Air conditioner

• US 6,708,505 B2
• Filed: 07/18/2002
• Issued: 03/23/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/08/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
• Inventors: Kurokawa, Tsutomu, Nakamura, Hiroo, Ohtsuka, Atsushi, Nonaka, Masayuki, Yokoyama, Hidenori
• Primary Examiner(s): NORMAN, MARC E
• Application Number:
  US10/197,460
• Publication Number:
  US 20030033392A1
• Time in Patent Office: 614 Days
• Field of Search: 236/51, 236/94, 621/25, 621/26, 165/201, 165/11.1
• US Class Current: 62/125
• 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 11/58 using Internet communication
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/62 characterised by the type of control or by internal processing, e.g. using fuzzy logic, adaptive control or estimation of values
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/65 Updates security arrangements therefor G06F21/57

Abstract

An air conditioner and a control software updating system capable of easily updating and adding control software desired by a customer. An internet system including telephones and/or personal computers is provided between a service center and customers. Each of air conditioners is provided with a connection terminal for connection to a communication terminal. Software for controlling operation of the air conditioner is updated by using the internet or a memory card after explaining a control software to the customer and confirming the customer'"'"'s desire.

Claims

1. An air conditioner, comprising:

a connection terminal connected through a signal line to a service center having a storage for storing identification information and control software for said air conditioner; and

a memory for storing said identification information and said control software transferred from said service center,

wherein said air conditioner is imparted with a function for determining whether said control software transferred from said service center is usable or not.

2. An air conditioner as claimed in claim 1, wherein said function for determining whether said control software transferred from said service center is usable or not, does so on a basis of identification data including at least one of:

air conditioner type data;

service center data;

software identification data; and

air conditioner cycle data.

3. An air conditioner, comprising:

a connection terminal to which a memory card storing therein control software is connected, said memory card being prepared by a service center having a storage for storing identification information and control software for said air conditioner; and

a memory for identification information and storing control software stored in memory card delivered from said service center,

wherein said air conditioner is imparted with a function for determining whether said control software transferred from said service center is usable or not.

4. An air conditioner as claimed in claim 3, wherein said function for determining whether said control software transferred from said service center is usable or not, does so on a basis of identification data including at least one of:

air conditioner type data;

service center data;

software identification data; and

air conditioner cycle data.

5. A system comprising:

a service center including a storage for storing identification information and control software for air conditioners; and

an air conditioner, including;

a connection terminal connected through a signal line to said service center having a storage for storing identification information and control software for said air conditioner; and

a memory for storing said identification information and said control software transferred from said service center,

wherein said conditioner is imparted with a function for determining whether said control software transferred from said service center is usable or not.

6. A system as claimed in claim 5, wherein said function for determining whether said control software transferred from said service center is usable or not, does so on basis of identification data including at least one of:

air conditioner type data;

service center data;

software identification data; and

air conditioner cycle data.