JP2000312393A - Remote controller - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent deterioration in luminance due to burning of screen by providing a screen protective function to a remote controller for a hot-water supply unit. SOLUTION: In the remote controller where a screen of a display section is configured by arranging a plurality of fluorescent display tubes in which light emission sections are formed with dots longitudinally and laterally, in the case the display of the same contents on the screen continues for a prescribed time, putout areas (x) formed like longitudinal strips are set on the screen ahd the putout areas (x) are moved as time elapses to prevent burning of the fluorescent tubes. In this case, the putout areas (x) is selected to have a size by which characters and graphics being displayed can be legible even when the putout areas (x) are secularly moved.

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 for remotely controlling a water heater and its peripheral devices, and a screen of the remote control device having a fluorescent display tube on a display unit. Regarding protection technology.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, various remote control devices for remotely controlling a water heater have been proposed. Such remote control devices usually include at least various operation switches for remotely controlling a water heater and these hot water heaters. A display unit is provided for displaying various information such as the operation status of the container and the operation status of the operation switch.

[0003] As a display unit of such a remote control device, for example, a display lamp (for example, a light emitting diode) for displaying whether or not a water heater is operating by turning on / off.
And a 7-segment light-emitting display unit (a 7-segment light-emitting diode or a 7-segment fluorescent display tube) in which a hot water supply temperature, a bath water temperature, and a failure display of a water heater or the like are represented by numbers or symbols divided into seven segments. ) Is preferably employed.

[0004]

In recent remote control devices, not only the above-described remote operation of the water heater alone but also peripheral devices of the water heater (for example, automatic drain plugs for bathtubs and automatic cleaning of bathrooms and bathtubs). There is a tendency to increase the number of items to be operated as compared with the conventional remote control device, such as a device that is configured to enable remote control of a peripheral device added to a hot water supply device such as a device. The items to be displayed on the display unit also tend to be more than before.

However, in the conventional remote control device described above, the display device used in the display unit is a display lamp or a 7
Because it is a light-emitting display section of a segment, information can be displayed only in a limited form of expression (that is, turning on / off a lamp, or a number or symbol that can be displayed in 7 segments), and therefore, the display items described above. However, there was a problem that it was not possible to sufficiently cope with the increasing trend. In order to solve such a conventional problem, the applicant of the present application has constructed a screen as the display unit by arranging a plurality of fluorescent display tubes in which light emitting portions are formed in a dot shape (dot shape) vertically and horizontally. Thus, a remote control device capable of arbitrarily displaying characters, graphics, and the like on the screen by appropriately blinking these fluorescent display tubes has been proposed.

[0006] However, such a remote controller still has the following problems, and improvement thereof has been desired.

That is, in the conventional display unit, after the power of the remote control device is turned on, a predetermined display is always displayed on the screen (display of an operation state of a water heater, specifically, display of “hot water temperature”, for example). Is being done. Therefore, when the above-described fluorescent display tube is employed as the display device, the display content on the screen does not change unless the operation state of the water heater or the like changes or a new switch operation is performed on the remote control device. Therefore, during that time, the same screen is displayed on the screen. Therefore, in such a case, a specific fluorescent display tube among the plurality of fluorescent display tubes is always kept in a lighted state, and by continuing to display the same screen, the lighted fluorescent display tube burns. As a result, there has been a problem that the brightness of the screen is reduced and the display becomes hard to see.

The present invention has been made in view of such a conventional problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a remote control device such as a water heater with a screen protection function to reduce the luminance due to screen burn-in. The purpose is to prevent.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above object, a remote controller according to the present invention is provided with an operation switch for remotely operating a water heater and its peripheral devices, an operation status of these devices, and the operation switches. A display unit for displaying various information such as operation status in the display unit. The display unit is configured by arranging a plurality of fluorescent display tubes in which a light emitting unit is formed in a dot shape in a matrix, and a screen is configured. In a remote control device capable of displaying characters, figures, and the like on the screen by blinking the display tube, the display of the screen is changed to a predetermined condition on condition that the display of the same content is continuously displayed on the screen for a predetermined time. It is characterized by switching to a screen protection display.

[0010] Preferably, the remote control device comprises:
The screen protection display is characterized in that a light-off area of a predetermined shape is formed on the screen, and the light-off area is set to move with time.

