JP2022025283A - Hot water supply system and server - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a hot water supply system and a server capable of receiving the lease use of a hot water supply device more preferably in a user.SOLUTION: A hot water supply system 1 includes: a hot water supply device 10; and a server 50 capable of communicating with the hot water supply device 10 via an external communication network 40. The hot water supply device 10 includes: a use state monitoring part 111a for monitoring the use state of the hot water supply device 10 and a use state transmission part 133a for transmitting the use state information concerning the use state to the server. Moreover, the server 50 includes: a charging information generating part 501a for generating charging information concerning the usage charge of the hot water supply device 10 based on the use state information received from the use state transmission part 133a; a storage part 502 for storing a transmission destination address of the charging information in association with the hot water supply device 10; and a charging information transmitting part 501b for transmitting the charging information to the destination address via the external communication network 40.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

The present invention relates to a hot water supply system including a hot water supply device and a server, and a server capable of communicating with the hot water supply device via an external communication network.

Conventionally, a hot water supply device that supplies hot water generated by a water heater to a faucet in a kitchen, a bathtub, a curan, or the like is known. Further, in recent years, a hot water supply system including a server capable of communicating with a hot water supply device has been developed via an external communication network such as the Internet.

For example, in the bath system described in Patent Document 1 below, a bath device provided with a water heater and a server are configured to be able to communicate with each other via a network. In this system, the bathing time detected by the bathing device is transmitted to the server, and further, the bathing time is transmitted from the server to the mobile terminal associated with the bathing device.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2020-47182

In recent years, the leasing business of hot water supply equipment has been developed. In this leasing business, a method of paying a fixed monthly amount to the business owner is adopted. However, the usage of water heaters can fluctuate from month to month. For this reason, the user feels unreasonable if he / she pays the same fixed amount as in other months in the month when the water heater is used less. If this happens, the user may stop using the leasing of the water heater, and it becomes difficult for the business owner to smoothly proceed with the development of the leasing business.

In view of such problems, it is an object of the present invention to provide a hot water supply system and a server capable of more preferably leasing a hot water supply device by a user.

The first aspect of the present invention relates to a hot water supply system. The hot water supply system according to this aspect includes a hot water supply device and a server capable of communicating with the hot water supply device via an external communication network. Here, the hot water supply device includes a usage status monitoring unit that monitors the usage status of the hot water supply device, and a usage status transmission unit that transmits usage status information regarding the usage status to the server. Further, the server has a billing information generation unit that generates billing information regarding the usage fee of the hot water supply device based on the usage status information received from the usage status transmission unit, and the hot water supply device that uses the transmission destination address of the billing information. A storage unit that stores the billing information in association with the above, and a billing information transmission unit that transmits the billing information to the destination address via the external communication network are provided.

According to the hot water supply system according to this aspect, the usage fee is set based on the usage status of the hot water supply device. As a result, when the water heater is used less during the unit setting period of the usage fee, the usage fee can be kept low. In addition, billing information is sent from the server to the destination address to notify the user. As a result, the user can grasp the billing status in advance and can use the hot water supply device with peace of mind. Therefore, the user can more preferably continue to use the water heater for leasing.

In the hot water supply system according to this embodiment, the usage status transmission unit transmits the usage status information to the server at least once in a predetermined period, and the billing information generation unit receives the usage status in the predetermined period. Based on the information, it may be configured to generate the billing information for the predetermined period.

According to this configuration, since the usage status information is transmitted to the server at least once in the predetermined period, the server can grasp the usage status of the hot water supply device in the predetermined period, and the server can grasp the usage status of the hot water supply device based on the received usage status information. Billing information for a predetermined period can be smoothly generated.

In the hot water supply system according to the present embodiment, the hot water supply device may be, for example, a combustion type hot water supply device that heats water with a combustion gas generated by burning fuel. In this case, the usage information may include at least one of the combustion amount, the combustion time, and the hot water supply time of the hot water supply device.

When the hot water supply device is a combustion type hot water supply device, by setting the usage status information as described above, the usage status of the hot water supply device can be smoothly grasped on the server, and the billing information can be appropriately generated.

Alternatively, in the hot water supply system according to the present embodiment, the hot water supply device may be a cogeneration type hot water supply device that generates electric power by a generator and also generates hot water by utilizing exhaust heat from the generator. In this case, the usage information may include at least one of the hot water supply amount and the power generation time of the hot water supply device.

In this way, when the hot water supply device is a cogeneration type hot water supply device, by setting the usage status information as described above, the usage status of the hot water supply device can be smoothly grasped on the server, and the billing information is appropriately generated. can do.

In the hot water supply system according to this embodiment, the billing information generation unit increases the usage charge as the cumulative usage value of the hot water supply device based on the usage status information increases during the unit setting period of the usage charge. It may be configured to generate the billing information.

Further, the billing information generation unit uses the hot water supply device based on the usage status information in the unit setting period of the usage fee on condition that the total usage cumulative value from the start of use exceeds a predetermined threshold value. The charge may be configured to change the method of setting the usage charge so that the total usage charge is lower than when the total usage charge does not exceed the threshold value.

In this way, by adjusting the method of setting the usage fee according to the usage status of the water heater, the user can continue to use the water heater for leasing more favorably, and the business owner can continue to use the water heater more smoothly. You can proceed with the leasing business.

A second aspect of the present invention relates to a server capable of communicating with a water heater via an external communication network. Here, the hot water supply device includes a usage status monitoring unit that monitors the usage status of the hot water supply device, and a usage status transmission unit that transmits usage status information regarding the usage status to the server. The server according to this aspect has a billing information generation unit that generates billing information regarding the usage charge of the hot water supply device based on the usage status information received from the usage status transmission unit, and the hot water supply destination address of the billing information. It includes a storage unit that stores the billing information in association with the device, and a billing information transmission unit that transmits the billing information to the destination address via the external communication network.

According to the server according to this aspect, the same effect as that of the first aspect can be obtained.

In the server according to this aspect, the usage status transmission unit transmits the usage status information to the server at least once in a predetermined period, and the billing information generation unit receives the usage status information in the predetermined period. Based on, it may be configured to generate the billing information for the predetermined period.

When the hot water supply device is a combustion type hot water supply device that heats water with combustion gas generated by burning fuel, the usage status information is at least one of the combustion amount, combustion time, and hot water supply time of the hot water supply device. May include.

Alternatively, when the hot water supply device is a cogeneration type hot water supply device that generates electric power by a generator and also generates hot water by using the exhaust heat from the generator, the usage status information is the hot water supply device. It may include at least one of hot water supply and power generation time.

