AIR CONDITIONER CONTROL METHOD, AIR CONDITIONER, AND STORAGE MEDIUM

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is based on and claims a priority to Chinese patent application No. 202510053555.0, filed on Jan. 13, 2025, which claims a priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202411888594.4, filed on Dec. 19, 2024, the entire content of which is hereby incorporated into this application by reference.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to the field of air conditioner control technology, and more particularly, to an air conditioner control method, an air conditioner, and a storage medium.

BACKGROUND

Currently, most indoor spaces are illustrated with air conditioners. The air conditioners provide cooling or heating functions for the indoor spaces to keep the indoor spaces at a comfortable temperature for users.

SUMMARY

According to a first aspect of embodiments of the present disclosure, an air conditioner control method is provided. The method includes: controlling a detection apparatus group provided on an air conditioner to be in different detection modes to detect a state of a target object; and controlling operation of the air conditioner based on the state of the target object.

According to a third aspect of embodiments of the present disclosure, an air conditioner is provided. The air conditioner is configured to perform an air conditioner control method. The method includes: controlling a detection apparatus group provided on an air conditioner to be in different detection modes to detect a state of a target object; and controlling operation of the air conditioner based on the state of the target object.

According to a third aspect of embodiments of the present disclosure, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium is provided. The storage medium has a computer program stored thereon, in which, when the program is executed by a processor, an air conditioner control method is implemented. The method includes: controlling a detection apparatus group provided on an air conditioner to be in different detection modes to detect a state of a target object; and controlling operation of the air conditioner based on the state of the target object.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a flowchart illustrating an air conditioner control method according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating dual detection apparatuses installed on an air conditioner according to an embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating communication between dual detection apparatuses and a microcontroller unit according to an embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an air conditioner control method according to an embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating control in respective detection modes in a first mode according to an embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an air conditioner control method according to an embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating an air conditioner control apparatus according to an embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an air conditioner control method according to an embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating respective regions indoors according to an embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating an activity region hotspot map according to an embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an air conditioner control method according to an embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an air conditioner control method according to an embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an air conditioner control method according to an embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an air conditioner control method according to an embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating an air conditioner control method according to an embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram illustrating an air conditioner control apparatus according to an embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a block diagram illustrating an air conditioner control apparatus according to an embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a block diagram illustrating a chip system according to an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The following description refers to the accompanying drawings in which the same numbers in different drawings represent the same or similar elements unless otherwise represented. The implementations set forth in the following description of embodiments do not represent all implementations consistent with the present disclosure. Instead, they are merely examples of apparatuses and methods consistent with aspects related to the present disclosure as recited in the appended claims.

It is noted that all actions for acquiring signals, information, or data in the disclosure are carried out in accordance with relevant data protection regulations and policies of the country where they are located, and with authorization granted by owners of corresponding apparatuses.

Currently, most indoor spaces are illustrated with air conditioners. The air conditioners provide cooling or heating functions for the indoor spaces to keep the indoor spaces at a comfortable temperature for users.

In related arts, in terms of air conditioner detection, a unified detection mode is adopted to detect a target object, to control the air conditioner to be in a corresponding air conditioner mode. However, the target object detected by the unified detection mode may have an error, resulting in a certain error in control of the air conditioner.

Embodiment 1

FIG. 1 is a flowchart illustrating an air conditioner control method according to an embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the method includes the following blocks.

At block S10, a detection apparatus group is controlled to be in different detection modes to detect a state of a target object.

The detection apparatus group includes at least two detection apparatuses installed on an air conditioner, with a predetermined distance between the at least two detection apparatuses, and the detection apparatus group is wired coupled to a microcontroller unit (MCU) of an indoor unit of the air conditioner.

As shown in FIG. 2, two detection apparatuses such as a detection apparatus A (a radar A 20 in FIG. 2) and a detection apparatus B 21 (a radar B in FIG. 2) may be installed on the indoor unit of the air conditioner 23. These two detection apparatuses are installed at a certain angle to improve a detection range for detecting the target object. As shown in FIG. 3, the detection apparatus A 30 is coupled to the MCU 31 via a communication port 1, the detection apparatus B 32 is coupled to the MCU via a communication port 2. The MCU is also coupled to a WIFI module 33, and the WIFI module may communicate with a cloud.

In an example, the two detection apparatuses in the at least two detection apparatuses are arranged oppositely. The detection apparatus may be a radar.

For example, detection surfaces of the two detection apparatuses may be arranged oppositely, and there is an overlapping part between the detection surfaces of the two detection apparatuses. The detection surface refers to a region area that the detection apparatus can perceive, as shown in FIG. 2, the detection surfaces of the two detection apparatuses are fan-shaped. For example, detection directions of the two detection apparatuses may be arranged oppositely, and there is an intersection between the detection directions of the two detection apparatuses. For example, the two detection apparatuses themselves may also be arranged oppositely. A form of arranging the two detection apparatuses oppositely is not limited by the disclosure.

In an example, the detection modes include at least two of a first detection mode, a second detection mode, or a third detection mode.

In an example, the detection apparatus group includes at least two detection apparatuses. In the first detection mode, the at least two detection apparatuses alternately perform detection on the state of the target object.

In the first detection mode, the at least two detection apparatuses in the detection apparatus group alternately perform detection on the target object using a time division multiplexing manner. Alternatively, performing the detection on the target object may be referred to as static detection, and the static detection has a relatively high sensitivity for detecting the target object. The static detection is configured to detect whether the target object has a micro motion. When a distance between two adjacent target object positions generated by the same target object is greater than a second predetermined distance and less than a first predetermined distance, it is considered that the target object is in the micro motion. Or, when two adjacent poses generated by the same target object are different, it is considered that the target object is in the micro motion. For example, the target object has the micro motion in arms, fingers, a head, feet or other body parts indoors or the target object moves on a sofa, then monitoring may be performed through the first detection mode with the static detection.

For example, within a single 20 milliseconds time period, the MCU may control the detection apparatus A to turn on and the detection apparatus B to turn off during a first 10 milliseconds time period, such that the detection apparatus A may perform detection on the target object first during the first 10 milliseconds time period. During the last 10 millisecond time period, the MCU may control the detection apparatus B to turn on and the detection apparatus A to turn off, such that the detection apparatus B may perform detection on the target object during the last 10 milliseconds time period. As such, using every 20 milliseconds as a cycle, the two detection apparatuses alternately perform detection on the target object during each cycle.

During the static detection, due to the relatively high sensitivity of the at least two detection apparatuses on the air conditioner, at least two detection apparatuses with the same frequency and the same sensitivity may interfere with each other during operation. For example, a detection signal emitted by the detection apparatus A may be detected by the detection apparatus B, which may interfere with determination of the detection apparatus B. Similarly, a detection signal emitted by the detection apparatus B may also be detected by the detection apparatus A, which may interfere with determination of the detection apparatus A. Thus, the state of the target object detected by the at least two detection apparatuses may be inaccurate. On the basis of this, with controlling the at least two detection apparatuses to alternately perform the static detection on the target object, firstly, the detection apparatus has a high detection sensitivity, it may detect a micro change in the state of the target object; secondly, the at least two detection apparatuses alternately performing detection on the target object may expand the detection range; thirdly, a single detection apparatus is activated at the same time, then the single detection apparatus may not be interfered by other turned-off detection apparatuses, and the detected pose of the target object may be more accurate.

In an example, the detection apparatus group includes at least two detection apparatuses. In the second detection mode, the at least two detection apparatuses simultaneously perform detection on the state of the target object. A sensitivity of the detection apparatus group in the first detection mode is greater than a sensitivity of the detection apparatus group in the second detection mode.

In the second detection mode, the at least two detection apparatuses in the detection apparatus group simultaneously perform detection on the target object. Simultaneously performing the detection on the target object may be referred to as dynamic detection. A sensitivity of the dynamic detection is relatively low than a sensitivity of the static detection. The dynamic detection is configured to monitor a position of the target object in real time. When the distance between two adjacent target object positions generated by the same target object is greater than the first predetermined distance, it is considered that the target object has dynamic behavior and the target object position is detected. For example, a user is walking indoors, then monitoring may be performed through the dynamic detection.

During the dynamic detection, due to the relatively low sensitivity of the at least two detection apparatuses, the at least two detection apparatuses has less interference with each other during operation. For example, due to the low sensitivity of the detection apparatus A, it is difficult to detect the detection signal emitted by the detection apparatus B. Similarly, due to the low sensitivity of the detection apparatus B, it is also difficult to detect the detection signal emitted by the detection apparatus A. Therefore, the at least two detection apparatuses may be controlled to simultaneously turn on for dynamic detection of the target object, firstly, the detection sensitivity of the detection apparatus is relatively low, and there is less interference between the at least two detection apparatuses, thus the accuracy of the detected state of the target object is improved; secondly, the at least two detection apparatuses simultaneously detecting the target object may expand the detection range; thirdly, since the dynamic detection involves a significant change in the target object, using the dynamic detection is sufficient to detect the dynamic behavior of the target object.

In an example, the detection apparatus group includes at least one detection apparatus. In the third detection mode, one detection apparatus performs detection on the state of the target object.

For example, when a distance between the target object and one target detection apparatus of the at least two detection apparatuses is close, the target detection apparatus may be controlled to perform the detection on the state of the target object, such that other detection apparatuses can pause performing the detection on the state of the target object, thus saving energy consumption.

The distance between the target object and the detection apparatus may be indicated by a signal strength. The stronger the signal strength of the target object detected by the detection apparatus, the closer the distance between the target object and the detection apparatus. Therefore, a detection apparatus corresponding to a strongest signal strength selected from a plurality of signal strengths may be taken as the target detection apparatus closest to the target object.

In the third detection mode, the one detection apparatus may perform the detection on the state of the target object at a predetermined duration interval.

Taking the predetermined duration interval being 10 milliseconds as an example, the target detection apparatus may perform the detection on the state of the target object at a 10 milliseconds interval, without a need to detect the state of the target object in real time, to further save the energy consumption.

At block S20, control operation of the air conditioner based on the state of the target object.

In an example, the state of the target object includes presence or absence of the target object, a position of the target object, a dynamic and static state, and a pose of the target object.

The presence or absence of the target object refers to whether the target object exists indoors.

In an example, controlling the operation of the air conditioner based on the state of the target object includes: controlling the operation of the air conditioner in the presence of the target object indoors; and controlling the air conditioner to turn off in the absence of the target object indoors.

The position of the target object refers a position of the target object indoors in the presence of the target object, which may be represented by coordinates of the target object indoors or a latitude and a longitude of the target object.

In an example, controlling the operation of the air conditioner based on the state of the target object includes: controlling the operation of the air conditioner in a case where the target object is indoors; and controlling the air conditioner to turn off in a case where the target object is outdoors.

The dynamic and static state of the target object include a dynamic state and a static state. When the position of the target object changes indoors or the distance between two adjacent positions of the target object is greater than the first predetermined distance, the target object is in the dynamic state. When the position of the target object remains unchanged indoors, or when the distance between two adjacent positions of the target object is greater than the second predetermined distance and less than the second predetermined distance, the target object is in the static state.

In an example, controlling the operation of the air conditioner based on the state of the target object includes: controlling the operation of the air conditioner in a case of the presence of the target object indoors and an indoor target object being in the dynamic state or the static state.

The pose of the target object includes a change in the pose of the target object indoors.

In an example, controlling the operation of the air conditioner based on the state of the target object includes: controlling the operation of the air conditioner in a case of the presence of the target object indoors and the pose of the target object changing.

In related arts, a single detection apparatus is configured on the air conditioner to detect a target object indoors. However, the detection range of the single detection apparatus is limited, and targets outside the detection range of the detection apparatus cannot be detected by the detection apparatus, which may result in missed detection of targets. On the basis of this, the at least two detection apparatuses may be configured on the air conditioner to detect the indoor target object, but the at least two detection apparatuses have the relatively high detection sensitivity, especially for static detection of the target object, the at least two detection apparatuses require higher sensitivity. At least two detection apparatuses with the same frequency and the same sensitivity may interfere with each other during operation, resulting in an error in the detected state of the target object. For example, the detection signal emitted by the detection apparatus A may be detected by the detection apparatus B, which may interfere with determination of the detection apparatus B. Similarly, the detection signal emitted by the detection apparatus B may also be detected by the detection apparatus A, which may interfere with determination of the detection apparatus A. Thus, the state of the target object detected by the at least two detection apparatuses may be inaccurate.

