KR102509992B1 - Air-conditioner and the controlling method for the same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an air conditioner and a method for controlling the same, by controlling a plurality of indoor units using a terminal connected to a plurality of remote controllers, thereby controlling a plurality of indoor units by controlling a remote control located within a certain distance, thereby setting a separate group. Since it is possible to control a plurality of indoor units without a controller and update data of the indoor unit and remote controller through the terminal, it is possible to control driving in conjunction with data such as weather or electricity rates, thereby improving usability.

Description

Air conditioner and its control method {Air-conditioner and the controlling method for the same}

The present invention relates to an air conditioner and a control method thereof, and more particularly, to an air conditioner including a terminal connected to a plurality of remote controllers provided in the air conditioner and controlling operations thereof, and a control method thereof.

Air conditioners are installed to provide a more comfortable indoor environment to humans by discharging cold and hot air into the room to adjust the indoor temperature and to purify the indoor air to create a comfortable indoor environment.

Such an air conditioner is controlled by being separated from an indoor unit composed of a heat exchanger and an outdoor unit composed of a compressor and heat exchanger, etc., and is operated by controlling power supplied to the compressor or heat exchanger. Also, the air conditioner may connect at least one indoor unit to the outdoor unit, supply refrigerant to the indoor unit according to a requested operating state, and operate in a cooling or heating mode.

In an air conditioner, an outdoor unit and an indoor unit are connected by a refrigerant pipe, and the refrigerant compressed from the compressor of the outdoor unit is supplied to the heat exchanger of the indoor unit through the refrigerant pipe, and the refrigerant exchanged in the heat exchanger of the indoor unit is returned to the compressor of the outdoor unit through the refrigerant pipe. is introduced Accordingly, the indoor unit discharges hot and cold air into the room through heat exchange using a refrigerant.

Such an air conditioner is provided with a remote control so that a user can easily input and change operation settings.

The plurality of remote controllers are connected to the plurality of indoor units, transmit input user commands to the indoor units, and display information on operation settings of the indoor units.

In order to change operation settings of a plurality of indoor units with such a remote control, it is inconvenient to change the settings while moving the plurality of remote controls one by one. For example, if 6 indoor units are installed in a conference room and each remote controller is connected, 6 remote controllers must be operated.

In addition, when the user manually inputs the time while operating the remote control, the specified time does not operate normally when controlling the operation or schedule.

Therefore, there is a need for a method that allows a user to conveniently input driving settings.

An object of the present invention relates to an air conditioner and a control method thereof, which control a plurality of indoor units using terminals connected to a plurality of remote controllers, and a control method thereof.

An air conditioner according to the present invention includes a plurality of remote controls connected to a plurality of indoor units and a terminal connected to the plurality of remote controls, wherein the plurality of remote controls are connected to the terminals for short-range communication that transmits and receives data. When connected to the terminal through the remote control communication unit equipped with the module, the display unit displaying the operation settings of the indoor unit, and the short-range communication module, data received from the terminal is output through the display unit, and the data is transmitted to the indoor unit. It includes a control unit that controls to be.

In addition, a control method of an air conditioner according to the present invention includes the steps of connecting a remote controller to a registered terminal through a short-distance communication module, and receiving data including at least one of date information, weather information, and power rate information from the terminal. updating and displaying the date information or the weather information in correspondence with the data, periodically re-receiving the data from the terminal, and controlling the operation of the connected indoor unit in response to the data. do.

An air conditioner and a control method thereof according to the present invention configured as described above include terminals connected to a plurality of remote controllers, and control a plurality of indoor units by controlling remote controllers located within a certain distance, thereby controlling multiple indoor units without separate group setting. Since the indoor unit can be controlled and data of the indoor unit and remote controller can be updated through the terminal, operation can be controlled in conjunction with data such as weather or electricity rates, thereby improving utilization.

