KR102104437B1 - A controller and a method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

A control device according to an embodiment of the present invention is a control device for controlling the operation of an air conditioner that harmonizes indoor air within a range of a first temperature to a second temperature, comprising: a communication device; An output device for displaying the starting temperature, which is the temperature at which the air conditioner starts operating; Central processing unit; Memory; And stored in the memory, executed by the central processing unit, and the communication device compares the indoor temperature and the start temperature received from the air conditioner to indicate that the air conditioner is operating in the output device, and the start temperature is the first temperature. If outside the second temperature range, a program for displaying the target temperature, which is the maximum output of the air conditioner, and a control device operation method comprising: receiving and displaying a start temperature for starting the operation; Displaying the indoor temperature, which is the current temperature in the room; Comparing the indoor temperature and the starting temperature, indicating that the operation; And displaying a target temperature that changes based on the start temperature.

Description

Control device and control device control method {A CONTROLLER AND A METHOD THEREOF}

The present invention relates to a control device and a control device control method for determining whether to operate by comparing the indoor temperature with a preset starting temperature.

In general, the control device is a device that controls electronic devices such as a TV, video, audio, air conditioner, cable broadcasting converter, satellite broadcasting converter, and electric fan. In some cases, the control device may remotely control various electronic devices through wireless transmission of a control frequency or wired communication.

The control device can be applied to an air conditioner. Multi-type air conditioners that are frequently used in large buildings, such as buildings, that require a large number of indoor units are connected to a number of indoor units in one outdoor unit, and these indoor units are installed in each room for air conditioning to obtain the effect of installing multiple air conditioners. It becomes possible.

The multi-type air conditioner may require a central controller capable of controlling all indoor units at once and a separate controller capable of individually controlling each indoor unit. The individual controller can be operated and turned off at a time desired by the user.

The control device and the method of operating the control device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may compare an indoor temperature and a start temperature to determine whether to operate an object to be controlled, and perform an operation of adjusting a target temperature according to the start temperature.

The control device according to an embodiment of the present invention is a control device that controls the operation of an air conditioner that harmonizes indoor air, an output device that displays a start temperature that is a temperature at which the air conditioner starts operating; Communication device; Central processing unit; Memory; And stored in the memory, executed by the central processing unit, and the communication device compares the room temperature and the start temperature received from the air conditioner, and indicates that the air conditioner is operating in the output device, Includes a program for displaying a target temperature that changes accordingly.
The control device, for the air conditioner for conditioning the air within the control range of the first temperature to the second temperature, the starting temperature is below the first temperature, or above the second temperature, outside the control range In this case, it is characterized in that the power saving operation is started.

A control device according to an embodiment of the present invention is a control device for controlling the operation of an air conditioner that harmonizes indoor air within a range of a first temperature to a second temperature, comprising: a communication device; An output device for displaying the starting temperature, which is the temperature at which the air conditioner starts operating; Central processing unit; Memory; And stored in the memory, executed by the central processing unit, and the communication device compares the indoor temperature and the start temperature received from the air conditioner to indicate that the air conditioner is operating in the output device, and the start temperature is the first temperature. And a program for displaying a target temperature which is the maximum output of the air conditioner when outside the second temperature range.

A method of operating a control device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes receiving and displaying a starting temperature at which to start driving; Displaying the indoor temperature, which is the current temperature in the room; Comparing the indoor temperature and the starting temperature, indicating that the operation; And displaying a target temperature that changes based on the start temperature.
For an air conditioner for conditioning air within a control range of the first temperature to the second temperature, when the starting temperature is less than or equal to the first temperature and greater than or equal to the second temperature, a power saving operation that minimizes energy consumption is started. Displaying the power saving operation on an output device; It further includes.

The control device according to an embodiment of the present invention may set a start temperature and a power saving temperature to automatically operate an object to be controlled.

The control device according to an embodiment of the present invention may visually display a setting window for receiving a start temperature and a power saving temperature, so that the user can easily adjust and check the controlled temperature range.

The control device of one embodiment of the present invention can compare the indoor temperature and the starting temperature, and change the target temperature according to the starting temperature to enable efficient operation.

When controlling the air conditioner, the control device according to an embodiment of the present invention may receive and display the cooling start temperature and the heating start temperature, thereby stably realizing an indoor environment required by a user.

The control device according to an embodiment of the present invention receives a power-saving temperature, transmits a signal to start the operation when the room temperature reaches the start temperature, and sends a signal to stop the operation when the room temperature reaches the power-saving temperature. By sending, it is possible to minimize power consumption.

The control device according to an embodiment of the present invention is configured to operate the air conditioner at maximum output when the start temperature outside the control range of the air conditioner to be controlled is input, and stop the operation when the room temperature reaches the power saving temperature. By repeating, the temperature in the room can be maintained with less energy.

1 is a view of a control system including a control device according to an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 2 is a front view showing the front of the control device according to an embodiment of the present invention,
Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a control device according to an embodiment of the present invention,
4 to 7 are views showing the output of the control device according to an embodiment of the present invention,
8 is a graph showing the operation flow of the control device according to an embodiment of the present invention,
9 and 10 are flowcharts illustrating a method of operating a control device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Advantages and features of the present invention, and methods for achieving them will be clarified with reference to embodiments described below in detail together with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below, but may be implemented in various different forms, and only the embodiments allow the disclosure of the present invention to be complete, and common knowledge in the art to which the present invention pertains It is provided to completely inform the person having the scope of the invention, and the present invention is only defined by the scope of the claims. The same reference numerals refer to the same components throughout the specification.

