JP2021004690A - Hot water supply system, water heater, server and program - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a hot water supply system, a water heater, a server and a program capable of inhibiting remote control from causing inconvenience to use of the water heater.SOLUTION: A hot water supply system 1 includes: a server 50 connected to an external communication network 40; a water heater 10 that can be remotely controlled via the server 50 by a portable terminal device 30; a detection section detecting that the water heater 10 is in a usable state; and a control section performing control so as not to receive predetermined remote control by using the portable terminal device 30 when the state is detected by the detection section.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention is a hot water supply system capable of remotely controlling a hot water supply device by a mobile terminal device, a hot water supply device and a server constituting the hot water supply system, and a program for causing a control unit of the mobile terminal device to execute a predetermined function for remote control. Regarding.

Conventionally, in a hot water supply device, various settings are made by a plurality of remote controllers installed in a bathroom or kitchen. In addition, various functions can be executed by communication between these remote controllers.

For example, Patent Document 1 below discloses a hot water supply device in which a motion sensor is provided on a remote controller installed in a bathroom. When the motion sensor detects that there is a user in the bathroom, the lamp lights up on the display of the remote controller installed in the kitchen. A user near the remote controller in the kitchen can know that there is another user in the bathroom by visually recognizing the lit lamp.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2019-071519

However, when a mobile terminal device such as a smartphone can remotely control the hot water supply device, if the user of the mobile terminal device is outside the house, it cannot be grasped that there is another user in the bathroom. If there is another user in the bathroom and the hot water supply operation is changed by remote control using a mobile terminal device, there is a risk of inconvenience to the user in the bathroom. In addition, even if there is no user in the bathroom, if the user is using the hot water supply device in the kitchen or the like and the hot water supply operation is changed by remote control, the user is inconvenienced. There is a risk.

In view of such problems, it is an object of the present invention to provide a hot water supply system, a hot water supply device, a server, and a program capable of suppressing inconvenience in using the hot water supply device by remote operation using a mobile terminal device. And.

The first aspect of the present invention relates to a hot water supply system. The hot water supply system according to this aspect detects that a server connected to an external communication network, a hot water supply device that can be remotely controlled by a mobile terminal device via the server, and the hot water supply device can be used. It includes a detection unit and a control unit that controls not to accept a predetermined remote control by the mobile terminal device when the situation is detected by the detection unit.

According to the hot water supply system according to this aspect, when the hot water supply device can be used, a predetermined remote control by the mobile terminal device is suppressed. Thereby, in a situation where the hot water supply device can be used, it can be avoided that the operating state of the hot water supply device is suddenly changed by remote control. Therefore, it is possible to prevent inconvenience to the user in the house.

In the hot water supply system according to the present embodiment, the detection unit includes a motion sensor that detects the presence of a person in the bathroom, and the control unit detects that a person is present in the bathroom by the motion sensor. In addition, assuming that the hot water supply device can be used, it may be configured to control so as not to accept the predetermined remote control by the portable terminal device.

According to this configuration, when the user is in a situation where the hot water supply device is used in the bathroom, it is possible to prevent the mobile terminal device from performing a predetermined remote control. As a result, it is possible to prevent inconvenience to the user in the bathroom.

In the hot water supply system according to the present embodiment, the hot water supply device includes a water heater that heats water to generate hot water, and the detection unit includes a flow sensor that detects the flow rate of water flowing through the water heater. The control unit is configured to control so as not to accept the predetermined remote control by the portable terminal device, assuming that the hot water supply device can be used when a predetermined flow rate is detected by the flow rate sensor. obtain.

According to this configuration, when water flows through the water heater and the hot water supply device is actually used, it is possible to prevent the mobile terminal device from performing a predetermined remote control. As a result, it is possible to prevent inconvenience to the user who uses the hot water supply device in the house.

In the hot water supply system according to the present embodiment, the predetermined remote control may be configured to include a control for stopping the operation of the hot water supply device or a control for changing the set temperature of the hot water supply device.

According to this configuration, when the user in the house is actually using the water heater or trying to use the water heater, the operation of the water heater is suddenly stopped and the hot water becomes water. It is possible to prevent switching. As a result, it is possible to prevent inconvenience to the user who uses the hot water supply device in the house.

In the hot water supply system according to the present aspect, when the control unit does not accept the predetermined remote control, the control unit may be configured to perform control for notifying the portable terminal device to that effect.

According to this configuration, it is possible to notify that the remote control has not been accepted in the mobile terminal device. As a result, the user of the mobile terminal device can grasp that the operation by his / her remote control has not been executed, and can take appropriate measures.

A second aspect of the present invention relates to a hot water supply device that can be remotely controlled by a mobile terminal device via an external communication network. The hot water supply device according to this aspect includes a water heater, a detection unit that detects that the water heater is in a usable situation, and when the detection unit detects the situation, a predetermined state is determined by the mobile terminal device. It is provided with a control unit that controls so as not to accept remote control.

According to the hot water supply device according to this aspect, the same effect as that of the first aspect can be achieved.

In the hot water supply device according to the present embodiment, the detection unit includes a motion sensor for detecting the presence of a person in the bathroom, and the control unit detects that a person is present in the bathroom by the motion sensor. In addition, assuming that the hot water supply device can be used, it may be configured to control so as not to accept the predetermined remote control by the portable terminal device.

Further, the detection unit includes a flow rate sensor that detects the flow rate of water flowing through the water heater, the detection unit includes a flow rate sensor that detects the flow rate of water flowing through the water heater, and the control unit includes a flow rate sensor. When a predetermined flow rate is detected by the flow rate sensor, it may be configured to control so as not to accept the predetermined remote control by the portable terminal device, assuming that the hot water supply device can be used.

