TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to an air conditioner.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] Air conditioners in which a wireless LAN adapter is disposed between a front surface
panel and an air filter are known (see
JP-A No. 2015-081723).
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
<Technical Problem>
[0003] The wireless LAN adapter built into this type of air conditioner is equipped with
a power switch. To power on the wireless LAN adapter, the user must go to the trouble
of opening the front surface panel of the air conditioner to operate the power switch.
For this reason, the work for powering on the wireless LAN adapter is extremely cumbersome.
[0004] It is a problem of the present invention to provide an air conditioner that reduces
the cumbersomeness of the work for powering on the wireless LAN adapter.
<Solution to Problem>
[0005] An air conditioner pertaining to a first aspect of the invention comprises a body
electrical component section, a wireless LAN adapter, and a remote controller. The
body electrical component section has a body control component. The wireless LAN adapter
is connected to the body electrical component section. The remote controller is configured
to send a command signal to the body control component by a communication standard
different from wireless LAN on the basis of a user operation. In a case where the
body control component has received the command signal relating to powering the wireless
LAN adapter, the body control component is configured to power on the wireless LAN
adapter.
[0006] In the air conditioner pertaining to the first aspect of the invention, the user
can power on the wireless LAN adapter by operating the remote controller. Consequently,
the user does not have to go to the trouble of opening the front surface panel of
the air conditioner to directly operate the wireless LAN adapter. Thus, the cumbersomeness
of the work for powering on the wireless LAN adapter can be reduced. Furthermore,
the wireless LAN adapter does not have to be equipped with a power switch, so the
configuration of the wireless LAN adapter can be simplified.
[0007] In an air conditioner pertaining to a second aspect of the invention, in a case where
the body control component has received the command signal relating to initial setting
of the wireless LAN adapter, the body control component is configured to send to the
wireless LAN adapter a control signal relating to the initial setting of the wireless
LAN adapter. The wireless LAN adapter is configured to carry out the initial setting
on the basis of the control signal.
[0008] In the air conditioner pertaining to the second aspect of the invention, the user
can carry out the initial setting of the wireless LAN adapter by operating the remote
controller. Consequently, the user does not have to go to the trouble of opening the
front surface panel of the air conditioner to directly operate the wireless LAN adapter.
Thus, the cumbersomeness of the work for carrying out the initial setting of the wireless
LAN adapter can be reduced. Furthermore, the wireless LAN adapter does not have to
have an initial setting switch, so the configuration of the wireless LAN adapter can
be simplified.
[0009] In an air conditioner pertaining to a third aspect of the invention, the body electrical
component section further has an indicator component. The indicator component is configured
to output indication relating to air conditioning operation, indication relating to
the power of the wireless LAN adapter being on, and indication relating to the initial
setting. That is, the indicator component is jointly used by the body control component
and the wireless LAN adapter.
[0010] Consequently, in the air conditioner pertaining to the third aspect of the invention,
the wireless LAN adapter does not have to be equipped with a separate indicator component,
so the configuration of the wireless LAN adapter can be simplified.
[0011] In an air conditioner pertaining to a fourth aspect of the invention, the wireless
LAN adapter is disposed adjacent to the body electrical component section.
[0012] In the air conditioner pertaining to the fourth aspect of the invention, the wireless
LAN adapter is disposed adjacent to the body electrical component section, so the
length of a wire harness can be kept from increasing.
[0013] In an air conditioner pertaining to a fifth aspect of the invention, the body electrical
component section has a power supplying component connected to the wireless LAN adapter.
The power supplying component is disposed opposite from the wireless LAN adapter across
the indicator component. The power supplying component is configured to power on the
wireless LAN adapter by supplying a power-supply voltage to the wireless LAN adapter
by way of the indicator component.
[0014] In the air conditioner pertaining to the fifth aspect of the invention, the wireless
LAN adapter does not obtain the power-supply voltage directly from the power supplying
component but obtains the power-supply voltage through the indicator component. The
indicator component is disposed in a position closer to the wireless LAN adapter than
the power supplying component, so the length of the wire harness can be kept from
increasing.
[0015] In an air conditioner pertaining to a sixth aspect of the invention, the wireless
LAN adapter has a DC-DC converter. The DC-DC converter is configured to convert the
power-supply voltage supplied from the power supplying component to a power-supply
voltage for the wireless LAN adapter.
