JP2013234794A - Remote control device and hot water supply system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a remote control device that facilitates a user to recognize sound of guidance, even under difficult conditions for the user to listen to the sound of guidance, and to provide a hot water supply system with the same.SOLUTION: A remote control device (12) includes: a speaker 23 capable of generating sound of guidance to a user; a condition determination means for determining whether the user is in the condition that is easy to listen to the sound of guidance or not; and a control means for controlling the sound of guidance generated from the speaker 23 so as to be increased in the number of occurrence or the duration, in comparison with a case determined that it is the easy condition for the user to listen to the sound of guidance, when it is determined that it is the difficult condition for the user to listen to the sound of guidance.

Description

  The present invention relates to a remote control device and a hot water supply system.

  A remote control device (remote controller) for remotely operating a water heater from a kitchen or bathroom is widely used. Some of these remote control devices have the function of generating a guidance sound (sound or voice) from the built-in speaker to notify the user when confirming operations, explaining operations, changing settings, warnings, etc. is there. In addition, there is an apparatus having an intercom function for making a call between remote control devices installed in different places such as a remote control device installed in a kitchen and a remote control device installed in a bathroom. In the remote control device, when an interphone call is requested from another remote control device, a ringing sound is generated from the speaker and notified to the user on the receiving side.

  When the user is far away from the remote control device or when the ambient noise is high due to television or the like, the user may find it difficult to hear the guidance sound or miss it. As a technique for preventing such a situation, Patent Document 1 discloses that the speaker volume of a remote control device is controlled based on the detection result of a human sensor provided in the remote control device and the level of ambient noise detected by a microphone. Technology has been proposed.

JP 2010-159927 A

  However, in the conventional technique described above, when the user is at a position far away from the remote control device or when the surrounding noise is high, even if the volume of the guidance sound is increased, it is not always heard. In addition, when a user who has noticed the guidance sound comes close to the remote control device or decreases the volume of the television or the like in order to hear the content of the guidance sound, the guidance sound has already ended, and the guidance sound is notified. There is a possibility of missing the contents. Also, if the receiving user misses the ringing tone when the intercom function is used when using the intercom function of the remote control device, the calling user will call the call button until the receiving user notices the ringing tone. Is inconvenient because you have to press repeatedly.

  In the above-described conventional technology, the volume of the guidance sound may be automatically increased by the remote control device. Therefore, when the volume of the guidance sound is increased more than necessary, the guidance sound is felt loud to the user. there is a possibility.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and makes it easy for the user to recognize the guidance sound even when the user has difficulty in hearing the guidance sound of the remote control device. An object of the present invention is to provide a remote control device and a hot water supply system including the remote control device.

  The remote control device according to the present invention is a remote control device capable of remotely operating the main unit, a speaker capable of generating a guidance sound for the user, and a situation where the user can easily hear the guidance sound or is difficult to hear If it is determined that the situation is difficult to hear and the situation determination means for determining whether the situation is difficult to hear, the number of repetitions or the duration of the guidance sound generated from the speaker compared to the case where it is determined that the situation is easy to hear And a control means for controlling to increase the value.

  According to the present invention, even in a situation where it is difficult for the user to hear the guidance sound emitted from the speaker of the remote control device, it is possible to suppress the user's missed hearing, and the user can reliably recognize the guidance sound. It becomes possible.

It is a block diagram which shows the hot water storage type hot-water supply system provided with the remote control apparatus of Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the bathroom remote control apparatus in Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a functional block diagram of the bathroom remote control device in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows the control processing in the case of performing alerting | reporting operation | movement by voice guidance in the remote control apparatus of Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the control processing in the case of performing intercom call opening control in the remote control apparatus of Embodiment 2 of this invention.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the element which is common in each figure, and the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating a hot water storage type hot water supply system including the remote control device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the hot water storage type hot water supply system of the present embodiment includes a hot water supply device (main body device) comprising a tank unit 1 and a heat pump unit 2 as heating means, and a bathroom remote control device capable of remotely operating the hot water supply device. 12, a kitchen remote control device 13 and an additional remote control device 14 are provided. The tank unit 1 includes a hot water storage tank 7, a control unit 11 that controls the operation of the hot water storage hot water supply system, pumps and valves (not shown), and the like. The control unit 11 is connected to the heat pump unit 2 via the communication line 5 so as to be communicable. Further, the control unit 11 is connected to the bathroom remote control device 12, the kitchen remote control device 13, and the additional remote control device 14 via the communication line 6 so as to be able to communicate with each other. The bathroom remote control device 12, the kitchen remote control device 13, and the additional remote control device 14 can communicate with each other via the communication line 6.

