KR20100012662A - Air conditioner and controlling method for the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: An air-conditioner which reduces power consumption and a control method thereof are provided to display user setup information on a screen of a remote controller if data is not entered for a specified time. CONSTITUTION: Air-conditioner comprises a plurality of units and a remote controller(30). The remote controller monitors and controls a plurality of units. The remote controller comprises an input part(130), an output part(120), and a controller(110). The output part outputs data, inputted through the input part, and operation information regarding a plurality of units. If data is not entered for a specified time, the controller displays data, excluding the operation information regarding a plurality of units, through the output unit.

Description

Air conditioner and controlling method {Air conditioner and 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 and a control method for displaying information according to a user setting on a screen of a remote controller when there is no input for a predetermined time.

An air conditioner is a facility installed to purify indoor air to create a more comfortable indoor environment. The air conditioner discharges cold air into the room to regulate the room temperature. 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 is equipped with a remote controller for efficient control of the indoor unit and the outdoor unit, and the remote controller enables the user to monitor and control a plurality of outdoor units and indoor units at a specific place without having to move to the place where each indoor unit and outdoor unit are installed. .

Since the remote controller transmits a control command to the indoor unit and the outdoor unit and receives operation information of the indoor unit and the outdoor unit, it is generally operated for a long time, and the display means for outputting the information is generally kept on while operating.

However, in controlling indoor units and outdoor units, power is not wasted because the user does not always operate the remote controller and the user does not monitor the operation information of the indoor unit and the outdoor unit in front of the remote controller.

In addition, when the display means is turned on for a long time when the remote controller is operated, since the life thereof is reduced due to deterioration of the display means, there is a problem that the product life of the remote controller can be shortened.

An object of the present invention is to switch to the screen protection mode to protect the display means, if the input is not generated for more than a predetermined time from the remote controller for controlling and monitoring the unit, the air conditioner to display the information set in the screen protection mode and It is to provide a control method.

An air conditioner according to the present invention includes a plurality of units and a remote controller for controlling and monitoring the plurality of units, wherein the remote controller outputs data input through the input unit through which the data is input, and outputs the plurality of units. If no input occurs for more than a predetermined time from an output unit for outputting operation information for a unit and the input unit, the screen protection mode is switched, and data other than the operation information for the plurality of units is changed according to the screen protection mode setting. It includes a control unit to display through the output unit.

In addition, the control method of the air conditioner according to the present invention is a control method of an air conditioner including a remote controller for controlling a plurality of units, the first waiting time after the last data is input to the remote controller, Switching to the screen protection mode by the remote controller; displaying at least one data of weather information, stock information, exchange rate information, news information, images, and video in response to the screen protection mode setting; Canceling the screen protection mode when the input data is generated.

The air conditioner and the control method according to the present invention configured as described above are controlled by the display by switching to the screen protection mode when a predetermined time input is not generated in the remote controller that controls a plurality of units and monitors operation information thereof. Prevents sleep reduction due to deterioration of the product, thereby prolonging the product life of the remote controller and saving power through the screen protection mode. In addition, the present invention by outputting the information set by the user in the screen protection mode, it is possible to selectively display a variety of information in addition to the operation information of the unit has the effect that the user's convenience is improved.

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.

Referring to FIG. 1, an air conditioner according to the present invention includes a plurality of units, a remote controller 10 connected to the plurality of units to monitor and control the operation thereof. In addition, the air conditioner includes a local controller (not shown) connected to each of the plurality of units to input data to the plurality of units and to output operating states for the plurality of units.

Here, the unit included in the air conditioner may include indoor units I1 to I6 and outdoor units O1 and O2, and may further include units such as an air cleaning unit, a ventilation unit, a humidification unit, a dehumidification unit, and a heater. The unit can be connected to the remote controller 10 and integrated control. Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with an example that the indoor unit I and the outdoor unit O are provided, but the present invention may be applied to a case in which the above units are connected. At this time, the number of the outdoor unit and the indoor unit is not limited to the drawing.

