JP3838987B2 - Remote control with TV function - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a remote controller with a TV function, for example, having a remote control function capable of remotely operating a hot water supply apparatus installed on the wall surface of a kitchen or a bathroom, and a TV function allowing a TV broadcast to be viewed in the kitchen or bathroom.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In order to remotely control the operation of the hot water supply device, a remote controller provided with display means capable of displaying information related to the remote operation of the hot water supply device and the operation status is installed on the wall surface of the kitchen or bathroom. In addition, a small LCD TV is often installed on the wall so that a TV broadcast can be viewed in the kitchen or bathroom. In this case, if the remote controller and the television are provided separately, there is a problem that the wall surface becomes narrow and the aesthetic appearance is impaired.
[0003]
For this reason, a television function is added to a remote controller provided with a display means such as a single color liquid crystal panel, and the first information relating to the remote operation and operation status of the hot water supply device and the second information relating to the television broadcast are added to the display means. A remote controller with a TV function (hereinafter referred to as “remote controller”) that can be switched and displayed is known (Patent Document 1). In this case, the remote control body is provided with a speaker for outputting television broadcast television sound.
[0004]
By the way, in this kind of remote control, a remote control sound for guiding the operation status of the hot water supply device is output from the speaker for the convenience of the user. In this case, the remote control sound and the TV sound are switched and output from the speaker. If the user tries to output the remote control sound while watching the TV broadcast, the output of the TV sound is temporarily suspended. Such as causing discomfort to the person. For this reason, it is conceivable to provide mixing means so that remote control sound and television sound can be mixed and output from a speaker.
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-4211 (for example, description of paragraph number 0011)
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
As described above, when the remote control sound and the TV sound are mixed and output from the speaker, the remote control sound for guiding the operation status of the remote control is suddenly output from the speaker. If you do, you may miss the remote control voice. Depending on the remote operation of the water heater, hot water may be supplied to the bathtub, hot water supply location, etc., and it is necessary to alert the user to ensure that the remote control sound output from the speaker is recognized. .
[0007]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a remote controller with a TV function that allows a user to reliably recognize a remote control sound when watching a TV broadcast.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problems, a remote controller with a TV function according to the present invention has a remote control function capable of remotely operating a hot water supply device and a TV function capable of watching a television broadcast. and display means for displaying by switching the second information on the television broadcast receiver, a television function with remote control provided with a speaker capable of outputting the television audio remote control voice and received television broadcast about the operation of the water heater, the speaker Are provided in a pair on the left and right, and remote control sound and TV sound are alternatively output from one speaker, the second information is displayed on the display means by the TV function, and TV sound is output from both speakers. while, in the case of outputting the remote control sound from the speaker by the remote control function from the one speaker Audio selector switch the TV sound is force in the remote control voice provided, characterized in that a warning means for warning that is switched from the television audio to remote voice by the audio selector.
[0009]
According to the present invention, when the second information is displayed on the display means by the television function and the remote control sound relating to the operation of the hot water supply device is output by the remote control function while the television sound is output from the speaker, the television sound and the remote control sound are output. Are output separately from each speaker. In this case, a notice means for notifying that the TV sound output from one speaker is switched to the remote control sound is provided, and even if the user is enthusiastic to watch the TV broadcast, the notice means Since the user is alerted, the user can be prevented from missing the remote control voice.
[0011]
If the notice means performs control to change the volume of the TV sound output from the speaker, it may be possible to change the volume of the TV sound so that the user's consciousness is directed to the sound.
[0012]
In this case, if the change in the volume of the TV sound is temporarily performed before the remote control sound is output, the notice by the notice means is prevented from interfering with the television viewing.
[0013]
Further, if the notice means controls to display a predetermined sign on the screen of the second information displayed on the display means, the notice means can appeal to the user's sight and alert the user. Good.
[0014]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
With reference to FIG.1 and FIG.2, 1 is a remote control main body of the remote control with a television function, and is installed in the wall surface of a kitchen or a bathroom. The remote control body 1 includes a remote control module 3 that realizes a remote control function that can remotely control a hot water supply device 2 that is set outdoors, and a TV module 4 that realizes a TV function that allows a TV broadcast to be viewed in the kitchen or bathroom. Built in independently.
[0015]
The remote control body 1 is provided with one display means 5, and two audio output speakers 6 are provided on both lower sides of the display means 5. The display means 5 is composed of a color liquid crystal panel having a known structure. As will be described later, the display means 5 includes first information relating to remote operation and operating status of the hot water supply device 2 and second information relating to television broadcasting. Can be displayed.
