DESC:FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present disclosure relates to an interactive remote. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to an interactive remote for controlling an air conditioner.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[0002] Air conditioners are installed to regulate the indoor temperature and purify the indoor air by blowing cold or warm air to a room, with the aim of providing its occupants with a more comfortable environment. Typically, an air conditioner includes an indoor unit consisting of a heat exchanger and installed in a room, and an outdoor unit consisting of a compressor and a heat exchanger and supplying refrigerant to the indoor unit.
[0003] This air conditioner is controlled separately for the indoor unit consisting of the heat exchanger and the outdoor unit consisting of the compressor and the heat exchanger, and operates by controlling the power supply to the compressor or to the heat exchanger. Also, at least one indoor unit may be connected to the outdoor unit, and refrigerant is supplied to the indoor unit to run the air conditioner in cooling mode or heating mode depending on the type of operation the user wants to run.
[0004] The indoor unit typically is controlled using a remote which gives different commands to the microcontroller installed in the indoor unit by pressing of keys on the remote controller.
[0005] Figure 1 shows the typically available remotes. However, all the available remote controllers in the market lacks several key features which makes them inconvenient for a user specially while using the same in a dark environment.
[0006] During dark environment, the user finds it difficult to see the display, which is typically a dual colored LED having the backlight in one color and the display elements in a different color.
[0007] Further, the basic functional buttons such as POWER BUTTON, TEMPERATURE INCREASE and DECREASE buttons are also very badly lit and have a print on them with the function which gets wiped off over a period of time.
[0008] Hence, it becomes very difficult for a user to use the AC remote in a dark environment.
[0009] Hence, there is a need for such a remote which clearly indicates the mode on which the AC is working such as cool, heat, dry, fan etc. and which enables the user to operate the AC in dark environment with ease.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
[0010] Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfy, are listed hereinbelow.
[0011] It is a general or primary object of the present disclosure to provide an interactive Air Conditioner remote with different color backlight for different modes.
[0012] It is another object of the present disclosure is to provide an interactive Air Conditioner remote with a tactile feedback pad for basic functions.
[0013] It is another object of the present disclosure is to provide an interactive Air Conditioner remote with an auto turn-off feature after no usage for more than a pre-determined time.
[0014] It is another object of the present disclosure is to provide an interactive Air Conditioner remote with a display, with a tilt sensor, to have auto wake-up feature that gets activated when the remote is picked up.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0015] This summary is provided to introduce concepts related to an interactive Air Conditioner remote with negative Backlit LCD with colored segments for different mode icons and a tactile feedback pad for basic functionality. The concepts are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.
[0016] The present disclosure provides an interactive remote for controlling an air conditioner, the remote controller comprising: a tactile feedback pad with a plurality buttons on the pad and remote clustered under different groups for allowing an user to provide commands. It also has a display indicating icons for various modes, a tilt sensor for sensing whether the remote is in use and a microcontroller interfaced with display, the plurality of buttons and tilt sensor, wherein the microcontroller is configured to receive commands provided by user through plurality of buttons and to receive signal from tilt sensor and provide output to display.
[0017] In an embodiment the present disclosure provides that the plurality of buttons provided on the tactile pad comprises at least a button for allowing the user to power ON /OFF and at least a button for allowing the user to increasing temperature and at least a button for decreasing temperature to provide command for setting temperature and the microcontroller provide output to display for displaying the set temperature.
[0018] In another embodiment the present disclosure provides that the display is a negative backlit LCD display with a plurality of colored segments for indicating of icons for various modes.
[0019] In yet another embodiment the present disclosure provides that backlight color is cool white.
[0020] In still another embodiment the present disclosure provides that each icon is configured to indicate a mode with different colour and the mode is selected from the group comprises cool, heat, dry, fan, and auto. The cool mode has a blue color segment, heat mode has red/orange color segment, dry mode has a yellow color segment and fan mode has a grey color segment.
[0021] In a further embodiment the present disclosure provides that the microcontroller is configured to receive signal from tilt sensor and power off the display after a predetermined time when the remote is not in use. The microcontroller is also configured to receive signal from tilt sensor and power on the display when the remote comes in use.
[0022] In a preferred embodiment the present disclosure provides that the plurality of buttons comprises buttons for allowing the user to change orientation of swing of air conditioner, at least a button for fan, and buttons for selecting modes such as turbo, sleep, eco.
[0023] In a more preferred embodiment the present disclosure provides the wherein the plurality of buttons including buttons 140 provided on a slider provided in the remote which can be accessed by pulling out the slider by way of sliding. The buttons 140 provided on the slider comprises buttons for Sleep, Eco, On-Timer, My mode, Wi-Fi, Off Timer, 5-in-1, Constant and Humidity.
[0024] To further understand the characteristics and technical contents of the present subject matter, a description relating thereto will be made with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the drawings are illustrative only but not used to limit the scope of the present subject matter.
[0025] Various objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the inventive subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0026] It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of the present subject matter and are therefore not to be considered for limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments. The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figures. The illustrated embodiments of the subject matter will be best understood by reference to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals throughout. The following description is intended only by way of example, and simply illustrates certain selected embodiments of devices, systems, and methods that are consistent with the subject matter as claimed herein, wherein:
[0027] FIG. 1 illustrates typical AC remotes exist in the art;
[0028] FIGS. 2 illustrates the interactive air conditioner remote in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0029] FIG. 3 illustrates the interactive air conditioner remote with a negative Backlit LCD with colored segments for different mode icons and pulled out slider in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0030] FIGS. 4A and 4B shows the display of the interactive air conditioner remote with a negative Backlit LCD.
