Patent Publication Number: US-11397019-B2

Title: Remote control for air-conditioning apparatus

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a U.S. national stage application of PCT/JP2018/005464 filed on Feb. 16, 2018, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to a remote control for changing operating conditions of an air-conditioning apparatus. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     As the related-art remote controls for air-conditioning apparatuses, the remote controls each including a display unit configured to display operating conditions of the air-conditioning apparatus is made of a double liquid-crystal panel have been proposed (see, for example, Patent Literature 1). The remote control disclosed in Patent Literature 1 includes a detail display unit configured to, when a cover is open, display details of operating conditions of an air-conditioning apparatus and an enlarged display unit configured to, when the cover is closed, provide enlarged display of some of the operating conditions of the air-conditioning apparatus. Furthermore, the detail display unit displays the contents displayed by the enlarged display unit during displaying the details of the operating conditions. 
     CITATION LIST 
     Patent Literature 
     Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent No. 5268816 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     Technical Problem 
     In the remote control disclosed in Patent Literature 1, the detail display unit displays not only the details of the operating conditions but also the contents displayed by the enlarged display unit. In order to display the information displayed by the enlarged display unit on both panels of the double liquid-crystal panel, it is necessary to provide a space for displaying the contents displayed by the enlarged display unit, in the detail display unit. As a result, a display screen increases in size and thus the remote control itself increases in size and weight. 
     The present disclosure has been made to solve the aforementioned problem and provides a small and light remote control for an air-conditioning apparatus. 
     Solution to Problem 
     A remote control for an air-conditioning apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: an outer button to be operated by a user for changing an operating condition of an air-conditioning apparatus body; an inner button to be operated by the user for changing the operating condition; a cover that is openable and closable and is configured to cover the inner button; a cover opening/closing detection unit configured to detect opening/closing of the cover; a display unit configured to display an enlarged display screen displaying at least one of an operation mode, a set temperature and a set humidity, and a detail display screen displaying a function of the inner button; and a display switching unit configured to, when the cover opening/closing detection unit detects that the cover is closed, make the display unit display the enlarged display screen, and when the cover opening/closing detection unit detects that the cover is open, make the display unit display the detail display screen. 
     Advantageous Effects of Invention 
     According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, switching between the enlarged display screen and the detail display screen according to whether the cover is open or closed eliminates the need to provide overlapping display of information on operating conditions. Therefore, an increase in size of the remote control display screen is suppressed and an unnecessary increase in size of the remote control itself can be avoided, enabling provision of a handy remote control. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a control block diagram illustrating an example configuration of a remote control for an air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is a plan view of an outer appearance of the example configuration of the remote control illustrated in  FIG. 1  when a cover is closed. 
         FIG. 3  is a plan view of an outer appearance of the example configuration of the remote control illustrated in  FIG. 1  when the cover is opened. 
         FIG. 4  is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of operation of the control unit illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of operation of the control unit illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 6  is a control block diagram illustrating an example configuration of a remote control according to modification 1 of Embodiment 1. 
         FIG. 7  is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of control performed by the control unit illustrated in  FIG. 6  for a backlight. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     Embodiment 1 
     A configuration of a remote control for an air-conditioning apparatus of Embodiment 1 will be described.  FIG. 1  is a control block diagram illustrating an example configuration of a remote control for an air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure. A remote control  1  includes a transmission unit  10 , a display unit  11 , outer buttons  12 , inner buttons  13 , a cover  14  that can be opened/closed, a cover opening/closing detection unit  15  configured to detect opening/closing of the cover  14 , and a control unit  20 . 
     The transmission unit  10  transmits a signal for changing operating conditions including set conditions to an air-conditioning apparatus body  2 . Each of the outer buttons  12  and the inner buttons  13  is a button to be operated by a user to change an operating condition of the air-conditioning apparatus body  2 . Each of the outer buttons  12  is a button that a user can operate even when the cover  14  is closed. As the outer buttons  12 , a single outer button  12  may be provided or a plurality of outer buttons  12  may be provided. The inner buttons  13  are covered by the cover  14  when the cover  14  is closed. Each of the inner buttons  13  is a button that a user cannot operate unless the cover  14  is open. As the inner buttons  13 , a single inner button  13  may be provided or a plurality of inner buttons  13  may be provided. The cover opening/closing detection unit  15  is a sensor configured to detect that the cover  14  is open/closed. The cover opening/closing detection unit  15  outputs a signal representing that the cover  14  is open/closed, to the control unit  20 . More specifically, the cover opening/closing detection unit  15  outputs a signal representing that the cover  14  is open, to the control unit  20  when the cover  14  is open, and outputs a signal representing that the cover  14  is closed, to the control unit  20  when the cover  14  is closed. 
