KR20170038567A - Air cleaner and method for controlling air cleaning system - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates an air cleaner and a method for controlling an air cleaning system. The air cleaner includes a main body and a height adjusting unit for supporting the main body and adjusting a height of the main body. The air cleaner includes an air purifier for performing an air purge operation; an illumination unit disposed on at least one surface of the main body to illuminate light in a predetermined direction; and a controller for setting a height of the air purifier during operation of the air purifier and controlling the height adjusting unit so that the main body is positioned at a predetermined height from the ground based on the height of the air purifier, wherein the controller performs different controls related to the illumination unit according to the height of the main body. The air purifier of the present invention can first purify the air having a predetermined height by adjusting the height of the air cleaner or exhaust the purified air at a predetermined height. Accordingly, even if the height of the air cleaner is changed, the area where the light generated in the illumination unit embedded in the air cleaner reaches can be prevented from being changed.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates to an air cleaner and an air cleaning system,

The present invention relates to an air purifier and a control method of the air purifying system.

As the industry develops, issues of environmental pollution become an issue, and demands for a pleasant and better environment are also increasing.

Accordingly, there is a growing interest in air purifiers that clean indoor air. Air purifiers are devices that purify contaminated air and remove it from fresh air by removing dust and germs contained in the air and removing bad smells.

In recent years, as a variety of sensing technologies and wireless communication technologies have developed, there has been an increasing demand for electronic devices capable of automatically recognizing the surrounding environment and controlling indoor air and lighting to create an indoor environment suitable for the situation have.

An object of the present invention is to provide an air cleaner that performs different controls on an illumination unit built in an air cleaner according to the height of the air cleaner when the air cleaner can simultaneously perform an air cleaning function and a lighting function.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an air cleaner that automatically recognizes the current air condition and adjusts the height according to the air condition.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an air cleaner that automatically creates an indoor environment suitable for a user's situation.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a control method of an air cleaning system in which a plurality of air purifiers operate organically to perform air cleaning.

In order to achieve the object of the present invention, the present invention provides an air purifying device comprising a main body and a height adjuster for supporting the main body and adjusting the height of the main body, And an air purifying unit that is disposed on at least one side of the main body and configured to illuminate light in a predetermined direction and a height of the air purifying unit during operation of the air purifying unit, And a control unit controlling the height adjusting unit to be positioned at a predetermined height from the ground and performing different controls related to the lighting unit according to the height of the main body.

As an example related to the present invention, the control unit may control the illumination unit to change the illumination direction according to the height of the main body. Accordingly, even if the height of the main body is changed, the area of the light emitted from the illumination unit can be prevented from changing.

As an example related to the present invention, the controller may calculate the activity amount of the user using the image received from the camera, and set the height of the air purifying unit differently according to the amount of activity. Accordingly, the present invention can automatically recognize a user around the air purification unit, perform an air cleaning operation suited to the user's situation, or create an illumination environment.

As an example associated with the present invention, the body may further include a diffuser configured to diverge the fragrance. Thus, the present invention enables a user to take a sleep or sleep in a comfortable environment.

As an example related to the present invention, the controller performs control related to the height adjuster and the illuminator using a predetermined external device. Accordingly, the present invention can grasp the position of a user wearing a predetermined external device, and perform control suited to the position of the user.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the control unit determines the height of the air purifying unit based on the air pollution degree corresponding to a plurality of heights. Accordingly, the air cleaner of the present invention can perform different air cleaning operations according to the ambient air condition.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is also provided a method of controlling an air cleaning system including a plurality of air cleaners, the method comprising the steps of: Sharing state information; setting one of the air cleaners to a master air cleaner based on the status information; and controlling the operation of the other air cleaner by the master air cleaner, wherein the master And the air cleaner is reset in real time according to the status information.

According to the present invention, the air purifier of the present invention can adjust the height of the air purifier to preferentially purify the air having a predetermined height, or to purify the purified air at a predetermined height, The area where the light emitted from the illumination built in the air cleaner arrives can be prevented from changing.

In addition, the air purifier of the present invention can select an air purifying method suitable for the current air condition by changing the air purifying method according to the surrounding environment of the air purifier.

Meanwhile, the air cleaning system according to the present invention can smoothly purify air in a wide space.

1 is a perspective view of an air purifier according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2A and 2B are conceptual diagrams showing embodiments for adjusting the illumination direction of the illumination unit.
3 is a flowchart illustrating a control method for controlling an air cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention.
4 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an exemplary embodiment of an air purifier according to an embodiment of the present invention.
5 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an embodiment of adjusting the height of an air cleaner based on an image received from a camera.
6A and 6B are conceptual diagrams illustrating an embodiment of controlling an illumination unit based on a gesture recognized in an image received from a camera.
7 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an embodiment in which an air cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention creates an indoor environment suitable for a user's situation.
FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram showing an embodiment for performing different controls according to an external device adjacent to an air purifier according to an embodiment of the present invention.
9A and 9B are conceptual diagrams showing an embodiment of adjusting the height of the air cleaner according to the air pollution degree according to the height.
10 is a conceptual diagram showing an air cleaning system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to designate identical or similar elements, and redundant description thereof will be omitted. The suffix "module" and " part "for the components used in the following description are given or mixed in consideration of ease of specification, and do not have their own meaning or role. In the following description of the embodiments of the present invention, a detailed description of related arts will be omitted when it is determined that the gist of the embodiments disclosed herein may be blurred. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed. , ≪ / RTI > equivalents, and alternatives.

