US20200018508A1

US20200018508A1 - Air-conditioning control relay device

Info

Publication number: US20200018508A1
Application number: US16/474,600
Authority: US
Inventors: Yasuto ARAKAKI
Original assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corp
Current assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corp
Priority date: 2017-03-30
Filing date: 2017-03-30
Publication date: 2020-01-16
Also published as: CA3055272A1; CA3055272C; WO2018179276A1; JP6656468B2; JPWO2018179276A1

Abstract

An air-conditioning control relay device includes a first communication unit that communicates with a communication terminal device, a second communication unit that communicates with an air conditioner, an analysis unit that analyzes first information received by the first communication unit from the communication terminal device, and an operation unit that operates a contact device based on the first information if the analysis unit determines, by analyzing, that the first information is information for operating of the contact device. The first communication unit sends the first information received from the communication terminal device to the second communication unit and to the analysis unit, and the second communication unit sends the first information received from the first communication unit to the air conditioner.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a U.S. national stage application of International Patent Application No. PCT/JP2017/013375 filed on Mar. 30, 2017, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an air-conditioning control relay device that relays signals sent and received between an air conditioner and a communication terminal device.

BACKGROUND

Generally, a decrease in an outdoor temperature to or below a certain temperature reduces the heating capability of an air conditioner, which may result in a failure to provide the heating capability demanded by a user. When the heating capability of an air conditioner is reduced, the user uses a heat source device in addition to the air conditioner. One example of heat source device is a heater. Use of both the air conditioner and the heat source device requires the user to operate the air conditioner and the heat source device individually. Individual operations of the air conditioner and of the heat source device place a burden on the user.
To avoid a burdensome operation by the user, an information terminal device having control functions has been suggested that enables an on-off operation of each of an air conditioner and a heater each connected to a home automation terminal, based on a signal from a communication network (see, e.g., Patent Literature 1).

PATENT LITERATURE

Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2005-204178
However, in the conventional technology described above, the information terminal device having control functions is connected to the air conditioner and to the heater via home automation terminals. This enables merely simple control to be provided to the air conditioner. One example of the simple control is on-off switching or switching between heating and cooling. In other words, the conventional technology described above fails to provide detailed control to the air conditioner. One example of the detailed control is wind direction control or control for energy saving.
Accordingly, introduction of the conventional technology described above into a system including an air conditioner and a communication terminal device for remotely controlling the air conditioner imposes a limitation on a portion of functions of the air conditioner. In the system described above, there is a demand for providing an air-conditioning control relay device that can operate a contact device without imposing a limitation on the functions of the air conditioner. As used herein, the term “contact device” refers to a device controlled by a communication terminal device via the air-conditioning control relay device. One example of the contact device is a heat source device.

SUMMARY

The present invention has been made in view of the foregoing, and it is an object of the present invention to provide an air-conditioning control relay device that can control an air conditioner without imposing a limitation on the functions of the air conditioner, and can operate a contact device, in a system including the air conditioner and a communication terminal device for remotely controlling the air conditioner.
To solve the problem and achieve the object described above, an air-conditioning control relay device according to the present invention is a device communicable with an air conditioner, communicable also with a communication terminal device for remotely controlling the air conditioner, and capable of operating a contact device, and includes a first communication unit that communicates with the communication terminal device, a second communication unit that communicates with the air conditioner, an analysis unit that analyzes information received by the first communication unit from the communication terminal device, and an operation unit that operates the contact device based on the information in a case in which the analysis unit determines, by analyzing, that the information is information for operating of the contact device. The first communication unit sends the information received from the communication terminal device to the second communication unit and to the analysis unit, and the second communication unit sends the information received from the first communication unit to the air conditioner.
An air-conditioning control relay device according to the present invention can control an air conditioner without imposing a limitation on the functions of the air conditioner, and can operate a contact device, in a system including the air conditioner and a communication terminal device for remotely controlling the air conditioner.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a system including an air-conditioning control relay device according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an example of operation procedure of a first communication unit included in the air-conditioning control relay device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of operation procedure of an analysis unit included in the air-conditioning control relay device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a processing circuit in a case in which at least a portion of components including the first communication unit, a second communication unit, the analysis unit, and an operation unit included in the air-conditioning control relay device according to the first embodiment is implemented by the processing circuit.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a processor in a case in which at least a portion of the functions of the first communication unit, the second communication unit, the analysis unit, and the operation unit included in the air-conditioning control relay device according to the first embodiment is implemented by the processor.

FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of a system including an air-conditioning control relay device according to a second embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An air-conditioning control relay device according to embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Note that these embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of this invention.

First Embodiment

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a system 10 including an air-conditioning control relay device 1 according to a first embodiment. The system 10 includes, in addition to the air-conditioning control relay device 1, an air conditioner 2, a communication terminal device 3 for remotely controlling the air conditioner 2, and a contact device 4. The air-conditioning control relay device 1 is communicable with the air conditioner 2, and is communicable also with the communication terminal device 3. In more detail, the air-conditioning control relay device 1 is a device that relays signals sent and received between the air conditioner 2 and the communication terminal device 3. The air-conditioning control relay device 1 can also operate the contact device 4. The contact device 4 is a device controlled by the communication terminal device 3 via the air-conditioning control relay device 1. One example of the contact device 4 is a heater.
The air-conditioning control relay device 1 includes a first communication unit 11 that communicates with the communication terminal device 3, and a second communication unit 12 that communicates with the air conditioner 2. The air-conditioning control relay device 1 further includes an analysis unit 13 that analyzes both first information received by the first communication unit 11 from the communication terminal device 3, and second information received by the second communication unit 12 from the air conditioner 2. The air-conditioning control relay device 1 further includes an operation unit 14 that operates the contact device 4 based on the first information or on the second information in a case in which the analysis unit 13 determines, by analyzing, that the first information or the second information is information for operating of the contact device 4.
The first communication unit 11 sends the first information received from the communication terminal device 3 to the second communication unit 12 and to the analysis unit 13. In a case in which the contact device 4 is to be operated based on an analysis performed by the analysis unit 13, the first communication unit 11 sends operation performing information indicating that the contact device 4 will be operated, to the communication terminal device 3. For example, in a case in which the contact device 4 is to be operated based on the first information based on an analysis performed by the analysis unit 13, the first communication unit 11 sends operation performing information indicating that the contact device 4 will be operated based on the first information, to the communication terminal device 3.
The second communication unit 12 sends the first information received from the first communication unit 11 to the air conditioner 2, and also sends the second information received from the air conditioner 2 to the first communication unit 11 and to the analysis unit 13. The first communication unit 11 sends the second information received from the second communication unit 12 to the communication terminal device 3.
The functions of each of the first communication unit 11, the second communication unit 12, the analysis unit 13, and the operation unit 14 included in the air-conditioning control relay device 1 will be described below using a specific example. The first communication unit 11 receives a signal sent from the communication terminal device 3 at an arbitrary time on a byte-by-byte basis, and sends one byte of signal to the second communication unit 12 upon each reception of one byte of the signal from the communication terminal device 3. In a case in which the first communication unit 11, the second communication unit 12, the analysis unit 13, and the operation unit 14 are implemented by a single microcomputer, the processing by the first communication unit 11 of receiving a signal from the communication terminal device 3 and of sending the received signal to the second communication unit 12 is implemented by a receive interrupt process of that microcomputer.
When the amount of the signal received from the communication terminal device 3 reaches a predetermined specific amount, the first communication unit 11 sends the signal received from the communication terminal device 3 to the analysis unit 13, and requests the analysis unit 13 to analyze the signal sent.
Upon reception of a signal from the first communication unit 11, the second communication unit 12 sends the signal received, to the air conditioner 2. In a case in which the first communication unit 11, the second communication unit 12, the analysis unit 13, and the operation unit 14 are implemented by a single microcomputer, the processing by the second communication unit 12 of receiving a signal from the first communication unit 11 and of sending the received signal to the air conditioner 2 is implemented by a transmission interrupt process of that microcomputer. For example, the first communication unit 11 assigns the signal to one particular transmission port of the microcomputer to provide the transmission interrupt process described above. When this is the case, the processing of the second communication unit 12 is substituted by the processing performed by the first communication unit 11 to assign the signal to the particular transmission port.
