JP2004003831A - Air conditioner remote control device - Google Patents

Abstract

[Problem] The functions of a remote control device are diversifying, and the display contents are increasing. However, since the size of the liquid crystal display screen is limited, an increase in the display content causes a relative reduction in the display area, which causes a problem that the display is small and difficult to see. If the display is small and difficult to see, it may take a long time to set the operating conditions, or incorrect operating conditions may be set. In view of the above, a remote control device for an air conditioner capable of specifically notifying the operating conditions to be set is provided.
When a key operation is performed, an explanatory sentence regarding an operating condition corresponding to the key operation is displayed on a liquid crystal display unit in response to a simultaneous operation of a help key (auxiliary key).
[Selection diagram] Fig. 1

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD 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 operating conditions of the air conditioner.
[0003]
This remote control device sets various operating conditions such as cooling and heating operation modes, operation on / off, indoor set temperature, timer time, timer time, and the like according to a key operation by a user, and sets the set operating 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 the remote control device are diversifying, and the display contents are increasing.
[0005]
However, since the size of the liquid crystal display unit is limited, an increase in the display content causes a relative reduction in the display area, resulting in a problem that the display is small and difficult to see. If the display is small and difficult to see, it may take a long time to set the operating conditions, or incorrect operating conditions may be set.
[0006]
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances,
The remote control device for an air conditioner according to the first aspect of the present invention aims to be able to specifically notify the operating conditions to be set.
[0007]
A second object of the present invention is to provide a remote control device for an air conditioner that can appropriately notify an operating condition that cannot be set.
[0008]
A third aspect of the invention is directed to a remote control device for an air conditioner, in which initial setting of the device is easy.
[0009]
It is an object of the remote control device for an air conditioner according to the fourth and fifth aspects of the present invention to be able to easily and at a glance notify the operating condition setting status.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The remote control device for an air conditioner according to the first aspect of the present invention has a display unit for displaying various operating conditions of the air conditioner on the upper surface of the main body by characters, illustrations, marks, and the like, and an operation key for setting the operating conditions of the air conditioner. For selectively setting various operating conditions in accordance with key operations, displaying the set operating conditions on a display unit, and transmitting the set operating conditions to the air conditioner main body. An auxiliary key and control means for displaying, on the display unit, an explanatory note relating to a driving condition corresponding to the key operation in response to the simultaneous operation of the auxiliary key.
[0011]
The remote control device for an air conditioner according to the second aspect of the present invention is a display unit that displays 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 conditions of the air conditioner. The operation condition is selected and set according to the key operation, and the set operation condition is displayed on the display unit and transmitted to the air conditioner main body. Determining means for determining whether a corresponding operating condition can be set, and control means for displaying, on the display unit, an explanation to that effect when setting is determined to be impossible by the determining means; Is provided.
[0012]
The remote control device for an air conditioner according to the third aspect of the present invention is a display unit that displays various operating conditions of the air conditioner on the upper surface of the main body with characters, illustrations, marks, and the like, and operation keys for setting the operating conditions of the air conditioner. And selectively sets various operating conditions in accordance with the key operation, displays the set operating conditions on the display unit, and transmits the operating conditions to the air conditioner main body, and the operation power supply of the device is set. At the time of resetting the operation of the device or when the operation of the device is reset, a control unit for displaying a description about the initial setting of the device on the display unit is provided.
[0013]
The remote control device for an air conditioner according to the fourth aspect of the present invention is a display unit that displays 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 conditions of the air conditioner. Wherein various operating conditions are selected and set in accordance with a key operation, and the set operating conditions are displayed on a display unit and transmitted to the air conditioner main body. There are provided control means for displaying the condition in color and changing the display color of the operation condition depending on the operation condition, and control means for changing the display color of the operation condition between when the setting is changed and when the setting is confirmed.
[0014]
An air conditioner remote control device according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is a display unit that displays 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 conditions of the air conditioner. Wherein various operating conditions are selected and set in accordance with a key operation, and the set operating conditions are displayed on a display unit and transmitted to the air conditioner main body. A control unit that displays the condition in color and, when the operating condition set by the key operation is the indoor set temperature, displays the indoor set temperature in a color corresponding to a difference from the actual room temperature. .