That is, in the remote control device according to the present invention,
When the display of the same content continues on the screen for a predetermined time, a light-off area of a predetermined shape is set on the screen, and the light-off area moves on the screen over time, so that a specific fluorescent display tube is displayed. Is prevented from continuing the lighting state for a long time. Here, the term “moving with time” means that the position of the light-off area moves with the passage of time, instead of fixedly stopping the light-off area at a fixed position on the screen. Therefore, in addition to the case where the light-off area constantly moves, it is intended to include setting to stop at a fixed place for several seconds to several minutes and sequentially move to another place.

[0012] In the remote control device of the present invention, the light-out area is set to a shape and a size capable of distinguishing a character, a figure, or the like being displayed on the screen during the temporal movement. The time-dependent moving speed of the unlit area is set to a speed at which characters, figures, and the like displayed on the screen can be determined.

That is, if the shape and size of the light-off area are set too large, the presence of the light-off area may make it inconvenient to determine the characters, symbols, and the like being displayed on the display unit. The shape and dimensions
By setting the shape and dimensions to such a degree that the characters and figures being displayed can be determined, the display contents on the screen can be determined even during the execution of the screen protection display. It is set so that the operation status and the like can be checked. Further, whether or not the screen being displayed can be determined is closely related not only to the size of the above-described light-off region but also to the temporal movement speed of the light-off region. In this case, the speed is set to a value at which the display content being displayed can be determined in the same manner as described above.

Further, as another embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to display a predetermined character or graphic as the screen protection display and move the display with time. In other words, in this case, another display for screen protection is newly set on the screen of the display unit, and the newly set screen moves with the passage of time, so that the burn-in of the fluorescent display tube is caused. Is prevented. As the display for protecting the screen in this case, an arbitrary screen such as a time display or a geometric figure is set.

Further, the remote control device according to the present invention is characterized in that the display of the screen is returned to a normal state when the display content of the display section is changed during the execution of the screen protection display. According to another embodiment, when the operation switch is operated during the execution of the screen protection display, the display of the screen is returned to a normal state.

That is, in the remote control device according to the present invention, during execution of the above-described screen protection display, when the display contents are changed by, for example, starting operation of the water heater or the like, or when the operation switch is newly added. When the operation status of the water heater or the like changes, such as when an operation is performed, the screen display automatically returns from the screen protection display to the normal display, thereby changing the operation status of the water heater or the like. Is set so that the remote control device user can be notified immediately.

[0017]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of a remote controller according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to FIGS.

Embodiment 1 FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a hot water supply system to which a remote control device 1 according to the present invention is applied. In the water heater system shown in FIG. 1, two remote controllers 1a and 1b are used as the remote controller 1. These remote control devices 1
Reference numerals a and 1b denote remote controllers for remotely controlling the water heater main body (water heater) 3 and its peripheral devices (not shown). In the illustrated example, these remote controllers 1a and 1b are two-core transmission lines. The water heater main body 3 is connected to the water heater main body 3 via the (two-core cable) 2.
(Note that the connection of peripheral devices is not shown in the illustrated example,
Is connected only to the water heater main body 3, but when a peripheral device is connected, the above-mentioned two-core transmission line is also connected to the peripheral device.)

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 4 denotes a hot water supply pipe, and a shower 5 and a not-shown curan are connected to the tip of the hot water supply pipe 4. Reference numeral 6 denotes a pipe for pouring water into the bathtub 7, and hot water can be supplied from the water heater body 3 to the bathtub 7 via the pouring pipe 6.

FIG. 2 shows the appearance of remote controllers 1a and 1b used in the above hot water supply system. More specifically, FIG. 2A shows a remote control device (kitchen remote control) 1a mainly installed in a room other than a bathroom such as a kitchen, and FIG. 2B shows a remote control device mainly installed in a bathroom. (Bathroom remote control) 1b is shown.

By the way, these remote control devices 1a, 1
b indicates that the basic configuration and basic functions of the remote control device are the same although the specific configuration of the operation switch 8 and the display unit 9 described later is different in relation to the different installation locations as described above. In the following description, these are collectively referred to as remote control device 1.

