AU2005222531B2 - Function switching method, function switching apparatus, data storage method, data storage apparatus, device, and air conditioner - Google Patents

Description

1

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 DAIKIN INDUSTRIES, LTD.

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Invention Title: Function switching method, function switching apparatus, data storage method, data storage apparatus, device, and air conditioner The following statement is a full description of this invention including the best method of performing it known to us m:\specifications\500000\503000\503915clmhxg.doc t la

DESCRIPTION

o 0 FUNCTION SWITCHING METHOD AND FUNCTION SWITCH[NG DEVICE, DATA STORING METHOD AND DATA STORING DEVICE, AS WELL AS EQUIPMENT AND AIR CONDITIONER C€3 t This application is a divisional application of Australian Patent Application No.

S2002335420, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

O 10 TECHNICAL FIELD N The present invention relates to technique of performing different operations according to the presence/absence of a part. For example, the present invention relates to a control technique which can be commonly employed for a plurality of different devices and a technique of alternatively storing two pieces of different data to a rewritable ROM.

BACKRGROUND ART For example, there are air conditioning systems of a first type in which an air conditioner is remote-monitored and remote-controlled by communication from a central control unit and of a second type in which an air conditioner operates singly.

The air conditioners are of a first type which has a predetermined part, for example, an electronic expansion valve of an indoor unit and of a second type which does not have an electronic expansion valve.

For example, the air conditioning system of the first type employs the air conditioner of the first type, and the air conditioning system of the second type employs the air conditioner of the second type.

The air conditioner of the first type requires a communication function for performing communication with the outside for the purpose of performing communication with a central control unit. On the other hand, the air conditioner of the m:\specifications\500000\503000\503915clmhxg.doc second type does not require the communication function since communication with the C. outside is unnecessary.

O

In a conventional air conditioner, two controllers one of which has the communication function and the other of which has no communication function c 5 according to the first and second types have to be designed and manufactured.

N, Generally, however, in order to reduce the cost by mass production, increase in price due

(N

to designing and manufacturing of a plurality of kinds of products exerts a larger influence on price than increase in price caused by addition of a function.

FIGS. 13 and 14 are block diagrams showing a conventional technique and illustrate the configurations of air conditioners of the second type and the first type, respectively. An air conditioner 100a shown in FIG. 13 includes an electronic circuit 21 customarily called a P board and a driving system 30a for performing compression of a refrigerant, heat exchange and the like. An air conditioner 100b shown in FIG. 14 includes the electronic circuit 21 and a driving system 30b. The driving system includes, different from the driving system 30a, an electronic expansion valve EV.

The electronic circuit 21 has a control unit 5 and an integrated circuit 11 for giving an instruction to the control unit 5. In order to control each of the driving system without electronic expansion valve EV and the driving system 30b with the electronic expansion valve EV, the control unit 5 and the integrated circuit 11 having the same configuration are used. Specifically, the control unit 5 directly controls each of the driving systems 30a and 30b, and the integrated circuit 11 indirectly controls each of the driving systems 30a and Generally, in a technique of controlling the operation of an equipment by a microcomputer, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) performs the control on the basis of predetermined data (including a program in the specification). The data is written in a cI ROM (Read Only Memory) and the CPU controls the operation of the equipment by O using necessary data in the ROM. However, even when the kinds of models to be controlled are different from each other, an agent of the control can be easily designed and manufactured by employing the same configuration for the agent of the control.

S 5 The integrated circuit 11 has a rewritable EEPROM (Electrically Erasable C Programmable ROM) 2 and a CPU 3. The CPU 3 gives the above instruction to the control unit 5. The instruction to the air conditioner 100a and the instruction to the air conditioner 100b are naturally different from each other depending on the presence/absence of the electronic expansion valve EV. Therefore, the initial value of data (referred to as "initial data" in the specification) based on which the CPU 3 operates in the case where the electronic circuit 21 is mounted on the air conditioner 1 00a and that in the case where the electronic circuit 21 is mounted on the air conditioner 100b are different from each other.