Further, in the server according to this aspect, the billing information generation unit increases the usage charge as the cumulative usage value of the hot water supply device based on the usage status information increases during the unit setting period of the usage charge. , May be configured to generate the billing information.

Further, the billing information generation unit uses the hot water supply device based on the usage status information in the unit setting period of the usage fee on condition that the total usage cumulative value from the start of use exceeds a predetermined threshold value. The amount may be configured to change the method of setting the usage fee so that the total usage cumulative value is lower than when the total usage value does not exceed the threshold value.

According to these configurations, the same effects as those of the corresponding configurations of the first aspect can be achieved.

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a hot water supply system and a server capable of more preferably leasing the hot water supply device by the user.

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 for implementing the present invention, 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 an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing circuit blocks of each device constituting the hot water supply system according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration of a combustion system and piping of a water heater according to an embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of a billing database according to an embodiment. 5 (a) to 5 (c) are diagrams showing a method of setting a usage fee in a unit setting period, respectively, according to an embodiment. 5 (d) to 5 (f) are diagrams showing a method of setting a usage fee in a unit setting period when the total usage cumulative value exceeds a predetermined threshold value, respectively, according to the embodiment. FIG. 6A is a flowchart showing a process of generating and transmitting billing information performed by the control unit of the server according to the embodiment. FIG. 6B is a flowchart showing a process for changing the usage charge setting method based on the total usage cumulative value according to the embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the configuration of the hot water supply system according to the modified example 1. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a circuit block of each device constituting the hot water supply system according to the first modification.

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

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a hot water supply system 1 according to an embodiment.

In the present embodiment, a business model in which the hot water supply device 10 is leased to the user is constructed in the hot water supply system 1. The hot water supply device 10 transmits usage status information regarding the usage status of the hot water supply device 10 to the server 50 via the external communication network 40. The server 50 calculates the usage fee of the hot water supply device 10 based on the received usage status information, and transmits the billing information including the calculated usage fee to the mobile terminal device 30 associated with the hot water supply device 10. do. The user can confirm the billing information of the hot water supply device 10 via the mobile terminal device 30. The usage fee is calculated, for example, by closing the month.

As shown in FIG. 1, the hot water supply system 1 includes a hot water supply device 10 and a server 50. When the mobile terminal device 30 is located in the home H10, the server 50 can communicate with the mobile terminal device 30 via the router 20 and the external communication network 40. Further, even when the mobile terminal device 30 is outside the home, the server 50 can communicate with the mobile terminal device 30 via the external communication network 40 and the communication system (base station or private router) arranged outside the home. Is.

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. That is, the hot water supply device 10 is a combustion type hot water supply device that warms water with combustion gas generated by burning gas fuel. The hot water supply device 10 may be a combustion type hot water supply device that warms water with a combustion gas generated by burning oil 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 controller 12 includes a display unit 121 and an input unit 122, and the remote controller 13 includes a display input unit 131 made of a touch panel and an operation button 132. By operating the input unit 122 according to the screen displayed on the display unit 121, the operator can make arbitrary settings for hot water filling, hot water supply temperature control, and the like. The operator can also set the hot water filling and the like by operating the display input unit 131.

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

The input unit 122 of the bathroom remote controller 12 includes an operation button 122a. The operation buttons 122a and 132 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 display unit 121 and the display input unit 131 are in the off state, and operations of operation buttons other than the operation buttons 122a and 132 are not accepted. When the operation buttons 122a and 132 are operated and the operation is turned on, the display unit 121 and the display input unit 131 are lit to display the setting contents, and the operation of each operation button can be accepted.

Further, the input unit 122 and the display input unit 131 include a button 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 unit 122 and the display input unit 131 include buttons for controlling the operation of the water heater 11, such as a reheating function, a button for executing additional hot water, additional water, and an automatic bath function. It has been.

The router 20 is a communication repeater for connecting each device existing in the building (here, the home H10) to the external communication network 40. 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 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.

The application program of the hot water supply system 1 is downloaded from the server 50 and installed in the kitchen remote controller 13. This application program contains address information (for example, an IP address) for accessing the server 50. The kitchen remote controller 13 accesses and communicates with the server 50 based on this address information.

The address information of the kitchen remote controller 13 is transmitted to the server 50 and registered in the server 50 at the time of initial setting. Further, the ID information (identification information) of the kitchen remote controller 13 is transmitted from the kitchen remote controller 13 to the server 50 and registered in the server 50.

Further, the address information of the mobile terminal device 30 is registered in the server 50 in association with the ID information of the kitchen remote controller 13. For example, the e-mail address information (Email address) that can be received by the mobile terminal device 30 is registered as the address information of the mobile terminal device 30. As will be described later, the server 50 uses this address information as a transmission destination address to transmit billing information for the hot water supply device 10 (kitchen remote controller 13) associated with the mobile terminal device 30.

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 detection unit 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.

In the present embodiment, the function of the usage status monitoring unit 111a is given to the control unit 111 by the control program stored in the storage unit 112. As will be described later, the usage status monitoring unit 111a monitors the usage status of the hot water supply device 10 based on the detection results of various sensors (detection unit 114) arranged in the water heater 11.

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 communication unit 113 is connected to the communication unit 125 of the bathroom remote controller 12 and the communication unit 135 of the kitchen remote controller 13 via the two-core communication lines L1 and L2. Further, the two-core communication lines L1 and L2 are connected to each other inside the communication unit 113. Therefore, the communication unit 125 of the bathroom remote controller 12 and the communication unit 135 of the kitchen remote controller 13 are connected to each other by the two-core communication lines L1 and L2. Therefore, the signal transmitted from any of the communication units 113, 125, and 135 is simultaneously transmitted to the other communication unit.

The detection unit 114 includes various sensors arranged in the water heater 11. For example, the detection unit 114 includes a combustion sensor for detecting the combustion operation of the water heater 11, a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of hot water, a flow rate sensor for detecting the supply of hot water, and the like. .. The usage status monitoring unit 111a detects the combustion amount, the combustion time, the hot water supply time, and the like of the water heater 11 based on the outputs of these sensors, and transmits the detection result to the kitchen remote controller 13.

FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of the combustion system and piping of the water heater 11.

As shown in FIG. 3, in addition to the configuration shown in FIG. 2, the water heater 11 includes a hot water supply unit 210, a reheating unit 220, and a bypass unit 230.

