Hot water supply system, hot water supply device, and server

Abstract

To provide a hot water supply system that can satisfactorily transfer data held in an original remote control to a remote control after replacement when the remote control is replaced.SOLUTION: In a hot water supply system, a server 20 includes a first transmission processing unit that transmits remote control retention data linked to a remote control serial number stored in a data storage database to a hot water supply device 10 when a remote control serial number received from the hot water supply device 10 together with a water heater serial number differs from the remote control serial number that is linked to the water heater serial number and stored in the data storage database. The hot water supply device 10 includes a second transmission processing unit that transmits a remote control serial number of a remote control after replacement to server 20 together with the water heater serial number when the remote control is replaced, and a storage processing unit that stores the remote control retention data received from the server 20 in the remote control after replacement.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a hot water supply system, a hot water supply device, and a server that constitute the hot water supply system.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, a hot water supply device equipped with a wireless LAN function has been commercialized for a remote controller (hereinafter abbreviated as "remote control") for remotely operating a hot water heater from a bathroom or a kitchen. With such a hot water supply device, it is possible to transmit various data from an external server to the hot water supply device. Therefore, it is possible to adopt a specification that allows customization by downloading image data and audio data from the server for the screen displayed on the remote control and the audio output from the remote control.

[0003] However, in this case, different audio data and image data may be stored for each individual remote control. Therefore, when such a remote control is replaced due to a failure or the like, it is necessary to search for the image data and audio data used in the original remote control and download them again in order to apply them to the replaced remote control, which may impose a burden on the user.

[0004] Furthermore, in the remote control, various data generated by the remote control and the hot water heater, such as the set values of the hot water supply temperature and the bath temperature, and the on / off setting states of various functions, are stored and managed. In the replaced remote control, since such various data are lost, re-setting is required, which may also impose a burden on the user.

[0005] Patent Document 1 below describes a communication method of a control board in which, when a first control board attached to a device is replaced with a second control board, data stored in the storage means of the first control board is transmitted from the communication means of the first control board to the communication means of the second control board, and the storage means of the second control board stores the data of the first control board.

[0006] Therefore, also in the above-described water heater, it is conceivable to adopt a configuration in which the original remote controller can be communicably connected to the remote controller after replacement, and the data held by the original remote controller is transferred to the remote controller after replacement.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0007]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0008] As described above, when a configuration is adopted in which the old and new remote controllers are connected to transfer data, if the old remote controller is severely damaged, there is a risk that data transfer cannot be performed.

[0009] In view of such problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a hot water supply system, a hot water supply device, and a server that can satisfactorily transfer the data held by the original remote controller to the remote controller after replacement when the remote controller is replaced.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0010] A first aspect of the present invention relates to a hot water supply system including a hot water supply device having a hot water heater and a remote controller for operating the hot water heater, and a server capable of communicating with the hot water supply device via an external communication network. In the hot water supply system according to this aspect, the server includes a data storage unit that stores, in association with each other, first identification information capable of identifying the hot water heater, second identification information capable of identifying the remote controller, and held data held by the remote controller; and a first transmission processing unit that transmits the held data associated with the second identification information stored in the data storage unit to the hot water supply device when the second identification information received together with the first identification information from the hot water supply device is different from the second identification information stored in the data storage unit in association with the first identification information. The hot water supply device includes a second transmission processing unit that transmits, to the server, the second identification information of the remote controller after replacement together with the first identification information when the remote controller is replaced; and a storage processing unit that stores the held data received from the server in the remote controller after replacement.

[0011] For example, the first identification information can be the manufacturing number of the hot water heater, the telephone number registered in the hot water supply device, or the MAC address of the router that mediates communication between the hot water supply device and the server.

[0012] According to the hot water supply system according to this aspect, when the remote controller is replaced, based on the first identification information transmitted from the hot water supply device to the server and the second identification information of the remote controller after replacement, the held data of the remote controller before replacement is read from the data storage unit, transmitted to the hot water supply device, and stored in the remote controller after replacement. Therefore, unlike a configuration in which data transfer is performed by connecting old and new remote controllers to each other, even when the remote controller before replacement is severely damaged, the held data of the original remote controller can be transferred to the remote controller after replacement with a high probability.

[0013] In the hot water supply system according to this aspect, the second transmission processing unit may be configured to periodically transmit at least a part of the held data to the server.

[0014] According to the above configuration, data that is not downloaded from the server to the hot water supply device and stored in the remote controller, which is included in the held data, can also be stored in the data storage unit by periodically transmitting such data to the server, and can be provided to the remote controller after replacement.

[0015] In the hot water supply system according to this aspect, the water heater may include a storage unit that stores the second identification information, and at a predetermined timing, acquires the second identification information from the remote controller, and based on the fact that the acquired second identification information is different from the second identification information stored in the storage unit, a replacement detection unit that detects that the remote controller has been replaced. In this case, the second transmission processing unit may be configured to transmit the second identification information of the remote controller after replacement to the server on the condition that the replacement detection unit detects that the remote controller has been replaced.

[0016] According to the above configuration, when the remote controller is replaced in the hot water supply device, the second identification information of the remote controller after replacement can be accurately transmitted to the server.

[0017] A second aspect of the present invention relates to a water heater apparatus having a water heater and a remote controller for operating the water heater, and being communicable with a server via an external communication network. The server includes a data storage unit that stores, in association with each other, first identification information capable of identifying the water heater, second identification information capable of identifying the remote controller, and stored data held by the remote controller, and a first transmission processing unit that transmits the stored data associated with the second identification information stored in the data storage unit to the water heater apparatus when the second identification information received together with the first identification information from the water heater apparatus is different from the second identification information stored in the data storage unit in association with the first identification information. The water heater apparatus according to this aspect includes a second transmission processing unit that transmits the second identification information of the remote controller after replacement, together with the first identification information, to the server when the remote controller is replaced, and a storage processing unit that stores the stored data received from the server in the remote controller after replacement.

