KR100788514B1 - Display control method of air conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a display control method of an air conditioner in which a preparation step for driving a display means when power is applied.

The present invention provides an air conditioner having display means (256) for displaying an image or a message to the outside, wherein the display means (256) establishes a display environment upon application of power from the outside. The preparation phase is executed. The preparation step includes a booting process (S403) for invoking an operating system (Operating System) so that the display means 256 can operate, a loading process (S404) for importing data from a memory, and loading And a screen display process (S405) for displaying the process (S404). According to the display control method of the air conditioner according to the present invention having such a configuration, there is an advantage that the user can easily recognize the driving state of the air conditioner.

Air Conditioner, Control Unit, Display, Avatar

Description

Display control method of air conditioner {Display control method of air conditioner}

1 is a perspective view of an indoor unit of a separate air conditioner according to the prior art.

Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the indoor unit to which the preferred embodiment of the display control method of the air conditioner according to the present invention is applied.

3 is a perspective view showing an open state of the front panel in the indoor unit of the air conditioner to which the embodiment of the present invention is applied.

Figure 4 is a front view showing a detailed configuration of a button unit provided on the front panel of the indoor unit constituting the air conditioner to which the embodiment of the present invention is applied.

Figure 5 is a block diagram showing the overall control system configuration of the air conditioner to which the embodiment of the present invention is applied.

Figure 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of various display modes implemented in the display window of the air conditioner to which the embodiment of the present invention is applied.

Figure 7 is a flow chart schematically showing a display control method of the air conditioner according to the present invention.

Figure 8 is a block diagram schematically showing the preparation step of the embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 9a is an operating state showing a state that the text data is displayed in the loading process according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 9b is an operating state showing a state in which a photographic image is displayed during the loading process according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 9c is an operating state showing the appearance of the avatar (character) is displayed in the loading process according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols on the main parts of the drawings

100. Indoor unit 110. Front panel

112. Hinged 120. Display Window

130. Button part 132. Run / stop key

134. Temperature Key 135. Volume Key

136. Airflow key 137. Plasma key

138. Left key 139. Right key

140. Remote control receiver 150. Display device

160.USB memory 170.Air purifier

200. Main control unit 202. Main memory

210. Main input means 220. Compressor

250. Display control unit 252. Display memory

254. Display input means 256. Display means

258. Data input means 300. Standby mode

302. Screen off mode 304. Clock mode

306. Screen Save Mode 308. User Setting Mode

320. Operation mode 322. Real operation mode

324. User operation mode 326. Character operation mode

340. Function Selection Mode 342. Operation / Additional Functions

344. Album function 360. Popup function

The present invention relates to an air conditioner, and more particularly, to a display control method of an air conditioner in which a preparation step for driving a display means when power is applied.

In general, an air conditioner is a cooling / heating device installed in a space or a wall of an indoor space such as an office or a home to cool or heat a room, and is composed of a compressor-condenser-expansion valve-evaporator and constitutes a series of refrigeration cycles. .

In particular, the air conditioner is mainly an outdoor unit (sometimes called 'outside' or 'heat sink') installed outdoors, and an indoor unit (sometimes called 'indoor' or 'heat absorbing side') mainly installed inside a building. The outdoor unit is provided with a condenser (outdoor heat exchanger) and a compressor, and the indoor unit is provided with an evaporator (indoor heat exchanger).

As is well known, the air conditioner may be classified into a separate type air conditioner in which the outdoor unit and the indoor unit are separately installed, and an integrated air conditioner in which the outdoor unit and the indoor unit are integrally installed.

1 schematically shows an indoor unit appearance of a conventional split type air conditioner according to the prior art.

As shown, the split type air conditioner is separated into an indoor unit 10 and an outdoor unit (not shown), and a refrigerant pipe (not shown) is installed in communication between the indoor unit 10 and the outdoor unit (not shown). do.

