JPH10132362A - Air conditioner and service data access system for air conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a service data access system for an air conditioner capable of more rapidly meeting an abnormal control state or a request for an improved version. SOLUTION: An air conditioner 2 is provided with a storing means for storing service data such as abnormal data indicating that a control state becomes abnormal, version up information for applying an improvement to a program, etc. The air conditioner 2 has a terminal 3 for making access to service data. A radio communication terminal 4 is connected to the terminal 3. At least either one of reading and writing of the service data is carried out relative to the storing means by using the communication system of the radio communication terminal 4.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an air conditioner for reading and / or writing service data from and to storage means constituting a control circuit of an air conditioner, and a service data access method for the air conditioner.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an air conditioner, service data such as abnormal data indicating that a control state has become abnormal and version upgrade information for improving a program are read from a storage means of a control circuit or written into the storage means. For example, after the air conditioner itself is collected from a user via a service station to a manufacturer, the jig and / or a personal computer are connected to the air conditioner. In some cases, before reading or writing the service data of the air conditioner by the manufacturer, the serviceman of the service station displays an abnormal condition on the personal computer and checks it, and based on the service manual,
Serviceable items were repaired by servicemen.

[0003]

However, in the above-mentioned service data access method, when the air conditioner is collected, it takes a long time from the collection to the return. In addition, it was difficult to perform a detailed analysis in a check by a service person before the air conditioner was collected by the manufacturer, so that the unit could not be completely repaired and the entire unit had to be replaced, which was wasteful.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and provides an air conditioner service data access method capable of more quickly responding to an abnormality in a control state or a request for an upgrade. The purpose is to do.

[0005]

Means for Solving the Problems In the present invention, claim 1 is provided.
The invention relates to an air conditioner provided with storage means for service data such as abnormal data indicating that the control state has become abnormal, version-up information for improving a program, and the like. A terminal for data access for performing at least one of reading and writing of service data is provided.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a terminal number of a service destination for which maintenance and inspection are requested is stored in advance in the storage means, and when an abnormal data is written in the storage means, a calling function for the service destination and The function to transfer the abnormal data is provided to the control device of the air conditioner.
When a control abnormality occurs, it can be notified immediately.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, a wireless communication terminal is connected to a data access terminal, and service data is accessed using the communication system of the wireless communication terminal. Thereby, it is possible to quickly respond to a control state abnormality or a request for version upgrade. In addition, it is possible to accumulate quality data of products on the market.

Here, the invention of claim 4 uses a portable radio telephone of a portable radio telephone system as a radio communication terminal, and the invention of claim 5 uses a PHS terminal. When used, call charges can be saved.

According to the invention of claim 6, the service data is accessed by connecting a switching network type telephone line to a terminal for data access. Can respond quickly.

Further, when the abnormal data is written in the storage means as in the invention of claim 7, the terminal is connected to a telephone or a terminal via an interface unit having a function of calling a service destination and a function of transferring the abnormal data. Alternatively, if the configuration is such that a telephone line is connected, there is an advantage that air conditioners having various existing configurations can be dealt with.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on preferred embodiments shown in the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a first embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a room to be air-conditioned, and here, an indoor unit of an air conditioner (hereinafter, also simply referred to as an air conditioner).
2 are installed. The air conditioner 2 has a connection terminal 3 for outputting a signal to a control unit of the air conditioner using a telephone line. The connection terminal 3 enables connection and detachment of a mobile phone 4 of a digital mobile phone system.
When the mobile phone 4 is connected to the connection terminal 3 when the control state becomes abnormal such as a failure of the air conditioner 2, the mobile phone 4 transmits radio waves including call data and encoded service data. The information contained in this radio wave is transferred to the service station 6 via the mobile phone base station 5.
A data reading / writing personal computer 7 is installed in the service station 6, and service data information is input to the data reading / writing personal computer 7 via a modem 8. The data read / write personal computer 7 performs arithmetic processing on the received information, and displays the analysis result and the repair location on the screen. Then, the serviceman checks the information displayed on the screen of the data read / write personal computer 7 and proceeds to repair the air conditioner 2.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the air conditioner from which the service data is read. This air conditioner is mainly composed of an indoor unit A with a remote control device 20 and an outdoor unit B. The indoor unit A is an indoor control unit 3 including a CPU.
0, and the outdoor unit B includes an outdoor control unit 40 also including a CPU. An AC power supply 21 that supplies operating power of the entire air conditioner and a remote control device 20 are connected to the indoor control unit 30. The indoor control unit 30
And the outdoor controller 40 are connected to the AC power supply line 22 and the signal line 23.
The power is supplied from the indoor unit A to the outdoor unit B, and a signal is transmitted between the indoor control unit 30 and the outdoor control unit 40.

