JP2000184472A - Remote control device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a remote control device which can inexpensively and arbitrarily select a voice message written in a different language in accordance with the service environment and the race of the user. SOLUTION: In a remote control device provided with such a function that stores plural voice messages and outputs the operated state of an inputting means and the operating state of equipment to be controlled, plural voice messages written in different languages are prestored as voice messages. Then the language used for writing the voice message outputted from the remote control device is selected by operating the inputting means in a prescribed way and, thereafter, the message written in the selected language is outputted.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a remote control device, and more particularly, to a remote control device in which a voice message is output in response to a switch operation or the like, in which the language of the voice message is changed posteriorly and arbitrarily. About.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, in a remote control device for a water heater, a constant input operation is performed on switches (input means) of the remote controller, or the temperature and amount of hot water supplied from the water heater are controlled. When the temperature or the amount of water set by the remote control device is reached, the content of the input operation, the hot water supply status, and the like are output to the outside of the device as a voice message.

FIG. 3 shows an example of a schematic configuration of such a remote controller. The remote control device shown here has input means a composed of a switch group for inputting various operations of the remote control device, and remote control control means b composed of a microcomputer for controlling the operation of each section of the remote control device. Speech synthesis I that stores various voice messages
Cc, an audio amplifier circuit d for amplifying the audio signal output from the audio synthesis ICc, and a speaker e for outputting the amplified audio signal as an audio message to the outside of the apparatus.

In such a remote control device, when a certain switch operation (for example, an operation for instructing automatic operation of the water heater) is performed by the input means a, the content of the input operation is first transmitted to the remote control unit b. Is transmitted. Then, in order to operate the water heater according to the input content, the remote control unit b having received the input operation outputs an operation command corresponding to the input operation to the control unit of the water heater, and In order to output a voice message corresponding to the operation to the outside of the apparatus, a voice message corresponding to the input operation (for example, a message such as "I will add hot water") is selected for the voice synthesis ICc. An instruction (reproduction instruction) for reproducing is output.

[0005] Thereby, the water heater starts the hot water supply operation as instructed by the remote control device, while the remote control device selects and reproduces the voice message corresponding to the sounding instruction in the voice synthesis ICc. The reproduced analog audio signal is output as an audio message to the outside of the apparatus via the audio amplifier circuit d and the speaker e. Also, when the hot water supply operation is performed on the water heater side as instructed above, the fact is transmitted from the control unit of the water heater to the remote control means b. And playback of a voice message (for example, a message such as "The bath has boiled.") Indicating the completion of.

In FIG. 3, reference numeral f designates display means for displaying the set hot water supply temperature set by the input means a and the operating state of the water heater in a visually confirmable state, and reference numeral g. Indicates a power supply of the remote control device.

[0007]

However, in such a conventional remote control device, since the language of the output voice message is limited to Japanese, the water heater equipped with the remote control device is exclusively used in Japan. There was a restriction that only sale was possible. Moreover, even if such a water heater is sold in Japan, for example, foreigners who do not understand Japanese do not need to use voice messages in Japanese, and sales of these water heaters are effectively restricted. There was also the problem of being done.

On the other hand, in consideration of the export of products, the race of the user, etc., a remote control device in which voice messages corresponding to respective languages are individually stored is manufactured.
There were also problems such as a decrease in production efficiency and an increase in production cost.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned conventional problems, and has as its object to provide a low-cost voice message in a different language depending on the use environment and the race of the user. Is to provide a remote control device that can arbitrarily select and output the same.

[0010]

In order to achieve the above object, a remote controller according to a first aspect of the present invention stores a plurality of voice messages, as well as an operation state of an input unit and a state of a controlled device. In a remote control device having a function of outputting an operation state as a voice message, a voice message in a plurality of different languages is stored as the voice message, and a language of the voice message to be output is determined by a predetermined operation on the input unit. Switching is performed.

That is, according to the first aspect of the present invention, while a message in a plurality of different languages is stored as a voice message stored in a remote controller, the language of the stored voice message is determined by a predetermined operation on an input means. Since the selection is possible, the operator of the remote control device or the user can easily perform the predetermined operation on the input means to easily use the remote control device in an environment (for example, in Japan or a foreign country, In addition, the language of the output voice message can be switched and used depending on which language is used in a foreign country.

