JP2005114177A - Equipment remote control system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a remote control system for equipment, having a simple configuration and allowing easy setting by using a wireless tag. <P>SOLUTION: This remote control system S comprises a detection device 10 and a remote controller R using the wireless tag T, and a tag antenna 2 of the remote controller R is provided with a switch 3 turning on/off a circuit. A detection antenna 11 of the detection device 10 is disposed in a building construction member such as a wall or a ceiling to facilitate installation of the remote controller R. In an initial state of the remote controller R, the antenna circuit is turned off. When turning on the antenna circuit by switch operation, an IC chip 1 of the wireless tag T generates operating power in a power source generation part by use of energy of an electric wave always transmitted from the detection device 10, and replies a response signal on the basis of information held in a storage part. When the detection device 10 detects the response signal, the detection device 10 makes the prescribed equipment execute prescribed operation through a controller or the like. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a remote control system for remotely operating equipment constructed using a wireless tag.

Patent Document 1 describes a wireless remote control device for a bathroom. This type of remote control device is generally operated by a built-in battery. However, as described in Patent Document 2, an operation power source is generated using received radio waves and an operation signal is transmitted thereby. A remote controller configured as described above has also been proposed.
JP 2003-61169 A JP-A-8-331409

  The conventional remote controller described in Patent Document 2 generates a predetermined transmission code by an input from a key operation unit and transmits various operation signals. Therefore, in order to be able to transmit other types of signals, there is a problem that the structure of the key operation unit and the transmission code generation unit becomes complicated and the product cost increases.

  The present invention provides an equipment remote control system (hereinafter referred to as “the remote control system of the present invention”) that has a simple structure and is inexpensive, and is characterized in that the storage unit is responsive to a received radio signal. A remote controller configured using a wireless tag provided with a function main body having a function of returning a radio wave signal based on retained information and a switch that operates to enable or disable the signal transmission function of the function main body, and , A system comprising a detection device for transmitting and receiving radio waves to and from the remote controller, wherein the detection antenna of the detection device is disposed on a building component such as a wall, floor, ceiling, etc. It is arrange | positioned in the vicinity of the equipment which becomes.

  Here, the wireless tag is one that generates electric power using, for example, a radio wave transmitted from a detection device, modulates a received radio wave based on information stored in a storage unit, and generates and transmits a response signal. For example, the switch is provided in the antenna circuit of the wireless tag and operates to enable or disable the signal transmission function of the wireless tag by opening and closing the circuit.

  The remote control system of the present invention configured as described above operates as follows, for example. A radio wave is constantly or intermittently transmitted from the detection device, and a radio signal can be transmitted and received with the wireless tag of the remote controller at any time. Here, it is assumed that the switch of the remote controller validates the signal transmission function of the wireless tag during operation. In an initial state, the wireless tag does not transmit a response signal with respect to the transmission radio wave of the detection device. When the switch is operated, the signal transmission function of the wireless tag is enabled, a response signal is transmitted from the wireless tag, and the detection device detects this to cause a predetermined device to execute a predetermined operation.

  In the above, it is possible to set so that the signal transmission function of the wireless tag is invalidated when the switch is operated. In this case, the wireless tag always transmits a response signal in the initial state, and when the signal transmission function of the wireless tag is disabled by operating the switch, the detection device detects the interruption of the response signal and executes a predetermined operation. Let

  The remote control system of the present invention is configured to send an operation command signal via a detection device, instead of directly sending a signal from the remote control to the equipment to be operated. Therefore, it is also possible to arrange the remote controller outside the room where the equipment to be operated is installed or the room where the equipment is used.

  The remote control system of the present invention adopts a configuration in which the detection antenna of the detection device is integrally disposed on a building component such as a wall, floor, or ceiling, and a remote control mounting portion is provided on the surface of the building component. it can.

