JP2012163311A - Air conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an air conditioner capable of periodically exchanging sufficient information between an air conditioner body and a remote controller by bidirectional communication, and reducing power consumption due to a reception waiting state of the remote controller.SOLUTION: In transmitting a request signal for requesting operating information by every prescribed time from the remote controller 1 to an air conditioner indoor unit 2 through an RF module 11, the reception waiting state is kept for a specific time by a power-saving waiting section 14a, the operating information of the air conditioner indoor unit 2 is transmitted to the remote controller 1 from the RF module 21 of the air conditioner indoor unit 2 when the transmitted operating information request signal is received by the RF module 21 of the air conditioner indoor unit 2, and the operating information is received by the RF module 11 at a remote controller 1 side. When the operating signal is transmitted from the RF module 11, the RF module 11 is kept in the reception waiting state, and the reception waiting state is released after a specific time by a reception time limiting section 14b.

Description

  The present invention relates to an air conditioner that performs two-way communication using radio waves between an air conditioner body and a remote controller that operates the air conditioner.

  Conventionally, in a remote control system capable of two-way communication between a remote controller (hereinafter referred to as a remote controller) transmitter and receiver, the remote controller transmitter limits a reception waiting state with power consumption to a certain time immediately after transmission. As a result, there is one that suppresses battery consumption on the remote control transmitter side (see Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 1-1119197

  However, in the above conventional example, it is assumed that the remote controller transmitter is operated by the operator to perform transmission. However, in the case of an air conditioner, information is periodically exchanged in order to manage operation information and the like. Therefore, there is a problem in that driving information and the like cannot be sufficiently exchanged only by enabling bidirectional communication only for a certain period of time when an operator operates from a remote control transmitter.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and is capable of regularly exchanging sufficient information by bidirectional communication between the air conditioner body and the remote controller, and depending on the reception waiting state on the remote controller side. It aims at providing the air conditioner which can suppress electric power consumption.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, an air conditioner including an air conditioner body and a remote controller for operating the air conditioner body, wherein the air conditioner body A main body receiving means for receiving an operation signal for performing a driving operation from the remote control, and a main body transmission means for transmitting operation information of the air conditioner main body to the remote control, wherein the remote control is the air conditioner Remote control transmission means for transmitting an operation signal for driving operation to the main body, and remote control reception means for receiving the operation information transmitted from the air conditioner main body, and the air from the remote control at predetermined time intervals. When a request signal for requesting operation information is transmitted to the main body of the harmony machine, the remote control receiving unit is set in a reception waiting state, and the reception waiting state is canceled in a predetermined time. Characterized by comprising a means.

  In addition, the present invention includes a reception time limiting unit that sets the remote control receiving unit to a reception waiting state and releases the reception waiting state for a predetermined time when the operation signal is transmitted from the remote control transmission unit. preferable.

  In the present invention, it is preferable that the remote controller includes a timer setting unit that transmits an operation stop signal to the air conditioner body after a set time, and the operation signal is an operation stop signal by the timer setting unit.

  The air conditioner main body may further include a human detection means for stopping the operation of the air conditioner main body after performing a timer count for a predetermined time after detecting the absence of the human body. When the operation of the air conditioner main body is stopped by the above, it is preferable that the operation information is not transmitted to the remote controller, and the operation information is transmitted when an operation stop signal is received by the timer setting means.

  According to the present invention, when transmitting a request signal for requesting operation information from the remote control to the air conditioner body at predetermined time intervals via the remote control transmission means, the power saving standby means is set in a reception waiting state for a certain time and transmitted. When the operation information request signal is received by the air conditioner main body receiving means, the air conditioner main body transmission means transmits the air conditioner main body operation information to the remote control, and the operation information is transmitted to the remote control on the remote control side. Receive by the receiving means. In this way, when operating information is requested from the remote control to the air conditioner body at predetermined time intervals, it is in a reception waiting state for a certain time, so there is no need to always be in a reception waiting state, and power consumption on the remote control side is suppressed. In addition, since the remote control side can be periodically placed in a reception waiting state for a certain period of time, sufficient information can be exchanged regularly by bidirectional communication.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a relationship among an air conditioner body, a remote controller, a humidifier, and an external connection device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the air conditioner body, the remote controller, the humidifier, and the external connection device of FIG. FIG. 3 is a plan view of the remote controller of the air conditioner according to the present embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the procedure of the pairing setting operation performed between the remote controller and the air conditioner according to the present embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of air conditioner model information that can be received during the pairing setting of FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of air conditioner model information that is the minimum necessary for the pairing setting of FIG. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a communication procedure when log information is exchanged between the remote controller and the air conditioner after pairing setting according to the present embodiment. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing changes in the operating condition of the air conditioner by key operation of the remote controller and timer setting. FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining the operation when a request signal for driving information is transmitted from the remote control to the air conditioner. FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining the operation when the operation signal of the driving operation is transmitted from the remote control to the air conditioner. FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the operation when the absence of a human body is detected by the human detection unit of the air conditioner. FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining the operation in the case where a command for setting the reception waiting state is transmitted from the air conditioner to the remote control. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a communication procedure when log information is exchanged between the remote controller and the PC according to the present embodiment. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a PC screen that performs air conditioner operation information management based on log information acquired by the PC. FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of a PC screen that performs air conditioner operation information management based on log information acquired by the PC. FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of a PC screen that performs air conditioner operation information management based on log information acquired by the PC. FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of a PC screen for managing air conditioner operation information based on log information acquired by the PC. FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of a PC screen that performs air conditioner operation information management based on log information acquired by the PC. FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating an example of a PC screen that performs air conditioner operation information management based on log information acquired by the PC. FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating an example of a PC screen that performs air conditioner operation information management based on log information acquired by the PC. FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating an example of a PC screen that performs air conditioner operation information management based on log information acquired by the PC. FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating an example of a PC screen that performs air conditioner operation information management based on log information acquired by the PC. FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating an example of a PC screen that performs air conditioner operation information management based on log information acquired by the PC. FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating an example of a PC screen that performs air conditioner operation information management based on log information acquired by the PC. FIG. 25 is a diagram illustrating an example of a PC screen that performs air conditioner operation information management based on log information acquired by the PC. FIG. 26 is a diagram illustrating an example of a PC screen that performs air conditioner operation information management based on log information acquired by the PC. FIG. 27 is a diagram illustrating an example of a PC screen that performs air conditioner operation information management based on log information acquired by the PC. FIG. 28 is a diagram illustrating an example of a PC screen that performs air conditioner operation information management based on log information acquired by the PC. FIG. 29 is a diagram illustrating an example of a PC screen that performs air conditioner operation information management based on log information acquired by the PC.