The hot water supply unit 210 includes a water supply pipe line 211, a hot water supply heat exchanger 212, a hot water supply pipe line 213, a hot water supply combustor 214, and an air supply fan 215. The water supply pipe line 211 is connected to the water pipe and the hot water supply heat exchanger 212, and the hot water supply pipe line 213 is connected to the hot water supply heat exchanger 212, the bathroom faucet 3 and the external faucet 4. Gas (fuel gas) is supplied to the hot water supply combustor 214 through the hot water supply gas pipeline 217 opened and closed by the gas solenoid valve 216. The water heater combustor 214 burns using gas as fuel. The supply air fan 215 supplies combustion air to the hot water supply combustor 214.

The reheating unit 220 includes a return pipe line 221, a bath heat exchanger 222, an outgoing pipe line 223, a bath combustor 224, and a circulation pump 225. The return pipe line 221 is connected to the circulation adapter 2a of the bathtub 2 and the bath heat exchanger 222, and the outbound pipe line 223 is connected to the bath heat exchanger 222 and the bath heat exchanger 2a.

Gas (fuel gas) is supplied to the bath combustor 224 through the bath gas pipeline 227 opened and closed by the gas solenoid valve 226. The bath combustor 224 burns with gas as fuel. The air supply fan 215 is shared between the hot water supply unit 210 and the reheating unit 220, and combustion air is supplied from the air supply fan 215 to the bath combustor 224. A circulation pump 225 and a water level sensor S6 are arranged in the return pipe line 221. The water level sensor S6 detects the water level in the bathtub 2 based on the water pressure in the return pipe 221.

The bypass unit 230 includes a bypass pipe line 231 and a hot water supply solenoid valve 232. The bypass pipe 231 is connected to the hot water supply pipe 213 and the return pipe 221. The hot water supply solenoid valve 232 opens and closes the bypass pipe line 231.

The control unit 111 includes a hot water supply combustor 214 of the hot water supply unit 210, an air supply fan 215 and a gas solenoid valve 216, a bath combustor 224 of the reheating unit 220, a circulation pump 225 and a gas electromagnetic valve 226, and a hot water supply solenoid valve of the bypass unit 230. It controls 232 and the like.

When the bathroom faucet 3 or the external faucet 4 is opened, the hot water supply function is executed. Water from the water pipe is introduced into the hot water supply heat exchanger 212 through the water supply pipe line 211, and the hot water supply combustor 214 is burned to heat the hot water supply heat exchanger 212. The water introduced into the hot water supply heat exchanger 212 is heated to become hot water, and the hot water is supplied to the bathroom faucet 3 or the external faucet 4 through the hot water supply pipeline 213. When the bathroom faucet 3 or the external faucet 4 is closed, the water supply from the water pipe to the water supply line 211 is stopped and the combustion of the hot water supply combustor 214 is stopped.

Further, the control unit 111 controls the hot water supply unit 210 to execute the hot water filling function (bath automatic function). In this case, the hot water supply electromagnetic valve 232 is opened, and water from the water pipe is introduced into the hot water supply heat exchanger 212 through the water supply pipe line 211 and heated by the hot water supply heat exchanger 212. Then, the hot water from the hot water supply heat exchanger 212 is introduced into the return pipe line 221 through the hot water supply pipe line 213 and the bypass pipe line 231.

A part of the hot water introduced into the return pipe 221 flows through the return pipe 221 toward the circulation adapter 2a and is poured into the bathtub 2 from the circulation adapter 2a. The rest of the hot water introduced into the return pipe 221 flows through the return pipe 221 to the bath heat exchanger 222 side, further flows through the bath heat exchanger 222 and the outbound pipe 223, and flows from the circulation adapter 2a into the bathtub 2. It is poured.

When hot water is supplied and hot water is stored in the bathtub 2, the return pipe line 221, the bath heat exchanger 222 and the outbound pipe line 223 are filled with water. This enables the water level sensor S6 to detect the water level in the bathtub 2. When the water level sensor S6 detects that the water level in the bathtub 2 has reached a preset water level, the hot water supply electromagnetic valve 232 is closed, the water supply from the water pipe to the water supply pipe line 211 is stopped, and the hot water supply combustor is used. The combustion of 214 stops.

In addition, the control unit 111 controls the reheating unit 220 to execute the reheating function. In this case, the circulation pump 225 operates and the bath combustor 224 burns. The hot water in the bathtub 2 circulates between the bathtub 2 and the circulation path including the return line 221 and the bath heat exchanger 222 and the outbound line 223, and is heated by the bath heat exchanger 222 in the meantime.

In addition to the water level sensor S6, the water heater 11 includes a flow rate sensor S1 for detecting the flow rate of the water supply line 211, a thermista S2 for detecting the temperature of the water introduced in the water supply line 211, and a hot water supply. Thermista S3 for detecting the temperature of hot water after being heated by the heat exchanger 212, the combustion sensor S4 for detecting the burning operation of the hot water supply combustor 214, and the combusting operation of the bath combustor 224 are detected. It is equipped with a combustion sensor S5 for the purpose. These sensors are included in the detection unit 114 of FIG.

The usage status monitoring unit 111a of FIG. 2 has, for example, the gas flow rate defined by the opening / closing amount of the gas electromagnetic valve 216 and the air supply fan 215 during the period when the combustion sensor S4 detects the combustion operation of the hot water heater 214. The combustion amount of the water heater 11 is calculated by a predetermined calculation formula based on the air supply amount defined by the rotation rate of. Alternatively, during the period in which the combustion sensor S4 detects the combustion operation of the hot water heater 214, the usage status monitoring unit 111a has the difference in temperature detected by the thermistas S2 and S3, respectively, and the flow rate detected by the flow sensor S1. Based on the above, the combustion amount of the water heater 11 is calculated by a predetermined calculation formula.

Alternatively, the usage status monitoring unit 111a detects the period during which the combustion sensor S4 or S5 detects the combustion operation as the combustion time of the water heater 11. Alternatively, the usage status monitoring unit 111a detects the period during which the flow rate sensor S1 detects the flow rate exceeding a predetermined threshold value as the hot water supply time of the water heater 11 after the combustion sensor S4 detects the combustion operation.

The usage status monitoring unit 111a transmits these detection results to the kitchen remote controller 13 at any time as usage status information indicating the usage status of the hot water supply device 10.

Returning to FIG. 2, the bathroom remote controller 12 includes a control unit 123, a storage unit 124, and a communication unit 125, in addition to the display unit 121 and the input unit 122 described above. The display unit 121 is 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 and the kitchen remote controller 13 according to the control from the control unit 123.