[0016]
A circular setting change switch 71 is provided on the front surface of the remote control body 1 so as to change the setting of the hot water supply temperature of the hot water supply device 2, for example, between the two speakers 6. It has the determination part 71a to validate. By the way, in the remote control 1 having the remote control function and the television function, it is preferable that the switch for the remote control function and the switch for the television function be easily identified for the user. In the present embodiment, a later-described remote controller power switch 3a is disposed on the left side, and a later-described television power switch 4a is disposed on the right side symmetrically about the setting change switch 71. In this case, the remote controller power switch 3a and the television power switch 4a may be provided with a display means such as an LED so that the start and stop of the remote controller module 3 and the television module 4 can be displayed.
[0017]
At the same time, an automatic switch 72 and an amendment switch 73 for instructing automatic bath filling and reheating to the bathtub are provided below the remote control power switch 3a, and the received TV broadcast is displayed below the TV power switch 4a. A channel switch 74 for switching and a volume switch 75 for changing the volume of the sound output from the speaker 6 are provided.
[0018]
The hot water supply apparatus 2 set outdoors has a heat exchanger having a known structure and a heating source such as a gas burner, and a hot water supply pipe that supplies water to the heat exchanger and a hot water supply pipe that leads to the hot water supply location. And are connected. The operation of the hot water supply device 2 such as adjustment of the heating amount of the gas burner is controlled by a control unit 21 provided in the main body of the hot water supply device 2.
[0019]
As shown in FIG. 2, the remote control module 3 is provided with a first control means 31 and an image processing means 32 which are CPUs, and the first control means 31 communicates with the control unit 21 of the hot water supply device 2. The first information is displayed on the display means 5 and the hot water supply device 2 is remotely operated. The image processing unit 32 outputs an image of the first information to the display unit 5 based on the signal from the first control unit 31. The first information includes a set hot water supply temperature of the hot water supply device 2 relating to the operation status of the hot water supply device 2, a set temperature during reheating, a hot water supply amount during automatic hot water filling, and the like. For example, the set hot water supply temperature can be changed by the setting change switch 71 in a state where the first information is displayed on the display means 5, and becomes effective when the center determining portion 71a is pressed. In this case, the activated hot water temperature is output to the control unit 21 by the first control means 31, and the operation of the hot water supply device 2 is controlled based on this.
[0020]
Further, for example, when the automatic switch 72 is pressed and automatic hot water filling to the bathtub is instructed, the first control means 31 recognizes this, and the control means 31 executes the automatic hot water filling and sets the amount of hot water. Is displayed on the display means 5 as the first information. Note that the LEDs 72a and 73a are incorporated in the automatic switch 72 and the remedy switch 73, and are lit while "automatic hot water filling" or "remedy" is being executed. The remote control module 3 is also provided with voice control means 33, which guides the operating status of the hot water supply apparatus 2 such as “Bath chasing completion” based on the output from the first control means 31. Remote control sound can be output from the speaker 6.
[0021]
Auxiliary display means 51 composed of a plurality of LEDs is provided below the display means 5. The auxiliary display means 51 plays a role of allowing the user to identify the operating state of the gas burner, for example. As a result, when the user is watching a television broadcast, it is not necessary to perform an operation such as switching the display of the display means 5 from the second information to the first information and confirming the operating state of the gas burner, thereby improving convenience. it can.
[0022]
The TV module 4 is provided with second control means 41 that is a CPU. The second control means 41 is a TV broadcast that is second information received by a TV receiver 42 connected to a TV antenna (not shown). Is displayed on the display means 5 and the TV sound is output from the speaker 6. The second information includes a television selection screen for selecting a desired television broadcast from a plurality of television broadcasts in addition to the television broadcast, and can be selected by the channel switch 74. In this case, when the second information is displayed on the display means 5, a television selection screen for selecting a television image is displayed on-screen, and a desired television image can be selected by operating the channel switch 74. The television selection screen is deleted when the channel switch 74 is not operated for a predetermined time.
[0023]
The first control means 31 of the remote control module 3 and the second control means 41 of the television module 4 are connected so as to be able to communicate with each other so as to mutually confirm the operation status. The TV module 4 receives the output from the second control means 41 and displays the first information displayed on the display means 5 according to the control status of the first control means 31 and the second control means 41 by mutual communication. A selector 43 for switching between the second information and a mixing means 44 for mixing the remote control sound and the television sound and outputting them from the speaker 6 are provided. In this case, as shown in FIG. 3, the audio control means 33 and the television receiver 42 are connected to the mixing means 44 so that the remote control sound and the TV sound mixed by the mixing means 44 are output from both speakers 6 simultaneously. I have to. Note that the display module 5, the driver 45 that controls the driving of the display module 5, and the speaker 6 are provided in the television module 4.