  The remote control system of the present invention can be applied to a bathroom. In this case, the detection antenna of the detection device is disposed in a bathroom component such as a wall, floor, ceiling, or bathtub, and the remote controller is disposed in the bathroom or a room adjacent to the bathroom. Or it is good also as a structure which arrange | positions the detection antenna of the said detection apparatus in the upper surface part of a bathtub, and arrange | positions the said remote control in the bathtub vicinity.

  The remote control of the remote control system of the present invention can be configured to be portable.

  In the remote control system of the present invention, since the remote control is configured by using the wireless tag, it is possible to generate the operating power of the remote control by the radio wave transmitted from the detection device, so there is no need for wiring work when installing the remote control. The installation work is very easy. In addition, since a built-in battery is not required, it is possible to save time and effort for managing the remaining battery level and replacing the battery. Since the device is operated by enabling or disabling the signal transmission function of the wireless tag with a switch, the internal structure of the remote control can be simplified and a robust waterproof structure can be easily obtained. As a result, a system with high operational reliability can be constructed easily and inexpensively.

  In the remote control system of the present invention, when the remote control is arranged outside the room where the equipment to be operated is installed or outside the room where the equipment is used, various equipment can be operated from the adjacent room, for example. Moreover, when the detection antenna of the said detection apparatus is integrally arrange | positioned in a building structural member and the attachment part of a remote control is provided in the surface of the said building structural material, construction becomes easy.

  When the remote control system of the present invention is applied to a bathroom and the detection antenna of the detection device is disposed in advance on a bathroom component such as a wall, floor, ceiling, or bathtub, the construction is facilitated and the position where the remote control can be installed is restricted. As a result, the remote controller can be placed in any location in the bathroom or in a room adjacent to the bathroom. Moreover, when it is set as the structure which arrange | positions the detection antenna of a detection apparatus in the upper surface part of a bathtub, and arrange | positions the said remote control in the bathtub vicinity, operativity is favorable.

  When the remote control of the remote control system of the present invention is configured to be portable, operability can be improved.

  FIG. 1 schematically shows an example in which the present invention is applied to a remote control system S for operating bathroom equipment. The remote control system S includes a remote control R using a wireless tag T and a detection device 10 that communicates with the remote control R by radio waves as main components. In addition, although you may comprise so that the detection signal of the detection apparatus 10 may be directly input into various apparatuses, you may arrange | position the control apparatus 20 between the detection apparatus 10 and various apparatuses. The detection device 10, also called a reader, is arranged outside the bathroom, for example, using an empty space on the back of the ceiling or the back of the wall, and the detection antenna 11 for communicating with the remote control R has a bathroom configuration such as a wall, ceiling, floor, and bathtub. It is attached to the back or inside of the member. Thereby, the installation possible range of remote control R can be expanded. For example, when the detection antenna 11 is embedded in a wall panel, communication with the detection apparatus 10 is possible if the remote controller R is installed at an arbitrary location on the wall panel. Moreover, the attachment position of the remote control R includes the door surface, the window surface, the bathtub surface, etc., in addition to the wall panel inner surface of the wall panel. Furthermore, it is possible to attach to the outer surface of the bathroom so that the equipment in the bathroom can be operated from the adjacent room.

  The remote controller R is configured by using a wireless tag T including an IC chip 1, a tag antenna 2, and a switch 3 provided in the middle of the tag antenna 2, and has a waterproof structure in principle. Although the IC chip 1 and the switch 3 may be only one set, it is preferable to increase the number of sets according to the number of items to be operated. In this case, as illustrated in FIG. 2, a plurality of sets of the IC chip 1 and the switch 3 are connected in parallel to one tag antenna 2. By changing the holding information of each IC chip 1, it is possible to identify which switch operation has been performed even if the tag antenna 2 is shared.

  The IC chip 1 can have various structures. In this example, the internal structure shown in FIG. 3 is adopted. That is, as shown in the drawing, a control unit comprising a reception unit and a transmission unit connected to the antenna 2 via a wireless communication interface, a power generation unit that generates power by the received radio wave, an MPU that controls demodulation and modulation of the radio wave, etc. In addition, the wireless tag includes a storage unit including a non-volatile memory that holds identification information of the wireless tag and other information. However, the wireless communication interface / reception unit / transmission unit may be configured integrally. In addition, the storage unit may be constituted by a read-only memory. However, if rewriting is possible if desired, it is desirable to provide an external communication interface (not shown) in the IC chip for updating or changing the stored information. .