  The bathroom remote control device 12 is installed on the bathroom wall, the kitchen remote control device 13 is installed on the kitchen wall, and the additional remote control device 14 is installed in the other room. In the present embodiment, three remote control devices are provided as described above, but the number of remote control devices is not limited to this, and may be one, two, or four or more.

  Connected to the lower part of the hot water storage tank 7 is a water inlet side pipe 8 that guides water supplied from an external water source such as a water supply into the hot water storage tank 7. The hot water storage tank 7 is connected to the heat pump unit 2 via the return pipe 3 and the forward pipe 4. A hot water supply side pipe 9 through which hot water taken out from the hot water storage tank 7 passes is connected to the upper part of the hot water storage tank 7.

  The user can set a desired operation by operating the bathroom remote control device 12, the kitchen remote control device 13, or the additional remote control device 14. Information set by the bathroom remote control device 12, the kitchen remote control device 13, or the additional remote control device 14 is transmitted to the control unit 11, and the control unit 11 determines the pumps in the heat pump unit 2 and the tank unit 1 based on the information. By controlling valves and the like, various operations such as boiling operation are controlled. During the boiling operation, the water stored in the hot water storage tank 7 is sent to the heat pump unit 2 through the forward piping 4, and the hot water heated in the heating heat exchanger (not shown) in the heat pump unit 2 is heated. It is sent to the hot water storage tank 7 through the return pipe 3 and flows into the hot water storage tank 7 from above.

  At the time of hot water supply, hot water stored in the hot water storage tank 7 is led to the hot water outlet side pipe 9 and mixed with water by a mixing valve (not shown) to adjust the temperature, and for example, a bath tub, a shower, a sink faucet, etc. Sent to the hot water destination.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing bathroom remote control device 12 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the bathroom remote control device 12 includes an operation unit 21 having a plurality of switches for accepting a user's operation, a display unit 22 including, for example, a liquid crystal display device or an organic EL display device, A speaker 23 that can be generated, a human sensor 24 (person detection means), a brightness sensor 25 (brightness detection means), and a microphone 26 that can detect sound and convert it into a sound signal are provided. The display unit 22 can display information such as the temperature of the hot water stored in the hot water storage tank 7 (hot water temperature), the amount of hot water stored, the hot water supply temperature, the time, and the heating mode. The user can change settings such as the boiling target temperature, the hot water supply temperature, and the boiling mode of the hot water storage tank 7 and change the display contents of the display unit 22 by operating the operation unit 21. The human sensor 24 is a sensor that can detect the presence or absence of a person around the bathroom remote control device 12 (for example, a radius of about several meters). The human sensor 24 may be of any type such as an infrared type, an ultrasonic type, or a visible light type. Further, as the human sensor 24, an imaging unit that images the surroundings of the bathroom remote control device 12 may be provided, and the presence or absence of a person may be detected based on the captured image. The brightness sensor 25 detects the brightness (illuminance) of the room (bathroom) where the bathroom remote control device 12 is installed.

  FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of bathroom remote control device 12 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3, the bathroom remote control device 12 includes a control unit 50 (control means), and signals from the operation unit 21, the human sensor 24, the brightness sensor 25, and the microphone 26 are sent to the control unit 50, respectively. Entered. The operations of the display unit 22 and the speaker 23 are controlled by the control unit 50, respectively. The control unit 50 is connected to the communication line 6 via the communication unit 48, and can communicate with the control unit 11, the kitchen remote control device 13, and the additional remote control device 14 of the water heater.

  The speaker 23 can generate an operation sound when operating the operation unit 21 and a guidance sound for the user. The guidance sound is a sound such as voice guidance (for example, “The bath has been boiled”) or a melody for notifying the state and operation of the water heater, a cautionary point, and the like. The control unit 50 stores data of a plurality of types of guidance sounds in advance, and performs control to generate guidance sounds for the user from the speaker 23 based on a predetermined program.

  The configuration example of the bathroom remote control device 12 has been described above, but the remote control device according to the present invention is not limited to the above configuration example. For example, a touch panel (touch touch) that combines the function of the display unit 22 and the function of the operation unit 21. A screen may be provided.

