JP2004333052A - Remote-control operation device and water heater - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve a problem that it is difficult to secure a space for warning display on a remote-control operation device, and the commodity design image is impaired by the warning display. <P>SOLUTION: In this remote controller 10 (remote-control operation device) having a group of function switches 1-5 for instructing the operation of an apparatus main body, and a display part 7 for displaying an operating state on an image plane, the warning display on the basis of a PL low is displayed on the image plane display part 7 (display part), to improve the design image and to surely perform the notification to users. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a display method of a warning display of a remote control device installed at a position distant from an apparatus main body, and a water heater using the gas, oil or the like as a heat source provided with the remote control device.
[0002]
[Prior art]
On July 1, 1995, the Product Liability Act (hereinafter referred to as the PL Act) was enacted as a law to protect the life, body, and property of users due to product defects.
[0003]
As a result, the manufacturer can display a warning display based on the PL method at a position where the user can confirm it by labeling or printing as a warning for the product.
[0004]
Conventionally, there is a display that displays when an output value of a sensor or the like becomes lower than a reference value during operation of the device or when an erroneous usage is performed (for example, see Patent Documents 1 and 2).
[0005]
However, the display is different from the display based on the PL method, and there is no method of performing a warning display based on the PL method on a display unit of a remote control device (hereinafter, referred to as a remote controller), and a method of displaying a label or the like is generally used. It was a target.
[0006]
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a conventional remote controller 30 (remote control device) for a kitchen.
[0007]
Normally, a gas water heater (not shown) is installed outdoors in a device main body, and a remote controller 30 connected to the device main body in a wireless or wired manner is installed in a kitchen or a bath.
[0008]
The remote controller 30 is used for many other devices, but when the device main body is installed at a remote location such as outdoors, the remote controller 30 is positioned as the device main body.
[0009]
The warning display is meaningless unless it is displayed at a position visible to the user when operating the device. Therefore, the warning display is displayed on both the device body and the remote controller 30.
[0010]
As shown in FIG. 10, function switches such as a hot water supply operation switch 31, a bath operation switch 32, and a heating operation switch 33, and setting switches such as an up switch 34 and a down switch 35 for setting the hot water supply temperature and the amount of hot water in the bath. And a display unit 36 for displaying a driving situation.
[0011]
The product logo 37 and the warning display 38 are displayed by printing or labels.
[0012]
The warning display 38 is a warning sentence based on the PL method. In the case of a product whose device main body is installed outdoors, the relevant item must be displayed in a visible position of the remote controller 30 that is operated on a daily basis by printing or a label.
[0013]
In the case of a gas water heater, a warning display 38 for hot water is displayed by printing.
[0014]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2003-004398 A [Patent Document 2]
JP 2002-334153 A
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the remote control 30 of the gas water heater is often fixedly installed on a wall, and the position where the warning display 38 is attached is limited to the front of the remote control 30.
[0016]
In addition, the remote control 30 whose main purpose is the operation of the device has been developed with an emphasis on the ease of operation of the function switches 31, 32, 33 and the display unit 36, and the ease of viewing, so that a warning display 38 Is not considered, and it is very difficult to secure a space in a limited size.
[0017]
In the above conventional example, since the space for attaching the warning display 38 to the remote control 30 itself is limited, a warning for the temperature of hot water for hot water supply and a content for confirming the temperature of hot water in a shower or a bathtub in a bath. Are displayed together.
[0018]
Further, for the user such as "warning" and "caution", the warning display 38 in a negative expression has a problem that the design of the front surface of the remote controller 30 including the color and arrangement balance of the product, the logo of the product, etc. is significantly impaired.
[0019]
While the aging is accelerating, the size of the display unit 36 (the size of the remote controller 30 itself) makes it more difficult to secure a space than ever before.
