644629 KPO-2726
DESCRIPTION
Title of Invention
AIR-CONDITIONING APPARATUS CONTROL SYSTEM
Technical Field
[0001]
The present invention relates to an air-conditioning apparatus control system for controlling an air-conditioning apparatus. Background Art [0002]
Approximately 8,000 different languages exist in the world, and new languages come out momentarily and constantly. Thus, it is difficult to store all these languages in an air-conditioning apparatus control system in advance, and, from a perspective of a storage device capacity, such a way is impractical. Consequently, a problem has arisen in that languages to be displayed on the display unit of conventional air-conditioning apparatus control systems are limited to a very few major languages. [0003]
Consequently, to solve the above problem, proposed is a device in which languages to be displayed on the display unit of the device are replaced or newly added in accordance with user's needs (see, e.g., Patent Literature 1). This device includes an externally-rewritable storage area, thus allowing reception of character data and language data via a tuner as well as addition and change of data having the same format.
Citation List Patent Literature [0004]
Patent Literature 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2003-274307

Summary of Invention Technical Problem [0005]
The device described in Patent Literature 1 requires, to replace the character-string data and language data previously stored in the device, addition of character-string data and language data having the same format as the data already installed on the device. Consequently, a problem has arisen in that complex and professional skills and knowledge are essential to develop a data-adding device for newly adding character-string data and language data, and thus, easy replacement of character-string data and language data is not allowed. [0006]
The present invention is devised to solve the problem as described above, and its aim is to achieve an air-conditioning apparatus control system allowing easy replacement of the language displayed on the display unit of the air-conditioning apparatus control system in accordance with user's needs. Solution to Problem [0007]
The air-conditioning apparatus control system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a screen database configured to store screen information indicating a display position of a character and a display size of a character, an image database configured to store a character as image data, a screen organization unit configured to read the image data from the image database, and organize a screen image on the basis of the screen information, and a display unit configured to display the screen image such that the display unit serves as an operation unit of an air-conditioning apparatus.
Advantageous Effects of Invention [0008]
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the configuration is such that a screen image to be displayed on the display unit of the air-conditioning

apparatus control system is organized on the basis of screen information and image data. In this way, the air-conditioning apparatus control system allowing easy replacement of the language displayed on the display unit of the air-conditioning apparatus control system in accordance with user's needs is achieved.
Brief Description of Drawings [0009]
[Fig. 1] Fig. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing the configuration of an air-conditioning apparatus control system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[Fig. 2] Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a language setting table of the air-conditioning apparatus control system according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[Fig. 3] Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing an image organization device of the air-conditioning apparatus control system according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[Fig. 4] Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a photograph database of the air-conditioning apparatus control system according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[Fig. 5] Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a transmission image database of the air-conditioning apparatus control system according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[Fig. 6] Fig. 6 is a block diagram showing an air-conditioning apparatus control device of the air-conditioning apparatus control system according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[Fig. 7] Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a reception image database of the air-conditioning apparatus control system according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[Fig. 8] Fig. 8 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a language database of the air-conditioning apparatus control system according to the

embodiment of the present invention.
[Fig. 9] Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a screen database of the air-conditioning apparatus control system according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[Fig. 10] Fig. 10 is a flow chart showing the operation of an image organization device of the air-conditioning apparatus control system according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[Fig. 11] Fig. 11 is a flow chart showing the operation of the air-conditioning apparatus control device of the air-conditioning apparatus control system according to the embodiment of the present invention.
Description of Embodiments [0010]
An embodiment of an air-conditioning apparatus control system of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that, the embodiment in the drawings is an illustrative example and does not limit the present invention. Also, among the drawings, objects given the same reference sign are the same or corresponding objects, and the reference signs commonly apply to every sentence in this specification. Further, in the drawings shown below, the scale relations between the components may vary from the actual configuration. [0011]
Embodiment 1 [Configuration of Air-conditioning Apparatus Control System 100]
Fig. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing the configuration of an air-conditioning apparatus control system according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 1, an air-conditioning apparatus control system 100 includes an air-conditioning apparatus control device 101, an image organization device 102, a language setting table 103, and a relay device 104. The air-conditioning apparatus control device 101 is connected to an air-conditioning apparatus (not shown), and is a device to which the user inputs and specifies the

