JP2020017900A - Hot-water supply system and program - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a hot-water supply system and program, capable of easily and exactly performing mapping of a portable terminal device with a hot-water supply device and setting of the type of remote control for the hot-water supply device.SOLUTION: A hot-water supply system 1 includes a control section executing reception processing for receiving mapping of a portable terminal device 30 with a hot-water supply device 10. The control section receives selection of the type of remote control (e.g. remote control, remote monitor and others) of the hot-water supply device 10 by the portable terminal device 30.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a hot water supply system for remotely controlling a hot water supply device connectable to an external communication network by a portable terminal device, and a program for causing a portable terminal device capable of communicating with the hot water supply system to execute predetermined control.

  Conventionally, in a water heater, various settings have been made by a remote controller installed in a bathroom, living room, or kitchen. On the other hand, recently, a system for remotely controlling a water heater using a mobile terminal device such as a mobile phone has been studied. For example, Patent Literature 1 below describes a system for remotely controlling a hot water supply / room heater using a mobile phone.

Japanese Patent No. 4771846

  In the situation where the hot water supply device is remotely controlled by the portable terminal device as described above, there is a need to remotely control the hot water supply device installed in various buildings such as not only at home but also at another house or the home of parents with the portable terminal device. obtain. However, the user usually owns only one portable terminal device in many cases, and therefore, one portable terminal device remotely controls a plurality of hot water supply devices.

  Here, in the case where the hot water supply device is remotely controlled by the mobile terminal device as described above, it is necessary to associate the mobile terminal device with the hot water supply device to be remotely controlled. On the other hand, there are various types of remote control of the hot water supply device, such as remote control for performing predetermined settings for the hot water supply device and remote monitoring for monitoring the status of the hot water supply device. For this reason, the user must accurately assign the type of remote control to the desired hot water supply device without making a mistake, and associate the portable terminal device with the hot water supply device. Such work is complicated for the operator.

  In view of such a problem, the present invention provides a hot water supply system and a program that can easily and accurately associate a mobile terminal device with a hot water supply device and set a type of remote control for the hot water supply device. The purpose is to:

  A first aspect of the present invention relates to a hot water supply system for remotely controlling a hot water supply device connectable to an external communication network by a portable terminal device via a server. The hot water supply system according to this aspect includes a control unit that executes a reception process for receiving association between the portable terminal device and the hot water supply device. Here, the control unit further receives a selection of a type of remote control of the water heater by the portable terminal device in the reception process.

  According to the hot water supply system according to this aspect, in the reception process, selection of the type of remote control for the hot water supply device is received along with the association between the portable terminal device and the hot water supply device. Therefore, the operator can accurately associate the portable terminal device with the hot water supply device and set the type of remote control for the hot water supply device without making a mistake. Further, since the association and the type of remote control can be set in the reception process, the operator can easily proceed with the work.

  In the hot water supply system according to the present aspect, the control unit receives the selection of the type of the remote control at a stage prior to transmitting the association between the portable terminal device and the hot water supply device to the server, and is selected. The type of the remote control and the association may be transmitted to the server.

  When the association between the portable terminal device and the water heater is transmitted to the server, the appropriateness of the association is determined by the server. Therefore, in the sequence in which the selection of the type of remote control is accepted after the association is transmitted to the server, the selection of the type of remote control is accepted after the determination by the server is confirmed, and the selection of the type of remote control is selected. A predetermined time lag may occur before is received. For this reason, the operator has to wait for the selection of the type of the remote control during this time lag. In addition, when the work is divided by the time lag, the operator may make a mistake in selecting the type of the remote control next time.

  On the other hand, according to the above configuration, the selection of the type of remote control is received before the association between the mobile terminal device and the hot water supply device is transmitted to the server, so that the above-described time lag occurs. There is no. Therefore, the operator can smoothly and accurately select and set the type of the remote control with a simple operation.

  In the hot water supply system according to this aspect, the control unit displays a reception screen including an operation unit for selecting the type of the remote control and an operation unit for finalizing the reception process in the reception process. And transmitting the selected type of remote control and the association to the server in response to the operation of the operation unit for finalizing the reception process.

  According to this configuration, the operator can advance the transmission of the association with the server and the transmission of the type of the remote control by operating the two types of operation units included in the reception screen. Therefore, the operator can set the association and the type of the remote control smoothly and accurately by a very simple operation.

  In the hot water supply system according to the present aspect, the type of the remote control includes a remote operation, and the control unit sets the number of the hot water supply devices to be remotely controlled that can be set to the same portable terminal device to two. The configuration may be such that the number is limited to the above predetermined number.

  By limiting the number of water heaters that can be remotely controlled in this way, it is possible to suppress the possibility that the settings of the water heaters are suddenly changed. Therefore, the hot water supply system can be operated more smoothly and appropriately. The number of hot water heaters that can be remotely controlled may be limited to the number of hot water heaters that can be assumed to be directly used by the operator owning the portable terminal device. For example, the number of hot-water supply devices that can be remotely controlled may be set to a total of about four, two for a home, a separate home, and another spare.

  In the hot water supply system according to this aspect, the type of remote control includes remote monitoring, and the control unit sets the number of the hot water supply devices to be remotely monitored that can be set to the same portable terminal device to two. The configuration may be such that the number is limited to the above predetermined number.

  By limiting the number of water heaters that can be remotely controlled in this way, it is possible to reduce the risk that a situation of the water heater is suddenly referred to by a third party. Therefore, the hot water supply system can be operated more appropriately. It should be noted that the number of hot water heaters that can be remotely monitored may be limited to the number of water heaters that can be assumed and monitored by the operator holding the portable terminal device. For example, the number of water heaters that can be monitored remotely includes four homes, separate homes, their own parent's home, their spouse's parent's home, their own grandparent's home, their spouse's grandparent's home, and four other spares. It can be set to about 10 in total.

  In the hot water supply system according to this aspect, the type of the remote control includes remote operation and remote monitoring, and the control unit sets a maximum number of the water heaters to be remotely controlled that can be set in the same portable terminal device. May be set to be less than the maximum number of the water heaters to be remotely monitored that can be set in the same portable terminal device.

