Terminal Control for Batch Remote Air Conditioner Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for remotely controlling multiple air conditioners from a car require users to perform numerous operations, making it cumbersome and inefficient, especially when trying to manage multiple units simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
A terminal apparatus with a display and memory that allows users to designate multiple air conditioners for remote control, using set temperature conditions and position information to simplify the operation by presenting a single common instruction for multiple units, reducing the need for repeated inputs and enhancing safety while preventing unnecessary activation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the user operates each air conditioner individually through remote control, then each air conditioner can be controlled precisely, but the number of operations increases significantly when controlling multiple air conditioners
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple individual air conditioner control operations into a single batch operation. When multiple air conditioners meet the temperature conditions, the system merges them into a single group and presents one common instruction to the user. Selecting this single instruction triggers simultaneous control of all grouped air conditioners, reducing multiple individual operations to one unified action.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by automatically grouping air conditioners that meet the temperature conditions before presenting the control instruction to the user. The terminal apparatus proactively identifies and groups target air conditioners based on stored temperature conditions and current temperature data, so that when the user receives the common instruction, the grouping is already complete and ready for batch execution.
2Measurement precision
If the system provides individual control instructions for each air conditioner, then each unit can be controlled accurately, but the display complexity and user input requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple individual control instructions into a single common instruction displayed to the user. Instead of showing separate instructions for each air conditioner, the system presents one unified instruction that represents control for all grouped air conditioners. This maintains control accuracy while significantly reducing display complexity and user input requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments the control process into two distinct phases: automatic grouping phase and execution phase. During the automatic grouping phase, the system internally segments and groups air conditioners based on temperature conditions without user intervention. During the execution phase, the pre-grouped air conditioners are controlled through a single user action. This segmentation allows complex multi-unit control to be simplified into manageable stages.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the system allows remote operation from anywhere, then user flexibility increases, but unnecessary activation of air conditioners may occur increasing power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by defining specific geographic regions (first region and second region) around the building where remote control operations are valid. Instead of allowing unlimited remote operation from anywhere, the system restricts control authority to users within these defined local regions. This maintains remote control flexibility for legitimate users while preventing unnecessary activation by distant users, thereby reducing wasteful power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback by continuously monitoring the user's position information and comparing it against the predefined first and second regions. Before allowing remote control operation, the system checks whether the user is within the authorized region. This position-based feedback mechanism ensures that air conditioners are only activated when the user is in the appropriate location, preventing unnecessary power consumption from remote operations initiated from unauthorized locations.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present application discloses a method for controlling a terminal apparatus that is used for an appliance control system for executing a remote operation on a plurality of air conditioners from a car. The method includes a first judgment step of causing a computer of the terminal apparatus to judge whether or not a start condition of the remote operation is satisfied; a second judgment step of causing the computer to judge whether or not the car exists in a control region defined around a building; a first display step of causing a display of the terminal apparatus to display a start instruction image for providing an instruction to start the remote operation; an output step of causing the computer to, if an instruction image region used in common to a plurality of target appliances to be operated is operated on the start instruction image, output control data to a network; and a second display step of causing the display to display a plurality of notification images indicating that the control data has been transmitted to the plurality of target appliances to be operated.