[0016] In the air conditioner pertaining to the sixth aspect of the invention, the power-supply
voltage needed by various circuits in the wireless LAN adapter can be obtained in
the wireless LAN adapter.
[0017] An air conditioner pertaining to a seventh aspect of the invention further comprises
an indoor heat exchanger and a drain pain. The drain pan is configured to catch drain
water produced by the indoor heat exchanger. In a case where a side wall to which
the air conditioner is attached is in back of the air conditioner, the wireless LAN
adapter is disposed in front of the indoor heat exchanger and the drain pan and outside
an air flow path.
[0018] In the air conditioner pertaining to the seventh aspect of the invention, the wireless
LAN adapter is disposed in front of the indoor heat exchanger and the drain pan and
outside the air flow path. Consequently, the wireless LAN adapter can be disposed
without lowering the air flow performance.
<Advantageous Effects of Invention>
[0019] In the air conditioner pertaining to the first aspect of the invention, the cumbersomeness
of the work for powering on the wireless LAN adapter can be reduced.
[0020] In the air conditioner pertaining to the second aspect of the invention, the cumbersomeness
of the work for carrying out the initial setting of the wireless LAN adapter can be
reduced.
[0021] In the air conditioner pertaining to the third aspect of the invention, the wireless
LAN adapter does not have to be equipped with a separate indicator component, so the
configuration of the wireless LAN adapter can be simplified.
[0022] In the air conditioner pertaining to the fourth aspect of the invention, the length
of the wire harness can be kept from increasing.
[0023] In the air conditioner pertaining to the fifth aspect of the invention, the length
of the wire harness can be kept from increasing.
[0024] In the air conditioner pertaining to the sixth aspect of the invention, the power-supply
voltage needed by various circuits in the wireless LAN adapter can be obtained in
the wireless LAN adapter.
[0025] In the air conditioner pertaining to the seventh aspect of the invention, the wireless
LAN adapter can be disposed without lowering the airflow performance.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0026]
FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of an air conditioner.
FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the air conditioner, with a front surface
grille having been removed therefrom.
FIG. 3 is a sectional view along line III-III of FIG. 1.
FIG. 4 is a diagram describing an example of functional blocks of the air conditioner.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a flowchart of processes relating to initial
setting of a wireless LAN adapter.
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST
[0027]
- 100
- Air Conditioner
- 130
- Indoor Heat Exchanger
- 140
- Drain Pan
- 150
- Body Electrical Component Section
- 152
- Body Control Component
- 153
- Power Supplying Component
- 154
- Indicator Component
- 160
- Wireless LAN Adapter
- 164
- DC-DC Converter
- 200
- Remote Controller
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT
[0028] An embodiment of the invention will be described below. It will be noted that the
following embodiment is merely a specific example and is not intended to limit the
invention pertaining to the scope of the claims.
<First Embodiment
(1) Configuration of Air Conditioner
[0029] FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of an air conditioner 100 pertaining to an
embodiment of the invention. In this specification, the six directions of "front,"
"rear," "upper," "lower," "left," and "right" are defined as shown in FIG. 1. FIG.
2 is an external perspective view of the air conditioner 100, with a later-described
front surface grille 117 having been removed therefrom. FIG. 3 is a sectional view
along line III-III of FIG. 1.
[0030] The air conditioner 100 is mainly equipped with a body casing 110, an indoor fan
120, an indoor heat exchanger 130, a drain pan 140, a body electrical component section
150, a wireless LAN adapter 160, and a streamer discharge unit 180. The air conditioner
100 is installed on a side wall WL of a room RS by attaching the back surface side
of the body casing 110 to the side wall WL.
(1-1) Body Casing
[0031] The body casing 110 is configured by a back surface plate 111, a top plate 113, a
left side plate 114, a right side plate 115, and a front surface plate 116. The body
casing 110 houses the indoor fan 120, the indoor heat exchanger 130, the drain pan
140, the body electrical component section 150, the wireless LAN adapter 160, the
streamer discharge unit 180, etc. An air inlet 101 is formed in the upper portion
of the body casing 110. An air outlet 102, through which conditioned air is blown
out, is formed in the vicinity of the center of the lower portion of the body casing
110.
