Air conditioner including radar sensor and method for detecting target by air conditioner

Abstract

Disclosed may be an air conditioner including a radar sensor which includes a transmitter configured to transmit electromagnetic waves to the outside, and a receiver configured to receive signals reflected from external objects, and is configured to filter signals reflected within a preconfigured distance among the received signals, generate point cloud data on the basis of signals exceeding a reference signal to noise ratio (SNR) value among signals reflected from a distance equal to or greater than the preconfigured distance, detect at least one target on the basis of the point cloud data, and transmit information on the detected at least one target to at least one processor.

Description

Air conditioner including radar sensor and target detection method of air conditioner

[0001] One embodiment of the present disclosure relates to an air conditioner including a radar sensor and a method for the air conditioner to detect a target.

[0002] An air conditioner is a device or appliance that regulates indoor air conditions, capable of cooling (or heating) and dehumidifying the air. Recently, air conditioners have begun to use passive infrared (PIR) sensors for human presence detection. PIR sensors detect heat sources (infrared rays) and determine the presence of a person by detecting the heat source (infrared rays) of the person. However, PIR sensors cannot accurately identify a person's location. They can only notify the air conditioner's MCU (microcontroller unit) of the presence of a person within a predefined area. Furthermore, PIR sensors cannot determine distance, making it impossible to determine whether a person is near or far from the air conditioner. Consequently, air conditioners that incorporate PIR sensors have limitations in providing convenient services based on a person's location.

[0003] An air conditioner according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include an indoor unit body; a radar sensor installed inside the indoor unit body at a predetermined angle and facing the floor; and at least one processor for detecting a person in the room through the radar sensor. The radar sensor may include a transmitter for transmitting electromagnetic waves to the outside and a receiver for receiving signals reflected from external objects. The radar sensor may filter signals reflected within a preset distance among the received signals. The radar sensor may generate point cloud data based on signals exceeding a reference SNR (Signal to Noise Ratio) value among the signals reflected beyond the preset distance. The radar sensor may detect at least one target based on the point cloud data. The radar sensor may transmit information regarding the at least one detected target to at least one processor.

[0004] A method for detecting a target by an air conditioner according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include the steps of: transmitting electromagnetic waves to the outside through a transmitter of a radar sensor installed inside an indoor unit body so as to be inclined at a predetermined angle and facing a floor surface; receiving signals reflected from external objects through a receiver of the radar sensor; filtering signals reflected within a preset distance among the received signals; generating point cloud data based on signals exceeding a reference SNR (Signal to Noise Ratio) value among signals reflected beyond the preset distance; and detecting at least one target based on the point cloud data.

[0005] FIG. 1A is a drawing for explaining a ghost target generated by a blower of an air conditioner according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0006] Figure 1b is a drawing for explaining a ghost target generated depending on the size of the space in which the air conditioner is installed.

[0007] FIG. 2 is a drawing for explaining a radar sensor according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0008] FIG. 3 is a drawing for explaining the installation angle of a radar sensor according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0009] FIG. 4 is a drawing for explaining a sensor mounting portion according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0010] FIG. 5 is a drawing for explaining an operation of detecting multiple occupants through a radar sensor according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0011] FIG. 6 is a drawing for explaining the coordinates of a plurality of targets (occupants) detected by a radar sensor according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0012] FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating the function of an air conditioner according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0013] FIG. 8 is a drawing for explaining a communication system of an air conditioner according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0014] FIG. 9 is a drawing for explaining a target detection method of an air conditioner according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0015] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a transmission / reception circuit of a radar sensor according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0016] FIG. 11 is a drawing for explaining a radar sensor of the FMCW (Frequency Modulate Continuous Wave) method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0017] FIG. 12 is a drawing for explaining an operation of a radar sensor according to one embodiment of the present disclosure to calculate the distance, movement, and position (angle) of a reflector.

[0018] FIG. 13 is a drawing for explaining the location of occurrence of a ghost target according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0019] Figure 14 is an example of graphs showing the velocity of each point included in a point cloud obtained by applying a distance-based filter.

[0020] Figure 15 is a diagram to explain the effects of filtering by distance.

[0021] FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining an operation of a radar sensor of an air conditioner according to one embodiment of the present disclosure to detect a target based on point cloud data.

[0022] FIG. 17 is a drawing for explaining an operation of an air conditioner according to one embodiment of the present disclosure to set multiple reference SNR values.

[0023] FIG. 18 is a drawing for explaining improvement of the undetected area of ​​a radar sensor according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0024] FIG. 19 is a drawing for explaining a method for an air conditioner to detect an occupant according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0025] FIG. 20 is a drawing for explaining an operation of an air conditioner according to one embodiment of the present disclosure to control an indoor unit based on the movement of an occupant.

[0026] FIG. 21 is a drawing for explaining a phenomenon in which a ghost target appears depending on the size of a space in which an air conditioner according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is installed.

[0027] FIG. 22 is a drawing for explaining a method for adjusting the transmission intensity of a radar sensor according to the size of a space in which an air conditioner is installed according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0028] FIG. 23 is a drawing for explaining an operation of obtaining information about the size of a space in which an air conditioner is installed according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0029] FIG. 24 is a drawing for explaining an operation of an air conditioner according to one embodiment of the present disclosure to adjust the transmission intensity of a radar sensor.

[0030] FIG. 25 is a drawing for explaining the effect of removing a ghost target by adjusting the transmission intensity of a radar sensor according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0031] The terms used in this disclosure will be briefly explained, and one embodiment of the present disclosure will be specifically described.

[0032] The terms used in this disclosure are selected from widely used, current terms, taking into account the functions of one embodiment of the disclosure. However, these terms may vary depending on the intentions of those skilled in the art, precedents, the emergence of new technologies, etc. Furthermore, in certain cases, terms may be arbitrarily selected by the applicant, and in such cases, their meanings will be described in detail in the description of the relevant embodiments of the disclosure. Therefore, the terms used in this disclosure should not be defined simply as names of terms, but rather based on the meanings of the terms and the overall content of the disclosure.

[0033] In this disclosure, the expression “at least one of a, b or c” may refer to “a”, “b”, “c”, “a and b”, “a and c”, “b and c”, “all of a, b and c”, or variations thereof.

[0034] Throughout this disclosure, when a part is said to "include" a certain component, this does not mean that other components are excluded, but rather that other components may be included, unless otherwise specifically stated. Furthermore, terms such as "part" and "module" described in this disclosure mean a unit that processes at least one function or operation, and the "part" and "module" may be implemented as hardware or software, or as a combination of hardware and software.

[0035] It should be understood that the blocks and combinations of flowcharts in each flowchart can be executed by one or more computer programs containing computer-executable instructions. The one or more computer programs may be stored entirely in a single memory, or may be stored in separate portions across multiple different memories.

[0036] Unless the context clearly dictates otherwise, singular forms (e.g., "a," "an," and "the") are to be understood to include plural referents. Thus, for example, the description "a component surface" may also include reference to one or more of such surfaces.

[0037] All functions or operations described in this document may be performed by a single processor or a combination of processors. A single processor or a combination of processors is a circuitry that performs processing, and may include circuitry such as an Application Processor (AP), a Communication Processor (CP), a Graphical Processing Unit (GPU), a Neural Processing Unit (NPU), a Microprocessor Unit (MPU), a System on Chip (SoC), or an Integrated Chip (IC).

[0038] Below, with reference to the attached drawings, embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail so that those skilled in the art can easily implement the present disclosure. However, one embodiment of the present disclosure may be implemented in various different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. In addition, in the drawings, parts irrelevant to the description are omitted to clearly describe one embodiment of the present disclosure, and similar parts are designated with similar drawing reference numerals throughout the present disclosure.

[0039] An air conditioner according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is a device that performs functions such as air purification, ventilation, humidity control, cooling, or heating in an air-conditioned space (hereinafter referred to as “indoor”), and means a device having at least one of these functions.

[0040] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, an air conditioner may include a heat pump device to perform a cooling function or a heating function. The heat pump device may include a refrigeration cycle in which a refrigerant circulates along a compressor, a first heat exchanger, an expansion device, and a second heat exchanger. All components of the heat pump device may be housed in a single housing forming the exterior of the air conditioner, such as a window air conditioner or a portable air conditioner. On the other hand, some components of the heat pump device may be housed separately in multiple housings forming a single air conditioner, such as a wall-mounted air conditioner, a stand-alone air conditioner, and a system air conditioner.

[0041] An air conditioner including a plurality of housings may include at least one outdoor unit installed outdoors and at least one indoor unit installed indoors. For example, the air conditioner may be configured such that one outdoor unit and one indoor unit are connected via a refrigerant pipe. For example, the air conditioner may be configured such that one outdoor unit is connected to two or more indoor units via refrigerant pipes. For example, the air conditioner may be configured such that two or more outdoor units and two or more indoor units are connected via a plurality of refrigerant pipes.

[0042] The outdoor unit can be electrically connected to the indoor unit. For example, information (or commands) for controlling the air conditioner can be input through an input interface provided on the outdoor or indoor unit, and the outdoor and indoor units can operate simultaneously or sequentially in response to user input.

[0043] The air conditioner may include an outdoor heat exchanger provided in the outdoor unit, an indoor heat exchanger provided in the indoor unit, and a refrigerant pipe connecting the outdoor heat exchanger and the indoor heat exchanger.

[0044] An outdoor heat exchanger can utilize a phase change (e.g., evaporation or condensation) of the refrigerant to exchange heat between the refrigerant and the outdoor air. For example, while the refrigerant condenses in the outdoor heat exchanger, it releases heat to the outdoor air, and while the refrigerant flowing in the outdoor heat exchanger evaporates, it absorbs heat from the outdoor air.

[0045] Indoor units are installed indoors. For example, indoor units can be categorized into ceiling-mounted, stand-alone, and wall-mounted types depending on their placement. For example, ceiling-mounted indoor units can be categorized into four-way, one-way, and duct-type indoor units depending on how air is discharged.

[0046] Similarly, an indoor heat exchanger can utilize the phase change of the refrigerant (e.g., evaporation or condensation) to exchange heat between the refrigerant and indoor air. For example, while the refrigerant evaporates in the indoor unit, the refrigerant can absorb heat from the indoor air. The cooled indoor air can then be blown through the cooled indoor heat exchanger, thereby cooling the room. Furthermore, while the refrigerant condenses in the indoor heat exchanger, the refrigerant can release heat to the indoor air. By blowing the heated indoor air through the high-temperature indoor heat exchanger, the room can be heated.

[0047] That is, the air conditioner performs a cooling or heating function through a phase change process of the refrigerant circulating between the outdoor heat exchanger and the indoor heat exchanger. To circulate the refrigerant, the air conditioner may include a compressor that compresses the refrigerant. The compressor can suck in refrigerant gas through the suction port and compress the refrigerant gas. The compressor can discharge the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant gas through the discharge port. The compressor may be placed inside the outdoor unit.

[0048] The refrigerant may circulate through the refrigerant pipe in the order of a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger, an expansion device, and an indoor heat exchanger, or in the order of a compressor, an indoor heat exchanger, an expansion device, and an outdoor heat exchanger.

[0049] For example, if an air conditioner has one outdoor unit and one indoor unit directly connected through a refrigerant pipe, the refrigerant may be arranged to circulate between one outdoor unit and one indoor unit through the refrigerant pipe.

[0050] For example, in an air conditioner, if one outdoor unit is connected to two or more indoor units via refrigerant pipes, the refrigerant can flow to multiple indoor units via refrigerant pipes branching from the outdoor unit. The refrigerant discharged from the multiple indoor units can be combined and circulated to the outdoor unit. For example, multiple indoor units can be directly connected in parallel to a single outdoor unit via separate refrigerant pipes.