  As described above, the number of hot water supply devices that can be assumed as a target of remote operation can be smaller than that in the case of remote monitoring. Thus, by setting the maximum number of the water heaters to be remotely operated to be smaller than the maximum number of the water heaters to be remotely monitored, the water heater system can be operated smoothly and appropriately.

  A second aspect of the present invention relates to a program for causing a computer of a mobile terminal device to execute a predetermined function. A program according to this aspect causes a computer of a portable terminal device to execute at least a part of the functions of the control unit according to the first aspect.

  According to the program of this aspect, the same effect as in the first aspect can be obtained.

  The program according to this aspect may include a receiving function of receiving association with the hot water supply device and receiving a type of remote control for the hot water supply device.

  According to this reception function, the selection of the type of remote control for the water heater is received together with the association between the portable terminal device and the water heater. Therefore, the operator can accurately associate the portable terminal device with the hot water supply device and set the type of remote control for the hot water supply device without making a mistake. Further, since the association and the type of remote control can be set in the reception process, the operator can easily proceed with the work.

  Here, the reception function has a function of displaying a reception screen including an operation unit for selecting the type of the remote control and an operation unit for confirming the reception process on a display unit of the mobile terminal device. May be included.

  According to this function, the operator can advance the transmission of the association with the server and the transmission of the type of the remote control by operating the two operation units included in the reception screen. Therefore, the operator can set the association and the type of the remote control smoothly and accurately by a very simple operation.

  Furthermore, the program according to this aspect may include a function of changing a screen displayed on the display unit of the portable terminal device according to a type of the remote control when the remote control is executed.

  When a plurality of water heaters are associated with the portable terminal device and the types of remote control for the respective water heaters are individually different, what kind of remote control is to be performed by the operator on the target water heater. Confusing can occur. On the other hand, when the screen to be displayed on the display unit of the portable terminal device is changed according to the type of the remote control at the time of performing the remote control by the above-described function, the operator is now able to control the water heater. It is possible to clearly understand what kind of remote control is being performed. Therefore, the operator can smoothly perform the desired remote control.

  In this case, the type of remote control includes, for example, remote operation and remote monitoring, and the function of changing the screen includes a display for distinguishing between the remote operation and the remote monitoring on the screen. Can be set to

  Thereby, the operator can clearly grasp which of the remote control and the remote control is being performed on the water heater by referring to the display included in the screen. Therefore, the operator can smoothly perform the desired remote control.

  Note that "display for distinguishing between remote operation and remote monitoring" is, for example, a form in which the background color of the screen is different, or characters or symbols for distinguishing between remote operation and remote monitoring are displayed on the screen. , Etc., can be made in various forms.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a hot water supply system and a program that can easily and accurately associate a mobile terminal device with a hot water supply device and set a type of remote control for the hot water supply device. can do.

  The effects and significance of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description of the embodiments. However, the embodiment described below is merely an example when embodying the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to what is described in the following embodiment.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a hot water supply system according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating circuit blocks of respective devices constituting the hot water supply system according to the embodiment. FIGS. 3A and 3B are flowcharts respectively showing processing in the kitchen remote controller and the portable terminal device for pairing the hot water supply device and the portable terminal device according to the embodiment. FIG. 4A is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a reception screen for selecting a type of remote control in a pairing reception process according to the embodiment. 4B and 4C are diagrams illustrating a confirmation screen displayed on the portable terminal device in the pairing confirmation process according to the embodiment. FIG. 5A is a diagram illustrating a configuration of pairing information between the hot water supply device and the portable terminal device managed by the server according to the embodiment. FIG. 5B is a diagram illustrating a configuration of pairing information between the water heater and the mobile terminal device managed in the mobile terminal device according to the embodiment. FIG. 5C is a flowchart illustrating the pairing suitability determination process performed by the server in response to the pairing result being transmitted from the kitchen remote controller according to the embodiment. FIGS. 6A to 6C are diagrams illustrating screens displayed on the mobile terminal device when performing remote control using the mobile terminal device according to the embodiment. FIG. 7A is a flowchart illustrating a process performed by the server in response to the transmission of the remote control request from the mobile terminal device according to the embodiment. FIG. 7B is a flowchart illustrating a process performed by the mobile terminal device in response to the server transmitting a response to the remote control request according to the embodiment. FIGS. 8A and 8B are diagrams illustrating screens displayed on the mobile terminal device when remote control is received by the server according to the embodiment. FIG. 9A is a diagram showing a configuration of pairing information between a water heater and a mobile terminal device managed in the mobile terminal device according to a modification. FIG. 9B is a diagram illustrating a reception screen displayed on the portable terminal device in the pairing reception process according to the modification. FIG. 10A is a diagram illustrating a reception screen displayed on the mobile terminal device when remote control is executed, according to a modification. FIG. 10B is a diagram showing a remote monitoring screen displayed on the portable terminal device when performing remote control according to another modification.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a hot water supply system 1 according to the embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the hot water supply system 1 includes a hot water supply device 10, a router 20, a portable terminal device 30, an external communication network 40, and a server 50.

  The water heater 10 includes a water heater 11 and remote controllers 12 and 13. The water heater 11 is a gas water heater that supplies hot water using gas as fuel. The hot water generated by the water heater 11 is supplied to a kitchen faucet, a bathtub, a currant, and the like via pipes connected to the hot water supply port 11a. When the water heater 11 has a floor heating function, a bathroom heating function, and a heating function using a panel heater, hot water is supplied from the water heater 11 to devices that realize these functions.

  The remote controllers 12 and 13 are connected to the water heater 11 and used to make various settings for each function of the water heater 10. The remote controllers 12 and 13 include display units 121 and 131 and input units 122 and 132, respectively. By operating the input units 122 and 132 in accordance with the screens displayed on the display units 121 and 131, the operator can perform arbitrary settings for hot water filling, hot water supply temperature adjustment, and the like. The remote controller 12 is installed in a bathroom, and the remote controller 13 is installed in a kitchen or the like.

