WO2013100324A1

WO2013100324A1 - Force sensor-based input device and bidet having the same

Info

Publication number: WO2013100324A1
Application number: PCT/KR2012/007658
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kyu-Seob Ahn; Byoung-Hoon LIM
Original assignee: Coway Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2011-12-28
Filing date: 2012-09-24
Publication date: 2013-07-04

Abstract

There are provided a micro-force sensor-based remote controller and a bidet having the same. The micro-force sensor-based remote controller includes: an input unit having one or more micro-force sensors and generating a control signal according to an input with respect to the micro-force sensor; a communications unit transmitting the control signal by using wired or wireless communications; and a mode conversion unit converting a mode of the input unit into a power saving mode in which the micro-force sensor is not operated or into an operation mode in which an operation of the micro-force sensor is activated.

Description

FORCE SENSOR-BASED INPUT DEVICE AND BIDET HAVING THE SAME

The present invention relates to a micro-force sensor-based remote controller and a bidet having the same, and more particularly, to a micro-force sensor-based remote controller maintaining reliability in a moist bathroom environment by using a micro-force sensor, and a bidet having the same.

The present invention also relates to a micro-force sensor-based remote controller capable of reducing energy consumption through conversion of an operation mode, and a bidet having the same.

In a Korean bathroom environment, unlike those of Japan, Europe and the Americas,showers are not separated from the toilet. Thus, in developing a bidet, a product is required to be developed in consideration of external environmental factors such as a high level of moisture, direct contact with water, variations in temperature, and the like.

Currently, bidets for use in Korea are required to be designed so as to resist the infiltration of water thereinto, based on IPX4; however, related costs may increase in the design stage and there may be difficulties in manufacturing.

An aspect of the present invention provides a micro-force sensor-based remote controller.

An aspect of the present invention also provides a bidet having a remote micro-force sensor-based remote controller.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a remote controller including: an input unit having one or more micro-force sensors and generating a control signal according to an input with respect to the micro-force sensor; a communications unit transmitting the control signal by using wired or wireless communications; and a mode conversion unit converting a mode of the input unit into a power saving mode in which the micro-force sensor is not operated or into an operation mode in which an operation of the micro-force sensor is activated.

The micro-force sensor may include two sheets of film that face each other and piezo-resistive layers positioned between the sheets of film, wherein a resistance value of the piezo-resistive layers changing according to a pressure applied to the sheets of film is measured to sense an input with respect to the micro-force sensor.

The input unit may sense a resistance value of the piezo-resistive layers changing according to a magnitude of applied pressure and generate a control signal corresponding to the resistance value of the piezo-resistive layers.

The input unit may sense a direction in which the resistance value of the piezo-resistive layers is changed according to a direction of applied pressure, and generate a control signal corresponding to the direction of applied pressure.

The input unit may include a plurality of micro-force sensors, sense a direction of applied pressure from an order in which pressure is applied to the plurality of micro-force sensors, and generate a control signal corresponding to the direction of applied pressure.

The mode conversion unit may include a capacitive sensor for sensing a change in static electricity according to an approach of a human body, and when a change in static electricity is equal to or greater than a pre-set value, the mode conversion unit may convert the input unit into the operation mode.

The mode conversion unit may sense a distance between the input unit and a human body approaching the input unit by using an infrared sensor, and when the distance between the human body and the input unit is equal to or smaller than a pre-set value, the mode conversion unit may convert the input unit into the operation mode.

The mode conversion unit may include an accelerometer for sensing acceleration according to a movement of the remote controller, and when acceleration of the remote controller is equal to or greater than a pre-set value, the mode conversion unit may convert the input unit into the operation mode.

The mode conversion unit may include a hall sensor for sensing a change in a magnetic field applied to the remote controller, and when the remote controller is separated from a remote controller cradle having a magnet, the mode conversion unit may sense a change in the magnetic field and convert the input unit into the operation mode.

The mode conversion unit may include a mode conversion micro-force sensor, and when pressure having a magnitude equal to or greater than a pre-set magnitude is applied to the mode conversion micro-force sensor, the mode conversion unit may convert the input unit into the operation mode.

The mode conversion unit may be positioned on a handle unit provided in the remote controller, and when the handle unit is grasped, pressure having a magnitude equal to or greater than a pre-set magnitude may be applied to the mode conversion micro-force sensor.

The mode conversion unit may include at least any one of the mode conversion micro-force sensor, the capacitive sensor, an infrared sensor, an accelerometer, and a hall sensor, and the mode conversion unit may determine whether to convert a mode of the input unit by using the sensor.

The communications unit may be positioned on a lower end of the remote controller, and a line connecting the communications unit and the bidet may have a slope between 30 degrees to 60 degrees with respect to a vertical line.

