DISPLAY DEVICE, TERMINAL, AIR CONDITIONER AND HEATER

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001]The present disclosure relates to a display device, a terminal, an air conditioner, and a heater.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002]An air conditioner including a first light emitter and a second light emitter has been known (see, for example, Patent Literature 1). In this air conditioner, the first light emitter is configured to emit blue light representing cleanliness of a living room, and the second light emitter is configured to emit orange light representing a pollution level of the living room.

CITATION LIST

Patent Literature

[0003]Patent Literature 1: Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 2003-74951

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Technical Problem

[0004]Existing air conditioners are configured to change the color of a light to a different color in accordance with the state of air quality. For example, if the air quality is good, the light emits green light, and if the air quality is bad, the light emits red light. However, depending on color vision properties of a human, it is challenging to distinguish colors, and there is a case in which such a human does not readily recognize the state of air quality.

[0005]The present disclosure provides a display device, a terminal, an air conditioner, and a heater that enable recognition of the state of air quality.

Solution to the Problem

[0006]A first aspect of the present disclosure is a display device including a controller configured to modify lightness of a mark in accordance with a change in air quality, the mark being monochromatic and displayed on a display surface, in which the controller is configured to cause the mark in a first state to be lighter than the mark in a second state, where the second state is a state in which the air quality is worse than in the first state.

[0007]According to the first aspect, the change in the air quality is expressed by the change in the lightness of the monochromatic mark displayed on the display surface. This can provide a display device that enables recognition of the state of the air quality with little influence of color vision properties. Then, according to the first aspect, a user can recognize that the state of the air quality when the mark is light is better than that when the mark is dark, or that the state of the air quality when the mark is dark is worse than that when the mark is light.

[0010]According to the second aspect, the user can recognize the change in the air quality from the first state to the second state, or the change in the air quality from the second state to the first state.

[0013]According to the third aspect, when the lightness of the mark is constant in the second state, the user can recognize that the bad air quality state continues.

[0016]According to the fourth aspect, the change in the air quality is expressed by the change in the lightness of the mark of a blue color alone. This enables recognition of the state of the air quality with little influence of color vision properties.

[0019]According to the fifth aspect, by repeating a cycle of decreasing and increasing of the lightness of the mark, a user can recognize that the good air quality state continues.

[0023]According to the sixth aspect, the change in the air quality can be expressed by the change in the luminance of the light source.

[0026]According to the seventh aspect, the change in the air quality can be expressed by the change in the luminance of the single light-emitting element.

[0029]According to the eighth aspect, the light source is disposed in a lower part of the mark, and thus the lightness of the entirety of the mark does not become uniform. This can stress a difference in the lightness of the mark due to the change in the luminance of the light source.

[0033]According to the ninth aspect, the change in the air quality is expressed by the change in the lightness of the gap between the two rings whose centroids are not aligned. This enables recognition of the state of the air quality with little influence of color vision properties.

[0036]According to the tenth aspect, the change in the air pollution level is expressed by the change in the lightness of the monochromatic mark displayed on the display surface. This enables recognition of the air pollution level with little influence of color vision properties.

[0039]According to the eleventh aspect, the change in the concentration of fine particles, odor components, dust, or carbon dioxide is expressed by the change in the lightness of the monochromatic mark displayed on the display surface. This enables recognition of the change in the concentration of fine particles, odor components, dust, or carbon dioxide with little influence of color vision properties.

[0042]According to the twelfth aspect, the change in the air quality is expressed by the partial change in the lightness of the monochromatic mark displayed on the display surface. This enables recognition of the state of the air quality with little influence of color vision properties.

[0045]According to the thirteenth aspect, the change in the air quality is expressed by the change in the position of the lightest part in the monochromatic mark displayed on the display surface. This enables recognition of the state of the air quality with little influence of color vision properties.

[0048]According to the fourteenth aspect, the change in the temperature or the humidity is expressed by the change in the lightness of the monochromatic mark displayed on the display surface. This enables recognition of the state of the temperature or the humidity with little influence of color vision properties.

[0051]According to the fifteenth aspect, the change in the level of the temperature or the humidity is expressed by the change in the lightness of the monochromatic mark displayed on the display surface. This enables recognition of the state of the level of the temperature or the humidity, with little influence of color vision properties.

[0054]According to the sixteenth aspect, not only the change in the air quality but also the state of the air conditioner configured to adjust the air quality is expressed by the lightness of the monochromatic mark displayed on the display surface. This enables recognition of the states of the air quality and the air conditioner with little influence of color vision properties.

[0057]According to the seventeenth aspect, it is possible to provide a terminal that is configured to be directly or indirectly communicable with the air conditioner configured to adjust the air quality, and enables recognition of the state of the air quality with little influence of color vision properties.

[0060]According to the eighteenth aspect, it is possible to provide an air conditioner that enables recognition of the state of the air quality with little influence of color vision properties.

[0063]According to the nineteenth aspect, the change in the heating temperature is expressed by the change in the lightness of the mark in the hue of blue alone, which is not a warm color but a cool color. Thus, it is possible to provide a heater that enables a user to recognize the change in the heating temperature by a hue of blue alone rather than a warm color, and enables recognition of the state of the heating temperature with little influence of color vision properties.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0064]FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an air conditioner and a terminal.

[0065]FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a display device including a controller.

[0066]FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a first control example of lightness of a mark.