[0020]
Further, in the warning display 38 of the conventional example, a warning sentence "Check the temperature of hot water and the temperature of the shower" is described in one. However, a unique warning is provided for each application such as hot water, bath, and heating. In the case where text is required, or as the development of compounding with various models using the remote control as one information terminal is progressing, it is expected that there will be multiple warning displays, and securing an even more space is an important issue.
[0021]
An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems and to provide a remote control device with improved design and a water heater provided with the remote control device.
[0022]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problems, a remote operation device of the present invention is a remote operation device having a function switch group for performing an operation instruction of an apparatus main body and a display unit for displaying an operation status on a screen, wherein the display unit is A warning display based on the PL method is displayed.
[0023]
According to the above invention, it is unnecessary to secure a space for displaying a warning display by labeling or printing.
[0024]
In addition, a plurality of warning displays can be displayed by switching the screen, so that the design properties such as the balance and color of the product are not impaired.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
The invention according to claim 1 is a remote control device including a function switch group for giving an operation instruction to an apparatus main body and a display unit for displaying an operation status of the apparatus main body on a screen, wherein the display unit is a PL. The warning display based on the law is displayed, and the warning display label disappears from the front of the remote control device, so that the design image can be improved and the user can be reliably notified.
[0026]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, by displaying a warning display on the display unit corresponding to the function of the operated switch, the warning display by a plurality of functions can be displayed without being affected by the space, and the switch operation can be performed. By performing a warning display based on the corresponding PL method, it is possible to reliably notify the user of the warning content.
[0027]
The invention according to claim 3 is characterized in that the warning display to be displayed on the screen can be set at an arbitrary size on the screen, and is based on the warning rank “danger, warning, caution” of the PL method. It is possible to weight the warning display.
[0028]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the warning display displayed on the screen disappears from the screen after a lapse of a predetermined time by the display timer determining means controlled by the microcomputer, and the subsequent screen is displayed by operating the device. It is a feature.
[0029]
The invention according to claim 5 is characterized in that the warning display displayed on the screen is displayed on the screen in a reduced state after a lapse of a predetermined time by display timer determination means controlled by the microcomputer, and the warning display is displayed during the subsequent operation of the device. Can be continuously transmitted to the user.
[0030]
According to the sixth aspect of the invention, the input of the function switches of the operation unit is not received while the warning display is displayed on the screen, so that the warning display can be held for a certain period of time and transmitted to the user.
[0031]
The invention according to claim 7 is characterized in that, while the warning display is being displayed on the screen, when the input of the switches of the operation unit is determined by the determination means, the warning display being displayed is canceled. The microcomputer program can be simplified. Further, the warning display can be canceled by the user's wish, and the remote controller is easy to use.
[0032]
According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, the remote controller according to any one of the first to seventh aspects is provided on the water heater, so that the user can reliably operate the water heater even when the device main body is often installed outdoors. Can be notified of the warning display.
[0033]
【Example】
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0034]
(Example 1)
FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a remote controller of a water heater according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1B is a block diagram of the water heater in the first embodiment.
[0035]
In FIG. 1, a remote controller 10 installed indoors is connected to a gas water heater main body 20 installed outdoors so as to be capable of bidirectional communication by wire. The remote controller 10 includes a function switch group such as a hot water supply operation switch 1, a bath operation switch 2, a heating operation switch 3 for heating a living room by circulating hot water, an up switch 4 and a down switch 5 for setting hot water supply temperature. , A control unit for a call switch 6 operated for communication between a kitchen and a bath, and a screen display unit 7 (display unit) for notifying a screen of various driving situations.
[0036]
When the hot water supply operation switch 1 is pressed, the microcomputer 8 that controls the equipment determines the hot water supply operation, and displays a warning display 9 on the screen display unit 7 based on the PL method at the time of the hot water supply operation.
[0037]
Similarly, when the bath operation switch 2 and the heating operation switch 3 are input, a warning display 9 based on the PL method for each operation is displayed.
[0038]
By displaying the warning display 9 on the screen display unit 7, warning labels such as "warning, danger, caution" pasted on the front of the main body of the remote controller 10 or directly printed and displayed can be eliminated.