1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an air conditioner according to the present invention.
2 is a diagram illustrating a remote control and a terminal of an air conditioner according to the present invention.
3 is a block diagram briefly illustrating a control configuration of a remote controller and a terminal of an air conditioner according to the present invention.
4 is an exemplary view showing a remote control connection screen of a terminal of an air conditioner according to the present invention.
5 is an exemplary view showing a control screen of a terminal of an air conditioner according to the present invention.
6 is a diagram illustrating a remote control of an air conditioner according to the present invention.
7 is a flowchart illustrating a control method using a remote control and a terminal of an air conditioner according to the present invention.

Advantages and features of the present invention, and methods of achieving them, will become clear with reference to the detailed description of the following embodiments taken in conjunction 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 these embodiments make the disclosure of the present invention complete, and common knowledge in the art to which the present invention belongs. It is provided to completely inform the person who has the scope of the invention, and the present invention is only defined by the scope of the claims. Like reference numbers designate like elements throughout the specification.

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

1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an air conditioner according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1 , the air conditioner includes an indoor unit 20 (21 to 23) and an outdoor unit 10.

In addition, the air conditioner includes a remote controller 30 (31 to 33) that communicates with the indoor unit 20 in a wired or wireless manner, transmits input data to the indoor unit, and displays the operating state of the air conditioner, and It is connected to the remote control of the terminal 50 for transmitting and receiving data.

At this time, the terminal 50 is connected to the server 60, for example, a weather server or a power server through a predetermined network, receives data, and transmits the data received from the server to the connected remote controller.

In addition, the air conditioner may further include a remote controller (not shown) that monitors and controls operations of the indoor unit 20 and the outdoor unit 10 through remote access, but a description thereof will be omitted below.

The indoor unit 20 and the outdoor unit 10 are connected by a refrigerant pipe, and discharge heat-exchanged air by the circulation of the refrigerant into the room. In addition, the indoor unit 20 and the outdoor unit 10 may be connected through a communication line or may communicate using a power line, and may also communicate through a refrigerant pipe, and may operate according to operation settings input through mutual communication.

The indoor unit 20 (21 to 23) includes an expansion valve (not shown) that expands the refrigerant supplied from the outdoor unit 10, an indoor heat exchanger (not shown) that exchanges heat with the refrigerant, and allows indoor air to flow into the indoor heat exchanger. It includes an indoor fan (not shown) for discharging heat-exchanged air into the room, a plurality of sensors (not shown), and a control unit (not shown) for controlling the operation of the indoor unit.

In addition, the indoor unit 20 includes a discharge port (not shown) for discharging heat-exchanged air, and a wind direction adjusting means (not shown) for opening and closing the discharge port and controlling the direction of the discharged air is provided in the discharge port. The indoor unit controls the intake air and the discharged air by controlling the rotational speed of the indoor fan, and adjusts the air volume.

The outdoor unit 10 operates in a cooling mode or a heating mode in response to a request of the connected indoor unit 20 or a control command from a controller (not shown), and supplies refrigerant to the connected indoor unit.

The outdoor unit 10 includes at least one compressor (not shown) that compresses the refrigerant and discharges high-pressure gaseous refrigerant, and an accumulator that separates gaseous refrigerant and liquid refrigerant from the refrigerant and prevents non-vaporized liquid refrigerant from entering the compressor ( (not shown), an oil separator (not shown) for recovering oil from the refrigerant discharged from the compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger (not shown) for condensing or evaporating the refrigerant by heat exchange with outdoor air, and a more smooth heat exchange of the outdoor heat exchanger. An outdoor fan (not shown) that introduces air into the outdoor heat exchanger and discharges the heat-exchanged air to the outside, a four-way valve (not shown) that changes the flow path of the refrigerant according to the operation mode of the outdoor unit, and at least one that measures the pressure A pressure sensor (not shown), at least one temperature sensor (not shown) for measuring temperature, and a control component for controlling the operation of the outdoor unit and communicating with other units. The outdoor unit 10 further includes a number of other sensors, valves, supercooling devices, etc., but descriptions thereof will be omitted below.