     The display unit  11  displays operating conditions of the air-conditioning apparatus body  2 . The display unit  11  is made of a double liquid-crystal panel including a first display panel  110   a  and a second display panel  110   b . The first display panel  110   a  is disposed as an upper layer of the double liquid-crystal panel and displays an enlarged display screen that displays operating conditions with characters that a user can easily read. The operating conditions displayed on the enlarged display screen are, for example, operation modes, which are cooling, heating and dehumidification, a set temperature and a set humidity. The second display panel  110   b  is disposed as a lower layer of the double liquid-crystal panel and displays a detail display screen that displays operating conditions with characters that are smaller than those of the enlarged display screen. The operating conditions displayed on the detail display screen are, for example, conditions set for air-conditioning functions including a fan speed and airflow directions and conditions set for special functions including a timer. 
     Although one of these two display panels of the first display panel  110   a  and the second display panel  110   b , is disposed as the upper layer and the other is disposed as the lower layer, either of the display panels may be the upper layer. Also, there may be a function displayed on both of the enlarged display screen and the detail display screen. The function displayed on the both screens may be disposed on either the first display panel  110   a  or the second display panel  110   b.    
     Furthermore, display of one of two functions that are not set simultaneously may be disposed at a planar position in the first display panel  110   a  and display of the other function may be disposed at a planar position in the second display panel  110   b  that is the same as the planar position in the second display panel  110   b . In this case, the display area can be saved. For example, a configuration in which display of a function BBB is provided at a planar position of the second display panel  110   b , the position being a position at which display of a function AAA is provided in the first display panel  110   a , is conceivable. With this configuration, when the function AAA is set, the function AAA is displayed on the enlarged display screen and when the function BBB is set, the function BBB is displayed on the detail display screen. 
     The control unit  20  is, for example, a microcomputer. The control unit  20  includes a memory storing a program and a central processing unit (CPU) configured to perform processing according to the program, which are not illustrated. The control unit  20  controls the transmission unit  10  and the display unit  11  according to signals input from the outer buttons  12 , the inner buttons  13  and the cover opening/closing detection unit  15 . 
     The control unit  20  includes an input control unit  21  configured to determine a type of a button operated, a display switching unit  22  configured to perform switching of display on the display unit  11 , and a time measuring unit  23  configured to measure time. Upon execution of the program by the CPU, the input control unit  21 , the display switching unit  22  and the time measuring unit  23  are configured in the remote control  1 . Upon operation of a button by a user, the input control unit  21  determines from which button, from among the outer buttons  12  and the inner buttons  13 , a signal has been input, and provides button information representing the button from which the signal has been output, to the display switching unit  22 . Also, the input control unit  21  accepts a setting change for the air-conditioning apparatus body  2  according to the signal from the button operated, and transmits a signal representing the content of the setting change, to the air-conditioning apparatus body  2  via the transmission unit  10 . The display switching unit  22  switches a screen displayed on the display unit  11 , between the enlarged display screen and the detail display screen, based on information of whether the cover  14  is open or closed, the information being acquired from the cover opening/closing detection unit  15 , and button information acquired from the input control unit  21 . 
       FIG. 2  is a plan view of an outer appearance of the example configuration of the remote control illustrated in  FIG. 1  when a cover is closed. For ease of understanding of directions, in  FIG. 2 , arrows of an X-axis direction, a Y-axis direction and a Z-axis direction are illustrated.  FIG. 2  illustrates an outer appearance of the remote control  1  when the cover  14  is closed and cooling is set as the operation mode of the air-conditioning apparatus body  2 . The remote control  1  has a rectangular shape, a length in the Y-axis direction thereof being longer than a length in the X-axis direction thereof. 