By means of the above technical solution, the detection apparatus group may be controlled to detect the state of the target object in the first detection mode, and the at least two detection apparatuses in the detection apparatus group may alternately detect the target object in the first detection mode. Firstly, the detection apparatus has a high detection sensitivity, it may detect a micro change in the state of the target object. Secondly, taking the at least two detection apparatuses including two detection apparatuses as an example, in a scenario where the two detection apparatuses alternately perform the detection on the state of the target object, although one detection apparatus pauses detection while the other detection apparatus detects, the two detection apparatuses frequently switch back and forth for detection. Therefore, switching back and forth for detection between the two detection apparatuses can also comprehensively detect the target object surrounding the air conditioner and expand the detection range. Thirdly, a single detection apparatus is activated at the same time, then the single detection apparatus may not be interfered by other turned-off detection apparatuses, and the detected pose of the target object may be more accurate.

The detection apparatus group may also be controlled to detect the state of the target object in the second detection mode. Firstly, in the second detection mode, the at least two detection apparatuses in the detection apparatus group simultaneously perform the detection of the target object, thus the detection range is wider. Secondly, in the second detection mode, the at least two detection apparatuses has the relatively low detection sensitivity, and the interference between the at least two detection apparatuses is small, thus the accuracy of the detected state of the target object is also high.

FIG. 4 is an illustrative embodiment related to the above block S10, which is configured to define an example solution of detecting a target object in a scenario where the air conditioner is in a first mode. The method includes the following blocks.

At block S11, the detection apparatus group is controlled to be in the first detection mode to detect the state of the target object in response to an indication of controlling the air conditioner to enter a first mode.

In an example, an air conditioner mode includes the first mode. In the first mode, a power consumption value of the air conditioner is less than a predetermined power consumption value, that is, the power consumption of the air conditioner is low. For example, the first mode may be an energy-saving mode.

The energy-saving mode refers to a mode in which an operating power consumption of the air conditioner is less than the predetermined power consumption value, that is, a low-power mode. In the energy-saving mode, the air conditioner may operate according to a preset frequency, an expansion valve opening, a temperature, a wind speed and other air conditioner parameters, to enable the power consumption of the air conditioner to be less than predetermined power consumption value. The energy-saving mode includes at least one of a heat preservation mode and a standby mode. In the heat preservation mode, the air conditioner may adjust an indoor temperature to a preset temperature value, and continuously detect the indoor temperature, and control the indoor temperature to maintain at the preset temperature value. For example, when the indoor temperature is higher than the preset temperature value, the air conditioner may activate a cooling function to reduce the indoor temperature to the preset temperature value. When the indoor temperature is lower than the preset temperature value, the air conditioner may activate a heating function to increase the indoor temperature to the preset temperature value. Compared to continuous cooling or heating with high strength, an operating power of the air conditioner in the heat preservation mode can be dynamically adjusted according to an actual indoor temperature. The operating power is usually lower, which can save energy to a certain extent. Therefore, the heat preservation mode can be one of the energy-saving modes. The standby mode refers to a situation where some circuits of the air conditioner are still powered on after being turned off, to maintain basic functions of the air conditioner. These basic functions may include, for example, a function of receiving a signal from a remote controller and a function of displaying a clock on a display panel of the air conditioner, etc. These basic functions facilitate the air conditioner to quickly respond to user indications to start. For example, when receiving a power on indication sent by the remote controller, the air conditioner may quickly switch from the standby mode to an operating mode. Compared to restarting the air conditioner after complete power down, a startup speed of the air conditioner is faster and can restore previous setting parameters, such as temperature setting and the wind speed, etc. Due to a situation where main power consuming devices such as a compressor and a fan of the air conditioner have stopped working in the standby mode, an overall power consumption of the air conditioner is relatively low. Therefore, the standby mode can also be referred to as one of the energy-saving modes.

The indication of controlling the air conditioner to enter the first mode may be the indication of controlling the air conditioner to enter the first mode which is triggered by a user on the remote controller, or may be the indication of controlling the air conditioner to enter the first mode which is triggered by the user on a terminal (such as a mobile phone, a tablet and other portable devices), or may be the indication of controlling the air conditioner to enter the first mode which is triggered by the user on the air conditioner. When the indication of controlling the air conditioner to enter the first mode is triggered, it means that the user wants to trigger the air conditioner to enter the first mode, and the user selects the first mode on the remote controller, the mobile phone or the air conditioner. When the user selects the first mode, the air conditioner can detect the state of the target object in the first detection mode with higher sensitivity to determine presence or absence of a user with a micro motion indoors, thus reducing occurrence of missed detection on the user with the micro motion. It is understandable that when the user selects the first mode for the air conditioner to enter, a sensitivity of a second detection mode is relatively low, and it is impossible to detect the presence or absence of the user with the micro motion indoors. Therefore, the first detection mode with higher sensitivity needs to be used to detect the presence or absence of the user with the micro motion indoors, to determine whether an operation of the user selecting the first mode for the air conditioner to enter is a missed operation.

In an example, the detection apparatus group is controlled to be in the first detection mode to detect the state of the target object in response to the indication of controlling the air conditioner to enter the first mode. In a case where the detection apparatus group is in the first detection mode, in response to detecting no target object, the air conditioner is controlled to enter a state corresponding to the first mode.

As shown in FIG. 5, when the air conditioner is selected to be in the first mode 501 with low power consumption, it may be preliminarily determined that the user wants to control the air conditioner to enter the first mode, and when no target is detected through the first detection mode of the static detection, it means that no user is present indoors, and selecting the first mode for the air conditioner to enter by the user is not a missed operation. In this case, the air conditioner may be controlled to enter the state corresponding to the first mode to meet a demand of the user and reduce the energy consumption of the air conditioner. The state corresponding to the first mode refers to a state that the main power consumption devices in the air conditioner is turned off while the basic functions of the air conditioner are retained.

In some scenarios, when the user goes outdoors, the user may remotely control the air conditioner to be in the first mode with low power consumption through the mobile phone. In this case, when the detection apparatus group on the air conditioner detects absence of the target object indoors through the first detection mode of static detection, the air conditioner may be controlled to enter the state corresponding to the first mode, to meet a demand of the user for the low power consumption of the air conditioner.

In an example, the detection apparatus group is controlled to be in the first detection mode 511 to detect the state of the target object in response to the indication of controlling the air conditioner to enter the first mode. In a case where the detection apparatus group is in the first detection mode, in response to detecting a target object, the air conditioner is controlled to continue in the first detection mode to detect the state of the target object.

As shown in FIG. 5, when the user selects the air conditioner to be in the first mode of low power consumption and the detection apparatus group detects the state of the target object in the first detection mode of static detection, in response to detecting the target object through the first detection mode of static detection, it means that the user is present 521 indoors but the user does not move, such as the user sitting and resting indoors, lying down and resting, etc. In this case, the air conditioner continues to maintain 531 the first detection mode, to monitor the presence or absence of the user with the micro motion indoors in real time. When the micro motion is present indoors, it means that the use selecting the first mode may be the missed operation, and the air conditioner may be controlled not to enter the state corresponding to the first mode.

In some scenarios, when the user is indoors and the user does not move, in response to the user accidentally controls the air conditioner to be in the first mode with low power consumption through the mobile phone/remote controller, when the detection apparatus group on the air conditioner detects the presence of the target object with the micro motion indoors through the first detection mode of static detection, it means that the user accidentally touches selection on the first mode, then the air conditioner may be controlled not to enter the state corresponding to the first mode, and continue to be kept in a state of cooling or heating for the user, thus improving user experiences.

In an example, the detection apparatus group is controlled to be in the first detection mode 510 to detect the state of the target object in response to the indication of controlling the air conditioner to enter the first mode. In a case where the detection apparatus group is in the first detection mode, in response to detecting no target object 520, the air conditioner is controlled 530 to switch from the first detection mode 510 to the second detection mode 511.

In the second detection mode 511, the at least two detection apparatuses in the detection apparatus group simultaneously perform detection of the target object. The detection of the target object 523 may refer to the detection apparatus group detecting the state of the target object.

The at least two detection apparatuses in the detection apparatus group simultaneously perform detection on the target object in the second detection mode. Simultaneously performing the detection on the target object may be referred to as dynamic detection. A sensitivity of the dynamic detection is relatively low than a sensitivity of the static detection, which can also be understood that a detection sensitivity of the detection apparatus group in the second detection mode is lower than a detection sensitivity of the detection apparatus group in the first detection mode. The dynamic detection is configured to monitor a position of the target object in real time. When a distance between two adjacent target object positions is greater than a first predetermined distance, it is considered that the target object is in dynamic activity. For example, a user is walking indoors, then monitoring may be performed through the dynamic detection.

A detection sensitivity of the at least two detection apparatuses during the dynamic detection may be set relatively lower than a detection sensitivity of the at least two detection apparatuses in the static detection. Due to the relatively low sensitivity of the at least two detection apparatuses during the dynamic detection, the at least two detection apparatuses has less interference with each other during operation. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 2, due to the low sensitivity of a detection apparatus A, it is difficult to detect a detection signal emitted by a detection apparatus B. Similarly, due to the low sensitivity of the detection apparatus B, it is also difficult to detect a detection signal emitted by the detection apparatus A. Therefore, the at least two detection apparatuses may be controlled to simultaneously turn on for dynamic detection of the target object, firstly, the detection sensitivity of the detection apparatus is relatively low, and there is less interference between the at least two detection apparatuses, thus the accuracy of the detected state of the target object is improved; secondly, the at least two detection apparatuses simultaneously detecting the target object may expand the detection range.

When the air conditioner is in the first mode with low power consumption and the detection apparatus group detects the state of the target object in the first detection mode of static detection, in response to detecting no target object through the static detection, it means that no target object is present indoors. In this case, the detection apparatus group may be controlled to switch from the first detection mode to the second detection mode. Since the at least two detection apparatuses simultaneously perform the detection in the second detection mode, a detection range of the at least two detection apparatuses under simultaneous detection is wider. Compared with the first detection mode in which the at least two detection apparatuses alternately perform the detection, when the user goes indoors, the second detection mode may more quickly detect the target object going indoors, and then operation of the air conditioner can be quickly controlled based on the state of indoor target object from a state of absence of the target object to a state of presence of the target object, thus improving user experience.

In an example, the detection apparatus group is controlled to be in the first detection mode to detect the state of the target object in response to the indication of controlling the air conditioner to enter the first mode. In a case where the detection apparatus group is in the first detection mode, in response to detecting no target object within a predetermined time period, the air conditioner is controlled to switch from the first detection mode to the second detection mode.

Taking the predetermined time period being 10 minutes as an example, when the air conditioner is selected to enter the first mode with low power consumption, the control detection apparatus group is controlled to be in the first detection mode of static detection. In response to the detection apparatus group detecting no target object within 10 minutes, it means that no user is present indoors. In this case, the control detection apparatus group is controlled to switch from the first detection mode of static detection to the second detection mode of dynamic detection.

By setting the predetermined time period, the detection apparatus group may be controlled in the first detection mode to determine the really presence or absence of the user indoors with a relatively long predetermined time period. It is determined whether the user has a static behavior within the predetermined time period, thus reducing a situation of missed detection of the user. For example, taking the predetermined time period being 10 minutes as an example, in some scenarios, the user has no static action in the first 5 minutes, but occurs a static behavior of shaking a head in the 6th minute. In response to no predetermined time period setting, the detection apparatus group in the first detection mode of static detection can switch to the second detection mode in a case where the detection apparatus group detects no user within a 10s round of detection. In the second detection mode, the detection apparatus group cannot detect the user who has the static behavior of shaking the head. By setting the predetermined time period, within 10 min, the detection apparatus group can repeatedly perform a plurality of rounds of detection to detect the presence or absence of the user with the static behavior indoors, thus detecting the user with the static behavior at the 6th minute and reducing occurrence of missed detection of the user.

In an example, when the detection apparatus group is in the second detection mode, in response to detecting a target object, the detection apparatus group is controlled to switch from the second detection mode to the first detection mode.