The kitchen remote controller 13 includes a control unit 133, a storage unit 134, a communication unit 135, and a wireless communication unit 136, in addition to the display input unit 131 and the operation button 132 described above.

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.

In the present embodiment, the function of the usage status transmission unit 133a is given to the control unit 133 by the control program stored in the storage unit 134.

The usage status transmission unit 133a transmits the usage status information received from the usage status monitoring unit 111a of the water heater 11 to the server 50 together with its own ID information at a predetermined timing. The usage status transmission unit 133a transmits the usage status information to the server 50 via the wireless communication unit 136 at least once in the unit setting period (for example, one month) for calculating the usage charge of the hot water supply device 10. do.

For example, when the usage status information is transmitted only once in the unit setting period, the usage status transmission unit 133a receives the usage status information (for example, the above-mentioned combustion amount and combustion time) from the usage status monitoring unit 111a in the unit setting period. And any of the hot water supply time) is accumulated, and the accumulated result is transmitted to the server 50. Alternatively, when the usage status information is transmitted multiple times during the unit setting period, the usage status transmission unit 133a receives the usage status information (for example, the usage status information) received from the usage status monitoring unit 111a between the previous transmission time and the current transmission time. , Any of the above-mentioned combustion amount, combustion time, and hot water supply time) is accumulated, and the accumulated result is transmitted to the server 50 at each transmission. In addition, the usage status transmission unit 133a may transmit the received usage status information to the server 50 each time the usage status information is received from the usage status monitoring unit 111a.

The communication unit 135 communicates with the water heater 11 and the bathroom remote controller 12 according to the control from the control unit 133. The wireless communication unit 136 is a wireless communication module capable of wireless communication with the router 20. The address information and ID information of the wireless communication unit 136 are registered in the server 50 as the address information and ID information of the kitchen remote controller 13 (hot water supply device 10).

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 present embodiment, the control program stored in the storage unit 502 imparts the function of the charge information generation unit 501a and the function of the charge information transmission unit 501b to the control unit 501.

The billing information generation unit 501a calculates the usage charge of the hot water supply device 10 in the unit setting period based on the usage status information received from the usage status transmission unit 133a of the kitchen remote controller 13, and generates billing information including the calculated usage charge. do. The charge information transmission unit 501b transmits the charge information generated by the charge information generation unit 501a to the mobile terminal device 30 associated with the kitchen remote controller 13.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of a billing database held in the storage unit 502 of the server 50.

In FIG. 4, the “kitchen remote control ID” means the ID information of the kitchen remote control 13 (ID information of the wireless communication unit 136). The "period usage cumulative value" means the usage cumulative value of the water heater 10 in the unit setting period currently in progress. The "total usage cumulative value" means the usage cumulative value of the hot water supply device 10 from the start of use of the hot water supply device 10 (at the start of leasing) to the present. "Usage fee" means a usage fee calculated based on the cumulative usage value for a period. The "destination address" means the destination address of the billing information. In the present embodiment, the address information (Email address) of the e-mail that can be received by the mobile terminal device 30 is set as the destination address.

The "period usage cumulative value" is a value obtained by accumulating the usage status information received from the kitchen remote controller 13 in the unit setting period currently in progress. For example, when the combustion amount of the hot water supply device 10 is used for calculating the usage fee, the cumulative usage value for the period is calculated by accumulating the combustion amount received as the usage status information from the kitchen remote controller 13 in the unit setting period currently in progress. It is calculated. When the combustion time or hot water supply time of the hot water supply device 10 is used to calculate the usage fee, the combustion time or hot water supply time received as usage status information from the kitchen remote controller 13 is accumulated in the unit setting period currently in progress. As a result, the cumulative value for period use is calculated.

When the usage status information is transmitted only once from the kitchen remote controller 13 during the unit setting period, that is, at the end of the unit setting period, the cumulative value of the usage status information in the unit setting period is transferred from the kitchen remote controller 13 to the server 50. When transmitted, this cumulative value is retained as it is in the period use cumulative value of FIG.

The "total usage cumulative value" is obtained by accumulating the usage cumulative value of the hot water supply device 10 from the start of use of the hot water supply device 10 (at the start of leasing) to the present. More specifically, each time the control unit 501 of FIG. 2 updates the period usage cumulative value of FIG. 4, the difference value of the period usage cumulative values before and after the update is added to the total usage cumulative value before the update, and the total is totaled. Update the cumulative usage value.

The "usage fee" is calculated by applying a predetermined rule to the cumulative usage period. The usage fee is obtained by the billing information generation unit 501a of FIG. The billing information generation unit 501a sets the usage fee so that the usage fee increases as the cumulative usage value of the hot water supply device 10 based on the usage status information increases during the unit setting period.

5 (a) to 5 (c) are diagrams showing a method of setting a usage fee in a unit setting period, respectively.

In the setting method of FIG. 5A, the usage fee linearly increases as the cumulative usage period increases. In this setting method, when the cumulative value for period use is zero (or less than or equal to a threshold value of an error), the usage charge for the hot water supply device 10 is set to zero.

In the setting method of FIG. 5B, the usage fee linearly increases from the initial amount M1 as the cumulative usage period increases. In this setting method, when the cumulative value for period use is zero (or less than or equal to the threshold value of the error), the usage fee of the water heater 10 is set to the initial amount M1, but the initial amount M1 is the average among all users. It is set to a much lower price (for example, about 1/10) than the usage fee required in the case of a typical usage frequency.

In the setting method of FIG. 5C, the usage fee increases stepwise from the initial amount M2 as the cumulative usage period increases. In this setting method, when the cumulative usage value for a period is zero (or less than or equal to a threshold value of an error), the usage fee of the hot water supply device 10 is set to the initial amount M2. In this case as well, the initial amount M2 is set to a much lower amount than the usage fee required in the case of the average usage frequency among all users.

The usage fee setting method is not limited to the setting methods shown in FIGS. 5A to 5C. For example, in the setting methods shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the usage charge linearly increases as the cumulative period usage increases, but for example, the usage charge increases as the cumulative usage period increases. The usage fee may be set so that the rate of increase gradually decreases. Further, in the setting method of FIG. 5C, the width and height of each step are constant, but the width and height of each step may be set to change according to a predetermined rule. For example, each step may be set so that the width of the step increases as the cumulative usage value increases.

