Air conditioner control device, equipment system, and program
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Solution Overview
Problem
Control devices with limited memory capacity struggle to adequately customize control programs to meet user-specific needs, particularly in applications where internal memory is constrained.
Innovation Solution
The air conditioner control device employs a custom control program that utilizes a custom input/output map and memory to efficiently manage and update control information, allowing for flexible customization and operation of multiple air conditioners and lighting devices connected via a general-purpose network, even with limited memory resources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If control devices are made compact with limited internal memory, then device portability and installation flexibility are improved, but control program customization capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The control program is divided into two parts: a basic control program stored in the control device's internal memory and additional control programs stored in an external storage device. This segmentation allows the compact control device to access expanded functionality through the external storage without increasing its own memory capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
An external storage device acts as an intermediary between the control device and the expanded control program requirements. The external storage device provides additional memory capacity while the control device maintains its compact form factor, enabling program customization without compromising device size.
2Adaptability or versatility
If internal memory capacity is increased to store customized control programs, then control program customization capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The memory system is segmented into internal memory for basic operations and external storage for expanded program storage. This allows the control device to maintain simple internal memory architecture while accessing larger program sets through the external storage interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The external storage device serves multiple functions: storing additional control programs, providing program customization capability, and enabling flexible program loading. This multi-functionality achieves program customization without requiring the control device itself to have large internal memory.
3Adaptability or versatility
If control programs are updated frequently to meet user needs, then adaptability is improved, but update time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple control programs are pre-loaded into the external storage device before runtime. This preliminary action allows the control device to switch between pre-prepared programs without requiring time-consuming updates during operation, thus improving adaptability while minimizing update time.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of updating the single control program in internal memory, the system copies additional control programs to the external storage device. This copying approach preserves the original basic program intact while providing access to multiple customized versions, reducing update complexity and time.
Data Source
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AI summary
By efficiently holding only information necessary for a desired control from among information that can be obtained from equipment such as air conditioners (501, 502), lighting devices (601, 602) and other devices, the control of the air conditioners (501,502) and other devices according to the situation is obtained with small-capacity memory resources. This facilitates uploading to an air conditioner control device (20) having a relatively small memory capacity and makes it possible to efficiently customize the installed control program.