JP3847725B2 - 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, which has a remote control function that can be remotely operated, for example, on a wall surface of a kitchen or a bathroom and can be remotely operated, and a TV function that allows a TV broadcast to be watched 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. Also, a small LCD TV is often installed on the wall so that you can watch TV broadcasts 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). Normally, 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, in order to improve the convenience for the user, many remote control voices for guiding the operation status of the hot water supply apparatus by voice are output from the speaker. In this case, since there is a problem that a separate speaker for remote control sound causes an increase in cost, it may be possible to switch the sound output from the speaker when the remote control function and the TV function are switched. .
[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]
However, when the remote control sound and the TV sound are switched, it is necessary to remotely control the hot water supply device and confirm its operation when the user is watching the television broadcast. When switching to, the display on the display means is switched to the first information, and the output of the television sound is also temporarily suspended. For this reason, after confirming the remote operation of the hot water supply device and its operation, the contents of the television broadcast may not be grasped even if the television function is switched again, and the effect that the television broadcast can be viewed in the kitchen or bathroom is impaired.
[0007]
Accordingly, in view of the above points, the present invention provides a remote controller with a TV function that does not impair the effect of being able to watch a TV broadcast even if it is necessary to remotely control the water heater when watching the TV broadcast. It is intended to provide.
[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 remote control function capable of watching a television broadcast, and first information relating to the remote operation and operating status of the hot water supply device. And a television function remote controller provided with a display means for switching and displaying the second information related to the reception of the television broadcast, a speaker for outputting the received television broadcast television sound, and a changeover switch for switching between the remote control function and the television function. When the second function is displayed on the display means by the TV function and the TV sound is output from the speaker, the changeover switch is operated to switch from the TV function to the remote control function. the second information switched to the first information, so the output of the television audio from the speaker is continued, and remote The TV module with the remote control module and the television system equipped with down function as well as mutually separately formed, automatically switches the selector to the second information display of the display means when a failure in the remote control module occurs provided Remote control with TV function, characterized by that.
[0009]
According to the present invention, when the second information is displayed on the display means, it is necessary to perform a remote operation of the hot water supply device or check its operation, and when the changeover switch is operated, the television function is switched to the remote control function. . In this case, the display of the display means is switched to the first information, but the television sound is output from the speaker. Then, after the remote control or confirmation of the hot water supply device is performed, when the changeover switch is operated again, the remote control function is switched to the television function, and the display on the display means returns to the second information. Normally, remote operation and confirmation of the hot water supply device in this case are performed in a short time, and during this time, the user can grasp the contents of the television broadcast by listening to the television sound output from the speaker, so that the kitchen or bathroom This prevents the effect of being able to watch TV broadcasts from being impaired.
[0010]
In this case, the remote control function allows the remote control sound for guiding the operation of the hot water supply device to be output from the speaker, and also provides mixing means for mixing the remote control sound and the TV sound, and pressing the changeover switch from the TV function. When switching to the remote control function, it is preferable to mix the TV sound and the remote control sound by the mixing means so that they are output from the speaker.
[0011]
In addition, if a power switch for operating the remote control function and the TV function is provided correspondingly, and each power switch is also used as a changeover switch for switching between the remote control function and the TV function, the number of parts can be reduced and the cost can be reduced. it can.
[0012]
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 can remotely control the hot water supply device 2 set outdoors and realizes a remote control function, and a TV module 4 that realizes a television function that allows a TV broadcast to be viewed in the kitchen or bathroom. Built in independently.
[0013]
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.
[0014]
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.
[0015]
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.
[0016]
The hot water supply device 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 clean 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.
[0017]
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.
[0018]
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, and by this voice control means 33, based on the output from the first control means 31, the operation status of the hot water supply device 2 such as “Bath chasing completion” is voiced. A remote control voice for guidance can be output from the speaker 6.
[0019]
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.
[0020]
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.
[0021]
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. 2, 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.
[0022]
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.
[0023]
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. This eliminates the need for another change-over switch and reduces the number of parts, thereby reducing the cost. 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.
[0024]
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. Also, by incorporating the remote control module 3 and the TV module 4 independently of each other, if one module fails, it is easy to identify the failure location, and 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.
[0025]