  Since the tag antenna 2 and the detection antenna 11 efficiently receive radio waves transmitted from the detection device, it is possible to adopt a surface loop shape wound on a substrate in a coil shape. However, the form of the antenna can be changed based on the frequency and intensity of the radio wave used for communication. For example, a bar, patch (element), composite patch, surface, slot, spiral, pattern It is possible to adopt as appropriate depending on the situation.

  A switch 3 for ON / OFF control is provided in the middle of the tag antenna 2. Examples of the switch 3 include a reed switch, a micro switch, a mercury switch, a piezoelectric switch, and a pressurized conductive rubber switch. In the initial state, the switch 3 turns off the tag antenna 2 (circuit is opened), and when the switch operation is performed, the antenna circuit is turned on (closed circuit) (normally open). It is conceivable that the antenna circuit is turned on in the state and the antenna circuit is turned off (normally closed) when the switch operation is performed. Further, regarding the arrangement of the switch 3, it is considered preferable in terms of production to be in the middle of the tag antenna 2, but if it can be mechanically operated, it can be incorporated into the IC chip.

  The remote controller R is not only used to operate a device installed in the bathroom or a device used in the bathroom, but also when operating a device outside the bathroom from inside the bathroom, or from outside the bathroom. It can also be used when operating an internal device. Examples of bathroom equipment to be operated include automatic hot water supply equipment (hot water filling equipment), reheating equipment, hot water circulation equipment (jet bath), ventilation equipment, drying equipment, ventilation drying heating equipment, preheating equipment, washroom heating Examples include a device (for example, a hot water dissipation type), a bathtub drainage device, a sauna device (such as a mist sauna), an aroma device, a bathroom lighting device, and a driving device for an opening / closing door of a bathroom storage unit. Examples of the equipment outside the bathroom to be operated include an air conditioner, a lighting device, an antifogging device (for a dressing room mirror), a sound source reproducing device, and an alarm device in a dressing room and / or living room.

  The operation of the above-described remote control system S of the present invention will be described as follows. It is assumed that the switch 3 maintains the antenna circuit OFF in the initial state and operates to turn the antenna circuit ON by operation. In addition, it is assumed that the storage unit of the wireless tag 1 holds individual information according to the type of switch.

  The detection device 10 of the remote control system S of the present invention constantly transmits a question signal toward the remote control R. In the initial state, the antenna circuit of the remote controller R is turned off by the switch 3, and therefore there is no response from the wireless tag 1. When the antenna circuit is turned on by operating the switch 3, the radio tag T of the remote controller R receives the radio signal transmitted from the detection device 10 by the tag antenna 2, and the IC chip 1 uses the energy of the received radio wave. The power generation unit generates operating power, and returns a response signal obtained by modulating the received radio wave by the control unit to the detection device 10 based on the information stored in the storage unit. The detection device 10 detects the returned response signal, analyzes the contents, and causes a predetermined device to perform a required operation via the control device 20 as desired based on the signal information.

  By the way, the equipment remote control system S is set so that the antenna circuit is turned on by a switch operation. On the other hand, in the initial state, the antenna circuit is kept on, and the remote control R and the detection device 10 are always connected. It is possible to set so that the antenna circuit is turned off when the switch is operated, and the response signal from the remote controller R is interrupted.

[Example 1]
FIG. 4 shows an example of a bathroom Y to which the remote control system of the present invention is applied. In this example, the detection device 10 is disposed on the back (upper surface side) of the ceiling C of the bathroom Y, and the detection antenna 11 connected thereto is disposed on the wall W. In addition, about the arrangement | positioning of the detection apparatus 10, when there is an empty space in the back side (outside of the bathroom Y) of the wall W, or the lower side of the floor F, utilization of them is not prevented. Further, if necessary, a control device (not shown) is connected to the detection device 10, and based on the detection result output from the detection device 10, the control device performs a predetermined operation on the device corresponding to the switch operation. You may comprise.