When there is no input with respect to the micro-force sensor in the operation mode for more than a pre-set period of time, the mode conversion unit may convert the mode of the input unit into the power saving mode.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a bidet including: a bidet body; a toilet seat unit including a seat provided on the front of the bidet body and allowing a user to sit thereon, and adjusting a temperature of the seat according to a toilet seat temperature control signal; a nozzle unit provided on one side of the bidet body and jetting washing water by adjusting a jet strength, a jet position, and a jet duration according to an input nozzle control signal; a water supply unit serves to supply washing water, and adjusting a temperature of the washing water supplied to the nozzle unit according to an input hot water control signal; a remote controller including an input unit having one or more micro-force sensors and generating a control signal according to an input with respect to the micro-force sensor, a communications unit transmitting the control signal by using wired or wireless communications, and a mode conversion unit converting a mode of the input unit into a power saving mode in which the micro-force sensor is not operated or into an operation mode in which an operation of the micro-force sensor is activated; and a controller receiving a control signal transmitted from the remote controller, and controlling an operation of the toilet seat unit, the nozzle unit and the water supply unit by using the received control signal.

The foregoing technical solutions do not fully enumerate all of the features of the present invention. The foregoing and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

In the case of the micro-force sensor-based remote controller and the bidet including the same according to embodiments of the present invention, since a micro-force sensor is used, there is no need to cover the remote controller with a vinyl film for waterproofing. Thus, costs in relation to fabrication of the remote controller can be reduced and, since the remote controller has a simple configuration, it can be easily fabricated.

In addition, in the case of the micro-force sensor-based remote controller and the bidet including the same, according to embodiments of the present invention, since a magnitude and direction of force applied to the micro-force sensor can be detected, a user can use the remote controller for convenience, according to various input methods.

In addition, in the case of the micro-force sensor-based remote controller and the bidet including the same according to embodiments of the present invention, according to an operation mode of the remote controller, the remote controller consumes a small amount of energy when not in use, and only consumes energy when used, saving energy.

In addition, in the case of the micro-force sensor-based remote controller and the bidet including the same according to embodiments of the present invention, an operation mode of the remote controller may be changed upon recognition of a user's action for using the remote controller, without having to press a button, or the like, to do it. Thus, user convenience can be enhanced.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a function of a remote controller according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2(a) is a schematic view illustrating an operational principle of a micro-force sensor, and FIG. 2(b) is a graph showing a change in voltage over force applied to the micro-force sensor;

FIG. 3 is a graph showing dividing a magnitude of force applied to the micro-force sensor and an operational principle of the micro-force sensor having control signals generated to be different according to a magnitude of force applied to the micro-force sensor;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view illustrating dividing a direction of force applied to the micro-force sensor and an operational principle of the micro-force sensor having control signals generated to be different according to a direction of force applied to the micro-force sensor;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating an example of a remote controller and a bidet having the remote controller according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a function of a bidet including a remote controller according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. In describing the present invention, if a detailed explanation for a related known function or construction is considered to unnecessarily divert from the gist of the present invention, such an explanation will be omitted but would be understood by those skilled in the art. In the drawings, the shapes and dimensions of elements may be exaggerated for clarity, and the same reference numerals will be used throughout to designate the same or like components.

It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being "connected to" another element, it can be directly connected to the other element or intervening elements may also be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly connected to" another element, no intervening elements are present. In addition, unless explicitly described to the contrary, the word "comprise" and variations such as "comprises" or "comprising," will be understood to imply the inclusion of stated elements but not the exclusion of any other elements.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a function of a remote controller according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, a remote controller 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include an input unit 10, a communications unit 20, and a mode conversion unit 30.

Hereinafter, the remote controller 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

The input unit 10 includes one or more micro-force sensors and generates a control signal for controlling an operation of a controlled device 200 according to an input with respect to the micro-force sensors. Here, the controlled device 200, a device whose operation is controlled according to a control signal transmitted from the remote controller 100, may be a home appliance such as a bidet, a TV, or the like.

A user may input a user-desired operation of the controlled device 200 in a manner of pressing the micro-force sensor provided in the input unit 10 by applying pressure thereto, and the input unit 10 may generate a control signal for controlling the controlled device 200 according to the user input.

In detail, the input unit 10 may include a plurality of micro-force sensors, and the plurality of micro-force sensors may generate different control signals, respectively. Thus, the user may control an operation of the bidet by selecting any one of the plurality of micro-force sensors.

Also, as for an input with respect to the micro-force sensors, inputs with respect to the plurality of micro-force sensors may be combined, or inputting may be performed by differentiating an input time during which pressure with respect to the micro-force sensors is maintained, strength of an input pressure, a direction of an input pressure, and the like. A control signal generated by the input unit 10 may vary according to an input method of the micro-force sensors.