The air conditioner is connected to the remote controller 10 and the first and second outdoor units O1 and O2 connected to the remote controller 10 to control the operation of the outdoor unit and monitor the operation state. In addition, each outdoor unit is connected to at least one indoor unit, and each indoor unit is connected to the remote controller 10 through the outdoor unit or directly to communicate with the remote controller 10 to receive a control command from the remote controller and transmit the operation state accordingly to the remote controller. do. The first outdoor unit O1 is connected to the first to third indoor units I11 to I13, and the second outdoor unit O2 is connected to the fourth to sixth indoor units I21 to I23.

Here, the outdoor units (O1, O2) are 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 it to the compressor, and a refrigerant for heating operation. It includes a four-way valve for selecting the flow path. In addition, 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. In addition, a plurality of sensors, valves and oil recovery device, etc. are further included, but the description of the other components will be omitted below.

The indoor units I1 to I6 include an indoor heat exchanger, an indoor unit fan, an expansion valve for expanding the refrigerant supplied from the outdoor units O1 and O2, and a plurality of sensors.

At least one indoor unit (I1 to I6) may be provided in one room, one or more outdoor units (O1, O2) is driven by the request of at least any one of the plurality of indoor units, the cooling / heating corresponding to the driven indoor unit As the capacity varies, the number of operations of the outdoor unit and the number of compressors installed in the outdoor unit vary. Here, the number of outdoor units may vary depending on the cooling and heating capacity according to the number of indoor units and the capacity of the compressor provided.

The outdoor units O1 and O2 and the indoor units I1 to I6 are connected through a refrigerant pipe to perform cooling or heating operations in accordance with the flow of the refrigerant according to the flow of the refrigerant between the outdoor unit and the indoor unit, and according to a predetermined communication method. Send and receive data accordingly.

The remote controller 10 is connected to the plurality of indoor units I1 to I6 and the outdoor units O1 and O2 and transmits and receives data according to a predetermined communication method, thereby monitoring the operation of the indoor units and the outdoor units and responding to user commands input. By generating a control command and transmitting the control command to the indoor unit and the outdoor unit, the indoor unit and the outdoor unit are controlled to perform a predetermined operation. Here, the remote controller 10 has a converter or a gateway for converting data of different protocols. The remote controller 10 controls the plurality of indoor units I in units of individual indoor units or divides at least one indoor unit into predetermined groups or zones to control operations in group units and zone units. At this time, the remote controller 10 controls the individual indoor unit, group, or zone, but controls to operate according to a predetermined schedule, so that the indoor unit included in the group or zone is operated with the same setting according to the same schedule. .

In this case, a plurality of remote controllers 10 may be connected to the indoor unit and the outdoor unit, and the plurality of remote controllers 10 may be connected to each other according to a predetermined communication method to transmit and receive data and share data according to indoor unit and outdoor unit control. .

The local controller is connected to the indoor unit I, displays the operating state of the connected indoor unit I, and transmits a control command corresponding to the input data to the indoor unit I. In this case, the local controller may be connected to the indoor unit by wire or wirelessly, and one-way or two-way communication may be performed according to a communication method.

The remote controller 10 is connected to the Internet (N), can be connected to an external server, in particular, connected to the stock market information server 21, the weather information server 22, etc., to receive data about the stock market or weather Can be. The remote controller 10 allows a connection from the outside through the Internet, and a predetermined authentication procedure is performed at the external connection. In addition, the remote controller 10 may access the news information server to receive news data.

While the remote controller 10 controls and monitors a plurality of units as described above, when no input occurs for a predetermined time, the remote controller 10 switches to the screen protection mode. In this case, the remote controller 10 may be connected to the stock information providing server 21 or the weather information providing server 22 and display the received data on the screen in the screen protection mode.

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

Referring to FIG. 2, the remote controller 10 includes a data unit 140, an input unit 130, an output unit 120, a communication unit 150, and a controller 110 that controls the entire operation of the remote controller.

