JP2005003328A - Remote control for hot water heater - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a display considering individual differences, such as age and physical functions, and to provide a remote control for hot water heaters which does not accept wrong operation by children, or the like. <P>SOLUTION: The remote control for water heaters comprises a fingerprint sensor provided at a switch operation section; a storage section for storing a plurality of personal data having fingerprint information and personal display information or reception propriety information;a selection means for selecting the personal data having fingerprint information corresponding to a fingerprint identified by the fingerprint sensor from the storage section, and taking out personal display information from the selected personal data; and a display section for performing display suited for the personal display information that is taken out. Additionally, the remote control has a control section for determining the propriety of operation reception, based on the reception propriety information. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a remote controller for a water heater, and can perform appropriate display and control based on personal information of a remote control operator.
[0002]
[Prior art]
On the front of the remote controller for a conventional water heater for remotely controlling the water heater, there is a display that displays the operating status of the water heater, the hot water temperature, etc., as well as an operation switch operating part and a temperature setting switch operating part. Has been.
[0003]
In this case, when the operation switch operation unit is operated, the operation state of the water heater is displayed on the display unit of the water heater remote control, and when the temperature setting switch operation unit is operated, the temperature display on the display unit is changed, It is possible to change or check the hot water supply temperature while viewing the temperature display. Further, when the hot water filling switch operation unit is operated, a display indicating that the hot water filling operation is in progress and the hot water filling temperature are displayed on the display unit, and the progress of the hot water filling can be confirmed.
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-49059 (FIG. 1)
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in this type of remote controller for water heaters that are sold and used by various people with individual differences in age, physical function, etc., the size and color of characters displayed on the display (hue, lightness, saturation) If there is a uniform display, it may be difficult for an elderly person or a person with incomplete color vision to visually recognize the display.
In addition, if a child mistakenly operates, there is a problem that the water heater starts and an unexpected operation such as bathing is progressed.
[0006]
The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and does not accept display in consideration of individual differences such as age and physical function, or erroneous operation by a child or the like, thereby enabling appropriate display and control. The challenge is to make this possible.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
[1]
The technical means of the present invention for solving the above problems are as follows:
`` The fingerprint sensor provided in the switch operation unit,
A storage unit for storing a plurality of personal data including fingerprint information and personal display information;
Selecting means for selecting the personal data having fingerprint information corresponding to the fingerprint identified by the fingerprint sensor from the storage unit, and extracting personal display information from the selected personal data;
It is provided with a display unit that performs display suitable for the personal display information that has been taken out.
According to the above technical means, when the remote controller operator operates the switch operation unit of the water heater remote controller, the fingerprint of the finger that contacts the switch operation unit is identified by the fingerprint sensor.
[0008]
Then, the selection means selects personal data having fingerprint information corresponding to the identified fingerprint from the storage unit, and also displays personal display information (for example, information such as a character size to be displayed and color correction) from the personal data. ). Then, the display unit performs display suitable for the extracted personal display information.
Therefore, it is possible to provide an easy-to-see display of large-sized characters and colors even for elderly people or people with incomplete color vision.
[0009]
[2]
In the above item 1,
“A personal information input unit for inputting the personal display information;
A writing operation unit that stores the fingerprint information representing the fingerprint identified by the fingerprint sensor and the personal display information input from the personal information input unit as a set of personal data in the storage unit. When the unit is operated, the fingerprint information representing the fingerprint identified by the fingerprint sensor of the switch operation unit and the personal display information input from the personal information input unit are stored in the storage unit as a set of personal data. When the switch operation unit is operated during the operation of the water heater, the item 1 is displayed based on the stored fingerprint information and personal display information.
Therefore, in this case, the user can set personal display information as necessary.
[0010]
[3]
The technical means of the present invention for solving the above problems are as follows:
`` The fingerprint sensor provided in the switch operation unit,
A storage unit for storing a plurality of personal data including fingerprint information and switch operation acceptance information;
Selecting means for selecting the personal data comprising fingerprint information corresponding to the fingerprint identified by the fingerprint sensor from the storage unit, and extracting acceptance / rejection information from the selected personal data;
And a reception permission / non-permission determining means for determining whether or not the switch operation can be accepted based on the extracted acceptance / rejection information ”.