Terms such as first and second may be used to describe various elements, but these elements are not limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, without departing from the scope of the present invention, the first contact can be referred to as the second contact, and likewise, the second contact can be referred to as the first contact, and the first contact and the second contact are both All contact, but may not be the same contact.

The terms used in the description of the invention are only for describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the invention. When used in the description of the invention and the appended claims, singular forms are intended to include, of course, plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The use of an indication may indicate either or both the singular usage of the term, or the plural form, and vice versa.

It will be understood that the term “and / or” refers to and encompasses any and all possible combinations of one or more of the listed related items. As used herein, the terms “comprises” and / or “comprising” specify the presence of specified features, integers, steps, actions, elements and / or components, It will be further understood that it does not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, actions, elements, components and / or groups thereof.

The term "if" is "when" or "~ upon", or "in response to determining" or "responding to a detection, depending on context. It can be interpreted as meaning ". Likewise, the phrases “when determined” or “when [specified condition or event] is detected”, depending on the context, “when determined” or “in response to the determination” or “when detected [of specified condition or event],” Or "in response to detecting [specified condition or event]".

In the following, embodiments of computing devices, user interfaces for such devices, and related processes for using such devices can be described.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

1 is a diagram of a control system including a control device 140 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, the control device 140 according to an embodiment of the present invention may be used in an air conditioner system.

The control device 140 according to an embodiment of the present invention may be provided in various electronic devices that require control. For example, the control device 140 may be used to control a plurality of lighting devices, a refrigerator, a showcase, and the like, but is not limited to that type.

1 illustrates an embodiment in which the control device 140 controls the operation of the indoor unit 130 of the multi-air conditioner system. Hereinafter, a multi-air conditioner system will be described.

A multi-air conditioner system including a control device 140 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an indoor unit 130 that harmonizes indoor air, an outdoor unit 120 that works in conjunction with the indoor unit 130, and an indoor unit ( 130) and the central controller 110 for controlling the outdoor unit 120.

The central controller 110 is connected to the plurality of indoor units 130 and the plurality of outdoor units 120 to transmit and receive signals. The central controller 110 may include input means for inputting commands and output means for displaying control data or information. The input means of the central controller 110 may include a broad button input device 60 such as a mechanical button or a touch pad for sensing a touch input. The output means of the central controller 110 may include a device that generates light, including a light source (a device emitting light such as a light emitting diode (LED) or an organic light emitting diode).

The central controller 110 may include a microprocessor capable of performing information processing, and may transmit and receive a control signal in conjunction therewith. 1, the central controller 110 may be connected to the indoor unit 130 and the outdoor unit 120, and may perform wireless or wired communication with the indoor unit 130 and the outdoor unit 120, but is not limited thereto. .

The central controller 110 can control the indoor unit 130 and the outdoor unit 120. The central controller 110 can control the control of the indoor unit 130. For example, the central controller 110 may lock the control unit 140 that controls each of the one or more indoor units 130 to control the control of the indoor unit 130.

When the central controller 110 centrally locks the multi-air conditioner system, the central controller 110 may transmit a signal to the control device 140 to limit the control device 140 controlling the indoor unit 130 from receiving an input from the outside. have.

The control device 140 may limit setting or performing various functions when the central control is locked.

The control device 140 may be applied to an air conditioner. In general, an air conditioner is a cooling / heating system that heats a room by a repetitive action of sucking hot air in the room and heat-exchanging it with a low-temperature refrigerant, and then discharging it into the room, or heating the room by an opposite action. It is a device consisting of a condenser-expansion valve-evaporator to form a series of cycles.

The air conditioner is mainly divided into an outdoor unit 120 installed outdoors and an indoor unit 130 installed mainly inside a building. A condenser and a compressor may be installed in the outdoor unit 120, and an evaporator may be installed in the indoor unit 130. The outdoor unit 120 and the indoor unit 130 may be connected to the central controller 110 to receive a control signal. Each of the plurality of indoor units 130 may be individually connected to the control device 140 to receive a control signal and operate correspondingly.

The multi air conditioner system may include a control device 140. The control device 140 may control the individual indoor unit 130. The control device 140 may convert the operation mode of the indoor unit 130. The operation mode may include cooling, dehumidification, air cleaning or heating.

2 is a front view showing the front of the control device 140 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control device 140 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2 and 3, the control unit 140 is a central processing unit 10 for performing various signal processing and calculation, and a memory 20 for storing programs or data in conjunction with the central processing unit 10 , It may include an interface device 30 for connecting the central processing unit 10 and peripheral devices related to the input or output.

The control device 140 is a control device that controls the operation of an air conditioner that harmonizes indoor air, and an output device, a communication device, a central processing device, a memory and a memory that display a start temperature, which is the temperature at which the air conditioner starts operating, It is stored in, executed by the central processing unit, and the communication device compares the indoor temperature and the starting temperature received from the air conditioner, indicates that the air conditioner is operating in the output device, and changes according to the start temperature in the output device It may include a program for displaying the target temperature.