(1-2) Indoor Fan
[0032] The indoor fan 120 is disposed in the substantially central part, in the up and down
direction, of the body casing 110. The indoor fan 120 is a cross-flow fan. The indoor
fan 120 is connected to a fan motor. When the indoor fan 120 is rotated by the driving
of the fan motor, room air is sucked inside the body casing 110 through the air inlet
101. The air that has been sucked in travels through the indoor heat exchanger 130,
is thereafter guided through a guide flow passage leading to the air outlet 102, and
is finally blown out through the air outlet 102.
(1-3) Indoor Heat Exchanger
[0033] The indoor heat exchanger 130 is disposed so as to cover part of the indoor fan 120.
More specifically, the indoor heat exchanger 130 is positioned in the vicinity of
the upper portion of the indoor fan 120, that is, extending from the vicinity of the
lower side of the front of the indoor fan 120 to the vicinity of the upper side of
the rear of the indoor fan 120. The indoor heat exchanger 130 functions as an evaporator
of refrigerant during a cooling operation and functions as a condenser of refrigerant
during a heating operation.
(1-4) Drain Pan
[0034] The drain pan 140 is disposed on the lower side of the front of the indoor heat exchanger
130. The drain pan 140 catches drain water generated by the indoor heat exchanger
130.
(1-5) Body Electrical Component Section
[0035] The body electrical component section 150 is disposed in front of the indoor heat
exchanger 130 and the drain pan 140. The body electrical component section 150 is
disposed outside the air flow path. In the present embodiment, the body electrical
component section 150 is disposed on the upper surface (reverse surface) side of the
front surface grille 117.
[0036] Although this will be described in detail later, the body electrical component section
150 has an infrared receiving component 151, a power supplying component 153, and
an indicator component 154. The power supplying component 153 is disposed opposite
from the wireless LAN adapter 160 across the indicator component 154.
(1-6) Wireless LAN Adapter
[0037] The wireless LAN adapter 160 is disposed in front of the indoor heat exchanger 130
and the drain pan 140. The wireless LAN adapter 160 is disposed outside the air flow
path. In the present embodiment, the body electrical component section 150 is disposed
on the upper surface side of the front surface grille 117. The wireless LAN adapter
160 is positioned adjacent to the body electrical component section 150. The wireless
LAN adapter 160 is electrically connected to the body electrical component section
150 via a wire harness 170.
(1-7) Streamer Discharge Unit
[0038] The streamer discharge unit 180 is disposed in front of the indoor heat exchanger
130 and the drain pan 140. The streamer discharge unit 180 is disposed outside the
air flow path. In the present embodiment, the streamer discharge unit 180 is disposed
on the upper surface side of the front surface grille 117. The streamer discharge
unit 180 is disposed opposite from the body electrical component section 150 across
the wireless LAN adapter 160. The streamer discharge unit 180 generates low-temperature
plasma by means of a streamer discharge to purify air to be treated.
(2) Functional Blocks of Air Conditioner
[0039] FIG. 4 is a diagram describing an example of functional blocks of the air conditioner
100. The air conditioner 100 is further equipped with a remote controller 200 in addition
to the body electrical component section 150 and the wireless LAN adapter 160.
[0040] The remote controller 200 sends to the body electrical component section 150 command
signals corresponding to user operations by a communication standard different from
wireless LAN. In the present embodiment, the remote controller 200 sends the command
signals by infrared. The command signals include a command signal relating to powering
the wireless LAN adapter 160 and a command signal relating to initial setting of the
wireless LAN adapter 160.
[0041] The remote controller 200 has a liquid crystal display. The user can display various
menu screens and so forth on the liquid crystal display by operating the remote controller
200. Furthermore, the user can select items on the various menu screens.
[0042] The body electrical component section 150 has a body control component 152 in addition
to the infrared receiving component 151, the power supplying component 153, and the
indicator component 154. The body control component 152 is electrically connected
to the infrared receiving component 151, the power supplying component 153, and the
indicator component 154.
[0043] The infrared receiving component 151 receives the command signals sent from the remote
controller 200. The infrared receiving component 151 sends the received command signals
to the body control component 152.
[0044] The body control component 152 is a computer configured from an MPU, a ROM, and a
RAM. The body control component 152 receives the commands signals sent from the infrared
receiving component 151 and carries out various settings of the air conditioner 100
in accordance with the received command signals. In particular, in the present embodiment,
when the body control component 152 receives the command signal relating to powering
the wireless LAN adapter 160, the body control component 152 controls the power supplying
component 153 in accordance with the received command signal.
