JP7275388B2 - REMOTE CONTROL DEVICE FOR AIR CONDITIONER AND AIR CONDITIONER WITH THE SAME - Google Patents

Description

The present disclosure relates to an air conditioner remote control device and an air conditioner including the same.

A system capable of remotely acquiring information (such as information necessary for maintenance) of an air conditioner is known. For example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-133294 (Patent Document 1), a QR code (registered trademark), an AR marker (registered trademark), or the like for obtaining information about the operating state of an air conditioner is displayed on an indoor unit. , describes a system in which the above information can be obtained by a worker photographing a QR code or the like with a mobile terminal. The acquired information is displayed on the terminal screen and transmitted to the management server (see Patent Literature 1).

JP 2016-133294 A

In the system described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-133294, it may be difficult for the operator to photograph the QR code or the like in an environment where the indoor unit is installed above the ceiling or the like. In addition, the worker needs to move to the vicinity of the air conditioner in order to obtain the information of the air conditioner, which may take time and effort to obtain the information.

The present disclosure has been made to solve such problems, and an object of the present disclosure is to enable easy remote acquisition of information on air conditioners.

A remote control device of the present disclosure is a remote control device for an air conditioner, and includes a first communication unit, a second communication unit, and a control unit. The first communication unit is configured to communicate with the air conditioner. The second communication unit is configured to perform wireless communication with a terminal device capable of wireless communication. The controller is configured to control the first and second communication units. The second communication unit is further configured to be capable of wireless communication with a remote control device of another air conditioner different from the air conditioner with which communication is performed by the first communication unit. The control unit performs first processing for sequentially creating a communication path to a remote control device capable of wireless communication through remote control devices of other air conditioners, and processing for the remote control device to operate as a relay between other remote control devices. and a second process. The first process is a process of transmitting route creation information including itself to other remote control devices whose radio wave intensity of wireless communication by the second communication unit is equal to or higher than a reference value, and from the remote control device that has transmitted the route creation information, a process of receiving path sharing information specifying a remote control device included in a communication path and storing the received path sharing information as path information. In the second process, when route creation information is received from another remote control device, the remote control device itself is added to the route creation information, and among the remote control devices other than the other remote control device that has transmitted the route creation information, the second processing is performed. It includes a process of transmitting the route creation information to the remote control device having the strongest radio wave intensity of wireless communication by the communication unit that is equal to or greater than the reference value. The second process further includes, when route sharing information is received from the remote control device that has transmitted the route creation information, transmitting the received route sharing information to the other remote control device that has transmitted the route creation information.

According to the remote control device and the air conditioner according to the present disclosure, it is possible to easily acquire information on the air conditioner remotely through multi-hop wireless communication between the remote control devices.

1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of an air conditioning system using a remote controller for an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG. It is a figure explaining the transition of the "preprocessing phase" and the "operation phase" in the remote control of each air conditioner. It is a figure which shows the structural example of an air-conditioning system. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the flow of normal processing in the operation phase; FIG. 4 is a diagram showing route information held by a connection source remote controller; FIG. 4 is a diagram showing route information held by a master remote controller; FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the flow of abnormality processing in the operation phase; 4 is a flowchart showing an example of a procedure of processing executed by a control unit of a remote controller that has become a connection source remote controller; 4 is a flowchart for explaining an outline of processing executed in a preprocessing phase; It is a figure which shows the structural example of an air-conditioning system. It is a figure explaining the flow of processing of route information creation. 4 is a sequence diagram showing exchanges between remote controllers; FIG. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing how route information is transmitted between remote controllers when route information is created. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing how the route information is shared between remote controllers after the route information is completed; FIG. 10 is a flow chart for explaining a procedure of processing executed by a remote controller for which route information is created; FIG. FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining the procedure of processing executed in a remote controller that receives route information being created while another remote controller is creating route information; FIG. FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing an example of the procedure of a master remote controller determination process executed in step S2 of FIG. 8. FIG. It is a figure which shows the structural example of an air-conditioning system. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of route information of a remote controller selected as a route from a master remote controller; FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of route information of a master remote controller and a remote controller selected as a route; FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of route information of a master remote controller and a remote controller selected as a route; FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing an example of a processing procedure for creating master route information executed in step S3 of FIG. 8; FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating interrupt processing for an example of a high-priority interrupt operation; FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating interrupt processing for an example of a low-priority interrupt operation; 4 is a flow chart showing an example of a procedure of interrupt processing executed by a control unit of a remote control;

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The same or corresponding parts in the drawings are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will not be repeated.

<Overall composition>
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of an air conditioning system using a remote controller for an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 1 , this air conditioning system 100 includes a plurality of air conditioners 10 and a terminal device 2 . Although two air conditioners 10 are illustrated in FIG. 1, more air conditioners 10 may be provided. Each air conditioner 10 includes a remote controller 1 , an indoor unit 3 and an outdoor unit 4 .

The indoor unit 3 includes an indoor heat exchanger and an expansion valve (both not shown). The indoor heat exchanger is configured such that the refrigerant exchanges heat with the indoor air. The opening of the expansion valve is adjusted according to a control command from a controller (not shown) in the indoor unit 3 .

The outdoor unit 4 includes a compressor and an outdoor heat exchanger (both not shown). The compressor compresses refrigerant received from an accumulator (not shown), discharges the refrigerant to an outdoor heat exchanger through a four-way valve during cooling operation, and discharges refrigerant to an indoor heat exchanger through the four-way valve during heating operation. The outdoor heat exchanger is configured such that the refrigerant exchanges heat with the outdoor air. The indoor unit 3 and the outdoor unit 4 are connected through refrigerant piping, and the indoor unit 3, the outdoor unit 4, and the refrigerant piping form a refrigeration cycle device.

Remote controller 1 includes display unit 11 , operation unit 12 , control unit 13 , storage unit 14 , wireless communication unit 15 , and wired communication unit 16 . The display unit 11 displays the operational status of the indoor unit 3 and the outdoor unit 4, the operation status of the operation unit 12, and the like. The operation unit 12 is an input device for the user to operate the air conditioner 10 .

