JP5127199B2 - Control system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a control system including a control device such as a remote control switch and a controlled device controlled by the control device.

In recent years, a plurality of air conditioners may be installed in a large living room even in ordinary homes. In this case, air conditioners of the same model are often selected and installed for reasons such as design uniformity. Further, since an air conditioner is often installed at a high position on a wall surface in a room, it is generally controlled using an infrared remote control switch (hereinafter referred to as a remote controller). When multiple air conditioners of the same model are installed in the same room, it may be necessary to individually control settings such as air volume, wind direction, and temperature by operating the remote controller. Depending on the position or the operation direction of the remote controller, there has been a problem that an air conditioner that is not intended by the person operating the remote controller reacts carelessly. In order to deal with such a problem, for example, Patent Document 1 stores remote control identification information included in a control signal from a remote control received for the first time after the air conditioner is turned on. It describes what recognizes only a control signal having information as valid. The remote controller according to this prior art can input identification information by key operation, and controls different air conditioners without causing malfunction by assigning different identification information to different air conditioners.
Japanese Patent No. 3140087

  In the above-described prior art, the identification information stored in the memory of the remote control can be set by key operation with the remote control. Therefore, when changing the identification information set on the remote control side, it can be easily changed. Although it is possible, to change the remote controller identification information set on the air conditioner side, unplug the air conditioner outlet or if the air conditioner is equipped with a power switch The power switch of the air conditioner needs to be turned on again by depressing the power switch to erase the identification information stored in the memory of the air conditioner.

  However, in order to erase the identification information stored in the memory of the air conditioner, when unplugging the outlet of the air conditioner, it is a high-current device, so it takes power to unplug the outlet. There is a problem that it takes a lot of time in many cases. Some types of air conditioners are equipped with a power switch. However, when the air conditioner is installed at a high position in the room, the resin panel of the air conditioner may be removed. It may be troublesome because it may require work.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and remote controller identification information on the air conditioner side can be easily obtained only on the remote control (control apparatus) side without operating the air conditioner (controlled apparatus) side. Change and set.

Control system according to the present invention, the control device to the controlled device based on the control signal to be wirelessly transmitted, the in the control system that is no order to control the controlled device, the control device includes a detachable power , Means for accepting the setting contents for the controlled device, and storing the setting contents accepted by the means, when a reset operation for initializing the setting contents is accepted, or when the power source is removed, Storage means for initializing stored setting contents, means for generating a control signal based on the setting contents stored in the storage means, and initialization of the setting contents stored in the storage means Means for accepting an input of first information for identifying the control device only during a period from execution to wireless transmission of a control signal to the controlled device; If the predetermined time has passed without setting, means for setting an initial value in the first information, and when the control signal is wirelessly transmitted for the first time after the initialization is performed, the first information and the control signal to be wirelessly transmitted When the second information indicating that the first information should be stored is added and the control signal is wirelessly transmitted after the initialization is performed, only the first information is included in the control signal to be wirelessly transmitted. And a means for receiving, wherein the controlled apparatus receives a control signal wirelessly transmitted from the control apparatus, and a determination means for determining whether or not the received control signal includes second information. And when the second information is included in the control signal, storage means for storing the first information included in the control signal, the first information stored in the storage means, and the storage means Comparing means for comparing the first information included in the control signal received after storing the first information, and control means for controlling based on the control signal when the comparison results in comparison between the first information. It is characterized by providing.

In the present invention, when the second information is included in the control signal transmitted from the control device, the controlled device includes storage means for storing the first information, and is received after storing the first information. The first information included in the control signal is compared with the first information stored in the storage means, and if the two match, the controlled device is controlled, so the control device is identified. When the first information to be stored is stored in the controlled device, it is not necessary to perform an operation such as turning off the power of the controlled device, and the first information can be easily stored. In addition, since the control device is provided with means for inputting the first information, when a plurality of sets of control devices and controlled devices are installed, the user can input different first information to each control device. It is possible to prevent the controlled device that is not intended from being erroneously controlled.
In addition, for example, when the information stored in the storage unit is initialized after being removed from the power supply of the control device, the first only after the initialization until the control signal is transmitted. It accepts input of information. Therefore, normally, the control device can be used only for controlling the controlled device, and it is possible to prevent the first information from being erroneously changed.