[0067]FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a second control example of the lightness of the mark.

[0068]FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a third control example of the lightness of the mark.

[0069]FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a fourth control example of the lightness of the mark.

[0070]FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a fifth control example of the lightness of the mark.

[0071]FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a sixth control example of the lightness of the mark.

[0072]FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of the mark.

[0073]FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a gradation of the lightness of the mark.

[0074]FIG. 11A is a table illustrating results of a user recognition test (correct/wrong evaluation 1).

[0075]FIG. 11B is a table illustrating results of the user recognition test (correct/wrong evaluation 1).

[0076]FIG. 11C is a table illustrating results of the user recognition test (correct/wrong evaluation 1).

[0077]FIG. 11D is a table illustrating results of the user recognition test (correct/wrong evaluation 1).

[0078]FIG. 11E is a table illustrating results of the user recognition test (correct/wrong evaluation 1).

[0079]FIG. 11F is a table illustrating results of the user recognition test (correct/wrong evaluation 1).

[0080]FIG. 12 is a table illustrating results of the user recognition test (correct/wrong evaluation 1).

[0081]FIG. 13 is a table illustrating results of a user recognition test (correct/wrong evaluation 2).

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0082]Hereinafter, embodiments will be described.

[0083]FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an air conditioner and a terminal. An air conditioner 1 illustrated in FIG. 1 is an indoor air conditioner that is disposed on an indoor wall surface or the like and configured to perform an operation, such as cooling, heating, dehumidification, humidification, ventilation, air cleaning, or the like, in accordance with various commands input from an operating device (e.g., a remote controller, an operation panel, or the like). The air conditioner 1 is configured to perform the operation, thereby adjusting the air quality of a space (in this example, the air quality of an indoor space in which the air conditioner 1 is disposed). The air conditioner 1 is not limited to an air conditioner having a temperature-adjusting function, but may be an air cleaner, an air blower, or a dryer. The air conditioner 1 may be a heater. The heater may be a heater dedicated to heating or may be an air conditioner having a heating function.

[0084]The air conditioner 1 includes a housing 2 configured to house a fan 4, and a front panel 8 attached to the front surface of the housing 2. A suction port 2a is provided in the top of the housing 2, and a blowout port 2b is provided in the bottom of the housing 2. For example, in a cooling operation or the like, indoor air suctioned from the suction port 2a by driving the fan 4 is heat-exchanged by passage through a heat exchanger in the housing 2, and then blown out into a room through the blowout port 2b. The blowout port 2b is opened and closed by a flap 5 provided in the housing 2.

[0085]The air conditioner 1 includes a display device 10. The display device 10 includes a controller 12 configured to express the air quality of a space by the lightness of a monochromatic mark 11 displayed on a display surface 13. The controller 12 modifies the lightness of the monochromatic mark 11 in accordance with a change in the air quality of the space. Because the controller 12 modifies the lightness of the monochromatic mark 11 in accordance with the change in the air quality of the space, the change in the air quality of the space is expressed by the change in the lightness of the monochromatic mark 11. This enables recognition of the state of the air quality of the space with little influence of color vision properties. Also, because the change in the air quality of the space is expressed by the change in the lightness of the monochromatic mark 11, an aesthetically pleasing appearance when expressing the air quality of the space can be ensured.

[0086]Next, modifying the lightness of the monochromatic mark 11 in accordance with the change in the air quality of the space will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 11A to 11F and FIGS. 12 and 13.

[0087]FIGS. 11A to 11F are tables illustrating the results of a user recognition test (correct/wrong evaluation 1). The correct/wrong evaluation 1 is a test in which a motion (a pattern of lightness) of the monochromatic mark 11 is presented to a subject, and the subject selects the meaning of the presented motion from multiple choices. In the tables illustrated in FIGS. 11A to 11F, “Motion” indicates the serial number of multiple motions in which the lightness of the mark 11 is changed in different manners. “Lightness” indicates the extent of lightness of the mark 11 at the end of the motion. “Light” indicates that the mark 11 is light at the end of the motion. “Dark” indicates that the mark 11 is dark at the end of the motion. “Middle” indicates that the lightness of the mark 11 at the end of the motion is middle between “Light”and “Dark”.

[0088]FIGS. 11A to 11F illustrate the results of answers made by ten subjects, i.e., subjects U1 to U10, to which the motions described in the left column of each table are presented in order from the top. The answers are selected by the subjects from multiple choices as the meaning that is indicated by the presented motion. The multiple choices have nine meanings, i.e., “Initial setting operation”, “Power-on operation”, “Good air quality state”, “Transition from good air quality state to bad air quality state”, “Bad air quality state”, “Transition from bad air quality state to good air quality state”, “Feedback reaction to driving operation”, “Power-off operation”, and “During error”. In the answer column of each table illustrated in FIGS. 11A to 11F, “Good” means that the answer is “Good air quality state”. “Bad” means that the answer is “Bad air quality state”. “Other” means that the answer is other than “Good air quality state”and “Bad air quality state”.

[0089]According to FIGS. 11A to 11F, all the subjects U1 to U10 answer that the mark 11 being lighter means “Good air quality state”, and the mark 11 being darker means “Bad air quality state”. These evaluation results suggest a new physiological property of a human, i.e., “humans perceive the air quality to be better when a monochromatic mark is light than when the mark is dark, or perceive the air quality to be worse when a monochromatic mark is dark than when the mark is light”.