The output unit 120 outputs a control screen of the remote controller 10 and outputs data transmitted and received through the communication unit 150. The output unit 120 outputs operation states of the outdoor units O1 and O2 and the indoor units I1 to I6 through the display unit, and displays a control menu for controlling the outdoor unit and the indoor unit. In addition to the display unit, the output unit 130 may further include a lamp for outputting an operation state through lighting, blinking, and color of the remote controller 10 as well as a screen, a predetermined sound effect, a warning sound, and a voice guide. It may include.

In this case, when the remote controller 10 is switched to the screen save mode, the output unit 120 executes the screen save mode to display a predetermined image or text, and displays data or a screen save mode including the set information. Output the screen to the display. The output unit 120 may change the brightness of the display unit to a minimum when the screen protection mode is switched.

The input unit 130 may include at least one switch, a button, or may be configured as a touch key capable of a touch operation, and applies data input through a button operation or a touch input to the controller 110. In this case, when the display unit is configured as a touch screen, a touch input of the touch screen and a soft key output on the touch screen may also be input means.

When the data unit 140 stores control data for controlling a unit such as an outdoor unit and an indoor unit, the operation state information 141 of a unit such as an outdoor unit or an indoor unit that is transmitted and received through the communication unit 140 is stored. In addition, the data unit 140 stores setting data 142 about the screen protection mode switching condition, the type of information displayed on the display unit when switching the screen protection mode, and the brightness of the screen.

The communicator 150 includes at least one communication module 151 and 152 to receive operation state data from the outdoor units O1 and O2 and the indoor units I1 to I6 through the first communication module, and input the input unit 130. Alternatively, the control command generated by the controller 110 is transmitted to each unit. In addition, the communication unit 150 is connected to the Internet (N) through the second communication module 152, through which another second remote controller 30, external stock information providing server 21, weather information providing server ( 22) to receive data. In addition, the communication unit 150 may access a news information server, a exchange rate information server, or the like to receive data.

Here, the remote controller 10 has a communication method of the first communication module and the second communication module is set differently according to the remote controller period communication, the indoor unit and the outdoor period communication method, the same communication method may be used in some cases. . At this time, when the communication method of the first communication module and the second communication module is different, the remote controller 10 may further include a conversion unit for converting data or protocol for data transmission.

The controller 110 generates and transmits a control command to operate the plurality of units according to the setting, and allows the operation state data received from the unit to be displayed through the output unit 120. Here, the control unit 110 not only controls the plurality of units in units of individual units, but also sets a group including at least one unit or a zone including at least one group, and sets the units in units of individual indoor units or groups. Control its operation and set a schedule.

When the controller 110 controls and monitors a plurality of units as described above, and when data for a predetermined time is not input from the input unit 130, the controller 110 switches to the screen protection mode and sets the screen protection setting through the output unit 120. The predetermined data is controlled to be displayed on the display unit.

At this time, even if the control unit 110 is switched to the screen protection mode, the data transmission and reception with the plurality of units through the communication unit 150 is maintained, and generates a control command according to a preset schedule or reservation setting through the communication unit 150 Transmits and receives information according to the operation state of the plurality of units. However, when the screen protection mode is switched, the controller 110 does not output data for a plurality of units on the screen, but displays only data according to the screen protection setting on the display unit.

The controller 110 provides a setting menu according to the screen protection mode switching, and when the screen protection setting menu is called through the input unit 130, the corresponding setting menu is displayed on the display unit. In response to the data input through the screen saver setting menu, the data unit 140 sets the conditions for switching to the screen saver mode, the type of data displayed in the screen saver mode, and the brightness of the screen in the screen saver mode. To be saved as the configuration data.

The controller 110 switches to the screen protection mode and outputs the designated data through the output unit 120 when the condition according to the screen protection setting is satisfied. The controller 110 outputs at least one of weather information, stock information, exchange rate information, news information, images, and video when the screen protection mode is executed.

