Control apparatus including detachable keypad with communication port connecting personal computer to the keypad

A system comprising:

• a plurality of control devices, wherein each control device includes an inverter including a converter section that converts an AC electric power fed from an AC electric power supply to DC electric power, a smoothing capacitor that smoothes the DC electric power, and an inverter section that converts the smoothed DC electric power to AC electric;
• a control device structure that includes a place for installing a detachable keypad therein and a storage device that stores data relevant to operation of the control device;
• and
• a keypad, including a keypad storage device, the keypad including a keypad body, wherein the keypad body is configured to be physically detachably installed within a recess in the place provided in each of the control device structures, the place provided in the control device structures also including a connector for connecting to the keypad, wherein the keypad includes one or more control buttons and a communication device that is configured to connect to a computer when the keypad is detached from the control device structures;
• and
• wherein the control buttons on the keypad are configured to be accessed and operable when the keypad is installed within the place provided in each of the control device structures;
• wherein the keypad is detachable from the control devices and connectable to the computer to transfer the data to the keypad storage device;
• and
• wherein the keypad is installable to each of the control devices to transfer the data from the keypad storage device to the storage device of each of the control devices.

A method of operating a control device comprising:

• providing a control device, wherein the control device includes an inverter including a converter section that converts an AC electric power fed from an AC electric power supply to DC electric power, a smoothing capacitor that smoothes the DC electric power, and an inverter section that converts the smoothed DC electric power to AC electric, and a control device structure that includes a place for installing a detachable keypad therein and a storage device that stores data relevant to operation of the control device;
• providing a keypad, including a keypad storage device, the keypad including a keypad body, wherein the keypad body is configured to be physically detachably installed within a recess in the place provided in the control device structure, the place provided in the control apparatus structure also including a connector for connecting to the keypad, wherein the keypad includes one or more control buttons and a communication device that is configured to connect to a computer when the keypad is detached from the control device structure;
• and
• connecting the keypad to the computer to transfer the data from the computer to the keypad storage device;
• and
• disconnecting the keypad from the computer and installing the keypad into the place provided in the control device structure of the control device, such that the control buttons on the keypad is configured to be accessed and operable;
• and
• transferring, by using the control buttons on the keypad, the data from the keypad storage device of the keypad to the control device.