1 is a perspective view of an air purifier according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The air cleaner of the present invention includes a wireless communication unit 110, an input unit 120, an air purification unit 130, a sensing unit 140, an output unit 150, an interface unit 160, a memory 170, And a power supply unit 190 and the like. The components shown in FIG. 1 are not essential for implementing an air purifier, so that the air purifier described herein can have more or fewer components than the components listed above.

More specifically, the wireless communication unit 110 of the components may include one or more modules that enable wireless communication between the air purifier and the wireless communication system, between the air purifier and another air purifier, or between the air purifier and the external server . In addition, the wireless communication unit 110 may include one or more modules for connecting the air cleaner to one or more networks.

The wireless communication unit 110 may include at least one of a mobile communication module 111, a wireless Internet module 112, a local area communication module 113, and a location information module 114.

The input unit 120 includes a camera 121 or an image input unit for inputting a video signal, a microphone 122 for inputting an audio signal, an audio input unit, a user input unit 123 for receiving information from a user A touch key, a mechanical key, and the like). The voice data or image data collected by the input unit 120 may be analyzed and processed by a user's control command.

The air purifying unit 130 includes an air inlet 131 for sucking indoor air and an air outlet 132 for discharging air purified inside the air purifying unit. The air purifier 130 includes a filter 133 for purifying the air sucked into the air inlet 131. Here, the filter 133 may include at least one of a deodorization filter, an antibacterial filter, a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter, an ultra-low penetration air (ULPA) filter, an activated carbon filter, and an electrostatic precipitator.

The sensing unit 140 may include at least one sensor for sensing at least one of information in the air cleaner, surrounding environment information surrounding the air cleaner, and user information. For example, the sensing unit 140 may include a proximity sensor 141, an illumination sensor 142, a touch sensor, an acceleration sensor, a magnetic sensor, A G-sensor, a gyroscope sensor, a motion sensor, an RGB sensor, an infrared sensor, a finger scan sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, A microphone 226, a battery gauge, an environmental sensor (for example, a barometer, a hygrometer, a thermometer, a radiation detection sensor, A thermal sensor, a gas sensor, etc.), a chemical sensor (e.g., an electronic nose, a healthcare sensor, a biometric sensor, etc.). Meanwhile, the air cleaner disclosed in the present specification can combine and use information sensed by at least two sensors among the sensors.

The output unit 150 may include at least one of a display unit 151, an audio output unit 152, and an illumination unit 153 for generating an output related to visual, auditory, tactile, or the like. The display unit 151 may have a mutual layer structure with the touch sensor or may be integrally formed to realize a touch screen. The touch screen may function as a user input unit 123 that provides an input interface between the mobile terminal 100 and a user and may provide an output interface between the mobile terminal 100 and a user.

On the other hand, the illumination unit 153 may include at least one illumination member. The lighting member may include at least one of an incandescent lamp, a fluorescent lamp, an LED lamp, and an OLED lamp. The illumination member may be formed to adjust the illumination direction.

The interface unit 160 serves as a path to various kinds of external devices connected to the air cleaner 100. The interface unit 160 may include an external charger port, a wired / wireless data port, a memory card port, a port for connecting a device equipped with the identification module, an audio I / O An input / output port, and a video input / output (I / O) port. In the air cleaner 100, corresponding to the connection of the external device to the interface unit 160, the air cleaner 100 can perform appropriate control related to the connected external device.

The memory 170 also stores data that supports various functions of the air cleaner 100. [ The memory 170 may store a plurality of application programs (application programs or applications) that are driven by the air cleaner 100, data for operation of the air cleaner 100, and commands. At least some of these applications may be downloaded from an external server via wireless communication. Also, at least some of these applications may reside on the air cleaner 100 from the time of shipment for the basic function of the air cleaner 100. Meanwhile, the application program may be stored in the memory 170, installed on the air cleaner 100, and may be driven by the controller 180 to perform the operation (or function) of the air cleaner.

In addition to the operations associated with the application program, the control unit 180 typically controls the overall operation of the air cleaner 100. The control unit 180 may process or process signals, data, information, and the like input or output through the above-mentioned components, or may drive an application program stored in the memory 170 to provide or process appropriate information or functions to the user.

In addition, the controller 180 may control at least some of the components to drive an application program stored in the memory 170. Further, the controller 180 may operate at least two of the components included in the air cleaner 100 in combination with each other to drive the application program.

The power supply unit 190 receives external power and internal power under the control of the controller 180 and supplies power to the components included in the air cleaner 100. The power supply unit 190 includes a battery, which may be an internal battery or a replaceable battery.

At least some of the components may operate in cooperation with one another to implement an operation, control, or control method of an air purifier according to various embodiments described below. Also, the operation, control, or control method of the air cleaner may be implemented on the air cleaner by driving at least one application program stored in the memory 170.

Hereinafter, the components listed above will be described in detail before explaining various embodiments implemented through the air purifier 100 as described above.

The mobile communication module 111 may be a mobile communication module or a mobile communication module that is capable of communicating with a mobile communication terminal through a communication network such as a mobile communication network, (Enhanced Voice-Data Optimized or Enhanced Voice-Data Only), Wideband CDMA (WCDMA), High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA), High Speed Uplink Packet Access (HSUPA), Long Term Evolution And an external terminal, or a server on a mobile communication network established according to a long term evolution (AR), a long term evolution (AR), or the like.

The wireless signal may include various types of data depending on a voice call signal, a video call signal or a text / multimedia message transmission / reception.

