162
Internet Room Air-Conditioner
“BEAVER e-@ir”
We have newly put on sale an internet room air-conditioner “Beaver e-@ir” for the first time in the world to
meet with the new field IT (Information Technology). In
order to comply with our customers’ demand for “remote
operation of air-conditioner,” we ensure remote control
of the air-conditioner from outside using the internet terminal (E-mail mobile phone, personal computer, etc.).
1. System configuration
Fig. 1 shows the system configuration.
(1) The air-conditioner is connected to a personal computer using exclusive cables.
(2) The newly developed software is installed in the computer.
This makes up a suitable environment for the remote
control.
2. Specifications for peripheral machines
The specifications for the applicable machines are
given in Table 1.
3. Operation procedures
The procedures for operating the air-conditioner using
a mobile phone are described below. Since the newly developed system makes use of the character data of e-mail,
the operation is carried out in the manner given below.
(1) Prepare a “control mail” using a mobile phone before sending it to the home address (Fig. 2).
(2) Make a phone call to home using the mobile phone,
and hang up the phone after you hear the call ring
Table 1 Specifications for Peripheral Machines
Machine
Personal
computer
Software
Mobile phone
Item
OS
(Operations System)
Memory
Hard disc
Display
CD-ROM
Serial port
Modem or TA
IE
Mail
Content
Windows 98
32 MB or above
Unoccupied, 50 MB or above
800×600 pixels or above,
256 colors or above
Needed
Needed
Needed
4.0 SP1 or after
Capable of E-mail
three times. This call ring activates the e-@ir software to receive the mail stored in the server of the
internet provider. Next, the air-conditioner star ts operation according to the mail content before returning the operational data from the air-conditioner to
the mobile in the form of mail.
(3) Read the mail on the mobile to confirm that the airconditioner has star ted operation (Fig. 3).
4. Features
(1) A ring call function was developed to detect the number of call rings to activate the software.
(2) Redundancy was in character distinction so as to
activate the software even if the mail content (in characters) has slight errors.
Ex.: Makes correct distinction even if “ ” or “
”
is input for “
.”
(3) A return mail function was provided to make sure of
the operating status of the air-conditioner.
(4) Code number registration and internet address registration functions were added as security measures
against wrong mails and wrong calls.
5. Effects
The easy remote operation and monitoring carried
out externally enables the activities given below.
(1) The remote controlled operation of the air-conditioner
offers a comfor table space and time when one returns home.
(2) It is possible to check whether the air-conditioner
has been switched off or not when one goes out.
(3) It is possible to operate the air-conditioner for preventing the room from mite and mold during a longterm absence.
Thus, we have developed the aforesaid system for
remote operation and monitoring of the air-conditioner
using a mobile phone and a personal computer to ensure enhanced serviceability of our customers.
Preparation of mail <Edition>
To:
beaver_e-air@dianet.or.jp
Title
1234
Text
Run & cool 25
Ventilation & humidity 50
or
E-mail mobile phone
House
(residence)
Run, Cool
O
25 C , Ventilation
Humidity 50%
Fig. 2 Control mail
Phone
Personal
computer
Mobile
communication
Internet
Air-conditioner
Public
line
(Built-in modem)
Mobile phone Provider
company server
Fig. 1 System configuration
Current status
Run: Run
O
Set temperature: 25 C
Mode: Cool
O
Room temperature: 32 C
Ventilation: Automatic
Set humidity: 50%
Room humidity: 70%
O
Outside air temperature: 35 C
Fig. 3 Received mail
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
Technical Review Vol.38 No.3 (Oct. 2001)