Further, the predetermined remote control may be configured to include a control for stopping the operation of the water heater or a control for changing the set temperature of the water heater.

Further, when the control unit does not accept the predetermined remote control, the control unit may be configured to control to notify the mobile terminal device to that effect.

A third aspect of the present invention relates to a server for remotely controlling a hot water supply device that can be connected to an external communication network by a mobile terminal device. The server according to this aspect is in a situation where the hot water supply device can be used by a communication unit that communicates with the hot water supply device via the external communication network and information received from the hot water supply device via the communication unit. When the determination is made, a control unit for controlling so as not to accept a predetermined remote control by the portable terminal device is provided.

According to the hot water supply device according to this aspect, the same effect as that of the first and second aspects can be achieved.

In the server according to this aspect, the information may be configured to include information indicating whether or not there is a person in the bathroom. In addition, the information may be configured to include information indicating the flow rate of water flowing through the water heater of the water heater.

In the server according to the present embodiment, the predetermined remote control may be configured to include a control for stopping the operation of the hot water supply device or a control for changing the set temperature of the hot water supply device.

In the server according to this aspect, when the control unit does not accept the predetermined remote control, the control unit may be configured to perform control for notifying the mobile terminal device to that effect.

A fourth aspect of the present invention relates to a program for causing a control unit of a mobile terminal device to execute a function of remotely controlling a hot water supply device via an external communication network. The program according to this aspect includes a function of determining whether or not the hot water supply device can be used based on information indicating the state of the hot water supply device received via the external communication network, and the hot water supply device. Is in a situation where it can be used, the control unit of the mobile terminal device is made to execute a function of restricting acceptance of operations related to a predetermined remote control.

According to the program according to this aspect, the control unit of the mobile terminal device determines the usage status of the hot water supply device based on the information received via the external communication network, and when the hot water supply device can be used, the hot water supply device can be used. , Restrict the acceptance of operations related to predetermined remote control. As a result, it is possible to prevent the operating state of the hot water supply device from being suddenly changed by remote control in a situation where the hot water supply device can be used. Therefore, it is possible to prevent inconvenience to the user in the house.

In the program according to this aspect, the information indicating the state of the hot water supply device may be configured to include information indicating whether or not there is a person in the bathroom.

In a program according to this aspect, the information may be configured to include information indicating the flow rate of water flowing through the water heater of the water heater.

Further, the operation related to the predetermined remote control may be configured to include an operation of stopping the operation of the hot water supply device or an operation of changing the set temperature of the hot water supply device.

In the program according to this aspect, when the operation related to the predetermined remote control is not accepted, the control unit may be further configured to execute the function of notifying the fact.

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a hot water supply system, a hot water supply device, a server, and a program capable of suppressing inconvenience in using the hot water supply device due to remote operation using a mobile terminal device. it can.

The effects or significance of the present invention will be further clarified by the description of the embodiments shown below. However, the embodiments shown below are merely examples when the present invention is put into practice, and the present invention is not limited to those described in the following embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a hot water supply system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing circuit blocks of each device constituting the hot water supply system according to the first embodiment. 3 (a) and 3 (b) are rows in the control unit of the kitchen remote controller and the control unit of the mobile terminal device when the user inputs a remote control to the mobile terminal device, respectively, according to the first embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the processing to be performed. FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of information transmission / reception performed between the kitchen remote controller, the mobile terminal device, and the server when the user inputs a remote control to the mobile terminal device according to the first embodiment. Is. 5 (a) to 5 (c) are diagrams showing screens displayed on the mobile terminal device according to the first embodiment, respectively. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a process performed by the control unit of the server when the user inputs a remote control to the mobile terminal device according to the second embodiment. FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of information transmission / reception performed between the kitchen remote controller, the mobile terminal device, and the server when the user inputs a remote control to the mobile terminal device according to the second embodiment. Is. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a process performed by the control unit of the mobile terminal device when the user inputs a remote control to the mobile terminal device according to the third embodiment.

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

<Embodiment 1>
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a hot water supply system 1 according to the first embodiment.

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

The hot water supply device 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 the faucet of the kitchen, the bathtub, the curan, etc. via the 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 by a panel heater, hot water is supplied from the water heater 11 to a device that realizes these functions.

The remote controllers 12 and 13 are connected to the water heater 11 and are 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 according to the screens displayed on the display units 121 and 131, the operator can make arbitrary settings for hot water filling, hot water supply temperature adjustment, and the like. The remote controller 12 is installed in the bathroom, and the remote controller 13 is installed in the kitchen or the like.

Hereinafter, the remote controller 12 installed in the bathroom will be referred to as a "bathroom remote controller 12", and the remote controller 13 installed in the kitchen or the like will be referred to as a "kitchen remote controller 13".

The input units 122 and 132 of the bathroom remote controller 12 and the kitchen remote controller 13 include operation buttons 122a and 132a. The operation buttons 122a and 132a are buttons for switching the water heater 11 between the operation on state and the operation off state.

When the bathroom remote controller 12 and the kitchen remote controller 13 are in the operation off state (the state in which the water heater 11 does not perform the hot water supply operation even if the water heater such as the curan is opened and the water flow exceeds the reference flow rate), the display unit 121 , 131 are in the off state, and operations of operation buttons other than the operation buttons 122a and 132a are not accepted. When the operation buttons 122a and 132a are operated and the operation is turned on (a state in which the water heater 11 can perform hot water supply operation when a hot water tap such as a curan is opened and water flow exceeds a reference flow rate), the display unit 121, The 131 lights up to display the setting contents, and the operations of the operation buttons other than the operation buttons 122a and 132a can be accepted.

