KR20210111470A - Electronic device that support function confirming location of remote controller - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an electronic device which supports a function to check a location of a remote controller by applying a two-way wireless communication method. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the electronic device communicates with various other electronic products, and a main body of the electronic device and the remote controller perform two-way wireless communication, thereby supporting a user to accurately check the location of the remote controller as needed. Accordingly, it is possible to support to find the location of the remote controller in various different spaces, and it is possible to increase communication speed between the electronic devices and to improve power consumption efficiency.

Description

Electronic devices that support the location check function of remote controllers {ELECTRONIC DEVICE THAT SUPPORT FUNCTION CONFIRMING LOCATION OF REMOTE CONTROLLER}

The present invention relates to an electronic device capable of supporting a location checking function of a remote controller by applying a two-way wireless communication method.

Air conditioners, such as air conditioners, and electronic products widely used for home and industrial purposes, such as TVs, are manufactured so that various operations and functions such as on/off operation, function control and option setting can be controlled wirelessly. That is, a remote control is provided to control various functions or settings of the electronic products at a location away from the electronic products. The main body of the electronic product is also provided with an interfaceable controller, so that the electronic product can be controlled without using a remote control. However, users can control the electronic products to perform various functions without directly manipulating the electronic products using the remote control.

However, since the number of users of the remote control is not limited, many users in the home use the remote control and leave it in an unspecified location. Therefore, in order for another user to operate a certain electronic product, it is necessary to find the remote control of the corresponding electronic product, and in particular, in a dark place or at night, since the remote control cannot be found without turning on the light, the inconvenience is inevitably increased.

As the types of electronic products are diversified, the number of home appliances is increasing, and since a plurality of remote controllers are used for each electronic product, the number of lost remote controllers is further increasing.

Accordingly, Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2011-0130921 No. 10-2011-0130921 (2011.12,06) has proposed a technology that allows a user to check the location of a remote control when necessary.

However, since most remote controllers according to the prior art use IR (Infrared Ray communication) communication method, when the remote control is located somewhat deep or in a space different from that of the electronic product, the location of the remote control cannot be accurately found.

In addition, since the remote control of an electronic product according to the related art transmits a wireless communication signal in only one direction, it has no choice but to transmit a detection signal for confirming the position of the remote control in one direction. That is, the position of the remote control can be detected only by transmitting a signal from the remote control to the main body or receiving a position signal from the remote control. Accordingly, the position of the remote control could not be detected in a state in which signal transmission from the remote control was impossible.

Accordingly, more complex techniques for displaying the position of the remote control by applying more diverse and reliable communication modules could be further proposed. However, compared to the price or function of the main body of the electronic product, since the function and price of the remote control are too simple and cheap, there is a problem in that the design structure of the remote control is more complicated or the price cannot be significantly increased. Therefore, there is a limit to improving the technology for detecting the position of the remote control.

An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic device capable of accurately confirming the location of a remote controller, if necessary, by improving a communication method between various electronic products and supporting two-way wireless communication between a main body of the electronic product and a remote controller.

In addition, the present invention provides an electronic device that can support communication between the main body and the remote controller smoothly using short-range wireless communication technology such as PLC (Power Line Communication) technology and Sub 1GHz (ISM Band, 900MHz) communication technology. aim to do

Another object of the present invention is to provide an electronic device capable of extending a wireless communication distance with low power by performing a function of maintaining a low power and a variable function of a shortest distance communication path for each node.

The objects of the present invention are not limited to the above-mentioned objects, and other objects and advantages of the present invention not mentioned may be understood by the following description, and will be more clearly understood by the examples of the present invention. Moreover, it will be readily apparent that the objects and advantages of the present invention may be realized by the means and combinations thereof indicated in the claims.

Electronic devices according to an embodiment of the present invention communicate with various other electronic products, and the main body of the electronic device and the remote controller perform two-way wireless communication, so that the user can accurately check the location of the remote controller if necessary. Support.

