AIR CONDITIONER AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING AIR CONDITIONER

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of International Application No. PCT/KR2023/000148 designating the United States, filed on Jan. 4, 2023, in the Korean Intellectual Property Receiving Office and claiming priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0001126, filed on Jan. 4, 2022, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosures of each of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.

BACKGROUND

Field

The disclosure relates to an air conditioner and a method for controlling the air conditioner, and for example, to an air conditioner that controls a compressor based on an amount of wind discharged from the air conditioner and a method for controlling the air conditioner.

Description of Related Art

Recent developments in air conditioner technology show a continuous growing trend. If use of air conditioners of the related art ended at maintaining indoor air at an appropriate temperature desired by a user, recently manufactured air conditioners are able to perform a function of a dehumidifier of controlling humidity indoors where an air conditioner is installed, and further perform a function of an air purifier of removing fine dust.

However, despite such technological developments, the user still experiences inconvenience in feeling a different sensory temperature according to a wind volume mode by a driving method of the air conditioner which stops discharging cooled air when a set temperature of the air conditioner desired by the user and an indoor temperature are a match. This is because, for example, in a low wind mode, the air conditioner may identify air temperature in the vicinity of the air conditioner as matching with a setting temperature prior to the user who is far away from the air conditioner feeling cool, and stopping a discharge of cooled air.

Accordingly, there is a demand for a method of controlling the air conditioner taking into consideration a wind volume of air discharged from the air conditioner.

SUMMARY

According to an example embodiment of the disclosure, an air conditioner includes: a fan, a compressor, a temperature sensor, and at least one processor, comprising processing circuitry, individually and/or collectively, configured to control the air conditioner to: cool air by turning-on the compressor, discharge the cooled air to outside of the air conditioner by driving an indoor fan based on a wind volume mode from among a plurality of wind volume modes, correct a setting temperature of the air conditioner based on correction values corresponding to the wind volume modes, turn-off, based on a temperature sensed by the temperature sensor matching with the corrected setting temperature, the compressor while driving of the indoor fan is maintained, and the correction values are set to different values from one another in the plurality of wind volume modes.

The plurality of wind volume modes may include a strong wind mode, a medium wind mode, and a low wind mode.

At least one processor, individually and/or collectively, may be configured to: correct the setting temperature based on a first correction value based on the wind volume mode being in the low wind mode, correct the setting temperature based on a second correction value based on the wind volume mode being in the medium wind mode, and correct the setting temperature based on a third correction value based on the wind volume mode being in the strong wind mode.

The first correction value may be greater than the second correction value, and the second correction value may be greater than the third correction value.

The first correction value may be 2, the second correction value may be 1.5, and the third correction value may be 1.

At least one processor, individually and/or collectively, may be configured to: correct the setting temperature by subtracting the first correction value from the setting temperature based on the wind volume mode being in the low wind mode, correct the setting temperature by subtracting the second correction value from the setting temperature based on the wind volume mode being in the medium wind mode, and correct the setting temperature by subtracting the third correction value from the setting temperature based on the wind volume mode being in the strong wind mode.

At least one processor, individually and/or collectively, may be configured to control the air conditioner to: turn-on, based on the compressor being turned-off, the compressor based on the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor matching with the setting temperature.

According to an example embodiment of the disclosure a method of controlling an air conditioner includes: cooling air by turning-on a compressor, discharging the cooled air to outside of the air conditioner by driving an indoor fan based on a wind volume mode from among a plurality of wind volume modes, correcting a setting temperature of the air conditioner based on correction values corresponding to the wind volume modes, and turning-off, based on a temperature sensed by a temperature sensor matching with the corrected setting temperature, the compressor while driving of the indoor fan is maintained, and the correction values are set to different values from one another in the plurality of wind volume modes.

The plurality of wind volume modes may include a strong wind mode, a medium wind mode, and a low wind mode.

The correcting the temperature may include: correcting the setting temperature based on a first correction value based on the wind volume mode being in the low wind mode, correcting the setting temperature based on a second correction value based on the wind volume mode being in the medium wind mode, and correcting the setting temperature based on a third correction value based on the wind volume mode being in the strong wind mode.

The first correction value may be greater than the second correction value, and the second correction value may be greater than the third correction value.

The first correction value may be 2, the second correction value may be 1.5, and the third correction value may be 1.

The correcting the temperature may include: correcting the setting temperature by subtracting the first correction value from the setting temperature based on the wind volume mode being in the low wind mode, correcting the setting temperature by subtracting the second correction value from the setting temperature based on the wind volume mode being in the medium wind mode, and correcting the setting temperature by subtracting the third correction value from the setting temperature based on the wind volume mode being in the strong wind mode.

The method may further include turning-on, based on the compressor being turned-off, the compressor based on the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor matching with the setting temperature.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects, features and advantages of certain embodiments of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an example air conditioner according to various embodiments;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example configuration of an air conditioner according to various embodiments;

FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B are diagrams illustrating an example air-conditioned zone formed by cooled air which is discharged from an indoor unit when correcting setting temperature by applying a correction value equally to a plurality of wind volume modes according to various embodiments;

FIG. 3C is a diagram illustrating an example air-conditioned zone formed by cooled air discharged from an indoor unit when correcting setting temperature by applying a different correction value based on a wind volume mode according to various embodiments;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example configuration of an air conditioner according to various embodiments;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating schematically a control method of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example method of controlling an air conditioner by applying different correction values from one another to a setting temperature based on a wind volume mode according to various embodiments;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example method of controlling an air conditioner by turning-off a compressor after having turned-off the compressor according to various embodiments;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example method for controlling an air conditioner based on a wind volume mode and a setting temperature according to various embodiments;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example method for controlling an air conditioner based on a wind volume mode and a setting temperature according to various embodiments; and

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example method for controlling an air conditioner based on a wind volume mode and driving time according to various embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various modifications may be made to the various example embodiments of the disclosure, and there may be various types of embodiments. Accordingly, various embodiments will be illustrated in drawings, and described in detail in the detailed description. However, it should be noted that the various embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure to a specific embodiment, but they should be interpreted to include all modifications, equivalents or alternatives of the various embodiments of the disclosure. With respect to the description of the drawings, like reference numerals may be used to indicate like elements.

In describing the disclosure, in case it is determined that the detailed description of related known technologies may unnecessarily confuse the gist of the disclosure, the detailed description thereof may be omitted.

Further, the embodiments below may be modified to various different forms, and it is to be understood that the scope of the technical spirit of the disclosure is not limited to the embodiments below. Rather, the embodiments are provided so that the disclosure will be thorough and complete.