However, by properly selecting two different pieces of data to be stored as the initial data into the EEPROM 2 to store the selected data in the EEPROM 2 in accordance with the case where the electronic circuit 21 is mounted on the air conditioner 100a and the case where the electronic circuit 21 is mounted on the air conditioner 100b, the same configuration can be used for the electronic circuit 21 in both of the cases.

It is desirable to store the data based on which the CPU 3 operates in not the ROM but the EEPROM 2 also from the viewpoint of storing settings desired by the user as the air conditioners 1 00a and 100b are used.

In the conventional technique, however, which one of the air conditioners 1 00a and 1 00b is used is determined by a person and initial data of the EEPROM 2 is written accordingly from an external equipment by communication. It requires much efforts at the time of initial setting of the electronic circuit 21 or the air conditioners 1 00a and 1 OOb Seach having the electronic circuit 21.

N It is difficult to use the electronic circuit 21 which is once assembled in the air

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o conditioner 100a or 100b and includes the EEPROM 2 into which initial data EEA or EEB is written as a patch part for the other air conditioner 1 00b or 1 00a.

Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like which has been included in the present specification is solely for the purpose of providing a In context for the present invention. It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the t' field relevant to the present invention as it existed before the priority date of each claim of this application.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION It is an advantage of preferred embodiments of the present invention to provide a technique capable of assembling a device in both of a first device performing a first function with a. predetermined part and a second device performing a second function without a second part, and instructing each of the first and second functions, or a technique capable of assembling a device in both of a first device performing a first function without a predetermined part and a second device performing a second function with a second part, and instructing each of the first and second functions. It is another advantage of preferred embodiments of the present invention to provide a technique of automatically selecting first and second data and storing the selected data into a rewritable ROM.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided, a function switching method of controlling a device in which a first function which requires an operation of a first part and a second function which does not require the operation of the first part are switched depending on presence/absence of a second part, comprising steps of: determining the presence/absence of the second part; and determining whether the operation of the first part can be performed or not on the basis of a result of step The function switching method, even in a device in which the first part is assembled, the first part may be made inoperative in accordance with the presence/absence of the second part.

Vt) Consequently, two kinds of devices one of which has the first part and the other N_ of which has no first part are not manufactured according to the presence/absence of O the second part. However, it is sufficient to manufacture one kind of a device always N including the first part. It results in reduction of designing and manufacturing cost.

In the first mode of the function switching method, the first part may operate on _the basis ofa clock.

By making the first part inoperative in accordance with the presence/absence of N, the second part, generation of unnecessary clock noise may be avoided in the second function.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided, a function switching device comprising a processor and a first part, wherein: the processor determines whether an operation of the first part can be performed or not depending on presence/absence of a second part on outside of the device, thereby instructing the outside of the device to be switched between a first function which requires the operation of the first part and a second function which does not require the operation of the first part.

Desirably, the function switching device further comprises determining means for determining the presence/absence of the second part and transmitting a result thereof to the processor.

The function switching device may be assembled in both a first device performing a first function with a second part and a second device performing a second function without a second part, and may instruct each of the first and second functions.

That is, the device may be used for both of the first and. second devices. Thus, design and manufacturing costs of the switching device can be reduced. This can be applied to the case where the first device performs the first function without the second part and the second device performs the second function with the second part.

The first part may operate on the basis of a clock. For example, the first part may have a communicating function. The function switching device is included in, for example, an air conditioner.

By making the first part inoperative in accordance with the presence/absence of the second part, generation of unnecessary clock noise may be avoided in the second function.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is a provided, a data storing method of storing data which controls an operation of an equipment into a rewritable O ROM, comprising steps of: determining whether a predetermined part exists in the equipment or not; and alternatively storing first and second data from a ROM for storing the first _and second data into the rewritable ROM on the basis of a result of determination in step Depending on whether a predetermined part exists or not, the first and second data may, alternatively, be stored into the rewritable ROM. Consequently, in t correspondence with the model which varies according to whether the predetermined part exits or not, data may be automatically set in the rewritable ROM.

The data storing method may include before step steps of determining whether the rewritable ROM can be formattable or not; setting an automatic mode of automatically determining a model of the equipment in the case where the rewritable ROM can be formattable; and determining whether the automatic mode has been set after the step or not. Step and step may be executed in a case where the automatic mode is set.