When the air conditioner harmonizes the indoor air within the range of the first temperature to the second temperature, the control device 140, when the start temperature is outside the first temperature to the second temperature range, the target temperature that is the maximum output of the air conditioner It may include a program that displays.

The central processing unit 10 may perform various functions for the control unit 140 and execute or execute various sets of software programs and / or instructions stored in the memory 20 to process data. The central processing unit 10 may process signals based on information stored in the memory 20.

For example, the central processing unit 10 executes a program stored in the memory 20 to display the indoor temperature, the starting temperature, the power saving temperature, etc. on the output device 50, or the communication device 80 outputs an operation signal. It can be sent to the air conditioner.

The central processing unit 10 compares the starting temperature stored in the memory 20 with the room temperature received by the communication device 80, and whether the output device 50 indicates that the air conditioner is operating and the communication device 80 ) Can determine whether or not to generate an operation signal. The central processing unit 10 may display the target temperature, which changes according to the starting temperature, on the output device 50.

When the power of the control device 140 is turned on, the central processing unit 10 can determine whether a power saving operation is set. The central processing unit 10 may determine whether to operate the air conditioner by comparing the indoor temperature and the starting temperature when the power saving operation is set.

The memory 20 may include a high-speed random access memory. The memory 20 may also include non-volatile memory such as one or more magnetic disk storage devices, flash memory devices, or other non-volatile solid-state memory devices, but is not limited thereto, and may include a readable storage medium.

For example, the memory 20 may include an electronically erasable and programmable read only memory (EEP-ROM), but is not limited thereto. During the operation of the EEP-ROM, the central processing unit 10 may write and erase information. The EEP-ROM may be a storage device in which information stored therein is maintained without being erased even when the power supply of the control device 140 is turned off and power supply is stopped.

The memory 20 may store various programs or data in conjunction with the central processing unit 10. The memory 20 may store a program for performing a power saving operation and information for a power saving operation. The program may control the form and flow output by the output device 50 in the process of performing a power saving operation.

The program may indicate that the air conditioner is operating in the output device 50 by comparing the indoor temperature received from the air conditioner and a preset start temperature. The program may display a user interface (UI) for inputting a start temperature in the output device 50.

The start temperature may include a cooling start temperature at which the air conditioner starts a cooling operation and a heating start temperature at which the air conditioner starts a heating operation. The program may display the cooling operation on the output device 50 when the indoor temperature is equal to or greater than the cooling start temperature. The program may display heating operation when the indoor temperature is equal to or lower than the heating start temperature. The program may display a power saving temperature, which is a criterion for stopping the operation of the air conditioner, on the output device 50.

The program may receive the cooling start temperature, the heating start temperature, or the power saving temperature. The program may store the cooling start temperature, the heating start temperature, or the power saving temperature in the memory 20 when it is input. The program may generate a signal for operating the air conditioner based on the cooling start temperature and the heating start temperature, or a signal for stopping the operation of the air conditioner based on the power saving temperature.

When the air conditioner adjusts air within a control range of the first temperature to the second temperature, the program may display the first temperature as the target temperature when the cooling start temperature is equal to or greater than the first temperature. The program may display the second temperature as a target temperature when the heating start temperature is lower than or equal to the first temperature.

When the cooling start temperature is greater than the first temperature and less than the second temperature, the program may display the cooling start temperature as a target temperature. When the heating start temperature is greater than the first temperature and less than the second temperature, the program may display the heating start temperature as a target temperature.

The interface device 30 may connect input and output peripheral devices to the central processing unit 10 and the memory 20.

Depending on the embodiment, the central processing unit 10, the memory 20 or the interface device 30 may be implemented on a single chip, but is not limited thereto, and may be implemented on separate chips.

The control device 140 may further include a timer 70 for checking the time. The central processing unit 10 may determine whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed in order to perform control using the timer 70.

The control device 140 may further include an input / output device 40. The input / output device 40 may connect peripheral devices such as the output device 50 or the input device 60 with the interface device 30. Depending on the embodiment, the input / output device 40 may include an input / output controller (not shown) for controlling the output device 50 or the input device 60, but is not limited thereto.

The control device 140 further includes an output device 50 having a visual or audible output means, an input device 60 capable of receiving commands, or a communication device 80 capable of communicating with the indoor unit 150. You can.

The output device 50, the input device 60, or the communication device 80 may be connected to the input / output device 40.

The output device 50 may include a speaker that outputs sound or a display device that emits light to display visually. The input device 60 may include a means for accepting input from outside, such as a physical button, a dial, a slider switch, and a click wheel.

The output device 50 includes an LPD (light emitting polymer display), a liquid crystal display, a thin film transistor-liquid crystal display, an organic light-emitting diode, and a flexible display ( flexible display) and a 3D display, but various methods not limited thereto may be applied.

The output device 50 may display information for controlling a target to which the control device 140 is connected. When the control device 140 is applied to a multi-air conditioner system, the output device 50 may display information necessary for air conditioning.

For example, the output device 50 may display an operation mode such as cooling, heating, dehumidification, or air cleaning, and may display indoor temperature, wind direction, presence or absence of a heat source in the room, but is not limited thereto. , It can display the broad information needed for control.