  Although not shown, the kitchen remote control device 13 and the additional remote control device 14 are similar to the bathroom remote control device 12, respectively, with the operation unit 21, the display unit 22, the speaker 23, the human sensor 24, and the brightness sensor. 25, a microphone 26, and a control unit 50. The configuration of the kitchen remote control device 13 and the additional remote control device 14 is substantially the same as that of the bathroom remote control device 12, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a control process in the case where a notification operation by voice guidance is executed in the remote control device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The processing of the flowchart shown in FIG. 4 is executed by the control unit 50 of each remote control device of the bathroom remote control device 12, the kitchen remote control device 13, and the additional remote control device 14, but in the following, the control unit 50 of the bathroom remote control device 12 executes This will be explained as a representative.

  When it becomes necessary to perform a notification operation by voice guidance, the control unit 50 of the bathroom remote control device 12 starts a notification process in step S1, and proceeds to step S2. In step S <b> 2, it is determined whether the voice guidance emitted from the speaker 23 is easy for the user to hear or difficult to hear. For example, when the presence sensor 24 detects that there is a person around the bathroom remote control device 12, it can be determined that there is a user near the bathroom remote control device 12 (the user is in the bathroom). Therefore, it is determined that the user can easily hear the voice guidance. On the other hand, when the presence sensor 24 detects that there is no person around the bathroom remote control device 12, the user is far from the bathroom remote control device 12 (the user is in the bathroom). Absence), it is determined that it is difficult for the user to hear the voice guidance.

  If it is determined in step S2 that the user can easily hear the voice guidance, the process proceeds to step S3, and it is determined that the voice guidance is generated only once. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S6, where voice guidance is generated from the speaker 23 only once.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S2 that it is difficult for the user to hear the voice guidance, the process proceeds to step S4, and it is determined that the voice guidance is repeatedly generated. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S5, where voice guidance is repeatedly generated from the speaker 23 a plurality of times (for example, three times).

  According to the control based on the flowchart of FIG. 4 described above, in a situation where the user can easily hear the voice guidance (a situation where the user is near the bathroom remote control device 12), the voice guidance is generated only once. In a situation where the user cannot easily hear the voice guidance (a situation where the user is far from the bathroom remote control device 12), the voice guidance is repeatedly generated a plurality of times. As a result, even if the user who is far away from the bathroom remote control device 12 misses the first voice guidance or cannot fully hear it, the user approaches the bathroom remote control device 12, Since the second or subsequent repeated voice guidance is issued, the user can surely hear and recognize the contents of the voice guidance.

  In the present embodiment, in step S2, it is determined based on the detection result of the human sensor 24 whether the user is easy to hear voice guidance or difficult to hear. It is not limited to. For example, in the present invention, in step S2, the user can easily hear the voice guidance based on the brightness of the bathroom (or room) detected by the brightness sensor 25 instead of the human sensor 24. It may be determined whether the situation is difficult to hear. That is, when the brightness of the bathroom (or room) detected by the brightness sensor 25 is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, the bathroom (or room) is lit, and a person is in the bathroom (or room). Can be determined. Therefore, in this case, since the user is near the remote control device, it is determined that the voice guidance is easily heard. On the other hand, when the brightness of the bathroom (or room) detected by the brightness sensor 25 is less than the above threshold, the bathroom (or room) is turned off and there is no person in the bathroom (or room). Can be determined. For this reason, in this case, it is determined that it is difficult to hear the voice guidance because the user is far from the remote control device. Note that the threshold level depends on the location of the remote control device, the brightness of the illumination, the room environment, etc., so that the user can arbitrarily set the threshold level by operating the operation unit 21 of the remote control device. It is desirable to be able to change it.

  Further, in the present invention, in step S2, in place of the human sensor 24 or the brightness sensor 25, noise around the remote control device (for example, sound from a TV being viewed) is detected by the microphone 26, Based on the level of noise (noise level), it may be determined whether the user is in a situation where it is easy to hear voice guidance or is difficult to hear. That is, when the magnitude of the noise detected by the microphone 26 is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold (decibel), it can be determined that the voice guidance is difficult to hear because the noise is large, and thus it is difficult for the user to hear the voice guidance. It is determined that On the other hand, when the magnitude of the noise detected by the microphone 26 is less than the threshold value, it is determined that the noise is small and the user can easily hear the voice guidance. It is desirable that the threshold level can be arbitrarily changed by the user operating the operation unit 21 of the remote control device.