operating status and setting status of the air-conditioning apparatus. The air-conditioning apparatus control device 101 has a display unit for displaying the operating status or other statuses of the air-conditioning apparatus, thereby enabling the operating status and setting status of the air-conditioning apparatus to be displayed for the user. Here, when the display unit displays an image and a character, the language used to display is of vital importance for user's operation. To support various users whose home countries and languages are different, character-strings for multiple languages are previously stored in the air-conditioning apparatus control device 101, thereby allowing the user to freely set the language to be displayed. [0012]
The image organization device 102 photographs the language setting table 103. The detailed configurations, operation flows, or other descriptions of the air-conditioning apparatus control device 101, the image organization device 102, the language setting table 103, and the relay device 104, included in the air-conditioning apparatus control system 100, will be described later. Then, the image organization device 102 transmits the photographed data to the air-conditioning apparatus control device 101 directly. Otherwise, the image organization device 102 transmits the photographed data to the air-conditioning apparatus control device 101 via the relay device 104. The air-conditioning apparatus control system 100 is configured as described above. [0013] [Configuration of Language Setting Table 103]
First, the configuration of the language setting table 103, constituting part of the air-conditioning apparatus control system 100, will be described.
Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a language setting table of the air-conditioning apparatus control system according to the embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 2, the language setting table 103 is a piece of paper having a predetermined format into which the user handwrites a character-string and a pictograph to be displayed. In the language setting table 103, a plurality of

partition frames 103d are included, and in each partition frame 103d, a handwriting field 103a, an English term field 103b, and a barcode 103c are provided. Note that, each of a character-string and a pictograph corresponds to the "character" in the present invention. [0014]
The handwriting field 103a is an entry field for free-style handwriting, thus allowing the user to fill in a character-string or a pictograph to be displayed in different languages. In the English term field 103b, an English term corresponding to the character-string or other contents drawn in the handwriting field 103a is included. The barcode 103c is a barcode for uniquely identifying the data included in each partition frame 103d. [0015]
Note that, in the embodiment, the language setting table 103 is made of paper by way of example, but the present invention is not limited to this example, and the language setting table 103 may be formed as a plastic board or may be substituted with a digital handwriting terminal or other devices, for example.
Also, in the embodiment, the barcode 103c is a one-dimensional barcode by way of example, but the present invention is not limited to this example, and a numerical-string with multiple digits composed of numbers 0 to 9 or a two-dimensional barcode, such as a QR code (registered trademark), may be used, for example. [0016] [Configuration of Image Organization Device 102]
Next, the configuration of the image organization device 102, constituting part of the air-conditioning apparatus control system 100, will be described.
Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing an image organization device of the air-conditioning apparatus control system according to the embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a photograph database of the air-conditioning apparatus control system according to the embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the

configuration of a transmission image database of the air-conditioning apparatus control system according to the embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in Fig. 3, the image organization device 102 includes a photographic unit 301, an image organization unit 302, a transmission unit 303, a photograph database 304, and a transmission image database 305. [0017]
The photographic unit 301 includes an arithmetic processing device, such as a
microcomputer; a program running on the arithmetic processing device; and a
camera. The photographic unit 301 photographs the data on the character-string
drawn in the handwriting field 103a of the language setting table 103, the English
term included in the English term field 103b, and the barcode 103c, converts the
photographed data into electronic data, and then stores the electronic data in the
photograph database 304.
[0018]
15 The image organization unit 302 includes an arithmetic processing device,
such as a microcomputer; and a program running on the arithmetic processing device. The image organization unit 302 analyzes the electronic data stored in the photograph database 304 and then creates image data. As the creation procedure, the image organization unit 302 partitions the language setting table 103 along the partition frames 103d, reads the barcode 103c in each partition frame 103d, and extracts the character-string or other contents drawn in the handwriting field 103a. The image organization unit 302 converts the read barcode 103c into a numerical value, and then stores the numerical value together with the image of the extracted character-string or other contents as the image data. The image organization unit 302 stores the created image data in the transmission image database 305. [0019]
The transmission unit 303 includes an arithmetic processing device, such as a microcomputer; a program running on the arithmetic processing device; a wireless communication chip; and a communication antenna. The transmission unit 303 transmits the image data stored in the transmission image database 305 to the air-

