DESCRIPTION

Title of Invention

Air Conditioner Technical Field

The present invention relates to an air conditioner for conducting an air conditioning control based on information that is obtained from thermal images or visible images within a room to be air conditioned.

Background Art

As prior art relating to an air conditioner for conducting an air conditioning control based on information that is obtained from thermal images or visible images within a room, an air conditioner has been proposed that conducts an air conditioning control upon detection of the position of a person using infrared sensors (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

In the above-described prior art, the room is divided into a plurality of regions, and the infrared sensors are provided to detect infrared rays in each of the plurality of regions for the purpose of detecting a person and a floor temperature in each region. Based on a relationship among the position of the person detected, the floor temperature in the vicinity of the person, and a room temperature, the room temperature is controlled so as to reach a preset temperature in a normal mode, and a wind direction is changed based on a detection result of the position of the person. In applications where the room temperature falls within a preset temperature range, and a difference between the floor temperature and the room temperature is large, air-conditioned air is directed to the floor to warm the floor. By so doing, a control appropriate for the region where the person is present and a control to decrease discomfort, when the room temperature has reached the preset temperature, but a temperature at the person's feet has dropped, are both conducted. (Prior Art Document) Patent Document 1: Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2-143047

Summary of Invention
Problems to be Solved by Invention

However, a control device for the air conditioner discussed in the prior art has difficulty in detecting correct information relating to the positions of individuals relative to the floor or walls in the room and to an indoor thermal environment. Further, in the case where there are static heat-generating spots such as, for example, electrical products or a floor or walls that have received the sun's rays, the above-described control device also has difficulty in differentiating the position of a person and a surface temperature of the person.

In order to correctly detect information about the person and indoor environmental information, a thermal image is required having a resolution and the number of pixels of the degree to which a single individual in a room can be detected as a group of pixels. Because such a thermal image is costly and accordingly hardly put to practical use, a relatively wide area must be preferentially air conditioned, thus resulting in a large air conditioning capacity and a relatively rough air conditioning control.

It is accordingly an objective of the present invention to provide an air conditioner capable of preferentially air conditioning a desired region by correctly detecting the position and the temperature of the desired region to realize a comfortable air-conditioned environment, while reducing power consumption.

Means to Solve Problems
In accomplishing the above objective, an air conditioner according to the present invention is intended to conduct air conditioning by controlling a capacity thereof and includes an image pickup means operable to take a visible image of an indoor space to be air conditioned, and a display means operable to display the visible image. When a point or region on the visible image is designated as a priority coordinate by a user, the capacity of the air conditioner is controlled based on information of the priority coordinate.

By so doing, the position of the region desired by the user can be correctly detected, thus resulting in efficient and comfortable air conditioning.

Effects of Invention
According to the present invention, the desired region can be preferentially air conditioned by presenting an indoor image to be air conditioned to the user and by designating the desired indoor region, thus making it possible to realize a comfortable air-conditioned environment while reducing power consumption.

Brief Description of Drawings

Fig. 1 is a block diagram of an air conditioner according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a schematic view of an image displayed on a display means according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a block diagram of an air conditioner according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 4 is a schematic view of an image displayed on a display means according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 5 is a schematic view of another image displayed on the display means according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 6 is a schematic view of a further image displayed on the display means according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 7 is a schematic view of a still further image displayed on the display means according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 8 is a schematic view of an image pickup means and a temperature detecting means.

Description of Embodiments

An air conditioner according to the present invention is an air conditioner for conducting air conditioning by controlling a capacity thereof, comprising: an image pickup means operable to take a visible image of an indoor space to be air conditioned; and a display means operable to display the visible image; when a point or region on the visible image is designated as a priority coordinate by a user, the capacity of the air conditioner is controlled based on information of the priority coordinate designated by the user.

This construction can correctly detect the position of the region desired by the user and accordingly realize efficient and comfortable air conditioning.

It is preferred that a priority air-conveying direction is determined based on the information of the priority coordinate, thereby realizing comfortable air flow control.