The input unit 10 is characterized to receive a desired operation from the user by using the micro-force sensors, so hereinafter, the micro-force sensors will be described with reference to FIG. 2.

FIG. 2 is a view illustrating an operational principle of the micro-force sensor. As illustrated in FIG. 2, a micro-force sensor 11 may have a structure in which two sheets of film 11a are layered such that they face each other, and piezo-resistive layers 11b may be positioned between the two sheets of film 11a.

The micro-force sensor 11 may sense force (F) applied thereto through a resistance value or a magnitude of a voltage at both ends of the micro-force sensor 11 changing according to magnitude of the force (F) applied to the micro-force sensor 11.

In detail, when force (F) is applied to the micro-force sensor 11, an interval between the two sheets of film 11a may be narrowed to bring the piezo-resistive layers 11b into contact with each other. The area of the contacted piezo-resistive layers 11b is increased according to a magnitude of force (F) applied to the micro-force sensor 11. As the contacted area is increased, resistance at both ends of the micro-force sensor 11 is decreased. Thus, the force (F) input to the micro-force sensor 11 may be detected by measuring a resistance value of both ends of the micro-force sensor 11 or a change in a voltage thereof.

FIG. 2(b) is a graph showing a change in voltages of both ends of a reference resistor connected in series to the micro-force sensor 11, and it can be seen that as a magnitude of the force applied to the micro-force sensor 11 is increased, a magnitude of the voltages at both ends of the reference resistor is increased. This is because, as the magnitude of the force applied to the micro-force sensor 11 is increased, a resistance value at both ends of the micro-force sensor 11 is decreased, and thus, the magnitude at both ends of the reference resistor is increased according to a voltage divider rule.

Also, according to the graph of FIG. 2(b), the voltage value at both ends of the reference resistor is increased according to a magnitude of force applied to the micro-force sensor 11, so the input unit 10 may recognize a magnitude of force applied to the micro-force sensor 11. Thus, besides determining whether or not an is input is simply applied to the micro-force sensor 11, the input unit 10 may generate various control signals according to a magnitude of force input to the micro-force sensor 11 and control an operation of the controlled device 200 in various manners by using the various generated control signals.

In detail, a formation of a control signal according to a magnitude of force input to the micro-force sensor 11 will be described with reference to FIG. 3.

FIG. 3 is a graph showing a magnitude of a both end voltage of the reference resistor corresponding to the magnitude of force applied to the micro-force sensor 11. The magnitude of force applied to the micro-force sensor 11 may be divided into three regions a, b, and c. The respective regions have corresponding voltage ranges p, q, and r, respectively, so the input unit 10 may sense a both end voltage value of the reference resistor and determine a region corresponding to the magnitude of the applied force.

Thus, the input unit 10 may determine a magnitude of force applied to by the three regions according to the magnitude of the both end voltage of the micro-force sensor 11, and transmit a different control signal according to the determined magnitude of the force.

For example, when a toilet seat temperature of a bidet is set by using the remote controller, in general, a method of repeatedly pressing a toilet seat temperature button, or the like, may be utilized, but when the micro-force sensor is employed, the toilet seat temperature may be set to be different according to a magnitude of force pressing the toilet temperature button. Namely, the input unit 10 divides the magnitude of force pressing the toilet seat button into "first, second, and third" and sets a toilet seat temperature into "high, medium, and low". In this state, the input unit 10 may generate a control signal for setting the toilet seat temperature to "high" when the magnitude of the force corresponds to "first" a control signal for setting the toilet seat temperature to "medium" when the magnitude of the force corresponds to "second" and a control signal for setting the toilet seat temperature to "low" when the magnitude of the force corresponds to "third". Besides, when the magnitude of force applied to the micro-force sensor 11 is great, a jet magnitude of cleaning water may be increased, and when the magnitude of force applied to the micro-force sensor 11 is small, a jet strength of cleaning water may be weakened, and a temperature of cleaning water, a nozzle position of the bidet, and the like, may be set according to a magnitude of the force.

Namely, the input unit 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention may generate a different control signal according to a magnitude of applied force, so the controlled device 200 may be controlled in various manners according to the magnitude of the applied force. FIG. 3 illustrates the case in which force is divided into three regions according magnitudes thereof, but the present invention is not limited thereto and may include any cases in which force is divided into a plurality of regions according to magnitudes thereof.

In addition, the input unit 10 may detect a direction of force applied to the micro-force sensor 11, and generate a control signal corresponding to the direction of the force. FIG. 4(a) is a view illustrating detection of a direction of force applied to the input unit 10. Detection of a direction of force applied to the input unit 10 will be described with reference to FIG. 4(a). Here, the input unit 10 may include a plurality of micro-force sensors f11-14, f21-f24, f31-f34, and f41-f44.