The remote controller 1 has a plurality of operation switches 8 for remotely controlling the water heater main body 3 described above.
(In the illustrated example, 81 to 88), and a display unit 9 for displaying various information such as the operation status of the operation switch 8 and the operation status of the water heater main body 3 as main components.

More specifically, the remote control device 1 includes, as the operation switches 8, an operation switch 81 for performing at least an on / off operation of the operation of the remote control device 1 itself, a remote operation command to the water heater main body 3, and the like. Other operation switches 82 to 88 (for example, an "automatic bath switch 84" for instructing automatic hot water filling, an "up switch 82" or a "down switch 83" for instructing up / down of hot water supply temperature, etc. ), And the contents operated by these operation switches 8 are subjected to arithmetic processing by a controller (not shown) built in the remote control device 1 to provide remote control commands to the water heater and its peripheral devices. It is configured to be given.

On the other hand, the display section 9 has a fixed information display section 91 for displaying predetermined specific information by turning on / off a lamp, and a screen based on a predetermined program stored inside the remote controller 1. It is composed of a variable information display section 92 in which the above display contents can be arbitrarily set.

The fixed information display section 91 turns on / off a light emitting element such as a built-in light emitting diode to turn on / off a character or a symbol indicating a predetermined item set in advance. ) In the kitchen remote control 1a,
Items such as “hot water”, “reservation”, and “clock” can be displayed (in the illustrated example, “hot water”, “reservation”,
"Clock" is on, other items are off.)

On the other hand, the variable information display section 92 has a plurality of fluorescent display tubes in which light-emitting portions (light-emitting portions) are formed in small dots (for example, several millimeters in diameter). (Aligned to 78 dots horizontally)
(See reference numeral 92 in FIGS. 2A and 2B). The dot matrix display 92 is formed in front of the dot matrix display 92 by appropriately turning on / off the individual fluorescent display tubes arranged in accordance with an instruction from a controller (not shown). Characters and figures can be arbitrarily displayed on the screen.

More specifically, on this screen, the operation status of the water heater main body 3 and the operation status of the various operation switches 8 detected by the controller are displayed as characters or figures. For example, the remote control device 1a shown in FIG.
Then, on this screen, "Hot water supply", "12:39 AM",
Each character of “42 ° C.” is displayed in a visible state by lighting the fluorescent tube.

Thus, in the remote control device 1 according to the present invention, the variable information display 92
Is configured such that the display of the variable information display section 92 is switched to a predetermined screen protection display on condition that the display of the same content continues for a predetermined time.

More specifically, since the display contents of the variable information display section 92 are controlled by the controller, the time during which the command of the same display contents is continued in this controller is counted, and the elapsed time is determined in advance. The display of the variable information display section 92 is set to be switched to a predetermined screen protection display on condition that a set predetermined time (for example, several minutes to several tens of minutes) has elapsed.

Next, an example of the screen protection display will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3A shows a case where the variable information display unit 92 is performing a normal display, and FIG. 3B shows a case where the screen of the display unit 92 has shifted to a screen protection display. . Further, the illustrated example shows a state in which the fluorescent display tube arranged in the portion shown in black is turned on, and the other portions are turned off (the same applies to FIGS. 4 and 5 hereinafter). ).

That is, in the screen protection display shown in FIG. 3B, a light-off area x of a predetermined shape (a plurality of vertical bands in the illustrated example) is formed on the screen of the variable information display section 92, and The light-off area x is set to be moved in the horizontal direction of the screen with time (from the right side to the left side of the screen in the illustrated example) (see steps S1 to S3 in FIG. 3B).

More specifically, a plurality of vertical bands forming the light-off area x are provided with characters, graphics, etc. displayed on the screen (in the example shown in FIG.
The shape and dimensions are set to such an extent that it is possible to distinguish between “hot water supply” and “42 ° C.”. More specifically, in the illustrated example, the light-off area x is set to have a width of two dots, and a width of four dots is set between each light-off area x. That is, the fluorescent display tube to be turned on has four dots and the fluorescent display tube forming the light-off area x is two dots.

