JPH0568288A - Remote control type automatic hot water supply system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To use plural remote controllers also for transmission means of voice information without increasing number of wires. CONSTITUTION:Each controller 5 is provided with a microphone 57 and a speaker 58. When a talk switch 56 is operated, voice information obtained from the microphone 57 is properly modulated and the resulting information is superimposed on a signal on a power supply and data transmission line 4 from a transmission circuit 53. The power supply and data transmission line 4 is wired to send substantially the power supply and data. Furthermore, the modulated voice information obtained through the power supply and data transmission line 4 is demodulated by a reception circuit 54 and reproduced from the speaker 58.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a remote-controlled automatic hot water supply system, and more particularly to a plurality of remote controllers that are originally provided for transmitting various digital data relating to the hot water supply to a controller of the main body of the water heater. Is also used as a means for transmitting an audio signal (mainly voice information).

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Up to now, for hot water supply and combustion control sent from individual remote controllers (hereinafter simply referred to as remote controllers) installed in bathrooms, kitchens, living rooms, etc. via data transmission lines. In accordance with various command data, hot water supply and combustion control are performed in the main body of the water heater to control hot water temperature and hot water level for hot water taps and bathtubs, as well as cool hot water in the bathtub. Various remote-operated automatic hot water supply systems have been provided, which have a reheating function to be reheated as a normal function. In order to perform such functions, a microcomputer (hereinafter simply referred to as a microcomputer) is used for various controls related to hot water supply and combustion.
It is already common sense to use
The flexibility of programming and the speedup of the microcomputer itself,
Larger capacity, and above all, lower cost,
In order to provide the user with more comfort and satisfaction, various value-added functions using the microcomputer have begun to be pursued. For example, at intervals of 20 minutes or 30 minutes, the circulating water pump is regularly rotated to monitor the temperature of the hot water in the bath, and when it is lower than the set temperature by a predetermined temperature difference or more, it is automatically restarted. As it is recognized in the invention disclosed separately by the applicant, the bathing pattern for each individual is learned and memorized, and the set temperature and the set water level are set for each bathing. There is also one that makes it unnecessary for the bather to perform the setting operation each time.

On the other hand, regarding the data transmission line between the main body control device housed in the main body of the water heater and each remote controller, and between the remote controllers, for example, the applicant of the present invention has disclosed the Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 62-62-62. No. 288416, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 62-
A structure in which a power supply line also serves as this has been proposed, starting with Japanese Patent No. 288417. That is, in this type of remote-controlled automatic hot water supply system, the power plug inserted into the outlet of the commercial AC power source is provided only in the main body of the water heater, and each remote controller is powered by the power circuit provided in the control device of the main body. Power must be supplied, but if a power supply line is provided separately from the data transmission line, the number of wires will increase, and wiring work will be troublesome and miswiring may occur, so at least two wires are required. The number of wirings can be reduced by appropriately modulating and superimposing data on a power supply line that is good.

[0004]