Further, the input units 122 and 132 include buttons for changing the hot water supply temperature. The operator can change the set temperature of the hot water supply by operating this button. In addition, the input units 122 and 132 include buttons for controlling the operation of the water heater 11, such as a button for executing a reheating function and an automatic bath function.

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. The router 20 is a communication repeater for connecting the device of the home H10 to the external communication network 40.

The kitchen remote controller 13 is connected to the router 20 by wireless communication. Further, when the mobile terminal device 30 exists 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 mobile 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.

A server 50 for managing remote control (remote control and remote monitoring) of the hot water supply device 10 is connected to the external communication network 40. 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 home, the mobile terminal device 30 is connected to the external communication network 40 via a router 60 or a base station 70 installed outside, and communicates with the server 50.

The application program of the hot water supply system 1 is downloaded from the server 50 and installed in the kitchen remote controller 13 and the mobile terminal device 30. This application program includes address information (IP address) for accessing the server 50. The kitchen remote controller 13 and the mobile terminal device 30 access the server 50 and perform communication based on this address information.

The address information of the kitchen remote controller 13 is transmitted to and held by the server 50 at the time of initial setting. At the same time, the ID information (identification information) of the kitchen remote controller 13 is transmitted from the kitchen remote controller 13 to the server 50. As the address information of the kitchen remote controller 13, for example, the MAC (Media Access Control) address held in the wireless communication unit 136 (see FIG. 2) of the kitchen remote controller 13 is used. As the address information of the kitchen remote controller 13, the global IP address of the wireless communication unit 136 of the kitchen remote controller 13 may be used. As the ID information of the kitchen remote controller 13, for example, THING of the wireless communication unit 136 of the kitchen remote controller 13 is used. As the ID information of the kitchen remote controller 13, the MAC address of the wireless communication unit 136 of the kitchen remote controller 13 may be used.

In the configuration of FIG. 1, the operator can remotely control the hot water supply device 10 by using the mobile terminal device 30 both inside the house H10 and outside the house.

That is, regardless of whether the mobile terminal device 30 is located inside the home H10 or outside the home, the setting request input from the operator to the mobile terminal device 30 is once transmitted to the server 50 via the external communication network 40. .. In response to this, the server 50 transmits the received setting request to the hot water supply device 10 previously associated with the mobile terminal device 30 that has received the setting request. As a result, the setting request is transmitted to the kitchen remote controller 13 of the corresponding hot water supply device 10 via the external communication network 40 and the router 20. In this way, the setting of the content requested by the operator is applied to the hot water supply device 10 by remote control.

Further, 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 at any time in a predetermined cycle. The state information is information indicating the current setting state and operating state of the hot water supply device 10. The server 50 manages the received status information for each hot water supply device 10. The remote monitoring viewing request input from the operator to the mobile terminal device 30 is once transmitted to the server 50 via the external communication network 40. In response to this, the server 50 obtains the state information of the hot water supply device 10 designated by the browsing request among the hot water supply devices 10 previously associated with the mobile terminal device 30 that has received the browsing request. Send to. As a result, the state of the hot water supply device 10 is output to the mobile terminal device 30. In this way, the operator can confirm the state of the hot water supply device 10 both inside the house H10 and outside the house.

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

The water heater 11 includes a control unit 111, a storage unit 112, a communication unit 113, and a flow rate sensor 114. The control unit 111 includes a microcomputer 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 according to the control from the control unit 111.

The flow rate sensor 114 detects the amount of water flowing through the water heater 11. The control unit 111 operates the water heater 11 when the flow rate detected by the flow rate sensor 114 becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined minimum flow rate (reference flow rate) during the hot water supply operation. Therefore, when the flow rate detected by the flow rate sensor 114 is equal to or higher than the minimum flow rate, it can be determined that the water heater 11 is in use. The control unit 111 transmits the detection result of the flow rate sensor 114 to the kitchen remote controller 13 as status information at any time.

In addition to the above-mentioned display unit 121 and input unit 122, the bathroom remote controller 12 includes a control unit 123, a storage unit 124, a communication unit 125, and a motion sensor 126. The display unit 121 is composed of, 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 microcomputer 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 motion sensor 126 detects that there is a person in the bathroom. The motion sensor 126 is, for example, a pyroelectric sensor using infrared rays. The control unit 123 detects the presence of a person in the bathroom based on the output of the motion sensor 126. The control unit 123 transmits the detection result of the motion sensor 126 to the kitchen remote controller 13 as state information at any time.

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 microcomputer 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. The communication unit 135 communicates with the water heater 11 according to the control from the 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 wireless communication with the router 20. An IP address for identifying a device on a LAN (Local Area Network) set in the home H10 is assigned to the wireless communication unit 136 (wireless communication module). Further, the wireless communication unit 136 holds the above-mentioned MAC address. In addition, the kitchen remote controller 13 is provided with 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 composed of, for example, a liquid crystal panel. The input unit 132 includes various operation buttons and a touch panel laminated on the display unit 301.

The control unit 303 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and performs 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 according to the control from the control unit 303. The wireless communication unit 305 is a wireless communication module capable of wireless communication with the router 20. An IP address is also assigned to the wireless communication unit 305. Further, the wireless communication unit 305 holds the above-mentioned MAC address. In addition, the mobile terminal device 30 includes a speaker for outputting audio.