The wireless Internet module 112 is a module for wireless Internet access, and may be built in or enclosed in the air cleaner 100. The wireless Internet module 112 is configured to transmit and receive wireless signals in a communication network according to wireless Internet technologies.

Wireless Internet technologies include, for example, wireless LAN (WLAN), wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi), wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) Direct, DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance), WiBro Interoperability for Microwave Access, High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA), High Speed Uplink Packet Access (HSUPA), Long Term Evolution (LTE) and Long Term Evolution-Advanced (LTE-A) 112 transmit and receive data according to at least one wireless Internet technology, including Internet technologies not listed above.

In view of the fact that wireless Internet access by WiBro, HSDPA, HSUPA, GSM, CDMA, WCDMA, LTE, LTE-A and the like is performed through a mobile communication network, the wireless Internet module 112 May be understood as a kind of the mobile communication module 111.

The short-range communication module 113 is for short-range communication, and includes Bluetooth ™, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), Infrared Data Association (IrDA), Ultra Wideband (UWB) (Near Field Communication), Wi-Fi (Wireless-Fidelity), Wi-Fi Direct, and Wireless USB (Wireless Universal Serial Bus) technology. The short-range communication module 113 is connected to the air cleaner 100 and the wireless communication system through the wireless area networks, between the air cleaner 100 and the external device, or between the air cleaner 100 and the external device Lt; RTI ID = 0.0 > network. ≪ / RTI > The short-range wireless communication network may be a short-range wireless personal area network.

Here, the external device is a wearable device (e.g., a smartwatch, a smart glass, etc.) capable of exchanging data with the air purifier 100 according to the present invention, , Head mounted display (HMD)). The local communication module 113 can detect (or recognize) the wearable device communicable with the air cleaner 100 around the air cleaner 100. Further, when the detected wearable device is a device authenticated to communicate with the air cleaner 100 according to the present invention, the controller 180 controls at least part of the data processed in the air cleaner 100 to be transmitted to the near- 113 to the wearable device. Therefore, the user of the wearable device can use the data processed by the air cleaner 100 through the wearable device. For example, according to this, it is possible for the user to turn on / off the air cleaner 100 via the wearable device, or to perform the control related to the air cleaning operation.

The position information module 114 is a module for obtaining the position (or current position) of the air cleaner, and representative examples thereof include a Global Positioning System (GPS) module or a Wireless Fidelity (WiFi) module. For example, if an air purifier utilizes a GPS module, the position of the air cleaner can be obtained by using a signal sent from a GPS satellite. As another example, an air purifier can utilize a Wi-Fi module to obtain the location of an air purifier based on information from a wireless access point (wireless AP) that transmits or receives wireless signals with a Wi-Fi module. Optionally, the location information module 114 may perform any of the other modules of the wireless communication unit 110 to obtain data relating to the location of the air cleaner in place of or in addition. The location information module 114 is a module used to obtain the location (or current location) of the air cleaner, and is not limited to modules that directly calculate or obtain the location of the air cleaner.

Next, the input unit 120 is for inputting image information (or signal), audio information (or signal), data, or information input from a user. For inputting image information, Or a plurality of cameras 121 may be provided. The camera 121 processes an image frame such as a still image or a moving image obtained by the image sensor in the photographing mode. The processed image frame may be stored in the memory 170.

The microphone 122 processes the external acoustic signal into electrical voice data. The processed voice data can be utilized variously according to the function (or application program being executed) being performed in the air cleaner 100. Meanwhile, the microphone 122 may be implemented with various noise reduction algorithms for eliminating noise generated in receiving an external sound signal.

The user input unit 123 is for receiving information from the user and when the information is inputted through the user input unit 123, the control unit 180 can control the operation of the air cleaner 100 to correspond to the input information . The user input unit 123 may include a mechanical input means (or a mechanical key, for example, a button located on the front, rear, or side of the air cleaner 100, a dome switch, a jog wheel, Jog switches, etc.) and touch-type input means. For example, the touch-type input means may comprise a virtual key, a soft key or a visual key displayed on the touch screen through software processing, The virtual key or the visual key can be displayed on the touch screen with various forms. For example, the virtual key or the visual key can be displayed on the touch screen, ), An icon, a video, or a combination thereof.

Meanwhile, the sensing unit 140 senses at least one of information in the air cleaner, surrounding environment information surrounding the air cleaner, and user information, and generates a corresponding sensing signal. The control unit 180 may control driving or operation of the air cleaner 100 or perform data processing, function or operation related to the application program installed in the air cleaner 100, based on the sensing signal. Representative sensors among various sensors that may be included in the sensing unit 140 will be described in more detail.

First, the proximity sensor 141 refers to a sensor that detects the presence of an object approaching a predetermined detection surface, or the presence of an object in the vicinity of the detection surface, without mechanical contact by using electromagnetic force or infrared rays. The proximity sensor 141 may be disposed in an inner area of the air cleaner to be enclosed by the touch screen or proximity sensor 141 in the vicinity of the touch screen.

Examples of the proximity sensor 141 include a transmission type photoelectric sensor, a direct reflection type photoelectric sensor, a mirror reflection type photoelectric sensor, a high frequency oscillation type proximity sensor, a capacitive proximity sensor, a magnetic proximity sensor, and an infrared proximity sensor. In the case where the touch screen is electrostatic, the proximity sensor 141 can be configured to detect the proximity of the object with a change of the electric field along the proximity of the object having conductivity. In this case, the touch screen (or touch sensor) itself may be classified as a proximity sensor.