[0018] According to the water heater apparatus according to this aspect, the same effects as those of the first aspect can be achieved.

[0019] A third aspect of the present invention relates to a water heater apparatus having a water heater and a remote controller for operating the water heater, and a server communicable via an external communication network. The server according to this aspect includes a data storage unit that stores, in association with each other, first identification information capable of identifying the water heater, second identification information capable of identifying the remote controller, and stored data held by the remote controller, and a transmission processing unit that receives the first identification information and the second identification information from the water heater apparatus and transmits the stored data associated with the second identification information stored in the data storage unit to the water heater apparatus when the received second identification information is different from the second identification information stored in the data storage unit in association with the first identification information.

[0020] According to the server according to this aspect, the same effects as those of the first aspect can be achieved.

Effects of the Invention

[0021] As described above, according to the present invention, when the remote controller is replaced, it is possible to provide a hot water supply system, a hot water supply device, and a server that can successfully transfer the data held by the original remote controller to the remote controller after replacement.

[0022] The effects or significance of the present invention will become clearer from the description of the embodiments shown below. However, the embodiments shown below are merely examples when implementing the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to those described in the following embodiments at all.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0023]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

[0024] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0025] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of the hot water supply system 1.

[0026] The hot water supply system 1 includes a hot water supply device 10 and a server 20.

[0027] The hot water supply device 10 includes a water heater 11 and remote controllers 12 and 13. The water heater 11 is a gas water heater that supplies hot water using gas as fuel. The hot water generated by the water heater 11 is supplied to the kitchen faucet, bathtub, shower, etc. via pipes respectively connected to the hot water outlets 11a. When the water heater 11 has a floor heating function, a bathroom heating function, and a heating function by a panel heater, hot water is supplied from the water heater 11 to the devices that realize these functions.

[0028] The remote controllers 12 and 13 are connected to the water heater 11 and are used to make various settings for each function of the hot water supply device 10. The remote controller 12 includes a display unit 121 and an input unit 122, and the remote controller 13 includes a display input unit 131 formed of a touch panel and an operation button 132. The operator can make arbitrary settings for hot water filling, hot water supply temperature adjustment, etc. by operating the input unit 122 according to the screen displayed on the display unit 121. Also, the operator can make settings such as hot water filling by operating the display input unit 131.

[0029] The remote controller 12 is installed in the bathroom, and the remote controller 13 is installed in the kitchen or the like. The remote controllers 12 and 13 are provided with voice windows 12a and 13a for inputting and outputting voice.

[0030] Hereinafter, the remote controller 12 installed in the bathroom is referred to as the "bathroom remote controller 12", and the remote controller 13 installed in the kitchen or the like is referred to as the "kitchen remote controller 13".

[0031] The input unit 122 of the bathroom remote controller 12 includes an operation button 122a. The operation buttons 122a and 132 are buttons for switching the water heater 11 between the operation-on state and the operation-off state.

[0032] When the bathroom remote controller 12 and the kitchen remote controller 13 are in the operation-off state (a state in which the water heater 11 does not perform a hot water supply operation even if a hot water tap such as a faucet is opened and water flows at a rate equal to or higher than the reference flow rate), the display unit 121 and the display input unit 131 are in the off state, and operations of operation buttons other than the operation buttons 122a and 132, that is, operations on operation buttons other than the operation button 122a of the input unit 122 and operations on operation buttons displayed on the display input unit 131 are not accepted. When the operation buttons 122a and 132 are operated and the operation-on state (a state in which the water heater 11 can perform a hot water supply operation when a hot water tap such as a faucet is opened and water flows at a rate equal to or higher than the reference flow rate) is entered, the display unit 121 and the display input unit 131 light up and the set contents are displayed, and operations of operation buttons other than the operation buttons 122a and 132 can be accepted.

[0033] Furthermore, the input unit 122 and the display input unit 131 include buttons for changing the hot water supply temperature. The operator can change the set temperature of the hot water supply by operating this button. In addition, the input unit 122 and the display input unit 131 include buttons for controlling the operation of the water heater 11, such as buttons for executing functions such as reheating, additional hot water, additional water, and bathtub automatic. The bathtub automatic function includes a water filling function for filling the bathtub with hot water and a reheating function for keeping the hot water in the bathtub warm.

[0034] The water supply device 10 can be communicably connected to the server 20 via the router 30 and the external communication network 40. The router 30 is a wireless router, and the external communication network 40 is, for example, the Internet.

[0035] The server 20 has a function of providing the water supply device 10 with image data and sound data for customizing notification sounds such as operation screens displayed on the bathroom remote control 12 and the kitchen remote control 13 and voices output from these remote controls 12 and 13. For example, a plurality of pieces of image data for background images of the operation screen are prepared in the server 20, and desired image data can be selected and downloaded to the water supply device 10. Also, for example, a plurality of pieces of sound data for melodies and voices emitted when the hot water filling is completed are prepared in the server 20, and desired sound data can be selected and downloaded to the water supply device 10. Furthermore, the server 20 has a function of storing data held by the bathroom remote control 12 and the kitchen remote control 13.

[0036] In addition, the server 20 may have a function of supplying update firmware for updating the firmware installed in the water supply device 10 to the water supply device 10.

[0037] Note that the water supply device 10 may be remotely controllable from inside and outside the house by a portable terminal device such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal. In this case, the server 20 has a function of managing remote control, and control information input to the portable terminal device is transmitted from the portable terminal device to the server 20 and then from the server 20 to the kitchen remote control 13. In this way, the control information is set in the kitchen remote control 13, and control according to the control information is executed.