The remote controller and the main control board of the home appliance include the same short-distance wireless communication module so that two-way wireless communication can be performed, and the remote controller transmits a control signal according to the user's control command input by the user with the key to the main control board. send to

In addition, when a position notification control signal is received from the main control board by the remote controller and the main control board of the home appliance by performing two-way wireless communication, the remote controller performs a notification function through light emission and sound generation operations.

The main control board and the remote controller are equipped with a Sub 1GHz (ISM Band, 900MHz) communication module to transmit and receive a control signal and a location notification control signal according to a user's control command.

Electronic devices according to an embodiment of the present invention communicate with various other electronic products, and the main body of the electronic device and the remote controller perform two-way wireless communication, so that the user can accurately check the location of the remote controller if necessary. can Accordingly, user convenience and satisfaction can be improved.

In addition, electronic devices according to an embodiment of the present invention can smoothly communicate between the main body and the remote controller using a short-range wireless communication technology such as PLC (Power Line Communication) technology and Sub 1GHz (ISM Band, 900MHz) communication technology. can Accordingly, it is possible to support to find and confirm the location of the remote controller even in various different spaces.

In addition, the electronic devices according to an embodiment of the present invention can extend the wireless communication distance with low power by performing a function of maintaining low power and a function of varying the shortest distance communication path for each node. Accordingly, a communication speed between electronic devices may be increased, and power consumption efficiency of the electronic devices may also be improved.

In addition to the above-described effects, the specific effects of the present invention will be described together while describing specific details for carrying out the invention below.

1 is a configuration diagram illustrating a connection relationship between electronic devices according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a communication path between control boards of the electronic devices shown in FIG. 1 .
3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a main control board of the first indoor unit shown in FIG. 1 .
4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a wireless control board of the remote controller shown in FIG. 1 .
FIG. 5 is a flowchart for sequentially explaining a process of confirming a position of the remote controller shown in FIGS. 1 and 4 .

The above-described objects, features and advantages will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, and accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains will be able to easily implement the technical idea of the present invention. In describing the present invention, if it is determined that a detailed description of a known technology related to the present invention may unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention, the detailed description will be omitted. Hereinafter, preferred embodiments according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the same reference numerals are used to indicate the same or similar components.

In this specification, the first, second, etc. are used to describe various components, but these components are not limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one component from other components, and unless otherwise stated, the first component may be the second component, of course.

In addition, in the present specification, when it is described that a certain element is "connected", "coupled" or "connected" to another element, the elements may be directly connected or connected to each other, but there is another element between each element. It should be understood that elements may be “interposed,” or that each element may be “connected,” “coupled,” or “connected to,” through another element.

Also, as used herein, the singular expression includes the plural expression unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In the present application, terms such as "consisting of" or "comprising" should not be construed as necessarily including all of the various components or various steps described in the specification, some of which components or some steps are It should be construed that it may not include, or may further include additional components or steps.

The present invention relates to an electronic device supporting a remote controller positioning function.

The electronic device supporting the remote controller location check function may be various home appliances that can form a home network, such as an air conditioner including at least one indoor unit and an outdoor unit, a TV, a home theater, a beam projector, and the like.

Hereinafter, for convenience of description, an air conditioner including a plurality of indoor units and outdoor units will be described as an example. It goes without saying that any of a stand-type air conditioner, a wall-mounted air conditioner, and a ceiling-type air conditioner may be applied as an indoor unit of the air conditioner.

Hereinafter, an electronic device supporting a remote controller location check function according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

1 is a configuration diagram illustrating a connection relationship between electronic devices according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The electronic device illustrated in FIG. 1 may include a first indoor unit 110 , a second indoor unit 410 , a third indoor unit 310 , an outdoor unit 210 , and a remote controller 510 . Here, three indoor units 110 , 310 , 410 and one outdoor unit 210 are illustrated, but the electronic device according to the embodiment of the present invention is not limited thereto, and a multi-type air conditioner including a plurality of indoor units and at least one outdoor unit. Of course, it can be applied to others as well.