The control unit 13 includes a CPU (Central Control Unit), memory (RAM (Random Access Memory) and ROM (Read Only Memory)), input/output buffers for inputting and outputting various signals, etc. not shown). The CPU develops a program stored in the ROM into the RAM or the like and executes it. The program stored in the ROM is a program in which procedures of processing executed by the control unit 13 are described. The control unit 13 executes various processes in the remote controller 1 according to this program. Specifically, the control unit 13 controls each unit in the remote controller 1, generates a control command for controlling the operation of the indoor unit 3 and the outdoor unit 4, and transmits the control command to the indoor unit 3 through the wired communication unit 16. do.

The storage unit 14 is composed of, for example, a flash memory, an SSD (Solid State Drive), or the like, and stores route information for wireless communication between the remote controller 1 and other remote controllers 1 by multi-hop. This route information will be described later in detail.

The wireless communication unit 15 can perform wireless communication with the wireless communication unit 21 of the terminal device 2 using a communication method conforming to the BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy, “Bluetooth” is a registered trademark) communication standard. It should be noted that, instead of BLE communication, a communication method or the like according to the UWB (Ultra Wide Band) communication standard may be used. The terminal device 2 is a device for collecting information of the air conditioner 10 (including data necessary for maintenance, etc., hereinafter also referred to as “monitoring data”) and checking it by a maintenance worker or the like. and mobile terminals such as tablet devices.

Also, the wireless communication unit 15 can perform wireless communication with other remote controllers 1 within the communicable range of BLE communication. Although the details will be described later, in this air conditioning system 100, the monitoring data of the air conditioner 10 different from the air conditioner 10 to which the terminal device 2 is connected is transferred between the air conditioners 10 capable of BLE communication based on the route information. It can be acquired by multi-hop.

The wired communication unit 16 can communicate with the indoor unit 3 through a signal line, and transmits control commands from the control unit 13 to the indoor unit 3, and transmits operational data of the indoor unit 3 and the outdoor unit 4 from the indoor unit 3. receive. Note that wireless communication may be used for communication between the remote controller 1 and the indoor unit 3 instead of the wired communication by the wired communication unit 16 .

In this air conditioning system 100, the remote controller 1 of each air conditioner 10 stores at least one piece of route information indicating a communication route to the remote controller 1 that can sequentially communicate with the remote controller 1 through BLE communication through the remote controllers 1 of the other air conditioners 10. have. The remote controller 1 of each air conditioner 10 is a monitor requesting acquisition of monitoring data of the air conditioner 10 to be monitored (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "monitoring target") from the wirelessly connected terminal device 2. When the request is received, according to the route information stored in the storage unit 14, the monitoring data (monitoring result) is acquired from the remote controller 1 to be monitored by multi-hop.

In order to enable the remote controller 1 of each air conditioner 10 to perform the above processing, each remote controller 1 establishes a communication path to the remote controller 1 that can sequentially communicate through other remote controllers 1 by multi-hop in the "preprocessing phase". Create the route information shown. Then, each remote controller 1 acquires monitoring data (monitoring results) from the monitored object based on the route information created in the preprocessing phase, and transmits the monitoring data to the terminal device 2 in the “operation phase”.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the transition between the "preprocessing phase" and the "operation phase" in the remote control 1 of each air conditioner 10. As shown in FIG. Referring to FIG. 2, each remote controller 1 periodically shifts from an operation phase in which it is possible to acquire monitoring data to be monitored to a preprocessing phase, and creates (updates) route information and a master remote controller that supervises each remote controller 1. (details will be described later). Then, when the preprocessing is completed, each remote controller 1 shifts to the operation phase again.

Note that the operation phase includes three types of processing: normal processing, abnormal processing, and interrupt processing. Normal processing is processing for acquiring monitoring data from a target remote controller when the remote controller 1 to be monitored (hereinafter also referred to as a “target remote controller”) is included in its own route information. Abnormality processing is processing for acquiring monitoring data through the master remote controller when the target remote controller is not included in the route information of the device itself. Interrupt processing is processing that is performed when there is a remote control operation from the operation unit 12 or when a connection request from another terminal device 2 is received during execution of various processes in the operation phase or the preprocessing phase. .

In the following, first, using the route information created (updated) in the preprocessing phase, normal processing and abnormal processing in the operation phase in which monitoring data to be monitored is acquired in response to a monitor request from the terminal device 2 will be described. explain. After that, processes such as creation of route information and determination of a master remote controller, which are executed in the preprocessing phase, will be described. Finally, interrupt processing will be described.

<Operation phase (normal processing and abnormal processing)>
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the air conditioning system 100. As shown in FIG. FIG. 3 shows the remote controller 1 of each air conditioner 10 included in the air conditioning system 100 and the indoor unit 3 to be monitored, and the illustration of other devices is omitted.

Referring to FIG. 3, air conditioning system 100 includes remote controllers 1a to 1j and terminal device 2 in this example. In the following, a case will be described where the remote controller 1a receives from the terminal device 2 a monitor request requesting acquisition of monitoring data from the remote controller 1c to be monitored (target remote controller). Note that the remote controller 1a to which the terminal device 2 is connected is hereinafter referred to as a "connection source remote controller". Any one of the remote controllers 1a to 1j can be a connection source remote controller and a target remote controller.

The remote controller 1b is a "master remote controller" and can be a connection source remote controller and a target remote controller in the same way as other remote controllers. confirms whether wireless communication can be performed by multi-hop (monitor route confirmation). Also, during anomaly processing that is executed when the target remote controller 1c is not included in the route information held by the connection source remote controller 1a, the master remote controller 1b acquires monitoring data from the target remote controller 1c instead of the connection source remote controller 1a, It is transmitted to the connection source remote controller 1a. The master remote control is not fixed, and which of the remote controls 1a-1j will become the master remote control is determined in the preprocessing phase. The determination of the master remote control will be explained in detail later in the explanation of the preprocessing phase.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the flow of normal processing in the operation phase. In FIG. 4, only the terminal device 2, the connection source remote controller 1a, the target remote controller 1c, the master remote controller 1b, and the relay remote controller 1d are shown in the configuration shown in FIG. 3, and the illustration of other remote controllers is omitted. are doing.

