Control system for humidity regulation device, humidity regulation device and control method for humidity regulation device

Abstract

To provide a control system for a humidity regulation device that makes a notification enabling a water amount in a water storage section of the humidity regulation device to be imaged intuitively.SOLUTION: A control system 100A for a humidity regulation device includes a control section 30. The control section is configured to report a water amount in a water storage section 36 of a humidifier 3 that is one example of the humidity regulation device by using environmental sound M related to water corresponding to the water amount or environmental sound M associated with water.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a control system for a humidity regulator, a humidity regulator, and a method for controlling a humidity regulator.

Background Art

[0002] In a humidity regulator such as a humidifier or a dehumidifier, it is necessary to appropriately maintain the amount of water in the water storage section. This is because, in the case of a humidifier, water supply is required when the water storage section becomes empty, and in the case of a dehumidifier, drainage is required when the water storage section becomes full. Therefore, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-053754 (hereinafter, Patent Document 1) discloses a humidifier that detects the water surface height in a water storage container and notifies that it is in a water supply necessary state where water supply should be performed. As also disclosed in Patent Document 1, notification of the amount of water in a humidity regulator such as a humidifier or a dehumidifier is generally performed by a beep sound from a buzzer or the like.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

[0004] In the environment surrounding users these days, the number of devices that emit beep sounds is increasing. Therefore, unless it is grasped in advance which device emits which beep sound under what circumstances, there may be cases where the user does not notice that it is a notification of the amount of water from the humidity regulator or cannot understand the amount of water. Also, depending on the user, the image of the type of beep sound and the amount of water may not match, and there may be cases where the amount of water cannot be imagined only by the beep sound. Therefore, a control system for a humidity regulator, a humidity regulator, and a method for controlling a humidity regulator that can intuitively image the amount of water in the water storage section of the humidity regulator are desired.

[0005] According to an embodiment, the control system of the humidity regulator includes a control unit. The control unit is configured to notify the amount of water in the water storage unit of the humidity regulator with environmental sound related to water or environmental sound associating with water according to the amount of water.

[0006] Further details will be described as embodiments below.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0008] <Overview of a control system for a humidity regulator, a humidity regulator, and a control method for a humidity regulator> (1) The control system for the humidity regulator according to the embodiment includes a control unit. The control unit is configured to cause the amount of water in the water storage unit of the humidity regulator to be notified by environmental sound related to water corresponding to the amount of water or environmental sound associating water.

[0009] In the control system for the humidity regulator according to the embodiment, the amount of water in the water storage unit is notified by environmental sound related to water corresponding to the amount of water or environmental sound associating water. By using environmental sound related to water or environmental sound associating water as a notification sound, the user can intuitively perceive that it is a notification related to water. Therefore, it is easy to understand that it is a notification related to the humidity regulator. Also, by using environmental sound related to water corresponding to the amount of water or environmental sound associating water as a notification sound, the user can easily grasp the amount of water intuitively.

[0010] (2) The control system according to (1), preferably, the control unit is configured to cause the notification to be performed at regular time intervals. Thereby, the user can know the amount of water in the water storage unit at regular time intervals.

[0011] (3) The control system according to (1), preferably, the control unit is configured to cause the notification to be performed at the timing when the amount of water reaches a predetermined amount of water. Thereby, the user can know the amount of water in the water storage unit at the timing when the amount of water reaches a predetermined amount of water.

[0012] (4) The control system according to (1), preferably, the control unit is configured to cause the notification to be continuously performed during the operation of the humidity regulator. Thereby, the user can always know the amount of water in the water storage unit during the operation of the humidity regulator.

[0013] (5) The control system of (1) to (4), preferably, the control unit is configured to cause the notification to be made by a device different from the humidity adjuster. Thereby, the user can know the amount of water in the water storage unit by the notification from a device different from the humidity adjuster.