When the remote control of the hot water supply device 2 and the confirmation of the operation thereof need to be performed in the state where the second information is displayed on the display means 5 and the remote control power switch 3a is pressed, the display on the display means 5 is the second display. Although the information is switched to the first information, the television sound is output from the speaker 6. Then, after remote control or confirmation of the hot water supply device, when the TV power switch 4a is pressed, the remote control function is switched to the TV function, and the display on the display means 5 returns to the second information. As a result, the user can listen to the TV sound output from the speaker 6 and grasp the contents of the TV broadcast until the remote operation or confirmation of the hot water supply device is performed, so that the user can appreciate the TV broadcast in the kitchen or bathroom. The effect is prevented from being impaired.
[0026]
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.
[0027]
In the present embodiment, before the mixing means 44 mixes the TV sound and the remote control sound, the second control means 41 temporarily reduces the volume of the TV sound output from the speaker 6 to a predetermined volume. The remote control sound is mixed with the TV sound and notified from the speaker 6 that it is output. 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 TV broadcasts, the user's attention is alerted by the volume of the TV sound being temporarily reduced to the predetermined volume, so the user can miss the remote control sound. Can be prevented.
[0028]
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 television sound volume may be temporarily increased to a predetermined volume so as to be notified in advance. Furthermore, the volume of the sound output from each speaker 6 can be changed separately, and after notifying that the remote control sound will be 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.
[0029]
Next, with reference to FIG. 3, the operation of the remote controller 1 with a television function according to 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.
[0030]
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.
[0031]
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.
[0032]
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.
[0033]
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.
[0034]
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. .
[0035]
In the present embodiment, the display module 5, the driver 45 for controlling the drive of the display module 5 and the speaker 6 are provided in the television module 4. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and as shown in FIG. The display means 5, the driver 45 for controlling the driving of the display means 5, and the speaker 6 can be provided in a display module 50 different from the television module 4 and incorporated in the remote control body 10. In this case, the selector 43 and the mixing unit 44 are provided in the display module 50.
[0036]
Further, a power switch 30 and a changeover switch 40 for operating the selector 43 are provided on the front surface of the remote control body 1. When the power switch 30 is pressed, the remote control module 3, the television module 4, and the display module 50 are activated, and the first information is displayed on the display means 5. When the changeover switch 40 is pressed in this state, the selector 43 is changed over to switch the display on the display means 5 from the first information to the second information. When the changeover switch 40 is further pressed, the selector 43 is changed over to display the display means 5. Is switched from the second information to one information.
[0037]
Thereby, since the remote control module 3, the television module 4, and the display means 5 can be started and stopped by one operation, the operation is simplified. In particular, when the remote control module 3 and the television module 4 are activated at the same time, the remote control module 3 and the television module 4 can be stopped by a single operation, so that convenience is improved. If the power switch 30 is turned on in a state where the remote control module 3 is out of order, the TV module 4 and the display means 5 are activated and there is no response from the first control means 31 communicating with each other. If 41 is judged, the selector 43 is switched by the control means 41 and the second information is displayed on the display means 5.
[0038]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the remote controller with a TV function according to the present invention has an effect that even if it is necessary to remotely control the hot water supply device when watching a TV broadcast, the effect that the TV broadcast can be watched is not impaired. .
[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 illustrating the inside of the remote controller with a TV function according to the present invention. 4] The figure explaining the inside of the remote control with a TV function concerning another modification.
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Remote control with a television function 3 Remote control module 31 1st control means 4 TV module 41 2nd control means 43 Selector 44 Mixing means 5 Display means 6 Speaker

Claims (3)

A display means having a remote control function capable of remotely operating the hot water supply device and a remote control 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 TV function remote controller provided with a speaker for outputting the TV sound of the received TV broadcast, and provided with a changeover switch for switching between the remote control function and the TV function,
When the TV function is used to display the second information on the display means and the TV sound is output from the speaker, when the changeover switch is operated to switch from the TV function to the remote control function, the display means displays the second information. Switch to the first information so that the output of TV sound from the speaker is continued , and the remote control module equipped with the remote control function and the TV module equipped with the TV mechanism are formed separately from each other, and the remote control module fails. A remote controller with a television function, characterized in that a selector is provided for automatically switching the display of the display means to the second information in the event of occurrence of a problem .   The remote control function allows the remote control sound to guide the operation of the hot water supply device to be output from the speaker, and also provides a mixing means for mixing the remote control sound and the TV sound. 2. The remote controller with a TV function according to claim 1, wherein when the switching is performed, the TV sound and the remote control sound are mixed by the mixing means and output from the speaker.   3. A power switch for operating the remote control function and the television function is provided in correspondence with each other, and each power switch also serves as a changeover switch for switching between the remote control function and the television function. Remote control with TV function.

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