  Embodiments of an air conditioner according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

[Description of configuration]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between an air conditioner body, a remote controller, a humidifier, and an external connection device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the air conditioner body, the remote controller, and a humidifier in FIG. FIG. 3 is a plan view of a remote controller of the air conditioner according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the air conditioner according to the present embodiment includes an air conditioner indoor unit 2 as an air conditioner main body and a remote controller 1. When the remote controller 1 obtains various operation information from the air conditioner indoor unit 2 by performing remote operation and various settings on the air conditioner indoor unit 2, the information is displayed on the display means of the remote controller 1 and used for operation management and various settings. . In addition, the remote controller 1 according to the present embodiment can connect the various operation information acquired to a personal computer (PC) 3 via a USB connection terminal as an external connection terminal and perform operation information management on the PC 3 side. . In addition, the remote controller 1 according to the present embodiment can perform a remote operation using an infrared (IR) LED as an infrared transmission means, such as a humidifier 4 that is an operation target device other than the air conditioner indoor unit 2.

  A schematic configuration of the remote controller 1 configured as shown in FIG. 1, an air conditioner indoor unit 2 as an air conditioner body, a PC 3 connected via a USB connection terminal, and a humidifier 4 will be described with reference to FIG. . The remote control 1 is a remote control transmission means including a transceiver and antenna for performing two-way wireless communication with the air conditioner indoor unit 2, an RF module 11 as a remote control reception means, a personal computer (PC) that performs information management, etc. 3, USB socket 12 for USB connection, IRLED 13 for transmitting and controlling the humidifier 4 by an infrared (IR) diode, data such as various operation information received from the air conditioner indoor unit 2 for a certain period (here Then, an MPU board 14 on which an MPU (microprocessor unit) for controlling each part of the remote controller 1 is mounted is provided. When the MPU board 14 transmits a request signal for requesting operation information from the remote controller 1 to the air conditioner indoor unit 2 every predetermined time, the MPU board 14 sets the RF module 11 in a reception waiting state and cancels the reception waiting state for a predetermined time. A power saving standby unit 14a as a power saving standby unit is provided. In addition, when the MPU board 14 transmits an operation signal from the RF module 11 of the remote controller 1, the MPU board 14 sets the RF module 11 in a reception waiting state, and limits the reception time as reception time limiting means for releasing the reception waiting state for a certain time. A portion 14b is provided. Furthermore, the MPU board 14 includes a timer setting unit 14c that transmits an operation stop signal to the air conditioner indoor unit 2 after the set time of the remote controller 1, and when the operation stop signal is transmitted to the air conditioner indoor unit 2, the RF module 11 is set to the reception waiting state, and the reception waiting state is canceled by the reception time limiting unit 14b within a predetermined time. The remote controller 1 includes an LCD unit 15 as display means for displaying operation information of the remote controller 1, operation information (operating time, power consumption, etc.) and operation information of the air conditioner indoor unit 2, and a key operation unit for operating the operation target device. 16, an RTC (real time clock) 17 dedicated to timekeeping that performs time management, a battery 18 that supplies power to each part of the remote controller 1, and the like.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the air conditioner indoor unit 2 includes a main body receiving unit that performs bidirectional wireless communication with the RF module 11 of the remote controller 1, an RF module 21 as a main body transmitting unit, and the remote controller 1 that is received by the RF module 21. The control unit controls each part of the air conditioner indoor unit 2 on the basis of the command and collects operation information of the air conditioner indoor unit 2 and calculates an operation time and power consumption (electricity cost) for a certain period (here, 10 days). And an MPU board 22 on which an MPU including a memory for holding data is stored. In addition, the air conditioner indoor unit 2 includes a human detection unit 24 that detects a human body, and an RTC 23 dedicated to timekeeping that performs time management on the air conditioner indoor unit 2 side.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the PC 3 includes a USB socket 31 for connecting a USB cable to the USB socket 12 of the remote controller 1. By installing the operation information management software, the PC 3 can transmit and receive data when connected via USB, and periodically collects operation information from the air conditioner indoor unit 2 via the remote controller 1 and displays it on the PC screen. Operation management can be performed continuously.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the humidifier 4 includes an IRPD (infrared receiving) unit 41 that receives an infrared signal transmitted from the IRLED 13 of the remote controller 1. The remote controller 1 can control the humidifier 4 by this infrared signal (command).

