JP7225750B2 - Hot water system and program - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a hot water supply system for remotely controlling a water heater connectable to an external communication network by means of a communication terminal device, and to a program that causes the communication terminal device to perform a predetermined function.

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a hot water supply system capable of remotely monitoring a hot water supply apparatus having a bath function, a floor heating function, etc. using a portable terminal device such as a mobile phone has been studied. An operator of a portable terminal device who lives away from home, such as family members or relatives, can remotely monitor the water heater installed in the home to see if there is any change in the state of the family members or relatives.

For example, Patent Literature 1 describes a water heater in which driving information can be confirmed by acquiring driving operations and driving information by connecting to the Internet via a mobile information terminal. In addition, Patent Document 2 describes a monitoring system that makes an automatic emergency call to a registered phone number when a bather does not leave the bathtub even after a set time has passed.

Japanese Patent No. 3760876 JP-A-2003-265573

The content of remote monitoring desired may differ from user to user. Therefore, if the hot water supply system is configured so that only remote monitoring of uniform content is performed, depending on the user, the lack of information may make it insufficiently useful, or the excessive information may make it annoying. There is a risk of

In view of such problems, it is an object of the present invention to provide a hot water supply system and a program capable of performing remote monitoring according to the user's request.

A first aspect of the present invention relates to a hot water supply system in which a communication terminal device remotely monitors a water heater. A hot water supply system according to this aspect includes a first monitoring function in which state information indicating a state related to the water heater is sent to the communication terminal device based on a request from the communication terminal device; a control unit capable of executing a second monitoring function in which notification information indicating the occurrence of the event is sent to the communication terminal device based on the detection of the event, and both the first monitoring function and the second monitoring function and an input unit for receiving an input for selecting whether to execute the monitoring function or to execute only the first monitoring function.
In the hot water supply system according to this aspect, when both the first monitoring function and the second monitoring function are executed, the input unit receives the notification information from among a plurality of events to be monitored by the communication terminal. Accepts input to select monitored events to be sent to the device.

Here, the state information may include information indicating the setting state of the water heater, information indicating the presence or absence of a person in the bathtub, and the like. In addition, events to be monitored include at least one of an operation for starting and ending operation of the automatic bath function, at least one of an operation for starting and ending operation of the reheating function, and a person bathing in the bathtub. and at least one of leaving the bathroom, at least one of entering and leaving the bathroom, and the like.

According to the above configuration, the user can select contents of remote monitoring suitable for him/herself and cause the hot water supply system to perform the remote monitoring.

In the hot water supply system according to this aspect, the input unit includes a first button for causing the control unit to execute only the first monitoring function, and the first monitoring function and the notification information are sent to the communication terminal device. A second button for causing the control unit to execute the second monitoring function with relatively few monitored events, and a monitored event for sending the first monitoring function and the notification information to the communication terminal device. and a third button for causing the control unit to perform the second monitoring function in which there are relatively more.

It can be said that the monitoring level is higher when both the first monitoring function and the second monitoring function are executed than when only the first monitoring function is executed. is executed, it can be said that the monitoring level is higher when the second monitoring function includes more monitoring target events for which notification information is sent to the communication terminal device.

According to the above configuration, the user can easily cause the hot water supply system to perform remote monitoring at the monitoring level desired by the user by performing selection operations using the first button, the second button, and the third button. .

The hot water supply system according to this aspect further includes a management device provided to be communicable with the hot water supply apparatus and the communication terminal device, and configured to transmit the state information and the notification information received from the hot water supply apparatus to the communication terminal device. Such a configuration can be adopted. In this case, the input unit is provided in the communication terminal device, and when both the first monitoring function and the second monitoring function are executed, the notification information from among a plurality of monitored events is A selection of monitored events to be sent to the communication terminal is accepted. Further, the hot water supply apparatus transmits the notification information about the plurality of monitored events to the management device without being based on the selection result of the monitored events accepted by the communication terminal device. The management device includes a storage unit and the control unit. The storage unit stores the selection result in association with the communication terminal device, and the control unit, when receiving the notification information from the water heater, transmits the notification information to the communication terminal device according to the selection result. do.

According to the above configuration, the notification information is transmitted from the hot water supply device to the management device when the events occur for all monitored events without being based on the selection result of the communication terminal device. On the side, the transmitted notification information is transmitted to the communication terminal device according to the selection result. As a result, when there are a plurality of communication terminal devices that remotely monitor the same hot water supply apparatus, it is possible to make different selections among the respective communication terminal devices.

A second aspect of the present invention relates to a program. A program according to this aspect includes a computer of a communication terminal device, a first monitoring function for sending state information indicating a state related to a hot water supply device to the communication terminal device based on a request from the communication terminal device; detects an event to be monitored and notification information indicating the occurrence of the event is sent to the communication terminal device. and the received selection result to a management device capable of communicating with the hot water supply device and the communication terminal device and capable of executing the first monitoring function and the second monitoring function. function to send, and to execute.

According to said structure, there can exist an effect similar to a said 1st aspect.

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a hot water supply system and a program capable of performing remote monitoring according to the user's request.