Terms used in the disclosure have merely been used to describe a specific embodiment, and is not intended to limit the scope. A singular expression includes a plural expression, unless otherwise specified.

In the disclosure, expressions such as “have,” “may have,” “include,” and “may include” are used to designate a presence of a corresponding characteristic (e.g., elements such as numerical value, function, operation, or component), and not to preclude a presence or a possibility of additional characteristics.

In the disclosure, expressions such as “A or B,” “at least one of A and/or B,” or “one or more of A and/or B” may include all possible combinations of the items listed together. For example, “A or B,” “at least one of A and B,” or “at least one of A or B” may refer to all cases including (1) at least one A, (2) at least one B, or (3) both of at least one A and at least one B.

Expressions such as “1st”, “2nd”, “first” or “second” used in the disclosure may limit various elements regardless of order and/or importance, and may be used merely to distinguish one element from another element and not limit the relevant element.

When a certain element (e.g., first element) is indicated as being “(operatively or communicatively) coupled with/to” or “connected to” another element (e.g., second element), it may be understood as the certain element being directly coupled with/to the another element or as being coupled through other element (e.g., third element).

On the other hand, when a certain element (e.g., first element) is indicated as “directly coupled with/to” or “directly connected to” another element (e.g., second element), it may be understood as the other element (e.g., third element) not being present between the certain element and the another element.

The expression “configured to . . . (or set up to)” used in the disclosure may be used interchangeably with, for example, “suitable for . . . ,” “having the capacity to . . . ,” “designed to . . . ,” “adapted to . . . ,” “made to . . . ,” or “capable of . . . ” based on circumstance. The term “configured to . . . (or set up to)” may not necessarily refer to “specifically designed to” in terms of hardware.

Rather, in a certain circumstance, the expression “a device configured to . . . ” may refer, for example, to something that the device “may perform . . . ” together with another device or components. For example, the phrase “a processor 300 configured to (or set up to) perform A, B, or C” may refer, for example to a dedicated processor for performing a corresponding operation (e.g., embedded processor 300), or a generic-purpose processor (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU) or an application processor) capable of performing the corresponding operations by executing one or more software programs stored in a memory device.

The term ‘module’ or ‘part’ used in the embodiments herein perform at least one function or operation, and may be implemented with a hardware or software, or implemented with a combination of hardware and software. In addition, a plurality of “modules” or a plurality of “parts,” except for a “module” or a “part” which needs to be implemented to a specific hardware, may be integrated in at least one module and implemented as at least one processor.

Meanwhile, the various elements and areas of the drawings have been schematically illustrated. Accordingly, the technical spirit of the disclosure is not limited by relative sizes and distances illustrated in the accompanied drawings.

Embodiments of the disclosure will be described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings to aid in the understanding of those of ordinary skill in the art.

Embodiments of the disclosure associated herewith will be described in greater detail below.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an example air conditioner according to various embodiments.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, an air conditioner 1000 may include an indoor unit 100 and an outdoor unit 200. Specifically, the air conditioner 1000 may include the outdoor unit 200 which exchanges heat with external air using a refrigerant and the indoor unit 100 which exchanges refrigerant with the outdoor unit 200 and performs air conditioning operation of indoor air.

The indoor unit 100 may be connected with the outdoor unit 200, exchange refrigerant. The indoor unit 100 may be connected with the outdoor unit 200 through a pipe for exchanging the refrigerant. The indoor unit 100 may vaporize refrigerant in a liquefied state through an evaporator when the refrigerant in the liquefied state is introduced from the outdoor unit 200. Further, when external air is suctioned to the indoor unit 100 by driving a fan included in the indoor unit 100, the indoor unit 100 may discharge cooled air generated through a heat exchange with external air and the refrigerant.

The outdoor unit 200 may change the refrigerant to a compressed high-temperature and high-pressure liquefied state through a compressor 210. Further, the outdoor unit 200 may suction outdoor air using an outdoor fan provided in the outdoor unit 200. When temperature of the refrigerant in the liquefied state is lowered due to the suctioned outdoor air, the outdoor unit 200 may discharge the refrigerant in the liquefied state to the indoor unit 100 through a pipe for exchanging refrigerant. An expansion valve may be provided at the pipe for exchanging refrigerant. The refrigerant that passes the pipe provided with the expansion valve may be changed to easily evaporable state as density and pressure are lowered.

In FIG. 1, although one indoor unit 100 has been shown as being connected to one outdoor unit 200, in an actual implementation, a plurality of indoor units 100 may be connected to the outdoor unit 200, and in this case, each indoor unit 100 and the outdoor unit 200 may be connected piped in parallel, or connected in a form of one pipe circuiting all indoor units 100 and the outdoor unit 200.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example configuration of the air conditioner 1000 according to various embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 2, the air conditioner 1000 may include an indoor fan 110, a temperature sensor 120, a compressor 210, and a processor (e.g., including processing circuitry) 300.

The indoor fan 110 may suction air outside of the indoor unit 100 by rotation. For example, the indoor fan 110 may suction air outside the indoor unit 100 to the indoor unit 100 by a rotational force generated according to driving of a motor connected to the indoor fan 110. The air conditioner 1000 may discharge air cooled by driving the indoor fan 110 to outside of the air conditioner 1000. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the indoor fan 110 may be implemented as a plurality of indoor fans 110, and each of the indoor fans 110 may discharge the cooled air to the outside of the air conditioner 1000, or respectively perform the role of suctioning air outside of the indoor unit 100.

The temperature sensor 120 may sense indoor temperature. For example, the temperature sensor 120 may sense temperature of air outside the indoor unit 100 which is suctioned to the indoor unit 100 by the indoor fan 110. If the air outside the indoor unit 100 refers to air within a space at which the indoor unit 100 is disposed, the above may be differentiated from air within a space at which the outdoor unit 200 is disposed. The temperature sensor 120 may be provided at a rear surface of the indoor unit 100. However, the above is not limited thereto, and the temperature sensor 120 may be provided at one side surface of the indoor unit 100 so as to sense temperature in the space at which the indoor unit 100 is installed.