When the rewritable ROM can be formattable, the automatic mode may be set so that the steps and can be executed.

Step may have a step of storing common data, which is stored into the rewritable ROM commonly in both of the case where the predetermined part exists in the equipment and the case where the predetermined part does not exist in the equipment, from the ROM into the rewritable ROM.

By setting the common data which is commonly used for both of the model which has a predetermined part and a model which does not have the predetermined part, the amount of data stored in the ROM may be reduced.

The common data may include determination mode data indicative of a mode of determining a model of the equipment. In step the determination may be made on the basis of whether the determination mode data indicates the automatic mode or not.

The automatic mode of automatically determining the model of an equipment may be set.

The determination may be made on the basis of presence/absence of the common data in step Common data may be written in a step to determine whether or not the rewritable ROM has been once subjected to the data storing method.

0 Step may be a step of storing the first data from the ROM into the rewritable C ROM.

Data to be stored in the rewritable ROM may be tentatively detenrmined.

The data storing method may further comprise, after step a step (f) e¢3 r alternatively storing the first and second data into the rewritable ROM irrespective of C the result of the determination in the step Data in the rewritable ROM which is automatically set may be manually reset. Thus, the present invention can flexibly deal with a change at a site in which the equipment is installed.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided, a data storing device comprising: a ROM for storing first and second data for controlling operations of equipments of different kinds respectively; a rewritable ROM into which the first and second data is alternatively stored from the ROM in accordance with the kind of said equipment; and a processor for controlling the operation of the equipment on the basis of data stored in the rewritable ROM.

The first and second data may alternatively be stored into the rewritable ROM, so that the data of the rewritable ROM can be automatically set in correspondence with the model which varies according to whether the predetermined part exists or not.

Common data, which is stored in the rewritable ROM commonly in both of the case where the predetermined part exists in the equipment and the case where the predetermined part does not exist in the equipment, may be stored in the ROM.

By setting common data, which is commonly used for the model which includes the predetermined part and the model which does not include the predetermined part, the amount of data stored in the ROM may be reduced.

According to a fifth aspect of the invention there is provided equipment comprising: a driving system; and a data storing device, wherein said data storing device has: a ROM for storing first and second data for controlling operation of the driving system; Sa rewritable ROM into which the first and second data is alternatively stored from the ROM in accordance with the kind of said equipment; and O a processor for controlling operation of the equipment on the basis of data stored _in the rewritable ROM.

Desirably, the equipment may further comprise a determining unit for Cdetermining whether a predetermined part exists in the equipment or not and giving the result of the determination to the processor. Alternatively, the processor may store the first and second data from the ROM into the rewritable ROM on the basis of the result of the determination. For example, the equipment functions as an air conditioner having an electronic expansion valve as the predetermined part.

Alternatively, the first and second data may be stored into the rewritable ROM, so that the data of the rewritable ROM can be automatically set in correspondence with the model which varies according to whether the predetermined part exists or not.

Throughout this specification the word "comprise", or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps.

The features, aspects and advantages of at least preferred embodiments of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing the second embodiment of the present 0 invention.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing the second embodiment of the present invention.

V) 5 FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing the second embodiment of the present c-i invention.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing effects of the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a conventional technique.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing a conventional technique.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION First Embodiment FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention.

As air conditioners, an outdoor unit 91 and indoor units 92a, 921, 922, and 92, are provided.

The indoor unit 92a includes an integrated circuit 90 functioning as a controller.

The integrated circuit 90 has a CPU 93 for performing various processes and a gate array 94 as a part performing a communicating function. The indoor unit 92a is connected to the outdoor unit 91, indoor units 921, 922, and 92, and a communication network 83 by the gate array 94. That is, the air conditioner shown in FIG. 1 is used in an air conditioning system of the first type described in the conventional technique.

The indoor unit 92a further has a determining unit 92 and an electronic

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expansion valve EV. The electronic expansion valve EV .is provided in a not-shown O refrigerant system and performs a known function. That is, the air conditioner shown in FIG. 1 is the air conditioner of the first type described in the conventional technique.

