JP2020191592A - Remote control device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a remote control device capable of wired connecting to multiple electrical devices via communication lines and minimizing the number of holes through which communication lines pass without complicating the handling of communication lines.SOLUTION: The remote control device includes a remote controller body 200, provided on a wall in a house, capable of communicating with each of a plurality of electric devices 100 and an operation unit 300 for generating an operation signal for each electric device 100 when operated. The electric devices 100 are classified into a first device group 110 connected to the remote controller body 200 via a communication line 20 and the other second device group 120. The remote controller body 200 includes a wired communication unit 211 for transmitting an operation signal to the first device group 110 by wired communication via the communication line 20 and a wireless communication unit 212 for transmitting an operation signal by wireless communication to the second device group 120. The communication line 20 is laid through a hole 11 formed on a wall 10.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a remote control device.

As a remote control device for remotely controlling a water heater having a first control means and a second control means, a first wired remote control connected to the first control means and a second connected to the second control means. There is known one provided with a wired remote controller (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2014-105912

However, in the remote control device as shown in Patent Document 1, a plurality of remote controls (first wired remote control, second wired remote control, second) are used for the first control means and the second control means which are a plurality of remote control targets. Wired remote controller) is connected by wire. Especially in the case of a remote controller for a water heater, the remote controller is often installed on the wall of the house. In this way, when connecting each of a plurality of remote control targets to a remote controller installed on the wall by wire, it is necessary to form a plurality of holes in the wall part in order to pass the remote controller wire, or the remote controller wire must be routed. It gets complicated.

The present invention has been made to solve such a problem. The purpose is to enable wired connection of multiple electrical devices to be remotely controlled via a communication line, minimize the number of holes formed in the wall of the house for the communication line to pass through, and manage the communication line. An object of the present invention is to provide a remote control device capable of suppressing complication.

The remote control device according to the present invention has a main body portion provided on a wall portion in a house and capable of communicating with each of a plurality of electric devices installed in the house, and when operated, each of the electric devices. The plurality of the electric devices include a first device group including the electric device connected to the main body via a communication line, and the first device group. It is divided into a second device group composed of the electric devices not included in the above, and the main body transmits the operation signal to the electric devices of the first device group by wired communication via the communication line. A wired communication unit and a wireless communication unit that transmits the operation signal to the electric equipment of the second device group by wireless communication are provided, and the communication line passes through a hole formed in the wall portion. It will be laid.

According to the remote control device according to the present invention, a plurality of electric devices to be remotely controlled can be connected by wire via a communication line, and the number of holes formed in the wall of a house for passing the communication line is minimized. , It has the effect that it is possible to prevent the communication line from becoming complicated.

It is a figure which shows the whole structure of the remote control device and connected device which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which schematically explains the mounting state of the remote control device which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the functional structure of the remote control device and the connected device which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the structural example of the remote control apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the structural example of the remote control apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the structural example of the remote control apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the structural example of the remote control apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a flow chart which shows an example of the operation at the time of device connection of the remote control device which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the whole structure of the remote control device and connected device which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a figure which schematically explains the mounting state of the remote control device which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the functional structure of the remote control device and the connected device which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the structural example of the remote control apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a flow chart which shows an example of the operation at the time of connecting the operation part of the remote control device which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention.

A mode for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In each figure, the same or corresponding parts are designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicate description will be appropriately simplified or omitted. The present invention is not limited to the following embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

Embodiment 1.
The first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a remote controller device and connected devices. FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically illustrating an attached state of the remote controller device. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the remote controller device and the connected device. 4 to 7 are perspective views showing a configuration example of the remote controller device. FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing an example of the operation of the remote controller device when the device is connected.

As shown in FIG. 1, the remote control device according to this embodiment includes a remote control main body 200. The remote controller main body 200 is communicably connected to each of the plurality of electric devices 100 by a wired system or a wireless system. The plurality of electric devices 100 are a part of the housing equipment installed in the house. The plurality of electric devices 100 are divided into a first device group 110 and a second device group 120. The first device group 110 is a group including the electric device 100 connected to the remote controller main body 200 via the communication line 20. The second device group 120 is a group consisting of electrical devices 100 not included in the first device group 110.