The processor 300 may include various processing circuitry and drive the compressor 210 included in the outdoor unit 200, and control the air conditioner 1000 to compress a low-temperature and low-pressure refrigerant, which is a working fluid, to a high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant. For example, the compressor 210 may compress the refrigerant, and change to a high-temperature and high-pressure liquefied state. At this The processor 300 may drive the outdoor fan provided in the outdoor unit 200 and suction outdoor air. When temperature of the refrigerant in the liquefied state is lowered due to the suctioned outdoor air, the processor 300 may discharge the refrigerant in the liquefied state to the indoor unit 100 through the pipe for exchanging refrigerant. Meanwhile, the compressor (210) may be an inverter compressor with variable rotation speed. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto.

The processor 300 may control the overall operation of the air conditioner 1000. For example, the processor 300 may be connected with the indoor fan 110 and the temperature sensor 120 included in the indoor unit 100, and control the overall operation of the indoor unit 100 by executing at least one instruction stored in the memory. Furthermore, the processor 300 may be connected with the compressor 210 included in the outdoor unit 200, and control the overall operation of the outdoor unit 200 by executing at least one instruction stored in the memory.

For example, the processor 300 may turn-off the compressor 210 of the outdoor unit 200 when the indoor temperature sensed with the temperature sensor 120 of the indoor unit 100 is identified as matching with a setting temperature set by a user, and stop cooled air from being generated. However, the processor 300 according to an embodiment of the disclosure identifies whether it is a match with the indoor temperature after having applied a correction value to the setting temperature set by the user, and the above will be described in detail below.

The processor 300 may be implemented in various ways. For example, the processor 300 may be implemented as at least one from among an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), an embedded processor 300, a microprocessor 300, a hardware control logic, a hardware finite state machine (FSM), and a digital signal processor (DSP) 300. Meanwhile, in the disclosure, the term processor 300 may include a central processing unit (CPU), a graphic processing unit (GPU), a main processing unit (MPU), and the like. The processor 300 according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include various processing circuitry and/or multiple processors. For example, as used herein, including the claims, the term “processor” may include various processing circuitry, including at least one processor, wherein one or more of at least one processor, individually and/or collectively in a distributed manner, may be configured to perform various functions described herein. As used herein, when “a processor”, “at least one processor”, and “one or more processors” are described as being configured to perform numerous functions, these terms cover situations, for example and without limitation, in which one processor performs some of recited functions and another processor(s) performs other of recited functions, and also situations in which a single processor may perform all recited functions. Additionally, the at least one processor may include a combination of processors performing various of the recited/disclosed functions, e.g., in a distributed manner. At least one processor may execute program instructions to achieve or perform various functions.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the air conditioner 1000 may include a plurality of processors 300. For example, the air conditioner 1000 may include an indoor unit processor included in the indoor unit 100 and an outdoor unit processor included in the outdoor unit 200, and the indoor unit processor and the outdoor unit processor may be connected through a communicator. However, in describing the disclosure below, terms such as the processor 300 or at least one processor 300 may be used as a term for collectively referring to when the processor is implemented in plurality, specifically when the indoor unit 100 and the outdoor unit 200 include the indoor unit processor and the outdoor unit processor, respectively.

Referring to FIGS. 3A to FIG. 10, embodiments of the disclosure of the air conditioner 1000 controlling the compressor 210 based on wind volume of air discharged through the indoor unit 100 will be described in greater detail below.

According to an embodiment, the processor 300 may cool air by turning-on the compressor 210. For example, the processor 300 may turn-on the compressor 210 for the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant to be generated when an input turning-on an operation of the air conditioner 1000 is received from the user through an interface or a communicator.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the processor 300 may identify, prior to turning-on the compressor 210, operation modes of the air conditioner 1000, and determine on turning-on the compressor 210 according to an operation mode. For example, the processor 300 may turn-on the compressor 210 when the air conditioner 1000 is in a cooling mode, whereas when the air conditioner 1000 is in a warming mode or a wind blowing mode, the compressor 210 may not be turned-on.

The processor 300 may identify an operation mode of the air conditioner 1000 by receiving input on an operation mode from the user through the interface, or identify an operation mode based on the setting temperature of the user and an indoor temperature measured with the temperature sensor 120. In the disclosure, the setting temperature may refer, for example, to a desired temperature input by the user.

The processor 300 may receive input of the setting temperature from the user through the interface or the communicator. Further, the processor 300 may identify an operation mode of the air conditioner 1000 by comparing the setting temperature with the indoor temperature measured through the temperature sensor 120. For example, if the setting temperature is lower than the indoor temperature measured through the temperature sensor 120, the processor 300 may identify the operation mode of the air conditioner 1000 to the cooling mode. If the setting temperature is higher than the indoor temperature measured through the temperature sensor 120, the processor 300 may identify the operation mode of the air conditioner 1000 to the warming mode. If the setting temperature is a match or within a pre-set range with the indoor temperature measured through the temperature sensor 120, the processor 300 may identify the operation mode of the air conditioner 1000 to the wind blowing mode.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the processor 300 may discharge the cooled air to the outside of the air conditioner 1000 by driving the indoor fan 110 based on a wind volume mode from among a plurality of wind volume modes.

The processor 300 may identify the wind volume mode associated with an operation of the air conditioner 1000. For example, the processor 300 may identify the wind volume mode input from the user through the interface or the communicator. The processor 300 may identify the wind volume mode, and identify a rotation speed of the indoor fan 110 corresponding to the identified wind volume mode. The indoor fan 110 included in the indoor unit 100 may be driven in the identified rotation speed. To this end, although not clearly shown in the drawings, rotation speed information of the indoor fan 110 corresponding to the respective wind volume modes may be stored in a memory of the air conditioner 1000.

The wind volume mode may be different from the above-described operation modes (e.g., cooling mode, warming mode, wind blowing mode, etc.) and may refer, for example, to a mode associated with a strength and volume of air discharged from the air conditioner 1000. In addition, while the above-described operation mode is associated with the driving of the compressor 210, the wind volume mode may be associated with the driving of the indoor fan 110 included in the indoor unit 100.

The processor 300 may identify a rotation speed of the indoor fan 110, and identify the wind volume mode corresponding to the rotation speed of the indoor fan 110.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the plurality of wind volume modes may include a strong wind mode, a medium wind mode, and a low wind mode. For example, the processor 300 may control the rotation speed of the indoor fan 110 for the rotation speed of the indoor fan 110 to be greater than or equal to a first value based on the wind volume mode of the air conditioner 1000 being set to the strong wind mode, control the rotation speed of the indoor fan 110 for the rotation speed of the indoor fan 110 to be less than the first value and greater than or equal to a second value based on the wind volume mode of the air conditioner 1000 being set to the medium wind mode, and control the speed of the indoor fan 110 for the rotation speed of the indoor fan 110 to be less than the second value based on the wind volume mode of the air conditioner 1000 being set to the low wind mode.

