JP2000222031A - Device management system and equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable the function expansion and change of a managing device and equipment in a device management system. SOLUTION: In the device management system applied to a device provided with a controlling means controlling the operation of equipment, a managing device 1 being communicable with the controlling means and an external managing device 53 being communicable with the device 1 through a telephone line 50 are provided, and the communication function of the device 1 can be expanded by downloading a program being necessary for the device 1 to communicate with the controlling means from the device 53 to the device 1.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a device such as a sanitary washing device and a system for managing the device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-137540 has been known as a device management system (operation diagnosis device).

The device management system includes a management device (external system) that can communicate with the control means. The management device stores information necessary for diagnosing the operation (abnormality) of the device from a memory of the control means. The information processing apparatus includes an information read command unit that instructs the control unit to read and transmit the read data to the management device, and a diagnosis unit that receives information from the control unit and diagnoses the operation of the device.

[0004]

However, this device management system still has some problems for practical use.

[0005] The present invention relates to a device management system,
A first object is to extend the functions of the management device.

A second object of the present invention is to extend or change the function of a device in a device management system.

According to the present invention, in a device management system applied to a device having control means for controlling the operation of the device, a management device capable of communicating with the control means and a management device capable of communicating with the management device via a telephone line are provided. An external management device is provided, and the communication function of the management device is extended by downloading a program required for the management device to communicate with the control unit from the external management device to the management device.

In a preferred embodiment, the management device instructs the control device to read out information necessary for diagnosing the operation or abnormality of the device from the memory of the control device and transmit the information to the management device. In addition to having information reading instruction means and diagnosing means for receiving information from the control means and diagnosing the operation of the device, the program can be the information reading instruction means.

Preferably, the management device stores the program in a nonvolatile memory.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a device management system including a device having control means for controlling the operation of the device, and an external management device capable of communicating with the control means via a telephone line. By downloading a predetermined program from the external management device to the control means via a telephone line, the function of the device is extended or changed.

In a preferred embodiment, the device includes an operation unit for instructing execution of various functions provided in the device, and the control unit executes various functions based on instructions from the operation unit. The program can change the type of function that can be executed in accordance with an instruction from the operation unit.

Preferably, the control means stores the program in a nonvolatile memory.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided control means for executing various functions provided in a device, an apparatus provided with an operation unit for instructing the control means to execute the function, and communication with the control means. In a device management system including a possible external management device, by transmitting a predetermined signal from the external management device to the control unit, the type of function executable by an instruction of the operation unit is changed. , Device functions are extended and changed.

As a preferred embodiment, the external management device can transmit a predetermined signal to the control means via a telephone line.

The predetermined signal may be constituted by a program for executing a function, or the control means may have a predetermined program, and when the predetermined signal is received, the program may function effectively. Is also good.

In another preferred embodiment, when the type of function is changed by receiving a predetermined signal, the control unit can return to the function type before the change after a predetermined time has elapsed.

As still another preferred embodiment, when a predetermined signal is received, the control means can change the type of switch for which operation on the operation unit is valid.

More specifically, a specific switch is provided which is not effective before receiving a predetermined signal, but is effective after receiving a predetermined signal. A notation indicating a function to be executed by the operation can be pasted or the operation unit is a touch panel type, and the control unit changes a type of a switch displayed on the touch panel when a predetermined signal is received. May be configured.

The equipment described above is preferably a household equipment, particularly a sanitary washing device.

[0020]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a device management system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The management device 1 includes an operation unit 11 including various operation switches, an information read command unit 12, a transmission unit 13, a reception unit 14, a diagnosis unit 15, and a display unit 16.
The information reading instruction means 12 includes an operation instruction means 17.

The management device 1 includes a signal line 18
The water heater 20 and the sanitary washing device 30 are connected via a, 18b, 19a and 19b.
And a display unit 22. The sanitary washing device 30 includes a microcomputer 31 and a display unit 32.

