JP2002159075A - Remotely operating system and remotely operating apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a remotely operating system capable of easily reducing a number of components at a low cost in the system having a plurality of remote controllers for remotely operating a water heater body. SOLUTION: The water heater body 1 has a plurality of remote controllers 2 to 4 and a low-speed communication interface L1 for communicating at a low speed, meanwhile, the remotely operating system comprises the controllers 2 to 4 having high-speed communication interfaces H2 to H4 for communicating at a high speed therebetween. A kitchen remote controller 2 of host equipment has a low-speed communication interface L2 for communicating directly with the interface L1 of the body 1 and for executing a traffic communication with the interface H2 provided in itself.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a remote control system in which, for example, a water heater main body is operated and the water heater main body is remotely controlled from a plurality of remote control devices. About what made it possible.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of a conventional remote control system. As shown in FIG.
The remote control device for remotely controlling the remote controller is provided as a kitchen remote controller 200, a bath remote controller 300, and the like in a plurality of places such as a kitchen and a bathroom. Each of the kitchen remote controller 200 and the bath remote controller 300 has a water heater main unit 1 having a low-speed communication interface 110.
00, various types of control signals are exchanged by low-speed communication.
310 is provided.

On the other hand, the kitchen remote controller 200 and the bath remote controller 300 also have a function of exchanging voice and audio information between them and inputting / outputting such information immediately. The kitchen remote controller 200 and the bath remote controller 300 having such a function require a high-speed communication interface capable of performing high-speed communication with each other in addition to the low-speed communication interfaces 210 and 310 because of the necessity of processing real-time information in real time. 220 and 320 are provided.

[0004]

As described above, in the conventional remote control system, high-speed communication can be performed between the remote controllers 200 and 300 without changing the configuration of the water heater main body 100 which does not have the high-speed communication function. However, the kitchen remote controller 200 and the bath remote controller 300 have low-speed communication interfaces 210 and 310 and high-speed communication interfaces 220 and 3 respectively.
Since both of them are indispensable, there is a problem that the number of interfaces can be reduced to a simple configuration, and the number of parts and cost cannot be reduced.

[0005]

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been proposed in view of the above points, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a remote control system and a remote control device capable of easily reducing the number of parts and cost. , The subject.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention takes the following technical measures.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, an object to be operated is provided, and a plurality of remote operation devices for remotely operating the object to be operated are provided. A remote control system provided with high-speed communication means for performing high-speed communication between the plurality of remote control devices, while low-speed communication means for performing low-speed communication is provided; At least one of the plurality of remote control devices is provided with relay communication means for low-speed communication so as to directly communicate with the low-speed communication means and to communicate with high-speed communication means provided therein. A remote control system is provided.

According to a preferred embodiment, the low-speed communication means transmits and receives a control signal for remotely controlling the operation target by low-speed communication.

According to another preferred embodiment, the high-speed communication means transmits and receives immediate information exchanged between a plurality of remote control devices by high-speed communication and transmits and receives control signals.

According to another preferred embodiment, the object to be operated is a water heater main body, and each of the remote control devices is provided with operating means for remotely controlling the water heater main body. An output unit for outputting various information is provided.

According to another preferred embodiment, one of the remote control devices is used as a host and the other remote control device is used as a slave. The host stores voice information and display information, While information and display information are transmitted to each slave via the high-speed communication means, each slave outputs sound and displays display information according to the received sound information.

According to another preferred embodiment, each slave displays character information as display information.

According to another preferred embodiment, the host is provided as a kitchen remote control, while at least one of said slaves is provided as a wash remote control.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a high-speed communication unit for performing high-speed communication is provided for remotely controlling an operation target provided with a low-speed communication unit for performing low-speed communication. A remote control device for mutually performing high-speed communication with other devices provided with each other, and performing direct communication with low-speed communication means while communicating with high-speed communication means provided in the device itself. And a remote control device provided with relay communication means for low-speed communication.

According to a preferred embodiment, the object to be operated is a water heater main body, and the present apparatus is provided with operating means for remotely controlling the water heater main body.
An output unit for outputting various information is provided.

According to the present invention described above, even if the remote control device has only high-speed communication means, the remote control device can remotely control the operation target via the low-speed communication compatible relay communication means provided in another remote control device. Since control signals for operation can be exchanged by low-speed communication, it is not necessary to equip all remote control devices with both low-speed and high-speed communication interfaces as communication means. With this configuration, it is possible to easily reduce the number of parts and cost.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description of embodiments of the present invention.