[0038] In the water supply device 10, the router 30, that is, the function of communicating with the server 20, is possessed by the kitchen remote control 13.

[0039] In the kitchen remote controller 13, the application program of the hot water supply system 1 is downloaded from the server 20 and installed. This application program includes address information (for example, an IP address) for accessing the server 20. The kitchen remote controller 13 accesses the server 20 and communicates based on this address information. The ID information (identification information) of the kitchen remote controller 13 is transmitted from the kitchen remote controller 13 to the server 20 and registered in the server 20 during the initial setting with the server 20.

[0040] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing circuit blocks of each device constituting the hot water supply system 1.

[0041] The water heater 11 includes a control unit 111, a storage unit 112, a drive unit 113, a detection unit 114, and a communication unit 115.

[0042] The control unit 111 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and controls each part in the water heater 11 according to a control program stored in the storage unit 112. The storage unit 112 includes a memory and stores a predetermined control program.

[0043] The drive unit 113 includes various drive means necessary for the hot water supply operation such as a gas solenoid valve. The detection unit 114 includes various sensors arranged in the water heater 11. For example, the detection unit 114 includes a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the hot water, a flow rate sensor for detecting the supply of the hot water, a water level sensor for detecting the water level of the hot water in the bathtub, and the like.

[0044] The communication unit 115 communicates with the bathroom remote controller 12 and the kitchen remote controller 13 according to the control from the control unit 111. The communication unit 115 is connected to the communication unit 125 of the bathroom remote controller 12 and the communication unit 135 of the kitchen remote controller 13 via the two-core communication lines L1 and L2. Also, the two-core communication lines L1 and L2 are connected to each other inside the communication unit 115. Therefore, the communication unit 125 of the bathroom remote controller 12 and the communication unit 135 of the kitchen remote controller 13 are connected to each other by the two-core communication lines L1 and L2. For this reason, a signal transmitted from any of the communication units 115, 125, and 135 is simultaneously transmitted to the other communication units.

[0045] In addition to the above-described display unit 121 and input unit 122, the bathroom remote controller 12 includes a control unit 123, a storage unit 124, a communication unit 125, and a speaker 126. The display unit 121 is constituted by, for example, a liquid crystal panel. The input unit 122 includes various operation buttons such as a temperature setting button. The display unit 121 may be a touch panel.

[0046] The control unit 123 includes a CPU and performs predetermined control according to a control program stored in the storage unit 124. The storage unit 124 includes a memory and stores a predetermined control program.

[0047] The communication unit 125 communicates with the water heater 11 and the kitchen remote controller 13 according to the control from the control unit 123. The speaker 126 outputs sound based on an audio signal generated by the control unit 123. The sound output from the speaker 126 is output from the audio window 12a in FIG. 1.

[0048] In addition to the above-described display input unit 131 and operation button 132, the kitchen remote controller 13 includes a control unit 133, a storage unit 124, a communication unit 135, a speaker 136, and a wireless communication unit 137.

[0049] The control unit 133 includes a CPU and performs predetermined control according to a control program stored in the storage unit 134. The storage unit 134 includes a memory and stores a predetermined control program.

[0050] The communication unit 135 communicates with the water heater 11 and the bathroom remote controller 12 according to the control from the control unit 133. The speaker 136 outputs sound based on the sound signal generated by the control unit 133. The sound output from the speaker 136 is output from the sound window 13a in FIG. 1. The wireless communication unit 137 is a wireless communication module capable of wireless communication with the router 30.

[0051] The server 20 includes a control unit 201, a storage unit 202, and a communication unit 203. The control unit 201 includes a CPU and performs predetermined control according to the control program stored in the storage unit 202. The storage unit 202 includes a memory and a hard disk and stores a predetermined control program and a database. The communication unit 203 performs predetermined control according to the control from the control unit 201.

[0052] The hot water supply system 1 of the present embodiment has a function of transferring the remote controller-owned data held by the bathroom remote controller 12 and the kitchen remote controller 13 to the hot water supply device 10 from the server 20 and storing it in the new remote controller when the remote controller is replaced. Hereinafter, this function of transferring the remote controller-owned data will be described in detail.

[0053] The storage unit 202 of the server 20 has a data storage database 202a as a data storage unit for storing the owned data (hereinafter referred to as "remote controller-owned data") held by the bathroom remote controller 12 and the kitchen remote controller 13 for use in the function of transferring the remote controller-owned data.

[0054] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of the data storage database 202a.

[0055] In the data storage database 202a, for each water heater 10 that is communicably connected to the server 20 and managed by the server 20, the manufacturing number of the water heater 11 (hereinafter referred to as the "water heater manufacturing number"), the manufacturing numbers of the remote controls 12 and 13 (hereinafter referred to as the "remote control manufacturing numbers"), and the remote control possession data of the remote controls 12 and 13 are linked to each other and stored (kept). The water heater manufacturing number is the first identification information for identifying each individual water heater 11, and the remote control manufacturing number is the second identification information for identifying each individual remote control 12 and 13.

[0056] In the water heater 11 and the remote controls 12 and 13, at the time of manufacture, the water heater manufacturing number and the remote control manufacturing numbers are stored in their storage units 112, 124, and 134. After the installation of the water heater device 10, when communication with the server 20 becomes possible, the water heater manufacturing number and the remote control manufacturing numbers are transmitted from the water heater device 10 to the server 20.

[0057] The remote control possession data includes remote control management data generated within the water heater device 10 and managed by the remote controls 12 and 13, and server management data managed (held) by the server 20 and introduced (installed) into the remote controls 12 and 13 by downloading from the server 20. The remote control possession data is stored in the storage units 124 and 134 of the remote controls 12 and 13.