The determining means 92 determines the presence or absence of the electronic e¢3 S 5 expansion valve EV and the result (that is, the presence of the electronic expansion valve N EV) is given to the CPU 93. The determining means 92 can be grasped as an electronic circuit 95 together with the integrated circuit 90. Each of the indoor units 921, 922, and 92, can also employ the same configuration as that of the indoor unit 92a.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram also showing an embodiment of the present invention.

As air conditioners, the outdoor unit 91 and indoor units 92b, 921, 922, and 92, are provided.

The indoor unit 92b also has, like the indoor unit 92a, the integrated circuit and the determining means 92. However, different from the indoor unit 92a, the indoor -unit 92b does not have the electronic expansion valve EV and is not connected to the communication network 83. That is, the air conditioner shown in FIG. 2 is the air conditioner of the second type described in the conventional technique and used in the air conditioning system of the second type. The indoor units 921, 922, and 92n can employ the same configuration as that of the indoor unit 92b and are connected to each other by their CPUs 93 and also connected to the outdoor unit 91 by their CPUs 93.

In the indoor unit 92b, the determining means 92 determines that the electronic expansion valve EV does not exist and the result (that is, the presence of the electronic expansion valve EV) is given to the CPU 93.

Since the gate array 94 is a part performing the communicating function, it operates based on clocks. However, since the indoor unit 92b is used in the air conditioning system of the second type, the operation of the gate array 94 for connection to the communication network 83 is unnecessary. On the contrary, there is the O possibility that clock noise is outputted from the gate array 94 and that unnecessary noise is caused in the air conditioning system of the second type.

In the embodiment, however, in the indoor unit 92a, a first function having both t 5 the communicating function performed by the gate array 94 and the normal control N, function which is necessary for both of the air conditioners of the first and second types is performed. An instruction of the first function is given by the integrated circuit 90. On the other hand, the indoor unit 92b does not have the communicating function performed by the gate array 94, and a second function having the normal control function is performed. An instruction of the second function is given by the integrated circuit FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a process of determining the first and second functions in the electronic circuit 95. First, in step S91, the presence/absence of the electronic expansion valve EV is determined by the determining means 92. The determining means 92 and its operation are known and introduced by, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No; 2-267482.

When the presence of the electronic expansion valve EV is determined, the route indicated as "YES" in the diagram leading to step S92 is adopted. This is the case where the air conditioner of the first type shown in FIG. 1 is provided with the electronic circuit 95. In step S92, it is determined by the CPU 93 that the air conditioner on which the electronic circuit 95 or the integrated circuit 90 is mounted is of the first type and performs the first function. Proceeding to step 594, the CPU 93 makes the gate array 94 operate.

On the other hand, when the absence of the electronic expansion valve EV is determined, the route indicated as "NO" in the diagram leading to step S93 is adopted.

This is the case where the air conditioner of the second type shown in FIG. 2 is provided

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'with the electronic circuit 95. In step S93, it is determined by the CPU 93 that the air O conditioner on which the electronic circuit 95 or the integrated circuit 90 is mounted is of the second type and performs the second function. Proceeding to step S95, the CPU 93 _does not make the gate array 94 operate. Concretely; for example, a reset signal is supplied from the CPU 93 to the gate array 94.

N, In such a manner, the first function which needs the operation of the gate array 94 and the second function which does not need the operation of the gate array 94 are switched depending on the presence or absence of the electronic expansion valve EV.

On the basis of the presence or absence of the electronic expansion valve EV, whether the gate array 94 can operate or not is determined. Consequently, according to the absence of the electronic expansion valve EV, the gate array 94 is not operated in the integrated circuit 90, electronic circuit 95 or, further, the indoor unit 92b in which the gate array 94 is assembled. Therefore, two kinds of the integrated circuits 90 and the electronic circuits 95 respect to having the gate array 94 or not are not manufactured according to the indoor units 92a and 2b which are different from each other with respect to the presence/absence of the electronic expansion valve EV. However, it is sufficient to manufacture one kind of the integrated circuit 90 and one kind of the electronic circuit always including the gate array 94 by a manufacturing apparatus. It results in reduction of designing and manufacturing cost.