     In the display unit  11  illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the first display panel  110   a  displays an enlarged display screen  111   a . On the enlarged display screen  111   a  displayed on the display unit  11 , “cooling” is displayed as a selected operation mode and “26.5 degrees C.” is displayed as the set temperature. The operation modes are displayed with characters, figures and the like disposed in the respective fixed areas and the set temperature is displayed in a segmented format. In the enlarged display screen  111   a  in  FIG. 2 , a sensory temperature is displayed as the set temperature. The sensory temperature is a temperature perceived by a human through the skin, with, e.g., a temperature attributable to radiation from, e.g., the walls and floor, the strength of the airflow and an activity status of the human taken into consideration. As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the characters representing the set temperature are displayed with a size that is larger than that of the characters representing the operation mode items. 
     In the example configuration illustrated in  FIG. 2 , a plurality of outer buttons  12  are provided at the remote control  1 . For example, a plurality of outer buttons  12  having respective functions that set heating, cooling, dehumidification, fan operation, etc., to the air-conditioning apparatus body  2  are provided on the remote control  1 . The outer button  12  for a function AA has a dehumidification adjustment function and the outer button  12  for a function BB has a function that allows a user to easily set the timer. 
     Although in the example configuration illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the enlarged display screen  111   a  displays a sensory temperature as the set temperature, the set temperature is not limited to a sensory temperature but may be a temperature inside the room. The enlarged display screen may display the set humidity instead of the set temperature. The enlarged display screen may display at least one of the operation mode, the set temperature and the set humidity. This is because these three set conditions are pieces of information of the operating conditions that a user preferentially wishes to know. 
       FIG. 3  is a plan view of the outer appearance of the example configuration of the remote control illustrated in  FIG. 1  when the cover is open.  FIG. 3  illustrates the remote control  1  when the cover  14  illustrated in  FIG. 2  is open, for example. In  FIG. 3 , illustration of the cover  14  is omitted. The cover  14  may open laterally or longitudinally. As in  FIG. 2 , in  FIG. 3 , arrows representing an X-axis direction, a Y-axis direction and a Z-axis direction are illustrated. 
     In display unit  11  illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the second display panel  110   b  displays the detail display screen  111   b . In comparison with  FIG. 2 , neither the selected operation mode nor the set temperature, which are displayed on the enlarged display screen  111   a , are displayed on the detail display screen  111   b  displayed on the display unit  11 . Instead of these set conditions, set conditions of the fan speed and the airflow directions are displayed on the detail display screen  111   b . The set conditions of the fan speed, the airflow directions, etc., are displayed with characters, figures and the like disposed in the respective fixed areas. As the fan speed, bars representing a level of the fan speed is displayed on the detail display screen  111   b . Also, as the airflow direction, set conditions of “airflow left/right”, “airflow up/down (left)”, “airflow up/down (right)” and “direct airflow” are displayed. “Direct airflow” is a type of airflow direction setting and is an airflow setting function that directs an airflow toward a human. 
     In the example configuration illustrated in  FIG. 3 , a plurality of inner buttons  13  are provided at the remote control  1 . From among the plurality of inner buttons  13 , for example, an inner button  13   a  is a button for turning on or off a power saving function. An inner button  13   b  is a button for turning on or off the direct airflow function. An inner button  13   c  is a button for turning on or off an uneven air-conditioning prevention function that evenly conditions the air inside the room. A plurality of inner buttons  13   d  are buttons for setting the fan speed and the airflow directions. From among the plurality of inner buttons  13   d , “cc” is a horizontal airflow direction setting button, “dd” is a high-power fan speed setting button, “ee” is a left-side vertical airflow direction setting button, “ff” is a right-side vertical airflow direction setting button and “gg” is a button for setting for reducing an air volume. A plurality of inner buttons  13   e  are buttons for a timer setting function for operation of the air-conditioning apparatus body  2 . 
     Note that although Embodiment 1 is described in terms of a case where a display unit  11  is a double liquid-crystal panel including a first display panel  110   a  and a second display panel  110   b  superposed on the first display panel  110   a , the configuration of the display unit  11  is not limited to this case. The display unit  11  only needs to be capable of switching between the enlarged display screen and the detail display screen. 
