Remote controller

Abstract

To provide a remote controller with which a user can easily identify image data being updated in a nonvolatile memory device.SOLUTION: A remote controller 13 includes: a display input unit 131; a flash memory 134 which stores first image data for generating a first image to be displayed by a display input unit 131 during normal operation; a ROM 133b which stores second data for generating a second image which indicates that the first image data is being updated in the flash memory 134; and a control unit 133. The control unit 133 reads, during the normal operation, the first image data from the flash memory 134 to be output on the display input unit 131, and causes the display input unit 131 to display the first image. The control unit 133 reads, during updating the first image data in the flash memory 134, the second image data from the ROM 133b to be output on the display input unit 131, and causes the display input unit 131 to display the second image.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a remote controller provided in a water heating apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a water heater is provided with a remote controller (hereinafter, abbreviated as "remote control") for remotely controlling the water heater from a bathroom or a kitchen. The remote control is provided with a display unit, and various images (screens) for displaying various information and setting various conditions are displayed on the display unit.

[0003] In the remote control, image data for generating an image (screen) to be displayed on the display unit is stored in a flash memory, which is a non-volatile memory element, provided separately from a control microcomputer (hereinafter abbreviated as "microcomputer"). During normal operation of the remote control, the microcomputer reads image data from the flash memory and outputs it to the display unit, thereby causing the display unit to display an image based on the image data.

[0004] It should be noted that Patent Document 1 listed below describes a technique for reading out image data stored in a flash memory and displaying an image based on the image data on a display unit. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2010-145890 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The remote control for the water heating device may be configured to be able to update image data in a flash memory so that the layout of the image (screen) displayed on the display unit can be changed. For example, image data for updating is transmitted to the remote control from a server connected to the remote control so that the remote control can communicate with the image data. By adopting such a configuration, the display unit can display not only images related to image data stored in the remote control, but also images related to image data prepared externally, expanding the options available to the user.

[0007] In the remote control, the microcomputer executes the update process for the flash memory using the image data for updating. During this update, the display unit will be turned off because it is not possible to display an image based on the image data from the flash memory. In addition, the remote control will not be able to accept any operations.

[0008] For this reason, if a user, unaware that image data is being updated in the flash memory, operates the remote control while it is being updated, the display will be blank and operations will not be accepted, which may lead the user to mistakenly think that the remote control is broken.

[0009] In view of the above problem, an object of the present invention is to provide a remote controller that allows a user to easily know that image data in a non-volatile memory element is being updated. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] A main aspect of the present invention relates to a remote controller provided in a hot water supply device. The remote controller according to this aspect includes a display unit, a first storage element that stores first image data for generating a first image to be displayed on the display unit during normal operation and is capable of updating the first image data, a second storage element different from the first storage element that stores second image data for generating a second image indicating that the first image data is being updated in the first storage element, and a control unit. Here, the control unit causes the display unit to display the first image by reading the first image data from the first storage element and outputting it to the display unit during the normal operation. Furthermore, when the first image data is updated in the first storage element, the control unit causes the display unit to display the second image by reading the second image data from the second storage element and outputting it to the display unit.

[0011] According to the remote controller of this embodiment, when the first image data in the first storage element is updated, the second image data for generating the second image indicating that the update is in progress is read from the second storage element and output to the display unit, whereby the second image is displayed on the display unit. This allows the user to understand that the first image is not displayed on the display unit because the first image data is being updated. This prevents the user from misunderstanding that the display device has broken down. This prevents the user from misunderstanding that the remote controller has broken down because the first image is not displayed on the display unit.

[0012] In the remote controller according to this aspect, the control unit may be a microcomputer, in which case the second storage element may be a ROM included in the microcomputer.

[0013] According to the above configuration, the ROM included in the microcomputer is used to store the second image data, so that an increase in costs can be suppressed.

[0014] The remote controller according to the present embodiment may further include an operation unit that accepts an operation. In this case, when the first image data is updated in the first storage element, the operation unit does not accept an operation, and the control unit may display the second image on the display unit when an operation is performed on the operation unit.