The effects and significance of the present invention will become clearer from the description of the embodiments shown below. However, the embodiment shown below is merely one example of the implementation of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the 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. 3(a) and 3(b) are flowcharts showing processing in the kitchen remote controller and the mobile terminal device for pairing the hot water supply apparatus and the mobile terminal device, respectively, according to the embodiment. FIG. 4A is a diagram showing the configuration of pairing information between the hot water supply apparatus and the mobile terminal device managed by the mobile terminal device according to the embodiment. 4B and 4C are diagrams showing screens displayed on the mobile terminal device when performing remote control using the mobile terminal device according to the embodiment. FIG. 5(a) is a diagram showing a remote monitoring screen according to the embodiment, and FIG. 5(b) is a diagram showing a remote operation screen according to the embodiment. FIG. 6A is a flowchart showing setting processing according to the embodiment, and FIG. 6B is a diagram showing the configuration of a setting screen according to the embodiment. FIG. 7A is a flowchart showing registration processing according to the embodiment, and FIG. 7B is a diagram showing the configuration of a registration table in which monitoring levels are registered according to the embodiment. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing remote monitoring processing executed by the control unit of the kitchen remote control of the water heater according to the embodiment. FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating remote monitoring processing executed by the control unit of the server according to the embodiment; FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing remote monitoring processing executed by the control unit of the mobile terminal device according to the embodiment. FIGS. 11A and 11B are diagrams showing examples of notification screens according to the embodiment. FIGS. 12(a) to 12(c) are diagrams for explaining selection and setting of monitoring target events for which notification information is sent to the mobile terminal device according to the modification. FIGS. 13(a) and 13(b) are diagrams for explaining selection and setting of a monitoring target event for which notification information is sent to a mobile terminal device, according to a modification.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

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

As shown in FIG. 1 , hot water supply system 1 includes hot water supply apparatus 10 , router 20 , mobile terminal device 30 , external communication network 40 , and server 50 .

A water heater 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 a fuel. Hot water generated by the water heater 11 is supplied to a kitchen faucet, a bathtub, a faucet, and the like through pipes connected to the hot water supply ports 11a. When the water heater 11 has a floor heating function, a bathroom heating function, and a heating function using a panel heater, hot water is supplied from the water heater 11 to devices that realize these functions.

The hot water supply device 10 has a hot water supply function of supplying hot water to a faucet or the like, a hot water filling function of filling the bathtub with hot water, a heat insulating function of keeping the hot water warm after the hot water is filled in the bathtub, and adding hot water in the bathtub. It has a reheating function for reheating and a hot water adding function for adding hot water in the bathtub. An automatic bath function is composed of a hot water filling function followed by a heat retaining function. The bath automatic function may be configured only by the hot water filling function. In the heat retaining function and the reheating function, hot water is circulated between the bathtub and the water heater 11, and the circulating hot water is heated to heat the hot water.

Remote controllers 12 and 13 are connected to water heater 11 and used to perform various settings for each function of water heater 10 . The remote controllers 12 and 13 have display units 121 and 131 and input units 122 and 132, respectively. By operating the input units 122 and 132 in accordance with the screens displayed on the display units 121 and 131, the operator can arbitrarily set hot water filling, hot water supply temperature adjustment, and the like. Input units 122 and 132 are provided with various operation buttons including operation buttons 122a and 132a, automatic bath buttons 122b and 132b, reheating buttons 122c and 132c, and hot water adding buttons 122d and 132d.

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

The automatic bath buttons 122b and 132b are operation buttons for starting and stopping the operation of the automatic bath function. The reheating buttons 122c and 132c are operation buttons for starting and stopping the operation of the reheating function. The adding hot water buttons 122d and 132d are operation buttons for starting and stopping the operation of the adding hot water function.

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

The router 20 is a wireless router for connecting each device existing in the building (here, the home H10) to the server 50 via the external communication network 40. FIG. A unique BSSID (Basic Service Set Identifier) is assigned to the router 20 as an identifier that is individually assigned to each router.

The kitchen remote control 13 is connected to the router 20 by wireless communication. Moreover, 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 portable terminal device 30 may be another portable terminal device such as a portable tablet terminal. External communication network 40 is, for example, the Internet.

External communication network 40 is connected to server 50 for managing remote control (remote operation and remote monitoring) of hot water supply apparatus 10 . Kitchen remote controller 13 communicates with server 50 via router 20 and external communication network 40 . When the mobile terminal device 30 exists in the home H10 , the mobile terminal device 30 communicates with the server 50 via the router 20 and the external communication network 40 . Also, when the mobile terminal device 30 is outside the home, the mobile terminal device 30 is connected to the external communication network 40 via the router 60 or the base station 70 installed outside, and communicates with the server 50 .

An application program for the hot water supply system 1 is downloaded from the server 50 and installed in the kitchen remote controller 13 and the mobile terminal device 30 . This application program contains address information (IP address) for accessing the server 50 . The kitchen remote controller 13 and the mobile terminal device 30 access the server 50 based on this address information and perform communication. The address information of the kitchen remote controller 13 is transmitted to and held by the server 50 at the time of initial setting. Also, the address information of the mobile terminal device 30 is transferred from the mobile terminal device 30 to the kitchen remote controller 13 during the pairing process described below, and is transmitted from the kitchen remote controller 13 to the server 50 and stored.

In the present embodiment, as the address information of the kitchen remote controller 13 and the mobile terminal device 30, a MAC (Media Access Control) address is used. As the address information of the kitchen remote controller 13 and the mobile terminal device 30, the global IP addresses of the wireless communication unit 136 of the kitchen remote controller 13 and the wireless communication unit 305 of the mobile terminal device 30 may be used.

In the configuration of FIG. 1, the operator can remotely control (remotely operate and monitor) hot water supply apparatus 10 using portable terminal device 30 both inside H10 and outside the home. As will be described later, in the present embodiment, each portable terminal device 30 is associated in advance with the hot water supply device 10 to be remotely controlled. In other words, it is possible to associate a plurality of portable terminal devices 30 with one water heater 10 .

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

Further, the state information of hot water supply apparatus 10 is transmitted from kitchen remote control 13 to server 50 via router 20 at predetermined intervals as needed. Server 50 manages the received status information for each water heater 10 . A viewing request for remote monitoring input by the operator to the mobile terminal device 30 is temporarily transmitted to the server 50 via the external communication network 40 . In response to this, server 50 sends the state information of water heating device 10 specified by the viewing request, among water heating devices 10 pre-associated with mobile terminal device 30 that has received the viewing request, to mobile terminal device 30 . Send to As a result, the state of hot water supply device 10 is output at portable terminal device 30 . Thus, the operator can confirm the state of hot water supply device 10 both inside and outside the home. The state information is information indicating a state related to hot water supply apparatus 10 such as a setting state.