conditioning apparatus control device 101 via wireless communications. The wireless communications are performed in the 2.4 GHz frequency band. Then, the transmission unit 303 deletes the data on the transmitted image data from the transmission image database 305. [0020]
Note that, in the embodiment, the wireless communications are performed in the 2.4 GHz frequency band by way of example, but the present invention is not limited to this example, and the wireless communications may be performed in other frequencies, or wired communications may be used to transmit the image data. Also, in the embodiment, the arithmetic processing devices, such as microcomputers, used by the photographic unit 301, the image organization unit 302, and the transmission unit 303 are separately provided by way of example, but the present invention is not limited to this example and, a shared arithmetic processing device may perform their processes. [0021]
As shown in Fig. 4, the photograph database 304 includes a non-volatile memory, and character-strings ID 801 and photograph image data sets 802 are stored on the non-volatile memory. In each of the character-string IDs 801, a numerical value corresponding to the barcode 103c converted into electronic data by the photographic unit 301, is stored. Each of the numerical value allows unique identification of the photographed image. In each of the photograph image data sets 802, the character-string or other contents drawn in the handwriting field 103a and converted into electronic data by the photographic unit 301, is stored. [0022]
As shown in Fig. 5, the transmission image database 305 includes a non-volatile memory, and character-strings ID 901 and transmission image data sets 902 are stored on the non-volatile memory. The transmission image database 305 stores the image data created by the image organization unit 302. In each of the character-string IDs 901, a numerical value corresponding to the barcode 103c converted into electronic data by the photographic unit 301, is stored. Each of the

numerical value allows unique identification of the photographed image. In each of the transmission image data sets 902, the data on the character-string or other contents, which is handwritten by the user in the handwriting field 103a of the language setting table 103, photographed by the photographic unit 301, and organized by the image organization unit 302 as the image data through the aforementioned procedure, is stored. That is, when the numerical value of the character-string ID 901 and that of the character-string ID 801 are the same, the corresponding transmission image data set 902 and the corresponding photograph image data set 802 are the same. [0023]
Note that, in the embodiment, the photograph database 304 and the transmission image database 305 are separately provided by way of example, but the present invention is not limited to this example, and a non-volatile memory may be shared and used. Note that, the image organization device 102 may, for example, be achieved as a combination of a smartphone or tablet terminal and a dedicated application. [0024] [Configuration of Air-conditioning Apparatus Control Device 101]
Fig. 6 is a block diagram showing an air-conditioning apparatus control device of the air-conditioning apparatus control system according to the embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a reception image database of the air-conditioning apparatus control system according to the embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 8 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a language database of the air-conditioning apparatus control system according to the embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a screen database of the air-conditioning apparatus control system according to the embodiment of the present invention. [0025]
As shown in Fig. 6, the air-conditioning apparatus control device 101 includes a reception unit 201, a screen organization unit 202, a display unit 203, a reception