On the other hand, the control unit 180 may perform different controls or perform the same control according to the type of the touch object touching the touch screen (or a touch key provided on the touch screen). Whether to perform different controls or perform the same control according to the type of the touch object may be determined according to the operating state of the current air cleaner 100 or an application program being executed.

The ultrasonic sensor can recognize the position information of the object to be sensed by using ultrasonic waves. Meanwhile, the controller 180 can calculate the position of the wave generating source through the information sensed by the optical sensor and the plurality of ultrasonic sensors. The position of the wave source can be calculated using the fact that the light is much faster than the ultrasonic wave, that is, the time when the light reaches the optical sensor is much faster than the time the ultrasonic wave reaches the ultrasonic sensor. More specifically, the position of the wave generating source can be calculated using the time difference with the time when the ultrasonic wave reaches the reference signal.

The camera 121 includes at least one of a camera sensor (for example, a CCD, a CMOS, etc.), a photo sensor (or an image sensor), and a laser sensor.

The camera 121 and the laser sensor may be combined with each other to sense a touch of the sensing object with respect to the three-dimensional stereoscopic image. The photosensor can be laminated to the display element, which is arranged to scan the motion of the object to be sensed proximate to the touch screen. More specifically, the photosensor mounts photo diodes and TRs (Transistors) in a row / column and scans the contents loaded on the photosensor using an electrical signal that varies according to the amount of light applied to the photo diode. That is, the photo sensor performs coordinate calculation of the object to be sensed according to the amount of change of light, and position information of the object to be sensed can be obtained through the calculation.

The display unit 151 displays (outputs) the information processed by the air cleaner 100. For example, the display unit 151 may display execution screen information of an application program driven by the air purifier 100 or UI (User Interface) and GUI (Graphic User Interface) information according to the execution screen information .

Also, the display unit 151 may be configured as a stereoscopic display unit for displaying a stereoscopic image.

In the stereoscopic display unit, a three-dimensional display system such as a stereoscopic system (glasses system), an autostereoscopic system (no-glasses system), and a projection system (holographic system) can be applied.

The sound output unit 152 outputs a sound signal related to a function performed by the air cleaner 100. The audio output unit 152 may include a receiver, a speaker, a buzzer, and the like.

The interface unit 160 serves as a path for communication with all external devices connected to the air cleaner 100. The interface unit 160 receives data from an external device or supplies power to each component in the air cleaner 100 or allows data in the air cleaner 100 to be transmitted to an external device. For example, an external charger port, a wired / wireless data port, a memory card port, a port for connecting a device having an identification module, an audio I / O An input / output port, a video I / O port, and the like may be included in the interface unit 160.

The interface unit 160 may be a path through which power from the cradle is supplied to the air cleaner 100 when the air cleaner 100 is connected to an external cradle, And various command signals may be transmitted to the air cleaner 100. FIG. Various command signals input from the cradle or the power source can be operated as a signal for recognizing that the air cleaner 100 is correctly mounted on the cradle.

The memory 170 may store a program for the operation of the controller 180, and temporarily store input / output data. The memory 170 may store data on vibration and sound of various patterns outputted when a touch is input on the touch screen.

The memory 170 may be a flash memory type, a hard disk type, a solid state disk type, an SDD type (Silicon Disk Drive type), a multimedia card micro type ), Card type memory (e.g., SD or XD memory), random access memory (RAM), static random access memory (SRAM), read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable read memory, a programmable read-only memory (PROM), a magnetic memory, a magnetic disk, and / or an optical disk. The air purifier 100 may be operated in association with a web storage that performs a storage function of the memory 170 on the Internet.

Meanwhile, as described above, the control unit 180 controls the operation related to the application program and the general operation of the air cleaner 100. For example, when the condition of the air cleaner satisfies the set condition, the controller 180 adjusts the height of the air cleaner or performs control related to the air purifying unit 130 and the lighting unit 153. Further, the control unit 180 may control any one or a plurality of the above-described components in order to implement various embodiments described below on the air cleaner 100 according to the present invention.

The power supply unit 190 receives external power and internal power under the control of the controller 180 and supplies power necessary for operation of the respective components. The power supply unit 190 includes a battery, the battery may be an internal battery configured to be chargeable, and may be detachably coupled to the terminal body for charging or the like.

In addition, the power supply unit 190 may include a connection port, and the connection port may be configured as an example of an interface 160 through which an external charger for supplying power for charging the battery is electrically connected.

As another example, the power supply unit 190 may be configured to charge the battery in a wireless manner without using the connection port. In this case, the power supply unit 190 may use at least one of an inductive coupling method based on a magnetic induction phenomenon from an external wireless power transmission apparatus and a magnetic resonance coupling method based on an electromagnetic resonance phenomenon Power can be delivered.

In the following, various embodiments may be embodied in a recording medium readable by a computer or similar device using, for example, software, hardware, or a combination thereof.

Referring to FIG. 1, an air purifier 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a main body 101 and a height adjuster 102.

The main body 101 includes a case that forms an appearance. As shown, the case may be in the form of a cylinder, but is not limited thereto, and any shape in which various electronic components can be arranged in the internal space is possible.

The air purifier 130 may be disposed in the main body 101. Specifically, the air inlet 131 and the air outlet 132 included in the air purifier 130 may be disposed on one side of the main body 101. An air suction port 131 is disposed on the upper surface of the main body 101 and an air discharge port 132 is disposed on the lower surface of the main body 101. On the other hand, a filter 133 may be disposed inside the body 101. The air sucked into the air suction port 131 is purified through the filter 133 and then discharged through the air discharge port 132. Here, the positions of the air inlet 131 and the air outlet 132 are not limited to those shown in FIG.