  In step S2, the determination result of the human sensor 24, the detection result of the brightness sensor 25, the microphone 26, and the like are used to determine whether the user is easy to hear the voice guidance. The determination may be performed by combining two or three of the noise levels detected by the above. Thereby, determination can be performed with higher accuracy. For example, when the presence sensor 24 detects the absence of a person around the remote control device and the noise level detected by the microphone 26 is less than the threshold level, the user is placed near the remote control device. Since it can be determined that the user is absent, it can be determined with higher accuracy that the user is difficult to hear the voice guidance. Also, when the presence sensor 24 detects that there is no person around the remote control device, and the brightness detected by the brightness sensor 25 is less than the threshold level, it is used near the remote control device. Since it can be determined that the user is absent, it can be determined with higher accuracy that the user is difficult to hear the voice guidance. Even if the presence sensor 24 is detected by the human sensor 24, if the noise level detected by the microphone 26 is equal to or higher than the threshold level, the voice guidance is generated by the noise. Since it can be determined that it is difficult to hear, it can be determined with higher accuracy that the user is difficult to hear the voice guidance.

  The remote control device of the present embodiment includes the human sensor 24, the brightness sensor 25, and the microphone 26. However, the remote control device of the present invention includes the human sensor 24, the brightness sensor 25, and the microphone 26. It is also possible to provide at least one and determine whether the user is in a situation where it is easy to hear the guidance sound or a situation in which it is difficult to hear based on the detection result.

  In the present embodiment, when it is determined that the user is easy to hear the voice guidance, the voice guidance is generated only once, and it is determined that the user is difficult to hear the voice guidance. However, in the present invention, the user can easily hear the voice guidance (for example, the situation where the user is near the remote control device or the surroundings of the remote control device). Compared to the number of times the voice guidance is repeated when it is determined that the noise level is low, the situation in which the user is difficult to hear the voice guidance (for example, the situation where the user is far away from the remote control device or the remote control device The number of repetitions of voice guidance when it is determined that the surrounding noise is high) is increased. It is sufficient.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the case of voice guidance has been described as an example, but in the present invention, it is determined whether the user is easy to hear or difficult to hear guidance sounds such as melody other than voice. Guidance when it is determined that it is difficult for the user to hear the guidance sound compared to the number of repetitions (or duration) of the guidance sound when it is determined that the user is easy to hear the guidance sound Control may be performed to increase the number of times (or duration) of sound repetition. Thereby, even in a situation where the user is difficult to hear the guidance sound, the user can surely hear and recognize the guidance sound.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 5. The description will focus on the differences from the first embodiment described above, and the same or corresponding parts will be denoted by the same reference numerals. Is omitted. The configuration of the remote control device according to the second embodiment and the hot water storage type hot water supply system including the remote control device is the same as the configuration shown in FIGS.

  The bathroom remote control device 12, the kitchen remote control device 13, and the additional remote control device 14 in this embodiment have an intercom function that enables a call using the speaker 23 and the microphone 26 between them. The control unit 50 of the bathroom remote control device 12, the kitchen remote control device 13, or the additional remote control device 14 transmits the sound signal detected by its own microphone 26 during the interphone operation via the communication line 6 to the remote control device of the other party. While transmitting to the control part 50, a sound is produced | generated from the speaker 23 of an own machine based on the sound signal received via the communication line 6 from the remote control apparatus of the other party. By executing such an intercom operation, a call can be made between a user on one remote control device side and a user on the other remote control device side.