[0014] (6) The humidity adjuster according to the embodiment is equipped with the control system of the humidity adjuster of (1) to (5). Therefore, the humidity adjuster according to the embodiment notifies the amount of water in the water storage unit by environmental sound related to water according to the amount of water or environmental sound associating water. Thereby, the user can intuitively perceive that it is a notification related to water. Also, the user can easily grasp the amount of water intuitively.

[0015] (7) The control method of the humidity adjuster according to the embodiment is a control method of the humidity adjuster installed in a computer, and includes obtaining the amount of water in the water storage unit of the humidity adjuster and causing it to be notified by environmental sound related to water according to the amount of water or environmental sound associating water. Therefore, by controlling the humidity adjuster by the control method according to the embodiment, the amount of water in the water storage unit is notified by environmental sound related to water according to the amount of water or environmental sound associating water. Thereby, the user can intuitively perceive that it is a notification related to water. Also, the user can easily grasp the amount of water intuitively.

[0016] <2. Examples of the control system of the humidity adjuster, the humidity adjuster, and the control method of the humidity adjuster>

[0017] [First Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a control system 100A according to the first embodiment. The control system 100A includes a control unit 30. The control unit 30 controls a humidifier 3. The humidifier 3 is an example of a humidity adjuster. In the control system 100A, as an example, the control unit 30 is installed in the humidifier 3. The humidifier 3 may be installed in an air purifier, an air conditioner, or the like.

[0018] The humidifier 3 has a water storage section 36. The control section 30 is configured to notify the water level in the water storage section 36 of the humidifier 3 by causing the environmental sound M related to water according to the water volume to be output from the speaker 33.

[0019] The water storage section 36 includes a water storage tray 61. The water storage tray 61 is, for example, configured such that its upper surface is open and it can be inserted into and removed from the housing 3A of the humidifier 3. In this case, the water storage tray 61 can be taken out of the housing 3A and water can be supplied to the water storage section 36 by pouring water from the upper surface.

[0020] The water storage section 36 may further have a vaporization filter 62 disposed in the water storage tray 61. The vaporization filter 62 adsorbs the water in the water storage tray 61. The vaporization filter 62 is disposed in the water storage tray 61 such that its upper part is above the highest water level of the water storage tray 61. Thereby, the vaporization filter 62 vaporizes the adsorbed water above the water level.

[0021] The humidifier 3 has a heating section (not shown). The humidifier 3 generates water vapor by heating the water in the water storage tray 61 with the heating section. The humidifier 3 also has a fan (not shown). The humidifier 3 discharges the water vapor generated by heating and the water vapor vaporized by the vaporization filter 62 from the air outlet 35 provided in the housing 3A by operating the fan. Thereby, the humidifier 3 humidifies the surrounding air.

[0022] The humidifier 3 has an operation section 34. The operation section 34 is a touch panel or the like and receives user operations. The operation section 34 inputs an operation signal to the control section 30. The control section 30 controls each part of the humidifier 3 according to the operation signal. As an example, the control section 30 controls the temperature of the heating section (not shown) and the intensity of the fan so that the surrounding air reaches the humidity set by the operation section 34.

[0023] The humidifier 3 has a sensor 65 for sensing the water volume in the water storage section 36. The sensor 65 inputs a sensor signal to the control section 30. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an example of the sensor 65. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an example of the sensor 65 and the float 64.

[0024] The sensor 65 has a plurality of sensor elements 651A, 651B, 651C, …, 651I (also collectively referred to as sensor element 651). In the examples of FIGS. 2 and 3, the sensor 65 has nine sensor elements 651. The number of sensor elements 651 included in the sensor 65 may be nine or more, or may be less than nine.

[0025] The plurality of sensor elements 651 are arranged side by side in the first direction D. In the example of FIG. 2, the first direction D is represented by the vertical direction. Preferably, the plurality of sensor elements 651 are arranged side by side at equal intervals, or substantially equal intervals, in the first direction D.