  When the wall W is constructed with a wall panel, it is possible to embed an antenna wire in advance when the wall panel is manufactured. Alternatively, the antenna wire may be attached to one surface of the wall panel and the remote controller mounting portion may be provided on the other surface. In these cases, the material of the wall panel needs to be radio wave transmissive.

  The remote controller R1 is attached to the surface of the wall W in which the detection antenna 11 is embedded in the bathroom Y. As a result, even if the remote controller R1 is arranged at an arbitrary location on the wall W, the antenna 11 is positioned in the vicinity thereof, so that the radio signal between the remote controller R1 and the detection device 10 can be reliably communicated. Since the remote controller R1 does not require electrical wiring, it is very easy to install.

  The target devices to be operated by the remote controller R1 in the bathroom Y include those in the bathroom Y, such as an automatic hot water supply device for replenishing hot water, a reheating device, a hot water circulation device such as a so-called jet bath, a ventilation device, and a bathtub drainage device. , Sauna equipment, fragrance equipment and the like.

  It is also possible to operate equipment outside the bathroom from inside the bathroom Y. For example, if you have only a bathroom or lighting equipment for a dressing room adjacent to the bathroom, an anti-fog device to prevent the mirror from fogging, or a bathroom / dressing room In addition to an air conditioner that controls the room temperature of the room including the living room, a music playback device, etc., as well as a notification device for contacting people in the room, hospitals, fire departments, etc. when a physical condition changes during bathing Is mentioned.

  Note that the switch of the remote controller R1 and the above device may correspond to each other on a one-to-one basis, but may be set so that a predetermined series of operations are executed by a plurality of devices by one switch operation. For example, if you prepare a bathing mode switch and operate it, the lighting device in the bathroom or dressing room lights, the anti-fog device in the mirror starts, the air conditioner starts operation, and the music player turns on the sound source. A mode of preparing a comfortable environment when starting reproduction and getting out of the bathroom can be considered.

[Example 2]
It is also possible to arrange the remote controller R2 on the outer surface of the bathroom wall W so as to operate the equipment in the bathroom Y from outside the bathroom Y. In this case, as shown in FIG. 4, the remote control R2 is attached to the outer surface of the door D provided at the entrance of the bathroom Y, and the detection antenna 11 connected to the detection device 10 is connected to the wall W or door frame around the door D. It arranges in. Since the remote control R2 of the equipment remote control system according to the present invention does not require wiring, the remote control R2 can be attached to the surface of the door D that opens and closes and allows a predetermined device to reliably execute a required operation.

  The equipment in the bathroom to be operated by the remote controller R2 in this example is an automatic hot water supply device, a ventilation device, a drying device, a preheating device, a hot water-dissipating washing room heating device, a bathtub drainage device, a sauna device, an aroma device, and an illumination device. Etc. Even in this example, the switch of the remote controller R2 and the above-mentioned device are set not only in a one-to-one correspondence but also set so that a plurality of devices execute a predetermined series of operations by one switch operation. Is possible. For example, when a bathing preparation mode switch is prepared and operated, the automatic hot water supply device starts filling, and in the cold season, the preliminary heating device / washing room heating device is activated and the room temperature in the bathroom Y and A mode in which the temperature of the floor is raised and the fragrance apparatus operates is conceivable.

[Example 3]
As shown in FIG. 5, the detection antenna 11 connected to the detection device 10 of the remote control system S of the present invention can be disposed behind the ceiling and / or under the floor of the bathroom Y.

