Patent Description:
Various electronic devices have been developed with development of electronic technologies. In particular, air conditioning devices capable of removing fine dust and the like in the air have been recently developed.

Generally, a user of an air conditioning device turns on the air conditioning device, when the user comes into a house from outside. But, in such a case, it is a problem that a user is negatively affected by pollutants such as fine dust and the like in the house, until the purification of the air is completed by the air conditioning device. In similar regards, publication <CIT> relates to systems and methods for controlling the operation content output devices as well as environment creation devices by convergence of configuration information between the various devices, publication <CIT> relates to an air purification device including a plurality of filters which are moved controllably by a controller, publication <CIT> relates to air purifier devices with an air quality sensor, configured to communicate with an external cellphone module for providing information on air quality and operation modes thereof, and publication <CIT> relates to a method for operating an air purifier wherein air quality data from an inside environment and an outside environment are collected and information is presented to a user based on the collected measurements.

According to the invention, there is provided an air conditioning device including an air purifier, a sensor configured to measure an air pollution level, a communicator comprising circuitry and configured to communicate with an external server; and a processor configured to activate the sensor in a state where the air purifier is not driven, in response to receiving a first signal requesting an air pollution level state information from the server based on a location of a mobile terminal, transmit a second signal indicating that the air conditioning device needs to be driven to the server based on the air pollution level measured by the sensor, and drive the air purifier in response to a driving instruction received from the server, corresponding to the appended claims.

The first signal may be received from the server, based on the mobile terminal entering a predetermined region with respect to the air conditioning device.

The the sensor may comprise a plurality of sensors configured to measure same type of pollution level based on different criteria, and the processor may be configured to based on threshold values differently set for the plurality of sensors respectively, determine whether a plurality of pollution levels measured by the plurality of sensors are equal to or higher than the threshold values, and based on at least one of the plurality of pollution levels measured by the plurality of sensors being determined to be equal to or higher than the threshold value, transmit the second signal to the server.

The sensor may comprise a plurality of sensors configured to measure different types of pollution levels, and the processor may be configured to based on threshold values differently set for the plurality of sensors respectively, determine whether a plurality of pollution levels measured by the plurality of sensors are equal to or higher than the threshold values, and based on at least one of the plurality of pollution levels measured by the plurality of sensors being determined to be equal to or higher than the threshold value, transmit the second signal to the server.

The processor may be configured to based on the measured air pollution level being determined to be equal to or higher than a threshold value while the air conditioning device is driven in a first mode, transmit the second signal to the server, and based on the measured air pollution level being determined to be equal to or higher than a threshold value while the air conditioning device is driven in a second mode, automatically drive the air purifier without the transmission.

The processor may be configured to based on deviation information indicating that the mobile terminal deviated from a predetermined region with respect to the air conditioning device being received from the server, transmit a notification related to the deviation information to the mobile terminal, and based on a signal for stopping driving of the air purifier being received, stop the driving of the air purifier.

The processor may be configured to based on the deviation information being received from the server, determine an operation mode of the air conditioning device, based on the air conditioning device being operated in a normal mode, drive the air purifier according to the normal mode without transmission of the notification, based on the air conditioning device being operated in a power saving mode in which the air conditioning device is operated with lower power than in the normal mode, transmit the notification related to the deviation information to the mobile terminal, and based on a signal for stopping driving of the air purifier being received, stop the driving of the air purifier.

The processor may be configured to based on the measured air pollution level being determined to be equal to or higher than a first threshold value, drive the air purifier with first strength in response to the driving instruction, and based on the measured air pollution level being determined to be lower than the first threshold value and equal to or higher than a second threshold value, drive the air purifier with second strength lower than the first strength in response to the driving instruction.

The processor may be configured to transmit at least one of entry information indicating that the mobile terminal entered a predetermined region, information regarding the air pollution level measured by the sensor, and a menu for controlling the air purifier to the server.

The processor may be configured to activate the sensor based on the mobile terminal entering a geofence of a predetermined shape.

According to another embodiment of the invention, there is provided a method for controlling an air conditioning device, the method including activating a sensor in a state where an air purifier of the air conditioning device is not driven, in response to receiving a first signal requesting an air pollution level state information from a server based on a location of a mobile terminal, transmitting a second signal indicating that the air conditioning device needs to be driven to the server based on an air pollution level measured by the sensor, and driving the air purifier in response to a driving instruction received from the server, corresponding to the appended claims.

The the sensor may comprise a plurality of sensors configured to measure same type of pollution level based on different criteria, and the transmitting the second signal may comprises based on threshold values differently set for the plurality of sensors respectively, determining whether a plurality of pollution levels measured by the plurality of sensors are equal to or higher than the threshold values, and based on at least one of the plurality of pollution levels measured by the plurality of sensors being determined to be equal to or higher than the threshold value, transmitting the second signal to the server.

The sensor may comprise a plurality of sensors configured to measure different types of pollution levels, and the transmitting the second signal may comprises based on threshold values differently set for the plurality of sensors respectively, determining whether a plurality of pollution levels measured by the plurality of sensors are equal to or higher than the threshold values, and based on at least one of the plurality of pollution levels measured by the plurality of sensors being determined to be equal to or higher than the threshold value, transmitting the second signal to the server.

The method may further comprise determining a mode of the air conditioning device and based on the measured air pollution level being determined to be equal to or higher than a threshold value while the air conditioning device is driven in a first mode, transmitting the second signal to the server, and based on the measured air pollution level being determined to be equal to or higher than a threshold value while the air conditioning device is driven in a second mode, automatically driving the air purifier without the transmission.

The method may further comprise based on deviation information indicating that the mobile terminal deviated from a predetermined region with respect to the air conditioning device being received from the server, transmitting a notification related to the deviation information to the mobile terminal, and based on a signal for stopping driving of the air purifier being received, stopping the driving of the air purifier.