  Hereinafter, the remote controller 12 installed in the bathroom is referred to as a “bathroom remote controller 12”, and the remote controller 13 installed in a kitchen or the like is referred to as a “kitchen remote controller 13”.

  The router 20 is a wireless router for connecting each device existing in the building (here, the home H10) to the server 50 via the external communication network 40. A unique BSSID (Basic Service Set Identifier) is assigned to the router 20 as an identifier individually assigned to each router.

  Kitchen remote controller 13 is connected to router 20 by wireless communication. When the mobile terminal device 30 is located in the home H10, the mobile terminal device 30 is connected to the router 20 by wireless communication and can communicate with the server 50. The mobile terminal device 30 is, for example, a mobile phone. In addition, the portable terminal device 30 may be another portable terminal device such as a portable tablet terminal. The external communication network 40 is, for example, the Internet.

  The external communication network 40 is connected to a server 50 for managing remote operation and remote monitoring of the water heater 10. The kitchen remote controller 13 communicates with the server 50 via the router 20 and the external communication network 40. When the mobile terminal device 30 exists in the home H10, the mobile terminal device 30 communicates with the server 50 via the router 20 and the external communication network 40. When the mobile terminal device 30 is outside the house, the mobile terminal device 30 is connected to the external communication network 40 via the router 60 or the base station 70 installed outside and communicates with the server 50.

  In the configuration of FIG. 1, the operator can remotely control or remotely monitor the hot water supply device 10 using the portable terminal device 30 both inside the house H10 and outside the house. As described below, in the present embodiment, the water heater 10 to be remotely controlled is associated in advance with each portable terminal device 30. Further, the type of remote control, that is, both or one of remote control and remote control is preset for hot water supply device 10 to be remotely controlled. In the present embodiment, these associations and types of remote control are managed by the server 50 for each portable terminal device 30.

  Regardless of whether the mobile terminal device 30 is inside the home H10 or outside the home, the setting request input to the mobile terminal device 30 by the operator is once transmitted to the server 50 via the external communication network 40. In response, server 50 transmits the received setting request to hot water supply device 10 associated in advance with portable terminal device 30 that has received the setting request. Thereby, the setting request is transmitted to kitchen remote controller 13 of corresponding hot water supply device 10 via external communication network 40 and router 20. Thus, the setting of the content requested by the operator is applied to the water heater 10.

  In addition, the state information of the hot water supply device 10 is transmitted from the kitchen remote controller 13 to the server 50 via the router 20 as needed at predetermined intervals. Server 50 manages the received state information for each water heater 10. The browsing request for remote monitoring input from the operator to the mobile terminal device 30 is transmitted to the server 50 via the external communication network 40 once. In response to this, the server 50 transmits the status information of the hot water supply device 10 specified by the browse request to the portable terminal device 30 among the water heaters 10 that are associated in advance with the mobile terminal device 30 that has received the browse request. Send to Thereby, the state of hot water supply device 10 is output in portable terminal device 30. Thus, the operator can check the state of hot water supply device 10 both inside the house and outside the house.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a circuit block of each device constituting the hot water supply system 1.

  Water heater 11 includes a control unit 111, a storage unit 112, a communication unit 113, a water level sensor 114, and a room entry sensor 115. The control unit 111 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and controls each unit in the water heater 11 according to a program stored in the storage unit 112. The storage unit 112 includes a memory and stores a predetermined control program. The communication unit 113 communicates with the bathroom remote controller 12 and the kitchen remote controller 13 under the control of the control unit 111.

  Water level sensor 114 detects the water level of the bathtub to which hot water supply device 10 is connected. The water level sensor 114 detects the water level in the bathtub based on, for example, the water pressure in a pipe connected to the bathtub. The control unit 111 detects that a person takes a bath or leaves the bathtub based on a change in the water level detected by the water level sensor 114. The entrance sensor 115 detects a person entering or exiting the bathroom. The entry sensor 115 is, for example, a human sensor using infrared rays. Control unit 111 detects that a person has entered the bathroom based on the output of entry sensor 115.

  The bathroom remote controller 12 includes a control unit 123, a storage unit 124, and a communication unit 125, in addition to the display unit 121 and the input unit 122 described above. The display unit 121 is configured by, for example, a liquid crystal panel. The input unit 122 includes various operation buttons such as a temperature setting button. The display unit 121 may be a touch panel. The control unit 123 includes a CPU, and performs predetermined control according to a program stored in the storage unit 124. The storage unit 124 includes a memory and stores a predetermined control program. The communication unit 125 communicates with the water heater 11 according to the control from the control unit 123.

  The kitchen remote controller 13 includes a control unit 133, a storage unit 134, and a communication unit 135, in addition to the display unit 131 and the input unit 132 described above. The display unit 131 is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal panel. The input unit 132 includes various operation buttons. The display unit 131 may be a touch panel. The control unit 133 includes a CPU, and performs predetermined control according to a program stored in the storage unit 134. The storage unit 134 includes a memory and stores a predetermined control program. Communication unit 135 communicates with water heater 11 in accordance with the control from control unit 133.

  Further, the kitchen remote controller 13 includes a wireless communication unit 136. Here, the wireless communication unit 136 is a wireless communication module capable of performing wireless communication with the router 20. An IP address for specifying a device on a LAN (Local Area Network) set in the home H10 is allocated to the wireless communication unit 136 (wireless communication module). In addition, the kitchen remote controller 13 includes a speaker for outputting sound.

  The mobile terminal device 30 includes a display unit 301, an input unit 302, a control unit 303, a storage unit 304, and a wireless communication unit 305. The display unit 301 is configured by, for example, a liquid crystal panel. The input unit 132 includes various operation buttons and a touch panel stacked on the display unit 301.

