Air Conditioning System

Abstract

To restrict a temperature setting range and lift the restriction without depending on an operation of a remote controller.SOLUTION: An air conditioning system 100 includes an air conditioner 10 and a plurality of operation terminals 20. The plurality of operation terminals 20 enable two-way communications with the air conditioner 10 via a network 30. At least one operation terminal 20 out of the plurality of operation terminals 20 is a management terminal having a management authority enabling transmission of restriction setting for restricting change of operation details that can be executed by the air conditioner 10.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an air conditioning system. [Background technology]

[0002] In the air conditioner described in Patent Document 1, the temperature setting range can be restricted by setting upper and lower limit values ​​for the temperature setting range. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2002-61932 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the air conditioner described in Patent Document 1, a special signal is sent from the remote control by the user to limit the temperature setting range. For example, if the remote control is temporarily lost, the temperature setting range cannot be limited or the limit cannot be lifted, which is inconvenient.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and has an object to provide an air conditioning system that allows the temperature setting range to be limited and the limit to be released without operating a remote control. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The air conditioning system according to the present invention includes an air conditioner and a plurality of operation terminals. The plurality of operation terminals are capable of bidirectional communication with the air conditioner via a network. At least one of the plurality of operation terminals is a management terminal having management authority capable of transmitting a restriction setting that restricts changes to the executable operation contents of the air conditioner. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to limit and release the limit on the temperature setting range without operating the remote control. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an air conditioning system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an example of an air conditioning system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a state before administrative authority is given to another normal terminal. [Figure 4] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a state after the administrative authority is granted to another normal terminal. [Diagram 5] 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of transfer of management authority from the management terminal illustrated in FIG. 3 to a normal terminal. [Figure 6] 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of transfer of management authority from the management terminal illustrated in FIG. 5 to a normal terminal. [Figure 7] 7 is a diagram showing an example in which the management authority cannot be transferred from the management terminal shown in FIG. 6 to a normal terminal. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing another example of the air conditioning system of the present embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of another example of the air conditioning system of the present embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are designated by the same reference characters and description thereof will not be repeated.

[0010] First, the air conditioning system and the air conditioner of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the air conditioning system of this embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the air conditioning system of this embodiment. The air conditioning system 100 includes an air conditioner 10 and one or more operation terminals 20. In FIG. 1, as an example, the air conditioning system 100 includes operation terminals 20A and 20B. In FIG. 2, one operation terminal 20 is representatively shown. The air conditioner 10 is, for example, an air conditioner (air conditioner) installed in a room RM, and conditions the air in the room RM. The air conditioner 10 is capable of bidirectional communication with the operation terminal 20 via a network 30. The operation terminal 20 is capable of bidirectional communication with the air conditioner 10 via the network 30. The operation terminal 20 is, for example, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a notebook personal computer (notebook PC), or a desktop personal computer (desktop PC).

[0011] [Air conditioner 10] 2, the air conditioner 10 includes an air conditioning unit 11, a reception unit 12, a control unit 13, a display unit 14, and a storage unit 15. The air conditioning unit 11 adjusts at least one property of air temperature, humidity, and airflow.

[0012] The reception unit 12 receives air conditioning settings related to the air conditioning unit 11. Specifically, the reception unit 12 includes, for example, a communication unit 121 and an infrared receiving unit 122. The communication unit 121 receives a signal including the air conditioning settings transmitted from the operation terminal 20 via a network 30 including a wired LAN (Local Area Network) or a wireless LAN. The infrared receiving unit 122 receives an infrared signal including the air conditioning settings transmitted from a remote control (not shown).

[0013] The control unit 13 includes a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The control unit 13 acquires the air conditioning settings contained in the signal received by the communication unit 121 or the infrared signal received by the infrared receiving unit 122, and controls the air conditioning unit 11 based on the acquired air conditioning settings.

[0014] Display unit 14 is, for example, a liquid crystal display, and displays information related to the air conditioning settings under the control of control unit 13. Specifically, control unit 13 generates an air conditioning setting image including the temperature, humidity, etc. indicated by the air conditioning settings, and displays it on display unit 14. Note that the air conditioning setting image may include the air volume and air direction of air conditioning unit 11 in addition to the temperature and humidity.