The second communication unit 12 receives a signal sent from the air conditioner 2 at an arbitrary time on a byte-by-byte basis, and sends one byte of signal to the first communication unit 11 upon each reception of one byte of the signal from the air conditioner 2. In a case in which the first communication unit 11, the second communication unit 12, the analysis unit 13, and the operation unit 14 are implemented by a single microcomputer, the processing by the second communication unit 12 of receiving a signal from the air conditioner 2 and of sending the received signal to the first communication unit 11 is implemented by a receive interrupt process of that microcomputer.
Upon reception of a signal from the second communication unit 12, the first communication unit 11 sends the signal received, to the communication terminal device 3. In a case in which the first communication unit 11, the second communication unit 12, the analysis unit 13, and the operation unit 14 are implemented by a single microcomputer, the processing by the first communication unit 11 of receiving a signal from the second communication unit 12 and of sending the received signal to the communication terminal device 3 is implemented by a transmission interrupt process of that microcomputer. For example, the second communication unit 12 assigns the signal to one particular transmission port of the microcomputer to perform the transmission interrupt process described above. When this is the case, the processing of the first communication unit 11 is substituted by the processing performed by the second communication unit 12 to assign the signal to the one particular transmission port.
When the amount of the signal received from the air conditioner 2 reaches a predetermined specific amount, the second communication unit 12 sends the signal received from the air conditioner 2 to the analysis unit 13, and requests the analysis unit 13 to analyze the signal sent.
Upon a request for analysis from the first communication unit 11, the analysis unit 13 analyzes the signal received from the first communication unit 11. Upon a request for analysis from the second communication unit 12, the analysis unit 13 analyzes the signal received from the second communication unit 12. If it is determined, based on a result of the analysis, that processing is required on a contact of the contact device 4, the analysis unit 13 sends, to the operation unit 14, a signal containing an instruction to perform an operation on the contact of the contact device 4.
Upon reception of the signal containing an instruction to perform an operation on a contact of the contact device 4 from the analysis unit 13, the operation unit 14 performs an operation on that contact according to the instruction.
One specific example of the operation of the first communication unit 11 will next be described. FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an example of operation procedure of the first communication unit 11 included in the air-conditioning control relay device 1 according to the first embodiment. In a case in which the first communication unit 11, the second communication unit 12, the analysis unit 13, and the operation unit 14 are implemented by a single microcomputer, the operation procedure of the first communication unit 11 may be called out by the receive interrupt function of that microcomputer. The operation of the first communication unit 11 may be performed every predetermined period.
The first communication unit 11 first determines whether a signal has been received from the communication terminal device 3 (S1). At step S1, the first communication unit 11 may perform a filtering process of discarding the signal received from the communication terminal device 3 if it is determined, by performing error detection using a parity bit, that the signal received from the communication terminal device 3 is erroneous.
If it is determined that a signal has been received from the communication terminal device 3 (Yes at S1), the first communication unit 11 sends the signal received from the communication terminal device 3 to the second communication unit 12 (S2). The second communication unit 12 sends the signal received from the first communication unit 11 to the air conditioner 2. That is, the signal from the communication terminal device 3 is relayed by the air-conditioning control relay device 1, and is thus transmitted to the air conditioner 2. In a case in which the first communication unit 11, the second communication unit 12, the analysis unit 13, and the operation unit 14 are implemented by a single microcomputer, the processing by the first communication unit 11 of receiving the signal from the communication terminal device 3 and of sending the received signal to the second communication unit 12 may be implemented by assignment of the signal from the communication terminal device 3 to one particular transmission port of the microcomputer.
