KR20020041679A - The communication system of an air-conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A communication system of air conditioner is provided to transmit plenty of information in real time between the remote-controllable air conditioner and a service providing part and between a communication control part and a micro computer of the air conditioner. CONSTITUTION: A system includes a service providing part(10); a communication connecting device(20); a communication control device(30); an input part(40); an output device(50); and an air conditioner control device(60). The service providing part provides data on various function and control data on use and diagnosis of a remote-controllable air conditioner(A) to the air conditioner through communication network. The communication connecting device supports mutual connection between the service providing part and the air conditioner through the commutation network. The communication control device controls communication between the service providing part and the air conditioner to receive function-related data or control data, transmitted from the service providing part through the communication connecting device, to apply to the air conditioner. The output device displays various information provided by the service providing part or operational condition of the air conditioner by the order selected in the input part. The air conditioner control device receives function-related data or control data through communication with the communication control device to update corresponding data and execute control function of detection of indoor temperature and load driving.

Description

The communication system of an air conditioner

The present invention relates to a communication system of an air conditioner, and more particularly, to transmit data through communication between a communication control unit and a microcomputer of an air conditioner when data is transmitted and received between an air conditioner and a service provider that can be remotely controlled through a communication network. The present invention relates to an air conditioner communication system capable of transmitting a large amount of information in real time.

1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the indoor unit control system of the air conditioner according to the prior art, referring to this, a sensor for detecting a sensor for detecting the indoor or outdoor temperature or various functions of the air conditioner and transferring the detection signal to the system A main controller 2 for performing an operation control function of the air conditioner while controlling a load of the air conditioner through a sensing unit 1 and a detection signal transmitted through the sensor detection unit 1, and the main control unit A load control unit 3 for controlling the load driving according to the control of (2), an LED display unit 4 for displaying an operation state with respect to a function or temperature currently operating under the control of the main control unit 2, And a key input section 5 in which a key input function is performed so that a user performs a function and an operation operation of the air conditioner.

In particular, the main controller 2 is designed to simply and repeatedly control only the functions stored in the mask during the manufacturing process by the mask ROM.

In addition, the key input unit 5 is composed of a key control unit installed on the front of the remote control or the air conditioner main body that can be remotely operated by the user.

Referring to the operation of the indoor unit control system of the air conditioner according to the prior art configured as described above are as follows.

First, when a user performs a user setting function through a specific key input of the key input unit 5, an operation state is displayed on the LED display unit 4 according to a control function already stored in the mask ROM of the main control unit 2. .

Next, the sensor detection unit 1 senses a temperature and transmits the detection signal to the main control unit 2, and the main control unit 2 drives the load appropriately through the load control unit 3.

However, the conventional air conditioner transmits a large amount of information through communication since the user simply performs a manual operation only by a function set at the time of initial shipment of the air conditioner through a key input unit such as a remote controller or a key control unit of the air conditioner main body. There is a problem that it is difficult to receive.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems of the prior art, the object of which is to communicate between the microcontroller of the communication control unit and the air conditioner at the time of data transmission and reception between the remote controllable air conditioner and the service provider through a communication network It is to provide a communication system of an air conditioner capable of transmitting a large amount of information in real time by transmitting data through.

1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an indoor unit control system of a conventional air conditioner;

2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a communication system of an air conditioner according to the present invention.

<Explanation of symbols on main parts of the drawings>

A: Air conditioner 10: Service provider

20: communication connection means 30: communication control device

40: input unit 50: output device

60: control unit for the air conditioner 31: receiving module

32: communication control unit 61: temperature sensing unit

62: load control unit 63: microcomputer

According to a first aspect of a communication system of an air conditioner according to the present invention for solving the above problems, the use and diagnosis of the air conditioner while providing data on various functions to the air conditioner that can be remotely controlled through the communication network A service providing unit for providing control data, communication connection means for supporting the interconnection through the communication network of the service providing unit and the air conditioner, and function-related data or control data transmitted from the service providing unit through the communication connection means. A communication control device that performs a communication control function between the service provider and the air conditioner so as to be applicable to the air conditioner, and inputs a user's command to search or select a specific item for service information or function information. The service providing unit by an input unit and a command for a specific item selected by the input unit; Output device for displaying various information or operating condition of air conditioner, and receiving function related data or control data through communication with the control device for communication to update the corresponding data, and It includes a control device for an air conditioner to perform a control function.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, data exchange between the communication control device and the air conditioner control device is performed using serial communication (RS-232C) or parallel communication.