[0058] Examples of the remote control management data include set values of the hot water supply temperature and the bathtub temperature, and the on / off setting states of various functions. The functions that can be turned on / off include, for example, an audio notification function that performs notification by voice, an energy function that displays the fuel (gas, electricity) and hot water usage amounts in the water heater device 10 on the remote controls 12 and 13, and a monitoring function that performs notification from the kitchen remote control 13 or a portable terminal device capable of communicating with the water heater device 10 when the bathing time of the bather exceeds the set time.

[0059] Examples of the server management data include image data and sound data for customizing the operation screens and notification sounds of the remote controls 12 and 13, and firmware update data for firmware-updating the remote controls 12 and 13.

[0060] The server 20 cannot store the remote control management data in the data storage database 202a unless it is obtained from the water heater device 10. However, the server 20 can store the server management data in the data storage database 202a without obtaining it from the water heater device 10. Therefore, as will be described later, the remote control management data is periodically transmitted from the water heater device 10 to the server 20 and stored in the data storage database 202a, and the server management data is stored in the data storage database 202a when it is downloaded from the server 20 to the water heater device 10.

[0061] Note that the data storage database 202a may store the server management data itself as the server management data, or may store address data indicating the location where the server management data is stored.

[0062] As shown in FIG. 2, in order to execute the remote control ownership data transfer function, in the server 20, the function of the first transmission processing unit 201a is given to the control unit 201 by the control program stored in the storage unit 202. The first transmission processing unit 201a transmits the remote control ownership data associated with the water heater manufacturing number stored in the data storage database 202a (data storage unit) to the water heater device 10 when the remote control manufacturing number (second identification information) received together with the water heater manufacturing number (first identification information) from the water heater device 10 is different from the water heater manufacturing number stored in the data storage database 202a associated with the received water heater manufacturing number.

[0063] Also, in the kitchen remote controller 13 of the water heater 10, the functions of the second transmission processing unit 133a and the storage processing unit 133b are imparted to the control unit 133 by the control program stored in the storage unit 134. When the remote controller (at least one of the bathroom remote controller 12 and the kitchen remote controller 13) is replaced, the second transmission processing unit 133a transmits the remote controller manufacturing number of the replaced remote controller to the server 20 together with the water heater manufacturing number. Also, the second transmission processing unit 133a periodically transmits remote controller management data, which is part of the remote controller possession data, to the server 20. The storage processing unit 133b stores the remote controller possession data received from the server 20 in the replaced remote controller.

[0064] Furthermore, in the water heater 11 of the water heater 10, the function of the replacement detection unit 111a is imparted to the control unit 111 by the control program stored in the storage unit 112. The storage unit 112 stores the remote controller manufacturing numbers (second identification information) of the remote controllers 12 and 13 installed together with the water heater 11 when the water heater 10 is installed in a house or the like. The replacement detection unit 111a acquires the remote controller manufacturing numbers from the remote controllers 12 and 13 at a predetermined timing, in this embodiment, the timing of turning on the power supply to the water heater 10 when there is a possibility that the remote controllers 12 and 13 have been replaced, and detects that the remote controller has been replaced based on the fact that the acquired remote controller manufacturing number is different from the remote controller manufacturing number stored in the storage unit 134. The second transmission processing unit 133a transmits the remote controller manufacturing number of the replaced remote controller to the server 20 on the condition that the replacement detection unit 111a has detected the replacement of the remote controller.

[0065] FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the operations performed by the water heater 10 and the server 20 in the remote controller possession data transfer function.

[0066] Referring to FIG. 4, when the water heater 10 is installed in a house or the like, the water heater 10 is powered on for the first time. When the power is turned on and the water heater 10 starts up, the water heater manufacturing number and the remote control manufacturing number are transmitted from the water heater 10 (kitchen remote control 13) to the server 20. The server 20 stores the received water heater manufacturing number and remote control manufacturing number in the data storage database 202a. Before the water heater manufacturing number and the remote control manufacturing number are transmitted, initial settings for communication are performed between the kitchen remote control 13 and the server 20.

[0067] Thereafter, at regular intervals (for example, every hour), the remote control management data of the bathroom remote control 12 and the kitchen remote control 13 is transmitted to the server 20. Each remote control management data is accompanied by a remote control manufacturing number. The server 20 stores the remote control management data in the data storage database 202a, linked to the remote control manufacturing number that matches the attached remote control manufacturing number.

[0068] Also, in the water heater 10, when an operation for acquiring server management data, for example, image data or sound data for customizing the remote controls 12 and 13, is received, a download request for the server management data is transmitted from the water heater 10 to the server 20. The server 20 transmits the requested server management data to the water heater 10. The server 20 stores the transmitted (downloaded) server management data in the data storage database 202a. In the water heater 10, the downloaded server management data is introduced (stored) into the corresponding remote control.

[0069] While the water supply device 10 is in use, at least one of the bathroom remote control 12 and the kitchen remote control 13 may malfunction, and the malfunctioning remote control may be replaced with a new one. In this case, the power supply of the water supply device 10 is once cut off, and after the replacement of the remote control is completed, it is turned on again. When the power is turned on and the water supply device 10 starts up, the water heater manufacturing number and the remote control manufacturing numbers of the remote controls 12 and 13 are transmitted from the water supply device 10 to the server 20. At this time, the remote control manufacturing number of the replaced remote control is not stored in the data storage database 202a of the server 20. When the kitchen remote control 13 is replaced, before the water heater manufacturing number and the remote control manufacturing number are transmitted, initial setting of communication is performed between the new kitchen remote control 13 and the server 20.

[0070] The server 20 identifies a remote control manufacturing number that is stored in the data storage database 202a associated with the received water heater manufacturing number and does not match the received remote control manufacturing number. Then, the server 20 reads out the remote control possession data (remote control management data and server management data) associated with the identified remote control manufacturing number from the data storage database 202a and transmits it to the water supply device 10. In the water supply device 10, the received remote control possession data is stored in the replaced new remote control.