[0015] Also, for example, the display unit 14 may be one or more LED lamps. In this case, the control unit 13 controls the turning on and off of the corresponding LED lamps based on the air conditioning settings. Specifically, the control unit 13 changes the lighting color of the LED lamps or the number of LED lamps to be turned on according to the air conditioning settings.

[0016] The storage unit 15 stores various data. For example, the storage unit 15 stores a control program for operating the air conditioner 10. The control unit 13 controls the operation of the air conditioner 10 by executing the control program.

[0017] [Operation terminal 20] The operation terminal 20 includes a control unit 21, a storage unit 22, a display unit 23, an operation unit 24, and a communication unit 25. The control unit 21 controls the storage unit 22, the display unit 23, the operation unit 24, and the communication unit 25.

[0018] The control unit 21 includes a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit).

[0019] The storage unit 22 stores various data. For example, the storage unit 22 stores a control program for driving the operation terminal 20. The control unit 21 controls the operation of the operation terminal 20 by executing the control program.

[0020] Furthermore, the storage unit 22 may store application programs related to the control of the air conditioner 10. For example, the control unit 21 may control the air conditioner 10 by executing the application programs.

[0021] The display unit 23 displays an operation screen or the results of various processes, and includes a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display.

[0022] The operation unit 24 may include a touch sensor. The display unit 23 and the operation unit 24 may be integrated into a touch panel. On the touch panel, for example, various keys for instructing the type of job and the contents of the job are displayed. Alternatively, the operation unit 24 may include buttons or a keyboard.

[0023] The communication unit 25 communicates with external devices. Here, the communication unit 25 transmits a specific signal to at least the air conditioner 10 via the network 30. The communication unit 25 may also receive a specific signal from at least the air conditioner 10.

[0024] For example, the communication unit 25 transmits a signal including the air conditioning settings of the air conditioner 10 to the air conditioner 10. Specifically, when a user operates the operation unit 24 according to a screen displayed on the display unit 23 by executing an application program to input the air conditioning settings of the air conditioner 10 to the operation terminal 20, the control unit 21 generates a signal including the input air conditioning settings. The communication unit 25 transmits the signal including the air conditioning settings generated by the control unit 21 to the air conditioner 10 via the network 30.

[0025] [Restriction Settings] In this embodiment, it is possible to provide a setting range for the air conditioning settings. For example, in an air conditioner 10 whose adjustable temperature range is 15°C to 30°C, a limiting setting can be provided that limits the temperature setting range to 20°C to 26°C. Note that the limiting setting is not limited to the temperature setting range, and may be, for example, a setting that limits changes to the operational details that the air conditioner 10 can execute, such as prohibiting cooling operation.

[0026] Specifically, to set a limit setting in the air conditioner 10, for example, the user operates a remote control to transmit an infrared signal including a limit setting instruction to set the limit setting from the remote control to the air conditioner 10. The limit setting instruction includes information that the limit range is 20°C to 26°C.

[0027] The reception unit 12 of the air conditioner 10 receives a restriction setting that restricts changes to executable operation details. Specifically, the infrared receiving unit 122 receives an infrared signal including a restriction setting instruction transmitted from a remote control.

[0028] The control unit 13 acquires the limit setting instruction contained in the infrared signal received by the infrared receiving unit 122, and stores it in the memory unit 15. The control unit 13 controls the air conditioning unit 11 based on the limit setting instruction stored in the memory unit 15.

[0029] Specifically, the control unit 13 controls the adjustment range of the air temperature by the air conditioning unit 11 to be within the restricted range (20°C to 26°C). For example, in the air conditioner 10, if the air conditioning setting (temperature setting) before accepting the restrictive setting was 20°C, the control unit 13 maintains the air conditioning setting (temperature setting) at 20°C and controls the air conditioning unit 11 based on the maintained air conditioning setting. On the other hand, if the air conditioning setting (temperature setting) before accepting the restrictive setting was 19°C, the control unit 13 changes the air conditioning setting (temperature setting) to 20°C and controls the air conditioning unit 11 based on the changed air conditioning setting. Thus, in the air conditioner 10, a state in which the air conditioning unit 11 operates based on the restrictive setting is called a restricted state.