Looking at the characteristics of the control method of the communication system of the air conditioner of the present invention, providing a service that provides upgrade data for various functions of the air conditioner that can be remotely controlled through the communication network and control data regarding the use and diagnosis of the air conditioner A first step of building wealth; A second step of accessing a service providing unit established in the first step through a communication network and searching for upgrade data and menus for a specific function and selecting necessary data; A third step of transmitting data to the air conditioner control device through communication between the air conditioner internal control devices after being transmitted to and stored in the data processing air conditioner selected by the user in the second step; The data transmitted in the third step includes a fourth step of deleting / updating data related to the corresponding function of the control device for the air conditioner and applying the updated function to the product during operation of the air conditioner.

Serial communication (RS-232C) is an old standard that describes physical connections and protocols for relatively slow serial data communication between computers and related devices, and is a standard set by the US Electronics Industries Association (EIA).

Since it is an interface for connecting a modem and a terminal or a modem and a communication processing device, it is recently used not only for connecting a modem but also directly connecting a computer and a terminal and connecting various devices.

Most serial communication (RS-232C) has the advantage of being able to communicate with a small number of transmission and reception lines, although the transmission and reception speed is slightly lower.

On the other hand, paralleled communication is a method of dividing a text signal or a block into two or more and simultaneously transmitting the data to multiple transmission lines, which is additionally used for transmission of parity bits or control bits as well as transmission lines for transmitting information data. In some cases, a transmission line is required.

Parallel communication is generally used to transfer data between a computer and peripherals. Parallel communication has the advantage of high transmission speed and simple terminal configuration.

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

Figure 2 shows the configuration of the communication system of the air conditioner according to the present invention, the information on the use and function control by the external remote control information transmitted through the communication network while operating in accordance with the information A remote control air conditioner (A) that calculates and transmits information about the air conditioner to the outside, and transmits / receives at least one remote control air conditioner (A) to determine whether to permit the use of the air conditioner (A) and to change the function. A service providing unit 10 which determines and receives operation information of the remote control air conditioner A and performs various control functions for use check, failure diagnosis, and function change, and the service providing unit 10 and It consists of a communication connection means 20 for supporting the interconnection through the communication network of the air conditioner (A).

The air conditioner (A) receives the function-related data or control data transmitted from the service provider 10 through the communication connection means 20 to be applied to the air conditioner (A) service providing unit 10 And a communication control device 30 for performing a communication control function between the air conditioner and the air conditioner A, and an input unit 40 for inputting a user's command to search or select a specific item for service information or function information. And an output device 50 for displaying various types of information provided from the service providing unit 10 or an operation state of the air conditioner A as a command for a specific item selected by the input unit 40, and the communication control. The control device 60 is configured to receive a function-related data or control data through serial communication with the device 30 to update the data and perform a control function for temperature sensing and load driving in a room.

The communication control device 30 is a receiving module 31 for receiving a protocol processing the data provided by the service providing unit 10 through the communication connection means 20 to the air conditioner (A), and And a communication control unit 32 for controlling the data received by the receiving module 31 to be transmitted and received through communication with the control device 60 for the air conditioner.

The input unit 40 allows the function of the air conditioner A to be selected and controlled from a mouse or a remote location, which makes it easy to search and select a menu of various function data or control data provided by the service provider 10. It is configured to include a remote control.

The air conditioner control device 60 includes a temperature sensing unit 61 for sensing an indoor temperature, a load control unit 62 for adjusting a temperature measured by the temperature sensing unit 61 to a user's setting, The microcomputer controls the load control unit 62 and the temperature sensing unit 61 and updates and stores the data transmitted through the communication control device 30 in the corresponding data to further change the function of the air conditioner A. (63).

The microcomputer 63 uses a flash ROM capable of erasing / writing data, which is performed when the air conditioner A is operated by updating and storing various data selected and downloaded by the user. It is possible to add or change the function.