The method may comprise based on the deviation information being received from the server, determining an operation mode of the air conditioning device; based on the air conditioning device being operated in a normal mode, driving the air purifier according to the normal mode without transmission of the notification, based on the air conditioning device being operated in a power saving mode in which the air conditioning device is operated with lower power than in the normal mode, transmitting the notification related to the deviation information to the mobile terminal, and based on a signal for stopping driving of the air purifier being received, stopping the driving of the air purifier.

The driving the air purifier may comprise, based on the measured air pollution level being determined to be equal to or higher than a first threshold value, driving the air purifier with first strength in response to the driving instruction, and based on the measured air pollution level being determined to be lower than the first threshold value and equal to or higher than a second threshold value, driving the air purifier with second strength lower than the first strength in response to the driving instruction.

The transmitting the second signal may comprise transmitting at least one of: entry information indicating that the mobile terminal entered a predetermined region, information regarding the air pollution level measured by the sensor, and a menu for controlling the air purifier.

The sensor may be activated based on the mobile terminal entering a geofence of a predetermined shape.

First, the terms used in the specification and claims have been selected general terms in consideration of functions in the disclosure. But these may vary in accordance with the intention of those skilled in the art, legal and technical interpretation, the emergence of new technologies and the like. In addition, some terms are arbitrarily selected by the applicant. Such terms may be interpreted as the meaning defined in this specification, and unless otherwise specifically defined, the terms may be interpreted based on general content of this specification and typical technical knowledge in the technical field.

In addition, in describing the disclosure, a detailed description of the related art or the configuration is summarized or omitted when it is determined that the detailed description may unnecessarily obscure a gist of the disclosure.

Further, embodiments of the disclosure is described with reference to the accompanying drawings and contents shown in the accompanying drawings, but the disclosure is not limited to such embodiments.

The disclosure has been made to solve the aforementioned problems and an object of the disclosure is to provide an air conditioning device that is able to provide a pleasant environment for a user by purifying the indoor air, before a user arrives a house, and a control method thereof.

<FIG> illustrates a view for describing an air conditioning system <NUM> according to an embodiment of the invention.

Referring to <FIG>, the air conditioning system <NUM> according to an embodiment of the invention includes an air conditioning device <NUM>, a server <NUM>, and an electronic device <NUM>.

The air conditioning device <NUM> comprises an air purifier as shown in <FIG> which is an electronic device executing purification of the air.

The air conditioning device <NUM> may transmit and receive various pieces of data by executing communication with the server <NUM>. In particular, the air conditioning device <NUM> receives entry information indicating that the electronic device <NUM> has entered a predetermined region or an air pollution level state information providing request from the server <NUM>.

Specifically, when the electronic device <NUM> enters a predetermined region with respect to the air conditioning device <NUM>, the electronic device <NUM> transmits the entry information described above to the server <NUM>. The predetermined region herein may be referred to as a geofence region which is a region within a predetermined radius from the air conditioning device <NUM>.

In an embodiment, the geofence region may be a region within a <NUM>-km radius from the air conditioning device <NUM> but is not limited thereto. The radius of the geofence region may be variously set at a product producing stage and may be variously set or changed according to user instructions. In addition, the geofence region may have a circular shape and various other shapes such as polygon.

In addition, the geofence region may be set with respect to the air conditioning device <NUM> or may be set with respect to a location determined based on a user input.

For this, information regarding the geofence region may be stored in the electronic device <NUM> in advance. This will be described in detail with reference to <FIG>.

The electronic device <NUM> may be a mobile device such as a smartphone. However, there is no limitation thereto, and the electronic device <NUM> may be various electronic devices capable of determining location of the electronic device <NUM> through GPS signals or the like, such as a smart watch or Galaxy Gear.

In addition, it is described herein that the electronic device <NUM> transmits the entry information to the server <NUM>, but the electronic device <NUM> may transmit location information of the electronic device <NUM> to the server <NUM>. In this case, the server <NUM> may determine whether or not the electronic device <NUM> has entered the geofence region based on the location information of the electronic device <NUM>. For this, information regarding the geofence region may be stored in the server <NUM> in advance. Hereinafter, for convenience of description, the description will be made assuming that the electronic device <NUM> transmits the entry information to the server <NUM>.

When the entry information is received from the electronic device <NUM>, the server <NUM> may determine a driving state of the air conditioning device <NUM>. The driving state herein may be one of a state where the air conditioning device <NUM> is driving an air purifier (e.g., fan) for purifying the air or a state where the air conditioning device <NUM> is not driving the air purifier.

Specifically, when the entry information is received from the electronic device <NUM>, the server <NUM> may determine the driving state of the air conditioning device <NUM> based on the information regarding the driving state of the air conditioning device <NUM> stored in advance. For this, the server <NUM> may periodically receive the information regarding the driving state of the air conditioning device <NUM> from the air conditioning device <NUM> and store the information regarding the driving state of the air conditioning device <NUM>. In addition, when a user instruction (e.g., turn-on instruction) for controlling the air conditioning device <NUM> is input to the air conditioning device <NUM>, the server <NUM> may receive the information regarding the driving state of the air conditioning device <NUM> from the air conditioning device <NUM> and store the information regarding the driving state of the air conditioning device <NUM>.

If it is determined that the air conditioning device <NUM> is not driven, the server <NUM> may transmit the entry information received from the electronic device <NUM> to the air conditioning device <NUM>. In addition, if it is determined that the air conditioning device <NUM> is not driven, the server <NUM> may transmit an air pollution level state information providing request to the air conditioning device <NUM>.

