AIR CONDITIONER AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING AN AIR CONDITIONER

Abstract

An air conditioner and a method for controlling an air conditioner are provided. The air conditioner may include a case that forms a space therein with an open lower side; a panel that is disposed at lower side of the case, and has an inlet and a plurality of outlets disposed around the inlet; a fan that is disposed in the case; a plurality of wind adjuster that is disposed in each of the plurality of outlets, and adjusts a direction of air flowing through each of the plurality of outlets; a camera that obtains an image of an indoor space; and a controller that controls the plurality of wind adjusters based on image information obtained from the camera. The controller may divide the plurality of outlets into a first area outlet and a second area outlet, and adjust each of the plurality of wind adjusters so that airflows of air discharged through the first area outlet and airflows of air discharged through the second area outlet are formed differently.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to Korean Application No. 10-2021-0096540, filed in Korea on Jul. 22, 2021, whose entire disclosure is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

An air conditioner and a method for controlling an air conditioner are disclosed herein.

2. Background

An air conditioner may be installed on a wall surface, a floor surface, or a ceiling of an indoor space depending on a structure. A ceiling-type air conditioner may be mounted on a ceiling, and discharge heat-exchanged air downward. In addition, the ceiling-type air conditioner includes a plurality of outlets opened in different directions, and thus, may discharge the heat-exchanged air to a plurality of areas.

In the ceiling-type air conditioner, when wind adjusters disposed in the plurality of outlets are identically controlled, the same air flow is formed over an entire area. Such air discharge forms the same air flow over the entire area, so that the temperature can be uniformly changed in a plurality of directions of the indoor space.

Korea Patent Registration No. KR 10-2034663 B1, which is hereby incorporated by reference, discloses detecting a temperature of a floor, and controlling a wind adjuster disposed in a plurality of outlets based on the temperature of the floor. However, the control in the above mentioned document can perform a control according to the temperature of the floor, but there is a problem in that an unnecessary air control can be accomplished for an area where a user does not mainly live or cannot live.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the following drawings in which like reference numerals refer to like elements, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an air conditioner according to an embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of one side of the air conditioner according to the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view for explaining an outlet and a wind adjuster of the air conditioner according to the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4A is a view for explaining a disposition at a first position of the wind adjuster according to the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4B is a view for explaining a disposition at a second position of the wind adjuster according to the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4C is a view for explaining a disposition at a third position of the wind adjuster according to the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5A is a view for explaining an airflow range according to a disposition of the wind adjuster in a heating mode of an air conditioner according to an embodiment;

FIG. 5B is a view for explaining an airflow range according to a disposition of the wind adjuster in a cooling mode of an air conditioner according to an embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a controller of an air conditioner according to an embodiment;

FIG. 7A is a view for explaining a corresponding area of an air conditioner and an output unit according to an embodiment, where (a) is a view of an embodiment in which the output unit is partitioned, and (b) is a view showing a disposition of an outlet of the air conditioner;

FIG. 7B is a view for explaining a corresponding area of an air conditioner and an output unit according to an embodiment, where (a) is a view of another embodiment in which the output unit is partitioned, and (b) is a view showing a disposition of an outlet of the air conditioner;

FIG. 8A is an image which is a divided image output to the output unit according to an embodiment;

FIG. 8B is a view illustrating a cumulative detection area of a human body in a cumulative image of FIG. 8A;

FIG. 8C is a view in which a living area and a non-living area are divided in the output unit based on the view of FIG. 8B;

FIG. 9 is graph showing a change in airflow setting for each outlet according to a temperature change in an indoor space;

FIG. 10A is a view for explaining air flow for each outlet in an indirect air flow of FIG. 9;

FIG. 10B is a view for explaining air flow for each outlet in a direct air flow of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of a method for controlling an air conditioner according to an embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a flowchart of a method for controlling an air conditioner embodying a living area determination operation of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a flowchart of a method for controlling an air conditioner embodying an airflow control operation for each outlet of FIG. 11;

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of one side of an air conditioner according to another embodiment;

FIG. 15A is a view for explaining a disposition at a first position of a wind adjuster according to the embodiment of FIG. 14;

FIG. 15B is a view for explaining a disposition at a second position of the wind adjuster according to the embodiment of FIG. 14;

FIG. 15C is a view for explaining a disposition at a third position of the wind adjuster according to the embodiment of FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of one side of an air conditioner according to still another embodiment;

FIG. 17A is a view for explaining a disposition at a first position of a wind adjuster according to the embodiment of FIG. 16;

FIG. 17B is a view for explaining a disposition at a second position of the wind adjuster according to the embodiment of FIG. 16;

FIG. 17C is a view for explaining a disposition at a third position of the wind adjuster according to the embodiment of FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of one side of an air conditioner according to yet another embodiment;

FIG. 19A is a view for explaining an air flow according to a first rotational speed of a wind adjuster according to the embodiment of FIG. 18;

FIG. 19B is a view for explaining an air flow according to a second rotational speed of the wind adjuster according to the embodiment of FIG. 18; and

FIG. 19C is a view for explaining an air flow according to a third rotational speed of the wind adjuster according to the embodiment of FIG. 18.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Advantages and features of embodiments and methods of achieving them will become apparent with reference to the embodiments described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, the embodiments are not limited to the embodiments disclosed below, but may be implemented in various different forms, and these embodiments are provided only to allow the embodiments to be complete, and to completely inform those of ordinary skill in the art to which the embodiments belong, the scope, and the embodiments are only defined by the scope of the claims. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings for explaining a method of controlling an air conditioner according to embodiments.

An air conditioner according to an embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4C. The air conditioner may be an air conditioner 100 mounted on a ceiling. Referring to FIG. 1, the air conditioner 100 may include an inlet 122 opened downward, and an outlet 124 which is disposed around the inlet 122 and opened downward.

Referring to FIG. 2, the air conditioner 100 may include a case 110 that forms a space therein and is opened downward, a panel 120 which is disposed in or at a lower side of the case 110 and forms the inlet 122 and the outlet 124, a fan 112 disposed inside of the case 110, a fan motor 114 that rotates the fan 112, a heat exchanger 116 which is disposed inside of the case 110, and exchanges the air flowing by the fan 112, and a wind adjuster 130 which is disposed in the outlet 124 and adjusts a wind direction of flowing air.

Referring to FIG. 1, in the panel 120, the outlet 124 may include a plurality of outlets 124a, 124b, 124c, and 124d spaced apart from each other and formed around the inlet 122. The outlet 124 may include first outlet 124a, second outlet 124b, third outlet 124c, and fourth outlet 124d. Each of the first outlet 124a, the second outlet 124b, the third outlet 124c, and the fourth outlet 124d may be sequentially adjacent to each other, and disposed in a direction perpendicular to each other based on the inlet 122. In each of the first outlet 124a, the second outlet 124b, the third outlet 124c, and the fourth outlet 124d, a first wind adjuster 130a, a second wind adjuster 130b, a third wind adjuster 130c, and a fourth wind adjuster 130d are disposed. As a configuration of one outlet 124 and wind adjuster 130 disposed therein described hereinafter may be applied to the other outlets and wind adjusters disposed therein, common reference numerals are used.