5A is a diagram showing the route information held by the connection source remote controller 1a, and FIG. 5B is a diagram showing the route information held by the master remote controller 1b. In this example, the connection source remote controller 1a has three pieces of route information of routes 1 to 3, and the master remote controller 1b has nine pieces of route information of routes 1 to 9. FIG. The route 1 of the route information of the remote controller 1a will be representatively explained. A communicable route is similarly identified for each of the remaining routes.

Referring to FIGS. 5A and 5B as well as FIG. 4, connection source remote controller 1a receives a monitor request requesting acquisition of monitoring data to be monitored from terminal device 2 (process (1)). When the connection source remote controller 1a receives the monitor request from the terminal device 2, it checks whether the target remote controller 1c is included in the route information (FIG. 5A) held by itself. Here, path 1 includes target remote controller 1c.

Next, the connection source remote controller 1a acquires a communication route (hereinafter referred to as a "monitor route") from the connection source remote controller 1a to the target remote controller 1c from the route information (route 1) including the target remote controller 1c. Then, the connection source remote controller 1a sends a monitor path confirmation request to the master remote controller 1b to confirm whether each remote controller in the monitor path is capable of multi-hop communication along the monitor path. It transmits to the master remote controller 1b according to the information (path 3) (process (2)).

If there is no response from the master remote controller 1b for a predetermined time after sending the monitor path confirmation request to the master remote controller 1b, the connection source remote controller 1a resends the monitor path confirmation request to the master remote controller 1b. If there is no response after repeated retransmissions, there is a possibility that one of the remote controllers in the communication path from the connection source remote controller 1a to the master remote controller 1b is malfunctioning. send a statement.

Upon receiving the monitor path confirmation request from the connection source remote controller 1a, the master remote controller 1b confirms whether or not there is a problem with the monitor path according to the monitor path confirmation request (process (3)). In this example, since the master remote controller 1b has received the monitor route confirmation request from the connection source remote controller 1a, there is no problem in communication between the connection source remote controller 1a and the remote controller 1d. By communicating with the remote controller 1c, the communication state between the remote controller 1d and the target remote controller 1c is confirmed.

Then, when the master remote controller 1b receives a response from the target remote controller 1c through the remote controller 1d, the master remote controller 1b transmits a confirmation result indicating that the monitor path is normal to the connection source remote controller 1a (process (4)). When the master remote controller 1b cannot receive a response from the target remote controller 1c within a predetermined time, the master remote controller 1b sends a confirmation result to the effect that the monitor path is abnormal to the connection source remote controller 1a, and a terminal device to that effect is sent. 2.

When receiving the confirmation result that the monitor path is normal, the connection source remote controller 1a transmits a monitor request requesting transmission of monitoring data to be monitored on the monitor path based on the path information path 1 (FIG. 5A). Send to the remote controller 1d. Upon receiving the monitor request from the connection source remote controller 1a, the remote controller 1d transmits the monitor request to the target remote controller 1c (process (5)).

Each remote controller on the monitor path retransmits the monitor request if there is no response from the destination remote controller for a predetermined time after transmitting the monitor request. Send a monitor route confirmation request. When an abnormality in the monitor path is confirmed, the master remote controller 1b sends a notification to that effect to the connection source remote controller 1a, and the terminal device 2 is notified to the effect that monitoring data to be monitored cannot be obtained.

Upon receiving the monitor request, the target remote controller 1c transmits the monitoring result (monitoring data) to the remote controller 1d on the monitor path. The remote controller 1d that has received the monitor result from the target remote controller 1c transmits the monitor result to the connection source remote controller 1a. Then, the connection source remote controller 1a that has received the monitoring result (monitoring data) of the monitored object transmits the monitoring result to the terminal device 2 (process (6)).

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the flow of abnormality processing in the operation phase. In FIG. 6, in the configuration shown in FIG. 3, the target remote controller is 1h, and only the terminal device 2, the connection source remote controller 1a, the target remote controller 1h, the master remote controller 1b, and the remote controllers 1d and 1i serving as repeaters are shown. , other remote controllers are omitted. The route information held by the connection source remote controller 1a is shown in FIG. 5A, and the route information held by the master remote controller 1b is shown in FIG. 5B.

Referring to FIG. 6 together with FIGS. 5A and 5B, when connection source remote controller 1a receives a monitor request from terminal device 2 (process (1)), it stores the target remote controller in its own route information (FIG. 5A). Check if 1h is included.

In this example, the target remote controller 1h is not included in the route information of the connection source remote controller 1a. It transmits to the master remote control 1b according to the route information (route 3) containing the master remote control 1b (process (1), process (2)). In this abnormality process, the master remote controller 1b acquires the monitor result in accordance with the monitor request from the connection source remote controller 1a. It is a request.

If there is no response from the master remote controller 1b for a predetermined time after sending the monitor request and the monitor path confirmation request to the master remote controller 1b, the connection source remote controller 1a resends the monitor request and the monitor path confirmation request to the master remote controller 1b. . If there is no response after repeated retransmissions, there is a possibility that one of the remote controllers in the communication path from the connection source remote controller 1a to the master remote controller 1b is malfunctioning. send a statement.

When the master remote controller 1b receives the monitor path confirmation request from the connection source remote controller 1a, it confirms whether or not there is a problem with the monitor path according to the confirmation request (process (3)). In this example, the master remote controller 1b confirms the communication state between the master remote controller 1b and the target remote controller 1h by communicating with the target remote controller 1h through the remote controller 1i.

When the master remote controller 1b receives a response from the target remote controller 1h through the remote controller 1i, it determines that the monitor path is normal (process (4)). When the master remote controller 1b cannot receive a response from the target remote controller 1h within a predetermined time, the master remote controller 1b sends a confirmation result to the effect that the monitor path is abnormal to the connection source remote controller 1a, and a terminal device to that effect is sent. 2.

When the master remote controller 1b determines that the monitor path to the target remote controller 1h is normal, the master remote controller 1b sends a request for transmission of monitoring data to the monitor based on the path information (path 8 in FIG. 5B) including the target remote controller 1h. Send the request to the remote controller 1i on the monitor path. Upon receiving the monitor request from the master remote controller 1b, the remote controller 1i transmits the monitor request to the target remote controller 1h (process (5)).