[0018]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an arrangement state of each component as an embodiment of a remote control system according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a connection form of each component. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the remote control system includes a water heater main body 1 to be operated, a kitchen remote control 2 as a remote control device, a bath remote control 3, and a wash remote control 4. Kitchen remote control 2
Is configured as a host remote controller, and a two-core cable 7
And the bath remote controller 3 and the wash-stand remote controller 4 as slave remote controllers are connected by two-core cables 8 and 9, respectively.

The hot water supply device main body 1 is installed outdoors. Of course, the water heater main body 1 may be installed at a predetermined indoor location. The kitchen remote controller 2 is installed in the kitchen. Bath remote controller 3 is installed in the bathroom. The washroom remote controller 4 is attached to a washroom unit in the washroom. Here, as shown in FIG. 2, each of the water heater main body 1 and the kitchen remote controller 2 is provided with low-speed communication interfaces L1 and L2 for exchanging various control signals by low-speed communication with each other. On the other hand, each of the remote controllers 2 to 4 including the kitchen remote controller 2 has a high-speed communication interface H2 to H4 for performing high-speed communication between them.
Is provided. In addition, each interface L1, L
2, H2 to H4 will be described later in detail.

FIG. 3 is a circuit block diagram of the kitchen remote controller 2. The kitchen remote control 2 is a microcomputer 2
1, EEPROM 22, display unit 23, operation unit 24, AS
K communication unit 25, QPSK communication unit 26, system power supply unit 2
7, terminal block 28, PCM codec 29, audio processing unit 30, microphone 31, speaker 32, FM multiplex tuner 33, antenna 34, external line interface circuit 3
5, a memory card interface circuit 36, an audio compression encoder 37, and an information terminal interface circuit 39.

The microcomputer 21 controls the entire kitchen remote controller 2. The microcomputer 21
Performs an error detection process, an error correction process, and the like, as needed, on information communicated via the QPSK communication unit 26. Further, the microcomputer 21 includes an AS
It has a gateway function for connecting the K communication unit 25 and the QPSK communication unit 26 to each other. This gateway function will be described later.

The EEPROM 22 is controlled by the microcomputer 21 and stores a program for operating the microcomputer 21 and music data input from the outside, and registration data set by the operation of the operation unit 24 by the user. I do.

The display unit 23 includes a microcomputer 21
And various kinds of information are displayed.

The operation unit 24 includes a plurality of key switches and a touch panel disposed on a display screen of the display unit 23, and supplies an operation signal corresponding to a user operation to the microcomputer 21.

The ASK communication unit 25 is configured as a low-speed communication interface L2, and
Assuming that the communication speed by the SK communication unit 26 is lower than
Low-speed communication is performed with the low-speed communication interface L1 of the water heater main body 1 by the K (Amplitude Shift Keying) method. The low-speed communication interface L1 of the hot-water supply device main body 1 is similar to the ASK communication unit 25.

The QPSK communication unit 26 is configured as a high-speed communication interface H2, for example, π / 4 shift QPSK (Quadri Phase Shift Keying).
According to the system, high-speed communication with the bath remote controller 3 and the wash remote controller 4 is performed at a communication speed of, for example, 64 kbps. Of course, other digital high-speed modulation methods such as M16QAM, GFSK, and BPSK may be adopted.

The system power supply unit 27 is supplied with electric power from the water heater main unit 1 via the cable 7 and
Functions as an overall power supply.

The terminal block 28 includes an ASK communication unit 25, a QPS
K communication unit 26 and system power supply unit 27,
In addition, cables 7 to 9 are connected. That is, A
The modulated carrier for communication by the SK communication unit 25 and the QPSK communication unit 26 is superimposed on a voltage for power supply.

The PCM codec 29 is, for example, an AD
PCM (Pulse Code Modulatio) such as PCM and DPCM
n) Encode and decode audio and video information according to the method.

The audio processing unit 30 is a PCM codec 2
9 to process the audio signal decoded by the speaker 32
To supply.

The microphone 31 converts the sound into an analog sound signal and supplies it to the PCM codec 29.

The speaker 32 converts the audio signal from the audio processing unit 30 into audio.

The FM multiplex tuner 33 selects and demodulates an FM multiplex broadcast according to a user operation.

The antenna 34 receives an FM multiplex broadcast radio wave and supplies a high frequency signal to the FM multiplex tuner 33.

