U.S. patent application number 11/285309 was filed with the patent office on 2006-06-01 for apparatus for testing air conditioner.
This patent application is currently assigned to LG Electronics Inc.. Invention is credited to Sung-oh Choi, Do-yong Ha, Ki-bum Kim, Si-kyong Sung, Pil-hyun Yoon.
Application Number | 20060112700 11/285309 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35885916 |
Filed Date | 2006-06-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060112700 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Choi; Sung-oh ; et
al. |
June 1, 2006 |
Apparatus for testing air conditioner
Abstract
An apparatus for testing an air conditioner is disclosed. The
apparatus includes a first wireless device connected to the air
conditioner, and a second wireless device connected to a test
terminal. The first wireless device transmits and receives test
result information and test-related information based on a testing
program installed in the test terminal in a local-area wireless
communication manner, and the second wireless device transmits and
receives the test-related information and test result information
based on the testing program in the local-area wireless
communication manner. Therefore, local-area wireless communication
can be carried out between the air conditioner and the test
terminal, thereby making it possible to significantly save trouble
for installation of testing instruments, such as cables and a
converter, and to significantly curtail costs and manpower for test
work.
Inventors: |
Choi; Sung-oh;
(Gwangmyeong-si, KR) ; Kim; Ki-bum; (Seoul,
KR) ; Sung; Si-kyong; (Seoul, KR) ; Ha;
Do-yong; (Anyang-si, KR) ; Yoon; Pil-hyun;
(Seoul, KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BIRCH STEWART KOLASCH & BIRCH
PO BOX 747
FALLS CHURCH
VA
22040-0747
US
|
Assignee: |
LG Electronics Inc.
|
Family ID: |
35885916 |
Appl. No.: |
11/285309 |
Filed: |
November 23, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
62/126 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24F 11/30 20180101;
F24F 11/56 20180101 |
Class at
Publication: |
062/126 |
International
Class: |
F25B 49/00 20060101
F25B049/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 29, 2004 |
KR |
10-2004-0098756 |
Claims
1. An apparatus for testing an air conditioner, comprising: a first
wireless device connected to the air conditioner, the first
wireless device transmitting and receiving test result information
and test-related information based on a testing program installed
in a test terminal in a local-area wireless communication manner;
and a second wireless device connected to the test terminal, the
second wireless device transmitting and receiving the test-related
information and test result information based on the testing
program in the local-area wireless communication manner.
2. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the first
wireless device includes: a connector connected to a connector of
an operation/test control unit provided in the air conditioner; and
a local-area wireless communication unit for receiving the test
result information from the operation/test control unit through the
connector of the first wireless device, transmitting the received
test result information to the second wireless device in the
local-area wireless communication manner, receiving the
test-related information from the second wireless device in the
local-area wireless communication manner, and delivering the
received test-related information to the operation/test control
unit through the connector of the first wireless device.
3. The apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein the first
wireless device further includes a converter for converting the
test result information from the operation/test control unit,
received through the connector of the first wireless device, into
that of a communication protocol of the test terminal, and the
test-related information from the second wireless device, received
in the local-area wireless communication manner, into that of a
communication protocol of the air conditioner, respectively.
4. The apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein the local-area
wireless communication unit is a universal serial bus (USB)
Bluetooth module.
5. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the second
wireless device includes: a connector connected to a connector of
the test terminal; and a local-area wireless communication unit for
receiving the test result information transmitted from the first
wireless device in the local-area wireless communication manner,
delivering the received test result information to the test
terminal through the connector of the second wireless device,
receiving the test-related information from the test terminal
through the connector of the second wireless device, and
transmitting the received test-related information to the first
wireless device in the local-area wireless communication
manner.
6. The apparatus as set forth in claim 5, wherein the local-area
wireless communication unit is a USB Bluetooth module.
7. The apparatus as set forth in claim 5, wherein the connector of
the second wireless device is a USB connector.
8. The apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein: the air
conditioner is of a separated type wherein indoor and outdoor units
are separated from each other; and the operation/test control unit
is provided in the outdoor unit.
9. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the test terminal
is a portable terminal.