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 database. The communication unit 503 performs predetermined control according to the control from the control unit 501.

In the first embodiment, the mobile terminal device 30 capable of remotely controlling the hot water supply device 10 is registered in the server 50 in association with the hot water supply device 10. That is, the hot water supply device 10 and the mobile terminal device 30 are paired in advance, and information indicating pairing (pairing information) is managed by the server 50. Specifically, the ID information of the hot water supply device 10 and the ID information of the mobile terminal device 30 are associated with each other to form pairing information. Such pairing is performed, for example, in the home H10 in which the hot water supply device 10 is installed. This reduces the possibility that the mobile terminal device 30 and the hot water supply device 10 are unfairly paired by a malicious third party.

Here, the number of mobile terminal devices 30 that can be paired with one hot water supply device 10 is not limited to one. It can be assumed that a plurality of users, such as family members, each perform pairing between the portable terminal device 30 owned by the user and the hot water supply device 10. As a result, each member of the family can remotely control the hot water supply device 10 by the mobile terminal device 30 outside the home.

In this way, when the user remotely controls the mobile terminal device 30 outside the home, the following can occur. For example, while the user in the home H10 is using hot water, the operation of the hot water supply device 10 may be stopped as a result of the user outside the home remotely controlling the mobile terminal device 30. obtain. In this case, the hot water supplied from the water heater 11 is suddenly switched to water, which causes a remarkable inconvenience to the user of the hot water. As described above, if the user outside the house remotely controls the mobile terminal device 30 without grasping the usage state of the hot water supply device 10, there is a possibility that the user of the hot water supply device 10 may be inconvenienced.

Therefore, in the first embodiment, a configuration capable of suppressing such a situation is provided. This configuration will be described below.

3 (a) and 3 (b) are performed by the control unit 133 of the kitchen remote controller 13 and the control unit 303 of the mobile terminal device 30, respectively, when the user inputs a remote control to the mobile terminal device 30. It is a flowchart which shows the process. In addition, in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the user has started the application program of the hot water supply system 1 installed in the mobile terminal device 30, and the mobile terminal device 30 and the server 50 can communicate with each other. It has become.

With reference to FIG. 3B, when the control unit 303 of the mobile terminal device 30 receives an operation from the user for the input unit 302 (S201: YES), the control unit 303 is for executing the remote control corresponding to this operation. The command notification is transmitted to the server 50 (S202). At this time, the control unit 303 transmits the ID information of the mobile terminal device 30 together with the command notification. These command notifications and ID information are transmitted to the kitchen remote controller 13 via the server 50. Specifically, the server 50 transfers the command notification to the kitchen remote controller 13 paired with the received ID information.

With reference to FIG. 3A, when the control unit 133 of the kitchen remote controller 13 receives the command notification transmitted in step S202 of FIG. 3B from the server 50 (S101: YES), the content of the command notification Determines whether or not is a predetermined remote control (S102).

Here, the "predetermined remote control" means that when the hot water supply device 10 is in a situation where it can be used in the house, if the remote control is executed, there is a risk of causing inconvenience to the user of the hot water supply device 10. It is a remote control that can be assumed. For example, in a situation where the hot water supply device 10 is used in the home H10, if the operation of the hot water supply device 10 is suddenly stopped by remote control or the set temperature of the hot water supply is suddenly changed, the user of the home H10 is notified. It may cause significant inconvenience. From such a viewpoint, the "predetermined remote control" is set to, for example, a remote control for stopping the operation of the hot water supply device 10 or a remote control for changing the set temperature of the hot water supply device 10. However, the "predetermined remote control" is not limited to these. For example, reheating remote control may be included in the "predetermined remote control".

In step S102, when the content of the command notification is to execute a predetermined remote control (S102: YES), the control unit 133 of the kitchen remote controller 13 refers to the state information held in the storage unit 134 (S102: YES). S103). The "state information" is information indicating the current setting state and operating state of the hot water supply device 10 of the hot water supply device 10. As described above, the "state information" includes the detection result of the motion sensor 126 and the detection result of the flow rate sensor 114. In step S103, the control unit 133 refers to the information for determining whether or not the water heater 11 is in a usable state among the state information. Specifically, the control unit 133 refers to the detection result by the motion sensor 126 of the bathroom remote controller 12 and the detection result by the flow rate sensor 114 of the hot water supply device 10 among various information included as the state information.

In step S104, the control unit 133 determines whether or not the hot water supply device 10 can be used from the state information referred to in step S103. Specifically, the control unit 133 determines whether or not the preset usage prediction conditions are satisfied. Here, the usage prediction conditions include that there is a person in the bathroom and that water is flowing in the water heater 11. The control unit 133 determines that there is a person in the bathroom based on the detection result of the motion sensor 126, or determines that a predetermined amount of water is flowing in the water heater 11 based on the detection result of the flow rate sensor 114. When it is determined, it is determined that the usage prediction condition is satisfied.

The usage prediction conditions are not limited to the above conditions. For example, the user is temporarily suspended from using the water heater 11 for a period from when the flow rate sensor 114 stops detecting the flow of water until a predetermined time (for example, several tens of seconds) elapses. Probability is high. Therefore, this period may be further included in the usage prediction condition. That is, the control unit 133 may determine that the usage prediction condition is satisfied when the timing of receiving the command notification for the predetermined remote control is included in this period. In addition, when the kitchen remote controller 13 is provided with a motion sensor, the use prediction condition may further include that the motion sensor detects that a person is present in the kitchen.

