JP3788980B2 - Air conditioner remote control device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a remote control device for setting operating conditions of an air conditioner.
[0002]
[Prior art]
A wireless remote control device is used for setting the operating conditions of the air conditioner.
[0003]
This remote control device sets various operation conditions such as cooling, heating and other operation modes, operation on / off, indoor set temperature, timer time, timer time, etc. according to the user's key operation, and the set operation conditions Is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit and transmitted to the air conditioner by infrared light.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The functions of remote control devices have been diversified, and the content displayed has been increasing.
[0005]
However, since the size of the liquid crystal display unit is limited, an increase in display contents causes a reduction in relative display area, resulting in problems such as small display and difficulty in viewing. If the display is small and difficult to see, it may take a long time to set operating conditions, or incorrect operating conditions may be set.
[0006]
This invention takes the above circumstances into consideration,
The remote control device for an air conditioner according to the first aspect of the invention can specifically notify the operating condition to be set and can appropriately notify the operating condition that cannot be set. Furthermore, it is an object that the initial setting of the apparatus is easy .
[0009]
It is an object of the remote control device for an air conditioner of the inventions according to claims 2 and 3 to provide an easy-to-understand notification of the operating condition setting status.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The remote control device for an air conditioner of the invention according to claim 1 is a display unit for displaying various operating conditions of the air conditioner on the upper surface of the main body with characters, illustrations, marks, and the like, and an operation key for setting the operating condition of the air conditioner For selecting and setting various operating conditions according to key operations, displaying the set operating conditions on the display unit, and transmitting them to the air conditioner body, for assisting in setting the operating conditions. A control means that includes an auxiliary key, and that displays key words on the display unit corresponding to the key operation in response to the simultaneous operation of the auxiliary key at the time of key operation for setting the operation condition, and the operation condition. upon key operation for setting, when the key set of the corresponding operation conditions on the operation comprises a determining means whether it is in the possible situations not set in this determination means determines, that effect Control means for displaying an explanatory note on the display unit, and a control means for displaying an explanatory note on the initial setting of the device when the operation power of the device is set or when the operation of the device is reset; , the is provided.
[0013]
A remote control device for an air conditioner according to a second aspect of the present invention is the remote control device for an air conditioner according to the first aspect, wherein the display unit is a color display unit, and the display color of the operating condition by the display unit is made different for each operating condition. Control means and control means for changing the display color of the operating condition on the display unit between when the setting is changed and when the setting is confirmed are provided.
[0014]
The remote control device for an air conditioner according to a third aspect of the present invention is the remote control device for the air conditioner according to the first aspect, wherein the display unit is a color display unit and the operating condition set by key operation is the indoor set temperature. Control means for displaying the indoor set temperature in a color corresponding to the difference from the actual indoor temperature is provided.
[0015]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
[0016]
In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a wireless remote control device attached to an air conditioner. The operation conditions of the air conditioner, for example, a cooling mode, a heating mode, a dry mode, an air blowing mode, an operation on / off, an indoor set temperature, a timer. Time, timer time, etc. are set according to the user's key operation, and are transmitted to the air conditioner, which is the device to be controlled, by infrared light.
[0017]
The main body of the remote control device 1 is provided with a liquid crystal display unit 2, temperature setting keys 3 and 4, a one-hour operation key 5, and an operation / stop key 6 in the upper part from approximately half of the upper surface. The display unit 2 displays various operating conditions with characters, illustrations, marks, and the like.
[0018]
A door 7 that can be freely opened and closed in the vertical direction is provided in a portion from approximately half to the lower part of the upper surface of the main body. When the door 7 is slid down and opened, the operation panel surface is exposed, and there are a health dry key 8, a help key 9, an air laundry key 10, an operation switching key 11, a wind direction switching key 12, an air volume switching key 13, and a swing. A key 14, a sleep operation key 15, a timer on key 16, a timer off key 17, a timer adjustment key 18, a reservation key 19, a cancel key 20, a reset key 21, a clock key 22, and a confirmation key 23 are provided.