The main body 101 may be provided with an illumination unit 153. As shown in the figure, the illumination unit 153 may be disposed inside the case of the body 101, and in this case, the case may be made of a light-transmitting material. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the illumination unit 153 may be disposed outside the case.

Meanwhile, the lighting unit 153 may be configured to adjust the lighting direction, and the lighting direction of the lighting unit 153 may be adjusted in various manners. A detailed description will be given later.

The air purifying unit 100 includes a height adjusting unit 102 adapted to adjust the height of the main body 101. As shown in the figure, the height adjuster 102 includes a support member 102a contacting the ground and allowing the air purifier unit 100 to stand vertically on the ground, a first height (not shown) coupled to one end of the support member 102a, The adjustment member 102b and the second height adjustment member 102c coupled to one end of the first height adjustment member 102b that is not coupled to the support member 102a. For the sake of convenience of explanation, the height adjusting portion 102 including the supporting member 102a and the two height adjusting members is taken as an example, but the number of the height adjusting members included in the height adjusting portion 102 is But is not limited thereto.

On the other hand, one end of both ends of the second height adjusting member 102c, which is not engaged with the first height adjusting member 102b, is coupled to the main body 101. [ At this time, the second height adjusting member 102c can be directly coupled to the main body 101, and although not shown, a coupling member can be disposed between the second height adjusting member 102c and the main body 101. [

On the other hand, in the interior of the support member 102a, there may be a space into which at least a part of the first height adjusting member 102b can be inserted. Further, the first height adjusting member 102b may have a space in which at least a part of the second height adjusting member 102c can be inserted. That is, at least a part of the first height adjusting member 102b is inserted into the supporting member 102a, or at least a part of the second height adjusting member 102b is inserted into the first height adjusting member 102b, The length of the first electrode 102 may vary. When the air cleaner 100 is vertically standing on the ground, the height of the main body 101 from the ground surface can be changed as the length of the height adjuster 102 changes. Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, 'the distance of the main body from the ground in a direction perpendicular to the ground' is expressed as 'height of the main body'.

Meanwhile, an electric device capable of adjusting the length of the height adjuster 102 may be disposed inside the height adjuster 102. The controller 180 may control the length of the height adjuster 102 by controlling the above-described electric device. The above-described electric device is a part of the height adjuster 102, and the control of the controller for the electric device described hereinabove can be expressed by the control of the controller for the height adjuster 102. [

In addition, the height of the main body 101 can be adjusted by controlling the height adjuster 102.

The height adjuster 102 is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and may be embodied in various forms, such that the main body may be spaced a certain distance from the ground.

At least one camera 121 may be disposed in the air cleaner 100. The camera 121 may photograph a surrounding image of the air cleaner 100 and the control unit 180 may perform control related to at least one of the air purifying unit 130 and the illuminating unit 153 based on the photographed image . As shown in the figure, a camera may be disposed in each of the main body 101 and the height adjuster 102. The position of the camera 121a disposed on the main body 101 may be changed as the height of the main body 101 changes. The camera 121b disposed on the height adjusting portion 102 may be disposed on the support member 102a so that the position thereof is fixed. The camera 121a disposed on the main body 101 and the camera 121b disposed on the height adjuster 102 are arranged in different directions As shown in FIG.

On the other hand, the illumination unit 153 may be configured to adjust the illumination direction.

2A and 2B are conceptual diagrams showing embodiments for adjusting the illumination direction of the illumination unit.

A method of adjusting the illumination method of the illumination unit 153 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 2A to 2B.

In the air cleaner described with reference to FIG. 1, at least one illumination member included in the illumination unit 153 is rotatably formed, and the illumination direction may be changed according to the rotation direction of the illumination member. In such a case, the control unit 180 may control the illumination member to rotate so as to adjust the illumination direction of the illumination unit 153. [

The illumination unit 153 may include a plurality of illumination members. As shown in FIG. 2A, a plurality of illumination members 153a to 153c may be disposed on the same side of the main body 101, and each illumination member may be set differently in illumination direction. Further, as shown in FIG. 2B, the respective illumination members 153a to 153c may be disposed on different surfaces of the main body 101. FIG. In this case, the control unit 180 can selectively turn on the plurality of illumination members, thereby adjusting the illumination direction of the illumination unit 153. [

Further, the illumination direction of the illumination unit 153 can be adjusted by combining at least two of the schemes described in Figs. 1, 2A, and 2B with each other.

Hereinafter, embodiments related to control that can be implemented in the air cleaner 100 configured as described above will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof.

In the following description of the drawings, the drawings drawn on the left side are referred to in the order of clockwise or top-down.

The air purifier 100 of the present invention performs an illumination function together with an air purifying function. In addition, the present invention adjusts the height of the main body so that the air cleaning unit 130 can perform an air cleaning operation at a predetermined height. When the height of the main body is changed, the illumination direction of the illumination unit disposed in the main body may be changed. In such a case, the light generated in the illumination unit may proceed in a direction different from the intention of the user. In order to solve such a problem, the present invention provides an air cleaner that performs control related to a lighting unit according to the height of the main body.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a control method for controlling an air cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an exemplary embodiment of an air cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

First, in the air purifier 100 of the present invention, the step of setting the height of the air purifier 130 during the operation of the air purifier 130 proceeds (S310).