At step S2, the first communication unit 11 sends, without storing therein, the signal received from the communication terminal device 3 to the second communication unit 12. This operation can reduce the effects of processing performed by the air-conditioning control relay device 1 on the overall operation of the system 10. Specifically, the air-conditioning control relay device 1 relays and sends the signal from the communication terminal device 3 to the air conditioner 2, which causes the operation of the air conditioner 2 caused by that signal to be delayed by the amount of time relating to the relay operation performed by the air-conditioning control relay device 1. However, since the first communication unit 11 does not store the signal received from the communication terminal device 3, the operation of the air conditioner 2 is prevented from being delayed by more than the amount of time relating to the relay operation.
After the performance of the operation at step S2, the first communication unit 11 determines whether the amount of the signal received from the communication terminal device 3 has reached a predetermined specific amount (S3). If it is determined that the amount of the signal received from the communication terminal device 3 has reached the predetermined specific amount (Yes at S3), the first communication unit 11 sends the signal having the specific amount received from the communication terminal device 3 to the analysis unit 13 (S4). In addition, the first communication unit 11 requests the analysis unit 13 to analyze the signal sent.
The first communication unit 11 may use a value indicated by a signal stored in a particular byte of the signal received from the communication terminal device 3, as the predetermined specific amount. In such case, the first communication unit 11 sends a signal including the particular byte of the signal received from the communication terminal device 3, to the analysis unit 13. Moreover, the first communication unit 11 may perform the operation of step S4 when a certain time period has elapsed since the latest reception time, taking this as an indication of completion of the reception. If it is determined that the amount of the signal received from the communication terminal device 3 has not yet reached the predetermined specific amount (No at S3), the first communication unit 11 does not perform the operation of step S4, and terminates the process.
If it is determined that no signal has been received from the communication terminal device 3 (No at S1), the first communication unit 11 determines whether a signal has been received from the second communication unit 12 (S5). If it is determined that a signal has been received from the second communication unit 12 (Yes at S5), the first communication unit 11 sends the signal received from the second communication unit 12 to the communication terminal device 3 (S6). In a case in which the first communication unit 11, the second communication unit 12, the analysis unit 13, and the operation unit 14 are implemented by a single microcomputer, the processing by the first communication unit 11 of receiving the signal from the second communication unit 12 after the second communication unit 12 receives the signal from the air conditioner 2 may be implemented by assignment of the signal from the air conditioner 2 to one particular transmission port of the microcomputer.
If it is not determined that a signal has been received from the second communication unit 12 (No at S5), the first communication unit 11 terminates the sequence of process after the operation of step S6, and repeats the operation described above from step S1 to step S6.
The second communication unit 12 operates similarly to the operation of the first communication unit 11. Specifically, in one specific example, the second communication unit 12 operates as described above using the flowchart illustrated in FIG. 2 except that the term “first communication unit 11” should be read as the second communication unit 12, and the term “communication terminal device 3” should be read as the air conditioner 2.
One specific example of the operation of the analysis unit 13 will next be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of operation procedure of the analysis unit 13 included in the air-conditioning control relay device 1 according to the first embodiment. In a case in which the first communication unit 11, the second communication unit 12, the analysis unit 13, and the operation unit 14 are implemented by a single microcomputer, the operation procedure of the analysis unit 13 may be called out by the receive interrupt function of that microcomputer. The operation of the analysis unit 13 may be performed every predetermined period.
The analysis unit 13 determines whether an analysis of a signal received is requested (S11). If it is determined that an analysis of a signal received is requested (Yes at S11), the analysis unit 13 analyzes the signal received (S12). The analysis unit 13 performs an analysis according to a predetermined algorithm.