The indoor unit 10 has a side and a rear exterior are formed by a cabinet 20 formed vertically long. A base 22 is provided at a lower portion of the cabinet 20, and a front panel 24 is formed at an upper end of the base 22 to form a front exterior.

The central portion of the front panel 24 is provided with a display unit 30 for displaying the operating state of the air conditioner, the side of the display unit 30 is a button unit for forming various buttons for the operation of the air conditioner 32 is provided.

The display unit 30 is generally made of an LED (LED). Therefore, it is on with the operation of the air conditioner to display the operating state of the air conditioner. When the air conditioner is turned off, the display unit 30 is also turned off.

More specifically, as shown, the display unit 30 is configured to display the wind direction and the degree of strength and weakness, the room temperature and the desired temperature is also displayed. That is, the display unit 30 expresses the state of the air conditioner set by the user to the outside by the LED (LED).

However, the above-described prior art has the following problems.

Since the display unit 30 simply turns on / off a screen made of LEDs to express the current temperature or operation state statically, the display unit 30 cannot provide various information or additional functions. have.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to solve the problems of the prior art as described above, and to provide a display control method of an air conditioner such that various types of images (avatars) are implemented through display means.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a display control method of an air conditioner in which a preparation step for driving a display means when power is applied is executed.

The present invention for achieving the above object is, in the air conditioner is provided with a display means for displaying an image or a message (outside), the display means when the power is applied from the outside of the display (Display) environment Characterized in that a preparatory step is implemented to build.

The preparation step includes a screen display process for displaying that the preparation step is in progress.

The preparing step may include a booting process of invoking an operating system and a loading process of loading data from a memory so that the display means can operate.

In the screen display process, it is characterized in that the display of the loading (text) to the outside.

In the screen display process, it is characterized by displaying the image (image) to the outside that the loading (loading).

In the screen display process, the avatar is displayed to the outside as an avatar (character).

The text is characterized in that it is displayed dynamically.

The text is characterized in that the content is changed according to the loading progress state.

The image (video) displayed to the outside is characterized in that the video.

In addition, a plurality of images (videos) displayed to the outside may be provided sequentially or randomly according to a loading progress rate.

The avatar (character) displayed to the outside is a dynamic character (avatar).

In addition, a plurality of avatars (characters) to be displayed to the outside may be provided sequentially or randomly according to a loading progress rate.

According to the display control method of the air conditioner according to the present invention having such a configuration, there is an advantage that the user can easily recognize the driving state of the air conditioner.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention as described above will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 2 schematically shows an example of the indoor unit of the air conditioner to which the embodiment of the present invention is applied.

The air conditioner is composed of an indoor unit 100 and an outdoor unit (not shown) as shown, the front panel 110 is formed long in the front and rear of the indoor unit 100 as shown in Figure 2 to form a front appearance 110 ) Is provided.

In addition, the hinge 112 is provided at the upper and lower ends of the front panel 110 to become a pivot center of the front panel 110. Therefore, the front panel 110 is opened by rotating in the counterclockwise direction (viewed from above) with the right end as the axis.

The display window 120 is formed at the center of the upper half of the front panel 110. The display window 120 is a place where a set avatar is displayed, and preferably comprises an LCD or the like.

The button unit 130 is formed below the display window 120. The button unit 130 is provided with a plurality of operation buttons including a power button so that the user can operate the operation of the air conditioner.

The remote control receiver 140 is further formed below the button unit 130. The remote control receiver 140 is a part that receives a signal of a remote control.

3 illustrates a state in which the front panel 110 is rotated about the hinge 112 and opened.

As shown in the drawing, a display device 150 is provided on the rear surface of the front panel 110. The display apparatus 150 includes a display controller for controlling images of various avatars displayed on the display window 120.

In addition, as shown, the display device 150 is provided with a USB mounting portion 152, the USB mounting portion 152, USB memory 160 is selectively mounted. Therefore, the display device 150 can easily bring external data through the USB memory 160.