The external line interface circuit 35 is connected to a portable or stationary telephone device (not shown) by wire or wirelessly, and controls communication between the telephone device and the microcomputer 21.

Memory card interface circuit 36
Is capable of inserting and removing a card-type portable memory (not shown), and controls communication between the portable memory and the microcomputer 21.

The audio compression encoder 37 is connected to an audio device (not shown) by wire or wirelessly, and compresses and encodes music information from the audio device. That is, if the music information from the audio device is an analog audio signal, the audio signal is converted into a digital signal and then compression-coded.
If the music information from the audio device is a digital audio signal, the audio signal is compression-encoded.

The information terminal interface circuit 39 is connected to an information terminal device (not shown) such as a personal computer by wire or wirelessly, and controls communication between the information terminal device and the microcomputer 21.

FIG. 4 is a circuit block diagram of the bath remote controller 3. The bath remote controller 3 is a microcomputer 4
1, EEPROM 42, display unit 43, operation unit 44, QP
SK communication unit 46, system power supply unit 47, terminal block 48, P
CM codec 49, audio processing unit 50, microphone 51, speaker 52, audio expansion decoder 53, audio reproduction unit 54, and artificial retinal interface circuit 5
5 is provided. An artificial retinal sensor 56 is connected to the artificial retinal interface circuit 55.

The microcomputer 41 controls the entire bath remote controller 3. The microcomputer 41
Performs an error detection process, an error correction process, and the like on data and the like communicated via the QPSK communication unit 46 as necessary.

The EEPROM 42 is controlled by the microcomputer 41, and stores a program for operating the microcomputer 41 and music data inputted from the outside, and registration data set by the operation of the operation unit 44 by the user. I do.

The display unit 43 includes a microcomputer 41
And various kinds of information are displayed.

The operation unit 44 includes a plurality of key switches and a touch panel disposed on the display screen of the display unit 43, and supplies an operation signal corresponding to a user operation to the microcomputer 41.

The QPSK communication section 46 is configured as a high-speed communication interface H3, and is, for example, π / 4 shift QPSK (Quadri Phase Shift Keying).
According to the method, communication with the kitchen remote controller 2 is performed at a communication speed of, for example, 64 kbps. Of course, M1
Other digital high-speed modulation schemes such as 6QAM, GFSK, and BPSK may be adopted.

The system power supply section 47 is supplied with electric power from the hot water supply device main body 1 via the cable 8 and
Functions as an overall power supply.

The terminal block 48 is connected to the QPSK communication section 46 and the system power supply section 47, and the cable 8 is connected. That is, the carrier modulated for communication by the QPSK communication unit 46 is superimposed on the voltage for power supply.

The PCM codec 49 is a PCM (Puls
e Code Modulation) Encodes and decodes audio information and video information by the method.

The audio processing unit 50 is a PCM codec 4
9 to process the audio signal decoded by the speaker 52
To supply.

The microphone 51 converts the sound into an analog sound signal and supplies it to the PCM codec 49.

The speaker 52 converts an audio signal from the audio processing unit 50 into audio.

The audio expansion decoder 53 expands the compressed music data from the QPSK communication section 46 and supplies the expanded music data to the audio reproduction section 54.

The audio reproduction unit 54 converts the music data from the audio expansion decoder 53 into an analog audio signal and supplies the analog audio signal to a speaker (not shown) installed in the bathroom to reproduce the music.

The retinal prosthesis interface circuit 55 controls communication between the retinal prosthesis sensor 56 and the microcomputer 41.

The artificial retinal sensor 56 is formed of a so-called artificial retinal LSI, is installed in a bathroom, takes an image of a user in the bathroom, processes the image, and supplies image information to the artificial retinal interface circuit 55. That is, the retinal prosthesis sensor 56 captures an image of a user in the bathroom for the purpose of detecting a human body that captures the movement of a person, and processes data obtained thereby. Data is sent and received between and.

FIG. 5 is a circuit block diagram of the sink remote controller 4. As shown in FIG.
Has the same configuration as the bath remote controller 3 except that the artificial retinal interface circuit 55 and the artificial retinal sensor 56 are not provided.