Referring to FIG. 3, the wind adjuster 130 may include a first vane 140 connected to two links 160 and 170, and a second vane 150 which is connected to one link that is connected to the first vane 140, and has one side that is rotatably connected to the panel 120. The first vane 140 and the second vane 150 disposed in each of the first outlet 124, the second outlet 124, the third outlet 124, and the fourth outlet 124 may be disposed in different positions.

The first vane 140 may cover the outlet 124 or may be disposed in or at a lower side of the outlet 124. The first vane 140 may be formed to be longer than the second vane 150.

Referring to FIG. 3, the first vane 140 may be disposed in or at a lower side than the second vane 150, in a stopped state in which the fan 112 does not operate. The first vane 140 may include a first vane plate 142 that guides a wind direction of flowing air, and a first link plate 144 which protrudes upward from both ends in a leftward-rightward or lateral direction of the first vane plate 142 and is connected to the plurality of links 160 and 170.

The second vane 150 may include a second vane plate 152, a second link plate 154 that protrudes upward from both ends in the leftward-rightward direction of the second vane plate 152 and is connected to a third link 180, and a connector 156 which is disposed in the leftward-rightward direction of the second vane plate 152 and connected to the panel 120. The second vane plate 152 may be formed in a curved shape. However, as another embodiment, the second vane plate 152 may have a flat shape.

Referring to FIG. 3, the wind adjuster 130 may include first link 160 rotatably connected to the panel 120 and the first vane 140, and second link 170 which is spaced apart from the first link 160 and rotatably connected to the panel 120 and the first vane 140. Referring to FIG. 3, the wind adjuster 130 may include third link 180 rotatably connected to one end of the first link 160 and the second vane 150.

The first link 160 may be rotatably connected to the first vane 140 and the second vane 150. The first link 160 may be connected to a vane motor (not shown) to rotate. The first link 160 may include a panel connection portion 162 rotatably connected to the panel 120, a first link bar 164 which extends from the panel connection portion 162 toward the first vane 140 and has a distal end rotatably connected to the first vane 140, and a second link bar 166 which extends from the panel connection portion 162 toward the second vane 150 and has a distal end rotatably connected to the second vane 150.

Referring to FIG. 4A, a length 164L of the first link bar 164 may be formed to be longer than a length 166L of the second link bar 166. The length 164L of the first link bar 164 may be formed to be shorter than a length 170L of the second link 170. The length 164L of the first link bar 164 may be formed to be longer than a length 180L of the third link 180.

The first link 160 may be disposed more adjacent to the inlet 122 than the second link 170. A disposition of the first vane 140 may be changed by the first link 160 and the second link 170. As the disposition of the first vane 140 is changed by the first link 160 and the second link 170, the first vane 140 may be disposed to be spaced downward from the outlet 124. The first vane 140 may be elevated downward from the outlet 124, and then an inclination may be changed in a direction perpendicular to ground. A first end 151a of the second vane 150 may move downward, and then the first end 151a may move inwardly and outwardly according to the disposition of the third link 180.

Referring to FIG. 3, a first end 141a, 151a of each of the first vane 140 and the second vane 150 may be disposed at a distance to the inlet 122, and a second end 141b, 151b may be adjacent to the inlet 122. Hereinafter, the first vane 140 and the second vane 150 will be described.

The second vane 150 may be rotatably connected to the panel 120 in an inward direction with respect to the first vane 140. The direction adjacent to or toward the inlet 122 may be set as an inward direction, and the direction away from the inlet 122 may be set as an outward direction.

Referring to FIGS. 4A to 4C, the wind adjuster 130 according to this embodiment may adjust the wind direction of the air discharged through the outlet 124 according to a disposition thereof.

Referring to FIG. 4A, the wind adjuster 130 may be disposed in a first position P1 for transmitting the air discharged through the outlet 124 in a direction horizontal to a ground. Referring to FIG. 4A, when the wind adjuster 130 is disposed in the first position P1, the first vane 140 may be disposed substantially horizontal to the ground. Referring to FIG. 4A, when the wind adjuster 130 is disposed in the first position P1, the first vane 140 may form a first inclination angle θ1 within 30 degrees with respect to a virtual horizontal line parallel to the ground. The first inclination angle θ1 is an inclination angle formed between a virtual horizontal line parallel to the ground and the first vane 140, and may vary depending on the disposition of the first vane 140.

Referring to FIG. 4A, when the wind adjuster 130 is disposed in the first position P1, the second end 141b of the first vane 140 may be disposed adjacent to the first end 151a of the second vane 150. The second end 141b of the first vane 140 may be disposed to face the first end 151a of the second vane 150.

Referring to FIG. 4A, when the wind adjuster 130 is disposed in the first position P1, the first inclination angle θ1 between the first vane 140 and the virtual horizontal line may be formed to be smaller than a second inclination angle θ2 (or ‘second inclination angle between the second vane and a virtual horizontal line’) between a virtual line connecting the first end 151a and the second end 151b of the second vane 150 and a virtual horizontal line. The second inclination angle θ2 is an inclination angle formed between a virtual line connecting the first end 151a and the second end 151b of the second vane 150 and a virtual horizontal line, and may vary depending on the disposition of the second vane 150.

Accordingly, the air flowing downward through the outlet 124 may sequentially flow through or along the second vane 150 and the first vane 140. Referring to FIG. 4A, when the wind adjuster 130 is disposed in the first position P1, the air discharged from the outlet 124 may flow in a direction horizontal to the ground.

Referring to FIG. 4B, the first vane 140 and the second vane 150 may be disposed in a second position P2 for transmitting the air discharged from the outlet 124 in a direction perpendicular to the ground. Referring to FIG. 4B, when the wind adjuster 130 is disposed in the second position P2, the first vane 140 may be disposed substantially perpendicular to the ground. Referring to FIG. 4B, when the wind adjuster 130 is disposed in the second position P2, the first vane 140 may form a first inclination angle θ1 of 60 degrees or more with respect to a virtual horizontal line parallel to the ground.

Referring to FIG. 4B, when the wind adjuster 130 is disposed in the second position P2, the second end 141b of the first vane 140 may be disposed to be spaced apart from the first end 151a of the second vane 150. Referring to FIG. 4B, when the wind adjuster 130 is disposed in the second position P2, the second end 141b of the first vane 140 may be disposed in the upper side or higher than the first end 151a of the second vane 150.

Referring to FIG. 4B, when the wind adjuster 130 is disposed in the second position P2, the second end 141b of the first vane 140 is disposed to face to the upper side or higher than the second end 151b of the second vane 150. Referring to FIG. 4B, when the wind adjuster 130 is disposed in the second position P2, the first vane 140 and the second vane 150 may be disposed substantially parallel to each other.

Referring to FIG. 4B, when the wind adjuster 130 is disposed in a second position P2, the first inclination angle θ1 between the first vane 140 and the virtual horizontal line is formed similarly to the second inclination angle θ2 between the second vane 150 and the virtual horizontal line. Referring to FIG. 4B, when the wind adjuster 130 is disposed in the second position P2, the air discharged from the outlet 124 may flow in a direction perpendicular to the ground.

Referring to FIG. 4C, the first vane 140 and the second vane 150 may be disposed in a third position P3 which transmits the air discharged from the outlet 124 in an inclined direction with respect to the ground. When the wind adjuster 130 is disposed in the third position P3, the air discharged through the first vane 140 and the second vane 150 is directed more toward a lower side than the horizontal wind or airflow in the first position P1, and may form an inclined wind or airflow that is directed more toward an upper side than the vertical airflow wind in the second position P2.