The operation of such a device management system will be described with reference to FIGS. 2, when the sanitary washing device diagnosis SW in the operation unit 11 is turned on (step S1), the management device 1 reads a sanitary washing device diagnosis program (step S2).
1 is turned on (step S
3), the water heater diagnosis program is read (step S4).

FIG. 3 shows a sanitary washing device diagnosis program. First, when the diagnosis start SW is turned on (step S).
11), a drying ON command signal and a heater temperature request command signal are transmitted to the sanitary washing device 30 (step S12,
13).

As shown in FIG. 4, when the microcomputer 21 of the sanitary washing device 30 receives these command signals (step S21), the buzzer sounds once long (step S2).
2) The display section 32 blinks "under inspection" on the display (step S23), and drives the heater and fan (not shown) to start the drying operation (step S24).

When a predetermined data transmission timing comes (step S25), a heater temperature detection signal is transmitted to the management device 1 (step S26) to stop the operation of the heater and the fan and to shorten the buzzer by two seconds. The sound is turned off (step S27), and the display on the display unit 32 is returned to the lighting display of the current time (step S28).

Returning to FIG. 3, when the management device 1 receives the detection signal of the heater temperature (step S14), it analyzes the failure based on the heater temperature (step S1).
5) If it is determined that the heater temperature sensor (not shown) is faulty (step S16), the display unit 16 displays "heater temperature sensor fault" (step S17).

On the other hand, if it is not determined that the heater temperature sensor is out of order, the display section 16 displays "Search for another cause" (step S18).

The above is an example of diagnosis of the sanitary washing device 30, but the same processing is performed on the water heater 20 when the water heater diagnosis program is read out by turning on the water heater diagnosis SW in FIG. be able to.

FIG. 5 shows a communication mode according to the present embodiment. That is, the external management device 53 is connected to the management device 1 via the telephone line 50, the modem 51, and the domestic cable 52.

A diagnostic program A as shown in FIG. 3 is downloaded from the external management device 53 to the management device 1. As a result, the communication function of the management device 1 is expanded, so that the management device 1 can be configured by a general-purpose device such as a home personal computer. Since the diagnostic program A is stored in the non-volatile memory 1a provided in the management device 1, the storage is continued even after the power of the management device 1 is turned off.

FIG. 6 shows another embodiment according to the present invention. That is, the water heater 20 and the sanitary washing device 30
, An external management device 53 is connected via a telephone line 50, a modem 51, and home cables 54 and 55.

The following move program B is downloaded from the external management device 53 to the sanitary washing device 30. Thereby, the function of the sanitary washing device 30 is extended based on the move program B. Since the move program B is stored in the non-volatile memory 30a provided in the sanitary washing device 30, the storing is continued even after the power of the sanitary washing device 30 is turned off.

The sanitary washing device 30 includes a remote controller 33, and the remote controller 33 includes a cleaning switch 34, a drying switch 35, and a stop switch 36.

Based on such a move program B,
The control flow of the microcomputer 31 of the sanitary washing device 30 will be described below. It goes without saying that the processing of the sanitary washing device 30 described below is performed in the same manner for the water heater 20.

First, FIG. 7 shows a main flow of the microcomputer 31. It is confirmed whether the move program B is stored in the nonvolatile memory 30a (step S31), and if it is, the move program B is executed (step S3).
2) If not stored, the normal program C is executed (step S33).

FIG. 8 shows a flow of the normal program C.
When the cleaning switch 34 is pressed (step S41), cleaning is started (step S42), and when the stop switch 36 is pressed (step S43), cleaning is stopped (step S4).
4).

Here, the sanitary washing device 30 is provided with a solenoid valve and a nozzle (not shown).
The term “control” means a control in which an electromagnetic valve in the middle of the flow path is opened to discharge water from the nozzle hole toward the buttocks and the like.

FIG. 9 shows the flow of the move program B. When the cleaning switch 34 is pressed (step S5).
1), cleaning is started (step S52), and after that, the cleaning switch 34 is kept pressed for a predetermined time (step S53).
The move is started (step S54).

