JP4523468B2 - Bathroom system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a bathroom system, and more particularly to a bathroom system provided with a sound output device having sound output means for outputting sound to the bathroom.

  In recent years, in bathrooms, such as receivers for television broadcasts and radio broadcasts, playback devices for playing recorded music (bus audio), remote controls for water heaters with voice guidance functions, etc. Various sound output devices equipped with sound output means for outputting are often installed.

  On the other hand, a bathroom where such a sound output device is installed is provided with many appliances that generate noise during use, such as a shower and a bathroom heater. There is a tendency that sounds output from the device are difficult to hear.

  Therefore, in a recent bathroom system equipped with this type of sound output device, for example, as shown in Patent Document 1, a detection means for detecting the use of an appliance that generates noise in the bathroom is provided, and the detection means There has been proposed one that increases or decreases the output volume of the sound output device based on the detected output.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-43075

  However, as described above, the configuration in which the detection means for detecting the use of a device that generates noise in the bathroom has the following problems, and improvements have been desired.

  That is, recently, various appliances (for example, a jet bath and a mist spraying device) have been provided for the appliances installed in the bathroom so that the user can use the bathroom comfortably. In the case of generation, the conventional configuration described above requires a lot of detection means (detection output), and there is a problem that the system becomes complicated.

  In addition, since some of these devices are configured to be retrofitted, they did not exist at the beginning of the construction of the bathroom system, but a device that generates noise by retrofitting was added. In this case, it is inconvenient because it is necessary to newly provide a detection means every time an instrument is added.

  Moreover, in the structure shown in the said patent document 1, although it will respond by increasing the output volume of a sound output device with respect to use of the instrument which generate | occur | produces a noise, the sound output device installed in a bathroom is Usually, it is intended to be used when the user is in the bathtub (when relaxing in the bathtub), so the installation location is set assuming that the user is in the bathtub. (Usually installed so as to face the person in the bathtub, not suitable for the washing area), so that the user who is out of the bathtub and is in the washing area can hear easily I have to let it.

  In addition, when the sound output device also allows the user to view a video like a television broadcast receiver, there is a problem that it is difficult to see the video from the washing place.

  The present invention has been made in view of such conventional problems. The object of the present invention is to provide a simple system configuration for sound and video provided by the sound output device in either a bathtub or a washing place. The object is to provide a bathroom system that is easy to watch.

  To achieve the above object, the bathroom system according to the first invention is a bathroom system comprising a sound output device having sound output means for outputting sound in the bathroom, and whether or not there is a person in the bathtub. And a volume control means for performing a setting change process for the output volume of the sound output device in accordance with a determination result by the determination means, wherein the volume control means is a setting change process for the output volume. When it is determined that there is no person in the bathtub, the first control configuration that sets the output volume of the sound output device larger than when it is determined that there is a person in the bathtub, or in the bathtub When it is determined that there is a person, the output sound volume of the sound output device is provided with either one of the second control configurations that are set smaller than when it is determined that there is no person in the bathtub. .

  Here, it is configured to switch the output volume of the sound output device depending on whether or not there is a person in the bathtub. Many of the appliances that generate noise in the bathroom are outside the bathtub, that is, the washing place. It is often used when the user is in a room (for example, a shower or a mist generator), and as described above, the sound output device is installed to be used when the user is in the bathtub. Since the sound output direction is not directed to the washing area, the sound output device outputs when the user is at the washing area. This is to increase the volume and make it easier to hear the sound.

  And, as a preferred embodiment thereof, it is provided with an operation means, and the operation means is configured to be capable of selecting whether or not to perform the output volume setting change processing in the volume control means. To do. Further, as another preferred embodiment, an operation means is provided, and in the output sound volume setting change processing in the sound volume control means, the operation sound volume of the output sound volume set after determination of whether or not there is a person in the bathtub is determined. A configuration change operation can be performed.

