KR20090033682A - Air conditioner and operating method for the same - Google Patents

Abstract

An air-conditioner and an operation method thereof are provided to change representation languages through a language setting menu. An air-conditioner comprises a remote controller wirelessly controlling an outdoor unit(O) and an indoor unit(I). The remote controller provides a language setting menu for varying representation languages. A plurality of language items are set up on a screen(40) as the respective languages when a user selecting the language setting menu. The remote controller changes the language displayed on the screen into the language corresponding to the selected language item, if one language item is selected from a plurality of language items.

Description

Air conditioner and operating method for it {Air conditioner and operating method for the same}

The present invention relates to an air conditioner and a method of operating the same, and more particularly, to an air conditioner and a method of operating the menu for controlling a plurality of indoor units or outdoor units included in the air conditioner to be displayed in multiple languages.

The air conditioner is installed to comfortably adjust the indoor environment. The air conditioner is a device for controlling indoor temperature by discharging cold air into the room and purifying the indoor air. The air conditioner includes an indoor unit which is configured as a heat exchanger and installed indoors, and an outdoor unit which is configured as a compressor and a heat exchanger and supplies refrigerant to the indoor unit.

The air conditioner includes a remote controller for efficient control of the indoor unit and the outdoor unit, so that the user can control the remote unit without moving to the installation site for controlling the indoor unit or the outdoor unit.

The remote controller displays the entire list of the connected indoor units and outdoor units on the screen, and outputs the operation status of each indoor unit and outdoor unit on the screen so that the user can check the state of each device, Command is transmitted to each indoor unit and outdoor unit for control.

Such a remote controller provides a menu for changing a language displayed on a screen, so that users of various languages can use menus for controlling indoor and outdoor units. However, since the menu for changing the language is also displayed only in the currently set language, there is a difficulty in changing the language when the user does not understand the displayed language.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a menu for changing a language displayed on a screen for controlling an air conditioner, and to make the selection of the language change menu displayed in a corresponding language, so that the language selection and change are easy. It is to provide a method of operation.

An air conditioner according to the present invention includes at least one outdoor unit and a plurality of indoor units connected to the outdoor unit, the air conditioner further comprising a remote controller for controlling the operation of the indoor unit and the outdoor unit, wherein the remote controller is displayed. A language setting menu for changing a language is provided, and when a language setting menu is selected, a plurality of language items that can be set are displayed in corresponding languages.

In addition, the operation method of the air conditioner according to the present invention comprises the steps of selecting a language setting menu, a plurality of language items that can be set as a display language is displayed in a corresponding language, respectively, any one of the plurality of language items The step of selecting a language item, the language displayed on the screen is changed to the language indicated by the selected language item is outputted.

The air conditioner and its operation method according to the present invention configured as described above are displayed in languages corresponding to the languages that can be changed, so that even a user who does not know another language can easily select a language to display and easily change the display language. In addition, it is easy to access a menu for changing the language, thereby improving convenience.

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

1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention,

As shown in FIG. 1, the air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention includes at least one outdoor unit O, a plurality of indoor units I, an outdoor unit O, and an indoor unit I connected to the outdoor unit O. And a remote controller RC for monitoring and controlling, a local controller R for inputting a predetermined command to the indoor unit connected to a predetermined indoor unit I and displaying an operation state.

The outdoor unit (O) selects a compressor for receiving and compressing a refrigerant, an outdoor heat exchanger for exchanging refrigerant and outdoor air, an accumulator for extracting gas refrigerant from the supplied refrigerant, and supplying the refrigerant to the compressor, and a refrigerant flow path for heating operation. It includes a four-way valve. The apparatus further includes a high pressure pressure sensor for measuring the pressure of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor and a low pressure pressure sensor for measuring the pressure of the refrigerant supplied to the compressor, and further includes a plurality of sensors, valves, and an oil return unit. Description of the configuration is omitted below. Here, the number of outdoor units may vary according to the air-conditioning capacity and the capacity of the compressor provided according to the number of indoor units, and will be described below with one outdoor unit provided as an example.