  As shown in FIG. 3, the remote controller 1 for operating the air conditioner is an LCD comprising a liquid crystal display unit that displays operation information (direction of wind direction plate, operation content, operation time, power consumption, etc.) and operation information. A unit 15 and a key operation unit 16 for operating the air conditioner indoor unit 2 are provided. The key operation unit 16 includes an operation / stop key 16a for operating start and stop of the air conditioner indoor unit 2, and a confirmation key 16b necessary for starting pairing. .

  The air conditioner of the present embodiment is configured by the remote controller 1 and the air conditioner indoor unit 2 described above, but performs bidirectional wireless communication using an RF module. Since it becomes impossible to distinguish the devices, it is necessary to perform pairing settings in advance.

[Pairing settings]
FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the procedure of the pairing setting operation performed between the remote controller and the air conditioner according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 5 is the model information of the air conditioner that can be received during the pairing setting of FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of air conditioner model information necessary for the pairing setting shown in FIG.

  First, when the registration setting of the remote controller 1 is selected, or when a pairing partner is not stored in a non-illustrated non-volatile memory (hereinafter referred to as EEPROM) mounted on the MPU board 9 of the remote controller 1 (LCD unit 15). When “No registration” is displayed, the remote control registration setting mode is set, and a pairing display for displaying a procedure for pairing with the air conditioner indoor unit 2 is performed. Similarly, when there is no pairing registration, the air conditioner indoor unit 2 is also displayed by a lamp (not shown) provided in the air conditioner indoor unit 2. As shown in FIG. 4, when the operator presses a pairing button (not shown) in the air conditioner indoor unit 2, the pairing execution state is indicated by a buzzer sounding and a lamp being lit. The pairing request signal is sent to the RF module 21 and pairing is started (step S60).

  Further, while the pairing display is displayed on the LCD unit 15 of the remote controller 1, the run / stop key 16a of the key operation unit 16 of the remote controller 1 shown in FIG. When pressed simultaneously, a pairing request signal is sent to the RF module 11, and pairing is started (step S61). The LCD unit 15 of the remote controller 1 displays “Pairing registration in progress”. Here, communication for pairing is performed between the RF modules 11 and 21 (step S62), and after confirming whether the model can be registered for pairing (step S63), the RF module 21 transfers to the MPU board 22. A pairing completion signal indicating that the pairing of the RF module is completed is transmitted (step S64), and a pairing completion signal indicating that the pairing of the RF module is completed is transmitted from the RF module 11 to the MPU board 14 (step S65). ).

  Subsequently, an air conditioner model information request is transmitted as general-purpose data from the remote controller 1 to the air conditioner indoor unit 2 (step S66). At this time, the air conditioner model information signal receivable from the air conditioner indoor unit 2 includes a series name (Z / S), an indoor unit year (A to Z), a character string (model name of 16 characters, as shown in FIG. ), Derivative model (1), air conditioner ID (MAC address), and the like. When the air conditioner indoor unit 2 receives the air conditioner model information request, the RF module 21 on the air conditioner indoor unit 2 side transmits a general-purpose data transmission completion signal to the remote controller 1 to notify the successful transmission (step S67). . The MPU board 14 of the remote controller 1 switches the RF module 11 to the reception mode (step S68).

  Subsequently, the MPU board 22 of the air conditioner indoor unit 2 transfers the air conditioner model information to the remote controller 1 side (step S69). When the remote controller 1 receives the model information of the air conditioner indoor unit 2, the RF module 11 transmits an information transfer completion signal to the air conditioner indoor unit 2 to notify that the transmission has been successful (step S70).

  When the remote controller 1 acquires the air conditioner model information, the remote controller 1 notifies the RF module 11 that the reception mode is stopped (step S71), and receives the completion of the reception mode (step S72).

  Based on the acquired air conditioner model information, the MPU board 14 of the remote controller 1 determines whether or not the air conditioner indoor unit 2 that performs pairing setting is a corresponding model. When the received signal includes at least the signal shown in FIG. 6 in the corresponding model, the MPU board 14 of the remote controller 1 transmits the pairing establishment general-purpose data to the air conditioner indoor unit 2 (step S73). When the RF module 21 of the air conditioner indoor unit 2 receives the general data for which pairing has been established, it notifies the remote controller 1 that the transmission of the general data has been completed (successful transmission) (step S74). The MPU board 14 of the remote controller 1 displays that the pairing has been established on the LCD unit 15 for 5.5 seconds. When the operator selects “Z” or “S” according to the series name, the selected model content Is written to EEPROM.