In the present embodiment, on condition that the total usage cumulative value in FIG. 4 exceeds a predetermined threshold value, the usage charge in the unit setting period is set to be lower than that in the case where the total usage cumulative value does not exceed the threshold value. , The setting method of the usage fee is changed.

5 (d) to 5 (f) are diagrams showing a method of setting a usage fee in a unit setting period when the total usage cumulative value exceeds a predetermined threshold value, respectively.

Here, when the total usage cumulative value exceeds a predetermined threshold value, the usage charge setting methods of FIGS. 5 (a) to 5 (c) are the usage charges of FIGS. 5 (d) to 5 (f), respectively. It is changed to the setting method of. As shown in FIGS. 5 (d) to 5 (f), the method of setting the usage charge after the change has a smaller rate of increase in the usage charge with respect to the cumulative value of the period usage than the method of setting the usage charge before the change. It has become. As a result, the usage fee for the same period usage cumulative value is reduced on condition that the total usage cumulative value exceeds the threshold value.

The method of reducing the usage fee is not limited to this, and may be another method. For example, in the setting methods of FIGS. 5 (b) and 5 (c), the initial amounts M1 and M2 may be further reduced on condition that the total usage cumulative value exceeds the threshold value, or the period usage cumulative value may be further reduced. The rate of increase in the usage fee for the above may be maintained as the setting method of FIGS. 5 (b) and 5 (c), and only the initial amounts M1 and M2 may be deducted from the setting method of FIGS. 5 (b) and 5 (c). .. Further, in the setting method of FIG. 5A, the increase rate of the usage fee is increased from the increase rate of FIG. 5A as the cumulative usage value increases, provided that the cumulative usage value exceeds the threshold value. The usage fee may be set so as to gradually decrease.

In the billing database of FIG. 4, the usage fee set for the period usage cumulative value based on such a setting method is held in the "usage fee" column. In the billing database, the period usage cumulative value, the total usage cumulative value, the usage fee, and the destination address of the hot water supply device 10 specified by the kitchen remote control ID are held in association with each kitchen remote control ID.

FIG. 6A is a flowchart showing a process of generating and transmitting billing information performed by the control unit 501 of the server 50.

When the control unit 501 receives the usage status information from the kitchen remote controller 13 (S101: YES), the control unit 501 identifies the kitchen remote controller ID on the billing database of FIG. 4 based on the ID information received together with the usage status information. Then, the control unit 501 updates the period usage cumulative value and the total usage cumulative value associated with the specified kitchen remote controller ID based on the usage status information received in step S101 (S102). After that, the control unit 501 determines whether or not the unit setting period for billing (for example, one month) has elapsed, that is, whether or not the unit setting period has expired (S103).

If the unit setting period has not elapsed (S103: NO), the control unit 501 returns the process to step S101 and repeats the same process. As a result, each time the control unit 501 receives the usage status information from the kitchen remote controller 13 (S101: YES), the period usage cumulative value and the total usage associated with the ID information of the kitchen remote controller 13 on the billing database are used. Update the cumulative value.

When the unit setting period elapses (S103: YES), the control unit 501 generates billing information in the unit setting period by the function of the billing information generation unit 501a of FIG. 2 (S104). Specifically, the control unit 501 applies the cumulative period usage value on the billing database to the setting method illustrated in FIGS. 5A to 5F, and sets the usage fee for the unit setting period. do.

For example, when the setting method of FIG. 5A or FIG. 5B is used, the control unit 501 applies the period use cumulative value to the calculation formula that defines this setting method and uses it for the unit setting period. Calculate the charge. Further, when the setting method of FIG. 5C is used, the control unit 501 extracts and uses the extracted usage fee associated with the cumulative usage period value, for example, in a table that defines this setting method. The fee is acquired as the usage fee for the unit setting period.

The control unit 501 registers the usage fee thus acquired in the billing database in association with the ID information of the corresponding kitchen remote controller 13. Then, the control unit 501 uses the registered usage fee, the cumulative period usage associated with the ID information in the billing database, and the information indicating the unit setting period of the billing target to charge the billing information for the unit setting period. Generate.

After that, the control unit 501 transmits the generated charge information to the mobile terminal device 30 associated with the kitchen remote controller 13 by the function of the charge information transmission unit 501b (S105). Specifically, the control unit 501 transmits the billing information to the destination address (here, the Email address) associated with the ID information of the kitchen remote controller 13 in the billing database. As a result, the control unit 501 ends the process in FIG. 6A.

The user of the hot water supply device 10 can refer to the billing information transmitted in step S105 of FIG. 6A in his / her mobile terminal device 30. As a result, the user can smoothly grasp the usage status of his / her own hot water supply device 10 during the unit setting period and the usage fee due to this.

FIG. 6B is a flowchart showing a process for changing the method of setting the usage fee based on the total usage cumulative value. This process is performed by the control unit 501 of the server 50 by the function of the billing information generation unit 501a.

When the control unit 501 of the server 50 updates the total usage cumulative value on the billing database based on the usage status information received from the kitchen remote controller 13 (S111: YES), the updated total usage cumulative value Vt becomes It is determined whether or not the predetermined threshold value Vth has been exceeded (S111). Here, the threshold value Vth is a value to which the total usage cumulative value Vt is reached by continuous use for a predetermined period (for example, one year to several years) when the water heater 10 is used in an average usage situation. Is set to.

When the total usage cumulative value Vt does not exceed the threshold value Vth (S112: NO), the control unit 501 returns the process to step S111. On the other hand, when the total usage cumulative value Vt exceeds the threshold value Vth (S112: YES), the control unit 501 changes the usage charge setting method to a setting method in which the usage charge is further reduced (S113). The setting method is changed, for example, by the methods illustrated in FIGS. 5 (d) to 5 (f). As a result, the control unit 501 ends the process of FIG. 6B.

When the usage charge setting method is changed in this way, the control unit 501 (billing information generation unit 501a) generates the billing information in step S104 of FIG. 6A based on the changed setting method. For example, when the total usage cumulative value Vt exceeds the threshold value Vth in the middle of the unit setting period, the control unit 501 sets the usage charge in the unit setting period by the changed setting method. Alternatively, when the total usage cumulative value Vt exceeds the threshold value Vth in the middle of the unit setting period, the control unit 501 sets the usage charge in the unit setting period by the setting method before the change, and from the next unit setting period, The usage fee may be set according to the changed setting method.

By reducing the usage fee in this way, the user can continue to use the hot water supply device 10 with peace of mind and more preferably for a long period of time.