Referring to FIG. 4C, when the wind adjuster 130 is disposed in the third position P3, the first vane 140 may be disposed at an inclination angle between the first vane 140 when the wind adjuster 130 is disposed in the first position P1, and the first vane 140 when the wind adjuster 130 is disposed in the second position P2. Referring to FIG. 4C, when the wind adjuster 130 is disposed in the third position P3, the first vane 140 may form a first inclination angle θ1 of 30 degrees or more and 60 degrees or less with respect to a virtual horizontal line parallel to the ground.

When the wind adjuster 130 is disposed in the third position P3, a spaced distance between the second end 141b of the first vane 140 and the first end 151a of the second vane 150 is formed to be longer than a spaced distance between the second end 141b of the first vane 140 and the first end 151a of the second vane 150 in the first position. When the wind adjuster 130 is disposed in the third position P3, a spaced distance between the second end 141b of the first vane 140 and the first end 151a of the second vane 150 is formed to be shorter than a spaced distance between the second end 141b of the first vane 140 and the first end 151a of the second vane 150 when the wind adjuster 130 is disposed in the second position P2.

When the wind adjuster 130 is disposed in the first position P1, it is possible to form an indirect wind, that is, direct the air discharged through the outlet in a direction horizontal to the ground. When the wind adjuster 130 is disposed in the second position P2, it is possible to form a vertical wind, that is, direct the air discharged through the outlet in a direction perpendicular to the ground. When the wind adjuster 130 is disposed in the third position P3, it is possible to form an inclined wind, that is, direct the air discharged through the outlet in a direction between the indirect wind and the vertical wind.

Referring to FIGS. 5A and 5B, the air discharged through the outlet 124 may be divided into three directions in an up-and-down side direction by the wind adjuster 130. When the wind adjuster 130 is disposed in the first position P1, the air discharged from the outlet 124 may flow in an upward or lateral direction. When the wind adjuster 130 is disposed in the second position P2, the air discharged from the outlet 124 may flow in a downward direction. When the wind adjuster 130 is disposed in the third position P3, the air discharged from the outlet 124 may flow in an intermediate direction between the upward direction and the downward direction.

In the range of the airflow according to the first position P1, the second position P2, and the third position P3 of the wind adjuster 130, in the case of the third position P3, the airflow is formed to be lower than the airflow at the first position P1, and to be higher than the airflow at the second position P2. In a cooling condition and a heating condition, the range of the airflow of the wind adjuster 130 according to the first position P1, the second position P2, and the third position P3 may be different.

Referring to FIGS. 5A and 5B, when the wind adjuster 130 is disposed in the first position P1, the air discharged from the outlet 124 may flow in a first direction D1. The first direction D1 may mean that the angle, which is formed between a direction in which the main airflow of the air discharged from the outlet 124 flows and the ground, is formed in a range of 0 degrees to 30 degrees. The first direction D1 may be formed in the same manner under the heating condition or the cooling condition.

Referring to FIGS. 5A and 5B, when the wind adjuster 130 is disposed in the second position P2, the air discharged from the outlet 124 may flow in a second direction D2. The second direction D2 may be formed to have a different range under the heating condition and the cooling condition. Referring to FIG. 5A, in the heating condition, the second direction D2 may mean that the angle, which is formed between a direction in which the main airflow of the air discharged from the outlet 124 flows and a ground, is formed in a range of 60 degrees to 90 degrees. Referring to FIG. 5B, in the cooling condition, the second direction D2 may mean that the angle, which is formed between a direction in which the main airflow of the air discharged from the outlet 124 flows and the ground, is formed in a range of 45 degrees to 90 degrees.

Referring to FIGS. 5A and 5B, when the wind adjuster 130 is disposed in the third position P3, the air discharged from the outlet 124 may flow in a third direction D3. The third direction D3 may be formed to have a different range under the heating condition and the cooling condition. Referring to FIG. 5A, in the heating condition, the third direction D3 may mean that the angle, which is formed between a direction in which the main airflow of the air discharged from the outlet 124 flows and a ground, is formed in a range of 30 degrees to 60 degrees. Referring to FIG. 5B, in the cooling condition, the third direction D3 may mean that the angle, which is formed between a direction in which the main airflow of the air discharged from the outlet 124 flows and the ground, is formed in a range of 45 degrees to 60 degrees.

The angle ranges of the first direction D1, the second direction D2, and the third direction D3 are exemplary for this embodiment, and may be set differently depend on a space in which the air conditioner is disposed or a structure of the air conditioner. In addition, in FIGS. 5A to 5B, there are three divided areas, but there may be 4 to 6 subdivided areas.

The air conditioner according to an embodiment may include a camera 510 which is disposed in or at one side of the panel 120, and obtains image information of an indoor space, an output unit 530 that outputs the image information obtained from the camera 510, a temperature sensor 520 that detects a temperature of the indoor space, and a controller 500 that adjusts the wind adjuster 130 based on the image information obtained from the camera 510.

Referring to FIG. 7A (a), the output unit 530 may be divided into a plurality of areas. The output unit 530 of FIG. 7A(a) may be divided into a plurality of areas (I, II, III, IV, V, VI) which are divided based on a direction in which the plurality of outlets 124a, 124b, 124c, and 124d disposed in the air conditioner of FIG. 7A(b) are directed.

Referring to FIG. 7A(a), the area displayed on the output unit 530 may be divided into first area (I), second area (II), third area (III), and fourth area (IV) based on the outlet 124a, 124b, 124c, and 124d shown in FIG. 7A(b). In addition, according to a screen display of the output unit 530, an additional area may be divided into fifth area (V) and sixth area (VI) outside of the second area (II) and the fourth area (IV).

Referring to FIG. 7B(a), the area displayed on the output unit 530 may be divided into first area (I), second area (II), third area (III), and fourth area (IV) based on the outlet 124a, 124b, 124c, and 124d shown in FIG. 7A(b). In addition, an additional area may be divided into fifth area (V) and sixth area (VI) outside of the second area (II) and the fourth area (IV), and an additional area may be divided into seventh area (V) and eighth area (VI) outside of the first area (I) and the third area (III).

The controller 500 may determine a living area of an occupant based on an image obtained by the camera 510. The controller 500 may capture an image photographed by the camera 510, and detect a human body based on the obtained image. In addition, by accumulating position information of the human body based on the accumulated image information, it is possible to determine an area in which the position information of the human body is accumulated as a living area.

The camera 510 may include an image sensor (not shown) that converts light into an electrical signal. The image sensor may include a plurality of photodiodes corresponding to a plurality of pixels constituting an image. The image sensor may be, for example, a charged coupled device (CCD) sensor or a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) sensor; however, embodiments are not limited thereto.

The air conditioner may further include a lens through which light emitted from a subject passes, and a digital signal processor which constructs and processes an image based on a signal output from the image sensor, for example. The digital signal processor may be configured as at least a portion of the controller 500, or may be configured as a separate processor operated independently of the controller 500. For example, when the digital signal processor is configured as a separate processor, the image processed by the digital signal processor may be stored in a storage unit 540 by the controller 500 intactly or after additional processing.

The controller 500 may process the image obtained through the image sensor. For example, the controller 500 may remove noise from an image, or may perform signal processing, such as gamma correction, color filter array interpolation, color matrix, color correction, and color enhancement for an image, for example.