The indoor unit I includes an indoor heat exchanger, an expansion valve in which the refrigerant supplied from the indoor unit fan, and the outdoor unit O is expanded, and further includes a plurality of temperature sensors, but the description of the indoor unit is omitted below.

The outdoor unit (O) and the indoor unit (I) are connected through a refrigerant pipe to perform cooling or heating operation according to the flow of the refrigerant according to the flow of the refrigerant between the outdoor unit (O) and the indoor unit (I), and a predetermined communication method. Send and receive mutual control commands and data according to In some cases, a distributor may be included between the outdoor unit O and the indoor unit I.

The remote controller RC monitors the operation state according to the data received from the outdoor unit O and the indoor unit I, and transmits a control signal corresponding to the input user command to the outdoor unit O and the indoor unit I by predetermined operation. Let the operation of be performed. In this case, the remote controller RC may be connected to the outside through an Internet connection.

In this case, the air conditioner may further include a second remote controller (not shown) connected to the remote controller RC through the Internet. The remote controller RC includes a server function. When the second remote controller is connected through a server connection, the remote controller RC transmits data about the outdoor unit O and the indoor unit I to the second remote controller to enable monitoring from the outside. The control signal is transmitted to the outdoor unit O and the indoor unit I in response to the data received from the second remote controller. At this time, the remote controller (RC) includes authentication information according to the server connection of the second remote controller.

The air conditioner may further include a third remote controller connected to the remote controller RC in a predetermined communication method. The third remote controller is directly connected to the remote controller RC to transmit and receive data, and monitor and control the outdoor unit O and the indoor unit I based on the received data. In addition, the third remote controller may manage an operation state and control records of the remote controller RC, and when there are a plurality of remote controllers RC, the plurality of remote controllers are integratedly managed.

2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a remote controller of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 2, the remote controller RC is received from the communication unit 50 for transmitting and receiving data to and from the outdoor unit O and the indoor unit I, the input unit 30 to which a user command is input, and the communication unit 50. Data is displayed, the display unit 40 for outputting a control menu for controlling the indoor unit and the outdoor unit, the data unit 20 for transmitting and receiving data, the data unit 20 for storing the control data for controlling the indoor unit and outdoor unit, input user command Alternatively, the control unit outputs predetermined data to the display unit 40 in response to the data received from the communication unit 50, generates a control signal for controlling the indoor unit I and the outdoor unit O, and transmits the generated control signal through the communication unit 50. (10). The remote controller RC may further include a speaker for outputting a predetermined sound, and a lamp for indicating an operation state of the remote controller RC according to lighting or flashing.

The data unit 20 includes control data for controlling the indoor unit I and the outdoor unit O, address information for data communication, schedule information of the indoor unit and the outdoor unit, group information, and the indoor unit I received through the communication unit 50. Or stores data such as the operation state information of the outdoor unit (O). In addition, the data unit 10 includes information according to the screen configuration of the data output through the display unit 40, data for screen realization, and language data for a language displayed on the screen.

In addition, the data unit 20 stores web page information at the time of server connection, authentication information according to a connection through the web page, and data input from the web page.

The input unit 30 includes at least one button or touch input means, receives a user command according to a button operation or a touch input, and applies it to the controller 10. In this case, the input unit 30 receives data corresponding to the operation of the softkey implemented on the screen of the display unit 40 and applies the data to the controller 10.

The display unit 40 includes predetermined display means capable of outputting an image, and outputs predetermined text or image data on the screen in response to a control command of the controller 10. In addition, the display unit 40 may be provided with a touch screen capable of touch input.

The controller 10 controls data input / output through the input unit 30 and the display unit 40, and controls data transmission between the outdoor unit O and the indoor unit I through the communication unit 50, and occurs while performing a predetermined operation. The stored data is stored in the data unit 20 and the stored data is called to generate a control command for controlling the indoor unit I and the outdoor unit O. The controller 10 implements a control menu for controlling the indoor unit (I) and the outdoor unit (O) to be output through the display unit 40, and in particular, to change the setting of the screen output through the display unit 40. Make sure

In particular, the control unit 10 provides a language setting menu to change the language displayed on the screen output through the display unit 40, and a language item that can be set when the language setting menu is selected through the input unit 30. Each of these controls is displayed in a corresponding language. In addition, the controller 10 controls all of the provided menu screens to display a button for executing a language setting menu on either side of the screen.

