Remote controller for air conditioner

Abstract

To improve the usability of a remote controller for an air conditioner.SOLUTION: A remote controller 10 is a remote controller for an air conditioner, and includes: an operation unit 12 for receiving an operation to switch the selection state of an item or an operation of switching the category of a screen; a display unit 13 for displaying a screen; and a controller 14. The controller 14 switches a displayed screen to a screen of a category different from that of the displayed screen in a case where an operation to a first direction is done to the operation unit 12 when an item in the edge of the screen of the total items of the category of the screen displayed in the display unit 13 is selected.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a remote controller for an air conditioner. [Background technology]

[0002] There is a technology in which, when one menu item is selected from among multiple higher-level menu items displayed on a screen, multiple lower-level menu items corresponding to the selected higher-level menu item (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the "selected higher-level item") are displayed side-by-side on the same screen as the selected higher-level menu item. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2013-159273 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The above technology displays a higher-level selection item and multiple lower-level menu items corresponding to the higher-level selection item side-by-side on the same screen. However, with the conventional technology, it is difficult for users who have difficulty understanding the rules of menu arrangement, such as the menu movement / selection method, in which the top-level menu is moved horizontally and each menu in the hierarchy below the top-level is moved vertically, to reach the desired menu item. Therefore, there is an issue that the usability of conventional remote controllers for air conditioners is low (difficult to use).

[0005] The present disclosure provides a technique that can improve the usability of a remote controller for an air conditioner. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The remote controller of the disclosed embodiment is a remote controller for an air conditioner, and includes an operation unit that accepts an operation to switch a selection state of an item or an operation to switch a category of a screen, a display unit that displays a screen, and a control unit. When an operation to switch the selection state is performed on the operation unit with an item located at an edge of a screen selected among all items belonging to a category of the screen displayed on the display unit, the control unit switches the screen to a screen of a category different from that displayed on the screen. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the technique of the present disclosure, it is possible to improve the usability of a remote controller for an air conditioner. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an air conditioning system according to this embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the appearance of the remote controller according to the present embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the operation unit according to the present embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a remote controller according to the present embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the operation of the remote controller according to the present embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of the operation of the remote controller according to the present embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of the operation of the remote controller according to the present embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] The technology of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0010] [Description of the embodiment] <Air conditioning system configuration> Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an air conditioning system according to this embodiment. In Fig. 1, the air conditioning system 1 has a remote controller 10 and an air conditioner 20. The remote controller 10 is a remote controller for the air conditioner 20, and the operation of the air conditioner 20 is controlled in response to a user's operation on the remote controller 10. The remote controller 10 and the air conditioner 20 wirelessly communicate with each other using, for example, infrared communication or high-frequency communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark).

[0011] <External appearance of the remote controller> 2 is a diagram showing an example of the appearance of a remote controller according to this embodiment. In FIG. 2, a remote controller 10 is a remote controller for an air conditioner, and has a housing 11, an operation unit 12, and a display unit 13.

[0012] The housing 11 is made of a resin material such as ABS. In this embodiment, the housing 11 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape, but the structure of the housing 11 is not limited to the structure shown in FIG. 2 as long as the shape functions as the remote controller 10 and is a cube, a cylinder, or the like other than a rectangular parallelepiped.

[0013] An operation unit 12 and a display unit 13 are provided on the top surface of the housing 11. A user controls the operation of the air conditioner 20 by viewing a screen (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a "display screen") displayed on the display unit 13 and operating the operation unit 12. Note that in this embodiment, "screen" or "display screen" refers to a screen (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a "menu screen") for setting the operation of the remote controller 10 or the air conditioner 20, unless otherwise specified.

[0014] <Operation section configuration> Here, the selection buttons and decision button included in the operation unit 12 will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the operation unit 12 according to this embodiment. As shown in the remote controller 10 in FIG. 2, the operation unit 12 is provided with physical buttons for switching screens displayed on the display unit 13 and moving a selection cursor for selecting an item. Note that the "selection cursor" here is an object indicating an item selected by the user, as shown in a dotted frame C1 in FIG. 5, for example. For example, the operation unit 12 may be provided with four selection buttons 121 to 124 and one decision button 125.

[0015] From here, the four selection buttons 121 to 124 and the one decision button 125 will be described. Note that in the following description, it is assumed that the user holds the remote controller 10 so that selection button 121 is "up", selection button 122 is "down", selection button 123 is "left", and selection button 124 is "right", and that the user operates each button on the operation unit 12 while looking at the screen of the display unit 13. Note that the up, down, left, and right directions when the user waits in this manner are shown in FIG. 2.