The indoor unit A includes, in addition to the indoor control unit 30, a connection terminal 3 for connecting the mobile phone 4, abnormal data indicating that the control state has become abnormal, version upgrade information for improving the program, and the like. IC 14 as a storage means for storing the service data of the vehicle, an indoor temperature sensor 51, a heat exchanger temperature sensor 52, and a speed control circuit 5.
3, an indoor fan motor 54, a louver drive circuit 55 and a louver motor 56 are provided.

On the other hand, the outdoor unit B includes an outdoor control unit 40.
Besides, an outside air temperature sensor 61, a fan drive circuit 62, an outdoor fan motor 63, a four-way valve 64, an inverter circuit 65
And a compressor motor 66.

The operation of this air conditioner is generally well known, and therefore, the general operation will be described here. The remote control device 20 sets an operation mode, a room temperature to be air-conditioned, an air volume, a wind direction, and the like. Of these set values, the operation mode setting information is transmitted from the indoor control unit 30 to the outdoor control unit 40, and the outdoor control unit 40 controls the switching of the four-way valve 64. Further, the indoor control unit 30 determines a power supply frequency for driving the compressor motor 66 according to the difference between the set value of the indoor temperature and the value detected by the indoor temperature sensor 51, and transmits a frequency command to the outdoor control unit 40. An inverter circuit 65 is connected to the outdoor control unit 40 via the AC power supply line 24. After the inverter circuit 65 converts AC to DC,
DC is converted to AC in accordance with an ON / OFF control signal applied from the outdoor control unit 40 through the signal line 25 and supplied to the compressor motor 66.

Further, the indoor control unit 30 sends a speed command of the indoor fan motor 54 to the speed control circuit 53 in consideration of both the heat exchanger temperature detected by the heat exchanger temperature sensor 52 and the air flow set value of the remote controller 20. The speed control circuit 53 controls the number of revolutions of the indoor fan motor 54 according to the speed command, and further gives a command corresponding to the wind direction set value by the remote control device 20 to the louver drive circuit 55, and the louver drive circuit 55 The motor 56 is controlled.

On the other hand, the outdoor control unit 40 is connected to the outside air temperature sensor 6.
The outdoor fan motor 6 according to the detected value of the outside air temperature
3 is given to the fan drive circuit 62, and the fan drive circuit 62
To control the number of revolutions.

The general operation of the air conditioner shown in FIG. 2 has been described above. The functions of the connection terminal 3 and the memory IC 14 and the detailed operation of the indoor control unit 30 will be described with reference to FIGS. This will be described below.

In FIG. 3, the mobile phone 4 is connected to the connection terminal 3, and the memory IC 14 is provided with service data 16 such as abnormal data indicating that the control state has become abnormal, and upgrade information for improving the control program. When,
The service station telephone number data 17 is written. The memory IC 14 has a rewritable E.
An EPROM or the like is used. The CPU 15 is provided with a terminal detecting means 13 for detecting that the mobile phone 4 is connected to the connection terminal 3 and a service station for writing abnormal data to the service data 16 or for connecting the mobile phone 4 to the connection terminal 3. An arithmetic processing unit 12 for sending information for transmitting service data 16 to the mobile phone 4 in accordance with the telephone number data 17.

FIG. 4 shows a CPU corresponding to the arithmetic processing means 12.
It is a flowchart which shows the 15 detailed processing procedure. In this case, it is determined in step 101 whether or not the mobile phone 4 as a terminal is connected to the connection terminal 3. If connected, the service station telephone number data 17 of the memory IC 14 is read in step 102, Then, in step 103, a calling process through the mobile phone 4 is executed.
Next, at step 104, it is determined whether or not the PC is connected to the data read / write personal computer 7 of the service station 6.
When the connection is confirmed, a transfer process of the service data 16 written in the memory IC 14 is executed in step 105.

Thus, according to the first embodiment, when the air conditioner becomes abnormal, the portable telephone 4 is connected to the connection terminal 3.
Is connected, the service data is notified to the data reading / writing personal computer 7 of the service station 6 by data display or character information on the screen display or by voice.
It is possible to quickly respond to abnormalities in the control state, and to accumulate quality data of products on the market.