image database 204, a language database 205, and a screen database 206. Note that, the reception image database 204 corresponds to the "image database" in the present invention. [0026]
The reception unit 201 includes an arithmetic processing device, such as a microcomputer; a program running on the arithmetic processing device; a wireless communication chip; and a communication antenna. The reception unit 201 receives the image data transmitted from the transmission unit 303 of the image organization device 102 via wireless communications, and then stores the image data in the reception image database 204. The wireless communications are performed in the 2.4 GHz frequency band. [0027]
The screen organization unit 202 includes an arithmetic processing device, such as a microcomputer; and a program running on the arithmetic processing device. When required image data is stored in the reception image database 204, the screen organization unit 202 reads the image data, reads screen information stored in the screen database 206, and then organizes a screen image to be displayed on the display unit 203. Note that, the screen information will be described in Fig. 9. [0028]
The display unit 203 includes an arithmetic processing device, such as a microcomputer; a program running on the arithmetic processing device; and a liquid-crystal panel. The display unit 203 displays for the user the screen image organized by the screen organization unit 202. The screen image is in the bitmap format, and the display unit 203 physically depicts the screen image in a form visible to the user. [0029]
Note that, in the embodiment, the arithmetic processing devices, such as microcomputers, used by the reception unit 201, the screen organization unit 202, and the display unit 203 are separately provided by way of example, but the present

invention is not limited to this example, and a shared arithmetic processing device
may perform their processes.
[0030]
As shown in Fig. 7, the reception image database 204 includes a non-volatile memory, and character-string IDs 501 and reception image data sets 502 are stored on the non-volatile memory. In each of the character-string IDs 501, a corresponding one of the numerical values of the character-string IDs 901 of the transmission image database 305 that the transmission unit 303 has transmitted and the reception unit 201 has received, is stored. Each of the numerical values allows unique identification of the photographed image. In each of the reception image data sets 502, the data corresponding to the transmission image data set 902 is stored, where this data is in the bitmap format. That is, when the numerical value of the character-string ID 501 and that of the character-string ID 901 are the same, in the corresponding reception image data set 502, the same data as the corresponding transmission image data set 902 will be stored. [0031]
As shown in Fig. 8, the language database 205 includes a non-volatile memory, where character-string IDs 601, character-strings 602, and languages 603 are stored on the non-volatile memory. In the language database 205, as its initial settings, character-strings corresponding to various languages and character-string IDs corresponding to these character-strings are stored in advance. The character-string IDs 601 are each a number for identifying the language data entry, and the number allows unique identification of the data on the character-string 602. The character-string 602 is character information to be displayed on the display unit 203. A character constituting each of the character-strings is a 1 to 3 bytes character. In each of the languages 603, the language of the character-string indicated by the corresponding character-string 602 is stored. [0032]
As shown in Fig. 9, the screen database 206 includes a non-volatile memory, where, as the screen information, screen numbers 701, character-strings ID 702, x-

coordinates 703, y-coordinates 704, x-direction sizes 705, and y-direction sizes 706 are stored on the non-volatile memory. The screen numbers 701 each store a screen number. The screens stored in the screen database 206 are similar to slides, where one screen number is assigned to one screen. On one screen, a plurality of the character-string IDs 702 are displayed, and variation of the display position and display contents of the character-string IDs 702 forms various screens. Thus, for one of the screen numbers 701, a plurality of the character-string IDs 702 are assigned. Note that, the screen number 701, the character-string ID 702, the x-coordinate 703, the y-coordinate 704, the x-direction size 705, and the y-direction size 706 correspond to the "screen information" in the present invention. [0033]
The character-strings ID 702 are each a numerical value for identifying a character-string. For one character-string, one numerical value of the character-string ID 702 is always assigned. [0034]
In the screen database 206, information used when the screen organization unit 202 organizes the screen image, is stored. Specifically, the screen database 206 includes, in addition to the data on the aforementioned screen numbers 701 and character-strings ID 702, the data on the x-coordinates 703, the y-coordinates 704, the x-direction sizes 705, and the y-direction sizes 706. [0035]
In each of the x-coordinates 703, an x-coordinate used in positioning the image data to be displayed on the display unit 203, is stored. The x-coordinates 703 each indicate the horizontal position of the character-string on the screen. The left end of the display unit 203 is 0 and the numerical value increases as the numerical value goes rightward in horizontal direction, consequently, the numerical value at the right end of the display unit 203 corresponds to the number of pixels of the display unit 203 in horizontal direction. [0036]