The first indoor unit 110 includes the main control board 100 and operates according to a control command through the main control board 100 and the remote controller 510 .

The first indoor unit 110 may include an indoor heat exchanger that is disposed indoors and performs a cooling/heating function, a blower fan that promotes heat dissipation of a refrigerant, a blower including an electric motor that rotates the blower fan, and the like. Here, at least one indoor heat exchanger may be installed, and at least one of an inverter compressor and a constant speed compressor may be used as the compressor.

The main control board 100 allows the first indoor unit 110 to perform a cooling/heating function according to a user's control command input through its interface module or a user's control command received through the remote controller 510 . Controls the operation of heat exchangers, indoor blowers, and compressors.

The main control board 100 generates a control signal so that the second and third indoor units 310 and 410 perform a cooling/heating function according to a user's control command received through the interface module or the remote controller 510 . Then, a control command is transmitted to the second and third indoor units 310 and 410 to control the second and third indoor units 310 and 410 to perform a cooling/heating function.

The main control board 100 generates a control signal so that the outdoor unit 210 performs a heat exchange function on the outdoor side according to a user's control command received through the interface module or the remote controller 510 . Then, a control command is transmitted to the outdoor unit 210 to control the outdoor unit 210 to perform a heat exchange function on the outdoor side.

In addition, the main control board 100 generates a position notification control signal when a user inputs a remote controller position notification command for finding the location of the remote controller 510 to the interface module and generates a position notification control signal through a preset short-distance communication method to the remote controller ( 510). Accordingly, the remote controller 510 receiving the location notification control signal may perform a location notification function.

The wireless communication method and location notification control signal transmission technology characteristics between the main control board 100 of the first indoor unit 110, the second and third indoor units 310 and 410, the outdoor unit 210, and the remote controller 510 are attached. It will be described in detail later with reference to the drawings.

The second indoor unit 410 may be an air conditioner that cools the room, or alternatively, it may be configured as a heat pump that cools or heats the room. The second indoor unit 410 includes a first sub control board and operates according to a control command of the main control board 100 received from the first sub control board.

The first sub control board of the second indoor unit 410 operates such as a heat pump so that the second indoor unit 410 performs a cooling/heating function according to a cooling/heating function control command input through the main control board 100 . to control

The third indoor unit 310 is disposed on a wall or ceiling and includes an indoor heat exchanger that performs cooling/heating functions, a blower fan that promotes heat dissipation of the refrigerant, and an indoor blower that includes an electric motor that rotates the blowing fan. It may be a configured air conditioner.

The third indoor unit 310 includes a second sub control board and operates according to a control command of the main control board 100 received from the second sub control board.

The second sub control board of the third indoor unit 310 includes a heat exchanger, an indoor blower and Controls the operation of compressors, etc.

The outdoor unit 210 may include a compressor for compressing the refrigerant, an electric motor for the compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger, an outdoor fan for dissipating heat of the refrigerant, a blower for controlling the outdoor fan, an accumulator for supplying the refrigerant to the compressor, and the like.

The outdoor unit 210 further includes a third sub control board, and operates according to a control command of the main control board 100 received from the third sub control board.

The third sub control board of the outdoor unit 210 controls the operation of the compressor, the electric motor, and the outdoor heat exchanger so that the outdoor unit 210 performs a heat exchange function according to a heat exchange control command input through the main control board 100 . .

The remote controller 510 and the main control board 100 of the first indoor unit 110 are configured to include the same short-distance wireless communication module so that two-way wireless communication can be performed. Accordingly, the remote controller 510 transmits a control signal according to the user's control command input by the user to the main control board 100 to the main control board 100 , and when the location notification control signal is received from the main control board 100 , the location notification function will be performed.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a communication path between control boards of the electronic devices shown in FIG. 1 .

Referring to FIG. 2 , the main control board 100 of the first indoor unit 110 and the wireless control board 500 of the remote controller 510 are provided with the same short-range wireless communication module to receive a control signal according to a user's control command. and the location notification control signal are transmitted and received.