[0015]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0016]
In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a wireless remote control device attached to an air conditioner, and operating conditions of the air conditioner, for example, a cooling mode, a heating mode, a dry mode, a blowing mode, an operation on / off, an indoor set temperature, and a timer. The time, timer time, and the like are set according to the key operation of the user, and are transmitted to the air conditioner 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 a run / stop key 6 in a portion approximately from the upper half to the upper side. The display unit 2 displays various operating conditions with characters, illustrations, marks, and the like.
[0018]
A door 7 which can be freely slidably opened and closed in a vertical direction is provided in a portion below approximately half of the upper surface of the main body. When the door 7 is slid downward 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 healthy dry key 8 is for setting a so-called healthy dry operation in which the resident is not exposed to the wind, and has a green surface. The help key 9 functions as an auxiliary key for assisting in setting operation conditions. The air laundry key 10 is used to set a dehumidifying operation for drying laundry, a so-called air laundry operation. The operation switching key 11 is used to set an operation mode such as cooling, heating, automatic, dry, and ventilation. The wind direction switching key 12 is used to set the direction of the blowout louver (the direction of the blowout wind). The air volume switching key 13 is used for setting the air volume. The swing key 14 is for setting on / off of a swing operation of the blowout louver.
[0020]
The sleep driving key 15 is for setting comfortable driving suitable for sleeping, and its surface is colored blue. The timer input key 16 is used to set an operation start time by a timer. The timer off key 17 is used to set an operation stop time by a 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 operation power supply.
[0022]
FIG. 2 shows a control circuit mounted on the main body.
[0023]
The display unit 2, the key input unit 31, the I / O (input / output) port 32, the oscillation circuit 33, the transmission unit 34, and the battery 25 are connected to the CPU 30 which is the control center.
[0024]
The key input unit 31 includes each key on the main body as a component, and inputs a signal corresponding to a key operation to the CPU 30. The oscillation circuit 33 generates a clock signal having a predetermined frequency required for operation. The transmitting unit 34 transmits the operating conditions set by the key operation to the air conditioner body by infrared light.
[0025]
The CPU 30 has the following [1] to [10] as main functional means.
[0026]
[1] Means for setting various operating conditions according to key operations.
[0027]
[2] Means for transmitting the set operating conditions from the transmitting unit 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 a key operation is performed, the pattern information of the operating condition corresponding to the key operation is enlarged and displayed on the display unit 2, and 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 is displayed on the display unit 2, and the pointer of one of the two image patterns is moved in accordance with the current time, and the pointer of the other image pattern is set. Analog display means for adjusting to 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 hands of the image pattern in accordance with the remaining time of the timer.
[0032]
[7] A control means for displaying, on the display unit 2, an explanatory note on the operating condition corresponding to the key operation in response to the simultaneous operation of the help key 9.
[0033]
[8] At the time of key operation, a judgment means for judging whether or not it is possible to set operating conditions corresponding to the key operation.
[0034]
[9] Control means for displaying an explanation on the display unit 2 when the determination means determines that the setting is impossible.
[0035]
[10] Control means for displaying, on the display unit 2, a description about the initial setting 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 operation of the list display key, as shown in FIG. 3, the display unit 2 displays a list of basic pattern information of various operation conditions such as an operation mode, a set temperature, and an air volume. The basic pattern information may be any of information corresponding to a predetermined standard operating condition, information corresponding to an operating condition set in a previous operation, and the like.
[0038]
(2) When the operation switching key 11 is operated in the state of the enlarged display list display, as the pattern information of the operating condition corresponding to the operation switching key 11, for example, character pattern information of "cooling" representing the cooling operation mode is displayed. As shown in FIG. 4, the display is enlarged in place of the list display. 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 determined.
[0039]
After a predetermined time has elapsed from the determination, as shown in FIG. 5, together with the enlarged display of the operation mode, the basic pattern information of other operation conditions such as the set temperature and the air volume not corresponding to the key operation is reduced and displayed.