10. An apparatus for testing an air conditioner, comprising: an
operation/test control unit for controlling driving of the air
conditioner and testing the air conditioner; a first wireless
device connected to the operation/test control unit; a test
terminal equipped with a testing program for testing the air
conditioner; and a second wireless device connected to the test
terminal, wherein the first wireless device transmits and receives
test result information and test-related information based on the
testing program in a local-area wireless communication manner, and
the second wireless device transmits and receives the test-related
information and test result information based on the testing
program in the local-area wireless communication manner.
11. The apparatus as set forth in claim 10, wherein: the air
conditioner is of a separated type wherein indoor and outdoor units
are separated from each other; and the operation/test control unit
is provided in the outdoor unit.
12. The apparatus as set forth in claim 10, wherein each of the
first and second wireless devices includes a local-area wireless
communication unit for performing local-area wireless
communication, wherein the local-area wireless communication unit
is a USB Bluetooth module.
13. The apparatus as set forth in claim 10, wherein the first
wireless device includes a converter for converting the test result
information, delivered from the operation/test control unit, into
that of a communication protocol of the test terminal, and the
test-related information, received from the second wireless device
in the local-area wireless communication manner, into that of a
communication protocol of the air conditioner, respectively.
14. The apparatus as set forth in claim 10, wherein the test
terminal is a portable terminal.
15. An apparatus for testing an air conditioner, comprising: a
first wireless device for the air conditioner, the first wireless
device including: a first connector connected to a connector of an
operation/test control unit provided in the air conditioner; and a
first local-area wireless communication unit for receiving test
result information from the operation/test control unit through the
first connector, transmitting the received test result information
to a test terminal in a local-area wireless communication manner,
receiving test-related information from the test terminal in the
local-area wireless communication manner, and delivering the
received test-related information to the operation/test control
unit through the first connector; and a second wireless device for
the test terminal, the second wireless device including: a second
connector connected to a connector of the test terminal; and a
second local-area wireless communication unit for receiving the
test result information transmitted from the first wireless device
in the local-area wireless communication manner, delivering the
received test result information to the test terminal through the
second connector, receiving the test-related information from the
test terminal through the second connector, and transmitting the
received test-related information to the first wireless device in
the local-area wireless communication manner.
16. The apparatus as set forth in claim 15, wherein the first
wireless device further includes a converter for converting the
test result information from the operation/test control unit into
that of a communication protocol of the test terminal, and the
test-related information from the second wireless device, received
in the local-area wireless communication manner, into that of a
communication protocol of the air conditioner, respectively.
17. The apparatus as set forth in claim 15, wherein each of the
first local-area wireless communication unit and second local-area
wireless communication unit is a USB Bluetooth module.
18. The apparatus as set forth in claim 15, wherein the second
connector is a USB connector.
19. The apparatus as set forth in claim 15, wherein: the air
conditioner is of a separated type wherein indoor and outdoor units
are separated from each other; and the operation/test control unit
is provided in the outdoor unit.
20. The apparatus as set forth in claim 15, wherein the test
terminal is a portable terminal.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to an air conditioner, and
more particularly to a technique for testing an air
conditioner.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] An air conditioner generally refers to an appliance that
cools or heats an indoor space such as a residential area,
restaurant or office. Recently, in order to more efficiently cool
or heat an indoor space partitioned into a plurality of rooms, a
technique has been developed which cools or heats the rooms
individually using one air conditioner.
[0005] In general terms, air conditioners may be classified into a
separated type wherein indoor and outdoor units are separated from
each other, and an integrated type wherein indoor and outdoor units
are integrated. Air conditioners may also be classified into a
single type wherein one indoor unit is connected to one outdoor
unit, and a multi-type wherein a plurality of indoor units
installed in respective rooms are connected in common to one
outdoor unit via a network.
[0006] Meanwhile, misconnection of pipes and wires is liable to
occur due to complex piping and wiring when an air conditioner is
installed. In this regard, it is common that an air conditioner is
tested upon being installed. For example, in the case of a
separated type air conditioner in which indoor and outdoor units
are separated from each other, separate wiring, followed by
separate piping, is required to interconnect the indoor and outdoor
units for installation of the air conditioner. In the case of a
multi-type air conditioner in which a plurality of indoor units are
connected to one outdoor unit, the indoor units must be accurately
connected to the outdoor unit through respective wire connectors
and respective service valves of the outdoor unit for installation
of the air conditioner. Further, a separate piping process must be
additionally performed. If an air conditioner is installed in this
manner, then it is tested. That is, the entire operation of an air
conditioner is tested.