As shown in FIG. 5, when the user selects the air conditioner to be in the first mode with the low power consumption, and the detection apparatus group switches from the first detection mode to the second detection mode, in response to detecting the target object through the second detection mode, it means that the user is indoors. In this case, the detection apparatus group may be controlled to switch 532 from the second detection mode 511 to the first detection mode 510, such that the subsequent detection of the target object can be performed in the first detection mode with higher sensitivity. In response to still detecting the user indoors subsequently, it means that the user indoors still requires the operation of the air conditioner, and the user selecting the first mode with the low power consumption for the air conditioner is a missed operation behavior, then the air conditioner can be controlled to maintain a previous operating state, thus improving the user experience.

By means of the above technical solution, in a first aspect, the detection apparatus group is controlled to be in the first detection mode to detect the state of the target object in response to the indication of controlling the air conditioner to enter the first mode. After the user selects the first mode, it may further assist in determining whether the user has an intention to turn on the first mode of the air conditioner in combination with the state of the target detection. After the intention is determined accurately, the operation control of the air conditioner can be more accurate. In a second aspect, when it is not possible to determine the presence or absence of the user indoors in the second detection mode (such as dynamic detection), it may be determined the presence or absence of the user with the micro motion indoors through the first detection mode (such as static detection), thus reducing missed detection of the user. In a third aspect, when the detection apparatus group is in the first detection mode, in response to detecting no target object, the detection apparatus group is controlled to switch from the first detection mode to the second detection mode. When it is clearly determined in the first detection mode that no user is present indoors, the detection apparatus group may be switched from the first detection mode to the second detection mode, thus, the detection range of the detection apparatus group can be expanded, and it can quickly determine that the user goes indoors when the user has just gone indoors. In the fourth aspect, when the detection apparatus group is in the first detection mode, in response to detecting no target object within the predetermined time period, the detection apparatus group is controlled to switch from the first detection mode to the second detection mode, thus, a detection duration of the detection apparatus group in the first detection mode may be improved and occurrence of missed detections caused by long-term inactivity of the user may be reduced.

FIG. 6 is an illustrative embodiment related to the above block S20, which is configured to define an example solution of detecting a target object in a scenario where the air conditioner is in a second mode. The method includes the following blocks.

At block S21, the detection apparatus group is controlled to be in the second detection mode to detect the state of the target object in response to an indication of controlling the air conditioner to enter a second mode.

In an example, an air conditioner mode includes the second mode. In the second mode, a power consumption value of the air conditioner is greater than or equal to a predetermined power consumption value. The power consumption value of the air conditioner in the second mode is greater than a power consumption value of the air conditioner in the first mode. For example, the second mode may include a linkage mode.

The linkage mode refers to a mode of linkage interaction between the user and the air conditioner, which is configured to indicate that a state of airflow output from the air conditioner is correlated with a state of a person, and to control a wind speed and/or a wind direction output by the air conditioner to change with a position of the user. The linkage mode includes at least one of a wind blowing person mode, a wind avoidance person mode, or a person-proximity soft wind mode. The wind blowing person mode indicates that a direction of the airflow output from the air conditioner follows a movement of the person. For the wind blowing person mode, when the air conditioner turns on the wind blowing person mode, a deflection angle of an air guide direction of the air conditioner may be controlled according to the monitored state of the target object, causing the air guide direction of the air conditioner being directed towards the target object, achieving a function of the wind following the movement of the person with precise control. Up, down, left, and right deflection angles of a wind deflector of the air conditioner may be calculated by detecting the state of the target object (such as a position of the target object), and control the air guide direction of the air conditioner to follow the movement of the target object. The wind avoidance person mode indicates that the direction of the airflow output from the air conditioner avoids the person. For the wind avoidance person mode, when the air conditioner turns on the wind avoidance person mode, an offset angle of the air guide direction of the air conditioner may be controlled based on the monitored state of the target object, causing the air guide direction of the air conditioner to avoid the target object, achieving a wind avoidance person function with precise wind control. Up, down, left, and right deflection angles of an air guide plate of the air conditioner may be calculated by detecting the state of the target object (such as a position of the target object), and control the air guide direction of the air conditioner to offset from the target object, achieving an effect of preventing cold air from blowing the person directly. The person-proximity soft wind mode refers to controlling the wind speed of the airflow output from the air conditioner to be less than a predetermined wind speed when a distance between the person and the air conditioner is less than a predetermined distance. For the person-proximity soft wind mode, the distance between the target object and the air conditioner may be determined based on the detected state of the target object (such as the position of the target object). The wind speed output by the air conditioner is controlled to be less than the predetermined wind speed when determining that the distance between the target object and the air conditioner is less than the predetermined distance, thus improving air supply softness of the air conditioner. When the distance between the target object and the air conditioner is less than the predetermined distance, the wind speed output by the air conditioner may gradually decrease as the distance between the target object and the air conditioner decreases, such that the wind speed perceived by the user tends to be constant as they get closer to the air conditioner, which can further improve user experience.

The indication of controlling the air conditioner to enter the second mode may be the indication of controlling the air conditioner to enter the second mode which is triggered by a user on the remote controller, or may be the indication of controlling the air conditioner to enter the second mode which is triggered by the user on a terminal (such as a mobile phone, a tablet and other portable devices), or may be the indication of controlling the air conditioner to enter the second mode which is triggered by the user on the air conditioner. When the indication of controlling the air conditioner to enter the second mode is triggered, it means that the user wants to trigger the air conditioner to enter the second mode, and the user selects the second mode on the remote controller, the mobile phone or the air conditioner. When the user selects the second mode, the air conditioner can detect the state of the target object in the second detection mode.

When the user selects the air conditioner to be in the second mode, it indicates that the user requires the air conditioner to adjust the wind speed and the wind direction of the air conditioner in real time according to the position of the target object. In this case, since the position of the target indoors is moving, a behavior of the user is a dynamic behavior, and the position of the target object may be detected through the second detection mode with relatively low sensitivity. Therefore, when the user selects the air conditioner to be in the second mode, the detection apparatus group may be controlled to be in the second detection mode to detect the state of the target object, to determine the position of the user.

For example, when the user selects the air conditioner to be in the wind blowing person mode, it indicates that the user needs an air outlet direction of the air conditioner to blow towards the user itself. In this case, the detection apparatus group may be in the second detection mode to detect the state of the target object, with a wider detection range to detect the presence of the user indoors, and then the air outlet direction of the air conditioner may blow towards the user.

For example, when the user selects the air conditioner to be in the wind avoidance person mode, it indicates that the user needs the air outlet direction of the air conditioner to avoid the user itself. In this case, the detection apparatus group may be in the second detection mode to detect the state of the target object, with a wider detection range to detect the presence of the user indoors, and then the air outlet direction of the air conditioner may avoid the user.

For example, when the user selects the air conditioner to be in the person-proximity soft wind mode, it indicates that the user needs the air outlet speed of the air conditioner to decrease when the user approaches. In this case, the control detection apparatus group may be in the second detection mode to detect the state of the target object, with a wider detection range to detect the presence of the user indoors. When the position of the user is close to the air conditioner, the air outlet speed of the air conditioner is controlled to be less than the predetermined wind speed, thus, the airflow is output the air conditioner at a smaller wind speed and the air supply softness of the air conditioner is improved.

In an example, in a case where the air conditioner is in the person-proximity soft wind mode and the detection apparatus group is in the second detection mode, in response to detecting no target object within a predetermined range and detecting a target object outside the predetermined range, the detection apparatus group is controlled to switch to the first detection mode.

The predetermined range is a circular range with a center of the air conditioner as an origin and a predetermined distance from the origin. The predetermined range may also be a circular range with a center of the detection apparatuses on the air conditioner as the origin and the predetermined distance from the origin. The present disclosure does not limit the range. The preset distance may be 3 m, which is not limited by the present disclosure.

When the user selects the air conditioner to be in the person-proximity soft wind mode, it indicates that the user needs the air outlet speed of the air conditioner to decrease when the user approaches. In this case, in response to detecting no target object within the predetermined range and detecting the target object outside the predetermined range through the second detection mode, it indicates that no target object is in a region close to the air conditioner, while the target object is in a region far away from the air conditioner, indicating that the presence or absence of the target object in the region close to the air conditioner cannot be detected through the second detection mode. In this case, the detection apparatus group may be switched from the second detection mode to the first detection mode, to detect the presence or absence of the target object within the predetermined range close to the air conditioner in the first detection mode with higher sensitivity. In response to detecting the target object, it is determined to control the air conditioner to enter a state corresponding to the person-proximity soft wind mode, and in response to detecting no target object, the air conditioner is controlled not to enter the state corresponding to the person-proximity soft wind mode.

In some scenarios, when the user selects the person-proximity soft wind mode, it indicates that the user needs the air outlet speed of the air conditioner to decrease as the user approaches, and the user may remain stationary in case of reaching the predetermined range of the air conditioner. In this case, the presence of the user with the static behavior within the predetermined range of the air conditioner cannot be detected using the second detection mode. Therefore, when the user selects the air conditioner to be in the person-proximity soft wind mode and the detection apparatus group is in the second detection mode, in response to the detection apparatus group detecting no target object within the predetermined range in the second detection mode, the detection apparatus group may be controlled to switch from the second detection mode to the first detection mode, thus, it may be determined the presence or absence of the target object within the predetermined range in the detection mode with higher sensitivity and situations where no target object is detected in case of the target object being within the predetermined range may be reduced.

In an example, in a case where the detection apparatus group is in the second detection mode to detect the state of the target object, in response to detecting no target object, the detection apparatus group is controlled to switch from the second detection mode to the first detection mode.

Generally, the air conditioner may detect the presence or absence of the target object dynamically moving indoors through the second detection mode of dynamic detection. When detecting the movement of the target object indoors, it indicates the presence of the target object. To ensure comfort experience of the target object, the air conditioner is controlled to be in a normal mode for normal operation, to cool or heat the target object normally. However, when detecting that the indoor target object has not moved through the second detection mode of dynamic detection, it indicates the presence of no target object indoors. When the target object stops moving indoors, a micro motion behavior in a state where the target object stops moving cannot be detected through the second detection mode of dynamic detection. Therefore, it is necessary to combine the first detection mode proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure to detect the state of the target object, whether the state of the target object has changed may be detected through the first detection mode of static detection. In response to the state of the target object having changed, it is considered to that the target object has the micro motion behavior, indicating that the target object still exists indoors, thus avoiding missed detection of the target object.

For example, the micro motion of the target object cannot be detected through the second detection mode of dynamic detection, then the detection apparatus group may be controlled to be in the first detection mode. In the first detection mode, the sensitivity of the detection apparatus group may be increased to perform static detection on the micro motion of the target object indoors with higher sensitivity, thus avoiding missed detection of the target object. And the at least two detection apparatuses in the detection apparatus group alternatively performs the detection, therefore, the at least two detection apparatuses do not interfere with each other, ensuring a detection accuracy of the detection apparatus group. In the first detection mode, the detection apparatus group can detect the micro motion of the target object indoors in a highly sensitive, highly accurate, and wide detection range manner.

In an example, the detection apparatus group is controlled to be in the second detection mode to detect the state of the target object in response to the indication of controlling the air conditioner to enter the second mode. The air conditioner is maintained in a state corresponding to the second mode in response to detecting no target object.

When the user selects the second mode for the air conditioner to enter, it indicates that the user wants to be able to adjust the wind speed and the wind direction of the air conditioner in real time according to the position of the user. In this case, the state of the target object may be detected in the second detection mode with relatively low sensitivity. In response to detecting no moving target object indoors, the air conditioner may be controlled to keep in the state corresponding to the second mode. The state corresponding to the second mode indicates that the wind deflector and a wind speed level of the air conditioner are in a state required by the user.

In some scenarios, when the user has a distance of 100 m away from home, the user may select the second mode for the air conditioner to enter remotely on a mobile phone of the user. When the detection apparatus group on the air conditioner detects that no target object is present indoors in the second detection mode, it may still control the air conditioner to enter the state corresponding to the second mode, such that when the user enters the home, the air conditioner can interact with the user according to the second mode set by the user. For example, in response to a mode set by the user being the wind blowing person mode, when the user enters the home, the air conditioner may immediately direct the output airflow to the user according to the wind blowing person mode set by the user, reducing a response duration of the wind blowing person mode and improving the user experience.

In an example, the detection apparatus group is controlled to be in the second detection mode to detect the state of the target object in response to the indication of controlling the air conditioner to enter the second mode. In response to detecting no target object, the wind deflector and/or the wind speed level of the air conditioner are maintained in a state when the target object is detected at a most recently time point.