The analysis unit 13 determines, based on a result of the analysis, whether the signal received from the first communication unit 11 is a close-contact signal indicating that the contact of the contact device 4 is to be closed (S13). If it is determined that the signal received is a close-contact signal (Yes at S13), the analysis unit 13 sends, to the operation unit 14, an instruction to perform an operation to close the contact of the contact device 4 (S14). The operation unit 14 closes the contact according to the instruction from the analysis unit 13.
If it is determined that the signal received is not a close-contact signal (No at S13), the analysis unit 13 determines whether the signal received from the first communication unit 11 is an open-contact signal indicating that the contact of the contact device 4 is to be opened (S15). If it is determined that the signal received is an open-contact signal (Yes at S15), the analysis unit 13 sends, to the operation unit 14, an instruction to perform an operation to open the contact of the contact device 4 (S16). The operation unit 14 opens the contact according to the instruction from the analysis unit 13.
After the performance of the operation of step S14 or step S16, the analysis unit 13 sends operation performing information indicating that the contact device 4 will be operated, to the first communication unit 11 (S17). Upon reception of the operation performing information from the analysis unit 13, the first communication unit 11 sends operation performing information to the communication terminal device 3. In a case in which the first communication unit 11 and the second communication unit 12 are implemented by a single microcomputer, the operation of step S17 is implemented by a transmission interrupt process of that microcomputer. For example, the analysis unit 13 assigns the signal representing operation performing information to one transmission port of the microcomputer to provide the transmission interrupt process described above. When this is the case, the processing of the first communication unit 11 is substituted by the processing performed by the analysis unit 13 to assign the signal to the transmission port.
If it is determined that an analysis of the signal received is not requested (No at S11), or if it is not determined that the signal received is an open-contact signal (No at S15), the analysis unit 13 terminates the sequence of process after the operation of step S17, and repeats the operation described above from step S11 to step S17.
The operation unit 14 opens or closes a contact of the contact device 4 according to the instruction from the analysis unit 13. When the system 10 includes multiple ones of the contact device 4, and an instruction to close the contacts of the multiple ones of the contact device 4 is received from the analysis unit 13, the operation unit 14 does not close the contacts of the multiple ones of the contact device 4 at the same time thereby to prevent an inrush current from flowing. The operation unit 14 closes the contacts of the multiple ones of the contact device 4 one by one sequentially.
As described above, in the air-conditioning control relay device 1, the first communication unit 11 sends the first information received from the communication terminal device 3 to the second communication unit 12, and the second communication unit 12 sends the first information received from the first communication unit 11 to the air conditioner 2. In more detail, the air-conditioning control relay device 1 sends the first information received from the communication terminal device 3 to the air conditioner 2 without processing. In addition, in the air-conditioning control relay device 1, the analysis unit 13 analyzes the first information received by the first communication unit 11 from the communication terminal device 3, and if the analysis unit 13 determines, based on the analysis, that the first information is information for operating of the contact device 4, the operation unit 14 operates the contact device 4 based on the first information.
Thus, in the system 10 including the air conditioner 2 and the communication terminal device 3 for remotely controlling the air conditioner 2, the air-conditioning control relay device 1 can control the air conditioner 2 without imposing a limitation on the functions of the air conditioner 2, and can also operate the contact device 4. Specifically, in a case in which the contact device 4 is a heater, a fan, or a humidifier-dehumidifier, the air-conditioning control relay device 1 can control the air conditioner 2 without imposing a limitation on the functions of the air conditioner 2, and can also operate the heater, the fan, or the humidifier-dehumidifier.
In addition, in the air-conditioning control relay device 1, the second communication unit 12 sends the second information received from the air conditioner 2 to the first communication unit 11, and the first communication unit 11 sends the second information received from the second communication unit 12 to the communication terminal device 3. That is, the air-conditioning control relay device 1 can transmit the second information from the air conditioner 2 to the communication terminal device 3 without change.