[0071] After that, in the water supply device 10 replaced with a new remote control, periodic transmission of remote control management data to the server 20 and download of server management data from the server 20 are performed.

[0072] Next, for the remote control possession data transfer function, the control processes executed by the control unit 133 of the kitchen remote control 13, the control unit 201 of the server 20, and the control unit 111 of the water heater 11 will be described according to the flowcharts of FIGS. 5(a) to 8.

[0073] FIG. 5(a) is a flowchart showing the control process executed by the control unit 133 of the kitchen remote control 13 for periodically transmitting remote control management data to the server 20. The control unit 133 executes the control process of FIG. 5 by the function of the second transmission processing unit 133a.

[0074] Referring to FIG. 5(a), the control unit 133 determines whether the periodic transmission timing has arrived (S101). The periodic transmission timing arrives at regular intervals (for example, every hour). When the periodic transmission timing arrives (S101: YES), the control unit 133 acquires the server management data stored in the storage unit 124 of the bathroom remote controller 12 and the storage unit 134 of the kitchen remote controller 13 (S102). That is, the control unit 133 requests the bathroom remote controller 12 to transmit the remote controller management data, and receives the remote controller management data from the bathroom remote controller 12. Further, the control unit 133 reads out the remote controller management data from the storage unit 134.

[0075] In the kitchen remote controller 13, in the control process of FIG. 7 described later, when the water heater manufacturing number and the remote controller manufacturing number are transmitted to the server 20, the remote controller manufacturing number of the bathroom remote controller 12 is stored in the storage unit 134. The control unit 133 adds the acquired remote controller management data of the remote controllers 12 and 13 with their remote controller manufacturing numbers and transmits them to the server 20 (S103).

[0076] In this way, every time the periodic transmission timing arrives, that is, at regular intervals, the control unit 133 transmits the remote controller management data of the remote controllers 12 and 13 to the server 20 (S101 to S103).

[0077] FIG. 5(b) is a flowchart showing the control process executed by the control unit 201 of the server 20 to store the remote controller management data and the server management data in the data storage database 202a.

[0078] Referring to FIG. 5(b), the control unit 201 monitors whether remote control management data has been received from the water heater 10 and whether server management data has been downloaded from the server 20 to the water heater 10 (S201, S202). When the control unit 201 receives remote control management data from the water heater 10 (S201: YES), in the data storage database 202a, it identifies the remote control manufacturing number that matches the remote control manufacturing number added to the remote control management data, and stores the remote control management data in association with the identified remote control manufacturing number (S203).

[0079] When a download request for server management data is sent from the water heater 10 to the server 20, the remote control manufacturing number of the remote control into which the server management data is to be introduced is added. When a download is performed from the server 20 to the water heater 10 (S202: YES), the control unit 201 identifies, in the data storage database 202a, the remote control manufacturing number that matches the remote control manufacturing number corresponding to the server management data, and stores the server management data in association with the identified remote control manufacturing number (S204).

[0080] In this way, in the server 20, the remote control management data and server management data held by the bathroom remote control 12 and the kitchen remote control 13 of the water heater 10, that is, the remote control held data, are stored in the data storage database 202a.

[0081] FIGS. 6, 7, and 8 are flowcharts showing the control processes executed by the control unit 111 of the water heater 11, the control unit 133 of the kitchen remote control 13, and the control unit 201 of the server 20 for registering and storing the water heater manufacturing number and the remote control manufacturing number in the data storage database 202a of the server 20 after the installation of the water heater 10, and for transferring the remote control held data of the remote control before replacement stored in the data storage database 202a to the remote control after replacement.

[0082] The control processes in FIGS. 6 and 7 are started when the power of the water heater 10 is turned on, and thus the power of the water heater 11 and the kitchen remote control 13 is turned on.

[0083] In the water heater 11, when the control process of FIG. 6 is started, the control unit 111 requests the bathroom remote controller 12 and the kitchen remote controller 13 to transmit the remote controller manufacturing numbers, and acquires the remote controller manufacturing numbers from these remote controllers 12 and 13 (S301). Next, the control unit 111 checks in the storage unit 112 whether the remote controller manufacturing numbers of the remote controllers 12 and 13 have already been stored (S302).

[0084] When the control process of FIG. 6 is started by the first power-on after the installation of the water supply device 10, the remote controller manufacturing numbers of the remote controllers 12 and 13 have not yet been stored in the storage unit 112. Therefore, in this case (S302: NO), the control unit 111 newly stores each remote controller manufacturing number acquired from the remote controllers 12 and 13 in the storage unit 112 (S303). Then, the control unit 111 transmits the remote controller manufacturing number of the bathroom remote controller 12 and the water heater manufacturing number to the kitchen remote controller 13 (S304).

[0085] On the other hand, when the power supply cut off for repairing the water heater 11 or the remote controllers 12 and 13 or replacing the remote controllers 12 and 13 is turned on and the control process of FIG. 6 is started, the remote controller manufacturing numbers of the remote controllers 12 and 13 have already been stored in the storage unit 112. Therefore, in this case (S302: YES), the control unit 111 compares each remote controller manufacturing number acquired from the remote controllers 12 and 13 with each remote controller manufacturing number of the remote controllers 12 and 13 stored in the storage unit 112 in order to detect the replacement of the remote controller (S305).

