JP2020190368A - Bathroom hot water supply system and water heater - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a bathroom hot water supply system and a water heater capable of preventing a plurality of users outside a bathroom from responding to a call from a user in a bathroom duplicately.SOLUTION: A bathroom hot water supply system includes a water heater having a bathroom remote controller and a control part, and a management device having a storage part. The bathroom remote controller is configured so as to execute a call operation for transmitting a call signal to a communication terminal. The storage part stores a no call state as a call state before the call operation is executed. The control part transmits the call signal to a management device based on the call operation. Upon receipt of the call signal, the management device causes the storage part to store the call state that is switched from the no call state to a calling state, transmits the call signal to the communication terminal, and causes the storage part to store the call state that is switched from the calling state to a responding state upon receipt of a response signal transmitted from the communication terminal that has received the call signal. The management device is configured so as to notify the communication terminal of a present call state stored in the storage part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

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

Conventionally, a bathroom hot water supply system and a hot water supply device for supplying hot water to a bathroom are provided with a bathroom remote controller provided in the bathroom. In addition to the hot water supply operation to the bathtub, this bathroom remote controller is configured to be able to execute a call operation for a user in the bathroom (bath, etc.) to call another user outside the bathroom (user outside the bathroom). There is something.

When a call operation is performed on the bathroom remote controller, a call signal is transmitted from the bathroom remote controller to a remote controller outside the bathroom such as a kitchen remote controller. Upon receiving the call signal, the remote controller outside the bathroom notifies the user outside the bathroom of a call from the user in the bathroom by a ringing tone or lighting of a ring lamp.

However, in such a conventional configuration, there is a problem that it is difficult to notice a call from a user in the bathroom when there is no user outside the bathroom near the remote controller outside the bathroom.

On the other hand, Patent Document 1 below discloses a configuration in which a call is notified to an alarm device other than the remote controller outside the bathroom based on the call signal. Further, Patent Document 2 below discloses a configuration in which a call is notified to remote controllers arranged in a plurality of rooms.

Recently, the control unit of the hot water supply device and the management device such as the server device are connected by communication, and the hot water supply device is remotely operated by using an external communication terminal such as a mobile phone connected to the management device via an external communication network. System is being developed. For example, in Patent Document 3 below, it is possible to perform operations related to hot water supply (removal operation and automatic bath operation) using a communication terminal other than the dedicated remote controller. It is also conceivable to apply such a configuration to notify an external communication terminal of the call.

Japanese Patent No. 5524638 Japanese Patent No. 4039764 JP-A-2018-115787

In this way, by notifying the call based on the call signal on the plurality of remote controllers or communication terminals, it is possible to make it easier for the user outside the bathroom to notice the call from the user in the bathroom. However, when there are multiple out-of-bath users who have noticed the call, even if one out-of-bath user answers the call and heads for the bathroom, the other out-of-bath users do not notice it and duplicate the call. There is a problem of responding and heading to the bathroom.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and is a bathroom hot water supply system and hot water supply that can prevent a plurality of out-of-bathroom users from responding to calls from users in the bathroom in duplicate. It is intended to provide a device.

In order to achieve the above object, the bathroom hot water supply system according to an aspect of the present invention stores a hot water supply device provided with a bathroom remote controller and a control unit in the bathroom, and a current calling state from the bathroom remote controller. A management device including a storage unit, the control unit is communicatively connected to the management device, the management device is communicatively connected to an external communication terminal via the external communication network, and the bathroom remote controller is , A call operation for transmitting a call signal to the communication terminal is possible, and the storage unit stores a call-less state as the call state before the call operation is performed, and the control unit. Sends the call signal to the management device based on the call operation, and when the management device receives the call signal, calls the call state to the storage unit from the no call state. When the call signal is transmitted to the communication terminal and the response signal transmitted from the communication terminal that has received the call signal is received, the call is sent to the storage unit. The state is switched from the calling state to the answering state and stored, so that the communication terminal can be notified of the current calling state stored in the storage unit.

According to the above configuration, a call signal is transmitted to an external communication terminal based on a call operation by a user in the bathroom. In addition, the current calling state from the bathroom remote controller is stored in the storage unit of the management device that is communication-connected to the control unit. The call state includes a no-call state, which is a state before the call operation is performed, a ringing state, which is a state in which the management device receives a call signal transmitted from the bathroom remote controller based on the call operation, and a call signal. This includes a responding state in which the management device receives the response signal transmitted from the received communication terminal. The communication terminal is notified of the current ringing state stored in the storage unit. Therefore, the user outside the bathroom can know whether or not there is a call from the user in the bathroom and whether or not another user outside the bathroom is responding to the call through the communication terminal. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a plurality of out-of-bathroom users from responding to calls from users in the bathroom in duplicate.