Upon receiving the monitor request, the target remote controller 1h transmits the monitoring result (monitoring data) to the remote controller 1i on the monitor path. The remote controller 1i that has received the monitoring result from the target remote controller 1h transmits the monitoring result to the master remote controller 1b. Then, the master remote controller 1b that has received the monitoring result (monitoring data) of the monitored object transmits the monitoring result to the connection source remote controller 1a, and the monitoring result is transmitted from the connection source remote controller 1a to the terminal device 2 (process (6 )).

FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing an example of the procedure of processing executed by the control unit 13 of the remote controller 1 that has become the connection source remote controller. This flowchart shows the procedures of normal processing and abnormal processing in the operation phase (interruption processing will be described later). A series of processes shown in this flowchart starts when the remote controller 1 to which the terminal device 2 is connected receives a monitor request from the terminal device 2 .

Referring to FIG. 7, when connection source remote controller 1 to which terminal device 2 is connected receives a monitor request from terminal device 2, it refers to the route information stored in storage unit 14 and monitors the monitor instructed by the monitor request. It is checked whether or not the target remote controller of interest is included in the route information (step S10).

When the route information includes the target remote controller (YES in step S10), the following normal processing is executed. That is, the connection source remote controller 1 acquires the communication path (monitor path) to the target remote controller from the path information, and confirms whether or not each remote controller in the monitor path is capable of multi-hop communication along the monitor path. 1b is sent to the master remote controller according to the path information including the master remote controller (step S15).

Then, when connection source remote controller 1 receives the confirmation result of the monitor path by the master remote controller from the master remote controller (YES in step S20), it determines whether or not there is a problem in the path confirmation result (step S25). When there is a problem in the confirmation result of the monitor path (YES in step S25), the connection source remote controller 1 transmits to the terminal device 2 that the monitoring data to be monitored cannot be obtained (step S45).

When there is no problem in the confirmation result of the monitor route (NO in step S25), the connection source remote controller 1 transmits a monitor request to the target remote controller according to the route information to the target remote controller (step S30). Then, when the connection source remote controller 1 receives the monitoring result, which is the monitoring data of the monitored object from the target remote controller (YES in step S35), the connection source remote controller 1 transmits the received monitoring result to the terminal device 2 (step S40).

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S10 that the target remote controller is not included in the route information (NO in step S10), the following abnormality processing is executed. That is, the connection source remote controller 1 transmits to the master remote controller a monitor request to the target remote controller and a confirmation request for the monitor route to the target remote controller (step S50).

Then, the connection source remote controller 1 determines whether or not it has received a response from the master remote controller (step S55). The response from the master remote controller contains the confirmation result of the monitor route from the master remote controller to the target remote controller, and the monitoring data (monitoring result) of the monitored object acquired by the master remote controller if there is no problem with the monitor route. included.

When connection source remote controller 1 receives a response from the master remote controller (YES in step S55), it determines whether or not there is a problem in the confirmation result of the monitor path (step S60). If there is a problem in the confirmation result of the monitor path (YES in step S60), the process proceeds to step S45, and the connection source remote controller 1 transmits to the terminal device 2 that the monitoring data to be monitored cannot be obtained. .

When there is no problem in the confirmation result of the monitor path (NO in step S60), the connection source remote controller 1 transmits the monitor result, which is the monitoring data to be monitored received from the master remote controller, to the terminal device 2 (step S65).

Note that each remote controller 1 on the monitor path discards (deletes) the monitor result for which the transmission is completed when the monitor result can be normally transmitted. Whether or not various types of data (monitoring request, monitoring result, data associated with route confirmation) have been successfully transmitted or received is confirmed by, for example, the presence or absence of data loss based on a checksum. If the data is lost, a retransmission request is sent from remote controller 1 on the receiving side to remote controller 1 on the transmitting side. If the data can be received without any loss, the remote controller 1 on the receiving side sends a message to that effect to the remote controller 1 on the transmitting side, and the remote controller 1 on the transmitting side discards (deletes) the data.

As described above, in the operation phase, when the target remote controller is included in the route information of the connection source remote controller 1, the communication route (monitor route) to the monitor target is confirmed by the master remote controller. 1 transmits a monitor request to the target remote controller, and the monitoring data (monitoring result) of the monitor target is acquired (normal processing). On the other hand, when the target remote controller is not included in the route information of the connection source remote controller 1, the connection source remote controller 1 transmits a monitor request to the master remote controller, and the master remote controller responds to the monitor request from the master remote controller to the target remote controller. The monitoring data (monitoring result) of the monitored object acquired by is transmitted from the master remote controller to the connection source remote controller (abnormality processing).

Next, the preprocessing phase for creating/updating route information in each remote controller and determining a master remote controller will be described.

<Pretreatment phase>
FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the outline of the processing executed in the preprocessing phase. A series of processes shown in this flow chart are executed according to regular shifts from the operation phase.

Referring to FIG. 8, first, each remote controller 1 creates (updates) route information (step S1). Since other remote controllers are also involved in creating the route information for a certain remote controller, the creation of the route information for each remote controller 1 is sequentially performed according to a predetermined order.

When the route information has been created for all the remote controllers 1, one master remote controller is determined from all the remote controllers 1 (step S2). As described above, the master remote controller checks the communication route from the connection source remote controller to the target remote controller, and if the target remote controller is not included in the route information of the connection source remote controller, the target remote controller instead of the connection source remote controller It acquires the monitor result from the remote controller and sends it to the connected remote controller.

When the master remote controller is determined, master route information is created by the master remote controller (step S3). The master route information is created by the master remote controller collecting route information from all remote controllers included in the route information of the remote controller determined as the master remote controller. Specifically, when there is a remote controller unknown to the master remote controller in the collected route information of other remote controllers, the route information to the unknown remote controller is added to the route information of the master remote controller. Each of these processes will be described in detail below.

<Create route information>
An example of creating route information for the remote controller 1a will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 to 13. FIG. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the air conditioning system 100. As shown in FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the flow of processing for creating route information. FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram showing exchanges between remote controllers. FIG. 12 shows how route information is transmitted between remote controllers when route information is created, and FIG. 13 shows how route information is shared between remote controllers after the route information is completed.