The electric device 100 of the first device group 110 is, for example, a water heater, a controller for photovoltaic power generation, and the like. The electric device 100 of the second device group 120 is, for example, a bathroom dryer, a ventilation fan, an air conditioner, a HEMS, or the like.

As shown in FIG. 2, the remote controller main body 200 is provided on the wall 10 in the house. A hole 11 is formed in a portion of the wall portion 10 to which the remote controller main body 200 is attached. The communication line 20 that connects the remote controller main body 200 and the electric device 100 of the first device group 110 is laid through the hole 11.

Next, the configuration of the remote controller main body 200 and the electric device 100 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in the figure, the remote controller main body 200 includes a display unit 201, a device identification unit 202, a target device switching unit 203, a wired communication unit 211, a wireless communication unit 212, and an operation unit 300. Further, the electric device 100 to be remotely controlled by the remote control device includes a device communication unit 101, an operation signal reception unit 102, and an identification information storage unit 103.

As described above, the respective electric devices 100 and the remote controller main body 200 are communicably connected to each other. The wired communication unit 211 of the remote controller main unit 200 transmits / receives signals to / from the device communication unit 101 of the electric device 100 of the first device group 110 by wired communication via the communication line 20. The wireless communication unit 212 of the remote controller main unit 200 transmits and receives signals by wireless communication with the device communication unit 101 of the electric device 100 of the second device group 120.

The display unit 201 of the remote controller main unit 200 is, for example, a liquid crystal display. The display unit 201 displays various information and the like necessary for remote control of the electric device 100. The remote controller main unit 200 may include a touch panel that also serves as the display unit 201 and the operation unit 300 described below.

The operation unit 300 of the remote controller main unit 200 is switches and buttons for the user to remotely control the electric device 100. When operated, the operation unit 300 generates an operation signal for each electric device 100. The target device switching unit 203 can switch which electric device 100 is to be generated as an operation signal when the operation unit 300 is operated.

The generated operation signal is transmitted to the target electric device 100 by the wired communication unit 211 or the wireless communication unit 212. That is, when the target electric device 100 belongs to the first device group 110, the wired communication unit 211 transmits an operation signal to the electric device 100 by wired communication via the communication line 20. When the target electric device 100 belongs to the second device group, the wireless communication unit 212 transmits an operation signal to the electric device 100 by wireless communication.

The device communication unit 101 of the electric device 100 receives the operation signal transmitted from the remote controller main body 200. The operation signal receiving unit 102 receives the operation signal received by the device communication unit 101. Then, the electric device 100 operates in response to the operation signal received by the operation signal receiving unit 102.

The identification information storage unit 103 of each electric device 100 stores identification information that can uniquely identify the electric device 100 from among a plurality of electric devices 100 connected to the remote controller main body 200. The identification information may include information such as the type of the electric device 100 (water heater, air conditioner, etc.), serial number, and the like.

When the electric device 100 is first connected to the remote control main body 200, the device communication unit 101 of the electric device 100 uses the identification information stored in the identification information storage unit 103 of the electric device 100 as an identification signal to be used as an identification signal. Send to 200. The identification information storage unit 103 and the device communication unit 101 included in each of the plurality of electric devices 100 constitute an identification signal transmission unit that transmits an identification signal that can uniquely identify each of the plurality of electric devices 100.

The wired communication unit 211 or the wireless communication unit 212 of the remote controller main unit 200 receives the identification signal transmitted from the above-mentioned identification signal transmission unit of the electric device 100. The device identification unit 202 of the remote controller main unit 200 identifies each of the plurality of electric devices 100 connected to the remote controller main unit 200 by using the received identification signal. The remote controller main body 200 identifies each of the plurality of electric devices 100 to be operated by using the identification result.

The identification result by the device identification unit 202 is displayed on the display unit 201. The electric device 100 identified by the device identification unit 202 is communicably connected to the remote controller main unit 200. Therefore, displaying the identification result by the device identification unit 202 on the display unit 201 indicates the communication connection state between each of the plurality of electric devices 100 and the remote controller main unit 200. In this sense, the display unit 201 functions as a connection status display unit that displays the communication connection status between each of the plurality of electric devices 100 and the remote controller main unit 200. In addition to the identification result by the device identification unit 202, the communication status may be displayed on the display unit 201 each time a signal is subsequently communicated between the electric device 100 and the remote controller main unit 200.