Of course, in addition to the USB memory 160 as described above, it will be possible to transfer data through various mobile storage media, and may be configured to enable data download through the Internet.

For example, in addition to the USB memory 160 described above, data may be transferred through an IEEE 1394 port.

On the other hand, the inner lower portion of the indoor unit 100 as described above is further provided with an air purifier 170 for filtering and purifying foreign matter in the air. The air purifier 170 is provided with a plurality of filters to filter out various foreign matter such as dust or smell in the air.

In addition, although not shown, the indoor unit 100 is further provided with a plurality of parts (heat exchanger, etc.) for air conditioning such as heating or cooling, and the function and configuration of each of these parts are generally known, Description is omitted.

One side of the display device 150 is further provided with a speaker 180. That is, as shown in the rear of the display device 150 is provided a speaker 180 for emitting sound to the outside. The speaker 180 serves to radiate music or sound to the outside.

4 illustrates the configuration of the button unit 130 in detail, and each key provided in the button unit 130 may be configured in various ways such as a button method or a touch method.

As shown, the center portion of the button unit 130 is provided with a run / stop key 132.

The run / stop key 132 is a run / stop button for performing or stopping an air conditioning function. That is, the operation / stop key 132 operates as a key used for driving when the air conditioning function of the air conditioner is stopped, and during operation (when the air conditioning function is being performed). It operates as a key for stop (run off).

On the other hand, the air conditioner such as the present invention is further provided with additional functions such as an air cleaning function, in general, since the air conditioner is the air conditioning function to perform the cooling or heating of the indoor space through heat exchange, The case where such an air conditioning function is performed will be referred to as 'operation' of the air conditioner, and the case where the air conditioning function is not performed will be referred to as 'stop' of the air conditioner.

Temperature keys 134 are provided above and below the operation / stop key 132.

The temperature key 134 is a button for setting a temperature state, the upper button is a button for increasing the temperature, the lower button is a button for decreasing the temperature.

The temperature key 134 is not operated while the air conditioner is stopped. Also, during operation, it operates as a key to increase or decrease the temperature in the operation mode (especially, 'character operation mode') described below, but in the function selection mode (especially, 'album function'), it moves up and down. Also used as a moving key.

On the other hand, the volume keys 135 located on the left and right of the operation / stop key 132 are for adjusting the volume of sound. That is, to adjust the sound generated from the speaker 180 provided in the indoor unit 100 of the air conditioner, the button on the left is a button for reducing the sound, the button on the right is a button for increasing the sound. . The volume key 135 may also be used as a movement key for moving in the left and right directions as the temperature key 134.

The air volume key 136 is provided at the lower left portion of the button unit 130. The air volume key 136 is a key for setting the amount of wind discharged and operates only when the air conditioner is in operation, and does not operate in a stopped state.

The plasma key 137 is provided at the lower right side of the button unit 130. The plasma key 137 is a key for operating the air purifier 170 built in the air conditioner, and is configured to be operable even during operation of the air conditioner or stop of the air conditioner.

Therefore, the air purifier 170 may purify the air operated together with the air conditioner function of the air conditioner, and may operate alone to purify the indoor air even when the air conditioner is stopped.

The left upper part of the button unit 130 is provided with a left key 138, and the right upper part is provided with a right key 139.

The left key 138 and the right key 139 do not operate when the air conditioner is in a stopped state, and are used to select various menus in the function selection mode described below when the air conditioner is in operation. .

5 shows a block diagram of an overall control system of an air conditioner in which an embodiment of the present invention is employed.

As shown in the figure, the air conditioner is provided with a main control unit 200 for controlling the overall operation, and the main control unit 200 is configured such that various components are connected to each other to transmit and receive various data.