[0019]
The health dry key 8 is for setting a dehumidifying operation so-called healthy dry operation in which no wind is applied to the occupant, and the surface is colored green. The help key 9 functions as an auxiliary key for assisting in setting operation conditions. The air laundry key 10 is for setting a dehumidifying operation so-called air laundry operation for drying laundry. The operation switching key 11 is for setting an operation mode such as cooling, heating, automatic, dry, and air blowing. The wind direction switching key 12 is for setting the direction of the blowing louver (the direction of the blowing wind). The air volume switching key 13 is for setting the blown air volume. The swing key 14 is for setting on / off of the swing operation of the blowing louver.
[0020]
The sleep driving key 15 is for setting a comfortable driving suitable for sleeping, and the surface is colored blue. The timer input key 16 is for setting the operation start time by the timer. The timer cut key 17 is for setting the operation stop time by the timer. The timer adjustment key 18 is for setting the operation time by the timer.
[0021]
A battery storage section 24 is formed on the back side of the main body, and a battery 25 is stored therein as an operating power source.
[0022]
FIG. 2 shows a control circuit mounted on the main body.
[0023]
A display unit 2, a key input unit 31, an I / O (input / output) port 32, an oscillation circuit 33, a transmission unit 34, and a battery 25 are connected to a CPU 30 that is the center of control.
[0024]
The key input unit 31 includes each key on the main body as a constituent element, and inputs a signal corresponding to the key operation to the CPU 30. The oscillation circuit 33 generates a clock signal having a predetermined frequency necessary for operation. The transmission part 34 transmits the operating condition set by key operation to an air conditioner main body by infrared light.
[0025]
The CPU 30 includes the following [1] to [10] as main functional means.
[0026]
[1] Means for setting various operating conditions in accordance with key operations.
[0027]
[2] Means for sending the set operating condition from the transmitter 34 to the air conditioner body.
[0028]
[3] Control means for displaying a list of basic pattern information of various operating conditions on the display unit 2 when there is no key operation.
[0029]
[4] When there is a key operation, the pattern information of the operating condition corresponding to the key operation is enlarged and displayed on the display unit 2, and at the same time, the basic pattern information of other operating conditions not corresponding to the key operation is reduced on the display unit 2. Control means to display.
[0030]
[5] A pair of clock-shaped image patterns are displayed on the display unit 2, and the pointer portion of one of the image patterns is moved in accordance with the current time, and the pointer portion of the other image pattern is set. Analog display means to match the timer time or timer time.
[0031]
[6] Analog display means for displaying a clock-shaped image pattern on the display unit 2 and moving the pointer portion of the image pattern in accordance with the remaining timer time.
[0032]
[7] Control means for displaying an explanatory text relating to the operating condition corresponding to the key operation on the display unit 2 in response to the simultaneous operation of the help key 9 during the key operation.
[0033]
[8] A determining unit that determines whether or not the operating condition corresponding to the key operation can be set when the key operation is performed.
[0034]
[9] Control means for displaying an explanatory note to that effect on the display unit 2 when the determination means determines that setting is impossible.
[0035]
[10] Control means for displaying on the display unit 2 explanatory text relating to the initial settings of the device when the battery 25 is set or when the operation is reset by operating the reset key 21.
[0036]
Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described.
[0037]
(1) When there is no list display key operation, as shown in FIG. 3, basic pattern information of various operation conditions such as operation mode, set temperature, and air volume is displayed in a list on the display unit 2. The basic pattern information may be any of information corresponding to predetermined standard operating conditions, information corresponding to operating conditions set in the previous operation, and the like.
[0038]
(2) When the operation switching key 11 is operated in the enlarged display list display state, for example, character pattern information “cooling” indicating the cooling operation mode is displayed as pattern information of the operating condition corresponding to the operation switching key 11. As shown in FIG. The operation mode displayed in an enlarged manner is switched every time the operation switching key 11 is operated. When the confirmation key 23 is operated, the operation mode displayed at that time is confirmed.
[0039]
When a predetermined time elapses from the confirmation, as shown in FIG. 5, basic pattern information of other operating conditions such as a set temperature and an air volume that do not correspond to the key operation is reduced and displayed together with the enlarged display of the operation mode.