[0051] Multiple indoor units can operate independently, each according to a user-defined operating mode. That is, some indoor units can operate in cooling mode, while others operate in heating mode. In this case, the refrigerant can be selectively introduced into each indoor unit at either high or low pressure along a designated circulation path via a flow-through valve, described later, and then discharged to the outdoor unit for circulation.

[0052] For example, when an air conditioner has two or more outdoor units and two or more indoor units connected through multiple refrigerant pipes, the refrigerant discharged from the multiple outdoor units may merge and flow through a single refrigerant pipe, then branch off again at some point and flow into multiple indoor units.

[0053] Multiple outdoor units may all be operated, or at least some may not be operated, depending on the operating load of the multiple indoor units. In this case, the refrigerant may be introduced into the outdoor unit, which is selectively operated, through a flow switching valve and circulated there. The air conditioner may include an expansion device to reduce the pressure of the refrigerant flowing into the heat exchanger. For example, the expansion device may be located within the indoor unit, the outdoor unit, or both.

[0054] An expansion device can, for example, utilize a throttling effect to lower the temperature and pressure of the refrigerant. The expansion device may include an orifice capable of reducing the cross-sectional area of ​​the flow path. Refrigerant passing through the orifice may experience a decrease in temperature and pressure.

[0055] The expansion device may be implemented as, for example, an electronic expansion valve capable of controlling the opening ratio (the ratio of the cross-sectional area of ​​the valve's flow path when partially open to the cross-sectional area of ​​the valve's flow path when fully open). Depending on the opening ratio of the electronic expansion valve, the amount of refrigerant passing through the expansion device can be controlled.

[0056] The air conditioner may further include a flow diverter valve positioned along the refrigerant circulation path. The flow diverter valve may include, for example, a four-way valve. The flow diverter valve may determine the refrigerant circulation path depending on the indoor unit's operating mode (e.g., cooling operation or heating operation). The flow diverter valve may be connected to the discharge port of the compressor.

[0057] The air conditioner may include an accumulator. The accumulator may be connected to the suction port of the compressor. The accumulator may receive low-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant vaporized in an indoor heat exchanger or an outdoor heat exchanger.

[0058] The accumulator can separate the refrigerant liquid from the refrigerant gas when a refrigerant mixture of refrigerant liquid and refrigerant gas is introduced, and provide the refrigerant gas from which the refrigerant liquid has been separated to the compressor.

[0059] An outdoor fan may be installed near the outdoor heat exchanger. The outdoor fan may blow outdoor air to the outdoor heat exchanger to promote heat exchange between the refrigerant and the outdoor air.

[0060] The outdoor unit of the air conditioner may include at least one sensor. For example, the sensor of the outdoor unit may be provided as an environmental sensor. The outdoor unit sensor may be positioned at any location inside or outside the outdoor unit. For example, the outdoor unit sensor may include a temperature sensor for detecting the air temperature around the outdoor unit, a humidity sensor for detecting the air humidity around the outdoor unit, a refrigerant temperature sensor for detecting the refrigerant temperature of a refrigerant pipe passing through the outdoor unit, or a refrigerant pressure sensor for detecting the refrigerant pressure of a refrigerant pipe passing through the outdoor unit.

[0061] An outdoor unit of an air conditioner may include an outdoor unit communication unit. The outdoor unit communication unit may be configured to receive a control signal from a control unit of an indoor unit of the air conditioner, which will be described later. The outdoor unit may control the operation of a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger, an expansion device, a flow switching valve, an accumulator, or an outdoor fan based on the control signal received through the outdoor unit communication unit. The outdoor unit may transmit a sensing value detected by an outdoor unit sensor to the control unit of the indoor unit through the outdoor unit communication unit.

[0062] The indoor unit of the air conditioner may include a housing, a blower for circulating air into or out of the housing, and an indoor heat exchanger for exchanging heat with air flowing into the interior of the housing.

[0063] The housing may include an intake port through which indoor air may be drawn into the interior of the housing.

[0064] The indoor unit of the air conditioner may include a filter that is provided to filter foreign substances in the air that flows into the housing through the intake port.

[0065] The housing may include an exhaust port. Air flowing within the housing may be discharged to the exterior of the housing through the exhaust port.

[0066] The housing of the indoor unit may be provided with an airflow guide that guides the direction of air discharged through the exhaust port. For example, the airflow guide may include blades positioned above the exhaust port. For example, the airflow guide may include an auxiliary fan for controlling the exhaust airflow. However, the airflow guide is not limited thereto and may be omitted.

[0067] An indoor heat exchanger and a blower may be provided inside the housing of the indoor unit, which are arranged on a path connecting the intake and exhaust ports.

[0068] Blowers may include indoor fans and fan motors. For example, indoor fans may include axial fans, diffusion fans, crossflow fans, and centrifugal fans.

[0069] An indoor heat exchanger may be positioned between the blower and the exhaust, or between the intake and the blower. The indoor heat exchanger may absorb heat from air drawn in through the intake or transfer heat to the air drawn in through the intake. The indoor heat exchanger may include heat exchange tubes through which refrigerant flows, and heat exchange fins in contact with the heat exchange tubes to increase the heat transfer surface area.

[0070] The indoor unit of the air conditioner may include a drain tray positioned below the indoor heat exchanger to collect condensate generated in the indoor heat exchanger. The condensate collected in the drain tray may be drained to the outside through a drain hose. The drain tray may be provided to support the indoor heat exchanger.

[0071] The indoor unit of the air conditioner may include an input interface. The input interface may include any type of user input means, including buttons, switches, a touch screen, and / or a touch pad. The user can directly input setting data (e.g., desired indoor temperature, operating mode settings for cooling / heating / dehumidification / air purification, outlet selection settings, and / or air flow settings) through the input interface.

[0072] The input interface may also be connected to an external input device. For example, the input interface may be electrically connected to a wired remote controller. The wired remote controller may be installed at a specific location in an indoor space (e.g., a portion of a wall). A user may input configuration data regarding the operation of the air conditioner by operating the wired remote controller. Electrical signals corresponding to the configuration data obtained through the wired remote controller may be transmitted to the input interface. In addition, the input interface may include an infrared sensor. A user may remotely input configuration data regarding the operation of the air conditioner using the wireless remote controller. The configuration data input through the wireless remote controller may be transmitted to the input interface as an infrared signal.

[0073] Additionally, the input interface may include a microphone. A user's voice command may be acquired through the microphone. The microphone may convert the user's voice command into an electrical signal and transmit the converted electrical signal to an indoor unit control unit. The indoor unit control unit may control components of the air conditioner to execute a function corresponding to the user's voice command. Setting data acquired through the input interface (e.g., desired indoor temperature, operation mode settings for cooling / heating / dehumidification / air purification, outlet selection settings, and / or air volume settings) may be transmitted to the indoor unit control unit, which will be described later. In one example, the setting data acquired through the input interface may be transmitted externally, i.e., to an outdoor unit or a server, through an indoor unit communication unit, which will be described later.

[0074] The indoor unit of the air conditioner may include a power module. The power module may be connected to an external power source to supply power to the components of the indoor unit.

[0075] An indoor unit of an air conditioner may include an indoor unit sensor. The indoor unit sensor may be an environmental sensor positioned in a space inside or outside the housing. For example, the indoor unit sensor may include one or more temperature sensors and / or humidity sensors positioned in a predetermined space inside or outside the housing of the indoor unit. For example, the indoor unit sensor may include a refrigerant temperature sensor for detecting a refrigerant temperature of a refrigerant pipe passing through the indoor unit. For example, the indoor unit sensor may include respective refrigerant temperature sensors for detecting the inlet, middle, and / or outlet temperatures of the refrigerant pipe passing through the indoor heat exchanger.

[0076] For example, each environmental information detected by an indoor unit sensor can be transmitted to the indoor unit control unit described later or transmitted externally through the indoor unit communication unit described later.

[0077] The indoor unit of the air conditioner may include an indoor unit communication unit. The indoor unit communication unit may include at least one of a short-range communication module and a long-range communication module. The indoor unit communication unit may include at least one antenna for wireless communication with other devices. The outdoor unit may include an outdoor unit communication unit. The outdoor unit communication unit may also include at least one of a short-range communication module and a long-range communication module.

[0078] The short-range wireless communication module may include, but is not limited to, a Bluetooth communication module, a BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) communication module, a near field communication module, a WLAN (Wi-Fi) communication module, a Zigbee communication module, an infrared (IrDA, infrared Data Association) communication module, a WFD (Wi-Fi Direct) communication module, an UWB (ultrawideband) communication module, an Ant+ communication module, a microwave (uWave) communication module, etc.

[0079] The long-distance communication module may include a communication module that performs various types of long-distance communication and may include a mobile communication unit. The mobile communication unit transmits and receives wireless signals with at least one of a base station, an external terminal, and a server on a mobile communication network.

[0080] The indoor unit communication unit can communicate with external devices such as servers, mobile devices, and other home appliances through a nearby access point (AP). The access point (AP) can connect a local area network (LAN) to which the air conditioner or user device is connected to a wide area network (WAN) to which the server is connected. The air conditioner or user device can be connected to the server through the wide area network (WAN). The indoor unit of the air conditioner may include an indoor unit control unit that controls components of the indoor unit, including a blower, etc. The outdoor unit of the air conditioner may include an outdoor unit control unit that controls components of the outdoor unit, including a compressor, etc. The indoor unit control unit can communicate with the outdoor unit control unit through the indoor unit communication unit and the outdoor unit communication unit. The outdoor unit communication unit can transmit control signals generated by the outdoor unit control unit to the indoor unit communication unit, or transmit control signals transmitted from the indoor unit communication unit to the outdoor unit control unit. In other words, the outdoor unit and the indoor unit can communicate bidirectionally. The outdoor unit and the indoor unit can transmit and receive various signals generated during the operation of the air conditioner.

[0081] The outdoor unit control unit can be electrically connected to components of the outdoor unit and can control the operation of each component. For example, the outdoor unit control unit can adjust the frequency of the compressor and control the flow switching valve to change the circulation direction of the refrigerant. The outdoor unit control unit can adjust the rotation speed of the outdoor fan. In addition, the outdoor unit control unit can generate a control signal to adjust the opening degree of the expansion valve. Under the control of the outdoor unit control unit, the refrigerant can circulate along a refrigerant circulation circuit including the compressor, the flow switching valve, the outdoor heat exchanger, the expansion valve, and the indoor heat exchanger.

[0082] The various temperature sensors included in the outdoor and indoor units can transmit electrical signals corresponding to the detected temperatures to the outdoor unit control unit and / or the indoor unit control unit. For example, the humidity sensors included in the outdoor and indoor units can transmit electrical signals corresponding to the detected humidity to the outdoor unit control unit and / or the indoor unit control unit.

[0083] The indoor unit control unit can obtain user input from a user device, including a mobile device, via the indoor unit communication unit, and can obtain user input directly through the input interface or via a remote controller. The indoor unit control unit can control components of the indoor unit, including a blower, in response to the received user input. The indoor unit control unit can transmit information regarding the received user input to the outdoor unit control unit of the outdoor unit.

[0084] The outdoor unit control unit can control the components of the outdoor unit, including the compressor, based on information regarding user input received from the indoor unit. For example, when a control signal corresponding to a user input for selecting an operation mode, such as cooling operation, heating operation, ventilation operation, defrosting operation, or dehumidification operation, is received from the indoor unit, the outdoor unit control unit can control the components of the outdoor unit so that the air conditioner performs an operation corresponding to the selected operation mode.