When the user selects the second mode for the air conditioner to enter, it means that the user wants to be able to adjust the wind speed and the wind direction of the air conditioner in real time according to the position of the user. In this case, the state of the target object may be detected by the second detection mode with relatively low sensitivity. In response to detecting no moving target indoors, the wind deflector and/or the wind speed level of the air conditioner may be controlled to be in the state when the target object is detected at the most recently time point, until the movement of the target object is detected.

In some scenarios, when the user selects the wind blowing person mode for the air conditioner to enter, in response to the indoor user moves to a position A in a previous time point, the air conditioner may control its own wind deflector to direct towards the position A. In response to the user being at the position A and no longer moving in the next time point, the detection apparatus group on the air conditioner is in the second detection mode and cannot detect the target object. In this case, a direction of the wind deflector of the air conditioner may also direct towards the position A, to output airflow to the user at the position A, thus avoiding the direction of the wind deflector of the air conditioner from directing towards other positions and improving the user experience.

By means of the above technical solution, in a first aspect, the detection apparatus group is controlled to be in the second detection mode to detect the state of the target object in response to the indication of controlling the air conditioner to enter the second mode. When the user selects the second mode, it may further assist the control of the air conditioner in combination with the state of the target object, and the user experience may be improved. In a second aspect, when the user selects the air conditioner to be in the second mode, the detection apparatus group may be controlled to perform detection on the target object in the second detection mode. In the second detection mode, the at least two detection apparatuses in the detection apparatus group simultaneously perform the detection of the target object, which may expend the detection range. In a third aspect, the user selecting the second mode for the air conditioner may refer to that it is desired to adjust, by the air conditioner, the wind speed and the wind direction of the air conditioner according to the dynamic behavior of the user, and the dynamic behavior of the user can be detected by the second detection mode with relatively low sensitivity, thus, the dynamic behavior of the user obtained by directly using the second detection mode with relatively low sensitivity, for example, control for the state of the air conditioner in the second mode can be achieved based on the position of the user.

The technical solution according to embodiments of the present disclosure may include the following beneficial effects.

In terms of air conditioning detection, the different detection modes may be adopted to detect the state of the target object, to control the operation of the air conditioner based on the detected state of the target object. The present disclosure does not adopt a unified detection method to detect the state of the target object, but adaptively adjusts the detection mode according to different application environments, causing the state of the target object detected based on the different detection modes to be more accurate. Therefore, the air conditioner control implemented based on the more accurate state of the target object may also be more accurate.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating an air conditioner control apparatus according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 7, the air conditioner control apparatus 700 includes a first detection module 710 and a control module 720.

The first detection module 710 is configured to control the detection apparatus group to be in different detection modes to detect a state of a target object.

The control module 720 is configured to control operation of the air conditioner based on the state of the target object.

In an example, the detection modes include at least two of a first detection mode, a second detection mode, or a third detection mode.

In an example, the detection apparatus group includes at least two detection apparatuses, and in the first detection mode, the at least two detection apparatuses alternately perform detection on the state of the target object.

In an example, the detection apparatus group includes at least two detection apparatuses, and in the second detection mode, the at least two detection apparatuses simultaneously perform detection on the state of the target object.

In an example, the detection apparatus group includes at least one detection apparatus, and in the third detection mode, one detection apparatus performs detection on the state of the target object.

In an example, in the third detection mode, the one detection apparatus performs the detection on the state of the target object at a predetermined duration interval.

In an example, the first detection module 710 is configured to control the detection apparatus group to be in the first detection mode to detect the state of the target object in response to an indication of controlling the air conditioner to enter a first mode

In an example, the first mode is an energy-saving mode.

In an example, the energy-saving mode includes at least one of a heat preservation mode or a standby mode.

In an example, the detection mode comprises the second detection mode, and in the second detection mode, the at least two detection apparatuses simultaneously perform detection on the state of the target object.

The air conditioner control apparatus 700 further includes: a switching module, configured to, in a case where the detection apparatus group is in the first detection mode, in response to detecting no target object, control the air conditioner to switch from the first detection mode to the second detection mode.

In an example, the air conditioner control apparatus 700 further includes: a continuing module, configured to, in response to detecting a target object, control the air conditioner to continue in the first detection mode to detect the state of the target object.

In an example, the switching module is further configured to, in a case where the detection apparatus group is in the first detection mode, in response to detecting no target object within a predetermined time period, control the air conditioner to switch from the first detection mode to the second detection mode.

In an example, the control module 720 is further configured to, in response to detecting no target object, control the air conditioner to enter a state corresponding to the first mode.

In an example, the air conditioner control apparatus 700 further includes: a switching module, configured to, in a case where the detection apparatus group is in the second detection mode, in response to detecting a target object, control the detection apparatus group to switch from the second detection mode to the first detection mode.

In an example, the first detection module 710 is further configured to control the detection apparatus group to be in the second detection mode to detect the state of the target object in response to an indication of controlling the air conditioner to enter a second mode.

In an example, the second mode includes a linkage mode.

In an example, the linkage mode includes at least one of a wind blowing person mode, a wind avoidance person mode, or a person-proximity soft wind mode.

In an example, the detection modes include the first detection mode, in the first detection mode, the at least two detection apparatuses alternately perform detection on the state of the target object, the air conditioner control apparatus 700 further includes: a switching module.

The switching module is configured to, in a case where the air conditioner is in the person-proximity soft wind mode and the detection apparatus group is in the second detection mode, in response to detecting no target object within a predetermined range and detecting a target object outside the predetermined range, control the detection apparatus group to switch to the first detection mode.

In an example, the detection modes include the first detection mode, in the first detection mode, the at least two detection apparatuses alternately perform detection on the state of the target object, the air conditioner control apparatus 700 further includes: a switching module.

The switching module is configured to, in a case where the detection apparatus group is in the second detection mode to detect the state of the target object, in response to detecting no target object, control the detection apparatus group to switch from the second detection mode to the first detection mode.

In an example, the control module 720 is further configured to maintain the air conditioner in a state corresponding to the second mode in response to detecting no target object.

In an example, the air conditioner control apparatus 700 further includes a shielding module.

The shielding module is configured to, in response to detecting no target object, maintain a wind deflector and/or a wind speed level of the air conditioner in a state when the target object is detected at a most recently time point.

In an example, the state of the target object comprises at least one of presence or absence of the target object, a position of the target object, a dynamic and static state, or a pose of the target object.

In an example, the detection modes include a first detection mode and a second detection mode, and a sensitivity of the detection apparatus group in the first detection mode is greater than a sensitivity of the detection apparatus group in the second detection mode.

Regarding the apparatus in the above embodiments, specific manners in which each module performs operations have been described in detail in the relevant embodiments of the method, which will not be repeated herein.

The present disclosure also provides a computer-readable storage medium. The storage medium has a computer program stored thereon, in which, when the program is executed by a processor, steps of the air conditioner control method provided in the present disclosure are implemented.

The present disclosure also provides a detection apparatus group. The detection apparatus group may be a radar. The detection apparatus group is configured to perform steps of the air conditioner control method provided in the present disclosure.

Embodiment 2

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an air conditioner control method according to an embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 8, the air conditioner control method is performed by an air conditioner, and the method includes the following blocks.

At block S310, the detection apparatus group is controlled to be in a first detection mode or a second detection mode to detect a pose of a target object.

The detection apparatus group includes at least two radars installed on an air conditioner, with a predetermined distance between the at least two radars, and the detection apparatus group is wiredly coupled to a microcontroller unit (MCU) of an indoor unit of the air conditioner. The detection apparatus group is controlled to be in the different detection modes by the MCU.

For example, as shown in FIG. 2, two radars such as a radar A and a radar B may be installed on the indoor unit of the air conditioner. These two radars are installed at a certain angle to improve a detection range for detecting the target object. As shown in FIG. 3, the radar A is coupled to the MCU via a communication port 1, the radar B is coupled to the MCU via a communication port 2. The MCU is also coupled to a WIFI module, and the WIFI module may communicate with a cloud.

In an example, a sensitivity of the detection apparatus group in the first detection mode is greater than a sensitivity of the detection apparatus group in the second detection mode. The sensitivity of the detection apparatus may be switched as required.

The MCU may control the at least two detection apparatuses in the detection apparatus group to alternately perform detection on the target object in the first detection mode, using a time division multiplexing manner. This detection may be referred to as static detection, and the static detection has a relatively high sensitivity. The static detection is configured to detect whether the target object has a micro motion. When a distance between two adjacent target object positions generated by the same target object is greater than a second predetermined distance and less than a first predetermined distance, it is considered that the target object is in the micro motion. Or, when two adjacent poses generated by the same target object are different, it is considered that the target object is in the micro motion. For example, the target object has the micro motion in arms, fingers, a head, feet or other body parts indoors or the target object moves on a sofa, then monitoring may be performed through the static detection.

For example, within a single 20 milliseconds time period, the MCU may control the radar A to turn on and the radar B to turn off during a first 10 milliseconds time period, such that the radar A may perform detection of the target object first during the first 10 milliseconds time period. During the last 10 milliseconds time period, the MCU may control the radar B to turn on and the radar A to turn off, such that the radar B may perform detection of the target object during the last 10 milliseconds time period. As such, using every 20 milliseconds as a cycle, the two radars alternately perform detection of the target object during each cycle.

During the static detection, due to the relatively high sensitivity of the at least two radars on the air conditioner, at least two radars with the same frequency and the same sensitivity may interfere with each other during operation. For example, a radar signal emitted by the radar A may be detected by the radar B, which may interfere with determination of the radar B. Similarly, a radar signal emitted by the radar B may also be detected by the radar A, which may interfere with determination of the radar A. Thus, the state of the target object detected by the at least two radars may be inaccurate. On the basis of this, with controlling the at least two radars to alternately perform the static detection of the target object, firstly, the radar has a high detection sensitivity, it may detect a micro change in the target object; secondly, the at least two radars alternately performing detection of the target object may expand the detection range; thirdly, a single radar is activated at the same time, then the single radar may not be interfered by other turned-off radars, and the detected pose of the target object may be more accurate.

The MCU may control the at least two detection apparatuses in the detection apparatus group simultaneously perform detection on the target object in the second detection mode. This detection may be referred to as dynamic detection. A sensitivity of the dynamic detection is relatively low than a sensitivity of the static detection. The dynamic detection is configured to monitor a position of the target object in real time. When the distance between two adjacent target object positions generated by the same target object is greater than the first predetermined distance, it is considered that the target object is active and the position of the target object is output. For example, a user is walking indoors, then monitoring may be performed through the dynamic detection.

During the dynamic detection, due to the relatively low sensitivity of the at least two radars, the at least two radars have less interference with each other during operation. For example, due to the low sensitivity of the radar A, it is difficult to detect the radar signal emitted by the radar B. Similarly, due to the low sensitivity of the radar B, it is also difficult to detect the radar signal emitted by the radar A. Therefore, the at least two radars may be controlled to simultaneously turn on for dynamic detection of the target object, firstly, the detection sensitivity of the radar is relatively low, and there is less interference between the at least two radars, thus the accuracy of the detected pose of the target object is improved; secondly, the at least two radars simultaneously detecting the target object may expand the detection range; thirdly, since the dynamic detection involves a significant change in the target object, using the dynamic detection is sufficient to detect the significant change in the target object.

At block S320, the air conditioner is controlled to be in different air conditioner modes based on the pose of the target object.

The air conditioner mode includes a first air conditioner mode (i. e., a first mode) and a second air conditioner mode (i. e., a second mode). In the first air conditioner mode, a power consumption of the air conditioner is low, and the first air conditioner mode includes an energy-saving mode and a standby mode. A power consumption in the second air conditioner mode is relatively high. The second air conditioner mode includes a wind blowing person mode, a wind avoidance person mode. The wind blowing person mode indicates that a direction of the airflow output from the air conditioner follows a movement of the person, and the wind avoidance person mode indicates that the direction of the airflow output from the air conditioner avoids the person.

The control of the air conditioner in the different air conditioner modes may be determined based on whether the pose of the target object changes and a degree of change.

By means of the above solution, the detection apparatus may be controlled to detect the target object in different detection modes. The detection sensitivities of the detection apparatus group in the different detection modes are different from each other. Therefore, the detection sensitivity of the detection apparatus group may dynamically change according to detection requirements, reducing a deviation of the detected target object, capable of more accurately controlling the air conditioner based on the target object with the reduced deviation.