Particularly, since the gate array 94 operates on the basis of clocks, in the air conditioner of the second type and in the air conditioning system of the second type, generation of unnecessary clock noise can be avoided.

In the above description, the air conditioner of the first type having the electronic expansion valve EV and performing the first function and the air conditioner of the second type having no electronic expansion valve EV and displaying the second function were described as an example. However, obviously, an object of which O presence or absence is to be determined is not limited to the electronic expansion valve _EV. The present invention can be also generally applied to a case where the object is a predetermined part. The present invention can be also applied to a device of the first type having no predetermined part and performing the first function and a device of the N second type having the predetermined part and performing the second function.

Second Embodiment FIGS. 4 and 5 are block diagrams each showing an air conditioner as an embodiment of the present invention. An air conditioner 100c shown in FIG. 4 is an air conditioner of the second type and includes an electronic circuit 20 as a P board, and the driving system 30a which was described with respect to the air conditioner 100a in FIG.

13. The electronic circuit 20 has a detennrmining unit 4, integrated circuit 10, and control unit 5 which was described with respect to the air conditioner 100a in FIG. 13. In FIG.

4, a broken line indicates that the driving system 30a does not have the electronic expansion valve EV. On the other hand, an air conditioner 100d shown in FIG. 5 is an air conditioner of the first type and has the electronic circuit 20 and the driving system which was described with respect to the air conditioner 100b of FIG. 14.

The integrated circuit 10 has a ROM 1, the EEPROM 2, and the CPU 3. The CPU 3 gives an instruction to the control unit 5. The operation of the CPU 3 and the control unit 5 is based on data stored in the EEPROM 2.

The ROM 1 stores: common data COM necessary for the operation of the CPU 3 commonly in the case where the electronic circuit 20 is mounted on the air conditioner 100c and the case where the electronic circuit 20 is mounted on the air conditioner 100d; initial data EEA which is necessary when the electronic circuit 20 is mounted on the air conditioner 1 00c and is not necessary in the case where the electronic circuit 20 is mounted on the air conditioner 100d; and initial data EEB which is not necessary in the case where the electronic circuit 21 is mounted on the air conditioner 100c but is necessary in the case where the electronic circuit 21 is mounted on the air conditioner 100d.

The determining unit 4 determines whether or not the electronic expansion valve EV exists in the driving system of the air conditioner on which the electronic circuit is mounted and gives the result of determination to the CPU 3. Therefore, the determining unit 4 notifies the CPU 3 of the absence of the electronic expansion valve EV in the case where the electronic circuit 20 in which the determining unit 4 itself is provided is mounted on the air conditioner I 00c or the presence of the electronic expansion valve EV in the case where the electronic circuit 20 is mounted on the air conditioner 100d. Based on the notification, the CPU 3 selects one of the two different pieces of data and stores the selected data from the ROM 1 to the EEPROM 2.

In the embodiment as described above, the initial data EEA and EEB is preliminarily stored in the ROM 1 and, on the basis of a result of determination of the type of the equipment, the electronic circuit 20 can automatically and alternatively the initial data EEA and EEB from the ROM 1 to the EEPROM 2. The control unit receives an instruction from the CPU 3 operating on the basis of data stored in the EEPROM 2, and controls the operations of the driving system 30a or 30b. Therefore, even when there are a plurality of kinds of equipments, one kind of the configuration of the electronic circuit 20 can be designed and manufactured. To determine the kind of the equipment, for example, a result of determination of the presence/absence of the electronic expansion valve EV is used.

FIGS. 6 and 7 are flowcharts showing a data storing method according to the embodiment. The flowcharts shown in the diagrams can be connected to each other via 0 a connector J or can function independently of each other.