  In the present invention, when the information stored in the storage means of the control device is initialized, the second information is added to the control signal to be transmitted to the controlled device. Therefore, for example, when the control signal is transmitted to the controlled device after resetting the power supply of the control device and erasing the contents of the first information stored in the storage means of the control device, the transmitted control signal is automatically The first information included in the control signal is stored in the storage means of the controlled apparatus that has received the control signal including the second information. Therefore, it is possible to easily set information for identifying the control device without operating the controlled device.

In the control system according to the present invention, the control device further includes display means for displaying the first information, and the first information can be input by means for receiving an input for controlling the controlled device. It is characterized by being.

  In the present invention, the first information display means for identifying the control device is provided, and the first information can be input by the means for inputting the control signal. Therefore, since the first information can be input while confirming with the display means, the information for identifying the control device can be set without error. Further, since the first information can be input by the means for inputting the control signal of the controlled device, it is not necessary to provide a new input means only for inputting the first information, and the manufacturing cost of the control device can be reduced. Can be lowered.

  In the case of the present invention, when the second information is included in the control signal transmitted from the control device, the controlled device includes storage means for storing the first information, and is received after storing the first information. The first information included in the control signal is compared with the first information stored in the storage means, and if the two match, the controlled device is controlled, so the control device is identified. When storing the first information in the controlled device, it is not necessary to perform an operation such as turning off the power of the controlled device, and the first information can be easily stored. In addition, since the control device is provided with means for inputting the first information, when a plurality of sets of control devices and controlled devices are installed, the user can input different first information to each control device. It is possible to prevent the controlled device that is not intended from being erroneously controlled.

  In the present invention, when the information stored in the storage means of the control device is initialized, the second information is added to the control signal to be transmitted to the controlled device. Therefore, for example, when the control signal is transmitted to the controlled device after resetting the power supply of the control device and erasing the contents of the first information stored in the storage means of the control device, the transmitted control signal is automatically The first information included in the control signal is stored in the storage means of the controlled apparatus that has received the control signal including the second information. Therefore, it is possible to easily set information for identifying the control device without operating the controlled device.

  In the present invention, for example, when the information stored in the storage unit is initialized after the power supply of the control device is removed, the period from the initialization until the control signal is transmitted Only the input of the first information is accepted. Therefore, normally, the control device can be used only for controlling the controlled device, and it is possible to prevent the first information from being erroneously changed.

  In the present invention, the first information display means for identifying the control device is provided, and the first information can be input by the means for inputting the control signal. Therefore, since the first information can be input while confirming with the display means, the information for identifying the control device can be set without error. Further, since the first information can be input by the means for inputting the control signal of the controlled device, it is not necessary to provide a new input means only for inputting the first information, and the manufacturing cost of the control device can be reduced. Can be lowered.

  Hereinafter, a remote controller embodying a control device of the present invention and an air conditioner embodying a controlled device will be described in detail based on the block diagram shown in FIG.

  In the figure, 10 is a remote controller, and 20 is an air conditioner controlled by the remote controller 10.

  The control unit 11 of the remote controller 10 is composed of a CPU, and a ROM 13 and a RAM 14 are connected via a bus 12. Further, hardware units described later are connected to the control unit 11 and controlled according to a control program stored in the ROM 13. The RAM 14 is composed of a volatile memory such as SRAM, and stores data generated when the control program stored in the ROM 13 is executed.

  The operation unit 15 includes various keys as will be described later, and the contents set by the operation unit 15 are displayed on the display unit 16 including a liquid crystal display device.

  The content set by the operation unit 15 is transmitted from the transmission unit 17 to the air conditioner 20 as an infrared signal. The transmission unit 17 includes an infrared light emitting unit, and transmits a control signal set by the operation unit 15 to the infrared light according to the operation command of the control unit 11 and transmits the infrared signal to the air conditioner 20. In addition, the remote controller 10 may be provided with notification means for notifying that an infrared signal has been transmitted by sound.

  The air conditioner 20 includes a main control unit 21 configured by a CPU, and is connected to a ROM 23 and a RAM 24 via a bus 22. The main control unit 21 is connected to hardware units described later of the air conditioner 20 and controls them according to a control program stored in the ROM 23. The RAM 24 stores data generated when the control program stored in the ROM 23 is executed.