Referring to FIGS. 9 to 13 as appropriate, in the present embodiment, first, the radio wave intensity of communication (BLE communication) with each of the other remote controllers is detected in remote controller 1a as a starting point (FIG. 9). In this example, the remote controller 1d having the strongest radio wave intensity is selected among the remote controllers having the radio wave intensity exceeding the reference value (for example, the remote controllers 1c, 1d, and 1e). If there are a plurality of selectable remote controllers with equivalent radio field strength, for example, the remote controller detected first may be selected. Then, the remote controller 1a transmits route information including itself to the selected remote controller 1d (FIG. 12).

Next, similar processing is performed in the remote controller 1d that has received the route information from the remote controller 1a. That is, the remote controller 1d detects the radio wave intensity of communication with each remote controller other than the remote controller 1a that is the transmission source. Then, in this example, the remote controller 1b having the strongest radio wave intensity is selected among the remote controllers having the radio wave intensity exceeding the reference value (FIGS. 10 and 11). The remote controller 1d adds itself to the route information received from the remote controller 1a and transmits the route information to the selected remote controller 1b (FIG. 12).

Subsequently, similar processing is performed in the remote controller 1b that has received the route information from the remote controller 1d. That is, the remote controller 1b detects the radio wave intensity of communication with each remote controller other than the remote controllers 1a and 1d already included in the route. Then, in this example, the remote controller 1i having the strongest radio wave intensity is selected as the route among the remote controllers having the radio wave intensity exceeding the reference value (FIGS. 10 and 11). The remote controller 1b adds itself to the route information received from the remote controller 1d and transmits the route information to the selected remote controller 1i (FIG. 12).

Furthermore, the same processing is performed in the remote controller 1i that has received the route information from the remote controller 1b. That is, the remote controller 1i detects the radio wave intensity of communication with each remote controller other than the remote controllers 1a, 1d, and 1b already included in the route. In this example, it is assumed that there are no remote controllers with radio wave intensity exceeding the reference value (FIG. 11). When there are no more remote controllers having radio wave intensity exceeding the reference value, one piece of route information including remote controllers 1a, 1d, 1b, and 1i is completed (FIG. 10).

In order to share the completed route information among the remote controllers 1a, 1d, and 1b included in the route, the terminal remote controller 1i adds itself to the route information received from the remote controller 1b, and generates the completed route information (route shared information ) is transmitted to the remote controller 1b as the transmission source. Then, according to this route information, completed route information (route shared information) is sequentially transmitted from the remote controller 1i at the end to the remote controller 1a at the starting point (FIGS. 10 and 11). , the completed route information is shared (FIG. 13).

When one piece of route information is completed in the remote controller 1a, the remote controller 1a attempts to create other route information. That is, in the remote controller 1a, the radio wave intensity of communication with each remote controller other than the remote controller whose route has been selected is detected. Then, among the remote controllers having the radio wave intensity exceeding the reference value, the remote controller having the radio wave intensity next to the selected remote controller (for example, the remote controller 1d) is selected, and other route information is created by the same processing procedure as above. Then, the route information is created until there is no remote controller 1a having a radio wave intensity exceeding the reference value.

14 and 15 are flow charts showing an example of the procedure for creating route information executed in step S1 of FIG.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart for explaining the procedure of processing executed by the remote controller 1 for which route information is created. A series of processes shown in FIG. 14 are started in response to route information creation triggers sequentially given to each remote controller 1 after the transition from the operation phase to the preprocessing phase. The trigger for shifting from the operation phase to the preprocessing phase and the trigger for creating route information for each remote controller may be generated by the previous master remote controller, or may be generated by a predetermined specific remote controller 1. good too.

On the other hand, FIG. 15 shows the procedure of the processing executed by the remote controller 1 (that is, the remote controller that acts as a repeater in the route information being created) that received the route information being created while the other remote controller was creating the route information. It is a flowchart explaining. A series of processes shown in FIG. 15 is started when the route information is received while the route information is being created in another remote controller 1 .

Referring to FIG. 14, control unit 13 (FIG. 1) of remote controller 1 first determines whether there is another remote controller 1 whose radio wave intensity of BLE communication is equal to or higher than the reference value, other than the remote controller selected in step S120 described later. It is determined whether or not (step S110). If there is no other remote controller 1 whose radio wave intensity is equal to or greater than the reference value (NO in step S110), the process proceeds to END without executing the subsequent series of processes.

If there is another remote controller 1 whose radio wave intensity is equal to or greater than the reference value (YES in step S110), the control unit 13 selects the remote controller 1 with the strongest radio wave intensity among the remote controllers 1 whose radio wave intensity is equal to or greater than the reference value ( step S120). If there are a plurality of selectable remote controllers 1 having the same radio wave intensity, for example, the remote controller 1 detected first is selected. Then, the control unit 13 transmits route information including itself to the selected remote controller 1 (step S130).

After that, when receiving shared route information (completed route information) from the remote controller 1 that transmitted the route information (YES in step S140), the control unit 13 treats the received shared route information as one of its own route information and stores it. 14 (step S150).

Next, the control unit 13 returns the process to step S110, and checks whether there is any remote controller 1 whose radio wave intensity is equal to or higher than the reference value, other than the remote controller selected in step S120. Then, if there is another remote controller 1 whose radio wave intensity is equal to or greater than the reference value (YES in step S110), the processes from step S120 onward are executed again. Route information is created.

Referring to FIG. 15, control unit 13 of remote controller 1 that has received the route information being created while other remote controllers are creating route information determines whether or not there is a remote controller 1 whose radio wave intensity is greater than or equal to a reference value. Determine (step S210).

If there is a remote controller 1 whose radio wave intensity is greater than or equal to the reference value (YES in step S210), the control unit 13 selects the remote controller 1 having the strongest radio wave intensity among the remote controllers 1 whose radio wave intensity is greater than or equal to the reference value (step S220). ). If there are a plurality of selectable remote controllers 1 having the same radio wave intensity, for example, the remote controller 1 detected first is selected. Then, the control unit 13 transmits route information including itself to the selected remote controller 1 (step S230).

After that, when control unit 13 receives route sharing information (completed route information) from remote controller 1 that transmitted the route information (YES in step S240), control unit 13 stores the received route sharing information in storage unit 14 (step S250). . Then, the control unit 13 transmits the received route sharing information to the original remote controller 1 that transmitted the route information being created (step S260). After that, the processing is shifted to the end, and the series of processing ends.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S210 that there is no remote controller 1 whose radio wave intensity is equal to or greater than the reference value (NO in step S210), control unit 13 adds itself to the received route information and stores it in storage unit 14. (Step S270). Then, the control unit 13 transmits the route information to which it is added as the shared route information to the remote controller 1 that is the transmission source (step S280). After that, the processing is shifted to the end, and the series of processing ends.