  The control unit 303 includes a CPU, and performs a predetermined control according to a program stored in the storage unit 304. The storage unit 304 includes a memory and stores a predetermined control program. The wireless communication unit 305 communicates with the router 20 under the control of the control unit 303. The wireless communication unit 305 is a wireless communication module capable of performing wireless communication with the router 20. The wireless communication unit 305 is also assigned an IP address. In addition, the portable terminal device 30 includes a speaker for outputting sound.

  The server 50 includes a control unit 501, a storage unit 502, and a communication unit 503. The control unit 501 includes a CPU and performs predetermined control according to a program stored in the storage unit 502. The storage unit 502 includes a memory and a hard disk, and stores a predetermined control program and a database. The communication unit 503 performs predetermined control according to the control from the control unit 501.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the portable terminal device 30 that can remotely control and remotely monitor the hot water supply device 10 is registered in the server 50 in advance in association with the hot water supply device 10. That is, hot water supply device 10 and mobile terminal device 30 are paired in advance, and information indicating the pairing is managed in server 50.

  In the present embodiment, this pairing is performed via the router 20 in the building where the water heater 10 is installed. That is, the holder of the mobile terminal device 30 cannot, in principle, pair the own mobile terminal device 30 with the water heater 10 unless the user owns the mobile terminal device 30 and enters the building where the water heater 10 is installed. . Thereby, it is possible to prevent the portable terminal device 30 and the water heater 10 from being unduly paired by a malicious third party. Therefore, the risk of improper remote control and remote monitoring can be eliminated.

  FIGS. 3A and 3B are flowcharts showing processes in the kitchen remote controller 13 and the portable terminal device 30 for pairing the hot water supply device 10 and the portable terminal device 30, respectively.

  The operator starts the application program of the hot water supply system installed in the mobile terminal device 30 in the home H10, and sets the mobile terminal device 30 to the pairing mode. After that, the operator performs an operation for pairing on the input unit 132 of the kitchen remote controller 13.

  When the pairing operation is performed on the kitchen remote controller 13 (S11: YES), the control unit 133 of the kitchen remote controller 13 broadcasts an announcement for pairing by broadcast (S12). When the mobile terminal device 30 is located in the home H10, the announcement is received by the mobile terminal device 30.

  Upon receiving this announcement (S21: YES), control unit 303 of portable terminal device 30 selects which remote control, remote operation or remote monitoring, is to be set for hot water supply device 10 on display unit 301. Is displayed (S22). The operator performs an input on this reception screen to select a desired type of remote control.

  FIG. 4A is a diagram showing a configuration of a reception screen 410 for selecting a type of remote control.

  The reception screen 410 includes a message 411, selection buttons 412, 413, and a confirmation button 414. The message 411 is a text prompting the selection of the type of the remote control. The selection buttons 412 and 413 are operation units for selecting remote operation and remote monitoring as types of remote control, respectively. The confirmation button 414 is an operation unit for confirming the reception process. The confirm button 414 can be operated when at least one of the selection buttons 412 and 413 is selected. It is also possible to select both of the selection buttons 412, 413.

  The operator touches one of the selection buttons 412 and 413 that corresponds to the type of remote control that he or she wants to set in the water heater 10. Thereby, for example, the touched selection button is given a predetermined color and is highlighted. If the selection is incorrect, the operator touches the selection button again. This cancels the selection. After selecting the type of remote control in this way, the operator touches the confirm button 414. Thereby, the reception process is determined.

  Returning to FIG. 3B, when the operator operates the confirm button 414 to perform the confirming operation (S23: YES), the control unit 303 of the portable terminal device 30 stores its own ID information (IP address or the like). Then, a pairing request including the type of remote control (remote operation / remote monitoring) selected by the operator is transmitted to the kitchen remote controller 13 (S24). Thereafter, the control unit 303 waits for a response from the kitchen remote controller 13 (S25).

  When receiving the pairing request from portable terminal device 30 within a predetermined time from the transmission of the announcement (S13: YES), control unit 133 of kitchen remote controller 13 transmits the pairing result to server 50 (S14). The pairing result includes the ID information of the water heater 10 (here, the kitchen remote controller 13) together with the ID information of the portable terminal device 30 and the type of remote control (remote operation / remote monitoring) included in the pairing request. IP address, etc.). On the other hand, when the pairing request is not received within the predetermined time (S14: NO), the control unit 133 ends the process without transmitting the pairing result.

  After transmitting the pairing result in step S14, control unit 133 of kitchen remote controller 13 waits for a response from server 50 indicating whether the pairing result has been accepted by server 50 (S15). The process regarding the acceptability of the pairing result will be described later with reference to FIG. When receiving the response from the server 50 (S15: YES), the control unit 133 transmits a pairing response including information on whether or not the pairing result has been accepted and its own ID information to the mobile terminal device 30 (S16). ).

  When receiving the pairing response from the kitchen remote controller 13 (S25: YES), the control unit 303 of the mobile terminal device 30 executes a confirmation process of presenting to the operator whether or not the pairing has been accepted (S26). To end.

  FIGS. 4B and 4C are diagrams showing a confirmation screen 420 displayed on the portable terminal device 30 in the confirmation processing.

  FIG. 4B shows a confirmation screen 420 when the pairing is accepted. The confirmation screen 420 includes a message 421a, type buttons 422 and 423, and a confirmation button 424. The message 421a is a sentence notifying that the pairing with the water heater 10 and the type of the selected remote control have been registered in the server 50. Remote operation and remote monitoring are associated with the type buttons 422 and 423, respectively.

  Of the type buttons 422 and 423, the type button corresponding to the type of the received remote control is highlighted. Here, the type button 422 is highlighted, indicating that the remote operation has been accepted. Thereby, the operator can confirm that the type of the remote control selected by himself / herself is registered in the server 50 together with the pairing with the water heater 10. Thereafter, the operator touches the confirmation button 424. Thereby, the reception process ends.