The controller 500 may detect an object included in the image using at least one method. For example, the controller 500 may extract a feature point included in the image through a method, such as scale invariant feature transform (SIFT), and histogram of oriented gradient (HOG), for example, and may detect an object included in the image based on the extracted feature point. In this case, the controller 500 may detect the object included in the image by determining a boundary of the object through an algorithm, such as a support vector machine (SVM), and Adaboost, for example.

The controller 500 may detect a motion of an object included in the plurality of images, based on a result of processing the plurality of images. For example, the controller 500 may calculate a motion vector for a plurality of pixels constituting the object detected from the image using a dense optical flow method, for example, and may compute the motion of the object based on the calculated motion vector. In this embodiment, it is described that a dense optical flow method is used; however, embodiments are not limited thereto, and a sparse optical flow method of calculating a motion vector for some characteristic pixels may be used, for example.

The controller 500 may determine an amount of activity of the object detected from the image. For example, the controller 500 may determine the amount of activity of the object included in the image, according to a value obtained by dividing a sum of magnitudes of motion vectors for pixels constituting the object by a number of pixels constituting the object.

The air conditioner according to embodiments may include the storage unit 540 that stores an image obtained from the camera 510 and a timer 550 that measures an image acquisition time of the camera 510. The storage unit 540 may sequentially store images obtained from the camera 510.

After a set or predetermined time measured by the timer 550, the controller 500 may classify the user's living area from the accumulated image information obtained from the camera, thereby increasing accuracy of classification between the living area and the non-living area.

Referring to FIGS. 8A to 8C, based on the image information obtained from the camera 510, the first area (I), the fourth area (IV), and the sixth area (VI) may be determined as the living area, and the second area (II), the third area (III), and the fifth area (V) may be determined as the non-living area. At this time, the outlet 124a and 124d disposed to face the first area (I), the fourth area (IV), and the sixth area (VI) may be set as a first area outlet 124-1, and the outlet 124b and 124c disposed to face the second area (II), the third area (III), and the fifth area (V) may be set as a second area outlet 124-2.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 8A, the screen displayed on the output unit 530 may be divided into a plurality of areas based on the area where the outlet is disposed. The image shown in FIG. 8A is an image photographed from a ceiling through the camera 510 disposed in or at one side of the panel 120.

As shown in FIG. 8B, an area in which a human body is detected is extracted based on the accumulated image information. Based on the data extracted in FIG. 8B, the area divided in the output unit 530 is divided into a living area and a non-living area, as shown in FIG. 8C.

The controller 500 may receive human body detection data including a result of recognizing an occupant's position from the image information obtained from the camera 510, and may accumulate the received human body detection data. The controller 500 may generate a histogram, if a certain number or more of data is accumulated while accumulating and counting human body detection data.

The controller 500 may use the generated histogram as input data to classify a living area and a non-living area based on machine learning. The machine learning may use a technique, such as a support vector machine (SVM) or Adaboost, for example, and more specifically, use a deep learning technique.

The controller 500 may include an artificial neural network pre-learned by machine learning, generate a histogram for each of a plurality of areas, and use the generated histogram as input data of the artificial neural network to classify the living area and the non-living area. In addition, while repeatedly performing the above process, the controller 500 may collect a plurality of classification result, and finally classify the plurality of areas of the indoor space into living area and non-living area based on the collected result. That is, by deriving the final result when the living area classification result is accumulated over a certain number, reliability of the living area recognition result may be secured, and temporary errors in the non-living area caused by the human body detection error may be removed.

The controller 500 may adjust a first area wind adjuster 130 disposed in the first area outlet 124-1 disposed in the living area. The controller 500 may adjust a second area wind adjuster 130 disposed in the second area outlet 124-2 disposed in the non-living area.

The controller 500 may adjust the second wind adjuster 130 to uniformly form or control a discharge direction of the second area outlet 124-2 disposed in the non-living area. The controller 500 may adjust the first area wind adjuster 130 so that the discharge direction or airflow of the first area outlet 124-1 disposed in the living area is formed to be higher or lower than the discharge direction or airflow of the second area outlet 124-2.

The controller 500 may adjust the wind adjuster 130 based on the temperature of the indoor space detected by the temperature sensor 520 and a desired temperature set by a user. The controller 500 may adjust the wind adjuster 130 depending on whether the temperature of the indoor space detected by the temperature sensor 520 is within or outside a set or predetermined temperature range.

The set temperature range may be set to a value which is obtained by considering a correction temperature for the desired temperature set by a user. The desired temperature may be set by a user. The correction temperature may be set according to a use environment, for example.

That is, the set temperature range may be set to a desired temperature±a correction temperature. Referring to FIG. 9, when the correction temperature is set to 2 degrees, the controller 500 may determine as the set temperature range from an area that is 2 degrees higher than the desired temperature.

The controller 500 may adjust the second area wind adjuster 130 so that the air discharged from the second area outlet 124-2 flows in the third direction D3. Referring to FIGS. 10A to 10B the air discharged from the second area outlet 124-2 may be formed uniformly regardless of the temperature of the indoor space. However, the air discharged from the second area outlet 124-2 may have different up-and-down side airflows depending on the cooling condition or the heating condition.

The controller 500 may adjust the first area wind adjuster 130 so that the air discharged from the first area outlet 124-1 flows in the first direction D1 or the third direction D3. Referring to FIG. 10A, when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 520 is beyond the set temperature range, the first area wind adjuster 130 may be controlled so that the air discharged from the first area outlet 124-1 flows in the second direction D2 which is lower than the third direction D3. Referring to FIG. 10B, when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 520 is within the set temperature range, the first area wind adjuster 130 may be controlled so that the air discharged from the first area outlet 124-1 flows in the first direction D1 which is higher than the third direction D3.

Hereinafter, a method for controlling an air conditioner will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 to 13.

The air conditioner is operated, and the camera 510 goes through a step or operation S100 of obtaining image information. The camera 510 may be disposed in or at one side of the panel 120 to photograph the lower space from a ceiling of an indoor space.

Thereafter, the controller 500 undergoes a step or operation S200 of determining a living area with respect to a space photographed by the camera 510, based on the accumulated data of image information obtained by the camera 510. In the step S200 of determining the living area, a portion having a high accumulated detection of the human body may be classified as a living area, and the remaining area may be classified as a non-living area. In the step S200 of determining the living area, the plurality of outlets 124a, 124b, 124c and 124d may be classified into a first area outlet 124-1 facing the living area and a second area outlet 124-2 facing the non-living area.

Referring to FIG. 12, the step S200 of determining as the living area and the non-living area may include a step or operation S210 of detecting a human body with respect to the image obtained from the camera 510, and a step or operation S220 of accumulating position information of the human body. The controller 500 may capture the image photographed by the camera 510, and detect a human body based on the obtained image. In addition, an area in which the position information of the human body is accumulated may be determined as a living area, by accumulating the position information of the human body based on the accumulated image information.

The controller 500 may determine an area in which the human body information is accumulated as a living area, and may determine the remaining area as a non-living area, based on the plurality of areas partitioned in the output unit 530. The step S200 of determining as the living area and the non-living area may include a step or operation S230 of determining whether a set or predetermined time for the camera 510 to obtain image information has elapsed. When the set time for the camera 510 to acquire image information is elapsed, the controller 500 may divide the indoor space into the living area and the non-living area through the accumulated data of the position information of the human body. When the accumulated position information of the human body is determined based on data over a certain or predetermined period of time, the accuracy of the occupant's actual life area and non-living area may be improved.