[0024]
In this embodiment, a remote control power switch 3a and a television power switch 4a for starting the remote control module 3 and the television module 4 are provided on the front surface of the remote control main body 1, respectively. In this case, the remote control power switch 3a and the television power switch 4a serve as power switches that activate the display means 5 when the display means 5 is not activated. In this case, the power source E is in a state where it is introduced from the household outlet to the power supply circuits of the remote control module 3 and the television module 4, and when the remote control module 3 or the television module 4 is activated, the first control means 31 or The display means 5 is activated by the second control means 41.
[0025]
Switching between the first information and the second information during activation of the display means 5 is performed by pressing one of the remote control power switch 3a and the television power switch 4a. The remote control power switch 3a and the television power switch 4a are: It plays the role of a selector switch for switching the selector 43. When the television power switch 4 a is pressed to stop the television module 4, the selector 43 is switched to the state where the first information is displayed on the display means 5 by the second control means 41.
[0026]
Thereby, even if the remote control module 3 breaks down for some reason, the TV power source 4a is pressed to activate the TV module 4, and the second control means 41 switches the selector 43 so that the second information is displayed on the display means 5. At the same time, since the TV sound is output from the speaker 6, the TV broadcast can be viewed. Further, by incorporating the remote control module 3 and the TV module 4 independently of each other, when one of the modules fails, it is easy to identify the failed part, and in addition, only replace the failed module. Because it is possible to return to the current state, the repair cost at the time of failure can be reduced. Further, for example, when the TV power switch 4a is turned on, the second information is immediately displayed on the display means 5, so that there are few operation procedures for watching TV and convenience is good.
[0027]
By the way, when the remote control sound and the TV sound are mixed and output from the speaker 6 as described above, if the remote control sound for guiding the operation status of the remote control is output from the speaker 6 without any prior notice, for example, If the user is obsessed with watching TV broadcasts, the user may miss the remote control sound.
[0028]
In the present embodiment, the volume of the TV sound output from the speaker 6 by the second control means 41 is temporarily reduced to a predetermined volume before the TV sound and the remote control sound are mixed by the mixing means 44. Thus, the remote control sound is mixed with the TV sound and notified from the speaker 6 in advance. Then, after the TV sound is returned to the original volume by the second control means 41, the remote control sound is output from the speaker 6. As a result, even if the user is enthusiastic about watching a TV broadcast, the volume of the TV sound is temporarily reduced to the predetermined volume to alert the user, so the user can listen to the remote control sound. It can be prevented from missing.
[0029]
Note that the control for reducing the volume of the TV sound to a predetermined volume is not performed when the TV sound is below a certain volume, but the second notice means displayed on the display means 5 by the second control means 41, for example. Two notices may be displayed by displaying a predetermined sign on the information screen. Alternatively, the volume of the TV sound output from the speaker 6 by the second control means 41 may be temporarily reduced to a predetermined volume, and the remote control sound may be mixed with the TV sound and output from the speaker 6 in that state. On the other hand, you may make it notify by temporarily increasing the volume of a television audio | voice to a predetermined volume. In this case, after the television sound is returned to the original volume by the second control means 41, the remote control sound is output from the speaker 6. In addition, the volume of the sound output from each speaker 6 can be changed separately, and after notifying that the remote control sound is output, the volume of the remote control sound is made higher than the TV sound to make it easier to hear the remote control sound. You can also. The method of changing the volume of the remote control sound is not limited to the above, and may be a method of changing the volume of the TV sound in a stepwise manner, for example, as long as it alerts the user.
[0030]
Next, with reference to FIG. 4, the operation of the remote controller 1 with a television function of the present embodiment will be described. When the remote control power switch 3a is pressed to remotely operate the hot water supply device 2 from the remote control OFF state (S11), the remote control module 3 is activated and turned on, and the display means 5 is activated via the driver 45 and is turned on. become. In this case, since the selector 43 is in a state where the first information can be displayed on the display means 5, the first information corresponding to the output from the image processing means 32 is displayed on the display means 5 and also via the mixing means 44. Remote control sound is output from the speaker 6. The television module 4 is in an OFF state. When the remote control power switch 3a is pressed again from the ON state of the remote control module 3 (S12), the remote control module 3 and the display means 5 return to the OFF state.