[0045] The body control component 152 communicates with a later-described wireless control
component 162 via the wire harness 170. When the body control component 152 receives
the command signal relating to the initial setting of the wireless LAN adapter 160,
the body control component 152 sends to the wireless control component 162 a control
signal relating to the initial setting.
[0046] The body control component 152 controls the indicator component 154 in accordance
with the communication with the wireless control component 162. Furthermore, the body
control component 152 controls the indicator component 154 in accordance with the
communication with the remote controller 200.
[0047] The power supplying component 153 supplies a power-supply voltage to the infrared
receiving component 151, the body control component 152, the indicator component 154,
and the wireless LAN adapter 160. In the present embodiment, the power supplying component
153 supplies the power-supply voltage to the wireless LAN adapter 160 by way of the
indicator component 154. In other words, the wireless LAN adapter 160 does not obtain
the power-supply voltage directly from the power supplying component 153 but obtains
the power-supply voltage from the indicator component 154.
[0048] The indicator component 154 is configured by one or more LEDs. In the present embodiment,
the indicator component 154 outputs indication relating to air conditioning operation
and outputs indication relating to the operation of the wireless LAN adapter 160.
That is, the indicator component 154 is jointly used by the body control component
152 and the wireless LAN adapter 160. The indicator component 154 outputs, as indication
relating to the operation of the wireless LAN adapter 160, indication relating to
the power of the wireless LAN adapter 160 being on and indication relating to the
initial setting of the wireless LAN adapter 160, for example.
[0049] The wireless LAN adapter 160 is a network adapter for wirelessly connecting the air
conditioner 100 to a LAN. The wireless LAN adapter 160 has a wireless communication
component 161, a wireless control component 162, and a power receiving component 163.
The wireless control component 162 is electrically connected to the wireless communication
component 161 and the power receiving component 163.
[0050] The wireless communication component 161 is connected to a router 500 via a wireless
LAN 700. The wireless communication component 161 communicates with a communication
terminal 300 and an external server 600 via the wireless LAN 700.
[0051] The wireless control component 162 is a computer configured from an MPU, a ROM, a
RAM, etc. In the ROM, a program relating to the initial setting of the wireless LAN
adapter 160 and the like are stored. The wireless control component 162 receives operation
commands for the air conditioner 100 sent from the communication terminal 300 or the
external server 600. The wireless control component 162 communicates with the body
control component 152 in accordance with the received operation commands. The wireless
control component 162 receives information relating to the air conditioner 100 sent
from the body control component 152. The wireless control component 162 communicates
with the communication terminal 300 or the external server 600 in accordance with
the received information relating to the air conditioner 100.
[0052] The wireless control component 162 receives from the body control component 152 the
control signal relating to the initial setting of the wireless LAN adapter 160. The
wireless control component 162 carries out the initial setting on the basis of the
received control signal. The initial setting includes setting of the connection between
the wireless LAN adapter 160 and the router 500 and setting of the connection between
the wireless LAN adapter 160 and the communication terminal 300.
[0053] The power receiving component 163 receives the power-supply voltage supplied from
the power supplying component 153 via the indicator component 154. The power receiving
component 163 includes a DC-DC converter 164. The DC-DC converter 164 converts the
power-supply voltage supplied from the power supplying component 153 to generate a
power-supply voltage for the wireless LAN adapter. The power receiving component 163
supplies the generated power-supply voltage to the wireless communication component
161 and the wireless control component 162.
[0054] As was already described, the wireless LAN adapter 160 jointly uses the indicator
component 154 with the body control component 152, so it is not equipped with an indicator
component. That is, the wireless LAN adapter 160 is not equipped with an LED. Furthermore,
although this will be described in detail later, the powering on and the initial setting
of the wireless LAN adapter 160 are carried out via the remote controller 200, so
the wireless LAN adapter 160 is not equipped with a power switch and an initial setting
switch.