  On the other hand, if the MPU board 14 of the remote controller 1 determines that the air conditioner indoor unit 2 that performs the pairing setting is not a corresponding model, or if the received air conditioner model information is other than the signal shown in FIG. The general-purpose data in which the ring is not established is transmitted to the air conditioner indoor unit 2 (step S75). When the RF module 21 of the air conditioner indoor unit 2 receives the general-purpose data that is not paired, it notifies the remote controller 1 that the transmission of the general-purpose data has been completed (step S76). The MPU board 14 of the remote controller 1 displays a pairing failure indication on the LCD unit 15 for 5.5 seconds, performs a pairing clear process (step S77), and receives a notification that the pairing clear has been completed (step S78). ).

  If pairing is not established, pairing clear processing is also performed on the MPU board 22 side of the air conditioner indoor unit 2 (step S79), and notification that pairing clear has been completed is received (step S80). In this way, the pairing setting is completed.

  Between the remote controller 1 and the air conditioner indoor unit 2 for which the above pairing setting has been completed, the remote controller 1 performs operation operations and various settings for the air conditioner indoor unit 2, and the air conditioner indoor unit 2 is connected to the air conditioner indoor unit 2 by the following communication sequence. When the remote controller 1 requests a saved operation status log (history), the log can be acquired.

[Communication sequence between air conditioner and remote control]
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a communication procedure when log information is exchanged between the remote controller and the air conditioner after pairing setting according to the present embodiment. The remote controller 1 requests and collects an operation status log from the air conditioner indoor unit 2 at a fixed time every day.

  First, as shown in FIG. 7, the MPU board 14 of the remote controller 1 reaches the MPU board 22 of the air conditioner indoor unit 2 via the RF modules 11 and 21 when the RTC 17 reaches a fixed time (here, AM0: 03). A log request is transmitted to (step S81). The remote controller 1 waits for log data to be sent from the air conditioner indoor unit 2 after transmitting the log request. When waiting for a log, if the log has not been sent even after a certain period of time, a reception error due to a reception timeout is determined, the log reception wait is terminated, and the log collection for that day is terminated. The EEPROM of the MPU board 22 of the air conditioner indoor unit 2 has a capacity that can store a log of the air conditioner operation status for a maximum of 10 days, so when a reception error occurs the next time the log can be received, Log transfer is performed collectively.

  As shown in FIG. 7, whenever log data is sequentially sent from the air conditioner indoor unit 2 (steps S82, S83,...), The log data is stored in the EEPROM of the MPU board 14 of the remote controller 1 each time. As for the log saving method, if there is an unsaved area in the EEPROM, the log is written in that area, and if there is no unsaved area, the oldest log writing area is overwritten and saved. When the remote controller 1 receives the log end indicating the end of the log data from the air conditioner indoor unit 2 (step S84), the log acquisition is completed.

  Further, between the remote controller 1 and the air conditioner indoor unit 2, when the remote controller 1 transmits a driving operation command at a time other than the above-described fixed time, an operation status log is acquired from the air conditioner indoor unit 2, and the LCD unit of the remote controller 1 is acquired. 15 can be displayed.

[Set RF module to reception waiting state for a certain time]
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing changes in the operating condition of the air conditioner by key operation and timer set of the remote controller, and FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining the operation when the operation information request signal is transmitted from the remote controller to the air conditioner. FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining the operation when the operation signal of the driving operation is transmitted from the remote controller to the air conditioner. FIG. 11 shows the operation when the absence of the human body is detected by the human detection unit of the air conditioner. It is a figure explaining.

  8 to 11 illustrate various conditions in which the RF module 11 as the remote control receiving means on the remote control 1 side is in a reception waiting state for a certain period of time. When the remote control 1 side is always in the reception waiting state, the battery is consumed very much. Therefore, there are a plurality of conditions for setting the reception waiting state, and it is necessary to use them depending on the situation.

  In the case of FIG. 9, the RF module 11 is started up when the remote controller 1 transmits a request signal for requesting operation information held by the air conditioner indoor unit 2 from the remote controller to the air conditioner indoor unit 2. The system waits for reception only for a certain period of time after the request signal is transmitted.

  First, the remote controller 1 determines whether or not a request signal for requesting operation information held by the air conditioner indoor unit 2 is transmitted from the remote controller 1 to the air conditioner indoor unit 2 (step S100). If not transmitted (No in step S100), the process waits until a request signal is transmitted (step S101).

  Subsequently, when the remote controller 1 transmits a request signal for requesting operation information of the air conditioner indoor unit 2 (Yes in step S100), the power saving standby unit 14a of the MPU board 14 sets the RF module 11 in a reception waiting state (step S102). ) Until the predetermined time elapses (step S103), and when the predetermined time elapses, the reception wait state is canceled (step S104).

  As described above, since the transmission of the operation information request signal from the remote controller 1 to the air conditioner indoor unit 2 can be freely set, the balance between the necessity of two-way communication and the power saving on the remote control side is achieved. Thus, it is possible to adjust the transmission interval of the request signal and the length of time for which the reception waiting state is continued. Further, unlike the case where the operation signal is transmitted, the request signal can be transmitted at a predetermined time or at a predetermined time interval without the operator operating the remote control. In this embodiment, this operation information request signal is basically transmitted, and the reception waiting state is set by using the operation signal transmission, the operation stop signal transmission, or the timer count-up of the timer to be cut off. By taking intermittently, power saving can be achieved rather than always waiting for reception.