  Moreover, the bathroom system which concerns on 2nd invention WHEREIN: In the bathroom system provided with the sound output apparatus which has a sound output means to output a sound in a bathroom, the discrimination means which discriminate | determines whether there is a person in a bathtub, and the said The position of the sound output means is switched between the first position in the initial state and the second position in which the sound output direction is different from the first position, and according to the determination result by the determination means. Position control means for performing position setting processing for instructing whether to set the first position or the second position to the driving means, and the position control means, as the position setting processing, When it is determined that there is a person in the bathtub, the first position is instructed to the driving means, and when it is determined that there is no person in the bathtub, the second position is instructed to the driving means. It is characterized by having a control configuration that .

  Here, as in the case of the first invention, the position of the sound output device set by the driving means is switched depending on whether or not there is a person in the bathtub. Many devices that generate sound are often used when the user is out of the bathtub, that is, at the washing place (for example, a shower or a mist generator), and the sound output device is used when the user enters the bathtub. Considering that the sound tends to be difficult to hear when in the washing area, and the user places the sound output device in the washing area when the user is in the washing area. This is because it is easy to listen to the sound by directing in the direction of.

  As a preferred embodiment thereof, the sound output device is configured to include a video display means for displaying a video together with the sound output means, and the drive means is configured to position the video display means together with the sound output means. It is configured to be switched and moved.

  As an embodiment common to the first or second invention, the determination means includes a water level detection means for detecting a water level in the bathtub, and a person in the bathtub based on a water level detection signal from the water level detection means. Human detection means for performing a determination process of whether or not there is, when the human detection means detects a sudden rise in water level exceeding a predetermined level based on the water level detection signal as the determination process While it is determined that there is a person in the bathtub, a control configuration is provided that determines that there is no person in the bathtub when a rapid water level drop exceeding a predetermined level is detected.

  According to the first invention, the volume of the sound output device in the bathroom is configured to be increased or decreased according to the determination result of the determination means for determining whether or not there is a person in the bathtub. Thus, since it is not necessary to detect the presence or absence of the operation for each device that generates noise in the bathroom, the configuration of the system can be simplified. Moreover, it is possible to easily cope with the addition of a device that generates noise.

  According to the second aspect of the invention, when there is no person in the bathtub, the sound output device is initialized by the driving means that operates according to the determination result of the determination means for determining whether or not there is a person in the bathtub. Since the sound can be switched and moved to the second position where the sound output direction is different from the first position, the sound output from the sound output device can be directed to the washing place. As a result, the user at the washing place can easily hear the sound output from the sound output device even at a low volume. Further, in the case where the sound output device is configured to include a video display means for displaying video together with the sound output means, the video display means can be directed to the washing place together with the sound output means. It will be easier to see.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5.

Embodiment 1
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a bathroom system according to the present invention. The illustrated bathroom system includes a bathroom remote controller 2a that is a remote operation device of the water heater 1 and a bathroom television 2b that is a television broadcast receiver as the sound output device 2 that outputs sound into the bathroom B. Is shown.

  The bathroom system according to the present invention is a system that determines whether or not there is a person in the bathtub 3 and automatically increases or decreases the output sound volume of the sound output device 2. And a volume control means for performing a setting change process for the output volume of the sound output device 2 in accordance with the determination result of the determination means.

  Specifically, the bathroom system includes a water heater 1, a bathroom remote controller 2a and a bathroom television 2b as the sound output device 2, and a bathtub 3 as main parts.

  The water heater 1 is a hot water generator that supplies hot water to a hot water tap such as the bathtub 3 or a currant / shower. In the present invention, a water level sensor (water level detecting means) that detects the water level of the bathtub 3 as the determining means. ) 11 and a control unit (person detecting means) 12 for controlling each part of the water heater 1. The water heater 1 is provided with a portion for realizing a hot water supply function such as a heat exchanger for generating hot water and a burner for heating the heat exchanger, but is not directly related to the present invention. Therefore, description of these will be omitted.