When setting the shape of the light-off area x, the relationship with the temporal movement speed of the light-off area x is considered. That is, when the light-off area x is moved with time, the fluorescent display tube that was in the light-on state is shifted to the light-off state with the movement of the light-off area x. However, for the viewer of the variable information display unit 92, the illusion that the fluorescent display tube in the unlit state is temporarily turned on is captured by the afterimage effect of light. For this reason, in the present embodiment, the moving speed and the shape and size of the light-off area x are set so as to use such an after-image effect of light, whereby the light-off area x
Is set so that the viewer can identify the displayed content (in the illustrated example, “furo”, “hot water supply”, and “42 ° C”) even if the user moves.

In using this afterimage effect,
It is preferable that all of the display contents being displayed are clearly recognized. For example, in the screen display of FIG. 3 (a), it is sufficient that at least the display of “42 ° C.” which is largely displayed can be recognized. It does not matter if you cannot clearly recognize the "furo" or "hot water supply" that is being performed. That is, the setting of the shape size and the moving speed of the light-off area x can be freely set as appropriate in accordance with the display content displayed on the variable information display unit 92 (particularly, the size of the display content that the viewer wants to recognize). The design can be changed.

As described above, in the remote control device 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the variable information display section 92 is set by setting the width and the moving speed of the light-off area x using the afterimage effect of light. There is an advantage that it is possible to prevent burn-in of the fluorescent display tube while utilizing the display contents of (1).

Regarding the return timing from the screen protection display to the normal display, during execution of the screen protection display, the controller (not shown) changes the display contents of the variable information display section 92 (for example, the temperature of the bath temperature). When a drop or the start of a hot water supply operation is detected, the display on the display unit 92 is returned to a normal state. In addition,
In setting the return timing, in addition to the condition that the display content of the variable information display unit 92 is changed, it is also possible to employ a condition that, for example, the operation switch 8 is operated. is there.

Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The second embodiment shows a modification of the screen protection display in the first embodiment. Therefore, since the basic configuration of the remote control device 1 is the same as that of the first embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the same contents and the description is omitted.

FIG. 4A shows a case where the variable information display section 92 performs a normal display, and FIG. 4B shows a case where the screen of the display section 92 shifts to the screen protection display. Is shown. Also, in the figure, the fluorescent display tubes in black portions are turned on, and the other portions are turned off as in FIG.

That is, in the second embodiment, predetermined characters or figures are displayed as the screen protection display, and the display is moved over time.
Specifically, in the example shown in FIG.
FIG. 4B shows a case where the display of the current time is adopted as a graphic or the like. In this case, as shown in steps S1 to S3 of FIG. It is set to move to the left with time. Then, when the display of the current time reaches the left corner of the screen (see step S3 in FIG. 4), the time display appears again from the right corner of the screen, and by repeating this, it is possible to prevent the specific fluorescent display tube from continuing to be turned on. ing.

In the illustrated example, when displaying the current time, the current time is set to be larger than the current time in a normal screen display (see FIG. 4A) so that the display of the current time is easy to see. However, the size of the characters appearing on the screen as the screen protection display can be arbitrarily changed as appropriate. Similarly, the design of the characters, figures, and the like to be displayed as the screen protection display can be changed as appropriate. For example, symbols such as those shown in FIG. 5 can be used (see steps S1 to S3 in FIG. 5). ), It is also possible to display a predetermined message. Although not shown, a graphic or a geometric pattern may be employed.

The above-described embodiment 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 of the present invention.

That is, in the first embodiment, the light-off area x set as the screen protection display is set in a plurality of vertical bands arranged at predetermined intervals, but the shape of the light-off area x can be appropriately changed in design. It is. Therefore, for example, the band-shaped light-off area may be set in the horizontal direction of the screen, or may be set in the screen diagonally.
Further, in the above-described embodiment, the moving direction of the light-off area is always set to a fixed direction, but it may be configured to move at random. In short, if the shape and the moving direction of the light-off area x are set so that the specific fluorescent display tube does not keep the lighting state for a long time, another form can be adopted.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, a case has been described where the predetermined time from when the display content of the screen is constant to when the screen protection display is entered is uniformly set in any case. The setting of the predetermined time can be individually set according to, for example, the type of the operation switch operated last.