It is preferred that a temperature detecting means operable to detect a temperature of a region within the indoor space, wherein the temperature detecting means detects a priority temperature that is a temperature at the priority coordinate, and the capacity of the air conditioner is controlled so that the priority temperature reaches a desired temperature. This construction can correctly detect the position and temperature of the region desired by the user and accordingly realize efficient and comfortable air conditioning.

It is preferred that the temperature detecting means comprises a radiant temperature detecting portion made up of a radiant temperature sensor having at least one pixel, a support portion having a joint of at least one degree of freedom to support the radiant temperature detecting portion, and a support control portion operable to control an angle of the joint of the support portion based on the priority coordinate. By this construction, temperature information of a user's desired region to be air conditioned can be obtained by the radiant temperature sensor having at least one pixel.

The temperature detecting means comprises an infrared sensor, thus resulting in an inexpensive sensor.

It is preferred that the image pickup means and the temperature detecting means have respective light receiving portions adjacent to each other. This configuration can avoid a gap between an optical axis of the image pickup means and that of the temperature detecting means.

The light receiving portion of the image pickup means and that of the temperature detecting means receive light through a half mirror. This configuration can avoid a gap between an optical axis of the image pickup means and that of the temperature detecting means.

A priority temperature that is a temperature at the priority coordinate is estimated based on a temperature of an air current blown out from an air outlet or a temperature of an indoor heat exchanger, and predetermined temperature correction values in respective regions within the indoor space, and wherein the capacity of the air conditioner is controlled such that the estimated priority temperature reaches a desired temperature. The temperature information at the priority coordinate can be obtained using the existing temperature detecting means, thus resulting in an inexpensive construction.

The display means displays at least one of the priority coordinate, the priority temperature, the priority air-conveying direction, and a temperature designated by the user on the visible image. The position and the temperature information of the user's desired region to be air conditioned, and the wind direction controlled by the air conditioner can be confirmed.

The priority temperature and the temperature designated by the user are displayed alternately or side by side on the visible image. Even if the screen of the display means is small, those temperatures are easily viewable for the user.

The display means comprises a remote controller for an indoor unit thereby avoiding the necessity of an additional display.

Embodiments of the present invention are hereinafter explained with reference to the drawings. It is, however, to be noted that although in the following embodiments the present invention is discussed with reference to the drawings, the present invention is not limited by the embodiments.

(Embodiment 1)
Fig. 1 is a block diagram of an air conditioner according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Of a space to be air conditioned, this air conditioner is intended to preferentially air condition an area desired by a user and includes an image pickup means 1, a space information memorizing means 2, a display means 3, a temperature detecting means 4, a region designating means 5, a temperature information generating means 6, a temperature information selecting means 7, a wind direction control means 8, a temperature information memorizing means 9, and a capacity control means 10.

The image pickup means 1 is mounted on a front surface of a main body of the air conditioner and includes an optical system capable of viewing an indoor space. The optical system includes a CCD camera for imaging visible images. The space information memorizing means 2 is a memory accommodated in the main body of the air conditioner and memorizes a visible image obtained by the image pickup means 1 as image data having a coordinate space with 480 dots x 640 dots arranged in a matrix pattern. The display means 3 includes a liquid crystal screen mounted on a remote controller of the air conditioner and a signal input circuit having an input interface for the image data. The display means 3 retrieves the image data from the space information memorizing means 2 to display them.

The region designating means 5 is provided on the liquid crystal screen and includes a transparent touch panel having the same coordinate system as the image data and a signal output circuit for the image data. When a user points his or her desired area on an indoor visible image displayed on the display means 3 by touching it with his or her finger, the desired area is outputted in the coordinate system of the image data. The temperature detecting means 4 is a chopper type infrared sensor with a pyroelectric thin film having sixteen pixels. The temperature detecting means 4 divides the space to be air conditioned, i.e., the whole area of the image data into sixteen detection regions to detect a radiant temperature in each region. The infrared sensor can detect radiant temperatures of walls, a floor, people and objects.