[0015] According to the above configuration, it is possible to prevent a user from misunderstanding that the remote controller has broken down due to the failure to accept an operation on the operation unit. Furthermore, since the second image is displayed on the display unit when an operation is performed on the operation unit, it is possible to reduce power consumption in the remote controller. Effect of the Invention

[0016] As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a remote controller that allows the user to easily know that image data in a non-volatile memory element is being updated.

[0017] The effects and significance of the present invention will become clearer from the following description of the embodiment. However, the embodiment described below is merely an example of how the present invention can be put into practice, and the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described below. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a water heating device according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing circuit blocks of each device constituting the hot water supply device according to the embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a control process for image display according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4(a) is a diagram showing an example of a top screen, which is a first image, according to an embodiment, and FIG. 4(b) is a diagram showing an example of an update notification screen, which is a second image, according to an embodiment. [Diagram 5]FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a control process for image display according to the first modification. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0019] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0020] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a water heating apparatus 10. As shown in FIG.

[0021] Water heating device 10 includes water heater 11 and remote controllers 12 and 13. Water heater 11 is a gas water heater that uses gas as fuel to supply hot water. Hot water generated by water heater 11 is supplied to a kitchen faucet, a bathtub, a faucet, etc. through pipes connected to hot water outlet 11a. When water heater 11 has a floor heating function, a bathroom heating function, and a heating function using a panel heater, hot water is supplied from water heater 11 to devices that realize these functions.

[0022] Remote controllers 12 and 13 are connected to water heater 11 and are used to make various settings for each function of water heater 10. Remote controller 12 includes display unit 121 and input unit 122, and remote controller 13 includes display / input unit 131 consisting of a touch panel and operation button 132. The operator can make any settings for filling the water tank and adjusting the hot water temperature by operating input unit 122, which is an operation unit, according to the screen displayed on display unit 121. The operator can also make settings for filling the water tank and the like by operating display / input unit 131, which is an operation unit. Remote controller 12 is installed in the bathroom, and remote controller 13 is installed in the kitchen or the like.

[0023] The remote controllers 12 and 13 are display devices that display images (screens) on their display units 121 and display input units 131.

[0024] Hereinafter, the remote controller 12 installed in the bathroom will be referred to as the "bathroom remote control 12," and the remote controller 13 installed in the kitchen or the like will be referred to as the "kitchen remote control 13."

[0025] An operation button 122a is included in the input section 122 of the bathroom remote control 12. The operation buttons 122a and 132 are buttons for switching the water heater 11 between an operation on state and an operation off state.

[0026] When bathroom remote control 12 and kitchen remote control 13 are in the operation off state (a state in which water heater 11 will not perform hot water supply operation even if a hot water tap such as a faucet is opened and water flows at a rate greater than the reference flow rate), display unit 121 and display input unit 131 are turned off, and operation of operation buttons other than operation buttons 122a, 132, i.e., operation of operation buttons other than operation button 122a of input unit 122 and operation buttons displayed on display input unit 131, are not accepted. When operation buttons 122a, 132 are operated to switch to the operation on state (a state in which water heater 11 can perform hot water supply operation when a hot water tap such as a faucet is opened and water flows at a rate greater than the reference flow rate), display unit 121 and display input unit 131 light up to display the setting contents, and operation of operation buttons other than operation buttons 122a, 132 can be accepted.

[0027] Furthermore, input unit 122 and display input unit 131 include a button for changing the hot water supply temperature. The operator can change the set hot water supply temperature by operating this button. In addition, input unit 122 and display input unit 131 include buttons for controlling the operation of water heater 11, such as buttons for executing functions such as reheating, adding hot water, adding cold water, and automatic bath. The automatic bath function includes a bath filling function for filling the bathtub with hot water and a reheating function for keeping the hot water in the bathtub warm.

[0028] Water heating apparatus 10 can be communicatively connected to server 20 via router 30 and external communication network 40. Kitchen remote control 13 has a function for communicating with router 30, i.e., server 20. Router 30 is a wireless router, and external communication network 40 is, for example, the Internet.

[0029] Server 20 has a function of supplying water heating apparatus 10 with update firmware for updating firmware installed in water heating apparatus 10. Furthermore, server 20 has a function of supplying water heating apparatus 10 with update image data for updating image data in the flash memory of bathroom remote control 12 and kitchen remote control 13.