When the entry information or the air pollution level state information providing request is received, the air conditioning device <NUM> activates a sensor while maintaining an off state of power, and measure an air pollution level through the sensor. The off state of power herein means a state where an air purifier <NUM> is not driven. The air pollution level may be a concentration of fine dust in the air. In an example, the air conditioning device <NUM> may measure a concentration of fine dust having a diameter equal to or less than <NUM> µm through a PM10 sensor.

The air conditioning device <NUM> transmits information indicating that the air conditioning device <NUM> needs to be driven to the server <NUM> based on the air pollution level measured by the sensor.

For this, the air conditioning device <NUM> determines whether or not the air pollution level measured by the sensor is equal to or higher than a threshold value. The threshold value may be a predetermined value in the air conditioning device <NUM>. In an example, the threshold value of the concentration of the fine dust measured through the PM10 sensor may be <NUM> µm/m<NUM>.

When it is determined that the air pollution level measured by the sensor is equal to or higher than the threshold value, the air conditioning device <NUM> transmits information indicating that the air conditioning device <NUM> needs to be driven to the server <NUM>. That is, the air conditioning device <NUM> may transmit a notification related to the pollution level to the electronic device <NUM>. Specifically, the air conditioning device <NUM> may transmit a signal requesting transmission of a notification related to the pollution level to the electronic device <NUM>, to the server <NUM> and the server <NUM> may transmit the notification related to the pollution level to the electronic device <NUM> in response to the signal received from the air conditioning device <NUM>.

The notification includes at least one of entry information indicating that the electronic device <NUM> has entered the geofence region, information regarding a pollution level measured by the sensor, and a menu for controlling the air conditioning device.

For example, when it is determined that the concentration of fine dust measured through the PM10 sensor is equal to or higher than <NUM> µm/m<NUM>, the air conditioning device <NUM> may transmit a notification including a message such as "You have approached near to your destination. The level of indoor fine dust is "bad". Please turn on air purifier" and the menu for controlling the air conditioning device <NUM> to the electronic device <NUM>.

Then, the air conditioning device <NUM> receives a signal for driving the air purifier. Specifically, when a user instruction for driving the air purifier of the air conditioning device <NUM> is input to the electronic device <NUM>, the electronic device <NUM> may transmit the signal for driving the air purifier to the server <NUM> and the air conditioning device <NUM> may receive the signal for driving the air purifier from the server <NUM>.

When the signal for driving the air purifier is received, the air conditioning device <NUM> will drive the air purifier.

As described above, in the disclosure, a pleasant indoor environment may be provided for a user when the user arrived a house, by driving the air purifier of the air conditioning device <NUM> based on that the electronic device <NUM> has entered the geofence region.

<FIG> illustrates a block diagram for describing the air conditioning device <NUM> according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, the air conditioning device <NUM> according to the invention includes a sensor <NUM>, an air purifier <NUM>, a communicator <NUM>, and a processor <NUM>.

The sensor <NUM> measures an air pollution level. The air pollution level may be a concentration of fine dust.

In an example, the sensor <NUM> may measure a concentration of fine dust in the air by using the principle of light scattering. Specifically, the sensor <NUM> may emit light into the air and measure the concentration of fine dust in the air by measuring an amount of light reflected or scattered by fine dust in the air. Alternatively, the sensor <NUM> may emit light into the air and measure the concentration of fine dust in the air based on a change in index of refraction of air generated due to absorption of light by fine dust in the air. However, this is merely an embodiment, and the sensor <NUM> may be implemented as various sensors (infrared sensor, laser sensor, and the like) that is able to measure the concentration of fine dust in the air.

The sensor <NUM> may include a plurality of sensors which are able to measure the concentrations of fine dust having different sizes. Specifically, the sensor <NUM> may include first to third sensors; in which the first sensor may be a PM10 sensor that is able to measure a concentration of fine dust having a diameter equal to or less than <NUM> µm, the second sensor may be a PM2. <NUM> sensor that is able to measure a concentration of fine dust having a diameter equal to or less than <NUM> µm, and the third sensor may be a PM1. <NUM> sensor that is able to measure a concentration of fine dust having a diameter equal to or less than <NUM> µm. That is, the sensor <NUM> may include a plurality of sensors measuring the same type of pollution level (e.g., concentration of fine dust) based on different criteria (e.g., sizes of fine dust).

In addition, the sensor <NUM> may further include a sensor (e.g., gas sensor) that is able to measure a concentration of carbon dioxide in the air. Specifically, the sensor <NUM> may further include a sensor that is able to measure an amount of carbon dioxide adsorbed to a periphery of a carbon dioxide adsorption filter (e.g., both edges of the carbon dioxide adsorption filter) of the air conditioning device <NUM>. In this case, the air pollution level according to the disclosure may be a concentration of carbon dioxide in the air. That is, the sensor <NUM> may include a plurality of sensors measuring various types of pollution levels (e.g., concentration of fine dust and concentration of carbon dioxide).

In addition, the sensor <NUM> may further include at least one of a temperature sensor and a humidity sensor.

The air purifier <NUM> may execute purification of the indoor air. For this, the air purifier <NUM> may include a fan for drawing the air and a filter for purifying the air. The filer is a component for filtering out the drawn air and may include, for example, a pre-filter, a functional filter, a HEPA filter, a deodorizing filter, a carbon dioxide adsorption filter, and the like. The air purifier <NUM> will be described later in detail with reference to <FIG>.

The communicator <NUM> may transmit and receive various pieces of information by executing communication with various external devices.

In particular, the communicator <NUM> may receive various pieces of information (e.g., entry information indicating that the electronic device <NUM> has entered the geofence region, air pollution level state information providing request, information related to control of the air conditioning device <NUM>, and the like) from the server <NUM> and may transmit various pieces of information (e.g., information related to the air pollution level, information related to state information of the air conditioning device <NUM>, and the like) to the server <NUM>, by executing the communication with the server <NUM>.