  Interphone call buttons are provided on the operation units 21 of the bathroom remote control device 12, the kitchen remote control device 13, and the additional remote control device 14, respectively. The user can call another user on the remote control device side by pressing the intercom call button on the operation unit 21. In this case, it may be possible to select which of the other two remote control devices is called. Further, in the present invention, the configuration is not limited to the configuration in which intercom calls can be made between the bathroom remote controller 12, the kitchen remote controller 13, and the additional remote controller 14, but the bathroom remote controller 12, the kitchen remote controller 13, and the additional remote controller The intercom call may be enabled only between two predetermined ones of 14.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a control process when intercom call opening control is executed in the remote control apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, intercom call opening control in the remote control device according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. When the user on the calling side presses the intercom call button on the operation unit 21, the control unit 50 of the remote control device on the calling side starts the interphone call opening control process (step S 11), and receives it via the communication line 6. A call request is transmitted to the remote control device. The control unit 50 of the receiving remote control device that has received the call request is in a situation where it is easy for the user of the receiving remote control device to hear the ringing sound (voice guidance or melody) emitted from the speaker 23 or not. It is determined whether or not there is (step S12). The determination process in step S12 is the same as the determination process in step S2 of FIG. 4 in the first embodiment, and the detection result of the human sensor 24, the detection result of the brightness sensor 25 provided in the remote controller on the receiving side, or Determination processing is performed based on the noise level detected by the microphone 26 or a combination of two or more thereof.

  If it is determined in step S12 that the user of the receiving remote control device can easily hear the ringing tone, the control unit 50 of the receiving remote control device proceeds to step S13, and the ringing tone is output from the speaker 23. To notify the user that there is a call request. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S20, and an intercom call operation is started with the remote controller on the calling side. As a result, the intercom is opened and a call can be made. Thus, when it is determined that the user of the receiving remote control device can easily hear the ringing tone, it is expected that the user of the receiving remote control device will immediately notice the ringing tone. The intercom call operation starts automatically. According to this control, the user of the remote control device on the receiving side does not need to press the intercom call button on the operation unit 21, so that convenience is improved. In addition, since a ringing tone is not repeatedly generated from the speaker 23, power consumption can be suppressed, which contributes to power saving.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S12 that the user of the remote control device on the receiving side cannot easily hear the ringing tone, the remote control device on the receiving side has the interphone call button on the operation unit 21 set by the user. The ringing tone is repeatedly generated from the speaker 23 until it is pressed. That is, in this case, the control unit 50 of the receiving remote control device proceeds to step S14 and generates a ringing tone from the speaker 23 and transmits a signal indicating that the ringing tone is repeatedly generated via the communication line 6. To the remote control device on the calling side. Upon receiving this signal, the control unit 50 of the calling side remote control device displays on the display unit 22 predetermined words, symbols, etc. for notifying the user that the ringing sound is repeatedly generated in the receiving side remote control device. It is displayed (step S15). Thus, the user of the calling remote control device can know that the user is being called by the receiving remote control device.

  The control unit 50 of the remote controller on the receiving side proceeds to step S16 and counts the number of times the ringing sound is repeatedly generated from the speaker 23, and the number is within a predetermined number (hereinafter referred to as N times). Determine whether or not. If it is determined in step S16 that the number of ringing sounds is N or less, the process proceeds to step S17 to determine whether the intercom call button on the operation unit 21 of the remote controller on the receiving side has been pressed. If the intercom call button is pressed in step S17, it can be determined that the user of the receiving remote control device is ready to receive a call. Therefore, the process proceeds to step S20, and the interphone call is made with the calling remote control device. Start operation. As a result, the intercom is opened and a call can be made. On the other hand, if the intercom call button is not pressed in step S17, it can be determined that the user of the receiving remote control device is not ready to receive a call, so the process returns to step S14 and the generation of the ringing tone from the speaker 23 is repeated.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, when it is determined that the user of the receiving remote control device can easily hear the ringing tone, the speaker 23 ringing tone is generated only once and then automatically. When it is determined that it is difficult for the user of the receiving remote control device to hear the ringing tone while the intercom call operation is started, the user of the receiving remote control device uses the interphone call of the operation unit 21. A ringing tone is repeatedly generated from the speaker 23 until the button is pressed. This makes it difficult for the user of the receiving remote control device to hear the ringing tone (for example, when the user is far away from the receiving remote control device or when there is a lot of noise around the receiving remote control device). Even so, the user can easily notice the ringing sound, and the user of the calling side remote control device does not need to repeatedly perform the calling operation, which improves convenience. If it is determined that it is difficult for the user of the receiving remote control device to hear the ringing tone, the receiving user starts the interphone operation after pressing the intercom call button on the operation unit 21. The interphone operation is not performed wastefully before the receiving user presses the interphone call button, and power consumption due to the interphone operation can be suppressed, thereby contributing to power saving.