[0090]By use of this physiological property, when a second state is a state in which the air quality is worse than in a first state, the controller 12 (see FIG. 1) is configured to cause the mark 11 in the first state to be lighter than the mark 11 in the second state. This enables a user to recognize, with little influence of color vision properties, that the air quality is better when the mark 11 is light than when the mark 11 is dark. In other words, the user can recognize, with little influence of color vision properties, that the air quality is worse when the mark 11 is dark than when the mark 11 is light.

[0091]FIG. 12 is a table illustrating analysis results of the user recognition test correct/wrong evaluation 1), which are different from the above. The correct/wrong evaluation 1 is a test in which a motion of the monochromatic mark is presented to a subject, and the subject selects the meaning of the presented motion from multiple choices. The correct answer rate indicates a percentage of subjects who made correct answers, with respect to the total of the subjects. The multiple choices have nine meanings, i.e., “Initial setting operation”, “Power-on operation”, “Good air quality state”, “Transition from good air quality state to bad air quality state”, “Bad air quality state”, “Transition from bad air quality state to good air quality state”, “Feedback reaction to driving operation”, “Power-off operation”, and “During error”.

[0092]According to the results of the correct/wrong evaluation 1 of FIG. 12, the percentage of subjects who answered that a motion in the lightness of a monochromatic mark changed as illustrated in FIG. 5 means a transition from a good air quality state to a bad air quality state (correct answer rate) is 90%. FIG. 5 illustrates that lightness L of a monochromatic mark is gradually decreased (gradually lowered) from first lightness L3, representing the first state in which the air quality is good, to second lightness La, representing the second state in which the air quality is bad. According to the results of the correct/wrong evaluation 1 of FIG. 12, the percentage of subjects who answered that a motion in the lightness of a monochromatic mark changed as illustrated in FIG. 7 means a transition from a bad air quality state to a good air quality state (correct answer rate) is 60%. FIG. 7 illustrates that lightness L of a monochromatic mark is gradually increased (gradually raised) from the second lightness La, representing the second state in which the air quality is bad, to the first lightness L3, representing the first state in which the air quality is good. In this manner, in either case, the obtained results are such that the correct answer rate is more than 50%. The results of the correct/wrong evaluation 1 of FIG. 12 suggest that the user can recognize the air quality to be better when a monochromatic mark is light than when the monochromatic mark is dark, or recognize the air quality to be worse when a monochromatic mark is dark than when the monochromatic mark is light.

[0093]FIG. 13 is a table illustrating results of a user recognition test (correct/wrong evaluation 2). The correct/wrong evaluation 2 is a test in which a single meaning is presented to a subject, and the subject selects a motion suitable for the presented meaning from different motions of the monochromatic mark. The correct answer rate indicates a percentage of subjects who made correct answers, with respect to the total of the subjects. A single correct motion is included in the different motions of the monochromatic mark.

[0094]According to the results of the correct/wrong evaluation 2 of FIG. 13, the percentage of subjects who answered that a motion suitable for the meaning of “Transition from good air quality state to bad air quality state” is a motion in the lightness of the monochromatic mark changed as illustrated in FIG. 5 (correct answer rate) is 50%. The percentage of subjects who answered that a motion suitable for the meaning of “Transition from bad air quality state to good air quality state” is a motion in the lightness of the monochromatic mark changed as illustrated in FIG. 7 (correct answer rate) is 70%. In this manner, in either case, the obtained results are such that the correct answer rate is equal to or more than 50%. The results of the correct/wrong evaluation 2 of FIG. 13 suggest that the user can recognize the air quality to be better when a monochromatic mark is light than when the monochromatic mark is dark, or recognize the air quality to be worse when a monochromatic mark is dark than when the monochromatic mark is light.

[0095]The evaluation results of FIGS. 12 and 13 suggest a new physiological property of a human, i.e., “humans perceive the air quality to be better when a monochromatic mark is light than when the mark is dark, or perceive the air quality to be worse when a monochromatic mark is dark than when the mark is light”. By use of this physiological property, the controller 12 is configured to gradually decrease the lightness of the mark 11 from the first lightness representing the first state to the second lightness representing the second state, and gradually increase the lightness of the mark 11 from the second lightness representing the second state to the first lightness representing the first state. This enables a user to recognize, with little influence of color vision properties, a change in the air quality from a good state to a bad state or a change in the air quality from a bad state to a good state.

[0096]In FIG. 1, the controller 12 may express the air quality of a space by the lightness of a cool color of the mark 11 displayed on the display surface 13. The controller 12 is configured to modify the lightness of the cool color of the mark 11 in accordance with the change in the air quality of the space. When the controller 12 modifies the lightness of the cool color of the mark 11 in accordance with the change in the air quality of the space, the change in the air quality of the space is expressed by the change in the lightness of the cool color of the mark 11. This enables recognition of the state of the air quality of the space with little influence of color vision properties. Also, because the change in the air quality of the space is expressed by the change in the lightness of the cool color of the mark 11, an aesthetically pleasing appearance when expressing the air quality of the space can be ensured.