[0030] Update firmware is new firmware that replaces the current firmware through an update process. For example, if a defect is found in the firmware, the firmware is updated with update firmware. At this time, the entire firmware may be overwritten with the update firmware, or only a part of it may be overwritten with the update firmware.

[0031] The updated image data is new image data that replaces the current image data through an update process. For example, when changing the layout of an image (screen) displayed on the display unit 121 or the display input unit 131, the image data is updated with the updated image data.

[0032] When a firmware update or image data update is required, the updated firmware or updated image data is transmitted (downloaded) from server 20 to water heating apparatus 10, i.e., kitchen remote control 13, via external communication network 40 and router 30. Note that the updated firmware or updated image data may be transmitted from server 20 based on an operation by an operator on kitchen remote control 13 or the like.

[0033] Water heating apparatus 10 may be remotely controllable by a mobile terminal device from inside and outside the home. In this case, control information input to the mobile terminal device is transmitted from the mobile terminal device to server 20, and then transmitted from server 20 to kitchen remote control 13. In this way, the control information is set in kitchen remote control 13, and control according to the control information is executed.

[0034] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing circuit blocks of each device constituting hot water supply apparatus 10. As shown in FIG.

[0035] Water heater 11 includes control unit 111, memory unit 112, drive unit 113, detection unit 114, and communication unit 115.

[0036] Control unit 111 includes a microcomputer and controls each unit in water heater 11 according to a program (firmware) stored in an internal memory. Storage unit 112 includes a memory and is used as an external memory (work area) when the firmware is executed. Storage unit 112 also includes a non-volatile storage element such as an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory).

[0037] Driving unit 113 includes various driving means necessary for hot water supply operation such as a gas solenoid valve. Detection unit 114 includes various sensors arranged in water heater 11. For example, detection unit 114 includes a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of hot water, a flow rate sensor for detecting the supply of hot water, and a water level sensor for detecting the level of hot water in the bathtub.

[0038] Communication unit 115 communicates with bathroom remote control 12 and kitchen remote control 13 according to control from control unit 111. Communication unit 115 is connected to communication unit 125 of bathroom remote control 12 and communication unit 135 of kitchen remote control 13 via two-core communication lines L1 and L2. In addition, two-core communication lines L1 and L2 are connected to each other inside communication unit 115. Therefore, communication unit 125 of bathroom remote control 12 and communication unit 135 of kitchen remote control 13 are connected to each other by two-core communication lines L1 and L2. Therefore, a signal transmitted from any of communication units 115, 125, 135 is simultaneously transmitted to the other communication unit.

[0039] Bathroom remote control 12 includes, in addition to display unit 121 and input unit 122 described above, control unit 123, flash memory 124, communication unit 125, and speaker 126. Display unit 121 is, for example, configured with a liquid crystal panel. Input unit 122 includes various operation buttons such as a temperature setting button. Display unit 121 may be a touch panel.

[0040] The control unit 123 is a microcomputer and includes a central processing unit (CPU) 123a, a read only memory (ROM) 123b, a random access memory (RAM) 123c, etc., and the CPU 123a performs predetermined control according to a program (firmware) stored in the ROM 123b.

[0041] Flash memory 124 is a non-volatile first storage element, and stores first image data for generating first images such as a top screen displayed on display unit 121 during normal operation of bathroom remote control 12. The first image data in flash memory 124 can be updated with update image data.

[0042] The control unit 123 includes a ROM 123b serving as a second storage element, which stores second image data for generating a second image indicating that the first image data in the flash memory 124 is being updated.

[0043] Communication unit 125 communicates with water heater 11 and kitchen remote control 13 under the control of control unit 123. Speaker 126 outputs sound based on the audio signal generated by control unit 123. The sound output from speaker 126 is output from audio window 12a in FIG.

[0044] In addition to the above-mentioned display input unit 131 and operation button 132, kitchen remote control 13 includes a control unit 133, a flash memory 134, a communication unit 135, a speaker 136, and a wireless communication unit 137.

[0045] The control unit 133 is a microcomputer and includes a central processing unit (CPU) 133a, a read only memory (ROM) 133b, a random access memory (RAM) 133c, etc., and the CPU 133a performs predetermined control according to a program (firmware) stored in the ROM 133b.