The controller 500 may perform a step or operation S300 of controlling the airflow for each outlet. The controller 500 may set the outlet disposed in a direction toward the living area as the first area outlet 124-1, and set the outlet disposed in a direction toward the non-living area as the second area outlet 124-2, among the plurality of outlets formed in the air conditioner.

The controller 500 may control the wind adjuster 130 so that the airflow of the air discharged from the first area outlet 124-1 and the airflow of the air discharged from the second area outlet 124-2 are set differently in the up-and-down side direction. The wind adjuster 130 may be divided into a first area wind adjuster 130 disposed in the first area outlet 124-1, and a second area wind adjuster 130 disposed in the second area outlet 124-2.

The step S300 of adjusting the wind adjuster may maintain the airflow discharged from the second area outlet 124-2 uniformly, and may form the airflow discharged from the first area outlet 124-1 to be higher or lower than the air flow discharged from the second area outlet 124-2. The step S300 of controlling the airflow for each outlet may include a step or operation S310 of detecting a temperature of the indoor space by a temperature sensor, and a step or operation S320 of determining whether the temperature of the indoor space detected by the temperature sensor is included in a set or predetermined temperature range.

When the temperature of the indoor space detected by the temperature sensor 520 is within the set temperature range, the wind adjuster 130 may be controlled so that the airflow of the air discharged from the first area outlet 124-1 is set to be higher than the airflow of the air discharged from the second area outlet 124-2 (S330). That is, referring to FIGS. 5A and 5B, the wind adjuster 130 may be controlled so that the air discharged from the second area outlet 124-2 flows in the third direction D3, and the air discharged from the first area outlet 124-1 may flow in the first direction D1.

In addition, when the temperature of the indoor space detected by the temperature sensor 520 is beyond the set temperature range, the wind adjuster 130 may be controlled so that the airflow of the air discharged from the first area outlet 124-1 is formed to be lower than the airflow of the air discharged from the second area outlet 124-2 (S340). That is, referring to FIGS. 5A and 5B, the wind adjuster 130 may be controlled so that the air discharged from the second area outlet 124-2 flows in the third direction D3, and the air discharged from the first area outlet 124-1 flows in the second direction D2.

However, when a user sets an indirect wind as a preferred wind, the wind adjuster 130 may be controlled so that the air discharged from the first area outlet 124-1 flows in the first direction D1, and the air discharged from the second area outlet 124-2 flows in the second direction D2. The user may set a preferred wind through an input unit, such as a remote controller (not shown). The indirect wind refers to a case in which a vane is disposed so that the air flow is not directly transmitted to a user.

When the user sets the indirect wind as the preferred wind, only an indirect air flow is set in the first area outlet 124-1 for discharging air to the living area. Accordingly, the first area outlet 124-1 discharges air in the first direction D1. However, when the indoor temperature is beyond the set temperature range, the second area outlet 124-2 for discharging air to the non-living area may discharge air in the second direction D2 so as to quickly reach the set temperature.

The step S300 of adjusting the wind adjuster may maintain the airflow discharged from the second area outlet 124-2 uniformly, and may form the airflow discharged from the first area outlet 124-1 to be higher or lower than the air flow discharged from the second area outlet 124-2.

Hereinafter, an air conditioner according to another embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 14 and 15C. Air conditioner 200 according to this embodiment is different from the air conditioner 100 according to the previous embodiment with respect to a wind adjuster. Accordingly, in the following description excluding the wind adjuster 230, description of the air conditioner 100 according to the previous embodiment may be substituted.

Wind adjuster 230 of the air conditioner 200 according to this embodiment includes one vane 240 disposed in each outlet 224, and a vane motor (not shown) that drives the vane 240. A disposition of the vane 240 is varied by operation of the vane motor.

Referring to FIGS. 15A to 15C, the wind adjuster 230 may adjust a wind direction of air flowing through outlet 224 by varying an inclination angle of the vane 240 disposed in the outlet 224. The vane 240 may be disposed to close the outlet 224, or to control the wind direction of the air flowing through the outlet 224.

Referring to FIG. 15A, the wind adjuster 230 may be disposed in a first position P1 in which the vane 240 is disposed substantially parallel to a virtual horizontal line parallel to a ground. When the wind adjuster 230 is disposed in the first position P1, the vanes 240 may form an inclination angle θ within 30 degrees with respect to a virtual horizontal line HL. The inclination angle θ is formed between the vane 240 and the virtual horizontal line HL, and may vary depending on the disposition of the vane 240.

Referring to FIG. 15B, the wind adjuster 230 may be disposed in a second position P2 in which the vane 240 is disposed substantially perpendicular to a horizontal line parallel to the ground. When the wind adjuster 230 is disposed in the second position P2, an inclination angle θ of 60 degrees or more may be formed with respect to the virtual horizontal line HL.

Referring to FIG. 15C, the wind adjuster 230 may be disposed in a third position P3 in which the vane 240 forms an angle between the first position P1 and the second position P2. When the wind adjuster 230 is disposed in the third position P3, an inclination angle θ of 30 degrees or more and 60 degrees or less may be formed with respect to the virtual horizontal line HL.

When the wind adjuster 230 is disposed in the first position P1, an indirect wind, that is, the air discharged through the outlet flows in a direction horizontal to the ground, may be formed. When the wind adjuster 230 is disposed in the second position P2, a vertical wind, that is, the air discharged through the outlet flows in a direction perpendicular to the ground, may be formed. When the wind adjuster 230 is disposed in the third position P3, an inclined wind, that is, the air discharged through the outlet flows in a direction between the indirect wind and the vertical wind, may be formed. As shown in FIGS. 5A to 5B, the air conditioner according to this embodiment may also direct the air discharged from the outlet 224 in the first direction D1, the second direction D2, and the third direction D3, according to the first position P1, the second position P2, and the third position P3 of the wind adjuster 230.

Hereinafter, an air conditioner according to still another embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 16 to 17C. Air conditioner 300 according to this embodiment is different from the air conditioner according to the embodiment of FIG. 1 in configuration and operational structure of the wind adjuster. In addition, a shape of the outlet and disposition of the vanes are different. Accordingly, the description excluding the shape of the outlet and the operation structure of the wind adjuster may be replaced with the description of the air conditioner according to the embodiment of FIG. 1.

In the air conditioner 300 according to this embodiment, a plurality of outlets 324 is formed in an outer circumference of an inlet 322. The inlet 322 has a rectangular shape, and an outlet 324 is formed to be spaced apart from each side forming the inlet 322 to the outside. In addition, the inlet 322 may also have a circular shape. A plurality of outlets 324 may be formed at positions spaced apart from each other in a radial direction from the outer circumference of the circular inlet 322.

In the outlet 324 formed in the air conditioner 300 according to this embodiment, an outer end 324b is disposed at an upper side than an inner end 324a. In addition, a discharge flow path 335 formed in or at the upper side of the outlet 324 has a structure extending outwardly as it progresses from the upper side to a lower side.

The wind adjuster 350 of the air conditioner according to this embodiment may include a vane 340 which is disposed in the panel 320, and protrudes with a variable length to the outlet 324, a vane motor (not shown) which is disposed in the panel 320, and drives the vane 340, and a vane gear 350 which is rotated by the vane motor, and is engaged with the vane 340 to change a disposition of the vane 340. One end of the vane 340 engaged with the vane gear 350 may have a rack gear structure.