The change in the usage fee setting method does not necessarily have to be limited to once. For example, the usage charge setting method may be changed to a setting method in which a plurality of threshold values Vth having different values are set and the usage charge is further reduced each time the total usage cumulative value Vt exceeds each threshold value. As described above, when the usage fee is reduced over a plurality of times, the user can more preferably continue to use the hot water supply device 10.

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

As shown in FIGS. 5A to 5C, the usage fee is set based on the usage status of the hot water supply device 10. As a result, when the use of the hot water supply device 10 is small during the unit setting period of the usage fee, the usage fee can be kept low. Further, the billing information is transmitted from the server 50 to the destination address and notified to the user. As a result, the user can grasp the billing status in advance before paying the usage fee, and can use the hot water supply device 10 with peace of mind. Therefore, the user can more preferably continue to use the hot water supply device 10 for leasing.

In the configuration shown in FIG. 2, the usage status transmission unit 133a transmits the usage status information to the server 50 at least once in a predetermined period (unit setting period), and the billing information generation unit 501a receives the usage status information in the predetermined period. Billing information for the specified period is generated based on the usage status information. According to this result, since the usage status information is transmitted to the server 50 at least once in the predetermined period, the server 50 can grasp the usage status of the hot water supply device 10 in the predetermined period and is based on the received usage status information. Therefore, billing information for the predetermined period can be smoothly generated.

Here, the usage status information includes at least one of the combustion amount, the combustion time, and the hot water supply time of the hot water supply device 10. By setting the usage status information in this way, the usage status of the hot water supply device 10 can be smoothly grasped on the server 50, and the billing information can be appropriately generated.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 5 (a) to 5 (f) and FIG. 6 (b), the billing information generation unit 501a is the total usage cumulative value from the start of use of the hot water supply device 10 based on the usage status information. Changed the usage fee setting method so that the usage fee in the unit setting period will be lower than when the total usage cumulative value Vt does not exceed the threshold value Vth, provided that Vt exceeds the predetermined threshold value Vth. do. In this way, by adjusting the method of setting the usage fee according to the usage status of the hot water supply device 10, the user can continue to use the hot water supply device 10 for leasing more favorably, and the business owner can more favorably continue to use the hot water supply device 10. The leasing business can proceed smoothly.

<Change example 1>
In the above embodiment, the hot water supply device 10 is a combustion type hot water supply device that heats water with combustion gas generated by burning fuel, but the configuration of the hot water supply device 10 is not limited to this. For example, the hot water supply device 10 may be a cogeneration type hot water supply device that generates electric power by a generator and also generates hot water by utilizing exhaust heat from the generator.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a configuration of a hot water supply system 1 when the hot water supply device 10 is a cogeneration type hot water supply device.

As shown in FIG. 7, the hot water supply device 10 includes a hot water supply unit 14, a fuel cell unit 15, and a circulation pipe 16 in addition to the bathroom remote controller 12 and the kitchen remote controller 13 shown in the above embodiment. That is, in this modification, the water heater 11 in the above embodiment is replaced with the hot water supply unit 14 and the fuel cell unit 15, and the hot water supply unit 14 and the fuel cell unit 15 are connected by a circulation pipe 16. Similar to the above embodiment, the kitchen remote controller 13 can communicate with the server 50 via the router 20 and the external communication network 40.

The hot water supply unit 14 includes a hot water storage tank 14a, an auxiliary combustor 14b, and a circuit board 14c inside. The fuel cell unit 15 includes a generator 15a, a heat exchanger 15b, and a circuit board 15c inside. The generator 15a is composed of a fuel cell, and generates electricity by a chemical reaction using fuel gas as a raw material. The generated DC power is converted into AC power via an inverter and output from the fuel cell unit 15. The output AC power is used, for example, as power for an electric device installed in the home H10.

The fuel cell unit 15 is also used as a heat source for the hot water supply unit 14. That is, the water in the hot water storage tank 14a of the hot water supply unit 14 is heated by utilizing the waste heat generated during power generation. Specifically, the water stored in the hot water storage tank 14a is circulated to the heat exchanger 15b in the fuel cell unit 15 by the circulation pipe 16. In this heat exchanger 15b, heat exchange is performed between the high-temperature exhaust gas generated during power generation and the water circulated by the circulation pipe 16. This heats the water. The heated water is returned to the hot water storage tank 14a via the circulation pipe 16. In this way, heat is stored in the water in the hot water storage tank 14a.

At the time of hot water supply, hot water (hot water) stored in the hot water storage tank 14a is supplied to a hot water supply port (not shown) such as a kitchen tap, a bathroom shower fixture, a bath, and a curan. At this time, the hot water in the hot water storage tank 14a is appropriately heated by the auxiliary combustor 14b and supplied to the hot water supply port. The auxiliary combustor 14b is used when the temperature of the hot water in the hot water storage tank 14a is lower than the temperature suitable for hot water supply.

A circuit unit for driving and controlling the hot water supply unit 14 is installed on the circuit board 14c. Further, the circuit board 15c is provided with a circuit unit for driving and controlling the fuel cell unit 15. These circuit boards 14c and 15c are connected to each other so as to be communicable with each other.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing circuit blocks of a bathroom remote controller 12, a kitchen remote controller 13, a hot water supply unit 14, a fuel cell unit 15, and a server 50. The configuration of the bathroom remote controller 12, the kitchen remote controller 13, and the server 50 is the same as the configuration of FIG. 2 in the above embodiment.

The hot water supply unit 14 includes a control unit 141, a storage unit 142, a communication unit 143, and a drive unit 144. The control unit 141, the storage unit 142, and the communication unit 143 are included in the circuit unit installed on the circuit board 14c described above.

The control unit 141 is equipped with a microcomputer and controls each unit of the hot water supply unit 14 according to a control program stored in the storage unit 142. The storage unit 142 includes a memory, stores a control program, and is used as a work area during control processing.

The communication unit 143 communicates with the bathroom remote controller 12 and the kitchen remote controller 13 according to the control from the control unit 141. The communication unit 143 is connected to the communication unit 125 of the bathroom remote controller 12 and the communication unit 135 of the kitchen remote controller 13 by two-core communication lines L1 and L2. Further, the communication unit 143 communicates with the communication unit 153 of the fuel cell unit 15 according to the control from the control unit 141.