[0086] Regarding at least one of the bathroom remote control 12 and the kitchen remote control 13, if the obtained remote control manufacturing number is different from the remote control manufacturing number stored in the storage unit 112, it can be regarded that the remote control has been replaced. When the control unit 111 detects that the remote control has been replaced (S306: YES), in the storage unit 112, the current remote control manufacturing number is rewritten to the new remote control manufacturing number, that is, the remote control manufacturing number of the remote control after replacement (S307). Then, the control unit 111 transmits the remote control manufacturing number and the water heater manufacturing number of the bathroom remote control 12 to the kitchen remote control 13 (S304). At this time, if the bathroom remote control 12 has been replaced, the remote control manufacturing number of the bathroom remote control 12 after replacement will be transmitted. Note that the processes of S305 and S306 are executed by the control unit 111 through the function of the replacement detection unit 111a.

[0087] After the control unit 111 finishes transmitting the remote control manufacturing number and the water heater manufacturing number to the kitchen remote control 13 in S304, it ends the control process in FIG. 6.

[0088] If any of the remote control manufacturing numbers obtained from the remote controls 12 and 13 matches the remote control manufacturing number stored in the storage unit 112, the remote control has not been replaced. When the control unit 111 determines that the remote control has not been replaced (S306: NO), it immediately ends the control process in FIG. 6.

[0089] When the control process in FIG. 7 is started in the kitchen remote control 13, the control unit 133 transmits the remote control manufacturing number of the kitchen remote control 13 to the water heater 11 based on the request from the water heater 11 (S401). Then, until the limit time elapses (S403: NO), when the control unit 133 receives the remote control manufacturing number and the water heater manufacturing number of the bathroom remote control 12 from the water heater 11 (S402: YES), it stores the remote control manufacturing number of the bathroom remote control 12 in the storage unit 134 (S404). Further, the control unit 133 transmits the remote control manufacturing numbers and the water heater manufacturing numbers of the remote controls 12 and 13 to the server 20 (S405).

[0090] At this time, if the control process in FIG. 7 is started at the first power-on, the respective remote control manufacturing numbers and the water heater manufacturing numbers are transmitted to the server 20 for initial registration in the data storage database 202a. On the other hand, if the control process in FIG. 7 is started at the power-on after the remote control is replaced, the respective remote control manufacturing numbers and the water heater manufacturing numbers are transmitted to the server 20 in order to acquire the remote control possession data of the remote control before replacement. In this case, at least any one of the respective remote control manufacturing numbers becomes the remote control manufacturing number of the remote control after replacement.

[0091] Note that at the power-on other than the first time and not after the remote control is replaced, the manufacturing number is not transmitted from the water heater 11. For this reason, when the limit time has elapsed (S403: YES), the control unit 133 ends the control process in FIG. 7.

[0092] Next, the control unit 133 monitors whether or not it has received the remote control possession data from the server 20 (S406). In S405, when the remote control manufacturing number of the remote control after replacement is transmitted to the server 20, the remote control possession data of the remote control before replacement is transmitted from the server 20 to the water heater device 10.

[0093] Before the limit time elapses (S407: NO), when the control unit 133 receives the remote control possession data from the server 20 (S406: YES), the control unit 133 stores the remote control possession data in the storage unit of the remote control after replacement (S408). When the remote control after replacement is the kitchen remote control 13, the remote control possession data is stored in the storage unit 134. When the remote control after replacement is the bathroom remote control 12, the remote control possession data is transmitted to the bathroom remote control 12 and stored in the storage unit 124 of the bathroom remote control 12.

[0094] When the remote control manufacturing number is transmitted to the server 20 for initial registration in S405, the remote control possession data is not transmitted from the server 20. Therefore, in this case, when the limit time has elapsed (S407: YES), the control unit 133 ends the control process in FIG. 7.

[0095] Note that the processes of S401 to S405 are executed by the control unit 133 with the function of the second transmission processing unit 133a, and the processes of S406 to S408 are executed by the control unit 133 with the function of the storage processing unit 133b.

[0096] In the server 20, when the control process of FIG. 8 is started, the control unit 201 monitors whether or not the remote control manufacturing numbers and the water heater manufacturing number of the remote controls 12 and 13 have been received (S501). Then, when the control unit 201 receives each remote control manufacturing number and the water heater manufacturing number (S501: YES), it determines whether or not the received water heater manufacturing number is registered in the data storage database 202a (S502).

[0097] When the transmission of each remote control manufacturing number and the water heater manufacturing number from the water heater device 10 is for initial registration in the data storage database 202a, the water heater manufacturing number has not yet been registered in the data storage database 202a. Therefore, in this case (S502: NO), the control unit 201 registers the received water heater manufacturing number and each remote control manufacturing number received together with the water heater manufacturing number in the data storage database 202a (S503).

[0098] On the other hand, when each remote control manufacturing number and the water heater manufacturing number are transmitted from the water heater device 10 based on the replacement of the remote control, the water heater manufacturing number has already been registered and stored in the data storage database 202a. Also, at least one of the remote control manufacturing numbers of the remote controls 12 and 13 stored in the data storage database associated with the water heater manufacturing number is different from at least one of the received remote control manufacturing numbers of the remote controls 12 and 13.

[0099] Therefore, when the received water heater manufacturing number is registered and stored in the data storage database 202a (S502: YES), the control unit 201 extracts the remote control possession data (remote control management data and server management data) associated with a remote control manufacturing number different from the received water heater manufacturing number and the received remote control manufacturing number, that is, the remote control manufacturing number of the remote control before replacement, from the data storage database 202a (S504). Then, the control unit 201 transmits the extracted remote control possession data to the water heater device 10 (S505).

[0100] Note that the control process in FIG. 8 is executed by the control unit 201 by the function of the first transmission processing unit 201a.

[0101] <Effects of the Embodiment> According to this embodiment, the following effects can be achieved.