[0046] Flash memory 134 is a non-volatile first storage element, and stores first image data for generating first images such as a top screen displayed on display input unit 131 during normal operation of kitchen remote control 13. The first image data in flash memory 134 can be updated with update image data.

[0047] The control unit 133 includes a ROM 133b serving as a second storage element, which stores second image data for generating a second image indicating that the first image data in the flash memory 134 is being updated.

[0048] Communication unit 135 communicates with water heater 11 and bathroom remote control 12 under the control of control unit 133. Speaker 136 outputs audio based on an audio signal generated by control unit 133. The audio output from speaker 136 is output from audio window 13a in Fig. 1. Wireless communication unit 137 is a wireless communication module capable of wireless communication with router 30.

[0049] In water heating apparatus 10 of this embodiment, when bathroom remote control 12 and kitchen remote control 13 are operating normally, respective control units 123, 133 read out first image data from respective flash memories 124, 134 and output them to display unit 121 and display input unit 131, respectively, thereby causing display unit 121 and display input unit 131 to display a first image such as a top screen. The display of the first image on display unit 121 and display input unit 131 (reading out the first image data from flash memories 124, 134) is repeated at a fixed display update period (for example, 100 ms). This makes it possible to prevent a situation in which an image cannot be displayed correctly due to noise or the like from continuing.

[0050] In bathroom remote control 12 and kitchen remote control 13, the first image data in flash memories 124, 134 can be updated with updated image data transmitted from server 20. This makes it possible to change the layout of the first image, for example, to change the positions of the operation buttons on the top screen, the hot water temperature display, and the date and time display.

[0051] When updating, control units 123, 133 perform a process of rewriting the first image data to the updated image data in flash memories 124, 134. Therefore, at this time, the first image is not displayed on display unit 121 and display input unit 131. In addition, since the first image cannot be displayed, operations to bathroom remote control 12 and kitchen remote control 13 cannot be accepted.

[0052] Therefore, in this embodiment, in order to prevent the user from mistakenly thinking that the bathroom remote control 12 or the kitchen remote control 13 has broken down due to the failure to display the first image or to accept operations, when updating the first image data in the flash memories 124, 134, the control units 123, 133 read out the second image data from their ROMs 123b, 133b and output them to the display unit 121 and the display input unit 131, thereby causing the display unit 121 and the display input unit 131 to display a second image indicating that an update is in progress.

[0053] Fig. 3 is a flow chart showing the control process for image display. This control process is executed by control unit 123 of bathroom remote control 12 and control unit 133 of kitchen remote control 13. When power is turned on to bathroom remote control 12 and kitchen remote control 13, the control process of Fig. 3 starts.

[0054] The control process by control unit 133 of kitchen remote control 13 will be described below, but the control process by control unit 123 of bathroom remote control 12 is similar.

[0055] 3, control unit 133 reads out the first image data from flash memory 134 and outputs it to display input unit 131 (S101). As a result, display input unit 131 generates and displays a first image based on the first image data.

[0056] For example, a top screen 210 as shown in Fig. 4(a) is displayed as the first image on the display input unit 131. For example, the top screen 210 includes a hot water supply temperature display 211 and a date and time display 212. The top screen 210 also includes, as operation buttons, a menu button 213 for moving to a menu screen, a reheating button 214 for starting the reheating function, and an automatic bath button 215 for starting the automatic bath function.

[0057] Control unit 133 repeatedly executes the process of step S101 every time a predetermined display update period (for example, 100 ms) elapses (S102: YES). At this time, for example, if the date and time changes before the next display update period elapses, first image data after the date and time change is read from flash memory 134, and the first image after the date and time change is displayed on display input unit 131. Also, if menu button 213 is operated before the next display update period elapses, first image data of the menu screen is read from flash memory 134, and the menu screen is displayed on display input unit 131 as the first image. The menu screen includes a plurality of operation buttons that transition to various screens, such as a hot water supply temperature setting screen. The various screens transitioned from these menu screens are also first images.

[0058] While the display of the first image on the display input unit 131 is being repeated at the display update cycle (S102: NO), the control unit 133 monitors whether updating of the first image data in the flash memory 134 has started (S103).