[0030] In this embodiment, the limit setting instruction can be sent not only from a remote control, but also from the operation terminal 20. For example, when the user operates the operation unit 24 in accordance with a screen displayed on the display unit 23 by executing an application program, the control unit 21 displays a limit input screen on the display unit 23 requesting the user to input a limit range for the air conditioning settings.

[0031] When the user operates the operation unit 24 to input a limit range to the operation terminal 20 in accordance with the limit input screen displayed on the display unit 23, the control unit 21 generates a limit setting instruction generated in the remote control and generates a signal including the limit setting instruction. The communication unit 25 transmits the signal including the limit setting instruction generated by the control unit 21 to the air conditioner 10 via the network 30.

[0032] 1, when the air conditioning system 100 includes multiple operation terminals 20, at least one operation terminal 20 is a management terminal having management authority capable of transmitting a limit setting instruction. In the air conditioning system 100, operation terminals 20 other than the management terminal cannot transmit a limit setting instruction. Hereinafter, the operation terminals 20 other than the management terminal may be referred to as normal terminals.

[0033] [account] In this embodiment, at least one account is set in the air conditioning system 100. An account is set for each user who is permitted to operate the air conditioner 10. At least one operation terminal 20 is registered in each account.

[0034] Specifically, when a user sets up an account as a user who can operate the air conditioner 10, the user executes an application program stored in the operation terminal 20 that the user possesses. When the user operates the operation unit 24 in accordance with a screen displayed on the display unit 23 by executing the application program, the control unit 21 generates a signal including account information that associates a user ID that identifies the user with a terminal ID that identifies the operation terminal 20. The communication unit 25 transmits the signal including the account information generated by the control unit 21 to the air conditioner 10 via the network 30.

[0035] The communication unit 121 of the air conditioner 10 receives a signal including the account information transmitted from the operation terminal 20. The control unit 13 acquires the account information included in the signal received by the communication unit 121 and stores it in the memory unit 15.

[0036] In this way, a state in which account information corresponding to a certain user is stored in the storage unit 15 is referred to as a state in which the account is set. Also, a state in which a user ID and a terminal ID are associated in the account information is referred to as a state in which the operating terminal 20 is registered in the account.

[0037] In this embodiment, it is possible to register multiple operation terminals 20 to one account. Specifically, when account information having the same user ID as certain account information but a different terminal ID is stored in the storage unit 15, it is determined that multiple operation terminals 20 are registered to the corresponding account.

[0038] In this embodiment, the account information may include information indicating whether the corresponding operation terminal 20 is a management terminal or a normal terminal. For example, when an account is set, the user selects whether the operation terminal 20 he or she owns is a management terminal or a normal terminal in accordance with a screen displayed on the display unit 23 by executing an application program.

[0039] When the user selects a management terminal, the control unit 21 generates account information including information that the corresponding operation terminal 20 is a management terminal. On the other hand, when the user selects a normal terminal, the control unit 21 generates account information including information that the corresponding operation terminal 20 is a normal terminal.

[0040] [Grant administrative privileges] In the air conditioning system 100, if there is one management terminal and the other operating terminals 20 are normal terminals, for example, if the power to the management terminal is turned off, if the user holding the management terminal moves outside the communication range of the network 30 and communication between the management terminal and the air conditioner 10 is cut off, if the management terminal is removed from an account, or if the account to which the management terminal is registered is deleted, it will become impossible to set, change, or cancel the restriction settings.

[0041] To avoid this, the management terminal can grant management authority to other normal terminals.

[0042] Next, the granting of management authority will be described with reference to Fig. 3 and Fig. 4. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing the state before management authority is granted to another normal terminal. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing the state after management authority is granted to another normal terminal. In Fig. 3 and Fig. 4, management terminals having management authority are indicated with stars.

[0043] For example, it is assumed that an account for a user A, an account for a user B, and an account for a user C are set in the air conditioning system 100.

[0044] In the account of user A, an operation terminal 20 with a terminal ID of "a1" is registered as a management terminal with management authority. In addition, in the account of user A, an operation terminal 20 with a terminal ID of "a2" is registered as a normal terminal without management authority. Hereinafter, an account in which a management terminal is registered is called a management account.

[0045] In the account of user B, an operation terminal 20 with a terminal ID of "b" is registered as a normal terminal with no administrative authority.

