Dual control device of an air conditioner

A control device for an air conditioner, comprising:

• a main controller for controlling said air conditioner based on control signals:
• a first controller for generating control signals for said air conditioner including a first switch for causing said first controller to generate at least an ON signal as one of said control signals for causing said air conditioner to change from an off state to air conditioning operation, and an interval device for generating at least the ON signals at predetermined intervals so as to cause said air conditioner to continue responding to said ON signal by continuing said air conditioning operation;
• a first interface for connecting said first controller to said main controller;
• a second controller for generating other control signals for said air conditioner including first output means for generating an ON signal as one of said other control signals for causing said air conditioner to change from off to air-conditioning operation, and second output means for generating an OFF signal as one of said other control signals for causing said air conditioner to change from air-conditioning operation to an off condition;
• a second interface for connecting said second controller to said main controller;
• and
• gate means for allowing the signal from said switch of said first controller and the signal from said first output means of said second controller to be transmitted to said main controller, inhibiting the ON signals from said interval device from being transmitted to said main controller after said signal from said second output means of said second controller is transmitted to said main controller.

A method of controlling an air conditioner having a remote controller for generating control signals for said air conditioner, a home automation controller for generating control signals of said air conditioner and a main controller for controlling said air conditioner based on both control signals received from said remote controller and said home automation controller, said remote controller generating data signals in response to the operation of switches on said remote controller and periodic signals that repeat the previously generated data signals at regular intervals, comprising the steps of:

• determining if a particular control signal received by said main controller is from said remote controller,
• if the control signal is not from said remote controller, operating the air conditioner according to the control signal and storing the control signal as a stored signal;
• if the control signal is from said remote controller, determining if the control signal from said remote controller is a data signal,
• if the control signal is a periodic signal from the remote controller, determining if there is a stored signal;
• if there is no stored signal, operating the air conditioner according to the periodic signal;
• if there is a stored signal, comparing the received control signal to the stored signal and operating the air conditioner according to the periodic signal only if it agrees with the stored signal;
• and
• if the control signal is a data signal, operating the air conditioner according to the control signal and erasing the stored signal.