[0059] When wireless communication section 137 of kitchen remote control 13 receives updated image data from server 20, control section 133 starts updating the first image data in flash memory 134 in parallel with the control process of FIG.

[0060] When updating of the first image data in flash memory 134 starts (S103: YES), control unit 133 prohibits the acceptance of operations from display input unit 131 and operation button 132 of kitchen remote control 13 (S104).

[0061] Then, the control unit 133 reads out the second image data from the ROM 133b and outputs it to the display input unit 131 (S105). As a result, the display input unit 131 generates and displays a second image indicating that the first image data in the flash memory 134 is being updated based on the second image data. The control unit 133 repeatedly executes the process of step S105 every time a predetermined display update period (for example, 100 ms) has elapsed (S106: YES).

[0062] The display update cycle of the second image may be the same as the display update cycle of the first image, but in order to reduce the processing load on the control unit 133, it may be shorter than the display update cycle of the first image.

[0063] 4(b) is displayed as the second image on the display input unit 131. For example, the update notification screen 220 includes a message 221 indicating that an update is in progress. The update notification screen 220 is a fixed display in which components such as the message 221 do not change.

[0064] By checking the update notification screen 220 displayed on the display input unit 131, the user can know that the image data in the flash memory 134 is being updated.

[0065] While the second image is repeatedly displayed on the display input unit 131 at the display update cycle (S106: NO), the control unit 133 monitors whether or not updating of the first image data in the flash memory 134 has been completed (S107).

[0066] When the update of the first image data in flash memory 134 is completed (S107: YES), control unit 133 resumes accepting operations via display input unit 131 and operation button 132 of kitchen remote control 13 (S108). Then, control unit 133 resumes reading of the first image data from flash memory 134, and causes display input unit 131 to display the first image (S101).

[0067] <Effects of the embodiment> According to this embodiment, the following effects can be achieved.

[0068] When the first image data is updated in the flash memory 134 (124), the second image data for generating a second image (update notification screen 220) indicating that an update is in progress is read from the ROM 133b (123b) and output to the display input unit 131 (display unit 121), whereby the second image is displayed on the display input unit 131 (display unit 121). This allows the user to understand that the first image data is being updated in the flash memory 134. This prevents the user from misunderstanding that the kitchen remote control 13 (bathroom remote control 12) has broken down because the first image is not displayed on the display input unit 131 (display unit 121).

[0069] Furthermore, since the ROM 133b (123b) built into the control unit 133 (123) which is a microcomputer is used to store the second image data, an increase in costs can be suppressed. Also, since the second image (update notification screen 220) is a fixed display, the storage capacity is small and it is unlikely to be a burden on the ROM 133b.

[0070] Although the present embodiment has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and application examples of the present invention can be modified in various ways in addition to the above embodiment.

[0071] <Change Example 1> Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing a control process for image display according to Modification Example 1. For convenience, steps S101 to S103 are omitted in Fig. 5.

[0072] In the above embodiment, while the first image data in flash memories 124, 134 is being updated, the second image indicating that the update is being performed is constantly displayed on display unit 121 and display input unit 131. However, when the user operates bathroom remote control 12 or kitchen remote control 13 during the update, the user is likely to mistakenly assume that a malfunction has occurred.

[0073] Therefore, in this modified example, instead of constantly displaying the second image on display unit 121 or display input unit 131 during an update, the second image is displayed only when bathroom remote control 12 or kitchen remote control 13 is operated, which is particularly necessary. This makes it possible to reduce power consumption in bathroom remote control 12 and kitchen remote control 13.

[0074] Referring to FIG. 5, when the control unit 133 prohibits the acceptance of operations via the display input unit 131 and the operation button 132 of the kitchen remote control 13 based on the start of updating of the first image data in the flash memory 134 (S103: YES → S104), it monitors whether the display input unit 131 and the operation button 132 have been operated (S112) until the updating of the first image data in the flash memory 134 is completed (S111, NO).

[0075] When the display input unit 131 and the operation button 132 are operated (S112: YES), the control unit 133 reads the second image data from the ROM 133b and outputs it to the display input unit 131, thereby causing the second image to be displayed on the display input unit 131 (S105). The control unit 133 repeatedly executes the process of step S105 every time a display update period elapses until updating of the first image data in the flash memory 134 is completed.