FIG. 11 is an illustrative embodiment related to the above block S320, which is configured to define an example solution of controlling the air conditioner to be in different air conditioner modes based on the pose of the target object. The method includes the following blocks.

At block S321, a hotspot activity region of a user indoors is obtained based on a user position detected by the detection apparatus group in the second detection mode.

In an example, the detection apparatus may be controlled to detect the user position using a dynamic detection manner in the second detection mode. In a case where a distance between two adjacent user positions of the same user is greater than a first preset distance, it is considered that the user is moving indoors, and the user positions may be output in this case.

The hotspot activity region is located indoors, which may be any space installed with the air conditioner. The indoor space includes respective regions, such as a rest region of the user and a boundary region for isolating respective regions with each other. As shown in the indoor space 900 in FIG. 9, the rest region may be a bed 901 in a bedroom 907, a sofa 902, or other regions, and the boundary region may be a house door 910 for isolating indoor and outdoor regions, or a toilet door 903 for isolating a toilet 904 from a living room 905, or a kitchen 90121 etc.

The hotspot activity region indicates a region where at least one user is frequently active indoors. It may be dynamically detected by a radar to determine whether the user position has changed, and it may be determined that the user is active in a case where the user position has changed. Finally, in a case where the user is active, the region where the user is frequently active is determined as the hotspot activity region.

In a case where the user moves indoors and it is considered a significant movement, the detection apparatus is controlled to be in the second detection mode, the user position can be detected by a dynamic detection manner, and the hotspot activity region indoors may be obtained based on the user position.

At block S322, the air conditioner is controlled to be in the different air conditioner modes based on a position relationship between the position of the target object and the hotspot activity region.

In an example, the detection apparatus may be controlled to be in the second detection mode to detect the position of the target object by the dynamic detection manner. In case of detecting presence of a target object with a changed position indoors, the air conditioner may be controlled to be in different air conditioner modes based on the position relationship between the position of the target object and the hotspot activity region.

The position relationship between the position of the target object and the hotspot activity region includes the position of the target object being within the hotspot activity region and the position of the target object being outside the hotspot activity region. In a case where the position of the target object is within the hotspot activity region, the hotspot activity region is the region where the user is frequently active indoors, then the target object is considered to be the user. In a case where the position of the target object is outside the hotspot activity region, the target object is considered to be a plant, a curtain, etc.

It is understandable that positions of a green plant, a curtain, a shaking fan, and the similar target objects may not easily change and may not overlap with the region where the user is frequently active and is generally outside the hotspot activity region, thus, by utilizing this life characteristic, if the position of the target object is outside the hotspot activity region, it is considered that the target object is an interference source such as the green plant, the curtain, the shaking fan, etc., and these objects may be blocked to prevent these objects from interfering with the control of the air conditioner.

Due to a relatively low requirement for position accuracy in detecting a relative position relationship between the position of the target object and the hotspot activity region, the detection apparatus group is controlled to be in the second detection mode. The relative position relationship between the position of the target object and the hotspot activity region can be accurately obtained by the dynamic detection manner, with no need for detecting the relative position relationship between the position of the target object and the hotspot activity region by the static detection manner.

By means of the above technical solution, the detection apparatus group may be controlled to be in the second detection mode to detect the user positions of at least one user within a historical time period, so as to obtain the hotspot activity region of the user indoors. The detection apparatus group is controlled to be in the second detection mode to detect a current position of the target object, and the air conditioner is controlled to be in the different air conditioner modes based on the position relationship between the target object and the hotspot activity region where the user is frequently active indoors. Therefore, the disclosure may distinguish whether the target object with a change in pose is the user or an interference source based on the hotspot activity region, and reduce mis-adjustment for the air conditioner modes of the air conditioner and improve the user experience.

FIG. 12 is an illustrative embodiment related to the above block S321, which is configured to define an example solution of obtaining the hotspot activity region of the user indoors. The method includes the following blocks.

At block S211, an activity region hotspot map of the user indoors is obtained based on the user position detected by the detection apparatus group in the second detection mode.

Obtaining the activity region hotspot map of the user indoors based on the user position including detecting the user positions in real-time through a radar, uploading the detected user positions to a cloud in real-time, and recording the user positions through the cloud, and further processing a plurality of user positions to form the activity region hotspot map indoors.

At block S212, the hotspot activity region is determined based on a denseness of the user position within the activity region hotspot map.

As shown in FIG. 10, where a black dot represents the user position. The user position may be plotted in an indoor spatial map to obtain the hotspot activity region, and the hotspot activity region includes dense user positions.

Determining the hotspot activity region based on the denseness of the user position within the activity region hotspot map includes: partitioning the activity region hotspot map to obtain respective sub-regions, for example, dividing the activity region hotspot map into different sub-regions such as a toilet, a living room, and a bedroom; then determining a sub-region where the number of the user positions reaches a predetermined number in the respective sub-regions as the hotspot activity region.

Determining the hotspot activity region based on the denseness of the user position within the activity region hotspot map includes: clustering respective user positions in the activity region hotspot map, obtaining respective clusters by clustering dense user positions into one cluster; then selecting a cluster with the number of the user positions reaching a predetermined number from the respective clusters as the hotspot activity region.

As shown in FIG. 9, regions with dense user positions, such as a house door, a sofa, a corridor, etc., in the living room, may be determined as the hotspot activity regions.

It is understandable that a region indicated by the activity region hotspot map is a large region indoors, while the hotspot activity region is a sub-region within that large region. For example, the activity region hotspot map indicates a hotspot map of an indoor living room, while the hotspot activity region refers to a region where the user is frequently active, such as the sofa, in the indoor living room.

By means of the above technical solution, the radar may upload the user position, that is, coordinate information of the user, to a cloud for recording in real time. Through backend data processing, respective user positions may be dotted and plotted to create the activity region hotspot map of the user indoors and the hotspot activity region with high-frequency user activities in the activity region hotspot map. This is convenient for the subsequent determination of the position relationship between the target object and the hotspot activity region, which may further determine whether the target object is an interference source that interferes with the control of the air conditioner, such as a plant, a curtain, and a shaking fan, etc.

FIG. 13 is an illustrative embodiment related to the above block S322, which is configured to define an example solution of controlling the air conditioner to be in the different air conditioner modes based on the position relationship between the target object and the hotspot activity region in a case where the air conditioner is in a first air conditioner mode. The method includes the following blocks.

At block S221, in a case where the air conditioner is in a first air conditioner mode, the position of the target object detected by the detection apparatus group in the first detection mode is obtained.

The first air conditioner mode refers to a mode in which a power consumption of the air conditioner is less than a predetermined power consumption value. The first air conditioner mode may include an energy-saving mode and a standby mode. When the detection apparatus group on the air conditioner does not detect any changes in the user position through dynamic detection within a first predetermined time period, the air conditioner may automatically enter the energy-saving mode. In the energy-saving mode, the air conditioner may operate according to a preset frequency, an expansion valve opening, a temperature, a wind speed and other air conditioner parameters, to enable the power consumption of the air conditioner to be less than predetermined power consumption value. When the detection apparatus group on the air conditioner does not detect any changes in the user position through dynamic detection within a second predetermined time period, the air conditioner may automatically enter the standby mode, to enable the power consumption of the air conditioner to be less than predetermined power consumption value. The second predetermined time period is greater than or equal to the first predetermined time period.

When the detection apparatus group dynamically detects that there is no change in the user position indoors, the air conditioner may be controlled to enter the first air conditioner mode, however there may be a user indoors who is in a micro motion state, therefore, after the air conditioner enters the first air conditioner mode, the detection apparatus group may be controlled to detect the micro motion of the position of the target object in the first detection mode with higher sensitivity, thus avoiding missed detection of the user.

At block S222, in a case where the position of the target object is outside the hotspot activity region, the air conditioner is controlled to maintain the first air conditioner mode.

The power consumption of the air conditioner in the first air conditioner mode is less than the predetermined power consumption value.

In an example, in a case where the air conditioner is in the first air conditioner mode, in response to presence of a target object with a change in a pose of the target object indoors, and the position of the target object being outside the hotspot activity region, the air conditioner is controlled to maintain the first air conditioner mode.

For example, the pose of the target object in the first air conditioner mode includes the position of the target object and/or a posture of the target object. In a case where the air conditioner is in the first air conditioner mode, in response to presence of the target object with a change in the position of the target object and/or the posture of the target object indoors through static detection, and the position of the target object being outside the hotspot activity region, the air conditioner is controlled to maintain the first air conditioner mode.

In a case where the air conditioner is in the first air conditioning mode with a low power consumption, the dynamic detection cannot detect the micro motion of the user when the user stops moving indoors, thus, the static detection is required to assist in monitoring whether the user has the micro motion and further assist in determining presence and absence of the user indoors. The detection apparatus group may be controlled to be in the first detection mode, and whether the position of the target object and/or the posture of the target object have changed may be detected by means of the static detection. In case of determining that a distance between adjacent two target object positions of the target object is greater than a second predetermined distance and less than a first predetermined distance, it is considered that the position of the target object has a micro motion change. In case of determining that two adjacent postures of the target object are different, it is also considered that the posture of the target object has a micro motion change. Therefore, in a case where the air conditioner is in the first air conditioner mode and the position of the target object and/or the posture of the target object changes, it is considered that the posture of the target object has a micro motion phenomenon. In this case, it may be determined whether the target object is outside the hotspot activity region or within the hotspot activity region. If the position of the target object is within the hotspot activity region, it is considered that the limbs of the user who has stopped moving occur the micro motion, indicating the presence of the user within the hotspot activity region. If the position of the target object is outside the hotspot activity region, it is considered that objects such as the plant or the curtain occur the micro motion due to wind blowing, indicating the absence of the user within the hotspot activity region. Therefore, in a case where the position of the target object with the micro motion is determined to be outside the hotspot activity region, it may be determined that the target object is the plant or the curtain outside the hotspot activity region, rather than the user, then the target object may be determined as the interference source for blocking and the air conditioner is maintained in the first air conditioner mode.

In an example, in a case where the air conditioner is in the first air conditioner mode and the presence of the target object with a changed pose indoors is determined, and the position of the target object is within the hotspot activity region, it indicates the presence of the user with the micro motion indoors. The air conditioner may be controlled to exit the first air conditioner mode and to switch to a normal operation mode. The normal operation mode refers to an air conditioner mode set by the user, which may be a wind blowing person mode, a wind avoidance person mode, a silent mode, a sleep mode, a dehumidification mode, etc. Details will not be limited by an embodiment of the disclosure.

For example, the pose of the target object includes the position of the target object and/or the posture of the target object. In a case where the air conditioner is in the first air conditioner mode, in response to the presence of the target object with a change in the position of the target object and/or the posture of the target object indoors through the static detection, and the position of the target object being within the hotspot activity region, the air conditioner is controlled to exit the first air conditioner mode and switch to the normal operation mode.

In response to the position of the target object with the micro motion is within the hotspot activity region, it is considered that the limbs of the user who has stopped moving have the micro motion, and with the presence of the user within the hotspot activity region may be determined, it may be determined the presence of the active user within the hotspot activity region, then the air conditioner may be controlled to switch from the first air conditioner mode to the normal operation mode, to ensure that the air conditioner may provide normal cooling or heating for the user.

In an example, in a case where the air conditioner is in the first air conditioner mode and the absence of the target object with a changed pose indoors is determined, the air conditioner is controlled to maintain the first air conditioner mode.

It is understandable that the pose of the target object obtained by the detection apparatus group through the static detection in the first detection mode includes the position of the target object and/or the posture of the target object. The pose of the target object obtained by the detection apparatus group through the dynamic detection in the second detection mode includes the position of the target object.

In related arts, in a case where the air conditioner is in the first air conditioner mode with the low power consumption, in response to detecting the presence of the target object with the changed pose indoors, the air conditioner may be controlled to exit the first air conditioner mode with the low power consumption and enter the normal operation mode. In a case where the target object with the changed pose is the interference source, such as the plant and the curtain, etc., the air conditioner is controlled to exit the first air conditioner mode with the low power consumption and enter the normal operation mode. Therefore, cold air or hot air output from the air conditioner can act on the interference source, such as the plant and the curtain, instead of acting on the user. The cold air or hot air output from the air conditioner cannot act on the user, resulting in energy waste. For example, on an air conditioner product provided with a radar, an interference factor of the radar may be noted on a product station or an instruction book of the air conditioner, for example, it may be noted that objects with the micro motion such as the green plant blew by wind, the curtain blew by wind, or the shaking fan may cause misjudgment or missed detection of the radar. The micro motion of the green plant, the curtain, or the shaking fan may be misjudged as the micro motion of the user, or the micro motion of the user may be misjudged as the absence of the user indoors.