[0026] The sensor element 651 is an element capable of detecting a material to be detected, which will be described later, and is, for example, a Hall element. In this case, the sensor element 651 outputs a voltage proportional to the magnetic field. The sensor 65 has an integrated circuit 652. The integrated circuit 652 processes the signal (voltage) output from the sensor element 651 and inputs it to the control unit 30.

[0027] At the inner end of the water storage tray 61, a float 64 having buoyancy is installed so as to be able to float and sink (FIG. 3). A material to be detected that can be detected by the sensor 65 is attached to the float 64. When the sensor element 651 is a Hall element, the material to be detected is, for example, a magnet 641.

[0028] The sensor 65 is installed inside the housing 3A, near the end on the side where the float 64 of the water storage tray 61 is installed (FIG. 3). Specifically, the sensor 65 is installed such that the first direction D coincides, or substantially coincides, with the vertical direction. In the example of FIG. 3, the sensor 65 is arranged such that the sensor elements 651A, 651B, 651C, …, 651I are arranged in order from bottom to top.

[0029] As an example, the sensor 65 is arranged such that the sensor element 651I is near the water level where the water volume in the water storage section 36 is 100% of the ideal full water volume, the sensor element 651G is near the water level where it is 75%, the sensor element 651F is near the water level where it is 50%, the sensor element 651D is near the water level where it is 25%, the sensor element 651B is near the water level where it is 1%, and the sensor element 651A is near the water level where it is 0%.

[0030] The magnetic field in the sensor element 651 close to the magnet 641 is large, and the magnetic field in the sensor element 651 far from the magnet 641 is small. The voltage from the sensor element 651 becomes larger as the magnetic field is larger and smaller as the magnetic field is smaller. Therefore, it can be said that the position where the sensor element 651 that outputs the largest voltage is arranged is generally the water level of the water storage section 36.

[0031] The signal processing of the integrated circuit 652 includes, as an example, comparing the signal (voltage) output from the sensor element 651 with a threshold value. The sensor 65 inputs a signal indicating whether the voltage of each sensor element 651 is equal to or greater than the threshold value to the control unit 30 as a sensor signal.

[0032] The method for detecting the water volume in the water storage section 36 is not limited to the methods shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. Also, the sensor element 651 used is not limited to a Hall element. Any method capable of detecting the water volume in the water storage section 36 may be used.

[0033] FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram of the control unit 30. The control unit 30 has a processor 31 and a memory 32. The processor 31 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The memory 32 includes, for example, a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), etc., and stores a program 321 executed by the processor 31. Also, the memory 32 has an environmental sound database (DB) 322 for storing the environmental sound M related to water.

[0034] The processor 31 executes a water level determination process 311 according to the program 321. The water level determination process 311 includes detecting the amount of water in the water storage unit 36 based on the sensor signal from the sensor 65. As an example, the water level determination process 311 includes determining the level of the water level in the water storage unit 36.

[0035] As an example, the processor 31 uses the correspondence C between the signal from the sensor 65 and the water level in the water level determination process 311. The processor 31 stores the correspondence C (Figure 4). Figure 5 is a diagram showing an example of the correspondence C. In the correspondence C, each column represents whether the voltage of each sensor element 651 is equal to or greater than the threshold value (on) or less than the threshold value (off), and each row represents the on / off combination of each sensor element 651 at the sensing time. The black circles in Figure 5 represent on, and the white circles represent off. The correspondence C in Figure 5 defines the relationship between the on / off combination of each sensor element 651 at the sensing time and the water level.

