JP2006107169A - Bathroom state annunciator and hot water supplier having the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To determine and inform a bathroom state with an inexpensive configuration. <P>SOLUTION: When a sound detection means 4 in an in-bathroom device 23 detects no sound within a period counted by a timer means 5, A voice generation means 9 addresses a call by a voice to a person in a bath. When the sound detection means 4 still detects no sound, the communication means 10 of the bathroom device 23 sends associated information to the communication means 16 of a device 24 outside the bathroom. A warning means 15 issues a warning. Sound detection determines the bathroom state. Thus the configuration is available at a lower cost. In addition, providing a bathroom state annunciator to the remote controller of a hot water supplier 22 allows inexpensive and simple construction. Furthermore, interlocking the start and the stop of the bathroom state annunciator with an electric light switch 25 in the bathroom prevents a failure in starting and a failure in stopping the bathroom state annunciator. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a bathroom situation notification device that detects the situation of a bather in a bathroom with sound and notifies the outside of the bathroom when there is no sound, and a water heater provided with the bathroom condition notification apparatus.

  Even in recent years, the number of people who die while taking a bath in the bathroom is more than 10,000 people a year (see Non-Patent Document 1, for example).

  In view of such a situation, the spread of equipment for preventing accidents in the bathroom, such as bathroom heating, has been promoted. However, devices that detect accidents that occur in the bathroom are either expensive or have their installation involved, or are not readily available.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is known a human body detecting device that generates an alarm outside a bathroom and operates an intercom inside and outside the bathroom so that a call can be made when an abnormality occurs in the movement of the human body while monitoring the inside of the bathroom (for example, a patent Reference 1).

In such a bathroom condition notification device, the movement of a human body is monitored by an imaging device.
JP 2002-319079 A Tokyo Gas Homepage (June 4, 2004) http: // home. Tokyo-gas. co. jp / benri / sumai2 / lesson1_1. html

  However, since the conventional bathroom condition notification device uses an imaging device, the imaging device itself is expensive, and a microcomputer for processing the data also requires processing capability.

  The present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional problems, and can be configured at low cost, and an object thereof is to promote the popularization of bathroom condition notification devices in each home.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, the bathroom condition notifying device of the present invention detects the condition of a person in the bathroom with sound by means of sound detection means. When taking a bath, there are sounds such as showers. If these sounds are present, it is determined that there is human activity. However, since there is not always a sound, an alarm is generated only when the sound detection means does not detect a sound within the time counted by the timer means. When the sound detection means detects sound within the time counted by the timer means, the alarm is not generated, the count of the timer means is reset, and the count is started again.

  In addition, in order to detect the sound of a person without relying on the sound of a shower or the like, the sound generation means calls the person from the bathroom status notification device side to the person in the bathroom and detects whether there is a response. Detecting by means, it is determined whether or not a person is unable to respond in the bathroom.

  Thus, since the presence or absence of sound is determined by the sound detection means, it can be configured at low cost. In addition, it is not necessary to install at a high position such as a ceiling unlike an imaging device, and a bathroom condition notifying device that can be easily constructed can be provided.

  The bathroom condition notification device of the present invention can determine the condition of the bathroom by detecting the sound in the bathroom, and can notify the condition of the bathroom with an inexpensive configuration.

  In addition, the bathroom situation can be determined by the reaction sound of calling to the bather, and the determination error can be eliminated.

  In addition, by regularly calling the bather, a sense of security is provided that he / she watches over the situation in the bathroom, and no false alarm is generated.

  In addition, since the alarm can be transferred to the outside, the bathroom situation can be reported even in a situation where no one other than the bather is in the house.

  Also, the call voice data for the bather can be easily changed, so that the bather does not get bored with the call voice and can take a comfortable bath.

  Moreover, by providing the remote control of the water heater with a bathroom condition notification device, the construction can be simplified at low cost.

  In addition, since the bathroom condition can be determined from the sound in the bathroom, it can also be used as a sound detection means for the hands-free intercom function of the water heater, and can be configured at low cost.

  In addition, it is possible to start and stop the bathroom condition notification device without being aware of it, and it is possible to prevent forgetting to start and forgetting to stop.