By means of the above technical solution, in a case where the air conditioner is in the first air conditioner mode with the low power consumption, the detection apparatus group may be controlled to be in the first detection mode. In a case where the presence of the target object with the changed pose indoors is determined through the static detection, and the target object is outside the hotspot activity region, it may be determined that the plant or the curtain outside the hotspot activity region have the micro motion, avoiding misjudging the micro motion of the plant or the curtain as the micro motion of the user, in this case, the air conditioner may be controlled to continuously maintain the first air conditioner mode with the low power consumption, to avoid energy waste caused by entering the normal operation mode. Moreover, in a case where the presence of the target object with the changed pose indoors is determined through the static detection, and the target object is within the hotspot activity region, it may be determined the presence of the user with the micro motion, then, the air conditioner may be controlled to exit the first air conditioner mode to ensure normal cooling/heating needs of the user.

FIG. 14 is an illustrative embodiment related to the above block S320, which is configured to define an example solution of controlling the air conditioner to be in the different air conditioner modes based on the position relationship between the target object and the hotspot activity region in a case where the air conditioner is in a first air conditioner mode. The method includes the following blocks.

At block S223, in a case where the air conditioner is in a first air conditioner mode, the position of the target object detected by the detection apparatus group in the first detection mode is obtained.

This step may refer to the embodiment of the step S221 above, which will not be repeated herein.

At block S224, in a case where the position of the target object is within the hotspot activity region, the air conditioner is controlled to be in the different air conditioner modes based on a position relationship between a motion trajectory of the target object and a target region.

The target region is within the hotspot activity region. The target region includes a rest region and a boundary region within the hotspot activity region. The rest region is a resting position within the hotspot activity region, such as a sofa, a bed, a chair, etc. The boundary region is used for isolating two different spaces, for example, the boundary region is used for isolating indoor and outdoor, and may also be used for isolating a toilet and a living room, etc.

The number of times a user has reached a region to be selected within the hotspot activity region may be determined, and in a case where the number of times the user reaches the region to be selected within the hotspot activity region reaches a predetermined number, the region to be selected may be determined as the target region, and the target region may be marked accordingly. The region to be selected may refer to a region where the indoor user has visited.

Furthermore, in a case where the number of times the user reaches the region to be selected within the hotspot activity region reaches the predetermined number, and a time error between a time point when the user arrives at the region to be selected and a previous third historical time point is less than a predetermined error, it indicates that the user frequently arrives at the region to be selected, and the region to be selected may be determined as the target region. The third historical time point is a time point when the user has arrived at the target region previously.

For example, the user has previously arrived at the region to be selected around 21:00 at night. If the user also currently arrives at the region to be selected around 21:00 at night and the number of times the user reaches the region to be selected reaches 10 times, the region to be selected may be determined as the target region.

It is understandable that as a usage time of the air conditioner increases, the number of the user positions obtained may increase. The activity region hotspot map obtained based on the larger number of the user positions may be more comprehensive, and the hotspot activity region obtained based on the activity region hotspot map may be more comprehensive. Finally, the target region, such as the sofa, the bed, and the door, obtained based on the hotspot activity region may be more accurate.

A plurality of target object positions of the same target object may be determined through dynamic detection/static detection, and the plurality of target object positions of the same target object may be connected into a line to obtain the motion trajectory of the target object.

In an example, in a case where the air conditioner mode is the first air conditioner mode with a low power consumption, and the position of the target object with the changed pose is within the hotspot activity region, and the target object has no intention of going outdoors, the air conditioner may be controlled to exit the first air conditioner mode.

It is understandable that in the first air conditioner mode with the low power consumption, the air conditioner obtains the pose of the target object through a combination of the dynamic detection and the static detection. The pose of the target object includes a position of the target object and/or a posture of the target object. The dynamic detection cannot identify a target object with a small change in motion, and the target object with the small change in motion may be distinguished in combination with the static detection with the air conditioner being in the first air conditioner mode. The static detection may be used to determine the target object with the small change in the pose, thus, a user who has not moved and has a small amplitude motion in limbs within the hotspot activity region may be identified, avoiding missed detection of indoor users. In case of detecting the presence of a user with a micro change in motion within the hotspot activity region, the air conditioner may be controlled to exit the first air conditioner mode.

In an example, in a case where the air conditioner mode is the first air conditioner mode with a low power consumption, and the position of the target object with the changed pose is within the hotspot activity region, and a terminal point of the motion trajectory of the target object arrives as the target region, the air conditioner may be controlled to maintain or exit the first air conditioner mode. Due to a fact that the target region includes two different regions, namely the rest region and the boundary region, it is divided into the following two scenarios, namely, a first scenario and a second scenario, to respectively explain the solution of controlling the air conditioner modes in the two different regions.

(1) In the first scenario, in a case where a terminal point of a first motion trajectory of the target object is within the rest region, the air conditioner is controlled to exit the first air conditioner mode.

The first motion trajectory refers to a motion trajectory of the target object towards the rest region. The first motion trajectory may be detected through the dynamic detection or the static detection.

In an example, in a case where the air conditioner is in the first air conditioner mode and the presence of the target object with the changed pose indoors is determined, and the position of the target object is within the hotspot activity region, and the terminal point of the first motion trajectory of the target object is detected to be within the rest region, the air conditioner may be controlled to switch from the first air conditioner mode to the normal operation mode.

For example, the pose of the target object includes the position of the target object. In a case where the air conditioner is in the first air conditioner mode and the presence of the target object with the changed target object position indoors is determined, and the position of the target object is within the hotspot activity region, and the terminal point of the first motion trajectory of the target object after movement is detected to be within the rest region, the air conditioner may be controlled to switch from the first air conditioner mode to the normal operation mode.

In a case where the target object with a changed target object position indoors is present, it is considered that the target object has moved. In a case where the position of the target object is within the hotspot activity region, it is considered that the target object is the user. In a case where the terminal point of the first motion trajectory of the target object is within the rest region, it is considered that the terminal point of the trajectory of the target object disappears within the rest region. The target object moves to the rest region and is within the rest region. The target object sleeps, rests or sits still in the rest region. In this case, the air conditioner may be controlled to switch from the first air conditioner mode to the normal operation mode, such that the air conditioner may provide normal cooling or heating for the user.

In an example, in a case where the air conditioner is in the first air conditioner mode and the presence of the target object with the changed pose indoors is determined, and the position of the target object is within the hotspot activity region, and the terminal point of the first motion trajectory of the target object is detected to be within the rest region, and at least one of the following states is present, the air conditioner may be controlled to exit the first air conditioner mode, and to switch the normal operation mode.

State A, the pose of the target object no longer changes.

The state A may refer to a situation where the pose of the target object no longer changes in a case where the terminal point of the first motion trajectory of the target object is within the rest region. For example, in a case where the terminal point of the first motion trajectory of the target object is within the rest region, the detection apparatus group is controlled to be in the first detection mode and the micro change in the pose of the target object is no longer detected through the static detection.

In a case where the terminal point of the first motion trajectory of the target object is within the rest region, the pose of the target object no longer changes, it is indicated that the user is resting or sleeping in the rest region, in this case, the air conditioner may be controlled to exit the first air conditioner mode with the low power consumption and to switch to the normal operation mode, thus providing the cooling or heating for the user, and providing a comfortable temperature environment for the user.

State B, a time error between a time point at which the terminal point of the first motion trajectory reaching the rest region and a first historical time point is less than a predetermined error.

The first historical time point is a time point at which a terminal point of a first historical motion trajectory reaches the rest region. The first historical motion trajectory is a historical trajectory with a similarity greater than a predetermined similarity with the first motion trajectory. The similarity greater than the predetermined similarity includes a lateral distance between the first historical motion trajectory and the first motion trajectory being less than a predetermined lateral distance.

For example, taking the predetermined error being 20 minutes as an example, the user previously approached the rest region for rest or sleep at 13:00 in the afternoon, if a time point when the terminal point of the first motion trajectory of the user currently reaches the rest region is 13:00, where a time error between the time point of 13:10 and the first historical time point of 13:00 in the past is less than the predetermined error of 20 minutes, and the similarity between the first movement trajectory of the user and the first historical movement trajectory of the user previously towards the rest region is large, it is considered that the user currently goes to the rest region for rest or sleep. In this case, the air conditioner may be controlled to exit the first air conditioner mode with the low power consumption and to switch to the normal operation mode, thus providing the cooling or heating for the user, and providing a comfortable temperature environment for the user.

By means of the solution of controlling the air conditioner in the first scenario, in a case where the air conditioner is in the first air conditioner mode with the low power consumption and the position of the target object with a change in the pose is within the hotspot activity region, and the terminal point of the first motion trajectory of the target object is within the rest region, it is considered that the target object is the user, and the target object may go to the rest region for rest or sleep. In order to avoid the first air conditioner mode with the low power consumption bringing a lower user experience of the air conditioner, the air conditioner may be controlled to exit the first air conditioner mode and switch to the normal operation mode, to meet normal cooling or heating requirements of the user.

Moreover, after detecting that the pose of the target object whose position is within the rest region no longer changes, it may be clearly determined that the target object is resting in the rest region, reducing a situation of resulting in the air conditioner to enter the first air conditioner mode with the low power consumption and an uncomfortable experience due to missed detection of the user while someone is resting and sleeping in the rest region.

In a case where the time error between the time point when the terminal point of the first motion trajectory of the target object towards the rest region is within the rest region and the previous first historical time point is small, it may be more accurate to determine that the target object is resting within the rest region, improving an accuracy of detection.

(2) In the second scenario, in a case of detecting that a terminal point of a second motion trajectory of the target object is within the boundary region, it is determined that the user has a intention to go outdoors, and the air conditioner may be controlled to maintain the first air conditioner mode.

The second motion trajectory refers to a trajectory of the target object towards the boundary region, and the first motion trajectory may be detected through the dynamic detection or the static detection.

In an example, in a case where the air conditioner is in the first air conditioner mode and the presence of the target object with the changed pose indoors is determined, and the position of the target object is within the hotspot activity region, and the terminal point of the second motion trajectory of the target object is detected to be within the boundary region, the air conditioner may be controlled to maintain the first air conditioner mode.

For example, the pose of the target object includes the position of the target object. In a case where the air conditioner is in the first air conditioner mode and the presence of the target object with the changed target object position indoors is determined, and the position of the target object is within the hotspot activity region, and the terminal point of the second motion trajectory of the target object is detected to arrive at the boundary region, the air conditioner may be controlled to maintain the first air conditioner mode.

In a case where the target object with a changed target object position indoors is present, it is considered that the target object has moved. In a case where the position of the target object is within the hotspot activity region, it is considered that the target object is the user. In a case where the terminal point of the first motion trajectory of the target object arrives at the boundary region, it is considered that the terminal point of the trajectory of the target object disappears within the boundary region, and the target object goes outdoors through the boundary region. At this time, the air conditioner may be controlled to maintain the first air conditioner mode with the low power consumption, and energy consumption may be reduced.

In an example, in a case where the air conditioner is in the first air conditioner mode and the presence of the target object with the changed target object position indoors is determined, and the position of the target object is within the hotspot activity region, and the terminal point of the second motion trajectory of the target object is detected to arrive at the boundary region, and at least one of the following states is present, the air conditioner may be controlled to maintain the first air conditioner mode.

State C, the pose of the target object no longer changes.

The state C may refer to a situation where the pose of the target object no longer changes in a case where the terminal point of the second motion trajectory of the target object arrives at the boundary region. For example, in a case where the terminal point of the second motion trajectory of the target object arrives at the boundary region, the detection apparatus group is controlled to be in the first detection mode and the change in the pose of the target object is no longer detected through the static detection.

In a case where the terminal point of the second motion trajectory of the target object arrives at the boundary region, the pose of the target object no longer changes, it is indicated that the user has passed the boundary region and goes outdoors. At this time, the air conditioner may be controlled to maintain the first air conditioner mode with the low power consumption, and energy consumption may be reduced.