The bathroom hot water supply system includes a remote controller outside the bathroom provided outside the bathroom, and the remote controller outside the bathroom is configured to be capable of transmitting the response signal to the management device based on a predetermined response operation. The remote controller outside the bathroom may be configured to be able to notify the current calling state stored in the storage unit. According to this configuration, the remote controller outside the bathroom is also notified of the current ringing state stored in the storage unit. Therefore, the user outside the bathroom can know whether or not there is a call from the user inside the bathroom and whether or not another user outside the bathroom is responding to the call through the remote controller outside the bathroom. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a plurality of out-of-bathroom users from responding to calls from users in the bathroom in duplicate.

When a predetermined call stop operation is performed from the bathroom remote controller in the call state other than the call-less state, the management device causes the storage unit to switch the call state to the call-free state and store the call state. It may be configured in. According to this configuration, when a user outside the bathroom arrives in the bathroom, or when a user in the bathroom cancels the call, the call stop operation is performed, so that the call state stored in the storage unit is not called. It will be reset to the state. Therefore, it is possible to notify other out-of-bathroom users other than the out-of-bathroom user who responded to the call from the user in the bathroom that the call case from the user in the bathroom has been completed.

The management device may be configured as a server device that is communicated and connected to the control unit via the external communication network.

Further, the hot water supply device according to another aspect of the present invention includes a bathroom remote controller and a control unit provided in the bathroom, and the control unit includes a storage unit that stores a current calling state from the bathroom remote controller. The management device is communicatively connected to the management device, the management device is communicatively connected to an external communication terminal via the external communication network, and the bathroom remote controller can perform a call operation for transmitting a call signal to the communication terminal. The control unit stores the no-call state as the call state before the call operation is performed in the storage unit, and stores the call state in the storage unit based on the call operation. , The call-not state is switched to the ringing state and stored, and the management device is made to transmit the call signal to the communication terminal, and the management device transmits the call signal from the communication terminal that has received the call signal. When the response signal is received, the storage unit is configured to switch the calling state from the calling state to the answering state and store it, and the management device stores the calling state with respect to the communication terminal. It is configured to be able to notify the current calling state stored in.

According to the above configuration, a call signal is transmitted to an external communication terminal based on a call operation by a user in the bathroom. In addition, the current calling state from the bathroom remote controller is stored in the storage unit of the management device that is communication-connected to the control unit. The call state includes a no-call state, which is a state before the call operation is performed, a ringing state, which is a state in which the management device receives a call signal transmitted from the bathroom remote controller based on the call operation, and a call signal. This includes a responding state in which the management device receives the response signal transmitted from the received communication terminal. The communication terminal is notified of the current ringing state stored in the storage unit. Therefore, the user outside the bathroom can know whether or not there is a call from the user in the bathroom and whether or not another user outside the bathroom is responding to the call through the communication terminal. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a plurality of out-of-bathroom users from responding to calls from users in the bathroom in duplicate.

The present invention has the configuration described above, and has an effect that it is possible to prevent a plurality of users outside the bathroom from responding to calls from users in the bathroom in duplicate.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a bathroom hot water supply system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of notification processing of the calling state of the storage unit in the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a state of each configuration at the time of calling in the system of FIG. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the state of each configuration when the ringing state in FIG. 3 transitions to the answering state. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the state of each configuration when the state of responding in FIG. 4 is changed to the state of no call.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following, the same or corresponding elements will be designated by the same reference numerals throughout the drawings, and duplicate description thereof will be omitted. Further, the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments.

(One Embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a bathroom hot water supply system according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the bathroom hot water supply system 1 according to the present embodiment includes a hot water supply device 10 and a management device 64.

The hot water supply device 10 includes a hot water supply device main body 2 that supplies hot water to a predetermined hot water supply location, a control device 8 that is connected to the hot water supply device main body 2 and includes a main control unit 4 that controls the hot water supply device main body 2, and a bathroom provided in the bathroom. It includes a remote control 3a and an out-bathroom remote control 3b provided outside the bathroom. The control device 8 is usually provided in the housing of the hot water supply device main body 2. The hot water supply device main body 2 has, for example, a hot water supply function in a bath or kitchen, a bath reheating function, and the like.

The bathroom remote controller 3a and the outdoor remote controller 3b are wall-mounted remote controller devices (dedicated remote controllers) installed on a wall surface or the like in the room. The main control unit 4 and the remote controllers 3a and 3b are connected to each other by a communication line 5 so as to be able to communicate with each other. The main control unit 4 communicates with the remote controllers 3a and 3b via the communication unit 6. Each of the remote controllers 3a and 3b is configured to be able to output an operation signal to the main control unit 4. The remote controllers 3a and 3b are also configured to be able to communicate with each other via the communication line 5.