As described above, the processor 300 may identify the rotation speed of the indoor fan 110, and identify the wind volume mode of the air conditioner 1000 as the strong wind mode when the rotation speed is identified as greater than or equal to the first value.

An operation mode and a wind volume mode of the indoor unit 100 may be compatibly operated, and at least one mode may be selected by the user. For example, the strong wind mode or the low wind mode may be selected in the wind blowing mode, and the strong wind mode or the low wind mode may also be selected in the cooling mode.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the processor 300 may turn-off the compressor 210 while the driving of the indoor fan 110 is maintained when the setting temperature of the air conditioner 1000 is corrected based on a correction value corresponding to the wind volume mode, and the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor 120 matches with the corrected setting temperature. The correction value may be set to different values with respect to the plurality of wind volume modes.

For example, the processor 300 may turn-off the compressor 210 when the indoor temperature sensed by the temperature sensor 120 is a match with the corrected setting temperature or is identified as lower than the corrected setting temperature. Based on the above, generation of the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant through the compressor 210 may be stopped, and cooled air may not be discharged from the air conditioner 1000. However, even if the compressor 210 is turned-off, the operation of the indoor fan 110 may be maintained unless the processor 300 receives or does not receive input of a separate control command stopping the operation of the indoor fan 110. Accordingly, after the processor turns-off the compressor 210, the air conditioner 1000 may discharge air of which refrigerant is not used (not cooled).

The processor 300 may correct, in order to determine the turning-off of the compressor 210, the setting temperature based on the correction value corresponding to the wind volume mode. Specifically, the setting temperature set by the user and a sensory temperature of feeling a sense of satisfaction by the user based driving the air conditioner 1000 may be different.

For example, it may be assumed that the user set the setting temperature to 24° C. (Degree Celsius). At this time, even if processor 300 turns-off the compressor 210 due to the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor 120 being identified as 24° C., the sensory temperature felt by the user may be higher than 24° C. The above results from various reasons such as, for example, and without limitation, a distance between the user and the indoor unit 100 of the air conditioner 1000, an object disposed between the user and the indoor unit 100, and the like. Although the user has still not felt a sense of satisfaction with respect to using the air conditioner 1000 (e.g., although the user has not felt sufficient coolness), the processor 300 may turn-off the compressor 210 which generates the refrigerant for cooling air based only on the indoor temperature measured through the temperature sensor 120 and the setting temperature.

In the disclosure, to prevent or reduce the problem described above, a correction value may be applied to the setting temperature set by the user. In describing the above-described example again, a setting temperature (e.g., 23° C.) may be identified with a value obtained by applying a correction value (e.g., 1) to the setting temperature (e.g., 24° C.) set by the user (applying by subtracting the correction value from the setting temperature). Further, the processor 300 may stop the operation of the compressor 210 when the indoor temperature sensed by the temperature sensor 120 is identified as 23° C. rather than 24° C.

In addition, the temperature sensor 120 may be provided at one side surface of the indoor unit 100 and may sense the temperature in a space in which the indoor unit 100 is disposed, and particularly, temperature of air suctioned through the indoor fan 110 after being discharged from the indoor unit 100 and circulated, and accordingly, the indoor temperature which is a basis for the processor 300 in determining the turning-on or turning-off of the compressor 210 (for example, the temperature of indoor air measured by the temperature sensor 120) may be different from the temperature of air of a whole space in which the indoor unit 100 is disposed. For example, the temperature of air of the whole space in which the indoor unit 100 is disposed may have correlation with the wind volume mode of the air conditioner 1000. This is due to a distance to which the cooled air discharged to the indoor unit 100 reaches according to the wind volume mode of the air conditioner 1000 and a circulation range formed until the cooled air is suctioned again through the indoor fan 110 of the indoor unit 100 are different. Accordingly, when a same correction value is applied comprehensively to the setting temperature without taking into consideration the wind volume mode of the indoor unit 100, there still remains the problem of the user feeling a sense of disconnect between the sensory temperature of the user and the setting temperature desired by the user.

For example, it may be assumed that the setting temperature of the air conditioner 1000 is 25° C. and the correction value is 1. For example, the processor 300 may turn-off the compressor 210 if the indoor temperature sensed by the temperature sensor 120 is identified as 24° C. If the wind volume mode of the indoor unit 100 of the air conditioner 1000 is in the low wind mode, the strength of air discharged from the air conditioner 1000 may be relatively weaker than when the wind volume mode is in the strong wind mode. Accordingly, the air discharged through the indoor unit 100 may circulate within a short distance from the indoor unit 100. Further, a shorter time may be required compared to the strong wind mode until the air discharged through the indoor unit 100 is suctioned again to the indoor unit 100 through the indoor fan 110. Based on the above, the temperature of cooled air discharged in the low wind mode may be more quickly and frequently sensed by the temperature sensor 120 of the indoor unit 100 than the temperature of air discharged in the strong wind mode. Therefore, the processor 300 may identify, within a faster time than when operating in the strong wind mode, that the indoor temperature measured through the temperature sensor 120 is 24° C., and ultimately turn-off the compressor 210. In other words, despite the user positioned at a distance far from the indoor unit 100 not feeling sufficient satisfaction or coolness through the air conditioner 1000, the processor 300 may turn-off the compressor 210. The above also leads to a problem of the user perceiving that the compressor 210 of the air conditioner 1000 is frequently turned-off.

In addition, in another example, it may be assumed that the setting temperature of the air conditioner 1000 is 25° C. and the correction value is 2. That is, the processor 300 may turn-off the compressor 210 when the indoor temperature sensed by the temperature sensor 120 is identified as 23° C. If the wind volume mode of the indoor unit 100 of the air conditioner 1000 is in the strong wind mode, the strength of air discharged from the air conditioner 1000 may be relatively stronger than when in the low wind mode. Accordingly, the air discharged through the indoor unit 100 may reach from the indoor unit 100 to a far distance and circulate within a wider range. Further, a longer time may be required compared to the low wind mode until the air discharged through the indoor unit 100 is again suctioned to the indoor unit 100 through the indoor fan 110. Based on the above, the temperature of cooled air discharged in the strong wind mode may be more slowly sensed by the temperature sensor 120 of the indoor unit 100 than the temperature of air discharged in the low wind mode. Therefore, when compared with the low wind mode, a longer time is required until the processor 300 identifies the indoor temperature as 23° C. when operating in the strong wind mode. In other words, a longer time may be required until the processor 300 turns-off the compressor 210. Thereby, the user may feel cold for a long time.