In more detail, the main controller 200 is provided with a main memory 202. The main memory 202 is a storage medium basically built in an air conditioner, and stores various data. That is, the sound data output by the sound output means 222 to be described below is stored.

The main controller 200 includes a main input unit 210, a sensing unit 212, a signal receiving unit 214, a communication unit 215, an indoor motor 216, an outdoor motor 218, a compressor 220, and the like. Are each connected.

The main input means 210 is a portion through which the user inputs a signal for the operation of the air conditioner through the button unit 130, and the input signal through the main input means 210 is the main control unit 200. Is delivered to.

The sensing means 212 is provided with various sensors installed in the air conditioner, in particular, a plurality of sensors, such as a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, a dust sensor, and a gas sensor, to measure air conditions and pollution levels. Therefore, the measured value detected by the sensing means 212 is transmitted to the main control unit 200.

The signal receiver 214 is a part that receives an external signal, such as the remote controller receiver 140, and the signal received by the signal receiver 214 is also transmitted to the main controller 200.

The communication means 215 is capable of receiving data (signals) by computer (including the Internet) or wireless communication in addition to the remote control receiver 140. That is, the communication interface is provided to receive various signals transmitted from the outside, or configured to be able to transmit the state of the air conditioner to the outside.

The indoor motor 216 is provided in the indoor unit 100 of the air conditioner to rotate the fan, and is operated by receiving a signal from the main controller 200. For example, when an input of the operation / stop key 132 is transmitted from the main input unit 210 to the main control unit 200, the main control unit 200 operates the indoor motor 216.

In addition, the main controller 200 may be configured to control the rotational speed of the indoor motor 216 according to the pollution value of the air delivered from the sensing means 212.

The compressor 220 and the outdoor unit motor 218 are operated by the main controller 200. That is, when the driving / stop key 132 is input from the main input unit 210 or the driving command is input from the remote control receiver 140, such as the indoor motor 216, the main controller 200 is configured to perform the operation. The compressor 220 and the outdoor unit motor 218 are operated to switch the air conditioner from the stopped state to the operating state.

On the other hand, the main control unit 200 is also connected to the additional device such as the air purification device 170 and the sound output means 222.

The air purifier 170 is a device for filtering and purifying foreign matter in the air as described above. The main controller 200 purifies the air according to a signal input by the main input unit 210. Control the operation of device 170. That is, as described above, the air purifier 170 is operated by the input of the plasma key 137 of the button unit 130.

In addition, the air cleaning device 170 may be automatically controlled by the main controller 200. That is, the main controller 200 detects the degree of contamination (dust, gas, etc.) in the air measured by the detection means 212 by the user's setting, and then the air purifier 170 It can be configured to automatically adjust the intensity of).

The sound output means 222 is a part for outputting sound, and the speaker 180 is an example, and is configured to output various sounds such as a buzzer, a melody, and music. That is, a buzzer may sound when an error occurs depending on the operation state of each component of the air conditioner, or different sounds may be generated according to an image (avatar) or a message (Message) implemented in the display means 256 to be described below. Melody), and various music output depending on the execution of the music file.

In addition, the main controller 200 is configured to transmit and receive a signal with the display controller 250 provided in the display device 150. That is, an air conditioner operation signal such as the operation / stop key 132 of the main input unit 210 transmitted to the main control unit 200 is also transmitted to the display control unit 250 to control the operation of the air conditioner. The appropriate display screen will be implemented.

In addition, data input to the display controller 250 through the data input means 258 to be described below may be transmitted to the main controller 200, and the display input means 254 to be described below. A signal input through the main control unit 200 is transmitted to the sound output through the sound output means 222.

The display controller 250 controls the contents displayed to the outside. The display controller 250 includes a display memory 252, a display input unit 254, a display unit 256, and a data input unit ( 258) and the like.

The display memory 252 stores various materials (Avatars such as a picture or a character) to be embedded in the display apparatus 150 and to be displayed. That is, image (avatar) data displayed on the display means 256 is stored.