However, as described above, the recent tendency is that the microcomputer may be used. Therefore, this type of remote-controlled automatic hot water supply system is essentially In addition to such hot water supply control, it is increasingly required to provide various added values, one of which is at least a specific remote controller, for example, a remote controller provided in a bathroom to another remote controller. For example, there has been a request for a remote controller provided in a kitchen or a living room to transmit voice information. Certainly, having such a function is useful for letting the family know when the bather suddenly feels sick in the bathtub or when asking for something. Further, if a so-called intercom can be used between a plurality of remote controllers, a separate intercom itself is not required, which is extremely beneficial in terms of space and economy. However, by modifying each remote controller itself to also function as an intercom by sharing only the housing, as mentioned above, the number of wires between remote controllers and the main body of the water heater increases. It is not desirable. The present invention has been made to meet such a requirement, and in the remote-controlled automatic hot water supply system, since at least the voice transmission function is provided, the number of wires is not increased, and the voice information can be reliably transmitted. It is intended to provide a rational method or means capable of transmitting.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention comprises two or more units which can be connected to a main body control unit via a data transmission line and can issue digital data for commands relating to hot water supply and combustion control. In a remote operation type hot water supply system having a remote controller and capable of transmitting / receiving digital data between the two or more remote controllers through the data transmission line, at least one of the two or more remote controllers is provided. One remote controller is provided with a microphone and an audio signal transmitting circuit, and at least one other remote controller is provided with an audio signal receiving circuit and a speaker. Then, the audio signal transmitting circuit includes at least an amplifier circuit for amplifying an audio signal obtained from a microphone, and the output of the amplifier circuit is modulated, and the modulated signal wave is transmitted through the data transmission line for digital data transmission. The audio signal receiving circuit includes at least a demodulating circuit for demodulating the modulated signal wave sent on the data transmission line and an output of the demodulating circuit. An amplifier circuit for amplifying and driving the speaker. In addition to such a basic aspect, in the present invention, the audio signal receiving circuit and the speaker are also provided in the remote controller having the microphone and the audio signal transmitting circuit. By providing a microphone and an audio signal transmitting circuit to another remote controller having a receiving circuit, an automatic hot water supply system having a mutual transmission / reception function, that is, an interphone function is provided between the remote controllers.
This, of course, can be developed into a configuration in which the microphone, audio signal transmitting circuit, speaker, and audio signal receiving circuit described above are provided for all remote controls. Further, in the present invention, the audio signal modulation circuit uses a modulation circuit that modulates the digital data, which is originally used for various controls as an automatic hot water supply system, in order to superimpose the digital data on the data transmission line. The demodulation circuit also proposes a system in which the demodulation circuit for demodulating the modulated digital data sent through the data transmission line is used almost as it is. In this case, only when the audio signal is transmitted, the input selector switch circuit for switching and connecting the input of the modulation circuit to the output of the amplification circuit of the microphone output, and the output of the demodulation circuit for switching and connection to the input of the amplification circuit for driving the speaker. By providing an output changeover switch circuit, digital data and audio signals can be completely separated. Further, particularly in such a case, the remote control is provided with the transmission start instruction means that can be selectively operated by the user, and when the transmission start instruction means is operated, the above-mentioned input changeover switch circuit and output are provided. It is preferable that a command signal for switching connection be given to each of the changeover switch circuits. When the above intercom function is provided between three or more remote controllers, the remote controller can be selectively operated by the user and the other remote controllers should be the destinations of the audio signals. A destination designating means for designating the remote control can be provided. In this case, when the above-mentioned transmission start instruction means is operated, the remote controller designated by the destination designation means is specified as digital data before the switching connection command signal is output. The destination designation data is supplied to the modulation circuit, while the destination designation data demodulated at the output of the demodulation circuit is the data specifying the self only for the remote controller. A switching connection command signal is given, or an amplifier circuit connected to the demodulation circuit is operated, or a signal path from the demodulation circuit to the speaker via the audio amplification circuit is closed. The data transmission line is provided in the main body controller of the automatic hot water supply system which is the subject of the present invention, and also serves as a power supply line for supplying power to each remote controller from the power supply circuit connected to the commercial AC power supply. It may be a wire-type line, and in this case, when the present invention is applied according to any of the above-mentioned aspects, the data transmission line is an original transmission line for various control digital data, The power supply line and the transmission line of the voice information or audio signal added by the present invention serve a dual role.

[0006]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a remote-controlled automatic hot water supply system to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied. This type of system generally has a water heater main body portion installed outdoors or the like, and the water heater main body portion also includes a main body control device 1 mainly using many electronic circuits, an electromechanical element, and a mechanical structure. It is composed of a hot water supply and combustion mechanism section 2. Although not shown in the drawings, the main constituent elements in the hot water supply / combustion mechanism section 2 generally include a heat exchanger and a burner for heating the water supplied from the tap water. (Eg gas) is supplied. The amount of gas supplied to the burner is controlled by a gas amount control valve (so-called proportional valve), and the amount of air is controlled by an air amount control valve or a fan motor. Separate from the gas proportional valve,
In order to reliably control the opening and closing of the fuel supply passage, a gas solenoid valve or the like that selectively takes either one of two positions, that is, open and shut, may be provided.