[0007] A description will hereinafter be given of a problem with a
conventional system for testing an air conditioner with reference
to FIG. 1. It is assumed here that the air conditioner is of the
separated type and the multi-type for the purpose of a better
understanding of the conventional problem.
[0008] The installer installs an outdoor unit of the air
conditioner outside of a building and an indoor unit of the air
conditioner inside of the building, respectively, and then tests
the air conditioner. In order to test the air conditioner, for
example, the installer must operate the indoor unit indoors to
check the operation state of the indoor unit, and then go outdoors
to check the operation state of the outdoor unit.
[0009] In order to address this problem, a testing program has been
proposed which is installed and run in a test terminal outside of
the air conditioner. For example, the installer interconnects the
outdoor unit and the test terminal in such a way that they can
communicate with each other, and then runs the testing program in
the test terminal to check the cooling/heating operation states of
the outdoor and indoor units and the states of wiring and piping
therebetween.
[0010] However, in the conventional test system, in order to test
the outdoor and indoor units of the air conditioner, the installer
dismantles the front panel of the outdoor unit, denoted by
reference numeral 101, from the body thereof and then the cover of
a circuit box in the outdoor unit 101 from the body of the circuit
box. Subsequently, the installer connects one plug of a jig cable
103 to an operation/test control unit in the circuit box (not
shown). The jig cable 103 connected to the outdoor unit 101 is
generally 15 to 20M long.
[0011] The air conditioner may support any communication protocols.
For example, the air conditioner may support RS-485 communication
protocol. In this case, an RS-485 communication port may be
provided in the operation/test control unit or separately from the
control unit.
[0012] A test terminal 109 may be a general PC terminal which can
be carried by the installer, such as a notebook computer. The test
terminal 109 is connected with a tester of the operation/test
control unit in the outdoor unit 101 to communicate therewith. That
is, the test terminal 109 runs a testing program to communicate
with the tester to transmit test-related information to the tester
and receive test result information from the tester.
[0013] Similarly, the test terminal 109 may support any
communication protocols for communications with other external
devices. For example, such communication protocols may be a serial
communication protocol and universal serial bus (USB) protocol.
Communication protocols supported by the air conditioner and the
test terminal 109 may often be different from each other.
[0014] A converter 105 is connected with the other plug of the jig
cable 103 and in turn with one plug of a cable 107 (e.g., a serial
cable or USB to serial conversion cable) for the test terminal 109.
The converter 105 is adapted to convert test result information of
the air conditioner into that of a communication protocol of the
test terminal, and test-related information of the test terminal
into that of a communication protocol of the air conditioner,
respectively.
[0015] The above-mentioned conventional test system is
disadvantageous in that, in order to test the air conditioner, the
installer has the inconvenience of having to carry the jig cable
103 to a place where the outdoor unit 101 is present, dismantle the
front panel of the outdoor unit 101 from the body thereof and then
the cover of the circuit box from the body thereof, and then
connect the jig cable 103 to the operation/test control unit.
Further, a plurality of instruments which are too heavy and complex
to install, such as the cables 103 and 107 and the converter 105,
must be provided in the conventional test system, and much trouble
is required to install those instruments.
[0016] In addition, the conventional test system encounters
restrictions in the lengths of the jig cable 103 and serial cable
107. For this reason, for example, in the case where the outdoor
unit and the indoor units are far away from each other, test result
information may become unstable due to a limitation in
communication distances between the outdoor unit and the indoor
units. To solve this problem, the installer has to go outdoors to
perform testing, which leads to inconvenience of use.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0017] Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of
the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention to
provide an improved technique for testing an air conditioner.
[0018] It is another object of the present invention to provide an
apparatus for testing an air conditioner, wherein costs and
manpower for installation of testing instruments can be
curtailed.