  The water level sensor 11 is a sensor that generates and outputs an electrical signal according to the water level of the bathtub 3, and the water level of the bathtub 3 detected by the water level sensor 11 is given to the control unit 12 as a water level detection signal. . The water level sensor 11 is used for monitoring the water level during automatic hot water operation in a hot water heater that monitors the water level of the bathtub 3 and performs hot water supply control (in other words, a hot water heater having an automatic hot water operation function). However, a water level sensor is separately provided in a water heater that does not have an automatic hot water filling function.

  The said control part 12 is comprised with the control apparatus carrying a microcomputer, and in this invention, this microcomputer determines whether there is any person in the bathtub 3 based on the water level detection signal from the said water level sensor 11. It constitutes a human detection means.

  Specifically, this human detection means specifies and recognizes the water level of the bathtub 3 based on the input water level detection signal, and the bathtub 3 based on the water level recognized by the water level recognition unit 13. It is comprised from the person detection part 14 which discriminate | determines whether a person exists in the inside and outputs the discrimination | determination result with respect to the said sound output apparatus 2 as a person detection signal.

  More specifically, in this human detection means, the human detection unit 14 monitors the change in the water level of the bathtub 3 recognized by the water level recognition unit 13 based on the water level detection signal obtained from the water level sensor 11. . In this water level monitoring, when a sudden rise in the water level exceeding a predetermined level is detected, it is determined that a person has entered the bathtub 3 (that is, there is a person in the bathtub 3). When a sudden drop in the water level exceeding the predetermined level is detected, it is determined that a person is out of the bathtub 3 and is in the washing area (that is, there is no person in the bathtub 3), and the result is used as a human detection signal. Transmit to the sound output device 2.

  Here, the rapid water level increase or the rapid water level decrease means a change in the water level sufficient to determine that a person has entered or exited the bathtub 3, and specifically, a predetermined level. If the water level changes (increases or decreases) over a predetermined length (for example, an elevation difference of several tens of centimeters) during the elapse of time (for example, several seconds), it is determined that there is a rapid increase or decrease in the water level. These specific numerical values are appropriately set according to the size of the bathtub 3.

  Therefore, a specific example of a procedure for determining whether or not there is a person in the bathtub 3 in the control unit 12 (in other words, whether the person is in the washing place or in the bathtub 3) will be described with reference to FIG.

  That is, the controller 12 of the water heater 1 initially has a person in the wash area when the bath 3 is ready for bathing, for example, when the automatic hot water filling operation is completed (in other words, there is no person in the bathtub 3). (See step S1 in FIG. 2).

  Then, next, the person detection unit 14 determines whether the water level of the bathtub 3 recognized by the water level recognition unit 13 has risen rapidly as described above (see step S2 in FIG. 2). Is positive, it is determined that there is a person in the bathtub 3 (see step S3 in FIG. 2), and the process returns to step S2 in FIG. On the other hand, if the determination in step S2 in FIG. 2 is negative, it is determined whether the water level in the bathtub 3 has fallen sharply (see step S4 in FIG. 2). (See step S5 in FIG. 2), the process returns to step S2 in FIG.

  If the determination in step S4 in FIG. 2 is negative, the human detection unit 14 maintains the determination made earlier (see step S6 in FIG. 2) and returns to step S2 in FIG.

  On the other hand, the sound output device 2 includes, as main parts, sound output means for generating and outputting sounds such as voice and melody, and volume control means for controlling the volume of the sound output from the sound output means. ing.

  Specifically, a bathroom remote controller 2a constituting one of the sound output devices 2 is an operation device for remotely operating the water heater 1, and the operation state of the water heater 1 can be used as the sound output means. A message reproducing unit 21 for notifying the operation content of a remote control operation unit 23, which will be described later, with a predetermined voice message or a predetermined warning sound, and the message reproducing unit 21 as the volume control unit. A remote control volume control unit 22 that controls the output volume of voice messages and the like, and a remote control operation unit (operation means) 23 for inputting a remote operation command for the water heater 1 and internal settings of the bathroom remote control 2a are provided as main parts. Yes.