Moreover, in the air-conditioning control relay device 1, the analysis unit 13 has a function of analyzing the second information received by the second communication unit 12 from the air conditioner 2, and if the analysis unit 13 determines, by analyzing, that the second information is information for operating the contact device 4, the operation unit 14 operates the contact device 4 based on the second information. That is, the air-conditioning control relay device 1 can operate the contact device 4 based on the second information from the air conditioner 2.
Furthermore, in the air-conditioning control relay device 1, the first communication unit 11 sends, to the communication terminal device 3, the operation performing information indicating that the contact device 4 will be operated if the contact device 4 is to be operated based on an analysis performed by the analysis unit 13. That is, in a case in which the contact device 4 is to be operated based on the first information or on the second information, the air-conditioning control relay device 1 can inform the communication terminal device 3 that the contact device 4 will be operated.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a processing circuit 41 in a case in which at least a portion of components including the first communication unit 11, the second communication unit 12, the analysis unit 13, and the operation unit 14 included in the air-conditioning control relay device 1 according to the first embodiment is implemented by the processing circuit 41. That is, at least a portion of the functions of the first communication unit 11, the second communication unit 12, the analysis unit 13, and the operation unit 14 may be implemented in the processing circuit 41.
The processing circuit 41 is dedicated hardware. The processing circuit 41 is, for example, a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programmed processor, a parallel programmed processor, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or a combination thereof. Part of the first communication unit 11, the second communication unit 12, the analysis unit 13, and the operation unit 14 may be dedicated hardware separate from the remainder.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a processor 51 in a case in which at least a portion of the functions of the first communication unit 11, the second communication unit 12, the analysis unit 13, and the operation unit 14 included in the air-conditioning control relay device 1 according to the first embodiment is implemented by the processor 51. That is, at least a portion of the functions of the first communication unit 11, the second communication unit 12, the analysis unit 13, and the operation unit 14 may be implemented by the processor 51 that executes a program stored in a memory 52. The processor 51 is a central processing unit (CPU), a processing unit, a computing unit, a microprocessor, a microcomputer, or a digital signal processor (DSP). FIG. 5 also illustrates the memory 52.
In a case in which at least a portion of the functions of the first communication unit 11, the second communication unit 12, the analysis unit 13, and the operation unit 14 is implemented by the processor 51, that portion of the functions is implemented by the processor 51 and software, firmware, or a combination of software and firmware. The software or firmware is described as a program, and is stored in the memory 52. The processor 51 reads and executes a program stored in the memory 52 thus to implement at least a portion of the functions of the first communication unit 11, the second communication unit 12, the analysis unit 13, and the operation unit 14.
That is, in a case in which at least a portion of the functions of the first communication unit 11, the second communication unit 12, the analysis unit 13, and the operation unit 14 is implemented by the processor 51, the air-conditioning control relay device 1 includes the memory 52 for storing a program that causes the steps performed by that portion of the first communication unit 11, the second communication unit 12, the analysis unit 13, and the operation unit 14 to be resultantly performed. It can also be said that a program stored in the memory 52 causes a computer to perform a procedure or method to be performed by a portion of the first communication unit 11, the second communication unit 12, the analysis unit 13, and the operation unit 14.
The memory 52 is, for example, a non-volatile or volatile semiconductor memory such as a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), a flash memory, an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), or an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM); a magnetic disk, a flexible disk, an optical disk, a compact disc, a MiniDisc, a digital versatile disk (DVD), or the like.
Multiple functions of the first communication unit 11, the second communication unit 12, the analysis unit 13, and the operation unit 14 may be provided such that a portion of the multiple functions is implemented by dedicated hardware, and the remainder of the multiple functions is implemented by software or firmware. Thus, multiple functions of the first communication unit 11, the second communication unit 12, the analysis unit 13, and the operation unit 14 can be implemented by hardware, software, firmware, or a combination thereof.