[0097]Compared to a case in which the change in the air quality is displayed as a combination of a cool color, such as blue, and a warm color, such as orange, a user can favorably perceive the change in the air quality as a clear aesthetically pleasing appearance through his/her visual sense when the change in the air quality is displayed by a single cool color, such as blue. This results in improved designability, and an increased demand-stimulating effect of the air conditioner 1. Also, by modifying the lightness of the mark 11 by a single color of blue in accordance with the change in the air quality, individuals with P-type (Protanope) color blindness who have difficulty distinguishing red or individuals with D-type (Deuteranope) color blindness who have difficulty distinguishing green can recognize the change in the state of the air quality in the same manner as in individuals with typical C-type (Common) color blindness.

[0098]The hue of a cool color of the mark 11 is, for example, blue. Blue is a gentle color that is well-suited to a space, and thus an aesthetically pleasing appearance can be ensured. However, the hue of the cool color of the mark 11 is not limited to blue, but may be another color, such as green or the like. When these colors are defined by wavelengths of visible light, the cool color has a peak wavelength in a wavelength range of 430 nm or longer and 570 nm or shorter, the blue color has a peak wavelength in a wavelength range of 460 nm or longer and 500 nm or shorter, and the green color has a peak wavelength in a wavelength range of 500 nm or longer and 570 nm or shorter.

[0099]The blue color may be defined by three properties (Hue, Value, Chroma) in the Munsell color system. Specifically, the blue color may be defined as a color having a hue of blue-green (BG), blue (B), or purple-blue (PB). More specifically, using abbreviations of the hues used in the Munsell color system, the blue color may be defined as a color having a hue of 2BG or more and 9PB or less. A color becomes achromatic by adjusting the value or the chroma. A color that is achromatic and has a hue of blue-green (BG), blue (B), or purple-blue (PB) may be defined as a monochromatic color of blue.

[0100]A mark includes combinations of characters, figures, symbols, three-dimensional shapes, or combinations thereof, with colors. The mark 11 illustrated in FIG. 1 is a circular figurative mark configured to emit light of a cool color, such as blue or the like, but this form is by no means a limitation. For example, the mark may be a combined mark of characters, such as alphabets or the like, and cool colors, such as blue or the like, or may be a combined mark of characters, symbols, and cool colors.

[0101]The display surface 13 is provided at the front surface of the housing 2, but may be provided on any visually recognizable surface of the air conditioner 1. For example, the display surface 13 may be another surface of the housing 2, such as a bottom surface, a side surface, or the like. The display surface 13 may be provided on the front panel 8 or the flap 5. The display surface 13, on which the mark 11 is displayed, may be one or more. The mark 11 displayed on the display surface 13 may be one or more.

[0102]The display surface 13 is configured to display the mark 11 by light emitted from one or more light sources. The display surface 13 may be a transparent or semi-transparent panel, or may be a display configured to display the mark 11 as an image.

[0103]The air conditioner 1 or the display device 10 includes a sensor 41 configured to detect the air quality of a space. The controller 12 is configured to, for example, modify the lightness of a cool color of the mark 11 in accordance with a change in the air quality detected by the sensor 41. Specific examples of the sensor 41 include, for example, an IAQ (indoor air quality) sensor configured to detect indoor air quality.

[0104]The air quality includes, for example, an air pollution level. The air quality may include the concentration of fine particles, odor components, dust, or carbon dioxide. The air pollution level is evaluated based on the concentrations of them. The fine particles are viruses or bacteria, but may be fine substances, such as dust containing viruses or bacteria. The fine particles may include particulate matter (PM2.5). PM2.5 refers to particles having a particle diameter of 2.5 μm or less, of the particles suspended in the air. The air quality may include a temperature or a humidity.

[0105]When the second state is a state in which the air quality detected by the sensor 41 is worse than in the first state, the controller 12 causes the monochromatic mark 11 in the first state to be lighter than the monochromatic mark 11 in the second state. In other words, the controller 12 causes the monochromatic mark 11 in the second state to be darker than the monochromatic mark 11 in the first state. These are in a synonymous and relative relationship.

[0106]When the controller 12 controls the lightness of the monochromatic mark 11 in this manner, a user can recognize the air quality to be better when the mark 11 is light than when the mark 11 is dark. In other words, when the controller 12 controls the lightness of the monochromatic mark 11 in this manner, the user can recognize the air quality to be worse when the mark 11 is dark than when the mark 11 is light.

[0107]The controller 12 is configured to cause the cool color of the mark 11 to be lighter in the first state, in which the air quality detected by the sensor 41 is good, than in the second state, in which the air quality detected by the sensor 41 is worse than in the first state. In other words, the controller 12 is configured to cause the cool color of the mark 11 to be darker in the second state, in which the air quality detected by the sensor 41 is bad, than in the first state, in which the air quality detected by the sensor 41 is better than in the second state. These are in a synonymous and relative relationship.

[0108]When the controller 12 controls the lightness of the cool color of the mark 11 in this manner, a user can recognize that, when the cool color of the mark 11 becomes lighter, the air quality is better than when the cool color of the mark 11 is dark, while ensuring an aesthetically pleasing appearance. In other words, when the controller 12 controls the lightness of the cool color of the mark 11 in this manner, the user can recognize that, when the cool color of the mark 11 becomes darker, the air quality is worse than when the cool color of the mark 11 is light, while ensuring an aesthetically pleasing appearance.

[0109]Also, when the cool color of the mark 11 becomes lighter, the user can recognize, with little influence of color vision properties, that the air quality is better than when the cool color of the mark 11 is dark. In other words, when the cool color of the mark 11 becomes darker, the user can recognize, with little influence of color vision properties, that the air quality is worse than when the cool color of the mark 11 is light.