FIG. 6 is a front view of the kitchen remote controller 2.
On the front of the kitchen remote controller 2, for example, a fluorescent tube display in which a large number of phosphors are arranged in a dot matrix is provided, and a display screen 8 of a display unit 23 for displaying various characters and symbols.
1. A plurality of operation switches 82 constituting the operation unit 24 that outputs a signal according to a user operation, the microphone 31, and the like are arranged. Each operation switch 82 is constituted by a key switch. A large number of holes for communicating the diaphragms of the two speakers 32 to the outside air are formed in the front of the kitchen remote controller 2. On the side wall of the kitchen remote controller 2, a slit (not shown) for inserting and removing a card-type memory from the memory card interface circuit 36 is formed. The display unit 23 is an LCD (Liquid
Crystal Display).

FIG. 7 is a front view of the bath remote controller 3.
On the front of the bath remote controller 3, for example, a fluorescent tube display in which a large number of phosphors are arranged in a dot matrix is provided, and a display screen 9 of a display unit 43 for displaying various characters and symbols.
1. A plurality of operation switches 92 constituting the operation unit 44 for outputting a signal according to a user operation, a microphone 51, and the like are arranged. Each operation switch 92 is configured by a key switch. A large number of holes for communicating the diaphragms of the two speakers 52 with the outside air are formed in the front of the bath remote controller 3. Bath remote control 3
Adopts a waterproof structure. The display unit 43 is an LCD
(Liquid Crystal Display).

FIG. 8 is a schematic view of the sink remote control 4. As shown in FIG. 8, the sink remote control 4 has speakers 74 A of the audio reproducing unit 74 disposed on both sides of the mirror W 1. The configuration is similar to that of the bath remote controller 3 shown in FIG. Of course, the speaker 74A may be built in the main body of the sink remote control 4.

Next, the operation will be described.

When the user performs an operation for controlling the hot water supply apparatus main body 1 on the operation unit 24 of the kitchen remote controller 2, the microcomputer 21 transmits a control signal corresponding to the operation signal from the operation unit 24 to the ASK communication unit. 25. As a result, the ASK communication unit 25 transmits the control signal from the microcomputer 21 directly to the hot water supply apparatus main body 1 via the terminal block 28 and the cable 7. Thereby, water heater main body 1 operates according to the control signal received by low-speed communication interface L1.

On the other hand, the user operates the operation unit 4 of the bath remote controller 3.
When an operation for controlling the hot water supply apparatus main body 1 is performed on the microcomputer 4, the microcomputer 41 outputs a control signal corresponding to an operation signal from the operation section 44 to the QPSK communication section 46.
As a result, the QPSK communication unit 46 transmits the control signal from the microcomputer 41 to the terminal block 48 and the cable 8.
Is transmitted once to the kitchen remote controller 2 via the. In the kitchen remote controller 2, the control signal from the bath remote controller 3 is received by the QPSK communication unit 26.

Then, the microcomputer 21 of the kitchen remote controller 2 has a QPSK communication unit 26 and an ASK communication unit 25.
A gateway function is provided for exchanging control signals between the device and the device. That is, the microcomputer 21 adjusts the difference in the communication protocol including the communication speed between the interfaces H2 and L2, and
The control signal received at 6 is output to the ASK communication unit 25 (L2). As a result, the ASK communication unit 25 (L2) transmits the control signal from the microcomputer 21 to the terminal block 28.
And, it transmits to the hot-water supply device main body 1 via the cable 7.
Thereby, water heater main body 1 operates according to the control signal received by low-speed communication interface L1. Note that such an operation is the same when the user performs an operation for controlling the water heater main body 1 on the operation unit 64 of the washstand remote controller 4.

In short, when a bath remote control 3 or a wash remote control 4 as a slave is directly operated to send a control signal to the water heater main body 1, a control signal from the slave is transmitted via the kitchen remote control 2 as a host and QPSK communication is performed. Part 26
The communication speed is switched by the ASK communication unit 25 and is sent to the hot water supply device main body 1.

For example, when the operation switches on the operation units 44 and 64 of the bath remote controller 3 and the lavatory remote controller 4 are depressed, the microcomputers 41 and 61 send operation control signals corresponding thereto from the QPSK communication units 46 and 66 to the kitchen remote controller. 2 by means of high-speed communication. When the QPSK communication unit 26 receives the operation control signal, the microcomputer 21 of the kitchen remote controller 2 transfers the operation control signal to the ASK communication unit 25 (L2), relays the operation control signal to the ASK communication unit 25 (L2), and supplies the main body of the water heater. 1 is transmitted by low-speed communication to the low-speed communication interface L1. As a result, in the water heater main body 1 that has received the operation control signal from the low-speed communication, an operation operation according to the operation control signal is performed.

