Remote controller and air-conditioning apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Air-conditioning apparatuses with wireless communication functions face usability issues as users need to manually switch between communicating with sensor tags and portable terminals, disrupting continuous data collection and remote operation capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A remote controller that seamlessly switches between client and server modes, allowing simultaneous remote operation via an information terminal and sensor information collection from wireless devices without user intervention, using a bidirectional communication protocol over wireless and transmission lines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the air-conditioning apparatus continuously communicates with the sensor tag to collect environmental information, then the air-conditioning target space can be controlled to a more comfortable environment, but the air-conditioning apparatus cannot communicate with the portable terminal simultaneously, requiring manual switching and reducing usability
Solution Approach 1:
The remote controller dynamically switches its communication role between client and server modes based on real-time needs. When a portable terminal approaches, it automatically transitions to server mode to enable remote operation communication, and when no terminal is present, it operates in client mode to continuously collect sensor data, eliminating the need for manual switching
Solution Approach 2:
The remote controller automatically detects the presence of portable terminals and autonomously switches communication modes without user intervention. The system monitors for terminal proximity and self-adjusts its communication role, making the switching process transparent to the user while maintaining both continuous data collection and remote operation capabilities
2Ease of operation
If the remote controller stops communication with the sensor tag at specific time intervals to allow portable terminal connection, then remote operation becomes possible, but the user needs to wait for specific timing and continuous data collection is interrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The communication mode switches dynamically based on terminal proximity detection rather than fixed time intervals. When a terminal approaches within detection range, the system immediately transitions to server mode, allowing remote operation without requiring users to wait for predetermined time slots, thus eliminating waiting time while maintaining continuous sensor monitoring capability
3Adaptability or versatility
If the air-conditioning apparatus supports both sensor tag communication and portable terminal communication, then both continuous monitoring and remote operation are enabled, but the communication system becomes more complex requiring mode switching mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The remote controller is designed with multi-functional communication capability, serving both as a client for sensor tag communication and as a server for portable terminal communication. This universal design allows a single device to handle multiple communication roles, simplifying the overall system architecture while maintaining dual communication capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The remote controller acts as an intermediary between the sensor tag network and portable terminals. It seamlessly manages communication with both types of devices, translating and coordinating data flows between them, thereby reducing the complexity that would arise from direct peer-to-peer communication between sensors and terminals
Data Source
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AI summary
A remote controller includes a wireless communication unit wirelessly communicating with a wireless device transmitting sensor information serving as an environmental index for an air-conditioning target space for an air-conditioning apparatus and wirelessly communicating with an information terminal transmitting user-set operation information of a user of the air-conditioning apparatus; an air-conditioning control unit transmitting the sensor information and the user-set operation information to a main body of the air-conditioning apparatus; and a mode switching unit switching between a client mode in which the sensor information is acquired from the wireless device and a server mode in which the user-set operation information is received from the information terminal and provides air-conditioning control information corresponding to the user-set operation information to the information terminal.