[0036] When the float 64 moves downward from above as the water level drops, the on sensor elements 651 change sequentially from the sensor element 651 arranged above the plurality of sensor elements 651. Specifically, the correspondence C in Figure 5 defines level 5 from the water level where only the sensor element 651I is on to the water level where the sensor elements 651H and 651G are on, level 4 from the water level where only the sensor element 651G is on to the water level where the sensor elements 651F and 651E are on, level 3 from the water level where only the sensor element 651E is on to the water level where the sensor elements 651D and 651C are on, level 2 from the water level where only the sensor element 651C is on to the water level where the sensor elements 651B and 651A are on, and level 1 as the water level where only the sensor element 651A is on. In other words, the correspondence C in Figure 5 defines that the amount of water in the water storage unit 36 is 100% - 76% of the ideal full water volume as level 5, 75% - 51% as level 4, 50% - 26% as level 3, 25% - 1% as level 2, and 0% as level 1.

[0037] In the water level determination process 311, as an example, the processor 31 determines the level of the water level in the water storage unit 36 based on the sensor signal from the sensor 65 and the correspondence relationship C. Note that using the correspondence relationship C is just an example, and the water level determination process 311 may be other methods. That is, as another example, the processor 31 may previously store an arithmetic expression for calculating the water level from the signal from the sensor 65, and determine the water level by substituting the sensor signal from the sensor 65 into the arithmetic expression.

[0038] The processor 31 executes the notification process 312 according to the program 321. The notification process 312 includes determining an environmental sound for notifying the amount of water in the water storage unit 36 according to the water level in the water storage unit 36.

[0039] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a specific example of the environmental sound DB 322. In the environmental sound DB 322, an environmental sound group 220-1 related to water according to the amount of water is stored in association with the water level. As an example, the environmental sound group 220-1 consists of a sound imaging underwater associated with level 5, an environmental sound imaging swimming on the water surface associated with level 4, an environmental sound imaging walking through a puddle associated with level 3, an environmental sound imaging water droplets associated with level 2, and an environmental sound imaging dry wind associated with level 1.

[0040] In the notification process 312, the processor 31 determines the environmental sound corresponding to the water level determined in the water level determination process 311 as the notification sound, and outputs it from the speaker 33. In the notification process 312, as an example, the processor 31 notifies at a previously specified timing. The previously specified timing is, for example, at regular time intervals. In this case, as an example, the processor 31 has a timer and measures the elapsed time from the timing when the speaker 33 is notified.

[0041] The predefined timing may, as another example, be the timing when the water volume reaches a predetermined water volume. The predetermined water volume may be, for example, 100%, 75%, 50%, 1%, and 0%, etc. In this case, the processor 31 detects the water volume in the water storage unit 36 based on the sensor signal from the sensor 65, and further determines whether it is the timing for notification. The predefined timing may, as another example, be constantly during the operation of the humidifier 3. In this case, the processor 31 causes the notification to be continuously performed during the operation of the humidifier 3.

[0042] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of a control method for the humidifier 3 according to the first embodiment. The processor 31 of the control unit 30 receives the input of the signal from the sensor 65 (step S101), and determines the water level of the water storage unit 36 using the correspondence C (step S103).

[0043] When it is the timing to notify the water volume (YES in step S105), the processor 31 determines the environmental sound M related to water for notifying the water volume in the water storage unit 36 from among the environmental sound group 220-1 using the water level determined in step S103 (step S107). The processor 31 causes the determined environmental sound M to be output from the speaker 33 (step S109). As an example, when the processor 31 detects that a predetermined time has elapsed since the most recent notification and the timing of the next notification has been reached, the corresponding environmental sound M is determined from among the environmental sound group 220-1 and output from the speaker 33.

[0044] With the above configuration, in the control system according to the first embodiment, the amount of water in the water storage unit 36 is notified by the environmental sound M related to water corresponding to the amount of water. By using the environmental sound M related to water as a notification sound, the user can intuitively perceive that it is a notification related to water. Therefore, it is easy to understand that it is a notification from the humidifier 3. Also, by using the environmental sound M related to water corresponding to the amount of water as a notification sound, the user can easily grasp the amount of water intuitively. Depending on the age, background, and ability of the user, it may be difficult to infer the amount of water from the content of speech, volume, pitch, or sounding interval. Even in such a case, by using the environmental sound M related to water corresponding to the amount of water as a notification sound, it is easy to imagine the amount of water. Therefore, it is possible to provide the humidifier 3 that is intuitive and easy to use for many users.