In addition, the communicator <NUM> may receive various pieces of information (e.g., information related to control of the air conditioning device <NUM>, and the like) from the electronic device <NUM> and transmit various pieces of information (e.g., identification information of the air conditioning device <NUM>, and the like) to the electronic device <NUM>, by executing the communication with the electronic device <NUM>.

For this, the communicator <NUM> may include a wireless communication chip, a Wi-Fi chip, a Bluetooth chip, and the like.

The processor <NUM> is a component for controlling general operations of the air conditioning device <NUM>. The processor <NUM> may control a plurality of hardware or software components connected to the processor <NUM> by running an operating system or an application and may execute various data processing and calculation. For this, the processor <NUM> may include at least one of a central processing unit (CPU), an application processor (AP), or a communication processor (CP). In addition, the processor <NUM> may be implemented as at least one of a general processor, a digital signal processor, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a system on chip (SoC), and a Microcomputer (MICOM).

The processor <NUM> may receive the entry information or the air pollution level state information providing request from the server <NUM> via the communicator <NUM>. The entry information may include information indicating that the electronic device <NUM> has entered a predetermined region (that is, geofence region) with respect to the air conditioning device <NUM>. The air pollution level state information providing request may be a signal requesting the measurement of the air pollution level surrounding the air conditioning device <NUM>.

Specifically, the electronic device <NUM> may periodically determine a location of the electronic device <NUM> through a GPS signal or the like and, when it is determined that the electronic device <NUM> has entered the geofence region, the electronic device <NUM> will transmit the entry information to the server <NUM>. The processor <NUM> will receive the entry information or the air pollution level state information providing request from the server <NUM> via the communicator <NUM>.

The entry information or the air pollution level state information providing request will be received from the server <NUM> via the communicator <NUM>, when the electronic device enters the geofence region while the air purifier <NUM> is not driven.

Specifically, when the entry information is received from the electronic device <NUM>, the server <NUM> may first determine a driving state of the air conditioning device. When it is determined that the air conditioning device <NUM> is driving the air purifier <NUM> for purification of the air, the server <NUM> may not transmit the entry information or the air pollution level state information providing request to the air conditioning device <NUM>, and when it is determined that the air conditioning device <NUM> is not driving the air purifier <NUM>, the server <NUM> may transmit the entry information or the air pollution level state information providing request to the air conditioning device <NUM>. This is because there is no need to transmit the notification including the menu for driving the air conditioning device <NUM> to the electronic device <NUM>, when the air conditioning device <NUM> is driving the air purifier <NUM>. Accordingly, it is possible for the air conditioning device <NUM> of the disclosure to prevent waste of electric power and unnecessary loads on the processor by preventing the entry information or the air pollution level state information providing request from being unnecessarily received from the server <NUM>.

When the entry information or the air pollution level state information providing request is received, the processor <NUM> may activate the sensor <NUM>. That is, when the entry information or the air pollution level state information providing request is received, the processor <NUM> may activate the sensor <NUM> in an inactivated state. As described above, in the disclosure, the power may be efficiently used by maintaining an inactivated state of the sensor <NUM> until the entry information or the air pollution level state information providing request is received.

When the air pollution level is measured by the activated sensor <NUM>, the processor <NUM> will determine whether or not the measured air pollution level is equal to or higher than a threshold value. For example, when a threshold value of the concentration of fine dust measured through the PM10 sensor is set as <NUM> µm/m<NUM> in advance, the processor <NUM> may determine whether or not the concentration of fine dust measured by the PM10 sensor is equal to or higher than <NUM> µm/m<NUM>.

As described above, the sensor <NUM> according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include a plurality of sensors which are able to measure the concentrations of fine dust having different sizes. For example, the sensor <NUM> may include a first and second sensors; in which the first sensor may be a PM10 sensor that is able to measure a concentration of fine dust having a diameter equal to or less than <NUM> µm and the second sensor may be a PM2. <NUM> sensor that is able to measure a concentration of fine dust having a diameter equal to or less than <NUM> µm.

In this case, the processor <NUM> may determine whether or not a plurality of pollution levels measured by the plurality of sensors are equal to or higher than threshold values based on threshold values differently set for the plurality of sensors, respectively. For example, when the threshold value set for the PM10 sensor is <NUM> µm/m<NUM> and the threshold value set for the PM2. <NUM> sensor is <NUM> µm/m<NUM>, the processor <NUM> may determine whether or not the concentration of fine dust measured by the PM10 sensor is equal to or higher than <NUM> µm/m<NUM> and determine whether or not the concentration of fine dust measured by the PM2. <NUM> sensor is equal to or higher than <NUM> µm/m<NUM>.

Such sensors are merely an embodiment, and the disclosure may further include a PM1. <NUM> sensor that is able to measure a concentration of fine dust having a diameter equal to or less than <NUM> µm. In addition, the same threshold value may be set for some of the plurality of sensors. For example, the threshold value set for the PM2. <NUM> sensor and the PM1. <NUM> sensor may be <NUM> µm/m<NUM> and the threshold value set for the PM10 sensor may be <NUM> µm/m<NUM>.

In addition, as described above, the sensor <NUM> according to an embodiment of the disclosure may further include a sensor (e.g., gas sensor) that is able to measure a concentration of carbon dioxide in the air.

In this case, the processor <NUM> may determine whether or not a plurality of pollution levels measured by the plurality of sensors are equal to or higher than threshold values, based on threshold values differently set for the plurality of sensors, respectively. For example, when the threshold value set for the PM10 sensor is <NUM> µm/m<NUM> and the threshold value set for the gas sensor is <NUM>,<NUM> ppm, the processor <NUM> may determine whether or not the concentration of fine dust measured by the PM10 sensor is equal to or higher than <NUM> µm/m<NUM> and determine whether or not the concentration of carbon dioxide measured by the gas sensor is equal to or higher than <NUM>,<NUM> ppm.