According to the above technical means, when a fingerprint is identified by the fingerprint sensor as in the above item 1, the selecting means selects personal data having fingerprint information corresponding to the identified fingerprint from the storage unit. At the same time, acceptability information is extracted from the personal data. Then, the acceptability determination unit determines whether to accept the switch operation based on the selected acceptability information, and executes control corresponding to the operation if accepted.
[0011]
Therefore, for example, if a child's fingerprint information and switch operation acceptance refusal information are stored in the storage unit as a set of personal data, an unexpected operation such as filling a hot water due to an erroneous operation by the child can be started. Problems such as progress are eliminated.
[0012]
[Section 4]
In the above item 3,
"A personal information input unit for inputting the acceptance information,
A writing operation unit that stores the fingerprint information representing the fingerprint identified by the fingerprint sensor and the acceptability information input from the personal information input unit as a set of personal data in the storage unit. When the unit is operated, the fingerprint information representing the fingerprint identified by the fingerprint sensor of the switch operation unit and the acceptance information input from the personal information input unit are stored in the storage unit as a set of personal data.
[0013]
When the switch operation unit is operated during the operation of the water heater, the operation of the item 3 is executed based on the stored fingerprint information and acceptability information.
Therefore, in this case, the user can set acceptance / rejection information as necessary.
[0014]
【The invention's effect】
Since the present invention has the above configuration, the present invention has the following specific effects.
In the invention of item 1, since the display according to the personal display information of the operator is performed by identifying the fingerprint of the operator of the remote controller for the hot water heater, It is possible to provide an easy-to-see display of large size characters and colors.
[0015]
In the item of item 2, as described above, the user can set personal display information as necessary.
[0016]
In the invention of item 3, as described above, for example, there is no problem that the hot water supply device is started by an erroneous operation by a child and an unexpected operation such as hot water filling proceeds.
[0017]
In the invention of item 4, as described above, the user can set acceptance / rejection information as necessary.
[0018]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Next, the above-described embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
As shown in FIG. 1, on the front surface of the remote controller (1) for the water heater, an ascending operation that constitutes an operation switch operation unit (11) for turning on and off the operation switch and a temperature setting switch operation unit (14). Unit (14a) and descent operation unit (14b), bath hot water switch operation unit (12), tracking switch operation unit (13), and a registration mode operation unit operated when registering fingerprint information and the like ( 10), a writing switch operation unit (16), and a display unit (2) for displaying the operating status, hot water supply temperature A, bath temperature B, and the like. In addition, a water heater main body (3) is connected to the remote controller (1) for the water heater via a communication cable (31).
[0019]
The operation switch operation unit (11) to the temperature setting switch operation unit (14) have the same configuration. As shown in FIG. 2, the operation switch operation unit (11) to the temperature setting switch operation unit (14) have a flexible sheet (19) covered on the surface of the operation unit of the remote control case (18). The sheet-like fingerprint sensor (40) is laminated on the surface of the sheet. And the said flexible sheet | seat (19) is contacting the front-end | tip of the operating shaft (S1) of the switch main body (S) provided in the remote control case (18), and each operation switch operation is carried out with a finger (F). When the part (11) to the temperature setting switch operation part (14) are pushed, the flexible sheet (19) is bent and the operation shaft (S1) of the switch body (S) is pushed.
[0020]
As shown in FIG. 6, the control device (50) incorporated in the water heater remote control (1) includes a fingerprint sensor stacked on the operation switch operation unit (11) to the temperature setting switch operation unit (14). (40) and (40) and switch bodies (S) and (S) are connected, so that the fingerprint information identified by the fingerprint sensors (40) and (40) and the switch bodies (S) and (S) are turned on. -An OFF signal is input to the control device. The control device (50) displays the operating state, the hot water supply temperature, and the like on the display unit (20).
[0021]
The control device (50) incorporates a microcomputer for executing the operations shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, and a personal information table shown in FIG. 5 is stored in a memory serving as a storage unit of the microcomputer. Has been.
[0022]
This personal information table includes a personal number F1, a fingerprint pattern as fingerprint information F2, character size information F3 and color correction information F4 as personal display information, driving acceptance information F5, name information F6, tracking acceptance information F7, and hot water supply. Temperature range information F8 indicating a temperature setting allowable range is stored.
[0023]
FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the microcomputer when setting fingerprint information, personal display information, and the like.