Second Embodiment

FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of a system 10A including an air-conditioning control relay device 1A according to a second embodiment. The system 10A includes, in addition to the air-conditioning control relay device 1A, the air conditioner 2, the communication terminal device 3, the contact device 4, and a sensor 5 disposed outside the air-conditioning control relay device 1A. The air conditioner 2, the communication terminal device 3, and the contact device 4 have already been described in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will thus be omitted in the second embodiment. The second embodiment primarily describes differences from the first embodiment.
One example of the sensor 5 is a temperature sensor that detects the temperature outside the building where the air conditioner 2 is installed, a human detection sensor, or a gas sensor. The air-conditioning control relay device 1A includes the first communication unit 11, the second communication unit 12, the analysis unit 13, and the operation unit 14 included in the air-conditioning control relay device 1 according to the first embodiment, and further includes a third communication unit 15 that receives third information with respect to a value detected by the sensor 5. In more detail, the sensor 5 sends the third information to the third communication unit 15, and the third communication unit 15 receives the third information from the sensor 5.
In a case in which the first communication unit 11, the second communication unit 12, the analysis unit 13, the operation unit 14, and the third communication unit 15 are implemented by a single microcomputer, and the sensor 5 is a variable resistor, the third information may be received into the microcomputer through an analog-digital port of the microcomputer.
The third communication unit 15 sends the third information received from the sensor 5 to the analysis unit 13. If it is determined, based on a result of an analysis, that the first information received from the first communication unit 11 indicates a request for sending the third information to the first communication unit 11, the analysis unit 13 sends the third information received from the third communication unit 15 to the first communication unit 11. If it is determined, based on a result of an analysis, that the second information received from the second communication unit 12 indicates a request for sending the third information to the first communication unit 11, the analysis unit 13 also sends the third information received from the third communication unit 15 to the first communication unit 11. The first communication unit 11 receives the third information sent from the analysis unit 13, and sends the third information to the communication terminal device 3.
If it is determined, based on a result of an analysis, that the first information received from the first communication unit 11 indicates a request for sending the third information to the second communication unit 12, the analysis unit 13 sends the third information received from the third communication unit 15 to the second communication unit 12. If it is determined, based on a result of an analysis, that the second information received from the second communication unit 12 indicates a request for sending the third information to the second communication unit 12, the analysis unit 13 also sends the third information received from third communication unit 15 to the second communication unit 12. The second communication unit 12 receives the third information sent from the analysis unit 13, and sends the third information to the air conditioner 2.
As described above, the air-conditioning control relay device 1A sends the third information from the sensor 5 to one or both of the air conditioner 2 and the communication terminal device 3 without affecting the communication between the air conditioner 2 and the communication terminal device 3. That is, the air-conditioning control relay device 1A enables the system 10 according to the first embodiment to include the sensor 5 without affecting the communication between the air conditioner 2 and the communication terminal device 3.
At least a portion of the functions of the third communication unit 15 may be implemented by the processing circuit 41, or may be implemented by a processing circuit having functions identical to the functions of the processing circuit 41. Alternatively, at least a portion of the functions of the third communication unit 15 may be implemented by the processor 51, or may be implemented by a processor different from the processor 51. In a case in which at least a portion of the functions of the third communication unit 15 is implemented by the processor 51, the memory 52 stores a program that causes the steps resultantly performed by the at least a portion of the third communication unit 15 to be performed. In a case in which at least a portion of the functions of the third communication unit 15 is implemented by a processor different from the processor 51, the air-conditioning control relay device 1A includes a memory for storing a program that causes the steps resultantly performed by the at least a portion of the third communication unit 15 to be performed. This memory may be the memory 52 or a memory having functions identical to the functions of the memory 52.
The configurations described in the foregoing embodiments are merely examples of various aspects of the present invention. These configurations may be combined with a known other technology, and moreover, a part of such configurations may be omitted or modified without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