[0019] It is a further object of the present invention to provide
an apparatus for testing an air conditioner, wherein outdoor and
indoor units can be tested indoors.
[0020] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide
an apparatus for testing an air conditioner, wherein reliability of
test result information being transmitted can be secured.
[0021] In accordance with the present invention, the above and
other objects can be accomplished by the provision of an apparatus
for testing an air conditioner, comprising: a first wireless device
connected to the air conditioner, the first wireless device
transmitting and receiving test result information and test-related
information based on a testing program installed in a test terminal
in a local-area wireless communication manner; and a second
wireless device connected to the test terminal, the second wireless
device transmitting and receiving the test-related information and
test result information based on the testing program in the
local-area wireless communication manner.
[0022] Preferably, the first wireless device includes: a connector
connected to a connector of an operation/test control unit provided
in the air conditioner; and a local-area wireless communication
unit for receiving the test result information from the
operation/test control unit through the connector of the first
wireless device, transmitting the received test result information
to the second wireless device in the local-area wireless
communication manner, receiving the test-related information from
the second wireless device in the local-area wireless communication
manner, and delivering the received test-related information to the
operation/test control unit through the connector of the first
wireless device.
[0023] Preferably, the second wireless device includes: a connector
connected to a connector of the test terminal; and a local-area
wireless communication unit for receiving the test result
information transmitted from the first wireless device in the
local-area wireless communication manner, delivering the received
test result information to the test terminal through the connector
of the second wireless device, receiving the test-related
information from the test terminal through the connector of the
second wireless device, and transmitting the received test-related
information to the first wireless device in the local-area wireless
communication manner.
[0024] The first wireless device may further include a converter
for converting the test result information from the operation/test
control unit, received through the connector of the first wireless
device, into that of a communication protocol of the test terminal,
and the test-related information from the second wireless device,
received in the local-area wireless communication manner, into that
of a communication protocol of the air conditioner,
respectively.
[0025] In a feature of the present invention, local-area wireless
communication can be carried out between an air conditioner and a
test terminal using a pair of wireless devices that can be simply
and conveniently carried and installed. Therefore, it is possible
to significantly save trouble for installation of testing
instruments, such as cables and a converter, and to significantly
curtail costs and manpower for monitoring work.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0026] The above and other objects, features and other advantages
of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the
following detailed description taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings, in which:
[0027] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a conventional system for
testing an air conditioner;
[0028] FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a system for testing an air
conditioner according to the present invention;
[0029] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an
apparatus for testing an air conditioner according to an exemplary
embodiment of the present invention; and
[0030] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of wireless devices according to
an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0031] FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a system for testing an air
conditioner according to the present invention, FIG. 3 is a block
diagram showing the configuration of an apparatus for testing an
air conditioner according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, and FIG. 4 is a block diagram of wireless devices
according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The
preferred embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be
described with reference to these figures.
[0032] With reference to FIG. 3, an operation/test control unit 310
is provided in an outdoor unit 201 of the air conditioner. The
operation/test control unit 310 includes an operation controller
315 for controlling the operation of a driving part 320 of the air
conditioner according to an operating program stored in a storage
unit 317. For example, the operation controller 315 controls the
flow of refrigerant according to a cooling mode or heating mode. As
well known to those skilled in the art, the air conditioner is
operated in the cooling mode or heating mode depending on which one
of outdoor and indoor heat exchangers (not shown) into which
high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant discharged from a
compressor 305 is introduced earlier.
[0033] The control operation of the operation controller 315 and
the operation of the driving part 320 of the air conditioner are
well known in the art. For reference, the operation of the
operation controller 315 will hereinafter be described in
conjunction with a few examples. A compressor driving circuit 307
drives the compressor 305 under the control of the operation
controller 315 such that the compressor 305 discharges
high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant. At this time, the
operation controller 315 computes an appropriate operating
frequency of the compressor 305 on the basis of a set target
temperature and a room temperature.
[0034] A switch 301 is provided in a pipe arrangement (not shown
and may be positioned at the side of the outdoor unit) to switch
the flow of the refrigerant. At this time, the operation controller
315 outputs an associated control signal to a switch driving
circuit 303 such that the switch driving circuit 303 drives the
switch 301. A fan 309 blows air to raise heat exchange efficiency.