According to an embodiment, the output device 50 may include a touch-sensitive touch screen. The touch-sensitive touch screen can display visual output to the user and accept input from the user based on tactile contact.

The visual output can include graphics, text, icons, videos and combinations thereof. Depending on the embodiment, some or all of the visual output may correspond to user interface objects.

The touch-sensitive touch screen can detect a contact thereon and convert the detected contact in correspondence with user interface objects displayed on the touch screen.

According to an embodiment, the input device 60 may include a mechanical button as shown in FIG. 2. The input device 60 may receive a plurality of commands. When the control device 140 of one embodiment is applied to a multi-air conditioner system, the input device 60 is a button for adjusting the wind direction, additional operation, function setting, ventilation, reservation setting, wind strength, operation mode or temperature It can contain.

When the output device 50 includes a touch-sensitive touch screen, each button of the above-mentioned input device 60 may be replaced with a user interface displayed on the touch screen.

The input device 60 and the output device 50 may be controlled by an input / output controller (not shown) included in the input / output device 40. An input / output controller (not shown) may include capacitive, resistive, infrared and surface acoustic wave technologies, other proximity sensor arrays, etc. to detect contact when the output device 50 includes a touch screen, However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and a plurality of detection technologies that are currently known or developed later may be used.

The input device 60 and the output device 50 may correspond to a program stored in the memory 20 or a command for performing the above-mentioned function, but is not limited thereto.

The control device 140 may further include a communication device 80. The communication device 80 may be connected to the indoor unit 130 and the interface device 30. The communication device 80 may receive a control signal from the interface device 30 and transmit it to the indoor unit 130. The communication device 80 may use a wireless or wired communication method in communication with the indoor unit 130, but is not limited thereto.

The communication device 80 may receive a signal transmitted by the central processing unit 10 from the interface device 30. The communication device 80 may transmit the signal generated by the central processing unit 10 to the indoor unit 130.

When the control device 140 communicates wirelessly with the indoor unit 130, the communication device 80 may include a radio frequency (RF) circuit. The communication device 80 may transmit and receive RF signals, which are electromagnetic signals. The RF circuit can convert electrical signals and electromagnetic signals to each other and communicate with a communication network and other communication devices through electromagnetic signals.

For example, the RF circuit may include an antenna system, an RF transceiver, one or more amplifiers, a tuner, one or more oscillators, a digital signal processor, a CODEC chipset, memory, etc., but is not limited thereto, and is known for performing these functions Circuits.

The output device 50 may display information for controlling a target to which the control device 140 is applied. When the control device 140 is applied to the air conditioner, the information for controlling may include indoor temperature, desired temperature, operation mode, wind strength, current time or current day of the week. The output device 50 may display the information for controlling with a predetermined icon including a text or picture.

Referring to FIG. 2, the output device 50 of the control device 140 of one embodiment may display the operation mode of the air conditioner in the upper left (I270). The operation mode may include dehumidification, cooling, heating, and air cleaning. In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the output device 50 may indicate that the current operation mode of the air conditioner is a cooling state.

The output device 50 can display the temperature (I250). The output device 50 may display the temperature in 88 segments. The temperature may include the current temperature in the room. The output device 50 may display an icon indicating whether the content displayed by the temperature is the indoor current temperature or the start temperature (I210).

The input device 60 is a button for adjusting the wind direction of the indoor unit, a button for setting additional operation, a function setting button for setting various functions of the air conditioner (B160), and a ventilation button for the air conditioner to operate as a ventilation device , Reservation setting button for setting reservation operation, up / down / left / right buttons (B120a, B120b, B130a, B130b) for setting reservation operation or power saving operation, and setting button (B170) for setting the input value using the up / down / left / right buttons ), A temperature button (B150) for adjusting the start temperature, and the like, but is not limited thereto, and is not limited to the type or number of buttons, and may include buttons related to various functions of the air conditioner.

For example, the left and right direction keys B130a and B130b may be used to select a reservation day when setting a reservation operation, and the up and down direction keys B120a and B120b may be used to input a reservation time. However, the method of input is not limited. The reservation operation may be a function of operating the air conditioner in a predetermined operation mode on a predetermined day, date, or time.

In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the output device 50 may display the current day of the week, the current time, etc. in the lower right corner. The output device 50 may display the current time, reservation time, and time remaining until the reservation time in the form of a segment (88 segment). The output device 50 may display an icon I220 indicating what time the segment 88 segment displays.

For example, in FIG. 2, the icon I220 includes the character “current time” to indicate that the time indicated by the segment (88 segment) is the current time, but is not limited thereto. , The icon I220 may include characters such as 'time remaining'.

The output device 50 may display the wind strength of the indoor unit 130 of the air conditioner. In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the output device 50 may display the intensity of the wind of the indoor unit 130 in a plurality of angles (I260). The stronger the wind strength of the indoor unit 130, the more the plurality of angles I260 may be, and the weaker the intensity of the wind of the indoor unit 130, the less the plurality of angles I260.

The location of the icon illustrated in FIG. 2 is only an example, and the arrangement relationship of the icons may vary.

In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the control device 140 is shown to include an output device 50 for displaying various information and an input device 60 including a plurality of mechanical buttons for receiving input, but the means Without limitation, when the output device 50 includes a touch-sensitive touch screen, the mechanical buttons may be replaced with a user interface (UI) displayed on the touch screen.

