KR20140092510A - A network system provided with an air conditioner and a control method the same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an air conditioning system and a control method thereof. The air conditioning system according to the present invention comprises: an indoor unit which is arranged indoors and in which first information can be updated; an outdoor unit which is connected to the indoor unit to be able to communicate with the indoor unit and in which second information can be updated; a first terminal installed to input a set-up command to update the information in the indoor unit or the outdoor unit; a communication module which is installed in the first terminal and communicates with a second terminal; and a control part updating the first information in the indoor unit or the second information in the outdoor unit when receiving update information from the second terminal.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an air conditioning system and a control method thereof,

An embodiment of the present invention relates to an air conditioning system and a control method thereof.

The air conditioner is an appliance for keeping the indoor air in the most suitable condition according to the purpose and purpose. For example, in the summer, the room is controlled by a cool air condition, while in winter the room is controlled by a warm heating condition, by the humidity of the room, and by the clean air of the room.

In detail, the air conditioner is driven by a refrigeration cycle for compressing, condensing, expanding, and evaporating the refrigerant, thereby performing cooling or heating operation in a preset space (for example, an indoor space).

The air conditioner may be divided into a separate type air conditioner in which the indoor unit and the outdoor unit are separated from each other and an integrated type air conditioner in which the indoor unit and the outdoor unit are combined into one unit depending on whether the indoor unit and the outdoor unit are separated. The outdoor unit includes a compressor and an outdoor heat exchanger that exchanges heat with outdoor air. The indoor unit includes an indoor heat exchanger that performs heat exchange with indoor air.

When the refrigeration cycle is a cooling operation, the outdoor heat exchanger functions as a condenser, and the indoor heat exchanger functions as an evaporator. On the other hand, when the refrigeration cycle performs the heating operation, the indoor heat exchanger functions as a condenser, and the outdoor heat exchanger functions as an evaporator.

FIG. 1 shows an air conditioning system for operating an air conditioner in an air conditioner having a conventional indoor unit and an outdoor unit.

Referring to FIG. 1, a conventional air conditioning system includes a plurality of indoor units 1 for discharging conditioned air into an indoor space, a plurality of outdoor units 2 communicably connected to the plurality of indoor units 1, And a controller (5) for transmitting control signals generated in the indoor unit (1) to one outdoor unit among the plurality of outdoor units (2).

When the control signal is generated in the first indoor unit 1 of the plurality of indoor units, the controller 5 transmits the signal to the specific outdoor unit 2 matching the first indoor unit 1.

According to such a conventional air conditioning system, the control device 5 merely performs a function of transmitting the control information of the indoor unit 1 to the outdoor unit 2 by matching the indoor unit 1 and the outdoor unit 2 .

On the other hand, the condition information or the function information, which is an operation standard, may be set differently according to the outdoor condition or the indoor load. Therefore, the status information or the function information needs to be updated periodically or according to a predetermined criterion.

However, in the related art, updating of such information is limited to be efficiently performed, and there is a problem that a user who uses the air conditioner feels uncomfortable.

For example, a service technician could only visit the place where the air conditioner is installed to update the status information or the function information. In particular, there is a problem that the service engineer has to update the data by removing the front panel of the outdoor unit or the indoor unit, the cover of the control box, and the like and connecting the data cable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide an air conditioning system in which specific information can be easily updated.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an air conditioning system including: an indoor unit disposed in a room and capable of updating first information; An outdoor unit communicably connected to the indoor unit and capable of updating second information; A first terminal for inputting a setting command for updating the indoor unit or the outdoor unit; A communication module provided in the first terminal and performing communication with the second terminal; And a controller for performing update of the first information of the indoor unit or the second information of the outdoor unit when the update information is received from the second terminal.

The air conditioning system according to another embodiment includes at least one indoor unit; An outdoor unit connected to the indoor unit; A server for storing update information of the indoor unit or the outdoor unit; And a controller for storing update information of the server in the indoor unit or the outdoor unit, wherein the controller receives the update information stored in the server through the NFC module of the terminal.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a control method of an air conditioning system, including: executing a mode for transmitting update information to an indoor unit or an outdoor unit; Determining an indoor unit or an outdoor unit to transmit the update information through the remote controller; Transmitting the update information to the remote controller; And transmitting the update information from the remote controller to the indoor unit or the outdoor unit.