[0085] The outdoor unit control unit and the indoor unit control unit may each include a processor and a memory. The indoor unit control unit may include at least one first processor and at least one first memory, and the outdoor unit control unit may include at least one second processor and at least one second memory.

[0086] The memory can store / remember various information necessary for the operation of the air conditioner. The memory can store instructions, applications, data, and / or programs necessary for the operation of the air conditioner. For example, the memory can store various programs for the cooling, heating, dehumidifying, and / or defrosting operations of the air conditioner. The memory can include volatile memory, such as Static Random Access Memory (S-RAM) and Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM), for temporarily storing data. In addition, the memory can include non-volatile memory, such as Read Only Memory (ROM), Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EPROM), and Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EEPROM), for storing data for a long period of time.

[0087] The processor can generate control signals for controlling the operation of the air conditioner based on instructions, applications, data, and / or programs stored in memory. The processor, as hardware, may include logic circuits and arithmetic circuits. The processor can process data according to programs and / or instructions provided from the memory and generate control signals based on the processing results. The memory and the processor may be implemented as a single control circuit or as multiple circuits.

[0088] An indoor unit of an air conditioner may include an output interface. The output interface is electrically connected to the indoor unit control unit and can output information related to the operation of the air conditioner under the control of the indoor unit control unit. For example, information such as an operating mode selected by a user input, wind direction, wind volume, and temperature may be output. Additionally, the output interface may output sensing information obtained from an indoor unit sensor or an outdoor unit sensor, as well as warning / error messages.

[0089] The output interface may include a display and a speaker. The speaker, as an audio device, can output various sounds. The display may display information input by the user or information provided to the user using various graphic elements. For example, operation information of an air conditioner may be displayed as at least an image or text. The display may also include an indicator that provides specific information. The display may include a liquid crystal display panel (LCD), a light emitting diode panel (LED), an organic light emitting diode panel (OLED), a micro LED panel, and / or a plurality of LEDs.

[0090] Hereinafter, air conditioners according to various embodiments will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.

[0091] FIG. 1a is a drawing for explaining a ghost target generated by a blower of an air conditioner (1000) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 1b is a drawing for explaining a ghost target generated depending on the size of the space in which the air conditioner (1000) is installed.

[0092] An air conditioner (1000) may be a device that performs functions such as air purification, ventilation, humidity control, cooling, or heating of an indoor space. The air conditioner (1000) may include, but is not limited to, an air conditioner that is attached to a ceiling and blows wind in one direction (hereinafter, also referred to as a 1-way ceiling air conditioner). For example, the air conditioner (1000) may include an air conditioner that blows wind in four directions (hereinafter, a 4-way ceiling air conditioner), a stand air conditioner, a wall-mounted air conditioner, etc. However, for convenience of explanation, the present disclosure will describe a case where the air conditioner (1000) is a 1-way ceiling air conditioner as an example.

[0093] An air conditioner (1000) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include a radar sensor (1100) instead of a passive infrared (PIR) sensor for human detection. The radar sensor (1001) can detect the position, speed, and direction of an object using electromagnetic waves. For example, the radar sensor (1001) can transmit electromagnetic waves through a transmitting / receiving antenna and analyze the electromagnetic waves reflected by colliding with an object. The radar sensor (1001) can detect the distance, direction, speed, etc. to the object through the time taken for the reflected electromagnetic waves to be emitted, etc.

[0094] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a radar sensor (1001) can be applied to a one-way ceiling-type air conditioner. At this time, the one-way ceiling-type air conditioner is generally installed at a height of about 2.3 m from the floor surface (ceiling height) and is installed on one side of the ceiling, so that the radar sensor (1001) can be installed at an angle toward the floor surface to secure a detection distance of the radar sensor (1001). In addition, the one-way ceiling-type air conditioner can use the power of the radar sensor (1001) to the maximum to secure a maximum detection distance. In this case, a ghost phenomenon may occur in the radar sensor (1001) due to the influence of the surrounding environment.

[0095] The ghost phenomenon of the radar sensor (1001) refers to a phenomenon in which unnecessary signals other than the signal of an actual object (actual target) are detected. When the radar sensor (1001) is shaken by vibration or an object near the radar sensor (1001) moves, a ghost target may be detected by the radar sensor (1001) due to the influence of multipath. Multipath refers to a case in which a transmission (Tx) signal of the radar sensor (1001) is reflected through multiple paths and received by a receiving (Rx) antenna. In the present disclosure, a ghost target may refer to a target that is detected unnecessarily other than an actual target (e.g., a person).

[0096] Referring to FIG. 1A, when the fan of the blower (1003) rotates, multiple reflections occur inside the air conditioner (1000), and a phenomenon in which a ghost target is generated within a certain distance can be observed. For example, the radar sensor (1001) can detect a first ghost target (Rx1) based on a first reflection signal reflected from the fan of the blower (1003) through a first reflection path (1+2+3+4+5+6), and the radar sensor (1001) can detect a second ghost target (Rx_2) based on a second reflection signal reflected from the fan of the blower (1003) through a second reflection path (1+2+3+4+5'+6').

[0097] At this time, if the distance is measured based on the difference between the transmission time and reception time of the first reflection path and the difference between the transmission time and reception time of the second reflection path, the first ghost target (Rx1) and the second ghost target (Rx_2) can be measured to be within 1 m from the radar sensor (1001). In addition, if the position is measured based on the phase difference by the last path (6) of the first reflection path and the phase difference by the last path (6') of the second reflection path, the first ghost target (Rx1) and the second ghost target (Rx_2) can be measured to be located on the floor.

[0098] That is, if the reflection path from the fan of the blower (1003) is within 1 m, the intensity of the reflection signal is likely to exceed the standard SNR (Signal to Noise Ratio) value (e.g., 7 dB), and thus may be recognized as a ghost target. If the reflection path becomes longer, the intensity of the reflection signal is weakened, and thus the possibility of not being detected as a ghost target increases. Here, the standard SNR value may mean the minimum signal intensity at which the receiver of the radar sensor (1001) can detect the signal. The standard SNR value may also be expressed as reception sensitivity.

[0099] Therefore, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the radar sensor (1001) can reduce the occurrence of ghost targets caused by the fan of the blower (1003) by filtering (removing) signals whose reflection paths are within a certain distance. The operation of the radar sensor (1001) to filter signals whose reflection paths are within a certain distance will be described in detail later with reference to FIG. 9.

[0100] Referring to Fig. 1b, a ghost phenomenon may occur in the radar sensor (1001) depending on the size of the space in which the air conditioner (1000) is installed. The size of the space in which the air conditioner (1000) is installed may vary. For example, the air conditioner (1000) may be installed in a living room, a bedroom, a kitchen, or a small room (e.g., an alpha room). If the air conditioner (1000) is installed in a small room, even if there is only one person in the small room, if the transmission strength is strong, the radio waves may be reflected diffusely through the wall, and the radar sensor (1001) may detect that there are two to three people in the small room. In other words, if the air conditioner (1000) is installed in a small space, there is a high possibility that a ghost target (220) will be detected in addition to the actual target (210).

[0101] Therefore, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the air conditioner (1000) can prevent ghost targets from being detected in a narrow space by adjusting the transmission intensity of the radar sensor (1001) based on the size of the space in which the air conditioner (1000) is installed. The operation of the air conditioner (1000) adjusting the transmission intensity of the radar sensor (1001) will be described in detail later with reference to FIGS. 21 to 25.

[0102] Meanwhile, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the air conditioner (1000) can provide a stable human detection function by eliminating ghost targets generated by the surrounding environment. For example, the air conditioner (1000) can accurately detect human movement, absence, or presence using a radar sensor (1001) and provide various services according to the human movement, absence, or presence. The operation of the air conditioner (1000) to provide various services according to the human movement, absence, or presence will be described in detail later with reference to FIGS. 19 and 20.

[0103] Below, with reference to FIG. 2, we will look a little more closely at the radar sensor (1001).

[0104] FIG. 2 is a drawing for explaining a radar sensor (1001) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0105] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a radar sensor (1001) may be provided inside the indoor unit body so as to face the floor. Since the radar sensor (1001) is located inside the indoor unit body, it may not be visible from the outside.

[0106] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the radar sensor (1001) may be disposed on one side of the air conditioner (1000). For example, the radar sensor (1001) may be disposed on the left or right side of the blade (1004). In addition, the radar sensor (1001) may be disposed near a remote control receiver. The remote control receiver may include an IR (infrared) communication module, etc. The radar sensor (1001) may include a processor (e.g., MCU) and memory, and may be expressed as a radar sensor module.

[0107] The radar sensor (1001) can be connected to an indoor unit main body processor (hereinafter referred to as a processor) included in a PBA (Printed Board Assembly or Printed Circuit Board Assembly) (1012). The radar sensor (1001) can communicate with the processor at a predetermined cycle. The radar sensor (1001) can transmit information about a target to the processor at a predetermined cycle (e.g., 150 ms). For example, when the radar sensor (1001) detects a target, it can transmit information about the location of the target (e.g., a coordinate value) to the processor. Here, the target is an object that reflects a signal exceeding a reference SNR value, and may include an actual target (e.g., a person) and a ghost target. When the radar sensor (1001) detects multiple targets, it can transmit information about the location of each of the multiple targets to the processor.

[0108] In Fig. 2, an example in which one radar sensor (1001) is provided in the air conditioner (1000) is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The air conditioner (1000) may include multiple radar sensors (1001). For example, if the air conditioner (1000) is a 4-way ceiling-type air conditioner, two radar sensors (1001) may be provided in the air conditioner (1000). The first radar sensor may be provided on the left side of the air conditioner (1000) so as to face the left floor surface, and the second radar sensor may be provided on the right side of the air conditioner (1000) so as to face the right floor surface.

[0109] Meanwhile, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the radar sensor (1001) may be arranged to face the floor at a predetermined angle (e.g., 50 to 70 degrees) in order to expand the detection area. For example, if the air conditioner (1000) is a one-way ceiling-type air conditioner, the radar sensor (1001) may be arranged to face the floor at a predetermined angle (e.g., 50 to 70 degrees) from the panel module instead of being installed horizontally with the panel module. Therefore, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the indoor unit body may include a sensor mounting portion (1011) on which the radar sensor (1001) is mounted to face the floor at a predetermined angle. The sensor mounting portion (1011) may be expressed as a sensor case. Meanwhile, the radar sensor (1001) arranged on the sensor mounting portion (1011) may be covered with a cover case. In addition to the radar sensor (1001), a dust sensor (1013) may also be mounted on the sensor mounting portion (1011), but is not limited thereto.

[0110] Meanwhile, the indoor unit body may include an intake (cover panel) (1014), a blower (1003), and a blade (1004). The configuration of the indoor unit body will be examined in detail later with reference to FIG. 7, and below, the installation angle of the radar sensor (1001) will be examined in more detail with reference to FIG. 3.

[0111] FIG. 3 is a drawing for explaining the installation angle of a radar sensor (1001) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0112] Referring to 310 of FIG. 3, if the air conditioner (1000) is a one-way ceiling-type air conditioner, in order to expand the detection area, instead of installing the radar sensor (1001) horizontally with respect to the indoor unit body, the radar sensor (1001) may be installed by tilting it by 63 degrees. At this time, the indoor unit body may include a sensor mounting portion (1011) that allows the radar sensor (1001) to be tilted by 63 degrees. However, 63 degrees here is merely an example and is not limited thereto.