The display input means 254 is a portion to which a signal for operating the display apparatus 150 is input through the button unit 130 or the remote control, and the display of the front panel 110 described above. The window 120 is formed as a touch screen so that a control command may be input by the touch of the display window 120.

The display means 256 is a part for displaying an avatar such as various pictures, a video, a character, etc. according to a command of the display controller 250. That is, the part that displays an image or a message to the outside.

More specifically, the display means 256 implements an image or a message according to the command of the display control unit, and displays the operation state of the image display unit 256 'and the air conditioner for displaying an image file. And an operation display unit 256 "for displaying.

The image display unit 256 'is configured to display an avatar or live action image according to an operation state of an air conditioner. The image file displayed on the image display unit 256' is JPEG, BMP. At least one of the TIFF files is preferable. Since JPEG, BMP, TIFF files and the like are widely used as extensions representing images, detailed description thereof will be omitted here.

The operation display unit 256 ″ transmits various types of information such as an operation state of the air conditioner, a current temperature, or a set temperature in a message such as a text or a number.

In addition, the display unit 256 as described above is preferably made of LCD (LCD) or organic EL (EL).

LCD (liquid crystal display) refers to an electronic device that converts and transmits various electrical information generated by various devices into visual information by using a change in transmittance of liquid crystal according to an applied voltage.

In addition, organic EL refers to an organic material made by using a light emitting phenomenon that emits light when a current flows through a fluorescent organic compound, and is also referred to as OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diodes) or 'organic diode'.

LCD and the organic EL as described above is a material that has been in the spotlight in recent years, and since it is used a lot, a detailed description thereof will be omitted here.

As described above, the display controller 250 controls an image, a letter, or a number that is displayed to the outside through the display means 256, and the execution program of the display controller 250 may vary. It can be implemented in the form of language.

In addition, the display controller 250 controls the display means 256 to implement a two-dimensional (2D) image, or further controls the display means 256 to implement a three-dimensional (3D) image. Do. That is, it is preferable that the planar or stereoscopic images can be implemented.

The data input means 258 is a portion in which data (signal) is input from the outside through the USB memory 160 or the IEEE 1394 port described above, and the display window through the data input means 258. The photo or image displayed on the 120 or the music file (including the MP3 file) to be output through the sound output means 222 is input.

6 schematically illustrates an example of various types of display modes displayed on the display window 120 by the display controller 250.

As shown, the display mode implemented by the display means 256 is a standby mode 300 depicting a waiting state before the air conditioning function is largely executed, and an operation mode indicating that the air conditioning function is being performed. And a function selection mode 340 for selecting various functions.

The standby mode 300 includes a screen off mode 302 in which nothing is displayed on the screen, a clock mode 304 for displaying a current time, a screen save mode 306 in which a screen saver program is executed, and a user set It is common for at least one of the user setting modes 308 in which any image is displayed to be configured to be displayed.

That is, one of the above screen off mode 302, clock mode 304, screen protect mode 306, and user setting mode 308 is generally set when the air conditioner is released. Therefore, when the user applies power to the air conditioner, the set standby mode 300 is booted and displayed.

Of course, the standby mode 300 may be changed by a user. That is, the user selects a desired mode from the screen off mode 302, the clock mode 304, the screen saver mode 306, and the user setting mode 308. It is also possible to be implemented in the display window 120 through.

In more detail, the screen off mode 302 means that the display window 120 remains off.

In the watch mode 304, a current time is displayed on the display window 120, and a year and month are displayed together with the time, and a value measured from a temperature sensor or a humidity sensor may be simultaneously displayed.

In the screen save mode 306, a preset screen save program is executed, which means that a screen saver, also called a screen save, is operated. Therefore, the screen saver mode 306 is the same as the screen on which the screen saver widely used in the computer is executed.