[Example 4]
As shown in FIG. 6, it is possible to arrange the detection antenna 11 on the upper surface of the bathtub B and arrange the remote controller R3 in the vicinity of the bathtub B. The detection antenna 11 can be configured to be embedded inside the upper surface of the bathtub B in addition to being attached to the back side of the upper surface of the bathtub B. The reason why the detection antenna 11 is arranged on the upper surface of the bathtub is that, when hot water is applied to the bathtub B, if the detection antenna 11 is below the stored water level, communication by radio waves becomes difficult. In the case of this example, it is desirable to arrange the detection device 10 in the vicinity of the bathtub B, for example, on the back side of the apron. The remote controller R3 may be attached to the upper surface of the bathtub B, but may be portable and configured to float on the bathtub.

  The remote control system of the present invention can also be operated in a manner in which equipment is set for each individual based on personal data input in advance. For example, when used as a jet bath remote control, the operation mode desired by each individual is input in advance, and the operation desired by the person can be performed by only one operation (one push) of each personal switch provided on the remote control. A mode of automatically operating the jet bath in the mode is possible. In addition, when a fragrance device capable of generating a plurality of types of scents is provided in the bathroom, a preselected scent may be automatically generated for each individual when a personal switch on the remote control is operated. it can. Alternatively, a configuration in which a storage having an open / close door, a rotary opening / closing storage, or the like is provided on a wall surface of a bathroom or the like and only the corresponding personal storage is opened / closed by operating a personal switch is also conceivable. In addition, a monitor device that can monitor the bathing time, hot water temperature, water level, shower usage, etc., as well as the heart rate and body temperature of the bather, is provided, and the numerical value of the above item is more than the predetermined value from the initial setting value for each individual bather When deviating from the above, it may be possible to notify the bather of an abnormality or to issue an alarm.

  In addition, since the remote control system of the present invention can constitute a remote control excellent in waterproofness by using a wireless tag, equipment in various water facilities such as for bathrooms, kitchens, toilets, toilets, etc. It can be used as a device operating means.

It is drawing which shows schematic structure of one Embodiment of the equipment remote control system which concerns on this invention. It is drawing which shows roughly the structure of the remote control used for the equipment remote control system which concerns on this invention. It is a block diagram which shows roughly the internal structure of the wireless tag used for the remote control of the equipment remote control system which concerns on this invention. It is a perspective view of the bathroom which shows Example 1 and Example 2 of the present invention. It is a perspective view of the bathroom which shows Example 3 of this invention. It is a perspective view of the bathtub which shows Example 4 of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

S ... equipment remote control system R, R1, R2 ... remote control T ... wireless tag 1 ... IC chip 2 ... tag antenna 3 ... switch 10 ... detection device 11 ... detection antenna

Claims (6)

A function main unit having a function of returning a radio signal based on information stored in the storage unit in response to a received radio signal and a switch that operates to enable or disable the signal transmission function of the function main unit are provided. And a detection device for transmitting and receiving radio waves to and from the remote control, wherein the detection antenna of the detection device is a building component such as a wall, floor, or ceiling. The equipment remote control system is characterized in that the remote control is arranged in the vicinity of the equipment to be operated. A function main unit having a function of returning a radio signal based on information stored in the storage unit in response to a received radio signal and a switch that operates to enable or disable the signal transmission function of the function main unit are provided. And a detection device for transmitting and receiving radio waves to and from the remote control, wherein the detection antenna of the detection device is a building component such as a wall, floor, or ceiling. The equipment remote control system is characterized in that the remote control is arranged outside a room in which the equipment to be operated is installed or a room using the equipment. 3. The equipment remote control system according to claim 1, wherein a detection antenna of the detection device is integrally disposed on a building component, and a remote control mounting portion is provided on a surface of the building component. The equipment remote control system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a detection antenna of the detection device is disposed in a bathroom component such as a wall, a floor, a ceiling, or a bathtub, and the remote controller is disposed in a bathroom or a room adjacent to the bathroom. . The equipment remote control system according to claim 1, wherein a detection antenna of the detection device is disposed on an upper surface portion of the bathtub, and the remote controller is disposed in the vicinity of the bathtub. The equipment remote control system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the remote control is portable.