NFC Air Conditioner Remote Control for Power-Off Setup
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In building multi-system air conditioning setups, remote controls require frequent button operations to set data, which is time-consuming and cumbersome, especially when multiple units need to be configured, and existing solutions cannot facilitate data setting without powering on the remote control.
Innovation Solution
The remote control incorporates a radio frequency identification (RFID) or near-field communication (NFC) unit that allows data exchange even when the controller is off, enabling data setting and storage without button operation through an external communication unit and auxiliary storage, allowing collective address setting and time display without powering individual units.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the remote control uses traditional button operation for data setting, then the controller can be simple and power consumption can be low, but the operator must visit each room and repeatedly operate buttons which is time-consuming and troublesome
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical button operation system with a wireless communication system. The remote control includes a communication unit that can wirelessly receive data from an external device (such as a smartphone or computer), eliminating the need for manual button pressing. This allows operators to set addresses and other data remotely without visiting each room, significantly improving productivity and reducing time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an external device as an intermediary between the operator and the remote control. The external device serves as a mediator that can wirelessly transmit data to the remote control's communication unit, enabling indirect data input without direct button operation. This intermediary approach allows for more efficient data setting while maintaining system simplicity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the remote control cannot be turned ON until connected to indoor unit and supplied with power, then power consumption is low, but the remote control cannot receive data from external PC before installation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables preliminary data reception by allowing the communication unit to operate in a low-power state before the main controller is powered on. The communication unit can receive and store data from external devices during the initialization phase, before the remote control is fully activated. This preliminary action capability allows operators to prepare data in advance without requiring the remote control to be fully powered on, maintaining low power consumption while improving adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the power supply system into two independent parts: the main controller power supply and the communication unit power supply. The communication unit has its own power source that can operate independently to receive data, while the main controller remains in low-power mode until needed. This segmentation allows the communication function to be activated without fully powering on the remote control, reducing overall device complexity while enabling pre-installation data reception.
3Ease of operation
If the remote control requires button operation for every setting, then the interface can be simple, but the operator must operate buttons many times for time setting and other configurations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual button operation with wireless data transmission. Instead of pressing buttons sequentially to input data, the communication unit receives data wirelessly from external devices. This substitution dramatically improves ease of operation by eliminating the need for repeated button pressing while simultaneously increasing productivity through faster data input.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple remote controls are used in building multi-system, then each room can be controlled independently, but setting data on each remote control becomes extremely troublesome and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual button operation with wireless communication for data input. The communication unit in each remote control can wirelessly receive data from external devices, allowing operators to configure multiple remote controls more efficiently without visiting each room and pressing buttons on each device individually.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables data copying functionality where configuration data can be transmitted from one remote control to another or from an external device to multiple remote controls simultaneously. The communication unit can receive and store copied data, allowing operators to replicate settings across multiple units without manual re-entry, significantly reducing time loss when configuring building multi-systems.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution streamlines data setting for multiple remote controls by allowing collective address setting and time display without manual button operation, reducing operator effort and time, and ensuring data communication security even when the remote control is off.
Implementation Method 1
an external communication unit (45) capable of communicating with an external apparatus even when the controller (36) is not supplied with power
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A remote control for an air conditioner facilitates setting of various kinds of data without operation of a button. A remote control (30) includes an external communication unit (45) having an NFC circuit (42) and an NFC antenna (43). The external communication unit (45) is capable of wirelessly communicating with an external apparatus even when a microcomputer (36) in the remote control (30) is not supplied with power (i.e., in a non-operating state). Hence, through the wireless communication between the external communication unit (45) of the remote control (30) and the external apparatus, the various kinds of data is forwarded from the external device to the remote control (30), and stored in the remote control (30).