At this time, the microcomputer 21 of the kitchen remote controller 2 causes the QPSK communication section 26 to transmit character information such as hot water supply temperature and time to the bath remote controller 3 and the QPSK communication sections 46 and 66 of the sink remote controller 4. The microcomputer 21 of the kitchen remote controller 2 transmits voice information such as an announcement regarding hot water supply operation to the QPSK communication unit 2.
6 to the QPSK communication units 46 and 66 of the bath remote control 3 and the wash remote control 4. The character information is processed by the microcomputers 41 and 61 and displayed on the display units 43 and 6.
3, the audio information is decoded by the PCM codecs 49 and 69, and is decoded by the audio processing units 50 and 70.
And output as announcement sound from the speakers 52 and 72.

When there is an incoming call to the external line interface circuit 35 of the kitchen remote controller 2 via an external telephone device, the microcomputer 21 displays on the display unit 23 that there is an incoming call, and the QPSK communication unit 26 To control the bath remote control 3
And the QPSK communication units 46 and 66 of the sink remote controller 4. As a result, each of the QPSK communication units 46 and 66 transmits the received information to the corresponding microcomputer 4.
1,61. And each microcomputer 4
The display units 43 and 63 indicate that there is an incoming call.
To be displayed.

When the user of the bathroom wants to receive a telephone call, an operation to that effect is performed on the operation unit 44. As a result, an operation signal is supplied from the operation unit 44 to the microcomputer 41. The microcomputer 41 activates the PCM codec 49 and the audio processing unit 50, and controls the QPSK communication unit 46 to transmit information to that effect to the kitchen. The QPSK communication unit 26 of the remote controller 2 is transmitted. Thereby, the QPSK communication unit 26 supplies the received information to the microcomputer 21. Then, the microcomputer 21 connects the PCM codec 29 and the external line interface circuit 35 to each other.

When a user in the bathroom utters a sound toward the microphone 51, a sound signal from the microphone 51 is encoded by the PCM codec 49, and QPSK is performed.
QPSK communication unit 2 of kitchen remote controller 2 via communication unit 46
6 is sent. The voice information received by the QPSK communication unit 26 is decoded by the PCM codec 29, supplied to the external telephone device via the external line interface circuit 35, and transmitted to the telephone device of the caller.

The voice signal from the source telephone device is supplied to the external interface circuit 35 of the kitchen remote controller 2 via the external telephone device, encoded by the PCM codec 29, and coded by the QPSK communication unit 26. Is transmitted to the QPSK communication unit 46. QPSK
The audio information received by the communication unit 46 is decoded by the PCM codec 49, processed by the audio processing unit 50, and output from the speaker 52 as audio. The same operation as described above is performed when a user in the washroom answers a telephone call via the washstand remote controller 4.

On the other hand, if the kitchen user wants to receive a telephone call, the operation to that effect is performed on the operation unit 24. As a result, an operation signal from the operation unit 24 is supplied to the microcomputer 21, and the microcomputer 21 connects the external line interface circuit 35 to the microphone 31 and the speaker 32.

When the user of the kitchen utters a voice toward the microphone 31, a voice signal from the microphone 31 is supplied to the external line interface circuit 35, and the voice signal is transmitted via the external telephone device to the telephone device of the transmission source. Sent to.

The voice signal from the calling telephone device is supplied to the external line interface circuit 35 of the kitchen remote controller 2 via the external telephone device, and is output from the speaker 32 as voice.

When the user of the bathroom wants to make a telephone call, he performs a predetermined operation on the operation unit 44 of the bath remote controller 3.
The telephone number may be directly input to the operation unit 44, or an operation of calling an electronic telephone directory stored in the EEPROM 42 is performed, and a desired telephone number is selected from the telephone numbers displayed on the display unit 43. You may. The telephone number information is transmitted from the QPSK communication unit 46 to the QPSK
The external line interface circuit 35
Is supplied to an external telephone device via a telephone line and is called. The transmission and reception of the voice signal is the same as in the case of the incoming call. The same applies to the case where the user of the washroom wants to make a call via the washroom remote controller 4.