To address the problem described above, an embodiment of the disclosure describes correcting the setting temperature by applying different correction values from one another according to the wind volume modes of the air conditioner 1000. For example, the processor 300 may correct the setting temperature by applying correction values corresponding to the plurality of wind volume modes, respectively, to the setting temperature, and the correction values corresponding to the respective wind volume modes may be set different from one another. For example, according to an embodiment of the disclosure, if the wind volume mode are a first mode, a second mode, and a third mode, a first correction value may be applied to the setting temperature set by the user in the first mode, a second correction value different from the first correction value may be applied to the setting temperature set by the user in the second mode, and a third correction value different from the first and second correction values may be applied to the setting temperature set by the user in the third mode.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the processor 300 may correct the setting temperature based on the first correction value if the wind volume mode is in the low wind mode, correct the setting temperature based on the second correction value if the wind volume mode is in the medium wind mode, and correct the setting temperature based on the third correction value if the wind volume mode is in the strong wind mode. At this time, the first correction value may be set to a value greater than the second correction value, and the second correction value may be set to a value greater than the third correction value.

Referring back to an example described above, in the low wind mode, air discharged from the indoor unit 100 by the temperature sensor 120 may be suctioned to the indoor unit 100 through the indoor fan 110 within a faster time compared to the strong wind mode. The processor 300 may frequently identify as the indoor temperature sensed by the temperature sensor 120 matching with the setting temperature applied with the correction value, and turn-off the compressor 210. For example, the user may perceive that the operation of the compressor 210 of the air conditioner is frequently stopped. Accordingly, an embodiment of the disclosure describes of correcting the setting temperature by applying the first correction value which is a greater correction value in the low wind mode compared to the medium wind mode and the strong wind mode. For example, assuming that the second correction value is 3° C., and that the third correction value is 2° C., the first correction value may be set to 4° C. To this end, the time required until the processor 300 identifies whether the actual temperature measured through the temperature sensor 120 in the low wind mode and the setting temperature corrected by applying the first correction value (e.g., 4° C.) are a match may be increased.

Referring back to the above-described example, in the strong wind mode, air discharged from the indoor unit 100 by the temperature sensor 120 may be suctioned to the indoor unit 100 through the indoor fan 110 only after a longer time has passed compared to the low wind mode. Thereby, a long time is required compared to the low wind mode until a temperature of circulated air is measured within the space in which the indoor unit 100 is disposed after being discharged through the indoor unit 100 through the temperature sensor 120. Therefore, a long time is required until the processor 300 turns-off the compressor 210, and thereby, the user may feel excessively cold. Accordingly, an embodiment of the disclosure describes that, in the strong wind mode, the setting temperature may be corrected by applying the third correction value which is a smaller correction value compared to the medium wind mode and the low wind mode. For example, assuming that the first correction value is 1° C., and that the second correction value is 0.5° C., the third correction value may be set to 0.2° C. Through the above, time required until the processor 300 identifies whether the actual temperature measured through the temperature sensor 120 in the strong wind mode and the setting temperature corrected by applying the third correction value are a match may be reduced.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the processor 300 may correct the setting temperature by subtracting the first correction value from the setting temperature if the wind volume mode is in the low wind mode, correct the setting temperature by subtracting the second correction value from the setting temperature if the wind volume mode is in the medium wind mode, and correct the setting temperature by subtracting the third correction value from the setting temperature if the wind volume mode is in the strong wind mode.

For example, it may be assumed that the first correction value is 2, the second correction value is 1.5, and the third correction value is 1, and the setting temperature is 25° C. At this time, the processor 300 may identify 23° C. which is obtained by subtracting the first correction value (2) from 25° C. as the setting temperature in the low wind mode, identify 23.5° C. which is obtained by subtracting the second correction value (1.5) from 25° C. as the setting temperature in the medium wind mode, and identify 24° C. which is obtained by subtracting the third correction value (1) from 25° C. as the setting temperature in the strong wind mode.

The processor 300 according to an embodiment of the disclosure may apply the correction value differently if the operation mode of the air conditioner 1000 is identified as the warming mode. Specifically, the processor 300 may correct the setting temperature by adding the first correction value to the setting temperature if the operation mode of the air conditioner 1000 is in the warming mode and the wind volume mode is in the low wind mode, correct the setting temperature by adding the second correction value to the setting temperature if the operation mode of the air conditioner 1000 is in the warming mode and the wind volume mode is in the medium wind mode, and correct the setting temperature by adding the third correction value to the setting temperature if the operation mode of the air conditioner 1000 is in the warming mode and the wind volume mode is in the strong wind mode.

FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B are diagrams illustrating an example air-conditioned zone formed by cooled air which is discharged from an indoor unit when correcting setting temperature by applying a correction value equally to a plurality of wind volume modes according to various embodiments. FIG. 3C is a diagram illustrating an example air-conditioned zone formed by cooled air which is discharged from an indoor unit when correcting setting temperature by applying a different correction value based on a wind volume mode according to various embodiments.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the first correction value may be set to 2, the second correction value may be set to 1.5, and the third correction value may be set to 1.

In FIG. 3A, air-conditioned zones according to the wind volume modes, which are formed when applying the same correction value of 1 to the setting temperature regardless of the wind volume mode of the air conditioner, are shown. In FIG. 3B, air-conditioned zones according to the wind volume modes, which are formed when applying the same correction value of 2 to the setting temperature regardless of the wind volume mode of the air conditioner, are shown. Referring to FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B, a range of air-conditioned zone may be formed narrowly when applying the correction value of 1 which is a relatively small value than when applying the correction value of 2 which is a relatively great value. However, referring to FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B, a distance between the air-conditioned zones corresponding to the wind volume modes may be same as D1 regardless of a size of the correction value when applying the same correction value regardless of the wind volume mode.

Referring to FIG. 3C, when the first correction value applied in the low wind mode is set to 2, the second correction value applied in the medium wind mode is set to 1.5, and the third correction value applied in the strong wind mode is set to 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the air-conditioned zone in the low wind mode may be formed wider than the air-conditioned zone in the low wind mode in FIG. 3A, and the air-conditioned zone in the strong wind mode may be formed narrower than the air-conditioned zone in the strong wind mode in FIG. 3B. Thereby, when different correction values from one another are applied according to the wind volume mode, a distance D2 between the air-conditioned zones corresponding to the respective wind volume modes may be formed shorter than a distance DI between the air-conditioned zones when the same correction value is applied. Through the above, the disclosure describes of exhibiting an effect of reducing a sensory cooling difference for each wind volume mode to the user.