The air conditioner may include units such as an air cleaning unit, a humidifying unit, a dehumidifying unit, and a heater, as well as an indoor unit and an outdoor unit, and may be connected to an electric heat controller, a boiler, a cooling tower, and the like to operate interlockingly. Air conditioners can be classified into ceiling type, stand type, wall-mounted type, etc. according to the installation type, and the number of indoor units and outdoor units is not limited to the drawings.

2 is a diagram illustrating a remote control and a terminal of an air conditioner according to the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 2 , each of the plurality of remote controllers 30 includes a short-range communication module and communicates with the terminal 50 through the short-range communication module.

The remote controller 30 and the terminal 50 are mutually registered during initial setup, and accordingly, when located within a predetermined distance, they are automatically connected. That is, the remote controller 30 and the terminal 50 perform mutual device registration at the time of initial connection, and then automatically connect to transmit and receive data. Mutual devices can be registered through authentication at the time of initial access.

The terminal 50 may be simultaneously connected to a plurality of remote controllers.

The terminal 50 includes a short-distance communication module capable of multi-pairing (multi-point). However, the terminal 50 is connected to a plurality of remote controllers 30 at the same time, but when transmitting and receiving data, data can be transmitted with one remote controller at a time.

The terminal 50 connects to and communicates with the first remote controller 31, disconnects the connection, and connects to the first to fourth remote controllers 31 to 34 at the same time instead of communicating by connecting to the second remote controller 32. , and after communication with the first remote controller 31 while maintaining the connection, it communicates with the second remote controller 32 .

3 is a block diagram briefly illustrating a control configuration of a remote controller and a terminal of an air conditioner according to the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 3, the remote controller 30 includes an input unit 150, a display unit 160, a data unit 120, a temperature sensor 130, a remote control communication unit 140, and a control unit that controls overall operation of the remote control. (110).

The input unit 150 includes input means such as at least one button, switch, or touch pad, and inputs operation commands, operation modes, operation settings for temperature, wind volume, and wind direction, and data for schedules to the control unit 110. .

The display unit 160 outputs the operating state of the remote controller, the input operation setting of the air conditioner, and the operating state of the indoor unit. The display unit 160 displays data in the form of any one of letters, numbers, images, special characters, and icons, and displays a menu for operation settings of the indoor unit on the screen. Also, the display unit 160 displays a communication state with the connected indoor unit 20 and a connection state with the terminal 50 .

At this time, the remote controller 30 may further include a speaker or buzzer that outputs a predetermined sound effect according to driving conditions and errors and outputs a warning sound when an abnormality occurs, in addition to the display unit.

The data unit 120 stores control data for controlling the operation of the remote controller 30, control menu data for setting the operation of the indoor unit, operation setting data for the indoor unit, and operating state data for the indoor unit. In addition, data received from the terminal 50 is stored in the data unit 120 .

The temperature sensor 130 is provided on the inside of the remote control 30 or on the outer surface of the case to measure the temperature of the space where the remote control is installed, for example, room temperature. The temperature sensor 130 inputs the measured temperature to the controller 110 . At this time, the measured temperature is output through the display unit 160 .

The remote control communication unit 140 includes at least one communication module, and transmits and receives data about operation settings and operation conditions with the indoor unit 20 . The remote control communication unit 140 includes an indoor unit communication module 141 and a short-distance communication module 142.

The remote control communication unit 140 transmits and receives data to and from the indoor unit 20 through the indoor unit communication module 141 . The remote control communication unit 140 transmits data such as operation settings input through the input unit 150 to the indoor unit 20 through the indoor unit communication module 141 . The remote control communication unit 140 transmits data to the indoor unit through the indoor unit communication module 141 when data is input by the input unit 150 or the temperature sensor 130, and when data is received from the terminal 50 , the received data can be transmitted to the indoor unit.