When the kitchen user wants to make a telephone call, he performs a predetermined operation on the operation unit 24 of the kitchen remote controller 2.
The telephone number may be directly input to the operation unit 24, or an operation of calling an electronic telephone directory stored in the EEPROM 22 is performed, and a desired telephone number is selected from the telephone numbers displayed on the display unit 23. You may. The information of the telephone number is supplied to an external telephone device via the external line interface circuit 35, and a call is made. The transmission and reception of the voice signal is the same as in the case of the incoming call.

It is to be noted that not only the above-mentioned voice exchange by telephone but also the voice exchange by the intercom function between the remote controllers 2 to 4 is possible. For example,
When the user of the bathroom performs a predetermined operation on the operation unit 44 of the bath remote controller 3 and emits a sound toward the microphone 51, a sound signal from the microphone 51 is encoded by the PCM codec 49, and the QPSK communication unit 4.
6, QPSK of the kitchen remote control 2 and the wash remote control 4
It is transmitted to the communication units 26 and 66. QPSK communication unit 26,
The voice information received by the PCM 66 is decoded by the PCM codecs 29 and 69,
0, and output as audio from the speakers 32 and 72. Such processing of the sound is the same when the sound is emitted toward the microphones 31 and 71 of the kitchen remote control 2 and the wash remote control 4.
Since the voice information is bidirectionally exchanged between the QPSKs via the QPSK communication units 26, 46, 66, an intercom function is realized.

The user of the bathroom, kitchen, or washroom,
The Internet can be used by dial-up connection via an external telephone device. In this case, the data input through the external line interface circuit 35 is processed by the microcomputer 21 and displayed on the display unit 23, or transmitted from the QPSK communication unit 26 to the QPSK communication units 46 and 66, and Computer 4
1 and 61 and displayed on the display units 43 and 63. In addition, it is needless to say that electronic mail can be transmitted and received using the Internet. Furthermore, if the external telephone device can transmit and receive e-mail without using the Internet, it can of course be used.

When the user of the kitchen inserts the portable memory into the memory card interface circuit 36, the information stored in the memory can be freely used by the kitchen remote controller 2, the bath remote controller 3, or the wash remote controller 4.

For example, when a memory is inserted into the kitchen remote controller 2 and a program is stored in the memory, when a predetermined operation is performed on the operation unit 24, the program stored in the memory is read out by the microcomputer 21. And stored in the EEPROM 22. When a predetermined operation is performed on the operation units 44 and 64 of the bath remote control 3 and the wash remote control 4, the program read from the memory by the microcomputer 21 is transmitted to the QPSK communication units 46 and 66 by the QPSK communication unit 26, EEPROMs 42, 6 are provided by microcomputers 41, 61.
2 is stored. Therefore, the user can freely update a program or introduce a new program, and can enjoy a video game or the like using the kitchen remote controller 2, the bath remote controller 3, and the wash remote controller 4. Alternatively, by causing the microcomputer 41 of the bath remote controller 3 to execute a healthy bathing program, guidance on a healthy bathing method can be displayed on the display unit 43, and voice guidance can be output from the speaker 52 as necessary. Alternatively, by causing the microcomputer 21 of the kitchen remote controller 2 to execute the kitchen navigation program, guidance such as a recipe for cooking can be displayed on the display unit 23, and voice guidance can be output from the speaker 32 as necessary.

Memory card interface circuit 36
If music information is stored in the memory attached to
By performing a predetermined operation on the operation units 24, 44, 64 of the kitchen remote controller 2, the bath remote controller 3, or the sink remote controller 4, the microcomputer 21 reads out the music information from the memory and controls the QPSK communication unit 26 to control the music information. Is transmitted to the QPSK communication unit 46 of the bath remote controller 3 and the QPSK communication unit 66 of the washstand remote controller 4. The music information received by the QPSK communication units 46 and 66 is decoded by the audio decompression decoders 53 and 73, and the music is reproduced by the audio reproduction units 54 and 74. When the song information includes character information such as a song name, the character information is displayed on the display units 23, 43, and 63 by the processing of the microcomputers 21, 41, and 61.

When an audio device such as an MD player or a CD player is connected to the audio compression encoder 37, a predetermined operation is performed on the operation units 24, 44, 64 of the kitchen remote controller 2, the bath remote controller 3, or the wash remote controller 4. Then, the analog music signal from the audio device is compression-encoded by the audio compression encoder 37 and transmitted from the QPSK communication unit 26 to the QPSK communication units 46 and 66. The music information received by the QPSK communication units 46 and 66 is decoded by the audio decompression decoders 53 and 73, and the music is reproduced by the audio reproduction units 54 and 74. When the song information includes character information such as a song name, the character information is displayed on the display units 23, 43, and 63 by the processing of the microcomputers 21, 41, and 61.