Although not shown in the figure, various sensors are also provided. For example, the amount of water supplied to the heat exchanger selectively heated by the burner is controlled by a water amount valve, but the amount of water passing through the heat exchanger is controlled. Sometimes the actual water volume is detected by the water volume sensor and the water temperature is detected by the water temperature sensor.
The temperature of the hot water output from the heat exchanger is detected by the hot water temperature sensor. In addition to that, a pressure sensor or the like is used to detect the water level in the bathtub, or to detect whether or not the burner has ignited as specified, or whether or not the burner is currently burning. The frame rod (flame detection sensor) of the, the high limit switch for detecting whether the hot water temperature from the heat exchanger has risen abnormally, etc. are also provided, and in order to further enhance the controllability, the fan is actually used. A sensor or the like for detecting the air flow rate output by the motor or the actual rotation speed is also incorporated. The detection signals of such various sensors are generally taken into the main body control device 1, which is fixedly installed in the same housing as the hot water supply and combustion mechanism unit 2, particularly the microcomputer 11 incorporated therein.

However, the power plug connected to the commercial AC power supply 3 is generally provided only in the main body control device 1.
In other words, the power supply circuit 12 connected to the commercial AC power supply 3
Supplies the commercial alternating current to each circuit section in the main body control device 1 by appropriately stepping down and rectifying the commercial alternating current, and all of the plurality of remote controllers 5, ... Through the power supply line 4 for supplying the power supply. Power is also supplied to the power supply circuit 52, and each power supply circuit 52 in each remote controller 5 distributes and supplies power to each circuit unit in its own unit. In the illustrated system, the power supply line 4 is also used for transmission of digital data between the main body control device 1 and each remote controller 5, and the power supply / data transmission line 4 is It is a two-core wiring path.

That is, the transmitter circuits 13 and 53 and the receiver circuits 14 and 54 are provided both in the main body control device 1 and in each remote controller 5.
These transmitting circuits 13 and 53 are convenient for superimposing (controlling) the digital data a for various controls created by the microcomputers 11 and 51 built in the units 1 and 5 on the power supply / data transmission line 4. Of the power supply and data transmission line 4
The digital data superposed on the power supply through the signal is demodulated into reception data e of a form suitable for input to the respective microcomputers 11, 51. Generally, each receiving circuit 14, 54
It is also possible to monitor the transmission data a transmitted by its own units 1 and 5. In the following, when simply referred to as data, it refers to digital data for various controls that has been conventionally used in this type of automatic hot water supply system. Further, the respective remote controllers 5 have exactly the same configuration, or even if they are different, they are the differences in the parts that are not directly related to the present invention, so only one of them is shown in the drawing. The configuration example of the internal circuit is shown, and the others are simply enclosed in a frame.

Each remote controller 5 is also provided with various operation knobs and switches 55 that can be operated by the user. Examples of this kind of operation member include an operation switch for putting the main body control device 1 in the ON mode, a temperature setting switch for setting the hot water temperature, a water filling switch for automatically filling the bath tub with water, and a water filling. Hot water amount setting switch for setting the amount or the water level in the bathtub, hot water filling temperature setting switch for setting the filling temperature, giving priority to a specific remote controller, and other information such as the set temperature set by this remote controller There is a priority setting switch etc. that prevents it from being changed by the remote controller. Of course, these are not limiting to the invention.

In such a configuration, the original transmission of digital data as an automatic hot water supply system is performed as follows, for example. When the user operates the operation switch included in the operation switches 55 attached to the remote controller 5 to put the system into the ON mode, the microcomputer 51 incorporated in the remote controller turns the system ON. Data to be added to the mode is created, appropriately modulated through the transmission circuit 53, and this modulated data is superimposed on the power / data transmission line (hereinafter, simply referred to as the data transmission line unless otherwise emphasized) 4. .. This on-mode command data is demodulated via the receiving circuit 14 built in the main body control device 1, then decoded by the microcomputer 11, and under the command of the microcomputer 11, the hot water supply / combustion mechanism unit 2 can perform a combustion operation. It becomes a state. In addition, the microcomputer 51 normally built in the other remote controller 5 also decodes the above data via the receiving circuit 54, or puts the system into an operating state issued from the main controller 1 side. The system recognizes that the system has been turned on in response to the reception of the data of 1, and turns on, for example, the operation display lamp.