[0016] As shown in Figs. 5 to 7 described below, selection button 121 is a button for switching the displayed selection screen or selection items to those located toward the top of the display screen. Selection button 122 is a button for switching the displayed selection screen or selection items to those located toward the bottom of the display screen. Selection button 123 is a button for switching the displayed selection screen or selection items to those located toward the left of the display screen. Selection button 124 is a button for switching the displayed selection screen or selection items to those located toward the right of the display screen.

[0017] The decision button 125 is a button for transmitting the operation content for the screen or item selected by the user using the selection buttons 121 to 124 to the air conditioner 20. Note that in this embodiment, as described above, the selection button or decision button will be described on the assumption that it is a physical button, but this is not limited to this and other buttons (for example, a touch panel type) may also be used.

[0018] The operation unit 12 accepts operations by the user for controlling the operation of the air conditioner 20. Specifically, the operation unit 12 can accept an operation to switch the selection state of an item (the selection cursor described above) or an operation to switch categories in response to an operation of a selection button and a decision button included in the operation unit 12. Note that the "item" here refers to a setting item for the operation of the remote controller 10 or the air conditioner 20, etc. Also, a "category" refers to a classification item when the aforementioned items are categorized into several groups.

[0019] For example, operation unit 12 may accept an upward operation using selection button 121 or a downward operation using selection button 122 as an operation for switching the selection state. Operation unit 12 may accept a leftward operation using selection button 123 or a rightward operation using selection button 124 as an operation for switching the screen category. Note that in this embodiment, the operation for switching the selection state will be described as an "upward operation or downward operation" and the operation for switching the screen category will be described as a "leftward operation or rightward operation", but this is not limiting.

[0020] <Remote controller configuration> Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the remote controller 10 according to this embodiment. In Fig. 4, the remote controller 10 has an operation unit 12, a display unit 13, a control unit 14, a storage unit 15, and a communication unit 16. The control unit 14, the storage unit 15, and the communication unit 16 are arranged inside a housing 11. The control unit 14 performs various controls of the remote controller 10. The storage unit 15 stores various information necessary for the operation of the remote controller 10. The communication unit 16 communicates with the air conditioner 20 by transmitting infrared rays or radio waves.

[0021] <Remote controller operation> 5 to 7 are diagrams illustrating an example of the operation of the remote controller 10 according to the present embodiment.

[0022] The remote controller 10 according to the present embodiment provides a technique related to a method for switching screens displayed based on button operations included in the operation unit 12. First, the menu screens stored in the storage unit 15 and switching of the menu screens will be described with reference to Fig. 5. For convenience of explanation, the explanation will be given separately for Fig. 5 to Fig. 7, but the functions of the remote controller 10 described below may be realized by combining one or more of them.

[0023] The storage unit 15 stores each of the menu screens MP1 to MP7 shown in FIG. 5. For example, the menu screen MP1 displays a list of items related to convenient settings for the operation of the air conditioner 20 in the category "convenience". For example, the menu screens MP2 and MP3 display a list of items related to temperature adjustment of the air conditioner 20 in the category "temperature control". For example, the menu screen MP4 displays a list of items related to cleaning the inside of the air conditioner 20 and the air purification function in the category "cleanliness". For example, the menu screens MP5 and MP6 display a list of items related to the general settings of the air conditioner main unit in the category "main unit settings". For example, the menu screen MP7 displays a list of items related to the operation of the remote controller 10 itself in the category "environment settings". In addition, the categories and items in each menu screen described here are merely examples, and the information related to the menu screens that the storage unit 15 can store is not limited to this.

[0024] In response to the operation of a button included in the operation unit 12, the control unit 14 reads out one of the menu screens MP1 to MP7 stored in the storage unit 15, and displays it on the display unit 13. For example, when the user presses the menu button 126 included in the operation unit 12 in FIG. 2, the control unit 14 can display the menu screen MP1 with the category "Convenient" on the display unit 13.

[0025] 5, when either the selection button 123 or the selection button 124 is operated while any one of the menu screens MP1 to MP7 is displayed on the display unit 13, the control unit 14 switches the contents of the display screen. For example, when the selection button 124 is operated while the menu screen MP1 is displayed on the display unit 13, the control unit 14 switches the display screen from the menu screen MP1 to the menu screen MP2. Also, when the selection button 123 is operated while the menu screen MP2 is displayed on the display unit 13, the control unit 14 switches the display screen from the menu screen MP2 to the menu screen MP1.