The processor 300 according to an embodiment of the disclosure may turn-on the compressor 210 if the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor 120 matches with the setting temperature after the compressor 210 is turned off. For example, in turning-on the compressor 210, the processor 300 may not apply the correction value to the setting temperature. Referring back to the above-described example, it may be assumed that the wind volume mode with respect to the air conditioner 1000 is in the low wind mode, that the correction value corresponding to the low wind mode is 2, and that the setting temperature is 18° C. The processor 300 may correct the setting temperature to 16° C. which is obtained by subtracting the correction value 2 from the setting value set by the user. Further, the processor 300 may turn-off the compressor 210 when the indoor temperature sensed by the temperature sensor 120 is identified as 16° C. The processor 300 may continue to monitor the indoor temperature sensed by the temperature sensor 120 even after the compressor 210 is turned-off, and determine whether to turn-on the compressor 210. Unlike determining whether to turn-off the compressor 210 by applying the correction value to the setting temperature, the correction value is not applied to the setting temperature in determining whether to turn-on the compressor 210. For example, if the indoor temperature is identified as 18° C. which is the same as the setting temperature, the processor 300 may turn-on the opened compressor 210.

After the compressor 210 is turned-on again, the processor 300 may determine whether to turn-off the compressor 210 by applying again the correction value corresponding to the wind volume mode to the setting temperature.

The processor 300 according to an embodiment of the disclosure may apply the correction value applied to the compressor 210 differently based on the wind volume mode and the setting temperature. For example, the processor 300 may apply the third correction value and not the first correction value to the setting temperature when the wind volume mode is in the low wind mode and the setting temperature is less than a fourth value. For example, it may be assumed that the fourth value is 19° C. At this time, the processor 300 may apply the third correction value which is applied in the strong wind mode and not the first correction value to the setting temperature when the wind volume mode of the air conditioner 1000 is in the low wind mode and the setting temperature is identified as 18° C. The above is to minimize/.reduce user displeasure due to excessive air-conditioning by discharging cooled air for a short time by applying a correction value having a relatively low value to users that operate the air conditioner 1000 for short periods at a low temperature.

In addition, the processor 300 in an embodiment of the disclosure may apply the first correction value and not the third correction value to the setting temperature when the wind volume mode is in the strong wind mode and the setting temperature is greater than or equal to a fifth value. For example, it may be assumed that the fifth value is 30° C. At this time, the processor 300 may apply the first correction value which is applied in the low wind mode and not the third correction value to the setting temperature even if the wind volume mode of the air conditioner 1000 is identified as the strong wind mode. The above is for the compressor 210 of the air conditioner 1000 to be operated for a long time by applying a correction value having a relatively great value to users that operate the air conditioner 1000 in the strong wind mode for ventilation at a high temperature.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the processor 300 may change, based on the wind volume mode being in the low wind mode, the first correction value applied to the setting temperature to the third correction value if a driving time of the air conditioner 1000 exceeds a pre-set time in the low wind mode. Specifically, even if the driving time of the air conditioner 1000 exceeds the pre-set time in the low wind mode, when the indoor temperature sensed by the temperature sensor 120 reaches the setting temperature applied with the first correction value, or when not falling to less than or equal to the setting temperature applied with the first correction value, the processor 300 may change the correction value applied to the setting temperature from the first correction value to the third correction value. For example, it may be assumed that the pre-set time is 30 minutes. Despite the air conditioner 1000 operating in the low wind mode and 30 minutes having passed, if the indoor temperature measured through the temperature sensor 120 and the setting temperature applied with the first correction value are identified as not matching, the processor 300 may correct the setting temperature by applying the third correction value and not the first correction value to the setting temperature. For example, assuming that the setting temperature is 18° C., that the first correction value is 2, and the third correction value is 1, the processor 300 may identify whether it is a match with the indoor temperature based on 16° C. obtained by applying the first correction value (e.g., 2) to the setting temperature 18° C. prior to 30 minutes being passed in the low wind mode. Further, after 30 minutes having passed, whether it is a match with the indoor temperature may be identified based on 17° C. which is obtained by applying the third correction value (e.g., 1) and not the first correction value (e.g., 2) to the setting temperature 18° C. The above is because a long time is required until the indoor temperature matches with the corrected setting temperature by applying the first correction value which is a relatively great correction value to setting temperature and thereby, power of the air conditioner may be prevented/reduced from being wasted.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example configuration of an air conditioner according to various embodiments. FIG. 4 is for describing in greater detail the configuration of the air conditioner 1000 according to various embodiments of the disclosure. In describing FIG. 4 below, detailed descriptions of configurations as described above in the description of FIG. 2 may not be repeated.

Referring to FIG. 4, the air conditioner 1000 according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include the indoor unit 100 and the outdoor unit 200, in which the indoor unit 100 may include the indoor fan 110, the temperature sensor 120, an indoor heat exchanger 130, a memory 140, an indoor communicator (e.g., including communication circuitry) 150, and an indoor unit processor (e.g., including processing circuitry 11, and the outdoor unit 200 may include the compressor 210, an outdoor fan 220, an outdoor heat exchanger 230, an outdoor communicator (e.g., including communication circuitry) 240, and an outdoor unit processor (e.g., including processing circuitry) 12. Because the indoor fan 110, the temperature sensor 120, and the compressor 210 has been described above, detailed descriptions thereof may not be repeated here.

The indoor unit 100 according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include the indoor heat exchanger 130. The indoor heat exchanger 130 may exchange heat with air introduced to the indoor unit 100 and a refrigerant provided from the outdoor unit 200. For example, the indoor heat exchanger 130 may perform an evaporator role when cooling. For example, the indoor heat exchanger 130 may have a refrigerant in a low-pressure and low-temperature mist state absorb latent heat necessary in a phase transition of evaporating into a gas from air introduced to the indoor unit 100. The indoor heat exchanger 130 may perform a condenser role when warming. For example, opposite to cooling, when flow of refrigerant is reversed, heat of the refrigerant that passes the indoor heat exchanger 130 may be dissipated to air introduced to the indoor unit 100.

An operating system (O/S) for driving the air conditioner 1000 may be stored in the memory 140. In addition, various software programs or applications for operating the air conditioner 1000 may be stored in the memory 140 according to various embodiments of the disclosure. In addition, various information such as a variety of data which is input or set or generated during an execution of a program or an application may be stored in the memory 140. For example, rotation speed information of a fan corresponding to the wind volume mode or information on correction values applied according to the wind volume mode may be stored in the memory 140.