     Next, operation of the remote control  1  of Embodiment 1 will be described with reference to  FIGS. 1 to 5 . Each of  FIGS. 4 and 5  is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of operation of the control unit illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
     Here, it is assumed that at the start, the air-conditioning apparatus body  2  is in operation and the cover  14  of the remote control  1  is closed. In this state, the cover opening/closing detection unit  15  detects the closure and the display switching unit  22  allows the enlarged display screen to be displayed on the first display panel  110   a  (step S 101 ). In this case, the display unit  11  displays, for example, the enlarged display screen  111   a  illustrated in  FIG. 2 . The cover opening/closing detection unit  15  monitors opening/closing of the cover  14  and determines whether or not the cover  14  is open (step S 102 ). When the cover  14  is kept closed (NO in step S 102 ), the display switching unit  22  keeps the enlarged display screen  111   a  on the display unit  11  (step S 101 ). 
     In the determination in step S 102 , upon the closed cover  14  being opened (YES in step S 102 ), the display switching unit  22  switches the screen displayed on the display unit  11  from the enlarged display screen  111   a  to the detail display screen (step S 103 ). In this case, the display unit  11  displays, for example, the detail display screen  111   b  illustrated in  FIG. 3 . 
     Note that although not illustrated in  FIG. 4 , when the input control unit  21  detects a push of an outer button  12  after the start, also, the display switching unit  22  does not perform switching of the screen displayed on the display unit  11  but keeps the enlarged display screen  111   a  illustrated in  FIG. 2  on the display unit  11 . 
     In step S 103 , upon the display unit  11  starting display of the detail display screen  111   b  illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the cover opening/closing detection unit  15  monitors opening/closing of the cover  14  (step S 104 ). When the cover opening/closing detection unit  15  detects closing of the open cover  14  (YES in step S 104 ), the display switching unit  22  returns to step S 101  and switches the screen displayed on the display unit  11  from the detail display screen  111   b  to the enlarged display screen  111   a.    
     On the other hand, in the determination in step S 104 , when the cover  14  is kept open (NO in step S 104 ), the input control unit  21  determines whether or not any outer button  12  is pushed (step S 105 ). When no outer button  12  is pushed (NO in step S 105 ), the display switching unit  22  keeps the detail display screen  111   b  on the display unit  11 . 
     Note that although not illustrated in  FIG. 4 , when the input control unit  21  detects a push of an inner button  13  after the status of the remote control  1  illustrated in  FIG. 3 , also, the display switching unit  22  keeps the detail display screen  111   b  illustrated in  FIG. 3  on the display unit  11 . 
     In the determination in step S 105 , when the input control unit  21  detects a push of the outer button  12  (YES in step S 105 ), the display switching unit  22  switches the screen displayed on the display unit  11  from the detail display screen  111   b  to the enlarged display screen  111   a  (step S 106 ). When the cover  14  is open, the second display panel  110   b  displays the detail display screen  111   b  according to a result of detection by the cover opening/closing detection unit  15 ; however, here, the display switching unit  22  allows the enlarged display screen  111   a  to be displayed on the first display panel  110   a . Switching from the detail display screen  111   b  to the enlarged display screen  111   a  as described above even when the cover  14  is open is attributable to the user presumably wishing to change a set condition of a function displayed on the enlarged display screen  111   a  by pushing of the outer button  12 . 
     In step S 106 , upon the display unit  11  starting display of the enlarged display screen  111   a , the time measuring unit  23  starts measuring time from the start of display of the enlarged display screen  111   a  (step S 107  illustrated in  FIG. 5 ). Upon the time measuring unit  23  starting the time measurement, the cover opening/closing detection unit  15  monitors opening/closing of the cover  14  (step S 108 ). When the cover opening/closing detection unit  15  detects closing of the open cover  14  (YES in step S 108 ), the display switching unit  22  returns to step S 101  illustrated in  FIG. 4  and keeps the enlarged display screen  111   a  on the display unit  11 . 
     On the other hand, in the determination in step S 108 , when the cover  14  is kept open (NO in step S 108 ), the input control unit  21  determines whether or not any outer button  12  is pushed (step S 109 ). When the input control unit  21  detects a push of an outer button  12  (YES in step S 109 ), the time measuring unit  23  resets the measured time t to zero and then resumes time measurement (step S 107 ). The time measuring unit  23  resetting the measured time t and resuming time measurement from zero is attributable to the user presumably continuing an operation to change a set condition of a function displayed on the enlarged display screen  111   a  with the cover  14  open. 