[0046] In the account of user C, an operation terminal 20 with a terminal ID of "c" is registered as a normal terminal with no administrative authority.

[0047] For example, it is assumed that the above four operation terminals 20 are registered in the order of "a1", "b", "a2", and "c".

[0048] The operation terminal 20 with the terminal ID "a1" can grant management authority to at least one of the other three operation terminals 20 that are normal terminals.

[0049] FIG. 4 shows an example in which an operation terminal 20 with a terminal ID of "a1" grants management authority to an operation terminal 20 with a terminal ID of "c."

[0050] When an operation terminal 20 with a terminal ID of "a1" grants management authority to an operation terminal 20 with a terminal ID of "c", user A executes an application program stored in the operation terminal 20 with the terminal ID of "a1". When user A operates the operation unit 24 in accordance with the screen displayed on the display unit 23 by executing the application program, the control unit 21 generates a change instruction to change the account information including the terminal ID "c". The change instruction is an instruction to change the information included in the account information including the terminal ID "c" indicating that it is a normal terminal to information indicating that it is a management terminal.

[0051] The communication unit 25 transmits a signal including the change instruction generated by the control unit 21 to the air conditioner 10 via the network 30.

[0052] The communication unit 121 of the air conditioner 10 receives a signal including a change instruction transmitted from the operation terminal 20. The control unit 13 acquires the change instruction included in the signal received by the communication unit 121, and changes the information indicating that the terminal is a normal terminal included in the account information including the terminal ID "c" stored in the storage unit 15 to information indicating that the terminal is a management terminal in accordance with the change instruction.

[0053] In this way, the management authority is granted to the operation terminal 20 with the terminal ID "c", which was a normal terminal. This reduces the possibility that the number of management terminals increases in the air conditioning system 100, resulting in a state in which it becomes impossible to set, change, or release the restriction settings.

[0054] [Transfer of administrative authority 1] In this embodiment, in addition to granting management authority, the management authority is transferred. Next, the transfer of management authority will be described with reference to Fig. 3 and Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the transfer of management authority from the management terminal shown in Fig. 3 to a normal terminal. In Fig. 3 and Fig. 5, the management terminal having management authority is indicated by a star.

[0055] In the case where multiple operating terminals 20, including one management terminal, are registered to one account (user A) as shown in Figure 3, if communication between the management terminal and the air conditioner 10 is cut off or the management terminal is deleted from the management account, management authority is transferred to one of the operating terminals 20 other than the management terminal registered in the management account.

[0056] For example, when the control unit 13 of the air conditioner 10 is unable to send or receive information to or from the management terminal, it determines that communication between the management terminal and the air conditioner 10 has been cut off.

[0057] When the control unit 13 determines that communication between the management terminal and the air conditioner 10 has been cut off, it searches to see whether other operation terminals 20 are registered in the management account.

[0058] Specifically, the control unit 13 determines whether other account information (called account information A2) having a user ID "A" included in account information (called account information A1) having terminal ID "a1" is stored in the memory unit 15.

[0059] 3, since account information A2 having a user ID "A" is stored in storage unit 15, control unit 13 identifies account information A2 and transfers management authority to operation terminal 20 having terminal ID "a2" included in account information A2. Specifically, control unit 13 changes information included in account information A2 indicating that the terminal is a normal terminal to information indicating that the terminal is a management terminal.

[0060] For example, if there are multiple pieces of account information other than account information A2 that have a user ID "A" and include information indicating that the account information is a normal terminal, the control unit 13 transfers management authority to the operating terminal 20 that corresponds to the account information that includes the terminal ID of the operating terminal 20 that was registered earliest among the multiple pieces of account information.

[0061] Note that the control unit 13 may select any one of the corresponding pieces of account information, without being limited to the operation terminal 20 that was registered earliest.

[0062] Furthermore, when the management terminal is deleted from the account, the control unit 13 performs processing similar to that performed when it is determined that communication between the management terminal and the air conditioner 10 has been cut off.

[0063] For example, when the management authority is transferred, the control unit 13 notifies the operation terminal 20 (terminal ID "a2") that has become the new management terminal that the management authority has been transferred. Specifically, the control unit 13 generates information to the effect that the management authority has been transferred. The communication unit 121 transmits a signal including the information generated by the control unit 13 to the operation terminal 20 (terminal ID "a2") via the network 30.