If there is a user request, the control unit 180 can control the air purifying unit 130 to perform an air purifying operation. At this time, the controller 180 can set the height of at least one of the air inlet 131 and the air outlet 132 included in the air purifier 130. Specifically, the control unit 180 sets the height of the air purifying unit 130 so that the air inlet 131 can suck air having a predetermined height, or sets the height of the air purifying unit 130 such that the air discharging port 132 can discharge air at a predetermined height The height of the air cleaning unit 130 can be set. Accordingly, the air purifier 100 can purify air having a predetermined height preferentially, or purge the air at a predetermined height.

The control unit 180 may set the height of the air conditioner 130 to a different value according to circumstances, and specific embodiments thereof will be described later.

When the controller 180 sets the height of the air purifier 130, the main body 101 of the air purifier 100 of the present invention is positioned at a predetermined height from the ground A step S320 of controlling the height adjuster 102 is performed.

The control unit 180 adjusts the height of the main body 101 such that any one of the air inlet 131 and the air outlet 132 is positioned at the set height from the ground. The height of the main body 101 can be adjusted differently depending on the position where the air inlet 131 and the air outlet 132 are disposed.

Meanwhile, the illumination unit 153 may be illuminating light in a predetermined illumination direction while the air cleaning unit 130 is operating, and the light generated from the illumination unit 153 reaches a predetermined area. At this time, when the height of the main body 101 changes, the light generated from the illumination unit 153 reaches a region different from the predetermined region.

In order to solve such a problem, in the air cleaner 100 of the present invention, step S330 of performing different controls related to the illumination unit 153 according to the height of the main body 101 proceeds.

The illumination unit 153 may be formed to adjust the illumination direction. The manner of adjusting the illumination direction of the illumination unit 153 is the same as that described with reference to FIGS. 2A and 2B. The control unit 180 controls the illumination unit 153 so that the illumination direction is changed according to the height of the main body 101.

Specifically, when the main body 101 is positioned at the first height from the ground and the illumination direction is set in the first direction so that the light reaches the predetermined area around the main body 101, the main body 101 is moved from the ground And controls the illumination unit 153 to change the illumination direction to a second direction different from the first direction so that light reaches the predetermined area when the second height is moved to a second height different from the first height.

For example, when the main body 101 is positioned at the first height h1 and the illumination unit 153 is illuminating the light in a direction parallel to the ground, as shown in Fig. 4, , The illuminating unit 153 illuminates the light to a position lower than when the main body 101 is at the first height h1. The control unit 180 rotates the illumination member of the illumination unit 153 so that the illumination direction of the illumination unit 153 faces upward. Accordingly, even when the height of the main body 101 is changed, the air purifier 100 of the present invention can allow light to reach the area where the illuminating unit 153 was illuminating.

Hereinafter, embodiments in which the height of the main body of the air cleaner of the present invention is adjusted and the different controls related to the illumination unit are performed according to the height of the main body will be described in detail.

First, the air purifier 100 of the present invention sets different heights of the air purifying unit 130 or performs different controls related to the lighting unit 153 by using the image received from the camera 121.

5 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an embodiment of adjusting the height of an air cleaner based on an image received from a camera.

In the case where the movement of the user around the air cleaner 100 is frequent, there is a high possibility that air in a relatively high position is contaminated due to the occurrence of floating dust. On the contrary, when the user is not located around the air cleaner 100, or when there is almost no movement of the user, there is a high possibility that air in a relatively low position is contaminated with floating dust.

The control unit 180 may calculate the amount of activity of the user based on the object extracted from the image received from the camera 121 and may set the height of the air cleaning unit 130 differently according to the amount of activity.

5, when the user is active in the vicinity of the air cleaner 100, the controller 180 controls the main body to be in a first height (for example, h1. When the user takes a sleeping state, the controller 180 controls the main body 101 to be positioned at a second height h2 lower than the first height h1 so that the air intake port 131 can suck dust that sinks therein. .

On the other hand, when the user is not located around the air purifier or takes a sleep, the illuminating unit 153 does not need to maintain the ON state. The control unit 180 may turn off the illumination unit 153 when the user is not recognized in the image received from the camera 121 or when the activity amount is less than the reference value.

On the other hand, the control unit 180 recognizes the gesture of the user on the image received from the camera 121, and can perform control related to the gesture.

6A and 6B are conceptual diagrams illustrating an embodiment of controlling an illumination unit based on a gesture recognized in an image received from a camera.

The control unit 180 recognizes the user's gesture on the image received from the camera 121 and can perform different controls related to the illumination unit 153 according to the recognized gesture. At this time, even if the same gesture is recognized, the control unit 180 can perform different controls related to the illumination unit 153 according to the height of the main body 101. [

6A, when a predetermined gesture is sensed in an image received from the camera 121 while the user is active in the vicinity of the air cleaner 100, the controller 180 controls the illumination unit 153, As shown in FIG. 6B, if the same gesture as the preset gesture is sensed while the amount of activity is calculated to be less than the reference value, the controller 180 controls the illumination unit 153 to be turned off. Accordingly, even if the same user input is applied to the air cleaner 100 of the present invention, different controls can be performed according to the situation.

On the other hand, the air cleaner of the present invention can create an indoor environment suitable for a situation based on a change amount of the user's activity amount.

7 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an embodiment in which an air cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention creates an indoor environment suitable for a user's situation.

The air purifier of the present invention creates an indoor environment suitable for the weather when the user wakes up.