[0102] In the server 20, the remote control possession data of the bathroom remote control 12 and the kitchen remote control 13 of the water heater device 10 is stored in the data storage database 202a. When at least one of these remote controls 12, 13 is replaced, based on the water heater manufacturing number transmitted from the water heater device 10 to the server 20 and the remote control manufacturing number of the remote control after replacement, the remote control possession data of the remote control before replacement is read from the data storage database 202a, transmitted to the water heater device 10, and stored in the remote control after replacement. Therefore, unlike a configuration in which the old and new remote controls are connected to perform data transfer, even when the remote control before replacement is severely damaged, the remote control possession data of the remote control before replacement can be transferred to the remote control after replacement with a high probability.

[0103] Furthermore, since the remote control management data, which is part of the remote control possession data, is periodically transmitted to the server 20, the remote control management data that is not downloaded from the server 20 to the water heater device 10 and stored in the remote controls 12, 13 can also be stored in the data storage database 202a and provided to the remote control after replacement.

[0104] Furthermore, in the water heater 11, the remote control manufacturing numbers of the remote controls 12 and 13 are stored in the storage unit 112. At a predetermined timing, when the water heater device 10 is powered on, the remote control manufacturing numbers are acquired from the remote controls 12 and 13. It is detected that the remote control has been replaced based on the acquired remote control manufacturing number being different from the stored remote control manufacturing number. Then, on the condition that the replacement of the remote control is detected, the remote control manufacturing number of the replaced remote control is transmitted from the water heater device 10 (kitchen remote control 13) to the server 20. Therefore, when the remote control is replaced in the water heater device 10, the remote control manufacturing number of the replaced remote control can be accurately transmitted to the server 20.

[0105] As described above, the present embodiment has been explained. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible for the application examples of the present invention in addition to the above embodiment.

[0106] For example, in the above embodiment, the water heater manufacturing number is used as the first identification information for identifying the water heater 11. However, the first identification information is not limited to the water heater manufacturing number.

[0107] For example, when the water heater 10 is installed, the user's telephone number may be registered in the water heater 10, and the telephone number registered in the water heater 10 may be used as the first identification information. The telephone number is stored in the storage unit 112 of the water heater 11. In this case, as shown in FIG. 9, in the data storage database 202a, the telephone number is stored instead of the water heater manufacturing number, and in the data storage database 202a, the telephone number, the remote control manufacturing number, and the remote control ownership data are linked to each other. Then, in the control process of FIG. 6, in S304, the control unit 111 of the water heater 11 transmits the remote control manufacturing number and the telephone number of the bathroom remote control 12 to the kitchen remote control 13. Also, in the control process of FIG. 7, in S405, the control unit 133 of the kitchen remote control 13 transmits the remote control manufacturing numbers and the telephone number of the remote controls 12 and 13 to the server 20. Further, in the control process of FIG. 8, in S502, the control unit 201 of the server 20 determines whether the received telephone number is registered in the data storage database 202a, and in S503, registers the received telephone number and each remote control manufacturing number in the data storage database 202a. Further, in S504, the control unit 201 extracts the remote control ownership data linked to the received telephone number and the remote control manufacturing number of the remote control before replacement from the data storage database 202a.

[0108] Also, for example, when setting communication with the router 30 after installation of the water heater 10, the MAC address of the router 30 may be acquired by the water heater 10 and used as the first identification information. The MAC address of the router 30 is stored in the storage unit 112 of the water heater 11. In this case, as shown in FIG. 10, in the data storage database 202a, the MAC address of the router 30 is stored instead of the water heater manufacturing number, and in the data storage database 202a, the MAC address, the remote control manufacturing number, and the remote control possession data are associated with each other. Then, in the control process of FIG. 6, in S304, the control unit 111 of the water heater 11 transmits the remote control manufacturing number of the bathroom remote control 12 and the MAC address of the router 30 to the kitchen remote control 13. Also, in the control process of FIG. 7, in S405, the control unit 133 of the kitchen remote control 13 transmits the remote control manufacturing numbers of the remote controls 12 and 13 and the MAC address of the router 30 to the server 20. Further, in the control process of FIG. 8, in S502, the control unit 201 of the server 20 determines whether the received MAC address of the router 30 is registered in the data storage database 202a, and in S503, registers the received MAC address of the router 30 and each remote control manufacturing number in the data storage database 202a. Further, in S504, the control unit 201 extracts the remote control possession data associated with the received MAC address of the router 30 and the remote control manufacturing number of the remote control before replacement from the data storage database 202a.

[0109] Similarly, the second identification information is not limited to the remote control manufacturing number as long as the remote controls 12 and 13 can be identified, and may be other information consisting of numbers, symbols, etc.

[0110] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, in the control process of FIG. 5(a), the control unit 133 (second transmission processing unit 133a) of the kitchen remote controller 13 periodically transmits only the remote controller management data among the remote controller possession data stored in the data storage database 202a of the server 20 to the server 20. However, the control unit 133 may periodically transmit both the remote controller management data and the server management data, that is, all of the remote controller possession data stored in the data storage database 202a to the server 20.

[0111] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, when the hot water supply device 10 is powered on, the control unit 111 of the water heater 11 transmits the remote controller manufacturing number and the water heater manufacturing number of the bathroom remote controller 12 to the kitchen remote controller 13 based on the detection of remote controller replacement. When the kitchen remote controller 13 receives these manufacturing numbers, it transmits the remote controller manufacturing numbers of the remote controllers 12 and 13 and the water heater manufacturing number to the server 20. However, instead of detecting remote controller replacement as described above, when the power is turned on and remote controller replacement is suspected, the kitchen remote controller 13 acquires the water heater manufacturing number and the remote controller manufacturing number from the water heater and the bathroom remote controller 12, and transmits the remote controller manufacturing number of the kitchen remote controller 13 together with these manufacturing codes to the server 20.