The user setting mode 308 allows the user to display an image which has been arbitrarily preset. That is, the user arbitrarily presets a picture of himself or his family or his character, and this set image is displayed when the power is applied.

The operation mode 320 refers to a state of an image implemented through the display means 256 when an air conditioner is operated by inputting the operation / stop key 132 in the standby mode 300. The driving mode 320 is divided into a live driving mode 322, a user driving mode 324, and a character driving mode 326.

Therefore, when the air conditioner operates, any one of the real operation mode 322, the user operation mode 324, and the character operation mode 326 constituting the operation mode 320 is executed. That is, any one mode preset by the user is executed.

In the live operation mode 322, a real image (picture) previously stored in the main memory 202 or the display memory 252 is displayed. The real image may be a still image or a moving image.

The user operation mode 324 uploads an image or a video that a user desires to the display memory 252, and then selects the uploaded image or video by the user and the display window 120 when the air conditioner is operated. ).

The character driving mode 326 is a mode for displaying a character stored in advance, such a character may be composed of a still image, or may be made of a dynamic character. For example, when the character driving mode 326 is executed, a skiing character may be implemented in the display window 120, and such a character is preferably displayed as a video.

On the other hand, the operation mode 320 as described above is continuously operated unless a separate key (Key) for executing another command is input. When the air conditioner is stopped in the operation mode 320, the air conditioner returns to the standby mode 300. At this time, the automatic cleaning 310 may be performed. However, this automatic cleaning 310 function is executed only when the function is set in advance.

In addition, the driving mode 320 may be configured to switch to the screen protection mode 306 according to the user's setting. That is, after the operation mode 320 is executed, if no execution key is input by a predetermined time, a pre-stored screen saver program is executed to switch to the screen saver mode 306.

In the screen protection mode 306 as described above, when an arbitrary key is inputted, the screen protection mode 306 is automatically terminated and returned to its original state. That is, the operation returns to the operation mode 320 again.

The function selection mode 340 is a mode for allowing a user to select or set various functions of the air conditioner.

The function selection mode 340 includes a driving / additional function 342 and an album function 344.

The operation / additional function 342 is to set an operation state and an additional function of the air conditioner, and the album function 344 allows to store and edit various pictures.

In the operation function, it is possible to select a state of use of an air conditioner such as cooling or dehumidification and to adjust the air volume.

Meanwhile, the pop-up function 360 may be additionally performed during each of the above modes. The pop-up function 360 means that various pop-up windows are displayed on the display window 120 so that a user can visually easily recognize an error state of an air conditioner or an operation state of an input key while executing each mode. .

The function selection mode 340 may also be configured to switch to the screen protection mode 306 as in the operation mode 320 according to the user's setting. That is, after the function selection mode 340 is executed, if no execution key is input by the preset time, the pre-stored screen saver program is executed to switch to the screen saver mode 306.

Hereinafter, an execution process of each mode having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIG. 7. FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a schematic flow of the standby mode 300, the operation mode 320, and the function selection mode 340.

As shown, first, the display controller 250 determines whether power is supplied (S400). When the power is supplied, the 'preparation step' is executed (S402), and if no power is supplied, no action is taken.

The 'preparation step' is a step in which the display means 256 establishes a display environment when power is supplied from the outside. That is, the display means 256 is a process of starting up the display means 256 so as to be operable according to the command of the display control unit 250 to establish an initial setting. Each process of this 'preparation stage' is described in detail below.

After the above 'preparation step' is executed (S402), the standby mode 300 is successively executed (S410). When the standby mode 300 is executed, the screen off mode 302, the clock mode 304, the screen save mode 306, or the user setting mode 308 as described above may alternatively be displayed. do.

Next, it is determined whether the operation / stop key 132 is input (S420). In this case, when the operation / stop key 132 is input, the signal is transmitted to the main controller 200 to operate an air conditioner (S421). That is, the main control unit 200 operates the air conditioning components such as the indoor motor 216 and the outdoor motor 218 to perform air conditioning of the indoor space (S421).