  Here, the remote control volume control unit 22 sets a reference first set volume and a second setting whose volume is higher than the first set volume when setting the output volume of the message reproduction unit 21. It has two set values for volume. In the present embodiment, the first set sound volume is configured to be a fixed value or arbitrarily settable by the remote control operation unit 23. The second set volume is configured such that the increase in volume is fixed relative to the first set volume or can be arbitrarily set by the remote control operation unit 23.

  The remote control volume control unit 22 is connected to the control unit 12 of the water heater 1 in communication, and the first or second set volume based on the person detection signal given from the person detection unit 14 of the control unit 12. Is automatically selected to control the output volume of the message reproducing unit 21 (automatic volume control).

  The automatic volume control by the remote control volume control unit 22 is configured such that the necessity can be arbitrarily selected and set by operating the remote control operation unit 23. If it is selected that automatic control is not performed, the remote controller volume control unit 22 sets the output volume of the message reproduction unit 21 to the first set volume.

  One bathroom television 2b is a receiving device for receiving a television broadcast, and as the sound output means, a television sound reproducing unit 25 that outputs the sound of the received television broadcast, and the volume control unit, A TV volume control unit 26 for controlling the output volume of the TV audio reproduction unit 25, a TV image display unit (image display means) 27 for displaying the received television broadcast image, power on / off, and selection of reception channel A TV operation unit (operation means) 28 for performing TV operations such as setting the output volume of the TV sound reproduction unit 25 is provided as a main part.

  The television volume control unit 26, like the remote control volume control unit 22 described above, sets the reference first set volume and the first setting when setting the output volume of the television sound reproduction unit 25. There are two set values of the second set volume whose volume is larger than the volume. The television volume control unit 26 is configured such that the first set volume can be arbitrarily set by the television operation unit 28. Further, the second set volume is configured such that an increase in volume with respect to the first set volume is fixed or can be arbitrarily set by the television operation unit 28.

  The television volume control unit 26 is also connected to the control unit 12 of the water heater 1 in communication with the human detection signal provided from the human detection unit 14 of the control unit 12 in the same manner as the remote control volume control unit 22 described above. Based on this, one of the first or second set sound volume is automatically selected to control the output sound volume of the TV sound reproduction unit 25 (automatic sound volume control).

  Then, the automatic volume control by the TV volume control unit 26 is configured such that the necessity can be arbitrarily selected and set by the operation of the TV operation unit 28, and the case where the automatic control is not performed is selected. The TV volume control unit 26 sets the output volume of the TV sound reproduction unit 25 to the first set volume.

  The operation of the bathroom system configured as described above will be described with reference to FIG.

  That is, when the sound output device 2 starts to operate, first, the remote control volume control unit 22 and the television volume control unit 26, which are the control units, determine whether or not the setting for performing automatic volume control is made (FIG. (See 3 step S1). If this determination is negative, the remote control volume control unit 22 and the television volume control unit 26 do not perform automatic volume control, and are set by the operation means (remote control operation unit 23 or television operation unit 28). Is set to the first set volume (see step S5 in FIG. 3).

  And if this judgment is affirmative, it will be judged whether there is any person in the bathtub 3 as a next procedure (refer FIG. 3 step S2). As described above, this determination is made based on the person detection signal given from the control unit 12 (specifically, the human detection unit 14) of the water heater 1.

  When it is determined that there is a person in the bathtub 3, the remote control volume control unit 22 and the television volume control unit 26 set the volume settings of the message reproduction unit 21 and the television audio reproduction unit 25 to the above-described volume levels. In the automatic control, the sound volume is set to a low level, that is, the first sound volume setting in the present embodiment (see step S3 in FIG. 3).