  In FIG. 10, the remote controller 1 determines whether or not an operation signal for driving operation is transmitted from the remote controller 1 to the air conditioner indoor unit 2 (step S200). If the operation signal is not transmitted (step S200). No), waiting until an operation signal is transmitted (step S201).

  When the operation signal of the driving operation is transmitted from the remote controller 1 to the air conditioner indoor unit 2 (Yes in step S200), the reception time limiting unit 14b of the MPU board 14 sets the RF module 11 in a reception waiting state (step S202). The reception wait state is set until a predetermined time elapses (step S203), and when the predetermined time elapses, the reception wait state is canceled (step S204).

  Thus, putting the RF module 11 in the reception waiting state when the operation signal is transmitted is effective when the remote controller 1 performs a driving operation on the air conditioner indoor unit 2 regardless of the user's operation.

  FIG. 8 shows a case where, for example, a turn-off timer is set, and an operation stop signal is transmitted to the air conditioner indoor unit 2 when the turn-off timer expires. When the timer setting unit 14c of the MPU board 14 serving as the timer setting means transmits an operation stop signal to the air conditioner indoor unit 2 after the timer setting time, the RF module 11 is received by the reception time limiting unit 14b of the MPU board 14 of the remote controller 1. Is set to the reception waiting state, and the reception waiting state is canceled after a certain period of time. Since the operation stop signal is a kind of operation signal, it is processed in the same manner as the operation signal.

  Furthermore, the air conditioner indoor unit 2 includes a human detection unit 24 as a human detection means for detecting a human body. After detecting the absence of the human body and performing a timer count for a predetermined time, the air conditioner indoor unit 2 is operated. Stop. Thereafter, when an operation signal or a request signal is received from the remote controller 1, step S304 is set. If this is seen in FIG. 11, it will be judged whether the human detection part 24 of the air conditioner indoor unit 2 detected the absence of the human body (step S300). If the absence cannot be detected, the process waits until the absence of the human body is detected (step S301).

  When the human detection unit 24 detects the absence of a human body (Yes in step S300), the MPU board 21 of the air conditioner indoor unit 2 performs a timer count using the RTC 23 (step S302). The operation is stopped (step S303). When step S304 is received, the operation information is transmitted to the remote controller 1 (step S305).

  In this way, by setting the remote control side to be in a reception waiting state for a certain period of time when communication is performed between the remote controller 1 and the air conditioner indoor unit 2 (when a signal is transmitted from the remote control), the air conditioner indoor unit 2 Driving information and the like can be transferred to the remote controller 1. Since the RF module 11 on the remote controller 1 side is turned off except when communication is performed between the remote controller 1 and the air conditioner indoor unit 2, power can be saved. The power saving standby unit 14a and the reception time limiting unit 14b described above may be the same.

  Here, the power saving standby unit 14a and the reception time limiting unit 14b described above may be the same, and in this case, the reception standby state may be set for a predetermined time based on either the request signal or the operation signal. Further, the RF module 11 may not be placed in a reception waiting state only when a request signal or an operation signal is transmitted, but may be placed in a reception waiting state based on a command from the air conditioner indoor unit 2. Specifically, when communication is performed between the remote controller 1 and the air conditioner indoor unit 2, a predetermined set time or set time is transmitted from the air conditioner indoor unit 2 to the remote controller 1, and the remote controller 1 reaches the set time or set time. In this case, it is only necessary to be in a reception waiting state.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 3, a filter clean key for cleaning the air filter is arranged in the key operation unit 16 of the remote controller 1 of the present embodiment as one of the maintenance operations of the air conditioner indoor unit 2. . In FIG. 22 to be described later, there is an internal clean as one of the air conditioner maintenance operations in the setting confirmation screen of the air conditioner indoor unit 2, and “the inside of the indoor unit (heat exchanger, air The fan) is dried, and the occurrence of mold and bacteria is suppressed. Further, in FIG. 23 to be described later, there is a filter clean interval as one of the maintenance operations of the air conditioner in the setting confirmation screen of the air conditioner indoor unit 2, and “set the timing for automatically cleaning the air filter”. It is described. As described above, in the air conditioner indoor unit 2 according to the present embodiment, there may be a case where the operation automatically shifts to the maintenance operation without depending on the operation of the remote controller 1 after the air conditioner operation (cooling, dehumidifying operation, etc.) is stopped. For this reason, when the operation of the air conditioner indoor unit 2 is stopped, since it is necessary to transfer operation information and the like from the air conditioner indoor unit 2 to the remote controller 1 as described above, the remote controller side is placed in a reception waiting state for a certain period of time. However, in the case of the maintenance operation of the air conditioner indoor unit 2, the air conditioner indoor unit 2 automatically determines and starts the operation without relying on a command from the remote controller 1, and therefore the content and time of the maintenance operation are unknown on the remote controller 1 side. Therefore, it was difficult to put the remote control in a reception waiting state for a certain period of time in accordance with the end time of the maintenance operation. Therefore, in the present embodiment, a case of a maintenance operation will be described as an example in which the remote controller 1 is placed in a reception waiting state for a certain period of time based on a command from the air conditioner indoor unit 2.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining the operation in the case where a command for setting the reception waiting state is transmitted from the air conditioner to the remote control. First, since the air conditioner operation (cooling, dehumidifying operation, etc.) of the air conditioner indoor unit 2 is stopped by a command from the remote controller 1, the remote controller is in a reception waiting state for a certain period of time. Here, when the air conditioner indoor unit 2 automatically shifts from the stop of the air conditioner operation to the maintenance operation, the air conditioner indoor unit 2 transmits the execution state of the maintenance operation and the time required for the maintenance operation to the remote controller 1 side. That is, during the maintenance operation, the power of the RF module 11 is turned off without putting the remote controller 1 in a reception waiting state, so that power saving can be achieved. The operation information including the maintenance operation can be transferred from the air conditioner indoor unit 2 to the remote controller 1 by placing the remote controller 1 in a reception waiting state for a certain time in accordance with the end time of the maintenance operation. As described above, when there is a command to wait for reception after a predetermined time from the air conditioner indoor unit 2 (Yes in step S400), the process proceeds to the next step S402, but there is no command to wait for reception. If this is the case (No in step S400), the process waits until a command is issued (step S401).