The vane 340 may be disposed in or at an inner end 324a of the outlet 324. The vane 340 may be disposed to protrude outward from the inner end 324a of the outlet 324. A length of the vane 340 protruding to the outlet 324 may be varied by operation of the vane motor. The wind adjuster 330 may adjust a wind direction of the air flowing through the outlet 324 according to the length of the vane 340 protruding into the outlet 324.

Referring to FIGS. 17A to 17C, the wind adjuster 330 may adjust the wind direction of the air flowing through the outlet 324, by varying the length of the vane 340 protruding to the outlet 324. Referring to FIG. 17A, the wind adjuster 330 may be disposed in a first position P1 in which the vane 340 protrudes to the outlet 324 to a maximum. When the wind adjuster 330 is disposed in the first position P1, the vane 340 may protrude to the maximum of a protruding range. Accordingly, when the wind adjuster 330 is disposed in the first position P1, the air flowing through the discharge flow path 335 may be guided in a direction horizontal to the ground. When the wind adjuster 330 is disposed in the first position P1, the vanes 340 may be disposed to be lower than the outer end 324b of the outlet 324. Therefore, the air discharged through the outlet 324 may flow in a direction horizontal to the ground along the vane 340.

Referring to FIG. 17B, the wind adjuster 330 may be disposed in a second position P2 in which the vane 340 does not protrude into the outlet 324. When the wind adjuster 330 is disposed in the second position P2, it is disposed so as not to be exposed to the outlet 324. Accordingly, when the wind adjuster 330 is disposed in the second position P2, the air flowing through the discharge flow path 335 may be discharged in a direction substantially perpendicular to the ground through the outlet 324. However, according to a shape of the discharge flow path 335, the air flowing through the outlet 324 is able to flow at some oblique angles to the ground.

Referring to FIG. 17C, the wind adjuster 330 is disposed in a third position P3 in which it protrudes to be shorter than a protrusion length of the vane 340 which is disposed in the first position P1. When the wind adjuster 330 is disposed in the third position P3, the vane 340 protrudes to be longer than the length of the vane 340 protruding to the outlet 324 in the second position P2. When the wind adjuster 330 is disposed in the third position P3, it may protrude a length of ⅓ to ⅔ of a length of the vane 340 protruding to the outlet 324 when the wind adjuster 330 is disposed in the second position P2.

When the wind adjuster 330 is disposed in the first position P1, an indirect wind, that is, the air discharged through the outlet flows in a direction horizontal to the ground, may be formed. When the wind adjuster 330 is disposed in the second position P2, a vertical wind, that is, the air discharged through the outlet flows in a direction perpendicular to the ground, may be formed. When the wind adjuster 330 is disposed in the third position P3, an inclined wind, that is, the air discharged through the outlet flows in a direction between the indirect wind and the vertical wind, may be formed. As in FIGS. 5A to 5B, the air conditioner according to this embodiment may also direct the air discharged from the outlet 324 in the first direction D1, the second direction D2, and the third direction D3, according to the first position P1, the second position P2, and the third position P3 of the wind adjuster 330.

Hereinafter, an air conditioner according to yet another embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 18 to 19C. Air conditioner 400 according to this embodiment is different from the air conditioner according to the embodiment of FIG. 1 in configuration of the wind adjuster. In the air conditioner according to this embodiment, an inlet 422 may have a circular shape, and an outlet 424 may be formed in an annular shape around the inlet 422.

The wind adjuster 430 of the air conditioner according to this embodiment may include a wind direction adjusting fan 440 disposed in or at one side of the outlet 424. The wind direction adjusting fan 440 may be disposed in or at one side in a direction in which the inlet 422 is disposed in an area where the outlet 424 is formed, thereby adjusting the wind direction of the air discharged through the outlet 424.

The wind direction adjusting fan 440 may be disposed in or at one side of the outlet 424 to control the wind direction of the air discharged through the outlet 424. A plurality of wind direction adjusting fans 440 may be spaced apart along a circumferential direction of the annular shape in which the outlet 424 is formed.

The wind direction adjusting fan 440 may adjust the wind direction of the air flowing to the outlet 424 by changing a pressure by suctioning the air around the outlet 424. The wind direction adjusting fan 440 may control a suction amount of air around the outlet 424.

The wind adjuster 430 may adjust the wind direction of the air discharged through the outlet 424 by adjusting or stopping a rotational speed of the wind direction adjusting fan 440. When the wind direction adjusting fan 440 is stopped, the air flowing to the outlet 424 is affected by the shape of a discharge flow path 425 and an opening direction of the outlet 424. Accordingly, when the wind direction adjusting fan 440 is stopped, the air flowing through the outlet 424 may be discharged in a direction perpendicular to the ground.

However, when the wind direction adjusting fan 440 is operated, a portion of the air discharged through the outlet 424 is affected by the wind direction adjusting fan 440. Therefore, the air discharged through the outlet 424 may be inclined in a direction horizontal to the ground to flow. In this case, the flow direction of the air flowing through the outlet 424 may be adjusted according to the amount of air suctioned into the wind direction adjusting fan 440. When the rotational speed of the wind direction adjusting fan 440 is increased, the amount of air suctioned into the wind direction adjusting fan 440 is increased, so that air may flow in a direction parallel to the ground.

Referring to FIGS. 19A to 19C, the wind adjuster 430 may adjust the wind direction of the air discharged through the outlet 424 by adjusting the operation or rotational speed of the wind direction adjusting fan 440. Referring to FIG. 19A, the wind adjuster 430 may rotate at a first set or predetermined speed for rotating the rotational speed of the wind direction adjusting fan 440 to or at a maximum value. When the wind adjuster 430 rotates at the first set speed, an indirect wind, that is, the air discharged through the outlet flows in a direction horizontal to the ground, may be formed.

Referring to FIG. 19B, the wind adjuster 430 may rotate at a second set or predetermined speed for rotating the wind direction adjusting fan 440 to or at a minimum value or for stopping rotation. The second set speed corresponds to a speed including ‘0’. Accordingly, the second set speed of the wind adjuster 430 may include a state in which the wind direction adjusting fan 440 is stopped. When the wind adjuster 430 rotates at the second set speed, a vertical wind, that is, the air discharged through the outlet flows in a direction perpendicular to the ground, may be formed.

Referring to FIG. 19C, the wind adjuster 430 may rotate at a third set or predetermined speed for rotating the wind direction adjusting fan 440 at a rotational speed in a range between the first set speed and the second set speed. When the wind adjuster 430 rotates at the third set speed, an inclined wind, that is, the air discharged through the outlet flows in a direction between the indirect wind and the vertical wind, may be formed.

When the wind adjuster 430 rotates at the first rotational speed which is the maximum speed, the indirect wind, that is, the air discharged through the outlet flows in a direction horizontal to the ground, may be formed. When the wind adjuster 430 rotates at the second set speed for rotating the wind direction adjusting fan 440 to or at the minimum value or for stopping the rotation, the vertical wind, that is, the air discharged through the outlet flows in a direction perpendicular to the ground, may be formed. When the wind adjuster 430 rotates at the third rotational speed corresponding to between the first rotational speed and the second rotational speed, the inclined wind, that is, the air discharged through the outlet flows in a direction between the indirect wind and the vertical wind, may be formed. As in FIGS. 5A to 5B, the air conditioner according to this embodiment may also direct the air discharged from the outlet 424 in the first direction D1, the second direction D2, and the third direction D3, according to the first rotational speed, the second rotational speed, and the third rotational speed of the wind adjuster 430.