On the other hand, when the operation / stop key 132 is not input, it is also determined whether the plasma key 137 is input again (S430). When the plasma key 137 is input, the input signal is transmitted to the main controller 200 to operate the air purifier 170. Therefore, the air cleaning function is executed (S432).

The air purifier 170 operates to determine whether an end key is input while the air cleaning function is performed (S434), and when the end key is input, such a signal is transmitted to the main controller 200 to provide an air purifier. 170 is stopped (S436). In this case, the end key means an input of the plasma key 137. That is, when the plasma key 137 is pressed once, the air purifier 170 is operated, and when the plasma key 137 is pressed again in this state, the air purifier 170 is stopped.

When the air conditioning function is executed as described above (S421), the operation mode 320 is executed on the display window 120 (S440).

When the driving mode is executed (S440), the display memory 252 sets a time. That is, the time 'T = 0' is set (S460). In addition, it is determined whether a function key such as the left key 138 or the right key 139 is input through the button unit 130.

As a result of the determination, when the function key is input (S462), the function selection mode 340 is executed (S480). Otherwise, it is determined whether the operation / stop key 132 is input again (S464). .

When the operation / stop key 132 is not input, the time value T stored in the display memory 252 is read (S466). Then, it is determined whether the time value T is equal to or greater than the time set value (eg, 5 minutes) set in the above environment setting (S468).

If it is determined that the time value T is equal to or greater than the time set value, the screen protection mode 306 is executed (S470). The screen protection mode 306 terminates when an arbitrary key is input (S472).

When the function selection mode is executed (S480), the display memory 252 resets the time. That is, time is set to 'T = 0' (S530). Then, it is determined whether the right key 139 (here, used as a function closing key) is input through the button unit 130 (S532).

When the 'function close key', that is, the right key 139 is input, the screen returns to the operation mode execution screen, and when it is not input, it is determined whether the operation / stop key 132 is input again. (S534).

In this case, when the operation / stop key 132 is not input, the time value T stored in the display memory 252 is read (S536). Then, it is determined whether the time value T is equal to or greater than the time set value (eg, 5 minutes) set in the above environment setting (S538).

If it is determined that the time value T is equal to or greater than the time setting value, the screen protection mode 306 is executed (S540). The screen protection mode 306 determines whether an arbitrary key is input (S542), and when the key is input, the screen protection mode 306 ends (S544).

Meanwhile, as a result of determining whether the operation / stop key 132 is input in steps S464 and S534, when the operation / stop key 132 is input, the main controller 200 stops the air conditioner. Let's do it. That is, execution of the air conditioning function is stopped (S550).

Then, the air conditioner is stopped and at the same time automatic cleaning is performed (S552). Of course, this function is performed when it is set in advance.

Then, it is determined whether the power is cut off (S560), and when the power is cut off, all display execution is terminated (S570), and when the power is not cut off, the display returns to the standby mode execution screen. .

8 illustrates the execution of the 'preparation step' described above in more detail.

As shown therein, the 'preparation step' includes a booting process (S403) for invoking an operating system (Operating System) so that the display means 256 can operate, and a loading for loading data from memory. A process S404 and a screen display process S405 for displaying that the loading process is performed are performed.

The booting process S403 is an operation of preparing an operation by invoking an operating system so that the display means 256 can operate. That is, when power is applied to the display means 256 and the display control unit 250, a booting program is first executed to bring an operating system into the main memory of the display control unit 250 to display the display means 256. Be prepared to work.

The loading process S404 is a process of reading various data from the memory.

In more detail, various data such as text data, image (video) data, avatar (character) data, and the like are read from the display memory 252, the main memory 202, or the auxiliary memory (a secondary memory device, a bootable device). Loading of the main memory of the display controller 250 is performed.