     In the determination in step S 109 , when no outer button  12  is pushed (NO in step S 109 ), the input control unit  21  determines whether or not any inner button  13  is pushed (step S 110 ). When the input control unit  21  detects a push of an inner button  13  (YES in step S 110 ), the display switching unit  22  switches the screen displayed on the display unit  11  from the enlarged display screen  111   a  to the detail display screen  111   b  (step S 112 ). The switching from the enlarged display screen  111   a  to the detail display screen  111   b  is attributable to the user presumably attempting to change a set condition of a function that can be operated by the inner button  13  by operating the inner button  13 . 
     In the determination in step S 110 , when no inner button  13  is pushed (NO in step S 110 ), the display switching unit  22  determines whether or not the measured time t measured by the time measuring unit  23  reaches a first time Tth 1  (step S 111 ). The first time Tth 1  is a fixed length of time and information of the first time Tth 1  is stored in a memory (not illustrated) in the control unit  20 . As a result of the determination in step S 111 , when the measured time t does not reach the first time Tth 1  (NO in step S 111 ), the display switching unit  22  keeps the enlarged display screen  111   a  displayed on the display unit  11  with the cover  14  open and returns to the determination processing in step S 108 . 
     As a result of the determination in step S 111 , when the measured time t reaches the first time Tth 1  (YES in step S 111 ), the display switching unit  22  switches the screen displayed on the display unit  11  from the enlarged display screen  111   a  to the detail display screen  111   b  (step S 112 ). Subsequently, the display switching unit  22  returns to the determination processing in step S 104  illustrated in  FIG. 4 . The switching of the display screen when no button is operated even after a lapse of the first time Tth 1  from the start of the display of the enlarged display screen  111   a  is attributable to the detail display screen  111   b  having priority over the enlarged display screen  111   a  as the screen displayed on the display unit  11  when the cover  14  is open. Also, the cover  14  being kept open for a long period of time is attributable to the user presumably attempting to operate an inner button  13  while viewing the detail display screen  111   b.    
     As described above, triggered by, e.g., opening/closing of the cover  14  or an operation of a button, the remote control  1  switches between the enlarged display screen and the detail display screen on the two display panels of the double liquid-crystal panel and thus eliminates the need for displaying information on operating conditions in an overlapped manner. Therefore, an increase in size of the display screen is suppressed and an unnecessary increase in size of the remote control itself according to the size of the display screen can be avoided. Also, a handy remote control with improved usability for a user can be provided. 
     Note that although Embodiment 1 has been described in terms of a case where functions displayed on the detail display screen only are assigned to the inner buttons  13 , functions displayed on the enlarged display screen only may be assigned to outer buttons  12 . Presumably, the cover  14  of the remote control  1  is often closed. Assigning the functions displayed on the enlarged display screen only to the outer buttons  12  enables a user to change operating conditions via the outer buttons  12  while viewing the enlarged display screen without opening the cover  14  and thus makes the remote control  1  easy to operate. 
     Also, although display switching control has been described with reference to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the input control unit  21  may be configured not to, even when there is an operation of a button by the user, accept a setting change for the air-conditioning apparatus body  2  for the button operation where the button operation is a first button operation that serves as a trigger for display switching. Specific examples of such a case will be described with reference to  FIGS. 4 and 5 . 
     In step S 105  illustrated in  FIG. 4 , when an outer button  12  is operated when the display unit  11  displays the detail display screen with the cover  14  open, the display is switched (step S 106 ), but the input control unit  21  does not accept a setting change designated by the operation of the button. Also, in step S 110  illustrated in  FIG. 5 , where an inner button  13  is operated when the display unit  11  displays the enlarged display screen with the cover  14  open, the display is switched (step S 112 ), but the input control unit  21  does not accept a setting change designated by the operation of the button. 
     In each of these two cases, before a first button operation that serves as a trigger for display switching, the display unit  11  does not display a set condition of a function the user intends to operate. For example, in step S 110  illustrated in  FIG. 5 , before the user pushes the inner button  13   d  to change the airflow direction, the display unit  11  does not display the detail display screen but displays the enlarged display screen, and thus, the user cannot confirm current set airflow direction conditions. As described above, before a button operation, the user does not know a current set condition of a function the user intends to operate, and thus, even though a button operation serving as a trigger for display switching is performed, the input control unit  21  does not accept a setting change designated by the button operation. After the switching from the enlarged display screen to the detail display screen, the user may confirm the current set condition on the detail display screen and then perform a button operation for changing a setting again. 