[0026] Furthermore, when the selection button 123 is operated while the menu screen MP1 is displayed on the display unit 13, the control unit 14 switches the display screen from the menu screen MP1 to the menu screen MP7. Furthermore, when the selection button 124 is operated while the menu screen MP7 is displayed on the display unit 13, the control unit 14 switches the display screen from the menu screen MP7 to the menu screen MP1. In this manner, the control unit 14 switches the display screen as shown in FIG. 5 in response to the operation of the selection button 123 or 124. Note that the above-mentioned operations and screen switching processes for the other menu screens are similar to the processes described above, and therefore will not be described here.

[0027] When there is an item that cannot be displayed simultaneously on the same menu screen and is not displayed, the display unit 13 displays a predetermined symbol indicating the presence of the not-displayed item at a predetermined position at the bottom or top of the screen. For example, as shown in Fig. 5, when there is an item that is not displayed on the screen (for example, the menu screen MP5 in Fig. 5), the display unit 13 displays a symbol such as an arrow symbol AL1 at the bottom of the screen. Also, when there is an item that is not displayed on the screen (for example, the menu screen MP6 in Fig. 5), the display unit 13 displays a symbol such as an arrow symbol AL2 at the top of the screen. This allows the remote controller 10 to inform the user that there is an item that is not displayed outside the range of the screen display.

[0028] When a screen of a different category from the displayed screen exists, the display unit 13 displays a predetermined symbol indicating the presence of the different screen at a predetermined position on the left or right side of the screen. For example, as shown in Fig. 5, when a screen of a different category from the displayed screen exists, the display unit 13 displays a symbol such as an arrow symbol AL3 to the left of the category name displayed at the top of the screen (for example, the menu screen MP5 in Fig. 5). Also, when a screen of a different category from the displayed screen exists, the display unit 13 displays a symbol such as an arrow symbol AL4 to the right of the category name displayed at the top of the screen (for example, the menu screen MP5 in Fig. 5). This allows the remote controller 10 to inform the user that a screen of a different category exists.

[0029] In this section, only the arrow symbols displayed on the menu screen MP5 and the menu screen MP6 have been mentioned, but the arrow symbols may be displayed on other menu screens.

[0030] Next, the screen switching method according to the present embodiment will be further described with reference to Fig. 6. The remote controller 10 according to the present embodiment provides a screen switching technique using a different operation in addition to the screen switching shown in Fig. 5.

[0031] Control unit 14 switches to a screen of a category different from the displayed screen when an operation to switch the selection state is performed on operation unit 12 with an item located at the edge of the screen selected among all items belonging to the category of the screen displayed on display unit 13. Specifically, control unit 14 switches to a screen of a category different from the displayed screen when an operation to move the selection cursor downward is performed on operation unit 12 with an item located at the bottom edge of all items belonging to the category of the screen displayed on display unit 13 selected.

[0032] 6, when the menu screen MP1 is displayed on the display unit 13 and the selection cursor is on an item located at the bottom end of all items belonging to the screen's category (for example, "Shortcut settings" on the menu screen MP1), the control unit 14 switches the display screen from the menu screen MP1 to the menu screen MP2 when the selection button 122 is operated, and when the menu screen MP7 is displayed on the display unit 13 and the selection cursor is on an item located at the bottom end of all items belonging to the screen's category, the control unit 14 switches the display screen from the menu screen MP7 to the menu screen MP1.

[0033] In this way, in response to the operation of the selection button 122 (i.e., the operation of moving the selection cursor downward), the control unit 14 realizes screen switching between menu screens by an operation that is an extension of the selection of an item, as shown in Fig. 6. Note that the above-mentioned operations and screen switching processes for other menu screens are similar to the processes described above, and therefore will not be described here.

[0034] On the other hand, when an operation is performed on the operation unit 12 to move the selection cursor upward while an item located at the top end of all items belonging to a category of the screen displayed on the display unit 13 is selected, the control unit 14 switches to a screen of a different category from the displayed screen.

[0035] 7, when the menu screen MP2 is displayed on the display unit 13 and the selection cursor is on an item located at the top end of all items belonging to the screen's category (for example, "multi-timer" on the menu screen MP1), the control unit 14 switches the display screen from the menu screen MP2 to the menu screen MP1 when the selection button 121 is operated. Also, when the menu screen MP1 is displayed on the display unit 13 and the selection cursor is on an item located at the top end of all items belonging to the screen's category, the control unit 14 switches the display screen from the menu screen MP1 to the menu screen MP7.