In the determination of step S104, if the control unit 133 satisfies the usage prediction condition (S104: YES), the control unit 133 refuses to execute these remote controls without accepting the predetermined remote controls (S105). ). Then, the control unit 133 transmits a refusal notification indicating that the remote control is rejected to the server 50 (S106).

If the determination in step S102 is NO, or if the determination in step S104 is NO, the control unit 133 executes remote control according to the received command notification (S107). Then, the control unit 133 transmits an execution notification indicating that the remote control is to be executed to the server 50 (S108).

These refusal notifications and execution notifications are transferred from the server 50 to the mobile terminal device 30. That is, when the server 50 receives the refusal notification or the execution notification from the kitchen remote controller 13, the server 50 refers to the ID information of the kitchen remote controller 13 received together with these notifications, and refers to the mobile terminal device 30 paired with the ID information. , Send a rejection or execution notification.

With reference to FIG. 3B, when the control unit 303 of the mobile terminal device 30 receives the notification from the server 50, it determines whether the notification is a rejection notification or an execution notification (S203). When the received notification is a rejection notification (S203: YES), the control unit 303 causes the display unit 301 to display a rejection screen indicating that the remote control received in step S201 has been rejected (S204). On the other hand, when the received notification is an execution notification (S203: NO), the control unit 303 causes the display unit 301 to display an execution screen indicating that the remote control received in step S201 has been executed (S205).

FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram showing a flow of information transmission / reception performed between the kitchen remote controller 13, the mobile terminal device 30, and the server 50 when the user inputs a remote control to the mobile terminal device 30. Is. This sequence is performed according to the flowchart shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B.

In the sequence SQ1, when a remote control input is made to the input unit 302 of the mobile terminal device 30, the mobile terminal device 30 transmits a command notification and ID information to the server 50. The server 50 transfers the command notification to the kitchen remote controller 13 paired with the received ID information (SQ2).

When the kitchen remote controller 13 receives the command notification from the server 50, the kitchen remote controller 13 determines in sequence SQ3 whether or not remote control can be executed based on the command notification (remote control availability determination). That is, when the content of the command notification is the execution of the predetermined remote control and the state information satisfies the usage prediction condition, the kitchen remote controller 13 refuses to indicate that the remote control is rejected in the sequence SQ3a. The notification is transmitted to the server 50 together with its own ID information. When the server 50 receives the refusal notification and the ID information from the kitchen remote controller 13, the server 50 transmits the refusal notification to the mobile terminal device 30 paired with the ID information in the sequence SQ4a. Upon receiving the refusal notification from the server 50, the mobile terminal device 30 performs a process (rejection notification) of notifying the user that the remote control has been refused in the sequence SQ5a. As a result, the refusal screen is displayed on the display unit 301 of the mobile terminal device 30.

On the other hand, in the remote control availability determination in the sequence SQ3, when the content of the command notification is a control other than the predetermined remote control, or the content of the command notification is the predetermined remote control but the state information does not satisfy the usage prediction condition. In the case, the kitchen remote controller 13 transmits an execution notification indicating that the remote control is to be executed to the server 50 together with its own ID information in the sequence SQ3b, and executes the remote control.

When the server 50 receives the execution notification and the ID information from the kitchen remote controller 13, the server 50 transmits the execution notification to the mobile terminal device 30 paired with the ID information in the sequence SQ4b. When the mobile terminal device 30 receives the execution notification from the server 50, the mobile terminal device 30 notifies the user that remote control can be executed in the sequence SQ5b (execution notification). As a result, the execution screen is displayed on the display unit 301 of the mobile terminal device 30. As a result, the sequence related to remote control using the mobile terminal device 30 is completed.

5 (a) and 5 (b) are diagrams showing a display example of the rejection screen 600, and FIG. 5 (c) is a diagram showing a display example of the execution screen 610.

As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the refusal screen 600 includes an item 601 indicating the content of remote control, a message 602 indicating that the remote operation has been rejected, and an approval button 603. .. Further, as shown in FIG. 5C, the execution screen 610 includes an item 611 indicating the content of the remote control, a message 612 indicating that the remote control has been executed, and an approval button 613.

By referring to the message 602 on the refusal screen 600, the user can grasp that the remote control performed by the user has been refused. Further, the user can grasp that the remote control performed by himself / herself has been executed by referring to the message 612 on the execution screen 610. After referring to the messages 602 and 612, the user operates the approval buttons 603 and 613. As a result, the rejection screen 600 and the execution screen 610 are closed, and the screen before these screens are displayed is displayed.

<Effect of Embodiment 1>
According to the first embodiment, the following effects can be achieved.

When the hot water supply device 10 is in a situation where it can be used, the predetermined remote control by the mobile terminal device 30 is suppressed. The situation in which the hot water supply device 10 can be used is, for example, a case where the motion sensor 126 detects that there is a person in the bathroom, or a case where the flow rate sensor 114 detects a predetermined amount of water. Further, the predetermined remote control is a control for stopping the operation of the hot water supply device 10 and a control for changing the set temperature of the hot water supply device 10. For example, when the user of the home H10 is actually using the hot water supply device 10 or trying to use the hot water supply device 10, the operation of the hot water supply device 10 is suddenly stopped and the hot water is switched to water. And give inconvenience to the user. In the present embodiment, in such a situation where the hot water supply device 10 can be used, it is prevented that the operating state of the hot water supply device 10 is suddenly changed by a predetermined remote control. Therefore, it is possible to prevent inconvenience to the user of the hot water supply device 10 in the home H10.