First, the control unit 180 determines that the user wakes up when the time set by the user is the rising time or the activity amount increases beyond the reference change amount. If it is determined that the user wakes up, the control unit 180 creates indoor air and lighting environment suitable for the weather.

Regarding indoor air suitable for the gas phase, the controller 180 adjusts the height of the main body 101 such that the purified air discharged from the air outlet 132 is directed toward the user's head. For example, the control unit 180 recognizes the user's face from the image received from the camera 121, and sets the height of the air filtering unit 130 based on the recognized face.

In addition, the air cleaner 100 of the present invention can cause a predetermined smell to be emitted. To this end, the air purifier 100 may further include a diffuser 154 adapted to diverge the fragrance. The diffuser 154 may be disposed at a position adjacent to the air outlet 132 so that the perfume diffused from the diffuser 154 is effectively diffused.

Regarding the illumination environment suitable for the gas phase, the control unit 180 can control the illumination unit 153 to emit light with high illumination. In addition, when the air cleaner of the present invention acquires weather information through the wireless communication unit 110, the controller 180 can guide the weather information using the illumination unit 153. [ For example, the control unit 180 may control the illumination unit 153 to emit lights of different colors according to the weather information. More specifically, the control unit 180 may control the lighting unit 153 to emit gray when yellowish, rainy, blue, or fogged when external dusts are severe.

Through this, the user can not only weather in a relaxed environment but also intuitively acquire information necessary for the user at the same time as the weather.

Meanwhile, the air purifier of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it is determined that the user takes a sleep when the predetermined time is reached or the activity amount decreases to a reference variation or more, .

Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the air purifier of the present invention performs control related to the air purifier and the illumination unit in conjunction with an external device will be described in detail.

FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram showing an embodiment for performing different controls according to an external device adjacent to an air purifier according to an embodiment of the present invention.

When the user wears the wearable device, the air cleaner 100 of the present invention recognizes the wearable device worn by the user, grasps the position of the user, and can perform an action appropriate to the situation. To this end, the air cleaner 100 of the present invention may further include a wireless communication unit 110 configured to perform wireless communication with an external device.

The control unit 180 may set different heights of the air purifying unit 130 and turn on or off the illuminating unit 153 depending on whether a predetermined external device is detected. The control unit 180 controls the height adjusting unit 102 so that the main body 101 is positioned at the first height from the ground when the predetermined external apparatus is detected and the lighting unit 153 is turned on, If the predetermined external device is not detected, the height adjusting unit 102 may be controlled such that the main body 101 is positioned at a second height different from the first height from the ground, and the lighting unit 153 may be turned off .

For example, as shown in FIG. 8, when the predetermined external device 200 is detected near the air cleaner 100, the controller 180 determines that the user is located near the air cleaner. The control unit 180 controls the height adjusting unit 102 so that the main body 101 is positioned at the first height h1 in order to remove the floating dust generated due to the user's activity. In addition, the controller 180 turns on the illumination unit 153 to provide the user with an appropriate illumination environment.

8, when the user is far away from the air cleaner 100, the air cleaner 100 can not detect the predetermined external device 200. In this case, the control unit 180 controls the height adjusting unit 102 so that the main body 101 is positioned at the second height h2 in order to remove the sinking dust. In addition, the controller 180 turns off the illumination unit 153 to prevent unnecessary power consumption.

Accordingly, the air cleaner 100 of the present invention can detect an external device, grasp the position of the user, and perform appropriate control on the position of the user.

Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the air purifier of the present invention determines the height of the air purifier unit using the sensing unit will be described in detail.

9A and 9B are conceptual diagrams illustrating an embodiment for determining the height of the air purifying unit according to the air pollution degree according to height.

The air purifier 100 of the present invention automatically determines the ambient air condition and then determines the height of the air purifying unit 130 differently according to the ambient air condition. To this end, the air cleaner 100 of the present invention may further include a sensing unit 140 configured to sense an air pollution degree.

The control unit 180 can obtain the air pollution degrees corresponding to the plurality of heights from the sensing unit 140 and set the height of the air purification unit 130 based on the air pollution degrees corresponding to the obtained plurality of heights.

Here, the sensing unit 140 may include a plurality of sensors, and a plurality of sensors may be disposed at a predetermined interval in the height adjusting unit 102 to obtain air pollution degrees corresponding to a plurality of heights in real time.

In this case, the controller 180 controls the height adjuster 102 so that the height of the main body 101 is periodically changed, and the height of the plurality of The air pollution degree corresponding to the height can be obtained.

For example, as shown in FIG. 9A, the controller 180 controls the height adjuster 102 so that the main body 101 moves up and down at regular intervals. Accordingly, the controller 180 can obtain air pollution degrees corresponding to a plurality of heights. The control unit 180 can adjust the height of the main body 101 such that the air purifying unit 130 is positioned at the height h2 with the highest air pollution degree.

Meanwhile, the controller 180 can set the height of the air purifying unit 130 based on at least one of the air pollution degree corresponding to the plurality of heights and the air pollution degree received from an external apparatus located at a predetermined height.

For example, as shown in FIG. 9B, the controller 180 receives the air pollution degree in the vicinity of the ground from an external device positioned adjacent to the ground, and can use the received air pollution degree to set the height of the air pollution control unit 130 have.

Hereinafter, a control method of the air cleaning system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail.

10 is a conceptual diagram showing an air cleaning system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

When one air cleaner performs an air cleaning operation in a large space, air circulation may not be smooth due to objects installed in the space. In addition, when a plurality of air purifiers operating individually in a wide space are installed, the user has to control the operation of several air purifiers individually.