[0039]
The space in which the warning label has been conventionally arranged can be effectively used for arranging the entire design including the operation part such as the product logo 11 and the function switches 1, 2, and 3. In addition, the original design image of the product that enhances the purchase motivation of the purchaser can be improved.
[0040]
In the present embodiment, the hot water supply operation switch 1, the bath operation switch 2, the heating operation switch 3, and the switch 4 for increasing or decreasing the temperature of the hot water supply may be used as switches on the touch panel of the screen display unit 7.
[0041]
In addition, a warning display 9 corresponding to the function can be displayed on the screen display unit 7 for each of the plurality of function switches, or the warning display 9 by operating the setting switches can be displayed. .
[0042]
The screen display unit 7 can adopt various methods such as a plasma display in addition to the liquid crystal display, and the same effect as the liquid crystal display method can be obtained in the various methods.
[0043]
Further, in the present embodiment, the water heater main body 20 and the remote controller 10 are connected in a wired manner, but they may be connected wirelessly. Therefore, the degree of freedom of the installation position of the remote controller 10 can be improved.
[0044]
Further, in the present embodiment, the gas water heater is used as the gas water heater. However, the same effects as those of the above-described gas water heater can be obtained in the oil water heater and the electric water heater.
[0045]
Further, in addition to the remote controller 10, application to an AV product main body such as a television and a video becomes possible.
[0046]
(Example 2)
FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C are perspective views showing the contents of a warning display for each of the hot water supply, bath, and heating functions of the remote control device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
[0047]
In the figure, the microcomputer 8 displays a warning display 9 on the screen display unit 7 in accordance with the required sequence of the warning display such as the hot water supply operation switch 1, the bath operation switch 2, the heating operation switch 3, etc.
[0048]
FIG. 2 (A) shows a warning display example 9-a displayed by operating the hot water supply operation switch 1 during the hot water supply operation, "Warning: Beware of burns, hot water is coming out."
[0049]
In the frame of FIG. 2 (B), a warning display example 9-B is displayed by operating the bath operation switch 2; "Warning: Be careful of burns, check the temperature of hot water in the shower or bathtub." is there.
[0050]
Furthermore, the inside of the frame of FIG. 2 (C) is a warning display example 9-C displayed by operating the heating operation switch 3, "Caution: Beware of fire, make sure that there is a person in the room."
[0051]
In the conventional example, one warning display label 38 displays a warning display of "Warning: Be careful of burns, check the temperature of hot water in hot water supply and the temperature of shower in bath." In this embodiment, a remote controller 10 having a plurality of functions such as hot water supply, bathing, and heating is used to display warning display examples 9-a, 9-b, and 9-c which are desired to be conveyed to the user by switching the screen for each function. And a more detailed warning display can be made.
[0052]
The contents of the warning display 9 are not limited to those shown in the present embodiment.
[0053]
(Example 3)
FIGS. 3A and 3B are perspective views illustrating a display size of a warning display of the remote control device according to the third embodiment.
[0054]
In the figure, the microcomputer 8 displays a warning display 9 in accordance with a sequence that requires a warning display such as a hot water supply operation switch 1 and a bath operation switch 2 (e.g., danger, warning, Note) is displayed on the screen display unit 7 in a display size corresponding to the “note”.
[0055]
<Contents of warning rank in PL method>
“Danger”: If the user ignores the warning and mishandles it, the user may be at risk of death or serious injury.
“Warning”: When it is assumed that if the user ignores the warning and mishandles it, the user may be killed or seriously injured.
"Caution": If the user ignores the contents of the warning and mishandles it, the user may be injured or only property is expected.
[0056]
In the frame of FIG. 3A, the warning display example 9-d is an example in which the warning display rank is “warning” and the user wants to give attention to the screen, and the warning is displayed on the entire screen display unit 7.