Also, the indoor unit communication module 141 may receive operating state data of the indoor unit according to a connection method with the indoor unit. Received data is stored in the data unit 120 .

The indoor unit communication module 141 is for communication with the indoor unit, and the same communication method as the communication method between the indoor unit and the outdoor unit may be used, or a different communication method may be used in some cases.

In addition, the remote control communication unit 140 is interconnected with the terminal 50 through the short-distance communication module 142 to transmit and receive data.

The short-range communication module 142 may use either Near Field Communication (NFC) using RFID or Bluetooth. In addition, as the short-distance communication module, infrared data association (IrDA), ultra wideband (UWB), ZigBee, and the like may be used. Hereinafter, the short-distance communication module 142 will be described as an example of Bluetooth.

When the terminal 50 is initially connected through the short-distance communication module 142, the remote control communication unit 140 may register the terminal 50 after performing authentication according to mutual connection. The terminal 50 also registers a remote control. The short-distance communication module 142 may operate as a server or a client when connecting a terminal, and when registration is completed, when the registered terminal 50 is located within a predetermined distance, it automatically connects to the terminal 50 .

The control unit 110 executes data stored in the data unit 120 to output a control menu for indoor unit operation settings through the display unit 160, receives data from the input unit 150, and displays data such as operation settings to the display unit ( 160) and controls input/output data. In addition, the control unit 110 transmits data to the indoor unit 20 through the remote control communication unit 140, and outputs the received data of the indoor unit and the indoor temperature measured by the temperature sensor 130 through the display unit 160. do.

Upon initial terminal registration, the controller 110 checks the terminal through authentication and then registers the terminal as a pairing target. The control unit 110 stores the information of the registered terminal 50 in the data unit 120, and when a matched terminal is located within a predetermined distance, the terminal 50 and data are connected through the short-range communication module 142. Control sending and receiving.

The control unit 110 may change a control menu or change an operation setting of an indoor unit based on terminal data received through the short range communication module 142, and may also transmit data to the indoor unit.

In addition, the controller 110 receives information on the date, weather, or electricity rates through the short-distance communication module 142 to update remote control data. The control unit 110 outputs updated data through the display unit 160 . The controller 110 calculates an electric charge according to the operation time of the indoor unit based on the electric charge information and outputs the calculated electric charge through the display unit 160 . In addition, the controller 110 may delay or change the schedule of the operation of the indoor unit when the electricity price is high (peak level).

The controller 110 may limit operation setting data for the indoor unit according to weather information. For example, the controller 110 can control the desired indoor temperature so that it is not input below the set temperature according to weather information, and the controller 110 transmits data of the indoor unit to the terminal when the terminal 50 is connected. (50).

Meanwhile, the terminal 50 includes a sensor unit 230, an input unit 250, a display unit 260, a data unit 220, a communication unit 240, and a terminal control unit 210 that controls overall operation of the terminal. .

In addition, the terminal 50 includes a camera (not shown), is provided with an input/output interface for connection with an external device, and includes various other components, but a description thereof will be omitted below.

The input unit 250 generates key input data for operation control by including an input means such as a button, switch, or touch pad.

The display unit 260 outputs the operating state of the terminal, outputs a connection state with the remote control 30 when communicating with the remote control 30, and also displays a control menu for controlling the operation of the indoor unit. The display unit 260 may include a touch screen, and the touch screen may operate as an input unit.

The display unit 260 displays a UI (User Interface) or GUI (Graphic User Interface) related to a function being performed in displaying information processed by the terminal. When connected to the remote controller 30, the display unit 260 outputs a UI or GUI for controlling the remote controller 30.

The data unit 220 stores an execution program for each function of the terminal, data for controlling the operation of the terminal, and data transmitted and received through the communication unit 240 . The data unit 220 stores execution programs as applications and stores data according to each application. In particular, applications for remote control connection and remote control control are stored in the data unit 220 .