[0031]
When the television power switch 4a is pressed to watch a television broadcast from the remote control OFF state (S13), the television module 4 is activated and turned on, and the display means 5 is activated via the driver 45 and is turned on. In this case, the selector 43 is switched by the second control unit 41, the second information is displayed on the display unit 5, and the TV sound is output from the speaker 6 through the mixing unit 44. The remote control module 3 is in an OFF state. When the TV power switch 4a is pressed again from the ON state of the TV module 4 (S14), the TV module 4 and the display means 5 return to the OFF state.
[0032]
When the TV power switch 4a is pressed when the remote control module 3 is ON and the TV module 4 is OFF (S15), the TV module 4 is activated and is turned ON. In this case, the selector 43 is switched by the second control means 41, the display on the display means 5 is switched from the first information to the second information, and the TV sound and the remote control sound are mixed by the mixing means 44 and the speaker 6 is used. Is output. The remote control module 3 is in an ON state.
[0033]
When the remote control module 3 and the television module 4 are each in the ON state and the second information is displayed on the display means 5 and the remote control power switch 3a is pressed (S16), the remote control power switch 3a serves as a changeover switch. The selector 43 is switched by the second control means 41 receiving the output from the first control means 31, the display on the display means 5 is switched from the second information to the first information, and the TV sound and the remote control sound are mixed by the mixing means 44. Are mixed and output from the speaker 6. On the other hand, when the TV power switch 4a is pressed (S17), the selector 43 is switched by the second control means 41, the display on the display means 5 is switched from the second information to the first information, and the TV module 4 is turned off. Become.
[0034]
If the remote control power switch 3a is pressed when the TV module 4 is ON and the remote control module 3 is OFF (S18), the remote control module 3 is activated and becomes ON. In this case, the selector 43 is switched by the second control means 41 that has received the output from the first control means 31, the display on the display means 5 is switched from the second information to the first information, and the mixing means 44 converts the audio from the TV sound. The remote control sound is mixed and output from the speaker 6. The television module 4 is in an ON state.
[0035]
When the remote controller module 3 and the television module 4 are each in the ON state and the first information is displayed on the display means 5 and the television power switch 4a is pressed (S19), the television power switch 4a serves as a changeover switch. The selector 43 is switched by the second control means 41, the display on the display means 5 is switched from the first information to the second information, and the TV sound and the remote control sound are mixed by the mixing means 44 and output from the speaker 6. . On the other hand, when the remote control power switch 3a is pressed (S20), the remote control module 3 is turned off, the selector 43 is switched by the second control means 41, and the display on the display means 5 is switched from the first information to the second information. .
[0036]
In the present embodiment, the description has been given of the case where the mixing means 44 for mixing the remote control sound and the TV sound is provided. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and as shown in FIG. The TV sound may be output, the TV sound and the remote control sound may be switched and output from the other speaker 62, and the remote control sound and the TV sound may be output simultaneously from both speakers 61 and 62. In this case, an audio selector 63 is provided to switch between the TV sound and the remote control sound.
[0037]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the remote controller with a TV function according to the present invention has an effect that the user can surely recognize the remote controller sound when watching a TV broadcast.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a front view of a remote controller with a TV function according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the inside of the remote controller with a TV function according to the present invention. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the remote control with a TV function according to the present invention. FIG. 5 is a diagram for schematically explaining audio output.
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Remote control with TV function 3 Remote control module 31 1st control means 4 Television module 41 2nd control means 43 Selector 44 Mixing means 5 Display means

Claims (4)

A display means having a remote control function capable of remotely operating the hot water supply device and a television function capable of watching a television broadcast, and switching and displaying the first information relating to the remote operation and operation status of the hot water supply device and the second information relating to the reception of the television broadcast; A remote controller with a TV function provided with a remote control sound relating to the operation of the hot water supply device and a speaker capable of outputting the TV sound of the received TV broadcast,
The speakers are provided in a pair on the left and right, and the remote control sound and the TV sound are selectively output from one speaker, the second information is displayed on the display means by the TV function, and the TV sound is output from both speakers. in it are state, in case of outputting the remote control voice by the remote control function from a speaker, provided an audio selector switch the TV sound output from the one speaker to the remote audio, remote control voice from the television audio by the audio selector A remote control with a TV function, characterized in that a notice means for notifying that it can be switched to is provided. The notice means, according to claim 1 Symbol placement of television function with remote control, characterized in that performs a control to change the TV volume sound output from the speaker. The remote controller with a TV function according to claim 2, wherein the change in the volume of the TV sound is temporarily performed before the remote control sound is output. The said notice means performs control which displays a predetermined | prescribed signature on the screen of the 2nd information currently displayed on the display means, The any one of Claim 1 thru | or 3 characterized by the above-mentioned. Remote control with TV function.

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