Next, a configuration example of the remote controller main body 200 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 7. In the configuration example shown in FIG. 4, the display unit 201 is arranged on the upper front surface of the remote controller main unit 200. The operation unit 300 is arranged at the lower part of the front surface of the remote controller main body 200. In this configuration example, the operation unit 300 is provided with a common operation unit 310 and a specific device operation unit 320. The common operation unit 310 is for operating a function common to a plurality of electric devices 100 connected to the remote controller main body 200.

The specific device operation unit 320 is for operating a function corresponding to the specific electric device 100. Therefore, the specific device operation unit 320 generates an operation signal corresponding to the specific electric device 100 when operated. In the example shown here, two electric devices A and B are connected to the remote controller main body 200 as the electric device 100. Therefore, the specific device operation unit 320 corresponding to each of the electric devices 100 of A and B is provided.

In this configuration example, the operation unit cover 321 as shown in FIG. 5 may be provided. The operation unit cover 321 can cover the front side of the specific device operation unit 320 corresponding to each electric device 100 so as to be openable and closable. By covering the specific device operation unit 320 corresponding to the unused electric device 100 with the operation unit cover 321 and opening only the specific device operation unit 320 corresponding to the electric device 100 to be used, the unused specific device operation unit 320 is dusted. It is possible to prevent it from getting dirty due to such things, and to prevent erroneous operation.

In the configuration example shown in FIG. 6, a plurality of specific device operation units 320 are combined into one operation unit 300. In this configuration example, as shown in FIG. 6A, the display unit 201 is arranged on the upper front surface of the remote controller main unit 200. The buttons of the operation unit 300 are arranged immediately below the display unit 201 on the front of the remote controller main unit 200. The function assigned to each button is displayed on the display unit 201.

Further, a cursor button, a common operation unit 310, and a target device switching unit 203 are provided at the lower part of the front surface of the remote controller main unit 200. In this configuration example, the target device switching unit 203 can switch the electric device 100 to be operated by the button under the operation unit 300. When the electric device 100 to be operated is switched, the function assigned to each button is switched. In response to this switching, for example, as shown in FIG. 3B, the display of the function assigned to each button displayed on the display unit 201 is also switched.

In the configuration example shown in FIG. 7, a plurality of specific device operation units 320 are combined into one operation unit 300, and two display units 201 for the target device switching unit 203 and the operation unit 300 are provided. In this configuration example, the target device switching unit 203 and the display unit 201 for the target device switching unit 203 are arranged on the upper front surface of the remote controller main unit 200. A plurality of buttons are provided as the target device switching unit 203, and each of the plurality of electric devices 100 is assigned to each of these buttons. Then, the electric device 100 assigned to each button is displayed on the display unit 201 for the target device switching unit 203.

Further, an operation unit 300 and a display unit 201 for the operation unit 300 are arranged at the lower part of the front surface of the remote controller main body unit 200. A plurality of buttons are provided as the operation unit 300, and a function to be operated is assigned to each of these buttons. Then, the function assigned to each button is displayed on the display unit 201 for the operation unit 300.

When the button of the target device switching unit 203 is operated to switch the electric device 100 to be operated, the function assigned to each button of the operation unit 300 is switched. In response to this switching, the display of the function assigned to each button displayed on the display unit 201 for the operation unit 300 is also switched.

Next, an operation example when the electric device 100 is connected to the remote controller main body 200 in the remote controller configured as described above will be described with reference to the flow chart of FIG. First, in step S11, when the electric device 100 is connected to the remote controller main body 200 via the communication line 20 or by wireless communication, the process proceeds to step S12.

In step S12, the device communication unit 101 of the connected electric device 100 transmits the identification information stored in the identification information storage unit 103 of the electric device 100 to the remote controller main unit 200 as an identification signal. The wired communication unit 211 or the wireless communication unit 212 of the remote controller main unit 200 receives the identification signal transmitted from the electric device 100. Then, the device identification unit 202 of the remote controller main unit 200 attempts to identify the electric device 100 connected in step S11 by using the received identification signal.

In the following step S13, the device identification unit 202 confirms whether or not the connected electric device 100 can be correctly identified by the received identification signal. If the electrical device 100 can be correctly identified, the process proceeds to step S14. In step S14, the display unit 201 displays the identified electric device 100 as a connected device. When the process of step S14 is completed, the series of operations ends.