The method for controlling an air conditioner according to FIGS. 11 to 13 may be applied, for example, to the air conditioner according to the various embodiments disclosed herein.

An air conditioner and a method for controlling an air conditioner according to embodiments disclosed herein have at least the following advantages.

First, airflow of air discharged to a living area and a non-living area of an occupant may be set differently in an indoor space, thereby enhancing a comfort level in the living area of the occupant.

Second, a desired temperature may be reached quickly in the living area by adjusting a relative height of airflow discharged to the living area of the occupant and airflow discharged to the non-living area. In addition, when the indoor space approaches the desired temperature, discomfort caused by direct friction of air discharged to the occupant may be minimized by adjusting the relative height of the airflow discharged to the living area and the airflow discharged to the non-living area.

Third, accuracy of a living area determination may be enhanced by classifying the living area and the non-living area based on an accumulated position detection of the human body.

Embodiments disclosed herein have been made in view of the above problems, and provide an air conditioner that maintains a comfortable indoor space in consideration of a living environment of occupants, and a method for controlling an air conditioner.

Embodiments disclosed herein provide an air conditioner capable of quickly reaching a desired temperature of an indoor space in a living area of an occupant, and maintaining a comfort of the indoor space while minimizing air flow in a direction of the occupant when it approaches the desired temperature, and a method for controlling an air conditioner. Embodiments disclosed herein further provide an air conditioner capable of increasing accuracy of classification between a living area and a non-living area of an indoor space, and a method for controlling an air conditioner.

In accordance with embodiments disclosed herein, an air conditioner is provided that may include a plurality of outlets opened downward and a plurality of wind adjusters disposed in the plurality of outlets, and a controller that divides the plurality of outlets into a first area outlet facing a living area and a second area outlet facing a non-living area based on accumulated data of the image information obtained from the camera, and adjusts each of the plurality of wind adjusters so that air discharged from the first area outlet and air discharged from the second area outlet are formed differently in the up-and-down side direction, so that the airflows discharged to the living area and the non-living area may be formed differently.

The air conditioner may further include a temperature sensor that detects a temperature of the indoor space. The controller may adjust the wind adjuster to change airflow in the up-and-down side direction of the first area outlet, when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor reaches within a set or predetermined temperature range, so that airflow may be set differently depending on when the indoor temperature is formed to be within or beyond the set temperature range.

When the temperature detected by the temperature sensor is beyond a set or predetermined range, the controller may control the wind adjuster so that air discharged to the first area outlet is formed lower in an up-and-down side direction than air discharged to the second outlet, so that direct airflow may be formed in the living area. When the temperature detected by the temperature sensor is within a set or predetermined range, the controller may adjust the wind adjuster so that air discharged through the first area outlet is formed higher in an up-and-down side direction than air discharged through the second area outlet, so that indirect airflow may be formed in the living area.

The controller may adjust the wind adjuster so that air discharged through the first area outlet is discharged in a first direction toward the ground, when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor is beyond a set or predetermined range, and adjust the wind adjuster so that the air discharged to the first area outlet is discharged in a second direction toward an upper side than the first direction, when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor is within the set temperature range, so that the airflow range may be adjusted in the up-and-down side direction according to the temperature of the indoor air. The controller may adjust the wind adjuster so that the air discharged to the second area outlet is discharged in a third direction between the first direction and the second direction in an up-and-down side direction, so that a uniform airflow may be formed in the non-living area.

The wind adjuster may include a vane which is disposed in the outlet and changes a disposition to adjust a wind direction of air flowing through the outlet. The controller may change a disposition of vane disposed in each of the first area outlet and the second area outlet, so that the airflows of the air discharged to the living area and the non-living area may be formed differently.

The wind adjuster may include a wind direction adjusting fan which is disposed in or at one side of the outlet, and adjusts a wind direction of air discharged through the outlet by adjusting a rotational speed. The controller may adjust the rotational speed of the wind direction adjusting fan disposed in each of the first area outlet and the second area outlet, so that the airflows of the air discharged to the living area and the non-living area may be formed differently.

The air conditioner further include a timer that measures a time during which the camera obtains an image. The controller may classify a user's living area from accumulated image information obtained from the camera, after a set or predetermined time measured by the timer, thereby enhancing accuracy of classification between the living area and the non-living area.

The air conditioner may further include an output unit that outputs an image obtained from the camera. The controller may divide an image displayed on the output unit into a plurality of areas, and classify a living area and a non-living area of an occupant. The image displayed on the output unit may be divided based on a direction in which the outlet faces, so that the living area and the non-living area may be classified based on the area in which the air is controlled by the outlet.

In accordance with embodiments disclosed herein, a method for controlling an air conditioner may include obtaining an image of a plurality of areas to which the plurality of outlets discharge air by a camera; determining a living area and a non-living area based on accumulated data of image information obtained by the camera; and adjusting a wind adjuster so that up-and-down side airflows discharged from each of a first area outlet facing the living area and a second area outlet facing the non-living area are set differently, so that airflow may be controlled for each classified area by classifying the indoor space into the living area and the non-living area. The adjusting the wind adjuster may include detecting a temperature of an indoor space by a temperature sensor, and adjusting the wind adjuster so that airflow of air discharged from the first area outlet is varied based on a relationship between the temperature of the indoor space sensed by the temperature sensor and a set or predetermined temperature range, so that airflow may be controlled in detail based on whether the temperature of the indoor space reaches the set temperature range.

When the temperature of the indoor space sensed by the temperature sensor is within the set temperature range, the wind adjuster may be adjusted to set the airflow of the air discharged from the first area outlet to be higher than the airflow of an air discharged from the second area outlet, thereby sending an indirect airflow into the living area. When the temperature of the indoor space sensed by the temperature sensor is beyond the set temperature range, the wind adjuster may be adjusted to set the airflow of the air discharged from the first area outlet to be lower than airflow of an air discharged from the second area outlet, thereby sending a direct airflow into the living area.

The determining of the living area and the non-living area may include classifying the plurality of outlets into the first area outlet disposed in the living area and the second area outlet disposed in the non-living area, thereby distinguishing outlets disposed to face the living area and the non-living area. The determining of the living area and the non-living area may include dividing an area displayed on an output unit into a plurality of areas based on a direction in which the plurality of outlets face; accumulating the image information obtained by the camera over the set time; and determining the living area and the non-living area based on the accumulated image information obtained by the camera.

The adjusting of the wind adjuster may include uniformly maintaining an air flow discharged from the second area outlet, and forming an air flow discharged from the first area outlet to be higher or lower than the air flow discharged from the second area outlet, so that the airflow of the first area outlet disposed in the living area may be varied in the up-and-down side direction. The adjusting of the wind adjuster may include disposing a vane disposed in the first area outlet and a vane disposed in the second area outlet differently, so that the airflows of the air discharged to the living area and the non-living area may be formed differently. The adjusting of the wind adjuster may include adjusting rotational speeds of each of a wind direction adjusting fan disposed in the first area outlet and a wind direction adjusting fan disposed in the second area outlet to be different from each other, so that the airflows of the air discharged to the living area and the non-living area can be formed differently.