When an information terminal device such as a personal computer is connected to the information terminal interface circuit 39, a predetermined operation is performed on the operation units 24, 44, 64 of the kitchen remote controller 2, the bath remote controller 3, or the wash remote controller 4. The microcomputers 21, 41, 6
QPSK communication units 26, 46,
Information can be freely transmitted and received via 66. That is,
The display units 23, 43, and 63 can be used as display units of the information terminal device, and the operation units 24, 44, and 64 can be used as operation units of the information terminal device. Therefore, the functions of the information terminal device can be used by all the remote controllers 2 to 4, and it is possible to browse various web pages on the Internet, download programs and music information via the Internet, and enjoy e-mail. Of course, a portable telephone device that can be connected to the Internet may be used as the information terminal device.

When the user wants to enjoy teletext, the kitchen remote controller 2, bath remote controller 3, or wash remote controller 4
By performing a predetermined operation on the operation units 24, 44, and 64, character information from the FM multiplex tuner 33 is processed by the microcomputer 21 and displayed on the display unit 23, or the QPSK communication units 26, 46, The signal is transmitted to other remote controllers 3 and 4 via 66, processed by the microcomputer 41 of the bath remote controller 3, and displayed on the display unit 43. The voice information is stored in the voice processing unit 30.
And output from the speaker 32 or encoded by the PCM codec 29,
From QPSK communication unit 26, for example, QP of bath remote controller 3
The PCM codec 49 transmitted to the SK communication unit 46
, And is processed by the audio processing unit 50 and output from the speaker 52. Of course, even between the kitchen remote control 2 and the wash remote control 4, the QPSK communication unit 2
Character information and voice information can be mutually exchanged via 6, 66. The names of stations selected by the FM multiplex tuner 33 are the microcomputers 21, 41, 61
Are displayed on the display units 23, 43, and 63 by the above processing.

The image of the user in the bathroom is the artificial retina sensor 5
The image information is captured and image-processed by 6, and the processed image information is supplied to the retinal prosthesis interface circuit 55. This information is transmitted from the QPSK communication unit 46 to the QPSK communication units 26 and 66 of the kitchen remote control 2 and the washstand remote 4, and is displayed on the display units 23 and 63 by the microcomputers 21 and 61. Therefore, the user of the kitchen or the washroom can always grasp the situation of the user of the bathroom in real time.

Therefore, according to the remote control system, the QPs as the high-speed communication interfaces H3 and H4
Even the bath remote control 3 or the washstand remote 4 having only the SK communication units 46 and 66 can remotely control the hot water supply apparatus main body 1 via the ASK communication unit 25 as the low-speed communication interface L2 provided in the other kitchen remote control 2. Since the control signals at the time of operation can be exchanged by low-speed communication, it is not necessary to provide both the low-speed communication interface and the high-speed communication interface in all the remote controls 2 to 4, and the interface is reduced from the conventional system configuration to a simple configuration, The number of parts and the cost can be easily reduced.

Further, since various functions including a communication function can be integrated in the kitchen remote controller 2 as a host, the bath remote controller 3 and the washstand remote 4 as slaves can be simplified and shared.

Further, when upgrading the kitchen remote controller 2 as a host, it is not necessary to replace the bath remote controller 3 or the wash remote controller 4 as a slave, and the version can be easily upgraded.

Further, since the microcomputers 41 and 61 in the slave are not so much loaded as compared with the host, inexpensive ones can be employed, and the cost can be further reduced.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment.

In each of the above embodiments, three remote controls 2 to 4 are provided for one hot water supply apparatus main body 1. However, the number of remote controls is not limited thereto, and at least two remote controls are provided.
If there is one remote control, the present invention can be applied.

The remote controller having both the high-speed communication interface and the low-speed communication interface as the host is not limited to the kitchen remote controller 2 but may be the bath remote controller 3 or the wash remote controller 4. In addition, one of a plurality of remote controllers
The biggest effect can be obtained when one is the host,
If necessary, two or more remote controllers may be used as a host.

In each of the above embodiments, the kitchen remote controller 2 and the bath remote controller 3 are connected by the cable 8,
Although the kitchen remote controller 2 and the sink remote controller 4 are connected by the cable 9, the water heater main body 1 and each of the remote controllers 2 to 4 may be connected by a cable. Further, the communication between the devices may be performed wirelessly.