State D, a time error between a time point at which the terminal point of the second motion trajectory reaching the boundary region and a second historical time point is less than a predetermined error.

The second historical time point is a time point at which a terminal point of a second historical motion trajectory reaches the boundary region. The second historical motion trajectory is a historical trajectory with a similarity greater than a predetermined similarity with the second motion trajectory. The similarity greater than the predetermined similarity includes a lateral distance between the second historical motion trajectory and the second motion trajectory being less than a predetermined lateral distance.

For example, taking the predetermined error being 20 minutes as an example, the user usually approaches the boundary region to work outdoors at 8:00 am on weekdays. if the time point when the terminal point of the second motion trajectory of the user currently arrives at the boundary region is 8:10, where a time error between 8:10 and the second historical time point of 8:00 in the past is less than the predetermined error of 20 minutes, and the similarity between the second movement trajectory of the user and the second historical movement trajectory of the user previously towards the boundary region is large, it is considered that the user currently goes outdoors to work. In this case, the air conditioner may be controlled to maintain the first air conditioner mode with the low power consumption, no longer providing cooling or heating functions for the indoor space, and energy consumption may be reduced.

State E: an interval between a time point at which the pose of the target object no longer changes and a time point at which the pose of the target object changes again is greater than a predetermined duration.

The interval between the time point at which the pose of the target object no longer changes and the time point at which the pose of the target object changes again refers to a stay duration during which the user stays outdoors after passing through the boundary region. If the stay duration is greater than the predetermined duration, it indicates that the user has actually gone outdoors rather than other indoor spaces.

For example, the indoor space includes two boundary regions, namely, a toilet door and a house door. Taking the predetermined duration being 3 hours as an example, in a case where the user enters the toilet through the toilet door in front of the user, if it is determined that the user has entered the toilet door, the air conditioner may be controlled in the first air conditioner mode with the low power consumption. When the user comes out of the toilet, the user may find that the air conditioner is not cooling or heating, which may bring a bad experience to the user. Based on this, an interval between a time point when the user leaves the boundary region and a time point when the user returns from the boundary region may be determined. If the interval is less than 3 hours, it is considered that the user has entered the toilet instead of going outdoors, and the air conditioner may be controlled to be in the normal operation mode. If the interval between the time point when the user leaves the boundary region and the time point when the user returns from the boundary region is greater than 3 hours, it is considered that the user goes outdoors to work, and the air conditioner may be controlled to be in the first air conditioner mode with the low power consumption.

In an example, in a case where it is determined that the target object has left the indoor space and gone outdoors, that is, the time error between the time point when the terminal point of the second motion trajectory arrives at the boundary region and the second historical time point is less than the predetermined error, and the pose of the target object upon reaching the boundary region no longer changes, and if the presence of another target object with a changed pose indoors is determined through the static detection, it is considered that this part of the target object is the interference, such as shaking of a green plant, shaking of a curtain, moving of a sweeping robot, a small animal, etc. The interference of the target object may be blocked, and the air conditioner may be controlled in the first air conditioner mode with the low power consumption.

By means of the solution of controlling the air conditioner in the second scenario, in a case where the air conditioner is in the first air conditioner mode with the low power consumption and the position of the target object with a change in the pose is within the hotspot activity region, and the terminal point of the second motion trajectory of the target object is within the boundary region, the air conditioner may be controlled in the first air conditioner mode with the low power consumption, and the energy consumption may be reduced.

Moreover, after detecting that the pose of the target object whose position is within the boundary region no longer changes, it may be clearly determined that the target object has gone outdoors, and it may be determined that the user will no longer use the air conditioner. Therefore, the air conditioner may be controlled to be in the first air conditioner mode with the low power consumption.

In a case where the time error between the time point when the terminal point of the second motion trajectory of the target object towards the boundary region is within the boundary region and the previous second historical time point is small, it may be more accurate to determine that the target object is going outdoors, improving an accuracy of detection.

In a case where the interval between the time point at which the pose of the target object no longer changes and the time point at which the pose of the target object changes again is greater than the predetermined duration, it further determines that the target object has gone outdoors rather than other regions indoors, further improving the accuracy of detection.

FIG. 15 is an illustrative embodiment related to the above block S320, which is configured to define an example solution of controlling the air conditioner to be in the different air conditioner modes based on the position relationship between the target object and the hotspot activity region in a case where the air conditioner is in a second air conditioner mode. The method includes the following blocks.

At block S225, in a case where the air conditioner is in a second air conditioner mode, the position of the target object detected by the detection apparatus group in a second detection mode is obtained.

A power consumption of the air conditioner in the second air conditioner mode is greater than a predetermined power consumption value. The second air conditioner mode includes a wind blowing person mode and a wind avoidance person mode. For the wind blowing person mode, when the air conditioner turns on the wind blowing person mode, a deflection angle of an air guide direction of the air conditioner may be controlled according to the monitored position of the target object, causing the air guide direction of the air conditioner being directed towards the target object, achieving a function of the wind following the movement of the person with precise control. Up, down, left, and right deflection angles of a wind deflector of the air conditioner may be calculated by detecting the position of the target object, and control the air guide direction of the air conditioner to follow the movement of the target object. For the wind avoidance person mode, when the air conditioner turns on the wind avoidance person mode, an offset angle of the air guide direction of the air conditioner may be controlled based on the monitored position of the target object, causing the air guide direction of the air conditioner to avoid the target object, achieving a wind avoidance person function with precise wind control. Up, down, left, and right deflection angles of an air guide plate of the air conditioner may be calculated by detecting the position of the target object, and control the air guide direction of the air conditioner to offset from the target object, achieving an effect of preventing cold air from blowing the person directly.

In a case where the air conditioner is in the second air conditioner mode, the air conditioner mya be in the wind blowing person mode or the wind avoidance person mode. In this mode, in response to detecting the movement of the user, the air guide direction of the air conditioner may be controlled to direct towards the user or avoid the user. Therefore, in a case where the air conditioner is in the second air conditioner mode, it does not need to detect whether the user has a micro motion. The detection apparatus group is controlled in the second detection mode with a relatively low sensitivity, and the position of the user can also be detected through dynamic detection.

The second air conditioning mode may be an air conditioner mode set by the user. In a case where the air conditioner is set by the user to be the second air conditioner mode, after the air conditioner is turned on, the air conditioner may automatically enter the second air conditioner mode, to achieve the wind blowing person function or the wind avoidance person function required by the user.

At block S226, in a case where the position of the target object is outside the hotspot activity region, the position of the target object is blocked.

In an example, in a case where the air conditioner is in the second air conditioner mode and the presence of the target object with the changed pose indoors is determined, and the position of the target object is outside the hotspot activity region, the position of the target object may be blocked, and the air conditioner may be controlled to maintain the second air conditioner mode, and the air guide direction of the air conditioner may be controlled to maintain the state in the second air conditioner mode. Controlling the air guide direction of the air conditioner to maintain the state in the second air conditioner mode includes: in a case where the second air conditioner mode is the wind blowing person mode, controlling the air guide direction of the air conditioner to follow the direction of the user, without being interfered by the target object outside the hotspot activity region; and in a case the second air conditioner mode is the wind avoidance person mode, controlling the air guide direction of the air conditioner to avoid the direction of the user, without being interfered by the target object outside the hotspot activity region.

For example, the pose of the target object includes the position of the target object. In a case where the air conditioner is in the second air conditioner mode, the presence of the target object with the changed target object position indoors is determined through dynamic detection, and the position of the target object is outside the hotspot activity region, the air conditioner may be controlled to maintain the second air conditioner mode, and the air guide direction of the air conditioner may be controlled to maintain the state in the second air conditioner mode.

In an example, in a case where the air conditioner is in the second air conditioner mode and the presence of the target object with the changed pose indoors is determined through the dynamic detection, and the position of the target object is outside the hotspot activity region, and a target object with a continuous motion trajectory is absent outside the hotspot activity region, it further indicates that the target object outside the hotspot activity region is a green plant, a curtain, etc., without a movement rule, rather than the user. Therefore, the position of the target object may also be blocked, the air conditioner may be controlled to maintain the second air conditioner mode, and the air guide direction of the air conditioner may be controlled to maintain the state in the second air conditioner mode.

In an example, in a case where the air conditioner is in the second air conditioner mode and the presence of the target object with the changed pose indoors is determined, and the position of the target object is outside the hotspot activity region, and a target object with a continuous motion trajectory is present outside the hotspot activity region, it further indicates that the target object outside the hotspot activity region may be the user. Therefore, the air conditioner may be controlled to maintain the second air conditioner mode, and the air guide direction of the air conditioner may be controlled, according to an air conditioner mode set by the user (the wind blowing person mode or the wind avoidance person mode), to direct towards the target object or avoid the target object. Whether the target object has the continuous motion trajectory may be detected by means of the dynamic detection.

In related arts, if shaking of objects such as the green plant, the fan, and the curtain outside the hotspot activity region is mistakenly identified as the user, and the air guide direction of the air conditioner is controlled to direct towards these objects, such as the green plant, the fan, and the curtain, etc., it is difficult to accurately achieve the wind blowing person mode and the wind avoidance person mode of the air conditioner, providing a bad experience to the user.

It is understandable that, in a case where the air conditioner is in the second air conditioner mode, the pose of the target object is obtained through the dynamic detection, and the pose of the target object includes the position of the target object. Due to a fact that the air conditioner is in the second air conditioner mode, usually the wind blowing person mode or the wind avoidance person mode, it is already possible to determine whether the user is moving through the dynamic detection and achieve the wind blowing person mode or the wind avoidance person mode. If the target object is moving, the air guide direction of the air conditioner may follow the movement of the person, and the wind blowing person mode or the wind avoidance person mode may be achieved without using more accurate static detection to determine whether the limbs of the user have the micro motion. Therefore, in this scenario, the use of the static detection may be reduced, and the computational power of the air conditioner may be reduced.

By means of the above technical solution, in a case where the air conditioner is in the second air conditioner mode and the target object is outside the hotspot activity region, and the target object with the continuous motion trajectory is absent outside the hotspot activity region, it is determined that the target object outside the hotspot activity region is not the user. Then, the position of the target object may be blocked, the air conditioner may be controlled to maintain the second air conditioner mode, and the air guide direction of the air conditioner may be controlled to maintain the state in the second air conditioner mode.

In some scenarios, in a case where the air conditioner is in the first air conditioner mode, scenarios are included as follows.

• • (1) In a case of detecting the occurrence of the target object outside the hotspot activity region through the static detection, it may be determined that the target object is not a real person, and the target object is determined as an interference value for blocking, thus reducing the interference of wind blowing green plant and curtain shaking, ensuring that the air conditioner may normally enter the first air conditioner mode with the low power consumption, avoiding the interference of objects with the micro motion, such as the green plant blew by wind and the curtain, on user detection, and reducing a probability of missed detection.
  • (2) In a case of detecting that the first motion trajectory of the target object approaches the rest region such as a bed position or a sofa position, determining disappearance of the target object through the dynamic detection, and detecting no person through the dynamic detection and the static detection for a certain time period, and comparing with the recorded first historical time point when the terminal point of the first motion trajectory reaches the rest region, for example, the target object approaches the bed to take a nap around 13:00 every day, to assist in determination, it may be determined that there is a user sleeping or resting indoors, which may reduce a situation resulting in the air conditioner to enter the first air conditioner mode with the low power consumption and an uncomfortable experience due to missed detection of the user while someone is sleeping indoors.
  • (3) In a case of detecting that the second motion trajectory of the target object approaches the boundary region such as a door, determining disappearance of the target object through the dynamic detection, and detecting no person through the dynamic detection and the static detection for a certain time period, and comparing with the recorded second historical time point when the terminal point of the second historical motion trajectory reaches the boundary region, for example, the user goes out to work at around 8:00 in the morning or 14:00 in the afternoon on weekdays, to assist in determination, it may be determined that the user has left the indoor space and there is no one indoors, before the next detection of occurrence of the target object in the boundary region through the dynamic detection, the target object with the change in the pose indoors detected through the dynamic detection or the static detection is determined as interferences, such as wind blowing green plant, curtain shaking, moving of a sweeping robot, moving of a small animal, etc., and the detection value of the target object are blocked, to avoid energy waste caused by indoor air conditioner turning on after the user leave the house.

In some scenarios, in a case where the air conditioner is in the second air conditioner mode, a scenario is included as follows.