[0113] Referring to 320 of FIG. 3 and 330 of FIG. 3, it can be confirmed that when the radar sensor (1001) is installed at an angle of 63 degrees, the detection distance of the radar sensor (1001) reaches up to 8 m. That is, when the radar sensor (1001) is installed at an angle of 63 degrees, the detection area of ​​the radar sensor (1001) is equivalent to the area of ​​a typical apartment (e.g., 84 m). 2 ) can sufficiently cover the entire living room. Therefore, the air conditioner (1000) can identify the location of the occupant through the radar sensor (1001) regardless of where the person moves within the living room.

[0114] Below, the sensor mounting portion (1011) that allows the radar sensor (1001) to be tilted at 63 degrees will be examined in more detail with reference to FIG. 4.

[0115] FIG. 4 is a drawing for explaining a sensor mounting portion (1011) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0116] Referring to FIG. 4, the sensor mounting portion (1011) may be designed to have a structure that minimizes radio interference of the radar sensor (1001). For example, the sensor mounting portion (1011) may minimize structures in the radio wave path of the radar sensor (1001). That is, the interior of the injection-molded product forming the sensor mounting portion (1011) may be designed as an empty space.

[0117] Meanwhile, the radar sensor (1001) mounted on the sensor mounting portion (1011) can detect multiple targets (people). With reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, the operation of the radar sensor (1001) detecting multiple targets (people) will be described.

[0118] FIG. 5 is a drawing for explaining an operation of detecting multiple occupants through a radar sensor (1001) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0119] Referring to FIG. 5, a plurality of occupants may be located in the detection area of ​​the radar sensor (1001) included in the air conditioner (1000). For example, a first person (501), a second person (502), and a third person (503) may be located in the detection area of ​​the radar sensor (1001). When the air conditioner (1000) is turned on and the radar sensor (1001) is activated, the radar sensor (1001) may transmit electromagnetic waves to detect each of the first person (501), the second person (502), and the third person (503) as targets.

[0120] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the radar sensor (1001) can detect the location, movement, etc. of each of a plurality of occupants. For example, the radar sensor (1001) can detect the location of a first person (501), the location of a second person (502), and the location of a third person (503), respectively, and transmit the location values ​​of the first person (501), the location values ​​of the second person (502), and the location values ​​of the third person (503) to the processor. With reference to FIG. 6, the operation of the air conditioner (1000) to identify the locations of a plurality of occupants will be described in more detail.

[0121] FIG. 6 is a drawing for explaining the coordinates of a plurality of targets (occupants) detected by a radar sensor (1001) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0122] Referring to FIG. 6, the air conditioner (1000) can obtain the location of a target (occupant) as a coordinate on a plane using a radar sensor (1001). For example, when a first person (610), a second person (620), and a third person (630) are located in the detection area of ​​the radar sensor (1001), the radar sensor (1001) can obtain a first coordinate value as the location value of the first person (610), a second coordinate value as the location value of the second person (620), and a third coordinate value as the location value of the third person (630). In addition, the radar sensor (1001) can transmit an identifier (ID) of each target, a coordinate value of each target, and an SNR value of each target to the processor of the indoor unit body. For example, the radar sensor (1001) can transmit data corresponding to a first person (610) (e.g., ID: 0, X: 52, Y: 229, SNR: 10), data corresponding to a second person (620) (e.g., ID: 1, X: 125, Y: 1070, SNR: 13), and data corresponding to a third person (630) (e.g., ID: 2, X: 125, Y: 428, SNR: 12) to the processor of the indoor unit body. The processor of the indoor unit body can determine the number of occupants and the location of each occupant based on the ID of each target, the coordinate value of each target, and the SNR value of each target received from the radar sensor (1001). Meanwhile, the radar sensor (1001) can obtain a Doppler velocity value (D) of each target, and can also transmit the Doppler velocity value to the processor of the indoor unit body.

[0123] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the air conditioner (1000) may track the location of an occupant using a radar sensor (1001). For example, the processor of the air conditioner (1000) may track the location of the occupant based on coordinate values ​​for each target received from the radar sensor (1001) at a predetermined cycle (e.g., every 0.15 seconds). Accordingly, the air conditioner (1000) may also identify the direction of movement when the occupant moves. In addition, the air conditioner (1000) may determine, using the radar sensor (1001), whether the occupant is close or far from the air conditioner (1000), moving, or absent.

[0124] Unlike the PIR sensor, the radar sensor (1001) can detect all movements within its detection area, allowing the air conditioner (1000) to perform precise motion control. In particular, since the radar sensor (1001) can detect the location of an occupant in units of centimeters, the air conditioner (1000) can perform precise control based on the location of the occupant.

[0125] FIG. 7 is a block diagram for explaining the function of an air conditioner (1000) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0126] Referring to FIG. 7, the indoor unit body (1010) of the air conditioner (1000) may include a radar sensor (1001), a heat exchanger (1002), a blower (1003), a blade (1004), and a control unit (1020). However, at least one of the components illustrated in FIG. 7 may not be an essential component. The indoor unit body (1010) may be implemented with more components than the components illustrated in FIG. 7, or may be implemented with fewer components. For example, the indoor unit body (1010) may be configured with a radar sensor (1001) and at least one processor.

[0127] The heat exchanger (1002) can perform heat exchange between the refrigerant and indoor air by utilizing a phase change (e.g., evaporation or condensation) of the refrigerant. For example, the heat exchanger (1002) can absorb heat from indoor air during cooling operation to evaporate the refrigerant in a wet vapor state, and can release heat to indoor air during heating operation to condense the refrigerant in a superheated vapor state. The heat exchanger (1002) included in the indoor unit body (1010) may also be expressed as an indoor heat exchanger.

[0128] The blower (1003) may include an indoor fan and a fan motor. The indoor fan may include an axial fan, a mixed flow fan, a cross-flow fan, and a centrifugal fan. The blower (1003) may control the speed (volume) of the wind discharged. The blower (1003) may reduce the speed (volume) of the wind discharged from the outlet by reducing the RPM (Revolutions per minute), or may increase the speed (volume) of the wind discharged from the outlet by increasing the RPM (Revolutions per minute).

[0129] The blade (1004) is provided to control the direction of the discharged wind. The blade (1004) may be expressed as a wind control plate. The blade (1004) rotates around a rotation axis and can control the direction of the discharged wind in the left-right direction or the up-down direction. The blade (1004) may include a horizontal blade that controls the wind direction of the air discharged from the discharge port up and down, and a vertical blade that controls the wind direction of the air discharged from the discharge port left and right. The horizontal blade may be formed long in the horizontal direction to control the opening and closing of the discharge port and may be exposed at the front of the discharge port, and may rotate around the rotation axis to control the flow of air discharged from the discharge port in the up-and-down direction. The vertical blade may be formed in a plurality in the vertical direction and may rotate around the rotation axis to control the flow of air discharged from the discharge port left and right. The blade (1004) may be operated by a motor (not shown) that rotates in the forward and reverse directions.

[0130] The control unit (1020) may include a memory (1022) that stores or memorizes a program and / or data for controlling the air conditioner (1000), and a processor (1021) that outputs a control signal for controlling a load (e.g., a radar sensor (1001), a heat exchanger (1002), a blower (1003), a blade (1004), etc.) according to the program and / or data stored in the memory (1022).

[0131] The processor (1021) controls the overall operation of the air conditioner (1000). The processor (1021) can control components of the air conditioner (1000) by executing a program stored in the memory (1022).

[0132] The air conditioner (1000) may include one or more processors (1021). The processor (1021) may include at least one of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), an APU (Accelerated Processing Unit), a MIC (Many Integrated Core), a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), and an NPU (Neural Processing Unit). At least one processor (1021) may be implemented in the form of an integrated system on a chip (SoC) including one or more electronic components. Each of the at least one processors (1021) may be implemented as separate hardware (H / W). At least one processor (1021) may be expressed as a MICOM (Micro-Computer, Microprocessor Computer, Microprocessor controller), an MPU (Micro Processor unit), or an MCU (Micro Controller Unit).

[0133] At least one processor (1021) according to the present disclosure may be implemented as a single core processor or as a multicore processor.

[0134] The memory (1022) stores or records various information, data, commands, programs, etc. required for the operation of the air conditioner (1000). The memory (1022) can store temporary data generated during the process of generating a control signal for controlling components included in the air conditioner (1000). The memory (1022) may include at least one of volatile memory and non-volatile memory, or a combination thereof.

[0135] The memory (1022) may include at least one type of storage medium among a flash memory type, a hard disk type, a multimedia card micro type, a card type memory (e.g., SD or XD memory, etc.), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a SRAM (Static Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read-Only Memory), an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), a PROM (Programmable Read-Only Memory), a magnetic memory, a magnetic disk, and an optical disk. The programs stored in the memory (1022) may be classified into a plurality of modules according to their functions.

[0136] The processor (1021) and memory (1022) may be provided as a single unit or separately. The processor (1021) may include one or more processors. For example, the processor (1021) may include a main processor and at least one sub-processor. The memory (1022) may include one or more memories.

[0137] FIG. 8 is a drawing for explaining a communication system of an air conditioner (1000) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0138] Referring to FIG. 8, the indoor unit body (1010) of the air conditioner (1000) may include a communication interface (1030). The communication interface (1030) may include a short-range communication unit, a long-range communication unit, etc. The short-range wireless communication unit (short-range wireless communication interface) may include a Bluetooth communication unit, a BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) communication unit, a near field communication interface (NFC), a WLAN (Wi-Fi) communication unit, a Zigbee communication unit, an infrared (IrDA, Infrared Data Association) communication unit, a WFD (Wi-Fi Direct) communication unit, an UWB (ultra wideband) communication unit, an ANT+ communication unit, etc., but is not limited thereto. The long-range communication unit may be used for the air conditioner (1000) to remotely communicate with a server (2000). The long-range communication unit may include the Internet, a computer network (e.g., LAN or WAN), and a mobile communication unit. The mobile communications unit may include, but is not limited to, 3G modules, 4G modules, 5G modules, LTE modules, NB-IoT modules, LTE-M modules, etc.

[0139] The communication interface (1030) of the air conditioner (1000) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure can communicate with a server (2000), an IoT device (3000), and a user terminal (4000) through a network.

[0140] The server (2000) may include a communication module capable of communicating with another server, an air conditioner (1000), an IoT device (3000), or a user terminal (4000), at least one processor capable of processing data received from another server, an air conditioner (1000), an IoT device (3000), or a user terminal (4000), and at least one memory capable of storing a program for processing data or processed data. The server (2000) may be implemented as a variety of computing devices such as a workstation, a cloud, a data drive, or a data station. The server (2000) may be implemented as one or more servers that are physically or logically separated based on function, detailed configuration of function, or data, and may transmit and receive data through communication between each server and process the transmitted and received data.

[0141] The server (2000) can perform functions such as managing user accounts, registering air conditioners (1000), IoT devices (3000), and user terminals (4000) by linking them to user accounts, and managing or controlling the registered air conditioners (1000), IoT devices (3000), and user terminals (4000). For example, a user can access the server (2000) through a user terminal (4000) and create a user account. The user account can be identified by an ID and password set by the user. The server (2000) can register the air conditioners (1000) and IoT devices (3000) to the user account according to a set procedure. For example, the server (2000) can register, manage, and control the air conditioner (1000) and the IoT device (3000) by linking the identification information (e.g., serial number or MAC address) of the air conditioner (1000) and the IoT device (3000) to a user account.

[0142] The IoT device (3000) may include a communication module capable of communicating with an air conditioner (1000), a user terminal (4000), or a server (2000), a user interface for receiving user input or outputting information to a user, at least one processor for controlling the operation of the IoT device (3000), and at least one memory storing a program for controlling the operation of the IoT device (3000).