In this case, the condition according to the screen protection mode switching, as described above, when the input does not occur for a predetermined time or more, and other than the data transmission or reception for a predetermined time or more through the communication unit 150, the input unit 130 ) May include a case where a screen protection mode switch key is input, and when the condition is satisfied, the controller 110 switches to the screen protection mode.

When the type of data displayed in the screen protection mode is stock information, the controller 110 connects to the Internet N through the communication unit 150 to receive stock information from the stock information providing server 21. In addition, when the type of data displayed in the screen protection mode is weather information, the controller 110 connects to the weather information providing server 22 to receive weather information. In addition, the controller 110 may control to receive data such as theme data, news information, exchange rate information, etc., in which a predetermined image, a character, and the like are displayed.

The controller 110 outputs the received data to the display unit through the output unit 120 as described above, so that the information according to the request of the user is displayed in addition to the information on the plurality of units.

In addition, after switching to the screen protection mode, the controller 110 causes the display unit of the output unit 120 to stop operation when no input is generated for a predetermined time.

The controller 110 controls the screen protection mode to be released when a predetermined input is generated from the input unit 130 in the screen protection mode. In addition, the controller 110 controls the display unit to be driven again when a predetermined input is generated from the input unit 130 while the display unit is stopped.

In this case, when the screen protection mode is released and the display unit is restarted, the controller 110 may output a password input window according to a setting and perform user authentication using a password.

3 is an exemplary view showing an example of a control screen displayed on the display unit of the remote controller of Figure 2, Figure 4 is an exemplary view showing an example of the screen protection mode setting screen displayed on the display unit of the remote controller of FIG. to be.

Referring to FIG. 3, when the remote controller 10 controls a plurality of units and monitors operations thereof, the remote controller 10 displays a control screen as shown in FIG. 3 on the display unit 212. At the top of the control screen, a main menu 210 for setting and controlling a remote controller is displayed on the top of the control screen, and a unit window 220 for displaying a plurality of units to be displayed as an icon or a list is displayed on the main screen. The operation status window 230 for any one of the units of the unit is displayed, and the unit setting menu 240 for changing the setting for the unit is displayed. In this case, a unit for each group and a zone may be displayed on the unit window 220 in which a plurality of units are displayed as an icon or a list, and all connected units may be displayed. At this time, to change the zone or group, or to check the units included in the zone or group, enter an up / down key at the top of the unit window.

The operation status window 230 displays information on the current operation mode, air volume, wind direction setting, set temperature and current temperature of the selected unit, and the unit setting menu 240 instructs operation or stop of the selected unit to be cooled. A plurality of input keys are provided for selecting an operation mode such as a mode, a heating mode, and an automatic mode. In addition, a plurality of control keys for adjusting the air volume and the wind direction is provided.

In addition, a status display window 269 is displayed at the bottom of the screen to output information such as notification information, current setting status, and current time.

If a preference is selected among a plurality of menu items of the main menu 210, a submenu 250 for setting a remote controller is displayed, and if a screen saver menu item is selected among a plurality of menu items of a submenu, a screen is displayed. According to the protection mode setting, the setting menu 260 is displayed.

The setting menu 260 for the screen saver mode includes a use setting 261 for selecting whether to use the screen saver mode, a theme selection (262) for selecting a type of data to be displayed when using the screen saver mode, and a change to the screen saver mode. The first waiting time 263 until the screen protection mode switching, the screen brightness 265, the second waiting time 264 to turn off the display unit 212 of the output unit, the screen protection mode release or display unit 212 ), A setting item for the password input 266, a confirmation key 267, and a cancellation key 268 are included.

As described above, when the screen protection mode is set to be used through the setting menu 260 for the screen protection mode, the controller 110 counts the time when no input is generated from the input unit 130. When the time set in the first waiting time 2673 elapses, the controller 110 switches the remote controller 10 to the screen protection mode. Accordingly, the output unit 120 displays the data set by the theme selection 262 on the display unit 212 and adjusts the screen brightness of the display unit 212 according to the value set in the screen brightness 265.