As the communication line 5, for example, a 2-core communication line capable of superimposing communication information on a power supply line is used. The information that is mutually communicated between the water heater main body 2 (main control unit 4) and the remote controllers 3a and 3b is command data related to hot water supply (switching the operation mode of the hot water heater main body 2 on / off, changing the hot water supply set temperature, etc.) ), Notification data of the hot water supply result (notification of reaching the bath set temperature, notification of abnormality, etc.), a call signal from the bathroom remote controller 3a, and the like.

The main control unit 4 includes a microcontroller and an integrated circuit composed of a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like. A signal path (not shown) for controlling each electrical component is provided between the main control unit 4 and each electrical component such as a blower and a bath pump constituting the hot water supply device main body 2. .. The control device 8 includes a storage unit 7 connected to the main control unit 4. The storage unit 7 is composed of, for example, a non-volatile memory such as a flash memory. The main control unit 4 executes various controls of the hot water supply device main body 2 according to the control program stored in the storage unit 7. The control program includes various programs related to the operation of each electrical component, and the control of each electrical component is performed based on these programs.

The bathroom remote controller 3a is installed in the bathroom. The out-of-bathroom remote controller 3b is configured as, for example, a kitchen remote controller installed near the kitchen.

Each of the remote controllers 3a and 3b is configured to be able to output an operation signal to the main control unit 4. For this purpose, each of the remote controllers 3a and 3b includes an input operation unit 34a and 34b for performing an input operation by the user, a notification unit 31 for notifying information from the hot water supply device main body 2, and a hot water supply device main body 2 (main control unit). It includes a communication unit 32 for communicating with 4), a storage unit 33, and remote control units 38a and 38b. Although not shown, the notification unit 31 includes, for example, a display (display unit) that displays the current set temperature, operation confirmation display, current time, etc. for hot water supply and / or bath water, a set temperature arrival sound, a warning sound, and a predetermined value. Includes a speaker (sound output unit) that outputs announcements and the like.

The input operation units 34a and 34b include a plurality of operation buttons. The remote control units 38a and 38b are configured by a microcontroller or the like, and when any of a plurality of operation buttons is pressed, an operation signal corresponding to the pressed operation button is generated. The generated operation signal is sent to the main control unit 4 via the communication units 32 and 6, and the main control unit 4 controls the hot water supply device main body 2 based on the received operation signal.

Further, the bathroom remote controller 3a is configured to enable a call operation for transmitting a call signal to the remote controller 3b outside the bathroom. In the present embodiment, the input operation unit 34a of the bathroom remote controller 3a includes a call button 41 and a call stop button 42. Further, the input operation unit 34b of the remote controller 3b outside the bathroom is provided with a call answer button 43.

When the call button 41 of the bathroom remote controller 3a is pressed, the remote controller control unit 38a of the bathroom remote controller 3a generates a call signal based on the push operation of the call button 41 and transmits the call signal to the remote controller 3b outside the bathroom. When the remote control unit 38b of the remote controller 3b outside the bathroom receives the call signal, the notification unit 31 notifies the call from the bathroom.

When the call response button 43 of the out-of-bathroom remote controller 3b is pressed during a call from the bathroom, the remote controller control unit 38b of the out-of-bathroom remote controller 3b generates a response signal based on the press operation of the call answer button 43. A response signal is transmitted to the bathroom remote controller 3a. When the remote control unit 38a of the bathroom remote control 3a receives the response signal, the notification unit 31 notifies that the response is in progress.

When the call stop button 42 is pressed after the call button 41 of the bathroom remote controller 3a is pressed, the remote controller control unit 38a of the bathroom remote controller 3a generates a call stop signal based on the push operation of the call stop button 42. A call stop signal is transmitted to the remote controller 3b outside the bathroom. When the remote control unit 38b of the remote controller 3b outside the bathroom receives the call stop signal, the remote controller 31 ends the notification of the call.

In addition to the buttons 41 to 43, for example, the input operation unit 34b of the remote controller 3b outside the bathroom includes a temperature rise button, a temperature drop button, an on / off button, a repelling button, and an automatic bath button, although not shown. Further, although not shown, the input operation unit 34a of the bathroom remote controller 3a includes a priority button in addition to the above buttons of the remote controller outside the bathroom.