[0143] The IoT device (3000) may be at least one of various types of home appliances. For example, the IoT device (3000) may include, but is not limited to, at least one of a dishwasher, an electric range, an electric oven, an air conditioner, a clothes manager, a washing machine, a dryer, a microwave oven, an air purifier, a robot vacuum cleaner, a vacuum cleaner, and a television.

[0144] The user terminal (4000) may include a communication module capable of communicating with an air conditioner (1000), an IoT device (3000), or a server (2000), a user interface for receiving user input or outputting information to a user, at least one processor for controlling the operation of the user terminal (4000), and at least one memory storing a program for controlling the operation of the user terminal (4000).

[0145] The user terminal (4000) may be carried by the user or placed in the user's home or office. The user terminal (4000) may include, but is not limited to, a personal computer, a terminal, a portable telephone, a smart phone, a handheld device, a wearable device, and the like. In the present disclosure, the user terminal (4000) may also be expressed as a mobile terminal.

[0146] The memory of the user terminal (4000) may store a program, i.e., an application, for controlling the air conditioner (1000) and the IoT device (3000). The application may be sold installed on the user terminal (4000) or downloaded and installed from an external server.

[0147] A user can access a server (2000) by executing an application installed on a user terminal (4000), create a user account, and perform communication with the server (2000) based on the logged-in user account to register an air conditioner (1000) and an IoT device (3000).

[0148] For example, when the air conditioner (1000) and the IoT device (3000) are operated so that the air conditioner (1000) and the IoT device (3000) can be connected to the server (2000) according to the procedure guided by the application installed on the user terminal (4000), the air conditioner (1000) and the IoT device (3000) can be registered in the user account by registering the identification information (e.g., serial number or MAC address) of the air conditioner (1000) and the IoT device (3000) in the corresponding user account on the server (2000).

[0149] A user can control an air conditioner (1000) and an IoT device (3000) using an application installed on a user terminal (4000). For example, when a user logs into a user account using an application installed on a user terminal (4000), an air conditioner (1000) and an IoT device (3000) registered to the user account appear, and when the user inputs a control command for the air conditioner (1000) or the IoT device (3000), the control command can be transmitted to the air conditioner (1000) or the IoT device (3000) via the server (2000).

[0150] A network can include both wired and wireless networks. Wired networks include cable networks or telephone networks, while wireless networks can include any network that transmits and receives signals via radio waves. Wired and wireless networks can be interconnected.

[0151] A network may include a wide area network (WAN) such as the Internet, a local area network (LAN) formed around an access point (AP), and a short-range wireless network that does not use an access point (AP). Short-range wireless networks may include, but are not limited to, Bluetooth™ (IEEE 802.15.1), Zigbee (IEEE 802.15.4), Wi-Fi Direct, Near Field Communication (NFC), Z-Wave, etc.

[0152] An access point (AP) can connect an air conditioner (1000), an IoT device (3000), or a user terminal (4000) to a wide area network (WAN) to which a server (2000) is connected. The air conditioner (1000), an IoT device (3000), or a user terminal (4000) can be connected to the server (2000) via the wide area network (WAN).

[0153] The access point (AP) can communicate with an air conditioner (1000), an IoT device (3000), or a user terminal (4000) using wireless communication such as Wi-Fi (Wi-Fi™, IEEE 802.11), Bluetooth (Bluetooth™, IEEE 802.15.1), or Zigbee (IEEE 802.15.4), and can connect to a wide area network (WAN) using wired communication, but is not limited thereto.

[0154] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the air conditioner (1000) may be directly connected to a user terminal (4000), an IoT device (3000), or a server (2000) without going through an access point (AP).

[0155] The air conditioner (1000) may be connected to an IoT device (3000), a user terminal (4000), or a server (2000) via a long-distance wireless network or a short-distance wireless network. For example, the air conditioner (1000) may be connected to a user terminal (4000) via a short-distance wireless network (e.g., Wi-Fi Direct).

[0156] The air conditioner (1000) may be connected to a user terminal (4000), a server (2000), or an IoT device (3000) via a wide area network (WAN) using a long-distance wireless network (e.g., a cellular communication module). In addition, the air conditioner (1000) may be connected to a wide area network (WAN) using wired communication, and may be connected to a user terminal (4000), a server (2000), or an IoT device (3000) via the wide area network (WAN).

[0157] If the air conditioner (1000) can access a wide area network (WAN) using wired communication, it may also function as an access relay. Accordingly, the air conditioner (1000) can connect the IoT device (3000) to the wide area network (WAN) to which the server (2000) is connected. In addition, the IoT device (3000) can connect the air conditioner (1000) to the wide area network (WAN) to which the server (2000) is connected.

[0158] The air conditioner (1000) can transmit information about its operation or status to an IoT device (3000), a user terminal (4000), or a server (2000) via a network. For example, the air conditioner (1000) can transmit information about its operation or status to the IoT device (3000), a user terminal (4000), or the server (2000) when a request is received from the server (2000), when a specific event occurs in the air conditioner (1000), or periodically or in real time. When the server (2000) receives information about its operation or status from the air conditioner (1000), it can update the information about the operation or status of the air conditioner (1000) that has been stored therein, and transmit the updated information about the operation and status of the air conditioner (1000) to the user terminal (4000) via the network. Here, updating information may include various actions that change existing information, such as adding new information to existing information or replacing existing information with new information.

[0159] The air conditioner (1000) can obtain various information from an IoT device (3000), a user terminal (4000), or a server (2000), and provide the obtained information to a user. For example, the air conditioner (1000) can obtain information related to the function of the air conditioner (1000) and various environmental information (e.g., weather, temperature, humidity, etc.) from the server (2000), and output the obtained information through a user interface.

[0160] The air conditioner (1000) can operate according to a control command received from an IoT device (3000), a user terminal (4000), or a server (2000). For example, if the air conditioner (1000) obtains prior approval from the user so that it can operate according to the control command of the server (2000) even without user input, the air conditioner (1000) can operate according to the control command received from the server (2000). Here, the control command received from the server (2000) may include, but is not limited to, a control command input by the user through the user terminal (4000) or a control command based on preset conditions.

[0161] The user terminal (4000) can transmit information about the user to the air conditioner (1000), IoT device (3000), or server (2000) via the communication module. For example, the user terminal (4000) can transmit information about the user's location, health status, preferences, schedule, etc. to the server (2000). The user terminal (4000) can transmit information about the user to the air conditioner (1000) or server (2000) with the user's prior consent.

[0162] The air conditioner (1000), IoT device (3000), user terminal (4000), or server (2000) may determine control commands using technologies such as artificial intelligence. For example, the server (2000) may receive information regarding the operation or status of the air conditioner (1000) and IoT device (3000), or receive information regarding the user of the user terminal (4000), process the information using technologies such as artificial intelligence, and transmit the processing result or control command to the air conditioner (1000), IoT device (3000), or user terminal (4000) based on the processing result.

[0163] Hereinafter, the operation of the air conditioner (1000) detecting at least one target using a radar sensor (1001) will be examined in detail with reference to FIG. 9.

[0164] FIG. 9 is a drawing for explaining a target detection method of an air conditioner (1000) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0165] Referring to FIG. 9, the target detection method of the air conditioner (1000) may include steps S910 to S940. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, steps S910 to S940 may be executed by a radar sensor (1001) included in the air conditioner (1000). The target detection method of the air conditioner (1000) is not limited to that illustrated in FIG. 9, and in one or more embodiments, steps not illustrated in FIG. 9 may be further included, or some steps may be omitted.

[0166] In step S910, the radar sensor (1001) of the air conditioner (1000) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure can transmit electromagnetic waves to the outside through a transmitter and receive signals reflected from external objects through a receiver. The radar sensor (1001) can process signals reflected from external objects (hereinafter, also referred to as received signals or reflected signals) to obtain information about the external objects (e.g., distances to the external objects, movements of the external objects, positions of the external objects, etc.).

[0167] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a radar sensor (1001) may include multiple transmitters and receivers. For example, referring to FIG. 10, the radar sensor (1001) may include two transmitters (10) and three receivers (20), but is not limited thereto. The more transmitters (10) and receivers (20) there are, the better the performance (resolution) of the radar sensor (1001), so that the radar sensor can more precisely identify the movement and position of a target. In the present disclosure, the transmitter (10) may be represented as a transmitting antenna (Tx), and the receiver (20) may be represented as a receiving antenna (Rx).

[0168] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the radar sensor (1001) can transmit and receive electromagnetic waves in a continuous wave manner. The continuous wave manner is a method of detecting the movement of an object by continuously transmitting electromagnetic waves and measuring the reflected waves that return after colliding with the object. For example, the radar sensor (1001) may be a chirp radar sensor of the Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave (FMCW) manner. A chirp signal may refer to a signal whose frequency increases over time.

[0169] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a radar sensor (1001) of the FMCW (Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave) method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 11, one frame may include 64 chirp signals, but is not limited thereto.

[0170] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the radar sensor (1001) can use a variable frequency in the 60 GHz band. For example, a variable frequency in the 60.5 to 61.34 GHz band can be used.

[0171] Referring again to FIG. 10, a signal received through the receiving antenna of the radar sensor (1001) can be converted into an IF (Intermediate Frequency) signal through a mixer. The radar sensor (1001) can process the IF signal obtained through the mixer to obtain various information about external objects (hereinafter, also referred to as reflectors) existing within the detection range. For example, the radar sensor (1001) can measure the distance to the external object, the movement (speed) of the external object, and the angle (position).

[0172] FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining an operation of a radar sensor (1001) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure to calculate the distance, movement, and position (angle) of a reflector. Referring to FIG. 12, the radar sensor (1001) can convert the delay time from when a radio wave transmitted through a transmitting antenna is reflected by an object to when it is received by a receiving antenna into a distance between the radar sensor and the object (1201). The radar sensor (1001) can calculate the frequency (position) and phase of consecutive reception signals received by one reception antenna (1202). In addition, the radar sensor (1001) can calculate the speed of an object by using the phase difference of consecutive reception signals received by one reception antenna. The radar sensor (1001) can measure the angle (position) with respect to an external object by calculating the phase (time) difference of reception (Rx) signals entering two or more reception antennas (1203).

[0173] Returning to FIG. 9, in step S920, the air conditioner (1000) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may filter out signals reflected within a preset distance from among the received signals. Since the radar sensor (1001) may convert the delay time between the transmission time and the reception time into a distance, it may filter out signals reflected within a preset distance from among the signals received through the receiving antenna. In the present disclosure, filtering a signal may mean removing the signal so that it does not constitute point cloud data. Point cloud data may mean a set of individual points having coordinate values ​​in a two-dimensional (or three-dimensional) plane. The individual points constituting the point cloud data may be used to detect a target.

[0174] The preset distance may be, but is not limited to, 1 m to 1.5 m. The preset distance may be set by considering the reflection path distance of signals reflected by the blower (1003). The influence of the movement of the blower (1003) on the formation of ghost targets will be examined with reference to FIGS. 13 to 15.

[0175] FIG. 13 is a drawing for explaining the location of occurrence of a ghost target according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, when the air conditioner (1000) is in operation, the radar sensor (1001) detects the movement of the fan included in the blower (1003), and a phenomenon in which a ghost target, not a person, is instantaneously detected within a certain distance may occur. For example, referring to FIG. 13, even if there is no person within the detection range of the radar sensor (1001), a point cloud (1301) may be formed on the right side within 0.8 m in front of the radar sensor (1001). Accordingly, a ghost target may be detected on the right side within 0.8 m from the radar sensor (1001).