In addition, the controller 110 displays the display unit 212 of the output unit 120 when an input is not generated from the input unit 130 until the time set in the second waiting time 264 is reached after switching the screen protection mode. ) Is stopped and the screen is turned off.

On the other hand, the control unit 110 before the second waiting time to turn off the display unit 212 of the output unit 120 in the state that the remote controller 10 is switched to the screen protection mode as described above, the input unit When a predetermined input is generated from 130, the screen protection mode is released. In addition, the controller 110 outputs the output unit 120 to operate the display unit 212 when a predetermined input is generated from the input unit 130 while the display unit 212 of the output unit 120 is stopped. To control.

At this time, when the password input 266 is selected, the control unit 110 cancels the screen protection mode as described above, or, if the display unit 212 is operated again, the output unit to display the password input window on the display unit ( 120, and user authentication is performed in response to the input data. At this time, if the password matches the previously stored password, the controller 110 releases the screen protection mode. Accordingly, the output unit 120 displays a control screen for monitoring and controlling the plurality of units on the display unit 212.

On the other hand, if the input password is inconsistent, the controller 110 maintains the screen protection mode to display the set data, and when the waiting time until the display unit 212 of the output unit 120 turns off, the display unit Causes 212 to stop operating.

However, the controller 110 maintains data transmission and reception for a plurality of units through the communication unit 150 and data transmission and reception from an external server using an internet connection even when the screen protection mode or the display unit is turned off.

5 to 8 are diagrams illustrating an example in which the screen protection mode is executed in response to the screen protection mode setting of FIG. 4. When the screen protection mode is set as described above, as shown in FIGS. 5 to 8, the remote controller switches to the screen protection mode and outputs predetermined data.

FIG. 5 is an exemplary diagram illustrating a screen protection mode in which weather information of the remote controller of FIG. 2 is displayed.

4 through the theme selection 262 in the setting menu for the screen protection mode, when the type of data displayed on the display when the screen protection mode switching is weather information, the display unit in the screen protection mode as shown in FIG. The weather information is displayed on.

The controller 110 switches to the screen protection mode when a data input is not generated from the input unit 130 for a predetermined time or more. At this time, when the theme according to the screen protection mode is set as weather information, the communication unit 150 transmits the data. The weather information providing server 22 is connected.

When the weather data is received from the weather information providing server 22, the controller 110 applies the same to the output unit 130 to be displayed on the display unit 212.

The display unit may display weather information such as national weather 311, world weather 313, and local weather 312, and the type of weather displayed may be changed by setting. Depending on the settings, only the local weather may be displayed or the national weather may be displayed. At this time, the local weather 312 is based on the region where the remote controller 10 is installed, and when receiving the weather data from the weather information providing server 22, by transmitting the local information to the weather information providing server 22, It is possible to receive weather data of a predetermined region.

In addition, the controller 110 controls the operation state of the plurality of units together with the weather information to be displayed as a notification 314. At this time, the notification is provided only simple information such as normal operation, abnormal occurrence.

However, when a specific unit malfunctions or an abnormality occurs during peak power control or demand control, the controller 110 immediately cancels the screen protection mode, and causes information on the malfunction to be displayed on the display and a predetermined warning sound. The output unit 120 is controlled to output the same.

FIG. 6 is an exemplary diagram illustrating a screen protection mode in which stock information of the remote controller of FIG. 2 is displayed.

Referring to FIG. 6, the remote controller 10 may display the stock information on the display unit when the screen protection mode is switched. In this case, the stock price information 321, exchange rate information 323, and a notification 324 may be displayed. In some cases, the stock market may be displayed.

When the theme selection of FIG. 4 is set as the stock information, the controller 110 connects to the stock information providing server 21 through the communicator 150 to receive the stock data when the screen protection mode is switched. The output unit 120 is controlled to display the displayed stock data on the display unit 212.

In this case, the displayed stock information may display fluctuations in the stock price of a specific item according to a setting, and the controller 110 may update the stock data at a predetermined cycle.