[0064] The communication unit 25 of the operation terminal 20 (terminal ID "a2") receives the signal transmitted from the air conditioner 10. The control unit 21 acquires information contained in the signal received by the communication unit 25, and displays, for example, a message on the display unit 23 to the effect that management authority has been transferred.

[0065] Seeing the message displayed on the display unit 23, the user recognizes that the operation terminal 20 (terminal ID "a2") owned by the user has become the control terminal.

[0066] In this way, by configuring an account in which multiple operation terminals 20 are registered so that management authority is transferred, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the management terminal is absent.

[0067] [Transfer of administrative authority 2] Next, the transfer of management authority will be described with reference to Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 when an operating terminal to which management authority can be transferred is not registered in the management account. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of transfer of management authority from the management terminal shown in Fig. 5 to a normal terminal. In Fig. 5 and Fig. 6, the management terminal having management authority is indicated by a star.

[0068] As shown in FIG. 5, when an administration account (user A) including one administration terminal (terminal ID "a2") and multiple accounts other than the administration account (user B and user C) are registered, if communication between the administration terminal and the air conditioner 10 is cut off, if the administration terminal is removed from the administration account, or if the administration account is deleted, administration authority is transferred to an operating terminal 20 registered to any of the accounts other than the administration account.

[0069] Specifically, for example, the control unit 13 of the air conditioner 10 determines that communication between the management terminal and the air conditioner 10 has been cut off, as in the case of Figure 3, and searches to see if other operation terminals 20 are registered in the management account.If no other operation terminals 20 are registered in the management account, then the control unit 13 searches for accounts other than the management account.

[0070] In the example of Figure 5, account information having a user ID "B" (account information B1) and account information having a user ID "C" (account information C1) are stored in the memory unit 15, so the control unit 13 identifies the account information B1 or the account information C1 and transfers management authority to the operation terminal 20 having the terminal ID included in either one of the account information.

[0071] For example, the control unit 13 transfers the management authority to the operation terminal 20 corresponding to the account information B1 that was registered earliest among the account information B1 and the account information C1.

[0072] Note that the control unit 13 may transfer the management authority to the operation terminal 20 corresponding to the account information C1 that is registered later, out of the account information B1 and the account information C1.

[0073] In this way, when the management account cannot transfer management authority to another operating terminal, the configuration is set up so that the management authority is transferred to the operating terminal 20 of another account, thereby preventing a situation in which the management terminal is absent.

[0074] Furthermore, when the management terminal is deleted from the account or the management account is deleted, the control unit 13 performs processing similar to that performed when it is determined that communication between the management terminal and the air conditioner 10 has been cut off.

[0075] [Disable Restriction Settings] Next, a process in a case where there is no operating terminal to which the management authority can be transferred will be described with reference to Fig. 6 and Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example in which the management authority cannot be transferred from the management terminal shown in Fig. 6 to a normal terminal.

[0076] Figure 7 shows a state in which, when communication between the management terminal (terminal ID "b") shown in Figure 6 and the air conditioner 10 has been cut off, the management terminal has been removed from the management account, or the management account has been deleted, communication between the normal terminal (terminal ID "c") and the air conditioner 10 has been cut off, the normal terminal (terminal ID "c") has been deleted from the account (account information C1) and the operating terminal 20 is no longer registered in the account, or the account (account information C1) has been deleted.

[0077] In such a case, the control unit 13 cannot find an operation terminal 20 to which the management authority can be transferred. If the control unit 13 cannot find an operation terminal 20 to which the management authority can be transferred, the control unit 13 invalidates the restriction setting set in the air conditioning unit 11 by the management terminal.

[0078] In this way, if there is no operation terminal 20 to which the management authority can be transferred, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the air conditioner 10 cannot be operated from the operation terminal 20 by disabling the restriction setting.

[0079] [Air conditioning system including control device] Next, an air conditioning system 101 of this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 8 and Fig. 9. Fig. 8 is a diagram showing another example of the air conditioning system of this embodiment. Fig. 9 is a block diagram of another example of the air conditioning system of this embodiment. The air conditioning system 101 further includes a management device 40 in addition to the air conditioner 10 and the operation terminal 20 of the air conditioning system 100.