At this time, the predetermined operation for switching the language of the voice message to be output includes, for example, a specific operation (for example, a predetermined time period of a specific switch for a certain switch operation) on various switches (input means) provided in the remote controller. Such as long press, simultaneous press of two or more designated switches, or DIP switch operation which is not used for normal remote control operation (operation required for remote control of controlled equipment). An operation method in which the user does not mistakenly switch languages by remote control operation is suitably adopted.

Further, the invention described in claim 2 of the present invention has a function of storing a plurality of voice messages and outputting the operation status of the input means and the operation state of the controlled device as voice messages. A remote control device having two operation modes, a remote control mode for remotely controlling an operation state of a controlled device and a remote control setting mode for performing various settings of the remote control device, wherein the voice message includes And the operation mode is switched to a remote control setting mode by a predetermined operation on the input means, and in this state, the language of the voice message is switched by a normal operation on the input means. It is characterized by.

That is, the invention according to claim 2 is the case where the remote control device is provided with a remote control setting mode (so-called back operation mode) for performing various settings of the remote control device. Is performed under the remote control setting mode as a part of the setting of the remote control device. Therefore, in the invention according to the second aspect, when performing the language switching, first, a predetermined operation is requested as the operation mode switching operation, and after the operation mode switching (remote control setting mode)
, A language is selected by an operation similar to a normal remote control operation.

That is, in this case, a predetermined operation different from a normal remote control operation is requested only when the operation mode of the remote control device is switched, and after the operation mode is switched, it is assigned to each switch key in the remote control setting mode. According to the contents of the key operation, a language is selected by a normal switch operation.

Further, the invention described in claim 3 of the present invention has a function of storing a plurality of voice messages and outputting the operation status of the input means and the operation state of the controlled device as voice messages. In a remote control device having two operation modes, a remote control mode for remotely controlling an operation state of a controlled device and a remote control setting mode for performing various settings of the remote control device, the power supply of the controlled device is turned on. Thereafter, when the normal operation on the input means is performed within a predetermined time, the operation mode is switched to the remote control setting mode. In this state, the normal operation on the input means is further performed to switch the language of the voice message. It is characterized by being performed. Preferably, as described in claim 4, when a normal operation on the input means is not performed within the predetermined time, a voice message in a predetermined language preset as the voice message is selected. It is characterized by the following.

That is, the invention according to claim 3 is a case where the remote control device is provided with a remote control setting mode (so-called back operation mode) for performing various settings of the remote control device. After the power is turned on, the operation mode of the remote control device is switched to the remote control setting mode on condition that the normal operation on the input means is performed within a predetermined time. After the mode is switched to the remote control setting mode, the language of the voice message is switched by performing a normal operation on the input means in accordance with the contents of the switch operation assigned to each switch key in the remote control setting mode. It is.

If no operation is performed on the input means within the predetermined time, it is assumed that a predetermined language set in advance is selected, and a sound is issued in accordance with a subsequent remote control operation or the like. The voice message to be sent is performed in the predetermined language set in advance.

The above "different languages" include a case where a message is expressed in an expression other than a standard language such as a dialect.

[0020]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A case where a remote controller according to the present invention is applied to a remote controller of a water heater will be described below in detail with reference to FIGS.

Embodiment 1 FIG. 1 schematically shows a connection state of a water heater 1 and remote control devices 2 and 3 thereof and a hot water supply path of the water heater 1, and the remote control devices 2 and 3 each have a bathroom. 1 shows a bathroom remote control 2 installed in the inside and a kitchen remote control 3 installed in a place other than the bathroom (for example, a kitchen or a living room). Reference numeral 4 denotes a communication line connecting the water heater 1 to the remote controllers 2 and 3, and reference numeral 5 denotes a hot water supply pipe connecting the water heater 1 to the bathtub 6, the shower 7, and the like.