7 is an exemplary diagram illustrating an example of a display screen different from the screen protection mode of the remote controller of FIG. 2.

Meanwhile, referring to FIG. 7, when the type of data displayed on the display unit 212 is comprehensive information through the theme selection 262 in the setting menu for the screen protection mode, as shown in FIG. 7. The weather information 331, the stock market information 332, the notification 333, and the current time 334 may be displayed on the display unit in the screen protection mode.

When the screen protection mode is switched, the controller 110 connects to the stock information providing server 21 and the weather information providing server 22 to receive weather data and stock data and display them on the display unit.

FIG. 8 is an exemplary diagram illustrating another display screen of a screen protection mode of the remote controller of FIG. 2.

Referring to FIG. 8, when an image or a video is selected for the theme selection when the screen protection mode is switched, as illustrated in FIG. 8, the designated image or the video is displayed on the display unit.

The controller 110 calls the set image 351 or video data from the data unit 140 to the output unit 120, and the set image is displayed on the screen.

In this case, the displayed image or video may be pre-stored in the remote controller 10 or downloaded from the Internet through the communication unit 150.

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

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a control method according to setting a screen protection mode of the remote controller of FIG. 2.

The remote controller 10 transmits a control command for controlling a plurality of units and receives and outputs data on an operation state from the plurality of units.

As shown in FIG. 9, the remote controller 10 may set the screen protection mode through the setting menu for the screen protection mode as shown in FIG. 4 (S510). At this time, in the setting menu for the screen saver mode, whether the screen saver mode is applied, the type of data to be displayed, the first waiting time before switching to the screen saver mode, and the second wait until the display unit is stopped in the screen saver mode. You can set the time, password protection when screen protection mode is canceled or the display unit is restarted, and screen brightness in screen protection mode.

While the screen protection mode setting is completed and the plurality of units are in operation, the remote controller 10 outputs operation information received from the plurality of units to the display unit.

The control unit 110 counts the time when no input is generated from the input unit 130 (S520), and when the set time elapses, switches the remote controller 10 to the screen protection mode (S540). In this case, the setting time is the first waiting time set in the screen saver mode setting menu.

In this case, when the control unit 110 switches to the screen protection mode, the controller 110 calls the setting data for the screen protection mode to determine the set theme. If the weather information is set as the theme (S550), the controller 110 accesses the weather information providing server 22 through the communication unit 150, requests and receives weather information (S560).

When the stock information is selected as a theme (S570), the stock information is connected to the stock information providing server 21 through the communication unit 150 to request stock information, and the stock data is received (S580).

In addition to the weather information or stock information, if a predetermined user theme, for example, a specific image or video is selected (S590), data stored in the data unit 140 is called (S600).

The received data is displayed on the display unit as described above to execute the screen save mode (S620).

On the other hand, if the theme is not selected or selected as the default theme, the data according to the default theme is called (S10), and displayed on the display unit to execute the screen save mode (S620).

When an input is generated from the input unit 130 when the data is switched to the screen protection mode and the predetermined data is displayed on the display unit (S630), in the setting menu according to the screen protection mode, whether or not a password input is set, If set (S640), the password input window is output to the display unit (S650). It is determined whether the data input through the password input window matches the preset password (S660). If the passwords match, the screen protection mode is canceled and the basic screen is output to the display unit (S670).

On the other hand, if the password is inconsistent, the password input window is repeatedly output until the match (S650), and if the password is not set, immediately cancels the screen save mode and outputs the basic screen.

In addition, when no input occurs for a predetermined time after switching the screen protection mode, the display unit is stopped. At this time, only the display unit is stopped and the display function is stopped, and the remote controller is normally operated.

When an input is generated through the input unit 130 while the display unit is in a stopped state, the display unit is restarted and displays the password input window as described above to release the screen protection mode or output the basic screen.