[0057]
The warning display example 9-E in the frame of FIG. 3B is an example in which the warning rank is “caution” and is displayed on about half of the screen display unit 7 (meaning that it is not necessary to notify the user of the warning). Rather, attention is transmitted even if it is about half the size.)
[0058]
In addition, the size for evoking “danger” can be arbitrarily set and displayed (not shown).
[0059]
As in this embodiment, the warning display 9 has a degree of freedom to set and display the warning display 9 in an arbitrary size by weighting.
[0060]
In the present embodiment, the warning display examples 9-d and 9-e are classified according to the predetermined display size according to the warning rank. However, the warning ranks may be classified according to the color tone or the design of the frame.
[0061]
(Example 4)
FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a warning display of the remote control device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the remote control device according to the fourth embodiment.
[0062]
In the figure, first, by operating the hot water supply operation switch 1 (step 1), the microcomputer 8 determines the necessity of the warning display 9 by the determining means 8a (step 2). If the warning display is necessary, the warning display screen 9a is displayed on the screen. Turn on (step 3).
[0063]
Next, the microcomputer 8 is electrically connected to the display timer determining means 8b which counts the display elapsed time in order to display the warning display 9 on the screen display unit 7 for a fixed time, and when the preset time elapses (step 4). ), The warning display screen 9a is turned off (step 5). Here, while the display timer determining means 8b is counting the timer, control is performed to reject the input acceptance of other switches.
[0064]
By the setting switches 4 and 5, the screen display section 7 is switched to the display of the operation mode, and thereafter the normal display is performed (step 6).
[0065]
Then, when the operation is stopped by operating the hot water supply operation switch 1 (step 7), the screen display unit 7 changes to a standby screen display (step 8).
[0066]
The display time of the warning display 9 on the screen display unit 7 may be a control method of arbitrarily selecting from a plurality of display times set in advance according to usability.
[0067]
Accordingly, during the timer counting of the display timer determining means 8b, a control for rejecting the reception of other switches is provided, so that the warning display screen 9a displays a predetermined time and a message for the user to pay attention. Can be conveyed reliably.
[0068]
(Example 5)
FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a warning display of the remote control device according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.
[0069]
In the figure, when the hot water supply operation switch 1 is operated (step 11), the microcomputer 8 determines the necessity of the warning display 9 by the determining means 8a (step 12), and turns on the warning display screen 9a when the warning display is necessary. (Step 13).
[0070]
The microcomputer 8 is connected to a display timer judging means 8b for counting a display elapsed time for displaying a warning display for a fixed time. When a preset time elapses (step 14), the function display of the screen display unit 7 is obstructed. The warning display screen 9a is reduced to a position where the warning is not to be displayed and is continuously held as a reduced warning display screen 9b on the screen (step 15). During the counting of the timer by the display timer judging means 8b, a control for rejecting the input acceptance of other switches is performed.
[0071]
By operating the setting switches 4 and 5, the screen display unit 7 continues the normal operation with the reduced warning display 9b remaining even after switching to the operation mode display (step 16).
[0072]
The operation is stopped by operating the hot water supply operation switch 1 (step 17), the reduced warning display screen 9b is turned off from the screen display section 7 (step 18), and the screen returns to the standby screen display (step 19).
[0073]
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the remote controller showing the reduced warning display 9b in the present embodiment.
[0074]
In FIG. 7, a reduced warning display 9b is displayed above the display screen unit 7. It is also possible to notify the user of the intention by posting the warning display example 9-a, 9-b, and 9-c in a catch phrase without posting the full text.
[0075]
In addition, since the display timer judging means 8b has a control for rejecting reception of other switches while the timer is counting, the warning display screen 9a displays a predetermined time to ensure that a message that the user needs to pay attention to is displayed. It will be possible to tell.
[0076]
(Example 6)
FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the remote control device according to the sixth embodiment, and FIG. 9 is a block diagram of the device.
[0077]
In the figure, first, by operating the hot water supply operation switch 1 (step 21), the microcomputer 8 determines the necessity of the warning display 9 (step 22), and turns on the warning display screen 9a on the screen if the warning display is necessary (step 21). 23).