The remote controllers 2 and 3 shown in FIG.
Are configured to output a voice message as described above. Specifically, remote control devices 2 and 3
Is a configuration provided in a conventional remote control device having an audio output function, that is, an input means including various switches (reference numerals 81 to 81 in FIG. 1), as described with reference to FIG.
85) a remote control controller composed of a microcomputer, a voice synthesis IC for storing a plurality of voice messages as digital information, and a voice amplification circuit for amplifying an analog signal reproduced by the voice synthesis IC; A speaker (reference numeral 10 in FIG. 1) for outputting the signal amplified by the audio amplifier circuit as an audio output to the outside of the apparatus, and furthermore, the remote controller controls the voice message stored in the voice synthesis IC. Software to be selected in accordance with the operation state of the input means 8, the operation state of the water heater 1, and the like are stored. Therefore, parts not particularly shown in the present embodiment are the same as those of the conventional remote control device, and the following description focuses on the configuration unique to the present invention. In addition,
In FIG. 1, reference numeral 11 denotes a power cord of the water heater 1, and reference numeral 12 denotes an insertion plug provided on the power cord.

That is, according to the present invention, the I
When the voice message is stored in C, each voice message to be stored (for example, a message of "I will make a hot water bath.") Is stored in a plurality of different languages such as Japanese, English, and Chinese. When outputting each voice message, each voice message is output in one specific language set in advance among these languages.

Specifically, an operator or a user of the remote control devices 2 and 3 performs a language selection operation using the input means of the remote control devices 2 and 3, so that a specific one of the above-mentioned software is displayed. The language is selected, and in subsequent operations, the software is configured to play only the voice message stored in the selected one specific language.

The operation of selecting a language on this software will be described below. In the description of the language selection operation, the outline of the input means 8 and the display means 9 of the remote control devices 2 and 3 shown in FIG.

The bathroom remote controller 2 includes, as an input means 8, an automatic bath switch 81 for starting automatic pouring of water into the bathtub 6.
A hot / warm switch 82 for slightly raising and lowering the temperature of hot and cold water in the bathtub 6; a hot water supply temperature setting switch 83 for raising and lowering the hot water supply temperature;
The operation / priority switch which combines the priority switch for validating the setting with the bathroom remote control 2 and the operation switch for instructing the start of the hot water supply operation with priority over the hot water supply temperature set by the remote control device other than the bathroom remote control 2 as shown in FIG. 84 and a call switch 85 for generating a ringing sound to another remote control device. The kitchen remote controller 3 includes an operation switch 86 for starting a hot water supply operation, in addition to the bath automatic switch 81, a hot water supply temperature setting switch 83, and a call switch 85.

The two remote controllers 2 and 3 serve as display means 9 for indicating that a temperature display section 91 for displaying a hot water supply set temperature and the like and that the priority operation by the operation / priority switch 84 is being performed. Priority display section 9 to be displayed
2 and a combustion display unit 93 for displaying that the water heater 1 is performing a combustion operation.

The operation of selecting a language in the remote control device (particularly, the bathroom remote control 2 in the following description) having the input means 8 and the display means 9 as described above will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

(1) Mode switching operation: First, the input means 8 of the remote controller 2 functions as a switch for remote control of the water heater 1 in a normal state. Therefore, when a language selection operation is performed by operating these input means 8, first, the operation of switching the functions of these input means 8 from a normal operation mode (remote operation mode) to a remote control setting mode for inputting various settings of the remote control device. Is performed (step S1 in FIG. 2).

More specifically, as this mode switching operation,
For example, within 10 minutes after turning on the power of the water heater 1, the "よ う" position (up switch) of the bath operation / priority switch 84 and the hot water temperature setting switch 83 is simultaneously pressed for 5 seconds or more, so that the normal remote control operation is not performed. The mode is switched by performing a predetermined operation.

(2) Language selection operation: When the bathroom remote controller 2 shifts to the remote control setting mode by the above operation, a specific language is selected next.

Here, the languages to be selected are the languages stored in the speech synthesis IC in advance. In the example shown in FIG. 2, there are four languages: Japanese, English, Chinese and other languages. Voice messages are stored. For this reason, in the present embodiment, in the remote control setting mode, the plurality of languages (XX word specification) can be sequentially selected by, for example, up / down operation of the hot water supply temperature setting switch 83 (FIG. 2, step S2). -1 to S2-3
reference).

Specifically, the hot water supply temperature setting switch 8
By repeatedly pressing the up key or the down key of No. 3, the selected language is selected in the order of Japanese, English and Chinese. At this time, in parallel with the up / down operation of the hot water supply temperature setting switch 83, the currently selected language is displayed on the display means 9 in a state where it can be visually confirmed.

In the display at the time of this selection, for example, an individual number is assigned to each language, and
It is preferable that the number corresponding to the currently selected language is displayed on the temperature display section 91 by sequentially operating the hot water supply temperature setting switch 83 up or down.