Here, the sanitary washing device 30 is provided with a motor (not shown), and "move" refers to control for swinging the nozzle back and forth by the driving force of the motor.

Subsequently, when the cleaning switch 34 is pressed during the move (step S55), the move is stopped (step S55).
56) Then, when the stop switch 36 is pressed (step S5).
7) Washing is stopped (step S58).

The above is an example in which the move program B is downloaded in FIG. 6, but the same control can be performed by downloading the release signal D.

A control flow of the microcomputer 31 of the sanitary washing device 30 based on such a release signal D will be described below.

First, FIG. 10 shows a main flow of the microcomputer 31, in which the release signal D transmitted from the external management device is
It is confirmed whether or not the program is stored in the nonvolatile memory 30a (step S61).
The move switch 37 is enabled (steps S62 and S6).
3) If not stored, the move program B and the move switch 37 are invalidated (steps S64 and S6).
5).

The validity / invalidity of the move switch 37 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 11 shows a specific example of the remote controller 33 of the sanitary washing device 30. As the hard switches, the washing switch 34 and the drying switch 3 are provided.
5. A stop switch 36 is provided.

The upper part of FIG. 11 shows an example in which the move switch 37 is invalid, and the switch 37 on the right of the stop switch 36 has no function even if pressed.

On the other hand, the lower part of FIG. 11 shows an example in which the move switch 37 is effective. The switch 37 functions as a move switch, and when the switch 37 is pressed as described later, the move program B is executed. In this case, in order to determine that the switch 37 is functioning as a move switch, a seal 37a labeled "Move" is attached to the surface of the switch 37.

Next, FIG. 12 also shows a specific example of the remote controller 33 of the sanitary washing device 30.
Cleaning switch 34, drying switch 35, stop switch 36
It has.

The upper part of FIG. 12 shows an example in which the move switch 37 is invalid, and no switch corresponding to the move switch 37 exists.

On the other hand, the lower part of FIG. 12 is an example in which the move switch 37 is effective, and the move switch 37 is displayed.

Returning to FIG. 10, after the move program B and the move switch 37 are validated, the move switch 3
When 7 is pressed (step S66), the move program B is executed (step S67).

Subsequently, if one week has passed since the reception of the release signal D transmitted from the external management device (after storage in the nonvolatile memory 30a) (step S68), the storage is performed in the nonvolatile memory 30a. The canceled release signal D is deleted (step S69), and the process ends.

The contents of the move program B executed in step S67 are shown in FIG. 13. First, it is confirmed whether or not the cleaning is being performed (step S71). If the cleaning is being performed, the move is started (step S72). Then, if the move switch 37 is pressed (step S73), the move is stopped (step S74). To

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a device management system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows a process performed by the management apparatus 1 according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a sanitary washing device diagnosis process of the management device 1 according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a process performed by the sanitary washing device 30 according to the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an example via the telephone line 50 in the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a device management system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 shows processing of the sanitary washing device 30 in the embodiment.

FIG. 8 shows a normal program process of the sanitary washing device 30 in the embodiment.

FIG. 9 shows a move program process of the sanitary washing device 30 in the embodiment.

FIG. 10 shows another processing of the sanitary washing device 30 in the embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a remote controller 33 (hard switch) of the sanitary washing device 30 in the embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a remote controller 33 (touch panel switch) of the sanitary washing device 30 in the embodiment.

FIG. 13 shows a move program process of the sanitary washing device 30 in the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Management apparatus, 11 ... Operation part, 12 ... Information reading instruction means, 13 ... Transmission means, 14 ... Receiving means, 15 ... Diagnosis means, 16 ... Display part, 17 ... Operation instruction means, 18a, 18
b, 19a, 19b ... signal line, 20 ... water heater, 20a ...
Non-volatile memory, 21: microcomputer, 22: display unit, 30
... sanitary washing device, 30a ... nonvolatile memory, 31 ... microcomputer, 33 ... remote controller, 34 ... washing switch, 35 ... drying switch, 36 ... stop switch, 37 ... move switch, 50 ... telephone line, 51 ... modem, 52 ... Central control device, 53 ... External management device, 54, 55 ... Home cable

Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Tsutomu Harada 2-1-1 Nakajima, Kokurakita-ku, Kitakyushu-shi, Fukuoka Inside Totoki Equipment Co., Ltd. (72) Kenichiro Nakao 2-1-1 Nakajima, Kokurakita-ku, Kitakyushu-shi, Fukuoka No. 1 F-term (reference) in TOTO Kiki Co., Ltd. 5H220 BB12 CC09 FF02 GG03 GG04 HH08 JJ03 JJ12 JJ26 JJ28 KK08 5H223 AA11 CC03 CC08 DD03 DD07 DD09 EE02 EE06 EE19

Claims (21)

[Claims] 1. A device management system applied to a device having a control means for controlling the operation of the device, wherein the management device is communicable with the control means, and is communicable with the management device via a telephone line. A device management system comprising an external management device, wherein the external management device downloads a program required for the management device to communicate with the control means from the external management device to the management device. 2. Information for instructing the control unit to read information necessary for diagnosing an operation or abnormality of a device from a memory of the control unit and to transmit the information to the management device. 2. A read instruction unit, and a diagnostic unit that receives information from the control unit and diagnoses the operation of the device, and the program is the information read instruction unit or the diagnostic unit. 3. Equipment management system. 3. The device management system according to claim 1, wherein the management device stores the program in a nonvolatile memory. 4. A device management system comprising: a device having control means for controlling the operation of the device; and an external management device capable of communicating with the control means via a telephone line. And a device management system in which a predetermined program is downloaded to the control means via a telephone line. 5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the device includes an operation unit for instructing execution of various functions provided in the device, and the control unit executes the various functions based on instructions from the operation unit. 5. The device management system according to claim 4, wherein the program changes a type of the function that can be executed according to an instruction of the operation unit. 6. The device management system according to claim 4, wherein the control unit stores the program in a nonvolatile memory. 7. A control unit for executing various functions provided in the device, a device including an operation unit for instructing the control unit to execute the function, an external management device communicable with the control unit, A device management system comprising: a device configured to transmit a predetermined signal from the external management device to the control unit, thereby changing a type of the function executable according to an instruction of the operation unit. Management system. 8. The external management device transmits the predetermined signal to the control unit via a telephone line.
The device management system described. 9. The device management system according to claim 7, wherein the predetermined signal is a program for executing the function. 10. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the control means has a predetermined program, and upon receiving the predetermined signal, activates the program to change the type of the function. Management system. 11. The method according to claim 7, wherein, when the type of the function is changed by receiving the predetermined signal, the control unit returns the function type before the change after a lapse of a predetermined time. The device management system according to any one of the above. 12. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the control unit changes a type of a switch that is effective in operating the operation unit when the predetermined signal is received. Management system. 13. The operation unit includes a specific switch that is not activated before receiving the predetermined signal and is activated after receiving the predetermined signal. 13. The device management system according to claim 12, wherein a notation indicating a function to be executed by the operation after is activated can be pasted. 14. The operation unit according to claim 12, wherein the operation unit is a touch panel type, and the control unit changes a type of a switch displayed on the touch panel when the predetermined signal is received. Equipment management system. 15. The device management system according to claim 1, wherein the device is a house facility device. 16. The device management system according to claim 15, wherein the device is a sanitary washing device. 17. An apparatus provided with control means for controlling operation of the apparatus, wherein the control means is capable of communicating with an external management device via a telephone line and from the external management device via the telephone line. A device that can receive the downloaded program. 18. The apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said control means stores said program in a nonvolatile memory. 19. A device provided with control means for executing various functions provided in the device and an operation unit for instructing the control means to execute the function, wherein the control means inputs a predetermined signal from outside. Then, the type of the function that can be executed is changed in accordance with an instruction from the operation unit, and the apparatus is characterized in that the function is changed. 20. A housing equipment device according to claim 17.
The device according to any one of the above. 21. The device according to claim 20, which is a sanitary washing device.