4 to 7 are views showing a change in the output of the control device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4, the control device 140 may set a power saving operation. The power saving operation may be performed when the user inputs a starting temperature at which the air conditioner will operate, or when the starting temperature is less than or equal to a first temperature or higher than a second temperature.
For example, the air conditioner may condition air within a control range of the first temperature to the second temperature. When the start temperature is below the first temperature and above the second temperature, a power saving operation that minimizes energy consumption of the air conditioner to be controlled may be performed.

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In the embodiment of FIG. 4, the first temperature is 16 ° C and the second temperature is 30 ° C.

The control device 140 may transmit a signal for operating the air conditioner when the indoor temperature matches the start temperature. The start temperature may include a cooling start temperature at which the air conditioner starts a cooling operation and a heating start temperature at which the air conditioner starts a heating operation.

For example, if the indoor temperature received from the indoor unit coincides with the cooling start temperature, the control device 140 may transmit a signal to start the cooling operation in the indoor unit. For example, when the indoor temperature received from the indoor unit matches the heating start temperature, the control device 140 may transmit a signal to start the heating operation to the indoor unit.

The control device 140 may receive a start temperature. For example, the control device 140 may set the power saving operation or the automatic operation using the function setting button B160, but this is only one embodiment, and another button for setting the power saving operation or the automatic operation is provided. Can exist.

For example, when the function setting button B160 is touched, the segment of the output device 50 may blink, and the user may use the temperature button B150 to set the cooling start temperature, heating start temperature, power saving temperature, etc. You can enter. The control device 140 may start a power saving operation when a cooling start temperature, a heating start temperature, and a power saving temperature are input.

In the embodiment of FIG. 4, the icon I210 includes the character 'current temperature', indicating that the temperature indicated by the segment (88 segment) is the current indoor temperature, but is not limited thereto. (I210) may include a character such as 'start temperature' or 'power saving temperature' to indicate that the temperature indicated by the segment 88 is the start temperature or the power saving temperature to be set.

When the cooling start temperature, the heating start temperature, and the power saving temperature are input, the control device 140 may display that the power saving operation is set (I280). The control device 140 may display the input cooling start temperature, heating start temperature, and power saving temperature (I260). In the embodiment of FIG. 4, the output device 50 simultaneously displays the cooling start temperature, the heating start temperature, and the power saving temperature (I260), but is not limited thereto, and the cooling start temperature and the power saving temperature or the heating start temperature and the power saving. Only the temperature can be entered and displayed.

The output device 50 may indicate that a power saving operation, automatic operation, or reservation operation is set. In the embodiment of FIG. 4, the output device 50 displays a cooling start temperature of 30 ° C, a heating start temperature of 12 ° C, and a power saving temperature of 3 ° C. When the cooling start temperature is 30 ° C or more, which is the second temperature, the control device 140 may perform a power saving operation. When the heating start temperature is 16 ° C or less, which is the first temperature, the control device 140 may perform a power saving operation.

When the cooling start temperature is greater than the second temperature or the heating start temperature is less than the first temperature, the output device 50 may indicate that the power saving operation is set. For example, in FIG. 4, the output device 50 may display a character I280 called 'power saving' indicating that the power saving operation is set, but is not limited thereto, and may be displayed as an icon such as another character or picture. have.

Referring to FIG. 5, when the cooling start temperature or the heating start temperature is greater than the first temperature and less than the second temperature, the control device 140 may perform automatic operation.

The automatic operation is to operate the air conditioner so that the cooling start temperature or the heating operation temperature is maintained regardless of the power saving temperature.

For example, when the first temperature is 16 ° C and the second temperature is 30 ° C, when the cooling start temperature is less than 30 ° C, which is the second temperature, or more than 16 ° C, which is the first temperature, the control device 140 is automatically operated. It can be indicated that this is set (I280). When the heating start temperature is less than 30 ° C, which is the second temperature or more than 16 ° C, which is the first temperature, the control device 140 may indicate that automatic operation is set (I280).

The icon I280 indicating that automatic operation is set in FIG. 5 is only one embodiment, and the spirit of the present invention may include various embodiments. For example, the control device 140 may separately indicate that the automatic cooling operation and the automatic heating operation are set, but is not limited thereto.

In the embodiment of FIG. 5, the output device 50 indicates that the cooling start temperature is set to 28 ° C. When the indoor temperature received from the indoor unit 130 is equal to or higher than the cooling start temperature, the control device 140 may perform automatic operation. For example, when the indoor temperature is 28 ° C, the control device 140 may indicate that automatic operation is started (I290). The content shown in FIG. 5 is only one embodiment, and the icon I290 indicating that operation has started may indicate which operation is being performed during cooling and heating operations, but is not limited thereto.

Referring to FIG. 6, when the cooling start temperature is greater than or equal to the second temperature and the indoor temperature is greater than or equal to the cooling start temperature, the control device 140 may start a power saving operation.

When the first temperature is 16 ° C and the second temperature is 30 ° C, when the cooling start temperature is greater than or equal to the second temperature, a power saving operation may be set (I280). When the first temperature is 16 ° C and the second temperature is 30 ° C, when the heating start temperature is lower than or equal to the first temperature, a power saving operation may be set (I280).