Further, when the remote control is not accepted in the mobile terminal device 30, the control unit 303 of the mobile terminal device 30 causes the display unit 301 to display the refusal screen 600 as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B. .. Alternatively, when the remote control is accepted, the control unit 303 causes the display unit 301 to display the execution screen 610 as shown in FIG. 5C. As a result, the user of the mobile terminal device 30 can grasp that the operation by his / her remote control has not been executed or that this operation has been executed, and can take appropriate measures.

<Embodiment 2>
In the first embodiment, it is determined whether or not the control unit 133 of the kitchen remote controller 13 accepts the predetermined remote control, but in the second embodiment, the control unit 501 of the server 50 accepts the predetermined remote control. Whether or not it is determined.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a process performed by the control unit 501 of the server 50 when the user inputs a remote control to the mobile terminal device 30. In FIG. 6, as in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the user has started the application program of the hot water supply system 1 installed in the mobile terminal device 30, and the mobile terminal device 30 and the server 50. Is in a communicable state.

When the control unit 501 of the server 50 receives a command notification regarding remote control from the control unit 303 of the mobile terminal device 30 (S301: YES), it determines whether or not the content of the command notification is a predetermined remote control ( S302). The predetermined remote control is, for example, off operation and change of the set temperature, as in step S102 of FIG. 3A.

When the content of the command notification is a predetermined remote control (S302: YES), the control unit 501 identifies the kitchen remote controller 13 paired with the ID information of the mobile terminal device 30 received together with the command notification, and identifies the kitchen. The state information corresponding to the remote controller 13 is extracted from the storage unit 502 and referred to (S303).

Here, the state information extracted from the storage unit 502 includes the detection result of the motion sensor 126 and the detection result of the flow rate sensor 114 as described above. As described with reference to FIG. 2, the control unit 123 of the bathroom remote controller 12 transmits the detection result of the motion sensor 126 to the kitchen remote controller 13 at any time. Similarly, the control unit 111 of the water heater 11 transmits the detection result of the flow rate sensor 114 to the kitchen remote controller 13 at any time. The control unit 133 of the kitchen remote controller 13 transmits the detection result of the motion sensor 126 and the detection result of the flow sensor 114 transmitted from the bathroom remote controller 12 to the server 50 via the wireless communication unit 136. The detection result of the motion sensor 126 and the detection result of the flow rate sensor 114 are stored in the storage unit 502 by the control unit 501 of the server 50 as state information. In step S303, the state information stored in the storage unit 502 in this way is extracted by the control unit 501.

The control unit 501 determines whether or not the referenced state information satisfies the above-mentioned usage prediction condition (S304). The usage prediction conditions are the same as in step S104 of FIG. 3A. For example, the motion sensor 126 detects that there is a person in the bathroom, and the flow rate sensor 114 detects a predetermined flow rate. Is set to.

When the state information satisfies the usage prediction condition (S304: YES), the control unit 501 transmits a refusal notification to the mobile terminal device 30 to refuse the execution of the remote control without accepting the remote control (S305). ).

If the determination in step S302 is NO, or if the determination in step S304 is NO, the control unit 501 has paired the command notification received in step S301 with the mobile terminal device 30. Is transmitted to the control unit 133 (S306). Then, the control unit 501 transmits an execution notification to the control unit 303 of the mobile terminal device 30 in order to notify that the remote control is to be executed (S307).

FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram showing a flow of information transmission / reception performed between the kitchen remote controller 13, the mobile terminal device 30 and the server 50 when the user inputs a remote control to the mobile terminal device 30. This sequence is performed according to the flowchart shown in FIG.

The sequence SQ11 is the same as the sequence SQ1 of FIG. Upon receiving the ID information and the command notification from the mobile terminal device 30, the server 50 determines in the sequence SQ12 whether or not remote control based on the command notification is possible (remote control availability determination). That is, it is determined whether or not the content of the command notification is the execution of the predetermined remote control and the usage prediction condition is satisfied. If this determination is YES, the server 50 transmits a refusal notification indicating refusal to execute the remote control to the mobile terminal device 30 in the sequence SQ12a. Upon receiving the refusal notification from the server 50, the mobile terminal device 30 executes a process (rejection notification) for notifying the user that the remote control has been refused in the sequence SQ13a. As a result, for example, the refusal screen 600 shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B is displayed on the display unit 301 of the mobile terminal device 30.

In the remote control availability determination of the sequence SQ12, when the content of the command notification is a control other than the predetermined remote control, or when the content of the command notification is the predetermined remote control but the state information does not satisfy the usage prediction condition. In the sequence SQ12b, the server 50 transmits a command notification to the kitchen remote controller 13, and further transmits an execution notification indicating that the remote control is executed to the mobile terminal device 30. Upon receiving the execution notification from the server 50, the mobile terminal device 30 executes a process (execution notification) for notifying the user that the remote control will be executed in the sequence SQ13b. As a result, for example, the execution screen 610 shown in FIG. 5C is displayed on the display unit 301 of the mobile terminal device 30.

When the kitchen remote controller 13 receives the command notification from the server 50, the kitchen remote controller 13 executes remote control based on the command notification in the sequence SQ14. As a result, the sequence related to remote control using the mobile terminal device 30 is completed.

Also in the second embodiment, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be achieved.

<Embodiment 3>
In the first and second embodiments, it is determined whether or not the control unit 133 of the kitchen remote controller 13 or the control unit 501 of the server 50 accepts a predetermined remote control. However, in the third embodiment, the control of the mobile terminal device 30 is determined. In unit 303, it is determined whether or not to accept a predetermined remote control.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a process performed by the control unit 303 of the mobile terminal device 30 when the user inputs a remote control to the mobile terminal device 30.

