Air conditioner and method of operating the same
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air conditioning systems face challenges in accurately determining an occupant's activity level and providing optimal airflow without manual operation, especially when users are away from the air conditioner or lose the remote control.
Innovation Solution
An air conditioner system equipped with a camera to capture images of the indoor space, a controller to determine the activity level of occupants in different areas, and airflow direction control units to adjust the airflow direction based on the determined activity levels, ensuring optimal airflow and temperature control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a microphone is used to detect occupant activity, then the system can detect sounds, but the accuracy in determining activity level is reduced due to various sounds from inside and outside the space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the indoor space into multiple areas and uses multiple cameras to capture images of different regions simultaneously. By segmenting the monitoring space and using image-based activity detection instead of audio detection, the system achieves more accurate activity level measurement without interference from external sounds.
2Productivity
If moving distance is used to determine activity level, then the system can track occupant movement, but the accuracy is reduced when the occupant does intense exercise at a fixed position
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically adjusts the evaluation criteria for activity level based on the type of movement detected. Instead of relying solely on moving distance, the system analyzes movement patterns, speed, and intensity to comprehensively determine activity level, thereby accurately detecting both extensive movement and intense exercise at fixed positions.
3Ease of operation
If manual operation of airflow direction control means is required, then the user can adjust airflow direction, but it becomes uncomfortable or complex when the user is away from the air conditioner or loses the remote control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the air conditioner to automatically detect occupant position and activity level using image processing, and autonomously adjust airflow direction and temperature without requiring manual operation. The system serves itself by making intelligent decisions based on detected environmental parameters and occupant characteristics.
4Device complexity
If single airflow direction is used for all areas, then the system is simple to control, but it cannot provide optimal airflow for different areas with different activity levels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the indoor space into multiple areas and independently controls airflow direction for each area based on detected activity levels. By segmenting the control system to match the spatial segmentation, the patent achieves area-specific airflow optimization while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular control architecture.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure relates to an air conditioner and a method of operating the same. The air conditioner of the present disclosure includes: a case having a space formed therein and an open bottom; a panel disposed under the case and having an inlet and a plurality of outlets disposed around a circumference of the inlet; a fan disposed in the case and configured to generate an airflow from the inlet to the plurality of outlets; an airflow direction control unit disposed at the respective outlets and configured to control an airflow direction of air flowing through the respective outlets in an upward and downward direction; a camera disposed on one side of the panel to be directed toward an indoor space; and a controller configured to control the airflow direction control unit based on images corresponding to the indoor space and captured by the camera, wherein the controller is configured to: determine an activity level of an occupant for each of a plurality of areas of the indoor space based on a plurality of images corresponding to the indoor space; determine a direction of air discharged from the respective outlets based on the determined activity level; and control the airflow direction control unit according to the direction of the air which is determined for the respective outlets.