  FIG. 4C shows a confirmation screen 420 when the pairing has not been accepted. The confirmation screen 420 includes a message 421b, type buttons 422 and 423, and a confirmation button 424. The message 421b is a text that informs that the selected remote control type cannot be registered, and that the pairing with the water heater 10 has not been registered. Further, of the type buttons 422 and 423, the type button corresponding to the type of remote control that cannot be registered is grayed out. Here, the type button 422 is grayed out, indicating that remote operation cannot be registered. Thereby, the operator can confirm that the type of the remote control selected by the operator cannot be registered in the server 50. Thereafter, the operator touches the confirmation button 424. Thereby, the reception process ends.

  FIG. 5A is a diagram illustrating a configuration of pairing information of the hot water supply device 10 and the portable terminal device 30 managed in the server 50.

  As shown in FIG. 5A, in the server 50, for each portable terminal device 30, the ID information of the hot water supply device 10 paired with the portable terminal device 30 and the portable terminal device The types of remote control (remote operation / remote monitoring) that can be executed by the remote control 30 are managed. Specifically, a database used for controlling the hot water supply system 1 is built in the storage unit 502 of the server 50, and in this database, the information in FIG. 5A is managed for each portable terminal device 30.

  FIG. 5B is a diagram illustrating a configuration of pairing information between the hot water supply device 10 and the mobile terminal device 30 managed in the mobile terminal device 30.

  As shown in FIG. 5B, the portable terminal device 30 manages ID information of the paired hot water supply device 10 (here, ID information of the kitchen remote controller 13). Each hot water supply device 10 is associated with a name set by an operator. The setting of the name is performed, for example, after a confirmation button 424 is operated on the confirmation screen 420 of FIG. The operator can give each hot water supply device 10 a name that is easy for the operator to understand. Registration of the pairing information in the mobile terminal device 30 is performed when the pairing response received from the kitchen remote controller 13 includes information indicating that the pairing result has been accepted. The pairing information is stored in the storage unit 304 of the mobile terminal device 30.

  FIG. 5C is a flowchart showing the pairing suitability determination process performed by the server 50 in response to the pairing result being transmitted from the kitchen remote controller 13 in step S14 of FIG. 3A.

  When the pairing result is received from kitchen remote controller 13 (S31: YES), control unit 501 of server 50 refers to the type of remote control included in the pairing result, and includes the type of remote control in the pairing result. It is confirmed whether the ID information to be applied can be applied to the portable terminal device 30 (S32).

  That is, here, the number of remote controls applicable to one portable terminal device 30 is defined for each type of remote control. For example, the maximum number of remote operations applicable to one mobile terminal device 30 is set to four, and the maximum number of remote monitoring applicable to one mobile terminal device 30 is set to ten. The control unit 501 of the server 50 determines whether or not the set number of types of remote control included in the pairing result has already reached the maximum number in the portable terminal device 30 of the ID information included in the pairing result. I do. If the set number has not reached the maximum number, the control unit 501 determines that the type can be applied to the mobile terminal device 30. If the set number has reached the maximum number, the control unit 501 determines that the type has not been reached. Is not applicable to the mobile terminal device 30.

  After confirming whether the type of the remote control can be applied, the control unit 501 transmits a response including the availability of the type of the remote control to the kitchen remote controller 13 (S33). The kitchen remote controller 13 receives this response in step S15 of FIG. 3A, and executes the processing of step S15 described above.

  When the type of remote control included in the pairing result is applicable to the mobile terminal device 30, the control unit 501 of the server 50 determines the ID information of the mobile terminal device 30 included in the pairing result, The ID information of the device 10 and the type of remote control are associated with each other and registered in the pairing information shown in FIG. On the other hand, when the type of remote control included in the pairing result is not applicable to the mobile terminal device 30, the control unit 501 of the server 50 registers the pairing result in the pairing information of FIG. Without processing.

  Next, a flow of remote control performed using the pairing information will be described.

  FIGS. 6A to 6C are diagrams illustrating screens displayed on the mobile terminal device 30 when performing remote control using the mobile terminal device 30. FIG.

  When the operator performs a predetermined operation after activating the application program for hot water supply system 1 on his or her mobile terminal device 30, a selection screen 510 in FIG. 6A is displayed. The selection screen 510 includes a message 511, a selection key group 512, and a confirmation button 513. The message 511 is a sentence that prompts the user to select a target for remote control.

  The selection key group 512 includes selection keys 512a indicating selection candidates arranged vertically. The selection candidate is defined by the name of the pair link information shown in FIG. Each selection key 512a is given the name of the pair link information shown in FIG. 5B. The selection key 512a can be scrolled by touching the position of the selection key group 512 with a finger and sliding the finger up and down. The operator touches the selection key 512a of the name given to the hot water supply device 10 to be remotely controlled, and selects the target of the remote control. The selected selection key 512a is highlighted. When the selection target is incorrect, the operator touches the selection key 512a again. This cancels the selection.

  After selecting the target in this way, the operator touches the confirmation button 513. Thereby, the selection screen 520 shown in FIG. 6B is displayed. Using this selection screen 520, the operator performs an operation for selecting the type of remote control.

  The selection screen 520 includes a message 521, selection buttons 522 and 523, a confirmation button 524, and a return button 525. The message 511 is a text that prompts the user to select the type of remote control. The selection buttons 522 and 523 are operation units for selecting remote operation and remote monitoring as types of remote control, respectively. The confirm button 524 is an operation unit for confirming the selection process. The confirm button 524 can be operated when either one of the select buttons 522 and 523 is selected. The return button 525 is a button for returning the screen to the selection screen 510.

  The operator touches one of the selection buttons 522 and 523 that corresponds to the type of remote control he or she wants to perform, and selects the type of remote control. The selected selection button is highlighted. If the selection is incorrect, the operator touches the selection button again. This cancels the selection. When returning the screen, the operator touches the return button 525.

  After one of the selection buttons 522 and 523 is selected, when the operator touches the determination button 524, the selection processing is determined, and a remote control request is transmitted from the mobile terminal device 30 to the server 50. The remote control request includes the ID information of the portable terminal device 30, the ID information of the water heater 10 to be remotely controlled selected by the operator, and the type of remote control selected by the operator (remote control / remote control). Monitoring) is included.