The first invention is composed of a bathroom unit provided with sound detection means, timer means and communication means, and a bathroom external unit provided with communication means and alarm means, and the sound is counted within the time counted by the timer means. If the detection means does not detect a sound higher than the set volume, the information is sent from the bathroom unit to the bathroom outside unit by the communication means, and an alarm is generated in the bathroom outside unit. The situation of the bathroom can be detected by sound, and the bathroom condition notification device can be constructed at low cost.
In a second aspect of the invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the bathroom unit includes a sound generation means, and the sound detection means does not detect a sound higher than a set volume within the time counted by the timer means, First, the voice generation means calls the person in the bathroom, and if the sound detection means still does not detect the sound above the set volume, the information is sent from the bathroom unit to the bathroom outside unit by the communication means, By generating an alarm in the bathroom outside unit, even if the sound detection means does not detect the sound within the time counted by the timer means, a sound is generated once, not immediately. By calling the person in the bathroom by means, there is no false alarm.

  The third invention is composed of a sound detection means, a sound generation means, a timer means for activating the sound generation means, a bathroom unit provided with a communication means, and a bathroom external unit provided with a communication means and a warning means. The sound generation means is activated every time counted by the timer means, and a call is made to a person in the bathroom. When the sound detection means does not detect a sound higher than the set volume, the communication means Since the information is sent to the bathroom unit and an alarm is generated in the bathroom unit, a call is made periodically to the person in the bathroom every time counted by the timer means. You can feel secure that you are watching over the situation, and you will not generate a false alarm.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to third aspects, by providing a means for transferring information to the outside simultaneously with an alarm, anyone other than a bather in the bathroom can enter the house. Even when there is no person, the situation in the bathroom can be notified by telephone or the like.

  According to a fifth aspect, in the third aspect, the detachable or network-connected storage means is provided, and the voice for calling the person in the bathroom by the voice generation means is the voice stored in the storage means. So, the calling voice can be made to the voice of the family, the calling according to the season, and the calling can be made with your favorite voice, so that the bather who is called can take a bath comfortably.

  The sixth aspect of the invention is that the hot water heater is provided with any one of the first to fifth aspects of the bathroom condition notifying device, so that the bathroom remote control of the water heater is also used as the bathroom unit of the bathroom condition notifying device, By using the remote controller of the water heater as the bathroom external unit of the bathroom status notification device, the bathroom status notification function can be realized at low cost among the hot water heaters installed in each household. Construction is also easy.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the sixth aspect of the invention, the sound detection means for the hands-free intercom function of the water heater and the sound detection means for the bathroom condition notification device are combined, so that the water heater is inexpensive. A bathroom condition notification function can be realized.

  According to an eighth invention, in any one of the first to seventh inventions, the activation and stop of the bathroom condition notification device is interlocked with the bathroom light switch, so that the bathroom condition notification device is forgotten to be activated or stopped. Forgetting can be prevented.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a water heater provided with a bathroom condition notifying device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, a microphone 1, an amplifier 2, and a sound determination unit 3 constitute a sound detection unit 4. The timer means 5 is connected to the microcomputer 11. The speaker 6, the speaker amplifier 7, and the storage unit 8 constitute an audio generation unit 9. The communication means 10 is connected to the sound detection means 4, the sound generation means 9, and the microcomputer 11, and further connected to the outdoor unit 24 and the hot water heater 22. The bathroom unit 23 includes a sound detection unit 4, a timer unit 5, a sound generation unit 9, a communication unit 10, and a microcomputer 11, and the bathroom unit 23 also functions as a bath remote control for the water heater 22.

  Next, the configuration on the bathroom exterior unit 24 side will be described. The microphone 17, the microphone amplifier 18, and the sound determination unit 19 constitute a sound detection unit 20. The speaker 13, the speaker amplifier 12, and the storage unit 14 constitute an alarm unit 15. The communication means 16 is connected to the sound detection means 20, the alarm means 15, and the microcomputer 21, and further connected to the bathroom unit 23 and the hot water heater 22. The bathroom outside unit 24 includes a sound detection unit 20, an alarm unit 15, a communication unit 16, and a microcomputer 21, and the bathroom outside unit 24 also functions as a kitchen remote controller for the water heater 22.

  Furthermore, the bathroom light switch 25 has two switch circuits, one circuit is for the light, the other circuit is for starting the bathroom condition notification device, and only the activation circuit for the bathroom condition notification device is shown in the drawing. . The electric light switch 25 receives a signal from the microcomputer 11 of the bathroom unit (bath remote controller) 23.