[0055] The communication terminal 300 is a communication terminal such as a smartphone,
a tablet, a mobile telephone, or a notebook PC. The communication terminal 300 communicates
with the external server 600 via the Internet 400. The communication terminal 300
downloads an air conditioning management application from the external server 600,
for example. The communication terminal 300 communicates with the wireless LAN adapter
160 via the Internet 400. The user can monitor information relating to the air conditioner
100 and operate the air conditioner 100 by utilizing the air conditioning management
application. It will be noted that the communication terminal 300 can also communicate
with the wireless LAN adapter 160 via the wireless LAN without involving the Internet
400. That is, the communication terminal 300 can also send operation commands for
the air conditioner 100 directly to the wireless LAN adapter 160, and receive information
relating to the air conditioner 100 directly from the wireless LAN adapter 160, without
involving the external server 600.
[0056] The router 500 has a WAN-side interface and a LAN-side interface. The router 500
interconnects the WAN and the LAN. When the wireless LAN adapter 160 is connected
to the wireless LAN, the router 500 automatically detects the wireless LAN adapter
160 and registers network information. Because of this, the wireless LAN adapter 160
can communicate with other network devices connected to the wireless LAN and network
devices on the Internet 400.
[0057] The external server 600 carries out air conditioning management service of the air
conditioner 100. The external server 600 appropriately communicates with the communication
terminal 300 executing the air conditioning management application. For example, the
external server 600 receives an operation command for the air conditioner 100 from
the communication terminal 300. The external server 600 sends the received operation
command to the wireless LAN adapter 160. Furthermore, the external server 600 receives
information relating to the air conditioner 100 from the wireless LAN adapter 160.
The external server 600 sends the information relating to the air conditioner 100
to the communication terminal 300.
(3) Flowchart
[0058] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a flowchart of processes relating to the
initial setting of the wireless LAN adapter 160. The flowchart is started in a case
where the air conditioner 100 is powered on and power and initial setting items have
been selected via the menu screen on the remote controller 200.
[0059] The body control component 152 determines whether or not it has received a power-supply
command signal (step S101). For example, the user selects a power-on button from the
menu screen on the remote controller 200. Because of this, the power-supply command
signal can be sent to the body control component 152.
[0060] In a case where the body control component 152 has determined that it has not received
the power-supply command signal (NO in step S101), the body control component 152
stands by as is. In a case where the body control component 152 has determined that
it has received the power-supply command signal (YES in step S101), the body control
component 152 supplies the power-supply voltage to the wireless LAN adapter 160 (step
S102). Because of this, the wireless LAN adapter 160 is powered on.
[0061] Next, the body control component 152 determines whether or not it has received an
initial setting command signal (step S103). For example, the user selects an initial
setting button from the menu screen on the remote controller 200. Because of this,
the initial setting command signal can be sent to the body control component 152.
[0062] In a case where the body control component 152 has determined that it has not received
the initial setting command signal (NO in step S103), the body control component 152
stands by as is. In a case where the body control component 152 has determined that
it has received the initial setting command signal (YES in step S103), the body control
component 152 sends the control signal relating to the initial setting to the wireless
LAN adapter 160 (step S104) and then ends the series of processes. When the wireless
LAN adapter 160 receives the control signal relating to the initial setting, it executes
the program relating to the initial setting of the wireless LAN adapter 160.
(4) Characteristics of Air Conditioner
[0063] The air conditioner 100 of the present embodiment is equipped with the body control
component 150, the wireless LAN adapter 160, and the remote controller 200. The body
electrical component section 150 has the body control component 152. The wireless
LAN adapter 160 is connected to the body electrical component section 150. The remote
controller 200 sends a command signal to the body control component 152 by infrared
on the basis of a user operation. In a case where the body control component 152 has
received the command signal relating to powering the wireless LAN adapter 160, the
body control component 152 powers on the wireless LAN adapter 160.
[0064] In the air conditioner 100 of the present embodiment, the user can power on the wireless
LAN adapter 160 by operating the remote controller 200. Consequently, the user does
not have to go to the trouble of opening the front surface panel of the air conditioner
100 to directly operate the wireless LAN adapter 160. Thus, the cumbersomeness of
the work for powering on the wireless LAN adapter 160 can be reduced. Furthermore,
the wireless LAN adapter 160 does not have to be equipped with a power switch, so
the configuration of the wireless LAN adapter 160 can be simplified.