[0080] The management device 40 is, for example, a server, a desktop personal computer, or a notebook personal computer installed in the room RM or at a location remote from the room RM. The management device 40 includes a control unit 41 and a memory unit 42. The control unit 41 includes a processor such as a CPU. The memory unit 42 includes a storage device and stores data and computer programs. The hardware configuration of the memory unit 42 includes a main storage device such as a semiconductor memory, and an auxiliary storage device such as a semiconductor memory, a solid state drive, and / or a hard disk drive. The memory unit 42 may include removable media.

[0081] The management device 40 is capable of bidirectional communication with one or more operation terminals 20. The management device 40 is also capable of bidirectional communication with the air conditioner 10. The management device 40 manages the air conditioner 10 and the operation terminal 20. Specifically, the control unit 41 relays information transmitted and received between the air conditioner 10 and the operation terminal 20.

[0082] The storage unit 42 stores account information and the like in place of the storage unit 15. Specifically, the control unit 41 receives signals including the account information transmitted from the multiple operation terminals 20. The control unit 41 stores the account information included in the received signals in the storage unit 42. The multiple pieces of account information thus stored in the storage unit 42 are also called authority information. The authority information indicates the correspondence between the multiple operation terminals 20 and management authority.

[0083] The storage unit 42 also stores setting information indicating the contents of the limit setting set by the management terminal. Specifically, when the control unit 41 receives a signal including a limit setting instruction transmitted from the management terminal, the control unit 41 acquires the limit setting instruction and stores the limit setting indicated by the limit setting instruction in the storage unit 42 as setting information.

[0084] [Control when communication between the management device and air conditioner is interrupted] When communication between the management device 40 and the air conditioner 10 is possible, if communication between the management device 40 and the air conditioner 10 is cut off for a predetermined period of time or longer due to a malfunction of at least one of the management device 40 and the air conditioner 10, or the communication function of the air conditioner 10 being turned off, the restriction settings made in the air conditioner 10 are disabled.

[0085] For example, when the control unit 13 of the air conditioner 10 is unable to send or receive information to or from the management device 40, it determines that communication between the management device 40 and the air conditioner 10 has been cut off.

[0086] The control unit 13 starts measuring time when it determines that communication between the management device 40 and the air conditioner 10 has been cut off. When the measured time exceeds a predetermined period, the control unit 13 disables the restriction setting made in the air conditioner 10.

[0087] If the power to the air conditioner 10 is turned OFF while the control unit 13 is measuring time, the time measurement by the control unit 13 is interrupted. When the power to the air conditioner 10 is then turned ON, the control unit 13 resumes measuring time from the point where measurement was interrupted.

[0088] In this embodiment, when communication between the management device 40 and the air conditioner 10 is restored after the restriction setting has been disabled, the control unit 13 determines whether or not to enable the restriction setting.

[0089] For example, when transmission and reception of information with the management device 40 becomes possible again, the control unit 13 determines that communication between the management device 40 and the air conditioner 10 has been restored.

[0090] When the control unit 13 determines that communication between the management device 40 and the air conditioner 10 has been restored, it restores the restriction settings that were set in the air conditioner 10 before communication was cut off. Specifically, the control unit 13 acquires setting information from the management device 40 indicating the restriction settings that were set in the air conditioner 10 before communication was cut off.

[0091] For example, the control unit 13 transmits a signal including a setting request for requesting transmission of corresponding setting information to the management device 40. When the control unit 41 of the management device 40 receives the signal including the setting request, it determines, based on the authority information in the storage unit 42, whether or not to enable the restriction setting of the air conditioner 10 that has transmitted the setting request.

[0092] Specifically, the control unit 41 refers to the authority information and setting information in the storage unit 42, and identifies and acquires the setting information corresponding to the air conditioner 10 that has transmitted the setting request.

[0093] The control unit 41 enables the restriction settings of the air conditioner 10 based on the acquired setting information. Specifically, the control unit 41 transmits a signal including the acquired setting information to the air conditioner 10 that is the source of the setting request.

[0094] The control unit 13 of the air conditioner 10 receives a signal including the setting information from the management device 40 and acquires the setting information. The control unit 13 controls the air conditioning unit 11 based on the acquired restriction settings.