  About the water heater provided with the bathroom condition alerting | reporting apparatus comprised as mentioned above, the operation | movement and an effect | action are demonstrated below.

  First, before explaining the operation of the bathroom condition notification device, the hands-free intercom function in the remote controller of the water heater will be explained. To activate the intercom function, a call switch (not shown) provided in the bathroom unit (bath remote controller) 23 or the bathroom outside unit (kitchen remote controller) 24 is pressed. When a person in the bathroom starts speaking, the microphone 1 picks up the sound, and the amplifier 2 amplifies the sound signal of the microphone 1. The sound determination means 3 outputs a sound detection signal to the microcomputer 11 when the sound signal is a signal having a magnitude greater than a preset level. The microcomputer 11 receives the sound detection signal and operates the communication means 10. The communication means 10 sends out the audio signal input from the amplifier 2. The audio signal is transmitted to the communication means 16 of the bathroom outside unit (kitchen remote controller) 24, and the amplifier 12 amplifies the sound signal, becomes sound from the speaker 13, and is heard from the bathroom outside unit (kitchen remote controller) 24. The same applies when starting to talk from outside the bathroom (kitchen remote control) 24.

  Next, the operation as a bathroom condition notification device will be described. When the bather turns on the electric light switch 25 in the bathroom, the electric light is turned on, and at the same time, a signal with the switch is input to the microcomputer 11 of the bathroom unit (bath remote controller) 23. The microcomputer 11 activates the timer means 5. The timer means 5 starts counting a set time (for example, 3 minutes). Microphone 1 picks up the sound in the bathroom. If the bather speaks or makes a sound, the sound is picked up by the microphone 1 and amplified by the amplifier 2. If it is determined that the sound determination means 3 is equal to or greater than the set sound volume, the sound detection means 4 sends a sound detection signal to the microcomputer 11. Since the microcomputer 11 has received the sound detection signal, the timer means 5 is reset, and the timer means 5 restarts the time count (3 minutes) from the beginning. If the sound detection means 4 does not detect the sound within the time count (3 minutes) of the timer means 5, the microcomputer 11 issues a call signal to the sound generation means 9. Upon receiving the call signal, the sound generation means 9 amplifies the sound data in the storage means 8 with the amplifier 7 and plays it through the speaker 6. The audio data at this time is, for example, “How are you feeling? Please reply if you are all right.” If the bather is fine, there is a reply and the sound detection means 4 should be able to detect the sound. If the sound can be detected, the sound detection means 4 issues a sound detection signal to the microcomputer 11, and the timer means 5 is reset by the microcomputer 11. If the bather is in a bad condition and does not respond, the sound detection means 4 cannot detect the sound, and therefore does not output a sound detection signal to the microcomputer 11. Since the microcomputer 11 does not receive a sound detection signal, the communication means 10 transmits sound non-detection information to the bathroom outside unit (kitchen remote control) 24. The outdoor unit (kitchen remote control) 24 receives the information without sound detection by the communication means 16, and the microcomputer 21 sends an alarm signal to the alarm means 15. The alarm unit 15 amplifies the audio data stored in the storage unit 14 by the amplifier 12 and generates an alarm from the speaker 13.

  The content of the alarm is voice, for example, “Please check the bathroom”.

  The alarm may be a buzzer sound or a melody. Further, if the alarm is a buzzer sound, the storage means 14 is not necessary.

  Thus, in the form of this embodiment, the case where the sound detection means 4 does not detect the sound within the count time of the timer means 5 is determined as an abnormal situation of the bather, so the situation of the bather can be determined with a simple configuration. .

  Also, even if the sound detection means 4 does not detect the sound within the count time of the timer means 5, the alarm is not issued immediately, but the voice generation means 9 once calls the person in the bathroom, so the alarm is erroneously issued. Will not be issued.

  Further, the bathroom condition notification device is provided in the bathroom unit (bathroom remote control) 23 and the bathroom exterior unit (kitchen remote control) 24 attached to the water heater 22, so that the bathroom remote control of the water heater 22 is connected to the bathroom of the bathroom condition notification device. By sharing the kitchen remote controller of the water heater 22 with the bathroom outside unit of the bathroom condition notifying device, the bathroom condition notifying function can be provided at a low cost in the water heater 22 installed in each household. Can be realized.