  The receiving unit 27 is for receiving a control signal transmitted from the remote controller 10, and the received control signal is delivered to the main control unit 21. The main control unit 21 that has received the control signal issues an operation command to the air conditioning control unit 26 to control the air conditioner 20.

  2 and 3 are schematic diagrams illustrating configuration examples of the operation unit 15 and the display unit 16.

The display unit 16 is set by the temperature selection key 15b, the selection contents selected by the mode selection key 15a for determining the operation mode such as "cooling", "heating", "dehumidification", "automatic", "air cleaning", etc. The remote controller setting contents such as the set temperature and humidity set by the humidity setting key 15c are displayed. The temperature setting key 15b includes an up key 15b ₁ for raising the set temperature and a down key 15b ₂ for lowering the set temperature. Similarly, the humidity setting key 15c includes an up key 15c ₁ for increasing the set humidity and a down key 15c ₂ for decreasing the set humidity. When the operation stop key 15d is pressed while the air conditioner 20 is operating, the operating air conditioner 20 stops operating, and conversely, while the air conditioner 20 is stopped, When the mode selection key 15a is pressed, the operation is started according to the selected operation mode. The notification key 15e is used to instruct the air conditioner 20 to transmit and display the current room temperature, room humidity, and outside air temperature on a display unit (not shown) of the air conditioner 20. The display unit of the air conditioner 20 is provided with a 7-segment LED for displaying numbers, a mark LED for notifying the outside air temperature, a% mark display LED, and the like. The air conditioner 20 includes a humidity sensor, a room temperature sensor, and an outside air temperature sensor that are not shown in the drawing.

  Further, the upper cover 18 of the remote controller 10 on which the temperature setting key 15b, the notification key 15e, etc. are arranged is pivotally supported near the lower side of the remote controller 10. When the upper lid 18 is opened, as shown in FIG. 3, a detailed setting key 15f and a reset key 15g appear. Detailed settings such as the air volume, wind direction, and timer can be set using the detailed setting key 15f, and the setting contents stored in the RAM 14 can be deleted using the reset key 15g. The reset key 15g is a push button type switch fitted into a small hole so that it can be pressed only with a thin tip such as a mechanical pencil, and is not normally used. , So that it cannot be accidentally pressed by human hands.

  When changing information (corresponding to “first information” described in claims 1 to 4, hereinafter referred to as “identification information”) indicating a correspondence relationship between the remote controller 10 and the air conditioner 20, a reset key After erasing the identification information stored in the RAM 14 using 15g, the identification information to be input can be selected using the temperature setting key 15b.

  FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the contents displayed on the display unit 16 when setting the identification information. First, the reset key 15g is pressed using a mechanical pencil or the like, and the setting contents stored in the RAM 14 are erased. When the setting contents are deleted, an initial value is set and identification information is stored in the RAM 14. In this state, as shown in FIG. 4A, the digital display of the time shown on the display unit 16 is blinking, and it is possible to input information on the current time.

Next, when the pressing operation of the up key 15b ₁ or the down key 15b ₂ is continued for 5 seconds, “1” is input as the identification information of the remote controller, and the identification information is displayed on the display unit 16 as shown in FIG. “1” is displayed. After the identification information on the display unit 16 is displayed, again, by the pressing operation of the up key 15b _1, identification information input is changed from "1" to "2", shown in FIG. 4 (d) As displayed on the display unit 16. In addition, after “2” is displayed on the display unit 16 as the identification information, it is possible to change the input identification information from “2” to “1” by pressing the down key 15b ₂ . The changed identification information is displayed on the display unit 16 as shown in FIG.

When a predetermined time (for example, 10 seconds) has elapsed since the last press of the up key 15b ₁ or the down key 15b ₂ , the setting value of the identification information is fixed.

If the predetermined time (for example, 15 seconds) elapses without touching the up key 15b ₁ or the down key 15b ₂ after the remote controller 10 is reset, the set value of the identification information is determined as the initial value. In this case, since the set value of the identification information is not displayed on the display unit 16 as shown in FIG. 4E, the user cannot know the value. When the user wants to know, it is necessary to reset the remote controller again and keep pressing the up key 15b ₁ or the down key 15b ₂ for 5 seconds or more to display the identification information “1” on the display unit 16. When the up key 15b ₁ or the down key 15b ₂ is continuously pressed for 5 seconds or more to display the identification information, the initial setting value is not changed. The pressing operation for 5 seconds is performed only for the request for displaying the identification information and the request for changing the set value using the up key 15b ₁ or the down key 15b ₂ thereafter. For ordinary users, there is almost no need to display identification information, and only a specific user who needs to distinguish and use a plurality of remote controllers needs to change and confirm the identification information. The identification information is displayed only when the operation is performed.