[0045] [Modification Example] In the above description, in order to determine the environmental sound M related to water corresponding to the amount of water, the water level based on the sensor signal from the sensor 65 is used. However, the method for determining the environmental sound M related to water corresponding to the amount of water is not limited to the method using the water level, and any method may be used as long as the environmental sound M related to water corresponding to the amount of water is determined. The same applies to the second to fifth embodiments described later. For example, the environmental sound DB 322 stores the environmental sound M related to water and the sensor element 651 in association with each other, and the control unit 10 may read out the environmental sound M related to water corresponding to the sensor element 651 for which the sensor signal is on.

[0046] [Second Embodiment] The timing for notifying the water volume in the water storage unit 36 may be settable by the user. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a setting screen 341 displayed on the operation unit 34 of the humidifier 3 in the second embodiment. The setting screen 341 includes options 342 for notifying the timing that can be presented for selection. As an example, the options 342 for notifying the timing include an option 342A for specifying an interval of a fixed time (for example, 1 hour), an option 342B for specifying the timing when the water volume reaches a predetermined water volume, and an option 342C for specifying to always notify during the operation of the humidifier 3.

[0047] The control method of the humidifier 3 in the second embodiment is generally the same as the control method according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 7. In the control method of the humidifier 3 in the second embodiment, when the processor 31 of the control unit 30 determines whether it is the notification timing in step S105, it determines whether it is the notification timing specified on the setting screen 341 of FIG. 8.

[0048] With the above configuration, in the control system according to the second embodiment, the water volume in the water storage unit 36 is notified at the timing set by the user. For example, by setting to notify at regular time intervals such as every 1 hour, the user can know the water volume in the water storage unit 36 at regular time intervals such as every 1 hour. By setting to notify when the water volume reaches a predetermined water volume, the user can know that the water volume in the water storage unit 36 has reached the predetermined water volume at the timing when the water volume reaches the predetermined water volume. By setting to always notify, the user can always hear the environmental sound M related to water corresponding to the water volume in the water storage unit 36 from the speaker 33 of the humidifier 3 during operation. Thereby, the user can intuitively grasp the water volume in the water storage unit 36 in real time and obtain a healing effect by playing the environmental sound M related to water as BGM.

[0049] [Third Embodiment] The environmental sound DB 322 may store a plurality of environmental sound groups related to water according to the water volume. Further, an environmental sound that evokes an association with water may be used as a notification sound. The environmental sound groups may be downloaded from an external device by communication via a communication unit (not shown) and stored in the environmental sound DB 322.

[0050] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing another specific example of the environmental sound DB 322. In the environmental sound DB 322 shown in FIG. 9, a plurality of environmental sound groups 220-1 and 220-2 related to water according to the water volume are stored. As an example, the environmental sound group 220-2 includes a sound imaging a waterfall associated with level 5, an environmental sound imaging a rapids associated with level 4, an environmental sound imaging a babbling brook associated with level 3, an environmental sound imaging water droplets associated with level 2, and an environmental sound imaging sand falling associated with level 1. Further, in the environmental sound DB 322 shown in FIG. 9, an environmental sound group 220-3 that evokes an association with water is further stored. As an example, the environmental sound group 220-3 includes a sound imaging a whale associated with level 5, an environmental sound imaging a dolphin associated with level 4, an environmental sound imaging a fish associated with level 3, an environmental sound imaging a frog associated with level 2, and an environmental sound imaging a tree frog associated with level 1.