As described above, the air conditioner and the control method according to the present invention have been described with reference to the illustrated drawings, but the present invention is not limited by the embodiments and drawings disclosed herein, and the application is 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 according to an embodiment of the present invention;

3 is an exemplary diagram illustrating an example of a control screen displayed on a display unit of the remote controller of FIG. 2;

4 is an exemplary view showing an example of a screen protection mode setting screen displayed on a display unit of the remote controller of FIG.

5 to 8 are diagrams illustrating an example in which the screen protection mode is executed in response to the screen protection mode setting of FIG. 4.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a control method according to setting a screen protection mode of the remote controller of FIG. 2.

<Explanation of symbols on main parts of the drawings>

I1 to I6: indoor unit O1, O2: outdoor unit

10: remote controller 21, 22: information providing server

110: control unit 120: output unit

130: input unit 140: data unit

140: communication unit 150: communication unit

Claims (13)

A plurality of units; And A remote controller for controlling and monitoring the plurality of units, The remote controller includes an input unit for inputting data; An output unit for outputting data input through the input unit and outputting operation information for the plurality of units; And When the input is not generated for more than a predetermined time from the input unit, the air conditioner includes a control unit for switching to the screen protection mode and displaying data other than the operation information for the plurality of units through the output unit according to the screen protection mode setting. group. The method of claim 1, The control unit is configured to display at least one of stock information, weather information, exchange rate information, news information image and video when the screen protection mode is switched through the output unit. The method of claim 2, The remote controller further includes a communication unit connected to the plurality of units or an external network, When the stock market information is set to be displayed, the controller connects to stock market information providing server through the communication unit, receives stock data and outputs the stock data through the output unit. When the weather information is set to be displayed, the air conditioner is connected to the weather information providing server through the communication unit, receives the weather data and outputs through the output unit. The method of claim 1, The control unit causes the password input window to be displayed on the output unit when an input is generated from the input unit after switching the screen protection mode, and when the data input through the password input window matches the preset password data. Air conditioner to release the mode. The method of claim 2, And the control unit causes the output unit to stop operating when a predetermined time elapses after switching the screen protection mode. The method of claim 5, wherein The control unit causes the output unit to be driven again when an input is generated from the input unit while the output unit is stopped, and causes a password input window to be displayed on the output unit, depending on whether the input data matches the encrypted data. Air conditioner to disable screen saver mode. The method of claim 2, The control unit controls the air conditioner to reduce the screen brightness of the output unit, when switching the screen protection mode. The method of claim 1, The control unit sets and inputs at least one of a waiting time until the screen protection mode is switched, data displayed when the screen protection mode is switched, screen brightness when the screen protection mode is switched, a second waiting time until the display stops, and whether a password is set. And a setting menu to be displayed through the output unit, and to switch to a screen protection mode in response to the input setting. In the control method of the air conditioner including a remote controller for controlling a plurality of units, Switching, by the remote controller, to a screen save mode when a first waiting time elapses after the last data is input to the remote controller; In response to setting the screen protection mode, displaying at least one data of weather information, stock information, exchange rate information, news information, image and video on the output unit; And When the input data is generated through the input unit, the control method of the air conditioner comprising the step of canceling the screen protection mode. The method of claim 9, Before switching the screen saver mode, the first waiting time before switching to the screen saver mode, the data displayed when the screen saver mode is switched, the screen brightness when the screen saver mode is switched, the second wait time until the display is stopped, and whether or not the password is set. And setting the screen protection mode by designating at least one. The method of claim 10, The data output step of controlling the air conditioner further comprises the step of reducing the brightness of the screen on which the data is output to the specified screen brightness. The method of claim 8, The screen protection mode canceling step may include outputting a password input window according to whether a password is set; And And canceling a screen protection mode when the data input through the password input window and the preset password data match. The method of claim 8, Before the input data generation through the input unit after the screen protection mode is switched, Stopping the output of the data and stopping the operation of the output unit when a second waiting time elapses; And And after the output unit is stopped, canceling a screen protection mode or outputting a password input window when an input occurs through the input unit.

Images