To this end, the operation controller 315 controls a fan driving
circuit 311 to drive the fan 309.
[0035] The operation/test control unit 310 further includes a
tester 313 for testing the air conditioner according to a testing
program and transmitting test result information (for example,
wiring state information, piping state information, cooling
operation information, heating operation information, etc.) to a
test terminal 207. The tester 313 checks whether each unit of the
air conditioner is normally operated. For example, in the case
where the air conditioner is of a multi-type, the tester 313
sequentially operates indoor units and then receives cooling
operation information, heating operation information, piping state
information and wiring state information from each of the indoor
units.
[0036] In one embodiment, error sensors (not shown), such as a
temperature sensor, are provided in the air conditioner, and the
tester 313 inspects data sensed by the error sensors and checks, on
the basis of the inspected data, whether the respective units of
the air conditioner are normally operated. Also, the tester 313
compares the temperature of piping at an operation start point with
the temperature of the piping at a predetermined time after the
operation start point and, if the difference between those
temperatures does not exceed a predetermined value, regards the
connection of the piping as misconnection. The operation of this
tester 313 is well known in the art. Those skilled in the art will
readily embody the tester 313 from this specification.
[0037] In one embodiment, in response to a test command signal of
the testing program, the tester 313 identifies and operates the
respective elements of the driving part 320 and then checks whether
the respective elements are normally operated. The tester 313 also
stores information regarding the operation states of the respective
elements of the driving part 320 in the storage unit 317 and
transmits it to the test terminal 207.
[0038] Preferably, for the testing of the air conditioner, a first
wireless device 203 is connected to the outdoor unit 201 of the air
conditioner and a second wireless device 205 is connected to the
test terminal 207, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.
[0039] With reference to FIG. 4, the first wireless device 203,
connected to the outdoor unit 201 of the air conditioner, includes
a first connector 401 connected to an associated connector (not
shown) of the operation/test control unit 310 in the outdoor unit
201, and a first local-area wireless communication unit 405 for
receiving test result information based on the testing program from
the tester 313 of the operation/test control unit 310 through the
first connector 401, transmitting the received test result
information to the test terminal 207 in a local-area wireless
communication manner, receiving test-related information based on
the testing program from the test terminal 207 in the local-area
wireless communication manner, and delivering the received
test-related information to the tester 313 through the first
connector 401. The second wireless device 205, connected to the
test terminal 207 in which the testing program is run, includes a
second connector 409 inserted into a connection terminal of the
test terminal 207, and a second local-area wireless communication
unit 407 for receiving the test result information transmitted from
the first local-area wireless communication unit 405 in the
local-area wireless communication manner, delivering the received
test result information to the test terminal 207 through the second
connector 409, receiving the test-related information based on the
testing program from the test terminal 207 through the second
connector 409, and transmitting the received test-related
information to the first local-area wireless communication unit 405
in the local-area wireless communication manner.
[0040] As stated above, the first wireless device 203 is connected
to the outdoor unit 201 of the air conditioner. The first connector
401 is provided in the first wireless device 203 and connected to
an associated connector of the operation/test control unit 310 in
the outdoor unit 201. The air conditioner may support any
communication protocols. Preferably, the air conditioner supports
RS-485 communication protocol.
[0041] In this case, an RS-485 communication port may be provided
in the operation/test control unit 310 or separately from the
control unit 310. Once a communication port is provided separately
from the operation/test control unit 310, the first connector 401
is connected to the control unit 310 via the provided communication
port.
[0042] A protocol conversion operation must be additionally
performed with respect to data to be transmitted through a
communication port, for example, an RS-485 communication port. It
will be understood herein that the first connector 401 is connected
to the operation/test control unit 310 through a communication port
which is provided in the operation/test control unit 310 or
separately from the control unit 310.
[0043] For example, the first connector 401 may be fitted in an
associated connector (not shown), for example, a card slot,
receptacle or the like, of the operation/test control unit 310.
Namely, the first wireless device 203 may be made in the form of a
card or module, so that it can be mounted to the associated
connector of the control unit 310. As a result, the first connector
401 may be made in the form of a terminal fittable in a card slot
or in the form of a plug insertable into a receptacle.