[0176] Figure 14 is an example of graphs showing the velocity of each point included in a point cloud obtained by applying a distance-based filter. Referring to Figure 14, it can be seen that as the distance that serves as the filtering standard increases, the number of points forming the point cloud decreases rapidly. For example, the number of points decreases more when a 0.5 m filter is applied (1420) than when a 0.1 m filter is applied (1410), the number of points decreases more when a 0.7 m filter is applied (1430) than when a 0.5 m filter is applied (1420), and the number of points decreases more when a 1.0 m filter is applied (1440) than when a 0.7 m filter is applied (1430).

[0177] Also, referring to 1410, 1420, and 1430 of FIG. 14, it can be seen that points having the same speed symmetrically left and right are detected at a close range (within 0.7 m) from the radar sensor (1001) similar to the constant speed of the fan included in the blower (1003). That is, it can be seen that there is a high probability that a ghost target will be detected by the movement of the fan included in the blower (1003) at a close range (e.g., within 1 m) of the radar sensor (1001).

[0178] FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining the influence of filtering by distance. Referring to 1510 of FIG. 15, it can be seen that even if signals reflected within 0.1 m among signals received through the receiving antenna are filtered, a plurality of points are formed by signals reflected between 0.4 m and 1.2 m. Referring to 1520 of FIG. 15, it can be seen that even if signals reflected within 0.5 m among signals received through the receiving antenna are filtered, a plurality of points are formed by signals reflected between 0.7 m and 1.2 m. Referring to 1510 of FIG. 15, it can be seen that even if signals reflected within 0.1 m among signals received through the receiving antenna are filtered, a plurality of points are formed by signals reflected between 0.4 m and 1.2 m. Referring to 1530 of FIG. 15, it can be seen that when signals reflected within 1.2 m from among the signals received through the receiving antenna are filtered, no points are formed. That is, by removing (filtering) signals reflected within a distance of 1.2 m from the radar sensor and not forming them into point cloud data, the probability of detecting a ghost target caused by the fan of the blower (1003) can be greatly reduced.

[0179] Therefore, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the radar sensor (1001) can filter (remove) signals reflected within a preset distance (e.g., 1.2 m) among the received signals to reduce the probability of detecting a ghost target.

[0180] Returning to FIG. 9 again, in step S930, the air conditioner (1000) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure can generate point cloud data based on signals exceeding a reference SNR value among signals reflected beyond a preset distance, since signals reflected within a preset distance have been filtered.

[0181] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the reference SNR value may be a value for detection as a signal by the radar sensor (1001). For example, the reference SNR value may be 7 dB, but is not limited thereto.

[0182] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the reference SNR value may be applied differently depending on the distance. For example, a reference SNR value of 7 dB may be applied at a close range, and a reference SNR value of 4 dB may be applied at a long range. An embodiment in which the reference SNR value is applied differently depending on the distance will be discussed in detail later with reference to FIGS. 17 and 18.

[0183] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the greater the movement of an object or the closer the object is to the radar sensor (1001), the greater the SNR value of the signal reflected from the object may be. For example, if a first person is sitting still far away from the radar sensor (1001) and a second person is walking toward the radar sensor (1001), the SNR value of the signal reflected from the first person may be lower than the SNR value reflected from the second person. Accordingly, if the first person is sitting still very far away (e.g., 11 m) from the radar sensor (1001), the SNR value of the signal reflected from the first person may not exceed the reference SNR value.

[0184] In addition, since the reflection path of the first signal reflected from the fan of the blower (1003) exceeds a preset distance (1.2 m), even if the first signal is not filtered in step S920, the SNR value becomes small when the reflection path is long, and thus the SNR value of the first signal may not be generated as point cloud data because it is smaller than the reference SNR value.

[0185] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, as described in FIG. 12, the radar sensor (1001) can measure the distance to an object, the movement of the object, and the position (angle) of the object, and can generate point cloud data based on the measured information. According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, each point included in the point cloud data can include a coordinate value (position value) and a Doppler velocity value. The Doppler velocity value can include information on whether the currently measured point is approaching or moving away from the radar sensor (1001).

[0186] In step S940, the air conditioner (1000) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure can detect at least one target based on point cloud data.

[0187] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the radar sensor (1001) can detect a target within a predetermined area based on point cloud data when multiple points are detected within the area. The predetermined area may be a square area with a width and length of 1 m, but is not limited thereto. For example, the predetermined area may be a circle with a diameter of 1 m.

[0188] Referring to FIG. 16, the radar sensor (1001) can detect an area (1601) as a target when three or more adjacent points appear simultaneously within a 1 m x 1 m square area. According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the radar sensor (1001) can detect an area as a target when four or more points appear simultaneously within a 1 m x 1 m square area, or can detect an area as a target when two points appear simultaneously within a 1 m x 1 m square area.

[0189] Meanwhile, the radar sensor (1001) can detect multiple targets when there are multiple areas of a predetermined size in which three or more points appear simultaneously.

[0190] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the radar sensor (1001) can minimize detection of ghost targets generated by a fan inside an indoor unit due to the influence of multiple paths by filtering out signals reflected within a preset distance and not generating them as point cloud data.

[0191] Below, the operation of the radar sensor (1001) applying a different reference SNR value depending on the distance will be examined in detail with reference to FIG. 17.

[0192] FIG. 17 is a drawing for explaining the detection range of a radar sensor (1001) of an air conditioner (1000) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0193] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the air conditioner (1000) may divide the distance from the radar sensor (1001) into a plurality of sections and apply a different reference SNR value to each section. The air conditioner (1000) may apply a lower reference SNR value as the distance increases. For example, the radar sensor (1001) may apply a first reference SNR value to signals reflected within a first distance among signals reflected from a preset distance (e.g., 1.2 m) or more, and may apply a second reference SNR value lower than the first reference SNR value to signals reflected from the first distance or more, thereby generating point cloud data.

[0194] Referring to FIG. 17, the radar sensor (1001) can apply 7 dB (1701) as a reference SNR value to signals reflected in a first section (1710) within 7 m, and can apply 4 dB (1702) as a reference SNR value to signals reflected in a second section (1720) greater than or equal to 7 m. Accordingly, the radar sensor (1001) can generate point cloud data for reflected signals having an SNR value of 7 dB or greater among signals reflected within 7 m, and can generate point cloud data for reflected signals having an SNR value of 4 dB or greater among signals reflected greater than or equal to 7 m.

[0195] The farther an object is from the radar sensor (1001), the lower the SNR value of the signal reflected from the object. Therefore, the air conditioner (1000) can apply different reference SNR values ​​for each distance section to expand the detection range of the object. Refer to FIG. 18.

[0196] FIG. 18 is a drawing for explaining improvement of the undetected area of ​​a radar sensor (1001) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0197] Referring to FIG. 18, it can be confirmed that when the reference SNR value is applied lower as the distance from the radar sensor (1001) increases, the detection range is expanded. That is, compared to when the reference SNR value for the entire section is set to 7 dB (see 330 of FIG. 3), when the reference SNR value is set in two stages (e.g., 7 dB within 7 m & 4 dB above 7 m), it can be confirmed that the detection area of ​​the radar sensor (1001) is improved (1810, 1820, 1830). For example, if the reference SNR value of the entire section is set to 7 dB (see 330 in FIG. 3), the detection distance of the radar sensor (1001) is approximately 8 m, but if the reference SNR value is set in two stages (e.g., 7 dB within 7 m & 4 dB above 7 m), the detection distance of the radar sensor (1001) can be increased to approximately 10 m (see 1830).

[0198] Meanwhile, in FIGS. 17 and 18, the case where the reference SNR value is set to two levels is described as an example, but it is not limited thereto. For example, the air conditioner (1000) may set the reference SNR value of the radar sensor (1001) to three or more levels (e.g., 9 dB in a section within 4 m, 7 dB in a section between 4 m and 7 m, and 4 dB in a section greater than 7 m).

[0199] FIG. 19 is a drawing for explaining a method for detecting an occupant in an air conditioner (1000) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0200] Referring to FIG. 19, a method for detecting an occupant in an air conditioner (1000) may include steps S1910 to S1940. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, steps S1910 to S1940 may be executed by at least one processor included in the air conditioner (1000). The method for detecting an occupant in an air conditioner (1000) is not limited to that illustrated in FIG. 19, and in one or more embodiments, additional steps not illustrated in FIG. 19 may be included, or some steps may be omitted.

[0201] In step S1910, the air conditioner (1000) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure can obtain information about at least one target through the radar sensor (1001). For example, when the radar sensor (1001) (e.g., the MCU of the radar sensor (1001)) detects at least one target in step S940 of FIG. 9, the radar sensor (1001) can transmit information about the at least one target to the processor (1021) of the air conditioner (1000).

[0202] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, information about at least one target may include, but is not limited to, an ID of each target, a coordinate value of each target (e.g., an x-coordinate value, a y-coordinate value), and an SNR value of each target.

[0203] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the processor (1021) of the air conditioner (1000) can obtain information about at least one target from the radar sensor (1001) at a predetermined cycle. For example, the processor (1021) of the air conditioner (1000) can receive information about at least one target from the radar sensor (1001) at a cycle of 0.15 seconds, but is not limited thereto.

[0204] In step S1920, the air conditioner (1000) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure can identify at least one target as either a ghost target or a real target (occupant) based on the movement or SNR value of at least one target.

[0205] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the air conditioner (1000) can track the movement of at least one target based on the coordinate value of each target included in the information about at least one target received from the radar sensor (1001) at a predetermined period. At this time, if the movement of at least one target is less than a threshold movement (e.g., moving 20 cm for 2 consecutive seconds), the air conditioner (1000) can identify the at least one target as a ghost target. On the other hand, if the movement of at least one target is greater than the threshold movement (e.g., moving 20 cm for 2 consecutive seconds), the air conditioner (1000) can identify the at least one target as an occupant, which is an actual target. Since an actual target (e.g., a person) generally continues to move (e.g., raising a hand, moving a foot, turning a head, etc.), if the target has little movement, the air conditioner (1000) can identify the target as a ghost target.

[0206] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the air conditioner (1000) can identify at least one target as a ghost target if the SNR value of at least one target becomes lower than a threshold SNR value within a predetermined period of time. For example, if a first target is detected by the radar sensor (1001) and the SNR value of the first target becomes lower than 15 dB within 2 seconds, the air conditioner (1000) can identify the first target as a ghost target. Since ghost targets tend to appear once and then disappear, if a first target with an SNR value of 15 dB or higher appears momentarily and then immediately disappears, the air conditioner (1000) can identify the first target as a ghost target.

[0207] Meanwhile, if the movement of the second target is greater than the threshold movement and the SNR value of the second target remains greater than the threshold SNR value for a predetermined period of time, the air conditioner (1000) can identify the second target detected by the radar sensor (1001) as an actual target, that is, a person in the room.

[0208] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a distance filter (e.g., a 1.2 m filter) is applied to a radar sensor (1001) to filter out ghost targets, and a processor (1021) of an air conditioner (1000) also filters out ghost targets once more using the movement or SNR value of the target, so that the air conditioner (1000) can more accurately recognize an occupant.

[0209] In steps S1930 and S1940, the air conditioner (1000) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure can control the operation of the air conditioner (1000) based on the movement of at least one target if at least one target is not a ghost target (No in S1930). That is, if the air conditioner (1000) identifies at least one target as an occupant, which is an actual target, it can control the operation of the indoor unit based on the movement of the occupant.