[0051] In the third embodiment, the environmental sound group used for notification may be configurable by the user. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a setting screen 343 displayed on the operation unit 34 of the humidifier 3 in the third embodiment. The setting screen 343 includes options 344 for selectably presenting environmental sound groups used for notification. The options 344 for environmental sound groups include, as an example, an option 344A for specifying the environmental sound group 220-1 (water imaging sound) related to water, an option 344B for specifying the environmental sound group 220-2 (forest water imaging sound) related to water, and an option 344C for specifying the environmental sound group 220-3 (waterfront creature imaging sound) that evokes an association with water.

[0052] The control method of the humidifier 3 according to the third embodiment is generally the same as the control method according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 7. In the control method of the humidifier 3 according to the third embodiment, when the processor 31 of the control unit 30 determines the environmental sound M used for notification in step S107, it determines the environmental sound M used for notification from among the environmental sound groups specified on the setting screen 343 of FIG. 10 among the plurality of environmental sound groups 220-1, 220-2, 220-3 stored in the environmental sound DB 322.

[0053] With the above configuration, in the control system according to the third embodiment, the amount of water in the water storage unit 36 is notified by the environmental sound M among the environmental sound groups set by the user. That is, the user can select the environmental sound group used for notifying the amount of water. As a result, the user can know the amount of water in the water storage unit 36 using an environmental sound that makes it easier to imagine the amount of water or an environmental sound that the user likes.

[0054] [Fourth Embodiment] The notification of the amount of water in the water storage unit 36 may be performed by another device different from the humidifier 3 instead of or in addition to the speaker 33 of the humidifier 3. As an example, the other different device is a user terminal. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of the humidifier 3 and the user terminal 2 according to the fourth embodiment. The control unit 30 of the humidifier 3 according to the fourth embodiment has a communication unit 37 and can communicate with the user terminal 2.

[0055] The user terminal 2 is a terminal device such as a smartphone or a tablet. The user terminal 2 may be a dedicated terminal such as a remote controller (remote control). The user terminal 2 has a control unit 20, and the control unit 20 has a processor 21 and a memory 22. The processor 21 is, for example, a CPU. The memory 22 includes, for example, ROM, RAM, etc., and stores a program 221 executed by the processor 21. The program 221 is, for example, a dedicated application for controlling the humidifier 3. The memory 22 may have an environmental sound DB 222 similar to FIG. 6 or FIG. 9.

[0056] The control unit 20 further includes a communication unit 25 for performing wireless communication with other devices. The communication unit 25 is, for example, a communication module that performs short-range wireless communication with other devices. For example, the communication unit 25 performs short-range wireless communication with the communication unit 37 of the humidifier 3.

[0057] The user terminal 2 has a speaker 24. The processor 21 causes the speaker 24 to notify the amount of water in the water storage unit 36 according to the program 221. Further, the user terminal 2 has a touch panel 23 as an example of a display unit and an operation unit. The processor 21 may receive a user operation on the humidifier 3 through the touch panel 23 according to the program 221.

[0058] The control method of the humidifier 3 according to the fourth embodiment is substantially the same as the control method according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 7. In the control method of the humidifier 3 according to the fourth embodiment, when the processor 31 outputs the environmental sound M for notification in step S109, the communication unit 37 is caused to output an instruction for notification to the user terminal 2.

[0059] The instruction for notification at this time includes the designation of the environmental sound M determined in step S107. The designation of the environmental sound M may be the voice data of the environmental sound M. When the memory 22 has the environmental sound DB222, the designation of the environmental sound M may be the identification information of the environmental sound M.

[0060] In the fourth embodiment, when receiving an instruction for notification from the control unit 30 of the humidifier 3, the control unit 20 of the user terminal 2 causes the processor 21 to output the designated environmental sound M from the speaker 24 according to the program 221.