The main control board 100 and the remote controller 510 have the same Sub 1 GHz (ISM Band, 900 MHz) communication module that performs short-range wireless communication, and control signals and positions according to the user's control command in the Sub 1 GHz communication method A notification control signal can be transmitted and received.

On the other hand, the main control board 100 of the first indoor unit 110 , the first sub control board 400 of the second indoor unit 410 , the second sub control board 300 of the third indoor unit 310 , and the outdoor unit Each of the third sub control boards 200 of 210 includes a PLC (Power Line Communication) module, and performs transmission/reception of control commands and control signals in a PLC manner.

The main control board 100 of the first indoor unit 110 transmits control signals to the first sub control board 400 , the second sub control board 300 , and the third sub control board 200 , respectively. While checking whether the operations of the first to third sub control boards 400 , 300 , and 200 are performed, the distance to the first to third sub control boards 400 , 300 and 200 is calculated according to the transmission/reception speed of the control signal. Then, according to the order of the distance between the main control board 100 and the first to third sub control boards 400, 300, 200, the shortest path between the main control board 100 and the first to third sub control boards 400, 300, 200 is set. . Accordingly, the main control board 100 can extend the PLC communication distance while reducing power consumption by arranging and sequentially transmitting control commands and control signals according to the shortest path setting order.

For example, as shown in FIG. 2 , the main control board 100 transmits control signals to the first to third sub control boards 400 , 300 , and 200 , and again operates the first to third sub control boards 400 , 300 and 200 . By checking whether or not the operation is performed, the shortest distance path may be set in the order of the first sub control board 400 , the second sub control board 300 , and the third sub control board 200 according to the transmission/reception speed. In addition, when the shortest path is set in the order of the first to third sub control boards 400 , 300 , and 200 , the control commands and control signals may be arranged and serially transmitted according to the shortest path setting order.

3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a main control board of the first indoor unit shown in FIG. 1 .

Referring to FIG. 3 , the main control board 100 of the first indoor unit includes a sensing module 101 , a first sub communication module 102 , an interface module 103 , a first PLC module 104 , and a memory 105 . , a display panel 106 , and a main controller 107 .

The sensing module 101 includes at least one temperature sensor to sense the room temperature in real time and transmits the sensed temperature information to the main controller 107 .

The first sub communication module 102 includes a Sub 1 GHz (ISM Band, 900 MHz) communication module, and receives a control signal according to a user control command transmitted from the remote controller 500 in a Sub 1 GHz communication method. Then, the control command is transmitted to the main controller 107 .

The interface module 103 includes a keypad that allows a user to input a control command for controlling an operation such as cooling/heating or to request a remote controller location notification for finding the location of the remote controller 510 . Accordingly, the interface module 103 transmits a control command or a notification command to the main controller 107 when a user's control command is input through the keypad or a remote controller location notification is requested.

The first PLC module 104 transmits control commands and control signals to the first to third sub control boards 400 , 300 , and 200 in the order of setting the shortest path according to the control of the main controller 107 .

The memory 105 stores current temperature information, operation setting information such as cooling/heating, and option function setting information, and shares operation setting information and option function setting information with the main controller 107 .

The display panel 106 displays temperature information, set target temperature information, current humidity information, operation state information, and the like under the control of the main controller 107 .

The main controller 107 includes the first to third sub control boards ( 400,300,200) to transmit control commands and control signals.

The main controller 107 transmits a control signal to the first to third sub control boards 400,300, and 200, and checks whether the first to third sub control boards 400, 300, and 200 perform the operation. to the third sub control board 400 , 300 , and 200 are set the shortest distance path. Then, the control commands and control signals are arranged and transmitted in order according to the set shortest distance.

When the user's control command is not input and received for more than a preset reference period, the main controller 107 transmits a control signal so that the first to third sub control boards 400 , 300 , and 200 are switched to a sleep mode to maintain a low power state. can do. In addition, when a user's control command is input, the first to third sub control boards 400, 300, and 200 are first transmitted so that the control signal is switched to the active mode, and then the control command and the control signal are arranged and serially transmitted in order. .