When setting fingerprint information or the like, first, the registration mode operation unit (10) is operated (see step (ST1)), and then the personal number F1 is set. Specifically, the personal number F1 to be registered (displayed on the display unit (2)) increases when the ascending operation unit (14a) is operated, while the personal number to be registered when the descending operation unit (14b) is operated. F1 decreases. When the write switch operation unit (16) is operated after the personal number F1 to be registered is determined by operating the ascending operation unit (14a) and the descent operation unit (14b) as described above, the determined personal number F1 is displayed on the microcomputer. Is written in the leftmost column of the personal information table (see FIG. 5) (see step (ST2)).
[0024]
Next, writing is performed with the finger (F) in contact with any surface of the operation switch operation unit (11) to the temperature setting switch operation unit (14) provided with the fingerprint sensor (40) (see FIG. 2). When the switch operation unit (16) is operated, the fingerprint pattern of the finger (F) is written in the column of fingerprint information F2 (see step (ST3)). Next, the character size information F3 indicating whether the character size to be displayed on the display unit (2) is to be large, medium, or small by operating the ascending operation unit (14a) or the descent operation unit (14b) is selected. Thereafter, the character size information F3 is set by operating the writing switch operation unit (16) (see step (ST4)). Therefore, by setting the character size to “large” for the elderly and the like, it is possible to make the display easy to see for the elderly.
[0025]
Next, by operating the ascending operation unit (14a) or the descending operation unit (14b), the character or symbol color correction information F4 to be displayed is selected, and then the writing switch operation unit (16) is operated. The color correction information F4 is set (see step (ST5)). Specifically, when the ascending operation unit (14a) is operated once, the hue displayed on the display unit (2) is corrected from the standard hue to the blue side by one level, and when operated twice, the hue is corrected to the blue side by two levels. On the other hand, similarly, the hue is corrected from the standard hue to the red side by the same number of levels as the number of operations of the lowering operation unit (14b). When the writing switch operation unit (16) is operated after correcting the hue in this way, the color correction information F4 is set (see step (ST5)). Therefore, the hue can be corrected to an appropriate hue according to the color vision of the user.
[0026]
Next, the driving acceptance / rejection information F5 is set by operating the ascending operation part (14a) and the descending operation part (14b). Specifically, “OK”, which means that the operation of the ascending operation part (14a) is operated, is selected as “OK”, which means that the instrument operation is permitted to be accepted. When the write switch operation unit (16) is operated in this state, the driving acceptance / rejection information F5 is stored in the personal information table (see step (ST6)).
[0027]
Next, when the name information F6 is set and the write switch operation unit (16) is operated in step (ST7), the set name information F6 is stored in the personal information table. Specifically, by operating the ascending operation unit (14a) or the descending operation unit (14b), a 50-sound character is appropriately displayed on the display unit (2), and an auxiliary switch ( 58) to confirm the characters one by one, thereby setting the name information, and then operating the write switch operation unit (16).
[0028]
Next, by operating the ascending operation unit (14a) and the descending operation unit (14b), the chasing acceptance / rejection information F7 is set in the same manner as the setting operation of the above-described driving acceptance / rejection information F5 (step (ST8)). )reference).
[0029]
Finally, in step (ST9), temperature range information F8 indicating the set allowable range of the hot water supply temperature is set by operating the ascending operation part (14a) or the descending operation part (14b), and then the write switch operation part Operate (16).
In this way, each piece of information is stored individually in the personal information table shown in FIG.
[0030]
Next, the operation of the water heater remote control (1) when the operation switch operation unit (11) is operated will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
First, when it is confirmed in step (ST11) that the operation switch operation unit (11) has been operated, in step (ST12), the personal information is composed of personal number F1 to temperature range information F8 from the personal information table of FIG. The personal data is searched in the order of the personal number F1. Then, from the personal information table of FIG. 5, the personal data of the fingerprint pattern that matches the fingerprint pattern of the finger (F) that pressed the operation switch operation unit (11) (information group accompanying the specific fingerprint pattern shown in FIG. 5) Select to load this. Then, the content (name) of the name information F6 belonging to the read personal data is displayed on the display unit (2). Therefore, in the present embodiment, a microcomputer functional unit that selects personal data of a fingerprint pattern that matches the fingerprint pattern of the finger (F) that pressed the operation switch operation unit (11) from the personal information table of FIG. This corresponds to the selection means which is the specific matter of the invention described above.