[0093]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Even with a remote control device having only a high-speed communication interface, a control signal for remotely controlling an operation target can be exchanged by low-speed communication via a low-speed communication interface provided in the remote control device as a host. It is not necessary to provide both a low-speed communication interface and a high-speed communication interface in all remote control devices, and the number of interfaces can be reduced from the conventional system configuration to a simple configuration, and the number of parts and cost can be easily reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sketch showing an arrangement state of each component as an embodiment of a remote operation system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a connection form of each component.

FIG. 3 is a circuit block diagram of a kitchen remote controller.

FIG. 4 is a circuit block diagram of a bath remote controller.

FIG. 5 is a circuit block diagram of the sink remote controller.

FIG. 6 is a front view of the kitchen remote controller.

FIG. 7 is a front view of the bath remote controller.

FIG. 8 is a schematic view of a sink remote control.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of a conventional remote control system.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Hot-water supply apparatus main body 2 Kitchen remote control 3 Bath remote control 4 Washing-surface remote control 7, 8, 9 Cable 21, 41, 61 Microcomputer 22, 42, 62 EEPROM 23, 43, 63 Display part 24, 44, 64 Operation part 25 ASK communication part (Low-speed communication interface) 26, 46, 66 QPSK communication unit (high-speed communication interface) 27, 47, 67 System power supply unit 28, 48, 68 Terminal block 29, 49, 69 PCM codec 30, 50, 70 Audio processing unit 31, 51, 71 Microphone 32, 52, 72 Speaker 33 FM multiplex tuner 34 Antenna 35 External line interface circuit 36 Memory card interface circuit 37 Audio compression encoder 39 Information terminal interface circuit 53, 73 Audio expansion decoder 54, 7 Audio reproducing unit 55 artificial retina interface circuit 56 artificial retina sensor L1, L2 low-speed communication interface H2~H4 high speed communication interface

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Takehiro Kurihara 93, Edo-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture Inside (72) Inventor Satoshi Morikawa 93, Edo-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture (72) Inventor Yoshikazu Matsunobu 93 Edo-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture Inside Noritz Co., Ltd. 5K048 AA02 BA12 BA14 EA14 EB02 FB10 FB11 FB15 HA01 HA02

Claims (9)

[Claims] An object to be operated and a plurality of remote operation devices for remotely operating the object to be operated, wherein the object to be operated has a low speed for performing low speed communication with the plurality of remote operation devices. A remote control system provided with communication means, wherein the plurality of remote control devices are provided with high-speed communication means for performing high-speed communication between the plurality of remote control devices; At least one of the relay communication means is provided with relay communication means for low-speed communication so as to communicate directly with the low-speed communication means while communicating with the high-speed communication means provided therein. A remote operation system characterized by the following. 2. The remote operation system according to claim 1, wherein the low-speed communication unit transmits and receives a control signal for remotely operating the operation target by low-speed communication. 3. The remote control according to claim 2, wherein the high-speed communication means transmits and receives the immediate information exchanged between the plurality of remote control devices by high-speed communication and transmits and receives the control signal. system. 4. The operation target is a water heater main body, and each of the remote control devices is provided with operation means for remotely controlling the water heater main unit and outputs various information. 4. The remote control system according to claim 1, further comprising an output unit for outputting the information. 5. One of the remote control devices is a host, the other remote control device is a slave, and the host stores voice information and display information, and the voice information and display information are stored in the host. The remote controller according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the data is transmitted to each of the slaves via high-speed communication means, and each of the slaves outputs audio and displays display information according to the received audio information. Operation system. 6. The remote control system according to claim 5, wherein each of the slaves displays character information as display information. 7. The remote control system according to claim 5, wherein the host is provided as a kitchen remote control, and at least one of the slaves is provided as a wash remote control. 8. An operation target provided with low-speed communication means for performing low-speed communication is provided for remote operation, while
A remote control device for mutually performing high-speed communication with another device having high-speed communication means for performing high-speed communication, and performing direct communication with the low-speed communication means, while being provided in the present device itself. A remote communication device provided with relay communication means for low-speed communication so as to communicate with the high-speed communication means. 9. The operation target is a water heater main body, and the present apparatus is provided with operation means for remotely operating the water heater main body and an output for outputting various information. 9. Remote control device according to claim 8, wherein means are provided.