The control unit of the hot water supply device 10 composed of the main control unit 4 and the remote control units 38a and 38b of the remote controllers 3a and 3b is communicated with the management device 64 via an external communication network 63 such as the Internet. The management device 64 is configured as a server device that is communicated and connected to an external communication terminal (two communication terminals 61A and 61B in the example of FIG. 1) other than the remote controllers 3a and 3b via the external communication network 63. The control unit is communicated with a router 62 such as a wireless LAN router via a relay device. In the present embodiment, the remote controller 3b outside the bathroom functions as the relay device. Therefore, the out-of-bathroom remote controller 3b includes an external communication unit 39 that is communicatively connected to the router 62. The router 62 communicates with the management device 64 via the external communication network 63.

The communication terminals 61A and 61B are mobile terminals such as smartphones, and can be connected to the external communication network 63 via a base station of a 3G (third generation) or 4G (fourth generation) mobile phone network. Further, the communication terminals 61A and 61B can be connected to a wireless LAN. That is, when the router 62 is configured as a wireless LAN router and the communication terminals 61A and 61B are located at a location where the router 62 can be connected to the wireless LAN (for example, the communication terminals 61A and 61B are possessed). When the user is indoors), the communication terminals 61A and 61B communicate with the management device 64 via the router 62 and the external communication network 62. Further, when the communication terminals 61A and 61B are not located in a place where the router 62 can be connected to the wireless LAN, or when the router 62 is not configured as a wireless LAN router, the communication terminals 61A and 61B communicate with each other externally. It communicates with the management device 64 via the network 63.

The out-of-bathroom remote controller 3b, which functions as a relay device, executes communication processing with the control unit and also performs communication processing with the management device 64 performed via the router 62 and the external communication network 63. For example, the out-of-bathroom remote controller 3b converts the device information transmitted from the main control unit 4 into a communication format and transmits the device information to the management device 64 via the router 62 and the external communication network 63. Further, the remote controller control unit 38b of the remote controller 3b outside the bathroom acquires the information transmitted from the management device 64 via the external communication network 63 and the router 62, and if necessary, converts the communication format to the main control unit. 4 or the bathroom remote controller 3a is transmitted to the remote controller control unit 38a.

The management device 64 includes a storage unit 64a that stores association information. The association information is information in which the serial number (identification information of the relay device) of the remote controller 3b outside the bathroom is associated with the user account (user identification information) transmitted from the communication terminals 61A and 61B.

Further, the storage unit 64a of the management device 64 stores the device information transmitted from the remote controller 3b outside the bathroom. Here, the device information includes device configuration information first transmitted from the main control unit 4 to the remote controller 3b outside the bathroom after the power is turned on, and is transmitted from the main control unit 4 to the remote controller 3b outside the bathroom periodically (for example, at 1-hour intervals). There is operation state information, error information, etc. indicating the operation state of the hot water supply device main body 2. Here, the device configuration information is information indicating the type and the like of the hot water supply device main body 2, and the operation state information is information including the hot water supply set temperature, the number of combustion operations, the combustion operation time and the like of the hot water supply device main body 2. The error information is information indicating the abnormality when some abnormality occurs in the hot water supply device main body 2, and is also information displayed on the remote controllers 3a and 3b.

These device information is transmitted from the out-of-bathroom remote controller 3b to the management device 64 together with the serial number of the out-of-bathroom remote controller 3b. Then, the management device 64 stores the received device information in the storage unit 64a in association with the serial number of the remote controller 3b outside the bathroom.

If an application program dedicated to the hot water supply device is installed in the communication terminals 61A and 61B and the association information is stored in the storage unit 64a of the management device 64, the user associated with the serial number of the remote controller 3b outside the bathroom Using the account, the hot water supply device main body 2 can be remotely controlled and the status can be confirmed via the management device 64 or the like. That is, the management device 64 permits communication via the management device 64 between the communication terminals 61A and 61B associated with the association information stored in the storage unit 64a and the remote controller 3b (relay device) outside the bathroom.

A plurality of communication terminals 61A and 61B may be associated with the serial number (one user account) of one out-of-bathroom remote controller 3b. Therefore, communication between the plurality of communication terminals 61A and 61B and one out-of-bathroom remote controller 3b (relay device) is possible via the management device 64.

The communication terminals 61A and 61B have a display unit 70 having a touch panel capable of inputting operations by touch operation. On the hot water supply operation screen displayed on the display unit 70, information (for example, the model name, model number, etc. of the hot water supply device 1) that identifies the hot water supply device 1 to be operated (transmits the operation signal) using the communication terminals 61A and 61B, etc. ) And a plurality of operation items corresponding to the hot water supply device 1. Each of the plurality of operation items is configured as a virtual operation button that can be touch-operated. A plurality of virtual operation buttons constitute an input operation unit for the main control unit 4 in the communication terminals 61A and 61B.