In particular, the data exchange between the communication control device 30 and the air conditioner control device 60 is performed using serial communication (RS-232C) or parallel communication.

The operation of the present invention configured as described above will be described with reference to a flowchart of a method for controlling a communication system of an air conditioner illustrated in FIG. 3.

First, in the first step, upgrade data on various functions of the multiple air conditioners A, which can be remotely controlled through the communication network, and control data on the use and diagnosis of each air conditioner A are provided, and new change data are continuously added. A service provider 10 for updating is established. (See S1)

In the second step, a new function is added to the service provider 10 constructed in the first step S1 to obtain the desired information by searching the data or to select specific data to be transmitted to the air conditioner A. Or a user who wants to apply the changed function to the air conditioner A through the communication connection means 20 (see S2).

In the third step, the connected user searches for various upgrade data, control data, and menu items provided by the service provider 10 through the output device 50 and the input unit 40, and the data to be transmitted is input unit 40. ) To make a selection (see S3).

In the fourth step, the data selected by the user in the third step S3 is protocol-processed through the communication connection unit 20 and received by the receiving module 31 of the air conditioner A, and then the communication control unit 32. Is downloaded and stored in the control unit so that the selection data can be transmitted through serial communication (RS-232C) or parallel communication between the communication control unit 32 and the microcomputer 63 of the control unit 60 for the air conditioner. The selected selection data is transmitted to the microcomputer 63 (see S4).

In the fifth step, the microcomputer 63 deletes and updates and stores related data corresponding to the selection data transmitted in the fourth step (see S4) among various data stored previously through the control (see S5).

In the sixth step, when the power of the air conditioner A is applied, a function related to the update data stored and updated in the fifth step S5 is applied to the system according to the control of the microcomputer 63, and the addition or change is performed. According to the matter, the operation of the air conditioner (A) proceeds (see S6).

In particular, mutual data transmission and reception between the communication control unit 32 constituting the communication control device 30 of the fourth step and the microcomputer 63 constituting the control device 60 for the air conditioner are serial communication (RS-232C). Or parallel communication.

In the serial communication system of the air conditioner of the present invention configured as described above, serial communication or parallel communication between the communication control unit and the microcomputer of the air conditioner at the time of data transmission and reception between the air conditioner and the service provider which can be remotely controlled through the communication network. By sending data through it, you can quickly control a large amount of information in real time.

Claims (4)

A service provider for providing control data on use and diagnosis of the air conditioner while providing data on various functions to the air conditioner remotely controllable through a communication network; Communication connection means for supporting mutual connection through a communication network between the service provider and an air conditioner; A communication control device for receiving a function-related data or control data transmitted from a service providing unit through the communication connection unit and performing a communication control function between the service providing unit and the air conditioner to be applicable to an air conditioner; An input unit for inputting a user's command to search for or select specific items of service information or function information; An output device for displaying various types of information provided from the service providing unit or an operation state of the air conditioner as a command for a specific item selected by the input unit; Receiving a function-related data or control data through communication with the communication control device for updating the data, and the air conditioner, characterized in that it includes a control device for an air conditioner to perform a control function for temperature sensing and load driving in the room Qi communication system. The method of claim 1, The data exchange between the communication control device and the air conditioner control device is carried out using serial communication (RS-232C) or parallel communication communication system of the air conditioner. A first step of constructing a service provider which provides upgrade data for various functions of the air conditioner remotely controllable through a communication network and control data relating to the use and diagnosis of the air conditioner; A second step of accessing a service providing unit established in the first step through a communication network and searching for upgrade data and menus for a specific function and selecting necessary data; A third step of transmitting the data selected by the user in the second step to the air conditioner and transmitting the data to the control device for the air conditioner through communication between the internal control devices of the air conditioner; The data transmitted in the third step is a fourth step of applying the updated function to the product during operation of the air conditioner by deleting / updating data on the corresponding function of the control device for the air conditioner Communication system control method of air conditioner. The method of claim 3, wherein The third step is a communication system control method of an air conditioner, characterized in that performed using serial communication (RS-232C) or parallel communication between the air conditioner internal control device.