  If the number of ringing sound repetitions exceeds N in step S16, generation of ringing sound from the speaker 23 of the remote controller on the receiving side is stopped, and the process proceeds to step S18. In step S18, predetermined words, symbols, and the like indicating that there is no response from the user at the receiving remote control device are displayed on the display unit 22 of the calling remote control device, and notified to the calling user. Subsequently, the process proceeds to step S19, and a predetermined word, symbol, or the like indicating that there is an intercom call history is displayed on the display unit 22 of the remote controller on the receiving side.

  As described above, in this embodiment, when the number of ringing sound repetitions exceeds N, it is determined that the user is unlikely to respond and the generation of the ringing sound is stopped. Thereby, since a ringing tone is not repeatedly generated more than necessary, power consumption can be suppressed, which contributes to power saving. Further, when the user does not respond to the ringing tone on the receiving remote control device, the display unit 22 of the receiving remote control device displays that there is a history of interphone call calls. Even if the user of the remote control device misses the ringing tone, he / she can know that the interphone call has been called by looking at the display on the display unit 22 later. For this reason, the user of the remote control device on the receiving side can return and perform intercom calls when necessary, which improves convenience.

  In this embodiment, in step S16, the number of times the ringing tone is repeatedly generated from the speaker 23 is counted. However, the duration of the ringing tone generated from the speaker 23 is counted, and the duration is predetermined. If the intercom call button on the operation unit 21 of the receiving remote control device is not pressed even after the time has elapsed, the ringing tone may be stopped.

  In the embodiment described above, the remote control device for remotely operating the water heater has been described as an example. However, the present invention is also applicable to a remote control device for remotely operating a device other than the water heater (for example, an air conditioner). Is possible.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Tank unit, 2 Heat pump unit, 3 Return piping, Outgoing piping, 5,6 Communication line, 7 Hot water storage tank, 8 Incoming water side piping, 9 Hot water outlet side piping, 11 Control part, 12 Bathroom remote control device, 13 Kitchen remote control device, 14 additional remote control device, 21 operation unit, 22 display unit, 23 speaker, 24 motion sensor, 25 brightness sensor, 26 microphone, 48 communication unit, 50 control unit

Claims (8)

A remote control device that can remotely control the main unit,
A speaker capable of generating a guidance sound for the user;
A situation determination means for determining whether the user is in a situation where it is easy to hear the guidance sound or a situation in which it is difficult to hear;
When it is determined that the situation is difficult to hear, control is performed so as to increase the number of repetitions or the duration of the guidance sound generated from the speaker, compared to the case where the situation is determined to be easy to hear. Control means;
A remote control device comprising: A microphone capable of detecting the user's voice and converting it into a sound signal;
An intercom operation that enables a call using the speaker and the microphone with another remote control device capable of remotely operating the main body device can be executed.
The remote control device according to claim 1, wherein the guidance sound includes a ringing sound generated from the speaker when a call request from the other remote control device is received. An operation unit operable by the user;
The control means, when receiving a call request from the other remote control device, if it is determined that the situation is difficult to hear, the call from the speaker until the operation unit is operated by the user. The intercom operation is started after a sound is generated, and when it is determined that the situation is easy to hear, the intercom operation is started without waiting for the operation unit to be operated by the user. The remote control device according to 2. A display unit capable of displaying information to the user;
The control means is a case where it is determined that the situation is difficult to hear when a call request from the other remote control device is received, and the operation unit is configured to generate the ringing sound a predetermined number of times or for a predetermined time. 4. The remote control device according to claim 3, wherein when the user is not operated, the ringing tone is stopped, and a call history is displayed on the display unit. Comprising human presence / absence determining means for determining the presence / absence of a person around the remote control device;
5. The remote control according to claim 1, wherein the situation determination unit determines that the situation is difficult to hear when the person presence determination unit determines that there is no person around the remote control device. apparatus. Comprising noise detection means capable of detecting ambient noise of the remote control device;
5. The remote control device according to claim 1, wherein the situation determination unit determines that the situation is difficult to hear when the noise detected by the noise detection unit exceeds a predetermined threshold. Person detection means capable of detecting the presence or absence of a person around the remote control device, noise detection means capable of detecting noise around the remote control device, and brightness detection means capable of detecting the brightness around the remote control device And at least two detection means of
5. The remote control device according to claim 1, wherein the situation determination unit determines whether the situation is easy to hear or difficult to hear based on detection results of the at least two detection means. .   A hot water supply system comprising a hot water heater as the main body device and the remote control device according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

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