[0040]
Such enlarged display can solve the problem that the display is small and difficult to see. The time required for setting the operating conditions can be reduced, and appropriate operating conditions can always be set. In addition, the coexistence of the enlarged display and the reduced display makes it possible to easily grasp all the operating conditions in the set state.
[0041]
When the operation switch key 11 is operated, a plurality of character pattern information representing each operation mode is displayed in a large list as shown in FIG. 6, and one of the displayed character pattern information is set as a setting target in a frame. The frame may be sequentially moved with respect to each character pattern information each time the operation switching key 11 is pressed. By operating the confirmation key 23, the operation mode of the frame display is determined as the set operation mode.
[0042]
(3) Parallel display of current time and timer time When the list display of FIG. 3 is performed, when the timer cut key 17 is operated, a pair of clock-shaped image patterns are displayed in the list display as shown in FIG. Instead, it is displayed on the display 2. Of the two image patterns to be displayed, one (left side) image pattern is responsible for analog display of the current time, and the pointer portion moves in accordance with the current time. The other (right side) image pattern is responsible for analog display of the timer cut-off time (operation stop time), and the pointer portion moves according to the operation of the timer key 18.
[0043]
Thus, by arranging the analog display of the current time and the analog display of the timer expiration time on one screen, the timer expiration time can be easily and accurately set while comparing with the current time.
[0044]
After the start of operation, as shown in FIG. 8, one clock-shaped image pattern is displayed largely on the display unit 2. This image pattern is responsible for analog display of the remaining time until the timer expiration time, so-called timer remaining time, and the pointer portion moves in accordance with the timer remaining time. By this analog display, the remaining timer time can be grasped at a glance.
[0045]
When the timer input key 16 is operated, the image pattern on the right side shown in FIG. 7 bears an analog display of the timer input time (operation start time), and the image pattern shown in FIG. Responsible for analog display of timer remaining time.
[0046]
When the timer off key 17 (or timer on key 16) is operated, instead of analog display of the current time and analog display of the timer off time (or timer on time), as shown in FIG. You may make it perform a display and digital display of the timer cut-off time (or timer on time) on one screen. After the start of operation, as shown in FIG. 10, the hourglass image pattern is displayed, the sand portion of the hourglass is gradually erased according to the remaining timer time, and the remaining timer time is sequentially digitalized below the hourglass image pattern. indicate.
[0047]
(4) Confirmation display When the confirmation key 23 is operated during the operation or the like, as shown in FIG. 11, all the set operation conditions are sequentially enlarged and displayed for a predetermined time.
[0048]
As shown in FIG. 12, you may scroll so that the enlarged display about all the driving | running conditions may flow. The information becomes easier to read.
[0049]
All operating conditions may be displayed as an illustration sequentially. As an illustrative example, FIG. 13 shows the cooling operation mode, FIG. 14 shows the heating operation mode, FIG. 15 shows the set air volume “light”, FIG. 16 shows the set air volume “weak”, and FIG. 17 shows the set air volume “strong”.
[0050]
(5) Display of explanatory text When the health dry key 8 and the help key 9 are operated at the same time, an explanatory text related to the health dry driving (also referred to as healthy dry) is displayed on the display unit 2 as shown in FIG.
[0051]
When the air laundry key 10 and the help key 9 are operated at the same time, as shown in FIG. 19, an explanatory note regarding the air laundry operation is displayed.
[0052]
By displaying these explanatory texts, the user can accurately know what operating conditions are set for each key.
[0053]
(6) Display of whether or not to set driving conditions For example, when a healthy dry driving is being executed, even if the sleep driving key 15 is operated, the sleep driving mode cannot be set on the system.
[0054]
In this case, as shown in FIG. 20, an explanatory note that the sleep operation mode cannot be set is displayed. In this example, since there are two explanatory texts, both explanatory texts are displayed alternately for 5 seconds, for example.
[0055]
By this display, the user can appropriately know that the setting cannot be made, and the reliability is ensured.
[0056]
(7) When a new battery 25 is set in the main body or when the operation is reset by operating the reset key 21, an explanation regarding the initial setting of the remote control device 1 is displayed on the display unit 2.