[0040]
Such an 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, all the operating conditions in the set state can be easily grasped by the coexistence of the enlarged display and the reduced display.
[0041]
When the operation switching key 11 is operated, a plurality of character pattern information representing each operation mode is displayed as a large list as shown in FIG. 6, and one of the displayed character pattern information is set as a frame to be set. The enclosing frame may be sequentially shifted for each character pattern information every 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 timer off key 17 is operated while the list display of FIG. 3 is performed, a pair of clock-shaped image patterns are displayed in the list display as shown in FIG. Instead, it is displayed on the display unit 2. Of the two image patterns to be displayed, one (left side) of the image patterns serves for analog display of the current time, and the hands move in accordance with the current time. The image pattern on the other side (right side) serves as an analog display of the timer cutoff time (operation stop time), and the pointer moves in response to the operation of the timer key 18.
[0043]
In this way, 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 set easily and accurately while comparing with the current time.
[0044]
After the start of the operation, one clock-shaped image pattern is displayed on the display unit 2 as shown in FIG. This image pattern is used for analog display of the remaining time until the timer expires, that is, the remaining time of the timer, and the hands move in accordance with the remaining time of the timer. By this analog display, the remaining time of the timer 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 serves as an analog display of the timer input time (operation start time), and the image pattern shown in FIG. It will be responsible for the analog display of the timer remaining time).
[0046]
When the timer-off key 17 (or timer-on key 16) is operated, instead of the analog display of the current time and the analog display of the timer-off time (or timer-on time), as shown in FIG. The display and the digital display of the timer off time (or the timer on time) may be performed on one screen. After the start of the operation, as shown in FIG. 10, the image pattern of the hourglass is displayed, the sand portion of the hourglass is gradually erased in accordance with the remaining time of the timer, and the remaining time of the timer is digitally displayed below the image pattern of the hourglass. indicate.
[0047]
(4) Confirmation display When the confirmation key 23 is operated during operation or the like, as shown in FIG. 11, all the set operation conditions are sequentially enlarged and displayed at predetermined time intervals.
[0048]
As shown in FIG. 12, scrolling may be performed so as to flow through an enlarged display for all driving conditions. Information becomes easier to read.
[0049]
All operating conditions may be sequentially displayed as illustrations. As an example of the illustration, FIG. 13 shows the cooling operation mode, FIG. 14 shows the heating operation mode, FIG. 15 shows the set airflow “small wind”, FIG. 16 shows the set airflow “weak wind”, and FIG. 17 shows the set airflow “strong wind”.
[0050]
(5) Display of explanation When the health dry key 8 and the help key 9 are simultaneously operated, as shown in FIG. 18, an explanation about the healthy dry operation (also referred to as “healthy dry”) is displayed on the display unit 2.
[0051]
When the air laundry key 10 and the help key 9 are operated at the same time, a description about the air laundry operation is displayed as shown in FIG.
[0052]
By displaying these explanatory texts, the user can know exactly what operating conditions each key sets.
[0053]
(6) Indication of whether operating conditions can be set For example, when the healthy dry operation is being performed, even if the sleep operation key 15 is operated, the sleep operation mode cannot be set on the system.
[0054]
In this case, as shown in FIG. 20, an explanatory message indicating that the sleep mode cannot be set is displayed. In this example, since there are two explanations, both explanations are displayed alternately, for example, every 5 seconds.
[0055]
With this display, the user can properly know that the setting cannot be performed, 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, a description about the initial setting of the remote control device 1 is displayed on the display unit 2.
[0057]
For example, as shown in FIG. 21, operation procedures for setting the current time are sequentially displayed as a plurality of explanatory sentences. The user can easily complete the initial setting by performing key operations according to this display.
[0058]
(8) Modification a. The display section 2 may be a color liquid crystal display section so that color display is possible, and the display color of the operating condition may be different for each operating 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. It is preferable that the display color is one that intuitively associates the driving mode.
[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, a block at a position corresponding to the set temperature value is lit and displayed in a color corresponding to the set temperature value. You may do so.