In FIG. 4(a), d1, d2, and d3 indicate directions of force applied to the input unit 10. In particular, d1 indicates force initially applied to f32 and sequentially applied to f23 and f14, which is determined from d2 indicating force initially applied to f21 and sequentially applied to f22, f23, and f24. Namely, the input unit 10 may detect a direction of applied force from the micro-force sensors which sequentially recognize the applied force, and may differently generate a control signal according to the direction of the force.

The input unit 10 may gather information regarding a location of each micro-force sensor in advance, so it can recognize a direction of the micro-force sensor from the micro-force sensor to which force is currently applied and a micro-force sensor to which force was applied immediately beforehand, and generate a control signal corresponding to the recognized direction of the force. For example, a nozzle position of the bidet may be adjusted according to the direction of the force detected by the input unit 10, or a direction of wind of a dry fan is adjusted according to the direction of force detected by the input unit 10.

Also, unlike FIG. 4(a), a direction of force applied to the single micro-force sensor may be detected by measuring a change in a resistance value of the micro-force sensor. In detail, a resistance value of a piezo-resistive layer of the micro-force sensor is lowered in the region of force application, while being uniformly maintained in the other remaining portions. Thus, after a resistance distribution of the entire micro-force sensors may be recognized, a region in which a resistance value is lowered relative to the surroundings may be extracted to detect a direction of the force.

Besides, as illustrated in FIG. 4(b), the plurality of micro-force sensors 11 constituting the input unit 10 are divided into a plurality of regions according to directions, and when force is applied to a region corresponding to each direction, a control signal corresponding to the direction may be generated. Namely, as shown in FIG. 4(b), regions of the input unit 10 may be divided into up, down, left, and right regions, and when a signal with respect to the regions is input, a control signal corresponding to the up, down, left, and right regions may be generated.

For example, when force is applied to a micro-force sensor corresponding to the up region, a control signal for increasing a washing water temperature of the bidet may be generated, or when force is applied to a micro-force sensor corresponding to the right region, a control signal for increasing a jet strength of washing water may be generated, thus performing controlling.

Also, in this case, unlike the case of FIG. 4(b), a single micro-force sensor may be divided into a plurality of regions according to directions, and when force is applied to regions corresponding to the directions, a control signal corresponding to the directions may be generated. Namely, since a resistance value in the region of force application is lowered, the region having a low resistance value of the micro-force sensor may be extracted and determined as the region of force application, and a control signal corresponding to a direction corresponding to the region to which the force was applied may then be generated.

FIG. 5(a) shows an example of the remote controller 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which an operation of the bidet is controlled by the remote controller 100. Here, micro-force sensors may be provided in button regions such as "+", "-", "washing", "bidet", "dry", "stop", "air", "move", and the like, and a control signal generated by the remote controller 100 may vary according to which of micro-force sensors provided in the respective regions force is applied to. An operation of the bidet may be differently controlled according to a control signal generated by the remote controller 100.

In relation to application of force to the buttons, for example, the button "+" may be used to increase the temperature of washing water, the temperature of the toilet seat, or the like, according to the number of input touches of the button "+" or an input maintaining time, or may be used to differentiate a degree of a temperature increase in of washing water, the temperature of the toilet seat, and the like, according to a magnitude applied to the button "+". As discussed above, the button "+" may be implemented by a micro-force sensor, so that force applied to the button "+" may be discriminately received. Thus, a control signal for setting the temperature of washing water, the temperature of the toilet seat, and the like, according to a magnitude of the force may be generated.

For example, a magnitude of the force with respect to the button "+" may be set to "first, second, and third" and it may be set to increase the "temperature of washing water" by 10 degrees when a magnitude of the force "first" is input, and it may be set to increase the "temperature of washing water" by 5 degrees of when a magnitude of the force of "second" is input. Besides, a control signal for controlling the controlled device may be generated in various manners by sensing a magnitude of force applied to the micro-force sensor.

In addition, in the case of the "cleaning" button, a cleaning operation of cleaning a user' private parts may be differently performed according to a direction of force applied to the "cleaning" button. For example, when force is applied to pull down the button "cleaning" a control signal for moving a position of a nozzle back to move back a point from which washing water is jetted to a human body, may be generated, or conversely, when force is applied to pull up the "cleaning" button, a control signal for moving a position of the nozzle forward to move the point from which washing water is jetted to a human body, may be generated. Besides, a control signal for controlling the controlled device may be generated according to various methods by detecting a direction of force applied to the micro-force sensor.

Here, since the remote controller 100 uses the micro-force sensor, it can be implemented to be waterproofed although it is not coated with vinyl, or the like.