[0031] The figures depict embodiments of the present subject matter for the purposes of illustration only. A person skilled in the art will easily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION
[0032] The detailed description of various exemplary embodiments of the disclosure is described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the embodiments are described herein in such details as to communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of details provided herein is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
[0033] It is also to be understood that various arrangements may be devised that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the present disclosure. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and embodiments of the present disclosure, as well as specific examples, are intended to encompass equivalents thereof.
[0034] The terminology used herein is to describe particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of example embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”, “comprising”, “includes” and/or “including,” when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components and/or groups thereof.
[0035] It should also be noted that in some alternative implementations, the functions/acts noted may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two figures shown in succession may be executed concurrently or may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality/acts involved.
[0036] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which example embodiments belong. It will be further understood that terms, e.g., those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.
[0037] In the following detailed description of the embodiments of the disclosure, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the disclosure may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the disclosure, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The following description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.
[0038] Hereinafter, a description of an embodiment with several components in communication with each other does not imply that all such components are required. On the contrary, a variety of optional components are described to illustrate the wide variety of possible embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0039] In the interactive air conditioner remote of the present disclosure, considering human comfort and to give the feel of ease of use, the interactive air conditioner remote comprises of a negative Backlit LCD with colored segments for mode icons.
[0040] Further, the interactive air conditioner remote of the present disclosure further comprises of a display, with a tilt sensor, to have auto wake-up feature that gets activated when the remote is picked up and which turns-off after inactivity for a pre-determined time.
[0041] Fig. 2 shows the front view of the interactive remote with the tactile feedback pad for basic functionality. While using in the dark mode, the user can easily determine the functionality of a particular button just by touching the same. In the preferred embodiment, the tactile feedback pad is programmed for the ON/OFF functionality and for increase and decrease in the temperature. However, the functionality of the tactile feedback is not limited and the same can be used for other functionalities as well.
[0042] FIG. 3 illustrates the interactive air conditioner remote 100 with a negative Backlit LCD 110 with colored segments for different mode icons and pulled out slider. The remote has a plurality of buttons for different functionality. An intuitive button layout that is clustered under three different groups in the increasing order of usage. Each group is segregated from the other through differences in shape, size and texture of the buttons. The least used one is hidden under a slider so as to reduce the cognitive load on the user.
[0043] The buttons are categorized on the basis of their positioning. The buttons including buttons for increasing the temperature and power button provided on the tactile pad 121 are known as primary buttons 120. Tactile Band made up of textured rubber and embossed symbols improves discoverability during no light settings. The buttons.
[0044] The buttons provide below the primary button on the front surface of the remote including buttons for Fan, Mode, Turbo, V-Swing, Display and H-Swing are known as secondary buttons 130.
[0045] The remote has a slider in portion and a plurality of buttons provided on the slider can be accessed by pulling out the slider by way of sliding. The buttons provided on the slider including Sleep, Eco, On-Timer, My mode, Wi-Fi, Off Timer, 5-in-1, Constant and Humidity are categorized as tertiary buttons 140.
[0046] Fig. 4A and 4B shows the display of the interactive air conditioner remote with a negative Backlit LCD 100 with colored segments for mode icons. In the preferred embodiment, the backlight color is cool white. Negative LCD increases the contrast of the icons and helps in low light visibility. Further as shown in figure, the cool mode has a blue color segment, heat mode has red/orange color segment, dry mode has a yellow color segment and fan mode has a grey color segment, however, these are not limited and can be changed according to the preference. Mode and Eco settings are highlighted by coloring their respective icons. This improves the legibility of the icons and helps in clear differentiation. This comes particularly handy for those with limited vision.
[0047] Further, in the preferred embodiment, the LCD 110 has auto wake-up feature which gets activated when the remote is picked up. A tilt sensor is used for the same functionality.
[0048] In addition, the LCD 110 has an auto turn-off feature which gets activated (turns off the display) after an inactivity for a predetermined period which may be set by the manufacturer of the interactive AC Remote.
[0049] A tilt sensor which wakes up the remote from standby mode whenever the user picks it up and makes the backlight glow. This feature improves discoverability of the remote in low light settings. Alternatively, for longer period of inaction the sensor puts the remote into a stand-by mode wherein the display turns off barring some icons thereby ensuring longer battery life.
[0050] To provide the auto wake up feature and auto turn-off feature, the remote has a microcontroller interfaced with display and tilt sensor. The microcontroller is configured to receive signal from tilt sensor and power off the display after a predetermined time when the remote is not in use for auto turn-off feature. The microcontroller is also configured to receive signal from tilt sensor and power on the display when the remote comes in use for auto wake up feature.
[0040] The foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the invention has been presented for the purpose of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive, nor is it intended to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the disclosed embodiment may be modified in light of the above teachings.
,CLAIMS:We claim:
1. An interactive remote 100 for controlling an air conditioner, the remote controller comprising:
a tactile feedback pad 121;
a plurality of buttons on the pad and remote clustered under different groups for allowing an user to provide commands;
a display 110 indicating icons for various modes;
a tilt sensor for sensing whether the remote is in use;
a microcontroller interfaced with display, the plurality of buttons and tilt sensor,
wherein the microcontroller is configured to receive commands provided by user through plurality of buttons and to receive signal from tilt sensor and provide output to display.