On the other hand, if the electric device 100 connected in step S13 cannot be correctly identified, the process proceeds to step S15. In step S15, the display unit 201 displays the connection error of the electric device 100. When the process of step S15 is completed, the series of operations ends.

In the remote controller device configured as described above, an operation signal can be transmitted from one remote controller main body 200 for a plurality of electric devices 100. Then, a plurality of electric devices 100 to be remotely controlled can be connected by wire via the communication line 20. At this time, the specific device operation unit 320 corresponding to the electric device 100 of the first device group 110 transmits an operation signal to the electric device 100 by wired communication via the remote controller main body 200. Therefore, even if there are a plurality of electric devices 100 in the first device group 110, only one hole 11 in the wall portion 10 is required for passing the communication line 20 connected to the remote controller main body 200. Therefore, the number of holes 11 formed in the wall of the house for passing the communication line 20 can be minimized, and it is possible to prevent the communication line 20 from becoming complicated.

Embodiment 2.
A second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 to 13. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of the remote controller device and the connected device. FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically illustrating an attached state of the remote controller device. FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the remote controller device and the connected device. FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a configuration example of the remote controller device. FIG. 13 is a flow chart showing an example of the operation when the operation unit of the remote controller device is connected.

In the second embodiment described here, in the configuration of the first embodiment described above, the specific device operation unit is detachably provided on the remote controller main body unit. Hereinafter, the remote control device according to the second embodiment will be described focusing on the differences from the first embodiment. The configuration in which the description is omitted is basically the same as that in the first embodiment.

In the remote controller device according to this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 9 to 12, the specific device operation unit 320 is provided separately from the remote controller main unit 200. As shown in FIG. 10, the remote controller main body 200 is provided on the wall 10 in the house. Similar to the first embodiment, the communication line 20 connecting the remote controller main body 200 and the electric device 100 of the first device group 110 is laid through the hole 11.

As shown in FIG. 12 and the like, the specific device operation unit 320 is detachably connected to the remote controller main body unit 200. At this time, the specific device operation unit 320 corresponding to the electric device 100 of the first device group 110 transmits an operation signal to the electric device 100 via the remote controller main body 200 via the communication line 20. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 10, it is not necessary to directly connect the electric device 100 of the first device group 110 and the specific device operation unit 320 corresponding to the electric device 100 by the communication line 20. Therefore, only one hole 11 of the wall portion 10 is required for passing the communication line 20 connected to the remote controller main body portion 200. Therefore, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained, and the corresponding specific device operation unit 320 can be attached / detached according to the electric device 100 connected to the remote controller main unit 200, which is necessary for the remote controller main unit 200. The number of buttons etc. can be reduced.

As shown in FIG. 11, the remote controller main body 200 of this embodiment includes a power feeding unit 204 and a main body side communication unit 205. Further, the specific device operation unit 320 includes a power receiving unit 322, an operation unit side communication unit 323, and a connection display unit 324. The remote controller main body 200 and the specific device operation unit 320 are connected by wire or wirelessly.

When the remote controller main body 200 and the specific device operation unit 320 are connected by wire, power is supplied from the power supply unit 204 of the remote controller main unit 200 to the specific device operation unit 320 via the connection line. The electric power sent to the specific device operation unit 320 via the connection line is received by the power receiving unit 322 of the specific device operation unit 320. Then, the specific device operation unit 320 operates with the electric power received by the power receiving unit 322. Further, between the remote controller main body 200 and the specific device operation unit 320, a signal is bidirectionally communicated between the main body side communication unit 205 and the operation unit side communication unit 323 via the connection line described above.

When the remote controller main body 200 and the specific device operation unit 320 are wirelessly connected, power is supplied from the power supply unit 204 of the remote control main unit 200 to the power receiving unit 322 of the specific device operation unit 320 by non-contact power supply. That is, the power feeding unit 204 and the power receiving unit 322 in this case are non-contact power feeding means for supplying power from the remote controller main body 200 to the specific device operation unit 320 in a non-contact manner. As a method for transmitting electric power in a non-contact manner, known methods such as an electromagnetic induction method, a magnetic field resonance method, and a microwave method can be used. The specific device operation unit 320 operates with the electric power received by the power receiving unit 322. Further, between the remote controller main body 200 and the specific device operation unit 320, a signal is bidirectionally communicated between the main body side communication unit 205 and the operation unit side communication unit 323, for example, by short-range wireless communication.