     As another specific example, a case of the power saving function will be described. When the power saving function is turned on, the input control unit  21  controls the air-conditioning apparatus body  2  in a power saving mode in which various functions for air-conditioning such as the airflow directions and the fan speed are automatically controlled for power saving. When an inner button  13  is pushed in the power saving mode, the input control unit  21  cancels the power saving mode. In the case of this control, for example, in step S 110  illustrated in  FIG. 5 , when the user pushes an inner button  13 , the input control unit  21  cancels the power saving mode even though the user does not intend to cancel the power saving mode. Therefore, the input control unit  21  is desirably configured not to, even when an inner button  13  is pushed in the power saving mode in step S 110 , accept a setting change according to the pushed button. 
     The input control unit  21  being configured not to accept a setting change designated by a first button operation serving as a trigger for display switching as described above enables reduction of operation errors. 
     Also, the input control unit  21  may be configured not to accept all of first button operations each serving as a trigger for display switching, but to accept some of the first button operations. For example, the input control unit  21  may be configured to, in step S 105  illustrated in  FIG. 4 , where an outer button  12  is operated when the display unit  11  displays the detail display screen with the cover  14  open, accept a setting change designated by the button operation. This is because there are cases, for example, where the user does not need to confirm the current set conditions on the display unit  11  and where it is better to give a priority to quickly changing the set condition over confirming the current set conditions. Examples of such cases include cases of switching of operation modes including a case where the user wishes a quick switch from heating to cooling. The user can make a setting change of an operating condition of the air-conditioning apparatus body  2  via a first button operation serving as a trigger for display switching, enabling saving the trouble of operation. 
     Also, a case where whether or not the input control unit  21  accepts a setting change according to a button operation is determined according to a display status, and whether the operated button serving as a trigger for display switching is an outer button  12  or an inner button  13  has been described; however, the method of the determination is not limited to this example. For example, even when an outer button  12  is operated in step S 105  illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the input control unit  21  may accept a setting change according to the button operation as long as a type of a function assigned to the outer button  12  is a predetermined type. Also, even when an inner button  13  is operated in step S 110  illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the input control unit  21  may accept a setting change according to a first button operation as long as a type of a function assigned to the inner button  13  is a predetermined type. As described above, for each of the buttons, whether or not the input control unit  21  accepts a setting change via a first button operation serving as a trigger for display switching may be set according to the function assigned to the button. In the case of a function for which a setting change is accepted via a first button operation, the user can save the trouble of operation and in the case of a function for which a setting change is prevented from being accepted via a first button operation, the user&#39;s operation errors can be reduced. 
     However, it is desirable that the input control unit  21  enable the functions assigned to the plurality of outer buttons  12  for the operation modes for designating operation such as cooling and heating and operation stopping irrespective of whether or not an operation of the button is a first button operation involving display switching. This is because the functions assigned to the plurality of outer buttons  12  are most basic functions from among the plurality of functions of the air-conditioning apparatus body  2  and thus desirably quickly start working. For example, there may be a case where when the user goes out in a hurry, the user needs to perform a button operation for operation stopping twice in total unless the input control unit  21  accepts a first button operation for operation stopping. Enabling the plurality of outer buttons  12  for the operation modes and operation stopping irrespective of whether or not an operation of the button is a first button operation involving display switching not only reduces the user&#39;s burden of operation but also enhances ease of operation. 
     The remote control  1  of Embodiment 1 displays the enlarged display screen displaying at least one of the selected operation mode, the set temperature and the set humidity when the cover  14  is closed, and displays the detail display screen displaying functions to be operated via the inner buttons  13  when the cover  14  is open. 
     According to Embodiment 1, switching between the enlarged display screen and the detail display screen with opening/closing of the cover  14  as a trigger eliminates the need for overlapping display of information on the operating conditions. Therefore, an increase in size of the display screen is suppressed and an unnecessary increase in size of the remote control itself according to the size of the display screen can be avoided. Also, a user can switch between the enlarged display screen and the detail display screen merely by opening/closing the cover  14  and the ease of operation is thus enhanced. As a result, a remote control that is not only small and light but also handy can be provided. 
     In Embodiment 1, the detail display screen may be configured not to display items displayed on the enlarged display screen. For example, the detail display screen may display the functions of the inner buttons  13  only and the enlarged display screen may display the functions of the outer buttons  12  only. Since the detail display screen does not display the items displayed on the enlarged display screen, the display area can be used for display of the functions of the inner buttons  13 , and thus, the user can easily view the functions displayed on the detail display screen. 