The temperature information generating means 6 relates the sixteen regions detected by the temperature detecting means 4 to the coordinate system of the image data to represent each of the sixteen regions where the radiant temperature has been detected as a coordinate in the coordinate system, thereby generating, as temperature information, metadata added to temperature data in each region as an attribute value. The temperature information memorizing means 9 is a memory provided in the remote controller to memorize the temperature information. The temperature information selecting means 7 is a program accommodated in the remote controller. When priority coordinate information designated by the region designating means 5 and the temperature information are inputted to the temperature information selecting means 7, the temperature information selecting means 7 selects the inputted temperature information to output temperature information of a detection region having the priority coordinate information as priority temperature information. The capacity control means 10 controls the capacity of the air conditioner with the priority temperature information set as a control target. The wind direction control means 8 reads the priority coordinate information from the region designating means 5 to control the angle of wind direction changing blades mounted on the air conditioner so that the priority coordinate may be included in an air conveying path.

Fig. 2 schematically depicts a condition in which an indoor image 13 obtained by the image pickup means 1 has been displayed on a display means 12 mounted on a remote controller 11. As shown in Fig. 2, a user can designate his or her desired region while viewing the indoor image 13.

In the above-described construction, when operation of the air conditioner is started, a visible image of the whole indoor space to be air conditioned is first taken by the image pickup means 1. The visible image is then converted to space information in a predetermined plane coordinate system and memorized by the space information memorizing means 2. The image information memorized by the space information memorizing means 2 is displayed on the display means 3. When a user touches the display means 3, a point or region on the visible image is designated as priority coordinate information of the aforementioned coordinate system by the region designating means 5.

On the other hand, the indoor space is divided into sixteen regions, and the temperature of each region is detected by the temperature detecting means 4. The temperature information generating means 6 relates the sixteen regions to the aforementioned coordinate system, and the temperature information is generated by adding the coordinate information of the coordinate system to the detected temperature.

The temperature information together with the priority temperature information is memorized by the temperature information memorizing means 9.

Based on the priority coordinate information and the temperature information, the temperature information selecting means 7 outputs, from among

all the temperature information, temperature information of a detection region having the priority coordinate information as priority temperature information (temperature to be controlled). The capacity control means 10 then controls the capacity of the air conditioner so that the priority temperature information may reach a predetermined temperature, and the wind direction control means 8 controls the wind direction changing blades to direct air-conditioned air to the region (priority coordinate designated by the user) including the priority temperature information (temperature to be controlled) so that the temperature of the designated region may reach the predetermined target temperature. In this event, the temperature of an air current in an air outlet defined in an indoor unit, the air volume, the wind direction, the temperatures of heat exchangers, and the like are controlled by regulating the speed of a fan mounted in an indoor unit, that of a fan mounted in an outdoor unit, the speed of a compressor, and the opening of an expansion valve, and the like. Controlling the capacity of the air conditioner and the wind direction in this way causes the priority coordinate to reach the target temperature.

As described above, because the air conditioner according to the present invention can direct the air-conditioned air to the region which the user has designated while viewing the indoor image, local air conditioning can be attained quite accurately. In addition, the air conditioning control is conducted with a capacity corresponding to a difference between the priority temperature information (temperature to be controlled) and the target temperature. By way of example, if the priority temperature information (temperature to be controlled) is close to the target temperature, the air conditioning is conducted with a relatively small capacity, thus enabling finely-controlled energy-saving operation while reducing power consumption.

Instead of providing the temperature detecting means 4 such as, for example, an infrared sensor, it is possible to estimate the priority temperature, i.e., the temperature at the priority coordinate based on the temperature of the air current blown out from the air outlet or the temperature of the indoor heat exchanger, and the predetermined temperature correction values in the respective regions within the indoor space. In this case also, the capacity of the air conditioner can be controlled such that the estimated priority temperature may reach the desired temperature. That is, the air conditioning control can be conducted by obtaining the temperature information at the priority coordinate using the existing temperature detecting means, thus making it possible to reduce the cost of the air conditioner.
(Embodiment 2) Fig. 3 is a block diagram of an air conditioner according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Because the essential constituent elements and operation thereof are the same as those in the first embodiment referred to above, explanation thereof is omitted. The display means 3 in this second embodiment includes an image-forming portion 21 made up of a program. When the image data taken by the image pickup means 1 are inputted to the program from the space information memorizing means 2, and the angle of the wind direction changing blades set by the wind direction control means 8, the priority coordinate information outputted from the region designating means 5, and the temperature information selected by the temperature information selecting means 7 are also inputted to the program, the program generates new image data, in which the angle of the wind direction changing blades, the priority coordinate information, and the temperature information have been added onto the image data taken by the image pickup means 1, and displays the new image data on the display means 3.