  FIG. 7A is a flowchart illustrating a process performed in the server 50 in response to the transmission of the remote control request from the mobile terminal device 30.

  Upon receiving the remote control request from the mobile terminal device 30 (S41: YES), the control unit 501 of the server 50 determines whether the type of the remote control included in the remote control request is appropriate (S42). Specifically, the control unit 501 refers to the ID information of the portable terminal device 30 and the ID information of the hot water supply device 10 included in the remote control request, and determines the type of remote control associated with these two pieces of ID information. It is extracted from the pairing information shown in FIG. Then, the control unit 501 compares the extracted remote control type with the remote control type included in the remote control request, and determines whether the type of the remote control included in the remote control request is appropriate based on whether or not the two match. Is determined.

  When the type of the remote control is appropriate (S42: YES), the control unit 501 transmits a response including information indicating that the type of the remote control is appropriate to the portable terminal device 30 (S43). On the other hand, when the type of the remote control is not appropriate (S42: NO), the control unit 501 transmits a response including information indicating that the type of the remote control is not appropriate to the portable terminal device 30 (S44). In addition, when the process of step S43 is performed, the control unit 501 transmits status information indicating the current status of the hot water supply device 10 to be remotely controlled to the portable terminal device 30 as needed.

  FIG. 7B is a flowchart illustrating a process performed in the mobile terminal device 30 in response to the server 50 transmitting a response to the remote control request.

  When a response to the remote control request is received from the server 50 (S51: YES), the control unit 303 of the mobile terminal device 30 refers to the information indicating whether the type of the remote control included in the response to the remote control request is appropriate and performs the remote control. It is determined whether the type is approved as appropriate (S52). If the type of the remote control is approved (S52: YES), the control unit 303 causes the display unit 301 to display a screen corresponding to the type of the remote control (S53). On the other hand, when the type of the remote control is not approved (S52: YES), the control unit 303 causes the display unit 301 to display a screen indicating that the remote control has not been accepted (S54).

  FIG. 6C is a diagram illustrating a confirmation screen 530 displayed on the portable terminal device 30 when the remote control is not accepted.

  The confirmation screen 530 includes a message 531, type buttons 532 and 533, and a confirmation button 534. The message 531 is a sentence notifying that the type of the selected remote control cannot be selected. Further, among the type buttons 532 and 533, the type button corresponding to the type of remote control that cannot be selected is grayed out. Here, the type button 532 is grayed out, indicating that remote operation cannot be selected. Thereby, the operator can confirm that the type of the remote control selected by the operator cannot be selected as the remote control for the water heater 10. Thereafter, the operator touches the confirmation button 534. Thus, the confirmation processing ends.

  FIGS. 8A and 8B are diagrams illustrating screens displayed on the mobile terminal device 30 when remote control is received. FIG. 8A shows a remote monitoring screen 600 when remote monitoring is selected as the remote control, and FIG. 8B shows a remote operation screen 700 when remote control is selected as the remote control. It is shown.

  First, referring to FIG. 8A, remote monitoring screen 600 is divided into areas 610, 620, and 630. Area 610 includes a name display section 611, a hot water supply temperature display section 612, a bath temperature display section 613, a bath water quantity display section 614, a bathtub image 615, and a bath time display section 616.

  The name display section 611 displays the name of the water heater 10 to which the remote monitoring is applied. The name included in the pairing information in FIG. 5B is used for the display of the name display section 611. The hot water supply temperature display unit 612, the bath temperature display unit 613, and the bath water amount display unit 614 respectively include the state information received by the portable terminal device 30 from the server 50 from the server 50 at any time after the process of step S43 in FIG. Based on this, the current setting states of hot water supply temperature, bath temperature and bath water amount are shown.

  In the bathtub image 615, the current setting state of the amount of bath water is displayed as an image of water stored in the bathtub. When the state information includes that a person is taking a bath in the bathtub, an image M1 indicating that a person is taking a bath in the bathtub is added to the bathtub image 615. The bathing time display section 616 displays the current bathing time of the bathtub based on the state information.

  In the area 620, buttons 621 to 624 for performing predetermined settings and the like when the screen is the remote operation screen 700 are displayed. Buttons 621 to 624 are buttons for setting the reheating function, setting the bath automatic function, setting the bath cleaning function, and setting the bath timer function, respectively. Here, since the screen is the remote monitoring screen 600, these buttons are disabled. In the area 630, four buttons for switching a function to be remotely monitored are displayed.

  By referring to the remote monitoring screen 600, the operator can check the status of the water heater 10 displayed on the name display section 611. In the example of FIG. 8A, the operator can check various states of the bath in hot water supply device 10 displayed on name display portion 611. Thereby, even if the operator is away from the location of hot water supply device 10 displayed on name display portion 611, the operator can accurately grasp the status of the hot water supply device.

  Next, the remote control screen 700 will be described with reference to FIG. The layout of the remote operation screen 700 is the same as that of the remote monitoring screen 600 shown in FIG. Like the remote monitoring screen 600, the remote operation screen 700 is divided into areas 710, 720, and 730.

  The area 710 includes a name display section 711, a hot water supply temperature setting section 712, a bath temperature setting section 713, a bath water amount setting section 714, and a bathtub image 715. The name display unit 711 displays the name given to the hot water supply device 10 in the same manner as the name display unit 611.

  Hot water supply temperature setting section 712, bath temperature setting section 713, and bath water amount setting section 714 indicate the current setting states of hot water supply temperature, bath temperature, and bath water amount. Further, the operator can change the hot water supply temperature, the bath temperature, and the amount of hot water by operating the hot water temperature setting unit 712, the bath temperature setting unit 713, and the hot water amount setting unit 714. The bathtub image 715 displays the current setting of the amount of bath water as an image of water stored in the bathtub.