The drive unit 144 is a fan for supplying air to the auxiliary combustor 14b, a pump for circulating hot water through the circulation pipe 16, and a solenoid valve for supplying and shutting off fuel gas to the auxiliary combustor 14b. And so on. In addition, the hot water supply unit 14 includes a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of hot water stored in the hot water storage tank 14a, a water level sensor for detecting the amount of hot water stored in the hot water storage tank 14a, and an auxiliary combustor 14b. It is equipped with various sensors such as a combustion sensor that detects combustion. The control unit 141 drives the drive unit 144 based on the detection signals from these sensors, and controls heat storage, hot water supply, and the like.

The fuel cell unit 15 includes a control unit 151, a storage unit 152, a communication unit 153, and a drive unit 154. The control unit 151, the storage unit 152, and the communication unit 153 are included in the circuit unit installed on the circuit board 15c described above.

The control unit 151 includes a microcomputer and controls each unit of the fuel cell unit 15 according to a control program stored in the storage unit 152. The storage unit 152 includes a memory, stores a control program, and is used as a work area during control processing.

The communication unit 153 communicates with the communication unit 143 of the hot water supply unit 14 according to the control from the control unit 151. The drive unit 154 includes a solenoid valve that supplies and shuts off fuel gas to the generator 15a, a heater, and the like. In addition, the fuel cell unit 15 includes various sensors. The control unit 151 drives the drive unit 154 based on the detection signals from these sensors and controls power generation.

In this modification, the function of the usage status monitoring unit 141a is imparted to the control unit 141 of the hot water supply unit 14 by the control program stored in the storage unit 142 of the hot water supply unit 14.

The usage status monitoring unit 141a monitors the operating status of the hot water supply unit 14 and the fuel cell unit 15, and transmits information indicating the usage status of the hot water supply device 10 to the kitchen remote controller 13 based on the monitoring result. For example, the usage status monitoring unit 141a detects the amount of hot water supplied by the hot water supply unit 14 based on the output of the flow rate sensor arranged in the hot water supply line of the hot water supply unit 14. Further, the usage status monitoring unit 141a detects the power generation time of the generator 15a by communicating with the fuel cell unit 15. The usage status monitoring unit 141a transmits these detection results to the kitchen remote controller 13 at any time as usage status information indicating the usage status of the hot water supply device 10.

Also in this modification, the function of the usage status transmission unit 133a is given to the control unit 133 of the kitchen remote controller 13 as in the first embodiment. The usage status transmission unit 133a transmits the usage status information received from the usage status monitoring unit 141a of the hot water supply unit 14 to the server 50 together with its own ID information at a predetermined timing. Similar to the above embodiment, the usage status transmission unit 133a transmits the usage status information at least once in the unit setting period (for example, one month) for calculating the usage charge of the hot water supply device 10 via the wireless communication unit 136. And sends it to the server 50.

For example, when the usage status information is transmitted only once in the unit setting period, the usage status transmission unit 133a receives the usage status information (for example, the above-mentioned hot water supply amount and power generation) from the usage status monitoring unit 141a in the unit setting period. Any one of the times) is accumulated, and the accumulated result is transmitted to the server 50. Alternatively, when the usage status information is transmitted multiple times during the unit setting period, the usage status transmission unit 133a receives the usage status information (for example, the usage status information received from the usage status monitoring unit 141a between the previous transmission time and the current transmission time). , Any of the above-mentioned hot water supply amount and power generation time) is accumulated, and the accumulated result is transmitted to the server 50 at each transmission. In addition, the usage status transmission unit 133a may transmit the received usage status information to the server 50 each time the usage status information is received from the usage status monitoring unit 111a.

Also in this modification, the control unit 501 of the server 50 builds the billing database shown in FIG. 4 in the storage unit 502 based on the usage status information received from the kitchen remote controller 13. Further, the control unit 501 executes the processes of FIGS. 6A and 6B to generate billing information, and transmits the generated billing information to the destination address registered in the billing database. The usage fee for the unit setting period is set by, for example, the setting method shown in FIGS. 5A to 5F.

In this modified example as well, since the usage fee is set based on the usage status of the hot water supply device 10 as in the above embodiment, if the usage of the hot water supply device 10 is small during the unit setting period of the usage fee, the usage fee will be charged. It can be kept low. Further, since the billing information is transmitted from the server 50 to the destination address and notified to the user, the user can grasp the billing status in advance and can use the hot water supply device 10 with peace of mind. .. Therefore, the user can more preferably continue to use the hot water supply device 10 for leasing.

Further, the usage status information includes at least one of the hot water supply amount and the power generation time of the hot water supply device 10. When the hot water supply device 10 is a cogeneration type hot water supply device as in this modification example, by setting the usage status information in this way, the usage status of the hot water supply device 10 can be smoothly grasped on the server 50, and charging is performed. Information can be generated properly.

<Other changes>
In the above embodiment, the destination of the billing information is the mobile terminal device 30, but the destination of the billing information is not limited to this. For example, a fixed terminal device such as a stationary personal computer arranged in the home H10 may be a destination for transmitting billing information. In this case, the billing information may be set to, for example, an e-mail address that can be received by the fixed terminal device.

Further, the transmission of the billing information does not necessarily have to be performed by e-mail, and may be performed by another method. For example, the billing information may be notified by the push notification to the mobile terminal device 30. In this case, the destination address registered in the billing database is changed to the address information for performing push notification to the mobile terminal device 30.

Further, the billing information may be transmitted from the server 50 to the kitchen remote controller 13 and displayed on the kitchen remote controller 13. In this case, the router 20 relays the communication between the server 50 and the wireless communication unit 136 of the kitchen remote controller 13, so that the billing information is transmitted from the server 50 to the kitchen remote controller 13.

Further, in the flowchart of FIG. 6A, the billing information is transmitted to the destination address at the end of the unit setting period, but at a predetermined time within the unit setting period such as an intermediate point of the unit setting period, that time point. Billing information including the usage charges up to may be sent to the destination address. As a result, the user can grasp the usage fee and the usage status of the hot water supply device 10 in the middle of the unit setting period, and can predict the usage fee in the unit setting period. Further, the user can appropriately correct the frequency of use of the hot water supply device 10 and the like by grasping the usage fee and the usage status of the hot water supply device 10 in the middle of the unit setting period.

Further, in the above embodiment, for example, one month is exemplified as the unit setting period for billing, but the unit setting period is not limited to this. For example, the unit setting period may be set to another period such as 2 months or 3 months.

Further, the usage status information indicating the usage status of the hot water supply device 10 includes the combustion amount, combustion time, and hot water supply time of the hot water supply device 10 exemplified in the above embodiment, and the hot water supply amount of the hot water supply device 10 exemplified in the above modification 1. The information is not limited to the power generation time, but may be other information as long as the usage fee can be set based on the usage status of the hot water supply device 10. For example, the time during which the bathroom remote controller 12 and the kitchen remote controller 13 are in the operation-on state may be used as usage status information.