The temperature detecting means 4 includes a radiant temperature detecting portion 22 made up of a pyroelectric sensor having a telescopic optical system, which has one pixel and a three-degree field of view. The temperature detecting means 4 also includes a support portion 23 having degrees of freedom in horizontal and vertical directions with respect to the indoor unit of the air conditioner and a support control portion 24 for controlling the angle of rotation of the support portion 23. The support control portion 24 inputs the priority coordinate information from the region designating means 5, calculates the angle of rotation from the priority coordinate information, rotates the radiant temperature detecting portion 22 toward the user's desired region, and detects the temperature information of such a region, thereby generating the priority temperature information on a real-time basis. If no priority coordinate information is inputted from the region designating means 5, the support control portion 24 sequentially collects the temperature data of the regions to be air conditioned, and the temperature information generating means 6 and the temperature information memorizing means 9 operate in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

Fig. 4 schematically depicts a condition in which an indoor image 13 obtained by the image pickup means 1 has been displayed on the display means 12 mounted on the remote controller 11, and the priority coordinate information as the user's desired regions 14 and the priority temperature information as the detected temperatures 15 have been displayed on the indoor image 13. Fig. 5 depicts a composite image in which an air conveying region, calculated by the image-forming portion 21 according to this embodiment based on the angle of the wind direction changing blades read from the wind direction control means 8, has been superimposed on the indoor image 13 obtained by the image pickup means 1.

Fig. 6 depicts an example in which a preset temperature 46 designated by the user has been displayed on the display means 12 together with one of current temperatures 15 as the priority temperature information. If the detected current temperature 15 and the preset temperature 46 are both displayed, as shown in Fig. 6, the air conditioning information within the indoor space can be easily recognized at a glance. Also, if the user sets the room temperature based on such information, a more comfortable indoor space can be created.

The priority temperature and the preset temperature may be alternately displayed on the display means 12. In this case, even if the screen of the display means 12 is small, those temperatures are easily viewable for the user.

In the case where the user sets a temperature, if an analog scale 43 for temperature setting and a set temperature 45 are displayed on the screen, as shown in Fig. 7, the user can easily set the temperature.

The above-described configuration of the screen enables the user to confirm his or her desired region to be air conditioned and a correct temperature thereof and, hence, the air conditioner according to this embodiment can preferentially air condition the desired region and realize a comfortable air-conditioned environment while reducing power consumption.

It is to be noted that the display means 12 is not limited to a display provided on the remote controller, but may be a portable terminal, a monitor such as, for example, a television set or a personal computer.

(Embodiment 3)
A specific construction of the image pickup means and that of the temperature detecting means are hereinafter explained.

It is preferred that the image pickup means 1 and the temperature detecting means 4 explained in the above-described first and second embodiments have respective light receiving portions adjacent to each other.

Fig. 8 depicts an example of the image pickup means 1 and the temperature detecting means 4. As shown in Fig. 8, a CCD camera constituting the image pickup means 1 and a light receiving portion 22 of an infrared sensor constituting the temperature detecting means 4 receive light on the same optical axis through a lens 25 and a half mirror 26 arranged at an angle of 45 degrees with respect to the optical axis.
This construction can avoid a gap between a priority coordinate designated by the user and a coordinate of temperature information detected by the radiant temperature detecting portion on a real visible image.

It is also possible to drive the temperature detecting means 4 with the image pickup means 1 fixed and with the same optical axis maintained.

It is preferred that a wide-angle lens be used as the lens 25 to image the whole indoor space.