[0044]

As described above in detail, according to the remote controller of the present invention, there is provided a display unit which constitutes a screen by arranging a plurality of fluorescent display tubes in which light emitting units are formed in a dotted shape in a matrix. In the remote control device, the display of the screen is switched to a predetermined screen protection display on the condition that the display of the same content continues on the screen for a predetermined time, so that even when the display of the same content continues for a long time, the fluorescent display is performed. Burning of the tube can be prevented, and a decrease in the brightness of the screen can be prevented.

Further, in adopting a configuration in which a light-extinguishing area of a predetermined shape is provided on the screen of the display unit as such a screen protection display and the light-extinguishing area is moved with time, the shape and size of the light-outing area are changed when the temporal movement is performed. The shape and size are set to such an extent that the characters, figures, and the like being displayed on the screen can be distinguished, and the moving speed of the unlit area is set to such a degree that the characters, figures, etc., displayed on the screen can be distinguished. Since the speed is set to the speed, the display contents displayed on the display unit can be easily confirmed even during the screen protection display, and the remote control device user can always grasp the state of the water heater or the like.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a hot water supply system to which a remote control device according to the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is an external configuration diagram of the remote control device, and FIG.
2 shows the appearance of a remote control device installed in a room other than a bathroom such as a kitchen, and FIG. 2B shows the appearance of a remote control device installed in a bathroom.

3A and 3B are screen configuration diagrams showing an example of a screen protection display on a display unit of the remote control device. FIG. 3A shows a screen in a normal state, and FIG. 3B shows a screen in screen protection display. Is shown.

4A and 4B are screen configuration diagrams showing another example of a screen protection display on the display unit of the remote control device. FIG. 3A shows a screen in a normal state, and FIG. 2 shows a screen in.

FIG. 5 is a screen configuration diagram showing another example of the screen protection display on the display unit of the remote control device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1, 1a, 1b Remote control device 2 Two-core transmission line 3 Water heater main body 4 Hot water supply pipe 5 Shower 6 Pouring pipe 7 Bathtub 8 Operation switch 9 Display section 91 Fixed information display section 92 Variable information display section x Light-out area

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Masayoshi Murakami 93 Edocho, Chuo-ku, Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture Inside Noritz (72) Inventor Yoshikazu Hamaya 93 Edocho, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo Co., Ltd In Noritz (72) Inventor Takehiro Kurihara 93, Edo-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture Inside Noritz (72) Inventor Hidekazu Fukui 93, Edo-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture ) 5C080 AA08 BB05 DD01 EE01 FF09 JJ01 JJ02 KK52 5C094 AA01 AA22 AA48 AA54 AA56 AA60 BA15 BA33 CA19 CA20 DA01 FA01 GA10 HA10 5K048 AA06 BA14 FB01 FB02 FB05 FB10 FB15 HA04 HA21

Claims (8)

[Claims] An operation switch for remotely controlling a water heater and peripheral devices thereof, and a display unit for displaying various information such as an operation status of these devices and an operation status of the operation switch, The display unit has a screen configured by arranging a plurality of fluorescent display tubes in which the light emitting units are formed in a dot shape in a matrix, and enables display of characters, graphics, and the like on the screen by blinking of the fluorescent display tubes. A remote control device, wherein the display of the screen is switched to a predetermined screen protection display on the condition that the display of the same content is continuously displayed on the screen for a predetermined time. 2. The screen protection display according to claim 1, wherein a light-off area of a predetermined shape is formed on the screen as the screen protection display, and the light-off area is set to move with time. Remote control device. 3. The light-extinguishing area is set to have such a shape and size that a character, a figure or the like being displayed on the screen can be distinguished during the temporal movement.
A remote control device according to item 1. 4. The remote control device according to claim 3, wherein the light-out area is set in a plurality of bands arranged at predetermined intervals on the screen. 5. The moving speed of the light-off area with time is set to a speed at which a character, a figure, or the like displayed on the screen can be discriminated. A remote control device according to any one of the above. 6. The remote control device according to claim 1, wherein a predetermined character or graphic is displayed as the screen protection display, and the display is moved with time. 7. The display according to claim 1, wherein the display of the screen is returned to a normal state when the display content of the display unit is changed during the execution of the screen protection display. A remote control device according to any one of the above. 8. The display according to claim 1, wherein when the operation switch is operated during execution of the screen protection display, the screen display is returned to a normal state. The remote control device according to any one of the above.