The sensor unit 230 includes a plurality of sensors, and may detect an object or human body adjacent to the terminal, detect pressure, determine the location of the terminal, and detect a tilt or motion of the terminal.

The communication unit 240 includes a mobile communication module 241 and a short distance communication module 242 . In addition, the communication unit 240 further includes a plurality of communication modules such as a wireless Internet module, a GPS module, and a broadcast reception module, but descriptions thereof will be omitted below.

The mobile communication module 241 transmits and receives a radio signal with at least one of a base station, an external terminal, and a server on a mobile communication network. Here, the wireless signal may include a voice call signal, a video call signal, or various types of data according to text/multimedia message transmission/reception.

The short-range communication module 242 may use Bluetooth, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), Infrared Data Association (IrDA), Ultra Wideband (UWB), ZigBee, or the like. Hereinafter, the short-distance communication module 142 will be described as an example of Bluetooth.

The terminal controller 210 typically controls the overall operation of the terminal 50 by controlling the operation of each part.

The terminal control unit 210 selects any one data in response to a key input of the input unit 250 or executes a specific application according to the selected function, and controls the corresponding UI or GUI to be output through the display unit 260. .

In addition, the terminal control unit 210 processes data transmitted and received through the communication unit 240, controls the data to be stored in the data unit 220, and controls the operation of the terminal in response to data sensed by the sensor unit 230.

The terminal controller 210 performs related control and processing for voice calls, data communications, and video calls through the mobile communication module 241 .

In addition, the terminal controller 210 connects to the remote controller 30 through the short-range communication module 242 to transmit data to the terminal, receives indoor unit data through the terminal, and outputs the data through the display unit 260.

The terminal control unit 210 searches for the remote controller 30 through the short-distance communication module 242, registers a remote control that has been authenticated among the searched plurality of remote controls 30, and stores it in the data unit 220. For example, the terminal control unit 210 may perform authentication by matching data received from a remote control with pre-stored data, and may use a separate authentication program. In some cases, the terminal control unit 210 may register the remote controller 30 by transmitting and receiving communication information using NFC.

The terminal controller 210 automatically connects with the remote controller 30 through the short range communication module 242 when the registered remote controller 30 exists within a certain distance. At this time, the terminal control unit 210 may be simultaneously connected to a plurality of remote controllers.

The terminal control unit 210 outputs a connection state with the remote controller through the display unit 260 and displays a list of a plurality of connected remote controllers.

The terminal control unit 210 outputs a remote control control menu through the display unit 260 when any one of the plurality of connected remote controllers 30 is selected, and transmits data input through the remote control control menu to the short-range communication module 242. It is transmitted to the selected remote control 30 through.

In addition, when a plurality of remote controllers are selected, the terminal controller 210 transmits data input through the remote controller control menu to the selected plurality of remote controllers through the short-range communication module 242. At this time, the short-distance communication module 242 sequentially transmits data to a plurality of remote controllers according to the control command of the terminal control unit 210 .

The terminal control unit 210 outputs remote control data received through the short range communication module 242, that is, indoor unit data, through the display unit 260.

When the remote controller 30 is connected, the terminal control unit 210 transmits date information, weather information, and power rate information received through the communication unit 240 so that the data of the remote controller 30 is updated. At this time, when the connection with the remote controller 30 is maintained, the terminal controller 210 transmits date information and weather information to the remote controller 30 at set time intervals. In addition, the terminal controller 210 may transmit recommended driving information corresponding to weather information to the remote controller 30 .

Correspondingly, the remote controller 30 displays the received data and transmits it to the connected indoor unit 20 . The indoor unit 20 operates by changing operation settings according to data received from the remote controller 30 .

4 is a diagram illustrating a remote control of an air conditioner according to the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 4 , the remote controller 30 includes a display unit 160 and an input unit 150 having a plurality of buttons.