While embodiments have been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made herein without departing from the spirit and scope as defined by the following claims and such modifications and variations should not be understood individually from the technical idea or aspect.

It will be understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being “on” another element or layer, the element or layer can be directly on another element or layer or intervening elements or layers. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on” another element or layer, there are no intervening elements or layers present. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, third, etc., may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the present invention.

Spatially relative terms, such as “lower”, “upper” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe the relationship of one element or feature to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation, in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “lower” relative to other elements or features would then be oriented “upper” relative to the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term “lower” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, 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.

Embodiments are described herein with reference to cross-section illustrations that are schematic illustrations of idealized embodiments (and intermediate structures). As such, variations from the shapes of the illustrations as a result, for example, of manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances, are to be expected. Thus, embodiments should not be construed as limited to the particular shapes of regions illustrated herein but are to include deviations in shapes that result, for example, from manufacturing.

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 this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as 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.

Any reference in this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “example embodiment,” etc., means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. The appearances of such phrases in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with any embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the purview of one skilled in the art to effect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other ones of the embodiments.

Although embodiments have been described with reference to a number of illustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art that will fall within the spirit and scope of the principles of this disclosure. More particularly, various variations and modifications are possible in the component parts and/or arrangements of the subject combination arrangement within the scope of the disclosure, the drawings and the appended claims. In addition to variations and modifications in the component parts and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. An air conditioner, comprising:

a case that forms a space therein with an open lower side;

a panel that is disposed at the lower side of the case, and has an inlet and a plurality of outlets disposed around the inlet;

a fan that is disposed inside of the case, and forms an airflow from the inlet to the plurality of outlets;

a plurality of wind adjusters that is disposed in each of the plurality of outlets, respectively, and adjusts a direction of air flowing through each of the plurality of outlets;

a camera that is disposed at one side of the panel, and which is configured to obtain an image of an indoor space; and

a controller that controls the plurality of wind adjusters based on image information obtained from the camera, wherein the controller divides the plurality of outlets into a first area outlet facing a living area and a second area outlet facing a non-living area based on accumulated data of the image information obtained from the camera, and selectively adjusts each of the plurality of wind adjusters so that airflows of air discharged from the first area outlet and airflows of air discharged from the second area outlet are formed differently.

2. The air conditioner of claim 1, further comprising a temperature sensor that detects a temperature of the indoor space, wherein the controller selectively adjusts the plurality of wind adjusters to change the direction of airflow through the first area outlet, when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor reaches within a predetermined temperature range.

3. The air conditioner of claim 2, wherein when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor is outside of the predetermined temperature range, the controller selectively adjusts the plurality of wind adjusters so that the airflow discharged through the first area outlet is lower than the airflow discharged through the second area outlet.

4. The air conditioner of claim 2, wherein when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor is within the predetermined temperature range, the controller selectively adjusts the plurality of wind adjusters so that the airflow discharged through the first area outlet is higher than the airflow discharged through the second area outlet.

5. The air conditioner of claim 2, wherein the controller selectively adjusts the plurality of wind adjusters so that the airflow discharged through the first area outlet is discharged in a first direction, when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor is within the predetermined temperature range, and selectively adjusts the plurality of wind adjusters so that the airflow discharged through the first area outlet is discharged in a second direction lower than the first direction, when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor is outside of the predetermined temperature range.

6. The air conditioner of claim 5, wherein the controller selectively adjusts the plurality of wind adjusters so that the airflow discharged through the second area outlet is discharged in a third direction between the first direction and the second direction.

7. The air conditioner of claim 1, wherein the plurality of wind adjusters each comprises a vane that is disposed in a respective outlet of the plurality of outlets, wherein a disposition of the vane is changed to adjust the direction of the air flowing through the outlet, and wherein the controller selectively changes the disposition of the vanes disposed in each of the first area outlet and the second area outlet, respectively.

8. The air conditioner of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of wind adjusters comprises a wind direction adjusting fan that is disposed at one side of a respective outlet of the plurality of outlets, wherein the direction of the air flowing through the outlet is adjusted by adjusting a rotational speed of the wind direction adjusting fan, and wherein the controller selectively adjusts the rotational speeds of the wind direction adjusting fans disposed in each of the first area outlet and the second area outlet, respectively.

9. The air conditioner of claim 1, further comprising a timer that measures a time during which the camera obtains an image, wherein the controller classifies the living area from accumulated image information obtained from the camera, after a predetermined time measured by the timer.

10. The air conditioner of claim 1, further comprising an output unit that outputs an image obtained from the camera, wherein the controller divides an image displayed on the output unit into a plurality of areas, and classifies the living area and the non-living area of an occupant.

11. The air conditioner of claim 10, wherein the image displayed on the output unit is divided based on a direction in which the plurality of outlets face.

12. A method for controlling an air conditioner having an inlet and a plurality of outlets disposed around the inlet, wherein the plurality of outlets discharges air to different areas, the method comprising:

obtaining by a camera an image of a plurality of areas to which the plurality of outlets discharge air;

determining via a controller a living area and a non-living area based on accumulated data of image information obtained by the camera; and

selectively adjusting via the controller a plurality of wind adjusters disposed, respectively, in the plurality of outlets so that airflows discharged from each of a first area outlet facing the living area and a second area outlet facing the non-living area are set differently.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the selectively adjusting of the plurality of wind adjusters comprises:

detecting by a temperature sensor a temperature of an indoor space; and

selectively adjusting via the controller the plurality of wind adjusters so that the airflow discharged through the first area outlet is varied based on a relationship between the temperature of the indoor space sensed by the temperature sensor and a predetermined temperature range.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein when the temperature of the indoor space sensed by the temperature sensor is within the predetermined temperature range, the plurality of wind adjusters is selectively adjusted to set the airflow discharged through the first area outlet to be higher than the airflow discharged through the second area outlet.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein when the temperature of the indoor space sensed by the temperature sensor is beyond the predetermined temperature range, the plurality of wind adjusters is selectively adjusted to set the airflow discharged through the first area outlet to be lower than the airflow discharged through the second area outlet.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein the determining of the living area and the non-living area comprises classifying the plurality of outlets into the first area outlet disposed in the living area and the second area outlet disposed in the non-living area.

17. The method of claim 12, wherein the determining via the controller of the living area and the non-living area comprises:

dividing an area displayed on an output unit into a plurality of areas based on a direction in which the plurality of outlets faces;

accumulating the image information obtained by the camera over the predetermined time; and

determining the living area and the non-living area based on the accumulated image information obtained by the camera.

18. The method of claim 12, wherein the selectively adjusting via the controller of the plurality of wind adjusters comprises:

uniformly maintaining the air flow discharged from the second area outlet; and

setting the air flow discharged through the first area outlet to be higher or lower than the air flow discharged through the second area outlet.

19. The method of claim 12, wherein the selectively adjusting via the controller of the plurality of wind adjusters comprises disposing vanes of the plurality of wind adjusters in the first area outlet and vanes of the plurality of wind adjusters in the second area outlet differently.

20. The method of claim 12, wherein the selectively adjusting via the controller of the plurality of wind adjusters comprises adjusting rotational speeds of wind direction adjusting fans of the plurality of wind adjusters disposed in the first area outlet and wind direction adjusting fans of the plurality of wind adjusters disposed in the second area outlet to be different from each other.