[0065] In the air conditioner 100 of the present embodiment, in a case where the body control
component 152 has received the command signal relating to initial setting of the wireless
LAN adapter 160, the body control component 152 sends to the wireless LAN adapter
160 a control signal relating to the initial setting. The wireless LAN adapter 160
carries out the initial setting on the basis of the control signal.
[0066] In the air conditioner 100 of the present embodiment, the user can carry out the
initial setting of the wireless LAN adapter 160 by operating the remote controller
200. Consequently, the user does not have to go to the trouble of opening the front
surface panel of the air conditioner 100 to directly operate the wireless LAN adapter
160. Thus, the cumbersomeness of the work for doing the initial setting of the wireless
LAN adapter 160 can be reduced. Furthermore, the wireless LAN adapter 160 does not
have to be equipped with an initial setting switch, so the configuration of the wireless
LAN adapter 160 can be simplified.
[0067] In the air conditioner 100 of the present embodiment, the body electrical component
section 150 has the indicator component 154. The indicator component 154 outputs indication
relating to the air conditioning operation of the air conditioner 100 and outputs
indication relating to the operation of the wireless LAN adapter 160. That is, the
indicator component 154 is jointly used by the body control component 152 and the
wireless LAN adapter 160. The wireless LAN adapter 160 does not have to be equipped
with a separate indicator component, so the configuration of the wireless LAN adapter
160 can be simplified.
[0068] In the air conditioner 100 of the present embodiment, the wireless LAN adapter 160
is disposed adjacent to the body electrical component section 150. Consequently, the
length of the wire harness 170 can be kept from increasing.
[0069] In the air conditioner 100 of the present embodiment, the body electrical component
section 150 has the power supplying component 153 connected to the wireless LAN adapter
160. The power supplying component 153 is disposed opposite from the wireless LAN
adapter 160 across the indicator component 154. The power supplying component 153
powers on the wireless LAN adapter 160 by supplying the power-supply voltage to the
wireless LAN adapter 160 by way of the indicator component 154. That is, the wireless
LAN adapter 160 does not obtain the power-supply voltage directly from the power supplying
component 153 but obtains the power-supply voltage from the indicator component 154.
The indicator component 154 is disposed in a position closer to the wireless LAN adapter
160 than the power supplying component 153, so the length of the wire harness 170
can be kept from increasing.
[0070] In the air conditioner 100 of the present embodiment, the wireless LAN adapter 160
has the DC-DC converter 164. The DC-DC converter 164 converts the power-supply voltage
supplied from the body electrical component section 150 to a power-supply voltage
for the wireless LAN adapter. Because of this, the power-supply voltage needed by
various circuits in the wireless LAN adapter 160 can be obtained in the wireless LAN
adapter 160.
[0071] In the air conditioner 100 of the present embodiment, the wireless LAN adapter 160
is disposed in front of the indoor heat exchanger 130 and the drain pan 140 and outside
the air flow path. Consequently, the wireless LAN adapter 160 can be disposed without
lowering the air flow performance.
<Example Modifications>
[0072] Example modifications applicable to the embodiment of the invention will be described.
(1) Example Modification A
[0073] In the above description, the wireless LAN adapter 160 was disposed in front of the
indoor heat exchanger 130 and the drain pan 140, but the wireless LAN adapter 160
may also be disposed in another section provided that it is outside the air flow path.
(2) Example Modification B
[0074] In the above description, the remote controller 200 communicated with the body control
component 152 by infrared, but the remote controller 200 may also communicate with
the body control component 152 by another near-field wireless communication standard.
Examples thereof can include Bluetooth.
[0075] The invention has been described above using an embodiment, but the technical scope
of the invention is not limited to scope described in the embodiment. It will be apparent
to those skilled in the art that many changes or improvements can be made to the embodiment.
It will be apparent from the scope of the claims that embodiments to which such changes
or improvements have been made can also be included in the technical scope of the
invention.
[0076] It should be noted that the execution order of processes such as operations, sequences,
steps, and stages in devices, programs, and methods described in the scope of the
claims, the specification, and the drawings can be realized in an arbitrary order
provided that expressions such as "before" and "preceding" are not clearly indicated
and it is not the case that the output of a previous process is used in a subsequent
process. Even if an operational flow in the scope of the claims, the specification,
and the drawings has been described using expressions such as "first" and "next" as
appropriate, it does not mean that the operational flow must be implemented in this
order.