Operation information of the connected indoor unit is displayed on the display unit 160 . When the indoor unit connected to the remote control operates in one of the heating, cooling, ventilation, and dehumidifying modes, the set operation mode, the current or desired temperature, and the set air volume are displayed.

In addition, the display unit 160 displays a reservation setting or schedule according to the operation of the indoor unit, and when the remote controller 30 and the terminal 50 are connected through the short-range communication module, a connection state 161 is displayed.

The input unit 150 is provided with basic keys including a temperature control key, wind speed key, operation/stop key, and operation selection key for inputting operation settings for the indoor unit.

In addition, the input unit 150 includes a ventilation key, a function setting key 151, a wind direction key, an additional operation key, a reservation setting key, a setting and releasing key 152, and a navigation key for menu selection for more detailed operation setting. A detailed setting key composed of the Nagigi key is provided.

The basic key is exposed to the outside, and the detailed setting key is exposed when a cover (not shown) is opened.

At this time, the layout of the screen composition keys of the remote controller and the buttons of the input unit are not limited to the drawings in one embodiment.

As the function setting key 151 of the input unit 150 is manipulated, the control unit 110 outputs a menu for setting a short-range communication module and pairing with a terminal through the display unit 160, and displays the menu to the searched terminal 50. Whether or not to set pairing is set according to the operation of the setting and releasing key 152.

The controller 110 automatically connects and communicates with the registered terminal 50 when the terminal is located within a predetermined distance. At this time, the control unit 110 may release the connection with the terminal 50 according to the input of the setting and release key 152 .

5 is an exemplary view showing a remote control connection screen of a terminal of an air conditioner according to the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 5 , the terminal 50 receives date information and weather information 51 in real time and displays them on the screen of the display unit 260 .

The terminal control unit 210 automatically connects to the registered remote controller 30 existing within a predetermined distance through the short range communication module 242.

The terminal control unit 210 outputs the list of connected remote controls 52 on the screen of the display unit 260 .

The terminal control unit 210 automatically transmits date information and weather information 51 to the connected remote controller when at least one remote controller is connected through the short range communication module 242 . Accordingly, when the remote control included in the remote control list 52, that is, the connected remote control is connected to the terminal, it sequentially receives and updates date information and weather information 51.

Depending on settings, the terminal controller 210 may transmit power rate information in addition to date information and weather information 51, and may transmit recommended driving information corresponding to weather to a remote controller.

6 is an exemplary view showing a control screen of a terminal of an air conditioner according to the present invention.

The terminal 50 outputs a control menu through the display unit 260 as shown in FIG. 6 when the remote control control program (application) is executed.

In the control menu, a setting menu 53 for operation settings of the indoor unit is displayed, and a control target list 54 to be changed through the setting menu is displayed.

The setting menu 53 displays menu items for setting the operation mode, desired temperature, and air volume of the indoor unit.

In addition, a list of connected remote controllers or information on indoor units corresponding to the connected remote controllers is displayed on the control target list 54 .

When an indoor unit or remote controller included in the control target list 54 is selected as a control target and an application key (OK) is input, the terminal control unit 210 transmits the data changed through the setting menu 53 to the selected control target. do. At this time, the terminal controller 210 transmits data to the selected remote controller or the remote controller connected to the selected indoor unit.

In addition, when all indoor units or all remote controllers included in the control target list 54 are selected as control targets and the application key (OK) is input, the terminal control unit 210 transmits data changed by the setting menu 53 to the connected Send to all remotes.

At this time, the terminal control unit 210 may display a list of remote controls registered in the control target list 54, and may input control settings for a registered but not connected remote controller. In this case, the terminal control unit 210 stores the input control settings, and transmits the control settings immediately when the corresponding remote controller is connected.

Accordingly, each remote controller transmits data to the connected indoor unit, and the indoor unit changes operation settings according to the received data.

