JP2010245827A - Control apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a control apparatus capable of suppressing the length of a control signal and reducing failures in the reception of the control signal. <P>SOLUTION: The control apparatus (remote controller) 1 is capable of transmitting to a controlled device (air conditioner) A control signals C1, C2 generated by combining a plurality of types of transmission data within a prescribed format. As transmission types of the control signals C1, C2, transmission of one type of control signals C1, C2 and continuous transmission of a plurality of types of control signals C1, C2 different in a part of the transmission data are attainable; and the control signals C1, C2 includes transmission type discrimination data parts D1, D2 for discriminating the transmission types of the control signals C1, C2. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a control apparatus that combines a plurality of types of data in a predetermined format and transmits the data to a controlled device.

  Conventionally, a control device such as a remote controller of an air conditioner, for example, transmits a control signal by operating an operation unit such as a switch. This control signal is composed of a group of data and is configured in a predetermined format.

  This control signal is a combination of various transmission data such as a reader, custom code, parity, data code and trailer (see Patent Document 1 below).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. Hei 4-90634 (especially FIG. 6)

  In recent years, the number of functions of devices controlled by the remote controller has increased with respect to the data amount of the control signal, so the data amount is increased by changing the length of the control signal to correspond to the function of the device. It is considered.

  However, when the control signal is lengthened, there is a possibility that the possibility that the device fails to receive the control signal increases.

  Therefore, in order to cope with the increased data amount without changing the length of the control signal, only the first control signal having arbitrary transmission data and the second control signal having data different from the first control signal are used. A remote controller that transmits only the control signal and a combination of the first control signal and the second control signal can be considered.

  However, when the first control signal and the second control signal are transmitted in combination, the device side fails to receive the control signal, and the first control signal or the second control signal Only the control signal is received, the second control signal transmitted in combination and the first control signal are not received, and the control different from the control desired by the operator who operates the remote controller is performed. There was a risk that the equipment would do.

  Accordingly, the present invention focuses on the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide a control device capable of suppressing the length of the control signal and reducing the failure of receiving the control signal.

  The present invention provides a control apparatus capable of transmitting a control signal, which is a combination of a plurality of types of transmission data in a predetermined format, to a controlled device, and transmitting only one type of the control signal as a transmission type of the control signal. , Continuous transmission of a plurality of types of the control signals with a part of the transmission data being possible, and a transmission type discrimination data section for discriminating the transmission type of the control signals provided in the control signal. Features.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the control apparatus which can achieve the intended objective, can suppress the length of a control signal, and can reduce the failure of reception of a control signal can be provided.

The block diagram which shows the electrical constitution of the remote controller which is embodiment of this invention, and an air conditioner. The figure which shows a 1st control signal. The figure which shows a 2nd control signal. The figure which shows a 1st control signal and a 2nd control signal.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  A remote controller (control device) 1 according to the present embodiment includes a key input unit 2, a control unit 3, a storage unit 4, a transmission / reception unit 5, and a display unit 6. A is a controlled device controlled by a remote controller, which is an air conditioner in the present embodiment, and is controlled by a control signal from the remote controller 1.

  The key input means 2 consists of a push switch, a touch panel switch, etc., for example, and performs various operations regarding control of the air conditioner A.

  The control means 3 is mainly configured by a microcomputer, and includes a CPU for executing a predetermined program, a ROM storing the program, a RAM temporarily storing calculation results, and the like. It has a drive circuit for outputting a control signal to control the operation of the conditioner A, an interface unit for inputting a control signal from the key input means 2, and the like.

  The control unit 3 receives a control signal from the key input unit 2 and combines a plurality of types of transmission data in a predetermined format according to the state of the remote controller 1 when the key input unit 2 is operated. Is generated. Further, the control means 3 detects the operating state of the air conditioner A and causes the display means 6 to display a set state corresponding to the operating function during operation.

  The memory | storage part 4 records various data, such as the setting possible range in various driving functions, non-volatilely, for example, consists of EEPROM.

  The transmission / reception means 5 includes an infrared light emitting diode, an infrared sensor, and the like, and transmits the control signal of the control means 3 to the air conditioner A by an infrared transmission signal. Further, it also receives an infrared transmission signal from the air conditioner A. The transmission path of the transmission / reception means 5 may be a wired system in which the remote controller 1 and the air conditioner A are connected by a communication line.

  The display means 6 is provided with a liquid crystal display element such as a dot matrix type as a display element, and a display element whose display contents can be changed according to a setting situation is used.

  Next, communication between the remote controller 1 and the air conditioner A will be described. The remote controller 1 can transmit the first and second control signals C1 and C2 in which a part of the transmission data is different as a control signal, and the first and second control signals C1 and C2 are transmitted as control signal transmission types. Transmission of only one type of C2 and transmission of the first and second control signals C1 and C2 in succession are possible. The “control signal transmission type” mentioned here includes the type of the control signal and whether the control signal is a single type of transmission or a plurality of types of continuous transmission.

  FIG. 2 shows a case where the remote controller 1 transmits only the first control signal C1 to the air conditioner A. The first control signal C1 has a limited predetermined format such as 96 bits, for example, and various transmission data for controlling the air conditioner A are stored in this format. As transmission data stored in the first control signal C1, frequently used data is preferable.