(1) In a case where a moving target object is dynamically detected outside the hotspot activity region, and the target object has no continuous position trajectory, it may be determined that the target object is not a real person and the target object may be determined as an interference value for blocking, to avoid mistaking false alarm data of other moving objects or radar as having a user and performing misoperation on the air guide plate of the air conditioner.

It can be understood that in the above illustrative embodiments, in a case where the air conditioner is in the first air conditioner mode, the detection apparatus group is controlled to detect the pose of the target object in the first detection mode or the second detection mode. In a case where the change in the pose of the target object cannot be detected in the second detection mode, the presence or absence of the change in the pose of the target object may be detected through the first detection mode, thus avoiding missed detection of the user with the micro motion. In a case where the air conditioner is in the second air conditioner mode, the detection apparatus group may be controlled to detect the pose of the target object in the second detection mode.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram illustrating an air conditioner control apparatus according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 16, the air conditioner control apparatus 1100 includes a detection mode control module 1110 and an air conditioner mode control module 1120.

The detection mode control module 1110 is configured to control the detection apparatus group to be in a first detection mode or a second detection mode to detect a pose of a target object, in which, a sensitivity of the detection apparatus group in the first detection mode is greater than a sensitivity of the detection apparatus group in the second detection mode.

The air conditioner mode control module 1120 is configured to control the air conditioner to be in different air conditioner modes based on the pose of the target object.

In an example, at least two detection apparatuses in the detection apparatus group alternately perform detection on the target object in the first detection mode.

In an example, at least two detection apparatuses in the detection apparatus group simultaneously perform detection on the target object in the second detection mode.

In an example, the pose of the target object includes a position of the target object, the air conditioner mode control module 1120 includes a hotspot activity region submodule and a control submodule.

The hotspot activity region submodule is configured to obtain a hotspot activity region of a user indoors based on a user position detected by the detection apparatus group in the second detection mode.

The control submodule is configured to control the air conditioner to be in the different air conditioner modes based on a position relationship between the position of the target object and the hotspot activity region.

In an example, the hotspot activity region submodule includes a hotspot map submodule and a cluster submodule.

The hotspot map submodule is configured to obtain an activity region hotspot map of the user indoors based on the user position detected by the detection apparatus group in the second detection mode.

The cluster submodule is configured to determine the hotspot activity region based on a denseness of the user position within the activity region hotspot map.

In an example, the control submodule includes a first obtaining submodule and a first control submodule.

The first obtaining submodule is configured to, in a case where the air conditioner is in a first air conditioner mode, obtain the position of the target object detected by the detection apparatus group in the first detection mode.

The first control submodule is configured to, in a case where the position of the target object is outside the hotspot activity region, control the air conditioner to maintain the first air conditioner mode, in which, a power consumption of the air conditioner in the first air conditioner mode is less than a predetermined power consumption value.

In an example, the control submodule includes a second obtaining submodule and a second control submodule.

The second obtaining submodule is configured to, in a case where the air conditioner is in a first air conditioner mode, obtain the position of the target object detected by the detection apparatus group in the first detection mode.

The second control submodule is configured to, in a case where the position of the target object is within the hotspot activity region, control the air conditioner to be in the different air conditioner modes based on a position relationship between a motion trajectory of the target object and a target region, in which, the target region is within the hotspot activity region.

In an example, the second control submodule is further configured to, in a case where a terminal point of a first motion trajectory of the target object is within the rest region, control the air conditioner to exit the first air conditioner mode.

In an example, the second control submodule is further configured to, in a case where the terminal point of the first motion trajectory is within the rest region and at least one of the following states is present, control the air conditioner to exit the first air conditioner mode:

• • the pose of the target object no longer changing, or a time error between a time point at which the terminal point of the first motion trajectory reaching the rest region and a first historical time point being less than a predetermined error, wherein the first historical time point is a time point at which a terminal point of a first historical motion trajectory reaches the rest region.

In an example, the target region includes a boundary region for isolating indoor and outdoor regions.

In an example, the second control submodule is further configured to, in a case where a terminal point of a second motion trajectory of the target object is within the boundary region, control the air conditioner to maintain the first air conditioner mode.

In an example, the second control submodule is further configured to, in a case where the terminal point of the second motion trajectory is within the boundary region and at least one of the following states is present, control the air conditioner to maintain the first air conditioner mode:

• • the pose of the target object no longer changing, a time error between a time point at which the terminal point of the second motion trajectory reaching the boundary region and a second historical time point being less than a predetermined error, or an interval between a time point at which the pose of the target object no longer changes and a time point at which the pose of the target object changes again being greater than a predetermined duration;
  • in which, the second historical time point is a time point at which a terminal point of a second historical motion trajectory reaches the boundary region.

In an example, the control submodule includes a third obtaining submodule and a third control submodule.

The third obtaining submodule is configured to, in a case where the air conditioner is in a second air conditioner mode, obtain the position of the target object detected by the detection apparatus group in a second detection mode.

The third control submodule is configured to, in a case where the position of the target object is outside the hotspot activity region, block the position of the target object, in which, a power consumption of the air conditioner in the second air conditioner mode is greater than a predetermined power consumption value.

In an example, the third control submodule is further configured to, in a case where the position of the target object is outside the hotspot activity region and a target object with a continuous motion trajectory is absent outside the hotspot activity region, block the position of the target object.

In an example, the air conditioner control apparatus 1100 further includes a number statistics module and a target region module.

The number statistics module is configured to determine the number of times a user has reached a region to be selected within the hotspot activity region.

The target region module is configured to, in a case where the number of times the user reaches the region to be selected within the hotspot activity region reaches a predetermined number, determine the region to be selected as the target region.

Regarding the apparatus in the above embodiments, specific manners in which each module performs operations have been described in detail in the relevant embodiments of the method, which will not be repeated herein.

FIG. 17 is a block diagram illustrating an air conditioner control apparatus 800 according to an embodiment. For example, the apparatus 800 may be an air conditioner. The air conditioner may be a wall mounted air conditioner, a cabinet air conditioner, a mobile air conditioner, a window air conditioner, etc., which is not limited by embodiments of the disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 17, the apparatus 800 may include one or more of the following components: a processing component 802, a memory 804, a power component 806, a multimedia component 808, an audio component 810, an input/output (I/O) interface 812, a sensor component 814, and a communication component 816.

The processing component 802 normally controls the overall operation (such as operations associated with displaying, telephone calls, data communications, camera operations and recording operations) of the apparatus 800. The processing component 802 may include one or a plurality of processors 820 to execute instructions so as to perform all or part of the steps of the above described method. In addition, the processing component 802 may include one or a plurality of units to facilitate interactions between the processing component 802 and other components. For example, the processing component 802 may include a multimedia unit to facilitate interactions between the multimedia component 808 and the processing component 802.

The memory 804 is configured to store various types of data to support operations at the apparatus 800. Examples of such data include instructions for any application or method operated on the apparatus 800, contact data, phone book data, messages, images, videos and the like. The memory 804 may be realized by any type of volatile or non-volatile storage devices, or a combination thereof, such as a static random access memory (SRAM), an electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM), an erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM), a programmable read only memory (PROM), a read only memory (ROM), a magnetic memory, a flash memory, a disk or an optical disk.

The power component 806 provides power to various components of the apparatus 800. The power component 806 may include a power management system, one or a plurality of power sources and other components associated with power generation, management, and distribution of the apparatus 800.

The multimedia component 808 includes a screen that provides an output interface between the apparatus 800 and the user. In some embodiments, the screen may include a liquid crystal display (LCD) and a touch panel (TP). If the screen includes a touch panel, the screen may be implemented as a touch screen to receive input signals from the user. The touch panel includes one or a plurality of touch sensors to sense touches, slides, and gestures on the touch panel. The touch sensor may sense not only the boundary of the touches or sliding actions, but also the duration and pressure related to the touches or sliding operations. In some embodiments, the multimedia component 808 includes a front camera and/or a rear camera. When the apparatus 800 is in an operation mode, such as a shooting mode or a video mode, the front camera and/or the rear camera may receive external multimedia data. Each front camera and each rear camera may be a fixed optical lens system or have a focal length and optical zoom capability.

The audio component 810 is configured to output and/or input an audio signal. For example, the audio component 810 includes a microphone (MIC) that is configured to receive an external audio signal when the apparatus 800 is in an operation mode such as a call mode, a recording mode, and a voice recognition mode. The received audio signal may be further stored in the memory 804 or transmitted via the communication component 816. In some embodiments, the audio component 810 further includes a speaker for outputting audio signals.

The I/O interface 812 provides an interface between the processing component 802 and a peripheral interface unit. The peripheral interface unit may be a keyboard, a click wheel, a button and so on. These buttons may include, but are not limited to, a home button, a volume button, a start button, and a locking button.

The sensor assembly 814 includes one or a plurality of sensors for providing the apparatus 800 with various aspects of status assessments. For example, the sensor component 814 may detect an ON/OFF state of the apparatus 800 and a relative positioning of the components. For example, the components may be a display and a keypad of the apparatus 800. The sensor component 814 may also detect a change in position of the apparatus 800 or a component of the apparatus 800, the presence or absence of contact of the user with the apparatus 800, the orientation or acceleration/deceleration of the apparatus 800 and a temperature change of the apparatus 800. The sensor component 814 may include a proximity sensor configured to detect the presence of nearby objects without any physical contact. The sensor component 814 may also include a light sensor (such as a CMOS or a CCD image sensor) for use in imaging applications. In some embodiments, the sensor component 814 may further include an acceleration sensor, a gyro sensor, a magnetic sensor, a pressure sensor, or a temperature sensor.

The communication component 816 is configured to facilitate wired or wireless communication between the apparatus 800 and other devices. The apparatus 800 may access a wireless network based on a communication standard such as Wi-Fi, 2G, 3G, 4G, or 5G, or a combination thereof. In some exemplary embodiments, the communication component 816 receives broadcast signals or broadcast-associated information from an external broadcast management system via a broadcast channel. In some exemplary embodiments, the communication component 816 further includes a near field communication (NFC) module to facilitate short range communication. For example, the NFC module may be implemented based on radio frequency identification (RFID) technology, infrared data association (IrDA) technology, ultra-wideband (UWB) technology, Bluetooth (BT) technology and other technologies.

In some embodiments, the apparatus 800 may be implemented by one or a plurality of application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs), digital signal processing devices (DSPDs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGA), controllers, microcontrollers, microprocessors, or other electronic components, so as to perform the above air conditioner control method.

In an example, the apparatus 800 is also provided with the detection apparatus group proposed in the disclosure.

In some embodiments, there is also provided a non-transitory computer readable storage medium including instructions, such as a memory 804 including instructions. The instructions are executable by the processor 820 of the apparatus 800 to perform the above air conditioner control method. For example, the non-transitory computer readable storage medium may be a ROM, a random access memory (RAM), a CD-ROM, a magnetic tape, a floppy disk, an optical data storage device, etc.

In another embodiment, there is also provided a computer program product including a computer program executable by a programmable apparatus. The computer program includes code portions for executing the air conditioner control method as described above when executed by the programmable apparatus.

Some embodiments of the present disclosure also provide a chip system, as shown in FIG. 18, the chip system includes at least one processor 901 and at least one interface circuit 902. The processor 901 and the interface circuit 902 may be interconnected through a line. For example, the interface circuit 902 may be configured to receive signals from other apparatuses, such as a memory of an electronic device. For example, the interface circuit 902 may be configured to send signals to other apparatuses, such as the processor 901. For example, the interface circuit 902 may read instructions stored in memory and send the instructions to the processor 901. When the instructions are executed by the processor 901, the air conditioner control apparatus is caused to perform the various steps in the above embodiments. Of course, the chip system may also include other discrete devices, which will not be limited specifically in some embodiments of the present disclosure.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the interface circuit 902 may obtain data, program instructions and/or information, etc., from an internal storage area of the chip system; or may also obtain the data, the program instructions and/or the information from outside the chip system.

In an example, the chip further includes a memory 903, configured to store necessary computer program and data.

Those skilled in the related art may further understand that, various illustrative logical blocks and steps listed in embodiments of the disclosure, may be implemented by electronic hardware, computer software or a combination of the electronic hardware and the computer software. Whether the function is implemented by the hardware or the software depends on specific applications and design requirements for an overall system. Those skilled in the art may implement the functions by using various methods for each specific application, but such an implementation should not be understood as beyond the protection scope of embodiments of the disclosure.