  When the remote controller 1 receives the status of execution of the maintenance operation and the time required for the maintenance operation from the air conditioner indoor unit 2, the remote controller 1 may display the time required for the maintenance and the content of the maintenance on the LCD unit 15. Further, when displaying the maintenance time on the LCD unit 15, the maintenance time may be counted by the RTC 17 of the remote controller 1 to display a countdown. The MPU board 14 of the remote controller 1 determines whether or not a predetermined maintenance time (set time, set time) has passed by the RTC 17 (step S402), and if the predetermined time has passed (Yes in step S402), the remote controller The one-side RF module 11 is set in a reception waiting state (step S403). Here, the predetermined time may be the same as the maintenance time, but an error may occur between the RTC 23 of the air conditioner indoor unit 2 and the RTC 17 of the remote controller 1, so the maintenance time actually ends. It is desirable to shift the RF module 11 on the remote control 1 side to a reception waiting state several seconds to several tens of seconds before.

  In this way, when the remote controller 1 is placed in a reception waiting state, the air conditioner indoor unit 2 calculates an electricity bill or the like required for the maintenance operation after the maintenance is completed, and transmits it to the remote controller 1 as operation information. When receiving the operation information from the air conditioner indoor unit 2 (step S404), the remote controller 1 can display it on the LCD unit 15. The reception time limiting unit 14b of the MPU board 14 of the remote controller 1 cancels the reception waiting state when a predetermined time has elapsed after placing the RF module 11 in the reception waiting state (step S405).

  Further, when the time required for the maintenance operation is extended by the determination of the air conditioner indoor unit 2, the air conditioner indoor unit 2 gives the remote controller 1 the electricity cost, the maintenance extended time, or another maintenance operation. And to send the time it takes. When receiving the operation information, the remote controller 1 continues the timer count again based on this information, and shifts to the reception waiting state before the extended time elapses. As described above, in the maintenance operation or the like in which the air conditioner indoor unit 2 automatically determines and starts the operation, it is not known when the remote controller 1 should be in a reception waiting state. Therefore, the remote controller is based on a command from the air conditioner indoor unit 2. 1 is set to the reception waiting state. In the present embodiment, the maintenance operation is described as an example of setting the remote controller 1 in a reception waiting state based on a command from the air conditioner indoor unit 2, but the present invention is not necessarily limited thereto.

[Communication sequence between remote control and PC]
In addition, the remote controller 1 of this embodiment includes a USB socket 12 as an external connection terminal that is connected to a PC 3 that can manage the operation information of the air conditioner indoor unit 2. For this reason, by connecting the remote controller 1 and the PC 3 via USB, it becomes possible to collect the operation information of the air conditioner indoor unit 2 in the PC 3 via the remote controller 1 and to manage the operation information of the air conditioner indoor unit 2 in the PC 3. Can do.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a communication procedure when log information is exchanged between the remote controller and the PC according to the present embodiment. According to the communication sequence between the air conditioner 1 and the remote controller 2 described above, a log of the air conditioner operating status stored in the EEPROM of the MPU board 14 of the remote controller 1 is transmitted to the PC 3. The EEPROM of the MPU board 14 of the remote controller 1 has a capacity capable of storing a log received from the air conditioner for a maximum of 40 days.

  First, when the remote control 1 and the PC 3 are connected via USB, a series of processing (enumeration) is performed until communication is possible by the USB driver, and communication is performed between the remote control 1 and the PC 3 upon completion of the enumeration. Becomes possible (step S85). During the enumeration, a display of “connection detection: USB connected” is displayed on the LCD unit 15 of the remote controller 1.

  When the enumeration is completed, the PC 3 requests air conditioner information from the remote controller 1 (step S86). In response to this, the remote controller 1 transmits the air conditioner information stored in the EEPROM of the MPU board 14 to the PC 3 (step S87). The air conditioner information includes air conditioner product name, series name, capacity band, indoor unit year, operating voltage, air conditioner MAC address, room information, and remote control type.

  The PC 3 compares the received air conditioner information with the managed air conditioner information, and identifies which air conditioner the received air conditioner information corresponds to. When managing a plurality of air conditioners in the PC 3, it is necessary to check which air conditioner the received air conditioner information corresponds to.