Therefore, the user visually checks the number display by operating the hot water supply temperature setting switch 83 so that the number corresponding to the language desired by the user is displayed on the temperature display section 91 while checking the number display. It is possible to select a language while doing so. Along with this language selection operation, for example, it is also possible to actually output a voice message from the speaker 10 in the currently selected language, and to confirm the language of the selected voice message by listening in parallel with visual observation. It is possible.

(3) Determining operation of the selected language: When the language is selected in this way, the selected language is subsequently determined, and only the voice message of the selected language is transmitted to the software. An operation to input a command to be output is performed (see steps S3-1 to S3-4 in FIG. 2).

More specifically, this operation is performed in the same manner as the mode switching operation, for example, by the hot water supply temperature setting switch 83.
Is performed by a predetermined operation which is not performed by a normal switch operation, such as simultaneously pressing the up switch and the down switch for two seconds or more. When the language is determined, it is preferable to make the user recognize that the language has been selected, for example, by using a buzzer function or the like built in the bathroom remote controller 2 to generate an alarm sound.

As described above, according to the present invention, the user can easily and arbitrarily change the language of the voice message to his / her own preference by operating the input means 8 of the remote control devices 2 and 3. Language can be changed.

Embodiment 2 Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the mode switching operation performed in the first embodiment is performed as follows.

That is, in this embodiment, the transition to the remote control setting mode is performed on condition that the normal operation on the input means 8 is performed within a predetermined time after the water heater 1 is turned on.

More specifically, in the remote control devices 2 and 3 of this embodiment, the plug 12 of the water heater 1 is inserted into an outlet (not shown) of a commercial power supply, or the plug 12 is inserted into the outlet and not shown. When the power is turned on to the water heater 1 such as by turning on the power breaker, the remote control devices 2 and 3 operate for a predetermined period of time (for example, one minute to several minutes) from this time. It is configured to shift to the remote control setting mode on condition that a normal remote control operation is performed on the input means 8.

Therefore, when the language of the voice message is selected at the beginning of the installation of the water heater 1, or when the user desires to switch the language of the voice message after the installation, the power is turned on or off, respectively. ,
Since the transition operation to the remote control setting mode is accepted only for a predetermined time from this point in time, the user or the like can set a predetermined time such as the bath automatic switch 81 provided in the remote control devices 2 and 3 within the predetermined time. By operating the switch, the operation mode of each of the remote control devices 2 and 3 can be shifted to the remote control setting mode.

After the remote control devices 2 and 3 are shifted to the remote control setting mode by such operations, a language selection operation and a selected language confirmation operation are performed as in the first embodiment.

The predetermined time set in this embodiment is appropriately set longer according to, for example, the time required for inserting plug 12 into the outlet of the commercial power supply and moving to the installation location of remote controllers 2 and 3. It is preferable to set within the range not too much, and after power on,
The switch operation for shifting to the remote control setting mode is preferably performed by excluding a switch for switching the operation of the remote control devices 2 and 3 on and off, such as the operation switch 86, for example.

Preferably, if no switch operation is performed on the input means 8 within the predetermined time, a voice message in a predetermined language set in advance is automatically selected. In this case, it is preferable that the language automatically selected is the native language of the place where the remote control devices 2 and 3 are used.

The above-described embodiment merely shows a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to this, and various design changes can be made within the scope.

(1) For example, in the above embodiment, when selecting a language, the switches 81 to 81 of the remote control devices 2 and 3 are selected.
The method of selecting a language by shifting to the back operation mode (remote control setting mode) by operating the button 85 has been described. However, a dedicated dip switch or the like is provided in the main body control unit or the remote control unit, and the language selection is performed by this operation Or do
Alternatively, it is also possible to provide a jumper line on the base wiring and to input the identification data by connecting the jumper line or the like.

(2) In the above embodiment, the case where the voice synthesizing IC is used to store the voice message has been described. However, the voice message is not limited to the voice synthesizing IC but may be stored and reproduced by another configuration. It is also possible to make it.

(3) In the above embodiment, Japanese, English, Chinese and the like are shown as examples of different languages. However, it is needless to say that other languages such as French and Italian can be used. Yes, and even in Japanese, it is possible to switch between a standard language and a dialect.