[0076] On the other hand, when updating of the first image data in flash memory 134 is completed without operation of display input unit 131 and operation button 132 (S111: YES), control unit 133 resumes accepting operations via display input unit 131 and operation button 132 of kitchen remote control 13 (S113). Then, control unit 133 resumes reading of the first image data from flash memory 134, and causes display input unit 131 to display the first image (S101).

[0077] <Other changes> In the above embodiment, the second image data for generating the second image indicating that the first image data in the flash memories 124 and 134 is being updated is stored in the ROMs 123b and 133b of the control units 123 and 133 which are microcomputers. However, a storage element other than the ROMs 123b and 133b, for example, an EEPROM which is a non-volatile storage element, may be used as the second storage element in which the second image data is stored. For example, the water heating device 10 may have a function of measuring the gas usage amount in the water heater 11 and displaying the gas usage amount using a graph or the like on the display unit 121 of the bathroom remote control 12 or the display input unit 131 of the kitchen remote control 13. In this case, it is preferable that an EEPROM for storing data on the gas usage amount is provided in the bathroom remote control 12 or the kitchen remote control 13, and the second image data is stored in the EEPROM. That is, it is preferable that a storage element provided separately from the ROMs 123b and 133b for storing data other than the image data is also used as the second storage element for storing the second image data.

[0078] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the first image data is stored in the flash memories 124 and 134. However, in order to store the first image data, a non-volatile memory element other than the flash memories 124 and 134, for example, an EEPROM, may be used as the first memory element.

[0079] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the first image data can be updated in both the flash memory 124 of the bathroom remote control 12 and the flash memory 134 of the kitchen remote control 13. However, the first image data may be updated in only one of the flash memory 124 of the bathroom remote control 12 and the flash memory 134 of the kitchen remote control 13. In a remote control that does not allow updating of the first image data, only the processes of steps S101 and S102 in the control process of Figure 3 are executed.

[0080] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, wireless communication unit 137 is provided in kitchen remote control 13. However, a wireless communication unit may be provided in water heater 11 or bathroom remote control 12. Also, a communication unit including a wireless communication unit may be provided in water heating apparatus 10.

[0081] Furthermore, water heating apparatus 10 is not limited to one that uses gas fuel, and may be a water heating apparatus that uses oil as fuel. Water heating apparatus 10 may be of a storage type that uses a storage tank, and may further include a power generation unit such as a fuel cell.

[0082] Furthermore, in this embodiment, remote controllers 12 and 13 provided in water heating apparatus 10 are exemplified as the display device of the present invention. However, the present invention can be applied to remote controllers other than remote controllers 12 and 13 of water heating apparatus 10.

[0083] In addition, the embodiments of the present invention can be modified in various ways as appropriate within the scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0084] 10. Hot water supply equipment 12 Bathroom remote control 13 Kitchen remote control 121 Display section 122 Input section (operation section) 123 Control Unit 123b ROM (second memory element) 124 Flash memory (first memory element) 131 Display / input unit (display unit, operation unit) 133 Control Unit 133b ROM (second memory element) 134 Flash memory (first memory element)

Claims

1. A remote controller provided in a water heating device, A display unit; a first storage element that stores first image data for generating a first image to be displayed on the display unit during normal operation and is capable of updating the first image data; a second storage element different from the first storage element, the second storage element storing second image data for generating a second image indicating that the first image data in the first storage element is being updated; A control unit, The control unit is During the normal operation, the first image data is read from the first storage element and output to the display unit, thereby displaying the first image on the display unit; When the first image data in the first storage element is updated, the second image data is read from the second storage element and output to the display unit, thereby causing the display unit to display the second image. A remote controller comprising:

2. 2. The remote controller according to claim 1, The control unit is a microcomputer, The second memory element is a ROM provided in the microcomputer. A remote controller comprising:

3. 3. The remote controller according to claim 1, An operation unit that accepts operations is further provided, When the first image data is updated in the first memory element, The operation unit does not accept an operation, The control unit causes the display unit to display the second image when an operation is performed on the operation unit. A remote controller comprising:

Images