As described above, the route information for each remote controller 1 is created. Referring to FIG. 8 again, when the route information for each remote controller 1 is created (step S1), a master remote controller is determined from the plurality of remote controllers 1 included in air conditioning system 100 (step S2). In this embodiment, as shown below, the master remote controller is determined to be the remote controller with the most route information created in step S1.

<Determination of master remote controller>
FIG. 16 is a flow chart showing an example of the procedure of the master remote controller determination process executed in step S2 of FIG. This series of processes is simultaneously started by each remote control 1 after a predetermined time has passed since the creation of the route information executed in step S1 of FIG. 8 is started, for example. The predetermined time is appropriately set in anticipation of the time when the creation of the route information for each remote controller 1 is completed.

Referring to FIG. 16, control unit 13 of each remote controller 1 whose route information has been created transmits the number of route information it owns to all remote controllers before and after itself based on its own route information (step S310).

Then, the control unit 13 determines whether or not the number of pieces of route information has been received from another remote controller 1 (step S320). When control unit 13 has not received the number of pieces of route information from other remote controllers 1 (NO in step S320), control unit 13 determines whether or not a predetermined period of time has elapsed (step S340). If not (NO in step S340), the process returns to step S320.

When control unit 13 receives the number of pieces of route information from other remote controllers 1 (YES in step S320), control unit 13 stores the received number of pieces of route information of other remote controllers 1 in storage unit 14 (step S330), The process returns to step S320.

After that, when the number of route information is not received from other remote controllers 1 for a predetermined period of time (YES in step S340), control unit 13 determines that the number of route information possessed by its own remote controller is equal to the number of route information of other remote controllers 1. It is determined whether or not it is greater than (step S350).

Then, when the number of route information of its own is greater than the number of route information of other remote controllers 1 (YES in step S350), control unit 13 sets its own remote controller 1 as a master remote controller (step S360). . On the other hand, when the number of route information of its own is smaller than the number of route information of other remote controllers 1 (NO in step S350), control unit 13 sets its own remote controller 1 as a non-master remote controller (step S360). ). If the number of route information conflicts, for example, the one with the greater total number of remote controllers included in the route information is set as the master remote controller.

Referring to FIG. 8 again, when the master remote controller is determined as described above (step S2), master route information is created by the master remote controller (step S3).

<Create master route information>
When the master remote controller is determined, the route information for the master remote controller is created again according to the flowchart shown in FIG. At this time, when the route information is transmitted from the master remote controller to the remote controller selected as the route, the information of the master remote controller is also transmitted. As a result, the information of the master remote controller is made known to the remote controllers on the route.

17 to 20, the process of creating new route information for the master remote controller after determining the master remote controller will be described below. A case where the remote controller 1b is set as the master remote controller will be described below as an example.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the air conditioning system 100. As shown in FIG. FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of route information of the remote controller 1d selected as the route from the master remote controller 1b. 19 and 20 are diagrams showing an example of the route information of the master remote controller 1b and the remote controllers 1d and 1a selected as the route.

17 to 20, master remote controller 1b detects the strength of radio waves from other remote controllers (FIG. 17). In this example, the remote controller 1d having the strongest radio wave intensity is selected as the route among the remote controllers having the radio wave intensity exceeding the reference value (for example, the remote controllers 1c to 1g and 1i). If there are a plurality of selectable remote controllers with equivalent radio field strength, for example, the remote controller detected first may be selected.

Then, the master remote controller 1b adds information indicating that it is the master remote controller (hereinafter referred to as "master information") to the route information including itself, and transmits the route information to the selected remote controller 1d. Upon receiving the route information from the master remote controller 1b, the remote controller 1d adds itself to the received route information and stores it in the storage unit 14 together with the master information (FIG. 18). Further, the remote controller 1d transmits the route information to which the remote controller 1d has been added to the master remote controller 1b, and in the master remote controller 1b, the route information is shared by the master remote controller 1b as the optimum route to the remote controller 1d (FIG. 19).

Next, similar processing is performed in the remote controller 1d that has received the route information from the master remote controller 1b. That is, the remote controller 1d detects the intensity of radio waves with respect to each remote controller except for the master remote controller 1b that is the transmission source. Then, in this example, the remote controller 1a having the strongest radio wave intensity is selected from among the remote controllers having the radio wave intensity exceeding the reference value.

The remote controller 1d transmits the route information to which it has been added to the selected remote controller 1a. Master information is also added to this route information. Upon receiving the route information from the remote controller 1d, the remote controller 1a adds itself to the received route information and stores it in the storage unit 14 together with the master information (FIG. 19). Further, the remote controller 1a transmits the route information to which it has been added to the master remote controller 1b via the remote controller 1d, and is shared by the master remote controller 1b as the optimum route to the remote controller 1a in the master remote controller 1b (FIG. 20). ).

When creating the route information for the master remote controller, the reference value of the radio wave intensity for selecting the remote controller to be the route may be set lower than when creating the route information for each remote controller. As a result, there is a possibility that the states of more remote controllers 1 can be grasped by the master remote controller.

Further, after the master remote controller's route information is created as described above, the master remote controller collects the route information of all the remote controllers included in the master remote controller's route information. Then, if the collected route information includes a remote controller 1 that is not included in the route information of the master remote controller, the remote controller 1 is added to the route information of the master remote controller.

FIG. 21 is a flow chart showing an example of a processing procedure for creating master route information executed in step S3 of FIG. This series of processes is executed after the master remote controller is determined according to the flowchart shown in FIG.

Referring to FIG. 21, control unit 13 of the master remote controller creates routing information of the master remote controller by executing routing information creating processing similar to that of the flowchart shown in FIG. 14 (step S405). The details are as described with reference to FIGS. 17 to 20. FIG.

Next, the control unit 13 of the master remote controller requests all the remote controllers 1 included in the route information created in step S405 to transmit the route information (step S410). A transmission request for route information to the relevant remote controller 1 is sent to the relevant remote controller 1 according to the route information created in step S405.