  On the other hand, if the determination in step S2 in FIG. 3 is negative, that is, it is determined that there is no person in the bathtub 3, the remote control volume control unit 22 and the TV volume control unit 26 are connected to the message playback unit 21 and the TV audio playback unit. The volume setting of 25 is set to a high volume setting in the above-described automatic volume control, that is, the second volume setting in the present embodiment (see step S4 in FIG. 3).

  Thus, in the present embodiment, the volume control means (remote control volume control section 22, television volume control section 26) has a person in the bathtub 3 based on the person detection signal from the person detection means (person detection section 14). If it is determined that there is no person, the output volume of the sound output device 2 is set to be larger than when it is determined that there is a person in the bathtub 3, so that the sound is output from the bathroom remote control 2a when the user is in the wash area. Since the volume of the voice message and the TV voice output from the bathroom television 2b is increased, the user can easily hear.

  In the above-described embodiment, the volume control unit is configured to set the output volume of the sound output device 2 to be large when it is determined that there is no person in the bathtub 3. On the contrary, if it is determined that there is a person in the bathtub 3, the output volume of the sound output device 2 can be set smaller than when it is determined that there is no person in the bathtub 3.

Embodiment 2
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 4, the bathroom system shown in the present embodiment is described above in that the bathroom television 2 b is provided with a drive unit (drive means) 29 that changes the output direction of the sound output from the bathroom television 2 b. Although the configuration is different from that of the first embodiment, the other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

  That is, the drive unit 29 is a drive mechanism for directing the bathroom television 2b installed on the wall surface of the bathroom B in the direction of the wash place when the user is in the wash place. As shown in FIG. 5, the bathroom TV 2b is configured to be a drive device that pivotally drives the bathroom TV 2b toward the washing area 5 around one side of the bathroom TV 2b.

  More specifically, the drive unit 29 is configured to be driven in conjunction with the television volume control unit 26, and the television volume control unit 26 enters the bathtub 3 based on the person detection signal from the person detection unit 14. When it is determined that there is no person, from the first position in the initial state (as shown in FIG. 5 (a), the position in the state installed on the wall surface) to the second position (as shown in FIG. 5 (b)) The bathroom TV is provided at the position where the TV sound reproduction unit 25 (specifically a speaker) and the TV image display unit 27 (specifically a TV screen) provided in front of the bathroom TV 2b are directed in the direction of the washing area 5. Move 2b.

  Here, the second position is preferably set so that the speaker or screen of the bathroom television 2b faces the user in the washing place 5, but as shown in FIG. The speaker and the screen may be set so as to face the washing area 5 at a certain angle.

  In addition, the switching between the first position and the second position is, for example, when the process in the human detection unit 14 is performed according to the procedure shown in FIG. 2, a positive determination is made once in step S2 in FIG. It will be started after. In other words, when the automatic hot water filling operation is completed and bathing is possible, it is set to be in the first position so as not to prevent the user from entering the bathtub. Once it is detected that the user has entered the bathtub 3, a standby state in which the user can move to the second position is entered. And when it detects that the user got out of the bathtub 3 after that, it will move to the said 2nd position, and if it detects that a user entered the bathtub 3, it will set to move to the said 1st position. The

  On the contrary, when the TV volume control unit 26 determines that there is a person in the bathtub 3, the driving unit 29 initially moves the bathroom TV 2b from the second position (see FIG. 5B). It is driven to return to the first position (see FIG. 5A).

  Thus, according to this embodiment, since the position of the bathroom television 2b can be switched according to whether or not there is a person in the bathtub 3, it is output from the bathroom television 2b even when the user is in the wash area 5. The sound can be easily heard. At the same time, the image displayed on the television image display unit 27 of the bathroom television 2 b is also easy to see from the washing place 5.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the drive unit 29 is configured to be driven in conjunction with the TV volume control unit 26 (combined with automatic volume control) is shown, but when the drive unit 29 is provided. The TV volume control unit 26 does not perform automatic volume control, and only the position control by the drive unit 29 can be performed. In that case, the television volume control unit 26 is configured only with the first set volume.