Also, in each of the y-coordinates 704, a y-coordinate used in positioning the image data to be displayed on the display unit 203, is stored. The y-coordinates 704 each indicate the vertical position of the character-string on the screen. The upper end of the display unit 203 is 0 and the numerical value increases as the numerical value goes downward in vertical direction, consequently, the numerical value at the lower end of the display unit 203 corresponds to the number of pixels of the display unit 203 in vertical direction. [0037]
Also, in each of the x-direction sizes 705, an x-direction size for determining the size of the image data to be displayed on the display unit 203, is stored. The x-direction sizes 705 each indicate the number of pixels of the character-string on the display unit 203 in horizontal direction. Also, in each of the y-direction sizes 706, a y-direction size for determining the size of the image data to be displayed on the display unit 203, is stored. The y-direction sizes 706 each indicate the number of pixels of the character-string on the display unit 203 in vertical direction. [0038]
Note that, in the embodiment, the reception image database 204, the language database 205, and the screen database 206 are separately provided by way of example, but the present invention is not limited to this example, and a non-volatile memory may be shared and used. [0039] [Configuration of Relay Device 104]
As shown in Fig. 1, the relay device 104 temporarily stores the image data transmitted by the image organization device 102. Then, when the user requests, the relay device 104 transmits the data on the image data to the air-conditioning apparatus control device 101. For example, the relay device 104 is used when the air-conditioning apparatus control device 101 and the image organization device 102 cannot communicate directly with each other, or when a time lag in the communication lies between the air-conditioning apparatus control device 101 and the image organization device 102. As described above, the use of the relay device

104 ensures the transmission and the reception of data when, for example, the air-conditioning apparatus control device 101 and the image organization device 102 cannot communicate directly with each other. The specific procedure is as follows. The image organization device 102 transmits the image data to the relay device 104. The relay device 104 stores the received image data on the own non-volatile memory. Subsequently, when the user requests, the relay device 104 reads the stored image data and then transmits the image data to the air-conditioning apparatus control device 101. The relay device 104 includes an arithmetic processing device, such as a microcomputer; a program running on the arithmetic processing device; a non¬volatile memory for storing image data; and a communication device for communications. [0040] [Operation of Image Organization Device 102]
Next, the operation of the image organization device 102 will be described. Fig. 10 is a flow chart showing the operation of an image organization device of the air-conditioning apparatus control system according to the embodiment of the present invention. The operation of the image organization device 102 will be described below by following the steps of Fig. 10 with reference to Figs. 1 to 3. [0041] (Step S1001)
After the language setting table 103 is photographed, the image organization device 102 starts an extraction process of the photographed image for each partition frame 103d. Subsequently, the image organization device 102 proceeds to Step S1002. [0042] (StepS 1002)
The image organization device 102 confirms whether unprocessed data on the photographed image exists. Subsequently, the image organization device 102 proceeds to Step S1003 when unprocessed data on the photographed image exists, otherwise it proceeds to Step S1010.

[0043] (Step S1003)
The image organization device 102 scans the photographed image rightwardly from the upper left, thereby searching for the barcode 103c indicating the character-string ID. The searching method for the barcode 103c is that the image organization device 102 determines, when the proportion of black and white areas in a quadrangle with a certain area is higher than or equal to the specified value, the barcode 103c exists. Subsequently, the image organization device 102 proceeds to Step S1004. [0044] (Step S1004)
The image organization device 102 converts the read barcode 103c into a numerical value. The converted numerical value is the character-string ID 801. Subsequently, the image organization device 102 proceeds to Step S1005. [0045] (Step S1005)
The image organization device 102 checks the numerical value of the read barcode 103c, and then confirms whether the image organization device 102 has processed the numerical value by the current time. When the numerical value of the read barcode 103c is the numerical value processed by the current time, the image organization device 102 proceeds to Step S1006, otherwise it proceeds to Step S1010. [0046] (Step S1006)
The image organization device 102 searches the pixels outwardly from the barcode 103c as the center, thereby searching for the partition frame 103d surrounding the barcode 103c. Then, the image organization device 102 obtains the coordinates of the upper left, upper right, lower left, and lower right of the partition frame 103d. After this operation, the image organization device 102 regards only the inside of the partition frame 103d as its processing object. Subsequently, the image organization device 102 proceeds to Step S1007.