Then, the control unit 13 of the master remote controller determines whether or not the route information has been received from the remote controller 1 that transmitted the route information transmission request (step S420). Upon receiving the route information, the control unit 13 of the master remote controller determines whether or not the received route information includes a remote controller 1 not included in its own route information (step S430). If it is determined that the remote controller 1 not included in the route information of itself is not included in the received route information (NO in step S430), that is, each remote controller 1 included in the received route information is already included in the route information of itself. If so, the process returns to step S420.

If it is determined in step S430 that the received route information includes a remote controller 1 that is not included in its own route information (YES in step S430), control unit 13 of the master remote controller The route information including the target remote controller is compared with its own route information to create route information to the target remote controller (step S440).

Then, the controller 13 of the master remote controller sequentially transmits the created route information to the remote controllers on the route based on the created route information in order to share the newly created route information with the remote controllers on the route. (step S450). After that, when control unit 13 of the master remote controller receives the route sharing information indicating that the route is shared by the remote controllers on the route (YES in step S460), the process returns to step S420, and the route information from other remote controllers 1 is received. further confirms whether or not it has been received.

Then, in step S420, it is determined that the route information has not been received from the other remote controller 1 (NO in step S420), and when the route information from the other remote controller 1 is not received for a predetermined period (YES in step S470), Processing is shifted to the end, and a series of processing ends.

As described above, in the preprocessing phase, the creation (update) of the route information for each remote controller 1, the determination of the master remote controller, and the creation of the master route information by the determined master remote controller are performed. Then, when the above preprocessing is completed, the preprocessing phase is shifted to the operation phase, and monitoring data can be obtained.

<Interrupt processing>
Finally, interrupt processing will be described. Interrupt processing is performed when there is a remote control operation from the operation unit 12 or when a connection request from another terminal device 2 is received during normal processing or abnormal processing in the operation phase, or various processing in the preprocessing phase. etc.

In the present embodiment, interrupt processing is executed according to a predetermined priority with respect to the interrupt operation as described above. For example, an interrupt operation with high urgency is set to a high priority, and the interrupt operation is preferentially executed by interrupting the process being executed in the operation phase or the preprocessing phase. On the other hand, an interrupt operation with low urgency is set to a low priority, the process being executed in the operation phase or the pre-processing phase is continued, and it is appropriately notified that the interrupt operation is impossible.

FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating interrupt processing for an example of a high-priority interrupt operation. FIG. 22 shows the air conditioning system 100 described in FIG. 3 and the like. Referring to FIG. 22, during execution of normal processing for acquiring monitoring data of a monitored object from target remote controller 1c by connection source remote controller 1a in response to a monitor request from terminal device 2, remote controller operation is performed on remote controller 1d on the monitor path. shall be performed.

In this example, the remote control operation is regarded as having a higher degree of urgency than the collection of monitoring data, the creation of route information, etc., and is set as a process with a high priority. Therefore, according to the remote control operation, the normal processing for acquiring the monitoring data of the monitored object is interrupted, and the remote controller 1d transmits a notification to each remote controller (in this example, the connection source remote controller 1a and the target remote controller 1c) on the monitor path. be done.

Each remote control that has received the notification of the interruption of processing retains the content of the processing immediately before the interruption. Then, when the processing based on the remote controller operation is completed in the remote controller 1d, the fact that the interruption operation is completed is transmitted from the remote controller 1d to each remote controller on the monitor path, and the interrupted processing is resumed in each remote controller.

In addition to the above-described remote control operation, for example, receiving an abnormality of the indoor unit 3 or the outdoor unit 4 from the indoor unit 3 via the wired communication unit 16 is also a high-priority interrupt operation. Interrupt processing is executed as an interrupt operation.

FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating interrupt processing for an example of a low-priority interrupt operation. FIG. 23 also shows the air conditioning system 100 described in FIG. 3 and the like. Referring to FIG. 23, during execution of normal processing for acquiring monitoring data of a monitor target from target remote controller 1c by connection source remote controller 1a in response to a monitor request from terminal device 2a, remote controller 1d on the monitor path is Assume that a connection request has been received from the terminal device 2b.

In this example, a connection request from another terminal device 2b during the execution of various processes in the operation phase or the preprocessing phase is set to low priority processing with low urgency. Therefore, the normal process of acquiring the monitoring data of the monitored object is continued, and the fact that the remote controller 1d cannot be connected is transmitted to the terminal device 2b.

FIG. 24 is a flow chart showing an example of the procedure of interrupt processing executed by the controller 13 of the remote control 1. As shown in FIG. A series of processes shown in this flowchart is started when an interrupt occurs during execution of various processes in the operation phase or the preprocessing phase.

Referring to FIG. 24, control unit 13 determines whether or not the generated interrupt is a high priority interrupt (step S510). High-priority interrupts occur, for example, when the remote controller is operated, when the wired communication unit 16 receives an error in the indoor unit 3 or the outdoor unit 4 from the indoor unit 3, or the like, as described above. do.

If it is determined in step S510 that the interrupt is of high priority (YES in step S510), the control unit 13 suspends the process being executed in the operation phase or the preprocessing phase (step S520). Then, the control unit 13 saves the contents of the processing before the interruption in the storage unit 14, and notifies the other remote controllers 1 related to the processing of the interruption of the processing (step S530). As a result, each remote control that receives the notice of interruption of processing also retains the content of processing immediately before the interruption.

When the processing content before the interruption is saved, the control unit 13 starts processing corresponding to the interrupt that occurred (step S540). Then, when the interrupt process ends (YES in step S550), control unit 13 resumes the interrupted process and notifies remote controller 1 that has notified the interruption of the process of restarting the process (step S560).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S510 that the priority of the interrupt that has occurred is low (NO in step S510), control unit 13 refuses execution of the process corresponding to the interrupt that has occurred (step S570). . That is, the process being executed in the operation phase or the preprocessing phase is continued. Although not shown, if the generated interrupt is a connection request from another terminal device 2, a notification to the effect that connection is not possible is sent to the other terminal device 2. FIG.

As described above, in the present embodiment, since interrupt processing is executed in accordance with a predetermined priority for interrupt operations, an interrupt with a high priority, such as an original remote control operation, is not executed. It is possible to suppress unnecessarily interrupting the process being executed in the operation phase or the preprocessing phase by an interrupt with a low priority.