After the system is put into the ON mode in this manner, the following operation may occur, for example. When the user opens a hot water tap such as a faucet (not shown), and when water supplied from a water source generally starts to flow through the heat exchanger, it is in this flow path, and until that time the water flow stop signal First, the water amount sensor that has emitted the signal sends an ON signal to the microcomputer 11, which indicates that a water flow has occurred. Receiving this, the microcomputer 11 sends a signal that gives a predetermined valve opening to the gas proportional valve to supply the burner with a gas having a corresponding flow rate, and at the same time, an air amount control signal (rotation speed control signal) to the fan motor. ) Is supplied to supply the burner with an appropriate amount of air for combustion, and an ignition mechanism (not shown) is operated. During such a hot water discharge operation, the actual hot water temperature data and the hot water temperature data obtained from the hot water temperature sensor and the hot water supply temperature sensor at that time, and the water flow rate data from the water quantity sensor are stored in the main controller 1, respectively. Microcomputer 1
On the other hand, the set temperature data, which is the desired tap water temperature that the user has previously operated and set on the remote controller 5 side, is also sent to the microcomputer 11 side via the data transmission line 4. In the microcomputer 11, based on a predetermined arithmetic expression, the appropriate opening data of the gas proportional valve at each time and the appropriate opening data of the fan motor are calculated from the input data group so that the actual hot water temperature at that time is as close as possible to the set temperature. Calculate the appropriate speed data at that time,
Then, the gas proportional valve and the fan motor are correspondingly controlled via a suitable interface circuit (not shown). Of course, close the faucet that the user was using for hot water,
When the hot water is stopped, the water flow sensor outputs a water flow stop signal (off signal)
Is sent to the microcomputer 11, the microcomputer 11 having received this sends a fully closed signal to the gas proportional valve to function to quickly extinguish the burner.

Similarly, in the automatic hot water supply system having the water filling function, the water filling command data, the water filling amount data, the water filling temperature data, etc. are built in the remote controller 5 by the switch operation of the user on the remote control 5 side. Microcomputer 51
Is created and superposed on the data transmission line 4 by the transmission circuit 53 and then sent to the microcomputer 11 built in the main body control device 1, the microcomputer 11 on the main body control device 1 side
Correspondingly, while opening the hot water outlet to the bathtub (not shown), the hot water temperature is controlled in the same manner as the hot water supply operation,
Moreover, the total amount of hot water supplied from the start of hot water discharge is counted based on the flow rate signal from the water amount sensor, or it is detected by the water level detection sensor in the tank. Stop the operation.

In addition to the above, various functions that the existing automatic hot water supply system has already can be arbitrarily and appropriately adopted in the present invention. In other words, various control functions based on the digital data do not have to be directly changed in the present invention. The various data groups described above, such as the set temperature, the set water level, the hot water temperature, and the bath temperature, are visually displayed as specific values to the user.Therefore, a suitable display such as a liquid crystal display attached to each remote controller is used. Often, it is displayed visually by means, and similarly, when pouring into the bathtub is completed, or when there is a reheating function, that effect is notified to the user. A audible display buzzer means and the like are also provided.

In contrast to such existing components, the present invention further includes a microphone 57 in at least one remote controller 5 and a speaker 58 in at least one other remote controller different from this remote controller. However, in the illustrated embodiment, as a desirable configuration example, a case in which all of the plurality of remote controllers 5, ... Are respectively provided with a microphone 57 and a speaker 58 and can be used as so-called intercoms It is shown.