Upon receiving a remote control from the user for the input unit 302 (S401: YES), the control unit 303 determines whether or not the remote control corresponding to the remote control is a predetermined remote control (S402). The predetermined remote control is the same as in step S102 in FIG. 3A and step S302 in FIG. When the determination in step S402 is YES, the control unit 303 acquires the state information of the water heater 10 of the control destination (S403). Specifically, in step S403, the control unit 303 inquires the control unit 501 of the server 50 about the usage status. At this time, the control unit 303 transmits its own ID information to the server 50 together with the inquiry. The control unit 501 of the server 50 extracts the state information of the kitchen remote controller 13 paired with the received ID information of the mobile terminal device 30 from the storage unit 502, and extracts the extracted state information from the mobile terminal device 30 of the inquiry source. Is transmitted to the control unit 303 of. As a result, the control unit 303 of the mobile terminal device 30 acquires the state information of the hot water supply device 10 of the control destination.

The state information extracted from the storage unit 502 by the control unit 501 of the server 50 in step S403 includes the detection result of the motion sensor 126 and the detection result of the flow rate sensor 114. Similar to the second embodiment, the control unit 133 of the kitchen remote controller 13 transmits the detection result of the motion sensor 126 and the detection result of the flow sensor 114 transmitted from the bathroom remote controller 12 to the server 50 via the wireless communication unit 136. Send to. The detection result of the motion sensor 126 and the detection result of the flow rate sensor 114 are stored in the storage unit 502 by the control unit 501 of the server 50 as state information. In step S403, the state information stored in the storage unit 502 in this way is extracted by the control unit 501, and the extracted state information is transmitted to the control unit 303 of the mobile terminal device 30.

In step S404, the control unit 303 determines whether or not the state information acquired in step S403 satisfies the usage prediction condition. This determination is the same as the processing of step S104 of FIG. 3A and step S304 of FIG. When the control unit 303 determines that the state information satisfies the usage condition (S404: YES), the control unit 303 causes the display unit 301 to display a refusal screen for notifying the user to that effect (S405). The rejection screen is, for example, the same as in FIGS. 5A and 5B. As a result, the user can know that the remote control performed by the user has been refused.

If the determination in step S402 is NO, or if the determination in step S404 is NO, the control unit 133 sends a command notification for executing the remote control received in step S401 together with its own ID information to the server. It is transmitted to the control unit 501 of 50 (S406). The server 50 transfers the command notification to the control unit 133 of the kitchen remote controller 13 paired with the received ID information. As a result, remote control in response to the command notification is executed in the hot water supply device 10.

After transmitting the command notification to the control unit 501 of the server 50 in step S406, the control unit 133 causes the display unit 301 to display an execution screen for notifying the user that the remote control is to be executed (S407). The execution screen is, for example, the same as in FIG. 5 (c). As a result, the user can know that the remote control performed by the user has been executed.

Also in the third embodiment, the same effects as those of the first and second embodiments can be achieved.

<Change example>
In the first and second embodiments, by displaying the refusal screen 600 and the execution screen 610 on the display unit 301 of the mobile terminal device 30, it is notified whether or not a predetermined operation based on the remote control has been executed. The method of notification is not limited to this. For example, a voice notifying whether or not a predetermined operation based on remote control has been executed may be output from the speaker of the mobile terminal device 30.

Further, in the first and second embodiments, the process of accepting or not accepting the predetermined remote control is performed by the control unit 133 of the kitchen remote controller 13 or the control unit 501 of the server 50, but other than these control units 133 and 501. The control unit of the above may perform this process. For example, when a relay server that relays both of them is interposed between the server 50 and the mobile terminal device 30, the process of FIG. 6 may be performed by the control unit of the relay server. In this case, the control unit of the relay server receives the command notification from the mobile terminal device 30 in step S301 of FIG. 6, and transmits the command notification to the server 50 in step S306. The transmitted command notification is transmitted from the server 50 to the hot water supply device 10 (kitchen remote controller 13). Further, the control unit of the relay server transmits a refusal notification and an execution notification to the mobile terminal device 30 in steps S305 and S307 of FIG. 6, respectively. The relay server may share the status information with the server 50, or may acquire the status information of the hot water supply device 10 to be remotely controlled from the server 50 in step S303.

Further, in the above-described first to third embodiments, the kitchen remote controller 13 constituting the hot water supply device 10 is provided with the wireless communication unit 136, but the wireless communication unit is provided in the water heater 11 and the water heater 11 is connected to the router 20. You may. In this case, the control of the kitchen remote controller 13 in the first to third embodiments is performed by the control unit 111 of the water heater 11. Alternatively, a control unit having a wireless communication unit other than the water heater 11, the bathroom remote controller 12, and the kitchen remote controller 13 may be arranged in the hot water supply device 10, and the control unit may be connected to the router 20. In this case, the control by the kitchen remote controller 13 in the first to third embodiments is performed by the control unit.

Further, in the first embodiment, the mobile terminal device 30 notifies that the predetermined remote control has been rejected or executed, but this notification may be further performed by the kitchen remote controller 13. As a result, the user in the house can grasp that the predetermined operation is rejected or executed by remote control, and can grasp that the user of the mobile terminal device 30 wants to perform the predetermined remote control.