In the embodiment of FIG. 6, although the power saving operation is set as a character of 'power saving', the present invention is not limited thereto, and may be displayed as various characters or pictures. For example, the case where the heating power saving operation is set and the case where the cooling power saving operation is set may be separately displayed, but is not limited thereto.

When the indoor temperature received from the indoor unit 130 is 32 ° C, since the cooling start temperature is higher, the control device 140 may start a power saving operation. For example, the control device 140 may transmit a signal to start driving to the indoor unit 130, and may indicate that a power saving operation is performed (I290).

When the power saving operation is performed, the control device 140 may display a target temperature. When the power saving operation is performed, the control device 140 may allow the indoor unit 130 to harmonize the indoor temperature with the intensity of the target temperature. For example, when the control range in which the indoor unit 130 harmonizes the indoor temperature is the first temperature to the second temperature, when the power saving operation is performed by the cooling operation, the target temperature may be the first temperature.

6 illustrates a case in which the power saving operation performs a cooling operation, the control device 140 may perform a power saving operation that is a heating operation.

For example, when the heating start temperature is 15 ° C and the indoor temperature is 15 ° C, the control device 140 may start a power saving operation.

When the power saving operation, which is the heating operation, is performed, the target temperature may be the second temperature. When a power saving operation, which is a heating operation, is performed, the control device 140 may display a text “heating” indicating a heating operation, but is not limited thereto, and various embodiments may exist.

Referring to FIG. 7, when the indoor temperature differs from the start temperature by the power saving temperature during the power saving operation, the control device 140 may stop the power saving operation.

The control device 140 may stop the power saving operation when the room temperature is lower than the cooling start temperature during the power saving operation, which is the cooling operation. The control device 140 may stop the power saving operation when the indoor temperature is higher than the heating start temperature during the power saving operation, which is the heating operation.

The control device 140 may display a power saving operation indicating 'power saving' (I280). The control device 140 may display whether the power saving operation currently being performed is a cooling operation or a heating operation (I270). The control device 140 may indicate whether the air conditioner is currently operating (I290). The control device 140 may display the target temperature of the current power saving operation.

The air conditioner may have a temperature control range for conditioning air from a first temperature to a second temperature. When the power saving operation being performed is the heating operation, the control device 140 may have the target temperature as the second temperature. When the power saving operation being performed is the cooling operation, the control device 140 may have a target temperature of the first temperature.

For example, when the temperature control range of the air conditioner is 16 ° C to 30 ° C, if the power saving operation is a heating operation, the target temperature may be 30 ° C, and if the power saving operation is a cooling operation, the target temperature may be 16 ° C. have.

In the embodiment of FIG. 7, the control device 140 may receive the indoor temperature from the indoor unit 130. The control device 140 may determine whether to operate the power saving operation by using the indoor temperature, the start temperature, and the power saving temperature as variables.

When the power saving operation performed by the control device 140 is a cooling operation, when the cooling start temperature is 31 ° C, when the power saving temperature is 3 ° C, and when the indoor temperature is 28 ° C or less, the power saving operation may be stopped. The embodiment of FIG. 7 shows a case of cooling operation, but is not limited thereto, and the control device 140 is a case where the power saving operation being performed is a heating operation, a heating start temperature is 15 ° C, and a power saving temperature is 3 ° C. , If the room temperature is over 18 ℃, power saving operation can be stopped.

If the power saving operation is stopped, the control device 140 may display it on the output device 50. For example, the control device 140 may stop displaying the text 'in operation' indicating that the power saving operation is being performed, but the method of indicating that the power saving operation is stopped is not limited.

8 is a graph showing the operation flow of the control device according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 8, when the cooling start temperature is greater than or equal to the second temperature, and the heating start temperature is set to be lower than or equal to the first temperature, when the control device 140 performs a power saving operation, the temperature changes over time are graphically illustrated. have.

Referring to FIG. 8, when the indoor temperature reaches the cooling start temperature, the control device 140 may start a power saving operation, which is a cooling operation (A). The control device 140 may perform a power saving operation, which is a cooling operation, and may stop the power saving operation when the indoor temperature falls below the power saving temperature from the cooling start temperature (B). The control device 140 may start a power saving operation, which is a cooling operation continuously (C), and stop the power saving operation according to a temperature change with time (D).

When the indoor temperature reaches the heating start temperature, the control device 140 may start a power saving operation, which is a heating operation (E). The control device 140 may perform a power saving operation, which is a heating operation, and may stop the power saving operation when the indoor temperature rises from a heating start temperature to a power saving temperature or higher (F). The control device 140 may continuously start a power saving operation, which is a heating operation (G), and stop the power saving operation according to a temperature change with time (H).

9 and 10 are flowcharts illustrating a method of operating a control device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 9 and 10 illustrate a process in which the control device performs a power saving operation.

9 and 10, the operation method of the control apparatus according to an embodiment is a step of receiving and displaying a starting temperature for starting the operation (S310), receiving and displaying the indoor temperature, which is the current temperature of the room ( S320), comparing the indoor temperature and the starting temperature, and displaying the operation (S330), and displaying a target temperature that changes based on the starting temperature (S350).

9, the control device shows a process of performing a power saving operation that is a cooling operation, and in the case of FIG. 10, a process of performing a power saving operation that is a heating operation is shown by the control device.