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

Water heater 11 includes control unit 111 , storage unit 112 , communication unit 113 , water level sensor 114 , and flow rate sensor 115 . Control unit 111 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and controls each unit in water heater 11 according to a program stored in storage unit 112 . The storage unit 112 has a memory and stores a predetermined control program. The communication unit 113 communicates with the bathroom remote controller 12 and the kitchen remote controller 13 under the control of the control unit 111 .

Water level sensor 114 detects the water level of the bathtub to which water heater 10 is connected. Water level sensor 114 detects the water level of the bathtub, for example, by the water pressure in the pipe connected to the bathtub. Control unit 111 detects that a person has taken a bath in and out of the bathtub from a change in the water level detected by water level sensor 114 . The flow rate sensor 115 detects the flow rate of hot water flowing through the pipe connected to the hot water supply port 11a. The control unit 111 can obtain the amount of hot water used based on the time during which hot water is supplied to the bathtub, drain, etc. and the flow rate detected by the flow rate sensor 115 .

The bathroom remote controller 12 includes a control unit 123 , a storage unit 124 , a communication unit 125 and an entry sensor 126 in addition to the display unit 121 and the input unit 122 described above. Display unit 121 is configured by, for example, a liquid crystal panel. The input unit 122 has various operation buttons such as a temperature setting button. The display unit 121 may be a touch panel. The control unit 123 has a CPU and performs predetermined control according to a program stored in the storage unit 124 . The storage unit 124 has a memory and stores a predetermined control program. Communication unit 125 communicates with water heater 11 under the control of control unit 123 . The entry sensor 126 detects the entry and exit of a person to the bathroom. Room entry sensor 126 is, for example, a human sensor using infrared rays. Control unit 123 detects that a person has entered the bathroom based on the output of room entry sensor 126 .

The kitchen remote controller 13 includes the display unit 131 and the input unit 132 described above, as well as a control unit 133 , a storage unit 134 and a communication unit 135 . Display unit 131 is configured by, for example, a liquid crystal panel. The input unit 132 has various operation buttons. The display unit 131 may be a touch panel. The control unit 133 has a CPU and performs predetermined control according to a program stored in the storage unit 134 . The storage unit 134 has a memory and stores a predetermined control program. The communication unit 135 communicates with the water heater 11 under the control of the control unit 133 .

Furthermore, the kitchen remote controller 13 includes a wireless communication section 136 . Here, the wireless communication unit 136 is a wireless communication module capable of wireless communication with the router 20 . The wireless communication unit 136 (wireless communication module) is assigned an IP address for identifying a device on a LAN (Local Area Network) set in the home H10. In addition, the kitchen remote control 13 has a speaker for outputting sound.

The mobile terminal device 30 includes a display section 301 , an input section 302 , a control section 303 , a storage section 304 and a wireless communication section 305 . Display unit 301 is configured by, for example, a liquid crystal panel. The input unit 302 includes various operation buttons and a touch panel laminated on the display unit 301 .

The control unit 303 has a CPU and performs predetermined control according to a program stored in the storage unit 304 . The storage unit 304 has a memory and stores a predetermined control program. The wireless communication section 305 communicates with the router 20 under the control of the control section 303 . A wireless communication unit 305 is a wireless communication module capable of wireless communication with the router 20 . An IP address is also assigned to the wireless communication unit 305 . In addition, the mobile terminal device 30 has a speaker for outputting sound.

The server 50 includes a control section 501 , a storage section 502 and a communication section 503 . The control unit 501 has a CPU and performs predetermined control according to a program stored in the storage unit 502 . Storage unit 502 includes a memory and a hard disk, and stores predetermined control programs and databases. The communication unit 503 performs predetermined control according to control from the control unit 501 .

As described above, in the present embodiment, mobile terminal device 30 capable of remote control and remote monitoring of water heating apparatus 10 is registered in server 50 in advance in association with water heating apparatus 10 . That is, hot water supply apparatus 10 and mobile terminal device 30 are paired in advance, and information indicating the pairing is managed in server 50 .

In this embodiment, this pairing is performed via the router 20 in the building where the water heater 10 is installed. In other words, in principle, the owner of portable terminal device 30 cannot pair personal portable terminal device 30 with hot water supply device 10 unless he/she carries portable terminal device 30 into the building where hot water supply device 10 is installed. . Thus, it is possible to prevent a malicious third party from illegally pairing portable terminal device 30 and hot water supply device 10 . Therefore, the risk of illegal remote control and remote monitoring can be eliminated.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are flow charts showing processes in kitchen remote controller 13 and mobile terminal device 30 for pairing hot water supply apparatus 10 and mobile terminal device 30, respectively.

In the home H10, the operator activates the application program of the hot water supply system 1 installed in the mobile terminal device 30, and sets the mobile terminal device 30 to the pairing mode. After that, the operator operates the input unit 132 of the kitchen remote controller 13 for pairing.

Thus, when the pairing operation is performed on the kitchen remote controller 13 (S11: YES), the control unit 133 of the kitchen remote controller 13 broadcasts an announcement for pairing (S12). This announcement is received by the mobile terminal device 30 when the mobile terminal device 30 is in the home H10.

Upon receiving this announcement (S21: YES), the control unit 303 of the mobile terminal device 30 causes the display unit 301 to display an acceptance screen for accepting an operation requesting pairing (S22). The operator performs a request operation on this reception screen. Thereby, the control unit 303 transmits a pairing request to the kitchen remote controller 13 (S23). This pairing request includes the ID information and address information (MAC address) of the mobile terminal device 30 . UUID (Universally Unique Identifier), GUID (Globally Unique Identifier), etc. are used as the ID information.