In the case of the illustrated embodiment, the remote controller 5
In order to inform the built-in microcomputer 51 that voice information should be transmitted, a talk switch 56 is provided as a transmission start instruction means. This talk switch 56
Is operated by the user, the microcomputer 51 controls the function of the transmission circuit 53 to modulate the digital data a,
Instead of superimposing on the data transmission line 4 from 9, the voice information (audio signal) q obtained from the microphone 57 is modulated and superposed on the data transmission line 4 from the terminal 59. Similarly, regarding the receiving circuit 54,
Instead of the function of demodulating the digital data transmitted to the terminal 59 and outputting it to the microcomputer 51 as the reception data e, the modulated audio signal transmitted to the terminal 59 is demodulated and the speaker is driven as the audio information p. Change to run the function to do. As such transmitting / receiving circuits 53 and 54, there is a specific configuration example as shown in FIG.

FIG. 2A shows a desirable circuit configuration example as the transmission circuit 53, and FIG. 2B shows a desirable circuit configuration example as the reception circuit 54. Also in FIG. 2 (A)
In (B), the microcomputer 51 is also shown. However, it is easier to understand this separately for the transmission system and the reception system. As shown in FIG. 1, all may be the same microcomputer 51.

The following is a description with reference to the waveform diagrams of the respective parts shown in FIG. 3. First, as shown in the left half of FIG. 3, because of the original functions of the hot water supply system mentioned above. If the digital data a necessary for the above is generated by the microcomputer 51, the microcomputer 51 determines that only the signal b among the pair of analog switch control signals b and c is set to the significance level (betting a high logic level for convenience). Signal c remains at a low logic level. As a result, of the pair of analog switches 62, 63, only the analog switch 62 conducts the input and output, and the digital data a produced by the microcomputer 51 is obtained as its output waveform h. In the illustrated case, the digital data a and h are shown as an example by a simple pulse waveform train, but of course, various pulse waveform trains according to the encoding technique adopted in this kind of field may be used. ..

The digital data h that has passed through the analog switch 63 is then applied to the input terminal of the modulation circuit 66, where it is modulated into a form suitable for superimposing it on the power supply waveform (DC waveform of a generally defined voltage value). To be done. In the case of the figure, the case of amplitude modulation is shown as an example. That is, the modulation circuit 66 has the oscillation circuit 65 therein, which generates the high-frequency carrier signal d. The carrier signal d is given to the control input of the analog switch 64 to turn on / off the analog switch 64 at the carrier frequency. As a result, the digital data h given to the input terminal of the modulation circuit 66 is converted into a signal train i representing a high frequency pulse train equal to the carrier frequency for a time spanning the pulse width of each pulse forming the data h.

After that, only the high frequency carrier component of the modulated signal i is converted into the band pass filter (BPF) 67.
Is removed and converted into a signal sequence j similar to a kind of analog burst waveform, which is amplified by the amplifier circuit 68 and becomes a modulated and amplified digital data signal l, which passes through the coupling capacitor 69 and the terminal 59 ( (Corresponding to the terminal 59 in FIG. 1) and is sent to the data transmission line 4 while being superimposed on the power supply potential.

On the other hand, when the talk switch 56 is not operated and the transmission system can transmit digital data as described above, the reception circuit 54 shown in FIG. Also in the above, only the signal f of the pair of analog switch control signals f and g selectively issued from the microcomputer 51 is set to the high logic level, and the signal g is set to the low logic level. In this state, when the above-mentioned modulated digital data 1 is given to the terminal 59 through the data transmission line 4 (FIG. 1), the output of the amplifier circuit 78 which takes in this signal 1 through the coupling capacitor 79 is: After being input to a demodulation circuit 76 having a demodulation function corresponding to the modulation circuit 66 and becoming a demodulated signal n, it passes through only the analog switch 73 opened by the control signal f, and as predetermined reception digital data e. , To the microcomputer 51.

In this way, when transmitting / receiving digital data relating to the original function control of the water heater, both the output line of the microphone 57 and the signal line to the speaker 58 provided by the present invention correspond to the analog switch 6 corresponding thereto.
Since the microphones 2 and 72 are open because they are turned off, the noise component from the microphone 57 is not mixed into the predetermined digital data, and conversely, the digital data is a speaker that is difficult to hear as a "sound". It is not reproduced from 58.