In addition, even when the portable terminal is connected to the connection terminal 3, a call can be made with the portable radio telephone as it is. By using this call function together, the situation before and after the abnormality can be explained, and the service performance can be improved. Can be

FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram of a second embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, the same elements as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. In this embodiment, version upgrade information for improving a program is stored in a memory IC 14.
(See FIG. 3). Here, first, the service station 6 requests the user to connect the mobile phone 4 to the connection terminal 3. When the mobile phone 4 is connected, the service data 16 is sent to the service station 6 as described above. In response to this, new service data is sent from the service station 6 and stored in the memory I
The contents of C14 are rewritten.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a detailed processing procedure of the CPU 15 corresponding to this control. in this case,
In step 111, it is determined whether or not the mobile phone 4 as a terminal is connected to the connection terminal 3. If connected, the service station telephone number data 17 of the memory IC 14 is read in step 112. At 113, a calling process through the mobile phone 4 is executed. Next, at step 114, it is determined whether or not the connection is made to the data read / write personal computer 7 of the service station 6. If the connection is confirmed, the transfer processing of the service data 16 written to the memory IC 14 is performed at step 115. Run. At the stage when this transfer process is performed, the service station 6 transmits an initial signal for changing the contents of the service data 16 of the memory IC 14. Therefore, the CPU 15 determines whether or not this signal has been received in step 116. If the signal has been received, the CPU 15 deletes the service data 16 in the memory IC 14 in step 117. Is written into the memory IC 14.

Thus, according to the second embodiment, the service station 6 requests that the mobile phone 4 be connected to the connection terminal 3, and in response to this request, the user connects the mobile phone 4 to the air conditioner. When connected to the terminal 3, the version-up information data is written into the memory IC 14, so that it is possible to quickly respond to a version-up request and to accumulate quality data of products on the market. .

According to the second embodiment, the air conditioner becomes abnormal and has two functions of version upgrade, so that improvement in service performance can be expected.

FIG. 7 is a schematic configuration diagram of a third embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, at least one of reading and writing of service data is performed by using a telephone line of a switching network system. A modular connector 9 at a distal end of a connection cable 10 connected to the telephone line is connected to the air conditioner 2. Connected to a connection terminal (not shown). The CPU 15 constituting the air conditioner 2 determines whether or not a switched network type telephone line is connected, instead of determining whether or not the mobile phone 4 is connected, as shown in FIG. 4 or FIG. The same processing is executed as before.

Thus, according to the third embodiment, when an air conditioner becomes abnormal or a request for version upgrade can be promptly dealt with, and quality data of a product can be accumulated.

FIG. 8 is a schematic configuration diagram of a fourth embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, the same elements as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. In the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the CPU 15 is provided with an arithmetic processing function and a terminal detection function. However, it is expected that such a configuration is difficult to apply to an existing air conditioner. The fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 8 solves this problem, in which an interface unit 18 having the same functions as the arithmetic processing unit 12 and the terminal detection unit 13 is provided outside the air conditioner 2. And the connection terminal 3 is the interface unit 1
8 to be connected to another terminal of the indoor control unit 30.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an air conditioner corresponding to this, and the components denoted by the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 2 indicate the same components. The connection terminal 19 for accessing the data is connected to the memory IC 14 storing the service information of the indoor control unit 30.
An interface unit 18 is connected to the connection terminal 19.
The connection terminal 3 is connected to 8. FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a portion related to the interface unit 18 in further detail. Service data 16 and service station telephone number data 17 are written in the memory IC 14. The interface unit 18 includes the terminal detection means 13 and the arithmetic processing means 12, and the connection terminal 3
When the mobile phone 4 is connected to the server, the processing shown in FIG. 4 is executed.

Thus, according to the fourth embodiment, in the same manner as described above, when the air conditioner is abnormal, simply by connecting the mobile phone 4 to the connection terminal 3, the data is read from and written to the service station 6. Since the screen is displayed on the personal computer 7, it is possible to quickly respond to an abnormality in the control state, and it is possible to accumulate quality data of the product. Further, there is an advantage that it is not necessary to replace the CPU 15 constituting the indoor control unit 30 and only to add the connection terminal 3 and the interface unit 18 to the existing device.

FIG. 11 is a schematic configuration diagram of a fifth embodiment of the present invention. With the configuration shown in FIG. 8, the interface unit 18 performs the processing shown in FIG. Or when an attempt is made to respond to a version upgrade request. Again,
Air conditioners can quickly respond to abnormalities and version upgrade requests, and can accumulate product quality data.
Further, there is an advantage that the connection terminal 3, the interface unit 18 and the connection terminal 3 need only be added to the existing air conditioner.