Also, Fig. 8 depicts the construction in which light that has passed through the half mirror 26 is led to the image pickup means 1, and light reflected by the half mirror 26 is led to the temperature detecting means 4, but the reverse is also applicable.

When it comes to the image pickup means, in order to image a whole room, if the indoor unit of the air conditioner is a wall-mounted one, the image pickup means is preferably mounted on a lower portion of the indoor unit, and if the indoor unit is a floor-standing one, the image pickup means is preferably mounted on an upper portion of the indoor unit.

If the image pickup means is allowed to take an image only when the user is operating or has operated the display means, the power consumption can be reduced.

The present invention is applicable to an air conditioner for conducting an air conditioning control based on information that is obtained from thermal images or visible images within a room to be air conditioned.

List of Reference Numerals
1 image pickup means
2 space information memorizing means
3 display means
4 temperature detecting means
5 region designating means
6 temperature information generating means
7 temperature information selecting means
8 wind direction control means
9 temperature information memorizing means
10 capacity control means
11 remote controller
12 display means
13 indoor image
14 user's desired region
15 detected temperature
16 air conveying region
17 image-forming portion
22 radiant temperature detecting portion
23 support portion
24 support control portion
25 lens
26 half mirror
43 analog scale for temperature setting
45 set temperature
46 preset temperature

CLAIMS

1. An air conditioner for conducting air conditioning by controlling a capacity thereof, comprising:

an image pickup means operable to take a visible image of an indoor space to be air conditioned; and
a display means operable to display the visible image;

when a point or region on the visible image is designated as a priority coordinate by a user, the capacity of the air conditioner is controlled based on information of the priority coordinate designated by the user.

2. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein a priority air-conveying direction is determined based on the information of the priority coordinate.

3. The air conditioner according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a temperature detecting means operable to detect a temperature of a region within the indoor space, wherein the temperature detecting means detects a priority temperature that is a temperature at the priority coordinate, and the capacity of the air conditioner is controlled so that the priority temperature reaches a desired temperature.

4. The air conditioner according to claim 3, wherein the temperature detecting means comprises a radiant temperature detecting portion made up of a radiant temperature sensor having at least one pixel,

a support portion having a joint of at least one degree of freedom to support the radiant temperature detecting portion, and a support control portion operable to control an angle of the joint of the support portion based on the priority coordinate.

5. The air conditioner according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the temperature detecting means comprises an infrared sensor.

6. The air conditioner according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the image pickup means and the temperature detecting means have respective light receiving portions adjacent to each other.

7. The air conditioner according to any one of claims 3 to 6, further comprising a half mirror, through which the light receiving portion of the image pickup means and that of the temperature detecting means receive light.

8. The air conditioner according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a priority temperature that is a temperature at the priority coordinate is estimated based on a temperature of an air current blown out from an air outlet or a temperature of an indoor heat exchanger, and predetermined temperature correction values in respective regions within the indoor space, and wherein the capacity of the air conditioner is controlled such that the estimated priority temperature reaches a desired temperature.

9. The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the display means displays at least one of the priority coordinate, the priority temperature, the priority air-conveying direction, and a temperature designated by the user on the visible image.

10. The air conditioner according to claim 9, wherein the priority temperature and the temperature designated by the user are displayed alternately or side by side on the visible image.

11. The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the display means comprises a remote controller for an indoor unit.

12. The air conditioner according to claim 3, further comprising a space information memorizing means operable to memorize the visible image as space information in a predetermined plane coordinate system, a region designating means operable to designate, as priority coordinate information in the plane coordinate system, a point or region designated by the user on the visible image, a temperature information generating means operable to relate the point or region to the plane coordinate system to generate temperature information by adding coordinate information of the plane coordinate system to the temperature detected by the temperature detecting means, a temperature information selecting means operable to select the priority temperature information from the temperature information, a temperature information memorizing means operable to memorize the temperature information and the priority temperature information, a wind direction control means operable to determine a priority air-conveying direction based on the priority coordinate information, and a capacity control means operable to control the capacity of the air conditioner such that the priority temperature information reaches a predetermined temperature.