When the power of the air conditioner 100c or 100d on which the electronic circuit 20 is mounted is turned on, the electronic circuit 20 is also turned on. In step S 1, tt 5 whether a condition of enabling formatting of the EEPROM 2 (format condition) is NS satisfied or not is determined. For example, immediately after manufacture, no data is written on the EEPROM 2 and the format condition is satisfied. In this case, the route indicated as in the diagram leading to step S2 is adopted and the common data COM is written from the ROM 1 to the EEPROM 2.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing a state where step S2 is executed. The ROM 1 has areas I a, 1 b, and 1 c as memory spaces where the initial data EEA and EEB and the common data COM is stored. In step S2, the common data COM is written from the area Ic to the area 2c in the EEPROM 2. By setting the common data COM which is commonly used in both the air conditioner 100c having no electronic expansion valve and the air conditioner 100d having the electronic expansion valve, the amount of data to be stored in the ROM 1 can be reduced.

The common data COM includes determination mode data D indicative of a mode of determination on the model of the air conditioner in addition to the conventional technique. The determination mode data D stored in the area 2c in step S2 expresses that the mode of determination is "automatic".

After execution of step S2, in step S3, the initial data EEA is written as a default from the ROM 1 to the EEPROM 2. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing a state where step S3 is executed. The initial data EEA is written from the area la to the area 2d in the EEPROM 2.

Alternately, the initial data EEB may be written as a default from the ROM 1 to

O

cthe EEPROM 2. In this case, as schematically shown in FIG. 40, the initial data EEB. is o written from the area lb to the area 2d. By the operation, data to be stored in the EEPROM 2 is tentatively determined.

After step S3 is executed, the flow of the process reaches the connector J.

After steps S 1, S2, and S3 are executed, the electronic circuit 20 which is detached from the air conditioner 100e or 100d and on which the formatted EEPROM 2 is mounted can Sbe shipped from the factory and distributed. To execute steps S1, and S3 for Nshipment from the factory, it is unnecessary to mount the electronic circuit 20 on the air conditioner 100c or 1 00d. Power may be supplied to the electronic circuit 20 itself in a manufacturing line of manufacturing the electronic circuit In the manufacturing line of manufacturing the air conditioner 100c or 100d, assembly is performed by using the electronic circuit 20 subjected to steps S1, S2, and S3.

By turning on the power of the air conditioner 100c or 100d, the electronic circuit 20 is also turned on. In the electronic circuit 20, the common data COM is already written in step S2. Therefore, it is unnecessary to format the electronic circuit 20 again and execute steps S2 and S3.

In order not to execute steps S2 and S3, in step S1, determination is made on the basis of the presence or absence of the common data COM. In such a manner, whether or not the EEPROM 2 in the electronic circuit 20 is the EEPROM 2 which has been already subjected to the steps S1, S2, and S3 can be determined.

When it is determined in step S I that the format condition is not satisfied in the electronic circuit 20, via the route indicated as in the diagram leading to step S4, it is determined whether the mode of determination with respect to the model of the air conditioner is "automatic" or not. For example, if the electronic circuit 20 is just shipped from a factory, the determination mode data D is included in the common data c COM in step S2. Moreover, since the determination mode data D indicates that the O mode of determination is "automatic", step S5 is reached via the route indicated as in the diagram. The case where negative determination is made in step S4 will be described later and the description will be postponed.

Ce¢ in 5 In step S5, whether the electronic expansion valve EV exists or not is N, determined by the determining unit 4 and the result of determination is transmitted to the O CPU 3. When there is no electronic expansion valve EV, step S6 is reached via the route indicated as In this case, the air conditioner 100c on which the electronic circuit 20 is mounted has the driving system 30a. Consequently, as shown in FIG. 9, the initial data EEA as data adapted to control on the driving system 30a is stored from the ROM 1 to the EEPROM 2. The operation can be performed under control of the CPU 3 which has obtained data indicative of the absence of the electronic expansion valve EV from the determining unit 4.

On the other hand, when there is the electronic expansion valve EV, step S7 is reached via the route indicated as in the diagram. In this case, since the air conditioner 1 00d on which the electronic circuit 20 is mounted has the driving system as shown in FIG. 40, the initial data EEB as data adapted to control on the driving system 30b is stored from the ROM 1 to the EEPROM 2. The operation can be performed under control of the CPU 3 which has obtained, data indicative of the presence of the electronic expansion valve EV from the determining unit 4.

Each of the integrated circuit 10 having the EEPROM 2 subjected to step S6 or S7 and the electronic circuit.20 is set to be adapted to the air conditioner l00c or l00d on which it is mounted.