  In addition, since the sound detecting means 4 for the hands-free intercom function of the water heater 22 and the sound detecting means 4 for the bathroom condition notifying device are combined, the bathroom condition notifying function can be realized at low cost in the water heater. .

  In addition, since the activation and the stop of the bathroom condition notification device are linked to the bathroom light switch 25, it is possible to prevent the bathroom condition notification device from forgetting to start or stop.

  In addition, the resuscitation rate from the breathing stop becomes higher as the time setting of the timer means 5 is shorter. In the so-called drinker curve, resuscitation rate is 90% after starting respiration 2 minutes after stopping breathing, 75% after 3 minutes, 50% after 4 minutes, 25% after 5 minutes, 25% after 6 minutes, It is said to be 10%.

  However, about 3 minutes is a guideline in order to avoid the bather feeling uncomfortable when calling out too often and not using the bathroom condition notification device.

  In addition, when the start and stop of the bathroom status notification device is not linked to the bathroom light switch 25, the bathroom status notification function start / stop switch is provided in the bathroom unit (bath remote control) 23 or the bathroom external unit (kitchen remote control). May be provided.

  In addition, although the timer means 5 showed the example which divided the structure from the microcomputer 11, you may provide the timer means 5 in the inside of the microcomputer 11. FIG.

  Note that the sound detection means 4 detects a sound that is equal to or higher than the set volume, but the set volume is set to a volume that is higher than the ambient noise and lower than the volume for conversation. In general, the volume may be set to about 60 dB to 70 dB. However, the set volume may be changed according to ambient noise.

  When the bather falls down without leaving the shower, it is assumed that the sound detection means 4 detects the sound and the alarm cannot be given by the outdoor unit (kitchen remote control) 24. In order to cope with such a situation, when the sound detection means 4 detects sound continuously for 3 minutes, for example, the microcomputer 11 issues a confirmation signal to the sound generation means 9 and receives the confirmation signal. 9 utters, for example, “Please stop the shower once and keep quiet.” If the bather stops the shower, the sound detection means 4 will not detect the sound, so this state is regarded as normal, and if the sound detection means 4 continuously detects the sound even after the sound is generated, Then, an alarm is generated by the outdoor unit 24 (kitchen remote control).

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of a water heater provided with a bathroom condition notifying device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  2, the description of the same components as those in FIG. 1 is omitted. The timer means 5 in FIG. 2 is the same in terms of counting time, but is provided for starting the sound generating means 9. The telephone line 26 is connected to the water heater 22. The transfer means 27 is connected to the telephone line 26.

  About the water heater provided with the bathroom condition alerting | reporting apparatus comprised as mentioned above, the operation | movement and an effect | action are demonstrated below.

  When the bather turns on the electric light switch 25 in the bathroom, the electric light is turned on, and at the same time, a signal with the switch is input to the microcomputer 11 of the bathroom unit (bath remote controller) 23. The microcomputer 11 activates the timer means 5. The timer means 5 starts counting a set time (for example, 3 minutes). When the timer means 5 counts up the time, the microcomputer 11 issues a call signal to the sound generation means 9. Upon receiving the call signal, the sound generation means 9 amplifies the sound data in the storage means 8 with the amplifier 7 and plays it through the speaker 6.

  In the second embodiment, the call is made at regular time intervals set by the timer means 5, and therefore the call content needs to prevent the bather from getting bored. With the same call every time, it becomes difficult to reply, and the bathroom status notification device itself is not used.

  Therefore, a plurality of calling voices are prepared in the storage unit 8. For example, there are seasonal greetings such as “How is hot water?” At the beginning of bathing, “I've been getting cold recently,” and “Have you been tired?”.

  The storage unit 8 is connected to the telephone line 26 through the microcomputer 11, the communication unit 10, and the water heater 22. Therefore, the voice data in the storage means 8 can be rewritten from the telephone line 26. Therefore, the seasonal greeting can be updated every season, or a call can be made with the voice of a family living away from the bath, so that the content of the call to the bather can be prevented from getting bored.

