REMOTE CONTROL UNIT OF AIR CONDITIONING APPARATUS

• US 20100107019A1
• Filed: 02/13/2008
• Published: 04/29/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/13/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Daikin Industries Ltd
• Original Assignee: Daikin Industries Ltd
• Inventors: Takahashi, Ikuo, Takagaki, Yukihiro, Horiuchi, Kaya, Sumida, Hisashi
• Granted Patent: US 8,689,140 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 714/57
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/30 for purposes related to the operation of the system, e.g. for safety or monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/32 Responding to malfunctions or emergencies
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/39 Monitoring filter performance
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/52 Indication arrangements, e.g. displays

Abstract

A remote control unit of an air conditioning apparatus includes a display unit, a cursor-moving member, a confirmation member, and a controller. The display unit displays a menu and a cursor that indicates an item among a plurality of items inside the menu and is moved by the cursor-moving member when operated by a user. The confirmation member is configured to decide that the item is to be executed. The controller controls the display unit in response to the cursor-moving member or confirmation member being operated. The controller positions an item corresponding to a predetermined input at the top of the menu upon receiving the predetermined input.

Claims

1. A remote control unit for remotely operating an air conditioning apparatus, the remote control unit comprising:

a display unit displaying a menu and a cursor indicating an item among a plurality of items inside the menu;

a cursor-moving member configured to move the cursor when operated by a user;

a confirmation member configured to decide that the item indicated by the cursor is to be executed; and

a controller configured to control the display unit in response to the cursor-moving member or the confirmation member being operated,

the controller being further configured to position an item at a top of the menu upon receiving a predetermined input, the item corresponding to the predetermined input.

2. The remote control unit according to claim 1, wherein

the controller is further configured to position a fault response item at the top of the menu, with the fault response item showing locations of a plurality of relevant information items needed by the user when the predetermined input is either

a fault notification signal input notifying of a fault from the air conditioning apparatus or

a filter maintenance request signal input requesting that a filter of the air conditioning apparatus be cleaned.

3. The remote control unit according to claim 2, wherein

the relevant information items include at least

fault specifics,

contact information for the time the fault occurred, and

model name of the air conditioning apparatus in which the fault occurred.

4. The remote control unit according to claim 2, wherein

the controller is further configured to

put the display unit in standby in a standard screen for displaying only preset items different from the menu,

display a message on the standard screen in the case of either the fault notification signal input or the filter maintenance request signal input, and

change the standard screen to a menu screen that displays the menu when the confirmation member has been operated after the message has been displayed.

5. The remote control unit according to claim 4, wherein

the controller is further configured to position a cancel command at the top of the menu, with the cancel command being configured to cancel the display of the message and the fault response item when the predetermined input is the filter maintenance request signal input.

6. The remote control unit according to claim 1, wherein

the controller is further configured to read a pre-stored specific item and to position the pre-stored specific item at the top of the menu when the predetermined input is a prolonged time signal input in order to maintain the same signal for a specified time duration.

7. The remote control unit according to claim 6, wherein

the prolonged time signal input is outputted when one operation of the confirmation member means is maintained for the specified time duration.