In addition, the indoor unit 100 may include the indoor communicator 150 including various communication circuitry. The air conditioner 1000 may transmit and receive various information by performing communication with various external devices through the indoor communicator 150. In addition, the indoor unit processor 11 may include various processing circuitry and perform communication between the indoor unit 100 and the outdoor unit 200 through the indoor communicator 150 disposed at the indoor unit 100. For example, the indoor unit processor 11 may transmit an on or off control signal of the compressor to the outdoor unit processor 12 through the indoor communicator 150. The indoor unit processor 11 may transmit, based on the indoor temperature sensed through the temperature sensor 120 and the setting temperature applied with respective correction values according to the respective wind volume modes being identified as matching, a signal or a control command requesting to turn-off the compressor 210 to the outdoor unit processor 12 through the indoor communicator 150. The indoor unit processor 11 may perform communication with the outdoor unit processor 12 based on a wired communication network of the indoor communicator 150. The wired communication network may be implemented using a physical cable such as, for example, and without limitation, a pair cable, a coaxial cable an optical fiber cable, an Ethernet cable, or the like.

In addition to the above, the indoor unit processor 11 may perform communication with the outdoor unit processor 12 or an external device based on a wireless communication network of the indoor communicator 150. The wireless communication network described above may include, for example, Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy, CAN communication, Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct, ultra-wide band (UWB), ZigBee, Infrared Data Association (IrDA), Near Field Communication (NFC), or the like.

The indoor unit 100 may further include an interface. The interface may be implemented as a device such as a button, a touch pad, a mouse, and a keyboard, or implemented also as a touch screen capable of performing a display function and an operation input function together therewith. The button may be a button of various types such as a mechanical button, a touch pad, or a wheel which are formed at a random area at a front surface part or a side surface part, a rear surface part, or the like of an exterior of a main body of the indoor unit 100. Meanwhile, the indoor unit processor 11 may be able to transmit and receive control commands on the air conditioner 1000 with the user through the interface (or indoor communicator).

The outdoor unit 200 may further include the outdoor fan 220. The outdoor fan 220 may be a configuration that forcefully discharges outdoor air by an outdoor fan motor for heat exchange to be carried out in the outdoor heat exchanger 230. The outdoor fan 220 may be disposed at the surrounding of the outdoor heat exchanger 230 for heat exchange between the refrigerant that circulates within the outdoor heat exchanger 230 and the external air to be effectively carried out between each other. In addition, the rotation speed of the outdoor fan 220 may be changed based on a control signal transferred from the processor 300.

The outdoor unit 200 may include the outdoor heat exchanger 230. In the outdoor heat exchanger 230, heat exchange between a high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant compressed in the compressor 210 and outdoor air suctioned through the outdoor fan 220 may be carried out.

In addition, the outdoor unit 200 may include the outdoor communicator 240 including various communication circuitry. The outdoor communicator 240 may be disposed at the outdoor unit 200 to perform communication between the outdoor unit 200 and the indoor unit 100. For example, the outdoor unit processor 12 may receive, through an outdoor communicator 150, the on or off control signal of the compressor from the indoor unit processor 11. For example, the outdoor unit processor 12 may turn-off the compressor 210 that is being driven when a signal or a control command requesting to turn-off the compressor is received from the indoor unit processor 11 through the outdoor communicator 150. In addition to the above, the outdoor unit processor 12 may receive control commands on various configurations included in the outdoor unit 200 such as the outdoor fan in addition to the compressor 210 from the indoor unit 100 through the outdoor communicator 240.

The outdoor unit processor 12 may include various processing circuitry and perform communication with the indoor unit processor 11 based on the wired communication network of the outdoor communicator 240. Here, the wired communication network may be implemented using, for example, a physical cable such as a pair cable, a coaxial cable, an optical fiber cable, or an Ethernet cable.

Each of the indoor unit processor 11 and the outdoor unit processor 12 may, according to an embodiment of the disclosure, include various processing circuitry and/or multiple processors. For example, as used herein, including the claims, the term “processor” may include various processing circuitry, including at least one processor, wherein one or more of at least one processor, individually and/or collectively in a distributed manner, may be configured to perform various functions described herein. As used herein, when “a processor”, “at least one processor”, and “one or more processors” are described as being configured to perform numerous functions, these terms cover situations, for example and without limitation, in which one processor performs some of recited functions and another processor(s) performs other of recited functions, and also situations in which a single processor may perform all recited functions. Additionally, the at least one processor may include a combination of processors performing various of the recited/disclosed functions, e.g., in a distributed manner. At least one processor may execute program instructions to achieve or perform various functions.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example method of controlling an air conditioner according to various embodiments. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example method of controlling an air conditioner by applying different correction values from one another to a setting temperature based on a wind volume mode according to various embodiments. FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example method of controlling an air conditioner by turning-off a compressor after having turned-off the compressor according to various embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 5, according to an embodiment of the disclosure, first, the processor 300 of the air conditioner 1000 may cool the air by turning-on the compressor 210 (S410). The processor 300 may correct the setting temperature of the air conditioner based on the correction value corresponding to the wind volume mode (S430) after discharging cooled air to the outside of the air conditioner 1000 by driving the fan based on the wind volume mode from among the plurality of wind volume modes (S420).

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the correction value applied to the setting temperature may be set to different values from one another in the plurality of wind volume modes.

The processor 300 may turn-off the compressor 210 while the driving of the fan is maintained when the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor 120 is identified as matching with the corrected setting temperature (S440). For example, the indoor temperature is sensed in real-time through the temperature sensor 120. The processor may turn-off the compressor 210 if the setting temperature applied with correction values set to different values according to the wind volume mode and the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor 120 are a match, or if the sensed temperature is identified as lower than the setting temperature. At this time, the driving of the fan may be maintained, and accordingly, air which is not cooled through the air conditioner 1000 may be discharged.