  If the bather is well in response to the call from the voice generation means 9, there is a reply and the sound detection means 4 should be able to detect the sound. If the sound can be detected, the sound detection means 4 issues a sound detection signal to the microcomputer 11, and the microcomputer 11 starts the timer means 5 again. If the bather is in a bad condition and does not respond, the sound detection means 4 cannot detect the sound, and therefore does not output a sound detection signal to the microcomputer 11. Since the microcomputer 11 does not receive a sound detection signal, the communication means 10 transmits sound non-detection information to the bathroom outside unit (kitchen remote control) 24. The outdoor unit (kitchen remote control) 24 receives the information without sound detection by the communication means 16, and the microcomputer 21 sends an alarm signal to the alarm means 15. The alarm unit 15 amplifies the audio data stored in the storage unit 14 by the amplifier 12 and generates an alarm from the speaker 13.

  The content of the alarm is voice, for example, “Please check the bathroom”.

  In addition, the alarm means 15 issues an alarm and the transfer means 27 in the water heater 22 transfers the alarm contents to the telephone line 26. The destination is the acquaintance of the neighborhood and the phone of the family. The details of the transfer are information such as the name of the bather's house, a telephone number, and “No response from the bathroom.”

  In this way, it is possible to configure a bathroom status notification device at low cost by adopting a configuration that judges the bathing situation based on the response of the bather to the regular call, and furthermore, it is safe to watch over the bathing person. A feeling can be given. And since it uses the voice response to the bather's call, it does not generate a false alarm.

  In addition, since there is a transfer means 27 for transferring to the outside at the same time as the alarm, it is possible to notify the situation in the bathroom by telephone even when no one is in the house other than the bather in the bathroom. it can.

  In addition, since the storage means 8 is connected to the telephone line 26, the contents of the call can be prepared abundantly, and the bather who is called can take a pleasant bath.

  In the present embodiment, the storage means 5 is connected to the telephone line 26. However, it goes without saying that the storage means 5 may be any network connected to the outside.

  In the present embodiment, an example in which the storage unit 5 is rewritable from the telephone line 26 is shown. However, the voice data in the storage unit 5 may be rewritten by making the storage unit 5 removable.

  Although it is described that the transfer means 27 transfers the message to the telephone, it may naturally be transferred to an e-mail or the like.

  As described above, the bathroom condition notification device according to the present invention and the water heater provided with the bathroom condition information can be notified of the bathroom condition with an inexpensive configuration. Applicable.

The block diagram of the water heater provided with the bathroom condition notification device in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The block diagram of the water heater provided with the bathroom condition alerting device in Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

4 Sound detection means 5 Timer means 8 Storage means 9 Sound generation means 10, 16 Communication means 15 Alarm means 22 Water heater 23 Bathroom unit (bathroom remote control)
24 Bathroom outside machine (kitchen remote control)
25 Light switch 27 Transfer means

Claims (8)

The sound detection means, the timer means, and the bathroom unit provided with the communication means, and the bathroom outside machine provided with the communication means and the alarm means, the sound detection means was set within the time counted by the timer means A bathroom condition notifying device that sends information from a bathroom unit to a bathroom outside unit through a communication means and generates an alarm in the bathroom outside unit when no sound above the volume is detected. If the sound is generated in the bathroom unit and the sound detection means does not detect a sound exceeding the set volume within the time counted by the timer means, the sound generation means first calls the person in the bathroom. And when the sound detection means does not detect a sound higher than a set volume, the communication means sends the information from the bathroom unit to the bathroom outside unit, and generates an alarm in the bathroom outside unit. Bathroom status notification device. A sound detection means, a sound generation means, a timer means for starting the sound generation means, and a bathroom unit provided with a communication means, and a bathroom external unit provided with a communication means and a warning means, and counted by the timer means When the sound generation means is activated every time it is called, calls are made to a person in the bathroom, and the sound detection means does not detect a sound higher than the set volume, the information from the bathroom unit to the bathroom outside unit is detected by the communication means. Is sent, and a bathroom condition notification device that generates an alarm in the bathroom outside unit. The bathroom condition notification device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a transfer means for transferring information to the outside simultaneously with an alarm. 4. The bathroom condition notifying device according to claim 3, further comprising a storage means that is detachable or connected to a network, and that the voice generating means calls the person in the bathroom using the voice stored in the storage means. . The water heater provided with the bathroom condition alerting device according to any one of claims 1 to 5. The water heater according to claim 6, wherein the sound detecting means is also used as a sound detecting means for a hands-free intercom function of the water heater. The bathroom condition notification device and hot water supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the activation and stop of the bathroom condition notification device are linked to a bathroom light switch.

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