In case of a button of the related art remote controller, a recess is provided on a lower end portion of the button, and when force is applied to the button, the button is pressed down by the force to short or open a circuit to generate a control signal. Here, water may be introduced into the recess, so in order to use the remote controller 100 in a high humidity environment or an environment with excessive water, the remote controller is required to be waterproofed with a member such as a vinyl coating.

However, in the case of the micro-force sensor, since the button is made of a material having elastic force allowing the piezo-resistive layer sheets of film to be in contact with each other, an extra recess for inputting the button is not required. Thus, in this case, the remote controller 100 may not allow water to be introduced thereinto even though it is not coated with vinyl.

Thus, the remote controller 100 using the micro-force sensor can be easily waterproofed, and as such, the remote controller 100 can be widely utilized in an area requiring waterproof functionality. In particular, the remote controller 100 may be appropriately used in a bidet used in a watery bathroom.

The communications unit 20 may transmit the control signal generated in the input unit 10 to the controlled device 200 by using wired/wireless communications. The remote controller 100 is an element separated from the controlled device 200. Thus, in order to transmit the control signal generated by the input unit 10 to the controlled device 200, an element that may communicate with the controlled device 200 is required. Thus, the remote controller 100 includes the communications unit 20 that may be able to provide wired or wireless communications between the remote controller 100 and the controlled device 200, to thereby transmit the control signal generated by the input unit 10 of the remote controller 100 to the controlled device 200. Here, the controlled device 200 may include a reception unit for receiving the control signal transmitted from the communications unit 20.

Here, in order to provide wireless communications between the remote controller 100 and the controlled device 200, the communications unit 20 may use infrared-ray communications commonly utilized in a TV remote controller, or the like, and besides, the communications unit 20 may perform wireless communications with the controlled device 200 by using Wi-Fi, Bluetooth^TM,orthelike.

In particular, in the case of infrared-ray communications, a distance at which the control signal can be received is as short as a few meters and there is a limitation in an angle for the reception unit of the controlled device 200 to receive the control signal transmitted from the communications unit 20 of the remote controller 100, so the angle between the controlled device 200 and the communications unit 20 of the remote controller 100 may be important.

Thus, the communications unit 20 may be positioned at a lower end of the remote controller 100, and the position and configuration of the communications unit 20 may be adjusted such that a line connecting the communications unit 20 and the controlled device 200 has a pre-set slope with respect to a vertical line.

In particular, when the controlled device 200 is a bidet, the pre-set slope may have an angle between 30 degrees to 60 degrees, and preferably, 45 degrees. This is because the user largely uses the remote controller 100 while seated on the bidet, so the position of the communications unit 20 is set in consideration of such a usage state.

The mode conversion unit 30 may convert a mode of the input unit 10 into a power saving mode in which the micro-force sensor does not operate or an operation mode in which an operation of the micro-force sensor is activated.

The mode conversion unit 30 may adjust whether to activate the micro-force sensor provided in the input unit 10, and the micro-force sensor may be activated when power is applied thereto. Thus, the mode conversion unit 30 may determine the operation mode in which the remote controller 100 is used and the power saving mode in which the remote controller 100 is not used, and only when the remote controller 100 is used, the mode conversion unit 30 may apply power to the micro-force sensor. This is to prevent the controlled device 200 from being operated in the case that pressure is applied to the micro-force sensor unintentionally and prevents power consumption according to activation of the micro-force sensor.

In particular, when an operational life span of the remote controller 100 is limited such as when a battery is used as a power source, or the like, the operational life span of the remote controller 100 can be lengthened by preventing power consumption through the mode conversion unit 30.

Here, the mode conversion unit 30 includes a sensor or a switch to receive an input for mode conversion, and the input for mode conversion may be implemented in various manners.

A mode conversion method of the input unit 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

The mode conversion unit 30 may have a capacitance sensor sensing a change in static electricity according to an approach of a human being, and when a change in static electricity is equal to or greater than a pre-set value, the mode conversion unit 30 may convert the input unit 10 into the operation mode.

In general, in order to use the remote controller 100, the remote controller 100 is grasped or touched by using a body part such as a hand, or the like. Here, when the capacitive sensor is used, an approach of a user to the remote controller 100 may be sensed, based on which whether or not the user is using the remote controller 100 may be determined.

In detail, the capacitive sensor may sense a change in static electricity within the capacitive sensor according to an approach of a user, and as a body part approaches, a variation of static electricity may be gradually increased. Here, when the variation of the static electricity is equal to or greater than a pre-set value, it may be recognized that the user has approached the remote controller 100 to use the remote controller 100, and in this case, the input unit 10 may be converted from the power saving mode to the operation mode.

Thus, when the capacitive sensor is used, the operation of the micro-force sensor can be naturally activated even though the user simply grasps or touches the remote controller 100 without making any other motion such as pressing a switch, or the like.