  Each of the buttons 721 to 724 included in the area 720 is operably enabled. The buttons 721 to 724 correspond to the buttons 621 to 624 in FIG. By operating these buttons 721 to 724, the operator can make settings corresponding to the buttons 721 to 724 on the hot water supply device 10 displayed on the name display portion 711. On the remote operation screen 700, information according to the setting operation from the operator is transmitted to the server 50 as needed, and further transmitted from the server 50 to the kitchen remote controller 13. As a result, predetermined settings are made in the water heater 10 to be remotely controlled.

  As shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the background colors of the areas 610 and 710 are different between the remote monitoring screen 600 and the remote operation screen 700. For example, the background color of region 610 is set to yellow, and the background color of region 710 is set to green. Thus, even if the layout of the remote monitoring screen 600 and the remote control screen 700 are the same as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the operator can use the background color to select either the remote control or the remote monitor. Can be clearly understood. Therefore, various types of remote control can be smoothly performed.

<Effects of Embodiment>
According to the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

  In the reception processing shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the selection of the type of remote control (remote operation / remote monitoring) for the water heater 10 is received together with the association between the portable terminal device 30 and the water heater 10. . Therefore, the operator can accurately associate the portable terminal device 30 with the hot water supply device 10 and set the type of remote control for the hot water supply device 10 without making a mistake. Further, since the association and the type of remote control can be set in the reception process, the operator can easily proceed with the work.

  In the control (pairing reception processing) in FIGS. 3A and 3B, for example, in the sequence of steps S22 to S24 in FIG. 3B, the association between the portable terminal device 30 and the water heater 10 is determined by the server. Prior to the step of transmitting to the remote control 50 (S24), the selection of the type of remote control is accepted (S22), and the selected remote control type and association are transmitted to the server 50 (S24). Thus, the operator does not need to wait for the determination result of the pairing to be returned from the server 50, and then does not need to perform the procedure of selecting the type of the remote control. Can be selected and set.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4A, in the pairing reception processing, selection buttons 412 and 413 (operation unit) for selecting the type of remote control (remote operation / remote monitoring) and reception processing are performed. A reception screen 410 including a confirmation button 414 (operation unit) for confirmation is displayed. Then, in response to the operation of the confirm button 414, a pairing result including the type of remote control selected by the operator and the association is transmitted to the server 50. Thereby, the operator can advance the transmission of the association to the server 50 and the transmission of the type of the remote control by operating the selection buttons 412, 413 and the confirmation button 414 included in the reception screen 410. Therefore, the operator can set the association and the type of the remote control smoothly and accurately by a very simple operation.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the number of water heaters 10 to be remotely controlled that can be set in the same portable terminal device 30 is limited to two or more predetermined numbers. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the possibility that the setting of hot water supply device 10 is unexpectedly changed. Therefore, hot water supply system 1 can be operated more smoothly and appropriately.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the number of hot water supply devices 10 to be remotely monitored that can be set in the same portable terminal device 30 is limited to a predetermined number of two or more. Thereby, the risk that the situation of hot water supply device 10 is unexpectedly referred to by a third party can be suppressed. Therefore, hot water supply system 1 can be operated more appropriately.

  In addition, it is preferable that the number of hot water supply apparatuses 10 that can be assumed as a target of remote operation be set smaller than that in the case of remote monitoring. Thereby, hot water supply system 1 can be operated smoothly and appropriately.

  Further, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, when the remote control is executed, the display unit 301 of the portable terminal device 30 according to the type of the remote control (remote operation / remote monitoring). Are changed (remote monitoring screen 600, remote operation screen 700). Specifically, a display (background colors of areas 610 and 710) for distinguishing between remote monitoring and remote operation is included in remote monitoring screen 600 and remote operation screen 700. Thereby, the operator can clearly grasp what kind of remote control is currently being performed on the target water heater 10. Therefore, the operator can smoothly perform the desired remote control.

<Example of change>
In the above embodiment, the type of remote control for each water heater 10 is managed only by the server 50. However, the type of remote control may be further stored in the portable terminal device 30.

  FIG. 9A is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the pairing information stored in the storage unit 304 of the mobile terminal device 30 in this case. Here, the type of remote control (remote operation / remote monitoring) is associated with the ID information of each water heater 10 as compared with the pairing information in FIG. 5B. As the type of remote control (remote operation / remote monitoring) managed in the portable terminal device 30, in FIG. 3, for example, the type selected by the operator in step S22 in FIG. 3B is used as it is.

  When the pairing information of the portable terminal device 30 includes the type of remote control (remote operation / remote monitoring), the control unit 303 of the portable terminal device 30 reaches the maximum number of remote control types by itself. It is determined whether the pairing has been performed, and the pairing reception screen 410 shown in FIG. 4A is adjusted based on the determination result. In other words, when the various numbers of remote controls already set in the mobile terminal device 30 have reached the maximum set numbers of the various types, the control unit 303 of the mobile terminal device 30 reaches the maximum set number. The type of remote control being performed is adjusted so that it cannot be selected on the reception screen 410.

  For example, in the example of FIG. 9B, since the set number of the remote operation has already reached the maximum set number, the selection button 412 for the remote operation included in the reception screen 410 is disabled to be inoperable. ing. Also, here, reception screen 410 includes a message 415 indicating that remote control cannot be selected because the number of remote control settings has reached the maximum set number, and a cancel button 416 for canceling the operation. . The operator can immediately recognize from the message 415 that remote control cannot be set.

  When the cancel button 416 is operated, the process of accepting pairing in the mobile terminal device 30 ends. In this case, the pairing request is not transmitted from the portable terminal device 30 to the kitchen remote controller 13. Therefore, the determination in step S13 in FIG. 3A is NO, and the process of accepting pairing in the kitchen remote controller 13 ends.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 9A, when the type of remote control (remote operation / remote monitoring) is included in the pairing information of the portable terminal device 30, the control unit 303 of the portable terminal device 30 transmits the paired information to the own terminal. The selection screen 520 shown in FIG. 6B is adjusted based on the type of remote control (remote operation / remote monitoring) included in the ring information. That is, when the selection key 512a corresponding to the predetermined name is selected on the selection screen 510 of FIG. 6A, the control unit 303 refers to the pairing information shown in FIG. The type of remote control (remote operation / remote monitoring) corresponding to the name is extracted from the pairing information. Then, the control unit 303 activates only the selection button corresponding to the type of remote control (remote operation / remote monitoring) extracted from the pairing information among the selection buttons 522 and 523 included in the selection screen 520.