Even if the specific device operation unit 320 is connected to the remote control main unit 200, the specific device operation unit 320 cannot be used unless the electric device 100 corresponding to the specific device operation unit 320 is connected to the remote control main unit 200. Can not. Therefore, when the specific device operation unit 320 is connected to the remote control main body 200, whether or not the electric device 100 corresponding to the specific device operation unit 320 is connected to the remote control main body 200 is determined by the specific device operation unit. It is displayed on the connection display unit 324 of 320.

The connection display unit 324 is, for example, a lamp such as an LED. Then, for example, when the electric device 100 corresponding to the specific device operation unit 320 is connected to the remote controller main body unit 200, the connection display unit 324 is turned on, and when not, the connection display unit 324 is turned off or blinks. The display unit 201 may display whether or not both the specific device operation unit 320 and the electric device 100 corresponding to the specific device operation unit 320 are connected to the remote controller main unit 200.

Next, an operation example when the specific device operation unit 320 is connected to the remote controller main body 200 in the remote controller configured as described above will be described with reference to the flow chart of FIG. First, in step S21, when the specific device operation unit 320 is connected to the remote controller main unit 200 by wire or wirelessly, the process proceeds to step S22.

In step S22, the remote control main body 200 confirms whether or not the electric device 100 corresponding to the connected specific device operation unit 320 is being connected to the remote control main body 200. In this confirmation, the identification result of the connected device by the device identification unit 202 may be used. Then, when the electric device 100 corresponding to the specific device operation unit 320 is being connected to the remote controller main body unit 200, the process proceeds to step S23. In step S23, the connection display unit 324 and the display unit 201 indicate that both the specific device operation unit 320 and the corresponding electric device 100 are connected to the remote controller main unit 200. When the process of step S23 is completed, the series of operations ends.

On the other hand, if the electric device 100 corresponding to the specific device operation unit 320 is not connected to the remote controller main body 200 in step S22, the process proceeds to step S24. In step S24, the connection error of the specific device operation unit 320 is displayed on the connection display unit 324 and the display unit 201. When the process of step S24 is completed, the series of operations ends.

10 Wall 11 Hole 20 Communication line 100 Electrical equipment 101 Equipment communication unit 102 Operation signal reception unit 103 Identification information storage unit 110 First equipment group 120 Second equipment group 200 Remote control main unit 201 Display unit 202 Equipment identification unit 203 Target Device switching unit 204 Power supply unit 205 Main unit side communication unit 211 Wired communication unit 212 Wireless communication unit 300 Operation unit 310 Common operation unit 320 Specific device operation unit 321 Operation unit cover 322 Power receiving unit 323 Operation unit side communication unit 324 Connection display unit

Claims (7)

The main body, which is provided on the wall of the house and can communicate with each of the plurality of electric devices installed in the house.
It is provided with an operation unit that generates an operation signal for each of the electric devices when operated.
The plurality of the electric devices
A first group of devices including the electrical devices connected to the main body via a communication line, and
It is divided into a second device group composed of the electric devices not included in the first device group.
The main body
A wired communication unit that transmits the operation signal to the electric device of the first device group by wired communication via the communication line.
A wireless communication unit that transmits the operation signal by wireless communication to the electric device of the second device group is provided.
The communication line is a remote control device laid through a hole formed in the wall portion. Each of the plurality of the electric devices includes an identification signal transmission unit that transmits an identification signal that can uniquely identify the electric device.
The remote control device according to claim 1, wherein the main body unit includes a device identification unit that identifies each of a plurality of the electrical devices by the identification signal transmitted from the identification signal transmission unit. The remote control device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a connection state display unit for displaying a communication connection state between each of the plurality of electric devices and the main body unit. The remote control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the operation unit includes a specific device operation unit that generates the operation signal corresponding to the specific electric device. The remote control device according to claim 4, wherein the specific device operation unit is detachably provided on the main body unit. The remote control device according to claim 5, further comprising a non-contact power supply means for non-contact power supply from the main body to the specific device operation unit. The remote control device according to claim 5 or 6, further comprising a short-range wireless communication means for performing short-range wireless communication between the main body unit and the specific device operation unit.

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