In addition, when the user's remote controller location notification is requested by the keypad of the interface module 103 , the main controller 107 generates a location notification control signal and supplies it to the first sub communication module 102 , thereby providing the remote controller 510 . to transmit the position notification control signal. Accordingly, when a location notification control signal is received from the main control board 100 , the remote controller 510 performs a location notification function.

4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a wireless control board of the remote controller shown in FIG. 1 .

Referring to FIG. 4 , the remote controller 510 transmits a control signal according to a control command input by a user to the main control board 100 , and when a location notification control signal is received from the main control board 100 , a location notification function It includes a wireless control board 500 to perform.

To this end, the wireless control board 500 includes a key input unit 501 , a wireless controller 502 , a second sub communication module 503 , a light emitting module 504 , and a speaker 505 .

The key input unit 501 supports a user to input a control command, and transmits the control command input from the user to the wireless controller 502 .

The second sub communication module 503 includes a Sub 1 GHz (ISM Band, 900 MHz) communication module, and receives a position notification control signal transmitted from the main control board 100 in a Sub 1 GHz communication method. Then, when the location notification control signal is received, it is transmitted to the wireless controller 502 .

The light emitting module 504 includes at least one light emitting diode control circuit, and performs a light emitting operation under the control of the wireless controller 502 .

The speaker 505 generates a sound under the control of the wireless controller 502 to perform an alarm operation.

When a user's control command is input through the key input unit 501 , the wireless controller 502 generates a control signal according to the control command and supplies it to the second sub communication module 503 . Accordingly, a control signal according to a user's control command is controlled to be supplied to the main control board 100 in a short-range wireless communication method.

In addition, when the wireless controller 502 receives a location notification control signal from the main control board 100 through the second sub communication module 503, the light emitting module 504 performs a light emitting operation, and the speaker 505 Controls to perform an alarm action by generating a notification sound.

The wireless controller 502 controls the second sub communication module 503, the light emitting module 504, and the speaker 505 to all switch to the sleep mode when the user's control command is not input and received for more than a preset reference period. can Thereafter, when a user's control command is input, the second sub communication module 503 , the light emitting module 504 , and the speaker 505 may all be switched to an active mode and controlled.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for sequentially explaining a process of confirming a position of the remote controller shown in FIGS. 1 and 4 .

Referring to FIG. 5 , first, when the user loses the remote controller 510 , the interface module 103 may request a remote controller location notification through the keypad ( ST1 ).

Accordingly, the interface module 103 transmits a notification command to the main controller 107, and the main controller 107 controls the location notification control signal to be transmitted to the second sub communication module 503 of the corresponding remote controller 510. Controls the short-range wireless communication of the first sub communication module 102 (ST2).

The first sub communication module 102 transmits a location notification control signal to the second sub communication module 503 by performing short-range wireless communication according to a Sub 1 GHz (ISM Band, 900 MHz) communication band (ST3).

When the location notification control signal is received from the main control board 100 through the second sub communication module 503, the wireless controller 502 checks whether or not it is received and checks the error (ST4), and activates the mode setting state by itself. Mode is changed (ST6).

Next, the wireless controller 502 controls the light emitting module 504 to perform a light emitting operation and the speaker 505 to generate a sound to perform an alarm operation according to the received location notification control signal (ST7).

As described above, the electronic devices of the present invention according to the above description communicate with various other electronic products, and the main body of the electronic device and the remote controller 510 perform two-way wireless communication, so that the user can use the remote controller 510 as needed. We can assist you in accurately locating the

In addition, the electronic devices of the present invention can smoothly communicate between the main body and the remote controller using a short-range wireless communication technology such as PLC technology and Sub 1 GHz (ISM Band, 900 MHz) communication technology. Accordingly, it is possible to support to find and confirm the location of the remote controller even in various different spaces.