  Moreover, although the case where the drive part 29 was provided only in the bathroom television 2b was shown in embodiment mentioned above, it is also possible to provide only in the bathroom remote control 2a, or in both.

  In addition, embodiment mentioned above shows the preferred embodiment of this invention, Comprising: This invention is not limited to these, A various design change is possible within the range.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the water level sensor 11 is used as the determination means for determining whether or not there is a person in the bathtub 3 is described. However, it is determined whether or not there is a person in the bathtub 3. If there is, for example, whether there is a person in the bathtub 3 based on a detection signal of a heartbeat sensor that detects a heartbeat of a person in the bathtub 3 or a video signal of an imaging device that monitors the movement of a person in the bathroom B It can also be configured to determine whether or not.

  In the above-described embodiment, the bathroom remote controller 2a and the bathroom television 2b are shown as the sound output device 2, but other devices such as a bus audio can be used as long as the sound output unit is provided.

It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the bathroom system which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the discrimination | determination procedure whether a person is in the bathtub in the bathroom system. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the setting change process sequence of the output volume of the sound output device in the bathroom system. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of 2nd Embodiment of the bathroom system which concerns on this invention. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the function of the drive part shown in the Embodiment 2. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Water heater 11 Water level sensor 12 Control part 2 Sound output device 2a Bathroom remote control 2b Bathroom television 21 Message reproduction part (sound output means)
22 Remote control volume control unit (volume control unit)
23 Remote control unit (operating means)
25 TV audio playback section (sound output means)
26 TV volume control section (volume control means)
27 TV image display section (image display means)
28 TV operation section (operation means)
29 Drive unit (drive means)
3 Bathtub B Bathroom

Claims (6)

A bathroom system comprising a sound output device having sound output means for outputting sound in a bathroom,
A discriminating means for discriminating whether or not there is a person in the bathtub;
Volume control means for performing setting change processing of the output volume of the sound output device according to the determination result by the determination means,
When the volume control means determines that there is no person in the bathtub as the output volume setting change processing, the output volume of the sound output device is larger than when it is determined that there is a person in the bathtub. The first control configuration to be set, or the second setting for setting the output volume of the sound output device to be smaller than when it is determined that there is no person in the bathtub when it is determined that there is a person in the bathtub A bathroom system comprising any one of the control configurations.   2. The bathroom system according to claim 1, further comprising an operation unit, wherein the operation unit is configured to perform a selection operation as to whether or not to perform a setting change process of the output volume in the volume control unit. .   An operation means, and the operation means is configured such that in the output volume setting change process in the volume control means, an output volume setting change operation that is set after determining whether or not there is a person in the bathtub can be performed. The bathroom system according to claim 1, wherein: In a bathroom system provided with a sound output device having sound output means for outputting sound in the bathroom,
A discriminating means for discriminating whether or not there is a person in the bathtub;
Drive means for switching and moving the position of the sound output means between a first position in an initial state and a second position in which the sound output direction is different from the first position;
Position control means for performing position setting processing for instructing the driving means to set to the first position or the second position according to the determination result by the determination means;
When it is determined that there is a person in the bathtub as the position setting process, the position control means instructs the first position to the driving means, and it is determined that there is no person in the bathtub. A bathroom system comprising a control structure for indicating the second position to the driving means.   The sound output device is configured to include video display means for displaying video together with the sound output means, and the drive means is configured to switch and move the position of the video display means together with the sound output means. The bathroom system according to claim 4. The discrimination means comprises a water level detection means for detecting the water level in the bathtub, and a human detection means for performing a determination process as to whether or not there is a person in the bathtub based on a water level detection signal from the water level detection means. And
The human detection means, as the determination process, determines that there is a person in the bathtub when a rapid water level rise exceeding a predetermined level is detected based on the water level detection signal, while the rapid water level drop exceeds a predetermined level. The bathroom system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a control configuration for determining that there is no person in the bathtub when the water is detected.

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