Further, in the above-described first to third embodiments, the refusal screen 600 indicating that the predetermined remote control has been rejected is illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B, but the configuration of the refusal screen 600 is limited to this. It's not a thing. For example, the message 602 may include a notification message for notifying the usage prediction condition that caused the remote control to be rejected. For example, if remote control is denied due to the presence of a person in the bathroom, the message 602 may include a notification message indicating that there is a person in the bathroom. In this case, the refusal notification transmitted to the mobile terminal device 30 in the first and second embodiments includes information indicating the content of the usage prediction condition that caused the remote control to be refused.

The terminal device for remotely controlling the hot water supply device 10 may include a stationary terminal device that is not portable and is installed at a predetermined place. Further, the hot water supply device 10 is not limited to the one using gas fuel, and may be a hot water supply device using oil as fuel. The hot water supply device 10 may be of a storage type using a storage tank, or may be configured to further include a power generation unit such as a fuel cell.

In addition, various modifications of the embodiment of the present invention can be made as appropriate within the scope of the claims.

1 Hot water supply system 10 Hot water supply device 11 Water heater 114 Flow rate sensor 126 Human sensor 13 Kitchen remote controller 30 Mobile terminal device 40 External communication network 50 Server 133, 303, 501 Control unit 503 Communication unit

Claims (20)

A server connected to an external communication network and
A hot water supply device that can be remotely controlled by a mobile terminal device via the server,
A detector that detects that the water heater is in a situation where it can be used, and
When the situation is detected by the detection unit, it includes a control unit that controls so as not to accept a predetermined remote control by the mobile terminal device.
A hot water supply system that features this. In the hot water supply system according to claim 1,
The detection unit includes a motion sensor that detects the presence of a person in the bathroom.
When the motion sensor detects that a person is present in the bathroom, the control unit does not accept the predetermined remote control by the mobile terminal device, assuming that the hot water supply device can be used. To control,
A hot water supply system that features this. In the hot water supply system according to claim 1 or 2.
The hot water supply device includes a water heater that heats water to generate hot water.
The detection unit includes a flow rate sensor that detects the flow rate of water flowing through the water heater.
When a predetermined flow rate is detected by the flow rate sensor, the control unit controls the hot water supply device so as not to accept the predetermined remote control by the mobile terminal device, assuming that the hot water supply device can be used.
A hot water supply system that features this. In the hot water supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The predetermined remote control includes a control for stopping the operation of the hot water supply device or a control for changing a set temperature of the hot water supply device.
A hot water supply system that features this. In the hot water supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
When the control unit does not accept the predetermined remote control, the control unit performs control for notifying the mobile terminal device to that effect.
A hot water supply system that features this. In a hot water supply device that can be remotely controlled by a mobile terminal device via an external communication network
With a water heater
A detector that detects that the water heater is in a situation where it can be used,
When the situation is detected by the detection unit, it includes a control unit that controls not to accept a predetermined remote control by the mobile terminal device.
A hot water supply device characterized by this. In the hot water supply device according to claim 6,
The detector includes a motion sensor that detects the presence of a person in the bathroom.
When the motion sensor detects that a person is present in the bathroom, the control unit does not accept the predetermined remote control by the mobile terminal device, assuming that the hot water supply device can be used. To control,
A hot water supply device characterized by this. In the hot water supply device according to claim 6 or 7.
The detection unit includes a flow rate sensor that detects the flow rate of water flowing through the water heater.
When a predetermined flow rate is detected by the flow rate sensor, the control unit controls the hot water supply device so as not to accept the predetermined remote control by the mobile terminal device, assuming that the hot water supply device can be used.
A hot water supply device characterized by this. In the hot water supply device according to any one of claims 6 to 8.
The predetermined remote control includes a control for stopping the operation of the water heater or a control for changing a set temperature of the water heater.
A hot water supply device characterized by this. In the hot water supply device according to any one of claims 6 to 9.
When the control unit does not accept the predetermined remote control, the control unit performs control for notifying the mobile terminal device to that effect.
A hot water supply device characterized by this. In a server for remotely controlling a hot water supply device that can be connected to an external communication network with a mobile terminal device
A communication unit that communicates with the water heater via the external communication network,
When it is determined from the information received from the hot water supply device via the communication unit that the hot water supply device can be used, a control unit that controls so as not to accept a predetermined remote control by the mobile terminal device. Prepare, prepare
A server that features that. In the server of claim 11.
The information includes information indicating whether or not there is a person in the bathroom.
A server that features that. In the server of claim 11.
The information includes information indicating the flow rate of water flowing through the water heater of the water heater.
A server that features that. In the server according to any one of claims 11 to 13.
The predetermined remote control includes a control for stopping the operation of the hot water supply device or a control for changing a set temperature of the hot water supply device.
A server that features that. In the server according to any one of claims 11 to 14.
When the control unit does not accept the predetermined remote control, the control unit performs control for notifying the mobile terminal device to that effect.
A server that features that. In the control unit of a mobile terminal device that can remotely control a hot water supply device via an external communication network
A function for determining whether or not the hot water supply device can be used based on the information indicating the state of the hot water supply device received via the external communication network, and
A program for executing a function of restricting acceptance of operations related to a predetermined remote control when the water heater is in a situation where it can be used. In the program of claim 16,
The information indicating the state of the hot water supply device is a program including information indicating whether or not there is a person in the bathroom. In the program according to claim 16 or 17.
The information includes information indicating the flow rate of water flowing through the water heater of the water heater. In the program according to any one of claims 16 to 18.
The operation related to the predetermined remote control is a program including an operation of stopping the operation of the hot water supply device or an operation of changing the set temperature of the hot water supply device. In the program according to any one of claims 16 to 19.
A program that causes the control unit to further execute a function of notifying the fact that an operation related to the predetermined remote control is not accepted.

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