[0047] (Step S1007)
The image organization device 102 searches for the quadrangular handwriting field 103a in the inner area of the partition frame 103d. Then, the image organization device 102 obtains the coordinates of the upper left, upper right, lower left, and lower right of the handwriting field 103a. Subsequently, the image organization device 102 proceeds to Step S1008. [0048] (Step S1008)
The image organization device 102 extracts, along the indicated coordinates of the handwriting field 103a, the image drawn in the handwriting field 103a. Subsequently, the image organization device 102 proceeds to Step S1009. [0049] (Step S1009)
The image organization device 102 combines the numerical value of the barcode 103c converted in Step S1004 with the image extracted in Step S1008, and then stores it in the transmission image database 305. Subsequently, the image organization device 102 proceeds to Step S1002. [0050] (Step S1010)
The image organization device 102 completes the process. [0051]
The image data created by the image organization device 102 and stored in the transmission image database 305 in this way is, as already described, transmitted to the reception unit 201 of the air-conditioning apparatus control device 101 by the transmission unit 303. [0052] [Operation of Air-conditioning Apparatus Control Device 101]
Next, the operation will be described in which the data on the image data transmitted by the transmission unit 303 of the image organization device 102 is

received at the reception unit 201 of the air-conditioning apparatus control device 101, and then the image data is organized as a screen and the display unit 203 presents the screen for the user. Fig. 11 is a flow chart showing the operation of the air-conditioning apparatus control device of the air-conditioning apparatus control system according to the embodiment of the present invention. The operation of the air-conditioning apparatus control device 101 will be described below by following the steps of Fig. 11 with reference to Figs. 1, 6, and 9. [0053] (Step S1101)
The air-conditioning apparatus control device 101 starts the organization of the screen image. Then, one of the screen numbers 701 of a screen image to be organized is specified by the user. Subsequently, the air-conditioning apparatus control device 101 proceeds to Step S1102. [0054] (Step S1102)
The air-conditioning apparatus control device 101 successively retrieves, from the screen database 206, the data having a character-string ID 702 corresponding to the screen number 701 specified by the user. Subsequently, the air-conditioning apparatus control device 101 proceeds to Step S1103. [0055] (Step S1103)
The air-conditioning apparatus control device 101 determines whether the retrieve processes for all the character-string IDs 702 are completed. When one or more character-string IDs 702 exist for which the retrieve process is not completed, the air-conditioning apparatus control device 101 selects one of the character-string IDs 702 and then proceeds to Step S1104, otherwise it proceeds to Step S1106. [0056] (Step S1104)
The air-conditioning apparatus control device 101 searches the reception image database 204 for the data having the same character-string ID as the selected