Further, in the above embodiment, any one of a plurality of parameters (combustion amount, combustion time and hot water supply time in the above) exemplified as usage status information was used for setting the usage fee, but these parameters By combining two or more by a predetermined rule (for example, a calculation formula), a period usage cumulative value for setting a usage fee may be acquired. This point is the same in the first modification.

Further, in the above embodiment, the usage status monitoring unit 111a is provided in the water heater 11 and the usage status transmission unit 133a is provided in the kitchen remote controller 13, but the arrangement of the usage status monitoring unit 111a and the usage status transmission unit 133a is this. It is not limited to. For example, the usage status monitoring unit 111a may be provided on the bathroom remote controller 12 or the kitchen remote controller 13. Alternatively, when a control device other than that shown in FIG. 2 is arranged in the hot water supply system 1, the control device may be provided with a usage status monitoring unit 111a, and if the control device can communicate with the server 50, this control device may be provided. The control device may be provided with a usage status transmission unit 133a. This point is the same in the first modification.

When the usage status monitoring unit is arranged in a device other than the water heater 11 in this way, information for monitoring the usage status of this device (for example, the flow sensor S1, thermistor S2, S3 in FIG. 3). The detection results of the combustion sensor S4 and the combustion sensor S5 and the opening / closing amount of the gas electromagnetic valve 216) are transmitted at any time. The usage status monitoring unit monitors the usage status of the water heater based on the received information.

Further, in the above embodiment, the wireless communication unit 136 is provided in the kitchen remote controller 13 constituting the hot water supply device 10, but the wireless communication unit may be provided in the water heater 11 and the water heater 11 may be connected to the router 20. .. Alternatively, a control unit provided with 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 this control unit may be connected to the router 20. In this case, the control by the kitchen remote controller 13 in the above embodiment is performed by the control unit.

Further, the configuration of the hot water supply device 10 is not limited to the configuration shown in the above embodiment and the first modification, and may be another configuration. For example, the hot water supply device 10 may have a configuration that does not have a bath function, or may have a configuration that has only a bath function. 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.

Further, in the above embodiment and the first modification, the usage status monitoring unit, the usage status transmission unit, the billing information generation unit, and the billing information transmission unit are realized by the functions of the software by the control program, but these are the logic circuits. It may be realized by the hardware used.

Further, the process of FIG. 6B may be omitted, and the usage charge setting method may be fixed to one type.

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 40 External communication network 50 Servers 111a, 141a Usage status monitoring unit 133a Usage status transmission unit 501a Charge information generation unit 501b Charge information transmission unit

Claims (12)

With a water heater,
A server capable of communicating with the water heater via an external communication network is provided.
The water heater is
The usage monitoring unit that monitors the usage status of the water heater,
A usage status transmission unit that transmits usage status information regarding the usage status to the server is provided.
The server
A billing information generation unit that generates billing information regarding the usage charge of the water heater based on the usage status information received from the usage status transmission unit.
A storage unit that stores the destination address of the billing information in association with the water heater, and
A billing information transmission unit for transmitting the billing information to the destination address via the external communication network is provided.
A hot water supply system characterized by that. In the hot water supply system according to claim 1,
The usage status transmission unit transmits the usage status information to the server at least once in a predetermined period.
The billing information generation unit generates the billing information in the predetermined period based on the usage status information received in the predetermined period.
A hot water supply system characterized by that. In the hot water supply system according to claim 1 or 2.
The hot water supply device is a combustion type hot water supply device that heats water with combustion gas generated by burning fuel.
The usage information includes at least one of the combustion amount, the combustion time, and the hot water supply time of the hot water supply device.
A hot water supply system characterized by that. In the hot water supply system according to claim 1 or 2.
The hot water supply device is a cogeneration type hot water supply device that generates electric power by a generator and also generates hot water by using exhaust heat from the generator.
The usage information includes at least one of the hot water supply amount and the power generation time of the hot water supply device.
A hot water supply system characterized by that. In the hot water supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The billing information generation unit generates the billing information so that the usage fee increases as the cumulative usage value of the hot water supply device based on the usage status information increases during the unit setting period of the usage fee.
A hot water supply system characterized by that. In the hot water supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The billing information generation unit generates the usage charge in the unit setting period of the usage charge on condition that the total usage cumulative value from the start of use of the hot water supply device based on the usage status information exceeds a predetermined threshold value. , The method of setting the usage fee is changed so that the total usage cumulative value is lower than that when the total usage value does not exceed the threshold value.
A hot water supply system characterized by that. A server that can communicate with the water heater via an external communication network.
The hot water supply device includes a usage status monitoring unit that monitors the usage status of the hot water supply device, and a usage status transmission unit that transmits usage status information regarding the usage status to the server.
The server
A billing information generation unit that generates billing information regarding the usage charge of the water heater based on the usage status information received from the usage status transmission unit.
A storage unit that stores the destination address of the billing information in association with the water heater, and
A billing information transmission unit for transmitting the billing information to the destination address via the external communication network is provided.
A server that features that. In the server according to claim 7.
The usage status transmission unit transmits the usage status information to the server at least once in a predetermined period.
The billing information generation unit generates the billing information in the predetermined period based on the usage status information received in the predetermined period.
A server that features that. In the server according to claim 7 or 8.
The hot water supply device is a combustion type hot water supply device that heats water with combustion gas generated by burning fuel.
The usage information includes at least one of the combustion amount, the combustion time, and the hot water supply time of the hot water supply device.
A server that features that. In the server according to claim 7 or 8.
The hot water supply device is a cogeneration type hot water supply device that generates electric power by a generator and also generates hot water by using exhaust heat from the generator.
The usage information includes at least one of the hot water supply amount and the power generation time of the hot water supply device.
A server that features that. In the server according to any one of claims 7 to 10.
The billing information generation unit generates the billing information so that the usage fee increases as the cumulative usage value of the hot water supply device based on the usage status information increases during the unit setting period of the usage fee.
A server that features that. In the server according to any one of claims 7 to 11.
The billing information generation unit determines the usage amount in the unit setting period of the usage fee on condition that the total usage cumulative value from the start of use of the hot water supply device based on the usage status information exceeds a predetermined threshold value. , The method of setting the usage fee is changed so that the total usage cumulative value is lower than that when the total usage value does not exceed the threshold value.
A server that features that.

Images