(4) Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the selected language is displayed on the display means 9 by a number. However, it is of course possible to display the selected language by a symbol other than the number. The details of the input operation by the input means 8 can also be changed as appropriate.

[0051]

As described above in detail, according to the remote controller of the present invention, a function of storing a plurality of voice messages and outputting the operation status of the input means and the operation status of the controlled device as voice messages. In the remote control device including, as the voice message, while storing voice messages in a plurality of different languages,
Since the language of the output voice message is switched by a predetermined operation on the input means, the language of the voice message output from the remote control device can be selected later and arbitrarily.

Therefore, the voice message can be changed on site after the remote control device is installed, and it is not necessary to manufacture the remote control device for each language individually when manufacturing the device. Since the voice message storage means can easily store many messages, the manufacturing cost of the apparatus can be kept low.

Further, according to the present invention, since the language is selected by a predetermined operation, the language can be easily selected. In addition, by using a special operation different from the daily remote control operation, the wrong operation can be performed. Thus, the language setting can be prevented from being changed.

When the remote control device has two operation modes, a remote control mode for remotely controlling the operation state of the controlled device and a remote control setting mode for making various settings of the remote control device, the input means The operation mode is switched to the remote control setting mode on condition that the input device is operated within a predetermined time after the predetermined operation of the control device or the power supply of the controlled device is turned on. As a result, the voice message is switched, so that after selecting the remote control setting mode, a complicated operation is not required, and the language can be easily selected.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an outline of a connection state between a water heater and a remote controller and a hot water supply pipe in a remote control device for a water heater according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a procedure for selecting a language of the remote controller of the water heater according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a remote controller of a conventional water heater.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Hot-water supply device (controlled apparatus) 2 Bathroom remote control (remote control device) 3 Kitchen remote control (remote control device) 6 Bathtub 7 Shower 8, a Switch group (input means) 9, f Display means b Remote control control section c Voice synthesis IC 10 , E speaker

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing from the front page (72) Inventor Tadahiko Oshio 93, Edocho, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture Inside (72) Inventor Tadashi Matsubara 93 Edocho, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo Noritz Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Kenken Kubotani 93, Edo-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture Inside Noritz Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Nobuyuki Inoue 93, Edo-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture Noritsu Co., Ltd. (72) Invention Person Masatsugu Yano 93 Edocho, Chuo-ku, Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture Inside Noritz Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Yasuyuki Takeda 93 Edocho, Chuo-ku, Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture Inside Noritsu Co., Ltd. 93 Noritsu, Edo-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe (72) Inventor Hiroki Yoshino 93, Edo-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo Tsunai (72) Inventor Tetsuji Yamamoto 93 Edo-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture Inside Noritz Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Hironobu Fujii 93 Edo-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe City, Hyogo F-term (reference) 5D045 AA07 AB01 AB21 5K048 AA04 BA14 EB13 EB14 9A001 BB04 BB06 HH18 HH34 KK31 KK55 KZ32

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A remote control device having a function of storing a plurality of voice messages and outputting an operation status of an input means and an operation state of a controlled device as a voice message, wherein the voice message includes a plurality of different languages. A remote control device for storing a voice message, and switching a language of the output voice message by a predetermined operation on the input means. 2. A remote control device having a function of storing a plurality of voice messages and outputting an operation state of an input means and an operation state of a controlled device as a voice message, wherein the remote control device has an operation state of the controlled device. In one having two operation modes of a remote control mode for remote control and a remote control setting mode for performing various settings of a remote control device, wherein as the voice message, a voice message in a plurality of different languages is stored, An operation mode is switched to a remote control setting mode by a predetermined operation on the input means, and in this state, the language of the voice message is switched by a normal operation on the input means. 3. A remote control device having a function of storing a plurality of voice messages and outputting an operation status of an input means and an operation state of a controlled device as a voice message. A remote control mode for performing remote control and a remote control setting mode for performing various settings of a remote control device, wherein a voice message in a plurality of different languages is stored as the voice message. After the control device is turned on, the operation mode is switched to the remote control setting mode by performing a normal operation on the input means within a predetermined time. In this state, the normal operation on the input means is further performed, and the voice message of the voice message is transmitted. Remote control device characterized by language switching 4. The voice message according to claim 3, wherein a voice message in a predetermined language set in advance is selected as the voice message when a normal operation on the input unit is not performed within the predetermined time. Remote control device.