[0061]
As the display color, a color that is intuitively associated with the set temperature value is preferable. For example, blue is assigned to 17 to 22 ° C., light blue to 23 to 26 ° C., orange to 27 to 28 ° C., and red to 29 to 30 ° C.
[0062]
c. Regarding the timer time, the color of the character display may be changed between when the setting is changed and when the setting is confirmed.
[0063]
For example, as shown in FIG. 25, the display is changed to blue while the setting is being changed, and is changed to red when the setting is confirmed. Thereafter, when three seconds elapse, the display is changed to the same black display as other information.
[0064]
d. The set operating condition marks (healthy dry mark, sleep driving mark) are displayed in the same color (green, blue) as the color assigned to the corresponding key (healthy dry key 8, sleep driving key 15). You may.
[0065]
For example, as shown in FIG. 26, when the healthy dry key 8 is operated, the same blue star mark attached to the healthy dry key 8 is lit. When the sleep operation key 15 is operated, the same green water droplet mark as that assigned to the sleep operation key 15 is displayed. When the battery 25 has a reduced capacity and it is time to replace it, a red battery mark is lit on.
[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 indoor temperature can be detected by providing an indoor temperature sensor in the main body, or can be detected by receiving indoor 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., as shown in FIG. 27, the set temperature value 26 ° C. is displayed in blue. This blue display allows the user to easily recognize 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 recognize that the set temperature value is higher than the room temperature.
[0068]
f. The set operating conditions may be notified by a color display of the merit mark shown in FIG.
[0069]
For example, the merit mark is displayed in blue during sleep driving, and the merit mark is displayed in red during powerful driving.
[0070]
g. In the case where mutual communication with the air conditioner main body is possible, when an abnormal code signal (for example, a 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 input as input information corresponding to the display content of the color liquid crystal display unit 2.
[0072]
For example, as shown in FIG. 30, a pair of numerical value increasing / decreasing triangular marks for setting temperature and time are displayed on the color liquid crystal display unit 2, and a touch operation on these triangular marks is taken as a numerical value input. In this case, the triangle mark touch-operated is displayed in red.
[0073]
i. This is a modification of the display of whether the operating condition can be set or not, and informs that the setting of the operating condition is not possible by the description "cannot be set".
[0074]
For example, when the healthy sleep driving is being executed, even if the sleep driving key 15 is operated, the sleep driving mode cannot be set on the system. At this time, as shown in FIG. 31, an explanatory note “cannot be set” blinks in red.
[0075]
j. By adopting the color display of a to i, the setting condition of the operating condition can be informed 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 present invention can specifically notify the operating condition to be set.
[0077]
The remote control device for an air conditioner according to the second aspect of the present invention can appropriately notify an operating condition that cannot be set to that effect.
[0078]
In the air conditioner remote control device according to the third aspect of the present invention, the initial setting of the device is easy.
[0079]
The air conditioner remote control device according to the fourth and fifth aspects of the present invention is capable of notifying at a glance 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 an exemplary view showing a list display according to the embodiment;
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an enlarged display when an operation mode is set in the embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a view showing an enlarged display and a reduced display when the operation mode is set in the embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a view showing a modification of the display when the operation mode is set in the embodiment.
FIG. 7 is an exemplary view showing time display and timer time display according to the embodiment;
FIG. 8 is a view showing a display of a timer remaining time according to the embodiment;
FIG. 9 is an exemplary view showing a modification of the time display and the timer time display of the embodiment.
FIG. 10 is an exemplary view showing a modification of the display of the remaining timer time of the embodiment.
FIG. 11 is an exemplary view showing a confirmation display of the embodiment.
FIG. 12 is an exemplary view showing a modification of the confirmation display of the embodiment.
FIG. 13 is a view showing an illustration display in a cooling operation mode of the embodiment.
FIG. 14 is a view showing an illustration display in a heating operation mode of the embodiment.
FIG. 15 is a view showing an illustration display of a set airflow “breeze” of the embodiment.