Next, transmission / reception of voice information or audio signals shown in the right half of FIG. 3 will be described. When the user operates the talk switch 56 attached to the remote controller 5, the microcomputer 51 detects this and attaches the signal c to the high logic level among the pair of analog switch control signals b and c, unlike the above. Let b be a low logic level. As a result, passage of the digital data a from the microcomputer 51 is blocked by the analog switch 63, whereas the output of the amplifier circuit 61 that amplifies the microphone output can effectively pass through the analog switch 62. That is,
In this state, when the user goes to the microphone 57 and speaks something, this voice information is picked up by the microphone 57 and given to the amplifier circuit 71 as an audio signal q, where it is amplified to an appropriate signal level. , The amplified audio signal r is given to the input of the modulation circuit 66.

As can be seen from this embodiment, when the modulation circuit 66 is the same as the modulation circuit 66 for digital data modulation, the signal i appearing at the output of the modulation circuit 66 is oscillated. The carrier frequency d oscillated by the circuit 65 is amplitude-modulated by the audio signal r.
The audio signal i thus modulated is, similarly to the above, removed of the carrier component by the bandpass filter 67, and then appropriately amplified by the amplifier circuit 68 to become the audio information 1 to be transmitted, and the coupling capacitor 69. Is output to the terminal 59 via and is superimposed on the power supply potential.

On the other hand, also in the receiving system shown in FIG. 2B, when the talk switch 56 involved in the transmitting system is operated, the analog control signal g among the pair of analog control signals f and g is raised. Convert to a logic level and convert the analog control signal f to a low logic level. As a result, terminal 5
When the audio signal 1 obtained via 9 becomes the signal n which is given from the coupling capacitor 79 via the amplifier circuit 78 to the demodulation circuit 76 and undergoes the corresponding demodulation processing, only through the analog switch 72, It can be input to the audio signal amplifier circuit 71, and finally becomes the audio power signal p, which is radiated from the speaker 58 to the space as acoustic information.

In this way, when each remote controller 5 is used for transmitting voice information, the signal lines for the digital data a, e are opened because the analog switches 63, 73 interposed in series in these lines are closed. Therefore, the audio signal is not erroneously input to the digital data analysis unit of the microcomputer 51, and it is possible to eliminate the risk of malfunctions related to the original function of the hot water supply system.

As can be seen from the above-described embodiments, not only the digital data transmission line 4 is also used as the voice information transmission line, but also the modulation circuit 66 and the demodulation circuit 7 are used.
The circuit configuration in which 6 is also shared by digital data and audio signals is extremely rational. However, according to the most basic aspect of the present invention, the modulation / demodulation circuit for digital data and the modulation / demodulation circuit for audio signals may be dedicated to each other, and are suitable for each and follow different modulation / demodulation mechanisms from each other. It may be something. Of course, in this case, a pair of analog switches 62 and 63 as an input switching circuit for one modulation circuit 66.
Is changed to a switch circuit for switching the output of each dedicated modulation circuit to digital or analog, and similarly, a pair of analog switches 72 and 73 as an output switching circuit for one demodulation circuit 76 are digital, The circuit may be changed to a switch circuit that switches the output of each dedicated demodulation circuit to analog, or a circuit in which power is selectively supplied to only one of the pair of modulation / demodulation circuits according to a command from the microcomputer 51.

Further, the illustrated embodiment shows a case where the present invention is further applied to the automatic hot water supply system in which the power supply line also serves as the digital data transmission line as described above. In this case, the most desirable result is obtained because the transmission line 4 is a two-wire type line which has three functions of transmission of power source power, transmission of digital data, and transmission of voice information or audio signal according to the present invention. However, as long as the object of the present invention is met, it is sufficient that the number of wires does not increase due to the addition of the voice information or audio signal transmission function. The present invention can be effectively applied to a system in which a power supply line and a digital data transmission line are provided separately.