  Next, when the input of the identification information to be transmitted to the air conditioner 20 is finished and the notification key 15e is pressed, the identification information is transmitted to the air conditioner 20 together with the control signal. Note that the identification information is transmitted to the air conditioner 20 together with the control signal by pressing a key such as the mode selection key 15a that can be transmitted to the air conditioner 20 as well as the notification key 15e.

  FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration example of a control signal transmitted from the remote controller 10 to the air conditioner 20. The control signal transmitted from the remote controller 10 to the air conditioner 20 is an infrared wireless signal, which conforms to the recommended format of the home appliance association. In FIG. 5, the signal P1 and the signal D0 are 8 bits in total, and similarly, the signal D10 and the signal P2 are 8 bits in total. Each of the other signals is 8 bits, and is composed of a total of 104 bits.

  Header information “0001” or “0010” (corresponding to the above-described identification information “1” or “2”, respectively) is added to the lower 4 bits of the signal D3. Further, specific information “1111” (corresponding to the second information recited in the claims) or the normal signal “0001” is added to the signal D10. When the battery that is the power source of the remote controller is once removed and then inserted again, or when the reset key 15g is pressed, the remote controller is reset and the setting contents stored in the RAM 14 are initialized. When the control signal is transmitted for the first time after the reset, the specific information “1111” is added to the signal D10 and the normal signal “0001” is obtained after the second time.

  When the control signal is received by the air conditioner 20, the main control unit 21 of the air conditioner 20 determines whether or not the specific information “1111” is included in the signal D10. When the specific information “1111” is included, the lower 4 bits of header information of the signal D3 is stored in the RAM 24 of the air conditioner 20 as identification information of the remote controller 10. Thereafter, when the air conditioner 20 receives a control signal generated by the remote controller 10, the identification information stored in the RAM 24 of the air conditioner 20 is compared with the identification information corresponding to the header information of the newly received control signal. The control signal is validated only when they match, and the main control unit 21 issues an operation command to the air conditioning control unit 26 to control the air conditioner 20.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a procedure for changing the identification information stored in the air conditioner 20.

The control unit 11 determines whether or not there is an operation of pressing the reset key 15g (Step S1). If the reset key 15g is not pressed (S1: NO), the process waits until the reset key 15g is pressed. If there is an operation of pressing the reset key 15g (S1: YES), it is determined whether or not the operation of pressing the temperature setting key 15b (up key 15b ₁ or down key 15b ₂ ) is continued for 5 seconds (step S2). . When the pressing operation of the temperature setting key 15b is continued for 5 seconds (S2: YES), “1” is displayed on the display unit 16 as the identification information (step S3).

Next, the control unit 11 determines whether or not there is an operation of pressing the up key 15b ₁ (step S4). If the up key 15b ₁ is not depressed (S4: NO), it is determined whether a second predetermined time has elapsed after the temperature setting key 15b is depressed for 5 seconds (step S5). If the second predetermined time has not elapsed (step S5: NO), the process returns to S4. When the second predetermined time has elapsed (S5: YES), identification information to be transmitted to the air conditioner 20 is determined (step S6).

If there is an operation of pressing the up key 15b1 in step S4 (S4: YES), “2” is displayed on the display unit 16 as identification information (step S7). Next, the control unit 11 determines whether or not the down key 15b ₂ is pressed (step S8). When the down key 15b ₂ is pressed (S8: YES), the process returns to S3. If there is no pressing of the down key 15b ₂ is (S8: NO), the control unit 11 determines whether the time since the temperature setting key 15b is 5 seconds pressing operation of the second predetermined has elapsed (step S9). If the second predetermined time has not elapsed (S9: NO), the process returns to S8. If the second predetermined time has elapsed (S9: YES), the identification information is confirmed (step S6).