The embodiments disclosed this time should be considered to be illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The technical scope indicated by the present disclosure is indicated by the scope of claims rather than the description of the above-described embodiments, and is intended to include all modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the scope of the claims. .

1, 1a to 1j remote control, 2, 2a, 2b terminal device, 3 indoor unit, 4 outdoor unit, 10 air conditioner, 11 display unit, 12 operation unit, 13 control unit, 14 storage unit, 15, 21 wireless communication unit , 16 wired communication unit, 100 air conditioning system.

Claims (9)

A remote control device for an air conditioner,
a first communication unit configured to communicate with the air conditioner;
a second communication unit configured to perform wireless communication with a terminal device capable of wireless communication;
a control unit configured to control the first and second communication units;
The second communication unit is further configured to be capable of wireless communication with a remote control device of another air conditioner different from the air conditioner with which communication is performed by the first communication unit,
The control unit
a first process of sequentially creating a communication path to a remote control device capable of wireless communication through the remote control device of the other air conditioner;
a second process for the remote control device to operate as a relay between other remote control devices;
The first processing is
A process of transmitting route creation information including itself to other remote control devices whose radio wave intensity of wireless communication by the second communication unit is equal to or greater than a reference value;
a process of receiving route sharing information specifying a remote control device included in the communication path from the remote control device that transmitted the route creation information, and storing the received route sharing information as route information;
The second processing is
When receiving the route creation information from another remote control device, the second communication among the remote control devices other than the other remote control device that has transmitted the route creation information by adding itself to the route creation information a process of transmitting the route creation information to a remote control device having the strongest radio wave intensity, the radio wave intensity of wireless communication by the unit being equal to or greater than the reference value;
a process of transmitting the received route sharing information to the other remote control device that transmitted the route creation information when the route sharing information is received from the remote control device that transmitted the route creation information ;
The control unit further
When a request signal requesting acquisition of data of another air conditioner different from the air conditioner is received from the terminal device, the target remote control device that is the remote control device of the other air conditioner is included in the route information. and
executing a third process when the target remote control device is included in the route information;
configured to execute a fourth process when the target remote control device is not included in the route information;
the third process includes a process of acquiring the data from the target remote control device according to the route information and transmitting the acquired data to the terminal device;
The fourth process transmits the request signal to a master remote control device that is a remote control device set as a master remote control device whose number of stored route information is greater than the number of route information held by other remote control devices, and A remote control device, comprising receiving the data acquired by the master remote control device according to a request signal from the master remote control device and transmitting the received data to the terminal device. The control unit
transmitting a first value indicating the number of stored route information to a communicable remote control device by the second communication unit;
receiving a second value indicating the number of pieces of route information held by another remote control device from a communicable remote control device by the second communication unit;
setting itself as the master remote controller if the first value is greater than the second value;
2. A remote control device according to claim 1, wherein if said first value is less than said second value, it sets itself as a non-master remote control. 2. The control unit, when set as the master remote controller, requests the specified remote controller to transmit the routing information possessed by the remote controller specified by the routing information, based on the routing information. 3. The remote control device according to 2. The control unit compares route information received in response to a request for transmission of route information to the specified remote control device with route information it owns,
4. The method according to claim 3, wherein, when the received route information includes a remote control device not included in the route information of itself, a communication route to the remote control device not included in the route information is created based on the received route information. remote control device. A remote control device for an air conditioner,
a first communication unit configured to communicate with the air conditioner;
a second communication unit configured to perform wireless communication with a terminal device capable of wireless communication;
a control unit configured to control the first and second communication units;
The second communication unit is further configured to be capable of wireless communication with a remote control device of another air conditioner different from the air conditioner with which communication is performed by the first communication unit,
The control unit
a first process of sequentially creating a communication path to a remote control device capable of wireless communication through the remote control device of the other air conditioner;
a second process for the remote control device to operate as a relay between other remote control devices;
The first processing is
A process of transmitting route creation information including itself to other remote control devices whose radio wave intensity of wireless communication by the second communication unit is equal to or greater than a reference value;
a process of receiving path sharing information specifying a remote control device included in the communication path from the remote controller that transmitted the path creation information, and storing the received path sharing information as path information;
The second processing is
When the route creation information is received from another remote control device, the second communication among the remote control devices other than the other remote control device that has transmitted the route creation information by adding itself to the route creation information. A process of transmitting the route creation information to a remote control device having the strongest radio wave intensity, the radio wave intensity of wireless communication by the unit being equal to or greater than the reference value;
a process of transmitting the received route sharing information to the other remote control device that transmitted the route creation information when the route sharing information is received from the remote control device that transmitted the route creation information;
The control unit
transmitting a first value indicating the number of stored route information to a communicable remote control device by the second communication unit;
receiving a second value indicating the number of pieces of route information held by another remote control device from a communicable remote control device by the second communication unit;
setting itself as a master remote controller if the first value is greater than the second value;
A remote control device that sets itself as a non-master remote control if the first value is less than the second value. 2. The control unit, when set as the master remote controller, requests the specified remote controller to transmit the routing information possessed by the remote controller specified by the routing information, based on the routing information . 6. The remote control device according to 5 . The control unit compares route information received in response to a request for transmission of route information to the specified remote control device with route information it owns,
7. The method according to claim 6 , wherein, if the received route information includes a remote control device not included in the route information of itself, a communication route to the remote control device not included in the route information is created based on the received route information. remote control device. The control unit
When a monitoring request requesting monitoring of another air conditioner different from the air conditioner is received from the terminal device, the target remote control device that is the remote control device of the other air conditioner is included in the route information. check if there is
acquiring a monitoring result of the other air conditioner from the target remote control device according to the route information when the target remote control device is included in the route information, and transmitting the acquired monitoring result to the terminal device;
when the target remote control device is not included in the route information, transmitting the monitoring request to a master remote control device which is a remote control device set as the master remote control;
8. The remote control device according to claim 6, wherein a monitoring result acquired by said master remote control device according to said monitoring request is received from said master remote control device, and the received monitoring result is transmitted to said terminal device. an outdoor unit,
indoor unit and
An air conditioner comprising the remote control device according to any one of claims 1 to 8 .

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