[0031]
Further, when the content of the driving acceptance / non-permission information F5 of the read specific personal data is “NO” indicating acceptance refusal, it is determined that the operation is erroneous by a child or the like, and the control operation is performed without accepting the driving operation. Return to ST11) (see step (ST13)). In the present embodiment, the functional unit of the microcomputer that executes step (ST13) corresponds to the acceptability determination unit that is the above-described invention specific matter.
[0032]
On the other hand, if the content of the driving acceptance / non-permission information F5 is “OK” meaning acceptance permission, the content of the character size information F3 is determined in step (ST14), and the character size to be displayed is increased according to the content. Switching between medium and small (see steps (ST15) to (ST17)). In this case, when the content of the character size information F3 is “Large”, a large-size character or the like is displayed, and a display that can be easily recognized by the elderly can be realized.
[0033]
Next, the content of the color correction information F4 is determined in step (ST18), and the display color of the display unit (2) is corrected to the blue side or the red side according to the content, thereby the user (operating switch operation) The display unit (2) is corrected to an appropriate hue according to the color sense of the operator of the unit (11).
[0034]
Even when the hot water filling switch operation unit (12) to the temperature setting switch operation unit (14) are operated, the contents of the personal number F1 to the temperature range information F8 are read from the personal information table of FIG. The same control as described above is performed.
[0035]
Further, FIG. 4 illustrates the case where the operation switch operation unit (11) is operated. However, when the tracking switch operation unit (13) is operated, the tracking switch operation is performed in step (ST11) of FIG. It is determined whether or not the section (13) has been operated, and the content of the chasing acceptance / rejection information F7 is determined in step (ST13). Instruct the chasing operation in (3).
[0036]
Further, in the present embodiment, when the fingerprint pattern corresponding to the fingerprint identified by the fingerprint sensor (40) is not registered in the personal information table of FIG. 5, a standard stored in the microcomputer is used. Display and control operations are executed.
[0037]
In addition, in the remote controller (1) for a water heater provided with a voice notification function, if language information is additionally stored in the personal information table of FIG. 5, it is possible to perform voice notification in a language suitable for the language information.
Furthermore, according to the language information, the display unit (2) can display various displays such as kanji display, hiragana display, and English display.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of a connection state between a water heater remote control (1) and a water heater main body (3) according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a main part of a switch operation unit including a fingerprint sensor (40). Sectional view [FIG. 3] Flow chart explaining control operation [FIG. 4] Flow chart explaining control operation [FIG. 5] Explanatory diagram of personal information table [FIG. 6] Connection between control device (50) and fingerprint sensor (40), etc. Schematic diagram showing the state [Explanation of symbols]
(2): Display unit (16): Write operation unit (40): Fingerprint sensor

Claims (4)

A fingerprint sensor provided in the switch operation unit;
A storage unit for storing a plurality of personal data including fingerprint information and personal display information;
Selecting means for selecting the personal data having fingerprint information corresponding to the fingerprint identified by the fingerprint sensor from the storage unit, and extracting personal display information from the selected personal data;
A remote controller for a water heater, comprising a display unit that performs display suitable for the extracted personal display information. In the remote controller for a hot water heater according to claim 1,
A personal information input unit for inputting the personal display information;
A remote controller for a water heater, comprising a writing operation unit that stores fingerprint information representing a fingerprint identified by the fingerprint sensor and the personal display information input from the personal information input unit as a set of personal data in the storage unit. A fingerprint sensor provided in the switch operation unit;
A storage unit for storing a plurality of personal data including fingerprint information and switch operation acceptance information;
Selecting means for selecting the personal data comprising fingerprint information corresponding to the fingerprint identified by the fingerprint sensor from the storage unit, and extracting acceptance / rejection information from the selected personal data;
A remote controller for a water heater, comprising: acceptability judging means for deciding whether to accept the operation of the switch operation based on the accepted acceptability information. In the remote controller for a water heater according to claim 3,
A personal information input unit for inputting the acceptability information;
A remote controller for a water heater, comprising: a writing operation unit that stores fingerprint information representing a fingerprint identified by the fingerprint sensor and the acceptability information input from the personal information input unit as a set of personal data in the storage unit.

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