The control device may receive a start temperature for starting the operation of the air conditioner. The control device may display the input start temperature as an output device (S310).

The control device can receive the indoor temperature from the indoor unit. The control device may display the indoor temperature received from the indoor unit as an output device (S320).

The control device can compare the indoor temperature and the starting temperature (S330). For example, if the indoor temperature is higher than the cooling start temperature at which the control device starts cooling operation, the control device may start a power saving operation that is cooling operation. When starting the power saving operation, the control device may transmit a signal to start the operation to the air conditioner.

The air conditioner may have a control range for conditioning air from a first temperature to a second temperature. If the cooling start temperature is greater than or equal to the second temperature, the control device may be set to be a power saving operation. The control device may determine whether the cooling start temperature is greater than or equal to the second temperature (S340). In FIG. 9, the step (S340) of determining whether the cooling start temperature is greater than or equal to the second temperature is illustrated after determining whether the indoor temperature is greater than or equal to the cooling start temperature (S330), but the order is not limited.

When the indoor temperature reaches the cooling start temperature above the second temperature, the control device may start a power saving operation, which is a cooling operation (S350). The control device may display a target temperature when starting the power saving operation. When the control device performs a power saving operation, which is a cooling operation, the target temperature may be the first temperature.

When the cooling start temperature is less than the second temperature, the control device may set automatic operation (S360). The control device may display it as an output device when automatic operation is set. For example, the control device may display the character 'auto' indicating automatic operation, but is not limited to the display form.

When the automatic operation is set, the control device may adjust the indoor air while the air conditioner continuously operates the compressor when the indoor temperature reaches the cooling start temperature. When the control device performs automatic operation, the air conditioner may continuously adjust the air so that the room temperature is adjacent to the cooling start temperature while the compressor is operating.

The control device may continuously receive the indoor temperature from the indoor unit while performing the power saving operation (S370). The control device may determine whether the indoor temperature falls from a cooling start temperature to a power saving temperature or less.

If the room temperature falls below the power saving temperature from the cooling start temperature, the control device may stop the power saving operation (S390). When the control device stops the power saving operation, it can display it. When the control device stops the power saving operation, it can send it to the air conditioner.

In describing FIG. 10, the contents described in the portion describing FIG. 9 are not described in further detail.

The control device can determine whether the indoor temperature is below the heating start temperature (S430). If the indoor temperature is below the heating start temperature, the control device may start a power saving operation. The control device may determine whether the heating start temperature is lower than the first temperature (S440). The control device may perform a power saving operation, which is a heating operation, when the heating start temperature is below the first temperature and the indoor temperature is below the heating start temperature.

The control device may start automatic operation when the heating start temperature exceeds the first temperature and is less than the second temperature, and the indoor temperature reaches the heating start temperature (S460). The control device can continuously receive the indoor temperature from the indoor unit while performing the power saving operation. The control device may stop the power saving operation when the indoor temperature rises from the heating start temperature to the power saving temperature or higher (S480).

Although all components constituting the embodiments of the present invention are described as being combined or operated as one, the present invention is not necessarily limited to these embodiments. If within the scope of the object of the present invention, depending on the embodiment, all the components may be operated by selectively combining one or more.

All components may be implemented by one independent hardware, but a part or all of the components are selectively combined to have a computer module having a program module that performs some or all of functions combined in one or a plurality of hardware. It can also be implemented as a program.

The plurality of codes and code segments constituting the computer program may be easily deduced by those skilled in the art of the present invention. Such a computer program is stored in a computer readable storage medium (Computer Readable Media) and read and executed by a computer, thereby realizing an embodiment of the present invention. The storage medium of the computer program may include a magnetic recording medium, an optical recording medium, a carrier wave medium, and the like.

The terms "include", "compose" or "have" as described above mean that the corresponding component can be inherent unless otherwise stated, and do not exclude other components. It should be interpreted that it may further include other components.

All terms, including technical or scientific terms, unless otherwise defined, have the same meaning as commonly understood by a person skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains.

Commonly used terms, such as predefined terms, should be interpreted as being consistent with the meaning of the context of the related art, and are not to be interpreted as ideal or excessively formal meanings unless explicitly defined in the present invention.

The above description is merely illustrative of the technical idea of the present invention, and those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains may make various modifications and variations without departing from the essential characteristics of the present invention.

The embodiments disclosed in the present invention are not intended to limit the technical spirit of the present invention, but to explain, and the scope of the technical spirit of the present invention is not limited by these embodiments. The scope of protection of the present invention should be interpreted by the claims below, and all technical spirits within the scope equivalent thereto should be interpreted as being included in the scope of the present invention.