The plurality of virtual operation buttons include various virtual operation buttons corresponding to the input operation unit 34b of the remote controller 3b outside the bathroom. Therefore, the communication terminals 61A and 61B can display virtual operation buttons such as a call answer button 43, an on / off button, a push button, and a bath automatic button on the display unit 70.

For example, when the repelling button displayed on the display unit 70 of the communication terminals 61A and 61B is touch-operated, the repulsion operation is started from the communication terminals 61A and 61B to the main control unit 4 of the corresponding hot water supply device 1 via the management device 64. Send a signal. Further, when the automatic bath button is touch-operated, the automatic bath operation start signal is transmitted from the communication terminals 61A and 61B to the main control unit 4 of the corresponding hot water supply device 1 via the management device 64.

Further, the communication terminals 61A and 61B may display a reservation button as a virtual operation button on the display unit 70. The reservation button is a button for executing a reservation operation that completes hot water filling and boiling at a set time. When the reservation button is touch-operated, the set time setting screen (not shown) is displayed, and by inputting the set time, the main control unit 4 of the corresponding hot water supply device 1 is displayed from the communication terminals 61A and 61B via the management device 64. Alternatively, the reservation signal is transmitted to the remote controller control unit 38b of the remote controller 3b outside the bathroom together with the input set time.

In this way, the main control unit 4 executes a hot water supply operation other than the hot water supply temperature changing operation on the hot water supply device main body 2 based on the operations from the communication terminals 61A and 61B. In this way, the communication terminals 61A and 61B function as a general-purpose (or sub) remote controller capable of operating the hot water supply device 1.

The remote control unit 38a of the bathroom remote controller 3a also transmits a call signal generated based on the pressing operation of the call button 41 to the management device 64. More specifically, the call signal is transmitted from the bathroom remote controller 3a to the remote controller control unit 38b of the outdoor remote controller 3b, and is transmitted from the external communication unit 39 to the management device 64 via the router 62 and the external communication network 63. The management device 64 that has received the call signal transmits the call signal to the corresponding communication terminals 61A and 61B. The management device 64 transmits the received ringing signal to the corresponding communication terminals 61A and 61B via the external communication network 63 (and, in some cases, the router 62). As described above, the bathroom remote controller 3a is configured to enable a calling operation for transmitting a calling signal to the communication terminals 61A and 61B.

Further, the remote control unit 38a of the bathroom remote controller 3a also transmits the call stop signal generated based on the pressing operation of the call stop button 42 to the management device 64. Further, the remote controller control unit 38b of the remote controller 3b outside the bathroom also transmits a response signal generated based on the pressing operation of the call response button 43 to the management device 64. Upon receiving these signals, the management device 64 transmits the corresponding signals to the corresponding communication terminals 61A and 61B.

Further, when the virtual call answer button 71 displayed on the communication terminals 61A and 61B is touch-operated during a call from a user in the bathroom, which will be described later, the communication terminals 61A and 61B that have received the touch operation send a response signal. It is transmitted to the management device 64. The management device 64 that has received the response signals from the communication terminals 61A and 61B can transmit the response signals to the remote controller 3b outside the bathroom or the main control unit 4.

(Call status notification processing)
The storage unit 64a of the management device 64 stores the calling state from the bathroom remote controller 3a in response to these signals. FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of notification processing of the calling state of the storage unit in the present embodiment.

The storage unit 64a stores the no-call state as the call state before the call operation is performed (step S1). The main control unit 4 may store the no-call state in the storage unit 64a as the call state before the call operation is performed. The management device 64 monitors whether or not a call signal has been received in the no call state (step S2). As described above, when the call button 41 of the bathroom remote controller 3a is pressed, a call signal is generated and transmitted to the management device 64.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a state of each configuration at the time of calling in the system of FIG. In FIG. 3, the hot water supply device main body 2 and the control device 8 (main control unit 4) are not shown. Further, the case where the router 62 is a wireless LAN router is illustrated. Further, the communication terminal 61A possessed by the user A outside the bathroom and the communication terminal 61B possessed by the user B outside the bathroom both exemplify the case where they are within the range where wireless LAN communication is possible (for example, indoors).

When a user in the bathroom presses the call button 41 to perform a call operation, a call signal is transmitted to the management device 64 via the remote controller 3b outside the bathroom. The bathroom remote controller 3a provides a notification (display and / or voice output) during a call in the notification unit 31. Further, when the remote control 3b outside the bathroom receives a call signal, the notification unit 31 notifies (displays and / or outputs a voice) that there is a call from the bathroom.