As described above, whether the electronic expansion valve EV exists or not is determined in step S5 and, by using the result of determination, the kind of the equipment

O

is determined. On the basis of the result of determination, the initial data EEA or EEB O is stored from the ROM 1 to the EEPROM 2 in step S6 or S7. The initial data EEA or EEB is alternatively and automatically stored. Before execution of step S4, the mode of determination is set to "automatic" in step S2 and data is alternatively and automatically e¢3 S 5 stored in the EEPROM. The mode of determination can be set to "automatic" in step S8.

Moreover, whether the mode of determination is "automatic" or not is determined in step S4 by using the determination mode data D written in the EEPROM 2 in step S2. Consequently, it is easy to set the mode of automatically determining the model of an equipment.

After the flow of process reaches the connector J from step S4, S6, or S7, the air conditioner 100c or 100d is distributed for shipment from the factory, change in the installation place, or the like. It is desirable to re-set initial data at a site where the air conditioner 100c or 100d is installed.

When the power of the air conditioner 100c or 100d is turned on at the site, after the flowchart shown in FIG. 6 is executed, step S8 in FIG. 7 is reached via the connector J. In step S8, a process of setting the EEPROM 2 at the site is performed.

By the process, the mode of determination is set as "automatic", or the air conditioner 100c on which the drive system 30b is mounted or the air conditioner 100d on which the driving system 30b is mounted is forcedly determined. Concretely, for example, the determination mode data D is rewritten and the CPU 3 operates on the basis of the rewritten determination mode data D, thereby forcedly determining the model of the device by ignoring the result of determination of the determining unit 4, and determining the kind of data to be stored in the area 2d.

Proceeding from step S8 to step S9 where the model determination setting is forcedly set as the air conditioner 00d or not is determined. For example, if the model O determination setting is forcedly set as the air conditioner 100d in step S8, step S10 is reached via the route indicated as from step S9. The initial data EEB proper to the air conditioner 100d is written in the EEPROM 2.

FIG. 41 is a diagram schematically showing an example of the operation in step FIG. 41(i) shows the state of the EEPROM 2 in which the initial data EEA is already written in the area 2d in step S3 or S6. FIG. 41(ii) shows a state where step is executed on the EEPROM 2 in the state of FIG. 41(i) and the initial data EEB is written.

In FIG. 41(i), the symbol D indicates that the determination mode data D written in step S2 remains and unchanged. In FIG. 41(ii), the symbol D' shows that the contents of the determination mode data D is changed from "automatic" to "air conditioner 100d" in step S8.

If it is determined in negative in step S9, step S11 is reached via the route indicated as in the diagram from step S9. In step S11, whether the model determination setting is forcedly set as the air conditioner 100c or not is determined.

For example, when the model determination is forcedly set as the air conditioner 100c in step S8, step S12 is reached from step S 1 via the route indicated as in the diagram.

Then, the initial data EEA proper to the air conditioner 100c is written in the EEPROM 2.

If it is determined in negative in step S11, step S13 is reached from step S11 via the route indicated as in the diagram.

As described above, by executing the flowchart shown in FIG. 7, the data in the EEPROM 2 once automatically set can be re-set manually. Thus, a change at the site where the air conditioner 100c or 100d is installed can be flexibly dealt with.

As obvious from the above process, the order of the pair of steps S9 and and the pair of steps S11 and S12 can be exchanged.

_In step S13, processes other than the initial setting of the EEPROM 2, for O example, setting of the temperature of the air conditioner, setting of wind direction, and the like are performed. The amounts which are set in such a manner can be stored as _user setting parameters in, for example, the area 2d in the EEPROM 2 in step S 13.

S 5 After that, when it is determined in step S14 that the power source is off, via N the route indicated as in the diagram, the flowchart is finished. If the power. source Sis not off, step S 15 is reached via the route indicated as in the diagram.

In step S15, whether the model determination setting is changed or not is determined. In the case of making the change, step S8 is reached back via the route indicated as in the diagram. In the case where the model determination setting is not changed, step S13 is reached back.