The controller 10 executes a language setting menu in response to a user command input from the input unit 30, and when a predetermined language item is selected on the language setting menu, the languages of all screens output through the display unit 40 are changed. Set to change to the language corresponding to the selected language item. In this case, when a predetermined language item is selected, the controller 10 calls language data stored in the data unit 20 to change the language displayed on the screen.

In this case, the language item may be displayed as a drop-down menu or a plurality of language items may be displayed on one screen so that any one language item may be selected, but this is merely an example and is not limited to the drawings.

3 is an exemplary view illustrating an example of a language setting menu of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The remote controller RC provides a language setting menu, as shown in FIG. 3. 3A is a diagram illustrating a screen when the display language is English, and FIG. 3B is a diagram illustrating a screen when the display language is Korean.

As shown in FIG. 3A, the remote controller RC outputs a control menu D01 for controlling the indoor unit I and the outdoor unit O on the screen of the display unit 40. At this time, the basic control menu for controlling the indoor unit and the outdoor unit (I, O) of the display unit 40, the schedule menu for setting the operation schedule, the recording menu for displaying an error occurrence or control record, the indoor unit and the outdoor unit automatically according to the reference value ( An automatic control menu for allowing I, O) to be controlled, a system menu, a setting displayed on the screen, and an environment setting menu (D02) for changing the setting according to user use are displayed as the control menu (D01). Since the display language, which is the language displayed on the screen, is set to English, all menus and texts are displayed on the screen in English.

When the environment setting D02 is selected through the input unit 30, the controller 10 causes the environment setting submenu D03 for changing the setting value on the remote controller RC to be displayed on the screen. The environment setting submenu D03 includes menus related to password, language setting (D04), time setting, screen setting, screen brightness, network, upgrade, and DB I / O.

In this case, the configuration or position of the control menu D01 or the environment setting submenu D02 shown in the drawing may be changed only as an example, and is not limited to the drawing.

When the language setting D04 is selected, a language setting menu D10 for changing the language displayed on the screen is displayed in the center area of the screen. In the language setting menu D10, a plurality of selectable language items are displayed as a drop down menu. The current setting value (D11) is displayed at the top level, and the English item is located at the top level because the currently displayed language is English. Below the plurality of changeable language items D12 to D16 are displayed.

The language items D12 to D16 to be displayed are displayed in a language corresponding to each language item, regardless of the currently set display language. That is, Korean (D13) is displayed in Korean and Japanese (D14) is represented in Japanese as '日本語'.

Of these, when the Korean language item D13 is selected and one of OK (D31) and Apply (D32) located below is selected and inputted, the screen as shown in FIG. All displayed languages change to Korean. If Cancel D33 is selected and entered, the existing setting is maintained.

When the display language is changed to Korean as shown in FIG. 3B, the language displayed on the screen is changed and at the top of the language setting menu D10, the 'Korean' item is displayed according to the current setting. Is displayed as.

Figure 4 is an exemplary view showing another embodiment of the language setting menu of the air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 4, the remote controller RC displays a language setting menu D40.

In the language setting menu D40, all changeable language items are displayed on one screen, and each language item is displayed in a corresponding language. In other words, if the changeable languages are English, Korean, Japanese, Chinese, Italian, French, German, or Spanish, each language item is English for English, Korean for Korean, Japanese for Japanese, and Japanese for Japanese. Chinese characters '中文' and German words 'Deutsch'.

In this case, the remote controller RC selects one of a plurality of language items in the language setting menu D40, and selects one of the bottom confirmation (D31), apply (D32), and cancel (D33). As a result, the language displayed on the screen changes or remains. The selection of language items may be indicated by checkboxes.