When it is determined that the air pollution level measured by the sensor <NUM> is equal to or higher than a threshold value, the processor <NUM> may transmit the notification related to the pollution level of the electronic device <NUM>. Specifically, the processor <NUM> may transmit the notification related to the pollution level to the server <NUM> via the communicator <NUM> and the electronic device <NUM> may receive the notification related to the pollution level from the server <NUM>.

The notification herein may include at least one of the entry information indicating that the electronic device <NUM> has entered the geofence region, the information regarding the pollution level measured by the sensor <NUM>, and the menu for controlling the air purifier <NUM>. For example, the notification may include a message such as "You have approached near to your destination. The level of indoor fine dust is "bad". Please turn on air purifier" and the menu for controlling the air conditioning device <NUM>.

When the sensor <NUM> of the disclosure is implemented as the plurality of sensors, if it is determined that at least one of the plurality of pollution levels measured by the plurality of sensors is equal to or higher than the threshold value, the processor <NUM> may transmit the notification to the electronic device <NUM>. For example, in the embodiment described above, when the concentration of fine dust measured by the PM10 sensor is lower than <NUM> µm/m<NUM> but the concentration of fine dust measured by the PM2. <NUM> sensor is equal to or higher than <NUM> µm/m<NUM>, the processor <NUM> may transmit notification to the electronic device <NUM>. In addition, when the concentration of carbon dioxide measured by the gas sensor is lower than <NUM>,<NUM> ppm but the concentration of fine dust measured by the PM10 sensor is equal to or higher than <NUM> µm/m<NUM>, the processor <NUM> may transmit the notification to the electronic device <NUM>.

Then, when the signal for driving the air purifier <NUM> is received via the communicator <NUM>, the processor <NUM> will drive the air purifier <NUM>.

Specifically, when the electronic device <NUM> receives a user input for driving the air purifier <NUM> of the air conditioning device <NUM>, the electronic device <NUM> may transmit the signal for driving the air purifier <NUM> to the server <NUM> and the processor <NUM> will receive the signal for driving the air purifier <NUM> from the server <NUM>. The user instruction for driving the air purifier <NUM> may be received by selecting the menu for controlling the air purifier <NUM> included in the notification.

The processor <NUM> may control the air purifier <NUM> at different strength depending on a degree of the pollution level measured by the sensor <NUM>.

Specifically, when it is determined that the pollution level measured by the sensor <NUM> is equal to or higher than a first threshold value, the processor <NUM> may drive the air purifier <NUM> with first strength in response to a signal received from the electronic device <NUM>, and when it is determined that the pollution level measured by the sensor <NUM> is lower than the first threshold value and equal to or higher than the second threshold value, the processor <NUM> may drive the air purifier <NUM> with second strength that is lower than the first strength in response to a signal received from the electronic device <NUM>.

For example, <NUM> µm/m<NUM> and <NUM> µm/m<NUM> may be respectively predetermined as the first threshold value and the second threshold value for the PM10 sensor. In this case, when it is determined that the concentration of fine dust measured by the PM10 sensor is <NUM> µm/m<NUM> which is equal to or higher than the first threshold value, the processor <NUM> may drive the air purifier <NUM> with the first strength (for example, strength corresponding to a power mode) in response to a signal received from the electronic device <NUM>, and when it is determined that the concentration of fine dust measured by the PM10 sensor is <NUM> µm/m<NUM> which is lower than the first threshold value and equal to or higher than the second threshold value, the processor <NUM> may drive the air purifier <NUM> with second strength (for example, strength corresponding to a normal mode) that is lower than the first strength in response to a signal received form the electronic device <NUM>.

The processor <NUM> may also receive deviation information indicating that the electronic device <NUM> has deviated from the geofence region via the communicator <NUM>.

Specifically, when the electronic device <NUM> in the geofence region has deviated from the geofence region, the electronic device <NUM> may transmit the deviation information to the server <NUM> and the processor <NUM> may receive the deviation information from the server <NUM>.

In this case, the processor <NUM> may transmit a notification related to the deviation to the electronic device <NUM>. Specifically, the processor <NUM> may transmit the notification related to the deviation to the server <NUM> via the communicator <NUM> and the electronic device <NUM> may receive the notification related to the deviation from the server <NUM>. The notification related to the deviation herein may include at least one of the deviation information indicating that the electronic device <NUM> has deviated from the geofence region and a menu for controlling the air purifier <NUM>. For example, the notification related to the deviation may include a message such as "You are away from air purifier. Do you want to turn off air purifier for energy saving?" and a menu for controlling the air conditioning device <NUM>.

Then, when a signal for stopping the driving of the air purifier <NUM> is received, the processor <NUM> may stop the driving of the air purifier <NUM>. Therefore, in the disclosure, it is possible to prevent unnecessary waste of electric power.

The processor <NUM> may also determine whether or not to transmit the notification related to the deviation based on an operation mode of the air conditioning device <NUM>.

Specifically, when the deviation information is received via the communicator <NUM>, the processor <NUM> determines the operation mode of the air conditioning device <NUM>. When the air conditioning device <NUM> is operated in a normal mode, the processor <NUM> may continue driving the air purifier <NUM> in the normal mode without transmission of the notification, and when the air conditioning device <NUM> is operated in a power saving mode in which the air conditioning device <NUM> is operated with lower power than in the normal mode, the processor <NUM> may transmit the notification related to the deviation to the electronic device <NUM>, and when a signal for stopping the driving of the air purifier <NUM> is received, the processor <NUM> may stop the driving of the air purifier <NUM>.