[0110]When the air conditioner 1 is an air cleaner or an apparatus having an air-cleaning function, the first state in which the air quality is good refers to, for example, a case in which the air qualities detected by the sensor 41 (concentrations of fine particles, odor components, dust, and carbon dioxide) are equal to or less than the corresponding reference values. The second state in which the air quality is bad refers to, for example, a case in which the concentration of at least one of the air qualities detected by the sensor 41 (concentrations of fine particles, odor components, dust, and carbon dioxide) exceeds the corresponding reference value. The reference value may be a value that is set by a user or may be a value that is set automatically.

[0111]When the air conditioner 1 is an apparatus having a temperature-adjusting function (e.g., an air conditioner or the like), the first state in which the air quality is good refers to, for example, a case in which the air qualities detected by the sensor 41 (temperature, humidity, and carbon dioxide concentration) satisfy the corresponding reference ranges. The second state in which the air quality is bad refers to, for example, a case in which at least one of the air qualities detected by the sensor 41 (temperature, humidity, and carbon dioxide concentration) does not satisfy the corresponding reference range. The reference range may be a range that is set by a user or may be a range that is set automatically.

[0112]When the air conditioner 1 is a heater, the controller 12 may modify the lightness of the mark 11 by a hue of a cool color alone, such as blue or the like, in accordance with a change in the heating temperature. Thus, a user can recognize the change in the heating temperature by the hue of the cool color alone rather than a warm color. This can provide a heater in which an aesthetically pleasing appearance can be ensured by the hue of the cool color alone when expressing the change in the heating temperature. Also, it is possible to provide a heater configured to enable recognition of a state of the heating temperature with little influence of color vision properties. The heating temperature refers to, for example, an indoor temperature detected by the sensor 41 during heating by the air conditioner 1.

[0113]The controller 12 may modify the lightness of the monochromatic mark 11 based on a level of an indoor temperature or humidity. A change in the level of the temperature or the humidity is expressed by the change in the lightness of the monochromatic mark 11 displayed on the display surface 13. Thus, a user can recognize, with little influence of color vision properties, the state of the level of the temperature or the humidity.

[0114]The level of the temperature or the humidity refers to, for example, a level of the indoor temperature or humidity detected by the sensor 41 (indoor temperature or indoor humidity) that reaches the temperature or humidity set in the air conditioner 1 (set temperature or set humidity) in accordance with a command from an operating device, such as a remote controller or the like. When the difference between the indoor temperature (or indoor humidity) and the set temperature (or set humidity) is within a predetermined range, the level of the temperature or the humidity is high. When this difference is outside the predetermined range, the level of the temperature or the humidity is low.

[0115]For example, the controller 12 causes the monochromatic mark 11 when the difference is within the predetermined range to be lighter than the monochromatic mark 11 when the difference is outside the predetermined range. This enables a user to recognize that the level of the temperature or the humidity is higher when the mark 11 is light than when the mark 11 is dark. In other words, this enables the user to recognize that the level of the temperature or the humidity is lower when the mark 11 is dark than when the mark 11 is light.

[0116]The controller 12 may express a level of heating of the air conditioner 1 by the lightness of the cool color of the mark 11. The level of the heating of the air conditioner 1 is not expressed by a warm color but is expressed by a cool color, which is the same as expressing the change in the air quality. This improves designability by the sense of color uniformity, and thus an aesthetically pleasing appearance is ensured. For example, the controller 12 modifies the lightness of the cool color of the mark 11 (e.g., the lightness of the mark 11 of the cool color alone, such as blue or the like) based on the level of the heating of the air conditioner 1. For example, when the difference between the temperature of a space detected by the sensor 41 and the set temperature of heating of the air conditioner 1 reaches a value within a predetermined range, the controller 12 causes the cool color of the mark 11 to be lighter when this difference is outside the predetermined range. When the cool color of the mark 11 becomes lighter, a user can recognize that the temperature of the space has reached the set temperature, while ensuring an aesthetically pleasing appearance.

[0117]The controller 12 may express, by the lightness of the monochromatic mark 11, the state of the air conditioner 1 configured to adjust the air quality. By this, not only the change in the air quality but also the state of the air conditioner 1 configured to adjust the air quality is expressed by the lightness of the monochromatic mark 11. Thus, an aesthetically pleasing appearance when expressing the air quality and the state of the air conditioner 1 can be ensured. Also, a user can recognize the air quality and the state of the air conditioner 1 with little influence of color vision properties. For example, the controller 12 modifies the lightness of the monochromatic mark 11 in accordance with the state of the air conditioner 1. The lightness of the monochromatic mark 11 is, for example, the lightness of a cool color of the mark 11, such as blue or the like. The state of the air conditioner 1 includes an initial setting state, a feedback reaction to a driving operation, a power-on state, a power-off state, an abnormal state, and the like. The controller 12 modifies the lightness of the mark 11 in display modes different in accordance with the respective states of the air conditioner 1. This enables a user to recognize each state of the air conditioner 1 while ensuring an aesthetically pleasing appearance.