  For example, when an operation for increasing the set temperature, which is control of the air conditioner A, is performed by the key input unit 2, the remote controller 1 generates the first control signal C1 having transmission data for increasing the set temperature by 1 degree Celsius. And output twice. The interval of the first control signal C1 output twice is, for example, 15 milliseconds. The first control signal C1 is output twice in consideration of transmission / reception failure, and the first control signal C1 may be output once.

  The first control signal C1 is provided with a transmission type discrimination data part D1 for discriminating the transmission type of the control signal. In the case of FIG. The data “only the control signal C1 is transmitted” is stored.

  In the air conditioner A, the transmission type determination data unit D1 of the first control signal C1 determines that the second control signal C2 is not transmitted following the first control signal C1, and the first control signal C1 Upon reception, it can be determined that the reception process has been normally completed.

  FIG. 3 shows a case where the remote controller 1 transmits only the second control signal C2 to the air conditioner A.

  Like the first control signal C1, the second control signal C2 has a limited predetermined format such as 96 bits, and transmission data for controlling the air conditioner A is stored in this format. . The transmission data stored in the second control signal C2 is preferably data that is less frequently used than the transmission data included in the first control signal C1.

  For example, when a wind direction setting operation that is control of the air conditioner A is performed by the key input means 2, the remote controller 1 generates a second control signal C2 having transmission data for changing the wind direction, and the second control signal C2 is generated. The control signal C2 is output twice. The interval of the second control signal C2 output twice is the same as that of the first control signal C1. Note that the second control signal C2 may be output once.

  The second control signal C2 is provided with a transmission type discrimination data part D2 for discriminating the transmission type of the control signal. In the case of FIG. The data “only the control signal C2 is transmitted” is stored.

  In the air conditioner A, the transmission type determination data unit D2 of the second control signal C2 determines that the first control signal C1 is not transmitted prior to the second control signal C2, and the second control signal C2 It is possible to determine that the reception process has been normally completed.

  FIG. 4 shows a case where the remote controller 1 continuously transmits the first control signal C1 and the second control signal C2 to the air conditioner A.

  For example, an operation for changing the setting value of the operation menu which is the control of the air conditioner A is performed by the key input means 2 (here, the power saving operation menu is changed and the automatic cleaning function valid / invalid menu is changed). When an operation for determining the change of the value is performed, the remote controller 1 includes the first control signal C1 having transmission data for changing the power saving operation menu and the second transmission data having the automatic cleaning function valid / invalid menu. The control signal C2 is generated, the first control signal C1 is output twice, and the second control signal C2 is output twice after a predetermined interval time (for example, 125 milliseconds). Note that the first and second control signals C1 and C2 may be output once.

  “Transmit first control signal C1 and second control signal C2 continuously” to transmission type determination data portions D1 and D2 of first and second control signals C1 and C2 output at this time. Is stored.

  In the air conditioner A, the transmission type determination data part D1 of the first control signal C1 determines that the second control signal C2 is transmitted following the first control signal C1, and the first control signal C1. It is possible to determine that the reception process has been normally completed when the second control signal C2 is received.

  Even if the air conditioner A receives the first control signal C1 including the data “send first control signal C1 and second control signal C2 continuously”, the above-mentioned If the second control signal C2 cannot be received even after the interval time has elapsed, it can be determined that the second control signal C2 has been lost.

  Further, when the air conditioner A receives from the second control signal C2 without receiving the first control signal C1, the transmission type determination data unit D2 of the second control signal C2 sets the second control signal C2. It can be determined that the first control signal C1 is transmitted prior to the control signal C2, and the first control signal C1 is lost.

  In the present embodiment, the remote controller 1 is provided separately from the air conditioner A. However, the control device of the present invention may be an operation panel provided integrally with the controlled device.

  With the above configuration, the increased data amount can be handled by transmitting a control signal storing different data without changing the format length of the control signal.

  In addition, it is possible to reduce the length of the control signal and reduce the failure to receive the control signal. Further, by providing transmission type discrimination data sections D1 and D2 for different types of control signals C1 and C2, respectively, control for transmitting only one type of control signals of different types and control for transmitting a plurality of types in succession. It can be selected according to the control content, and an increase in power consumption when transmitting a control signal can be suppressed.

  The present invention is suitable for a control device that combines a plurality of types of data in a predetermined format and transmits the data to a controlled device.

A Air conditioner (controlled equipment)
C1 1st control signal C2 2nd control signal D1, D2 Transmission type discrimination | determination data part 1 Remote controller (control apparatus)
2 Key input means 3 Control means 4 Storage section 5 Transmission / reception means 6 Display means

Claims (1)

In a control device capable of transmitting a control signal composed of a plurality of types of transmission data within a predetermined format to a controlled device,
As the transmission type of the control signal, it is possible to transmit only one type of the control signal and continuously transmit a plurality of types of the control signal in which a part of the transmission data is different.
A control apparatus comprising a transmission type discrimination data section for discriminating a transmission type of the control signal in the control signal.

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