When the control unit 133 of the kitchen remote controller 13 receives the pairing request from the mobile terminal device 30 within a predetermined time from the transmission of the announcement (S13: YES), it transmits a pairing response to the mobile terminal device 30 (S14). , the pairing result is transmitted to the server 50 (S15), and the process ends. This pairing result includes the ID information and address information of portable terminal device 30 included in the pairing request, as well as the ID information (UUID, GUID, etc.) of water heater 10 (here, kitchen remote control 13). On the other hand, when the pairing request is not received within the predetermined time (S13: NO), the control unit 133 terminates the process without transmitting the pairing result. The control unit 303 on the mobile terminal device 30 side receives the pairing response from the kitchen remote controller 13 (S24: YES), and ends the process.

Next, the flow of remote control performed between hot water supply device 10 and mobile terminal device 30 paired will be described.

FIG. 4A is a diagram showing the configuration of pairing information between hot water supply device 10 and mobile terminal device 30 managed by mobile terminal device 30 .

As shown in FIG. 4A, the mobile terminal device 30 manages the ID information of the hot water supply device 10 with which the pairing has been performed (here, the ID information of the kitchen remote control 13). A name set by the operator is associated with each hot water supply device 10 . The setting of the name is performed, for example, by displaying a screen for setting the name after the pairing request operation is performed on the reception screen. The operator can give each hot water supply device 10 a name that is easy for him/herself to understand. Registration of the pairing information in the mobile terminal device 30 is performed after receiving a pairing response from the kitchen remote controller 13 . Pairing information is held in the storage unit 304 of the mobile terminal device 30 .

4B and 4C are diagrams showing screens displayed on the mobile terminal device 30 when performing remote control using the mobile terminal device 30. FIG.

After the operator starts the application program for the hot water supply system 1 on his/her mobile terminal device 30, when the operator performs a predetermined operation, the selection screen 510 of FIG. 4(b) is displayed. This selection screen 510 includes a message 511 , a selection key group 512 and a confirmation button 513 . The message 511 is text prompting selection of a remote control target.

The selection key group 512 includes selection keys 512a indicating selection candidates arranged vertically. The selection candidates are defined by the names of the pair link information shown in FIG. 4(a). Each selection key 512a is given the name of the pair link information shown in FIG. 4(a). The selection key 512a can be scrolled by putting a finger on the position of the selection key group 512 and sliding it up and down. The operator touches the selection key 512a with the name attached to the hot water supply apparatus 10 to be remotely controlled to select the target of remote control. The selected select key 512a is highlighted. If the operator selects the wrong item, the operator touches the selection key 512a again. This cancels the selection.

After selecting the object in this manner, the operator touches the confirmation button 513 . As a result, a selection screen 520 shown in FIG. 4(c) is displayed. The operator uses this selection screen 520 to perform an operation for selecting the type of remote control.

Selection screen 520 includes message 521 , selection buttons 522 and 523 , confirm button 524 , and return button 525 . The message 521 is text prompting selection of the type of remote control. Selection buttons 522 and 523 are operation units for selecting remote operation and remote monitoring as types of remote control, respectively. The confirm button 524 is an operation unit for confirming the selection process. The confirmation button 524 becomes operable when either one of the selection buttons 522 and 523 is selected. A return button 525 is an operation unit for returning the screen to the selection screen 510 .

The operator selects the type of remote control by touching the selection button corresponding to the type of remote control that the operator intends to perform, out of the selection buttons 522 and 523 . The selected selection button is highlighted. If the operator selects the wrong item, the operator touches the selection button again. This cancels the selection. When returning the screen, the operator touches the return button 525 .

After one of the selection buttons 522 and 523 is selected, when the operator touches the confirmation button 524 , a screen for remote control corresponding to the selection of the selection buttons 522 and 523 is displayed on the display unit 301 of the mobile terminal device 30 . to be displayed. That is, when the selection button 522 is selected, the remote operation screen 700 for remote operation is displayed, and when the selection button 523 is selected, the remote monitoring screen 600 for remote monitoring is displayed.

5A is a diagram showing a remote monitoring screen 600, and FIG. 5B is a diagram showing a remote operation screen 700. FIG.

Remote monitoring screen 600 is a screen that allows monitoring of various setting states of hot water supply apparatus 10 and whether or not the user is taking a bath. Referring to FIG. 5( a ), remote monitoring screen 600 is divided into three areas 610 , 620 and 630 . Area 610 includes name display portion 611 , hot water supply temperature display portion 612 , bath temperature display portion 613 , bath water amount display portion 614 , bathtub image 615 , and bathing time display portion 616 .

Name display portion 611 displays the name of water heater 10 to which remote monitoring is applied. Hot water supply temperature display unit 612, bath temperature display unit 613, and bath water amount display unit 614 display the current hot water supply temperature, bath temperature, and bath water amount based on the status information received by mobile terminal device 30 from server 50 at any time. is shown.

When the confirmation button 524 is touched after the selection button 523 for selecting the remote monitoring screen 600 is selected, a viewing request is transmitted from the mobile terminal device 30 to the server 50 . This viewing request includes the ID information of the mobile terminal device 30 and the ID information of the hot water supply device 10 selected by the operator to be remotely controlled. When the remote control request is sent, the server 50 starts sending status information such as hot water supply temperature, bath temperature, and bath hot water amount to the portable terminal device 30 that is the transmission source. Accordingly, it is possible to display information regarding the setting state on the remote monitoring screen 600 .

In the bathtub image 615, the current setting state of the amount of bath hot water is displayed as an image of water stored in the bathtub. If the status information includes that a person is taking a bath in the bathtub, the bathtub image 615 is added with an image M1 indicating that a person is taking a bath. Further, the bathing time display portion 616 displays the current bathing time for the bathtub based on the state information.

An area 620 displays buttons 621 to 624 for performing predetermined settings when the screen is the remote control screen 700 . Buttons 621 to 624 are buttons for setting the reheating function, setting the automatic bath function, setting the bath cleaning function, and setting the bath timer function, respectively. Since the screen is the remote monitoring screen 600 here, these buttons are disabled. An area 630 displays four buttons for switching functions to be remotely monitored.