[0036] In this way, in response to the operation of the selection button 121 (i.e., the operation of moving the selection cursor upward), the control unit 14 realizes screen switching between menu screens by an operation that is an extension of the selection of an item, as shown in Fig. 7. Note that the above-mentioned operations and screen switching processes for other menu screens are similar to the processes described above, and therefore will not be described here.

[0037] The embodiment has been described above.

[0038] [Description of Modifications] From here, modified examples realized by the remote controller 10 according to the present embodiment will be described. The remote controller 10 according to the present embodiment has been described on the premise that it is realized by physical buttons, but as mentioned above, the type of buttons is not limited to this. For example, the selection button or decision button included in the operation unit 12 may be a touch panel type button provided on the display unit 13. In this case, the control unit 14 can accept operations on the buttons provided on the remote controller 10, or operations on the display unit 13 configured as a touch panel.

[0039] Here, an example of the control process of the control unit 14 in the case where the display unit 13 is provided with a touch panel will be described again with reference to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7. When an item located at the bottom end of all items belonging to the category of the screen displayed on the display unit 13 is selected, the control unit 14 switches to a screen of a category different from the displayed screen when either a scroll operation in the downward direction or a tap operation of a predetermined symbol is performed on the touch panel constituting the display unit 13. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the control unit 14 switches the display screen from the menu screen MP1 to the menu screen MP2 when an item located at the bottom end of all items belonging to the category of the displayed screen is selected and a scroll operation in the downward direction is performed on the touch panel. Note that the above-mentioned operations and screen switching processes on other menu screens are similar to the above-mentioned processes, and therefore will not be described here.

[0040] When an item located at the top end of all items belonging to a category of a screen displayed on the display unit 13 is selected, and either an upward scroll operation or a tap operation on a predetermined symbol is performed on the touch panel constituting the display unit 13, the control unit 14 switches the displayed screen to a screen of a category different from the displayed screen. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, when an item located at the top end of all items belonging to a category of a screen is selected, and an upward scroll operation is performed on the touch panel, the control unit 14 switches the displayed screen from the menu screen MP1 to the menu screen MP7. Note that the above-mentioned operations and screen switching processes on other menu screens are similar to the above-mentioned processes, and therefore will not be described here.

[0041] The above describes the modified examples.

[0042] [effect] As described above, according to the embodiment and the modified example, the remote controller 10 according to the present embodiment is a remote controller for an air conditioner. The remote controller 10 has an operation unit 12 that accepts an operation to switch the selection state of an item or an operation to switch the category of a screen, a display unit 13 that displays a screen, and a control unit 14. When an operation to switch the selection state is performed on the operation unit 12 in a state where an item located at the edge of the screen among all items belonging to the category of the screen displayed on the display unit 13 is selected, the control unit 14 switches to a screen of a category different from the displayed screen. Specifically, when an operation to switch the selection state downward is performed on the operation unit 12 in a state where an item located at the lower end among all items belonging to the category of the screen displayed on the display unit 13 is selected, the control unit 14 of the remote controller 10 switches to a screen of a category different from the displayed screen. Also, when an operation to switch the selection state upward is performed on the operation unit 12 in a state where an item located at the upper end among all items belonging to the category of the screen displayed on the display unit 13 is selected, the control unit 14 of the remote controller 10 switches to a screen of a category different from the displayed screen.

[0043] Conventionally, when a user who is not good at operating machines does not fully understand how to select a menu, for example, there is a problem that the user does not realize that it is possible to switch (transition between screens) menu screens displayed horizontally, and does not know how to switch higher-level menus. Therefore, the remote controller 10 according to the present embodiment enables switching between multiple menu screens by continuous operation in a predetermined direction (for example, downward or upward). Therefore, the remote controller 10 realizes switching of all menu screens by operation in a certain direction (for example, downward or upward, etc.), so that even a user who is not good at operating machines and does not fully understand how to select a menu can easily switch between menu screens. The user can switch between menu screens by intuitive operation. As a result, the remote controller 10 provides an opportunity for users who did not know the existence of multiple menu screens in the past to learn about convenient functions other than the basic operation of the air conditioner, which results in increased motivation of the user and an improved experience of using the remote controller.

[0044] Conventionally, there have been cases where an attempt was made to facilitate operation by using a screen such as "all settings" that brings together all items included in a menu screen stored in a remote controller. However, there was a problem that the screen related to "all settings" could not be switched between screen categories as in the past. Therefore, the remote controller 10 according to the present embodiment is capable of switching the menu screen by an operation in a second direction (e.g., leftward or rightward) in addition to an operation in a first direction (e.g., downward or upward). As a result, the remote controller 10 according to the present embodiment can achieve both facilitating switching of menu screens and improving the efficiency of screen switching. Thereby, the remote controller 10 can improve usability (ease of use).