According to the network system having the air conditioner according to the embodiment of the present invention, data related to the operation of the air conditioner can be easily updated.

In addition, since the user can transmit the update data to the air conditioner using the terminal, there is an advantage that the operation for updating the data is simple.

Particularly, communication is performed between a terminal in which an application is stored and a terminal (remote controller) for controlling the operation of the air conditioner, so that data can be transmitted to the air conditioner, thereby facilitating an update operation.

In addition, since data can be transmitted or written using the NFC communication method, reliability for communication is ensured and the cost for establishing a communication environment is reduced.

1 is a block diagram showing a conventional air conditioning system.
2 is a block diagram showing an air conditioning system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a remote controller and an air conditioner according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a remote controller according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
5 is a flow chart showing a control method of the air conditioning system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
6 is a block diagram showing an air conditioning system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. It is to be understood, however, that the spirit of the invention is not limited to the embodiments shown and that those skilled in the art, upon reading and understanding the spirit of the invention, may easily suggest other embodiments within the scope of the same concept.

2 is a block diagram showing an air conditioning system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

2, the air conditioning system 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes an air conditioner 100 including an indoor unit 110 and an outdoor unit 130, And a remote controller 150 for monitoring the operation of the air conditioner 100 or inputting a setting command for the operation of the air conditioner 100. Of course, a plurality of the indoor units 110 or the outdoor units 130 may be provided.

The air conditioning system 10 further includes a server 300 for storing data to be transmitted to the air conditioner and a terminal 200 connected to the server 300 to download the data.

The data stored in the server 300 or the data stored in the terminal 200 includes data to be updated by the air conditioner 100. Here, the data to be updated may be referred to as "update information", "update data", or "on-boarding data".

In the process of operating the air conditioner in accordance with the refrigerant cycle, state information or function information serving as a basis of operation may be set in advance according to the outside air condition or the room load (for example, the number of the operation indoor units). Such information may be updated according to a predetermined condition. The update data may be understood to relate to the information.

The data for the update includes, for example, various temperature conditions (temperature value or outside temperature condition constituting the cycle), operation conditions of the compressor (operation frequency or operation rate), various operating modes of the air conditioner Etc.) or data on the operating conditions of the valves, fan, and the like that are operated and controlled in accordance with the operation mode.

The update data may be transmitted to the indoor unit 110 or the outdoor unit 130 or may be transmitted to both the indoor unit 110 and the outdoor unit 130. Information transmitted to and updated by the indoor unit 110 is referred to as "first information", and information transmitted and updated to the outdoor unit 130 is referred to as "second information".

The terminal 200 is a mobile terminal, and may be a smart phone, a netbook, or a PC. A first interface 410 is defined as a communication method between the terminal 200 and the server 300. The first interface 410 may be the Internet, and the terminal 200 may be connected to the server 300 via the Internet.

The terminal 200 includes a terminal memory unit 240 in which a specific program is stored. The specific program may be an application, and may be downloaded while the terminal 200 is connected to the server 300. In addition, the terminal memory unit 240 may store update data transmitted from the server 300.

The terminal 200 includes a first communication module 210 that is provided to communicate with the remote controller 150 and a terminal controller 250 that controls the terminal memory unit 240 and the first communication module 210 .

The remote controller 150 includes a second communication module 151 communicable with the first communication module 210.

A second interface 420 may be defined as a communication method between the first communication module 210 and the second communication module 151. For example, the second interface 420 includes an NFC scheme.

Near Field Communication (NFC) is a non-contact communication technology that uses a specific frequency (13.56 MHz) as a substitute for radio frequency identification (RFID) and is capable of reading and writing. NFC has advantages of relatively high security and low price because communication distance between devices is short.

Accordingly, the first communication module 210 and the second communication module 151 are understood as a communication module for performing the NFC function, and can have the same configuration. In detail, the first communication module 210 and the second communication module 151 include a module recognition unit and a memory, respectively.

The module recognition unit is configured as an antenna for recognizing or communicating with a communication module of the other party. In addition, the memory stores data to be transmitted or received through NFC communication, and the data in the memory can be both read and written.

Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, the first communication module 210 or the second communication module 151 is referred to as an "NFC module ".

If the first and second communication modules 210 and 151 are within the set distance of the remote controller 150 and the tag 200 is within the set distance of the remote controller 150, The communication module 151 recognizes the first communication module 210 and communication is established between the terminal 100 and the remote controller 150 to enable data transmission and reception.

The remote controller 150 is understood as a movable terminal. The remote controller 150 is referred to as a " first terminal " and the terminal 200 is referred to as a "second terminal"

The remote controller 150 is provided with a remote control input unit 152 that can be input when a command related to the operation of the air conditioner 100 is input or when the update data is transmitted or received and the operation of the air conditioner 100 And a remote control display unit 154 for displaying information relating to the information.

The remote control 150 includes a remote control unit 155 for controlling the second communication module 151, the remote control input unit 152, and the remote control display unit 154.

The air conditioning system 10 includes an indoor unit 110 communicable with the remote controller 150 and an outdoor unit 130 connected to the indoor unit 110.

Between the remote controller 150 and the indoor unit 110, a third interface 430 is defined as one communication method. For example, the third interface 430 may include an infrared ray communication (IR) method.

In detail, the remote controller 150 includes a third communication module 156 for communicating with the indoor unit 110. For example, the third communication module 156 may be an infrared transmitting unit that transmits a signal for operating the air conditioner 100.

The indoor unit 110 includes a fourth communication module 116 for communicating with the third communication module 156. For example, the fourth communication module 116 may be an infrared receiver for receiving a signal for operating the air conditioner 100.

The data stored in the remote controller 150, for example, update data may be transmitted to the indoor unit 110 or the outdoor unit 130 through the third interface 430.

The indoor unit 110 further includes an indoor unit memory unit 114 and an indoor unit control unit 115. In the indoor unit memory 114, update data transmitted from the remote controller 150 may be stored. The indoor unit controller 115 can control the operation of the indoor unit 110 based on the update data.

Then, the indoor unit controller 115 may transmit the update data to the outdoor unit 130.

The outdoor unit (130) further includes an outdoor unit memory unit (134) and an outdoor unit control unit (135). Updating data transmitted from the indoor unit 110 may be stored in the outdoor unit memory unit 134. The outdoor unit control unit 135 can control the operation of the outdoor unit 110 based on the update data.

In the figure, the remote controller 150 is shown communicating with the indoor unit 110, and the outdoor unit 130 is shown communicating with the indoor unit 110. Alternatively, the remote controller 150 may communicate with the outdoor unit 130 or both the indoor unit 110 and the outdoor unit 130.

When the remote controller 150 communicates with the outdoor unit 130, the outdoor unit 130 may receive the update data directly from the remote controller 150.

4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a remote controller according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4, the remote controller 150 according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a second communication module 151 provided for NFC communication with the terminal 200, a remote controller input unit 152, Section 154 is included.

The remote control input unit 152 includes a plurality of input units for setting the operating conditions of the air conditioner 100, for example, the operation mode of the air conditioner, the indoor target temperature,

The remote control input unit 152 further includes a function setting input unit 152a that can enter a specific mode in order to receive update data from the terminal 200. [ The specific mode is called an "update mode ".

The remote control display unit 154 includes a screen showing information on the operating state of the air conditioner 100. [

The remote controller display unit 154 includes a setting unit 157 for setting the indoor unit 110 or the outdoor unit 130 to be updated when the update mode is executed.

The setting unit 157 is provided with a code setting unit 157a for inputting a code value regarding whether to update the data in the indoor unit 110 or the data in the outdoor unit 130, And an address setting unit 157b for inputting an address value as to whether to update the data in the indoor unit or the outdoor unit based on the inputted information.

The code value and the address value may be represented by two-digit numerical values, respectively.

The code value and the address value may be previously mapped and stored in the remote controller 150 or the air conditioner 100 according to the execution of the update mode. For example, in the indoor unit memory unit 114 or the outdoor unit memory unit 134, mapping information on the code value and the address value may be stored in advance as shown in Table 1 below.