2. The interactive remote 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of buttons 120 provided on the tactile pad 121 comprises at least a button for allowing the user to power ON /OFF and at least a button for allowing the user to increasing temperature and at least a button for decreasing temperature to provide command for setting temperature and the microcontroller provide output to display for displaying the set temperature.

3. The interactive remote 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the display 110 is a negative backlit LCD display with a plurality of colored segments for indicating of icons for various modes.

4. The interactive remote 100 as claimed in claim 3, wherein, the backlight color is cool white.

5. The interactive remote 100 as claimed in claim 3, wherein each icon is configured to indicate a mode with different colour and the mode is selected from the group comprises cool, heat, dry, fan, and auto.

6. The interactive remote 100 as claimed in claim 4, the cool mode has a blue color segment, heat mode has red/orange color segment, dry mode has a yellow color segment and fan mode has a grey color segment.

7. The interactive remote 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the microcontroller is configured to receive signal from tilt sensor and power off the display after a predetermined time when the remote is not in use.

8. The interactive remote 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the microcontroller is configured to receive signal from tilt sensor and power on the display when the remote comes in use.

9. The interactive remote 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of buttons 130 provided on front surface of remote comprises buttons for allowing the user to change orientation of swing of air conditioner, at least a button for fan, and buttons for selecting modes such as turbo, sleep, eco.

10. The interactive remote as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of buttons including buttons 140 provided on a slider provided in the remote which can be accessed by pulling out the slider by way of sliding, the buttons 140 provided on the slider comprises buttons for Sleep, Eco, On-Timer, My mode, Wi-Fi, Off Timer, 5-in-1, Constant and Humidity.