[0045] When there is an item that is not yet displayed on the screen, the display unit 13 of the remote controller 10 according to this embodiment displays a predetermined symbol indicating the presence of the item that is not yet displayed at a predetermined position on the bottom or top of the screen. Also, when there is a screen that is different from the displayed screen and the category, the display unit 13 displays a predetermined symbol indicating the presence of the different screen at a predetermined position on the left or right of the screen.

[0046] In this way, the remote controller 10 informs the user that the menu continues to the next screen, providing the effect that even a user who is not good at operating machines can easily switch menu screens.

[0047] The remote controller 10 according to the present embodiment can accept operations on the display unit 13 in a number of ways. Specifically, the operation unit 12 of the remote controller 10 accepts operations on buttons provided on the remote controller 10, or operations on the display unit 13 configured as a touch panel.

[0048] For example, when the remote controller 10 according to the present embodiment includes a touch panel, the operation unit 12 accepts an operation based on the touch panel. As a specific example, when one of a scroll operation downward or a tap operation on a predetermined symbol is performed on the touch panel constituting the display unit 13 in a state where an item located at the bottom end of all items belonging to a category of a screen displayed on the display unit 13 is selected, the operation unit 12 switches to a screen of a category different from that of the displayed screen. Also, when one of a scroll operation upward or a tap operation on a predetermined symbol is performed on the touch panel constituting the display unit 13 in a state where an item located at the top end of all items belonging to a category of a screen displayed on the display unit 13 is selected, the operation unit 12 switches to a screen of a category different from that of the displayed screen.

[0049] In this way, the remote controller 10 provides the effect of improving usability (ease of use) for users of various ages, knowledge, and experiences, including users who are not good at operating machines.

[0050] <Remote controller hardware configuration> The remote controller 10 can be realized by the following hardware configuration. For example, the operation unit 12 is realized by a touch sensor. The display unit 13 is realized by, for example, a liquid crystal display. The operation unit 12 and the display unit 13 may be integrated and realized by a touch panel. The control unit 14 is realized by, for example, a processor. Examples of the processor include a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), and an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array). The storage unit 15 is realized by, for example, a memory. Examples of the memory include a RAM (Random Access Memory) such as an SDRAM (Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and a flash memory. The communication unit 16 and the antenna 17 are realized by, for example, a wireless communication module.

[0051] Furthermore, each of the processes described above in the control unit 14 may be realized by having a processor execute a program corresponding to each process. For example, a program corresponding to each of the processes described above in the control unit 14 may be stored in a memory of the remote controller 10, and the program may be read from the memory and executed by the processor of the remote controller 10. [Explanation of symbols]

[0052] 1. Air conditioning system 10 Remote Controller 20 Air conditioner 12 Control section 13 Display section 14 Control section

Claims

1. A remote controller for an air conditioner, an operation unit for receiving an operation for switching a selection state of an item or an operation for switching a category on a screen; A display unit that displays a screen; when an operation for switching the selection state downward on the operation unit is received in a state in which an item located at the lower end of all items belonging to a category of the screen displayed on the display unit is selected, or when an operation for switching the selection state upward on the operation unit is received in a state in which an item located at the upper end of all items belonging to a category of the screen displayed on the display unit is selected, switching to a screen of a category different from the displayed screen is performed; and, a control unit that, when a leftward or rightward operation for switching the category of the screen is received, switches the category of the screen; A remote controller comprising:

2. The control unit is when one of a scroll operation in a downward direction or a tap operation on a predetermined symbol is performed on a touch panel constituting the display unit in a state in which an item located at the bottom end of all items belonging to a category of the screen displayed on the display unit is selected, switching to a screen of a category different from the screen displayed on the display unit; Alternatively, when an item located at the top end of all items belonging to a category of a screen displayed on the display unit is selected, and one of an upward scroll operation or a tap operation of a predetermined symbol is performed on a touch panel constituting the display unit, at least one of switching the displayed screen to a screen of a different category is performed.

2. The remote controller according to claim 1 .

3. The display unit is When there is an item that is not displayed on the screen, a predetermined symbol indicating the presence of the item that is not displayed is displayed at a predetermined position at the bottom or top of the screen; When a screen different from the displayed screen and the category exists, a predetermined symbol indicating the existence of the different screen is displayed at a predetermined position on the left or right side of the screen.

3. The remote controller according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The operation unit includes: accepting an operation on a button provided on the remote controller or an operation on the display unit configured as a touch panel; 3. The remote controller according to claim 1 or 2.

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