[0118]A terminal 9 is a device configured to be directly or indirectly communicable with the air conditioner 1 at a site apart from the air conditioner 1. The terminal 9 is provided in a space in which the air conditioner 1 is disposed, but may be provided in a space different from a space in which the air conditioner 1 is disposed. Specific examples of the terminal 9 include, for example, a controller configured to control the air conditioner 1, such as a remote controller or the like, a hub configured to connect the air conditioner 1 to a network, and an information terminal device configured to be directly or indirectly communicable with the air conditioner 1 (a tablet terminal, a smartphone, or the like).

[0119]The terminal 9 includes a housing 24 provided with a display surface 23, and a display device 20 configured to control the lightness of a monochromatic mark 21 displayed on the display surface 23. The display device 20 includes a controller 22 configured to express the air quality of a space by the lightness of the monochromatic mark 21 displayed on the display surface 23. The controller 22 is configured to modify the lightness of the monochromatic mark 21 in accordance with a change in the air quality of the space. When the controller 22 modifies the lightness of the monochromatic mark 21 in accordance with the change in the air quality of the space, the change in the air quality of the space is expressed by the change in the lightness of the monochromatic mark 21, and thus an aesthetically pleasing appearance when expressing the air quality of the space can be ensured. Also, the user can recognize the change in the state of the air quality with little influence of color vision properties. The lightness of the monochromatic mark 21 is, for example, the lightness of a cool color of the mark 21, such as blue or the like.

[0120]The terminal 9 or the display device 20 includes a sensor 42 configured to detect the air quality of a space. For example, the controller 22 modifies the lightness of a cool color of the mark 21 in accordance with a change in the air quality detected by the sensor 42. Specific examples of the sensor 42 include, for example, an IAQ sensor configured to detect indoor air quality.

[0121]The controller 22 may express the air quality of a space by the lightness of a monochromatic mark 31 displayed on a display surface 33 provided outside the terminal 9. For example, the controller 22 modifies the lightness of the monochromatic mark 31 in accordance with a change in the air quality detected by the sensor 42. When the controller 22 modifies the lightness of the monochromatic mark 31 in accordance with the change in the air quality of the space, the change in the air quality of the space is expressed by the change in the lightness of the monochromatic mark 31, and an aesthetically pleasing appearance when expressing the air quality of the space can be ensured. Also, a user can recognize the change in the state of the air quality with little influence of color vision properties. The lightness of the monochromatic mark 31 is, for example, the lightness of a cool color of the mark 31, such as blue or the like. The display surface 33 may be a display configured to display the mark 31 as an image or may be a screen (including an indoor wall) on which the mark 31 is projected.

[0122]The structure, operation, and effect of the marks 21 and 31 may be the same as those of the mark 11, and thus description of the marks 21 and 31 is omitted by referring to the above description of the mark 11. The structure, operation, and effect of the display surfaces 23 and 33 may be the same as those of the display surface 13, and thus description of the display surfaces 23 and 33 is omitted by referring to the above description of the display surface 13.

[0123]The controller 22 may modify the lightness of at least one monochromatic mark of the marks 11, 21, and 31 in accordance with the change in the air quality detected by the sensor 42 provided in the terminal 9 or by a sensor provided outside the terminal 9 (e.g., the sensor 41). The lightness of the monochromatic mark is, for example, the lightness of a cool color of the mark, such as blue or the like. The controller 22 is configured to obtain external information of the terminal 9 through wired or wireless communication. The external information of the terminal 9 includes, for example, results of the air quality detected by the sensor provided outside the terminal 9, and information of the air conditioner 1 (e.g., states, such as an abnormal state of the air conditioner 1, and the like).

[0124]Similarly, the controller 22 may modify the lightness of at least one monochromatic mark of the marks 11, 21, and 31 in accordance with the change in the air quality detected by the sensor 41 provided in the air conditioner 1 or by a sensor provided outside the air conditioner 1 (e.g., the sensor 42). The lightness of the monochromatic mark is, for example, the lightness of a cool color of the mark, such as blue or the like. The controller 22 is configured to obtain external information of the air conditioner 1 through wired or wireless communication. The external information of the air conditioner 1 includes, for example, results of the air quality detected by the sensor provided outside the air conditioner 1, and information of the terminal 9 (e.g., operation information with respect to the air conditioner 1, and the like).

[0125]Each of the functions of the controllers 12 and 22 is realized by a processor, such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or the like, that is configured to operate in accordance with a program stored in a memory so as to be readable. The function of each unit may be realized by an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) or an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). The program for realizing the process performed by the controller can be provided, for example, by a recording medium or a network.

[0126]FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a display device including a controller. A display device 50 is configured to express the air quality by the lightness of a monochromatic mark 51 displayed on a display surface 53 (e.g., the lightness of a cool color of the mark 51, such as blue or the like). A controller 52 modifies the lightness of the monochromatic mark 51 in accordance with a change in the air quality detected by a sensor 40 (e.g., the lightness of a cool color of the mark 51, such as blue or the like). The mark 51 corresponds to the above mark 11 or 21. The display surface 53 corresponds to the above display surface 13 or 23. The sensor 40 corresponds to the above sensor 41 or 42.

[0127]The controller 52 includes a control circuit 55 and a light source 54. The control circuit 55 of the controller 52 is configured to change the luminance of the light source 54 in accordance with a change in the air quality, thereby modifying the lightness of the monochromatic mark 51 (e.g., the lightness of a cool color of the mark 51, such as blue or the like). The controller 52 changes the luminance of the light source 54, and thus can modify, with high accuracy, the lightness of the monochromatic mark 51 (e.g., the lightness of a cool color of the mark 51, such as blue or the like). When the light source 54 is a single light-emitting element, consumption of power required for displaying the change in the air quality can be reduced. However, the light source 54 may be a light source including a plurality of light-emitting elements.