     In Embodiment 1, upon a user pushing an outer button  12  when the cover  14  is open and the display unit  11  displays the detail display screen, the display unit  11  switches the display screen from the detail display screen to the enlarged display screen. Since the screen displayed on the display unit  11  is switched from the detail display screen to the enlarged display screen even when the cover  14  is open, the user can change a setting for a function while confirming the current set condition of the function displayed on the enlarged display screen. The user has no need to close the cover  14  to switch the display screen and the user&#39;s burden of operation is thus reduced. 
     In Embodiment 1, upon the user pushing an inner button  13  when the display unit  11  displays the enlarged display screen with the cover  14  open, the display unit  11  switches the display screen from the enlarged display screen to the detail display screen. Since the display screen on the display unit  11  is switched from the enlarged display screen to the detail display screen, the user can quickly operate the inner button  13  while confirming the current set condition of the relevant function displayed on the detail display screen. As a result, the ease of operation of the remote control  1  can further be enhanced. 
     In Embodiment 1, when there is no button operation even upon a lapse of the first time Tth 1  from a start of display of the enlarged display screen on the display unit  11  with the cover  14  open, the display unit  11  switches the display screen from the enlarged display screen to the detail display screen. Where the cover  14  is kept open for a long period of time, the user is presumably trying to operate an inner button  13  while viewing the detail display screen. In this case, the user can quickly change a setting for a function assigned to an inner button  13  while viewing the detail display screen switched from the enlarged display screen. 
     (Modification 1) 
     A configuration of a remote control of Modification 1 of Embodiment 1 will be described.  FIG. 6  is a control block diagram illustrating an example configuration of a remote control according to Modification 1 of Embodiment 1. In Modification 1, components that are the same as those illustrated in  FIGS. 1 to 3  are provided with reference numerals that are the same as those illustrated in  FIGS. 1 to 3  and detailed description thereof will be omitted. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , a remote control  1   a  includes a backlight  16  disposed on a back side of a display unit  11  and configured to irradiate the display unit  11  with light. Irradiation of the display unit  11  with light by the backlight  16  enables a user to view display on the display unit  11  in the dark. 
     A control unit  20  includes an irradiation control unit  24  configured to control the backlight  16 . The irradiation control unit  24  monitors a plurality of signals including a signal representing a change in state of the cover  14  as to whether the cover  14  is open or closed, signals from outer buttons  12  and signals from inner buttons  13 . Then, upon receipt of an input of any of the plurality of signals, the irradiation control unit  24  turns on the backlight  16 . The irradiation control unit determines whether any of the plurality of signals has been input, based on the cover opening/closing signal acquired from a cover opening/closing detection unit  15  and button information acquired from an input control unit  21 . 
     Also, after turning on the backlight  16 , the irradiation control unit  24  turns off the backlight  16  after a lapse of a second time Tth 2  from the user last performing any of operations that are opening/closing of the cover  14 , operation of an outer button  12  and an operation of an inner button  13 . The second time Tth 2  is a fixed length of time and information of the second time Tth 2  is stored in a memory (not illustrated) in the control unit  20 . 
     If the second time Tth 2  is excessively long, the life of a battery that supplies power to the backlight  16  becomes short. Also, for example, when the user operates the remote control  1   a  in a room darkened for sleeping, if the second time Tth 2  lasts excessively long after the operation, light of the backlight  16  is too bright for the user and interferes with the user&#39;s sleep. Therefore, it is necessary to prevent the second time Tth 2  from being excessively long. 
     However, the second time Tth 2 , which is a lighting time of the backlight  16 , is desirably longer than a first time Tth 1 . As described in Embodiment 1, the first time Tth 1  is a length of time from a start of display of an enlarged display screen to automatic switching to a detail display screen without user&#39;s operation when the cover  14  is open. If the second time Tth 2  is shorter than the first time Tth 1 , the display on the display unit  11  may switch from the enlarged display screen to the detail display screen after the backlight  16  being turned off. This phenomenon may make the user feel like that the backlight  16  is turned off during the operation. As a result, the user feels uncomfortable and feels like that the remote control is difficult to operate, causing not only a decrease in ease of viewing of the display on the display unit  11  but also a decrease of evaluation of ease of operation of the remote control. Therefore, the second time Tth 2  is desirably longer than the first time Tth 1 . 