[0061] With the above configuration, in the control system according to the fourth embodiment, the amount of water in the water storage unit 36 is notified by the environmental sound M related to water or the environmental sound M that associates with water from the speaker 24 of the user terminal 2 instead of or in addition to the speaker 33 of the humidifier 3. When the user terminal 2 is a device such as a smartphone that the user places nearby, since the notification is from a nearby device, it is easy to grasp the amount of water in the water storage unit 36.

[0062] [Fifth Embodiment] In at least some of the control of the humidifier 3 described in the first to fourth embodiments, it may be performed by another device. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a control system 100B according to the fifth embodiment. The control system 100B includes a control unit 30 of the humidifier 3 and a control unit 10 of the server 1. In this case, the control unit 30 of the humidifier 3 and the control unit 10 of the server 1 may function as one control unit. Further, the control system 100B may further include a control unit 20 of the user terminal 2. In this case, the control unit 30 of the humidifier 3, the control unit 10 of the server 1, and the control unit 20 of the user terminal 2 may function as one control unit. The control unit 30 of the humidifier 3 can communicate with the server 1 via a communication network 5 such as the Internet. In the control system 100B according to the fifth embodiment, at least some of the control of the humidifier 3 described in the first to fourth embodiments is executed by the control unit 10 of the server 1 and / or the control unit 20 of the user terminal 2.

[0063] The control method of the humidifier 3 according to the fifth embodiment is substantially the same as the control method according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 7. In the control method according to the fifth embodiment, at least some of the processes shown in FIG. 7 are executed by the control unit 10 of the server 1 and / or the control unit 20 of the user terminal 2.

[0064] As an example, the control unit 10 of the server 1 acquires the water level of the water storage unit 36 determined in step S103 from the control unit 30 of the humidifier 3, and determines the environmental sound M related to water or the environmental sound M that associates water for notifying the amount of water in the water storage unit 36 in step S107. Then, in step S109, the control unit 10 of the server 1 instructs the control unit 30 of the humidifier 3 to notify with the environmental sound M. Alternatively, the control unit 10 of the server 1 may instruct the user terminal 2 to notify with the environmental sound M in step S109.

[0065] [3. Supplementary Note] The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications are possible. For example, two or more of the above-described first to fifth embodiments may be combined. Further, the humidifier 3 is an example of a humidity adjuster, and the humidity adjuster is not limited to the humidifier 3. As another example, the humidity adjuster may be a dehumidifier, or may be a device having both functions of humidification and dehumidification.

Explanation of Signs

[0066] 1: Server, 2: User terminal, 3: Humidifier (humidity adjuster), 10, 20, 30: Control unit, 24, 33: Speaker, 65: Sensor, 100A, 100B: Control system, 220-1, 220-2, 220-3: Environmental sound group, 221, 321: Program, M: Environmental sound related to water or environmental sound associating water

Claims

1. A control system for a humidity regulator, comprising: a control unit, wherein the control unit is configured to cause an environmental sound related to water or an environmental sound associating water to be emitted according to the amount of water in the water storage part of the humidity regulator, in accordance with the amount of water. A control system for a humidity regulator.

2. The control unit is configured to cause the notification to be performed at regular time intervals. The control system for a humidity regulator according to Claim 1.

3. The control unit is configured to cause the notification to be performed at the timing when the amount of water reaches a predetermined amount of water. The control system for a humidity regulator according to Claim 1.

4. The control unit is configured to cause the notification to be continuously performed during the operation of the humidity regulator. The control system for a humidity regulator according to Claim 1.

5. The control unit is configured to cause the notification to be performed by a device different from the humidity regulator. The control system for a humidity regulator according to Claim 1.

6. A humidity regulator equipped with the control system for a humidity regulator according to any one of Claims 1 to 5. A humidity regulator.

7. A control method for a humidity regulator, installed in a computer, comprising: obtaining the amount of water in the water storage part of the humidity regulator; causing an environmental sound related to water or an environmental sound associating water to be emitted according to the amount of water. A control method for a humidity regulator.

Images