5 is an exemplary diagram illustrating a menu for calling a language setting menu of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 5, the remote controller RC displays a language setting menu on all screens provided for controlling the indoor unit I and the outdoor unit O, that is, the screens of all menu items included in the control menu D05. A button (D50) for executing the is provided on either side of the screen.

Accordingly, even while inputting control settings for the indoor unit I and the outdoor unit O, setting a schedule, or checking a related record, if the button D50 for executing the language setting menu is selected, FIG. 3 or FIG. The language setting menu as shown in Fig. 4 is executed and displayed on the screen, and the language displayed on the screen can be changed by selecting a predetermined language item.

Looking at the operation according to an embodiment of the present invention configured as described above are as follows.

6 is a flowchart illustrating a language setting method of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The remote controller RC outputs a menu for controlling the indoor unit I and the outdoor unit O on a screen, and provides a language setting menu for changing a language displayed on the screen.

As shown in FIG. 6, the remote controller RC has an environment setting selected from a control menu as shown in FIG. 3, a language setting selected from an environment setting submenu, or one side of a screen as shown in FIG. 5. When a button for executing the language setting menu displayed on the screen is selected (S210), the controller 10 causes the language setting menu to be output on the screen of the display unit 40.

A plurality of language items that can be changed are displayed on the language setting menu displayed on the screen of the display unit 40. In this case, as shown in FIG. 3 or FIG. 4, the language setting menu is displayed as a drop down menu, or a plurality of language items are displayed on one screen to display one language item. It is configured to be selected.

In addition, the display unit 40 displays a plurality of language items included in the language setting menu as corresponding languages (S220). For example, each language item is represented by English as 'English', Korean as 'Korean', Japanese as '日本語', Chinese as 'Chinese' and Chinese as 'Deutsch'.

When any one of a plurality of language items is selected according to a user command through the input unit 30 (S230), the controller 10 selects a language output on the screen of the display unit 40 based on the stored language data. Control to change to language corresponding to language item. Accordingly, the displayed language is changed to the selected language and displayed on the screen of the display unit 40 (S240).

As described above, the air conditioner and its operation method according to the present invention have been described with reference to the illustrated drawings. However, the present invention is not limited by the embodiments and drawings disclosed in the present specification, and it is applied within the scope of the technical idea. Can be.

1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention,

2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a remote controller of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention;

3 is an exemplary view showing an example of a language setting menu of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 4 is an exemplary view showing another embodiment of the language setting menu of the air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention,

5 is an exemplary diagram illustrating a menu for calling a language setting menu of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

6 is a flowchart illustrating a language setting method of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

<Explanation of symbols on main parts of the drawings>

10: control unit 20: data unit

30: input unit 40: display unit

50: communication unit

RC: Remote Controller O: Outdoor Unit

I: Indoor unit R: Local controller

Claims (9)

An air conditioner including at least one outdoor unit and a plurality of indoor units connected to the outdoor unit, Further comprising a remote controller for controlling the operation of the indoor unit and outdoor unit, The remote controller provides a language setting menu for changing a displayed language, and when selecting the language setting menu, a plurality of settable language items are displayed in corresponding languages, respectively. The method according to claim 1, The remote controller may change the language displayed on the screen to a language corresponding to the selected language item when any one of the language items is selected. The method according to claim 1, And the remote controller is displayed on any one of all screens on which a button for executing the language setting menu is provided so that the language setting menu is executed when the button is selected. The method according to claim 1, And the remote controller is configured to output the plurality of language items on one screen when the language setting menu is executed. The method according to claim 1, And the remote controller causes the plurality of language items to be displayed as a drop down menu when the language setting menu is executed. Selecting a language setting menu; Displaying a plurality of language items settable in a display language in a corresponding language; Selecting one language item among the plurality of language items; And changing the language displayed on the screen to a language indicated by the selected language item and outputting the changed language. The method according to claim 6, If the button displayed on any one of the provided screen is selected, the language setting menu is executed. The method according to claim 6, And the plurality of language items are displayed in languages corresponding to one screen, respectively. The method according to claim 6, And the plurality of language items are displayed in a drop down menu.

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