7 is a flowchart illustrating a control method using a remote control and a terminal of an air conditioner according to the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 7 , the terminal 50 activates the short range communication module 242 and searches for the remote controller 30 located within a predetermined distance.

The terminal control unit 210 outputs a searched device list through the display unit 260, performs pairing with the selected device, particularly the remote controller 30 through authentication, and then registers it (S320).

The terminal controller 210 stores a pairing list for the registered remote controller 30 (S330).

When the short-distance communication module 242 is activated, the terminal control unit 210 searches for a device located within a predetermined distance and determines whether a connectable remote controller 30 exists (S340).

The terminal control unit 210 connects the remote control and the short-distance communication module 242 when there is at least one remote control that can be connected, that is, registered remote control (S350). The terminal controller 210 is connected to a plurality of remote controllers when there are a plurality of connectable remote controllers.

The terminal control unit 210 automatically connects to the registered remote control. At this time, when manual connection is established, the terminal control unit 210 outputs a list of connectable remote controllers and can connect to the selected remote controller. At this time, the control unit 110 of the remote controller 30 outputs the connection state with the terminal 50 through the display unit 160.

The terminal control unit 210 outputs a list of connected remote controls through the display unit 260 (S360). A list of connected remote controllers is displayed on the screen as shown in FIG. 5 described above.

The terminal controller 210 transmits weather information and date information to the connected remote controller 30 (S370). The terminal control unit 210 sequentially transmits data to a plurality of remote controllers through the short range communication module 242 .

In addition, the terminal control unit 210 receives data of the remote controller connected through the short-distance communication module 242 (S380) and outputs it through the display unit 260.

The terminal control unit 210 transmits new weather information and date information to the remote controller 30 to update the data of the remote controller 30 when the set period is reached (S390) while the remote controller is connected. Since weather and date (time) information continuously changes, the terminal 50 periodically transmits data until the connection with the remote controller 30 is released (S400).

Meanwhile, when a control setting is input through the control menu as shown in FIG. 6 while the remote controller is connected, the terminal controller 210 transmits data on the changed control setting to the connected remote controller.

Accordingly, the remote controller 30 displays the received data and transmits it to the indoor unit so that the operation of the indoor unit is changed according to the control setting.

Therefore, according to the present invention, as one terminal and a plurality of remote controllers are connected through a short-range communication module, the user can change the setting of the remote control within a predetermined distance without moving, and also the remote control within a predetermined distance without a separate group setting. Convenience is improved because the same operation settings can be transmitted to control the indoor unit.

In addition, since the present invention receives and updates data such as weather, date, power rate, etc. through the terminal, accurate control according to time is possible, and operation of the indoor unit can be controlled in conjunction with the weather or power rate.

Even though all components constituting an embodiment of the present invention have been described as operating in combination, the present invention is not necessarily limited to these embodiments. Within the scope of the object of the present invention, depending on embodiments, all components may be selectively combined with one or more to operate.

The above description is merely an example of the technical idea of the present invention, and various modifications and variations can be made to those skilled in the art without departing from the essential characteristics of the present invention.

10: outdoor unit 20: indoor unit
30: remote control 50: terminal
110: control unit 140: remote control communication unit
142, 242: short-distance communication module
150, 250: input unit 160, 260: display unit
210: terminal control unit 240: communication unit
260: display unit

Claims (21)