When there are a plurality of the above-described air cleaners 100, one air cleaning system can be achieved. The air cleaning system may operate the plurality of air purifiers organically to perform air cleaning of the space.

To this end, in the air cleaning system of the present invention, the air purifiers share state information corresponding to each of the air purifiers.

The status information includes at least one of identification information of an air cleaner, position information of an air cleaner, sensing value obtained from an air cleaner, information related to an external terminal sensed by an air cleaner, .

An air cleaner can share the status information with other air cleaners using a wireless communication unit built in the air cleaner.

In the state where the state information is shared among the air purifiers, setting one of the air purifiers as the master air purifier is performed based on the state information.

The master air purifier may be an air purifier designated by the user, an air purifier installed at a predetermined position, an air purifier satisfying predetermined conditions of the sensing value of the sensing unit, and the like.

For example, as shown in FIG. 10, the master air cleaner can be set to an air cleaner having the highest air pollution degree around the air cleaner.

 An air cleaner other than the air cleaner set as the master air cleaner among the air cleaners may be expressed as a slave air cleaner. The master air purifier can be reset in real time according to the status information.

When the master air purifier is set, the master air purifier controls the operation of the other air purifier.

The master air purifier serves as a control unit of a plurality of air purifiers. The control unit of the master air cleaner controls the slave air cleaners based on the status information received from the slave air cleaners.

Here, the control related to the slave air cleaners includes all the controls described in Figs. 4 to 9B. For example, the control unit of the master air cleaner may calculate the position of the user in the image photographed from the camera of the slave air cleaners, and control the lighting unit of the slave air cleaner adjacent to the user to be turned on. That is, the air cleaning system can provide the same effect as a plurality of the air purifying units 130 and the lighting units 153 are operated in a single space.

The foregoing detailed description should not be construed in all aspects as limiting and should be considered illustrative. The scope of the present invention should be determined by rational interpretation of the appended claims, and all changes within the scope of equivalents of the present invention are included in the scope of the present invention.

Claims (14)

main body; And
And a height adjuster for supporting the main body and adjusting the height of the main body,
The main body includes:
An air purifier for performing an air purge operation;
A lighting unit disposed on at least one surface of the main body and configured to illuminate light in a predetermined direction; And
The height of the air purifier during the operation of the air purifier is set,
Controls the height adjusting unit so that the main body is positioned at a predetermined height from the ground based on the height of the air cleaning unit,
And a control unit for performing different controls related to the illumination unit according to the height of the main body. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the illumination unit is configured to adjust the illumination direction,
The control may comprise:
And controlling the illumination unit to change the illumination direction according to the height of the main body. 3. The apparatus of claim 2,
When the illumination direction is set in the first direction so that the main body is located at a first height from the ground and light reaches a predetermined area around the main body,
And controlling the illumination unit to change the illumination direction to a second direction different from the first direction so that light reaches the predetermined area when the main body moves from the ground to a second height different from the first height Air cleaner. The method of claim 3,
Further comprising a camera,
Wherein,
Wherein the control unit calculates the amount of activity of the user based on the object extracted from the image received from the camera and sets the height of the air purifying unit differently according to the amount of activity. 5. The apparatus of claim 4,
Wherein the illumination unit is turned off when the user is not recognized in the image received from the camera or the activity amount is less than a reference value. 5. The method of claim 4,
Characterized in that the body further comprises a diffuser configured to diverge the fragrance,
Wherein,
The control unit recognizes the face of the user from the image received from the camera, sets the height of the air purifying unit based on the recognized face, and controls the diffuser so as to emit the fragrance Wherein the air cleaner comprises: The method according to claim 1,
Further comprising a wireless communication unit configured to perform wireless communication with an external device,
Wherein,
Wherein the height of the air purifying unit is set differently according to whether or not a predetermined external device is detected, and the lighting unit is turned on or off. 8. The apparatus of claim 7,
Wherein the control unit controls the height adjusting unit so that the main body is positioned at a first height from the ground when the predetermined external device is detected,
And controls the height adjusting unit so that the main body is positioned at a second height different from the first height from the ground when the predetermined external apparatus is not detected, and turns off the illumination unit. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the illumination unit includes a plurality of illumination members having different illumination directions,
Wherein,
Wherein the lighting member to be turned on is differently determined depending on the height of the main body. The method according to claim 1,
The main body further includes a sensing unit configured to sense an air pollution degree,
Wherein,
An air pollution degree corresponding to a plurality of heights is obtained from the sensing unit and a height of the air purifying unit is set based on air pollution degrees corresponding to the plurality of heights obtained. 11. The apparatus according to claim 10,
Wherein the controller controls the height adjuster to periodically change the height of the main body so as to obtain the air pollution degree corresponding to the plurality of heights. 11. The method of claim 10,
And a wireless communication unit configured to transmit and receive data to / from an external device,
Wherein,
Wherein the height of the air purifier is set based on at least one of the air pollution degree corresponding to the plurality of heights and the air pollution degree received from an external device positioned at a predetermined height. A method of controlling an air cleaning system comprising a plurality of air cleaners,
The air cleaners sharing state information corresponding to each of the air cleaners;
Setting one of the air cleaners as a master air purifier based on the status information; And
Wherein said master air purifier controls the operation of another air purifier,
Wherein the master air cleaner is reset in real time according to the status information. 14. The method of claim 13,
Wherein the state information includes an air pollution degree obtained in the air cleaner,
Wherein the master air cleaner is set based on the air pollution degree obtained in the air cleaner.

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