[0095] The embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings (FIGS. 1 to 9). However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and can be implemented in various forms without departing from the spirit of the present invention. The drawings are mainly schematic illustrations of each component for ease of understanding, and the thickness, length, number, etc. of each component shown in the drawings are different from the actual ones due to the convenience of drawing. Furthermore, the materials, shapes, dimensions, etc. of each component shown in the above embodiments are merely examples and are not particularly limited, and various modifications are possible within a range that does not substantially deviate from the effects of the present invention. [Industrial Applicability]

[0096] The present invention can be used in the field of air conditioners and air conditioning systems. [Explanation of symbols]

[0097] 10: Air conditioner 20, 20A, 20B: Operation terminal 30: Network 40: Management device 41: Control section 42: Storage section 100, 101: Air conditioning system A, B, C: Users A1, A2, B1, C1: Account information

Claims

1. An air conditioner, a plurality of operation terminals capable of two-way communication with the air conditioner via a network; Equipped with An air conditioning system, wherein at least one of the plurality of operation terminals is a management terminal having management authority capable of transmitting a restriction setting that restricts changes to executable operation contents of the air conditioner, The air conditioning system has at least one account set up. At least one of the operation terminals is registered in the account, An air conditioning system in which, when multiple operating terminals including one management terminal are registered to one account, if communication between the management terminal and the air conditioner is cut off or the management terminal is deleted from the account, the management authority is transferred to one of the operating terminals other than the management terminal registered to the account.

2. The air conditioning system according to claim 1 , wherein the management terminal is capable of granting or transferring the management authority to another of the operation terminals.

3. The air conditioning system according to claim 1 , wherein the management authority is transferred to the operation terminal that was registered earliest among the operation terminals other than the management terminal registered in the account.

4. An air conditioner, a plurality of operation terminals capable of two-way communication with the air conditioner via a network; Equipped with An air conditioning system, wherein at least one of the plurality of operation terminals is a management terminal having management authority capable of transmitting a restriction setting that restricts changes to executable operation contents of the air conditioner, At least one account is set in the air conditioning system, At least one of the operation terminals is registered in the account, A plurality of the accounts are set in the air conditioning system, One of the management terminals is registered in one management account among the multiple accounts; At least one of the operation terminals is registered in each of the accounts other than the management account; An air conditioning system in which, when communication between the management terminal and the air conditioner is cut off, the management terminal is removed from the management account, or the management account is deleted, the management authority is transferred to an operating terminal registered to any of the accounts other than the management account.

5. The air conditioning system according to claim 4 , wherein the management authority is transferred to the operation terminal that is registered earliest among the operation terminals registered in the accounts other than the management account.

6. An air conditioner, a plurality of operation terminals capable of two-way communication with the air conditioner via a network; Equipped with An air conditioning system, wherein at least one of the plurality of operation terminals is a management terminal having management authority capable of transmitting a restriction setting that restricts changes to executable operation contents of the air conditioner, At least one account is set in the air conditioning system, At least one of the operation terminals is registered in the account, At least one of the accounts including a management account to which one of the management terminals is registered is set in the air conditioning system; The operation terminal is not registered in any of the accounts other than the management account, When communication between the management terminal and the air conditioner is interrupted, when the management terminal is deleted from the management account, or when the management account is deleted, The limit setting is disabled in the air conditioning system.

7. An air conditioner, a plurality of operation terminals capable of two-way communication with the air conditioner via a network; Equipped with An air conditioning system, wherein at least one of the plurality of operation terminals is a management terminal having management authority capable of transmitting a restriction setting that restricts changes to executable operation contents of the air conditioner, The air conditioning system further includes a management device that manages one or more of the operation terminals and the air conditioners, the management device is capable of bidirectional communication with one or more of the operation terminals; The management device is capable of bidirectional communication with the air conditioner, An air conditioning system in which, when communication between the management device and the air conditioner is possible, the communication is interrupted and a predetermined period of time has elapsed, the restriction setting is invalidated.

8. the management device has a storage unit configured to store authority information indicating a correspondence relationship between the plurality of operation terminals and the management authority, and setting information indicating the restriction setting; If the communication is restored after the restriction setting is disabled, The air conditioning system according to claim 7 , wherein the management device enables the restriction setting based on the setting information.

9. The air conditioning system according to claim 8 , wherein the management device determines whether or not to enable the restriction setting based on the authority information.

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