Air conditioner interface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional techniques require direct communication between air conditioners and external devices with air-conditioning functions to operate in conjunction, which is not feasible when both lack the necessary communication means.
Innovation Solution
An air conditioner interface that connects an air conditioner, a manipulation terminal, and an external device, using controlling circuitry to operate the air conditioner and external device in either a solo mode or a simultaneous mode, determining the target device based on the air conditioning mode instructed by the terminal, allowing operation even without direct communication between the devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If direct communication means are required between air conditioner and external device, then reliable coordinated operation is achieved, but device compatibility and ease of installation are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a communication interface as an intermediary device that mediates between the air conditioner and external device. This interface receives control signals from either device and translates them into appropriate commands for the other device, enabling coordinated operation without requiring direct communication capabilities between the air conditioner and external device. The intermediary resolves the contradiction by providing reliable coordinated operation while maintaining device compatibility.
2Ease of operation
If direct communication protocols are implemented, then precise control is achieved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the communication protocol complexity from the air conditioner and external device themselves, placing it in the separate communication interface device. This allows the main devices to remain simple while the interface handles all communication translation and protocol conversion. The control precision is maintained through the interface's ability to translate commands accurately, while the device complexity is reduced by removing communication requirements from the original devices.
3Adaptability or versatility
If communication means are added to air conditioner and external device, then direct coordination is possible, but installation difficulty and system cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The communication interface serves as a mediator that eliminates the need for adding communication means to the air conditioner and external device. By placing the communication functionality in a separate interface device, the patent maintains direct coordination capability while simplifying installation. The interface device handles all communication protocols and translations, allowing the main devices to be installed without any communication infrastructure modifications.
Data Source
AI summary
An air conditioner interface is an interface to which an air conditioner, a manipulation terminal, and an external device are connected, the manipulation terminal being used by a user to manipulate the air conditioner, the external device having an air-conditioning function. The air conditioner interface includes a control unit that controls operation of the air conditioner and operation of the external device in accordance with an operating mode that is set to either a first operating mode to solely operate the air conditioner or a second operating mode to enable the air conditioner and the external device to operate simultaneously.