When the management device 64 receives the call signal (Yes in step S2), the storage unit 64a switches the call state from the no call state to the ringing state and stores it (step S3). Further, the management device 64 transmits a call signal to the communication terminals 61A and 61B. When viewed from the hot water supply device 10 side, the main control unit 4 causes the storage unit 64a to switch the call state from the no-call state to the ringing state and store the call state based on the call operation, and the management device 64 stores the communication terminal. A call signal is transmitted to 61A and 61B.

The communication terminals 61A and 61B that have received the call signal notify the display unit 70 that there is a call from the bathroom (display and / or voice output). In the example of FIG. 3, the call status display screen 72 that displays the call status is displayed on the display unit 70. Further, the communication terminals 61A and 61B display the call answer button 71 on the display unit 70 (make touch operation possible).

By pressing the call button 41 of the bathroom remote control 3a in this way, the outside-bathroom users A and B possessing the respective communication terminals 61A and 61B and the outside-bathroom user C in the vicinity of the outside-bathroom remote control 3b are in the bathroom. Can notify that there is a call from the user.

In the ringing state indicating that the call is being made from the bathroom, the management device 64 monitors whether or not a response signal has been received (step S4).

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the state of each configuration when the ringing state in FIG. 3 transitions to the answering state. In the example of FIG. 4, a case where the user A outside the bathroom touches the call answer button 71 of the communication terminal 61A is illustrated.

When the user A outside the bathroom performs a call response operation by touching the call response button 71 of the communication terminal 61A, a response signal is transmitted to the management device 64. When the management device 64 receives the response signal transmitted from the communication terminal 61A (Yes in step S4), the management device 64 sends the storage unit 64a a call state from the ringing state (FIG. 3) to the answering state (FIG. 4). Is switched to and stored (step S5). When viewed from the hot water supply device 10 side, the control unit (remote control unit 38b of the out-of-bathroom remote controller 3b functioning as the main control unit 4 or the relay device) responds to the response transmitted from the communication terminal 61A to which the management device 64 receives the call signal. When the signal is received, the storage unit 64a switches the calling state from the calling state to the answering state and stores it.

When the user C outside the bathroom presses the call response button 43 of the remote controller 3b outside the bathroom, a response signal is similarly transmitted to the management device 64, and the same processing as in steps S4 and S5 is performed. ..

The management device 64 is configured to be able to notify the communication terminals 61A and 61B and the remote controller 3b outside the bathroom of the current call state stored in the storage unit 64. For example, when the calling state is changed, the management device 64 transmits the changed calling state information to the corresponding communication terminals 61A and 61B and the remote controller 3b outside the bathroom. For example, the management device 64 transmits a push notification indicating that the calling state has been changed to the communication terminals 61A and 61B. Alternatively, the communication terminals 61A and 61B and the remote controller 3b outside the bathroom may periodically access the management device 64 and periodically acquire information on the current calling state.

The communication terminals 61A and 61B update the call status display screen 72 of the display unit 70 when the call status is switched to the answering state, and notify that the call status is being answered. In FIG. 4, the call status display screen 72 is not different between the communication terminal 61A in which the call response button is touch-operated and the communication terminal 61B in which the call response button is not touch-operated, but the display may be different from each other. For example, the call status display screen 72 of the touch-operated communication terminal 61A may display a display prompting the user to move to the bathroom, such as "Please go to the bathroom."

Similarly, the out-of-bathroom remote controller 3b updates the notification content of the notification unit 31 when the calling state is switched to the answering state, and notifies that the response is in progress. Further, in the example of FIG. 4, the bathroom remote control 3a also acquires the call state information, and the notification unit 31 notifies that the response is in progress.

In this way, when one out-of-bathroom user A who wants to answer the call from the bathroom touches the call-and-answer button 71 of the communication terminal 61A, the other out-of-bathroom users B and C can get out of the bathroom. It is possible to know that there is an out-of-bathroom user answering the call.

In the responding state indicating that any of the users outside the bathroom has indicated the intention to respond, the management device 64 monitors whether or not the call stop signal has been received (step S6).

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the state of each configuration when the state of responding in FIG. 4 is changed to the state of no call.

When the user A outside the bathroom facing the bathroom or the user inside the bathroom presses the call stop button 42 of the bathroom remote controller 3a to perform a call stop operation, a call stop signal is transmitted to the management device 64 via the bathroom remote controller 3b. To. When the management device 64 receives the call stop signal (Yes in step S6), the storage unit 64a switches the call state from the answering state (FIG. 4) to the no answer state (FIG. 5) and stores it (FIG. 5). Step S7).

Similarly, when the call stop signal is received before the call answer operation is performed in the ringing state (No in step S4 and Yes in step S8), the management device 64 calls the call state to the storage unit 64a. The medium state (FIG. 3) is switched to the no response state (FIG. 5) and stored (step S7).