[0112] In such a configuration, the control unit 133 (second transmission processing unit 133a) of the kitchen remote controller 13 transmits the remote controller manufacturing number of the replaced remote controller to the server 20 when the remote controller is replaced, and transmits the remote controller manufacturing number of the original (non-replaced) remote controller to the server 20 when the remote controller is not replaced. Then, when the received remote controller manufacturing number together with the water heater manufacturing number from the hot water supply device 10 is different from the remote controller manufacturing number stored in the data storage database 202a associated with the water heater manufacturing number (when the remote controller is replaced), the control unit 201 (first transmission processing unit 201a) of the server 20 transmits the remote controller possession data associated with the stored remote controller manufacturing number to the hot water supply device 10. However, when the received remote controller manufacturing number matches the stored remote controller manufacturing number (when the remote controller is not replaced), the remote controller possession data is not transmitted to the hot water supply device 10.

[0113] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the wireless communication unit 137 is provided in the kitchen remote controller 13. However, the hot water supply device 11 or the bathroom remote controller 12 may be provided with a wireless communication unit. Alternatively, a communication unit equipped with a wireless communication unit may be provided in the hot water supply apparatus 10. When the hot water supply device 11 is provided with a wireless communication unit, the control unit 111 of the hot water supply device 11 functions as the second transmission processing unit and the storage processing unit, and in the control process of FIG. 6, instead of the process of S304, the processes of S405 to S408 in the control process of FIG. 7 are executed. When the bathroom remote controller 12 is provided with a wireless communication unit, the control unit 123 of the bathroom remote controller 12 functions as the second transmission processing unit and the storage processing unit, and executes a control process similar to the control process of FIG. 7. The control unit 111 of the hot water supply device 11 transmits the remote controller manufacturing number of the kitchen remote controller 13 and the hot water supply device manufacturing number to the bathroom remote controller 12 in S304 of the control process of FIG. 6. Further, when these changes are made, the control unit 133 of the kitchen remote controller 13 executes only the process of S401 in the control process of FIG. 7.

[0114] Furthermore, the hot water supply apparatus 10 is not limited to using gas fuel, and may be a hot water supply apparatus using oil as fuel. The hot water supply apparatus 10 may be a storage type using a storage tank, or may be configured to further include a power generation unit such as a fuel cell.

[0115] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the hot water supply apparatus 10 is provided with two remote controllers 12 and 13, but the hot water supply apparatus 10 may be provided with one or three or more remote controllers.

[0116] In addition, the embodiments of the present invention can be appropriately modified in various ways within the scope described in the claims.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0117] 1 Hot water supply system 10 Hot water supply apparatus 20 Server 30 Router 40 External communication network 11 Hot water supply device 12 Bathroom remote controller 13 Kitchen remote controller 111a Replacement detection unit 112 Memory unit 133a Second transmission processing unit 133b Memory processing unit 201a First transmission processing unit (transmission processing unit) 202a Data storage database (data storage unit)

Claims

1. In a hot water supply system comprising a hot water supply device having a hot water supply unit and a remote controller for operating the hot water supply device, and a server capable of communicating with the hot water supply device via an external communication network, the server has a data storage unit that stores, in association with each other, first identification information capable of identifying the hot water supply unit, second identification information capable of identifying the remote controller, and possession data held by the remote controller; and a first transmission processing unit that transmits, to the hot water supply device, the possession data associated with the second identification information stored in the data storage unit when the second identification information received together with the first identification information from the hot water supply device is different from the second identification information stored in the data storage unit in association with the first identification information. The hot water supply device has a second transmission processing unit that transmits, to the server, the second identification information of the remote controller after replacement, together with the first identification information, when the remote controller is replaced; and a storage processing unit that stores the possession data received from the server in the remote controller after replacement. A hot water supply system characterized by the above.

2. In the hot water supply system according to Claim 1, the second transmission processing unit periodically transmits at least a part of the possession data to the server. A hot water supply system characterized by the above.

3. In the hot water supply system according to Claim 1 or 2, the hot water supply unit has a storage unit that stores the second identification information; and an exchange detection unit that acquires the second identification information from the remote controller at a predetermined timing, and detects that the remote controller has been replaced based on the fact that the acquired second identification information is different from the second identification information stored in the storage unit. The second transmission processing unit transmits, to the server, the second identification information of the remote controller after replacement on the condition that the exchange detection unit has detected the replacement of the remote controller. A hot water supply system characterized by the above.

4. In the hot water supply system according to Claim 1 or 2, the first identification information is the manufacturing number of the hot water supply unit, the telephone number registered in the hot water supply device, or the MAC address of the router that mediates communication between the hot water supply device and the server. A hot water supply system characterized by the above.

5. A water heater device having a water heater and a remote controller for operating the water heater, and capable of communicating with a server via an external communication network, wherein the server has a data storage unit that stores, in association with each other, first identification information capable of identifying the water heater, second identification information capable of identifying the remote controller, and possession data held by the remote controller; and a first transmission processing unit that transmits, to the water heater device, the possession data associated with the second identification information stored in the data storage unit when the second identification information received from the water heater device together with the first identification information is different from the second identification information stored in the data storage unit in association with the first identification information. The water heater device has a second transmission processing unit that transmits, to the server, the second identification information of the remote controller after replacement together with the first identification information when the remote controller is replaced; and a storage processing unit that stores the possession data received from the server in the remote controller after replacement. The water heater device is characterized by the above. **Claim 6** In a water heater device having a water heater and a remote controller for operating the water heater, and a server capable of communicating via an external communication network, a data storage unit that stores, in association with each other, first identification information capable of identifying the water heater, second identification information capable of identifying the remote controller, and possession data held by the remote controller; and a transmission processing unit that receives the first identification information and the second identification information from the water heater device, and transmits, to the water heater device, the possession data associated with the second identification information stored in the data storage unit when the received second identification information is different from the second identification information stored in the data storage unit in association with the first identification information. The server is characterized by comprising the above.

Images