[0210] For example, the air conditioner (1000) can adaptively control the wind volume (wind speed) according to the activity level or number of occupants. In addition, the air conditioner (1000) can finely adjust the wind direction according to the mode set by the occupant (e.g., direct wind mode or indirect wind mode) and the location of the occupant.

[0211] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the air conditioner (1000) may detect the absence of an occupant using a radar sensor (1001) and perform operations to save energy when the occupant is absent. In addition, the air conditioner (1000) may detect unintended movement inside a home while the user is away from home using the radar sensor (1001) and transmit a security sensing notification to a user terminal. The air conditioner (1000) may also use the radar sensor (1001) to determine the health status of the occupant (e.g., activity level, heart rate, respiration rate, etc.) and output a notification related to the health status of the occupant.

[0212] Below, we will look in more detail at the operation of the air conditioner (1000) to control the indoor unit based on the movement of an occupant accurately detected through the radar sensor (1001).

[0213] FIG. 20 is a drawing for explaining an operation of an air conditioner (1000) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure to control an indoor unit based on the movement of an occupant.

[0214] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a user can set various functions of an air conditioner (1000) using a user terminal (4000). For example, the user can activate or deactivate a smart sensing cooling function (2001), a motion detection wind function (2002), an absence power saving function (2003), a movement monitoring function (2004), etc. The user terminal (4000) can transmit user setting information to a server (2000), and the server (2000) can transmit a command to the air conditioner (1000) to change the settings of the air conditioner (1000) based on the user setting information.

[0215] When a user activates the smart sensing cooling function (2001), the air conditioner (1000) can measure the number of occupants and their activity levels through the radar sensor (1001), and automatically adjust the air volume according to the number of occupants or their activity levels. For example, the air conditioner (1000) can adjust the air volume higher when the number of occupants is large and the activity levels of each occupant are high, and can adjust the air volume lower when the number of occupants is small and the activity levels of each occupant are low. The air conditioner (1000) can provide a comfortable cooling environment to occupants by automatically adjusting the air volume according to the number of occupants and their activity levels.

[0216] When the user activates the motion detection wind function (2002), the air conditioner (1000) can detect the movement of the occupant and blow indirect or direct wind. For example, the user can set the direct wind mode on the air conditioner (1000) before riding an indoor bicycle. When the user rides an indoor bicycle, the air conditioner (1000) can identify the user's location using the radar sensor (1001) and adjust the angle of the blade (1004) so ​​that the wind blows directly toward the user. Therefore, the user can ride the indoor bicycle comfortably. Meanwhile, when the user sits on the sofa after riding the indoor bicycle, the air conditioner (1000) can track the user's location and adjust the angle of the blade (1004) so ​​that the wind blows toward the sofa.

[0217] If the user does not want to be directly exposed to the wind, the air conditioner (1000) can be set to indirect wind mode. If the user sets the indirect wind mode and then sits on the sofa to watch TV, the air conditioner (1000) can identify the user's location and adjust the angle of the blade (1004) so ​​that the wind does not blow toward the sofa where the user is sitting.

[0218] When the user activates the absence power saving function (2003), the air conditioner (1000) can detect the absence of the occupant using the radar sensor (1001) and perform operations to save energy. For example, the occupant may leave the air conditioner (1000) while the power is turned on. At this time, when the absence of the occupant is detected for a first predetermined period of time (e.g., 60 minutes) through the radar sensor (1001), the air conditioner (1000) can change the normal mode to the windless mode. When the occupant continues to be absent for a second predetermined period of time (e.g., 20 minutes) after switching to the windless mode, the air conditioner (1000) can change the windless mode to the soft-off mode in which the cooling operation is stopped. The soft-off mode may also be expressed as a standby mode. The soft-off mode may be a mode in which the radar sensor (1001) and at least one processor (1021) remain activated, and the heat exchanger (1002), the blower (1003), and the blades (1004) are deactivated. If an occupant is detected again in the soft-off mode, the air conditioner (1000) may return to the normal mode of a specific wind volume. The air conditioner (1000) may turn off the power of the air conditioner (1000) if the occupant continues to be absent for a third predetermined period of time (e.g., 20 minutes) after switching to the soft-off mode.

[0219] That is, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, when a user goes out for a long time with the air conditioner (1000) turned on, energy can be saved by stopping the operation of the air conditioner (1000) after a certain period of time. Meanwhile, since the user may go out and return quickly, the air conditioner (1000) may not immediately turn off the power of the air conditioner (1000) even if the absence of an occupant is detected, but may gradually change the operation mode to a normal mode, a wind-free mode, and a soft-off mode in that order. Accordingly, when the air conditioner (1000) detects an occupant again through the radar sensor (1001), the air conditioner (1000) can quickly return to the normal mode.

[0220] When the user activates the movement monitoring function (2004), the air conditioner (1000) can monitor whether unintended movement is detected using the radar sensor (1001). For example, when an outsider trespasses into a home without permission, the air conditioner (1000) can detect the movement of the outsider using the radar sensor (1001). In addition, the air conditioner (1000) can transmit information that the movement of the outsider has been detected to the server (2000), and the server (2000) can transmit information that the movement of the outsider has been detected in the air conditioner (1000) to the user terminal (4000). At this time, the user terminal (4000) can display a security detection notification on the screen indicating that unintended movement has been detected in the home.

[0221] Meanwhile, the air conditioner (1000) may monitor the activity level of the occupant using a radar sensor (1001), and if the activity level of the occupant is below a threshold activity level, a visual or audible notification may be output to urge the occupant to increase the activity level. In addition, the air conditioner (1000) may measure the heart rate or respiration rate of the occupant using the radar sensor (1001). If the heart rate or respiration rate of the occupant is outside a standard range, the air conditioner (1000) may output a notification related to the health status.

[0222] FIG. 21 is a drawing for explaining a phenomenon in which a ghost target appears depending on the size of a space in which an air conditioner (1000) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is installed.

[0223] The air conditioner (1000) can be installed in spaces of various sizes. For example, it can be installed in a relatively large space such as a living room, or it can be installed in a relatively small space such as an alpha room (2101).

[0224] Referring to 2102 of FIG. 21, if the air conditioner (1000) is installed in a large room, a ghost target is not detected. However, if the air conditioner (1000) is installed in a narrow space, the radio wave intensity of the radar sensor (1001) is high, so a ghost target may be detected. Referring to 2103 of FIG. 21, if there is an object with high reflectivity around the occupant or the occupant is in a small space with high reflectivity, a ghost target may be generated at a distance farther than the occupant. For example, if the air conditioner (1000) is installed in a small room measuring 4 m x 4 m, if the radio wave intensity of the radar sensor (1001) is high, the ghost target (2104) may be detected in addition to the actual target (2105) due to diffuse reflection on the wall. In this case, the ghost target (2104) may be detected at a point 6 m beyond the size of the room.

[0225] Accordingly, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the air conditioner (1000) can adjust the transmission intensity of the radar sensor (1001) to eliminate ghost targets (2104) generated in a small space. A method for the air conditioner (1000) to adjust the transmission intensity of the radar sensor (1001) will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 22.

[0226] FIG. 22 is a drawing for explaining a method of adjusting the transmission intensity of a radar sensor (1001) according to the size of a space in which an air conditioner (1000) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is installed.

[0227] In step S2210, the air conditioner (1000) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure can obtain information about the size of the space in which the air conditioner (1000) is installed.

[0228] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the air conditioner (1000) can receive information from a user (or an installation technician) regarding the size of a space in which the air conditioner (1000) is installed.

[0229] Referring to FIG. 23, a user (or an installation technician) can select a room in which an air conditioner (1000) is installed through a user terminal (4000) and input the size of the selected room. For example, referring to 2310 of FIG. 23, the user can execute a specific application (e.g., a home appliance management application) installed on the user terminal (4000) and select 'living room' as the room in which the air conditioner (1000) is installed in the application execution window. Then, the user can input the left distance (e.g., 3 m), the right distance (e.g., 3 m), and the front distance (e.g., 10 m) based on the air conditioner (1000) as the size of the living room. Referring to 2320 of FIG. 23, if the air conditioner (1000) is installed in room 1, the user can select 'room 1' as the room in which the air conditioner (1000) is installed in the application execution window. And, the user can input the left distance (e.g., 1.5 m), right distance (e.g., 1.5 m), and forward distance (e.g., 5 m) based on the air conditioner (1000) as the size of room 1. In Fig. 23, the case of inputting the left distance, right distance, and forward distance is illustrated as an example, but is not limited thereto. The user can also input only the forward distance based on the air conditioner (1000).

[0230] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, when a user inputs the size of a room in which an air conditioner (1000) is installed through a user terminal (4000), the user terminal (4000) can transmit information about the size of the room in which the air conditioner (1000) is installed to a server (2000), and the server (2000) can transmit information about the size of the room in which the air conditioner (1000) is installed to the air conditioner (1000). That is, the air conditioner (1000) can obtain information about the size of the room input by the user through the server (2000).

[0231] Meanwhile, the user terminal (4000) can search for a cross-section of a house through an Internet server based on the current location (address) and display the cross-section of the house on the screen. At this time, the user can also select a room in which an air conditioner (1000) is installed from the cross-section of the house. In this case, the user terminal (4000) can transmit information about the size of the room selected by the user (e.g., 4 m x 4 m) to the air conditioner (1000) through the server (2000).

[0232] In step S2220, the air conditioner (1000) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure can adjust the transmission intensity (power) of the radar sensor (1001) based on information about the size of the space in which the air conditioner (1000) is installed.

[0233] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the air conditioner (1000) can adjust the transmission intensity of the radar sensor (1001) to be lower as the size of the space in which the air conditioner (1000) is installed is smaller. In addition, the air conditioner (1000) can adjust the transmission intensity of the radar sensor (1001) to be higher as the size of the space in which the air conditioner (1000) is installed is larger.

[0234] Referring to Fig. 24, the smaller the space where the air conditioner (1000) is installed, the lower the transmission strength can be adjusted by reducing the number of signal transmissions per unit time. For example, if the space where the air conditioner (1000) is installed is a living room (front distance: 10 m), the processor (1021) of the air conditioner (1000) can transmit a frame unit (1 frame = 64 chirps) 11 times per unit time (e.g., 1.5 seconds). On the other hand, if the space where the air conditioner (1000) is installed is room 1 (front distance: 5 m), the processor (1021) of the air conditioner (1000) can transmit a frame unit (1 frame = 64 chirps) 4 times or 1 time per unit time (e.g., 1.5 seconds).

[0235] Referring to FIG. 25, it can be confirmed that ghost targets are eliminated by lowering the transmission intensity when the space where the air conditioner (1000) is installed is small. Referring to 2510 of FIG. 25, when the space where the air conditioner (1000) is installed is room 1 and radio waves are transmitted at the same transmission intensity as the living room (e.g., transmitting frames 11 times for 1.5 seconds), a ghost target (2501) can be detected by the radar sensor (1001) in addition to the actual target (2502). On the other hand, referring to 2520 of FIG. 25, when the space where the air conditioner (1000) is installed is room 1 and radio waves are transmitted at a lower transmission intensity than the living room (e.g., transmitting frames once for 1.5 seconds), it can be confirmed that only the actual target (2503) is detected by the radar sensor (1001) and the ghost target (2503) is eliminated.

[0236] In step S2230, the air conditioner (1000) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure can adjust the reference SNR value.

[0237] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the air conditioner (1000) can adjust the reference SNR value to be low as the transmission intensity of the radar sensor (1001) is adjusted to be low. When the transmission intensity is adjusted to be low, the SNR value of the received signal is lowered overall, so the processor (1021) of the air conditioner (1000) can adjust the reference SNR value to be low, thereby increasing the detection rate of an actual target.