By referring to remote monitoring screen 600 , the operator can confirm the status of hot water supply apparatus 10 displayed in name display portion 611 . In the example of FIG. 5( a ), the operator can confirm various conditions of the bath in hot water supply apparatus 10 displayed in name display portion 611 . Accordingly, even if the operator is away from the location of water heater 10 displayed in name display portion 611 , the operator can accurately grasp the status of water heater 10 .

Remote operation screen 700 is a screen for remotely operating hot water supply apparatus 10 from portable terminal device 30 . The remote control screen 700 will be described with reference to FIG. 5(b). The layout of the remote control screen 700 is the same as the remote monitoring screen 600 shown in FIG. 5(a). The remote control screen 700 is divided into three areas 710 , 720 and 730 like the remote monitoring screen 600 .

Area 710 includes name display portion 711 , hot water supply temperature setting portion 712 , bath temperature setting portion 713 , bath hot water amount setting portion 714 , and bathtub image 715 . As with name display portion 611 , name display portion 711 displays the name assigned to hot water supply apparatus 10 .

Hot water supply temperature setting section 712, bath temperature setting section 713, and bath hot water amount setting section 714 indicate the current setting states of hot water supply temperature, bath temperature, and bath hot water amount, respectively. Furthermore, the operator can change the hot water supply temperature, the bath temperature, and the amount of bath hot water by operating hot water supply temperature setting section 712, bath temperature setting section 713, and bath hot water amount setting section 714. FIG. The bathtub image 715 displays the current setting of the amount of hot water in the bath as an image of the water stored in the bathtub.

Each button 721-724 contained in area 720 is operably enabled. Buttons 721 to 724 correspond to buttons 621 to 624 in FIG. 5(a). By operating these buttons 721 - 724 , the operator can make settings corresponding to each button 721 - 724 for hot water supply apparatus 10 displayed in name display portion 711 . On the remote control screen 700 , information corresponding to setting operations by the operator is transmitted to the server 50 as needed, and further transmitted from the server 50 to the kitchen remote control 13 . As a result, the predetermined setting is performed on the hot water supply device 10 to be remotely controlled.

Next, remote monitoring performed in the hot water supply system 1 of the present embodiment will be described in detail.

With regard to remote monitoring, the hot water supply system 1 of the present embodiment includes a first monitoring function of sending state information indicating the state of the hot water supply device 10 to the mobile terminal device 30 based on a viewing request from the mobile terminal device 30; and a second monitoring function in which notification information indicating the occurrence of the event is sent to the mobile terminal device 30 based on the detection of the monitored event by the mobile terminal device 10 . In the first monitoring function, the remote monitoring screen 600 shown in FIG. 5A is displayed on the display unit 301 of the mobile terminal device 30 based on the state information. In the second monitoring function, a notification screen, which will be described later, is displayed on the display unit 301 of the mobile terminal device 30 based on the notification information.

Here, the state information includes information indicating the setting state of water heater 10, information indicating the presence or absence of a person in the bathtub, and the like. In addition, events to be monitored include at least one of an operation for starting and ending operation of the automatic bath function, at least one of an operation for starting and ending operation of the reheating function, and a person bathing in the bathtub. and at least one of leaving the bathroom, at least one of entering and leaving the bathroom, and the like.

Furthermore, in the hot water supply system 1 of the present embodiment, the operator (user) of the mobile terminal device 30 can select the contents of the remote monitoring performed in the hot water supply system 1 . Specifically, the operator can select whether both the first monitoring function and the second monitoring function are executed or only the first monitoring function is executed. Further, when the second monitoring function is performed, it is possible to select a monitoring target event for which notification information is sent to the portable terminal device 30 from among a plurality of monitoring target events.

In this embodiment, the selection of the monitoring target event for which the notification information is sent to the mobile terminal device 30 is selected from two predetermined patterns. A pattern in which the number of monitored events to be sent is relatively small and a pattern in which the number of monitored events to which notification information is sent to the mobile terminal device 30 is relatively large.

When both the first monitoring function and the second monitoring function are executed, the level of remote monitoring is considered to be higher than when only the first monitoring function is executed. When both are executed, the level of remote monitoring is considered to be higher when the second monitoring function includes more monitoring target events for which notification information is sent to the mobile terminal device 30 . Therefore, in the present embodiment, the content of remote monitoring is selected by selecting and setting the monitoring level.

Selection and setting of the monitoring level are performed on a setting screen displayed on the display unit 301 of the mobile terminal device 30 . Setting processing using the setting screen is executed by the control unit 303 of the mobile terminal device 30 . The storage unit 304 stores a program for causing the control unit 303 to execute setting processing.

It should be noted that the setting process is preferably started automatically when the pairing is completed. In this way, the operator can perform the setting process without forgetting. Moreover, even when the configuration is such that the setting process is included in the pairing process, the operator can perform the setting process without forgetting.

FIG. 6A is a flowchart showing setting processing.

Referring to FIG. 6(a), control unit 303 causes display unit 301 to display a setting screen and accepts selection and setting of a monitoring level (S31). The operator makes an input for selecting a monitoring level on the setting screen.

FIG. 6B is a diagram showing the configuration of the setting screen 800. As shown in FIG.

The settings screen 800 includes a message 810 , three selection buttons 820 , a low button 821 , a middle button 822 and a high button 823 , and a confirm button 830 . The message 810 is a text prompting selection of a monitoring level. A selection button 820 is an operation unit for selecting a monitoring level. The confirmation button 830 is an operation unit for confirming the selection of the monitoring level.