The mode conversion unit 30 according to another embodiment of the present invention senses a distance between the input unit 10 and the user approaching the input unit 10 by using an infrared sensor. When the distance between the user and the input unit 10 is equal to or smaller than a pre-set value, the mode conversion unit 30 may convert the input unit into the operation mode.

Whether or not the user approaches may also be sensed by the infrared sensor, as well as by the capacitive sensor. The infrared sensor may include a light emitting unit emitting infrared rays and a light receiving unit sensing reflected light as the emitted infrared rays are reflected. Thus, when infrared rays emitted by the light emitting unit are reflected from the user and returned, the light receiving unit may sense the returned infrared rays and measure a time during which the infrared rays were reflected and returned. By using the measured time and the speed of the infrared rays, a distance from the infrared sensor to the user can be easily calculated.

Here, when the distance between the input unit 10 and the user measured by the infrared sensor is gradually reduced to be smaller than a pre-set distance, it may be recognized that the user has approached the remote controller 100 in order to use the remote controller 100. Thus, the mode conversion unit 30 may convert the input unit 10 from the power saving mode to the operation mode.

Besides, any sensors such as an illumination sensor, a camera, or the like, may be utilized as long as it can sense an approach of the user, and when the sensor determines an approach of the user to the remote controller 100, the power saving mode may be converted into the operation mode.

Also, the mode conversion unit 30 may have an accelerometer sensing a movement of the remote controller 100. When a change in the movement of the remote controller 100 is equal to or greater than a pre-set value, the input unit 10 may be converted into the operation mode.

The accelerometer measures a change in acceleration according to a movement of the remote controller 100. The accelerometer may measure a movement of the remote controller 100 according to various methods such as an inertial type accelerometer, a gyro type accelerometer, a silicon semiconductor type accelerometer, or the like. For example, the remote controller 100 may be provided to be detachably attached to a remote controller rest, or the like, and when the user attaches or detaches the remote controller 100, the remote controller 100 may be moved in various directions. The accelerometer may sense a movement when the remote controller 100 is detached or attached, so the mode conversion unit 30 may convert the mode of the input unit 10 from the power saving mode to the operation mode. However, the present invention is not limited to the case in which the remote controller 100 is attached to or detached from the remote controller rest, and when the remote controller 100 is moved to be used and the accelerometer senses it, the input unit may be converted into the operation mode.

Here, in order to prevent the input unit from being converted into the operation mode when the remote controller is unintentionally touched, the input unit is converted into the operation mode only when a movement of the remote controller 100 is sensed to be equal to or greater than the pre-set value.

Thus, like the case of using the capacitive sensor, even when the accelerometer is used, a mode of the input unit 10 can be converted into the operation mode by using a movement of the remote controller 100 that may be naturally generated when used.

Also, the mode conversion unit 30 may have a hall sensor for sensing a change in a magnetic field applied to the remote controller 100, and when the remote controller 100 is separated from the remote controller cradle having a magnet, a change in the magnetic field may be sensed and the input unit 10 may be converted into the operation mode.

Referring to the bidet 200 illustrated in FIG. 5(b), the bidet 200 may be provided with a remote controller cradle 260. The remote controller 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention may be positioned on the remote controller cradle 260, and a magnet may be provided in the remote controller cradle 260. Here, the magnet may be installed to provide adhesive strength between the remote controller cradle 260 and the remote controller 100. Also, the magnet may be used to determine whether or not the remote controller 100 is used by using a magnetic field due to the magnet.

In detail, a hall sensor for sensing a change in a magnetic field may be provided in the remote controller 100. When the remote controller 100 is placed on the remote controller cradle 260, a magnetic field having a certain magnitude may be continuously applied to the remote controller 100 by the magnet provided in the remote controller cradle 260. However, when the user separates the remote controller 100 from the remote controller cradle to use it, a magnetic field is not applied by the magnet any longer, and the hall sensor may sense it.

Separation of the remote controller 100 from the remote controller cradle 260 may be considered as a use of the remote controller 100, and thus, when the hall sensor senses the separation of the remote controller 100, the mode of the input unit 10 may be converted from the power saving mode to the operation mode.

Also, the mode conversion unit 30 may include a mode conversion micro-force sensor, and when pressure having a magnitude equal to or greater than a pre-set magnitude is applied to the mode conversion micro-force sensor, the mode conversion unit 30 may convert the input unit 10 into the operation mode. When the input unit 10 is in the power saving mode, only the mode conversion micro-force sensor may be activated, and when a pressure is applied to the mode conversion micro-force sensor, the input unit 10 may be converted into the operation mode. In addition, when the mode conversion micro-force sensor is pressed in the operation mode, the input unit may be converted into the power saving mode, or the mode conversion micro-force sensor may be deactivated in the operation mode.

