Network system and control method thereof

• US 9,008,845 B2
• Filed: 12/28/2011
• Issued: 04/14/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 01/24/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Original Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Inventors: Cho, Sunguk
• Primary Examiner(s): HARTMAN JR, RONALD D
• Application Number:
  US13/338,442
• Publication Number:
  US 20120191254A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,203 Days
• Field of Search: 700/17, 700/83, 700/276
• US Class Current: 700/276
• 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 11/46 Improving electric energy efficiency or saving
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/52 Indication arrangements, e.g. displays
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/56 Remote control
• 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: F24F 11/65 for selecting an operating mode
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2140/60 Energy consumption
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2818 from a device located outside both the home and the home network access arrangements H04L12/2856; for remote control or remote monitoring of applications H04L67/025; arrangements for transmitting signals characterised by the use of a wireless eletrical link G08C17/00; telephonic communication systems adapted for combination with remote control systems H04M11/007
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2825 Reporting to a device located outside the home and the home network access arrangements H04L12/2856; for remote control or remote monitoring of applications H04L67/025; telephonic communication systems adapted for combination with telemetering systems H04M11/002

Abstract

A network system is provided. The network system includes an air conditioner, a terminal, a power supply source, and a power management apparatus. The air conditioner includes a first communication module so as to enable communication. The terminal includes a second communication module which is communication-connected to the first communication module, and downloads predetermined information from a web server. The power supply source supplies power to the air conditioner. The power management apparatus manages power information supplied from the power supply source. On the basis of at least one of the power information and information on an operation of the air conditioner, the terminal displays power use information of the air conditioner.

Claims

1. A network system comprising:

an air conditioner having a first communication module to enable communication;

a terminal having a second communication module to wirelessly communicate with the first communication module of the air conditioner, the terminal to wirelessly receive information from a server and the terminal to wirelessly perform a voice call or video call with another terminal;

a power supply to supply power to the air conditioner;

a power management apparatus to obtain power information from the power supply;

a server to store state information of the terminal or the air conditioner, or operation information of the terminal or the air conditioner; and

a wireless access point to allocate an Internet Protocol (IP) address, and the wireless access point to set a communication environment of the air conditioner,

wherein the terminal displays power use information of the air conditioner based on the power information from the power management apparatus or information related to operation of the air conditioner,

wherein the wireless access point determines an IP address of the air conditioner based on a domain name received from the terminal.

2. The network system according to claim 1, wherein the power information from the power management apparatus includes one of supplied power information, electricity cost information, produced power information or power quality information.

3. The network system according to claim 1, wherein the terminal provides a control signal to the air conditioner to control an operation time or function of the air conditioner.

4. The network system according to claim 1, wherein the power management apparatus comprises:

a power measurement unit to receive power supply amount information from the power supply; and

a power management unit to control an operation of the air conditioner based on power of the air conditioner.

5. The network system according to claim 1, wherein the power management apparatus is wirelessly connected to the second communication module of the terminal to provide a wireless communication between the power management apparatus and the terminal.

6. The network system according to claim 1, wherein a power sensing part is provided in an outdoor unit of the air conditioner to sense power information received from the power supply.

7. The network system according to claim 6, wherein the sensed power information includes information of supplied power or information of used power.

8. The network system according to claim 1, wherein the power use information of the air conditioner includes a used power amount of the air conditioner or a power cost of the air conditioner.