110: central controller
120: outdoor unit
130: indoor unit
140: control device
10: Central processing unit
20: memory
30: interface device
40: input / output device
50: output device
60: input device
70: timer
80: communication device

Claims (23)

As a control device for controlling the operation of the air conditioner to harmonize the indoor air,
An output device for displaying a start temperature, which is the temperature at which the air conditioner starts operating, and a power saving temperature, which is a reference for stopping the operation of the air conditioner;
Communication device;
Central processing unit;
Memory; And
Stored in the memory, executed by the central processing unit, and compares the indoor temperature and the start temperature received by the communication device from the air conditioner, and indicates that the air conditioner is operating in the output device, Includes a program for displaying a target temperature that changes according to the start temperature and the power saving temperature in the output device;
The output device displays the power saving operation that minimizes energy consumption during the power saving operation, and the central processing unit starts the operation of the air conditioner for conditioning air within a control range of a first temperature to a second temperature. If the temperature is below the first temperature or above the second temperature, outside the control range, the power saving operation starts.
During the power saving operation, when the indoor temperature increases or decreases from the start temperature by the power saving temperature, the control device determines that the target temperature is reached and stops the power saving operation. According to claim 1,
The start temperature includes a cooling start temperature at which the air conditioner starts a cooling operation and a heating start temperature at which the air conditioner starts a heating operation,
The output device displays the cooling operation when the indoor temperature is equal to or greater than the cooling start temperature,
If the indoor temperature is below the heating start temperature, a control device for displaying the heating operation. delete According to claim 1,
The starting temperature includes the cooling start temperature at which the air conditioner starts cooling operation,
When the indoor temperature is lower than the power saving temperature than the cooling start temperature, the output device is a control device indicating that the air conditioner is stopped. According to claim 1,
The start temperature includes a heating start temperature at which the air conditioner starts a heating operation,
When the room temperature is higher than the power saving temperature above the heating start temperature, the output device is a control device indicating that the air conditioner is stopped. According to claim 1,
The start temperature includes a heating start temperature at which the air conditioner starts a heating operation, and a cooling start temperature at which a cooling operation starts.
The central processing unit controls the power saving operation when the cooling start temperature is greater than or equal to the second temperature, or when the heating start temperature is less than or equal to the first temperature. According to claim 1,
The starting temperature includes the cooling start temperature at which the air conditioner starts cooling operation,
The central processing unit controls the target temperature to the first temperature when the cooling start temperature is greater than or equal to the second temperature. The method of claim 7,
The central processing unit is a control device for setting the target temperature to the cooling start temperature when the cooling start temperature is greater than the first temperature and less than the second temperature. According to claim 1,
The start temperature includes a heating start temperature at which the air conditioner starts a heating operation,
The central processing unit is a control device for setting the target temperature to the second temperature, when the heating start temperature is below the first temperature. The method of claim 9,
The central processing unit is a control device for setting the target temperature to the heating start temperature, when the heating start temperature is greater than the first temperature and less than the second temperature. According to claim 1,
The output device is a control device indicating that the automatic operation is being performed when the air conditioner starts to operate according to the starting temperature. According to claim 1,
The program,
If the start temperature is less than the first temperature, the second temperature or more, the control device for displaying the target temperature that is the maximum output of the air conditioner through the output device. Receiving and displaying a starting temperature for starting the operation of an air conditioner that harmonizes air within a control range of the first temperature to the second temperature;
Receiving a power saving temperature that is a criterion for stopping driving;
Displaying the power saving temperature;
Displaying the indoor temperature, which is the current temperature in the room;
Comparing the indoor temperature and the start temperature, and indicating that the operation is performed;
Displaying a target temperature set according to the power saving temperature based on the start temperature;
Displaying the power saving temperature, which is a criterion for stopping the operation of the air conditioner;
Starting the power saving operation to minimize energy consumption when the start temperature is lower than the first temperature and higher than the second temperature;
Displaying the power saving operation, which minimizes energy consumption, in an output device during the power saving operation; And
And stopping the power saving operation by determining that the target temperature has been reached when the indoor temperature increases or decreases by the power saving temperature from the start temperature during the power saving operation. The method of claim 13,
The start temperature includes a cooling start temperature for starting cooling operation and a heating start temperature for starting heating operation,
When the cooling start temperature is above the second temperature, or when the heating start temperature is below the first temperature, the control device operation method for setting the power saving operation. delete delete The method of claim 13,
The start temperature includes a cooling start temperature for starting the cooling operation,
And when the indoor temperature is lower than the power saving temperature than the cooling start temperature, indicating that the operation is stopped. The method of claim 13,
The starting temperature includes a heating starting temperature for starting the heating operation,
And when the room temperature is higher than the power saving temperature above the heating start temperature, indicating that operation is stopped. The method of claim 13,
The starting temperature includes the cooling start temperature at which the air conditioner starts cooling operation,
In the step of displaying the target temperature; In,
When the cooling start temperature is greater than or equal to the second temperature, the target temperature is the first temperature. The method of claim 19,
When the cooling start temperature is greater than the first temperature and less than the second temperature,
The target temperature is the cooling start temperature control device operating method. The method of claim 13,
The start temperature includes a heating start temperature at which the air conditioner starts a heating operation,
In the step of displaying the target temperature; In,
When the heating start temperature is below the first temperature, the target temperature is the second temperature control device operation method. The method of claim 21,
When the heating start temperature is greater than the first temperature and less than the second temperature,
The target temperature is a control device operating method that is the heating start temperature. The method of claim 13,
In the step of displaying the operation; In,
The start temperature includes a cooling start temperature at which the air conditioner starts a cooling operation and a heating start temperature at which the air conditioner starts a heating operation,
If the indoor temperature is above the cooling start temperature, the cooling operation is displayed,
If the room temperature is below the heating start temperature, the control device operation method for displaying the heating operation.

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