Claims

1. An air-conditioning control relay device being communicable with an air conditioner, being communicable also with a communication terminal device for remotely controlling the air conditioner, and being capable of operating a contact device, the air-conditioning control relay device comprising:

a first communicator to communicate with the communication terminal device;

a second communicator to communicate with the air conditioner;

an analyzer to analyze information received by the first communicator from the communication terminal device; and

an operator to operate the contact device based on the information in a case in which the analyzer determines, by analyzing, that the information is information for operating of the contact device, wherein

the first communicator sends the information received from the communication terminal device to the second communicator and to the analyzer, and

the second communicator sends the information received from the first communicator to the air conditioner.

2. The air-conditioning control relay device according to claim 1, wherein

the second communicator sends second information received from the air conditioner to the first communicator, and

the first communicator sends the second information received from the second communicator to the communication terminal device.

3. The air-conditioning control relay device according to claim 1, wherein

the analyzer further has a function to analyze second information received by the second communicator from the air conditioner, and

the operator operates the contact device based on the second information in a case in which the analyzer determines, by analyzing, that the second information is information for operating of the contact device.

4. The air-conditioning control relay device according to claim 1, wherein the first communicator sends operation performing information indicating that the contact device will be operated, to the communication terminal device, in a case in which the contact device is to be operated based on an analysis performed by the analyzer.

5. The air-conditioning control relay device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a third communicator to receive third information from a sensor disposed outside the air-conditioning control relay device, wherein

the third communicator sends the third information received, to the analyzer,

the analyzer sends the third information received from the third communicator to the first communicator if it is determined, based on a result of an analysis, that the information received from the first communicator, or second information received from the second communicator, indicates a request for sending the third information to the first communicator,

the first communicator receives the third information sent from the analyzer, and sends the third information to the communication terminal device,

the analyzer sends the third information received from the third communicator to the second communicator if it is determined, based on the result of the analysis, that the information received from the first communicator, or the second information received from the second communicator, indicates a request for sending the third information to the second communicator, and

the second communicator receives the third information sent from the analyzer, and sends the third information to the air conditioner.

6. The air-conditioning control relay device according to claim 2, wherein

the analyzer further has a function to analyze the second information received by the second communicator from the air conditioner, and

7. The air-conditioning control relay device according to claim 2, wherein the first communicator sends operation performing information indicating that the contact device will be operated, to the communication terminal device, in a case in which the contact device is to be operated based on an analysis performed by the analyzer.

8. The air-conditioning control relay device according to claim 3, wherein the first communicator sends operation performing information indicating that the contact device will be operated, to the communication terminal device, in a case in which the contact device is to be operated based on an analysis performed by the analyzer.

9. The air-conditioning control relay device according to claim 6, wherein the first communicator sends operation performing information indicating that the contact device will be operated, to the communication terminal device, in a case in which the contact device is to be operated based on an analysis performed by the analyzer.

10. The air-conditioning control relay device according to claim 2, further comprising:

the third communicator sends the third information received, to the analyzer,

the analyzer sends the third information received from the third communicator to the first communicator if it is determined, based on a result of an analysis, that the information received from the first communicator, or the second information received from the second communicator, indicates a request for sending the third information to the first communicator,

11. The air-conditioning control relay device according to claim 3, further comprising:

the third communicator sends the third information received, to the analyzer,

12. The air-conditioning control relay device according to claim 6, further comprising:

the third communicator sends the third information received, to the analyzer,

13. The air-conditioning control relay device according to claim 4, further comprising:

the third communicator sends the third information received, to the analyzer,

14. The air-conditioning control relay device according to claim 7, further comprising:

the third communicator sends the third information received, to the analyzer,

15. The air-conditioning control relay device according to claim 8, further comprising:

the third communicator sends the third information received, to the analyzer,

16. The air-conditioning control relay device according to claim 9, further comprising:

the third communicator sends the third information received, to the analyzer,