  Subsequently, the PC 3 requests the air conditioner operation setting information from the remote controller 1 in order to read the operation setting information (step S88). In response to this, the remote controller 1 transmits the air conditioner operation setting information stored in the EEPROM of the MPU board 14 to the PC 3 (step S89). The air conditioner operation setting information includes volume level, presence / absence of voice, absence eco switching, presence / absence of internal clean, maintenance time, presence / absence of energy saving fan, presence / absence of automatic power, and current switching.

  Subsequently, the PC 3 makes a log request to the remote controller 1 for reading the log (step S90). The remote controller 1 transmits log data in response to the log request from the PC 3 (step S91). The PC 3 and the remote controller 1 repeat the next data request and log data transmission (steps S92, S93, S94). The remote controller 1 transmits a log end to the PC 3 when there is no log data to be transmitted (step S95), and the log reading process in the PC 3 is completed. Thereafter, the USB connection connecting the PC 3 and the remote controller 1 is disconnected (step S96), and when the remote controller 1 is released from the communication mode with the PC 3, the display of the LCD unit 15 shifts to the normal display.

  As described above, the operation log of the air conditioner temporarily stored in the air conditioner indoor unit 2 (can be stored for up to 10 days) is transmitted to the remote controller 1 and stored (can be stored for up to 40 days). When the PC 3 is connected via USB, the log stored in the remote controller 1 is transferred to the PC 3 side. The PC 3 can manage the operation information of the air conditioner indoor unit 2 as shown in FIGS. 14 to 29 using the operation information management software installed in advance.

[Management of operation information on PC]
14 to 29 are diagrams showing examples of PC screens for managing air conditioner operation information based on log information acquired by the PC. First, the PC 3 displays a screen as shown in FIG. 14 by the operation information management software. When the operator clicks on the air conditioner selection tag 100 and clicks the “living 1” button 101 and clicks on the calendar tag 102, the daily operating time, electricity bill, and month of the “living 1” air conditioner are clicked. A calendar screen 103 on which unit, yearly electricity bill, monthly target electricity bill, etc. are displayed is displayed. Thereby, it becomes possible to continuously grasp the operation status and the electricity bill for each air conditioner, and it can be used for efficient use and setting of the air conditioner.

  When the PC 3 and the remote controller 1 are connected by USB, as shown in FIG. 15, the remote controller 1 is connected and a window 104 indicating that data is being received is displayed. Then, when new driving information is taken into the PC 3, the PC 3 has a screen in which the driving time up to the previous day and the electricity bill stored in the remote control 1 are added to the calendar screen 103 as shown in FIG. Is displayed.

  Subsequently, when the operator clicks the graph tag 105 on the screen from the state of FIG. 16, as shown in FIG. 17, a graph screen 106 in which the daily electricity bill is converted into a bar graph can be displayed. As a result, it is possible to grasp at a glance the increase or decrease in the electricity bill of the air conditioner for one month. Also, as the total electricity bill, the total of the air-conditioner electricity bill for this month's “Living 1”, the previous month's electricity bill, the annual electricity bill, the previous year's electricity bill, the monthly target electricity Since the cost is also displayed, it becomes possible to grasp the operating condition of the air conditioner from various perspectives.

  In addition, when the total room total button 108 of the air conditioner selection tag 100 is clicked on the screen of FIG. 22, the graph screen 106 in which the living room 1 button 101 and the bedroom 1 button 107 are totaled is different in color (if monochrome display, Displayed with a difference in density. Thereby, it is possible to grasp at a glance the total and the breakdown of the electricity bills of the air conditioners in all rooms. Further, the graph screen 106 is provided with a reduction button 109 and an enlargement button 110. For example, when the enlarge button 110 is clicked in the state shown in FIG. 18, the graph screen 106 can be enlarged and displayed as the graph rate changes as shown in FIG. This makes it possible to clearly grasp subtle changes in the electricity bill.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 20, an air conditioner selection tag 100 includes a living 1 button 101, a dining 1 button 111, a Japanese-style room 1 button 112, a bedroom 1 button 113, a children's room 1 button 114, other 1 button 115, and a children's room 2 button. If a large number of air conditioners are registered, clicking the all room total button 108 displays a graph of the total electricity bill for all rooms per day. In the graph of total electricity charges for all rooms in a day, since the electricity charges for each room are displayed in different colors (in the case of monochrome display, the concentration is different), the breakdown of the electricity charges for many air conditioners is also included. It can be grasped at a glance.

  In addition, when a specific date is clicked in the graph display shown in FIG. 18, a window 117 showing details of the driving situation on that day can be opened as shown in FIG. The window can display the total electricity bill, operating time, average outside air temperature, and the like for that room.