Further, in the illustrated embodiment, the timing of switching between digital data and voice information is not particularly described, but for example, regarding the processing when the user operates the talk switch while digital data is being transmitted, It is possible to cope with various algorithms provided in this kind of field by software or program processing for the microcomputer 51. For example, time-division transmission may be used, and both digital data transmission and analog information transmission can be compatible within a range that does not substantially impair the quality of voice information. Of course, if a time band in which analog transmission is impossible occurs due to the adopted digital data transmission algorithm, the transmission of the analog signal is prohibited during that time, and the user is informed of this type of system. A liquid crystal display or the like provided in the remote controller may be used, or a dedicated notifying means may be activated to notify that effect.

Further, although not shown in the figure, when the intercom function as described above is performed between a plurality of remote controllers 5 of three or more, the remote controller to which the voice information should be transmitted is specified. Is also possible. For example, remote control 5
Is provided with a transmission destination designating means for designating another remote controller which can be selectively operated by the user and is to be a transmission destination of the audio signal, and serves as the transmission start instruction means described above. When the talk switch 56 is operated, the microcomputer 51 is first configured to recognize which remote control is designated by the destination designation means, for example, by an identification code (ID code). Then, by operating the talk switch 56, as described above,
Before outputting the command signal to change the connection to the pair of analog switches 62, 63 and 72, 73, the microcomputer 51 identifies the remote controller designated by the destination designation means as digital data. The destination designation data or ID code is output to the modulation circuit 66.

In response to this, the microcomputer 51 built in each remote controller 5 determines whether the destination designation data demodulated at the output of the demodulation circuit 76 is data identifying itself, and identifies itself. The line to the speaker 58 side is closed only in the remote control that was used. The closing of the line substantially includes turning on the analog switch 72 described above, and also operating the amplifier circuit 71 interposed in the line. Of course, if the remote control of the automatic hot water supply system to which the present invention is applied is provided with a display means such as a liquid crystal display, such designated data of the destination should be displayed to the user. You can also

In the above embodiment, the case where all the remote controllers 5 have the microphone 57 and the speaker 58, that is, the case where the remote controller 5 has an intercom function capable of transmitting bidirectional audio information between all the remote controllers is shown. However, it is also possible to limit this to only a specific remote controller.
Only a remote control is equipped with a speaker 5
Systems having only one-way audio information transmission capability, such as only eight, are likewise within the scope of the invention. In that case, naturally, the microcomputer 51 shown in FIG. 2 (A) is the microcomputer in the remote controller 5 having the microphone 57, and the microcomputer 51 shown in FIG. 2 (B) has the speaker 58. The microcomputer 51 in the remote control 5 which it has is shown. In the case of such one-way communication, in particular, when the talk switch 56 is operated, the microcomputer 51 provided with the talk switch 56 first digitally activates the analog signal line before activating the analog signal line. As the data, it is possible to output to the other remote controller the data that should enter the transmission mode of the audio signal from the transmission mode of the digital data. In this way, the microcomputer 51 attached to the remote controller on the reproducing side can reproduce the audio information through the speaker 58 when the remote controller on the reproducing side receives the data without particularly having a function of discriminating between the complicated digital data and the analog signal. Able to create a possible state.

[0033]

According to the present invention, the remote control type automatic hot water supply system has an indispensable constituent element, in particular, since a plurality of remote controllers can be used as means for transmitting voice information or audio signals, the automatic hot water supply is simply performed. It is possible to provide an extremely meaningful device system as a part of so-called home automation, beyond the framework of the system. Moreover, since the original control digital data transmission line can be effectively used for the transmission of this voice information as well, even though the voice information transmission function is added, the remote control can be operated between remote controllers. It does not increase the number of wires. It is also possible to use only two wiring paths. Further, according to a particular aspect of the invention,
Since a specific circuit element in the transmission / reception circuit, for example, a modulation / demodulation circuit, can be commonly used for both digital data and audio signals, its rationality is further enhanced. As a result, a substantial increase in cost can be effectively suppressed.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an embodiment of a remote-controlled automatic hot water supply system of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of an example of a transmission circuit and an example of a reception circuit that can be adopted in the remote-controlled automatic hot water supply system shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a waveform diagram of signals in each part of the circuit shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 main body control device provided in the main body of the automatic water heater, 2 hot water supply combustion control unit provided in the main body of the automatic water heater, 3 commercial AC power supply, 4 power supply / data transmission line, 5 remote controller, 11 microcomputer, 13 transmission circuit, 14 Reception circuit, 51 microcomputer, 53 transmission circuit, 54 reception circuit, 56 talk switch or transmission start instruction means, 57 microphone, 58 speaker, 62 analog switch, 63 analog switch, 66 modulation circuit, 72 analog switch, 73 analog switch , 76 Demodulation circuit.