character-string ID 702. When the data having the same character-string ID exists in the reception image database 204, the air-conditioning apparatus control device 101 proceeds to Step S1105, otherwise it proceeds to Step S1107. [0057] (Step S1105)
The air-conditioning apparatus control device 101 retrieves the reception image data set 502 of the reception image database 204 having the matched character-string ID in Step S1104. Then, the air-conditioning apparatus control device 101 displays, via the display unit 203, for the user, the reception image data set 502 at the position of the x-coordinate 703 and the y-coordinate 704 of the character-string ID 702 selected in Step S1103. At this time, the reception image data set 502 is displayed on the display unit 203 such that the reception image data set 502 is scaled-down or scaled-up as the x-direction size 705 and the y-direction size 706 specify. Subsequently, the air-conditioning apparatus control device 101 proceeds to Step S1103. [0058] (Step S1106)
The air-conditioning apparatus control device 101 completes the process. [0059] (Step S1107)
The air-conditioning apparatus control device 101 searches the character-string IDs 601 of the language database 205 for the data having the character-string ID matching with the character-string ID 702 selected in Step S1103. Then, the air-conditioning apparatus control device 101 displays, via the display unit 203, for the user, the character-string 602 at the position of the x-coordinate 703 and the y-coordinate 704 of the character-string ID 702. At this time, the character-string 602 is displayed on the display unit 203 such that the character-string 602 is scaled-down or scaled-up as the x-direction size 705 and the y-direction size 706 specify. Subsequently, the air-conditioning apparatus control device 101 proceeds to Step S1103.

[0060]
[Effects of Embodiment]
From the above, according to the embodiment, the air-conditioning apparatus control system 100 is configured to include the screen database 206 storing screen information indicating a display position of a character and a display size of a character, the reception image database 204 for storing a character as image data, the screen organization unit 202 for reading the image data from the reception image database 204, and organizing a screen image on the basis of the screen information, and the display unit 203 for displaying the screen image such that the display unit 203 serves as an operation unit of an air-conditioning apparatus. In this way, the air-conditioning apparatus control system 100 allowing easy replacement of the language displayed on the display unit 203 of the air-conditioning apparatus control system 100 in accordance with user's needs, is achieved. Note that, the user using the air-conditioning apparatus may be different from the user setting the handwritten character. For example, the user using the air-conditioning apparatus may be a resident that actually operates and uses the air-conditioning apparatus, and the user setting the handwritten character may be a person that performs the installation work, such as a contractor. Thus, the user such as a contractor may add the language adapted to the user on site. [0061]
Also, the air-conditioning apparatus control system 100 is configured to further include the reception unit 201 for receiving a character as image data, in which the reception unit 201 stores the image data in the reception image database 204. In this way, as the image data is stored in the reception image database 204, which is a non-volatile memory, the data may be stored in the air-conditioning apparatus control device 101 without power supply. [0062]
Also, the air-conditioning apparatus control system 100 is configured to further include the photographic unit 301 for photographing the language setting table 103 having a predetermined format, and converting a character drawn in the language

setting table 103 into photograph data, the image organization unit 302 for analyzing the photograph data converted by the photographic unit 301, and creating the image data, and the transmission unit 303 for transmitting the image data to the reception unit 201. In this way, the image data on the character drawn in the language setting table 103 may be transmitted to the air-conditioning apparatus control device 101. [0063]
Also, the transmission unit 303 transmits the image data to the reception unit 201 via wireless communications. In this way, the data may be transmitted to the reception unit 201 located at a remote location. [0064]
Also, the wireless communications are performed in the 2.4 GHz frequency band. In this way, the use of the 2.4 GHz frequency band for wireless communications allows utilization of wireless communications anywhere around the world including indoors and outdoors. [0065]
Also, the air-conditioning apparatus control system 100 is configured to further include the relay device 104 for transmitting and receiving the image data, in which the relay device 104 receives the image data from the transmission unit 303, and transmits the image data to the reception unit 201. In this way, the use of the relay device 104 ensures the transmission and the reception of data when, for example, the air-conditioning apparatus control device 101 and the image organization device 102 cannot communicate directly with each other. Note that, the number of the relay device 104 is not limited to one, and a plurality of the relay devices 104 may be provided, and an embodiment in which each of the relay devices 104 further relays data is possible. The relay device 104 may be located at a location away from the air-conditioning apparatus control device 101 and the image organization device 102. Between the air-conditioning apparatus control device 101 or image organization device 102 and the relay device 104, a communication relay device, such as a router, may be provided. [0066]