This is performed in consideration of the intension of a user. This is because that, if the operation mode of the air conditioning device <NUM> is set as the normal mode, a user has intention of generally continuously purifying the indoor air, and if the operation mode of the air conditioning device <NUM> is set as the power saving mode, a user has intention of generally purifying the indoor air with low power, only if it is necessary.

<FIG> illustrates a view for describing the air purifier according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, the air purifier <NUM> according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include a pre-filter <NUM>, a deodorizing filter <NUM>, a HEPA filter <NUM>, and a carbon dioxide adsorption filter <NUM>. The pre-filter <NUM> may be a filter for removing house dust in the air, the deodorizing filter <NUM> may be a filter for removing various odors and harmful gases in the air, the HEPA filter <NUM> may be a filter for removing fine dust in the air, and the carbon dioxide adsorption filter <NUM> may be a filter for removing carbon dioxide in the air.

In particular, the HEPA filter may be a filter formed of a glass fiber or the like and a fiber interval may be <NUM> to <NUM>. The fine dust included in the air absorbed through a fan of the air conditioning device <NUM> may be filtered out by passing through the HEPA filter through operations such as diffusion, interception, inertial impaction, electrostatic attraction, and the like.

The carbon dioxide adsorption filter may be implemented with at least one material among zeolites, metal organic framework (MOF), covalent organic framework (COF), covalent organic polymer (COP).

The pre-filter <NUM>, the deodorizing filter <NUM>, the HEPA filter <NUM>, and the carbon dioxide adsorption filter <NUM> may be sequentially disposed based on a direction in which the air is absorbed. In an example, as shown in <FIG>, if the air is absorbed from left to right, the pre-filter <NUM>, the deodorizing filter <NUM>, the HEPA filter <NUM>, and the carbon dioxide adsorption filter <NUM> may be sequentially disposed from the left in the air purifier <NUM>. However, this is merely an embodiment, and if the air is absorbed from bottom to top, the pre-filter <NUM>, the deodorizing filter <NUM>, the HEPA filter <NUM>, and the carbon dioxide adsorption filter <NUM> may be sequentially disposed from the bottom in the air purifier <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a flowchart for describing the air conditioning device executing different operations according to the operation modes according to an embodiment of the disclosure. Hereinafter, the overlapped part of the above description will be omitted or briefly described.

When the electronic device <NUM> has entered the geofence region, the processor <NUM> will receive an air pollution level state information providing request or entry information indicating that the electronic device <NUM> has entered the geofence region (S410). The processor <NUM> will activate the sensor <NUM> based on the reception of the air pollution level state information providing request or the entry information and measure an air pollution level through the sensor <NUM> (S420).

The processor <NUM> may determine whether or not the air pollution level is equal to or higher than a threshold value, and when it is determined that the air pollution level is equal to or higher than the threshold value, the processor <NUM> may determine the mode of the air conditioning device <NUM> (S440).

When it is determined that the air pollution level state information providing request or the entry information is received while the air conditioning device <NUM> is operated in a first mode, the processor <NUM> may transmit a notification related to the pollution level to the electronic device <NUM> (S450). The first mode may be a mode in which the air purifier <NUM> is driven (S470) based on reception of a user instruction for driving the air purifier <NUM> (S460).

When it is determined that the air pollution level state information providing request or the entry information is received while the air conditioning device <NUM> is operated in a second mode, the processor <NUM> may automatically drive the air purifier <NUM> (S470) without transmission of the notification related to the pollution level.

The mode of the air conditioning device <NUM> may be set or changed according to a user instruction. Specifically, when a user instruction for setting the mode of the air conditioning device <NUM> as one of the first and second modes is received, the electronic device <NUM> may transmit a signal for setting the air conditioning device <NUM> in a mode corresponding to the user instruction to the air conditioning device <NUM>, and the air conditioning device <NUM> may set the mode of the air conditioning device <NUM> as one of the first and second modes based on the signal received from the electronic device <NUM>. In addition, the electronic device <NUM> may transmit the signal for setting the air conditioning device <NUM> in a mode corresponding to the user instruction to the server <NUM>, and the air conditioning device <NUM> may set the mode of the air conditioning device <NUM> as one of the first and second modes based on the signal received from the server <NUM>.

<FIG> and <FIG> illustrate views for describing a method for setting a geofence region according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

When a user instruction for displaying state information of the air conditioning device <NUM> is received, the electronic device <NUM> may display state information including driving state information of the air conditioning device <NUM> and air pollution levels measured by the air conditioning device <NUM>, and a menu related to setting of the air conditioning device, as shown in <FIG>. Specifically, when a user instruction for displaying the state information of the air conditioning device <NUM> is received, the electronic device <NUM> may transmit a signal requesting the state information of the air conditioning device <NUM> to the server <NUM> and the server <NUM> may transmit the state information of the air conditioning device <NUM> received from the air conditioning device <NUM> to the electronic device <NUM>. In addition, the electronic device <NUM> may transmit the signal requesting the state information of the air conditioning device <NUM> to the air conditioning device <NUM> and receive the state information of the air conditioning device <NUM> from the air conditioning device <NUM>.

When a user instruction for selecting a menu <NUM> for setting a Welcome care menu of the air conditioning device <NUM> is received, the electronic device <NUM> may display a screen related to the Welcome care menu setting, as shown in <FIG>. The Welcome care menu <NUM> may be a menu for setting so that the electronic device <NUM> receives a notification transmitted by the air conditioning device <NUM>, when the electronic device <NUM> enters the geofence region.

Herein, when a user instruction for selecting the Welcome care menu <NUM> is received, the electronic device <NUM> may display a screen for activating a Welcome care function, as shown in <FIG>. This screen may include a guide message such as "Recommend you to turn on air purifier if degree of fine dust is "bad" when you get into a short distance to the air purifier".