Among the selection buttons 820, a low button 821 is a button for selecting execution of only the low-level first monitoring function. Further, the middle button 822 is a button for selecting the execution of the first monitoring function of middle level and the second monitoring function with relatively few monitoring target events for which notification information is sent to the mobile terminal device 30 . . Further, the high button 823 is a button for selecting execution of a high-level first monitoring function and a second monitoring function in which notification information is sent to the mobile terminal device 30 and has a relatively large number of monitored events. . Here, in the case of the middle level, events to be monitored for which notification information is sent to the mobile terminal device 30 include the start operation and end operation of the operation of the automatic bath function. In the case of a high level, events to be monitored for which notification information is sent to the mobile terminal device 30 include the start operation and end operation of the operation of the automatic bath function, and the bathing and leaving of the bathtub. In the case of the middle level, the second monitoring function may include the operation for starting and ending operation of the reheating function instead of or in addition to the operation for starting and ending operation of the automatic bath function. good. In addition, in the case of the middle level, the second monitoring function may include an operation for starting and ending operation of the reheating function instead of or in addition to the operation for starting and ending operation of the automatic bath function. Alright, instead of or in addition to a person's bathing and leaving the bathtub, a person's entering and leaving the bathroom may be included.

The operator touches the low button 821 , middle button 822 or high button 823 . As a result, for example, the touched selection button 820 is highlighted in a predetermined color. If the operator makes a mistake in selection, the operator touches the selection button 820 again. This cancels the selection. After selecting the monitoring level in this manner, the operator touches the confirmation button 830 . This confirms the selection of the monitoring level.

Returning to FIG. 6A, when the operator operates the confirm button 830 to perform a confirm operation (S32: YES), the control unit 303 sends the selected monitoring level to the server 50 as information of the selection result. Send (S33).

In the server 50 , the control unit 501 executes registration processing for registering the monitoring level (selection result) transmitted from the mobile terminal device 30 . The storage unit 502 stores a program for causing the control unit 501 to execute registration processing.

FIG. 7A is a flowchart showing registration processing.

Referring to FIG. 7A, control unit 501 of server 50 monitors whether or not a monitoring level has been received from portable terminal device 30 (S41). When the monitoring level is received (S41: YES), the control unit 501 registers the received monitoring level in the storage unit 502 (S42).

FIG. 7B is a diagram showing the configuration of a registration table 502a in which monitoring levels are registered.

As shown in FIG. 7B, in the registration table 502a of the storage unit 502, the monitoring level (selection result) selected and set in the mobile terminal device 30 is associated with the ID information of the mobile terminal device 30. is registered.

When the setting process of FIG. 6(a) and the registration process of FIG. 7(a) are completed, each of hot water supply device 10, server 50 and mobile terminal device 30 starts executing the remote monitoring process. 8, 9 and 10 described below are repeatedly executed while the hot water supply system 1 is in operation.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing remote monitoring processing executed by control unit 133 of kitchen remote control 13 of hot water supply apparatus 10 . Storage unit 134 of kitchen remote controller 13 stores a program for causing control unit 133 to execute remote monitoring processing.

Referring to FIG. 8, control unit 133 monitors whether or not the timing for transmitting status information has arrived (S51). The transmission timing of the transmission information arrives periodically. Further, the control unit 133 monitors whether or not an event to be monitored is detected (S52).

When the transmission timing arrives (S51: YES), control unit 133 transmits state information such as the setting state of water heater 10 to server 50 (S53). In this manner, status information is periodically sent from hot water supply apparatus 10 to server 50 .

When an event to be monitored is detected (S52: YES), the control unit 133 transmits notification information indicating that the event has occurred to the server 50 (S54). For example, when the automatic bath button 122b, 132b is detected to start the operation of the automatic bath function, notification information indicating that the start operation has been performed is sent to the server 50, and it is detected that a person has taken a bath in the bathtub. Then, notification information indicating that the person has taken a bath is sent to the server 50 . The transmission of this notification information is performed without being based on the monitoring level accepted by the mobile terminal device 30 . In other words, notification information is transmitted every time an event is detected for all events that have been determined in advance as events to be monitored in the hot water supply system 1 . Note that the notification information includes the time when the monitored event was detected.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing remote monitoring processing executed by the control unit 501 of the server 50. As shown in FIG. A storage unit 502 of the server 50 stores a program for causing the control unit 501 to execute remote monitoring processing.

Referring to FIG. 9, control unit 501 monitors whether or not status information has been received from hot water supply apparatus 10 (S61). Also, the control unit 501 monitors whether or not a viewing request from the mobile terminal device 30 has been received (S62).

When the state information is received (S61: YES), the control unit 501 updates and registers the received state information in the storage unit 502 (S63). The status information of hot water supply apparatus 10 as the transmission source stored in storage unit 502 is rewritten with the received status information.

Upon receiving the viewing request (S62: YES), control unit 501 reads from storage unit 502 the status information of hot water supply apparatus 10 paired with mobile terminal device 30 for which the viewing request has been made, and transmits the status information to mobile terminal device 30. (S64). Thus, the control unit 501 executes the first monitoring function.

Control unit 501 monitors whether notification information has been received from hot water supply apparatus 10 (S65). When the notification information is received (S65: YES), control unit 501 refers to the monitoring level stored in registration table 502a for all portable terminal devices 30 paired with hot water supply device 10 of the transmission source, and sets the monitoring level. Accordingly, the notification information is transmitted to those portable terminal devices 30 (S66). That is, the notification information is not transmitted to the mobile terminal device 30 whose monitoring level is set to a low level. On the other hand, to the mobile terminal devices 30 whose monitoring levels are set to medium level and high level, the notification information is transmitted when the received notification information is the transmission target of those levels. In the present embodiment, for example, the notification information indicating the operation start operation of the automatic bath function is transmitted to the mobile terminal devices 30 set to medium level and high level, and the notification information indicating the person bathing in the bathtub is sent to the high level. It is transmitted only to the mobile terminal device 30 set to the level. In this way, the control unit 501 does not execute the second monitoring function for the mobile terminal device 30 for which the monitoring level is set to the low level, and the mobile terminal device 30 for which the monitoring level is set to the middle level and the high level. A second monitoring function is performed for the device 30 according to the monitoring level.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing remote monitoring processing executed by the control unit 303 of the mobile terminal device 30. As shown in FIG. A program for causing the control unit 303 to execute remote monitoring processing is stored in the storage unit 304 of the mobile terminal device 30 .