Also, the relay device 104 temporarily stores the image data, and transmits the image data to the reception unit 201. In this way, even when a time elapses in which the air-conditioning apparatus control device 101 and the image organization device 102 cannot communicate directly with each other, the elimination of this time delay ensures the transmission and the reception of data. [0067]
Also, in the language setting table 103, the barcode 103c for uniquely identifying a character of this language setting table 103 is included. In this way, the language setting table 103 is created in a determined format and the barcode 103c including a character-string ID is printed on the language setting table 103, thus allowing automatic identification of a character-string on the screen to be replaced with the handwritten character without bothering the user. [0068]
Also, the screen information includes information about the position and the size of a character-string to be displayed on the display unit 203. In this way, the positional display coordinates and the display size corresponding to the character-string ID 702 of the screen database 206 can be held, thus allowing automatic replacement of a character-string on the screen with the handwritten character, image, and other contents transmitted from the image organization device 102. [0069]
Also, as described above, the image organization device 102 photographs the language setting table 103 using the photographic unit 301, processes the data, and then transmits the data to the air-conditioning apparatus control device 101, thus allowing change of the display contents of the air-conditioning apparatus control device 101 on site.
Reference Signs List [0070]
100 air-conditioning apparatus control system 101 air-conditioning
apparatus control device 102 image organization device 103 language

setting table 103a handwriting field 103b English term field 103c barcode
103d partition frame 104 relay device 201 reception unit 202
screen organization unit 203 display unit 204 reception image database
205 language database 206 screen database 301 photographic unit 302 image organization unit 303 transmission unit 304 photograph
database 305 transmission image database 501 character-string ID 502
image data set 601 character-string ID 602 character-string 603 language 701 screen number 702 character-string ID 703 x-coordinate 704 y-
coordinate 705 x-direction size 706 y-direction size 801 character-string
ID 802 photograph image data set 901 character-string ID 902
transmission image data set
22

CLAIMS
[Claim 1]
An air-conditioning apparatus control system comprising:
a screen database configured to store screen information indicating a display position of a character and a display size of a character;
an image database configured to store a character as image data;
a screen organization unit configured to read the image data from the image database, and organize a screen image on a basis of the screen information; and
a display unit configured to display the screen image, the display unit serving as an operation unit of an air-conditioning apparatus. [Claim 2]
The air-conditioning apparatus control system of claim 1, further comprising a reception unit configured to receive a character as image data,
wherein the reception unit is configured to store the image data in the image
15 database.
[Claim 3]
The air-conditioning apparatus control system of claim 2, further comprising:
a photographic unit configured to photograph a language setting table having a predetermined format, and convert a character drawn in the language setting table into photograph data;
an image organization unit configured to analyze the photograph data converted by the photographic unit, and create the image data; and
a transmission unit configured to transmit the image data to the reception unit. [Claim 4]
The air-conditioning apparatus control system of claim 3, wherein the transmission unit is configured to transmit the image data to the reception unit via wireless communications. [Claim 5]
The air-conditioning apparatus control system of claim 4, wherein the wireless communications are performed in a 2.4 GHz frequency band.

[Claim 6]
The air-conditioning apparatus control system of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the screen organization unit is configured to read, when the image data that is required is stored in the image database, the image data, and organize the screen image. [Claim 7]
The air-conditioning apparatus control system of claim 3, further comprising a relay device configured to transmit and receive the image data,
wherein the relay device is configured to receive the image data from the transmission unit, and transmit the image data to the reception unit. [Claim 8]
The air-conditioning apparatus control system of claim 7, wherein the relay device is configured to temporarily store the image data, and transmit the image data to the reception unit. [Claim 9]
The air-conditioning apparatus control system of any one of claim 3 and claims 4 to 8 as dependent on claim 3, wherein, in the language setting table, a barcode for uniquely identifying a character of the language setting table is included. [Claim 10]
The air-conditioning apparatus control system of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the screen information includes information about a position and a size of a character-string to be displayed on the display unit.