a plurality of indoor units; and
In the air conditioner including a plurality of remote controls connected to the plurality of indoor units,
Each of the plurality of remote controls,
Remote control communication unit equipped with a short-distance communication module for performing wireless communication;
a display unit displaying operation settings of the indoor unit;
a data unit for storing information about a terminal for which authentication has been completed; and
including a control unit;
Any one of the plurality of remote controls,
Receiving authentication related data from a first terminal located within a first distance using a Near Field Communication (NFC) method;
When authentication of the first terminal based on the authentication-related data is completed, storing information on the first terminal in the data unit and registering the first terminal as a terminal for which the authentication has been completed;
Each of the plurality of remote controls,
Using a Bluetooth method, determining whether the authenticated terminal is located within a second distance longer than the first distance;
The air conditioner, characterized in that for receiving data from the authentication completed terminal using the Bluetooth method when the authentication completed terminal is located within the second distance. delete According to claim 1,
Wherein each of the plurality of remote controllers automatically connects with the authenticated terminal using the Bluetooth method to receive the data when the authenticated terminal is located within the second distance. . According to claim 1,
When date information including a date and time is received from the authenticated terminal, each of the plurality of remote controllers updates date information of the remote controller based on the received date information, and updates the received date information through the display unit. An air conditioner characterized in that for outputting date information. According to claim 4,
The air conditioner of claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of remote controllers transmits control data to the indoor unit so that a reserved operation starts at a designated time according to updated date information of the remote controller. According to claim 1,
Each of the plurality of remote controls,
When weather information is received from the authentication-completed terminal, the received weather information is displayed on the display unit;
The air conditioner of claim 1, wherein the desired temperature of the indoor unit is limited in response to the received weather information. According to claim 6,
Wherein each of the plurality of remote controllers outputs the recommended driving information through the display unit when recommended driving information corresponding to the received weather information is received from the first terminal. According to claim 1,
When power rate information is received from the terminal for which authentication has been completed, each of the plurality of remote controllers calculates an electricity rate according to an operating time of the indoor unit based on the received power rate information and displays the calculated electricity rate through the display unit. Air conditioner made by. According to claim 8,
The air conditioner according to claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of remote controllers delays the operation of the indoor unit or changes a schedule when the electricity rate calculated based on the received power rate information exceeds a predetermined criterion. delete delete According to claim 1,
Two or more of the plurality of remote controls are connected to the first terminal at the same time using the Bluetooth method. delete delete Receiving authentication-related data from a first terminal located within a first distance using a Near Field Communication (NFC) method by a first remote controller among a plurality of remote controllers;
registering, by the first remote controller, the first terminal as an authenticated terminal by storing information about the first terminal when authentication of the first terminal based on the authentication-related data is completed;
Searching for the authenticated terminal located within a second distance longer than the first distance, by using a Bluetooth method, by each of the plurality of remote controllers; and
Wherein each of the plurality of remote controllers receives data from the authenticated terminal using a Bluetooth method when the authenticated terminal is located within the second distance. delete According to claim 15,
Wherein each of the plurality of remote controllers automatically connects to the authenticated terminal when the authenticated terminal is searched for using the Bluetooth method. According to claim 15,
receiving, by each of the plurality of remote controllers, data including date information from the authenticated terminal using the Bluetooth method;
updating date information for each of the plurality of remote controls, based on the received date information, by each of the plurality of remote controls; and
and transmitting, by each of the plurality of remote controllers, control data to an indoor unit corresponding to each of the plurality of remote controllers so that a reserved operation starts at a designated time in response to the updated date information. control method. According to claim 15,
receiving, by each of the plurality of remote controllers, data including weather information from the authenticated terminal using the Bluetooth method; and
The method of controlling an air conditioner further comprising limiting, by each of the plurality of remote controllers, a desired temperature of an indoor unit corresponding to each of the plurality of remote controllers in response to the weather information. According to claim 15,
receiving, by each of the plurality of remote controllers, recommended driving information corresponding to weather information from the authenticated terminal using the Bluetooth method; and
and controlling, by each of the plurality of remote controllers, driving of an indoor unit corresponding to each of the plurality of remote controllers according to the recommended operation information. According to claim 15,
receiving, by each of the plurality of remote controllers, data including power rate information from the authenticated terminal using the Bluetooth method; and
and calculating and displaying, by each of the plurality of remote controllers, an electric charge according to an operation time of an indoor unit corresponding to each of the plurality of remote controls, based on the electricity charge information, and displaying the calculated electricity charge.

Images