  In step S2, if the temperature setting key 15b is not continuously pressed for 5 seconds (S2: NO), it is determined whether or not a first predetermined time has elapsed since the reset key 15g was pressed. (Step S10). If the first predetermined time has not elapsed, the process returns to step S2, and if the first predetermined time has elapsed (S10: YES), the identification information is fixed to the initial value (eg, “1”). (Step S6).

  After the identification information is confirmed, the control unit 11 determines whether there is a control signal transmission command by a pressing operation of the notification key 15e or the like (step S11). When there is no transmission command (S11: NO), it waits until there is a control signal transmission command, and when there is a transmission command (S11: YES), the control signal is transmitted to the air conditioner 20 (step S12).

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a procedure for changing the identification information based on the control signal received by the air conditioner 20.

  The main control unit 21 of the air conditioner 20 determines whether or not the control signal transmitted from the remote controller 10 is received by the receiving unit 27 (step S21). When the control signal is not received (S21: NO), the control unit waits until the control signal is received. When the control signal is received (S21: YES), the main control unit 21 of the air conditioner 20 receives the received control signal. It is determined whether or not the specific information is included (step S22). When specific information is included in the control signal (S22: YES), identification information for identifying the remote controller 10 is stored in the RAM 24 of the air conditioner 20 (step S23), and the change of the identification information is ended. When the specific information is not included in the control signal (S22: NO), the process ends without changing the identification information stored in the RAM 24 of the air conditioner 20.

  As described above, the remote controller 10 of the present invention does not require a new hardware key only for inputting the identification information, and can easily input the identification information.

  In the present embodiment, when inputting the identification information of the remote controller 10, the identification information is input after the reset key 15g is pressed, but the power source (dry cell or button type) for operating the remote controller 10 is used. It is also possible to remove the battery) and erase the identification information stored in the RAM 14.

  Moreover, although the identification information of the remote controller 10 has been described using two types “1” and “2”, an arbitrary natural number can be used as a value acquired as the identification information.

  In this embodiment, the air conditioner has been described. However, instead of the air conditioner, an apparatus using a remote controller such as a CD player, a DVD player, a television, a video tape recorder, or an illumination device may be used.

It is a block diagram of a remote control and an air conditioner. It is a schematic diagram which shows the structural example of an operation part and a display part. It is a schematic diagram which shows the structural example of an operation part and a display part. It is a schematic diagram which shows the content displayed on a display part when setting identification information. It is explanatory drawing explaining the structural example of the control signal transmitted to an air conditioner from a remote control. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure which changes the identification information memorize | stored in the air conditioner. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure which changes identification information based on the control signal which the air conditioner received.

Explanation of symbols

10 Remote control 11 Control unit 12 Bus 13 ROM
14 RAM
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 15 Operation part 16 Display part 17 Transmission part 18 Top cover 20 Air conditioner 21 Main control part 22 Bus 23 ROM
24 RAM
25 Operation Unit 26 Air Conditioning Control Unit 27 Receiver

Claims (2)

In a control system for controlling the controlled device based on a control signal wirelessly transmitted from the control device to the controlled device,
The controller is
Removable power supply, means for receiving setting contents for the controlled device, setting contents received by the means, and a reset operation for initializing the setting contents are received, or the power supply Storage means for initializing stored settings when removed, means for generating a control signal based on the settings stored in the storage, and settings stored in the storage Means for accepting input of first information for identifying the control device only during a period from when the contents are initialized until a control signal is wirelessly transmitted to the controlled device; and the first information is input Means for setting an initial value in the first information when a predetermined time has elapsed, and a control signal to be wirelessly transmitted when the control signal is wirelessly transmitted for the first time after the initialization is performed. In the case where the first information and the second information indicating that the first information should be stored are added and the control signal is wirelessly transmitted after the initialization is performed, the control signal to be wirelessly transmitted is Means for adding only one piece of information,
The controlled device is:
Receiving means for receiving a control signal wirelessly transmitted from the control device; determining means for determining whether or not the received control signal includes second information; and the control signal includes the second information. The first information included in the control signal; the first information stored in the storage means; and the control signal received after the storage means stores the first information. A control system comprising: a comparison unit that compares the first information; and a control unit that controls based on the control signal when the comparison results in comparison between the first information and the first information. The said control apparatus is further provided with the display means which displays the said 1st information, The said 1st information can be input by the means to receive the input for controlling the said to- be-controlled device. The control system according to 1.

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