[0057]
For example, as shown in FIG. 21, an operation procedure for setting the current time is sequentially displayed as a plurality of explanatory texts. The user can easily complete the initial setting by operating the keys according to this display.
[0058]
(8) Modification a. The display unit 2 may be a color liquid crystal display unit, and color display is possible, and the display color of the operation condition may be different for each operation condition.
[0059]
For example, the cooling operation mode is displayed in blue characters as shown in FIG. 22, and the heating operation mode is displayed in red characters as shown in FIG. As the display color, a display color reminiscent of the operation mode is preferable.
[0060]
b. As for the set room temperature, as shown in FIG. 24, a plurality of blocks are arranged and displayed, and among these blocks, the block at the position corresponding to the set temperature value is lit and displayed in a color corresponding to the set temperature value. You may do it.
[0061]
The display color is preferably one that is sensuously associated with the set temperature value. For example, blue is assigned to 17 to 22 ° C, light blue is assigned to 23 to 26 ° C, orange is assigned to 27 to 28 ° C, and red is assigned to 29 to 30 ° C.
[0062]
c. Regarding the timer time, the color of the character display may be changed when the setting is changed and when the setting is confirmed.
[0063]
For example, as shown in FIG. 25, during the setting change, the color is displayed in blue, and the setting is changed to red when determined. Thereafter, when 3 seconds elapse, the display is changed to the same black display as other information.
[0064]
d. The set operating condition mark (health dry mark, sleep operation mark) is displayed in the same color as the color (green, blue) attached to the corresponding key (health dry key 8, sleep operation key 15). May be.
[0065]
For example, as shown in FIG. 26, when the health dry key 8 is operated, the same blue star mark as that attached to the health dry key 8 is lit up. When the sleep operation key 15 is operated, the same green water drop mark as that attached to the sleep operation key 15 is displayed. When the capacity of the battery 25 is reduced and it is time to replace it, a red battery mark is lit.
[0066]
e. Regarding the set room temperature, the set temperature value may be displayed in a color corresponding to the difference from the actual room temperature. The room temperature can be detected by providing a room temperature sensor in the main body or by receiving room temperature information from the air conditioner main body.
[0067]
For example, when the set temperature value is 26 ° C. and the actual room temperature is 27 ° C., the set temperature value 26 ° C. is displayed in blue as shown in FIG. With this blue display, the user can easily detect that the set temperature value is lower than the room temperature. When the set temperature value is 28 ° C. and the actual room temperature is 27 ° C., the set temperature value 28 ° C. is displayed in red as shown in FIG. By this red display, the user can easily detect that the set temperature value is higher than the room temperature.
[0068]
f. You may make it alert | report by the display according to the color of the merit mark shown in FIG.
[0069]
For example, the merit mark is lit in blue during sleep driving, and the merit mark is lit in red during powerful driving.
[0070]
g. When mutual communication with the air conditioner main body is possible, when an abnormal code signal (for example, compressor abnormality) is input from the air conditioner main body, the display content of the color liquid crystal display unit 2 may be changed to a flashing red display. Good.
[0071]
h. A touch panel may be provided on the surface of the color liquid crystal display unit 2 and a touch operation on the touch panel may be captured as input information corresponding to the display content of the color liquid crystal display unit 2.
[0072]
For example, as shown in FIG. 30, the color liquid crystal display unit 2 displays a pair of numerical value increasing / decreasing triangle marks whose temperature and time are to be set, and a touch operation on these triangular marks is captured as a numerical value input. In this case, the touched triangle mark is lit in red.
[0073]
i. This is a modified example of the display of whether or not the operating condition can be set, and the fact that the operating condition cannot be set is notified by an explanatory note “cannot be set”.
[0074]
For example, when a healthy dry operation is being executed, the sleep operation mode cannot be set on the system even if the sleep operation key 15 is operated. At this time, as shown in FIG. 31, an explanatory note “cannot be set” is displayed blinking in red.
[0075]
j. By adopting these color displays from a to i, the setting condition of the operating condition can be notified at a glance.
[0076]
【The invention's effect】
As mentioned above,
The remote control device for an air conditioner according to the first aspect of the invention can specifically notify the operating condition to be set and can appropriately notify the operating condition that cannot be set. Furthermore, the initial setting of the device is easy.
