with the notification device described in the above embodiment.

  In the present embodiment, it is possible to perform the operation reflecting the contents of the announcement and the operation instruction described above by operating with the air conditioner that configures the refrigerant circuit as described above. Here, the outdoor unit 100 and the indoor unit 200 are separated from each other. However, an integrated unit may be applied.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Remote control, 2 Control apparatus, 3 Input part, 4 CPU, 5 Memory, 6 Output part, 7 Display apparatus, 8 Buzzer, 9 Air conditioner main body, 10 Front panel, 11 Operation lamp, 12 ECO monitor, 13 Temperature monitor, 14 news lamp, 15 infrared thermopile sensor, 16 receiving unit, 17 received content analyzing unit, 18 ringing sound judgment processing unit, 19 ringing sound instruction unit, 20 news content judging unit, 21 display processing unit, 22 display instruction unit, 23 main Liquid crystal unit, 24 sub liquid crystal unit, 25 remote control door, 26 detailed setting button group, 27 setting item button, 28 selection button (up), 29 selection button (down), 30 decision button, 31 selection contents indicating icon, 100 outdoor unit , 101 Compressor, 102 Outdoor heat exchanger, 103 Four-way valve, 104 Throttle device, 200 Indoor unit, 201 indoor side heat exchanger, 202 indoor side blower.

Claims (16)

Based on the ringing instruction signal, a ringing device for generating a melody that generates a plurality of ringing sounds having different frequencies in a predetermined time and in a predetermined order, and notifying by the melody,
An air comprising: a control device that selects a melody corresponding to predetermined information from a plurality of pre-registered melody and transmits a ringing instruction signal related to the selected melody to the ringing device An alarm device for a harmonic machine. A display device for performing notification based on the display signal and notifying;
The air conditioner notification device according to claim 1, wherein the control device transmits a display signal based on the predetermined information to the display device.   The air conditioner notification device according to claim 1, wherein the information is news information related to at least one of energy saving, comfort, and convenience.   The air conditioner notification device according to claim 3, wherein the melody related to the information is of two types: a melody related to a warning and a melody other than the warning.   The said control apparatus has a counting means which each counts the frequency | count notified for every said information, Based on the count of this counting means, the corresponding melody is selected from several melody, It is characterized by the above-mentioned. 4. The air conditioner alarm device according to 3.   The control device has setting means for setting whether to generate a melody related to the information from the sounding device, and transmits a sounding instruction signal to the sounding device based on the setting in the setting means. 6. The air conditioner notification device according to claim 1, wherein the air conditioner notification device is determined.   When the control device determines that it is one or both of operating in a predetermined operation mode and operating under a predetermined condition, the control device does not transmit the ring instruction signal to the ring device. The air conditioner alarm device according to any one of claims 1 to 6.   When the control device determines at least one of a sleep driving mode for driving related to sleeping, a cut-off timer operating mode for stopping driving after a set time, and driving within a predetermined time registered in advance. The air conditioner notification device according to claim 7, wherein the sounding instruction signal is not transmitted. The information is information transmitted as a setting operation signal related to a setting operation,
When the setting operation signal is transmitted, the control device selects a melody corresponding to the setting operation signal from among the melody related to the setting operation reaction sound for indicating that the setting operation is accepted. The air conditioner alarm device according to claim 1 or 2.   10. The air according to claim 9, wherein the set operation reaction sound related to the cooling or dehumidifying operation is a melody generated by combining a ringing sound in a higher range than the set operation response sound related to the heating operation. An alarm device for a harmonic machine. The setting operation reaction sound for raising the set temperature or set humidity is a melody generated so as to increase the frequency related to the ringing sound,
The air according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the setting operation reaction sound for lowering the set temperature or the set humidity is a melody generated so as to lower a frequency related to the ringing sound. An alarm device for a harmonic machine.   The ringing sound constituting the setting operation reaction sound for raising the set temperature or the setting humidity and a part or all of the ringing sound constituting the setting operation reaction sound for lowering are made to have different height sounds. 11. An air conditioner alarm device according to 11.   A UD sound mode for transmitting a ringing instruction signal related to a melody selected based on the setting operation signal to the ringing apparatus, and a ringing instruction signal regarding a fixed frequency is transmitted to the ringing apparatus regardless of the setting operation signal. The air conditioner alarm device according to any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein a simple sound mode can be selected.   The air conditioning according to any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein when a setting operation signal other than a predetermined setting operation signal is transmitted, a ringing instruction signal having a fixed frequency is transmitted to the ringing device. Machine notification device.   At least one of a setting operation signal relating to an operation for turning on or off the power, changing the operation mode during operation, and raising or lowering the set temperature or the set humidity is set as the predetermined set operation signal. The air conditioner alarm device according to claim 14.   An air conditioner comprising the notification device according to claim 1.