Referring to FIG. 10, control unit 303 monitors whether or not a viewing operation, that is, an operation of confirm button 524 following operation of select button 523 on selection screen 520 of FIG. 4(c) has been performed. (S71). Also, the control unit 303 monitors whether or not notification information has been received from the server 50 (S72).

When a viewing operation is performed (S71: YES), the control unit 303 transmits a viewing request together with the ID information of the mobile terminal device 30 to the server 50 (S73). Then, the control unit 303 waits for reception of status information from the server 50 (S74). When the state information is received (S74: YES), the control unit 303 causes the display unit 301 to display the remote monitoring screen 600 shown in FIG. 5A based on the received state information (S75).

On the other hand, when notification information is received (S72: YES), the control unit 303 causes the display unit 301 to display a notification screen based on the received notification information (S76).

11A and 11B are diagrams showing an example of the notification screen 900. FIG.

The notification screen 900 includes information 910 indicating an event to be monitored and the time when the event occurred, and a confirmation button 920 . For example, when notification information indicating an operation to start operation of the automatic bath function is received, a notification screen 900 shown in FIG. When the information is received, a pop-up notification screen 900 shown in FIG. Notification screen 900 is closed when confirm button 920 is operated.

<Effects of Embodiment>
According to this embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

The operator of the mobile terminal device 30 can select the content of remote monitoring performed in the hot water supply system 1 . Specifically, by operating the selection button 820, the operator selects whether to execute both the first monitoring function and the second monitoring function or only the first monitoring function, and selects whether to execute a plurality of monitoring targets. , and the event to be monitored for which notification information is sent to the mobile terminal device 30 from among the events can be selected. As a result, the operator can select contents of remote monitoring suitable for him/herself and cause the hot water supply system 1 to perform the remote monitoring.

Further, as shown in FIG. 6B, the setting screen 800 includes a low button 821 for selecting execution of only the first monitoring function whose monitoring level is low, and a second monitoring function whose monitoring level is medium level. A middle button 822 for selecting the execution of a first monitoring function and a second monitoring function in which notification information is sent to the mobile terminal device 30 with relatively few events to be monitored, and a first monitoring with a high monitoring level. A high button 823 is provided for selecting execution of the function and a second monitoring function in which there are relatively more monitored events for which notification information is sent to the mobile terminal device 30 . As a result, the operator can easily cause hot water supply system 1 to perform remote monitoring at a monitoring level desired by the operator by performing selection operations using low button 821 , middle button 822 and high button 823 .

Furthermore, water heater 10 transmits notification information to server 50 for all events to be monitored when these events occur, regardless of the selection result in portable terminal device 30, and server 50: The transmitted notification information is transmitted to the mobile terminal device 30 according to the selection result. As a result, when there are a plurality of mobile terminal devices 30 that remotely monitor the same hot water supply apparatus 10, different selections can be made among the mobile terminal devices 30. FIG.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and the application examples of the present invention can be variously modified in addition to the above embodiments. .

For example, in the above-described embodiment, by operating the middle button 822 or the high button 823, an event to be monitored in which notification information is sent to the mobile terminal device 30 is selected from two predetermined patterns. . However, the operator of the mobile terminal device 30 may be allowed to individually select events to be monitored for which notification information is to be sent to the mobile terminal device 30 from among a plurality of events to be monitored. For example, configuration example 1 shown in FIGS. 12A to 12C and configuration example 2 shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B can be cited.

In configuration example 1, as shown in FIG. 12A, a setting screen 800 includes a detailed setting button 840 . When the detail setting button 840 is operated, as shown in FIG. 12B, a selection screen 850 is displayed on the display unit 301 for selecting an event to be monitored for which notification information is sent to the mobile terminal device 30. . Selection screen 850 includes multiple selection candidates 860 , check boxes 870 adjacent to each selection candidate 860 , confirm button 880 , and return button 890 . The selection candidates 860 on the selection screen 850 include operations of the operation buttons 122a and 132a, which are not described above, as events to be monitored.

When the operator touches the check box 870 corresponding to the desired selection candidate 860, the check box 870 is checked and the selection candidate 860 is selected. The operator operates the confirmation button 880 when all the selections are completed. When returning to the setting screen 800 without making a selection, the operator operates the return button 890 .

When the confirm button 880 is operated, a preference button 824 is added as one of the selection buttons 820 to the setting screen 800 as shown in FIG. 12(c). The favorite button 824 is a button for setting the selection candidate 860 selected on the selection screen 850 as an event to be monitored whose notification information is sent to the mobile terminal device 30 . When the confirmation button 830 is operated after the preference button 824 is operated, information indicating that the monitoring level is the preference setting and including the selected event to be monitored is transmitted to the server 50. be done.

In this configuration example 1, a preference button 824 for setting the operator's preference is added to the setting screen 800. Therefore, even if the operator once switches to another monitoring level using another selection button 820, Easy to return to your preferred settings.

In configuration example 2, as shown in FIG. 13A, execution of both the first monitoring function and the second monitoring function is selected on the setting screen 800 instead of the middle button 822 and the high button 823 of the above embodiment. A high button 825 is provided for turning on. When the high button 825 is operated, the same selection screen 850 as in configuration example 1 is displayed on the display unit 301 as shown in FIG. 13(b).

When the operator touches a check box 870 corresponding to a desired selection candidate 860, the check box 870 is checked and the selection candidate 860 is selected. The operator operates the confirmation button 880 when all the selections are completed.