[0079]
The remote control device for an air conditioner according to the second and third aspects of the invention can easily and easily notify the setting condition of the operating condition at a glance.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control circuit according to the embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a view showing a list display of the embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a view showing an enlarged display when the operation mode is set according to the embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an enlarged display and a reduced display when the operation mode is set according to the embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a view showing a modification of the display when the operation mode is set according to the embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a view showing a time display and a timer time display according to the embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a view showing a display of a remaining timer time of the embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a view showing a modification of the time display and timer time display of the embodiment.
FIG. 10 is a view showing a modification of the timer remaining time display according to the embodiment;
FIG. 11 is a view showing a confirmation display of the embodiment.
FIG. 12 is a view showing a modification of the confirmation display of the embodiment.
FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an illustration display of a cooling operation mode according to the embodiment.
FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an illustration display of a heating operation mode of the embodiment.
FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an illustration display of a set air volume “light wind” according to the embodiment;
FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an illustration display of a set air volume “weak wind” according to the embodiment;
FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an illustration display of a set air volume “strong wind” according to the embodiment;
FIG. 18 is a view showing an explanatory note display according to the embodiment;
FIG. 19 is a diagram showing another example of an explanatory note display according to the embodiment.
FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an explanatory text display indicating whether setting is possible according to the embodiment;
FIG. 21 is a view showing a display of an initial setting procedure according to the embodiment;
FIG. 22 is a diagram showing color display in a cooling operation mode as a modification of the embodiment.
FIG. 23 is a diagram showing color display in a heating operation mode as a modification of the embodiment.
FIG. 24 is a view showing color display of a set room temperature as a modification of the embodiment.
FIG. 25 is a diagram showing a color display when changing and determining the timer time as a modification of the embodiment.
FIG. 26 is a diagram showing color display of marks as a modification of the embodiment.
FIG. 27 is a diagram showing color display based on a comparison between a set room temperature and a room temperature as a modification of the embodiment.
FIG. 28 is a diagram showing another example of color display based on a comparison between a set room temperature and a room temperature as a modification of the embodiment.
FIG. 29 is a diagram showing color display of merit marks as a modification of the embodiment.
FIG. 30 is a diagram showing color display by touch panel operation as a modification of the embodiment;
FIG. 31 is a diagram showing an explanatory text display indicating whether setting is possible as a modification of the embodiment;
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Main body, 2 ... Liquid crystal display part, 3, 4 ... Temperature setting key, 5 ... Run / stop key, 6 ... Door, 30 ... Microcomputer, 41, 42 ... 7 segment display pattern, 43, 44 ... Display pattern.

Claims (3)

On the top of the main unit is equipped with a display that displays various operating conditions of the air conditioner with characters, illustrations, marks, etc. and operation keys that set the operating conditions of the air conditioner, and various operating conditions are selected and set according to the key operation. In the remote control device of the air conditioner that displays the set operating condition on the display unit and transmits it to the air conditioner body,
An auxiliary key for assisting in setting the operating condition is provided, and when the key operation for setting the operating condition is performed, an explanatory text regarding the operating condition corresponding to the key operation is displayed on the display unit according to the simultaneous operation of the auxiliary key. Control means for displaying;
When a key operation for setting the operation condition is performed , a determination unit that determines whether or not the operation condition corresponding to the key operation can be set is provided. Control means for displaying the explanatory text of
Control means for displaying an explanatory text relating to the initial setting of the device on the display unit when the operation power supply of the device is set or when the operation of the device is reset;
A remote control device for an air conditioner characterized by comprising: The display unit is a color display unit,
Control means for changing the display color of the operation condition by the display unit for each operation condition, and control means for changing the display color of the operation condition by the display unit when the setting is changed and when the setting is confirmed are further provided. The remote control device for an air conditioner according to claim 1 , wherein the remote control device is an air conditioner. The display unit is a color display unit,
2. A control means for displaying, when the operating condition set by key operation is the indoor set temperature, a color corresponding to the difference from the actual indoor temperature. The remote control device of the air conditioner described .

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