As described above, after the power source is turned off, the setting at the site of the EEPROM 2 is also completed. However, there is also a case that the user desires to further change data stored in the EEPROM 2 at the site after the power source is turned off. FIG. 42 is a schematic diagram showing such a case.. FIG. 42 shows a case that the electronic circuit 20 is once mounted on the air conditioner 1 00c and, after that, is used as a patch in the air conditioner 100d. In such a case, step S7 or S10 has to be executed again.

Also in the case where the electronic circuit 20 having the EEPROM 2 which is once mounted on the air conditioner 100c and is properly set is used as a patch for the air conditioner 1 00d and the power source is turned on, the flowcharts of FIGS. 6 and 7 can be employed. First, in step S1, since the EEPROM 2 is already set for the air conditioner 1 00c, determination is made in negative and the program advances to step S4.

If step S12 is executed when the EEPROM 2 is mounted on the air conditioner 100c and is set, determination is made in negative also in step S4 and the connector J is reached (this case corresponds to the case of which description has been postponed).

o The program advances to step S8 via the connector J and the model determination O 0,1 setting is forcedly set as the air conditioner 100d. Step S10 is reached via step S9 and the initial data EEB is written.

On the other hand, if step S6 is executed and step S12 is not executed after that C: when the EEPROM 2 is mounted on the air conditioner 100c and is set, positive determination is made in step S4. This corresponds to the case where, for example, I after step S6 is executed, the determination mode data D is left as "automatic" in step S8. Step S7 is reached via step S5 and the initial data EEB is written.

Alternately, the flowcharts of FIGS. 6 and 7 can be employed also in the case where the electronic circuit 20 is shipped from a factory and is singly employed as a patch part at a site for the following reason. By executing step S3, the EEPROM 2 of the electronic circuit 20 is set adapted to the air conditioner 100c at the time of shipment from the factory.

When the mode of determination is "automatic", an object of which presence or absence is determined by the determining unit 4 in step S5 does not have to be limited to the electronic expansion valve EV. Obviously, the object may be other parts and it is easy to realize the present invention with the other parts. The present invention can be, obviously, applied to an equipment other than the air conditioner.

While the invention has been shown and described in detail, the foregoing description is in all aspects illustrative and nonrestrictive. It is therefore understood that numerous modifications and variations can be devised without departing from the scope of the invention.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the invention as shown in the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.

Claims (4)

1. A data storing device comprising: a ROM for storing first and second data for controlling operations of equipments of different kinds respectively; Cc a rewritable ROM into which the first and second data is alternatively stored t from the ROM in accordance with the kind of said equipment; and r a processor for controlling the operation of the equipment on the basis of data t stored in the rewritable ROM.

2. The data storing device according to claim 2, further comprising: a determining unit for determining whether a predetermined part exists in the equipment or not and giving a result of the determination to the processor, wherein the processor alternatively stores the first and second data from the ROM into the rewritable ROM on the basis of the result of the determination.

3. The data storing device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein common data, which is stored in the rewritable ROM commonly in both of the case where the predetermined part exists in the equipment and the case where the predetermined part does not exist in the equipment, is stored in the ROM. 4 Equipment comprising: a driving system; and a data storing device, wherein said data storing device has: a ROM for storing first and second data for controlling operation of the driving system; a rewritable ROM into which the first and second data is alternatively stored from the ROM in accordance with the kind of said equipment; and a processor for controlling operation of the equipment on the basis of data stored in the rewritable ROM. The equipment according to claim 4, further comprising: a determining unit for determining whether a predetermined part exists in the equipment or not and giving a result of the determination to the processor, wherein the processor alternatively stores the first and second data from the ROM into the rewritable ROM on the basis of the result of the determination. m:\specifications\500000\503000\50391 tn 23 O O o 6. The equipment according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the predetermined part is an electronic expansion valve and functions as an air conditioner.

7. A data storing device as claimed in claim 1 and substantially as described herein t with reference to the accompanying drawings. In 8. Equipment as claimed in claim 4 and substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. Dated this seventh day of October 2005 Daikin Industries, Ltd. Patent Attorneys for the Applicant: F B RICE CO m:\specifications\50000\503000\503915clmhxg.doc