When a user instruction <NUM> for activating the Welcome care function is received, the electronic device <NUM> may display a screen <NUM> for setting the geofence region, as shown in <FIG>. The screen displayed herein may be a pop-up screen or a screen transitioned from the screen for activating the Welcome care function.

When a user instruction for registering a location of the air conditioning device <NUM> is received through the screen <NUM> for setting the geofence region, the electronic device <NUM> may set a region within a predetermined radius from the air conditioning device <NUM> as the geofence region. Specifically, the electronic device <NUM> may acquire location information of the air conditioning device <NUM> based on an address input to the screen <NUM> for setting the geofence region, and set a region within a predetermined radius with respect to a location <NUM> of the air conditioning device <NUM> as a geofence region <NUM>. The radius may be <NUM>, but this is merely an embodiment, and the radius may be variously set or changed according to user instructions.

Although not shown in <FIG>, the screen for setting the geofence region may further include a message such as "Please register location of air purifier".

Then, when a user instruction for completing the setting of the geofence region is received, the electronic device <NUM> may display a screen showing that the Welcome care function is activated, as shown in <FIG>.

Hereinabove, an embodiment of setting the region within a predetermined radius from the air conditioning device <NUM> as the geofence region has been described, but the geofence region may be variously set according to user instructions. In an example, when a user inputs a second location on a screen <NUM> for setting the geofence region, while the air conditioning device <NUM> is present at the first location, the electronic device <NUM> may set the region within a predetermined radius from the second location as the geofence region.

In addition, the electronic device <NUM> may set a plurality of geofence regions. For this, the electronic device <NUM> may display a screen for setting the geofence region, including more menus for adding a geofence region.

In addition, when a plurality of geofence regions are set, the electronic device <NUM> may variously set the air conditioning device corresponding to each geofence region. For example, when the electronic device enters a first geofence region, the electronic device may be set to receive a notification from a first air conditioning device, and when the electronic device enters a second geofence region, the electronic device may be set to receive a notification from a second air conditioning device.

<FIG> and <FIG> illustrate views for describing notifications related to an embodiment of the invention.

<FIG> illustrates a view for describing a notification related to a pollution level according to an embodiment of the invention.

Referring to <FIG>, the air conditioning device <NUM> may transmit a notification including a message such as "You have approached near to your destination. The level of indoor fine dust is "bad". Please turn on air purifier" and a menu for controlling the air conditioning device <NUM> based on the entry information.

When the notification is received, the electronic device <NUM> may display a notification screen shown in <FIG>, and may transmit a signal for driving the air purifier <NUM> to the server <NUM>, when the menu for driving the air purifier <NUM> is selected (for example, when a user instruction of touching "OK" of <FIG> is received). The air conditioning device <NUM> will drive the air purifier <NUM> based on the signal for driving the air purifier <NUM> received from the server <NUM>.

It is described that the signal for driving the air purifier <NUM> is transmitted, when the menu included in the notification screen is selected, but this is merely an embodiment. In another example, when the menu included in the notification screen is selected, the electronic device <NUM> may display a screen for controlling the air conditioning device <NUM>. In this case, when a user instruction for driving the air purifier <NUM> is received through the screen for controlling the air conditioning device <NUM>, the electronic device <NUM> may transmit the signal for driving the air purifier <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a view for describing a notification related to deviation according to an embodiment of the invention.

Referring to <FIG>, the air conditioning device <NUM> may transmit a notification including "You are away from air purifier. Do you want to turn off air purifier for energy saving?" and the menu for controlling the air conditioning device <NUM>, based on the deviation information.

When the notification is received, the electronic device <NUM> may display a notification screen shown in <FIG>, and may transmit a signal for stopping the driving of the air purifier <NUM> to the server <NUM>, when the menu for stopping the driving of the air purifier <NUM> is selected (for example, when a user instruction of touching "OK" of <FIG> is received). The air conditioning device <NUM> may stop the driving of the air purifier <NUM> based on the signal for stopping the driving of the air purifier <NUM> received from the server <NUM>.

It is described that the signal for stopping the driving of the air purifier <NUM> is transmitted when the menu included in the notification screen is received, but this is merely an embodiment. In another example, when the menu included in the notification screen is selected, the electronic device <NUM> may display a screen for controlling the air conditioning device <NUM>. In this case, when a user instruction for stopping the driving of the air purifier <NUM> is received through the screen for controlling the air conditioning device <NUM>, the electronic device <NUM> may transmit the signal for stopping the driving of the air purifier <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a block diagram for specifically describing the air conditioning device according to an embodiment of the invention.

Referring to <FIG>, the air conditioning device <NUM> according to an embodiment of the disclosure will include the sensor <NUM>, the air purifier <NUM>, the communicator <NUM>, a memory <NUM>, a display <NUM>, a speaker <NUM>, a user interface <NUM>, and the processor <NUM>. Hereinafter, the overlapped part of the above description will be omitted or briefly described.

The memory <NUM> may store instructions or data related to at least another component of the air conditioning device <NUM>. The memory <NUM> may be implemented as a non-volatile memory, a volatile memory, a flash memory, a hard disk drive (HDD), or a solid-state drive (SSD). The memory <NUM> may be accessed by the processor <NUM> and reading, recording, editing, deleting, or updating of the data by the processor <NUM> may be executed. The term memory of the disclosure may include the memory <NUM>, a ROM (not shown) and a RAM (not shown) in the processor <NUM>, or a memory card (not shown) mounted on the air conditioning device <NUM> (for example, a micro SD card or a memory stick). In addition, the memory <NUM> may store programs and data for configuring various screens displayed in a display region of the display <NUM>.

The display <NUM> may display various pieces of information according to the control of the processor <NUM>. In particular, the display <NUM> may display information regarding a concentration of fine dust in the air, information regarding a concentration of carbon dioxide in the air, or information regarding an operation currently executed by the air conditioning device <NUM>. The display <NUM> may be implemented as a touch screen with a touch panel included in the user interface <NUM>.