  For example, if only remote monitoring is associated in the pairing information with the name selected on the selection screen 510 in FIG. 6A, the selection screen 520 shown in FIG. It is displayed on the display unit 301. Here, since only the remote monitoring is associated with the target name, the selection button 523 corresponding to the remote monitoring is enabled, and the selection button 522 corresponding to the remote operation is disabled. Thereby, the operator can immediately grasp that only remote monitoring is possible for the water heater 10.

<Other changes>
In the above embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the remote monitoring and the remote operation can be distinguished by the background colors of the areas 610 and 710. However, the remote monitoring and the remote operation can be distinguished. A possible form is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 10B, the remote monitoring screen 600 may include a character notation 617 indicating that the screen is a screen used for remote monitoring. In FIG. 10B, an image M2 indicating a person entering the bathroom is included in the region 710.

  In the above-described embodiment, 4 and 10 are illustrated as examples of the number of remote operations and the number of remote monitoring that can be set in one portable terminal device 30. The number of remote operations and the number of remote monitoring are not limited to this. In addition, the number of remote operations and the number of remote monitoring that can be set in one portable terminal device 30 do not necessarily need to be different from each other, and these two numbers may be the same.

  The type of remote control is not necessarily limited to remote operation and remote monitoring, and may include other types of remote control.

  Further, the pairing reception screen, the remote control reception screen, and the screen at the time of executing the remote control are not limited to those shown in the above embodiment, and the layout, items, and the like can be appropriately changed.

  In the above-described embodiment, the wireless communication unit 136 is provided in the kitchen remote controller 13 included in the water heater 10. However, the wireless communication unit may be provided in the water heater 11, and the water heater 11 may be connected to the router 20. In this case, the control by the kitchen remote controller 13 in the above embodiment is performed by the control unit 111 of the water heater 11. Alternatively, a control unit having a wireless communication unit in addition to water heater 11, bathroom remote controller 12, and kitchen remote controller 13 may be arranged in water heater 10, and this control unit may be connected to router 20. In this case, the control by the kitchen remote controller 13 in the above embodiment is performed by the control unit of the control unit.

  In addition, the control of the control unit described in the claims may be shared by the hot water supply device 10, the mobile terminal device 30, and the server 50, or one of the hot water supply device 10, the mobile terminal device 30, and the server 50 May go.

  For example, in the embodiment, the control of the control unit according to claim 1 is mainly performed by the control unit 133 of the kitchen remote controller 13 and the control unit of the portable terminal device 30 as shown in FIGS. In the case of a configuration in which the mobile terminal device 30 is accessed by the mobile terminal device 30 without bringing the mobile terminal device 30 into the home H10, and the hot water supply device 10 and the mobile terminal device 30 are paired without being brought into the home H10. The control of the control unit according to claim 1 is executed jointly by, for example, the control unit 303 of the portable terminal device 30 and the control unit 501 of the server 50, or the control unit 133 of the kitchen remote controller 13 It can be performed jointly.

  In addition, the embodiments of the present invention can be variously modified as appropriate within the scope described in the claims.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 hot water supply system 10 hot water supply device 11 hot water supply device 13 kitchen remote controller 30 portable terminal device 40 external communication network 50 server 133 control unit 303 control unit 501 control unit

Claims (11)

In a hot water supply system that remotely controls a hot water supply device that can be connected to an external communication network by a portable terminal device via a server,
A control unit that executes a reception process for receiving association between the portable terminal device and the hot water supply device,
The control unit, in the reception process, further receives a selection of a type of remote control of the water heater by the mobile terminal device,
A hot water supply system characterized by the following. The hot water supply system according to claim 1,
The controller, prior to transmitting the association between the portable terminal device and the hot water supply device to the server, receives a selection of the type of the remote control, and selects the type of the selected remote control and the type of the remote control. Sending the association to the server;
A hot water supply system characterized by the following. The hot water supply system according to claim 1 or 2,
The control unit displays a reception screen including an operation unit for selecting the type of the remote control and an operation unit for determining the reception process in the reception process, and determines the reception process. Transmitting the selected type of the remote control and the association to the server in response to the operation of the operation unit being operated,
A hot water supply system characterized by the following. In the hot water supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The type of remote control includes remote control;
The control unit limits the number of the water heaters to be remotely controlled that can be set to the same portable terminal device to two or more predetermined numbers,
A hot water supply system characterized by the following. In the hot water supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The type of remote control includes remote monitoring,
The control unit limits the number of the water heaters to be remotely monitored that can be set to the same portable terminal device to two or more predetermined numbers,
A hot water supply system characterized by the following. The hot water supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The types of remote control include remote control and remote monitoring,
The control unit sets a maximum number of the hot water supply devices to be remotely controlled that can be set to the same portable terminal device, a maximum number of the hot water supply devices to be remotely monitored that can be set to the same portable terminal device. Set less than number,
A hot water supply system characterized by the following.   A program for causing a computer of a portable terminal device to execute at least a part of the functions of the control unit according to claim 1. The program according to claim 7,
Includes a reception function for receiving the association with the water heater and receiving a type of remote control for the water heater.
A program characterized by that: The program according to claim 8,
The reception function includes an operation unit for selecting the type of the remote control, and a function of displaying a reception screen including an operation unit for finalizing the reception process on a display unit of the mobile terminal device.
A program characterized by that: The program according to any one of claims 7 to 9,
When the remote control is performed, the remote control includes a function of changing a screen displayed on a display unit of the mobile terminal device according to a type of the remote control.
A program characterized by that: The program according to claim 10,
The types of remote control include remote control and remote monitoring,
The function of changing the screen includes, in the screen, a display for distinguishing between the time of the remote operation and the time of the remote monitoring,
A program characterized by that:

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