FIG. 12 is a schematic structural view of a sixth embodiment of the present invention, in which an interface unit 18 is provided between a connection cable 10 and a modular connector 9 of a switching telephone network.
And causes the interface unit 18 to execute the same processing as that shown in FIG. 4 or FIG. Thereby, an effect similar to that of the fifth embodiment can be obtained.

FIG. 13 is a schematic configuration diagram of a seventh embodiment of the present invention. In each of the above embodiments, the connection terminal 3
And the memory IC 14 are provided in the indoor unit A, but the indoor control unit 30 and the outdoor control unit 40
Considering that PUs exchange information with each other,
In this embodiment, the outdoor unit B is provided with the connection terminal 3 and the memory IC 14. Here, the outdoor control unit 40 includes a CPU, and the CPU
Alternatively, it has a function of executing the processing shown in FIG. Also in this embodiment, when the air conditioner becomes abnormal or when a request for an upgrade is made, it is possible to quickly respond. In addition, it is possible to accumulate quality data of products on the market.

In recent years, along with the spread of digital portable telephone systems, PHS (Personal Handy Phone System), which has an urban area such as a large city as a service area, is also becoming popular. In these service areas, control data of the air conditioner can be accessed in the same manner as described above even if a PHS terminal is connected instead of the telephone of the portable radio telephone system. When this PHS communication system is used, there is an advantage that lower call charges can be achieved.

In addition, a telephone of a portable telephone system, a PH,
In the case of using the terminal S, it is possible to make a call together with the transmission and reception of service data. In this case, it is possible to explain the situation before and after the abnormality and to further improve the service performance. Can be.

[0038]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, an air conditioner provided with service data storage means is used to read and write service data to and from the storage means using a speech line. Since a terminal for data access which performs at least one is provided or a wireless communication terminal is connected to this terminal and service data is accessed using the communication system of the wireless communication terminal,
It is possible to promptly respond to a control state abnormality or a request for version upgrade. In addition, it is possible to accumulate quality data of products on the market.

Also, in the case where a service network is accessed by connecting a switching network type telephone line to a terminal for accessing the service data, an existing telephone line is used instead of a new portable radio telephone system. Can be handled.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the air conditioner to be serviced according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of a main part of the air conditioner shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram of a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a schematic configuration diagram of a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a schematic configuration diagram of a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the air conditioner to be serviced according to the fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of a main part of the air conditioner shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a schematic configuration diagram of a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a schematic configuration diagram of a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a schematic configuration diagram of a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 indoor unit of air conditioner 3 connection terminal 4 mobile phone 5 mobile phone base station 6 service station 7 data read / write personal computer 8 modem 9 modular connector 10 connection cable 12 arithmetic processing means 13 terminal detection means 14 memory IC 15 CPU 16 service data 17 Service station telephone number data 18 Interface unit 30 Indoor control unit 40 Outdoor control unit

Claims (7)

[Claims] A telephone line is used for an air conditioner provided with storage means for storing service data such as abnormal data indicating that the control state has become abnormal and version-up information for improving a control program. An air conditioner having a connection terminal for performing at least one of reading and writing of service data from and to the storage means. 2. A telephone number or a terminal number of a service destination for which maintenance and inspection are requested is stored in the storage means, and when abnormal data is written in the storage means, a calling function for the service destination and The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein a control device for the air conditioner has a function of transferring abnormal data. 3. An air conditioner provided with storage means for storing service data such as abnormal data indicating that the control state has become abnormal and version upgrade information for improving a program. A service data access method for an air conditioner, comprising a terminal, a wireless communication terminal connected to the terminal, and at least one of reading and writing of service data to and from the storage unit using the communication system of the wireless communication terminal. 4. The service data access method for an air conditioner according to claim 3, wherein said wireless communication terminal is a portable wireless telephone of a portable wireless telephone system. 5. The service data access system for an air conditioner according to claim 3, wherein said wireless communication terminal is a PHS terminal. 6. A terminal for accessing data to an air conditioner having storage means for storing service data such as abnormal data indicating that the control state has become abnormal and version-up information for improving a program. A service data access system for an air conditioner, wherein a switching network telephone line is connected to the terminal to perform at least one of reading and writing of service data to and from the storage means. 7. When an abnormal data is written into said storage means, said interface unit has a calling function to said service destination and a function of transferring the abnormal data.
The service data access method for an air conditioner according to claim 3, wherein the telephone, the terminal, or the telephone line is connected to the terminal.