Code value Update target device Address value Specific device

update
mode


10

Outdoor unit
01 No. 1 outdoor unit 02 2 outdoor unit 03 3 outdoor unit
20

Indoor unit
01 No. 1 indoor unit 02 No. 2 indoor unit 03 No. 3 indoor unit

When the value of the code value and the address value described in Table 1 are input to the setting unit 157, the indoor unit or the outdoor unit to store and reflect the update data may be specified.

The remote control display unit 154 further includes an execution input unit 158. [ When the execution input unit 158 is input after the code value and the address value are inputted, the update data transmitted from the terminal 200 can be transmitted to the indoor unit or the outdoor unit.

The setting unit 157 and the execution input unit 158 are provided on the remote control display unit 154. Alternatively, the setting unit 157 and the execution input unit 158 may be connected to the remote control input unit 152 .

When the terminal 200 accesses the second communication module 151 within a predetermined distance and performs tagging, the updating data stored in the terminal 200 is written to the second communication module 151 ).

The update data stored in the second communication module 151 may be transmitted to the indoor unit 110 or the outdoor unit 130 specified through the setting unit 157. [

5 is a flow chart showing a control method of the air conditioning system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

First, an application stored in the terminal 200 can be executed. Then, the server 300 may receive update data and prepare for writing on the remote controller 150 (S11).

Then, the function setting input unit 152a included in the remote controller 150 is input to set the data "update mode" (S12).

When the update mode is set, the setting unit 157 provided in the remote controller 150 can be activated to be input. For example, the setting unit 157 may flicker or be brighter than the display contents of the remote control display unit 154 or the remote control input unit 152 (S13).

A code value and an address value for setting an update target through the setting unit 157 may be input. That is, as illustrated in Table 1, the code value and the address value may be input to select the update target device and the specific device. At this time, the user can determine the update target device and the specific device based on the contents of data to be transmitted from the terminal 200 (S14).

After the update target device and the specific device are selected, the terminal 200 can be tagged on the remote controller 150. The first communication module 210 of the terminal 200 may be accessed within a predetermined distance to the second communication module 151 of the remote controller 150 for tagging the terminal 200 at step S15.

If the tagging of the terminal 200 is successful, the update data stored in the terminal 200 can be written to the second communication module 151. That is, the update data may be stored in a memory provided in the second communication module 151 (S16).

The execution input unit 158 provided in the remote controller 150 can be input. The update data stored in the second communication module 151 may be transmitted to the indoor unit 110 or the outdoor unit 130 at steps S17 and S18 when the execution input unit 158 is input.

On the other hand, unlike the drawing, step S17 may be performed after steps S14 and S15.

That is, tagging of the terminal 200 can be performed after the execution input unit 158 is input. If the tagging of the terminal 200 is successful, the update data is transmitted to the second communication module 150 of the remote controller 150 151 may be transmitted to the indoor unit 110 or the outdoor unit 130 through the third communication module 156. [

According to such a control method, data can be easily updated (onboard) to the indoor unit or the outdoor unit by using the terminal and the remote control.

Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. Since the present embodiment differs from the first embodiment in some configurations, the differences will be mainly described, and the description and the reference numerals of the first embodiment are used for the same portions as those in the first embodiment.

6 is a block diagram showing an air conditioning system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to Figure 6, the air conditioning system according to the second embodiment of the present invention includes an air conditioner 100 including an indoor unit 110 and an outdoor unit 130, a terminal 200 capable of executing an application, A server 300 for storing update data to be transmitted to the air conditioner 100 is included.

Since the configurations of the server 300 and the terminal 200 are the same as those of the first embodiment, a detailed description thereof will be omitted here.

The indoor unit 110 includes a fifth communication module 118 provided to communicate with the first communication module 210 of the terminal 200. The first communication module 210 and the fifth communication module 118 may be communicated by the NFC method. That is, the communication module 118 is provided to the indoor unit 110 as an NFC module.

The terminal 200 may be tagged by approaching within a predetermined distance of the indoor unit 110. That is, when the first communication module 210 approaches the set distance of the fifth communication module 118, the fifth communication module 118 recognizes the first communication module 210.

If the tagging of the terminal 200 is successful, the update data stored in the terminal 200 can be written to the fifth communication module 118. The written data may be stored in the indoor unit memory unit 114.