Here, the mode conversion micro-force sensor may be positioned on a handle unit provided in the remote controller 100. The remote controller 100 may have a handle unit allowing the user to easily grasp the remote controller 100, and the mode conversion micro-force sensor may be provided on the handle unit. In this case, when the handle unit is grasped to use the remote controller 100, the mode conversion micro-force sensor may be pressed together to convert the remote controller 100 into the operation mode. To this end, the pressure having the pre-set magnitude of the mode conversion micro-force sensor provided on the handle unit may be set to have a size of pressure sufficient to grasp the handle unit. Here, an illumination sensor, instead of the mode conversion micro-force sensor, may be provided on the handle unit to convert the mode of the remote controller 100 into the operation mode. Namely, when the user grasps the handle unit, light of the illumination sensor may be blocked, so whether or not the user grasps the handle unit may be determined by sensing whether or not light is blocked.

In addition, the mode conversion unit 30 may include at least any one of the mode conversion micro-force sensor, a capacitive sensor, an infrared sensor, an accelerometer, and a hall sensor, and whether to convert the mode of the input unit 10 may be determined by using the sensor. Namely, the mode conversion unit may include a plurality of sensors, rather than only any one of the mode conversion micro-force sensor, a capacitive sensor, an infrared sensor, an accelerometer, and a hall sensor, and the mode conversion unit 30 may determine whether to convert the mode of the input unit 10 by using signals input from the plurality of sensors.

Meanwhile, the mode conversion unit 30 may convert the input unit 10 from the operation mode into the power saving mode. To this end, an extra button, a switch, or the like, may be provided in the remote controller 100, or when there is no input with respect to the micro-force sensor for more than a pre-set time, the mode conversion unit 30 may convert the mode of the input unit 10 from the operation mode into the power saving mode.

When there is no user input for a pre-set period of time, it may be regarded that the user has finished using the controlled device 200, so the operation mode may not need to be maintained any longer. Thus, the operation mode may be converted into the power saving mode to minimize energy consumption of the remote controller 100.

The remote controller 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention may be applied to a produce or a place in which the remote controller can be utilized, such as a TV, an air-conditioner, or the like. In particular, the remote controller 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention may be widely utilized in home appliances used in a humid place such as a bidet, or the like.

FIG. 5(b) is a perspective view showing an example of a bidet having the remote controller according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a function of the bidet including the remote controller according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 5(b) and 6, a bidet according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a bidet body 210, a toilet seat unit 220, a nozzle unit 230 a water supply unit 240, the remote controller 100, and a controller 250, which are installed in the toilet bowl (chamber pot or closestool) 1.

The toilet seat unit 220 includes a seat provided on the front of the bidet body 210 and allowing the user to sit thereon, and adjusts a temperature of the seat according to a toilet seat temperature control signal.

A heat ray may be provided within the seat of the toilet seat unit 220 in order to increase a temperature of the seat, and the toilet seat unit 220 may adjust a time and/or heating temperature for heating the seat through the heat ray according to the toilet seat temperature control signal. Here, the toilet seat temperature control signal may be received from the controller 250.

The nozzle unit 230 is provided on one side of the bidet body 210 and jets washing water by adjusting a jet strength, a jet position, and a jet duration according to an input nozzle control signal. The nozzle unit 230 jets washing water to wash private parts of the user, and the nozzle control signal may be received from the controller 250.

The water supply unit 240 serves to supply washing water, and adjusts temperature of the washing water supplied to the nozzle unit 230 according to an input hot water control signal. The water supply unit 240 serves to receive raw water from a municipal water supply, or the like, and provide washing water to the nozzle unit 230. The water supply unit 240 may include a heater, and adjust a temperature of washing water by using the heater.

The remote controller 100 may generate at least any one of the toilet seat temperature control signal, the nozzle control signal, and the hot water control signal according to a user input. The function and operation of the remote controller 100 have been described above, so a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The controller 250 may receive a control signal generated by the remote controller 100, and control an operation of the toilet seat unit 220, the nozzle unit 230 and the water supply unit 240 by using the received control signal. The controller 250 may include an extra reception unit for receiving a control signal transmitted from the communications unit 20 of the remote controller 100 and the controller 250 may transmit a control signal to the remote controller 100. Also, the controller 250 may transmit the control signal received from the remote controller 100 directly to the toilet seat unit 220, the nozzle unit 230 and the water supply unit 240 to control an operation thereof. Also, the controller 250 my generate an extra control signal by using the control signal received from the remote controller 100 and control the toilet seat unit 220, the nozzle unit 230, the water supply unit 240, and the like, by using the generated control signal.