When the confirm button 880 is operated, the screen returns to the setting screen 800 . At this time, the selection candidate 860 selected on the selection screen 850 is set as a monitored event whose notification information is sent to the mobile terminal device 30 . Thereafter, when the confirmation button 830 is operated on the setting screen 800 , information indicating that the monitoring level is high and including the selected monitoring target event is transmitted to the server 50 .

Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the setting screen 800 selects whether to execute both the first monitoring function and the second monitoring function or only the first monitoring function, and Two selections can be made: selection of an event to be monitored for which notification information from is sent to the mobile terminal device 30 . However, the setting screen 800 may be configured so that one of the above two selections can be selected.

Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, not both the start operation and end operation of the operation of the automatic bath function, but any one of them may be the monitored event for which the notification information is sent to the mobile terminal device 30. good. Similarly, any one of a person's bathing and leaving the bathtub, any one of the operation of starting and ending the operation of the reheating function, and any one of the person's entering and leaving the bathroom. One may be a monitored event for which notification information is sent to the mobile terminal device 30 .

Events to be monitored may be events other than those described above. For example, the event to be monitored may be the start of hot water supply from a faucet provided in the bathroom.

Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the operation of selecting the content of remote monitoring using the setting screen 800 is performed on the mobile terminal device 30 . However, in addition to or instead of the portable terminal device 30 , the kitchen remote controller 13 may be configured to perform a remote monitoring content selection operation using the setting screen 800 . In this case, the input unit 132 includes a touch panel laminated on the display unit 131 . 6A is executed by the control unit 133 of the kitchen remote controller 13, and the setting screen 800 is displayed on the display unit 131 of the kitchen remote controller 13. FIG.

Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, control unit 501 of server 50 transmits the received notification information to mobile terminal device 30 each time notification information is received from hot water supply apparatus 10 . However, the control unit 501 may temporarily store the received notification information in the storage unit 502 and collectively transmit the received notification information to the mobile terminal device 30 at regular time intervals (fixed period of time) or at predetermined times. .

Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, status information is periodically transmitted from hot water supply apparatus 10 to server 50 . However, the state information may be transmitted from water heater 10 to server 50 based on a transmission request to water heater 10 from server 50 that receives a viewing request from portable terminal device 30 .

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, if the operator does not select and set the monitoring level using the setting screen 800 of FIG. 6B and the setting process of FIG. The monitoring level may be set to a low level, that is, set so that only the first monitoring function is executed. As a default setting, the monitoring level may be set to a middle level or a high level.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the setting process of FIG. 6A is performed at the end of the pairing process or during the pairing process. may be configured such that the setting process is performed at another timing (for example, triggered by a predetermined operation by the user). In this case, a predetermined default setting state can be maintained until the above setting process is performed.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the mobile terminal device 30 constitutes a part of the hot water supply system 1 as a communication terminal device. However, a non-portable communication terminal device such as a stationary personal computer may constitute a part of the hot water supply system 1 .

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the hot water supply system 1 is capable of both remote control and remote monitoring of the hot water supply device 10 . However, hot water supply system 1 may be one in which only remote monitoring is performed.

In addition, the embodiments of the present invention can be appropriately modified in various ways within the scope of the claims.

1 hot water supply system 10 hot water supply device 30 portable terminal device (communication terminal device)
302 input unit 50 server (management device)
501 control unit 502 storage unit 821 low button (first button)
822 middle button (second button)
823 high button (third button)

Claims (5)

In a hot water supply system in which a hot water supply device is remotely monitored by a communication terminal device,
a first monitoring function in which state information indicating a state related to the hot water supply apparatus is sent to the communication terminal apparatus based on a request from the communication terminal apparatus; a control unit capable of executing a second monitoring function in which notification information indicating the occurrence of an event is sent to the communication terminal device;
an input unit for receiving an input for selecting whether both the first monitoring function and the second monitoring function are to be executed or only the first monitoring function is to be executed;
A hot water supply system comprising: In the hot water supply system according to claim 1,
The input unit
a first button for causing the control unit to execute only the first monitoring function;
a second button for causing the control unit to execute the first monitoring function and the second monitoring function in which the event to be monitored in which the notification information is sent to the communication terminal device is relatively small;
a third button for causing the control unit to execute the first monitoring function and the second monitoring function in which there are relatively many monitored events in which the notification information is sent to the communication terminal device;
A hot water supply system characterized by: The hot water supply system according to claim 1 or 2,
a management device that is communicable with the water heater and the communication terminal device and that transmits the state information and the notification information received from the water heater to the communication terminal device;
The input unit is provided in the communication terminal device, and when both the first monitoring function and the second monitoring function are executed, the notification information from among a plurality of events to be monitored is transmitted to the communication terminal device. accepting a selection of monitored events to be sent to the device;
wherein the water heater transmits the notification information about the plurality of monitored events to the management device without based on a selection result of the monitored events accepted by the communication terminal device;
The management device includes a storage unit and the control unit,
The storage unit stores the selection result in association with the communication terminal device,
When the control unit receives the notification information from the hot water supply device, the control unit transmits the notification information to the communication terminal device according to the selection result.
A hot water supply system characterized by: In the hot water supply system according to claim 1,
The input unit is a monitored event in which the notification information from among a plurality of monitored events is sent to the communication terminal device when both the first monitoring function and the second monitoring function are executed. accepts input to select a
A hot water supply system characterized by: In the computer of the communication terminal equipment,
a first monitoring function in which state information indicating a state related to the hot water supply apparatus is sent to the communication terminal apparatus based on a request from the communication terminal apparatus; a function of receiving an input for selecting whether to execute both of the second monitoring function in which notification information indicating the occurrence of is sent to the communication terminal device, or whether only the first monitoring function is to be executed;
a function of transmitting the received selection result to a management device capable of communicating with the hot water supply device and the communication terminal device and capable of executing the first monitoring function and the second monitoring function;
A program characterized by

Images