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A main body control device that processes a digital data group for hot water supply and combustion control and performs control corresponding to the digital data for a hot water supply combustion mechanism part, and data transmission to the main body control device, respectively. Connect through the line,
It has two or more remote controllers capable of issuing digital data for commands relating to the hot water supply and combustion control,
A remote operation type automatic hot water supply system configured such that the digital data can be transmitted and received between the two or more remote controllers through the data transmission line; at least one of the two or more remote controllers A microphone and an audio signal transmission circuit are provided in one remote controller; the audio signal transmission circuit at least includes an amplification circuit for amplifying an audio signal from the microphone and a modulation circuit for modulating the amplification circuit output. And a modulation circuit for superimposing the generated signal wave on the data transmission line for digital data transmission; at least one remote controller different from the remote controller having the microphone includes an audio signal reception circuit. And a speaker; the audio The audio signal receiving circuit includes at least a demodulating circuit that demodulates the modulated signal wave that is sent on the data transmission line, and an audio signal obtained at the output of the demodulating circuit that amplifies the speaker. A remote-controlled automatic hot water supply system characterized by comprising an amplifying circuit to be driven. 2. The remote controlled automatic hot water supply system according to claim 1, wherein the remote controller having the microphone and the audio signal transmitting circuit is also provided with the audio signal receiving circuit and the speaker; The microphone and the audio signal transmitting circuit are also provided in the other remote controller having the audio signal receiving circuit. 3. The remote-controlled automatic hot water supply system according to claim 2, wherein each of the two or more remote controllers has the microphone, the audio signal transmitting circuit, the speaker, and the audio signal receiving circuit. The system characterized by; 4. The remote-controlled automatic hot water supply system according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the modulation circuit modulates the digital data to superimpose the digital data on the data transmission line. The demodulation circuit is a demodulation circuit for demodulating the modulated digital data sent via the data transmission line; the input of the modulation circuit is input to the microphone only when the audio signal is transmitted. An input changeover switch circuit for switching and connecting to an output of an amplifying circuit for amplifying an audio signal from the speaker, and an output changeover switch circuit for switching and connecting an output of the demodulating circuit to an input of an amplifying circuit for driving the speaker. A system characterized by; 5. The remote-controlled automatic hot water supply system according to claim 4, wherein the remote controller is provided with a transmission start instruction means which can be selectively operated by a user.
When the transmission start instruction means is operated, a command signal for the switching connection is given to the input changeover switch circuit and the output changeover switch circuit, respectively. 6. The remote-controlled automatic hot water supply system according to claim 5, wherein the remote controller is another remote that can be selectively operated by a user and is a destination of the audio signal. A transmission destination designating means for designating the controller is also provided; when the transmission start instructing means is operated, the transmission destination designating means designates as digital data before the command signal for the switching connection is output. Destination specification data for specifying the remote controller that has been selected is provided to the modulation circuit; and
Only in the remote controller where the destination designation data demodulated at the output of the demodulation circuit was the data that identifies itself, the switching connection command signal is given to the demodulation circuit, or A system in which the connected amplification circuit is operated or a signal path from the demodulation circuit to the speaker via the amplification circuit is closed. 7. The remote-controlled automatic hot water supply system according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6, wherein the data transmission line is provided in the main body control device and connected to a commercial AC power source. A two-wire line that also serves as a power line for supplying power from the power circuit to each of the remote controllers.