  Furthermore, the air conditioner setting confirmation screen 119 shown in FIG. 22 is a screen when the living room 1 button 101 of the air conditioner selection tag 100 is clicked and the air conditioner setting confirmation tag 118 is clicked. The air conditioner setting confirmation screen 119 can easily confirm details of the setting contents of the air conditioner registered in the living room 1 button 101 on the screen of the PC 3. In addition, since the air conditioner setting confirmation screen 119 displays the function of the setting content, when the operator changes the setting content, it can be changed while correctly understanding the setting content. Further, when the next page button 120 is clicked, an air conditioner setting confirmation screen 119 for the next page is displayed as shown in FIG. When changing the setting contents, when the setting contents to be changed are clicked, the changed contents are displayed in a menu, and the setting contents are changed by clicking the desired contents. To return to the air conditioner setting confirmation screen 119 on the previous page, the previous page button 121 is clicked. The changed setting information is sent from the PC 3 connected to the USB to the remote controller 1, and when the command or the like is sent from the remote controller 1 to the air conditioner indoor unit 2, the changed setting information is also sent. The setting of the air conditioner indoor unit 2 is changed.

  Also, in the calendar display of FIG. 16, when the one-point advice button 123 shown in FIG. 24 is clicked, a one-point advice window 122 is opened and advice for efficiently using the air conditioner is displayed to the operator. The When there are a plurality of one-point advice windows 122, another one-point advice window 122 can be opened by clicking the next page button 122a or the previous page button 122b (see FIG. 25).

  Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 26, when the file management tag 124 next to the air conditioner selection tag 100 is clicked, data is written to the read button 125 for reading data from a CD-ROM or the like, the CD-R or the like. Export button 126 to perform, model delete button 127 to delete the air conditioner model registered in the air conditioner selection tag, file button 128 to write a file to a flexible disk (FD), etc., this software for displaying help of this PC software Button 129 and a button 130 for the software for displaying the name, provider, version information, etc. of the PC software. For example, when the model deletion button 127 is clicked, a window 131 as shown in FIG. 27 is opened and a list of registered models is displayed. For example, when the living room 1 button 131 is clicked, a confirmation window 132 for confirmation of deletion is opened as shown in FIG. 28, and deletion or cancellation is canceled by clicking “Yes” or “No”. it can.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 29, when the button 130 is clicked for this software of the file management tag 124, the screen displaying the name of the PC software, the name of the provider, and the release date (not shown). 133 can be displayed.

  Thus, since the air conditioner according to the present embodiment can periodically obtain operation information from the air conditioner indoor unit 2 to the remote controller 1, the air conditioner room collected via the remote controller 1 can be obtained. By collecting the logs of the machine 2 in the PC 3, the operation management of the air conditioner can be centrally performed in the PC 3. Thereby, there exists an effect that the usage with good energy efficiency and the setting of an air conditioner can be performed appropriately.

  As described above, the air conditioner according to the present invention is useful when two-way communication is possible between the air conditioner body and the remote controller, and in particular, operates from the remote controller to the air conditioner body every predetermined time. It is suitable for an air conditioner that waits for a predetermined time when transmitting a request signal for requesting information.

1 Remote controller (remote control)
11 RF module 12 USB socket 13 IRLED
14 MPU board 14a Power saving standby unit 14b Reception time limiting unit 14c Timer setting unit 15 LCD unit 16 Key operation unit 17 RTC (real time clock)
18 battery 2 air conditioner (air conditioner)
21 RF module 22 MPU board 23 RTC (real time clock)
24 people detector

Claims (6)

An air conditioner comprising an air conditioner body and a remote controller for operating the air conditioner body,
The air conditioner body is
Main body receiving means for receiving an operation signal for performing a driving operation from the remote control;
Main body transmission means for transmitting operation information of the air conditioner main body to the remote controller;
With
The remote control is
Remote control transmission means for transmitting an operation signal of a driving operation to the air conditioner body;
Remote control receiving means for receiving the operation information transmitted from the air conditioner body;
With
When a request signal for requesting operation information is transmitted from the remote controller to the air conditioner body at predetermined time intervals, the remote controller receiving unit is set in a reception waiting state, and the reception waiting state is canceled in a predetermined time. When,
An air conditioner characterized by comprising:   2. The air conditioning according to claim 1, further comprising: a reception time limiting unit that sets the remote control reception unit to a reception waiting state and releases the reception waiting state at a predetermined time when the operation signal is transmitted from the remote control transmission unit. Machine. The remote control includes timer setting means for transmitting an operation stop signal to the air conditioner body after a set time,
The air conditioner according to claim 2, wherein the operation signal is an operation stop signal by the timer setting means. The air conditioner body is
After performing a timer count for a predetermined time after detecting the absence of a human body, comprising human detection means for stopping the operation of the air conditioner body,
When the operation of the air conditioner main body is stopped by the human detection means, the operation information is not transmitted to the remote controller, and the operation information is transmitted when an operation stop signal is received by the timer setting means. The air conditioner according to claim 3. An air conditioner including an air conditioner main body that performs a maintenance operation after air conditioning operation, and a remote controller that operates the air conditioner main body,
The air conditioner body is
Main body receiving means for receiving an operation signal for driving operation from the remote control;
Main body transmission means for transmitting operation information of the air conditioner main body to the remote controller;
With
The remote control is
Remote control transmission means for transmitting an operation signal for operating the air conditioner body;
Remote control receiving means for receiving operation information of the air conditioner body transmitted from the air conditioner body;
With
The air conditioner is characterized in that when the air conditioner body instructs the remote controller to wait for reception after a predetermined time, the remote control is ready for reception after a predetermined time.   6. The air conditioner according to claim 5, wherein the predetermined time is set based on the maintenance operation time.