[0238] Meanwhile, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the air conditioner (1000) may obtain information about the space in which the air conditioner (1000) is installed by transmitting radio waves at least twice with different transmission intensities. For example, a user may stand in the space in which the air conditioner (1000) is installed and select 'radar sensor setting' through the user terminal (4000). At this time, the radar sensor (1001) of the air conditioner (1000) may transmit radio waves with the first transmission intensities and the second transmission intensities, respectively, and compare the number of detected targets. If the number of detected targets is two or more, the actual target (user) may be one, and the rest may be ghost targets. Therefore, the air conditioner (1000) may determine that the size of the room in which the air conditioner (1000) is installed is small enough to generate ghost targets.

[0239] For example, when the air conditioner (1000) detects two targets when transmitting radio waves at the first transmission intensity (e.g., transmitting frame units 11 times for 1.5 seconds) and detects one target when transmitting radio waves at the second transmission intensity (e.g., transmitting frame units once for 1.5 seconds), the air conditioner (1000) may determine that the room in which the air conditioner (1000) is installed is small and may set the transmission intensity of the radar sensor (1001) to the second transmission intensity.

[0240] On the other hand, when the air conditioner (1000) detects one target when transmitting a radio wave at the first transmission intensity (e.g., transmitting a frame unit 11 times for 1.5 seconds) and detects one target when transmitting a radio wave at the second transmission intensity (e.g., transmitting a frame unit 1 time for 1.5 seconds), it can determine that the room in which the air conditioner (1000) is installed is not small and set the transmission intensity of the radar sensor (1001) to the first transmission intensity.

[0241] One embodiment of the present disclosure aims to provide an air conditioner (1000) capable of stable human detection by eliminating ghost targets generated by the surrounding environment of a radar sensor (1001).

[0242] One embodiment of the present disclosure aims to provide an air conditioner (1000) including a radar sensor (1001) that minimizes detection of ghost targets generated by a fan inside an indoor unit due to the influence of multiple paths by filtering signals reflected within a preset distance.

[0243] One embodiment of the present disclosure aims to provide an air conditioner (1000) that prevents a ghost target from being detected in a narrow space by adjusting the transmission intensity of a radar sensor (1001) based on the size of the space in which the air conditioner (1000) is installed.

[0244] An air conditioner (1000) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include an indoor unit body (1010); a radar sensor (1001) installed inside the indoor unit body (1010) at a predetermined angle and facing the floor; and at least one processor (1021) for detecting a person through the radar sensor (1001). The radar sensor (1001) may transmit electromagnetic waves to the outside through a transmitter (10) and receive signals reflected from external objects through a receiver (20). The radar sensor (1001) may filter signals reflected within a preset distance among the received signals. The radar sensor (1001) may generate point cloud data based on signals exceeding a reference SNR (Signal to Noise Ratio) value among signals reflected beyond the preset distance. The radar sensor (1001) may detect at least one target based on the point cloud data. The radar sensor (1001) can transmit information about at least one detected target to at least one processor (1021).

[0245] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the predetermined angle may be one of 60 degrees to 65 degrees.

[0246] A radar sensor (1001) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may each include a plurality of transmitters (10) and receivers (20).

[0247] The preset distance according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may be one of 1 m to 1.5 m.

[0248] A radar sensor (1001) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure can generate point cloud data by applying a first reference SNR value to signals reflected within a first distance among signals reflected from a preset distance or more, and applying a second reference SNR value lower than the first reference SNR value to signals reflected from the first distance or more.

[0249] A radar sensor (1001) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure can detect an area of ​​a predetermined size as at least one target when a plurality of points are detected within the area based on point cloud data.

[0250] At least one processor (1021) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may, when obtaining information about at least one target from a radar sensor, identify at least one target as either a ghost target or a real target based on a movement or SNR value of the at least one target.

[0251] Information about at least one target according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include an identifier (ID) of each target, a coordinate value of each target, or an SNR value of each target.

[0252] At least one processor (1021) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may identify the first target as a ghost target if the movement of the first target is less than a threshold movement for a predetermined period of time or if the SNR value of the first target becomes less than a threshold SNR value within a predetermined period of time.

[0253] At least one processor (1021) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure can detect the second target as a person, which is an actual target, when the movement of the second target is greater than or equal to a threshold movement for a predetermined period of time and the SNR value of the second target remains greater than or equal to the threshold SNR value for a predetermined period of time.

[0254] At least one processor (1021) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure can obtain information about the size of a space in which an air conditioner (1000) is installed, and adjust the transmission intensity of a radar sensor (1001) based on the information about the size of the space.

[0255] At least one processor (1021) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure can adjust the transmission intensity of the radar sensor to be lower as the size of the space in which the air conditioner (1000) is installed is smaller.

[0256] At least one processor (1021) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure can adjust the reference SNR value lower as the transmission intensity of the radar sensor (1001) is adjusted lower.

[0257] A method for detecting a target by an air conditioner (1000) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include a step (S910) of transmitting electromagnetic waves to the outside through a transmitter (10) of a radar sensor (1001) installed inside an indoor unit body (1010) so as to be inclined at a predetermined angle and facing the floor, and receiving signals reflected from external objects through a receiver (20) of the radar sensor (1001); a step (S920) of filtering signals reflected within a preset distance among the received signals; a step (S930) of generating point cloud data based on signals exceeding a reference SNR (Signal to Noise Ratio) value among signals reflected beyond the preset distance; and a step (S940) of detecting at least one target based on the point cloud data.

[0258] A method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include the steps of: obtaining a motion of at least one target or an SNR value of at least one target; and identifying at least one target as either a ghost target or a real target based on the motion of at least one target or the SNR value of at least one target (S1920).

[0259] The preset distance according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may be one of 1 m to 1.5 m.

[0260] The step of generating point cloud data according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include the step of generating point cloud data by applying a first reference SNR value to signals reflected within a first distance among signals reflected from a preset distance or more, and applying a second reference SNR value lower than the first reference SNR value to signals reflected from the first distance or more.

[0261] The step of detecting at least one target according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include a step of detecting an area of ​​a predetermined size as at least one target when a plurality of points are detected within the area based on point cloud data.

[0262] A method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include a step (S2210) of obtaining information about the size of a space in which an air conditioner (1000) is installed; and a step (S2220) of adjusting the transmission intensity of a radar sensor (1001) based on the information about the size of the space.

[0263] The step of adjusting the transmission intensity of the radar sensor (1001) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include a step of adjusting the transmission intensity of the radar sensor (1001) to be lower as the size of the space in which the air conditioner (1000) is installed becomes smaller.

[0264] A device-readable storage medium may be provided in the form of a non-transitory storage medium. Here, the term "non-transitory storage medium" simply means a tangible device that does not contain signals (e.g., electromagnetic waves). This term does not distinguish between cases where data is permanently stored in the storage medium and cases where data is temporarily stored. For example, a "non-transitory storage medium" may include a buffer in which data is temporarily stored.

[0265] According to one embodiment, the method according to various embodiments disclosed in the present document may be provided as included in a computer program product. The computer program product may be traded as a commodity between a seller and a buyer. The computer program product may be distributed in the form of a machine-readable storage medium (e.g., a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) or a Universal Serial Bus (USB) flash drive), or may be distributed online (e.g., downloaded or uploaded) through an application store or directly between two user devices (e.g., smartphones). In the case of online distribution, at least a portion of the computer program product (e.g., a downloadable app) may be temporarily stored or temporarily generated in a machine-readable storage medium, such as the memory of a manufacturer's server, an application store's server, or an intermediary server.

Claims

1. Indoor unit body (1010); A radar sensor (1001) installed inside the above indoor unit body (1010) at a predetermined angle and facing the floor; and At least one processor (1021) for detecting a person through the radar sensor (1001) is included. The above radar sensor (1001) It includes a transmitter (10) that transmits electromagnetic waves to the outside, and a receiver (20) that receives signals reflected from external objects. Among the signals received through the above receiver (20), signals reflected within a preset distance are filtered, Point cloud data is generated based on signals exceeding a standard SNR (Signal to Noise Ratio) value among the signals reflected from a distance greater than the above-mentioned preset distance, Detecting at least one target based on the above point cloud data, transmitting information about at least one detected target to at least one processor (1021); Air conditioner.

2. An air conditioner in the first paragraph, wherein the predetermined angle is one of 60 degrees to 65 degrees.

3. In the first or second paragraph, the radar sensor (1001) An air conditioner, each comprising a plurality of the above transmitters (10) and the above receivers (20).

4. In any one of paragraphs 1 to 3, An air conditioner wherein the above preset distance is one of 1 m to 1.5 m.

5. In any one of the first to fourth paragraphs, the radar sensor (1001) An air conditioner that generates the point cloud data by applying a first reference SNR value to signals reflected within a first distance among signals reflected from a distance greater than the preset distance, and applying a second reference SNR value lower than the first reference SNR value to signals reflected from a distance greater than the first distance.

6. In any one of the first to fifth clauses, the radar sensor (1001) An air conditioner that detects an area as at least one target when a plurality of points are detected within an area of ​​a predetermined size based on the above point cloud data.

7. In any one of the first to sixth paragraphs, the at least one processor (1021) An air conditioner, wherein when information about at least one target is acquired from the radar sensor, the at least one target is identified as either a ghost target or a real target based on the movement or SNR value of the at least one target.

8. In paragraph 7, An air conditioner, wherein the information about at least one target includes an identifier (ID) of each target, a coordinate value of each target, or a SNR value of each target.

9. In the 7th paragraph, the at least one processor (1021) An air conditioner that identifies the first target as a ghost target when the movement of the first target is less than a threshold movement for a predetermined period of time or when the SNR value of the first target becomes less than a threshold SNR value within a predetermined period of time.

10. In the 9th paragraph, the at least one processor (1021) An air conditioner that detects the second target as an actual target, that is, a person, when the movement of the second target is greater than or equal to the threshold movement for a predetermined period of time and the SNR value of the second target remains greater than or equal to the threshold SNR value for a predetermined period of time.

11. In any one of the first to tenth paragraphs, the at least one processor (1021) Obtain information about the size of the space where the above air conditioner (1000) is installed, An air conditioner that adjusts the transmission intensity of the radar sensor (1001) based on information about the size of the space.

12. In the 11th paragraph, the at least one processor (1021) An air conditioner in which the transmission intensity of the radar sensor is adjusted to be lower as the size of the space in which the air conditioner (1000) is installed is smaller.

13. In the 12th paragraph, the at least one processor (1021) An air conditioner that lowers the reference SNR value as the transmission intensity of the radar sensor (1001) is lowered.

14. In a method for detecting a target by an air conditioner (1000) including an indoor unit body (1010) and a radar sensor (1001), A step (S910) of transmitting electromagnetic waves to the outside through the transmitter (10) of the radar sensor (1001) installed at a predetermined angle inside the indoor unit body (1010) and facing the floor, and receiving signals reflected from external objects through the receiver (20) of the radar sensor (1001); A step (S920) of filtering signals reflected within a preset distance among the received signals; A step (S930) of generating point cloud data based on signals exceeding a standard SNR (Signal to Noise Ratio) value among the signals reflected from a distance greater than the preset distance; and A method comprising a step (S940) of detecting at least one target based on the above point cloud data.

15. In paragraph 14, the method, A step of obtaining the movement of at least one target or the SNR value of at least one target; and A method further comprising a step (S1920) of identifying the at least one target as either a ghost target or a real target based on the movement of the at least one target or the SNR value of the at least one target.

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