In addition, the electronic devices according to an embodiment of the present invention can extend the wireless communication distance with low power by performing a function of maintaining low power and a function of varying the shortest distance communication path for each node. Accordingly, a communication speed between electronic devices may be increased, and power consumption efficiency of the electronic devices may also be improved.

As described above, the present invention has been described with reference to the illustrated drawings, but the present invention is not limited by the embodiments and drawings disclosed in the present specification. It is obvious that variations can be made. In addition, even if the effect of the configuration of the present invention is not explicitly described and described while describing the embodiment of the present invention, it is natural that the effect predictable by the configuration should also be recognized.

110: first indoor unit
210: outdoor unit
310: third indoor unit
410: second indoor unit
510: remote controller

Claims (10)

a first indoor unit including a main control board and operating according to a control command from the main control board;
a second indoor unit including a first sub control board and operating according to a control command of the main control board received through the first sub control board; and
and a remote controller that performs a location notification function when a location notification control signal is received from the main control board by performing two-way wireless communication with the main control board
Electronics.
The method of claim 1,
a third indoor unit including a second sub control board and operating according to a control command of the main control board received from the second sub control board; and
a third sub control board, and further comprising at least one outdoor unit operating according to a control command of the main control board received through the third sub control board
Electronics.
3. The method of claim 2,
Each of the main control board of the first indoor unit, the first sub control board of the second indoor unit, the second sub control board of the third indoor unit, and the third sub control board of the outdoor unit includes a PLC (Power Line Communication) module. to perform transmission and reception of a control signal according to the control command in a PLC method
Electronics.
4. The method of claim 3,
The main control board is
transmitting the control signals to the first sub control board, the second sub control board, and the third sub control board, respectively;
calculating the distance to the first to third sub control boards according to the transmission/reception speed of the control signal while checking whether the operation of the first to third sub control boards is performed;
setting a shortest distance path between the main control board and the first to third sub control boards according to the order of distances between the main control board and the first to third sub control boards
Electronics.
5. The method of claim 4,
The main control board is
The control commands and control signals are arranged and serially transmitted according to the shortest distance path setting sequence with the first to third sub control boards.
Electronics.
5. The method of claim 4,
The main control board is
a first sub communication module including a Sub 1 GHz (ISM Band, 900 MHz) communication module, the first sub communication module receiving a control signal according to a user control command transmitted from the remote controller in a Sub 1 GHz communication method;
an interface module for transmitting a control command or a notification command to the main controller when a user's control command is input through the keypad or a remote controller location notification is requested; and
a first PLC module for transmitting a control command and a control signal to the first to third sub control boards in the shortest path setting order; and
It controls the transmission of control commands and control signals to the first to third sub control boards, sets a shortest path for the first to third sub control boards, and sends control commands and control signals according to the set shortest distance path. Including a main controller that arranges and controls to be transmitted in order,
Electronics.
The method of claim 1,
The remote controller and the main control board of the first indoor unit are configured to include the same short-distance wireless communication module to perform two-way wireless communication,
The remote controller transmits a control signal according to a user's control command input by the user with a key to the main control board, and performs a location notification function when a location notification control signal is received from the main control board
Electronics.
8. The method of claim 7,
The main control board of the first indoor unit and the remote controller are provided with a Sub 1GHz (ISM Band, 900MHz) communication module to transmit and receive a control signal and a location notification control signal according to the user's control command.
Electronics.
8. The method of claim 7,
The remote controller is
and a wireless control board that transmits a control signal according to the control command input by the user to the main control board, and performs a location notification function when a location notification control signal is received from the main control board,
Electronics.
10. The method of claim 9,
The wireless control board
a second sub communication module including a Sub 1 GHz (ISM Band, 900 MHz) communication module and receiving a position notification control signal transmitted from the main control board in a Sub 1 GHz communication method; and
When a user's control command is input through the key input unit, a control signal according to the control command is generated and supplied to the second sub communication module, and when the location notification control signal is received, the light emitting module performs a light emitting operation, and the speaker provides Containing a wireless controller controlling to generate an alarm operation,
Electronics.

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