[0078]
Next, the microcomputer 8 is connected to a display timer judging means 8b for displaying the warning display 9 on the screen display unit 7 for a fixed time, and turns off the warning display screen 9a when a preset time has elapsed (step 24). (Step 25).
[0079]
Then, when there is an operation of another switch while the timer is being counted by the display timer judging means 8b, the microcomputer 8 judges by the switch judging means 8c (step 26).
[0080]
Further, the microcomputer 8 which has determined the input of the switches and the like by the determining means 8c has a releasing means 12 forcibly releasing even during the timer counting of the display timer determining means 8b.
[0081]
The warning display screen 9a is turned off by the release means 12, and the sequence shifts to a sequence for performing a normal operation (step 25).
[0082]
By operating the switches, the screen display unit 7 switches to the operation mode display and shifts to the normal operation (step 27).
[0083]
The operation is stopped by operating the hot water supply operation switch 1 (step 28), and the screen display unit 7 returns to the standby screen display (step 29).
[0084]
In the present embodiment, the user can fully understand the warning display 9 when operating the switches of the equipment used every day, and realize the desire to quickly proceed to the next operation, thereby improving the usability.
[0085]
Further, the program of the display timer determining means 8b is unnecessary, and the program of the microcomputer 8 can be simplified. Simplifying the program of the microcomputer 8 leads to improvement in reliability.
[0086]
In this embodiment, the same canceling means 12 can be set in the sequence of the warning display reduction screen 9b for continuously displaying the reduced warning display 9 shown in the fifth embodiment.
[0087]
Although the warning display 9 of the embodiment shows the warning display 9 based on the PL method on the screen of the screen display unit 7 of the remote operation device, the warning display 9 is not limited to the remote operation device, and is generally used for devices having other display screens. Is also widely applicable.
[0088]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, by displaying a warning display based on the PL method on the screen display unit, the warning label disappears from the front of the remote controller, the image on the design can be improved, and the user can be surely notified. Becomes possible.
[Brief description of the drawings]
1A is a perspective view of a remote control device according to a first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2B is a block diagram of a water heater provided with the remote control device according to the first embodiment; FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a warning display example of the remote operation device in FIG. 2 (B) A perspective view showing another warning display example of the remote operation device, and (C) is a perspective view showing another warning display example of the remote control device. (A) A perspective view showing a warning display size of the remote control device according to the third embodiment of the present invention. (B) A perspective view showing another warning display size of the remote control device. FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the fifth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a warning display control of the remote controller according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a remote controller according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. Perspective view of the flow chart FIG. 9 is a block diagram of the embodiment [10] Conventional remote control device of the operating device [Description of symbols]
1 Hot water supply operation switch (function switch group)
2 Bath operation switch (function switch group)
3 heating operation switch (function switch group)
6 Call switch 7 Screen display (display)
9 Warning display 10 Remote control (remote control device)

Claims (8)

A remote control device having a function switch group for giving an operation instruction to an apparatus main body and a display section for displaying an operation state of the apparatus main body on a screen, wherein the display section displays a warning display based on the PL method. Remote control device characterized by the following. The remote control device according to claim 1, wherein a warning display is displayed on the display unit in accordance with the operated function switch. 3. The remote control device according to claim 2, wherein the warning display can be set to an arbitrary size on a screen of the display unit. The remote control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the warning display displayed on the screen disappears after a lapse of a predetermined time by the display timer determining means. The remote control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the warning display displayed on the screen is reduced after a predetermined time has elapsed by the display timer determining means, and is continuously displayed on the screen. 6. The remote control device according to claim 1, wherein input of a function switch group of the operation unit is not received while a warning display is displayed on the screen. The remote control device according to claim 1, wherein an input of a specific switch of the operation unit is determined by a determination unit while a warning display is displayed on the screen, and the warning display is released. A water heater provided with the remote control device according to claim 1.

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