Referring to FIG. 6, according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the processor 300 may identify the wind volume mode of the air conditioner, and apply different correction values from one another to the setting temperature according to the identified wind volume mode. For example, the processor 300 may identify whether the wind volume mode corresponds to the low wind mode with respect to the current driving of the indoor fan 110 of the air conditioner 1000 (S431). The processor 300 may then, correct the setting temperature based on the first correction value if the wind volume mode is identified as in the low wind mode (S433). On the other hand, if the wind volume mode is identified as not in the low wind mode, whether the wind volume mode is in the medium wind mode may be identified (S432). Whether the wind volume mode corresponds to the strong wind mode may be identified with respect to the driving of the indoor fan 110 of the air conditioner 1000 that is currently being driven (S432). Further, the setting temperature may be corrected by applying the second correction value to the setting temperature if the wind volume mode is identified as the medium wind mode (S434). If the wind volume mode is identified as not in the medium wind mode (that is, if the wind volume mode is identified as the strong wind mode), the setting temperature may be corrected by applying the third correction value to the setting temperature (S435). The processor 300 may identify whether the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor matches with the corrected setting temperature based on the correction value corresponding to the wind volume mode (S441). When the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor is identified as matching with the corrected setting temperature, the compressor 210 may be turned-off while the driving of the indoor fan 110 is maintained (S442).

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the first correction value may be set to a greater value than the second correction value, and the second correction value may be set to a greater value than the third correction value.

Referring to FIG. 7, the processor 300 may turn-on the compressor if the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor matches with the setting temperature after the compressor has been turned-off (S450). For example, the processor 300 may not apply the correction value to the setting temperature after the compressor has been turned-off (S440), and may turn-on the turned-off compressor again if the setting temperature is identified as matching with the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor 120.

FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 are flowcharts illustrating example methods for controlling an air conditioner based on a wind volume mode and a setting temperature according to various embodiments. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example method for controlling an air conditioner based on a wind volume mode and driving time according to various embodiments.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, if the first correction value is set to a greater value than the second correction value, and the second correction value is set to a greater value than the third correction value, the processor 300 may control the air conditioner based on the wind volume mode and the setting temperature.

Referring to FIG. 8, the processor 300 may identify whether the wind volume mode that is being driven is in the low wind mode (S431-a). I the wind volume mode is identified as the low wind mode, it may be identified whether the setting temperature is less than the fourth value (S431-b). If the setting temperature is identified as not less than the fourth value, that is, if the setting temperature is identified as greater than or equal to the fourth value, the processor 300 may correct the setting temperature by applying the first correction value to the setting temperature (S433). On the other hand, if the setting temperature is identified as less than the fourth value, the processor 300 may apply the third correction value and not the first correction value to the setting temperature. For example, it may be assumed that the fourth value is 19° C., the first correction value is 2, and the third correction value is 1. At this time, the processor 300 may apply, based on the wind volume mode of the air conditioner 1000 being in the low wind mode, and the setting temperature being identified as 18° C., the third correction value of 1 which is applied in the strong wind mode, and not the first correction value of 2 to the setting temperature. For example, the processor 300 may identify whether the corrected setting temperature of 17° C. and the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor are a match.

Referring to FIG. 9, the processor 300 may identify whether the wind volume mode being driven is in the medium wind mode (S432-a). If the wind volume mode is identified as not in the medium wind mode (e.g., if the wind volume mode is identified as in the strong wind mode), it may be identified whether the setting temperature is greater than or equal to the fifth value (S432-b). At this time, if the setting temperature is identified as greater than or equal to the fifth value, the processor 300 may correct the setting temperature by applying the first correction value to the setting temperature (S433). On the other hand, if the setting temperature is identified as not greater than or equal to the fifth value, that is, if it is identified as less than the fifth value, the processor 300 may apply the first correction value to the setting temperature. For example, it may be assumed that the fifth value is 25° C., the first correction value is 2, and the third correction value is 1. At this time, the processor 300 may apply, based on the wind volume mode of the air conditioner 1000 being in the strong wind mode, and the setting temperature being identified as 26° C., the first correction value of 2 which is applied in the low wind mode, and not the third correction value of 1 to the setting temperature. That is, the processor 300 may identify whether the corrected setting temperature of 24° C. and the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor are a match.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the processor 300 may change, based on the wind volume mode being in the low wind mode, and the pre-set time being exceeded, the first correction value applied to the setting temperature to the third correction value. For example, referring to FIG. 10, the processor 300 may identify whether the wind volume mode is in the low wind mode (S431), and the if the wind volume mode is identified as in the low wind mode, identify whether the driving time of the air conditioner in the low wind mode exceeded the pre-set time (S436). To this end, the processor 300 may calculate an accumulated time of driving time of the air conditioner 1000 or the indoor fan 110 from after a time-point at which the air conditioner 1000 was driven in the low wind mode. Meanwhile, the processor 300 may change, based on the driving time in the low wind mode being identified as having exceeded the pre-set time, the correction value applied to the setting temperature from the first correction value to the third correction value (S435).

In the above-described description, steps S410 to S450 may be further divided as additional steps, or combined with fewer steps according to an embodiment of the disclosure. In addition, some steps may be omitted according to necessity, and an order between the steps may be changed. Further, the descriptions of FIG. 5 to FIG. 10 may also be applied to the air conditioner of FIG. 1 to FIG. 4 even if the descriptions are other omitted descriptions.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the various embodiments described above may be implemented with software including instructions stored in a machine-readable storage media (e.g., computer). The machine may call an instruction stored in the storage medium, and as a device operable according to the called instruction, may include a machine according to the above-mentioned embodiments. Based on the instruction being executed by the processor 300, the processor 300 may directly or using other elements under the control of the processor 300 perform a function corresponding to the instruction. The instruction may include a code generated by a compiler or executed by an interpreter. The machine-readable storage medium may be provided in the form of a non-transitory storage medium. The, ‘non-transitory’ storage medium is tangible and may not include a signal, and the term does not differentiate data being semi-permanently stored or being temporarily stored in the storage medium. For example, the ‘non-transitory storage medium’ may include a buffer in which data is temporarily stored.

According to an embodiment, a method according to various embodiments described above may be provided included a computer program product. The computer program product may be exchanged between a seller and a purchaser as a commodity. The computer program product may be distributed in the form of a machine-readable storage medium (e.g., a compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM)), or distributed online (e.g., downloaded or uploaded) through an application store (e.g., PLAYSTORE™) or directly between two user devices (e.g., smartphones). In the case of online distribution, at least a portion of the computer program product (e.g., downloadable app) may be stored at least temporarily in the storage medium such as a server of a manufacturer, a server of an application store, or a memory of a relay server, or temporarily generated.

While the disclosure has been illustrated and described with reference to the various example embodiments thereof, it will be understood that the various example embodiments are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. It will be further understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made therein without departing from the true spirit and full scope of the disclosure, including the appended claims and their equivalents. It will also be understood that any of the embodiment(s) described herein may be used in conjunction with any other embodiment(s) described herein.