The indoor unit control unit 115 may transmit the update data to the outdoor unit 130 and the outdoor unit memory unit 134 may store the update data.

As described above, the communication between the terminal and the air conditioner through direct NFC communication has an effect that data can be easily on-boarded to the air conditioner.

Other embodiments are suggested.

In FIG. 6, the NFC module is provided in the indoor unit. Alternatively, the NFC module may be installed in the outdoor unit or the indoor unit and the outdoor unit.

When the NFC module is installed in the outdoor unit, the outdoor unit 130 may perform NFC communication with the terminal 200 to receive update data.

10: air conditioning system 100: air conditioner
110: indoor unit 114: indoor unit memory unit
115: indoor unit controller 116: fourth communication module
118: fifth communication module 130: outdoor unit
134: outdoor unit memory unit 135: outdoor unit control unit
150: remote controller 151: second communication module
152: remote control input unit 154: remote control display unit
200: terminal 210: first communication module
240: terminal memory unit 250: terminal control unit
300: control unit 410: first interface
420: second interface 430: third interface

Claims (16)

An indoor unit disposed in the room and capable of updating the first information;
An outdoor unit communicably connected to the indoor unit and capable of updating second information;
A first terminal for inputting a setting command for updating the indoor unit or the outdoor unit;
A communication module provided in the first terminal and performing communication with the second terminal; And
And an update unit configured to update the first information of the indoor unit or the second information of the outdoor unit when the update information is received from the second terminal. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the communication module is an NFC (Near Field Communication) module that performs non-contact type short distance communication. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the first terminal is a remote controller capable of monitoring an operation state of the indoor unit or the outdoor unit or inputting a setting command to control the operation of the indoor unit or the outdoor unit. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the second terminal is a smart phone, a netbook, or a PC capable of storing applications. The method according to claim 1,
Further comprising a server for storing update information with respect to the first information of the indoor unit or the second information of the outdoor unit,
Wherein the first terminal receives the update information from the second terminal. 6. The method of claim 5,
Wherein if the communication module of the second terminal is recognized as approaching within a set distance of the communication module, the update information is written to the communication module. The method according to claim 1,
In the first terminal,
A code setting unit for inputting whether the device to be updated is an indoor unit or an outdoor unit; And
And an address setting unit including an address setting unit for inputting an address value regarding whether to update data in any indoor unit or outdoor unit based on the information input to the code setting unit. 8. The method of claim 7,
In the first terminal,
Based on contents inputted through the code setting unit and the address setting unit,
And an execution input unit that can be input to transmit update information to the indoor unit or the outdoor unit. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the first information of the indoor unit or the second information of the outdoor unit is state information or function information serving as a basis of operation,
Temperature information, operation mode information, and operation condition information of a device operated in accordance with the operation mode. At least one indoor unit;
An outdoor unit connected to the indoor unit;
A server for storing update information of the indoor unit or the outdoor unit; And
And a controller for storing update information of the server in the indoor unit or the outdoor unit,
Wherein,
And receives the update information stored in the server through the NFC module of the terminal. 11. The method of claim 10,
Further comprising a communication module provided in the indoor unit or the outdoor unit and performing a short distance communication with the NFC module of the terminal. 12. The method of claim 11,
Further comprising a remote controller having a communication module for performing short-range communication with the NFC module of the terminal. Executing a mode for transmitting update information to the indoor unit or the outdoor unit in the remote controller;
Determining an indoor unit or an outdoor unit to transmit the update information through the remote controller;
Transmitting the update information to the remote controller; And
And transmitting the update information from the remote controller to the indoor unit or the outdoor unit. 14. The method of claim 13,
Wherein the update information is transmitted to the remote controller,
And transmitting the update information to the remote controller via a terminal connectable to a server. 14. The method of claim 13,
Wherein the update information is transmitted to the remote controller,
And receiving the update information through an NFC module included in the remote controller. 14. The method of claim 13,
Wherein the indoor unit or the outdoor unit to which the update information is to be transmitted is determined through the remote controller,
Determining whether the device to which the update information is to be transmitted is an indoor unit or an outdoor unit; And
And determining a specified indoor unit or outdoor unit among the plurality of determined indoor units or the plurality of outdoor units.

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