     Next, a procedure of control of the backlight  16  performed by the control unit  20  will be described. Here, a detailed description of display switching control by the display unit  11  will be omitted.  FIG. 7  is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for control performed by the control unit illustrated in  FIG. 6  for the backlight. 
     The irradiation control unit  24  determines whether or not a user has performed any of a plurality of operations, including an operation of opening/closing the cover  14 , an operation of an outer button  12  and an operation of an inner button  13  (step S 201 ). When any of the plurality of operations has been performed, the irradiation control unit  24  turns on the backlight  16  (step S 202 ). In step S 202 , upon a start of lighting of the backlight  16 , a time measuring unit  23  starts measuring time from the start of the lighting of the backlight  16  (step S 203 ). Upon the time measuring unit  23  starting the time measurement, the irradiation control unit  24  determines whether or not any of the plurality of operations has been performed (step S 204 ). 
     In the determination in step S 204 , when any of the plurality of operations has been performed, the time measuring unit  23  resets the measured time t to zero and resumes time measurement (step S 203 ). The time measuring unit  23  resetting the measured time t and resuming time measurement from the measured time t of zero is attributable to the user presumably continuing the operation of the remote control  1   a.    
     In the determination in step S 204 , when none of the plurality of operations is performed, the irradiation control unit  24  determines whether or not the measured time t measured by the time measuring unit  23  reaches the second time Tth 2  (step S 205 ). As a result of the determination in step S 205 , when the measured time t does not reach the second time Tth 2 , the irradiation control unit  24  keeps the backlight  16  lit and returns to the determination processing in step S 204 . On the other hand, as a result of the determination in step S 205 , when the measured time t reaches the second time Tth 2 , the irradiation control unit  24  turns off the backlight  16 . 
     This is because the second time Tth 2  has passed from the user&#39;s last operation of the remote control  1   a  and the user presumably performs no further operation. Also, since the backlight  16  is lit for the second time Tth 2  that is longer than the first time Tth 1 , the backlight  16  is turned off after the display unit  11  automatically performs switching of the display without the user&#39;s operation. Therefore, the user can confirm the display after the switching during the backlight  16  being lit. In comparison with a case where the display on the display unit  11  is switched after the backlight  16  being turned off, not only the ease of viewing of the display on the display unit  11  for the user but also reliability of operation of the remote control  1   a  is enhanced. 
     For example, a case where the user operates the remote control  1   a  before going to sleep, turns off the backlight  16  and then operates the remote control  1   a  again to change a set condition of the air-conditioning apparatus body  2  will be considered. If the display on the display unit  11  switches after the backlight  16  being turned off, when the user operates the remote control  1   a  again, a display screen that is different in content from a display screen the user saw last is displayed on the display unit  11 . In this case, the user feels odd about the display screen the user saw last and the current display screen being not the same. On the other hand, in Modification 1, the display switches during the backlight  16  being lit. In this case, when the user operates the remote control  1   a  again, the display screen that is the same as the display screen the user saw last is displayed on the display unit  11 , and thus, the user does not feel uncomfortable and the ease of operation of the remote control  1   a  is enhanced. 
     In the remote control  1   a  of Modification 1, the second time Tth 2  for lighting of the backlight  16  after the user&#39;s last operation is longer than the first time Tth 1  from a start of display of the enlarged display screen with the cover  14  open until the enlarged display screen is automatically switched to the detail display screen without the user&#39;s operation. Since the backlight  16  is turned off after the display unit  11  automatically performing switching of the display without the user&#39;s operation, and thus, the user can confirm the display after the switching during the backlight  16  being lit. Therefore, not only ease of viewing of the display on the display unit  11  for the user is enhanced, but also reliability of operation of the remote control  1   a  is also enhanced. 
     REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 
       1 ,  1   a  remote control  2  air-conditioning apparatus body  10  transmission unit  11  display unit  12  outer button  13 ,  13   a  to  13   e  inner button  14  cover  15  cover opening/closing detection unit  16  backlight 
       20  control unit  21  input control unit  22  display switching unit  23  time measuring unit  24  irradiation control unit  110   a  first display panel 
       110   b  second display panel  111   a  enlarged display screen  111   b  detail display screen.