In the screen display process (S405), the display is displayed to the outside through the display means 256 so that the user can visually recognize that the loading is in the outside.

More specifically, a text (text), an image (image), or an avatar (character) indicating that the loading process S404 is being executed is displayed on the display means 256 so that the user can easily recognize the text. It is a process.

When the screen display process (S405) is performed, as shown in the display control unit 250 determines whether the boot is complete (S406). As a result of the determination, when the booting is completed, the standby mode 300 is executed. Otherwise, the screen display process (S405) is performed as it is, and it is continuously determined whether the booting is completed (S406).

9A to 9C illustrate examples of screens displayed on the display means 256 by the screen display process S405.

As shown in FIG. 9A, text data is read from a memory through a loading process S404, and the text data is displayed through the display means 256 and is currently being loaded.

9B shows that image (image) data is read from the memory through the loading process (S404), and the image (image) is displayed through the display means 256 and is currently being loaded. That is, a state in which the actual photographic image is displayed is shown.

FIG. 9C is a screen showing that the avatar (character) data is read from the memory through the loading process (S404), and the avatar (character) is displayed by the display means 256 and is currently being loaded. .

Meanwhile, in the 'preparation step' as described above, a screen displayed through the display means 256 may be used in various ways other than the above-described method.

For example, as described above, the text (text), image (video), or avatar (character) indicating that the loading process S404 is being executed is displayed in a dynamic state in addition to being displayed in a static state. Can be configured. That is, it may be configured to change the displayed text (Text), image (video) or avatar (character) according to the loading progress state.

In more detail, as shown in FIG. 9A, in addition to displaying static text, the text is moved left and right or up and down, or the content of the text is continuously changed according to the loading progress state. Can be. In other words, the text may be moved or different text may be displayed according to the loading progress state.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 9B, a static image (video) is displayed and a video is displayed, or a plurality of images (video) are sequentially or randomly loaded according to a loading progress. It may be configured to display.

In addition, a static character (avatar) is displayed as shown in FIG. 9C, and a dynamic character (avatar), that is, a moving character (avatar) is configured to display, or a plurality of characters (avatars) are loaded. ) May be sequentially or randomly displayed according to the progress rate.

The scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-exemplified embodiments, and many other modifications based on the present invention will be possible to those skilled in the art within the above technical scope.

In the display control method of the air conditioner according to the present invention as described above, the content of the preparation step is displayed to the outside through the display means. That is, the process of booting is externally represented by text, an image, or an avatar (character).

Therefore, according to the present invention, the user can visually easily recognize the running state of the air conditioner.

Claims (12)

delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete An indoor unit, a front panel formed vertically in front of the indoor unit to form a front appearance, a display window for displaying the avatar at the center of the upper half of the front panel, and an avatar image installed at the rear of the front panel. An air conditioner comprising: a display device including displayable display means and a display controller for controlling an avatar image displayed on the display means; A preliminary step of allowing the display controller to build a display environment when the external power is applied is executed, and the preliminary step includes a screen display process of displaying that the preparatory step is in progress; In the screen display process, an image (video) is displayed to the outside as being loaded, and a plurality of images (video) to be displayed to the outside are randomly displayed according to the loading progress. Display control method of the air conditioner, characterized in that the). delete An indoor unit, a front panel formed vertically in front of the indoor unit to form a front appearance, a display window for displaying the avatar at the center of the upper half of the front panel, and an avatar image installed at the rear of the front panel. An air conditioner comprising: a display device including displayable display means and a display controller for controlling an avatar image displayed on the display means; A preliminary step of allowing the display controller to build a display environment when the external power is applied is executed, and the preliminary step includes a screen display process of displaying that the preparatory step is in progress; In the screen display process, the loading is displayed to the outside as an avatar (character), and a plurality of avatars (characters) to be displayed to the outside are randomly displayed according to the loading progress. Display control method of the air conditioner, characterized in that the).

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