In addition, the bidet according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include the remote controller cradle 260. The remote controller cradle 260 is an element allowing the remote controller 100 to be supported thereon. The remote controller cradle 260 is not limited to the embodiment of FIG. 5(b) and may be positioned on a wall of a bathroom, door, a bottom, or the like, in which the bidet is positioned.

Claims

A remote controller comprising:

an input unit having one or more micro-force sensors and generating a control signal according to an input with respect to the micro-force sensor;

a communications unit transmitting the control signal by using wired or wireless communications; and

a mode conversion unit converting a mode of the input unit into a power saving mode in which the micro-force sensor is not operated or into an operation mode in which an operation of the micro-force sensor is activated.
The remote controller of claim 1, wherein the micro-force sensor includes two sheets of film that face each other and piezo-resistive layers positioned between the sheets of film, wherein a resistance value of the piezo-resistive layers changing according to a pressure applied to the sheets of film is measured to sense an input with respect to the micro-force sensor.
The remote controller of claim 2, wherein the input unit senses a resistance value of the piezo-resistive layers changing according to a magnitude of applied pressure and generates a control signal corresponding to the resistance value of the piezo-resistive layers.
The remote controller of claim 2, wherein the input unit senses a direction in which the resistance value of the piezo-resistive layers is changed according to a direction of applied pressure, and generates a control signal corresponding to the direction of applied pressure.
The remote controller of claim 2, wherein the input unit includes a plurality of micro-force sensors, senses a direction of applied pressure from an order in which pressure is applied to the plurality of micro-force sensors, and generates a control signal corresponding to the direction of applied pressure.
The remote controller of claim 1, wherein the mode conversion unit includes a capacitive sensor for sensing a change in static electricity according to an approach of a human body, and when a change in static electricity is equal to or greater than a pre-set value, the mode conversion unit converts the input unit into the operation mode.
The remote controller of claim 1, wherein the mode conversion unit senses a distance between the input unit and a human body approaching the input unit by using an infrared sensor, and when the distance between the human body and the input unit is equal to or smaller than a pre-set value, the mode conversion unit converts the input unit into the operation mode.
The remote controller of claim 1, wherein the mode conversion unit includes an accelerometer for sensing acceleration according to a movement of the remote controller, and when acceleration of the remote controller is equal to or greater than a pre-set value, the mode conversion unit converts the input unit into the operation mode.
The remote controller of claim 1, wherein the mode conversion unit includes a hall sensor for sensing a change in a magnetic field applied to the remote controller, and when the remote controller is separated from a remote controller cradle having a magnet, the mode conversion unit senses a change in the magnetic field and converts the input unit into the operation mode.
The remote controller of claim 1, wherein the mode conversion unit includes a mode conversion micro-force sensor, and when pressure having a magnitude equal to or greater than a pre-set magnitude is applied to the mode conversion micro-force sensor, the mode conversion unit converts the input unit into the operation mode.
The remote controller of claim 10, wherein the mode conversion unit is positioned on a handle unit provided in the remote controller, and when the handle unit is grasped, pressure having a magnitude equal to or greater than a pre-set magnitude is applied to the mode conversion micro-force sensor.
The remote controller of claim 1, wherein the mode conversion unit includes at least any one of the mode conversion micro-force sensor, the capacitive sensor, an infrared sensor, an accelerometer, and a hall sensor, and the mode conversion unit determines whether to convert a mode of the input unit by using the sensor.
The remote controller of claim 1, wherein the communications unit is positioned on a lower end of the remote controller, and a line connecting the communications unit and the bidet has a slope between 30 degrees to 60 degrees with respect to a vertical line.
The remote controller of claim 1 to claim 13, wherein when there is no input with respect to the micro-force sensor in the operation mode for more than a pre-set period of time, the mode conversion unit converts the mode of the input unit into the power saving mode.
A bidet comprising:

a bidet body;

a toilet seat unit including a seat provided on the front of the bidet body and allowing a user to sit thereon, and adjusting a temperature of the seat according to a toilet seat temperature control signal;

a nozzle unit provided on one side of the bidet body and jetting washing water by adjusting a jet strength, a jet position, and a jet duration according to an input nozzle control signal;

a water supply unit serves to supply washing water, and adjusting a temperature of the washing water supplied to the nozzle unit according to an input hot water control signal;

a remote controller including an input unit having one or more micro-force sensors and generating a control signal according to an input with respect to the micro-force sensor, a communications unit transmitting the control signal by using wired or wireless communications, and a mode conversion unit converting a mode of the input unit into a power saving mode in which the micro-force sensor is not operated or into an operation mode in which an operation of the micro-force sensor is activated; and

a controller receiving a control signal transmitted from the remote controller, and controlling an operation of the toilet seat unit, the nozzle unit and the water supply unit by using the received control signal.