The communication terminals 61A and 61B update the call status display screen 72 of the display unit 70 when the call status is switched to the no call status, and notify that there is no call. Although FIG. 5 illustrates a mode in which the call status display screen 72 displays that there is no call, the display itself of the call status display screen 72 may be stopped. In this case, instead of the call status display screen 72, the display unit 70 may display a remote control screen in which virtual buttons such as an on / off button for hot water supply operation, a push button, and an automatic bath button are displayed. , The initial screen of the application program may be displayed.

Further, when the remote controller 3b outside the bathroom receives the call stop signal, the notification unit 31 terminates the notification that there is a call or that the call is being answered. Further, the bathroom remote controller 3a ends the notification that the notification unit 31 is calling or the notification that the response is in progress by the call stop operation.

According to the above configuration, the call signal is transmitted to the external communication terminals 61A and 61B based on the call operation by the user in the bathroom. Further, the current calling state from the bathroom remote controller 3a is stored in the storage unit 64a of the management device 64 which is communication-connected to the control unit (main control unit 4, remote controller control units 38a, 38b). The call state includes a no-call state, which is a state before the call operation is performed, a ringing state, which is a state in which the management device 64 receives a call signal transmitted from the bathroom remote controller 3a based on the call operation, and a call state. The responseing state in which the management device 64 has received the response signal transmitted from the communication terminal 61A or 61B that has received the signal is included.

The communication terminals 61A and 61B are notified of the current calling state stored in the storage unit 64a. Therefore, the out-of-bathroom users A and B know whether or not there is a call from the user in the bathroom and whether or not another out-of-bathroom user is responding to the call through the communication terminals 61A and 61B. be able to. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a plurality of users A and B outside the bathroom from responding to a call from a user in the bathroom in duplicate.

Further, according to the above configuration, the remote controller 3b outside the bathroom is also notified of the current calling state stored in the storage unit 64a. Therefore, the out-of-bathroom user C can know whether or not there is a call from the user in the bathroom and whether or not another out-of-bathroom user is responding to the call through the out-of-bathroom remote controller 3b. .. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a plurality of users A, B, and C outside the bathroom from responding to a call from a user in the bathroom in duplicate.

Further, according to the above configuration, when the user outside the bathroom arrives at the bathroom or when the user inside the bathroom cancels the call, the call stop operation is performed to store the call state in the storage unit 64a. Is reset to the no call state. Therefore, it is possible to notify other out-of-bathroom users other than the out-of-bathroom user who responded to the call from the user in the bathroom that the call case from the user in the bathroom has been completed.

(Other embodiments)
From the above description, many improvements and other embodiments of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the above description should be construed only as an example and is provided for the purpose of teaching those skilled in the art the best aspects of carrying out the present invention. The details of its structure and / or function can be substantially changed without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

For example, in the above embodiment, the mode in which the remote controller 3b outside the bathroom functions as a relay device for communication connection with the router 62 has been illustrated, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the bathroom remote controller 3a may function as a relay device, or a relay device may be provided separately from these remote controllers 3a and 3b. That is, in the above embodiment, the configuration in which the external communication unit 39 is provided in the bathroom remote controller 3b is illustrated, but instead of this, the external communication unit 39 controls the bathroom remote controller 3a, the hot water supply device main body 2, and the control. It may be provided in the relay device connected to the device 8 or the communication line 5.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the configuration including one remote controller 3b outside the bathroom is illustrated, but a plurality of remote controllers 3b outside the bathroom may be provided. In this case, any one of the plurality of remote controllers 3b outside the bathroom may function as a relay device. Further, the number of communication terminals corresponding to one hot water supply device 10 is not limited to two in the above embodiment, and may be one or three or more.

Further, in the above embodiment, the communication terminals 61A and 61B exemplify a mobile terminal such as a smartphone, but the present invention is not limited to this. The communication terminals 61A and 61B may be stationary communication terminals. For example, the communication terminals 61A and 61B may be personal computers, smart speakers capable of inputting operations by voice, or electronic devices such as smart televisions capable of communicating with the external communication network 63. It may be.

Further, in the above embodiment, the Internet is exemplified as the external communication network 63, but the external communication network 63 is based on a predetermined communication standard capable of communicating with the relay device of the hot water supply device 1 regardless of wired communication or wireless communication. It is not particularly limited as long as it is a communication network. For example, the ECHONET Lite (registered trademark) standard or the like can be used as the external communication network 63. In this case, a communication adapter dedicated to the communication standard is provided as a relay device. Further, as the communication terminals 61A and 61B, a controller (HEMS controller or the like) capable of collectively operating a plurality of equipment (air conditioner, lighting equipment, household power generation equipment, etc.) can be adopted.