The speaker <NUM> may output not only various pieces of audio data obtained by executing various processing such as decoding, amplification, or noise filtering by an audio processor, but also various alerts or voice messages. Particularly, the speaker <NUM> may output information regarding a concentration of fine dust in the air, information regarding a concentration of carbon dioxide in the air, or information regarding an operation currently executed by the air conditioning device <NUM> as a voice message in a natural language.

The user interface <NUM> may receive a user instruction for controlling the air conditioning device <NUM>. In particular, the user interface <NUM> may include a touch panel for receiving an input by touching with fingers of a user or a stylus pen, a button for receiving an input by manipulation of a user, and the like. In addition, the user interface <NUM> may be implemented as various input devices (e.g., keyboard, mouse, motion input unit, and the like).

<FIG> illustrates a flowchart for describing a method for controlling the air conditioning device according to an embodiment of the invention.

When an electronic device enters a predetermined region with respect to an air conditioning device, the air conditioning device will receive an air pollution level state information providing request or entry information indicating that the electronic device has entered the predetermined region (S810).

In particular, when the electronic device enters the predetermined region with respect to the air conditioning device while an air purifier is not driven, the air conditioning device will receive the air pollution level state information providing request or the entry information.

The air conditioning device will activate a sensor based on the reception of the air pollution level state information providing request or the entry information (S820). The sensor may be a sensor for measuring a concentration of fine dust in the air.

When it is determined that an air pollution level measured by the activated sensor is equal to or higher than a threshold value, the air conditioning device will transmit a notification related to the measured pollution level to the electronic device (S830). The notification may include at least one of entry information indicating that the electronic device has entered the predetermined region, information regarding the pollution level measured by the sensor, and a menu for controlling the air purifier.

Then, when a signal for driving the air purifier is received, the air conditioning device will drive the air purifier (S840). In particular, the air conditioning device will drive the air purifier based on the air pollution level measured by the sensor. In particular, when the air pollution level measured by the sensor is high, the air conditioning device may drive the air purifier with strong strength and, when the air pollution level measured by the sensor is low, the air conditioning device may drive the air purifier with relatively low strength.

According to the embodiments of the invention described above, it is possible to provide the air conditioning device executing purification of the air based on that a user enters a specific region. Therefore, the purified air may be provided for a user when a user arrives a house.

In addition, a user may receive a notification related to the air pollution level and control the air conditioning device at a point when the purification of the air is necessary, and therefore, according to the disclosure, it is possible to prevent inconvenience that a user needs to frequently monitor whether or not the purification of the air is necessary. Further, according to the invention, a user may stop the air purification operation when a user is away from a specific region, and therefore it is possible to prevent unnecessary waste of electric power.

Various functions of the server <NUM> described above may be executed by a communicator and a processor of the server <NUM>.

In an example, the communicator of the server <NUM> may transmit and receive various pieces of information described above (for example, the air pollution level state information providing request or the like) by executing communication with the air conditioning device <NUM> and may transmit and receive various information described above (for example, the location information of the electronic device <NUM> or the like) by executing communication with the electronic device <NUM>. For this, the communicator of the server <NUM> may include a wireless communication module, a Wi-Fi module, and the like.

When the entry information is received from the electronic device <NUM>, the processor of the server <NUM> may control the communicator of the server <NUM> to transmit the air pollution level state information providing request or the entry information to the air conditioning device <NUM>.

The processor of the server <NUM> may determine the driving state of the air conditioning device <NUM>, and when it is determined that the air conditioning device <NUM> is not driven, the processor may transmit the air pollution level state information providing request or the entry information to the air conditioning device <NUM>. When information indicating that the air conditioning device <NUM> needs to be driven is received from the air conditioning device <NUM>, the processor of the server <NUM> may transmit the information described above to the electronic device <NUM> and transmit a driving instruction received from the electronic device <NUM> to the air conditioning device <NUM>.

For this, the processor of the server <NUM> may include at least one of a central processing unit (CPU), an application processor (AP), or a communication processor (CP). In addition, the processor of the server <NUM> may be implemented as at least one of a general processor, a digital signal processor, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), system on chip (SoC), or a microcomputer (MICOM).

The methods according to the embodiments of the disclosure described above may be implemented in a form of software or applications installable on the existing air conditioning device.

In addition, the methods according to the embodiments of the disclosure described above may be implemented simply by the software upgrade or hardware upgrade in the existing air conditioning device.

Further, the embodiments of the disclosure described above may be executed through an embedded server provided in the air conditioning device or an external server of the air conditioning device.

A non-transitory computer readable medium storing programs sequentially executing the method for controlling the air conditioning device according to the disclosure may be provided.

The non-transitory computer-readable medium is not a medium storing data for a short period of time such as a register, a cache, or a memory, but means a medium that semi-permanently stores data and is readable by a machine. Specifically, the various applications or programs described above may be provided to be stored in the non-transitory readable medium such as a CD, a DVD, a hard disk, a Blu-ray disc, a USB, a memory card, and a ROM.

Claim 1:
An air conditioning device (<NUM>) comprising:
an air purifier (<NUM>);
a sensor (<NUM>) configured to measure an air pollution level;
a communicator (<NUM>) comprising circuitry and configured to communicate with a server (<NUM>); and
characterized by comprising a processor (<NUM>) configured to:
activate the sensor in a state where the air purifier is not driven, in response to receiving a first signal requesting an air pollution level state information from the server based on a location of a mobile terminal (<NUM>),
transmit a second signal indicating that the air conditioning device needs to be driven to the server based on the air pollution level measured by the sensor, and
drive the air purifier in response to a driving instruction received from the server.