[0044] A technology that mounts a computer peripheral product in
card or module form on a main printed circuit board of a computer
or a housing of a main device of the computer is well known in a
computer system manufacturing field. Those skilled in the art will
readily embody the first connector 401 and the associated connector
of the control unit 310 from this specification.
[0045] The second wireless device 205 is connected to the test
terminal 207. The second connector 409 of the second wireless
device 205 is preferably a USB connector, which may be a USB plug
or USB receptacle. The USB connector is connected to the test
terminal 207, such as a computer, directly or via a USB cable.
[0046] The first local-area wireless communication unit 405 of the
first wireless device 203 and the second local-area wireless
communication unit 407 of the second wireless device 205 perform
local-area wireless communication with each other.
[0047] In one embodiment, each of the first and second local-area
wireless communication units 405 and 407 is implemented with a USB
Bluetooth module. The USB Bluetooth module is a device that is
connected to a USB host (through a USB connector) to support USB
communication, and wirelessly transmits and receives data in a
Bluetooth communication manner. Those skilled in the art will
readily embody such a USB Bluetooth module from this
specification.
[0048] The USB Bluetooth module generally includes a USB Bluetooth
module controller, and a Bluetooth wireless processor. The
Bluetooth module controller includes a high-speed processing
module, an interface module for the Bluetooth wireless processor, a
Bluetooth baseband processing module, and a universal input/output
unit. The Bluetooth module controller provides a USB device
communication function to perform the USB communication with the
USB host. It also processes a local-area wireless data
communication function with other USB Bluetooth modules.
[0049] Preferably, the first wireless device 203 further includes a
converter 403 for converting the test result information from the
tester 313 of the operation/test control unit 310, received through
the first connector 401, into that of a communication protocol of
the test terminal 207, and the test-related information from the
test terminal 207, delivered by the first local-area wireless
communication unit 405, into that of a communication protocol of
the air conditioner, respectively.
[0050] Communication protocols supported by the air conditioner and
the test terminal 207 may often be different from each other. In
this connection, the converter 403 is adapted to convert the test
result information of the air conditioner into that of the
communication protocol of the test terminal 207, and the
test-related information of the test terminal 207 into that of the
communication protocol of the air conditioner, respectively. In one
embodiment, the communication protocol of the air conditioner is
RS-485 communication protocol and the communication protocol of the
test terminal 207 is RS-232 communication protocol or USB protocol.
As an alternative, the converter 403 may be provided in the air
conditioner.
[0051] As stated above, the operation/test control unit 310 of the
air conditioner has a connector to which the first wireless device
203 is connectable. In one embodiment, the first wireless device
203 is installed in the air conditioner only during testing work.
In some cases, the wireless device 203 may be installed in the air
conditioner even at normal times.
[0052] The present invention is also applicable to the case where
the air conditioner is of a multi-type wherein a plurality of
indoor units installed respectively in rooms are connected in
common to one outdoor unit via a network. In one embodiment, the
operation/test control unit 310 is connected to one or more indoor
units via the network. In this case, the control unit 310 can
communicate with an associated indoor unit via an RS-485
communication port (not shown) provided therein or separately
therefrom, as described above.
[0053] Preferably, the test terminal 207 is a portable terminal
(e.g., a notebook computer), so that testing instruments can be
installed more simply and conveniently.
[0054] Preferably, the use of the testing program of the present
invention enables the testing operation to be controlled in a
software manner, with no need for a conventional test controller
provided between the outdoor unit and the test terminal.
[0055] As apparent from the above description, according to the
present invention, local-area wireless communication can be carried
out between an air conditioner and a test terminal, thereby making
it possible to significantly save trouble for installation of
testing instruments, such as cables and a converter, and to
significantly curtail costs and manpower for testing work.
[0056] Further, the installer can conveniently perform testing even
indoors. In addition, because information is transmitted in a
local-area wireless communication manner, it is possible to prevent
the information from being lost due to a voltage drop of a jig
cable, and thus to secure reliability of the information.
[0057] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention
have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the
art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and
substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and
spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying
claims.
* * * * *