[0128]FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a first control example of lightness of a mark. The horizontal axis represents time, and the vertical axis represents lightness L of a monochromatic mark (e.g., the lightness of a cool color of the mark, such as blue or the like) (the same applies to the drawings described below). When the state of the air conditioner 1 is in a power-off state, the controller reduces the luminance of the light source to zero or 0, thereby reducing the lightness L of a cool color of the mark to zero. In response to detection of an operation from the power-off state to a power-on state, the controller gradually increases (gradually raises) the lightness L of the cool color of the mark from zero, representing the power-off state, to L3 representing the power-on state. This can express the start of a pleasant experience in the air. In this example, the controller increases the lightness L of the cool color of the mark from zero to L3 at a constant inclination for t seconds.

[0129]FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a second control example of the lightness of the mark. In the first state in which the air quality is good, the controller repeats a cycle of decreasing and increasing of the lightness of the cool color of the mark. As a result, the mark is displayed in a motion in which the lightness of the mark fluctuates in a state in which the cool color of the mark is in a light state. This can express that the space is in a pleasant air quality state. In the case of FIG. 4, the inclination of an increase or decrease in the lightness of the cool color is more gradual than in the case of FIG. 3, and this can express that the space is an especially pleasant space. In this example, the controller increases and decreases the lightness L of the cool color of the mark between L2 and L3 in a cycle of 6t seconds, decreases the lightness L at a constant inclination in the former-half cycle of 3t seconds, and increases the lightness L at a constant inclination in the latter-half cycle of 3t seconds.

[0130]The feedback reaction to a driving operation is set to lightness L4 or L5, which is lighter than the first lightness L3 representing the first state in which the air quality is good. This is because the feedback reaction is caused to be visually recognizable even if the feedback reaction occurs in the first state in which the air quality is good. In response to detection of a predetermined driving operation, the controller temporarily increases the lightness L of the cool color of the mark to L4 or L5, and then decreases and returns the lightness L to the original lightness. This enables a user to recognize the feedback reaction to the driving operation.

[0131]FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a third control example of the lightness of the mark. The controller gradually decreases (gradually lowers) the lightness L of the cool color of the mark from the first lightness L3, representing the first state in which the air quality is good, to the second lightness La, representing the second state in which the air quality is bad. This can express the transition of the air quality from the good state to the bad state. In this example, the controller decreases the lightness L of the cool color of the mark from L3 to La at a constant inclination for 2t seconds. The lightness La is slightly greater than zero, and thus a user can know that the air conditioner 1 is operating, not stopping.

[0132]FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a fourth control example of the lightness of the mark. The controller causes the lightness of the cool color of the mark to be constant in the second state in which the air quality is bad. This can express that the state, in which the air quality is bad, continues. The lightness La in the second state, in which the air quality is bad, is slightly greater than zero, and thus a user can know that the air conditioner 1 is operating, not stopping.

[0133]FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a fifth control example of the lightness of the mark. The controller gradually increases the lightness L of the cool color of the mark from the second lightness La, representing the second state in which the air quality is bad, to the first lightness L3, representing the first state in which the air quality is good. This can express the transition of the air quality from the bad state to the good state. In this example, the controller increases the lightness L of the cool color of the mark from La to L3 at a constant inclination for t seconds.

[0134]FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a sixth control example of the lightness of the mark. In response to detection of an operation to the power-off state in the first state in which the air quality is good, the controller gradually decreases the lightness L of the cool color of the mark from the first lightness L3, representing the first state, to zero, representing the power-off state. This can express the end of the pleasant experience in the air. In this example, the controller decreases the lightness L of the cool color of the mark from L3 to zero at a constant inclination for t seconds.

[0135]FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of the mark. A mark 60 illustrated in FIG. 9 includes two rings whose centroids are not aligned (an outer ring 61 and an inner ring 62). The outer ring 61 has a diameter smaller than that of the inner ring 62, and a centroid 63 of the outer ring 61 is not aligned with a centroid 64 of the inner ring 62. The controller is configured to modify the lightness of a cool color, such as blue or the like, in an annular gap 65 between the outer ring 61 and the inner ring 62 in accordance with the change in the air quality detected by the sensor. This expresses the change in the air quality by the change in the lightness of a cool color in the gap 65, such as blue or the like, and thus an aesthetically pleasing appearance when expressing the air quality can be ensured. Also, a user can recognize the change in the state of the air quality with little influence of color vision properties. The lightness of a cool color in the gap 65, such as blue or the like, may be controlled as in the above-described control examples.

[0136]An outward region 66 of the outer ring 61 and an inward region 67 of the inner ring 62 are regions in which the lightness does not change in accordance with the change in the air quality, or regions in which the change in the lightness in accordance with the change in the air quality is smaller than in the gap 65. Visible light, such as blue light or the like, readily passes through the gap 65 compared to the outward region 66 and the inward region 67. For example, the gap 65 is a transparent or semi-transparent region through which visible light passes, and the outward region 66 and the inward region 67 are opaque regions through which visible light does not appreciably passes.