FIG. 16 is a view showing an illustration display of a set airflow “weak wind” of the embodiment.
FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an illustration display of a set airflow “strong wind” in the embodiment.
FIG. 18 is an exemplary view showing an explanatory note display of the embodiment;
FIG. 19 is an exemplary view showing another example of the explanation sentence display of the embodiment.
FIG. 20 is an exemplary view showing an explanatory note display of whether setting is possible in the embodiment.
FIG. 21 is an exemplary view showing a display of an initial setting procedure of the embodiment.
FIG. 22 is a diagram showing a color display in a cooling operation mode as a modification of the embodiment.
FIG. 23 is a view showing a color display in a heating operation mode as a modification of the embodiment.
FIG. 24 is a view showing a color display of a set room temperature as a modification of the embodiment.
FIG. 25 is a view showing a color display when a timer time is changed and confirmed as a modification of the embodiment.
FIG. 26 is a view showing a color display of marks as a modification of the embodiment.
FIG. 27 is a view showing a 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 view 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 view showing a color display of a merit mark as a modification of the embodiment.
FIG. 30 is a view showing a color display by a touch panel operation as a modification of the embodiment.
FIG. 31 is an exemplary view showing a display of a description of whether setting is possible or not 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 (5)

The display unit displays the various operating conditions of the air conditioner with characters, illustrations, marks, etc. on the top of the main unit, and operation keys for setting the operating conditions of the air conditioner.Select and set various operating conditions according to the key operation. In the air conditioner remote control device for displaying the set operating conditions on the display unit and transmitting the set operating conditions to the air conditioner body,
An auxiliary key for assisting in setting operating conditions;
A control unit configured to display, on the display unit, an explanatory note related to a driving condition corresponding to the key operation in response to a simultaneous operation of the auxiliary key.
A remote control device for an air conditioner, comprising: The display unit displays the various operating conditions of the air conditioner with characters, illustrations, marks, etc. on the top of the main unit, and operation keys for setting the operating conditions of the air conditioner.Select and set various operating conditions according to the key operation. In the air conditioner remote control device for displaying the set operating conditions on the display unit and transmitting the set operating conditions to the air conditioner body,
At the time of the key operation, a determination unit that determines whether or not it is possible to set a driving condition corresponding to the key operation,
Control means for displaying, on the display unit, an explanatory note to the effect that setting is impossible by the determination means;
A remote control device for an air conditioner, comprising: The display unit displays the various operating conditions of the air conditioner with characters, illustrations, marks, etc. on the top of the main unit, and operation keys for setting the operating conditions of the air conditioner.Select and set various operating conditions according to the key operation. In the air conditioner remote control device for displaying the set operating conditions on the display unit and transmitting the set operating conditions to the air conditioner body,
A control unit for displaying, on the display unit, an explanation on initial setting of the device when an operation power supply of the device is set or when the operation of the device is reset, a remote control unit for the air conditioner, Control device. The display unit displays the various operating conditions of the air conditioner with characters, illustrations, marks, etc. on the top of the main unit, and operation keys for setting the operating conditions of the air conditioner.Select and set various operating conditions according to the key operation. In the air conditioner remote control device for displaying the set operating conditions on the display unit and transmitting the set operating conditions to the air conditioner body,
The display unit displays the set operating conditions in color, and a control unit that changes the display color of the operating conditions depending on the operating conditions,
Control means for changing the display color of the operating condition between when the setting is changed and when the setting is confirmed,
A remote control device for an air conditioner, comprising: The display unit displays the various operating conditions of the air conditioner with characters, illustrations, marks, etc. on the top of the main unit, and operation keys for setting the operating conditions of the air conditioner.Select and set various operating conditions according to the key operation. In the air conditioner remote control device for displaying the set operating conditions on the display unit and transmitting the set operating conditions to the air conditioner body,
The display unit displays the set operating conditions in color, and when the operating condition set by key operation is an indoor set temperature, the indoor set temperature is displayed in a color corresponding to a difference from the actual indoor temperature. A remote control device for an air conditioner, comprising: control means for displaying.

Images