Further, the management device 64 does not have to be a server device. For example, the management device 64 may be provided in the hot water supply device 10. For example, the management device 64 may be configured as a control block of the control device 8. Further, the management device 64 may be provided on the remote controllers 3a and 3b. Further, when a relay device is separately provided, the relay device may be provided. In these cases, the control unit (main control unit 4, remote control control units 38a, 38b) is communicated with the management device 64 without going through the external communication network 63. Further, the external communication network 63 for communicating and connecting the management device 64 and the communication terminals 61A and 61B may be a LAN.

Further, in the above embodiment, the embodiment in which the remote control unit 38a of the bathroom remote controller 3a generates a call signal based on the call operation and transmits it to the management device 64 is illustrated, but the main control unit 4 generates the call signal. , May be transmitted to the management device 64. In this case, in response to the call operation, the remote control unit 38a of the bathroom remote controller 3a transmits the press operation information to the main control unit 4, the main control unit 4 generates a call signal based on the press operation information, and the remote controller 3b outside the bathroom It may be transmitted to the management device 64 via (relay device). That is, the transmission of the call signal to the management device 64 based on the call operation may be performed via the main control unit 4.

Instead of this, the remote control unit 38b of the remote controller 3b outside the bathroom may generate a call signal, or if a relay device is separately provided, the control unit of the relay device may generate a call signal. The same applies to the control unit that is the main generator of the response signal and the call stop signal, and the main control unit 4 or any of the control units may collectively generate them, or each control unit may generate them individually. You may. From the above, the "control unit" in the claims may be the main control unit 4, the remote controller control units 38a, 38b of any of the remote controllers 3a, 3b, or a separate relay device. If provided, it may be a control unit of a relay device, or may be composed of some or all of them.

Further, in the above embodiment, the storage unit 64a has been described as storing the current calling state, but in addition to this, the past calling state may be stored. That is, the storage unit 64a may store the change history information of the calling state from the bathroom remote controller 3a.

The present invention is useful for preventing a plurality of out-of-bathroom users from responding to calls from users in the bathroom in duplicate.

1 Bathroom hot water supply system 2 Hot water supply device main body 3a Bathroom remote controller 3b Outside bathroom remote controller 4 Main control unit (control unit)
38a, 38b Remote control control unit (control unit)
61A, 61B Communication terminal 63 External communication network 64 Management device 64a Storage unit

Claims (5)

A hot water supply device equipped with a bathroom remote controller and a control unit installed in the bathroom,
A management device including a storage unit for storing the current call state from the bathroom remote controller, and
The control unit is communicatively connected to the management device.
The management device is communicatively connected to an external communication terminal via the external communication network.
The bathroom remote controller is configured to be capable of a ringing operation for transmitting a ringing signal to the communication terminal.
The storage unit stores a no-call state as the call state before the call operation is performed.
The control unit transmits the call signal to the management device based on the call operation.
The management device
When the call signal is received, the storage unit switches the call state from the no call state to the ringing state and stores it, and transmits the call signal to the communication terminal.
When the response signal transmitted from the communication terminal that received the call signal is received, the storage unit is stored by switching the call state from the ringing state to the answering state.
A bathroom hot water supply system capable of notifying the communication terminal of the current calling state stored in the storage unit. Equipped with an out-of-bathroom remote controller provided outside the bathroom
The out-of-bathroom remote controller is configured to be able to transmit the response signal to the management device based on a predetermined response operation.
The bathroom hot water supply system according to claim 1, wherein the management device is configured to be able to notify the remote controller outside the bathroom of the current calling state stored in the storage unit. When a predetermined call stop operation is performed from the bathroom remote controller in the call state other than the call-free state, the management device causes the storage unit to switch the call state to the call-free state and store it. The bathroom hot water supply system according to claim 1 or 2. The bathroom hot water supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the management device is configured as a server device in which communication is connected to the control unit via the external communication network. Equipped with a bathroom remote controller and control unit installed in the bathroom
The control unit is communicatively connected to a management device including a storage unit that stores the current call state from the bathroom remote controller.
The management device is communicatively connected to an external communication terminal via the external communication network.
The bathroom remote controller is configured to be capable of a ringing operation for transmitting a ringing signal to the communication terminal.
The control unit
The storage unit stores the no-call state as the call state before the call operation is performed.
Based on the call operation, the storage unit switches the call state from the no call state to the ringing state and stores the call state, and causes the management device to transmit the call signal to the communication terminal.
When the management device receives the response signal transmitted from the communication terminal that has received the call signal, the storage unit is configured to switch the call state from the ringing state to the answering state and store it. Being done
The management device is a hot water supply device configured to be able to notify the communication terminal of the current calling state stored in the storage unit.

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