[0137]The controller may partially modify the lightness of the monochromatic mark 60 (e.g., the lightness of a cool color of the mark 60, such as blue or the like) in accordance with the change in the air quality detected by the sensor. In this example, the controller partially modifies the lightness of a cool color of the annular gap 65 in the mark 60. By partially modifying the lightness of the cool color, it is possible to cause movements, such as a fluctuation in the lightness or the like, in the mark 60 in a state in which the position of the entire mark 60 remains unchanged.

[0138]The gap 65 includes light-emitting regions 70, 71, 72, and 73 along the outer ring 61. The controller is configured to modify the lightness of a cool color, such as blue or the like, of one or more light-emitting regions of the light-emitting regions 70, 71, 72, and 73 in accordance with the change in the air quality detected by the sensor. As a result, the lightness of the one or more light-emitting regions of the light-emitting regions 70, 71, 72, and 73 is different from the lightness of the cool color of the other light-emitting regions. This can cause movements, such as a fluctuation in the lightness or the like, in the mark 60 in a state in which the position of the entire mark 60 remains unchanged.

[0139]The controller may modify the position of the lightest part in the mark 60 in accordance with the change in the air quality detected by the sensor. This can cause movements, such as a fluctuation in the lightness or the like, in the mark 60 in a state in which the position of the entire mark 60 remains unchanged. For example, the controller sequentially modifies, clockwise or counterclockwise, the lightest part of the light-emitting regions 70, 71, 72, and 73. This can display the mark 60 in a motion in which light rotates along the gap 65, in a state in which the position of the entire mark 60 remains unchanged.

[0140]In this example, the controller includes a light-emitting element 56 as a light source configured to change the lightness of the gap 65 of the mark 60. The light-emitting element 56 is disposed in a lower part of the mark 60 in a front view of the mark 60. When the light-emitting element 56 is disposed in the lower part of the mark 60, the lightness of the entirety of the mark 60 does not become uniform. This can stress a difference in the lightness of the mark 60 due to the change in the luminance of the light-emitting element 56. Also, when the light-emitting element 56 is disposed in the lower part of the mark 60, as the mark 60 is provided at a position that is looked up at by a person, the person who looks up at the mark 60 can readily recognize the change in the lightness of the mark 60. The lower part of the mark 60 is, for example, a region below a center line extending in the horizontal direction of the mark 60 in a front view of the mark 60.

[0141]The controller includes, for example, the light-emitting element 56 provided in the gap 65. In this example, the light-emitting element 56 is disposed in the lower part of the mark 60 (more specifically, the rear side of the widest light-emitting region 70 of the gap 65) in a front view of the mark 60. The light-emitting region 70 overlaps with a straight line connecting the centroid 63 and the centroid 64 in a front view of the mark 60. When the controller causes the light-emitting element 56 to emit light, the entire annular gap 65 becomes light.

[0142]The light-emitting element 56 disposed in the lower part of the mark 60 may be disposed, for example, on the rear side of the inward region 67 of the inner ring 62, specifically, on the rear side of the region below the center line extending in the horizontal direction of the mark 60 in a front view of the mark 60. In this case, the light-emitting element 56 is hidden on the rear side of the inward region 67 in a front view of the mark 60. Thus, when the light emission intensity of the light-emitting element 56 is high, the light-emitting region 70 in the lower part of the mark 60 is substantially prevented from becoming excessively light.

[0143]The diameter of the outer ring 61 is denoted by a, the diameter of the inner ring 62 is denoted by b, and the distance between the centroid 63 of the outer ring 61 and the centroid 64 of the inner ring 62 is denoted by c. When a:b:c is 1:0.85:0.04, an aesthetically pleasing appearance when changing the lightness of a cool color of the annular gap 65, such as blue or the like, is improved.

[0144]FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a gradation of the lightness of the mark 60. The controller causes the lightness of the light-emitting region 70 to be gradually lighter in the order of (A)→(B)→(C). As a result, the mark 60 is displayed in a motion in which the lightness of a cool color, such as blue or the like, is gradually changed, and thus an aesthetically pleasing appearance when expressing the air quality is improved. Also, a user can recognize a change in the state of the air quality with little influence of color vision properties.

[0145]When the light-emitting element 56 is disposed on the rear side of the light-emitting region 70 in a front view of the mark 60, the distance from the light-emitting element 56 to an upper part of the mark 60 is longer than the distance from the light-emitting element 56 to the lower part of the mark 60. In this case, the lightness of the mark 60 due to light emission of the light-emitting element 56 is different between in the upper part of the mark 60 and in the lower part of the mark 60, for example, as illustrated in (B) or (C) of FIG. 10, when the lightness in the upper part and the lightness in the lower part are compared at the same timing. This expresses a gradation of the lightness of the gap 65 of the mark 60.

[0146]The embodiments have been described above. The above embodiments are presented as examples, and the present invention is not limited by the above embodiments. The above embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various combinations, omissions, substitutions, changes, and the like are possible without departing from the intent of the invention. These embodiments and variations thereof are included in the scope or intent of the invention, and are included in the scope of the inventions recited in the claims and equivalents thereof.

[0147]For example, the controller may change the value or the chroma of a display in accordance with a change in the air quality, thereby modifying the lightness of the monochromatic mark (e.g., the lightness of a cool color of the mark, such as blue or the like).

[0148]The present international application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2022-158938, filed on Sep. 30, 2022, and the entire contents of Japanese Patent Application No. 2022-158938 are incorporated in the present international application.

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